A soft, apple-y, ripe wine, this is a broad, fruity and instantly attractive wine. A fine example of cool, unoaked Chardonnay, it's lightly fragrant and crisp on the finish. Screwcap.
The Buzet co-op's top brand, this is big, powerful and rich. It is dominated by blackberry jelly and sweet plums, as well as firm tannins. The palate is weighty, solid, maybe missing freshness but certainly giving good intensity.
A step up in quality from the 2008—not surprising given the relative strength of the vintage. A flinty note accents nectarine and grapefruit flavors in this light- to medium-bodied offering, lingering nicely on the finish.
A tightly tannic wine, with a firm feeling of wood, balanced by stalky black currant fruit and a layer of acidity. It is still young, with the tannins likely to soften.
Balanced fresh wine, full of mango, guava and pineapple flavors. It has freshness, brightness, along with a refreshing citrus burst.
This is a smooth, subdued style of Rioja that's perfect for tapas or casual consumption. The nose offers the right kind of entry: cherry and raspberry with dusty spice. And the flavors are friendly and suggest black fruits and smoke. A little more oaky and charred than some, but a nice crianza nonetheless.
A faint coppery-pink rosé, Taltarni's 2008 Taché is a blend of 58% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier. It's lean and crisp, with a zesty, citrusy feel to the modest toast and mushroom flavors.
Ripe, fruity Chardonnay, with toast flavors balancing with smooth apricot and pear juice. The wine is soft, rich and generous, finishing with a light acidity.
Brickish in color, with mature aromas of cedar, pine, tobacco, olive and dried fruits. There's still some racy acidity that's keeping the rooty flavors of tobacco, dried berry, coffee and spice moving forward. Finishes dry and a little bit classic; drink now for an affordable taste of Navarra.
Soft and full in the mouth, with spice adding an extra dimension to the broad berry fruits. The wine is ready to drink, its acidity melding well into the richness. The final taste is solid and dense.
Starts off with slightly confected yet delicious aromas of cherries, almond paste and vanilla, but turns slightly more savory on the palate, where it picks up some herbal shadings. This is relatively light in body, with a crisp structure that suggests it may last longer than most Marlborough Pinots; drink now–2017.
From Sauvignon Blanc grown in the vineyards of the Mateus palace, this is a classic, herbaceous wine with attractive fresh and grassy acidity. The high altitude fruit is bright and crisp.
Benton-Lane makes quite a lot of Pinot Gris, stainless-steel fermented and whole cluster pressed, yielding a soft, fragrant, fruity wine with plenty of fresh pear flavor. It flattens out broadly across the palate, full-bodied and lightly spicy. Just a bit more focus would really elevate this wine to the top ranks.
This is a juicy fruity wine with tannins that are already subdued by the acidity and fruit. There is a dry core just set to support the black-currant fruit. With a bright crisp aftertaste, the wine will mature quickly. Drink from 2017.
This is a solid Chardonnay for a great price. It has full body and an oaky, buttery personality that will make few enemies. It's richly textured, with an almost-sweet quality to its fruit.
Made entirely with Refosco, this robust red has a shy nose that eventually reveals prune and a whiff of ground green pepper. The dense palate offers mature plum, vanilla and a hint of cocoa alongside the heat of evident alcohol and evolved tannins. Drink soon.
Ripe, balanced and attractive, this red boasts fine tannins that lend subtle structure to the black plum fruit. Dense with fruitiness and acidity, it's rich enough to savor with meat. Drink now.
This chalky-textured wine has bright, citrusy acidity to contrast its warmer tropical fruit character. Balanced and fruity, it will be ready to drink from late 2017.
Fresh grapey, berry-like aromas and rich, ripe flavors make this medium-bodied wine easy to drink. It's smoothly textured and almost sweet, with generous fruit elements filling out the palate and persisting through the finish.
Aromas of flowers, green herb, pear and peach lead to silky sleek stone-fruit flavors. There's some interesting things going on but the fruit doesn't quite seem to have fully ripened.
Dusty mineral and candied orange rind lend a savory tone to pressed apple and pear in this surprisingly big-bodied off-dry Riesling. Soft tangerine acidity and a yielding red-apple fruit profile lends a broad warmth to the finish.
Plump, juicy yellow cherry and plum aromas on the nose contrast the taut, steely nature of this off-dry Riesling. Zesty lime and lemon acidity makes it refreshingly brisk and easy-drinking.
Sharp acidity and intense oak meet in this deeply concentrated, tropically-influenced white. Peach, apple pie, and faint pineapple flavors all figure in.
The nose on this off-dry Riesling is quite closed still but time and aeration allow fresh grapefruit and lemon notes to come through nicely. Zesty acidity is offset by softer flavors of red apple and tangerine along with savory nuances of nut and earth.
Simple red and black berry fruit defines this estate wine, along with its soft, ripe and lightly structured body. Vanilla and cranberry notes emerge on the midpalate, while the finish is marked by a grip of oaky tannin.
This opens with aromas suggesting mature yellow apple, acacia flower and a whiff of lychee. The straightforward enjoyable palate offers ripe Bartlett pear, bitter almond and a hint of mineral. Enjoy soon.
Not sweet or soft, this assertive dry wine has effusive herb and snap-pea aromas and flavors, bright acidity and medium body. It's a refreshing pour for a hot afternoon or evening.
From a small village in the Côte Chalonnaise that specializes in Aligoté, this is a bright wine with delicious acidity and refreshing lightness. It's made to be drunk young and is ready now.
Aromas of yellow peach, melon and fresh straw pave the path on the nose of this wine. The palate takes a surprising turn, with bright, zippy acidity and a bitter, pithy lime flavor that lingers through and lends a light texture to the finish. Drink now–2018.
There is a green, raw wood character to this wine, with additional notes of green apple, strawberry hull and beeswax. The medium-weight palate offers a bitter orange-peel flavor alongside crisp apple and melon rind. Drink now.
This rustic wine from a site just outside of Healdsburg offers a dense taste of grenadine liqueur and cola. It has moderate structure and plum and nutmeg accents.
Made entirely with organically farmed Rebo grapes, this easygoing red has subtle aromas of cassis and baking spice. The straightforward palate shows ripe red berry and a vanilla note framed in round tannins. Enjoy soon.
Sour plum, dried herb, pepper and tar scents show on the nose of this bottling from the widely available brand. The palate is tightly wound with sticky tannins, which are like to mellow with time, allowing the coffee, asphalt, elderberry and black currant flavors to shine more brightly.
Aromas of yellow stone fruit and toasted almond lead the nose. The ripe round palate mirrors the nose, offering mature apricot, peach, nut and a honey note.
Very rich in texture and lightly sweet in flavor, this wine smells citrusy and crisp but tastes full and soft. It has ripe pear and peach flavors and a lingering, honey-like finish.
A full six years old, this wine is in a sweet spot, with aromas of fresh and dried blue and red fruit. It's rich in style with plump, luscious fruit flavors. It still has time but it's hard to imagine it could get much better. Drink now.
Cherry and pepper are the hallmarks of Zweigelt. Here, they are very aromatic: While muted on the nose, the palate is fresh, lively and very authentic. Merlot adds riper fruit while Blaufränkisch contributes more pepper and structure. This is a very harmonious blend. Lovely now but with the mileage to last a number of years in the cellar. Aromatic cherry fruit echoes on the palate. Drink now until 2020.
The oak (50% new French) plays a big part in this show, with aromas of coffee and pencil lead alongside the variety's strawberries and herbs. It's supple and pillowy in feel with a high yum factor.
A blend of fruit from Seven Hills (75%), Octave (21%) and Pepper Bridge vineyards, this wine shows intriguing aromas of anise, cassis, herb and woodspice. It still seems to be in its shell. The flavors are dense and supple, rich but restrained with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
In this distinctive, delicate, dry Riesling, the signature aromas of pine, petrol and white peach lead to crisp, tangy, green apple and peach skin flavors that tingle the taste buds. It's light bodied, lean in texture and makes the mouth water.
Aromas of vanilla bean, coconut and cocoa meld with cherry cola and dark fruit. The palate has tart, focused cranberry and cherry flavors with a restrained, velvety feel.
Equal parts Dineen and Sheridan vineyard, this 100% varietal wine shows a mixture of dried and fresh herbs, savory notes, graphite and floral aromas. It's reserved and ultra-polished in feel with a divine sense of texture and plenty of tart acidity. Serve it at the dinner table to see it truly shine.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec, this wine exudes complex aromas of leafy herbs, pencil lead, black licorice, citrus peel and dark cherries. On the palate, the blue and red fruit flavors are front and center, well framed by lively acidity and lick of tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Merlot (22%) and Cabernet Franc draws you in with aromas of dark coffee, dried herbs, medicine cabinet and dark cherry. The sweet flavors are layered and tightly wound, with tart acidity and lightly gritty tannins stitching it all together.
The aromas of blue fruit, fresh lavender, game and herbs are quite reserved at present. The palate offers rich but balanced dark fruit flavors, with floral notes taking over on the finish.
This blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier displays aromas of almond, corn husk and apricot. There's a pleasing, nuanced feel to the sweet, full-bodied fruit flavors along with a finish that won't quit.
This is a supple, silky Pinot, the kind that wins friends for the variety. Bold plum and cherry fruit is both sappy and spicy, with ample weight on the palate and a long, mouthwatering finish.
This wine comes from some of the oldest vines in the valley, planted in 1977. Aromas of pear, hay and hazelnut lead to stone-fruit and butterscotch flavors that are light and elegant in style with a very pretty sense of balance.
A new project from winemakers Mark McNeilly and Trey Busch, this wine leads with aromas of fresh green herbs, raspberries, dark chocolate and cherry. The palate is full bore but not overweighted, showing intensity to the red and black fruit flavors.
Very subtle hints of ripe pear on the nose lead to a citrus-dominated palate that has a pleasant bitter-almond edge and a finely textured midpalate. Nonetheless, the zesty freshness is the main feature of this tricky vintage. This is Pinot Gris but not as you know it—here it has the slender verve of a stony, steep site.
Zesty green citrus with lifted notes of Conference pear strike out for a fruity opening. The palate follows up with concentrated spiciness and even more grapefruit zest. This is lively, taut, slender, refreshing and full of tension, with an appetizing edge of pepper.
Using dry-farmed grapes, Ryan Pease crafts a heavily structured wine with aromas of black gravel, mocha and blueberries reduced in a vanilla vinaigrette. The sticky tannins will need some time to unravel, but the flavors of cooked cherries, blackberries and coffee paste are promising. Drink 2018–2024.
This is serious and concentrated, probably built to age a few more years before its peak. It smells soaked with black cherry and black currant aromas, tastes deep, ripe and compelling, and feels full bodied and firmly tannic. The flavors are powerful enough to match the big texture, so it should improve through 2020.
This leads with aromas of dark raspberries, toast and woodspice, seeming to still be in its shell. Flavors are high-octane, rich and sweet, with enough tannins to go the distance. It doesn't seem entirely integrated right now, but it will go up a notch or two if it comes together.
This wine from an ownership team of former pro baseballers Rich Aurilia and Dave Roberts is plush on the nose with dried strawberry, gingerbread and baking spices. The palate offers pomegranate-cherry juice along with graphite and coffee notes.
It's rare to see a varietal bottle of Chardonnay from this appellation. This one comes from Birch Creek Vineyard and has alluring aromas of lees, almond, peach and straw. The creamy stone-fruit flavors have a sense of richness but are also quite deft, with a finish that lingers.
Though it's a niche variety in the state, Carmenère has always been a flagship wine for this winery. This one is all varietal, with aromas of herbs, freshly cut green and jalapeño peppers. It coats the palate with dark fruit and savory flavors.
A blend of Sangiovese, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers aromas of ripe blackberry, baking spice, toasted oak and a balsamic note. The round, savory palate offers black cherry, ground pepper, anise, espresso and tobacco alongside polished tannins.
This stylishly labeled wine by Adam Lazarre and Christian Tietje shows salted apples, lime blossoms and white flowers on the nose. The energetic palate offers just-cut green pears at first, then opens into a touch of vanilla. It tightens back down on green apple peels before ending with vanilla cream. The wine delivers a full experience.
This hedonistic wine has aromas of embers, dark coffee, earth, cranberry and blackberry. It coats the palate with supple, concentrated dark fruit flavors showing some heft and grip to the tannins.
Fragrant purple flower aromas, with red berry and vanilla lead the nose of this round, succulent wine. Notes of mocha, white pepper and aniseed accent the juicy black cherry core while chewy tannins provide the framework.
Brawny aromas of asphalt, roofing tar and rubber are balanced by smooth, deep blackberry and cassis scents. This is tannic and rugged, but the palate also offers buttery, oaky richness and depth. Heavily toasted plum and blackberry flavors finish with heat and a taste of dark chocolate. Drink through 2019.
Truffle, ripe berry, plum, oak-driven spice, espresso and leather aromas lead the nose. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, raisin, licorice and tobacco alongside tightly knit tannins. It closes on a note of grilled herb. Drink 2016–2021.
A Southern Rhône-style blend, this wine shows aromas of cranberry, raspberry, fresh herbs and peppery spices. The flavors show purity, richness and restraint, with a finish that lingers.
This wine has some structure, with enough tannins to sustain the red-berry fruits. It's juicy, with stalky acidity and an attractive texture that will allow it to age a few months. Drink from early 2017.
A Merlot-dominated wine, this is light in texture, with fresh black currants and a stalky background. It is ready to drink.
This simple red opens with aromas of red berry, prune and a hint of Mediterranean spice while the short, informal palate offers blackberry and a hint of orange zest. Pair it with pizza or pasta dishes.
Despite the relatively low alcohol, this wine is fleshy and unctuous, thick in tropical pineapple and mango with an undercurrent of caramel vanilla.
Spicy-sweet whiffs of cola and blackberry preserves scent this unusual ice wine made from hybrid French-American Chambourcin grapes. Sweet black cherry flavors are straightforward and a bit grapey on the palate but pleasantly concentrated.
This medium-bodied wine features plenty of pungent, boxwood-like scents and musky, herbal flavors. Thankfully, there's enough melon and fig to compensate and the wine finishes with a pleasant touch of anise.
Aromas are light but show oxygen exposure along with barrel spice. The cherry and herb flavors are simultaneously plump and elegant.
This is turning into a ripe and fruity wine. The tannins are integrating easily into the black currant flavors. Soon the dry core will open out, supporting the fruit taste. The blend is 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink from late 2016.
The basic aromas of grapefruit, green herbs and stone fruits are generic. This feels young, fresh and fruity, with flavors of lime and grapefruit that end in standard fashion.
Rough, nutty, stalky aromas are not particularly inviting. This has a grabby, creamy, chocolaty texture to go with baked, stewy flavors of cherry cough drop. A lightly green, oaky, chocolaty finish is low on acid given that this is a coastal wine from a cool year.
There's quite a showy, fragrant nose on this widely available bottling, with apple blossoms, tuberose and a touch of quinine. The palate also takes on a gin-and-tonic character, powered by lime juice, white peach and botanical notes.
Light aromas of almond, fresh-cut red apple and spice lead to restrained fruit flavors. The concentration seems lacking.
This may be the grapy-est, jammy-est wine on the market. Aromas are like Concord jam, while flavors recall Welch's juice. The body is full and the texture moderately tannic.
An unusual tawny color blends with deep pink in this wine that conveys cinnamon aromas and persimmon flavors. It's certainly an unusual style but has its own appeal.
Peach pit and apricot aromas are subdued. The palate is pulpy and fruity, with a light cut of acidity. Pithy flavors of orange and quince end with minor notes of bitterness and greens.
Golden yellow coloring and deeply perfumed notes of dried flowers and stone fruits are enticing hints to this wine's extended skin contact during fermentation. But the palate of this dry, light-bodied Riesling seems demure with pressed apple and pear flavors that struggle to penetrate through.
The aromas of high-toned herbs, butter and toast seem to show some oxygen exposure, giving a latex-paint smell and leading to elegantly styled pineapple, kiwi and papaya flavors. It's tropical fruit in a glass.
The subdued nose eventually reveals black cherry, anise and a whiff of chopped herb that carry over to the straightforward, informal palate. Dusty, drying tannins and a note of bitter sage leave an astringent finish.
This is a tight, structured and stalky wine. Smoky black-currant flavors are freshened by acidity in the 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from 15 acres. A firm character keeps the wine tough. Drink from 2016. A member of Alliance Bourg.
This young, purple-colored wine has young fruit to match. It offers stalky red plum and blueberry flavors, light acidity and a fresh character. It is ready to drink.
This wine is packed with tannins, less packed with fruit. That gives it a tough character, very dry and not fruity enough. The estate is owned by the Perrin family of Château Carbonnieux.
This young, fruity and ripe wine blends 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The generous tannic structure goes with the red fruits and the light acidity. A juicy texture will allow it to age quickly. Drink from 2017. The Gondreau family is a member of Alliance Bourg.
From vines in the Entre-deux-Mers, this is a cool wine although with fresh black-currant fruits and balanced tannins. Dominated by Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it has a juicy character that leaves a fresh taste as well as lively acidity. Drink from the end of 2016.
This wine has a fresh, herbal character with grassy aromas and crisp acidity. Apples and quince blend with a more citric element to give a tangy texture that needs a few more months to come together. The blend is 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillion and 20% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from summer 2016.
With 35% Sauvignon Gris in the blend, this wine is attractive to drink now. Perfumed white fruits with hints of apricots—it's lively and light.
Dry, lightly herbal aromas of spicy raspberry and currant precede a tomatoey palate with bright acidity and modest weight. Short, spicy flavors of tomato and plum finish simply, without much flavor or force.
Fruity and herbal, this fresh wine suggests ripe apples and white peaches. The crisp texture brings out the perfumed character of the fruit. The wine is ready to drink.
Horsey aromas infringe upon basic cherry and tomato scents. This is lean on the palate, with scouring acidity. Tart, spicy plum and cherry flavors end on a crisp, dilute finish with that reverberates with sour plum and cherry notes.
Blackberry, cassis and dusty aromas get this full-bodied Syrah-Monastrell off to a great start. This is staunch and well built, with firm tannins and dark, masculine flavors of blackberry, black currant, pepper and a hint of salt. A gutsy finish is powerful but balanced. This is impressive for the price.
This wine is closed at this stage, offering just hints to its potential. At the core, there are ripe stone fruits, dark plums as well as blackberries. Fine and stylish tannins add balance. This is a fine wine with a future. Drink from 2016.
Complex and rich, this is an impressive, concentrated wine. It has great acidity that balances flavors of ripe white fruits and apple skins, and lends a tight, taut texture. The wine should be aged for at least six months before drinking.
There's a hint of fresh ramp that adds a curious dimension of umami to this otherwise bright, floral auslese. The palate is sweet and juicy, with flavors of apricot and peach and a striking tangerine acidity that penetrates through the finish.
This is a lush, ripe Chardonnay from a cool subregion of the Adelaide Hills. Grilled peaches and toasted coconut elements lend an exotic edge to this full-bodied wine. Drink it over the next few years.
This is a dark, rich, modern Cabernet. The nose oozes sweet aromas of coconut and vanilla along with creamy oak and blackberry. The palate is full and chunky in feel, with dark-fruit flavors accented by molasses and pepper. A chewy finish shows grip and lasting acidity.
Intense minerality penetrates through the nose and palate of this dry, remarkably bold Riesling, highlighting notes of fresh pineapple and white grapefruit. The mouthfeel is creamy and viscous, but bitter lemon pith and herb notes lend balance and complexity. Drink now through 2016.
This wine has just enough residual sugar to take it to the upper threshhold of dry. It's quite full flavored with a thirst quenching mix of citrus, apple and pineapple. Crisp acidity enhances the freshness and contributes a tangy, lemony kick to the finish.
Here's a hearty blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Merlot that opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, truffle, tobacco and meat juice. The lush palate delivers juicy black cherry, blackberry, spearmint and thyme alongside rippling but refined tannins.
Although a touch rough and stalky on the nose, any and all gritty aromas are offset by earthy, mature cherry and plum scents. Grabby but fair on the palate, this tastes of roasted plum, herbs and peppery spice. A dry, toasty finish with spice notes ranks as good.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Franc (43%) finished off with Merlot. A blend of Stillwater Creek and Stonetree vineyards, it leads with fresh herb, game, black cherry and barrel-spice aromas. The flavors are more reserved than the aromas suggest, pulling up toward the finish.
A milky aroma, creamy texture and nice butter, peach and vanilla flavors add up to a rich taste for this big, soft, mouthfilling wine.
A blend dominated by Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay produces a crisp, herbal wine that has the background of a more creamy texture. From 20-year-old vines planted on granite soil, it has a tight, mineral edge as well as concentrated apple, citrus and fresh melon fruits. Drink now.
A collaboration between winemaker Austin Hope and Texas chef Tim Love, this yellow-pink bottling is light and delicate on the nose, with buttered croissant, lime and flinty aromas. The palate is light and very quaffable, with red apple and light pencil-lead minerality.
Leathery aromas include notes of raisin, plum, prune and vanilla. This feels full but a touch chunky and obtuse. Savory, roasted berry and plum flavors include notes of salt and spice, while the finish is spicy, savory and oaky in character.
A percentage of Zinfandel plays nicely in this medium-bodied wine, aged almost two years in French oak. Spicy plum and vanilla surround supple tannin and a dry, lingering finish, accented in leather and black pepper.
Aromas of plum and wood spice lead to plentiful blue-fruit flavors that show a fine sense of purity. The tannins provide a dry, lightly astringent squeeze.
Aromas of ripe red apple and pencil lead are followed by tart cherry and cranberry flavors. It's a unique interpretation of the variety.
Coming from the winery's vineyard just outside the Lake Chelan appellation, this wine is moderately aromatic with notes of lime, pear, flowers and diesel. It drinks off dry, with abundant stone-fruit flavors that linger.
Aromas of lees and spice edge out peach and pear notes. The palate is dry and creamy in feel, with the fruit flavors light and elegant. The lees influence dominates.
Smoke, earth, dark spice and berry are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The linear, rather lean palate displays raw cherry, mineral and Mediterranean herb alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound tannins.
This unique blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Marsanne by Bob Lindquist is priced to sell. Fragrant Gravenstein apple, pink-grapefruit pith and a touch of honeysuckle show on the nose, followed by flavors of apple blossoms, lemon and lime zest on the light and easy palate that sizzles with a cider-like acidity.
Candied lemongrass, cut apple, wet cement, lime peel and warmer peach notes show on the nose of this very typical and likable bottling. Flavors are rounded on the palate, with tropical notes of peach, mango and pear custard.
Subdued aromas recalling grilled herb, orange peel and a hint of freshly picked rose come together on this. The palate offers sour cherry, mint and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins that leave a firm, rather astringent finish.
This opens with aromas suggesting espresso, oak and coconut while the palate shows black raspberry, dried cherry, toast, clove and licorice. Give the tightly wound tannins a few years to unwind then enjoy.
This medum-bodied red opens with a sumptuous note of dark cherry, almost of Amarena. The palate is taut but still carries that lovely aromatic richness. Unusual and slender but balanced and intriguing.
Waxy papaya and melon aromas maintain freshness despite this getting on in age. A lean, snappy palate is par for the variety and origin, while tangy tangerine and lemon flavors finish sharp and whispy. Drink now.
Coming from a cool vintage and one of the state's top Syrah sites, this wine is starting to show some age, with evolved notes of dried fruit, mineral, licorice and baking spice. The cranberry, cherry and spice flavors show depth and intensity. Drink now.
A touch of reduction clings to the nose but the palate spells an abundance of fresh, crunchy red cherry. The slender body unfolds in joyful fruit and brims with freshness. This is light-bodied but utterly governed by delicious red-cherry fruit. Drink soon.
Underbrush, scorched earth, dried tobacco leaf and camphor aromas emerge in the glass. The tight, compacted palate isn't extremely expressive but eventually reveals suggestions of raw cherry, grilled sage, clove and a hint of orange peel alongside drying tannins that leave a firm finish.
While initially a bit smoky and closed on the nose, time and aeration reveal the elegant briar and raspberry aromas of this wine. Made predominantly from Cabernet Franc and Merlot, along with smaller proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah, it's concentrated in red berry and plum flavors accented by savory herb and bramble.
Fresh herb and black currant aromas lead to ripe black-cherry flavors. It's fruit-forward and provides a lot of easy-drinking appeal.
This pale salmon-colored wine shows bright aromas of watermelon and strawberry. The palate drinks dry with mouthwateringly tart fruit flavors.
This is a 100% varietal, single vineyard wine coming from Cockburn Ranch Vineyard. Aromas of lees and spice lead to nutty flavors that are broad in feel.
This cool-vintage wine offers aromas of vanilla, coconut, barrel spice, clove and red fruit. The palate is full of restrained cranberry flavors that show persistence.
Aromas of smoke, vanilla, green herbs and spice are followed by generous cherry and barrel flavors. The wood juts out but it still brings enjoyment.
A very pretty pale salmon color, this wine is principally Grenache (64%) and Roussanne (23%) with the rest Counoise and Lemberger. Aromas of watermelon and rosewater are followed by just off-dry, mouthwatering citrus and cherry flavors that linger.
Very well structured and richly textured, this is a serious red for a special occasion. It has a deep, smoky red color, slightly herbaceous and mineral aromas, generous cherry and raspberry flavors, full body and lots of fine tannins to give a soft bite on the palate. Made from 50% Tinta Roriz, 35% Carmenère, 15% Cabernet Franc.
Tasty and well integrated, this offers fresh fruit flavors married to subtle oak nuances. It's medium bodied and balanced in acidity, which bolsters the ripe fruit flavors, vanilla and baking spice accents.
A new wine by father-son team Tom and Rob Sinton, whose forebears partnered with Louis Martini during Prohibition. This blends in Merlot and Petit Verdot from a handful of vineyards, including Stagecoach and Konrad. It's herbal and peppery, exhibiting dark berry and coffee notes as well as soft, mellowed tannins.
Pineapple, grapefruit, and apricot show brightly on the nose and palate. Simultaneously refreshing and sophisticated on the palate, this wine has a crisp, lingering finish laced with flavors of almond blossom.
Fresh, crisp and uncomplicated, this offers aromas of honey and sliced peaches, with a lively texture and good balance. Medium-bodied, it makes a great wine for a picnic, before dinner or with seafood.
Aromas include red flower, iris, black fruit, baking spices and a whiff of eucalyptus. On the palate, cinnamon, sage, mint and a hint of vanilla add depth to the sour cherry and black raspberry flavors. It's still young with tight, drying tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2016–2021.
Rose petal, leather, wet soil, truffle and red berry aromas lead the nose and follow through to the ripe palate along with cherry-berry, white pepper and mint. It's delicious and already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2016–2023.
Don't let the generic California appellation fool you, this is a distinctive Chardonnay. It has subtle flavors of pear and toasted oak, and shows a sophisticated and restrained style, with a vibrant fruit core and good balance. Though medium bodied, it plays crisp acidity off a lush texture and lingers on the finish.
Expertly integrated butter elements mix with peach and lime spritz on the nose. This single-vineyard Chardonnay offers stone fruit flavors, slight sea saltiness and a long vanilla finish for very easy drinking.
This soft wine shows a rounded character. It's balanced, with acidity giving a supporting freshness and texture to the full, rich creaminess. Full in the mouth and dense, it could age further. Drink from 2015.
Ripe berry, tilled earth, violet, grilled herb and coffee aromas lead the nose on this firmly structured wine. The palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry, chocolate, anisette and black pepper. It's supported by a backbone of bracing, astringent tannins.
Concentrated and generous in sweet red fruit, this is a gangbuster Oakville Merlot for the price. Balanced in fruit, herb and dry tannin, it's a lovable quaff from a well-known vineyard.
Though designated simply as Washington state, this five grape, Cab-dominated, Bordeaux-style blend is sourced entirely from Kiona's Red Mountain vineyards. Aromatic—almost pungent—it's built around soft, ripe red fruits, augmented with a touch of leather and toast. Round, full, and ready to drink, it spent a year in 60% new oak.
Named after winemaker David Corey's son, this 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot begins with nose-tickling scents of berry syrup and smoked cigars. The maduro cigar flavor consumes the palate, with black cherry fruit and smooth tannins. It can stand up to a fat stogie or gamy meats like lamb.
With tight, crisp aromas of berry fruit, toast, mineral and mint, this Cabernet Sauvignon blend is high toned—coming across racy and snappy. Jumpy, lively plum and raspberry flavors are backed by leafy, herbal notes and resiny oak. A spicy mint finish concludes this energetic yet oaky blend. Drink through 2021.
Early aromas of menthol and oak settle on floral red berry scents and woodspice. The flavor profile of black cherry and berry is initially narrow, but with time rounds out to deliver a bright, pleasant overall character. The blend consists of 75% Carmenère, 25% Syrah and 5% Carignan.
Delicate sprays of cherry blossom and raspberry waft from nose to finish on this salmon-pink blend of traditional Champagne grape varieties. Zesty lemonade acidity is lively on the palate, leading to a long, softly foamed finish.
Blueberry, sage and vanilla swirl into an admirable nose on this wine from a property far up the Santa Ynez River valley. There is distinct tar on the palate, like other wines from the property, with smashed black cherry fruit and tobacco herbaceousness present as well.
Big flavors and full body make this deep-colored Grenache stand out. It combines aromas of ripe raspberry and boysenberry jam with hints of tobacco and cedar in the flavors. All are supported by a firm, tannic texture that is rounded out by a sensation of richness.
Earthy, alluring fragrances suggest bright berry, rose petal and tilled soil. The palate delivers ripe, wild cherry completed by notes of vanilla, white and black pepper alongside youthful, bracing tannins. Drink 2016–2024.
The vineyard for this 100% Grenache is certified sustainable, organic and Biodynamic. Bright and light in strawberry and mint, the wine has a strong herbal component intertwined with tartness and tingling acidity.
This sweet wine is nut brown in color, with aromas of dried prunes, caramelized pears and raisins. The palate is driven by sweet, dried fruit tones, balanced by bright acidity.
Full-bodied and lush on the palate, this exuberant wine offers a brightness of red raspberry fruit followed by acres of lively clove and ginger spice. High in acidity, it has years to go before it sleeps, the finish savory in leather.
Jammy blackberry, rubber, graphite and raw oak aromas set up a full, weighty palate. Flavors of mint, licorice, creamy oak and chocolate accent brambly black-fruit flavors, while a minty finish simmers with power and subtle warmth. Drink through 2016.
This exotic and memorable white wine brings a floral, perfumed aroma, ripe fruit flavors and a nicely viscous texture. Rather light in body for its richness level, it delivers a lingering finish. It has the generous texture of a Chardonnay but with more intense fruit flavors.
This is an exceptionally young wine, still tight, textured and mineral. The potential shows in the white fruits, lemon crispness and rich background. It's full of both fruit and a firm, steely structure. Drink from 2017.
Herbal, saucy aromas of tomato and spice accent dark-berry fruit, while the palate carries a tight, fresh, crisp feel. This brings herbal, spicy notes along with berry and cassis flavors, while the finish rolls out in loamy yet short fashion.
A closed nose opens into a light-bodied, citrus-led palate of mild sweetness, with that lovely killer acid that is Riesling's own. This auslese will make a great companion to soft, ripe cheeses or lemon drizzle cake.
This structured wine discloses dark tannins and a firm, dense character. The granite soil comes through strongly in the cool minerality and tight texture. It has weight and potential richness, but it does need to age. Drink from 2016.
In a challenging vintage, this shows excellent structure around rather light fruit. Strawberry and cherry come into play, with some well-managed tannic strength from the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec.
Weighty and dry, Albariño is a rare sight in Sonoma. This one is well worth seeking, savory in nutty almond and a taste of grilled peach. Mouth quenching, it'll pair well with spicy Thai shrimp.
Honey is the key word to describe the nose and flavor of this extremely aromatic and just slightly sweet wine, which also offers notes of honeysuckle and honeydew. Winemakers often turn the grape Symphony (a cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris) into a sweet, dessert-style wine, but this shows how good it can be in a drier version.
This is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, with a core of blueberry and cocoa. It's super-smooth and quite easy to sip and enjoy. But apart from that, and the seductive coffee/mocha flavors that run rampant through the finish, it shows little of the depth and complexity that Washington Cabernet can display. Drink 2017–2019.
Lively and full-bodied, the blend includes Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne and Pinot Gris. Citrus fruits fill the mouth, with a streak of honey and appealing roundness. This is a great wine to just drink and enjoy, without too much contemplation.
This bold, sturdy wine brings together mature plum, black cherry, citrus, blue flower, clove, mocha, black pepper and licorice sensations. The savory palate is supported by a backbone of assertive, drying tannins. You'll also notice the evident alcohol. It's delicious but extremely forward so drink soon for freshness.
Underbrush, leather, black pepper, clove and leather lead the nose on this brawny wine. The spicy palate offers allspice, anisette, concentrated black cherry and juicy raspberry alongside strapping tannins. It's one-dimensional but savory. Enjoy through 2015.
Adorned by a beautiful label, this aromatic white is resplendent in lychee, pear and orange blossom as well as marked minerality. Dry, the finish is slightly spicy and entirely memorable.
This mellowed-out red is ready to drink now. A good level of flavor complexity and a layered texture that is smooth but firm with tannins make this medium-bodied Merlot tasty. It feels so soothing and appetizing that one forgives the fruit and spice notes for being subtle.
This is a medium-bodied, slightly plump Sauvignon Blanc that hits the right herbal notes of snow pea and tomato leaf, then blends those with grapefruit and hints of stone fruit.
Generous, fruity and ripe, this unpretentious red blend based on Syrah lets the pure fruit flavors carry it rather than laying on heavy oak flavors. It is medium-bodied, broad-textured, very juicy and delicious.
There is a floral touch to the aroma and flavor of this bold, spicy wine. Along with toasted bread and smoke aromas, it has plenty of mouthwatering fruit flavor, firmly balanced by ample tannin and acidity.
From old dry-farmed vineyards in the southern Itata Valley, this amphorae-fermented wine is one of Chile's most unusual reds. It's muscular and medicinal on the nose, with earthy, rubbery scents. Flavors of mushroom and dusty berry lack pointed freshness, while the finish is lively and earthy, with a plum character. This is unique but the final product has its faults. Tasted twice.
Varietal Malbec from New Zealand is a rarity. This one is medium to full in body, with supple tannins that end silky and long. The herbal shadings may be a bit much for tasters accustomed to fruity Argentine versions, but black cherry and mocha notes compensate.
A wine that is so fresh, with its blend of aromatic Gros and Petit Manseng and good acidity. Honey and a light hand on wood are added to peach and mango flavors to give a sweet, delicate, ready-to-drink wine.
Smooth, creamy and round, this offers mango, peach and fresher grapefruit flavors, well integrated into its full-bodied texture. With its delicious rich feel, it has weight as well as final acidity.
This is a bright, fruity wine made delicious by red berry flavors that come with a touch of spice and smoke. It has a good future, fresh and juicy while showing some structure. Drink now, but it will be better in 2015.
Don't come looking for your light and fruity Grenache—the 15.2% alcohol lets you feel the fire pumping through the veins of this deeply ripe and potent wine. In a blind tasting you might easily think it was a Zin rather than a Washington Grenache.
Ripe and delicious, this is full of fruit along with balanced structure. It is lively, with some youthful acidity as well as rich red berry flavors. It's ready to drink now.
This wine's expressive aromas and flavors of sweat, green herbs and passion fruit all speak of the Dillons Point subregion, but those excesses are toned down by aging in 1,000-liter oak casks known in German as fuders. That aging has imparted a pleasant creaminess to the midpalate, again mellowing the regional character.
Light aromas suggest peach and pear. The wine's flavors revolve around a slightly tannic and tart tension, between hard green apple skins and sharp mustard, making for a somewhat angular yet interesting spin on Chardonnay. Ample weight provides a solid mouthfeel, with a medium-length finish.
Lightly aromatic with notes of yellow apple, pear and melon. It drinks off dry, with the sugar seeming out of place but followed by an extended finish with clarifying acidity.
This very limited reserve is from a particular block, and as with most block selections, it offers focused, somewhat constrained flavors. Precisely defined red berry fruit is set in a frame of vanilla, toast and coffee. It's a pleasant, albeit generic quaffer.
This wine keeps true to the varietal character of German Riesling, with an aroma of petrol—that British term that describes Riesiing's oddly attractive and mild diesel smell—plus peach and green apple. It tastes crisp, dry, medium-bodied and well balanced.
This is a great wine for fans of the flashy, almost sweet, dark colored and fully oaked style of Zin. It has a tasty sense of maple syrup on waffles, boysenberries and vanilla. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's firm in texture and slightly sweet on the finish.
This Tempranillo from little-known Cigales opens with potent crushed brick, spice, toasty oak and berry aromas. The palate has a juicy, fresh outlook and no excess weight or overextraction. Its plum, berry, spice and vanilla flavors finish with a note of mature, sweet tobacco. Drink through 2020.
From a great site in this cool appellation, this wine shines with a powerful grip of ripe cherry and strawberry fruit and earthy undertones of dried herb and cardamom cola. Layered and dense, it has a seductively smooth texture and bite of minerality.
A good (not great) year for this cuvée, brings supple strawberry and cherry flavors, streaked with a strong taste of chicken stock. The wine is drinking okay, but re-tasting on the second day did not show the sort of development that promises a good long cellar life.
Fresh peel of Russet pear appears on the nose with its implication of pleasant bitterness and juicy fruit. The palate is slender and bone dry, showing the purity of the fruit even more. While this is powerful and concentrated, the finish echoes with gentle delicate pears and lemony freshness.
Dark spicy herbal aromas blend nicely with cola, berry and black-currant scents. A huge fleshy palate expands as it delivers grapy blackberry flavors and herbal shadings. A jammy finish is dense and meaty, but a bit light on acidity. Drink this big burly red blend through 2020.
There's no denying the concentration of this full-bodied, lavishly textured wine. It pulses with ripe blackberry and boysenberry from the aroma through the flavors and into the lingering finish. Delicious new American oak flavors lend complexity without overwhelming the taste of the grapes.
From a three-acre block of the Valley View Vineyard just east of Solvang, this clonal selection shows cedar, black olive, black pepper and elderberry fruit on the tightly wound nose. Tart but ripe boysenberry fruit shows on the palate, spiced with peppercorn, more cedar and a slate-like minerality. Sticky tannins carry those flavors into the finish.
Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, Obelisco and Quintessence make up this wine. The aromas of smoke, dark plum, cocoa, herb and spice lead to black-fruit flavors that show a sense of sophistication. There's no question it comes from a warm vintage and region but it shows a judicious touch.
Merlot (78%) takes the lead on this blend, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%). Fragrant aromas of green tea, flowery herb, barrel spice and cherry aromas are followed by concentrated, silky-soft red- and black-fruit flavors and exquisitely integrated tannins.
This wine's ripe berry aromas are accompanied by creamy oak, pepper and licorice notes. It feels choppy yet built to last, with spicy, lightly herbal berry and plum flavors and an abrasive but fresh finish, suggesting it will not suffer from further aging. Drink through 2024.
Penetrating veins of slate and smoke meander through crisp cantaloupe, lemon and lime in this elegant semidry Riesling. Racy and taut with acidity, the palate is punctuated by a lingering honey and steel finish. Drink now through 2025.
This almost delicate wine has wonderful light cherry and floral aromas, pure and vivid raspberry and red cherry flavors and a texture as smooth as silk. A rarity made from old vines, its medium body balances nicely with ample acidity, mild tannins and a lingering finish.
Wood aging has given this wine richness as well as a smooth texture. It is a ripe full-bodied wine, finely poised between fruit and more mature secondary flavors. The single vineyard wine is ready to drink.
Cloak & Dagger's film noir styling fits the dark and brooding character of this wine. Cola and graphite aromas mix with fresh blackberry and blueberry on the nose. The palate is well-structured with tangy, plum skin-like acidity while delivering satisfying dark chocolate, black olive and black cherry flavors.
This manages to be plush and rich in texture while keeping the alcohol level reined in. Pineapple crème brûlée aromas are backed up on the palate by flavors of peach and pineapple, finishing long and rich. Drink now.
Subdued earth notes precede the ripe freshness of red apple and mirabelle. A touch of residual sweetness boosts ripe fruit flavors of pear and orange, red apple and mirabelle plum. Lemon freshness brightens the palate and makes for an appetizing, zingy and refreshing finish.
Appetizing and warmly generous pear notes characterize the nose. The palate has the same, friendly fruit, boosted by some residual sugar. The plump fruit is countered by ample lemony freshness that creates an inherent balance. The finish is just off dry, but very refreshing.
A lovely fresh blast of citrus foliage rises from the glass. The palate carries the same fragrant freshness but holds warmth and strength at its core, despite the dry taut body. This is the sunshine and the richness of 2015 captured with a light touch. The finish is dry and refreshing.
Yellow peach, honeysuckle and russet pear combine in a very inviting nose. The palate amalgamates these flavors even more, bathing them in tangy but sightly sweet orange notes. The result is a bullet of flavor and freshness, balanced, friendly and very moreish. The finish is off dry and wonderfully clean and spicy.
A woody jammy nose is lush and borders on raisiny. Stout, saturated and thick on the palate, this Cabernet blend from Curicó deals a broad swipe of giant blackberry, cassis and raisin flavors. A chunky finish with rubbery tannins is tasty and lush, but a bit over the top.
These quirky labels mark a stylish shift in Temecula, where traditional branding has long reigned, yet the wine is as solid as ever. This blend of 64% Petite Sirah, 13% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Shiraz and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon shows dried black currant, turned loam, dark chocolate dust and dried mint aromas. The flavors are reminiscent of classic Old World bottlings, with cedar, dried herb and stewed plum laced with fresh acidity and a dry texture.
Plump Asian pear and sea salt aromas accompany lighter hints of butterscortch and marshmallow in this barrel blend from William Foley's estate in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills. There is a textural pull to the palate, while Gala apple, sea salt and marzipan flavors provide richness.
Pale straw in color, this wine brings alluring aromas of toast, spice, clarified butter and stone fruit. The palate is full bodied with sweet, generous peach and tropical-fruit flavors that sail on the finish.
This winery's name is a nod to the adjacent Pleasant Valley Cemetery in San Miguel, where the warm climate suits Zinfandel well. Plump and bursting boysenberry and lingonberry aromas are dusted with vanilla and marjoram on the nose. The palate's flavors range from ripe red fruit to clove-driven spice and herbal touches, with pepper-laced acidity.
Evocatively tender notes of Conference pear appear on the nose. The palate is ample with juicy pear and has a generous dollop of residual sweetness. Nonetheless, this is balanced by vigorous lively freshness, leaving a harmonious, rounded, light-footed and elegant wine with a moreish finish.
Mainly Shiraz, this is dense and earthy on the nose, filled with dark fruit aromas. The flavor profile is similar, but this medium- to full-bodied red turns tart and lemony on the finish. Drink now.
Firm, tough, mineral and austere, this is a dense wine that grabs you with its structure and dark fruits. The acidity is lean, needing more time to develop as the wine fleshes out.
A rounded, soft wine, hinting at some minerality, with a white stone fruit flavor, crisply citrus. The wine only gradually shows more fruit flavor, the roundness then freshened up with acidity. There is a good final balance.
Ripe and tropical, this is a full wine that captures the warmth of the Alentejo. The acidity offers some freshness along with the citrus edge, but the fruits are much more tropical, rich in mango and lychee spice.
This is a rather bulky, chunky Merlot, with decent levels of grapy black cherry and cassis fruit. It lacks elegance, but makes up for it with plenty of intensity and flavor. Drink now.
This is a Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux blend from a variety of well-respected Yakima Valley vineyards. Despite a little sweatiness in the nose, the wine has some sleek, racy berry flavored fruit. It shows only moderate concentration in the midpalate, with juicy acids and firm tannins. The finish turns watery, a bit dilute, with raspberry and pale red currant notes.
A smoothly textured wine, with herb and black currant flavors, rounded by vanilla spice from wood. The aftertaste is tightly acid, but remaining rich. Drink now.
Six different varieties are included in the blend, which varies from year to year. This is very open and fruity, a good, all-purpose red blend that is ready to drink right now. The palate impression is almost too soft, with a residual flavor of ripe bananas running through the finish.
If you get at this now you may still enjoy the wine's freshness. Aromas of apricot and apple are clear and unadulterated by oak. The flavors of lemon, apple, pineapple and green papaya are zesty, while lasting acidity on the finish leaves a cleansing, wet impression.
Generic red-fruit aromas are accented by sage and thyme, while in the mouth the feel is wiry. Full-blooded raspberry and cherry flavors come with pronounced acidity and lighter-framed tannins, so there's some sharpness. All in all it's a no-frills red wine with minimal Cabernet character.
Toso's first-ever rosé of Malbec comes in a salmon color, with clean but generic aromas of melon, cotton candy and wet stones. The palate deals sweet peach with some spice, and the mouthfeel is full. Good in a round, drink-me-soon style.
Seems as though St. Lucas's white wines are more sturdy than its reds. This Chard is fleshy and won't last much longer, but for dense melon, peach and cider-like flavors and relatively good balance, it's making the grade. Plump and tropical on the finish as it battles to stay in line.
Both sour and black cherry join with blackberry on this wine from Laetitia. It delivers a rich, full mouth, with a good tannic grip and lasting finish—perhaps in part due to the inclusion of stems in the fermentation process. Flavors approach the yellow-red blend of Mexican taco spices, equally savory and spicy.
The Valencia region has never been known for world-class wines, but this is exemplary. Aromas of sweet plum, boysenberry, blueberry and minerals lead into a structured, full-bodied palate with wild berry, cassis and herbal flavors. A lively palate is the antithesis of shy, while firm acidity keeps this fresh. Drink through 2018.
The first-ever varietal Malbec for Barrister, this captures the vivid core of tart, delicious, juicy and deep raspberry fruit, elevated further with lemony acidity. The wine is penetrating, tart and quite young, but lip-smackingly tasty.
This fresh but fruity white starts with aromas of white rose, grapefruit and citrus, followed by light and elegant flavors of lemon, grapefruit and sea salt. Playful but memorable.
Butter, salt, pear and fresh-squeezed orange comprise the leading aromas. Bright orange flavors persist on the palate, as do green apple, hints of papaya and the near-chalky sensation of white rock.
A sophisticated Chardonnay from a winery known for good values. Buttery in aroma, it has a rich texture without being full-bodied, and is appetizingly dry and subtle in fruit flavor. Notes of toasted almond and baking spices come out on the palate and linger on the finish.
An easy drinking, lightly colored wine, it offers bright red fruit, white pepper and a bit of green pepper on the nose. These are followed by cranberry, cherry and strawberry on the palate, bolstered by a pinch of green herbs. Often served slightly chilled, it's best served alongside Argentinian barbecue on the polo field—such as the Happy Canyon one owned by the brand's founder Thomas Barrack.
A blend of 60% Nero d'Avola, 30% Sangiovese and 10% Corinto, this structured wine opens with fragrances of mature plum, resin and a balsamic note. The dense palate offers chewy tannins and delivers succulent flavors of black cherry and ripe black berry that are layered with black pepper, clove and mocha.
The wines from this collaboration between Charles Smith and Charles Bieler continue to impress. The rosé is mostly Syrah, with small amounts of Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise and Mourvèdre. It's a complex, fashionably stylish take on rosé. Light fruit flavors of berry and melon are detailed and refreshing, with exceptional length on the palate.
Strong wood aromas and flavors dominate the wine at this young stage. Good fruit and a steely texture lie behind the toast. As those yellow fruits develop, it will become a delicious, while always structured wine. Drink from 2016.
Weighty, warm and welcoming, this is an easy-to-like wine with surprisingly delicate aromas of citrus blossom, tangerine and pineapple. Citrus and honey flavors form the bulk of the rich palate, lingering on the finish.
An impressive young Cabernet from a region not well known for Cabs. The first impression is a complex aroma of herb, dark cherry and dark chocolate that continues through to the palate. The texture is laced well with fine, firm tannins that will make it great with rich meat and cheese dishes. Overall it is concentrated and full-bodied, big but balanced.
Fully fruity right up front, this rounded wine has a crisp element that cuts through the richness. Peach and pear flavors contrast with orange zest and lively final acidity.
This bold Aglianico has mature black-fruit aromas, with whiffs of eucalyptus, spice and leather. The juicy palate delivers a concentrated, black cherry flavor that's accented by black pepper. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and firm but tightly-knit tannins.
This is a warm wine with a rounded feel, making it soft and full of red fruits. It features strawberry sweetness as well as a tighter, more tannic character. It could well age, so wait until 2016.
Dark burgundy in color, it's crafted from estate-grown, organically certified grapes, a mix of Swan, Dijon 667 and 777 and Pommard clones. It has a dense, toasty character from 16 months in French oak, almost half of it new. A darker profile of baked plum and cinnamon swirls amid leathery earth. The finish is zingy and the wine is labeled as vegan.
Focused and fresh, this wine starts with aromas of snappy lemon and slate, followed by sea salt, tropical fruit and citrus on the palate. The acid-fruit interplay offers an expressive but lively choice for pairing with salads, ethnic cuisine and fruit dishes.
Vibrant and structured, this expression of Aglianico opens with a fragrance that recalls blue flower, dark woodland berries, forest floor and balsamic notes. The polished palate offers red cherry, black pepper, licorice and menthol alongside subtle oak. It's well balanced but still young, with nervous acidity and assertive tannins. Drink after 2018.
Chalk, cherry, crushed clove and nutmeg are all present on the nose from this 81% Cabernet Sauvignon / 19% Merlot from Paso Robles' Westside. It's juicy and vibrant once sipped, with deep red fruits and a blackberry finish. The wine isn't particularly complicated wine and there's isn't much tannic backbone for long cellaring, but it's tasty, approachable and easy-drinking now.
Sourced from vines planted 45 years ago, this ripe and floral wine offers classically varietal scents of flowers, while flavors recall pear and peach. The length and detail are excellent.
Rich in cassis and black peppercorn, grapes for this wine came from Stagecoach Vineyard as well as other Napa Valley superstar sources. It delivers layers of medium-weight blackberry and currant fruit, developed tannins and a signature taste of dusty minerals and rock. Small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot are blended in.
Sourced from Sagemoor Farms and the Homestead estate vineyard, this detailed and complex wine opens with pear and pineapple scents and flavors, then layers in pretty spices and toasty highlights.
This is old vine (1978), Wente clone Chardonnay, with bright, spicy fruit flavors of banana, pear and melon. A touch of toast and cracker comes from barrel-fermentation in neutral French oak. Forward and rich, this is one to drink up while it's young and fresh.
Sourced from the Blackrock Vineyard, production has quadrupled with no loss of quality. Pale copper, wonderfully aromatic, and showing the muscle and verve of the grape, this artfully melds scents and flavors of rose petals and peaches, with a touch of well-ripened tannin.
The oak influence has been trimmed back at Jaboulet in recent vintages, and this wine shows only traces of menthol and cedar. Cracked peppercorns and red cherries form the core aromas and flavors of this medium-bodied but long and mouthwatering wine. Approachable now, but it should age well for at least 10 years.
Great depth and intensity are the hallmarks of this muscular, intense Cabernet. The mix of fruits, the overall balance, and the beautifully silky tannins are exceptional.
Certainly one of the finest Merlots ever made by Northstar, this is notable for the floral and citrus high notes, over cherry and cassis. There's coconut, chocolate and coffee, tar and tobacco also—a full throttle, seductive wine.
Lovers of the purest mineral Riesling, very steely, will go crazy for this wine. It is tightly woven around a core of green and white fruits and the crispest, knife-edge sharp acidity. It is for aging, to produce a stunning wine in 4–5 years at a minimum.
This is Fred Loimer's star wine, the summit of his ambition at extracting the purest quality possible from his fruit. The wine has apricot, lime, touches of honey for a  very shapely but full-bodied profile. There is a hint of toastiness, fitting beautifully into the white fruits and final acidity. Age for 4–5 years at least.
This is 100% Syrah from the Boushey vineyard. It's so compact that it's almost impenetrable, but the gorgeous aromas portend a glorious wine given appropriate bottle age and/or breathing time. A dark, dusty mix of black fruits, black olives, black coffee and licorice, this has such density that it's almost impossible to separate out all the fruit layers, let alone the earthier components that make it so distinctive. At 14.8% alcohol, this may be the biggest Betz Boushey Syrah ever.
The aromas on this wine are unusual, with notes of wood spice, tire rubber and earth, showing some reduction on first pour. The flavors are soft and silky, while the tannins bring a slightly gritty feel. Vanilla flavors linger on the finish. There's intrigue, but it doesn't all come together.
A ripe wine from a fine Bergerac vintage, this is balanced without being weighty. It is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, giving both a fine tannic structure and plenty of black-currant juiciness. Drink this wine from 2018.
Previous vintages have impressed more than this one, which admittedly wasn't an easy year in Marlborough. The marriage of toasty oak and ripe fruit comes across as similar to popcorn, aligned with linear notes of pineapple and citrus that extend through the long, clean finish.
High toned, with deep cherry, strawberry and vanilla notes, this wine is velvety and dense, with powerful tannins and a breadth of earthy flavor.
Cola and soft red raspberry scents show on the nose of this blend of 58% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 17% Syrah. It's easy-drinking and simple, with red fruit, white pepper and asphalt hints. A great, light, quaffable red for a warm day.
This is a rich blend of Duras and Braucol. It is densely textured with ripe black-plum and berry fruits and some still young tannins. The wine will age well to show ripe fruits and a generous texture. Drink from 2018.
High-toned aromas of herb, flower, spice and cherry are followed by tart elegantly styled fruit flavors. The new oak influence seems minimal. Pair it with food to see it at its best.
A dark core of black plum, blueberry and violet marks the nose of this single-vineyard bottling. The palate showcases purple fruit and floral notes, with concentrated black plum skin and more violet leading the way.
This wine has a personality that's both crisp and satisfying. White pepper and light earth aromas lead to tempting peachy flavors and an appealing texture that balances tanginess and richness. The blend includes small portions of Chardonnay, Albariño, Gewürztraminer and Orange Muscat.
Fleshy red plum and alpine strawberry fruit shows alongside vanilla and baking spice on the nose of this well-priced bottling from the Center of Effort team. The palate will please many, thanks to buoyant acidity and bright red cherry, raspberry and garrigue flavors.
Earthy and leathery, this medium-bodied, ripe varietal wine dabbles in vanilla, blueberry and coffee cake aromas and flavors, finishing with a welcome softness.
Mellow and reserved at first, this clonal study shows wet river stone and key lime scents on the nose. The palate leads with slightly sour lemon and orange rind flavors, opening into a sweeter honeysuckle tone and finishing on ripe peach, melon and toasted nut.
This is one of the Fillippini family winery's best barrel blends, comprised of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The nose shows Concord grape, wisteria and black licorice aromas, while the palate doubles down on the licorice spice, with blueberry fruit, char and pepper in the background.
Scents of stem and earth accompany rhubarb and beet-root flavors. The acids and tannins combine into a lemon-tea note, and the wine overall seems relatively thin compared with past vintages.
Tea leaf, cherry and sweet vermouth aromas precede lightly tart cherry, rhubarb and herb flavors in this lean, moderately tannic and un-oaky wine. It's appealing and appetizing in an austere way, giving just enough satisfaction.
Aromas of barrel toast, kiwi and pineapple lead to a sweet, slightly lean, tropical-fruit-filled palate that delivers a lot of easy-drinking pleasure.
Light aromas of herb, plum, vanilla, cocoa and dark fruit lead to a palate that is simultaneously sweet and tart, with a plush midpalate. It provides intrigue.
Half estate, half Pfeiffer Vineyard fruit, this is crisp and racy, with bright intense flavors of white peach and gooseberry. It's bracing, clean and thoroughly refreshing—great for a hot summer day.
This is a screaming deal for such an admirably good wine, blended with smaller amounts of Petite Sirah and Syrah. Compressed black fruit meets fresh leather on the perfumed nose. The palate follows with thick tannins and mouthcoating flavors of licorice and cinnamon.
A whiff of wet stone joins varietal aromas of cut grass, tomato vine and tropical fruit in this round, fragrant white. The fresh, full-flavored palate offers pineapple, juicy grapefruit and honeydew melon notes cut with citrus. Tangy acidity adds brightness while an energizing mineral note lifts the finish.
Juicy, spicy and red-fruit dominated, this wine is broad-shouldered and moderately balanced, with a powerful hit of tannin on the finish. Sweet tobacco and vanilla flavors crescendo on the finish.
Distinct dried pear, apricot and sultana notes signal some evolution in this wine. The same, rich dried fruit notes are accented with zesty grapefruit freshness on the dry, concentrated palate. It finishes with pithy bitterness and a moreish streak of lemon. Rather advanced for the vintage but still evolving. Drink now–2022.
This bright, savory red opens with intense red cherry, tilled soil and Mediterranean brush aromas while the round, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy raspberry, strawberry jam and white pepper flavors. It's nicely balanced, with supple tannins and refreshing acidity. Enjoy soon.
Gritty tarry slightly gaseous aromas of jammy black fruits are a bit less than precise. This feels flush but soft around the edges. Blackened berry and black-plum flavors are lightly charred and chocolaty, while this tastes of black pepper and shows some heat on the finish. Drink through 2022.
This is a small production wine blended by French sommeliers. The result is a soft, rich wine, deliciously ripe and perfumed. There are touches of honey as well as yellow fruits and mango juice. The acidity gives the wine a lift and makes a contrast to the richness of the wine. Drink now.
Lime zest and white pepper notes are invigorating on the nose and palate of this piercing dry-style Riesling. Crisp green apple and white peach notes are pristine and pure, glazed by nuanced touches of honey and slate. It's full bodied but surprisingly light in texture with a long linear finish.
This medium-bodied white delivers mature pear, yellow apple and white peach aromas and flavors. It's riper and rounder than usual but also boasts terrific freshness and elegance for the hot vintage.
Fresh, clean and varietal, this pushes fleshy pear flavors with a light hint of grapefruit. The presence in the mouth is full and satisfying, with a touch of honeysuckle, and the juicy finish lingers deliciously.
Rich and robust with berry and currant fruit, this wine is rounded and full-bodied, with tannic weight and spicy layers of toasted oak.
An appellation wine that's affordable and instantly likable, this has strong forest and mushroom elements, seeming at once rustic and sophisticated. Cranberry and orange tones add brightness to the savory character, framed by fine tannins.
Though light in color, this flagrantly floral expression of the variety offers a crème brûlée-like richness on the nose. The palate is a different story—all tart fruit, lifted acidity and gravelly minerality.
This round, approachable and likable wine blends 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Bright cherry and plum notes meet generous leather and tobacco flavors, finding a nice balance between fruit and spice.
Wonderfully smooth and layered, this medium-bodied wine smells like fresh berries, tastes fruity and mildly spicy and feels silky in the mouth. The components are beautifully balanced, as fresh acidity lifts the fruitiness and mild tannins add a velvety touch.
This wine's citrus blossom and ripe orchard fruit aromas lead to a tangy palate. Round and savory, it doles out creamy green apple, white peach and tangerine drop flavors.
Complexities of cedar, vanilla and dark toast integrate elegantly into this rich intensely blackberried wine. It's still vibrantly fruity, yet showing developing nuances of earth and mineral as well. Briskly composed and fringed in supple tannins, it finishes on lingering tones of bramble and spice.
From the seven-acre site surrounding the producer's farmhouse in the heart of the appellation, this wine is tart with red fruit and vibrant, spicy acidity. Perfumed rose petal notes fill the glass, revealing a silky texture as it opens.
This is off-dry, similar to a kabinett in style. Scents of flowershop greens, green apple and lime give a zesty first impression, confirmed by crisp acids, light-medium body and a lingering, mouthwatering finish. The end result is balanced, delicate and intense at the same time.
This blend of Sémillon and Rolle is ripe and fat. It has a rich character that is crispened by a herbal edge. Now that it is mature, it's well balanced while keeping plenty of fruit. There is a nutty soft aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a superlative vineyard, and this wine shows its true character, a big, hearty wine, but one with a structured core of mineral, rich fruits and dark tannins. With its concentration, expect it to age well over 10 years and more.
The wine is named after a raspberry plantation, and that's what it tastes like. Small wild fruit, with their extra taste of ripe flesh, are in the glass along with delicious acidity. The tannins and the wood are all at the service of the fruit.
A tannic, brambly, earthy wine, this pure Red Mountain Syrah was kept in neutral oak and minimally racked. At first it shows a tart and chalky character; then there begins to emerge lovely concentrated black cherry and loganberry fruit, along with a backbone of ash, graphite and coffee. On the second day it has softened and expanded with an engaging mix of fruit, herb, pepper and Red Mountain rock.
Supple and juicy, this young, purple, berry-loaded Cab includes small amounts of the other four Bordeaux grapes in the blend. It's a masterful blending achievement, with each grape seeming to contribute something to the nose, the mouthfeel, the length and the overall focus. Flavors are tightly woven—purple fruits, butterscotch, mocha, moist earth and baking spices—but nothing is overwrought. This will need considerable breathing time to unwrap, and years in the bottle to soften some of the hard edges.
Rich and dense, revealing ripe fruit, touches of wood and firm flavors, and a delicious juicy interior which bursts through. It revels in this fruit, all red berries and fresh acidity. To finish, there is some toasty wood.
Café mocha is the first aroma, and that's backed by char, pepper, smoldering black fruit and earth, the sum of which gears you up for the palate, which is healthy but not too fierce or tannic. Flavors of berry and cassis are natural and juicy, while the finish is long and brings in tobacco and leather notes. Drink now through 2010.
Zelma Long's tradition of excellence continues with the Series M: Its deep chocolate, cinnamon and berry aromas and full, complex waves of delicious fruit and spice are exactly what a Bordeaux blend should be. Restrained but memorable, the wine has firm structure and will age beautifully.
Assertively toasty and nutty, this is barrel-fermented in new oak, but in 500-liter puncheons, not the smaller barriques, so that the wood doesn't overwhelm. Peach, vanilla and citrus flavors completely fill the mouth, yet remain fresh and vibrant on the finish. Drink now–2012. Imported by Epic Wines.
This Alcance Cab is arguably the best we've had from them to date. The color is deep, the aromas of thyme, sage and cassis are alluring, and the flavors are packed in tight and revolve around exuberant boysenberry and cassis fruit. A real mouthful, with toasty mocha and vanilla on the finish.
A classic, structured, well-shaped Port with its attractive dry tannins and firm, dark berry fruit. There's excellent balance between the fruit and the sweet spirit character, which goes right through this serious wine.
This is 100% Viognier, different from the winery's varietally labeled version in that it is 100% stainless-steel fermented. The result is a less round and toasty wine, but one that, in this vintage at least, offers more focus and precision. Peach and apricot, tangerine and tropical fruits are on display, and the finish winds down gently, with none of the heat or bitterness that can affect some Viogniers.
Bright and crisp with clean, fresh flavors of apple and pear. It's got some pretty honeysuckle in both the nose and the mouth, and the overall texture, balance and length puts it in with some of Washington's best.
Spicy and earthy, with truffle, toast and strawberry aromas. The palate is bright and smooth, with a well-matched mix of plush fruit and juicy acidity. This is the first Nimbus Estate wine we've reviewed, and the early word is that this vineyard can produce Syrah with character as well as size. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA Inc.
This may only be a medium-bodied red, but it crackles with the exciting flavors of the northern Rhône, marrying freshly cracked peppercorns with a hint of meatiness and bright blueberry fruit. Drink now.
This Syrah/Grenache/Mourvèdre blend, finished in screwcap, is always one of Washington's best values and flat out most delicious Rhône blends. The 2006 is the best ever, with dark, supple fruits that weave together berries, cherries, plums, cassis, licorice, pepper and Provençal herbs. It's a riot of flavors, young and brash, but perfectly capable of aging.
Fresh aromas of strawberry and lemon are followed in flavor on the palate of this poised and balanced rosé. A touch of oak adds spice and dimension. Overall, it's delicate and delicious with good acidity. A very pretty wine at a good price.
Toasty and nutty upfront, with hints of minerality showing through, this is a refined Chardonnay that should have the structure to age. Despite being barrel-fermented, there's no malolactic fermentation, so it stays crisp through the long finish that barely hints at pear and peach.
A light, fruity and fresh wine, it shows attractive black currant fruits. With just a touch of Cabernet Franc to give perfume, it is well balanced with tannins underlying the juicy fruit and acidity. Drink from 2016.
This is a soft wine, with rounded tannins that emerge from the ripe black plum fruitiness. The structure is well integrated into the fruit, giving a wine that is for short-term aging. Drink now.
Red-fruit aromas operate solo on the bouquet. This feels tight, crisp and fresh, with plum, berry and peppery spice flavors. A dry, slightly abrasive and scratchy finish deals juiciness and lasting red-fruit flavors.
The blend here is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, all from the Crawford vineyard. It carries some Port-like aromas of very ripe if not slightly over-ripe grapes, along with leafy components and accents of orange peel. A whiff of bourbon barrel sets up the sharp finish.
Initial aromas of minerally berry fruits and plum turn toward earth and compost when given ample air. This feels steady but limited, with flat tannins. Herbal flavors of leafy berry stir interest before finishing with notes of leather and herbs.
Dusty apricot and melon aromas come with plenty of oak and vanilla. The palate is on the flat and creamy side, with peachy acidity. Flavors of mild citrus, vanilla and wood resin finish with additional vanilla notes and a hint of papaya.
Tentative notes of pebble and strawberry show shyly on the nose, on the palate they dominate the light body with its barely-there tannins and slender frame. This is a light-footed Pinot Noir that brings you a welcome dollop of refreshing red fruit.
Perfumed with notes of white flowers, melon and peach, this off-dry wine is delicate on the palate with sweet stone-fruit flavors offset by brisk lemon acidity. It's straightforward in style but bright and fresh with a hint of honey that lingers.
Medium cherry in color, this blend comes from a mixture of Williamson and the winery's estate vineyard. It's brightly aromatic with notes of cherry and strawberry, drinking medium bodied with good depth of flavors, though at times seeming a bit ponderous.
Stewy, baked aromas of raisin and prune boldly announce that this Malbec is ripe to the point of overripe. The palate is syrupy and soft; cooked, baked flavors of blackberry syrup finish  sticky, stewy and slightly bitter.
Funky aromas of farmyard, overripe berries and plums, vanilla and oak all carry over to the palate along with wild cherry and cinnamon notes. It's shy on fresh acidity, while astringent tannins lead to a drying close.
Freshly pressed apples and lemon notes are accented with just a hint of floral notes. It's texture is rich and full in body, adding opulence to the midpalate. Zesty acidity lends an edge towards the finish.
Candied cherry aromas are mildly rubbery and suggestive of nail polish. On the palate, this Malbec feels round, fair and balanced. Flavors of pasty fruit and oak accent red-fruit notes.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah begins with leafy, almost weedy aromas along with hints of graphite and mature black berries. But the lean palate lacks fruit richness and reveals evident alcohol sensations despite the modest level.
Oak influence shows strongly on this wine, giving a smooth texture and soft tannins. It has a light texture, fresh with black currant fruitiness attractively balanced with acidity. For the medium term, the wine should be drunk from 2015.
A soft, juicy wine, it is fresh with attractive red berry fruits. It has a crisp, light feel, with the tannins giving the possibility of medium-term aging.
Tannic and dry, this wine is beginning to show its age. It still has some juicy red fruits but they are covered by the firm structure and dusty character of the wine. It needs to be drunk now.
Aromas suggest fennel, leafy underbrush, tobacco and licorice. The fruit has already faded quite a bit, revealing tart cherries alongside astringent tannins that generate a mouth-puckering close.
Though it's 100% Merlot from Red Mountain, this seems more generic than representative of what that AVA can produce. It could be any modestly priced Bordeaux red variety or blend—red fruits, stiff tannins, and a seamless, yet one-dimensional mouthfeel.
Violets, leather, vanilla, subtle oak and black berry sensations all meld together in the glass. The rich, concentrated palate delivers ripe black cherry and blueberry extract accented by mocha, cinnamon, clove, white pepper and mineral. It's soft and already extremely accessible, with velvety tannins, but will age well for the next five years or so. Drink now through 2019.
A terrific effort, this wine highlights the features that make Condrieu special. First is the incredible perfume, like honeyed stone fruit and mango. Second is the richness and texture of the wine, imparting great palate presence. Third is the vibrance of the finish, providing the counterweight to the wine's ripeness and weight. Drink it over the next few years.
This powerful wine features wood and the ripest fruit. It also has the solid structure of a Nuits Saint-Georges, creating a wine that is dark and impressively concentrated. It offers richness while preserving the fresh fruitiness of the vintage. Drink from 2017.
Jaboulet's Condrieu program takes a huge step forward with this release, which artfully combines barrel fermentation and aging with just-ripe Viognier into a compelling and cohesive whole. The toast and baking-spice elements provide the right amount of restraint to the tropical fruit notes, which then finish with tremendous, mouthwatering length. Drink now–2020.
A terrific effort, the 2010 Terre Ferme is a full-bodied, velvety-textured wine with a long, multidimensional finish. It's pungent and savory upfront in its aromas of clove and allspice, but raspberry undertones add another layer of interest and those grace notes are all underscored by the powerful bass duo of black olive and espresso. Drink now–2025.
Ripe and rich, this full-bodied wine retains minerality as well as attractive acidity. Crisp lemon flavor is rounded out with peach and apple skin fruits. The wood, already integrated, gives richness and smoothness. Drink from 2016.
In this rich, dense wine, firm tannins have already been smoothed by 50% new wood. It is solid, dark and tannic, a powerful wine that is ripe now and will reveal great fruitiness as it ages. From vines close to Volnay, it has hints of the voluptuousness of that village. Drink from 2017.
This is a soft wine on the surface, but under that generosity lies a firm core that gives the promise of aging. This powerful wine comes from stony soil which explains the tannic structure while the richness comes from ripe berry fruits. Drink from 2017.
The wine has the right weight and power. It comes from a blend of different parcels, bringing out the complexity of the vineyards. Black fruits are soft and generous, supported by tannins as well as licorice and wood flavors. At the end, fresher red fruits show.
With a bright purple color and integrated but potent aromas of oak, mineral, schisty earth and black fruits, this is a rock-solid yet approachable and delicious wine. A structured palate is firm and braced by fine acidity, while flavors of wild herbs, licorice and blackberry finish with a touch of molasses as well as brown sugar and anise. Drink through 2019.
This ripe, modern red shows all the positives of Toro and the 2009 vintage. Lusty, exuberant aromas of black fruits, vanilla and pipe tobacco are highly appealing, while the palate is muscular and tannic yet balanced. Blackberry, cassis, chocolate and lemon flavors finish firm and bold. Drink through 2020.
Made from 80- to 100-year-old vines, this compelling, earthy wine initially opens with funky aromas that burn off in the glass to reveal leather, tilled soil, blue flower and ripe berry. The palate delivers black and red cherry accented by white pepper, cinnamon and black pepper. With firm but velvety tannins, give this a few more years to let it fully  develop; drink 2016–2026.
From the famous Chablis Grand Cru, this wine lives up to the vineyard's reputation. Steely in character, packed with a firm structure and tightly textured, it shows a citrus side that will be refreshing and attractive as the wine ages. But it does need time, so wait to enjoy until 2017.
Aromas of tilled soil, blue flower, new saddle leather, underbrush and woodland berry waft from the glass after pouring this savory wine. The spicy palate offers creamy black cherry and raspberry layered with white pepper, clove and cinnamon. The juicy palate is supported by firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity.  Drink after 2016.
Opaque in its deep purple color, this microchip-toting bottle fills the nose with the wet clay and menthol aromas. On the palate, graphite and black volcanic rock come with a touch of caramelized fruit and dark spices, such as black pepper, that take hold. Still rich with tannins, this will continue to emerge until 2024 if not longer.
Chanson owns four acres, a quarter of this premier cru. This 2011 is smooth, rich and very elegant. Fruitiness is striated by a mineral, tight texture that gives a touch of steeliness. Drink from 2017.
With three acres out of 36 in this Grand Cru, Faiveley is one of the larger proprietors. The wine is firm and structured with solid tannins, while black fruits give acidity and freshness to this massive wine. Drink from 2020.
This wine takes white Châteauneuf-du-Pape to rare heights. Mouthwatering aromas of toasted nuts and pineapple set the stage for a full-bodied, rich, succulent wine experience whose finish lingers. Yet despite the wine's undeniable heft, it never seems overly weighty. Drink this blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc over the next couple of years.
Roughly equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is probably Lirac's top wine at the moment. It's big and rich in the mouth, leaving behind a coating of dark fruit, hints of meaty savoriness, baking spices and softly layered wood.
From the village of Blagny, considered part of Meursault, this full, rounded wine has a generous character, full of ripe fruit. It is given a crisper side by good acidity, and shows both freshness and weight at the end.
Rich and sweetly fruity, this wine wields intense power. Red fruits are initially opulent and pleasurable, but then the wine begins to show solid structure and concentration. The final texture, with its tannins and fruit in harmony, is impressive. Drink from 2018.
Perfume partners with great acidity in this wine. The two work in harmony, resulting in a wine that has a soft texture, rich, jammy berry fruits and a backbone of tannins that will allow for aging. Drink from 2017.
The power and richness of Port fill this extreme—and extremely delicious—Zinfandel. It is very deep in color and vivid in aroma, like the scent of ripe grapes at the crusher on harvest day. It fills the mouth with apparent sweetness that lingers long on the finish. Perfect match for after dinner with blue cheese and toasted walnuts, or a cigar.
An attractive floral, appley aroma and generous, ripe apple and herb flavors give this medium-bodied wine plenty of personality.
Produced from 100% Niellucciu (Sangiovese), this wine is packed with intense acidity plus citrus and red-berry fruits. It is tangy and refreshing with its tight, bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a perfumed, citrus and apricot-flavored wine. It is crisp, with a ripe character that fills the mouth with rich fruitiness. It has a light, mineral structure and a long, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
Pale in color, this wine offers attractive strawberry fruit, a good touch of acidity and few tannins. Drink this soft wine now.
Dry, full bodied and firmly tannic, this wine begs for some rich meat or roasted bird with which to pair. It has good, solid dark-berry flavors and a sense of breadth on the palate.
Lively and packed with fruit, this medium-bodied wine combines vivid cherry with more relaxed blackberry flavors on a gentle frame of light tannins and acidity.
Savory tones of thyme and nutmeg lend hints of rusticity to sun-kissed blackberry and cherry flavors in this full-bodied Syrah. It's delectably ripe yet elegantly balanced by swathes of dark herb, lavender and black pepper.
Light and bright, this wine is fruity with a soft, smooth texture that brings out pear and green-plum flavors. A refreshing wine, it's tangy, zesty and ready to drink.
Aromas of green and garden herbs, tobacco and cherry lead to generous plum and cocoa flavors. It brings a sense of softness that adds to its appeal.
Juicy black currant and berry meet smoky oak and firm tannin in this approachably fruity, integrated effort from the appellation known best for its dust.
Green herb, wood spice, tobacco, black cherry, cocoa and lemon twist aromas lead to generous dark-cherry flavors. It shows a touch of astringency but still brings plenty of enjoyment.
Intensely fruity and subtle in oak, this wine is smooth and juicy, with a pronounced sense of cherry and strawberry. Substantive tannin provides weight and breadth, along with a grippy, leathery finish.
Here's a charming expression of Sangiovese that opens with delicate but alluring scents of purple flower, moist underbrush and woodland berry. The vibrant, immediate palate offers juicy red berry, white pepper and touch of mineral alongside bright acidity and silky tannins. Drink soon.
Pale in color, this wine is aromatically quiet with notes of berry and herb, while the smoke notes emerge over time. The flavors are full and juicy but still bring a sense of delicacy, with a lingering finish. Give it time to open up.
Cool herbal aromas of blackberry and cola are minty. This feels narrow, with hard tannins that aren't ready to reconcile now. Herbal salty flavors of meaty berry fruits are warm, spicy and steadfast with herbal notes through the finish. Drink through 2020.
A pristine core of blackberry and cherry extend from nose to palate here, but there's an ample dose of spice, coconut and toast as well. Full bodied and supple in texture, it's a robust wine with an accessible fruity style.
Juicy intensely ripened black plum and cherry flavors have a fleshy, almost ruddy concentration on the palate of this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. It's neatly balanced though, bolstered by crisp acidity and fine velvety tannins. Judicious oak treatments lend lavish but integrated accents of spice and smoke.
Rustic aromas of crushed rocks and chewing tobacco pair interestingly with more floral elements of rose petal, lilac and wisteria on the nose of this bottling. Coffee and tobacco flavors show on the palate, where muddy tannins present leathery flavors of dark red cherries. It shows its long barrel aging with pride.
This substantial wine is full bodied, robust in flavor and firmly textured due to ample fine-grained tannins. The fruit flavors are tempting and ripe, while accents of black pepper and dried herbs add complexity.
Crisp and fruity, this bright wine is full of lively acidity, tangy citrus and apple fruit and refreshing acidity. It is ready to drink.
Moderately ripe white-fruit aromas of peach and melon come with a hint of buttery oak. This feels lean and citric, with more acid than body. A shot of citric flavor gives way to yeasty dryness, while the finish is juicy but bitter around the edges.
This dry wine has a medium-dark color with a mahogany rim. It offers strong berry, black pepper and clove aromas and flavors, and a broad, smooth texture. It's full bodied, mouthfilling and spicy.
Aromas of baked plum, cake spice and a whiff of dried herb lead the way. The palate is straightforward by Amarone standards, offering dried black cherry, nutmeg and a hint of licorice alongside close-grained tannins that leave a drying finish.
Still settling into the bottle, this wine is aromatically quiet, with notes of white flowers and pear. It drinks off dry, with generous amounts of stone-fruit flavors. If the aromas blossom, it could move up a notch as the flavors are quite well proportioned.
A pleasing nose of citrus laced with lavender paves the way for flavors of lemon-lime, peach and ripe red plum. There is a fleeting sense of stiffness at first sip that is quickly overcome by brightness of fruit that culminates in an apricot finish.
Barrel aromas of vanilla and mocha are at the fore, followed by blue fruit and blackberries. The palate displays a mixture of fruit and barrel flavors that linger through the finish.
Expressive aromas of smoke, embers and blue fruit are followed by a full-bodied flavorful palate that still shows elegance. The finish lingers.
Produced from vines grown on the plateau above the Loire east of the town of Saumur, this wine is beautifully ripe and honeyed while still dry. Acidity cuts through the fruitiness and creamy texture to give a crisp aftertaste. This wine is young and drinkable, although it will be so much better from 2018.
From a selection of parcels, this is a ripe and fruity wine. Vines aged on average 55 years have produced a ripe concentrated wine with opulent yellow fruits that are balanced by citrus acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
This appellation blend is rich and lush with baked black-cherry aromas, touches of black cardamom and clove spice, and earthy rhubarb and beet notes. The palate packs a lot of forest-floor flavors, from loam to pine needles, into dark cranberry and tight raspberry fruit, leveled by pepper and pencil lead.
Enticing scents of rose, moist soil, plum, raspberry and dark spice meld together in the glass. The lively palate shows fleshy black cherry, mocha, vanilla and a licorice note alongside zesty acidity. Fine-grained tannins give it a polished finish.
A deep red color and concentrated aromas and flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate and pomegranate are offset nicely by a layered texture laced with fine tannins. This well-structured wine will be great with a juicy steak.
So putting “Reserve” on a $13 bottle of wine might seem like a stretch, but the fact is what's in the bottle is very good. It's full bodied, creamy and lushly textured, with an intriguing herbal tang to the black cherry fruit, hints of vanilla and a softly dusty finish. Drink now–2018.
Red currant, French oak, espresso and cedar aromas emerge on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The taut palate offers sour cherry, licorice, grilled sage and oak-driven spice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins that grip the finish.
Leather, menthol, dark-skinned berry and light toast aromas slowly come together on this fresh, polished wine. The lithe, straightforward palate offers wild cherry, anise, orange peel and a hint of coffee while fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provide the framework.
Dominated by Touriga Nacional at 60% with the addition of 40% Syrah, this is a ripe, fruity wine. It is full of fresh berry fruits that are sustained by the firm tannic background. It has a ripe feel while also have a light touch of acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
There comes a point when the pursuit of restraint becomes fruitless, and while this wine shows a wonderfully silky texture and an elegant finish, its subtle aromas and flavors of roasted cashew and citrus are indeed understated.
Fresh red cherry and plump red currants are spiced up by Dr Pepper, cola, rose petals, mace and dried fennel on the nose of this bottling by Sabrine Rodems. Tea and Asian five-spice notes arise once sipped, backed by raspberries and pink peppercorns, altogether fairly light and lithe in body.
Plum, black cherry, sandalwood and spice aromas work well together. This feels well balanced. Spicy, minty plum and berry aromas are common for Carmenère, while a chewy finish is smooth and not demanding.
This is an approachable, soft and relatively light-bodied version of the variety, tamed for present-day consumption and enjoyment. Chocolate-covered blueberries and maple syrup provide decadence, brightened by the presence of kirsch.
Made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this straightforward wine has restrained aromas of red berry, menthol and a hint of earth. The palate is a bit more expressive, offering mouthwatering Morello cherry and eucalyptus. Bright acidity and mellow tannins underscore the juicy fruit.
Earthy, baked aromas of raisin and prune are ripe and malty. This feels tight, clampy and mildly astringent. Flavors of baked plum and currant straddle the line between ripe an racy, while this finishes dry and tight, with a touch of cinnamon-like spice.
This blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with dry, earthy, spicy aromas of tomato, red plum and horse hide. It's racy and lifted on the palate, with good balance. Flavors of olive, herbs, spice and red-berry fruits are slightly green, while this is chocolaty and lightly oaky on the finish.
This is impressively dark, with dense but grapy fruit flavors right out front. The mouthfeel is sharp and spicy, and it thins out surprisingly in the middle, given the color and rather high alcohol. Sappy acids and raspy tannins carry it through the finish.
Roughly half Cab Franc, this includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo as well. Here the fruit is accented, not overtaken, with the flavors of barrels. The best of the winery's red wines, it augments its pretty cherry core with a streak of coffee and dark chocolate.
A majority of Cabernet Sauvignon makes up this wine, blended with 14% Malbec, 14% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Thick and velvety with strong notes of dark chocolate, espresso and brambly blackberry, it has a juicy middle before finishing fairly flat.
This wine is delicious, rich and buttery, from the aroma through the flavors and on to the aftertaste. It smells like lightly toasted almonds and cream, tastes like toffee and pear juice, and finishes almost like dessert.
Strong blueberry and black-currant fruit tones meet with concentrated lilacs on this wine's elegantly presented nose. The palate is more tart, with caramelized plum skins, black pepper and lavender elements.
Light, bright and relatively low in oak, this wine otherwise shines in baked cinnamon apple and a complementary side note of vanilla. It finishes clean and lean.
Aromas of beach tar and blackberry jam show on the nose of this wine from White Hawk Vineyard by Clarissa Nagy, also winemaker at Riverbench. The palate is also quite tarry, with concentrated blackberry flavors, hints of teriyaki and a strong acidic backbone.
Add this bottling to the growing list of worthy Oregon Pinots under $20. Light and balanced, it offers spicy cranberry and rhubarb with a streak of red licorice. It's a good everyday wine for salmon and light poultry dishes.
On the juicy nose, this bottling shows Concord grape, suave violet and lilac flowers and the slightest touch of tar. It's lighter in body and quite easy to quaff, with flavors of sea-salt caramel and dense olallieberry.
This lively red opens with aromas of wild berry, blue flower and a whiff of tilled soil. The vibrant, straightforward palate offers juicy red cherry, strawberry and a hint of nutmeg alongside sleek tannins and racy acidity. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
This flavorful blend of Müller-Thurgau, Muscat and Riesling is lightly fizzy, and off dry, with residual sugar listed at 22.5g/L. Citrus fruits are limned with ginger, and it is a thoroughly refreshing and low-alcohol delight.
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragon and Syrah, the wine is open, generous and almost ready to drink. It has some firm tannins along with lifted acidity. The black currant fruits are fresh, right up front and give the wine its delicious fruitiness. Drink from late 2016.
From a rare white grape in the region, this bottling shows ripe apple and pear flesh on the nose as well as tangerine juice, lime rinds and chalk. The palate is both dainty and candied, with Jolly Rancher sour-apple flavors woven into grapefruit-pith grip.
This bright, juicy, charming wine smells like crisp apples, tastes of herbs and citrus, and has a slight sweetness that is balanced by crisp acidity. It's great for a concert in the park or day at the beach.
Don't let the rather light red color fool you. This is an assertive Zinfandel with an edgy, oaky, smoky character in the aroma and the flavor. It blends powerful, sweet-seeming oak notes with attractive cherry and raspberry flavors, and is very full-bodied.
This pretty Pinot combines aromas of cherry and clove with fresh strawberry and cherry flavors, a lively texture and lingering finish. Refreshing and complete, it would pair well with everything from salmon to steak.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère seems to do better in cooler vintages. In this hot year, the wine is soupy and sticky in feel but herbal in aromas. Flavors of cherry and plum are oaky and medicinal, while the finish is flabby and hollow. This is still good but it has its issues.
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.
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.
Aromas of blackberry, Mediterranean scrub and baking spices carry over to the palate alongside crushed raspberry and dusty tannins. Fresh and easy drinking, it can pair with dense chickpea and tomato soup.
With a gold-meets-tan color, this is showing cidery aromas as well as toasty oak. The palate is good but chunky, while flavors of green fruits and light vegetal notes finish briny, with a pinch of sea salt.
Crushed red berry, black plum, prune, game and baking spice aromas carry on to the palate, along with dense black cherry and mocha. It's warm, soft and evolving fast so enjoy now.
Each new vintage tacks on another word for “yes”—this time in Swahili. Drink this one soon, as it's a ready-already mix of brambly, earthy, tart red fruits and scents of chamomile and herbal tea.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% other grapes, this opens with aromas of toast, red berries and underbrush. The straightforward palate doles out sugary black plum, dark cherries and chocolate lightly accented with black pepper.
This full-bodied but informal wine has sensations of leafy forest floor, mature black cherry, prune and tobacco alongside firm tannins. It's straightforward with a warm midpalate and shy on fresh acidity so enjoy it soon.
This vintage mixes fruit from Red Mountain and Alder Ridge (in the Horse Heaven Hills). Aromatic and soft, it's a five-grape Bordeaux-style blend, half Cabernet Sauvignon, and it carries that grape's herbal stamp. Tannins are a bit earthy, but the time in bottle has smoothed their rough edges. Drink up!
Rich, ripe aromas of mango and guava lend a distinctly tropical feel to this off-dry Riesling. It's juicy and lush on the palate, with sweet grapefruit and tangerine flavors offset by a swathe of fresh, green herbs on the finish.
This delves into the more sanguine side of California's historic yet stylistically versatile grape, with rare meat and red earth aromas. On the tart palate is pomegranate and cranberry, with bay leaf and kalamata olives giving an herbal lift.
Aromas include mature black fruit, violet, allspice and sage. The dense, extracted palate displays overripe black cherry, black pepper, and grilled sage alongside brooding tannins. It's robust and dense but not an ager, so drink soon.
This fresh, leesy, almost creamy young Riesling is the first release from this new Walla Walla start-up. Gooseberry and lemon custard flavors compete for attention, and the texture and overall balance are good. It's finished dry, with just a touch of residual sugar to round off the edges.
If you like the toasted, smoky character of oak, this full-bodied, rich-tasting Cabernet will please you. That lightly charred, spicy taste of barrels lends a welcome bite to the otherwise nearly sweet fruit flavors. It's a good value, too.
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.
The Gamache brothers call this blend, which is half Cabernet Franc, one quarter Merlot, and the rest split between Malbec and Syrah, a happy accident—the result of having a shortage of Cabernet Sauvignon for blending. The Franc is a great base wine, a little rough and green, but packed with firm, cool-site red grape flavors. Aromatic and tasting of mixed fruits, it's blended just ahead of bottling, so the juice gets the same care as the pricier varietal wines.
A sweet, medium-bodied style of Pinot Gris, with honeyed flavors of apple, pear and pineapple. Despite the sweetness, the finish is nicely balanced, with a lush texture. Even prettier is the wine's pale copper hue.
This 50/50 blend brings a bowl full of sweet cherry fruit to the nose; it's hard to resist after the first sniff. There's plenty of glycerin and a lushness to the mouthfeel, and the fruit flavors pile on sweet streaks of cherry, plum and raisin. Much of the pleasure is right up front, and the wine turns a bit stiff and stemmy as it heads down the back stretch.
This spicy Bordeaux blend has barrel flavors of cinnamon toast, coffee and caramel that run rampant over the fruit. Raspberry and cherry candy flavors hit you mid-palate, and with a little more time in bottle this has every chance of turning out to be a much smoother and more polished wine than it is currently showing.
While this wine has the right piercing, shattering acidity of an eiswein, there's a toffee/caramel element that takes away from its purity. Perfumes are good, and there's a lively touch of white fruit.
A simple but delicious Grüner Veltliner from terraced vineyards above the city of Stein. It's very fresh, but has a full-textured character, with kiwis and some spice. The finish is delicious clear and green. Glass stopper.
A pretty cherry red, this tart young wine tastes like fresh raspberries and cherries. It is compactly built, varietal and clean, with a crisply-defined finish.
A two-vintage blend of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, the Deep River Red has a roasted character that's dark and flavorful, with notes of cassis, coffee and cacao. It's full bodied and dense, with notes of graphite and pepper.
Chalky tannins override the deep, black-cherry flavor. Cassis and licorice streaks are also present, and there is no quibble with the concentration. Perhaps more bottle age will smooth out the chalky finish.
The Flash Point is a new name for the familiar Trio Reserve, which uses grapes that are sourced entirely from the Boushey Vineyard. Here the toasty oak barrel flavors dominate, while the fruit tends toward a light strawberry flavor, with more mocha than grape flavor.
Big and powerful tannins give this wine a dry, dense and extracted feel. Black fruits power through the structure, offering a rich experience. No shy violet, this is a wine with considerable concentration and aging potential.
Winemaker Jacques Grange produces relatively small quantities of this blend of 70% Grenache and 10% each of Bourboulenc, Clairette and Viognier. It's moderately weighty, but also refreshing, with bright notes of pineapple, star anise and balsam fir. Drink it over the next six months.
Initial waves of charred oak and smoke impose against a delicate backdrop of black cherry and bramble, but fruity and herbaceous green flavors come through nicely on the midpalate, layered with hints of earthy mushrooms and dusty minerals.
Spice, mint, herb, raspberry and currant aromas form a good nose. Things run a bit choppy and rough on the palate, but overall it works, bearing roasted berry and herb influences, with grabby tannins. This is a full, stocky, spicy and mildly green-leaning Cabernet.
Full bodied and rich, this has flavors of apple and lemon, with a warm and ripe feel that is balanced by a final mineral character. It needs several months to come together.
This is aged in 100% new American oak, putting tight berry and cassis flavors behind plenty of dried herb notes and astringent tannins. Fine for drinking with a thick steak, but not so much for sipping on its own.
Spunky and mildly abrasive on the nose, this has some punch and character. It feels fresh, lean and narrow, with a traditional Rioja mix of herb-influenced red-fruit and dry spice notes. The mild finish offers tobacco and raspberry flavors.
This wine smells baked and rasiny, and the bouquet brings charcoal and toast notes into play. It feels mature and ready, with raisin, molasses, chocolate and rooty berry flavors. Ripe and ready on the finish. The blend is Garnacha, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.
The wood, with its heavy toast and licorice flavors, is dominant. That element makes for a wine that has weight but loses its fruit amid the firm extraction.
Clos Apalta continues to push the envelope for Chilean icon wines. It's always been a blend of four or five Bordeaux grapes, and the 2005 is every bit as structured, tight and ripe as any predecessor. There is an intense blanket of new oak that tastes of mint, cinnamon, sawdust and black licorice. When that subsides (maybe in another 12 months), expect racy and complex berry flavors, pinpoint tannins and preserving acidity. Hold for another two years; then drink through 2014.
The quinta of Vale Meão, Dona Antonia Ferreira's last creation in the 19th century is one of the Douro's great vineyards. This is a wine that needs many years of aging, its tannins dominating what is also intense black, dense fruit. It is certainly powerful, but not out of balance, with an herbal element and precise acidity acting as a check, while the fruits gain in opulence in the mouth. Age for 10 years.
What a lush and spectacular New World Malbec. Buttery aromas of coconut and black fruits mix with herbs, mineral and char to create a near-perfect bouquet. The palate is saturated and balanced by great natural acidity, which frames the blackberry and herb flavors in excellent light. Meaty, textured, fruity and balanced: What more could you want? Drink now–2010. Imported by Baystate Wine Co.
This is the equivalent of the top wine, or grand vin. It is certainly impressive, and probably needs at least 10 years aging. The dense tannins are powerful, while the plum jam fruits are superripe, yet certainly keeping in balance. A great, ripe wine.
All hand-harvested and hand-sorted, this is a spectacular effort—racy, sharp-edged, showing a steely, stony definition that is rare in the New World. Woodward Canyon wines need time and reward cellaring, but that is not to say that these wines cannot be savored when young. It's just that they will improve dramatically with time. Here are intimations of herb, olive, bark, pepper, tobacco and clove. It's a truly gorgeous wine, rarified and tight.
A deftly made wine, this exceptional Roussanne blends fruit into a creamy, luscious blend of tropical fruits, apricots, whole cream, nutmeg and more. There is so much fruit that it's easy to overlook the crisp acid underpinning, the nice details of baking spices and the exceptional strength through the lingering finish.
A deep, concentrated, impressive wine that works on many levels. There are the blackberry fruits, almost jammy, that are enhanced by the tobacco and new wood flavors. Then there is the strong, underlying dryness that promises considerable aging. And there is the elegance. A smooth wine whose tannins work around the core of structure and style.
Nearly always one of New Zealand's top Sauvignons, this wine makes a big, bold statement. Aromas are herbal and leafy, with undertones of tomato and nettles, but buffered by gooseberries and minerality. It's rich and weighty on the palate, with a creamy texture that brings ripe stone fruit flavors to the fore. Long and mouthcoating on the finish.
A sweet, supple, seductive Pinot that flirts with your palate. A bold display of ripe, sweet cherry fruit, followed by a flash of mint, a whiff of licorice, a streak of stone and a warm finish that suggests cola and sassafras. It gathers strength as it sits in the mouth, finishing with a flourish.
This is a Petite Verdot-based blend, with smaller amounts of Zinfandel (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), with opening scents of cherry and teak. It's clean albeit a tad heavy-handed, with soft tannins.
This Sauvignon Blanc smells of lemon, vanilla and pear. It's crisp and steely, with sourness on the finish.
Golden in color, with a nose of gardenia, green herb and lychee. This feels solid, but it's softening, with adequate grip despite no overt acidity. It tastes peachy and oily. Drink immediately.
Pale in color, with modest aromas and flavors of tart strawberries and brown sugar. There's not much texture or weight to this effort, but it's fine for casual drinking over the summer.
Aged for two-plus years in mixed oak barrels, this has not yet proved it can handle all of that wood. Tannic and aggressively oaky, it carries little fruit and varietal character.
Structure goes with red berry fruits in this light, crisp wine. It has a tendency to a tight texture and lean tannins. Ready to drink.
This is superdark and savory smelling, with aromas of cumin, char, roasted blackberry and licorice. Big tannins and beaming acids structure the palate, which bears toasty, oaky flavors of berries. The finish is spicy and salty.
The nose has warm, jammy aromas that suggest horsehide and blackberry syrup. It feels chunky and full, with jammy, spicy, slightly herbal flavors of black fruits. On the finish, it turns more herbal and loses its structure.
On the nose, aromas of sweet, red hard candy mingle with a note of animal fur. Fairly tannic and lively in the mouth, this has herbal, rubbery flavors alongside jumpy red-berry fruit. The finish is a bit abrasive.
This wine appeals for its plump, almost custardy texture, but the aromas and flavors of pineapple are simple and straightforward, turning crisp on the finish.
A good-value Cabernet Sauvignon that's straightforward in texture, body and structure. Its dark cherry and herbal tones are just right for meaty mid-week dishes, including that old standby, roast chicken.
Hints of spice and soy sauce highlight lifted red cherry aromas on this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. The fruit is a bit lean, with slightly underripe red-fruit flavors, but it finishes brisk and clean.
Prickly, briny citrus aromas announce a juicy, acidic wine that dances on the palate while delivering flavors of lime, briny apple and nettle. Things stay prickly and turn bitter on the back side. 50% each Verdejo and Viura.
This is a stewed, raisiny wine on the nose, while in the mouth it's more acidic and flush, but not quite elegant or sophisticated. The palate deals a short burst of heavy plum and berry flavor, and the finish is jammy and ripe but lacks complexity.
Spice and herb notes add dimension to preserved red cherry and plum flavors in this dainty, medium-bodied Cabernet Franc. Delicately structured with restrained acidity and tannins, there's a softness that makes it easy drinking.
Leafy, brambly notes are prominent against a backdrop of lean red-cherry flavors on this tart, Cabernet Franc-dominant blend. It's a vibrantly acidic but delicately structured wine with soft, rippling tannins on the finish.
A meaty and oaky red blend of mostly Tempranillo (64%), with smaller amounts of Petite Sirah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, The Crusher sources grapes from a relatively cool area in Clarksburg. Fruity with cinnamon layers, this wine would pair well with hamburgers or pizza.
The bouquet of this Pinot is light and dainty, with soft suggestions of red current, menthol and earthy spice. The palate offers an easy structure of light tannins and lean red-fruit flavors. Drink now.
Get beyond the yeasty aromas to reveal a fruity, creamy textured wine. It has ripe yellow fruits, an herbaceous element and a smooth, full mouthfeel.
Preserved red-cherry and strawberry notes penetrate throughout this ripe, full-bodied Pinot Noir. Bright acidity and hints of brambly wood, baking spice and florals on the palate add complexity and balance.
Spiced meat, chocolate and brambly berry notes lead the bouquet of this wine and follow through to the medium-weight palate. It's juicy, with a short finish and easy structure. Drink now.
This is floral on the nose, but also candied smelling. So don't be surprised that the palate, while friendly and fruity, is also sticky in feel with a syrupy core flavor that's suggestive of residual sugar. That said, this jellybean is an easy drinker.
Dusty aromas of apple and vanilla break up fast as the wine shows oxidized notes. The palate feels narrow and lemony, while the flavor profile is one dimensional and settles on lemon and tart apple. On the finish, things turn stalky in flavor and acidic in feel.
Cherry and crisp red currant aromas are racy and tutti-frutti in character. The palate delivers kick and acidity in addition to dry, pithy flavors of citrus fruits and nectarine. Dryness persists onto the finish, which is friendly but modest.
Ripe, brambly wood and plummy black-fruit flavors are concentrated in this dense, boldly structured Merlot, but shaded by tart green notes and staunch, grippy tannins.
Bright and juicy, this is a fresh, red-fruited wine, ripe and fragrant. The tannic element is almost an afterthought.
There is high acidity on this black currant-flavored wine. It is light and fruity, with a cool feel and taut texture.
Foresty berry aromas come with a whack of charred wood. In the mouth, this wine is rugged and loaded with intensity and acidity. Spicy oak and high-toned red-fruit flavors finish dry, juicy and with the structure to last years. Drink 2019–2035.
Underripe raspberry, green-olive, dewy herbs, green-peppercorn and cardamom aromas show on the herbaceous nose. All of those elements are interwoven on the sip, where a core of fruit punch is laced by bay leaf, kalamata olive, bergamot and Christmas spice that persist deep into the finish.
Wiemer's standard dry Riesling is an impeccable value for a wine that offers such density of fruit and minerality. While dry in style, it's a luscious, deeply fruity wine studded with tangerine and stone-fruit flavors glazed in honey and nectar. It's unctuous and ripe, but finishes with a cool, steel-edged persistence.
This winery is making one of the best cases for Pinot Noir in the Paso Robles area. This bottling, which is quite dark in color, starts with black plum, mulberry, wet loam and a strong sense of umami on the nose, with hints of nori and teriyaki. The palate shows tart black-plum-skin flavors alongside juniper and more moist, turned-earth flavors. The acidity is persistent and tannins firm enough.
Aromas of barrel spice and vanilla lead the charge on this Tinto Fino that also contains 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. A tough, tannin-driven palate deals toasty flavors of black fruits, char and chocolate, which carry over to the finish. Call this an oak bomb, but at the very least the oak is of high quality and well integrated. Drink through 2025.
Baked strawberries and red cherries pair deliciously with shaved nutmeg, vanilla and black tea leaves on the nose of this bottling. There is a strong black plum tang to the sip, which is decorated lavishly with thyme, bay leaf, rust and gravel—a very elegant expression overall.
This is a very complete, well-balanced and satisfying wine that has a firm tannic structure to carry the tempting berry and black-cherry flavors. It starts with light cinnamon, clove and vanilla aromas that join loads of fruit on the palate, layering nicely for an interesting, complex and substantive character. Drink through 2025.
Red-berry fruits dominate this already delicious wine. Allied with the acidity and the toasty wood aging, it is balanced while, of course, still young. It has potential, rich with tannins and with fine fruits. The wine is structured, needing time. Drink from 2025.
This wine's classic Nebbiolo scents of fragrant blue flower, new leather, aromatic herb and red berry waft out of the glass. The firmly structured palate offers Marasca cherry, sage, truffle and ground clove flavors framed by tightly woven but refined tannins and vibrant acidity. A licorice note rounds out the finish.
Kudos to winemaker Doug Margerum for holding onto this extremely pleasing wine long enough for all the components to come together. Six years in, the aromas of cola, black cherry, rose petal, pepper dust and crushed gravel are still fresh and vibrant, while the palate remains upright due to structural tannins. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry and baking spice abound, making for an elegant wine.
This crisp, fruity wine is packed with acidity as well as citrus flavors. It has a cool feel, beautifully fresh and with a strong mineral element. Drink this structured, textured wine from 2019.
This wine is crisp and fruity. With acidity as well as a light toast character, it is already balanced, bringing yellow and melon fruit flavors into the mineral texture. Drink from 2022.
Very toasty aromas mark this wine. While the toast is present on the palate, it also offers plenty of fruit flavors, conveying apricot and white peach along with a citrus edge that brings out the freshness. Drink this wine from 2022.
Big, bold and rounded, this is a rich wine from a single vineyard. Red-plum fruits go with a plush texture that masks the firm tannins and dry core. The acidity and structure both promise long-term aging. The wine is still young, needing time. Drink this from 2022.
Cranberry and red currant are the stars of the show in this mountain wine, which is further accented in dried herb and lavender. Tart, tangy acidity supports firm pillowy tannins with a robust ripeness and lingering notes of leather and tobacco leaf.
This 100% varietal wine is the winery's inaugural Cabernet Sauvignon and hails from the Rocks District. It's boasts all of Cabernet's prototypical aromas, from black currant to tobacco and herb, with a kiss of vanilla from having aged in 50% new French oak. It's soft and palate-coating in mouthfeel yet retains a strong sense of structure, with lightly chewy tannins. A fine interpretation of the variety with a downright dazzling feel.
Structured, ripe and with great fruit, this is a bold warm wine. It has plenty of rich berry fruits, ripe tannins and layers of spice and toast. With its concentration, this is going to be a rich wine. Drink from 2022.
Heirloom tomatoes, tomato leaf, green olives, wild berries and green peppercorns make for a very herbal though entirely compelling expression of cool climate Pinot Noir. The green-pepper and tomato character carries onto the sip, delivering a very interesting wine though one that many seeking a riper style will not enjoy.
Baked blackberry, vanilla, dust and chocolate show on the nose of this blend of 69% Petite Sirah, 22% Grenache and 9% Tannat. The palate is ripe with plum, blueberry and black currant and lifted by dried ginger and nutmeg, but the dazzling acidity and tannic firmness is what takes it to the next level.
This stand-out Cabernet Franc offers the structure and savory nuance of the Old World, but alongside a palate that's lusciously concentrated with ripe, succulent black fruit. Whiffs of violet and tea leaf reverberate from nose to finish, along with a bold yet velvet frame of tannins. Drinks gorgeously already but should meld in fruit, spice and perfume throughout the next decade.
Chopped herb, fragrant blue flower, woodland berry and menthol aromas take center stage in this vibrant red. On the palate, clove and star anise notes underpin red cherry, cranberry and tobacco flavors. A hint of orange zest marks the finish while refined tannins and bright acidity provide the framework.
Outstanding concentration rides an impressive structure in this huge but well-balanced wine. Freshly picked blackberries and raspberries meet hints of chocolate, baking spices and black pepper while vivid tannins and firm acidity lift up all those flavors and carry them to a lingering finish. Compelling to drink now, it's also built to age well. Best after 2020.
There's a slightly gamy, pleasantly rustic touch to the nose of this hearty bottling, with a broad and deep boysenberry base spiced up by dark cola, nutmeg and wet gravel aromas. The mouthfeel is very full and the tannic structure is tight, propping up flavors of dark mulberry, tree bark and more roasted game.
Baked black cherry meets with nutmeg, clove and dried ginger on the very inviting nose of this bottling by Adam Lee. A sizzling acidity greets the palate, as do muscular tannins, with flavors of dark-red fruit, allspice and gingerbread falling into place.
There are expected aromas of ripe blueberry, purple flowers, peppercorns and burnt bacon on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, but Joey Tensley also packs in quite a bit of herbs, with bay leaf and dried chaparral. Tightly wound flavors of dark purple fruit, beef char and coarsely ground black pepper show on the tarry sip.
This giant of a wine has aromas of charred oak, wood smoke and black pepper, with a palate of dense, deep and smoky tones that feel thick, tannic and chewy. It's a tour de force of spicy oak, fruit concentration and mouthcoating texture that's impressive to drink now but will be best after 2024.
A superdark color and effusive aromas of wood smoke, raisin and dried fig set the stage for extremely concentrated, ripe fruit on the palate and a thickly tannic texture. The exuberance of the grape and blackberry flavors nicely counterbalances the firm texture. This will age well, so best to drink it after 2020.
There's a sultry aromatic combination of stewed strawberry and bright raspberry as well as subtle thyme, tarragon, rosewater and French toast on the nose of this bottling from the iconic vineyard. The baked red fruits and hard woody spices are cut by pungent acidity and firm tannins on the sip. Hold off a bit on this one, but then enjoy for decades. Drink 2019–2034.
Typical for the region, and nicely done for the price. Apple and almond aromas yield to citrus and passion fruit, while the palate deals peach, melon and citrus flavors. There is nothing special or out of the ordinary here; the wine is clean, tasty and textbook.
Sardasol has a good track record with rosé, and the 2007 is a clean wine with a light pink luster and brash cherry and raspberry aromas. The wine is incredibly fresh and zesty, with orange and nectarine flavors. Nothing is out of place on this perfectly good and sprightly example of Navarran rosado.
There is a fine combination of lightness and richness in this wine. The lightness comes from its fresh, crisp green flavors. The richness comes from the concentration, the flavor going deep down into the taut palate, acidity, mouth-filling green plums and spice. Screwcap.
From Mallorca, this is a blend of indigenous, unheard-of grapes aged 12 months in French oak. The result includes aromas of milk chocolate and mocha in front of baked fruit, fudge and licorice. It's unlike most anything else on the planet, with good but tenuous balance and burnt brown sugar on the finish.
A savory nose of balsamic vinegar and smoked sausage gives this Merlot a spirited start. Big, juicy fruit flavors meld with wooded spice on the palate, offering a fun, easygoing wine with a long finish. Affordable and versatile.
Blueberry, citrus peel and licorice work the nose on this interesting but limited Malbec. The palate seems racier and more acidic than one might expect, with snappy black cherry and berry flavors. Oak rises up on the finish, leaving chocolate in spades. Has critical mass but only medium depth and complexity.
A richly perfumed nose of deep berry and spice leads this balanced Cabernet. Flavors of cherry, dark chocolate and tobacco offer robust character, as do the firm tannins and spicy finish. A Cabernet with character at a good price.
Soft and approachable, this seems more like a generic red than a pure Cabernet Sauvignon. It's quite ripe, ready to drink, and certainly smooth. What is not there is any particular varietal character or sense of place. This is a medium-bodied red that could be from anywhere.
Very fresh, crisp fruit, light and with a soft, green plum skin texture. The aftertaste is lively, bright.
This is quite light and lemony, closer to an Italian Pinot Grigio than to an Oregon Pinot Gris. What it lacks in flesh it compensates for in freshness and vitality; the subtle fruit flavors suggest Asian pear, jicama and cucumber. It would be a lovely match for a light fish such as rainbow trout or Dover sole.
Warm, rubbery berry aromas mixed with smoked meat and herbal accents make for a solid nose, and while the palate has clampy acidity and herbal notes, there's ample body, roundness and berry fruit to bring it home. Both leafy and candied on the finish.
Clean and ripe, with apple, pear and zesty citrus aromas. The palate runs more round and candied than linear and sharp, with sweet, welcoming flavors of white peach and dried citrus fruits. Fuller-bodied and inviting, but still fresh. Drink immediately.
This edition of the Spinner is 50% Merlot, 37% Syrah and 13% Malbec. It's scented with leaf and raisin, streaked with smoke and baking spices, and offers up a medium-bodied midpalate with a mix of black cherry, currants and pomegranate. Fine for near-term drinking.
The oak (85% new French) is at the fore on this wine. Aromas and flavors of coffee, butterscotch and woodspice head out in front of dark fruit that doesn't have the heft to match it.
Dust, black cherries and a hint of tarragon arise on the nose of this wine from a small appellation in Monterey County. Char and turned black soil power the very dark palate, which also shows a bit of sagebrush and prominent tannins.
Chapoutier's flamingo-pink rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault that's features strawberry bubble-gum aromas and flavors, some melon fruit and a slightly chalky finish. Drink up.
While a bit earthy in aroma, this gains more fruit flavors on the palate and wraps them in a soft, smooth texture. Elements of apple and pear make it rich rather than bright.
This was aged but three months in oak, but it smells and tastes woody. Char, resin and toasty blackberry and black plum aromas lead into a resiny palate with charred flavors of black cherry and plum. Burnt, bitter notes rise up on the finish.
This enjoyable, informal red delivers fruity flavors of juicy red cherry and crushed raspberry. Fresh and easy drinking, it would match nicely with pizza and pasta dishes topped with tomato sauce.
Tight and packed with acidity, this is a very fruity wine dominated by herbaceous Sauvignon flavors that need to soften. It seems one-dimensional, just herbaceous and citrus.
Underbrush, menthol, dark berry and allspice aromas take shape in the glass. The simple palate, which has a slightly fizzy character, offers fleshy black cherry, overripe plum and soft acidity alongside buffed tannins.
This is a perfumed wine with aromas of fresh flowers, orange peel and citrus. It drinks dry with a broad, fleshy feel, falling a bit flat on the finish.
This is a straightforward easy-drinker with aromas of cantaloupe and kiwi leading to off-dry, lightly styled fruit flavors.
Racy, this stainless-steel fermented white is fuzzy in gooseberry and pineapple, not quite veering into fresh-cut grass, but staying more tropical and generous in ripe fruit. A dry, lemony finish provides refreshment.
This is a bit herbal and sweaty, even a little boxwood-pungent. The herbal, leafy flavors are light and refreshing, vanishing too quickly on the finish.
With its little seasoning of Muscadelle in the blend, this is an attractively perfumed wine. It has bright acidity, plenty of herbaceous flavors and a final pear and crisp apple aftertaste. Drink from the end of 2015.
Crisp and very fruity, this offers bright and intense acidity. There is a light, tangy texture and a bright, poised aftertaste. Drink now.
A ripe wine that is almost off dry, this has a ripe cherry character, rich in the mouth and with a full texture. The aftertaste brings out spice and tannins. Bordeaux Clairet lies between rosé and red in color and in taste.
Tropical fruit, passion fruit and lime aromas are a bit sweaty and suggestive of pine resin. This is low on spine and verve, meaning it's a touch flat and flabby. Briny nectarine and tarragon flavors finish with green notes of scallion and lime.
Aromas of ripe—nearly overripe—black fruit, sweat and wet fur lead the nose. The palate offers fleshy black cherry, crushed plum, coconut and espresso alongside drying tannins.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this forward wine opens with aromas that recall scorched earth, blue flowers and baked plum. The evolved, rather rustic palate offers black cherry, cured meat and game alongside fleeting tannins.
Light volatile notes distract from the aromas. It's a shame because the tart dark cherry flavors provide plenty of enjoyment.
This easygoing wine smells mellow and plummy, tastes more like brown sugar than fruit and has a soft texture and medium body.
Fresh, clean and rather soft in balance, this shows easy-to-like aromas of pear and apple, slightly sweet flavors of honey and pear juice, and an almost syrupy, soft mouthfeel. It's agreeable and sweet.
The aromas of guava and other tropical fruits are faint while the flavors seem washed out. There's enjoyment to be had but it all needs to be dialed up.
This has aromas of yellow peach and butter. Straightforward flavors faintly resemble peach, with more of the buttery richness that seems unusual for this variety. It's a good, basic, full-bodied white wine.
This wine is herbaceous, crisp and lively. Tangy acidity envelops the citrus and green apple flavors, while the aftertaste is all about the tight, steely acidity.
If pink could have a taste, this is the wine. From hand-picked 100% Cabernet Franc, it is all about bright fruit and red berries. Soft with touches of caramel, it delivers good acidity at the end.
This wine is tight and austere. It still shows the smoky wood aging that has left a bitter chocolate character in the wine. It should soften, although it will likely end up lean. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
With its distinctive flower bottle, this is an immediately recognizable Champagne, both in its looks and its distinctive Perrier-Jouët elegance. Lively white fruits play with acidity and a tangy backbone of apple skins. Age this for 4–5 years and maybe more.
As in past vintages, this is half DuBrul and half Meek vineyard fruit. It's a far cry from what most consumers would think of as Merlot—this is a stiff, tannic, muscular wine, with a deep earthiness that speaks of rich loam and ancient rock. It strikes me as more typical of Malbec. The tannins are firm and dense, and the fruits are black as coal and laced with tar and smoke.
Though fruit-driven, forward and accessible, this surprises with the chewy density of its midpalate, and the depth and texture of the finish. It begins with somewhat sweet with candy flavors of raspberries, red currants and Bing cherries. Then it opens up, adding moist earth, minerals, flint and wisps of chocolaty smoke. Firm acidity and a balanced structure complete this classically proportioned and well-defined wine. An amazing 51,000 cases were made.
In homage to a major product of the region, this wine has a cork label. It has considerable power, an old-fashioned, astringent wine that keeps the typical ultradry tannins as a sign of its ability to age. The fruit is definitely in second place here, although there are concentrated black fruits in the background. Age for 3–4 years.
A ripe, smooth wine, dominated by juicy Trincadeira that has been tamed by 12 months wood aging. There's great spice, toast, dark berry fruits and good concentration. The tannins and the fine acidity promise aging potential.
A muscular, off-dry Riesling, marked by aromas of slate, melon and spice and flavors that include hints of anise and diesel oil. Although not marked as such, it seems halbtrocken in style, with just enough sugar to cushion the crisp acidity. Drink now.
Very nice for a 2002. The wine is elegant and delivers aromas of violets, minerals and dried fruits. The palate folds in chocolate and spice along with a layer of blackberry flavor. We wouldn't call it superconcentrated or complex, but it's driven, pure and pleasurable. Smells, weighs and tastes a lot like Bordeaux.
Protos is a venerable RDD label that doesn't try to do too much with its wines. This youngster is tight, polished and deep, with rich, oily aromas and creamy, saturated blackberry, plum and chocolate flavors. With spice and depth, it shows how good the 2005 vintage is, even for a big-production joven like this.
Already showing signs of maturity, this is a full, ripe wine, with licorice and black fruit flavors, hinting also at coffee. The wood gives firm but dusty tannins, leaving an openness to the wine, along with an element of spiciness. The aftertaste is full and dry, with good acidity.
A finely balanced wine, uniting toast and wood flavors with ripe plums in a harmonious whole. There are spice, soft tannins and light acidity. Elegant rather than powerful, this is an excellent food wine.
Despite notes of honey and baked apple, this is an almost dry wine, boasting plenty of weight in the mouth. Orangey flavors pick up hints of peach and dried spices, turning stony on the finish.
This excellent Pinot Gris offers a rich mix of ripe citrus and tropical fruits, acacia flowers, honeysuckle and a hint of buttered toffee. It's rich and full-bodied without being tiring or flabby, with excellent length and structure. Almost 24,000 cases were produced.
Intense aromas of cassis and dark cherry are layered with accents of menthol, tea and black currant leaf. The texture is medium-full and velvety with fine, fleeting tannins. The wine closes nicely with an enduring and evolving finish. A perfect companion for braised brisket.
For a Barossa Chardonnay, this is surprisingly understated, with pear, pineapple and toasted cereal notes giving an elegant impression. Drink now, as it fades a bit on the finish.
Peach and pineapple fruit flavors form the core of this wine, embellished by touches of smoky oak. It's a medium-bodied Chardonnay, finishing long, citrusy and crisp. Drink now.
Imbued with an almost smoky mineral essence, this wine is moderately sweet, but balanced by crisp acids. Melon and pineapple flavors take over on the palate, but the minerality comes back to the fore on the finish.
Only 6,000 bottles and 300 magnums have been made of this wine, from a parcel in the famed La Landonne vineyard. This is a beautifully crafted wine, with vanilla and polished violet perfumes. To taste, the ripeness of the tannins and the richness of the fruit give both complexity and elegance. It should age for at least 15 years.
In this vintage the Klipsun Vineyard Merlot (75%) is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon from Ciel du Cheval (22%) and Cabernet Franc from the Taptiel Vineyard, all prime property on Washington's Red Mountain. Tight and focused, this exceptionally well-structured Merlot mixes red and black fruits with exotic spices. Muscular and built to age, it's an amazing wine.
Apart from the fact that this wine comes from a small parcel that is itself called Saint-Joseph, the other curiosity of this wine is its label, which is designed like a banknote, by the man who used to design French francs (now, of course, out of a job). The wine inside the bottle is powerful and concentrated, flavored heavily with new wood, vanilla and spicy fruits. Guigal believes it is possible to make great Saint-Joseph, and this wine certainly proves the point.
Jaboulet bought this 7.3-acre estate in 1998, and this is the first full vintage. It is a huge wine, with all the true inky blackness and density of a Cornas. Firm, dry and concentrated, it also has generous ripe black plums, a hint of sweet jelly. It makes an excellent mix of the traditional foursquare Cornas style, with modern sophistication.
The name refers as much to the brilliant green-gold color of this wine as to its richness. A tiny production from selected parcels of old Marsanne vines, this is a beautifully rich, creamy wine with a touch of honey and flavors of ripe pears.
Quilceda makes big, muscular Cabernets, but the power is tightly controlled and never out of whack. Firm cherry fruit is edged with mixed spices from barrel aging. Still young and hard, this is a tannic wine that clearly has the stuffing and structure to age indefinitely, but if drunk now will require many hours of breathing time. Editors' Choice.
A finely perfumed wine, with powerful tannins but also excellent flavors of dark plums and ripe black fruits, with well-judged acidity and a sweet jelly character. This will develop relatively quickly for a Cornas, but still has all the right power and intensity.
This is the first reserve for this unassuming, low-profile winery whose wines clearly belong in the first rank of Washington's boutiques. It shows classic Cabernet fruit from three top vineyards, long and persistent, yet never over extracted or alcoholic. True Bordeaux style in an elegant, ageworthy wine. Editors' Choice.
Here is what all the excitement is about:  a Washington Syrah bursting with dense, thick, textured, rich, ripe fruit, yet not too “jammy.” The acids are there to support all that weight, along with generous amounts of oak. The zippy, berry-laden fruit shines through, then the oak kicks in with an abundance of smoke, coffee and licorice notes. Big, sappy, sensuous and flat-out sensational wine. Editors' Choice.
Unlike so many Condrieus, this is a wine that needs to be aged. From a parcel of land in the south end of the Condrieu appellation, this vintage is currently dominated by new wood. But under that, there is elegant, spicy fruit with delicious flavors of ripe pears and peaches. Just a hint of acidity gives it structure and considerable potential for aging.
This extremely limited-production Merlot (about 250 cases) is Alex and Paul Golitzin's “other” great red. It's all Klipsun Vineyard fruit, 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet, and its soft, chocolatey tannins envelope the taste buds in a sensual, textured landscape comprised of luscious cherry fruit and laced with hints of anise and roasted coffee. Big and extracted, yet more approachable than the Cabernet.
This is an elegant, textured, subtle wine that will reward cellaring. Very fragrant and stylish, it shows smoky, dusty black cherry and cassis scents, ripe but not raisiny fruit, tightly wound and revealing hints of earth and mineral. Some sweet cocoa adds interest to the finish. Cellar-candidate 6-10 years.
Chapoutier has crafted a beautiful Condrieu. It may have high levels of new wood flavors, but of greater importance is the ripe Viognier, with powerful spice flavors and concentration. There is a sense of elegance as well as power which gives the wine a fine presence.
A concentrated wine, although with some of the delicacy of the 1998 vintage, showing structure, tannins and ripeness. The finish is full of chocolate and sweet coffee flavors. The acidity gives a sense of elegance and lightness which suggests this will develop relatively fast.
In this new vintage there is a bit more Sauvignon Blanc (69%) than usual; the rest is Sémillon. Rich, oaky and expansive, it is an oak and texture-driven style, with the fruit—clean, slightly herbaceous, spicy and tart—playing second fiddle. Which is no criticism, because the delicious, over-the-top flavors, with layer upon layer of creamy complexity, and the rich, buttery finish just beg for lobster in a cream or butter sauce. Who can argue with that? Editors' Choice.
Starts out varietally correct, with zest in the mouth and citrusy, green aromas. Time doesn't really help it along; the lime and grapefruity crispness is surface-level. Turns more pithy and less focused as it airs out. Drink immediately before it fades.
Softly fruity wine, with a touch of toast, ripe pear and melon flavors. The wine is warm, approachable, fruity, ready to drink.
Pretty and perfumed with green florals accented with fennel and lemon peel notes, this semisweet Riesling has a bit of sugary sweetness on the midpalate, but finishes clean with a refreshingly citrusy acidity.
Whiffs of freshly cut mint and tarragon are pleasant against a backdrop of lean red fruit on the nose and palate of this Bordeaux blend, but lurking traces of underripe fruit and tomato leaf distract.
Green bean and lettuce aromas run the tight, green nose straight into a lip-smacking, acidic palate with tart apple and green citrus flavors, i.e. lime. Crisp and acidic on the finish, with a minerally feel.
Briary and prickly smelling, with juicy acidity, a lean structure and tart pie cherry and red plum flavors. Expect a light, translucent Pinot that emphasizes freshness and crisp acidity.
A little forced and pickled on the nose, but overall this is pretty much your standard value-priced Chilean Cab, meaning it offers herbal notes and olive along with medium-level currant and plum flavors. Very basic and by no means a bad wine.
With considerable acidity, this has a taut line in citrus, the greenest apple and just a touch of spice. It is not for aging, drink now.
Rounded and soft, this has currant and sweet apple flavors balanced with its acidity. It is concentrated and rich, and there's still some aging potential.
Excellent fruit shines forth in this estate-grown Cabernet from the winery's Horse Heaven Hills vineyards. Flavors of mixed berry, black cherry and cassis carry a proper hint of fresh herb. Notations of licorice, earth and dark chocolate add depth and complexity to the elegant finish.
The assertive barrel flavors are still being integrated into the wine, but there is so much else to taste that it seems certain to knit itself together in the near term. Pretty blueberry and ripe cherry flavors are set in firm, toasty tannins.
Redde's top wine, named after the winery, is rounded, rich and full in the mouth. Flavors of toast and ripe pear combine with tangy acidity, producing a complex, intensely fruity wine that should age for two years.
A standout in this new vintage, Waterbrook's pure varietal bottling explodes into life with bright, spicy, pungent scents of recently mown lawn, herb, pine needle, citrus and melon. Fresh, clean, textural and persistent, it has a depth of flavor rarely found at this price.
Dominated by minerality, this is a flinty and steel textured wine. It has some richness while remaining straight and narrow. With its structured character, it will need to age for over several years.
This is an interesting six-grape blend that's not like most other Chilean specimens. It starts with a leathery note as well as eucalyptus, licorice and lightly minty fruit aromas. It feels cheeky and tannic but mature, with baked berry, raisin and chocolate flavors. Dark, spicy and chocolaty until the last remnants of the finish conclude; this needs lots of air to show its best.
This new winery knocks it out of the park with a terrific Tempranillo that includes smaller amounts of Cabernet and Merlot. The black cherry fruit is accented with rose water and cut tobacco, and the characteristic acidity of Tempranillo lends the flavors a further boost.
This is very smoky, with flavors of bacon as well as a yeasty character. The fruit has migrated into a taut texture, spiced with parsley and bay leaf. It's mature yet still zesty.
The Ulysses red has been the main calling card for this winery, and it is a distinctive wine that expresses the complexity—with no herbs barred—of Yakima Valley grapes. Woven into the heart of the wine are threads of herb, olive, pea vine and other green notes, but there are also black cherry and cassis flavors. It's balanced and proportionate, closer to a true Bordeaux-style blend than most Washington efforts.
This is an especially fine version of this single-vineyard Cabernet Franc; sadly, it may be awhile before we see it again as the vineyard suffered severe damage in 2011. Loaded with pure, rich cherry fruit, it adds layers of graphite, cedar and coffee over a mineral base.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend is a green machine with a pyrazine-led explosion of green bean and bell pepper aromas. Robust and grabby on the palate, this tastes heavily of herbal plum and canned green bean, while a minty finish includes flavors of olive and bitterness. This feels right but smells and tastes extremely green.
Scattered aromas of black olive and stewed berry fruits lead to a heavy, awkward palate. This tastes strained, with burnt, leafy black-fruit flavors and a soft, low-acid finish.
The lemony freshness that the nose promises is slightly unbalanced on the bright palate but the flavors are clean and invigorating. This easydrinking wine would make a perfect party apéritif.
This is an overtly oaky Cabernet with resiny, balsamic aromas that share space with baked black-fruit scents. The palate feels flabby and fat, with modest tannic grip. Jammy blueberry and cassis flavors end oaky, resiny and jammy.
Whiffs of nuts, dusty mineral and lemon are demure on the nose, but become more concentrated on the palate of this dry white. A blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, it's more minerally than fruity, but refreshing and brisk.
At first, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Syrah smells so baked and oaky that it seems overripe. In the mouth, the tannins are like sandpaper, while oaky flavors of rooty, baked berry fruits end timid, with a heavy slathering of residual barrel flavors.
There are lots of dried tones to the nose: herbs, meat and hay. The palate shows more fruit, with tart cherry and raspberry flavors giving a snappy resistance to the grippy, sandy tannins.
This wine has a deep-gold color, attractive baking-spice and buttered popcorn aromas, appealing apple and pear flavors and medium body. The texture is soft and easy and the acidity tastes low.
Murky, mulchy aromas of baked black fruits and coffee grinds set up a gritty, hard palate of barrel char and roasted berry fruits. The finish is more of the same—lots of oak, burnt coffee and baked black-fruit flavors.
Freshly cut pear and tropical aromas lead to medium-bodied flavors. The style is clean and well made, with the concentration dipping a bit at times.
White wines are extremely rare in this blazing-hot appellation. This off-dry example brings aromas and flavors of dried pears and apples, with the sugar writing much of the story.
Reductive aromas take the lead and distract from the notes of apple and citrus. It drinks off dry with an elegant styling.
Lightly herbal and scratchy on the nose, this somewhat sharp Merlot is linear and piercing, with bright, semitart flavors of raspberry, cherry pie and herbs.
Loamy blackberry aromas shows a touch of spice and leather. Raw and scratchy on the palate, this tastes of baked plum with herbal accents. A short, resiny finish feels a bit rubbery.
While crisp black plum and cherry notes are refreshing, persistent green pepper and herb notes lend a lean, slightly vegetal tone. Medium bodied and brisk in composure, the finish is brisk and clean.
While ripe on the nose and luscious in mouthfeel, this taut, nervy Bordeaux-style blend showcases sweet-tart pomegranate and cranberry flavors. It's a lean, but refreshing wine with a crisp finish.
Lightweight, almost dilute aromas of pool water, ocean brine and mild citrus are less than stunning. This Albariño is plump and melony, with a shot of citric acidity. Briny flavors of orange and tropical fruits finish steady, with no slippage.
With its pale sunset color and light raspberry flavors, this is a fresh, crisp wine. The tang of lemon zest and acidity is part of the fruitiness without dominating. Drink now.
The nose of this light-colored wine offers showy apple blossom and pineapple aromas, leaning into the ripe and tropical side of the grape spectrum. it delivers crisp energy once sipped, with very fruit-forward apple flavors and even a touch of guava.
Hard-topped aromas of raspberry and cherry along with dry oak lead to a mild palate with hard tannins. Baked, plummy flavors are short, while the finish on this Baja Nebbiolo is a bit raisiny, with lasting tannic grip.
Big and bold in body, earthy in aroma and showing ample fruit flavors, this assertive and high-alcohol wine packs quite a punch in texture, too. The impact of lots of tannin is apparent in the astringency.
This is tight, with acidity that cuts through the red fruits and perfumed raspberry flavors. It is light and bright, with minimal tannin and just a hint of structure.
Sawdust and wild-berry aromas are loud on the nose. Flabby in feel, with a slight sense of rawness, this tastes of briar patch and wood, with candied plum and berry fruit. Rubbery tannins make for a rocky finish.
Luminous and fresh, this opens with aromas of jasmine, citrus and tropical fruit. The lively palate offers unripe yellow peach and juicy pineapple brightened by brisk acidity.
Savory rather than simply fruity flavors are the strong point of this medium-bodied and well-balanced wine. It tastes almost like melon wrapped in prosciutto as meaty, earthy nuances blend with modest fruit accents.
Juicy in blackberry and cassis, with a strong Bordeaux-varietal rush of peppercorn and herb, this wine leans green and tight on the palate, aiming for a classical style from a cool year and cool region.
This fortified wine made from Blanc du Bois recalls roasted mixed nuts and dried leaves on the nose. The full palate brings a dried fig tone, with sharp acidity and an astringent nut accent.
Intense aromas of sun-ripened peaches, berries and blossom abound on this exuberant, yet nimble-footed Gewürztraminer. Dry in style, the palate is a touch herbaceous and brambly, but the finish is brisk and lemony fresh.
This dry, medium-bodied wine has slightly earthy aromas, a tart cherry flavor and nicely tangy texture with light tannins. Lively mouthfeel makes it a good dinner wine.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah from the Warner Springs area southeast of Temecula shows lots of promise for this producer. Smoky berries, uncrushed black peppercorns and a bit of asphalt show on the nose, with juicy, plump red fruits benefitting from lots of cardamom, allspice and other black spices on the palate.
This robustly generous wine is impactful in chocolate and sweet, soft plum. A complexity of cedar, herb and blackberry marks the palate, with integrated tannins and oak. The complementary elements provide intrigue and flavor in a heavyweight package, ready for cellaring through 2022.
A fine follow-up to the inaugural vintage, this classically-styled wine is a medium-rose color, shading subtly into tawny around the rim. Flavors are an elegant mix of blackberry fruit, brown sugar and crème brûlée. The original vineyard dates back to the 1970s, though this wine is produced from more recent plantings from 2000–2008.
A handful of Petit Verdot adds power and color to this wine, which opens in a dusty, rich bouquet of dark cherry. Compressed tannins give way to a concentration of pomegranate and cassis, the fruit grown predominantly on Spring Mountain. The finish captures mountainside minerality. Drink now through 2020.
Earthy times 10, this unfined, unfiltered wine is subtle and splendid, a study in spiced pomegranate and cola, with a medium build and long finish. Intriguing from start to end, it remains light and vibrant in acidity in the glass, and is a fine example of restraint that doesn't lose flavor.
Marie-Amélie is the daughter of the Henriets and her cuvée is a fine blend of ripe fruits from the difficult 2010 vintage. It has a crisp element as well as fresh acidity and delicious apple juice and ripe pear flavors. A crisper element gives a balanced wine that has soft acidity at the end.
Steely and compact, this rather reluctantly opens to reveal subtle complexity. The mix of tart blueberry and blackberry fruit is accompanied by scents of cured meat, menthol and garrigue. It spent 18 months in a mix of barrels and puncheons, yielding a pleasant finishing impression of cedar. Decant this for at least an hour or two.
This delightful and refreshing wine is atypical in all the right ways. Intensely aromatic, it conveys a lush mix of honeysuckle, sweet hay, smoke, lime and honeydew melon. And that's before you take the first sip. The low alcohol and bright acidity set it up for a wide range of poultry, pasta and seafood options, and anything with goat cheese is sure-fire.
Violet, red rose, wild berry and chopped herb aromas abound on this fragrant sparkling wine. Made with 100% Sorbara gapes, the luminous, copper-toned palate offers ripe strawberry, crushed raspberry, wild cherry, nectarine zest and a note of baking spice alongside tangy acidity and a firm, persistent perlage. This puts a whole new spin on Lambrusco.
Distinct aromas of cola, cedar and Bing cherry, as well as flavors of mocha and blackcurrants, weave fascinating complexity into this supple, full-bodied wine. The texture feels broad and relaxed, while the acidity and tannins are moderate. A nice viscosity carries its plump appeal through the finish.
From a great Champagne vintage year, this mature rosé is at once stylish with its toasty character, and full of life, with red fruits and bright acidity still evident. This combination makes now the perfect moment to drink this rich, dry and elegant wine.
With some maturity, this is a rich, full-bodied wine. Its crisp fruitiness has been tempered with a more toasty, yeasty character that adds complexity. The wine has good depth, with spice and a steely minerality coming together with the fruit. Drink now.
Very fragrant in the glass with ripe blackberry syrup, purple lilacs, root beer, chopped mint and sharp cola notes on the nose, this blend of 57% Dolcetto, 35% Refosco and 8% Nebbiolo is a nod to the family's Italian heritage. It's rather light and vibrant on the dynamic and unique palate, with purple fruits, tobacco leaf, slate and black-pepper flavors.
Smoked cherries, black licorice and grilled fennel aromas form the nose of this wine from the Miller family and winemaker Trey Fletcher, with a bit of graphite at the edges. The fresh, crisp palate offers sharp hibiscus and red fruits, with clove spice and cinnamon-smoked meat on the perimeter, culminating in a bit of sour cranberry fruit.
Scents of fragrant field flowers and white orchard fruit emerge on this refreshing sparkling wine. The vibrant, silky palate delivers crisp green apple, juicy pear and lime alongside tangy acidity and a refined, persistent bead. The finish is dry and clean.
Certified Biodynamic and all estate grown, this five-clone blend is barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts, and bottled unfiltered and unfined. It offers a mouthwatering mix of apple butter, caramel and toast. The length and subtle details argue for further aging, but go ahead and drink it now.
This self-described, entry-level blend boasts floral aromatics and spicy, peppery fruit flavors of cranberry, strawberry and raspberry. Ribbon Ridge Pinots show great character, especially when from estate-grown, biodynamically-certified grapes like this offering.
Strong aromas of blueberry paste, cracked peppercorns and concentrated lilacs prepare the nose for a powerful sipper. The palate falls in line, proving rich and full, with flavors of stewed blackberries, plums, a bit of licorice and an herbal twist between dried mint and dill.
From a single parcel that is above the emblematic windmill of Moulin-à-Vent, this wine shows its 16 months of wood aging in its smooth and perfumed character. Cherries and freshly ground spice mix with some firm tannins to give structure while leaving room for the fruit. Drink from 2017.
Aromas of strawberries and olallieberries seasoned with mace, allspice and savory woods greet the nose on this blend of Syrah and Grenache by Mark Chesebro, former winemaker for Bernardus. The palate shows black cherry, cedar and tobacco, proving quite flavorful, structured by sticky tannins and a striking acidity.
Good balance and vivid fruit flavors are the strong points of this well-put-together wine. Bright aromas like raspberries and red cherries are followed by rich but still attractively tangy flavors that ride on a very firm texture of fine tannins and appetizing acidity. This one will gain more complexity and interest with time, so it's best to drink after 2017.
This wine has all the richness and ripeness of the Alentejo. Packed with dense black fruits and balanced acidity, it is a blend of two perfumed grapes, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. The wood aging has rounded out the natural tannins of the fruit and given a concentrated wine that will still need to age. Drink from 2017.
This is a superripe wine full of rich black fruits and solid tannins. It blends Touriga Nacional with a whole raft of other grapes including Petit Verdot and Merlot. Together this blend gives a powerful wine, dense and full-bodied, that will need aging. Drink from 2017.
Alluring red cherry wraps itself around a velvety texture with tannic foundation and a substantial mouthfeel. Though powerful, it's sexy and floral, with buoyant acidity and weight.
Produced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Côte des Blancs, this wine, now mature, is ripe and rich. While the initial fruit has diminished, it has not forgotten its tight, mineral texture and crisp acidity. The toast flavors, now dominant, are given a final lift by hints of honeyed almonds and steely acidity.
From an extreme-coastal vineyard near Cambria, this shows lots of low-alcohol, low-ripeness qualities on the nose: Kalamata olive, sautéed brown mushrooms, wet asphalt and just the slightest hint of raspberry and cranberry. There is tons of tingly acidity on the palate, along with flavors of tobacco, marjoram, dewy oregano and barely ripe cherry tomato. Drink 2020–2030.
High toast and burnt wood are initially off-putting. The tannins in the wine are also on the smoky side. However, there is fruit here, offering some balance in this powerful, dry wine, and giving some blackberry juiciness, which gives relief from the intensity of the wood.
There is plenty of ripe fruit here, the richness of 2005 evident. The flavors are of ripe blackberry jam, red plums and a strong structure of sweet tannins. There is a fresh, acidity-driven juicy lift on the finish.
High-toned and sharp, this Cabernet features sleek berry and cassis fruit. On the palate it feels both slightly hot and acidic; it needs decanting. If you like some spice and plenty of new oak, this is a good choice.
From a vineyard possessing light, sandy-pebbly soil, this is a light-bodied Riesling. It's very fresh and delicate in style, with hints of lime and rain-water minerality.
Why shouldn't Pfalz producers cash in on the Pinot Noir craze? This is a commendable version, offering earthy, herbal aromas and a base of black cherry fruit. It's plump and nicely rounded, with a soft, mushroomy finish.
This is Luna Beberide's “kitchen sink” blend consisting of Mencia, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has blackberry and violet aromas, and as a whole it's inviting and smooth. Flavors of berry fruit are solid but modest, while herbal accents and baking spice notes jazz things up. With more follow-through and some artistic touches, this could be even better. As is, it's a perfectly good red blend.
A lovely nose of violet, clove and pepper begin this stylish wine from Neil Ellis. On the palate, blackberry and spice flavors are concentrated and balanced. Smooth tannins and a smoldering finish add to the package.
This bursts from the glass with some almost smoky mineral aromas that nicely complement lime scents. The flavors are riper, resembling peach and apple, with a touch of sweetness that's balanced by chalky notes on the finish.
Rather racy and lean for a Pfalz Riesling, with crisp lime sherbet and green apple aromas and flavors. This is light in weight, yet not lacking in power or intensity.
The Kanonkop Pinotage does a beautiful job of maintaining the grape's unique indigenous character—on the nose you'll find trademark smoke, banana and plum, and on the palate, like flavors, with an added clove and leather touch. There's also an appealing cherry-mocha spin that gives the wine additional draw. Pair with smoky BBQ ribs, steak.
Starts with aromas of beef jerky, licorice and berry syrup. It's a brawny, dark wine with jammy blackberry flavors along with chocolate cake and thick, grabbing tannins. Finishes sweet and syrupy, with heavy saturation and big tannins. Not in perfect balance and by no means a great wine from Mauro. But it's still good for an off year. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, Imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
Aromas of citrus blossom, white stone fruit and a whiff of wet flint float from the glass. Fresh and savory, the juicy palate delivers ripe Bartlett pear, yellow apple, nectarine and lemon drop alongside bright acidity. Notes of almond and ginger add depth.
This wine's thick and buttery aromas range from cashew cream and caramel to honeysuckle and Maui onion. Its powerful acidity cuts through the palate's unctuous and oily qualities, with buttercream and lemon juice flavors combining for a big personality.
Smoky bark and cola notes are cradled in reductive oak in this robust wine from a fantastically farmed site. Its dark berry flavor is supported by velvety tannin and juicy acidity, both of which provide moderate structure.
Perfumed with rose and lavender, this wine has robust tannins and dominant oak notes, both in support of its ripe, concentrated red fruit. Woody, herbal components complement the lushness, framed by gravelly texture.
This is 100% Pommard clone, bright and spicy in the nose. The fruit flavors are sharp and penetrating, with brambly berries and a touch of pine sap.
This Zinfandel from a warm area that hugs the Arroyo Seco appellation boundary (and will likely one day be part of it) shows baked blueberry, nutmeg, clove, licorice and turned loam aromas. Its dark plum and boysenberry flavors are strong, yet rocky mineral notes, cocoa spice and upright tannins kick it up to the next level.
Loaded with finesse, this bright creamy wine hits all the right buttons. It opens with lovely scents of acacia flower and white stone fruit while the polished silky palate delivers yellow apple, ripe pear and lemon zest alongside fresh acidity. An elegant mousse lends suppleness.
This larger production offering from the respected producer is a testament to the benefit of sourcing from multiple sites. It showcases an interesting oyster shell note, as well as robust, caramelized oak. Honey and baked apple flavors lend richness and concentration.
From the warm appellation, this wine offers moderate structure and undeniable ripeness—a deep, brooding expression of dark chocolate, plum and leather.
Big, bold blackberry and mulled-plum aromas are ripe, briary and turn more raisiny the longer this wine sits. Raw, tart acidity and firm tannins offer structure. This wine has a palate of prune and stewed meat, with a rich yet rugged feel. Drink through 2021.
This fresh young wine has a pleasing leesy character upon being poured. With extra breathing time it fills out, adding details of citrus pith and skin to clean green apple, melon and cucumber flavors.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 6% Malbec (new this vintage) and 3% Petit Verdot. Carrying a whiff of musty leather, it nonetheless impresses with mixed black berries, a hint of cigar and polished, firm, substantial tannins. It's a fine steak wine to enjoy now through 2022.
Aromas of buttered nuts sail forth, and turn into strong flavors set against stone fruits and skins. Details from barrel aging add nuances of spice and coconut to this tasty wine.
This is a bright, effusive, full-bodied wine, with underlying acidity that keeps it fresh in the glass. Apple and pear flavors combine with firm texture, providing weight and breadth.
This new offering from the sparkling wine producer reveals strongly crafted layers of creamy apple pie, crème brûlée and toasty oak flavors. Made in a full-bodied, concentrated style, it doesn't hold back on its spicy acidity and lemony finish.
Well-integrated blueberry and purple flower aromas make for a casual rather than bombastic nose in this blend of 32% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 15% Petite Sirah. Roasted meat, charred blackberry and dried fennel notes show on the palate, feeling very balanced and acid-even.
This high-wire wine skirts along tart red fruits with a stiff herbal spine. Sourced from Lange Estate, Freedom Hill and Yamhill vineyards, it was aged in 40% new French oak. A nice streak of espresso, licorice and char completes the finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, with 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, is complex and intriguing. It boasts a full profile of ripe fruit tones, expressed in layers of baked cherry, plum and rhubarb cake that are accented by notes of cured bacon, leather and pressed purple flowers. The palate is surprisingly smooth and silky, thanks to resolved, approachable tannins and a lingering sweet-smoke hit on the finish.
Austere and minerally, not exactly what you'd expect from a "warm" part of New Zealand. Some green apple and lime aromas lead into a refreshing palate laden with Green Gage plums. It's lean and wiry, a firmly structured wine that finishes long and minerally.
The sweetest and ripest of Felton Road's 2002 Rieslings, the Block 1 boasts 5-6% residual sugar balanced by a long, citrusy finish. Aromas of green ferns, limes and powdered sandstone provide a pretty counterpoint to the powerful flavors of ripe peaches and pears.
Even Weinbach's simplest Rieslings are full of intense flavors. This wine is floral, with flavors of white fruits along with a racy, crisp acidity. It is complex, concentrated but essentially dry.
The aromas are a refined blend of peaches, pears and citrus fruits, but don't adequately prepare the taster for the bold, striking flavors that follow. Despite being relatively light-bodied, tropical fruits, stone fruits and citrus cascade across the palate, finishing a touch soft. If more structure becomes apparent as this wine's "baby fat" recedes, this wine's rating may prove conservative.
Josef Mantler's estate produces Rieslings from some of the best local vineyards in eastern Kremstal. This is a rich, soft wine, with exotic flavors of lychees and apricots. The aftertaste is just off-dry, but still has a good steely backbone.
This is much creamier, with much more leesy flavor than the regular bottling, but not as much ripe fruit (perhaps because it is from a different vintage). Various flavors of nuts, honey, spice and light tropical fruit mingle in a well balanced finish.
This might be one of Oregon's best Cabernet efforts to date. Yes, it's firm, with hard tannins, but time should allow that to settle down. In the meantime, there's char, road tar and caramel on the nose, while plum, cassis and chocolate dominate the rich, extracted palate. Toward the end it's the tannic structure that makes itself most felt. But again, some time in the cellar is probably all it requires.
Atypically ripe, weighty and intense for a Finger Lakes wine, with pear and peach notes buttressed by minerally dry extract. The mouthfeel is thick and viscous and the alcohol level a relatively high 13.1%, but it finishes long and elegantly, with tongue-tingling acids.
Southern Oregon, unlike the northern Willamette Valley, is warm and conducive to growing Bordeaux varieties, as evidenced by this hearty, tannic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. Right away you get kirsch and cassis from this heavyweight, and that's followed by a ripe palate that blasts loudly with plum and chocolate. Along the way there are some drying tannins and pulsating acids, so either lay it down for a couple of years or decant and serve with grilled meats.
This traditionally styled Barolo is loaded with tobacco, underbrush and leather aromas. The palate shows juicy wild-cherry flavors layered with spice and roasted walnut. This is tannic, but doesn't have enough acidity for lengthy aging so enjoy it soon.
This lovely Dolcetto is delicious, fresh and utterly drinkable. It has a classic fragrance of strawberry, cherry and licorice, all of which carry over to the palate, along with earthy notes and a hint of almond. Made to be enjoyed young, this pairs perfectly with pasta dishes and pizza.
There's subdued elegance to this dry, lushly textured Riesling. The nose is delicately aromatic with whiffs of stonefruit and smoke that build on the palate. Intensely minerally and bright with lime acidity, it finishes long with a rich, slightly viscous mouthfeel.
This structured Barolo offers fragrances of forest floor, mushroom, toasted oak and a whiff of leather. The palate shows ripe berry, with spice notes and hints of well-integrated oak. It has bracing but ripe tannins and is a bit shy on length.
This earthy and spicy Barbera possesses an intense fragrance of black cherry, plum, clove and herb. The palate shows ripe black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and hints of well integrated oak and roasted coffee beans.
Dusty, stony minerality penetrates from start to finish on this dry, full-bodied Riesling. The palate is austere in flavor with bristling notes of lemon pith and dried herbs, but the mouthfeel is rich and round with a luscious mineral-oil viscosity.
This is a Bordeaux-style blend, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Merlot filling it out. All the fruit comes from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard. The initial aromas are dominated with sweet, toasty, pretty new French oak, with the irresistible flavors of mocha following. As good as it is, the fruit seems light and submerged, with little depth. This is a wine to enjoy in its youth.
This elegant Nebbiolo d'Alba has a lovely, bright character and heady aromas of rose petal, strawberry and mineral. The palate is vibrant and refined, offering strawberry, cherry and mineral notes. Will pair perfectly with pasta topped with porcini mushrooms.
This exotic, spicy wine's wood flavors give it a lively character. This is a medium-bodied wine, not heavy in any sense, its fruitiness and attractive acidity producing a wine that will soon be ready to drink.
This is a bright, ripe wine. It has a sense of lightness, attractive acidity and black currant flavors. This delicious, juicy wine will be ready to drink in another few months.
Crisp and bright in lemon and apple, Atrea also has a honeyed richness to it, especially on the finish. A blend of almost equal Roussanne and Viognier, the latter comes from Lolonis's very old, dry-farmed vines. Refreshing, this wine is begging for spicy food.
This classic Barolo delivers a lovely rose and violet fragrance and rich cherry flavors accompanied by hints of truffle and tobacco leaf. Still tough and tannic, this may soften a bit, but isn't structured for lengthy cellaring.
This wine shows an intriguing touch of flinty, fumé character as well as ample melon and fig fruit. It's reasonably full bodied and textured for a wine of its ilk.
One of the best unoaked Aussie Chardonnays I've come across, this is surprisingly full bodied and lush, boasting ample pineapple and peach fruit. If it lacks a bit of texture and complexity for not having any oak, the price more than compensates. Drink it over the next several months.
This is black in color, and on the nose it's jammy and intense, with slightly reduced blueberry and exotic cumin scents. The palate offers a smooth texture, depth and balance alongside toasty, blackened flavors of berry, cassis and pepper. A chocolaty, lightly toasted finish is a fine ending to this lively, tasty Malbec.
Direct and appealing with notes of dried herbs, cherry, and toast. It's broad in feel with good depth and structure with dry tannins the only thing holding it back.
Per Due, as in a wine for sharing between two people, is a fruity, fragrant, refreshing wine. It has great acidity, lively green apple flavors and just a touch of spice. Very refreshing. Screwcap.
A very pretty expression of Cabernet Franc with notes of cherry, chocolate and floral notes. It's elegant in style with a textured, satiny mouthfeel and a tart, lingering finish.
Lively and balanced, this shows a wonderful interplay between the rich fruit flavors of grilled pineapple and lightly baked red apple and the oaky tones of sweet spice, toasted cedar and peach pit nuttiness. The medium-weight mouthfeel is filling, but the medium acidity keeps the palate fresh and the finish bright.
As a straightahead Aussie Riesling for drinking young alongside raw oysters, this has few equals. Scents of petrichor and fresh flower-shop greenery mingle easily on the nose, while the crispness of the high-acid backbone resounds on the palate, ending on a talc-like note.
This Foursight Pinot is one of two, in amount of oak used (40% new oak in this case).This is light in color, earthy with mushroom-y spice tones and a darker fruit and oak expression than other, lighter-styled Anderson Valley Pinots. The vineyard is closer to Boonville and thereby typically warmer than the valley's Deep End.
This intensely juicy wine is packed with red berry fruits, soft tannins and a light touch of wood. It is already a delicious, forward wine that's ripe and full bodied. It could age well for another 2–3 years.
Always a fine value, Barnard Griffin's Merlot is a brightly fruit wine with tart red and purple berry flavors. Tannins are still a bit stiff, but proportionate and ripe enough, with hints of café mocha in the finish.
Filled with scents and flavors of black earth, cedar and dark fruit, this impressively full-bodied wine demands to be served with something similarly big and meaty. Despite its size, it's open-knit and accessible, with just enough coarse tannins on the finish to cut the richness of beef steaks or braises.
The second of the two Zweigelts produced by Reeh, this is more structured. It is dark and dense, full of firm tannins and with a mineral texture. The mouthfeel is chewy, with fine acidity shooting through from the background. Best for aging over 1–3 years. Screwcap.
Mineral tones reverberate through this delicate, light-footed kabinett. It's sweet, with sun-ripened peach and apricot flavors, but ever-so-dainty on the palate, with refreshingly tart tangerine acidity. Drink now for its fresh, revitalizing feel with spicy Thai or Vietnamese fare.
Mint notes accent blueberry and plum fruit, while hints of tar and black olive add a savory edge. This medium- to full-bodied Shiraz is creamy on the midpalate, but firms up enough on the finish to pair well with burgers or steaks. Drink now–2020.
Bold black-fruit aromas are pure and inviting. ?Overall, this blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is flush in feel, balanced and full of wild berry ?and plum flavors. On the finish, fully present acidity ?supports oak and chocolaty notes. This an exemplary ?large-production Spanish red.
Whiffs of smoke dissipate with aeration on this delicately off-dry Riesling, revealing a lush wine, with yellow peach and nectarine flavors. Roundness on the midpalate is tightened by a shock of citrusy acidity that lingers long on the finish.
This mature Montsant smells like a classic aged Spanish wine: there's a mix of vanilla, earth and raisin. In the mouth, it's a bit tired and stewy but not overly so. Flavors of baked berry, prune, tobacco and spice are warm and earthy, while the finish is rich and soft. Drink immediately.
Evaluating young Eden Valley Rieslings isn't easy, as they often don't show their full potential for several years. The 2012 Bin 51 is tight and linear, crisply focused and a bit one-dimensional at this age. But the lime-driven fruit is potent and the finish beautifully clean and long. It should develop well over the next 7–8 years or more.
This opens with aromas of prune, fig, raisin and espresso. The palate offers ripe blackberry, cherry, and black pepper layered with intense mint, thyme and licorice sensations. It's young but well balanced, with just enough freshness to support the bracing tannins.
This opens with a bouquet recalling blue flowers, berries and white pepper. The palate delivers concentrated dark cherry and blackberry fruits as well as accents of espresso and orange peel. The aggressive tannins, typical of the grape, are balanced by a vein of fresh acidity.
This is a delicious and juicy, yet structured wine. It has black plum and berry flavors that are fully ripe and burst from the glass. A firm texture, solid tannins and acidity balance out the fruit and extend the wine's ability to age. Drink from 2015.
Lime and pink grapefruit flavors are etched with refreshing minerality, and the leesy, textural mouthfeel keeps this wine feeling light, despite alcohol over 14%. Drink now and over the next five years.
Classic, elegant Pinot Noir aromas introduce this delightful wine. Whiffs of flowers, citrus and fresh herbs accompany a tart, pretty palate with nuanced rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry flavors.
McCay's Westside Zin, Trulux, opens with a strong bouquet of red and black fruit along with a suggestion of anise. Inviting, it's structured and smooth in tannins, with a bite of oak on the finish. Earthy and with great acidity throughout, it makes for a great food wine.
Low-yielding vines cropped down to 1.5 tons/acre contribute to the length and power of this tart, lip-smacking Pinot Gris. There's a delicious mineral underpinning to the subtle flavor mix of Asian pear, apple and lemon. A nice hint of tarragon also comes into focus.
Extended lees ageing lends rich brioche and caramel notes to this delicately floral sparkling wine. On the palate, tangerine pith and fresh apple meld in a soft, creamy foam, finishing long, with a lingering yeastiness and sharp line of lemon-lime acidity.
Cola, earth, iron and spice flavors rise prominently on this Pinot Noir. The fruit remains secondary, but it's a detailed, tasty effort with appealing minerality.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino is redolent with aromas of ripe black fruit and blue flower, with a whiff of leather. The palate delivers a savory wild cherry flavor, punctuated with white pepper, cinnamon and clove spice. Bracing yet fine tannins are balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2020.
This is a fine expression of old-vine fruit, with raspberry and cherry along with juicy highlights of pineapple and grapefruit. Tannins are a bit stiff right out of the bottle, so an hour or two of aeration is in order, or tuck it away until 2020–2022.
High-toned herb aromas mix with barrel spice, pencil lead and blackberry notes on this initially aromatically brooding wine. The palate holds nothing back with rich, intense black-fruit flavors that display a ripe style. It's a bit hard to get at the variety but the yum factor is there.
This is an aromatic wine, with notes of blackberry, braised meat, Kalamata olive, iron and French-oak spices. The palate holds nothing back, with bold, rich fruit flavors that coat the palate, showing warmth on the finish. Although the oak seems prominent it still provides enjoyment.
Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) is in the lead here followed by Merlot (24%) and Cabernet Franc. Brooding aromas of herb, smoke, cherry and spice are followed by an elegantly styled palate. Lightly crunchy tannins and tart acids provide support. It's a very pretty expression of this esteemed vineyard.
This is a ripe complex wine made from a blend of Douro grapes. With French and American wood aging, there is a smooth texture that is lifted by spice. The acidity, the black-currant fruits and rich feel of the wine all promise some good aging. Drink from late 2018.
A steely mix of raspberries and cherries frames the core fruit with tart citrus. There's a hint of gunmetal, along with tight well-ripened tannins. Solid winemaking all around.
From this family-owned estate in the heart of great Port country, this wine is both richly structured and packed with fruit. It has solid black fruits that are laced with intense acidity to keep the wine bright and crisp. At the same time, the tannins and the firm texture will allow it to age. Drink from 2019.
This reserve bottling, done entirely in stainless, brings extra weight and depth, with an enticing floral top note. Oranges and citrus-peel aromas carry into the palate, and a sense of powdered sugar suggests that perhaps it wasn't fermented completely dry. In any event, it's complex, compact and commanding.
Zesty acidity lifts this sprightly yet concentrated spätlese. Crisp yellow plum and citrus flavors penetrate deeply on the palate, augmented by a delicate sheen of sweetness. It's an electric, impeccably balanced wine with a long finish.
Subtle notes of white grapefruit and struck flint intensify on the palate of this off-dry wine. Fresh tangerine sweetness is subtle and integrated, offset by nervy acidity and a cool, steely finish.
This 100% varietal wine hails from a site east of Cloverdale, in a warm pocket reaching up to 1,030-feet in elevation. It offers a full-bodied concentration of black cherry, raspberry and clove flavor, with a smooth texture and mild, toasty oak. Chocolate mocha marks the finish.
This blend of 47% Grenache, 39% Syrah and 23% Mourvèdre packs dense fruit on the nose, showing plump blackberry and black plum, with touches of pepper, tar and charred beef. The palate is dry and leads with savory peppercorn and asphalt notes, then rounds out with blueberry and dried herb flavors, all balanced by spry acidity.
Quite dark in the glass, this blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot starts with snappy boysenberry aromas and grows more savory with dust and dried pine needle notes. The palate's acidity is expertly integrated, carrying charred blueberry, minty dill and cocoa flavors.
On the nose, this Cabernet-led blend deals telltale Chilean aromas of herbs, pepper, spice, berry, tomato and forest floor. Derivative of a cool year, the palate feels tight, with snapping acidity. Hard-hitting acid-driven flavors of spiced berry and black currant finish dark, toasty and oaky, but pulling. Drink through 2025.
This focused white opens with alluring aromas of citrus, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of baking spice. Made with Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, the savory palate offers juicy peach, nectarine, apricot and ripe pear. It has a tangy lemon-drop finish.
Classic varietal aromas of tomato leaf, exotic fruit and citrus practically jump out of the glass. The bright palate doles out juicy peach, nectarine, grapefruit, celery and sage while a mineral vein lends energy.
Not many varietal Marsannes are made in California, and this one is impressive. Savory, earthy nuances—rather than fruity ones—dominate, giving it a distinctive flavor profile. It starts with dried herb and mineral aromas, brings in fennel bulb and white pepper flavors and wraps it all with a luscious texture that powers a long, lingering finish.
This wine is a blend of Syrah (44.5%), Grenache (33.3%) and Mourvèdre. The aromas are light and nuanced, with notes of raspberry, thistle, flower petal and herb. The red- and black-fruit flavors bring a pleasing sense of purity and freshness that carries through the finish.
Fresh tangerine and lemon aromas turn a shade riper on the palate of this approachable but elegant dry Riesling. It's luscious and mouthfilling, brightened by tart lime and grapefruit acidity that extends through a long finish.
This brooding, brawny wine made from mountain fruit is all about mushroom and compost notes—a true expression of the vineyard's surroundings. Black cherry fruit and youthful tannins provide context, with a sizzling streak of acidity.
Notes of ripe Russet pear dominate nose and palate. The fresh body gives full rein to these ample lively fruit flavors. Zesty tangy freshness counters the full fruit and creates a lively, harmonious, moreish and refreshing wine. The finish is dry.
Gamy roast lamb aromas meet blueberry and crushed bay leaf on the nose of this bottling—a shining example of Syrah from southern Santa Clara County. White pepper, thyme and graphite notes show on the palate, where a core of elderberry fruit core is enhanced by that feral, gamy quality.
As salty as preserved lemon brine, this wine is medium-bodied, with integrated oak, having aged in 33% new French barrels. Golden delicious apple and a spicy bite of quince round out the subtle fruit flavors, bolstered by gravelly texture.
Heavy oak gives this Tempranillo from Zamora an inky, resiny, charred set of aromas. Its muscular palate is softened somewhat by creamy oak. Woody mocha, blackberry, vanilla and spice flavors linger into the finish, feeling rich but also punchy and tannic. Drink through 2024.
Earthy plum and berry aromas precede a racy, high-acid palate that's fresh and sharp. Snappy red plum and wild berry flavors finish tannic, with oak spice and mild chocolate notes. This is a power-packed wine that will last a long time; drink through 2028.
Coming in an oddly shaped, squat bottle reminiscent of the Wild West, this unfiltered wine bursts with blackberry, purple flowers and turned loam aromas. On the palate, deep black currant fruit is accented with peppery spice, graphite and a sizzling acidity that burns from the tip to the back of the sip.
Numerous lively aromas kick off this bottling, from black currant and purple flower to savory smoke and black peppercorn. The palate is framed by buoyant acidity and chalky tannins, which hold up rich black cherry, clove, licorice and mocha flavors.
The latest release of the H3 Chardonnay shows plenty of fruit upfront (20% was fermented in stainless steel). Firm, crisp apple and a buttery finish set this clearly in the mainstream Columbia Crest style.
Estate-grown and varietal, this has a youthful freshness and a pretty cherry flavor. The tannins are smooth and supple, and the wine is balanced and lightly citrusy. It falls off rather quickly and leaves a hint of herb on the finish.
Pretty floral aromas accent notes of fennel and savory apple on this dry, crisp Riesling. Bright and bold on the palate, this has lemony acidity and an abundance of fresh apple flavor.
This has fresh berry and flower aromas that lead to a healthy-feeling palate, which is full of cherry, boysenberry and blackberry flavors. Mildly toasty and chocolaty on the finish.
Notes of dried dark berry, leathery spice, sweet tobacco and chocolate-covered cherry fill the nose of this wine. The satiny texture pairs well with the dusty tannins, and additional flavors of prune, sweet smoke and fresh caramel linger through the medium-length finish.
Dense and dark, this has earthy, crusty berry aromas and a sprinkle of herb on the nose. It hits with aggression but settles down nicely to offer raspberry, plum and savory herb flavors. Lively acidity allows for a long finish.
Creamy brie rind aromas mesh with scratched yellow grapefruit skin and a steely minerality on the nose of this small-batch bottling from a winery atop the appellation's ridgeline. Light and focused flavors of kumquat juice, iodine and lime skin satisfy the palate, and would be a perfect match for shellfish.
This is a dry style of wine, with great acidity and a tightly wrought texture. As with many Gosset Champagnes, this wine has had no malolactic fermentation, enhancing the freshness and crispness as well as the structure. Full of lemon zest, crisp grapefruit and delicious acidity, it will still age for many years. Drink from 2017.
A blend of 28% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 18% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot, this is a big, bold and powerful wine, with superb balance and a firm, concentrated structure that promises great long-term aging. Dense aromas and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, cherry and fig are layered with notes of cocoa powder, roasted espresso bean and cigar tobacco. Ripe, rich and lush, but not overdone, hints of charred oak and black pepper linger on the finish. Drink 2018–2025.
Voluptuously tropical in shaved coconut and silky layers of peach and pear, this is a complex, age-worthy white from a stellar vineyard site, a knockout version of the variety. Smooth and round, it maintains a core of acidity that buoys the experience, finishing with a flourish. Drink now through 2022.
Bold, dark and concentrated, this blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot still shows some youthful restraint on the nose and palate, suggesting this is a wine best enjoyed after 2018 and through 2024. Seductive notes of toasted oak, cocoa nib, licorice and Thin Mint kiss the black-fruit core of boysenberry, blackberry and cherry. The mouthfeel is dense, with a firm structure and bold tannins that grip the long, spicy finish.
Boasting lovely depth and great complexity, this iconic bottling opens with scents of toasted hazelnut, exotic fruit, baking spice and a balsamic note. The creamy, elegantly structured palate offers nectarine zest, ripe golden apple, pastry cream, roasted nut and a honey note alongside an ultrafine perlage.
Grapes from this tiny AVA frequently deliver that something extra that catapults Pinot into a higher dimension. Here, solid cherry and berry tones bear almost indefinable traces of iron, mineral and sweet hay. Delicious already, this should continue to improve through 2020.
Produced cryogenically, this sweet dessert wine is made with estate-grown fruit. A floral nose is rich with scents of orange blossoms, while in the mouth it coats the palate with flavors of lemon drops, candied papaya and dried mango fruits. The concentration and balance are superb, with more than enough acidity to counterbalance the sugar. Drink now through 2030.
With 49% Chardonnay and 51% Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards, this well-balanced wine is just coming into its best years. Crisp and dry, following the Lanson style of no malolactic fermentation, the wine is full of white fruits, citrus and hints of toast, based around a tangy, mineral texture. Drink now and until 2025.
The top wine from Mailly, this is rich with a good balance between its fresh white fruits streaked with lemon and its tight texture. Together, these two aspects hold the wine poised and coiled, a tight wine that is now just at maturity. Drink now and until 2022.
Coming from a block of vines called South Pointe that are planted closest to the vineyard's creek, this wine shows plum and raspberry fruits on the nose along with smoked licorice and black slate. It's ripe in raspberry flavor at the tip of the sip, but then clings to a restrained line of graphite and peppery, acidic spice, continuing to evolve deep into the finish.
Caramelized oak and vanilla make for a thick, rich and buttery experience in this bold, but balanced wine. Juicy and tempered, it exudes passionfruit and lime in abundance, with a seasoning of fennel and dried herb. Drink now through 2020.
A 100% varietal wine entirely from the producer's Napa side of its property, this special cuvée is thick and rich in black and blue fruit, generously soft and silky on the palate with well-integrated oak. Complex and built to age, it finishes in a jolt of black pepper and licorice. Enjoy now through 2022.
Made from old vines, this is a powerful wine that is reminiscent of a dry Port. This gives the wine density and richness, along with firm tannins and flavors from the wood aging. The black fruits are still developing, showing youthful freshness. This intense wine has plenty of development ahead of it; drink from 2018.
From one of the Napa Valley's most historically famous sites, this Cab delivers a testament to gamy blackberry and blueberry alongside complex cassis, clove and black licorice. Full bodied and richly concentrated, it's also soft and well integrated, entirely pleasurable now, with years to go in terms of structure and body. Cellar through 2027 and possibly beyond.
Fermented in open-top tanks, this dense and beautifully concentrated wine is rich and structured while remaining sophisticated. Although it is still young, it's supported by ripe, intense black fruits and balanced acidity. This has a long way to develop, so drink from 2018.
Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée is named after the widow Clicquot, the great lady who built up the house in the early 19th century. This latest incarnation is just showing signs of ripe toasty maturity. It is rich and soft with a high dosage, in the house style, with a full panoply of lime, red apple and apricot. Drink now and until 2022.
Bryan Babcock sources from the Buona Terra Vineyard for this bottling that shows intensely focused aromas of candied pomegranate, cola, anise seed and dew on sweet sagebrush. It's rich and soft on the palate, yet lively with intense herbal energy and grippy tension, all laid across the juice of ripe red berries.
This muscular, stout Monastrell sweet wine is all aces. Blackberry, cassis and fine oak aromas precede a sensationally smooth palate that's full of toffee, chocolate, coffee, pepper, blackberry and cassis flavors. A long, warm, impeccably balanced finish is pure and delicious. Drink through 2025.
This 100% varietal cuvée is smoky, supple and detailed. From the first sniff, what comes to mind is spice-rubbed grilled venison. In the glass it's fresh and full, with blackberry and loganberry jam. The freshness, tension and balance are pitch-perfect.
Lavender and other purple flowers meld with graphite, concentrated strawberries and dried raspberries on this wine from a cherished block on a historic vineyard. It's snappy on the palate, with sharp pomegranate fruit and tongue-tingling acidity. A tad of brie, watermelon and shiitake mushroom pop up toward the finish.
Crisp and crunchy red fruit like cranberry surround a tight, grippy structure seasoned well in cola and Asian spice. Full bodied, the wine is textured and elegant, robust without being overbearing, a standout for the producer and the appellation in a picture-perfect vintage year, sourced from both the Wayfarer and Hallberg vineyards. Drink now through 2023.
Rich red cherries, raspberries, red currants, concentrated rose petals and hibiscus are cut with an edge of eucalyptus oil, chipped slate and purple sage on this stellar bottling from this producer's 25th vintage. Dark fruits of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry emerge across a deeply layered palate, which is boosted by violet and lavender florality.
Blending the earthy elements of the low-alcohol movement with the characteristic ripeness of California fruit, this wine by Trey Fletcher offers rhubarb, wet strawberry leaves, pencil shavings, rose hips, wild berries and anise on the nose. The extremely soft palate shows stewed raspberries, poppy seeds and rose petals, proving unique but varietally appropriate.
From parcels of old vines in the Côte des Blancs, this limited-edition wine is a beautiful Chardonnay. It is finely woven, tightly textured and crisp in apple skin and lemon notes. Concentration from the low-yielding vines gives great depth and the potential to still age well. Drink this exceptional wine from 2017.
The muscular flavors of Shea vineyard fruit shine through, a potent, briary mix of berries, thistle and highlights of orange peel and coriander. In a vintage of more muted, refined wines, this qualifies as a blockbuster.
A big wine, with structure and fruit. The mild tannins are a counterpoint to the harmonious red berries, acidity and dense texture. Boasts a delicious, sensuous finale. For medium-term aging.
One of the best values in Chilean wine is Quatro, a lusty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère and Syrah. The nose is deep and roasted, with aromas of bacon, vanilla, pastry and black fruit. Lush and full in the mouth, with intense blackberry and cassis flavors. A titan at a great price, and ageable over the short term. Drink now through 2013.
Inky, dark, charred and serious, and it only gets better as it opens with air. The palate has a smooth, deep, comfortable feel and the flavors are sweet, fruity, creamy and proper for Malbec. Chocolaty and rich on the finish. A very nice wine made for near-term drinking.
Solid, crisp and consistent with the previous vintage. Undurraga's T.H. from Leyda is a Sauvignon Blanc made in the oceanic, cool-climate style. It's stripped of all fat and weight; instead, it hits with tangerine, orange and a bit of green. A nice example of a streamlined, fit white wine.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay is plump without being heavy, featuring modest citrus aromas but greater depth of fruit on the palate, adding pear and melon flavors to the mix. It's fresh and lively on the finish, which should serve it well with a wide variety of dishes. Drink now–2013.
Buoyant aromas like apricot and white peach lead to rich, sweet, appealing flavors like pistachio and peach and a smooth, mouth-filling texture. It will make a great pre-dinner wine for people who don't drink dry, and also a good pairing with cheese.
Subdued citrus and pear notes on the nose find fuller expression on the rounded, very textured palate that almost seems to have a pleasingly bitter edge of earth and Bosc pear peel. This is generous and medium-bodied.
Luscious black cherries and touches of sultry smoked pork are deftly brightened with fresh hibiscus aromas on the nose of this bottling from the Byron family of wines. The hibiscus joins pomegranate on the palate, lifted by a pinch of lavender and candied lilacs and leveled by an elegant slate earthiness.
Varietally funky, light in color and straightforward in approach, this still-young wine has structured tannins that persist on the palate, nearly chewy but starting to find their groove. Orange and cinnamon are dominant characteristics.
From a hillside spot, this blends in 21% Zinfandel for further fruitiness, showing aromas and a taste of dried plum, the tannins upfront and generous. Structured and medium bodied, it aged almost two years in French oak that provides additional spiciness and grace.
A touch of oxidation on the nose blows off fast, allowing a freshness of smooth, richly cultivated flavors of pineapple and stone fruit. This wine is full bodied and toasted in oak, yet with leaner undertones keeping it in check.
This coral-pink-colored wine brings light aromas of cherry and spice. It drinks a hair off dry, with a rounded, fleshy feel and a mouthwatering finish.
Earthy aromas of potting soil and tomato leaf give nuance to the rose petal and pomegranate fruit that show on the nose of this bottling. It's light and lively on the palate, with cranberries barely showing through the dried sage, oregano, bay leaf and thyme herbs.
Layered aromas of dried rose petals and violets meet with peppery strawberry and plum fruit, proving relatively light with crushed-rock minerality on the nose. The palate is also light but juicy with strawberry, soft cherry and red currant, spiced by black pepper. The tannic structure builds throughout the sip.
Lifted and fresh hints of white pear immediately hit the forehead. The palate holds subtle honeysuckle spice but convinces with a central seam of fluid, fruity acidity. There is concentration and an aftertaste of abundant red apple fruit of this traditional Austrian combo.
Citrus and white blossom come first but there is a deeper, richer floral aspect of yarrow and daisy. The palate is light, dry and wonderfully fresh. Once you've started it's hard to stop with this quintessential summer sipper.
Ripe Anjou pear, Key-lime skins, white lily and white peach show on the nose of this wine from an increasingly popular vineyard. The palate is clean and straightforward, with pear cider, Gala apple and concrete minerality.
Granular, earthy aromas of baked berry fruits come with a hint of raisin. Tight tannins are the framework for this Crianza, which tastes of toasty blueberry and cassis. Touches of mint and herbs can be found on a juicy but slightly hollow finish.
Even considering the cool vintage, this warm-site wine comes in at an alcohol level rarely seen in the state. There's no mistaking the variety, with abundant aromas of freshly cut green and jalapeño pepper that are followed by elegant, reserved cherry and spice flavors. It provides a lot of intrigue and enjoyment.
An unusual blend of two-thirds Petite Sirah and one third Petit Verdot, this wine offers notes of baking spices, freshly tilled soil, dried cherries and flowers. The palate brings a mixture of purple and black fruit, backed by a wall of near-impenetrable tannins that still show balance and restraint.
A 50-50 California Cab Franc-Oregon Pinot Noir blend, this works better than most attempts to blend Pinot Noir with anything. It's aromatically focused, scented with exotic incense that's soft, sultry and smooth. The fruit suggests cherry and plum, with streaks of stem, leaf and rather stiff tannins. It's the barrel flavors that help to pull it all together.
The aromas of wood spice, violets and dark fruit are high toned and brooding. The palate offers firm tannins but also a sense of balance that provides intrigue.
The wine shows the firmly tannic structure of the vintage. It is dense, packed with dark fruits and dry tannins that are slowly developing. That makes for a rich, black-fruited wine, concentrated and needing to age further. Drink from 2018.
Aging in wood for 18 months has brought out the richness of this generous wine. It has black-currant acidity that is balanced by the tarry tannins and smoky character. Rich and now in equilibrium, this wine is ready to drink.
This Mottet family wine is a blend of 44% Sémillon, 46% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Gris. Soft, rounded and perfumed, this is a full fragrant wine. Its acidity is just right for the smooth texture and green-plum flavored fruits. The background is more tightly coiled with minerality and zesty lemon flavors.
Dark in color, this is a bold, spicy wine. It has firm tannins that contrast well with the dense black fruits and acidity. The combination makes for a wine that promises to age well—rich and with a fine smoky aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
A bit firmer and more powerful than the producer's regular bottling, the Vintner's Select boasts a core of black cherry and cassis accented by shades of bramble and forest floor. Rich, rounded and full bodied, it's balanced by a streak of cranberry acidity and lingering notes of anise.
Made with Grecanico, this amber-colored wine offers aromas suggesting candied nectarine zest, sea breeze, tilled soil and Mediterranean herb. The linear palate delivers dried apricot, mineral and bitter almond alongside bright acidity. A hint of tangerine closes the finish.
While demure on the nose, this revitalizing, citrusy rosé offers a firm punch of raspberry and pink-grapefruit flavors. Dry and guzzably thirst-quenching, it's an ideal summer apéritif.
The faintest hint of smoke and subtle earth immediately announces pleasure. The subtle palate has the softest tannic grip, as if made of translucent red gauze, and majors on earthiness rather than fruit, as so many food friendly, traditional Austrian Pinot Noirs do. This is a lovely, delicious example of this unobtrusive but elegant style.
Smoky notes and a slight hint of chocolate spice this very plummy yet fresh, light-bodied red. The tannins are slight but beautifully present and there is a sense of generosity and richness despite the medium body which is balanced harmoniously.
With just a hint of lemon and earth on the nose, the slightly dilute palate gives clean-cut freshness and easy, citric charm.
Aromas of candied orange zest, crushed herb, pressed Spanish broom and a hint of honey follow through to the medium-bodied palate along with ripe yellow apple and dried stone fruit. Bright acidity lifts the finish while a note of bitter almond wraps up the close.
This is surprisingly plump and accessible, featuring scents of lime rind upfront, then flavors of apple, nectarine and citrus. A medium-bodied wine with a long, mouthwatering finish, it's a tasty near-term drinker but should develop well for up to 10 years.
Made from grapes that have been exposed to muffa nobile or botrytis, this lovely dessert wine boasts sensations of candied fruit, dried apricot, almond and ripe yellow peach. The rich flavors are balanced with freshness, making it an ideal meditation wine to sip after dinner or pair it with seasoned cheeses.
This structured Sagrantino is loaded with blackberry, spice, leather and balsamic herb sensations. It also demonstrates the grape's massive tannins that will give this wine many more years of staying power. Drink 2016–2026.
Foresty whiffs of pine needles meld with ripe yellow peach and cherry notes on the nose of this powerful, dry Riesling. It's full-bodied in style, with a rich, textured creaminess that's honed by a steely minerality that shines on the finish.
This GSM blend includes bits of Carignan and Cinsault. It's a full-bodied, supple wine intended for youthful consumption, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Raspberry and cherry fruit is balanced by savory notes of earth and mocha. Drink now–2016.
This is an attractive, aromatic wine, full of fruitiness and soft tannins. There is a strongly juicy element with black currant fruits adding freshness. There is a touch of spice from wood aging. Drink this enjoyable wine now.
Dry, firm and tannic, this is a wine with great potential. It has weight, ripe berry fruits and a solid character. Wood aging shows lightly, allowing the ripeness of the fruit to dominate. Drink from 2016.
While structured and firm, this is a ripe and juicy wine. Its texture has some minerality, lending an edge to intensely youthful acidity. As the wine ages, all these elements will integrate well, so drink from 2016.
This is a complex wine that offers firm tannins and rich fruit. It has weight, density and a strong sense of ripeness. With balance and depth, it's a wine with good aging potential. Drink from 2015.
Made from organically farmed Sangiovese, Barbera and Sagrantino, this bold blend opens with notes of tilled soil, violet, rose and spice. The palate delivers lush blackberry and red cherry accented by cinnamon and clove. Delicious now, but will continue to develop; drink 2015–2021.
Like most high-end varietal Garnachas, this hits with big but straightforward berry aromas and not a lot of complexity. A jagged palate shows powerful tannins and baked, jammy flavors of blackberry. This is grabby and slightly astringent on the finish, but in general it's tasty and well made. Drink through 2016.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of oak, earth and ripe black fruit. The palate offers flavors of succulent black currant, plum, black cherry, espresso and roasted herbs, all layered with chocolate and vanilla. It boasts velvety tannins and a smooth texture.
Deliciously fresh and fruity, this is a wine full of ripe apples and crisp pears. It's full bodied, but bright with intense acidity. The characteristic pepper touch of Grüner shows at the end of this full and concentrated wine. Screwcap.
This is a faultless Albariño that checks out up front, on the palate and late in the game. Tropical aromas are melony, fresh and minerally. The mouth is peachy and smooth in texture, with kicking acidity. Pithy citrus and nectarine flavors are textbook, and the citrusy finish is long and true.
Spring blossoms and lemon zest lend a fresh exuberance to this effortlessly elegant kabinett. Just a shade off dry, it's juicy with tangerine, honeydew and yellow peach flavors, but vibrant, with bright streaks of Meyer-lemon acidity.
This is a spicy, exotic wine with flavors of rich berry fruits and a warm, perfumed structure. There are dense tannins supporting the ripe fruitiness and dark, brooding edge of this still-young wine. It can be drunk now for its fruit, but will also age remarkably well. Drink until 2019.
This soft, stewy Zin tastes as if it were steeped in black tea and leather, giving it depth and concentration. As it opens, layers of black pepper pierce through, exploding on the finish amidst earthy cedar and sandalwood. It's a fine food wine that'll impress and improve as the meal goes on.
Scented with herbs, pine needles and a hint of pepper, this has a solid core of tart, wild-cherry fruit. The tannins are drying and show some stem flavors, but as the wine breathes it smoothes out and softens up.
Production has increased dramatically, but quality remains quite good for this estate-grown Cabernet Franc. Deep and plummy, it's a rich, round mouthful of blue and black fruits that are dressed up with plenty of spicy oak tones. The tannins are polished and bring some finishing flavors of black tea. This should age for a decade at least.
Full bodied, rich and ripe, this wine has a minerally texture and is loaded with tropical fruit, citrus and apricot flavors. It's a serious selection that needs some aging. This is one of a series of single-vineyard wines from the Comte de Ternay estate.
Thick and foresty, this Pinot Noir embodies the extremes of the Perli Vineyard. It bursts with dark blue and earthy red fruits that are tempered by a savory undertone. This wine takes time to reveal itself, so age it for 5–7 years, and pair it with stews, risottos or seasoned braised lamb.
This wine is perfumed, with delicious notes of plum and spice that are balanced by light tannins and fine, elegant acids. A touch of mineral marks the finish.
This is a structured, fruity wine that has ripe strawberry and red plum flavors. Its tannins are condensed at the core, and the finish is marked by refreshing acidity. The vineyard is wholly owned by Faiveley.
Made from fruit that was sourced from a 2.4-acre plot on the steep slopes of Vergisson, this is an intense, ripe, wood-aged wine. The acidity is allied to the spice and yellow fruit flavors. A concentrated wine of great purity, this is worth aging for several years.
A blend of eight different Syrah clones and a splash of Grenache, this is dark and sappy, with dense veins of citrus oil, licorice, coffee liqueur and black tea that are anchored by a solid black-cherry flavor. This should drink well for a decade or longer.
Showing the structure of Gevrey-Chambertin and the ripe fruit of the 2009 vintage, this bottling is immediately opulent and seductive. With its red plum flavor and balanced tannins and acids, this is a solid wine to drink now.
This limited-production wine is complex and savory, and it features notes of beets, sous bois and cherries, layered with touches of creamy cocoa and coffee. It's on the full-bodied side of things, but it remains supple and shows great focus on the lengthy finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Unabashedly New World in style, Peregrine's 2009 combines lusty fruit with ample oak accents to create a moderately complex, silky-textured Pinot  Noir. The cherry fruit is accented by hints of vanilla, graham cracker and a delicate wreath of smoked meat. Drink now–2017.
Fleshy black plum and berry aromas open the bouquet of this vibrant wine, and follow straight through to the juicy palate. Hints of tobacco and sweet yet peppery spice add nuance to the medium-weight mouth, while the structured tannins keep the ripe fruit flavors grounded. Drink  now–2016.
Villa Maria's upper-level Pinot Noirs have always been big and bold, but with this release the wines seem to have taken a turn toward more finesse and elegance. The 2010 Cellar Selection features a plushly textured palate, refined aromas and flavors of cherries, earth and cedar, and a long, softly dusty finish. Drink now–2018.
This single-vineyard 100% Cabernet Franc is firm, juicy and focused. It has a phenolic bite at the back end, along with lemony acids. The concentration of fruit and herb flavors is excellent, which makes it a fine steak wine and also a bottle to stow away for a few more years.
This label has had its ups and downs over the years. The 2010 Pinot Noir is one of the successes, and it boasts an effusive nose of roses, cherries, dusty earth and mocha. It's medium to full in the mouth, delivering cherry fruit and underpinnings of earth and spice. The finish is long, spicy and firm without being hard.
Made with 70% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Syrah, this opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit, underbrush and baking spice. The straightforward palate delivers ripe plum, clove and a hint of rosemary alongside smooth tannins.
With touches of botrytis, apricot and bitter orange flavors and perfumed sweetness, this is a textured wine that has plenty of the acidity of the year. It is ripe, still with its primary fruitiness intact. Drink from 2019.
Bright aromas of rose petals and lychee are followed by lightly spritzy, off-dry fruit flavors. It delivers easy-drinking appeal.
This is a second wine of Château Tournelles. Soft and generously ripe, it has attractive tannins that just give the bright fruit a support. The wine, a blend of Bordeaux grapes typical of this appellation, is ready to drink.
15% Alicante Bouschet gives this wine its dark color and rich, plummy texture. It has weight, ripe, bold fruit and soft tannins and is ready to drink.
Compost and pencil shaving scents meet reductive mushroom-like notes on the nose of this grippy, full-bodied wine that includes small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bittersweet chocolate rounds out the finish.
Aromas of lemon, grapefruit and white flowers give way to flavors of white peach, honeydew melon and rose petal. This wine is soft in the mouth, with lingering acidity and a soft floral finish.
Equal parts Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, this is vinified in a combination of concrete eggs, stainless-steel tanks and oak barrels. Pineapple and melon aromas and flavors dominate this warm, broad wine, picking up a slightly bitter edge on the finish.
Fresh lemon and tangerine brighten slightly savory, pressed apple and pear flavors in this full-bodied Chardonnay. Zesty acidity and sharp tangy wood notes lend angularity to the midpalate and drive a brisk finish.
Deep garnet in color, this wine has a bouquet of elderberry, raspberry, and lilac. It is slightly too tart, with flavors of cherry and pomegranate that are boosted by notes of eucalyptus that recede during the zesty finish.
A rich, gold color hints at the red Touriga Nacional that comprises this creamy, fruity blanc de noirs. It has weight, a touch of tannic dryness and yeasty acidity. Mature with bottle age, it's ready to drink.
Tightly wound blueberry, black plum and barnyard aromas show on the nose of this Bordeaux blend. Presented with judicious acidity, the palate combines its fruit flavors with savory touches of smoked meat and licorice, finishing on a salted caramel note.
Honeysuckle and jasmine punctuate the pretty aromas on the nose of this wine, which is tart and lemony on the palate. Intensely flavored, the oak is subtle and supportive.
Here's an enjoyable straightforward white that offers aromas and flavors of ripe apple, peach and a hint of nectarine zest. A white almond note closes the finish.
From vineyards owned by the Gagey family, this wine is ripe, easy to drink and full of fruit. Its strawberry and red cherry flavors are lifted by acidity and grounded in balancing tannins. It is made to be drunk young and will be ready from late 2017.
Golden honey and banana flambée aromas make for an inviting if quite rich introduction to this wine from Kamasutra-themed LXV. Baked apple and poached peach flavors meet with vanilla dust and salted caramel on the palate, which is rich and creamy with a balance of tension.
The aromas are bright and generous, with notes of honeysuckle and canned peach. The fruit is so sweet on the palate, it drinks almost off dry, with abundant stone-fruit and floral flavors that linger.
This is a smooth wine with gentle tannins and red berry fruit. It has juicy acidity and a slight toastiness from oak. With spice and acidity, it will be an attractive wine to drink from 2018.
A surprisingly accessible, fruity vintage Port for its mere three years of age, this has a touch of spirit underlying its ripe blackberry fruit and sweetness. Not from a generally declared vintage, it is already delicious and will be best from 2018.
This wine is brightly aromatic, with notes of fresh herb, kiwi and pineapple. The palate is full flavored, showing a sense of poise along with a tart finish. The concentration doesn't seem all there.
Thick, tannic and somewhat astringent, this wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petite Sirah. Tar and tobacco flavors and a leathery mouthfeel give it a loud voice of powerful ripeness.
This is a juicy fruity wine with tannins that are already subdued by the acidity and fruit. There is a dry core just set to support the black-currant fruit. With a bright crisp aftertaste, the wine will mature quickly. Drink from 2017.
This is a solid Chardonnay for a great price. It has full body and an oaky, buttery personality that will make few enemies. It's richly textured, with an almost-sweet quality to its fruit.
Made entirely with Refosco, this robust red has a shy nose that eventually reveals prune and a whiff of ground green pepper. The dense palate offers mature plum, vanilla and a hint of cocoa alongside the heat of evident alcohol and evolved tannins. Drink soon.
Buttery peach crumble and vanilla bean flavors are balanced by floral aromas and a rounded, likable character in this bold, full-bodied white.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 75% of this wine, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aromas of smoke, herb, red and black fruit and spice are followed by plentiful dark-fruit flavors. It delivers a sense of hedonism.
This 100% varietal wine from the powerful appellation delivers concentrated blackberry, tar and burnt toast flavors framed by sizable, structured tannin. Its spicy clove and tobacco seasonings persist smoothly on the finish.
This wine has more depth, volume and textural roundness than most of its peers in California, seasoning its ripe fruit flavors with the herb, leather and sage accents characteristic of the variety. It has good balance, complexity and a lingering finish that begs for another sip.
Caramel apple meets high-toned acidity in this balanced, medium-bodied white that's brightened with salty lemon accents. It finishes long, with nuanced nutmeg and vanilla notes.
This value-oriented white delivers nuanced flavor and body, mixing honeyed apple, pear and toasted oak flavors with crisp acidity on the midpalate.
An earthy element touches upon the lemon freshness on the nose and palate. The dry style lets the citrus freshness express itself fully. There is the tang of zest and the bright juiciness of lemon fruit. The palate is concentrated and taut, submerging any earthy tones to end in brisk, clean freshness.
The ripeness of mirabelle plums and the satisfying tartness of ripe Cox apples are met on nose and palate by wonderfully fresh lemon notes. The citrus zestiness works it way through the slender dry body all the way to the lip-smacking, fresh and even brisk finish.
This wine has aromas of black cherry, vanilla and a touch of graphite. In the mouth there are flavors of cranberry, black cherry and pomegranate. It is well balanced, with rounded tannins and a persistent finish.
The entry-level offering from Purple Hands is broad and delicious, loaded with lush ripe strawberry fruit. There's a dash of white pepper, which further pops up the flavors. Vivid and absolutely yummy, this is one to enjoy over the next couple of years.
A really perfumed wine, full of oak and truffle aromas. With its juicy rich fruit, it is not a shy wine. Bold red fruits, balanced tannins and a ripe texture all contribute to the dense concentration. The alcohol shows in the pepper edge. Drink this just mature wine now.
Maturing well, this ripe red-berry flavored wine is soft and rounded. It has just a hint of tannins and wood along with generous ripe fruitiness. The wine is full bodied, likely to be ready to drink from 2018.
Crushed tomato vine, yellow stone fruit and honeydew melon aromas almost jump out of the glass. The ripe medium-bodied palate gives creamy peach and juicy apricot while notes of aromatic herb accent the finish.
Golden hay in color, this clonal exploration imparts light-bodied peach, graham cracker and orange flavors, the latter showing prominently on the nose. Bright acidity keeps it youthfully refreshing, with both body and weight in balance.
Ripe cranberry and raspberry scents combine with wet slate and marjoram on the nose of this bottling from the Dwarf Oak Vineyard, located in a historic winegrowing region. The palate is broad with macerated raspberry and strawberry fruit, spiced with garrigue and white pepper touches.
The wine comes from the high plateau north of the Douro. A field blend, the wine was trodden by foot in open stone lagars. That technique gives the wine its full, rich and open character. In contrast, the tannins and the bold fruit are very ripe, perhaps too much so, with the hint of pepper on the tongue from the alcohol. The wine, though, is finished with plenty of acidity. Drink from 2018.
Aromas are all high toned, with notes of raspberries, blueberries, dark chocolate and spice, with the barrel notes up front. The palate is rich and flavorful, backed by tightly wound tannins. It needs some time to strut its stuff, and will be best after 2020.
The wine comes from Symington vineyards in the Douro Superior, recognized as a top Douro region for red wines. This wood-aged wine has spice and some firm tannins giving it richness and concentration. It also has juicy black fruits and acidity that keep the wine crisp and fruity. Drink from 2018.
Spicy aromas of eucalyptus, juniper, asphalt, toasty oak and berry fruits are textbook for the Maipo Valley. This is tight and focused on the palate but a bit rough. Rooty spice, chocolaty oak and herbal berry flavors finish full and with tannic scratch. Drink this well-executed Cab through 2021.
Equal parts mineral and fruit welded together by lemon-lime acidity, this light-footed spätlese embodies the Mosel. It's punchy and spine-tingling on the palate, finishing long with meandering notes of salt and crushed stone. Delicately concentrated, it's also quaffable and refreshing.
This Tempranillo's red berry jam and oak aromas lean savory and saucy. On the palate, lip-smacking, tomato-like acidity sends a jolt through plum, currant and oak spice flavors, the oak lingering on the finish. Drink over the next 15 years.
This Napa-based company has acquired some Oregon Pinot from a top vineyard, and made a tasty, nicely detailed wine with it. Scents and flavors conjure up plum, candied orange peel and baking spices, guaranteed to tickle the taste buds. It's a little bumpy in the finish, perhaps as a result of the long ride south taken by the grapes. Drink now while it's at its best.
Sweet oak, berry fruit and clove aromas lead to a palate centered on racy acidity. Salty plum and red berry flavors conclude with drying tannins, feeling bold and fresh. Drink through 2022.
Spicy, with clove and juicy black-cherry flavors, this approachable, densely packed wine is full of fruit and integrated power, yet surprisingly balanced. Soft chocolate and tobacco notes accent the fruit as a long finish wraps up the experience.
Gritty, oaky aromas of black cherry and herbs come with a heavy covering of forced, fake-smelling oak. This is blocky and chunky on the palate, with flavors of mint, plum and herbal berry fruits. Raisin, green-herb and spicecake flavors control the finish.
Stalky aromas of creamed corn hide notions of fruit on the nose. Flavors of peach and melon are leesy and oaky, while the finish tastes yeasty.
Earthy aromas of sun-baked clay, overripe plum and a funky whiff of barnyard lead the nose. The rustic, lean palate offers blackberry jam, black pepper and a gamy note alongside gritty, drying tannins.
This wine is lean, austere with high acidity that leaves fruit well behind. It is structured and dry, only hinting at black-currant freshness. This third-generation family estate also hosts monthly musical and tasting events and sells fruit, vegetables and honey.
Tight and stalky, this wine has smoky red-berry fruits and a strong layer of acidity. Still young, it will certainly soften, although it is likely to remain light and lean. Drink from 2018.
Light in color, the wine is equally light in flavor–a soft, gentle wine with only hints of tannins. Fruity without much depth, it is ready to drink, .
This unbalanced wine is caught between acidity and wood. It is hard to see how well this will develop. Owner Francis Boutemy, an inventor, created the “Bout'mobile” which glides seated pickers along rows as they cut clusters that are dropped directly into a mobile sorting machine.
This wine is not balanced, with wood and acidity opposing each other. It has spice, high toast flavors and stalky black currants. Although it could have potential, it is likely to remain tough. The property is unusual—133 acres in one block.
This soft, ready-to-drink wine is all about black-currant fruitiness, with only the lightest of tannins. Juicy, fresh acidity finishes an attractive wine.
Herbal cherry and cassis aromas feature a note of tobacco. This comes across short on stuffing and structure, while generic berry flavors are bolstered by high acidity that creates tartness. A wiry finish is raw in feel.
Volatile aromas include pie cherry and red plum. In the mouth, this is choppy and aggressive. Herbal red-fruit flavors are woody but also green, while an herbal, oak-driven finish is brisk and edgy.
From the east of the Bordeaux region, this light and juicy wine has attractive, forward acidity and the gentlest of tannins. Fresh and fruity, it is ready to drink.
Tart cherry pie, leather and a citrus twist show on the nose of this widely available wine. It's quite sour on the palate, with tart cranberry and unripe raspberry notes, with a touch of green orange and pencil lead to round it out.
This wine is lean and stalky, with firm, dry tannins that don't give much room for fruitiness. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
For a white Bordeaux, this is hugely rich and ripe. With its spice and toast, the wood-aging of the Muscadelle has added extra complexity. The alcohol gives the wine a peppery character that is less attractive while also removing freshness. Consider this wine a curiosity.
Dark pink in color, this full wine offers tannins as well as crisp red fruits, giving it structure and a firm texture. The wine blends nearly all Bordeaux grapes: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink it chilled, like a rosé.
A neutral nose offers mild notes of minerally rich vitamin but almost no discernible fruit. Lightly oaked pear flavors are distant and turn bitter in front of a finish that stands still.
Dr. Konstantin Frank's Rkatsiteli is usually the benchmark in New York State for this increasingly successful grape variety. The 2013 bottling is a bit of a disappointment, dominated by notes of canned cream corn and savory apple and pear instead of the fresh, pristine stone fruit of past years. It's dry and crisp and finishes briskly.
The nose isn't very expressive but reveals a hint of farmyard and toast. The funky farmyard note carries over to the rustic palate along with a confectionary note, a green sensation of powdered sage and bitter walnut skin. The shorty, raspy finish dries out the mouth.
Made by Robert Pepi, this wine reveals an elegance of dried herb and forest floor, while dry, generous tannins pack a punch. Blackberry and mocha lurk in the background, unable to overcome the wine's greener aspects.
This is a pleasantly juicy, soft and approachable wine, made with value in mind, that delivers in easygoing flavors of black currant and cassis. Light bodied, it's a good choice for the table.
The song of the frogs, aka the croak, is an odd name for this wine made from organically grown grapes. The wine itself is soft, easy and light, with red berry fruits and some perfumed acidity. Drink now.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this soft wine has red fruits that miss much definition, only hinting at some stalky acidity. It is ready to drink.
This light-bodied wine has aromas like strawberries and maple syrup, and flavors that taste almost sweet. It makes a tempting, light and airy drink that's good for casual occasions.
Hints of asparagus and struck flint give an almost Sancerre-like impression before heading in a lemony direction. This lean, citrusy wine offers good value, but consumers should be looking out for stocks of the 2015, a better vintage that should be arriving soon.
Cherry and cassis aromas are generic. This feels raw and choppy, with sharp tartartic acidity. Limited, herbal flavors of mint and red fruits end in abrasive style.
This smells both dry and oily, with apple and melon notes. The palate is round and healthy in feel, while flavors of honeyed apple and white peach turn more briny and pyrazinic as this breathes and finishes.
From a vineyard on the eastern side of the Silverado Trail in Oakville, this is rich and robust with a depth of dark berry flavor, tobacco and earth. Lush on the palate it's a special-occasion kind of wine, gorgeous and generous and a fine example of winemaking and viticulture coming together in a magical way.
Perfumed and structured, this opens with a beautiful fragrance of intense violet layered with bright raspberry and balsamic notes. The palate has nice depth, delivering juicy wild cherry accented with vanilla, cinnamon, mocha and a note of Mediterranean herbs. It's nicely balanced with bright acidity and firm tannins that give it an age-worthy structure. Drink through 2030.
From the celebrated Montefico vineyard site, this opens with a floral fragrance of rose petal, blue flower and perfumed red berry. The delicious palate delivers layers of ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside firm tannins. Drink after 2017.
Still young and chock full of acidity, it has considerable potential. It's a tight, bright wine, the lemon zest acidity still dominant. It's going to be a major wine as it ages, keeping bone dry while developing its aromatic, beautifully fragrant side. Drink from 2019.
The Volcanic Hill section of Diamond Creek's vineyard on Diamond Mountain is, as advertised, influenced by volcanic soils. The wine imparts a chalky consistency to some extent, rounded out by dark, ripe plum and mocha, with a long, intense finish. Age through 2025.
This wine has deeply concentrated yet focused and spicy purple-fruit tones. It's generously endowed with notes of tobacco, licorice, mineral and pepper. The highlights keep piling on through a finish that seems to run for several minutes. This bold wine is enjoyable now but should also cellar well through 2020.
From one of the many recent exceptional years in Sauternes, this ripe, unctuous wine has balanced the rich honeyed fruit and the drier edge of botrytis. It's full in the mouth, with Seville orange and a light touch of ginger. Drink from 2019.
In its powerful, heavy bottle, this is a powerful, rich wine that is impressively dense and concentrated. Ripe red and black fruit flavors mingle alongside dark chocolate tones, supported by structured tannins. Age this impressive wine and drink after 2015.
Tinta Roriz is one of the grapes that is very much at home on the granite soils of the Dão. Here winemaker Hugo Chavez produces a structured, densely tannic wine, swathed with loads of red fruit, with acidity to balance. This 100% Tinta Roriz is a powerful wine, needing more aging. Drink from 2016.
The wine is rich, full in the mouth but finely balanced. It has retained plenty of freshness, the white fruits aromatic, mineral and stylish. The ripeness gives an opulent style that leaves a powerful aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
This is pure Riesling, very mineral, steely and direct. With intense acidity as well as the crispest green and citrus fruits, it's still very young. The fresh current gives an initial lift while keeping the concentrated texture in mind. Drink from 2017.
Rich and opulent, this is a gorgeously perfumed, sweet wine. The Eichberg vineyard produces opulent wines, and this is no exception. A touch of honey matches the intense spiciness and general sense of flamboyance. It's a ripe wine, while still structured and dense. Drink from 2017.
Made from ungrafted Nerello Mascalese vines planted in 1930, this compelling wine offers intense blackberry, black cherry, tilled soil, blue flower and Mediterranean spice sensations. It's big and powerful, with gripping tannins and layers of depth. Give this time to develop complexity. Drink 2017–2027.
Uplifting aromatics of blackberry soda and purple flowers provide a nose that could be sniffed all day, hinting at a fun but elegant GSM. The flavors fall in line, with cola, Bing cherries and rose water combining for a light, floral palate, yet with green tea tannins and tartness to keep it grounded.
More people would crave Mourvèdre if it were done in this style, with light rather than heavy leather scents alongside purple fruits. Once sipped, it hits the tastebuds with blueberry soda, tobacco, licorice, black pepper and wild game, all restrained and juicy rather than brooding and thick.
Fess Parker's sister winery hits a savory home run with this blend of 62% Syrah and 38% Grenache, which presents game, leather, blackberry extract and sage on the nose. Purple fruit leads the palate, with dark chocolate on the midpalate and strong acidity and smooth tannins throughout.
An attention-grabbing sense of umami introduces this wine, with darkly colored mushrooms, plum sauce, miso soup and black sage tickling the nose. There is dark chocolate with bits of espresso on the palate, which is leveled by plum skins and berry flesh, with bitter tar and black pepper on the finish.
A whirlwind of aromas—peppered black cherries, elderberry, caramel, toast, barrel smoke—rise off this appellation blend from German-born winemaker Matthias Pippig, who handcrafts small batches on Santa Barbara's Eastside. It's very soft on the palate, with medium-dark flavors of butter-crusted plum pie and an herbal note of pine pitch keeping it serious.
The sister wine to Ruby Leigh, this Cabernet-based blend is sourced principally from Red Mountain vineyards. It opens with scents of violets and moves into a firm palate mixing cassis, herb and iron shavings. Excellent structure cellaring through 2025.
This late harvest wine is straw in color, with aromas of yellow peaches, white flowers and apricots. It's well balanced, with a pleasing level of acidity to offset the ripe, fruit-driven palate.
Pretty in floral aromatics of orange blossom and lemon verbena, this balanced, lush, delicious wine comes from a relatively new, small producer. Grapes were sourced from the Charles Ranch, which is planted to Wente Chardonnay. Apple and citrus intermingle in nice balance, as do minerality and creaminess on the texture. Though the wine spent over a year in French oak, 40% of it new, the oak is unobtrusive, detectable mostly on the finish.
This dry Furmint is brilliant gold in color, with notes of Bartlett pear, Granny Smith apple, and lime zest in the complex bouquet. These aromas transfer seamlessly onto the palate as vibrant fruit flavors, with round body and bracing minerality. Delightful with food or by itself as an apéritif.
From Mt. Eden and Wente clones grown at 1,700 feet, this under-$30 bottling shows key lime and pomelo pith freshness on the nose, backed by chalk, crushed sea shell and tangerine blossom aromas. There is a fine-grained texture to the tannins on the palate, where bright citrus fruit meets with marcona almond touches. It's simultaneously refreshing and savory.
This opens with inviting, classic Sangiovese aromas: woodland berry, forest floor, new leather, violet and truffle. The youthfully taut palate isn't quite as expressive—yet—but already offers Marasca cherry, white pepper and star anise notes. It's primary in its flavors now but will develop complexity over the next decade and then maintain well for years. Drink 2022–2032.
A big, chunky tannic wine, loaded with black-cherry fruit. The structure is there to age awhile, and 15 months in 50% new French oak has added notes of coffee and dark chocolate. There's a hint of tar, and overall an impression of bridled power. Drink now through 2025.
A lovely lemony lift jumps from the glass and immediately signals maturing Riesling. The palate is still taut with freshness but has the harmonious balminess of bottle age. Hints of dried pear and candied lemon peel appear. The palate is as precise and taut as ever, brightened by utter apple and citrus crispness. The finish is long, dry and utterly clean cut.
A beautiful black currant character animates this classically-styled wine. It's fruity and generously spiced on the nose, with cinnamon and nutmeg scents from oak. Its flavors build on that black currant, with spice notes giving it a layered effect, supported by fine-grained tannins. While irrestible now, this will be best after 2019.
This particular block was first planted in 2007, so these are young vines. Sometimes fruit from young vines will burst forth in spectacular fashion, and that's the case here. Supremely aromatic, this opens with a velvety mix of Asian spices, fruit leather, plum, cherry, cocoa powder and coffee grounds. All this and more can be tasted as well as sniffed, with excellent penetration through a lingering, cedary finish.
Well structured and appetizingly tannic, this full-bodied wine from a consistently excellent producer has opulent fruit flavors, mouth-filling texture and wonderful ripeness. Black cherry, blackberry and a touch of cranberry meld with mild oak spices—a combination that lingers nicely on the finish. Best after 2019.
Fresh and linear, this opens with fragrant purple flower, red berry and new leather scents. The firm, youthfully austere palate is loaded with finesse, offering crunchy red cherry, fresh strawberry and licorice notes with taut, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2019–2028.
Packed with the dark tannins and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine, produced by the team of Calon Ségur is intense, concentrated and dark. It has a firm structure, solid and with a luscious aftertaste. The acidity of the year just shows at the end. Drink from 2026.
This is a deliciously balanced wine. Spice from the wood aging makes a happy contrast with the black-currant fruit and acidity. It is elegant and with great fruitiness. The wine, with its tannic base, will age well. The estate is to the west of Saint-Emilion, close to Château Figeac. Drink from 2023.
Tightly structured, this is a dense wine. Packed with dry tannins, it is starting life as a firm wine. It is equally rich in fruit, a panoply of black plums and red currants. Drink this concentrated wine from 2026.
From the vineyard on the slope above Château Pavie, this is a beautiful, juicy and ripe wine. It has a mineral character with great swathes of black-currant fruit. This is a very fine wine, well delineated, ripe and with a delicious red-currant aftertaste. Drink from 2026.
This is a blockbuster of a wine, impressive in its smoky oak and crisp black currant brightness. Soft, integrated tannin supports a full-bodied, lush palate that has plenty of length and breadth, seasoned with black licorice, pepper and clove.
A bold and brawny wine from a relatively cool appellation, this red satisfies with its commingling of violet, meat and leathery black pepper aromas. Despite its brambly depth and concentration, it allows for a satisfying twist of freshness on the finish.
This graceful, light-bodied wine from a promising new brand smells of strawberries and cream and tastes fresh and well-balanced. Red cherry, strawberry and clove notes blend with the creamy texture, leaving a soft but lightly tannic feel on the tongue that makes the wine even more appetizing and complete.
From one of the most ocean-adjacent vineyards in the state, this is a swarthy and powerful bottling, showing black plum, violet, olive and coffee touches on the concentrated nose. There is a bracing acidity and upright structure to the palate, while the flavors remain power-driven: stewed plum and hoisin sauce, with an espresso-like finish.
There is the merest hint of chamomile lift on the nose, pulling all the other flavors heavenwards with it. There is apple as well as lemon zest. The palate is wonderfully pure and totally dry. Here and there more herbal inflections show and more mellow hints of baked apple. This is dry, taut and aromatic, but also clean-cut and precise. Lovely now but with definite aging potential. Drink now through 2030.
Underbrush, leather, sun-baked soil and chopped herb aromas emerge from this structured red. Loaded with personality, the palate delivers juicy layers of ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and pipe tobacco flavors, framed by firm, chewy tannins. It's a full-bodied wine that will reward several more years of cellaring. Drink 2019–2032.
Very little of this wine exists, sadly, given its gorgeous mix of mint, dried herb and feral, meaty notes. Despite its rustic flirtatiousness, it allows for floral aromas to accent the expansive palate, revealing hints of white pepper, citrus and smoked meat.
Rustic but fascinating earthy and herbaceous aromas join rich dark fruit flavors in this voluptuous wine that's delicious now but best after 2020. It has full body, dense but melted tannins, and an array of spice, mineral and tobacco nuances that build with each sip and linger on the finish.
Cherry pie aromas kick off the nose of this bottling from a steep hilllside site behind Cambria. Clove, nutmeg and maple-cured bacon notes follow. Blackberry, vanilla and clove flavors glide on the palate, which offers ample tannins and acidity for cellaring, although the wine is delicious now.
The unfolding layers of aroma on the nose of this bottling—sesame, white pepper, rose and wild berry, to name a few—keep one coming back for more. The palate is textured and finishes on an uplifting note, showing raspberry, dried flowers, fresh herbs and a hint of menthol toward the end.
This well-tuned vineyard is a favorite among many Oregon vintners. Here are well-entwined streaks of tea, berry and tobacco leaf. It's textural and detailed, yet retains a certain delicacy that rewards your extra attention as it lingers across the palate.
There's something almost Grenache-like in the flavors here, which are focused, youthful and packed with ripe red fruits. It's tart and well-tempered, and lingers gracefully. Hints of orange peel lead into an impression of orange liqueur, framing the supple tannins. Drink now through 2025.
Firm and refined, this fragrant red offers intriguing new leather, black-skinned fruit, truffle, dark spice and balsamic notes. The palate is elegant and structured, evoking succulent red cherry, cranberry, star anise, and chopped mint with a vein of of bright acidity and taut, polished tannins. Youthfully austere, it has impressive aging potential. Drink 2022–2037.
A slightly brooding nose suggests brambly fruit as well as freshness. The palate crunches with red and black cherry, imbued with a kind of boyish impish joy. This is disarmingly rustic, but also very, very unusual and utterly moreish in its singular and honest simplicity. Drying tannins coat the mouth while juicy tart freshness makes you want to take another sip. This is all about stormy, romantic wilderness. Beware, this might just steal your heart.
Tender notes of honeysuckle and rose rise from the glass. On the palate they perfume the generous peach and mirabelle plum fruit, supported by some residual sweetness. This strikes a very harmonious balance between tender opulence an sprightly freshness. The finish is intense, tangy, medium sweet and superbly balanced.
This wine clearly needs to breathe. It is only after a few minutes of airtime that it shows its true colors: then very tart and aromatic apples appear, alongside a hint of smoke and a sheer touch of lemon freshness. The palate continues on that lemony streak and is absolutely dry. The body is lithe and slender and shows great freshness and intensity. Apple and stone flavors linger. Drink 2020–2030.
There is a touch of smoke and stone that lends a darker aspect to the ripe but crisp apple fruit. The palate has that same taut but very full-fruited feel—of very tightly held ample fruit reminiscent of red-cheeked, aromatic apples. This is both powerful and svelte. The palate is dry and finishes very clean, leaving you with haunting apple notes and fresh lemon.
On first take, this is oily and smells of bitter almond and walnut. The mouthfeel is clunky and heavy, with low acidity. Bitterness is the lead flavor, and then honey and brown sugar enter the picture. On the finish it struggles to drive through the tape.
Aromatic with a waft of wax, this dry Riesling is bright with lemon and lime acidity. There's just a suggestion of petrol on the finish.
This simple but well-made Vermentino has a pretty floral fragrance that recalls white spring flowers. The palate offers white peach and citrus notes that finish on a crisp, dry note.
Here is a concentrated wine that has dense tannins and acidity. Black currant freshness offers lively pleasure already, but should intensify in fruitiness in two years.
So green and peppery on the nose it seems jalapeño-like. There is plenty of citrus fruit as well, giving a slightly disjointed impression a this early age. This medium-bodied wine turns lean on the abbreviated finish. Try now with raw oysters or clams, or hold for at least five years.
Dry spice and minty aromas cover up mild berry fruit scents. This is clunky and jammy in feel, with stewed berry and saucy flavors. The finish is herbal in general, with a chunky weight to it.
Earthy aromas are a bit muddled and suggest tomato and herbs, but in the mouth, this is fresh and rigid in feel. Flavors of zesty berry come with oaky, savory notes and a touch of woody residue on the finish.
Obviously wood aged, this wine's dryness comes from the attenuating character of the barrels. That leaves little room for lean fruit flavors. Maybe it will soften, but the wood is always going to be dominant.
This is an austere wine that's tough on the palate and with high acidity. The black currant fruitiness is still developing, so the wine shouldn't be drunk before 2016.
With considerable acidity, this wine shows as much black currant fruitiness as it does structure. Fruit on the palate is accented with just a touch of toast and light tannins. This is an attractive wine for early drinking.
Fruity black currant aromas leap out of the glass in this wine, offering flavors that are fresh, young and fruity. It has soft tannins, cherry fruit and lively acidity. Not made for aging so drink now. Screwcap.
Minty boysenberry aromas show modest minerality. The palate feels acidic and clipped, while angular berry flavors lead the charge. A minty, peppery finish comes with scouring acidity, so this needs food.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot opens with rustic aromas of animal sensations along with prune and white pepper notes. The palate shows overripe black cherry along with bell pepper and vanilla accompanied by massive, astringent tannins and not enough freshness.
Light, fruity and fragrant, this is an attractive, crisp wine that highlights red-berry fruits and soft acidity. It's a wine to drink now.
This 100% Ribolla Gialla has aromas of green apple and apple cider. There's nice minerality in the mouth with flavors of apple pie, apple cider and a touch of creaminess. The finish is pleasantly bright.
Aromas of honeysuckle, yellow canned peach and wet slate lead to flavors of grapefruit peel, citrus blossom and lemon zest in the mouth. The finish is crisp and zippy.
Blackberry jam, cherry blossom and a touch of baking spice show on the nose of this wine from a Westside Paso property. Nicely tight and bright on the palate, it is structured with fine-grained tannins.It offers blueberries, clove spice and a rocky character throughout the sip, especially into the finish.
Kiona Vineyard on Red Mountain provides the fruit for this wine, along with Chandler Reach in the Yakima Valley. Baking spice, clove and anise aromas are followed by light, tart red fruit flavors that trail slightly toward the spice filled finish.
Strong white flower aromas, from honeysuckle to jasmine to tuberose, meet with fresh apple blossoms and tropical elements of banana and coconut on the nose of the bottling, a blend of 60% Marsanne, 38% Roussanne and 2% Grenache Blanc. There's a sharp and sizzling acidity on the palate, where apple flesh and red pear flavors dance across the tongue with gusto.
Aromas of blueberry jam, scorched earth, leather, truffle and coffee lead the way on this ripe, accessible wine. The chewy palate offers fleshy blackberry, anise, toast, espresso and a confectionary note alongside mature but rather fleeting tannins. Drink 2016–2020.
Very young, this firm, structured wine has dense tannins and a dry core. All of this will open up to bring in the red fruits waiting behind this formidable facade. It needs to age, so drink from 2019.
Strikes of lime cut through rich honey and tangerine flavors in this dry, revitalizing Riesling. Hints of smoked nuts, pollen and dusty mineral lend savory complexity to the midpalate, but the finish is pristine and perfumed, lingering on a lovely honeysuckle note.
This 100% Vranec presents the nose with black plum, blackberry, tobacco leaf and saddle leather and the palate with blueberry, dried herbs, tobacco and red plums. The finish is soft and elegant.
Made from 100% Vranec, this wine has aromas of sour cherry, black plum and black pepper. It is full bodied with flavors of tart cherry, blackberry, and leather.
Dark-blue fruit, thyme, sweet barrel spices and mineral aromas lead to pitch-black fruit flavors that show the warmth of the vintage but retain their balance. The tannins provide some pucker.
The melon, pear, tropical fruit and almond butter aromas are bright and effusive, while the flavors are considerably more delicate and subdued, showing a lovely sense of nuance and tension. It doesn't quite all come together but provides plenty of intrigue.
Aromas that recall charred earth, toast, oak, black plum, baking spice and espresso meld together on this. The generous, chewy palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, black raspberry, vanilla and mocha alongside supple tannins. It's straightforward, with immediate appeal. Drink through 2020.
Light gold to the eye, this wine features a bouquet of pineapple, chopped parsley and baking bread. It is full on the palate, blending Seckel pear, Granny Smith apple and fresh mint. It is cooling in the throat, and the lingering finish offers a wave of bright acidity.
This Slovenian Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of lemon grass and freshly mowed lawn. It is sharp on entry with flavors of lime juice, orange zest and grapefruit before the bright acidic finish.
The raspberry aromas are bright and jammy. The flavors are sumptuous yet elegant, going down easy.
Brambly aromas mix with notes of herbs, red cherry, coffee and sweet barrel spices. The flavors are full bodied and high octane. It teeters at times but pulls the balance back together nicely.
Light, clear and focused, this features crisp, citrusy acidity and tethered layers of rhubarb and cranberry, with subtle hints of forest floor in the background. Light bodied and elegant, it finishes with just a tiny bite of tannin.
Equal parts Syrah and Merlot (40%), this wine is finished off with Pinot Noir. Vanilla, baking spice, licorice, woodspice and cherry aromas lead to plump, tart cranberry flavors that linger. The wood is heavy at times, which is a shame as the balance of the fruit is spot on.
Aromas of freshly rubbed mint are followed by vanilla and just-hewn wood. The plum flavors are plump yet restrained, showing a fine sense of balance, with abundant oak accents surrounding them. The oak is far out front but there is still much to enjoy.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Franc, the aromas of spice, graphite, vanilla, and dried and fresh herbs are all high toned, with the fruit seeming subdued. The flavors are pitch-black, displaying the warmth of the vintage while keeping its heat in check.
Named after the soft yellow stone that dominates the central Loire vineyards, this wine is firm, and still young. It is now delicious with ripe, perfumed black fruits and juicy acidity. But it will develop and deepen, and will be worth keeping, so drink from 2017.
This limited-production wine is still tight and not yet revealing its full potential. As it develops over the next few months, it will show its flavors of ripe red apples and an intense texture. The wine is full bodied while remaining crisp. Give it until 2017 before drinking.
This plump, dry rosé features hints of wet stone, strawberry and barely ripe melon. It's vibrant, refreshing and an ideal thirst-quencher for the warm months ahead.
Toast, truffle, coconut and oak aromas unfold on this robust wine. The densely concentrated palate shows dried black cherry, bitter chocolate and oak-driven spice alongside austere, teeth-coating tannins that leave an astringent finish. It doesn't have quite enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak sensations.
This wine is still young, tight and on the crisp acid side. That doesn't mean it won't soften and fill out, although it will probably stay ultrafresh and packed with red-currant flavors for some time. Wait to drink until 2018.
Lively aromas, an appetizing balance and just-rich-enough fruit flavors make a good combo in this medium- to full-bodied wine. It has subtle herb and kiwi aromas, crisp apple flavors, and a texture poised between supple and tangy.
White flowers, eucalyptus and a slight whiff of petrol greet the nose. In the mouth, it is all about green olive, white peach and green apple. The finish is soft and elegant.
Weedy underbrush, leather, mature berry and a whiff of cellar floor open. The full-bodied but somewhat evolved palate shows toast, mocha, grilled mushroom and dried black cherry alongside tightly knit tannins. Give the tannins a few years to unwind but then drink sooner rather than later to catch what fruit richness remains.
Rounded, warmer notes of Gala apple, lemon rinds and flaky pastry show on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling from veteran Chuck Carlson. The palate is clean and complex, with apple bitters, orange rind and wet-stone elements.
The work of award-winning winemaker Renzo Cotarella shows through in this wine's modern, bright purple color, its new wood and ripe fruit aromas and in the juicy blackberry and berry fruit flavors. Yet it is certainly not just modern glitz: Lurking behind is the real heart of a tough, ageworthy, tannic Brunello, which promises a good 10 years at least before being ready to drink.
Antonio Mastrojanni has made a classic, old-style Brunello. There is a chunky solidity to the wine, with black, tarry fruit over toasty, but not new wood, flavors. It is firm, robust and, at this stage, still very dry from fruit tannins. Like many Mastrojanni vintages, it needs time—in this case, at least 10 years.
Modern, polished fruit and new wood flavors blend well in this wine. The fruit is clean, ripe, bright with sweetness and flavors of black cherries. The wine is generous, full and opulent, with softer tannins than many Brunellos. Despite this nod in the direction of an international style, the wine still has the classic Brunello power and potential for aging.
Emilia Nardi, daughter of Silvio Nardi, is doing all the right things at this huge estate, especially with the development of clonal selection and denser planting of the vines. Her 1997 is a modern, new wood-dominated wine, but it also shows beautifully judged ripe fruits and sweet acidity. The overall effect is of great elegance, with good long-term aging potential.
At 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this is a sculpted, perfumed second-vintage red with cranberry as well as cherry fruit and well-integrated oak. What makes this a winner, especially with food, is that the crystalline, racy fruit far outshadows the oak. It's not old-school, but you'd still have to call it a traditional Tuscan wine.
Fantastic modern Chianti! Young but already exuding powerful berry fruit along with loads of cigar box and other attractive spices. The present tense of this wine is all about layered, climbing complexity. Its future is all but ensured, with its tight core, solid wall of tannins and a deep, black cherry finish that lasts a good two minutes.
A classically powerful Riserva from Antinori, produced from the three family estates at Tignanello, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano. Aromas of violets and cherries are followed by tobacco and spice flavors from the wood, as well as concentrated black fruits. Rich and full-bodied, it should age well over the next 10 years.
The Mariani family has produced a hugely concentrated, wood-dominated wine with powerful smoky aromas and concentrated black, ripe, chunky fruit. It's heavy on the berries, both in the rustic, brambly nose and on the deep, tight, classy palate. Toasty flavors come through the fruit, but these will soften and blend in with aging. Unlike many Brunellos, this one is drinkable right now, but could be cellared for 10 years or more.
This reserve shows nice lime/citrus scents, hints of honey and a bit of sandalwood, which is quite interesting. It's an elegant, lightly spicy, complex and subtle wine, with delicious nuances and a dancer's balance.
In ‘99 Adelsheim bottled two separate clonal selections; this year they have elected to combine the two. This lovely, young wine, with very ripe, tight fruit, is already showing a bit more peach, apricot and tropical scents than the previous vintage. This is a concentrated, complex and powerful style, which harnesses the oak rather than being driven by it. Delicious and exceptionally long.
A smooth, polished performance from this 100-acre estate. The 1997 is modern in style, exhibiting huge but not too-dominant wood aromas and flavors, balancing with sweet, ripe berry fruit and black cherry jam. This is a wine that should be accessible young in four or five years, but should certainly age well over the following 10 or more.
The large 246-acre estate is owned by Countess Noemi Cinzano, of the vermouth family. With Giacomo Tachis as consultant, the vineyard has produced a powerful, rich wine that combines dryness, bitter fruits and dark tannins with generous tarry, super-ripe fruit that promises to come through and dominate as the wine ages. Drink after 7–8 years.
Featuring Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Merlot, this New World red is big and powerful, with beautiful aromas of berry fruit, smoke, orange rind and spice. The mouth is fully enveloping and downright delicious. It finishes with a blast of black coffee and toast. Big-boned and aggressive, but still fairly friendly. Drink now or hold for up to six years.
Sandro Chia's winery is known not only for its reliable and enjoyable wines, but also for the art series labels—work from his New York and Montalcino studios—for each vintage. In 1997, the estate has produced an intense wine, skillfully managing the sweet wood and rich, dark and concentrated fruit. The wine will age well—coming to maturity in 10 years or more—but will surely be drinkable in five.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is ambitiously priced, but the quality is in the bottle. Next time you need a ringer for a right-bank Bordeaux tasting, here's a perfect candidate. Dried spices and a smooth, rich texture are the only hallmarks left from two years of barrel aging—the mocha and black cherry fruit is rich and luscious, developing tobacco nuances on the moderately tannic finish. Drink now and over the next 10 years.
I don't know anyone making better Pinot Gris in Oregon than this premiere property. Rich, ripe, round and sensuous, this lush and textured wine unwraps its ripe fruit in layers of pear/apricot flavor, enhanced with bright spice and finished with flavors of vanilla cream.
A firm, classic upstanding wine, with dry, firm fruit tannins that support generous ripe fruit. Aromas of violets and toasty wood are followed on the palate with flavors of herbs and dark chocolate. The finish is concentrated, firmly dry with a good backbone of rich fruit. Age for at least 10 years before drinking.
With an abundance of deep black-cherry, molasses and leather aromas, this is dynamite in terms of intensity and concentration. In the mouth, it's smooth and stylish, with a tight black-fruit core and a suave finish. Built like a house with a very dark interior; it'll be alive and kicking through 2008.
Darker than the winery's other single-vineyard Pinot, this one shows intense raspberry/loganberry flavors, and some spice and pepper too. There is good concentration in the midpalate, with tart, tangy, tightly-wound fruit and well-integrated tannins. I would prefer a bit more new oak, but even so there is a pleasant toasty bite to the finish.
Hail the first vintage of this international-style blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from a new quality-minded producer near Arezzo. It's deep with saturated blackberry and hints of dried citrus rind and smoked meat. The round, full-bodied, ripe-fruit palate is sure to please fans of big, modern wines.
In only its second vintage in the U.S., this nutty, mineral-rich, immensely fruity wine from Antinori's coastal estate is a great example of the heights that Vermentino can achieve. This version is full of lime, stone, citrus and marzipan, and is focused from beginning to end
At 75% Sangioveto (a particular Sangiovese clone) and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this beauty really pops both in the nose and in the mouth. It's quite international in style, meaning the Cabernet softens the Sangiovese, yielding a sweet and ripe product that has both character and proper balance. Despite 18 months in oak, the ripe fruit of the '99 vintage remains front and center.
The name is a play on words. Merli is the plural of “blackbirds,” and this wine is 100% Merlot. But it isn't for the birds. Black as night in the glass, with a brooding power that's confirmed on the palate. What's special about it is that unlike so many flabby Merlots, it carries Chianti-like acidity and an unbridled raciness. Excellent now with food, and it will age well, too.
When Donatella Colombini left the family estate of Fattoria dei Barbi, she set up her own production network at Fattoria del Casato. Here she has made an elegant 1997 Brunello, brimming with black tar and cherries, and balanced ripe, sweet tannins and acidity. While it is not powerful, it is smooth, ripe and seductive.
Dark and dense from the get-go. Initial earth, black plum, tomato and smoke aromas air out nicely with a bit of time, exposing a complex connoisseur's wine that is the perfect candidate for three to five years in the cellar. Now it has such a pure, chewy palate that once the overt oak wears off, it'll be terrific.
Sophisticated winemaking is evident here. The blending is well done, and the mix of raspberry, cherry and plum fruits reflects the Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot components. Half the barrels were French, half American oak. A little more punch in the finish would elevate the score.
This is a light, citrus-fruit dominated wine. It has attractive fruitiness, tang and zest, and its acidity is crisp and refreshing. Apples and green fruits add a little richness at the end. Screwcap.
With petrol and peach-pit aromas, this is a tight blend of 70% Garnacha Blanca and 30% Macabeo (Viura). The palate is structured and healthy, while the flavors suggest banana, melon and papaya. It finishes crisp, chalky and lush, as if a dusting of powdered sugar were dropped in at the end.
A blend every year of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2010 is rich and spicy, rounded with soft tannins and prime red raspberry and cherry fruit. Well integrated, a layering of chocolate, coffee and clove finish the wine off nicely.
The Amador Zin specialist is offering its first ever Grenache here, a tremendous debut, super light in color and texture, lightly rendered to show off its layers of delicate violet and raspberry amid a meatier backbone of lurking anise and herbs. With 9% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah, this is a light red worth seeking out.
Still quite closed, this wine has a wealth of French oak toast and spices alongside dark berries. It's silky and restrained but with great depth of flavors and intensity.
This is the first Chardonnay for Daedalus Cellars. Flavors are rich and full-bodied, with candied orange peel, sweet citrus and vanilla most noticeable among them. Left on the lees for almost 18 months, this is wide open and ready to drink.
This intriguing blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc works well, displaying richness as well as an intense herbaceousness. This is a lively wine, with its apple and pear flavors, topped with grapefruit acidity.
A solid example of Bonarda in fine but straightforward form. There's a comfortable attack to the palate, with likable plum and blackberry flavors. It goes a long way on the finish, and as a whole it meets or exceeds expectations. Give this a try if you're interested in Argentinean Bonarda.
Some tasters will celebrate the elegance and finesse of this lightweight Pinot; time will be the ultimate judge. At the moment it is a bit out of balance; there is light cherry fruit, plenty of alcohol, some grainy, earthy tannins and overall a lack of integration. Maybe it just needs more time in the bottle; the components are good enough—tart cranberry and strawberry flavors, sharp acids, some minerality and an earthy underpinning. It just hasn't (yet) come together.
A touch of green is present on the bouquet, while cassis and raspberry aromas fill in the blanks. The palate is creamy and a touch sticky, with raspberry, plum and coconut flavors. A good wine with limitations; it's smooth but unctuous, with a full mouthfeel and good, familiar flavors.
A deliciously light, fresh rosé, its crisp raspberry flavors enhanced by acidity. The finish is a full burst of fruit salad.
An herbal Sauvignon that is fresh and on the lean side. The flavors are of crisp green apples, very fruity, with a structure of lime zest and vivid acidity on the finish. Screwcap.
Moderately ripe, with decent varietal character, this light and tart single vineyard offering tastes of simple berry/cherry fruit, with hints of more herbal elements. The finish gets chalky.
Off-dry and fruity, this lively Riesling is notable for its strong honeysuckle scent and the follow-up flavors of lemon and honey. Its best flavors come on early; after a while it starts to recall a honey/lemon cough drop.
Crisp and lean, with light, leafy aromas that aren't green but are not over-the-top ripe either. A nervy, agile wine with snappy red-fruit flavors of berry and apple skins. It finishes a little sharp and edgy, but honest. Call it a true crianza to drink with tapas.
Lovely natural acidity keeps this sweet wine light on its feet, underscoring the honeyed pear fruit flavors with grapefruit and a hint of minerality. For a wine in this price range, with 11,000 case production levels, it's a marvelous achievement.
A chewy, high-acid take on Merlot, with a strong herbal note to the tannins. It might almost pass for Carmenère. The fruit flavors are subdued but ripe enough, and the alcohol touches 14.7%. This is the sort of muscular Merlot that can take the place of Cabernet alongside a grilled steak.
Strawberry preserves, leather and chocolate are all in the mix here, nicely mingled and mutually supportive. This is a sinuous, fleshy, fruit-driven wine, but there's plenty of chocolaty oak in the soft, lightly peppery finish. Forward and appealing, this is one to enjoy right now.
Still young and pulling itself together, this barrel-fermented Chardonnay already has a soft, lush, appealing mouthfeel. Flavors build upon barrel toast, butter and caramel, with clean green fruits and a hint of nut oil in the finish.
A big, burly, concentrated Grenache, Yangarra's High Sands bottling seems capable of evolving nicely over the next 3–5 years, although it is supple enough to drink now. Black cherry preserves gain structure on the finish in the form of finely dusty tannins.
Falls into the dark and roasted category, with aromas of leather, black fruits and toast. The palate is saturated and full, with dark, roasted black fruit, molasses and spice flavors. Warm on the finish almost to the point of being hot, but not quite. A very solid wine overall.
A remarkable value, Oxford Landing's GSM is a convincing argument in favor of blending. It offers a complex mélange of leather, spice and cherry notes, medium body and a fresh, vivacious finish. Considering it can probably be found for around $80 per case, this would make a great everyday wine for drinking over the next year or so.
Snappy and a little green on the nose, with hints of juniper and green apple. The palate is perfectly good but nothing special, while the flavors of apple and citrus are punchy and pure. Frothy but controlled, with lots of flavor and forward kick. Apéritif city!
Smooth, fresh aromas suggest apple blossoms and sea air. The palate offers a proper zesty mouthfeel, zingy acidity, natural creaminess and nice flavors of green apple, sour melon and pineapple. At the end, lemony zap and lemongrass grace the finish.
Warmly sensuous in the mouth, this gentle and attractive Pinot Noir offers soft fruit, a mix of berries and plums, that slides gracefully across the palate. It's dappled with light hints of cracker and chocolate, and the balance is maintained until the very end, where there is a finishing heat spike from the 14.5% alcohol.
Familiar aromas of black fruit, licorice and earth get it going, followed by saturated body weight that reaches all corners of the mouth while displaying earthy, chunky blackberry and black cherry flavors. Flush, comfortable and slightly heavy. Drink now through 2012.
A soft, cuddly Grenache-based (55%) blend, Schild's GMS features red berry fruit with modest touches of cocoa and leather. It's very supple and round, easy to drink on its own. Probably best now and over the next year or so.
An affordable blend that is almost 60% Malbec, the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc and Syrah. It drinks well, smooth and polished, and the rough tannins that can often overtake the fruit in this region have been nicely managed here, pulling the wine into balance. Strawberry and light black cherry, some herb and tar, and good grip for an everyday red.
Bold and fruity, this runs through a spectrum from tart lemon to ripe pineapple to hints of something riper and sweeter, like banana or papaya. A good alternative to Chardonnay for those who favor fruit over oak.
A quick sniff and you're converted to this cool, refreshing white wine. The aromas carry the promise of citrus rind and sea salt; that tangy character livens up the cool fruit flavors also. Aged in stainless and neutral oak, just enough to soften up the midpalate while retaining its crisp definition.
The current downturn in demand for both grapes and expensive wines only helps A to Z; there is more good fruit to purchase, and plenty of demand at a $12 price point. This new Pinot Gris is fresh and racy, with a mineral-driven acidity underlying the clean fruit, tasting of pears and pear skin.
Good, pure, dark and teetering on powerful, with strong, rich black plum aromas. The mouth is staunch and balanced, with full dark fruit flavors of blackberry along with bitter chocolate. Solid and clean throughout. A winner in its price range.
This is barrel fermented, and it's for the consumer who loves the oakier style of Chardonnay. This excellent vineyard has the fruit concentration and acidity to stand up to the barrel flavors.
Subtle scents and flavors of dark berry, cedar and spice make this Pinotage both embraceable and friendly, though it's still full of the distinctive Pinotage smoke and rubber that tend to divide drinkers when it comes to this grape. The wine has ample body and structure and will age nicely.
Lively and juicy, this is packed with fresh red cherry fruits, red currants and some wood. It's round, soft, only lightly tannic.
Opens with spice notes of cinnamon and anise before transitioning to fuller cherry and plum flavors. The mouthfeel is warm and fatty, while the finish still holds some buttery notes and tannic grip. Nothing spectacular but not bad for a 1999 wine from Valdepeñas.
Sweaty and pickled at first, although airing reveals some hidden dark fruit aromas. The palate is grapy and accented by black plum, yet it finishes salty and cheeky, with grabby tannins. Has it good points but lacks direction and elegance.
Bitter chocolate and dried apricots vie with each other in this curious wine. It is certainly too big and rich for its own good, a blockbuster of a wine, but without the complexity that could compensate. What is here are very ripe plums, and a layer of dry, bitter tannins.
Dark berry and a light, tropical fruit quality on the nose add to the appeal of this Pinotage. On the palate, the flavors of juicy berry and banana are rounded and smooth, offering assertive spice but in a gentle package.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It leans slightly into the green, with aromas of fresh herbs mixed with vanilla, chocolate and other barrel spices. The palate is elegant, with a soft feel to the chocolate, cherry and barrel flavors.
This wine is a blend of international and indigenous Hungarian varieties, made from 60% Furmint, 17% Hárslevelu, 11% Chardonnay, 9% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscat. A bouquet of creamsicle and lychee set the stage for flavors of tropical fruits and orange zest. It is sinewy on the palate, with a surprisingly velvety finish.
Lemon rinds, green apple skins, white flowers and a hint of pineapple guava decorate the nose of this wine from a former race car driver. It has tons of chalky mineral zing on the palate, which is crisp and light with grassy flavor and pithy grip.
Notes of bruised apple peel make this wine appear older than it is, but it is not without charm. The apple fruit is tied into a streak of bright, lemony freshness concluding in a just off-dry, invigorating finish.
Smoked cherries and raspberries are spiced with pencil lead, oregano and rosemary on this entry-level blend from an incredibly reliable producer. The wine is expertly balanced yet not overly showy, with red fruit midpalate and an anise spice character throughout.
A wide-based nose blends saucy, spicy notes with louder, riper aromas of blackberry and black currant. The palate feels jammy, chunky, rubbery and tannic, while blackberry flavors are earthy, spicy and herbal prior to finishing minty, charred and tannic. Drink through 2020.
Light in color while full of fruit, this is a ripe and jammy wine. A good core of tannins are surrounded by ripe cherry and strawberry-flavored fruits. There is a good future for this dense wine, so drink from 2017.
Napa's Duckhorn house heads south for this ripe-style bottling that shows browned butter, vanilla, squeezed tangerine and dried pineapple on the nose. The palate is ripe and powerful, with honeysuckle, poached apple and lime-syrup flavors.
All ranges of pear show on the nose of this tasty wine, from Anjou to Bosc, poached to canned, and so forth. The palate also offers a pear-cider flavor profile, with some yellow apple peels, iodine and a sour yogurt character adding to the intrigue.
Lush body and ripe, concentrated plum and currant flavors contrast an electric zip of acidity that brightens this wine. A blend of traditional Bordeaux grapes, it's elegantly composed, marked by hints of cedar and tobacco and a lingering fringe of fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of toast, roasted coffee bean, ripe black skinned fruit and exotic spice lead the way on this forward, concentrated wine. The warm, dense palate offers blackberry jam, dried black cherry, roasted walnut and licorice while big, chewy tannins offers support.
Dark, smoky aromas of freshly laid pavement come with leathery berry scents along with wood and eucalyptus notes. Bright to the point of being aggressive on the palate, this shows spicy, peppery flavors of red-berry fruits and oak. A woody, resiny finish is potent like the rest of this Cabernet. Drink through 2020.
Off-dry in style (it reportedly contains 12 g/L of residual sugar), this is fairly broad on the palate, offering a mélange of ripe melon and stone fruit accented by hints of ground ginger, cinnamon and pepper on the finish.
Reserved fruit and spice flavors, and a soothing, gripping texture will make this medium-bodied blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a great dinner guest. Plenty of tannins give a fine sandpaper feel on the tongue, and the wine will counterbalance the richness of meat, fowl and game dishes.
Notes of dried cranberry, cherry, licorice and medicine cabinet predominate, with the aromas seeming somewhat advanced. The flavors are full bodied and high-octane, with the tannins needing time to stretch their legs.
Rich in oak and tannin, this wine delivers big flavors of blackberry and plum, supported by rounded layers of soft acidity and mouthfeel. Dark in color, it's a bold wine with plenty of personality and power.
This ambitious, against-all-odds island project with ancient grapevines is showing promising results, in this case offering smoked meats, hard spice and very tight purple fruit on the nose. The palate is tart with cranberries and raspberries, with a pencil lead and earth character, proving quite interesting if not entirely Zin-like.
There's plenty of appeal to the aromas, with notes of toast, spice and peach. The palate offers sweet, lightly creamy-feeling stone and tropical-fruit flavors that convey balance. The barrel influence (new 500L puncheon) is there but doesn't get in the way.
After hard-edged, herbal aromas mellow, spicy, earthy notes of blackberry rise up. This feels full and big-boned, with baked, toasty black-cherry flavors that are so fully oaked that the finish turns bitter, with a bit of mocha.
Rich, velvety blackberry and cherry flavors flood the palate of this decadently full-bodied Cabernet Franc. It's irresistibly juicy and forward, but invigorating acidity and shades of herb, bramble and fine-grained tannins lend depth and structure. The finish is languid and luscious.
From a historic vineyard in a region that rarely grows this grape, this wine features a nose with tangy red-fruit punch, concentrated pomegranate, crushed violets and a slightly sour shred of menthol. The palate shows lots of eucalyptus and dried mint along with cranberry fruit.
Bing cherries and cranberries are spiced with black cardamom on the slightly cough-syrupy nose of this wine. Iron and blood flavors show on the palate, with dried red cherries and rose petals.
This smartly priced blend of 35% Viognier, 35% Marsanne and 20% Grenache Blanc is quite steely and focused on the nose, with apple blossoms and a suave florality. Flavors are tight and clean with sour apples and citrus pith, proving lively and refreshing.
There's an assertive garrigue character to this wine, with strong aromas of thyme, bay, lavender, fennel and white pepper that overwhelm the red fruit tones. The medium-weight palate offers a bit more fruit, with flavors of strawberry and raspberry to partner with the assertive mentholated-herb notes. Accents of oak and sweet spice unfold on the finish.
This clonal combo from a meticulously tended family vineyard shows iron, cranberry, strawberry blossoms, sagebrush and a wound-up minerality on the nose. Sanguine flavors power the tip of the palate alongside cranberry and pomegranate fruit. A suave spiciness of dried mint and menthol emerges in the midpalate.
This Chardonnay-led blend, with 20% Viognier and 10% Sauvignon, opens with mature notes of apple peel, orange rind, toasted walnut, honeycomb and baking spice. The round, robust offers those same notes, followed by a subtle, refreshing salinity that appears on the finish.
This is 100% varietal with all of the fruit coming from 1989 plantings. Bittersweet chocolate, green herb and barrel aromas are followed by cherry flavors with a chalky feel.
Barrel spice, dried herb, toast and cherry aromas lead to tart fruit flavors that narrow toward the finish, with tart acids livening it all up. Perhaps some more time will pull it all together.
The subdued nose gives way on the palate to earthy apple, reminiscent of Russet, underlined by a vein of lemony acidity that brightens from the inside out. Lemony earthiness lingers on the dry finish.
Baked pear and sweet, baked apple make for an inviting opening. The same friendly duet plays on the off-dry palate all the way to the lingering finish. Along the way, there are highlights of zesty lemon and richer hints of honey and melon. It's simple, fun and even a little bit intriguing.
This wine has ripe black cherry flavors, great acidity and firm tannins that keep it lively enough to balance the fruity richness. Full bodied, broad in mouthfeel, but with a background tanginess, it is well balanced and keeps encouraging another sip.
Broad, woody, buttery aromas blend with blackberry, cassis and grapy notes on a full-force bouquet. This Uco Valley Malbec is lush, fruity and chunky in feel, with ripe, spicy, earthy flavors of blackberry and fresh herbs. A long, woody, toasty finish confirms high quality, length and power; drink through 2022.
This wine is ripe, with a warm, yellow fruit character. It is bright and poised, elegant and sophisticated. Acidity shoots through the richness, bringing a strong citrus element. Sunny in character, it will still age; drink from late 2016.
Classy in cherry-berry crumble and vanilla, this wine then expands into sophisticated bursts of white pepper, cinnamon and violets. Elegant and intriguing, it offers balance amidst bold flavor, finishing smooth and velvety.
A deep yellow-gold color and rich aromas of fig, marzipan and pear indicate this will be a concentrated, full-bodied wine, which it is. Flavors layer peach, pear and toasted almond. The texture is very creamy and smooth, and the finish lingers a long time. It's a great example in the full-bore mode.
A study of the darker side of the grape from Josh Baker and Matt Brain, this shows black cherry, olallieberry, sarsaparilla and black pepper on the nose. The palate is also unctuous with black licorice, black cherry and cola, with eucalyptus and sage spices adding excellent complexity.
Condensed aromas of blackberry, black plum, licorice and marzipan cover both the dark and sweet sides of what full-force Malbec can offer. This feels wide, grabby and spongy, while rich blackberry flavors fold in herbal offsets and sweet prune notes. This feels a bit tartaric and gappy on the finish, but overall it's an excellent Malbec to drink through 2021.
Early on this shows edgy, minty aromas of toasty oak, but then plum, wild berry, warm dust and malty notes settle in. Chunky, grapy weight makes for a full, broad palate, while baked berry and savory meat flavors end dark, potent and satisfying. Drink through 2030.
Ripe and robust, this opens with aromas of ripe berry, pressed rose, cake spice and a balsamic note. The juicy, generous palate delivers fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice, white pepper and tobacco alongside big chewy tannins and the warmth of alcohol.
Made with very old, ungrafted vines, this intense wine opens with aromas of toast, leather, espresso, ripe blackberry, spice and tobacco. The concentrated palate delivers ripe black cherry, dried plum, clove, leather and licorice alongside solid tannins and the warmth of alcohol.
This wine spent three months in 38% new French oak, which softens and adds a bit of barrel-induced richness to the mouthfeel. It remains a fascinating mix of flower and citrus, with lightly-buttered toast and a lush, lemon-custard flavor.
Produced from vines in the heart of Dão, just south of Viseu, this is a rich, ripely tropical wine. It has a great perfume from the Malvasia Fina in the blend, along with fresher acidity. Generous and full in the mouth, it is delicious and ready to drink now.
Rich fruit is boosted by the wood aging. Together they give a ripe wine full of acidity and juicy yellow fruits at the same time. It's a delicious wine, smooth while lined with acidity. The wood flavors sustain it, and it should be ready to drink from 2016.
The third release from this vineyard, this wine is juicy in fruit, tar and leathery tannins, a mix of raspberry, cassis and dark chocolate. From a dry-farmed site, with a small percentage of Petite Sirah, it was given less than a year in American oak and offers a taste of sweet tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Here's a savory, focused red made with 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Croatina and 10% Vespolina that opens with aromas of dark berry, tilled soil and crushed aromatic herb. The delineated palate offers black cherry, ripe raspberry, white pepper, anise and sage alongside firm but polished tannins. It shows depth and breeding. Drink through 2025.
Aromas of ripe plum, dark berry, violet, baking spice, leather and tilled earth all come together in the glass. The juicy, structured palate doles out crushed black cherry, anise, ground pepper, tobacco and a hint of chopped herb. It boasts a great depth of flavors and fruit purity, while firm, velvety tannins give it an almost creamy mouthfeel. Drink 2018–2027.
This wine is textured and tight with delicious, refreshing acidity that is softened by a round vanilla edge. It is still young, still developing its balance and rich, honeyed fruit character. Drink this rich and stylish wine from 2017.
With noticeable wood flavors, this sophisticated wine is smooth, rich and creamy. It has enough fruit to sustain all this toast, giving a wine that has a fresh line that runs right through it, passing apples and fresh apricots on the way. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of dark berry, licorice and chopped herb lead the nose. The structured palate offers red and black cherry, clove, tobacco and a hint of orange zest alongside firm, ripe tannins. Drink 2018–2024.
The quality of wines emerging from the partnership of Italian winemaking consultant Alberto Antonini, Australian viticulturist Mark Walpole and U.K.-based Master of Wine David Gleave is impressive. This Shiraz boasts complex aromas of campfire, cracked pepper and cassis married to ample weight and firm, yet silky, texture. The balance is spot-on, being neither too heavy nor too light, with a crisp, long finish. Drink now–2020, possibly beyond.
This opens with a subtle, refined fragrance of perfumed berry, rose, violet and a whiff of sweet baking spice. On the palate, notes of roasted herb, tobacco and white pepper add depth to the core of ripe dark cherry and crushed raspberry. Bracing but refined tannins provide the framework and need time to unwind.
Rich, balanced and complex, this offers lots of drinking pleasure. Aromas are lightly earthy and smoky, while flavors are full, layered, ripe but subtle enough to require more and more sips. The mouthfeel is the ideal combination of smooth juiciness supported by lots of fine tannins to give it a palate-cleansing effect.
This 100% Vermentino opens with heady scents of Spanish broom, white wild flower, lemon blossom and citrus. The vibrant, savory palate boasts a pristine fruit purity, doling out juicy nectarine, ripe pear, lemon zest and mineral alongside refreshing acidity.
Violet and floral boysenberry aromas show earthiness and leather after airing. This feels supple and deep, with just enough acidic lift. Toasty, blackened cassis and blueberry flavors show a hint of bacon, while toast, spice and chocolate flavors grace a solid finish. Drink through 2024.
Complex and generous on the palate, this vineyard-designated varietal is surprisingly light and bright in spirit, ethereal even, offering aromas of black pepper, violets and gunpowder, hard to figure out but inviting nonetheless. On the palate, juicy plum and dark cherry provide an exuberant edge.
There is a layer of tannins here that impart a dry edge to what is otherwise sweetly fruity wine. It is full and juicy, with strawberry fruit flavors.
A fruity wine, full of red cherries and plenty of acidity. There is dry structure, making it food friendly, but the wine is not for aging.
Subtly scented with orange rind and spice, this dry Michigan Riesling has pleasant apple and orange zest flavors accented by brisk black tea notes that leave a pronounced astringency on the palate. An easy-drinking choice from an up-and-coming wine region.
Yellow in color, then fleshy and floral on the nose, with a hint of peach but also corn stalks. Feels full and clumsy, with sharp acidity and corny, cidery key flavors. Struggles to reach that next level.
Big, jumbled and foxy, with forced berry aromas. Feels full and bulky, with roasted, herbal flavors that suggest cherry and cassis. Mildly astringent and chalky feeling on the finish.
Moscato aromas leap from the glass, taking the form of shampoo, lychee and jasmine. Feels light but choppy, with dilute lychee and green melon flavors. Not too sticky or cloying.
Unabashedly bold, this Texas rosé hits the nose with a dose of lilac and rose perfume that lingers a bit obtrusively onto the palate. Off-dry in style, it's chunky on the palate, but finishes nicely, with a hint of tart red-plum flavors. Drink now.
A soft, open wine with only light tannins. The fruit is just as light, with strawberry and some spice. For drinking now.
Dark, deep purple in color, this Petite grown in Contra Costa is still quite closed and tight with no signs of opening anytime soon.
An open and inviting scent of ripe pear is freshened by an impression of wet pebbles, cold stone and citrus. The palate is textured and expressive, giving a broader canvas to these fruity, fresh flavors that have a lovely edge of gentle bitterness. The palate finishes just off dry.
Earth and citrus pith make for an untypical opening. The soft palate follows with far more fruit than expected, underscored by a dollop of sweetness that brings out perfumed apricot and ripe, yellow peach. The depth of fruit and its purity is beguiling, like a cloud of juicy, generous ripeness.
Soft notes of ripe Comice pear are laced with fresh lemon hints in this Pinot Gris that is both textured and refreshing, a great example of the 2014 zestiness. Dry, precise and lasting, it is lovely now but will develop. Drink now until 2020.
Tropical hints of pineapple rise from the glass but the dry palate of this wine focuses on tangerine and ripe lemon. It offers poise and slenderness in a clean-cut, dry style that promises refreshment and leaves a citrus-scented aftertaste.
The nose of this wine is restrained, just giving away pear and citrus, but the dry palate is concentrated and spiced with almond and marzipan. Ample tone from mouthwatering acidity will make this a huge winner at any table. It has great poise and balance.
The wine that started it all for the producer, first bottled in 1972, this was 100% stainless-steel fermented and drips in fruity citrus. Lemon pith continues the theme, accented by notes of pineapple salsa and crisp green apple, remaining vibrant and fresh throughout.
This wine brings immediate appeal, with notes of blueberry, vanilla and baking spices. The palate is sweet and supple, with plentiful blue-fruit flavors that linger.
Italian varietals can excel in this SoCal zone, and this Sangiovese-led Super Tuscan blend is a prime example, with crushed graphite, tobacco, juicy blackberry and woodpile notes on the nose. Dried oregano, marjoram and thyme arise on the palate, with a sultry baked-plum flavor on the midpalate and pencil shavings and incense throughout.
This wine has a small amount of Syrah and is aged in new French, as well as Hungarian and American oak, much of it in older barrels. Opening like a perfumed rose garden, it offers a juicy core of cassis around integrated tannin and oak, with finishing touches of cedar, licorice and mocha.
Made in a rather austere style, with minimal time in oak, this wine offers crisp texture and body complemented by a tartness of Golden Delicious apple that finishes with creamy lushness.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aromas of barrel spice, cedar, green herbs and black fruit are followed by tightly coiled fruit and barrel flavors that need some time to settle in.
A dry Muscat (or Moscato) is a rare find, and this is a beauty. Very floral and spicy in aroma, it has classic flavors like peaches and lychee. It is not sweet but buoyed by good acidity, great balance and a lingering, crisp and appley finish.
In a word: stately. The wine starts with cedar, leather and olive aromas, followed by complex flavors of cinnamon, red fruit and a touch of spicy smoke. This wine will age well but is delicious now.
Cocoa powder, vanilla, toast and high-toned blue and black-fruit flavors are followed by a flavorful fruit-forward palate. It doesn't always seem entirely varietal but still brings plenty of appeal.
This is the inaugural release of this wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. It brings aromas of espresso, toast, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and dark berries. The fruit and barrel flavors are soft and sumptuous, playing off each other nicely through the finish.
Like an electric zap of grapefruit, lime and stone-fruit flavors, this cutting crisp wine offers refreshment in an exceptionally light-footed package. Dry in style with a bracing bite of sour lemon candy on the midpalate, it's a revitalizing apéritif to be enjoyed year round. Drink now through 2018.
More Bordeaux-style blend than varietal wine, this is a combination of Merlot (75%) from Conner Lee, Dionysus, and the Benches along with Red Mountain Cabernet and Wahluke Cab Franc. Aromas of ripe red currant, blackberry and violets are followed by full-bodied fruit flavors that pack a wallop. It shows the warmth of the vintage but still brings finesse.
This proprietary blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Malbec satisfies, offering a crisp, creamy layering of strawberry and grapefruit atop a medium-sized body and salty, tangy finish.
Made from Biodynamic-certified grapes, this opens in tangy cranberry and orange, a refreshingly bright lift for the variety. Full bodied, it teases in leather, pepper and a touch of smoky oak, remaining in balance as it plays out on the palate.
A closed nose opens into the taut but streamlined body of this wine. There is tension on the slender but concentrated palate and a fearlessly brisk freshness, leading to a dry finish. The wine will benefit from bottle age and reward patience with glorious apple fruit. Drink 2018–2028.
Made from Syrah from one of the producer's oldest estate blocks in the Petaluma Gap, this wine has breezy lightness, a delicacy that compels. Cherry, vanilla and strawberry center around tingling acidity and a meaty underbite, finishing dry and balanced.
Perfumed notes of raspberry and pink grapefruit distinguish this delicately framed single-vineyard designate from Keuka Spring's regular-label Riesling. Briskly textured yet lusciously peachy, it lingers long on a streak of lemon-lime acidity. Drink now through 2021 to maximize its fruity freshness.
Ripe red apple, grapefruit and nectarine flavors abound in this sprightly but concentrated Riesling. It's unctuously fruity, balanced by sunny acidity and a zesty citrus finish. Enjoy through 2021.
This perennial offering from the producer, the longtime proprietor of this fine vineyard, showcases cassis and chocolate in full-bodied, undulating waves of big, brash flavor. Despite the mountain provenance, the tannins are soft and well integrated, never distracting from the ripeness of the fruit.
Slightly bruised apple on nose and palate also becomes apparent on the textured, balanced palate of this wine that aligns citric freshness with more mellow and sonorous tones of ripeness. The finish is dry and whistle-clean.
Aromas of nutmeg, cedar and mushroom lead this spicy red from Crete. On the palate, currants, vanilla and cinnamon are rich but balanced with a good acidity. Great with cheeses, duck.
Light in color and nuanced in oak, this full-bodied beauty doesn't hold back on richness, allowing plenty of room for an expanse of salted caramel, pineapple and preserved lemon. Layered and robust throughout the midpalate, it lightens up on the intensity through a crisp finish.
This wine is a blend of 45% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre, coming from Boushey, Pepper Bridge, Olsen and Minnick vineyards. The aromas pop with notes of clove, orange peel, black pepper, funk and red and blue berries. The palate is lithe, pure and focused, with a pleasing mouthfeel and sense of balance to the citrus and blue-fruit flavors.
Apple blossom intrigues on the nose of this light-bodied, low-oaked white. It's both steely and revealing, showing succulent mango, peach and pear. The acidity is lively and balanced.
This Verdejo smells like citrus fruits and wild field grass, with a hint of feline aroma. Crisp and fresh, it offers flavors of melon, nectarine and nettle. A long, slightly salty finish is braced by bright acidity. Drink right away, if possible.
A rich dessert Vouvray with a marvelous tension between acidity and honeyed sweetness. There is a floral character, offering a contrast and bringing out a fresher side to the wine. With the tension and texture, the wine will age. Drink from 2017.
This is one exotic number. The nose shows blueberry, boysenberry, charcoal, plenty of oak and hints of cardamom and star anise. A lush, layered palate is intense but doesn't hit too hard, while concentrated blackberry, licorice and spice flavors set up a peppery, minty finish that's stout and structured.
This firm but approachable Toro opens with rich, raisiny aromas that include integrated oak and cassis. There's some scratch and tannic bite to the palate, but not enough to make this too harsh. Flavors of loamy, rooty black fruits, chocolate and coffee finish long. Drink through 2017.
This is 100% Syrah from three vineyards: Funk, Les Collines, and Ranch at the End of the Road. Seamless, sexy scents of blue and purple berries, vanilla, licorice, black tea and cut tobacco swirl up from the glass and carry through to the palate. One third of the fermentation include whole clusters, adding savory flavors to the finish. An elegant Syrah for lovers of the grape.
Opaque in color, this saturated Malbec-led blend exhibits coconut and cola aromas along with fully ripe blackberry notes. This is massive in the mouth, with a solid foundation. Maximum berry expression and a jammy, deep-fruited finish give this power and content beyond its price point.
Firm cherry and plum aromas filter into a bright, elegant, lifted palate with freshening acidity and body to match. Juicy, lightly spiced core flavors of plum and red currant are draped with a fine oak flavor, and the finish is light, dry, focused and shows modest residual barrel notes.
While this is a bit scratchy and rugged up front, that's Toro in a nutshell. In the mouth, things are built like a brick house, while flavors of cassis and berry come with a medicinal note and chocolaty richness. Licorice, pepper and more chocolate flavor define the finish on this stout Tinta de Toro. Drink through 2018.
Compact on the nose, this drills home aromas of leafy blackberry and cassis. A tannic, full-bodied palate is packed with blackberry, mineral, toast and baked but not cooked berry flavors. On the finish, it's rich, with molasses, earth and lightly stewed flavors. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc is a lot like Bordeaux, which isn't far away on the map. Drink through 2020.
Like oak? Yes? Then this is the Vacqueyras for you. There's ample fruit weight to support the lush lashings of toasted coconut and luxurious vanilla notes and pull them through a long, velvety-textured finish. Drink now–2018.
Taurasi is southern Italy's most noble wine, and Pago dei Fusi fits the bill with its combination of structure and elegance. It has an ample fragrance of dark fruit, incense, leather, spice and vanilla. The palate delivers layers of black cherry, tobacco and white pepper along with hints of licorice and espresso balanced by velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2028.
A 100% varietal wine coming from Block 14 of this up-and-coming vineyard, it has a lot of appeal with notes of dark-brewed coffee, chocolate, cherries and black raspberries. Aged 18 months in half new French oak, it's silky, soft, and supple, showing a lot of polish and restraint.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, it's an immediately appealing wine with notes of coffee, black olive, blueberry and smoked meat. There's a pleasing texture and richness running from head to tail with coffee and chocolate flavors that linger on the finish.
Barely off dry, this wine is rich and very perfumed, hinting at an attractive light oxidation from the wood aging. Almonds, white fruits and a fine, tight texture round it out. It will age, so drink from 2014.
Fabre Montmayou has excelled in the value department, but this higher-end Patagonian Malbec signals a new benchmark for this French-owned winery. This is dark and inky, with a crusty, blackened essence. Ripe black-fruit flavors come with chocolate, spice and licorice accents that run through a long, generous finish.
Sourced entirely from the Boushey Vineyard, this is light but complex. A mix of rhubarb, pomegranate, earth and mushroom, it has a suggestion of savory umami flavors and even a hint of stable, all in good balance.
Ruddy, ripe plum and cherry tones penetrate deeply through the core of this bold, voluptuous Pinot Noir. The palate balances opulent fruit with subtle tones of bramble and savory herb, as well as a piercing line of acidity. Fine grained but grippy tannins mark a puckery finish.
One of the single-vineyard wines produced by Dauny, this is a wine with great freshness while also having a rich character from the southerly exposure of the vines. Still young, it is all tangy acidity and needs to age. Drink from 2016.
This opens with aromas that recall tilled soil, game, leather and dark red berry that carry over to the palate along with a truffle note. It's a tad bit rustic, but has an earthy charm.
A very dark color and ripe, almost raisiny aromas lead to rich, opulent flavors like chocolate-covered cherries and blackberry jam. These saturate a velvety texture of good acidity and firm tannins. While the wine is full of big flavors from ripe or overripe grapes, it has the structure to support them.
This firmly structured red opens with aromas of menthol, eucalyptus, cherry steeped in spirits and a whiff of balsam. The bracing palate offers toast, tobacco, oak-driven spice, raw red berry and coffee alongside tightly packed, assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Rubbery berry aromas are a touch herbal, gaseous and briny. A combination of choppy tannins and high acidity make for a jumpy mouthfeel, while acid-propelled flavors of plum and raspberry are fiery and long. Drink this organic blend of Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell and Syrah through 2019.
Aromas of toast, oak, dark berry and roasted coffee beans lead the way on this full-bodied red. The ripe, solid palate offers baked black cherry, vanilla, mocha and espresso alongside bracing, astringent tannins.
From leading Vino Nobile di Montepulciano producer Poliziano, this opens with aromas of black currant, bell pepper and tobacco. On the palate, juicy black cherry makes up the core while notes of licorice and ground pepper offer backup. It's smooth and easy drinking, with plush tannins.
All varietal and aged in neutral French oak, this wine offers brooding aromas of coffee, cream and violets. The herb and savory flavors are soft and reserved in feel with a lingering finish.
A zesty, stainless-steel and neutral oak-fermented white, this lovely wine expresses grapefruit peel and mango, along with a flash of melon. Zesty on the finish, it provides a well-hewn balance between fruit and acidity, with plenty of body.
Grippy in tobacco and dark cherry, this affordable, well-distributed Cab delivers a lot to like, from its medium weight to soft, integrated tannins. Enjoyable now, it'll stand up to big, rich foods and please a wide range of palates.
This wine is 40% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre with the balance Counoise. It's lighter in color, with aromas of plum, boysenberry, herbs, flowers and peppery spices. It's palate-coating with silky, sweet fruit flavors that linger.
This wine subdues the simple fruit aspects and instead brings out aromas like white peach and almond, then subtle flavors like almond, butter and hard cider. It is dry but has a richness in the texture that comes off as creamy and inviting.
Juicy and soft, this special super-sized bottling will make for a fun wine at a large gathering, approachable and suitably full bodied. Red fruit and oak intermingle around velvety textures of integrated tannins, finishing in a long seasoning of allspice.
This holds two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot and a splash of Petit Verdot. Oak aromas of butterscotch, woodspice and vanilla are out in front of cherry and herbs. On the palate, the oak flavors lead, followed by coffee and cherry. It seems a bit heavy-handed right now but may come together with time.
Ripe grass scents meet with green pear, dill, thyme and gooseberries on the nose of this vivacious wine. It's very approachable and easy to like once sipped, with green-apple ripeness, pepperiness in the midpalate and delicious kiwi fruit throughout, altogether crisp and fresh.
This dry wine tastes ripe and jammy but not plodding, full of blackberry and boysenberry flavors. It feels smooth but not soft, having enough tannins to support the richness. Dark chocolate flavors develop on the second and third sips and the texture turns even more soothing. It's made with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Syrah.
Aromas of toast, truffle, game, plum and underbrush lead the nose. The lively palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and baking spice alongside soft tannins. Drink through 2017.
Juiced rhubarb, plump sour cherries, ripe cherry tomatoes and essence of violet combine for a distinctive nose on this ambitious wine by Eric Laumann. The palate shows tart boysenberry fruit, a graphite minerality and whole black peppercorns, as if a wave of spice is just a bite away. It's tasty and balanced, but leaves the mouth wanting an even more full delivery.
The aromas of huckleberry, flowers and blueberry are bright, with a dark-chocolate top note. The palate is full bodied and rich, made in a hedonistic style with a tart finish.
This intriguing wine features herb, lemon twist, tobacco and spice aromas. The blue fruit flavors are lush in feel, with fine-grained tannins.
Touches of vanilla and caramel give this wine an extra dimension of richness. It is full while remaining crisp and herbaceous, with a lively, bright aftertaste. Drink from 2016. The Richard family's two-acre Sauvignon Blanc vineyard is certified organic.
Aromas of toast, yellow apple, corn silk and whiffs of tropical fruit lead to a restrained, elegant palate with a lightly creamy feel.
This is a savory and tasty wine, with smoke, red cherries and bacon fat on the nose. The mouthfeel is dense, with rich flavors of black cherries, licorice and dark chocolate offering layers of complexity, rounded out by the right amount of tannins and acidity.
Lemon butter, shreds of nectarine and a dash of sea salt make appearances on the fairly faint nose of this wine from San Jose-based winemaker Adam Comartin. The wine comes alive once sipped, with white peach flesh, lemony acidity and chalky grip, all culminating in a zing that goes on for minutes, finishing with a touch of marzipan.
Initial aromas of lactic oak and sawdust show on the nose, although with time this wine shows more appealing scents of smoky spice and black fruits. Woody and round in feel, this soft Carmenère offers char, hickory and blackberry flavors in front of a plump finish. Drink now.
Aromas of fig, eucalyptus, violet, chopped herbs and raspberry emerge on this full-bodied, fragrant offering. Made with 50-year-old vines, the structured palate boasts dried black cherry, tart red currant, oak-driven spice, espresso and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black berries, cedar and spice with a hint of meat juices. The palate delivers dense black cherry and black berry flavors along with vanilla, espresso and chocolate notes. It's ripe, concentrated and velvety but it also lacks freshness and energy.
Here's a savory Chianti from the Senesi hills that offers offers bright cherry and strawberry sensations with hints of white pepper. It's fresh, zesty and made to be enjoyed young. Pair this with a variety of pasta dishes or pecorino cheese.
Here's a Gavi with a heady fragrance of wild flowers, apple and white cherry. The round palate delivers creamy, ripe pear, green apple and mineral with a hint of lemon and herbs. Pair it with pasta topped with sun-dried tomato pesto.
Ignore the crazy price on this aged Tannat and enjoy the overall high quality of this Uruguayan bruiser. Sun-baked, minty, earthy aromas scream “warm-climate” wine, while the palate is chunky in feel, with some hardness. Flavors of rich, stewed berries, tons of oak, related spice and earth notes finish hefty but with minimal stuffing. Drink now.
Full in the mouth, this is a ripe wine, showing wood, dark plums and a firm layer of tannins. There is a good black-fruit feel, brought out by the wine's acidity. This is serious and worth aging. Drink from 2017.
This is a full, ripe wine, with elegant impressions of toast. Robust notes of melon and peach show strongly, giving a rich, warm feel that is brightened with acidity. Drink now through 2017.
A blend of three estate vineyards, this is all-stainless fermented, tart and tasting more of skin than flesh. Citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit, firm acidity and a wash of minerality keep it clean and refreshing.
Tart and fruity, with young fruit flavors of spiced cranberry and sappy raspberry, this may be a touch too sour for some palates. But if acid is what you like, and you want a Pinot with some snap and verve, this will suit you just fine.
Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, this Syrah is direct and appealing with notes of boysenberry jam, smoked meat and orange peel. The palate is soft and sumptuous in feel with tart fruit flavors.
This is a very pure expression of Viognier—single vineyard (Del Rio) and single clone (Clone 1), aged five months in stainless steel. It's vibrantly aromatic with notes of lime leaf, ripe peach and flowers with an unctuous feel and a tart finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany offers up aromas of bell peppers, cedar wood and black currants. On the palate, this shows black cherry, raspberry and black pepper notes mingled with espresso. It finishes on a bitter note of unroasted coffee bean.
This earthy, dark, well-balanced Nebbiolo shares nothing in common with Italy but it's very good by Baja standards. The bouquet of baked black fruits and earth is modern and in good shape. This feels big and dense but structured, with blackberry, pepper and mild raisin and prune flavors on the finish.
This straightforward sparkling wine offers peach aromas, with hints of roasted almond that carry over to the palate. This is refreshing, with a frothy texture and crisp acidity.
The herbal Boulder Bluff bottling remains rather stubbornly closed, even after being open for several hours. It's tart with fruit flavors of cranberry and green apple.
Hearty in toasty vanilla, this softly textured Primitivo has a wealth of blackberry fruit and weighty texture that veers dangerously close to overpowering before pulling back and finding its balance. The finish keeps you coming back for more.
A blend of three grapes, this unusual ice wine merges bright fruit and floral components of Vidal Blanc and Muscat with the smoky, gamy tones of the hybrid grape Marechal Foch. It's intense with honey and apple flavor, but spiked with distinct whiffs of smoke and potpourri. Balanced with bright, orange acidity, it finishes with a hint of lemon-pith astringency.
This Tuscan Merlot has a fragrance of ripe plum, berry and cocoa. The palate delivers black currant layered with chocolate and finishes on a drying note of wood. It doesn't have much complexity but it has very attractive fruit.
Just the right amount of wood aging gives this ripe wine great style. It has juicy blackberry fruits to balance the spice and toast character, offering richness and a full, fruity character finished with acidity.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Syrah, a first for this producer. The aromas bring notes of bittersweet chocolate, pencil lead, smoke, barrel spice and black and purple fruit. The flavors are well balanced and tart, supported by grainy wound-up tannins that need some time to unfurl. Give it a short decant if drinking in the near term.
This 10-acre estate dates from the 16th century. Today, it has produced a solidly structured wine with firm tannins and a dense textured character. The black fruits are firm with considerable intensity and backed with spice and acidity. Drink from 2021.
The wine is balanced: it is firm with tannins and rich with berry fruits. It has a fine structure that will stand it in good stead as it matures. Drink from 2019.
This is a special cuvée, produced from the estate of the Prissette family. It is certainly rich and dense but it also has a crisp edge coming from the black-currant fruits. The tannins are still firm and young, underlining the weight of the wine. With a final dry edge, the wine has considerable potential. Drink from 2020.
The second wine of the Kressmann family's Latour-Martillac, produced from young vines, has some of the same firm structure and ripe black-currant fruit. Everything is just that bit more mature, giving a ripe fruit-packed wine with a balanced core of tannins. Drink from 2019.
This estate, belonging to the Compagnet family, is in the northern Médoc. Some firm tannins are contrasted with the attractive acidity and berry fruits to create a warm spicy wine. Almost equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot give a balanced wine. Drink from 2018.
This is a ripe wine, already approaching maturity. It has rich tannins and a generous structure. The wine is full with plenty of black fruits and balanced acidity. Black currants and spices mingle easily. The wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
Grown in smallest of the so-called Saint-Emilion satellite appellations but within sight of Saint-Emilion's church, the wine is finely balanced and impressive. It has the fruit and the acidity of the vintage: ripe while also crisp with black currants. Drink from 2019.
The aromas bring notes of plum, blue fruit and barrel spice. The palate comes off as considerably darker, with rich fruit flavors supported by firm tannins. There are lots of good things going on if the aromas and flavors sync up, though it doesn't seem much like Cabernet.
Varietal Malbec is rarity from this appellation. This one brings aromas of purple fruit, barrel spice, black pepper, plum and spice that are followed by pitch-black-fruit flavors. The tannins bring a gentle squeeze.
A gentle hint of soft and mellow vanilla frames the ripe, red-cherry fruit that appears readily on the nose. The palate discloses that same mix of fruit and oak influence, wrapping fresh cherry, both tart and ripe, in a rounded, smooth cloak of smoky vanilla. Tannins are fine and gentle. This wine is both fresh and fruity, with a bright, fresh finish.
This light, elegant wine is perfumed like a rose garden, joined by lavender and dried herb. Its light take is supported by integrated tannin and a lurking tease of smoky meat and toasted oak that adds savoriness to its ethereal character.
Ripe and appetizing red cherry and juicy raspberry flavors make for an inviting nose. The palate is soft and pliable, juicy and fresh, tingling with peppery spice. The body is slender and fluid but the ripeness of the vintage is palpable, coming across as alcoholic warmth. The flavors are juicy and the finish has uplifting freshness.
Intense aromas of rose, chopped aromatic herb and a balsamic note set the tone on this fragrant red. It's fresh and linear, offering sour cherry, clove and cranberry flavors framed in fine-grained tannins. Notes of espresso and sage add depth to the finish.
Baked black plum, gingerbread, cherry compote and nutmeg show on the rich and lavish nose of this bottling. It's a mouthful once sipped, with cooked blackberries and blueberries heavily spiced by crushed clove, and wrapped in tannins that stand up tall toward the finish.
Focused blackberry aromas meet with graphite shavings, a touch of new leather and chipped oak on the nose of this Bordeaux blend. The medium-bodied palate offers dark purple-fruit flavors, cocoa dust and anise, lifted by strong acidity. It finishes with a vanilla-toast element.
Aromas of cocoa powder, cherry, medicinal notes and herb lead to a palate chock-full of black-fruit flavors with bittersweet-chocolate accents. It's an unabashedly delicious and ripe offering of this variety with a finish that sails.
Aromas of herb, freshly sliced green pepper, cherry and spice lead to plush and sweet plum flavors, speckled with dark-chocolate accents throughout. It brings an impeccable sense of balance along with an appealing texture. Might be a little green for some tastes.
This eco-friendly wine is demure and elegant on the nose, with medium-intense aromas of black fruit, incense, tree bark, licorice root and schist. The palate offers more oomph, with firm, gripping tannins that yield a tight structure. Slightly smoky black cherry and berry flavors help to flesh out the palate, before transitioning into the peppery, gamy finish. Drink 2018–2022.
This is a full-bodied yet succulent, supple wine, loaded with dark fruit. Black cherries and plums hint at sur-maturité, framed in a soft wrap of baking spices and mocha. Drink now–2020.
The bottling from the Delorme family is a fruit bomb in the best sense. It's not unnuanced, just offers masses of black cherries and plums that pick up hints of chocolate on the finish. Drink now–2020.
A floral note touched with orange rind and ripe lemon aromas gives this wine a definite Greek character. Poised and elegant on the plate, it has delicious layers of grapefruit, lemon and a spin of minerals on the finish. Fruity but balanced, it's a wine for myriad palates.
Aromas of blackberry jam and boysenberry lead to a ripe full-bodied palate. It brings a sense of hedonism.
A light, elegant nose of almonds, apple and honeysuckle, followed by fresh flavors of nuts, apple and flowers on the palate. Pretty, balanced and lingering in the finish. A great food wine.
This rich Cabernet starts with aromas of vanilla, nutty oak and mocha, unfolding into flavors of ripe red berries, cedar, pepper and toast. Good depth of flavor and a poised fruit and acid balance give the wine class. Pair with rich meat dishes or ripe cheeses.
Neutral aromas of citrus and almond skin precede a jumpy, fresh and spritzy palate of green apple and citrus flavors. Tight, crisp, food-friendly white wine with cut and zest. Comfortably fits the Rueda/Verdejo model.
This seductive Cabernet Franc opens up with aromas of cherry, vanilla and spice leading into layers of blackberry, plum, cinnamon and cedar on the palate. Fruit and spice are balanced here, and medium tannins means the wine can age. Paired with roasted duck or beef, the wine is a sure hit.
The Wolffer Pinot Gris has an attractive, zesty character from the start, with its nose of melon, pear, citrus and spice followed by a fun, lively array of lemon, toast and pear. Pretty and an enjoyable drink on its own, or with delicate foods.
A little heat on the nose is acceptable given that the remaining cherry and plum aromas are pure. A bit acidic on the palate but staunchly fresh, with good fruit flavor in the red plum category. Cleansing due to higher acidity, with hints of mocha and mineral.
This Chardonnay has depth, starting with its unfolding nose of ripe Chardonnay fruit, minerals, hazelnut and citrus. The palate offers flavors of pear, citrus and grapefruit, its character refreshing and fruity but somewhat complex. An impressive white that can handle richer dishes.
Nicely put together but totally generic, as if it were sent from the central casting dept. The nose has some rubber and smoke to go with black fruit, while the palate has good body and sweet black plum and berry flavors. Full enough but not baked or heavy.
Nice value red wine with solid black fruit aromas, licorice and crushed mineral notes. It's flush and showing good volume, and the plum/berry core flavors have a vanilla accent. Mildly medicinal on the finish but overall it offers good power, structure and concentration.
Cigarbox, pepper and red cherry on the nose leads into vanilla, smoke and cedar on the palate. Rich but not heavy, it will pair well with cured meats, cheeses, heartier dishes.
Aromas of green apples bring a fresh burst of acidity. The wine is bright, with a firm texture of lime zest and red apple skins.
This tasty, well-balanced wine is oaky in style, with lightly smoky and buttery nuances and generous apple and lemon flavors. It's medium bodied and smooth but lively in texture and has a light, buttery finish.
This generous and full-bodied wine made in partnership with country singer Zac Brown has ripe fruit and sweet-seeming spice aromas that continue into the flavors, softening its gentle, already mild tannic texture. While previous vintages were from the North Coast region, this one carries the broader California appellation.
There's no mistaking the variety here, with its notes of red chili pepper and green pepper along with snuffed-out cigar. The palate is broad and generous but still shows elegance, with its cherry and spice flavors. It's an intriguing example of the variety.
White wine is rare among producers in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil who normally concentrate on red wines. However, this wood-aged wine from a parcel that is better suited to Chenin Blanc, has a fine texture, crisp apples even a touch of honey. It should age a little longer, so drink from 2018.
This is a beautifully fruity wine with great acidity and citrus flavors contrasting with ripe apple and melon fruitiness. The wine is cool, crisp, full of juicy acidity, and ready to drink now.
Scents of clover, stem, green herb and red currant lead into a complex wine that adds sassafras highlights as it glides into a gentle finish. Fermented with wild yeasts and aged 18 months in one-quarter new French oak, this is a well-made, though subtle expression of the variety.
Garryana is the winery's previous moniker; once this vintage sells through all wines will be labeled Martin Woods. This bottling mixes green, gold and botrytized fruit from a single vineyard, all picked on the same day. The result is intriguing, though a bit disjointed. Bright gold, pungent and waxy in the mouth, it mixes accents of honeycomb with green-apple fruit that almost tastes like straight cider. The finish is quite dry.
Toasted nut and yellow apple aromas segue over to the ripe structured palate along with citrus peel and graphite. A hazelnut note closes the lingering finish.
California-based Siduri cellared and bottled this wine that was vinified in Oregon. Still young and compact, it nonetheless shows some good flesh on its bones. The tannins pop out a bit, along with red berries and a streak of coffee. Another year of bottle age would be helpful, or give it plenty of aeration.
Mildly stewed berry aromas come with loud oak and a strong hint of green herbs. This Cab Franc feels syrupy and chunky, with baked flavors of berry fruits and oaky chocolate. That theme of oak and chocolate carries over to the finish.
Classic varietal aromas of tropical fruit, elderflower, tomato vine and a whiff of hay jump out of the glass. Ripe and tangy, the outgoing palate delivers grapefruit, yellow peach, honeydew melon and notion of dried herb. An oyster-shell note on the close adds interest.
Hints of honey and caramel lend warmth to this ripe, unusually robust kabinett. Voluptuous body and haulting acidity augment its bold, expansive mouthfeel. A fringe of astringency lends some structure to the finish.
This blend of 75% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo and 5% Viura opens with oaky aromas of cigar box, floral notes and raisin. A snappy, fresh palate reflects high elevation and a north-facing vineyard exposure, while this tastes oaky and of herbal currant and raspberry. A spicy finish of dried red-fruit notes and a saucy snap fits into the traditional mode for Rioja. Drink through 2021.
Aromas of acacia flower, toasted nut and graphite lead the nose on this serious white. The structured palate offers mature yellow apple, honey, orange zest and almond alongside soft acidity. It closes on a lemon drop note.
Thick and concentrated in black and red fruit, this is a spicy, robust and oaky wine that shows the power of the vintage and site.
Raisiny, reduced aromas of baked fruits suggest overripeness. On a weighty palate this is saturated like the nose, but not overdone. Stewed black-fruit flavors are chocolaty, while this is extracted enough to leave a coating of black-fruit residue on your cheeks, tongue and teeth.
Honeysuckle, citrus blossom and white stone fruit aromas take center stage. On the rounded palate, fresh acidity brightens beeswax, white peach and Bartlett pear. A bitter almond note wraps up the finish.
Blackberry, cigar box, vanilla bean and black-licorice aromas are out front, with savory herbs in the background, becoming more prominent over time. The dark-fruit flavors are elegant in style and linger on the smoky finish.
Aromas of blue flower, red berry, baking spice and toasted oak lead the nose. Made entirely with Sangiovese, the bright palate offers red cherry, raspberry and a hint of cinnamon alongside polished tannins.
This Icewine is a blend of Muscat, Ottonel and Traminer. It presents the nose with caramelized pineapple, lemon curd and lemon meringue pie. It is fairly sweet on the palate with a mixture of lemon grass, sweet lime rind and lemon curd.
Blue-black in color, this wine is dense in leather and grippy oak, a coming together texturally and on the palate in baked plum and blackberry. Full bodied, the wine settles in the glass to offer breadth and depth.
Made from 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Syrah, this ethereal wine is pillowy in candied aromas of lemon and lime. Pinkish-copper in color, it's light, bright and succulent, and then finishes dry and with brevity.
Bold, penetrating tannins and bright cranberry acidity lend a tight frame to this classically styled Blaufränkisch, a.k.a. Lemberger. Crisp-tart blackberry and blueberry flavors are accented by bramble and herb notes that linger long on the finish. Its quite closed now, but should show well after 2018.
This blend of 68% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot hits the nose with aromas of brick, uncrushed clove, red cherries, wet gravel, rosewater and a touch of tobacco. The palate is surprisingly light, but packs cedar, pipesmoke, clove and nutmeg against a red cherry and cranberry backdrop.
Though billed as a Super Tuscan, this is an odd but refreshing wine for those seeking something different. The Cab-Sangio blend offers strong black pepper, brambleberry, pink peppercorns and a touch of pasilla chile on the underripe nose. The palate is light in body but full of bright cranberry fruit and intriguing herbals, led by green peppercorns.
Aromas suggesting mature plum, scorched earth, clove, menthol and a hint of iris lead the nose. The ripe, one-dimensional palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry jam and cooking spice alongside fine-grained but not very persistent tannins. Drink through 2020.
This 100% Tamjanika from Serbia has gooseberry, mango and white flowers leading the nose. Following that, it is soft on entry with flavors of pronounced florality, white peach and yellow peach.
Fresh and bright aromas of blackberry pastry and black-cherry fruit show on the nose of this wine from a longtime Paso producer. There are tart tannins on the palate, with red-cherry flavors enhanced by turned black earth, dried mint and dill.
Earthy and rustic, this intensely tannic wine has a dry character. The fruit is all there, hiding behind this rough exterior. Allow the wine time to soften out and drink from 2018.
Produced in western Touraine, close to Chinon and its red wines, this soft wine is ready to drink. With its smoky character and jammy fruit flavors, it is very much a light, perfumed Cabernet Franc. The aftertaste is dry, although the fruit is always there.
Aromas of char and toast are quite up front, though they smooth out over time and give way to lemon meringue. The tropical fruit, butter and spice flavors are broad and well balanced, with a creamy feel and a lingering finish. The oak gets out front, but there are good things going on.
Briny and dark copper-orange in color, this is a weighty wine, though the alcohol level is low. The tannins and leathery texture of the Syrah shine through, checked by tangy citrus and a hit of white pepper.
From the Malibu-based producer, this bottling has a striking label design that matches with the youthful, vivacious pink wine. The punchy nose blends cherry, lime blossom and pink rose petals with yeasty, sourdough-like aromas, while the palate offers iron, maraschino cherry and lime-wedge flavors.
This wine is rich, rounded and smooth. It has enough citrus flavor to give a lift while also having ripe, apricot and red-apple tastes. Fresh at the end, it's also a wine to age, so drink from 2018.
Based in the village of Les Loges, close to the Loire, this producer has made a light, fruity style of wine. It is crisp with citrus, bright acidity and only the hint of a more mineral texture. It can be drunk now for its fruitiness.
A perfumed wine, this has light tannins and fresh berry fruits. It is ripe with a fragrant floral character that's enhanced by the acidity and pure cherry flavors. The wine can be drunk now, but will be better from 2017.
This is a soft, ripe wine, smoothly textured. It has a good balance between the crisp apple and pear flavors and a more mineral texture that gives a bite. It's young, and great to drink now, although it will be even better from late 2016.
Mature berry, pressed rose petal and exotic spice pave the way on this easygoing red while the medium-bodied palate boasts juicy black cherry, clove and a hint of coffee. Round tannins provide support. Drink through 2018.
Sweet-tart raspberry and cranberry aromas are lifted and spry on this fresh, aromatic Pinot Noir. The palate is markedly riper and richer, boasting dark cherry and berry flavors and heady spice tones that linger. Tannins are a bit craggy and bitter but finely grained.
This wine offers aromas of clove and woodspice, with blue-fruit notes in the background. The flavors showing pleasing density and weight, shortening up on the finish.
This blend of 35% Kékfrankos, 34% Merlot, 27% Pinot Noir and 4% Cabernet Franc has aromas of tart cherry, pomegranate and black pepper. It is medium bodied with flavors of red plums and tart cherry.
Supple white-fleshed fruits, from pear to cherimoya, touch the nose, as do aromas of lemon rind, struck match and dried apple on this blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Viognier. A gravelly, pencil lead minerality on the palate is boosted by sliced lemon wedges, cut grass and gooseberry notes.
This opens with aromas of mature wild cherry and pressed violet while the straightforward, juicy palate offers fleshy black cherry and a note of ground pepper. It's round and ready, with supple tannins.
Quite green out of the gate, the aromas display notes of savory herbs, cedar and spice, with a reduced note that blows off. The plum and dark-fruit flavors are tart and elegant with dry tannins that don't seem to have fully ripened. It has potential at the dinner table but doesn't quite stand up on its own.
Lemon zest and peppermint are the scents associated with this 100% Rkatsiteli. It's bright on entry, tasting of lemon peel and grapefruit pith.
Brambly and spicy red and black fruit mark this mighty Cabernet, sourced from the famed To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of Oakville. Despite its name it offers only Good Times, a well-composed, unabashedly hedonistic taste of juicy ripe Napa fruit and overtly lush tannins.
Concentrated and lively, this showcases luscious black cherry fruit that's perfectly framed with zippy acidity and ripe tannins. It's a full-bodied, New World style, but with a complex, layered finish that says Oregon rather than California.
Fruit from 900 of some of the planet's oldest vines goes into this wine, which gives it an interesting link to the past as well as being excellent. Cedary notes frame blueberry and blackberry fruit, picking up nuances of menthol, hickory smoke and mocha along the way. The supple tannins seem to gain grip as you sip, finishing firm enough to suggest cellaring up to 15 years.
This elegant wine boasts a floral and spice fragrance of crushed violets and clove. The bright palate offers juicy dark cherry with cinnamon and cake spices. Supple tannins reveal a surprisingly accessible side to Serralunga, home to the most structured Barolos. Drink 2015–2025.
Hailing from the heart of the historic Cannubi vineyard, this polished wine opens with notes of black fruit, violet, leather and baking spices. The palate offers black raspberry, crushed cherry, clove and vanilla alongside brisk acidity and firm tannins. It's already accessible but will improve over the next four to five years and then evolve gracefully for decades. Drink 2018–2038.
Scents of rose, violet, leather, berry and spice unfold from the glass. The linear palate displays sour cherry, juicy raspberry, mint, thyme, balsam and baking spices alongside invigorating energy and supple tannins. Drink 2018–2030. Acid Inc Selections, Stefano Miretti Imports.
There's pronounced power in this Pinot, a selection of 14 barrels given 18 months in 71% new French oak. Complex, it achieves a sense of balance that will come into greater focus over time. At the moment, it offers kirsch notes and sizzling acidity around a core of peppery allspice and toasty brioche, but it will only continue to develop and evolve with age.
This flinty Chardonnay shares a full oak expression with a whiff of petrol, suggesting a decant or cellaring until 2016 to fully soften. It offers sublime lemon curd and minerally peach flavor amid tangy acidity and a bright finish. It displays a ying-yang between polish and power.
Polished and structured, this opens with aromas of crushed violets, red berry, leather and intense balsamic notes. The delicious palate is surprisingly approachable for a Barolo from Serralunga, delivering succulent wild cherry, cocoa, clove, and sage alongside big, velvety tannins. Hold for complexity. Drink after 2020.
It opens up to reveal layers of scents including tilled earth, underbrush, black berries, balsamic notes and baking spices. Juicy red cherry, black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and cocoa flavors flow along the vibrant palate supported by a backbone of lively acidity and solid tannins. Drink after 2020.
From the intensely steep Monts Damnés vineyard, this wine is rich and full of ripe tropical and citrus fruits, with a tight line in steely minerality. It's still too structured and firm, so drink from 2016.
The deep, dark color matches the deep, rich fruit and oak aromas, and the ripe, resounding dark cherry and cola flavors that follow. This is powerful, full-bodied Pinot Noir for a special occasion, maybe now, but there is no hurry. Should improve through 2020.
Another stunning expression of the Monvigliero vineyard, it opens with an alluring Nebbiolo fragrance of ripe red berry, spice, leather, vineyard dust and balsamic notes. The structured and savory palate doles out rich red cherry, white pepper, cinnamon, licorice and Mediterranean herbs alongside firm but supple tannins and vibrant acidity. It's loaded with flavor and finesse. Drink after 2020.
This dry wine from the Ribbon Ridge vineyard, adjacent to the winery, is briskly tart without being sour. Flavors of lemony tea and Meyer lemon meringue intrigue immediately. There is splendid structure and complexity in play here, with layers of flower, citrus and mineral, all in perfect harmony. It's easy to believe this wine could age through 2024, even longer.
This is a McLaren Vale classic, produced from vines planted in 1892. It's a full-bodied, chewy style that marries cedar and mint to deep, plummy fruit. Like many of the big-name Australian Shirazes, this doesn't require cellaring, but will reward it, at least through 2020.
Menthol, eucalyptus, violet, berry, clove and sage aromas all meld together on this savory wine. The bright, succulent palate delivers dense black cherry and crushed raspberry accented with mocha, cinnamon and vanilla alongside a backbone of brisk acidity and fine tannins. It's tempting now but will be even better after 2018.
This complex Syrah has a surprisingly deep, dark red color, almost like a Port, but it's not nearly as heavy as it looks. It boasts intricate flavors, a firm but not fat structure, and signature cool-climate Syrah characteristics of black pepper, wood smoke, plum and grilled meat flavors. Medium-bodied and silky textured, it sips smoothly and leaves you wanting more.
The wine is beautifully balanced, poised between ripe yellow fruits and a tight, taut acidity and minerality. It shows roundness initially, then offers a long-term prospect of intense fruit and a strong structure. Drink from 2017.
Initially closed, it slowly unfolds in the glass to reveal black cherry, espresso, plum, herbs, licorice, mocha and cake spices. Fine but brooding tannins still need time to unwind. Drink 2020–2040.
Lovely aromas include red rose, violet, red berry, leather and baking spices. The bright, succulent palate doles out Morello cherry, mint, white pepper, balsamic notes and hints of coffee and vanilla alongside compact tannins. It has nice depth but needs time to develop complexity. Drink 2020–2040
There's something magical in the dirt of this vineyard, and it shines extra bright in this bottling. The nose combines cranberry and light pomegranate with a fennel funk. Next, the palate starts with a zing of acidity followed by layers of flavor. Red currant and raspberry morph to cola, mocha and dried lavender, then finish on tart cranberry.
Strained aromas are followed by an astringent palate that's dried-out and tart, with an herbal, semisour finish.
Stalky green aromas lead to a palate that has a choppy feel combined with lactic notes. Flavors of stewy red fruits and resiny oak finish minty and with vegetal character.
This wine is puckering in tannins with a chalky quality throughout.
Scratchy aromas of red fruits come with a chemical note of paint that feels hard and forced. Vanilla-like oak collides with green notes and bitterness that lead to a buttery finish.
Stalky, leathery aromas of cooked berry fruits precede a raw, acid-driven mouthfeel and sour flavors softened by a touch of malty oak. The finish is scouring and short.
Not a good year for this wine, which is green and fuzzy on the tongue, a strange waft of chemical overpowering over all.
Vegetal and metallic on the nose, this Verdejo fails to improve as it goes along. It's dilute in feel, with celery and grassy flavors. It finishes bitter and flabby.
The wine shows a maderized color and aromas of oxidized stone fruits and rubber. This fast-fading rosé feels flat, with mushy flavors of peach, melon and mushroom. Bitterness rises up on the finish.
This wine has a burnt rubber, mouth-puckering and slightly chemical undertone in aroma and taste.
This is concentration in a glass. The wine, from a fine vintage, is hugely rich, very dense and tannic. All this power, though, is not at the expense of elegance. The wine has great style and a sense of place, with a strong mineral character. It almost tastes of the granite and old rocks of the vineyard. Keep this wine and don't drink before 2019.
Here's a gorgeous Chianti Classico that shows great intensity, breeding and class. It opens with quintessential varietal aromas of leather, blue flower, berry and spice. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, white pepper, cinnamon and mint alongside bracing but refined tannins and fresh acidity. It already has compelling depth but is still young and needs time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2016–2030.
A pretty, perfumed Pinot Noir, with gorgeous streaks of kir and vibrant blackberry and cherry. It's subtle and structured, with a pronounced layer of earthy forest floor on the finish. With sprinklings of spice, it dazzles from beginning to end.
From old vines near the river that runs through the Vale Dona Maria vineyards, this is a superbly intense wine. It has a great structure, dark plum fruits and already a fine balance. Big and bold, its power is balanced with elegance, some freshness and a great potential. Drink from 2017.
With a wine like this, you can see the connection between table wine and Port in the Douro. It's dry, but with its dried raisin flavors and structured tannins, it shares a Port-like character. The fruit is highlighted by the structure, giving a final juicy character that still needs time to develop. Drink from 2017.
This is a supreme small-lot Argentine wine from lauded winemaker Jorge Riccitelli. The blend is 70% Malbec with 20% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. Aromas of loam, wild berry and vanilla are elegant and exciting. This is silky smooth, with creamy oak and ripe black-fruit flavors playing together through a mellow, plush finish. Drink this impressive, complete Malbec blend through 2016.
Penfolds Bin 707 has leapt in quality over the past few vintages. The 2009 features hints of mint, cedar and vanilla accenting ripe cassis fruit. It's full bodied and rich, velvety without being overly soft, with a dusty tannic structure that should support it over two decades or more of aging. Drink 2015–2030+.
The wine abounds with intensity, richness and power as well as mouthwatering freshness. It is very ageworthy and certainly the most impressive wine from Henri Bourgeois, a tour de force of Sauvignon Blanc.
This stunning wine opens with a multifaceted fragrance of underbrush, leather, spice, woodland berries and violets, with a whiff of mint. The layered palate delivers a vibrant core of succulent black cherry accented with white pepper and balsamic herbs. It's still young and structured with forceful yet fine tannins so give it time to develop fully. Drink 2015–2025.
Complex and balanced, this barrel-select blend, all from estate-grown grapes, spent 11 months in roughly half new French oak. Tart red and black fruits are nuanced with baking spices and darker notes of clove and espresso. This wine carries an extra level of depth and weight, as befits a designated reserve. Delicious now, or cellar until 2024.
Truly elegant, this displays the complexity of vines now hitting maturity at almost 20 years of age. Spice, clove, herb and cherry flavors mix with a dash of truffle. The lower alcohol and juicy acidity of the vintage contribute to a lingering, textural, complex and beautifully balanced finish.
This gorgeous wine, a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo and Colorino, opens with aromas that recall underbrush, mint, woodland berries and balsamic herbs. The palate offers layers of sour cherry and white pepper accented with exotic Asian spices and sage that add depth. It's surprisingly fresh for the hot vintage and the solid tannins carry through to the finish. Still youthful, this will benefit with a few more years aging. Drink 2015–2022.
There is some of the mineral character that is typical of the Douro in this black-fruit-laden wine. It has acidity and tannins and a stalky, juicy character that keeps it crisp. The wine is ready to drink now.
Tightly herbal and packed with green fruits, this is a full and ripe wine. It is still very young with its initial fruit flavors still intact. It will calm down over the next few months and be better to drink from 2017.
A blend that is dominated by Arinto, this is crisp and lemon flavored with hints of riper yellow fruits. It has a lively, bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a soft wine, lightly spicy and toasty. With its stalky red fruits and gentle tannins, it is an easy wine to drink with its young fruit and crunchy aftertaste.
An attractive, fruity blend that brings in a fair number of local and international grapes. The result is a seamless, fruity, soft wine that is ready to drink.
This is a bright, fruity, off-dry wine that is crisp and clean. It has a fine light touch of acidity and white fruits. Aromatic and attractively perfumed, it is ready now.
This wine is juicy with wood and spice flavors. It has plenty of acidity to balance the tannins while the fruit will give it an attractive freshness as it develops. Drink from 2018.
Dusty mineral and pressed apple notes lend a savory tone to this Rivaner, a dry style of Müller-Thurgau. Compared to previous vintages, it's significantly less floral and perfumed. Light bodied and brisk, it's anchored by a backbone of lemon and lime acidity. Drink now.
This is an easy-gulping, light wine with fruity aromas, nice cherry and raspberry flavors, medium body and a soft mouthfeel.
Grapy aromas of plum and pomegranate turn more wild with airing. Grabby, tannic and punchy across the palate, this wine tastes of herbal berry fruits, with a firm finish.
Sulfuric, gaseous aromas of scrambled eggs sit on top of earthy, cool blueberry aromas. This feels blocky and tannic, while choppy flavors of stewed berry fruits and oak resin finish scratchy and woody.
There is plenty of red fruit here. The tannins are firm with a dry core and hints of bitterness. That needs to settle down so that the essential fruitiness of the wine can shine.
Red-currant fruit flavors shine through this light fresh wine. Although there are tannins, it is more about the crisp fruits and acidity. Drink this from 2018.
A ripe and smooth wine, this has balanced tannins, bright red fruit and acidity. It is fruity, rounded and with a fresh aftertaste. An easy wine, it is ready now.
With some firm tannins as well as solid structure, this is a dry wine that needs time to fill out. The fruit is there and will develop well over the next two years. Drink from 2018.
Red-jelly fruit flavors suggest the fruit for this wine was superripe. That gives an unbalanced character between the tannins and the fruit. Acidity at the end is a more hopeful sign.
This is a dry wine, its fruit lost in the tannic structure. It has some fine acidity and could well open up as the young fruit matures. Try again from 2017.
This Dubois family wine is soft and fruity with attractive blackberry fruits and light tannins. Drink this generous wine from 2018.
Crisp with herbal acidity as well a white stone fruits, this is a fresh wine vinified in 500-liter oak barrels. It has a tight texture and tangy aftertaste. This attractive wine from Nicolas Thienpont and his son Cyrille is ready now.
The tart hard fruit is well hidden behind chalky tongue-scraping acids. The wine quickly hits a finish with tough tannins and a residual note of wet paper.
Aromas of roasted, grapy berry fruits come with oak-based notes of plastic and clove. This wine feels full in body, with hard tannins. Flavors of woodspice, hickory and black fruits finish with a lingering hint of wood smoke.
While delicate in bouquet for Muskateller, aeration brings out pretty whiffs of blossom, basil and gooseberry in this slightly off-dry white. Overripe, slighty ruddy melon and lychee flavors are a bit clumsy, but bright acidity brightens the finish. Drink now.
For a Bordeaux rosé, this is an unusual blend with 80% Cabernet Franc. That gives the wine its fine perfumed character and light touch of tannin. It makes for a fresh attractive wine that is drinkable now.
Cherrylike aromas and crisp red cherry and cranberry flavors give this medium-bodied wine a tart and lean personality. It has firm tannins and a slightly astringent finish.
Aromas of apple, cherry and liqueur open. The racy, airy palate offers red-apple skin and toasted nut alongside big, vigorous bubbles.
This opens with aromas of toast, hazelnut and a whiff of adhesive bandage. The raw rather bitter palate shows unripe sour cherry, strawberry and a medicinal note alongside vivacious—almost harsh—bubbles and marked acidity.
From high-altitude vineyards, this is a crisp wine with fine acidity and white fruits. Light, bright and deliciously fruity it has a tangy, very drinkable aftertaste.
This is a dry wine although the fruit does show potential. It is concentrated and firm, tannins foremost. Drink from 2019.
In this heavy wine, stewy, baked aromas of raisin and prune are smothered in oak. On the palate, there's a reverb of oak and baked black-fruit flavors, while the finish feels and tastes resiny.
Light fruit flavors of apple and pear have been softened a bit with aging on the lees in neutral oak. This is a pleasant, simple, quaffable wine for every day enjoyment.
The nose on this Garnacha Blanca is funky and blends aromas of cured ham and salami with lees and citrus. The palate feels right, with solid acidity. Flavors of tangerine, gooseberry and nectarine end pulpy and citric, with a touch of green herbs.
Oak dominates this blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. Aromas of toasted wood, butterscotch, lemon zest and walnut carry over to the palate alongside yellow apple.
Burgundian in its earthy, feral aromas, yet simultaneously jammy in flavor, this boasts gamy undertones and a soft texture. The producer recommends decanting an hour minimum before serving, and this will most likely help to blow off the wine's rustically wild side.
Subtle aromas of white flower lead to a straightforward palate that delivers yellow flower, lemon peel and a note of cream. Fresh acidity generates a clean finish.
Crisp and steely, it has aromas of freshly cut grass, hay and tropical fruit. The palate delivers white grapefruit, pineapple and white peach lightly accented with aromatic herbs. Pair with pasta topped with pesto.
This bright, savory wine offers yellow peach, citrus and green melon sensations accented with a light almond note. Crisp acidity gives a refreshing, clean finish.
Fruity and exuberant, it's loaded with tropical fruit, yellow peach, apricot and honeydew melon sensations. The round, juicy palate is energized by fresh acidity.
Alvarinho and Chardonnay are the chosen grapes for this blend. As its name suggests, a salty taste from the ocean spices up the ripe yellow and green plum fruits. It's soft with a fine balance of acidity and a soft honey touch at the end.
Delicate and dainty, this pretty selection boasts soft aromas and flavors of white cherry, bergamot tea, orange rind and hard peach. Light weight and refreshing, the lively acidity keeps the palate brisk and the fruit flavors fresh.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this well-made wine offers aromas of campfire and cedar, plus a taste of black currant and leather. With tightly wound tannins, it's rich and full, with a long-lingering finish. It will stand well against burly meat dishes.
Young and fresh, it has excellent minerality. The fruit is light and lively, leaning toward grapefruit, green apple and a smidge of just-ripe melon. It's a lovely summer sipper, with a few good years of life ahead.
Tomato and earthy, soupy notes run alongside blackberry and plum aromas on this mostly fruity, ripe wine. A solid grip and staunch tannins make for a firm mouthfeel, while rubbery, earthy flavors of blackberry and herbs finish lightly bitter and dark.
A musky perfume accents fresh lemon and tangerine aromas on this off-dry wine. It's ripe and rich on the palate with flavors of quince and yellow peach. Zesty with lime, it finishes moderately long with a hint of savory herbs.
Tan spice, like sandalwood, plays a leading role, along with a touch of Meyer lemon and marshmallow. Stone fruit notes are currently in the background, but may emerge more with time.
Light in color and texture, this is an interesting, grippy Pinot Meunier. The variety is a rare find in California where, as in France's Champagne, it is used as a blender in sparkling wine. On its own it is interesting, peppery and fruity.
Savory and herbal, this Roussanne is given more time on lees and made to be rich and complex. It accomplishes those goals, providing medium body and high acidity, a texture that is dry, and wild in honey and dried apricot. Pair with lobster.
There are said to be fewer than 100 acres of Teroldego in California, so this one is worth trying. Midweight and fruity, it has lavender, anise and leather lightly folded into the mix. A good wine to start the evening and enjoy by the glass.
This has a powdery nose and melony, tropical fruit aromas. The mouthfeel is pleasant and round, with vital acidity. Flavors of baked apple, buttercup and briny apricot finish smooth, with a pinch of salt.
Blackberry, spice, horseradish and oak aromas filter onto a tight, raw feeling palate. This tastes oaky and lemony up front, with berry flavors forming a solid base. Plum, blueberry and herbal flavors drive a tangy, juicy, high-acid finish. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and  15% Cabernet Franc.
This is an intriguing combination of 59% Chenin Blanc, 25% Roussanne and 16% Viognier from a range of California regions, including Clarksburg, Santa Barbara and Sonoma County. Barrel-fermented and given some time in used French oak, it offers a tasty mélange of fig, guava and vanilla custard, a viscous mouthfeel and a crisp, complex finish.
Though hailing from the warm, dry 2012 vintage, this wine remains quite restrained in style with its notes of wild strawberry, freshly rubbed mint and cola. It doesn't quite have the concentration to deliver all that the aromas promise.
Ripe and juicy, this concentrated wine also has good freshness. It's rounded, rich, full of black currant fruitiness. Drink now or age until 2018.
A golden-colored wine, it's perfumed and rich. The wood aging shows strongly along with the delicious, fragrant fruits. Toasty and ripe, the wine is ready to drink.
Experimenter-in-chief Kenneth Volk tackles this Mediterranean grape of ancient origins. Stone fruit dominates the nose, suggesting peach pie, peach jam, even peach pudding, with some sweet Stargazer lily floral notes as well. The peach transforms to melon, apple and caramel on the palate.
Though this bottling is Peter Hunken's least-expensive Syrah, it gives his single-vineyard expressions a serious run for the money for best of vintage. Amazing aromas of chipped asphalt, smoked beef, dense boysenberry, soy, cedar, sandalwood and soy drop into a palate of peppery berry juice, beef jerky, underripe blackberry and elderberry, and pepper-crusted teriyaki beef.
The Taylor family selected Clare Valley for its Cabernet affinity, but this Shiraz is a knockout. Yes, it's oaky—full of menthol, vanilla and toasted coconut—but there's just enough black cherry and plum fruit to support the wood. It's a plush, full-bodied wine with immense appeal, for drinking now–2025.
This is a bright, effusive, estate-grown, unfiltered white, delineated by high-toned acidity and gorgeously floral aromatics. Planted originally in 1975 to heritage Wente clone Chardonnay by owner/winemaker Tom Dehlinger, its generosity of fresh apple and pear ride a voluptuous, balanced texture that's wholly satisfying, before meeting deeper hues of spicy, exotic tropical tones on the finish.
Made from one of the vineyard's historic blocks, this is a lush, inviting and complex wine, defined by golden honey apple and nutmeg. The texture is contoured and structured, with the richness of lemon meringue, but the balance is what stands out most. A tang of white pepper flirts on the finish.
This wine is ripe and structured, dense with both acidity and minerality. It is rich with yellow and tropical fruits but always cut with lively acidity, making it opulent while fresh. Drink from 2022.
This is a blend from several Grand Crus on the Corton hill. It is rich and spicy, with great black fruits and solid tannins. A powerful wine, it's shot through with acidity and black-plum fruits throughout the structure. Drink from 2023.
Powerful and complex, this dark wine comes from vines at the heart of appellation, rich and dense. It offers the potential of great fruit, rich acidity and considerable structure, and will develop giving richness and long aging. Drink from 2023.
This fine marriage of site and winemaker shows experience and intuition at work, presenting a full-bodied, lush and plush expression of tremendous depth and complexity. It offers notes of tart apple, licorice and a wealth of orange zest, which adds a touch of citrusy crispness to the naturally buoyant minerality and nuanced oak. It has much more to share; drink now through 2020.
The velvety approachability of this soft, supple wine belies a strength and sophistication always at the heart of this producer's wines, an intensity of flavor and power that commands attention. Black currant, black cherry, sage and smoky oak ride atop an underground of black pepper, combining ultimately into a tantalizingly juicy package. Drink now through 2023.
Juicy acidity buoys layers of wet stone, crisp apple and white peach in this lovely aromatic white. Textured, subtle and complex, it's fresh in the glass, accented in floral rose petals, grapefruit and lemon peel, dry and fermented entirely in stainless steel.
Wood aged for 12 months, this dense and structured wine comes from a small parcel of vines in the Clos de Vougeot. It is perfumed, ripe with a solid series of tannins as well as red-berry fruits. The acidity is typical of the vintage, and, along with the tannins, will allow this powerful wine to age well. Drink from 2022.
From vineyard holdings in Castiglione Falletto, this opens with alluring scents of new leather, ripe berry, blue flower, cake spice and a balsamic note. The full-bodied palate doles out black raspberry, fleshy black cherry, clove and tobacco. Firm, ripe tannins provide support and an age-worthy structure. Drink 2022–2032.
Iris, violet, steeped cherry, camphor and underbrush aromas come together in the glass. The chewy, succulent palate offers red cherry, raspberry, aromatic herb and star anise while firm but refined tannins provide backbone and a velvety mouthfeel. It boasts balance, freshness and body. Drink 2018 through 2025.
Enticing aromas of blue flower, ripe berry, leather and a hint of baking spice meld together. The juicy, delicious palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and ground pepper. Firm, velvety tannins support the succulent fruit.
Thick and rich in black sugarplum, this memorable Pritchard Hill-grown red is lovely and bold, velvety in texture with a softness to the firm, integrated tannin. Dried herb and spice provide memorable seasonings amidst a larger theater of dark chocolate, leather, clove and pepper.
Selected from parcels across the estate, this wine aims to reflect the totality of the appellation. It succeeds with its combination of minerality and ripe fruit. Oak, almond and citrus fruits are still right up front, showing that this is a young wine that will age well. Drink from 2018.
The immense walled vineyard of the Clos de Vougeot gives so many styles of wine from its 80 growers. This version is already relatively soft with as much generous fruit as tannins. Some high-toast oak flavor needs to integrate, while showing great density and concentration. With power behind it, the wine will age seriously. Drink from 2023.
From three different parcels in this large Grand Cru vineyard, this wine is dense and concentrated. Powerful tannins will develop into rich fruits with great intensity. This wine, with its weight, needs time. Drink from 2023.
Intense and concentrated, this offers ripe yellow fruits, rich apples and a tight mineral texture. It has power, reinforced by subtle wood aging. A flagship for this producer, the wine will age well. Drink from 2020.
Blending Syrah and Touriga Franca, this is the flagship wine from this property. New barrel aging adds a creamy toast character to a rich wine with its dusty tannins and dense texture. At the same time, the wine is very elegant, ripe with its black fruits. Still young, it will be ready from 2019.
Hints of burnt sugar and spice accentuate honeyed peach, tangerine and melon in this deeply fruity auslese. It's lip-smacking sweet and ethereal in texture, filling the palate with crystalline shards of citrus, salt and mineral. Delicious and complex already, but sure to improve further through at least 2030.
A ripe, juicy and fruity wine, this is rich while shot through with fresh acidity. A dusty smoky structure awaits behind the fruit. It will become a well-balanced wine, packed with fruit and supple tannins. Drink from 2020.
Shea is one of the Willamette Valley's most revered sites, and an all-star list of wineries compete for the fruit. Here the bright flavors of ripe raspberries are elevated with tangy acids, putting a tight frame of citrus around the core. A whiff of sea breeze comes up as well, enticing the taster to explore a bit more deeply. Already irresistible, this evocative wine will cellar well for at least a decade. Drink now through 2028.
Enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, ripe red berry, baking spice, menthol and new leather lead the way. Fresh and elegant, the palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and licorice while firm, polished tannins lend structure and a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2018–2023.
This monopole vineyard came into the Bouchard family in 1791, 60 years after the maison was founded. This wine is smoky and full of fruit and sweet tannins. With its balanced tannins and rich fruits, it is developing well. The dense structure behind the fruit promises good aging. Drink from 2020.
The seven-acre walled vineyard surrounds the winery and château. Old vines and a sheltered situation give this wine its richness. Enhanced by the wood aging, this wine is ripe with apricots and spiced pears cut with a mineral texture. It is still young and will be much better from 2019.
One of the most familiar of the Premier Cru vineyards in Puligny, it is according to legend named after goblins and other nighttime creatures. This wine is mineral, tight and crisp. Underneath, bright citrus and richer apricots are waiting to come out. The wine is young and will be ready to drink from 2019.
Brooding and dark, this softly structured wine is juicy and brimming in tension, its acidity focused and supportive. Black cherry, a subtle touch of cinnamon spice and toasted oak find balance and equal more than the sum of their parts, providing for a luxurious experience in the glass.
Violet, menthol mint, red-berry and dark-spice aromas lift from the glass along with a hint of toast. The delicious, chewy palate doles out juicy black cherry, vanilla and star anise alongside firm, polished tannins that leave soothing, velvety texture but also give it structure. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018–2023.
An opaque purple color and charred, smoky aromas render this ripe-vintage Toro dark from the outset. Sandpaper tannins frame its dominant char and burnt toast flavors, while a base of black fruit holds it together. It's all about oak and slamming tannins now, so cellar and drink from 2020–2030.
This oak-aged wine is intense, rich and packed with black fruits. It has spice from the wood as well as from the Syrah in the blend, while the juicy ripe character comes from Alicante Bouschet. It's an impressive concentrated wine that will be best from 2018.
Pale straw in color, this wine brings alluring aromas of toast, spice, clarified butter and stone fruit. The palate is full bodied with sweet, generous peach and tropical-fruit flavors that sail on the finish.
This winery's name is a nod to the adjacent Pleasant Valley Cemetery in San Miguel, where the warm climate suits Zinfandel well. Plump and bursting boysenberry and lingonberry aromas are dusted with vanilla and marjoram on the nose. The palate's flavors range from ripe red fruit to clove-driven spice and herbal touches, with pepper-laced acidity.
Evocatively tender notes of Conference pear appear on the nose. The palate is ample with juicy pear and has a generous dollop of residual sweetness. Nonetheless, this is balanced by vigorous lively freshness, leaving a harmonious, rounded, light-footed and elegant wine with a moreish finish.
Wood aging has given this wine richness as well as a smooth texture. It is a ripe full-bodied wine, finely poised between fruit and more mature secondary flavors. The single vineyard wine is ready to drink.
Cloak & Dagger's film noir styling fits the dark and brooding character of this wine. Cola and graphite aromas mix with fresh blackberry and blueberry on the nose. The palate is well-structured with tangy, plum skin-like acidity while delivering satisfying dark chocolate, black olive and black cherry flavors.
This manages to be plush and rich in texture while keeping the alcohol level reined in. Pineapple crème brûlée aromas are backed up on the palate by flavors of peach and pineapple, finishing long and rich. Drink now.
Subdued earth notes precede the ripe freshness of red apple and mirabelle. A touch of residual sweetness boosts ripe fruit flavors of pear and orange, red apple and mirabelle plum. Lemon freshness brightens the palate and makes for an appetizing, zingy and refreshing finish.
Appetizing and warmly generous pear notes characterize the nose. The palate has the same, friendly fruit, boosted by some residual sugar. The plump fruit is countered by ample lemony freshness that creates an inherent balance. The finish is just off dry, but very refreshing.
A lovely fresh blast of citrus foliage rises from the glass. The palate carries the same fragrant freshness but holds warmth and strength at its core, despite the dry taut body. This is the sunshine and the richness of 2015 captured with a light touch. The finish is dry and refreshing.
Yellow peach, honeysuckle and russet pear combine in a very inviting nose. The palate amalgamates these flavors even more, bathing them in tangy but sightly sweet orange notes. The result is a bullet of flavor and freshness, balanced, friendly and very moreish. The finish is off dry and wonderfully clean and spicy.
A woody jammy nose is lush and borders on raisiny. Stout, saturated and thick on the palate, this Cabernet blend from Curicó deals a broad swipe of giant blackberry, cassis and raisin flavors. A chunky finish with rubbery tannins is tasty and lush, but a bit over the top.
These quirky labels mark a stylish shift in Temecula, where traditional branding has long reigned, yet the wine is as solid as ever. This blend of 64% Petite Sirah, 13% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Shiraz and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon shows dried black currant, turned loam, dark chocolate dust and dried mint aromas. The flavors are reminiscent of classic Old World bottlings, with cedar, dried herb and stewed plum laced with fresh acidity and a dry texture.
Plump Asian pear and sea salt aromas accompany lighter hints of butterscortch and marshmallow in this barrel blend from William Foley's estate in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills. There is a textural pull to the palate, while Gala apple, sea salt and marzipan flavors provide richness.
Recently, Angove's various Warboys Vineyard bottlings have been consistently excellent; the 2014 blends 57% Shiraz and 43% Grenache to good effect. It's full bodied, creamy and supple, combining vanilla notes with hints of mint and an ample dose of cherry-berry fruit. Drink now through 2022.
Earthy plum and berry aromas precede a racy, high-acid palate that's fresh and sharp. Snappy red plum and wild berry flavors finish tannic, with oak spice and mild chocolate notes. This is a power-packed wine that will last a long time; drink through 2028.
On the nose, this Cabernet-led blend deals telltale Chilean aromas of herbs, pepper, spice, berry, tomato and forest floor. Derivative of a cool year, the palate feels tight, with snapping acidity. Hard-hitting acid-driven flavors of spiced berry and black currant finish dark, toasty and oaky, but pulling. Drink through 2025.
This focused white opens with alluring aromas of citrus, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of baking spice. Made with Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, the savory palate offers juicy peach, nectarine, apricot and ripe pear. It has a tangy lemon-drop finish.
Classic varietal aromas of tomato leaf, exotic fruit and citrus practically jump out of the glass. The bright palate doles out juicy peach, nectarine, grapefruit, celery and sage while a mineral vein lends energy.
Fresh tangerine and lemon aromas turn a shade riper on the palate of this approachable but elegant dry Riesling. It's luscious and mouthfilling, brightened by tart lime and grapefruit acidity that extends through a long finish.
This brooding, brawny wine made from mountain fruit is all about mushroom and compost notes—a true expression of the vineyard's surroundings. Black cherry fruit and youthful tannins provide context, with a sizzling streak of acidity.
Notes of ripe Russet pear dominate nose and palate. The fresh body gives full rein to these ample lively fruit flavors. Zesty tangy freshness counters the full fruit and creates a lively, harmonious, moreish and refreshing wine. The finish is dry.
Gamy roast lamb aromas meet blueberry and crushed bay leaf on the nose of this bottling—a shining example of Syrah from southern Santa Clara County. White pepper, thyme and graphite notes show on the palate, where a core of elderberry fruit core is enhanced by that feral, gamy quality.
As salty as preserved lemon brine, this wine is medium-bodied, with integrated oak, having aged in 33% new French barrels. Golden delicious apple and a spicy bite of quince round out the subtle fruit flavors, bolstered by gravelly texture.
Heavy oak gives this Tempranillo from Zamora an inky, resiny, charred set of aromas. Its muscular palate is softened somewhat by creamy oak. Woody mocha, blackberry, vanilla and spice flavors linger into the finish, feeling rich but also punchy and tannic. Drink through 2024.
Dark and brooding with blackberry and boysenberry flavors, this fresh, juicy wine boasts generous oak and tannin. Sourced from the estate vineyard of Freeman Winery in Sebastopol, it gains clove and dried herb nuances as it develops.
This has long been a favorite wine from the region, and this vintage's blend—45% Marsanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 27% Roussanne and 3% Picpoul—is a lesson in deft restraint. Crisp lime skin and Pink Lady apple aromas converge, mixing sharp and ripe elements. On the palate, yellow grapefruit flavors are light and refreshing, framed by brilliant acidity and grippy texture.
Barda is a particular wine with proprietary aromas of light cranberry, pickle brine, dried leaf and especially tomato. A light palate with mild yet rubbery tannins sets up fresh, earthy, briny flavors that end smooth, with salty, herbal aftershocks.
Oaky spice, vanilla and dried-cherry aromas are classic Rioja. This feels round and good, with dry tannins and bright acidity. Toasty brown-sugar and chocolate notes grace mild red-fruit flavors on this textbook wine. Drink through 2020.
Since Brokenwood's Hunter Valley location isn't ideal for Pinot Noir, it sources the grapes for this wine from Beechworth (inland Victoria). This is a fine, crisp wine for early drinking. Lacy floral and cherry aromas lead the way, followed by tart flavors reminiscent of berry zinger tea.
Oaky and full bodied, this features minty and savory highlights, with big scents and flavors of barrel. Tight cassis fruit, streaked with coffee and dark chocolate, finishes with a dusty coating of graphite. Give this at least a couple of hours in a decanter to loosen it up.
Made solely with Pinot Nero, this offers aromas of dried apricot, citrus zest, toasted almond and bread crust. The aromas carry over to the palate along lemon drop and a mineral note accompanied by a firm, persistent perlage.
A dense nose of leathery violets and heavy blackberries promise a heady sipper on this wine by San Jose-based Adam Comartin. It is indeed rich on the palate, with flavors or strawberry and cranberry juice, all cut but a clove-powered spice that manages to keep the thicker wine rather light on its feet.
A 100% varietal wine, this features big oak and dry tannins around a rustic core of full-bodied black cherry and dried plum. Savory tobacco and tea provide a sultry edge to the proceedings, before tartness comes to bear on the finish. Enjoy now through 2018.
Good balance between crisp lemon acidity and ripe yellow fruits gives this wine a rich, fresh character that is delicious and stylish. Working from vineyards In the family for more than 100 years, the current producer, Jean-Paul Dubost, says “wine is never made by chance.” Drink now.
Light in color and texture, this is a rose petal aroma-driven wine, floral and herbal in equal waves. Smooth and subdued, it showcases cherry cola and ripe, integrated tannins while remaining lively on the palate and through a lengthy finish.
A shallot-skin-colored wine, this has ripe red berry fruits and a soft texture. It is attractively on the way to maturity, with hints of toast coming through the acidity and rounded character at the end. The wine is ready to drink.
This crunchy, tart and tasty blend is 55% Viognier, 30% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne. Highlights of green berry, lemon-lime and grapefruit are refreshing and well matched to lighter pasta dishes or simple poultry entrées.
This opens with aromas of white spring flowers, orchard fruit and a whiff of herbs. The vibrant palate doles out green apple, citrus zest and pear alongside tangy acidity and a refined, creamy mousse.
This medium-bodied wine takes a path less traveled, offering enticing flavors and good presence on the palate. The aromas are like forest floor, oolong tea, and ripe black cherries, while the flavors layer cherry, cranberry and clove. A firm texture carries all that flavor through the finish and keeps the taste refreshing.
Peach and melon aromas are fresh and clean. This is crisp but a touch flat and boxed in as far as mouthfeel is concerned. Citrus, papaya and nectarine flavors end short but perfectly clean.
This small-production Malbec (75 cases) dances in and out in terms of balance. On the nose, prune, raisin and blueberry aromas are ripe and effusive. On the palate, however, high acidity makes this jumpy. Plum, berry and cassis flavors qualify as fruity, while the finish drills away due to potent, cutting acidity.
Enticing aromas of chopped herbs, white stone fruit and fragrant wild flowers lead the nose on this vibrant wine. The racy palate offers green pear, Granny Smith apple and lime alongside brisk acidity and invigorating bubbles.
Firm tannins show the structure and density of this wine. Dark plum fruits give a concentrated character that is cut by red-cherry acidity. Big and bold, this ripe while fresh wine needs to age. Drink from 2017.
Ripe raisin, berry and horsey aromas are solid, not flabby. A lifted, juicy palate is healthy and fresh, while mild medicinal notes are infused into a red-berry flavor profile. On the finish, oak spice and medicinality linger amid acid-driven length.
Jammy fruits are still kept in check by the dry tannins that surround this wine. It has a firm structure, intense acidity and black plum-skin fruit flavors. It's a serious wine, solid and certainly needing to age. Drink from 2017.
Juicy red fruit that flirts in cherry and vanilla opens this complex, florally aromatic wine from the Rudd Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Thick, integrated tannins support a concentrated structure, marked by herb and cedar, finishing dry and lean.
Named after the traditional boat used on the Douro River, this dessert wine, made from 50% Tempranillo, 34% Touriga Nacional and 16% Tinta Cao, is a muddy brown-red color and shows aromas of concentrated raisin and turned earth. Pipe smoke, prunes, kirsch and caramel flavors combine for a very lasting finish, allowing this to function much like Scotch and work well with cigars.
Entirely stainless-steel fermented and aged, this wine offers a tremendously fair deal. Peach and apricot form the core of this light, subtle white that has a solid backbone of acidity and is finished in a taste of lemon verbena.
This pretty Cab Franc opens with vibrant notes of red cherry and blackberry that are infused with spicy notes of green pepper, fynbos and fresh minty herbs. Fine yet structured tannins feel green and woody, while flavors of plum and cherry skin unfold on the finish. Drink now–2018.
Concentrated red cherry, black tea leaf and a touch of minerality show on the nose of this blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. A line of concentrated blackberry powers the palate, which also offers woody mint and rose-petal flavors.
Heady aromas of peach blossom and jasmine lead the way on this vibrant sparkler. The refreshing palate brings bright acidity and an invigorating perlage, with green apple and citrus notes.
Fragrant and foaming, this opens with delicate aromas of wisteria, hawthorn and orchard fruit. The luminous palate offers green apple, pear and candied lemon drop supported by racy acidity and small, vivacious bubbles.
Rich, thick and dense, this is a powerfully concentrated wine, blended with 4% Viognier in a Northern Rhône style. The grapes are grown in Oak Knoll from dry-farmed vines that yield very little. Black plum, tar and cooked meat combine for complexity atop the high alcohol.
Lemon-honey candy, chopped garden herbs, sliced spring onions and appealing aromas of cut tennis balls show on the nose of this wine from an extreme coastal vineyard near Cambria. Lively green flavors power the palate, with chive, dill, apple-skin bitterness and a detectable salinity.
Dried yellow flowers, chamomile, acacia and ripe pear aromas lead the nose. The firm palate delivers yellow apple, hazelnut and a mineral note alongside bright acidity and a refined perlage.
All five Bordeaux grapes are in the blend, roughly 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot dominating the flavors. The vines average 30+ years. Tart purple fruits are set against spicy barrel flavors. The wine, still quite young, should continue to improve with bottle age. It's balanced and pleasant, though it pulls up a bit short.
A big, brawny version of the variety, this is tight and tannic, steeped in leather pouch, black pepper and garrigue. Swirl around in the bottle or glass before sipping, or pair it with braised, leathery meats. A core of acidity helps lift the finish.
This is a rich, full-bodied and generous wine. It has great red berry flavors that are supported by a light oak character and freshened with acidity. Although young, it is ready to drink.
This wine is a rich, dense wine that is maturing well. It has solid spice, wood and black currant flavors that are packed into a firmly tannic structure. It is ready to drink now–2020.
Fleshy and floral, this is a delightfully light, dry and tropical wine, with primary characteristics of apple and lime. Refreshing, it'll serve well as a versatile companion on the table or as as worthy apéritif, finishing in grassy fig and pear.
Woodsy, briary aromas of leather, sagebrush and black cherry set up a firm, clampy palate. Flavors of vanilla, dill, raspberry and salt are honest and traditional for Rioja, while light oak and vanilla flavors along with scratchiness drive a crisp finish to conclusion.
Grapefruit blossoms, scratched pink grapefruit skin and Granny Smith apples show on the delicate nose of this blend of 54% Sémillon, 43.5% Sauvignon Blanc and 2.5% Orange Muscat. It's light, bright and easy on the palate, with cut green apple and lime juice flavors, making it perfect to pair with plenty of lighter foods.
Wisteria, peach blossom and a whiff of peach lead the nose. On the linear palate, bracing acidity frames apple, pear and dried thyme notes alongside vibrant, persistent bubbles.
From Mount Veeder comes this blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Cherry and vanilla dominate atop a thickness of oak and soft, smoky tannins. Juicy on the finish, it may need more time to come around, the grapes 100% estate grown.
This wine's light and refreshing nose cuts between orange-blossom ripeness, lime-juice sharpness, chalky minerality and a touch of milk fat. There is good energy on the palate, powered by tart green apple rinds and citrus zest.
Aged leather, eucalyptus and a whiff of cellar floor lead the nose, while the linear, lean palate offers sour cherry, sage, espresso and star anise flavors. Grainy tannins and racy acidity give it an austere structure.
It's rare to find Willamette Valley fruit (70%!) included in a Pinot Noir at this price. This well-made wine offers red-plum fruit, annotated with lemon, orange and tangerine. The impression is of substantial acidity, in a tasty young wine that punches through the palate with authority and verve.
Beet juice, cinnamon, clove and turned earth show on the nose of this bottling from Malibu-based winemaker Jim Palmer. The palate offers dusty leather, raspberry fruit, dried herbs and a chalky texture, cut by moderate acidity.
This opens with black plum, truffle and coffee aromas. The palate feels evolved, its flavors veering to prune, anise and tobacco. The tannins are close-grained but not very persistent. Drink through 2021.
A spicy, wood-aged wine with a fine combination of pineapple and citrus fruit. With the spice from the wood, the wine is rich while keeping a line of pure bright acidity. Drink the wine from late 2017.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has delicate aromas suggesting black-skinned fruit and tilled soil. The straightforward palate delivers prune, grilled sage and mochaflavors with a hint of leather. Enjoy through 2018.
This has the potential to be a very exciting wine, needing time to truly tell. Grapeseed and candied violet scents show on the nose. The tannins are chunky now but may integrate, while blackberry and black pepper flavors suggest a better future.
This is an earthy wine with a persistent thread of acidity that keeps it fresh and vibrant in the glass. Bursting with red cherry and pomegranate fruit, it has rich complements of compost and black licorice.
Leathery berry aromas are comported and spicy. This feels grabby, tannic and tight, but good. Blackberry, toasty oak and integrated spice and herbal notes conclude with a compact tannic grip and a lasting note of oak.
The fruit here is plenty ripe, with flavors of raspberry jam. Tannins are also substantial, and the scents and flavors leave an impression of slightly burnt coffee, underscored with graphite. This definitely needs decanting and/or aggressive aeration.
All estate fruit goes into this reserve, which was tasted a few months ahead of its official release. It's tight and herbal, with stiff tannins streaked with tobacco and vanilla. Give it another year or two of bottle age, and drink 2018 to 2022.
Fermented in stainless steel, this is a lip-smacking wine with succulent citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit. For those who love high-acid white wines, with some snap to their flavors, this is a good choice.
The slightest notion of honeysuckle reaches the nose. The light and dry palate diffuses the aromatic notions of Muscat only slightly. There is lovely lightness and lots of lemon freshness.
Underbrush, oak and crushed mint aromas lead the nose. The palate is firm, evoking macerated cherry, star anise and vanilla flavors enveloped in dusty tannins that leave a grainy finish.
This 100% Sangiovese wine offers black cherry and baking spice scents that carry over to the palate. It's fresh, accented by an earthy hint of new leather, and framed by supple tannins. Drink through 2020.
Earthy game, truffle, underbrush, used leather and dark-skinned fruit aromas lead the nose. They carry over to the taut, tightly wound palate, where austere, dusty tannins leave a drying finish.
Named for a barrel that once rolled off a cliff, this forward fruity wine blends numerous sources to craft an easy-drinking, no-frills style. Think a strawberry lollipop in a glass, and you're on the right track. That's not to say it lacks concentration, but its strength is the pretty fruit.
This is ripe, fruit-driven Shiraz with ample weight and ripeness. Hints of smoke and sage add nuance to the blueberry and black cherry fruit, while coarse-grained tannins provide adequate structure and grip. Drink now–2022.
Concentrated blackberry, currant and vanilla flavors ride a boldly ripe, full-bodied palate that reflects the warmth and intensity of the vintage. Dusty tannin and softened oak allow the fruit to speak, accented by black licorice.
Leather, bark and tar meet cola and black licorice scents in this full-bodied, ripe red. Its palate is layered and showy in meaty, sanguine personality.
Toasted oak, espresso, new leather and steeped plum aromas waft out of the glass. The bracing palate offers grilled herb, licorice, toast and dried berry flavors, framed by grainy tannins that grip the finish.
A blend of fruit from Idaho, Washington and Oregon, this wine offers high toned, barrel-forward aromas of cedar box, woodspice and orange peel. The palate brings smooth, soft, elegantly styled fruit and barrel flavors that linger on the finish.
From estate-grown Pommard clone fruit, this wine shows earthy forest notes against moderate acidity and mellow oak. Medium-bodied, it plays well on the palate with a balance of cranberry and clove flavors.
Salty cured meat and chopped herb aromas carry over to the palate, which is lean and laced with tart sour cherry flavor. It's tightly wound, with brisk acidity and assertive, angular tannins.
This Bordeaux-style red blend from Bolgheri offers delicate blackberry, espresso and exotic spice aromas. The palate is charged with blackberry, graphite and licorice, its pliant tannins carrying those flavors into the finish. Drink through 2019.
This appellation blend hits all the right Pinot points, with candied red cherry, strawberry and cinnamon spice. The palate blends cooked cranberry and sour cherry with anise and a touch of garrigue. A reliable sipper, especially for the price.
Close to the Listrac vineyards and with the same ownership as Cap Léon Veyrin, this estate is on some of the same limestone soil as that appellation. The wine is structured and tight with firm tannins. The 55% of Merlot does suggest a juicy character although this will take time to develop and fill out. Drink from 2020.
Owned by the Castel family, this chateau regularly produces attractive wines. This year, the wine is rich and still with its layers of dominant wood flavors. It also has a fine structure that will allow it to age. The finish brings in bright, juicy acidity. Drink from 2020.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (39%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Merlot (19%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot. It explores the first two varieties's leafier sides, with aromas of garden herbs followed by graphite, orange peel and barrel spice. The palate is tart and fresh, full of cranberry flavors supported by lightly chewy tannins. It brings a pleasing sense of acidity that bodes well for its longevity.
The aromas are bright, with notes of fresh herb, red cherry, Red Vines, orange peel and barrel spice. The palate shows a pleasing sense of concentration and richness, with light meaty notes on the finish.
The aromas pop on this 100% varietal, with notes of dark plum, mountain blueberry, vanilla and cream. The flavors are smooth and sultry, mixing fruit and barrel with a plush feel and a lightly astringent finish. The variety is hard to get but it delivers a lot of enjoyment.
Very pithy aromas of grapefruit, squeezed lemon, crisp Asian pear and a touch of chalk show on the nose of this bottling, another strong argument about how well this variety can do in cool coastal California. The flavors are light and crisp, with yellow apple and yellow-grapefruit pith most prominent.
Expertly light touches of banana, honey, pecan, tuberose and citrus peel show on the nose of this blend by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi. There is great energy and tension to the sip, with yellow-grapefruit-juice flavors. Crisp, this would be a great shellfish pairing.
This wine is half Grenache, with the balance Mourvèdre (31%), Syrah (14%) and Counoise. Lighter in color, it brings aromas of cranberry, cherry, spice, smoked meat and herb. The tart cranberry flavors are full bodied, showing a sense of purity and balance, pulling up a bit on the finish.
Stewed prune and cake spice aromas lead the nose along with a balsamic note. Showing the intense heat of the vintage, the warm palate offers dried cherry, raisin, powdered sage and a hint of clove alongside polished tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit and freshness.
Exotic spice, espresso, dried herb and berry aromas lead the way while the dense palate shows raspberry jam, vanilla and roasted coffee bean. It's tightly compressed, with close-grained, clenching tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Fairly sweet aromas of marzipan, honeysuckle, candied apricot and honeyed orange slices show on the nose of this bottling from a longtime winegrowing family in the Watsonville area. It's much tighter and brighter on the sip, with flavors of slightly sour green-pear skins and poached apple, and a touch of caramel on the finish.
Red berry, underbrush, crushed herb and a whiff of porcini mushroom aromas lead the way. Linear and rather straightforward, the palate offers juicy sour cherry, cranberry and clove alongside polished tannins. It won't take years to come around. Drink 2019–2025.
This elegant, lithe little wine is ready to drink. Leather, dried fruit, black olive and cocoa notes fade into a softly dusty finish tinged with lingering espresso nuances.
Alluring aromas of menthol, red berry, rose and herb lift out of the glass. The rounded solid palate offers raspberry, morello cherry, a touch of clove and a hint of cinnamon framed in firm tannins. It's straightforward by Barolo standards but it's appealing and already almost accessible. Drink after 2021.
Made by Jean-René Matignon, technical director of Château Pichon Baron in Pauillac, the wine is finely structured, showing polished wood aging. The velvet black fruits and fine acidity are already well integrated. Drink from 2018.
Woodland berry, balsamic herb, tilled soil and eucalyptus aromas lead the nose along with a hint of coffee. The full-bodied palate offers black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and vanilla alongside enveloping fine-grained tannins. A hint of sage marks the finish. Drink 2019–2025.
Lighter in color, high-toned aromas of raspberry and cranberry jam lead to full-bodied jammy, lip-smacking red-fruit flavors with the barrel influence dialed back. It's a spot on example of the variety.
This is a cave cooperative's top white Crozes bottling, fermented and aged in oak. Smoky, toasty notes support exotic apricot and pineapple fruit that's initially attractive, then doesn't quite follow through on the finish. Drink now.
From one of the estates owned by the Pagès family in the northern Médoc, the wine is spicy and rich with tannins and blackberry fruit. As a contrast, it is shot through with attractive acidity that is a character of the year. The wine will be ready to drink from 2019.
This pure Merlot special cuvée is intense, rich and extracted. It has serious layers of spice and toast from wood aging. That lies over a solid structure that is concentrated and dense. The fruit is more masked and the bitter licorice character of the wine means it will take several years to come together. Drink from 2020.
Firm and structured, this is a dense wine that has great tannins. It is concentrated and fruity with a solid core surrounded by ripe black-currant fruit. The smoky aftertaste is freshened with the acidity. Drink from 2019.
Very oaky, very buttery, very posh in texture, this wine takes the spicy richness of oak-barrel fermentation and aging to a high level. It's not at all shy about the toast, caramel and baking-spice flavors, with a mouthcoating texture that helps those accents linger on the finish.
This medium-bodied Nebbiolo weaves together aromas of crushed raspberry, black cherry and forest floor that carry over to the firm palate along with notes of toast and tobacco. Chewy tannins provide the framework.
White pepper and smoke notes highlight the intense minerality in this steely Riesling. Lemony on the palate, this is crisp and brisk, and it comes with notes of wet slate and steel on the finish.
Whiffs of smoke and sea breeze entice on the nose of this amber-hued Georgian wine, which was aged in traditional clay vessels. Earthy on the palate, with hints of orange rind, mushroom and roasted chestnut, it's shockingly tannic for wine made from white grapes—thanks to being exposed to its grape skins during fermentation and maturation. A fascinating accompaniment to almost any kind of cuisine.
This wide open Syrah shows berry and heavy vanilla notes. As the flavors wind through the palate, the back end seems to tighten up, and it finishes with a somewhat green, lightly herbal flourish.
A new wine from Hahn Family, Boneshaker is appropriately named: It's a big-boned, hearty swath of velvety milk chocolate and jammy fruit flavors. With just the right amount of Zinfandel spice and oak influence, it will please a barbecue-loving crowd.
Think Crozes-Hermitage and you'll have a reasonable idea of what this wine is about: White pepper and cherry aromas and flavors, medium body without being overly rich or textured and a crisp, peppery finish. Drink it over the next couple of years with burgers and the like.
Despite possibly being the least complex of Saint Clair's 2010 Pioneer Block Pinots, this medium-bodied wine has crisp acids and mouthwatering flavors of black cherries and fresh herbs. It's fresh, clean and invites sip after sip. Drink now–2016.
Not overly concentrated or extracted, this is a plump, medium-bodied Pinot Noir that should have broad appeal for its cherry and cinnamon aromas and flavors and reasonable price. It's clean and refreshing on the finish, which is anchored by hints of mocha. Drink now.
There are dark veins of smoke and flint that highlight the rippling minerality in this fascinating Lebanese white. It's made in a deliberately oxididative style, and it offers a slight baked-apple flavor that slowly opens to reveal fresh citrus and honeysuckle notes. It's not for everyone, but it's a fascinating wine to enjoy over a long meal.
This is a big, fat Chardonnay—at least in Burgundy terms. It has a ripe yellow-fruit flavor, a rich texture and soft acidity. Subtle wood influence gives further roundness to this almost pebble-smooth wine. It's delicious now, and it's likely to develop quickly.
Cherry, raspberry and cocoa aromas set up a full-bodied palate with juicy acidity and all sorts of red-berry flavor that's both bright and medicinal in character. It falls on the ripe and ready side, with bold fruit and a peppery, spicy finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is mostly Merlot. Fragrant and spicy, it intrigues with a sensuous mix of brown spices, cumin, citrus and toast. Soft and open, it moves into the lush middle with blackberry and black cherry fruit, more spices and citrus, all nicely melded.
From a handful of Napa Valley vineyards, this Cab is blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, producing a classically elegant wine dotted in cassis, cedar and white peppercorn. Chalky and buoyant in acidity, it drinks lean and supple, the finish darker in smoky, coffee tones.
The to-the-point bouquet includes lightly toasted apple aromas and white-fruit scents. A chiseled, tight palate with crisp acidity supports stone-fruit and citrus flavors. Dry, crisp orange and tangerine flavors characterize the finish.
From a superior block at the Red Willow vineyard, this pure Syrah was aged in 100% new French oak. It's concentrated and tangy, with wild berry fruit streaked with oolong tea, licorice, dark chocolate and coffee liqueur.
Full of delicious dark-fruit flavors, this is smooth and deep, comforting but sophisticated. The fruit flavors are ripe and satisfying, the texture is velvety and broad, the body is full but not heavy.
The Négrette grape, found almost exclusively in the Fronton appellation near Toulouse, has produced a firm, wood-aged, ripe wine that's packed with attractive juicy red fruits, spice and acidity. The wine has a more serious side, with tannins that will allow it to age. Drink from 2016.
Undoubtedly one of the top wines from the Costières de Nîmes, this is 90% Mourvèdre, from the oldest vines on the estate, matured in oak for 18 months. It's dark and plummy, full bodied and richly textured, with hints of chocolate fudge and closet cedar. Drink now–2020.
Bright and alive in crisp pear and fresh citrus, this is a lovely, spicy Chardonnay, integrated and pleasing on the palate. The juicy fruit flavors delve into a creamy texture that lingers through to the finish.
The wine shows very ripe fruits that are now at their peak. It is rich, rounded with touches of spice, toast and mature berries. The acidity is now totally integrated into this full-bodied wine that is ready to drink.
Proprietor Michel Gassier is turning out excellent values at all levels. This supple red blends 72% Grenache with 24% Syrah and 4% Mourvèdre. Raspberry and rhubarb notes on the nose give way to flavors of ripe cherries, baking spices and dried herbs. The finish is long and velvety. Drink now–2020.
Very young, this is currently all about juicy black fruits and accompanying tannins. It should develop well to give a richly structured wine that has both fruits and a dark, mineral character, hinting at wood aging. Drink from 2018.
A classic Cab blended with smaller handfuls of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this 2011 is balanced and supple in plum, cassis and minty chocolate. The oak is accented in pretty ways by clove, sage and cardamom spice. Structured and soft, the finish is lengthy and the wine perfectly capable of waiting until 2019–2021 in a cellar.
Now mature, this smoky, wood-aged wine is rich and complex. It has firm and dry tannins that are typical of the Tannat although these are a part of a solid, dark wine. The aftertaste brings out a perfumed, rich side that is attractive. The wine is ready to drink.
Pronounced Kay-lee, this Syrah is unabashedly funky. If you like a wine with generous aromas of barnyard and garden, along with potent, ripe, berry-laden fruit, this delivers in spades. Barrel aging adds chocolate and dark espresso character to the finish.
Not only does this wine show off some attractive floral notes, it also delivers that supple texture so desired in Pinot Noir. Mocha, herb and black cherry notes all make appearances, but the fruit dominates, gliding into a long, silky finish. Drink now–2017.
This wine exhibits pristine Syrah character from the first whiffs of cracked peppercorns, herbs and berries. It's only medium to full bodied, yet finishes long, picking up hints of espresso as it fades.
Murky, stewy, soupy aromas deliver little to no freshness or fruit, while the palate is tannic and tastes bitter, mildly weedy and minty. Seems roasted and devoid of quality. Unclean and unimpressive.
Smells like corn stalks and also of oxidation. The palate is wet but shapeless, and the flavors are waxy and jumbled. It's yet another pass-it-by, underperforming Mendoza Chardonnay.
The palate opens slowly, offering an initial citrus character, followed by wood and then, finally, wonderfully rich, but taut fruit. There is still a toast character here, with apricots and pear on top of the citrus, but it is still only just developing. In 10–15 years, it will be a magnificent wine.
This dense and dark wine is showing as much tannin as fruit at this stage. It's powerful, the dark fruits ripe and seriously structured. Spice, berries, coffee and a tense, mineral texture are all part of the mix. It needs considerable aging, so don't drink before 2019
Still very closed up, this is going to be a classic. Its tannins are already balanced to the immense juicy fruits and dark wood flavors that bring out spiciness. It's powerful while not over the top, showing elegance at the same time as an opulent texture. Give this gorgeous wine until 2018.
Dark fir honey, baked and sugar-glazed apricots, cinnamon and bitter orange peel—this is a small cosmos of aromatic sweetness hitting a warm, deep and comforting note of immense richness and incredible length. Delicious now and for years to come.
This opens with a lovely fragrance of perfumed berries, violets, incense and sweet cake spices. Cinnamon, clove and white pepper accent the succulent red cherry and wild raspberry palate. It's fresh and elegant, with a smooth texture and supple tannins. Drink 2016–2029.
Rich, ripe and concentrated, the lush array of black fruits is enhanced with a generous amount of barrel-generated baking spices. There's a chef's pantry of cinnamon, ginger and more, along with a vein of molasses and a whiff of coffee running through the tannins. It's a total yum-fest.
Take a walk on the wild side with this Rhône-style blend. It has wonderful, concentrated, meaty flavors backing up the wild, savory, slightly earthy aromas. Not too full-bodied, it is well-balanced in an appetizingly astringent way, complex in flavors and lingering on the finish. Blended from 76% Grenache, plus five other Rhône varietals.
One of the finest wines to come out of Cahors, this is so stylish. Of course, it has power, intense fruit and acidity. At the same time, balanced richness allied to solid tannins and ripe black fruits single it out. It needs considerable aging to soften the tannins that are still so exuberant. Drink from 2018.
Perfumey in lemon curd, this is a focused and fairly lean Chardonnay, crisp in lemony acidity and classic wet stone. Mango and lime surround a core of refreshing, intriguing ginger, and the palate offers creamy softness. A bite of fresh pear lingers on the finish.
This blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah presents a lively, aromatic mix of raspberries, Kirsch and strawberry preserves, with pitch-perfect structure and balance. The intensity, immediately upon opening, is riveting. Drink this now–2017 while it's so delightfully fresh.
This proprietary blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a deep and layered nose. Wild blackberry jam, pine pitch and white sage converge, like a walk through the California chaparral. The acidity is amazingly vibrant, with flavors of bright purple fruit, pepper and crushed herbs on the finish.
Delicious aromas of cherry-crusted beef, coconut, blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream and sassafras frame this blend of 63% Syrah and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon from southern Monterey County. The wine coats the mouth luxuriously, with black cherry and pepper spice. It drinks well now, but has mouth-coating tannins that will evoke with time.
In a blind tasting, it's hard to imagine many people would identify this wine as from Washington, due to the coolness of the vintage and the style. It's almost impenetrable when first opened, with brooding notes of graphite, exotic spice, herbs, toast and dark fruit. The acids are mouthwatering, the tannins firm and tightly wound, and they need significant time to uncoil. But when they do, the wine glorious. Give it at least until 2019 in the cellar or a 24+ hour decant. One of the highlights of the vintage.
Hugely rich, this was fermented in egg-shaped cuves that have given an impressively rounded character to a wine still so young. The tannins are opulent, letting the black fruits speak powerfully. It still is a wine to age, so drink after 2019.
Vin Jaune, one of the glories of Jura, is in good hands here. This wine is still developing, its oxidative, yeast and acidity still showing a fresher fruit character. Even now, still young, it is a wonderful, totally memorable wine.
The heady scent of baked apple and candied orange peel merges into a citrus-zesty, supersweet but tight palate. Sugar-crusted citrus peel—orange, mandarin and tangerine—play about the palate alongside a notion of fragrant pine resin. A rarity and source of pure joy. If you have a fruitcake laced with candied peel, don't hold back.
A rich, sweet wine that maintains complete freshness. Pineapple, peach and mango compose the fruit, while the honey and touch of botrytis give the sweetness. It has a refreshing youthful character, but it's going to be a wine to age. Drink from 2017.
Darker and riper in tone than the winery's Walker Hill Vineyard bottling, this is creamy and lush, with toasty caramel accents and spicy, tropical fruit. Balanced in acidity and soft in tannins, it is structured and rich, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Green Valley.
This deftly hits on all cylinders, delivering big fruit, firm acid, fresh mineral and rich, toasty new-barrel highlights. Juicy, textural and deep, it's a wine to gulp, to savor and to share.
Baked apple with cinnamon and caramel make this immediately seductive. On the palate, faint notes of baked plum lurk teasingly in the background. Very unlike other icewines, but with its spicy, plummy fruitiness, a complete revelation that calls out for spiced chocolate desserts with red fruits. A disarming, astonishing and utterly delicious wine.
Principally Syrah, this includes 15% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre. Rich and complex, supple and subtle, the mix of red, blue and purple fruits is potent, but also brings a welcome wash of wet stone and a dash of pepper. The focus and intensity are exemplary.
Vanilla and banana jelly, manuka honey and muscovado sugar—layer upon layer of fruity sweetness with tropical overtones of pineapple is revealed on the luscious palate. Such liveliness is engendered here with a seemingly endless finish. A total triumph.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, crushed blue flower, incense and balsamic notes lead the nose on this gorgeous wine. The palate delivers succulent black cherry layered with white pepper and clove alongside bracing tannins. Drink 2019–2034.
Concentrated, intense aromas of graphite, blackberry, spice and earth notes set up a rich palate that's registering at max ripeness. Gigantic blackberry, baked black plum and toasted flavors finish dark and lush. This blend of Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Syrah is a big-wine lover's dream come true. Drink through 2023.
Decadent in coconut flake and vanilla, this is a fruity vintage of one of Hobbs' top-of-the-top Cabernets. Soft and structured, the silky tannins deftly managed, it captures the essence of the Napa Valley's best valley floor grapes at the hands of an expert winemaker, a textbook marriage of beauty and brawn.
This begins with round, lush scents of honey butter on hot toast and roasted almond. The initial flavors are light and fresh, with peach and slight guava. That tropicality emerges even more thoughout the long, lingering finish.
This elegant wine opens with a floral fragrance of rose petals, violets, perfumed berries and cake spices. Black pepper and clove accent the juicy dark cherry and black raspberry flavors, while assertive but refined tannins give structure. Drink after 2019.
A tremendous effort from Spy Valley, this easily eclipses the winery's regular Sauvignon Blanc. Fig, melon and hints of vanilla mark the nose, while the palate amps up the citrus component, providing delineation to the nectarine flavors. It's on the full side of medium-bodied, with a silky, slightly creamy texture and a lingering finish that seamlessly blends citrus and stone fruit.
Aromas of olive, mushroom and berry fruits are lightly herbal. This Cabernet feels scratchy, abrupt and edgy, while herbal raspberry and plum flavors finish solid and with a slight note of pickle.
Aromas of toasted almond, white flower, dried herb and orchard fruit lead the way. It's round and fresh, with flavors evoking mature yellow apple, candied nectarine and a hint of thyme.
From the cru village of Boudes, this wine is now mature with its soft red fruits and juicy acidity creating a fruity refreshing wine. The wine, produced on the edge of France's central mountains comes from vineyards that are just a couple of mountain ranges away from Beaujolais in a direct line to the east.
Light straw in color, this wine has a bright nose of pineapple and grapefruit. It fills the mouth with flavors of grapefruit and pineapple, with a touch of quince. The finish is a tad tart, with a pleasant note of passion fruit.
Though labeled as Merlot, this smells more like Syrah which makes up 20% of the blend, with aromas of blue and purple fruit along with whiffs of smoked meat and dried herb. The fruit flavors are sweet and plump, backed by soft, luxurious tannins. It's enjoyable but doesn't seem varietally correct.
Still a bit fragmented, this offers a core of tight apple and peach fruit. It was barrel fermented (10% new) and that shell of barrel flavors has not yet smoothed into the fruit. Give it brisk aeration or another year in the bottle.
This Monastrell's cherry and cassis aromas show a rough, oaky burn. It's grippy and a touch raw on the palate, with roasted berry and plum flavors that linger into the finish.
Combine masses of American oak with high ripeness and the result is this warm woody wine oozing with vanilla, molasses and cedar. It's full and plush, but lacks complexity and cellaring potential. Drink it now.
This wine's suntan lotion aromas and mild volatility are a bit disconcerting. On the palate, it's full and dark, with abrasive, rubbery tannins and jammy currant and black cherry flavors that finish strong.
Earthy but basic berry and plum flavors introduce this bumpy, rugged Tempranillo. Its tight mouthfeel is governed by rough tannins and tomato-like acidity, its lightly herbal, salty plum and berry flavors finishing choppy, rugged and abrasive.
A relatively light-tasting wine from a sometimes heavy grape variety, this shows a mix of savory and fruit flavors, including cucumber, celery and white pepper. It tastes dry and almost austere, which is appealing in the right pairing, such as with goat cheese on toast.
This brawny, dry wine has oak, tannin and body in big portions, its dark color leading to cut wood aromas, tart black cherry and blackberry flavors and a firm, somewhat drying texture. It needs rich food as a pairing or more time in the bottle to mellow.
Deep black plum aromas are enhanced by soy and crushed graphite on the nose of this bottling. It lands on the palate softly, with tangy plum and turned loam flavors, its tannins sticky and persistent.
On the nose, this aging Chardonnay brings corn to mind. Its palate is neither exciting nor flawed, with melon and stone fruit flavors that are yeasty and short, finishing on a bready and slightly oxidized note. Not a great value for its price.
Baking spice and vanilla aromas are at the fore, followed by blue fruit and barrel spices. The barrel influence (71% new French and American) leads on the palate as well, with abundant vanilla flavors that wash over the fruit. There's some good fruit underneath, if you can get to it.
A touch of earthy peach appears on the nose. The palate repeats that earthy peach theme and adds some lemon freshness. This is aromatic, off dry and should be drunk while flavors are at their peak.
This is a cool Pinot Noir with flavors both of red fruits and the wood aging. It is smooth with red-cherry fruit and gentle tannins and acidity. The wine, from vineyards on the slopes of Puy de Dôme mountains, is ripe and ready to drink.
Densely packed rose, black cherries, sandalwood and a flash of pepper show in this bottling—a new project featuring a risqué label by Peachy Canyon. Pepper, smoke and roasted pork are evident on the dry palate, alongside a hint of lilac.
This is a powerfully structured wine from one of the pioneers of Merlot in Bairrada. It is dark with tannins while also brimming with great black-fruit flavors. Rounded, balancing fruit and acidity, the wine is smooth, rich and now ready to drink.
Alluring toast and spice aromas lead to bright red cherry and raspberry flavors that are well accented by oak flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. The wine has good complexity combined with a firm and appetizing texture due to moderate tannins and acidity.
This wine has a big personality. It's dark in color and oozing with ripe black-cherry flavors that intermingle with a high level of tannin for that lip-smacking tooth-staining effect. So approach with caution, and then enjoy for all its boisterous impact.
Light, fresh and yet slightly rich on the nose, this bottling shows aromas of white flower, Asian pear and lemon-laced crème brûlée. There is strong grip to the sip, with tight lime peel and pith flavors as well as hints of white peach flesh and honeysuckle. Roasted nuts arise on the finish.
Earthy, gamy aromas are intense and suggest meaty berry fruits and animal hide. In the mouth, this mystery red blend feels jammy but soft at its core. Baked black-fruit and chocolate flavors finish with a chewy texture and notes of fudge and cassis. For the price, this is a generous wine that overdelivers; drink through 2019.
The nose of this bottling is both floral and savory, blending roasted beef with lilacs and a creamy boysenberry mousse. The palate is cohesive and pleasant, with dark berries, a touch of roasted game and more purple-flower petals, carried by a persistent acidity.
Light and subtle yet distinct aromas of pineapple meet with crushed white rocks on the nose of this bottling. Pineapple juice flavors also arise on the palate, with is lean and crisp with touches of ripe lemon and pear flesh.
From Glenrose Vineyard, this blend of 31% Mourvèdre, 23% Tannat, 16% Syrah, 16% Counoise and 14% Grenache is very earthy and mineral-driven, with crushed black rocks, asphalt, incense, dark-purple flowers and a touch of blackberry on the nose. It's relatively lightweight on the palate with grippy tannins, showing tart berry and bay leaf flavors.
Fresh purple flowers and pressed boysenberry fruit meet with hints of smoke, herbs and white pepper on the complete-package nose of this bottling. The palate offers a strong sense of pepper, purple flowers and plummy fruits, finishing with a lifting character of juniper and dried mint.
If you're going to try just one Uruguayan Tannat, then let it be Bouza. This friendly, nicely balanced offering opens on forest floor and dusty berry aromas. Toasty, peppery oak lends spice notes to core berry fruit, while the finish is lush and round. Drink through 2020.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 8% Canaiolo and 2% Colorino, this has earthy aromas of truffle, sunbaked soil, leather and a balsamic note. Round and savory, the smooth, polished palate tastes of raspberry jam, ripe black cherry, licorice and a hint of pipe tobacco. Velvety enveloping tannins provide the framework while a dried herb note accents the finish. Enjoy through 2022.
This wine is full of all the right elements, from juicy acidity to black currant fruit and a supporting layer of tannins. It has weight, concentration and delicious spice and berry flavors. Drink from 2020.
This wine is opulent with rich orange marmalade flavors and generous sweetness. Acidity balances it all, lifting the richness and giving it life. Ripe from the first sip, it finishes with apricot and orange notes. Drink from 2020.
From a great sweet wine vintage, this beautifully balanced wine walks easily between ripe, honeyed botrytis flavors and delicious crisp apricot and bitter orange fruit. While it's still young and will age well, it's tempting to drink now for its delicious balance. Best from 2019.
Eucalyptus aromas add to the ripe fruit in this wine to give both structure and fine potential. With its black plum flavors, rich texture and warm character, it's impressive and ready to age. Drink from 2020.
With 30% of the harvest aged in new oak, this is a spicy, toasty wine. That shows through in the firm tannins that back up the rich black fruit. Produced from 30-year-old vines, it has concentration and a fine, solid texture. Drink from 2022.
This late harvest wine shows both intense acidity and intense richness. Honey, perfumed lemon and ripe apple notes come together. Still young, it's going to need time for the acidity to soften, so wait to drink until 2020.
Now mature, this juicy, ripe wine has begun its change into secondary flavors. It's still firm, with layers of spice and acidity, yet has developed a warm, rich density that will stay for several years.
From the smallest of the Saint-Emilion satellite villages, this wine has swathes of black fruit aromas that go well with its firm tannins, dense blackberry flavors and concentration. Ripe Merlot dominates the blend, giving both structure and fruit. Drink from 2021.
This well-balanced, deliciously ripe wine is full of black fruit, dark tannins and crisply textured acidity. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, it's juicy and rich while also poised and stylish. The wood aging shows slightly at the end, along with dry tannins, so it needs to age further. Drink from 2020.
This pale, ruby red-colored wine comes from old vines planted at 900 feet in the hills. Two years wood aging and the natural concentration of the fruit have produced a finely poised wine with cherry flavors and a balanced layer of tannins. It's ready to drink.
This is a concentrated and deliciously lush white wine, highlighted in thick notions of honey, pear and swirls of caramel. Expressive and ripe, it does justice to the warm-vintage and focused winemaking.
This luxurious wine revolves around a velvety texture of pure decadence and full-bodied pleasure. Earthy in clove and mushroom, the fruit dives deep into rich aspects of dark cherry and huckleberry.
Tart and tangy, these recently grafted Riesling vines deliver just-ripe flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, grapefruit and pineapple. It's close to a fruit bomb, but the significant acid underpinning keeps it juicy and gives it extra lift.
With an attractive touch of toastiness on this ripe wine, this is balanced and very ready to drink. In the house style, it is rich with a comparatively high dosage that gives it a soft character. Plenty of acidity and hints of red fruits provide a vibrant contrast. It is ready to drink.
This robust, refined wine, dusted in tiny additions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is impressively crafted, seamless in approach and velvety in texture. Juicy blackberry and black currant, along with softer notions of black cherry, highlight buoyant acidity and a lush, thick finish. This should show best between 2023 and 2028.
Made with Nerello Mascalese grown along the high slopes of Mount Etna, this radiant sparkler boasts aromas of small red berries, Spanish broom, bread crust and crushed stone. The luminous palate delivers strawberry, apple, Mediterranean herb, citrus and mineral alongside bright acidity and an elegant perlage.
This is a smooth creamy blend of Viosinho, Alvarinho and Chardonnay. It is delicately poised, just hinting at vanilla while really emphasizing the crisp, clean and refreshing fruits. Acidity and a final orange zest flavor give it a refreshing aftertaste.
This is an earthy, savory style of Shiraz, with modest berry and plum fruit wrapped into a blanket of firm but silky tannins. Ample length and structure separates this from the rest of the pack.
Some hints of sweetness and a touch of minerality annotate this wine, which bursts with flavors of peaches and tangerines. It's dry enough to pair with most Riesling friendly fare, and in many ways the most accessible and fruit-forward of Trisaetum's eight Rieslings.
Among the four Rieslings designated as off dry, this shows the most sweetness on the palate, with a slightly granular mouthfeel, like crystallized cane sugar. It accents the round fruit flavors of Meyer lemon and satsuma orange, which overflow the midpalate and run into a lingering finish with a touch of orange pekoe tea.
Made from Pinot Noir grown in the Aube village of Les Riceys, this deep-colored rosé is rich with red fruits and as well as a more mature, toasty character. It's spicy, full in the mouth and ripe. The aftertaste continues the full, generous character of the wine.
A handful of Pritchard Hill Petit Verdot adds color and vibrancy to this impressive wine, sinewy in leather, black pepper and robust cigar. Currant and cedar highlights make for a classic profile, with firm, integrated tannin in support. This wine should do well in the cellar, finding its peak between 2021 and 2023.
Despite cool conditions in 2013, this is a ripe, healthy Tempranillo. On the nose, wood grain, sawdust, clove and citrus notes are as prominent as berry aromas. The palate feels tight and racy, with pronounced acidity and strong tannins. Flavors of clove, peppery spice and raw oak sit on top of a bed of berry fruit, while a reprise of oak character drives the finish. Drink through 2025.
Aged for a year in oak, this is a rich, smooth and densely textured wine. Full of black fruits, the wine comes from a vineyard facing north across the Douro river. This impressive Reserva is still developing and should be ready from 2018.
Enhanced with 5% Roussanne, this bottling offers deep blueberry and blackberry fruit on the nose alongside touches of black licorice, oak smoke, sandalwood and caramel. Hints of juniper and pine needle show on the thick palate, giving a bitter complement to the thick and unctuous blueberry and fudge flavors.
An aroma like charcoal and fennel leads to concentrated smoke and black-pepper flavors and a taut, tannic texture before more generous nuances like black cherry and savory lentils kick in. It's a fascinating wine that develops more layers and complexity as it breathes. Best after 2019.
This Bayle-Carreau wine, one of five fifth-generation family estates, is balanced between the dry core of tannins and the ripe black fruit. With acidity and a fine structure, it has great potential. As it develops the wine will show richness as well as concentration. Drink from 2018.
While this Stephané Derenoncourt wine has dry tannins, it also has ripe fruit and blackberry flavors. Concentrated and firm for now, from 18 months in barrel, it will develop well to give a rich wine in the future. Drink from 2019.
While the nose of this ethereal, lithe Riesling is a bit bashful, glorious shades of tangerine, quince and peach await on the palate. High-toned acidity pierces through sweet honey and nectar, darting into a long, minerally finish. It's stunning now, but should develop with integrity for at least another decade.
Still wrapped up tight, as are most of the 2014s from Elk Cove, this offers juicy fruit flavors of pomegranate and raspberry, supported by fresh acidity that promises some years of aging potential. This harmonious, flavorful wine should be drunk from 2018–2030.
This ripe Carignan-Garnacha from a warm year smells of prune, vanilla, cola and violet petals. The palate is open and wide, with raw tannins and a sensation of resiny oak. Flavors of black plum, red and black currants, toast and barrel spice finish toasty, chocolaty and much like coffee, with tannic grab and just enough acidity to keep things lively. Drink through 2024.
This much-admired vineyard brings exotic scents of ripe black-cherry fruit soaked in Asian spices. The wine is compact and powerful, with strong tannins and a light whiff of tar. Drink 2018 through 2026.
Viognier is a particular strength at Penner-Ash, and here, once again, the challenge of balancing the grape's high-wire sensibility is met with ease. Firm and compact initially, it blooms with delicious flavors of lemon pastry, hints of mint, and lemongrass. It's full bodied, poised and steers clear of both bitterness and burn.
A warm site first planted in 1913 in the heart of the appellation, this vineyard also holds Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. This wine is hearty and deceptively elegant, mixing flavors and aromas of rum raisin, leather and clove. Gentle tannins wrap around a finishing brightness of red and black berry.
Pungent citrus notes of kumquat, tangerine, Meyer-lemon pith and grapefruit give depth to accents of apple blossom and toasty seared lemon. This well-constructed wine shows Meyer lemon-rind flavors, a pithy grip and a touch of almond that provides richness to the midpalate.
Elegant and refreshing, this vibrant blend of 90% Pinot Nero and 10% Nerello Mascalese opens with alluring scents of red berry, Mediterranean herb and a whiff of bread crust. The creamy palate delivers fresh strawberry, tart cherry, tangerine and mint alongside tangy acidity and a refined perlage. Energizing mineral closes the finish.
A touch of campfire smoke invites the nose into this bottling from a historic vineyard. It also offers aromas of dark cranberry, black raspberry, chipped slate and roasting meat. The cran-raspberry element explodes on the generous palate, backed by that familiar smoke, which is laced throughout this wine.
Fresh and refined, this has aromas of small red berry, yellow wild flower, tangerine and baking spice. The creamy, quenching palate doles out strawberry, red cherry and orange zest framed in crisp acidity and a lively, elegant perlage.
This limited-release wine is a selection in the cellar from key parcels of this dramatic vineyard. With well-balanced spice and toast from 12 months in wood, it is richly endowed with dark fruits, rich black currants and black-plum flavors. The wine is full-bodied, rich and still packed with youthful fruitiness. Drink from 2019. If you go, hike up to their panoramic Casa Redonda at 1,800 feet.
Matured in 50% new French oak, this wine offers medium concentration and appealing scents of rose petals, apples and cranberries. The tangy fruit is juicy and firm, and nicely balanced for cellaring.
Quite dark and dense, generous and ripe, this Grenache offers a mix of red and black fruits. The flavors continue onto a finish that's rich with kirsch and coffee.
Crisp and glossy, this refreshing, stainless-steel Sauvignon Blanc has the appropriate varietal flavors of fresh herb, sweet grass, lime and grapefruit. The flavors of citrus and herb are in perfect balance and complement each other perfectly.
Chenin Blanc from Cahors makes sweet wines with intense acidity. This rich, concentrated effort has yellow fruit and ample texture, and it needs to age for 2–3 years.
This is a little tight upon opening, showing just touches of flower, herb and earth. Tangy cranberry and black cherry flavors come with an underlying minerality. This is a wine to decant or cellar for a few more years.
Tart and tangy, with cleansing acidity, this is a Pinot Gris ready for fresh shellfish, oysters, and mussels. The lemony fruit is marked by a touch of pineapple, showing good focus, concentration and length.
Using fruit sourced from old vines, this firm, tannic and concentrated wine has a fine balance between the dense texture and bright black-plum and berry flavors. Given its tannic structure, it needs to age, although it would be a great accompaniment to a stew if consumed now.
Using fruit that was sourced from a five-acre parcel of old vines, the black plum fruit coddles the tannins. It shows the structure and ripeness of the vintage.
Ripe plum, dark coffee and spice flavors join the firm tannins in this intense wine. It has a strong structure that needs to soften to allow the juicy black-currant flavor to surface. Give it 4–5 years.
A warm, ripe, apricot-flavored wine, this has a smooth feel, with notes of pear and anise. The acidity adds to the minerality and texture. For drinking now.
This is a first-rate Oregon Pinot Gris made with fruit sourced from the Methven Vineyard. Crisp and steely, it's a mix of cucumber and honeydew melon fruit, with bracing acidity and excellent length.
Dense and concentrated, with a mint flavor from the new wood, this is a wine that combines rich plum and blackberry flavors with firm tannins and juicy acids. Because it is so rich, it is likely to be ready to be drink in the next 2–3 years.
This selection is named after the cherry trees that border the vineyard, and it's not too much of a stretch of the imagination to find a red cherry flavor in the wine. Red berry fruits are there as well, backed up by dry, firm tannins.
At first glance, this is not particularly impressive; it's slightly herbal and rustic, with a raisiny edge to the fruit. But this really improves with air, fleshing out on the midpalate and losing the raisiny notes in favor of plum and savory notes. Give it four or five years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15 or so.
A big, balanced, bombastic Montsant made from one-third each of Mazuelo, Garnacha and Syrah. On the bouquet it's the fruit that endears but mocha and vanilla stick out. The flavor profile sees lemony oak, blackberry, blueberry and minerality. Spicy and long late with size and grip. Drink now through 2015.
The 2008 Cornas from Colombo have turned out very nicely, led by this effort. Scents of cracked pepper, bold blackberries and a hint of coffee presage a big-fruited wine, but one with ample complexity of savory notes. It's full bodied and richly textured, with a long, chewy finish. Drink 2015–2025.
Licorice, schist, wild herbs and spicy berry fruit form an alluring bouquet. The palate is jammy but firm, with mouthfilling tannins and schisty flavors of blackberry that come with a fine herbal streak. Meaty and tannic but balanced and deep; a classy taste of Priorat to drink now through 2018.
Crafted from the vines of the old Jean-Louis Grippat estate, this is a wonderfully complex yet elegant rendition of Saint-Joseph. Smoky notes of cured meat and cracked pepper entwine perfumed, plummy fruit in this full-bodied, creamy-textured wine that should drink well for at least the next 10 years.
Blackberry, raisin, cola, moss and spice aromas form a potpourri of Malbec excellence. This is super deep and dense stuff; it's tight and ripped with tannins and acids. Flavors of licorice, blackberry, dark plum and oak are layered and serious. The first Mai made by Kaiken, and it's ready now through 2016.
A powerful wine, a serious conversation between ripe fruits, spice, a smooth creamy texture and underlying minerality. With its edge of toast, pepper and final acidity, it is a wine for aging. Screwcap.
Composed and not the least bit pushy or punishing on the bouquet, this has gorgeous berry and spice aromas. It feels a bit racy and high in acidity, but that will only serve the wine well in the long run. Plum and boysenberry flavors lead to a racy, high-acid finish. Drink now–2020.
This super bargain reflects the charm of the 2011 vintage in its supple tannins and forward fruit. It's lush and creamy textured, with expressive notes of kirsch, spice and cocoa. Drink now–2017.
This is Les Vins de Vienne's upscale Crozes, and it's very successful in 2009, featuring bold, concentrated blackberry fruit supported by hints of vanilla and toast. It's full bodied and richly textured, with a long, layered finish. Drink now–2020.
This is dark and tarry at first, with aromas of freshly laid asphalt, pepper, fine herbs, burnt toast and roasted berry. This feels racy, healthy and balanced, with a creamy quality to the palate. It tastes natural and correct, with plum, berry, vanilla and spice flavors. On the finish, it's smooth with a strong oak-based vanilla flavor. Drink now through 2012.
Spunky right off the bat, this has floral and fresh fruit aromas that fall squarely into the wild berry category. It feels lively on the palate, with spiked acidity but enough weight and depth to absorb it. This tastes like a mix of plum, blackberry and chocolate, and the finish darkens up with notes of pepper and spice. Drink now–2017.
Though low in alcohol even by David Hill standards, this excellent Pinot Gris does not lack fruit or flavor. Ripe and tasting of pretty pear and orange fruit, it shows evidence of some well-balanced residual sugar. Vivid acidity cuts through to a satisfying finish.
Full bodied and plush in texture, with extremely supple tannins alongside flavors of raspberry, plum and clove. The juicy beam of fresh fruit lingers nicely on the finish. Drink now–2018.
At first taste, this is a difficult wine to evaluate because of its tight, compact and tannic structure. Pomegranate and strawberry fruits slowly emerge from a shell of earthy tannins, suggesting that with a few more years in the bottle this will evolve into a broader, more expressive wine.
Viognier from the Southern Rhône can often be overripe and heavy, but while this offering from Grand Veneur is full bodied and richly textured, it remains reasonably fresh. Apricot, pineapple and passion fruit flavors mingle easily on the palate, finishing clean and long. Drink now.
Substantive, with complexities on the bouquet, this has a lemon-lime aroma that is dry, chiseled and friendly. It feels tangy, citrusy and crisp, with tangerine and lemon as the key flavors. This is fresh and focused from start to finish. The addition of 15% Chardonnay brings it up a notch.
After a leafy, somewhat burnt opening that seems muddled, things fall into place. The palate has a chewy, tannic, staunch feel that frames earthy berry, mocha, brown sugar and stewed plum flavors. It gets better and better as it unfolds, with prune and kirsch notes on the finish.
This is nicely floral on the nose, with black cherry fruit accented by hints of thyme and bay leaf, while the flavors are a harmonious mélange of herb, spice and ripe fruit. It's full bodied and slightly chewy at first, turning more velvety on the finish. Drink now–2017.
Short and sharp, this “Proprietor's Limited Release” is simply a plain, generic style, with a bitter finish.
Warm, earthy and stewed smelling, but then sharp and tangy and acidic in the mouth. Red fruits are dominant, but there's a persistent scour to the wine that doesn't allow it to get to the next level of quality or ripeness.
Quite charred and hard, which is something I can't remember in tasting VM's wines for the past decade. It's also plummy and thick, with a flat palate that doesn't register on the mouthfeel meter. Flavors of black fruits are lemony from the oak and generic, while the finish is round and basic.
Cabernet Franc often shows more stem and herb than either Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, but here there is little else to hang your hat on. Hard, chewy and tannic, it might best be drunk with a grilled steak, so those tough tannins are put to work.
Dense and syrupy like black cherry juice, this semisweet Romanian Pinot Noir is not a wine with much finesse, but if you're looking for a sugary red wine low in tannins and acidity, this is right up your alley.
Rose pink with a perfumed, confected aroma of strawberry jam and Love's Baby Soft perfume, this semisweet late harvest Merlot rosé from Romania is sugary and syrupy.
Odd and unfamiliar, like most wines from Indomita. The nose is off the grid and grainy, while the palate is flat, heavy and tastes of herbal, sweet, vegetal berry fruits. Candied on the finish and unconvincing.
Murky and soupy at worst and “earthy” at best, this soft, beefy Carmenère is loaded down with green, herbal flavors that can't be saved by touches of mocha and coffee. The finish is downright green, and overall the fruit is weak.
A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, this salmon-colored rosé from Lebanon is dominated both on the nose and palate by a green, herbaceous oak character. It's a dry, medium-bodied wine with faint and dusty strawberry and raspberry flavors in the backdrop, but overall, a disjointed, clumsy sip.
Petit Verdot is not an easy grape; here it turns volatile, the grapes pruney, and the finish tannic and short.
There's a vegetal, tinned nature to this late harvest Riesling from Romania that dominates both the nose and the palate. Honeyed apple and pear flavors peek through the off-dry palate, but overall, it's a disjointed, tired wine with bracingly high acidity.
Barrel fermented, 20% of it new French oak, this is a bright lemon yellow, with scents of wood and toast. There's a slim streak of something else in the aromas that seems not quite right, a little fishy smell. The wine does not come together in the mouth; it's a jumble of round stone fruits, cardboard and a slightly rancid finish.
Cherry-berry aromas mix with a hint of vinegar and cleanser to create a sketchy, foreboding bouquet. The wine is a little blocky in the mouth, with both weedy-herbal and plum-berry flavors. Finishes with tolerable but noticeable bitterness and burn.
Though pleasant aromatically with lots of freshly cut grass and gooseberry notes, this full-bodied, dry Bulgarian Sauvignon Blanc has a dense, clunky mouthfeel and a bracingly high acidity. There's some decent lemon and grapefruit flavors, but plenty of tinned green asparagus as well.
Cherry and raspberry aromas lead the charge, but as it airs out it becomes more raisiny and jammy smelling. The flavors are solid but distant, with simple red fruit, oak and barrel notes setting the pace. Highly drinkable and easygoing but not complex or elevated.
This blend of Vermentino (45%), Grenache Blanc (40%) and Roussanne (15%) is aged in a combination of oak and stainless steel, resulting in a round, mouthfilling wine that nevertheless remains crisp and easy to drink. Hints of smoke and marshmallow serve to accent the ripe melon, pineapple and honey flavors. Drink now.
Ripe melon and subtle white flowers meld with fresh apple and pear on the nose and palate of this lovely Malvasia from Ivica Matoevi´c. Quite voluptuous in style with a silky, slightly oily mouthfeel, the palate is bright with sweet stone fruit and a pleasantly bitter almond note that lingers on the finish.
A touch murky and leafy at first, with vanilla and red fruit aromas. Runs crisp and tangy, with length, a lean structure and snappy pie cherry, red plum and vanilla flavors. Fresh and tight on the finish, with leftover juiciness. A good wine for tapas and basic salty foods.
Fresh, spicy cherry aromas are nice and clean. The palate is racy and staunch, with good acidity and tasty plum and berry flavors. Solid and medium-long on the finish, with a touch of minty herb flavor. Juicy and moderately oaky for a $10 value wine.
This blend of Bordeaux varieties (39% Cab Sauv, 37% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Cab Franc and 4% Malbec) opens with a nice purity of fruit, mainly plum and cassis and shows a deftness of blending. There's a touch of green pepper at the finish.
Perfectly dry, yet bursting with pure, ripe red fruit, Sauska's rosé would be a refreshingly easy apéritif to be enjoyed anytime of the year. Made with a hefty dose of Blaufränkisch, it's clean and fresh on the palate with pretty wildflower notes and zippy sour cherry acidity.
Calina usually makes a nice value Chardonnay, and this vintage is no different. The wine has a chunky dry-peach opening, which is backed by a round, smooth palate and flavors of sweet pear, baked apple and roasted corn. Honey and orange notes make cameo appearances. Good for the price.
Green, mildly vegetal and lightly tropical, with a tangy, acid-driven palate and citrusy, sharp flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and orange. Quick on the finish but sizzling, with an abundance of mouth-washing acidity. Very food friendly even toward the end of its prescribed lifespan.
The bouquet of cherry and raspberry is sprightly and mildly leafy, with hints of leather and dried cheese. The palate is whispy, with red-fruit flavors of raspberry and plum along with mild herbal notes, cocoa powder and dry spice. A basic, lighter-bodied Rioja with a traditional tilt.
A purplish Cab with smatterings of Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Merlot that starts out quite tannic, mellowing into a nicely balanced dinner-table wine, with hints of cranberry and black currant and subtle oak. A great deal for a well-made Cab that should get even better with another 2–3 years in bottle.
For a Syrah, this is soft, offering more of the smooth tannins than any bigger structure. It does have weight, with a dusty character and some juicy sweet plums and raisins, leavened by acidity.
The typical burly character of Trincadeira is evident here. It is smoothed by wood aging and given extra richness with the powerful berry fruits and dark tannins. An attractive, early drinking, juicy wine.
Aromas of pineapple, grapefruit, juniper berry and dust are slightly sharp but do manage to fold together into a solid whole. The palate is correct, with green-leaning, semiherbal flavors of melon, papaya and mango. A good to above-average Albariño that should be drunk right away.
This feels light and rather dilute. It has varietal pepper and some spice, but the main effect is one of acidity, crispness and freshness. The lychee tropical fruit element is underplayed in favor of crispness. It should certainly work with food.
Full bodied, lush and slightly liquorous in style, the 2008 Footbolt is also packed with peppery, slightly herbal blackberry fruit. There's also a hint of menthol. Drink it over the next 12 months.
Big, fat Pinot Gris, with the typical spice and ripe fruit. The wine is full and round, attractively filled with peach fruits and a hint of fine acidity. Screw cap.
A firmly tannic wine, its dry core surrounded by dark plum skin and damson flavors. It has weight, a potential for richness that will develop over the next 2–3 years. Solid and chunky aftertaste.
Montes' first Alpha Malbec is serious and healthy, with rubbery, leathery berry aromas and crusty, dark oak scents. This is full and fairly oaky on the tongue, with herbal black-fruit flavors, raw wood notes, espresso-like bitterness and heat on the finish.
Despite showing an herbal nose that includes tomato leaf, carob and creamy oak, this solid, chunky Cab comes around on the palate, where black fruit, pepper and mild herbal flavors set up a warm, toasty, satisfying finish. This comes across as Chilean Cabernet in every way.
This Maipo Malbec is a bit pinched and gritty up front, with leather, rubber and raspberry aromas in the backdrop. A full, chunky palate offers mildly herbal, baked berry flavors in front of a spicy, minty, mildly hot finish. This is nice for Chilean Malbec but a little aggressive.
The Sandgrube vineyard is one of the larger vineyards in the Krems area, well exposed to the Danube river. This Grüner is soft, finely formed, with a youthful texture that gives a mineral tang. Keep this wine for a year. Screwcap.
In 2011, the fifth vintage of this Riesling, the alcohol is down a bit, as is the price. It remains quintessentially fruity, done in a tangy/tart sweet and sour style. Juicy apple, kiwi, peach and pear flavors fill the mouth in a most satisfying style, perfect for front porch sipping.
Opening aromas of cured meats and rubber blend with berry scents and plenty of herbal essence. This is medium in body, with scratchy tannins and roasted, hickory influenced flavors of blackberry and cassis. A fairly oaky but moderate finish is mild and tasty.
Once past a surprisingly minty open, this stiff and earthy Malbec tightens up into a Bordeaux-like cocoon. It's an austere wine, that slowly reveals dark cassis fruit, dried herbs, and a finishing whiff of coconut. Give it plenty of breathing time, or decant.
An almost neutral nose offers mild green herb and citrus aromas but little more. The palate is zesty, tangy and fresh, while a narrow set of lemon-lime, grapefruit and lime flavors ends with focused crispness. For something tight and refreshing, this is it.
The nose on this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère is herbal and a touch mulchy, with berry, coffee and olive aromas. The palate feels thick and on the cusp of syrupy, with baked, creamy black-fruit flavors that bring carob, chocolate and herbs accents to a modest finish. This is ripe in feel but still smells and tastes a bit herbal.
This broad, muscular blend is sourced from seven vineyards and aged for 18 months in French oak. It's relatively open and fruity, with berries, earth and spice all in proportion through a gentle fade.
This concentrated, ripe, dark wine carries aromas of lead pencil, shoe polish, creamy oak, coconut and blackberry. It's loud and oaky on the palate, with modern flavors of black fruits, chocolate and coconut. This finishes mildly bitter, toasty and almost fat, but with healthy acidity.
Light flavors of butterscotch and toast are wrapped into a broad, palate-coating wine with ripe yellow fruits. It's fresh and lively, and drinking especially well in its youth.
With aromas of wet clay, cinnamon, dry spice, vanilla and earthy berry, this Cab Franc-led blend delivers a chewy, oaked-up palate with powerful flavors of mint, chocolate, baking spices and berry fruits. It's a bit hard and tannic, but it's a generous wine with tons of flavor.
This is bright and citrusy on the nose and palate with a distinctly chalky minerality and delicate, almost lacy, mouthfeel. It's lean and focused with fresh lemon acidity and zest notes  that extend on the finish.
This SB is more plump and tropical than you might expect for Leyda, but it's still honest, grassy and quite good as a whole. Basic coastal aromas of grass and citrus give way to a round palate with honeyed citrus flavors and length. A focused, comfortable finish is perfectly good; drink right away.
This is a very fairly priced Cabernet given its quality. It's made from 100% Cab and all estate grown in the high elevations of Fair Play in El Dorado County. Oaky and smoky, it whispers of mountain fruit, with herb, cassis and blackberry highlights amid a background of savory earth. Age 3–5 years.
This rich, smooth wine is driven by its ripe fruitiness. It is warm and rounded, combining black and red fruit with a harmonizing shot of licorice. Give it a few months, but it is nearly ready to drink.
A gorgeous Mendocino County example of Sangiovese, this is fine in its tight baseline of acidity and core flavor of dark dried cherry. Pair this juicy and easy-to-drink selection with pizza, pasta, a burger or cured meats.
Stark and sharp at first, this blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and ­Grenache Blanc is sophisticated, with notes of pear and stone fruit—such as apricot and white plum—that are accentuated by a figgy finish. With plenty of meat on its bones and a lush mouthfeel, it'll stand up to thick sauces and the richness of lobster and crab.
Huge weight and alcohol show strongly in this powerful wine. Its flavors, almost jammy in their ripeness, include sweet plum and damson. It needs to age for at least four years.
Aromas of sunny citrus and apricot entice on this deliciously fruity Muskat Ottonel. Semidry in style, the palate is generously sweetened with the juice of fresh yellow cherry and peach. With so much zippy acidity, it finishes nearly dry.
This finely structured wine from the Quinta dos Murcas estate has ripe flavors of spice and red berry. Its warm feel is shot through with acidity for the perfect amount of tension. You can drink this now, but it would benefit from another year of aging.
Consulting winemaker Tony Rynders was at Oregon's Domaine Serene for many years. This is forward and fruity, with a chocolaty base and a hint of alcoholic heat. Drink this one while it's young.
Smooth and supple, with loads of juicy, ripe blackberry and plum flavors, this full-bodied, luscious red is another great bang-for-your-buck Georgian offering. Big, bold tannins persist on the palate that's laced with tasty, lingering notes of coffee and dark chocolate. Perfect with winter braises and stews.
A hefty dose of Muscat makes this Tokaji blend particularly flamboyant on the nose, with loads of sweet, waxy honeycomb and yellow flower aromas. It's a shade off-dry, but steely acidity and a tart tangerine flavor cut through the sweetness, leaving only a touch of honey on the finish.
This toasty, spicy selection is dominated by strong new-wood flavors. It has a rich character, with pear and peach flavors and gentle acidity. There is a crisp finish to this ripe wine.
This light and easy Roussanne-dominant blend (with 10% Grenache Blanc and 5% Viognier) beams with bright notes of clementine, pineapple, guava and a touch of melon rind on the nose and palate. It's medium weight, with a direct but tasty palate and a medium-length finish. Drink now.
In a strong lineup of beautifully balanced Pinots, this cuvée shows just a touch more stem and leaf, and keeps the fruit on the tart end of the berry and cherry spectrum. The tannins remain a bit stiff and unyielding, but overall the punch and weight suggest that this is a wine bound for further development and improvement in bottle. Drink 2018–2025.
Concentrated, delicious fruit flavors and subtle spiciness make a great combination in this harmonious and full-bodied wine. There is no obvious oak character, but it tastes like a gently barrel-fermented wine that developed hints of cream, nutmeg and honey along with a river of ripe pear and peach.
The winery's annual 100% new French-oak bottling, this is rich and smoky, with heavily clove-laced blackberry and blueberry juice, dark strawberry, nutmeg and gingerbread spice on the nose. Similar flavors show on the palate, from mace to dried ginger. A bright red-cherry and cranberry character lifts the sip, as does the juniper and forest-floor finish.
Vines aged 35 years and more go into this wine. It has great power and concentration while also having beautiful ripe fruit. Big-hearted berry flavors are balanced by some serious tannins that promise medium-term aging. Drink this wine soon from 2017 or even better wait until 2018.
Fresh, enticing fruit aromas and a smooth yet firm texture make this full-bodied wine hard to resist. Toasted oak, ripe berries and cherries gush from the glass, and light tannins add grip to the generous mouthfeel.
Made with only 30% whole-cluster, this bottling by Bradley Brown allows lusher red-cherry fruit to show on the nose, alongside slate, mint and sandalwood notes. Those same red-cherry elements meet with cranberry on the palate, growing more complex as layers of graphite, bay leaf, pine needle and turned forest floor arise.
Cinnamon and spearmint elements give depth to the pinpoint, laser-sharp fruit notes of cherry blossom and strawberry on this bottling. Strong herbal flavors of thyme and marjoram and spices of green cardamom of peppercorn hit the palate right away, seasoning cranberry and pomegranate fruit, and finishing on a slate minerality.
This top wine from Lamartine is a fine, solid expression of the firm nature of young Malbec. It has dark, dense black fruits layered behind the dry, tight tannins. With this concentration, this is a wine that needs to age. Leave until 2020.
A selection from parcels of vines in the La Rochelle section of Moulin à Vent, this wine comes from one of top recent vintages in Beaujolais. It is rich and packed with mature fruit. There are acidity, integrated tannins and secondary flavors of juicy acidity and smokiness. It is ready to drink. Owner Jean-Jacqus Parinet left the IT world for wine and bought Château Moulin-à-Vent in 2009 and Bief in 2012.
From a section of the rocky vineyard planted to the Martini clone, a thick-skinned grape, Deer Camp is full bodied, densely concentrated and marked by a streak of spiciness throughout. It's perfumed with roses and forest floor, while it presents a texture that is seductively velvety and smooth.
Distinct aromas of sour plum and dried pomegranate meet with damp tobacco, forest floor, green olive and Greek spice on the nose of this clonal study. It's herbal on the palate, with oregano, marjoram and green cardamom notes, alongside cranberry and red cherry fruit in the midpalate. Altogether, it's a light, bright and highly seasoned wine.
This small-production Rioja (under 200 cases) is focused, minerally and lightly charred up front, with blackberry, cassis and vanilla aromas. A flush, bright not-too-heavy palate offers lively black cherry and blackberry flavors accented by creamy vanilla and char. A medium-long, elegant finish with healthy acidity indicates that this will age nicely through about 2023.
A beautifully perfumed wine that comes from vines planted in the 1980s. Touches of the wood aging are apparent, along with the black plum and berry fruits. It's a dense while also elegant wine with acidity and fresh fruitiness alongside the complex structure. Drink this wine from 2019.
This wine is rather developed, showing leather, earth and tobacco on the nose. Savory and meaty rather than fruity, it is full-bodied and pleasantly supple. Drink now–2020.
An inviting mix of rose and nutmeg evolves into tightly woven layers of raspberry and blueberry, with the wine deftly showing its youth and fine-vintage pedigree. Powerful on the palate, it has weight and length, followed by softly lingering allspice.
Made with 60% Syrah from Monterey and 40% Cab from Santa Cruz, this blend shows blueberry, black plum and smoked beef on the nose, as well as touches of black pepper and lilac. The palate is plush and soft, with purple fruits enhanced by licorice, espresso, bitter cocoa and beef char notes, all laced with fresh acidity.
A fabulous, relatively affordable way to break into this cult winery, this blend of 30% Syrah, 26% Carignane, 22% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon offers teriyaki, char, fresh fennel, scarlet-red roses, anise, pencil lead and black raspberry on the nose. The sip is lively and action-packed with energetic peppercorn and lavender as well as richer tar, soy, blueberry and blackberry elements.
This is a lovely, elegant wine from the cool appellation within the larger Russian River Valley. Clear and light, it's stemmy and earthy, unraveling spools of cinnamon-clove, rose petals and forested oak around a soft, silky texture and highlights of strawberry-rhubarb.
This is an amazing wine at this price point, fun and easily enjoyable in its mix of soft, velvety red fruit and firm grip of tannin, backed by plenty of acidity. Stock up for larger gatherings and for midweek meals.
An elegant wine with sculpted berry fruit flavors, this is compact and persistent. A touch of citrus accompanies generous allspice and baking-spice highlights. The lengthy finish brings hints of sandalwood and caramel.
A huge Graciano is what this is. Hailing from Toledo, this 16% abv heavyweight is seriously fruity and massive on the nose, with a mash-up of blackberry, boysenberry and peppery aromas. Layered blackberry, cassis and blackened toast flavors finish much the same, with juicy, edgy acidity. Drink through 2021.
Six months in a mix of French and Portuguese oak has given this wine a rich, smooth character. Produced from a field blend of more than 40 different varieties, the wine is stylishly structured and ripe with blackberry fruits. It is still young and although it is drinkable now, it will be better from 2017.
Red berry, cooking spice, tilled soil, new leather and violet are some of the aromas you'll find on this vibrant red. The polished palate offers tart red cherry, strawberry fresh herb and espresso alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
This is an impressively dark, rich wine made from biodynamically grown grapes to give pure perfumed fruitiness over dense, dusty tannins. The wine has a mineral texture to balance the black currant fruits and generous ripeness. It does need to age: give it until 2018.
Lighter in color, this is a great take on the fresh, vibrant and zesty style. It offers a wondrous array of tart yet ripe cranberry, pomegranate and alpine strawberry fruit, as well as touches of white pepper and flint. The palate packs peppery zest and raspberry fruit on a lithe but flavor-packed body, finish with menthol and eucalyptus-leaf elements.
Cranberry, baked plum, black pepper and cigar play against secondary characteristics of black licorice in this well-crafted, balanced wine. Thick, yet structured, it juggles a layering of minerality against a richness of fruit, each complementing the other.
Warm caramel-laden notes of French toast and baking bread mix with black-cherry paste and shaved vanilla on the nose of this bottling. It's rich and full on the palate, with loads of black currant and plum fruit, a touch of teriyaki and a delicious chocolate-chip-cookie quality. The medium tannins are approachable, making this easy to drink right now.
From both hillside sites and valley floor, this entry-level wine is impressively made and ready to be enjoyed. A mix of rose petals and raspberry preserves surround a good grip of tannin and savory tease of clove, before a lengthy finish adds to the experience. It's made with 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
The Nuages cuvée delicately includes lightly peppery herbal notes in the fruit-filled wine that leans toward blueberries and cherries. There is a streak of brown sugar, and the overall balance is exacting. Despite the relative youth, nothing seems awkward or out of place. Drink now through 2022.
Dense, dusty, structured, tannic, dry wine, that promises aging potential. It is definitely young, dark with plum skin fruits, power and richness, that go along with excellent acidity.
Red Mountain fruit from three different sites is used to create this delicious Syrah, laced with powerful flavors of coffee liqueur and chocolate. Cofermented with a dash of Viognier, it's satiny and citrusy, speckled with pepper, and maintains an elegant precision for a wine that offers such richness.
All this Cab blend needs is time in the glass and it'll show floral, alluring aromas and then big raspberry and plum flavors. It starts quietly and then pounds through with saturated fruit, chocolate and firm tannins.
A big, rich Pinot, but one that for all its weight and intensity doesn't lack for elegance. Black cherry fruit and spice notes coat the mouth, lingering on the finish. Drink it now and over the next several years. Imported by Epic Wines.
This is a rich, rounded wine with pure red berry aromas. The initially soft tannins has a dryness that creeps up as the fruit increases in its richness. Layers of wood spice support the fruit rather than dominating.
The fruit is perfectly ripe and succulent, a juicy mix of berries and black cherries. It's set against firm but ripe and polished tannins, which provide muscle and add some spice as well. The oak contributes just the right level of toast, not too heavy. The exceptional, sweet and tasty fruit takes the center stage, while the pretty oak flavors do the final curtain call.
Structured, complex wine that is only just beginning to hint at considerable depth of powerful, rich flavors. The structure is dry, a little lean, but with dense tannins. The fruit, rich plums and stone fruits is just coming through. Age for 10 years.
Rich, succulent and exotic, this Syrah captures the appealing spice and leather notes that are capable of accenting any good red wine. Alongside there's immense black fruit flavors and an underbelly of oaky coffee and mocha. A  touch narrow and short on the finish.
Among all eight of the winery's current Rieslings, this was the least accessible upon opening. With ample breathing time it began to show more aromatics, with flavors of orange and pear in a nicely concentrated, well-balanced package. This is the one to decant!
Red berry, baking spice and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The taut palate doles out succulent black cherry, raspberry, licorice and a mint note alongside firm but polished tannins. Give this time to open up and unwind. Drink 2017–2024.
Mint, menthol, leather and wild berry aromas unfold in the glass, accompanied by a whiff of forest floor. The elegantly structured palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, white pepper and graphite alongside assertive but refined tannins and nervous acidity. Give this time to unwind and come together. Drink 2017–2030.
Brewer Cris Carter, who works at Golden Road Brewery in Los Angeles, also makes stunning wines, in this case from John Sebastian Vineyard, showing a lush cherry-vanilla nose that's tightened with iron, iodine and earth. It's soft on the palate, with violet and rose petal florals and plum-skin tartness in the midpalate.
A lightly charred, foresty nose includes aromas of blackberry, cassis, hard spices, licorice and leather. This is lively but balanced in terms of feel, with richness and raciness playing off each other. Flavors of baked black fruits, peppery spice and licorice finish dark, long and bright, with juicy acidity that will keep this healthy for years to come. Drink through 2024.
Rich, ripe bramble and berry notes penetrate deeply in this silky, supple Pinot Noir. It's intensely concentrated, but brightened by a shimmering streak of acidity and fresh herbal tones. A complex, impeccably balanced wine, it finishes long with a kiss of delicate tannins.
This top-tier vineyard delivers gorgeous flavors. Big, juicy, rich and round, it piles on the fruit flavors—apples, pears, white peaches and lemons. All are balanced against each other and the supporting, natural acidity, finished with a frame of new-oak toast. Drink 2016 to 2028.
This classic Barolo opens with aromas of ripe dark berry, forest floor and a balsamic note. On the palate, clove, pepper and licorice back up a core of crushed black cherry and raspberry. It's young but already remarkably well balanced, with tightly knit, refined tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2019–2029.
Aromas of black cherry, espresso bean and white chocolate tease the palate in this Moroccan blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Syrah. Brightness reigns despite powerful tannins, and flavors of black cherry, rhubarb, jalapeño, coriander seed, vanilla and citrus zest are a pleasure on the tongue.
A steely edge sharpens this perfumed, blossomy Riesling full of ripe white peach and apricot flavors. Dry in style, it's rich and weighty on the palate with a penetrating, powerful finish. Drinks beautifully now, but likely to improve through at least 2021.
Made from an old vineyard with schist soil, this fine wine is rich and full. It has style though, the tannins of the Baga restraining the texture and giving a fresh lift at the end. The dusty tannins and the perfumed acidity both speak to aging. Drink from 2018.
An elegant wine, this is a blend of vines from both the cool and the warm side of the vineyard. It is soft with ripe mango as well as sliced apple freshness. The texture is already well integrated, both tight and mineral on one side and rich on the other. Drink from 2018.
This block-designation wine from the tip of the appellation shows an extremely spicy nose of incense and concentrated hibiscus. It proves rather light on the palate, yet bounces with the flavors of rose petals and violets, emerging into black pepper, clove and cinnamon. It's lean yet bountiful with intrigue.
Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, game, woodland berry and a balsamic note lead the nose. The youthful, tightly wound palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, chopped herb, clove and tobacco alongside firm, noble tannins and bright acidity. Oliver McCrum Wines and Petit Pois.
Dried rose petal, underbrush, leather, and a balsamic note are just some of the scents you'll find on this firm, well-structured red. On the palate, licorice, clove and crushed herb accent the core of crushed black cherry while velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework. Drink 2018–2028.
This boasts alluring aromas of pressed rose, perfumed berry, baking spice and a balsamic note. The elegantly structured palate is still young but already expresses bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, menthol and chopped herb. Firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework.
This is full bodied yet firmly structured, built to enjoy now or age through at least 2025. Ample cedary oak notes frame blueberry fruit and peppery spice. This is tight but still enjoyable, ending in a lengthy crescendo of dusty tannins.
A combination of char, licorice, blackberry and cassis aromas is about as complete and pleasing as it gets for Malbec. This doesn't lose it in the mouth, where things are firm and true, with solid tannins. Charred flavors carry onto the flavor profile along with blackberry and hickory smoke, while the finish is toasty, chocolaty and spicy. Drink through 2021.
Underbrush, mint, rosemary and wild berry aromas lead the nose and follow through to the elegantly structured palate, along with accents of white pepper and orange zest. It's young and beautifully balanced thanks to firm acidity and assertive but fine-grained tannins. A mineral note closes the lingering finish. Drink 2016–2030.
This wine is aromatically arresting, with notes of honeycomb, candle wax, corn husk, chamomile, almond and stone fruit. The palate has an outrageously textured, detailed, layered feel leading to an extended finish that displays both elegance and richness.
This stunning white opens with aromas that recall white wild flower, orchard fruit and heady scents of eucalyptus and dried herb. The rich palate delivers white peach, ripe pear, wild rosemary, thyme, flinty mineral and ginger. Fresh acidity frames the juicy fruit flavors while an almond note backs up the finish.
Dark berry, rose petal, tilled soil, aromatic herb, leather and a whiff of game are just some of the aromas you'll find on this intense, full-bodied wine. The palate is still tight, showing wild cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, baking spice and tobacco alongside firm tannins that need time to unwind. It already has depth but will develop even more complexity over the next decade and more. Drink 2018–2027.
Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.
Cowaramup is a Margaret River subregion. A herbal note adds interest to the aromas, and some lifted red fruit sets this wine apart from Cherubino's other 2010 Cabernets. Otherwise, it's pretty similar in its lavish oaking and meaty, savory flavors, but with a bright, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2020.
This is a full-bodied, dense wine. A hint of austerity in the mineral texture gives the wine a steely core. Around this center, ripe fruit fills out the wine and gives apricots and generous fruitiness as well as a crisp, perfumed aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Berry aromas are matched by toasty charred notes on this blend of Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell. The palate is generous, with a touch of stickiness. Roasted, woody flavors of baked black fruits finish with a medicinal twinge and modest heat.
This is a wine with strong earthy aromas. Its structure is dense and hard at this young stage, but there is enough weight of barnyard and black plum flavors to balance the dry tannins. While it feels rustic, it will certainly develop and soften out. Drink from 2016.
Bical is the native grape of Bairrada and this wood-aged version has some of the steely, tight character that is typical of the variety. It also has a good toasty flavor, touches of ripe apple and spice. Drink now, although the wine can age.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Merlot opens with a fruity fragrance of plum, black currants and prune accented with toasted notes. The one dimensional palate delivers juicy black cherry and blueberry mingled with hints of black pepper and cinnamon. Soft and round, this should be enjoyed soon.
Both crisp and creamy, it's packed with lively citrus and clementine flavors. The wine is light in texture, just tangy and full of acidity at the end. Bring on the shellfish.
Lemongrass and herb notes lend a zesty herbaceousness to this medium-bodied Silvaner. It's dry on the palate, with tart but concentrated white peach and grapefruit flavors accented by a dusty, smoky minerality.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia and Merlot, it has aromas of underbrush and tobacco leaf alongside notes of espresso and spice. The linear palate offers black cherry accented by notes of nutmeg and black pepper, with firm but rather fleeting tannins.
This straightforward wine opens with aromas that recall underbrush, white mushroom, dark berries and blue flower. The one-dimensional palate is a bit shy on freshness but offers ripe black cherry with hints of white pepper and espresso alongside tightly-knit tannins.
The 2011 vintage was a challenging one, and a reserve wine with alcohol this low is a bit of a stretch. Light, clean raspberry fruit is on display, with sharp acidity and no noticeable new oak influence.
Savory spice and smoke tones accent fresh lemon, grapefruit and quince notes on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Easy drinking and widely appealing, it's nicely concentrated on the palate with a brisk, blossomy finish.
Leathery berry aromas are full but young and rudimentary. This feels jumpy and acidic, but that also provides definition and balance to an otherwise ripe young wine. Flavors of black fruits and citric tang play off each other, while the finish deals grippy tannins and black-fruit flavors.
A ripe, smooth wine that is lightly textured and rich. It has a crisp line of acidity to cut through the spice, the orange and the apple fruitiness. There is no hint of the high alcohol on this fragrant, fruity wine. Drink now.
Rich on the nose, this juicy, ripe Cabernet unfurls with layers of black currant, blackberry and vanilla that are soft and structured. The finish offers tar and leather amid more vanilla, ending in balance and finesse. Stock up for dinner parties.
A refined blend of 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Petit Verdot and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller percentages of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, The Spur is a good representation of Livermore's best reds, with a concentrated core of black cherry, blackberry and herb.
Meaty aromas lead on the nose of this hearty wine supported by notes of black cherry, raspberry and espresso. These carry over to the palate along with toasted coffee bean, vanilla and black pepper. It's a tad shy on freshness and still tightly wound with bracing tannins that leave a drying finish.
This is pale blush colored, with aromas of rose petal, jasmine blossom and fresh picked strawberry that continue seamlessly onto the palate. It's got a great strawberry zing on the finish, with bright, balanced acidity.
The Holstein designate offers pretty flavors of cherry and brambly berry, along with the Dr. Pepper character often found in Oregon. It's drinking well, though lacking the concentration that you would anticipate from the vintage and AVA.
Light, tropical aromas are mellow and reflect the 15% Riesling that helps out the wine's core of Torrontés. A tangy mouthfeel is citrusy and fresh, while flavors of lime, lychee and tangerine finish lively, clean and not bitter.
B.R. Cohn's more widely made Cab, this wine is sourced from multiple vineyards in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties. Exhibiting currant, cranberry and mint on the nose and palate, it's restrained in texture, quite linear, with a quick, robust finish.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this starts with aromas of red berry, blue flower and spice. The juicy palate serves up black cherry and cinnamon-spice along with notes of espresso. It's soft and one-dimensional but delicious none the less.
Aromas of underbrush, espresso, vanilla and plum cake set the stage. The palate offers black cherry, exotic Asian spice, licorice and sugared vanilla alongside bitter wood tannins. Veritas Imports, Tanaro River Imports, Crown.
Brooding aromas of dill, purple fruit, vanilla and wood spice are followed by full dark cherry flavors backed by a wall of firm yet still accessible tannins.
Hints of nut and fresh-baked brioche lend savory nuance to bright apple flavors in this Pinot Blanc sparkling. Thick, almost chewy foam fills the palate but brisk citrus acidity on the midpalate balances things out nicely.
Whiffs of lavender and violet lend a perfumed, floral edge to this stylishly composed wine. Full bodied and supple on the palate, it's moderately concentrated with crisp blackberry and cherry flavors. Penetrating but fine-grained tannins bristle on the finish.
This is a plump, medium-bodied rosé, one that ably marries strawberry fruit with hints of cracked pepper and cinnamon. Drink now.
The Sichel family delivers a ripe, tropical-fruit flavored wine that is full bodied while also balanced. It has weight, with its apricot and mango flavors right up-front. The aftertaste continues the rich theme, a medley and yellow fruits with enough acidity to balance.
This opens with aromas suggesting toast, menthol, steeped cherry and a whiff of iris. The palate is rather shy, showing oak, licorice and clove but not much fruit richness. Bracing tannins clench the finish. Give the tannins a few years to unwind then drink up.
The lively spice notes on the nose of this zippy, easy and fresh Grüner fully do justice to the variety's nickname 'Pfefferl', meaning little peppery one. The palate is light and brimming with citrus-scented crispness. Drink soon—preferably on a languorous hot afternoon.
Exceptionally sheer and crisp, Wölffer's standard-label rosé offers plenty of crisp-tart sour-cherry flavor along with herb and bramble notes. Made predominantly from Merlot and Chardonnay, it gains extra oomph from a supporting cast of four other red and white grape varieties.
A red-mauve in color, this bottling shows pomegranate, watermelon, strawberry paste and brioche on the nose. It's a rich style of rosé, with strawberry, cherry and red-plum fruit lifted by clove spice and a strong acidity.
Tender, fresh notes of arugula, green pear and grapefruit on the nose acquire a creamier, softer aspect on the fresh, slender but very pliable and fruity body. Easy to drink and easy to like.
Ripe berry, blue flower, fresh rose and aromatic herb aromas come together in the glass along with a whiff of pipe tobacco. The palate offers juicy dark berry, chopped mint and star anise alongside assertive tannins and modest acidity. Give the tannins a few years to unwind then drink.
Fruity and immediately accessible, this is a crisp and delicious wine. It is lively with citrus acidity and bright with a tangy texture. The wine finishes with a salty, mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
This bold but easy-drinking wine offers a good combo of lightly spiced oak notes along with fairly generous blackberry and raspberry flavors. The texture is smooth but with a good tinge of tannin.
Grenache makes up 70% of this wine with the rest equal parts Mourvèdre and Syrah. The aromas of raspberry and spice are brooding while the raspberry, cranberry and floral flavors are tart and lithe, with a finish that lingers.
This smooth, velvety and succulent blend offers a density of milk chocolate, brown sugar and ripe red fruit. Sure to appeal to a broad range of palates that likes a fruit-forward, approachable wine, it finishes powerfully.
Savory bramble and crushed-mineral tones lend complexity to ripe flavors of blueberry and plum on the palate of this wine. Medium bodied in style, it's balanced by a streak of cranberry acidity on the midpalate and rigid, fine-grained tannins.
This wine is all varietal coming from Canyon Vineyard Ranch and Blackrock vineyards. Aromas of herbs, vanilla, dill and coffee are followed by full-feeling chocolate and cherry flavors. Vanilla and coffee notes linger on the finish.
Toasted hazelnut, espresso and eucalyptus aromas lead the nose. The bracing palate is tight and rather closed, but eventually reveals licorice, tart cherry and orange peel alongside grainy tannins. An anisette note closes the warm finish.
This opens with aromas of toast, sage, hazelnut and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate offers sour cherry, strawberry jelly, anise and orange peel alongside assertive tannins that leave a dusty finish.
This wine is principally Cabernet Franc along with dollops of Malbec and Petit Verdot. A pretty pale salmon color, it offers very primary aromas of strawberry, green pepper and spice. The palate drinks dry with lovely fruit flavors and acid that brings tension and keeps the interest high.
Pervasive notes of red apple and red pear that are both intense and restrained rise from the glass. They persist freshly and beautifully on a fluid, rounded body that is given much direction and shape by taut, bright acidity. There is a beautiful balance and great concentration with a warm, alcoholic finish.
Although the oak levels in some T-L cuvées have moderated, the nose of this wine remains distinctive for its lavish vanilla and cedar scents. That sexy oak is backed by black cherry and plum fruit and a full-bodied, creamy texture that turns just a bit astringent on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Ebulliently fragrant, this semi-dry Riesling bursts of white flower and melon aromas spiked by hints of spice and incense. The palate is brisk and light bodied, marked by bright white-grapefruit flavor and a clean, lemony edge.
Light aromas of clove, spice and herb are followed by plump plum and herb flavors that bring freshness, with grainy tannins providing support. It brings a lot of easy-drinking appeal.
Aromas of cassis and brandied cherry are rich and full but not overly complex. Flush and ripe on the palate, with tough tannins, this tastes of baked berry fruits. After that, a slight raisiny note blends with latent cassis on a ripe finish.
This is a well-made, typical Rioja Crianza. Aromas of saucy cherry and cassis come with a mild horsey element. A solid mouthfeel with firm tannins supports earthy, savory plum, berry and spice flavors. A drying finish runs long and grabby.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon take the lead on this blend, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Aromas of toast, vanilla and red and black fruit are followed by generous fruit and barrel flavors.
This wine is a unique blend of Syrah, Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre. It seems locked up, with aromas of pickling spices, smoke, berry and vanilla that are followed by broad blue and black-fruit flavors that provide appeal.
This estate-grown Pinot is still pretty rough and chewy, with earthy tannins that are chalky and drying. The fruit leans toward cranberry, with some vanilla flavors threaded in.
This is largely neutral on the nose except for lazy flowery, tropical aromas. Fairly bold in size and mouthfeel, it has honeyed flavors of nectarine and peach. On the finish, it's more bitter than fresh as the fruit character breaks down.
Jammy blackberry and plum aromas come with hints of Band-Aid and iodine. This is big and broad on the tongue, but also a little flabby. Flavors of prune, oak, blackberry and licorice finish without much drive.
This wine opens with aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit and an unusual sensation of Band-Aids that carries over to the palate, along with ripe apples and tropical fruit. It closes on a medicinal note.
Heavy oak notes with a slight chemical/turpentine scent crowds the nose on this basic Chardonnay. A resiny quality carries over onto the palate along with citrus and cinnamon spice flavors.
This wine offers rich red fruit, oak and smoke around a soft texture and fading finish. A pronounced sweetness hits mid-palate after the smoky oak that makes it seem higher in alcohol than is stated.
You can tell the age from the color and the faded mushroom flavors on the palate. It does merit some passing interest as a wine from the very hot 2003 vintage, but that's about all.
The 2004 vintage is certainly mature, but with a light touch it is still attractive to drink. Mushroom and spice are lifted by juicy acidity. The dryness at the end shows it is ready to drink.
The wine feels light and very soft. There are some attractive red berry fruits, along with acidity and wood flavors, but the tannic structure is hardly there. It's an enjoyable, lightweight wine to drink now through 2016.
Kingston's first-ever Chardonnay is neutral but inoffensive. The palate is melony but low on acid, while flavors of honeydew, vanilla and cream are soft and reflect the hot 2012 Chilean vintage.
This basic SB blends aromas of coastal snap with tropical sweetness. In the mouth, it shows basic flavors of grapefruit and spiced citrus. On the finish, peppery bitterness comes up.
Peppery and bright, this carries tart flavors of wild berries and mountain herbs. The penetrating peppery character is its most defining attribute.
A peachy, fruit-forward, mouthfilling wine that brings bright Washington fruit—peaches, apples and pears—into play, along with caramel candy and underlying acid support. It falls short only in the finish, which turns slightly bitter and attenuated.
Fresh and inviting with assertive notes of pineapple and sweet citrus backed by fleshy pear and melon accents on the nose and mouth. The palate offers zippy acidity with a clean lift to the finish. Drink now.
The blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto produces a rich and creamy wine with pear, ripe apple and apricot flavors. A floral character gives extra piquancy.
Smelling sweet of candied orange and jasmine, this majority SB with about a quarter Sémillion blended in has pleasing flavors and textures and is crisp, a nice effort from the husband and wife winemaking team at this longstanding Sierra Foothills stalwart.
Overall this shows a softness in the mouth, with light flavors of buttery green banana. It's creamy, easy-drinking, streaked with vanilla and suggestions of sweet spices.
This vintage seems to have taken a step forward compared to past years. It's bright pink in color, with tight, salinic aromas of cherry and apple skins. Tastes tangy and crisp, with plum, nectarine and citrus flavors. Real good for the price.
KJ's Mendocino County Zin has both red and black berry fruit flavor and the spiciness one expects from dry-farmed Mendocino County vineyards, though the tannins stick around a bit longer than one might like. Cedar definitely shows up on the finish.
Rooty and sweet smelling, with tobacco, burnt brown sugar and raisin aromas. The palate is thick, stacked and jammy, with raisin, tobacco and candied prune and cherry flavors. Very tasty and sweet but a little flat and old.
It is rare to find Tinta Barroca on its own. Normally it is used for blending in Port. Here, though, it is in all its ripe fruit glory, an attractive, relatively lightweight wine. It's for drinking now, with red berry fruits right to the fore.
Rooty aromas of tree bark, cola, tobacco and sweet briar set up a plump, tannic palate with roasted, sweet flavors of Mission fig, dark berry and spice. It's easygoing and loamy on the finish, with chewy tannins and not too much bite.
A warm, ripe vintage of Altano, its berry and red plum fruits rich and generous. It has attractive, well-balanced, soft tannins. A layer of acidity and spice completes this harmonious wine.
Broad and ripe on the nose, with sappy blackberry, plum and youthful aromas. The palate is big, full and tannic, with roasted plum and berry flavors in front of a smoky, hickory-driven finish. Chewy, blowsy and generous for $10 Tempranillo.
Shiny pink in color, with youthful, crisp aromas of cherry and watermelon. Zesty and fresh on the tongue, with spunky cherry and raspberry flavors that finish with natural sweetness. Candied to an extent, but mostly it's fresh and balanced.
Orange blossom, nectarine and almond skin aromas are true to the grape and inviting. The palate maintains a light, juicy, citric feel as it delivers flavors of melon, apple and banana. Fresh and forward, with a hint of heat and bitterness to the finish.
This Cab has all of the classic notes one would expect: rich dark berry fruit, black plum skin, cigar tobacco and black currant leaf are all front and center. The tannins are surprisingly firm and tightly structured, but the nuances of milk chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumb add decadence to the finish.
Pale pink in color, this is a full, fruity wine that's aromatic in character. The red fruits are topped with citrus and bright acidity, as well as signs of maturity, giving a toasty character. The wine is rich and ready to drink.
Tremenel has an earthy fragrance of underbrush, tobacco and ripe black fruit with a whiff of spice. The palate delivers a tight core of black cherry layered with raisin, white pepper, nutmeg and cocoa backed up by bracing but refined tannins.
A superior Vinho Verde, elegant and full-bodied. The creamy texture is partnered with ripe apricot and pear fruits, a touch of green plum and a feeling of opulence along with the acidity. Drink now, or age a year.
This crisp, refreshing and all-stainless Chardonnay represents exceptional value. Bright, fresh fruit flavors mix apples, pears and ripe citrus. It's full-bodied and delivers plenty of mouth-filling richness without resorting to barrel aging for support.
Herbal, olive-infused aromas of berry fruits and plum are restrained and typical of Chile. This feels round and nonaggressive, while roasted flavors of cassis and plum come with a hint of minty green. On the finish, bell pepper and black pepper flavors are familiar. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère and Cab Franc shows Chilean DNA from nose to finish. Drink through 2017.
There's so much sweet guava and mango in this juicy, intensely tropical Riesling, it's hard to believe it's labeled kabinett. Striking tangerine acidity lends vibe to the concentrated, superripe palate, leading to a long, fruit-kissed finish.
Exotic spice notes accent ripe yellow-peach and apricot aromas on the nose of this briskly composed, dry Riesling. The palate is intensely mineral, with layers of wet stones and crushed earth that lend a savoriness to delicate fruit and floral flavors. Finishes long, with a note of lime zest.
This is a solid, slightly earthy wine of medium concentration. The black cherry core is framed with dried herb, dark chocolate, and a dusting of coffee grounds. In the context of the vintage, it seems to have a bit more heft and power than most of the other Adelsheim single vineyard Pinots.
Sourced entirely from the Carabella vineyard, this offers a pleasing blend of citrus, pineapple and pear fruit, with a backing of honey-laced lemon tea. It's delicious and ready to drink.
This is the classic dessert wine from Valpolicella. The palate is dense and concentrated, with plum cake, prune and fig layered with spice and pipe tobacco. It's velvety smooth but also has fresh acidity, making it a perfect match for seasoned cheeses or to sip on its own after dinner.
This is as good a Pinot Gris as this producer has ever made. Apples and stone fruits contribute a fleshy, flavorful mid-palate. Peppery spice and a hint of brioche add complexity and interest. The wine is perfectly balanced and ready to drink immediately.
From a series of single variety wines from Vilacetinho, this Loureiro shows the aromatic character that has made this an increasingly popular variety for local producers. It has a delicate perfume, great acidity, and crispness and a very direct apple quality that is deliciously cool.
This offers aromas of dark berry, spice, tobacco and a whiff of vanilla. The palate delivers ripe black cherry layered with chocolate, coffee and white pepper. This is delicious and already drinking well but should develop complexity with more cellaring. Drink now through 2019.
Zesty, waxy aromas of lime peels and crushed stones belie the bright grapefruit and tangerine flavors in this dry, yet deeply mineral-laden Riesling. It's softly textured on the palate, with bright yet lenient acidity that leads into a lingering lemon-lime finish.
This single-vineyard wine is a showcase of ripeness—fruity and smooth with great plum and wild strawberry flavors. It's intensely structured and dense on the palate, however, making it a wine for aging. Drink from 2016.
This is a full and creamy wine, with an abundance of fruit flavors. Notes of white pear and apricot are portrayed in this ripe and warm feeling wine. The acidity and mandarine zest notes provide crispness and structure. Drink from 2014.
This well-aged release, from one of Oregon's premier vineyards, is soft and approachable, well-rounded with lovely plum and black cherry fruit holding down the center. Barrel aging adds baking spices to liven up the finish.
Spicy anise and cinnamon notes accentuate fresh red plum and cherry in this brisk medium-bodied Pinot Noir. Crisp and a bit cutting in mouth feel, it finishes moderately long on a lingering fringe of fine tannins.
This is a big wine in structure, but mellow and complex in flavor as if it's been well aged. Blended from Grenache, Tempranillo and Monastrell, it smells lightly sweet and tastes dry and inviting like vanilla, milk chocolate and raspberries.
The aromas of melon and tropical fruit are light but enchanting. The medium-bodied flavors provide interest and show a pleasing sense of balance.
Aromas of fynbos and blackcurrant leaf lend an attractive herbal edge to the ripe red-fruit core of this bright rosé. It's a well-balanced and layered selection, the medium-weight body countered by ample acidity and lingering notes of savory herbs and citrus pith. Drink now.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the aromas offer notes of herb, cherry, caramel and raspberry preserve. The palate brings ample fruit flavors that provide appeal.
Melon and stone-fruit aromas are minerally and mild, with no overt fruit or oaky aromas sticking out. Crisp, citric and still a touch oily in feel, this tastes of briny citrus fruits, popcorn and salt. On the finish, this shows good body along with lasting salty citrus flavors.
This instantly delicious, fruity wine has crisp lemon and spice flavors along with generous acidity. Ready to drink, it's all bright fruit with a lively aftertaste.
Complexity in terms of both fruit flavors and oak-induced spices make this wine fun to taste. It has light baking-spice aromas, ripe fruit flavors like black cherry, and a lightly tannic texture.
Notes of pressed apple and orange rind are brightened by splashes of lemon and spice in this robustly full-bodied wine. Savory apple and pear flavors lend a rustic tone but its mouth-clinging texture is lavish and lingering. It's a bold wine but balances neatly without any alcoholic heat.
A blend of Bordeaux varieties, this is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Moderate in acidity and body, it has a ripeness to the fruit. Blueberry, chocolate and chalky, dusty tannin dominate, with a chill of violet perfume.
A blend of 37% Shiraz, 19% Gamay, 18% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache and 12% Cinsault, this soft rosé has an herbaceous kick that lends depth to the red currant and cherry fruit core. The palate is ripe and fruity, but not overdone, with supporting acidity and subtle hints of pepper and blackberry leaf on the finish. Drink now.
Milk chocolate, toast and raspberry aromas are followed by quite sweet fruit flavors. It's unabashed in its easy-drinking appeal.
Aromas of dark fruit, spice and a whiff of aromatic herb take center stage. The simple palate is on the lean side, offering raw red berry and a note of powdered sage.
Drenched with luscious grapey flavors, this medium-bodied wine soothes the palate. Its texture is smooth and carries the fruitiness through the aftertaste.
A go-to brand for everyday sipping, this offers easily enjoyable aromas of dense blueberry, menthol, cedar and leather. The fruit-forward palate shows red cherry, bramble and red plum, with just enough tannin and acidity to stand up to dinner.
Soupy berry aromas with cheesy oak notes make for an earthy, challenging nose. This feels full, grabby and highly tannic. Medicinal berry and cherry flavors are accented by brown-sugar sweetness and chocolaty spice on the finish.
Basic apple aromas are fresh and clean. This Viura is healthy and clearly defined, but simple all the way through. Lightly pickled citrus flavors finish steady.
This wine kicks off with awesome aromatics of jasmine flowers, white beach, green tea and Rainier cherry. The palate is clean and crisp with ripe honeydew melon, Gala apple and Anjou pear flavors that are pleasant but simple.
This wine reflects the ripeness of the vintage while still retaining crisp minerality. Creamed apples are balanced with a tangy texture and soft acidity. The wine finishes with a crisp aftertaste that gives a great lift. Drink the wine now.
This is an attractive red-fruit flavored wine with fine acidity as well as juicy berries and cherry. Its soft tannins are just right to sustain the delicious fruitiness. Dink this wine from 2017.
Showing the ripe 2015 vintage, this is a soft rounded wine. It has attractive acidity to lift the ripe yellow fruit and add a shot of citrus. The wine needs another few months to settle in, so wait until summer 2017.
Hints of roasted beet and forest floor lend rusticity to ripe red cherry and plum in this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. Crisp acidity lifts and lightens the midpalate. Smooth supple tannins and a hint of truffle linger on the finish.
This is a lighter style of Pinot Noir than some produced in Sancerre today. It brings out perfumes and red-cherry flavors lifted by acidity. The wine is fruity, with hints of wood aging and a juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
The Grand Lieu lake gives extra ripeness to the Melon grapes grown close to its shores, resulting in a rich, smooth and creamy-textured wine. Of course there is also plenty of citrus and mineral acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Vines with an average age of 35 years have produced this smooth, creamy wine. A light mineral character shows in a flinty texture, balanced by ripe white stone fruits and pink grapefruit. A touch of pepper comes through in the aftertaste. Drink now.
Fresh-pressed boysenberries give zest to dusty aromas of tobacco and strong shoe leather on the nose of this bottling. Tobacco shows powerfully on the palate, as do dill, marjoram and black pepper. Dark fruit, from blackcurrant to elderberry, provides the base.
This wine is a blend of McKinley Springs and Alder Ridge fruit. Coffee and cherry aromas lead to restrained cranberry flavors, with the tannins bringing some dryness and grit.
Light, fresh, slightly grassy but more in the white fruit flavor profile. It's soft, with a citrus twang to it, great to drink as an apéritif, leaving a soft, creamy aftertaste.
This is showing an extraordinary amount of toasty oak in the nose, and once in the mouth it seems as if the oak and toast flavors overwhelm everything else. The fruit is very much on the light side, and can't begin to stand up to all the toast and butterscotch that is being tossed around. It's not bad, but it has not yet found its balance, and finishes with some lightly stemmy tannins.
Perfumed yet rather rustic, this wine has aromatic white fruit flavors, touched with a yeasty, bready character. It's rounded, but misses on the freshness.
This budget-priced Syrah offers hints of why the grape does so well in Washington. It has a bit of peppery bite, some very tart cranberry fruit, crisp acids and a lifted, citrusy finish. Clean and varietal, it's a good everyday effort.
Olive, blackberry and toasty oak all give hope, but when this wine crosses the palate the acidity is so intense that it causes you to take count of your cheeks, tongue and teeth. On one hand, there's blackberry and cassis flavors to enjoy; on the other, the mouthfeel leaves you roughed up. Imported by Pernod Ricard, USA.
Opens with minerality, crisp fruit and sweet melon aromas. In the mouth, it's showing cut and acidity in front of sweet pear and melon flavors. Turns pithy and grassy on the finish, with applesauce and spice notes poking through.
Aged in 500-liter barrels, this wine has a very mineral character, packed with spice, juicy red berry fruits, and underlying dryness. For drinking now and over the next two years.
A Bordeaux-style blend that spent three years in barrel, this is showing a dried blood/brick edge and has lost its primary fruit flavors. Plum and prune fruit, somewhat dried out, finishes with stiff tannins.
Apple and citrus fruit carries a light and refreshing hint of wintergreen. This is a solid, fruity, no-frills, chillable style of Chardonnay.
Baked, sweet, heavy aromas turn earthy with time. There's a lot of size and weight to the palate, but it stays lively and shows balance. Toast, blackberry, coffee and spice flavors lead to a dry, tannic finish. Flavorful but not what you'd call elegant. Cab Franc, Tannat, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The tech sheet for this wine nicely mentions how the vineyard is surrounded by both 100-year-old walnut trees and, what do you know?, marijuana. Does either influence the wine? It does show a muskiness but really its strengths are steely drops of extreme lemon, most decidedly on the long, exuberant finish.
Light berry fruit, pleasingly spiced, with the natural acidity of Sangiovese and a light touch with the tannins. It all makes for a light and very pretty wine.
This may lack the silky completeness of Gros's 2007 Côté Terroir, but this open-knit blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Carignan and 25% Syrah still delivers a bold mouthful of plum and roasted meat flavors. Drink now.
Already lightening in color and possessing only modest cherry fruit, this supple wine should be consumed over the next few months.
Seemingly picked on the early side, with slightly green, underripe flavors underscored by crisp acids and firm tannins. Has plenty of depth and concentration, but don't expect it to ever fully blossom. Try it now with rare steak.
Fresh and clean for the most part, with light raspberry and strawberry aromas. It's a little cloying on the palate, but the flavors of citrus and melon, while briney, are lasting and move in the right direction. A good buy made from the obscure Bobal variety and Tempranillo.
Though the first sniffs seem to promise a light, floral, elegant Pinot Noir, it turns vegetal in the glass, with tomato and herbal flavors.
Tight, compact and rubbery on the nose, with a mineral, medicinal edge to the black-fruit aromas. Snappy and hard on the cheeks, with midland berry fruit and a scouring, juicy, woody finish. Lots of red fruit but scratchy and a little medicinal.
An attractive, simple wine, with the freshest of citrus and melon flavors, pushed through by crisp acidity and a final hint of almonds. Screwcap.
Fresh green plum, apricot and pears freshen this light, soft wine, clean, crisp and finishing with lime juice.
Leathery and rubbery at first, with aromatic accents of celery seed, barnyard and melted tar. The palate is lighter than the nose, with herbal plum flavors and a lean, strained body. Thin and fresh, but nothing special.
Friendly, appealing flavors fo pear, lychee, apple and spice give this Riesling a fun character. Fresh with a touch of sweetness, the wine is balanced by its acid and offers a pretty, lingering finish.
On the lean side, with green, herbal notes that impart a tough edge to the cherry flavors.
Already showing some signs of age in its slightly browning rim, this Cab boasts scents of eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon and red cherries, but it's all overly delicate-almost lacy. There's just not enough there to score higher despite its charms.
Aromas of vanilla and stewed berries lead into a palate that features more of the same: sweet wood and overripe raspberries. Syrupy and simple.
Starts off strong, with pleasant tangelo aromas and flavors.  But somwehere along the line the flavors turn varnishy, finishing with a strong note of lacquer.
This wine shows some of the less appealing aspects of American oak: overt spice and vanilla flavors and a slick, oily mouthfeel.
Strong mint and menthol aromatics give way to intense fresh-cut cedar flavors. There's just too much wood for this woodchuck to chuck.
Strong mint and menthol aromatics give way to intense fresh-cut cedar flavors.  There's just too much wood for this woodchuck to chuck.
This wine shows some of the less appealing aspects of American oak: overt spice and vanilla flavors and a slick, oily mouthfeel.
Bright berry and red-currant aromas. Lighter in style than Cabs being produced by other LI wineries. The finish turns tough and leathery, not a good match for the delicate fruit.
This is very light, in both flavor and body. The aromas are earthy, with a faint suggestion of blackberries, and the mouthfeel is thin. These aren't terrible flaws, but the wine just lacks substance.
An absense of the variety's trademark floral and peach aromatics presages the lack of ripeness found on the palate.  An angular peppery streak of green fruit runs through the wine from start to finish, despite good palate presence.
This is very light, in both flavor and body. The aromas are earthy, with a faint suggestion of blackberries, and the mouthfeel is thin. These aren't terrible flaws, but the wine just lacks substance.
Sometimes Franc can have a lovely, alluringly floral bouquet; other times it can be downright vegetal and display green-bean characteristics. Unfortunately, this is an example of the latter. The wine has nice weight and texture, so if you don't mind your veggies in liquid form this might be more to your liking.
Vanilla, butterscotch and some harsher oak-derived compounds dominate the modest citrus fruit that might have been wine before it was turned into oak juice. For wood lovers only.
A juicy, jammy, alcoholic style, tannic and young. This is gutsy, high-toned wine, with fat, extracted fruit. Very dry tannins, good balance. This wine needs time; it's a very different style from the other Claudia Springs Zins. But it shows the same attention to detail, intense fruit, and stylish, sensitive winemaking.
There's a lovely sweetness to the fruit, which tastes like ripe, just-picked blackberries. Old vines, 100+ years, deliver sweet, supple, sexy fruit. The wine has very dry tannins, and it might profit from some blending, but with a vineyard this special you have to admire the single-vineyard approach.
A voluptuous blockbuster in the style we are becoming accustomed to from über-consultant Michel Rolland: big, deeply fruited (black cherries) and plush, with elegantly etched spice shadings from new oak. The tannins are supple but substantial; it should age for a long time. Made entirely from old-vine Malbec and named after the pigeon coop in the Château's courtyard.
Zin with a Pinot sensibility; it's bright, spicy and forward. Sweet, delicious fruit, with accents of cinnamon, cardamom and anise. This is an elegant and subtle wine, but unusually long and complex, with wonderful structure. Enticing, enchanting wine.
A blast of spice, mint, bramble and pepper explodes from the glass. The wine is dense, dark, deep and mysterious; the flavors pungent, penetrating and persistent. Tannic, layered with herbs and spices, powered with big, punchy fruit. This is classic Cline.
Floral, spicy and sweet on the nose, and with a straightforward, refreshing blend of typical Riesling flavors, this wine is dependable and pretty, and will pair well with spicy Asian and Indian cuisine. A touch sweet but clean.
Modest cherry and strawberry notes appear on the nose and the palate, with some slightly herbal flavors as well. It's light in body, with soft acids and a relatively quick finish.
An elegant nose of deep spice and fruit leads on this Meritage from the Snake River Valley of Idaho—an emerging region to watch for interesting reds. The wine offers sturdy red fruit, spice and structure, and seems made for hearty fare like grilled steaks or, if you feel like splurging, a kobe burger.
A bit funky and gassy on the nose, and while the wine offers ripeness and sweetness on the palate, there's always a little something strange and sulfuric lingering. It has its plum and acidity, but the tannins and overall mouthfeel are grabby.
De Bortoli's unique approach to harvest timing and extensive use of new oak leaves this wine seeming rather disjointed: coffee and cola notes dominate the tart, cranberryish fruit flavors. I suspect it will show better with a few years' of cellaring, but until then, I remain unconvinced.
This wine is a solid, stylish Meritage with assertive red fruit, a black pepper backbone and plenty of structure for aging. A touch of oaked spice adds dimension. A good overall red to pair with hearty winter fare.
Smoky, elegant and soft aromas of leather, pepper and berry lead into flavors of cherry and cigarbox spice on the palate of this approachable Cabernet. The wine is not terribly complex, but good structure and acidity give it cellaring potential, and paired with duck, lamb or beef dishes, it will make a very nice addition to the table.
Warm and earthy at first, but more soupy as it opens. Crisp, snappy red-fruit flavors are also on the herbal side. Nervy yet it does show a reasonable amount of honest Rioja quality. Still, for a 2001 reserva it doesn't amount to much.
Burnt oak, tire rubber and bramble vie with blackberry and vanilla aromas. The palate is brambly and a little lean, with strawberry and raspberry flavors taking on some grassy wildness. Simply stated, the fruit flavors just aren't of the highest order. Otherwise, it's good enough.
Big spice and blackberry/cherry aromas start this wine out right, and on the palate, a rustic underlay of tobacco and pepper adds character. Good structure and acidity add a food-friendly edge. A wine that is easy to drink and well made.
This wine has an elegant edge, with its hints of tea, spice and mint on the nose and its pleasant, harmonious plum and red berry flavors on the palate. Easy to drink and food-pairing friendly.
Lemon citrus, toast, white flowers—the lead on this wine is feminine and light and, as the name suggests, feels like a warm weather match. Flavors of like style are sweet and simple but balanced by some crispness and finesse. It's a pretty wine that offers simple, easy drinking enjoyment.
Slightly prickly and peppery on the nose, but there's enough clean red-fruit aromas and dustiness to bring it along. The palate is simple and nice enough, with tight acidity, stanching dryness and zest. A good but limited wine that delivers what it should but nothing beyond that.
Quite tannic and biting, but beyond those mouthfeel issues this affordable RDD has its positives. The bouquet of toast, mocha and coconut is alluring, and then the palate of dark-fruit flavors, while rock-hard, is masculine. But never does one escape the feel and balance shortcomings. It's a like a ride down a pocked and bumpy gravel road.
How's this for exotic: this red blend is made from the vinifera grapes Saperavi (from the former Soviet Georgia) and Sereksiya Charni (generally from Moldova). On the nose, the wine displays clove, tart berry, raspberry and black pepper, and on the palate, like flavors and solid tannins. There's a touch of dried tea to the blend and a decent finish, but the wine needs time to age--consider holding it for 5-10 years for the complexity to unfold. Overall, an appealing and interesting choice.
Red in color and pretty clean on the nose, where raspberry and rose petal essence come together. The palate is acidic and tight, with tangy watermelon and peach flavors carrying the cleansing finish. Juicy to the extreme, but a good partner for food.
Honey and toasted spice aromas are followed by an elegant balance of curvy fruit and acid in this stylish Viognier from Arizona. The viscous mouthfeel and honeyed finish add to the package. Pair this with a good curry or spicy Chinese dish for an interesting balance.
The winery is in eastern Oregon, near the Idaho border, but the grapes were sourced from an unnamed Willamette Valley vineyard. A bit high-toned, with sharply defined strawberry and cherry fruit, this finishes with a burst of caramel and mocha.
Earthy, mature, beefy flavors lend an unorthodox but tasty personality, while medium body and light tannins form an appetizing mouthfeel. This variety is known for its earthy, wild character, so enjoy it!
This is a ripe and juicy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tinta Roriz. The tannins are present although well integrated into the fine juicy red-fruit flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
It's the lightly honeyed Gros Manseng in the blend with Sauvignon Blanc that works well for this Fezes family wine from northern Gascony. It rounds out the citrus flavors and adds apricot and green plums. The result is an attractive fruity wine that will be better from the end of 2016.
Folle Noire is another name for the Négrette, the signature grape of Fronton. This wine comes from a clay and ironstone vineyard that has produced an intensely perfumed wine. It balances a smooth structure and vivid black fruits. The tannins are light and rounded. It's a wine to drink soon, from 2017.
Aromas of ripe black cherry, strawberry compote and baking spice lead the way while the easygoing palate offers crushed raspberry and hint of white pepper. Dusty tannins provide light support.
This second wine from Duorum brings out ripe fruits, firm still young tannins and some concentrated acidity. It has touches of minerality along with bright red fruits and bold streaks of acidity. The wine is young although it is ready to drink now.
The principal grapes of Dão are all in this ripe, fruity blend: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro are rich, full of blackberry fruits and layered with some firm tannins. The wine is ripe while still retaining the structure from the granite soil. Drink now.
Light red in color, this rosé comes from one of the few grapes with red flesh, and is luscious as expected. Aromas of baked cherries, vanilla bean and strawberry pull in the nose, and the palate comes through with fruit punch, stewed red fruit and exotic orange notes. It's a crowd pleaser.
Fermented in stainless steel, this is a crisp white with decent acidity that traffics in pomelo, white fig and peach fuzz. It stays light in style and refreshing before finishing with a somewhat diluted feel.
Underbrush, toasted oak and red berry aromas lift out of the glass. The bright, light-bodied palate doles out sour cherry, orange rind, oak, coffee and star anise. Fine-grained tannins and zesty acidity give support.
Pino is a new Oregon entry from the Bronco Wine Company. This fragrant wine, from Willamette Valley grapes, brings fleshy pear fruit and penetrating spices. There's big, forward flavor to spare, with just a slight burn in the finish.
Brown sugar and chocolate make for a hedonistic experience in this brawny, powerful wine. It's well-composed in smoky char, juicy blackberry and a full-bodied finish of black pepper.
Still young in color and fruit, this is packed with black fruits and only the lightest hints of wood aging. That makes the wine very different from other vintage Colheitas or aged tawnies, with a style that is ripe and still fresh.
This bright, straightforward red offers aromas of wild berry, coffee and a whiff of tilled soil. On the soft, easy-drinking palate, notes of chopped sage and baking spice add interest to the red cherry core. Drink through 2016.
Aromas of toast, underbrush and a hint of chocolate covered-cherry lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, a hint of star anise and a green note of powdered sage alongside nervous acidity. Tightly packed, bracing tannins leave a tongue-drying finish.
Creamy vanilla and pear pie provide a fleshy and full-bodied texture to this wine, which leans tropical in guava and melon. Aged in entirely neutral oak, the fruit shows well within a wave of ripeness.
Shy initially, this wine is intensely creamy and round on the palate, nearly full bodied, dry and hard to pin down. Melon and apple come into play, as do more exotic stone-fruit flavors.
The winery aims for Loire valley characteristics in its wines, hence the reference to Côt, as Malbec is known in the region. This is grapy, purple and young. At this point it's difficult to see much else beyond the fruit and lip-sticking acids. It's a good warm-weather quaffing wine, best served slightly chilled.
Six months in wood has given this wine a smooth character that has filled out the grape's natural tannins. It is a rich wine with red berry fruits that have a fine violet perfume. The wine is structured and firm, ready to drink from late 2016.
In this wine a deft mix of brambly berries and bitter green herbs balances against firm, earthy tannins. The supporting acids are ample but not intrusive.
Ripe and juicy, this is a warm, red-fruited wine. With plenty of acidity, it is fresh, although the big attraction here is the fresh fruit balanced by the firm, smoky tannins. Drink from summer 2016.
Aromas of mature plum, dark berry and violet lead the way. On the straightforward palate, hints of toast and espresso add a bit of depth to the dried cherry core. Dusty but fleeting tannins lead to a slightly raspy finish.
This reddish-pink rosé of Syrah is clean up front, with touches of yeast, chewing gum and red fruits on the nose. Fairly full-bodied as rosé goes, this tastes fruity but nondescript, while the finish is similar before showing some sweetness.
Quite pale in color, this is an aromatically expressive, very varietal wine, with notes of forest floor, sarsaparilla and cherry. The flavors are light—not delivering on the aroma's promise—but still having richness, with nervy acids keeping it energized.
This medium-bodied wine offers an elegant, silky mouthfeel. Some yeasty-dough aromas add interest to the pineapple and tangerine flavors, which linger delicately on the finish.
Standard aromas of cantaloupe and lees feed into a bright, lively palate with bracing acidity and good overall balance. Nectarine and citrus flavors are basic but hang in there on a lasting finish.
Aromas of peach, red apple skins and cantaloupe come with powdery, soapy notes. This feels fresh, with vivid flavors of stone fruits and peach pit. A steady, clean finish renders this proper for immediate consumption.
It's quite different from the winery's inaugural 2005 Sangiovese, with more sweet cranberry fruit and chewy, peppery tannins. It's got both muscle and spice, with a sweet, cotton candy core that is buttressed with the power of   the lengthy finish that adds layers of fat and cocoa.
A fine example of how integrated the Xinomavro grape can be. Earthy, Mediterranean nosings of eucalyptus, olive and clove lead into balanced, simply attractive flavors of spice and fruit that are robust but refined. A great choice for a spiced meat entree—think grilled lamb kebabs. Tannic but smooth.
Watermelon, cantaloupe and peach aromas are just as they should be, while the palate is whole, fresh and full of tangerine and nectarine. Compact, defined and complete, with a smooth, light finish. Nothing miraculous but great for summer sipping.
The ultimate patio/terrace wine has been found, and it's Urban from O. Fournier. True as can be, with lychee, acacia and green melon aromas and flavors, this wine is plump but refreshing, with honest Cafayate character. Maybe the best under-$10 white wine being made in Argentina.
Big and strong, with full but easy black-fruit aromas. Ripeness is where it should be, as cassis and berry flavors work the consistent palate before giving way to a medium-long finish. Along the way there are hints of herbs, coffee and cherry cough drop.
Spicy wine, with its soft red stone fruits and bright tannins. There is a certain layer of dryness, and the acidity is fresh and gleaming. Being a Klassik style, there is a minimum of wood aging, and the wine just speaks of the fruit. Glass stopper.
This intensely perfumed, delicate style, with some tight tannins from the fruit, is full of red currant and plum skin tannins, lifted by fresh acidity and finished with hedgerow fruit flavors.
One of the new generation of Grüners, reflecting the terroir of the Weinviertel of Lower Austria. It is fresh, crisp, clean—maybe a little too clean—but certainly showing green apple and pepper flavors touched with white fruits. Screwcap.
An attractive, perfumed blend of Chardonnay and Muscat grapes, very summery, fresh and crisp. There's lively acidity, quince and pear flavors and a vibrant fruity aftertaste. Screwcap.
Very light, elegant, fresh wine, crisp in the extreme, deliciously perfumed with its white flower aromas and hedgerow fruits. There is a green element here, shown in the fruit skin structure, which ends with an aftertaste of fresh, piercing acidity. Screwcap.
Cotton candy and warm, dusty aromas give the wine pleasant, semisweet opening aromas. The palate is round and solidly formed, with creamsicle flavors and a bit of brown sugar or treacle. A good wine with just a touch of sweetness in the middle; must be a touch of residual sugar here.
From a little-seen village of the Middle Mosel, this is a solid effort. It's light in weight and linear in structure, without the mouthcoating ripeness seen in many 2006s, but imbued with petrol and mineral notes that highlight green apple and citrus flavors.
Big and bold, loaded with red fruits and sharp acidity, the Murray Syrah from Hightower brings a spicy mix of fruit, loam and mineral. There's some heat in it as well. The grapes are estate grown, and the Syrah was cofermented with 5% Viognier.
Soft and fresh style of wine that feels full without losing its light touch. Delicious baked apple and nutmeg flavors finish this bright wine.
Red berry aromas follow through to an attractive, simple, juicy wine, a core of tannins surrounded by chunky, rustic fruits.
An aggressive, forward, high-acid wine with a lot of quality as well. The nose mixes dried cheese, leather, heat and savory red fruit aromas, while the palate rides a tight line of acidity toward angular raspberry and cherry flavors. Very zesty, tart and lively, but also deep in terms of minerality, freshness and potency. Drink now through 2012.
With a sweet dosage, this is soft Blanc de Blancs. Pears, hints of apricots go with some crisp acidity. It still tastes young and needs time to integrate, but will always be on the sweet side of Brut.
Very fresh, crisp fruit, light and with a soft, green plum skin texture. The aftertaste is lively, bright.
Mildly toasty and buttery on the nose, then wet, zesty and citric in the mouth, but with boundaries and corpulent borders that maintain integrity. Finishes toasty with some vanilla, but also mildly pithy. A solid Chardonnay by New World standards.
The Jeune Red from Château Musar's second line (formerly labeled Musar Cuvée Rouge) is a blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that smells sweetly of ripe black cherries with rustic herbal and earthy notes. It opens softly with sweet blackberries and a hint of green bramble, but is chased by a mid-palate of fairly aggressive tannins and acidity. Fermented and aged in concrete vats, the Musar Jeune is completely unoaked and intended for early consumption, but would probably do nicely with some bottle aging as well.
Produced from organic grapes grown in the dry Côa valley, this is a pure, fruited wine with a black-plum-skin texture and firm tannins. With its layers of acidity, it is crisp at the end while remaining solidly textured. The wine needs to age further, drink from 2018.
This well built wine boasts tart cherry fruit and citrusy acidity. That lemony character carries through the finish, adding lift and mouth-cleansing astringency.
Dark and thick, this full-bodied wine from the Sierra region brings truckloads of jammy fruit flavors along with a firm texture that doesn't overly tighten the tannic grip. The blackberry and black-cherry notes are simply delicious.
This wine sources this rare variety from Saralee's Vineyard in the heart of the appellation. Meaty strawberry meets refreshing acidity and ample structure, taming the big boldness of flavor, all while remaining light and bright in the glass.
This is a very fine ripe wine. It has a steely character that comes from the limestone, clay and stony soil. Along with a pure line of acidity and green herb flavors, the white fruits have found their tangy place. Drink this delicious wine from 2018.
A barrel-fermented white that offers complexity and nuance, this wine is steely and fleshy in texture, integrated and fully realized. Green apple, peach and vanilla combine effortlessly to reveal compelling flavor and length. This is a food-friendly wine that can also stand well on its own.
This is a burly powerfully built wine that's mountain grown and exorbitant in sticky chewy tannin. Leathery tobacco and cedar play around savory clove and black pepper. The fruit is elusively overshadowed by black licorice and garrigue.
This wine is initially marked by scents of charred oak and espresso beans. With aeration, the cherry fruit become more apparent. It's medium to full in body, with silky yet firm tannins that reflect the vineyard's clay soils.
This is from a cool-climate 9-acre site divided into two blocks, cooled by afternoon breezes off San Pablo Bay. It shows off the site in its embrace of high-toned fruit flavors of plum, blueberry, cranberry and dried cherry, the background meaty in chewy tannin and concentrated oak.
This wine is fruity and crisp. It is also full of ripe apple and rich pear fruits that give density and fine concentration to this delicious impressive wine. The acidity adds brightness while the minerality comes from the taut steely texture. Drink this wine now.
New leather, red cherry and fresh herb aromas follow through to the firmly structured palate, along with cinnamon and white pepper notes. A young and racy wine, it already boasts finesse thanks to taut, refined tannins.
A blend that includes Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro, this is a well-structured wine. Tannins and black fruits are seamlessly integrated to give weight and richness. The acidity, the mineral texture and the density all contribute to a wine that will be ready to drink from 2018.
An unusual blend of Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot, this wine does in fact work. Tannins, perfume and a dense, dark color give weight and concentration. It is a powerful wine with a future. Drink from 2019.
This wine leads with new leather, dark spice, iris and eucalyptus scents. Its linear, slender palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and ground clove—flavors that are held taut by fine-grained tannins and racy acidity.
Menthol, new leather, blue flower and sage aromas lead this wine's nose, along with a whiff of toast. Taut and savory, it offers crunchy red berry, star anise, ground clove and a hint of tobacco on the palate. Youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity lend structure.
This wine from the Loire-based Bourgeois family marries impressive ripeness with bright, red-fruit flavors. Vanilla and oak spice accent pomegranate and red-currant notes, then add a velvety texture to the long finish. Drink now–2024.
This red is made from 70% Merlot, with smaller additions of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Eucalyptus and bay laurel dominate on the nose, as thick tannins resolve softly in the glass. Peppercorn, licorice and black cherry combine to offer big flavor and length, making way for a powerful finish.
This elegant and savory Nero d'Avola offers cassis, blue flower and baking spice aromas. It's a full-bodied expression of the grape, boasting ripe black cherry, blackberry and black pepper hints alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2021.
From La Pointe, a small parcel of old vines, this is a full ripe wine. It has apricot and mango fruits and is vinified using natural yeasts, making it rich and generous. The wine is ready to drink.
Tang, mineral and a taut steely acidity, this wine is all about crispness. The lemon and sliced green apples are laced with acidity and with a concentrated texture. Drink this zesty wine from 2018.
This Domaine, based in the Pouilly-Fumé region across the Loire, also has vines in Sancerre. The wine is rich, with melon and juicy apple flavors. Its acidity and steely texture form a contrast to its deliciously refreshing character. Drink now.
This wine hails from a variety of Dutton family vineyards, many of them popular vineyard designates of their own. Together they show a deftness of blending, offering bright acidity within a lighthearted context of licorice and wild strawberry. The juicy core is further embellished in huckleberry and blueberry, finishing in a mild hit of nutmeg.
Nutty, with a note of baked lemon, this affordable, approachable wine is robust in tropical ripeness yet retains enough acidity to remain fresh and fruity throughout.
Funky green aromas ride high atop stewed plum, cardamom and coffee grounds. This wine feels saturated and jammy, as if it were spreadable. Herbal berry and juniper flavors are borderline weedy, and it tastes green on the finish.
This powerful blend of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is smoky with oak and thickly concentrated on the palate, with sweet blueberry fruit and dark chocolate flavors. Round and rich, it has moderate acidity.
This fairly limited production, single-vineyard effort was barrel fermented, and shows aromatic notes of popcorn, toast and grassy citrus. The fruit mixes oranges and apples, and the wine has a nice balance with ample acidity.
Concentrated cassis and black plum aromas meet pepper, tar and pressed violet notes on the nose of this bottling. The well-structured palate is fresh and floral, with peppery spice, tart blackberry flavors and sticky tannins, but is very reserved at this stage of its life.
Aromas of spice, macerated cherry, vanilla and blackberry lead to jammy, sweet-seeming fruit flavors. It provides easy-drinking appeal, with grainy tannins backing it all up.
Aromas of plum, stewed cherry, milk chocolate and vanilla are accented by notes of smoke. Fruit and barrel flavors intertwine on the palate, with fruit winning out on the finish that narrows a bit.
Aromas seem a bit locked up, with notes of plum, herb and cedar. The raspberry flavors similarly seem bunched up, with lightly dry tannins providing support. Vanilla flavors linger on the finish. The variety gets a bit lost.
This wine starts off with a broad blend of berries and cherries, and well-integrated, smooth tannins. But in the finish and aftertaste, a chemical bitterness emerges and persists.
Savory, grapy aromas include gamy notes and an herbal influence. A choppy, abrupt palate is gravelly in feel. Herbal plum and cranberry flavors are meaty and a touch green on the finish. For a Malbec that's not just about black fruits and oak, give this a shot.
This is quite light, with berry fruit running into tongue-scraping tannins. Flavors of earth and stem add still more grip and herbaceous character, outstripping the mild fruit.
Bright fruit flavors light up this tart, medium-bodied wine. It smells like raspberries and red cherries, tastes crisp and bright and has a light nip of cranberry-like astringency.
Not many people have châteaus named after them. But Caroline Chanfreau-Philippon does and now she runs it as part of Château Lestage, both Cru Bourgeois. This is a rich and structured wine that is concentrated, ripe and juicy. With both attractive black-currant fruits typical of the vintage and firm tannins with tight structure, drink this wine from 2020.
A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has produced this fruity, juicy while also structured wine. It has concentration with layers of wood aging to support and fill out the fruit. It is still developing— still a young wine. Give it until 2018.
It's rare to see a varietal bottle of Petit Verdot come out of this appellation, let alone a single vineyard offering but this one clearly deserves it. The aromas of flowers, soil, green herbs and purple fruit are light and brooding and lead to full but in balance black-fruit flavors. A lengthy finish caps it off.
This matches deep purple fruits to aggressive herb and stem flavors. The impression is that some percentage of whole clusters were included in the ferment. This definitely needs extra bottle age—put it away till 2020.
Fruity and juicy, this attractive wine has delicious soft tannins that are already balanced with the ripe fruitiness, which suggests it will develop quickly. The wine comes from Pinhão the estate owned by the Bergqvist family. Drink from 2019.
Produced from the estate's oldest vines close to the Douro river, this is a structured wine with tannins and rich spiciness. It will develop gently, giving a wine that is structured without being too tannic. Drink from 2020.
This vineyard selection captures the defining character of this tiny AVA—an underlying streak of gun metal, and an overall austerity that belies the complexity and subtle length of the wine. Tart cranberry fruit brings supporting acidity, and the wine rewards your attention with extra length and detail. Drink 2018 to 2028.
A blend of fruit from Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills vineyards, this wine opens with aromas of vanilla, wood spice, cream, red apple and fruit. The palate brings elegantly styled, tart fruit flavors that linger on the finish. The balance is impeccable.
From the rocky, high-elevation appellation north of Dry Creek Valley, this Zin is rich in baked and velvety layers of brown sugar and blackberry compote, with a softness on the palate. Full bodied, it pushes on ripeness but reins in any excess by coaxing lively acidity from the fruit.
Well oaked, showing plenty of espresso-like char and brown sugar on the nose, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured Cabernet. Mocha and caramel flavors continue the theme, backed by just enough cassis fruit. Drink now–2025.
This is the estate vineyard, and really shines in this excellent vintage. Flavors of strawberry pastry filling come up just short of jammy, while the aging for 18+ months in new and neutral oak brings accents of toast and vanilla. It has the stuffing to age nicely over the next six to eight years.
Nicely concentrated fruit flavors and an especially rich, almost thick texture help this full-bodied wine stand out from the pack. Black cherries and blackberries spill out of the aroma and into the flavors, where they become quite vivid and lingering.
This superb value mixes barrels from all the red wines in Sineann's portfolio. Predominantly Pinot Noir, Merlot and Zinfandel, there are small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot as well. It's dark and spicy, the flavors well integrated. It adds up to a potent and powerful all-purpose barbeque red, loaded with black fruits and finished with a kiss of caramel.
An inviting plum color, this continues with plummy fruit, accented with tart flavors of Meyer lemon, Satsuma mandarin and nectarine. Fermented on the skins for a full week, then aged in neutral French barrels, it exhibits a discreet suggestion of toast as it winds down. An all-around excellent bottle of rosé, with the body and power to accompany a winter's roast chicken.
This 50-50 blend is firm, focused and rich, offering attractive aromas of mint, vanilla, cedar and red-skinned plums. Flavors turn darker, suggesting espresso and chocolate, but enlivened by bright acids. A wine worth holding a few years, priced at $20? Buy now, drink after 2020.
Alluring scents of wild berry, Alpine herb, pine forest and wild flower lead the nose on this vibrant linear red. On the elegant luminous palate, a mineral vein underscores red cherry, strawberry, star anise and cedar. Firm acidity and taut refined tannins provide the framework. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2019–2025.
Black cherry, blackberry and marzipan aromas are full, lusty and inviting. This has a chewy, full-bodied and layered mouthfeel to go with the dark-fruit flavors that are aided by spice notes. A peppery chocolaty finish is solid, ripe and friendly. Drink through 2020.
Deep cool aromas of cola and toast blend with sweeter notes of maple and blackberry on this lush full-bodied Malbec. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, coffee, mocha and black pepper finish nicely on a well-cut, well-proportioned finish. Drink through 2020.
Grainy woody aromas of vanilla and pencil lead control the nose of this saturated blend of Malbec and Cab Franc. At a whopping 15.8% abv, one shouldn't be shocked by syrupy weight and head-to-toe sweetness. Additional flavors of maple, char and baked black fruits finish heavy, with notes of burnt toast and black licorice. Drink through 2021.
Fermented in stainless steel, this is a pretty wine, with a darker tint of pinkish-orange color. Tangy peach and lime provide a crisp, clear and light-bodied experience atop persistent acidity and texture.
Zesty lime pith and lemon notes abound in this lively off-dry Riesling. It's feather-light in body yet radiant, offering loads of pristine tangerine and apricot flavors. It's juicy and approachable yet effortlessly elegant. A widely appealing sip to enjoy from now to 2021.
This blend of two-thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one-third Semillon gets a touch of barrel aging, reflected in its silky texture more than any overt aromas or flavors. The palate is fruit-forward, offering hints of citrus, underripe nectarine, wet stone and green apple, finishing long and mouthwatering.
Bready apple and spice aromas are layered, mildly complex and appealing. In the mouth, this is dry, leesy and tastes of toasted apple and nectarine. The finish hits the spot with proper weight, balance and lively acidity. Excellence in Cava may be fleeting, but this makes the grade.
Tightly wound on the nose, this wine eventually releases blackcurrant and blueberry fruit along with aromas of black rock and turned earth. The palate is dense with black peppercorn, char and asphalt, lifted by hints of violet. Since the structure is dense and tannic, it will be fun to watch this wine emerge over the years.
This is from a recently planted block at the Freedom Hill vineyard. Bright fresh fruit flavors of berry and plum set up a substantial midpalate. There's a touch of caramel from aging in one-quarter new French oak. This will benefit from further bottle age. Drink 2018 through 2022.
From all-estate fruit, this dives into experimentation with 85% whole cluster fermentation and native yeast. The results are mixed, giving herbal and white pepper accents to the bright red-berry flavors, but putting a bitter edge on the tannins. A couple more years of bottle age would be a good idea. It's too young to show its best at the moment.
Robust tannin surrounds meaty, savory leather in this well-made red, blended with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dried plum and tobacco accent pretty wisps of wild violet, making for a wine that's as perfumed as it is delicious.
This wine is rich, smooth and full of black currant fruits. It has a dense texture although the acidity suggests a crisper side. It will age relatively quickly, giving a fruity wine that has layers of acidity.
Toasty wine, maybe over-toasty, giving a buttery malolactic feel. Its acidity and its freshness are both enveloped in a more opulent embrace.
Tight, sharp, and toasty, this thick and compact wine shows plenty of cherry fruit wrapped in chocolaty oak. It hints at toast and cracker, but never quite breaks through into the complexity that is promised by the first whiff or two.
Sparkling Vouvray, full of rich fruit, with layers of almonds, toasted bread and intense acidity. It is a tangy wine, with an apple skin texture over a light creamy mousse.
Bright, red berried wine from the charity-owned vineyards of the Hospices de Saumur. It has soft tannins and an attractive ripe cherry juice character, layered with acidity.
Big, dark and masculine, with minty, chocolaty, robust aromas and plenty of residual oak. Calling this wine a “load” is an understatment; it's massive, with flavors of blackberry, gumball, cassis, pepper and mint. Finishes that way, too. A brawny wine that's in its prime. Drink now through 2013.
Bursting with zesty tangerine peel aromas and a gentle clover honey sweetness, the Mád Cuvée Late Harvest reflects a lighter style of Tokaji, but with a freshness and delicacy that's ethereal.
Mineral, dark spices, licorice and earthy cherry aromas form a solid, attractive bouquet. The palate is easygoing and chunky, but well built and structured. Flavors of toast and vanilla sit atop standard raspberry and plum, while the finish is dry and oaky, but clean and long.
Lusty, deep Malbec from Patagonia. The nose is a puddle of rich berry, spice and chocolate, while the palate is snappy and alert even if the flavors veer toward roasted black fruits, sweetness, cola and sautéed mushroom. A bit tannic and biting on the finish, with earth and oak standing out.
Firmly tannic, solid and chunky wine. The ripe strawberry flavors are balanced by firm tannins and a dark edge of plum skins. Should be aged for another year.
Intense and extracted but also well balanced and smooth, with minerality and asphalt on the nose. The palate mixes deep black fruit weight and flavors with snappy acids, and overall this is bright, bullish and full of berry and black cherry along with chocolate. A ripe, satisfying wine for the money.
Dark and dusty, this palate-coating wine shows well-managed tannins, smoothed just enough to unveil the strawberry, cherry and cassis fruit flavors. A mix of French and American (Wisconsin!) barrels brings toast and a wash of brine to the finish.
A round and smooth version of Albariño, with apricot and orange aromas. The palate has a layered, creamy feel and full flavors of bulky apricot, peach and also citrus. Fleshy on the finish, and definitely at peak maturity. Drink right away.
This new wine from importer Bart Broadbent offers cherry, raspberry and plum aromas along with a touch of well-applied oak. It's a little tannic and biting in the mouth, but with food that should be no issue. Flavorwise, it's dealing slightly burnt notes atop full-fledged black cherry and wild berry. A firm, edgy wine with many good qualities.
Fairly large, dark and extracted, but also lush and rich, with aromas of raisin and stewed blackberry. The palate is rich to the point of almost being heavy, while the flavors of blackberry and roasted black plum are mildly leathery and salty. Nice, big, meaty and tasty for the price.
Aromatic with pepper and fresh-cut tobacco, well defined by herbal fruits and leafy tannins, this single-vineyard Malbec is stylish and balanced. What is missing is depth, but the balance and length are just right, and the wine does not overreach.
A touch oily on the nose but that's balanced by tropical fruit, pear and apple aromas. The palate has a chunky feel and weight to it along with melon and apple flavors. And it finishes the same, rounding out an inoffensive, standard package.
A bit disappointing from veteran winemaker Alan McCorkindale, or maybe this is just sliding past its prime. The modest grapefruit notes, herbal overtones and tart finish are fine, but fail to excite. Drink up.
Looking for a medium-bodied Chardonnay with a citrusy edge? Look no further. Peach and lime scents ease into tropical fruit while retaining that zestiness on the finish. Drink now.
Brisk and vibrant with juicy plum, cherry and earthy herbal flavors. Accents of cocoa and thin mint develop on the lingering finish. Drink now.
A spicy wine, with green tannins, a tight texture and a tart, stalky character. The wine seems too lean.
Roughly half of this is Barbera, the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. The Cab firms up the tannins, but the fruit lacks substance and depth, and the chocolaty oak does not add much interest.
Here's a nice and fresh Sauv Blanc with notes of tropical fruit, ripe gooseberry, tangerine and sweet grass supported by pineapple acidity. Balanced and easy to drink with a crisp, clean finish.
From a veteran Marlborough producer, this is an interesting mix of sweetness, tartness and herbaceousness. A honeyed note doesn't quite mesh with the leafy, herbal overtones, while crisp acids come on strong on the finish.
Exotic to the point that one wonders whether other varieties have been blended in, with spicy hints of cardamom, cinnamon and clove, followed by ripe melon flavors. At least this is not a bland, neutral effort, although it may have a touch of residual sugar. Drink now.
With 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a concentrated and intense wine with plenty of berry and plum fruits. Suggestions of cocoa nibs and sweet spice add interest, but the finish falls a little fast.
At 50% Cab and 50% Malbec, this wine runs outside the mainstream for Argentina. It's dark in color but slightly green and stemmy on the nose. The palate offers a solid mouthfeel with flavors of baked berry fruit, earth and carob. It's sweet at its core, but mildly bitter and candied on the finish. Good but struggles to find a pleasurable sweet spot.
Pinot Gris can often show a little bit of a tawny blush, as it's a fairly dark-skinned white grape, but this is downright coppery, like a French Rosé. It's closer to an Oregon style than to other Washington Pinot Gris, with fleshy pear-flavored fruit and light hints of cinnamon and baking spices. Gets off to a good start, then falls away quite rapidly into a quick, generic finish.
Nice enough but not all that varietal in terms of aromas, flavors or anything. There's big red and black fruit aromas and flavors along with firm tannins, extract and some pepper. It's rich and chewy, but also tannic and fairly regular. For the price it should not disappoint.
Banana, lemon-lime and even some lychee give this a fruity, slightly sweet bouquet. The mouth is solid, while flavors of lemon, melon and lychee are driving but candied. Not too oaky, but plenty honeyed and melony. Good if you're not seeking a serious, Burgundy-styled wine.
A joint venture with Champagne Devaux, the Yarrabank Cuvée is a crisp sparkling wine that combines flavors of fresh greens and citrus in a medium-bodied, slightly creamy format. Very clean and fresh, if somewhat simple.
Red cherries and jelly fruits highlight a wine that is ripe and soft. A hint of acidity puts the sweetness into attractive relief.
This is a pleasantly fruity wine, with tangy cherry fruit limned with some herbal, earthy tannins. Hints of tobacco and vanilla are there, but the wine quickly shows rather harsh, chalky acids that descend into a bitter, herbal finish.
Aromas of wet clay, herbs and jammy berry fruit are the opening act. The palate is bulky and sweet, with less-than-precise flavors of red fruits and brown sugar. Finishes baked and fiery, with some roughness. Good but that's about as far as it goes. Imported by Winelink Imports Corp.
This is a medium-bodied, somewhat chunky Pinot Noir, but does manage to combine plummy aromas with distinctively Pinot-like sous-bois character. The flavors turn tart and savory, ending on a pomegranate note.
Though labeled reserve, this is barely distinguishable from the winery's regular Cabernet. More toast, and a little chocolate is showing, but the fruit flavors—pale blackberry and black currant—are quickly covered up by the aggressive tannins.
A wine that seems to take the softness of Chambolle-Musigny too far. It has sweetness and flavors of raspberry juice, leaving no room for structure or acidity. Drink now, because this wine is too open to last.
For a $15 Washington Merlot, this offers fair value. Despite the earthy, slightly stemmy tannins, the wine has substantial fruit flavors of cranberry and pie cherry, and the acids give it some extra lift. This will go well with fatty meats and grilled steaks.
A bright purple tint announces a jumpy youthful-smelling wine with plum, black currant and oak aromas. This is Carignan, Syrah, Garnacha and Cab Sauvignon, and it's full in body but also juicy and lively. Savory, saucy plum and berry flavors ride a wave of crisp acidity, while the finish feels dry and exact, with minty medicinal overtones. Drink this snappy wine through 2021.
This is an expertly balanced wine from Temecula, showcasing region's potential for Grenache. Rosewater, cherry juice and cherry blossom aromas are lifted by herbal touches of marjoram and crushed peppercorn. Fennel, thyme and oregano flavors kick off the palate, where strong acidity carries raspberry and red berry flavors into a complex and elegant finish.
While light-bodied, gentle and intricate, this wine offers plenty of flavor nuances. Cranberry and herb tea aromas mark the nose, while the mouthfeel is at once soothing and tangy, with mulled cherry and clove aromas that slowly emerge and persist on the finish. It's a treat to sip and savor.
Inspired by co-winemaker Eli Parker's trips to Australia, this is simply a fun and tasty sparkling red, with rose, clove, black plum, and graphite notes on the nose. Ripe berry flavors round out the palate, but tangy plum skins and a slate-driven mineral tension keep it serious.
This wine has rich blueberry aromas, a softly tannic texture and and black currant flavors that open more with each sip. Concentrated and full in body, it's a luxurious-feeling and abundantly flavored wine that lingers long on the palate.
Plush blackberry, fennel, mocha, char and peppercorn aromas show on the nose of this bottling from longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner. Dried plum skin, cherry and elderberry flavors show on the palate, which is layered with tannins and turns savory with charred beef, charcoal and tobacco flavors.
Red berry, toast and black spice aromas lead the nose, accented by whiffs of espresso. The palate offers licorice, clove, dried cherry and vanilla notes, while a backbone of fine-grained tannins provides support.
Well differentiated from the winery's Pinot Blanc, this round and fleshy wine offers freshly cut pear fruit with a burst of orange juice and peel. It's bright, lively, spicy and a great all-purpose white wine when you need a break from Chardonnay.
Ken Wright produces as many as a dozen or more single-vineyard Pinots in any given vintage. This wine is blended from many of those same sites, whose vines were often planted back in the 1980s. It's light and elegant, yet powerfully flavorful, with strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit pushing deep into the palate. It's clean and fresh, with crisp defining acidity, perfect balance, refined tannins and a long finish. Best of all, it's widely available.
Parts of Clare Valley are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, illustrated by this reasonably priced bottling. Mint and cassis show remarkable purity on the nose, while the palate is properly restrained without being hard or austere. That said, there are some dusty tannins on the finish, so drink 2020–2030.
Wild berry, tilled earth, new leather and truffle aromas lead the nose of this vibrant red. The linear palate offers tart cherry, cranberry, white pepper and clove flavors, framed by tightly wound, polished tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to fully come together. Drink 2020–2033.
This fruit-forward, entry level release is nonetheless all estate grown and spent just under a year in French oak. It's a supple flavorful mix of plum and cherry fruit, accented with iron filings, lead pencil and dark chocolate.
This is most interesting, layered with strawberry fruit, sweet straw and light tannins. It's deceptively light, yet elegant and able to sustain itself on through a compelling, structured finish.
Stewed black plum and tangy black cherry fruit meet baking spice and cola on the nose of this bottling from Lompoc-based Brian Loring. The palate is tangy with black cherry and cranberry, with a touch of herbs and forest floor.
This contends for the best $10 Riesling in the country. It's off dry, with 30g/L of residual sugar, but not too sweet for some Asian noodle entrées. The mouthfeel is thick and borders on syrupy, with penetrating flavors of mango, papaya and peaches. It could also be served after dinner with fruit and soft cheeses.
This lush, toasty, vividly fruity wine can't miss with a wide variety of seafood, pasta and poultry dishes. There's plenty of acid under full-bodied apple and melon and peach fruit. The acids carry a nice touch of citrus and that clean fresh fruit continues on through a medium-long finish.
One of Saintsbury's veteran winemakers, Mr. Knuttel displays his love and understanding of the variety with this sexy, spicy single-vineyard wine. Baked cherry and a hint of smoke ride a soft, medium-bodied wave of strawberry flavor with fresh acidity.
Winemaker Sabrine Rodem strips wines down to their essence in her Ex Anima line, showing the savory side of this cool-climate Syrah. Black peppercorn, rosemary, cola and blueberry aromas show on the nose, while the palate packs cracked pepper, ripe olallieberry and dried beef flavors with tarry tension.
Although sourced from the warm northern end of Barossa, the intention is to make a less bombastic expression of Shiraz, with only 14% new French oak. Mulberry fruit still comes through, accented by hints of coffee, mint and dark chocolate, without too much extraction or tannin. Drink now–2025.
Despite coming from a warm, inland region, this shows admirable freshness. Cassis, vanilla, some red-fruit tones and baking spices all come together harmoniously on the medium-bodied palate. It's restrained yet intense, with a long, silky finish. Drink now–2025.
Cedar, bold berry and cassis aromas come with an exotic note of sandalwood. In the mouth, this feels alert, bright and grabby, with a full load of muscular tannins and acidity. Flavors of spiced blackberry, coffee and chocolate are toasty and a touch burnt in character on the finish. Drink through 2023.
This is a terrific value in balanced, ready-to-drink Australian Cabernet. It brings several Bordeaux-ish qualities to the table—medium body, silky tannins and aromas reminiscent of cigar box and Ribena—then adds varietally true flavors and a long finish. Drink now–2025.
Made in a savory, ageworthy style, the 2013 Covenant features aromas of tar, espresso and black olive. It adds intriguing red-berry notes on the full-bodied palate, along with dusty tannins that persist through the long finish. Drink 2018–2025.
Smoky cranberry and pomegranate feature prominently in this medium-bodied, delicately crafted wine. It shows a hint of burnt orange spiked with clove.
Chocolate-covered raspberry forms the luscious core of this fairly priced wine that's medium-bodied, moderately naked in its oak use and soft in its approachability. Rich, dense and luxurious, it will pair well with any grilled meats.
This affordable wine offers tangy oak and tannin along with vibrant red fruit. Leather and juicy black plum add to its soft layers of flavor.
Medium-bodied and moderate in acidity, this earthy exploration of clove, cardamom and strawberry-rhubarb is complemented by a depth of black tea flavor. A well-composed, structured wine, it stays bright and fresh on the finish.
Produced from a single clone—Dijon 777—this late release has a hint of leather around candied cherry fruit, mixed with sweetened cranberry. It's concentrated and rounded off, with brown spice highlights. Drink now to 2020.
This blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre offers intriguing cherry candy, rhubarb and hibiscus scents, with touches of exotic cinnamon and woodsmoke. Caramel and baked cherry flavors mark the cherry pie-like palate, dusted with star anise and clove over a solidly tannic frame.
This wine is big and bold, but its opulent, generous fruit flavors perfectly fill out its frame, giving it the balance it needs for enjoyment. Ripe blackberry and black cherry notes mark the palate, unfettered by oak-inflected flavor. The texture is firm with lots of fine-grained tannins, while the fruit lingers nicely on the finish.
A big step up from the 2009, the 2010 L'Arzelle is nuanced and silky. Pepper, porcini and plum pudding scents grace the nose, while the palate delivers dark fruit, black olive and espresso flavors that ease into a long finish. Drink now–2018.
This gorgeous expression boasts an intense bouquet of stone fruit, flint and Mediterranean herbs. The juicy palate delivers concentrated peach, citrus and pink grapefruit flavors, accented by mineral and mint. It has structure, elegance and incredible energy.
A textured wine, it's still very crisp, tight and closed up, only just hinting at a more fruity side. Waiting a few years will reveal the delicious citrus, peach and vanilla flavors that will show how generous and rich this wine really is. Don't touch before 2017.
With so few Mallorcan wines on the market, Anima Negra operates in a vacuum. Thankfully the winery excels with this red made from the local Callet grape. Dry, light, spicy aromas of sandalwood, tobacco and cherry come in front of a medium-bodied, creamy and oaky palate. Flavors of ripe yet spicy cherry and plum finish with notes of wood smoke and baking spices. Drink this unique wine through 2024.
This luminous, ruby colored wine opens with a lovely bouquet of violet, rose, new leather, woodland berry and baking spice. The bright palate is loaded with finesse and smooth tannins, deliveing crushed red cherry and wild strawberry accented by clove and cinnamon. Enjoy now through 2020.
The light, stony soil of Les Lavières produces structured, tight and firm wines, unlike many of the softer wines from Savigny. With new wood and licorice flavors, it is darkly textured and firm. The red fruits are still developing, showing the rich potential of the wine. Drink from 2017.
Rich and aromatic, this black label reserve displays excellent power and concentration. A dense core of cassis, licorice and espresso is brightened with vivid acidity, slowing fading through a long, smoky finish. Wait until 2016 for optimum enjoyment.
Made from a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, this gorgeous wine offers intense fragrances of blue flower, forest floor, pine sap and woodland berry. The smooth, juicy palate delivers concentrated raspberry and black cherry flavors, with hints of licorice and Mediterranean herbs.
Ferguson is L'Ecole's newest estate vineyard, and this Bordeaux-style blend marks its single-vineyard debut. It's 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, grown at 1,500 feet in almost pure basalt. The minerality is a signature trait, along with raspberry, cassis and wild cherry fruit flavors. This seems sure to improve by 2020–2022.
Balsam wood, coconut, tobacco and black-fruit aromas feed into a lush, easygoing palate with smooth tannins and lots of weight. This is ripe in raisin and prune flavors along with savory berry, cumin and baking spice notes. A chunky finish delivers chocolate and tobacco flavors but not much bite or structure. Drink through 2019.
This structured yet polished wine, made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico and 20% Merlot, opens with intense aromas of tilled earth, mature black fruit, leather, graphite and spice. The Juicy palate offers fleshy blackberry, black currant, black pepper and mineral alongside silky smooth tannins. Hold for more complexity. Drink 2015–2025.
A nose of baked apple and saline minerality introduce this wine from this single-vineyard superstar winery. The palate picks up with zing, offering apple candy, lemon lime soda and a bit of bitter tension as well. The wine evolves steadily while on the tongue and is never boring.
Testarossa's single-vineyard expertise shines on this wine from Rosella's, which is fresh and alive on the nose with ripe nectarine and grapefruit peel. The acidity carries prominently on the palate, but the ruby-red grapefruit elements are not sharp, possessing both sweet and savory sides and finishing with some bitterness. Serve with honey-glazed seared scallops.
“Califa” is a Native American word meaning the prettiest one, and that's what winemaker Fintan du Fresne delivers in this estate-grown wine. The lovely nose is spun tightly around citrus, white roses and limestone, while the well-integrated palate offers a touch of jasmine followed by apple elements that arise in the midpalate. Serve with shrimp paella.
An oak-fermented blend of 90% Grenache Blanc and 10% Viognier, this is a full-bodied, richly textured wine for drinking over the near term. Nutty scents and flavors accent grilled peach and pineapple fruit, ending in a long, mouthwatering finish.
From vines averaging 50 years of age, this is powerful, ripe and concentrated. It has dark black fruits, red berries that give acidity, and a richly fruity structure. It punches well above its village appellation. Drink from 2017.
Inviting aromas of balsam wood, pipe tobacco and black fruits are lusty and deep. This is big and drawing on the palate, with ribald flavors of blackberry, licorice, chocolate and mocha. A rich, chocolaty, oaky finish with controlled acidic kick and tannic bite confirm the wine's power and spirit. Drink through 2020.
This venture is doing a fine job ferreting out Northern Rhône wines and offering them at realistic prices. This is a dark, concentrated Cornas, big and richly textured while retaining crispness and delineation. Plum and blackberry notes join black olive and espresso, but the overall impression remains savory, all the way through the long, velvety finish. Drink now–2020.
Given how cool and difficult the 2008 vintage was, this is impressive. Bold, oaky aromas of coconut, cola and mocha come with a blackberry backing. Vibrancy and hard tannins push the palate, which brings chocolaty flavors, spice and mocha along with core berry. Licorice, toast and other black flavors drive an oaky, hard finish. Drink through 2021.
This is a pretty, elegant Côte Rôtie, only medium in body, but with a lovely silky texture and a tart, lingering finish. Herbal aromas suggest green olives, and there's a hint of bacon smoke to go with flavors of tart raspberries and cherries. Drink now–2020.
This blend is made with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot—all Conner Lee fruit. Firm and supple, it's loaded with raspberry and cherry fruit that goes deep and stays balanced. One-quarter new French oak was used.
Predominantly Cabernet, this the most interesting and complex of all the Long Shadows red blends. It's an aromatic and compelling wine with mixed scents of brambly berries and a touch of violets. Tannins are compact and fully ripe, with none of the chalky character shown in some other reds from this vintage. The juicy acidity and compact strength suggest that further cellaring will reward your patience.
This bottling slips in many corners of the flavor experience at once. On the nose, a bit of tropical fruit mixes with evenly spread buttercream, followed by precursor hints of bright acidity on the palate. That citrus-led vibrancy does come, as does a mix of creaminess and limestone-inflected tang, as if the rocks themselves delivered the acidity.
Winemakers James Ontiveros and Paul Wilkins tease awesomeness out of the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard with this Pinot Noir—and Ontiveros should know how, since he worked for the vineyard for years. On the nose, there's sea salt, caramel, cotton candy and pepper-teriyaki steak. Although it's leaner on the palate, it still features ripe raspberries, milk chocolate and sweetened coffee.
This is Langetwins's first vintage of Malbec from estate vineyards and it leaves a bit to be desired. Flat and a tad watery, it's a one-dimensional quaff.
Oily, match-stick aromas are none too friendly, and not a lot improves as this unfolds. The palate is adequate in feel, but the flavors are bitter and oily, while the finish is nothing but bitter.
Luscious prune and blackberry aromas come with complex notes of graphite, toast and tobacco. The palate on this 80-case, high-end Tinto Fino is about as full as they come while still maintaining impeccable balance. Roasted berry, cassis and salty leather flavors are delicious but also challenging, while baked berry flavors, raw power and ripe tannins define the finish. Drink this outstanding Spanish wine from 2014 through 2024.
This stunning Chianti Classico has an intense perfume of violet, rose and iris, accented with scents of truffle and forest berry. The wildly delicious palate presents a core of juicy cherry layered with sweet pipe tobacco, mint and spice, with a hint of well-integrated oak. It has great energy, with vibrant acidity and bracing but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2025.
After two marginal vintages (2007–08), this is Emilio Moro and Ribera del Duero at their finest. This Tinto Fino delivers a huge wave of mocha, blackberry, tobacco and coffee aromas in front of a dense and layered palate that's packed with prune, chocolate, cassis and blackberry flavors. A savory, richly textured finish overflowing with coffee, chocolate and smoky flavors seals the deal. Drink from 2015–2022.
From a great vintage in the Douro, this is a dark, closed, brooding wine. It has the richest texture, full of dark layers of black plums, chocolate, leather and followed by concentrated acidity. These elements are still combining to create a potentially serious, very ageworthy wine. Give it seven years and more.
A rich Riesling, just off dry, balancing intense acidity with white currant, hedgerow fruits and a concentrated texture. The wine is full-bodied, very ripe and superbly structured. Very fruity now, this is a wine to show how well Riesling can age—give it 6–8 years.
The Reserva takes the produce of the great terroir of Romaneira to another level. It's a wine of power, flavor intensity and a finely integrated structure. Rich black fruits combine with a dry core, acidity and the promise of long-term aging. Drink from 2017.
Here's a beautiful Chianti Classico from Panzano's Conca d'Oro, or Golden Basin, one of the best areas in the denomination. It has compelling aromas of pipe tobacco, crushed cherry, smoke and leather. The palate delivers juicy black-cherry, plum, clove, carob and mineral flavors. This wine has a beautiful structure, elegance and mesmerizing depth.
Fermented in open stone lagars, this fine wine has a very rich character. It has a concentrated feel, smoothly ripe and very dense. Black plum fruit and skins are combined with intense wood and acidity to give a solidly based wine that needs at least 5–7 years.
Software developer-turned-vintner Mike Officer comes south from his Sonoma base to Monterey make this lavish Syrah that shows layers of blueberry, blackberry and black cassis as well as potpourri and ganache elements. Those same fruits hit the sip too, along with licorice, pretty purple flowers and an ever-increasing asphalt component.
Rich, round and ripe, this is made from a musqué clone originally from Dijon, France, meant to impart memorable aromatics. It does, in spades, revealing wafts of honeysuckle and fresh pineapple amid a bright, tangy twist of acidity and gravely minerality, sharing a touch of salt on the finish.
Grapes for this wine are sourced from a wide selection of sites, from Poe Vineyard in Carneros to Bald Mountain Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Together they sing harmoniously, offering a lightness of color and plenty of perfume around a rich body marked in toffee and supportive oak.
This is a new wine from this winery—its first foray onto Red Mountain. The aromas are bright, with fruit-filled notes of cherry, berry and spice in addition to a meat and mineral undertone. The flavors are dense, rich and opulent while still staying in balance. A lick of firm tannins backs it all up.
The creamy, rich notes of freshly baked pear tart reach the senses first. Next the palate offers a soft, gentle and almost breezy freshness with citrus peel, floral overtones, creamy hints of shortbread and something primal like rock and stone. All of this is held together in a tableau of freshness, poise and elegance. The dry and lasting finish hints at riches to come, and this lovely wine will develop further. Drink now until 2030.
An assertive and mouthfilling wine, this has a relatively light color. Aromas are on the earthy side, but the flavors are ripe and focused on cherries and berries with deeper hints of clove and coriander. It's full bodied, plush in texture and long on the finish.
The aromas are all high toned, with notes of mortared fresh herbs, blueberry pie, citrus, black pepper and whiffs of smoked meat. The palate is dense and rich, tightly focused and flavorful with a meaty streak that runs throughout and a finish that lingers.
Though from a cool region, this is a more powerful style of Syrah, showing elegant fudge and caramel notes as well as blackberries, blueberries, espresso cream and strong cola aromas. Tangy black currant and baked black-cherry fruit pop on the palate, along with tobacco, smoked beef and baking spice.
This is a complex but approachable example of a fine Chilean red blend. Led by Cabernet Sauvignon, this six-grape combo smells lightly roasted, spicy and chocolaty, with olive and blackberry scents. A juicy, fresh, layered palate has both spine and cushion; forward berry and medicinal cherry flavors finish smooth and balanced, with dashes of oak, baking spices and herbs. Drink through 2022.
From the producer's estate vineyard on the Vaca Mountain range, this wine offers soft, generous tannin around a juicy core of cassis, dried currant, leather and cigar. Full bodied and robustly crafted, it benefits from a balance of bright acidity. It will be enjoyed further with age; drink now through 2023.
Light, floral and brimming in exotic Asian spice, this wine offers length and breadth in an expression of elegance and balance. Orange, pomegranate and red cherry dance around a circle of rose petals, providing succulence and beauty.
Ripe aromas of lemon curd, almond and butter make for a showy intro to the nose of this wine, but it is quickly focused by sharper pear and pineapple fruit. The rich palate shows all the classic Cali Chardonnay components of butter, cooked apple and crushed cashew, all expertly measured and in balance.
This appellation blend performs as well as the single-vineyard expressions by the same vintner (at least early in the wine's life). From Adam Lee, this bottling offers fresh blackberry, violet, lilac, lavender, charcoal, beef and white pepper on the nose. The palate is full of peppery, boysenberry-juice flavors, wrapped in an engaging texture.
Dusty blackberry and juicy clove mark this softly textured, earthy and layered red wine. Full bodied without being bodacious, it instead offers the classic richness and reward of the appellation from a great site in a great vintage.
A single parcel of 80-year old vines is the source of this foot trodden wine. It is rich and quite dense while having stylish black fruits and a ripe, smooth texture. The intense acidity keeps it fruity and juicy. It is still young and will be better from 2018.
Pressed boysenberry aromas highlight simultaneously dark and fresh fruit on the nose of this bottling by Adam Lee, which also conveys Earl Grey tea, lavender, hibiscus and crushed pencils. The palate picks up the same tack, offering delicate fruits and florals, from cranberry to elderflower.
The aromas draw you in with complex notes of chamomile, almond butter, herb and citrus. The palate shows depth and vibrant texture, exhibiting poise and exquisite balance. It delivers.
This is a dynamic wine, showing Key lime, yellow apples, oak smoke, butter, tangerine pith, macadamia nut and sea salt on the nose. The palate is streamlined with lime pith, lemon rind and seared pineapple flavors.
The duel in this wine is between equal parts Zinfandel and Syrah, a winning combination in its thick, firm tannin weight wrapped around bright red fruit. Tangy acidity gives it a lift along a juicy and sophisticated palate, peppery and alive on the finish.
This comes from a parcel of red clay that is not found elsewhere in the region. It gives a powerful and hugely dense wine that boasts good concentration and ripe black fruits. There is no sense of any aging yet on this impressive wine with its acidity and opulent ripeness still intact. Drink now, although the wine will age for many years, certainly until 2025.
A smoky tinge to the garnet color and savory, forest-floor aromas give a slightly earthy character to this deceptively full-bodied, fascinating wine. The flavors kick in vivid rhubarb, raspberry and pomegranate notes, while firm tannins, brisk acidity and a nice, dry mouthfeel add good structure.
Coffee, spice, vanilla and pencil lead aromas are followed by rich, luscious, full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. It's hedonistic and pulls no punches but shows balance: an equal mix of fruit and barrel.
One in a series of single varietal wines, this brings out the richness of Alicante Bouschet. The dark color comes from the red juice of the grapes. The flavors show richness, dense black fruits and a dark series of tannins. Drink this concentrated wine from 2018.
Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, ripe Asian pear and a touch of yellow melon show on the nose of this versatile and tasty bottling. Grippy tension consumes the palate, led by lemon rind, but there's also a richer yellow-apple and pear core as well as a bit of pineapple.
A dash of spicy oak suggests nutmeg and cinnamon in the aroma of this well-balanced, rich and flavorful wine. Cherry, red currant and touches of mint and cedar fill out the palate, and the texture is just firm enough, with fine tannins for great balance.
Slightly reductive in style, this wine shows aromas of lime skins and Brie-cheese rind before opening a bit toward lemon blossoms and raw cashews. The palate possesses a stunningly grippy and chalky texture, with sharp flavors of Key-lime rind and pomelo pith.
Fresh on the nose with black plum, dried tarragon, hot asphalt, potpourri and a touch of Earl Grey tea, this is a well-priced wine with great versatility for all sorts of foods. The palate is vibrant and bursting with energy, juicy enough for a summer day but made serious with firm tannins. It could hold up to steak as well as complementing roasted fish.
A light toasty, meaty aroma and savory flavors help this wine stand out from the pack. Full bodied, it's well structured due to firm tannins and acidity. It should be best after 2018.
Aged for a year in oak, this rich wine is a blend that includes Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. It has a fine structure that brings in dense tannins as well as a darker, firmer character that will allow it to age further. Drink from 2018.
This wine offers immediate appeal, opening with aromas of black olive, funk, flowers and moist earth. It does not disappoint, with soft fruit and savory flavors that coat the palate. Meaty flavors add to the enjoyment and the balance is spot on.
From the estate vineyard of a winery founded in 1994 by Silicon Valley mogul TJ Rodgers of Cypress Semiconductor, the grapes must be picked by a special tractor-on-wires because they are so steeply planted. Like the other 2009s, this Pinot Noir is characterized by strong tannins, meaning that it will last. Unlike the others, this one boats a more mushroom-driven nose between shiitake and porcini, with a touch of mocha. The palate reveals caramelized raspberry, graphite and silty flavors.
This earthy Taurasi opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, blue flower, wet soil and leather. The ripe, structured palate doles out fleshy black cherry accented by cracked black pepper and balsamic herbs. With bracing tannins, give this time to fully develop depth and complexity; drink after 2019. Oliver McCrum, Polaner.
From vines just to the north of Nuits Saint-Georges, this firm and structured wine features ripe fruits, red berries and bitter cherry flavors. Both dark in texture and perfumed, it's powerful and does need some aging. Drink from 2017.
The 60% new wood aging is showing strongly in this structured wine. Rich and rounded, it offers hints of spice, red cherry fruits and a firmly, tannic edge. The aftertaste brings out a jammy richness. Drink from 2017.
Herbal accents of thyme and rhubarb and a dash of pomegranate molasses give this dark-fruited wine an exotic edge, although it finishes with hints of creosote and espresso. It's full-bodied and supple in texture, making for a wine that should drink well through 2025.
This concentrated blend of Nero d'Avola and other grapes opens with aromas of earth, game, underbrush and mature black fruit. The dense palate offers velvety tannins and doles out juicy black cherry flavor layered with fig, chocolate, white pepper, carob and mint.
A new cuvée for this winery, this is an equal mix of 30% Merlot, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon; plus 10% Petite Sirah. It offers generous and juicy pie fruit flavors of berry and cherry. The acidity, tannins and lightly tasted herbal notes are in perfect proportion. On balance it's a fruit-packed little gem that is immensely enjoyable.
100% varietal from one of Washington's most esteemed vineyards, it's tightly wound and slow to reveal its charms. Notes of clove, woodspice, raspberry and cherry re supported by firm, slightly dry tannins that need time to soften.
Pinot Noir specialist Norm Yost hits the varietal's geeky purists with a straight clonal take, pulling just Clone 2A to deliver this wine. The nose is lighter, with cranberry, leather, butter, vanilla and root beer aromas. Meanwhile the palate is stronger—soft but a tad tannic on entry, with licorice and charred pepper steak on the finish. Equally elegant and forceful.
A vibrant minerality consumes the aromas on this bottling from an extremely coastal vineyard. On the palate, strawberry and sagebrush flavors emerge, all couched in a clean, crisp and refreshing acidity with appropriate bitterness as well. Ready to drink now.
There's a slightly pink hue to this wine from Lompoc's Norman Yost. The nose is bright and minerally, with strawberry, apple cider and slight watermelon aromas. There's even more going on once sipped, with pear spritzer and citrus zest playing along with gray rocks and elements both bitter and sour. It's a refreshing take on a grape that doesn't always get the rock star treatment.
A lighter style Zinfandel, it's also lighter in color. Aromas align more with fresh minerality than deep fruit, though there is tobacco, plum jam and some pepper on the nose. Once sipped, cranberry and pomegranate compete for the fruit side, while cedar and pepper form the spice element. It's great for sipping on the porch and shows how Zinfandel can be impressively lean, even with 14.7% alcohol.
There's a reason why this finessed bottling is one of Sicily's most iconic whites. It doles out juicy yellow apple, mature pear, white grapefruit, yellow peach and tropical fruit accented by notes of vanilla and hazelnut, with fresh acidity. Subtle oak adds complexity and structure.
This family-owned winery comes out swinging with this blend of 81% Zinfandel backed by bits of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah, casting aromas of boysenberry, cola and freshly cut grilled rib eye. On the palate, it's smooth and evenly balanced with blackberry pie, vanilla and milk chocolate, offering the perfect partner for barbecued ribs and flame-broiled steak.
Made with 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc, it spent 23 months in one-third new French oak. The overall structure is impressive, with firm acidity and streaks of iron and mineral around tight, taut black fruit. It will get even better with ample breathing time and/or further cellaring.
There's a fascinating presence of herb-roasted chicken to the well-balanced nose of this Chardonnay from the historic Brousseay Vineyard, alongside chalky minerality, golden apple and Asian pear. Once sipped, it's very easy on the palate, with baked apple, wet stone, slight kiwi and a noticeable salinity.
The great fruit produces a delicious wine that is also structured with a strong steely element. It is full of yellow fruits, layers of wood and juicy acidity. The aftertaste is as bright as a button.
This young wine is classic and spicy, with still-yeasty aromas of pear and apple. The flavors are focused, with vivid, lightly lemony acidity underscoring highlights of beeswax and flowers.
While this wine demonstrates the telltale cool element of the appellation, it also offers ripe fruit, pear and peach flavors lightly layered with wood. The wine is crisp at the end, with a mineral aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
Ripe and structured, it has the weight and broad feel of a Chassagne-Montrachet. Firmly textured and concentrated, it also shows soft fruitiness. The power will keep it aging well, so drink from 2017.
A steely wine, it's tight with acidity and apple fruit flavors. It has a brighter, crisper side, but the wine is still nervy and textured. Acidity at the end means it can age. Drink from 2016.
For the first time these excellent grapes are being shown in a single-vineyard cuvée. It's a big, tannic, high-octane wine, with smooth, ripe and generous purple fruits. There is plenty of supporting acid, along with rather astringent tannins that carry a leafy note through the finish. Drink now–2019.
Generous, appealing melon, pear and apple aromas are followed by plump but still elegant while well-balanced fruit flavors. It's a bit one note but it hits that note well.
This opens with aromas suggesting French oak, dark berry, violet and coconut. The medium-bodied palate offers wild cherry, cranberry and oak-driven spice alongside bright acidity and close-grained, mouth-puckering tannins.
The nose of this Gewürztraminer abounds in shades of blossom, ripe melon, berries and peach. By contrast, the palate is a bit earthier, showing more mineral tones than fruit. Full bodied and lavishly textured, it finishes with a touch of heat and tea-toned astringency.
Bright and fragrant, this has pretty aromas of wild berry, kitchen spice, sage and a hint of game. The straightforward palate offers red cherry and clove while supple tannins and fresh acidity give it an easy-drinking vibe.
Attractive oaky, well-aged aromas and flavors make this wine mellow and multi-faceted. It leads with cedar and cigar-box aromas, followed by touches of cherry and plum. The body is full, adding to the moderately tannic texture.
Pale peach in color, this wine offers bright notes of watermelon and cherry. It drinks a hair or two off dry, with plentiful juicy fruit flavors.
Pristine grapefruit and gooseberry notes are offset by persistent layers of smoke, dusty mineral and earth in this Sauvignon Blanc. Full bodied on the palate yet vibrantly citrusy, it finishes brisk yet clean. Drink now through 2019.
Fragrant purple flower, aromatic herb, wild berry and Asian spice aromas take center stage. The racy palate offers sour cherry, cranberry and sage accompanied by brisk acidity. Firm, close-grained tannins leave a drying finish.
Aromas like white pepper and dried herbs lead to ripe, direct fruit flavors and a feeling of power from the very full body.
This is a simple, fruit-driven white wine, ideal as an apéritif or for patio-sipping. Pear, melon and pineapple notes mingle easily on the nose and palate, finishing moderately long.
Blue flower, red berry, forest floor and a whiff of Mediterranean herb lead the nose. The racy, linear palate delivers black cherry, pomegranate and clove framed in sleek tannins and bracing acidity. A note of powdered sage closes the finish.
Sharp, briny aromas of citrus and bell pepper teeter on vegetal. This is racy, pointed and minerally, with tangy, pyrazine-heavy flavors of lemon, white pepper and bell pepper. A snappy, piercing finish is lean and scouring.
The aromas of jasmine and stone fruit seem quite subdued for the variety. As promised, the palate boasts plentiful amounts of sugar counterbalanced by stone-fruit flavors.
This wine is fruity and with a crisp texture. Bright and lively, it's juicy with pears and apples with lively final acidity. Drink this delicious wine now.
Grapy aromas of violet petal and blackberry are gritty and earthy. This feels outright tannic and edgy. Herbal, lightly green flavors of roasted black fruits settle on chocolate, spice and more herbs on a powerful but hot finish.
Forest floor, truffle, espresso and dark-skinned berry aromas take center stage. On the palate, coffee, toast and a hint of star anise accent a core of red cherry while polished tannins and zesty acidity provide the easy-drinking framework.
Youthful and fresh, this opens with aromas of dark berry, moist underbrush and a whiff of violet. The bright, easygoing palate offers tart cherry, orange zest and a whisper of clove alongside zesty acidity and relaxed tannins.
Aromas of citrus rind, baking spice and baked bread fill the aromas. The palate is tart with lively fruit flavors.
Fresh-sliced Anjou and Asian pears aromas meet with sharper lemon oil and honeydew-melon notes on the nose of this bottling. Seared lime rinds, green pears and graphite combine on the sour and tart palate.
Produced from Niellucciu, this wine is ripe, perfumed and packed with crisp acidity. Fresh raspberry, citrus and a touch of caramel are brought together by the acidity and zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a ripe, orange and apricot-flavored wine. With a crisper citrus edge it is full, creamy and juicy. A mineral edge adds interest, bringing out the perfumed fruit. Drink this wine from 2017.
Aromas of French oak, espresso and coconut lead the nose and follow through to the robust palate along with dried sour cherry, orange peel and clove. Tightly knit grainy tannins leave a somewhat astringent finish.
Classic Sangiovese aromas of violet, wild berry and forest floor lead the nose on this easygoing red. The bright straightforward palate shows morello cherry, tangerine zest and a hint of clove framed in bright acidity and supple tannins.
This wine is light, crisp and fruity, a real cool-climate red offering acidity, smoky black-currant fruit and a pinch of spice. The wine is ready to drink, with a mineral, fruity aftertaste.
Vines close to the east coast of Corsica give this bright, light and fruity wine. Crisp acidity is fleshed out with creamed apple and pear fruit. The wine is delicious to drink now.
Aromas recalling woodland berry, underbrush and a whiff of toasted nut lead the nose on this easy-drinking red. The light-bodied, straightforward palate offers tart sour cherry, strawberry and a touch of clove alongside firm acidity and fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
Crisp yet slightly tart in the mouth, this wine exhibits pleasant flavors of Granny Smith apple, lemon custard, and fresh white peach.
This opens with subdued aromas of red berry and violet. The lively, no-frills palate offers tart cherry and a hint of chopped herb accompanied by polished tannins. It's made to be enjoyed young so drink soon.
This Garnacha-Syrah blend smells cheesy, raisiny and overoaked, especially at first, when it hits with a strong note of pepper. The palate is lively but cushioned, while herbal cherry and prune flavors turn soft and jammy on the finish.
With its firm tannins and structure, this is a wine that's made in the traditional Nuits-St.-Georges style. But it's also packed with ripe red fruit, and it has a jammy character and an open feel. There is no doubt that this is a wine to age for at least five years.
Roughly half of the blend is made from fruit that comes from 30-year-old vines. An addition of 6% Muscat adds a scent of tree fruit, and the lovely citrus and stone fruit flavors are enhanced by a fresh-baked bread note. It has excellent concentration and impeccable balance, plus a long, satisfying finish.
Duas Quintas Reserva is now established as one of the benchmark wines in the Douro. This dark-colored effort has ripe, concentrated dark berry and herb flavors and a fine sense of tannic structure from wood aging. There's a strong sense of minerality as well, giving this richness and aging potential.
This Syrah is at the top of the lineup for Reininger. It's tightly wound, yet it opens gracefully to reveal deep flavors of blueberry and plum, with resonating notes of earth, iron, espresso and dark chocolate. This can age for up to a decade.
Tropical fruit aromas lead to a peach- and apricot-flavored palate. It shows old-vine concentration, spice from having aged in wood and a generous, velvet-like texture that is balanced by a fine shot of lemony acidity. Age this for 4–5 years.
Although the 2010 vintage was cooler than the previous two years, this Chardonnay still offers rich and luscious notes of crème caramel and baked pear. The intoxicating bouquet picks up layers of lemon zest and mineral.
Stiff and tannic, this wine's bold black-cherry flavor, which is characteristic of the Champoux Vineyard, is veined with iron and gravel notes, plus a clover hint. It's complex and riveting, and the tannins finish with a peppery bite.
With its firmness and juicy red-fruit flavor, this wine is delicious to drink now, but it will also age for at least six years. This bottling demonstrates the structure and generosity of one of Beaune's most famous premier crus.
Focus and elegance are the hallmarks of this wine, and it offers the fruit purity that characterizes virtually all of Maison Bleue's white wines. From the first sniff to the last, resonating swallow, this smells and tastes like a bowl full of peaches, pineapples and mixed stone fruits. It's tight and defined, and it doesn't have new oak influence.
Made from fruit that was sourced entirely from the 1.5-acre estate vineyard, this limited-production, Dijon-clone-based Chardonnay captures the essence of the Abeja style. Complex, stylish and buttery, it's a striking, fruit-laden wine. The long, clean finish mixes a flavor of citrus rind with a streak of butterscotch.
From it's musky, perfumed to nose to it's intensely honeyed, dried-peach- and apricot-flavored palate, everything about this wine is mysterious and ethereal. Crafted by monks in an ancient Georgian monastery, this amber-hued wine is made from white grapes that were fermented and aged in clay vessels (qvevri) and that underwent extended skin contact, which resulted in a wine with puckering tannins and a richly textural mouthfeel.
A blend of five grapes, this is a firm, tannic and age-worthy wine. Even the high alcohol doesn't show on the rich, well-balanced palate. It's full of plum and black currant flavors, and wood-derived flavors show on the finish.
This wine has a tight structure that's laced with wood. The complex fruit is still settling into the structure, promising richness. Age this for at least five years.
A powerful and concentrated wine, this shows the region's dark and tannic side. The black plum and juicy black-currant flavors shine, and wood aging has smoothed the palate, which makes it feel dense and fully mature.
Forest, Yatir's top-of-the-line offering, is always a dense and powerful wine that can age. Right now, the wine smells young and a bit closed, hiding some of its beauty and nuance behind the upfront black plum, cassis and cherry fruit aromas. Hints of fruitcake spice, bramble, cigar box and leather occasionally flicker in the background, revealing what time has in store for this dark beauty of a wine. Big and rich right now, with a full structure and gripping tannins. Drink 2016–2022.
In 2008, Januik made a single-vineyard Syrah from Lewis Vineyard fruit; now the winery has sourced fruit from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the superstar spots on Red Mountain. A compact wine that snaps right into focus, this offers varietal flavors of fig, berry and plum. A streak of smooth chocolate weaves through the finish, along with a hint of red licorice and underlying slate-like minerality.
Amply displays the charms and shortocmings of the 2008 vintage: complex if slightly herbal cherry fruit, medium body and great freshness. Drink now–2013.
Rounded and soft, this is immediately attractive and ready to drink. It has pear-fruit flavors, with a hint of spice and light acidity. Treat this as an apéritif wine. Screw cap.
Very soft, perfumed with bright red cherry fruits, this is a lively rosé, light and bright, lilting on the mouth, finishing with mineral acidity. Screw cap.
On the nose, this charming wine is aromatic, with pretty lemon and orange blossoms mingled with darkly toasted oak and butter notes. Dry and full bodied with a rich, creamy mouthfeel, floral notes and a soft salinity on the finish keep the broad palate from verging toward flabbiness.
Zesty on the nose and pulsing with white-fruit aromas, and that opening is backed by a spritzy, lively body that brings lemon-lime and soda-like flavors. Melony and green on the finish, and good overall in a simple, tropical sort of way.
Slightly minty and grassy on the nose, and that mild green character persists. The palate is a bit clacky and acidic, yet the flavors evolve and ultimately rest at candied and medicinal. A touch biting but it tastes pretty good and it's decidedly not sour. A blend of 55% Monastrell with 25% Cabernet Savuignon and 20% Syrah.
For a sweet wine, it's clean, light and airy, with pear and powdered sugar on the nose. The flavors are definitely sweet but the feel isn't particularly sticky, and the finishing flavors of candied fruit, vanilla and honeydew are good. Made from late-harvest Viura and Malvasia.
Dusty and dry on the nose, with raspberry and peppery spice notes that are true to the variety. Relatively solid in the mouth, with peppy red fruit flavors, tea and a tartness suggesting citrus or apple skins. Snappy juice that makes the grade.
A boldy flavored, tropical-fruit-laden wine that brings back memories of the late '80s Chards that helped put Australia on America's wine map, for style and price. Amply textured, with mouthwatering peach and mango notes. Drink now.
This wine varies in quality and perception based on when in its lifespan you taste it. Now, toward the end of the line, it's tropical and hanging in there, with green apple, citrus and other typical SB aromas and flavors. Even with 15% Carmenère in the blend for kicks, it's standard and workmanlike.
This blend of 45% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 27% Mourvèdre does show a trace of heat in its finish, but is otherwise a pleasant, medium-bodied sipper at a realistic price. Tart, slightly minty cherries feature undercurrents of chocolate and coffee, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Drink now.
With a palate-drenching fountain of peach nectar, grapefruit and orange blossom notes, this Finger Lakes standard packs a surprising punch in the 2014 vintage. Dry, yet intensely ripe, it boasts long, lingering streaks of honey and fruit offset by zigzagging daggers of lime zest and lemon. It's penetrating and deliciously persistent.
For a change of pace, this almost electric wine instantly energizes the taste buds. Aromas recall kiwi fruit and fresh-cut pears. The texture is lively, fresh and pure, with good acid balance and a lingering, tangy finish. Pair it with simple preparations of fish and shellfish.
Dark berry, Asian spice and blue flower aromas slowly unfold on this structured red. The full-bodied, tightly wound palate offers up mature black cherry, blackberry, licorice, cinnamon and tobacco while youthfully assertive but refined tannins provide support. Drink 2018–2028.
Brooding aromas of pomegranate, strawberry and spice lead to tart cranberry and raspberry flavors that display exceptional balance, detail and length, with high-wire acidity.
From a couple of pioneers of the style, this barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc shows aggressive fumé-style aromas of smoky struck flint. Grilled melon and fig flavors take hold of the silky midpalate, followed by lingering grapefruit on the finish. True to its usual impressive standard.
The 2013 vintage was a solid one for Pinot Noir in just about every corner of New Zealand. This is medium-bodied and slightly creamy-textured, with dark notes of cola, mocha and plum, spiced up by hints of cinnamon and clove. The lengthy finish is supple and velvety. Drink now–2025.
The nose does not want to give more away than fresh yeast but the palate shines: there are distinct ripe lemon flavors, almost lemon confit, with subtle edges of white pepper that practically tickle the palate. A subtle but rewarding wine with a slender palate.
Despite its light-as-a-feather demeanor, a crush of bright red cherry and cranberry flavors pulsate from this dazzling Cabernet Franc. It's refreshingly thirst quenching, yet elegant enough to savor through a long, herb and bramble-toned finish. Drink now through 2016.
Like the other 2013 Chardonnays from Kumeu River, this boasts crisp acids. Melon and lime notes dominate at first, slowly being overtaken by zesty pineapple fruit on the finish. Quaffable now, but sure to deepen and round out with a few years of aging. Drink now–2020.
Made from 75% Chardonnay and 25% Viognier, Una is thick in caramel and vanilla tones throughout. It conveys a distinct taste and aroma of burnt sugar, like pecans roasting over an open fire. Complex, it works as a well-adjusted, finely made sweet wine, ready to be paired with fruity desserts.
This wine explores the variety's savory side, with aromas of fresh herbs, green pepper and dried tobacco followed by flowers and cherry. It brings suppleness and richness of flavor but also exceptionally well-balanced acidity with length to match, with cedar notes on the finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) makes up the majority of this blend, which also includes Merlot (25%) and pinches of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Complex aromas of potting soil, green pepper, graphite, herbs, blackberry, licorice and barrel spices are followed by focused black-fruit flavors with light coffee accents.
Some reduction still swings on the nose in the form of flinty smokiness, once this wears off, pure, taut, zesty lemon comes to the fore and remains the central feature of this streamlined, slender wine. There is midpalate texture and whistle-clean length.
Aromas of cocoa, herb, woodspice and blue and black fruit lead to lush, palate-coating dark fruit flavors that display depth and richness, backed by a dry lick of tannins.
This is a Merlot-dominant blend, with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc blended in. It offers cooler-climate elements of dried herb, cedar and currant, with the tannins sleek and polished. The finish flirts with a taste of coconut. Drink now through 2021.
The second wine of Château Meyney comes from one of the top estates of the appellation. From selected parcels and barrels of wine, this shows the same sense of structure as the top wine, while the fruitiness is developing more quickly. The black currant and plum-juice flavors are already bursting from the tannins. Drink from 2017.
Aromas convey cedar, savory herb, earth, black licorice and cherry. The dark flavors are reserved in style but still display richness, supported by fine-grained tannins.
A big, burly, hedonistic wine, this offers layers of pronounced baked apple, pear and caramel. The oak wraps itself around in cinnamon-toast waves, with sizable power on the palate. The joy ride ends with a balanced sense of wet stone, fresh and refined.
Made in smaller amounts than its sister label, Starmont, this wine has more complexity and layering of flavors and textures. It opens juicy and exuberant, almost brawny, in black cherry and berry. Oak, currant and clove provide a spicy flair midway through and on the finish.
From four of the producer's vineyards, this is a sublimely layered and intriguing wine, pretty and floral on the nose in citrus peel and jasmine. Weighty and plush on the palate, it traffics in caramel and honey, settling into harmony on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2021.
It's rare to find a pure varietal example that all comes from a single site. This one offers aromas of flowers, moist soil, purple fruit and exotic spice followed by a dense, almost impenetrable palate that offers freshness and length. It's a standout example of the variety.
The fruit for this wine comes nearly equally from Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills (Alder Ridge, Force Majeure and Heart of the Hill vineyards). Jammy raspberry and plum aromas lead to rich, full flavors. It brings plenty of fruit-filled appeal, though the variety's wild side seems tamed.
How unusual—a Pinot Noir from Wachau! Appetizing notes of fresh red currants give this a delicate, light-bodied aspect. The tart berry fruit is again reinforced on the palate where red currants are joined by cranberry. White pepper fizzes around the edges and makes for a lot of charm on a slender, smooth and translucent body.
From the winery that first popularized Petite Sirah in California, this vintage has vivid black-pepper aromas and a deep, inky color. Rich and concentrated flavors suggest pomegranate juice, blackberries and clove. Lavish and layered tannins give the texture an almost thick viscosity that coats the mouth for a lasting impression.
Blueberries and spice—think baking spices and cracked pepper—mingle easily in this medium-bodied, velvety-textured Syrah. Vanilla oak makes an appearance as well, but overall the wine is savory, with ample spice and structure. Drink now–2020.
Fresh, fragrant and aromatic, this is a clean, clear, limpid wine. Its white fruit flavors are refreshingly crisp, offering delicious acidity. Finishes with a lively citrus aftertaste. Screwcap.
The Sandgrube vineyard is one of the most familiar names in Krems and produces warm, fruity wines like this. The wine has weight, a dense texture and green-fruit acidity, laced with pepper. It's very young and should be kept for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
This new cuvée features grapes from both Tokar and Yellowbird vineyards, located out in the Mill Creek region east of downtown Walla Walla. It's close enough to the Blue Mountains to allow for this experiment in dry-farmed (non-irrigated) grapes. Flavors are distinctive, showing wild berries, cola, grain and herb.
This Barolo offers tobacco leaf, porcini mushroom, roasted coffee bean and espresso aromas. The palate delivers ripe plum and coffee notes, and ripe, round tannins. This isn't a very typical expression of Barolo, but it's enjoyable. It's already approachable. Drink it now and over the next few years.
This is a ripe, open and fruity wine, that's still very fresh and crisp. It has fragrant apple flavor, soft texture and a bright and juicy core that radiates a rounded character with finishing acidity. Screwcap.
On the rich side, this is a full-bodied wine with pure green and white fruits. Acidity cuts through this richer texture, a lively fruity wine that is also full of ripe fruits. At the end, a more steely, mineral character emerges. Screwcap.
Lively and crisp, this wine hints more at fragrant red berries and red fruit than the tannins of Cabernet. The structure is there, but in the background, giving the wine a chance at a couple of years' bottle aging.
The Loisium is the wine museum in Langenlois in which the Steininger family is partner. This wines comes from the vineyard next to the museum. It's brightly fruity, a delicately layered wine, full of citrus and apricot fruit flavors, lively and ready to drink. Screwcap.
This fifty-fifty blend is rich and ripe, with forward aromas and flavors of red plum, blueberry and blackberry. Secondary accents of licorice root, black pepper and light toast add depth and interest. Silky and accessible, this is a surprisingly approachable selection that's ready to drink now.
Tight and firm, this wine's herbal character and black currant fruit bring out the dry character of the wine and intense acidity on the finish.
Made by the same team as Château de France in Pessac-Léognan, this is an attractive, forward wine. It shows the juicy character of the vintage, although the tannins do give it structure and some weight. A wine for medium-term aging: 4–5 years.
There is fine acidity here, black currant fruit and firm tannins. The combination works well, giving fruitiness and structure. The result is a wine with aging potential, freshness and an attractive, juicy aftertaste.
Ripe and sweetly fruity, this is a black-currant and berry-flavored wine, with balanced juiciness and a judicious use of wood. Full-bodied, it's likely to age well over the medium term.
With residual sugar measuring 17 g/L, this puts the emphasis on fruit flavors that are forward, round, ripe and slightly sweet. It's right down the heart of the plate in terms of Washington styles; apple and peach the main flavors.
Concentrated blackberry, leather and loam aromas are big, bold and bullish. This is saturated and heavy in the mouth, with leather, roasted berry and meaty flavors. A round finish comes with just enough snappy acidity to keep it lively, although there is some choppiness and grit to it.
Still quite young and showing an herbal side to the sharply-defined red fruits, this Cabernet will need a bit more bottle age to soften the rough edges. Nonetheless, the complex weave of bark, herb, earth and wild berry is balanced and effective; just give it more time.
Sobon's Old Vines Zinfandel is seamless in bright red fruit and soft tannins, with a tempered spiciness on the finish. A great value and go-to wine for a crowd, this is ideal to stock up on for outdoor gatherings, or just to get through the winter.
This mouth-filling Shiraz features plenty of weight and texture and bold, plummy flavors tinged with mocha and black olive. It'll go great with a charred steak off the grill.
Roasted berry and cassis aromas are basic and familiar. The palate on this varietal Cabernet is grabby yet solid, with sweet, baked flavors of cassis, berry and chocolate. Hints of toast and darkness rise up on what amounts to a rubbery feeling finish.
Savory aromas of grilled meats and barbecue sauce come with resiny oak and carob notes. This feels solid in the mouth, with an oak-driven texture that's cut by nice acidity. Core flavors follow the nose: savory berry with resiny oak, herbs and BBQ notes. Spearmint flavors and racy acidity drive the finish.
This wine's bright berry notes make it very accessible—the raspberry perfume is virtually irresistible. Those berries are capably framed by cedary elements, but on the palate, the structure of the wine is taut, wiry and crisp. Drink it over the next few years for its fruity appeal.
Spiced berry, dry oak and a note of latex define the nose on this ripe, likable, friendly Tempranillo. The wine is lively on the palate, with candied, jumpy flavors of berry fruits that finish with some foxiness and a wet-fur note. The emphasis here is on fresh fruit more than power or oakiness.
An intriguing combination of almost equal parts Malbec, Mourvèdre and Petit Verdot, Rock Wall's Romancer hails from Clarksburg's small Heringer Vineyard, and is bright, fruity and juicy with blackberry and strawberry flavors. Aromatic lavender and jasmine notes against a backdrop of meaty tobacco make the presence of Mourvedre apparent.
Invigorating scents of lime zest and crisp apple introduce this nervy, dry Riesling. It's brisk with lime acidity, but builds in weight and texture with hints of petrol and lanolin that linger on the palate.
Less complex than some of Londer's single-vineyard designates, this is a great value Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. It tastes of dark raspberry liqueur with a woody overtone, and its presence and mouthfeel are sizable enough to stand up to a variety of earthy foods.
A well-made Cabernet, with additions of Merlot and Malbec contributing to the blend. It shows mixed herb and plenty of spice up front, with red berry fruits following. The tannins have been smoothed out a bit, but retain some texture and herbal highlights.
Exotically aromatic with notes of pineapple and quince, this is a dry, yet lavishly fruity wine. Vibrantly acidic, it's balanced by notes of wax and petrol that linger in a rich, minerally slick.
Half of the fruit was sourced from the outstanding Lewis Vineyard, and the dense, dark, purple berry flavors are compelling. Highlights of black olive, smoke, and a bit of stem and earth add complexity. Give this one some breathing time, or cellar it for a few more years to soften the muscular tannins.
The nose on this wine is condensed and tight, with snappy berry aromas that come across fresh. The palate feel is lively and juicy, while flavors of plum, berry and tobacco are honest and appealing. Straightforward and convincing as a whole, with a solid structure. Drink now through 2017.
Full berry aromas are fresh but come with a lot of oak and spice. In the mouth, this Syrah (with 3% Viognier) is chewy and a bit syrupy, with minty, spicy flavors derived from loud oak. On the finish, it dries out and turns warm-to-hot as it fades away. A joint-venture wine between Trapiche and Joey Tensley of California.
A rich, concentrated Livermore Valley Bordeaux blend, comprised of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and lesser percentages of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This vintage of Supremacy has a big presence, smelling of earth and cinnamon, a layering of blackberry and chocolate lingering in the background. A wine with great texture and mellowing tannins ready to drink now or in 5–7 years.
This is a decadent and plush wine, with ripe-fruit notes of brambly raspberry and blueberry accented by hints of pepper, vanilla and sweet spice. A streak of juicy acidity lifts the palate, and soft tannins allow for easy drinking now.
This is an equal split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Medium bodied, it's peppery in cassis, cedar, cinnamon and vanilla. Big, pillowy tannins fill the palate, staying firm and sizable through the finish.
The nose gives little away but once tasted, there is an understated but deeply stony, pear-fruited and textured palate. This is less about fruit and more about soil and mouthfeel. There is depth and subtle warmth, quite some backbone and a fresh, lingering finish.
This isn't as big and burly as some Tavels, but it packs a lot of flavor into its medium-bodied frame. Crushed-stone sensations lead the way, followed up by ample fruit, which ranges from peach and melon to red plum. Drink through the end of 2017.
Sweet-tart red cherry and raspberry flavors cling lusciously on the palate of this dry yet buoyantly fruity wine. It's easy-quaffing yet elegant, marked by vibrant cranberry acidity on the finish.
Aromas of vanilla, herb, cocoa and barrel spice lead the nose of this attractive Cab. The well-balanced palate offers coffee and dark fruit flavors that transition seamlessly into a lingering finish.
A pleasant whiff of smoke informs the generous palate of dark, brooding fruits: black cherry and dark plum dominate a palate dense but juicy tannins. Despite its generosity, the palate is medium bodied and has a fresh vein of acidity. The fruit flavors echo long.
This well-priced bottling offers Italian herbs on the nose, from oregano to marjoram, alongside tart red cherries, dried tobacco, cola and a touch of smoke. Graphite minerality frames the sip, which shows red cherries cooked with thyme and bay leaf as well as rustic sagebrush. It's complex, tense and lingering.
Fresh and fruity on the nose, this bottling by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi shows strawberries and olallieberries as well as crushed black rocks, wet slate and char aromas. Those same fruits power a zesty palate enhanced by lavender and black-tea flavors.
Aromas of minerally pencil lead and smoky plum and berry are positive albeit oaky. This is tight and grabby in feel, with firm tannins. Plum and berry flavors offer more than enough oaky support, while the finish is dominated by wood-spice notes and bulky tannins. Drink through 2021.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (65%) and Barbera. Cranberry, raspberry and baking spice aromas are followed by generous tart fruit flavors with an electric jolt of acid. The acid is quite bracing to have on its own. Pair it with pasta with a red sauce.
Blaufränkisch's characteristic briar and blackberry tones shine brightly in this rather substantial rosé. Demure whispers of cherry blossom and fresh herb on the nose meld into smoky black fruit and bramble tones on the palate. It's refreshingly crisp but finishes with persistence.
Aromas of caramel, coffee bean and assorted blue fruit are in the lead, with cinnamon notes providing accents. The palate is full flavored yet restrained, with smoked meat and olive flavors that glide on the finish.
This is a big, bold wine, full bodied with leathery tannin heat and a generous expression of blackberry and black-cherry cola. A touch of vanilla adds to the plushness and approachability.
While full bodied and plush, this vineyard-designate, named for original owner Judy Jordan's daughter, brightens the palate with cranberry and rhubarb. It shows high acidity and a leanness of texture that makes the wine seem lighter than it is, a nice mix of power and grace with a lingering hit of spice on the finish.
This blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Franc shows smashed blueberries and blackcurrant on the nose alongside dried dill, pencil lead, cola and beef char. The palate is frame by judicious acidity and strong graphite flavors, with bright cherry and tart dark cranberry fruit, lifted by smoke and black pepper.
The spark of freshly cut lime and lemon is met by riper notions of yellow Mirabelle and Reine Claude plums. There is delicacy and slenderness but above all a bracing clean, sprightly character. Utterly refreshing.
Bright raspberry and tart red--cherry notes are juxtaposed with complexities of garrigue and bramble in this elegant, spry rosé. Nuanced savoriness lends a slightly cerebral tone that's unexpected and intriguing, but also particularly suited for pairing with grilled meat and fish.
There's a touch of tropicality on the nose of this bottling, albeit a restrained version, showing green papaya, underripe pineapple, pink-grapefruit rind and lemon curd. It's a tad more fleshy on the sip, with Anjou and red pears, white peach, green banana and mango that are cut by tonic and lime-rind flavors.
One of two wines produced by this estate from old vines, this is a ripe, full wine that has a fine balance between ripe red-berry fruit and acidity. Spice from the wood aging gives an extra complexity to what is already a delicious wine. Drink from 2017.
Bold aromas of mint, spice and smoky cherry and plum lead to a full, fair and honest palate with choppy tannins. Toasty, minty, oak-heavy flavors of black plum, black currant, herbs and spice finish with good length and character. Drink through 2019.
While the nose is shy, the palate is full of texture and focus: citrus freshness has an edge of pleasantly bitter pear peel while grapefruit zestiness pulls no punches with its brightening focus. This packs a punch and needs a good meal to counter its power.
Opening aromas of fresh, high-toned herbs and spice are followed by plentiful dark plum and cherry flavors that show elegance and persistence. It doesn't always seem varietal but provides a lot of enjoyment.
A touch of spice accents tart raspberry and strawberry notes in this deeply concentrated but spry wine. A predominantly oak-fermented blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, it's a substantial rosé with a distinctly sea-breeze finish.
Beautifully ripe notes of yellow pear, even floral overtones, dance above the glass. The palate unfolds in the same friendly, floral, light-footed fashion. Lightness, freshness and flavor are all reminiscent of a flower meadow in spring. A lovely, delicate wine with well-hidden depth.
Merlot (59%) takes the lead on this blend, which is balanced out by Cabernet Franc. Intriguing aromas of herbs, flowers, spice raspberries, café au lait and barrel spices lead to silky, polished fruit and barrel flavors that linger.
The nose just hints at green pear but the palate unfolds with quite some power: there is ripe lemon zest, a phenolic midpalate with textured, peppery citrus notes, the rough but ripe peel of Boc pear and quite a bit of heat on the finish. Lemon lingers long.
This wine is a unique blend of Tempranillo (62%), Graciano, Cabernet, Merlot and Garnacha. Spice, coffee, tobacco, vanilla and red-fruit aromas are followed by a smooth, elegant palate, with flavors that linger.
Always one of the stalwarts of the Jaume stable, Terrasses seems more fruit-driven than usual in 2010, yielding almost jammy notions of black cherries and plums. It's medium to full in body, with enough dusty tannins on the finish to support another four or five years' of cellaring.
Rubbery, leathery aromas of minerally berry and raisin set up a tight, well-structured palate with bracing tannins. Fully ripe flavors of dark fruits and minerals finish warm and a bit baked, with a firm, proper feel. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre is crisp, crunchy and direct, delivering brambly, blackberry fruit spiced with a touch of licorice. This is tart and firm without being particularly tannic, so enjoy it over the next few years.
Made in an assertive, firmly tannic style without being too high in alcohol, the reserve-tier wine from one of the oldest wineries in California layers spicy, toasty oak flavors from French and American barrels over a base of ripe cherry. A bold wine for a bold meal. This should age well; perhaps best from 2015–2020.
Rich while also structured, it has a mineral texture that gives fine acidity and a tight feel, all balanced by ripe apricot fruits. The wine should round out by 2015 to give a ripe, full-bodied feel.
This structured wine opens with an unusual blend of aromas that includes ripe black fruit, dill and chocolate. The palate offers velvety tannins and notes of tart blackberry, black cherry, fig and mature plum sprinkled with notes of cocoa.
This savory blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Syrah opens with aromas ripe blackberry, sour cherry and wild strawberry that all carry over to the palate alongside hints of black pepper and cocoa. The juicy fruit is balanced by smooth, supple tannins.
Here's a bold wine that opens with aromas of underbrush, tilled soil and black plum. The juicy palate delivers ripe blackberry and rich black cherry accented by cinnamon, black pepper, chocolate and licorice. This is a big wine with enveloping, velvety tannins. The only drawback here is the evident alcohol, but the fruit is delicious. This at its peak so drink soon.
Bone dry and concentrated, it was fermented in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak. Lush floral and citrus aromatics carry over into the flavors, with a streak of Curaçao liqueur as well.
Made from Nerello Mascalese, this opens with aromas of spice and black fruit. The palate offers black cherry, licorice, black pepper and subtle oak alongside bracing tannins. You'll also notice a subtle warmth on the finish.
Chalk Line includes all five Bordeaux grapes along with 25% Syrah. The first sniff brings up generous red and purple fruit aromas and pretty, yet restrained, barrel toast. It's well-integrated with medium density and excellent balance.
You'd never guess that this was rocking it so hard with 16.3% alcohol, as this wine achieves balance in the face of such boozy contents. The nose holds a blackberry core with rusty, spicier edges of star anise. These are followed by a palate of black cherry and cedar, with enough tannins to ensure evolving drinking until at least 2018.
Along with the Dolcetto, this Petite Sirah tops the new releases for this micro-boutique winery. Bright and lightly toasty, it's a forward wine, with pretty cherry, cola and earth components. An appealing and supple streak of leather comes with hints of spice and butterscotch, all woven together seamlessly.
Full-flavored and textured, probably from the use of a Sauvignon Musque Clone for half of the wine, this is nonetheless a light wine, subtle in stone fruit, kiwi and lemon-lime. The acidity has an electricity and bubbliness that almost make it come alive. It's the right wine for fresh-shucked oysters.
This tasty, toasty red wine is all Sangiovese. The tangy red berry fruit flavors carry highlights of peppery herbs. With some air time the wine smoothes out and rolls into a creamy, mocha-infused finish.
Big and smoky, it discloses fruit as well as solid tannins. The wine has power and density, with black fruits that show sweetness. It will be delicious but the structure does need to soften first. Drink from 2017.
Honeycrisp apples come to mind at first sip, along with dollops of peach, lemongrass and caramel. The mouthfeel is fresh and flavorful, with excellent texture and length.
Dark burgundy in color, it has an old-world soul, earthy and brooding in clove, mushroomy forest floor and a light texture of cherry, not what you'd expect from a big-time NASCAR guy. Restrained yet powerful.
At this stage, this wine is closed and packed with acidity. But just wait for a few years and the ripe wood and yellow fruits will emerge. It's a full-bodied, rich wine that needs to round out. Drink from 2016.
At first, all you sense is a heavy, operatic costume of chocolaty, smoky, coffee-like oak flavors. Underneath these, a ripe and slightly sweet boysenberry soul keeps the drama going. Like a sturdy stage set, the richly laced tannins support the fruit and oak until the curtain falls.
Rich as well as structured, it's ripe and already delicious. Berry and cherry fruits are nicely surrounded by both acidity and tannins. Full in the mouth, it's going to be an estimable wine. Drink from 2017.
This wine has a deep violet-red color and a nose of raspberry, vanilla and graphite. Fruit-dominant flavors of raspberry and cherry, with a touch of custard, showcase a satisfying cooperation between deep and bright notes that make for a satisfying sipping experience.
This opens with aromas of ripe black plum, tilled soil, blue flower, leather and game. The palate is still very tight but offers black cherry and bitter prune accented by notes of black pepper, clove, graphite and nutmeg. It's all supported by a backbone of assertive tannins. Drink after 2019.
Hailing from a hillside estate of hand-tended grapes, this traditional Bordeaux blend begins with a menthol, roasted fennel and cinnamon-touched nose. On the palate, the herbals continue alongside ripening plum and gingerbread cake, followed by a lingering finish.
A five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend, it's still a big, tough, chewy, tannic wine with a chunky, somewhat blocky mouthfeel. Cherry, cassis and wood flavors dominate, and the tannins are quite astringent. Re-tasted over many hours it remained stubbornly hard and compact. Give this one some further bottle age.
Spicy plum and berry aromas are slightly earthy and on the money. This feels full and plump, but well balanced. Spicy dry plum and berry flavors are limited but focused, while this offers a vanilla note on a finish that fades out slow and easy. Drink through 2019.
From the famous Westside Road-adjacent vineyard, this Chardonnay shows a proclivity toward lush roundness of texture and tropical flourish in flavor. Vanilla nuttiness is complemented by pineapple, green apple and caramel, lasting long into the finish.
Leafy gritty earthy berry aromas are spicy. This feels rugged but fresh, with a tolerable but strong tannic grip. Plum, boysenberry, chocolate, blackened toast and peppercorn flavors finish leafy, with firm tannins.
This seems a bit oaky on the nose, where scents of baking spices and cedar dominate, but those elements are balanced out on the palate, where blackberries, plums and black currants comes to the fore. This is a full-bodied, ripe-textured wine worth a look. Drink now–2025.
A blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino, this offers delicate ripe black-skinned fruit and cooking spice aromas. On the palate, ripe black cherry, espresso and clove flavors are framed by firm tannins. Drink through 2019.
Dense and rich, this is a hearty dry red for near-term drinking. Black olive and espresso aromas give way to chocolate and dark berries on the palate, while the finish is velvety and warm.
This wine ticks all the boxes, but just lacks the excitement and drama to take it to the next level. Smoke and vanilla notes add interest to the juicy, easy-to-drink cassis fruit. There's ample but not too much weight on the palate. Supple tannins. Perhaps it just needs additional cellaring time to warrant the price, although it doesn't come across as needing it in the structural sense.
Dark fruit and violet aromas are muted under opulent notes of vanilla and oak. On the palate, skin-driven, dark fruit flavors combine with rough oak, while chewy tannins linger on the long, bitter finish.
Made of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot, this has aromas that recall black-skinned berries, leather and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is just as lush: black currant, tobacco and baking spice flavors, framed by supple tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
The wine is tight with tannins and a dense texture. It has plenty of fruit underneath to allow this blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot to balance out. Perfumed and with fine acidity, the wine should be ready from 2019.
It's a treat to find a well-priced Merlot that has some gutsy tannin and dark fruit to go along with its sweeter flavors and mild texture. This wine has concentrated black cherry, clove and oak spice flavors, with a firm structure and lingering finish.
A very shy nose leads to a friendly palate of ripe but very tender apple fruit. The roundness and ripeness on the fresh slender body speaks of the beautiful 2015 vintage. The finish is broader and full of fruit. Drink soon.
The lovely and lively citrus-inflected nose of pear is very inviting. The palate comes across as more earthy and rounded. The body is light and easy, but has a subtle moreish texture.
There is a yeasty rounded freshness on the nose. The palate is also pervaded by pleasantly creamy fresh yeast notes. Again, this is about texture rather than power. This is made from one of the few vineyards of Chasselas, a rather neutral variety, that still exists in Alsace. It's a light-bodied wine made for the table and, dare I say it, for quenching thirst.
A blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, this shows ripe black plum, toast and roasted coffee on the nose. The robust palate tastes of prune, graphite and espresso, dusted with tannin. An alcoholic heat is also evident. Enjoy soon to catch the remaining fruit.
Wonderfully pure apple freshness creates a totally fruity and appetizing nose. The palate is fruity and really fresh. This is full of life and primary aromas, backed by a lovely apple-peel texture. The finish is dry, whistle-clean and perfectly fresh. Drink soon.
This enjoyable all-Sangiovese wine offers black cherry, tilled earth and new leather aromas. The savory palate delivers red plum flavors accented by cinnamon and clove, framed in lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
A smooth and ripe wine produced by the team of Cos d'Estournel. It is full and rich with black-plum fruits and velvet tannins. With fine acidity at the back, it has kept its freshness. Drink from 2022.
Lovely pure notes of red crunchy cherry dominate the nose. They are also present on the slender, almost slight, palate that is completely dry but full of the charm of the fruit. Ample freshness brightens the entire wine which is well-suited to being chilled. It's a friendly easy charming red.
The nose is both supple and rich with its suggestion of ripe pear. The palate exemplifies the freshness of Riesling with its citrus overtones and is grounded by the textural richness of Pinot Gris. This is a rather successful blend of these two varieties, bringing ample freshness, texture and fruit. The finish is clean and dry.
Made of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this evokes ripe strawberry and baking spice on the nose. The palate is accessible despite chewy tannins, delivering black plum and pipe tobacco flavors. Enjoy through 2019.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Colorino has black cherry and underbrush aromas. The juicy black plum-inflected palate is accented by cinnamon and leather notes and a healthy dose of polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
From a vineyard tucked into the heart of the appellation, this bottling is hearty but not overripe, offering brawny black cherry, gingersnap, clove and crushed graphite scents on the nose. Subtle eucalyptus flavor leads the palate, crescendoing into warmer red cherry and baked cranberry notes, followed by licorice and thyme, and culminating in a vanilla -laced finish.
Ripe berry aromas are a bit raisiny, with vanilla and balsam wood notes. This Tempranillo feels blocky, saturated and tannic. Flavors of raisin, prune, blackberry and wood spice are full and bullish, while a boundary-pushing finish maintains a palpable raisiny quality. Drink through 2020.
The aromas on this widely available Delicato Family bottling—nectarine, chamomile and chalk—are subtle but approachable. It's well hewn on the palate, with touches of butter, baking spice, poached Asian pear and wafts of smoke.
Although this Carignan-Garnacha blend smells gritty and not as ripe as vintages like 2012 and 2011, it is fresh and full in feel, with grippy tannins. Flavors of blackened spice, plum and berry fruits finish full, fleshy and a touch hot. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot suggests black-skinned fruit and underbrush on the nose. The straightforward palate offers black plum, tobacco and clove flavors, with a firm tannic structure. Enjoy through 2019.
The first Syrah in an expanding lineup of Tranche estate wines from the Blue Mountain Vineyard, this exceptional effort hews to a European style despite its substantial alcohol. Initially dark and smoky, hinting at streaks of herb and showing compact berry fruit flavors, it broadens out and expands aromatically, weaving in highlights of cured meats, bacon and clean earth. Just a dollop of herb and stem adds further interest, in a wine that retains its elegance along with exceptional power.
A pure varietal blend from the estate vineyard, this has everything you look for in Walla Walla Syrah—black fruits, loam, graphite, balsamic—and an inviting scent of orange liqueur. Licorice, iron and a concentrated, muscular depth elevate the finish.
Based on the Roêda vineyard, this opulent, fruity wine is dense, beautifully ripe, a powerhouse of sweet fruit, figs and raisins, plum jelly and the roundest, most generous tannins. It's a wine that will show well in the next few years, but which should age magnificently.
Full in the mouth, rich with a mix of pastry fruits, fruitcake, baking spices, clove and coffee, this decadent pleasure is like drinking a Christmas cake. Raisins soaked in a Bourbon sauce come to mind, along with plum pudding.
Stillwater Creek grapes anchor this outstanding Syrah. Rich cherry flavors, generously awash in cut tobacco and vanilla, gain extra complexity, with hints of smoke and a streak of dusty earth. It's clean, with good grip, and a long, smooth finish.
Layered, stout and pure smelling, with aromas of cola, chocolate and modern, ripe berry fruit that roll out the welcome mat. Feels full and tannic, with toasty black fruit flavors accented by espresso and bitter chocolate. Finishes dark, with coffee and licorice flavors. Best from late 2012 through 2015.
This Oregon winery sources fruit for its Proprietary Red from top Washington vineyards on Red Mountain, in Walla Walla and in the Horse Heaven Hills. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (it could be labeled as such), it packs its rich raspberry, blueberry and black currant fruit into a precisely-defined, balanced and persistent wine with plenty of power.
The De Bortoli family does a solid job with Chardonnay—even this entry-level wine shows some complexity and finesse. Hints of smoke and graphite frame bright pineapple and lime flavors, delivered without excessive weight or richness.
A balanced aromatic show of campfire smoke, purple fruit and violet-driven florals emerges on the nose of this affordable wine from Don Sebastiani & Sons. It's a little watery on the palate, but then shows a nice array of blackberry fruit, black pepper, graphite earthiness and a vanilla finish.
Creamy vanilla and spritzy acidity surround a ripe core of baked apple and pear in this white. Full-bodied and touched by oak, it finishes clean and concentrated.
Black pepper, graphite and reluctant boysenberry notes balance the rubbery funk on the nose of this cool-climate Syrah. It's fairly light on the palate, with just-ripe boysenberry and chopped Italian herbs.
A blast of passion fruit is accompanied by mango and lettuce scents on a lean nose. This wine is citric and lemony in the mouth, with tangerine and lemon-lime flavors boosted by scouring acidity. The wine is one-dimensionally lean and tangy throughout.
Soft and fruity, this easy-drinking, ripe wine has soft tannins, plenty of acidity from the red berry fruits, and a light-bodied character. Drink now, although it will be best from 2016.
Spicy purple fruits come up quickly, followed by flavors of leaf, earth and stem. Tannins are tight and slightly coarse, and it ends suddenly.
This blend of 57% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon shows black plums, roasted figs, cinnamon stick, uncrushed clove and star anise on the nose. That great nose doesn't translate yet to the palate, which is sticky with dark plum skin tannins, and proves a bit too leathery for drinking right now. Wait awhile and this one might work better.
Smoky, cooked berry aromas lead to a full, flabby, rubbery-feeling palate with baked black-fruit flavors that suggest baking spices. A soft finish is low on verve and tastes a bit sugary and sweet.
Floral white-flower aromas settle on buttercup and lees notes, while in the mouth this is creamy but low on structure. Yeasty peach and apple flavors finish chunky, and overall low acidity is an issue.
Aromas of passion fruit and banana lead the nose. The simple palate offers tropical fruit and unripe apple alongside racy acidity.
Gritty citrus aromas are tight and crisp. This is wet, basic and zesty on the palate, but lean. Flavors of citrus, green herbs and brine finish with a mix of bitterness and notes of tangy green apple and passion fruit.
Ripe, soft and pillowy on the nose, this blend is wide and lazy on the palate, with raisin and prune flavors offset by moderate acidity. A loamy, raisiny finish confirms a sense of ripeness and weight.
Simple and refreshing, this opens with a light floral fragrance and a whiff of pear. The easy palate offers tart green apple and a citrus note alongside bright acidity.
This is a light, fruity wine with fresh red berry flavors and soft tannins. It has a cool feel from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, giving a bright, character and a wine that's ready to drink.
Typically fresh and fruity, this strawberry-jelly flavored wine is light, ripe and soft. With fresh acidity and only a hint of tannins, it is ready to drink.
The soft but exotic nose of tropical fruit and citrus leads into an elegant array of mouthwatering citrus and tropical fruit on this wine. Rich but lively on the finish, it's a classy sip for a warm-weather patio party.
Red fruit aromas are common and clean, with ample oak and spice on the side. The palate is flush, juicy and quite tannic, with berry, cola, mocha and toasty oak flavors along with a tough, grippy feel. A five-grape blend that's forceful, fully oaked and tannic.
Winemaker Brent Marris (formerly of Wither Hills) has turned out a medium-bodied, creamy_textured Chardonnay that combines peachy fruit and finely tuned nuttiness. Drink it over the next 6-12 months.
Light, clean, gently spicy pear and apple fruit flavors are set in a crisp white wine with fine acidity. The hints of white pepper give it detail and interest; the fresh acidity encourages that second and third glass. Drink this chilled.
A darker, denser red that offers chocolate, black fruit and spice on the nose and palate. A spin of nutty spice and dried fruit punctuates the cherry and raisin fruit. Slightly Port-like and heavier, this wine will soften with time in the bottle.
Pronounced aromas of charred wood are imposing on the nose, but intense black fruit shines through on the palate, taming char into a more palatable blend of rich blackberry preserves, smoke and barnyard. The long finish ends with supple tannins and a touch of vanilla and mocha-kissed fruit.
A remarkably juicy, berry, cherry Zin that's fully in balance and easy to drink, not to mention a great price.
Clean and fresh, from a Royal Slope vineyard, showing white peach fruit with a pleasing hint of fresh herb. The acids are proportionate, and the mouthfeel offers a palate- cleansing wash of minerality.
Ripe red fruit shines brightly amidst darker notes of damp foliage and leather that add complexity and depth to this fleshy red blend. Soft and fresh on the palate with a restrained acidity, it's a rustic, yet elegant wine.
Crushed mineral, herbs and solid berry and plum aromas lead to a tannic, wide, grabby palate with sweet flavors of raspberry jam, prune and brown sugar. Turns heavier and more chunky and baked on the finish. Definitely a ripe Cab.
This single-vineyard white is dominated by the lemon spice and salt that pronounces a Santorini white. Lean and zesty, it's a focused white with a slate finish. Good for grilled fish, and extremely refreshing on a hot day.
Berry aromas, herbal scents and leafiness dot the nose on this fresh, fairly standard Cabernet. The palate has a juicy, fresh feel and then medium-weight flavors of berry and plum mixed with mocha. Finishes slightly sweet and medicinal.
Nicely structured, with citrus fruits (lemon, lime, pink grapefruit) displayed against stiffer flavors of skin. There is a hint of residual sugar, and the alcohol is just under 13%, but the overall impression is a dry, tight style with little or no floral character.
A crisp, fruit-forward red to pair with a variety of dishes, Villa Maria's 2009 Private Bin is a mouthwatering introduction to what looks to be a top-notch Hawke's Bay vintage. Cherry fruit and subtle baking spices combine easily on the palate, ending on a slightly dusty note.
Fairly neutral on the nose, but clean and easy to get into. The palate offers good acidity and vitality for Maule SB, with tropical fruit leading the flavor profile followed by pithy green notes. Overall this is a good value white.
Woodsy and warm on the bouquet, this has cedary, toasty aromas augmenting notes of milk chocolate and berry fruit. It feels heavy, with berry, leather and herb influences. This is big and oaky on the finish.
Dry and medium bodied, this features ample apple and citrus notes, accented by hints of chalk dust and spice. Drink it over the next six months.
Forward, fruity and crisp, this is an attractive wine. It's red berry flavor and bright acidity is layered with smoky tannins. Not for aging, so drink over the next 2-3 years.
This has simple aromas of plum, berry and sweet vanilla. The palate feels fresh, with a citrusy bounce and flavors of raspberry, red plum and mellow spice. The finish is sweet and comported.
Citrus and crushed stone notes start this wine off, followed by lemon sorbet on the palate. It's lightweight, a real summertime refresher, with a short, clean finish.
This is a big, almost overpowering Cab that has mint and cedar streaks running through its classic cassis flavor.
An initial earthy aroma follows through to the palate that is full and fruity, with a bitter edge. Flavors of licorice and berry combine to give a wine that is now ready to drink.
This is the winery's budget offering. It shows modest varietal flavors, with a slight burned or roasted character.
A blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Vezer's Jake's has a good, dark earthy personality, with a depth of spice around its big shoulders and dusty Petite Sirah finish.
This is pure Cabernet from one of Washington's oldest vineyards. Cold Creek is a hot site, and its grapes are scattered throughout many of the Ste. Michelle brands, often providing the core fruit. Here is the essence, a wine that opens a bit grudgingly, but has structure and concentration if you take the time to let it blossom. Dense cherry and cassis fruit is tightly wound with balancing acids. The use of new oak is restrained, but sufficient, and this is a wine that should age nicely for many years.
This is a distinctive Chardonnay, with pea vine and peach, anise and apple mixing it up. It has a lovely, lifted elegance that keeps the flavors intertwined but allows you to experience them separately as well, and it carves a flavor trail through the finish that lingers sensuously. Could be the best CV Chardonnay ever from L'Ecole.
Packs plenty of powerful complexity into a dry wine that's a pretty good price. Made in full-Burgundian style, with barrel fermentation and lees aging, it's a rich, creamy wine packed with spicy tropical fruit and honeysuckle flavors. Try as an interesting alternative to an upscale Chardonnay.
The fact that this wine comes from the chalkiest of soils and is bone dry gives it considerable austerity. It is definitely mineral in taste and texture, with a touch of salt and grapefruit flavors;  very structured and tight. It needs to age.
A wonderfully pure, fresh and natural wine, limpid with minerality, green fruits, concentrated pepper and spice. This is a powerful expression of Grüner Veltliner, a rich, but freshly green wine. Glass stopper.
Soft and finely perfumed, this is full-bodied Riesling, adding just a touch of sweetness to the pear and white currant fruit flavors. This is a great vintage of this wine, probably the best since 2002.
A creamy, smooth wine, flavored with pears, even lychees and full, ripe Grüner Veltliner. This shows the rich side of the grape, while still keeping its essential freshness. Typical pepper flavors come to finish. Glass stopper.
Here is yet another Washington Riesling that shows how good these wines can be. This is well beyond the sweet and fruity style of the tasting room wines; here are layers of stone fruits, density and weight, length and detail. Once in the mouth this explodes with flavor and keeps bringing the oranges, peaches, apricots, nectarines and apples to the table.
The Awatere is a subregion of Marlborough receiving more and more notice for its distinctive Sauvignons and Pinots. Vavasour was an early pioneer, and the 2007 is especially successful, offering up some slightly sweaty, nettle-y aromas to go along with hints of ripe melons and nectarines. It's nicely concentrated, with a slightly oily mouthfeel and good persistence.
A fine follow-up to Seia's inaugural 2004 Clifton Hill, this again delivers ripe, concentrated flavors of plum and berry, lifted with citrus and finishing with a hint of mint. Despite the high (15.3%) alcohol, it is clean and bracing, with natural acids and very little heat in the finish. As young as it is, it hits a bit of a dead spot in the back, but it has the stuffing (and the pedigree) that would suggest that with a few years of cellaring it will open out and show more of the herb and smoked meat character that is lurking just below the surface.
A tiny bottling (220 cases) of old-vine Grenache, this wine features lovely aromas of cinnamon, clove and ripe cherries. In the mouth it's surprisingly elegant, delivering cherry and spice flavors without excessive weight, ending on a slightly tart note. Drink now and over the next 4–5 years.
Sweaty and pruney in the nose, this hot and disjointed wine could be almost any red grape; there's no varietal character. It's volatile and thins out quickly, leaving green tannins in the back of the mouth.
Quite thin, as if over-cropped, turning the fruit generic. Then it brings in a honey character, as if it were botrytis-affected. But it is not a sweet or late harvest wine; it's quite dry.
Not as fleshy as many examples of this southern Rhône blend, this shows thin, generic fruit with no particular focus.
Restrained both aromatically and on the palate, this Riesling offers modest hints of green apple and pear combined with a slightly herbal note. There's not a lot of complexity or concentration, but it's a brisk, refreshing wine.
Red-berry, forest floor, crushed herb and tobacco aromas follow over to the fresh medium-bodied palate along with notes of menthol and star anise. Smooth tannins provide polished support. Drink through 2028.
On the thick, rich and oily side, this is a concentrated, round example of white Hermitage. Subtle toast notes frame pear, melon and peach flavors, then accelerate into caramel notes on the finish. Drink now, or after 2025.
Ripe and smoky, this is a warm fruity wine. It has tannins as well as juicy acidity, black fruits and a firm structure in the background. This will be a rich wine when it is ready to drink in 2018.
Full of spice from wood aging and generous fruit, the wine is balanced and poised. It has a style to it, the Merlot perfumed with a touch of Cabernet Franc and made rich with its structure and density. The wine will age, and will be ready to drink from 2020.
This 100% Malbec from Hervè Lhuillier's young 2.5-acre parcel is a spicy ripe wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage. Great tannins and bold fruitiness are well blended for a wine that has good potential. Drink from 2019.
Still with its tannins intact, this is a firm wine with as much dry structure as fruit. It will need time for that structure to soften, giving a wine that will remain firm, which is typical for the vintage. The acidity gives the wine a lift at the end.
This is a firm wine—one with generous tannins and fruit. It has spice and touches of pepper as well as fine acidity and bold red fruits. The combination has produced a wine that will be ripe and ready to drink from 2019. The property has a history dating back to the 14th century.
The aromas bring spicy notes of cayenne pepper, along with notes of dark-roasted coffee, wood spice and cherry. The palate is full of polished yet voluptuous dark-fruit flavors that are backed by lightly grainy tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon (58%) and Syrah (34%) make up the majority of this wine, with the balance being pinches of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The aromas bring notes of vanilla, baking spice, graphite and black cherry, with the oak (85% new French) up front. Fruit and barrel play off each other well on the palate. The barrel influence isn't shy but it still brings a lot of enjoyment.
This small-production, vineyard-designate is impressive in dried cherry and raspberry layers of flavor, supported by integrated oak. Juicy and explosive on the palate, it offers a spicy forest-floor note that complements the fruit.
A blend of 80% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, this vibrant sparkler offers delicate, appealing aromas of apple, mature pear, toast and bread crust that carry over to the expressive palate along with a note of citrus zest. An elegant continuous perlage accompanies the creamy flavors while a note of toasted hazelnut wraps up the finish.
This opens with intense aromas of violet, ripe dark-skinned berry and baking spice. The bright, succulent palate shows black cherry, crushed raspberry and black pepper alongside fresh acidity and smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
This wine is nervy, steely, taut and lean, offering earthy, savory aromas, tart cherry and raspberry flavors and a nicely puckering mouthfeel. More minerally than fruity, it provides an interesting example of an alternative wine style.
Made from nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this adds a handful of Petit Verdot for good measure. Smooth, round and approachable, it offers a powerful grip and dense black fruit, finishing with balanced acidity.
A blend of 90% Pinot Nero and 10% Chardonnay, this opens with aromas of citrus zest, ripe orchard fruit, toast and a whiff of acacia flower. The creamy palate offers mature yellow apple, honey and tangerine zest set against bright acidity and a refined perlage.
Pear compote is lightly spiced in nutmeg in this full-bodied, creamy white, buzzy in acidity and a stony minerality that presents as tightly woven texture on the palate. Refreshingly balanced, it offers length and breadth as it nears the finish.
A blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, this wine is quite perfumed, with intense aromas of spiced black cherry, forest berry and licorice. The medium-weight palate is plush and mouthfilling, with velvety tannins lending structure to the ripe black-fruit flavors, alongside a touch of graphite. The enduring finish beams with notes of licorice and black pepper.
This blend of Roditis and Viognier starts with aromas of fresh lemon blossom, sea salt and jasmine, leading into a nimble and delicate array of citrus and spice on the palate. Clean and focused but with a curvaceous edge.
Bright and savory, this foaming dessert wine comes with the enticing aromas and flavors of ripe apricot, yellow peach, sage and tangerine. Crisp acidity brightens the rich creamy flavors.
Made entirely with the native grape Timorasso, this structured elegant white opens with aromas of acacia flower and hay. The bright palate delivers apricot, lemon zest, hazelnut and a touch of ginger while a mineral vein energizes the finish. Enjoy through 2025.
A Bordeaux-style blend from the iconic Red Mountain site, this is precisely structured with black fruits, zippy acidity and a tight focus. The pinpoint construction suggests that this is cellarable until 2024 at least, and will continue to improve for years before settling into maturity.
Soft, baked aromas of rooty, dark-berry fruits are easier going than the wine's high-toned, acid-driven palate. Flavors of vanilla, coconut, tobacco, prune and spiced berry fruits finish with length and structure along with tobacco and nutmeg accents. Drink through 2020.
Soothing menthol and green floral notes lend vibe to crisp sour-cherry flavors in this bold, penetrating Bordeaux-style blend. It's rich and brawny on the palate with juicy, primary cherry and plum flavors, yet streaked with delicate touches of oak and earth.
With its attractive aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and subtle notes of pine and dried mint, this wine is immediately accessible without being simple. Likewise, in terms of texture, it's sturdy enough to last a few years, but not so tough as to be off-putting. Complex, flavorful and supple, it should be at its best through at least 2016.
Pretty aromas of underbrush, crushed blue flower and perfumed berries lead the nose on this robust Rosso. The dense palate delivers succulent black cherry, raspberry, mocha and sweet cake spices alongside firm tannins. It's not an ager so enjoy soon.
A strong, vibrant texture of crisp acidity and firm tannins energizes this flavorful and distinctive wine. Red cherry and raspberry aromas lead to crisp cranberry and cherry flavors. An appealing dry finish brings you back for another sip.
Intensely juicy, this wine delivers tannins as well as red berry fruit flavors. Great acidity brings out a fresh side. The structure will push the wine forward and give it a good future. Drink from 2017.
An immediately approachable wine with aromas of smoke, crushed stone and dark plum, this is a soft, supple example of its appellation. A bit of caramel emerges on the finish, where it coexists with mixed berry fruit.
Made from 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this hearty wine features earthy aromas of underbrush, tilled soil and mature black fruits. The juicy palate delivers fleshy black cherry, plum, nutmeg, espresso, black pepper and licorice alongside a solid tannic backbone. Drink through 2019.
Dusty mineral and smoke tones add complexity to fresh lemon and lime aromas on this concentrated, powerful off-dry Riesling. It's lush and silky on the palate, with ripe pineapple and yellow peach flavors. Lime juice acidity jolts the finish.
Showy and rich, it features lots of tasty oak influence and ripe, generous fruit flavors, but it doesn't go over the top. This is full-bodied, broad in texture and not too tannic. Made from mature, hillside vines, it's especially impressive in this challenging vintage.
Windy Oaks' 2012s are lighter in color than their vintage compatriots, yet not lacking in aromas, which include sage, tomato, black olive and curry. The leaner palate begins a bit light before emerging with olive tapenade and crushed herbs. It would pair well with a burger, roasted chicken, or gourmet burrito.
Properly structured, this is a solid wine. Great swathes of plum fruits are partnered with firm tannins. It is dark and firm, with a dense character. Touches of chocolate and roasted coffee go with the rich plums. Drink from 2015.
Lightly off dry, this graceful and beautifully balanced wine blends in about 7% Gewürztraminer, elevating the aromatics. Key lime, pink grapefruit and a touch of lemon zest are in play, with a finish that recalls a sip of English breakfast tea.
This has fresh oak and ripe boysenberry aromas and flavors. A thick but not harsh texure wraps around the tongue and keeps the flavors lingering on the finish. It's appropriately tannic and appetizingly dry, needing rich food or a drinker who loves this kind of delicious density.
Made from a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this ripe wine delivers soft plum, black currants, clove and cracked pepper sensations accented with coffee and espresso notes. A backbone of firm tannins give structure. Drink now through 2019.
This serious wine is still very young. Its black fruits and firm tannins are showing considerable potential, with acidity and a firm core still developing. This will be a powerful wine and one that needs to age. Drink from 2016.
Smooth and spicy, this is a soft style of Malbec. It has tannins, to be sure, but they are suavely integrated into the berry fruits, the touch of mint and the spice from wood aging. The aftertaste brings out refreshing layers of juicy acidity. Drink now.
Six grapes led by Cabernet Sauvignon have been blended into Lazuli, which starts out spicy and herbal. The palate is lively and juicy, with good overall feel. Peppery notes accent roasted berry flavors, while the finish delivers a strong spine and salty, herbal notes that are complex.
From the Loire Valley's Bourgeois family, this is a firmly built wine from a region known more for its open-knit accessibility. Sturdy beet and black cherry notes seem destined to last, framed by firm tannins. Drink 2015–2020.
Aromas of meat juices, forest floor, perfumed berries and grilled herbs lead the nose on this savory, full-bodied Rosso. The dense palate doles out ripe wild cherry accented with orange peel and allspice. Bold, velvety, and fresh, it's made to be enjoyed soon.
Complexity on the nose comes via earthy aromas of licorice root, sandalwood and mild berry fruits. The palate is on the big and bullish side, but it's neither heavy nor fierce. Flavors of ripe blackberry, pepper and chocolate finish with a touch of herbs and mint. Drink through 2017.
This structured Nebbiolo delivers classic sensations of dark cherry, clove, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel. Vibrant, with fresh acidity balanced by silky-smooth tannins, it's ready to be enjoyed now.
This is a smooth, ripe and rounded wine with solid tannins and rich plum and berry fruits. From a good vintage, it is full of tannins, smoky wood and balanced acidity. It's a full, ripe and ready to drink.
This rich and full-bodied wine has spice, black fruits and smoky tannins all bundled together into a ripe structure. It's a complex, concentrated wine with finishing acidity that needs to age, so drink from 2015.
This muscular blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre spends about a year in oak prior to bottling, yet the oak has integrated well, adding notes of clove and cinnamon. Cracked pepper, plums and black olives round out the flavor profile, and dusty tannins linger on the finish. Drink 2016–2025.
Blended with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this has pinpoint focus and is packed with ripe berry fruit. The oak aging (45% new) and crisp tannins layer in veins of espresso and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2022.
Heady aromatics create a signature on this wine, so floral in lychee, orange blossom and lemongrass. Light and dry, it's classically varietal, with grapefruit and tangerine jockeying for attention amidst plenty of minerality.
Popcorn and white-fruit aromas are toasty, nutty and appropriate. This is zesty and well-cut across the palate. Flavors of apple, peach, papaya and buttered movie popcorn finish oaky, briny and elegant, with a chiseled, acid-driven feel.
A mix of fruit spanning across the Russian River Valley, this complex Chardonnay is so inviting and approachable. Brimming in ripe Gravenstein apple and baking spices, it conveys alluring and lush crispness as well as balanced fruit and floral aromas.
The grapes come from a small family estate in the heart of Bourgueil. Light and mineral-textured, this wine offers layers of spice and violet aromas. The characteristic cool-climate stalkiness is present, well balanced with the firm tannins and acidity. It will be better with more aging, so drink from 2017.
The name of the wine says a lot about its structure. It definitely has a mineral tang to it although the ripe yellow fruits do give it a soft cushion. The acidity however makes it crisp, refreshing and ready to drink.
Earthy aromas of truffle, game and moist earth mingle with overripe plum and a confectionery note. The palate is evolved, offering leather, raisin and tobacco alongside loosely knit, rather fleeting tannins.
The wine has tannins and a dry core that is fleshed out with red-berry fruits. At three-years-old it is already maturing with a rustic edge as well as spice and berry fruits. This is ready to drink.
The fragrance of black cherries and violet lay the groundwork for flavors of cherry, Fuji apple, eucalyptus, violet and a touch of iodine. Although labeled medium-dry, this blend of two grapes native to Georgia—one red, one white—is truly on the dry side. It is very soft in the mouth, with a nice touch of menthol on the finish.
Montagny is at the southern end of the Côte Chalonnaise before it merges into Mâcon. That gives this wine its warmth and ripe apple and peach fruits. It is crisp and fresh at the same time with great juicy acidity. The wine has a spicy aftertaste. Drink now.
Aromas of truffle, tilled soil, dark berry and a whiff of blue flower lead the nose on this easygoing red. The lithe palate delivers dark cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
Merlot makes up 45% of this wine, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo. Aromas of green herb, plum, freshly hewn wood and coffee are followed by smooth-drinking fruit and barrel flavors, with the tannins showing a touch of astringency.
Comenge, which is headquartered in nearby Ribera del Duero, has branched out into Rueda with this lean, clean Verdejo that opens with citrus aromas and a tight mouthfeel. Stony tangerine and lemony flavors turn salty and briny on a light finish.
Blackberry aromas along with minerally vitamin notes open this fresh lean angular Cabernet from western Colchagua. Choppy currant and plum flavors are dry and spicy, while this finishes with herbal red-fruit flavors, spice and chocolate notes.
Aromas of stewed prune, tobacco, resin and menthol lead the noses. The full-bodied, one-dimensional palate is rather evolved, offering raisin and clove alongside close-grained but not very persistent tannins.
Made from certified organic grapes, this is a medium-bodied blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Merlot. Bay leaf and black olive aromas add earthy notes on the palate, giving this ripe, chocolaty wine an anchor in the south of France. Drink now.
Fragrant blue flower, tilled soil and wild berry aromas lead the nose. The light-bodied, accessible palate offers tart cherry and a hint of chopped herb. It's fresh and easy drinking, with loose-knit tannins.
The 2012 Taste Red shares many of the spicy, chocolate and graham cracker undertones of the 2013 vintage, but it's a bit more forward and plump with black-fruit flavors. Round and rich in texture yet refreshingly light in body, it's an easygoing red blend with wide appeal. Drink now through 2021.
Fruity like grape jam and blackberry syrup, this is a rich, almost-sweet wine. It has a very dark color, impressive fruit concentration and a smooth texture.
Pear and melon aromas are mild but clean. This is slightly crisp and tangy, with good grip. Lightly brined citrus flavors finish steady. Overall this qualifies as a nice everyday white.
Minty oak aromas are the greeting on this herbal and foxy Malbec that feels crisp and chippy due to high acidity and grating tannins. Flavors of herbal berry and plum are oaky and a touch hot, while rubbery tannins and herbal berry leftovers drive the finish.
Bursts of tropical citrus, mango and melon abound from nose to finish in this forward,fruity off-dry Riesling. Its uncomplicated fruitiness is a bit reminiscent of mixed-fruit cocktail, but it's juicy and approachable for a wide audience. Drink now through 2018.
A whiff of charred wood and pencil lead adds a little complexity to this otherwise straightforward, fruity and rather soft-textured wine. It is medium bodied, and the cherry and berry flavors seem to sweeten on the finish.
Intensely ripe and ruddy black cherry and berry flavors seem spiced with cocoa powder and cinnamon in this approachable juicy wine. Bright acidity lends freshness to the midpalate. The finish is cushioned by soft feathery tannins and lingering hints of sweet spice.
A nearly dry version of Moscato, this wine drinks more like a table wine. It has good, full body, fairly deep pear and pistachio flavors, and a rich texture.
Bold and spicy, this dry wine is saturated with toasty oak and vanilla flavors over plum and prune. Made from mostly Petite Sirah and Syrah, it has medium body and a smooth texture.
Flavorful and smooth in texture, this wine smells almost floral, with fruity and spicy notes like cloves. Full of ripe plum and raisin flavors, it has full body and a broad, soft feeling in the mouth.
Aromas of red apple and spice lead to rounded fruit flavors that provide easy-drinking appeal. It's a well-priced spot-on example of the variety.
This wine is 100% Sangiovese and is a pale pink color. Aromas of cherry bubblegum and herb lead to a dry full-feeling palate. The alcohol pokes out a bit at times but it still provides enjoyment.
For a wine from this appellation, this is surprisingly soft. It has black fruits and tannins that are already softening. Spice and berry fruits are lifted by acidity. This fruity wine will be ready to drink from late 2017.
Intensely ripe cherry and berry flavors mark this plush, softly structured rosé. It's easygoing, fruity style is approachable.
There's a pruney, dried-fruit persistence on the nose of this wine, a blend of unknown varieties. Barbecue smoke, black pepper and a high degree of ripeness combine for a mix of heat that's finalized by a vegetative note.
This is a fresh and crisp wine with touches of sweetness. Red fruits are combined with ripe apple and acidity to give a lively fruity wine. Drink now.
While initially quite smoky and nutty on the nose, this light-bodied wine does release prettier notes of cherry and raspberry with some aeration. Soft acidity lends heaviness to the plate. The finish is brisk and clean.
Baked cinnamon and cherry tart form a promising beginning into this wine, but an intrusive addition of root beer pushes it over the edge in terms of cloying flavor. The wine then becomes somewhat flimsy on the palate.
The wine suffers from heavy extraction that has left wood rather than fruit. Somewhere in there, the black-currant fruit and acidity are struggling. It will soften, although that wood will remain a problem.
Light pink in color, this is a pretty wine made from 100% Grolleau. It is soft, medium sweet with integrated acidity that comes from the fresh raspberries. It is ready to drink.
There's a dullness to this wine, which flirts with the idea of plum and cherry flavor yet gets somewhat bogged down in marshmallow. Light bodied, it presents with more ripe sweetness than it may actually have.
Black currants and spice give this wine its main aromatic character. On the palate, it's light with a dry core that is still dominant. The wine is more about structure and will probably stay that way.
A wood-flavored wine that shows high toast and a burnt character. It has acidity and some fruit tannins although the fruit itself is missing. The result is a wine that will end up austere and with too much wood flavor.
The wine has an orange-pink color and a palate packed with red fruits. It is lightly tannic and with a strawberry aftertaste.
This red-currant and red-berry flavored wine is bright and fruity. It does have some wood-aging flavors that add spice and a dry edge. The juicy acidity at the end keeps it all fresh.
Bright gold in color, with oily aromas of dried apricot, this is distinctly not peppy or lively on the nose. Mature and fleshy in feel, this is on its last legs. Flavors of bitter stone fruits and salt hold steady on the finish.
This is a fresh, lemon-scented wine. It is light both in texture and in the fruity department with just a bright citrus character finished with acidity. The wine is ready now.
This wine is calm and cool. It tastes very smooth in texture and has soothing, simple fruit flavors and medium body.
Slightly sour red plum, red cherry, tar and dust show on the nose of this simple wine. More tar and rubber flavors arise on the palate, where light red fruit also emerges.
Citrus and apricot aromas are basic. This feels dilute but fresh. Peppery, slightly bitter and stalky white-fruit flavors finish similarly.
The wine is ripe and fat. It has apple and pear flavors along with a smooth texture. Mouth-filling and dense, the wine seems heavy.
Aromas of dish soap and kitchen cleanser don't stink but they aren't impressive, either. Round on the palate, with low acidity, this tastes of chunky, mealy apple and finishes tired and briny.
Barrel-fermented in entirely new Russian oak, not something one sees every day, this somewhat thin, while ripe, wine offers a curious combination of anise and ham.
This wine comes off as quite green especially considering the variety, vintage and appellation. Aromas of bell pepper and green herbs lead to cherry and savory flavors, with the tannins bringing some heft.
Aromas of mesquite, smoke, strawberry, freesia and herbs are followed by quite light fruit flavors. The concentration seems wanting.
Candied aromas lead to a bland, confected wine that is flat and missing fruit. It is clean with a hint of perfumed lime. There is little of interest here.
Oily aromas of citrus rind and nettle come in front of a juicy palate. From that point on this Chardonnay struggles. Weedy, peppery, pyrazinic flavors finish bitter. As a whole, this Chardonnay gets a passing grade but barely.
The wine is very soft, probably too much so. With a smooth texture, it lacks definition or great fruit. Drink now.
This is a lightly sweet wine with candy flavors and an attractive touch of acidity and an orange zest backdrop. It's ready to drink now either as an apéritif or with spicy food.
This opens with funky aromas of game, cured meat and wet animal fur. Rustic and lean, the astringent palate offers a suggestion of powdered sage and a balsamic note but lacks fruit.
Shea shows some muscle here, yet remains fruit-driven, with a lush midpalate mixing strawberry and raspberry fruit with cola/sassafras soda flavors. In keeping with Boedecker's style, this wine is extremely clean, the fruit is fresh and the flavors nicely detailed. Nothing big or over the top here, but first-class winemaking.
Pure citrus aromas give this wine an immediate and attractive lift. It is supremely fresh, light and airy, its freshness highlighted by the lightly toasty wood. The texture gives more density, showing rich apple skins and pear spice, followed by a finish that again shows great acidity.
Spicy new wood is obvious in the aroma of this smooth, polished, ripe white wine. It has richness, with its flavors of nutmeg, pears and fresh red apple acidity. The wine is worth aging for two years, to allow the fruit and wood to blend.
This small-production blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is deep, layered and exciting. The nose is creamy but diligent, with plum, cassis, chocolate and a touch of popcorn coming from the oak. The palate is smooth and healthy, with cassis, cherry, plum, tobacco and herb flavors in front of a bright, alert, cola-driven finish. Really good for a Chilean blend. 500 cases produced.
The Wess style is for rounded wines, with a ripe, creamy texture. While this Terrassen is all about fresh fruit, it also has the same extra richness in its makeup. The floral character of Riesling is evident, as are flavors of white peaches and dried apricots. There's even a touch of pepper for the spice. Screwcap.
This full-bodied, well structured Pinot Noir offers some minty, herbal notes and hints of cedar alongside tart plum and cherry flavors. Crisp acids and firm tannins frame the tightly wrapped flavors, which should unfold over the next 8 or 9 years.
This nicely balanced Barossa Shiraz shows that not all Barossa wines are overweight. Sure, it has the soft, lush tannins and textures of its region, but there's also attractive herbal and savory overtones to the berry fruit.
Like many top Marlborough Sauvignons, this wine has a leafy, herbal component backed by copious fruit. In this case, the wine delivers touches of nectarine and pineapple, along with a bit of chili pepper. It's medium-bodied, with a long, mouth-watering finish.
This is a finely made wine, bringing out really concentrated herbaceous flavors, almost New Zealand in their intensity. It is fresh, green, grassy, ready to drink now.
Any vintage Champagne from 2004 will still be young, and this is no exception. But with the fresh, light Deutz style, this is already offering delicious green plum and citrus flavors, supplemented by creamy acidity. The finish is soft, light, creamy.
This new producer is off to a good start with its first vintage. The fruit is clean and complex, ranging from watermelon to wild strawberry to pie cherry as it washes across the palate. Deep in color, yet light in the mouth, this not only makes you reach for a second glass, it makes you wish the vineyard, planted in 2001, would hurry up and age.
We haven't seen much improvement in this wine since the 2003 vintage. It's still lacking forward, ripe fruit and instead shows more leather and drying, firm tannins. Shows glimpses of higher quality but can't support them.
Minerally and a touch earthy on the nose, this follows with toast and sweet fruit on the palate, which is both simple and friendly. Overall, the wine has an array of good, clean flavors and a zippy finish.
Concentrated and intense, but typical of Bonarda this is a fierce wine with a rock-hard mouthfeel and slightly tart, limited raspberry flavors. Not exactly sour but it makes your mouth seize up and take notice.
Slightly stewed fruit scents suggest cooked prunes, and lead into a pretty hard, tannic red wine. It has leafy, somewhat underripe flavors, lots of tannin and a generic red wine flavor; it could be almost anything.
Hard and tannic, this doesn't show much in the way of varietal character. There's a hint of red fruit, some tar and rubber, and a thin, somewhat stemmy finish.
Herbal aromas infiltrate the nose, and the palate features midlevel red fruit with a strong herbal edge. The finish shows saline, chocolate and pepper, and never does it rise much above struggling.
Very stiff and tannic, with hard, stemmy flavors and very little evidence of ripe fruit.
Aged in neutral French oak, it has light notes of herbs, plum, pencil lead and crushed flowers. The acids are tart and racy competing with somewhat gruff tannins. Pair it with pizza or pasta with a red sauce to see it at its best.
While on the light side, this is an attractive, fruity wine. It has a creamy, soft feel to it with fresh pear flavors, as well as a touch of vanilla from the gentle wood aging. It's ready to drink now, but will be better in a year.
Soft and warm, this wine originates from the northern end of the Côte de Nuits. It has wild-raspberry and dark cherry flavors balanced with elegant acidity. It's wine that will age quickly, so drink from 2014.
A dark, ripe and fruity wine that is full of dense red-fruit aromas and spicy tannins. The palate offers ample freshness, with crisp, juicy red berry fruit up front. Drink now and until 2017.
A cool, crisp and fresh wine that also has enough weight to go well with food. It has lively lemon, plum and red apple flavors. A touch of steely character lends great shape to this ready to drink wine.
There's a whiff of almond, a flavor of lime pith and a finish of wet stone in this light Pinot Blanc. A suggestion of cracker comes through in the finish.
A soft, smooth and juicy wine, with attractive red fruit aromas and a warm, fragrant texture. The wine has spice, hints of herbs and a strong layer of acidity. Drink now and until 2018.
This sparkling wine has aromas of baked apricot, walnut, hay, citrus and oak. The palate is lean and dry, without enough fruit richness to support the oak.
This is a bright and fruity red-currant and berry-fruited wine. It has some richness along with a more stalky edge. Wood aging shows subtly along with the firm tannins of the vintage. Drink from 2014.
A hint of earthiness and tannins add complexity to this fruity, bright wine full of red berry flavors. It's fragrant, delicious and refreshingly juicy, but not for aging.
Here's a simple but well made red from Tuscany that has floral aromas of violet and rose with berry notes. The palate offers bright cherry, red currant and a touch of spice. Pair this with pasta dishes or grilled vegetables.
This is a smooth, creamy wine, with apple and pear aromas and flavors, as well as a crisp texture. It's full-bodied, very fruity and ready to drink, with bursting freshness and lingering acidity.
This is a perfumed wine, its freshness leaping from the glass. It has crisp green and white fruits, lively acidity and a light, tangy character. The finish shows more richness and a dry, textured feel.
Here's a simple Barbera with bright aromas of red fruit. On the palate, this shows cherry along with a hint of vanilla and peppery notes. Very fresh and smooth, but ready to drink now.
Delicately perfumed with bright red-fruit aromas, this is a light, fruity, forward wine that is ready to drink now. Acidity cuts through the palate and soft tannins linger on the finish.
Soft fruit that shows velvet tannins and a full, ripe red berry character. There are milk chocolate and bitter cherry flavors and very fresh acidity, all comfortably integrated, just finishing with an edge of pepper.
An unusual Nuits-St.-Georges. Normally the wines are dark, dry and tannic. But this is fruity, light, fresh. With its vibrant red fruits, it seems very out of character, if pleasing.
With a fresh but earthy nose of flowers, honey and herbs, this approachable white begs for food pairing. Simple but balanced and with a flirty character, it has a summer sipping kind of appeal.
Lightly perfumed, this wood-aged wine has soft tannins and an unfocused character, which brings spice as well as green fruits. The aftertaste is taut and earthy.
Nice berry aromas feature a smidgen of spice and herbs, while the palate has forward acidity that props up lively berry flavors. Expect no frills and this big-format Merlot will satisfy. It's ripe and sweet, and overall it's done right.
For two years running this Torrontes is White Pearl's most praiseworthy wine. It is true and tasty, with flowery aromas leading to flavors of lychee, papaya, melon and grass. Decent body and length give it credibility as a 1.5L Best Buy.
This semisweet blend of Malvasia and Viura is not everyday stuff, but if you have a taste for something sweet and different, give it a try. The nose is floral and waxy, while flavors of honey and ultraripe pineapple are heady and sugary. Not a drop-dead winner but unique and interesting.
Elegant, light and easy to drink, this offers a nose of fresh citrus and clean, friendly flavors of lemon and spice on the palate. Uncomplicated and fun, it's a great summer wine that will pair perfectly with grilled fish or Asian cuisine.
In the new wave of light, fresh Grüner Veltliner, this charming, friendly wine is all lifted green fruits, crisply fresh, just touched by a structure of fresh apple skins. Screwcap.
Appealing aromas of berry and pepper spice lead this likeable Merlot from Romania. Integrated but somewhat simple, the wine nontheless has an overall elegant character and tannins with enough chew to temper aging. An interesting choice from an emerging (to the U.S.) wine region.
A floral, aromatic wine, with flavors of crisp lemon and orange peel, green apple skins and grapefruit. There is just a hint of pepper in the aftertaste. Screwcap.
El Coto has gotten its game in gear in recent years. The brand's value-priced wines like this Viura are clean and proper. In this case, opening aromas of stone and lime yield to green fruits and cucumber. The wine is easy and fresh, with a juicy, simple mouthfeel.
This medium- to full-bodied Shiraz starts off with aromas that suggest cured meats and slightly stewed plums, while the flavors are even meatier, picking up some citrusy notes. Crisp acids accentuate some drying tannins on the finish, giving this wine a somewhat stern demeanor. Imported by McWilliam's of Coonawarra.
Peach and pear flavors entwine with intense, youthful acidity in this bone-dry wine. It is taut and still developing fuller, fruity character. Very fresh, it needs time; drink from 2016.
Made from organically grown fruit, this wine is young, with ripe red fruits and a smoky, tangy character. Intense red fruits and acidity keep it fresh. Structured and with tannins that are still boisterous, this wine will develop. It needs time, so drink from 2017.
Plum and raspberry aromas are modest on the nose. This everyday Tempranillo feels a bit choppy and edgy, while plum, raspberry and prune flavors end slightly bitter.
Aromas of green apple, melon and grape skins lead to fresh, lightly spritzy tropical flavors. It doesn't entirely stand up on its own but should perk up nicely with baked fish.
This wine is light cherry-red in color, showing some bricking. Strawberry, bubble gum and orange-peel aromas are followed by off-dry flavors with a broad feel.
Nearing greenish-yellow in the glass, this wine offers lemon curd, a touch of oak and a flash of white peach on the nose. Golden apple and iodine flavors show on the palate, which proves more bitter and sour than ripe.
With 17% Cabernet Franc added in, this wine is leathery, rustic and tightly tannic, with a sizable presence of oak. Soft, it finishes in a thickness of black cherry and stewy plum.
Pepper, herb and dark fruit aromas lead to silky-feeling fruit and savory flavors. It doesn't stand up on its own but should fit in nicely at the dinner table.
Ordinary, this is not. The medium-garnet color has a brownish rim. Aromas resemble black pepper and charred beef, while the flavors are mostly savory rather than fruity. The wine tastes like pomegranate juice, and feels firm and dry in the mouth.
Starting out reductive, this wine has aromas of wet copper penny, fresh herbs, woodspice and dark fruit. The coffee and black fruit flavors are high octane, seeming out of balance.
Ripe, jammy blueberry and blackberry aromas come with a hint of graphite and sweet-smelling oak. This is choppy and edgy in feel, with coconut, blackberry and tart, drawing flavors.
Blended by Jean-René Matignon, technical director of Château Pichon Baron, this is a smooth, ripe wine with balanced wood and spice flavors. They give weight to berry fruits, rich plums and fragrant acidity at the end. Drink now.
The layer of tannins verges on too much. It is saved by ripe fruit that cuts through to give a warm, red currant and berry freshness. Acidity is well in balance in this wine that needs a few months to age. Drink from 2016.
This wine has a smoky character and is full of spice as well as jammy fruits. An unusual Bordeaux blend of 53% Petit Verdot, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is full, ripe and warm, with crushed strawberry flavors. Drink from 2016.
Darkly tannic, this wine has a dense structure that needs time. It is firm, dry and concentrated. The fruit potential is still developing so keep this wine until 2017. Enologist Sebastien and vineyard manager Nicolas are the latest generation managing the Carreau family estates.
Behind the tannins, the fruit is beginning to broaden out and become rich. An attractive juicy character comes from the fresh black currant and berry fruits. Give this wine until 2016 and it will be ready to drink. Consulting oenologue Claude Gaudin manages this Médoc region estate.
This wine has structure, with ripe red fruits and a good layer of tannin. Despite a difficult year in Bordeaux, the Queyrens family created a balanced wine with the acidity showing brightly through the firm, still-young texture. It could do with a few more months of aging so drink from 2016.
Apple, melon, spice and briny aromas are more mellow than loud. This feels fresh and focused, but simple. Flavors of white peach, melon and nuts carry onto the finish, with a hint of popcorn flavor.
Berry, olive, spice and herbal aromas are typical of Chilean Cabernet. Scratchy tannins and medium overall weight make for some roughness, while raspberry and red-plum flavors finish herbal and spicy.
This ripe, fruity wine has both freshness and a warmer, rounded character. Apricot and fresh white peach fruits are filled out with almond flavors as well as acidity. It's a wine to enjoy now, although it will be better from 2016
While this wine does have firm tannins, it also offers a ripe, fruity backdrop that will develop. At the moment, the wine is dry and dense. Give it a few months for the red fruits to broaden out. Drink from mid-2016.
This fruity wine has fresh pineapple, peach and white fruit flavors. It is crisp and dry, with an attractive touch of honey. This would be a great partner with Asian foods.
This wine has potential, with ripe berry fruits and soft tannins that are already well integrated. It is dense, showing a structure that will broaden out as the wine ages. Drink this juicy, fruity wine from Vignobles Dulon from 2016.
Still young, this rich wine has a stalky character that contrasts with the ripe black currant flavors and good acidity. With a few months aging, this will fill out and be an attractive and fruity. Drink from 2016.
This Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot blend has a tannic character, smoky flavors and a solid structure. It is also perfumed with ripe berry fruits and a juicy taste that is developing behind the firm tannins. It's made by the same team as the Médoc Cru Bourgeois Haut Breton Larigaudière. Drink from 2016.
Enticing aromas of Alpine wildflowers, chopped herbs, toasted nuts and citrus zest mingle in the glass. The vibrant palate offers hazelnut, juicy nectarine, pear and energizing mineral alongside refreshing acidity.
Red currant and alpine herb aromas lead the nose on this blend of Schiava and 5% Lagrein. The bright palate offers sour cherry, strawberry, tangerine zest and a touch of toasted almond alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
Aromas of brick dust, vitamins and baked fruits are gritty and require some navigating. This has a wiry, tight feel, yet in terms of flavors, it's ripe almost to the point of being raisiny. Heat, hard tannins and dried berry fruit flavors direct the finish. Drink through 2017.
Clear, well-defined varietal scents of pepper, licorice and boysenberry cut through, with a hint of fresh-cut tobacco. A substrate of granite underscores this ripe, supple, medium-long wine with good grip and a polished mouthfeel. Drink 2015 through 2020.
Aromas of woodland berry, pressed rose petal and alpine herb lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried cherry, anise and espresso alongside mellow, buffed tannins.
Part of the winery's line of single-clone Pinots, this is a bit chunkier than the others, with strawberries and cherries lightly finished with a milk chocolate frame. The midpalate is medium bodied and holds together through the finish.
This barrel-fermented Sauvignon opens with aromas of toast, baked stone fruit, yellow flower and citrus zest. The round palate offers ripe yellow peach, celery, juicy grapefruit, crystalized ginger, roasted almond and vanilla bean alongside soft acidity.
Pepper, ollallieberry, roasted pork and a violet-flavored candy aroma comprise the nose on this wine from a vineyard north of the Santa Maria Valley. Zesty acidity on the palate cuts through the boysenberry, anise and game flavors, making for a lively wine.
The granite soil of Clisson is a special part of the Muscadet region. It gives a wine that is structured, firm and needing to age. With five years, this wine is just ready to drink. The white fruits are integrating into the tight texture and leaving room for minerality. Drink now, although the wine will continue to age until 2016.
A smoky nose with hints of flint and stone fruit leads the way on this linear white. The juicy palate delivers yellow peach, crisp apple, lemon drop and a hint of ginger alongside bright acidity.
This feels a little thin at first sip, but it's balanced and shows tart cherry fruit that has attained a modest level of ripeness. It has a pleasing softness in the mouth, opening into a mix of plum and red cherry, with some phenolic bite.
This perfumed, new-wood-flavored wine is clear-cut and structured. Firm tannins are layered with black fruits and touches of perfumed violets, allied with solid structure. It fills the glass with ripe aromas, while acidity at the end gives a final lift. Drink from 2016, although the wine can be enjoyed now.
A strength of oak and burly black fruit in this single-vineyard designate makes it intense and big. In the background, an unexpected minty, forest floor quality overtakes the aromas at first, but blows off over time. The wine finishes as intensely as it starts, awash in toasty oak.
Thanks to wines like this, expect a bright future for this appellation, which is just south of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Aromas of ripe plums, brown spices, turned earth and black slate lead into a silky palate, where red fruits are cut with an emergent, cinnamon-y spice and slightly leathery tannic grip.
Wild red berry and crushed flower aromas lead the nose on this lively red. The juicy palate doles out sour cherry, raspberry, almond and a lightly balsamic note. It's nicely balanced with bright acidity and soft, polished tannins.
Pretty aromas of wild strawberry and a hint of baking spice take shape in the glass. The luminous palate delivers red cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and a cedar note brightened by fresh acidity. It's balanced with silky tannins. Drink through 2017.
Fermented in oak barrels, this has aromas that recall white flower, toasted oak, baked pear and dried apricot. The palate offers butterscotch and mature Golden Delicious apple alongside fresh acidity. Toasted hazelnut signals the finish.
Fresh aromas of stony minerals, white grapefruit and passion fruit are a proper opening for a zesty, cutting palate that's loaded to the brink with citric acidity. Flavors of wet stones, lime, lemon and green apple finish long, zesty and without a stumble.
Aromas of pressed white flower and orchard fruit waft from the glass. On the palate, a nutty note of toasted hazelnut and a mineral vein add depth to the dried apricot, baked yellow peach and citrus flavors. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of pear, pressed white flower, exotic fruit and hints of toasted oak lead the nose. The round palate offers nectarine zest, apricot, dried herb and vanilla alongside soft but refreshing acidity.
Aromas of candied fruit, toasted oak, vanilla and a balsamic note lead the nose. The palate offers dried apple, dried apricot, almond and a honey note alongside soft acidity. It closes on a note of roasted coffee bean. The fruit is already fading so enjoy soon.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with aromas of honeysuckle and peach blossom. The palate doles out juicy peach, tart apple, white almond and a mineral note. It's balanced with bright acidity.
A scent of leathery funk inhabits this wine, yet never overtakes the balanced flavors. A mix of blueberry and cherry fills the palate with lush flavors, and highlights of coffee, mocha and salted caramel add further interest. It drinks as a more mature wine than the vintage date might suggest.
Fresh and creamy, this spent time in 80% neutral oak, which smoothed out the flavors. Pear and banana fruit flavors are textural and wrapped in lemony acidity. The creaminess is impressive.
Savory whiffs of clay and smoked nuts belie the pristine white peach and grapefruit flavors that flood the palate of this semidry Riesling. It's juicy and primary, but irresistibly so, finishing on a lingering note of spice and saffron.
The immediate impression is that this wine is heavy, ripe and oaky. Sawdust and wood grain are the lead aromas. In the mouth, this chunky Priorat is hard, with grating tannins. Hickory and toasted berry flavors finish hot and resiny.
This opens with aromas of toasted nut, pressed white flower, straw, exotic fruit and honey. The firm palate has a smoky, mineral quality that accents citrus zest, pineapple, toasted hazelnut and sliced apple. It's balanced and fresh, with tangy acidity.
Aromas convey pear, green apple and flint. The crisp palate delivers nectarine, Granny Smith apple, pineapple, mineral and tinge of Mediterranean herb. It's nicely balanced, with bright acidity.
From a warm, ripe vintage, this reflects those characteristics with fruit-driven flavors of plum, berry and apricot. Round and full-bodied, it finishes with a lick of orange liqueur.
Aromas of blueberry and raspberry are floral and exotic, which is usual for Cafayate wines. This has a chunky, grapy mouthfeel and fruit-cake flavors of stewed berry and plum along with spice notes. A jammy feeling finish is low on structure.
This looks deep and dark, smells like Port and tastes almost as rich as that. However, it's dry and not too high in alcohol, although the aroma and flavor of superripe grapes is similar. While bold in flavor and relatively big in texture, it's pretty smooth overall.
This opens with aromas of red berry, coffee bean and toast aromas. The palate offers up tart sour cherry, espresso and chopped sage alongside tightly packed, astringent tannins.
This is a tense, textured wine that is still young. Bright, tangy acidity is balanced by apricot and pear flavors, bringing out a delicious yet refreshing character. The wine needs a few more months, so drink from 2016.
Delicate aromas of lemon blossom and orchard fruit come together in the glass. Made with 85% Vermentino and 15% Nuragus, this is soft and round, with ripe yellow apple, juicy peach and a mineral note. It's brightened by just enough fresh acidity.
A fruity, apple-driven wine, this has a creamy texture. It is soft, lightly spicy and with delicious acidity. The wine is fruity, fragrant and refreshing. Drink now, reveling in the fruit.
This vineyard-designate opens with a luxurious nose of cardamom and plummy blackberry seasoned with dried herb, and is seamless and soft on the palate. An oaky swathe of tannin dominates on the finish.
A tight, concentrated wine made in larger quantities than many of the producer's other Cabernets, this is approachable and medium bodied, featuring aromas and flavors of savory black tea and olive.
Floral blackberry aromas are concentrated. The saturated palate is somewhat narrow in breadth, while boysenberry and minty oak flavors rank as dark. A wiry but juicy finish is lasting and offers a note of chocolaty oak.
Earthy saffron and fennel notes waft throughout this plush, sun-kissed Riesling, lending a savory cast to plump yellow peach and mango flavors. Zesty acidity brightens the mid palate, leading to a moderately long finish. Drink now.
Spanish producer Vicente Gandia continues its venture into Portugal with this ripe, spicy and toasty wine. Wood flavors mingle with the red fruits and bright acidity. It is rich, full and ready to drink.
This full-bore wine smells like strawberries and cherries, and tastes jammy and chocolaty. The rich, almost thick texture hangs on to all that ripeness on the finish. This should pair well with salty cheeses or a chocolate dessert.
A bright copper color, this is done in a French style, with an emphasis less on freshness than on more mature flavors. Impressions of rose water, cracker and orange liqueur contribute to the mix. This wine should be consumed now through 2016.
Damp sagebrush, strawberry syrup and rust greet the nose on this bottling by Terravant in Buellton. The palate shows pomegranate, black licorice and a orange-rind bitterness.
With hints of pineapple and peach flavors, this is a ripe wine with a refreshing juicy character. It's a food wine thanks to its mineral texture and tangy acidity. It could age a few more months, so hold until 2016.
Quite quaffable, with just a bit of sweetness, this pleasant rosé is loaded with strawberry scents and flavors of strawberry scones. It's an uncomplicated wine, perfect for a picnic, and best enjoyed well-chilled.
This is a rich and smooth wine that has the lightest hint of minerality. Ripe yellow fruits and elegant green plum and citrus flavors give this wine both a fruity character and a fine texture. Drink now.
Aromas of resin, coconut and ripe plum lead the nose. The forward, ripe palate offers prune steeped in spirits, dried black cherry, vanilla, coffee, coconut, oak and drying tannins.
An interesting blend of baked red currant, jalapeño, Tabasco sauce and leather mark the nose. The medium-bodied palate is initially smoky and spicy, with fresher red currant flavors adding verve.
Creamy vanilla complements a medium use of oak in this weighty, tropical wine, given to pineapple, peach and Meyer lemon flavor. Straightforward, inexpensive and intended to be a crowd pleaser, it hits those marks, finishing ripe and layered.
Aromas of resin, nail polish remover and violet lead the nose while the nervous palate delivers raw red cherry, toasted oak, coconut and cooking spice. It lacks fruit richness and the bracing, astringent tannins give it a choppy finish.
Cherry-vanilla cola aromas meet sweet brown spice notes on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, with nice roundness, sweet cherry and darker shades of plum carry to a clean vanilla finish.
Attractive aromas of sweet grass, melon rind and baby's breath lead the nose of this dainty wine, with supporting fruity nuances of white raspberry, cherry and peach. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing, with pleasant acidity and a juicy, mouthwatering finish. Enjoy this quenching rosé now.
This wine is lean, with a severe character that gives tightness to the fruit. It's very mineral in character, full of acidity and just hinting at spice. Drink this nervy wine from 2016.
Fresh and inviting notes of pineapple and tropical fruit are balanced by orange oil citrus and medium acidity in the mouth. The palate is round with a nice weight and a medium-length finish.
Cherry, spice and vanilla on the nose are followed by flavors of cherry, pepper, and spicy sausage on the palate. Smooth, balanced and easy drinking, this is a good go-to red with a slightly exotic spin.
This is a friendly red with aromas of cinnamon, red berry and pepper, followed by a lightly sweet combination of vanilla, cherry and strawberry. Easy drinking and soft overall, this will pair well with many dishes—turkey, pork and lamb alike.
Vibrant and bright, this Chenin boasts lively notes of tropical fruit, white peach, blood orange and ripe melon. Balanced and refreshing with a clean, citrus-infused finish. Drink now.
An easy-pleasing and refreshing wine with ripe aromas of pineapple and guava alongside a citrus-infused grassy note, almost like fresh hops. Lightweight in the mouth with a brisk finish reminiscent of fleshy green apple slices.
You can smell a hint of ginger spice in the bouquet of this wine, presumably from the splash of Gewürz in this Chenin- and Chardonnay-dominant blend. Otherwise, notes of yellow peach, toasted brioche and ripe melon abound, with a good acidic lift to the close to keep things fresh.
Aromas of pineapple, orange and lemon lead this fruity and fun Chardonnay from Greece. Balanced fresh fruit flavors are lifted by a good acidity and spice. Easy to love and offering an international style, this is a white wine for the weekday as well as weekend.
Although the label reads “Touch of Oak,” this wine exhibits an assertive oak-driven character throughout that produces an overall sweet red cherry and berry profile. Medium weight with light tannins, it's easy to drink now.
Black currant and plum aromas come with a defined streak of minty green. The palate, meanwhile, feels boxed in by tannic grip. Flavors of prune, mint and herbal berry lead to an edgy finish with the flavors of carob and herbs.
Smoky up front, with lightly herbal berry and plum aromas but also leafiness and scratchiness. Has grip and structure, but tastes roasted and meaty, with raw oak and spice flavors leading to a minty, oaky, grabby finish.
Dark in color, an indicator that this is a ripe style of Pinot. Smells granular and earthy, its big berry fruit aromas leading to a full-bodied palate with sweet black fruit flavors. Offers good acidity and plenty of oak.
On the first pass the wine smells rubbery and minty, with a note of green herbs poking through. Gets jammier and fruitier with airing, and in the mouth it's blocky and resiny, with herb-infused flavors of berry and plum accented by lactic oak. Finishes sweet, muscular and sticky.
Juicy wine, just beginning to change from pure fruit to maturity. The tannins are still there, but more gently rounded with red berry fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
A big, burly wine with attractive tannins and rich plum and dark chocolate flavors. The wine is very accessible, ready to drink, a good value.
Rich, honeyed notes flesh out the apple and orange rind aromas, while flavors of honeydew, apple core and a soft nuttiness unfold in the mouth. Round and forward with a medium-length finish.
Even with aromas of bath oil and cologne, there's enough to like about this fluffy, tropical white to chill it down and give it a go. Feels round, soft and easy, with melon, banana and mild citrus flavors.
Smooth and perfumed, this has a delicious, ripe black-fruit character. It is full of wood, spice and smoky tannins that demand aging. The wine is dense and layered with acidity as well as beautiful fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
It takes a while for the friendly, pure pear fruit to show itself. Once apparent, it shines and is wonderfully sunny, light and balanced. Fresh acidity brightens and lifts everything and makes the fruit flavors finish dry with overtones of green apple.
Hints of damask rose meld into a mix of sweet tangerine and blood orange. There is also something rounder and fleshier at the core, guided by a bright vein of freshness. This achieves a subtle balance that is just off dry.
Lemon purity and an idea of wet stones shows slight, pleasant texture around a central seam of lemon zest freshness. There is a lightness of touch, a convincing dryness and a breezy freshness about this no-nonsense Riesling.
The aromas pop, with notes of white flowers, pear and ripe peach. It's full bodied in feel, drinking dry with a textured feel and a drawn-out finish—a very pleasing example of the variety.
Sanguine in cranberry, red plum and dark cherry, this wine offers sizable tannin and oak around more savory elements of tobacco and black tea, an introduction of soy on the full-bodied finish.
This opens with aromas of raisin, scorched earth and a whiff of leather. The brawny, straightforward palate doles out dried black cherry, prune, raspberry, black pepper and a hint of tobacco. Firm, ripe tannins provide support.
Cocoa, herb, cranberry and cherry aromas lead to plush-feeling coffee and black-fruit flavors that carry through the finish. It brings a whole lot of enjoyment and appeal.
This is a smooth, dark and rich wine, made from the heart of the appellation in an agreeable year. Balanced, it offers blackberry, cassis and a touch of silky texture, finishing with elegance.
Fragrant notions of orange peel accompany the red apple freshness. This has ample apple and orange fruit at the core, along with a pure, lemony zestiness that pulls everything taut and into focus. Full of life and tension, the wine makes you want to sip and sip again.
Underripe, slightly green orange peels mix with honeydew, grass and lime on this straightforward selection. The palate shows a touch of peach on the first part of the sip before delving into pungent grassiness that continues through the finish, all complemented by a wet stone frame.
A fruity bouquet of dark plum and blueberry is prominent in this 100% varietal wine, from a mountainous vineyard site known for tannic strength. The power is there but it's nicely managed, allowing the velvety texture and a balance of weight to shine through, topped off on the finish in dried herb.
Jasmine and lychee form the basis of this wine's bouquet, with fresh-cut peach making for a delicious experience on the palate. Rich, dense and lengthy, it comes from a cool vineyard site that provides lots of natural minerality and a taste of wet stone.
From a vineyard site farmed by the Duttons called Matthew's Station, this is a gentle wine, medium in weight, with nuances of green apple and fresh-squeezed lemon. Balanced, it offers a twist of toffee and oak beneath its crisper notes, finishing warm in nutmeg and ginger spice.
Deep, dark, oaky and tannic, this wine opens with powerful aromas of charred barrels and wood smoke. Juicy flavors of blackberry and black cherry follow, with plenty of fine-textured tannins and a lingering finish. It's made from an unusual blend of Petite Verdot and Tannat grapes.
With an opaque purple tint and brawny, gaseous aromas of raw oak, bacon, black olive and blackberry, this old-vine Cabernet is blocky, tannic and bullish. Intense, toasty flavors of herbal blackberry and baked plum finish muscular, blackened, herbal and a touch bitter. Best from 2017–2022.
Riper suspicions of yellow plum insinuate themselves on the nose. The palate is shot through with lemony freshness that brightens everything. Taut and fresh, this also has Alsace's more rounded edges. With time, more aromas arise, finishing in a fruity mix of apple, stone fruit and citrus.
Soft notes of russet pear peel and peach contract into a tight, refreshing, lemony citrus structure. Some residual carbon dioxide underlines the freshness with a tiny bit of spritz. This is pure, clean-cut, fresh Riesling for immediate drinking and total refreshment.
There is nothing petite about this wine. It shows an opaque red-black color, concentrated aromas full of blackberry and cedar, then flavors like pomegranate juice and blackberry jam, without being sweet. All this density and intensity will help it age. It will improve if allowed to age in a cool place until at least 2020.
Made with Gewürztraminer and a drop of Sauvignon grapes that are left to dry for four months, this opens with aromas of nectarine, rose petal and baking spice. The rich, lingering palate delivers dried apricot, orange zest and candied fruit. Fresh acidity balances the sweet flavors.
This is a very oaky, powerful wine, with minty aromas of shoe polish, blackened toast and herbs. It's full and creamy on one hand, but bold and tannic on the other. Dark, medicinal black-fruit flavors are followed by oak-driven mocha and buttery notes, while the finish tastes downright buttery at one moment, then dark, ripe and fruity the next. Drink through 2021.
There's a forward warm and spicy character to this dark, brooding wine, with notes of brambly berry and plum that are accented by hits of cocoa, violet and lavender. The creamy, medium-weight palate boasts soft but structured tannins and a crushed satin texture, with hints of leather and bittersweet chocolate that linger on the close.
From the marquee vineyard just down the road, known better for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this ZInfandel has 5% Petite Sirah blended in. Combined, they offer earthy and floral elements on the nose before a juicy palate of red fruit enters. A touch of olive plays off the bittersweet finish.
Light aromas of plum and spice are followed by cherry flavors that show pleasing purity. This is a delightful example of the variety.
The zest of grapefuit, lemon and the crunch of Granny Smith apples heralds a bright, fruity and superrefreshing wine. Midpalate texture encloses the fresh acidity beautifully and has ample liveliness and a dry finish.
With a handful of Sémillon in the blend, this is a fleshy, full-bodied style of white wine, offering darker tones of caramel and oak. Well made, it features a tangle of vanilla and butterscotch on the big finish.
Baked plum, underbrush, toast and whiffs of exotic spice come together on this blend of 65% Corvina and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. The full-bodied palate offers ripe black cherry, redcurrant, cocoa and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This serious and concentrated wine has plenty of ripe fruit aromas and flavors, with a smooth texture, and lingering fruitiness on the finish. It resembles black plums and cloves in flavor, and has excellent balance and depth.
This Amarone has aromas of ripe black fruit and vanilla. The palate delivers plum and blackberry flavors layered with chocolate and oak. It's not overly complex, but the big fruit and spice flavors satisfy. It's fast approaching its ideal drinking window, so enjoy soon.
Here's a delicious and well-balanced ripasso that combines the freshness of Valpolicella with the structure of Amarone. It has lingering aromas of blackberry, licorice and graphite, with a whiff of moist earth. The palate delivers plum, prune, carob and nutmeg flavors, along with polished tannins and fresh acidity.
This is heady and savory smelling, with a mild burnt-leaf component to the bouquet. The palate is stacked to the max, and dense in feel, with toast, espresso, hickory and baked berry flavors. On the finish, a hazelnut note blends with chocolate, licorice and toasted flavors.
Here's an elegant selection that shows ample structure and balance. It has a lovely bouquet of wisteria, iris, blackberry, nutmeg and vanilla. The palate is still a bit shy but shows ripe plum, black cherry, carob, licorice and well-integrated oak notes. Give this another year to unwind.
From one of the highest vineyards in Cahors, this mineral, textured wine brings out the firmest tannins at this young stage. It is complex, powerful, full of structured, very dry. Underneath, there is a great weight of black fruit waiting to come out. Drink from 2016.
With very ripe fruit from a well-exposed vineyard, this wine that is rich and smooth, packed with black plums, prunes, an open texture and opulence. With the background tannins, it will certainly age. Drink from 2015.
The vineyard of the medieval Château de Mercey has produced a fully structured, fully fruity wine in 2010. It has ripe berry fruits, layers of acidity and a firm core of tannins. It should age over the next 3–4 years.
The blend of this wine has changed significantly in 2010, now an equal mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with 9% Syrah. As with other J. Bookwalter reds, it is loaded with appealing barrel toast, in both aroma and flavor. The Syrah shines through, adding spice and ripe berry flavors.
A smooth, almost satiny Merlot, with generous flavors of plum and cassis. The ample fruit is wrapped in darker flavors, providing a coating streaked with licorice, dusted with coffee grounds and finished with chocolate.
Here's a pure, single vineyard, deeply-fruited Malbec, loaded with blackberry and cassis. It shows the varietal highlights of peppery herb, bark and earth, with well-managed tannins and good balance overall.
This Amarone has a fragrance of blackberry, plum and oak, all of which carry over to the palate alongside notes of black licorice and pepper. You'll also detect a warm midpalate and warmth of alcohol on the close.
From a traditional vineyard with old vines, this is a dense and structured wine. It has minerality, dark black fruits, a tense texture and a dry, tannic core. Drink from 2014.
There's a whiff of garrigue in this wine, scents and flavors of stem and herb and brambly berry. The acids are plentiful and bring notes of citrus threaded through the finish.
Pure Petit Verdot has a loyal following, and fans of the unadulterated varietal version will find this a spot-on example. Scents of violets overlay dark red and black fruit aromas; flavors follow with earthy tannins well-modulated through a medium-long finish.
This Amarone has scents of plum, raisin and toasted oak. The palate delivers prune and black cherry flavors, accented by hints of chocolate. This is soft and round, and the palate is also somewhat evolved.
This has fragrances of ripe black cherry, raisin and a touch of leather. The palate delivers raisin and raspberry flavors, along with spicy black pepper notes. The palate is a bit evolved, showing tertiary notes.
The entry level wine from Eugénie, this is a smooth, ripe wine, juicy and structured enough to give weight to the texture. The black currant fruits are already blossoming through the tannins. The wine should be ready to drink in 2014.
You'll find aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, cooking spice, tobacco, licorice and a whiff of mocha on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The delineated palate offers ripe and dried black currants, ground pepper and dark chocolate alongside silky tannins that give it a polished texture. Drink through 2018.
Aromas of blue flowers, black-skinned berries, baking spice and Mediterranean herb take shape in the glass. A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the approachable palate doles out black cherry, crushed plum, cinnamon and clove while dried mint provides backup. Silky tannins and fresh acidity balance the juicy flavors. Drink through 2018.
A deep, dark color is followed by open and effusive aromas of wild berries and black cherries with a hint of bread dough-like freshness. Flavors are exuberantly fruity and dark, almost like dark-chocolate covered cherries. While full bodied, the wine is not too tannic or tart, since the oozing fruit flavors fill in any gaps.
The winery's entry-level bottling is firm, supple and classy, with a precisely defined configuration of fruit, earth and mineral. Red plum, black cherry, iron filings, clean earth and graphite combine gracefully, finished with a hint of toasted cashews.
Smooth and juicy in red fruit with an edge of more savory cranberry, this wine from a great vineyard source rises to its occasion and to its site, offering high acidity, medium weight and a lingering, nearly spicy finish. It's enjoyable now but should show well through 2018.
This is a dark-hued wine that brings out the structure and strong minerality of Touriga Nacional in its home region of Dão. It is a powerful and dense selection, still dominated by tannins but offers plenty of perfumed fruit to balance. Drink from 2017.
Dominated by the local Loin de l'Oeil grape, this wood-aged wine has flavors of pears, spice and attractive, light vanilla. Acidity and a delicious, tasty structure give complexity to this wine that could certainly age. Drink now, although it will be better from 2016.
The aromas of cracked peppercorns, iodine, blackberries, crushed stone, dried spices and black olives are practically intoxicating on their own. Then, on the palate, you can taste the intensity, with firm tannins that come from a patch of 50-year-old vines in Sorgues. Drink this blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault from 2017–2025, treating it almost as if it were a mini Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
A bit more lacy and less fleshy than the previous vintage, it augments its strawberry and raspberry fruit with barrel notes of baking spices and a hint of char. Give it plenty of breathing time and it pulls together nicely.
The damp yet smoky aromas of a campfire show on this wine from longtime Temecula farmers Gary Winder and Mike Rennie, along with blackberry jam and crushed oregano. The palate proves very grippy, with flavors of sweet tar, boysenberry and black pepper throughout.
Some 85% of this was whole-cluster fermented, bringing plenty of grip and tannin along with plum and cherry fruit. There are typical Eola-Amity Hills suggestions of clean earth also, and the aging in one-third new French oak brings a little fullness to this substantial, still youthful wine.
With deep color and generous, ripe fruit aromas, this gives a first impression of being a big wine—which it is. Flavors are deep and rich, like black currant jam and black cherry juice with hints of mint and nutmeg. The body is full, the tannins firm enough to back up that gorgeous flavor, and the texture stays velvety through the finish.
Summer peaches and cantaloupes are fringed with a delicate mineral edge in this semidry spätlese. It's ethereal and gauzy in texture, but a puckering honey-finish packs punch and persistence. Drink now through 2025.
Sturdy and tannic, this seems to be the heaviest and thickest of the 2012 wines from Elizabeth Chambers. Black cherry cola and dark chocolate combine, with an earthy undertone. It was aged for 21 months in neutral oak.
This opens with aromas of intense mint, menthol and a whiff of ripe dark-skinned fruit. On the palate, anise, espresso and ground pepper add depth to dried black cherry while polished tannins provided support. Drink through 2019.
This full-bodied and tannic wine balances richness and restraint well. The color is basically black with a smoky red rim, while the aroma is full of inviting ripe fruit, like boysenberries and blackberries with a whiff of wet earth and dried herbs. Flavors are almost as rich as the aroma, and the texture is quite grippy with tannins to give it structure.
This wine is beautifully rendered, with pear and melon backed by hints of citrus. The length, persistance, balance and tension are superb, and the mouth-puckering finish will have you reaching for another glass.
Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a drop of Petit Verdot go into this quintessential bottling from the Tuscan coast. It opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, baking spice, aromatic herb, violets and a whiff of wet soil. The delicious palate doles out crunchy red cherries, crushed raspberries, mint, anise and minerality alongside fresh acidity and polished tannins. Drink through 2018.
Classic Rioja aromas of rooty black fruits, vanilla, dill and herbs are the greeting on this full-force, saturated wine. Blackberry, cola, vanilla and coffee flavors are spicy and finish with notes of buttery oak and root beer as well as core strength. Best from 2018 through 2022.
A Nebbiolo from the steep vineyards of Valtellina, this opens with aromas of crushed violets, perfumed berry, flint and a whiff of Alpine herbs. The bright palate delivers crushed sour cherries, juicy raspberries, grilled sage, tobacco and a hint of vanilla alongside racy acidity and polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This opens with aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, blue flowers, oak and baked plum. The palate offers dried cherries, figs, nutmeg, tobacco and anisette alongside assertive but polished tannins. Drink through 2020.
On one of the high terraces above the river Lot, Château du Port produces a highly structured wine. It is full of tannins as much as fruit, with a dark, firm character that brings out the potential of this concentrated wine. Drink from 2017.
Tight, tart raspberry fruit is immediately juicy and inviting, set atop a crisp and refreshing mineral base. The concentration is impressive, and this seems likely to age well over the next decade. Drink now through 2025.
This sophisticated, dry and affordable wine will shine at mealtime due to its balance between generous fruit flavors and an appetizing, moderately tannic texture. Aromas resemble raspberries and red cherries, while flavors are a bit riper than that. The acidity is lively and the finish lingers.
Red apples, sourdough bread, cherry blossoms and strawberry zest show on the nose of this ever-so-slightly pink wine. The sipping experience is reminiscent of a fizzy, foamy mouthful of Pop Rocks flavored by sour cherries, altogether fun, tart and delicious.
At first sharp and showing the influence of barrel aging in roughly 20% new French oak, this opens up and smoothes out into a supple, buttery wine. It's rich with flavors of pineapple, baked apple, sweet spices and a hint of mint. Polished and sophisticated, it generously rewards your attention with plenty of delicious details.
Pretty aromas of fresh-picked raspberries and cherries invite you into this lovely young Pinot. It's fresh as a spring day, with perfect balance and clarity. Drink now through 2018–2020.
While the nose is decidedly savory, wafting of herbs and bramble, the palate of this delicately lacy auslese bursts with juicy, peach and apricot nectar. Wax, honey and spice notes meld into a long finish, lifted by a streak of tangerine acidity.
This easy-drinking Canadian Gewürz leads with aromas of pear, allspice and lychee. Medium-bodied, its cheerful fresh fruit sweetness is balanced by a refreshing zip and energetic spice. Lively but with some weight. Pair with Indian cuisine, sushi.
More salady and green than you'd expect, with hints of vinaigrette and chunky berry on the nose. The palate is more syrupy and creamy than we'd like to see, with green-ish berry flavors followed by a finish of milk chocolate and bramble. Kind of mauling in terms of feel.
Chunky and clunky on the nose, and unlike previous vintages, this one requires more patience and a willingness to overlook some flaws. For starters, the wine has a milky nose. It's frankly gaseous and bretty. But give it time to unwind and blackberry and standard plum flavors step in. The finish is easygoing, but all along there's a narrowness to it. Good but not as good as in the past.
This New Mexico Mourvèdre has a deep, soulful profile with aromas of blackberry and spice and mouthfilling flavors of blackberry and vanilla toast. Soft but lingering, the wine is an elegant, food-friendly choice.
This is nominally a step up from De Bortoli's dB Selection Petite Sirah, but this fresh, directly fruity wine doesn't seem to offer much beyond jammy fruit. It's medium-bodied, with a crisp finish and just a hint of tannic structure. Drink now–2012.
Crisp and fresh aromas of pineapple and melon lead on this pretty semi-sweet Riesling, and are followed by slightly sweet, floral flavors that are kept light with a citric, minerally backbone. Pair with chicken salad, Thai cuisine, even curry.
This primarily barrel-fermented and barrel-aged Chardonnay offers toasty oak on the nose and a palate rounded out by expressive fruit. Soft and friendly, it has a lingering finish but is not overly complex. Pair wth game birds and seafood.
Heavier and more baked than desirable, with chocolate-covered berry fruit on the nose. This is a sticky, hefty wine with some balance issues. It also tastes a bit peculiar, as floral, green notes interfere with the sweet, jammy red-fruit component. A little gummy and bitter as well.
A fresh, simple wine with an edge of earthiness and flavors of soft caramel and apricot skin. There is a green herbal character leading into the light, crisp finish.
A toasty nose of vanilla with a touch of grass leads this New York Chardonnay. Rich fruit flavors with a touch of sweet oak are appealing, if somewhat simple. Chilled with a plate of oysters on a warm night, this is a fun dinner choice.
This is showing a mature, browning color. The palate echoes that it is just beginning to dry out, although for the next year or two it will still be a delicious, mature wine. The tannins are dark, with some sweetness as well as final acidity.
This Poruzots offers a restrained version of Meursault, very structured, its texture severe and tight. Apple skin and green plum fruits go with the dry toast character. Age for a year for more ripe flavors to emerge.
Although this is not the newest release from Hecht & Bannier, it is drinking nicely now, with mature notes of kirsch and black currant backed by accents of sweet spice, crushed violets and soft leather. Though aged, the mouth is still full and big with gripping tannins and a firm structure. The finish is long, evoking flavors of cocoa-dusted blackberries and peppery spice. Drink now–2014.
Full and buttery, as befits a Meursault, the wine also has a fine-textured acidity, spice and toast. It is rich, although with a crisp citrus edge that balances out the ripe melon and honey flavor. Ready to drink, but could age for a few years.
Rich, intense red-fruited wine, soft and voluptuous. The tannins are folded into the ripe fruits, giving a very approachable feel. The acidity is prominent at this stage but should soften in a year or two, and the wine is certainly worth aging.
Calm, foresty, complex and inviting on the bouquet, with catchy berry and spice aromas. It's round, balanced and healthy in the mouth, with cola, dried herb, cassis and blackberry flavors. Chocolaty and oaky on the finish, but dry and proper. Almost identical to Qaramy's basic blend of Malbec, Cab and Syrah. Drink now.
This Port shows considerable richness in its jammy, spicy red fruit character. It is dense, on the sweet side, with a great open, ripe style. The tannins are relatively soft, suggesting this delicious vintage is for medium-term aging.
Chocolate and charcoal aromas form a dark and masculine greeting. There's also coffee and an herbal note to the nose. Lush but not heavy, tannic or plodding, with powerful black fruit and herbal flavors. Runs deep and long on the finish; impressive.
A selection from different parcels in the Château de Fuissé vineyard, this is a rich wine, initially soft, then showing a more textured character. It has weight, concentration, the wood adding another dimension to an already complex wine.
Full of violet, flowery aromas that descend into oak, blackberry and cigar, this is a muscular Tempranillo with a feminine side, big yet smooth with subtle blueberry sweetness. Grown from the Rolleri Vineyard above Angels Camp and given 18 months of barrel age, this would make a spectacular pairing with wintertime roasts and stews.
Heady and concentrated notes of blackberry, cherry and plum are graced with additional glimmers of lavender and thyme. The layered fruit continues in the velvety mouth, and licorice stick, clove and nutmeg spice accents carry well into the finish. A nice expression with great balance; drink now–2014.
Starts out a bit flat, with milk chocolate and raisiny aromas. With airing it evolves and expands, showing snappy flavors of berry, raisin and brown sugar. Very solid on the finish and elegant as an aged Rioja gran reserva should be. Drink now through 2015.
An excellent wine for an off vintage, with licorice, balsam, black fruit galore and coconut aromas. The feel is plush, layered and smooth for Toro, with blackberry, mocha, lemon peel and coconutty flavors. Toasty on the finish, with a final wave of vanilla and chocolate. Drink now through 2014.
Despite its underlying richness, this is a very structured wine, solidly based on dry tannins and firm acidity. This texture, which is also given extra liveliness by its red cherry fruits, suggests a wine for aging over 2–3 years.
The rich style of a Setzer wine is here, married to tight acidity, a mineral edge and ripeness. Pepper and white currant flavors come together in a mellifluous whole. Age for a year.
When T-L gets the mix of fruit and oak right, the wines can be deliciously hedonistic. This is a beautiful mix of cedar, vanilla and chocolate with bright boysenberry fruit, wrapped in a richly velvety texture and lingering elegantly on the finish. Drink 2012–2020.
Full bodied yet fresh and lively at the same time, this is an opulent white Hermitage that should make for delicious early drinking. Orange marmalade and honey notes are complemented by hints of truffle, adding an exotic edge. Drink it over the next few years.
This is a full-bodied, muscular example of Côte Rôtie, with pronounced savory, meaty character tinged with smoke and ash. Yet despite that, it manages to be approachable at the same time, finishing long and velvety. Drink it over the next 5–8 years.
T-L's 2007s from the Northern Rhône came out well, including this example from Saint-Joseph. Intense espresso, cracked pepper and black olive notes scream of cool-climate Syrah, while the feel in the mouth is supple, ending on a silky note.
Spicy, sharp, tart and deep. A compact mix of melon, pear, green apple and gooseberry fruit. This has exceptional structure and density for a wine listing such low alcohol, yet no hint of sweetness.
La Nerthe is usually quite structured, so while the 2007 is riper and creamier than most vintages, it still retains decent acidity to balance things out. Leather, spice and cherry flavors pick up hints of coffee and chocolate on the finish. Drink it over the next 10–12 years.
This wine starts off a bit smoky and cedary, but with time it develops more typical Hermitage notes of cassis, hickory smoke and meat. It's medium to full in body, with a rich texture and long finish. Approachable now, but should age easily through 2018.
Smooth and unctuous wine, rich with an oily texture that coats the mouth with its honey, mango and treacle character. It is so concentrated, just the essence of sweetness. Acidity is there in the final tang of lemon zest.
A pungent, sappy Riesling, with a strong scent of rock and rind. This is powerful stuff—dry and a bit lean, but packed with texture and flavor. Subtle hints of citrus, pear and honey weave through. This needs more time to develop in the bottle.
Sweet strawberry and cherry fruits are the soft cover to this intensely tannic wine. That structure shows its power, concentration and ageworthiness. Keep for three years and the richness will be fully revealed.
Pithy and citrusy on the nose, but ultimately it's rather neutral. The palate is citric and lean, with orange, lemon and sour apple flavors. Zesty to the point of tartness, with a citrusy, juicy finish. A pointed SB with zing.
Mildly tropical on the nose and pleasant overall, with a touch of match stick to the bouquet. The palate is lemony and sheer, with flavors of Meyer lemon, white peach and apple. Pointed on the finish but clean. Good but normal in the scheme of things.
Salinic and also melony on the mostly clean and crisp nose. The palate is healthy, with round, lightly pithy flavors of green melon, peach and kiwi. Citrusy on the finish and a little green on the fade out. Good for summer quaffing. Drink this year.
Nearly dry, this is a full-bodied, slightly creamy-textured Pinot Gris. It's a bit shy on the nose, offering only modest melon and citrus notes, then closes with hints of nuts and spice. Drink now.
Representing a bit of a chink in von Kesselstatt's impressive array of 2009s, this wine features slightly restrained notes of pineapple and green apple in a slightly uneasy alliance of sweet and sour. Drink up.
Meaty and roasted on the nose, with rubbery plum and blackberry aromas. This is a full-force wine with clacky, firm tannins and herbal flavors of cassis and dark berry. Finishes roasted, with an herbal character. Lively but coarse feeling.
Attractively fruity, with plenty of red berry and black cherry flavors. Along with the fruit, the tannins and spice round out the texture, giving a final velvet feel.
Ripe and fruit forward. Strong notes of berry preserves and juicy black plum are laced with notes of purple flowers and sweet smoked meat. Medium weight with soft tannins and a clean finish. Drink now.
With firm tannins, rich berry fruits and more typical red cherry flavors, this has weight and a ripe juicy core. It's ready to drink, but could be kept for another year.
Other than a slightly burnt and stemmy nose, this is a nice Chilean Pinot. The bouquet deals tea, raspberry and crushed leaves, but as stated, also some burned rhubarb. Feels slightly syrupy and thick, with baked, herbal flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Falls off on the finish, where a bit of green enters the picture.
Olive, herbs and baked berry aromas vie with slightly stemmy scents to create a good but compromised bouquet. The palate has a full feel and juiciness along with medicinal cherry and berry flavors. Finishes toasty, baked and somewhat sharp and herbal.
Soft animal notes are countered by ripe red fruit aromas on the nose, while more stemmy red berry and cola spice flavors appear in the mouth. Medium weight with a clean, refreshing finish. Drink now.
Fresh and light with ripe fruit notes of red apple and apricot spiced with hints of white florals and lime zest. The medium weight mouth is juicy and clean, the ripe stone fruit flavors carrying through to the close. Drink now.
A blend of 48% Chenin Blanc, 41% Chardonnay and 11% Viognier, this is an interesting white with slightly oxidized but rich notes of honeycomb, toasted hazelnut and baked apple thoughout. Medium weight with a touch of heat coming through on the long finish.
Fresh and fruity, the wine is ripe, soft and with attractive red berry fruits over acidity. Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon make a happy blend of fruit and gentle structure. Drink now.
This blend of Touriga Nacional and Merlot gives fresh red fruits that are crisp and sharp as a needle. The wine is lively and fruity, soft and ready to drink.
Medium ruby in color, this Pinot has an overripe bramble berry aroma, with a slightly stemmy quality in the background. The light-bodied palate boasts juicy red fruits, zippy acidity and sandy tannins.
The nose shows concentrated aromas of pineapple and peach juice that carry to the thick, rich palate. A bit cloying in nature, there isn't enough acidity to create balance come the honeyed-peach finish.
Pungent, feline aromas of sweat and cactus set up a sharp, citric palate that's loaded to the brim with acidity. Austere flavors of passion fruit and lime end with a note of mango along with a wave of citric burn.
This is a half-and-half blend of Touriga Nacional from northern Portugal and Castelão from the south. It's a wine that has plenty of fruit although the two grapes lie uneasily together. The juicy flavors and red berries are contrasted with a metallic acidity that isn't pleasant. Hopefully, the wine will fill out.
Plush and supple, this is an easy-drinking blend of Dornfelder, Portugieser, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a soft, juicy wine full of primary black cherry and berry flavors, without even a whisper of tannins, but enjoyable for uncomplicated, immediate consumption.
The shy nose doesn't give much away except for a hint of beeswax. The lean palate shows suggestions of mineral and lime alongside bracing, almost crackling acidity.
Gritty aromas of asphalt, herbs, tomato and plum make for a tough opening. This is syrupy and grabby on the palate, with creamy berry and cooked brown-sugar flavors. A sinewy finish tastes medicinal and a touch weedy.
Here's an informal, easygoing white that offers sensations of banana, peach and pear. It's simple and refreshing, with brisk acidity.
This starts out well, with soft, plummy fruit. It then turns a corner into an odd, lingering finish with residual flavors of sour fruit, plastic and gun metal.
Sweet and cheery, this plush, easygoing Dornfelder boasts bright raspberry and plum flavors accented by a blossomy flair. With sunny acidity and no perceivable tannins, it's a softly structured but enjoyable sip. Drink now.
A fruit-forward style of Pinotage, this boasts ripe notes of raspberry, strawberry and blueberry upfront, with subtle accents of black pepper, vanilla oak and purple flowers in the background. Medium tannins lend some structure to the rich fruitiness of the palate, but fade fast on the finish.
Fun and fresh, this informal white offers whiffs of white flower and pear. The straightforward palate presents notes of apple and peach alongside lively acidity. It's not complex, but it is well made.
The wine is fine, fresh and crisp. It has balanced acidity and lively pink grapefruit fruit flavors that give the wine a good, clean, clear character. There is a juicy bright, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now.
Rustic and sauvage, this wine has an herbal quality that's hard to shake; it's both so defining and distracting. Cherry and pomegranate also figure in.
This is an attractive, aromatic blend of Arinto and Antão Vaz. It has a softly citrus character with riper, fuller peach and pineapple fruit. It's full, fruity and ready to drink.
This fails to overcome its thin, unripe fruit. Strong scents of smoke and oak carry into the flavors, bringing a bitter end to the finish.
Bittersweet and youthful, this wine is overburdened by tannin and a weightiness of oak. Blackberry and gunpowder showcase its 100% varietal devotion, before more oak presents itself on the finish.
A fresh, citrus-flavored wine that is all about fruitiness. It is light, bright and tangy with orange and lemon zest. It is floral, crisp and ready to drink.
The wine shows its youth with firm, mineral tannins and only a light hint at the fruit. It does have plenty of acidity so it will develop a fresh, fruity character in a few months. The aftertaste is firm and still needing time. Drink from 2017.
Oddly tropical aromas of pineapple and orange peel dominate this juicy number. In the mouth, a sense of grape skins and abrasive tannins make things coarse. Minimal berry flavors mix with citrus leftovers prior to a drawing finish.
This is done in a soft, loose-knit, wide-open style—not the usual crisp and racy Riesling found in the Northwest. Apple and orange fruits are accented with notes of cracker and grain. It feels a bit flat in the finish. Drink up.
This opens with aromas that recall white flower, orchard fruit and a light medicinal note. The lean, rather diluted palate offers apple skin, mineral and a hint of bitter almond alongside brisk acidity.
Light scents of spring blossom and pear waft out of the glass. The simple palate is rather diluted and decidedly lean, showing hints of apple skin, mineral and brisk acidity.
A pleasantly smooth texture, mellow fruit flavors and not-too-heavy body give easy drinkability to this very affordable wine. The fruit flavors are quiet but present and the balance is on the soft side.
Fans of oaky wines will like this one for its showy butter and vanilla aromas, flavors full of caramel, butter and vanilla, and almost-thick texture.
This is a full, fruity, rich and concentrated wine. It has bright red berries, some firm tannins and a good dense texture. It's also light and crisp, with acidity that cuts through the ripe fruitiness. Drink now through 2019.
Perfumed and fruity, this is a gentle, lightly structured wine. It has red fruits, soft tannins and plenty of bright acidity. It's not a wine for long aging and can be drunk now–2018.
Light, bright and fruity, this is a delicious glass of wine. It's fresh and crisp with fragrant white fruits layered with zesty citrus. It has a cool feel, with bright acidity adding lift to the finish.
A 100-percent Cab Franc aged in all new French oak, this wine opens with aromas of vanilla and coconut, before imparting a taste of soft cassis and raspberry jam. Tightly structured, let it open for an hour or so before enjoying with roast chicken or quiche Lorraine.
This is a classic, well made Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. It's creamy with fig, vanilla, cantaloupe and pineapple flavors, but with a crisp finish.
A complement to the winery's Estate-labeled Tempranillo, it's made in a more fruit forward, less tannic style—though there are still firm, grainy tannins aplenty. It has notes of pencil shavings, red fruit and sweet spices accented by mouthwatering acidity. Try it with food—preferably Spanish tapas—to see it at its best.
Made in the charmat method, this has a light mousse and subtle notes of tropical vanilla, lemon, lime and Golden Delicious apple. Semi-dry, the richness is offset by healthy acidity and a long finish.
Crusty berry aromas are toasty and tarry. This feels flush and solid, with good body and structure. On the palate, this tastes fresh and lightly herbal, with spiced berry as the core flavor. A minty, lightly toasted and spicy finish provides a nice ending
Soft for the vintage, here is a wine that has a ripe, opulent feel. Its tannins are fully integrated into the rich, forward blackberry fruits that are ripe and generous. The wine is not for long-term aging. Drink until 2019.
Sourced from an eastern Oregon vineyard, XIX includes retired NFL great Keyshawn Johnson as one of the partners. Packaged in a massively heavy bottle, this pure Cabernet is well along the aging curve after spending 18 months in Hungarian oak and some years in bottle. It's tannic and toasty to the point of tasting charred, with pastry plum and raisin fruit flavors. It finishes quickly, with a streak of bell pepper.
Intensely herbaceous notes of fresh green leaves and stems add briskness to crisp red-plum and cherry flavors in this full bodied, yet keenly balanced wine. Wisps of violet on the palate and soft, furry tannins lend it an elegant feel.
This is a smooth and soft wine with attractive white-fruit aromas and bold acidity. It's finely textured with juicy, fresh apple and pear flavors. It is ready to drink now, but will age over the medium term.
This is a fruity but also structured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional. It's full of red fruit, dusty tannins with a dry core and balancing acidity. Drink until 2020.
This is a rich wine, smoky with vanilla and apple flavors. It has some good intensity, as well as a textured character that gives it some aging potential. Bright, fresh acidity cuts through the riper fruits. Drink now and until 2019.
This shows dark berry aromas with hints of toast and sandalwood. The palate delivers black fruits layered with licorice, spice and espresso, but it's a bit shy on length.
Whiffs of minerality, waxy lemon peel and lanolin add complexity to lemon-honey flavors on the palate. It's dainty, with a steely acid backbone, and hints of saffron and spice on the finish. Made from grapes frozen after harvest.
This Chianti has a fragrance of berry with a whiff of violet. The palate is soft and offers plump black cherry and raspberry with a note of nutmeg and clove. Not much complexity but it has savory flavors. Drink soon with cured meats or pecorino cheese.
This dark-looking Cabernet smells chunky, raisiny and earthy. In the mouth, it's dense and extracted but blocky and heavy. Roasted oaky blackberry flavors finish with tannic residue and an oak-based flavor of clove.
This offers fresh flavors of pear fruit, with a lightly fleshy mouthfeel. The length and balance are in proportion. Drink now through 2018.
Situated at the highest point of the Entre-deux-Mers region, the estate is dominated by the ripe Merlot in this wine. It is fruity and soft with lively acidity and gentle tannins. There is a touch of wood from the aging, although the fruitiness is what this wine is about. Drink from 2017.
Jumbled jammy berry aromas lack specificity. This has a forceful tartaric mouthfeel that supports tart plum and currant flavors. Keeping things consistent, this is angular and acidic on the finish, with sour plum and racy berry flavors.
Light aromas of toast, apple, vanilla and custard are followed by lightly creamy fruit and barrel flavors that provide interest.
Cheesy oak and dull white-fruit aromas are not a big draw. A chunky plodding palate feels a bit heavy, while dry oaky flavors suggest pear and green apple. Hailing from a cold, wet vintage, this seems as though it's losing clarity.
Bacon fat, smoked meat and caramelized onions initially come to mind in this rich, robust red, blended with the tiniest amount of Merlot. Blackberry jam, tar, gunpowder and black pepper characterize the mix of savory with ripe, while the tannin profile remains soft.
This wine has structure and ripe black fruits. It is made to be drunk young, with plenty of berry fruits and soft tannins. Drink from 2019.
Oregon Lagrein has to be about as rare as it gets. It's almost jet black, yet just 10% alcohol. It's a dark musky tannic wine, yet dilute and acidic, with little fruit flavor. Best paired with a burger or flank steak.
The foxy muddled berry aromas are puzzling. This Malbec blend feels narrow and pinched. Hollow lactic foxy red-fruit flavors are crisp but not fully convincing, while abrasive, hard-edged tannins scrape across the finish.
Sour berries hit the nose on the front end of this wine that also shows somewhat reductive aromas of teriyaki, beef char and dark chocolate. Rose buds and black cherry arise on the sip, as does a slightly sour, barnyard funk.
One of the more pungent and herbaceous examples of its type, this dry wine smells like green onions and chives and tastes like lemon and lemongrass. It's best for adventurous drinkers.
Raisin, prune and tobacco aromas are strong but lack finesse. This feels solid, with controlled tannic bite. Blackberry, herbal notes and chocolate are the flavors on this good but basic Cabernet.
On the surface, this smells of green apple and citrus, although deeper digging reveals pickled briny scents. A pinched citric palate and dry bitter flavors of green fruits and almond skins finish mild and slightly bitter.
Earthy leathery berry and briar patch aromas are a touch tomatoey. This feels sturdy, but that's really all you can say about the mouthfeel. Peppery spicy red-berry flavors are a bit grassy on the finish.
Fun and refreshing, this bright dessert wine has aromas of white spring flower and tropical fruit. The lightly foaming palate presents ripe apricot, peach and a hint of aromatic herb while a note of candied lemon drop closes the soft finish.
Made with organic grapes, this straightforward wine opens with plum aromas and a whiff of cinnamon. The round easygoing palate doles out black cherry and a hint of cake spice accompanied by mellow tannins.
Closed aromas make it a challenge at first to get a read on this wine that takes time to unfurl touches of herb and dried fruit. Soft in tannin and low in oak, it offers a depth of black cherry and vanilla on the palate, with a touch of cedar and currant.
This wine has more body and a richer mouthfeel than many of its peers, with mild floral and almond flavors and a touch of butterscotch.
Blackberry and smoky, woody aromas are aggressive at first then more subtle. This feels dry and oaky, while black-fruit flavors taste heavily of clove, mint and peppery spice. Those same flavors along with spiced fruit cake carry the finish.
Light plum and cherry aromas come with a note of bitter horseradish. This feels full and rubbery, with creamy cherry flavors that show an herbal side. On the finish, mild notes of green herbs share space with creamy weight and briny hints.
Pleasantly fruity and almost sweet, this medium-bodied wine offers a fruit bowl of flavor and freshness on the palate.
Aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit waft out of the glass. The easygoing frothy palate doles out apricot, citrus and medicinal herb alongside a soft mousse.
This wine is ripe, juicy and full of fruit. It has a jammy character, with soft tannins and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a rugged, dark and meaty version of Pinot Noir, so don't look for elegance or finesse. It's showing musky flavors of fig and plum, with a background of underbrush and ample tannins. Tasty enough, though lacking in varietal specificity.
A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, this is a crisp fruity wine with attractive acidity and lemon flavors that have been given some time to soften out. It has a touch of barrel aging, but the wine is really all about fruitiness. Drink now.
Named after the small grey lizards that are common in Beaujolais, this is bright and friendly wine. It is soft with red fruits and balanced acidity. Perfumed and fruity, the wine is ready to drink.
Despite being barrel fermented and matured, this Condrieu retains a remarkable amount of varietal character in its flamboyantly floral and spicy aromas. It's full bodied, broad and richly textured, yet avoids any sense of heaviness, finishing on hints of honey and white pepper. Drink now–2020.
Inky red-purple in color and thick, this is a powerfully impressive Cabernet from the mighty Monte Rosso Vineyard. It's rich in spicy cinnamon, deep, dark plum and herbal tobacco. With the acidity in balance, it offers huge leather up front, dotted by undertones of cedar and pencil shavings. The finish is deftly accented by a seasoning of black pepper that lingers on the tongue.
This almost-pure Cabernet includes grapes sourced from Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills vineyards. The structure is gorgeous—massive yet precise—with a steely spine, great concentration and supple, mixed black fruits. A streak of lead pencil and a hint of toast contribute further complexity. Delicious already, this will reward cellaring through 2025.
This gripping, delicious wine seamlessly weaves together sensations of blue flower, exotic incense, ripe black cherry, mature plum, cracked pepper, mocha, clove and graphite. It's already delicious and well balanced, with bracing tannins and racy acidity, but give it time to soften and develop complexity. Drink 2019–2029.
This hides its 37 g/L residual sugar with bracing acidity and overall complexity. A dense run of ripe fruits—Meyer lemon, sweet pineapple, orange, tangerine and papaya—carries an interesting black tea note. The sweetness is detailed and complex, with honey and ginger candy flavors.
Rich and full-bodied, the flavors of quince and pear are balanced by great acidity. It is a big, powerful wine that, with its tight fruit and steely background, promises long aging. The tropical fruits also need several years to show strongly. Drink from 2018.
Deep berry aromas blend with sweet, creamy, spicy oak notes on the nose of this cellar-worthy bruiser, which is live-wire, energetic and holding a lot in reserve. A full allotment of oak-driven flavors include coffee, mocha, pepper, baked berry and chocolate. On the finish, it's huge and tastes of toast, medicinal berry and chocolate-drenched cherries. Drink from 2015–2025.
Ripe, muscular aromas of forest floor, blackberry, cassis and violet are stunningly attractive. This is showing vise-grip tannins in support of blackberry, licorice, mocha and woodspice flavors. Café mocha and an oaky, creamy note of toffee work the finish on this well-structured wine that should be drunk from 2015–2025.
A wine from a tiny premier cru that is literally situated at a crossroads. It displays the smoothness and richness that come with wood aging, as well as concentrated tannins to support the generous fruit. Black plums and strawberries give a dense wine that will age. Drink from 2018.
Made from estate-grown fruit near the chilly Sonoma Coast town of Freestone, this is a fully layered wine, expertly balanced in acidity yet offering plenty of full-figured mouthfeel and viscous pleasure. It delivers an electric mix of Meyer lemon, minerals and brioche, and will please a diverse range of palates.
Fans of Petit Verdot, which has almost attained cult status in Washington, will not want to miss this spectacular effort. Bright, chewy and muscular though it is, the tannins have been polished perfectly, and set off with 40% new oak, adding dark, smoky chocolate and espresso flavors. The acidity keeps up, underscoring tart berry fruit with some sweet green-tomato highlights.
For this sweet and jammy wine, the fruit is sourced from what is reputed to be the second-oldest planting of Syrah in Washington State. Hints of lilac lead into concentrated flavors of blueberry and boysenberry, along with lush barrel accents of mocha and chocolate. Tannins are smooth and silky, and the wine has the grip and substance to cellar well through at least 2024.
While this wine comes out of the gate showing little but earth and dark fruit aromas, it lightens and develops more delineation with air, eventually revealing berry, plum and spice notes. Right now, the flavors are almost jammy, so purists may want to wait a few years before opening a bottle. Full-bodied, chewy and rich, this superripe Hermitage should age well for up to 15 years.
This gorgeous wine opens with fragrances of blue flower, moist earth, leather and ripe berry. The delicious palate delivers succulent black cherry, cinnamon, white pepper and balsamic herbs alongside smooth, silky tannins. It's already delicious now, but hold for complexity. Drink now–2026.
This impressive offering is drawn from the cooperative's own domaine. It's full bodied and firm, with a chewy finish that demands cellaring, but the complex aromas and flavors of cedar, cassis, roasted meat, licorice and cracked peppercorns are compelling even now.
Aromas of blue flower, rich black fruit, cooking spices, leather and thyme waft out of the glass of this soulful young Taurasi. The palate offers a juicy core of black cherry accented by notes of black pepper, nutmeg, eucalyptus, pipe tobacco and mineral, with firm acidity and velvety tannins. It's already delicious, but hold for additional complexity. Drink 2019–2029.
From vines just below the line of Grand Cru vineyards, this is a big and powerful expression of Pinot Noir. It is dense with firm tannins that are embedded in the ripe black fruits. It's a complex wine, serious while still fruity, and needing to age. Drink from  2018.
This is Doubleback's first vintage to include estate-grown grapes in the blend. Truffle, mocha and ripe purple-fruit scents explode from the glass. Ample acidity underscores the chewy tannins. A dense and ageworthy wine, this needs more bottle-age to show its best; try after 2018.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, The Wanted is sourced from the Stillwater Creek and Stonetree vineyards. This textural, Cab-on-Cab creation is loaded with fig, plum, cherry and cassis fruit, highlights of cedar and tobacco, and supple, rich, ripe tannins. The wine is showing beautifully, but can only get even better with more age.
This burly Tempranillo opens with an alluring blend of graphite, stony mineral, marzipan and ripe black-fruit aromas. The palate is lusty, giant and tannic, but not mean or fierce. Blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors end with café mocha and licorice notes, while tannic grab suggests aging this until 2015–16 and drinking through 2023.
At this stage, this wine is closed, tight and mineral in character. As befits a great Perrières, it will be a serious, structured wine, textured and full of nervy, steely feeling, softening later into mature spice and toast. Drink from 2016.
This iconic wine is rich and perfumed. It's powerful and concentrated, with layers of wood contrasted by explosive, ripe fruits. Ripe red-fruit flavors are brightened by ample acidity, resulting in a sumptuous wine that also has enough tannins to age. Drink from 2018.
A brooding Cabernet full of green and black olive, velvety cassis and cinnamon spice, this is ready to enjoy now. A juicy red, it has resolved tannins and a lingering taste of tobacco. Power and finesse are here, along with smoky minerality and savory fruit.
A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this also holds small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Sourced from the Conner Lee and Stonetree vineyards, it's supple, smooth and textural, with elegant, perfectly ripened fruit and a judicious application of two-thirds new French oak. It captures the elegance, restraint and overall structure of the challenging (and rewarding) 2011 vintage.
Jaboulet's Condrieu program takes a huge step forward with this release, which artfully combines barrel fermentation and aging with just-ripe Viognier into a compelling and cohesive whole. The toast and baking-spice elements provide the right amount of restraint to the tropical fruit notes, which then finish with tremendous, mouthwatering length. Drink now–2020.
A terrific effort, the 2010 Terre Ferme is a full-bodied, velvety-textured wine with a long, multidimensional finish. It's pungent and savory upfront in its aromas of clove and allspice, but raspberry undertones add another layer of interest and those grace notes are all underscored by the powerful bass duo of black olive and espresso. Drink now–2025.
Subtle notions of ripe peach circle above a compact, bundled palate of peach and spice: perhaps vanilla, perhaps pepper. The distinct but subtle sweetness on the palate is countered by a firm, focussed freshness which in turn contrasts with pleasant warmth. The dramatic palate draws you so far into its quicksand-like depth that you almost forget to notice the more ethereal, scented clouds of peach. Pure joy.
The aromatics take time to come to the fore but they are definitely there: notes of lifted Poire William and ripe, golden-cheeked apricots are hinted at. The medium-sweet palate brings them out in full force, glowing with a ripe opulence tempered by freshness and a slight phenolic grip. There is a luminous quality to this wine, shining its way ahead into the future, guided by a seam of freshness and focus on the midpalate, echoing with bitter almond and more fruit. Drink 2016–2026.
Of all the Atauta single-vineyard wines from the sensational 2011 vintage, La Mala is arguably the most overtly oaky and modern in style. Grainy, resiny barrel-driven aromas come with controlled burn and heat. This is tannic and firm as cement, with ample oak resin creating a creamy feel. Resiny, fully spiced black-fruit flavors end with pepper, wood grain, burnt toast and other oaky notes. Drink from 2018–2031.
The famed winery comes a bit south to make this earthy, savory wine, with smoked sage, leather, forest floor, cherry and slate on the nose. The palate packs elegantly tart cranberry and pure flavors of sage-smoked wild cherry with the juicy elements of an herb-crusted pork tenderloin roast.
Most of the Douro's older vineyards produce field blends from the random planting of vines in the past. In this wine, some of the vines are over 80 years old. It makes for a complex wine, dense with tannins and packed with ripe red fruits and acidity. This impressive wine is still developing, and should not be drunk before 2019.
Swirls of rich, ripe yellow peach and orange penetrate the palate of this finely textured spätlese. It's thrilling and zesty yet lusciously juicy, finishing long with a slatey, mineral tang. It drinks beautifully now but should maintain its fresh, fruity disposition till at least 2020 and gain elegance and minerality for another decade.
Made from a single clone, this wine delivers quiet explosions of clove, black currant and black pepper that flirt around a luxurious texture and unobtrusive oak, finding balance and integration amid plenty of complexity. Fully engaged and drinking nicely now, it'll stand up to further cellaring, through 2023.
The best Syrah yet from this biodynamic producer, this was fermented with native yeast and spent 10 months in 40% new French oak. It's a sleek, subtle and immensely complex wine that knits together beautifully. Juicy boysenberries, composted earth, iron filings and veins of coffee liqueur and licorice compound into a long finish.
The Monts Damnés, the cursed hill because its steepness makes it so difficult to work, faces south-east and gives the ripest grapes. This rich wine exemplifies the richness of the wines from this vineyard. It is finely rounded, stylish and full of opulent fruitiness. All this is tempered by a tight, mineral texture that gives the wine a fine final bite. Drink from 2017.
Earthy notes of pear mix with the generous sweetness of a late harvest wine. The palate is concentrated and lushly sweet, but full of rich flavors, tinged with pear and orange, caramel and lemon oil, acacia honey and candied lemon peel. Lovely, bright and still totally fresh. Drink 2016–2030.
Named after the endangered Black Wheatear bird that nests in the Duorum vineyards, this wine is seriously powerful and dense. It has a dark structure, tannins that will still take time to soften. Black plums and dark berries are lifted with acidity, showing the potential of this wine. Drink from 2019.
Rarely do you come across something like this: mature and complex Malbec from Cafayate. Earthy aromas of plum, prune, raisin and tobacco give this an Old World bouquet. Saturated but with enough acidity to maintain balance, this tastes rooty, chocolaty and earthy, with mocha, toast and toffee flavors on a heady finish. Drink now.
You've got to love the exotic aromas, great balance and firm texture of this complex Pinot. It's medium bodied, tangy and delicious due to good acidity and fresh, vibrant raspberry and red cherry flavors. It has appropriate fine tannins for a gripping mouthfeel, and a lingering finish.
This bottling, limited to just 25 cases, comes out scented with oaky toast, cherry pipe tobacco and baking spices. Flavors of spiced cranberries, strawberry preserves and cherry compôte carry it along into a finish streaked with vanilla. It's big without any awkwardness, and should be consumed now through 2020.
Soft perfume susbsumes citrus, apple and peach. All three are referenced in equal measure on the dry, clean palate. This has a soft aspect but is nonetheless fresh, taut, concentrated and linear. It comes with huge charm and clarity and finishes with pure, zesty dryness and pure, pervasive and lasting apple notes. Still young, oozing potential. Drink 2017–2030.
A single vintage tawny, this is gorgeously nutty with dried fig and raisin flavors while keeping plenty of freshness and orange zest flavors. The wine is rich, full in the mouth, intense, hinting at the wood in which it was aged and bringing in spice and pepper as well as more aromatic fruits. Like all tawnies, it is ready to drink.
Made from a field blend of old vines to which some Tinta Roriz added, this powerful, ripe and fruity wine is both concentrated and superbly generous. It has swathes of black fruits, dark tannins and minerality, all striated with acidity and a firm black plum skin texture. This is a wine to age, drink from 2019.
Saffron and spice entice from nose to finish in this richly honeyed, yet dry Riesling. The palate is a delightful kaleidescope of fruit and mineral nuances anchored firmly by a stream of grapefruit and lime acidity. It's a complex, penetrating wine sure to improve through at least 2025.
The eagerly anticipated first release from Maison Louis Jadot's Oregon project does not disappoint. Long time Jadot winemaker Jacques Lardière has put all his heart and expertise into this wine, sourced from a much-loved vineyard recently acquired by the firm. Concentrated raspberry purée comes through in both aroma and flavor, with laser focus. It's a magical combination of finesse, silkiness and strident youth, with 20 years of aging potential. Drink now through 2035.
A knockout effort, this features perfectly ripened fruit flavors of berries, plums and cherries adorned with baking spices. There's a suggestion of candied citrus rind as well, but it's the superlush fruit that rocks on through a lengthy finish.
Matching tart red fruit to the vineyard's characteristic gun-metal minerality, the wine cloaks itself in a light coat of ash and stone. Crisp acidity puts a tight focus on the stylish, resonant finish. Delicious now, it's built to age. Drink now–2030.
Ripe Mirabelle plums and tart, red apples mix to give a very fruity, appetizing aspect which on the palate is joined by ripe, lemony freshness. This has the balance and drama everyone wishes for in dry Riesling: both generous fruit and ample freshness. Lovely now but with the balance and concentration to last. Lovely Mirabelle finish of immense length. Drink 2016–2026.
Set at the top of Cristom's excellent lineup, this lush, round and seductive wine is built upon ripe black-cherry fruit. It plays out broadly across the palate, open and smooth, with nuances of cola, sandalwood and spice. Crisp, natural acidity keeps it lifted and lively. Drink now through 2035.
Incredibly pure notes of freshly cut Cox's Orange Pippin assail the nose. The palate has the same purity and a linear, taut, rich but toned body that is yet to reveal all of its secrets. The purity and luminoisty of the fruit is astonishing. We have not seen the best of this yet. For now the purest apple fruit delights. This is deliciously concentrated and very youthful. Drink 2016–2030.
This wine just bowls you over from the first sniff, a lush mix of white flower and citrus-rind aromatics. It's precise and penetrating, leading into a thoroughly captivating palate of sharply defined grapefruit, peach and papaya, underscored by racy minerality.
A signature bottling from the relatively new appellation, this Sashi Moorman wine shows fresh-pressed boysenberry, black raspberry, dried violets and lavender on the zesty nose. There is an extreme amount of vibrancy to the palate, with black and white pepper spicing up the tart elderberry and juniper fruits, with licorice and menthol playing supporting roles.
From an appellation that thrived in this vintage comes a wine with aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and licorice shavings atop fresh hibiscus and pomegranate flavors. There's bountiful energy on the palate, with flavors of dried-cherry and a densely packed array of chopped dill, roasted fennel and dried mint.
Aromas of grilled herb, roasted hazelnut and cured meat follow through to the palate along with leather and a gamy note. Showing the heat of the vintage, this is already evolved and the fruit richness has started to dry up.
Saucy and briary smelling up front, with additional horsey, earthy berry aromas, this Malbec is chewy in feel, with baked berry and a hint of chocolate for flavors. A resiny, sticky finish tastes stewy and baked, with a leftover touch of chocolate.
Soft and creamy, this wine has an attractive burst of freshness with apple and citrus flavors. Lightly textured and fruity, it is ready to drink.
This wine is initially tight and austere. The red-cherry fruit will develop slowly and with bright acidity to sustain it. Drouhin vineyards are biodynamic; this blend comes from its own and partner vineyards. Drink from 2018.
This offers aromas and flavors suggesting raisin, toast, Asian spice, French oak, espresso and licorice. Showing the heat of the vintage, this is already evolved and much of the fruit has dried up while astringent tannins grip the finish and dry out the palate.
Intensely oak-driven on the nose, toasted coconut and coffee aromas are front and center. Rich, full and round in feel, with solid tannic structure, the palate initially follows suit, however upon further investigation a concentrated core of blackberry and dark plum lies underneath. The fruit is there, yet hidden by a heavy film of makeup.
Still young, this crisp wine is at the beginning of its development. Time will bring out the ripe apple fruit and the touches of spice that are just hints now. Drink from 2017.
The color of soft pink, this wine has a nose of grapefruit and lemon rind. It is bright at first sip, with refreshing flavors of pink grapefruit, lemon sorbet, peach and jasmine.
Aromas of hard spices, licorice root and earth override any berry fruit notes this Cabernet blend shows. Round on the palate, with juicy acidity, this tastes of plum and spicy oak. A long, woody, spicy finish brings it home.
Toast, oak, menthol and coconut aromas carry over to the bracing palate along with mocha and mint. It lacks fruit richness while raspy tannins generate an astringent close.
Aromas of oak extract, menthol and game emerge in the glass. The firm palate offers toasted oak, vanilla and powdered sage but it lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the dominant wood sensations. Bracing tannins give it an astringent finish.
This comes from a field blend of old vines. It has a crisp and herbal character that is still young and still very fruity. Tangy and zesty, the wine is concentrated while also light and bright. Drink from 2017.
The nose isn't very expressive while the palate shows toasted oak, graphite and raw berry. It lacks fruit richness while unripe, astringent tannins dry out the mouth.
This wine is surprisingly soft for a Pommard. Juicy red fruits have been spiced by the wood aging. It is light, gently crisp and ready to drink.
Bright red berry and cherry fruits are well up front in this wine that has crisp acidity as well as a more rounded background that will develop well. Juicy and fruity, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
Tangy and juicy, this is a bright, still tight wine. A strong mineral character dominates the texture and suggests the wine needs time to allow the crisp citrus and acidity to come through. Drink from 2017.
This is a crisp, fresh wine. It has attractive red fruits that are cut by juicy lemons. The touch of caramel in this blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional is lit by the acidity and spiced by a final touch of pepper.
In the style of a Côtes de Gascogne white blend, this is a crisp, herbal and citrusy wine. It has considerable acidity along with pink grapefruit and lime flavors. Drink this light, bright wine now.
Cut grass and grapefruit rind aromas are followed by simple, crisp, citrusy flavors. It's medium in body, with a slightly chalky feel and a clean, refreshing finish.
This is an approachable blend of Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvédre, Petite Sirah and Tempranillo, melding ripe dark cherry, vanilla and cedar on the nose and palate. A plush and soft texture makes this wine perfect for everyday consumption, especially when barbecue is involved.
A rich red from the warm south of Portugal, the wine is soft, spicy and juicy. It has some oak aging that shows through the ripe red-berry fruits. The tannins are soft, just giving shape to the open, rich fruitiness. Drink now.
The high alcohol spoils this wine. It gives too much richness, pepper and immense superripe fruits. The wine is of course very full, very rich and with dense tannins. It lacks balance.
Rubbery red-berry aromas carry to the medium-bodied palate. This Cabernet Franc is juicy and soft in feel, making it a good everyday red.
In the same family since 1835, this estate in Pouilly-Fuissé also makes wines in other surrounding appellations. This wine, with its soft and full white fruit, gentle structure and just enough acidity, is developing fast and will be ready from late 2016.
This bright, lemony wine is lightly mineral as well as fruity. A crisp apple character gains even more tightness from a shot of lime juice. The wine is ready to drink, light and refreshing with a buttery aftertaste.
This ripe wine has good acidity that thrusts through the rich yellow fruits. It is ready to drink, with its tangy acidity and warm apricot and peach flavors.
Inky, oaky, saturated and a bit harsh up front, this is rock hard and tannic as nails, with rugged acidity added in. Flavors of black plum, rubber and resiny oak end with grapy berry notes, oversize acidity and tannic bite.
Some of the grapes for this unoaked white come from old vines, as well as some from the Musque clone, making for a tart, linear taste of lemon verbena and sizzling acidity that's somewhat overshadowed by the unctuous texture and full body.
Lightly prickly on the tongue, this is a refreshing, almost dry wine. It is bright, lively and fruity with citrus and crisp apple flavors. The wine is light and bright with plenty of acidity at the end.
A pop of peach and candied banana emerge from the glass. There's a nice roundness to the palate that's held in check by a lively stream of acidity, with additional notes of banana and a hint of butter.
Buttered toast, yeast and a hint of nut wrap around warm fruit aromas. A creamy blend of peach and citrus brighten this viscous, full-bodied wine that closes with a clean flinty zip. It is this acidity that well pairs the wine to any summertime fare.
There isn't much Zin in Washington, but this makes a good case for more. Thick and tannic, it's a meaty, dark wine that includes 25% Petite Sirah. Seventeen months in new American oak has left an indelible whisky-barrel scent. —P.G.
Pontin scores with a sweet, lemony, ripe mouthful of fresh and fruity Riesling. Shows the verve and juicy deliciousness of Yakima Valley fruit.
The tart, sour cherry fruit merely serves to support the leathery, earthy, spicy elements; the fruit never really takes charge. That said, the wine does have plenty to offer. The dried-spice aromas are an attractive blend of cracked black pepper, cinnamon and clove the mouthfeel is smooth and rich. Finishs long, with hints of espresso. —J.C.
Seems heavy on the American oak, displaying lactic, dill-laden aromatics that partially mute the berry fruit underneath. Still, the tart berries come through on the finish—a good sign for the future. Give it a couple of years in the cellar to come together. —J.C.
Despite this wine's heady 14.9% alcohol level, it comes across as only medium-bodied. But the alcohol does show in the warm, slightly boozy and liqueur-like blackberry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Hints of licorice and charcoal add interest. —J.C.
Interesting scents of spice, herb and pine mix with tropical pineapple fruit. It all leads into a buttery finish, delivering a lot of flavor for the price. Barrel fermented, malolactic and sur lie aging—the full Monty.
This big, rugged 60-40 blend may dry out if cellared too long, so drink it young with rare beef to help tame the substantial tannins. Smoke, dried-herb and black-currant flavors should mesh nicely with your next roast. —J.C.
Loaded with earthy espresso and charred wood, this full-bodied Shiraz makes for a chunky mouthful of wine. Black pepper, leather and dried spices round out the flavors. —J.C.
The grapes come from the Chicken Dinner vineyard, which says it all. Pop this tart, tangy wine, with its Zin-like red berry flavors and hints of white pepper, and bring on the fried chicken. —P.G.
Attractive aromatics and plenty of complexity are the pluses; the minus is a healthy dose of bell pepper. Smoke, herbs, eucalyptus and sour cherry hang on a claret-style frame. —J.C.
Aptly named, for the oak influence here is strong—a dusty woodiness that's almost cedary. Fortunately, it's well integrated with the full-bodied cherry fruit. Finishes dry, but soft and ripe. —J.C.
At two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, this wine comes across full and rich, and a trifle alcoholic. The overall sensation is of a cherry-vanilla sundae smothered in toffee and chocolate—too much of a good thing for some tasters, heaven in a glass to others. —J.C.
The style is usually big and bold, but for the moment this wine, though dense and dark, has a hole in the middle. Rich scents of black cherry, blueberry and earth seem to vanish, leaving only a tannic finish.  —P.G
The blend is almost equal—53% Cab and 47% Merlot—and the definite dill and bell pepper aromas indicate less- than-stellar fruit. But the wine is well made and budget priced, and enough black cherry fruit is bobbing beneath the surface to make things work. Stiff tannins lead into a roasted coffee finish. —P.G.
Bright in aromas of pineapple, lemon and green apple, but also boasting sweet cream and yeastiness, this wine is layered on the nose. Zippy and fresh, with ample acidity and flavors of subdued lemon and pineapple, it's an easy wine to pair with dishes from halibut to a more robust pork chop.
Tahbilk's Marsanne is always difficult to evaluate young, as it's invariably rather neutral in aroma and flavor. Subtle notes of pear and marshmallow make a fleeting appearance before yielding to crisp, lemony finish. Drink now with oysters, or hold 5–10 years for greater weight, texture and versatility with food.
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.
Ripe blueberry and huckleberry flavors form a wall of fruitiness in this full-bodied, ready-to-enjoy red, offering a soft, simple layering of cedar and mocha.
The most recent planting at the estate vineyard gets its own designate. It's 100% Dijon 777 clone, and the flavors push stem and rock and forest floor front and center. For some tasters, that's enough; for others, a bit more actual fruit would be welcome. Right now it's a stiff, herbal wine that's already showing signs of drying out.
The strawberry fruit shows a wild herbal side, with a touch of toasted grain. The tannins are firm and the finish carries a hint of chicken broth.
This opens with sun-baked soil, mocha, prune and leafy underbrush aromas. The densely concentrated palate offers black cherry jam, espresso and vanilla flavors, with scorching alcohol and assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This is a light easy-drinking style that fills the quaffable white wine bill quite nicely. It's lemony and tart, with a slice of orange peel for extra interest.
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.
The so-called Northern Whites are Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling. They make a comfortable blend, with floral aromas and plump peach and apple fruit. Though finished dry, it has appealing fruit sweetness.
This has mocha, game and black-skinned berry aromas. The dense palate evokes cured meat, espresso and prune, framed by grainy, mouth puckering tannins. Drink through 2021.
Made of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this has black-skinned fruit, game and scorched earth aromas. The dense palate delivers ripe black plum, toast and tobacco, its assertive tannins lending a rather astringent finish.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with rose and baking spice scents. The straightforward palate shows red plum and clove flavors, held firm with solid tannins. Drink through 2018.
The nose of this 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino Chianti shows muted black-skinned fruit and cooking spice aromas. The palate is easygoing, displaying black cherry, clove and vanilla flavors enveloped in mellow tannins. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino shows delicate plum and underbrush aromas. It's medium-bodied, approachable and smoothly tannic, delivering prune and clove flavors. Drink through 2018.
Fresh and zesty on the nose, this bottling offers lemongrass, lime peel and kiwi scents, with floral jasmine undertones. The palate delivers loads of zing—an almost effervescent energy and verve—with Bosc pear, apple and honeysuckle flavors.
Grilled herb, dark spice, toast and leather aromas lead the nose. The palate is vigorous, marked by orange zest, dried cherry and thyme notes held together by tightly wound tannins.
You'll have to look in the very lower left hand corner of the back label to spot the vintage on this bottle (2014). The soft cherry fruit has a buttery mouthfeel. The wine is lightly toasty and eminently accessible. Drink now through 2020.
Subtle stewed black-skinned fruit, grilled herb and licorice aromas lead the nose. The subdued, lean palate offers raw cherry and espresso notes framed by close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
This wine shows power and ripeness on the palate, with an oaky nuttiness on the nose. Lemony pear and stony minerality combine with a graham cracker creaminess, providing weight and length.
Jumilla is a red-wine region, but this Sauvignon Blanc is a citrusy example of a tastyquaffable white from the area. Aromas of citrus peel are mildly pyrazinic, while this feels plump and balanced, but with spritz. Core citrus flavors come with a sprinkle of salt.
From a warm, inland region, this is nevertheless a fine value. It's rich and full-bodied without being over the top, offering spice-accented notes of peach, apricot and pineapple. Drink now.
Roasted meats, dried herbs and plummy fruits show on the nose of this bottling, which presents a more old-California take on Petite Sirah. The palate is lighter weight than usual for the grape, delivering minty herbs more than the dried red fruits.
Smoothly textured with a balancing edge of tannin, this ripe—never too sweet—Port is full of dried fruits, an edge of spirits and a dry aftertaste. The wine, from one of the classic Port houses, is intense, concentrated, ready to drink now.
Blackberry, prune and pencil eraser aromas are oaky and forced. A heavy, grabby palate with noticeable oak resin delivers chocolaty, oaky berry flavors that taste a bit artificial. In the grand scheme of things, this is more than fair for the price; but prior years were better.
This dessert-style wine is very fruity, quite sweet and boosted in alcohol. It has a spicy, earthy aroma, lots of plum and prune flavors, a rich mouthfeel and lingering finish.
This is a blend of 96% Zinfandel with 3% Petite Sirah and 1% Carignane. Big, ripe and brawny, it features a generous helping of berry-cherry flavor that turns jammy and broad. Black pepper and cedar add context and contours to the rich experience.
This blend of Niellucciu, Sciaccerellu and Syrah is both rich and stalky. That gives acidity, black currant fruit and a youthful texture. It's balanced with rich tannins which will allow it to age further. Drink from late 2018.
This is a seldom-seen variety in the state. The aromas are brooding, with high-toned notes of dried herb, barrel spice and potpourri along with red fruit. The fruit flavors are tart and plump, soft and sumptuous, showing a pleasing sense of purity. One wants a bit more aromatically but there's still much to enjoy.
Strong but pleasant oak-based aromas of sandalwood complement lightly herbal plum and berry notes. This feels wiry and intense, with rugged tannins. Herbal, oaky berry flavors finish with scratchy tannins and a distant note of green.
Aromas of black-skinned berry and exotic spice set the tone on this blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. The dense palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove and a touch of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
The aromas bring notes of herb, dark fruit and spice, seemingly a bit muddled. The palate packs a big mouthful of fruit and savory flavors that show a sense of purity, while bringing a lightly tacky feel. A lack of aromatic clarity holds it back.
This full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend is hardly simple and fruity. It has earthy spicy leathery aromas along with raspberry flavors tinged by earth and tobacco, plus moderate tannins for a pleasantly grippy texture.
Clean and crisp aromas of Asian pear, lemongrass, honeysuckle, passion fruit and green plum show on the nose of this blend of 64% Sémillon and 36% Sauvignon Blanc. The palate would go down very easy on a hot day, with just a touch of acid-carrying flavors of gardenia, guava, mango and kaffir lime leaf.
Ripe, rich and creamy, this is a dense wine from the lees aging. Spice and a touch of toast come from the wood aging that smooths the wine and gives it extra complexity. This is a rich wine, with a tangy aftertaste, that is ready to drink.
Minty, leathery berry fruit aromas are herbal and foresty. This is flush and solid in feel, with controlled tannins. Roasted, herbal black plum and berry flavors are what you'd expect from Colchagua Valley Carmenère, while this feels meaty and tastes blackened on the finish.
Ripe and fruity, with delicious red berry flavors, this wine is attractive now. It also has some firm tannins built for aging, giving structure to the juicy fruit. Drink from 2019.
Minty aromas reflect the new wood that was used to age this wine. Its red berry fruitiness recalls the vintage while its firm tannins will allow it to age for several years. It comes from the western end of the Entre-deux-Mers region. Drink from 2019.
Although this seems initially austere, it has some fruit weight. Its tannins are dry and firm but will soften with time, showing potential for long, slow aging. Drink from 2020.
Structured and firm, with dense, dry tannins, this wine also has plenty of fruit. Black cherry flavors envelop its dry core, feeling rich and ready to drink from 2021.
The wine is ripe and smooth, with rich if still dry tannins. Its juicy black fruit and acidity are balanced with a structure that will allow it to age further. Drink from 2019.
This wine is firm with powerful surface tannins. Underneath, its blackberry-like fruit is developing, bringing out spice, acidity and plenty of weight. Drink from 2020.
This wine is aromatic, spicy and likely to develop quickly. That shows in the fragrant black currant fruit and generous tannins. Its acidity should be fully integrated with the fruit and the wine ready to drink from 2019.
Richly structured, this is a wine with style and balance. It has plenty of firm tannins to contrasted with its juicy blackberry fruit. It needs some time to fill out. Drink from 2019.
There's an acrid note on the nose of this wine, beneath headier coconut and French oak scents. The lean palate shows sour cherry, oak and roasted coffee flavors, framed by firm acidity and gritty tannins that clench the finish.
This is a big tannic rustic wine, loaded with dark, bitter flavors. Cassis, espresso, smoke and charred earth all combine to carry through an astringent, tannic finish.
A barely ripe blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer, this has strong scents and flavors that combine in a rather strange way. Perfume, breath mint and tanned leather elements pile on, without really melding or enhancing one another. Whatever it is, it's not dull.
This is a new variety for the popular Acrobat brand. The fruit leans toward the sour side of apple, and the mouthfeel has not quite come together. Odds are that this wine will benefit from further bottle age; meanwhile, a good decanting is recommended.
This rich, thick, soft wine has Concord grape jelly and smoky oak aromas, with sweet blackberry flavors and a touch of tannin in the texture.
Comprised of 85% Sangiovese and a balance of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this laid-back Chianti offers red-skinned berry and baking spice aromas. The palate is simple, with easygoing tannins and ripe red cherry and clove flavors. Enjoy soon.
Light aromas of lemon peel, yellow pear and lemongrass make this an appealing option for pairing with Asian food of all kinds. The palate shows fresh lemon, lime peel and yellow grapefruit touches, along with a wet clay element.
Cinnamon, clove and cashew notes combine with peach and pineapple to offer a fleshy mouthful of satisfying flavor that only lacks a bit of zest on the finish. Drink now.
Light aromas of raspberry and berry lead to medium-bodied flavors. The tannins bring a touch of astringency that's offset by the sweetness of the red- and blue-fruit flavors.
Light aromas of freshly cut, slightly oxidized red apple lead to medium- to full-bodied fruit flavors. It goes down easy.
Earthy chocolaty slightly raisiny and murky aromas are not as fresh and popping as they could be. This high-acidity Tempranillo feels full and chewy, while herbal chocolaty red-fruit flavors are fiery on the finish.
A strangely tart notion persists on the nose. The palate rings with the same strange but faintly red-currant-like aroma. The body is light, fresh and dry and has a clean finish. Drink soon.
This medium-bodied wine is firm and moderately tannic. It has strong oaky spice aromas and ripe raspberry and cherry flavors, liberally accented with more oaky spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and coconut.
French oak, coconut and spiced plum aromas carry over to the palate, where sour cherry fruit is accented by oak spice and sage. It's lean and austere, with a raspy finish.
Dark, tannic and earthy, this pure varietal wine brings up flavors somewhat akin to Washington's Lemberger. The sour-cherry fruit is wrapped in broad flavors of forest floor and wet leaves. There's a bit of a hole in the middle, which might be nicely filled with a good hamburger.
Soft and delicate aromas of peach, quince, apricot and violet lead to a lively palate of honeysuckle and lemonade alongside more peach and violet. The finish is long and sweet in ripe fruit flavors.
This is an earthy, minty, tart and taut wine, worthy of its appellation. It offers light-bodied notions of black tea, cranberry and rhubarb.
As reserved on the nose as on the palate, this Rosso shows faint dried black cherry and licorice notes. The subtlest hint of thyme marks the finish.
The wine is firm and still structured. With wood, dense tannins and just the hint of juicy black-currant fruit, it needs time. From 2019, it should be a richer fruitier wine, always with a tannic core.
Considering the relatively light nature of the vintage, this wine has been overmanipulated. Hard tannins and a bitter chocolate flavor are all too much for the fruit. A gentler approach would have been better.
This is a wine that is almost mature. With generous black fruits and tannins that are integrated into the texture, the wine is ripe and fruity. The acidity is still there, giving a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo has dark-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. Black cherry jam brightened by a hint of green tea is the core flavor, set against a backdrop of easygoing tannins. Enjoy soon.
This big and imposing wine pushes the boundaries with assertive charcoal and smoked meat aromas, tons of tannin and an oaky, astringent finish. Best to drink after 2022, by which time the mouthfeel may have mellowed.
The nose of this wine is soft and toasty, with notes of sweet cream and butter. The creamy mouthfeel offers bursts of buttered popcorn, pineapple and toasted Challah. It's a nice choice if you like a round, buttery Chardonnay. The flavors, however, don't linger on the finish and instead turn slightly bitter.
This wine is simple in its silky smooth expression of blackberry, chocolate and sweet tobacco flavors, imparting full-bodied concentration and modest oak.
This medium-bodied wine balances pineapple fruit with bright acids and mid-range alcohol. It's a simple, citrusy quaff that finishes crisp and clean. Drink now.
This is a large-production Sauvignon Blanc that tastes delicious. If you like grapefruit and pomelo flavors, you will love this enticingly priced white that's got razor sharp acidity, a touch of New Zealand-like grass and a long finish.
Avesso, a rare varietal in the Vinho Verde region, has produced a smooth and ripe wine. It has flavors of green olive, pear and a tight citrus character. There's fine depth of flavor on this delicious wine.
Though the listed alcohol tops 15%, this remains a fruity and rather simple wine, with dominating flavors of raspberry and cherry cola. As good as it is, this could use a bit more muscle.
Sweet, earthy and dry smelling, with tobacco and savory soy aromas. Tomatoey acids pushing raspberry, plum, vanilla and tobacco flavors. Oak-based vanilla and tomato flavors are also present on the finish, which is fresh and lively. Only 250 cases made.
Jammy berry, light mint and herb notes carry a jumpy nose to a palate that has oak-infused plum, raspberry and light herb flavors. It finishes mostly calm and collected, but also a touch racy, with a pastry flavor.
Dark and intense, with notes of roasted meat, plum and black olive that give way to an espresso note and chalky tannins on the finish. Pretty stern stuff, which just means you'll want to give it another year or two before drinking it over the next 5–6 years.
Meaty, dense, savory and extremely oaky and dark on the nose. Feels tannic and tough, with intensity to spare and tons of black-fruit flavor that turns more toasted, roasted and barbecued as the wine unfolds. Finishes with burnt meat and mint flavors along with grinding tannins. Needs another 3 or 4 years, and even then it may not be a soft, friendly Mencía.
Cola, root beer and cherry aromas come with controlled heat. The palate is dense and chewy, with pumped-up tannins supporting very ripe-tasting cassis and cooked plum flavors. It's toasty and spicy on the firm finish.
This is fresh, showing plenty of pop on the fruit-filled bouquet. It feels wide and jammy, yet grabby and dry because of its firm tannins. Typical of Bonarda, it's full of ripe black-fruit flavors and licorice, while the structured finish makes for a good ending.
This pretty rosé has flavors of tart salmonberry and wild raspberry, with plenty of citrusy acidity. Good balance throughout.
This is a good vintage for Handley's Mendocino blend, a mishmash from various vineyards throughout the county. The wine has structure and bright acidity, with its intensity tucked between its layers. This can likely age.
This is the third vintage for this rare Washington Tempranillo from Alexandria Nicole. It's a crowd-pleaser, with deep fruit flavors of black cherry candy, wrapped in earthy, dusty tannins. As it breathes the aromas show vanilla, lanolin and spice, and the wine has excellent weight and concentration for such young vines.
This nicely captures the complexity and earthiness of Washington Syrah, without becoming too heavy. Raspberry fruit is backed by earthy flavors and peppery herb, nicely integrated with nothing obtrusive. This is not the sweet and jammy style of Syrah you find in California, but it has a lot to offer if you give it a good look.
It takes a while to get beyond the dry structure of this wine. But underneath that initially forbidding exterior, there is a solid core of ripe, sweet black fruits and an elegant balance with the acidity coming through to finish well. A wine for some aging—maybe 3–4 years.
This Bordeaux blend (with some Syrah in the mix also) opens with dark, toasty, smoky scents underscoring sleek berry fruit. It's done in a somewhat lean style, but nicely balanced. Details of olive, tobacco, cedar and coffee run through the finish. The best Narcissa released so far.
This is stainless fermented and aged on the lees in steel barrels, a nice idea that brings leesy creaminess to pretty fruit flavors of melon and citrus. It's an elegant Viognier, with the sort of fresh herbal highlights that freshen up a good cocktail, adding persistence to the mouthfeel.
Excellent winemaking by Mike Januik, as with all these Novelty Hill wines, keeps the fruit, acid and tannins all in perfect proportion. The flavors mix blackberry and black cherry; and this young wine is still firm and wound tight.
Novelty Hill's vineyard-designated Syrah is bigger, darker and more aromatically complex than the companion Columbia Valley bottling. Cassis and blackberry fruit flavors are layered with chocolate and spice; immaculately clean, this does not display the earthy/meaty aspect of Syrah, but does have a pleasing minerality at the core.
The structure of this Syrah, from a vineyard in the Royal Slope, is impressive. It's a balanced blend of flavors, with juicy raspberry and blackberry fruit, black olive, pepper and spice.
A fine, mineral-textured wine, crisp with lemon juice acidity and well integrated with green apple flavors. It has developed attractively, with weight in the right places.
Aromatically earthy like just-rained-on mushrooms, this red offers a taste of baked fig and mocha amidst generous tannins and a long, textured finish marked by dark plum.
Made in an unctuous style, it's fragrantly rich in cinnamon and clove, and medium-weight, with soft, moderate tannins. With smaller percentages of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Merlot it finishes with a pronounced taste of vanilla oak.
This Grenache-based rosé, with 4% Syrah, opens with a mélange of fruity aromas that carry through to the palate. Notes of peach, guava, cherry, banana and melon are accented by a hint of garrigue. It's medium weight, with ample acidity to lift the ripe fruit flavors.
It opens with fragrances of white spring flowers and mature pear. The bright palate delivers Granny Smith apple, tangerine and lemon zest alongside crisp acidity.
Aromas include white and yellow spring flowers, stone fruit and citrus. The round palate offers lemon zest, yellow apple and ripe peach accented with candied ginger.
There's an electric current of spice on the first sip. Beyond it are waves of faint strawberry and thin layers of ripe red cherry and a touch of herb. The finish lingers.
A linear expression of lemon zest and quince, this is a creamy-textured blend of 50% Marsanne, 29% Roussanne and 21% Viognier with a quick, crisp finish.
This balanced Cab represents the region and the vintage well, offering velvety soft tannins and components of herb, cassis and raspberry in a long lingering package.
The zestness of lemons tames most of Sauvignon Blanc's varietal exuberance and makes for a refreshing, restrained wine.
This zesty wine opens with aromas of peach and exotic fruit with a whiff of mineral. The palate offers sweet tropical fruit and nectarine with a hint of spice alongside racy acidity.
As the label says, the wine is off dry, but with its great, refreshing acidity, it is also crisp and fruity. Baked apples and citrus flavors mingle with a lightly mineral texture to give a lively, fragrant wine. Drink now.
DFJ is one of a few producers who grow Caladoc, which is here blended with Tinta Roriz. A cross between Grenache and Malbec, it gives a dark colored, structured wine that is shown well here. Berry fruits come through the texture strongly, giving a rich character and plenty of final acidity. Drink now.
Made from a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 11% Syrah this herbal Cab divulges peppercorn on the nose as well as cola, leather and cedar. With structured tannins that don't get in the way, it's food-friendly and yet hearty, well-priced for the quality, with a finish of ripe blueberry and raspberry.
Clean, fresh, presentable aromas of red fruits are easy to like. This is balanced and offers just enough body to support cherry, nectarine and citrus flavors. The finish is crisp and lingers nicely.
Fresh sage and tarragon notes lend a lovely green, herbal tone to this just off-dry wine. The palate is refreshing with lemony acidity and straightforward apple and pear flavors.
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.
Kenneth Volk is the Central Coast master of nontraditional California varieties. His take on Albariño delivers peach, citrus and mineral aromas, reflective of the historic Riverbench Vineyard. The taste comes on a tad juicy, then wipes away quickly, with apple tartness on the finish.
Smoky aromas of burning hickory are matched by lemon peel and earthy berry scents. This is a rubbery feeling wine, with grabby tannins. Flavors of black cherry, cassis and rubber suggest plastic. On the finish, lactic oak wrestles with a residual hint of green.
Tight in elegant raspberry and cassis fruit, this small-production Cabernet is on the cool-climate side of the equation, reflective of the vintage. Tastes of black and bell peppers are interspersed with cedar, and the finish is purely oak.
An old and rarely planted vine in the Douro, Códega do Larinho has produced a rich, lightly perfumed wine. With plenty of acidity and citrus, it is both ripe and refreshing. It could benefit from a few months in bottle; drink after 2015.
Earthy with an expansive mouthfeel, this brambly, savory Syrah reveals hints of herb and deep, dark black fruit. It comes from a great vineyard site and is structured to age; give it air before enjoying with a proper cassoulet.
Yorba and 3rd Generation are the brands made by viticulturist Ann Kraemer of Shake Ridge Ranch. This wine is meant to serve as a second label, a blend of 84% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah and 6% Tempranillo made by one of Ann's nephews. It's an impressive first attempt, robust and gamy in soft leather and ripe chewy plum.
The bouquet of this rosé is soft and delicate, with subtle notes of strawberry hull, watermelon rind and white-plum flesh. The mouthfeel is light, but with a slight roundness to the midpalate, with a lightly bitter-lime flavor that adds zip to the finish.
Vin d'été means “summer wine,” and this delicate Cabernet Franc would be the perfect companion to a balmy summer eve. It's unabashedly rustic in style, with touches of leafy herbs, clay and barnyard accentuating crisp black-cherry flavors. Brisk and sprightly on the palate, it finishes long, with a murmur of velvety tannins. Unusual and a bit mysterious, yet truly lovely.
This Syrah/Mourvèdre blend is a forward, bright and seamless expression of peppery berry fruit. Tart, smooth and accessible, it's backed with refreshing minerality and a dollop of cocoa.
Aged 11 months in French oak, the roasty-toasty barrel notes are at the fore followed by peach and tropical fruit. What it lacks in subtlety it makes up for with a rich, creamy mouthfeel that draws out to a lingering finish.
Vibrant and fresh with hints of apple, green herbs and blossoms, this off-dry wine boasts a plush, juicy palate full of white peach and lime flavors. It's anchored by a clean line of steely minerality that lingers elegantly.
Saint Clair's main Sauvignon Blanc bottling came out really well in 2013, balancing green leafy notes with grapefruit elements. It's not as big or bold as some of the Pioneer Block wines, but instead boasts a sense of firmness and a fine line of chalk and acid from start to finish.
This elegant yet fun Pinot Noir-based rosé is characterized by a voluptuous body, a supple frame on which to affix the typically pleasing rosé scents and flavors of bubblegum and wild strawberry. The finish lingers, with sour apple warmth that recalls the last lick of a Jolly Rancher candy.
This Godello is light, fruity and offers nice lime and apple aromas. It's linear, minerally and has a true slate feel, then stony flavors of tangerine and ripe peach take over. A juicy, pure finish tops it off.
Tranche is exploring lesser-known (for Walla Walla) grapes such as this Tempranillo, producing wines with structure and depth. Blueberry fruit and a big wash of roasted coffee ground flavors are here, with dry, firm tannins. The length is impressive.
As can happen with young wines like just-released rosé, a slight bit of effervescence is visible. The interesting smell of fermentation gives rise to strawberry and pink bubblegum scents. The gum persists on the palate, but in a pleasant, not overwhelming or sweet way, as does red licorice and watermelon.
Despite heavy aromas of baked berry, prune and raisin, this is solid on the palate, with a firm grip. Flavors of earthy plum, tomato, red currant and herbs finish pure, tight and persistent. The more this breathes and expands, the more character it shows. Drink through 2018.
The wine comes from the Alpilles mountains, made famous by Van Gogh's paintings. It has a tight, steely character that comes from the wild terroir while keeping delicious freshness and acidity. It could age until late 2014.
With really ripe fruit and juicy black flavors, this is a rounded, warm wine. It tastes of sun, although there is also something more seriously structured about it. Acidity gives freshness, while the tannic structure suggests further aging. Drink now, but better in 2015.
Produced by a talented winemaker in the Kutjevo region, it has brilliant ruby color plus enticing aromas of purple violets, lavender and freshly picked red cherries. There's great mouthfeel, artfully woven flavors of red berries and black plums, and chalky tannins.
Loud, charred aromas start out gaseous but turn more elegant, peppery and lightly herbal with airing. This wine is ripe, deeply built and firm in feel; flavors of cassis and sweet, candied blackberry finish subtle and quietly long.
From the only Riesling vines planted in the Walla Walla AVA, this Figgins wine club-only selection makes you wish for more. It has lovely layering of citrus pith and rind flavors, a mouth-cleansing minerality, and exceptional depth of flavor. Finished completely dry, it registers just 12% alcohol.
This starts off sweet and unctuous, with scents of superripe nectarine and apricot that flood the bouquet, followed by hints of baking spice, lightly toasted nuts and honey. The full, round texture is balanced by refreshing acidity that carries through to the long, bright finish. Drink now–2016.
Blended from 73% Syrah, 23% Barbera and 4% Petit Verdot, this easy-drinking red also has a sophisticated, grown-up undertone, with aromas of blackberry, juniper and Mediterranean herbs. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate, mint, mocha, butterscotch and oregano are wrapped in a layer of supple tannins, culminating in a radiant finish.
Aromas of apricot, pineapple and banana aromas all carry over to the palate, along with ripe peach, green apple,  grapefruit and mineral. Lively acidity gives structure and a vibrant, clean finish.
Aromas of graphite, asphalt, floral berry, black cherry and oak are harmonious and inviting. This wine feels juicy and rubbery, while black-fruit and plum flavors come with herbal notes and overt barrel notes. A fresh, juicy, zesty finish is pure Graciano.
A pleasant surprise among value-priced bottlings, this wine features a hint of gun flint that adds dimension to the fig, melon and pink grapefruit flavors. It's rather round in the mouth and perhaps a little sweet, but finishes long and savory.
This wine has a direct and approachable feel, with bright, fruity aromas and flavors of black berry, cherry, fig and currant alongside accents of toasty vanilla and cocoa. It's medium weight and well balanced, with a solid structure and an enduring finish.
Hints of evergreen lend a cool, alpine air to fresh apple and lemon aromas on this brisk, lean wine. Off-dry in style, the palate is sprayed with delicate rose petal notes and fresh apple and lime flavors. Finishes long with an elegant crushed-stone minerality.
Comprised of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Rubin, and 5% Mavrud, it offers aromas of blackberry, cherry vanilla and cinnamon. In the mouth are generous flavors of black cherry, black plum and tart cranberry. Saddle leather and tobacco leaf linger in the persistent finish.
With an inviting strawberry sundae nose, this bright pink rosé of Syrah from the longtime organically minded team at Buttonwood is all about summertime hedonism. There's creaminess on the palate, with some apple tartness in the middle and, again, long strawberry elements on the finish. Pair with beef sliders on soft, sweet rolls that are adorned with gourmet condiments and cheeses.
Pure is yet another addition to Trapiche's overflowing stable of Malbecs. This is big, grabby and shows chocolate, floral, herbal and perfumed berry aromas. A choppy but flush mouthfeel stages herbal-leaning, red-fruit flavors that carry a touch of green that's seconded on a minty, herbal, plump feeling finish.
Aromas of yellow flowers, lemon drop, nectarine, yellow peach and balsamic notes carry over to the palate along with pink grapefruit and mineral sensations. Crisp acidity gives balance and structure.
A slightly pungent sweatiness is an appealing facet of this wine, helping to accentuate its vibrant tropical flavors of passion fruit and pineapple. It's round in the mouth, then draws to a crisp, refreshing conclusion. Drink now.
Bright acidity accompanies tight, wild berry fruits. As with many Malbecs, the fruit is balanced against clean earth and stem, with a touch of tomato leaf in the aromas.
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.
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.
Although this wine starts off a bit stern in texture, by the long finish those tannins have turned velvety and plush, nicely framing intense black olive, espresso, cherry and plum flavors. Drink now–2018.
This open, generous wine is already completely in its stride. Ripe yellow fruits are given freshness by flavors of orange zest and citrus. The wood aging shows, but gently, rounding out the fruits and adding a note of spice. It's a full wine, ready to drink in 2015.
Although this wine has a strong toasty character, it offers enough fruit, acidity and ripe tropical flavors to make it work. Attractive acidity gives a delicious, fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
A bit less inky than some of its Syrah counterparts from more northern regions, the violet, potting soil, pepper and vanilla aromas make for a solid sipping experience. It's very soft and pleasurable to the palate, with black pepper up front and on the finish.
Rounded, rich and warm, it has excellent acidity along with touches of wood and very pure citrus flavors. Peach fruits give a riper feel. Drink now, but better to wait until 2015.
An aromatic wine with abundant notes of ripe white peach, apricot, mineral and flowers. It drinks off dry (10.7 g/L residual sugar) with a pleasing sense of tension between the acid and stone fruit flavors leading to a long, persistent finish.
Grapes are sourced from Red Mountain and old-vine Yakima valley sites. Lovely aromatics highlight a mix of citrus, wild blueberry, brambly red fruits and a whiff of game. The structure and breadth lead into a smooth finish with veins of licorice and espresso.
This luxury cuvée rides close to the edge of being too ripe for its own good. It's full bodied and rich, boasting flavors of prune, chocolate and espresso framed by hints of toast and vanilla. The texture is supple, turning velvety on the finish, which makes it accessible now. Drink it over the next few years.
This is a Bordeaux-style blend from three Red Mountain vineyards: 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc. Stiff tannins underscore tight black cherry and cassis fruit, with a generous helping of new oak barrel flavors. The wine is young and substantial, with excellent aging potential through 2024.
This rather exotic Riesling was fermented and aged in barrels, 43% new, and the rest once-used. The barrel treatment takes it away from any ordinary Riesling characteristics, yielding a wine that has much in common with Viognier—floral and buttery, with substantial alcohol.
Like most Saint-Joseph whites, this blend of Marsanne and Roussanne is only modestly aromatic. What it does deliver is a world of weight and texture on the palate, along with notions of toasted nuts and grilled fruit (melon and pineapple). Ready to drink now.
This is the first Dineen designate from :Nota Bene, and it's worth chasing down. Focused dark purple and black fruits line up—cherry, plum and cassis—with a rich layer of espresso and a lick of graphite following. The 22 months in barrel brings an interesting hint of caramel to a nicely balanced finish.
Red currant, cranberry sauce, seasoned tomato and curry spices frame the nose. On the palate, the exotic elements continue, with gram masala and black cardamom flavors, which makes for a very savory, noteworthy and nicely rounded experience. Serve with Indian curries or try chicken mole.
Delicate layers of smoke, vanilla and spice lavish this textured Chardonnay that's remarkably light on its feet. Fermentation in a variety of oak barrels lends nuance to bright apple, pear and honeysuckle notes on the palate and mouthfeel that's rich, creamy and round. Brisk acidity cuts through the finish.
A ripe and tasty style of Zinfandel from a grand old name in the Sierra Foothills. The maple and brown sugar tones from new oak integrate well with ripe but not overripe fruit flavors. Touches of clove and black pepper come out as you sip, adding welcome nuances.
Here's a robust wine that opens with aromas of blue flower, earth, black fruit and a whiff of new leather. The juicy palate delivers ripe black cherry, mature raspberry, black pepper and balsamic herb, all supported by a firm, tannic backbone. Hold for additional complexity; best from 2016–2026.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 34% Cabernet Franc. Some 20% saw new French oak, and the wine has lovely concentration and flavor integration. Blueberry, blackberry and cassis are wrapped in cacao and coffee—thoroughly luscious and nicely concentrated.
Bright, fresh fruit and dried herb aromas combine with lively but concentrated and tannic fruit flavors in this big but well-behaved wine. The texture balances lavishness with a bit of astringency in an attractive and appetizing way.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, oak spices and espresso lead the nose on this structured wine. The firm palate is still tightly wound, revealing roasted coffee bean, licorice, dried cherry and assertive tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Aromas suggest red and blue fruit along with butterscotch and wood spice. The fruit flavors are sweet and rich with abundant woodspice accents and chewy tannins.
Oak-driven aromas recall toast, espresso and coconut. The palate offers steeped plum, dried cherry, orange zest, grilled sage and flint, with vigorous tannins. A licorice note signals the close.
Smooth, soft, rounded tannins envelop a taste of dried cranberry and bacon, giving a sense of gamy goodness. Robust in weight and power, it continues the theme with leathery girth, especially on the finish.
The color on this is surprisingly evolved, showing more brick than garnet, while the nose offers underbrush, tobacco, fennel and red berry. The palate is closed and rather lean, offering raw red cherry, licorice, menthol and mineral alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins.
There is some good structure here, as befits a Saint-Estèphe, along with intense fruits and ripe blackberry flavors. That makes the wine both very drinkable now and gives it aging for the next two years. The aftertaste with its juicy acidity is already attractive.
Aged 11 months in neutral French oak, this offers light aromas of potting soil, flowers and cherry with a licorice accent. It's full bodied and packs a wallop with a wall of firm, slightly dry tannins.
A mix of citrus and tropical fruit aromas is clean and minerally, which is what you want from basic Verdejo. A fresh, stony, citrusy body and flavors of white grapefruit, lime and green apple finish with minerality and brightness.
The grape's brooding character is intensified in this old-vine bottling, with deep, brandy-like aromas of kirsch, cocoa syrup and spearmint. Tannins frame the heavy-duty palate profile, with extracted cherry, cola and vanilla flavorings decorating a firm, balancing structure.
Equal proportions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot yield this penetrating sour-cherry palate touched with nuts, smoke, bramble and herb. It's refreshingly light bodied, marked by a crush of cranberry acidity and finely grained tannins.
Evoking the richness and slightly tart deliciousness of a strawberry-rhubarb compote, this is a bright, vibrant and chewy Pinot, its dry tannins peaking on the finish. From a great vineyard site long sourced by the producer, it's on the lighter side in terms of body and weight, and may need further time to come into its own, through 2017.
Lemon-lime soda scents are rounded out by pineapple and a metallic element on the nose of this wine by Christian Roguenant. It's tight and minerally on the palate, with steel and gunmetal, yet shows green herbs like dill too. It will work well with white fish.
A fifty-fifty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers aromas of black currant, espresso and cedar. On the palate, licorice and coffee notes add interest to the black cherry core while firm, fine-grained tannins provide support.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak, stewed plum and a balsamic note. The concentrated palate offers vanilla, fleshy black fruit, menthol, mocha and sage. It's savory but already evolved and fast approaching its ideal drinking window. Enjoy through 2020.
Smooth, ripe and almost sweet, this is medium to full bodied, packed full of fruit flavors and other complexity that makes it interesting. It balances toward softness as the berry and cherry character seems to swell on the palate and linger on the finish.
Hailing from Destiny Ridge, Double Canyon and McKinley Spring vineyards, this wine is lighter in color and shows subtle suggestions of vanilla, chocolate, woodspice and red cherry. It's reserved in style with coffee flavors and soft, plump tannins.
Cassis and violet perfume seep into layers of bramble wood, smoke and toast on this aromatic wine. Medium bodied in style, it's ripe with blackberry jam notes highlighted by soft acidity and a delicate fringe of tannins.
While intensely mineral on the nose, redolent of crushed rock and smoke, the palate of this Sauvignon Blanc is remarkably fruity, bursting with fresh peach and apricot flavors. It's brisk, straightforward and primary in style, yet undeniably refreshing and quaffable.
This is honest, fresh, balanced and easy to drink, with Rioja authenticity. Aromas of earth, tomatoes, herbs and red fruits are light and nice. Flavors of salty plum, red currant and vanilla should be familiar to Rioja fans, while the finish is persistent.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, toast and menthol lead the nose. On the palate, notes of licorice and grilled herb accent the core of dried red berry. Assertive tannins provide the backbone but still need to unwind. Drink after 2018.
Aromas of scorched earth, baked fruit, roasted coffee bean, leather and underbrush take shape in the glass. The warm palate reflects the heat of the vintage, delivering a core of dried berry accented with notes of licorice and lightly toasted oak. Assertive tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2020.
This salmon-hued rosé Cava opens with aromas of cotton candy, vanilla and yeast. On the tongue, it's simple in structure and feels a lot like citrus juice with bubbles. Flavors of orange and nectarine finish crisp and with a note of apricot.
This blend of six Bordeaux varieties is a little funky out of the gate with notes of woodspice, mushroom, cayenne, dry chocolate and cherry. The palate has mouthwatering cherry flavors that bring along some warmth on the finish.
Oak, toast, espresso, burnt rubber and mature dark berry aromas lead the nose. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, mocha, baked plum, anisette and tobacco alongside bracing tannins. The fruit is starting to dry up so drink sooner rather than later.
This blend of 62% Syrah and 38% Petite Sirah conveys mocha, smoke and woodspice. It's full bodied in feel with coffee flavors backed by astringent tannins that provide a bit of distraction.
Coming from Wautoma Winds and SageCliffe vineyards, this wine offers notes of burnt toast, stone fruit and sweet corn. It's broad and lightly creamy in feel with abundant apple and stone fruit flavors.
Oak, espresso and toast aromas jump out of the glass. The tightly wound palate delivers plum cake, roasted coffee bean, oak extract, licorice, a confectionary note and licorice but not much fruit richness. Raspy wood tannins provide the framework.
Broad berry/cherry fruit flavors open up quickly, with lighter accents of compost and leather. This is a smooth, somewhat loose-knit wine, with pretty baking spices decorating the finish.
Minerality takes center stage in this light-footed but penetrating dry Riesling. While the fruit profile is zesty and green—suggesting tart, under-ripe lime, tangerines and melon rinds—the palate is gilded by slick layers of candlewax and petrol, lending a dense, voluminous mouthfeel. It's an elegant, stately wine to drink now through 2023.
More blossomy and mineral than ripe or ruddy, there's a demure elegance to this bristling off-dry Riesling. Crisp, almost crystalline flavors of tangerine and yellow peach accentuate and lengthen the palate. It's a deftly cutting wine to drink now through 2020.
The Hope family dives into Chardonnay with this sleek bottling. The nose is tight with pink-grapefruit pith, unfurled white flowers and crushed seashells. Intriguing and elegant flavors of grapefruit blossom, guava shavings and sea salt buzz across the palate with humming electricity.
Two Dijon clones went into this tasty Chardonnay, which is rounded out and easily accessible upon opening. Smooth tree-fruit flavors are set in a lightly buttery frame, with nutmeg spice. As it rolls along the impression of fresh-baked brioche is undeniable. Delicious and ready to enjoy immediately, this should hold up in the cellar through 2021 or so.
Production is way up on this cuvée, while quality remains consistent. It's a sassy mix of tart, juicy cranberry and raspberry fruit, which punches down through the palate into a lingering finish. Light notes of fresh tobacco and baker's chocolate add further interest.
Skiers will appreciate the nom de vin, a reference to the steepness of the vineyard. Firm and concentrated, this mixes ripe cherries and red plums, baking spices and a streak of minerality. It's a big, chunky, flavorful wine that rides on through a luscious finish.
Planted in 1983, this is the original Willamette Valley Vineyards estate vineyard. These old vines give an extra dollop of herb and stem, well integrated into concentrated raspberry and cherry fruit. This has the tannic muscle and acid underpinning to age well. Drink now–2025.
This is a ripe, bold wine from the nature reserve vineyards of Companhia das Lezirias. Packed with berry fruits, the wine is produced from organically grown grapes, rich in both tannins and acidity. Spice, soft tannins and a fresh aftertaste all make this a delicious wine that's ready to drink now.
On top of being made from organically grown grapes, this wine is vegan friendly. Of course, that means nothing unless the wine is good. Thankfully, this wine is excellent. Apricot, honey and ginger notes mingle easily on the palate. Drink this full-bodied, slightly open-knit wine over through 2017.
Dry, mossy berry aromas carry punch, while this well-built Malbec feels concentrated but not heavy. Peppery, blackened berry flavors spill over with a black-coffee note on a slightly hot finish. Drink through 2020.
There's a spicy soul to this beautiful Syrah, as forward notes of white pepper, licorice and sweet spice abound on the nose and mouth, infusing the raspberry, cherry and brambly blackberry fruits throughout. Additional notes of purple violets, fynbos and black tea add depth and interest. Medium weight, the approachable palate boasts a crushed satin texture, with fine yet gripping tannins that hang on through the spicy finish. Drink now–2020.
The aromatic greeting on this old-vines Cab is smooth, harmonious and elegant, with notes of plum, cassis, tobacco and fine oak. The palate is a bit high-pitched, with racy acidity, while flavors of herbs, tomato, spiced berry fruits and oak finish similar, with dry, drawing tannins. Drink through 2021.
This is a floral, zesty and vibrant white wine, given six months in French oak, half of it new. With a complex hit of briny salt and citrus, it flirts between layers of savory and sweet, finding just the right balance of structure and acidity.
This block selection is supple, almost silky, and coats the palate with lip-licking cherry-fruit goodness. Streaks of hazelnut and nougat extend the finish. This delicious wine spent 15 months in 50% new French oak.
Young and stiff upon being opened, this is striated with flavors and scents of earthy beet, rhubard, raspberry and strawberry. The palate brings in accents of iron filings, mushroom and further complexity. It's a sturdy, medium-weight, earthy wine, with moderate aging potention. Drink now through 2023.
A closed nose shows the faintest notes of quince. The palate is dry and fresh with lots of lemony zestiness. It's slender and clean with a wonderful, straightlaced backbone. Freshness and tautness signal a purposeful, lively wine, full of apple fruit and aromatic overtones of quince.
Showing finesse as well as surprising structure for such a wet, rainy vintage, this opens with heady aromas of tomato vine, hay, a note of bell pepper and a whiff of kiwi. The savory, linear palate delivers grapefruit, honeydew melon, a lightly toasted note and minerals brightened by firm acidity.
From the famed vineyard named for the colorful author, this wine remains a standout for the producer, and a tremendous deal for the quality. It exudes notes of eucalyptus on the nose, before unveiling big-boned but balanced tannins, with leather and cranberry notes meeting a tensile line of minerality. It finishes with a taste of mocha.
This is a rather tense, tightly wound wine, offering tart cranberry and raspberry fruit. Tangy, juicy acidity keeps flavors fresh and forward, with a mineral underpinning.
From a warm site, this shows warm, ripe round flavors of lush strawberry and cherry. It plays out broadly across the palate, retaining its focus in a medium-long follow-through. It's perfect for near-term drinking.
Peach skin and orange peel appear on the nose, the palate is off-dry but fresh and vivid with floral impressions that are more present on the tongue than the nose. There is ripe, fresh peach and honeysuckle and a balanced poise. The aromatic subtlety causes you to pause and wonder, even after the last echo.
At 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a firm, cassis-scented wine, but one that includes hints of ripeness and generous fruit. Dried herbs and brown sugar add nuance, while the velvety finish picks up some meaty, savory notes. Drink now–2025.
This excellent entry-level Pinot is bursting with a delightful bouquet of cherries and white chocolate. It's crisp and direct, with well-defined raspberry fruit at the core. The finish is a little stiff and tight, but unpacks well with ample aeration.
Situated in the McMinnville AVA, this vineyard delivers a sleek, well-proportioned wine. Though tight and unyielding at first, it is aromatically promising, with a mix of rose petals, berries and chocolate. Those flavors expand as it breathes open, finishing with the AVA's characteristic gun-metal minerality. Drink 2018–2028.
This is a full-bodied, creamy-textured wine, bursting with irrepressible fruit. Blueberries take the lead, backed by plums and a lesser amount of raspberry, all accented by hints of cracked pepper, baking spices and vanilla. While delicious already, the wine shows enough richness and length on the finish to warrant keeping through 2025.
This is appropriately austere for a young Eden Valley Riesling, offering crisp green apple and lime sensations backed by subtle grace notes of wet stone. The finish is long, mouthwatering and almost painfully tart, suggesting it will fare well in the cellar for up to 10 years.
Incredibly pure and pristine on the nose, notes of citrus cream, sea spray and white flowers hover over a base of white peach in this northern Michigan Chardonnay. With two years in French oak (25% new) and extended lees aging, the palate is round and sultry, boasting lightly brûléed lemon and zesty mineral notes that build to toasted hazelnut. A preserved-lemon finish lingers and leaves the palate wanting more. In time, the acidity will soften and this wine will truly sing. Drink now–2018.
Dark strawberries, rose buds, black plums, sweet cedar, tangy herbs and oodles of dark fruit pour off the nose of this wine, which is leveled by 13% Syrah. Bursting acidity frames the palate alongside red currants, peppercorns, dill and black olive. It's slightly less dense in style than other Mourvèdres.
Bright, moderately complex aromas of stone fruits and minerals precede a firm, lemony palate with familiar, highly fresh tangerine and nectarine flavors. This holds its form and snap on the finish. Drink during 2016.
Bold and nicely astringent, this wine is full bodied, rich in flavor and even richer in texture due to a thick layer of fine tannins. Built almost like a Cabernet but with brighter fruit flavors, the wine is attractively dry and meant to be enjoyed with something rich like a roast or steak.
This medium-bodied Shiraz represents a solid value. Sourced from 80 growers, it's meant to present a “portrait” of the Barossa region, and it delivers vanilla, plum and black olive aromas and flavors, supple tannins and a lingering mocha finish.
The spare red fruit seems set in stone. The AVA's characteristic sub-flavors of concrete and dry stone are on full display. The wine remains tightly wound, with crisp definition. This should benefit from another couple of years in bottle. It finishes with plenty of acid and chalk.
This hefty but sluggish Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with forceful aromas of earthy, herbal red-berry fruits and sweet oak. Chunky, thick and almost syrupy in feel, this tastes of herbal plum and spiced berry fruits. The longer it rests, the fatter and chunkier it gets. This warm-vintage has weight issues.
Sourced from a single block, this is a tart wine with delicate fruit flavors of rhubarb and cranberry. It does not have the depth nor stuffing of the previous vintage. Some pleasant aromatics of orange peel and citrus add interest.
There's nothing shy about this red, which is robust, earthy and forcefully tannic. It's a rough-and-tumble red with hearty black cherry, charred wood and truffled chocolate. Big flavors, and big tannins are ready for a big cut of beef.
Made with 85% Carignano and 15% Syrah, this boasts aromas of mature black cherry, raspberry and Mediterranean herb. The soft palate doles out ripe black currant, licorice and black pepper alongside velvety tannins.
Intricate aromas and spicy, complex flavors make this medium-bodied wine an adventure to drink. It smells like cherries and cloves and wood smoke, tastes nicely ripe but dry, and has an appetizing, tannic grip in the texture.
Springtime in a bottle! This is fairly bursting with aromas of fruit and flower, and carries them into bright strawberry flavors with a gentle touch of sweetness.
Vines from high up in the vineyard produce this cool, fresh wine. It has bright acidity along with intense grapefruit and lemon fruits. The wine is tangy with a strong texture. Drink from 2018.
This soft, rounded wine has attractive ripe white-stone-fruit flavor. It also has a rich, spicy side, with light hints of wood that give it a mellow character. The wine is developing well and will be ready from 2017.
This is a chunkier, somewhat rustic cousin to Pinot Noir, often used to bulk up a sparkling wine. Here, on its own, it's generously loaded with pomegranate, earth and green tea flavors. The aromatics capture some of the rose petal bouquet of its more delicate relation.
This spent 18 months in French oak and three years in bottle, ahead of an April 2016 release. Light and elegant, it carries a whiff and taste of leather, with earthy, slightly grainy tannins. With air, the strawberry fruit gains some flesh. Decant it and drink now through 2018.
Ripe notes of juicy yellow-pear waft from the glass The palate is equally full-fruited but comes with a dry, crisp and refreshing palate and a clean finish.
Baked lemon, jasmine and honeyed Pink Lady apples open the nose of this bottling, a special anniversary project for the usually Rhône-only winery. Lighter flavors of lemon zest and crisp apple flesh sit atop a chalky grip, making for a wine that would work well with a variety of lighter foods.
Aromas of ripe plum, sunbaked earth and toast lead the way on this structured red. The palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and toasted oak while dusty tannins give it a firm, slightly astringent finish.
Initially closed, a few swirls of the glass releases subtle scents suggesting Spanish Broom, linden blossom, flint and a whisper of orange zest. While the palate is less expressive than the nose, it still offers yellow apple, citrus and mineral alongside crisp acidity. It's still very immature and needs additional time to age.
This offers aromas of scorched earth, underbrush and a whiff of oak. The firm palate offers sour cherry, fleshy strawberry, toast, coconut and espresso alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
Some flinty notes precede earthier, ripe apple notes that also spread across the palate. There is a textured mouthfeel, while a clean seam of lemon crispness counters the earthy fruit. Texture and freshness linger pleasantly.
With attractive wood flavors, this is a wine with spice, toast and citrus flavors. Orange and yellow fruits come through the lime acidity and zesty texture. Drink from 2017.
This wine is smoky, ripe and packed with tannins. The fruit gives the wine weight although it is not yet fully developed. There is a toasty background to this rich wine with its juicy red-berry fruits and acidity. Drink from 2019.
This wine is ripe with yellow fruits and rich pears. It has a rounded character, with a creamy texture shot through with acidity. The aftertaste has touches of grapefruit and a minerality that gives good texture. Drink from 2018.
Max Reserva is the easiest, most fruity of the Errazuriz Chardonnay lineup for 2014. Aromas of vanilla wafer, barrel toast, smoke and white fruits announce a smooth but simple palate. Peach, melon and toasty oak are the key flavors, while this finishes a touch salty.
Made with 50% Nero d'Avola and 50% Syrah, this presents aromas of dark berry, allspice and Mediterranean herb. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, black pepper and clove alongside fine-grained tannins.
This atypical blend of 56% Syrah and 44% Merlot shows red roses and red currants on the rather light nose. The palate is also delicately layered with light red plums, tangy strawberries and a tight bay leaf herbal component.
Fragrant in sugarplum and cherry-vanilla, this summery wine uses Grenache, Merlot and Petit Verdot to string together a dry, likable quaff high in acidity and light-bodied from start to finish.
The fourth-generation family behind San Antonio Winery make this top-end bottling from the vineyard they planted. Aromas of dark red fruit, heavy black spice, tar and smoke hit the nose with promising force, but the palate proves quite tannic with sour and bitter cranberry skins. This has all the elements needed for a classic wine, but give till 2016.
Aromas of coffee, cinnamon toast, cranberry and clove emerge off of this blend of 56% Syrah, 24% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre by UC Davis grad-friends Richard Bruno and Chris Condos. It's not too complicated on the palate but very food-friendly, with dark red fruit, licorice and tree bark, blending ripe and tart elements for a straight-ahead sipper.
At first this smells raw and oaky, so much so that notes of paint and paste are as prominent as vanilla. In the mouth, however, this is a fresh wine with tomatoey acidity. Flavors of baked berry, plum and raisin blend with herbal notes, while the finish is long and tastes of vanilla and spice.
Lively and loaded with citrus fruits, notably juicy orange, this is totally refreshing. Clean, crisp fruit dominates, along with zippy acidity. Drink now.
Potent and intense, this has a dark red color that goes to the rim and exotic huckleberry and dark cherry aromas. Thick layers of fruit, dark chocolate and spice on the palate combine with firm, framing tannins and acidity for a lip-smacking finish. It will get better with age through at least 2018.
This extracted Malbec blend deals full doses of blueberry, blackberry, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and mocha aromas. The palate weighs in on the jammy, overripe side, with almost no acidic cut. Soupy, ultraripe flavors of crème de cassis, carob and prune finish raisiny. Drink this syrupy wine through 2017.
This big-bodied Zinfandel intrigues with a commingling of rustic charm and brawny California ripeness. The power and concentration of lush blackberry and plum are accessorized by dusty leather and dried herb, with a finishing touch of black pepper.
Annette Hoff Danzer is only the second female winemaker in Monterey County, and her wine from Chualar Canyon on the east side of the Salinas Valley offers aromas of fragrant white flowers, lemon-lime soda and lychee. The racy acidity is a bit strong on the palate, but will unwind nicely in months to come, with flavors of ripe lemon and crushed rocks.
Subdued aromas suggest red berry and a hint of dried herb. The tight palate shows red raspberry, raw cherry and a hint of cinnamon while rather austere tannins and brisk acidity provide support.
Earthy and dry, this single-block designated white is fresh in cut grass and hay, with a tropical edge. Composed and steely, especially on the finish, it provides plenty of richness balanced by classic acidity.
Amazing candy-shop aromas set the scene for a totally perfumed wine. This is ripe, full in the mouth and a great example of the character of Gewurztraminer. Drink this wine now for all its exuberance.
This surprisingly dry wine has more to do with spice than richness. That gives it a food friendly character full of ripe fruit, a spicy, peppery edge and baked apple flavors. Acidity cuts through providing balance. Drink from the end of 2015.
Dusty, leesy notes of vanilla and yeast blend with citrus and tropical fruit aromas on an inviting nose. This feels fresh, juicy and plump on the palate, with tangerine, grapefruit and lime flavors. Ample body weight and vital acidity guarantee a proper, pleasant finish.
This chewy, still-tight Cabernet is full-bodied on the palate, revealing savory, herbaceous characteristics. Made in a robust style, it's approachable and enjoyable now.
A whiff of fennel lends spice to pristine, tart peach and yellow plum flavors in this pert off-dry wine. Ideal as an apéritif, it's brisk, lean and refreshingly juicy.
This traditional blend of 36% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec offers the expected aromas of cedar, plums, tobacco, cracked pepper and slight mint. It's very easy on the palate, with boysenberries and a woody complexity, proving light and tasty.
Scents and flavors of sandalwood and root beer come up first, with strawberry and cherry fruit following. Sourced principally from Winter's Hill vineyard, it's a gentle wine that gains momentum through the finish. Slightly reductive burnt rubber notes come in late, but with vigorous aeration the flavors smooth out.
The fruity, fresh aroma continues into the palate. Ripe yellow fruits are spiced and then cut with pear acidity and freshness. It's already balanced, although it will be even better from 2016.
The dry style of this firm and earthy-tasting wine should be great paired with rich proteins. It shows black currant and dark chocolate flavors dusted with cedar. Medium bodied and moderately tannic, it has good balance and a lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are the two main elements of the blend.
This estate-grown wine is made by Ken Wright. Showing some sharp, high-toned volatility in the nose, it opens into a smooth, spicy wine with pomegranate and black cherry fruit. A slight whiff of vinegar underlies the tannins, but for most tasters, it will not be noticeable.
Made with Merlot and Nero d'Avola, this opens with aromas of redcurrant, bell pepper, vanilla, coffee and blackberry. On the palate, notes of espresso and ground pepper add some depth to the black cherry core while firm tannins provide support.
Creamy and fresh, this mineral-driven effort spent no time in barrel, and did not go through malolactic fermentation. The pear and apple fruit is quite clean and lightly minty.
There is a sense of restrained purity on the nose, showing unripe pear, apple skin, lemon zest and crushed stone. The palate is more evoking, offering notes of juicy apple and candied citrus that are balanced by lemon-lime acidity.
Dense and extracted, this features aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, espresso and oak. The concentrated palate offers blackcurrant, cassis, roasted coffee bean and vanilla alongside bracing, astringent tannins. Drink after 2018.
Even more concentrated than Huët's superb 2009 Première Trie, this is outstanding. It has both great concentration and elegance. The wine is touched by botrytis, while retaining freshness. Made from ripe, just shrivelling grapes, this is sweet Vouvray at its magnificent best.
This will be a wonderful wine. Already, it is fine, with lovely acidity, bright and richly sweet at the same time. Yellow fruits mingle with honey, pear, almonds and the intense sweetness of botrytis.
A majestic, magisterial wine, powered by superripe fruit as well as honey and a gorgeous ripeness. With years ahead of it, this will be superb.
A wine that just hints at its enormous future. It is opulent, rich, rounded, full of quince, spice, layers of honey and apricots. It is gorgeous without losing any freshness. Keep for seven years.
With so much intensity, botrytis and concentration, this is going to be impressive. It is still very young, at a closed stage, but the ripe currant as well as the honey dominate. Great wine.
Première Trie means a wine from the first selection of grapes during harvest. This wine, now firmly closed up, as is expected with Chenin Blanc, is headed towards an opulent future, even though the fruit is kept firmly in check by the long-term aging potential.
A very elegant and refined Evenstad Reserve, with grace notes of sandalwood and a lovely cherry core. The fruit is immaculate, the concentration focused and lengthy, and the flavors are so artfully blended that the wine is seamless and perfectly balanced. Although it is drinking like a mature wine, there is every reason to cellar wines such as this—it can develop like a fine Burgundy, over decades.
Exuberant wine, almost exotic in its flavors, with ripe currant and a lining of honey. Full in the mouth, intense and concentrated.
Candied, oaky aromas of clove outmuscle foxy berry scents. This blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cab Sauvignon is heavy, tannic and ultimately a bit overweight and flabby. Clove, wood spice and cooked berry flavors finish with baking spice and woody notes.
This affordably priced county wine is simple in structure, showcasing clove, cedar and black currant flavors on the full-bodied, concentrated palate.
A melted butter aroma and rich butterscotch and taffy flavors give this medium-bodied wine a sweet, candied personality.
This medium-bodied wine has an earthy edge and a good core of cherry and plum flavors. A touch of barnyard in the aroma, and earthy, leathery flavors accompany a very smooth and relatively light mouthfeel.
Woody tannins bring astringency to this wine, which presents a smoky undercurrent of char and oak. Tart red fruit provides a nuanced fruit component.
Sharp, hard and stiff, this high-alcohol wine offers plenty of power, but little in the way of charm .A tight streak of burnt rubber runs through the core of black fruit.
Briny citrus and petrol aromas are unusual for Macabeo. This basic white tastes like lemon-infused water. Yeasty, leesy white-fruit flavors are low on steam. Drink Now.
This expands the winery's portfolio with a nod to the $20 pricepoint that's become a defining limit to affordable Oregon Pinot. This wine is hard, slightly burnt and bitter in the finish, with simple candy cherry-fruit flavors.
Made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this is a big, juicy wine with high acidity and a taste of crisp, red fruit. Substantial tannins suggest cellaring through 2018–2020 to elongate the young, puckering finish.
Now developing into a delicious wine, this is ripe, full and perfumed. It is rich with yellow fruits, spice and red apple flavors. The wine still has hints of the intense youthful steeliness although it is now balanced, full in the mouth and ready to drink.
Juicy, structured and delicious, this full-bodied wine doles out ripe blackberry, crushed raspberry, red cherry, white pepper, clove and licorice. Racy acidity and fine-grained tannins provide support.
Reduced wild-berry aromas are granular but succeed in setting up a firm, tannic palate. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and prune end with cookie-like notes of Graham cracker as well as toast. As a whole, this Syrah-Garnacha-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is muscular, tannic and brawny; drink through 2020.
This wine makes a big impression with wild, earthy aromas and dense, fruit-laden flavors. It blends ripe plum, smoke, tart blackberry and rich black cherry notes on a base of firm tannins and fresh acidity. These are rich, complex and carry through to the lingering finish. It's made from 85% Mourvèdre, plus Syrah, Grenache and Counoise.
Just-cracked, yeasty sourdough bread and dried lemon-skin aromas float off of this bottle-aged sparkler from an esteemed, longtime producer. Her winemaker son named this wine in honor of her birth year. An oxidative warmth gives bready depth to the palate, which shows lots of toast and lemon marmalade flavors.
Complex tannins confound the palate at first, but mellow on the back side, inviting gregarious amounts of leather, black pepper and blackberry, a waft of cigar smoke in the mix, too. Fuller-bodied in style, the wine will benefit from time; cellar through 2020.
Plum, cassis, floral hints and spicy, charred aromas open this Syrah-led blend. Hailing from a warm year, this feels jammy, dense and full in body. Peppery, chocolaty blackberry flavors end dark and deep, with a strong aftershock of olive and herbal flavors. Drink through 2019.
Cocoa, vanilla and baking spice aromas lead off this wine, along with plum. On the palate rich, textured dark fruit flavors intermingle with barrel spices. The fruit and oak have equal footing.
From grapes grown in the cool Oak Knoll District, this wine was given time in neutral oak for less than a year, providing a soft lushness on the palate. Tropical and just slightly grassy, it offers a long finish marked with sizzling acidity.
This appellation remains a standout for the variety, as evidenced by this 100% varietal wine that's mouthwatering in stone fruit and cantaloupe flavors. The aromatics center around pretty jasmine and lime zest aromas, while the palate is structured, crisp and fruity, all in good measure.
This 100% varietal wine was aged for two years in American oak, half of it new. With a mouthful of clove, cinnamon and black currant, as well as leather, it remains juicy on the palate, though should take on additional complexity after cellaring. Drink now through 2020.
Bright and savory, this charming blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Teroldego doles out juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and crushed Mediterranean herb. It's easy drinking and delicious, with supple tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2016.
This wine is immediately appealing with vibrant aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, white peach and wet stone. It drinks off dry, with a fleshy feel and drawn-out fruit flavors that linger.
This has an elegant, fruity, lightly spicy profile. Red cherry and nutmeg aromas meld with fresh and pure fruit flavors like red cherry and raspberry shaded by cinnamon and clove. It also offers a silky-smooth texture and medium body.
The first release of this wine to carry a Yakima Valley designation, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault leaps up with aromas of fresh raspberries, plum, garrigue and pepper along with light barrel accents. The elegant flavors show a striking sense of freshness and purity that keep you coming back for more.
This botrytized wine came from 2011 vintage grapes that were not harvested until February 2012. A light-golden color, it's bright with aromas of dried apples, pears and flowers. It's sweet (170g/L residual sugar) but not weighty, retaining a sense of lightness and elegance.
Dense and full-bodied, this opens with aromas of oak, roasted coffee beans, leafy forest floor, baked plum and licorice. The chewy, concentrated palate doles out fleshy raspberry, black cherry, orange peel and star anise alongside polished, fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of blue flowers and wild berry lead the nose on this medium-bodied red. The bright, savory palate offers black raspberry, Morello cherry, white pepper and anise. Vibrant acidity supports the juicy fruit flavors.
This well known négociant has turned in a sold effort. The nose is slightly herbal, but with attractive black-pepper shadings, while the fruit flavors favor dark-skinned plum. Drink this medium-bodied, supple wine over the next few years.
Firm, earth and berry fruits come with nuances of grass and green herbs. The palate feels grabby and raw yet settles into plum, berry, green herb and spice flavors that finish fresh and quick.
There's a distinctly floral grapiness to this Malbec—evocative of Argentinian archetypes—yet rustic touches of bramble wood and a delicate, dancing mouthfeel make it quite uniquely a New Yorker. Blackberry and cherry flavors are rich and ripe, yet maintain vivacious freshness through the finish.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Conner Lee, Stillwater Creek and Otis Harlan vineyards. It's aromatically generous, with notes of pineapple, toast, candlewax and butter followed by lightly creamy flavors.
Coming from Summit View Vineyard, this 100% varietal wine has aromas of espresso, toast and exotic spices, with the barrel notes primary. The palate has medium-weight dark fruit flavors, lightening in the midpalate, along with abundant coffee accents. Although the barrel influence is somewhat overt for the fruit that's in the glass, it still brings lots of enjoyment.
Charred and oaky at first, the nose on this aged Rioja reserva also deals blueberry, lemon peel and spiced plum aromas. Tight, acidic and grabby on the palate, this is healthy but forced in feel. Flavors of briny oak, black currant and salt finish with bold acidity and choppiness. Drink through 2020.
Hailing from Canyon Vineyard Ranch, this wine has aromas of milk chocolate, herbs, spice and leather. It's restrained in style, with citrusy acids, abundant vanilla and cocoa flavors, with firm, lightly dry tannins.
Burgáns is usually one of the better value-priced Albariños on the market, and this 2014 keeps that momentum going. White-flower and stone-fruit aromas are a touch dusty, while the palate feels peachy. Stone-fruit flavors are familiar, while the finish is zesty and clean.
This wine is 38% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot. Aromas are locked-up at present, with notes of flowers, high-toned herbs, earth, licorice and dark fruit. The palate is reserved in style, with a smooth feel and a firm squeeze of lightly dry tannins on the finish.
Prominent aromas of freshly hewn wood, butterscotch and vanilla are out in front of cherry. It's full flavored, seeming a bit boozy with grainy tannins backing it all up.
Aromas of spiced plum, coffee, leather and underbrush come together in the glass. The mature palate offers dried black cherry, tar, graphite, smoke and tobacco alongside dry tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Integrated oak tones mingle well with grilled pear and lively lemon notes on the nose. Tart peach leads to riper melon tones on the medium-bodied palate, with toasted vanilla and crème brûlée singing on the finish.
Despite the effects of a cool year, this wine is still enjoyable. Its cherry fruit is tinged with notes of root vegetables and beet greens, and while there's ample weight, the tannins are just a touch drying on the finish.
Earthy aromas of cola, plum and blackberry come with a saline note. For the most part, this feels pure, good and fruity, albeit a bit rubbery. Short but solid blackberry and cassis flavors finish with mild oak and a touch of peppery spice.
This barrique-aged, 100% Merlot opens with aromas of roasted coffee bean, vanilla, coconut and plum steeped in spirits. The palate delivers dried black cherry, espresso, licorice and oak extract alongside drying tannins. The fruit is starting to dry up so enjoy sooner rather than later. Drink through 2016.
An oaky aroma of buttered toast is elevated over ripe cherry and crushed black pepper. The palate shows more nuance, with tart red currant leading to juicy red fruit and granite dust. Slightly sandy tannins provide just enough grip to give this wine appropriate balance and structure.
Pressed flower, Mediterranean herb and beeswax aromas waft out of the glass. The zesty palate offers nectarine, green apple and white almond alongside bracing acidity. A hint of candied ginger signals the close.
Waxy lanolin, lime zest and savory nuts waft solemnly from this distinctly earthy dry Riesling. It's a showcase of minerality—shades of clay, dust, smoke and rock—but fascinatingly so, bolstered by a shock of lemon-lime acidity.
Ruddy notes of pressed apple and earth are a departure from the typically perfumed Boundary Breaks style, but offer a uniquely savory, mineral expression of Riesling. Off dry in style, it's racy, spry and concentrated in sweet-tart yellow-peach flavor.
Pear drop, leafy arugula and faint lemon form the aromatic trio that governs nose and palate of this light, refreshing white. Drink soon.
Earthy plum, forest floor and mushroom form a funky outline of this wine, before it expands into crisp red cherry, rhubarb and a wisp of sassafras. Medium-bodied, it finishes lean in acidity on the finish.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak-driven spice and roasted coffee bean. The ripe palate doles out baked apple, candied citrus zest and crystallized ginger before bitter walnut closes the finish.
Pretty aromas of crushed blue flower and red berry lead the nose on this easygoing red. The fresh palate offers up juicy black cherry and savory herb alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
This opens with earthy aromas of leather, overripe black fruit, meat juice and a whiff of barnyard. The palate delivers mature plum, black cherry, loam and game alongside astringent tannins.
A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with smaller dollops of Petite Sirah, Merlot and Malbec, this is a dark, inky wine, brawny in leather, clove and meat. Big-bodied and oaky, it finishes in a sea of brambly blackberry and wild game.
Saucy and intense up front, this offers cheesy, grainy oak aromas along with stalky cassis and plum scents. Raw, choppy and fairly high in acidity, this tastes briny, herbal and woody, but also like raspberry and plum. Oak and herbal flavors carry the finish.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, this has a delicate fragrance of white flower and orchard fruit. The vibrant palate offers yellow apple, citrus and a touch of mineral while crisp acidity provides the framework.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine brings reserved notes of cherry and blackberry cordial, medicine cabinet, black licorice, dried herbs and smoke. The fruit flavors are lighter in style, backed by firm tannins. It finishes tart.
Lemon zest on nose and palate signal a very zippy, citrus-scented white with a rather neutral aromatic expression—as befits unoaked Chardonnay from a cool year. It is light bodied and cannot be beaten for freshness.
Starting quite reductive, this wine opens to reveal aromas of straw, toast, cream and spice. The flavors are lighter in style yet creamy in feel with lees notes running throughout.
Herbal notes of black currant leaf and bramble lend depth to the black plum and cherry center of this wine. The palate boasts ripe dark-fruit flavors, with medium tannins and ample acidity that lends freshness to the finish. Drink now.
This blend of 50% Nebbiolo, 25% Barbera and 25% Syrah offers aromas of fudge, blackberry and plum that are somehow both lean and rich. It's thick and full on the palate, with pepper spice, leather, tobacco and violets, yet the acidity is quite powerful. Serve with hearty pasta.
Buttery cream is on the nose of this vineyard-designate, a relatively affordable offering from an esteemed producer in the heart of the Napa Valley. Oaky on the palate, the medium-weighted wine is nicely offset by a searingly crisp bite of lemon that peaks on the finish.
This wine from the pioneering producer deep in the Santa Maria Valley shows sweet cedar, chopped herbs, mocha, licorice, cherry and red berry juice on the nose. The flavors cling to dried cherries and espresso, proving quite pleasant thought not extremely dynamic.
A rustic wine, with definite barnyard flavors. The fruit has some smoky extract, but the tannins and old wood tastes intrude too much.
Still quite young, but showing real depth and layering, the McCrone vineyard designate offers pomegranate and raspberry fruit, dusted with baking spices, and finished with a tasty vein of mocha. This is a wine to enjoy in the full bloom of its youth.
The vineyard name is a combination of the two prevalent soil types, Nekia and WillaKenzie. Along with sweet cherry fruit comes a defining minerality—a streak of iron running through the heart of the wine. Balanced nicely, with gentle acidity and sculpted tannins. In the finish you pick up an elegant streak of green tea.
A terrific Pinot Noir value, Stonecrop's 2008 exhibits smoky, cedary aromas, but balances the oak with a solid foundation of cherry fruit and savory, mushroomy complexity. It's full bodied yet elegant, with a meaty finish. Drink now–2013.
This opens with a very pretty nose—scents of clay, mineral, blueberry, cassis and a whiff of rather high-toned volatility. In the mouth the barrel flavors bring dusty cocoa and chocolate. A full-bodied wine, still young, sharp and edgy. Best to give it a few more years in the cellar, to smooth out some of the rawness.
Dry River's 2007 Pinot Noir reveals a slight herbal tinge to its dark fruit aromas and flavors, but it's a nuance that adds complexity and should develop into hints of tea and spice with additional bottle age. As always, it's not overly big or richly textured, but it is concentrated and intense. Drink 2012–2020.
Though it seems quite light on first impression, that is a bit deceptive. The biodynamic grapes show a muted earthiness, while over time the cranberry and raspberry flavors gain focus and concentration in the mouth. A graceful, nicely proportioned wine, with some stem and grip to the tannins.
Powerful vanilla scents rise from the glass, but the fruit, even in this difficult vintage, comes out immediately. It's tart and sharp, with a strong herbal component, and the wine snaps into focus quickly with fruit, acid, tannin, herb and vanilla in equal proportion. Firm and tight, still quite young, this wine needs decanting and/or further bottle age to show its best.
Intriguingly floral and savory upfront, this delicate wine then adds a deep base of ripe cherries that expand effortlessly across the palate, giving an impression of fullness without weight, suppleness without being soft. Finishes long, with a great deal of complexity.
Tart, tangy, and herbal, this juicy wine mixes cranberry and strawberry fruit with tomato leaf, herb and peppery spice. If new oak barrels were used, they are not showing themselves at the moment. But the balance, length and detail are delightful.
With a splash of Viognier, this aromatic white is dark in color and exudes a touch of candied ginger alongside white flowers. Young and fresh, it's also smooth and somewhat intense, with a finish of chamomile tea.
Subdued aromas of citrus, acacia flower and a whiff of almond come together on this wine. The vibrant palate offers yellow apple, pear and lemon zest alongside bright acidity and a firm perlage.
This is a blend of Chardonnay and Arinto that was matured in wood. It shows ripe tropical fruit flavors that combine with toasty notes of oak to give a wine that is smooth, rich and creamy. The wine is still young, and will develop a richer character. Drink from late 2016.
This is a deliciously fruity wine with tropical fruit tones, a light mineral texture and fine, crisp acidity. From vines planted at 1500 feet above the river, it is fresh, cool and ready to drink.
Simultaneously sweet and smoky aromas from the use of new oak mark this full-bodied wine. The fruit flavors resemble blackberry, the texture is broad and grippy with tannins and the finish is powerful with more oak sensations.
Aromas of beeswax and acacia carry over to the linear palate of citrus zest and toasted almond. Bright acidity and vivacious bubbles give it a vibrant edge.
This is a wine that's made to be enjoyed young. It is fresh and fruity with a high proportion of Aragon (a.k.a. Tempranillo) giving a sophisticated touch of dusty tannins and red berry fruit. The wine is ripe and ready to drink.
Very fresh, fruity and drinkable, this is a soft, red-cherry-flavored wine. Attractive acidity bursts out of the glass with a perfumed, tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
This is becoming a wildly popular offering from the Miller family of Bien Nacido and French Camp fame, and for good reason. Black slate, blackberry and pungent purple fruit power the nose. The palate shows lots of juiciness, but with a plum-peel tang and hints of tobacco. It's not extremely complex, but quite quaffable.
Take a walk on the wild side with this Rhône-style red. The meaty, spicy, earthy aromas lead to enjoyable fruit, spice and mocha flavors that rest on a firm bed of fine tannins and good acidity.
Bright citrus peel, green apple, fresh grass and savory herbs abound on the nose and mouth of this lively white. The palate is sprightly and refreshing, with zesty acidity and a hint of fynbos herbaceousness on the finish. Drink now.
White flowers, green apple, pear, lime and mineral notes come together on this linear, lightly sparkling wine. Refermenting in the bottle on its yeasts gives it a slightly cloudy appearance and a fine sediment at the bottom. It has a dry, almost austere finish.
This blend of 51% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 17% Grenache shows root beer, smoked black cherries, dark chocolate and sweet tar on the nose. The palate is powered by dried red fruits, more smoke and a dusty character.
The charms of this full-bodied wine are mainly in the substantial and viscous texture, while mild mineral and apricot flavors provide subtle backup. Far from being simply fruity, the style emphaizes the soothing, mouth-coating feel of the wine.
Production has doubled and the price has risen in this latest vintage, but Portlandia has yet to land on a consistent identity for its Pinot Gris. This shows apple and pear fruit, showing more than a touch of skin contact flavors, with some bitterness drifting through the finish.
Arinto is a grape that has just crossed the Tejo river from the western Lisboa vineyards. In this wine, it seems to have preserved its fresh and crisp character that is bright and packed with lemon and grapefruit flavors. Drink now.
This is an attractive wine that is given a perfumed lift by the inclusion of Malvasia Fina in the blend. It is fresh and young, emphasizing the crisp character and chalky texture typical of the Douro whites. The wine is cool, fruity and will be better enjoyed from summer of 2016.
Aromas of wet dog and a whiff of skunk are hardly the stuff of legend. In the mouth, this is well cut and crisp, with fresh acidity and a controlled bubble bead. Briny flavors of celery, lettuce and scallion finish fresh, green and lean.
Old-vine Oregon Zinfandel is not common; in fact, this is all of them. From the Pines Vineyard, planted around a century ago, revived in the 1980s, these wines have a power and unique presence that sets them apart from Zin from anywhere else. Ultraripe fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry jam, alcohol above 15%, amazing density and beautifully managed tannins, with some sweet grain flavors that say “old vines.”
The best of the 2008 batch of Trapiche single-vineyard Malbecs is this one from Jorge Miralles' vineyard. Dark, smoky and elegant on the nose, with blackberry, cassis and toasty spice flavors. It's juicy, deep and balanced, with a long, sultry, smooth finish. Pure and showing nary a fault. Drink now through 2015.
Generally considered the best of the best single vineyard Pinots from Sineann, this new Resonance is—to quote the late, great Robert Palmer—simply irresistible. Fresh fruit flavors of strawberry, raspberry, sweet cherry and more roll into a lingering aftermath with nuances of cinnamon, cola, chocolate, nougat, coconut and caramel. None of this is overwhelming; the fruit rules. But the finesse and length, which sneaks up on you, are impressive.
New wood gives this wine a polished feel, its berry fruits pushing through dense tannins. It is balanced in the sense that fruit and wood are coming well together, but this impressive wine needs several years' aging.
The Dão region has some superb expressions of Touriga Nacional and this is one of them. With its richly perfumed fruit, dusty tannins, spiced damson and blueberry flavors, this is a great wine, ready for drinking in another 4–5 years.
A stunning wine loaded with nuance and complexity, Fusion V is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec, 7% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Spicy accents of leather, tobacco and cured meat add intrigue to the dark fruit core, while pepper and sweet licorice spice infuse the long finish. It's textured like crushed velvet with a firm structure of dusty tannins that linger. Drink now–2014.
Now well-established as a Douro classic, this latest vintage of Chryseia shows the same concentration and dense tannins while bringing an extra element of elegance and balance. This gives the wine obvious aging potential, over at least 6–7 years.
A little sharp smelling, with earth, leafiness and rubbery aromas. In the mouth, it's round and fairly balanced, with juicy acidity and herbal-olive flavors along with blackberry. Dark and herbal on the finish.
Big, oaky and roasted up front, with charred aromas. The palate is full but clacky, with piercing acidity leading to a saucy, sharp set of tangy red berry and herb flavors. There's a chocolaty element to smooth things out on the finish, but it's always snappy and sheer.
A bit sharp and rubbery at first, with herbal, floral, berry aromas rising up in due time. The palate is a little rigid, with angular acidity and semitart raspberry and red currant flavors. Lightly toasted on the finish even if there's not much oak on this regular, competent CS.
More herbal and plodding than prior vintages, with slightly pickled, briney flavors of blackberry, plum, olive and cough drop. Good in the mouth, with proper size and balance. Finishes a little green and peppery, but that's Carmenère, folks, like it or leave it.
The nose is a bit soapy and medicinal with aromas of violets candies, mushy black cherry and a touch of acetone. The mouth offers more high toned fruit flavors with a sharp, skinny finish. Drink now.
Standard value-priced Chilean Syrah in that it's herbal and leafy on the nose, with a mix of olive, earth, spice and dried red fruit aromas. The palate is a bit stretched out and tannic, while the flavor profile is pure olive, herbs and dried cherry. Finishes solid but herbal.
Dark, muscular and concentrated, with char, rubber and blackberry aromas. Thick but not soupy, with big tannins and firm acids. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and dark plum are drawn, leaving an oaky, minty finish. A good but arguably overextracted organic Shiraz.
This red blend, made of 65% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre and 7% Tannat is a fresh and fruity wine that's ready to drink now. Dark berries and a touch of sweet oak flesh out the mouth, with a clean and refreshing finish.
Light and murky, with a flavor mix of tomato, vegetable juice, celery, barely ripe berries and thin acids. That sounds worse than it is; taste this alongside a Bourgogne from a big shipper in a cool vintage and you wouldn't see much difference. The alcohol here is listed at just 12.5%. It's a serviceable everyday wine, but not priced accordingly.
This rare Greek variety expresses itself here with aromas of lime and quince, and fresh green flavors of citrus and cucumber. Refreshing but also creamy. A unique wine that will pair well with grilled fish or octopus.
Hallmark flavors of peach, pear, citrus and spice lead this Chardonnay from Ktima. Balanced and subdued, its white fruit, floral and citrus flavors will pair well with dishes that need a lighter, easygoing touch.
Tropical fruit notes of pineapple and guava backed by accents of sweet grass and clementine citrus flesh out this white. Lively and slightly prickly on the palate.
Light red cherry-flavored wine from a fine year for Beaujolais. The wine is all juicy fruit, rounded tannins and light, smoky acidity.
Fresh as well as ripe, with layers of toast, creamy pear and red apple flavors. Attractively spicy, ready to drink.
This is a solid and structured wine that is lightened by its juicy acidity. Black currant fruits dominate, giving a fresh character to the wine. The tannins that show through do promise medium-term aging. Drink from 2014.
A concentrated, ripe wine, full of toasty new wood flavors as well as dark berry tannins and acidity. It is dense, full in the mouth and packed with ripe fruit. Drink from 2016.
This is a crisp, floral wine with apple and pear aromas that are unabashedly forward. It has lively acidity and a texture that's crisp, fresh and intensely minerally. Just a touch of creamy vanilla helps to fill the wine out. Drink now and until 2020.
Black currant flavors dominates this wine. The palate is dense with flavor, with firm tannins allied with tense acidity and spicy licorice flavors. It's a ripe wine that shows potential for aging. Drink from 2014. Screwcap.
This delicately spritzy Riesling carries a whiff of orange rind, along with fresh flavors of lightly sweet tree fruits. Tasty on its own, or use it as a mixer for cocktails or punches.
This finely balanced, juicy wine is full of red-fruit aromas and brisk acidity. Juicy and bright with strawberry flavors and refreshing acidity, it's a value wine with great potential. Drink from 2015.
Here's a young Nebbiolo that boasts floral and berry aromas. The palate delivers ripe strawberry and raspberry with a hint of orange peel. Bright and delicious. Saranty Imports, Pleasure Elite.
This is a tremendous value for such a good wine, made by Casey Flat Ranch winemaker Laura Barrett, a medium-textured swirl of grapefruit, melon and ripe orange. Grapes from Lake County also add a  tropical element, just right in the mix.
A hugely fruity wine that is also strongly extracted, with licorice and bitter chocolate aromas over burnt wood. It has weight and a rich, round character, the tannins packed and concentrated. To finish, the wine shows more black fruitiness and a touch of acidity. Drink from 2015.
Soft, rich and rounded, this is a concentrated wine that boasts dark plum and berry fruits along with a tight, mineral acidity. The tannins are already well integrated, making this a wine that is already ready to drink. Drink until 2019.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of red and black berries, bell pepper and cedar. The palate delivers concentrated blackberry, cherry, chocolate and spice. It has rich flavors but lacks freshness and energy.
Green herbs and leaves add freshness to an intense white-floral perfume on the nose of this energetically feminine spätlese. It's ripe and lush, with stone fruit flavor intensified by whispers of bergamot and lemon acidity. Finishes just a shade off dry.
Barrel fermented in neutral oak, this Mendo Tocai Friulano is dry and slightly savory. Aromatic with citrus—mostly lemon—and a crisp taste of lemon on the palate too. A plate of savory, spicy charcuterie and herb-dusted cheeses would pair just right.
Vigna Fraschin has subdued aromas of rose petal and red berry with a tobacco note. The palate is a bit closed but reveals underbrush, mushroom, tobacco leaf and oak. It finishes on a note of espresso.
A tarry, soft, straight-shooting red wine with a subtle herbal component, touch of anise and long finish. There is excitement building in the Sierra Foothills about the potential for Cab Franc and this is a fine place to start exploring. Pair with a meat—chicken, lamb or pork—richly adorned in herbs to bring out the wine's herbal notes more fully.
Milk chocolate and brambly berry aromas leads to a jammy, reduced palate that doesn't come across as entirely dry. Saturated candied berry flavors finish sweet, chewy and a bit hot.
Hints of fresh-pressed apples and pears lend a cidery quality to this semisweet Riesling. It's a bit rustic in style, with streaks of tart lemon and slightly bitter tea tannins framing the finish.
This is a soft, rounded wine, with ripe fruit that seems unfocused. The fruit and the acidity are reticent, not giving the wine much shape. A simple, ripe wine, it can be drunk now.
The tarry herbal aromas and roasted peppery flavors of this medium-bodied wine give it a rather lean taste profile and the texture is moderately tannic.
An aroma like toasted marshmallows and a sweet candied-fruit flavor make this wine taste soft and almost cloying. It has a broad pillowy texture and buttery finish.
Aromas of spicy but sticky ripe black fruits feed into a creamy, almost gooey palate. Notes of clove, cinnamon and brown sugar are amplified alongside candied, jammy berry flavors.
Baby powder and carnation grace the ummy peach and strawberry fruit tones in this wine. It's a touch sharp through the close, while mealy fruit dominates the palate.
This broad wine is soft, indistinct and suffers from overripe fruit. It needs a shot of acidity to give it life and interest.
This lean and bracing wine offers raw cherry and powdered sage notes. Astringent, raspy tannins leave a dry finish.
Peachy aromas are friendly, while the palate has a good feel to it along with green flavors of melon, lime and fresh veggies. Finishes with fruit, dryness and a touch of bitterness, yet in the end it fails to deliver on the promise of the bouquet.
Spicy, buttery aromas lead this lean-style white from Crete. Medium-bodied with a combination of citrus and spices, and a touch of flowers. Angular but interesting.
Big and blasting on the nose, with heat and burn. The palate is high-wire boysenberry and a lot of acid, and ultimately it borders on sour and fiery, which probably isn't the intention. Wiry and piercing for a pricey, 800-case-production Malbec.
Herbal and peppery, with secondary aromas of floral raspberry. Snappy and grassy on the palate, with generic red-fruit flavors at the base. Candied and fairly weak on the finish.
Light apple aromas lead to a sweet, mildly candied palate of monotone apple flavors. Acidity is up there, so there isn't any overt thickness or chunkiness to the wine. Rudimentary and quaffable.
This Chardonnay, Viognier and Vermentino blend from Lebanon starts with aromas of candied allspice, flowers and toast. On the palate, the wine offers soft, subtle flavors of spice, flowers and vanilla. Unusual but approachable—pair with poultry, cheeses.
An apple pie type of wine, meaning it's got baked apple, cinnamon and pastry aromas and flavors. The palate is kind of soft and sticky, and with little vital acidity it struggles to keep up. Standard warm-climate Chardonnay.
Hardly in the same class as the more elevated Pargua, this second wine is roasted and murky, and frankly a little dirty. It's as if the ripe, healthy fruit went to the $40 Pargua I and the raisiny, heavy stuff to this. Hence, it's candied, baked, syrupy and hot.
Sweet and honeyed, but flat and cloying. Candied melon and citrus flavors run heavy and chunky, and the finish is more of the same. Big, ripe, sticky and sweet but definitely not elevated in class.
The variety's requisite citrus and green aromas are on display, but they aren't very defined or exciting. Neither is the wet, chunky palate, which may be moderately fresh but doesn't offer much besides basic pineapple, kiwi and green melon. 270,000 cases made.
Tropical and mild smelling, with vague aromas of melon and lychee. The palate is very sweet and sticky, as if some residual sugar had been left in the wine. Cloying late, and while it hints at higher quality, it comes across candied.
This Lebanese white starts with aromas of honey, peach and lemon, offering like flavors in a viscous blend on the palate. Some spice offers lift, but overall the wine has a richer character. A pretty, unfolding finish.
Stemmy and fiery on the nose, with light raspberry aromas. The palate is lightweight and acidic, while the generic palate shows cherry and plum fruit and heat. Plows on through but doesn't register more than the basics.
Full-bodied and aromatic, this richly scented wine beguiles with a mix of brambly fruit and cola highlights. Firm, ripe tannins suggest a sturdy wine ready for the cellar, which nonetheless lets the fruit shine through the peppery finish.
Anyone making Grenache Blanc in California should be encouraged, Terre Rouge's version being a delightfully drinkable mix of apple and peach with a rich, full mouth that finishes crisp. Grown at high elevation (2,200 feet) on the Hawk Creek Vineyard in Sierra Foothills, a small production worth seeking out. And it's only 13% alcohol.
The label includes the words “Original Vines” written along the side, a nod to the history of this limited reserve, gleaned from vines planted by founder David Lett in 1965. It's steely and sharp edged, with sculpted fruit and limited use of new oak. Cellarworthy and distinctive, this wine rewards your attention and patience with unexpected layers of detail.
A delicious wine, very ripe while having great style. It packs concentrated red berry fruits into a textured package that shows acidity, vanilla and final spice.
Red fruits dominate this rich wine. It has great balance and a smooth texture, with red plum, loganberry and caramel flavors. With its structure, it could even age a year.
Wood-aged, sophisticated wine in homage to the present Countess of Santar. This is beautifully smooth with just a hint of oily texture, lime juice and sweet melon flavors. Worth aging another year to bring its great flavors together.
This is the winery's reserve bottling, representing the best five barrels of the vintage. Supple and refined, it frames its young berry fruit flavors in elegant tannins. Nicely focused and still a bit raw, this wine will reward some further years of aging.
Firm tannins give this wine great structure. In a good sense, it has an old-fashioned leathery feel to it, very firm, dry, the fruit showing richness while already pointing towards maturity.
Spicy and showing some sweetness around the edges, presumably from a bit of residual sugar. Lovely fruit is the highlight here, textural and luscious with flavors of pears and apricots. Vivid acidity cuts through the fleshy core.
The Côa valley is at the remote eastern end of the Douro. The wine revels in its firm, mineral, structured character, with acidity, spice and a dry center. There is weight, richness and the potential for aging.
This blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc offers a minty character that prevails among the intense black plum and berry aromas and flavors. Well-integrated, with a decadent crushed velvet texture and a long oak-kissed finish reminiscent of dark chocolate-covered cherries.
The fruit is sourced from Mark Ryan-designated rows in the Lachini Vineyard. Fermented with native yeast in stainless steel, and aged in 50% new French oak, this opens with plenty of green tea-flavored tannins, and an undercurrent of earth and wood, but the Pinot fruit shines through and expands, with notes of cola, cherry fruit and a streak of iron.
With fruit from three Portuguese regions including Dâo and Douro, this herbal and mint- dominated wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. It has elegance, a touch of spice from wood, sweet juicy damson fruits and a lingering finish.
An impressively structured wine, the dense and dusty tannins in fine balance with the big berry fruits. Freshness is preserved by the acidity, the wine's firm character opening up to a delicious, more juicy finish.
A rusty color and stewy aromas of murky berry fruits and cardamom set this off on its own course. Choppy and chunky in feel, this Garnacha tastes stewed, savory and baked, with almost no fruit to speak of. On the finish, this seems roasted.
Jumpy foxy berry aromas get this Garnacha going. Raw hard tannins smack down with ferocity, while this tastes of candied plum, salt, chocolate and something oddly artificial. Dry scratchy tannins make for a rough finish.
This has medicinal herb and adhesive bandage aromas that carry over to the lean palate. Racy acidity and a bitter note give it a firm, brisk finish.
This is a green Cabernet, no two ways of cutting it. The nose is all herbs and bell pepper, while in the mouth this feels ultradry and drawing. A buttery oak flavor is unintegrated and fails to help out underripe berry and pepper notes.
Flat and somewhat disjointed, this wine offers a strong taste of eucalyptus in a light-bodied, simply structured frame.
A briny-smelling nose is lacking in ripe appealing fruit. This feels pithy and oily, while bitter briny flavors come up short on fruit and friendliness. Pyrazines and bitterness control the finish.
Aromas of rhubarb and red-apple skins lead to a flat, fading palate. This tastes saucy, with no vibrancy or fruit character prior to a dying yeasty finish.
Broken-down aromas of haystack and sulfur are sketchy. This feels pinched, citric and rubbery, while salty sour flavors fail to suggest any particular fruit. As a whole, not much good is going on with this Chardonnay.
Funky horsey murky aromas suggest compost and sweaty animal. A blocky grabby palate and disjointed woody and weedy flavors finish with foxy notes. Nothing about this organic wine impresses.
Perfumed with leather and black pepper, this wine is ultimately overly tart and flatly structured.
This medium-bodied wine has a light color, earthy and herbal scents, a tart cherry flavor and a dry finish.
Gold in color then flat and oxidized on the nose, this chunky soft blend of Albariño, Treixadura and Loureira is over the hill. Oxidized stale yeasty flavors are fruitless on the finish.
Color doesn't always mean a lot, but in this case a burnished gold-meets-tan color indicates that this is tired and fading. Aromas of commercial apple juice are sweet but bland. This feels a bit citric but without bounce. The mix of spent lees and cidery flavors finish bready.
Clove and clam shell aromas are strange and not enticing. This feels grabby and scratchy, with a strong covering of clove on top of dry tomato and tart berry flavors. A raw finish is abrasive in feel.
Right from the start, this is all about oak and not about quality fruit, balance or subtlety. Aromas of wood resin, milk chocolate and char lead to a rugged rough palate. Flavors of burnt wood and stewed fruit finish resiny. Year after year, Fagus smells and tastes like this: it's time for a reboot.
Reedy weedy aromas include notes of motor oil and leafy berry fruits. This tastes as weedy as it smells, with underripe herbal berry flavors that never shed an overriding green essence.
This smells confected—neither natural nor convincing. Vanilla and milk chocolate aromas recall a cheap ice cream sundae. This feels scattered and hollow. Plum and chocolate flavors taste artificial and forced.
This yeasty funky Chardonnay is on its last legs. The mouthfeel is mealy and the flavors are dull, yeasty, generic and lightly oxidized on the finish.
This is the latest release of what has long been regarded as Portugal's iconic wine. And it is magnificent. The last vintage was the 2004 and the wait has now shown to be worthwhile. With its immense span and breadth of flavors and rich structure it is a superb manifestation of the great vineyards of the Douro Superior. Big bold fruits and acidity are matched by the tannins and concentration. Hold this for many years or at least wait until 2022.
Green notes reminiscent of tomato leaves accent fig and melon flavors. It's only medium in body, but comes across as otherwise ripe in style, with a medium-length finish.
Plum and berry aromas are leathery and solid. This feels a bit wiry, but full of energy and sharp acidity. Loamy plum and blackberry flavors are boosted by tartartic acidity, while mild herb notes fade on the finish.
Concentrated aromas, generous fruit flavors and full body make this wine engaging and appealing. It has ripe fig and raspberry aromas, lush plum and berry flavors and a velvety texture that leads to to a long finish.
A big, soft and expressive wine, this will appeal to a wide range of palates with its fair price and easygoing tannins and integrated oak. Between the juicy blackberry and blueberry, hits of espresso take it to more luxurious places.
Barrel aromas of vanilla and graphite take the lead. The red-fruit flavors are ripe and jammy. There are plenty of good things going on but they don't quite all come together.
Tropical and stone-fruit aromas mix with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and other barrel spices. The palate is full bodied, with a rounded feel and a finish that carries. It shows some pleasing nuances.
Coffee, purple fruit and barrel-spice aromas lead to full-feeling blueberry and huckleberry-pie flavors. This wine offers a lot of immediate appeal.
Aromas of lime leaf and citrus lead to sleek, dry fruit flavors, speckled with lime notes on the finish. Pair it with shrimp ceviche.
Unusual, high-toned aromas of green herbs, fresh flowers and pomegranate lead to smooth cherry and orange-peel flavors with abundant floral notes throughout. It provides lots of easy-drinking pleasure, though the floral notes at times seem overpowering.
Mandarin orange, jasmine and honeysuckle aromas leap up. It drinks medium dry with a broad feel and a floral lift on the finish. The palate wants a bit more acid but this wine is appealing.
Bristling lime acidity and savory tones of herb and smoke contrast ripe tangerine and cantaloupe flavors in this dry single-vineyard Riesling. It's a concentrated, powerful wine, but feels tart and tight still, suggesting aging till at least 2016 would be best.
Drizzles of honey coat the bounty of sun-kissed tangerines, apples and pears in this lip smackingly sweet Riesling ice wine. Dusty mineral tones and a welcome bite of astringency frame a long, meandering finish.
A tiny-production wine at the producer's higher end of pricing and intent, this offers juicy red fruit around dense, sizable tannins that are on the way to being integrated and resolved. There's a softness on the palate and it finishes with a note of cinnamon.
A blend of Perricone and Nerello Mascalese, this juicy red opens with aromas that recall ripe berry, Mediterranean spice and an earthy whiff of tilled soil. The firm but accessible palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry and baking spice. Velvety tannins provide the framework.
Violets, lilacs, black pepper, blackberry paste and hot asphalt show on the nose of this 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah blend from the appellation in the heart of Monterey County. The palate is ripe and juicy with boysenberry and blackberry fruits, wrapped up in a tannic asphalt structure.
Dark-skinned berry, blue flower, leather and an earthy hint of game come together in the glass. On the straightforward palate, dusty tannins support fleshy black cherry, crushed blackberry and a hint of clove while a tarry note provides back up.
High-toned aromas of herbs, dark coffee, blue fruit and orange peel are followed by saturated black-fruit flavors.
Fruity and floral aromas of blackberry and violet lead the nose along with a trace of kitchen spice. The easygoing palate presents juicy black cherry, spiced blueberry and a white pepper note alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
Aromas of white flowers, tangerine, honey and ginger are vibrant on this cryo-frozen wine. The flavors are sweet, tapering toward the finish.
Sangiovese from this appellation is quite a rarity. This one offers aromas of vanilla, coconut and dark cherries that are followed by full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. The variety gets lost in the oak but it still brings appeal.
Generous streaks of caramel and honey seem to glaze this delectably sweet late-harvest Riesling. It's lusciously ripe, dripping with autumnal flavors of freshly pressed apples and pears, but bright tangerine acidity offers balance.
Let this wine open in the bottle or glass to reveal a mix of spicy cinnamon, dark chocolate and berry crumble that's entirely inviting. Soft in texture, the body is full and generous in weight and length, representative of its mountain roots.
Grenache (38%) takes the lead followed by Mourvèdre (34%) and Syrah, with the fruit coming from Seven Hills and Les Collines vineyards. Blueberry pie, herb and spice aromas are followed by extracted blue and black-fruit flavors that bring some warmth along with them.
A rather neutral nose unfolds into fresh, light-bodied citrus on the palate. This is ultralight with lots of lemony zip and a refreshing finish, here and there is a notion of pepper and pear.
Exuberant aromas of fresh pineapple, mango and guava introduce this intensely fruity, tropical Chardonnay. While ripe in style, it's refreshingly lithe in texture, offering easy drinking refreshment alongside concentrated fruit flavors. Drink now–2017.
Thick tannins obscure some of the richer flavors trying to burst through in this wine, a mix of blackberry, black olive and cedar. Full bodied and generous in every way, it finishes with a slow drag of smoke.
Unusually toned down on the nose for Sauvignon Blanc, the palate offers some slight glimpses of fresh citrus and intimations of distant passion fruit. In the face of the challenging 2014 vintage, this is ultraclean and very refreshing: a zippy, light-bodied summer wine.
A blend of 60% Pinot Nero and 40% Nero d'Avola, this offers aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, violet and a whiff of dark spice. The straightforward, linear palate shows dried black cherry, blackberry and a ground pepper note alongside polished tannins.
Lithe and lean, this zesty off-dry wine offers citrusy refreshment with just a touch of mineral complexity. Sweet-tart tangerine and grapefruit pith notes linger moderately long on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Aromas of dried apricot, almond and pressed jasmine lead the nose. The firm palate offers fig, chestnut honey and a hint of baking spice. Pair it with vanilla ice cream or cream filled pastry.
Made from organically grown grapes, a mix of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Franc, this is a grippy, structured and full-bodied wine, youthfully exuberant in power and oak. Chocolate, black cherry and dried herb inform the flavors and aromas.
Quiet apple and spice aromas are solid but sort of bland. This feels good but things foam up a bit on the palate. Slightly funky flavors of cured ham, salt and green banana finish long.
Tart raspberry acidity casts an electric vibe onto ripe blackberry and cherry flavors in this wine. It's vivaciously fruity and lushly textured yet firmly structured, held upright by fine-grained, penetrating tannins. The finish is brisk and clean.
Ripe cherry, cassis, animal and smoke aromas are staunch. Saturated, drawing and highly tannic now, this needs age. Currently, flavors of medicinal cherry and cassis run deep and strong. Toasty, chocolaty, minty finishing flavors add to a simmering whole. Drink through 2024.
This wine comes from the producer's 100% organic farm, 55 acres of its 356 planted to vines. It shows balance and grace, the grapes having enjoyed extended maceration on their skins, then let to age in mostly stainless steel, and a tiny amount of neutral oak. Light, crisp and simple, it offers a length of melon and stone fruit.
Aromas of peach and lime are followed by a sleek, crisp, off-dry palate with a long, lemony finish. A light spritz perks it up nicely.
The variety announces itself, with pleasing aromas of plum, boysenberry, black pepper and dried herbs. The flavors are elegant and show a dazzling sense of purity.
This opens with enticing scents of rose, iris and perfumed berry. The firmly structured palate offers ripe black cherry, white pepper, licorice and clove alongside drying, austere tannins that leave a rather grainy finish.
Baked blueberry pie, vanilla and anise notes are quite inviting, albeit more cooked than fresh on the nose. That baked-fruit character paints the palate too, with black plum, black cherry and vanilla-laced fudge, showing prettier lavender touches on the edge.
Juicy wild berries and black raspberries are leveled by touches of asphalt and vanilla on the nose of this small-batch garagiste bottling. Graphite and tar add minerality to the palate, though the sip is dominated by hot-out-of-the-oven elderberry pie. Lavender adds florality.
Crushed stone, clove, dark-skinned berry and Mediterranean herb aromas emerge. The palate is rather shy, offering sour cherry, licorice, white pepper and mineral framed in firm acidity and assertive, fine-grained tannins.
Exquisitely ripe Mirabelle plums on the nose are joined by crisp, green Conference pear on the palate and make for a wonderfully appetizing contrast. The finish is clean. This is probably exactly the sort of easy-drinking Grüner that inspired Austria's epic wine songs.
Pleasing aromas of fresh pear, tropical fruit, melted butter and vanilla are followed by rounded pear and vanilla flavors that show a light touch.
This bottling is adorned with one of the prettiest and most interesting label designs on the market right now. Tropical aromas of pineapple, jasmine and ripe white peach are leveled by squeezed tangerine and orange-blossom scents. Lime juice shows first on the sip, followed by waves of kiwi, green papaya and a touch of mango.
This wine is composed of five varieties, with none making up more than 21% of the blend. Fresh aromas of berry, cranberry, red currant and herbs are followed by fruit-forward cherry and berry flavors that bring appeal.
Slightly foxy on the nose, with rubbery aromas of cherry and cassis, this offers a tight, tannic palate with hard, elastic tannins. Flavors of cherry and cassis are pleasant, while the finish is ripe, warming and healthy.
This wine is dry and rather full bodied, starting with fruity aromas like banana and coconut then seguing to more nutty, oaky, complex flavors and a rich texture. It's a serious dinner wine with heft and substance.
Blossom and berry notes are accented by hints of smoked nut in this refreshingly light-bodied wine. Zesty and lithe on the palate, it's an ideal summer-to-fall apéritif or porch sipper. The moderately long finish is marked with a hint of waxy florals.
A touch blossomy against a core of ripe raspberry and cherry perfume, the nose on this traditional-method Pinot Noir sparkler is particularly alluring. The palate is elegant and fresh, marked by fine, mouthfilling mousse and delicate raspberry-candy finish.
An earthy hint colors the pear notes which on the palate acquire a fresh, almost floral quality. The earthy tone of yeast and miso provides a counterpoint to the zesty, lime-peel freshness. The finish is clean-cut and very refreshing.
Aromas of coffee, barrel spice and dark-blue fruit lead to rich, full-bodied blackberry and spice flavors. It's not for the faint of heart but delivers a lot of enjoyment.
Yellow pear, fresh-squeezed lime, light mint and wet-cement aromas show on the brisk nose of this bottling by veteran Adam Tolmach. A grippy texture and lively acidity frame the palate, where green apple and lime flavors show. It's clean, pure and easy.
This Tempranillo-based pinkie is quite inviting and tightly textured, with aromas of orange shave ice, strawberry cream, watermelon and cement. It is extremely zesty and lively once sipped, offering easy-to-drink raspberry and melon notes. It's great for all sorts of food, from spicy to rich.
The aromas of whole lime, flowers, jasmine and watermelon Jolly Rancher pop. It drinks off dry, with floral flavors that carry through the finish.
Smoky aromas and a bold apricot flavor give this dry and seemingly light-bodied wine a distinct personality. Fermented in small concrete egg-shaped vats, it's far from simple and fruity, and instead offers great acidity and a tangy, tempting, appetizing personality.
Coffee, toasted oak, coconut and raspberry confiture aromas lead the way. On the dense palate, dark chocolate, oak and licorice accent fleshy black cherry while fine-grained tannins provide support.
Aromas of apricot and white spring flower lift out of the glass. The apricot note follows through to the palate, along with yellow peach, honeydew melon and almond, all framed in bright acidity. This one closes on a flinty note.
Aromas of baking spice, clove and dried red fruit lead to full yet elegant flavors that coat the palate. It doesn't quite stand up on its own but should do well at the dinner table.
A heavy dose of petrol is the aromatic greeting, and it comes with hints of rubber, latex and waxy white fruits. Feels tangy and fresh due to blazing acidity, while it tastes both of tropical fruits and diesel. Long and chiseled on the finish.
Yellow tinted, which announces that this wine was barrel aged. And that barrel character is huge on the nose, which smells of raw oak, vanilla and dried cheese. Feels creamy, but the acidity is lively as well. Shows flashes of brilliance but also fights to absorb all the wood that's been thrown at it. A quality wine but definitely not for everyone.
From a mix of southern Oregon vineyards, this vintage was harvested at pretty low sugar levels (22.7º brix). It is light, and elegantly designed—definitely a wine for every day drinking. Along with spare berry fruit is a hint of nougat from a tiny percentage of new oak.
Neutral on the nose, with modest sweet berry aromas but not much more. Feels heavy and buttery, with baked berry flavors bolstered by loud oak that tastes buttery and creamy. Chunky, ripe, buttery and sweet on the finish.
A straightforward, well-priced wine with hints of cola spice, dark cherry and strawberry vanilla that'll go down easy and pair with all kinds of lighter fare. Made from organic grapes.
Lightly strawberry colored and flavored, this is a wine with a hint of tannin as well as bright, fresh fruit. While it could age for another year in bottle, it is a food-friendly sparkler that should pair well with rich seafood.
Crisp apple aromas are light and minerally. Feels citrusy and lifted on the palate, with melon, apple and barrel spice flavors. Mildly oaked but not heavy on the finish, with a fresh overall approach.
Rubbery, generic berry and red-fruit aromas are decent, nothing more. This Garnacha-Tempranillo blend feels fresh, lean and wiry, with raw flavors of plum and red-berry fruits. A high-toned racy finish is the opposite of plush.
Raw herbal crisp aromas of currant and red cherry are a touch green. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo is dry on the palate, with clamping tannins. Rooty spicy flavors of tomato and clove finish rough and with mild heat.
Aromas of vanilla, coconut and wood spice lead to wood-filled flavors. The barrel notes are in complete control.
Cherry and plum aromas are a touch grassy on this compact but extracted Monastrell. Cherry and black-plum flavors rumble away on a grabby rubbery tannic finish. This is a big loud warm-climate wine where elegance and finesse are not factors.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling boasts cedar-driven aromas augmented with rust, strawberry, leather and lava rock scents. The palate leads with cigar-like tobacco notes, building toward heavy red fruit and framed by sticky tannins.
A subtly earthy, dusty minerality mingles into pressed apple and lemon flavors here. It's rustic in style but spry and light bodied, finishing on a delicate honey-lemon note. Drink now.
This blend of 69% Syrah and 31% Grenache is smoky and oaky, with a strong charred meat flavor that obscures its lightly ripe strawberry fruit. The finish is simple and light.
The aromas are up front, with barrel notes of char, vanilla, coconut and baking spice followed by cigar box. The wood really shows through on the palate as well, with the tannins bringing a strong sense of astringency.
This is a rich wine, just beginning to mature. With berry fruits, some firm tannins and acidity, the wine is ripe, still showing some stalkiness and with a dry firm aftertaste. Drink starting from 2018.
Lean and linear, this offers white spring flower and citrus impressions. It's simple but well made and refreshing.
Subdued acacia flower, toasted nut and dried aromatic herb aromas lead the nose while the palate offers yellow apple skin flavors and a hint of citrus zest. Bitter almond marks the lean finish.
Full bodied, dry and warmly fruity, this ripe-tasting and lush-textured wine has just enough tannin to add a little grip to each sip.
This wine balances honeyed sweetness with intense acidity to give a wine that would be best as an apéritif. It is light and poised, finishing crisp with orange-marmalade flavors.
A Bordeaux-style blend, it's half Merlot, the rest split between the Cabs. Suggestions of sweaty, funky aromas lead into a core of sweet candied fruit. It's a bit disjointed, fine for glugging, not for keeping.
Baked aromas of raisin are not uncommon for this winery's reds. This has Amarone-like weight backed by flavors of prune, black pepper and medicinal cherry. Heat is a factor on a grapy finish. This Cabernet-Malbec blend doesn't tread lightly.
This Merlot-based rosé is a bit on the sweet side. It's juicy and simple, with red plum fruit that finishes with enough acidity for balance.
Intense rose, iris and aromatic herb aromas are the highlight of this wine. The palate isn't as expressive, offering raw sour cherry, powdered sage and excruciatingly astringent tannins that dry out the mouth. It lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak.
The wine smells and tastes like fresh, crisp pippin apples, has a lively, refreshing texture and soothing fruity aftertaste.
Hints of smoked nuts and vanilla spice lend dimension to this soft supple cherry bomb. Semisweet and low in alcohol, it's a dependable porch sipper with a subtle edge of savoriness.
Deep cherry-red in the glass, this wine proffers a bouquet of strawberry, coffee bean and anise. It is very bright for a red wine and a touch tart, with flavors of cranberry, eucalyptus and mocha. Almost imperceptible tannins linger through the zesty finish.
Apricot blush in color, this wine has aromas of tangerine and strawberry. Flavors of tangerine, orange blossom and grapefruit persist into the bright finish.
Soft red fruits dominate this only lightly structured wine. It is more about juicy Pinot Noir, fruity with raspberry and red-currant flavors. Dryness at the core of the wine adds shape. The wine is ready to drink.
Though the vineyard sits at 1,100 feet, hints of tropical fruits give this wine a ripe feel. Pineapple and mango mingle with crisper citrus flavors, yielding a wine that is both fresh and ripe. Drink now.
With a high percentage of Malvasia in the blend, the wine has an attractive floral character that softens and fills out the mineral texture. It is crisp while ripe, finishing with vibrant acidity. Drink now.
Azal is one of most widely planted vines in Vinho Verde. It gives an attractive wine, with high acidity. This wine is crisp with lemon and with a tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of French oak, toast, menthol and coconut while the lean palate offers mint and a hint of dark spice. It lacks fruit richness while bracing tannins grip the finish.
This sturdy, homespun red blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon pushes spicy cherry flavors ahead of earthy tannins set on a bed of rock. It's a fine, all-purpose barbeque red.
While jasmine and tropical fruit aromas show nice concentration on the nose, there's a bit of a chemical undertone. The weighty palate in punchy in character, with Juicy Fruit gum, banana and canned peach flavors.
This Malbec-Cabernet Franc blend is topped with heavy oak that lends a burnt, chemical character to the nose. Tight across the palate, with hard tannins, this tastes dry and oaky, with barrel-driven berry and cassis flavors. Dry, woody, edgy and a touch hot on the finish.
This intentionally spritzy wine is crafted for immediate drinking. The fruit flavors fall under the heading generic white wine. Best enjoyed chilled, perhaps with toasted almonds or a soft cheese.
A lemon flavored wine that is soft and fruity. With its zesty, tight texture and really crisp acidity, the wine is lively and crisp. Drinkable now, it will be better from early 2017.
An aroma like fresh-baked bread and flavors like tart apple and nutmeg mean this medium-bodied wine is subtle in a good way, and has a bright mouth-feel. The Jack on the label is golfer Nicklaus, for whom this wine was bottled.
Vinified in new 500-liter oak barrels, this wine is fresh, fruity and crisp. It has attractive acidity, a strong streak of minerality and lively lemon fruit. With a taut, nervy edge, the wine has a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
Dark berry, toasted hazelnut and menthol aromas lift out of the glass. The tightly wound palate is still rather closed and on the lean side in terms of fruit richness, but slowly reveals sour cherry, licorice and a note of ground pepper. A tannic backbone provides structure.
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.
Lightly prickly on the tongue, this is a refreshing, almost dry wine. It is bright, lively and fruity with citrus and crisp apple flavors. The wine is light and bright with plenty of acidity at the end.
A pop of peach and candied banana emerge from the glass. There's a nice roundness to the palate that's held in check by a lively stream of acidity, with additional notes of banana and a hint of butter.
This new Pinot is quite light in color, and hits the palate with a mix of tart cranberry and bitter herb. In 2012, a fruit-forward vintage, it seems slightly underripe, and thins out quickly.
This cool, mineral-textured wine has crisp fruit. It is refreshing while still tight, with a firm structure. It likely will remain nervy, taut and dominated by citrus. Drink from 2017.
While the wine is rich and fruity, it also a cool, crisp edge that comes from the nearby ocean. Red-berry fruits are shot through with acidity and a dry core of tannin. The pepper and spice flavor probably comes from the high alcohol.
In the same family since 1835, this estate in Pouilly-Fuissé also makes wines in other surrounding appellations. This wine, with its soft and full white fruit, gentle structure and just enough acidity, is developing fast and will be ready from late 2016.
This bright, lemony wine is lightly mineral as well as fruity. A crisp apple character gains even more tightness from a shot of lime juice. The wine is ready to drink, light and refreshing with a buttery aftertaste.
A minuscule amount of this wine was made, all of it fermented entirely in stainless steel. The result is lively in mouthcoating acidity and refreshing swirls of light-bodied mandarin orange and lime.
Aromas of espresso, underbrush, leather, dark spice, mature black-skinned fruit and a suggestion of oak lead the way. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, mocha, vanilla and star anise alongside fine-grained tannins that leave a dusty finish.
The blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 15% Malbec has well-balanced tannins and scents of black raspberry, vanilla and caramel. Sweet vanilla, cherry pie and blueberries are the predominant tastes.
This untraditional blend works well, with the leathery 25% Merlot component restraining the boisterous fruit of the 75% Zinfandel. The nose mixes gravel, black-cherry blossom, mint and black cardamom, while the palate is both ripe and grippy, with olallieberries, plum-skin tannins, woody elderberries and vanilla bean. It's quite complex and dynamic.
Complex and well balanced, this wine shows enticing aromas of fruits, spices and subtle herbs followed by tangy, dry, and slightly lean flavors like cranberry and rhubarb. It will be great with a roast fowl of some kind and should mellow more with time. Best after 2018.
Blended from grapes from a range of different soils, this open, generous wine has richness and a structure that comes from the ripe apple and gooseberry fruits. The wine is textured and deserves to age. Drink from 2017.
Leafy underbrush, scorched earth, porcini mushroom and dried plum aromas lead the nose. The firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry confiture and licorice alongside assertive, tightly-packed tannins. Drink 2018–2024.
In a small field of excellent Cavas, this bready, leesy, semi-rich bottling stands out for its totality and comfort on the palate. Along the road are aromas of burnt banana and toasted bread along with flavors of arugula, lime and dried apple. An elegant finish with stone-fruit and green-herb notes is sophisticated.
Caramelized oak makes a statement in this wine that starts out richly and roundly, but finds a sense of balanced acidity in the glass. Medium bodied, it features classic notes of Meyer lemon and Gravenstein apple.
This release comes from the producer's own Durell Vineyard, specifically two blocks consistently used for this wine. Powerful ripeness and showy fruit rise on the nose and palate first, with an explosion of coconut water and burly oak. The wine was given 15 months in French oak, half of it new. Almonds, oranges and lemon rind combine before a dry finish. Drink now through 2021.
Mounds of decadent chocolate and cassis round out a smoothly textured wine dotted in dried herb and black olive, coming together in firm tannin and integrated acidity. The finish is leathery.
The cherry, herb and barrel spice aromas are quite brooding at present. The fruit flavors are all about elegance of expression, showing pleasing complexities and plenty of hang time on the finish.
Steely and perfumed, this wine sees only 20% new French oak, remaining vibrantly fresh. Baked apple and lemon pith veer into grapefruit on the palate, with spiciness to the finish that's both brash and loud.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with aromas of violet, mature plum, espresso and a whiff of forest floor. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper, toast and clove while packed, fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink through 2020.
With its light color and cool feel, this well-balanced wine comes from a parcel of 30-year-old vines. The smoky tannins and intense acidity give a wine that will develop well and slowly. It's still young with its red-berry fruits and fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
There's a lot to like in this nicely priced white, a blend of several regional vineyards. A taste of hazelnut expands on the palate to meet creamy Tahitian vanilla. Approachably round, this crowd-pleasing wine finishes in measured, integrated oak.
The name of the wine (land of the angels) is inspired by the fact that monks first planted the slope. More prosaically, it is a delightful wine, fresh and crisp with tight acidity that promises to soften to bring out the citrus and ripe pear flavors. Drink from 2017.
Ripe and creamy, this has rich pear and apple fruits lightly cut by more lemon flavors. The wine is fruity, textured with minerality and still young. Drink from 2017.
Wild-berry, truffle, leather, menthol and sunbaked soil aromas lead the way. Tightly wound but ripe tannins wrap around the firmly structured palate, underscoring mature Morello cherry, black raspberry, white pepper, licorice and chopped Mediterranean herb. A subtle hint of game closes the finish. Drink 2019–2026.
Spine-tingling acidity is offset by pristine white peach and pear notes in this intensely mineral dry Riesling. An homage to Eugenia Frank, wife of Dr. Konstantin Frank, it's seemingly delicate in stature yet persistent and penetrating, finishing with cool, steely focus.
This savory blend of 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah opens with aromas of roasted coffee bean, leather, tobacco and dark woodland berry. The chewy palate offers juicy plum, cassis and clove alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2019.
Orange blossoms, petrol and 7-Up aromas show on the soft but punchy nose from this single-vineyard bottling. The palate is texturally intriguing with a pithy grip, as dry flavors of tart apples, chalk and pink lemonade meld for a classic and age-worthy profile.
Tense with acidity and dense in firm tannins, this fun, affordable wine needs time to unwind after opening. Once aired, it shares notes of black tea, licorice and a twine of leather around thick, shy fruit, most notably cranberry.
There is a toasty aroma in this wine that comes from a premier cru next door to Chassagne-Montrachet. This toastiness continues into a spicy, toasty note. A good sense of fruitiness gives the wine a ripe and rich character that will allow it to mature well. Drink from 2017.
Buy this for its balance and welcome sense of restraint that gives way to richness on the finish. Crisp apple and light citrus aromas, then nicely concentrated and similar flavors, put an attractive spin on this medium-bodied, fresh and appealing wine.
Sunbaked earth, ripe berry, baking spice and a whiff of menthol meld in the glass. The juicy palate offers red cherry, pomegranate, star anise, mocha and a hint of tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins.
Ripe dark-skinned berry, forest floor and cooking spice aromas lead the nose along with a whiff of new leather. The chewy palate offers fleshy black cherry, cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of tobacco while polished tannins provide the framework. This is already accessible so no need to cellar it for years. Best through 2021.
Charred, smoky aromas are dominant on the nose. Strong tannins overpower baked fruit aromas and oaky and herbal tones.
There's a preponderance of ripeness in this wine, the fruit tasting of baked blackberry and tar.
The wine is rounded and soft with attractive berry fruits and wood aging. It's fruity with juicy acidity, black currant freshness and a dry core that will allow it to age 2017–2018.
Tightly herbaceous, this light and crisp wine is all citrus and gooseberries, with a tangy lemon zest texture. Drink now.
The wine is ripe, soft and spicy. It has a rustic feel, disclosing earthy aromas and almond and spice flavors. Light acidity keeps the wine fresh, although already it is showing signs of maturity. Drink now.
Rustic in character, this wine shows a bit too much alcohol, manifested by burnt and pepper notes. The acidity works hard to bring balance but ultimately is overpowered by the weight of the wine.
Hints of lemon and blossom invigorate earthier, savory tones of nuts and pressed apples in this dry, medium-bodied Pinot Blanc. It's slightly restrained on the palate, finishing briskly on a smoky walnut-skin note.
A quite remarkable mauve-pink in color, this offers faint cherry aromas. It's nearly sweet on the palate, with strawberries and hard red berry candy flavors.
Spicy and fruity, this is a bright, fresh wine with a light touch of sweetness. Gentil is a category that blends any number of the Alsace varieties together. It's aromatic, crisp at the end while keeping softness. Drink now.
Tawny fruit leather and cooked red cherries scent this brick-rimmed wine made from Baco Noir. With flavors of dried leaves and figs, it feels overtly mature for its youthful age.
Initially this Cab smells grassy and downright green, yet berry aromas rise up after time in the glass. An awkward, heavy palate is home to heavily oaked berry flavors that finish creamy and thick.
Juicy and spicy flavors give a wine that layers fruit and ginger. Blackberries are the dominant fruit while the spice adds a bite that is almost exotic.
The wine is ripe and soft with a body of tannin that sits uneasily within this jammy character. The blend (Merlot 75%, Cabernet Franc 25%, Malbec 5%) was aged 30% in barrel and 70% in stainless steel tanks. It is unbalanced and likely to remain so.
Definitely inexpensive, but for a few dollars more, one might find more fruit and texture. This is an earthy, basic quaffer that'll please mostly on price.
Blackberry and rubbery aromas are also leafy and mulchy. The syrupy mouthfeel is heavy, with baked cassis and prune flavors suggesting overripe fruit. Fig, chocolate and sawdust notes come up on a cloying finish.
Toast and dried herb notes lend an oaky tone to pressed apple and pear flavors on this Seyval Blanc. It's dry and full bodied in style, with a bright, lemon-focused midpalate that finishes a bit sour and woody.
Ripe and juicy, this smooth, simple wine is ready to drink. Juicy black currant fruits are polished by the wood aging.
Refreshing but very reserved in flavor, this wine is clean and basic. With a watery color, neutral aromas and flavors, and medium body, the effect is unassuming.
The wood aging dominates this toasty, burnt-flavored wine. The light stalky fruit barely shows. Maybe when the tannins soften in 2015, it will be more approachable.
Oily white-fruit aromas are basic, while the palate has a round mouthfeel and decent acidity. Flavors of brine, white melon rind and citrus finish pickled and bitter.
The over-exuberance of wood aging spoils this wine. With strong spice and equally tannic elements, it's all about the skeleton and not about the flesh of the fruit.
An intensely youthful herbaceous character is at work here. The wine is full of gooseberry, lemon and pink grapefruit flavors, laced with some orange zest. It's very fresh and probably too young, so wait until late 2015.
Along with the typical warmth of an Alentejo wine comes an earthy character that is less attractive. There are juicy rhubarb and redcurrant tones, but they are engulfed by its rustic character. Drink now.
Vanilla and caramel flavors dominate this wine after 12 months in French oak. That means that the fruit is really not allowed to shine. It is firm, very dry and all about spice. A pepper flavor from the alcohol leaves a burn in the mouth.
Viognier is clearly a strong suit at Cowhorn, a biodynamic vineyard and winery in the Applegate Valley of southern Oregon. The aromatic nose is wreathed in seductive scents of flower and fruit. Flavors are a mix of citrus and stone fruits, with a taste of honey that brings added depth, but not sweetness.
A ripe, wood-aged wine, this has a wood element that's intensely spicy and toasty. The weight of the sweet plum fruit and tannins are equally powerful and concentrated. A selection of the best of Château Leret Monpezat, this will need at least five years of aging before it should be touched.
Though the vintage helped create a lighter-than-usual version of this benchmark Pinot, it's beautifully crafted and fully realized. Like Burgundy, it disguises its power in a framework of elegantly defined fruits, acids and polished tannins. Cherry, plum, peach pit, pineapple and lemon oil notes are all in the mix. It's a wine that invites contemplation and rewards your time and attention.
A stunning return to the quality that was seen in 2008, this superb effort bursts onto the palate with brambly berries, sweet herbs, coffee grounds and somewhat stiff, but polished, tannins. It's complex, with a touch of earthiness and generous length. The label reads Willamette Valley, though the vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA.
The best of a very fine flight of 2010 Pinots from Rex Hill, the La Colina offers a succulent mix of crushed flower, berry and liquid rock. The flavors meld beautifully, with vivid, lively acidity that brings a touch of grapefruit. The label reads Willamette Valley, though the vineyard is in the Dundee Hills AVA.
Rich, with a taut, minerally, steely texture, this wine has a fine perfumed character, with notes of white spring flower, intense quince, pear and white currant. The bright acidity adds lift to this concentrated, age-worthy effort.
Rich and fruity, this has a yellow fruit flavor that's touched by a hint of pepper. A tasty edge of acidity balances this full-bodied, concentrated wine.
This rare unclassified growth from Saint-Julien has all of the elegance you would expect, and it balances firm tannins with a classic black-currant flavor. It has dark, structured tannins, with layers of wood and acidity on the fragrant finish. Keep this for many years.
A smooth, wood-matured wine, this shows all of the richness of Braucol and Duras. Named “the spirit,” it is a true evocation of the rugged nature of Gaillac, with a mineral streak and a big black-fruit flavor. Age for 4–5 years.
With its built-in ageability and instant flavor appeal, this bottling may be the favorite of all the 2010s from Bergström. It's complete and delicious, with muscle and depth—a mouth-pleasing mix of berry, cola, sandalwood and earth, plus exotic accents of incense and myrrh.
The Flying Pig is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Bursting with a ripe, succulent cherry flavor, it offers layers of blackberry and spice, with floral highlights of talcum powder and rose. It's has a potpourri tone that dots the long, spicy finish. Perfect for ribs in a sweet barbecue sauce.
This top cuvée made by the Pelvillain family shows typical black Malbec color, and it has an opulent texture that's packed with notes of rich spice, black plum and balanced wood. While the tannins are present, the fruit offers a full, rich character. With its concentration, this will benefit from several years of aging.
The blend includes 4% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It was aged in 80% new oak, but retains its lovely, sweetly floral nose and luscious, berry fruit flavors. Yes, there is plenty of toasty oak goodness, but it's layered in with the fruit and soil flavors. Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable bottle right now, with a good decade or more of aging potential.
The pretty fragrance comes with cotton candy highlights, along with a note of tangy red fruit. It's concentrated and deep, with appealing purity of flavor and the structure to age for over a decade.
Aromas of sugared plum and other blue fruit take the lead followed by cocoa and herbs. The coffee and plum flavors are soft and sweet, going down easy.
This lively, crisp wine gives both intense acidity and great fruitiness. It's bright, with a line of fresh red currant flavors that are delicious and drinkable right now.
This intensely fruity wine revels in its red berry fruits, crisp acidity and general enjoyment of being a summer rosé. It's lively with acidity and a light tang to freshen the aftertaste.
Rose, violet, toast, underbrush, menthol and perfumed berry aromas lead the way on this wine. The palate offers dried black cherry, eucalyptus, ground black pepper and dried sage alongside bracing, rather astringent tannins.
Aromas of spiced plum, coffee, toast and vanilla lead the nose on this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate delivers dried black cherry, roasted coffee bean, black pepper and licorice alongside brooding, tongue-drying tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
This 100% varietal wine comes off as quite ripe. Aromas of woodspice and caramel lead to full-bodied, sweet and quite boozy cherry flavors, with grainy tannins backing it all up.
The oak, a mixture of French, American and Hungarian (with 50% new), takes the lead, with aromas of vanilla bean and toffee out in front of coffee and plum. The flavors are full bodied, sweet and generous, backed by grainy tannins.
Light hints of herbs and fynbos add character to the green melon, plum and grapefruit pith aromas. The palate follows with more of the same, in addition to accents of green plantain and lime leaf. This is direct and lifted, with a clean, brisk finish. Enjoy now.
Forward aromas of savory herbs and fynbos add character to the black cherry and berry core of this wine. It's well balanced, with medium tannins, ample acidity and a crushed-satin texture. Soft hints of toasted oak and mocha unfold on the medium-length close.
Aromas of mature black fruit, tobacco and a hint of leather lead the nose on this structured blend of Sangiovese and 15% Alicante Bouschet, Merlot and Cabernet. The palate delivers dried cherry, licorice and espresso alongside tightly knit, chewy tannins.
A blend of Syrah and Sangiovese, this salmon-colored wine opens with aromas of peach blossom and honeysuckle. The palate doles out juicy red cherry, nectarine, pink grapefruit and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside zesty acidity.
Roasted hazelnut with grilled pineapple and peach carry the aromas and palate of this vineyard-designate Chardonnay. Having spent 11 months in French oak (33% new), the wine shows barrel tones, however a bright acidity helps keep things alive and fresh.
Aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, underbrush and tobacco lead the nose on this full-bodied wine. The ripe, dense palate offers black cherry, cassis, clove and dried hay alongside round tannins.
Here's a refreshing white that offers wispy aromas of white flower and stone fruit. The palate is more expressive thanks to green apple, nectarine, fresh herb and bitter almond. Bracing acidity gives it a vibrant, focused feel.
Rounded flavors of ripe, red apple play about the palate and make for very appetizing if light-bodied drinking. Refreshment is the key factor, as is fruity exuberance. Drink soon.
This 100% varietal wine offers aromas of barrel spices, mint, dried fruit and barnyard. It's full bodied but still shows good deftness.
The wood and alcohol seem to get out front of aromas of plum, raspberry and medicine cabinet. Flavors are sweet and concentrated with a tart, cranberry-filled finish. A lot of good things are going on but they don't quite seem to all come together.
Delicate white peach and pear notes perfume this dry, crisply fruity wine. There's a satisfying weightiness to the palate, but tart lemon notes keep it zesty and spry.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak, orchard fruit and a confectionary note. The full-bodied palate offers candied citrus, nectarine and vanilla alongside bright acidity. A note of white almond marks the finish.
Made from a cool, steep site near the tiny town of Occidental, this white is lemony crisp and quite austere. A food-friendly wine suggestive of star fruit and just-ripe pineapple, it finishes somewhat spicy.
A solid value, this wine contains organoleptic cues reminiscent of Dr. Pepper: cola, cherry and spice. It's medium bodied, with a slightly open-knit but soft texture. Drink now–2016.
Light and clear in color and texture, this wine opens in dirt and earth, along with a touch of baked strawberry. Smooth, juicy and long-lasting, it shows off the vintage's warmer leanings, and is medium bodied and densely lengthy.
Marked by crunchy, just-ripe cherry fruit and some slightly herbal shadings, this nonetheless offers solid value. Thyme and bay notes add nuance, as does the silkiness on the finish. Ready to drink.
Aromas of green apple and orchard blossom are brightened by lemon zest on the nose. The broad palate brings ample weight, balanced by lemony acidity, with ripe melon and peach leading the way.
Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine offers barrel-dominant aromas, with notes of coffee, vanilla and woodspice. The raspberry and cranberry flavors are quite ripe and luscious.
Like most 2012 Marlborough Pinots, this is crisp, with pie cherry fruit leading the way. Hints of campfire and button mushrooms add welcome complexity, ending on a long, mouthwatering note of tart fruit.
Straightforward and refined, this presents a fruity aroma of wild berry and suggestion of Mediterranean brush. The smooth palate offers wild cherry and a hint of savory herb alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
A field of mint is found on the nose of this soft, spicy wine with the gimmicky name, around a core of red cherry and touch of oak. Fresh and bright, it has a suggestion of heft on the finish.
Here's a forward and friendly selection, made from Sangiovese and other native grapes. It offers a floral nose of violet and iris, with delicious wild cherry and spice flavors. This is ready to drink, so enjoy soon.
Lush, ripe wine, full of black fruits and a generous texture. The wine is soft, just a hint of dryness to give it weight and density. Berry fruits, black plums and acidity promise some aging.  Drink from 2014.
This is a solid effort, especially at this price point. The cherry-cola core of flavor grabs your interest quickly, and hangs on with a hint of tobacco in the smooth finish. Some nice acidity adds a touch of minerality.
Very perfumed Riesling, full of white flowers, hedgerow fruits and fragrant acidity. There is a good granular texture to balance this fruitiness giving a ripe wine that can be drunk now.
Tasting of white grapes, this is fruity, lightly spicy and fragrant. It's a rare grape in Alsace which is a shame because its delicate, attractive fruitiness makes it a great apéritif wine.
Fresh and fruity, this is a classic Pinot Blanc, rounded, soft and ripe. It has just a touch of spiced pear along with red apples, and a fine, fragrant layer of acidity.
Rancia Riserva opens with ripe plum, red currant and bell pepper aromas. The palate shows flavors of black fruit, chocolate and soy sauce alongside coffee and oak notes. It has nervous energy and intensity, but should develop nicely over the next few years.
After a whiff of iodine arises, the nose on this blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon offers mostly jammy berry scents in front of a full palate containing zesty acidity. Flavors of red plum, salt, cherry and cranberry finish long and without any excess weight or push.
Standard white-fruit and salinic aromas offer hints of apple and flower blossom. The mouthfeel is more round and full than most Basque wines, while the flavors are a blend of melon and peach. This is quiet and not overly flavorful on the finish, with a hint of seltzer and minerality.
Ripe yellow and white fruits are the dominant factor in this smooth, rich wine. It has good weight, along with a juicy, lemon and zest texture. Not for aging, unlike some Pouilly Fumé, so drink over the next few months. Screwcap.
This is a prime example of clean Verdejo; the nose is minerally and neutral except for notes of nectarine and peach. A lifted, firm, well-cut palate is home to pithy flavors of nectarine, tangerine and melon, while the finish is long and tastes mildly bitter, which is common for the variety.
With pink hints from the skins of the Pinot Gris this wine has honey and canned apricot syrup flavors. The spice and acidity complement each other at the end of this attractive wine.
An elegant Syrah abundant in floral aromatics, demure in forward black and red fruit and a tinge of lavender. On the finish is pepper, the appropriate accent for a tastefully peppery meal.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese offers earthy aromas of violet, plum, leather and meat juice. The palate delivers ripe blackberry, chocolate, orange zest, pepper and nutmeg flavors, all enveloped in smooth, round tannins.
Cassis, mineral, floral notes and aromatic subtleties hint at sophistication and maturity. This is layered and well structured, with exotic spice flavors accenting oaky red-currant and plum notes. The finish is mellow, woody and fresh feeling. Drink now.
This wine comes from Moscatel Graúdo, the most fragrant of the Moscatel family. Certainly very perfumed, it's dry with attractive acidity, and a crisp, floral and lightly spicy character.
The 2010 BlackJack is loaded with tart cranberry and pomegranate fruit flavors. There is a streak of iron and darker notes that come through in earthy, slighted roasted tannins. The complexity is intriguing and adds depth to a rather light vintage.
A structured wine, packed with red fruits and delightful acidity. There is a core of dark tannin and a solid structure as well as the bright freshness at the end. Because it has this structure, it's worth aging for 4–5 years.
This big, ripe wine is well polished with a juicy, fragrant character from the spiced plums. The wood aging has resulted in deceptively soft tannins, and the delicious black fruits are still upfront. This wine could age for 2–3 years.
Loaded with scents and flavors of grapefruit, this leesy, textural Pinot Gris is bracing and mouth-filling. It's definitely on the tart side, but could be paired with a wide variety of fish and poultry dishes.
A sweet, slightly sugary Oregon Riesling that gives a gentle nod to the German Kabinett style. The low (8%) alcohol is the tip-off. The delicate, floral aromas and light stone-fruit flavors make this an ideal summer sipping wine.
Following in the wake of the marvelously ripe 2009 Tendril, this does not carry the same weight and authority. It's well made and accurately reflects the cooler, difficult vintage. Strawberry fruit is lightly coated in chocolaty tannins; the wine remains firm and compact, with medium body and balance throughout.
Almost cool in character, this crisp Douro comes from high-altitude vineyards. The grapes yield a fruity citrus- and pear-driven wine that's minerally, with just the right amount of acidity to push its freshness forward.
This is a bit tarry at first, but gradually opens up to reveal slightly herbal fruit notes of cassis and hints of olive and tomato—very Provençal. It's silky on the finish, so it's easy to drink now and over the next 5–6 years.
A black-hued blend of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira, this is powerful, rich and firmly packed with tannins as well as dense plum and wood flavors. Accents of spice and mint add complexity. The wine will benefit from 2–3 years of aging to soften and round out, but it's drinkable now.
At just 11.2% abv, Bedell's delicate 2011 Cabernet Franc is a remarkable reflection of what good winemaking can do in a difficult vintage. Austere in profile, with tart red-cherry flavors, it's accented by violet florals and an array of mineral tones that add complexity. Soft tannins make for easy drinking.
A fragrant Roussanne that could easily convince doubters that this variety does impressively stand on its own. Exuding honeysuckle, pear and honey, it's crisp and nicely textured with a depth and weight that gives it a sense of fullness but not fat.
Kuwal is a Tempranillo-led blend that's ripe and structured. Cassis, plum and toasty aromas are heady and introduce a big, ripe palate with round tannins, harmony and flavors of coffee, chocolate, spice and blackberry. To no surprise, it finishes jammy and rich. Drink through 2017.
The nose on this Malbec is blue-green, meaning it deals both blueberry and boysenberry but also alfalfa and minty green aromas. The palate feels big and generous, with nice acidity and flavors of pastry, jammy blackberry, molasses and spice. Amid the layered finish, you'll find baked black-fruit flavors and light green notes.
There's a musky leather note that adds intrigue to crisp black-plum notes in this mineral-intense Meritage. Moderately full in body, the palate is concentrated, with pristine fruit balanced by a kick of acidity and ripe tannins.
There is a roasted, slightly burnt scent to this wine, leading into smoky flavors of ground coffee and tar, wrapped around light red fruit.
Whispers of smoke and flint on the nose of this intensely minerally Sauvignon Blanc blow off to reveal a bright, elegantly balanced wine with hints of fresh green grass and stems. It's brisk and refreshing, with an easy drinking feel.
For a basic Chardonnay, this fits the bill. Citrus and peach aromas are standard and clean. The palate is tight and juicy, with no overt oak feel. Flavors of melon and pear have light spice and vanilla accents, while the finish is crisp.
A lightly perfumed wine, this is soft with warm strawberry flavors. The acidity and texture play a supporting role in this ripe, light-bodied wine.
This is a light and fruity wine from J. Portugal Ramos. It's crisp, with lemon and citrus flavor, and bright with grapefruit acidity. Drink now and over the next year.
Golden yellow, with notes of fig, apricot and mint. At 23% residual sugar, it's rich and sweet, but the concentration drops off on the back half.
Produced entirely from Petite Sirah, this wine is dark in color, with notes of cherry, melon and strawberry. It's a bit ponderous but still offers enjoyment.
Based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Manuel Olivier has made a specialty of the wines from the Hautes Côtes in the hills behind the city. This is a light and fruity wine with freshness and some firm, dry tannins, although it's ready to drink now.
A light, perfumed wine with soft tannins and bitter cherry fruits. There is an earthy edge here, and while the wine has brisk acidity, there's an easy texture. It's ready to drink.
White-fruit aromas, brine and clam shell notes get this Albariño going. The mouthfeel is full and lemony. Flavors of pickled, briny citrus and nectarine carry onto the finish. This is at its best now; in 2014 it will not be so good.
This young Tempranillo shows light, pretty strawberry and tart cranberry fruit flavors. It's sharp and herbal, young and tight; a pleasant red that does not show any particularly strong varietal character.
A Cabernet Sauvignon that includes 8% Merlot, Silver Palm is dense and oaky, with round tannins and a big taste of cherry followed by a strong herbal and menthol component. Fairly priced, it's ready to be paired with rib roast.
Very tropical and aromatic, this is a powerfully rich white. It is tangy with sweet oranges, layered with pineapple and apricot. There is a spicy, peppery character that comes from the alcohol.
Tight and focused, this has a fine core of black cherry and cassis. Layers of coffee and dark chocolate are wrapped around the fruit, and the wine is compact and textural. Excellent now, but probably better in a few years.
An excellent Washington Malbec, this spicy delight sets up beautifully on the palate with bright, crisply defined, varietal fruit flavors of boysenberry, black cherry and cassis. Precise and penetrating, with excellent balance, it keeps the barrel flavors light and minimal.
Smoky and earthy smelling, with aromas of tobacco, subtle spice and dried cherry. This feels tight, with more acidity than body at this point in its evolution. Flavors of dried raspberry, plum, earth and brown sugar are solid and classic. Drink now through 2013.
Rusty and mature in color, with earthy, lightly leafy aromas that come with notes of maple and brown sugar. This feels elegant and fit, with classic Rioja flavors of dried red fruit, cocoa and malt. The finish is long and tasting lightly baked. Drink now.
Rich and rounded, this has notes of spice and ripe white and yellow fruit. Immediately attractive, it has complex acidity and a zesty texture. This should be ready to drink in 6 months. Screwcap.
Estate grown, this 100% Syrah has excellent concentration and round, mouthfilling fruit flavors. Cherries and plums are highlighted with baking spices and a finishing wash of rich mocha. Very tasty, forward, and drinking at its best right now.
Good concentration and clear varietal flavors mark this excellent Washington Mourvèdre. The mixed red fruits are well integrated, with a strong vein of mineral, and a finishing wash of vanilla, coffee and chocolate. Lots of barrel flavors to be sure, but the fruit can take it.
Rich and smooth, this wine shows weight with superripe fruit that offers a mellow take on Grüner. With its spice, pineapple and dried apricot flavors, this is both fruity and structured.
There's great richness to the nose, with a seriously decadent and robust apple-pie aroma. The palate shows a bit more balance and restraint, with ripe flavors of fig and melon fleshing out the creamy texture but staying bright thanks to lifting acidity. The evolving finish transitions from fruit to spice and finally ends on a citrus pith flavor.
Ripe fruit flavors of berry and plum are enveloped in spice-cake highlights. The citrus-infused acids bring in a hint of grapefruit and lemon. This is a complex wine, with fascinating components, and beginning to pull itself together.
This is a five-grape blend, with leafy flavors of garden-fresh herbs as well as ripe strawberries and vanilla cream. It's a smooth and immediately pleasing wine, with a velvety finish.
A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot, this bright and grapy effort pleasingly integrates slightly rougher notes of earth, leaf and stem. It all works here, adding texture and detail to the tart berry fruits. Drink in the next 3–5 years.
Pink fruited and light, with an attractive herbal character. The crisp acidity cuts right through the rich mouthfeel.Bright and lively, the finish has a grapefruit note that lends lift.
This is a rich style of rosé, full-bodied and packed with ripe strawberry fruit. As a happy contrast to this richness, it also has a spice and orange zest element that adds both piquancy and final crispness.
Blueberry and cherry on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied red are cheerful and likeable, though overall the wine lacks dimension. An enticing wave of pepper and spice adds to the package. A Cabernet Franc with personality.
This has all of the easygoing, good raspberry and blueberry flavors that a Cabernet Franc should. The nose is rich in raspberry and pepper, and on the palate, the wine has good structure and length. Pair with lasagna or a spiced meat dish for extra appeal.
A full, ripe vanilla- and strawberry-flavored wine that hits the spot for the summer, with an emphasis on dryness, but with a soft, fruity, food-friendly aftertaste.
This has a balance and elegance that recommends it above many New York wines of the same variety. An expressive nose of red berry, coffee, some spice leads into balanced, appetizing flavors of cherry and pepper with a smoky, rich edge. Dry and food-friendly, this has class.
Rooty and on the verge of being overripe, this is yet another 2006 Cabernet from Chile with hot-weather signatures draped all over it. The nose is baked, while the fruit is all sweet black plum and berry with heat on the finish.
Clean but neutral, with decent lift, zest and body. The flavors run sweet to tropical, with pithy notes and a hint of green vegetables on the finish. Very basic and worthwhile, but regular in every sense of the word.
An alluring nose of plum, leather and spice leads on this red, and on the palate, structured, big fruit flavors follow. It's jammy but has grip, and though slightly one dimensional, the wine has character. A good showing.
A dry, but rich, vanilla-and-cream-flavored rosé that shows soft tannins, ripe strawberry and full red plum flavors. The aftertaste is soft, with little acidity.
This wine hits all the right notes—gamy spice, a touch of minerality, savory, rich fruit. A touch of oak adds muscle and the overall package is satisfying.
Starts well, with pineapple and gooseberry aromas, but it doesn't seem that intense or concentrated on the palate. This is a medium-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine that's easy to drink.
This is peachy and a bit oily on the nose, but not harsh or pointed. It feels full and fleshy, with sweet, ripe flavors of melon, citrus and lychee. Long and melony on the finish; drink now.
A full-bodied Roussanne, this tastes like vanilla custard and pineapple. It shows the influence of its 13% Viognier and French oak aging.
An explosion of gooseberry comes first, followed by layers of creamy apricot fuzz and lemongrass, trailed by Lake County's typical acidity. This has balance and texture.
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.
Light, fruity and rounded, this wood-aged wine has white fruit, spice and apricot flavors. It could age a year, but it is delicious now.
This is full-bodied, offering subtle cashew and melon shadings alongside bold pineapple fruit. The oak stands a little apart on the palate, imparting a touch of dryness to the bright fruit. Drink now.
Pretty ripe stuff, marked by hints of stewed berries and chocolate. It's medium to full in body, with soft tannins, yet the acids remain crisp, turning tart almost to the point of being citrusy on the finish.
This deep garnet Kosher blend of 55% Rubin and 45% Merlot is scented with black plum, blackberry and freshly ground black pepper. It flavors are those of dried cranberries and tart cherry. It has balanced tannins with a pleasantly tart finish.
The apple, pear and spice aromas and flavors display freshness. There is no apparent new oak influence, putting the focus on varietal purity. The finish lingers.
Heavily fragrant purple fruit, from baked blueberry to fresh boysenberry jam, meets with melted dark chocolate, black rocks and mint leaf-topped cola on the nose of this Tannat, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot blend. Blackberry juice, caramel cream and coffee flavors show on the palate that is laced with soft tannins and a ton of acidity.
Forward berry aromas are more clean and fresh than complex. On the palate, this is similar, with bold, freshening acidity. Flavorwise, this leans into the black-fruit spectrum, while mint, spice and peppery flavors grace the finish.
Crushed blue flower, ripe plum and baking spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this polished red. The round, chewy palate offers ripe black cherry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside sleek tannins. Drink soon to capture the juicy fruit.
Named after the road on which the winery sits, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Coffee, herb and cherry aromas are followed by black olive and cherry flavors with the Syrah expressing itself prominently.
Barrel spice, violet, tobacco and earth aromas are followed by blue- and purple-fruit flavors, with the tannins showing a surprising amount of softness and suppleness for the variety. It's a mixture of intrigue and delivery, with a finish that glides.
Aromas of leather, scorched earth, mature plum and a whiff of mocha lead the way. The forward palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, grilled herb and a hint of tobacco accompanied by polished tannins. It shows the heat of the vintage so drink sooner rather than later.
D. Ventura's 2012s succeed in capturing the elegance of Ribeira Sacra Mencía. This shows aromas of brick dust, spice, tomato, animal fur and dried cherry. The palate is fresh and direct, with punchy raspberry and plum flavors that turn tangy and lean on a quick finish.
This is an attractively herbal rendering of Côtes du Rhône Villages, offering hints of flowering thyme, sage and rosemary that are rounded out by flavors of just-ripe cherries. It's a medium-bodied wine, with a long on the finish.
Coming from a single vineyard, this rich wine has concentration as well as ripe yellow and green fruits. It's a wine to age for a few more months to bring out all its complexity. Drink from 2017.
Syrah takes the lead on this blend followed by a healthy dose of Mourvèdre. It's the latter that is initially evident, with generous white-pepper and meaty aromas followed by fresh flowers, raspberries and a touch of coffee. The red- and blue-fruit flavors show a fine sense of balance, with plenty of hang time on the finish.
With grapes from 40-year-old vines, this is a dense and concentrated wine. Yellow fruit as well as crisper citrus flavors give a balance between richness and freshness. It has high alcohol that shows in the light pepper edge although this doesn't detract from the fruitiness of the aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
A blend of Syrah (59%) and Cabernet Sauvignon from mostly Upchurch and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, this wine offers reticent aromas of herbs, woodspice, mineral and dark fruit. The blackberry and black cherry flavors are plump and show a sense of balance, with slightly dry tannins providing some heft.
A whiff of bergamot lends musky floral intensity to this peachy featherweight wine. It's perfumed but not at all cloying, etched finely with a lingering lace of crystalline sugar. Drink now through 2017.
This blend of 40% Furmint, 40% Pinot Gris and 20% Riesling has aromas of pineapple, lychee fruit and fresh herbs. It's thin and racy in the mouth with flavors of mango, apple and guava.
This round, structured Syrah opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, tilled soil and ground black pepper. The palate shows mature blackberry and raspberry together with notes of spice and clove. Velvety tannins provide the framework.
Grass, gooseberry and grapefruit wind their way around a light-bodied, crisp and ephemeral wine, aged mostly in stainless steel, with a small percentage in neutral French oak. Tiny bits of Sémillon and Sauvignon Musque make their way into the mix, for a wine that's textured and refreshing.
This opens with aromas that recall leafy underbrush, grilled porcini and mature dark-skinned fruit. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, coffee, sage and anise alongside tightly wound tannins that give it a firm finish.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 20% Mavrud has aromas of dried cranberries and ripe red raspberry. It is full bodied in the mouth with flavors of ripe black plum and pleasantly chewy tannins.
Lime leaf, white peach and mineral aromas rise up from the glass, with botrytis adding a grace note. The spritzy stone fruit flavors are off dry and show spot on balance.
This is a soft, ripe wine, with juicy acidity to keep it fresh. Flavors of lemon, tangy spice and baked apples are balanced by the taut texture of this still-young wine. Drink from 2017.
Creamy wood aromas are prominent in this ripe, yellow-fruit-flavored wine. A rich, textured character hints at minerality while bringing out fresh fruit and acidity. It is ready to drink, although some of the bursting acidity will calm down by late 2016.
Commemorating the small boats that once plied the Loire river, this wine is fresh with a ripe yellow-fruit character that contrasts with the salty, tangy flavors to give the wine its texture and tight, steely structure. The wine will be best kept for a few months; drink from 2017.
Soft and rounded, this rich wine brings out the smoother side of Sauvignon Blanc. With its apple and pear flavors, it has ripeness that is cut by lime acidity. Drink this wine from 2017.
Aromas of vanilla and baking spice are followed by ample red fruit and spice flavors. The acids are tart, giving the wine a zing.
Made from 89% of the indigenous grape Karasakiz and 11% Merlot, this wine presents scents of strawberry and orange blossom. It comes on bright with flavors of cherry and clementine, but as smooth tannins coat the mouth, notes of anise, violet and smoke join the chorus. The finish is also bright, with lingering flavors of smoke and flowers.
With some wood aging, this limited-production wine comes from 45-year-old vines. It balances the lightly spicy wood flavors with crisp citrus fruits. The wine is still young, still fully integrating and will be much better from 2017.
This 100% Sangiovese shows aromas of stewed prune, menthol, star anise and a whiff of coconut. The evolved palate shows raisin, dried black cherry and sweet vanilla. Wood tannins leave a somewhat astringent close.
This bottling, which is leveled a bit by the inclusion of 13% Zinfandel and 12% Grenache, shows blackberry jam, black cherry and concentrated lilac aromas on the nose. The palate is nicely layered with just enough tannic structure for optimal drinking now, combining flavors of blueberry and black cherry with caramel, milk chocolate and plum-skin tartness.
Sweet red peach flavors combine with honey in this soft, accessible wine. It has a layer of botrytis and just a hint of dryness. Drink now and over the next few years.
While there is a mineral austerity to this wine, it has the potential for richness. It offers dark berries and sweet plums under the dense layer of tannins. Give it 2–3 years at least.
A broad, ripe wine, with peach and apricot flavors to go with a fine citrus tang. Full in the mouth, very fruity and attractively textured with green plum skin juiciness.
A perfectly solid Garnacha with pepper, bright red fruit and a touch of country style to the bouquet despite its pedestrian price. The palate is bright and tastes of plum and red berry, while the feel is good and the finish fruity and lively. What inexpensive red wine should be.
This mineral-dominated Malbec is dry, packed with tannins as well as black currants and wild berries. It is on the austere side, finishing with intense acidity.
A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, this wine offers both beefy and herbal notes among the more standard black raspberry and plum fruit flavors. Medium-full on the palate with a hint of sanguine character, this comes off a bit brighter and more balanced than one might anticipated from the bouquet.
An extravagantly perfumed Riesling billowing with white jasmine and elderflower notes. The floral tones are maintained on the palate as well, but interlaced with notes of stone and slate that add richness and complexity. The finish is dry and elegant, ending with a hint of bitter lime pith.
Lucid and basically colorless, with flowery, lychee-like aromas that suggest Malvasia or Moscatel. But it's only Viura and Chardonnay, and it tastes fresh, floral and nice, with lime and lychee. About as easy as they come.
Crisp, bright, strawberry-flavored wine that has some weight and spice to it. It shows ripe fruit as well as vivid acidity, freshly balanced with red currant aftertaste.
Inviting aromatics of nutmeg and Asian spice give way to a silky, savory and light-bodied version of the variety, with a backbone of sizable tannin.
This Merlot has a nose of violets, cherry cola and talc powder. In the mouth, it tastes like red berries, blackberries and finishes with touch of milk chocolate.
There's a seltzer quality to the nose of this wine, with aromas of pink-grapefruit spritz, apple and pear cider, and fresh baking soda. It's tight and grippy on the palate, with flavors of green-apple flesh and tangerine skin that linger into the finish.
An array of damp, dank herbs shows on the nose of this bottling from the Fairbairn Vineyard, with aromas of oregano, thyme, chaparral and moist earth. The palate is relatively light in body, showing flavors of oregano-crusted pork roast and a woody character.
A light approach to Chablis, this brings out crisp fruitiness, attractive acidity, apple flavors and a touch of steeliness. With its creamy, ripe aftertaste, the wine is ready to drink.
Black slate, vanilla and red cherries show on the nose of this widely available wine, which is nicely complex for such a large case load. The palate is medium in body but heartily spiced, with dark pomegranate and cherry-pie flavors hanging on a chalky tannic structure.
Lightly herbal, candied-berry aromas are good but not what you'd call exact or exciting. This has plenty of energy on a jumpy palate, while lightly resiny, woody flavors of candied red fruits finish tight and juicy.
Ripe blackberry and cassis notes seem glazed with bluebery jam in this rippling but light-footed Lemberger. It doesn't exhibit the grape variety's characteristic staunchness of acidity and tannins, but a refreshing squirt of sour-cherry acidity brightens the midpalate. Drink now through 2018.
A maderized tint and baked, raisiny flavors make for a rich but flat bouquet. Following suit, this feels heavy, with fig-like richness and choppy tannins. Flavors of raisin, vanilla, coconut and stewed berry fruits end chunky, with spice, vanilla and saucy notes.
A sniff of truffle introduces this light but interesting wine. It's still youthful and tight, with tart fruit conjuring up sour cherry pie. Another couple of years in the bottle would put the optimal drinking between 2018 and 2020.
Aromas of pine forest, wild berry, chopped herb, brown spice and a toasted note lead the nose. The ripe palate shows dried cherry, sage, anise and coffee bean alongside a backbone of assertive tannins that grip the somewhat abrupt finish.
The first sniff is yeasty and beery, a nod to the wine's youth. With ample air it brings in light hints of citrus blossom, lemon verbena and mint. Flavors of lemon and pineapple come next, and the small percentage that was barrel fermented helps to round off the acids.
The chef returns to wine in this blend of mostly Chardonnay with 4% Viognier. A smooth, round and ripely agreeable quaff, it's thick in oak with a taste of vanilla.
Aromas of stewed prune and fig follow through to the evolved palate along with raisin, licorice and a green note of powdered sage. Austere, astringent tannins leave a raspy finish. You'll also notice the heat of evident alcohol.
Made with organically grown Sangiovese grapes, this structured red has subdued aromas of mature black cherry, blue flower and baking spice. The soft palate offers prune and sweet vanilla alongside rather fleeting tannins.
Barrel notes of spice, vanilla, caramel and herbs lead to red- and blue-fruit flavors, with the tannins showing some astringency. Merlot wouldn't be a first guess but it still brings appeal.
Freshly ground black pepper and dark cherries scent this Hungarian Kékfrankos. It is medium bodied, presenting flavors of pomegranate and sour cherry with a slightly tart finish.
The nose is rather closed but eventually reveals aromas of espresso, toasted oak, clove and a balsamic note. The tightly wound palate offers unripe cherry, star anise and a green note of powdered sage while firm, grainy tannins leave an astringent finish.
Plum, dark cooking spice and menthol aromas emerge in the glass. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, toast, licorice and espresso alongside assertive, grainy tannins that leave a rather raspy finish.
This is 100% Grenache from a vineyard planted in 1895, so genuinely old vines. That said, 2013 was a challenging vintage, and this wine shows the firmness that marks so many of the wines. It's taut, dusty and herbal, with drying tannins on the finish.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, grilled porcini, scorched soil and steeped prune lead the nose. The robust, jammy palate offers dried black cherry, espresso, coconut, roasted coffee bean and a confectionary note alongside astringent tannins. Scorching alcohol dominates the close.
Aromas of underbrush, toasted oak, coffee and a whiff of roasted herb emerge on this. The brawny palate displays dried black cherry, hazelnut, anise and vanilla alongside astringent tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish. A green note of powdered sage marks the close.
Fresh, fruity cranberry and raspberry flavors penetrate through this vivaciously brisk blend of Cabernet Franc and Lemberger. It's fairly straightforward in style, but hints of herb and bramble lend a savory complexity to the midpalate. The finish is moderately long, marked by a spray of fine tannins.
Fresh with apple and citrus, this is a perfumed, immediately attractive wine. It has bright acidity, a lightly mineral texture and a tangy, zesty aftertaste. It's young and will age although it is delicious now.
There's a high-tone brightness of cassis and plum in this juicy, estate wine. A fruity character balances well against savory leather and black pepper that ride a thick wave of tannin.
Packed with fruit and crisp acidity, this is a bright, light and perfumed wine. Red-berry flavors are lifted by red currants and a light spice. Drink now for total freshness.
Very deep color, potent aromas and a dense, but velvety texture paint a bold picture for this full-bodied wine. It has the drama and flavor recalling an expensive red, without overpowering tannins or a high price.
Intensely fruity, this sun-kissed blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc bursts of yellow peach and tangerine flavors. It's ripe and weighty on the palate, but finishes brightly on a zesty lemonade streak. Enjoy soon for its youthful exuberance.
Smooth caramel and raspberry flavored wine, with a fat, full texture. The wine misses out on fresh acidity, but certainly has ripe fruit richness.
Dry indeed; this is so dry as to be outright sour. It's an acid-lover's dream wine; but be prepared to pucker up. It's a mouthful of lemon juice, some cardboardy phenolics, and very tart green apples.
Chunky, earthy lead aromas have a hint of floral raspberry, but the palate is creamy and lactic, with milky cherry and plum flavors followed by a mildly bitter, peppery finish. Fairly solid for the most part, but its burnt and lactic notes don't elevate it.
Fresh green plum, apricot and pears freshen this light, soft wine, clean, crisp and finishing with lime juice.
Leathery and rubbery at first, with aromatic accents of celery seed, barnyard and melted tar. The palate is lighter than the nose, with herbal plum flavors and a lean, strained body. Thin and fresh, but nothing special.
Friendly, appealing flavors fo pear, lychee, apple and spice give this Riesling a fun character. Fresh with a touch of sweetness, the wine is balanced by its acid and offers a pretty, lingering finish.
Leans toward burnt and acrid on the nose, yet the palate is fresh but tight and scouring. Raspberry and red plum account for the flavors, while the finish is quick and fades off quietly. Tart and innocuous, but not problematic.
Strongly herbal, with thin, very tart, acidic cranberry flavors.
Thin, dilute, with a minty, unripe character, and hard-as-nails 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.
While the nose is slow to express itself, the palate immediately bursts with crisp, tart apple, with fresh, green pear, with ripe but zesty citrus. There is an innate lightness and lovely depth in this unforced, honest and utterly refreshing wine. It comes on light feet and draws you in with its fresh-faced authenticity. More please.
This annual study of Pomerol by the longtime California producer is a bit reserved and nearly austere on the nose, slowly revealing black coffee bean, tar, elderberry and herbs. Crushed herbs and bittersweet chocolate show once sipped, giving slight spice to the dense elderberry and blueberry fruit. It's still a bit wound-up, so drink 2018–2028.
Aromatic hints of creamy stone fruit swirls about the nose. There are hints of Mirabelle plums and yellow pear but on the palate very fine, smoky and exquisitely integrated notes of French oak appear. There is rich vanilla and cream but with a counterpoint of fresh, bright lemony acidity. While stylistically unusual this barrique-aged Grüner certainly is a delicious, creamy and serious wine. You'd never even guess it's already four-years-old. Ready now but will evolve. Drink 2016–2022.
Raspberry compote, star anise, grilled herb and sun baked earth and a whiff of leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this structured Barolo. On the full-bodied palate, chopped mint, licorice and tobacco accent ripe Morello cherry and juicy raspberry. Give this time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2028.
Aromas of exotic spice, iris, leather, forest floor and a balsamic note are some of the scents that lift out of the glass. On the palate, star anise, clove, chopped herb and a sprinkling of tobacco add depth to a core of dried cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide structure while a cranberry note gives it a tart finish.
Stewed dark strawberry, cocoa, rust, muddy earth, crushed rocks and fennel brush show on the nose of this blend of 45% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre, 17% Syrah and 3% Cinsault. Once sipped, flavors of red plum, mulberry and strawberry-balsamic reduction are prominent though delicate, edged with grippy tannins and touches of bittersweet chocolate.
Bright berry, rose and baking spice aromas unfold in the glass. The polished palate offers raspberry compote, juicy cherry, licorice, tobacco and chopped herb alongside smooth, velvety tannins. It's already extremely tempting. Drink 2018–2023.
A bright ripe fruit aroma like pineapple and ripe, luxurious fig, vanilla and almond flavors combine for an explosion of delicious power on the palate. This full-bodied wine has lots of depth and breadth in texture, plus a long, lingering finish.
Squeezed lime, tangerine rind and juice and yellow-grapefruit zest show on the sharply citrusy nose of this bottling, which is expertly rounded out by white peach and chalk. Light stone-fruit flavors of nectarine and apple blossom show first on the palate, which is cut by lemon juice and green grapefruit, and warmed up with sea salt, toast and walnut-oil touches.
An expert blend of white Rhône varieties, this mix of 54% Grenache Blanc, 22% Viognier, 13% Picpoul Blanc and 11% Roussanne balances richness with sharpness perfectly. Aromas of honey, tangerine, creamy lily, tuberose and lemon blossoms lead into a palate full of yellow melon, yellow apple, sea salt, honeydew and even mango, all hung on a tense structure.
Made with 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio, this opens with enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, new leather, dark-skinned berry and aromatic herb. The luminous, elegant palate delivers juicy red cherry, baking spice, anise and mineral wrapped in an almost weightless structure. Drink through 2023.
It is within a firm frame of lime and pale lemon zest on a slender but concentrated body that aromas of green fern, peppery watercress and mouth-watering white grapefruit pulp express themselves. This is lip-smacking and provides total, convincing and linear refreshment.
A hint of peach on the still closed nose draws you in. The palate with its concentration of zesty citrus peel suggests that this might benefit from some bottle age, so that all that lovely peach and lemon can unfurl. This is sleek, concentrated and packs a punch. Drink 2017–2025 at least.
This lavish yet regionally descriptive blend of 45% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot offers fresh-pressed blackberry, just-picked dill, graphite, tobacco ash and pencil lead on the nose. Dried-herb complexity shines on the palate, with swirling elements of oregano, bay leaf, thyme and tobacco layered across blackberry and blueberry fruit. There's the slightest barnyard touch too.
This wine impresses in its succulence of black cherry and plum, the oak and tannin tamed and integrated to allow for a sensuality of texture along with such a boldness of flavor. Despite the concentration and ripeness, the wine is relatively light and easy to enjoy at the table.
A bit lighter and less complex than Gavin Chanin's other bottlings this vintage, this wine is still impressively fresh, vibrant and may age better than the others. Aromas of red cherry, red plum, vanilla bean, wet slate, rose hips and a touch of fennel pop on the nose. The palate shows underripe cherry that's spiced by white pepper, dill, bay leaf, peppercorns and eucalyptus oil.
Still young, this is going to be a ripe wine with a fine structure and rich fruitiness. It has a mineral edge and concentration from the old vines. The berry fruits have been smoothed by the wood aging to give a rich wine that will age further. Drink from 2017.
Riding the delicate balance between ripeness and freshness, Adam Comartin's bottling shows warm white peach and toasted cashew on the nose alongside sea salt, tangerine pith, white jasmine, light honey and apple crème brûlée aromas. Ripe stonefruit flavors are deftly cut by sizzling acidity on the palate.
With the extra years of aging, this wine has smoothed itself out. It has lost that instant freshness of a young Muscadet and gained riper yellow and spice flavors that give it a full, rich character. There's just the right amount of acidity at the end to finish on a crisp note. Drink now.
Aromas of iron, olive, herb, smoke, orange peel and savory notes are followed by a ripe, full savory palate that packs a punch. It's far from shy but manages to keep it all in balance.
From the Sebastopol Hills neighborhood, relatively cool and wind-affected, this wine has a compelling generosity, a full-bodied concentration that never gets bogged down. The hits of sandalwood, clove and pine provide a sultry edge.
This wine presents an intriguing blend of ripe tomato, dried herbs and Dutch cocoa on the nose, then follows that up with plenty of weight and richness on the palate. It's a savory rather than fruity version of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a long, finely textured finish. Ready to drink now.
Initially shy, after a little time in the glass this offers up aromas of red berry, fragrant blue flower, menthol, leather, herb and baking spice. The concentrated palate doles out wild cherry, mocha, raspberry, pipe tobacco and a mineral note framed in velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2022.
This wine is half Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (31%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec. It draws you into the glass with high-toned aromas of dried herbs, espresso, red and black fruit, along with floral notes. The palate is poised and polished, showing depth, texture and layering well beyond its weight class. It appeals on every level.
The aromas pop on this blend of Alder Ridge Roussanne (57%) and Antoine Creek Viognier, with perfumed notes of flowers, pear and peach, along with light herb and spice grace notes. Palate coating, it brings a sense of gravitas and delight. It's fruitful and flavorful, offering richness while retaining its deftness, with a sense of texture that is knee buckling.
Coming from one of the state's top Syrah sites, this wine starts out quite aromatically closed up, with notes of brambly blue fruit and herbs, along with whiffs of orange peel and smoked meat. The flavors, in contrast, pop with electric notes of dark plum and huckleberry and lingering undercurrents of smoked meat and orange rind. Give it some time to open up and it delivers.
This opens with offbeat floral and perfumed aromas of berry fruits and oak. The palate is jammy, tannic and squat in feel. Ripe black-fruit flavors come with ample chocolate and spice notes, while the finish is long, sturdy and intriguing, with chewy residual tannins. Drink through 2025.
A light, cool vintage yields a fine and refined effort, offering a pretty mix of citrus, apple and melon fruit. It's underscored with balanced, lemony acids and a touch of minerality.
“Gas station” isn't necessarily the most attractive fine-wine descriptor, but it's both apt and complimentary for a dry Riesling. This one reeks of petrol and tar. On the palate, a warm tar presence slowly evolves toward vanilla. A vibrant, tingling acidity indicates decent cellaring potential. At the very least, this is a great wine to show your friends how petrol can be a defining and excellent character in wine.
It's loaded with lemon blossom, yellow apple, white peach, Bartlett pear and citrus sensations with a hint of custard. Creamy texture is brightened by fresh acidity.
There's a revitalizing swathe of herbs on the nose of this medium-sweet Riesling, highlighting notes of lemon and lime against a backdrop of juicy, ripe yellow peaches and nectarines. It's delicately lacy on the palate, yet bolstered by tones of honey and wax. A citrus acidity that pierces long on the finish.
Alluring honeysuckle notes accent aromas of fresh apples and pears in this unusually blossomy Pinot Blanc. Floral notes penetrate through the palate as well, adding exuberance to flavors of white peaches and yellow cherries. Dry in style, with a bold, expansive mouthfeel, it's elegant and superbly satisfying.
Layers of smoke, spice and lanolin cast a shadowy tone to summery peach and tangerine flavors on this semi-sweet Riesling. Nuances of mineral, spice and fruit build in intensity on the palate, augmented by brisk lemony acidity. Finishes long with a delicate lace of sweetness.
Concentrated and powerfully structured now, this will benefit from some time to integrate and harmonize. Currently, all of the elements are assertively upfront, with strong oaky sensations, dense and ripe black-fruit notes and firm tannins all vying for your attention. Hints of leather, bramble, licorice root and roasted cocoa nib hang in the background, waiting for their moment to shine. Try after 2016, and through 2020.
Muddled blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry are the initial aromas on the nose of this wine, with supporting notes of sweet spice, toasted oak, crushed lavender and bay leaf. The palate is plush and juicy, with ripe fruit flavors that are framed by accents of licorice, toasted peppercorn and mocha. Drink now–2018.
Aromatically, this wine does not want to give too much away yet. However, the citrus focus of its linear palate and the refreshment that it holds are already evident. This is Grüner for grown-ups with a neat dose of peppery pungency and great concentration.
Enticing aromas recall white flower and a hint of stone fruit. The focused palate offers Bartlett pear, yellow apple and tangerine alongside subtle notes of dried aromatic herbs and crisp acidity. Fermentation in large casks lends this structure and complexity.
This Cabernet-led blend is Montes' new icon wine from Marchigue in the Colchagua Valley. It is ripe, warm, leathery and earthy, with aromas of aged cheese, tobacco, raisin and cedar. The mouth is hefty and bold, with a mix of coffee and herbal flavors as well as cassis and blackberry. The finish is heavy and a bit raisiny, with depth and density. Drink now through 2015.
A smooth, wood-aged wine that is ripe and polished. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Castelão and Trincadeira is given style by its toast, spice and fresh acidity. It is packed with blackberries that contrast with the firm structure. It needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Bright and wound up tight, this single-vineyard entry offers nicely-focused raspberry and cherry fruit. Brief barrel aging has added a touch of chocolate around the tannins.
This leesy and creamy yet bracing wine reveals abundant melon, citrus and pear fruit flavors. Balance and finesse are on full display, as always the case in Luisa Ponzi's wines.
Aromas of honey and freesia penetrate from start to finish on this fruity wine sourced from one of Prinz zu Salm's finest vineyard sites. Ethereal on the palate, it balances penetrating stone-fruit flavors with nervous lemon acidity and whiffs of orange rind and spice on the finish.
Fresh herb and green floral aromas lend a breezy, invigorating character to sweet yellow peach and honey flavors in this medium-sweet Riesling. Rich and fruity, yet bristling with tart tangerine acidity, it's a deeply satisfying sipper.
Another excellent vintage from Saffron Fields, under the guiding hand of veteran winemaker Tony Rynders. Buoyed by aging in 50% new French oak, it's got more flesh than most Pinots from this cool vintage, along with generous amounts of sweet spices and barrel toast. The red fruits and complementary acidity are also here in abundance.
The specs include 25% new oak, native yeast and partial malolactic to preserve acidity. On the nose it's barrel-rich, but surprisingly light in flavor, delivering a bright burst of citrus and green apple before deeper tones of honey and caramel settle in. It's smoothly textured, and the acidity provides good balance to the fleshy finish.
Hints of passion fruit play appetizingly about the more usual pear aromas, and the palate displays a winning combination of fresh, zesty lemon and white pepper. It finishes with pleasant length.
White currant, green pear and peppery arugula rule this crisp white. It bursts with very ripe sweet, juicy pears on the palate, making for  savory sipping with lots of resonance, with or without food. Drink now.
Strong wood aromas continue to the palate of this firm, dry wine. Underneath, there is enough juicy fruit to bring richness as well as structure. It still needs time. Drink from 2016.
A perfumed wine, it has a rich, rounded character packed with yellow fruit. Layers of wood add complexity and density. The wine is named for the white owl found in the nature reserve close to the vineyards.
Full-fruited peachiness is tempered by tangy lemon acidity with texture and concentration. It's fruity and refreshing, but also very precise and delicious.
This is 100% Syrah from the Seven Hills vineyard, a firm and tannic effort with dark, rich flavors. Cassis, black pepper, coffee grounds and gravelly mineral flavors combine in a muscular wine with big bones and a finishing lick of citrus.
This dry Riesling boasts intense apricot, yellow peach, citrus and smoky mineral sensations. The rich but polished palate is restrained by crisp acidity that leaves the mouth feeling fresh and clean.
Rich and ripe, with some Chardonnay-like power, it's a lush mix of tropical fruit flavors—guava and banana and more. A lovely vein of caramel runs across the palate, and makes this simply irresistible.
This pure Shiraz gives a wonderfully perfumed wine that is both spicy and packed with dark, dense fruits. Blackberries are supported by soft tannins and a touch of caramel from wood aging. It's solid, firm while also fruity and should age. Drink from 2016.
Coming from the dramatic Lindsay's Vineyard, which rises from 500 to 1,000 feet in the Sta. Rita Hills, this highly nuanced wine overdelivers on multiple fronts. The nose mixes floral notes of violet and rose with an herbal tone of dried oregano, alongside fruity sour cherry. On the palate, there's graphite, espresso, purple flowers like lavender and a tad of tobacco, both fresh and smoked.
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 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot doesn't seem to have fully ripened with prominent herbal notes that lean into the green, along with green olive and saline. It tastes quite sweet, giving the perception of lingering residual sugar.
Aromas of haystack and oiliness lead into a stalky flavor profile that centers on bitterness and pithy citrus. Salty notes, green melon and more bitterness work the finish.
Already past its sell-by date, this is a tired Verdejo, with light vegetal aromas and a melony, pithy palate. Flavors of melon and dried out citrus finish soft.
This is a dry red wine exuding bell pepper and oak that was made in large quantities in partnership with musician Dave Matthews.
Herbal aromas bring a whiff of compost and leather. A wiry, dilute palate shows green tannins, while flavors of buttery, almost greasy oak and cranberry finish weedy and weakly.
Offering pronounced aromas of apricot fuzz, this is a pungent, slightly flabby white with a layer of unbalanced sweetness on the midpalate that lingers a long time.
This white is overtaken by alcohol, giving it a sharp taste of weight and oak over slight wafts of sour apple and honey.
This shows oxidation and nuttiness on a pulpy, fleshy, cheesy-smelling bouquet. As Chardonnay goes, this is heavy and breaks down on the palate. Flavors of orange and mango finish wheaty and oxidized.
Briny, pickled, stalky red-berry aromas are sketchy. This feels tannic and raw, while the flavors are more weedy, green and bitter than fresh and exciting.
While perfumed on the nose with aromas of rose petal and peach, a vein of green lingers throughout this blend of Muscat and Malvasia. It's dry and medium bodied in style, but delicately concentrated with soft, yielding acidity.
Gold in color, with oxidized aromas of straw, almond skins, butterscotch and baked apple, this PG is fading fast. Flavors of apple and briny stone fruits finish with almondy notes and bitterness.
This red-tinted, full-bodied rosé is strained on the nose, with a strong, distinct whiff of wet animal fur. The palate feels heavy and unfocused, while flavors of plum skins and nectarine finish bitter and without any crispness or cleansing properties.
This Petite Sirah is deeply black in color and otherwise satisfactory though a bit disjointed, with an off-aroma of rubber peeking through.
With small percentages of Syrah and Viognier, this Petite Sirah is simple and has a pronounced smoky personality.
Sanguine, high-toned red fruit features prominently in this almost-equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Dusty tannin and a relatively light-bodied texture belie the power lurking beneath, the finish a hit of Red Hots and cherry cola.
A fresh peachy note on the nose carries a tinge of earthy yeast and savoriness. The palate offers zesty concentration and more of that textured yeasty soy spice. This is fresh but rounded and shows ample backbone on its concentrated palate.
This is a delicious, ripe wine that is packed with apricot, apple and pear fruits. It is tangy and freshly fruity. The bright, rich fruit continues right through this wine that is ready to drink now.
The aromas of cocoa, raspberry, black tea, vanilla and cranberry are in full bloom. The cranberry and cherry flavors are ripe and full, backed by firm tannins. This wine is in a sweet spot. Drink now.
Underbrush, grilled porcini mushroom, leather and a whiff of iris lead the nose. On the youthfully assertive palate, clove, star anise, orange peel and aromatic herb accent tart red cherry while firm tannins and fresh acidity provide the backbone.
Hailing from McClellan, Seven Hills and Anna Marie vineyards, this wine opens with aromas of fresh and dried herbs, black licorice and dark cherry along with a toasty top note. It coats the palate with velvety fruit flavors, with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
Ferns, yeast and citrus come together in an appetizing trio of flavor. The palate is fluid and slightly rounded, but still light. There is a zesty, phenolic texture and lots of freshness on the concentrated palate. The finish is clean-cut and lip-smacking.
This wine is a blend of Grenache, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Salmon colored, it offers light notes of red apple, melon and a hint of strawberry. The flavors are dry and generous, with a broad feel bringing a lot of appeal.
Tender, friendly hints of juicy pear beckon. The palate follows with more oomph and lots of lemon freshness. There is a lovely textural element to the crisp midpalate and edges of peppery herbs everywhere that haunt you long after the lip-smacking finish.
Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus of Chappellet works here with the great Sangiacomo family to make an affordably impressive wine, from the oldest blocks he can get. He coaxes toasted oak and nougat from a darkly colored, viscous texture and intensity of ripe apple and baked apricot, the ending rich and rewarding.
Slight notes of grass and stone fruit on the nose become more pronounced on the light but intensely flavored palate which bursts with zesty freshness and leaves the mouth bathed in green, leafy aromas forever.
Notes of peppery blueberry fruit are faint on the nose but present themselves with a disarming honesty on the fresh, sprightly palate. There is a gently drying tannic structure and a great purity of dark berry which gives this an appetizing, brooding aspect. Lovely.
A sly, subtle wine delicate in profile and character, this has acidity as its main star, and also playing a few supporting parts. Rhubarb, cranberry and orange lie atop more savory specks of cardamom and tea.
This wine is expansive and juicy on the palate. A tight grip shows its youth while the underlying softness on the texture reflects the relative coolness of the growing spot. It imparts Napa's robust ripeness in its depth of cassis, chocolate and black pepper.
Leafy underbrush, leather, truffle, grilled herb and tilled soil aromas lead the way. The dense, forward palate doles out juicy black cherry, star anise, tobacco and an earthy hint of game while velvety tannins give it a smooth, polished texture. It has immediate appeal and will offer fine drinking for the next few years. Drink through 2020.
Milk chocolate, dark cherry, herb and floral notes are followed by silky smooth pit fruit flavors that linger.
A blend of co-fermented Syrah (60%) and Viognier, this wine is a very pretty pale copper color with just a tinge of salmon. It offers nuanced aromas of pear, strawberry and white flowers. The palate is dry and fresh, sleek but with depth and texture to the fruit flavors.
Ripe, rich blackberry and plum notes abound from nose to finish in this bold, deeply concentrated wine. The palate is velvety in texture, edged by a fine, chalky frame of tannins and lively cranberry acidity. Hints of pepper, dried herb and lavender lend nuance to a long finish.
Fresh green herbs on the nose accumulate fruit and floral notes on the palate of this pretty but robust rosé. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, it offers intense red berry and watermelon fruitiness along with a pleasantly clingy, silken mouthfeel.
Grapes are sourced from St. Helena and Oakville for this light-bodied, tart and slightly herbal wine, blended with 8% Sémillon. Ripe and round, it's both floral and fruity, highlighted by melon and pear.
Sourced from seven separate vineyard sites, this is a full-bodied, rich and concentrated white, given 15 months in 40% new French oak. The barrel comes through in supportive ways, complementing the freshness of apple and lemon spiked in acidity.
Produced in one of the newly designated Muscadet crus, this mature wine has spice, almond and toast flavors while still retaining a strong mineral character. It is a far cry from typical Muscadet with its rich, soft texture. Drink this unusual wine now.
The deliciously tart notes of Cox Orange Pippin apples are heightened by lemon brightness. The palate shimmers with peach but zesty lemon keeps the upper hand in this concentrated, ripe but linear Riesling. The finish is just a little hot.
Cherries galore on this easy, pretty red: the palate adds appetizing sprays of white pepper to the crunchy, moreish fruit, leaving you with a just about medium-bodied red of immense bounce and freshness. This embodies the fruity, joyful nature of Zweigelt perfectly and makes for effortless sipping.
Opulent fruit flavors and a good dose of vanilla and coconut give this full-bodied wine plenty of personality to go along with its heft and rich texture. Ripe pear, fig and melon notes mingle on a fresh, crisp structure.
This full-bodied wine gets more interesting with each sip, as generous cherry flavors gather light and almost sweet oak accents, and as fine-grained tannins build the texture. The flavors become mellow and more complex as they echo on the finish.
Made with Nerello Mascalese and a drop of Nerello Cappuccio, this offers earthy aromas suggesting ripe dark-skinned berry, tilled soil, game, truffle and leather. The gamy note follows through to the firm palate, along with mature Marasca cherry, anise and clove. A licorice note wraps up the finish.
Alluring aromas of Mediterranean herb, leather, berry, tangerine zest and menthol come together in the glass. The palate is youthfully austere, offering tart red cherry, strawberry, star anise and graphite alongside firm, fine-grained tannins that grip the finish. Give this a few years to let the tannins unwind then drink.
Fresh citrus notes make this beautiful rosé smell like a zesty white wine. The palate, however, adds the fresh delight of ripe strawberry fruit. This adds up to a refreshing, superdry and elegant but fruitful pink summer wine.
This is a tight, mineral single-vineyard wine coming from layered granite soil. Produced from organic grapes, it is crisp, tangy with lemon zest and light spice flavors and a strongly aromatic aftertaste. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
A lot selection; achingly dry but not just simple lemon juice. There's good concentration and a mix of mineral, rind, light citrus flesh, with excellent length and a finishing hint of honeysuckle.
Hints of smoky bacon and wood are now giving this wine some maturity. It has firm tannins still, but also a rich texture, with some red berries still present.
Full and ripe, classic Grüner. It has spice, with red apple and pear fruits and a rounded, just oily texture, giving zest with the taut acidity. Drink now, especially with food. Screwcap.
This joint venture between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Perrin family is turning out some good examples from the Northern Rhône, like this Côte Rôtie, which is plummy, yet at the same time loaded with savory notes of cured meat and smoke, even a hint of bacon fat. Silky tannins frame the finish. Drink now–2017.
Leathery, earthy and spicy, with dried fruit flavors framed by soft tannins. This full-bodied offering from the new négociant venture between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Perrin family is reasonably complex and mouthwatering on the finish. Drink now–2020.
A pretty, fruity, forward Viognier, with appealing orange blossom, citrus and light tropical fruit. Nicely balanced, with just the right amount of acidity, a full midpalate and excellent concentration through the finish.
Nice on the nose, with layers of blackberry, earth, lemon peel and herbs. The palate is grabby and clacky but healthy, with forward black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. Finishes full and long, with coffee and toast notes. A generous wine to drink now through 2015.
Tight and tannic, the wine reveals acidity, structure and red cherry juice flavors. There is a definite minerality here, giving the wine an austere feel. It needs a year or two to be at its best.
Consistent with past vintages, this still-young wine has a yeasty nose, textural mouthfeel and light pear fruit flavors, gently dappled with cinnamon spice. There is just a hint of sweatiness in the finish.
A big-boy Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (50% Cab Sauv, 40% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel) from the South Coast of California, offering up tones of cranberry, cassis and even a hint of eucalyptus, that's stemmy and tannic with room to mellow with age.
There is an austere character to this wine, tannins edged with minerality. It has weight as well as concentration and, as compensation, sweet cherry juice to go with all this structure.
Big, fresh, grapy aromas are the greeting on this nice but generic Malbec. The palate is plump and chunky yet bright and fruit-forward, with creamy flavors of dark plum and berry. A clean, focused, short finish functions as a good close.
Nectarine and brine are the lead aromas, but there's also a sense of toasty oak that is lees-based. A creamy, resiny mouthfeel and flavors of briny citrus fruits and melon finish firm and snappy.
This wine unfolds with aromas of underbrush, toasted sensations and black fruit with a whiff of balsamic herbs. The palate delivers vibrant black cherry, black currant and oak-driven flavors including coffee and chocolate. It finishes on an astringent note of wood tannins. The Marchetto Company, Imports Inc., Pio Imports.
A pretty blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, it begins with aromas of bright red berries and blue flower. The soft, friendly palate offers red cherry and hints of cooking spices in an easy, ready-to-enjoy style. The Marchetti Company, Imports Inc., Pio Imports.
Rhubarb, strawberries and a strong streak of citrus and orange peel are the dominant flavors here. This reflects the cool vintage, finishing with tart, citrusy acids.
The Treehouse spent 18 months in 15% new French oak, and has light flavors of cherry and root beer. The tannins are earthy with astringent, green tea flavors, and a hint of stem in the finish.
Aromas of dried black cherry, saddle leather and freshly picked mush lead the bouquet, while flavors of black plum, cranberry juice and cherry cola flesh out the palate. Smooth tannins add balance and roundness to the finish.
The 2012 Pinot from A to Z is bright and fruity, with pure blueberry scents and flavors. It's not a complicated wine, but it's forward and tasty, with compelling juiciness. Tannins are ripe and proportionate.
Made from organically farmed grapes, this bright blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) starts with aromas of violet, iris and freshly tilled soil. The lively palate delivers black cherry and raspberry flavors, while notes of cinnamon-spice add some depth. It's enjoyable now, but hold until 2016–2017 to round out.
Intense floral aromas that initially recall air freshener then burn off to reveal more subdued sensations of blue flower on this blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate offers a core of black cherry accented with notes of cedar, white pepper and espresso alongside firm, drying tannins.
Among the early releases of the 2011 single-vineyard Pinots from Torii Mor, the Olson seems to be the one that had the most difficulty achieving full ripeness. Scents and flavors are focused upon green tea, peppery herbs, even a suggestion of fiddlehead ferns. The fruit reaches rhubarb-level ripeness and remains there, but the balance and structure are first-rate.
A mouth-filling red that's dry and chewy in tannins, with a dark berry core surrounded by roasted herbs and earth. Lush on the palate it's in balance and well-made, from a relatively cool growing region near the Sacramento Delta.
A big, ripe and juicy wine that has open, soft tannins and layers of black fruits. Bold and forward, it's ready for drinking now–2018.
A lot of good things are going on in this barrel fermented, unapologetically oaky wine with notes of butter, pumpkin spices and almond complemented by a creamy, rich feel. Still, the alcohol gets a bit too far out front and provides a distracting sense of heat throughout.
Earthy aromas of underbrush, plum and spice carry over to the palate, along with raspberry, red cherry and espresso flavors. The juicy palate is restrained by firm tannins that follow through to the finish. It's straightforward and enjoyable now, but another year will round it out.
Wild cherry, strawberry and a hint of white pepper take center stage in this easy-drinking blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and Colorino. The bright, fruity palate is one-dimensional but highly enjoyable. Pair it with hearty pasta dishes or lightly seasoned cheeses.
Made from 85% Sangiovese blended with Alicante, Cabernet and Merlot, this opens with aromas of red and black berries with a waft of Mediterranean scrub. The palate delivers ripe, fleshy black cherry and plum with notes of spice and a hint of oak. Reflecting the vintage, it's shy on fresh acidity and rather tannic.
These are the oldest Pinot vines on the property, planted in 1999. A mix of Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon clones, they create a rather sharp, herbal wine, with earthy tannins and a hint of bitterness. Barrel aging adds some baking chocolate flavors, but additional bottle age is recommended.
With alcohol under 13%, this spicy, well-constructed Pinot Gris is decidedly cut in a European mold. Grapefruit and fiddlehead fern flavors combine, with surprising concentration and length. For food matches think along the lines of what goes best with a spicy, grassy Sauvignon Blanc.
Oily-textured wine, flavored with mango and peaches. It's so soft and unctuous that freshness seems to have been left behind. In its place is the ripest fruit giving an open texture and an opulent aftertaste.
Fresh, fruity and flirty, this white offers vanilla, fresh fruit and minerals on the nose and on the palate, a lovely balance of citrus, spice and flowers. Vibrant and layered, with a minerally, cheerful finish.
Made from Cerceal, this is a delicious wine, lifted by some wood flavors giving a creamed baked apple flavor, with white currants and a final, refreshing burst of citrus.
With 16 months in French oak, this is a big wine with big flavors. Fleshy black plum guts, black cherry, crushed African violet petals and a touch of tobacco appear in the bouquet, while cherry pit, pepper and cigar spice fill out the palate. Medium weight and lush in the mouth with solid tannins and acidity, this is a good choice now with strong meat dishes or a candidate to hold onto for a couple more years.
Outside of a couple of Michigan wineries, Adelsheim may be the only domestic producer of this obscure white grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. This aromatic, European-styled wine carries scents of pear and citrus, with crisp fruit flavors buoyed by a bracing minerality.
Floral and sweet on the front side of the nose and more dark, grilled and coffee-like on the back end. The palate is more juicy and snappy than some, with no shortage of acidity. Tastes of live-wire cherry and plum, with a long, driving finish. Needs time to settle; drink in late 2010.
The $70 price tag is silly, but the wine itself is very good, combining soft tannins with ample cherry fruit and layers of dried spices. It's full and round in the mouth, long, warm and comforting on the finish. Drink now-2015.
This alluring red blend start with aromas of cherry, blueberry, cedar and spice and leads into pretty layers of red berry, cherry and violets on the palate. Soft and full with good acid balance, it's a lovely combination of native and international varieties.
Almost half of this wine's production of 1,800 cases came to the U.S., which should make this broad, mouthfilling white relatively easy to find. The largely neutral palate suggests pineapple, honey and cinnamon, with citrus and spice lingering on the finish. Drink now.
Half the fruit is sourced from the Carabella vineyard, half from the Hyland vineyard. This is a young, tense, tight wine, still melding itself together. Melon, green pineapple, green banana and Streaks of butter and toast suggest that all the right flavor components are in place. The wine remains steely and compressed; definitely a white wine that should be decanted.
The second wine of the Bruno Prats and Symington family joint venture, this is a deliciously fruity wine, but with a fine elegant backbone of light tannins and smoky wood. As befits a second wine in the Bordeaux tradition, this is ready to drink.
This barrel selection actually was given less exposure to new French oak than the estate bottling, a telling fact, which demonstrates Anam Cara's commitment to fruit and terroir. Elegant and charming, it links pomegranate, raspberry and cherry fruit to silky tannins, achieving a lovely purity of expression in a year of moderate ripeness.
On the spot and sweet, with black cherry and roundness on the nose. Plays above its price league via ripe plum and berry flavors, bounce, body and build. Whole, concentrated and shows good structure, depth and character. About as good as inexpensive Garnacha gets.
With its dry, tight texture, this is an austere wine. The fruit is full of piercing black currant acidity, structured with firm tannins. Smoky wood does give an extra dimension, but the wine needs several months more in bottle.
A wine that has freshness, some wood and a soft series of tannins, almost velvet. There is a stalky juiciness here, to complete a wine that offers the freshest acidity, with only hints of darker fruits.
A wine that emphasizes the fruity character of the year, putting aside any missing tannins. Wood still dominates the fruit, giving spice and bitter chocolate flavors, but the green edge present in the futures tasting has gone, to give final cranberry and black currant freshness.
Siaurac, at 153 acres, is the largest estate in Lalande de Pomerol. The 2007 shows the relative lightness of the vintage, but boosts it up with chocolate and dark plum flavors. The wine finishes freshly, but still with tight tannins.
Wood dominates this wine, the wine itself relatively light, but finely composed. There are spicy tannins with intense acidity, crisp black currants, bursting through the overlay of wood.
Rather flat and oily smelling, resulting in a low-pulse bouquet. The mouth is wet and chunky as it features sweet mango and cantaloupe flavors. Orange candy and sweetness is about all you get on the finish.
Low intensity red fruit aromas are better than the sour orange peel and stemmy bramble that mar the wine's nose and core flavors. Tart, tight red wine with a narrow mouthfeel, tannic grab and rhubarb on the finish.
A hint of orange escapes from an otherwise acrid, oily nose, while the flavors of nectarine, peach and lychee are pithy and bitter. Can't offer a whole lot of positives about this weird Viognier.
Tastes highly confected, with strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors that come across almost like bubble gum or cotton candy. Dissappointing.
Green and lean Garnacha, with tobacco, celery and other vegetal aromas. Chunky in the mouth, but rather sour tasting, with grassy, green fruit and bite. Not a prime-time player.
Smells citric and green, with carob notes that seem artificial and forced. Very simple, creamy and candied, with faux chocolate flavors and sweet fruit. Finishes like a strawberry dipped in cheap chocolate. Modest quality at best.
Gaseous aromas include notes of animal, burnt meat and muddy earth. The palate is gummy and cloying, with sweet, syrupy flavors of candied fruit. Shows a weedy character and a jumbled persona.
Light, transparent and candied with underdeveloped, boring flavors and a mild chemical harshness. Barely worth a look. 40,000 cases produced.
Generic, mealy, bland and flat banana aromas and flavors. Not so bad that you can't drink it but impossible to get excited about.
Dusty, flat and about half oxidized, this is a bland version of Verdejo that isn't unpalatable but lags behind the field. Hits with a thud; very little life to it.
There's very clean and pure fruit on this light, fresh wine. Tight with acidity, it has a green apple flavor and a good pinch of pepper. This is a great summer wine.
This attractively priced Gigondas is a solid example, boasting traditional notes of leather and spiced meat. It's supple and slightly warm, with modest cherry fruit coated with a dusting of dry red earth. Clove and metallic notes on the finish suggest early consumption is the prudent option.
Among all the latest 2009 releases from Andrew Will, the Ciel du Cheval is the most shuttered and in need of further bottle age. Tight and tannic, it is unusually herbal for this hot climate site. Even after many hours of breathing time, it remains stubbornly closed. Given the vineyard history and winery credentials, it seems highly likely to improve significantly with more time.
This is a concentrated wine that's full of black fruits and textured tannins. It has spice, rosemary and a taut character.
Big and rounded, this has layers of caramel and strawberry flavors. The fruit is ripe and forward, with delicious acidity and a soft, honeyed aftertaste.
This is full bodied and aromatic, with ripe red fruits layered with spice and pepper. With its weight, this is a food-friendly wine— great for barbecued fish.
An impressive wine for $8. This smells savory, like a mix of smoked meats, roasted berries and leather, and it feels juicy and racy, with a good texture and honest flavors of blackberry, savory meat and spice. The finishes is mild, with mild herbal notes and tobacco.
Stalky and grassy smelling, which is par for a Penedès white blend. There str also apple and lemon-lime notes on the nose. In the mouth, it's lively and spritzy in feel, with pineapple, lime and grassy flavors. Zesty, dry and minerally on the finish, this should pair well with seafood and paella.
This is dainty and pretty, with solid floral aromas of peony and orange blossom that lift the pear and hard peach fruit backbone. Vibrant acidity keeps the palate fresh and the finish clean and mouthwatering. Drink now.
Despite ample alcohol levels and soft tannins, this wine comes across as tart and crisp on the palate, its cola, cherry and vanilla flavors ending on a lemony note.
Heavily barrel influenced on the bouquet, where sawdust and resin aromas render any fruit to the upper deck. Feels resiny and sappy, and never really moves off that feel. Tastes of oak, baked apple and banana, with resiny oak controlling the finish. Nice but not great.
The melon and pineapple aromas are pure and carry a waxy edge. It feels simple and well comported, with green apple, pear and vanilla flavors. This is tasty, smooth, lively and classy; drink right away.
Light and crisp, this has clean pear and grapefruit flavors. With its enticing acidity, this is a great summer quaff. Screwcap.
Attractively herbaceous, this is full of green fruit and intense citrus, with a tangy texture. Screwcap.
Citrusy on the nose, with rooty, restrained, earthy accents. It feels full but a bit dull in the middle, with flavors of minty spice, pepper and mature red fruit. Dry and drawing on the finish, with a tomatoey flavor.
Floral, with berry aromas, it's also quite charred and oaky, with mocha. It feels weighty despite displaying prickly acidity, and there's a resiny feel to the palate as well. The flavors of baking spice, chocolate and blackberry run aside barrel-driven flavors. This is a big, oaky Garnacha.
A rustic but mouthwatering red, with leather, clove and dark fruit notes delivered via a medium-bodied, slightly chunky mouthful. With its old school style, it has the rough edges to handle stews and braises.
Dark in color, with mineral, leather and balsamic notes. With 20% Garnacha, this wine spent six months in oak and it comes on like a saturated, beefy youngster with ripe, healthy plum and other black-fruit flavors. Lasting on the finish, with body and structure. The fact that it doesn't overreach is a virtue.
This is small-production, old-vines Cariñena with the full allotment of French oak aging. It is a little syrupy on the nose, but its schisty blackberry and licorice aromas and flavors give it a Priorat quality. What's holding it back is jumpy acidity that brings the mouthfeel down a notch or two. Best with food.
This Sémillon-dominated blend is made in an easy-to-drink, fruit-forward style, showcasing white peach, melon and fig flavors and a plump, round texture in the mouth. Imported by Margaret River Wines.
A consistent performer, the rosé under the Commanderie de la Bargemone label is a fresh, medium-bodied wine that features enticing aromas of white chocolate and cherries. Modest cherry flavors finish crisp and citrusy, giving this wine excellent refreshment value.
Don't look for density or any particular varietal focus here, but what you will find is a pleasing, soft, smooth wine with black cherry, licorice, smoke and chocolate. It's all front-loaded and fruit-driven, but if you want something to enjoy right now, preferably outdoors, with some butterfat in the soft, pliable tannins, this wine will deliver the goods.
A ripe and spicy blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Merlot from Somontano, an improving region near the Pyrenees. Licorice and spicy oak scents accent the nose, while the palate pulses with raspberry, currant and barrel-based vanilla. Shows good drive before finishing mildly drying and resiny.
With only 10% Shiraz, this wine shows off the exuberant fruit and supple tannins of Grenache. Blackberry and raspberry fruit is mildly tart, spiced with a dusting of cinnamon and cocoa. Good length on the finish marks this casual sipper with a touch of extra quality. Drink now–2010.
This effort from the Bieler family is a plump, round offering, with moderate complexity and an attractive medium-pink color. Hints of chocolate, leather and spice mark the nose, while cherry fruit comes through on the finish.
This is one of the everyday drinking range from Schloss Gobelsburg. It has freshness, light green and white fruits and an exuberant burst of acidity. It is cool, green and a great apéritif style. Screwcap.
This wine has great, crisp fruit, perfumed and dominated by its white fruit flavors. The aromas are enticing, full of spring hedgerow flowers, and edged with minerality. Part of the everyday drinking range from Schloss Gobelsburg. Screwcap.
Thick and chocolaty, this Umpqua Valley Merlot does not lack for flavor intensity. Plum jam, coffee and smoke whirl around the palate, well-matched to dark, ripe, chewy tannins.
Freshly fruity, full of red fruit flavors, with acidity layered with spicy wood. This is all there, all up front, hiding nothing. No need to age. Screwcap.
The nose seems a touch reduced and nutty, but airing unveils sweet blackberry aromas and then candied, creamy berry fruit flavors. There isn't quite the body and structure that 125 has the potential to deliver, but it's still solid, well oaked and moderately tannic.
Black loam and black cherry darkness are met with a minty lift, coffee grinds and cigar leaf on this blend of 57% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are solid tannins and lots of vibrancy on the palate, followed by flavors of fresh red cherries, black peppery spice and dried meats on the finish.
Sleek, elegant and refined, this is a subtle, evocative and seamless wine. Layers of plum and black cherry, cola and earth, sea salt and caramel entwine gracefully. The 18 months in oak brings in sweet baking spices. Delicious already, it should drink very well at least through 2025.
Imperial is CVNE's most accessible and affordable top-end Rioja, and what a winner it is in 2010. Cool, toasty aromas show sweet maple and vanilla notes along with berry and cassis scents. Fresh but weighty and elegant, this deals ripe berry and loamy earth flavors in front of a mellow finish that's clean and not too demanding. Drink now through 2022.
Ripe and luscious, this coats the mouth with a mélange of juicy apples and peaches. That initial hit is followed up with a wash of buttery, toasted nuts, and finally kissed away with a lick of wet stone. It's creamy and rich without ever being tiring.
Delicate smoke and mineral tones seep into succulent yellow cherry and peach flavors in this deeply complex, structured wine. Delicate yet mouthcoating, zesty yet unctuous, it's a lingering, honeyed sip of sunshine.
While dry in style, this effusively blossomy, peach-driven Riesling is chock full of ripe, honeyed fruit flavors. Soft tangerine acidity cuts through the lushness on the midpalate, aided by a sheen of minerals and bristling white-tea tannins.
Black currants, blackberries, grilled herb, cedar and clove aromas lead the nose on this delicious, creamy wine. The smooth, savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, fleshy plum, white pepper, mint and anise. Firm, polished tannins support the juicy fruit flavors.
An estate wine from an elevated elevation, this opens in fragrant red cherry and vanilla, with a subtle trace of brambly blackberry. Soft, it features a supple mouthfeel, medium weight and a backbone of structure, earthy and enticing. Easily enjoyable now, it should take on added complexity through 2022.
Chalky tannins and subdued fruit and tannin weight make this an inviting, food-friendly wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Made from estate vineyards, it's rich in black cherry and dark chocolate, concentrated and layered. It ends in a spicy back note of pepper. Cellar through 2022.
Christmas-like aromas of juniper, pine and forest floor hit the nose hard on this bottling from the historic vineyard, all leveled by fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, wild sweet mint and pencil shavings. A woody character reminiscent of uncured sandalwood powers the palate, which also shows cranberry juice and pipe tobacco in the background.
Like the rest of the 2012 Condrieus recently tasted, this is full-bodied and rich without being overdone. Apricot and ginger aromas lead into flavors reminiscent of honeycomb, white pepper and apricot. The texture is slightly oily, but that's balanced on the finish by peppery spice.
This is certainly powerful, maybe too much so. It has all the richness and density of ripe and perfumed Malbec, solid with structure, with dark plums and enormous concentration. It is 100% Malbec, aged in new French oak barrels, fulfilling the brand's theme of “one family, one terroir, one grape.” No question, this is a wine to age. Drink from 2020.
Concentrated and solid, this is packed with dense, dusty tannins as well as ripe black fruits. It is complex, balanced between tannins and fruit sliced by a shot of acidity. This is a wine for aging, don't drink before 2017.
Elegance is a hallmark of the winery's Pinots, and even this one, registering 15% alcohol, manages to keep from tasting overblown. It's thick and rich, for sure, loaded with cherry and plum fruit, with pepper, clay, Asian spices and dark chocolate. Lazy River is one of the components of the Winemaker's Cuvée, which is a lovely comparison companion bottle.
The winery's multiple vineyard designates are very good, but the blending that goes into this Winemaker's Cuvée puts it right there with the best of them. Bursting with blueberry, cherry and plum scents and flavors, this complex and complete wine piles on the details. A streak of chocolate here, a dash of cumin there, and on it goes.
Aromatically blessed in flecked coconut, this soft, round red blend is ripe and lush in black cherry and blueberry, with touches of cedar and tobacco in the background. Completely satisfying on the palate, remaining rich from start to end, it finishes structured and elegant, with delectable waves of dark chocolate and mocha. The blend is half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Malbec.
Larry Stanton patiently waits to release the wines he grows to very low yields in calcareous soils. The results are rich, in this case offering heavy, intoxicating aromas of kirsch, extracted cherries and a Bourbon-esque caramel element. Smoky tobacco and blackberry juice notes arises on the palate, with fresh laid asphalt flavors popping up on the finish.
Made entirely with Merlot, this full-bodied wine opens with aromas of ripe berry, coffee, vanilla, exotic spice and a whiff of grilled herb. The concentrated palate doles out fleshy black cherries, juicy raspberries licorice, chocolate and tobacco, while velvety tannins provide the framework. A note of dried sage closes the finish. It's already approachable but will continue to age well for several years or more. Drink through 2023.
Intense aromatics seduce with a pungent mix of earth, leather, truffle and tobacco. Just-ripe wild berries, tea leaves and dried herbs join the chorus, while sweet tannins frame a lingering finish that invites further exploration.
This is locked up tight when opened, and remains massive but inscrutable for several hours. But that is not to say it isn't a killer wine. The dense weave of wild berries, Mediterranean herbs, earth and clay signals a powerful wine with serious aging potential. Drink 2018 through 2028.
Juicy strawberries, raspberries and plums are balanced by wet slate on the nose of this wine from grape growing pioneer Louis Lucas and his vintner-partner, Judge Royce Lewellen. The palate shows more raspberry and a bit of boysenberry along with an orange rind tartness and woody herbs like juniper and black sage.
This is a substantial, complete and well-balanced wine with a deep red color and brickish rim. Intensely fruity and spicy aromas incorporate elegant oak nuances, black cherries, nutmeg and cinnamon, leading to generous, ripe flavors and a smooth, velvety texture. It's quite complex and delicious.
If this delicious bottling is any indication, this region is prime for Malbec. Aromas of grape soda, black slate, turned loam, blueberry and purple flowers make for a nicely even nose, and the palate is rich and full with balanced tannins. The juicy flavors include black cherries, plums, cassis and blueberry extract, to which crushed, dried herbs give necessary nuance.
This is a lovely wine, with flavors both rich and racy—cool minerality meets ripe lemon/lime, with a dollop of creamy custard. It's mouthfilling and smooth, with lingering, delicious flavors that resonate beautifully.
You'll find aromas of red and black berry, grilled sage, cedar and tobacco on this vibrant, elegantly structured blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. The polished palate delivers red currants, black raspberries, white pepper and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2022.
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese, this elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, cedar, leather and a whiff of exotic spice. The firm palate delivers ripe black cherry, plum, coffee, grilled herb and ground clove alongside firm but polished tannins.
While slightly reserved in aroma, this serious, special-occasion wine comes on steady and strong in flavor. Blueberry and black cherry notes pick up more raspberry and red cherry with each sip. In addition to fruit complexity, it has a full body, sleek texture and lingering finish. Best now through 2020.
Swathes of fresh green herbs and florals refresh tart yellow plum and peach notes in this racy, light-footed Riesling. Juicy stone fruit flavors are accented with long streaks of wax and lanolin that lend density and viscosity to the long, long finish. Gorgeous now, but likely to improve through 2025,
Aromas of black plum, pipe tobacco, cooking spice and crushed herb lead the nose of this structured blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. The smooth palate delivers dried black currants, blackberry extract, licorice and cloves wrapped up in velvety tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this offers aromas of blue flowers and wild berries. The firm palate delivers black cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and clove while a note of orange zest lifts up the finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins deftly support the juicy flavors. Drink 2016–2020.
With a bright cherry color and juicy flavors, this is a well-integrated blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. The wood aging is obvious but not dominant, and adds pleasant spice to the fruit. A firm structure promises aging, so drink from 2015. Screwcap.
Pretty aromatically, Lava Cap's Battonage has inviting flavors of pear, honey and toasty vanilla. With well-integrated oak, it's a classically robust California Chardonnay, weighty but structured.
Sourced from a 2001 planting of Dijon clone 777 vines, this is a dry, slightly leathery wine with tight flavors of dried figs dusted with cocoa and coffee grounds. It shows moderate depth and length, and seems ready for near-term drinking.
Berry and cherry aromas are friendly, clean and offer spice accents. This is full, ripe and tannic, with blackberry, dark spice and chocolaty flavors. Toasty menthol and hard spice notes on the finish confirm intensity and overall quality.
This powerful wine is sourced from 100-year-old vines in the famous Deaver vineyard. There's a touch of pepper behind the thick tannins and oak. It's a long lasting wine with leathery blackberry fruit that should come to the fore over time.
Faint whiffs of apple and fresh herb open this elegant and somewhat subdued Riesling. Dry and moderately full in body, the palate is delicate, with flavors of nectarine, white grapefruit and lemon, along with a hint of honeycomb for added complexity.
Pale rose in color, this soft, tasty wine seems to be moving quickly along the aging curve. It spent some time in 30% new French oak, cloaking its flavors of rhubarb pie in highlights of cracker and milk chocolate. Drink this sooner rather than later.
Citrusy aromas of lemon and grapefruit show a leesy side note. This blend of 50% Verdejo, 30% Viura and 20% Sauvignon Blanc is pithy and citric on the palate, with flavors of lemon, green apple and orange peel that carry onto a lasting, healthy finish.
Aromas of wildflower, orchard fruit and hazelnut open on the nose. The lively, linear palate shows crunchy green pear, bitter almond and a hint of nutmeg alongside racy acidity.
Green apple and citrus aromas float out of the glass while the bright, straightforward palate offers Bartlett pear and juicy nectarine zest. Tangy acidity leaves a crisp finish.
Pure varietal, this pushes the winery's characteristic oaky, smoky winemaking style to the limits. There's some bright, tart raspberry fruit in the mix, but the scents and flavors of charred wood dominate from first sniff to last swallow.
Muted scents of orchard fruit and a touch of almond lead the nose. The vibrant palate offers pear, citrus zest and mineral accompanied by bracing acidity.
A blend of Tinta Roriz and the local Jaen, this wine has both fresh fruits and dry tannins. The fruits are going to prevail, giving red berry fruit flavors with fresh, cool acidity. The tannins will be there to sustain the fruit. Drink from late 2016.
The rare Codega do Larinho grapes make up half this rich, perfumed wine. Touched by the wood aging, it is both fruity and has more complex toast and almond flavors. It's ripe but could do with a few more months. Drink from the end of 2016.
Espirito do Côa is named after the prehistoric wall drawings that decorate the cliffs of the valley. The wine is rich, dense and fruity. Blackberries and fine acidity give a tarry, dense character. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot shows grape-candy aromas along with uncrushed peppercorns and blackberry jam. The palate offers fresh olallieberries with chocolate, pencil lead and a touch of dried mint.
An earthy geranium note lingers above a core of dark cherry and raspberry on the nose. The medium-bodied palate boasts light tannins and a flavor profile of cherries, wilting red flowers and anise.
Found more often (although still rarely) in the Douro, the Viosinho is distinguished by its high acidity. In the coastal climate of Lisboa, that steely character is still there. It should calm down a little over the next few months and fill out with the apple fruit flavors that are just hints at present. Drink from late 2016.
Yellow wildflower, white stone fruit and crushed rock aromas lead the nose while the lively palate offers mineral, almond and yellow apple. It's vibrant, with bright acidity.
The nose isn't overly expressive but eventually reveals suggestions of tropical fruit, chopped herb and a whiff of stone. The straightforward, slender palate offers grapefruit, a hint of peach and mineral accompanied by crisp acidity.
Light and vibrant, this opens with aromas of fragrant spring flower, stone fruit and a suggestion of nutmeg. The palate offers white peach, apple and a hint of almond alongside crisp acidity.
The scents mingle rose petals, sandalwood and a touch of bitter greens. That dusting of incense continues on the palate, with Indian spices and tart red fruit. Tannins are firm and proportionate, with a bit of stem flavoring the finish.
Graphite, char, vanilla bean and cedar plank lay atop the black berry and plum preserve fruit core on the nose. The palate is creamy and mouthfilling at first, offering rich notes of vanilla-infused stewed berries and raspberry sauce that are then overwhelmed by aggressive, green tannins that hold the palate hostage through the long, woody finish.
Aromas of hay, tomato leaf and medicinal herb lead the nose and follow over to the racy palate together with grapefruit, lemon drop and mineral. It's linear, with bracing acidity.
Truffled earth and cranberry-strawberry envelop sizable oak and bittersweet tannin in this warm-vintage wine. On the more light-bodied side, it features savory tinges of black tea.
While the nose is a bit subdued, suggesting bruised apple and herb notes, the palate of this spry, off-dry Riesling is fresh, fruity and elegant. Crisp white peach and grapefruit flavors are lively and tart, finishing with a refreshing green herb note. Drink now through 2018.
Aromas of hazelnut, orchard fruit and a confectionary note lead the nose. The bright palate offers crisp green apple and lemon drop alongside zesty acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
Its mix of heady aromas include chamomile flower, Spanish broom and yellow stone. The bright, fresh palate offers peach, pear, crunchy apple and a touch of mineral alongside vibrant acidity. It finishes crisp and clean.
Fresh and fruity, this wine is full of generous red berry fruits. It is soft, open and ripe. With both Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, it does have some structure, just there to support the fruitiness of the wine. Drink now.
Scents of white flower, pear and a hint of ground almond emerge on this lively white. The vibrant palate offers green apple and a hint of mineral alongside racy acidity.
Scents of apple blossom and citrus aromas are offered by this lively white and follow through to the zesty palate along with pear and nectarine. A mineral closes the finish.
Earthy notes dominate the nose and hide the lemon and pear notes that are more apparent on the fresh, light and dry palate. This is easy and mild, drink soon.
Fresh, dry red-fruit aromas lead the charge on this tasty but simple Rioja that feels crisp, healthy and balanced. Flavors of plum, raspberry and herbs finish mild.
Mostly Cabernet with smaller additions of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine opens with a toasty campfire aroma. It's otherwise marked by velvety tannin, tobacco leaf and cedar, remaining medium bodied through the finish.
A blend of 57% Cabernet Franc, 26% Blaufränkish and 17% Merlot, this estate wine is overtly floral on the nose, with violet and earthy geranium on a bed of red berries. The palate is racy and lithe from pulsing acidity, yet flavors of juicy blueberry and red currant prevail and ultimately the grippy tannins balance it out.
Orchard fruit and citrus aromas emerge on this vibrant white while the slender, linear palate shows nectarine zest, apple and a hint of mineral. It's savory if a bit lean, with bracing acidity and lots of verve.
A rare white wine from Saint-Émilion vineyards, this is seriously wood-aged, showing mature toast and almond flavors, with a citrusy edge. It has weight and richness, gradually revealing peach and apricot notes while merely hinting at acidity.
One of the many properties in Moulis with Poujeaux in its name, this estate has produced a classic, elegant wine, its Cabernet Sauvignon element providing a delicious black currant flavor, rounded out by the Merlot. Firm tannins still point the wine in the direction of aging, so give it four years and more.
Full bodied, flamboyant and opulent, this is a ripe, exotic rendering of 100% Marsanne. Honey, apricot and mandarin orange notes ease slowly over the palate, finishing with a lush richness that suggests drinking over the near term.
This tight, young Syrah has a succinct core of blueberry and raspberry flavors, which are wrapped in a mix of herb, earth and green tea. The tannins are just slightly bitter, but all in balance, and that bitterness is not at all unpleasant.
The addition of 20% Roussanne to the blend seems to thicken the palate—which is not a bad thing at all. A scent of honeysuckle piles on top of the flavors of honey, chamomile tea, lemon, orange and pink grapefruit, creating a luscious wine with impressive length.
This is a finely balanced, if still very structured wine. It has powerful tannins, but also rich, black, juicy fruits that are coming into integration. Solid and concentrated, the wine has great potential and needs to age for at least four years.
Textured yet full bodied, this is a rich wine from a small 17-acre estate. The toast note shows strongly, but it's still in balance, resulting in yeast and croissant flavors as well as tropical fruits. For aging over the next 2–3 years.
The fruit is sourced from Kiona Vineyards on Red Mountain, some of the best Syrah in Washington. Sappy and concentrated, with a juicy and pure raspberry flavor, this shows good length and a lick of mineral on the finish.
This is a potent, rich Shiraz. It's full bodied and thickly textured, with aromas and flavors of mocha, asphalt and plum. The overall impression is somewhat chunky and inelegant but undeniably concentrated. Give it five years or so to smooth out some of the rough edges.
Sprightly and crisp, with just 7% alcohol, this dainty Riesling is juicy and brisk, with loads of sweet-tart tangerine flavor. Layers of bitter citrus rind and lanolin, along with a steely midpalate, add depth, extending to a long, lemony finish.
A waxy lemon-peel note and a whiff of lanolin lend a mineral-driven slickness to this delicately textured, penetrating Riesling. Ripe tropical-fruit flavors are honeyed and intensely concentrated, yet the finish is elegant with a swathe of fresh, clean flowers.
Chunky plum, berry and toasty campfire aromas are full and thick on this blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Merlot. The palate is stout and meaty, with pronounced but honest tannins. It tastes charred, with ripe berry, prune and chocolate undercurrents. Loses some of its spunk on the finish.
This wine starts off with notes of blackberry, mint and asphalt on the nose, unfurling on the tongue to reveal tar, black olive, meat and blackberry flavors. It's full bodied and intense, even a bit warm on the finish. Impressively concentrated, but slightly bitter as well.
The Hellion is half Primitivo, one-third Petite Sirah and the rest Zinfandel. A lively mix of berry, citrus and tree fruit flavors, it's plush, forward and full across the palate. It starts out beautifully, then falls a little flat coming into the home stretch. The finish shows some heat and a hint of milk chocolate.
Big and fruity, this has generous tannins and ripe black fruits. With its full fruits bursting out of the glass, it is already suitable for drinking. Delicious, full bodied and a great testament to the vintage's quality.
This is an attractively perfumed wine, which is polished by the wood influence, offering flavors of mint and eucalyptus. It is rich and spicy, with the weight of black fruits. This is already drinkable, so consume it now, or keep it for 3–4 years.
Firm and solid, this features chunky tannins and strong structure. It shows its wood aging strongly at the moment, which covers some of the ripe blackberry flavor. It has weight and power from its dry core and fruit, which promises aging.
A young, bright fruity wine, packed with creamy mousse. The wine has a fresh green apple character, lively with a zing to it.
Typical tobacco and herb-flavored wine, not for aging, but with red plum flavors and light tannins. It has a pronounced element of acidity.
So soft, the wine is gently fruity, a hint of its chalk soil through a mineral edge. Fresh and tasting of lime and apple fruits, it is ready to drink now.
Full and rubbery on the nose, with berry, prune and foresty aromas. Quite tannic and biting on the palate, with espresso, stewed prune and bitterness to the flavor profile. Finishes hard and unyielding, with a lasting note of coffee-like bitterness.
Fairly mute on the nose, with an oily note and peachy aromas. Basic in the mouth, with good weight and balance along with oily flavors of peach and melon. Sweet and waxy on the finish, with the flavor of green banana.
Tropical and a bit briney on the nose. The palate is healthy in feel, with sweet white fruit flavors, a pinch of lemon and creamy oak. Finishes quick, with a nice feel and adequate acidity; will do best if well chilled.
While a tad pulpy and overripe on the nose, there's a purity to the dark red fruit on the palate of this Virginia Cab Franc that penetrates amidst notes of fresh green leaves and herbs. Full bodied in style with just a hint of green bramble on the finish.
A touch green and vegetal on the nose, with hints of canned peas and bell pepper. Fortunately there's enough lime and minerality to keep it fresh. Feels crisp, tight and wet, with green notes pervading core citrus flavors. Finishes pithy and zesty, with mild bitterness.
Rubbery and earthy smelling on first take, with bulky, dark berry aromas mixed with herbal notes. Shows tannic bite and grab along with standard, herbal flavors of blackberry and black olive. Finishes similarly. Good Cab for $7.
A ripe and rounded wine, with friendly apricot and lemon flavors, richly toasty, leaving great acidity and bright fruits at the end.
Grassy red berry and plum aromas lead to a lean, somewhat high-acid palate with herbal, oaky flavors of raspberry and plum that don't last that long. Fresh and healthy feeling on the finish, but tasting more of oak and spice than fruit.
Striking acidity adds freshness to more rustic characteristics of cooked red fruit, caramelized sugar and hay on this medium-bodied Pinot. Brambly on the palate with hints of mushroom and foliage, it finishes clean with just a trace of tannins.
Lakewood hits the mark with this affordable Cabernet Franc. Earthy, attractive aromas of spice and pepper unfold into flavors of raspberry, cherry and more pepper. The wine has depth and weight without being heavy, thanks to a decent amount of acid. The finish is slightly weak but overall, a good wine and friendly.
Bravo to Long Point for making a Cabernet that counts in a cool climate. Rich aromas of anise, mocha and tobacco lead into structured, complex flavors of red berry, cigar and cassis. Spicy but balanced and slightly big, the wine will be great with grilled meat and stew.
Good for Valdivieso that they are willing to experiment with a Mourvèdre-led blend that also contains Carignan and Syrah. This is racy and a bit tangy, with plenty of old-vines acidity making the wine a bit jumpy and scouring. Probably best with food; it's a bit astringent on its own.
This blend of many vineyard lots seems less than the sum of its parts. Pungently herbal with characteristic Oregon tomato leaf tannins, its fruit remains hidden beneath the tannins. Age may enhance its beauty, but for the moment it remains tight and unyielding, with suggestions of heat around the cranberry/pomegranate fruit.
A mineral, dry wine, relatively light but still packing plenty of firm red fruits, solid tannins and a dry core. It could age for 2–3 years; with its fresh aftertaste, this is already a great food wine.
This elegant Cypriot white from the monastery of Chrysorroyiatissa offers a blend of complexity and freshness. The clean, lush fruit and citrus flavors are balanced with fresh acidity and a touch of floral sweetness. An intriguing white with class.
Concentrated and dry, this shows good blackberry fruits to go along with the firm, dark tannins and ripe, juicy flavors. The fruit is rich, but not overtly sweet, more juiciness and acidity to go with the balancing spirit.
Roll out the barrels! This is one heavily charred, very toasty number. At first the oak seems forced, and always is it front and center. But with some time in the cellar, today's dark, resiny bitterness should subside. At least we hope it does, because the wine has structure, density and pretty good fruit. Definitely for folks not opposed to barrel influence.
This powerful wine reveals its style and breeding from the start. It has weight and concentration allied to great tangy fruit flavors. The nervy edge is very evident, with wood, structure from green apple skins and aging potential.
Fruit sourced from Red Mountain's top vineyards––Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Kiona––comes on rich and fruity, with big and powerful black cherry and cassis interwoven with threads of smoke, coffee, graphite and baking chocolate. Deep, dark and dense.
For a Volnay, this is a very structured wine. It has huge richness laced with firm tannins and dark fruits. It is the firmness that dominates, suggesting some extra extraction, although the acidity does push right through to the finish.
A Sierra Foothills Sauvignon Blanc with incredibly inviting aromatics of grass, grapefruit and melon that evolves into a delicious texture that's light, dry and yet still somehow rich with crisp acidity. So good for summer and fall.
Representing a new level of quality for Waiheke Syrah, this wine boasts captivating aromas of peppered meat, violets and cassis. It's full bodied without being heavy, and the flavors seamlessly blend fruity with savory for a thrilling ride. Finishes long, with firm tannins and a hint of espresso. Drink now¬–2018.
This meaty, gamy wine is 84% Mourvèdre, and marries its earthy flavors to the ripe black fruit of the Syrah. The two mix well, but could use a bit more bottle time to fully integrate. Blood, meat, cassis, and smoke mingle, and some heat slips in at the end, along with rich coffee grounds and dark chocolate. Big, flavorful, lingering.
This estate bottling showcases ripe apple and melon fruit, spiced with sweet barrel notes and toast. The wine spent some months in 20% new French oak.
Fragrant and generously fruity, this is a bowl of raspberries and cherries, with just the right acidity to keep it lively and fresh. Light suggestions of cola and nutmeg add further interest.
Big, bold and brawny, this wine from a very famous vineyard shows off its savory edge with tufts of clove, leather, gun smoke and tea, providing the requisite dustiness on the palate for which the region is known. Medium bodied and integrated well, it represents the vintage and region in all good ways.
Made from half Merlot and half Petite Sirah, and aged in French oak, only 30% of it new, this wine shows well in a dusting of mocha powder and blackberry, the flavors built around a thick, dense torso of soft tannins. Succulent, it's full bodied but well mannered and easy to enjoy.
Although Chenin Blanc from the Loire is better known, it does, in fact, have its origins in the Southwest. So it's a return of the native in this rich, smooth and floral wine. It is fruity while keeping a ripe, honeyed character that balances with a more citrus aftertaste. Drink now and until 2023.
A richly layered white, this wine opens in butterscotch and mango, making no bones about its ripeness and voluptuous nature. Acidity saves the day and keeps the proceedings from getting out of hand, allowing the finish to find balance.
This is a generous white from the famous vineyard site, robust in toasted oak and big flavors of butterscotch and vanilla. Youthful, it opens in the glass to find more of its ripe fruit, from Gravenstein apple to baked pear.
This is a nicely sour, flinty and balanced full-bodied wine from a cool-climate site. Despite its roundness and warmth, this finds a way to be light and lean in between the luxuriousness and generous nature of the vintage and style.
The producer's proprietary blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay and 1% Muscat, this wine is fresh and fiery, bright on the palate in apple, Asian pear and jicama, with a dusting of dried herb and ginger as it goes down.
Juicy tangerine, apricot and lime flavors shine brightly on the palate of this dry, elegantly structured wine. It's remarkably floral from first whiff to its lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.
There's plenty of marmalade and preserved-peach sweetness here, but it's calibrated deftly by pulsating acidity on the midpalate. It's delicate and dancing in mouthfeel, but the stalwart finish impresses. Drink now through 2019.
This is a surprisingly fine reminiscence of Burgundian Pinot Noir, from the perfumed red fruits to the generous tannins. The wine has acidity and, despite its alcohol, has a fresh feel. The wine is at its most fruity stage and will age another year, so drink from 2017.
This is an attractive, juicy wine. It has blackberry fruit flavors along with already balanced tannins. Coming from vines in the Douro Superior, it is rich while also fresh and fruity. The wine could age further, although its pure flavors and integration say that it can be drunk now.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with scents that suggest dark berry, sunbaked earth and cooking spice. The medium-bodied palate offers mature Marasca cherry, raspberry, toast and a sprinkling of clove alongside dusty tannins.
You'll find aromas of toasted oak, underbrush, ripe dark-skinned berry and espresso on this soft, medium-bodied red. The elegant if rather subdued palate offers dried back cherry, anise and a hint of baking spice alongside fine-grained tannins.
A bold, ripe wine that is rich and ready to drink. The tannins, the dry core that just supports the black fruits and the attractive acidity are all balanced. This is an immediately attractive, rounded wine. Drink now.
An Alvarinho that comes from the southern Minho, close to the Douro River, this is a perfumed, ripe and richly textured wine. Pear and green plum fruits are combined with fine acidity and tangy lemon zest minerality to create a fresh while rich wine. Drink from late 2016.
This is a beautifully perfumed, lightly wood-aged wine. With grapes from the Douro Superior, it is rich while remaining impressively fresh. There are apricot and ripe pear flavors that are given a smoky, toasty edge by the wood aging. It is ready to drink.
This is classic, ripe and creamy Alvarinho. It has a mineral edge to keep the boisterous yellow fruits and ripe perfumed flavors in order. The wine is ready to drink, full of fruit and freshness.
A 100% varietal wine, this offers a juiciness of red fruit that's deliciously inviting, surrounded by plenty of cinnamon and black pepper. Grippy and full bodied, it reins in its ripeness well, remaining structured and complex through a mineral-driven finish.
Arguably the iconic vineyard at Rex Hill, Jacob-Hart brings subtle nuances into play from older vines and biodynamic techniques. There's lots to enjoy here—hints of spice, earth, even hemp, along with the core fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry. It's just a little thinner than usual in this new vintage.
Structured and savory, this opens with scents that recall black berry, blue flower, chopped herb, menthol and moist soil. The chewy, textured palate offers mature Morello cherry, black raspberry, grilled herb and clove accompanied by densely packed, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
From the winery most responsible in America for popularizing this style of Sauvignon Blanc, this vintage delivers savory, lemony goodness, within a light-to-medium-bodied frame. Integrated and round on the palate, it's a great wine for the table.
From Block 29 of the acclaimed vineyard, this wine is delightfully juicy and flirty in black cherry, leather, black pepper and tobacco. Full bodied and ripe, it never gets heavy, rather trafficking in enough acidity and sense of place to stay grounded on the palate.
Made with Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of toast, espresso, sunbaked earth and mature plum. The structured palate offers black cherries marinated in spirits, vanilla, toasted oak and coffee, while firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework.
One of Schramsberg's younger releases, and made from all white grapes, this wine has tantalizing aromas of vanilla, apple and light toast that lead to layered and creamy flavors. A nice brisk balance with good acidity underlies the spice and fruit.
A full, loamy bouquet with minerally blackberry and cassis aromas is modern in style despite this coming from old Maule vines. A generous palate deals woody, toasty flavors of baked black plum and blackberry, while peppery spice and a hint of clove are prominent on an oak-driven finish. Drink through 2021.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay is more restrained than the 2013, but still offers plenty of roasted-cashew toastiness combined with hints of pineapple and guava. The finish is clean and refreshing, but doesn't show the hoped-for length, so drink this over the near term.
Totally unusual and totally fun, this dark amber-colored wine is unexpected. It smells like flowers and honey, as if it will be sweet, but tastes dry and tangy, like blood oranges and raspberries. It's medium bodied and has a slight tannic or astringent finish, so it should pair well with toasted nut and cheeses.
Estate grown and aged in 31% new barrels, this offers dense purple fruits, scents of violets and mocha, and a smoky thread that carries into the finish. There are strong flavors of cedar box and graphite, and the tannins are chewy and substantial.
Brian Croser's efforts with Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay have finally paid off in a big way. This is a plump, amply textured wine that doesn't lack for elegance, marrying scents and flavors of toasted grain with white peaches and hazelnuts. Long and intense on the finish, echoing with toasty oak but also layers of vibrant fruit. Drink now–2015.
Complex and showing so much of what we love about Ribera del Duero. Baking spices, mature fruit and leather grace the stately bouquet, while the palate sings a pretty tune of berries, plum and brown sugar. There's thrust and potency to the mouthfeel but also a toasty, rich, mocha character. Drinking good now but should hold in there for another five to eight years.
With its superripe aromas of honey, melon and spice, this is a mouthfilling, sweet wine. It's round, without any sharp edges, yet maintains German Riesling's unique minerality and cut on the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2020.
This is a rich, succulent wine, more akin to an auslese than a true spätlese. Dried apricot and orange marmalade aromas and flavors surround a core of dried spices and crushed stone, finishing on a spicy, mineral note. Drink now–2025.
Wood-aged and almost black in color from the ripe, sweet berry fruit flavors and the velvet, opulent layers of polished wood and tannins. It's certainly a powerhouse of flavors, but the dry core keeps it from being out of balance, while the aftertaste is sweet and dry at the same time. Impressive.
This wine is a blend of 87% Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. The aromas of herb, graphite, barrel spice, plum and cranberry seem a bit muddled. The palate offers tart fruit flavors, with plenty of wood influence mixed in.
Light in color, the aromas of this wine are very varietal, with scents of cranberry, raspberry and high-toned spices. The palate is quite sweet, giving the appearance of carrying some residual sugar. It comes off as a bit hot. Still, there's enjoyment to be had.