This blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 37% Petit Verdot and 13% Malbec is dark purple in color, with rich blackberry and brambleberry tones accented by liquorice and bubble gum. The rich palate carries similar dark fruit tones, framed by silky-soft tannins.
An unusual blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, this wine displays aromas of pencil lead, blackberry and coffee. It drinks off dry, with a plush feel to the fruit flavors that help it go down easy.
Fresh and breezy, brimming with zesty lemons and apple blossoms, this light-bodied Riesling is refreshing and tart. Just a touch off dry, it's straightforward in style and thirst-quenchingly enjoyable.
Simple and fruity, this is ready for summer drinking. It is very fresh, crisp, lightly textured and with fragrant, refreshing acidity. A touch of pepper gives the aftertaste attractive spice.
Muddled stone fruit aromas meld with overripe floral tones on the nose. There's a pop of pineapple and mango fruits on the front, with tangerine leading to a short finish. This is a straightforward but enjoyable fruit-bomb.
Made with organically grown grapes, this has a focused almond fragrance punctuated with a citrusy note. The aromas carry over to the racy palate along with yellow apple peel, a flinty sensation and brisk acidity.
Crisp and refreshing aromas suggest white wildflower and pear. The bright, easygoing palate delivers crunchy green apple, nectarine zest and a light almond note alongside vibrant acidity.
Bright aromas of apricot, pear, lavender and jasmine capture the senses while the richly sweet stone fruit flavors also bring pleasure. The concentration and acid don't entirely match up but there's still much to enjoy.
Refreshing and easygoing, this offers citrus zest, yellow peach and almond sensations. Bright and loaded with zesty acidity, it would pair well with pasta topped by mussels.
Rich and ripe, this intense wine is verging into tropical land with pineapple and mango, plus an overreaching expression of oak and vanilla. It offers medium- to full-bodied weight and a big finish.
Here's a delicate white that offers aromas of acacia flower, white peach and citrus zest that carry over to the palate. Moderate acidity brightens the juicy fruit flavors.
While the nose suggests hints of oxidation, the bright palate brims with fresh apple and pear flavors. It's plump and rich in mouthfeel, accented by streaks of caramel, toast and spice.
Aromas of yellow flower, beeswax and a whiff of tropical fruit guide the nose, while bright acidity supports the yellow peach and pineapple flavors. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
A confectionary aspect to the bouquet of this wine dances near to marshmallow and nougat. On the palate, it tells a different story, offering crisp, savory peach and citrus, all within a low-intensity package that speaks more to acidity than to power.
Central Otago Pinot Noir doesn't come along very often at this price. This medium-weight, peppery wine doesn't show a ton of fruit, but does deliver some pleasantly spicy complexity and a mouthwatering chocolaty finish. Drink now.
Slightly unusual for a Viognier, this offers notes of lychee, rose and citrusy hops on the nose. Grapefruit pith leads to round nectarine and peach, offering ample weight for this exotic sipper.
Lively and aromatic, this shows aromas of candied peach, Juicy Fruit gum and white flower. The palate shows pleasant weight, texture and more tart flavors. The addition of 6% Petit Manseng brings acidic lift that lasts through the finish.
Aromas suggest leafy underbrush, woodland berry and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The lean palate offers raw red cherry and the barest hint of clove alongside brisk acidity and drying tannins.
Slightly herbal on the palate, this wine takes red fruit notes of raspberry and pomegranate to a stridently tart level. It's compact and linear, with a crisp finish.
Aromas of peach and a whiff of aromatic herb lead the nose while the bright palate offers stone fruit and green apple. Lively acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
Here's a Prosecco with real personality. Left to finish fermentation in the bottle on its lees and made without any added dosage, it displays a slightly cloudy appearance from fine sediment deposited at the bottom, which gives it another dimension. Pure flavors include tart green apple, lime, white peach and kiwi, with a hint of lemon pastry. It's balanced in mouthwatering acidity and finishes bone-dry.
Waxy white flowers and peaches scent this ripe, penetrating Riesling full of sweet tangerine and stone-fruit flavors. Fresh lime and mineral tones accent the palate, leading a long, lingering finish. It's effortlessly quaffable yet elegant and complex.
Made from vines that are over 55 years old, this refined wine has concentrated flavors of white peach, citrus, yellow apple, exotic fruit and white spices alongside energizing mineral accents. The creamy palate is brightened by firm acidity. It closes on an almond note.
Lightly baked, mildly raisiny aromas include notes of vanilla and cake. This feels ripe, steady and round, with solid acidity. Flavors of loamy berry fruits blend with riper raisin and prune characteristics, while the finish is mild in power but stout in feel.
A saignée-method rosé given three months in neutral French oak, this wine is dark raspberry in color. Vibrant and fresh, it offers swirls of spicy herb and wild strawberry, a hint of watermelon adding to its mouthwatering quality. Dry and savory, it also has some meat on its bones, a lovely go-to for meals of all kinds.
This ripe offering opens with aromas of lightly stewed black fruits and baked beans. In the mouth, it's chewy and rich, with a syrupy leaning. Flavors of oak-based hickory, toast and savory spices accent blackberry fruit, while the finish is toasty, peppery and dark in character. Drink through 2017.
Aromas recall nail polish remover, black cherry marinated in spirits and exotic spice. The thick palate delivers prune, mocha, dark chocolate and coffee bean alongside velvety tannins. It has a long finish and closes on a bitter, nutty note.
Muscular in brambly black cherry and spicy cola layers, this lingers on the palate long after the initial sip. A fine example from what the Russian River Valley winemakers call the Laguna Ridge, a not-too-cool, not-too-warm section of the appellation with shallow Goldridge soils.
This is a steely wine, crisp and very textured. Lemon zest and acidity are given structure by the mineral character and by the touches of wood. It's a wine with a future, so drink from 2016.
Scents of waxy lemon peels and candles meld with delicate peach on this refreshing off-dry Riesling. On the palate, hints of lemon verbena and lime zest lend a herbal tone that highlights the wine's revitalizing lime-juice finish.
Crushed slate and mineral notes lend elegance to decadent yellow cherry and pineapple notes on this juicy semi-sweet Riesling. Ripe and lush yet brisk with acidity, it's an approachable, irresistible and squarely balanced wine.
The nose of this dry Riesling is subdued with faint hints of blossom, wet stone and lime zest. The palate, however, is anything-but subdued, with ripe yellow-cherry and peach flavors that linger lusciously. Almost oily in texture, it's richly bodied, but brightened with a sheen of lemon-lime acidity.
Dig into this if you like superripe, rich Malbec. This is loaded with graphite, smoky oak, blackberry and baking spice aromas. Expect maximum ripeness across the palate, meaning bearish flavors of berry fruits, wood and toast. There's not a lot of distance or complexity to the finish, but getting that far is half the fun.
A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero, this savory sparkler opens with an inviting fragrance of baked bread, tangerine and red berry. The creamy palate delivers crunchy strawberry, baking spices, toasted almond and cookie dough alongside crisp acidity and an elegant perlage.
A whiff of evergreen lends a cool, alpine touch to white grapefruit and lemon notes on this refreshing, delectably fruity Riesling. The palate is just off dry, bursting with ripe white peach and tangerine flavors. It's satisfyingly quaffable, yet finishes elegantly with a fringe of lime-zest tannins.
There are equal parts strawberry and earth in this Pinot, sourced from the who's who of vineyard sites in Russian River, including Toboni, Hallberg, Floodgate, Rochioli and Bacigalupi. The components come together in mesmerizing ways, making for a balanced and restrained Pinot that's fresh in strawberry and cherry as well as seasonings of herb and cinnamon spice, building power as it goes.
Made with Pinot Nero and Chardonnay cultivated in Piedmont's Alta Langa, this begins with a fragrance of white flowers, pastry and honey. The creamy palate offers nectarine peel, yellow apple and a grapefruit note alongside a smooth, soft mousse.
Intoxicating in vanilla and peach, the aromas telegraphing honeysuckle and anise, this balanced, dry vintage Brut from 100% Chardonnay grapes is soft, food-friendly and easy to drink.
Pinot Blanc is both under-produced and under-valued, yet delivers exceptional flavor and a distinctive profile, especially in the better vintages, such as 2013. Generous fruit flavors of apple and Asian pear dominate, buoyed with a refreshing amount of natural acidity. Delicious now, and should age well through 2017.
Lime and pineapple, peach and crisp acidity mark this as a fresh, go-to style. The label notes it was fermented both in stainless steel and French oak barrels. It's balanced and true to the fruit and the elegant vintage. Just a hint of butterscotch comes through.
Six months barrel aging have given this wine richness and spicy texture. It is rounded, full of peach and white fruit flavors and with a complex texture. It's still young, drinkable now but much better from 2016.
This is a fine representation of the high-quality, fruit-laden 2012 vintage. Forward and ripe, it's packed with cherry fruit that shows a bit of candy at its center, then rolls into a lingering finish with hints of spice and caramel.
Black plum, tilled soil, leather and grilled sage aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The dense palate delivers blackberry, blueberry, dried date, roasted coffee bean and mocha alongside firm, drying tannins. A licorice note marks the finish.
From a number of Premier Cru vineyards, the wine is solid and dark. Firm, dry tannins still dominate and give promise for aging. At the same time, black plum fruit flavors show a riper side and add richness to the mix. Drink from 2016.
This is a blend of grapes from a number of Premier Cru parcels. It gives a rich, ripe and fruity wine with a good depth of flavor and strong signs of the wood aging. At this stage, the wood is leaving some bitterness and toast, but this will round out. Drink from 2017.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this offers fruity aromas of apple, peach and a note of wild flower. The bone-dry palate displays mature red apple, apricot, lime and toasted walnut alongside a refined perlage.
From grapes grown at the Ramal Arad vineyard located 500 meters above sea level. Pale straw in color, this is loaded with bright lime and pineapple notes with flavor accents of fresh cut grass and pear. Closes with an appropriately crisp and clean finish. Only 600 cases produced.
A ripe, spicy wine, with a good blend of black fruits, spice and tannins from wood aging, and a layer of dry plum skins. It has plenty of Merlot tobacco aromas and dark fruit cake flavors.
This is the second wine of Château Balestard, and there are suggestions of high extraction and very ripe fruit. It does have balance, however, the black fruits need time to calm down. The acidity is all here, offering freshness to this rich wine.
and fruity, this packs good, ripe flavors of blackberries, leather, herbs and sweet acidity. The tannins remain firmly dry, structured, leaving fine, black fruits and acidity.
A ripe, soft wine that represents great drinking value. The fruit is fresh and easy, with light tannins and acidity. This is juicy, full of red fruits and touched by a light element of wood.
Fairly young and needing some time to flesh out, this blend still has much to offer now. The firm tannins play well against the rich vanilla and spice notes; throw in some serious black cherry and raspberry, and the wine comes into focus beautifully. Drink now–2011.
Raimund Prüm's Blue Slate is developing into a consistent performer, marrying hints of ripe fruit—peach or nectarine and melon—with crisp citrusy notes and an underlying minerality that gives it an almost dry finish. Drink now.
A little baked and flat smelling, with licorice and stewed fruit aromas. Sounds kind of dark and heavy, right? But the palate runs to the thin side, with lean but pure raspberry and cherry flavors. Vitality and snap are its virtues; not much depth or character are its fallbacks.
A delicious Cabernet loaded with black currant and plum complemented by hints of pepper and mocha. The medium body and appropriately gripping tannins give way to a solid, lingering finish, making this a suitable companion to most meat and game dishes.
Persistently murky and leafy on the nose, this traditional-style Rioja brings juicier, brighter fruit to the palate along with some tangy, somewhat sharp acids. In the folds, a dash of oak brings vanilla and additional tannin into the picture. Improves with airing.
A lean and peppery style of Rioja that's very much from the old school. Red fruits such as raspberry and pie cherries steal the palate, giving the wine a tangy sensation and a spicy, almost sharp feel and finish. Very young and fresh right now; it improves with patient airing.
Solid as can be, with sweet-styled aromas of berry syrup and tire rubber. In the mouth, the wine shows juicy cherry and raspberry flavors in front of a lively finish. Throughout it shows good form and a bit more roughness than the Volteo varietal Tempranillo or the line's Tempranillo-Shiraz blend.
On the nose this is earthy, with grassy aromas touched by flint. The palate offers herbal flavors and fleshy green plums, still with an earthy edge. Ready to drink, the structure just gives finishing weight.
Soft and light, with good black plum and fig flavors. There's a touch of spice, but this is lively, juicy and fresh.
Smooth and friendly on the nose, with easy melon and peach aromas that give you confidence in the wine's core character. The palate is nothing special; there's citrus and pineapple before a medium-long finish. Solid but not the most expressive Albariño out there.
Yogev (“tiller of the soil” in Hebrew) is a 50-50 blend of Cabernet and Shiraz. Bright and spicy with a medium mouthfeel and soft tannins, the wine is loaded with jammy red fruit flavors of tart raspberry and strawberry. Ends on a medium to long finish with good intensity.
This is a good example of what Finger Lakes Chards can offer: assertive, full-flavored Chardonnay flavors and layers of spice edged by a clean minerality. Balanced and offering a supple mouthfeel, the wine is both food friendly and elegant.
Palmela is the region just south of Lisbon, producing light, fresh wines that are both great values and great everyday drinking. The strawberry fruit flavors are immediately appealing, freshened by the acidity.
This is something you're not likely to see every day—a 10-year-old sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Gris. Lacks the finesse and minerality of those Alsatian sparkling wines, but the flavors have been smoothed out over the years, and a pleasing toasty streak has crept into the tart pear skin fruit.
This is a dry wine, ruled by tannins. It is firm, the juicy fruit underneath needs time. It will have a juicy future, so wait until late 2018.
Quite a bit of spicy, sweet-seeming oak flavors give this full-bodied wine an extravagant flair to match its rather hot mouthfeel and firm tannins.
Shy plum, berry and milk chocolate aromas come in front of a palate with little more than scratchy tannins. Baked plum flavors are flat, and the finish is mild.
This wine is straightforward in approach and uncomplicated in its light-bodied gathering of cola, pine forest and tea notes.
The aromas on this wine are surprisingly blue fruited for a Cabernet, followed by notes of herb, green pepper and spice. The flavors are lightly sweet, followed by a spice-filled finish. It's a straightforward quaffer that doesn't quite show its variety.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Nebbiolo and 22% Sangiovese. The volatiles are amped up, bringing distraction from the aromas of cranberry, cherry and vanilla. The fruit flavors are broad and drink quite sweet.
Restrained aromatically, this bottling shows touches of crushed lava rocks, black pepper and blackberry on the nose. Balsamic vinegar and sour cherry flavors mark the sip, with very sticky tannins.
This art-forward, canned-wine project hits a bit of a freshness wall here. The wine is quite light in the glass yet full of dried and tired red-cherry-syrup aromas and an odd cola spice. The palate is somewhat viscous without being sweet, showing concentrated red-cherry flavors and clove spice.
Open-grained oak aromas dominate a toasty nose with heat. This feels lean and tomatoey. Flavors of tart plum and pie cherry are almost sour and feel edgy due to severe wood tannins.
The wine is structured with both wood and tannin flavors. It has a juicy core that will develop, so give this wine until 2019.
Balanced and fruity, this is a crisp wine that has soft tannins. With its bright black-currant fruit, acidity, and touch of spice, it is ready to drink.
While tart red-cherry and red-apple notes are pleasant, there's an earthiness that persists throughout this dry Merlot rosé. It's light in body with a tangy finish.
This medium-bodied wine has ripe plum and cherry-candy aromas. Equally fruity flavors are accented by some oak spice, with pretty good balance from mild tannins and acidity.
Light apple and earth aromas mingle with crisp fruit flavors without showing much of an oaky component. The wine is medium bodied, fairly crisp in texture and moderate in fruit notes.
Heavy aromas of raisin, oak and chocolate are copied on the palate that tastes of oak, vanilla and raisiny fruit. It has a woody finish.
This is a fruity wine, packed with acidity, red fruits and a soft texture. With its crisp open character it is not a wine for long aging, so drink from 2018.
This is a structured wine, firm with tannins. Behind the structure, the attractive black-plum fruits are still developing. The wine is dense and solid and will be ready from 2018.
While this wine shows its wood aging strongly, it is likely that the fruit will be able to push through the spice and heavy toast as it matures. Drink from 2018.
The wine has structure along with juicy generous fruits. Bright fruitiness brings acidity from black-currant flavors. Drink this ripe wine from 2018.
The wine is tight and dominated by very crisp black currants and considerable acidity. Assuming it can soften and open up, it will be a fruity wine with just a light structure.
The wine is soft with a fine touch of tannin and some stalkiness. It has black currants that are ripe while remaining crisp. The wine is easy, accessible and ready to drink.
Compactly built with dense, ripe fruit, this wine offers plummy flavors that lean toward raisiny richness amid a perfumed nose of blackberry and cinnamon. Its full-bodied boldness finishes dry and dull.
Aromas of overripe slightly turned apple and grape skin are followed by dry citrus and guava flavors. It seems quite disjointed.
The 2009 Gypsy, unlike the 2008, includes no Mourvèdre in the blend, meaning it's just Grenache and Syrah, at about half each. This is a powerful and intense wine, with forward aromas and flavors of cherry, black plum and boysenberry that are spiced with notes of crushed purple florals, black pepper and licorice. With medium-plus tannins, bold flavors, a firm texture and a long finish, this is one that is both drinking well now and should also age nicely through 2016.
An attractively ripe and mature wine with a great balance between the orangy citrus fruits and a tight, taut, mineral texture. The wine is rich in its dosage and fruitiness while showing signs of maturer toast and almond flavors. However, it could still age.
Attractively ripe, this second wine from Château Léoville las Cases is initially fruity. The structure comes through only slowly to reveal itself.The wine is ripe yet shot through with acidity. Likely to develop quickly.
This Cerise Vineyard Pinot is rich and bright and as delicious as a cherry tart. Silky and substantial, the finish has a pleasant herbal undertone that almost delves into leather. A great food-pairing wine, enjoy it with pork tenderloin or bacon-wrapped figs or dates.
Spice rules this pure, estate-grown Syrah, which boasts a classic nose with streaks of compost, cured meats and oolong tea. Though the stem and herb flavors are abundant, they are swaddled in ripe black  fruits and highlighted with licorice and coffee grounds from 22 months in barrel.
Only estate-grown grapes go into this blend that's one third each Cab Franc and Merlot, plus one third a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It's already drinking well, with super fruit concentration bringing raspberry, blueberry and cherry together in a wine finished with luscious chocolaty oak flavors. Smooth and forward, it gathers itself and focuses through an engaging finish.
Crisp and very floral, this is a beautiful showcase of Anderson Valley's cool climate and commitment to Alsatian varieties. There's a great depth of flavor here—fig, grapefruit, lime and orange peel—not to mention tremendous minerality. This is a wine that can be sipped all day long or enjoyed with fish, poultry or an onion tart.
Aromas of toast, scorched earth, black plum, espresso and mocha lead the nose on this robust, savory wine. The concentrated palate offers mature black cherry, ripe blackberry, raspberry jam, licorice and black pepper alongside chewy tannins and fresh acidity. The fruit richness seamlessly supports the hefty alcohol.
Russet and Red Delicious apples set the aromatic tone, edged by rhubarb and pink grapefruit zest. The fine, fizzing mousse accentuates both powdery dryness and the earthy, resonant notes of autolysis. This is elegant, dry, whistle-clean, lasting and will make a perfect, sophisticated apéritif.
Most of the fruit for this wine comes from this vineyard's 1975 plantings. It brings nuanced aromas of pear and mineral, drinking just a hair off dry, with more than ample acidity to balance out the fleshy flavors. The finish lasts a long time.
Despite mild high-tone and mulchy notes, the nose on this Carmenère deals woody aromas, a touch of tree bark and earthy berry scents. A plush, fleshy palate is moderate in structure, with earthy raspberry and black-plum flavors that finish meaty and savory. Drink now.
Plump mulberry, asphalt, lavender and cola aromas power the good though slightly curious nose on this wine from a renowned vineyard. The distinctive palate is very aromatic and violet-like, with strong fennel elements alongside boysenberry and herb-laced cherry cola flavors.
Copper-pink in color, this lively, fuller-bodied style rosé is from 100% Pinot Noir, picked specifically for the style, then given time to ferment in stainless barrels and neutral French oak. Intense acidity gives a sizzling quality on the palate, with biting flavors of strawberry and watermelon.
White peach cooked in browned butter, sea salt and apple slice aromas make for a delicious entry into this bottling from one of the few estate wineries in the appellation. Spiced apple and lemon salt flavors combine for a solid and ever-reliable palate, while a fresh-rain-on-cement accent adds interest and depth.
Made with 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc from one of the state's top vineyards, this wine displays aromas of mocha, herb and dark cherry. The coffee and cherry flavors show a mixture of fruit and barrel (72% new French) that carries through the finish.
A mix of youthful freshness and lees scents blend nicely with spiced apple aromas in front of a tight, citrusy palate. This punches above its weight class courtesy of tasty nectarine, apricot and yeasty flavors. A dusty, slightly pithy finish wraps this up in fine form.
This wine is rich, full of ripe red berry fruits and sliced with firm, still-young tannins. Produced from old vines, it has concentration and juicy acidity that lifts the full, fruity character. The structure will allow the wine to age further, so drink from 2017.
This full-bodied wine has a voluptuous entry that's slightly tropical in pineapple and Asian pear, as well as vanilla-layered oak. The expansive beginning segues smoothly into a higher-wire act of minerality, finishing fleshy and fresh.
The Niven family's winemaker, Christian Roguenant, teases smoked meats, blackberry paste, dark slate, aromatic red cherries and concentratied hibiscus from the nose of this wine. The palate shows plenty of ripe, red fruit, but is made interesting by woody herbs, including oregano and marjoram.
Half Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this Rocks District wine offers appealing aromas of tobacco, milk chocolate, herbs and plum. The flavors have an elegant styling but still have plenty of depth with firm tannins backing them up. It will be best after 2018.
This is living proof that Jumilla's Monastrells can age well. Earthy aromas of plum, blackberry and vanilla are oaky but mature and true to the region and variety. This feels vital and balanced, supported by mature, chewy tannins. Flavors of cherry, plum and chocolate finish long, with energy to spare. Drink now through 2018.
Half of the fruit for this wine comes from Celilo Vineyard and half from Gamache. Light cloudy in appearance, it displays aromas of prickly pear, mineral, toast and lees. It's sleek with a lightly creamy feel.
This wine needs time to open, but when it does it reveals smooth, thick oakiness on the palate that settles into a complementary note to the spicy clove and cherry vanilla. Medium to fuller-bodied in style, it finishes softly.
Austere and elegant, this wine opens in the glass to deliver fresh-cut apple, matchstick and graham cracker, balancing fruit-forwardness with complexity. From an estate property with only two acres planted to the variety, the rest to Pinot Noir, it exudes its Middle Reach roots, ripe and fresh, and entirely aged in stainless steel.
Rooty aromas of cola nut, baked berry fruits and blackberry jam set up a plush, jammy palate of solid tannic framework. Baked berry, dark plum and loamy notes end with meaty, roasted flavors that are typical of a well-made wine from Jumilla. This is 60% Monastrell, 25% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This opens with alluring scents of violet, rose, red berry and chopped herbs. The fresh, delicious palate doles out pure fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and raspberry while licorice and clove notes offer back up. Silky tannins and bright acidity provide the pliant framework.
Rich, ripe and full-bodied, this is a Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec blend. Juicy acidity and berry fruits are integrated into the firm structure. A smoky, dry wood-laden background gives the wine good texture. Drink from 2016. Xavier Carreau, Alain Jourdan and Cyril Jourdan, the latest generation, run the family's five estates.
It's almost worth buying this bottling just for the extravagant medieval label design. Luckily the wine is lives up to the heraldic billing. It is rich while also well structured. Juicy berry fruits and fresh black currant acidity show well against a still-tannic structure. The wine comes from the Moreaud family. Drink from 2017.
Barrel spice, pineapple, butterscotch and candlewax aromas are followed by full-bodied tropical-fruit flavors. It displays a lot of richness but retains its sense of balance.
This blend of Barbera, Petite Sirah and other red varieties tastes hearty, fruity, full flavored and full bodied, without being too tannic to enjoy easily. Aromas like blackberry jam and flavors reminiscent of dark plum and spicy, smoky oak make it tempting and delicious. Enough fresh acidity keeps it balanced.
This very tasty wine was made in Chicago from California grapes. Mild aromas of jasmine and apricot are followed by rich flavors like poached pear, butter and almond. This is full bodied, flavorful, smooth in texture and well balanced, with a lingering finish.
This bottling from the large négociant Ogier features attractive aromas of black olives and ripe cherries. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with flavors of mocha, olive and dark earth that finish warm and long. Drink now–2020.
Violet, dark-skinned berry, toasted oak and sweet baking spice aromas float out of the glass. The full-bodied palate doles out mature blackberry, black currant, sage, green pepper and oak-driven spice framed in fine-grained tannins.
A blend of Viognier and Roussanne, this warm-vintage wine offers aromas of toast, ripe peach, pineapple, almond and barrel spices. It's full bodied with rich, sweet fruit flavors that stick around on the finish.
This shows a brownish cast to the garnet color, then reveals wonderful aromas of dried cherry and forest floor. These partner with a firm, dry and appetizing texture and lean but bright cranberry, black tea and cardamom flavors.
Quickly becoming one of Adelsheim's most important vineyard designates, this beautifully balanced wine opens with pungent, primary fruits, a jumble of berries and cherries in the nose and mouth. It lengthens into raspberry compote complexity, limned with dark chocolate and highlighted with peppery greens.
With a density of nearly 7,000 vines per acre, and consequent low yields, it is not surprising this is a concentrated, intense wine. It has quintessential herbaceous flavors, rounded out with a creamed apple element and a tight, steely texture. Age for 3–4 years.
Savory and refreshing, this Prosecco is made using the traditional method of refermenting in the bottle. It offers tart green apple and baked vanilla cookie aromas that carry over to the palate along with bright citrus notes. It's nicely balanced with brisk acidity and small, persistent bubbles.
Made from old vines of Cesanese, this structured red offers an intriguing fragrance of violets, rose, red berry, scorched earth and a whiff of nutmeg. The bright, juicy palate delivers wild cherry, orange peel, clove and baking spice alongside supple, smooth tannins.
This wine delivers on richness of flavor without being overwhelming or overdone. Refined in soft tannins and a core of expressive, juicy blue and black berry fruit, it is seductive and smoky on the finish, sourced mainly from vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley.
Underbrush, forest floor, crushed violet, new leather, mature plum and graphite aromas lead the nose on this brawny red. The hearty palate delivers dried black cherry, blackberry, nutmeg, grilled sage and licorice alongside youthfully aggressive but ripe tannins. Drink 2015–2025.
Big and bold, this is going to be an impressive Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend from a 2.5-acre plot on the Queyrens family estate. It has great red fruits and generous acidity, both of which are given a strong sense of structure by the tannins. At the moment, it is about potential, so wait until 2017.
Spicy, ripe and fruity, this wine has enough structure to give shape to the broad black fruits that are the stars. A smoky element comes from just the right amount of wood aging. Drink from 2017.
Coming from one of the few vineyards between the coastal town of Cambria and Paso Robles, this brooding wine offers dark and dank aromas of black dirt, slate, charred meat and very black cherry. Once sipped, sagebrush and lavender herbals emerge, along with sour cherry. A promising effort for an area that may be its own appellation one day.
It's basically one-third each Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, but the Viognier speaks loudest in the finished wine. Apricot and peppery-gingery spice notes mark the nose, while the texture is bolstered by Viognier's phenolic content without becoming bitter. Drink now through 2015.
The winery once made 30,000 cases of Chardonnay. With this release, it micro-sized that number down to 1,250, focusing on 30 vine rows to make a better wine. Mission accomplished—this medium-bodied wine offers a creamy texture, with concentrated fig and pear flavors around a mineral-laden finish.
A perennial favorite, it's reassuring to see that the quality continues to remain high even from Guigal's least expensive cuvée. Red fruits—cherries and raspberries—marry easily with hints of clove, cracked pepper, black olive and espresso. It's round on the midpalate, showing more focus and ample length on the finish.
Extended time in all new French oak barrels give this wine a heartier feel than it might otherwise have, swirls of oaky caramel and toast most prominent on the nose and initial palate. A richness of color also stands out, while velvety tannins and red fruit complete the experience. Letting the wine open helps temper its size, revealing a measured level of refinement.
This 100% Syrah is abundant in juicy blue and black fruit, with concentrated layers of meat and leather wrapped around its intense core. Ready to enjoy now, it's ripe yet balanced.
Aromas of passion fruit, dried apricot, dill and candied nectarine zest lead the nose on this concentrated dessert wine. On the palate, bright acidity adds freshness to the candied lemon, pastry and yellow peach flavors.
Made by refermenting in the bottle and leaving it on its lees without disgorging, this offers savory flavors of juicy lime, ripe pear, mineral and a yeasty note of baked bread alongside a soft mousse. It's dry and balanced with lively acidity.
Crisp pear and citrus fruit gets almost aggressively tart in this stainless-steel fermented Chard. Good length; should pair well with oysters on the half-shell.
Very crisp, and loaded with tart green apples and lemons, this would be an ideal match for light fish or shellfish dishes. This is what unadulterated cool-climate Chardonnay tastes like.
Toasty, with a bit of cedar or menthol on the nose; red berries and licorice on the palate. The fruit here is delicate and tart, particularly on the finish, where the flavors are almost lemony.
Tart green-apple flavors are joined on the palate by a touch of fresh berries. Clean and crisp; a good summertime wine that's the local version of a Provençal rosé (but made from a blend of Chardonnay and Merlot).
The dominant aromas are smoke, toast and cinnamon, which ride over tart-cherry fruit. Turns quite stemmy and tough on the finish. Drink young, with a piece of rare beef to help tame the tannins.
Creamy, spicy aromas show hints of oranges or tangerines. Medium-weight, with a clean finish that would complement virtually any seafood dish.
The dominant aromas are smoke, toast, and cinnamon, which ride over tart-cherry fruit.  Turns quite stemmy and tough on the finish.  Drink young--with a piece of rare beef to help tame the tannins.
Bright cherry aromas and flavors.  Light and easy to drink, with a bit of green stemminess on the finish that adds character.
Loaded with new oak, which in this case means it's cedary and very mentholly,  Under that is some tobacco and coffee.  Very drying tannins clamp down on the finish.
A solid effort for North Fork Cabernet, which has a tendency towards inconsistency. This has dark cassis fruit underlined by a weedy, herbal streak and a dried-fruit nuance as well.
An intensely lemony wine that folds in some pear aromatics. Quite full on the palate and yet very fresh, clean and citrusy; tailor-made for the region's shellfish.
With 20% barrel fermentation, this wine is surprisingly rich and spicy for a low-end Chard. The aromas and flavors bring to mind pears and golden-delicious apples, before turning tart on the finish.
A juicy, ready-to-drink Merlot for this evening's dinner table. Sweet black-cherry fruit is accented by just a dash of sweet peppers.
Sophisticated and subtle, this lovely wine expresses varietal elegance, with a bouquet of roses and raspberries to begin. The jumble of pretty fruits is framed with citrus peel and a dusting of chocolate.
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.
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 wine has gorgeous, obvious cedar and toasted-bread aromas. Oozing with fruit and oak richness, it tastes like blueberry syrup and cocoa. Very full bodied, it wallops the taste buds, weaves around the mouth and lingers on the finish.
This vineyard is often featured in designate bottlings from some of Oregon's best producers. Here the black fruits impress immediately, with dense and powerful black cherry and cassis flavors. At first tight and slightly chalky, this wine responds very well to aggressive aeration, and the AVA's typical minerality emerges.
Very gentle, perfumed honeysuckle notes are distinct and enticing on the nose. The palate follows this with a perfumed, opulent medium-sweetness that is reminiscent of sugar-plums and candied fruit pastilles: there are peach and plum and unbridled richness with a slight phenolic grip.
The promise of aromatic, ripe stone fruit is immediately evident: vine-ripened peach and baked apple are lush and perfumed. The palate is equally fruitful, but tempered by dryness and a stony, taut and structured background. This is clean and poised and is ready now but will develop beautifully until 2020.
One of the more anticipated alternative whites from Santa Barbara County each year, this wine shows light honey brittle, sour tangerine and a touch of sour cream on a bright and lithe nose. The palate offers delicate cherimoya and soft nectarine fruit cut by lime juice and orange rinds, proving light but bursting with energy and flavors.
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.
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.
From a winery atop Summit Road between Santa Cruz and San Jose comes this wine with a hefty, rich nose of fresh-pressed raspberry, black plum and strawberry notes, boosted by Dr Pepper and light licorice spice. Notes of nutmeg and allspice mix with juniper, dried plum and boysenberry on the lush palate.
Breathtaking lime acidity pierces through this ebulliently fruity kabinett. The palate is a crush of sweet, fresh yellow peach and apricot flavors, lined by a steely edge of minerality. It's fleeting and frail in mouthfeel yet packs a firm punch through a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020 to enjoy its youthful vitality.
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.
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 appetizing perfume is a perfect fusion of lemon zest and tart apple. The palate also pitches that same, ripe freshness against zingy tang. The palate is dry, textured and juicy and thus very moreish. This is very alive and appetizing with a super-clean, lip-smacking finish.
The storied Carneros producer dips a toe into Oregon with this new release. It's got ample herbal aromatics and bright, brambly berry fruit, with cinnamon-stick highlights. Quite young and tight, it has a few rough edges to be smoothed out with additional bottle age. This will drink best from 2020–2025.
The color is light, which is natural for the variety, while aromas are lightly fruity, earthy and tobacco-like. Bright raspberry and cranberry flavors come with cedar and dried-herb accents that add complexity. It's medium bodied, well balanced and light in tannins, with a very appetizing texture.
Subdued but promising apple-ripeness on the nose leads to a rounded, fully mature palate that rings with fresh and dried apple. There are hints of hay and and a wonderfully, clean core of lemon freshness that is supremely well cushioned on these rich, intense flavors. Drink 2016–2019.
Dark ruby in color, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, green pepper and pomegranate. Smooth tannins provide a backdrop for flavors of black cherry, cranberry, smoke and Mediterranean herbs that recede slightly on the bright cherry finish.
Those familiar with Altocedro's Malbecs know that oak will be a key player. For this 200-case, small-batch wine, the nose offers a blast of barrel power that initially smells like a sawmill. The palate is bold and full, with flavors of buttery oak, vanilla and salty black fruits. There's grip to the finish, which, not surprisingly, tastes woody, dark and minty. Drink through 2022.
Bright, tart fruit conjures up fresh raspberries and cranberries, with potent acids and light hints of metal shavings and dried leaves. A lovely wisp of cinnamon toast elevates the finish.
From a relatively cool hillside site within the Oak Knoll District, this wine dances in lemon and green apple, completely crisp atop a fuller-bodied style embraced in oak. Luxurious on the palate, it finishes with a bite of salty brine.
Enticing aromas of Alpine wildflower, rennet apple and a whiff of aromatic herb unfold on this sleek, radiant white. The vibrant, elegant palate offers creamy Anjou pear, white peach and lemon-lime energized by a mineral vein and firm acidity.
Big, ripe, generous, this wine is on the rich side of the 2006 vintage. At this stage, it offers peach and apricot, with honeyed yeast flavors. The minerality crispens the texture, while black pepper and firm tannins suggest aging ability.
A great mouthful of rich sweetness, toffee rounding an already velvet texture. The wine, with its liquid honey and mango flavors, feels full-bodied. If balancing acidity is less apparent, it does show in the fresh, lifted finish. Screwcap.
A muscular, dense and tannic Syrah with a distinctive mineral underpinning. The expression is focused on concentrated, tightly wound blackberry and cassis, with some alcoholic heat. This is almost Australian in its sculptural elegance, and needs breathing time to let the mix of licorice and coffee come out in the finish.
Velázquez's most successful and consistent effort is this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. It's crusty and dark on the nose, with magnanimous baked-fruit, earth and berry aromas. The feel is just right and the wine shows few, if any, faults or breaks. Overall it's pure and fades away with rich, dark flavors and velvety tannins. A New World red wine that's sure to please. 350 cases made.
Aromatic and highly textural. The wine brings out a lot of citrus rind, tart stone fruits, and leesy texture. There's plenty of acid and hints of an underlying minerality with no hot alcohol burn. Just a little hint of stem in the tannins.
The 2006 Zachary's Ladder is 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Beautifully defined, sharp and tight. Still compact, dense, hard and young, but loaded with mixed flavors of black cherry, iron and rock. The tannins are tough and hard, the wine is firm and focused.
Always estate grown and 100% varietal, Beresan makes one of the best Sémillons in the state. Exceptionally dry and crisp, this again suggests sweet grain, citrus and light tropical fruits. Notes of lemon oil and even a hint of diesel come in as subtleties. Though not as full-bodied and rich as the 2006, it's an excellent, well-made bottle, more in the style of a Bordeaux blanc.
An elegant, floral Pinot Noir from Patagonia's top producer of PN. Barda is warm, creamy and intense. An emphasis on balanced raspberry and cherry flavors mixed with rose hip and freshness gives it an Old World personality. A very drinkable and honest style of red wine. Good now into 2011.
Winemaker Simon Waghorn has been able to maintain this brand's quality even as production has ramped up to 100,000 cases, a remarkable feat. The 2008 features ripe, tropical fruit aromas of guava and pineapple that morph easily into flavors of nectarine and fig; expect some herbal notes to emerge by the time it reaches consumers. It's plump in the mouth, yet finishes with a mouthwatering, clean, crisp finish.
This amply endowed, creamy-textured Cab may not make old bones, but it offers a delicious mouthful of rich cassis fruit, accented by hints of mint, tobacco and dark chocolate. It's silky enough to drink now, with a long, slightly warm finish.
Winemaker Matt Dicey has teased out Pinot Noir's silky texture and ample complexity in this wine, one of his finest to date. Cherry fruit hints at rose petals and picks up subtle earth and spice shadings on the palate, finishing with elegance and class. Drink now–2012, although its balance may permit it to hold for several more years after that.
A zesty wine with more zap and tang than one might expect. That said, it's solid as a rock, with intense flavors of cherry, plum, carob and oak. Call it a bit obtuse, if you will. But even with woody finishing notes of vanilla and cream, this settles on fruit more so than the barrel. Carmenère (78%) with Syrah and Carignan.
Ripe, creamy aromas introduce a deliciously full-bodied Grüner. It has freshness, but also soft apple flavors and a cream character, while its pepper and spice is prominent. The finish is clean, with green plums and apple skin tannins. Screwcap.
Dramatic oaky aromas and flavors, like nutmeg, butter and vanilla, create an attention-grabbing profile in this full-bodied, moderately tannic wine. It has solid fruit as well, but that character plays second fiddle.
The nose of this wine is marked by funky game, moist earth, stewed plum and wet fur aromas. That gamy note follows through to the palate, which is rustic and raisin-inflected with hints of grilled herb and used leather. Grainy tannins leave a raspy finish.
Toasted oak and cardamom aromas give way to powerful oaky flavors on the palate, where maple, stewed plum and toasted bread flavors accompany a soft, easy texture.
This wine offers a full-bodied lushness on the palate and a mix of preserved lemon and dried herb flavors that veer tart against the riper backdrop of sweet, peach-like fruit.
This 100% Sangiovese opens with red-skinned berry and underbrush aromas. The easygoing palate evokes raspberry jam with a touch of cinnamon, framed by round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino offers blackberry and cooking spice aromas. The straightforward palate delivers juicy black plum and clove flavors with an underpinning of smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Earthy spice and forest floor notes are kept fresh by vibrant acidity in this full-bodied estate wine. Black tea and herbal flavors dominate the finish.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this enjoyable wine opens with violet and Mediterranean herb aromas. The straightforward palate doles out wild cherry flavors, an earthy hint of underbrush and soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made in tiny quantities, this reserve-tier wine is smoky and robust in black cherry and vanilla flavors, supported by a density of oak.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, this opens with black cherry and Mediterranean herb aromas. On the palate, black currant fruit feels wrapped in dark spice, supported by pliant tannins. Drink soon.
Striking aromas of lavender, incense and kirsch are intense on the nose. All of these characteristics carry through to the palate and are joined by fresh berry components. Light in body, this wine contains silky tannins and a bright lift. The finish is soft and subtle.
Coconut, oak, vanilla and leather aromas lead the nose and carry over to the bracing palate. The wine lacks fruit richness, suggesting instead dried notes of cherry skin and sage. Tight, raspy tannins leave an astringent finish.
A blend from two sites—one in the Sebastopol Hills and the other in the heart of the appellation—this is a high-toned expression of earthiness over fruit, brimming in cardamom and mushroom scents.
Fruity aromas of blueberry pie, raspberry and Cran-Grape Juice are palpable. Flavors in the same vein are jammy and spicy. Mouthwatering acidity manifests itself in this full-bodied fruit bomb.
Nutty with baked peach and pineapple notes, this wine is medium-bodied but surprisingly restrained on the palate, nearly unresolved. It grows more citrusy in the glass, with a spark of lemon zest on the finish.
This easygoing blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot is ribbed with black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The palate is soft and simple, offering suggestions of red plum and a touch of white pepper. Drink now.
Powerful tannins and a firm, dry mouthfeel suggest long aging may be needed for this wine to drink well. It has a hearty dose of ripe cherry and tart cranberry fruit, held tightly in check by its structure. Try after 2020.
Dark chocolate, black cherry, plum and wet concrete show on the nose of this bottling from a winery recently acquired by O'Neill Vintners. There are lots of earthy flavors on the palate, from freshly turned loam to dusty rocks, set against tangy dried elderberry fruit.
A strangely bitter note mingles with unusually high-toned leafy red-fruit notes. The palate is slightly bitter but dry and fresh. The body is very light. Drink soon.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this has subtle black-skinned fruit aromas with an herbaceous edge. The palate is simple and informal, offering berry and cinnamon flavors. Enjoy soon.
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.
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.
This is muscular and sturdy for a Pinot Noir, with savory notes of mushrooms, beets and earth that add to that impression. While it lacks precision and elegance, it does offer a chunky mouthful of Pinot with ample length and intensity to the finish.
Aromas of currants and tropical fruits are followed by ripe nectarine and star fruit flavors with the acidity coming from a fresh pineapple character. It's an intense wine, with delicious, full concentration of flavors.
A Rhône blend that will, in future vintages, not be varietally named, this is far from a standard Washington Syrah. It's threaded beautifully with nuances of fruit and spice from the Viognier coferment, Grenache and Mourvèdre that are included. Aromatic, spicy and weaving together chocolate, licorice, granite, roasted meat and berry flavors, it is both substantial and forward.
Egarade means a “mysterious evening stroll,” according to the producer. Perhaps the idea is that you lose track of time in this wine. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it is rich and full-bodied with a good weight of white and green fruits and a final nervy texture and acidity.
Funky at first and simply not as smooth, pure and clean as Catena's Nicasia and Adrianna Malbecs, which are the components of this wine. Argentino in 2007 is deep and dark like always, with coconut and cassis aromas preceding a sweet, ultrarich palate that's teetering on candied. Quite oaky and chocolaty as well, with brown sugar and depth to the finish. Drink now through 2014.
This velvety red blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache is dark and heady but approachable and easily drinkable now. Boysenberry and black cherry flood the bouquet, accented by notes of purple flowers and cola. Balanced and lush in the mouth, the black raspberry fruit and peppery spice carry through to the long, evolving finish.
Not for everyone, this is the kind of Petite Sirah Quentin Tarantino would make if he made wine—big, in your face and ultimately a fine, bold wine full of intense black olive tapenade, chocolate and tobacco, with a tannic, peppery finish, a nod to its 22 months spent in French oak. Juicy and meaty and able to age another 5–7 years. Have some braised meat at the ready.
Toasty and elegant from the beginning. The nose breathes Christmas spice and mature berry fruits, while the palate deals a persistent structure and acidity for added spine. Tastes a little rooty and savory, with root beer and chocolate notes to the finish. Drink now or hold thru 2016.
Late-picked, 100% Cabernet fruit from an iconic Red Mountain vineyard; hence the name, which translates as “the beast”. It's jammy and ripe, but the tannins have been tamed, and the fruit is front and center, along with brown spices and toasty barrel notes. This is a thoroughly delicious wine that seems to be drinking in its prime, though it shows no sign of tiring.
Dark colored wine, which translates into richness and flavors of full-bodied damsons and plum fruits, with finely judged tannins and wood. Natural power, with concentration and final acidity to give just the right lift.
An inky wine, yet remarkably well balanced and supple, marrying a lush, creamy texture with masses of blueberries and hints of mint and licorice. Drink now or hold up to 10 years.
Fermented in neutral Burgundian oak, this is crisp and stylish, and brings in tart Asian pear, jicama and white peach. Flavors are clean and razor sharp. No alterations, additions, or finings are employed—this is as noninterventionist as it gets.
This wine has been in release for almost two years, but the extra time has only improved it. Nicely melding the strengths of Klipsun vineyard Cabernet and Merlot with 24 months in half new, half year-old French oak barrels, this powerful wine has concentrated cherry and cassis fruit, potent baking spices, suggestions of mint and pepper, and a host of details waiting to be noticed. A great bottle to toss into a blind tasting of high-end California reds.
Big, lush and tightly structured, with cola and mocha aromas along with serious black fruit power and brightness. A pure and delicious Malbec-Cabernet wine with the full allotment of berry character, cola accents, dark spice and clarity. Drink now through 2014.
A beautiful wine that has plenty of weight and also a firm structure of minerality to go with the yellow fruits that are now evolving into more mature flavors. It is by no means at its peak yet. Give it 2–3 years.
Sourced from a three-acre vineyard planted in 2001, this smooth and quite pretty Pinot is round and fruity, offering lots of blueberry and raspberry fruit. It's laced together with a tight streak of coffee and toast.
A dry Vinho Verde that has crisp citrus as well as riper yellow fruits. A blend of Alvarinho with Trajadura, it comes from the north of Vinho Verde. It's perfumed, fresh and crisp while showing a full texture. Drink starting in late 2014.
Already delicious, this wine is piled high with blackberry fruits and sweet tannins that are supported by spicy wood flavors. It's soft and velvet in texture, very ready to drink now.
A taste of candied grapefruit jumps out first from this wine, which is altogether clean and crisp. It's also generous in bigger flavors of fig and vanilla. More creamy and fruity than herbal or savory, it's right for seafood or spicy stuff.
The largest Chardonnay parcel in the Thomas Fogarty estate portfolio at slightly more than four acres, this slice still only amounts to four barrels of wine. The 2011 starts with a candied, chalky smell, reminiscent of white Smarties, and the flavors lean toward cooked stone fruit, such as caramelized pluot, and charred daffodil.
Although the wine is closed at the moment, showing only its tannic side, it has a good promise from the weight of fruit that's at the back. Ripe and juicy, it should age well. Drink from 2017.
Incrocio Manzoni results from a crossing between Riesling and Pinot blanc grapes. Delicate aromas recall white flowers and stone fruit. The elegant palate offers yellow apple, apricot and a hint of pineapple alongside bright acidity.
Behind the dark tannins, a huge mouthful of fruit is waiting to come out. The wine has weight, showing layers of wood aging and dark tannins. It's concentrated and needs to age. Drink from 2017.
With soft acidity, this is already an attractive, warmly white wine. Orange and tangy citrus flavors are balanced by a light touch of wood aging that gives spice. It needs a few more months, so drink from the end of 2014.
An almost tropical hint of passion fruit and mango enters the lemony pepper realms of Grüner: an intriguing variation on this soft, pleasing white.
This single-vineyard Pinot Gris is smooth as silk, loaded with fresh, well-defined flavors of melon. A touch of spring herb is delicately applied. Not a big, fruity wine, but delicious in a rather quiet way.
Richly effusive, it's marked by blue and black berry fruit that's almost jammy, swathed in chocolaty toffee. The wine shows off Macchia's prowess with Lodi fruit, its acidity pert throughout, especially into the finish, which also features plenty of toasty oak.
Given its high-octane aroma of barrel and petrol, this Pinot is defined by its need to settle down, more disheveled teenager than the groomed adult it surely will become. The bones are there, dark berry fruit and lurking, earthy spice. There's a developing softness to the texture, the aromas still being worked out.
Slightly sweet, this light, smooth and juicy wine has mild aromatics of citrus fruit and floral notes, and pretty melon and pippin apple flavors.
Solid and firm, it has powerful tannins and no sense yet of aging. The concentration is palpable, offering impressive weight while also bringing out ripe berry fruits. It needs until 2017–2018 to soften.
This Syrah-led blend (with Carignan) hails from old vineyards in Maule. Leather, rubber, compost and earthy cherry aromas set up a palate with laser-beam acidity and shearing crispness. Flavors of red fruits, spice and herbal notes finish oaky and a bit raw, but exceedingly fresh. Drink through 2018.
Nicely differentiated from the companion Stewart bottling, this Athena is a sharp and spicy affair, with tight, tart cranberry and raspberry fruit. Native yeast fermentation and extended sur-lie aging add some snap to the finish. Try after 2016 for optimum enjoyment.
A perennial knockout, this vintage delivers as always, combining 7% Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Syrah from the estate into the mix. Altogether, it opens in a field of wildflowers aromatic before unfurling tart acidity to keep freshly layered soft, supple tannin and red cherry and berry. Sprinklings of white pepper and clove factor in.
Silken, honeyed layers of sweet-tart peach and mango undulate from the core of this stunning beerenauslese. Its unctuous sweetness is head-spinning, but vibrant lemon-lime acidity and dusty, earthy complexities keep it grounded. It's delicious already but sure to improve through 2050 and beyond.
This bottling from a winery that uses both the highest of technology and most old school of techniques is incredibly subtle at first, but then come waves of mace, mulberry, forest floor and dried shiitake aromas. The palate starts with sharper herbs and spice, from thyme to nutmeg and allspice, and then the purple flower flavors explode like a bouquet in the mouth. Elderflower touches fly into the finish.
Luminous peach and tangerine flavors take center stage in this gorgeously composed sweet Riesling. Lip-smacking honey and candied orange peel flavors are offset by a dazzling streak of citrusy acidity. Despite all the sweetness, the finish is pristinely mineral. It's stunning already but should only improve through 2050.
Dark gold in color, this is a memorably luxurious and vivacious wine, tangy in grapefruit, burnt orange and cardamom. Layered and complex, it evolves as it opens to a lingering tease of butterscotch topped in nutmeg. It is an outstanding vision of an outstanding site, a wine for the ages.
This small property with its own château lies within the lower portion of Vaudésir but is considered a Grand Cru in its own right. The wine—the flagship of the cooperative—is opulent, showing strong wood aging flavors that will soften with time. Ripe and generous with yellow fruit flavor, it also boasts a tight mineral acidity and crispness, making it a good candidate for cellaring. Drink from 2021.
There's a pinpoint-like delicacy to this dazzling auslese. Its pristine pineapple and yellow cherry flavors collapse like silk on the palate, electrified with acidity and a heady floral flair. Its fruit expression is pure and transparent, lingering endlessly on the finish. Beautiful already but should improve through 2040.
Homer is the winery's top level reserve cuvée. Aromatic and complete in every detail, it opens with cinnamon and violet scents, plum and cherry fruit soaked in mocha chocolate and the density and complexity that only the finest Pinot Noirs attain. Drink with pleasure now through the 2020s.
Winemaker Bradley Brown manages to capture all of the redwood forest-like spice of this region in his lithe bottlings. This one offers fresh pomegranate and rose petal on the nose, plus woody touches of sandalwood and cedar. Bright acidity kicks off the sip, dropping into pencil shavings, thyme and cola, with dried raspberry fruit that runs from end to end.
Heady tropical pineapple, melon and mango tones pulse through this palate-clinging auslese. It's lusciously sweet but not cloying, with spine-tingling acidity and pleasantly musky saffron notes that intensify on its long, lean finish. Delicious already, it will continue to improve through 2040.
If anyone can elevate Oregon's already excellent Chardonnays to the next level, it's Jacques Lardière, who makes Résonance for Louis Jadot after four decades at their winery in Burgundy. This nutty toasty chiseled wine has impeccable breeding, power and elegance. White peach, pear and apple fruit is wrapped in lush barrel flavors of caramel, buttered toast and vanilla wafer, with firm acids for a foundation. Drink now and on through 2025.
The second of two prestige cuvées from Deutz, this shows its high proportion of Pinot Noir with its full-bodied nature. Already mature, it has broadened into a richly complex, toasty, spicy wine. With full-throttle acidity that gives it a taut edge, it's impressive and ready to drink.
This wine is rich and surprisingly full-bodied. It comes from a great Champagne vintage, giving it both intensity and an acidity built for longterm aging. This half-bottle version is filling out, showing almond flavors yet retaining its citrus edge. Drink from 2019.
These are in fact the original Pinot Noir vines planted in the Willamette Valley, back in the mid-1960s. An explosion of sensory detail quickly opens up the wine, with pollen, sandalwood, sassafras and coffee grounds. Those flavors wrap around blackberry, licorice and cola, continuing to expand and explore the far reaches of the palate. Phylloxera may soon eliminate these vines, so don't wait to acquire a bit of history in a bottle.
There are excellent savory qualities to this bottling, with white pepper, charred lamb, soy and pine resin adding much intrigue to the black currant fruit. The umami character is strong on the sip, with beef jerky, black pepper and wild mushroom broth flavors, but there is also some tangy fruit as well as upright tannins that will keep this wine singing for years. Drink now–2028.
This is a stunning, vibrantly robust and intense wine, big, bold and reductive and blended with 3% Petite Sirah. Floral aromas take on meaty, gamy overtones amidst black licorice, tar and juicy strawberry, the tannins silky and supportive and the finish leathery and spicy.
It's no exaggeration to say that the 2014 releases from Shea are the best (as an entire group) in the winery's history. Could be maturing of the vines, along with a textbook perfect vintage, but whatever the reasons, these wines are not to be missed. Floral highlights, potent ripe cherry fruit, a dusting of cocoa powder and myriad layers come together in this irresistible, impeccably balanced block selection.
As fabulous as ever, this brilliant compendium of nutty-toasty-buttery scents and flavors is never tiring. It's vivid, fruit-loaded and bracing. Well-ripened citrus and stone fruits come into focus, along with streaks of vanilla and lemongrass.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling from tech power couple T.J. and Valeta Rodgers offers rich aromas of dried Mission fig, elderberry and black cherry, along with clay, loam and purple flowers. There is an impressive, almost muddy thickness to the palate, without being sweet or rich at all, showing flavors thyme, dill, mint and lavender against a core of dark red fruit.
Sublime and gritty in stony, gravelly texture, this wine surprises and awes in its commingling of salty lime, focused acidity and complex tones of apple, pear and fig. Medium-bodied, it unravels slowly in the glass, continuing to pursue different avenues of flavor and intellectual pleasure.
This wine is a study of how to make Pinot Noir both extremely light and yet powerfully flavorful. Underripe black raspberry meets with white pepper and dill on the nose. The bright and lively palate dances across the tongue with thyme, rosemary and pine flavors against tart red fruit. It's easy to guzzle.
Named after the tower that dominates the buildings of Esporão, this wine is the pinnacle of achievement from the estate. It is a beautiful, silky textured wine that has dark tannins, a dense structure and intense black fruits. The sum is much more than the parts: a very fine, long-lived wine. Drink from 2019.
This Champagne is beautifully mature, its ripe fruit and soft texture magnified by toast and yeast. Rich and full bodied, its fine acidity keeps it in great condition. With a crisp aftertaste that gives it a delicious lift, it's ready to drink now.
Crisp red fruit dominates this beautifully crafted wine. Poised and stylish, it exudes sophistication with its bright red currant fruit and delicious acidity. A lively mousse enhances its crisp texture and fine aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Laser strikes of acidity and deep, mineral intensitiy lend a grounded elegance to this otherwise sunny, yielding dessert wine. It's intensely honeyed, bursting with sweet pineapple and peach flavors, yet finely filigreed in mouthfeel. Delicious already, it should improve through 2040.
The recent vintages from this Santa Maria-based winery of actress Challen Cates and winemaker Kevin Law are some of the most impressive wines out there. This is dark in the glass, with a rich bouquet of cinnamon-clove foam, black plum pudding and hot pastry. It hits the palate with panache and power, showing allspice, dried ginger and sharp cola notes atop rich black cherry fruit.
The half-bottle format has sped up the maturing of this wine. It rides a fine line between crisp red fruit and fuller, toastier character. With great acidity, layers of zingy citrus and a soft texture, it's delicate and ready to drink.
This tasty, lightly toasty wine is 100% varietal, with fruit approaching plumpness and offering mixed flavors of cantaloupe, pear and peach. It rolls smoothly into a well-rounded finish with a dash of white pepper.
Red chewy fruit that's succulent and satisfying defines this wine that takes a straightforward approach to oak and tannin, integrating them both well. Cherry and cassis linger on the sizable finish.
The wine has all the potential of ripe fruit and firm tannins. It should become a rich wine with blackberry flavors and a tannic structure. Drink this wine from 2018.
Aromas like vanilla and baking spices along with bright, ripe flavors give a happy, lively personality to this full-bodied and firm-textured wine.
A heavy coating of oak covers red-fruit aromas of plum and currant. This is firm and drawing in feel, with red plum, currant and oaky flavors. Additional oak and related vanilla flavors are key players on the finish.
Apple and pine aromas are attractive. This wine feels round, with just enough citrusy acidity to offset an oily quality. Generous citrus, melon and stone-fruit flavors finish clean and solid.
A crisp light yellow in the glass, this is a well-priced wine for warmer days. Light grassy tones mix with faint peach on the nose, while the palate is dissected by strong acidity, offering rounded peach, a touch of green pepper and a cement-like minerality.
This full-bodied wine is ripe and concentrated, showing cherry and rosemary aromas and fully developed fruit flavors. An expansive, mouthfilling texture is supported by fine-grained tannins.
Textured and medium bodied, this wine has a simplicity of citrus and peachy stone fruit buoyed by bright acidity. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, it was aged in concrete, stainless steel and French oak. It displays the concentration of the vintage.
Hints of crushed mineral and lime lend margarita-like refreshment to this off-dry Riesling. It's uncomplicated but delightfully zesty, offering loads of fresh white grapefruit flavor and palate-cleansing acidity. The finish is clean and crisp.
This represents a softer, more subtle side of the variety, holding back on overripeness in favor of simple leather, compost and black pepper. Touches of unearthed truffle offer the wine's one note of richness.
A bright copper color and tangy flavors like peach and apricot make this light-bodied wine refreshing and fun. It has a crisp feel and clean finish.
This is rich, almost unctuous, in terms of mouthfeel. That roundness, coupled with the bright golden hue, suggest that this wine may have been barrel aged. Some aromatic traces of talcum powder remain, drifting above chunky fruit flavors of pineapple and peach. The finish is full bodied and lightly toasty.
Almost as deep in color as a red, this wine smells fresh and plummy, with lots of fruit flavor and good concentration. It's appealing in its richness.
This Barbaresco opens with aromas of French oak, coconut, dark fruit and a dash of exotic spices. The firm palate offers cranberry, roasted coffee bean and oak-driven spice alongside bracing tannins that tightly grip the finish.
While this is 100% varietal and entirely fermented in stainless steel, it opens with a vibrant note of green apple. That apple quality gives way on the palate to light grassy peach and nectarine, finishing crisp and clean.
This is a spicy, ripe wine that has fine acidity as well as layers of tannins and a dense texture. It is developing fast, bringing out delicious freshness and red fruits. The vineyards are being converted to organic—a multi-year process. Drink from 2018.
The wine is fresh but developing well. It has spice, a richly fruity character and nice perfumed acidity at the end. With its juicy aftertaste it will be a fine wine to drink starting from 2017.
This 100% Merlot produced by the Glemet family has spice and layers of wood-aging flavors that are still dominating the fruit. That fruit is there, waiting, with hints of red berry and black-currant flavors. Drink from 2019.
This is a finely structured wine with the right amount of fruit. With black-currant flavors and plenty of the acidity that is typical of the year, the wine is perfumed, refreshing and likely to develop quickly. Drink starting from 2017.
This is a ripe red-fruit wine with wood layers. A portion of this balanced Bordeaux is made from 35-year-old wines that were aged in wood. Tannins and acidity show the wine is still young. Drink from 2018.
When vineyards or, at least, land is in the family since the 15th century, it is interesting to taste their wines trending back to “bio.” This Baron de Montfort vineyard is certified organic. The result is fresh while also ripe, this is a lightly wood-tinted wine. It has a dry edge along with blackberry fruits and firm tannins. The acidity at the end acts as a counter-balance. Drink from 2019.
From a great Douro vintage, this is a ripe wine, packed with generous fruit and concentrated tannins. Berry flavors and juicy acidity dominate a wine that has plenty of power while keeping elegance and stylishness. Drink now.
Exotic aromas of cranberry, plum, sandalwood, myrrh and lavender makes for an elegant entry to this bottling by the winemaking team of Steve Fennell and Laura Roach. Layered flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate are laced throughout by dried herbs, while the tannic structure is firm but not obtrusive. Drink 2018–2034.
Coming from a singular vineyard along the Mendocino coast, this wine has smoky savory flavors that complement the just-ripe fruit flavors and give a truly maverick but easy-to-enjoy personality. It is medium bodied, velvet textured, and has good structure, fine-grained tannins and enough concentration for a lingering finish.
From the last remaining block of a vineyard planted in 1968 by Oregon pioneer Dick Erath that's yielding less than 1.5 tons per acre, this is loaded with rose petal and cherry blossom aromas. Delicate and graceful, it offers subtle raspberry, blackberry and cherry fruit. The finish is exceptional, long and complex, with hints of coffee and caramel. Give this wine your full attention and enjoy how long it lingers.
From a single vineyard on flinty silex soil, this is a taut and concentrated wine. Its intensity is enhanced by the tense texture and powerful youthful acidity. At this stage, it is still young, still with its exuberant fruit. So wait to drink this wine until 2018.
The abbey of Marmoutier was founded in the 4th century by Saint Martin. The walled vineyard is owned by the city of Tours, across the Loire from Vouvray. The wine is off dry, ripe with pear and honey and deliciously balanced with the acidity. It is young and will repay aging, so drink from 2020.
Still quite young and showing some grapey fruit flavors, this second vintage release is bursting with purple fruit and chocolate malt flavors. Streaks of cola and a mineral-drenched finish add depth and texture.
This is a ripe and delicious wine, packed with tannins as well as perfumed fruit. It has density as well as rich blackberries and acidity to balance. The wine will be ready to drink from 2025.
This delicious, reserve-level effort keeps the alcohol low without sacrificing power, weight or depth of flavor. Barrel-fermented and aged sur lie, it's a full-bodied wine with scents and flavors of ripe stone fruit, buttered toast and caramel. Decant and drink now or cellar for a few years.
From the biodynamically farmed Momtazi vineyard, this adds layers of herb, pine, compost and forest floor components. Fruit is in the mix but is less prominent, giving way to those complex, earth-driven flavors, with a touch of citrus. It seems to give you more the more you give it your full attention.
Dating back to the 16th century, this estate produces some classic Dão wines. With its rich tannins and minerality and with the influence of Touriga Nacional in this field blend, this wine is structured, still firm with tannins. Luscious fruits are held in check by the tannins. Let it soften more and drink from 2019.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 85% of this wine, with the balance Syrah. Bright aromas of plum, cassis, spice, herb, green pepper, blackberry bud and smoke are followed by a fruit forward palate showing a lovely sense of texture, balance and tension, with graphite notes throughout. It's remarkably fruit-filled for a wine from this region.
Voluptuous and expansive in texture, this wine offers a wealth of honey-apple and margarita-lime flavor accented by a streak of stone. The richness is balanced by juicy acidity that lifts the experience all along to the finish.
Dark ruby in the glass, this wine's simple cherry fragrance does not do justice to its black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and clove flavors. It's bright from the first sip, with silky tannins and black pepper and sage notes that continue into a finish punctuated by a burst of bright cherry.
Originally planted by monks in the 12th century, this vineyard has produced an intensely herbaceous wine. Steely and crisp with grapefruit and gooseberry flavors, the wine's texture brings out the chalky soil. Still young, it will be better from 2018.
Some of the region's oldest Dijon clone plantings are in this wine, done in a firm, classy style with little new wood apparent. With its crisp apple and citrus fruit and steely edge, it delivers plenty of flavor, a long, penetrating finish and the sense that it will age nicely for a decade at least.
This is still a young wine. It has a serious tight mineral texture and intense acidity. There is a strong spicy element and a richness that comes straight from the deep soil of the vineyard. This important wine needs to age, so drink from 2019.
Expanding on their fathers' legacies, the cousins Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique Vacheron have a deserving reputation for their almost-Burgundian Sancerre. This latest vintage, packed with both fruit and structure, shows why. It is ripe with red cherries and dark plums laced with acidity. The wine is full of great ripe fruit and generous tannins. Drink from 2018.
Potent but integrated oak and blackberry aromas come with a note of licorice. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc is blocky and almost collapses under its own weight. Herbal, spicy flavors of fresh mushroom, roasted plum and tomato are typical of Salta. It finishes full, saturated and a bit chunky. Drink through 2020.
This big, ripe wine is dominated by Alicante Bouschet. Between the tannins and the dense black fruit, the wine is concentrated and generous. Perfumed, full of fruit and a good line of acidity, this rich wine is ready to drink.
From the Vieira family's Lisboa vineyard, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Syrah is well balanced, offering elegant black fruits and delicious acidity. The structure is restrained and finely wrought. Drink the wine now.
One of the wines produced to celebrate the family's 500-year history, this is intensely herbal, with taut and highly textured minerality. It tastes of the chalk soil with its zesty flavor, bursting out of the glass. Drink this still young wine from 2018.
New leather, menthol, crushed mint, red berry and dark spice aromas lead the way in this fragrant red. Chiseled and loaded with energy, it delivers juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry, white pepper, orange zest and star anise flavors alongside firm, refined tannins and vibrant acidity.
Ripe and thick kirsch aromas meet with a minty chocolate lift on the nose of this bottling from one of the most important producers in Temecula, where the winery's influence is unparalleled. The warmer climate influence is dialed back expertly on the palate, allowing herb-laced black-plum and berry fruit to shine, decorated with lavender and bay leaf.
This wine starts out quite locked up, with aromas of flowers, plum, dried herb, black pepper and mineral, showing more fruit expression than this area is often known for. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, bringing a sense of elegance, sophistication and freshness.
This light- to medium-bodied wine delivers well-integrated strawberry preserve flavors, along with hazelnut, malt and milk chocolate highlights. It's smooth and well proportioned, and should drink well through 2023.
Dense and spicy, this blend includes Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet.The spice is balanced by generous black fruits and acidity that give great structure and density. Drink this wine from early 2018.
Aged for 14 months in wood, this wine is smoothly structured and offers considerable dark fruits and rich tannins. It has power and concentration from the texture and the fruit. It is an ageworthy wine from a great estate. Drink from 2018.
After a faulty first bottle of this wine, the second was a revelation: sexy, polished and lushly endowed with a mix of orange, apple, pear and apricot flavors. Its texture, length and definition are truly impressive.
Very dry at the start, this opens up well to give a rich and fruity wine. The tannins are still powerful and show that the wine needs to age. With licorice and smoky flavors, the wood element is still very present. Drink from 2018.
While it does have a tannic structure, this wine is characterized by its ripe fruits, rich texture and softness. Strong plum jelly and spice are nicely combined to give an in-the-mouth fruitiness that's freshened by the final acidity. Drink this wine from 2017.
Col d'Orcia's straight Brunello starts with aromas of leafy underbrush, mature black fruit, leather and a hint of grilled herbs. The ripe, forward palate offers black raspberry and dark cherry layered with notes of milk chocolate and coffee. It's soft, round and very accessible, so enjoy sooner rather than later.
Cherry aromas are firm and don't evolve much in the glass. This is intense on the palate, with strong acidity that lends tartness to sinewy plum and berry flavors. Minor accents of spice and toast finish with espresso bitterness. Drink through 2020.
Ripe, floral aromas of blackberry and minerals filter into a grapy, grabby palate. Flavors of iodine, licorice, black plum and cassis finish salty and leathery tasting, with a firm tannic grip and rubbery notes. This is short on refinement but generous in terms of body and fruit content.
Direct blackberry and cassis aromas are on the dark side and inviting. This feels fresh and a touch wiry, while flavors of vanilla, tobacco, brandied cherry and plum are traditional and true to the region. Finishing flavors of clove and spice run dry and toasty.
Made from vines nearly 30 years old, this ultra-ripe Sauvignon Blanc was oak-aged in neutral barrels, and comes across with Chardonnay-like richness. It's viscous, rich to the point of liquorous—not for all palates, but done well in its way.
Structured but accessible, it opens with aromas of mature black cherry, raisin, leather, cake spices and coffee. The round, soft palate delivers fleshy black plum, cinnamon, clove and licorice layered with a milk chocolate note. It's not the most complex Brunello out there but it has succulent fruit and firm tannins. Drink through 2018.
Aromatically subtle but ripe notes of yellow pear match the creamy mouthfeel, which has a pleasantly pebbly undertone and soft, almost cushioned acidity.
Generic berry aromas combined with oak and bath soap scents set up a jammy, soft, chunky palate with baked berry, plum, loam and savory flavors. Licorice, baked berry and an overriding ripeness carry the finish on this ready-to-drink Malbec.
Fruity and balanced up front, this is juicy and fresh on the palate, and just the slightest bit rich and chewy. Loamy dark-berry fruit flavors are matched by chocolate and bitter coffee notes, while the finish is mellow, toasty and dark.
Dense black-fruit aromas are potent but limited in scope and elegance. In the mouth, this is saturated, creamy and oaky. Flavors of loamy, roasted berry fruits have a gamy, salty backing, while the finish is grabby, ripe and roasted in character. Drink through 2018.
Dominated by Merlot (75%), this is a ripe and smooth wine. At present, the 12-months wood aging shows strongly, leaving behind the black fruits and mineral texture. It's a wine for some serious aging, so don't drink before 2018.
The wine is closed up at this stage, just showing structure and only hints of dark fruit. However, there is a feeling of power and a dense texture that need time to open up. The result is a wine full of potential, finishing with some juicy fruitiness.
A smooth, rich wine, it is just losing its flavors of wood aging and developing its black fruit flavors to show the opulence of the vintage. Structure and a solid texture frame the ripe fruit. It could still age, so wait until 2015.
A dark and dense wine, it is full of black juicy fruits and has considerable weight. It shows some bitter extract but this is counterbalanced by the rich, blackberry juice flavors. It should be aged, so drink from 2017.
Merlot is usually the best wine in any budget lineup of Washington reds, and this excellent entry from the new regime (Gallo) at Columbia is no exception. Polished and flavorful, it has textural, detailed flavors built upon black cherry, plum and cassis fruit. There is a light dusting of fresh herbs, and the wine has real grip and presence in the mouth.
The blend includes a bit of Merlot and Cabernet Franc (10% each). Weinbau and Sagemoor fruit make for a soft, instantly enjoyable red with smooth, supple flavors. Mixed red fruits, light spices and soft tannins lead through and into a gentle finish with a hint of dark chocolate.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon starts with aromas of cedar, plum and hints of lemon thyme. The palate offers black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, espresso and mint alongside round, soft tannins. It's ready, so enjoy soon.
Opening aromas include black berries, toast and underbrush with whiffs of leather and eucalyptus. The palate delivers fleshy black cherry accented with vanilla, black pepper and coffee alongside dusty tannins. It closes on a sweet note of almost overripe fruit and is fast approaching its ideal drinking window.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, this wine conveys bright aromas of red currants, cedar wood and white pepper. The soft palate offers black cherry, blackberries and black pepper, with smooth, round tannins. Enjoy soon.
Aged in 46% new American, 40% new French oak, this is predictably tannic and oaky, though smooth and showing generous fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry. It's a steak wine all the way, with some chalkiness to the tannins, though nothing that a juicy cut of beef cannot power through.
A surprisingly ripe wine from this generally cool vineyard, it shows notes of toast, buttery spice, vanilla and tropical fruit. It's medium-plus bodied, creamy in feel with a tart finish.
This brooding wine starts with aromas that recall underbrush, overripe black fruit, mint, iris and baking spices. The palate is tightly knit, with ripe red fruit, black pepper and black spices alongside solid tannins. It's already accessible so enjoy over the next few years.
This is a softer style Agiorgitiko with elegant citrus aromas and flavors and a touch of flowers in the palate. Easydrinking and refreshing with a food-oriented crispness.
A wine that seems to be all tannin, all wood, with only a feel of black currant fruits underneath all this dryness. These flavors suggest high extraction, giving spice, a high toast wood character, all too much for a delicate 2007.
Simple, regular peach and pear aromas lead to a palate of sweet apple flavor and mild citric bite. This is the ultimate in basic Chilean Chardonnay: it's clean, a little dull and melony, and sweet. Drink soon.
Strawberry and tomato aromas are hot and edgy. The palate is snappy and not short on acid, while it tastes of spiced red plum, tea and herbs. Peppery and herbal on the finish, and zesty all the way through.
Lactic and creamy smelling, with a muddled, green edge that never really settles. The palate is tannic and mildly green, with herbal olive and berry flavors. And the finish is basically more of the same. Standard base-level Carmenère.
Dark, gummy and full of heavily applied green oak, this wine has a candied, murky, resiny persona. And that's too bad, because it has potential; yet the tannins, wood resin, mesquite and beefy black fruit are all too dominant and thus it never settles or shows much harmony.
The nose on this Cretan white is one of orange citrus and cream, with white fruit flavors of apple, pear and exotic fruit to follow. Simple but intriguing—with a lingering, lush finish.
This wine tames the notoriously stiff texture of the varietal with a little extra richness of fruit and a slight softening of the usual tannic mouthfeel. So it tastes generous, coating the palate with ripe boysenberry and black-pepper flavors, and finishing smooth. It's still a big wine, but won't need extended aging.
A distinctive flavor profile makes this vibrantly fruity and densely textured wine stand out. It packs juicy raspberries, strawberries and dark ripe blackberries into the aroma. All that fruit oozes onto the palate and lingers long on the finish.
Thick, ripe and jammy, this is an explosive wine, broadly rich and rewarding in black-cherry, berry and licorice layers of flavor. Firm, tight tannins offer structure and power, with an intriguing hint of fennel funneling through.
This wine comes from one of the few white-wine vineyards in Vougeot. It is opulent and rich with creamed apple and ripe green plums. The fruit lies over the subtle wood aging that has smoothed the crisp texture. The wine is still young and will be best from 2021.
Aged 18 months in older wood barrels, this wine is bold and rich, while also stylish and balanced.The firm layer of tannins comes from the smoky wood aging as well as from the rich fruits. Concentrated and firm at this stage, the wine needs time. Drink from 2019.
The Domaine, which is based in Santenay, has produced a wine that has structure as well as ripe fruits. The combination promises good aging with the red-plum fruits likely to mellow into a rich concentrated wine. It is a wine to keep and age, and not drink before 2021.
Big and ripe, this rich wine offers a good combination of spice and tropical fruits. It is bold, smooth and creamy. Deliciously ripe, it's ready to drink.
High-toned energy is the persistent theme of this coastal Syrah. The nose is jumpy and wild, with leather, coffee and tarry notes along with foxy berry fruit. A juicy, crisp palate is high in acid, ringing with peppery currant and plum flavors. Toasty, spicy oak leads a ripped, bold finish. Drink through 2023.
This wine's aromas suggest black fruit, minerals, dark plum, barrel spice and kirsch. Its black fruit flavors are sweet and sappy, augmented with toasty barrel notes.
Co-fermented with 5% Roussanne, this wine comes from Morrison Lane Vineyard. It's brightly aromatic, with blueberry jam, huckleberry and spice notes. The palate is soft and textured, delivering rich fruit flavors and a long finish that shows some warmth.
This dense wine is still very young. The fruit still needs to express itself in a wine that is broad and ripe. Give this rich wine, with its creamy texture and touches of spice from wood aging, until 2021.
Cherry, chocolate and marshmallow aromas need some airing to show their best. This feels plump but also jumpy and nervy, with no shortage of intensity. Lightly spicy tomato, plum and cherry flavors finish long and dry.
This wine's bright aromas include cranberry, cherry, vanilla and red fruit. The flavors are tart and full, with an appealing mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
The wine is ripe with red-cherry and plum flavors and plenty of acidity to balance. It is a rounded wine, generous with fruitiness and with a touch of tannin at the end. This is a fine village wine from this attractive appellation.
Dark, heady berry aromas are intense and oaky, with a cured-meat note of beef jerky. A deep, layered palate is savory and meaty in flavors, with light herbal notes embedded into berry and plum fruit. A spicy, peppery, lightly charred finish is the final chapter. Drink through 2019.
Crisp apple and grapefruit notes dominate the aromas and flavors of this medium-bodied wine, giving it a tangy mouthwatering aspect that suggests pairing with seafood, mild cheeses and the like. More fruit comes out with time in the glass, fading to delicious apricot on he finish.
Supple and delicious, this medium-bodied wine is not a blockbuster but has wonderful berry and black-cherry flavors, fine balance and a touch of fine-grained tannin in the texture. Light cinnamon and cedar notes come out with time in the glass and add complexity.
This wine's milk chocolate, herb, cherry, barrel spice and plum aromas lead to a plush, soft palate loaded with chocolate and plum flavors. It strikes a lovely balance.
This wine's assertive game, toast, leather, underbrush and balsamic aromas carry over to the tight, linear palate, along with cranberry, red cherry and white pepper notes. Close-grained tannins and racy acidity provide the framework.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and rich. Aromas of baked black currant, vanilla and brioche are inviting, as are the palate's black cherry and cola flavors. The tannins are a tad chunky, but a grilled steak will take care of them.
While the nose takes some time to open, crisp lemon, green apple and pear on the palate are vital and fresh here. It's a zingy, brut-style sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay with bold, mouthfilling foam. Delicate caramel and sugar cookie tones embellish a long finish.
The grape variety's floral aspects come out in the aromas of this big but well-balanced wine. Full of roses and violets, the perfume is unusual and inviting, and the flavors follow, piling on dry but ripe tones of blueberry and black olive, riding a richly tannic texture that seems to coat all corners of the palate.
Plum and berry aromas show a touch of varietal green. In the mouth, this wine is a bit jammy as well as dense. Woody, herbal blackberry flavors are satisfying. It stays firm and balanced across a ripe finish that includes a touch of resiny oak.
Ripe black-skinned fruit, dark spice, underbrush and roasted coffee aromas lead the nose of this wine, along with an earthy note of game. The rounded, chewy palate is loaded with black cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and truffle flavors set against fresh acidity and polished tannins.
Ripe, tropical mango and pineapple tones swirl from nose to palate in this plush, yet elegant Chardonnay. Creamy in texture and lavishly adorned with oak, vanilla and spice, it's a voluptuous wine, with a bold, slightly warming finish.
This is a real palate-pleaser. Forward, fresh flavors of cherry and plum are accented by light herb notes and finished with a frame of chocolate. It gains precision as it lengthens through the finish, showing medium weight and enough structure to continue to drink well through 2022.
Perhaps the lightest Pinot in the producer's lineup, and the most readily accessible, this is fresh and fruity. Highlighted in strawberry and cherry, it retains a tension of black tea and earth. Silky on the palate, it finishes as lightly as it started.
Produced from oldest vines of the estate (Primeiras Vinhas), this is a rich and concentrated wine. Yellow fruits show strongly, giving ripe, intense flavors that are both refreshing and dense. It's full of fruit as well as delicious final acidity. Drink now.
Leathery, smoky dark-berry aromas take on a burnt, stalky character as this airs out. Tight and linear in feel, this avoids being fat and overweight as it delivers roasted, blackened plum, black cherry and herbal flavors. The finish tastes a bit stalky and salty, with a demanding oak character taking over. Drink through 2020.
Here is your Pinot if you prefer elegance over power. This delicate wine opens with a heady mix of rose petals, orange and lemon peel and raspberry fruit. The raspberry flavors linger gracefully, buoyed by citrusy acidity. The length is impressive.
Concentrated cranberry and red currant aromas meet granite and dried herbs on the nose of this 100% Cabernet Franc. A round body of racy currant and blackberry meet a solid core of graphite, while finely-grained tannins give support. This is a well-balanced showing from winemaker Ben Parsons.
This opens with warm, earthy, horsey aromas that become cleaner with airing. A muscular palate with hard tannins and evident tartaric acidity creates edgy flavors that are matched by vanilla and darker-fruit notes of raspberry and plum. This is hard now, a bit disjointed and short in spots. Drink from 2016 through 2026 for best results.
Cooked cherries in vanilla butter, just-pressed espresso, chopped dill and a hint of tar decorate the nose of this 71% Syrah, 24% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot blend from a unique vineyard atop the Cuesta Grade. Black licorice, dark blackberries, rustic elderberries and a cedar-y, asphalt-laden grip power the palate.
Aromas of black currant, grilled sage, toasted oak and eucalyptus lead the way on this full-bodied blend of Bovale, Carignano and Cannonau. The brooding palate offers tar, blackberry, grilled sage and black olive alongside gripping, fine-grained tannins.
Vibrant and spicy, this savory red delivers aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry, ground pepper and chopped Mediterranean herb. Firm, fine-grained tannins support the juicy flavors. An anise note backs up the finish.
Garnet to the eye, this wine has a nose of black cherry, pomegranate, white chocolate and cigar box. Flavors of cherry and pipe tobacco with a hint of freshly zested orange wrapped in soft tannins remain on the palate through the final notes of chocolate-covered espresso bean.
This has a classic Nebbiolo nose of new leather, rose petal, red berry, tilled earth and a whiff of aniseed. On the palate, toast, white pepper and a hint of oak-driven spice back up a core of sour cherry. It's still tightly wound and needs a few more years to come together. Drink 2018–2025.
At only 6%, the Mataro is mostly window-dressing, but this blend of Grenache (52%) and Shiraz (42%) is still a tasty mouthful. Toast and cedar notes frame black cherry and plum fruit in this full-bodied, lushly textured wine. Drink now–2018.
The nose is rather closed but eventually reveals red berry, rose, cake spice and a whiff of leather. It's young but balanced, with bracing tannins and bright acidity that support the tart sour cherry, white pepper and sage flavors. It closes on a mocha note. Drink 2018–2027.
Combining Cabernet with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, in that order percentage-wise, this is a well-made wine. Oaky and dusty with refined tannins, its fruit brightly centers around raspberry and red currant.
Aromas of citrus blossom, chamomile and a whiff of tropical fruit waft out of the glass. The lively, delicious palate offers ripe white peach, apricot, pear, chopped herb and a light mineral note alongside bright acidity.
Delfino changed from a Bordeaux to a Burgundy bottle in 2012. This is a splendid, fruit-driven effort, dark and quite aromatic with concentrated flavors of raspberry and cherry. It's full bodied, ripe and quite delicious, with tangy acidity underscoring the freshness.
With the typical dark color of this red grape, this is a dense and firm wine. It has rich plum and berry flavors that are dark as well as juicy. Tannins lace the background to this already delicious wine, finishing with refreshing acidity. Drink from 2016.
Made with skin contact and whole berry maceration to give extra flavor, this is a structured wine with a strong texture along with orange zest and light honey flavors. It is dense and concentrated. Drink from 2016.
This is a big, bold version of a classic Australian blend. Yes, it's a bit of a throwback in its size and plushness, but there's no denying its appealing cherry and raspberry fruit, hint of charred oak and slightly creamy texture. Drink now–2018.
Aromas of tropical fruit, yellow peach and white almond mark the nose of this rich, structured white. The round, juicy palate delivers pineapple, tangy citrus, green apple and mineral. It's nicely balanced, with moderate acidity and good length.
Deep violet red to the eye, this wine made from native Turkish variety Öküzgözü offers fragrances of raspberry, cranberry and lavender. Tannins are velvety smooth, and it is more weighty than it initially feels due to its pervasive freshness and brightness. Flavors of black cherry, vanilla, anisette, eucalyptus and black pepper cavort on the palate into the fresh yet lingering finish.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec is concentrated on the nose, with a mélange of red and black berries, red plum, fern and sweet-spice-inflected cured meat. The well-integrated palate carries similar characters supported by ample weight, firm tannins and balanced acidity. A black pepper note rings on the finish of this well-balanced, inviting wine.
Idaho-raised twentysomething Bret Urness is turning heads thanks to blends like this 64% Roussanne and 26% Viognier, named after hooch. It's boisterous on the nose with honeysuckle, papaya, honey and banana. These tighten on the palate to offer passion-orange-guava juice flavors that surround a tense core of herb-laced lemonade.
From the home of Touriga Nacional, this is a seriously structured wine. Packed with tannins as well as initially austere fruit, it is still young. It will develop its perfumed black fruits and acidity as it ages to fill out the dense texture. Drink from 2018.
Concentrated boysenberry, licorice and asphalt scents carry mild green accents of alfalfa and mint. This feels ripe and lush but not too heavy. Flavors of baked blackberry, licorice and loamy earth finish warm and cushioned, with notes of anise and pepper accompanied by some heat and burn. Drink through 2020.
The 2013 entry-level Shirazes from Barossa provide a great opportunity for wine consumers to rediscover Australia. This one is solidly structured and savory, boasting hints of black olive, dark chocolate and espresso. The finish is completely dry and firm, suggesting it'd be a fine accompaniment to beef or lamb. Drink now–2025.
Thick in cherry-vanilla, big oak and tannin, this vineyard-designate contains handfuls of Petite Sirah and mixed blacks that are, as the producer puts it, too long to list. Given 10 months in American oak, it offers a balance of fruit and leathery power, from raspberry and blackberry to Sunday morning bacon. Drink now through 2020.
This Zin also has 7% Petite Sirah and 6% Carignane, from both the Teldeschi and York Creek vineyards. The berry fruit is elegantly entangled with violet perfume and dusty tannins, a suggestion of brick on the nose. Succulent, it shows its strong tannins on the finish.
Ripe stone fruit and floral notes are accented by a dusty, chalky minerality on this bright, elegant Silvaner. It's dry in style, with sprightly acidity and just a hint of characteristic smoke and dried herb. Finishes with a touch of lime skin zest.
Deep garnet-purple in the glass, this opens with aromas of dried cherry, saddle leather and forest floor. It has flavors of pomegranate, tart cherry and Portobello mushroom, and a pleasant splash of brightness in the finish.
Dry but rich, this is a full-bodied, ripe wine. Apple and citrus flavors are complemented by notes of ripe red currant and spice. Strong acidity reveals how young the wine is. Drink from 2017.
Here's a young Sangiovese with aromas of black fruit, espresso, leather and black pepper. The palate is straightforward and fresh, boasting ripe black cherry accented with white pepper and clove alongside bracing tannins.
A blend of 89% Sangiovese, 11% Merlot and Alicante, this wine offers fruity, earthy aromas of wet soil, tobacco leaf and hints of truffle. The structured palate delivers plum and black cherry layered with notes of espresso, oak and chocolate. It's fresh with youthful tannins. Drink through 2020.
Rose oil and potpourri notes lend an exotic, perfumed exuberance to this delicately structured, medium-sweet Gewürztraminer. It's juicy on the palate, with peach and lychee flavors that are accented by soft citrus acidity. Finishes dry, with a murmur of tea-leaf tannins.
With a handful of 24% Sémillon, this is a crisply rich Sauvignon Blanc with tempting aromas of crème brûlée and vanilla bean and a taste of tart grapefruit and lime. Easy to drink, it's complex and layered with a long finish, soft and balanced.
Only a small proportion of barrel-aged wine goes into this blend, so the emphasis is on bright pear and melon fruit, backed by concentrated citrus flavors. It's lighter in weight and less richly textured than Clearview's Reserve or Endeavour bottlings, but is still a charming Chardonnay for drinking over the next couple of years.
Zesty lime-skin notes lend vibrance to delicate apple and blossom aromas on this off-dry Riesling. It's steely and focused with acidity, but fleshed out on the midpalate, with intensely ripe mango and peach flavors.
This wine is concentrated and very fruity while also being stylish and elegant. Combining white fruits, light citrus and a strong texture, it merits aging until 2016 before drinking.
This is a well-balanced wine that offers aromas of peach, white flower and ground pepper. Flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, lemon curd, toast, apricot jam and jasmine are sheathed in tannins that seem overpowering for a brief moment but are fortunately outweighed by brightness in the end.
Aromas of meat juices, underbrush and black truffle take center stage along with a whisper of oak in this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The juicy palate delivers a core of ripe black cherry accented with licorice, black pepper and bell pepper notes. Solid tannins and fresh acidity round out its profile.
This wine opens with slightly rustic, leafy aromas that blow off in the glass to reveal mature black fruit and spice. The soft palate offers up ripe black cherry, blackberry and cinnamon. It's round and ready so enjoy soon.
WIth cinnamon-tinged lushness on the nose, this Petite is inviting from the start. It delves satisfyingly into raspberry and blackberry flavors with bits of toast and tar, especially on the finish. Soft and layered with a tannic bite, it's ready to drink now or lay down for several years.
Wonderfully aromatic in Bing cherry, this is a soft, supple Pinot with an oaky, tannic backbone that's otherwise light in color and body. With just the right hint of rose petal happening, it's pretty, too.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, the wine has underbrush aromas along with whiffs of blue flower, white mushroom and woodland berries. The structured palate delivers a core of wild cherry accented with white pepper, mint and sage alongside solid tannins that last through the finish. It shows the warmth of the vintage but give it two more years to tame tannins. Raya Imports, Oasis Wines.
Exuberantly blosommy,  with an exotic hint of bergamot, this is a gorgeously perfumed wine. The palate feels startlingly lean and acidic, with bright lemon and lime flavors, but finishes with delicate stone fruit and honey notes.
This single-vineyard bottling begins with aromas of nearly overripe plum and black berries accompanied by whiffs of farmyard and wet soil. The palate loses this rustic note and delivers juicy red cherry layered with vanilla, espresso and toasted oak. It's a bit shy on freshness and finishes on a sweet note but it's still very enjoyable thanks to succulent primary fruit flavors.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Caniaolo and Merlot, it offers big, ripe black cherry flavors accented with notes of black pepper and cinnamon-spice. The juicy fruit flavors are supported by a solid tannic backbone. It has a forward nature so enjoy soon.
This blend of 75% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Colorino opens with aromas that recall underbrush, woodland berries and tobacco leaf. The bright palate delivers tart sour cherry punctuated with white pepper and clove alongside supple tannins. It's already very drinkable so enjoy soon.
This wine opens with aromas of black plum, grilled bell peppers, cedar and spice. The dense palate offers black cherry, espresso, chocolate and black pepper alongside firm but fleeting tannins.
The floral fragrance recalls red roses, violet and iris along with ripe red berry. The palate has tight core of black cherry accented with white pepper, cinnamon-spice and thyme. This is still young and tightly wound so give it time to come around and develop complexity. Drink 2015–2010.
From two vineyard sources in Lodi, Uvaggio's Vermentino is always a delicious bet, with crisp, light melon fruit and a salty quality that calls out for food from the sea. Modest in alcohol, the texture is mouthwateringly addictive, a quality that follows through from first sip to last.
A crisp, linear Sauvignon Blanc, with tantalizing flavors of tangerine, that's bright, clean and easy to like. On the finish, the tangerine evolves into melon and lime.This wine will sit well on tables set for brunch or a seafood feast.
The wine shows good depth along with suggestions of oak aging. It is ripe, full in the mouth and generous. Tropical fruits, orange zest and citrus combine well. The aftertaste shows a nutty bite. Drink now, or age until 2016–2017.
A big, bold red wine that has soaked up the sun in its warm tannins and ripe berry fruits. It has a generous structure and attractive juiciness. Give this wine a year for aging, although it is good to drink now.
This wine leads with big, rubbery, almost stewy aromas. In the mouth, this rich Malbec feels reduced and jammy, with heavy tannins. Flavors of blueberry and blackberry are infused with herbal notes, while the finish offers flavors of licorice and chocolate.
A straw yellow color, with pink tinges, this bright wine is zesty and juicy at the same time. It has a round body and full mouthfeel, with flavors of green apple, Bartlett pear and citrus blossoms. There's bracing lime-juice acidity on the finish.
From the Bokisch family's splendid Lodi vineyard comes this Sonoma-made Albariño, lemony with a touch of peach that's austere in texture and body, but rich in acidity, spicy herb and pepper.
Lemony fresh with touches of mineral and earth, this easy-quaffing wine conveys subtle flavors of apple, pear and lemon. Dry in style, the expansive, full-bodied mouthfeel is cut by brisk, lemony acidity.
Notes of fresh cherry and raspberry are peppered with hints of tomato leaf and bramble on this savory wine. It's full bodied on the palate, but touches of cranberry give it a brisk, refreshing feel. It finishes with soft, yet slightly astringent tannins.
The winery's first vintage of Chardonnay from this site, it doesn't quite seem to have fully ripened but still offers some enjoyment with light flavors of herbs, apple and vanilla paired with a creamy feel and a tart finish.
Pink grapefruit and blossomy floral aromas are exuberant and perfumy on this dry, slightly demure wine. Tart with lime acidity, it's quaffable and unusually brisk on the palate, but lacks the variety's characteristic volume and drama.
There's a tinge of herbaceous green stem amidst fresh apple and lemon aromas on this Sauvignon Blanc blended with 10% Albariño. Marked with nervous lime acidity, it's lean on the palate with a hint of lime-skin bitterness on the finish.
Black plum fruits start this wine on a good basis. But the hard tannins and medicinal character are not pleasant. It might improve by 2015.
Stalky, leathery aromas suggest cooked fruit rater than freshness. This is normal in feel, while the flavor profile settles on rubbery, roasted, stalky berry fruits. Mild bitterness combines with earthiness on the finish.
This medium-bodied, middle-of-the-road wine has some leafy notes that add complexity to straightforward passion-fruit aromas and flavors, which fade quickly on the finish.
A nose of tangerine with just a touch of petrol gives way to flavors of lemon, toast and bitter almond. Although not perfectly integrated, this wine offers a lengthy cooling finish with a splash of brightness at the end.
This wine blends competing elements of steely minerality and ripe, nearly sweet elements of red apple and squeezed tangerine on the nose. The flavors are also well-rounded, with apple fruit and Asian pear balanced by lemon juice acidity.
This appealing wine suggests blueberry pie, herbs and confection. It shows good intensity with a pleasing richness to the abundant olive accents and fruit flavors that linger. The balance is spot on.
Underbrush, plum, blue flower and coffee aromas lead the nose on this concentrated blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The dense, one-dimensional palate doles out blackberry, prune, licorice, grilled pepper and milk chocolate alongside velvety tannins.
Like many wines from Marie-Laure Lurton, this is dry and shows its firm tannic and wood character. Here the wood verges on too much, giving an austere, hard character. However, the black currant fruit will come through, giving a dry wine that will have some richness. Drink from 2018.
Apple blossoms and yellow cherries abound on this very pretty, exuberant wine. Sweet stone-fruit flavors are juicy and ripe, but offset by a bristling streak of acidity. Enjoy now for it's youthful perfume.
This wine comes from the recently awarded Malibu appellation, and shows promise for the future with perfumey white flowers, toasted marcona almond and a hint of oak smoke on the nose. On the palate, the acidity is present but not overpowering, the ripe apple flesh flavors offset by a grapefruit pith bitterness
Carignane was once one of California's most prominent grapes, and this bottling shows intriguing aromas of spearmint and sagebrush set across a red fruit background. The minty and distinctive palate also boasts black pepper and licorice, with brambly red and purple fruits.
This appealing wine offers notes of fresh blue plums, huckleberry, tire rubber and woodspice. The flavors show purity, intensity and length—a very pretty example of the variety.
This is an ambitious, Super Tuscan-esque blend of 60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% and Petit Verdot. It shows woody cedar, violet flowers and dense purple fruit on the nose. Tongue-tingling acidity enlivens the palate, which offers good tension between blackberry juice and tarry grip.
This full-bodied white conveys delicate fragrances of chamomile, Spanish broom and stone fruit. The round palate offers creamy white peach, apricot and nectarine alongside fresh acidity. A note of candied ginger signals the close.
Underbrush, berry, blue flower and rose lead the nose. Still closed, the firm palate eventually reveals dry cherry, licorice and baking spice. A backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provides support. It closes on a menthol note.
Zin fans should pick up this winery's entire range of small-batch takes on the grape, as they are all fascinating. This one is lighter in color and offers fresh blackberry and chopped black-sage aromas. The palate is very easy to sip, with salt and cherry flavors creating a food-friendly version of an often overpowering grape.
This earthy wine opens with rather funky aromas of tilled soil, leather and a whiff of barnyard. The hearty palate offers ripe black cherry, game and savory herb alongside chewy tannins. It's a bit rustic but has charm. Drink 2018–2025.
Blaufränkisch, also known as Lemberger, has found a happy home in the Finger Lakes, and this example from winemaker Nancy Irelan is striking. Tart Morello cherry is accented by cool swathes of fresh herbs and a touch of smoked nuts. It's concentrated and robust, yet elegantly composed. Soft tannins trace a moderately long finish.
The nose begins with a smoked Meyer lemon element, but evolves into fleshier tropicality, with ripe kiwi, white flowers and vanilla. The palate begins with vanilla, but then shows ripe stone fruits that trend toward bubble gum, with enough acidity and tannic grip to keep it serious.
Tart black plum and cherry are accented by savory tones of bramble wood, toast and nuts in this blend that showcases both Cabernet Franc and Lemberger. It's refreshingly brisk and mineral, finishing spry with a soft touch of tannins.
Underbrush, woodland berry, pressed rose, tobacco leaf, savory herb and menthol aromas mingle in the glass. The palate delivers raw red cherry, anise, white pepper and a note of grilled sage alongside tightly knit tannins and brisk acidity.
Spearmint, plum, oak, and menthol aromas take shape in the glass. The dense palate shows ripe plum, espresso, vanilla and licorice alongside bracing tannins. Give this time to unwind. Drink after 2018.
Often richer than its stablemate, Château Fonréaud, Lestage in 2012 also has more obvious wood aging flavors. It's big and concentrated, dominated by smoky tannins. It's going to develop into a rich wine, packed with blackberry flavors and always a dry core.
This is a smooth, wood-aged wine. Ripe black fruits are soft, with a contrast of toast and spice. It's juicy, with just the right amount of tannin. Although it's almost ready to drink, the wine will also age because of its structure. Drink from 2016.
Nicely textured and balanced, this white from a cooler subsection of the larger Napa Valley is more austere than not, a taste of lemon and licorice combining in a medium-bodied package of refreshment. The mouthfeel works consistently from start to finish, the end note smooth and swift.
This amber-colored wine is showing oxidation. The fruit has dried up, leaving only mineral, bitter walnut and flat sensations.
Wilting apricot and nectarine aromas are pithy and lead to a dying palate. Flavors of citrus rind and papaya show some acidic kick, while the finish is tropical in flavor and fading. Wait for the 2013.
Quite aromatically restrained for the variety with notes of jasmine and flowers. It's medium sweet but lacks cohesion to hold it all together.
Apple skin and generic berry aromas lead to a tangy, thin palate with little substance. Flavors include citrus and cranberry, with a green note. A finish of scouring acidity and residual tang makes this fresh but nothing more.
The namesake comedy may have its fans, but this selection leaves a bit more to be desired. It's a lean, aggressively green wine that even includes hints of pickled jalapeño.
A disjointed wine with notes of ale and pear. The palate is off dry and oily in feel, with some bitterness on the finish.
Aromas include jammy strawberry and grassy green beans. The wine is lean in the mouth, with tart citrus and green-leaning red-fruit flavors. It finishes without complexity.
Green aromas dominate the underlying strawberry scents. In the mouth, it's raw and acidic. As a result, the flavors are sour and the feel is scratchy.
Spiced berry and plum aromas are holding in there. This is blatantly acidic and citric, with cranberry and raspberry flavors that finish tart before falling off.
A lean, cool, initially austere wine, well balanced with red berry fruits and a poised elegant structure. The acidity gives great freshness to go with the structure, making a great food wine.
This is stylish Douro, a wine that reveals minerality, red berry fruits with tannins and acidity that cut through the structure. This wine is ready to drink.
Toro is not usually a prime hunting ground for Best Buys, but this full-throttle wine is solid, gritty and tastes and smells nice. The nose is full, mildly raisiny and dusty, while the palate tastes of cola, raspberry, cherry and toast. Rubbery and long on the finish.
Soft, rounded, a wine that is both fresh and open. Red berry fruits are suffused with acidity, giving a light touch. This is a wine for drinking in 2–3 years.
The estate vineyard, planted between 1999 and 2005, includes several different blocks, named for family members. This Pinot has a pleasing softness, entering the mouth gently with light raspberry candy flavors. The fruit is wrapped in chocolaty oak.
Despite some spearmint and Band-Aid on the nose, this ready-to-drink wine shows good quality from head to toe. The palate is on the lighter side, with nice acidity pushing smacky, lively red plum and raspberry flavors. Hints of tomato and citrus fruits also get into play.
A mysterious nose of black fruit, red berries, violets and cedar start this Cab/Syrah blend. On the palate, rounded, savory flavors are punctuated by spicy tobacco, cedar and pepper accents. An alluring balance of fruit and acid, it has character and style.
A creamy, Chardonnay-like wine that is rich, open and generous. It has weight but keeps a sense of proportion with its balancing texture of fruit skins and herbs.
This blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Viognier and 10% Roussanne offers up delicate lemony scents alongside hints of pineapple. It's a medium-bodied white, displaying freshness and finesse in its citrus, pear and melon flavors. Drink it over the next year.
It should be easy to stump your wine-geek buddies with this one. At once honeyed and rich, exotic and tropical, this is a rarity they're unlikely to even know exists. A mere hint of bitterness on the finish of this medium-bodied wine nicely balances the ripe tropical flavors. Drink now.
Hard to believe the price on this. Yes, it's a perfectly good aged Ribera, but special it isn't. Bricky and roasted on the nose, with spiced cherry and plum aromas. The palate is healthy and comfortable, with cola, cherry and licorice flavors. Vanilla and length define the finish. Too regular to recommend at $325.
Soft, juicy and fruity, relatively light in character. The tannins are fresh, supporting black currant and fresh, juicy fruit flavors. It's easy and open, developing well, but quickly.
A spicy, fruity wine, the structure relatively light but firmly dry, with a strong seasoning of black currant fruits. It is fresh, the fruit juicy and vibrant, with an edge of firm wood.
Ultraripe, almost to the point of being syrupy and soupy. The nose is all sweet licorice, baked fruit and raisin. In the mouth, there's some tannic bite but mostly it's a rich, bruising, unctuous wine with smoky, rich berry flavors and a sweet, toasty finish.
Wild berries, cranberries and pungent herbaceousness characterize this Barrel Select Pinot Noir. It seems a little light at first, then gathers itself in a focused, spicy midpalate that nicely integrates the fruit and herbs.
Importer Bobby Kacher has a seemingly limitless portfolio of bargains from the south of France, and this one boasts an intriguing nose of pear, honey and star anise. It's more focused and crisp than many wines from this region, turning citrusy on the finish. Drink now-2012.
A big, juicy, fruit-bomb of a rosé, this Knight's Gambit from Erath mixes flavors of rosewater, watermelon, strawberries and cocoa in a big, broad, forward, palate-pleasing wine. The pretty pink color is from skin contact with the Pinot Gris—no red wine was added.
This California-made Oregon Pinot captures a sense of the particular terroir of Chehalem Mountains fruit. Wild strawberries are laced with peppery spice and a streak of cola. Good penetration and texture.
Full-bodied aromas of vanilla, ripe blackberry, spice and cinnamon lead this assertive red from Drama. Rich, spicy and savory on the palate, the wine has a nice balance of minerality and layered fruit. The finish has a smoky spin.
There is a dusty aspect to the aromas and texture of this affordable Pinot Noir. Light berry fruit, lemony  acids, and some pretty spices add extra interest.
A delightful wine, with violet and berry aromas followed by bright, crunchy red-fruit flavors. A hint of nutmeg adds interest to the palate. This is simple, but well made and fresh. Pair it with pizza or pasta.
Cline delivers a juicy and inviting refresher here, pretty in pink salmon color and ripe in raspberry and plum flavors that flood the midpalate and finish dry. This is a great bargain sipping wine that will bring a taste of spring to your autumn table.
An overtly raisiny, almost cooked bouquet, leads this full-bodied, ultraripe CS. It is appealing for its richness, density and weight. Flavors of cassis and blackberry are on the fringe of being syrupy, while moss, prune, black pepper and herbal flavors pop up on a plush finish.
Hints of coffee and cedar add complexity to ripe, luscious black-fruit flavors on this very well made Romanian Cabernet. It's delightfully fruit forward, but amplified with a hefty mouthfeel and penetrating tannins on the finish. A bargain at $7.
High-toned berry and cherry aromas introduce this easy drinking, yet nicely structured Pinot Noir. The palate is ripe with blueberry and plum flavors, but bolstered by tart cranberry acidity and a flurry of fresh green herbs. Soft tannins carry out the finish.
Tree bark, rubber and berry aromas get this blend going. The palate shows piquant, zesty acidity, which pumps up dry, herbal, tangy flavors of red-berry fruits. On the finish, it's all about rubber, pepper, herbs and tomato, all wrapped in zesty acidity.
One of Portugal's most popular brands, this is rich, soft, solidly textured. It's a fine blend of five grapes including Syrah and Cabernet, giving a warm, enveloping feel. Acidity offers a balance, leaving a ripe, full flavored wine that needs a few months but is ready now.
Intense floral and yellow peach aromas mingle with dusty mineral and savory dried-herb notes on this elegant, quaffable white wine. It's medium bodied with a round, easy-drinking structure and a hint of bitter lime pith on the finish.
A serious, rich wine, this is full of ripe berry fruits and structured tannins that highlight a dry core. It's a complex wine with a light touch of acidity, a pinch of pepper and a firm aftertaste that suggests medium-term aging. Drink between 2014–2020.
Despite its age, this white still offers upfront ripe-fruit aromas of citrus, pear and apple, but is graced with additional complex accents of hazelnut, toasted oak, orange blossom, lanolin and soft, chalky minerality. Pineapple, fig and apple-flesh flavors fill the palate, with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and ample acidic lift to the long, gently textured finish.
Attractive fragrances of mulled berries, cassis and black cherry lead the fruity bouquet of this wine, with added interest from supporting notes of sweet smoke, pepper and licorice root. The mouthfeel is creamy and full, but with ample tannin and acidity to provide structure and lend a gripping texture. Ripe flavors of plum, fig, cassis, black tea and leather flood the palate and linger long on the finish. Drink now–2018.
This estate-grown Riesling is sourced from some of the oldest vines on Red Mountain—planted in 1975–1976. Lush and textural, it's both rich and elegant, with flavors of pink marshmallow, honeycomb, pear and meringue. It fills the mouth with pleasing confectionary flavors, fine layering and depth. Residual sugar is 13 g/L—still dry enough for most foods.
Fragrant with scents of citrus rind, this brings a dense core of lemon, lime and grapefruit, just bordering hints of peach. It's quite dry, very fruity and substantial. It was sourced entirely from the DuBrul vineyard.
This is a delicious wine that's ready to drink while keeping a good sense of its austere structure. It has weight, richness and a juicy black-fruit character. The finish is bright with acidity. Not for aging.
Aged in a mixture of American and French oak (40% new), it's a palate stainer with notes of blue and purple fruit, chocolate and barrel accents. The rich fruit flavors pack a wallop along with firm tannins that lead to an oak spice filled finish. A big wine—not for the faint of heart.
Fox Run's  Geology Series is a remarkable study of Finger Lakes terroir and winemaking, and the 11 Riesling is a particularly fantastic result. Inoculated using the pied de cuve method, this semisweet Riesling shows apple and floral notes. A lush, textured palate is brimming with apricot and peach flavors. It's a complex wine layered with minerality, fruit and floral tones, and has an exceptionally long finish.
A compelling mix of white pepper and crushed blackberry with seams of black tar form the bouquet of this wine. They are united in a soft but still medium-weight body, with a streamlined freshness. This is as elegant, polished and well-made.
This is a full, perfumed wine that's medium sweet in flavor. It is rich in spice, packed with honey and lychees, and well balanced with light acidity. The wine has an opulence and a warming aftertaste. Drink until 2022.
This greets the taster with a heady aromas of yellow spring flowers, as well as whiffs of tropical fruit. The palate delivers intense peach, apricot and citrus flavors accented by notes of mineral and brine.
With cool, herbal aromas of cola, pine, juniper, fine oak and savory berry fruits, this is a fine Carmenère. The palate is full, deep and still fresh after several years in the bottle. Flavors of stewed cherry, baked plum and cassis come with no shortage of savory support, while the finish is saucy in taste, with raciness, gravitas and length. Drink through 2018.
Uriah is Spring Valley's Right Bank-style blend, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc sharing the lead. It's lively and fine-tuned, with a lovely mix of red fruits, spices, and fresh acidity. It spent 21 months in 65% new French oak, to good effect.
This is a 100% varietal selection, with most of the fruit coming from Weinbau Vineyard. It brings an assortment of barrel notes—including mocha, cedar and char from 20% new French oak—and varietal flavors of cherry, flowers and herbs. It starts out lighter in style, fleshing out over time with tart acidity providing a lift.
This opens with a heady floral fragrance of hawthorne and Spanish broom, with a whiff of stone fruit. It has delicious flavors of creamy peach, lemon and mineral alongside Verdicchio's unique salinity. Peter/Warren Selections, Augustan Wine Imports.
Here is the best of the current red wine releases from Bergevin Lane, a Merlot blend that includes 5% of each Petit Verdot and Malbec. Dense and potent, it's loaded with black fruits, coffee and tobacco flavors. The wine is wonderfully rich, with excellent definition and body. Drink now or cellar for another decade.
The seductive, aromatic lift of elderberry and blackberry give way to notes of dark chocolate and plum in this blend of Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is like a highly pixillated, sharp image of the finest, ripest fruit, with its tight, fine and polished tannins supported by the sonorous tone of oak.
Toast and mocha scents and flavors surround a core of tart red berries. More barrel influence comes out as the wine breathes—clove, spice and smoke—as it rolls into a tightly-wrapped, tannic finish. Give this a lot of aeration, or tuck it away for another five or six years.
Aged in 30% new French oak, this has brown sugar, cola and root beer notes to back up its black cherry fruit. Coelho has shaken up its lineup, made some clear improvements and kept prices in line. Drink now or through the early 2020s.
The flat-bottom boat once used to ship wine on the Loire River to Paris is the inspiration for this wine. It is a blend of the various soils and vineyards in the river's right-bank appellation. With bright acidity and a flinty texture, the wine still needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Some barrel aging has given this wine, with its already ripe fruits, extra richness. It is spicy, lifted by juicy acidity from the black cherries and plums. This is a full, warm and ripe wine that is just now ready to drink.
Honeysuckle perfume introduces this fragrant fresh Riesling. A shade off dry on the palate, it balances spine-tingling lemon and tangerine flavors against earthier notes of wax and crushed minerals. Drink now through 2019.
The nose is full of baking spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as blackberry and black currant, with a peppery note lingering under it all. The tannins are taut, with ample acidity lifting the spicy palate. Fruit notes of black plum and black currant meld with raw tobacco leaf. The tannins linger on the finish, with plenty of dark fruit and spice.
Earthy sage and black licorice invite one into this dark brooding expression of the grape, defined in exotic blackberry, black cherry and smoke. Medium bodied and softly smooth, it impresses in its brush with the dark side.
This wine's black cherry fruit, backed by tart acidity and ample tannins, quickly emerges. Cola and brown spice hints reflect its 15 months aging in 15% new French oak, yet it fades on the midpalate as if recently bottled. As with the Carlton Hill bottling, this should benefit from an additional year or two.
This wine's dried flower and dark chocolate aromas emerge in the glass, with brambly berry notes in tow. A well-structured effort, it tastes of tart raspberry and cherry fruit with darker streaks of anise and espresso. The tannins, though proportionate, are a touch green.
This winery does an excellent job of providing a range of styles in their single-vineyard bottlings. In this case, richness is on display, with aromas of concentrated lemon cream, buttered toast and a bit of crushed chalk. Strong yellow-apple and melon flavors show on the sip as well as a jasmine and gardenia elements and a butterscotch finish. Fairly unctuous and loose in texture.
This red boasts aromas of cranberry, red plum, geranium, rooibos, tar and licorice. These notes unfold onto the palate and are met with soft hints of coconut and vanilla. The tannins are soft and velvety, the acidity is zippy and active, and the finish is long and juicy.
A fine value, this tart young wine opens with cranberry, raspberry and cocoa flavors. It's graceful, flavorful and already drinking well but should continue to give pleasure over the next five years.
Chenin Blanc isn't common in New Zealand, but the ones made here tend to be worth trying. This plump, medium-bodied wine features intense notes of melon and pear, along with a hint of anise. The finish is long and refreshingly crisp. Drink now.
This blend of Rara Neagra, Malbec and Syrah has espresso, mocha and raspberry scents. It offers smoked meat, tart cherry and black plum flavors before the softly tannic finish.
This is a bold, structured wood-aged wine. It brings out the best in Portugal's flagship grape, with blackberry fruits, a perfumed character and balanced acidity. Although it is already three years old, this wine could still age to soften its solid tannins, and will be better from 2018.
Exotic notes of saffron and dusty pollen mingle into ripe flavors of melon, peach and guava in this plush spicy wine. Medium sweet in style and softly textured, its lushness is offset by sprightly acidity and a touch of earthiness on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Deeply colored, this bottling shows ripe blackberry pie with caramel, crushed graphite and a touch of mint on the nose. The tannins are soft but provide just enough structure to deliver lavish flavors of black cherry, beef char and cedar.
This Nero d'Avola opens with mature black-skinned berry, violet and leather aromas. The firm, juicy palate doles out ripe blackberry, dried cherry and mocha flavors while assertive tannins give it a firm, astringent finish. Drink 2018–2023.
Earthy, leathery, stewed aromas are more savory than fruity. The palate on this Malbec-led blend is full, flush and resiny. Savory blueberry, Middle Eastern spice notes and oaky flavors reside in front of a roasted finish with grab and grip.
Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.
Floral berry and plum aromas are direct and pure, emphasizing fruit over oak. A punchy palate follows the nose, while bright plum and berry flavors complete the package. This captures the essence of Malbec while not going overboard.
Granular, edgy and minerally like a daily vitamin tab, this is a sharp-sided white wine with cleansing pineapple, nectarine and lemony flavors in front of a high-toned, mineral-laden finish that is clean and tight. Very fresh, lively and a little more narrow than in the past.
A firm, ripe wine, with good sweet black currant fruit flavors. It is structured, but mainly showing fruit rather than tannins. There is a fine, fresh finish, hinting at wood.
A good effort from a weak vintage. This Bierzo has sweet, rich, fulfilling aromas along with a soothing palate that's not overly acidic. As a whole, the wine's cola and blackberry flavors show themselves nicely, while the finish is chocolaty and long. A good wine from a sketchy year.
This is a light, fresh Riesling with just a touch of residual sugar (at 7.5 g/l most people won't really notice it). From a sandy site, it doesn't show great power or complexity, just a pleasing mouthful of easy-to-drink lemon-lime flavors.
A rich nose of peaches, butterscotch and honey leads on this go-to white from Fleur Du Cap. Robust, balanced flavors of like character are buoyed by acidity and freshness. The finish is lingering. Pair with fish and fowl.
Ripe fruit aromas mingle with pepper, leather, mocha and spice on the nose of this elegant red. Dry and balanced, the palate offers ripe berry and spicy notes, and a lingering finish. Good textured tannins add to the ageable appeal.
Shows plenty of barrel influence in its brown sugar and cinnamon aromas, while the flavors run toward cherry, vanilla and coconut. There's a bit of alcoholic warmth to the finish.
Hard and closed on the nose, but if you dig there's saturated yet generic dark-fruit aromas and a touch of creamy, lactic oak. The palate offers thick berry flavors and tomato, while the finish is beefy and chewy, with no shortage of tannins. Colorful and bold, but short on polish and expressiveness.
Mature and sound on the bouquet, but more snappy and sharp overall than you might anticipate for a 2001. Aromas of tobacco and bramble lead to flavors that you'd expect: more tobacco, dried plum, sour cherries, etc. Long and lean on the palate and finish, with pulse but a shortage of richness. It leaves you wanting more body and fruit.
Tart green apple fruit flavors dominate, with high acids and perhaps a hint of light toast. Simple and straightforward.
Melon, pineapple and apple aromas followed by a balanced, elegant combination of pineapple, melon and citrus flavors give this Chenin a fresh, zesty appeal. A lingering finish completes the package.
Juicy blackberry and cassis accent a balanced elegant wine that's bright in acidity and ample in structure. Nuanced in ripeness, it's built for the table and will shine alongside a versatile array of foods.
Reduced on the nose, youthfully, the reduction blows away to reveal a fruity landscape of blueberry and blackberry that's ripe yet light. Spritzy acidity freshens a hearty body and supportive oak.
This wood-aged wine is now mature. Along with spice and toast, it also has an oxidative character that gives softness and warmth. Its rich flavors are full bodied, bringing out citrus and intense acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
With very good balance and impressive fruit concentration, this medium-bodied wine will be a good all-occasion wine to buy by the case. It offers focused red and black-cherry flavors, a zingy texture and light tannins so it won't get tiring on the second glass.
This is a classic style of California Cabernet that puts fascinating mint, black-cherry and black-olive flavors on a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and a medium body. It has excellent concentration and good balance. Best through 2024.
This blend of four Italian grape varieties melds highlights of oak spices and pepper with just-ripe cherry and raspberry flavors for a tasty, complex but not heavy personality. The texture is mildly tannic, the balance is spot-on and it has an appetizing, crisp finish.
The wine has fine, juicy fruit over smooth tannins. Its smoky flavors, touches of wood aging and rich tannic structure are integrating well. It will be ready to drink from 2020.
With considerable botrytis, this wine is intense and rich. It's still tight at this stage, structured with layers of spice and fruit. Drink from 2021.
Now perfectly mature, this ripe, spicy wine is delicious. It shows a fine balance between botrytis, fruit and acidity, keeping it at once crisp and richly sweet. Ready to drink.
This distinctly woody wine's eucalyptus perfume derives from its wood aging. Luckily, that quality shares space with black fruit and dark fruit tannins. Dense and powerful, it needs time. Drink from 2021.
This spicy wine is full of botrytis, giving a dry edge to its rich, honeyed flavors. It has an intense character, hovering between very sweet and dry. Structured with strong acidity, it will be ready to drink from 2018.
This ripe, fruity wine is developing a fine balance between fruit and structure. Its black currant flavors are bright, juicy and crisp, sustained by a core of dryness and delicious acidity. It will benefit from another year of age, so wait until late 2018 before drinking.
Smoky wood flavors dominate this dense, wood-aged wine. It also has juicy red berry flavors and will be generous and very fine when mature. Drink from 2020.
Ripe fruit, juicy acidity and a fine balance of tannins give this wine great potential. It's full of blackberry flavors as well as some solid, structured tannins. Drink from 2020.
Smoky aromas from wood aging lead to a richly structured palate that's packed with tannins. It's extracted, with a bitter coffee character and black fruit flavors that are slowly developing. Drink from 2020.
Strongly perfumed with new wood, this polished wine is rich, structured and packed with fruit. It has a fine, tannic character balanced by red berry fruit and fine acidity. Drink from 2020.
Structured and still firm, this is a wine with some good potential. It's full of blackberry fruit and ripe tannins. Juicy acidity gives it a crisp edge, lifting the solid texture. Drink from 2020.
Despite its light color, this is a wine for aging. Even now, the tannins are firm and give a dry texture to its red berry fruit. With acidity as well as structure, it's built for powerful meat dishes. Drink from 2018, when the tannins will have softened further.
This is a bright, fully realized wine from the distinctive appellation: soft with an integrated approach to its use of oak. Wild strawberry, cranberry and a threading of dried herb combine effortlessly into a pleasurable whole.
Aromas of black plum and mocha prepare the palate for flavors of blackberry, cassis, pomegranate and thyme. Offering ample mouthfeel and full-fruit flavors amidst slightly grippy tannins, this wine wraps up in a lasting cherry finish.
Alluring aromas of black-skinned berry, leather and tobacco lead the nose on this robust red. The concentrated, richly textured palate shows red cherry, prune and vanilla with a hint of orange zest. Velvety tannins provide support. Enjoy through 2022.
Made from estate grapes, this combines 54% Malbec with 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller amounts of Syrah and Petit Verdot. Rich as cherry pie, highlights of clove and nutmeg dot the brawny, elongated tannins as the lengthy finish adds a hint of mocha.
The bouquet of this wine boasts aromas of plum, earth, spice and vanilla. The palate is still rather closed and linear, revealing a black cherry core layered with chocolate. The drying wood tannins linger long into the finish, ending bitter.
A soft, warm textured wine. Its fresh citrus, red apples and orange zest act as a foil to the full-bodied structure. At the end, it's all lightness and freshness.
Usually this block is at the top of the offerings from Coeur de Terre, but a leathery aroma and dried-out fruit knock it down in this vintage. Earth, cola, mint, a hint of cherry and a pleasant spiciness are also there, but the saddle leather dominates. Two bottles tasted.
With just a touch of pepper, this is a warmly spiced wine, ripe in character and full of soft apple and pear flavors. The fruit is right up front, full of ripeness as well as acidity.
Based in Saint-Hippolyte, the northernmost village of Haut-Rhin, this domaine has produced a smooth, ripe Pinot Blanc, immediately accessible and showing a full, spicy character. Attractive and ready to drink.
Vines grown on sandy soil yield a wine that is accessible now. Full, soft and ripe with red berry fruits, the palate is marked by gentle tannins and an attractive burst of fruity acidity. Drink now.
Very textured wine, hinting at fruit that is only just ripe. This light and fragrant wine has red currant fruits and a smoky character. Probably not for aging.
Heavy, raisiny aromas carry heat and a whiff of vinegar. In the mouth, this is thick and almost syrupy. Earthy flavors of blackberry, raisin and prune finish chewy but flat. Look for a ripe, rich wine that's soft and earthy more than structured.
Woody aromas of tree bark, forest floor and earthy, minty berry fruits lead to a full and stocky feeling palate with wiry, herbal, oak-heavy flavors of plum and mint. On the finish, this is tannic, with strong spice notes and a hint of green.
Ripe and creamy wine, with some herbaceousness and yellow fruits. Layering citrus and a tangy texture, it's fruity, full of lively acidity and ready to drink this year. Screwcap.
A warm, southern feeling wine, it has herbs, spice and rich tannins as well as a crisper feel of acidity. Fruity, full of black currant and red berry fruits, forward and ripe. It's not for aging.
This spicy rosso has plum and pepper aromas that carry over onto the palate, along with a hint of licorice. It's linear, lively and fresh. Pair it with pasta topped with spicy tomato sauces or not too seasoned cheeses.
This light, easygoing Pinot Blanc is fruity with apples and white fruits, while gently creamy and balanced with some spice. The soft fruit and the bite of spice give some complexity at the end.
Blueberry and cassis aromas are jammy and suggest graham crackers. This feels tight and narrow, with strict tannins. As for flavors, look for baked berry, herb and earth notes the finish shows berry,  leather and carob notes.
This inky and opaque Chianti Classico is made in an international style, offering intense oak and vanilla aromas. The palate shows overripe plum, espresso and green bell pepper flavors. While it starts off plush, it has short length with a drying, tannic finish.
Scratchy, herbal aromas settle on tar, asphalt, tart red fruits and leather. The palate on this cutting Rioja is pushy and full of bold acidity, while oak and herbal berry flavors finish minty and spicy, with a ringing, acid-driven feel.
After this medium-bodied, fresh-styled Rioja opens with scratchy plum and berry aromas, hints of chocolate and light oak step in. The mouthfeel is wiry and fresh, with vibrant acidity creating high-toned, red-fruit flavors that finish with ringing zest.
This rosso boasts fruity fragrances of ripe cherry and plum, with a hint of orange peel and toasted oak. The palate shows ripe plum and black cherry flavors laced with espresso and chocolate accents. Drink this young and pair it with pastas or grilled white meats. Vi Wines, J & J Importers.
Opens with earth, lemon peel and lightly baked plum aromas. Feels easy and plump, with a good mouthfeel and proper acidity. Shows creamy oak flavors along with rooty berry, toast and milk chocolate. Turns more spicy and dusty on the finish.
Elegantly fruity, with restrained honeydew and white peach flavors, Lamoreaux Landing's Red Oak Vineyards Riesling is just off-dry with a refreshingly zingy profile. Mineral tones on the midpalate carry through to a pristine finish marked by sprightly green herbs and florals.
A delightfully easy-drinking Petite Sirah with cherry fruit and licorice overriding a subtle note of tobacco. Drink now.
Estate grown and seeming to hint at some time in oak, this dry and lightly spicy wine features apple and pear fruit, already smooth and rounded and ready to drink. More in the style of Oregon Pinot Gris than Italian Pinot Grigio.
Fermentation was done in a mix of stainless steel and French oak, yielding a soft, accessible, lightly spiced wine. Flavors mix notes of fresh cut grass and celery with melony fruit.
There's a richness to this wine that's paired with a soft warmth throughout, as forward notes of kirsch, muddled ripe strawberries, braised rhubarb and red-plum flesh flood the nose and mouth. Drinkable now, but with a gripping finish.
Ripe and fruit-forward, this round Chard boasts intense aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, pear and orange oil along with a hint of yellow florals. Subtle toast and clove spice accents remains on the finish. Drink now.
Honey and lanolin notes add an unctuous vibe to sweet, concentrated peach and honeysuckle flavors in this semidry Riesling. Its straightforward in its appeal, yet undeniably balanced. Bright acidity and a clean, dry finish make it a welcome companion to everything from veal schnitzel to Chinese takeout.
Age has been kind to this Petite, one of Concannon's smalller bottlings. The wine is noticeably easygoing with mellowed plum and blackberry fruit and tamed tannins.
Concannon's Reserve Petite swirls in plum, dark chocolate and coconut with densely layered tannins that are expertly contained. No puckering here.
Due Vigne's mountain-grown Sierra Nebbiolo is savory, embellished with olive tapenade, sour cherry, cranberry and caramel, its tannins sufficiently managed to make this wine a rich, robust red with finesse. Small percentages of Barbera and Dolcetto are blended in.
Classified as medium dry on the IRF scale, this is a medium-bodied Riesling without much texture, yet classic apple and citrus aromas and flavors. A sensation of wet stone creeps in on the finish.
Very light in color, such that it's almost pink. The nose on this Cabernet-Syrah blend is accented by chewing gum and spice aromas. The palate is clean but light in weight, with crisp cherry skin and watermelon flavors. It's not very deep or long, but what's here is tasty and ready to drink now.
Neutral for the most part, but this light-framed white slips in pear, orange and spice notes while maintaining a nice, juicy profile. Nothing more than a refreshing, lime-infused dandy. But what's wrong with that?
If what you're looking for is a medium-weight red wine with bright fruit and bounce, this is it. It's not complex or weighty stuff; instead it's focused on jumpy cherry and raspberry flavors and a snappy feel. Totally pedestrian but good in its price category.
This oak-free Chardonnay combines pear and tropical fruit flavors in a somewhat simple but pleasant package. Shows some oiliness to its texture and a touch of warmth on the finish, but it's a good effort overall.
Juicy and jumpy on the nose, but not sour. The palate of this dark, almost red Malbec rosé is sweet and candied but also zesty due to pretty lively acids. It's not a stellar wine but it is full of berries and spunk.
Spritzy lemon-lime aromas are attractive; there's lemon meringue and green herbs on the palate, and a narrow, fresh finish to close the deal.
Heavy wood aging dominates this rich wine at this stage. That should integrate to leave an almost California ripeness from the 100% Merlot. It has a full and rounded structure, cushioned by generous fruits.
Warm and rich, the wine from vineyards on the slopes above Cadillac have the structure of the vintage along with the ripe, blackberry fruits. It is already attractive to drink, and will continue to age nicely over the medium term.
This black wine, despite being almost seven years old, remains rich and balanced on the nose, where ripe aromas of raisin and earth offer a slight herbal, minty edge. The mouthfeel is 100% thick and jammy, while flavors of prune, baked blackberry and chocolate lead to a chewy finish. This blend of Malbec, Merlot and Tannat is a knife-and-fork wine to drink now.
Forward aromas of game and earthy spice notes are upfront on the bouquet, with notes of mulled berries, red plum and fig providing a concentrated, fruity backdrop. Earthy tones continue to dominate the medium-weight mouth, as flavors of tree bark and baking spice flood the palate and linger long into the finish. Fine tannins lend a satiny, smooth texture to the mouthfeel.
From Kimmel's cool Potter Valley vineyards, this 2010 Chardonnay has a lot to offer— refreshing lemon and grapefruit flavor, and a hint of orange peel amid its high-toned acidity. Lean and inviting with a richness on the finish, Kimmel is a name to watch in Mendocino Chardonnay.
This is a uniquely layered Pinot with concentrated dark-cherry liqueur flavor wrapped in notes of mushroom and dirt. The finish is bright and long-lasting. This one calls for chanterelles sautéed with plenty of olive oil and bacon bits.
A wisp of a wine, bright in lime, nutmeg and honeysuckle, with balanced acidity and mouthwatering texture and concentration. Handley's Gewürztraminer is always the right call when Thai or Chinese is on the menu. A nice introduction or re-introduction to Anderson Valley whites.
The 14 months spent in oak lend this wine an earthy, sweet-spice-driven character that infuses the red cherry and currant aromas and flavors. The wood also contributes to the lush mouthfeel and smoky finish. But although it's oaky, it's not overwhelming, and the wine ultimately comes across as balanced and clean.
Tall Tales is a new designation for the winery's reserve Syrah. It's unfined, unfiltered and unabashed—a potent, powerful wine which teeters on the edge of bitterness. But within its compact and textural body are lively flavors of boysenberry and coffee grounds, tobacco and vanilla, cola and rock. It pushes deep into the palate and extends into a complex and long-lasting finish.
A big wine in every sense, dark in color, the fruit supremely rich without being excessive. It is very structured within its opulent framework. Likely to age well, this is concentrated, dense.
Intense and concentrated, full of fruit, tannic structure and richness. It comes from a fine vintage and shows the ripe fruit, rich berry and red plum character, along with a more austere, ageworthy edge. A very fine wine, and one worth keeping for 5–6 years.
Fermented in open lagars, this wine is luscious with wonderful depth of black fruit flavor, spice and acidity. It has hints of wood, although these are already well integrated into the ripe fruit. Age this wine for at least 3–4 years.
This has lovely and deep black fruits, with smoke and toast from the barrel aging. There's a streak of caramel and a hint of coconut, good balance and length, and less obvious burn and astringency than the more recent vintages.
This is finished in a dense, dark, super-saturated style, and aged in two thirds new French oak barrels. Grainy, smoky, ripe tannins wrap around deep cassis, black cherry and black olive, with occasional whiffs of truffle. For those who love a blockbuster style, this wine rocks. Just a little heat in the finish.
An elegant, supple, toasty, very tasty Cabernet Franc from one of the oldest vineyards on the Wahluke Slope. Winemaker Mike Januik carefully sculpts his flavors, running threads of black cherry, baking chocolate, espresso, loam, sandalwood, caramel and coconut through the core of this exceptional wine. Drink young or cellar and let it evolve—it's a winner either way.
L'Ecole is one of the three partners in the Seven Hills vineyard, and sources its grapes from some of the oldest vines. The blend includes 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, tight and spicy at first, then opening into a deeply flavored, brambly wine with a vivid mix of berry and stone. Firm tannins anchor it solidly and the overall structure suggests it could age for at least a decade, maybe two.
The wine has power and considerable wood flavors at this young stage. It also has concentration of white and yellow fruits, well laced with acidity. Powerful while always balanced and stylish.
It's a difficult challenge to blend six different grapes into a wine without sacrificing focus, but winemaker Rob Newsom has done a splendid job with this new vintage of Marie's View. Roughly a third Cabernet and a third Syrah, which provide a potent core of deep red and black fruits, the wine is nuanced with layers of spice, leaf, toasted grain, loam and coffee grounds. Fine acids promise a long life.
A field blend of old vines from Castro's Quinta da Pellada, this is an impressively rich and concentrated wine from a warm vintage. The fruit is ripe, with peach and mango flavors, the acidity laced with this richness. A hint of wood adds further complexity.
Baer's Arctos blend is about three fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, and here the grape shows less fat, and more structure than in the previous vintage. It's a better wine, sleek and yet fruity, with a pleasing mix of blackberry and cassis. The tannins are forceful, herbal, and sturdy, giving the finish a firm spine. The grace notes of clove and coffee and loam continue to add interest as the wine lingers through a dense finish.
In an effort to further differentiate the Foreshadow Merlot from the Foreshadow Cabernet, winemaker John Bookwalter has kept each out of the other's blend. This is a riveting, complex, supersized wine, with alcohol over 15% and plenty of intriguing barrel flavors. The black cherry-berry fruit is swathed in spice, chocolate, cedar and coffee, complex and well-crafted.
A dark bruiser with heavy mocha, chocolate, tobacco, cola and crusty leather aromas in addition to massive fruit scents. It's huge in the mouth, with broad, grabby tannins, pumped-up acids and wide berry, vanilla and coconut flavors. Dark like coffee on the finish, with titanic tannins and foundation. Best from 2013 through 2016.
Hints of biscuits and smoked nuts lend a toasty feel to fresh floral and stone-fruit aromas on this balanced sparkling Chardonnay. Soft, delicate bubbles carry flavors of yellow cherries and blossoms accented with fresh, lemony acidity.
Full, ripe and smoky, this well-balanced wine has a dense texture to offset the bright red fruits and acidity. Spice, smoky flavors and a fresh red fruit aftertaste give a ready-to-drink feel.
A barrel selection from the estate and Shaw vineyards, this spent a couple of years in new French oak. It shows good concentration and oak influence. Cassis fruit is underscored with vivid acidity, and the wine retains its balance through a long finish that offers highlights of smoke and char.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot split the blend with 8% Syrah in addition. The opening scents are toasty and inviting, and the wine enters the palate smooth and agreeable, with pretty red fruits. There's a lick of licorice and then the flavors seem to lighten up and finish tart and astringent. But decant this and let it breathe, and the wine can surprise with its staying power.
Earthy, tarry plum and berry aromas are herbal and gritty. This is a forward Syrah with juicy acidity. Flavors of plum, currant, raspberry, tomato and herbs finish fresh, with lingering acids and spicy flavors that include fennel and licorice root. Drink this spicy, elegant Syrah now through 2017.
The wine at this stage is all tannin. But you can feel the weight of red fruits underneath. It will develop as a serious wine, packed with both fruit and structure. Strongly mineral and with a dark texture, it has considerable aging potential. Drink from 2016.
This joint venture between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Perrin family continues to source high quality wines from the northern Rhône. This Saint-Joseph is a spicy, plummy wine, somewhat chunky on the palate while remaining reasonably light afoot and finishing with soft tannins. Drink now–2018.
Showing excellent concentration and structure, this sharply etched wine sets vivid fruit flavors of raspberries and pie cherries against buoyant acidity. The focus is excellent, right on through a crisp finish.
Sourced from an outstanding vineyard, this juicy, spicy, zesty Riesling shows terrific balance and lively acidity. A mix of peach, green apple and Key lime fruit anchors a thoroughly refreshing wine, with just a touch of residual sugar.
A subtle style of Viognier, this has body and presence without overt fruit flavors. It soothes the palate with a creamy viscosity. Modest apple and mineral flavors interact with crisp acidity for a low-key, reserved and well-mannered personality.
Dust and blackberry aromas introduce this wine, which also includes 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The flavors are a nicely presented mix of cherry and plum fruit, pipe smoke, cigar ash and an earthy finish of savory herbs.
Rubbery berry and cassis aromas show modest complexity as they air out and become more spicy. This feels good and bold, with lifting acidity. Flavors of ripe berry and cassis finish with molasses, chocolate and lasting berry flavors along with a blast of heat.
This youthful, medium-bodied wine opens with pretty aromas of violets, rose petals, orange zest and woodland berries that carry over to the palate alongside firm, rounded tannins. Juicy and fresh, it will offer enjoyment through 2016.
Dark golden-yellow in color, this offers tart apple and honey flavors and is light on the palate, not overdone in oak. It will pair well with seafood or bacon and eggs.
A straightforward wine for casual occasions, this opens with aromas of wild cherry, cinnamon, clove and nectarine peel that carry over to the palate alongside firm tannins. A licorice note signals the close.
White flowers and a red apple candy reveal themselves on the nose, but the strongest aromas convey a concentrated pear-peach perfume. The palate is dominated by apple at first, but grapefruit carries the midpalate and finish, which shows good acidity and a bit of grip as well.
This red is roughly split between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent time in 40% new French oak and shows density and grip. There are substantial acids, bright black fruits and a streak of black tea among the flavors.
Fruity and fragrant, this opens with aromas of red berries, violets and baking spices. Notes of white pepper and clove accent the crushed strawberry and wild cherry flavors that are supported by silky tannins.
Dark, dense and delicious, this inviting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and a tiny amount of Petit Verdot delivers ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa, clove and cinnamon. Full-bodied but velvety tannins and soft acidity give a smooth texture, making this wine extremely approachable. Enjoy soon.
This elegant wine opens with a pretty fragrance of pressed violets, perfumed berries aromas and sweet cake spices. The vibrant palate offers crushed black cherry, wild raspberry and clove alongside supple tannins. Drink soon to capture the fresh fruit flavors.
Hints of wild game and ceder lend rusticity to tart red-currant notes on this elegant Cabernet Franc. It's delicate in body but densely concentrated in red cherry and cassis flavors that penetrate. Finishes boldly with a mouth-filling fringe of tannins.
This full-bodied wine opens with pretty aromas of crushed blue flower, spice and perfumed berry. The dense, one-dimensional palate doles out juicy black cherry, cinnamon-spice and licorice. There's no complexity but it is delicious. Drink through 2015.
Morello cherry, blue flower, underbrush, white pepper, clove, cinnamon and a sprinkling of cocoa come seamlessly together in this savory and smooth wine. There's no mind-blowing complexity but it delivers just the right amount of fruit, freshness and structure for effortless drinking pleasure.
Tarry dark-fruit aromas are piercing and slightly herbal. This is a staunch, rock-solid Cab with tannic bite and structural grip. Flavors of black fruits and oak finish spicy, with notes of licorice and woodspice. Freshness combined with ripeness and body weight conveys the wine's depth and overall quality.
This shows really attractive floral notes on the nose, followed by smoldering, dark flavors of roasted root vegetables and caramelized black cherries. It's full-bodied and maybe even a bit chunky on the palate, so give it until 2016–2017 to settle down and smooth out.
This velvety-textured blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan and the remainder Mourvèdre and Cinsault offers some bright, red-fruit notes that enliven the core of black olive, dark chocolate and espresso bean. Drink now–2016.
Leads off with cedar and vanilla notes, but develops plenty of dark, chocolaty flavors on the palate, giving a sense of richness and depth. The tannins are supple, ending on a cocoa powder-like dusty note. Drink now–2018.
A tangy grapefruit flavor and refreshing acidity make this a good before-dinner quaff and an apt pairing with seafood. Herbaceous and citrus aromas carry through to the flavors, medium body and good balance.
Cabernet Franc is a regular part of the red blends made in St-Émilion in Bordeaux. This gem from the rich farmland of Lodi has vivid ripe plum and cherry aromas, and flavors tempered by traces of spice and mineral. With medium body and a firmly tannic texture it achieves classic balance.
Winemaker Jules Taylor is crafting a series of bold, expressive wines, including this one. It starts off a little shaky, offering hints of soap and cruciferous vegetables, but settles down to deliver black cherry fruit and hints of beets and parsnip. It's got a creamy midpalate, then finishes with sterner tannins than most Marlborough Pinots. Drink now–2017.
Brawny but lovely, with monster black fruit, balsam wood, tobacco and cola nut aromas. The palate is ultra rich and modern in style, with deep, brandied flavors of cola, black cherry and spice. Driven, modern and properly tannic, with a fair amount of mocha and creaminess on the finish. Drink from late 2010 thru 2014.
Huge wine with sweetness and smooth qualities from head to toe. Aromas of mint leaf, pastry and sweet black fruits are magnetic, while the lush, layered palate is complete and packed with berry fruit, toast, fudge and tobacco flavors. Layered and deep on the finish, with cola, herbs and licorice notes. Beautiful wine. Drinkable now and good through 2013.
This compelling wine delivers a tidal wave of chocolate, dark berries, earth and black olive aromas and flavors. It's huge in the mouth yet amazingly supple in texture, leaving no sense of excessive weight or alcohol. Hints of toast, menthol and coffee linger on the surprisingly elegant finish. Drink now-2025.
This mighty Malbec opens with toasty oak, a pinch of sawdust and perfumed black fruit, vanilla and spice notes. The palate is lofty and rich, with beautiful berry and plum flavors. A smooth, sexy wine from the Uco Valley that shows that vineyard sourcing absolutely matters. Best wine from Alta Vista to date.
From vines planted more than a century ago, this richly concentrated, voluptuous wine blossoms with time in the glass, revealing aromas of brandied black cherries and dark chocolate. The tannins are creamy smooth, the length on the palate prodigious. But at 15.5% alcohol, this wine's warmth is noticeable; opt for drinking it over the next 10 years.
Perfumed and lovely, this hearty full-bodied wine evokes berry pie, so rich and brambly is its depth of concentrated flavor. Rapturous, it finds its savory side with an intensity of cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Rich and robust, this estate wine shines in milk chocolate, leather and smoky oak, its texture densely layered and soft.
This is a fascinating wine in that it delivers all of the components of a cool-climate Syrah from what is considered a warm-weather region. Black pepper, tar, charred game, cola and lavender show on the nose, while the  palate offers roasted lamb, more pepper and crushed asphalt. It's relatively light in body as well.
Sanguine, with a voluptuous mouthfeel, this wine is soft and integrated in chewy sticky tannins that resolve in the glass, and dusty in dried herb. Blackberry bramble adds a fruity edge that finds companionship in the boldly etched fruit.
Thickly concentrated, this wine offers a wealth of crème brûléee richness and complexity, dotted in golden honey and a twist of lime. Supple and medium in build, it integrates the oak and ripeness at its core, finishing with a brightness of acidity that refreshes.
Dried strawberry and prune juice meet with black spice, dust and roasted meats on the nose of this six-year-old bottling. The palate shows decent depth, from mocha and coffee to tobacco, cedar and caramel, all decorating the core flavors of black-cherry pie and bacon fat.
This wine's menthol, new leather, blue flower and sage aromas lead the nose, along with a whiff of toast. It's taut and savory on the palate, offering crunchy red berry, star anise, ground clove and tobacco notes framed by youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
From old vines grown on two different types of chalk soil, this wine is intense and rich. It has ripe apple and pear fruitiness which is balanced by the tangy acidity. The natural concentration from low-yield old vines adds to the density of the wine. Drink from 2018.
This perfumed and solid wine offers some fine tannins. The black fruits and rich structure give a juicy concentration. Named after the wolves who traditionally lived in the valley where the quinta is situated, this wine is ripe and ready to drink.
When two naturally perfumed grapes get together they make an intense wine that has big aromas as well as a series of firm tannins and ripe fruit. Blackberry and spice are shot through with acidity to give a solid wine, firmly structured and fruity at the end.
This is a full-bore, concentrated and tannic wine that lives up to the reputation of a not exactly “petite” varietal. It starts with smoky black pepper aromas, then offers concentrated blackberry, dark chocolate and charred meat flavors, along with a rich wrapping of fine-grained tannins. Best after 2020.
The wine comes from an aristocratic estate that dates back to 1396. The wine is always impressive—rich, herbal and needing to age. It has ripe white and green fruit, a generous texture and a full-bodied density. Drink this wine from 2019.
Attractive oaky aromas of wood smoke, black licorice and cedar float above rich notes of black currant and blackberry, with a bit of bell pepper adding nuance. Sweet spice and smoke flavors prevail on the palate alongside crushed-velvet tannins, ample acidity and a core of dark fruit. The long, spicy finish is plush, with a slightly herbaceous note.
From a south-facing steep slope, this wine is ripe while beautifully balanced between crisp acidity, apples and pears. The steely texture and mineral edge give the wine added complexity. It's a fine wine, best after another six months in early 2018.
This perfumed and wood-aged wine is so stylish. It is smooth in texture, paced with acidity and shows well-balanced red fruits. The wine finishes with fine acidity and delicious fruitiness. Drink now.
This structured blend of Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, Syrah and a small percentage of other grape varieties offers cassis, mocha and underbrush aromas. The dense palate doles out prune, carob, licorice and pipe tobacco notes alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2023.
Pommard and Dijon clones planted in 2001 fuel this tasty wine. Its dusty plum and black cherry fruit carries a touch of dark chocolate, all framed by firm yet polished tannins. Built to age, it can be enjoyed now with a good decanting.
This substantial, powerfully styled Pinot Noir is layered with tart, punchy red fruit. That rich core is laced with brown sugar, coffee, caramel and cola streaks. It was aged in 10% new French oak.
Sourced from the estate's Bayliss-Bower vineyard, this reserve is a barrel selection that saw a touch more new oak (17%) than the regular bottling. It's tannic and a bit chewy, with lush black cherry fruit. Subtle cola and graphite suggestions add complexity.
Ostentatiously ripe, this full-bodied wine hardly hides its richness. It's generous and packed with fruitiness. The acidity and the tighter texture are backdrops to this great burst of fruit. Drink now.
This ripe, black-fruit-flavored wine is concentrated and intense. Big, bold tannins partner with rich blackberry and black-plum fruits. The weight is balanced by acidity and bright fruit at the end. Drink this wine now.
Lean and dry on the palate, this medium-bodied wine has a subtle concentration of red-fruit flavors and fine layers of mineral and spice that unfold on the palate. Grown on a pioneering property along the Sonoma Cost, it will be best after 2020.
Scents of crushed tomato stalk and green onion make a big impression upfront, but they're balanced by stone fruit and pineapple flavors. This is rich and ripe in the mouth, showing great power and persistence on the finish. Drink now.
Earthy in sage and black tea, this wine is lightly layered and seamless in texture, with an underlying minty flavor. Cardamom and cola provide a spiciness that persists along a road of great length and breadth.
David and Anna deLaski planted this obscure grape on their home vineyard to honor her Austrian roots—the results are fascinating. A dark earthy graphite-driven minerality contrasts with the brighter sweeter strawberry and cherry fruit on the nose, and then the bone-dry sip pops with a candied raspberry flavor, enhanced by fennel and white pepper.
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.
An earthy aroma with rich black fruits give a wine that is full-bodied, ripe and soft. It has a warm, juicy character, a dry core surrounded by fresh berry fruits. Not for aging, but open while firm now.
Ripe red fruits in a warm, soft texture. It's a finely balanced wine that hits all the buttons with its fruity character, touch of spice and  fresh acidity to finish.
Bright, light and totally fresh, this is a delightful rosé. It has wild strawberry flavors, laced with acidity. There's some spice as well, giving a balanced wine. It is fine both as an aperitif and with food.
This clean, fresh, bracingly grassy wine makes you wish there were more Sauv Blancs from the Willamette Valley. It has the crisp elegance of the Loire, along with a delicate suggestion of chalk.
Fruity, aromatic wine, this is a few months too young to drink. Already, it is showing its attractive wild berry and rhubarb fruits and soft tannins. There is a juicy, open aftertaste.
This Garnacha is perfectly good in every way, shape and form. The nose is loaded with bright berry aromas and a hint of mint. The palate feels lively and right, while flavors of raspberry, blackberry and leather lead to a deep, long, slightly hot finish.
Blended with 11% Roussanne, this high-toned effort mixes Meyer lemon and grapefruit with broader fruit flavors of pear and peach. It's got alcohol listed at 14.6%—not unusual for Viognier, but it does bring on some heat in the finish.
A great value from Wente, this is a layered, bright and intensely lemon-tinged Chardonnay, worth stocking up for simple dinners and get togethers where you know a lot of people will want to drink white.
A ripe and full-bodied wine. It offers rich creamed apple and peach flavors as well as a contrasting citrus element. Minerality adds texture to this still young wine that needs some bottle aging. Screwcap.
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is dark reddish-pink and unusual in its unadulterated cassis flavor and suggestion of charcuterie. Intense and slightly smoky, it's an interesting example of how Cabernet can be tamed to a rosé. It would pair interestingly with a cold steak salad.
The bouquet on this Priorat is raisiny, with tobacco and schisty aromas. The palate is one part jumpy and another part stewy and clumsy, with baked berry flavors that come with a tangy citric edge. The finish is long, with tobacco, stewed fruit and hard tannins. Drink now through 2015.
Blueberry and boysenberry aromas blend with graham cracker and cardamon scents to give off an exotic nose. In the mouth, this is hard, narrow and tannic, with a grating overall feel and earthy, baked, limited flavors of blackberry and toast. A long, tannic finish is choppy in feel and monotone in flavor.
Aged in both neutral oak and glass, despite a total production of 16 cases, this is the ultimate mini-micro boutique wine. Dusky cranberry and raspberry fruit shows a strong, underlying mineral/concrete note. Good length, and its tart youthful flavors suggest more time in bottle will improve it.
Look for the blue bottle and you'll get a solid Albariño. This is typically light and fresh, with aromas of stream water, wild flowers, fresh herbs and leesy stone fruits. Crisp and citric on the palate, with proper cut, this tastes of orange, peach, nectarine and lemon. Minerally, cleansing and steady on the finish.
Here's a sleek Sangiovese that opens with scents of toasted oak, vanilla, blue flowers and mature plum. The round palate is already accessible, serving up sweet black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and mint framed in assertive but fine-grained tannins.
Potent black-plum and black-cherry aromas come with a ton of grainy, spicy oak. This is both fresh and bright as well as dark, brawny and roasted in character. Flavors of ripe blackberry and cherry share the stage with toasty, charred oak and spice flavors in front of an aggressive but tasty finish.
This is unusual for a reserve, in that it's lower in alcohol than the regular bottling, and more cases were produced. The light fruits and herbs—green apple and lemon verbena in particular—are highlighted with tarragon and citrus peel. The complexity compensates for the just-on-the-edge ripeness, and time in 20% new oak adds a buttery note to the finish.
This is full bodied and forward, bringing a generous mouthful of apple, pear and pineapple fruit along with a streak of vanilla wafer. The flavors hit quickly and right up front, then suspend themselves through a lingering finish.
A robust blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers aromas of baked plum, mocha, menthol and oak-driven spice. The hearty palate initially opens with black fruit, chocolate, licorice and dried herb flavors but the heat of evident alcohol dominates the finish and the close.
Juicy and soft in blackberry and black cherry, this wine is nicely resolved in terms of tannin and oak structure,. These provide weight on the back palate, with enough heightened acidity on the finish to stay on balance. Strawberry and dried herb close things out.
This is a jammy wine, soft and rich. It has juicy red berry fruits and a fully ripe character that's enhanced by spice. The tannins are already well integrated into the texture of the wine that is ready to drink.
To judge by the weight of the bottle, this is regarded as an important wine by the producer. The wine inside is attractive and fruity, ripe with berry fruits and considerable freshness. The tannins give the power for the bottle, dry and dense at this young stage. Drink from 2017.
A mix of tropical and citrus aromas is balanced by classic Leyda scents of bell pepper and jalapeño. This is crystal clear and zesty on the tongue, with cutting acidity. Lemon, tangerine and briny notes create a citrusy flavor profile, while the finish is juicy, crisp and cleansing.
Made to celebrate their 30th vintage, the Cazottes have produced a ripe, full-bodied wine that is still smooth and rich. Raspberries and fresh acidity give fruitiness with a delicious juicy aftertaste. Drink this wine soon, from early 2016.
Made from the oldest vines on the estate, this ripe and fruity wine is ready to drink. Its tannins are already integrated, leaving a smooth-textured wine that is accompanied by spice and red plum fruit flavors.
Pressed apple and pears seem to be dusted in pollen and saffron on the nose of this savory, spicy Riesling. It's off dry and delicate in style, but concentrated in lip smacking tangerine and lime flavors. Dusty, earthy tones persist through the moderately long finish.
Blackberry, cassis, herb and spice aromas are complete and ripe. This Cabernet-led blend is focused and direct on the palate, with berry, cassis, chocolate and oaky flavors. A similar tasting finish, with additional chocolate and creamy oak is weighty and pleasing.
Sea salt and buttered popcorn hit the nose first on this wine by Felipe Hernandez, who rose through his storied career from a field hand to winemaker. Next comes a leaner sense of chalk and Key lime rind. The palate shows buttered apple richness alongside lime and lemon acidity throughout the sip, with a touch of baking soda and more salt on the finish.
Made from what Californians call the Pommard clone, this has a light, traditional garnet color. Fresh and lively fruit aromas resemble cranberries and red cherries, followed by tangy fruit and cinnamon flavors of medium intensity, supported by firm acidity and moderate tannins.
Made from Sangiovese and Alicante, this doles out black cherry, plum, mint and menthol aromas that follow through to the medium-bodied palate along with a hint of clove. It's easy drinking and well balanced, with firm but fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
This has a light yellow color with a touch of green and a subtle smell of crisp green apples. Flavors that are richer than expected, like poached pears, butter and fig. The texture is rich, the body full and the ripe flavors linger on the finish.
Blueberry, chocolate, mint and clove aromas lead the nose of this blend of 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot. The palate offers dried black cherries, coffee, cinnamon, black pepper and cocoa. Fine-grained tannins provide the framework.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot opens with aromas of bluish-black fruit, toasted oak, espresso and licorice. The palate delivers blackberry extract, anise, clove and tobacco while dusty tannins provide support.
One barrel was new French oak, the other neutral. The cranberry fruit here is subdued and tart, while the barrel aging brings in popcorn, walnuts and even a trace of butter brickle. Give this bottle until 2017–2017 to open up.
A palate of exotic perfumes with layers of dark chocolate and dense tannins certainly give this wine great power. It is dark and brooding—almost too much in the intensity of its flavors and structure. It's going to remain a big beast as it ages. Drink from 2017.
Aged in large casks, this Nebbiolo opens with classic varietal aromas of dried rose petal, underbrush, red berry and a balsamic note. The elegant palate delivers sour cherries, crushed raspberries, anise and a touch of baking spice alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Tightly focused, as is often true of single-vineyard bottlings, this matches spicy berry fruit to light barrel flavors of milk chocolate. It's smooth and accessible, but finishes a bit short.
Crushed plum, espresso, tobacco and cedar aromas unfold in the glass. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Alicante, the straightforward palate offers blackberries, red currants, clove and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins.
Dense and concentrated, this blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot initially has a subdued nose that eventually reveals prune, alcohol, tobacco and leather aromas. The syrupy palate doles out blackberry extract, fig, sweet spice and soaring alcohol alongside velvety tannins. While some may like the sheer power, the dominant alcohol stunts any complexity, giving it a monolithic quality.
This widely available wine delivers aromas of cherries, leather and Provençal herbs upfront, followed by a silky texture on the palate and hints of cocoa. Drink it over the next few years.
Rosy cherry and plum aromas turn more rubbery and raisiny as this airs out. Solid, lifted and deep on the palate, this varietal Garnacha deals lightly herbal, floral flavors of plum and cherry cough drop, while the finish is oaky, resiny, raw, scouring and tough. Nothing about this is subtle or elegant, but it is dynamic. Drink through 2020.
Right from the beginning, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend oozes old-school Chilean calling cards: The nose is full of eucalyptus and herbal berry aromas along with tobacco and spicy berry scents. A tannic, heavy palate is hard and grinding, while baked flavors of black fruits come with a reprise of herbaceous character. Drink through 2022.
One-third of the wine went through whole-cluster fermentation, giving an edge to a fresh herb and moist earth component. A streak of iron and a touch of licorice surrounds firm cherry fruit. It's a solid effort that fades a bit quickly.
Aromas of garden herbs, cherry and bittersweet chocolate lead to medium-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. The tannins are quite firm and need some time (hopefully) to soften. The oak seems to get out front.
A streak of coffee runs dramatically down a tight, snappy core of citrus and berry fruit. Flavors are lightly dusted with pepper, remaining bright and precise through the finish.
What herbal berry aromas this wine has evaporate fast, replaced by oaky clove and other spice notes. Iron tight and tannic, the wine draws on the cheeks. Spiced-up plum flavors set up a rugged finish with hard tannins and spicy berry residuals. Serve with beef or BBQ; it needs it.
Sanguine and earthy, with understated ripeness, this affordable wine shows red currant, cranberry and smoky char highlights. Smooth and round , it's a simple, unfussy rendition of the variety.
A fennel note is prominent on the nose of this silky smooth and voluptuous white. Caramel-topped apple pie richness gives it an appealing personality, brightened by a lemon rind note on the finish.
There's a tiny bit of effervescence in this twist-top bottling, which shows light cola, red cherry and pencil shaving notes on the nose. The entry to the palate is soft, bringing tart cranberry and thyme flavors, with a light vanilla note on the finish.
This light and earthy wine has plenty of fruit flavor and funky, spicy accents. Its light texture and soft tannins make it easy to sip.
Dark but reduced aromas of tire and blackberry set up a muscular palate with pinching tannins. Roasted, oaky flavors of spicy berry, clove and cocoa finish with a final woody note and choppy toughness.
Swirls of char, smoke and vanilla envelop plush blackberry and plum notes on this perfumed blend of Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Regent and Pinot Madelaine grapes. It's juicy and concentrated yet maintains a freshness of acidity and herbaceousness. Fine-grained, pert tannins lend a bit of edge to this approachable, enjoyable wine.
This is a solid, well-priced and widely available wine. Deep in color, it offers sultry blackberry jam, cocoa and coffee aromas. Soft tannins coat the palate, bringing tart cherry and woody spice flavors. The acidity and grip are just right.
This pale-copper bubbly is half whole cluster, half saignée, and finished off dry. Lightly sweet and toasty, it marries strawberry and chocolate flavors to mouth-tickling effervescence. It's simple, tasty, fresh and ready to go.
Whiffs of caramel and honey accent sweet yellow apple and pear in this bright, easy going Riesling. Off dry in style, it offers delicate sweetness balanced by fresh acidity and a rounded, creamy mouthfeel. Drink now.
Aromas of hard spices, black licorice, dark plum and herbs are in sync. The palate feels a bit high-toned and jumpy, but the structure is there and so are flavors of toasty oak, black fruits, herbs and spices. Broad but woody tasting on the finish.
Sweet, grapy, raspberry-candy fruit flavors are set against suggestions of dried leaf. Tannins are grainy, with a rough, earthy finish.
The mid-14% alcohol gives this wine a solid fruit core, much like a California Pinot. Cherry cola flavors hit the palate immediately, then quickly fall away. Bottle shock maybe, but the wine doesn't show the stuffing of past versions.
Rubber, tar, coffee grounds and crusty dark-fruit aromas set up a chewy, full palate with meaty flavors of blackberry, toasted oak and herbs. Round on the tongue and thick, but controlled on the finish, with a mild licorice flavor and herbal leftovers.
Straightforward berry aromas come with modest herbal shadings. Feels edgy, lively and alert, with briny red-berry, spice and oaky flavors. Finishes minty and meaty, with mild oak bringing it home. Standard but good.
Borra is having fun in Lodi experimenting with both red and white blends of varieties not usually put together —here, it's 89% Viognier and 11% Gewürztraminer—with worthwhile results. White Fusion starts with a severe lemony crispness, segues into oaky caramel and finishes bittersweet.
Solid and chunky, a wine that fills the mouth with its attractive red fruits, structured tannins and a general juicy feel. A fine barbecue wine.
A toasty streak frames the overall character of this wine, resulting in aromas and flavors of wood-grilled peaches and lightly roasted walnut shells. The texture is round and fleshy, but a sweet spice and orange-oil lift help to keep the palate fresh and balanced.
This wine is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Cabernet Franc. It shows aromas of green herbs, raisinated red fruit and raspberry. The cherry cola flavors are lighter in style, with a firm squeeze of tannins.
Smoky barbecue and big oak and tannin combine for power and density in this wine, which has a handful of Malbec blended in. Hard to penetrate at first, it over time reveals notes of blackberry, savory leather and cedar.
This flamingo-pink wine comes across as a bit confected, with bubble-gum aromas and flavors of cherry and melon. It's a simple but clean fruit-driven rosé to casually quaff during warm weather.
Aromas of blue flowers and dark berry lead the nose of this informal blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo Rosso. The easygoing palate delivers tart red cherry, crushed strawberry and a hint of orange peel alongside bright acidity.
Berry and plum aromas are rustic and stalky. Snappy and a bit sharp in feel, this shows leathery, roasted cherry and berry flavors in front of a short finish with black cherry notes.
Delicate red berry aromas intensify on the palate of this juicy, full-bodied rosé made from Lemberger (also known as Blaufränkisch). The palate is unabashedly fruit forward, but finishes briskly on a sweet-tart watermelon note.
With fruit coming from the Ancient Lakes appellation, this pungent wine has aromas of flowers, tire rubber, berries and herbs. The floral and plum flavors are sweet with a plush feel.
Substantially tannic and robust in tar and tobacco, this wine smells and tastes big and broad, a good choice for generous cuts of meat, preferably grilled. Black cherry and blackberry expand in waves around the oak and tobacco.
This informal red opens with aromas of tilled soil, blackberry and a whiff of game. The simple palate offers juicy black cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside angular, fleeting tannins and racy acidity.
Tight and herbaceous, this nervy, crisp wine is full of lemon and lime juice cut with an orange zest. Floral and full of acidity, it leaves a mineral, steely aftertaste.
Briny, leathery, horsey berry aromas are alarming at first but settle in due time. A chunky mouthfeel struggles before finding its timing, while oaky flavors of hickory, bitter char and black fruits finish baked and herbal. This is good but raw, raspy and green.
Simple but solid apple and nectarine aromas are straight forward. This feels round and easy, without much acid-based cut. Flavors of melon, mango and nectarine finish short, with a note of apple.
Here's a bright, fruity red that delivers blue flower, wild cherry, black raspberry and tart red currant sensations. Vibrant acidity and round tannins give this a delightful, easy-drinking quality.
This offers aromas of red berry and blue flowers. The vibrant palate delivers tart red cherry, unripe strawberry and a note of white pepper. Racy acidity and firm tannins make this a good match for pastas topped with ragù or hearty Tuscan soups.
Ever get served a grapefruit half topped with a maraschino cherry? That's kind of what this wine smells like. So it's a bit confected, but pleasant, with hints of currant and citrus, with a slightly sweet-and-sour finish.
The aromas of pear, chrysanthemum and star fruit are followed by lighter-styled flavors that display a sense of elegance.
Hailing from Conner Lee Vineyard, this barrel-fermented wine was aged in two-thirds new French oak. It has aromas of toast, char, nut oil and lemon. The flavors seem faint by comparison, with the concentration not all there.
This wine is still young, crisp and needs time to bring out its fruit. It has lively acidity, to be sure, with hints of the citrus and white currant flavors that are to come. Give this wine until 2016.
Bright and very crisp, this bone-dry wine is full of acidity as well as red currant fruits. It has fine fruitiness, very tight, with a hint of tannin making it a great food rosé.
With some good concentration and hints of the wood aging, this ripe, full wine has both fruit and tannins. A stalky, black currant element adds texture as well as a fresh aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
A unique blend of fermenting orange, aging white flowers, dried apples and a musky sandalwood show on the nose of this wine. The palate is simultaneously rich, sour and creamy, with tangerine and banana flavors.
This is a gigantic expression of the variety, from high-elevation sites, an explosion of coffee, black licorice and red fruit. With a powerful backbone of bittersweet tannins and weight, the finish is reminiscent of cigar smoke.
A light orange-pink colored wine, this is poised, bright and fruity. Raspberries dominate, giving fresh character as well as bringing in great fruitiness.
Aromas of nail varnish, overripe black-skinned fruit and prune lead the nose. The evolved palate offers dried black cherry, raisin, clove and a confectionary note alongside fleeting tannins. Drink now.
The oak is far out front, with this wine's aromas of Mounds Bar and green wood followed by raisinated fruit. Dark chocolate and cherry flavors are lighter in style with the concentration a bit wanting.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with earthy aromas of ripe black fruit and whiffs of barnyard. The rustic palate offers fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry and gamey notes alongside rather fleeting tannins.
This wine hits all the standard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc notes: ripe notes of fig and melon joined by cut grass and citrus. It's not overly concentrated, but it's easy to drink and comes together harmoniously on the finish.
This is a distinctive offering of Cabernet with aromas of vanilla, sugared plum, herb and baking spice. The sweet fruit flavors have a plush feel along with light, plump tannins.
A structured, crisp and mineral-driven wine, this merely hints at raspberry flavors but is dedicated to a steely character. That suggests youth, and the wine, with its tense texture, could well age over several more years. For now, this is an impressive wine that demands pairing with food.
A brooding wine, this shows all the aging potential of Blaufränkisch. Using grapes sourced from the Kirschgarten Vineyard, this has tar and violet aromas, plus firm, dry tannins and a dense yet juicy black-fruit character. It could still age over 4–5 years. Glass stopper.
Once again, this cuvée blends grapes drawn equally from the Ciel du Cheval and Ranch at the End of the Road vineyards on Red Mountain. Imposing minerality underscores a tight, raspberry-flavored wine that seems like it's soaked in liquid rock. A teasing barrel note adds threads of coffee liqueur and dark chocolate to the finish.
The Grand Ciel Vineyard seems to be coming into maturity, and this shows impressive depth and complexity. Infused with flavors of rock and light herb,with hints of stem, anise, coffee and cocoa, it nonetheless remains firmly anchored in ripe black cherry and cassis. This could easily be cellared for 10–15 years.
Broad and earthy, with a dash of funk and a peppery lift, this grips the tongue with authority and power. It's poised and tense, as if balanced on the edge of a precipice, with the fruit, herb, roasted earth and coffee notes all tumbling around in glorious profusion.
This opens with beautiful dark fruit that's thick and voluptuous, tasting of black cherry and cassis, with excellent depth and intensity. It's sleek and supple, yet at the same time deep and polished, with impressive minerality and a note of granite-like rock.
A single-vineyard wine (though not labeled as such), this was barrel-fermented in neutral French oak and bottled after about four months. Honey and toast are delicate nuances; the minerality and pure expressions of lime and kiwi fruit are at the core. This has excellent grip and medium-term aging potential.
Woodward Canyon makes one of Washington's most interesting Chardonnays, blending fruit from the old vines at Celilo in the Columbia Gorge, with estate-grown grapes from the western end of the Walla Walla Valley. In this cooler vintage, the wine remains beautifully proportionate, round and fruity, with pretty apple, pear and peach highlights. There is a light dusting of spice, and a lick of caramel on the finish.
Suddenly Washington vintners are awash in Chardonnay, many value priced such as this new one from Airfield Estates' Lone Birch project. Clean and simple, it's got moderately ripe apple flavors and no faux oak.
Very jammy in character, this is a soft, ripe wine. It seems almost too ripe, a wine that is rounded without great texture. It will be ready to drink by the end of the year.
Ripe peach and floral aromas waft from this sprightly off-dry Riesling. A hint of pressed apple lends a savory feel to the mid palate, but it finishes briskly with a squirt of lemon and lime.
Sharp and a bit disjointed, this is an uneasy mix of sweet strawberry fruit and stemmy tannins. The Tempranillo is blended with 25% Cabernet Franc.
The oak (20% new French) seems far out front here with vanilla overpowering the notes of fig. It drinks dry with a creamy feel and abundant vanilla flavors.
This wine opens with red berry, spice and spearmint aromas. The dense palate is surprisingly sweet, with sugary black plum alongside drying, rough, wood tannins.
Lightly tannic, this wine is about red cherry and blueberry fruits, along with hints of banana. Fresh and fruity, it offers a balance of acidity and tannins at the end. Drink now.
The nose on this dry Gewürztraminer is a tad savory with hints of smoke and earth. By contrast, the palate is lavish with pink grapefruit and lychee flavors and a bright, fresh tangerine acidity. Nicely balanced in body and alcohol.
This opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, underbrush, wet leaves, barnyard and mature black fruit. The muddled palate shows both sweet and bitter sensations of overripe blackberry, tart candied cherry, orange peel, vanilla, espresso and unsweetened cocoa, as well as astringent wood tannins. Panebianco, Vinity.
A spicy, floral nose leads this fresh white from Mantinia. Balanced with fruity pear and lemon flavors, it's a good everyday white with a glamorous edge.
This soft red wine discloses pomegranate fruit and a liberal amount of Mediterranean herbs. It's light and easy-sipping, and should be consumed while young.
This opens with unusual aromas that recall plastic and wax. The simple palate offers fleeting sensations of tropical fruit, yellow apple and lemon zest.
This spritzy, sweet wine could serve well as a mixer for many hot weather punch drinks.
A whiff of petrol leads off on this oaky, full-figured white, which is creamy and textured with a touch of sweetness on the finish.
Spice and earth tones accent pressed apple and preserved apricot notes in this medium-sweet Riesling. It's demure in fruit concentration, but bright and easy drinking with a shower of tart tangerine acidity on the finish.
Earth, smoke and herb tones accent aromas of red berries and cherries on this tart, delicately-framed Bordeaux-style blend. A high proportion of Cabernet Franc lends an herbal, brambly tone to crisp cranberry and sour cherry flavors. Finishes moderately long.
Puckery lemon-lime acidity is a bright contrast to sweet honey tones on this medium-dry Riesling. Shades of dusty minerals lend a savory tone to ruddy apple and pear flavors on the palate.
An herbaceous undercurrent gives this fresh white character. Along with a touch of mint and fresh herb, there's a wave of floral aroma. On the palate, it's fruity and feminine. A fun everyday white.
A full-bodied wine with a style that incorporates richness in the aromas and restraint in the flavors. It smells sweet and candylike, but tastes dry and oaky. A touch of walnut on the palate adds an austerity that is smoothed over on the finish with a dash of sweet oak.
This is a bit thin, and mixes in a strong herbal dimension with the tart red fruit. The acids are proportionate, and the tannins carry some bitterness into the finish.
Still very young, it's full of acidity as well as bright raspberry fruits that give freshness. This light wine will soon be ready to drink.
Rubbery, herbal red-berry aromas introduce a fresh but grating palate with high acidity. This tastes a touch oaky and herbal, with generic red-fruit flavors. A crisp, slightly sharp finish is as you'd expect.
There's a layer of sweetness to this viscous wine, which exudes aromas of graham cracker and pear, finishing in a light coating of lemon.
It's easy to drink this medium-bodied, pleasant Cabernet and enjoy the light herb and cherry flavors. Not tannic in spite of 10% Tannat grapes blended in, it feels soft and tastes mild on the finish.
Acrid aromas of sweat along with oak extract and toasted coffee bean lead the nose. The thick, extracted palate delivers oak, raisins and sugary sweet sensations of blueberry syrup together with evident alcohol.
Nutty aromas break up and lose cleanliness with airing. This is a wine in decline; it's mealy and fairly woody, with not a lot happening. At moments it hints at mature quality but mostly it lacks steam.
The wine is dull, without great character other than some light fruitiness and a hint of wood aging. Drink now.
Red fruits dominate this wine, which features medium body and minimal tannin. A hint of nail polish intrudes on the nose of cherries and red raspberries, but the wine finishes with a fine, silky feel. Drink now.
Yeasty funk hangs heavy on the nose and will need time to clear. The palate underneath, however, shines with a cool, composed and serene brightness. This is taut, and as beautiful and fresh as a shooting star on a cold night, brightening everything around it while sticking to its energetic course. Tart apple and ripe citrus are at the core and create a well of future pleasure. A cool bone-dry and slender but beguiling Riesling.
A hint of flinty reduction still plays on the nose, barely letting any of the pure fruit notes escape but both ripe and crisp pear appear. The palate still shows some yeasty funk but convinces with purity, sheer power and concentration. This feels urgent and direct, strong and stony, boisterous with sheer force and drive. This needs time to settle but will be a very convincing, even forceful and energetic Pinot Gris with some bottle age. Drink 2020—2035.
Yeasty funk still dominates the nose and only lets a touch of lemon zest through. The palate continues with the zesty background against which flashes of riper fruit appear: juicy pear and luscious tangerine. The fruit expression is ripe but utterly fresh. The taut dry palate is anchored in something cool and fresh, something that expands as texture and fills not only the palate but also the mind. This is fresh and luminous, elegant and fine boned. Drink now through 2030.
Something floral and stony appears on the nose, along with a hint of smoke and something uncompromising and hard. The palate then packs a real punch: the wine hits you like a bullet of concentrated freshness and citric verve. This is bundled and effective, delivering a hit of ripened freshness with its lemon-zest dominated, dry tanginess. The finish has something juicy and luscious and is absolutely dry and clean. Totally lip-smacking. Drink now through 2027.
Intense lemon and tangerine notes create a most inviting nose. The palate continues in full tangy mode: the aromatic zest of tangerine and ripe Amalfi lemon create a concentrated, uplifting and even cooling freshness. The body is slender but totally concentrated with a dynamic linear structure. Over time, riper notes of honeyed stone fruit appear despite the very dry style, but the chief charms are a marvel of citrus diversity. Drink now through 2035.
A wonderfully subtle touch of chamomile and yarrow appears first. This is followed by tart apple and citrus notes that also play vividly on the palate. The body is dry and slender, translucent and herbal. There is wonderful energy and drive despite the lightness. The depth of flavor, with that herbal tang, remains beguiling from the start to the long, long finish.
From another of the producer's coastal estate sites, this wine is juicy, spicy and leathery—a celebration of fresh wild strawberries and buzzy acidity. Earth, rose and white pepper flavors add welcome complexity within a tightly woven frame of structure and length.
A old-vine blend of Encruzado and Malvasia Fina, this is an important wine. It has density, spice from wood aging and a wonderfully perfumed character from the Malvasia. The wine is structured with its concentrated fruit and toastiness. It needs to age and should not be drunk until 2018. Decant before pouring.
Roussanne is one of the more difficult grapes to get right, and these Rhône masters pulled it off this vintage with brilliance. Fascinating honey-laced melon cream and mango mochi aromas show on the dessert-like nose. The palate is bone-dry, however, with melon and honey mustard-like flavors, proving truly unique yet refreshingly delicious.
Yeasty funk still obscures the aromas on the nose. The palate, however, speaks of fluid freshness, of richness and power channelled into precision and softness. The palate is bone dry and we can thus witness the brightness of the fresh acidity counteract masterfully with the richness of a balm-like textured body, leaving a streamlined and elegant Pinot Gris. The length just gets you.
This powerful, savory bottling named for the two generations behind the family winery opens with toasted barrel and meat aromas before expanding on the nose and palate with additional black pepper and soy components. The fruit is distinctly spicy—a mix of blackberry, clove and cinnamon.
From a vineyard high up in the appellation, this is the strongest wine in Sweetzer's current lineup. Earthy mulberry, wild mint, sun-baked soil and dark chocolate scents show on the nose. Lively dark red fruit, bay leaf and earthy garrigue qualities arise on the hearty, spicy and lovely palate.
Lifted ethereal notes of bitter almond and peach kernel alongside hints of chamomile announce evolution and development. Underneath these aromatic forces on the nose, the palate reveals ripe peach and pear on a very concentrated, absolutely streamlined and bone-dry body. Pleasantly bitter pith notes give a grown-up edge to this mature marvel. Wonderfully layered flavors make you linger and show what time can do to a classy Pinot Gris.
A touch of flinty funk hovers on the nose. The palate at first unfurls in a grapefruity zesty texture on which riper notions of pear and peach, quince and smoke are displayed. The merest touch of residual sweetness lends a baroque sheen to this tableau, always countered by spicy zesty freshness while being so seductive. The dry whistle-clean finish still tingles with that aromatic fruit of the concentrated midpalate. A great expression of the great 2015 vintage: rich but streamlined, seductive but contained and therefore all the more intriguing. Drink now through 2035.
A touch of funkiness hovers over fresh pear notes. The palate then offers fresh-faced, tart and ripe pear notes, etched with citrus freshness for extra precision and purity. This is so inviting and disarming, it is a joy to savor. Despite the generously ripe fruit, a coolness runs through this, anchoring the flavors in freshness and drive. Simply delicious and so balanced, so you can enjoy it now, though it will cellar well through 2027.
Preserved mandarins are evoked on the nose. The palate continues this rich and luscious but zesty citrus game: tangerine, clementine and orange weave their sweet-tart aromatic course across the palate and into your heart. This has lovely richness but not an ounce of fat. Streamlined Riesling freshness bathes rich late harvest sweetness in bright refreshing light. The zesty finish makes you crave more. Drink now through 2030.
This wine is made from parcels on steep slopes and produced as the family's flagship wine. At nearly three years old, it has already mellowed into a richly endowed wine, ripe with green fruits, spice and concentrated acidity. There is so much complexity to this finely structured wine that will allow it to age further. Drink from 2019.
Lovely freshness rises: pear peel and citrus leaf, grapefruit zest and ripe mirabelle plum. The palate holds the same lusciously ripe notions still in a very tight embrace, bound with the freshest zestiest lemon. Those opposing poles of luscious ripeness and boundless freshness on a dry palate create drama, tension and moreishness. This is clean and invigorating and will gain over the years. Drink now through 2030.
A lifted ethereal note of dried hay flowers hits you first. This is followed by generously ripe but very purely drawn fruit: Conference pear, star fruit and white currant. There is concentration on the palate, coupled with a pervasive citric freshness that almost lends this an exotic aspect. You simply want to savor and take another sip. An edge of pleasant bitterness corrals the fruit admirably. The finish is dry, lasting and intriguing.
This wine impresses from first sip. The addition of 20% Viognier adds violet and lilac hints to the nose. Meat and lavender notes highlight its dense midpalate, packed with flavor and gravelly texture, blanketed with tannin and seasoned with white pepper and clove.
From the fantastic mountain site and blended with 3% Malbec, this wine has a cherry-vanilla nose that leads to a meaty, substantial palate of black pepper, leather and clove flavors. Full-bodied, robust and intense, it's well worth cellaring, to be enjoyed between 2024 and 2034.
From a vineyard in the western hills of the appellation, this wine shows lovely cool-climate characteristics without skimping on body or ripeness, expressing balance and grace. Tightly wound, it leans savory and firm, with clove, tobacco, black licorice and tomato leaf flavors and big tannins that call for further ageing. Enjoy 2023–2033.
This wine is produced in microscopic amounts, the result of sourcing grapes from a notoriously difficult-to-farm site. It rewards in flavor: hearty cherry and pomegranate fruit, a crisp, crunchy texture, powerful tannins and oak, and an underlying minerality that presents as elusively as a cloud of fog.
Both dried and baked apple appear enticingly on the nose. A further sniff reveals the appetizing tartness of Cox Orange Pippin apples. The palate is concentrated and gathered around a rich core of fruit: ripe citrus, zesty lemon rind, baked apples. This is dry, yet with every sip you want to dive deeper into that heart of fruit. It is the lemon that forms the fresh but absolutely dry finish. The flavors clearly are evolving: join the journey now or over the coming years. Drink now through 2030.
Despite its moderate alcohol level, this comes across as medium to full in body, with a velvet and custard texture that coats the palate with flavors of grilled pineapple, citrus and melon. It's made in a concentrated, opulent style, yet it finishes clean, with lingering notes of citrus. Drink now through 2020.
Densely packed black fruit seasoned with cola and clove defines this robust, full-bodied, mountain wine blended with 8% Malbec. Spicy acidity keeps it fresh and lively in the glass, adding complexity.
Cody Wright sources his fruit from an A-list of Willamette Valley vineyards, and Shea is right at the top. Cloaked in a milk chocolate shell, this sophisticated wine melds blackberry fruit with flavor-extending streaks of cola and caramel. In scent and finish, there is a slight intriguing hint of pine sap.
This is pure Touriga Nacional from one of the top Douro vineyards. It is a powerful wine, while retaining elegance. So the dense fruit is shot through with acidity and with a firm layer of tannins to balance the perfumed character of the wine. It's a wine for aging, wait to drink until 2019.
This is Tendril's reserve offering, better than ever in 2014. Deeply inscribed flavors of black cherry, cola and espresso come through in a textural, detailed and quite delicious wine. It's the darkest of the winery's Pinots, barrel aged for 16 months and bottle aged for another year prior to release. Toasted nuts, crackers and a dash of salt complete the flavors.
A thoroughly dazzling wine that brings focused, complex notes of honey, pineapple and dried apricot. At 266 g/L residual sugar, it's thick, rich and luscious, with the grape's natural acidity carrying the flavors through to a long, lively and lingering finish.
Cassis liqueur marks this structured Cab divine in firm, lengthy tannins and a chewy grip of black licorice. Given similar treatment to the winery's other highest echelon Cabs, it has 22 months in new French oak that will help it age through 2020–2030.
Weighty and creamy in rich tones of just-picked pineapple and Key lime, this is round and expansive on the palate, with undertones of earth and herb. Complex layers of apple and almond interplay, before a finish of honey and spice lingers.
Winemaker Steve Law hails from Scotland and honors his heritage with a nod to his “thirsty neighbors,” who will only gain further thirst after enjoying this Syrah. Pure to Law's cool-climate winemaking sensibilities, this offers a leathery tribute to peppery spice and bright fruit.
Intense aromas of dried rose, leather, truffle and crushed berry lead the nose. The ripe, forward palate offers crushed black cherry, wild raspberry, cinnamon white pepper and sage alongside chewy tannins. Drink 2015–2022.
This flagship effort showcases the winery's oldest block of Cabernet, planted in 1975—the first vineyard on Red Mountain. The subtle, slightly grainy and grassy nuances of old-vine grapes are here, with red-fruit flavors that are soft and delicate, yet substantial. There's a light dusting of cinnamon, a whiff of smoke and an over-riding elegance. Such old vine, 100% Red Mountain Cabernet from a great vintage doesn't come along very often.
This late release, aging for five years, has produced a majestic wine. Its breadth of flavor, with ripe fruits as well as intense structure, are gently transitioning from the first flush of youth to a more mature character. Intensely textured, tight, ready to spring, it shows the beauty of maturing Riesling. Drink now, although it will age many more years.
Aromas of red and black berries, tilled earth, leather and balsamic notes characterize this structured, single-vineyard bottling. The savory palate delivers creamy cherry-berry layered with mint, white pepper, licorice and balsamic herbs supported by firm tannins. Drink 2016–2026.
The Jaen grape is specific to the Dão region of central Portugal, where it can produce dense wines with enormous color. This 2009, still surprisingly young for the variety, is dark, concentrated and generous, with sweet black plum notes balanced by hints of oak and lively acidity. This wine is worth holding onto. Drink after 2015.
Rounded, rich and full in the mouth, this offers swathes of flowery, aromatic fruit that is still young, still in its primary stage. With just a hint of steely texture, the wine does have structure and aging potential. For now, it is generous and delicious.
With the first hints of maturity on the nose, this is already a rounded and steely wine. The fruit shows as spiced apples and black currants, cut with intense citrus. But the fruit is giving way to a very precise, crisp and nervy wine that could still age further. For its best, drink from 2018.
Made from 100-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines, this bold wine is loaded with flavor and complexity. It's endowed with layers of smoky mineral sensations, underbrush, mature black and red berry fruit, leather, blue flower and Mediterranean spices alongside fresh acidity and bracing tannins. This is still young and needs time to develop fully and come together. Drink after 2020.
Underbrush, tobacco, dark cherry, licorice and grilled herb are just some of the aromas offered by this structured wine. The palate delivers mature black cherry, black pepper, sage and licorice alongside tongue-coating tannins that need time to soften. It hails from a top vineyard site and is an impressive effort from this hot, dry vintage. Drink 2017–2024.
There is earthy darkness and a hint of the forest in this Zin, grown at high elevation in the rocky soils of the Rockpile appellation, these vines planted in 2001. The wine is magnificently structured with complex, ripe blackberry and cherry compote coming to the fore slowly and seductively.
Brander's annual Bordeaux blend features 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. There is ripe boysenberry, cedar and worn leather on the nose, followed by Bing cherry flavors on the palate, where acidity and a light body combine for a lively finish.
Principally Klipsun vineyard fruit, this is a mass of black cherry and cassis, wreathed in smoke from aging in 80% new French barrels. Great balance and length carry it through into drying tannins. A perfect steakhouse Cabernet.
Crisp and balanced in bright acidity and apple skin, this also offers subtle toasted oak and caramel, the best of both worlds, exuberant and elegant at the same time. Enjoy now or cellar until 2020.
Scents of chamomile tea with generous honey and lemon get down with white flowers and baking pie crust on this offering from Pierre Lafond, who's been making wine since the 1960s. The wine dances across the tongue, with bright papaya, pear and a dill-powered, nearly bitter finish. It's showing almost no age, so it will hold well, but it's also brilliant right now.
An appealing fragrance of red rose and violet mingled with a whiff of baking spices drifts out of the glass. The juicy palate offers crushed Morello cherry, vanilla, licorice and cinnamon alongside firm but fine tannins. It's a balanced, classic Barbaresco.
Made entirely of Pinot Nero, this elegant, structured sparkler opens with aromas of rose, berry and yeasty sensations of freshly baked butter cookies. The palate delivers a nice depth of flavors including tart red apple, wild strawberry, sage and marjoram alongside brisk acidity and an elegant, persistent mousse. It's already delicious but will also age well over the next few years. Drink through 2019.
Pineapple, candied apple and a touch of guava jelly on toast achieve great aromatic balance on a rare Rancho Santa Rosa Chardonnay. The flavors are lush, not racy, and evolve in a mellow fashion, from apple to nectarine and then papaya.
Made from 100% Syrah and aged in half new French oak, this brawny Syrah hails from a vineyard known for its mix of power and finesse. Sanguine and smoky, the fruit leans toward blueberry and the texture to leather, a streak of graphite in the background. Tannins are firm and sizable, with a balanced finish.
Dark as night, with forceful aromas of root beer, menthol, warm earth and baked fruits. Maybe it's a bit soft and widespread given the heat of 2003, but if flesh and fruit turn you on and the lack of complexity isn't too disconcerting, it's a fine modern Syrah. Good with bacon burgers, steak off the grill, etc.
A good value, this starts off a little shaky thanks to some barnyard scents on the nose, then rights itself. Herbal-tobacco notes accent plum-prune flavors in this medium-bodied wine with a creamy-smooth texture. Soft and easygoing, it's ideal to drink now.
Are golfer-inspired wines the next big thing? First came Greg Norman, then Ernie Els, now there's Nick Faldo. Made by Katnook Estate, this is a dark, plushly textured wine that's immediately accessible. Cassis and plum fruit is framed by dark accents of coffee and cola, picking up hints of mint on the finish. Imported by Freixenet USA.
A concentrated wine, just beginning to open up, with a serious, maybe austere mineral element, as well as vibrant kiwi and citrus flavors. It is softened by aging in older wood, giving some roundness to finish.
Chapel Hill's recent Cabernets have been impressive, and the 2006 continues that streak, offering complex aromas of green coffee beans, dried herbs and cassis, then easing into flavors of dark chocolate and black olive. Shows good density and richness, ending on notes of cofee and chocolate. Drink now–2013.
The earthy brick color and dry fruit aromas announce that this isn't a typical wine. The blend is Merlot, Callet and Syrah, and it hails from the island of Mallorca. The wine is a bit tough and angular, but the plum, raspberry and cherry flavors are tightly formed and fenced in by potent acidity and oak. Interesting but not for everyone.
A blend from a number of premier cru vineyards, pulling together cooler and warmer sites in balance. It's fresh and light, showing elegance, green fruits and a floral character. Just a touch of minerality.
The Del Rio vineyard, in southern Oregon's Rogue Valley AVA, has pioneered the cultivation of Syrah in that part of the Northwest. As the vines acquire some age, they are coming into focus, and the rough tannins seem to be more in balance with the fruit. These wines are somewhat similar in style to the Syrahs from the Okanagan valley of Canada, and they offer an earthy mix of flavor that puts the fruit under earth, soy, coffee and smoke. Tannins in this Tyrus Evan are beautifully managed, with the edges sanded down, and the wine has a lovely, lingering presence on the palate.
This Cabernet fits the steakhouse red formula to a T. Ripe, lusty fruit—blackberry in this case—is matched by a big whack of vanillin oak. It's not the most complex wine, but offers plenty of full-bodied, softly tannic flavor. Drink now–2012.
Ripe plum and berry aromas are on the soft and cuddly side, but have some spunk. The palate on this classic Garnacha-Craignan-Syrah blend is adequately juicy and fresh, with a basket's worth of berry flavor. And the finish is complementary and offers some chocolate as an aftertaste. Drink now and over the next two years.
Darker and a touch more stewy than the winery's less pricey old-vines effort. Airing loosens it up, but throughout it's a big, stewy wine with extracted blackberry and coffee cake flavors. The finish is equally on the rich side, with swirling toffee and coffee afternotes. It's a big wine with heft but also some chunkiness.
Dusty black cherry and raspberry aromas are true to the variety, and the buttery quality on the palate adds weight and vanilla to the berry and cassis flavors. Overall this is a structured, fairly oaky wine with firm tannins and a toasty finish. Will go well with steak.
A Langhorne Creek blend put together by importer George Galey, this Cabernet shows a deft touch, combining cassis fruit with a lifted, almost raspberry-like component. Varietal notes of tobacco and mint add complexity, accented by touches of vanilla and chocolate. It's all presented on a framework of creamy, supple tannins. Drink now.
This is a light but classy take on Oregon Pinot, with leaf and herb in front of spicy cranberry and sour cherry fruit. The balance is fine-tuned and the wine carries the elegance of the grape through a persistent finish.
A very good showing for this wine, which should be on all value-conscious shoppers' lists. Mint accents black cherry and cassis fruit enriched by some chocolaty notes. Tannins are plentiful but ripe, giving it the necessary heft to stand up to grilled steak.
This is powerful, rich Grüner, one that brings out the pepper character as well as apricot and honey. There is a dense texture in this concentrated and well-balanced wine. It needs to age for 3–4 years.
A powerful, ripe wine with great sweet tannins, piled with black fruits, a dense texture and layers of wood. Despite all the richness, it still retains a sense of structured balance, finishing with good Bordeaux dryness and acidity.
This wine surprises by being so very pretty—unexpected from such a hot site. Lovely scents of raspberry, strawberry, mint and spice lift the nose; the palate is medium-bodied, nicely tart, perfectly balanced and long. The mix of sweet and tart red fruits lasts deliciously, with the spice adding grace notes. Though blended and aged in 100% new French oak barrels, the oak is muted, and the fruit shines through.
Sweet and a bit choppy on the nose, with aromas of wood shavings, mocha, fine herbs and spicy black fruits. Flush, lusty and big across the palate, but juicy and clean, with subtle bush berry and spice flavors. Finishes clean and subtle, with floral accents and a touch of heat. Drink now through 2013.
The fruit is ripe and the tannins firm; winemaker Jerry Reiner is able to craft very ripe fruit while keeping the varietal character of the Cabs—earth and herb, with a touch of stem. Deep and substantial, this should age well for a decade or more.
This is pure Washington Merlot, sourced from Klipsun, Ciel du Cheval and the original 1976 planting at Kiona. Initially stiff and herbal, it opens grudgingly, streaked with black olive, black cherry, earth and dark chocolate. The muscularity is a fine demonstration of why and how Washington Merlot is ageworthy; a showcase of tight black raspberry and cassis, with a core of iron.
A deliciously soft, smoky wine, the tannins a hint behind the rounded fresh berry and red-plum fruits. There is a great juicy character to go with the fresh acidity and the final, drier structure.
Aromas of barrel toast, spice and cherry lead to a somewhat barrel-forward palate, filled with coffee and cherry flavors along with firm tannins. It drinks tight now and needs some time to unwind.
Coming from one of the state's most esteemed vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 83% of this wine, with the balance Cabernet Franc. It brings notes of savory herb, barrel spice, flower, dark fruit and black tea. The fruit flavors are rich and well structured, with firm tannins and a sweet, spice-filled finish.
Herb notes are at the fore, followed by red cherry, pencil lead and generous barrel spices on this aromatic brooder. The palate is fresh and lively, backed by firm but still well-integrated tannins.
Ripe white peach and sharp lime peel qualities interplay on the nose of this bottling from the iconic vineyard, which is now under the quality-focused ownership of the Foley family. That lime zest comes through on the palate too, cutting through the creamy midpalate and adding a pinpoint edge to the finish.
This wine spent 20 months in French oak, which has given it an appealingly smooth, lightly buttery character. It's medium rich, quite tasty, with a nutty flavor and a lime-inflected finish.
Aromas suggesting yellow spring flower, beeswax and yellow stone fruit set the tone while the ripe medium-bodied palate offers creamy golden apple, peach and a hint of wet stone.
A spicy, earthy personality makes this wine unique, and it has a great sense of balance. It exudes cardamom, wood smoke and black pepper aromas, and the flavors follow with black plum and clove, accented by peppery spice.
The not-so-secret blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz and 12% Malbec, yielding a dark plummy wine with ample palate weight and softly dusty tannins. Espresso and black olive shadings give this a savory cast, making it more an accompaniment to food than a standalone sipper. Drink now through 2019.
Ripe blackberry aromas combat raisin and prune scents in this concentrated four-grape blend. Its black fruit flavors include black tea and savory spice notes, finishing with medium-hard tannins and distinct oak characteristics. Drink through 2019.
This wine's earthy cherry and plum aromas come with a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is edged with rubbery tannins, its savory, lightly salted plum flavors growing jammier and more fig-like as it breathes. A textbook fruit-forward Grenache.
This wine is principally Merlot (58%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), with the balance Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of mortared green herbs mix with anise and the blackest of cherries. The palate is medium bodied, delivering enjoyment but coming off as a bit green.
A lovely and light aroma of faint honeysuckle rises enticingly from the glass. The spiciness and florality of that same blossom also appear on the palate where they are joined by pear and wet earth notes. This is light and just a little fruity but with ample freshness—an easy but subtle and refreshing classic Alsace blend.
The star of the lineup, this nicely-textured wine is a fine Chardonnay alternative. Fleshy pear, light citrus and a burst of Meyer lemon contribute equally. The length is what elevates this above the basic supermarket style.
Scents of rose petals and cocoa powder elevate the nose, leading into pretty chocolate cherry flavors in the mouth. It's set atop a lightly tart foundation that brings accents of oranges and tangerines, and finishes with a touch of leather.
This straw-colored wine has delightful aromas of white jasmine, cotton candy and violets. Flavors recall guava, mango and papaya. Medium bodied and well balanced, it has a clean, crisp finish.
A very savory take on this close Zinfandel cousin, this bottling shows dried herb, peppercorn, forest floor and dessicated red fruit aromas. The palate is a tad riper, with black cherry and cola flavors, spiced with black pepper and more herbs, including oregano and marjoram.
Not your typical Malbec, this Bulgarian version has aromas of tobacco leaf and cassis, and flavors of tart cherry and red plum. It offers soft tannins and a finish filled with tastes of red fruits.
This is an excellent, deeply colored and moderately tannic wine with style. It follows its tamarind aromas with rich plum, prune and chocolate flavors, accented with mild vanilla and nutmeg notes.
This opens with delicate aromas reminiscent of white spring flower and a whiff of orchard fruit. On the palate, fresh acidity underscores creamy Bartlett pear and nectarine zest that lead to a clean, bright finish.
Whiffs of smoke and earth lend complexity to this light-bodied kabinett. Delicately concentrated yet approachably fruity, it offers sweet-tart mango, peach and tangerine flavors and comes to a clean, elegant finish.
Very primary aromas of lime zest and mineral are followed by lightly spritzy, just a hair off-dry citrus flavors backed by bright, tart acidity.
This is a generous and fruity wine that has soft tannins. It is dominated by bright acidity, black-currant fruits and a light structure. With its fresh character, it will be ready soon, so drink from 2018.
This is a fresh wine, full of red-berry fruits that are underpinned by acidity and tannins. It has a bright feel while the spice and dry core are a contrast that will smooth out. The vienyard has been in the Médeville family for generations, the 2014 was their 188th harvest. Drink from 2019.
The wine is rich and soft with some fine tannins. It has red fruit and blackberry flavors along with juicy acidity. Lightly structured, it will develop quickly and should be ready starting from 2017.
Still dry, the wine is structured with dense tannins and a concentrated structure. That means that it needs time to develop and allow the fruit to speak. Give it until 2019.
The wine is structured, still very dry with tannins. It has concentration, smoky flavors along with acidity. Still young, it will integrate better. Drink from 2018.
A fruity wine full of red-berry flavors. This fruitiness is balanced by the light tannins and juicy acidity, producing a wine that is ready to drink.
Touches of wood meet with ripe tannins and acidity. Black-currant flavors, spice and toast are balanced with acidity and a finish that brings in black-cherry fruits. Drink from 2018.
Ripe fruit aromas give this wine its full-bodied feel. It has acidity and spicy tannins while the rich fruit theme continues. It should develop well and be ready from 2018.
An attractive blend that includes 20% Cabernet Franc, this is a soft perfumed wine. It has spice and toast from the wood aging which will integrate better in the coming months. The black fruits and acidity are already well in place. Drink from 2018.
This is a perfumed wine, soft while also ripe, with great pear flavor protected with night harvesting. It is still young and with its richness, it will be much better from 2017.
The wine from Bruno Martin is juicy with berry flavors in an 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The tannins are already well integrated into this ripe wine. Perfumed and lively with acidity, it is going to be a bright, fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
Spicy berry, creamy oak and tire-rubber aromas lead to a ripe, rugged but manageable palate. This 80% Monastrell and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon tastes of ripe black plum and sweet, spicy oak. Some heat and a peppery blackness take over on the finish.
Francis Coppola's wine sings in an intensity of baked apple and caramel, buoyed by high acidity and a stony quality. Layered and creamy, it satisfies fans of a richer mouthfeel while offering a lightness on the finish.
Plum and berry, cherry and red apple all appear readily on nose and palate of this fruit-driven rosé. The palate tones this down with some bitter edges but they still remain lithe and refreshing. The finish is reminiscent of bruised apple. This will work better with food than as a mere apéritif.
Dusty earth and mineral tones add an edge to this sunny, lemony-fresh Riesling. A shade off dry, it's brisk and thirst quenching, finishing on a pleasantly bitter bite of lime zest. Drink now.
This is a ripe wine, full of generous fruit. The tannic structure gives a dry firm core to the fruitiness. The wine is going to develop well over the next two years and give richness to the black fruit flavors. Drink from 2018.
A hint of earthiness accents this medium-bodied, moderately tannic and berry-flavored wine. It smells savory and leathery, and tastes like raspberries and blackberries.
Fresh orange blossoms and jasmine spring from a chalky backbone on the nose of this clean and crisp semisweet bottling that also shows tangerine pith, lemon-lime soda and a touch of quinine. Though a bit sweet on the sip, it is far from cloying and remains refreshing throughout.
Intense in mulled spices and juicy blue and black berry, this is a smooth, approachable and likable wine. Medium bodied, it will play well at the table, providing a chocolaty note at its end.
With a preponderance of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, this ripe, smooth wine comes from the central Douro in Pinhão. It is fruity, with attractive red fruits and acidity. Tannins are gently in the background, leaving the fruit right up front.
Reflecting a cool, rainy vintage, this smells gritty, without a lot of ripeness. The fact that it's racy and drawing on the palate follows suit. Flavors of cherry and plum are subdued, while the finish is spicy in flavor and dry and prickly in feel.
A salty tang of mineral and lime refreshes this intensely citrusy yet easy-drinking Riesling. It's pleasantly off-dry in style, softening sharp white-grapefruit flavor with a lingering caress of honey. Drink now.
Made from Pinot Noir vinified like a white wine, this fruity, fresh wine is a shade off dry. On the palate, hints of cherry and blossom, accent zesty grapefruit and lemon flavors. The finish is refreshingly dry. Drink now.
Toast, bread crust and citrus aromas carry over to the firm, lively palate together with candied lemon drop. Brisk acidity and sharp bubbles provide the edgy framework.
Light, oaky spices and rich berry flavors mix it up in this tangy, somewhat tannic wine. It's full bodied but the firm acidity and fine-grained tannins keep it lively.
Straightforward aromas of apple, crushed vitamins and yeast lead to a minerally palate. Dry apple and underripe nectarine flavors finish mild and minerally. For value bubbly, this gets it right.
This wine feels firm and dry and tastes appetizing due to light raspberry and tea flavors. Moderate tannins add good texture.
Scents of summer honeydew and white peach introduce this forward, fruity Riesling. It's straightforward, juicy goodness offers loads of sweet grapefruit, apricot and kiwi flavors without excess complication. High-pitched acidity tightens up the finish.
This 100% varietal wine sees a hearty dose of new oak and is built for the long term. It leans classic in its elegant layers of dried herb, red currant and pomegranate flavor. Boldly structured, it pleases rather than challenges the palate.
This opens with aromas of chamomile flower, crushed tomato vine and cut grass. The vibrant elegant palate delivers white peach, grapefruit, chopped herb and lemon zest alongside racy acidity.
Vicente Faria delivers a densely ripe wine made from selected vineyards. Wood aged, with rich black, tarry fruit and dark chocolate aromas, it's an impressive blend that will need to age. Drink from 2019.
This is big, concentrated wine produced from old vines. It has a dense blackberry fruit backed by layers of firm tannins. Rich and full bodied, it will be better from 2018.
Old vines give this ripe and fruity wine both concentration and a fine perfumed character. With a short six months in wood, it's smooth, creamy and rich with apricot and mango flavor, needing some aging. Drink from 2018.
Offering buoyantly fresh fruit and mineral intensity, this Pinot Noir rosé is well worth finding in quantity to enjoy year-round, not just as a summer quaffer. Zesty acidity and a light, finely textured body are amplified by plump, fresh raspberry and peach flavors. Its briskly mineral finish is exhilarating.
Produced from the Dão's top white grapes, this wine is a beautiful combination of apricot-like fruitiness and taut texture. Full of crisp acidity and richer fruits, it will age well. Drink from 2018.
San Francisco-based winemaker Ed Kurtzman heads to this famed vineyard south of Salinas to create this restrained bottling from a region where power and richness usually reign. Flint, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and grapefruit aromas show on the nose. The palate offers nectarine, white peach and Asian pear flavor, proving delicate but not shy.
Measured acidity lifts the generous green apple, pear, key lime and nutmeg flavors in this well-crafted vineyard designate from the cooler outskirts of Napa Valley. Subtle oak and weight allow the fruit to speak, seasoned with coconut flake accents.
This is a big, bold and leathery red, its full-bodied tannic profile accented by blackberry and coffee notes. Grippy in texture, it shows dense fruit ripeness and classic underpinnings of earthy spice.
On first take, this smells a bit chunky and like stewed plum. The palate is firm and tannic, with roasted plum and berry flavors that are more savory than fruity. On the finish, a spicy beef-jerky flavor vies for attention with raw tannins. Drink through 2020.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (44%), Mourvèdre (22%), Syrah (14%), Cinsault (13%) and Counoise. It delivers aromas of red fruit, celery stalk, white pepper and herb that lead to ripe full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that offer a lot of enjoyment.
Enticing scents of apple, chamomile flower and peach float out of the glass and carry over to the smooth, concentrated palate along with lemon drop, mineral and a hint of vanilla. It's loaded with finesse while careful oak aging lends complexity. Drink through 2021.
This wine has a glorious floral nose highlighted in honey and wildflowers, revealing richer gingerbread and toasted oak undertones as it opens. Its creamy texture provides a sense of unctuousness, complemented by tart green apple and lemon on the finish.
This study of a low-yielding clone produced a compelling range of aromas and flavors. The nose leads with iodine, seaweed and coffee scents against a backdrop of tangy black fruit. The palate shows more nori, lavender, black pepper, asphalt and dried blackberry flavor, finishing on a lingering oaky note.
Big, bold and tannic, this layered and nicely ripe wine is an iron fist in a velvet glove. It smells like espresso and dark chocolate, tastes equally roasted and rich, but backs its darker flavors with blueberry and blackberry notes, finishing smooth. Best after 2019.
This rich and generous wine has weight, concentrated yellow fruit and citrus flavors. Full bodied, its rounded texture is cut by a mineral element that brings the crisp acidity of the vintage. Developing well, it will be best from 2018.
This blends 64% Syrah with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot to good effect, offering tomato leaf, leather, dried herb and lavender aromas. Savory, meaty and medium bodied on the palate, it pairs well with heavier fare.
Extremely ripe and approachable on the nose, this lush bottling shows lots of barrel-derived scents, from caramel, vanilla, and pound cake to brown sugar and maple. It's soft and luscious with caramel-laced dessert qualities on the palate, certain to make a strong impression, albeit it with noticeable sweetness.
Matured for 12 months in oak, this wine is full and ripe. It has juicy black currant fruits, plenty of firm tannins to balance and the typical minerality that comes from Douro schist. Drink this impressive wine now.
Deep garnet in the glass, this wine delivers aromas of black cherry and chocolate. There is a good mix of fruit and savory flavors in a bed of chewy tannins, featuring blackberry, plum, white chocolate, tobacco and anise. Bright fruit and light spice carry into the lingering finish.
Generous and flavorful, this is one of the best California AVA wines available. It's concentrated and tannic, with medium-full body, a hint of sweetness and layers of dark cherry and plum fruit. Baking spice nuances linger on the finish. Best after 2019.
Stonestreet consistently delivers complex, refreshing renditions of Sauvignon Blanc. Grassy on the nose, with an exotic tease of pea shoot, it seemingly vibrates on the palate with lemon, grapefruit and apricot flavors.
Pipe tobacco, fruit cake and baking spice aromas come together on this vibrant red while the structured palate offers red cherry, cranberry, coffee bean and star anise. A zesty note of orange peel closes the firm finish while tightly wound fine-grained tannins provide the backbone.
This powerful and tannic wine impresses with its concentration, dark black fruit and dry core, proving it's made for long-term aging. A field blend of old vines, it shows both density and a minerality that comes from the vineyard's schist soil. Drink from 2019.
Enticing scents of chamomile, white spring flower and white stone fruit mingle together in the glass. The creamy full-bodied palate doles out ripe honeydew melon, juicy yellow pear and nectarine zest while a ginger note adds depth. A far cry from the many bland Pinot Grigios that flood the market, this one is loaded with personality.
Dark violet-red in the glass, this wine's bouquet is marked by notes of black plum and cocoa powder. It is surprisingly bright in the mouth considering its fairly strong tannins, and the fruity flavor profile is dominated by red plum and black cherry with soft spice flourishes. Bright berry notes linger into the finish, matched by equally prominent tannins.
Produced in the Baja region of southern Alentejo, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is structured and firm. It has robust tannins, rich spice from wood aging and a serious, firm structure. Drink from 2019.
Aromas of baked plum, new leather and pipe tobacco emerge in the glass. The big muscular palate offers fleshy black cherry, prune steeped in spirits, licorice and vanilla alongside the heat of evident alcohol. Firm velvety tannins provide the framework.
This wine has a bouquet of tart cherry with a whiff of petrol. Soft in the mouth, it has flavors of slightly tangy cherry cobbler, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a balanced, persistent finish.
This full-bodied red opens with aromas of ripe plum, vanilla, toast and mocha. The chewy palate doles out ripe blackberry, juicy black cherry, licorice, baking spice and a confectionary note alongside velvety tannins. It's already accessible so enjoy soon.
High-toned citrus stars in this mineral-driven wine that harmonizes acidity and fruit. Lime and grapefruit lean into richer elements of vanilla and caramel on the finish, balancing each other out.
This blend of 60% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit and ground spice. The concentrated, one-dimensional palate doles out fleshy blackberry, black cherry and black pepper alongside velvety tannins.
This shows patented bold blackberry aromas of Cabernet but also herbal, spicy, leafy notes as well. A crisp but thorough palate features pointy acidity, while herbal flavors of cassis, plum, spice, pepper and chocolate finish crisp and a bit sharp. Drink through 2022.
This opens up with an alluring fragrance of rose, violet, ripe berry and wild herb. The succulent palate delivers juicy raspberry, black cherry, licorice and black pepper alongside lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.
Stony, minerally aromas show a pinch of toast on top of white peach and apple cider scents. On the palate, this stays on the straight and narrow, with high acidity. Clementine and tangerine flavors finish as stony as the name implies; drink this shellfish-friendly, unique Argentinean Chardonnay through 2022.
Aromas of cherry, blackberry preserves and oven-roasted acorn squash greet the nose in this ruby-colored wine. A grid of velvety tannins provides a backdrop for flavors of cherry pie, pomegranate seeds and Chinese five-spice powder.
Crisp and high in acidity, this wine mixes cinnamon, vanilla and pear flavors, accented by a note of exotic orange blossom on the nose. With a low presence of oak and medium body, it remains fresh and vibrant in the glass, offering a hit of toast and vanilla on the finish.
A lean and energized style of wine from David Ramey, this has lots of zesty and focused citrus aromas and flavors, a very crisp texture and clean, tangy finish. It is ideal as an apéritif or will pair nicely with seafood and salads.
Not as wild as the name suggests, this is a full-bodied, rather weighty wine, but one that stays within normal bounds. Black cherry fruit is tinged with mocha and baking spices, ending in a dusting of soft tannins. Drink now–2018. The blend is 42% Shiraz, 36% Grenache and 22% Mataro.
Bing cherry, blackberry and hot black lava rock aromas arise on the nose of this expression of a dry-farmed vineyard. The palate is light compared to similar Zins, showing plum skins, tomato leaf and a heightened sense of minerality along with cherry-candy flavors.
Honey, lime rinds and just ripe peach greet the nose on this dry single-vineyard expression by Michael Callahan. The palate is extremely vibrant and citrus-driven, with a very chalky minerality and a very slightly oxidized touch of nuts on the finish. It's minerally mean and extremely, bracingly dry.
This straightforward Barolo offers aromas of pressed rose petal, red berry, truffle and a whiff of leather. The round palate displays Morello cherry, menthol, chopped mint, ground pepper and anise accompanied by smooth, polished tannins.
Inky garnet to the eye, this wine features aromas of cherry, cranberry and rose petal. It offers flavors of cranberry, tart cherry, chocolate and rye seed, with a sense that one can actually taste rather than feel the acidity that overpowers chalky tannins right into the lingering chocolate finish.
Aromas of red berry, grilled herb and espresso come together on the nose. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry, tobacco and mocha alongside dusty, astringent tannins. A licorice note closes the finish.
Garnet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of elderberries and cherry preserves with a hint of autumn yam. Flavors of sweet cherry, pomegranate and baking spices make their home in a nest of silky tannins.
The scents of cherries and green peppers at a farmers' market fill the nose, followed by easy-drinking flavors of cherry and red raspberry.Notes of ripe plum that culminate in a soft finish.
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Mavrud (an indigenous Bulgarian variety), this garnet-colored wine has a bouquet of blackberry, black plum and smoked meats. Soft tannins support the rich flavor of black plum, backed by a generous sprinkling of vanilla.
Here's an interesting, single-vineyard, Dundee Hills wine at a price usually reserved for blended Willamette Valley cuvées. Slightly murky and funky, it's the sort of wine you might stumble upon in some cob-webbed, Old World cellar. The primary raspberry and rhubarb tones have a peppery, lightly bitter quality about them.
Plum and blackberry aromas are fresh, while the palate on this fruity red is round and chewy. Blackberry and mild herbal notes make for a nice, familiar flavor profile, while the finish is solid and holds form.
Aromas of blue flower, ripe berry and Mediterranean brush lead the nose on this robust wine. The forward, chewy palate offers crushed wild cherry, juicy black raspberry, ground pepper and licorice alongside ripe, round tannins.
This blend of 45% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 25% Mourvèdre is full bodied and supple, not heavy or overextracted. Herb notes accent cherry fruit, while hints of mocha creep in on the finish. Enjoy this easy-drinking wine now–2017.
Toast, espresso, underbrush and scorched earth aromas carry over to the palate along with unripe red berry, licorice and chopped herb. It's still tight, with youthfully aggressive tannins.
The name refers to the blend, a 50/50 mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's rather soft and smooth, showcasing the estate-grown fruit bursting with flavors of raspberries and cherries. As with the winery's other reds from 2011, it is maturing quickly and drinking at or near its peak.
This is a full, ripe wine. It has red fruits, black currants and a rich seam of tannins. There is also a smoky character that adds attraction. With a ripe aftertaste, the wine is developing well and should be ready from 2018.
This is a firm wine with solid tannins as well as layers of juicy black currant and cherry fruits. Acidity and a good sense of structure are still developing, meaning the wine needs to age longer. Drink from 2018.
There is a heavy wood presence in this wine. For now, it dominates with burnt toast and dark chocolate flavors. Happily, the fruit is also developing well, bringing its fresh black-currant flavors into the balance. Drink this still-young wine from 2020.
This is a rounded wine, full of perfumed fruit and wood flavors. It has a dense texture with ripe, dusty tannins and fine acidity. From the Alliance Bourg co-op, this full-bodied and rich Bordeaux blend will be a fine wine from 2019.
A fruity, juicy wine with balanced tannins and red fruits. It is a lively perfumed wine that has some toasty tannins in the background. Drink this ripe wine from 2019. One of five wineries owned by Bernadette Faure and Alain Aubert; their daughters oversee vineyards, winemaking and marketing.
This is a ripe, spicy and full-bodied wine from the Robin group of producers created by Grand Moulin's Jean-Francois Renaud in Blaye. The wine has both structure and rich blackberry fruit. The tannins are dusty, spicy and with fine acidity to balance. Drink this fine wine from 2019.
Under the watchful eye of consultant Eric Delacroix, the Bazin twins (Thierry and Odile) created a wine that is dark and dense. This is a young wine with good potential. Its black fruits and solid tannins are rich and structured. Acidity and ripeness go together and will let the wine develop well. Drink from 2019.
A structured wine from the Chadronnier family, it is full of tannins and also full of sweeping black-fruit flavors. It is perfumed, rich and concentrated. Don't drink until at least 2020 to get the full generosity of the wine.
This is a perfumed wine, full of rich fruit and spice. The acidity is present to give the wine a lift. It will develop well, becoming smooth and rich over the next two years. Drink from 2018.
Young and visibly spritzy, this appealing wine bursts forth with scents of lemon tea and orange blossoms, followed by flavors of orange soda, candied pineapple and stone fruits. It's round and fruity, definitely sweet, but kept lively with plenty of acid and that tongue-tickling spritz.
A dense, baked, raisiny nose is ultra ripe but also a bit flabby and damp-smelling. A big, grabby mouth-filler, this offers baked, oaky flavors of blackberry, fig and chocolate, finishing with lingering chocolate and prune. Drink this chunky, superripe Priorat sooner rather than later.
Fragrant notes of candied pear and lifted hints of orange blossom are tempered by exuberant lemon freshness. The palate is of tender, enveloping but not overbearing sweetness, carrying aloft an exquisite, honeyed tableau of pear and quince, mirabelle plum and apricot, balanced by pure lemon freshness. The finish is soft, moreish and mellow.
From one of the young appellation's newer vineyards comes this blend of 74% Roussanne and 26% Viognier. Made in a slightly reductive style, it has sour aromas of orange rind, citrus pith and a touch of quinine. Lime skins and yogurt elements show on the palate, which is lifted by jasmine flowers and dried nectarine.
From a tremendous vineyard location known for its meticulous farming, this wine was made in small quantities. It exemplifies balance, pitting creamy, voluptuous texture against crisp apple and guava, the acidity never ceding entirely to the oak.
A blend of Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Croatina, this opens with aromas of aromatic herb, wild berry, menthol and a floral note. The firm, vibrant palate offers tar, sour cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside youthfully austere, fine-grained tannins. This needs time to soften up and fully develop. Drink 2019–2027.
Aromas of toast, oak, hazelnut and a whiff of citrus zest slowly come together on this mature sparkler. The concentrated palate is more about complexity than primary fruit, offering bread crust, toasted almond, fennel, yellow apple skin and a hint of lemon zest alongside an elegant perlage.
Pretty blossom and apricot aromas bolster ripe, rich flavors of honey tangerine and yellow peach in this forward, fruity wine. There's no pretense here: It's a hedonistic guzzler of a wine, but its tangy salt-and-lime finish makes it hard to resist another glass. Drink while young.
Named for the proprietor's daughter, Taylor's is stainless-steel fermented and meant to exude juicy waves of pear, apple and lemon, a fully immersive expression of fruit and minerality. Well balanced, it shows a tease of peach fuzz and the crispness of never having met a swath of oak.
This vineyard-designate opens in bombastic amounts of Asian spice and wild strawberry, making for a whirlwind of flavor and acidity on the palate. Black tea and rose garden dance around highlights of orange and cranberry, the wine tart in mineralogy, as well as full of length and density.
This mix of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah offers blackberry jam, lavender and cracked pepper on the nose. Tart berries show on the sip, made more serious with a tarry structure and lifted by light purple flowers and an incense element that carries through the finish.
Try this bold and concentrated wine for a change of pace. Enormous aromas of fully ripe plums and cherries mix with savory, herbal accents. The flavors are rich and mouthfilling, dripping with prune, boysenberry and anise.
Creamy and crisp, this slowly reveals delicate scents of small red berry and Alpine herb. The bright polished palate offers strawberry, apple, nectarine and a hint of bread crust alongside fresh acidity and an elegant mousse. A mineral note backs up the finish.
Stone and steel define this deeply mineral, dry Riesling. It's elegantly fruity as well though, with zesty lime, lemon and grapefruit flavors brightening the palate. Silky and languorous, it finishes on a lingering honeycomb note.
Made with 70% Nebbiolo and 30% Vespolina, this vibrant red offers enticing, ethereal scents of perfumed berry, fragrant blue flower, aromatic herb and a whiff of cedar. The mid-weight, luminous palate delivers crushed red cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and white pepper. Racy acidity lifts the finish while polished tannins provides support.
Though lightly colored, this is a powerful Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard of Norman Beko. He cold-soaks the fruit and ferments with native yeasts to deliver aromas of raspberry, pine and wet slate. The flavors range from pomegranate to violet to red rose to a fruit punch that lingers a long time thanks to a nice acidic lift.
This Pinot Noir-Syrah blend opens up with aromas of cherry compote, red currant, pencil shavings and roasted beets. It's extremely silky on the palate, with purple fruit, even blueberries present. The alcohol is not out of balance, thanks to a touch of bitterness.
Tensely mineral, this is a tight, crisp wine. The palate ranges from pink grapefruit to a more steely, stony texture. The acidity shooting through the wine is well in balance with the fruits and structure. It could go through 2015 to be even better.
Very closed and tight, this is still a young wine. Its fruitiness, with citrus and pear flavors, is just beginning to develop into something that's rich and full-bodied. With its steely structure and taught acidity, it shouldn't be drunk before 2016.
The Hitching Post team of Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley hit a home run on this Highliner, with a nose that features fried shiitake mushrooms, violet and sizzling balsamic vinegar. It boasts an elegant mouthfeel, with very round and widely expressive fruit, characterized by orange peel, olallieberry and more violet.
This Pinot is not hiding behind anything. It has lots of natural-tasting fruit aromas and flavors without overt oak. Flavors recall cherry, berry and rhubarb; the wine tastes firm and moderately tannic, and has medium to full body. Beautifully balanced, it should improve through 2018.
Intriguing aromas of boysenberry and blueberry come with smoky notes of hickory and aged cheese. This is showing a firm grip on the palate along with ripe, intense flavors of black fruits and prune. On the finish, it's tannic and loaded with licorice and toasty accents. Drink through 2019.
This displays primary aromas of black fruit along with whiffs of roasted herbs and espresso. The palate offers black plum, prune and Morello cherry accented by black pepper, coffee, toast and vanilla. Youthfully aggressive and tightly packed, this needs time to fully develop. Drink after 2022.
This opens with a classic Nebbiolo fragrance of Morello cherry, dried rose petal, mint and thyme. The ripe palate offers up crushed black cherry, prune, black pepper, cake spices and licorice alongside brooding tannins and uplifting acidity. It's already well balanced but will be even better in another few years.
This is an extremely smooth Syrah, another reminder of how well the Rhône grape does when planted in California's cooler Pinot Noir climates. Licorice and boysenberry characterize the nose, with the combination of rich fruit and peppery spice framing the palate. The lingering vanilla finish kicks it up even one more notch.
Upfront aromas of buttered dinner rolls—which take on a caramel quality with long sniff—contrast nicely with lime edges. The wine is expansive on the palate, but subtle in flavorings, with toasted coconut, balanced acidity and, on the finish, toasted marcona almonds.
Here is a huge ripe and luxurious wine, with great power. The texture is solid, filled with firm tannins, the flavors are black and ripe. Along with the power, though, is much of the elegance and poise that characterizes great Saint-Julien.
This is a wonderful, dense wine, very concentrated, very intensely flavored. At this stage of its development, it is the opulence which is most evident, but there are already hints that it will show pure fruit alongside sweet tannins, and will develop complexity.
Sometimes it seems as if La Mission is as good as Haut-Brion - that was certainly the case in 2001. But in 2000, La Mission fitted more comfortably into its usual good neighbor slot. That is not to suggest it is not a great wine - the score indicates that. At the moment, it is closed, solid and chunky, but all the right hints are there, and it will develop slowly and in a sustained way over many years.
At first taste, this wine seems more new world than Bordeaux. But then the subtle, perfumed aromas and structured fruit show through, along with the clean acidity and black tannic fruits. Give this wine at least 12 years before opening.
At this stage, this is very closed, very tight, giving little. But it is possible to discern that this is going to be a beautiful wine. There are flavors of sweet raisins and the fruit has a new world richness, but the structure of dry tannins is always present. It looks as though it has a good, long life.
The renaissance of Kirwan, with the consultancy of Michel Rolland, continues with this ripe, forward, concentrated wine. The tannins are sweet and soft, with a solid, chunky structure that promises a long life. The finish displays balanced new wood flavors and a smooth polish.
It is the power that is so evident in this wine - a full, up-front expression of Merlot at its most powerful. It is somewhat closed up at this stage, but it is going to continue its development as an enormous wine which still manages to keep its power under firm control.
This Moueix-owned premier grand cru classé property quietly goes about producing great wines. The 2000 is a complete success, with its aromas of red berry fruits and sweet wood, its flavors cedar and truffles alongside the fine, elegant tannins. It will age slowly and reveal layers of complexity over the years.
This is a solid, huge wine, with rich but very dry tannins. With its dense, almost black color, and its sense of brooding power, it promises long aging. It will never be in the opulent Bordeaux camp, despite its prominent new wood flavors, but will probably outlive all but a handful top wines.
This is the flagship wine from the mini-empire (now comprising five properties) that is controlled by Comte Stephan von Niepperg. He has made a modern, wood dominated wine, with rich, concentrated black fruits. It is powerful, perhaps too powerful, lacking a sense of the usual grace of this estate, although the ripeness of the wine does compensate.
In 2000, this was still the property of Lily Lacoste, who also owned Pétrus. Latour à Pomerol was sold  in 2001 to a Catholic charity. The management, then and now, is with the Moueix family who make the most of the fabulous vineyard. The 2000 is a hugely opulent, velvet textured wine, but it retains hints of the elegance that is the hallmark of this property.
Under the regime of Gérard Perse, Pavie seems to have become more opulent, more extracted, and, dare I say it, more simplistic. The richness of the 2000 vintage lends itself to this technique. While it is a wonderful, immediately appealing wine, with its intense dark fruits, it seem to lack the complexity of other wines of similar status.
Fresh lemon and lime and a spray of minerals and sea salt gives this wine a slightly lean, austere character. Clean and bright and not overly complicated, it will pair well with shellfish and grilled seafood.
Opens with decent dusty apple and peach aromas, but they don't really hold together for long. And the palate is similar in that it offers adequate opening flavors of green apple and citrus but no improvement after that. Drink right away; it won't age well.
First taste was excellent, as the wine entered the mouth with round, ripe red fruit and a hint of spice. But it has something off in the finish, and as it sits in the mouth it loses its freshness and leaves a rather sour, gluey impression.
This refreshing red starts with aromas of allspice, clove, mint and red berries, followed by flavors of tobacco, clove and cherry on the palate. A wine with some elbows, it could age for 3-5 more years. Pair with grilled meats.
Dark chocolate, cassis, violets and red berry start this red from Greece. On the palate, like flavors with a touch of bitter cocoa and smoke are earthy and exotic. Pair with grilled meats and hearty stews.
This wine balances fresh fruit, citrus and tropical fruit with a crisp minerality. The wine offers freshness as well as spiciness and a touch of curve. Pair with sautéed fish, salads.
Briar and rhubarb aromas suggest stemminess, but the palate is fairly clean and clear, with tight, rubbery tannins supporting red fruit flavors of cherry and plum. Short, rubbery and unexceptional, but good enough despite a whiff of green that's probably due to the Cabernet in the wine.
A medium-bodied blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Roussanne, this simple white from the Perrin family of Beaucastel offers fruity notes of melon and citrus that finish crisp and clean.
For some tasters, this will seem a bit earthy; for others there is a note of animal. The fruit is thin, the finish chalky and astringent.
Begins with a sweet marshmallow creaminess on the nose, which is followed by a firm, tanninc palate with snappy cherry and raspberry flavors. Clean and easy to understand, but in the end it's a very regular wine.
Starts with earthy burnt aromas, but in short time cassis and berry aromas rise to the surface. Fresh and tangy feeling, with spunky red fruit and tomato flavors. Finishes a little saucy, with more tomato and an herbal aftertaste.
Pithy, heavy and chunky, with waxy fruit mixed with oak. The wine has a pretty good mouthfeel and balance, but it just doesn't do much in terms of aromatics or in the flavor category. Decent for a barrel fermented Viura but nothing to write home about.
This is the most complex and detailed of the current single-vineyard Pinots from Rex Hill. English Breakfast tea, cherry liqueur, moist loam, dried leaf and highlights of cinnamon apple pie all contribute to a feminine, elegant, well-crafted wine.
This is the winery's reserve-level Pinot Noir, and it's introduced with the loveliest aromas of fresh fruits and cut flowers. Elegant and seductive, the rich berry and cherry flavors come with a light dustiness, like a whiff of incense.
Just slightly richer than the Brut Nature from the same vintage, this Brut is still a wonderfully dry Champagne. It has a fine hint of toasty maturity while the fruit is still full of the crispest citrus flavors. Drink over the next 4–5 years.
This blend of 70% Syrah, 10% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese delivers vanilla, shaved coconut and dark fruit aromas. It's full bodied, with fruit and barrel-derived flavors that linger on the finish. The oak influence is cumbersome.
This wine is fruity with attractive black currants. The tannins are very present, suggesting the wine is young. It is a wine with potential, so drink from 2019.
Reserved aromas of plum, raisin and oak lead to a pinched palate that pulls to the center like a magnet. Peppery blackberry and cassis flavors are raw and without volume prior to a collapsed finish.
Black-skinned fruit, underbrush and game aromas lead the nose of this wine. The round, simple palate evokes mature black cherry and clove. Drink soon.
Waffles and maple syrup in the aroma, and blackberries in the flavor seem to recommend this full-bodied wine for breakfast time. In fact it is a little sweet, and those maple-like notes continue in the flavors along with vanilla and cinnamon.
Subdued aromas of dried black fruit and baking spice set the tone in this wine. Its easygoing, straightforward palate offers mature Morello cherry and vanilla flavors alongside round tannins. Drink soon.
This opens with restrained cooking spice and dark-skinned berry aromas. The lively, informal palate offers red cherry, white pepper and anise hints, with soft tannins and brisk acidity. Drink soon.
Savory, gritty raspberry and currant aromas are earthy, with a suggestion of Band-Aid. This Syrah-Garnacha blend feels rubbery and tannic, with a downward pull. Roasted red-berry and plum flavors finish with a note of grilled meat.
This highly perfumed wine comes from a small Gamay appellation that is in fact in the Mâcon region. With some tight tannins and rich black fruits, it is a ripe, juicy wine that has intense acidity as well as a spicy aftertaste. Drink this ripe wine from 2018.
Leathery plum and berry aromas are also jammy and floral on this full and round wine. Roasted berry flavors come with a bacon-like note, delivering similar flavors on the finish.
This crisp wine brings out good flavor depth from the cherry and red-berry fruits. It is concentrated for a simple Beaujolais, ripe and fruity, Drink now.
Layers of toast, char and dill abound on this oak-driven, full-bodied Chardonnay. There are glimpses of fresh apple and lemon on the palate as well, but they peek through a bit shyly behind a curtain. Further cellaring may help to integrate the oak.
This big soft wine smells and tastes a little sweet, as an aroma like maple syrup leads to flavors of blackberry jam, cinnamon and butter.
Dry apple and pine-needle aromas are punchy on this blend of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Macabeo. An uneventful palate is fresh but simple. This wine tastes mostly of bitter grape skins and almond skins. Modest apple and grapefruit notes show on the finish.
From Canoe Ridge Vineyard, this delivers raspberry, herb, tire rubber and spice aromas and medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. The tannins are a bit dry and pasty.
Pure Touriga Nacional gives a perfumed, ripe and richly juicy wine. Tannic structure offers a base for the acidity and black currant fruit, but it's soft enough to drink now.
Light and fruity, this is a crisply citrus wine, soft and fresh. Grapefruit and apricots are both there, showing the crisp and the rich side to this immediately attractive wine.
For such a deep-colored wine, it's the lighter red fruits and minerality that comprise the aromas in this GSM with Petite Sirah. Cranberry and crushed slate rise up most prominently, but the blackberry dominance on the palate better corresponds to the color, and the caramelized finish is a nice touch.
Flavorful and sweet but not cloying, it displays plenty of floral and apricot aromas, ripe honeylike flavors and a rich finish. Will pair nicely with cheese and salted nuts as an apéritif, or with biscotti for dessert.
Dry, spicy, crisp aromas of cool-climate red fruits come with a mild covering of sweet oak. This is a touch resiny on the palate, with woody, spicy flavors of plum and raspberry. An oaky, lightly herbal finish is juicy in feel.
Intense aromas of mature pear and Granny Smith apples carry over to the palate along with lemon-lime and honey dew melon. Crisp acidity gives this a clean, refreshing finish.
This vibrant wine discloses aromas of delicate wild flowers and stone fruit. The bright palate offers juicy yellow peach, golden apple, lemon and lime zest alongside crisp, refreshing acidity.
This is a spicy, nutmeg-flavored wine. Its wood aging plays well with the aromatic fruitiness that brings out yellow fruits as well as light acidity. It needs no aging.
Peppery, herbal lead aromas settle on lactic, chocolaty oak and berry scents. This feels fresh, grabby and fairly well balanced. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and spice filter down to a solid feeling finish with flavors of cassis, herbs and spice.
Ripe and full-bodied, this is a rich and juicy wine. With tannins kept in the background, the front is full of blackberry acidity and jammy fruitiness that's balanced by the fresher black currant aftertaste.
While the wine has plenty of juicy fruit, it also has a heavy hand with wood that gives a bitter, spice and pepper character. Densely textured, it's tough for the moment although it will round out. Drink from 2017.
Almonds and ripe yellow fruits combine in this surprisingly warm Vinho Verde. It has weight and richness as well as an immediately attractive fruity style. Easy to drink now, with a touch of caramel at the end.
A combination of dried white currant, green apple and lemon makes for a refreshing, clean palate with a medium, zesty finish.
There are complicated aromas and flavors to this blend from Santa Barbara County pioneer Rick Longoria. It starts with scents of wet dog, pine, pipe tobacco and peppercorns. The flavors recall gamy meat, like roasted lamb, with hints of stewed plum as well. Those who don't like constantly analyzing each sip may find this wine challenging.
Comprised of 63% Zinfandel, 32% Petite Sirah and 5% Pinotage. McNab Ridge is among the few Mendocino producers to make Pinotage, so it's fitting that the variety finds its way into Coro, one of the smaller offerings of the vintage at 65 cases. Expect grippy tannins, plenty of black fruit and healthy doses of coffee and leather around a soft, medium body.
This is a richly ripe wine, Port-like in its sweet tannins and density. Layers of acidity accompany dry tannins and a firm while fruity character. Berry fruits are in the background of this concentrated wine. Drink from 2017.
This lively wine is loaded with sensations of spring wildflowers, tart green apple, pear and nectarine. Crisp acidity gives a refreshing finish. Enjoy this as an apéritif or pair it with summer salads.
A pale yellow-colored wine, it's full of ripe white peach, melon and plums. It's rich but also shows bright acidity and a touch of citrus. It's an easy wine to drink now–2016.
Intense and smoky, this is an old-vine Zinfandel blended with Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Although most of the grapes come from Lodi, smaller amounts hail from the Russian River Valley and Atlas Peak. Thick-walled and burly in licorice, earth and black and red berry fruit, it offers substantial texture and length. Not a wine for the meek.
Cassis and plum aromas come with a whiff of rubber. This is clean and ripe in feel, with good body and a bit of structure. Flavors of cassis and black cherry show a chocolaty edge in front of a juicy, pure, direct finish.
Fermented and aged in barriques, it opens with aromas of oak, toast, butterscotch and apple. Oak dominates the palate, while butter, lemon drop and vanilla mingle in the background.
Possessing intensely floral aromatics, this distinctive wine also pulls in Asian spices, specifically curry. The fruit hangs on the light side of the red spectrum, with a dash of cherry candy.
Minerally apple aromas are dusty and yeasty, but straightforward. This feels juicy and a touch plump, with nectarine, citrus and green herb flavors that carry through to the finish.
Ripe peach aromas come with mild oxidized notes and waxy apple scents. This is mouthfilling yet fresh in feel, with punchy acidity. Flavors of baked, spiced apple are a touch briny, and continued similarly to the balanced finish.
Soft, spicy and jammy, this is rich in clove and big-hearted blackberry fruit. Easy to like and pleasantly affordable, it'll pour well for parties and other occasions where a bold, crowd-pleasing red wine is in order.
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.
The Perrin family, with its long tradition of winemaking, consistently turn out delicious bargain-priced wines from the Côtes du Ventoux. This rosé blends cherries and chocolate with citrus and even touches of minerality and length rare in a $9 wine. Drink now.
Slightly more sweet and fleshy than “bone dry” but still quite balanced and thorough. There's nothing sugary or artificial about the strawberry and raspberry character, and even some nectarine enters about midway. Full bodied and red in color, but natural and ready to go. Drink now.
Very Grüner, with its spice, pear skin and pepper and rounded, creamy character. A delicious wine, quite light, with flavors of crushed grapefruit coming through in the form of fresh acidity. Screwcap.
This lively, crisply acidic wine hints at toast, but goes much more for a delicious citrus character. There's a great freshness to the wine, showing some pear flavors and a fine edge of apple skins.
Forward and spicy on the nose, but with control. In fact, this is one reserved reserva through and through. It shows lively, narrow cherry, plum and raspberry flavors and then toast and spice take over on the back end. A little sharp and tart; could benefit from further aging.
Bona fide Best Buys aren't as ubiquitous as they once were, so take note of this affordable Garnacha from northeast Spain. The wine features clean aromas of dried fruits, spice and licorice. The palate is just as proper, with sweet plum and berry flavors. It may be a tiny bit screechy and gritty, but we're talking $9 here, so get on board.
This fits squarely into the mold of value wine from Jumilla. It is dark and crusty on the nose, with rich plum and blackberry flavors. The structure is solid but soft, with chocolate and savory flavors carrying the finish. A very healthy and appealing blend of 60% Monastrell with 20% each of Tempranillo and Syrah.
This medium- to full-bodied white features a richly textured mouthfeel to go with its toasty aromas and melon fruit. There's a touch of creamed-corn character, and the finish could be longer, but it's still a plump, satisfying wine to pair with chicken or fish.
Soft and lightly fresh with some crisp acidity, This has a rounded green fruit character and is finished with white fruit flavors. Give it 6 months. Screwcap.
The second release of Springhill's Mer Vin (sea wine) Pinot Noir is fruit-driven, and leaves an impression of sweetness along with the fruit flavors of strawberry jam. Powdered sugar and brown sugar and cream are evident, making for a pleasant, forward, easy-drinking wine for near-term enjoyment.
A blend of young vines fruit gives a very soft, gently rounded wine with only the lightest of depth. The fruit is full, the flavors show some spice, while yellow fruit tastes roll around underneath. Drink now.
Wildly herbal Chardonnay that has a ripe core surrounded by fennel and thyme flavors, topped by toast. There is a juicy quality to the plum flavors. It needs a year or two in the bottle.
Lemony and herbaceous, this attractive 50-50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon combines a crisp, grapefruit character with a creamy layer that broadens the wine without losing freshness.
This is a changed wine from previous vintages, now emphasizing the berry flavors of the fruit and not shying away from some chewy tannins. It seems more honest and direct, without the wash of vanilla and jam, and more food-friendly as well, with the stuffing to take on a flank or hanger steak.
The blend includes 6% Syrah, and the wine has a pretty plum and blueberry color, that (perhaps by the power of suggestion) carries through into the aromas. It's tight, tart, and clean, offering a mix of berry fruits and a finish lined with vanilla and tobacco. Overall the balance is excellent, the wine juicy and fresh, and the blend just about perfect.
Vivid and snappy, this was fermented in stainless steel, with a small percentage aged in neutral barrels to soften the mouthfeel. It's spicy and fresh, with a mix of fruit flavors including grapefruit and pineapple. A touch of vanilla enlivens the aromas.
A far better wine than the previous vintage. This is big, beefy and clean, with bacon on the nose. The palate is perky, zesty and high in acidity, and thus the flavors of cherry and plum are forward and alert. Finishes with snap and pop as it begs for pizza, grilled chicken or a hamburger off the grill.
Dark yet a touch murky on the bouquet, with weight and black-fruit aromas. The palate is plump but healthy, with peppery flavors accenting core blackberry and chocolate. Chunky and proper, if a tad bit bitter on the finish. Gets better as it airs out.
This is classic Merlot at a great price, with notes of black plum, cherry, blackberry and licorice on the nose and mouth. Balanced and softly textured with medium tannins and a solid, clean finish. Drink now.
Spring Valley wines have never been shy and retiring, but here the alcohol – 15.2% – seems to quickly mute the textural subtleties. Though it suggests a panoply of red and black fruits in the nose, the palate is a wash of coffee, toast, tannin and alcohol. The flavors get muddy and the alcohol strips the wine of its terroir.
Ripe, fruity and jammy on the nose, with smokiness and earth to go with standard berry aromas. The palate leans towards full and jammy, with sweet berry and mild spice flavors. Chunky and full-bodied, but for the most part it gets things right.
Fresh and zesty, with slightly confected, bubble-gum-like aromas balanced by bright lime notes and even a bit of chalk-dust minerality to add grip and interest on the finish. Drink now.
Ripe and soft, with a caramelized raspberry flavor. The wine tastes full, spicy and rich, despite its lower alcohol. With its texture, it is for food.
A ripe, lively wine that manages to restrain its generosity with smoky tannins, great blackberry fruits and balancing acidity. Ready to drink now.
Sweet black plum, licorice and anise aromas are soft yet nice. The palate, however, is more clacky, with jammy, reduced flavors of syrupy berry and sappy tannins. Jammy and saturated on the finish as well; tons of berry and size, but not perfectly balanced.
Very juicy wine, with fresh berry fruits and relatively soft tannins. The wine has acidity, a dry leather edge and a softer, sweeter finish.
Pie cherry and raspberry fruit flavors open, with gentle barrel notes of toast and caramel. Balanced and light, this has a pleasing elegance, though a quick finish suggests a lack of depth.
Jammy black fruit and berry notes lead the way on this Merlot, with supporting notes of tree bark and black tea. The medium-full mouth offers more juicy dark fruit flavors and dusty tannins that linger through the close. Drink now.
Soft and light on the nose with delicate aromas of raspberry and red cherry. The palate shows a bit more heft, with more concentrated flavors of juicy red plum flesh and berry mash laced with graham cracker and crushed iris petal accents. The structure is firm but balanced; drink now or hold for another year.
White fruit aromas are as expected and clean, with no faux oak, weight or interference. The palate is round but nicely acidic, with cutting texture and sweet, lightly creamy flavors of sweet peach, apple and butter. Turns slightly oaky late, with butterscotch and spice.
Black and charred at first, with licorice, asphalt and a touch of bacon on the bouquet. The palate is soft, soupy and round, with ripe, saturated berry and fig flavors. Finishes spicy and full, with chewy tannins and ample extract.
You'll find aromas of underbrush, clove, red berry, blue flower and a whiff of toast on this elegant expression of the 2013 vintage. The bright, sleek palate delivers juicy wild cherry, ground pepper and coffee alongside fresh acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins.
Lightly tawny in color, with a fresh and enlivening mouthfeel, this is a good Pinot Gris for salmon, halibut or even swordfish. Pear flesh and skin, white peach and a hint of spice are all in play.
The Sé (cathedral) on the label of this wine is in Viseu, the granite-built capital of the Dão region. The wine has fine structure and some serious tannins. They march with the perfumed, sweet flavors of Touriga Nacional and of Alfrocheiro. The wine is still young and will certainly be better from 2017.
This big, dense wine is dark in color, with lush, late-picked aromas and flavors and very full body. Its power and oozing fruitiness make quite a contrast with more elegant styles, but there is no denying the appeal of all that jammy blackberry and blackcurrant character.
Meaning “from the vine,” this 100% whole-cluster bottling presents black cherry, tart pomegranate, graphite, baking spice and sage bark on the nose. There's lots of dark herbs and dark fruit on the palate as well as black-olive depth and black-slate minerality. With the density of herbs, it's a bit like chewing on sage and eucalyptus.
There's a lot to like in this dense and impactful wine, a mix of softly layered black plum and raspberry with a powerful bouquet of violet. Medium bodied, it finishes fresh and pillowy.
This wine is firmly tannic, while promising fine fruitiness as it develops. The acidity and black fruits are about to break through the imposing tannic edifice. This wine will be best from 2017.
Concentrated lilac and violet flowers paint a pretty picture to the beef char and creosote darkness on the nose of this bottling from a Los Olives vineyard. The palate blends boysenberry, blackberry, coffee and bittersweet dark chocolate, loaded atop a very firm structure.
Pure purple fruit aromas arise on the nose of this bottling by pioneer Fred Brander, as do heady cocoa, leather and herb-crusted beef roast scents. Fresh black currant and espresso cream flavors show on the palate, with a chalky tannic structure that steadily reveals more layers of flavor, from blackberry to dried dill.
Rustic cola, wood smoke, fresh-squeezed black cherry and slate emerge on the very compelling and complete nose of this bottling from the longtime winery's estate property. A load of baking spice powers the palate, enhancing the dark blackberry fruit. Its tannic structure is firm, allowing the layers of flavor to emerge with patience.
This graceful wine, from a cool vintage, nicely expresses the more elegant side of Pinot Noir. There are ample fruit flavors of plum, cherry and blueberry, and a pleasantly musky note overlays the maturing fruit. It's rolling along smoothly into a fully integrated finish. Drink now through 2020.
This is a pretty rose hue, and follows in a light, tart style. Despite its apparent simplicity, it shows surprising depth of flavor, highlighted with fresh strawberries and Bing cherries. There's a touch of Juicy Fruit gum also, and the wine should be consumed now through 2020.
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, this opens with aromas of prune, scorched earth, toast and a hint of black currant. On the structured palate, notes of grilled bell pepper, espresso and dried herb accent a core of dried black cherry alongside fine-grained tannins that give it a firm finish.
A blend of 50/50 Touriga Nacional an Castelão, this is a firm, structured wine. It has plenty of ripe blackberry fruits that are beginning to fill out and mature. It has a juicy character: ripe and full of sun. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2017.
Firmly tannic, this young, wood-aged wine is dark and brooding. It has a dense texture and the potential of ripe black fruits and powerful tannins. With a fine future ahead of it, the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.
After searching for a cool climate for vines, Hans Jorgensen planted only two miles from the Atlantic Ocean south of Lisbon. This Alvarinho is as fresh as if it came from the far north of Portugal. It is bright with citrus and rich, as befits an Alvarinho. Hints of apricot and spice finish this attractive wine. Drink now.
This is a wine that varies year by year according to the quality of the harvest. With 2015 a very good vintage in the Southwest, the 100% Duras wine shows well. It's ripe and earthy with sustaining tannins and flavors of ripe plums and rhubarb. It's a wine to age for a few years to soften the tannins and bring it all together. Drink from 2018.
When this wine was launched in 1987, it was the first in the region to be fermented in wood. That wood aging has continued. This latest release (Sauvignon Blanc, Mauzac and Muscadelle) by Jean-Marc Balaran gives a beautiful wine that is finely balanced between tightly crisp fruit and smoother, creamy spice and wood flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
Just off dry, this is a delicious, honeyed wine. Made to drink as an apéritif or with a paté, it is soft and stylish. Aromatic apricot and baked apple flavors give this wine fruitiness while the background is full of bright acidity. Drink now.
Black cherry, smoked beef jerky, burned caramel and a touch of maduro cigar show on the nose of this study of a popular Syrah clone. The palate is equally savory, with smoked meats, blackberry fruit, crushed black pepper, soy and a tarry edge, bolstered by sparkling acidity.
This is a well-made wine, supple and soft with velvety, integrated tannins and a relatively light body and sense of power. Chocolate and brown sugar play off of black cherry and cassis for a richness that never becomes cloying.
The excellent Carabella vineyard supplies the fruit, which is fermented and aged in a mix of stainless and oak barrels. Juicy and tight, this offers melon, lemon, apple and pear, framed with citrus-rind phenolics. A little bite to the finish suggests that another year or two in bottle might help to soften it.
Though 2014 is a fine, accessible vintage for many Oregon Pinots, this one is rather stubbornly shut down. At first it shows stem and herb flavors, along with chewy tannins. With hours of breathing time, the fruit emerges, a mix of rhubarb, cherry and a dash of cola.
Elderberry and black currant fruit mesh with cedar, smoked beef and pencil lead on the nose of this impressive bottling of a rarely solo grape. A pointed graphite minerality shows on the palate, where blueberry and black-plum fruit are enhanced by tobacco and dark-chocolate nuance.
This opaque Graciano from Toledo weighs in at 15% abv and smells like black currant and grape juice concentrate. An intense, loud palate features smooth tannins but abrasive acidity. Limited but lusty flavors of blackberry and black plum finish juicy and with medium length and depth. Drink through 2019.
From vines in the upper Douro region (the Cima Corgo), this is ripe and soft. It has attractive juicy black fruits and soft tannins. There is a juicy, perfumed character from the Touriga Nacional in the blend. Drink the wine now.
Wild berry, dark baking spice, aromatic herb and espresso aromas are present along with a floral note. The linear palate offers raw red cherry, dried sage and a white pepper note framed in vibrant acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins.
More immediately accessible and affordable than the producer's great estate bottling, this wine invites the nose with petrol, smashed white flower, wet chalk, lemon curd and pink-grapefruit aromas. The acidity is finely pointed on the refreshing and bitter sip, with lime skin, mandarin-orange pith, quinine and pink grapefruit flavors.
Powdery, dusty tannins form the core of this wine, which is soft in plum, currant and cedar, with a leanness to the palate. The acidity provides a freshness before speckled pillows of cocoa powder appear on the finish.
From a single vineyard site in the appellation, this is a structured, even slightly austere wine, juicy yet enclosed in sturdy tannin. Clove, leather and tobacco drive the flavor, with a shot of black pepper on the finish.
This is a tempting and sylish wine. A seductive aroma influenced by new oak resembles toasted baguette slices, cedar and cardamom, then generous flavors like ripe black cherry and blueberry come on. It's medium to full bodied, broad and smooth in texture with enough fine-grained tannin to give it some heft.
Aromas of baking spice, dusty berry and Band-Aid introduce a rugged palate, with an intense joining of extraction, tannins and acidity. Plum, raspberry, cassis and cola flavors hold form on a ripe, generous finish this Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend.
This is solidly anchored in its ripe cherry fruit, a rich mouthful that represents the best of the winery's 2012 lineup of reserve bottlings. Highlights of citrus fruits elevate the acids, and there is a pleasing hint of toast across the full midpalate.
This has a vivid, gold color with just a touch of pink, which makes sense considering Pinot Gris is not really a white wine grape, but a gris or gray shade in between blanc and noir. Aromas are like buttered popcorn, toasted almond and a touch of honey. It is undeniably flavorful, lush in texture and full bodied. The blend is 75% Pinot Gris and 25% Pinot Blanc.
This grabs attention quickly, with a dark color and potent jam and brown sugar aromas. Next come dazzling strawberry syrup flavors backed by thick tannins and good acidity. The texture is astringent and tight, but the flavors are so full that they meet the tannins half way. Best now through 2019.
Alta Alella is a Cava producer worth watching. This nicely packaged offering opens with baked orange, bread and savory aromas along with a hint of sulfur. A round, layered palate is home to bready, burnt-orange flavors and a toasty finish with tangerine and nectarine notes.
A blend of equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot, this offers aromas of underbrush, toast, baked plum, nutmeg and mocha. The smooth palate offers dried blackberries, raisins, cocoa, tobacco and ground black pepper. Velvety tannins hold the flavors together. This has reached its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
Sourced from 25-year-old vines, this shows traces of dried leaf, along with tart rhubarb and wild cherry fruit. A light dusting of cinnamon and coffee completes a wine that is balanced throughout, medium in length, and finished with an elegant flair.
While zesty and mineral on the nose, this dry Grauburgunder, or Pinot Gris, is ripe and concentrated in yellow cherry and grapefruit flavors. Racy acidity cuts through the sunny palate, uncovering a pleasant bristle of white tea astringency on the finish. Drink now through 2017.
A 100% varietal wine from a prime Beckstoffer vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this aged in 100% new French oak. A robust, full-throttled wine, it's smoky in tar and baked fruit that could use some time in cellar to further develop the layers of cedar and blackberry.
This extroverted wine brims with toasted oak, chocolate and smoke aromas, followed by ripe, jammy fruit flavors. With full body and a velvety texture of soft tannins, it's both smooth and tongue-gripping at the same time.
Aromas of cola and leather lead the friendly bouquet. This Bordeaux-style blend is wide and tannic in feel, with blackberry, cassis and kirsch flavors. Oak, licorice and heat drive a smoky finish. Drink through 2024.
Subtle aromas of chocolate, espresso and ripe bluish-black fruit lead the nose of this robust blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese. The concentrated palate delivers ripe plum, dried black cherries, clove and black pepper alongside bracing tannins. You'll also notice the heat of alcohol on the finish.
This esteemed winery's annual bubbly is crafted much like its still Chardonnays, showing focused aromas of chalk, lemon zest and a telltale brie cheese rind dairy element. It's very yeasty and slightly sour on the mouthwateringly sharp palate, with squeezed limes, lemon pith and underripe kumquat flavors.
At first this is constrained to the point of thinness, then the wine breathes open to reveal tart red berries, dried herbs and lemongrass. A whiff of orange peel adds interest. Though aged 15 months in 60% new French oak, it shows little oak influence in its flavors.
Aromas of Alpine herbs, wildflowers, smoke and a whiff of cake spice lead the nose on this luminous red. The radiant palate offers crunchy wild cherries, mocha, espresso and thyme alongside assertive but refined tannins and vibrant acidity.
Deep, pure blackberry, cassis and minerally aromas are fresh, clean and authentic for Priorat. This is bold, chunky and ripe, with an acidic streak that maintains clarity. Plum and blackberry flavors are a bit woody and herbal, while pepper, mint, menthol and berry flavors drive a flush, satisfying finish. Drink through 2018.
This is a rich, juicy, solid wine. The tannins of the Tannat have been mitigated by the more juicy Cabernets in the blend to give a structured while fruity wine. The black fruits and the intense acidity promise aging. Drink from 2018.
This robust wine opens with aromas of dried rose, tar, leather, fig and allspice. The full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherries, licorice, underbrush and grilled sage alongside firm, velvety tannins.
A light hint of toastiness gives this wine complexity. Balanced and beautifully ripe, offering notes of apricots and fresh acidity, it's a pour that can be drunk now and will be better from 2016.
Aromas of oak, chocolate, nutmeg and spiced plum lead the nose of this robust wine. The ripe palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco and baking spice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Light and clear in color, this impish wine needs time to grow up in the bottle, its profile momentarily giving way almost entirely to savory Asian five-spice and a sharp acidity that should interweave together expertly over the years. Vibrant and complex, the fruit is sultry and dusted in earth. Set this one down through 2017.
Stoller does an all-stainless style of Chardonnay, and does it well consistently. The winery slogan—Authentically Oregon—fits the ultraclean, crisp and authoritative styling. The fresh apple fruit is pushed along by sappy acidity, showing length, purity and focus.
Young and tight, this new release from a founding Oregon viticulture family already shows good balance in a smooth, buttery, somewhat oaky style. The fruit flavors coat the tongue and roll into the seductive barrel notes. Let this bottle age until early 2016 and it will really shine.
Spicy cherry and plum aromas are dark yet austere. Racy, acidic and full of energy across the palate, this coastal Pinot delivers snappy beams of red plum and raspberry flavors before a lightly spiced finish that goes the distance.
The wine comes from a 196-acre property on the first slopes above the Garonne river. Made from the classic Bordeaux blend, it has been aged in wood which gives the intense perfumed, toasty character. The wine is dense, tannic with layers of black fruits. It needs to age more, so drink from 2016.
Aromas of spiced blueberry, grilled herbs, cooking spice and a whiff of leather lead the nose of this blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The savory palate offers ripe plum, crushed black cherry, black pepper and mint alongside polished tannins. A licorice note marks the close.
A dense, full-bodied red, this opens with aromas of blackberry jam, vanilla, oak and a whiff of herbs. The robust palate delivers fleshy black cherry, cracked black pepper, licorice and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. You'll also the notice the heat of evident alcohol, especially on the close, which throws it somewhat off-balance.
A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of cedar, leafy underbrush, scorched earth, ripe dark fruit and ground black pepper. The palate delivers dried black currants, licorice, mint and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2019.
Hints of brine and sea water lend rusticity to pressed-apple flavors in this dry, delicately framed wine. Fruit flavors seem rather oxidized on the palate, but a tart, lemony zing adds some freshness.
Gritty aromas of severely baked berry fruits are tough to plow through. In the mouth, this Malbec is jammy, chunky and a touch flat. Flavors of stewed berries and prune finish thick and taste cooked. Ready to drink now.
A light, juicy and soft wine, it is already drinkable. It has red berry fruits, gentle tannins and acidity. A dry aftertaste comes along with fresh fruits. Drink now.
Wood flavors smother the fruit. It has spice, a burnt smokiness and a bitter-chocolate character. The wine does show some juiciness and fresh acidity at the end.
A jammy wine it has ripe red berry fruits, soft tannins and a red plum jelly flavor. It will age quickly, so drink from 2016.
A big-boned Pinot, inexpensively priced, that offers smoke and oak without nuance or layers.
Mineral, peach and apple aromas are straightforward and mild. Citric acidity gives life to an otherwise soft palate, while flavors of nectarine and orange finish with a chalky feel.
Peach pit, pyrazines and almond skins are the key aromas on this rosé. This feels a little oily and flabby, with a mix of peach pit, melon and bitter flavors. Additional bitterness and weight define the finish.
This Pinot Blanc with a small percentage of Pinot Grigio (20%) offers a confectionary aroma that's inviting at first, the wine otherwise crisp, simple and ready to drink now.
The Lawrence Vineyard, on the Royal Slope, has proven itself as a source of fine Syrah. This wine does not reflect the quality that the vineyard can produce. It's a thin, tannic wine whose principal flavor seems to be vanilla.
A black currant-flavored wine, it initially feels light and then broadens to give black currant and spice flavors. The tannins give a very dry character, leaving the fruit to struggle. Not for long-term aging; drink from 2016.
This is a lean wine that feels to have only structure and very little fruit. There are dry, dense tannins and a firm texture that will only soften marginally.
Tropical fruit and vanilla-cookie aromas come with a note of nectarine. This feels juicy, racy and citric, with flavors of tangerine and nectarine. Despite having tangy acidity, the wine turns heavy on the finish.
Now definitely mature, even drying up, this wine needs to be drunk now. It has developed a dry, tannic character, woody and stalky, although its balance is still there and the aftertaste has some juiciness.
A lean wine, hard-edged and with austere tannins. It has some berry fruits that are submerged by the tense tannins and acidity. At the end, smoky wood aging flavors dominate.
Ocean water and green banana are the lead aromas on this mostly neutral white. A light body with modest structure houses lime and tangerine flavors. The finish is juicy in feel but turns bitter as it rolls out.
Horsey, slightly grassy initial aromas turn more candied upon airing. This youngster is raw and citric in feel, with zesty acidity running the show. Flavors of red currant, plum and pineapple finish choppy and with lasting citric notes.
This wine opens with aromas of baked plum, leather, underbrush, grilled herb and a toasted note. The ripe, chewy palate offers raspberry jam, fleshy black cherry, licorice and a hint of vanilla alongside solid tannins. Drink through 2020.
A blend of fruit from the McGinley and Grassini vineyards, this wine is fermented in oak barrels, yielding a nose that's an approachable buffet of nectarine, wet cement, chopped lemongrass and wet hay. The oak also gives the palate more weight to deliver flavors of green-apple slices, kumquat, lime zest and cut lawn.
This is a brawny, strongly powerful wine, fully displaying the grip of mountain fruit. Blackberry and black currant complement the tobacco and cedar. Drink now through 2023.
This 100% varietal wine offers plenty of crisp cranberry, currant and restrained red fruit on the palate, the texture soft and supple. A pleasing shock of dark chocolate appears on the finish.
From vineyards in both Alexander Valley and Bennett Valley, the grapes were fermented in French oak for eight months, a minority of it new. This is a medium-bodied, integrated wine rich in caramel apple and fresh-squeezed tangerine. Brisk and in balance, it finishes with a note of toasted almond.
Deep, dark blueberry fruit meets with beef char, fudge chocolate and espresso-bean notes on the nose of this blend of 59% Petite Sirah, 15% Syrah, 14% Tannat, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Grenache and 1% Viognier. The rigid tannins need a little more time to open, but the zesty blueberry, blackberry and black-pepper flavors shine across the fresh, sizzling acidity.
Vanillla, baking spice and dried herb aromas are at the forefront. The dark-fruit flavors are dense, supported by lively acids and firm but well integrated tannins. It's a delicious example of the variety.
Aromas of fresh dill and other green herbs leap up from the glass. The plum flavors are pure and persistent. It's a unique expression of the variety.
Plummy chocolate stars in this densely textured yet nicely lean wine, which finds balance and power in the glass. Cherry, blueberry and cedar make appearances, before a finish kissed in tobacco.
This wine has hints of cedar and coriander, a luxurious, velvety and appropriately tannic texture, and flavors that are ripe and delicious. Its personality seems confident, well balanced and well behaved, but strong and focused.
This vineyard-designated estate wine is restrained and elegant, allowing for a sparkle of raspberry and black cherry to speak. The oak is light and integrated, and the minerality well defined, with just the smallest traces of black licorice and pepper coming through on the finish.
Aromas of underbrush, charred earth, truffle, star anise and a hint of menthol come together in the glass. The ripe palate shows dried black cherry, blackberry jam, licorice and mocha alongside solid, assertive tannins. Drink 2019–2025.
A blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese, this is a grippy, leathery wine, the fruit sourced from two different sites in the appellation. Black leather, baked and dried plum, and cherry combine on the palate with breadth and length, finishing as if dusted in cocoa.
Perfumed in rose and violet, with a sauvage scent of musk, this distinctive wine is soft and silky on the palate. It features a mix of red cherry and sage, with a full body and an expansive and lengthy finish.
Grilled herb, forest floor, scorched earth, cured meat and menthol aromas lead the way. The ripe palate offers juicy wild cherry, fleshy black raspberry, cinnamon, pipe tobacco and a confectionary note alongside firm, enveloping tannins. It's already accessible and will make fine near- to mid-term drinking.
Engaging scents suggesting rose, iris, perfumed berry and Mediterranean herb meld together in the glass. The soft, bright palate offers red cherry, raspberry, a hint of tobacco and a coffee note alongside supple tannins.
Always an eye-opening bottling, this blends 50% Sangiovese with 50% Syrah. This vintage shows cooked blackberries, baked plums, balsamic vinaigrette and black rocks on the nose. The palate is juicy and energetic, blending dark fruit with bright acidity, coffee and caramel flavors, with strong tannins for structure.
Berry, herb and baking spice aromas lead the nose. The palate brings fleshy plum, cherry and coffee flavors that linger on the finish. This wine provides great easy-drinking appeal.
Forest floor, black plum, menthol and a whiff of exotic spice unfold on this elegantly structured wine. The precise palate offers mature black cherry, ground pepper, licorice and hint of chewing tobacco framed in firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2019.
Gingery spice notes accent fresh pear and melon fruit in this medium- to full-bodied wine. It's round on the palate but not flabby, with a warm, spicy finish. Drink now.
This is made from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Pinot Noir, an interesting and fulfilling combination thats robust on the palate. Pinkish-orange in color, it's both tangy and weighty, finishing dry in orange zest.
Black-olive tapenade is the star of this show, along with fig, black currant and cedar. Bittersweet cocoa accents the powerful tannin and integrated oak, before finishing velvety smooth.
Coffee, toast, nut, forest floor and fleshy plum aromas waft out of the glass. The big, round palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry jam, licorice and chopped herb alongside ripe, loosely knit tannins. It's straightforward for a Brunello but it has a juicy, immediate appeal. Drink now through 2020.
This is a spicy, earthy and medium-bodied selection, lengthy and concentrated in cardamom and forest pine. The fruit tends dark and brooding, with a brambly character balanced against the crispness of acidity. The spiciness persists through the finish.
Smooth and engaging, this offers classic varietal flavors in the context of a northern climate. Red licorice, coffee, tobacco, hemp and dried herbs are all in the mix, with some fruit leather and hints of violets.
Produced from 25-year-old vines, this is a fresh as well as ripe wine, well balanced between herbal flavors and white and citrus fruitiness. It has a rounded texture that is juicy as well as full in the mouth. The wine is ready to drink.
From a parcel of 25-year-old vines, this is a concentrated, firm wine that needs to age. It has good potential with its tight, steely character and smoky edge. The fruitiness comes from the organic and biodynamic grapes that give richness as well as a final fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Classic lychee and rose petal aromas perfume this ripe yet elegantly composed Gewürztraminer. Juicy and forward yet balanced and spry, it calibrates zesty tangerine acidity against a crystalline glaze of honey that lingers on the finish.
Barrel-based aromas are up front, with acacia and buttered-toast notes lurking in the shadows. This blend of Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca is round and lifted, with resiny apple and apricot flavors. A spicy, woody finish fits the bill for this drink-now white Rioja.
Aromas of white flowers, wild mountain herbs and a hint of white stone fruit come together on this crisp, racy sparkler. The vivacious palate delivers lemon zest, lime and pear alongside brisk acidity and vigorous bubbles.
Copper-orange in color, this wine is made from 100% Syrah grapes, and tastes delightfully of raspberry and fresh plum. Juicy and refreshing, it has a leveled amount of acidity and yet a roundness to the palate that should work well with food, finishing crisp and clean.
Juicy with blackberry and cola notes on the nose, but not overly dense thanks to a black-slate minerality, this wine offers somewhat simple grape-candy flavors on the palate along with lilacs and other purple flower elements. Those make for a fairly tasty and easy-to-quaff bottle.
Typical of Volver's wines, this everyday Monastrell opens with oaky, toasty, charred aromas of black cherry and blackberry. This is a little wiry and acidic, but it's also full and dense. Charred, spicy flavors of baked plum and clove finish with gusto and some heat.
Light, clear and crisp, this extremely light-bodied wine combines fruit from various vineyards and clones, and offers a suggestion of cranberry and pomegranate. Earthy, with an edge of forest and tea, it finishes plainly.
Dusty aromas of plum and berry fruits come with a touch of latex. This feels crisp, snappy and on edge. Lean, bright flavors of red currant and plum finish fresh, light and the slightest bit briny.
Rooty, stalky, earthy aromas are spread wide and thin. This Cab has a gritty feel and hard tannins. Stalky flavors of coffee grinds are herbal and tough, while heat, sauciness and tomato-leaf flavors suggest cool-climate origins. Overall this is racy and cool in style; drink now.
Tropical peach fuzz, grassiness and acidity give this wine a lively edge, supported by ample freshness on the palate, as well as length and body. A touch sour on the finish, it begs for just-caught seafood.
An unusual blend of 60% Barbera, 15% Nebbiolo, 20% Neretto and 5% Freisa, this offers sensations of ripe red berry, baked apple, bread crust, toasted hazelnut and a confectionary note. Brisk acidity and persistent bubbles give it a fun, informal vibe.
Made by Nick Goldschmidt, this vineyard-designate is 100% varietal and made in relatively small amounts. Sanguine, it's gamy and brimming in black cherry, blueberry, nutmeg and black pepper. It's both robust and soft.
In the cool, high vineyards of eastern Portugal, the Síria grape seems to have found a good home. It produces a crisp, fruity wine, with lemon and ripe apple flavors. Textured, tight and delicious, it brings bright acidity and lively fruitiness. Drink now.
Light flavors call up notes of toasted cracker and raspberry candy that are pleasant enough, but insubstantial. The addition of 3% Syrah to the blend may have helped to bump up the color, but this remains a rather thin and simple, quaffable wine.
Lemon custard, ripe Gala apples and a seemingly sweet candy element show on the nose of this wine from a family-owned producer. Bright energy and ripe apple characterize the palate, along with green pear skins and stonefruit.
This is a dark, sappy, saturated wine, and the power and grip of the fruit belies its claim of 12.9% alcohol. The Malbec is plenty ripe without being over-ripe, and the fruit retains a certain muscularity, along with a mélange of cherries, plums, rum-soaked raisins and coffee liqueur. Thoroughly delicious and captivating.
This has black cherry fruit flavor in spades, along with blueberry and sweet blackberry. It's smooth to the point of softness, with fully ripe tannins and a sweet but firm finish with chocolate, cherries and coffee grounds.
Firmly structured, with bitter black cherries, red berry fruits and concentrated but vibrant fruit. This is delicious Pinot Noir, not powerful, but immediately enjoyable. Aging? Maybe, but not more than 3–4 years.
Super-rich, this is an atypical wine, spice rather than fruit dominating. So enjoy the cinnamon, vanilla and cream flavors—the acidity is a minor element. The finish has exotic, spice-laden character. Screwcap.
A fine, elegant Pinot Noir, with juicy red fruits that roll around the mouth with freshness. While not powerful, this is delicious, cool Pinot Noir, just a touch peppery. Screwcap.
From its own estate, this Louis Latour wine is a ripe, strawberry- and juicy plum-flavored wine, sustained by a well- judged dry layer of tannins. It is sweet, the acidity showing through in the red fruits.
For this wine's modest reported alcohol level (8%), it doesn't come across as being overly sweet, but boasts a broad, fullish mouthfeel. Tropical fruit—mango—marries easily with peach and lime flavors and a touch of honey. Turns tart on the finish, adding more lime to the flavorful mix.
Malbec and Bonarda are the lead grapes in this four-variety blend that shows improvement from the 2004, which was tough. Loads of ripe, dark fruit lead the way, with chewy, dense berry flavors coming next. It's bolstered by warm, oaky hints that settle on mocha and spice, so it fits the familiar style of what is good Mendoza wine.
The nose on this white from Greece is cheerful and alluring, with its waves of citrus and flowers. On the palate, the wine offers more than just fun—it's an elegant balance of robust and refreshing, with flavors of mandarin orange, lemon and spice shot through with a dancing acidity. Approachable but complex.
Purple/black and compact, this wine needs plenty of breathing time to reveal its layers. Klipsun vineyard fruit brings power and tannic muscle. The aromas are intriguing; a bit overripe and raisiny, but also offering truffle, smoked meat and burnt toast.
True to its varietal character, this is earthy, on the rustic, farmyard side, but balanced with concentrated licorice and fresh black berries. There is a serious core of dusty tannins, but the other flavors dominate a wine that can be drunk now.
The Pannobile style is a blend of local varieties, this one dominated by Zweigelt. It's smooth and fruity, with soft tannins. There's a rustic edge to the fruit that gives some complexity. At the end, it's about the fresh berry acidity.
Roasted and meaty, with hints of raisin and licorice. The palate is ripe and chewy but balanced by solid tannins and fresh but natural acidity. And the flavors of blackberry, cassis and cola are true to the variety. Dense but approachable; drink now through 2009.
Rich and 100% barrel fermented, this delicious Chardonnay is thick and luscious, with buttered nuts, pineapple and candied citrus; a really concentrated wine with exceptional depth and density for the price. The oak is present and accounted for, but not at all intrusive; it's really a generously fruity wine with a big mid-palate. Outstanding value.
Merlot gives this wine a broad and flavorful midpalate of mixed berry and currant and cherry fruit; it's got plenty of acid below and tannin behind, and it lays out beautifully across the palate. The finishing tannins are lightly earthy, lightly chocolaty, and suggest pencil shavings and a splash of anise as well. Excellent value.
Full, round and soft, this is an immediately approachable and likeable Shiraz, with clean, slightly jammy blackberry fruit and hints of chocolate and mint. The combination of bold flavors and early accessibility should make this a steakhouse staple.
For several vintages running Broquel has nudged the border between very good and excellent, but as in years past the '06 is a touch tangy and racy, with black cherry, plum and berry flavors. It's bold, zippy and quite high-toned, but still it's very competent and held together.
A slightly heavier version of Verdejo, especially given 2007's cool conditions in Rueda. The wine has waxy peach and papaya aromas follwed by apricot, pineapple and mango flavors. It definitely opens on the palate and then finishes with a fleshy texture, additional fruit and even some nuts. Good complexity yet still a forward type of white wine.
A rich, cherry- and black fig-flavored wine, layered with smokiness, some wood and a dry, firm core of tannins. There is a juicy quality from the blend's Blaufränkisch, while Cabernet Sauvignon lends the tannins. Aging over 3–4 years.
Black berries, spice and black plums are the dominant flavors of this blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon. Austerity and minerality layer within the dry firm fruits. The wood shows well, a foil for the freshness, acidity and dry tannins. Screwcap.
Complex aromas and flavors of blackberries, leather, roasted meat and coffee show plenty of class, and this wine appears to firm up in the glass, offering more structure than its initial suppleness and amplitude suggest. It may close up for a few years, so try it now, or hold and try it after 2012.
Palette is a sensational value from one of Walla Walla's still-unrecognized superstar vineyards, Spofford Station. This Cab/Merlot blend is saturated with fruit and beautifully crafted. In a difficult year (2004 froze out most Walla Walla vineyards) it is a rare jewel. Hints of compost, earth, mushroom and other herbal elements add interest, and the wine is buoyed with lively acid.
Very fresh, very raspberry, this wine opens gently with sweetness and roundness. The tannins do come into play, but ever so gently, a counterpoint to the sweet, fine fruits that dominate this attractive, relatively early drinking wine.
Poised and elegant, this has deliciously restrained fruit that shows green plum flavors and a layer of pepper. To finish this finely balanced wine, there is a layer of fresh acidity. Needs another 3–4 years to develop and round out.
This outstanding Walla Walla boutique has established a track record for consistent improvement, and the white wines are best of show. Once again this 2006 blend is smooth, round and richly endowed with mixed stone fruits. Lovely aromas build a dense cloud of complex fruit, toast and caramel scents around the glass; once in the mouth the full-bodied fruit takes hold with lychee, peach and stone fruits. Immaculate and persistent, this stunning wine just keeps on coming.
DeLille's D2 red (51% Merlot/38% Cabernet Sauvignon/8% Cab Franc/3% Petit Verdot) is a declassified wine in the best possible sense—the grapes come from all of the winery's premier vineyard sources. The result is a substantial, even meaty red wine, muscular rather than plump. The fruit is layered and tart, its flavors laced with smoke, tar and licorice. The wine gathers strength in the midpalate, then gradually unfolds through the finish with polished tannins that are just slightly herbal.
This is 100% Malbec, so inky it is black in color. The flavors echo the color, with amazing density. Black fruits, black olives, smoke and spice are structured around thick tannins. A minute-plus finish adds licorice and mint; even after being opened for a full 48 hours this wine remained fresh and balanced. It's the first varietal Malbec ever from Walla Walla Vintners, but certainly one hopes it is not the last.
The first vintage of this experimental, 7,000 vines per acre wine. An intense, dense wine, all the herbaceous, mineral character of Sauvignon Blanc is magnified with orange zest, touches of pear skin and a steely acidity.
Smooth, rich and dense with a touch of sweetness, packed with intense flavors of sweet potatoes, pepper and honey. The texture is thick, creamy, weighty and concentrated. One of the library releases of selected wines, produced by Knoll in the best years.
The Wahluke Slope, Washington's second-newest AVA, is proving to be one of the great Syrah-growing regions in the country because of the purity of the fruit, with rich black cherry and blackberry fruit, spiced up with white pepper and hints of cured meat. It's still quite young and tightly wound, but air it out and you'll find hints of gravel and earth.
With lively spice flavors and delicious red apple and white currant flavors, this is a spicy wine that just keeps cool and lively. There is some pepper and tropical fruit, but this is more about great, fresh, green fruits.
On the forefront are weight, superripe white fruits, intense pepper and considerable richness. It's rococo in its ornamentation and its exuberance.
Cheval des Andes brings together Cheval Blanc from St.-Emilion with Terrazas de los Andes, and for the past few years it has been the leader in Bordeaux-style wines from Argentina. The 2004 shows serious barrel notes framing classic aromas of aged gouda, saddle leather, mushroom and concentrated berries. The palate is structured, mildly tannic and layered with blackberry, cassis, raisin and licorice flavors. It's good now or will age nicely for another four to six years.
A botrytized wine that definitely shows honey and ripe fruit, along with the ethereal acidity. The wine is sweet and fresh, the richness only hinted at in the mouth. A library wine that is only produced in years when there is botrytis.
The medieval moated castle of Agassac is a fairytale place. The wine, after serious investments, is now showing well. This 2012 is smooth and rich, with black plum fruits and currants giving a ripe feel. The wood aging is already well integrated in this solid, generous wine. Drink from 2018.
Named after a property that Bill Foley's family owns in Texas, this kicks off with citrusy crème brûlée and tight honey elements on the nose. It opens softly with French toast on the palate, then tightens up with limestone minerality and lemon rind acidity. Just enough buttery vanilla lingers into the finish.
Aromas of baked sour cherry tart precede pleasing wafts of violet and lavender. From a vineyard planted largely to a field selection of the Swan clone, it offers an expected earthiness and spiciness that intrigues around a core of balanced tension between fruit, acid and oak.
Much is exciting about this boutique, Italian-varietal winery, including this lighter Nebbiolo, which offers juicy berry aromas along with incense and intense hibiscus. It's bright and lively on the palate, with pressed strawberry lifted by clove, nutmeg, orange peel and Christmas cookie spices, all set against leathery tannins.
Fermented 50% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak and concrete, this appealing wine offers notes of wild strawberries, brown stems and cigar box. It's fully flavored with a supple feel, with tannins that will benefit from some time in the cellar and a cinnamon-filled finish.
Black as night in the glass and noticeably viscous, this shows brooding aromas of heavy char, black tobacco, cassis, bloody meat and balsamic vinegar. The palate isn't so heavy, though. Good acidity and tannins glide across the tongue while offering flavors of pencil lead, black cherry extract and black pepper.
This structured red opens with aromas of tilled earth, mature plum, toasted oak, leather and a whiff of cellar floor. The vibrant palate delivers crushed black cherry, plum cake, cinnamon and dried sage, with assertive tannins and bright acidity. It closes on a licorice note. Drink 2018–2030.
One of the largest estates in the Médoc, this misses being in Pauillac by being—literally—on the wrong side of the rail tracks. Regardless, the location ultimately gives the wine depth and richness. It's ripe, dark, dense and very structured, showing the new wood that will integrate. Drink from 2018.
This opens with aromas of spiced plum, oak, vanilla and leather. The smooth, concentrated palate offers ripe black cherry, juicy raspberry, mocha, clove, tobacco, black pepper and licorice alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2023.
From a historic vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon develops in the glass, evolving from muted aromas of earth and cinnamon spice to subtle cherry, cassis and oak. Balanced and lovely, the spice stays on the tongue throughout the long finish. It can easily be enjoyed now, but has the structure to age well through 2022.
With experience making Sangiovese in Italy, it's no wonder that winemaker Alessio Carli shines with the grape from this vineyard planted in rocky limestone 25 miles east of Monterey Bay. Aromas of leather, sour plums and cranberry lead into soft flavors of raspberry fruit, tar and espresso. Leathery grip gives it a slightly rustic feel as well.
In a lighter style than other Grüners in the single-vineyard range, this comes from a gravel and loess vineyard close to the Schloss. The wine is fresh, erring on crisp, emphasizing the green and spice Grüner flavors. The aftertaste brings out the acidity.
Terraced vineyards with poor soil allow the Riesling to struggle as it ripens. This gives terroir-driven mineral tension to this tight, coiled wine, full of acidity and grapefruit flavors. The aftertaste is so fresh that the wine seems to just float away.
Pretty robust in style for Merlot, with the ripe black-cherry fruit framed by plenty of structure. There's a minty or resiny note to the aromas and flavors, which imparts a slightly medicinal edge to the prolonged finish. Drink now–2012, possibly beyond.
Ripe and on the cusp of being classified as “raisiny,” but in the final analysis this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo from one of the Penedès' best cava producers has plenty of appeal. Look for sweet, friendly plum, cassis and prune flavors sitting on a saturated, cuddly palate. Drink soon to capture the wine's livelier qualities; further aging will not help it.
This rosé features a copper cast to its salmon-pink hue, with simultaneously complex and delicate aromas of crushed stone, citrus and brine. It's refreshingly zesty on the finish, brought alive by its salty minerality. Try it over the next year with grilled sardines or fried fish.
Here's a highly recommended, everyday Ribera del Duero wine that starts with a full, round nose of charcoal, wild berry patch and oak. The oak, however, is tame (just three months of barrel time for this youngster) not forced, thus the cherry and raspberry fruit has vibrancy and balance.
Supremely dense, with plum and berry jam, charred beef and molasses on the nose. The flavors go straight to blackberry, vanilla and chocolate, while the feel is full-bodied and probably a touch more tannic than desirable. Flush and even more tannic on the finish. Needs food and/or time in the cellar.
Made from a 50-50 blend of Merlot and Marselan, this budget-priced entrée to the wines of Domaine de la Mordorée features lovely spice and leather shadings and a wonderfully silky, medium-weight texture in the mouth. Let's hope that the Delorme brothers can expand this production without compromising quality.
There is ripe, soft fruit on this gently rounded wine. It has good depth of blackberry flavors, given an edge of minerality and concentrated fruit juice acidity. This could benefit from another 2 years' bottle aging. Screwcap.
Abacela's dedication to Iberian varieties extends to this bright and peppery take on Albariño. Fresh, bracing and bone dry, it evokes the wines of Rías Baixas without losing its New World flesh and ripeness. Delicious already, it seems likely to improve for at least another two or three years.
Ripeness is evident in the wine's earthy nose, which blends prune, tire rubber and spice with good results. Serious and medium-bodied for Cabernet Sauvignon, with a cascade of red-berry flavors followed closely by a wave of dry oak and mocha. Shows some drying tannins and a peppery aftertaste. Drink now–2009.
This style of simply yummy, quaffable wine is what Australian Grenache is so capable of producing. Despite high alcohol (16.5%), it doesn't show heat on the palate, instead offering oodles of black cherries and some accents of baking spices. It's round, supple and easy to drink, with a touch of coffee on the finish. Imported by USA Wine West.
Value and quality come with Faustino's 2007 rosé. Red licorice nibs, spice and cherry-raspberry aromas set it off in the right direction. The palate is wide, but good acidity keeps the nectarine and sweet grapefruit flavors on target. Dry, pithy and fleshy on the finish. It's the type of dry rosé that we want to drink.
The crispness is paramount here, maybe too much, meaning that the wine is very green. Of course, this is Riesling and is way too young now. For the moment, the fruit is taut and strung out, and it certainly needs 2–3 years.
After an initial blast of raw oak this Ribera settles nicely to show appealing leather and berry aromas along with savory blackberry and molasses flavors. There's also ample spice, chocolate and toast to give it a dark personality. Nice for a young wine; it's flush, lush and quite dense.
Charred on top and showing roasted berry aromas underneath. This wine sizes up as a plump, round berry ball with low-to-medium acidity and soft tannins. It's just mildly herbal and rooty, with a soft finish. It flows smoothly and won't cause any eyebrows to be raised. Drink now.
Don't let the price tag fool you; this is a sophisticated blend with Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Syrah comprising a quarter of the total. Aromatic and inviting, it brings spicy berry, red currant and Bing cherry fruit into play. Chewy tannins carry a hint of herb, and the presence of new oak is minimal at best. Just a hint of chocolate malt hits in the finish.
Contino gives its single-vineyard Graciano all that it can, and still the wine, despite its deep purple color, is tight as a drum. There's juniper and blueberry on the nose, and then tangy blackberry flavors with an herbal slant. As varietal Graciano goes, this is nicely done. But it's up to you to decide if varietal Graciano is worth $147 a pop.
This plump, medium-bodied Chardonnay boasts aromas and flavors of smoke and grilled pineapple. It may be a little on the simple side, but it's well done, combining ample varietal character with an appetizing bit of oak.
A fresh citrus and delicate tropical fruit nose gives this Durbanville white a stylish start. Steely and crisp on the palate, with flavors of gooseberry and grass, the wine is balanced and soft. Pair with grilled seafood or salads.
Sharp, spicy, tastes of apples, with plenty of flesh. Ripe and straightforward, showing none of the sugar, vanilla and excessive oak chip flavors of most cheap Chardonnays. Solid winemaking, juicy acids, and a fine food wine for six bucks.
This rich, savory Shiraz starts with a nose of cherry, sweet spice, pepper and plum and on the palate, offers elegance and balance with big flavors. Structured tannins and a spicy overall character give the wine heft. A treat with class.
Delivers rather standard Chardonnay aromas and flavors, ranging from hints of toast to ripe peaches and pineapple. It's nicely balanced, showing some lush texture on the midpalate yet retaining citrusy freshness on the finish. Well done, and well priced. Drink now.
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.
Made in an off-dry style, the Villa Wolf 2007 Gewürz boasts classic musky aromas of lychee and spice and even develops some rose-like notes on the palate. It's medium-bodied, finishing soft and mellow.
This dry, spicy Cabernet starts with aromas of tobacco, tea and savory spice. Its rich fruit and smoky spice flavors are big and have an appealing roundness, but the overall character is clean, spice-driven. A hearty red that will pair well with grilled ribs, BBQ.
A smooth, wood-aged wine that shows ripe black berry fruits, already maturing. The soft tannins give a cushion of support, but the dominant factor in this wine is the easy, ready-to-drink maturity. The wine is named after the Irish 18 century founder of the property.
An alluring nose of mocha, dark fruit and tobacco spice starts this stylish Shiraz. Rich, integrated flavors of mint, cherry and a touch of smoke are appealing and serious. A lingering finish adds to the classy character. Pair with a savory stew.
Kirsten's Feinherb, or gently sweet bottling, maintains a firm foundation of stoniness, but also embraces softer, less angular dimensions of spring blossom and peach. High-toned acidity brighten and lifts the palate through a long finish. Drink now through 2021.
A bit lighter in color than other Rhône blends, certainly due to the 40% Counoise (and bolstered by 36% Mourvèdre and 24% Grenache), this offers a punchy red-currant, orange-rind and chaparral-scrub nose. Fresh cracked black pepper, cranberry-orange-plum juice and a rich earthy tone show on the palate.
This is the producer's inaugural foray into the variety, sourced from the Oak Knoll area. The wine is inspired by the Loire Valley and its well-known Cabernet Franc. Coopered in French oak and stainless steel, it retains a subtle crispness and light body, the acidity supporting highlights of floral white fig, pear and honey.
Blistered red plum, savory herbs, black olive and a touch of green peppercorn show on the nose of this blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Pencil lead and black peppercorns come through on the palate, spicing up the black-cherry, clay-earth and roasted-coffee flavors. It goes down easy.
Loads of clove, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg spice show up the strawberry, blueberry and red cherry aromas of this lavish bottling, which also offers scents of crushed rock and turned earth. Similar elements entertain the palate, culminating with a minty pine needle note, proving to be a very dynamic sip.
White summer blossoms and ripe green pears make for a fresh scent. The palate lifts these notions with bright lemon acidity. All is buoyed by some residual carbon dioxide. Drink soon while this is at its aromatic height.
Apple, pear and stone-fruit flavors are vibrant and fresh from nose to finish of this delicately sweet Kabinett. It offers uncomplicated refreshment, but is anchored with taut acidity and honed, steely minerality. The finish is long and persistent.
This is a sophisticated blend of tart yellow fruits with hints of cucumber, salad greens and lemon oil. Though 80% stainless steel fermented, the rest spent time in new oak. The mineral rich acids provide extra grip.
Red-cherry and strawberry aromas meld with rich fruit and warm baking-spice flavors to make this full-bodied wine hard to resist. The style is in the ripe, pastry shop mode, and soft tannins and acidity complete the picture.
Guava and caramelized honey scent this lusciously fruity yet dry Riesling. It's ripe and silken on the palate, but vibrantly structured, finishing on a mouthwatering crush of tangerine flavor. Drink now through 2020.
This bright and fruity Beaujolais-style wine is as light and refreshing as a young wine can possibly be. It delivers a smile-inducing burst of strawberry and cherry fruit—round, ripe and juicy. You absolutely want to drink this sometime in 2016 while all that youthful energy remains.
Aromas of mulled black fruits, vanilla, tobacco, orange peel and earth are a touch jumbled, but compartmentalized—this smells nice. Wiry and fresh in feel, but with a slightly hollow midsection, this tastes peppery, oaky and like cherry and black plum. A toasty finish with snappy acidity solidifies this medium-weight La Mancha Tempranillo. Drink through 2019.
Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, fennel, toast and baking spice come together in the glass. The taut, focused, palate shows ripe black cherry, red raspberry, mineral and licorice while fresh acidity and firm tannins provide balance. Drink 2019 through 2024.
From 100% estate-grown grapes, and possessing 6.8 g/L of residual sugar, this wine is lovely in peach, pear and lemon, and quite voluptuous in texture, with a hint of spice. Pretty floral aromas of jasmine provide additional flourish and invitation, with the finish dry.
In this wine, red berries and currants burst out of the glass. These are balanced with apple and citrus acidity to give a wine that is all about delicious fruit and refreshing acidity. Drink now.
Lightly scented, this opens with aromas of yellow stone fruit, citrus and a whiff of aromatic herb. The bright, medium-bodied palate offers creamy peach, mature green apple and a hint of nectarine while a mineral note fills in the juicy finish.
Deep but not showy aromas of velvety lilacs, concentrated blackberry and river rocks pop on the nose of this blend of 42% Syrah, 37% Grenache, 14% Mourvèdre and 7% Counoise. Rounded purple-fruit flavors mesh with a silky, earthy texture on the palate, with olallieberry, caramel and a slow rising acidity.
This is an exuberantly fruity, spicy and robust wine, speckled with 2% Petite Sirah. Dark and full of red berry flavor, the palate is dusted in brown sugar and black pepper. Ripe and concentrated, it drinks smooth and elegant despite its serious power.
This blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec and 22% Petit Verdot is rich and layered on the nose with black-cherry, blueberry, dark-chocolate and roasted-beef aromas. The palate kicks off with a touch of mint, then offers thick blueberry, coffee syrup and soy flavors. The structure is still quite sticky, and will open with time.
Grippy leather and tobacco provide a gravelly texture and burly nature to this medium-bodied wine, which finds its groove in the glass. Concentrated and dense, it offers smoother elements of black currant, cassis and leather on the finish.
Cherry, plum, vanilla and mild oak aromas feed into a medium-bodied, elegant palate with plum and cherry flavors supported by a touch of toasty oak and vanilla. Notes of café mocha and toast grace a crisp finish that isn't trying too hard.
The man who makes a million Syrahs dives into a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah on this bottling, which offers composting lilac, black pepper, fresh boysenberry, dried herb and a tarry quality on the nose. There's a strong blackberry-balsamic reduction flavor once sipped, as well as beef char, elderberry and more tar.
Pineapple and lime peel start the nose of this layered Assyrtiko. On the palate, it unfolds with a combination of lemon peel, grapefruit and sea salt. This wine can age for several years but is good to drink now; pair with lamb, fresh fish or Asian cuisine.
Typical for this winery, this smells a bit herbal, with tomato and earthy plum aromas leading the way. Scratchy, grabby tannins support savory, herbal berry flavors. Hard tannins struggle to resolve themselves on a firm, muscular finish.
Schloss Vollrad's standard-label Kabinett has a distinctly sheer, almost ephemeral lightness. Juicy white peach and grapefruit flavors shine brightly on the palate, but are edged by angularities of acidity and crushed stone. It finishes long with a lingering kiss of sweetness.
From vines that were 79 years old when the fruit was harvested, this is made in a deliberately lean style to encourage cellaring. Notes of lemon, crushed stone and apple skin are taut and dry, with a dusty, tactile sensation on the finish. Drink now, or hold through at least 2020 to allow for more development.
From the vineyard once known as Alisos comes this wine, with aromas of soft clove, red cherry and a touch of sage. A strong ginger spice reigns over the palate, which is bitingly acidic, and shows dark strawberry fruit and dark thyme herbs. This wine is still quite wound up, but that acidity will prove mouthwatering for years to come.
Lightly structured, this is a balanced, ripe wine. It has profited from the good vintage to offer strawberry, raspberry and citrus flavors that are well balanced and textured. Drink this attractive wine now.
The closed nose leads onto a compact palate that mixed red cherry notes with sandalwood oak spice. This is elegant and evolves beautifully in the glass. It will sing with earthy mushroom dishes.
This is the companion wine to the equally-flirty Buxom Blonde White. Here the blend includes Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese. It has substantial scents and flavors of fig and prune, earth and espresso. Done in a dark, soft, ready-to-drink style, it's fine for drinking with any barbequed meats.
Cline makes a lot of this wine and they do a good job with it. Soft and leathery in spicy baked plum and blackberry, this is a perfet wine to pair with a myriad of midweek meals and outdoor parties.
This blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc gives a crisp, lightly textured wine, floral in character with flavors of white peach and plum. Ready to drink.
Piercing, jabbing aromas of wood and berry fruits lead to a juicy, acidic, fresh feeling palate with light, oaky, generic flavors of minty berry, herbs and oak. A modest, oaky finish is undistinguished.
Initially this smells burnt and gritty, with leafy aromas and a whiff of tar. The mouthfeel is grabby, while flavors of roasted berry, burnt leaves and leather finish rustic and hard.
Pushy, smoky, forceful aromas of roasted blackberry and campfire set up a sticky feeling, slightly gummy palate that's full of berry, plum and rubbery flavors. On the finish, this flattens out and becomes heavier.
Dense, stewy, baked aromas of blueberry and Graham cracker lead to a blocky, flabby palate with earthy flavors of stewed berries and prune. In many ways this registers as overripe and raisiny.
Although Argentina is hardly Pinot Grigio country, this is a tropical-style quaffer with good balance and enough acidity to avoid coming across heavy. Creamy aromas of melon and lychee set up flavors of nectarine and tangerine. A lasting but modest finish is fair and appropriate.
Hailing from the cool 2011 vintage, it's light in style with notes of red currant, herbs and olive with little apparent oak influence. A straight-forward easy quaffer.
This fruity wine is a sugary mix of bubble gum, mint and syrupy peaches. It consists of bold flavors, but lacks the delicacy that Riesling can show in many vintages.
Dominated by Sylvaner but with some fragrant Muscat also in the blend, this is a perfumed wine, fresh while soft. It's delicate, balanced, cut neatly with acidity. A great apéritif wine.
Just 75% Cabernet, the rest a mix of Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot, this turns generic, with bitter berry flavors. There's a little toastiness backing the tannins but a short finish, overall.
A mouthful of ripe, fruity jam and baking spice from a vineyard also sourced by the producer for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nicely aromatic, with all that's good about affordable Malbec from Argentina: bold fruit, depth and some richness. The palate is plump and stocked with tasty blackberry, plum and raisin flavors, while the finish is sturdy and subtle. A good wine that should not offend anyone.
Shows pretty good concentration and depth on the nose, where it only slightly hints at the herbal character that comes later. The palate is a touch astringent, with cola, blackberry and herbal flavors. Persistent on the finish, but also herbal and not overly complex.
Nice Pinot, with light tomato, mint, lemon peel and red plum aromas. The palate is dry and refreshing, with purity and citrusy raspberry/cherry flavors. Shows more weight and stuffing toward the finish, but stays narrow in terms of flavor. One of Chile's most expensive Pinot Noirs.
Here's an 100% unoaked Chard that offers ripe tropical notes of mango and pineapple alongside flavors of rich red apple and canteloupe in the round mouth. Softly prickling acidity leads nicely into the fruity finish.
The warm Burgenland climate has produced a Sauvignon Blanc that goes for the yellow fruits and richness. But there is also a good, crisp lemon streak that brightens the whole wine. For drinking this summer. Screwcap.
An attractive, fresh Chablis, with flavors of juicy currants, spice and lime juice. It is crisp and shows full final fruit and acidity.
Cola, rubber, cool blackberry and spice make for a good set of aromas, while the palate is tight and drawing, with tannic bite to go with bawdy black fruit flavors that veer toward roasted. Finishes with length along with coffee and olive flavors. A little astringent but good wine.
This medium-bodied wine piles strong smoky, savory flavors on a relatively light frame to give a lot of taste impact without heaviness. Aromas are like tobacco and black olive, turning to licorice and dark berries on the palate.
Almost overripe peach notes dominate the nose. Far more sprightly, the palate has a phenolic, textured note of citrus pith with a pleasantly bitter aspect. The finish is warm but fresh.
Cool-climate aromas of olive, tomato and herbs are prominent on this Leyda Valley Syrah. High acidity is derived from coastal origins, and it creates a shrill sensation. Flavors of blueberry, cassis and herbs are saucy and a touch minty, while this is toasty on the finish, with a redux of olive and spice notes.
Very deep purple for a rosé, although still transparent, this could be mistaken for a light red wine. That's also true for the aromas that include cherry pie, cola and a light dusting of clove. There is a tangy tension to the sip, then flavors of baked red cherry, pastry crust and more clove. It's rather delicious, but a tad heavy for a pink wine.
Clean, ripe and pure, this attractive rosé opens with scents of red currant, slightly medicinal cherry and savory herbs. Light weight and refreshing, the easy-pleasing red-fruit flavors are bright and tasty on the palate and linger softly through the close. Drink now.
Earthy plum and cherry aromas are cool and lightly herbal. This feels juicy and tight, but clean. Flavors of herbal plum are a touch roasted, while this everyday Cab finishes spicy and the slightest bit green.
With firm dry tannins, the wine gets its balance from the ripe black-plum skins and fine acidity. It is a fruity wine although with plenty of structure. It is ready to drink, balanced but firm.
Slightly overripe cherry, prune and raisin aromas lead to a full plump palate. This is dark, dense in body and moderate in terms of acidity and structure. Ripe berry flavors end loamy but short. Drink now. Tasted twice with inconsistent results—this note mostly reflects the better of the two wines tasted.
Dry, spicy berry aromas are pedestrian but fine. This is tight, fresh and a touch scraping on the palate, with plum, currant and roasted flavors. Spicy, minty and solid on the finish, this is a perfectly good Merlot with limitations.
Light, crisp and fruity, this is a bright, citrus driven wine. It is dry, full of ripe apricot and grapefruit flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
A singe of charred wood lends toasty complexity to this berried brambly wine. It's supple and concentrated yet crisp and light on its feet. The finish is long, marked by a touch of savory beetroot.
Produced for the Xavier Flouret brand at Château des Demoiselles in the Vallée d'Esclans in the heart of the Côtes de Provence, this is a fresh wine that wears its fruit on its sleeve. With citrus mingling with red fruits, it is bright with acidity, finishing with a tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
Briny, cool-coast aromas of pinched plum and berry lead to a full-bodied palate bolstered by high acidity. Tart plum, cherry and herbal flavors finish crisp, short and basic. This is a good, standard Pinot Noir, nothing more or less.
Plump, easy, mostly neutral aromas of white fruits and crushed vitamin set up a drawing palate with citric acidity. Simple, ripe nectarine and citrus flavors confirm a good but largely innocuous Chardonnay.
Baked strawberry, leather and a touch of caramel show on the nose of this dusty, rustic take on the Italian grape. The flavors are similar to the nose, with lots of turned earth sprinkled over a brighter, acid-driven black-cherry background.
Bristling acidity lends vitality to this full-bodied Chardonnay. Fresh tangerine, lemon and lime flavors are moderately concentrated on the palate, accented by touches of savory nut and smoke.
This dark-pink wine has aromas to match, recalling black cherry, strawberry and cola. The palate is surprisingly more restrained, offering fruit punch and a wide array of spice-rack flavors. It makes a perfect pairing for Indian or other rich and spicy Asian cuisine.
Thick, concentrated and syrupy, this is a burly, rustic and ripe wine, 100% varietal and aged partially in new French oak. It has a nutty aroma and a touch of smoke.
This offers subdued aromas of dark berry, oak, espresso, exotic spice and a whiff of violet. The palate shows dried black cherry, star anise and roasted coffee bean alongside firm but fleeting tannins that give it a rather short finish.
Golden in color, this honeyed wine offers full-bodied flavors of graham cracker and apple skin that maintain an intensity on the palate, fruity and thick.
Lemon candy and banana-chip aromas on the nose of this bottling lean into the tropical realm, and yet an orange-juice freshness keeps it light. Flavors of marzipan, bubblegum and banana cream make for a ripe palate, enhanced by a sea-salt richness and a clean finish.
Spicy-sweet notes of dried orange peel and mango waft from this aromatic late-harvest wine. Lip-smacking marmalade sweetness is countered by a piercing strike of lemon acidity. Juicy and quaffable, it would be a lovely accompaniment to spicy Asian cuisine or a cheese plate.
Maple-syrup aromas and a practically syrupy texture make this full-bodied wine taste sweet, while baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla accent the deep, ripe blackberry and black-cherry flavors. It's a very tasty wine for oak lovers.
Very light and reserved on the nose at first whiff, this wine eventually allows aromas of smoked pork, red cherry and a light dusting to dried herbs to emerge. The palate is also delicate with cranberry and peppery herbs, making for an easy, engaging if not overly complex sipper.
With layers of ripe tannins and generous red fruits, this is an attractive, fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has a smoky, meaty character that contrasts with the fine fruits. Drink now.
A bright, tight and crisp wine that is is mineral, tangy and refreshing to drink. It hints at the ripe fruits that will develope through 2017.
This is a rich, smoothly textured wine. Pear and apricot fruits are blended with shots of lemon to give a perfumed wine that has a lightly spicy character. Drink this ripe wine from 2017.
Savory berry aromas are accompanied by spice notes and a hint of latex. This feels wide rather than precisely shaped. Baked, earthy, oaky flavors envelop stewed berry notes, and the wine feels wayward on the finish.
Blue flower, espresso, menthol and dried sage aromas lead the nose. The full-bodied tannic palate offers dried black cherry and the warmth of alcohol alongside oak-driven sensations of coconut, roasted coffee bean and a hint of licorice. Solid grainy tannins provide the framework and give it a somewhat astringent finish.
While the nose is subdued, the palate of this semidry Riesling offers loads of fresh peach and yellow-cherry flavors. It's crisply balanced with fresh lime acidity and a brisk revitalizing finish.
The wine is young and with some firm tannins that suggest it needs to age before drinking. Along with the tannins, there are juicy black-currant fruits and a perfumed aftertaste. The wine comes from vineyards in the far east of the Bordeaux region. Drink from 2018.
Pineapple and lemon rind aromas lead into flavors of full-bodied honey, apple and tropical fruit. Robust and layered with flavor, but the finish is bright. An assertive and fruit-forward wine with ageable potential.
Cherry, strawberry and baking spices combine in this medium-bodied wine that offers texture and soft, supple layers of refreshing acidity.
Subtle aromas of red berry, new leather, forest floor and a whiff of tobacco lead the nose. On the straightforward, rather lean palate, firm polished tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework for red cherry, cranberry and a hint of clove. Drink 2019–2025.
High-toned aromas of dried herb, cherry liqueur, red apple and baking spice are followed by full-bodied generous dark-fruit flavors. Grainy tannins provide support. It finishes a bit green and gritty.
This wine is 70% Grenache with the rest equal parts Mourvèdre and Syrah. Aromas of olive, earth, orange peel, black pepper and flower are followed by full-bodied red and black-fruit flavors. It shows intrigue but doesn't quite come together.
Full bodied and fleshy, this is an approachable wine, richly concentrated in candied-peach flavor that pleases and finds a balance between power and grace.
Coming from the state's premier Riesling vineyard, this wine opens with lightly styled aromas of slate, apricot and peach. It drinks a hair off dry, with honeyed stone-fruit flavors.
Mature, oily aromas of melon and sweet potato lack vivacity. This blend of Albariño, Caiño Blanco and Loureiro feels mature, with lightly oxidized stone-fruit flavors. A plump, dry-tasting finish indicates that it should be drunk right away.
Full-bodied and broad in the mouth, this Marsanne delivers aromas of singed marshmallow, ripe melon and pear. Flavors follow in a similar vein, adding a bit of citrus on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Broad, foresty black-fruit aromas are spicy and lush. Although this Petit Verdot is nice on the nose and tastes good, the mouthfeel is off due to shrill tartaric acidity. Savory and sour plum flavors clash, and it feels raw and grating on the finish.
Plum, raspberry and floral aromas create an appealing nose. This everyday Rioja feels tight and pulling, with scratchy tannins. A flavor profile dominated by red berries feels tannic and rubbery on the finish.
A blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Carignan, meaty aromas are center-stage in the bouquet, with supporting tones of black currant and licorice. It's dense and dark on the palate, with plush flavors of cherry and Bakers chocolate that carry through to the medium-weight close.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up three-quarters of this blend, with the rest Syrah (20%) and Grenache. Aromas of cedar, sawdust, vanilla, herb and medicine cabinet lead to creamy feeling fruit flavors. It brings appeal but the oak seems a bit too primary.
You'll find earthy aromas of used leather, game and a slight whiff of barnyard on this soulful red. The funky aromas follow over to the palate along with fleshy black cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and a note of salted game. The rounded tannins are rather forward for such a young Barolo. Drink 2019–2025.
This wine was aged for 34 months in a mixture of French (85%) and American oak. Light aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and barrel spice lead to full-bodied slightly sharp-seeming fruit and barrel flavors supported by firm tannins. It shows a lot of warmth on the finish.
This wine is a bit reductive out of the gate, opening to reveal aromas of pear, peach, melon, lees and spice. The palate is creamy and textured in feel. If the aromas come together, it could move up a notch.
A fruity wine, with juicy red fruits and a balance of light, dry tannins. The wine is dusty, firm, showing some earthy barnyard character. The aftertaste brings out acidity.
Perfect apéritif Vinho Verde, light as a feather, attractively laced with citrus and peach flavors. It has a light prickle on the tongue, with a soft aftertaste.
Light and mostly neutral smelling, with a hint of pear and apple. The palate is zesty, lean and well cut, however the flavors are more pithy and bitter, with orange and nectarine notes. Finishes hot and peppery.
Should Bordeaux be 14%? Maybe, but not this wine. It is too big, dry, tannin-dominated and heavy. There is way too much extraction, and it shows in the bitter character.
Fine-grained tannins course through this wine. It has good juicy currant fruits along with acidity. It feels lightweight, without great concentration, but is certainly immediately attractive.
An inexpensive, large-production Pinot that's overly earthy and a little thin on the finish with a smidgen of residual sugar thrown in too, but reasonably priced and decently quaffable with food.
Here's a lively and fruit-driven Pinotage with a hint of fudgy brownie adding depth to the forward black berry and cherry fruit. The palate is light and easygoing with low tannins and a short but clean finish. Drink up.
Mildly stemmy and rubbery on the nose, then grabby and chalky on the palate, with herbal, jumbled red fruit and earthy flavors. Dry, short and juicy on the finish, which is solid and average in length.
Slightly confectionary, with cinnamon and vanilla notes alongside cherries and caramel. Finishes with a touch of warmth.
Something is lacking in this, which has a dominant aroma of baked bread and savory mushrooms. Tannic and oaky, its year spent in American oak, 30% of that new, hasn't done it many favors.
More briary and green than Torino's regular Don David Cab, with aromas of vinegar, lettuce, tomato and green pepper. Tannic, tight and juicy in the mouth, with green-leaning red currant and plum flavors. Tannic and grating on the finish.
Time has not tamed this in-your-face, oaky, high-octane Syrah, which on the label says it's also known as “rasta red.” The wine is very tannic, smelling of earth and tar and sticky caramel and could use a touch more fruitiness to give it a lift. Do not attempt to drink without a sauce-slathered side of beef.
Light-textured wine, with its berry fruits dominant. Hints of wood aging balance with fruit tannins and acidity. Very accessible, the finish earthy and rustic.
A bit stalky to begin with; there's tobacco, herbs and generic berry aromas that turn raisiny upon airing. The palate is definitely on the raisiny side, and thus it's sweet, a bit flat and ultimately tastes and feels slightly overripe.
Herbal, earthy aromas tell the story. The wine has heft and stemmy qualities, with sweet berry and coffee flavors along with mounting warmth. Turns more herbal and earthy as it airs out, with staunch acidity and a rubbery tannic grip.
A disjointed, out-of-the-box Malbec that starts out peanutty and earthy on the nose. Things round out aromatically, but in the mouth it's angular and edgy, with stunted blackberry flavors offset by tartness. Has its positives but overall it doesn't fully click.
Plum, spice and red berries on the nose and palate give this wine character. The palate is dry and spicy with a focused edge.
The wine is noted as off dry on the back label, but you won't taste any sweetness whatsoever. It's tart, green, almost sour, with green apple fruit that hints at cardboard in the finish.
Almond skin, green banana and pool water aromas precede a spritzy, citric, acidic palate. Flavors of white grapefruit, melon and apple finish zesty and briny, with a citric aftertaste similar to a gin & tonic.
This light-hearted wine comes from a blend of the Gaillac native Duras grape with Syrah. It has raspberry fruitiness fresh with crisp acidity, and a light touch of tannin. Drink now.
Murky, earthy aromas are suggestive of animal hide. Rubbery and bouncy in feel, this tastes like generic Carmenère, meaning blackberry, coffee grinds and herbal berry flavors dominate.
Aromas of latex, strawberry and raspberry Kool-Aid are fine but reticent. Choppy, citric and high in acidity, this has a tight mouthfeel to go with semitart flavors of pink grapefruit and tangerine. Citric acidity drives the finish, which is tangy and intense.
This is a stalky wine. Even though it is full in the mouth, it still has a tight, green character typical of unripe Tannat. The blend is 80% Tannat, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tannins and bell pepper flavors go with the firm structure and the acidity at the end. Drink from 2017.
Coming from a San Benito County appellation created in 2008, this wine shows dried blueberry, blackberry, leather and earthy black loam on the nose. Blueberry comes through on the palate, boosted by pepper, tobacco and a bit of espresso.
A solid, well-made white at a bargain price, this medium-bodied blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne delivers mixed citrus aromas and flavors, accented by just a hint of pith on the finish.
Floral red-plum aromas come with a welcome note of wild herbs. A punchy, stout palate is juicy and possesses short, bold plum and boysenberry flavors. This bright Garnacha doesn't fall off on the finish; it's a good choice for burgers or tacos.
This opens with aromas of scorched earth, cooked black-skinned fruit and a funky whiff of barnyard. The aromas carry over to the palate along with notes of prune, overripe black fruit and green sensations that recall powdered sage. It's on the rustic side, while raspy tannins lend it an astringent finish.
Searingly dry, to the edge of sour, this emphasizes mineral and citrus rind over fruit. This austere style might match well with some sausages on the grill to cut the acidity.
This Bordeaux-style wine is ripe and rich, balance between dusty tannins and stalky red fruits. Acidity and an attractive generous texture give it shape. It is ready to drink.
Stalky, oily aromas are almondy and low on fruit. This shows weight and snappy acidity along with peach, apricot and persimmon flavors. Fleshy and mostly fresh, this seems to have suffered a bit in the cold, rainy, frost-ridden conditions of 2013.
There is no indication on the bottle what this blend might be. Regardless of composition, it's a generic, solid wine with melon and vanilla cookie aromas backed by a round, citrusy mouthfeel. Flavors of briny citrus and white grapefruit finish decently.
This smells like crisp green apples, tastes just a bit richer than it smells, has medium body and a touch of crisp acidity. The strong points are the tangy mouthfeel, fruity aromas and overall freshness.
Leather aromas with floral hints and medicinal plum feed into a clampy palate, driven by tomato acidity. Medicinal cherry and red-plum flavors finish lean, herbal and a bit green.
Briary strawberry and tea aromas are light on the nose. The palate is modest and juicy in feel, with peppery, slightly bitter plum and cherry flavors.
Tight aromas of cranberry and red plum turn cheesy and like saline when allowed to air out. This is wide in feel but hollow in the center, with flavors of buttered oak and generic red fruits. Fresh in feel but medicinal tasting on the finish.
An earthy funk and puckeringly dry tannins mark this wine, which remains dry on the palate from start to finish, characterized along the way in leather and black pepper.
Earthy, loamy and raisiny on the nose, this blend of Cabernet and Syrah has an almost lazy mouthfeel braced by a shot of acidity. Earthy raspberry and blackberry flavors finish direct, with herbal notes. This is the epitome of a competent yet average wine.
A tad watery on the palate at first, this grows into cut grass, green apples, steely minerality and a touch of nectarine flesh. It's pleasant if not particularly special on the palate, with apples, pears and kiwi flesh.
Aromas of new wood, coconut and roasted coffee beans lead the nose of this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The bracing palate offers oak extract, prune, pomegranate, powdered sage and espresso alongside assertive, astringent tannins that dry out the finish. It lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak.
This ripe while crisp wine has juicy red fruits and lively acidity. It is softly textured, smooth and with a full, aromatic aftertaste.
Dark in color and showing jammy cherry and boysenberry aromas along with resiny oak, this Tempranillo-Cabernet blend feels sticky and on the verge of cloying. Lightly herbal, green-leaning berry flavors are masked by clove and vanilla notes, while the finish is low on fruit and high on residual oak.
Earthy, stalky, rubbery berry and plum aromas are solid but rustic. This has a tight, juicy, tomato-like feel and raw flavors of red plum and currant. A hold-steady finish with tomato and mild herbal notes closes this out.
A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Syrah, this simple red opens with aromas of fresh violets, red berries and a whiff of spice. The brisk palate offers black cherries, a note of white pepper and a hint of sage alongside tangy acidity and loose-knit tannins.
Aromas of saline, apple cider and oak suggest moderate overall quality. This has a creamy, heavy mouthfeel and flavors of melon, apple and caramel. An oaky finish feels resiny and tastes woody and sweet.
Cut grass and cat pee aromas arise off of this appellation blend, with squeezed lime zest and dust also present on the nose. It's a textbook version of the grape, with more citrus peels and grassy elements on the palate, alit across a nicely weighted body.
This third generation vineyard has produced a classic Cahors, with firm tannins that bring out the black fruits. It is richly structured while keeping fruitiness right to the fore. A wine for rich foods, it will be good to drink from 2018.
This is a classic Bordeaux-style white wine with its cool herbal character and light perfume from the Muscadelle in the blend. The wine has no oak aging, just ripe fruit that has citrus, pineapple and green fruit flavors. Drink now.
Aromas of ripe black plum, cooking spice and scorched earth lead the nose. The robust, bulky palate offers prune, dried cherry, vanilla and a hint of white pepper set against bracing tannins while the heat of scorching alcohol throws it off balance. Drink soon to catch the remaining fruit.
Produced from 30-year-old vines, this is a generous and open wine that is made to be drunk young. It has broad berry fruits, great tannins and acidity. The wine has no wood aging, keeping the bright fruitiness intact. Drink from 2018.
Hazelnut, candle wax, dried apple and nectarine aromas show on the nose of this rich and nutty bottling. Similar flavors show on the palate, including dried apples, Meyer lemon, and a honeyed character that lasts into the finish.
Ripe and fruity, this is a delicious wine. It has layers of red fruits and balanced acidity along with a gently smoky back taste. The structure is light, crisp and with the freshness that is typical of the vintage this close to Bordeaux. Drink from 2018.
Also known as the Mansois, the Fer Servadou has produced a bright and fruity wine from vineyards in the foothills of France's central mountains. It is soft, juicy and with fine acidity that cuts through its red fruits. Drink now.
Slightly shy dark fruit, spice and gravel aromas show on the nose of this affordably priced bottling. Cranberry, dried herb and mineral flavors are apparent on the palate, which finishes on a fruit punch note.
Easygoing wet cement, kiwi and nectarine aromas make for a standard but pleasing Sauvignon Blanc experience with this bottling. There is interesting grip to the palate, which pulls its flavors—apple, lime and bitter orange—forward.
The Merlot certainly does its job here of smoothing out the Baga tannins. Together, they yield a soft, red fruit-flavored wine with minimal tannins and juicy acidity, adding a burst of flavor on the finish. Drink now.
Edgy raw cherry and plum aromas are spicy, setting up a bracing palate with firm tannins and high acidity. This is dry, spicy and like red plum and currant. Scouring acidity makes for a moderately abrasive finish.
This light-footed Sauvy is opens with attractive aromas of green melon, fresh-cut grass and lime leaf. The palate is bright and refreshing, with zippy acidity and a mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Faint scents of pressed flower and grass grace the yellow apple, green melon and lime peel core. The medium-weight palate is clean and easy, with flavors of apple and citrus that are attractive but fade quickly. Drink now.
Whiffs of dusty tobacco box and cedar accent roasted black-cherry and plum flavors in this light-bodied red blend. It's not a deeply concentrated wine but subtle earth and leaf complexities are elegant. The finish is marked by fine velvety tannins.
Ripe pear, melon and pineapple aromas lead the way, while the creamy-textured palate delivers more muskmelon and apricot, with a hint of ginger, suggesting a bit Viognier is in the blend. The finish is clean and refreshing. Drink now.
Aroma of baked plum, French oak, vanilla, coconut and espresso carry over to the densely concentrated, one-dimensional palate along with raisin, roasted coffee bean and evident alcohol. Astringent tannins leave a grippy finish.
The aromas and flavors in this blend of 55% Syrah, 24% Grenache and 21% Mourvèdre perfectly match its Wild West-inspired label: they're unabashedly smoky and pair with anything off the grill. Smoky strawberry, red plum and tanned leather notes lead to an easygoing palate of red fruit that's spiced with white pepper, roasting herbs and barbecued meat.
Dried apple and pear aromas meet with touches of oak, macadamia nut and wet cement on the nose of this bottling. Similar dried apple and pear flavors show on the palate, which is lifted by citrus pith and a touch of smoke on the finish.
Fruity and smooth with bright red fruit and the lightest touch of tannin, this Castelão-dominated blend has a shot of acidity to keep it all crisp. Drink now.
Earthy red-berry aromas include a note of forest floor. A medium-bodied palate is centered on tight racy acidity, while this blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon tastes of red plum, mixed spices and cocoa powder. An edgy finish with spiced cherry and plum flavors is juicy and primed by raw acidity.
This is a well-put-together, affordable wine that's moderate in ripeness and tannin and easygoing on the palate, offering a plethora of red and black cherry fruit.
Rooty aromas of licorice mix with raw slightly grassy red-fruit scents in front of a juicy lively high-acid palate. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo from a cool year shows spicy plum and red-berry flavors, while a peppery lightly herbal finish is tangy and fresh.
Delicate aromas of red berry, blue flower and a whiff of used leather lead the nose. On the straightforward, somewhat fleeting palate, a note of white pepper adds interest to red cherry and pomegranate.
Aromas of citrus peel, plum, herb, wood shavings and medicine cabinet are followed by plump cherry flavors. The tannins bring a slight sense of astringency.
Underbrush, stewed prune and tobacco aromas follow over to the rather lean, evolved palate along with dried cherry, espresso and a hint of clove. Drink this over the next few years to capture the remaining fruit.
A youthful, light-bodied and exuberant expression of the variety, this shows raspberry, vanilla and currant flavors, with a tangy tartness of citrus on the palate. Oaky tannin comes through on the finish.
It's a grand, full-flavored wine that pulls together ripe, focused pear and honey flavors. Buttery, spicy oak nuances beef up the palate impression and run through the finish. For all its body and oaky spice, it doesn't get heavy.
Different vintages favor different sites, and this Goosepen Block offering, though perfectly made, is not quite as dense the other vintage offerings from Sokol Blosser. A wash of milk chocolate surrounds raspberry and cherry fruit. Smooth and supple, with a streak of cola and red licorice, it fades gently into a finish tinged with flavors of clay.
The addition of 5% Sémillon proves to be the right call in this white, a structured, spritzy glass of tree-ripened apricot and exotic lemongrass with a pleasant heft to the palate. A twist of ripeness gives a mouthwatering, juicy finish.
As always, the historic winery produces a nuanced, restrained style, with a subdued nose of berries and balsamic reduction. It's light and bright on the palate, with chicory and woody tones and medium-ripe cherry fruit, a perfect partner to varied foods.
This brawny, earthy 11-year-old opens with aromas of leather, game, tobacco, graphite and mature plum. Given its age, it's surprisingly youthful, displaying dried dark cherry, fig, prune, black pepper and tobacco flavors alongside an assertive, tannic backbone. Drink through 2018.
Abundant flavors and fresh-tasting acidity come together in this full-bodied wine to form a complete, complex package. Yes, there is a vivid streak of vanilla and nutmeg from aging in all American oak barrels but the ripe apple flavors and underlying crispness keep those from overwhelming.
The vintage conditions led to a sharply delineated, acid-driven Pinot Blanc in 2013. Tart with lip-smacking flavors of gooseberry, lime and celery, it also features grace notes of fresh herb. The strong focus and tight persistence make this one to enjoy over through 2020.
This wine is named for the mother of one of the owners, an artist and teacher who provided the inspired artwork found on the label. It blends mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and is soft in red currant with fully developed acidity.
Dark in color, deep in aroma, quietly intense in flavor and so mouthcoating in texture—this Cabernet demands to be noticed. Yet all of those bold elements are wrapped in a tightly woven and softly finished texture. The flavors are like dark chocolate and ripe blackberries, the mouthfeel is fine and it's not overly tannic or too full-bodied.
A deep gold color combines with ripe fruit aromas and assertive, seductive oak flavors like vanilla and nutmeg in this full-bodied, lush-textured, unapologetic California Chardonnay. A layer of the tasty oak flavors stays strong on the finish.
This is a deep and concentrated white wine, ripely adorned in honey and apricot with a streak of honeysuckle dancing on the nose throughout. Creamy and round, it is buoyed by a fresh sprinkling of orange blossom and rind.
Hints of umami richness lend savoriness to primary red-cherry and cranberry flavors on this nuanced wine. Supple like silk yet refreshingly mineral, it finishes crisp and clean with lingering wet-granite notes.
Solely from Mount Veeder, this Cabernet Sauvignon has small percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The trio combine to offer currant and cranberry around a complex, woody core of oak, black tea and herbs.
White pepper and matchstick come to the fore aromatically in this crisp white that's fuller bodied on the palate than one would expect given the aromatics. Apple and pear give a complex, autumnal fruit presence that leads up to a ripe, creamy finish.
Blueberry, plum cake, mocha, vanilla and sweet pipe tobacco aromas jump from the glass of this mature, structured wine. On the palate, notes of cinnamon and anisette back up primary flavors of dried black cherry and blackberry. Thanks to its smooth tannins, this would be nice to sip after dinner in front of the fire.
Ripe and dense from a warm vintage, this wine shows aromas of cedar, tobacco, black plum and blackberry on the nose. The baked fruit core is accented by cardamon and warm spice, then turns oaky and darker in character. Drink through 2017.
Guigal's 2009 entry-level Côte Rôtie comes across as a bit austere. Cool scents of crushed stone and black olive mark the nose, while the palate is firm and tight, only slowly giving up hints of espresso. Drink 2018–2024.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with gritty black fruit aromas accented by licorice, olive and old leather. A racy red fruit palate has plenty of acidic fuel, while flavors of raspberry, red plum and spicy oak eventually turn chocolaty. Fig, herb and tomato flavors add complexity to the finish. Drink through 2019.
Dried lychee, apricot, and baked biscuit aromas lead the nose on this enveloping dessert wine. The richly textured palate doles out honey, mature yellow peach, dried mint and candied citrus brightened by just enough fresh acidity that gives it a clean finish.
Roughly half the fruit is estate grown. Lush, potent aromatics introduce an impressively concentrated wine, abundant in fresh pear flavor. An orange liqueur highlight adds a sharp, well-defined note to the finish. This wine should develop nicely through 2018 or 2020.
An intense fragrance that recalls peach blossom, lemon blossom and hints of green apple lead the nose on this sparkling Chardonnay. The creamy palate delivers white peach, Golden Delicious apple, almond and lemon pastry brightened by crisp acidity and a steely mineral note. Fine bubbles add a touch of softness on the finish.
Ripe black raspberry and cherry mark this lovely Pinot that is rich and concentrated. The oak is prominent, with a touch of meaty gaminess on the full palate. Balanced, the wine's acidity remains remarkably bright.
The winery excels at capturing the coolness and acidity of its vineyard site. Estate grown and bottled, this offers a creamy expression of bright, freshly cut kiwi, lychee and lime, surrounded by pretty floral aromas. Refreshing but with ample body, it calls out longingly for seafood.
Rich and fruity, this wine has a warm feel to it. With ripe blackberries and a dense texture, it is full bodied, but with a firm tannic edge. The freshness of the year comes through with the acidity on the finish.
A blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino, this boasts ripe raspberry, cherry and coffee bean sensations, lifted up by notes of white pepper, mint and sage. You'll also detect a green, astringent woody accent on the close.
This is a fragrant, softly aromatic wine that has ripe fruit, spicy texture and gentle acidity. It's a wine for drinking now to enjoy its juicy white fruits, almonds and chalky final texture. Screwcap. Artisanal Cellars, Select Wines.
This ready-to-drink wine opens with berry and plum aromas layered with subtle oak. The palate is smooth and round, with blackberry, mocha, white pepper and mint flavors alongside polished tannins.
There is more fruit than structure in this wine, giving the palate a bright, red-berried character and soft tannins. It's juicy, but there's also some smokiness. A blend of Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent, it is ready to drink now. Screwcap.
Savory, spicy, minty aromas are rustic and rooty. This feels big and broad, with a fair amount of body weight. Flavors of savory berry and leather filter into a creamy, full finish with a residual saline flavor.
Plum and wild berry aromas come with graphite and minty oak scents. This feels big, pushy and juicy, while the flavor profile is oak-dominated, with mint and resin outmuscling raspberry. The finish is barrel-driven via raw, woody flavors and a resiny feel.
Carbonic maceration is the fermentation technique employed in this wine. It brings out vibrant Bing-cherry flavors and with a hint of bread dough. There are interesting highlights of cured meats also. This is a good choice for drinking with roasted birds.
Made from Chardonnay and Viognier, this wine opens with peach and apricot aromas that carry over to the palate alongside notes of lemon peel and honey. While it opens strong, it finishes abruptly.
Minerally dark-berry aromas come with a touch of spice. In the mouth, this is lively with a bolt of acidity behind the mouthfeel. Black cherry and berry are the flavors, while a hint of cocoa arises on a short yet fresh finish.
Oak is the main characteristic in this Malbec. Spicy aromas of clove and mint steer otherwise generic berry scents toward a thick palate with pointed acidity. This is short on complexity and the fruit is mildly sour, while mint, oak and baked notes define the finish.
Aromas of leather, rubber and plastic get this off to a shaky start. The palate has protruding acids and flavors of raspberry, plum and oak resin. An herbal flavor and freshness drive the finish. Tasted twice with differing notes; this review and rating reflect two tastings.
Leathery aromas come with notes of tobacco, vanilla and raw red fruits. This feels hard and clampy, while flavors of stalky, herbal, roasted berry fruits finish briny and tough in feel.
Melon and pear notes provide the flesh, while a citrusy element provides the backbone of this medium-bodied Chardonnay. It's round without being flabby, ending on a refreshing, citrusy note. Drink now.
Leather and earthy notes circle around core berry scents. This is medium bodied, with expansive but nonspecific berry and plum flavors. A wide, chunky finish is good but doesn't go beyond the basics.
Creamy berry and plum aromas register as generic and inoffensive. This is round and full in terms of weight and texture, with herbal, jammy flavors of berry fruits and salt. An herbal, oaky, salty tasting finish is solid but fails to elevate things.
This Blaufränkisch rosé is light, fruity and just off dry. It has attractive red-berry acidity and a very fresh character. Ready to drink now. Screwcap.
Clove and licorice gum drop aromas are oaky and forced. This Graciano, typical for the grape type, is crisp, raw and snappy in feel. Flavors of woody red plum and raspberry finish resiny, salty and minty.
A narrow bouquet offers mostly citrus peel. The palate is fairly plump in feel, with pithy, slightly bitter flavors of peach and tropical fruits. Mild bitterness on the finish keeps a lid on overall quality.
Sweet berry, wet cement, plastic and creamy oak aromas lead to a palate with plenty of grip. Flavors of oaky, roasted berry and vanilla finish sweet but also peppery and chocolaty, and with some heat.
Dancing on the nose and palate, this Pinot Noir rosé fills the glass with whiffs of cherry blossoms and sugar cookies. Tart red-cherry and berry flavors are delicate and spry on the palate, lingering nervously in a luscious mousse of soft, rolling bubbles. Finishes elegantly with a bristle of stony minerals.
Just getting to maturity, this is hinting at toastiness while also retaining all the bright apple and citrus fruit flavors. The taut and steely texture brings out great freshness and a concentrated final acidity. It is just ready to drink.
Slightly sour orange-cranberry aromas meet with a touch of sagebrush on this wine from an increasingly popular vineyard at the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. The even-keeled, very drinkable flavors surround tongue-tantalizing spice, light red fruit and a little caramel on the finish.
This very elegant nose is like a love potion perfume of violet, sterling rose, myrrh and raspberry essence. The flavors veer toward tart raspberry and cranberry, with cola and purple flowers coming through before a brisk acidic finish.
Pretty in violet and rose petals this is a lower-octane Pinot Noir for the winery. Exquisitely rendered in spicy dark cherry and soft, supple tannins, it hails from a cool, coastal vineyard site 1,000 feet atop Occidental Ridge, the coolest source of grapes for Davis.
Crushed stone notes lend complexity to blossom and honey aromas on this powerful yet delicately framed Riesling. The palate bursts with sweet, summery peaches, but quivers nervously with touches of lime and lemon acidity. It's delicious now for it's fruity exuberance, but those honeyed mineral tones should deepen deliciously from 2020 on.
Smoky, spicy and midweight, this earthy, brooding Pinot maintains layers of minerality amid fresh red berry fruit. The texture opens up into silky waves in the glass, finishing with the right balance of cherry and spice.
Plum, cinnamon, Chinese five spice, egg nog, strawberry compote and sour cherry team up for a memorable nose. The palate proves more straight-ahead and savory, with sandalwood up front and fleshy plum, cooked rhubarb and some strawberry in the background.
Gap's Crown remains a magical site for Pinot producers and Fulcrum does justice to it, providing a subtle entry of soft oak on the nose before letting it open further into dark, brambly berry and earth. The backbone is strong and structured, and the finish is long and soft, with an ideal seasoning of exotic Mediterranean spice and herb that linger fully and invite one in for more.
There is distinct black pepper on the nose, as well as fresh raspberry and a minty strawberry sense. There is mild but noticeable tannic grip, tongue-dancing acidity and great flavors, ranging from plum pie to charred beets.
At this stage, this is a wood-dominated wine. Its potential is considerable because beneath this wood and toast awaits a wonderful range of ripe apples, apricots and mango that promise to develop into a full, generous wine. Keep until 2018.
Ripe and aromatic, this encapsulates the Viognier so well. Classic apricot flavors are enhanced by a smoky, wood-aging character, rich almonds and warm acidity. It's a well-composed wine, now ready to drink.
This is a ripe Mencía with mild prune, raisin, fig and baked berry aromas. The palate is intense and shows major-league grip. Flavors of earthy, baked black fruits, wild herbs, dried black plum and chocolate finish long, toasty, spicy and serious. Drink through 2018.
Coming from four different Tempranillo clones planted at the winery's estate vineyard, it beguiles with notes of saddle leather, dried cherry, dusky spices and citrus spritz. The fruit flavors are polished and the tannins structured—a thoroughly delightful bottle.
A broad texture and mellow flavors characterize this full-bodied, rich and warming wine. The aromas and flavors recall black cherries and clove with a touch of woody or earthy character, but it's the lush mouthfeel that's most memorable.
Solid and substantial, this single-vineyard wine has real meat on its bones, both figuratively and literally, as it carries some savory notes along with ripe blackberry fruit. The acid-tannin balance is picture-perfect, and though sturdy and ripe, it conveys an impression of grace and elegance.
Golden yellow in color, this 16-year-old sparkler presents uniquely pleasant aromas of corn bread, chamomile and yellow flowers. It's not powerfully effervescent, but manages to strike up a rich bubbly cream on the palate, with flavors of corn tortilla and Meyer lemon making for memorable sipping.
The nose is still closed on this bracing red but it eventually reveals whiffs of black plum, licorice and leather. The dense, extracted palate offers blackberry, Marasca cherry, clove, espresso, licorice and a blast of black pepper. It's still young, with brooding tannins that need time to soften. Drink 2017–2025. T. Edward Wines, J&J Importers.
This age-worthy wine smells like the shady side of a mountain, with black olive notes and roasted fennel alongside cedar-spiced strawberries and brambly berries. Both firm tannins and pungent acidity fuel the palate, with cherry, raspberry and slightly bitter espresso. Drink 2020–2025.
Dense and delicious, this unfolds with aromas of black fruit, plum cake and baking spices. The rich palate offers black plum, blackberry and black cherry alongside layers of chocolate, clove, vanilla and black licorice. Despite its weight, it's balanced, with assertive but round tannins. Drink 2016–2028.
This is the first reserve Malbec from Seven Hills, the winery that first introduced this as a varietal wine in the Walla Walla Valley. Inviting aromas of pepper, coffee, vanilla and cream introduce a dark and sappy wine, with concentrated raspberry and blackberry fruit at its core. Superb ripeness and lift from the juicy acidity mark this as indeed reserve-level in quality.
The wine is fresh, its baked apple and green plum fruit cut with intense citrus. The vineyard, with its pure chalk soil, shows strongly in the minerality and steely texture of the wine, promising aging. Drink this complex wine from 2016.
Dense, dark-fruit aromas of blueberry and cassis are earthy and almost overripe. A saturated, bold palate delivers blackberry, chocolate, fig, herb and rooty flavors in front of a chunky finish. Consistent with the Vall Llach house style, this is ripe and modern. Drink now through 2017.
Crisp red cherries are shaded with layers of toast and Graham crackers, potpourri and dried herbs in this complex, powerful Pinot Noir. Rich fruit is anchored against zesty cranberry acidity and a penetrating, yet finely textured coating of tannins that linger on the finish.
The power and structure of a Corton-Charlemagne are very evident in this firm and closed wine. At this young stage, it is all about the concentrated texture and weight. The acidity and the rich fruits will come later. Drink from 2018.
The wine is soft, fruity and opulent, with apples and a touch of melon. It also has the fine Chablis steeliness that gives a crisp edge to the warm, ripe and rounded fruit. It still needs time to bring out the full fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
There is no question of the grape in this 100% Négrette wine. It shouts the violet perfumes and firm young tannins with a juicy black fruit layer. The wine is more fruit than tannin, with a fresh red fruit aftertaste. Drink from the end of 2016.
The wild perfumes of the Négrette dominate this wine. Giving aromas of roses and beetroot and black fruit flavors, it is firm with young tannins. The wine is still developing and should age at least until 2018.
Produced from Malbec and fashionably pale, this wine is named after Julie Perrin, daughter of owner Alain-Dominique Perrin. It is light and deliciously crisp and refreshing. Bone dry, it is certainly a food rosé, although with its light raspberry flavor it will also be good as an apéritif. Julie Perrin, an artist, worked on the blend and created the château watercolor on the bottle.
This wine is full of the ripe fruit as well as the mineral tannins typical of the Douro. It is a blend of typical grapes with a dominance of Touriga Franca. The wood aging has given the ripe black currant flavors a smooth, rounded character as well as adding spice. Drink this wine now.
This wine opens with a curious aroma of fried foods, like hashed browns from a diner, before finding its sense of black fruit, mild spice and leather. Dry and somewhat puckering on the palate, it's full bodied and powerfully concentrated.
This tasty and full-bodied blend of Rhône varieties has an attractive, spicy, oak aroma that continues through the flavors. It finds ripe black-cherry notes in the core and enough concentration to form a lingering finish.
This vibrant red opens with aromas of wet soil, underbrush, cured meat and a whiff of oak. The lively palate offers dried black cherry, cranberry, ground pepper and star anise alongside dusty, almost grainy, tannins that leave a rather raspy finish.
This predominately Duras wine is fresh and fruity with an attractive depth of smoky tannins and structure. It is rich enough to age although its red currant fruitiness is delicious and juicy now. Drink now, or age until 2018.
Aromas of toast and grilled herb lead the way on this straightforward red. The light-bodied palate offers wild cherry, orange peel and a coffee note alongside racy acidity and fine-grained but fleeting tannins.
Rich cherry blossoms and dried strawberry-cherry paste aromas make for a very fruit-forward bottling. The palate is grippy with tannins that long hold attention, with dark red fruit and cinnamon flavors.
New leather, menthol, ripe berry and Asian spice aromas emerge in the glass while the firm palate offers dried black cherry, pomegranate, star anise and a hint of game. You'll also notice a green note of powdered sage. Assertive, close-grained tannins squeeze the finish.
This clonal study blends rich black cherry and sassafras notes with cola, savory herbs, strong iron and slight scorched rubber aromas. The palate jumps from a red cherry and cranberry tartness right into a toasted sage and pencil-lead character.
Heavy aromas of baked berry fruits and raisin suggest a bit of overripeness. On the palate, that take is confirmed by chunky weight offset by natural acidity. Flavors of oak barrel, raisin and tart plum cover a wide spectrum, while this blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Carignan finishes long, with black-fruit flavors. Drink now.
Floral white-fruit aromas come with a pyrazinic scent of sweat. This feels solid, with modest acidity. Candied flavors of mango, lychee and melon blend with pyrazine-driven notes of grape skins and bitterness.
This is a firm, almost fleshy style, with solid peach fruit and highlights of grapefruit pith and rind. It emphasizes fruit over flower, and finishes quite dry.
This bright, easygoing red offers aromas of truffle, chopped herb and wild berry. The fresh, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside racy acidity and pliant tannins. Drink soon.
Reaching back into the 19th century, this wine revives an old-style label design, while putting a very modern spin on the blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light cherry fruit mixes with both herbal and slightly vegetal streaks.
Fragrant blue flower and wild red berry aromas lift out of the glass on this straightforward red. The fresh, easygoing palate delivers crushed Morello cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
Subdued aromas of red plum, baking spice and a warm, yeasty whiff that recalls bread dough come together on this 90% Sangiovese and 10% Mammolo blend. The simple, lively palate offers tart sour cherry and orange peel accompanied by zesty acidity.
Soft and juicy in black cherry and plum, this wine offers good value in its blend of girth and acidity. It piques interest on the palate with its toned black licorice and velvety structure.
This intriguing blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho is surprisingly effective. It benefits from the ripe, perfumed character of the Verdelho which dominates the palate. There is background freshness given by the Sauvignon. It's a ripe, full-bodied wine that is ready to drink.
Red berry, tilled soil and blue flower aromas take center stage on this easygoing red. The bright palate shows juicy Marasca and a hint of cinnamon alongside brisk acidity and lithe tannins. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy soon.
Aromas like black olive, clove and dark cherry continue in the flavors of this full-flavored and full-bodied wine. Mellow oak notes like cedar and tobacco add complexity.
Buoyant floral perfume contrasts a slightly restrained palate that's more mineral than fruit. Off dry in style with delicate tones of honey and caramel, it finishes brisk and clean.
This white blend from the Salamanca area relies on local grapes like Palomino and Rufete Blanco. It's almost fruitless on the nose, while the palate feels chunky. High acidity bolsters citrus flavors, while the finish exhibits mild oxidation and a leesy quality. Drink now.
A dark, toasty nose offers a hint of horseradish and char along with herbal black-fruit scents. This is chunky and fleshy on the palate, with good balance. Herbal plum and spicy berry flavors are common, while the finish holds up.
Aromas of mature berry, tilled soil and a whiff of dark spice unfold on this young red. The vibrant, straightforward palate offers easy-drinking pleasure, doling out juicy wild cherry and star anise alongside loose knit, glossy tannins and bright acidity.
The wine is so fresh, bright and crisp. It has great acidity that comes from the lively red berry fruits. The tangy aftertaste and breezy acidity make this a great apéritif style for the summer.
A note of brine rests on top on an otherwise dry, earthy, red-fruit bouquet. Punchy tannins create mild pinch, while earthy plum flavors carry a note of leather. A crisp, zesty finish with mild oak and spice notes closes this out.
Intensely crisp wine, very fresh, with red currant fruit flavors, a touch of caramel, but deliciously refreshing. Great as a mouthwatering apéritif. Screwcap.
The highly aromatic nose is vaguely suggestive of cotton candy, but the flavors are dry and precise, offering hints of white chocolate and white peach and ending on a citrusy note.
If you like old-fashioned country fruit supported by a forest's worth of oak, then this is probably up your alley. It's a rusty, aging wine with mossy, murky aromas of roast plum and carob. The palate is fading in terms of fruit, but there's a whole lot of vanilla, dill and resin in wait. Still lively but a little too oaky and thin.
Shows plenty of red fruit character, starting with cherry but encompassing strawberry as well. It's plump and round in the mouth, but refreshingly modest in alcohol (13.1%), finishing clean. The winery says it's made from Fragola, which turns out to be an American variety known as Isabella. Imported by Margaret River Wines.
This fairly rich and heavy rosé is produced and bottled for Xavier Flouret by Domaine de Rimauresq. It does have attractive peach and melon aromas, but the flavors are weighty in the mouth and could use a touch more zest and zip on the finish. Best with meaty dishes. A blend of 45% Cinsault, 25% Tibouren, 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah.
The first couple of passes are not that encouraging: there's strawberry Kool-Aid and sharp field-like aromas of thistle and bramble. But the palate is not bad at all; it is flush yet racy, with solid raspberry and plum flavors that carry onto the finish. Not a refined wine but a natural one.
Young and bouncy, and that's to be expected from this type of juvenile Tempranillo. However, should you like full-fruit young wines with force and no oak, it's not at all bad. Expect juicy black cherry and other runaway flavors.
An appealing nose of pepper and chocolate lead to raspberry and spice flavors that are balanced by medium tannins and an acidity that offers a mineral spin. Good and accessible.
Our bet is that a granular, reduced, raisiny wine like this will not have broad appeal. Yet if you are interested in trying a blend of Samsó, Garnacha and Syrah it has some core qualities, namely old-school raisin and plum flavors backed by core tannins. A country-style wine if there ever was one.
This Connecticut white starts out with a successful combination of yeasty baked vanilla aromas paired with some lemon citrus, then leads into clean, light flavors buoyed by a lively acidity. Refreshing and easy to drink, and priced fairly, this wine will pair well with broiled and grilled seafood dishes.
A little sluggish on the nose, but if you concentrate on the feel and overall balance the wine grades out fairly well. The flavors run from pickled raspberry to salty plum, and never is the wine very sweet or rich. Conversely, it settles on tight and lean, with juiciness rather than pulp.
We didn't go crazy over the 2005 and the '06 Sentido is also challenged. It's soft, raisiny and borderline overripe. The flavors are roasted and short, with low acidity, soft tannins and plenty of toast and coffee on the black finish. More baked than vivacious, with some excess weight.
Like many of this winery's bottlings, this is heavy and raisiny. However, amid all the thickness and extract there are lusty, robust roasted black fruit flavors and candied darkness. Baked on the finish, which feels hollow and doesn't last long.
Big and bold stuff from southern Spain with burnt, hot aromas of roasted black fruits and stems. Better on the palate, where it brings plum and berry flavors but also some heat and saline. Slightly stemmy and roasted on the finish, much like the bouquet.
Smells a lot like fresh celery and/or asparagus, with vibrant green fruit aromas and lettuce thrown in for good measure. Juicy in the mouth, with apple, citrus and green veggie flavors. Turns more vegetal the longer it goes, but freshness and acidity keep it on a solid plane.
A little herbal and minty on the nose, but at this price one can't complain too mightily. The palate smacks down with bite and acidity, while the flavors run herbal and a little stemmy, with caramel as a backdrop. Roasted and herbal but not offensive, especially at $7 a bottle.
Heavy, minty and smelling of shoe polish, barrel char and black licorice. The palate is chunky but overall it has pretty good structure. Meanwhile, the flavors of raspberry and plum carry a heavy oak influence. Spice and resin, additional reflections of the oak, dominate the finish.
A rich nose of clove, tea, mint and cedar start this red from Greece. The palate offers clean bursts of cedar, spice and red currant. Fresh and light, the wine is a good house red.
Harder and more oily on the nose than desired, with white-fruit aromas that turn sharp. The palate has ample wetness and acidity, but the flavors are somewhat bitter, nutty and oily. It's also mildly bitter on the finish. Something's not quite right here, yet it doesn't seem flawed.
As fresh as they come, with bright strawberry flavors touched by caramel and red currant acidity. For drinking this summer.
A comparatively serious Villages, its tannins firmly in evidence. There is a touch of woodiness as well. Only gradually does the red fruit come through. The aftertaste has fruity and acidity, but still those tannins.
Aromas of Key lime skins and lemon bar cookies hide a slight but typical petrol note on this wine from the San Diego County-based producer. It's slightly sour on the citrusy palate, with balanced acidity and a chalky grip.
Petal pink in the glass, this wine was specifically grown to be a rosé by winemaker David Galzignato. The nose is pretty with bubble gum, strawberry, raspberry and a bit of lime peel, and the palate offers flavors of ruby-red grapefruit and lemon juice, with bright acidity throughout.
Made from a majority of Cabernet Franc, complemented with a small handful of Merlot, the wine is aged in new French oak half barrels. Tannic and savory in cassis and cranberry, the wine also shows a trace of black tea and tomato leaf. The wine's oak remains extremely pronounced, which suggests some time in cellar, through 2020.
From a hilltop location near the ocean-influenced town of Freestone, this wine is silky in plum and dark cherry, a hint of mushroomed earth doing its best to come out. Robust on the palate, juicy berry fruit satisfies, finishing thick and rich.
This four-variety blend shows that crisp, refreshing white wines can emerge from the Southern Rhône. Hints of pineapple, pear and mandarin orange mark this medium-bodied white. Drink now–2016.
Pure Négrette produces a smooth, black cherry and red berry-flavored wine. Light hints of wood from aging in big barrels have helped to give the wine a rich and spicy character. This is further enhanced by black-fruit acidity that adds a fresh streak to this warm, ripe wine. Drink now.
Apple, peach and melon aromas are fresh and easy to like. This has a pure palate, with citric and malic acidity offset by pulpy weight. Peach and apricot flavors finish long, and overall this should maintain its good shape over the next year.
Ripe and forward, this brings brambly berry fruit and plenty of Dr Pepper soda flavors front and center. It's a smooth ride to a quick finish. Both scents and flavors show a hint of pine needle.
This is lushly fruity, a big bowl full of strawberries, with a milk chocolate coating. There's nothing wimpy here, but the low alcohol keeps it zippy and perfect for warm-weather quaffing.
A blend of 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in barriques, this opens with aromas of bell pepper, cedar and red currant. The palate delivers dried black cherries, coffee, mocha and grilled herbs alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This luminous Nebbiolo from the mountain vineyards of Valtellina opens with a pretty fragrance of rose petal, red berries, baking spice and a whiff of crushed rock. The understated palate delivers ripe wild cherry, cinnamon-spice, licorice and a mineral note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Despite its youth this is quickly peaking in flavor. It's light but interesting, with rosewater, red apple and strawberry flavors. Tannins are soft and there's a suggestion of saddle leather. It offers plenty of enjoyment for a Pinot at this price.
Woody aromas of sawdust and maple take over a lightly herbal bouquet. Plum, raspberry and chocolaty oak flavors finish herbal and resiny.
Refreshingly quaffable, this off-dry Riesling juxtaposes juicy, sweet melon and peach flavors with fresh tangerine acidity. The finish is brisk, fringed with a delicious bristle of lime pith.
This is a bargain-priced blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The flavors are ripe and plummy, accented by hints of garrigue, while the tannins are modest and supple.
Plush, ripe apple and apricots are dusted in savory, earthy notes of slate and spice. It's a dancing, delicately framed wine with a balance of soft, sweet fruit and zesty acidity. Drink now.
Briny red-fruit aromas are earthy and horsey yet light and agile. This is a wiry, citric, juicy Pinot, with earthy, tangy flavors of currant and red plum. A zesty yet tame finish renders this right for its straightforward mold.
The Kallisti offers exotic pineapple and tropical fruit aromas leading to a soft, layered palate of roasted nuts, citrus and vanilla. For fans of wines with a softer touch and some oak, this will be a hit. Pair with chicken, cheeses, richer dishes.
This wine opens with a curious waft of pastry-like vanilla cream underneath cherry tart and a squeeze of citrus. Oaky on the back palate it struggles to find itself in the glass, the fruit trying to make its way through the thickness of tannin. Letting the wine air a bit should help.
This has pleasant oak aromas suggesting buttered toast, and fairly rich, ripe fruit flavors that resemble peach, pear and a touch of fig. The texture is smooth, almost creamy, the body is medium and the flavors stay fresh through the finish.
Briny citrus, match stick and yeasty aromas are a bit jumbled on the nose. The palate is minerally and nicely textured, with grapefruit, passion fruit, tarragon and lemongrass flavors. A lingering lime note hits on the finish.
A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of charred earth, game and a funky whiff of barnyard. The evolved palate offers dried black cherries, prune, coffee, clove, oak and licorice alongside fleeting but astringent tannins.
For its youth, this is a rich, smooth wine. The tannins, even from the Malbec in the blend, are full, rounded and already integrated. Acidity and an attractive smokiness give this wine its already-drinkable character. Drink from the end of 2015.
This is a ripe, perfumed blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. It is smooth and creamy in texture, with rich apricot and pear flavors. Spice comes from five months wood aging. It is ready to drink.
You can feel the alcohol the moment the wine goes in the mouth. It is heavy, powerful, monumental and way too much. Dark tannins and a density that overwhelms are the dominant characters, with only a walk-on part for the black plum fruits. Drink this tannic wine from 2018.
Baked strawberry and a bittersweet note of cherry play off the palate around a medium-bodied frame of subtle tannin and oak. Dried cranberry comes in as a secondary detail, before the wine finishes in a blaze of leather and black tea.
This ripe and rich wine has firm tannins and a smooth texture, making it a tasty match for rich protein dishes. It packs plump blackberry and juicy boysenberry flavors in a blend that tastes just slightly sweet, coating the palate and lingering on the finish.
Opulent pear, apple and floral aromas are followed by a fresh but fleshy array of tropical fruit in this easy drinking blend. Oak aging adds complexity but minerality keeps the wine poised. Pair with smoked salmon and poultry.
Musky in leather, tobacco and black tea, this wine is juicy in currant and cranberry before finishing a tad flat. From a robust mountain appellation, it's surprisingly resolved in terms of tannin and the oak is relatively restrained.
From one of the emblematic estates of Cahors, this entry-level wine is all fruit. It shows the tannic character of Malbec, contrasted with juicy black currant flavors and attractive acidity. The wine can be drunk now.
Baked, earthy, reedy aromas yield to a narrow, tannic, awkward body. Sweet, green flavors are candied and flat. Time has passed this by.
Light prune aromas signify a wine on the cusp. Astringent and rubbery in the mouth, this is raw in feel and tastes raisiny and like briary raspberry.
Raspberry and plum aromas lead to a jammy, pruny palate with no structure. Prune, raisin and carob flavors finish flaccid and not fresh.
By nature Albariño doesn't last long, and this is well past its prime. Chunky, mealy, soft aromas announce a fleshy, low-pulse palate with mealy peach flavors and no finish.
Funky aromas of gumdrop and stale fruit are none too appealing. This lacks definition on the palate, while flavors of melon, candied berry and cotton candy are muddled. The finish lacks crispness.
This is beautifully lilting in preciously defined aromas of rose petal and wild strawberry. From there, it's all subtlety and ethereal elegance. The wine is restrained, nurtured in a basket of nutmeg and graham cracker, as well as freshly packed mushroomy earth. This wine is a stunner right out of the glass, but is sure to continue its fine course through 2022–2025.
Gorgeous aromas of toasty oak, wood smoke, minerals and layered black fruits feed into a concentrated, thick palate that demands a knife and fork for dissection. Flavors of toast, vanilla bean, woodspice, bacon, mint and blackberry are lush. Give this beauty another couple of years, then drink through 2022.
Sanguine and brooding in dense layers of juicy black fruit, leather and tobacco, this is classic Napa Valley Cabernet with an elegance at its core, that's also seamless, complex and age-worthy. From relatively cooler sites in Oak Knoll and Mount Veeder, and a cooler year too, this vintage sings for this producer, showing balance and power in equal measure.
With its strongly mineral-textured base, this is a complex, impressive wine. It has fruit weight with lychees, mangos and spiced pears along with acidity that gives the wine just the lift it needs. Power and style go hand-in-hand in this wine. Drink from 2019.
Separate from the other Original Vines bottling, this is part of the new single-vineyard series, and includes the famed South Block grapes. Lush and fragrant, full-bodied yet in the classic, elegant Eyrie tradition, this bursts with complexity. Bramble, cherries, strawberry preserves, coffee grounds and a hint of root beer come together in a deep, dense and thoroughly delicious wine.
A block selection, this most rare offering from DDO has rippingly good aromatics, intense and complex, with dusty, dreamy spices wrapped around a seamless mix of berry, earth and herbal components. The somewhat gritty texture gives it muscle and length, and the overall complexity suggests it can age for up to a quarter century. Drink now through 2035.
Those who think they prefer anything but Chardonnay may be convinced otherwise with this wine. It is so powerfully evocative in crisply rendered Meyer lemon and tangerine notes, with aromas of fresh white flowers teasing provocatively on the nose. Seamless and seductively bright in acidity, it glides down the palate, hinting at a richness that never becomes overdone.
Full-bodied and exuberant in lush tannins, this black Shiraz is concentrated and rich in hearty leather, espresso and black tea yet buoyed by lively acidity and beautiful streaks of black and white pepper. Enjoy now or through 2021.
This reserve-level cuvée has been made since 2004, but in severely limited amounts. A mix of one-third new, one-third once-used and one-third neutral oak barrels aged the blend. Rich, tight and sappy, it shows generous ripe stone and tropical fruits, along with rich layers of butterscotch and toast. Drink now through 2025.
Aromas of rose petal, perfumed berry and exotic spice lead the nose. It's radiant, with wonderful intensity and elegance, delivering ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, mineral, licorice, baking spice and a hint of mint alongside a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and edgy acidity. Despite the full structure and youthful tension, it has a remarkably silky, supple texture. Drink 2018–2032.
Homer is the estate reserve, wood-tank fermented and blended from the winemaker's best barrels. Aromatic and toasty, it takes many hours to open fully, revealing a dense core of ripe cherry fruit wrapped in a mélange of tasty, toasty barrel flavors. Along with the gorgeous fruit comes a cavalcade of chocolate, caramel and buttered nuts. Drink now through 2020.
Silky on the palate, this offers exotic aromas of orange blossom and spicy cardamom. Juicy in fresh cherry, it combines structured elegance and plenty of power, amid a mouthwatering quality that's seductively delicious and yet just begs the question of how much more nuanced the flavors will be in time. Drink through 2022.
Fresh-picked Bing cherry delights on the initial entry into this silky Pinot, sourced from a long-famous site in the heart of the Russian River. Medium-bodied and nicely structured, it offers ample concentration around a core of elegance, with a lingering finish of vibrant cherry. Enjoy through 2022.
Even by past standards, this new vintage of Sineann's Old Vine Zin is spectacular, with ripe, jammy, concentrated fruit flavors of fig, black cherry and purple plum. The balance among the fruit, acidity, tannin and alcohol is spot-on, without blowing away the more subtle compexity of the old vine fruit.
This is a sweet Gewurztraminer, almost a dessert style. The name comes from a title whose origins date back to the Dark Ages in Europe. The wine is rich, now fully matured, a wonderful medley of ripe fruits, honey and spice. Layers of flavors are interspersed with acidity that lifts the wine. It's opulent, delicious and ready to drink.
This marks the debut of the Ramos Vineyard Chardonnay, inspired by a high-elevation site planted in 2001 by the late Bob Sessions and Jose Ramos, now director of vineyard operations. The wine paints a portrait of high-toned, elegant minerality accented by peach and lithe lemon. Capable of aging, it dances in acidity, with just a hint of caramel-vanilla on the finish. Made in tiny quantities, it's worth desperately seeking out.
This vineyard-designated wine reflects its sense of place remarkably well, offering tight dark cherry and blueberry around a strong character of wild earth, tea and herb. High in acidity and minerality, and yet powerfully understated, it's gorgeously drinkable now but will gain further complexity through 2022.
Layered fragrances suggest perfumed berry, orange zest, crushed wild flower, baking spice and tobacco. The smooth, full-bodied palate delivers a great depth of flavors that include creamy cherry, juicy raspberry, thyme, mint, cocoa and energizing mineral. It's superbly balanced with fresh acidity and velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2024.
This classic Chardonnay brims in lemon chiffon, stony minerality and luscious pear. The complex, soft, supple layers continue to surprise in the glass, teasing the palate with unexpected notes of nutmeg and Tahitian vanilla.
This is a sweet wine, very ripe with a smooth, opulent texture. It's full of lychee and peach flavors, allowing just a corner for acidity and freshness. This is just beginning to develop into its impressive and full potential. Drink from 2018.
This hillside-grown wine is only vineyard-designated in special vintages. The nose is like a delicate pine sap, with elements of spearmint, sweet camphor and anise set against light raspberry juice. It's elegant but energetic, with soy sauce, clove and menthol highlighting the hibiscus and red and purple fruits.
A blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera and Nero d'Avola, this polished wine conveys earthy aromas including violet, ripe berry, leather, game and baking spice. The savory palate doles out juicy black cherry, ripe raspberry, licorice, cinnamon and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2020.
This always-impressive wine is a blend that pits local Alentejo grapes against Syrah and Petit Verdot. Concentrated and complex, it is packed both with black fruits and dark tannins. Intense acidity proclaims its youth and this powerful wine will need to age. Drink from 2019.
Heady, rich, balsamic aromas fold in attractive notes of cedar, tobacco and black cherry in front of a fully ripe, superbly balanced palate that nails it in terms of structure. Mocha, espresso, fudge and blackberry flavors finish with spicy, mossy, dry notes and a final wave of blackened toast and tannins. Best from 2017–2022.
Buoyantly fragrant, this voluptuous Chardonnay bursts of mango, guava and berry aromas. The palate is a bit more subdued, suggesting fresh apple and pear. Fruity, fresh and uncomplicated, it's balanced neatly by a flash of acidity on the midpalate. Drink now through 2019.
A 100% varietal wine from grapes sourced in Coombsville, this offers cranberry, currant and clove in equal measure. This tiny-production project features tight-grained tannin and a dusty texture built around moderate acidity and body.
This wine is a blend of 40% each Mourvèdre and Syrah along with 15% Petite Sirah and 5% Viognier. Aromas of orange zest, flowers, raw meat and peppery spices lead to a soft palate, full of citrus flavors that seem a bit out of balance but that still provide intrigue.
Crisp lemon, apple and pear abound in this richly textured yet pertly balanced Pinot Blanc. It's an easy quaffing, elegant wine with hints of nut and toast that extend elegantly on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Pleasing aromas of raspberry jam and spice lead to soft plump raspberry and cranberry flavors. It's fruit forward and brings a lot of enjoyment.
This soft, round and juicy wine is ripe and full bodied, a good representative of the vintage. It shows brambly black fruit, mocha and hints of coconut flakes that endure through the finish.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this easygoing red has aromas of underbrush, truffle, black plum and a whiff of toast. The soft round palate is already rather evolved, offering dried black cherry, clove and a hint of raisin alongside soft, supple tannins. It's extremely approachable, so enjoy soon.
Toast, lime and nut butter aromas lead to full-bodied but well-balanced kiwi and pineapple flavors that carry on the finish. The concentration wavers at times but there's plenty to hold interest.
Eucalyptus, forest floor, new leather and dark spice aromas swirl around in the glass. The full-bodied forward palate is already approaching its peak drinking window, offering dried black cherry and star anise alongside soft acidity and solid tannins. Drink through 2022.
This pretty red has an alluring fragrance of iris, violet, brown spice and crushed berry. The easygoing palate offers juicy black cherry, white pepper and a hint of espresso while lithe tannins lend support.
Pleasant whiffs of smoked nut and blossom accent fresh apple and pear in this squarely balanced dry white. Fresh acidity on the midpalate lends zip to a lingering but refreshing finish. Drink now through 2020.
Aromas of blueberry, baking spice and a whiff of leather lead the nose of this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The firm palate offers black plum, raspberry and black pepper alongside smooth tannins. It finishes on a note of mouth-puckering sour cherry.
This big, bold wine has the taste profile of a Port but is not so sweet or full bodied. Deeper than usual in color, it's concentrated to the point of overripeness in aroma. Rich on the palate with flavors like blackberry syrup and dark chocolate, it should be perfect as an after-dinner wine.
This is Drouhan's second vintage of handling the vines, wines and marketing in partnership with the Hospices de Belleville charity. This open generous wine is packed with ripe red fruit and given shape by light tannins. There is a fresh crisp aftertaste that gives the wine a great lift.
Smoky flint and crushed mineral tones contrast concentrated raspberry and strawberry flavors in this richly concentrated rosé. Full bodied and supple in texture, it's sturdy enough to accompany heartier fish and fowl dishes far beyond the summer months. Sunny acidity brightens the finish.
Voluptuous and a bit brawny, this ebulliently perfumed Gewürztraminer is hardly a wall flower. It's lavishly fruity, bursting of sun-kissed grapefruit, lychee and white-peach flavors. Yielding acidity and a richly dense mouth-filling texture leave a lingering kiss of warmth on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
Big, ripe waves of baked apple, pear and pineapple play on the palate in this rich wine, measured by a moderate helping of acidity. Quince and lime play supportive roles.
Made predominantly with Sangiovese and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers pretty aromas of blue flower, red berry, menthol and dark spice. The bright straightforward palate offers dried red cherry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside lithe tannins.
Green hints of moss and ivy play with notes of wet pebble. This is playful and lively, fresh and so easy to drink. Enjoy while the flavors are at their aromatic peak.
The estate is located to the north west of the village of Fleurie, further into the hills. The wine is structured and tannic with layers of red berries and tight acidity. It will need to soften for a few months, so drink from late 2017.
Aromas of mature pear, toast and citrus lead the nose. The round ripe palate offers yellow apple, dried apricot, a confectionery note and a hint of oak. A coffee note closes the finish.
Ripe fruit flavors like prunes and raisins, and a soft, smooth texture make this wine easy to drink as it spreads across the palate and fills the mouth with flavor. Relatively light in color, it is gentle in texture compared to many of its peers with more tannin, and should be popped and enjoyed soon.
A sleek, streamlined rendering of Pinot Noir, marked by hints of espresso and barrel char, but also offering ample pie cherry, pomegranate and tea shadings. It's crisp but not very tannic, so there's no need to wait on this one. Drink now–2020.
Made with 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with subtle aromas of black cherry jam and vanilla. The dense palate shows black currant, oak and mocha alongside firm rather drying tannins. It's a bit shy on freshness, so enjoy over the next few years.
A soft and fruity wine that has lively acidity and light tannins. The wine is finely balanced, full of red-cherry flavors. It's an immediately attractive, ripe cru wine that is ready to drink.
A full-bodied expression of the variety, blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this soft, rounded wine is dense in blueberry and currant, with a complexity of leather, pencil and soy. A pinpoint of reduction on the finish gives it a tinge of bitterness.
Of medium build and seasoned in oak, this wine has a classic complement of baked apple and baking spice, providing a layered, ripe experience on the palate that finishes cleanly and simply.
From dark granite soil, this wine is structured and concentrated. It has ripe black-cherry fruit and spice that add to the mineral texture and firm tannins in the background. Drink this cru wine from late 2017.
Sweet cedar, cinnamon and plum aromas are followed by plush and pretty flavors of black cherry, raspberry and plum. The wine offers a good acid balance and a spicy, bright finish. This should pair well with tomato-based dishes and lamb.
With the fruit coming from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, the aromas offer notes of coffee, cocoa, smoke, vanilla and purple fruit. The flavors are elegant in style, with nubby tannins providing the frame.
While concentrated black-cherry flavors shine brightly, this herbaceous wine suggests a leaner, more savory expression of Long Island Pinot Noir. Bright acidity and firm tannins maintain a taut, tight feel.
Butterscotch, honey and spice aromas lead this white from Porto Carras. The wine has a slightly heavy feel with vanilla and spice overtones leasing. Overall though, a pretty wine with a serious character.
This gets special attention because winemaker Kevin Riley is one of the few to engage with old vines of the historic Mission grape variety. Light watermelon, orange spritz and wet cement show on the nose, while the slightly watery palate offers red fruit, crushed rock and citrus rinds on the finish.
Hints of smoke and bramble linger from nose to finish, lending a savory complexity to this dry-style Riesling. It's spry and invigorating, juxtaposing tart pineapple and lemon flavors against a backdrop of pressed apple and pear. The finish extends long with an elegant mineral tinge.
Chunky aromas of peach and melon are briny and pickled. With high acidity maintaining shape, there's pinch to the palate. Typical Elqui Valley flavors of mustard and briny apple finish full, viscous and muscular, with a pickled citrus aftertaste.
Spicy, minty aromas and rich flavors like dark chocolate and black cherries add up to a bold, full-bodied wine from the Lange Twins. It has a deep color, moderate tannins to add grip to the texture and a lingering finish.
This blends 51% Merlot with 29% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Verdot and 5% Petite Sirah, combining nicely for a full-bodied expression of chocolate and dried dark cherry. On the palate, it becomes dusty and somewhat rustic, with an intensely juicy finish.
A vein of burnt sugar threads curiously from nose to finish in this dry full-bodied Pinot Gris. Sunny tangerine, pineapple and apricot flavors flood the midpalate, brightened by streak of lime acidity. A graceful balance of brawn and restraint, it should drink well through 2021.
Mineral, dried peach, lees and honeysuckle aromas lead to just off-dry flavors. Racy acidity frames it nicely.
Fresh and enjoyable, this has aromas of underbrush, grilled herb, espresso and wild berry. The medium-bodied palate offers juicy black cherry, licorice and clove alongside fine-grained and bright acidity.
Luscious black-cherry and berry notes are accented by notes of cedar, dried mushroom and herb in this elegantly balanced Petit Verdot. Inky and ripe, it's decadently mouth-filling but finishes clean, bolstered by a strike of cranberry acidity.
Ripeness of peach, citrus, apple and pear shimmers everywhere. The palate is clean, very fruit-driven and fresh, if a little upfront. Drink this refreshing and dry wine soon.
With an aroma like prosciutto and melon, a soft texture, and attractive floral and ripe peach flavors, this is a fun and affordable wine to drink at lunch or before dinner.
Aromas of toast, coffee, herb and red fruit are followed by generous coffee and cherry flavors. The tannins bring a touch of grit but it retains an overall pretty appeal.
This is a stainless-steel fermented combo of 90% Syrah with 10% Zinfandel. It's light and easy on the nose but dark in color and brooding in weight, made in a full-bodied style.
This dry wine has an appealing fruit character, light spiciness and a firm grip of tannin. It will pair well with roast birds or grilled sausages.
This negociant wine is soft, ripe and smoothly textured. It has a fine balance between acidity and the rich red cherry fruit. With its edge of tannins, it has a good structure that gives it shape. Drinkable now.
Yellow plums, juicy pear and ripe peach make for a fruitful, medium-sweet wine with lots of generosity, softness and warmth. Just enough freshness counters all the ripeness. Drink soon for maximum fruit.
Aromas of citrus, melon and orange blossom start this crisp, elegant white from Cephalonia. On the palate, bright flavors of lemon/lime and white peach are balanced with a stony minerality. A beautiful example of an ancient indigenous variety.
This Sauvignon Blanc, Malagousia and Robola blend is feminine and refined from start to finish. The nose offers white flowers and citrus, while on the palate, the fuller-bodied fruit character finishes with a perky brightness. The wine has a fruit-forward style that will appeal to an international market, but exhibits lovely Greek character.
The floral and citrus-rind aromas are light, not yet fully showing themselves. The palate, in contrast brings a rich mouthfeel of fruit flavors, providing a lot of appeal.
Pleasing aromas of cocoa, dried herb and red fruit lead to a full-bodied palate with a tight core of grippy tannins. Vanilla and spice notes run throughout.
This wine is finely balanced, ripe with plenty of fruit and crisp with an edge of acidity. Its blackberry fruit and attractive tannic structure make this a wine that is ready to drink.
A strong element of minty eucalyptus shows in this wine that is full bodied on the palate and integrated in oak, with an accent of clove. Fruity berry pie and mocha round out a softened, approachable texture that'll pair well at the table.
Underbrush, dark berry and tilled soil aromas come together along with a whiff of iris. On the brisk palate, dried sage, anise and orange peel accent the tart cherry core. Bracing acidity provides the backbone.
Aromas of fynbos, fresh hop flower, lime leaf and lemon verbena abound in the herbal bouquet of this Chenin. Notes of Anjou pear and green apple form a fruity core to ground the assertive herbal characteristics, while hints of dried herbs and honeyed spice unfold on the close.
This rare bottling of this variety displays aromas of pear and spice along with whiffs of tropical fruit. It's on the lighter side of medium bodied with a creamy, slightly unctuous feel.
Dense aromas of prunes, black plums, tobacco and vanilla bean mark the nose of this SoCal bottling. It's plump with rustic elderberry fruit at first sip, then tightens down around a black rock core, also showing smoked cedar and white pepper.
Aromas of black currant, menthol, oak and vanilla lead the nose. The extracted, one-dimensional palate offers prune, blackberry extract, dried sage and tobacco alongside extremely raspy, astringent tannins that dry out the palate.
Largely Chardonnay and Riesling, this wine offers aromas that include peach, pear, melon and almond. It's full in feel, lightly sweet with citrus and stone-fruit flavors that linger.
Herb and citrus aromas lead to lightly spritzy, just off-dry tropical fruit flavors that linger.
The pear, apple, toast and cinnamon aromas are light and elusive. The flavors are elegant, with the concentration trailing toward the finish.
The first release on the winery's new label program, which shines a bright light on the soils of their sprawling vineyard atop the Cuesta Grade, this offers clean aromas of lemon peel. The palate is almost spritzy with energy, showing lime juice, green pear and dried-apple flavors all bound together by a searing acidity.
This fresh, appealing wine is lightly spritzy, with flavors of pear and melon that show persistence.
In this rare varietal for California, a buttery, almost earthy aroma leads to restrained butterscotch and melon flavors and a creamy texture, while the balance is still dry. Medium bodied, it has enough weight to keep buttery and nutty nuances going on the finish.
Pink-orange in color, this straightforward, even-keeled wine offers a bouquet and taste of fresh strawberries and pink grapefruit, with mellowed structure behind it. It has enough weight to pair well with antipasto and the like.
Lush aromas of melon, mango and pineapple are pristine and primary on this delicate, brisk Riesling. Off dry in style, it's a straightforward yet irresistibly juicy thirst quencher sure to please a wide audience.
Warm red-berry aromas are simple and fresh, a hallmark of a good Alicante wine. This is a touch sharp and drawing on the palate, with cherry, plum and berry flavors. Crisp and focused on the finish, this ranks as an ideal everyday quaffer.
All Grenache from Angiolina Farm, this pretty, pale-salmon-colored wine offers aromas of fresh herbs, wet copper penny and strawberry. It drinks dry with tart, fleshy-feeling fruit flavors.
This Vignobles Dourthe wine is ripe and richly textured. Full and blackberry flavored, it is 84% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. An attractive interplay between the fruit and the tannins gives a balanced wine. Drink from 2017.
Ripe and fruity, this red-berry flavored wine has good acidity and a crisp, bright texture. The tannins are now well integrated into the fruit, giving a structured, yet fresh, aftertaste. Drink now. In the Chéty family for eight generations, the vineyards were changed to organic in 2011 by sons Olivier and Emmanuel (enologist), who also made major renovations to the winery.
Aromas of toasted oak, menthol, marinated plum and a hint of wet animal fur lead the nose. The palate is still tight and rather closed, offering raw red berry, licorice and oak sensations supported by raspy tannins.
This is a rich, toasty and concentrated Chenin, with assertive aromas of toasted oak, sweet spice, Corn Pops cereal and sweet orange. The mouthfeel is round and generous, boasting full flavors of wood-grilled apple and spiced orange that linger long on the spice-fueled finish.
Brawny in blackberry, blueberry and black pepper, with a shake of cinnamon, this is a soft, complex wine with leathery undertones. From steep, volcanic-soiled vines, it's appropriately tannic without being overbearing.
The powerful blend is as big as ever in this vintage, combining Zinfandel with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono. The grapes are sourced from some of Napa Valley's finest sites, including Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga. It's expressive and expansive in tobacco and tar, thick and rich, with a finish of bittersweet chocolate.
This ripe, deliciously fruity wine has red plum and black currant fruits along with fragrant acidity and a gently tannic structure. It will be ready to drink from 2017. Canadian David Curl purchased Moya in 2008; Damien Landouar is the winery director. The vineyard was certified organic in 2013.
Smooth and creamy in texture, this rounded wine is cut easily by acidity, with a tangy background that gives a more mineral edge. With its fresh aftertaste, this is ready to drink. In the Thienpont family since 1946, Nicolas has been the winemaker and a key mover in this appellation since 1983.
The nose on this wine from a very promising appellation for value is very root-vegetable-driven, with aromas of just-cut beets, boiled rhubarb, green and black olives and a hint of strawberry. The palate is earthy and interesting, showing lots of chopped black olive, which may be a turn-off for some expecting a more fruit-driven experience.
Powerfully structured, this is a dense wine, with layers of ripe fruit as well as tannins. It is concentrated, firm and showing its structure. The black plum fruit flavors from the 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend give weight and a broad character to the aftertaste. Drink from 2017. Produced by Alliance Bourg.
Copper peach and orange in color, this light, dry wine is soft and refreshing. Flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and cherry don't overwhelm on the palate. It finishes crisp and ready for another sip.
Ripe fruit flavors advance from apple to pear to honey as you sniff and sip this wine. It tastes clean and fruity, with a medium body and a smooth texture that allows the fruitiness to linger on the finish.
A Négrette-based wine, this is full of red berry flavors and that leathery, polished character that is typical of the grape. It has plenty of acidity as well as a tight, tannic character. The wine will always be tannic, so it is ready to drink now.
Black and green olive tapenade and ripe plum come together around a soft, juicy yet ultimately tannic expression of the variety, given 14% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon as worthy complements.
Powdery, wayward aromas pick up more raciness and green character with time in the glass. A linear palate flat-lines at lime and green apple in terms of flavors, while the finish brings a slightly vegetal tone.
Aromas of saline, citrus fruit, passion fruit and mustard are pithy and show pyrazines. Following the nose, this is citric in feel, with orange peel and grapefruit flavors. A grassy, slightly bitter finish is snappy and suggests fresh scallion.
From one of the largest private vineyards in France (2,300 acres), this wine epitomizes the light and fresh style that comes from Gascony in the hidden southwest of France. It is fruity, citrus-crisp with a touch of honey from the Gros Manseng in the blend. Drink now.
This is a simple but appealing rosé, defined by strawberry fruit, hints of chalk dust and a mouthwatering finish.
Despite this wine's very pale color, it shows ample weight and a silky texture on the palate. Peach and melon flavors pick up hints of berry and citrus on the finish.
A slightly earthy aroma leads to rich, ripe berry and cherry flavors that seem to coat the mouth and linger on the finish. It's medium bodied and almost soft, with little acidity or tannin detectable. All that opulent fruit flavor keeps it pleasing.
Aromas of underbrush, ripe black fruit, clove and cedar come together in this Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah blend. The palate offers raisin, prune, mint and black pepper alongside lean, drying tannins. This is already drying out so drink soon.
Rusty in color, gritty, earthy aromas of mushroom open the aromas of this solid feeling Pinot. The modest acidity makes the palate seem a bit flat, while baked—slightly burnt—flavors of peppered berry fruits finish modest and dry in feel.
Blackberry and herbal aromas vie with raw oak and heat on the bouquet of this chunky, jammy, slightly sloppy feeling Monastrell. Dark plum, blackberry and baking spice flavors veer in the direction of clove, and overall this shows itself to be far more oak-based than pure.
Young and lightly spicy, this brings crisp flavors of Asian pear to the forefront. It's a straightforward wine, with just a dash of white pepper adding an interesting flavor note.
Olive and leather aromas ride over herbal berry tones. This is fresh and medium in body, with salty, charred blackberry flavors. Salt and pepper flavors monopolize the finish.
Chunky and fruit forward, this opens with scents of roses and cherries, and cherry fruit is the most striking impression on the palate. There's a light suggestion of leather also, and sharp, finishing acidity.
Heavy barrel aromas suggest sawdust, while a grassy, herbal accent brings a green character into play. Drawing and a bit high in acidity, this tastes herbal, with a pyrazinic note of eucalyptus. The minty finish is brightened by lasting acidity.
This typically fresh, lemon- and herbal-accented wine is light as a feather and deliciously aromatic. Drink this carefree wine this summer.
This deliciously fruity wine is all about citrus, pear and crisp apple. Lively and ready to drink, it will improve through 2016 as the intense acidity softens.
This lively fresh wine brings out the fruitiness of the blend rather than the tannins of the Syrah and Merlot. Citrus and red berry flavors are well integrated with the crisp acidity. Drink now.
Aromas of struck match, seared lemon, roasted apples and a touch of butterscotch prove clean and not overpowering. This is a very straight-ahead Chardonnay, with lemon fruit, chalk and noticeable oak influence.
Once past an element of burnt rubber that mingles with the ripe blackberry aromas, this becomes a hearty and concentrated wine yet one with very moderate alcohol. It has plenty of tannins to add texture, and enough concentration to keep the vivid berry and wood smoke flavors lingering on the finish. It's made without adding sulfites.
Aromatic and forward, this is scented and flavored with macerated red plums and cherries. It remains tough and chewy, showing buttery lactic flavors that have not entirely integrated, with a bitter edge to the finish. More bottle age may help smooth it out.
Syrah can be expressive even when slightly green, as it is here. Strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors are set amidst sharp, slightly chalky, citrusy acids. Best to drink this with grilled meats.
Stalky aromas of straw and citrus are challenging but acceptable. On the palate, this is racy and feels like nectarine juice. Leesy, stalky peach flavors finish floral and yeasty, with lasting acidity. Drink immediately.
Lemon, lime, sulfur and matchstick aromas are solid. This Viura has a standard, fresh, zesty mouthfeel and common flavors of white grapefruit and lime. A minerally, citric finish is crisp and appropriate.
Solid blackberry aromas mark the nose. This is astringent on the palate, with rock-hard tannins. Blackberry, cassis and prune flavors veer toward chocolate on a choppy, tough finish.
Wild strawberry and a soft layering of fresh earth form the core of this blend, based mostly on Cabernet Sauvignon, with a healthy dose of Merlot and then smaller supporting handfuls of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Blackberries come to fore as the wine develops, along with a swathe of bittersweet chocolate.
Passion fruit and citrus aromas are straightforward and a bit sharp. This feels lemony yet wan, with tangy, lean flavors of lemon-lime mixed with fresh green herbs. Notes of scallion and tarragon blend with lingering lime on the finish.
It's a shame that so little of this wine is made, as it is a textbook example of a powerful, beautifully balanced Syrah from this tiny AVA in the heart of the Yakima Valley. Black fruits abound, wrapped in a firm, muscular, polished package by fine-grained tannins and a dark chocolate finish.
This is a fairly big, muscular Pinot Noir, with beefy black-cherry fruit and oaky overtones of brown sugar. Give it a year or more to smooth out, because the long, intense finish filled with berry fruit shows tremendous promise. Drink 2013–2020.
A tremendous Grenache from the Foothills, estate grown from Beaucastel budwood and let to develop slowly, this wine has acres to go before it sleeps. Still superdense and dark with fruity plum and anise predominating, it'll grow old with tenderness and grace.
Concentrated white fruits, layering melon, pear and red apples with the balancing acidity. For a Chablis, it is ripe and opulent, a delicious already approachable product of the warm year. It does have texture to age well.
Opulent and rich, this is a concentrated wine with toast and fruit both showing strongly. The new wood flavors offer spice, while the fruit suggests pineapple, kiwi and fresh plums. Worth aging 2–3 years.
While it is rich, the wine is more dominated by the minerality and structure of Chablis. White fruits, melon and pear come through, with a citric edge and firm toast. It is taut and tense, ready to age.
A wine that is destined for good aging, with its mineral structure and toast flavors. It has weight and richness but equally it has intense pear and citrus fruits layered with acidity. Age for at least four years.
Powerful, concentrated Chablis. It is rich, with ripe apricot and nectarine fruit, laced with Seville orange acidity. With a touch of toast, a well-integrated structure, this is a wine for medium-term aging.
The Boushey character shines through in this elegant, complex wine. A lovely, sensual mix of loam, mushroom, tobacco and black cherry blends into a stylish wine with exceptional detail all the way through its lengthy finish.
This very limited reserve mixes old-vine fruit from the Bacchus and Weinbau vineyards (all under the Sagemoor umbrella). Berries, cherries and cassis draw you into a dusty, detailed wine with nuances of herb and earth. A lick of rich dark chocolate ends it with a flourish.
The first release for Tranche from Blue Mountain (estate) fruit, this classic Cabernet benefits from the same extended aging in barrel and bottle that sister winery Corliss gives its wines. Toasty, smoky and precisely defined dark fruit hold down the core, a muscular mix of black cherry, cassis, dried herb and leaf. Firm and compact, with well-integrated barrel flavors (two thirds were new), this balances Euro elegance with New World vitality.
Smooth and inviting from the start, with floral aromas, popping cherry and ripe plum on the bouquet. Feels fresh and forward, with black cherry, cola, baked plum and spice flavors. Gets it right all the way through, with smoothness and chocolaty oak on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
With some Chardonnay in the blend, this is a wine that combines a toasty character with rich yellow fruit and green plums. There is a good tang of orange zest that brightens the aftertaste of this rich wine.
A big, black-colored wine, impressively rich. Fermented in open stone lagars, it has an opulent ripe character, the black fruits sweet and generous. At the same time, the dense tannic structure promises good aging. Keep for 5–6 years or more.
A big, ripe earthy wine, layered with tannins and dark black fruits. It has density and concentration, while keeping a sense of freshness and balance. A powerful and impressive wine that will age well.
This dry estate wine is voluptuous and richly floral, with well-developed stone fruit and melon flavors. Medium-bodied, it's weighty enough to be enjoyed on its own or at the table with a wide array of foods.
This is an herbal, earthy, delicately layered and silky wine with red cherry and pomegranate characteristics. Medium-bodied, it stays true to its varietal nature by being light on its feet.
A blend of bready aromas along with crisp apple and pear scents leads to a citrusy palate of lime and green melon. The lasting finish is a good way for things to conclude.
Woody tannins support this full-bodied reserve wine's dark, brooding black fruit. Grippy on the palate, it combines forceful mocha, leather and cedar flavors with touches of sage and graphite.
This still-young crisp wine is full of apple and citrus acidity. The mousse is lively, giving a bright character to this fruity wine. Because it is so dry, it needs another few months before drinking, so wait until 2018.
Lively, fruity and well made, this wine has plenty of raspberry and cherry flavors, good acidity and light tannins to add a bit of grip to the texture. For a medium-bodied wine, it has nice concentration.
Red cherry, white sage, iron and roasted game notes make for classic Central Coast Pinot Noir aromas in this appellation blend from winemaking veteran Stephen Dooley. It's light, fresh and easy to enjoy, with dried cherry and anise flavors and a grippy texture.
Aromas of garden herbs, cherry and bittersweet chocolate lead to medium-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. The tannins are quite firm and need some time (hopefully) to soften. The oak seems to get out front.
Exquisite scents of ripe red strawberries and raspberries accented by fresh herbs and bramble make Hermann J. Wiemer's Reserve another top pick for Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc. There's an intensity to the bright, red plums that flavor the palate, complemented by a pleasant astringency and vibrant acidity that keeps this wine impeccably fresh.
Fresh but concentrated all at once with rich aromas of honey-drizzled baked apple, apricot, orange oil and ripe lychee. The full but balanced mouth offers similar flavors along with a tang of apple cider crispness and a spiced honey finish.
The nose is strong on this wine, with intense notes of kirsch, brandied raisins and fruit cake spice. Medium weight with fine-grain tannins and more sweet red fruit preserve flavors developing in the mouth. The finish oozes with a vanilla crème flavor. Rich and flavorful but definitely falls on the sweeter side.
Reasonably priced for the quality, Waimea's 2008 Barrel Selection Pinot Noir is surprisingly rich and layered for the vintage, with savory notes of mushrooms, coffee and roasted meat backed by ample black cherry and plum fruit. Drink now–2015.
Foliage and cocoa integrate with the dark cherry and plum aromas of this Merlot-dominant blend. Well structured and firm but not closed with medium, approachable tannins. Cigar box, spice and milk chocolate enliven the close. Drink now.
A one-dimensional, pungent style of SB that's fresh, zesty and tangy in the mouth courtesy of zippy acidity and flavors of tangerine, grapefruit and passion fruit. Finishes more in the pink grapefruit zone, but with snap. Chiseled and linear, but definitely still kicking.
Ripe, juicy blackberries burst from the nose and palate of this deliciously fruit-forward Cab Franc. Sweet, exotic violets, herbs and earthy bramble notes add complexity to the fruit, along with balanced oak and a cheery, sour cherry acidity.
Stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnay (eg ‘naked') is becoming commonplace, but few offer as much snap and juicy fruitiness as this one. It's a great, round mouthful of grape juice, crisp green apple and suggestions of pineapple and citrus. A little fresh herb rounds out the finish.
Honeyed marmalade and bitter orange-rind flavors are a counterplay of silky-sweet and astringent elements on this dry, but densely textured wine. Full bodied in style, it's balanced with piercing lemon-lime acidity, with a murmur of slate-like minerality through the finish.
This wine represents an excellent value, and one that showcases the quality potential of Langhorne Creek. It's creamy in texture, voluptuous in feel and full in body, with a bold flavor of red currant that's framed by ample cedar and vanilla notes. Long and creamy on the finish. Drink now–2018.
Now owned by Château Haut-Bailly, this wine was produced before the purchase. It is elegant and ripe; its tannins already well integrated, resulting in a full-bodied yet fruity character. Black plum and dark spice notes are lightened with refreshing acidity on the finish. Age for five years and more.
Maturing well, yet with plenty of aging ahead, this is a firm and fragrant selection. It has a ripe berry flavor and a hint of truffle, with sweet acidity and a dense, rich structure.
This smells a touch rubbery on the nose, but mostly it is an excellent high-end Rioja with leather, tobacco and red fruit aromas. The wine shows structure and solidity on the tongue, with dry, spicy red-berry flavors matched by a note of tobacco. Tight, dry and healthy-feeling on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This spicy wine is produced by the Mau family. It has an attractive cinnamon element, a touch of toast, and a concentrated texture that brings out a tropical fruit character. Rich and perfumed, this has a great note of ginger snap on the finish.
This is a rich wine that's full of apricot, melon and pear flavors. It has weight, ripe fruit and a good touch of minerality, with a clean and crisp finish. Age this for a year or two.
Dark in color, this is a concentrated wine that's very firm in structure, with dense tannins. It's powered by ripe, mature black fruits as well as acids that cut through the dry texture. This needs several years of aging.
At this stage, strong wood-influenced flavors dominate the fruit of this smooth-textured wine. It has the weight to stand up to the wood, so expect this wine to develop into a rich, creamy, lightly spicy wine in 2–3 years.
On the north bank of the river, the remote Quinta dos Canais has produced a ripe, richly textured, perfumed wine that's packed with sweet berry flavor. It is concentrated, complete and softly tannic, suggesting medium-term aging.
Full bodied and richly textured, this is a lush, velvety Shiraz that nevertheless seems to possess enough structure to age successfully. Cassis, molasses and vanilla all play roles in the aroma and flavor profiles, while a mocha note chimes in on the long finish. Drink now–2025.
The 2009 Diana Madeline is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. It boasts lovely aromas of cassis and tobacco leaf or dried herb, while on the palate it is restrained. For all of the aromatic boldness and purity, it's a bit austere, ending on a firm, crisp note. A 2002 tasted recently was just hitting its stride, so give it another 6–8 years.
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (the balance is Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc), this is full bodied, lush and richly textured. Cassis, blackberry, vanilla and tobacco leaf notes give this a convincingly Bordeaux-styled profile, although much riper and plusher. Drink now–2023.
With a veritable bouquet of honeysuckle, fresh herb and freesia, this is one fragrant Riesling. Crisp and clean on the palate, it's sweet-tasting and easy-drinking, with ultraripe stone fruit and a prickle of lime-skin astringency on the finish.
All three of Plantagenet's Shirazes were successful in 2008. This, the flagship bottling, offers aromas of coffee grounds, cherry and cracked black pepper, adding vanilla, spice and charred beef flavors on the palate. It's harmonious, savory and complex. Drink now–2020 and possibly beyond.
Bright and refreshing, this sparkler opens with aromas of small red berry and a whiff of cake spice. Made entirely with Pinot Nero, the vibrant palate offers strawberry, raspberry and a cinnamon note alongside crisp acidity.
A succulent, almost thick mouthfeel and subtle doughy, nutty flavors give this full-bodied wine a lot of impact on the palate. The good viscosity seems to coat the sides of the mouth and help extend the finish.
The aromas are quite light and brooding, with notes of dark fruit, vanilla, herb, coconut, wood and baking spice. The cranberry and cherry flavors bring a seamless feel. The oak influence seems a bit intense but it still brings plenty of appeal.
Easy drinking and enjoyable, this opens with aromas of blackberry, spiced plum and a whiff of tilled earth. The medium-bodied palate provides juicy black cherry and licorice alongside supple tannins. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy soon.
The aromas are generous, with notes of cigar box, dried herb, brambly berry and dried hay. The meaty flavors are round and full, providing appeal, finishing a bit warm.
Lemon zest, mango and flowers lead the nose on this elegant Malagousia. Smooth and silky with juicy orange and citrus flavors, the wine has an elegant overall character.
This wine is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Aglianico, hailing from Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Serra Pedace vineyards. Aromas of cranberry, raspberry, and fruit leather lead to quite tart cranberry flavors. The concentration doesn't quite seem all there to stand up by itself but it should fit in well at the dinner table.
Fresh lemon, sea salt and grapefruit aromas lead this buoyant pour from Crete. On the palate, appealing flavors of ripe lemon, tropical fruit and spice give it weight enough to pair with heartier dishes. That said, it finishes clean with a peppery finish.
This offers aromas of red berry, leafy underbrush and a whiff of chopped mint. The juicy palate delivers succulent black cherry, orange zest and ground pepper alongside sleek tannins.
As effusive in flavor as a bowl full of orchard fruits, this wine exudes fresh apple, melon and spearmint aromas backed by ripe yet crisp flavors that carry a vein of apple blossoms. It's not sweet, but it has a pleasant softness around the edges of the mouthfeel.
Quite powerful and oaky in style, this full-bodied wine matches ripeness with firm tannins, carrying a hint of brown-sugar sweetness from the aroma through the finish. It's dry, but the spicy effect of new-oak barrels adds a pastry-like accent, which the texture balances with a welcome bite of astringency.
Slightly sour Meyer-lemon-pith aromas meet with honeysuckle and yellow pear on the nose of this bottling by veteran Bob Lindquist. There is a strong sizzle of acidity on the sip, where green-apple flavors meet with tart nectarine and lime-peel zip. It's very fresh and food-friendly.
Black-cherry-cola aromas along with lots of licorice and Dr Pepper spice show on the nose of this bottling from a relatively new winery in northeast Paso Robles. There is slight sweetness to the palate, with baked cherry and baking-spice flavors. Accents of dried blackberry, leather, dried meat and purple flower add complexity.
Lemon and orange rind, Muscat-like flavors of honey, tropical fruit, melon and spice unfold on the nose and mouth of this elegant, well-balanced white. The wine's brisk finish keeps it focused and pure through the close.
Boisterous blueberry, black cherry and black-currant aromas make for a hedonistic nose on this bottling that also offers a sultry line of cocoa, espresso and clove spice. The palate shows similar layering, from black-cherry compote to herbs to black olives, proving unique overall.
The aromas are light, with notes of candle wax, herb and spice. The palate brings a light but still rounded, creamy feel that carries through the lingering finish.
Notes of linden tea and candied lemon hit the nose. The palate comes in with gentle, late-harvest sweetness, balanced by delicate, fresh acidity. This unusual style shows off Demerara sugar and dried-apple notes. It's not sweet enough to be a dessert wine but will shine either with spicy Asian dishes or with washed-rind cheese.
Delicate aromas of crushed herb blue flower and red berry set the tone on this straightforward but solid Barolo. The linear palate offers sour cherry, cranberry and a suggestion of clove alongside firm tannins and fresh acidity.
Stewed prune, leather, violet and clove aromas come together on this. The solid structured palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry and a hint of star anise alongside youthfully assertive tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink after 2023.
With its relatively high alcohol, it is logical that this should be a rich wine. It has juicy blackberry fruits cut with acidity while having weight and density. It is almost pure Merlot which gives the wine its fruit and concentration. Drink from 2019.
This blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot is initially firm with dry tannins and a powerful structure. This will soften as the bright black-currant flavor from the Cabernet begins to shine. The wine, produced in the southern part of Haut-Médoc, will develop well. Drink from 2021.
This is a delicious wine with its ripe fruits and soft tannins. It has a touch of spice, as well as bright acidity along with a touch of smokiness from the wood aging. Rich and generous, it will mature quickly. Drink from 2019.
Loaded with energy, this polished red opens with fragrant blue flower, new leather, black plum and baking spice aromas. The juicy, vibrant palate offers tart cherry, cranberry, clove and thyme, its acidity and fine-grained tannins lending grip to the finish. Racy and linear, it needs time to fully develop. Drink 2019–2028.
A closed nose leads to a gently concentrated palate of tart aromatic red-cherry fruit pervaded by conifer notes. Very finely structured tannins create a texture of starched crackling silk while darker cherry notes lurk in the background and are met with juicy freshness. This is aromatic, elegant and long.
Fresh notes of crunchy red cherry have a spicy edge of pepper. The body of this slender Pinot Noir is very light, totally peppery and very appetizing. The structure is soft and very refreshing. This could also be chilled and is a fabulously light-bodied but sprightly lunch red. The finish is perfectly dry and very enlivening.
Juicy and round, youthful red delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and clove aromas and flavors. Chewy tannins provide structure. Enjoy through 2020.
New leather, pressed blue flower, wild berry and a whiff of game are some of the aromas you'll find in this taut, structured red. The palate offers mature black cherry, licorice and vanilla flavors, while assertive, close-grained tannins give the finish grip. Give this time to let those tannins mellow. Drink 2018–2026.
Spicy earth meets baked plum and cherry in this medium-bodied wine sourced from multiple sites, including Sangiacomo Vineyards. Mint and lavender scents emerge on the nose before stronger elements of tobacco take over on the finish.
Made of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 10% Sangiovese, this offers black currant scents laced with cake spice. The round, juicy palate delivers blackberry jam, pipe tobacco and clove flavors as well as chewy tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
Baked cherry and cranberry fruit kick off the nose of this bottling, followed by then wild thyme and touches of dust and smoke. The palate is light and zesty, with hibiscus and tea flavors along with cranberry fruit and more fresh herbs on the finish.
For the price, this is an impressively detailed and complex wine. Floral notes reminiscent of lavender or rosemary mark the nose and impart interest to the palate, which deftly marries herbs, baking spices and dark fruit. Crisp acids combine with soft tannins on the silky finish. Drink now–2022.
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.
Don't expect explosive fruit from this wine. It delivers a pungent, spicy mix of cola, roasted meat and black olives instead, cushioned by ample weight in the mouth and a broad, creamy texture. Drink now–2020.
Lovely notes of ripe apple with an orange peel touch play on the nose. They also appear on the dry, juicy and very fruit-driven palate. All is driven and slender, fresh but ripe. The fruit is so burgeoning that this is still juicy, even on the apple-scented finish.
Ripe plum, blue flower and an earthy whiff of truffle lead the nose, while the juicy palate offers black cherry and clove flavors with a hint of game. Chewy tannins provide the framework.
Truffle, new leather, coconut and spiced plum aromas come together in the glass. The taut, full-bodied palate delivers mature black cherry, licorice, coffee and ground pepper set against a backdrop of fine-grained tannins that give it a firm texture. Drink 2019–2027.
Spicy, oaky and rich in flavor and texture, this wine tastes of vanilla, butter and ripe red cherries upon first sip, feels soft and easy on the palate. As it opens, more fruit and oaky spice flavors emerge, while firm tannins give it grip.
Bright red-skinned berry, new leather, herb and dark spice aromas waft out of the glass. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with star anise and tobacco notes adding depth to the fresh cherry core. Taut, refined tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2024.
Made entirely from Chardonnay, this opens with yellow apple, Williams pear and white peach aromas that follow through to the palate. It's elegant and steeped in vanilla and hazelnut flavors, with fresh acidity that lifts its creamy texture.
Blackberry, anise and spice aromas are followed by rich full-fruit flavors. It's made in a hedonistic style that doesn't hold back.
Made with enough skin contact to yield a gentle coppery hue, this medium-bodied wine features aromas of cantaloupe, cherry and citrus. Cherry fruit on the palate is accompanied by vaguely Pinot Noir-like notes of dried bracken and moss, then glides to a long, silky finish. Drink now.
This cuvée gets some extra time in 40% new wood, and is bottled unfiltered. Plush blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors, accented with streaks of cola and chocolate, capture your attention. It's a rich tasty forward immediately enjoyable bottle, so go for it now through 2020.
Golden Delicious apple meets tart Meyer lemon in this medium-bodied, expressive vineyard designate bolstered by 25% new French oak. A velvety texture enwraps its savory fruitiness and stony acidity.
Closed at this stage, the wine has acidity, minerality and the potential of ripe pear and apricot fruit flavors. The wood is showing strongly but will integrate, while the texture promises good aging.
Harvested on the night of the new moon (hence the name); this was aged in one-year-old French oak. The fruit stands out, striking for its dense purple shade, its meaty undertones and its pretty purity. It's overlaid with big barrel flavors of caramel and toast—delicious, but dominant. Let it breathe!
The extra time has helped to unwrap what must have been an exceedingly compact wine, but it still needs to be decanted and/or cellared further. The black fruits are subservient to the dense, tarry tannins. Everything is ripe, but ripe as fine Bordeaux is ripe, with earth and bark and herb still prominent.
Very mineral in character, the wine has grapefruit and orange peel characters. It's taut, linear in style, with a lively acidity that cuts through the citrus and green apple fruits.
John Chiarito is the first American to petition for the right to label his wine Nero d'Avola, a variety he grows just outside of the town of Ukiah in eastern Mendocino and a nod to his family's Southern Italian heritage (the grape is native to Sicily). Here he's made an outstandingly intriguing, rustic, big fruit, high-acid red that'll surprise you as it opens, very Old World and definitely worth a try if you can find it. Only 60 cases produced.
Emblematic of the new direction for Tranche, this pure varietal has power and presence. It gracefully captures the herbaceous aspect of the grape, without sacrificing the deep purple fruit. Fragrant on entry, though the tannins are still a little hard and chewy. Balanced and complex.
Compact and chewy, with clearly delineated Bordeaux style and character. Cassis and black cherry fruit; stiff, earthy tannins, good length and fine aging potential. The acids and tannins are in good proportion, and the fruit is not overtaken with new oak, but there is enough (40%) to frame it with some sweet spices.
A demanding, pushy wine with few rewards. The nose is aggressive with aromas of shoe polish, coffee and gamy fruit, and the palate turns jumpy and more acidic as it opens. Rough and tumble, yet concentrated. Imported by Orvino Imports.
Pale and a bit rusty in color, this modest little wine offers nothing beyond faint pine and earth aromas and herbal, tomato-like flavors.
Brambly on the nose, with equally challenging and drying flavors of cranberry and rhubarb. There's very little to say about this stripped-down Cabernet other than that it's generally clean and not brutally offensive.
A heavy, nutty Chard. Mealy citrus and peach flavors carry the palate to a flat, uninspiring finish. Ripe but not well balanced.
Excessively volatile, with some briary, berry-like fruit that's overwhelmed by slightly pickle-y notes. It's medium in body, but thins out on the finish.
Not a winner by any stretch. This Cabernet has thick prune and asphalt aromas, and in the mouth it's heavy and sticky. In terms of flavors, the wine seems overly mushy, herbal and dull. Seems like the grapes were too ripe.
Muted on the nose, with flavors of apple and white gumdrops, and finishing with hints of butter and anise.
Funky, off-base floral aromas and a sweet, cotton candy flavor profile. Feels flat and sugary to the end, with a nip of bitter almond.
This wine offers aromas of spice and anise, but its flavors are overpowered by tart berry and strong pepper notes. Lacks dimension and elegance.
Sweet melon, peach and vanilla aromas come with a tropical leaning. The mouthfeel trends toward flat, while modest flavors of apple and melon are supported by soft, melony acidity. While this is good, it's on the flat and flabby side.
In much the same mold as its companion, the ghost in the machine Red, this is almost all Syrah, with a bit more bite and focus. Purple plum fruit glides smoothly into a lightly toasty finish. A fine every day red with plenty of flavor.
This is a linebacker wine, at 15.7% abv, bursting with roasted coffee, licorice and dry tannins all around. Soft, supple and round, and fully concentrated, the finish could use a bit more harrumph. The back label's suggestion to pair this wine with short ribs is a good call.
For a large-production wine (47,000 cases made), this is nice and easy to drink. Tropical fruit aromas are lightly citric. In the mouth, this is fresh and easy, with nectarine and tangerine flavors. Freshness and simplicity are this wine's calling card.
Like its stablemates, the Elton bottling has dropped more than a point of alcohol in 2010, and the winery's lineup overall tilts toward the thin and herbal. Here the cranberry fruit shows little charm. There's a spine of iron and a finish amply loaded with flavors of herb and earth.
Crusty cherry and cassis aromas come with mineral notes and scents of wet clay, hard spice and animal hide. The palate is medium in power and not that structured, with chunky black-fruit flavors offset by spice notes. A baked, dry feeling finish falls off toward herbal.
For a spring or summer sipper, this fits the bill. The nose is neutral except for light apple, pear and lime aromas. In the mouth, it's zesty and linear, with acidic cut. Flavors of white pepper powder, fresh yellow pepper and citrus lead to a crisp, clean finish.
This has a hard shell keeping it closed down, despite hours of airing. Cranberry fruit with a hint of mineral seems to quickly hit a wall and stop short. More bottle age may help to open it up a bit.
Tannic and powerfully built, Muscardini's Sangiovese veers into slightly sour-currant territory and offers a long, leathery finish.
This basic Verdejo from Rueda offers minerally apple and citrus aromas in front of a zesty, citric palate. Flavors of orange and nectarine are nice but entirely regular, while the finish is crisp and chalky.
Full, ripe black berry fruited wine. Although young, it already has a soft and smooth texture bringing out richness as well as fruitiness. Spice and pepper add complexity. Not for long aging, this is ready to drink now. Screwcap.
A heavy gold color announces an oily, floral nose that suggests gardenias. The palate is quite oily in feel and very plump, with decent acidity and unique flavors of persimmon, spice and exotic fruits. This is oily and a bit clunky on the finish. Drink now.
This is the blended Bordeaux from Calvet, one of the oldest wine names in the city. It's full and ripe, a rounded wine that has good berry fruits as well as a drier, firmer core. At the end, a more smoky character appears.
This Montsant white is oily and oaky on the nose. The palate on this Garnacha Blanca is plump feeling, with decent acidity and full flavors of papaya and melon. This finishes oily in feel, with green notes and scallion flavors. Only 500 cases made.
One of the labels from the Bonnet vineyard of André Lurton, this red follows the approachable, fruity style of these wines. Red berry fruits and soft tannins make it already drinkable.
From one of the state's most highly regarded vineyards, this boasts beguiling aromas of milk chocolate, plum, barrel spice, vanilla, herb and coffee. Lightly smoky, sensuous fruit and barrel flavors follow, showing more elegance than this often brawny appellation is known for.
This wine, while rich, has all the minerality and crisp texture associated with the appellation. Wood aging adds spice. It needs some aging, not much, and will be ready to drink from 2019.
This wine has weight and richness. It is ripe with apricot and peach flavors that are happily balanced by a crisp edge of acidity. Its texture will give it a good future. Drink from 2019.
This once common and now hard-to-find grape makes for a hearty wine, with earthy aromas of baked soil, composting rose petals, dried but not raisiny black fruit and rustic leather. Dried red cherry starts the sip, with more earthiness on the midpalate, including gravel and asphalt—a very interesting wine.
Presented with subtlety on the nose, this bottling by the iconic Santa Cruz Mountains winery delivers scents of toasted pine nuts and almonds, tangerine rind and lemon balm. There is racy acidity on the sip, where lemon peel, crisp pear and buttered apple flavors make for a very thorough Chardonnay.
Balsamic aromas of menthol, saddle leather, crushed herb and exotic spice mingle together in this Barbaresco. The solid palate shows crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, cinnamon and espresso flavors alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Espresso, dark chocolate, herb and purple fruit aromas lead to a soft, smooth palate in this wine. Fruit and barrel notes play equal parts, yet it comes up short on the finish.
Brooding smoke, purple fruit and violet aromas are followed by sumptuous fruit and barrel flavors in this Syrah. Barrel notes linger on the finish, feeling a bit raw but not detracting from the overall enjoyment.
This leads with vibrant and fresh aromas, recalling cut grass, herbs, lime zest and citrus, with whiffs of tropical fruit. The palate brings tart, zingy, mouthwatering citrus flavors, with a lightly creamy feel on the finish.
This opens with subtle aromas suggesting underbrush, exotic spice, vanilla, menthol and toast. On the structured palate, bright acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins support ripe Marasca cherry, clove and star anise flavors. Drink 2021–2031.
Fleshy pumpkin and squash aromas are mature and lightly oxidized but in good form. A round, full palate offers vitality and balance. Earthy flavors of acorn squash and baked apple finish long and peppery. Drink through 2019.
Pristine grapefruit, lemon and cantaloupe perfume this bold, fruit-forward Gewürztraminer. While off dry in style and densely concentrated in apricot and citrus flavors, it's balanced keenly in acidity and finishes with mineral refreshment.
Plum and berry aromas show a touch of varietal green. In the mouth, this wine is a bit jammy as well as dense. Woody, herbal blackberry flavors are satisfying. It stays firm and balanced across a ripe finish that includes a touch of resiny oak.
Light and delicate on the nose, this single-vineyard Chardonnay shows white peach, honeysuckle and browned butter on the nose. There is good tension to the sip, but also riper flavors of apple cider, pan-seared pear and lemon preserves.
Delightfully fresh, this off-dry Gewürztraminer wafts of zesty tangerine peels, lychee and blossom. Sweet citrus flavors are concentrated but brisk, tinged by hints of crushed mineral and a whisper of vanilla cream. Drink now through 2021.
Spicy plum aromas are accompanied by appealing oak scents. While this wine doesn't show the greatest of ease and flow on the palate, flavors of plum, cassis, clove and cinnamon are persuasive. A blocky, rubbery, tannic finish with roasted notes is more about power than finesse. Drink through 2023.
Ripe, spicy berry aromas are a touch reduced. This warm-vintage reserva feels jammy and wide, with rugged, pulling tannins. Peppery dark-fruit flavors turn more savory on a tannic, rocky finish. Drink through 2022.
This Monastrell-led blend smells like a pot of baked beans. A compact body is solid in the center but scratchy on the edges. Toasty, briary black-fruit flavors are herbal, and the wine tastes peppery and like tomato and oregano on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Many are now playing with the low-alcohol, nervy side of Chardonnay, but Doug Margerum succeeds more than most. This bottling is light in the glass, with clean and crisp Asian pear, nectarine and mandarin pith aromas. The palate is tightly wound and energetic, showing sharp citrus and rounded strone-fruit flavors. Drink now–2030.
This lovely, layered wine from the Santa Ynez Valley-based producer shows iron, cranberry, shiitake, cola and cherry on the nose. Those same elements are delicately woven into the palate, enhanced by a Sichuan peppercorn kick and vibrant acidity that will ensure a long life ahead. Its flavors continue to unwind as it opens in the glass.
This is a wine that is beginning to show some fine maturity. There are ripe fruits still very present, but they are matched by the secondary flavors, spice and warm tannins along with the classic herbal character of Mourvèdre. The wine is produced from organically grown grapes, giving purity as well as some serious structure in the background. Drink from 2018.
This tremendous red wine is robustly aromatic, layering its black currant, dark cherry and chocolate scents with dusty sage and cedar. Luxuriously textured and smooth, it finishes focused and direct, with a lift of welcome acidity and complexity.
Focused and dense, this intense wine captures the essence of ripe raspberries. Aged in 50% new French oak, it's got a strong vein of coffee and mocha. The flavors broaden out and penetrate, finishing with highlights of cedar, cinnamon and dark chocolate. Drink now through the 2020s, but decant if you want the full expression.
Hands down one of Italy's best whites, this boasts alluring white flower and yellow stone fruit scents. The enveloping, delicious palate delivers white peach, mature pear, ginger and lemon drop flavors. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors while a mineral note energizes the finish.
Domaine is the winery's top Pinot Noir: all-estate grown, from grapes now certified biodynamic. It's an accessible, pretty wine, with rich flavors of pastry fillings—think raspberry scones. It's got a tart, tangy grip and the length and structure to age at least a decade.
Usually the bigger, more opulent of the Kumeu River Chardonnays, the 2015 version of the Coddington is medium to full in weight, but strikingly focused and vibrant. Bacony smoke notes frame white peach flavors, finishing long.
Juicy, vivid black cherry fruit appears on the nose of this wine, with a touch of tar and brooding elderberry. The palate brims with those appetizing flavors and adds an edge of licorice to the fruit. It's fresh and vibrant, with a fine, taut, gossamer structure. A delicious Pinot Noir that's as elegant as it is refreshing and honest.
Fruit from the oldest blocks in this pioneering vineyard is sourced here. It's bright, spicy and focused, with forward citrus-scented Bing cherry flavors. The concentration and length are outstanding, with just the lightest suggestion of green herbs rounding out the finish.
Light gold in color, this wine is focused and bright. A jasmine aroma and succulent green-apple flavor pairs with steely minerality, offering power and grace in one satisfying package.
The estate wine from this Cahors showpiece property, it shows the rich intensity that can be conjured from Malbec, packed with tannins but also with dark, ripe-berry fruit and great intensity. It is a wine with potential—with a tannic structure that will see the wine starting to drink from 2020.
A structured and still young wine from the estate owned by the Tari family, formerly of Château Giscours in Margaux. It is packed with black fruits, spice and dense tannins that are melding together so well. Licorice and wood aging give the wine an extra complex dimension. Drink this from 2019.
This is one of the most beloved Chardonnays from Santa Barbara County, and for good reason: Bryan Babcock manages to imbue his wine with buttery richness yet also balance it with acidity and smoke. Honeysuckle, almond and Gravenstein apple aromas lead into energetic yet creamy marshmallow and poached pear flavors, all cut with citrusy acidity.
Ripe but subtle aromas of aged balsamic vinegar, blackberry, baked plum and vanilla are alluring and feed into a flush layered palate. Spicy black plum and berry flavors are just rustic and toasty enough, while this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cab Franc and Merlot tastes peppery, deep, a touch hot and on the money. Drink from 2018–2026.
Bright raspberry, cherry and rose petal aromas meet cola spice on the pretty, delicate nose of this bottling—a solid example of the surge in quality of Central Coast Grenache. There is a tense tannic structure to the palate despite its light nature, with great acidity presenting tangy red and purple fruit flavors, with more rose petal accents.
This bottling reveals that this historic vineyard can produce incredibly rich wine as well as the zestier styles it is known for. It shows black cherry, candied strawberry and bourbon-like spice on the nose. The mouthfeel is lavish, full of purple fruit and floral flavors, as well as peppery spice and vanilla warmth. The acidity and structure are solid, and there's a touch of tar on the finish.
This stellar reserve remains one of the finest Chardonnays from Oregon. Meyer lemon, peanut oil, salted nuts, citrus and tangerine combine in a deep and intense palate. Whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented (but in just 10% new French oak), this delicious, dense and penetrating wine should be consumed now through the early 2020s.
This hearty and heavily spiced take on the grape offers fascinating black cherry, cardamom, chai spice and sanguine, meaty scents on the nose. The flavors may strike some palates as too intense, brimming with dried red cherry, Indian spice and kalamata olive, bound by energetic acidity and tactile grip.
The floral perfume of this cool-climate bottling is intense—all lavender accented with black pepper, white pepper and thyme. Tart black plum skin flavors lead the palate, building towards savory elements that recall dried purple flowers, thyme, rosemary and black pepper. Medium bodied and dense, it will be versatile with food.
Cloudy, pungent and supremely earthy, this wine reveals its delicate acidity over time, bringing balance to its flamboyant fruit. With intense strawberry, orange peel and black tea flavors, it's savory and richly built, finishing on a touch of smoky vanilla.
A ripe fruity set of berry and cassis aromas shows a slight hint of raisin. This is a stacked saturated wine with raw tannins and plenty of power. Blackberry and earthy notes finish stout and compact: this doesn't vary or waver on the back end. Best from 2019–2026.
Multiple vineyards contribute to this standout blend. It feels open and accessible, yet carries the structure to age gracefully. You'll find interesting threads of freshly picked herb, lemon oil, pimiento and olive supporting citrus and fresh apple fruit.
This wine comes from one of the producer's oldest blocks in Carneros, where grapes retain vibrant acidity. Reduced on the nose, it opens up into a mix of fennel, preserved lemon and almond aromas that follow through on the steely palate with grace.
This distinctive, complex and layered wine brings a unique aromatic profile of raspberries, sage and spice before fanning out across the palate with gorgeous raspberry syrup, dark chocolate and blackberry flavors. Its lightly grippy texture of fine-grained tannins perfectly counters the plush effusiveness of its fruit.
Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown in one site, the inaugural vintage of this cuvée is delicious. It offers a rich core of almond paste flavor, with inviting peach, apple and pear fruit tones, all while remaining light, bright and highlighted with wet stone and gravel.
A collaboration between Sonoma County-based winemaker Jesse Katz and Ken Forrester of South Africa, this 100% varietal red is robust and rich. Dark cherry, red currant and integrated oak flavors support its bold body.
The wine comes from a parcel of land planted with both Merlot and Tannat. In its structure, this great wine has a strong connection to the Madirans that are the hallmark of this producer. With maturity, the wine has developed fine secondary flavors and undergrowth and dried-fruit flavors. The wine, named after a standing stone found in the area, is very ready to drink.
The black label Torii Mor Pinot is the entry-level wine, clean and fresh with clear varietal character. The fruit flavors are tart and lean, but combined with the bouquet offer elegant details with herb and earthy components. The alcohol is a sensible 13.8% and as the wine breathes open it suggests lightly smoked ham and hints of pepper.
Initially austere, with strong mineral character, this opens up to give bramble fruits, dense tannins and firm structure. The fruit does show some juicy freshness, but the tannins are the key here to a wine that needs 3–4 years aging.
O'Reilly's is the budget label for Owen Roe, featuring an attentive wolfhound on the label. Crisp and bracing, this is loaded with textured pear and apple fruit, flavors of barrel fermentation and wonderful pearskin highlights.
Viu's first Sauvignon from coastal Leyda is more neutral than desirable. But as it opens you get tangy and fresh flavors of citrus, tropical fruit and grass. It's racy and lively, but the depth and complexity seem regular and not reflective of the reserve notation. Imported by Baystate Wine Co.
One of Oregon's better Pinot Noir values year after year is this basic bottling from Willamette Valley Vineyards. The 2006 is quite spicy with peppery highlights, and the red fruits are sleek and tart, though not green or thin. The core brings warm, somewhat round fruit flavors of pie cherry, plum, and a hint of toast from 20% new Allier barrels.
Over time this Cab Franc has been a good performer for Morandé. It's dark and endowed with aromas of chocolate, campfire, coconut, lemon peel and black fruit. The palate is plush and sweet, with big tannins and fierceness to the finish. It's all about power and depth.
Imported by JL Giguiere.
Mainly Rolle, this is a plump, melon- and peach-scented white that also features hints of almond and licorice. The fruit is almost honeyed at times, yet still retains a sense of freshness, with some chalky minerality on the finish.
Made from Roussanne, this is a very good example of the variety. It delivers floral and pineapple aromas, featuring plenty of weight on the palate without seeming heavy. There's lots of tropical fruit flavor, but that's balanced by a sense of minerality and freshness on the finish.
Hugely dense, this wine offers power. The fruit is sweet and superripe; the tannins are soft along with the creamy coffee flavor. Very intense in flavor, missing out on balance.
Quite dry and thin, with an odd mix of unripe fruit, sugary fruit, toasted seed and plastic. Just doesn't sit well in the mouth.
The nose is a tad high-toned, like apple juice concentrate from a can. It's full bodied and dry, with just a touch of sweetness on the palate, with a savory apple flavor that ends with a tart, green apple skin note.
Tar, tobacco and smoke can't mask the green tomato leaf characteristics on this ruby red Sangiovese. There are some interesting spice notes, but not a lot of ripeness or concentration in the fruit.
This marks two years in a row that this wine ranks low. It's dull, devoid of aromas and sour. Tastes green and bland, with little to latch onto. Just never gets going.
Dull and cidery, with mealy apple aromas and similar flavors. Offers almost nothing besides a pale straw color, generic white fruit and corny side notes.
Heavy, chunky and waxy, and really not that appealing. There's more than enough baked notes, corn and mealy qualities. Not much else to say.
Oddly tropical and floral, like an Argentine Torrontés. Spritzy in the mouth but weird tasting and funky, with cloying, unusual flavors that frankly don't taste very good.
Roasted, herbal and blunt, with an acrid stemminess. The palate lacks ripeness and elegance as it delivers burnt, leafy, herbal flavors. Underwhelming.
Relatively broad on the palate and lush in texture, this Riesling's ripe melon and pear flavors are partially balanced by hints of citrus pith. Yet it remains sweet overall, and probably should be paired with spicy dishes or cheese to show at its best.
Sourced from old-vine Bacchus and Weinbau fruit, this also includes 20% grapes from the estate's Heather Hill vineyard. The aromas are dense and penetrating, with a powerful mix of black fruits, ripe berries, smoke, earth, olive and coffee. From the first sniff to the last swallow, the flavors are beautifully integrated and the effect symphonic.
Luscious, rich, balanced and intensely fruity, this stunning effort may well be the best Chardonnay ever produced in Washington. Two-thirds old- vine Celilo vineyard grapes are blended with estate-grown fruit from even older vines that were planted in 1976. Candied citrus, especially Meyer lemon, lemon verbena and other fruity herbs, stone fruits and subtle layers of caramel and toast burst from the glass. But the most amazing thing is that this wine stays fresh after being opened for literally days, much like a grand cru Burgundy.
Deep gold, the color of honey, picked at 53° brix, this is unbelievably dense and concentrated. Yet with the acidity in place, this wine has balance, support, and depth. It's not a fat, sugary blob. This drinks like a Canadian icewine. Honey, tropical fruits, candied orange, butterscotch, butter and toasted nuts—it just keeps on going.
This 100% Merlot is sourced from Sagemoor Farms' Bacchus and Dionysus vineyards. For the first time, there is no Cabernet Franc in the blend. Richly fruity, with loads of cherry, raspberry compote and black currant flavors, this melds in grace notes of chocolate and caramel, seamlessly. Thick and flat-out luscious, yet structured with a tannic spine that gives definition and focus all the way through.
A superb wine, the tannins carrying along the dense structure with ease and grace. The purity of the ripe berry fruit is very marked, with acidity giving freshness to the sweet wine. The whole ensemble is developing well, but will need many years' aging.
This is a wonderful wine, very ripe, the blackberry and sweet fruits all here, While the tannins are solid and concentrated, they are in the center of a lush, beautifully rich series of flavors that range from fruit to licorice to spice. The wine shows great aging potential.
This is one of the great Rieslings from the Wachau, a wonderful panoply of ripe, tropical fruit, pierced with flint, spice and minerality. It is rich and opulent, while never losing sight of the core tautness of a fine Riesling.
A blend of nearly two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it brings notes of herbs, vanilla extract, cherry and chocolate. The wood plays a big part in the show, at times getting out in front of the fruit.
Dry in meaty tannins, this is a hardbound Syrah, all leather, not so much lace. Grown on a former cherry orchard in Solano County it shows its warm-weather roots, structured in a brawny way with a long, tobacco-like finish.
With 22% Merlot blended, it's direct and appealing with notes of black tea, cherry, leafy greens and bittersweet chocolate. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with a pleasing sense of balance and a slightly gritty feel to the tannins.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this is a direct and appealing wine that brings notes of freshly cut red apple and peach, with a dash of Muscat Blanc (1%) lifting the aromatics. It's medium bodied with a pleasing interplay of citrus and stone fruit flavors throughout.
The faintest waft of marshmallow lends a pleasantly confectionery note to stone-fruit and blossom aromas on this dry, medium-bodied Riesling. The palate is elegant with brisk herbal tones and zesty lime acidity.
It leads with aromas of oak, menthol, blue flower and mature black fruit. The palate reveals dried black cherry buffered by sensations of sweet coconut and vanilla, alongside firm but astringent tannins. Reflecting the forward vintage, this is already way ahead of its years in terms of evolution. Drink through 2019.
Aromatic in black cherry and herb, this is a smooth, round Merlot that'll please many palates, balanced in pleasant fruity tones and vanilla oak.
While aromatically subdued with just a hint of fruit and floral tones on the nose, this dry rosé is fruity on the palate with rich, fleshy tones of berry and cherry. It's straightforward in style but discloses refreshing astringency on the finish.
This is an enjoyable wine with notes of cherry lozenge, dried cranberry, coffee and herbs. It's lower in alcohol but with a weighty feel to the chocolaty fruit flavors.
Ripe berry aromas arrive accented with baking spices, toasted notes and espresso. The soft, round palate delivers mature black plum, black cherry and vanilla alongside bracing tannins. Superior Wines, Quintessential Wines.
Aromas that recall raisin, tilled soil and baking spices carry over to the palate together with prune and black pepper. It's rather forward with evolved, fleeting tannins. Drink over the next few years.
Opening notes include vanilla, oak and black fruit. The palate offers black cherry, licorice and espresso along with spice notes. It shows the heat of the vintage and is already evolved.
A blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot, this is a mouthful of intense, smoky blueberry and leather. Licorice and tar intermingle on the midpalate with the finish decisively earthy in graphite.
Crisp with a taste of New Zealand grass, this wine offers pear, lemon and a pinch of fig on the finish amid layers of acidity.
This wine begins with aromas of espresso, vanilla and berries. The palate is already quite evolved, with dried cherry sensations and hints of baking spices alongside astringent tannins. Terravino Eurobiz, Medallion Global.
Fermented with 30% new American oak, it's direct and appealing with notes of melted caramel, vanilla, and toast. The flavors are rich and medium bodied, finishing a bit short.
Lime and lemon notes waft on the nose of this slightly off-dry Riesling, accenting flavors of apple and pear. It's a bit dainty in profile, but refreshing on the palate with a hint of dried herb and brisk lime acidity.
Funky aromas bring to mind wet fur, damp earth and a hint of barnyard. The palate offers sour cherry accented with notes of coffee bean and espresso. The fruit is dry and fading, leaving astringent tannins to dominate the palate.
This blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet opens with earthy aromas reminiscent of mature black plums, along with whiffs of farmyard and wet fur. The palate is rather lean, offering licorice, prune and espresso alongside astringent tannins, but there's not much fruit richness.
Cured meat, rubber, coffee grinds and a medicinal note complement the bold berry aromas in this red blend. In the mouth, this is somewhat grating and wide. Flavors of dark berry fruits, resiny oak and bitter coffee finish with sweet carob notes and a touch of latex-driven Band-Aid.
While this wine certainly has a firmly tannic character, it is the fruit that shines. Black currants and perfumed spicy berry fruits are right up there along with the juicy acidity. This is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is well balanced although it needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This perfumed wine from a great year is rich in both fruit and structure, solid with tannins as well as ripe fruit. It is still youthful, dense and powerful. Wait and drink from 2018.
This ripe, smoky wine is full of black fruits and soft, generous tannins. It is rich, juicy with black plum juice and berry jelly flavors that are still young and fresh. Age this wine until 2017.
Smooth, dry and full bodied, this subtly floral wine has a rich texture that soothes and coats the mouth. It should make a nice pairing with everything from spicy Asian or Latin American cuisine to sausages and sauerkraut. It smells like roses, tastes like pink grapefruit with a dash of kiwi, and has a long finish.
This Tavel contains a hefty 20% Clairette (a white grape), in addition to the more common Grenache (Noir) and Cinsault. It's still a chunky, powerful version of Tavel, with raspberry and white chocolate notes buoyed by just enough citrus. It's broad and mouthcoating on the finish.
This blend of Roussanne (33%), Grenache Blanc (30%), Viognier (22%) and Marsanne has light aromas of apricot, citrus and flowers. The flavors are similarly restrained but it shows a sense of balance and length that holds the attention. Drinks best at 60 degrees.
Some fermentation aromas still swing in the nose but lemony freshness soon takes over on the nose and palate. This is light-bodied, slim and very, very fresh. Save this for a really hot day when you need cooling down.
Aromas of cranberry and yellow pepper prime the palate for flavors of cherry pie, cranberry, smoked meat, almond paste and baking spices. A sense of spicy coolness can sometimes overpower the cherry and cassis flavors, and light tannins persist into a finish that is equal parts baking spice and strawberry tart.
Plum and blackcurrant aromas are rustic, dark and leathery. In the mouth, this strikes the right notes courtesy of good body weight and solid overall balance. Lightly oaked, medicinal flavors of plum and raspberry finish with juicy acidity and a reasonable amount of oak.
Aromas of baking spices, clove, vanilla and dark fruit lead to a nuanced palate with fruit and barrel flavors and a light grip of tannins. The alcohol shows through a bit but overall it holds it.
Ripe plum, scorched earth, espresso, warm spices and toast aromas come together in the glass. The concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, chocolate, anise, baking spice and vanilla alongside firm tannins and soft acidity. Drink through 2016.
High-toned aromas of dried herbs, cocoa, licorice, woodspice and blackberry lead to full-bodied yet elegantly styled black fruit flavors, with the tannins showing some grit.
This linear blend of Sangiovese and 15% Colorino, Canaiolo and Mammolo opens with a subtle fragrance of violet, red berry and licorice. The focused palate offers dried plum, ripe black cherry, leather and grilled herb alongside fine-grained tannins.
This opens with earthy scents of scorched soil, underbrush and a hint of game. Made with 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Mammolo, the chewy palate offers dried black cherry, ripe plum and ground pepper alongside tightly woven tannins. Drink 2016–2019.
Here's a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero and Ciliegiolo that opens with aromas of dark skinned fruit, underbrush and a whiff of leather. The easygoing palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed black cherry, savory herb and a balsamic note alongside fresh acidity and smooth tannins. There's not a lot of complexity but it is delicious.
Classic aromas of fragrant blue flowers, ripe plum and sweet baking spice lead the nose. The polished palate delivers dried cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, clove and grilled herb alongside smooth tannins that make this already extremely accessible. Drink through 2018.
Black plum, ripe dark berry, dried herb and menthol aromas lead the nose along with a whiff of leather. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, prune, mocha and orange zest alongside compact tannins and soft acidity. A licorice note signals the finish. It's at its ideal drinking window so enjoy sooner rather than later.
Aromas of black-skinned fruit, menthol, blue flowers and spice lead the nose. The fresh palate offers dried black cherry, plum, aromatic herb and clove. It's balanced, with firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Aromas of apricot and cantaloupe pave the way for flavors of apricot, apple and smoked meat with a touch of river rocks. This wine feels a little stiff at first sip, but as it opens up to a pleasing combination of fruit and savory flavors that lead to a soft guava finish.
Light aromas of flowers, dried herbs and barrel spices lead to velvety cherry and chocolate flavors that have a fine sense of presence, but could use a bit more tannic structure to stitch them together.
Coming from a who's who of valley vineyards that includes McClellan, Anna Marie and Summit View, this wine shows restrained aromas of vanilla, cocoa, herbs, tobacco and toasty barrel spices. The soft cassis and cherry flavors are considerably more generous though elegantly styled, leading to a spice-filled finish.
Lees aromas mix with notes of custard, poached pear, cinnamon and well-integrated barrel accents. The palate shows a sense of finesse and grace that carries through the finish.
A very restrained nose of rounded ripeness belies the aromatic nature of this grape variety, but the palate shows the verve and zing we are accustomed to. The greenish notes are mere glints in the background but refreshment is guaranteed.
Cinsault, at 53%, is the major player in this soft, tangy wine. It has a good balance of red fruits, citrus acidity and crisp apple. The wine is ripe, poised with an attractively fruity aftertaste.
Oily, stalky, bready aromas are a bit tired. This has a chunky feel offset by citric acidity. Briny, salty flavors of citrus fruits and lees are lasting. For varietal Tempranillo Blanco, this isn't bad.
Good balance and slightly lean fruit and spice flavors make an agreeable combo in this medium-bodied and nicely tangy wine. Whiffs of cinnamon and earth go with cherry and rhubarb flavors.
In its Provence skittle bottle, this wine is a bright mouthful that is as easy on the palate as its pale color is easy on the eye. It is lightly crisp with red fruits and citrus, and is very ready to drink.
A light, mineral-textured wine, this is bone-dry while also packed with fruit. As its name suggests, it's a happy wine while having just a bit more of intensity. The aftertaste brings out the fruitiness.
The wine has tempting aromas like marzipan and pineapple, generous fruit flavors and just enough acidity for balance. It's medium-bodied and feels bright and flavorful in the mouth.
From the foothills of the Provence Alps, this is a soft, fruity wine with easygoing apple and red currant flavors. Light and gently textured, it has acidity and spice to balance the natural fruitiness.
This opens with delicate scents of white wild flower, herb and a whiff of smoke. The bright, straightforward palate offers suggestions of tropical fruit, mineral and a note of toasted almond alongside bright acidity. It's refreshing but rather lean.
A light-bodied wine that is blended with 8% Carignane and 4% Petite Sirah, the whole aged nearly two years in French and American oak. There's a thread of minty eucalyptus lurking in this wine, which is lean on the palate, with a suggestion of raspberry and blackberry.
A crush of fresh berries and rose petals mark this light-bodied red made from Marquette grapes, a hybrid of European and American varieties. It's a zippy wine, almost puckering on the palate, but tannins are soft and easy.
Simple but well made, this offers aromas and flavors of citrus, pear and a hint of bitter almond. Bright acidity gives it clean finish.
This has aromas of hay, tropical fruit and a whiff of tomato vine. The bright, straightforward palate offers fruity flavors suggesting honeydew melon, white peach and citrus alongside zesty acidity.
The clonal selection related to the regional pioneer is the most interesting thing about this bottling, which is incredibly light and delicate, so much so that there is not tons of flavor. The nose shows very faint apple skins and key lime, and the palate barely offers pear skins and slate, though there is an intriguing texture.
Aromas of citrus, herb and black locust flower lift out of the glass. The taut, racy palate offers lime, crisp Granny Smith and steely mineral alongside bracing acidity.
Dark-colored and deeply fruity, this medium-bodied wine tastes like Bing cherry juice and black plums, and feels plush rather than tannic on the palate.
Subtle aromas of acacia flower and a whiff of almond lead the way. The round, easygoing palate offers pear, citrus peel and a hint of hazelnut alongside soft acidity.
Grown on hills overlooking the Mediterranean, this wine sings of sunshine and warm days. It is fruity, fatter than in some previous vintages although still with good acidity and a lively aftertaste.
Very ripe prune and wild berry flavors fill this full-bodied and rather soft-textured wine. Based on Zinfandel grapes, it is bold in aroma, forward in flavor, smooth in the mouth and tastes a little bit sweet on the finish.
“Close to the stars” is the motto of this Dubois family's wine, which is soft and fruity. A peppery edge from Mourvèdre in the blend contrasts with the attractive acidity and red fruit in the background. It is a food style of rosé.
This warm wine brings out the roundness and open accessibility of warm-climate Chardonnay. With yellow fruits and clean acidity, it is attractively ready to drink.
Chaparral scrub and hibiscus combine on the rather light and dainty nose. Iron, tart cranberry and riper pomegranate pop on the palate, which has good energy and is fairly straightforward and simple.
Plum, spice and sweet herb aromas lead to rounded blue-fruit flavors surrounded by dry, astringent tannins that are unyielding.
This blend of Rolle, Ugni Blanc and Clairette is bright and tangy. It offers a definite herbal flavor as well as ripe yellow fruits integrated into a texture that is crisp and mineral. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine is fresh and crisp, with tight red fruits cut with citrus. A bright wine with just a touch of pepper, it ends with refreshing acidity.
Fresh lime and lemon aromas light up this crisp and tangy wine. The flavors are bright, the texture tight at first but it smooths out on the finish.
Roasted notes infiltrate aromas of raspberry fruit. This feels mostly chunky, choppy and soupy, while herbal flavors of tomato and blueberry finish scratchy and a bit hot.
This pink wine, originally started by figure skater Peggy Fleming as a benefit for breast cancer research, shows peach, nectarine, strawberry flesh and cotton candy aromas. There is a touch of sweetness to the sip, with baked orange and lemon curd flavors.
Rich and full, the wood and yellow fruit flavors are well integrated with the ripe acidity. Generous as well as elegant, it's a wine to drink now.
Spicy and herbal, with a palate reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc, this blends a grassy aroma with a mix of citrus, apple and pear notes. It has excellent concentration through the midpalate, with a clean, fresh finish.
This is a jammy, dense and pure Cabernet, with meat and berry aromas that mix in touches of graphite and chocolate. It feels a little hard and acidic despite its size, while the flavor profile is of mossy berry fruit and chocolate. Tight and nervy, this offers lots of acidic push on the finish.
This is a big and full-bodied wine, with its tannins merging with notes of red plum fruit and spicy wood. With a generous feel, it also has a solid, powerful structure that offers the possibility of aging
Ripe and accessible, this Klipsun Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc includes 20% Sémillon in the blend. Melon and light citrus flavors abound, with enough acidity to keep it fresh and lively.
One of the few Finger Lakes' Gewürztraminers to exhibit such spot-on varietal typicity, this is gorgeously aromatic with loads of honeysuckle, lychee, stone fruit and exotic spice notes. Off-dry, concentrated and bold on the palate, it's balanced with just a touch of phenolic bitterness.
Harmonious on the bouquet, this has aromas of berry, marzipan and nutmeg. It feels a little acidic but that adds freshness to the package. The flavors of earthy, roasted fruits are a touch salty, and the finish tastes briney and baked, with notes of coffee and toast. A blend of 65% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot and 15% Caberent Sauvignon.
Savory notes of fennel and exotic spice add a dose of complexity to the sweet apple and pear flavors of this dry Riesling. Crisp, clean and refreshing, it finishes with a delicate green-floral note.
A foursquare, solid wine that shows its structure right up front. It is backed by red fruits and acids that lend a warm feeling. Full and dense, this needs to age.
Toast and caramel aromas set the scene for this ripe, smooth wine. It has weight and richness, with a vanilla flavor that meshes with the yellow fruit. With all of its opulence, the acidity is lost somewhere, meaning the wine is ready to drink now.
Light nuances of baking spice and forest floor grace the notes of lively black cherry and raspberry. The velvety mouthfeel is juicy and fruit forward, with a jammy richness that transitions onto the long finish, alongside a touch of black pepper.
Bright and fruity, this has refreshing acidity. It has a lively apple flavor that gives a delicate fragrance and juiciness. With its taut, mineral texture, this is classic, unoaked Chablis.
Bone dry, with bristling notes of wet stone, slate and petrol, this boasts striking minerality, with undertones of white blossoms, limes and sugar cookie that linger delicately on the finish. Brisk with acidity, it would pair fabulously with goat cheese or fatty salmon.
Gritty and raisiny up front, this has notes of tar and jammy blackberry. It feels resiny and tough, with carob, chocolate, baked berry and roasted plum flavors. The chocolate element persists on the finish, which is big, tannic and lasting.
One of the strongest aromas of beets I have smelled in a wine; also some vanilla and cream nuances. Tasty and satisfying, if a bit one-dimensional.
A Pinot in the ultralight style. There’s cranberry and tea qualities, and an almost weightless mouthfeel. No new oak renders it clean and fruity, with plenty of fresh-berry essence. In the end, it’s a lightweight that closes with licorice and anise notes.
A very light and flowery nose starts the package rolling, followed by light candied raspberry on the palate. Features a smooth texture throughout, with the slightest notes of cherry cough drops and fruit punch. A simple, straightforward wine that goes down easy.
Very tight in the nose, with hints of peanuts. A cinnamon nuance provides an exotic edge to the otherwise straightforward, somewhat tart cherry palate. Buttery oak and more tangy cherries dominate the finish.
Some youthful minty cherry marks the nose. The palate is heavy on the tangy red fruits: cranberry and raspberry. A clean quaffer and a nice introduction to the world of Oregon Pinot. Has the varietal correctness, but it’s trim as a stick.
Very lively and jumpy, with bright cherry fruit supported by high-voltage acidity. It hits the high notes, but lacks the bass below, and therefore is ultimately a bit out of balance. Very much a cherry-fruit dominated, one-dimensional wine
At first the aroma is sharp, even clumsy, showing herbs, peanuts and even bacon fat. The fruit is in the big-plum range. A heavy dose of oak has been thrown at this wine, so it’s buttery on the palate and coffee-tinged on the finish.
Quite a strong essence of grape extract as well as blackberry and vanilla run over and through this one. Heavy and full in the mouth, but also a bit sharp on the back palate; finishes with a mild tannic burn. Best up front. The intent and body are there, but overall it misses a beat.
Clove, black-licorice gumdrops, some mint and a meaty quality mark the nose. It’s weighty, with raspberry fruit touched by the taste of tomato. It doesn’t offer a lot of finesse, and the oak is heavy on the end.
Some rosés are darker in color than this flyweight. But the bouquet and palate each pack some punch. Orange-rind and cranberry scents pave the way for the chocolate and black-plum flavors that blanket the thick palate. At the end, though, it lacks the sleekness mandatory for a very good Pinot Noir.
Linear, strapping and tight in style, with a keen focus on wiry red-berry fruit. There's a ton of cherry on the nose, and it's definitely natural and pure, with dry raspberry flavors and a solid finish. Firm, structured and delivers a real taste of the Priorat. Not overextracted; good with food. Drink now through 2012.
Lovely scents of blue and black berries open into an excellent wine from this well-known vineyard. Cherry cola and molasses flesh out the midpalate flavors, and the fruit has a brambly quality that is almost like Zinfandel. Expressive and detailed.
Dark and smoky on the nose, with meat, cedar and blackberries combining into an attractive bouquet. This is a meaty, savory wine that should drink well from 2010–2020, backed by tart blackberries and showing some dusty tannins on the finish.
Abacela's tenth vintage of Tempranillo suggests it's time to call the “experiment” a success. It's savory and scented with cured meats; a spicy red that marries black currant fruit to pepper and more exotic spices—curry, cumin and five spice. Tannins are tongue-scrapingly dry, but is there a better match for a thick steak?
It's very rare to find a 100% Petit Verdot, the Bordeaux variety that adds a percentage or two of spice to wines in the Médoc. The color is dark, almost black, while the wine's tannins are sweet, chocolaty and flavored with toasty spice. With its big blackberry jam texture, this is dense and solid, a powerful, ripe wine.
Sensational for the price. This die-hard bargain is loaded with berry richness, sweet pulp, coconut and balance. It's a little creamy, but generous and integrated. Smells, tastes and finishes like something that costs three times more.
Meaty, cuddly and kind is the best way to describe this big-boned, ultra ripe Toro. What makes it great is the price ($20 is a steal for this) and the complete lack of fierceness. It's easygoing but complex, with pulsing blackberry, plum and chocolate flavors. With modest but measurable tannins, it should age nicely for at least five years and maybe more, making it a bargain hunter's dream.
Licorice, leather, char and an overload of plum and berries are what greet you, and that's just the bouquet. In the mouth, this is thick, bruising stuff; the tannins are drawing and very tight, but the flavors of licorice, blackberry and chocolate are excellent. Finishes rock solid, which is to be expected given the wine's total package. If you can, hold until 2011 to let the tannins soften; it's meant for the cellar.
Black tea, charred cherries and tree bark aromas arise off this wine from a cooler part of a warm appellation. The wine is a bit thin and light on the palate once sipped, with pomegranate fruit. Drink at the beach or with lighter fare.
There's an extreme tightness to this top-end bottling from a premiere vineyard in this newish appellation. The nose is very lean with dark spice, blueberry and purple fruit, and the palate is extremely tannic, making any other flavors fall away. Only time will tell whether the wine is a success.
There's an earthy funkiness to this inexpensive Pinot, made at an unheard-of price point for the area. Dry tannins greet the entry followed up by burly oak and big brambly blackberry and cherry fruit, a touch of herb on the finish.
Strongly herbal, peppery and showing more than a hint of stem, this raspberry and root-beer style of Pinot hits the palate a bit sharp, and does a quick fade.
Packaged in an extremely heavy bottle, this features aromas of mocha, vanilla, mature black plum and grilled sage. The evolved palate offers up prune, raisin, black pepper and roasted coffee bean but it lacks the fruit richness to support the oak.
Light in texture, this wine shows a fair amount of barrel influence aromatically. On the palate, it's similarly challenging to disregard the oak, which frames a mid-weight body marked by sour cherry.
Aromas of cassis, spicy black plum and juicy blackberry follow through to the palate, balanced by ripe, round tannins. A licorice note signals the finish.
This is a clean, non-oily Torrontés with tropical-fruit aromas. A balanced palate propels lychee, citrus and melon flavors toward a slightly chunky palate. This aromatic wine is in the heart of its quality window; drink immediately.
This opens hot and heavy, with pounding berry aromas and a touch of animal fur. The palate is full and compact, with jammy, syrupy berry and woodspice flavors. A long finish tastes of licorice and oak.
Oaky on the nose, this wine shows mint and sawdust aromas that transition to asphalt and fiery heat upon airing. A dense palate is loaded with creamy oak, while leaf, mint and berry flavors finish charred. With 15% alcohol and heafty oak, this could use another year in bottle to settle down.
Strong wood aromas are more than compensated for by the ripe fruits and generous character of the wine. It is a solid effort, full of both fruit and rich texture. Drink from 2016.
Oak, espresso, plum and roasted aromas lead the nose on this red made from Lazio's native Cesanese grape. The forward palate offers wild cherry, coffee bean, tobacco and toasted oak alongside ripe tannins. Drink through 2016.
An unusual mélange of aromas includes asphalt, vanilla and blackberry jam. The extracted palate delivers plum marinated in spirits and sweet baking spices alongside astringent tannins and the tingle of evident alcohol.
A touch of pollen adds earthy funk to pristine white blossom and pear notes on this brisk, invigorating wine. Searing acid swipes through the midpalate, but the delicate hints of sweet yellow-cherry persist through the finish.
Earthy notes of saffron and crushed stone accent sweet orange and honey in this zesty, gossamer-textured wine. It's cutting and spry with acidity, finishing with an aromatic spray of honeysuckle and tangerine.
With firm tannins allied to smooth wood flavors, this young wine is going to develop its fruitiness over the next year. It has a ripe body, black fruits in the back waiting to come forward. Wait to drink until 2016.
Crisp and direct, this Garnacha delivers good berry aromas on the nose. Bold acidity creates a fresh mouthfeel, while racy berry flavors are clean, with a hint of cocoa and toast on the finish.
This rosé is slightly confected on the nose, but boasts ample weight and richness on the palate, along with appealing notes of raspberry, white chocolate and citrus.
This oaky number offers enough meaty fruit to keep itself on an even keel. Gritty berry and sawdust aromas lead to a full-bodied, resiny palate. Woody, drying flavors rest heavily atop a core of medicinal, herbal berry fruit. It's ripe and resiny on the finish, which is consistent with what came beforehand.
Zinfandel by another name, this appealing wine has cola and cherry aromas, plus snappy cherry-candy and sweet prune flavors. It's full-bodied and has lively acidity, a silky texture and lingering finish.
Crisp cherry tomato and plum aromas turn more dark and grapy with airing. Jammy yet fresh and easy on the palate, this quaffable Malbec delivers simple berry flavors along with an exotic note or two. A short finish falls off fast.
Muted aromas of toasted almond, caramel and toasted almond carry over to the palate along with a note of honey. It's structured but also rather evolved without much fruit richness remaining.
Delicate scents of lemon and lime touched with bramble and earth waft from this off-dry Riesling. The palate is succulent and juicy with yellow peach and tangerine flavors, but marked by a tough edge of acidity that lingers through the finish.
Floral and melony up front, with a round, soft palate, this ready-to-drink wine offers apple and mango flavors backed by peachy notes. Drink now.
A lively and fresh nose of blackberries, black cherries, black pepper, turned earth and fresh fennel greet the nose on this wine that's made by Mike Roth for Greg Martellotto. There are flavors of blackberry-filled licorice spice cake on the palate, though the tannins could use a bit of mellowing.
Dusty peach and apple aromas fold in stony mineral notes as well as leesy scents. This feels solid, properly acidic and a bit pulpy. Flavors of apple cider and peach pit finish with citrusy acidity.
Sourced from the winery's estate vineyard, this bottling presents a compelling depth of earthiness, a stony, rocky sense that gives it a savory edge. Tobacco and tea surround ample plum and blueberry. The wine is approachable and soft, with tiny percentages of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Savory notes of yeast trump fruit on the nose while the palate counters the spiciness with lots of zesty citrus. A very refreshing, lip-smacking Grüner, ideal for hot summer days.
Combining estate grapes with others from cooler Carneros, this wine offers a dried herb component and plenty of pencil and cedar. Tannic and oaky before airing, it'll benefit from a decant.
This is a unique blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Orange Muscat. Aromas of pear, almond, white flowers and orange peel lead to off-dry fruit flavors that have a full, lightly oily feel.
This soft, light-bodied wine is on the savory side, a taste of cranberry and rhubarb at its core. It dances in cooler-climate aspects of forest floor and herb, with an unexpected aroma of menthol sneaking into the mix.
All varietal coming from Dwelley and Minnick Hills vineyards, this wine leads with aromas of black licorice, dates and green herbs. There's plenty of richness to the flavors, which are backed by a squeeze of grainy tannins.
Savory and ripe, this organically produced wine opens with aromas of dark plum, blackberry and blue flowers. The open, easygoing palate offers juicy black cherry accented with notes of clove and anise. Polished tannins provide the framework.
Very tight and shy aromas of lime zest, gray slate and white rocks show on the nose of this wine from the pioneering Niven Family and their winemaker Christian Roguenant. The palate shows some grassiness, Mexican lime and an interesting warmth on the back end, proving quite lean and sharp.
This is a tight and racy take on a rarely planted grape for the region. with scratched lemon peel and lime pith aromas, plus a brie cheese-rind character. It's lively on the palate, with grapefruit peels, white flowers, lime juice and a touch of ripe apple flesh. Expect longevity.
Ripe blackberry, grilled herb, toast and ground pepper aromas lead the nose of this blend of Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, roasted coffee bean and bitter sage alongside grippy tannins that leave a drying, astringent finish.
Aromas of underbrush, wild berry, dried herb and a balsamic note take shape in the glass. The round palate doles out crushed black cherry, ripe plum, sage and clove alongside soft acidity and polished tannins. Drink through 2016.
Aromas of cedar, plum, toast, espresso and a whiff of blue flowers lead the nose of this Sangiovese blended with 15% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The ripe, straightforward palate offers ripe cassis, coconut, mocha and a hint of anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This is fully mature with its leather and toast flavors enhanced by a smooth, rich texture. It is a delicious wine to drink now, with some red fruits and final acidity.
Attractively perfumed this ripe wine has hints of the crisp acidity that is also there. It's a fresh wine with the potential of richness. Ripe pink grapefruit and tangy acidity are balanced by the warmer flavors of pear and quince. Drink from late 2015.
This wine is full of juicy fruit along with a dark, smoky character. A firm undertow of very dry tannins brings out a firm structure. The hard edge needs to soften, so wait to drink until 2018.
This ripe, Merlot-dominated wine offers bold tannins and black plum-skin fruitiness. It has spice, toastiness from wood aging and the potential of a ripe and generous character. It is firm at this stage and needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Merlot dominant with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine shows aromas of vanilla, coconut and jammy red and black fruit, with the alcohol poking through. The fruit flavors feel supple, backed by gritty tannins.
With the two varieties co-fermented in concrete, this has no oak to interfere with its aromas of spice, pear and honeysuckle. It drinks off dry, seeming a bit sweeter than recent vintages, but still bringing the acidity that this region is known for.
This is plump, medium-weight Sauvignon Blanc that's fully ripe and easy to drink. Pineapple and pink grapefruit aromas and flavors are mellow and harmonious at this stage. Drink up.
Aromas of black plum and fragrant blue flowers waft out of the glass. On the bright, easygoing palate, notes of mint and white pepper add interest to the black cherry core. Fresh acidity and supple tannins back up the juicy flavors.
Aromas of pear, melted butter and toasty spice lead to a lightly creamy, elegantly styled palate with lingering stone-fruit flavors. It seems faint but what's there shows a fine sense of balance.
Sweet oak aromas, ripe fruit flavors and a firm texture make a complete and enjoyable package in this full-bodied wine. It has a toasted oak flavor, tasty plum and cinnamon nuances, good acidity and supportive tannins.
Meaty, dusty aromas of leather, cigar box, old books, roasted lamb, tobacco smoke and purple flowers make for a compelling nose on this wine. The palate is quite leathery, with beef crust, wood smoke and incense ash flavors, delivered in a smooth manner.
California winemaker Nick Goldschmidt reaches back to his New Zealand roots for this bottling. It's a finely balanced mélange of grapefruit, cut grass and fig notes carried by medium body and a soft, appealing finish.
The oak (21 months spent in French and American) takes the lead, with aromas of baking spices, green wood and vanilla out in front of cherry. The flavors are sweet, supported by grainy tannins that show some dryness.
This wine is principally Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance other Bordeaux varieties. Aromas of clove, sweet plum, vanilla and tire rubber lead to sweet, palate-coating blueberry and smoke flavors that linger.
From the Seven Deadly Zins folks, a sweet, oaky Chardonnay with honeysuckle, apricot and vanilla slathered all over its full body.
An odd mix of Graham cracker, blueberry jam and floral aromas yield a kitchen cleanser whole. With time things get better, yielding a big, sticky palate of blueberry, blackberry and syrupy flavors. A grapey big boy with a cloying finish. Good but not balanced quite right.
Basic melon and peach aromas become more pungent and citrusy with airing. The palate has weight and zest but lacks complexity, while the flavors are citrusy and green, much like Sauvignon Blanc, which is common for this wine based on past performance.
Earthy on the nose with aromas of sun-dried hay, foliage and a high toned black cherry note. Significant aeration softens grassy aromas to reveal a red berry palate marked with bright acidity, but the finish is aggressive with rough, gripping tannins.
Very sweet-smelling, like putting your nose in a bowl of sugar, followed by aromas of ripe pineapple juice, this smooth Sauvignon Blanc from the Michael David folks is sweet through and through.
This is 100% varietal, tart to the edge of sour, with no sign of new oak. The fruit dances around rhubarb and sour cherry, with some green tannins.
A rich layer of caramelized honey penetrates through bristling limes, lemons and tangerines in this sprightly medium-sweet Riesling. It's light as a feather yet pulsating with sweet yellow peach and apricot flavors. Vibrantly acidic but nuanced and substantial, it drinks gorgeously now but has enough substance to age well through at least 2025.
Homer is the reserve cuvée, a barrel-selection seemingly chosen for a bit of extra concentration. It retains its elegance, with scents of lavender, incense and Asian spices leading into bright, intense flavors of cherry and plum. The wine gathers itself in the midpalate, showing that fruit density, and finishes with a lick of chocolate. Drink 2018–2030.
Smoky, toasty oak aromas are dominant on a black-fruit bouquet that also shows graphite. This is saturated and tight, with complexity and outright deliciousness of savory, meaty, spicy blackberry flavors. Toast, cured beef and cocoa flavors prove that there's more to this than just heft and oak. Best from 2019 through 2032.
Whiffs of Assam tea and honey permeate throughout this bright, bristling spätlese accenting succulent yellow peach and tangerine flavors. It's vibrant and brisk, but finishes on a sweet, meandering marmalade kiss. Stunning already but structured enough to evolve beautifully through at least 2025.
Sourced from a vineyard planted by Gary Andrus in 1998, this elegant and expressive wine is shaded a lovely rose tone, and scents of rose petals and ripe cherries emerge instantly from the glass. It's well defined, balanced and detailed with sandalwood, cocoa powder, cinnamon and orange-liqueur highlights. Drink now through 2021.
Silky and plush, this textural harmony is one of the characters that define Margaret River Cabernets. Ample cassis and plum notes are sweet and pick up savory nuances, while subtle hints of tomato leaf and red bell pepper add complexity without being distractingly vegetal. Drink now–2030.
This winery uses ample amounts of oak, but in years when the fruit concentration matches that intensity the wines can be compelling. Cedar and vanilla notes frame blackberry and cassis fruit in this firmly structured wine that folds in savory notes of roasted beef and black olive on the finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This is a boldly expressive testament to the vineyard site from which it comes. A concentrated and lushly textured wine, it exudes lime and a hit of tropical papaya buoyed as it goes by bristling acidity and a hint of wild vanilla. Indicative of a ripe, warm vintage, it remains balanced and deliciously exuberant from start to finish.
Mature, ripe aromas of raisin, caramel, tobacco and fine oak form a pleasing, inviting bouquet. Drawing, edgy and still quite tannic in feel, this tastes rooty, baked and lightly stewed, with just enough berry and plum fruit to prop things up. On the finish, chocolate, prune and baked notes of pastry and cake are potent and delicious. Drink through 2027.
Gritty, charred aromas rest on top of core blackberry and cassis scents. This is a blocky, stout number with firm tannins and serious structure. Charred blackberry and dark chocolate are the lead flavors, while this big-boned Toro tastes of toast and mocha on the finish, which is drying and tannic. Drink through 2027.
Situated at the mouth of the Pinhão River in the heart of the Douro vineyards, the steep slopes of this quinta are a prominent landmark. The wine is dark and dense, made to age with its firm tannins and concentrated black fruit flavors. Structured and still very firm, it will age well. Drink from 2018.
A field blend of grapes from old vines plus a year in wood have given this wine both structure and concentration. Dark fruits, firm tannins and acidity are all present in this complex, age-worthy wine. It comes from vineyards just south of the Douro, grown on granite soils at a height of 2,100 feet. It's a serious wine that needs to age. Drink from 2019.
Deep veins of citrus—white grapefruit, lemon and lime—pulsate through this vibrant, spine-tingling Riesling. It's delicately framed, glazed by a sheen of honey and hibiscus nectar, yet remarkably complex, touched by pollen and dusty mineral tones. Juicy and thirst quenching yet deeply satisfying.
While gossamer-light in texture, this intensely sun-kissed spätlese builds in fruity, floral exuberance. Tropical mango and melon flavors are almost ruddy in richness but offset by an electric jolt of acidity. The finish is long and persistent, marked by tea leaves and lavender. Drink now through 2020.
Young and tight, this is packed with bright berry fruit annotated with brown spices. There are streaks of sandalwood and mocha, and the flavors smooth out nicely as it glides into a lingering, delicious finish.
Among the impressive single-vineyard Adelsheim Pinots, this is the only one from this tiny AVA. It's loaded with bright, sparky cranberry and raspberry fruit, whose juicy flavors hit the palate's bullseye. The penetrating power is underscored with minerally acidity. Drink now through 2030.
Initially this may strike some tasters as an unusual expression, but give it a chance and it may well become a favorite. There's an interesting component of crushed flowers in aroma and flavor, along with nut oil, butterscotch, pineapple and apple butter. It's all supported by a mineral-driven vein.
The fruit is sourced from the Thistle and Hyland estate vineyards. It's an intense, concentrated wine, with a complex mix of mineral, lime, apple and light tropical fruit. It's textural, creamy and impressively long.
Stone, mineral and metal highlights combine around tight cranberry and raspberry fruit. Concentrated and compact, this distinctive bottling is bone-dry. Drink 2020–2030.
Fresh, juicy, tart but ripe apple fruit characterizes nose and palate. This is dry and utterly appetizing, racy and fresh, yet full of that apple juiciness, made all the more lively by lemon zest notes and a hint of spicy honey. A wine that is alive through and through and still very primary. This is dry and slender and will develop. Drink 2016–2025.
Produced from a single parcel, whose origins go back to 1492, this fresh, herbal and crisp wine is fruity and complex at the same time. Intense acidity is allied with pineapple and apricot flavors. The elegant mineral texture cuts through the fruitiness, giving a fine structure. The wine is now ready to drink.
Utterly glowing notes of pear already point towards richness. Notes of smoke and nuttiness prevent them from appearing facile. The palate rings with the same fruity glow and introduces soft, pliable sweetness. Earthy elements echo here and there from the concentrated, focused palate. This certainly leaves a mark and finishes almost dry.
This is a blend of several marquee vineyards, including Gap's Crown, Martinelli and Widdoes. It comes together nicely in a mix of fig and baked bread, peppered in baking spices and dried herb. Cherry comes through along with subtle hints of violet and rose, before a long, lingering finish ties things in a juicy bow at the end.
Featuring the Wädenswil clone, this block selection carries a whiff of wintergreen and lavender. That minty lift elevates the palate's pretty cherry fruit. It's a harmonious wine, with perfectly proportioned acids and a faint truffle note as it fades gracefully.
A dark, brooding and concentrated wine, this boasts rich black-fruit aromas and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and cherry that are flecked with accents of tar, licorice, leather and peppery curing spice. Additional notes of tea leaves, sweet spice, licorice root and chicory grace the finish. The texture is like crushed velvet, with spicy tannins that linger long. Delicious now, but this should age well through 2022.
This full-bodied yet silky Shiraz delivers tremendous elegance for its size. It's complex as well, boasting aromas that range from vanilla and brown sugar through to marinated beef and raspberry compote. The richly-textured finish lingers for minutes. Drink now–2025.
Mouthfilling and supple, this is a top-notch example of Barossa Shiraz. Despite the soft tannins, the fruit is bright and lively, with tart red plum and raspberry notes at the core, surrounded by hints of vanilla and mint. Long and vibrant on the finish, this is drinkable already, but should age well through at least 2025.
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.
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.
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.
With its pear and apricot fruits, this has a delicious full-bodied character, and the the grapefruit acidity keeps it fresh. Screwcap.
This is a proper El Dorado Zin. It's still tight and tannic, but air and time reveal a lovely bouquet of lavender and crushed herbs that's layered, soft and spicy on the finish. Miraflores is making some lovely wines and this is one worth seeking out.
Really ripe, this is a full-bodied wine that is full of tropical fruit contrasted with green apple flavor. It has weight, intensity and just a hint of spice. This should be aged 1–2 years at least. Screwcap.
This pure Malbec carries spicy, slightly gamy scents similar to Syrah. Forward purple fruits fill the mouth, accented with notes of licorice, moist earth and dried herb. The finish leaves an impression of maple syrup, which is quite delicious.
Tough cherry and plum aromas lead it off, followed by simple, semitart raspberry flavors. There's not much depth or complexity; the palate bounces along inoffensively, and the finish is quick and light. Clean and basic wine.
Respectable red fruit aromas carry a slight pickled sharpness and the scent of a matchstick, while the palate is lactic and creamy, with strawberry, raspberry, plum and herbal notes. Plump and reasonably well balanced, with an herbal finish.
A bit herbal and brambly, with baked, earthy red fruit aromas. Modest raspberry flavors are mostly what you get off the narrow palate, and the finish follows suit as it fades out with a tight, herbal character. Rudimentary Cabernet.
Sweetly fragrant, with hints of pear and melon. The palate is wet, lean and acidic, which helps push the lychee and melon flavors. A clean, light, mild refresher with sharper-than-expected acids. Nothing more than that.
Aromas of standard berry fruit have a cheesy accent, while the palate is on the flat side in terms of feel and flavors. With respect to flavor, expect mildly herbal berry tastes and cherry tomato. Snappy on the finish but stretched thin.
Slightly astringent on the nose, with floral berry and bramble aromas. The palate is tight and a little sharp, with fresh, almost tart raspberry and plum flavors. Cleansing on the finish due to high acidity. Seems more racy and less oaky than in the past.
Kind of hard, pasty and candied on the nose, with a thick and chunky palate feel along with sweet, sugary, generic red fruit flavors. Hailing from Patagonia, this is a basic, creamy Cabernet with body and size but not too much character.
An unusual specimen, especially on the nose, where spicecake, floral and incense aromas are atypical. The palate is kind of sharp and immature, with grapey, blueberry flavors and coconut on the finish. A different breed of Malbec, but not what we'd call a slam-bang success.
Voluptuous and broad, this richly textured auslese suggests soft yellow apples and fleshy tangerines. It's a bit fat on the palate, but sunny acidity lends some freshness on the midpalate. Drink now.
This has subdued aromas of French oak as well as whiffs of orchard fruit and pressed acacia flower. On the palate, oak-driven spice, toast and bitter almond take center stage while notes of citrus zest and a hint of lemon drop peak through.
Candied berry fruits are earthy but come with a note of sweet plastic. This feels grabby and firm, with palpable acidity. Salty plum and berry flavors finish warm and long due to lively acidity.
Horsey blackberry and cherry aromas come with a note of latex. In the mouth, this is choppy and abrupt. Raw berry flavors finish with a mild sensation of heat.
Floral and tropical aromas are wan. This feels O.K., while slightly bitter flavors of green melon rapidly disappear on a mild finish. Everything about this amounts to basic.
Strong aromas of charred oak and equally boisterous smoked meat flavors give this wine a rowdy personality. It has medium body but full-throttle aromas like rubber tires and flavors like Concord grapes.
After starting out quite reduced on first pour, this wine reveals slightly sweet black-fruit flavors. A light grip of tannins provide support.
This is a soft wine, its acidity melded into the ripe berry fruit flavors. The texture is soft with just a bite of tannin at the end. With its open fruitiness, the wine is ready to drink.
A majority of Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 22% Merlot in this woody, somewhat herbal and robustly intense red, impacted in subtle ways by oak. The finish is meager.
This wine seems quite evolved for its age, with aromas of leather and dried cranberry. It's light bodied with gritty tannins.
This seems like it came from a considerably cooler vintage and also like it has had some age. Light aromas of herb, wood spice, medicine cabinet, leather and mesquite are followed by tart light-bodied cranberry flavors. The tannins bring a slight sense of astringency.
This is an unusual example of this variety, with aromas of exotic spice, flowers and herb. The palate has tart cranberry flavors that seem lacking in concentration.
Despite its Vin de France designation, this is a typical wine from the Gascony area. With its crisp, lightly herbal character and deliciously light texture, it's fruity with citrus and red currant notes. Drink now.
This was a perplexing wine to evaluate. The aromas feature toasted hazelnuts, lemon curd, pineapple and more than a hint of banana bread. The flavors follow in a similar vein, but are exaggerated, coming across as strongly tropical and confected, then drawing to a crisp finish.
This wine comes from the only Burgundy region to grow Sauvignon Blanc. It's soft in style, more nutty than herbal, with almond and white fruit flavors. Immediately drinkable and refreshing, it's ready to go now.
Aromas of Bosc pear and candle wax lead to off-dry fruit flavors. It brings some easy-drinking appeal but lacks a sense of clarity.
Aromas of white flowers, lychee and grapefruit peel lead to dry fruit flavors that seem to lack concentration, with a bitter note on the finish.
Aromas of herb and red fruit lead to dried out but lightly gamy fruit flavors.
Named after the valley where the vineyard is situated, this red-fruited spicy wine is crisp. There are soft tannins and attractive acidity. Drink now.
This simple white has subdued aromas of white spring flower and white stone fruit. The no-fuss, rather diluted palate offers hints of white peach, green apple and a whisper of white almond.
Blending Touriga Franca, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, this is an attractive young wine. With both acidity and tannins already integrated into the ripe black fruit, it is a wine to drink young.
Citrus aromas lead the nose, followed by feline notes, yeasty vanilla and green pepper scents. This wine has a citric, tangy, hard-driving palate. Flavors of orange, tangerine and grapefruit finish with zesty acidity.
Honest black-fruit, oak, graphite and spice aromas give this blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon a solid bouquet. In the mouth, this is grabby and tannic, with black cherry, leather and prune flavors. A chewy, tannic finish deals resiny oak, raisiny notes and loamy length. Drink now.
Aromas of tropical fruit, dried hay and mint lead the nose. The bright palate offers grapefruit, pineapple and unripe yellow peach. Brisk acidity gives it a breezy finish.
A pretty faded rose color, this delicate wine shows very light raspberry and cherry fruit, with moderate, tea-flavored tannins, and barrel-generated streaks of coffee and dark chocolate.
Briary red-fruit aromas are earthy and mellow, with notes of red-apple skin and raspberry. This is medium in body, fresh and feels good on the palate. Plum, raspberry and vanilla flavors are lightly herbal, while the finish is largely smooth and mild.
This accessible, red-fruited wine has layers of fresh acidity, soft tannins and an immediate smoothness, with subtle hints of minerality. Lively acidity and fresh fruit flavors are left to linger on the finish.
This medium-weight, slightly austere Riesling boasts aromas of struck flint and lime, with flavors of citrus and underripe stone fruit. Drink it now with raw oysters.
Structured, smoky and full of black cherry fruits, this is a wine whose appellation of Villages brings out just that extra bit of weight and richness. It's still fruity, ready to drink and fresh on the finish.
Herbal and tart, this has light red fruits and subtle suggestions of chocolate, hazelnut and almond paste. It was aged in half-neutral, half-new French oak.
This small-production, estate-grown wine needs more time in bottle to lose some of the beery yeastiness it currently shows. Along with those strong flavors are lighter threads of yellow apple and grapefruit rind.
Grass and mango aromas show a note of fresh white mushroom. This SB is simple, modest and round in feel. Flavors of orange and passion fruit are direct, while a plump, citrusy finish keeps things lively and in tune.
This leads with aromas of white flower, toast and beeswax. The rather lean palate delivers yellow apple skin, citrus zest, a hint of roasted almond and a touch of vanilla alongside brisk acidity.
Delicate aromas of honeysuckle and pear take shape in the glass. The palate isn't very expressive, but eventually displays light notes of mature yellow apple and dried lemon zest. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Pinkish-gold in color, this is a faint, dry and herbal rosé that's pungent in fuzzy stone fruit such as peach and apricot. Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, it's light and bright, with a finish of tart grapefruit.
From the south of Vinho Verde, close to the Douro, this is a lively and fresh wine, bright with acidity and lifted by its prickle on the tongue. It is dry, although a soft touch of baked apple gives a gentle, fruity aftertaste.
Big and fruity, this is a forward and fresh wine. It has all the weight of ripe Touriga Nacional, perfumed and rich with blackberry fruits. A soft tannic background gives structure to the immediately attractive acidity and fruitiness.
If Nouveau could be serious, this would be it. It has weight, a surprising amount of richness and a structured, tannic character. It ranks in the food-wine category, while not at all detracting from its natural bright fruit aftertaste.
Light tannins are dominated by the black cherry and ripe berry fruits. Acidity and a fresh character make this wine accessible and ready to drink.
This blend of Syrah, Castelão and Aragonez has the typical cool feel of a wine from coastal Lisboa. It offers firm tannins, stalky black currant fruits and bright acidity, all packaged in a smooth texture with a soft, juicy aftertaste.
This opens with a delicate fragrance of white flower and tropical fruit. The easygoing palate offers green apple and Bartlett pear alongside crisp acidity.
An intensely purple hue and whiffs of vanilla and cherry cola make this ruddy, rich wine stand out in a line-up of German red blends. The palate is unabashedly forward and fruity, with a slightly grapy tone, framed in soft, slightly bitter tannins.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane offers aromas of ripe wild berries and bit of hickory smoke. The ripe, approachable flavors are edged by vanilla, with boysenberry fruit at the core. It's not complicated, but very easy to drink, perfect for a hamburger barbecue.
A fine value, the 2009 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet is sourced from Spofford Station and Lefore vineyards. Bright and spicy, it spent 28 months in almost-neutral French oak. Cranberry and currant fruit is forward and precise, with the balance to age another 6–8 years.
Intense minerality shines through concentrated lemon and green apple flavors in this fresh, vivacious Sauvignon Blanc. It's refreshingly brisk on the palate, with bright acidity and just a tickle of spritz on the tongue.
With a definite wood aging character, the wine is ripe and rounded. It also has an attractively steely minerality that gives texture to the ripe pear and peach flavors. The aftertaste is more citrus.
For Argentina, this is as varietally correct as you're going to find for Sauvignon Blanc. The bouquet is loaded with pungent nectarine, citrus and peach pit aromas. Those are backed by a citrusy, angular, spritzy palate with lime and orange flavors. Tang is the operative word as the wine fades out with tangerine and grapefruit flavors.
This wine is full of pure, fresh and crisp fruits that are delicious, fragrant, perfumed and lively. With a mineral edge, tangy texture and tight final acidity, it's a wine that could age for a few years
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and—surprise!—Zinfandel, this brings a swirl of red fruits into play, and wraps them in a skin of bark and slightly bitter earth. Peppery tannins and more forest floor flavors kick in at the finish.
This  Alvarinho, grown in the southern part of the Vinho Verde region, has richness as well as typical peach and pear flavors. The acidity comes through with its citrus edge to give a crisp aftertaste to a ripe-fruit flavored wine.
Young Moscatel de Setúbal brings out fruitiness and freshness as much as richness. So with this wine, you find a lemon and honey character, attractive acidity and a light texture. Delicious to drink now.
Carmo was formerly owned by the Rothschild family of Château Lafite. In this now maturing 2009 selection, there is a firm character, leavened by dried fruits, dark berries and some smooth woody characters. It's a wine to drink now, or age for 2–3 more years.
This estate-grown Viognier was whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in neutral French oak with no malolactic fermentation, giving it a fresh and fruity personality amid a creamy core of honey, pear and fig. On the finish is a layer of pineapple and lime, giving it a refreshing finish just right for a plate of butter-smeared lobster.
This was my top Mexican white wine from a recent tasting. It's light and clean on the nose, with apple and just a touch of brininess. This shows off a good body with weight and acidic balance. Pear, papaya and dry melon are the key flavors, followed by vanilla and toast on the finish.
This is a single vineyard wine, richly textured and ripe. It shows the lively acidity of the vintage along with a warm feel that brings out peaches and green plums. Age for a couple of years or drink now.
A wine with great juicy swathes of fruit that combine well with the natural structure of the Dão. It is textured and firmly tannic, with delicious black fruits coming through. It's ready to drink, but will certainly benefit from 1–2 years' aging.
This is a tight, mineral-driven wine that's very textured. Its fruitiness comes from quince and pear skins with a definite structure. It is young, most likely requiring aging over at least 18 months.
This is a small, 10-acre property, owned by the Moueix family, at the heart of the Pomerol plateau. With its 30% Cabernet Franc it is perfumed and ripe, giving delicious black fruits as well as a firmer structure. The wine is set for a long aging with great potential. Drink from 2024.
With its 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine that is structured while marked with intense black currants. It has firm tannins and just a touch of wood. It is classic upright Bordeaux with its fine acidity and dry tannins. It will need to age, drink from 2024.
Ripe and richly fruity, the wine is full bodied with great acidity as well as firm tannins. It will keep for many years. Bold tannins and a fine tension between the fruit and acidity are all promising for the future. Drink this impressive wine from 2025.
The nose is a blend of peach and earth. The palate comes with great intensity, holding against the sweetness with an exquisitely delicious streak of quinine bitterness which lends direction and precision, along with tangy lemon freshness. This creates ample tension and moreishness as well as a lip-smacking medium-sweet finish.
Gently perfumed hints of ripe pear almost seem to have a floral dimension. On the palate the mellow, generous and totally ripe pear fruit unfolds fully and gives glimpses of very juicy ripe, dried and baked fruit. All of this richness is countered by lemony freshness. There is an earthy textural element, and more shimmering fruit reminiscent of bottled mirabelle plums. This is generous and just off dry, with a concentrated, convincing and very moreish balanced richness.
Lifted aromas of both tart and ripe green and yellow apples appear, alongside hints of wet pebble and faint notions of quince. On the palate, these flavors are wrapped in citrus freshness on a sprightly, lively, concentrated and wonderfully dry palate. This is full of life and finishes on a pervasive, all-encompassing zesty lemon freshness. Lovely now but will evolve majestically. Drink now through 2035.
Earth, apple and citrus align on the nose. The palate brings out more earthiness but also pits the notions of mellow baked apple against absolutely tart lemon freshness. Stone and earth cling constantly to these flavors and draw you in. The palate is pure and slender, totally dry and taut. The finish is of lasting lemon zest. This needs time but is full of promise. Drink 2020–2035.
It's nice to see the quality of this wine reach new heights, as it's still relatively affordable within the Henschke context. The blend includes Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2013 shows a slightly austere side, an aristocratic reserve, but the flavors are classic. Pencil shavings, mint, cassis and cigar box finish with great drive, length and dusty tannins. Drink 2023–2035.
This is a soft, complex and floral wine, sourced from an estate vineyard on Westside Road. Black cherry, tangerine and oak reduction make for a bright, brooding combination of medium-bodied lushness and subtle power.
An opaque color is a fair warning of what's to come: namely rubbery minerally black-fruit aromas that scream old vines. In the mouth, this blocky Carignan is flush and shows wall-to-wall saturation. Wild aromas of mountain herbs, blueberry and boysenberry finish sinewy and with spicy minerally black-fruit leftovers. Drink through 2023.
Plump strawberry and black cherry fruit provide power, but elegance is what carries this bottling, thanks to its well-integrated rose and hibiscus aromas. Cooked raspberry and ripe pomegranate notes make for a rich palate, but floral rosewater touches complete the picture. This packs punch while still being approachable in style.
The nose merely hints at tropical riches. The stony palate also holds tightly onto its fruit: it is only zesty citrus that can be divined amidst all the stone. Bright lemon shines above what seems a deep dark core of rocky earth. There is real drive and real energy in that bright, lemony vein that runs right through this dry, serious and almost brooding wine. The finish adds a touch of a more mellow apple note that persists throughout the long finish. Wait for this. Drink 2020–2035.
Cedary, spicy berry aromas are pure Rioja, but this also tosses in campfire, graphite and toast scents. A massive palate is concentrated and needs time to unfold. Flavors of plum, spice cake and pepper finish with a powerful tailwind of chocolate, herbs, spice, berry fruit and acidity. Best from 2020 through 2030.
Smoked beef and pork aromas with hints of flint, licorice and black currant show on the nose of this 45% Syrah, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot blend. The palate is soft upon entry, growing sticky with robust tannins as it opens, and offering black peppercorn, teriyaki and lavish black cherry flavors. Drink 2019–2033.
A subtle nose hints softly at lemon and crisp green apple. The palate comes in with absolutely pure streaks of lemon and stone. This is taut and uncompromising and speaks authentically of stone and citrus fruit with a promise of riper apple in the future. This needs time to come into its own and has all the concentration and juiciness it needs for cellar age. This is dry and will drink well 2020–2035.
It is the tart-ripe contrast of tangerine and ripe lemon that makes both nose and palate so enticing. The purity of flavors and this appealing contrast carry right through on the taut, bright, linear and dry palate. Its texture seems stony and profound. What stays and charms is the purity of that Amalfi lemon finish. This is so beautiful and very, very lasting. Drink 2020–2035.
Dense and concentrated, this wine is ultra smooth in texture, offering an abundance of red and black cherry, dark plum and baking spice aromas. One of the few Pinots grown in Marin County, it has great depth and a memorable flavor profile that lingers long into the finish.
One of the first producers to work with Bucher Vineyard fruit, this shows familiarity and comfort in its ability to coax black cherry, pomegranate and allspice flavors, wrapping them in a voluptuous mouthfeel. Full-bodied and lushly layered, it's lengthy with a touch of smoke.
From the BudBreak Vineyard, this lengthy and complex wine is bold and fresh—an exploration of cranberry and orange flavors complemented by spicy acidity. It continues to unveil itself in the glass, revealing additional components of toasted oak and forest mushroom.
This blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Petite Sirah is quite dark in the glass, with blueberry, sharp cedar, clove and vanilla aromas. It coats the palate with soft, lavish tannins, offering zesty black fruit with cappuccino, teriyaki and cracked pepper flavors.
At once powerful and graceful, this delivers alluring aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry compote, grilled herb, licorice and an intriguing tarry note. Fresh acidity and firm, velvety tannins provide balance and structure, while a hint of pipe tobacco closes the lingering finish. Drink 2020–2032.
This wine is crisp, floral and pretty in every way. It's classically structured and graceful, with tart apple notes and stony acidity. It allows the fruit to speak softly and subtly, its lower ripeness detracting from niether flavor nor complexity.
A classic blend of Cabernet and Shiraz, this is cedary and complex upon opening, easily mixing cassis, plum and blackberry with vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, it's dense and concentrated yet slightly reserved, suggesting rather than screaming its potential. A long, mocha-tinged finish wraps things up, combining dusty tannins with mouthwatering acids. Drink 2020–2030+.
Another Joe Davis wine that's benefited from patience, this bottling offers more mature character than the same vineyard's 2009. Umami touches of soy, shiitake and leather underscore the cherry and raspberry scents on the nose. It has a grippy texture and a subtly presented range of flavors—from dried anise and Christmas spice to elderberry, cranberry and dried plum skin.
From near Olivet Lane and Pellegrini Vineyard—some of the longest planted sites in the appellation—this red is densely packed with spicy, wild black and red fruit, with a soft underbelly of structure. Earthy mushroom and forest pine give it a savory dimension, through soft, silky waves of texture.
There's a great deal of sagebrush on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard in the eastern Sta. Rita Hills, along with red cherry, pencil lead and sandalwood. Dark cherry and cranberry flavors power the palate, the fruit wrapped in hickory smoke. Thyme flavors carry into the tannic finish.
Gentle notions of pear emanate from the glass. The palate is equally gentle: ripe pear fruit, balanced by lovely lemon freshness. There is an arresting interplay of residual sweetness and zesty acidity at the core. However, the full spectrum of glorious pear fruit becomes fully expressed on the incredibly long finish. This has immense depth and will hold its poise for a few years yet. Drink now through 2025.
Intense citrus is overlaid by the ripe pineapple and tropical fruit. This delicious complex wine, with its tangy acidity, tightly coiled texture and touches of wood aging, is packed with great fruit. Drink from 2021.
This is a tightly coiled wine, still firm and packed with tannins as well as fruit. It has a strong dry core that is lifted by the bright acidity. This is going to be a very complete wine, all the elements well in place. Drink from 2026.
Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity, it will age well. It is going to be a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots and wonderful final acidity. Drink from 2025.
This wine has a savory overall character, with clove, cinnamon and plum on the nose and espresso, red fruit and leather on the palate. A balanced spin of minerals gives it lift. Pair with roast lamb or poultry. A great deal and a good wine.
Candied lemon and lush tropical fruits start this Assyrtiko, Athiri blend from an established producer in northern Greece. Fresh, fun and slightly sweet on the palate, the wine has a softer, more feminine touch than many Greek whites. Great with lighter fare like salads and grilled seafood.
An uber aromatic wine with notes of flowers, orange peel, jasmine and canned peaches. At 27.2 g/L residual sugar, it drinks medium sweet but overall, the acid keeps it in check.
Aged for one year in barriques, this is dominated by raw oak and butterscotch aromas that carry over to the palate alongside lemon and pineapple flavors. While it's an understandable effort to differentiate it from other wines made from Pecorino, it doesn't possess enough fruit richness to support the wood sensations.
This Merlot smells rooty, with licorice and mint to boot. A wide, sort of flabby palate is, at its base, oaky as can be; there's also stewed plum and herbal blackberry flavors in front of a blocky, chunky finish.
Every vintage this wine pulls the same score, so there's something to be said about consistency. This bottling is neutral on the nose, with hints of dust and melon. The palate is clean and citrusy in feel, with melon and green herb notes. An easy finish seems right given the precedings.
Violet, crushed herb and mint aromas start this Agiorgitiko. On the palate, coca, vanilla, red berry and a savory spin give it depth. Fresh and friendly but substantive, this wine can age.
Inky, grapy aromas come across hard and reduced. This is pinchy and tannic on the palate, with dark berry, game and crusty flavors. On the finish, it's hard-driving, with heat and tannic grab.
Marche's Passerina grape is known for making easy-drinking and enjoyable wines like this one. It has delicate pear and tropical fruit flavors, with a restrained mineral note on the finish. Perfect to match with light, everyday fare.
Oak and alcohol aromas dominate this wine made from 100% Montepulciano. The palate delivers café au lait and espresso, blueberry, chocolate and mint alongside the warmth of alcohol. It's starting to fade, so drink soon.
There's a lot of oak on this value-priced Chard, to the point that any fruit aromas are blanketed. In the mouth, there's ample acidity affording good cut, while flavors of pear and apple are spiced up by aforementioned forceful oak. Fortunately a resiny tasting finish isn't too heavy
Dry and soft, this is a warm, creamy Pinot Blanc. It has pear and quince flavors, a touch of spice and delicate acidity. It is rich on the palate and ripe and ready to drink now.
Standard on the nose, with apple, pear and spice aromas, this is a fruity Viognier with sweet flavors of peach and nectarine in front of a finish that starts out juicy but falls off quickly. Expect lots of sweet, basic white-fruit character from this warm-vintage wine.
Dusty apple and pear aromas are likable. This feels soft, leesy and creamy as young Chardonnay goes, with stalky, slightly mealy flavors of corn and apple. On the finish, things taste salty and briny.
Notes of toasted oak and vanilla are the opening notes of this wine. The palate has ripe plum and blackberry that are overwhelmed by oak, espresso, coffee and sweet vanilla bean. Too much oak and too little fruit.
This is quite light, with a leafy character and barely ripe fruit flavors that hint at tomato paste. Some pineapple and vanilla flavors come in, making this a rather odd, though still interesting, budget bottle.
After a cheesy opening, the bouquet shows tropical fruits but little more. In the mouth, this is round and heavy, with very ripe flavors of tropical fruits and melon. A big, honeyed finish with vanilla and banana flavors is quite sweet.
Bright, ripe strawberry and cherry flavors are contrasted with the firm tannins of wood aging. This is a very young wine, with layers of acidity, spice and toast. Drink from 2016.
Here's a bright and easy-drinking wine made from Trebbiano, Passerina and Pecorino grapes. It has sensations of acacia flower, lemon and peach alongside vibrant acidity.
Hints of nuts add a savory tone to subtle apple flavors on this dry Chardonnay. Tart, crisp lemon and lime acidity on the midpalate makes it effortlessly refreshing, leading to a pleasant honey and floral note on the finish.
Spicy and fruity on the nose, with scents of black cherry pie, this Finger Lakes Barbera balances lush cassis and vanilla flavors, with a shock of lemony acidity. There's a faint note of tomato leaf throughout, but it finishes moderately long, with a flurry of soft tannins.
A coppery orange color, this opens with aromas of mealy melon, peach and strawberry. The palate is a departure from the nose—surprisingly astringent in tart currant and red-plum skin flavors that finish sharp and fast.
This opens with grassy, green aromas of candied raspberry. A chunky palate delivers candied, caramelized, slightly weedy red-fruit flavors. Not a lot besides acidity and heat is driving the finish.
This wine is soft and creamy with melon and green apple flavors. Light, fruity and crisp, it is ready to drink.
Herbal tones of bay and rosemary are upfront on the nose of this copper-pink rosé, grounded by notes of small red berries, currants and watermelon rind. It's light and easy, with fleeting flavors and a quick close. Drink up.
The nose is shy, offering whiffs of moist, weedy underbrush, blue flower and walnut. The diluted palate offers suggestions of red berry alongside bracing acidity. A salty note gives it a quick, drying finish.
This is a banana and red-cherry-flavored wine, that has a light tannic structure to contrast with the fruitiness. It is ready to drink.
Aromas of cherry and plum are faint, while flavors of berry skin and citrus pith unfold on the light-weight palate. This is clean and approachable, with a short finish and subtle lingering astringency.
A pretty label created by film production designer Dean Tavoularis graces the bottle of this wine. It offers a mix of tight-grained tannin, cherry cola and smoky oak.
This is a bright and fruity wine with attractive red-cherry flavors and light tannins. It has crisp acidity and a fresh aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
Cherry and cassis aromas are both a touch raisiny and candied. This has a high-acid mouthfeel to go with generic red-fruit flavors that turn a bit weedy the longer this is exposed to air. A quick finish is low on depth.
This rusty-colored Merlot opens with roasted, herbal, burnt aromas of plum and currant. Light, fresh and saucy on the palate, this tastes of tomato sauce, pepper and barely ripe plum. Herbal, savory and green on the finish.
The wine is light and instantly fruity. It has red fruits and soft acidity, giving an warm rounded aftertaste.
A pale copper-pink color, this rosé is light and easygoing, with soft notes of red cherry, strawberry and muddled orange on the nose and mouth. The finish is short, but clean.
This is an extremely faint and subtle rosé, with delicate aromas and flavors of pineapple, tart cherry and orange rind. It's light-weight and thin on the palate, with a clean but fleeting finish.
Charred oak, barbecue smoke and a hint of prune detract somewhat in this tart, herbal wine that offers a suggestion of cola. It finishes somewhat flat.
This is a refreshingly crisp and fruity wine. It has the lightest of tannins to shape the fresh red-fruit flavors. The wine comes from a 74-acre estate, owned by the same family for 10 generations.
Soft notes of sweet grass and garrigue herbs accent the fruity tones of small red berries, watermelon rinds and lime peels on the nose of this light, fresh wine. The palate is tart and bright, with ample acidity and a short finish.
Wiry berry aromas are overripe. This wine feels heavy, sticky and tannic. Flavors of baked berry fruits end mulchy and stalky, much like the nose. Tempranillo with 10% Syrah.
This over-the-top wine has an unusually deep color and a potent, charred-wood aroma, followed by sweet-seeming oak and dried-fruit flavors. It's medium bodied and a touch tannic in texture.
This is a light fruity wine with surprisingly few tannins for a Malbec. It does have red fruits and some juicy acidity along with a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
Lightly oxidized and briny on the nose, this hints at fino Sherry, which isn't bad per se. A lemony, high-acid palate is home to salty flavors of citrus rind and briny stone fruits. The finish is more of the same.
The wine is tight with its red fruits dominated by acidity. It shows tannins and intense freshness that creates a bitter aftertaste.
This medium-sweet rosé is bursting with ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. It is soft, just edged by crispness and ready to drink with its light, fruity finish.
Earthy mulchy aromas of tea and coffee grounds are oaky but unfocued, with a stewed-fruit character that's vintage Elqui Valley. This is creamy and resiny, a reflection of 24 months of oak aging. Herbal, heavily woody flavors of clove and roasted dark-berry fruits finish minty and resiny.
Candied strawberry and grassy aromas unfold on the nose. On the palate, this blend of Monastrell and Pinot Noir feels heavy. A mix of candied red-fruit flavors and weedy notes finish short.
This is a simple, red-fruit-flavored wine. It has soft tannins, a bright texture and fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
Dark in color, with grassy aromas of sugar beet and raisin, this doesn't smell much like typical Pinot Noir. A heavy palate that pinches shows flavors of cherry and medicinal black plum, while a sweet finish tastes of prune.
Ripe black fruits combine with bitter chocolate and toast from the wood to give a very ripe wine. It is structured at this stage but is likely to ripen and round out over the next 3–4 years to give a rich, smooth, Merlot style.
Pure Chardonnay, Luxe is finished at lower alcohol (at least according to the fact sheets) than the other sparklers in this lineup. It is definitely the wine with the most depth; it has a roundly fruity core of lemon cake and light citrus.
Finished off-dry, this tasty Riesling mixes a core of peach and apricot fruit with interesting streaks of candied pineapple. The acids keep it brisk and refreshing.
Bertrand's entry-level Corbières red exhibits dark, concentrated berry and cherry fruit aromas and flavors supported by an edge of bay leaves, clover and a soft menthol streak. Well-integrated with medium tannins and a mouth-watering finish.
Salinic, crisp and peachy on the nose, with easy, ripe melon aromas to sweeten it up. Shows good body and spritz alongside tropical flavors of orange and melon. Finishes with weight before rolling away with elegance. Punchy and ready to go.
Soft and dense with dark fruit, almost baked fruit flavors, that veer into nuts and vanilla, an easy-drinking Zin blended with a smidge of Zin from the 2009 and 2010 vintages as well as 7% Petite Sirah crafted by a Lodi producer to watch.
Restrained, with sharp acidity and cranberry-flavored fruit, this tart and tight effort should improve further with more bottle age. One third of the barrels were new French oak.
Coconut and vanilla are the lead aromas, while there's leather and ripe berry and cassis below the surface. Feels tight, juicy and prickly, with zesty acidity and typical Chilean Cabernet flavors of leafy berry, earth, tobacco and oaky vanilla. Feels snappy and tight as it finishes with oaky, leafy flavors.
No doubt this is mountain grown Zin, still tight but revealing nice aromatics of cherry and spicy licorice on the finish, accompanied by a healthy helping of espresso, wrapped in smooth tannins all around. Should only get better over the next year or two.
For ten bucks, you really can't go wrong with this Grenache-dominated blend. Purple florals and garrigue spice flood the nose, while fruity flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and blueberry keep things rich and juicy in the mouth. Well-balanced with dusty but supporting tannins and an integrated, oak-infused sweetness on the finish.
Bright and aggressive for Llopart, with lively orange and apricot aromas. Frothy to the point of being bubbly, with ripe, bouncy pink grapefruit and other citrus flavors. Stays racy and citrusy on the finish. All fruit; not complex.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Gamache, Stillwater Creek and Red Mountain vineyards. Berry, cherry and plum fruit flavors fill the mouth, gaining strength and detail as they broaden out across the palate. Highlights of loam and tobacco fill in the finish, with just a slight suggestion of alcohol burn.
Two thirds Grenache, the rest a mix of Tempranillo, Syrah and Counoise, this smooth and fruity red has a pleasing, lively mouthfeel. It carries a hint of moist, clean earth, and finishes with a lick of mocha.
This Cab opens with soy and molasses and then moves seamlessly into a mouthful of blackberry jam. Dense, it's still young but should develop well.
Stiff and tart, this young wine needs a few more years of cellaring to fill itself out. The balance is right, and the vineyard's full-bodied tannins are there in abundance.
Richly ripe wine, dominated by sweet yellow fruit, although with a fine line of acidity that brings a greener element. Wood spice comes through on the finish of this full-bodied wine.
Attractive white Bordeaux blend, much better than the red from the same estate. It has a delicious ripe fruit character with pineapple, lime and kiwi flavors and final acidity.
A very structured wine, its firm tannins sitting over the potential of rich blackberry fruits. It does need a year or two for the elements to come together. Spice from wood gives added interest, while the wine finishes with serious acidity.
Pretty hibiscus nectar and lychee notes add an exotic twist to this dainty late-harvest Riesling. Light on its feet, it's deliciously juicy on the palate with showers of pink grapefruit and stone fruit. Finishes clean with a brisk, black tea note.
Dusty tannins and juicy fruit reveal the great freshness of the wine. While it does not have great density of flavor, it does have plenty of forward fruit, smoky flavors and black currant acidity. For the medium term.
Superripe fruit gives the wine weight and richness, toast and peach and pineapple fruits. Old vines give the concentration and opulent fruit. Worth aging 2–3 years.
On the steely, taut side of Chablis, this is a wine for aging. It has fine complexity, lemon and green plum flavors vying with a buttery edge. Keep for 3–4 years.
A classic from the first sniff to the last swallow, this Bordeaux blend, made for Lachini by winemaker Jamie Brown, offers tangy red fruits, pepper, toast and earth highlights, with a base of green olive and brown spices. All in all, a fascinating wine with subtle variations on the Bordeaux theme.
Young and still integrating its lush barrel flavors, this savory Chardonnay should hit its peak in another two or three years. The fruit is full and fleshy, a generous mix of citrus, stone and tropical fruits. Creamy and nicely textural in the mouth, it has the grip and acidity to keep it poised and detailed through a long finish.
This La Clape red, made from 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, is dark and herbal, with strong aromas of black berries and plum guts supporting the garrigue notes of lavender, thyme and bay leaf. More dark fruit unfolds in the mouth alongside sweet cigar spice and notes of bittersweet chocolate, almost like a spiced Black Forest cake. Big and hedonistic but silky and balanced; drink now–2014.
An impressively full wine, its ripe apricot flavors melding seamlessly into rich wood and concentrated flavors. The lemon acidity enlivens the ripe yellow fruits, leaving a rich final impression.
A juicy, delicious Sangio, whose bright acidity underscores a lush mix of raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries and plum. The alcohol is a substantial 14.8%. The wine benefits from an extra year of bottle age, and is now beginning to hint at grace notes of leaf and tobacco.
Shows all the beautiful Viognier notes you could ask for: flowers, spice, apricot and melon, carried by a succulent mouthfeel that remains fresh and vibrant from start to lingeringly spicy finish. Drink now.
A home run in middle-tier Malbec. Excellent power and balance are on display. It's firm, minerally and tight, but with generous berry and cassis aromas and flavors along with ample coffee, spice and mocha qualities. Impressive, especially given the price tag; drink now through 2014.
This vintage of the Darkness Syrah is framed in an elegant, acid-driven, vintage-specific style. There is plenty of fruit—dark and roasted, with a mix of berries, pepper, and a splash of citrus—but the overall flavor set is highlighted by its acidity, and supported by earthy tannins. A fine food wine, with some years of life ahead.
Earthy and rich Tempranillo with hints of fresh herbs, tomato, balsam wood and spice in addition to roasted plum on the bouquet. The palate is tannic and big but shows a ton of fruit and classy flavors of roasted berry, dark chocolate, licorice and dried spices. Heady on the finish and aggressive, but loaded with flavor, kick and quality. Drink now through 2014.
Pure on the nose, with plenty of pop. Aromas of dark black cherry are tight and smoky, with minerality. Flavors of cola and wild-berry fruits are right on the money, and the feel is firm but deep and layered. Offers fine character and ageability. A blend of Malbec from three top vineyards; drink through 2014.
A fine bottle — full, fleshy, immediately throwing out dense aromatics with toast and roasted coffee and bitter chocolate components. A deep vein of black cherry and cassis keeps the core tight and focused, and a small splash of Syrah adds the scent of black pepper.
Deeply colored, this bottling shows ripe blackberry pie with caramel, crushed graphite and a touch of mint on the nose. The tannins are soft but provide just enough structure to deliver lavish flavors of black cherry, beef char and cedar.
This Nero d'Avola opens with mature black-skinned berry, violet and leather aromas. The firm, juicy palate doles out ripe blackberry, dried cherry and mocha flavors while assertive tannins give it a firm, astringent finish. Drink 2018–2023.
Earthy, leathery, stewed aromas are more savory than fruity. The palate on this Malbec-led blend is full, flush and resiny. Savory blueberry, Middle Eastern spice notes and oaky flavors reside in front of a roasted finish with grab and grip.
Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.
Ripe black plum, underbrush and carob aromas lead the nose of this blend of 60% Nero d'Avola, 30% Sangiovese and 10% Corinto. Its firm palate delivers ripe blackberry, black pepper and clove flavors, with a framework of chewy tannins. Drink through 2022.
Vivacious and juicy blackberry flavors are spiced by cola and root beer on the nose of this annual fund-raising bottling by Raymond Smith, and it also shows a touch of chalk on the nose. River stones and gravel minerality are present on the sip, with fresh black plum, more blackberry and dried mint rounding it out.
Nicely ripe fruit flavors and a full rounded texture give this affordably priced wine more presence than most. The aroma is honeydew melon and the flavors are ripe apple and Anjou pear, while the acidity is on the soft side.
This big blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Sangiovese presents a potent purple-flower aroma on the nose as well as boysenberry, tar, dried oregano, pepper and leather. The bone-dry palate is wrapped in a chalky silky texture, with nettle, oregano and blackberry flavors.
This Nero d'Avola opens with blue flower and black-skinned berry aromas. The juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, blackberry jam and nutmeg flavors framed by smooth, polished tannins. Enjoy soon to catch the succulent fruit.
There are tightly focused aromas of black cherry, cedar, leather and graphite on the nose of this blend of 43% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Fennel and dill show prominently on the sip against a fatter layer of black cherry, with a strong mint character on the finish.
Floral berry and plum aromas are direct and pure, emphasizing fruit over oak. A punchy palate follows the nose, while bright plum and berry flavors complete the package. This captures the essence of Malbec while not going overboard.
This LBV has many of the structural hallmarks of a fine Vintage. The extra wood aging has smoothed the tannins to make a perfumed, ripe wine. Dried fruits mingle with red fruits and acidity to give a rich wine that is ready to drink.
This medium-bodied wine is already drinking optimally, with a core of red fruit streaked with cola, earth, graphite and citrus notes. Only four barrels were produced.
The nose of this Bordeaux-style blend is laden with blackberry, violets, clove and eucalyptus. The round palate doles out similar complexity, with additions of bramble berries and forest floor tones. The tannins are smooth and toasty, which translates onto the long and dry finish.
Spicy, woody aromas of oak and root beer are equal to the black-fruit aromas this Malbec is offering. A mix of fresh acidity and creamy oak clash a bit on the palate. Flavors of herbal berry fruits and chocolate finish with rubbing tannins, a flavor note of hickory, and a hint of toasty mint.
This is powerful stuff. Its high alcohol does show in the pepper edge. Happily, the bold black fruits and acidity also give the wine a fresher side. The structure and the fruits are generous and dense. This rich wine is ready to drink.
Produced from a parcel of 60-year-old bush vines on the Cadaval estate, this wine is structured, intense and concentrated. Layers of black fruits, tannins and acidity come together into a rich wine, balanced and ready to drink.
This intensely fragrant wine opens with violet, woodland berry and star anise aromas. The racy palate offers sour cherry, cranberry and ground clove flavors framed by taut tannins and brisk acidity, feeling just underripe.
Violet, iris and hints of natural rubber and eucalyptus lead the nose. The bright palate offers red cherry, espresso, star anise and vanilla notes bolstered by close-grained tannins.
The Medieval Sancerre castle (Joan of Arc slept here) was built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress. Now owned by the producers of Grand Marnier liqueur, the vineyard produces an attractive, open style of wine. It has just the right tangy acidity along with delicious ripe apple and citrus fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
This straw-colored wine made predominantely from Furmint has tropical aromas of passion fruit and mango and a touch of fresh white peach. White peach, yellow peach and guava flavors show on the palate before the zesty finish.
The blend is 85% Viognier and 15% Roussanne, and finishes off-dry with 1.5% residual sugar. A slight blush color and mixed fruit flavors of melon and pear carry the wine, which has a definite sugary sweetness in the mouth. There is also an impression of celery, believe it or not, making for an unusual mix that will intrigue some tasters, and confuse others.
After its rather sugary 2006 version of this wine, Maryhill has returned to a more authentic, grassy style in 2007, with the alcohol back up over 14%. It's a big improvement, showing varietal character and ripe flavors of melon and grapefruit.
Syrah is still finding its way in Washington, and a certain sameness affects many of these wines. This tastes like the product of relatively young vines; spicy, leafy and lightly peppery, with tart cranberry and raspberry fruit, it's balanced and similar to a lighter Zin from the Dry Creek Valley; tasty and fresh, without over-reaching.
Maybe a little more ripe and heady than some of its Chilean buddies, but this SB from Montes offers freshness, zip and good citrus, tarragon and other green-herb flavors. The feel is good, the character fresh, and the finish long and clean. Offers maybe a little more green-leaf character than some might like, but overall this is another fine value SB from Chile. Drink immediately.
Juicy and tart, this estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc has a pleasing mix of light melon, lime, white peach and grapefruit flavors. Hints of sweet grass and a suggestion of sweetness, like lemonade, fill out the finish.
Sappy, tannic and loaded with plum and blueberry, some cassis and chocolate. A good follow-up to the previous vintage, with very dark fruit, polished tannins and a lengthy, tasty finish of chocolate-covered cherries.
Despite a hefty dose of Grenache (60%), this is a dark, forboding wine, loaded with earthy notes and a full, firm, somewhat stern mouthfeel. It's impressive for its concentration and clearly needs time in the bottle, but it's unclear if it will ever offer truly hedonistic drinking. Imported by International Gourmet Corp.
Always a good buy and always big and husky, Gascón is a saturated and dark wine but one with good balance and texture. The nose features cola, boysenberry and density, while the palate is sweet and floral, with big berry flavors. Quite good for a fat young Malbec.
Neutral and clean, with hints of melon, apple and cucumber. For a 2007, this is still holding its own. It offers just enough richness and body to tease, but mostly it's a textbook Chilean SB with apple, grapefruit and gooseberry flavors along with a pithy finish. Gracious and tasty, but drink now.
Chilean wine folk have been saying that we should watch Limarí for cool-climate Chardonnay. This example is clean and medium-weight, with aromas of apple and pear. The acidity is high and scouring, yet some creamy oak and resin moderate any lean qualities. Could stand to be a touch less resiny but still it ranks as nice Chilean Chardonnay. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
Fresh, lightly pétillant, and scented with hints of clover and spice, this elegant dry Riesling offers light fruit flavors of pear, citrus, stone and herb. It loses momentum and fades rather quickly in the mouth.
The freshly cut peel of Golden Delicious apples dominates this rounded but fresh Grüner. This has a slightly riper aspect than its counterparts from Lower Austria, but delivers a great punch of fresh, easy and appetizing fruit.
Strawberry with a very faint touch of rhubarb makes for a very inviting nose. The palate continues the strawberry theme with a full, fresh and luscious but dry fruit expression. This is juicy, fleshy and moreish, drink soon.
This is a big, full-bodied and nicely balanced wine, with hefty blackberry and cherry flavors matched to a firm texture of rich acidity and fine-grained tannins.
This nicely balanced, medium-bodied wine has fresh, bright flavors, a firm mouthfeel and enough complexity to demand attention. Unlike so many heavy, slightly sweet red blends this one is moderate and appetizingly dry.
Fermented in barrel, this opens with aromas of pressed flower, vanilla and a whiff of toasted oak. The round palate offers yellow apple skin, oak, candied citrus peel and a hint of butterscotch alongside fresh acidity. A nutty note signals the close.
Bold blueberry notes are bolstered by aromatic hints of cinnamon and make for a juicy, fleshy nose and palate. It seems like this wine has juicy, berry-ish fun written all over its smooth, easy body. Drink now.
Summer where art thou? This zippy, simple but ultrarefreshing and light-bodied Grüner, with green pear crispness, is just the thing for hot days. Drink soon.
Faint notes of white pepper and bay leaf create an aromatic introduction to this delicate rosé. The slender palate delivers red apple and a pleasant hit of citrus which lingers beautifully.
Ripe blackberry, smoke and dark cooking spice aromas emerge on this savory red. On the easy-drinking, medium-bodied palate, round tannins support juicy plum, black cherry and a note of ground pepper. Enjoy soon.
Bright, concentrated pineapple, lemon and tangerine flavors take center stage in this cutting, unoaked Chardonnay. It's sunny with fruit yet keenly balanced by puckery lime acidity and a dusting of minerality. Drink now through 2019.
This pale Saint Tropez rosé is ripe and fruity, with attractive red-berry flavors and a warm texture. The rich fruits and smooth structure of the Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache blend make it full enough go with food.
This is the producer's annual unoaked version of the variety, from its own estate, the grapes fermented entirely in stainless steel. Kept in tank until bottling, it's a fresh taste of spring, also showing green olive, quince and tropical mango, with plenty of juicy acidity.
Aromas of toasted oak, chamomile and acacia flower lead the nose. The round palate offers yellow apple skin, dried tropical fruit, oak, coffee and a butterscotch note alongside well-integrated acidity. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Grapefruit, orange and cherry mélange nicely together on the palate of this tantalizingly zesty wine, the acidity front and forward. Fresh and refreshing, the tang mellows on the finish, providing medium body and weight.
Delicate scents of honeydew melon, orchard fruit and a whisper of white spring flower lift from the glass. The savory palate offers white peach, green apple, sage and a hint of toasted almond alongside bright acidity. A light mineral note signals the close.
Aromas of white flower and citrus follow through to the racy palate alongside juicy grapefruit, green pear and a mineral note. Zesty acidity gives it a tangy finish.
Aromas of lemon blossom, banana and yellow stone fruit lead the way. The round, generous palate offers juicy peach, Bosc pear and white almond while a mineral note closes the soft, juicy finish.
Mellow oak aromas work nicely with core apple and melon scents. This blend of Tempranillo Blanco and Viura feels tight and acidic, but also highly energetic. Flavors of light oak and generic citrus run long on the finish.
This is a prime example of what big-production Marlborough Pinot Noir can do well. The aromas are clean, redolent of fresh black cherries and blossoms. The feel on the palate is ample, even lush, but not heavy. Cola and spice elements emerge on the long, silky finish. What's not to like?
Lighter aromas of turned earth, dried blueberries and beef jerky show on the nose of this blend of 34% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot. The palate packs bright black raspberries and blackberries together with graphite and light cedar notes.
Dark hay in color with a concentration of oak on the nose, the palate retains that richness of nutty almond and apple pie, finding a balance that betrays the heavier implications of the initial aromas. On the finish it offers a lightness of being, as well as a touch of perfume.
This is a tasty and interesting medium-bodied wine made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of the white grape Viognier. It doesn't overpower with ripeness or tannins, but has a smoky, spicy aroma, meaty flavors and a lively, slightly gripping texture.
A 100% varietal wine from one vineyard, this wine opens in cinnamon stick and blackberry jam, leading the way to chocolatey leather on the palate offset by tingling acidity. Currant, blueberry and cedar also make appearances atop a full-body and lengthy, concentrated finish.
Delicate scents of white flower and apricot lead the nose. The bright, round palate doles out ripe peach, pear and a hint of hazelnut that lead to a fresh finish.
Suave aromas of pepper, elderberry, lavender and a touch of snapped sagebrush show on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers slightly sour black fruits of tart plum skin and boysenberry, rounded by a savory soy component.
Dark alpine strawberry and black plum notes converge on the nose of this wine, which also offers a tart element. Vivacious black raspberry, pencil lead, crushed vanilla, clove and a slight herbal edge show on the palate, proving to be a more savory rather than fruity take on Zin.
This wine smells and tastes clean and fresh, like green apples and chopped celery, then gains a little more heft and ripeness on the tongue to complete a good profile. It has crisp acidity and great balance, and will be very versatile with food.
A light touch in the aroma and rather delicate fruit and spice flavors fashion an elegant style for this light- to medium-bodied wine. Its reserve and delicacy are positive attributes for drinking before the meal or with it.
This opens with muted aromas that recall blackberry, violet, dark spice and leather. The chewy palate offers ripe plum, espresso and almond accompanied by robust tannins. Drink through 2018.
Apple juice aromas don't hold it together for long, and the palate is spritzy and acidic. Apple cider and a touch of vinegar and citrus are the flavors. Not the type of Chardonnay we can recommend.
Average peach and apple aromas are as good as it gets. The palate is wet, heavy, charmless and cidery, with aggressive apple and citrus flavors. And oak wouldn't likely help it.
Neutral aromas, sour apple and citrus flavors, a spritzy mouthfeel and soda-like on the finish. Unsophisticated to a fault.
This prodigious wine showcases Barossa's ability to deliver big, mouthfilling flavors without any suggestion of heat or heaviness. Scents of stone fruit, pepper and red currants mark the nose, while the flavors take on a darker cast, heading toward black cherries and black olives. The tannins are supremely silky, but this graceful, feminine beauty should drink well through at least 2020.
If Standish's Relic is the feminine side of Shiraz, this is in a more masculine vein, with slightly coarser tannins and more weight, but still possessing great intensity without any heaviness. Cassis, blueberry and black olive flavors are tinged with hints of asphalt and espresso, leading into a warm, lingering finish. Drink now-2025.
Smells like spiced applesauce. The palate is more full than light, with roundness but lemony, tart flavors of citrus and green apple. Tart again on the finish, with an odd oily feel. Seems green as well.
With overpowering pineapple and almost a flinty quality to its aroma, this wine is simply sweet.
Saline, apple and not much else create an innocuous bouquet. The palate is short and lemony, with tangy acidity and stalky flavors of lemon and pineapple. Burns a little on the finish, which tastes stemmy.
Funky and sweet smelling, with odd fruit aromas and unfamiliar spice notes. The palate has a snappy, clacky feel and flavors of red fruits, citrus, herbs, tomato and oregano. Sharp on the finish, and overall it tastes like pizza.
Lemon and apple aromas are basic, while the palate is spongey and offers only mild acidity to boost slightly mealy citrus and persimmon flavors. Finishes flat as a board.
Pointed and herbal on the nose, with olive and a hardness that suggests paint or chemical. The palate is tight, grating and tastes of jumbled fruit and olive. Herbal and minty on the finish.
Too much tobacco on this wine that comes off as slightly overripe and sweet.
Not a lot of aromas in this 14.9% old-vine Zin, though a touch of fruit shows up mid-palate. Pretty so-so.
Smoky on the nose, with hints of waxy orange rind and honey comb, this oak-aged Rkatsiteli is dry and crisp. It's also on the light side, with a smoky, dusty palate.
So incredibly big and meaty, this old-vine Zinfandel lists itself at 15.8% alcohol and is indeed sweet but not jammy.
Heat, spice, oregano and earthy black fruit aromas are granular and raisiny. The palate is thick like berry syrup, with creamy, sweet, gummy flavors that suggest blackberry candy and molasses. Roasted and herbal; strange on the finish.
This might be an example of a wine that's too low in alcohol (13.1%). Two bottles were tasted and both came off as very soft and a tad bland, even waxy.
are starting to recognize Clarksburg, for growing some amazingly flavorful Chenin Blanc and Albarino, but if it's Chardonnay they want to grow, too, this wine won't help make the case. From the Wilson Vineyard, it's sweet and uncomplicated and tasting a bit burnt.
Not showing very well and smelling like sweet soda. Spring for Klinker Brick's 2008 Old Ghost instead, a much more stellar version of Lodi old-vine Zin, double the price but worth every additional dollar.
Perhaps an unrepresentative bottle (just one was submitted), but this 2008 reserve was muddy in the glass and flabby in the mouth. Oaky and buttery to an extreme degree, it had lost all freshness and fruit.
This starts out well, with some varietal fruit and pepper in the nose. But the aggressive vanilla and coffee flavors suggest that the oak treatments were not well integrated, and the tannins have a bitterly harsh edge to them.
Banana and lacquer aromas blend with pickled white fruit scents and brine. It's by no means a fresh and inviting Chardonnay; instead, it's a bit mustardy and briney, and not terribly fresh in feel. Is that sauerkraut on the finish?
Bland and oily on the nose, with a mushy palate that's pickled and isn't bringing much to the table. The wine is lemony and green, with a tangle of briney citrus flavors and low acidity. Proves that no oak does not mean no faults.
A murky wine with tree bark, rooty fruit aromas and a sharp, high-acid palate that's tannic. Tastes herbal, tart and a bit vegetal, with an herbal, scratchy finish that strongly hints at green. Imported by GOS Wines and BMC Imports.
A richly aromatic wine, with swathes of sweet fruit, ripe tannins and a juicy, jammy feel. This is so generous, open, welcoming. There is structure as well, cushioned by the sweet fruits.
Ripe, rounded and generous, a warm plum juice-flavored wine. There is power and concentration. It is a very complete, ageworthy wine, although accessible now.
Mirabelle is the darkest, chewiest, most tannic of the three clonal selection Pinots offered by Vidon. It's a Pinot in Cab clothing. Chewy, dense, ripe fruit keeps it all in proportion, a thick black cherry core with rings of chocolate. Think Saturn in a glass.
A deep, developed wine with cola, licorice and prune aromas. The palate is poised and balanced even if it's rich and very ripe. Layered in the mouth, with plum, prune, chocolate, coffee and fine spice, which is about as complete a package as you'll find with Malbec. Cabernet and Syrah; drink now through 2015.
Outstanding, with a honeyed note that suggests a hint of botrytis. A lovely blending of complex fruits, perfectly set against the acids and residual sugar just over one percent. This resonates beautifully.
In ripe vintages, T-L's whites show much less oak influence than expected, and this 2009 Condrieu is a case in point. It delivers all of Condrieu's floral aromas, plus flashes of lychee, tropical fruit and apricot. It's Condrieu at its exotic, sexy best, long-lasting and spicy on the finish. Drink now.
A bit thick and raisiny on first take, but with airing and swirling it becomes fresher. The palate is rich and rooty, with cocoa, prune, earth notes and tea-like flavors. Ripe and smooth on the finish, with no tannic backlash or lazy oak. Ripe as can be but still lively; drink now through 2018.
A finely perfumed wine, touched with wood, Beaujolais in a Burgundy style, structured and with intense acidity. It is packed with firm tannins, surrounded by a lively cherry and rich fruit character.
Deep, sweet and lusty on the nose, with a hint of animal and whole lot of black fruit. The palate is saturated and jammy, with roasted, ripe berry flavors and a ripe, silky finish. Not hard or tannic in the least, with a spot of Priorat's patented schisty minerality. Drink now through 2015.
Apart from making its own branded wines, the go-ahead Buzet cooperative sells a number of wines from privately-owned estates. This wine is firmly in the tradition of Bordeaux blends, with its dry tannins and firm, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors. It would be worth aging for 2 more years.
Crisp, clean and minerally on the nose, with apple and green-fruit aromas. It has a round, smooth feel and flavors of peach, apple and citrus that will enliven the palate and aid almost any seafood, vegetable or salad. A natural wine with just enough powdery sweetness to raise a smile.
If you're looking for a truly bone-dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes, look no further than Ravines. It's uncharacteristically austere for the region, with a lean, light body and a mineral laden, wet-stone palate. Lots of freshly squeezed lime juice and a citrus rind finish makes this an elegant, drinkable choice.
Baked, earthy and leathery, just like all the AN wines. But there's also a smooth intersection of the old and new worlds here; it's one part rooty, oaky and rich but also dry, leathery and indigenous to the Balearics (the base grape is Callet). Finishes a little sweet and warm, and thus it's begging to be drunk now.
A delicious wine and very much the model for value in Spanish Garnacha. That this has 25% Tempranillo only seems to make it better; the nose is sweet but full and plummy. The palate is pure, flavorful and sweet, with baked cherry, earthiness and a hint of chocolate. A wine to buy in quantity, i.e. by the case.
Possibly just in a sullen phase, this reserve bottling from Craggy's home vineyard is dominated for the moment by smoke and cedar on the nose, and while there is some cherry fruit apparent in the mouth, it doesn't appear to be fully expressing itself. The impression is of a wine that's tightly coiled and may yet improve with another year or two of aging.
Wood-aged wine, very rich and opulent. It has great layers of spice, guava, sweet nectarine, along with a light citrus touch. It feels high in alcohol, which is a shame.
The aromas lean a bit into the green but not in an untoward way, with notes of parsley and other green herbs in front of pencil lead and black fruit. The dark-fruit flavors bring a sense of restraint and polish that carries throughout the finish.
Pleasing aromas of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, smoke and blue and red berries lead to a palate full of plump fruit flavors with barrel accents throughout. It's a very pretty and elegant expression of the variety.
Saucy, gritty aromas of molasses, savory plum and road tar are more dark and brooding than fruity. This blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Merlot is tight and collected on the palate, with gritty, oaky flavors of blackberry and dark plum. A peppery, spicy finish gets much of its taste from the barrel. Drink through 2023.
Made entirely with Timorasso, this opens with aromas of acacia flower, lemon peel and a whiff of hazelnut. The vibrant palate offers citrus zest, McIntosh apple and a touch of raw almond alongside bright acidity. Drink 2016 through 2022.
This wine is made from two exceptionally cool coastal sites: Platt, a single-vineyard in its own right; and Martinelli Charles Ranch Vineyard. The wine follows suit, allowing for a concentrated take on golden apple and stony minerality, the nose crisp and focused in salty, floral notes.
Although it's 100% varietal and comes from one of the state's oldest Cabernet vineyards, this wine is somewhat blue-fruited for the variety, with notes of plum and mountain blueberry along with herb, graphite, espresso and spice. The palate shows more of the same, bringing a sense of restraint and polish along with lightly grainy tannins that need some time to stretch their legs. It doesn't scream Cabernet but it still brings plenty of appeal. Best after 2022.
You'll find aromas suggesting mature dark-skinned berry, violet, tobacco and an earthy whiff of game on this. The aromas carry over to the full-bodied palate, together with hints of dark spice and dried cherry. Chewy tannins provide support.
Moderate in structure, full bodied and ripe, this wine is tightly wound in firm, strong tannin. Light flavors of cherry and orange integrate spiky accents of clove, tea and dried herb.
A blend of three vineyards, located between Corralitos and the Summit area, this bottling conveys rusty, earthy cranberries, cherries and Earl Grey tea on the nose. The earthy character also shows on the sip, where animal hide, sour cranberry, red plum, rose petal and pine-forest flavors converge.
Ripe red and luscious black cherry are the fruity protagonists here, dominating nose and palate with their dense, aromatic ripeness. The fruit shimmers both red and black, backed by densely woven but fine tannins and countered by freshness and verve. Juiciness and fruit prevail.
The aromas are bright, with notes of savory herb, orange peel, cranberry and spice. The flavors are higher in acidity, tart and puckering, with orange-peel flavors lingering on the finish. The tannins seem a little crunchy right now but should soften with some additional time in the bottle. It's a stylistically unique wine for the state. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Vidal-Fleury ages its wines longer than most other Rhône firms, so don't be concerned that this is “a year behind” other Tavels on the market. It's the one rosé appellation that can handle a bit of bottle age, so this is at its peak. It shows typical Tavel weight and richness, but also savory, almost meaty or mushroomy elements, balanced by bright citrus notes. Drink now.
The blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah mixes notes of black cherries with hints of red raspberries to create a delicious tension. Dried spices and mocha add nuance, while the tannins are firm at first, fading to the texture of cocoa powder on the long finish. Drink now–2022.
Solid, rich and ripe red raspberries and brambly berries are upfront on the nose of this attractive wine, with seductive tones of sweet oak and cured meat in the back. Medium in weight, with spicy, structured tannins and ample acidity, the oak is well-integrated into the plush fruit core.
This blends 84% Merlot, 11% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, the three varieties combining to full-bodied effect. Earthy in mushroom and cedar, its texture is leathery, with the palate dotted in tobacco and black pepper, the character savory and full of spice.
Rose petal, underbrush, grilled herb and game aromas take shape in the glass along with a balsamic note. On the firm full-bodied palate, hints of baking spice accent ripe (almost overripe) morello cherry and raspberry. Close-grained tannins give it an assertive finish. It's already almost accessible. Drink 2021–2028.
Made as an ice wine, this sweet treat smells nutty, honeyed and a touch earthy It tastes rich, like salted peanuts coated with toffee and apricot syrup. The texture is viscous, palate-clinging and persistent, holding unctuous flavors for a long finish.
Medium in build and lengthy with layers of flavor, this vineyard-designate offers a wealth of rhubarb, pomegranate, cherry and black tea, the background built around strong notions of forest floor.
A 100% Syrah aged for 18 months in two-thirds new French oak, this wine offers damp truffle earth aromas around burly layers of cigar box and spicy, gamy blackberry and plum. Potent, with a long finish, it's worth aging through 2022.
The nose lures one in with very approachable aromas of black pepper, bacon fat, blackberry, anise and toasted chia seeds. The licorice quality powers the palate as well, further made delicious by black cherries, blueberries and game. The tannic grip is a bit firm right now, so wait until mid-2016.
This delivers the best of both worlds for this aromatic grape. Crispy cut-grass notes blossom into tropical pineapple guava and green papaya. A laser focus of lime on the palate subsequently opens toward green pears, freshly cut oregano and dill, and an apple skin-driven bitterness.
At perfect maturity, this rich and complex wine is ripe and full of the more tropical flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. Peach and pineapple are dominant, cut with acidity and tangy lemon zest. It's a full-bodied, concentrated wine that is ready to drink.
Exuberantly juicy blackberry and blueberry intermingle in this midweight wine, undeterred by oak. Well-integrated, the tannins make a play on the finish, competing with dusty chocolate and mocha, a dustiness that takes on rocky minerality, recalling this wine's terroir.
This is the winery's reserve-level 100% Cab, given the utmost care and attention. It opens shyly in cedar and blackberry before offering a luscious palate of tangy leather, dry, firm tannins and a peppery finish. From grapes designated as their own Heritage Clone, UCD 30, it beautifully expresses the appellation and should cellar well through 2020.
Just two barrels were made, from the vineyard's 1972-era planting. This all-Pommard clone selection delivers extra nuances of leaf and bramble to a wine of medium density. The strawberry/cherry preserve fruit flavors are concentrated and rich, and the time in French oak has brought light flavors of caramel, chocolate and toasted hazelnuts into the finish.
From a blending of two barrels—one new and one neutral—this is a snappy, sappy, tangy wine with ripe, forward red and purple fruits. These notes are framed with pretty barrel toast, and the tannins are firm, ripe and balanced. Drink now with pleasure or tuck it away until 2020.
Flavors of baked strawberry and raspberry provide a concentrated richness to this wine, accented by earthy, subtle baking spice. Layered in well-managed tannins, it offers substantial body without the weight, staying structured on the palate, before an intensity of oak and more spice bursts on the finish.
Enticing fragrances suggest alpine wild flower, stone fruit and savory herb. The linear palate is loaded with finesse and character, delivering creamy green apple, tangerine, mineral, white peach and mint. It's well balanced with bright acidity.
Vibrant and elegant, this opens with classic varietal aromas of elderberry flower, passion fruit, crushed tomato vine, dry hay and stone fruit. The linear palate delivers white peach, cantaloupe, juicy citrus and a vein of mineral alongside bright acidity.
Firmly structured, this has both great tannins and equally big, rich berry and black currant fruits that bring the acidity right up front. It is still young, emphasizing the fruit and freshness. The tannins and wood aging flavors need their chance. Drink from 2017.
Sizable tannin, weight and oak suggest cellaring this wine through 2019. The time will be well spent developing this wine's generously robust and vibrant swirls of wild strawberry, black cherry and baking spices. Bright acidity and floral aromas of violet and rose complete the lovely package.
Almost tropical in flavor, this is a rich style of Alvarinho. It comes from the vineyards around the house of Quinta da Aveleda. Some wood aging has given the wine extra weight and richness as well as allowing it to age. At the end, the acidity and toast combine beautifully. Drink from 2016.
Cour-Cheverny is a miniscule appellation of 180 acres within Cheverny, specializing in the rare Romorantin grapes. With care, as here, this hard-to-ripen grape can produce a remarkably rich, full-bodied wine even in a tough vintage. It's bone-dry with delicious melon and apple flavors. Drink now, but better wait until late 2015.
Intensely mineral tones of slate and granite radiate against a backdrop of blossom, grapefruit and peach in this classic Mosel kabinett. Zesty and spry, it's irresistibly inviting, sip after sip after sip.
Cranberry, cardamom, earthy mushroom, loam and a bit of smoke power the nose of this wine from one of the appellation's pioneers. The flavors are more subtle, with Bing cherry and raspberry fruit accented by notes of clove, plum skin and turned earth.
Huge, rich and juicy, this brings out the superripe fruit and heat of the Alentejo. With a high proportion of Petit Verdot and Alicante Bouschet (hence the alcohol and the color), this wine is certainly over the top. At the same time, it's very enjoyable for its up-front fruit and structure. Drink from 2017.
Richly tannic, this concentrated wine has great structure and intense fruitiness and acidity. Generous and full bodied, it retains a dry core that gives shape to the ripe red berry fruits. Hints of wood aging still show, and the wine needs to develop further. Drink from 2017.
Like an underripe nectarine, this tart, crunchy wine needs a bit time to mature. But instead of 2–3 days, think 2–3 years. Lime and mandarin orange notes are lean and crisp on the palate, austere for now, but surely going to blossom in time.
This wine, which is bolstered with 4% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, shows aromas of tar, charred beef and white pepper. That spice shows strongly on the vibrant palate, with crushed peppercorns dominating in a pleasant way, alongside black sage and other dark herbs.
Tough, tannic and still young, this is a powerful and dense wine. Huge and concentrated black fruits are merged into dry tannins that are still waiting to soften. This ripe, potentially fruity wine needs to age for several years. Drink from 2018.
Layers of wood-aging spring from the glass along with ripe perfumes from the always-delicious Encruzado grape. This wine shows a great mix between lime and citrus flavors and yellow fruit such as peach. A tangy character reflects a tight, tense, still-young structure. Drink from 2016.
With a high proportion of generous Alicante Bouschet in the blend, this is a big, bold wine. It has smoky flavors showing a meaty character that's enhanced by 12 months wood aging. Generous tannins give a rich, structured character. It could still do with some aging, so drink from 2017.
The historic Pritchard Hill producer swings for the fences with this Cab, intense in black cherry, blackberry and cedar. Hard to penetrate on first try, it demands cellaring to soften its wall of hearty tannins, the merest hint of chocolate-coffee begging to break out. Lushly powerful and complex, it can be enjoyed through 2027.
This is a big wine on the nose, with lemon curd, vanilla cream, hot pie crust and white and yellow flowers mixing into a very lush invitation. The palate shows great restraint, though, with lemon peels and pudding balanced by a tight line of lime pith.
Lightly charred and oaky on first take, this traditional Rioja features vanilla scents on top of red plum and raspberry aromas. A juicy, fresh, tight palate tastes of old-school American oak blended with plum, raspberry and woodspice. A dry, juicy, peppery finish is fitting for this wine. Drink through 2021.
This medium-dry Chenin is deliciously ripe while still light and very fruity. Currant flavors give a juicy character, accented by honey and crisp apples. Fruity now, the wine will become richer and bring out almonds and a more textured character. Drink from 2017.
This project led by founder Jocko Douglas makes small batches of compelling wine. This Pinot Noir offers aromas of blackberry-laced tea, mocha and spearmint. The palate shows juicy, plump raspberries and blackberries bolstered by clove, allspice and espresso elements.
Incredibly inviting aromas of boysenberry-blackberry pie, deep red raspberry, anise and tobacco greet the nose. This wine is soft on the palate, with cherry and berry fruit that give way to layer upon layer of black sage, licorice, espresso, mocha dust and dark chocolate chips.
Although Cullen's latest red wines haven't always impressed, the quality of the Chardonnay seems to go from great to even greater. This is plump enough to be appealing now, yet with a strong frame of acidity to hold it together for the next 10 or more years. Toasted nuts and fresh pineapple aromas and flavors are exotic upfront, while the lemony finish is long and mouthwatering.
A lighter shade of ruby red in the glass, this wine by young vintner Gavin Chanin—whose original art adorns the label—shows delicate aromas of whole cranberries, shaved fennel and dried tobacco. Pomegranate and cranberry fruits arise on the palate, but pine sap flavors are more prominent, along with licorice and eucalyptus. A strong tannic backbone for such a light wine indicates it will drink amazingly from 2018–2030.
This single-vineyard selection shines, with nuanced layers of granite, lead pencil, pepper and espresso around a core of dense black cherry and cassis. The power and concentration mark it as special. Still compact and lightly earthy, it's blessed with perfectly ripe and proportionate tannins, ensuring a good long life ahead.
The English Reynolds family arrived in the Alentejo in the 1850s to deal in cork. The vines are in the east of the region, close to Spain. This wine, named after Gloria, the mother of the current owner, is a massive, mature cathedral of a wine. It is packed with dark leather, sweet plums and a dry core that's likely to keep the wine in this finely mature state for many years. Drink now.
Lovely licorice, cherry, kirsch and malty aromas grace the bouquet on this single-vineyard Priorat that's full, lush, pure and moderately tannic. Blackberry, black cherry, cassis and chocolate are the key flavors, while a chewy, tannic, lightly toasted finish introduces touches of prune and raisin. Drink through 2022.
Gorgeous from head to toe, this opens with cedar, maple, blackberry and the essence of schisty minerality. On the palate, it's tannic and firm but not overpowering. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, fig and vanilla finish with chocolaty notes and more than enough leftover berry fruit. Hold until 2017, then drink through 2024.
Chocolate-cherry and mocha fill the air and palate in this densely delicious inaugural offering from a new estate, set in the heart of the appellation. At this sister property of the PlumpJack and Cade wineries, with the same owners, there's no skimping on quality. The wine is medium in weight and lengthy, subtle in oak and integrated tannin, with a lovely finish.
Named after the daughter of owner Cristiano van Zeller, this wine serendipitously has Tinta Francisca in the blend. It's a major statement of the quality of old vines on tough soil that marks the Douro. Big tannins and a dark, brooding character show the youth of the wine, while the powerful structure promises long aging. Drink from 2019.
A bouquet of spicy black pepper intoxicates on the opening of this wine, followed by captivating waves of savory blackberry, leather and dust. The grapes are sourced from one of the producer's coolest sites, With well-integrated, unobtrusive oak, the wine is soft and delicious now, offering plenty of meaty undertones, but will intrigue further over time, through 2022.
There's a reason this is one of the pricier white wines from the region. Aromas of yogurt and brie cheese are leveled by struck match, smoked grapefruit skins and sourdough. Vibrant lime pith and singed lemons fuel the palate, which further benefits from crushed oyster shell rockiness and goat cheese-like pungency. The mouth sings with remarkable acidity that will evolve. Drink 2018–2024.
The steep Murças vineyard on the right bank of the Douro faces due south. That gives this dense, impressive Reserva vast reserves of richness and structure. It allows the young ripe fruits to express themselves, with a forward, juicy character that will age well for many years thanks to the supporting tannic structure. Hold this concentrated wine until 2018.
This sprightly-sweet Riesling fills the glass with an opulent floral perfume of rose petals and orange blossoms. It's profoundly aromatic, yet remarkably elegant, balanced by layers of crisp honeydew and peach flavors. A zesty strike of acidity freshens the finish.
From the producer's estate vineyard, this savory, sultry wine is sublime in peppery, wild game. Its textures are alive and bright in acidity, with piquant black and red berry providing inviting juiciness. Made in small quantities, it's an incredible value for the quality, a wine that will sing on the table, and become more complex in the glass.
From a single vineyard of old vines, this is a deeply structured wine. The rare Jaen (in Spain the Mencia grape of the northwest) dominates and here gives a dark and dense wine. It has power, of course, but also style and elegance from the fruit and tannin balance. The strong mineral aftertaste promises further aging, so drink from 2016.
Stunning aromas of amazingly prominent fresh cracked black pepper, dried violets, teriyaki and bloody red meats form a memorable nose on this wine from an extremely coastal vineyard near Cambria. The palate shows roasted pork, more pepper and a boysenberry-balsamic reduction sauce.
Made from vines more than 55 years old, this opens with aromas that recall pressed spring flowers, orchard fruits and beeswax. The delicious, vibrant palate offers juicy white peach, ripe Bartlett pear, nectarine and mineral. It's well balanced, with refreshing acidity. A hazelnut note signals the close.
This powerful, rich and complex wine comes from a low-yielding vineyard that produced just 2.5 tons per acre, and the meticulous label even shows the amount of fog days. Deep and jammy aromas of strawberry preserves, cherry pie, brown sugar, hot licorice and smoked meats give way to a sultry palate that shows nuanced layers of berries, black pepper, mace and baking spice.
The downtown Santa Barbara winery's luxury-level offering shows wondrous aromas of blackberry, licorice and pepper. The flavors take some patience to show their true colors, but soon reveal blackberry, ollallieberry, some red fruits, wet slate minerality and lavender. Expect those elements to emerge even stronger from 2018 to 2025.
Dramatically ripe, this delicately framed spätlese is a showcase of pristine, sunny peach and Meyer lemon flavors accented by caramel and crystallized honey. It's nuanced as well, darting with acidity and touches of sea salt and slate that persist.
Winemaker Sabrine Rodems uses the winery's estate vineyard to show cinnamon, Bing cherries, root beer and mace aromas. The flavors of anise, raspberry juice and Earl Grey tea are spruced up by a generous acidity that gives the herb-leaning wine exciting zing.
This is extreme Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, from an Annapolis-area vineyard. It's juicy and velvety on the palate, the layered dollops of black tea and savory cardamom accenting crisp orange peel, cranberry and pomegranate. Floral upon entry, the wine proffers subtle yet ample acidity and relatively low alcohol.
This wine delivers aromas of molten-lava chocolate cake with black cherry syrup and a mint leaf on top. The palate shows bacon fat, blackberry extract, dark chocolate and freshly ground espresso, with a peppery roast-beef crust on the finish. It's a touch hot, but the wondrous flavors are worth it.
The grapes for this wine are grown at 1,500-foot elevation, from a site that provides more coolness than the appellation's valley floor, a data point that becomes relevant to the taste and aroma of this wine. Spice, leather and garrigue combine for a seamless, soft and ageable experience, the wine dark and brooding in blackberry and bacon, yet beautifully aromatic in fresh violet and lavender. Enjoy through 2020.
This is a serious wine from Aveleda's estate in Bairrada. With its bold, tarry tannins and solid structure, it's a wine that combines longevity and impressive fruit. Mineral, structured and concentrated with big black-fruit flavors and a dry, solid core, it's destined for long aging. Drink from 2019.
Classic Dão tannins—firm, dry and powerful—are supported by satisfyingly ripe black fruit to yield a concentrated, dense, perfumed wine. Swathes of fruit are layered with this solid structure and given a final lift by ample acidity. It still needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Fermented in open lagars, this wine has a dense, almost dry and beautifully sculpted character. It's a solid, dark as well as juicy wine that's superripe yet kept in check by the powerful tannins. Age this wine for many years; don't drink before 2018.
Big and ripe, this has the firm tannins and solid, mineral structure of the Douro. This is a dense wine, packed with black plum fruits over a dark, concentrated structure. Firm, it also has generous fruitiness. It is ready to drink, but will be better from 2017.
Big, rich fruits dominate this impressive wine that also has a concentrated structure of tannins that give power. Full of rich Alicante Bouschet, it is a warm, ripe and rounded wine that still could age. Drink from 2017.
Made for aging, this wine is structured and firm. It has a dense texture surrounded by ripe white and yellow fruits. With a touch of spice and a pepper character, it is rich, impressive and full-bodied. Drink from 2017.
Deep aromas of black-cherry syrup meet with raisin, leather and fudge on the rustic but inviting nose of this dessert bottling. It's sweet and lavish on the sip, but with impressive grip, showing strawberry and cherry-sauce flavors along with cinnamon and clove spice.
This wine is produced from a range of small parcels right through the appellation (including some Premier Crus) to give a full ripe wine that has great acidity as well as spice from the wood aging. It is a wine that shows elegance as well as concentration and a fine balance between fruit and acidity. Drink from 2018.
Brownish orange in color, this shows apricot and mango aromas in front of a lush but balanced palate. Orange, mango and a touch of brown sugar fill out the flavor profile, while a smooth finish avoids stickiness by offering up bracing acidity.
Jammy raspberry and plum aromas come with accents of dusty herbs and black licorice. A saturated, lush, jammy palate features soft, baked flavors of cassis and wild berry, while the finish delivers mint, chocolate and lasting berry ripeness. Drink through 2019.
This full-bodied wine is complex and detailed from the spicy perfume to the finish, and rich and satisfying in the middle. Aromas like black tea and rhubarb lead to ripe and deep cherry and slightly tangy raspberry flavors that are lifted by moderate tannins and linger on the finish.
Aromas of pipe tobacco, mature dark-skinned fruit, leather and cake spice meld together on this smooth structured red. The chewy, full-bodied palate delivers mature plum, black cherry marinated in spirits, mocha and cinnamon alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2017 through 2026.
Dark berries, black plums and dried blueberries meet with crushed pepper and a touch of vanilla on the nose of this bottling. The palate is packed with blackberries galore, lifted by white pepper, beef char and other savory seasonings.
This is a deliciously sultry, luxurious and yet lean, focused white, dark gold in color with tightly woven acidity. Textured and layered in pops of fennel, apple and pear, it was aged in both stainless and neutral French oak, allowing briny minerality and fruit-laden characteristics to shine.
Big but balanced, this wine starts with very ripe fruit aromas, then brings bold black cherry, clove and blackberry flavors on a firm texture of fine-grained tannins and good acidity. The full body, layered fruit and dark spice elements make a great combination.
Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) takes the lead on this wine, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Aromas of blackberry, blue fruit, flowers and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black-fruit flavors. Lightly chewy tannins provide some heft but have room to broaden.
This is a lush, creamy Chenin, brimming with rich notes of honeycomb, honeydew, ripe peach and orange cream. The palate is full and toasty, though ample acidity helps to keep the mouthfeel bright. Notes of baking spice and toasted nuts unfold on the back and linger long on the close. It's delicious now, but should hold and evolve well through 2021.
Opaque to the eye, this is rich, heady and full of inky blackberry aromas and notes of graphite, balsam wood, tobacco and coconut. A lush, mile-deep palate offers chocolaty flavors of blackberry, roasted meat and salt. Ripe black-fruit flavors dominate a lush finish. Drink through 2020.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of barrel spice, black licorice and jammy dark fruit. The cranberry and cherry flavors are palate coating and dense—a hedonistic delight.
This 90th anniversary edition boasts enticing aromas of baked plum, crushed violet, new leather, French oak and a whiff of pipe tobacco. The firm concentrated palate presents layers of dried blackberry, black cherry extract, licorice and cake spice framed in assertive fine-grained tannins. Give it a few more years to fully develop. Drink through 2018–2026.
A youthful expression of the grape, this bottling is clean and fresh on the nose with pressed olallieberries, candied blueberries, violet extract and a nicely smoky char component as well. There is exuberant energy on the sip, where that candied blueberry flavor is cut by savory miso-like flavors. Relatively light and lithe, this would pair with a wide variety of foods.
From fruit grown in Carneros, 74% of it Chardonnay and 26% Pinot Noir, this includes grapes from both Hudson and Hyde vineyards. Gorgeously full bodied and elegant, it's dry on the palate with vibrant acidity to balance the tangy flavors of cherry, pomegranate and cranberry.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (45%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Petit Verdot (8%), Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Brooding aromas of green herbs, flowers and cherry lead to a ripe full-flavored palate that shows a fine sense of balance.
Welcoming on the nose, this top-end bottling offers aromas of baked red cherry, clove and black plum before diving into crushed graphite, wet slate and loamy mud aromas. Soft on the palate but immediately vibrant with acidity, flavors of dark cranberry and tart cherry are lifted by anise-like spice.
This wine is an interesting journey from sniff to sip. Aromas of condensed pomegranate, hibiscus and red plum are lifted by crushed slate, light clove, marjoram and a whiff of smoke. Full flavors of red plum and cranberry start the palate, then come waves of herbaceous oregano, thyme and pepper, before the red fruit returns toward the finish.
This brawny red opens with aromas suggesting resin, stewed prune, blue flower, cooking spice and leather. The robust palate offers raisin, blackberry extract, cinnamon and mocha while solid, velvety tannins provide support.
The second vintage of this wine is a blend of 43% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 22% Mourvèdre. Alluring aromas of red and black raspberries, plum, herb and spice are followed by action-packed, lively fruit flavors that linger on the finish. Feel plays as big of a role as flavor.
Floral like a bouquet of roses, this pretty wine is lined in a tight structure of sinewy earthiness. Orange, cranberry and rhubarb define a crisp, tart profile, while oak makes a sneak, welcome appearance that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Dark ruby in color, this wine has a nose of black cherry with a hint of bell pepper. It offers a pleasing balance of fruit and savory flavors, especially blackberry, roasted tomato, smoke and espresso. Grippy tannins coat the palate, releasing their grasp as notes of cherry jam and smoke permeate the finish.
One of the least-expensive red blends the winery makes, this bottling of 50% Syrah, 30% Petite Sirah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon shows blueberry, lavender, violets, ginger snap, oregano, leather, coffee and freshly baked croissant on the nose. It's layered on the sip, with dark chocolate, caramel, black-cherry juice, pork au jus and savory miso flavors.
A concentrated wine from 40-year-old vines, this is rich and dense. It has a balance between the juicy black fruits and firm tannins, the whole shot through with acidity. Drink this fine single vineyard wine from 2019.
This 100% varietal wine hails from Stone Tree, Cold Creek and Beverly vineyards. Aromas of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and raspberry lead to exuberant layered fruit flavors. It displays a lot of intensity, focus, and length.
This intensely sweet and delicious wine has a bright gold color, aromas of buttered popcorn and ripe pear, and flavors like peach, yellow plum and honey. The texture is luscious and thick, but a good sub-current of acidity keeps it balanced.
Dark and delicious, this wine pulls everything together for a flavorful, even graceful character that's not at all oaky. It smells like dark berries, has hints of violet and tastes like crushed blackberries and dark chocolate. The texture is richly—rather than stiffly—tannic, and the finish lingers nicely.
Comprised solely of the richer 667 clone, this bottling from the Talley family's iconic vineyard offers juicy blackberry, chipped slate, fennel frond and cola notes on the nose. Smashed black raspberry, strawberry and boysenberry are front-loaded on the palate, but then comes the underlying rush of thyme and anise.
Underbrush, mature dark-skinned fruit, aromatic herb, menthol and baking spice aromas lead the nose on this full-bodied red. The bold palate delivers mature black cherry, fig, chopped mint, pipe tobacco and clove set against a firm backbone of velvety tannins. Fresh acidity lifts the finish. Despite its robust structure, it's also surprisingly easy to drink—rare for Amarone.
This Pinot saw one-quarter new oak, which contributed an undertone of burnt toast. The spicy berry fruit is accented by a cola note, and the wine has a friendly, mouth-filling roundness. This is perfect for near term drinking.
Dusty and a bit odd on the nose, this has a strange whiff of perfume and resiny oak. The palate is round and layered, with some minerality. Flavors of apple, pear and quince come with a lot of vanilla and raw oak. The finish follows suit with toast and resiny flavors.
This wine's core has a flavor of hard cherry candy with a coating of milk chocolate. The tannins are firm, and the wine has good midpalate concentration.
This is a very pretty wine, though not nearly as substantial as the 2009. Fruit flavors of strawberry and light cherry are set over tart acids. The palate softens up a bit and runs through a quick, clean fade.
This barrel-fermented wine reflects the modest ripeness that marked the 2010 vintage. Scents of almond paste, orange peel, citrus, melon and pear intertwine, and the wine's flavors carry light suggestions of them all, along with a touch of caramel. It's drinking well right now, so why wait?
Fresh and pretty, this has a bright, refreshing palate that offers flavors of cranberry and raspberry. It's smooth and fruit forward, with medium aging potential.
This is a full-bodied, rich and fruity wine. It has a smooth texture that's embellished with flavors of apricots and green plums. The finish has a tangy, minerally edge.
This juicy white opens with a blend of citrusy and grassy aromas. The mouthfeel is healthy and round, with good acidic cut. Flavors of lime, Granny Smith apple and green herb are fresh and correct, while the finish is clear and refreshing. Drink now before it begins to fade.
Michael David continues to showcase some of the more unusual grape varieties. This Tannat is big shouldered, rich and decadent, and it tastes brambly, which Zinfandel fans will appreciate. It's full of jammy red fruit and leather notes, with a long finish.
Jammy, floral aromas fold in graphite, blueberry and cassis accents. The palate is tight and firm, with mild astringency due to the strong tannins. It bears flavors of herbal berry, saline and rubbery earth, and the finish includes green herb and salt notes.
A round, robust Barbera from winemaker Greg Graziano, this has detailed layers of blackberry and currant, with soft tannins and a toasty finish. Pair this selection with something savory, like a stew, and anything made with mushrooms and Parmesan.
With 4% Petite Sirah blended in, the Big John Zin is bright in dusty red fruit, briary and brambly, with a hint of spice and nutty almond. Focused and textured, the finish is fully satisfying, the spice piquing interest again.
Newsome-Harlow's largest bottling, the Calaveras County is a delicious deal at $24, steeped in ebullient cherry and raspberry high tones, juicy yet entirely elegant. A classic California Zin in all the best senses, it offers black pepper, muted chocolate and softly layered structure.
The wine has power, structure and density. Hard initial tannins show that it needs to age, but the black fruits come through richly as it opens up. The strong mineral character gives a firm texture to the wine. Drink from 2017.
The second wine of Quinta do Vesúvio, Pombal is still concentrated and dense from low yielding vines. Layers of juicy plum flavors and acidity gain strength and power from the dense, sweet tannins. It will need to age a few years, so drink from 2017.
Lemony lightness, coupled with zesty spritz on the palate make this a refreshing white with lots of focus, linearity and whistle-clean length. Floral notes around the edges add to the intrigue.
Previously labeled as Les Gourmandises, this is now The Long Run in honor of Scott Wright's completing his first full-length marathon in 2011. It's all Nysa vineyard fruit, graceful and delicate, scented with rose water and satin smooth. Cranberry and wild strawberry fruit accents lead into a mouthful of cherry soda, delicate but lingering.
Lifted, pear-scented freshness dominates the nose while the palate is soft but has a pleasing and linear citrus focus. This is poised and offers sophisticated refreshment.
Along with a gorgeous blend of ripe fruits—apple, pear, and a bit of tangy pineapple—this wine carries a streak of wet stone into a full-bodied, lingering finish.
A meaty, gamy Syrah boasting aromas of bacon and duck-liver mousse, this wine delivers tremendous flavor and quality for the price. It offers plenty of body around a core of plush, savory tannins and a long finish of pepper and cinnamon spice. Start slicing the charcuterie.
Pure lemon zest mingles with peppery pungency and makes for pepper-speckled refreshment. Linearity and focus abound and this wine is so lively, it seems to fast-forwarded into the future.
This blend of 71% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier and 6% Sauvignon Blanc offers good concentration and ample richness, with pure yet powerful aromas and flavors of wood-grilled apple, peach pit, beeswax and yellow melon rind. Accents of toasted challah and pressed yellow flowers add depth to the bouquet, while finishing touches of orange oil and sweet spice unfold on the round, lush finish. Drink now–2018.
Initially earthy in character, this is a powerful blend of Touriga Nacional with Bordeaux grapes. It is still young, but is showing a great intensity and concentration. It has weight and a firm core of very dry tannins interwoven with black, juicy fruits. It should develop into a complex, rich wine. Drink from 2017.
This tight, classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir needs coaxing to bring out the lovely, lilting aromatics, splendid in savory dark fruit, cinnamon and tobacco. Restrained use of new oak brings a balance of richness and acidity, softened tannins and velvety texture that works in every way.
This is a block selection from the principal estate vineyard. At first flavors of soda cracker, with a saline edge, fill the palate. Then apple, pear and melon fruit come in, with excellent concentration and refreshing acidity.
This is crisply defined, dotted with cinnamon, and features tart pomegranate,  cranberry and strawberry fruit. The sleek tannins frame a long, sturdy finish.
This Pinot is joyous in fresh berry fruit aromas and flavors, from wild strawberry to taut cherry, the fruit buoyed by lush, velvety tannins and generous acidity. Pretty on the nose and tongue, it discloses a trace of vanilla on the clean, distinct finish.
This old-vine (planted 1972) Pinot offers delicate, yet complex details throughout the palate. It's elegant winemaking at its best—a pinpoint mix of herb, stone, berry and barrel—seamless and precise. Despite (or perhaps because of?) the low alcohol, this has the potential to age; try after 2018.
Rich but refined, it opens with an enticing floral fragrance of white roses and stone fruit. The fresh palate offers white peach, tropical fruit, pineapple and pink grapefruit accented with clove and nutmeg.
Kesseler's standard-label Pinot Noir is gorgeously perfumed with notes of violet, spice and vanilla that meld seamlessly into a backdrop of concentrated black cherries and plums. It's lavishly oaked, yet elegantly composed with brisk sour-cherry acidity and integrated alcohol. Delicious now, but should settle nicely through 2019.
This structured Sauvignon reveals alluring fragrances of white flower, stone fruit, hay and cantaloupe aromas. The palate delivers mature peach, honeydew melon and exotic fruit alongside mineral and crisp acidity. The finish is backed up by succulent fruit.
Dark and dry, it has excellent potential. Pure Touriga Nacional gives its signature firm mineral tannins and and a rich, tarry underlying fruit character. Powerful now, it will be richer in the future. Drink from 2017.
This Carmenère-led blend is heady, meaty and inviting up front. In the mouth, clamping tannins are delivered amid serious structure. Flavors of berry, cassis, chocolate and spice lead to a lasting, pure finish that fades slowly and in phases. Best through 2019.
With its compact nose of blackberry and cassis aromas, this wine comes across as ripe and modern. In the mouth, it's round, bouncy, tannic and exuberant, but not overdone. Flavors of blackberry and fig are smooth, while the finish is rich and ready. Drink through 2017.
At first smelling like a bowl of red punch, this bottling quickly slides into dark, savory herbals, featuring a bit of five-spice blend that evolves as you sniff. On the palate, it's smooth and soothing, with blueberry and other dark blue fruits as well as anise. There is noticeable tannic structure, so this will hold well for a few more years.
Easygoing and juicy, this features classic notes of wild blackberry, pepper and leathery oak that's medium- to full-bodied. Spicy nutmeg and pepper compete for attention on the finish.
A new brand produced by the Sparr family, Baumann's fruit comes from Riquewihr. This easy Pinot Gris is soft and medium sweet, with attractive hints of spice and minerality. It's a ripe wine, finished with acidity. Drink now.
This off-dry wine is highly perfumed and spicy, with enough acidity to balance the bergamot and candy flavor. Attractive depth of flavor gives the wine richness and a full body. Drink from 2016.
Watermelon and light pomegranate fruit seem dusted in ash. Tannins are moderate but show some grip. It's a modest, quaffable effort without much varietal distinction.
Tropical fruit aromas suggest mango and melon, but this wine is fading and shows a mealy side upon airing. The palate remains citrusy in feel, with grapefruit, nectarine and citrus peel flavors coming in front of a pithy finish.
An intensely powerful combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, this was given more than two years mulling things over in French oak. A menthol streak runs through the otherwise blackberry and leathery, tannic layers of this wine, the finish a tad short.
It must be challenging to grow Pinot Noir in this warm region, but this bottling shows some promise. Raspberry fruit lingers behind tarry rubber and black olives scents, and the palate blends bitter and sour with a bit of spice, trending toward the forest-floor style with hints of pine, soy sauce and seared fruits.
High-toned acidity glares a lemon-lime spotlight onto tart stone fruit and fresh herb tones in this blend. Dry and delicate in body, it's on the austere side, but vibrant and refreshing.
A full, oily nose with aromas of orange blossom and lychee turns more fleshy and mealy with airing. This has a plump, flush body and flavors of lime, orange and white table grapes. A citrusy finish is fruity but doesn't glide.
Made with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this opens with aromas of toast, oak-driven spice and blackcurrant. The palate offers up prune, anise, oak extract and coffee alongside drying, fleeting tannins.
High-altitude vines yielded this full while also crisp wine. It is fruity, touched by caramel and spice and some toast flavors from wood aging. This is a rosé style that goes with food.
Quince and lychee fruit flavors dominate this ripe, off-dry wine. It has a spicy character, allowing for a dry core of pepper while also giving a rich aftertaste. Drink now.
A healthy dose of Petite Sirah toughens this Zin, sourced from a benchland vineyard in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley. The wine opens with aromas of cinnamon bark and cranberry, a tugging mushroomy element standing by. Subtle notes of black pepper come into play on the finish.
Enticing aromas of black cherry conserves on toast lead to flavors of stewed cherries and raspberry, with licorice and clove notes. The deep fruit flavors are overly ripe and powerful. Although the flavors work well together, the wine lacks brightness.
This opens with aromas of toasted oak, coconut and vanilla. The palate also displays evident oak and oak spices, namely vanilla, mocha, coffee and a confectionary note that muffle the candied berry flavors in the background. Astringent tannins give it a short, drying finish.
Named in tribute to the many wine rivers of Portugal (Foz means estuary), this generous, fruity and soft wine is quite ready to drink. It is smooth with black fruits and light tannins well balanced and cut by acidity.
Smooth and fruity, sleek and spicy, it oozes sweet cherry and strawberry flavors. Feeling silky for all its ripeness, it has just a touch of tannin to help the finish linger. It's made from Syrah, Zinfandel and three other varieties.
This overly generous Cabernet Franc is supported by 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Oak, pepper and herb characterize the aromas and flavors, with meatiness competing against notes of cedar. Soft, supple and brawny, the wine finishes in a hurry.
Simple and fruity, this has a mix of pineapple, citrus and apple, high-toned and slightly bitter. The toasty component from some sort of barrel/oak treatment is not yet integrated into the fruit. This will need decanting or aging in bottle until 2016.
Moving towards medium-sweet, this is a honeyed, spicy wine, ripe and full of fruits. An easy, entry-level wine, it's deliciously rich and ready to drink.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with delicate aromas of citrus, acacia flower and honey. The bright palate delivers nectarine zest, white pepper and a saline note alongside bright acidity.
Touches of smoke and grain extend throughout this uniquely savory off-dry kabinett. Rich streaks of peach and marmalade brighten the palate, accented by bursts of lemonade acidity, but overall, there's a bit of disarray throughout.
Aromas of wood shop and anisette dominate the nose. The palate is evolved, offering prune, pomegranate, vanilla, oak extract and roasted coffee bean but no fruit richness.
Bold, gritty, balsamic berry aromas are rubbery and saucy in nature. Edgy and grating on the palate, but also full of spunk, this tastes salty. Modest red-berry flavors finish oaky and rustic, with a lasting note of aged balsamic vinegar.
Delicate aromas of white spring flower and citrus fruit waft from the glass. The easy palate offers white peach, nectarine zest and a hint of almond alongside zesty acidity.
This easygoing, friendly wine features aromas of rose, violet and dark berry. On the palate, soft tannins lightly frame wild cherry and crushed raspberry flavors while a hint of vanilla adds interest. Drink through 2015.
Tropical fruit and citrus lead the nose on this lively white. The palate offers passion fruit, nectarine zest and white peach alongside crisp acidity that gives a clean finish.
The oyster and clam shell aromas are briney to say the least. The palate is acidic and scouring, with lime, lemon and green melon flavors. It turns pithy on the finish, then a little bitter.
Nervy raspberry and cherry aromas come with a pinch of green herb. It feels astringent yet structured and crisp, with edgy red-berry and herb flavors. Lively, fiery and mildly acidic on the finish.
Nervy and racy, this has crisp acidity and a lively orange-zest texture. It's fruity, with upfront apple and grapefruit flavors, showing just a touch of a minerally character in the background.
Lean red-cherry and briar scents lend an elegant tone to this brisk, medium-bodied Cabernet Franc. The palate is a shade riper, with black cherry and plum flavors, countered with hints of earth, green leaf and ripe but coarsely grained tannins that linger.
The softest of the Pouilly Fuissés produced by Duboeuf, this is a smooth, creamy and toasty wine. A peach note and warm, ripe fruits dominate. Very ready to drink.
This is an oaky, seemingly sweet, blackberry- and strawberry-tinged blend of 65% Zinfandel, 30% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah. With an earthy note of sage running through, this is a food friendly wine that'll require a hearty meal to tame it down.
This is pleasant and complex on the nose, with hints of violet, ripe black cherry and a savory meat note that lingers. The palate could use a tad more concentration, but it's elegant in style with lean cherry flavor and a flurry of fresh green and floral accents.
A tough vintage turns out a tough wine—chewy, tart, slender and herbal. Some pretty blackberry fruit is tucked tightly into the core, but it is overtaken by the acidity and drying tannins.
Ripe, minty and exuberant on the front end, this has a hint of animal in addition to a note of blueberry. Saturated and simple, this has a ripe red-berry flavor that comes across as red licorice. Fruity and fun.
This offers grassy, ashy aromas of green-leaning berry and plum fruits. It feels grabby and choppy, with berry flavors that lead to a dry, lightly herbal-tasting finish.
Light and fragrant, this emphasizes crisp apple and grapefruit flavors. It has a light, breezy character. Very ready to drink.
From the cool 2010 vintage, this the blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Viognier comes across as slender and yeasty, simple and tart.
Milk chocolate, plastic and wet dog aromas improve with airing. It's abrasive and scratchy on the palate, with blackberry and milk chocolate flavors that lead to a finish with one last dosage of milk chocolaty sweetness. This contains 15% Garnacha.
This smells like fresh pavement at first, with gritty black-fruit and burnt leaf notes. The palate feels edgy, with a spotty red-fruit flavor that's matched with notes of resiny oak and vanilla. It finishes in a similar fashion. Novo Imports and Aidil Wines & Liquors.
Thick and pasty smelling, this has roasted berry scents that are slightly leathery. It's scratchy and mildly astringent on the palate, tasting minty and dry, with a mild fruit content. The finish is chunky and resiny.
The bouquet is dry, briney and otherwise neutral. It feels wide and lemony, with flavors of citrus and white fruits. It remains mildly pickled on the finish.
Fresh and fruity, this has a ripe apricot character that contrasts the mineral acidity and bright fruit character. The wine dances lightly and is now ready to drink.
Light and easy, this has direct aromas and flavors of green plum, lime, just-dried grass and underripe mango. Medium acidity keeps the finish clean and bright. Drink now.
Thin and tight, this high-acid Syrah is stubbornly closed. It's difficult to predict when—or if—it will open up. Right now, it doesn't show much beyond acid and stem.
Asphalt and gaseous aromas take a while to settle, but after they do, leather and scratchy blackberry scents surface. It feels big and brawny, with max extraction. It tastes masculine but salty, with bitter chocolate and peppery accents. Bulky for $11 wine.
This smells a bit wayward and sulfuric, but it's juicy and acidic on the tongue, with lemony and oily, nutty flavors. It holds steady on the finish, which is lemony in character.
Nicely behaved and well balanced, this gentle wine offers medium body, fresh plum flavors and a texture that's smooth and lightly tannic. The color is relatively deep and aromas are fruity, with a touch of earth.
Made entirely with Nebbiolo, this opens with aromas of French oak, vanilla, licorice, and underbrush. The aromas follow over to the palate along with dried cherry while fine-grained tannins provide support.
This is a solid, structured wine, with tannins and vanilla flavors from the new-wood aging. Black-berry flavors come through slowly but they will develop as the wine ages. Drink from 2018.
Light aromas of mineral, brioche, green apple and spice are followed by sleek but flavorful palate. It shows elegance and detail.
Gamy aromas of wild berry fruits lead to a solid direct palate with good balance, cushion and acidity. Ripe flavors of black cherry and black plum finish firm, healthy and spicy, with touches of chocolate and toasty oak. This is 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Earthy slightly rustic aromas suggest compost along with ripe berry fruits. This feels wide and heavy, with an extracted mildly tannic mouthfeel. Prune and blackberry flavors don't see much acidic push, and thus this Tempranillo finishes blocky, ripe and chunky.
Ripe and savory, this frothy dessert wine boasts heady aromas of yellow stone fruit, citrus zest, aromatic herb and a whiff of honey. The rich palate doles out ripe apricot, yellow peach and candied lemon drop alongside an elegant, soft mousse.
Aromas of wild rose, moist soil, Alpine herb and menthol lift out of the glass. The firm palate offers tart sour cherry, espresso, thyme and toasted hazelnut while tight fine-grained tannins provide the lean wiry framework. It closes on an astringent note.
Bright, cheery whiffs of sugar cookie crumbs and Meyer lemon zest perfume this sunny off-dry Riesling. On the palate, sweet-tart tangerine mingles into more savory notes of bees wax and pollen. The finish is brisk but refreshing.
Apple, melon and other white-fruit aromas lead to a citrusy pulpy palate with good balance. Flavors of pithy citrus and green apple finish with a racy feel and notes of stone fruits and citrus peel. This is Verdejo with 10% Viura.
These are definitely old vines, at nearly 100 years of age. The wine from this impeccable producer is juicy with great fruitiness and rich red-cherry flavors. It has fine acidity and light tannins. As befits a wine from Regnié, it is likely to age easily and with fine fruit. Drink from 2017.
Earthy notes of dust and crushed minerals accent tart green plum and gooseberry in this refreshingly zesty dry Riesling. While linear in style, it's a bracing, revitalizing sip perfect for everyday enjoyment. Drink now through 2019.
Full bodied and opulent in texture, this wine was grown at high elevation and relies more on its luscious mouthfeel than its subdued fruit flavors for appeal. While dry, the wine has attractive viscosity and a lingering finish.
Manzwine, which is based in the Lisboa region, also has vines in the Douro. This wine is now mature, ripe and full. It has great concentration balanced by a silky texture and fine, soft tannins. Blackberry fruits and final acidity are just touched by a hint of pepper from the alcohol.
This mild-mannered wine doesn't show a lot of aromas, just light nutmeg and pear nuances, but opens up on the palate as Bosc pear, toasted almond and allspice pour out. The texture is smooth and soft and the finish tastes just slightly sweet.
This wine gets its name from the fossils that abound in the landscape of the vineyards. A blend of Arinto, Viognier and Chardonnay, it is ripe and perfumed. The texture is smooth, but with a mineral edge. Yellow fruits dominate the flavor profile that's balanced with acidity. Drink the wine now.
This second wine of Labégorce Margaux is named after the former neighboring estate Labégorce Zédé that was amalgamated after the 2009 vintage. This is a ripe wine, full of the fruit of the vintage as well as having a firm dry tannic structure that will allow it to age. With juicy blackberry fruits still so youthful, it is going to be ready drink from 2019.
Produced from a 17-acre vineyard, dominated by Merlot, this is the top wine of Château Renard. It is structured and firm with tannins and dense concentration that will probably remain with this rich wine as it matures. Drink from 2018.
Coming from a site best known for its Syrah, this wine brings high-toned aromas of violets, herb and dark fruit. The black-fruit flavors are rich yet supple, with fine-grained but occasionally toothy tannins providing support. Mocha flavors linger on the finish. It's a bit oak heavy but by and large carries it.
This tart, sleek, pretty wine shows bright strawberry and raspberry fruit. Quite young and fresh, it's still rather tight and stubbornly closed, even after breathing for a full 24 hours.
Vines on the slope of the Brouilly hill give a firmly structured wine. It is has a fine sense of balance between the tannins and the bright black-cherry fruits. Rich and crisp with acidity, it is going to be a wine that brings out so much fruitiness as it matures. Drink from late 2017.
The Sullivan designate mixes Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 777 clones, which were aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. It's similar to the winery's Dardis bottling in terms of the balance between fruit and herbs, though here there is a bit of a hole in the midpalate. Otherwise, it's a friendly mix of black cherry, cola and chocolate: forward and open.
This juicy, solid red offers aromas of scorched earth, mature berry, dark spice and a whiff of game. The chewy palate delivers ripe black cherry, raisin, star anise and clove alongside rounded tannins.
Combining blackberry jam aromas with rich, ripe fruit flavors, this wine is medium to full bodied, and feels relatively easygoing for this grape variety.
Concentrated savory aromas of prune, blackberry, compost and tree bark are not uncommon for Colomé. This is a clampy tannic Malbec that pulls down hard on the palate. Salty savory plum and berry flavors are oaky and finish with tannic residue. Drink through 2022.
Quite dry, crisp and lean, this wine is a great palate refresher that will pair well with raw oysters or goat cheese. It has bright citrus flavors, light body and a tangy finish.
This ripe, soft wine has gentle tannins under the rich red-berry fruits, with an attractive smoky edge from the wood aging. Drink this fruity wine from 2019.
This wine starts out a touch reduced before opening to reveal light aromas of almond, marzipan and spice. The palate puts a premium on elegance, with the concentration at times seeming a bit light but with the balance still there and a lingering finish.
This smooth and detailed wine mixes tart red fruits with earthy, lightly charred flavors. The robust tannins carry notes of espresso beans and dark chocolate. It will need decanting and/or aeration to bring it all into proper balance.
The oak is at the fore initially, with aromas of toast, char and exotic spice out in front of green herbs and purple fruit that become more prominent over time. The fruit flavors are sweet and sappy, with abundant toasty and vanilla accents throughout. It delivers enjoyment, but fruit and barrel seem to tussle a bit at times.
Like biting right into a crisp Asian pear, this clean and brightly fruity wine accents the fresh flavors with just a hint of nutmeg and sweet spice.
Terrassen wines are blends from vineyards across the lower slopes of the Wachau hills: the easy-drinking side of the region. This fresh, floral, crisply acidic Riesling exhibits the style well, with its tight texture over fragrant green fruits. There's delicious acidity to finish. Screwcap.
A delicious, creamy, fresh and light apéritif style of wine, white fruits just touched with spice and a soft, open, approachable texture. From an estate in the Entre-deux-Mers, this is great value Bordeaux.
Meaty and full on the nose, and convincing overall. The palate is a touch scratchy and raw, but it houses nice cassis, cherry and raspberry flavors. Some grit and bite to the finish is followed by flavors of caramel and sweetness, and overall the wine seems well made and natural. Drink now.
This is an intensely grassy, herby Sauvignon Blanc (100%) that is vividly fresh, with upfront fruit that has a New World character. Grapefruit, green berries, lime juice and white currants all come together. Delicious now.
A full, dark and meaty style of Carmenère, with rubbery dark-fruit aromas that steer it in the right direction. The palate is chewy and ripe, with cola, black cherry, prune and coffee flavors, while the palate is flush but loses steam fairly quickly. Not a complex wine, but one that's good for light-minded drinking.
Warm aromas of menthol, chocolate and black fruit are the opening act, which is followed by flashy flavors of grape bubble gum, blackberry and raspberry. Fairly spicy, full and chewy on the palate and finish, and overall it shows fire in the belly while never striving to outdo itself.
Hints of honey, citrus and petrol mark the aromas of this wine from a legendary Eden Valley estate. It's a medium-bodied rendition of Riesling, dry and petrolly, with a long, concentrated finish that suggests that this wine could safely be cellared for up to 10 years.
A reliable and immediately enjoyable wine, this is full of ripe and juicy fruit. With soft tannins and layered acidity, it has a bright and lively finish.
A light flavor of cherry mingles with a dusting of brown sugar in this pleasant, easy-drinking wine.
Mineral and lime aromas are key on the bouquet. It feels wide, with fleshy but not flabby flavors of peach, nectarine and apple. This is quiet, clean and just juicy enough.
A fresh, fruity, unoaked effort, this has lively acidity, with flavors of quince and pear and a soft, open texture. Screwcap.
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 opens with a blast of funky, jumpy wild berry. The palate feels fresh, with a lot of fruit, acid and extract. It tastes saturated, big and grapy, with herb-influenced wild-berry and animal notes.
The nose is jammy and slightly medicinal at first, but then plum and berry aromas settle. This feels firmly tannic and mouthfilling, with baked berry and roasted plum flavors. The finish is hard and strapping, with excess power.
Red licorice, rhubarb and green herb aromas are balanced by toast, spice and berry notes. The palate feels hard and dense, with herbal berry and olive flavors. Chocolate and additional herbal flavors carry the finish.
Initially shy, this opens up with a few swirls of the glass to reveal underbrush, truffle, pressed rose and a balsamic note. The tense palate is lean and linear, offering tart red cherry, strawberry, clove and mineral while bright acidity and firm noble tannins provide balance. Drink 2017–2022.
This structured wine is balanced with great fruit, firm tannins and ripe berry flavors. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Malbec (46%) makes up most of this blend followed by 23% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and finished with Cabernet Franc. It offers aromas of dark plum, currant, cocoa and spice that are followed by generous, textured and full blue and black-fruit flavors that bring a lot of hedonistic appeal. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
This is a delicious ripe wine, full of black fruits and with generous tannins. Mint flavors come from the new wood aging and enhance the ripe berry flavors and acidity. Drink this structured wine from 2018.
The wine is ripe and full of blackberry fruits. It has serious tannins still although these are well balanced by the fruitiness. The firm structure and wood aging flavor will soften over the next few years. Drink from 2020.
The ample fruitiness of this 80% Merlot wine is right up front. It comes from a large 116-acre estate on the extension of the Pomerol plateau. Firm tannins as well as generous black plum and berry fruits are well balanced, just needing time to soften and fill out. Drink this full, rich wine from 2018.
This is a ripe soft wine full of warm fruits and gentle tannins. The second wine of the always-impressive Château Smith Haut Lafitte, it is a rich wine its own right. With black currant and dark plum flavors, it has some solid tannins from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink from 2018.
A firm, structured blend of 50-50 Pinot Noir and Touriga Nacional, this wine is rich and made to age. A dense texture underlies the ripe blackberry fruits and firm tannins. Aged for 18 months in wood, the wine needs time to mature further. Drink from 2018.
This is the latest vintage of the second wine produced by the joint venture between the Symington Family and Bruno Prats from Bordeaux. While the wine has plenty of wood, it also has the potential of ripe blackberry fruits. It is rich, full of ripe tannins and toast from the wood. Nutmeg and cinnamon add interest. Drink from 2019.
Rich while also structured, this big, ripe wine comes from an estate owned by the Càlem family since the 1820s. It has concentration both from the tannins and from the black-plum fruits, and offers good potential. Drink from 2019.
Smooth and rich, this wine has structure as well as tannins. The generous red-berry fruits are smooth and rounded. The vines are owned by the Amorim family of cork-production fame. Drink this ripe, rich wine from 2020.
Muted aromatically at first, pushing to impart rose, sage and violet, this red offers an edginess of tobacco leaf and peppery meat. Structured acidity provides appreciated support and a contrast to medium-sized tannin.
Lushly rich on both the nose and the palate, this wine from the heart of the appellation is etched in chocolate and cedar, showing a ying-yang pull between savory and sweet. Currant and dried herb season chalky, firm tannin and toasted oak.
Floral blueberry aromas work alongside baking-spice notes on an inviting nose. This feels fresh and jumpy, with live-wire acidity. Leafy plum and lightly herbal flavors finish fresh and snappy, with juicy acidity and no overt oak. Drink through 2019.
This racy and leesy young wine offers fresh and crisp flavors of cucumber, celery, jicama and green apple. Despite all the green components, it is not herbal or vegetal, and offers a precise, delicately crafted and ageworthy take on the grape.
Dark notions of hazelnut meet bright, integrated swathes of apple, pear and wild vanilla in this lovely vineyard-designate. Lush on the palate despite its lighter-bodied soul, it's dusted in grapefruit zest and anise, making it complex and delightful.
This is a well-made wine at a more-than-fair price. Labeled varietally, it also holds smaller additions of other Bordeaux red grapes, most notably 6% Cabernet Franc. Black pepper, leather and cassis surround smoky oak and firm, integrated tannin, making for a complex, full-bodied and balanced experience.
Dried plum, mission fig, savory soy, roasted meats and an array of seasonings show on this blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Blueberry, soy and beef-roast flavors swirl on the palate, along with candied grape, cedar and graphite minerality.
Big and bold, broad in texture and deep in ripe, chocolaty flavors, this wine is full bodied. Rich in mouthfeel, it's almost sweet, and deftly made to be appealing now despite very firm tannins. It will be outstanding in a pairing with big proteins.
Blended with 14% Petite Sirah, this old-vine powerhouse is juicy and sultry, with a hint of smokiness. Leather and bark add to the savory picture, while the tannin profile is decidedly soft and smooth.
Very light in the glass, this wine shows strawberry, wild thyme, charred cedar and a smoke character. It's dainty and very herbal on the sip, with cranberry and pomegranate flavors enhanced by dried oregano and bay leaf.
Dominated by Syrah, this wine is dark and dense. It is perfumed with solid tannins and the potential of juicy red fruits. Grown in the Pamela area of the Setúbal peninsula, south of Lisbon, the wine is both warm and densely concentrated. Drink from 2018.
Aged for eight months in new wood, this wine has enough rich fruit to balance out the toast flavors. The result is a ripe, full-bodied wine packed with black-currant and black-plum flavors. It is a dense wine, likely to age well over the next few years. Drink this serious wine from 2018.
The aromas bring a big whack of pungent blue and purple fruit, along with notes of herb and cherry. The flavors are full and palate coating, bringing a real sense of texture and hedonism but still with great freshness.
The Dardis designate is a mix of Wädenswil and Dijon 115 clones, aged for 10 months in 30% new French oak. Cherry, berry and chocolate flavors meld gracefully with a thread of cola. There's a briary undertone to the fruit, and a dusting of cocoa over the tannins. This is ready to enjoy immediately.
Bright and full bodied, this opens with scents that recall exotic incense, wild berry, tilled earth and dark spice. The palate offers dried black cherry, cranberry, star anise and a menthol note alongside a backbone of refined tannins. Drink after 2018.
This site is seeing an increasing number of vineyard-designated bottles made from it. This one brings brooding aromas of dark fruit, licorice and spice that lead to full-bodied, almost jammy fruit flavors. It shows a lot of hedonism but retains its impeccable balance.
A new addition to the winery's lineup, this wine opens with aromas of underbrush, dark raspberries and red licorice. The palate shows an exquisite sense of restraint and polish along with a lengthy finish that kicks it up a notch. It's a very pretty, thoroughly beguiling wine.
Ripe blueberry, black-cherry syrup, cola and clove cream combine for a complex nose on this bottling by winemaker Carl Bowker. The palate is vibrant with acidity, yet rich with baked blueberries. Waves of wild California herbs add further nuance, making for a wine that finds a nice balance between disparate elements.
Rough and leathery, with roasted black fruit and burnt-leaf aromas. The palate has a clacky, sharp feel and flavors of dried, baked berry fruits and leaves. Hard, roasted and leathery red wine.
This lightweight Pinot Noir displays modest scents of cherries coupled with herbal elements, while in the mouth the cherries are tart, with a hint of green underripeness, and the wine lacks fleshiness. Pair with poultry or salmon.
Much the same blend as the winery's ‘Red' wine, only here the Sangiovese is replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon. Light flavors of black cherry and herb characterize a rather flat-lining wine with lots of acid.
Though labeled sweet, this has just enough acidity to feel off-dry in the mouth. It brings a mix of pear and peach, apple and orange peel flavors, which fade rather quickly into a flat finish.
Oxidized and tawny, a blend of grapes from Okanogan, Columbia Valley and Columbia Gorge. Soft and generic, with lots of vanilla and clove.
Savory, cooked apples spiked with apple cider vinegar mark the nose and palate of this simple, homespun Chardonnay.
There's a sour twinge on the nose that's reminiscent of sweet apple cider vinegar, but the dry, medium bodied palate is pleasant with fresh apple juice flavors and a touch of cream on the finish.
Lean raspberry and cherry aromas are the best part because the palate is rather raw and acidic, which causes raspiness and a tough mouthfeel. Flavors are sharp and red fruited, and there's an oak and vanilla element that's not that well integrated.
Expensive for what you get. The nose is a weird mix of salami and sweetness, and the palate is a syrupy, globular blend of cloying oak, caramel syrup and candied banana. Way too much wood and vanilla here, and not nearly enough balance or purity.
Ripe plum, forest floor, truffle and dark spice aromas lead the nose. The delicious, enveloping palate doles out fleshy blackberry, juicy black cherry, cinnamon and licorice flavors while an earthy hint of game lends character. Firm, velvety tannins provide polished support. Drink 2018–2023.
This is a dark-colored wine, powerful and dense. With a fine perfumed character, it is rich with black fruits and concentrated from the low yields. It is impressive, ripe and darkly structured and with a firm long-lasting aftertaste. Still young and packed with fruit, it will be better from 2018.
This was the first winery to make a truly white Pinot Noir (back in 2004). Produced exclusively from Pommard clones, it's barrel fermented and aged much like a Chardonnay. Along with great texture and length, there's plenty of acid supporting its palate-pleasing mix of white peach, melon and gooseberry. It finishes with a thread of lightly buttery caramel.
Like many of the winery's bottlings, this wine shows rich but balanced concentration. Loamy and fulfilling baked blueberry and blackberry aromas are laced with vanilla. The palate is lavish as well, with strong blueberry syrup, herb and pepper flavors and a caramel touch on the finish.
Strong classy oak aromas lead blackberry and baking-spice scents on a potent but textbook RDD nose. This old-vines wine from a benchmark year is tight-fisted and linear in feel, with lemony acidity. Fully oaked flavors of blackberry and cassis sit comfortably on a bed of herb and spice notes, while this is oaky, spicy, steady and integrated on the finish. Drink through 2027.
Spicy clove flavors enwrap rounded tannin and integrated oak in this structured, bold and full-bodied wine. A reserve-tier bottling, it shows deep red fruit, from cassis to currant, and a predominance of both the savory and tart.
Blue fruit, raspberry, violet, dark chocolate, green olive and spice aromas lead to ripe fruit and herb flavors that mix in plenty of smoked-meat notes, heightened a dazzling feel. A lengthy finish caps it off. It's an intriguing wine that keeps you coming back for more.
Bryan Babcock makes plenty of more expensive Pinot Noirs, but this appellation blend hits all the right notes and shows off the results of the “pedestular cane suspension” technique he's been using in the vineyard. Wild thyme, sagebrush and bay leaf meet cranberry and slate aromas on the nose. Black raspberry and cranberry flavors lead the earthy palate, accented with nettle and peppercorn.
From a vineyard planted above the town of Sonoma and named for its address, this small-production wine offers blueberry pie, chocolate and smoky oak aromas. Big and burly on the palate with sizable tannins, it integrates black cherry and burnt orange into the mix, finishing balanced and elegant.
This elegantly structured wine is a wonderful expression of Sauvignon's serious side, offering delicate yellow stone fruit, wildflower and toasted nut scents. On the polished, full-bodied palate, a hint of nectarine backs up creamy yellow peach fruit while fresh acidity lends balance.
Named after the year the estate was first recorded, this is a rich wood-aged wine. It has spice, stern tannins and layers of black currants and black plums that still need to have their head. The wine is dry as well as firm but will open up and soften to give a sumptuous wine from 2020.
From a vineyard site close to the Pacific Ocean, this bombastically rich wine is hard to resist, with its supple rose and lavender notes that grow more powerful on the palate. It leads with fleshy strawberry flavors, augmenting its ripeness with cardamom and chocolate touches.
Waves of purple floral fragrance meld with soy, blackberry and roast lamb on the nose of this complex and compelling bottling. It's quite soft on the palate, with black plum and hoisin sauce flavors accenting its core of dried purple fruit, black pepper and bacon fat. The finish offers a touch of maple syrup.
Plush and elegant dried purple flower, baked black fruit, graphite and char aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is full of flavors that range from rich black currant to lively anise and cedar. Quite tasty and complex all around.
This dark and meaty blend of 58% Syrah and 42% Grenache shows black currant, charred game and black licorice touches. The palate combines pepper-crusted beef flavors with pretty violet and lilac accents, framed by a tannic structure that's robust but not obstructive.
Undergrowth, truffle, black-skinned berry and exotic spice aromas meld with balsamic notes. Rounded and chewy, the palate doles out fleshy black cherry, blackberry extract, cinnamon, licorice and chopped mint flavors, enveloped in velvety tannins. A hint of carob closes the finish. Drink through 2024.
Toasty, oaky aromas of graphite, pepper, barrel char and black fruits properly announce a palate of chewy tannins and several layers of blackberry, cassis, barrel-spice, toast and chocolate flavors. Chocolaty depth on the finish only adds to the package. Drink through 2030.
Slight pepper spice mingles with subdued, tart berry fruit on the nose of this wine. The palate adds supple vanilla and strawberry notes, with fine, smooth tannins and pervasive freshness. For now, the vanilla still dominates, but a little bottle age will help. Drink 2018–2022.
Soft and supple on the palate, this impressive wine is lightly spiced with dust and clove, its tannins rounded and in support of lingering cassis and red cherry flavors. Mocha and tobacco lend additional depth and complexity as it unfolds, punctuated by juicy acidity.
Crisp, refreshing and uniquely spicy and mineral-driven, this blends 50% Sauvignon blanc, 25% Ribolla Gialla, 20% Sémillon and 5% Tocai Friulano—all unusual varieties in the Napa Valley. Light, bright and fleshy, it tastes of lemon, mango and the sea.
This blends 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir in a seamless, focused package of bright acidity, moderate mousse and tangled peach, tangerine and blood orange flavors. It has impressive complexity and length, with a nutty note that closes out the finish.
Here is all the right Volnay richness. The tannins give the wine a firm edge, a support for the soft, opulent center. Black berry and damson flavors are dominant, offering acidity to go with the ripe texture. Age for 5–6 years.
Emmy is 70% Mourvèdre and 30% Syrah blend. The fruit expression is pure and powerful, an intense burst of raspberry and cranberry, anchored in mineral and chalk. Only neutral oak was used, so the fruit is framed beautifully by the acids and tannins, and it is so pure and resonant that it is hard to believe that this wine won't age beautifully for a decade or more.
This wine has been in release for almost two years, but the extra time has only improved it. Nicely melding the strengths of Klipsun vineyard Cabernet and Merlot with 24 months in half new, half year-old French oak barrels, this powerful wine has concentrated cherry and cassis fruit, potent baking spices, suggestions of mint and pepper, and a host of details waiting to be noticed. A great bottle to toss into a blind tasting of high-end California reds.
Big, lush and tightly structured, with cola and mocha aromas along with serious black fruit power and brightness. A pure and delicious Malbec-Cabernet wine with the full allotment of berry character, cola accents, dark spice and clarity. Drink now through 2014.
A beautiful wine that has plenty of weight and also a firm structure of minerality to go with the yellow fruits that are now evolving into more mature flavors. It is by no means at its peak yet. Give it 2–3 years.
Ripe and meaty, with bacon, earth, leather and inviting black fruit aromas. Not lazy at all; in fact a laser-like beam of acidity cuts through the palate, pushing bright, slightly fierce flavors of savory berry and minty oak. Finishes hot, spicy and with coffee and mocha. Cabernet-Monastrell to drink now through 2014.
Pretty lavender and violet notes shaded with wax and lanolin scent this delicious, honey-coated wine. Decadently rich with a sunny, bright acidity and elegant tones of tangerine, black tea and heather, it's lip-smackingly good through its long, smooth finish.
Estate-grown, spicy and fresh, this exciting wine from a new Red Mountain producer shows outstanding potential. Carefully crafted by the winemaking team of Pete Hedges and Sarah Goedhart, it's stylish, European, sleek and polished. The fruit is spicy and bright, the barrel accents just right, the tannins smooth and supple, and the length surprising. A fine effort.
A good amalgam of Red Mountain flavors—hard, tight tannins; dark, smoky black fruits; an underlayer of graphite and mineral. The wine is hard and compact, unyielding, but well-balanced and complete. In the nose are suggestions of moist earth, compost, soy, seaweed; the message is, stay tuned.
Balancing sweet wood and mineral-driven citrus character, this is elegant and stylish, showing peach and grapefruit flavors. The wood, so fine, acts as balance and support. Age for 5–6 years.
Orange peel, honey and spice notes linger over a bouquet of hyacinth and freesias. So beautifully structured, it's as if each sip unleashes a wave of sweet amber honey that undulates on the palate amidst flashes of golden marmalade and a vibrant citrus acidity.
Yalumba's mastery of Viognier extends even to this botrytis-affected dessert style, which offers scents and flavors of honey, dried apricots and orange marmalade. It's not overly complex, but wonderfully concentrated yet balanced, with a long, honeyed finish. Drink it over the next few years.
Creamy and crisp—a nice trick—this refreshing Chardonnay livens up the palate with a mix of herb, celery, apple and Asian pear, rolling into a finish of caramel apple and toast. It has a light touch despite the 14.5% alcohol, and sits nicely in the back of the throat, inviting another glass.
Tight, light and crisp, this is a great aperitif wine, all white fruits, citrus and layers of minerality. The aftertaste is vibrant with the acidity. Glass stopper.
This pleasant Merlot/Cabernet blend brings ripe cherry fruit flavors that border on raisiny. It's forward, round, soft and fruity, with the Merlot definitely dominating the front, while the Cabernet adds a bit of weight and substance to the finish.
This Moldovan white offers value and a great bang for the buck, with its fresh, fragrant nose and fun, assertive flavors. Buoyed by minerality, the citrus and spice on the palate offer clean quenching on a hot day. Not terribly elegant, but it doesn't need to be.
Woodsy spice, clove and chocolate announce the oak that is the lead factor throughout the wine. The nose is creamy and resiny green, with vanilla yogurt, plum and berry flavors coming next. Solid in terms of acidity and feel, but a little bit lactic due to the wood treatment.
Crisp, light, green wine. with flavors of green plums, grapefruit acidity and a pronounced layer of classic Grüner pepper. Screwcap.
“Open, pour, drink” is the message behind Trie, also a blend of 3 grapes. It's lively, fresh, almost Beaujolais-like in its juicy, fruity, red berry character. Ripe, soft, just a hint of spice.
Oak treatment adds a caramel spice to the crisp, cirtic flavors of Roditis. The nose, sweeter and slightly headier than the un-treated version, leads into a pretty, rounded fruit profile that marries the oaky spice and lemon character well. More dimension and less lift than the average Greek white.
Not an expressive Rueda but it sizzles. Despite being young and driving, it's more neutral in flavor and texture than the winery's Verdejo, which is excellent. This wine shows all citrus with light green accents, and with shrimp or Asian foods it'll do well.
This lightweight wine is fresh and flavored with limes, pears and a hint of spice. It's edgy but also rounded, with mouthfilling fruit flavors and acidity playing an important supporting role.
Red berry fruit with touches of vanilla and spice give this bargain-priced Pinot a candied but inviting set of aromas. The palate runs on fresh fruit, and overall it's all about clean, forward juicy flavors and very little extra. A nice aperitif Pinot Noir.
Frankly sweet, and somewhat oily in texture, this is low in alcohol (7.5%) but high in sugar and ripeness, bringing tropical fruits like mango and papaya to mind.
There's no shortage of ripe aromas: leather, berries and aged cheese. Yet the palate is quite sharp, with searing acidity sitting on top of red-berry flavors. This wine has unlimited aging potential, but will it ever taste great? That remains to be seen.
From Guenoc a blend of Bordeaux varieties (43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petite Verdot, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc) that veers into the overly tannic side of Cab without quite the right balance of fruit. Not much on the nose or finish.
A cherry-pink-colored wine, soft and full-bodied. Flavors are of wild strawberries, red cherry with a touch of pepper. The wine feels fat, missing acidity.
Soft, light, flavored with raspberry and red fruit. There is a gentle tannin character to this open, fresh wine.
Chandler Reach grew the grapes for this big, chewy, rather blocky Merlot. It offers pleasant red fruits and light chocolaty barrel notes.
Essentially a Cabernet Franc with Merlot and Sangiovese in the blend, this easy-drinking red wine feels a bit generic. One-dimensional berry and pale cherry fruit flavors quickly fade into light tannins.
Curiously perfumed with notes of roasted hazelnuts and fresh apples, this is a savory, dry Chardonnay. Full bodied in style with notes of nut oil and nut skins throughout, it ends with a hint of wood sap astringency on the finish.
Smoky and dark with hints of petrol and potpourri, this full-bodied late-harvest Gewürz  has a pleasantly off-dry, honeyed palate, but suffers from some tired, dusty notes and a burnt caramel finish.
Smells roasted and stemmy, with a burnt leaf and turned earth quality to the bouquet. Herbal, scratchy berry and plum flavors feel rough and don't exhibit enough freshness. Simply put: it's a leafy, muddled Ribera wine.
This warm-climate Viura hits with plodding barrel aromas and flavors but there's not a lot of high-quality natural material to support that much faux/forced oak. Along the way it hints at mealy apple, spice, cinnamon powder and resin. A lot of noise but not much music.
Apple cider, orange rind and a touch of toast unfold on the nose, while the medium weight and juicy mouth offers more fresh red apple flavors. The finish is simple but clean.
There's plenty of ripeness in the red plum and cherry on the nose and palate of this everyday Finger Lakes Cab, but it's a little dusty and tired overall, with hints of tomato sauce.
Although brambly and green with hints of tomato leaf, this red cherry Cab Franc has a spicy, fruity profile with soft tannins and a bright acidity. Medium-bodied with a cherry cough drop finish.
A smooth and rich wine that is already delicious. It has ripe berry fruits, soft tannins and a full, juicy feel. A streak of acidity cuts through this generous wine. Drink now.
Old vines help give smoothness and concentration to this ripe wine. It has soft tannins, well integrated into the black cherry fruits, and acidity. With its spice and rounded texture, it is a wine to drink now.
A dense and rich, jammy Merlot that is full of black fruit and has an ultra-ripe feel. It is hardly Bordeaux, but it does hold attraction with its rich, full fruits and dense tannins. A smoke and bitter chocolate aftertaste suggests some firm extraction.
Mostly stainless fermentation, with 30% done in neutral oak, yields a wine heavily scented with fresh-baked bread. It's smooth and light, the green apple fruit flavors yielding to a finish that tails off again to lingering scents of bread.
Aromas include white spring flowers, tropical fruit and a hint of graphite. The juicy palate offers green apples, white peach and melon alongside fresh acidity. Delicate almond marks the close.
A fifty-fifty blend of Sangiovese and Syrah, this densely concentrated wine has aromas that suggest underbrush, wet leaves, black berries and prune. The palate delivers fleshy black cherry, raisin, black pepper, espresso, bitter dark chocolate and a sugary vanilla note alongside solid tannins. It's at its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
Very Douro in its mineral texture and dry core, it also has a surround of ripe black fruits. It's concentrated and has some aging potential, although it can be drunk now.
Very ripe, with a solid structure, this is dense and tannic. Its black plum and berry fruits are rich, jammy and likely to show well with the tannins in a few years. Drink from 2016.
Floral aromas recall jasmine and other spring flowers along with a whiff of graphite. The linear palate offers yellow peach, golden apples, citrus and a mineral note. White almond marks the finish.
Aromas of spring wild flowers come together with a subtle hint of peach. The savory palate delivers citrus, grapefruit and a crisp pear along with a note of white almond.
Earthy, almost funky aromas recall farmyard and overripe black fruit, with whiffs of leather and menthol. The palate offers fleshy black cherry, licorice and coffee, sweetened with sugary vanilla notes alongside bracing tannins. It's a bit muddled right now but it may improve with more bottle age. Drink after 2016.
This Pinot offers bright tart cherry fruit and earthy spice in good proportion and is softly textured. From the remote Mendocino Ridge and aged in entirely French oak, it's still young and exhibiting plenty of oaky toast on the finish.
A full-bodied white, it leads with aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle and stone fruit. The linear palate offers ripe golden apple, white peach and a mineral note alongside fresh acidity. Bitter almond marks the finish.
Aromas of beeswax, lychee and fragrant white flowers take center stage in this wine. The juicy palate offers ripe Bartlett pear and lemon drop alongside fresh acidity.
A blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Bianco, this has sensations of yellow apples, beeswax, citrus and mineral. It's simple but well made and would work well with lightly seasoned fish or pasta dishes topped with vegetable sauces.
The winery produces two outstanding Pinots from estate vineyards planted in 1972. This is big and chewy (as the potent alcohol might suggest) and aging in 50% new French oak puts flavors of toasted coconut and caramel around smooth supple cherry fruit. There's a finishing hint of eucalyptus; all in all, it's a terrific value and a truly original take on Pinot Noir.
Warm butter and light toasted oak scents meld with smoked lemon and walnut hints on the nose of this reserve bottling. The palate is soft and almost sweet upon entry, its cashew and roasted apple flavors buttressed by a grippy tannic texture.
Blended from Muns Vineyard near the mountaintop and Wiedemen Ranch near the base of the appellation, this bottling offers cola, black plum, Concord grape and dried rose petal scents on the complex and elegant nose. The flavors are layered and woven on the palate, evoking elderberry, charcoal and purple flower touches.
A classic expression of Hawke's Bay Sauvignon Blanc, this is a ripe, open-knit wine tinged with barrel influence. Vanilla and tangerine mingle with hints of smoke, lingering elegantly on the long finish.
Mulberry, wet rock and sagebrush show on the nose of this single vineyard bottling from a site owned by the Hahn family. The palate is tangy at first, revealing dark red fruit with a smoky kick as it opens, backed by hints of juniper and dust.
Medium to full in body and off-dry in style, this remains bright and refreshing on the finish thanks to vibrant acidity. Honeycomb aromas give way on the palate to hints of apple, pear, peach and citrus, yet hold onto a savory edge.
Initial charred aromas yield to aggressive cherry and maple scents. This is a wide, fully tannic load of a Malbec with toasty flavors of burnt wheat bread and maple to go with blackberry and cassis. Toast remains on the finish, which also tastes of licorice. Drink through 2023.
Dry yeasty aromas control the nose on this moderately sophisticated rosé that's made entirely from Trepat. In the mouth, this is solid but not thick. Dry peach and nectarine flavors are clean and finish with just enough girth to chew on.
A staple of California winemaking, this vintage is as good as ever—perfectly polished, with light aromas of toasted oak and crisp green apple, lemon-lime and tempting butter flavors, and a medium-bodied frame. The texture is silky smooth, and everything tastes harmonious and balanced.
Blackberry and pressed violet aromas lead the nose of this bottling, while charred beef, lava rock and black soil scents provide depth. A roasted game flavor dominates the palate, spiced with black pepper and soy sauce and bolstered by a concentrated base of black fruit.
This is not your parents' crisp and lean Barbera. Ripe, juicy and concentrated, it's so rich and opulent that it seems sweet. From the aromas through the lingeirng finish, it generously doles out raspberry syrup and blackberry jam notes, as well as a chocolaty accent from oak.
This dense, richly thick wine is full of black pepper and leather flavors that complement its bright layers of black currant, plum and dark cherry fruit. Full bodied and balanced, it offers further complexity as it unwinds in the glass.
Baked raisiny aromas of spice cake are almost overdone. Like many 2009 RDDs, this is huge, tannic and massive as a whole. A woody flavor profile includes earthy jammy berry fruit, while this is heavy with campfire notes on the finish. This is 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink through 2023.
This bottling from a winery whose owners are originally from Brittany shows peppery spice, tart red fruit, rose petal and lava rock scents on the nose. The flavors range widely from white pepper and dill to fresh-pressed strawberry and red plum, with a slight hint of caramel. Varietally pure and very fresh.
This cofermented field blend is 60% Tannat and 40% Malbec. It's big, black, bold and captivating, with rich blackberry and boysenberry fruit. The tannins are grainy and flecked with graphite, and there's a suggestion of mocha throughout. This might fool some tasters if it were to be tossed into a blind tasting of high-octane Sonoma Zinfandels.
This wine leads with a touch of smoke and cinnamon. The underlying blueberry fruit is brooding and crunchy, bringing freshness to the medium-bodied palate. Aromatic waves of spice and pure, vibrant fruit carry long into the finish.
This 100% varietal wine is spicy and succulent, with a touch of oak reduction on the nose that resolves as it opens. Big boned, it tastes dark cherry- and plum-driven, spiked with cinnamon and black pepper.
Slightly reduced and showing plenty of barrel imprint, this vineyard designate is bold and grippy, its soft entry marked by clove spice and cigar. The fruit is a combination of plum and dark cherry, subtly wrapped in vanilla toast.
Although the challenging vintage resulted in just a half-ton per acre of Chardonnay in this dry appellation (a third of its normal yield), this wine is fantastic. Flinty and smoky aromas lead to Gala apple, white peach and lemon peel on the nose, while the palate combines salt, grapefruit pith and seared apple flavors. A sharp line of acidity brings it all into balance.
Cassis and elderberry scents pair perfectly with tobacco and loamy dust aromas in this serious blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec. Tobacco accents the black fruit on the palate as well, with dill, anise and charcoal touches. It's firmly structured and bone dry.
This wine wears its high alcohol well, appearing light in the glass and delivering loads of chaparral spice, sandalwood, beet, rhubarb and earthy dust scents on the nose. Although light in body, the palate boasts an underlying juiciness, packed with cranberry, thyme and pencil shaving flavors.
Deep and sultry aromas of black fruit, mineral and toast mix with licorice gum drop and leather to form a good bouquet. The palate, however, runs more sharp than expected, with high acidity propelling lean, narrow pie-cherry flavors. A bit hollow but fresh and pure. Starts better than it ends. 70% Malbec and 30% Corvina.
Smells good and fruity, with ample berry force at the bouquet's center along with herbs and spice. Grabby, tannic and stocky on the palate, with sweet, chunky berry, raisin and plum flavors. Turns slightly herbal and stewy on the finish.
This Lake County Sangiovese tastes slightly green and acidified at first before its bright, tight red cherry fruit makes its way through.
Light and generally clean smelling, with standard green apple, melon and lime aromas. Feels a touch flat and pithy for Casablanca, with generic citrus and mild bitterness for flavors. Pithy and just juicy enough on the finish.
This Petit Verdot grown on the hillsides of El Dorado County in California Gold Country is all dark berry and strawberry jam, still tight and grippy with room to develop added complexity over time.
Produced from the young vines of Château de Fuissé, this wine is soft and rounded with just enough acidity to go with the sweet peach flavors. It's a gentle wine, ready to drink now.
This lightly colored blend of Cabernet Franc and Gamay brings out an attractive perfumed character, red currant and wild strawberries. It is dry, feeling rich with acidity cutting straight through. Screwcap.
Spicy and dry smelling, with red fruit aromas and a hint of prickle and brine to the nose. Smooth in the mouth and full through the midpalate as plum and red berry flavors blend with herbal notes. Mellow and full on the finish. Good value.
This is slightly bigger and bolder than the 2009 Art Series Cabernet, but remains a relatively streamlined and silky rendering of the variety. Potent cedar and vanilla notes frame dark fruit aromas and flavors, while the finish lingers, echoing with wood overtones. Drink now–2025.
Made with Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this bold wine opens with aromas of graphite, black-skinned fruit, cracked pepper and espresso. The concentrated palate doles out spicy plum cake, blueberry jam, blackberry, vanilla and nutmeg. Brawny and high-toned, it boasts firm tannins and surprising freshness.
This dark-tinted Cab shows aromas of blackberry, spice and olive along with some grit and herbal character. The palate is jammy but propped up by juicy acidity. Herbal-leaning flavors of blackberry, black plum and cocoa finish fresh and snappy. Drink through 2017.
This is textbook Clare Valley dry Riesling, with lime sherbet aromas and flavors that come across as slightly one-dimensional at this young age. It's medium bodied, with a slightly dusty texture that's especially notable on the long finish. Drink now–2025.
A dark, cedary nose pumps out volumes of baked plum and blackberry aromas. A beefy, full-bodied palate is fiercely tannic, while black cherry, dark plum and blackberry flavors are more fruity than herbal or spicy. The finish is gritty due to drilling tannins, so wait this out a bit and drink  through 2022.
A blend of Viognier (60%), Roussanne (25%) and Marsanne, this wine is moderately aromatic with notes of pear, melon, apricot and flowers. It's medium bodied with abundant stone fruit flavors, quite reserved considering the warmth of the vintage.
Soft, cushioned, apricot-scented ripeness plays on the palate, with edges of yeastiness, spritz and fresh citrus buffered by plump apricots. This is gentle, fresh and pleasingly long, always with the scent of apricot.
This blend of Syrah (50%), Petit Verdot (18%) and equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon carries appealing aromas of herbs, cherries, orange peel and sweet barrel spices. It shows a pleasing sense of restraint, accenting the Syrah's suppleness with an elegant styling that keeps the attention high.
Made from Nebbiolo aged in large casks, this garnet-colored wine offers lovely fragrances of rose petal and woodland berry. The elegant palate doles out crunchy red cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and mineral, alongside smooth, polished tannins. Fresh acidity adds vibrancy. Drink through 2019.
This is a hearty Meritage employing all five red Bordeaux varieties. The color is black and the fruit equally dark and rich, offering muscular tannins around rich notes of blackberry, cedar and herb.
There's a lot going on in the expressive bouquet of this wine—ripe, brambly raspberry, cocoa powder, cinnamon, clove and licorice root. Those notes continue through to the satiny palate, where medium tannins lend ample texture and grip to the long, spicy finish. Drink now–2017.
Despite this wine's modest alcohol level, it delivers ample richness and flavor. Hints of toast and roasted nuts frame vibrant citrus fruit and a touch of white peach. It's intense and invigorating, with a burst of fresh citrus echoing on the finish.
The Clos wine from Jean-Luc Baldès reveals juicy black fruits with plenty of young acidity. A firmly structured character powers through the fruits and gives density under the smoother surface. The wine is obviously still young, reveling in its youthful fruits. Drink from 2016.
This is a concentrated, lovely wine that offers a depth of red berry, forest floor and herbes de Provence. All of the wine's elements come together seamlessly on the palate. Approachable now, but should also age well.
Chunky, ripe blackberry and cassis aromas come with baking spice scents. In the mouth, this feels broad, jammy and tannic, but under control. Ripe flavors of baked blackberry and graphite finish full and creamy but with solid tannic framework. Drink through 2019.
This is a big wine in all senses. Powerful and dense fruits form the basis of solid tannins that are still masking the full-bodied, rich berry fruits. It is still developing and needing aging. Drink from 2018.
New oak figures prominently on the palate of this generous and ripe wine, an impression that's nicely offset by ample structure and juicy acidity. It's balanced and approachable, so enjoy now.
The juiciness of crushed forest fruits along with some slight woodsmoke is evoked on the nose. Meanwhile, the palate follows suit with gentle red fruit aromas and edges of clove. A very elegant wine of slender proportions but with a delicious core of ripe red berries.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, black-skinned fruit and tobacco lead the nose. The firm, structured palate offers mature blackberry, black cherry, coffee bean and licorice alongside a tannic backbone. It closes on a mineral note.
Tart and lively, this lip-licking Chenin includes 9% Sauvignon Blanc in the blend. Strong citrus flavors—lemon and grapefruit—along with pineapple, provide the concentrated core. A perfect oyster wine, with sap, snap and tang.
Very seductive and flavorful, this smells like a bushel of ripe blackberries and raspberries, and tastes exotic, generous and full of dark fruit notes. Full bodied and velvety textured, it has enough firm acidity and tannin to make it mouthwatering.
A restrained, medium-weight Cabernet, the 2010 from this historic property boasts herb-tinged notes of cassis, brown sugar and hickory smoke. Fine, slightly dusty tannins mark the long finish. Drink now–2025.
A partnership between winemaker Chris Phelps, who makes the wines for Swanson, and his son, Josh, this Cab is silky in currant, cassis and black raspberry, the oak more sweet than overwhelming. With room to age through 2015–2017, let it open before enjoying.
Made by Aaron Pott, this blend of 58% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is minerally and herbaceous, aged almost two years in French oak, half of it new, the rest seasoned. Cassis, pomegranate and peppercorn dance to the fore, supported by weighty tannins. Enjoy through 2020–2022.
Richness and ripeness combine with a multilayered and tannic texture that frames the flavors, massages the palate and carries the expressive fruit character through a lingering finish. Ripe blackberries and raspberries accompany a subtle vein of spice and mineral flavors that add complexity.
Lightly wood-aged, this is a smooth and ripe wine. A touch of toast rounds out the fresh fruit flavor of juicy Golden Delicious apple. The wine is dry, crisp and fruity at the end, with bright acidity.
Ripe and fruity, rich and generous, almost soft in texture, this starts with strawberry-syrup aromas, then tastes like sweet red cherries with light spicy oak accents. It's basically a big soft pillow of fruitiness, but a touch of tannin kicks in on the finish to keep it refreshing.
Ripe, almost candied aromas of berry fruits are offset by creamy oak scents and a touch of olive. This is chunky, weighty and trying hard to keep its form. Flavors of roasted black fruits, chocolate and herbs finish soft and low on structure. Drink this warm-vintage, full-flavored Cab through 2017.
Robust in black pepper and intense black fruit, this has a tension of freshness and red cherry, making for a complex and intriguing wine with noticeable structure and a refreshing finish.
Tightly wound in oak and smoky forest floor, this intriguing wine walks a tightrope between savory characteristics and power that somewhat over take the fruit.
This is made from a majority Cabernet Sauvignon, with 11% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. This makes for a softly layered tease of cinnamon, cedar and brush, with the tannins dry and grippy. Black licorice and violet dot the nose and palate. Drink now–2020.
Balanced and fresh, mixing berries, fresh herbs, black cherry and dried mushroom components, this medium-long, estate-grown wine is designed for significant short-term improvement. Delicious already, it seems poised to evolve gracefully through 2021.
Alluring scents of chopped mint, ripe berry, new leather, clove and a floral note all come together on this elegantly structured wine. The taut palate delivers black cherry, raspberry, fresh herb and dark baking spice while polished tannins provide structure. Drink 2017–2022.
Aromas of underbrush, dark-skinned berry, espresso menthol and scorched soil lead the nose. On the elegant, structured palate, firm, polished tannins carry dried black cherry, raspberry, cinnamon toast and a touch of anise. Drink 2017–2023.
A fresh, invigorating citrus and pine flavor energizes this crisp and yet substantive wine in a way that will taste great with seafood and fresh cheeses. It shows nice concentration, fine balance and a lingering finish.
Old vines, ungrafted, comprise the core of this rich and sappy wine. It's definitely on the dry side, with a mix of peach flesh and skin, Meyer lemon, melon and vanilla. Drink now through 2025.
Rocamadour has been one of France's top pilgrimage sites since the Middle Ages but the vines only returned a decade ago. So Lagrézette's director-enologist, Claude Boudamani, went to the rock. The result is a pure Viognier, ripe and impressively rich. Classic apricot flavors come through strongly long with spice from wood aging. The wine pushes forward with its powerful fruitiness and intense flavors. Drink from 2017.
This is a wine that combines rich berry fruits and a layer of fine tannins. Juicy blackberry flavors are spiced with the wood aging and given a dark, solid texture from the structure. The wine is ready to drink, packed with fruit and spicy acidity.
From an oceanview vineyard west of the Sta. Rita Hills comes this project led by David Yates of Jaffurs Winery. The bottling shows earthy smashed cherry, mulberry, bloody meat and brawny clove notes on the nose. Sagebrush and iron play loudly on the palate, with tart cranberry and herbal nuance. It finishes smooth and clean after a long tang.
Enticing scents of violet, iris, perfumed red berry and a whiff of cake spice emerge on this vibrant red. The chewy, savory palate has good concentration for the vintage, offering black cherry, ground pepper, clove and licorice. Firm, mature tannins and vibrant acidity provide balance while a mint note backs up the finish.
Enticing plum and baked-strawberry aromas invite the nose on this bottling, as do sandalwood, cola and nutmeg notes. The palate begins with soft cranberry and then dives into oregano and thyme before moving into more restrained gravel flavors, finishing with juniper and pine needles. This wine's wound-up structure will unfurl nicely with time.
A depth of baking spices and cinnamon stick greets the nose and palate with eager abundance, showing off the wine's savory, flirty side. Good acidity helps balance out the powerful concentration and sword's edge of alcohol, before finishing fresh and with length.
Musky rose and melon scents meld into slightly confectionery pastry tones on the nose of this aromatic Riesling. The palate is brisk and dry, but nectarine and peach flavors penetrate deeply. Cool strikes of acid and minerality accentuate the finish. Drink now through 2019.
Rich, soft and luscious, this bottling shows ripe black cherry, caramel, crème brûlée and a tinge of herbs on the nose. It's creamy, dense and smoky once sipped, with baked plum and blackberry-pie flavors laced with vanilla and caramel, proving undeniably delicious and certain to please many palates.
Ripe plum and red-berry aromas are complete, spicy and a touch furry, like wool. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan feels full and pure, with comfortable tannins. Chunky berry, plum and herbal flavors turn savory on a chewy finish. Drink through 2020.
One of the first releases since Charles Banks invested in Bob Lindquist's pioneering brand, this wine shows Japanese apple, lemon blossoms, lightly browned butter and a touch of tropicality on the nose. Still a bit wound up, the wine conveys potential length, with green-apple skins, nectarine flesh, cement-like minerality and a chive herb lift.
Luis Pereira is Santa Carolina's commitment to making wine the old-fashioned way, with lower alcohol and more freshness. All in all, it's a success: aromas of cherry, berry and tomato are a bit lean and austere. In the mouth, this is more tight and grabby than lush, while earthy, Bordeaux-like flavors of cassis and plum finish with zesty acidity and moderate complexity. Drink through 2022.
A light, bright and lemony white wine that's textured and deliciously quaffable, this vineyard-designate is only available in tiny amounts and well worth the hunt. Orange blossom and juicy peach figure on the nose and palate without the interference of oak or undue sweetness.
Featuring a unique and intriguingly fresh and floral nose, this shows bright strawberry, fresh-pressed hibiscus flowers, exotic vanilla-cinnamon notes and hints of slate and chaparral. The palate is just a hair less exciting, with raspberry, cranberry, white pepper, white sage and dried mint, all wrapped with tart acidity and tannins.
A truly complex and layered style from deep in SoCal, this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah brings aromas of smoked chocolate, smashed strawberries, dried rose petals and oregano. The palate bursts with red cherry and blackberry fruit, then settles into smoked meats and dried dill.
This structured red offers aromas of mature plum, wild berry, violet, exotic spice and a whiff of sunbaked earth. The chewy palate offers mature black cherry, mocha, licorice and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2022.
It's taken time, but Undurraga has finally hit paydirt with this Limarí Syrah. Cool, gritty aromas of black olive, herbs, asphalt, cassis and boysenberry are stacked and complex. This feels just plush enough, but with bracing acidity. Flavors of hard spices, pepper, wild herbs and leather blend with plum and berry notes prior to a savory, meaty, leathery finish. Drink through 2020.
Using the four main grapes of the Dão region—Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen—this is an impressive wine, with solid tannins and a crushed-stone texture. Black currant fruits are set against perfumed acidity and a dense structure which needs to soften for the wine to be fully ready. Drink this wine from 2018.
Enticing scents of blue flower, red berry, sandalwood and a whiff of new leather emerge on this glossy red. The bright, silky palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry and star anise while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide the framework.
Toasty, dense and tannic, this combines blueberry fruit, roasted walnut and sappy acidity in a fresh, youthful and delicious wine. Drink now through 2022.
A classic profile for top-shelf California Syrah, this bottling shows blackberry, black pepper, thyme, charred pork and dense purple flowers on the nose. The palate melds dried herbs with dense fruit, offering fennel pollen, oregano, marjoram and black cardamom atop blueberry and olallieberry, with a touch of dark chocolate toward the finish.
Fresh fruit flavors weave through a soft, smooth texture in this well-polished and satisfying wine. It has earthy touches in the aroma, a good center of ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, full body and a lingering, rich finish.
This dry and sophisticated wine made from 77% Pinot Noir and 23% Chardonnay has just what's needed in a rosé. It has a vivid light-copper color, an aroma like red cherries and apple skin, and flavors that are bright and fresh. The balance is almost austere but rounds after a couple of sips.
This especially firm and well-structured wine was aged longer than usual in mostly new French barrels. It tastes great now but should improve through 2020. Cranberry and black-tea aromas give way to bold cherry and pomegranate flavors, and a layered texture of fine-grained tannins and good acidity.
Smells volatile and balsamic, much like salad dressing. There's no doubting this wine is Cab Franc—it's herbal and foresty, with a soft mouthfeel and herbal berry flavors topped off by oregano and basil. A rustic wine that's probably too herbal for most palates.
Neutral smelling, with mild apple and briney aromas. Feels heavy, flat and on the thick side, with average flavors of melon but little to no citrus or smack. Melony, soft and bitter on the finish.
Hints of spice and Morello cherries entice on the nose of this pleasantly dry rosé made from Merlot grapes. The palate is clean with decent red fruit flavors, but there's a hollowness overall, and a hint of tomato water on the finish that detracts.
Light and prickly in style, with citrus aromas along with tight cherry and plum scents. Runs lean in the mouth, with short, tart red fruit flavors in front of a crisp, sheer finish.
High-toned citrus aromas lead to a sharp, spritzy palate with pithy flavors and lots of zest. Doesn't taste like much besides tangy lime and citrus.
Tomato, red fruit and resiny oak aromas don't exactly scream “fresh.” Feels rustic and scratchy, with herbal, sawdust and vanilla flavors clouding out any quality fruit that might exist. Not much here, really.
Muddled aromas break up with airing and fade from citrus and grass to vegetal and a bit dirty. The palate has gaps in it, while the flavors are a sketchy mix of bland citrus and mealy apple. Acceptable but not convincing.
Crisp red plum and cherry flavors accented with ripe, brambly wood notes are pleasant, but coarse tannins combined with a slightly craggy acidity make this Long Island Cab Franc less than harmonious on the palate.
Earthy and stemmy in dark black fruit, this wine contains 2% Syrah from Dunnigan Hills, though it's unclear how that contributes. Thin on the palate, it has a medicinal, minty flourish on the finish.
This uber-informal wine has faint aromas that recall pressed wildflower and a whiff of pear. The simple, diluted palate shows hints of apple skin and a bitter medicinal note alongside brisk acidity.
This is subdued, almost invisible, with herbal flavors accented with bitter greens. Barely ripe red fruit leaves a flat taste, with no life in it. Two bottles tasted.
The earthy aromas of this medium-bodied wine will not be to everyone's liking, but it follows up with very ripe fruit flavors and a smooth texture.
Raspberry preserves with whiffs of violet and white pepper mark the nose. A medium-bodied palate of red currant and blueberry meet twiggy flavors, carried by sharp acidity and grainy tannins.
This murky Malbec has odd, horsey, berry aromas. It's rough and raw on the palate, with leafy, herbal plum flavors that finish rugged and with a dull spiciness.
This wine reflects the difficulty of the cool, wet 2014 vintage. It's lean and diluted, with medicinal sensations that recall adhesive bandage and mineral.
Oily citrus peel and lanolin aromas are a harsh welcome to this varietal Xarello, also known as Pansa Blanca in the Penedès. The palate runs flabby, while wan melon flavors are candied and lack punch.
A strange one from start to finish, this opens with unusual floral aromas that include orange peel and vanilla cookie. The palate is flat-out messy, with jammy weight. Herbal, odd flavors of blueberry and cardamom finish heavy, with raisin and licorice notes.
Fresh and crisp, this is a wine that has little flavor and only the thinest palate. It is bright to drink now.
Gumball, berry and horsey, rubbery aromas announce a hard, briny style of Tempranillo. Earthy flavors include stalky berry fruits and burnt coffee, while the finish follows with hard, peppery toughness.
This is an oak aged wine that is trying too hard. It's only toast and juicy acidity from wood. It could possibly fill out with fruit although that is unlikely.
Mealy aromas of compostable white fruits lack freshness. This is high in acid but low on body. Briny flavors scream sauerkraut, while the finish tastes pickled and feels caustic.
This wine offers more power and heat on the palate than would be expected given the listed alcohol by volume, a hammering of huge tannins holding the fruit hostage. An unpleasant fish-sauce aroma mars the nose.
Lees, yeast and pickled cabbage aromas are hardly inviting. This seems out of shape and globular. Yeasty, briny, bitter flavors of citrus and melon end green, with an onion note.
The sweet aromas of this wine are like boysenberry syrup, but flavors are very lean, dry, smoky and tart. The texture coats the palate with puckering tannins.
A strong buttery, jammy aroma and flavors like cherry candy make an unusual profile and cover up most varietal flavors in the grapes.
Briny, rubbery aromas turn gamy and horsey in short time. This varietal Garnacha feels raw and low on body. Salty, herbal tomato and red-plum flavors finish with a flavor akin to Mexican salsa.
This is an earthy, rustic wine that has high acidity and stalky fruit. It will round out as it develops although that rustic character is likely to remain.
Blended with 10% Petite Sirah, this wine has a stewed quality that makes it seem overdone, with only the slightest suggestion of fruit and spice.
Despite the low alcohol, the fruit tastes overripe, perhaps damaged. Flavors are cooked and attenuated.
Leesy, yeasty aromas include saline but not much fruit. This is chunky but soft and low in acidity. Briny, pickled citrus flavors finish similarly.
Not overly expressive on the nose or palate, this Chardonnay brings muddled citron and salty cheese rind notes into the mix. Light in style, the acids are a bit sharp come the short finish.
Like certain Rieslings, this smells a lot like gasoline. In the mouth, this Chardonnay-Xarello blend is narrow and scouring. Bitter, nutty flavors of generic white fruits finish waxy.
Ruddy black plum and cocoa notes finally emerge with copious swirling in the glass under a blanket of VA. The palate feels a bit tart and astringent, with dark plum-skin flavors dominating.
Herbaceous berry aromas blend with a strong scent of burnt coffee. Astringent and clampy on the palate, expect flavors that match the nose and a green, raw-feeling ending.
Aromatically, this is pretty bad. It smells unclean and dirty. A shearing, cutting palate is high in acid, while sour, pickled flavors of citrus and apple finish briny.
This lean wine has light melon and dried herb aromas, an almost neutral flavor profile and short finish.
This Malbec's high-toned floral aromas of plum and blueberry come in front of a raw, abrasive palate. This tastes like pickled cranberry, while a citric finish is an enamel-peeler.
Tropical fruit and vanilla-cookie aromas come with a note of nectarine. This feels juicy, racy and citric, with flavors of tangerine and nectarine. Despite having tangy acidity, the wine turns heavy on the finish.
Although intensely aromatic with aromas of tropical fruit, fresh rose and lychee, it is understated in flavor profile with only subtle hints of sweet tea and rose potpourri. Bold alcohol and soft acidity leave the palate feeling a tad heavy and warm.
In this light and fruity wine, gentle tannins underlie ripe black currant fruits. It is almost drinkable already, and will age quickly. Drink from 2015.
The wine is hard, tough and dense. Its tannins are solid, dominant, extracted and cover any fruit. It is likely to remain dry.
This is dark and firm with a tough, austere character. It has weight, but the bitterness of too-much extraction gives a hard edge. The juiciness at the end doesn't compensate.
Closed up and firm, the wine is not showing much in the way of expressive fruitiness. It does have a firm structure, but a taste of bitter extract gives hard tannins and smothers the black currant fruit flavors. In time, it will soften. Drink from 2017.
A soapy textured wine that misses any focus. There are soft red berry fruits, gentle tannins and some juicy acidity. But it is just dull.
Hard black-fruit aromas are standoffish. A pinched, rubbery mouthfeel is driven by acids and tannin, while the wine's aggressive flavor profile features fiery red fruits, soy and sautéed mushroom on the finish. The 2009 crianza is a more friendly model for less money.
On the nose, this is waxy, with notes of stone fruits and minerals. A metallic, citrusy palate is light on substance and flavors, which include citrus and papaya. Overall this is a zesty yet unusual quaffer.
Light, citrusy aromas also are suggestive of bath soap. The feel is juicy yet innocuous, while flavors of tropical fruits finish mild and simple. This is the definition of a quaffing wine.
A soft, rather soapy wine, it displays light fruits and gentle tannins. It is unfocused, with just some juicy aftertaste to give some interest.
The wine seems lean, severe with plenty of tannins but not yet enough fruitiness. There are hints of black currants and definitely plenty of acidity. The dry extraction leaves a wine that's gasping for breath.
Straightforward in juicy red fruit and dry tannins, it has aromas reminiscent of saddle leather. This wine would work well for parties and larger gatherings, satisfying a range of palates.
Gold in color and heavy on the nose, this Catalonian white blend is woody but also smells mealy and a touch sweaty. The palate is round and plump, while flavors of banana and oak finish resiny before shifting toward bitterness.
This is a light, nondescript white wine, with a trace of sweetness on the finish.
Gaseous smelling at first, this eventually shows almond skin aromas and papaya, but little more. The palate feels a bit cloying, while flavors of papaya and melon are lightly oxidized and mealy.
Blackberry and blueberry flavors are ripe on this easy drinking, off-dry wine. It's juicy and rich, but lifted by a spray of crisp red cherry on the finish.
Spicy plum and candied oak aromas control the nose. The palate delivers a blend of raw acidity with buttery oak on top, while flavors of herbal plum and pepper are scratchy and finish herbal, spicy and low on fruit.
A solid, light-red wine emerges from this box, showing toasty, oaky aromas, raspberry and plum flavors and a rich texture. While it doesn't have strong Pinot Noir varietal character, it's an enjoyable, mild and easy-to-drink wine.
A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from vineyards near Laudun, this is a typical blend that isn't typical in flavor. Crisp, dusty notes of cinnamon, red peppercorn and pomegranate predominate, making this medium-bodied wine interesting, if not incredibly hedonistic.
Scratchy plum and cherry aromas come with creamy oak scents. The grippy palate houses harsh tannins, while plum and berry flavors yield to an overriding oak character on the finish. Monastrell, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon comprise the blend.
On the lean side of the flavor spectrum, this nonetheless has an appetizing lemon and butter character. It smells like green apples and mandarin oranges with an earthy edge, tastes like a light lemon-custard and has texture just rich enough to stay interesting.
Promising aromas of tangerine, light honey and plumeria flowers make a good introduction to this rare look at Chenin Blanc in Paso Robles. The flavors fall a bit flat, though, proving very round with a just a hint of chopped herbs.
Wild berry and meaty sausage aromas introduce a creamy, concentrated palate. Jammy cassis flavors have a peppery edge, while the finish is toasty at first, transitioning to bitter.
The entry-level offering for Rajat Parr's luxury brand, this is barely noticeable on the nose, with mere hints of melon. On the palate, it's pleasantly Chardonnay-like but quite naked and flat in flavor.
Soft and round, this 80% Cabernet Sauvignon also has 16% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc and was given 16 months of oak aging. Flavors lean toward red berry and cedar.
The tannins are still dominant in this wine. The fruit seems light and crisp while never likely to leave the tannins behind. The acidity shines through more strongly, giving attractive final freshness.
Earthy aromas lead to a wine that is at a stage of development that suppresses fruit. The wood aging and the extracted structure are still strong. Hints of juicy black fruits emerge, promising a good, if tannic future. Wait until 2017.
This juicy wine has red berry flavors and a sense of structure. Smoky with a firm tannic aftertaste, it has weight and a dark, dense aftertaste.
This is a spicy, ripe wine with some firm tannins. Black currant flavors and good acidity give a rich feel, and a jammy element comes from the ripe fruits. The wine is developing fast, so drink from 2016.
The wine is all about juiciness and ripe fruit. It has a good balance between this fruitiness and the tannins, giving a wine that is open and generous. It is developing fast, so drink from 2016.
Chocolate and bitter coffee show the way this wine has been extracted, leaving a hard edge that currently dominates the red berry fruits. It needs time to soften, so wait until 2017.
This is a crisp, firmly structured blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache (within the Rhône, Signargues is best known for its Syrah). The asphalt, black olive and black cherry notes are all positive, but the structure dominates, making the wine seem a bit tough and ungenerous. Perhaps another year or two of aging will help?
A ripe and smooth wine that brings out all the fruitiness of the vintage. Just enough structure gives the wine shape, while yielding pride of place to the juicy fruits and attractive berry flavors. Drink now.
Firm and dense, the wine is dominated by its tannic structure. It has a lean and austere character that will probably always remain, although there are hints of juicy fruits at the end.
Structured and tight, this is a powerful wine, dominated by wood aromas and white fruit, with spice, wood and green herb flavors. There's a smokiness that comes from the soil, and to finish, very pure green fruits.
A very warm, generous, ripe wine, this comes from the most precocious of the grand cru vineyards. It is packed with yellow fruits, rich and open. This is opulence in a glass, boosted by toast and spice.
Open, generous and relatively opulent, showing all the richness of 2005, along with peaches, apricots and tropical fruits. It's round from start to finish, a luscious Chardonnay. Just some crispness at the end.
This is a wine that speaks of its terroir, the chalk soil coming out in a very mineral, austere character. It has elegance, class, great style of poise, showing acidity, fresh green fruits and a need to age for at least 5 years.
Very firm, this is a structured, relatively austere wine, with lots of minerality and tightness. The green fruits are  pierced with acidity, but also very fresh. A wine that needs time, give this at least 5–6 years. Screwcap.
Winemakers Hélène Garcin and Patrice Levêque have coaxed a ton of character from 70-year-old Malbec and Cabernet vines, and the result is juicy but dark, with asphalt and tar aromas sitting in front of tight but generous black fruit (cassis and blackberry). Finishing notes of coffee, mocha and char leave you happy.
This is so closed up at the moment, all mineral and steel, that it is hard to feel the ripeness of the tropical fruit. As this develops, it will flesh out the yellow fruits, balancing the acidity. The aftertaste is already thirst quenching.
This wine shows that top Chablis should be aged. This is like tasting the barebones of the wine without the flesh that is still very hidden. There is suppressed power, as well as green acidity and potential richness. Wait 5 years.
For a late-release 2002, this is still very youthful, packing layers of rich cassis and blackberry fruit into a soft jacket of vanilla, cedar and toasted coconut. It's full-bodied, lush and velvety—a simply terrific Cabernet that should prove to have excellent aging potential as well. Drink now–2020.
The 18 acres of Château de Grenouilles are a monopoly of the La Chablisienne cooperative. A huge, ripe wine, very fruity, with yellow peaches. The richness is balanced with a steely core of minerality. Lively acidity finishes this impressive wine.
There's a noticeable background herbal element to this intensely concentrated wine. Dense layers of cassis and chocolate are front and center, filling the mouth with velvety richness and finishing long. Despite the power and richness, there's a structure to match, suggesting this will improve through at least 2012 and drink well until 2020.
Made in the winery's classically savory style, this flagship Cabernet shows a touch of bricking at the rim and some maturing aromas and flavors of tobacco, cedar and earth. It's broad and mouthfilling, creamy in texture yet not obviously fruity, finishing with lush, soft tannins and a touch of hickory smoke. Drink now–2015.
From veteran winemaker John Glaetzer, this Cabernet from Langhorne Creek is something of a throwback, spending some 28 months in American oak hogsheads. Yet there's clearly enough cherry and cassis fruit to support all of the vanilla and toasted coconut, and the wine finishes long and balanced. Drink 2010–2020.
A concentrated, hugely rich wine with lively caramel and toast aromas, followed by ripe fruits. It is generous and open, with apricots and nectarines giving richness, while kiwi gives the green, crisp character. The aftertaste is all minerality. Screwcap.
Operative words to describe this wine might include seamless and harmonious. There's such wonderful integration of fruit and oak that it's difficult to pick this wine's flavor components apart—it's a whirl of cassis and cedar, yet restrained; full-bodied, rich and dense without being heavy. Long and velvety on the finish, with enough soft tannins to last it 10–15 years.
This is pure mineral, chalk and lean austerity initially, but opens up with apples,  lime and green plums. It is intense, concentrated and structured; needs time. Wait 4–5 years.
This is a young but excellent gran reserva, so it's gritty-smelling in its youth, with aromas of blackberry and cassis. Racy acidity pushes the focus on the palate towards the upper tier, while flavors of lactic oak, lemon peel, tobacco and mocha share the stage with plum and berry fruit. Finishing flavors of vanilla and raw oak are supported by good acidity and just enough pulp. Drink through 2030.
Named after the French king who first said that Champagne had to be bottled (thereby allowing the bubbles to be retained), this dry rosé is rich, beginning to mature and full of ripe red fruits. Hints of toast and almonds add an extra dimension to the wine's complexity. It is ready to drink.
This young vintage Champagne is drinkable now because it is made from Pinot Meunier, which has produced a fruity, softly textured and balanced wine. It offers a touch of pepper as well as ripe red-currant and lime fruits. It's tightly crisp at the end.
Here's a gorgeous sparkler made with Sangiovese that offers enticing scents of blue flower, perfumed berry, vineyard dust and a note of baking spice. The creamy, silky palate doles out juicy red cherry, crushed strawberry, McIntosh apple, tangerine zest and a cinnamon note alongside an ultrafine perlage. Watch out—this goes down beautifully!
A pale gold color leads into a wine that is mature and rich. The fruits have mellowed into almond and spice, with attractive acidity, while the ripe texture remains. The balance is just right in a wine that is generous and full in the mouth. Drink now.
Dark and savory in style, this Shiraz offers scents of grilled meat, black olive and plum. It's full bodied and firmly structured, finishing on a crisp peppery note. It should drink well from 2020 to 2030.
This very pretty wine is built upon soft, forward, ripe strawberry fruit, and dappled with details of cinnamon and baking spices. A touch of chocolate sneaks into the focused, lightly tarry finish, which is nicely balanced. This pioneering vineyard dates back to the 1970s, but much of it has been replanted since the beginning of this century.
Light Marcona almonds, lemon curd on toast and Gravenstein apples converge for a delicate yet warmer style of Chard on this easy-to-quaff combo of seven top vineyards, including Bentrock, Rita's Crown, Clos Peper, Kessler-Haak, La Rinconada, Zotovich, and Hilliard Bruce. Buttered brioche, a drizzle of lemon oil and a touch of crushed walnuts and almonds arise on the palate.
Neil Collins goes for the classic five Rhône grapes in this bottling, blending 48% Mourvèdre, 21% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 11% Cinsault and 9% Counoise to elicit aromas of dried fennel, fresh lavender, white pepper and boysenberry jam. Tight but juicy blueberry and elderberry fruit show on the palate, bound together by upright tannins and lifted with asphalt, black peppercorns and potpourri spice.
A remarkably good wine at this price. Lemon meringue and custard meet creamy stone fruit in a balanced, decadent way, a suggestion of orange whip tugging at the edges of the palate. It glides down easy, impressing further with every sip, remaining balanced and graceful.
A 50-50 blend of Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay from the Marne Valley gives this wood-aged wine richness, with good spice and flavor concentration. Dry and crisp, it benefits from the fine vintage to highlight ripe grapes with acidity and citrus flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
Peppery herbal notes populate the nose, leading into flavors of brambly red fruits. The wine gathers strength on the midpalate, finishing with a flourish of strawberry preserves. There's a touch of rhubarb pie and a dusting of cocoa in the mix as well, and for an Oregon Pinot Noir made in such quantities (more than 10,000 cases) it offers exceptional depth and density.
While initially a bit earthy and savory on the nose, this ethereal kabinett abounds in fruity, floral complexities. Cutting and spry, its sweet, tangy citrus and stone-fruit flavors seem to dance nervously on the palate. It's nuanced and minerally, with a deliciously salty finish.
Subtle yellow peach and mineral tones on the nose intensify on the palate of this surprisingly tropical kabinett. Mouthwatering acidity pulses a laser beam through layers of sweet mango, melon and tangerine, extending a long, spine tingling finish. It's delightful now, but should keep drinking well through 2025.
This is a barrel selection, and as such, may be expected to show extra layers of concentration—more stuffing overall. It's a rich, smoky, lush wine, with a complex mix of red fruits ranging from rhubarb to raspberry to Bing cherries. Spicy highlights and a frame of orange peel also enter the picture. You might wish to give this another couple of years of bottle age before popping the cork. Drink 2018–2025.
This estate-grown wine comes from the vineyard that provides the backbone to the producer's well-known Les Pommiers Pinot Noir. Tart in rhubarb, pomegranate and plush, herb-kissed red fruit, it's juicy and young, complex yet approachable. Full bodied and grainy in tannin, it'll provide years of pleasure for drinkers who can wait.
Soft notes of Golden Delicious on the nose really unfold on the palate. The body is slender but the fruit notes have a honeyed quality, as befits a vintage Crémant. Its biscuity shortcrust flavours are accentuated by soft mousse and are a great counterpoint to the very refreshing, pleasantly light-weight body. The finish is creamy and full of yeasty roundness, yet beautifully dry.
The Estates Reserve is a barrel selection combining chosen lots from the three estate vineyards. Despite this vintage's reputation for offering ripe, forward, accessible flavors, this wine remains stubbornly closed. It's entirely possible that it has just hit a bit of a dumb phase, which is not uncommon for recently-bottled Pinot Noir. Ripe full-bodied flavors of strawberry preserves peek through, with moderating acids and no herbal notes.
With 100% Touriga Nacional, this is a finely perfumed, ripe yet elegant wine. The wood aging still shows in the spice and vanilla, although this will certainly diminish as the wine ages further. This small production wine just needs a few more months and will be ready from 2018.
Spanish broom, orchard fruit and pistachio nut are some of the aromas you'll find on this vibrant sparkler. The lively palate offers pear, apple and citrus alongside a silky perlage.
Feuillatte has taken great advantage of the very good 2006 vintage with this wine. It is crisp, now maturing well, hinting at toast while still with lively white fruit and citrus flavors. It is at a good point to drink, although it will certainly age until 2022.
Directly adjoining the famed Shea Vineyard, these grapes bring comparable quality. This is young, grapy and aromatic, with primary aromas focused on black-cherry fruit. There are streaks of licorice and cola, leading into a long, lemony, tobacco-laced finish.
The wine from this vineyard has a lightly smoky scent, more of the characteristic tobacco aromas, and a flavorful fruit mix of mulberry, blueberry and blackberry. It's spicy and chunky and generous, ready for near-term drinking.
This captivating wine, from vines dating back to the early 1970s, will reward your patience. It must be decanted if you want it to burst open past the initial tart flavors of green apple and grapefruit. Once it does, it will delight with juicy citrus, ample acidity, and plenty of grip.
While intensely fruity, a deep vein of crushed-slate minerality extends from nose to finish in this lithe Kabinett. Lip-smacking honey and peach flavors penetrate through the palate, electrified by a laser of lemon-lime acidity. Finishes remarkably dry and fresh.
This vineyard dates to the Civil War era and is owned by Joel and Morgan Peterson, Joel of Ravenswood fame. Funky and selectively spicy, it shows its dry-farmed heritage with dusty tannin and stemmy earth, the density mellowed by piquant red fruit.
A robust, 100% varietal wine from the mountainous appellation, this impresses in its firmness of integrated tannin, making for a well-hewn, smooth texture. Cherry candy, currant and a suggestion of dried herb combine effectively, while the full-bodied nature of the wine offers breadth and length.
Made from a single vineyard, this wine is both tasty and complex enough to stimulate the imagination. It smells like butter and cream, and tastes like ripe pear, toasted almonds and vanilla bean. Luscious yet a bit crisp, the texture feels great on the palate. Grenache Blanc, Piquepoul Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier all contributed.
A consistent performer, Yalumba's Hand Picked Shiraz-Viognier seems slightly bigger and chunkier in 2008 than in the past, with bold fruit—blueberries and blackberries—accented by hints of mint. Expect some savory notes to develop over the next couple of years in bottle.
This is the first Grenache from Nefarious, and it's a beauty. Sourced from the Upland vineyard in the tiny Snipes Mountain AVA, it is bursting with pure, sweet fruit flavors, tart and lip-smackingly juicy. A subtle minerality with a hint of wet cement gives it tannic authority, while the aging in once-filled French oak barrels adds a touch of baking spices.
Substantial and varietally precise, this shows nicely focused red and black fruits with a concentrated backing of toast, coffee grounds, baking spices and chocolate. The fruit and barrel flavors are perfectly integrated, dusty and lush.
A smooth, superripe wine, full of the sweetest fruit, big and rich. It is opulent, a powerhouse of dense Merlot fruits, rounded out with soft tannins.
This is a chateau that is getting better and better. This 2009 is packed with sweet fruit, impressive tannins and a complex dark structure. It is fruity, yet powerful, for good aging.
A delicious wine, so fruity. It does have the proper tannins but it is a wine that is already approachable with its sweet fruits—a pleasure to taste. However, for the future, watch those tannins.
With a blend that is half Cabernet Sauvignon, half Merlot, this is as rich as the year. The weight of fruit is borne by sweet tannins and layers of wood toast. There is a very dense dusty texture along with fine acidity and final blackberry fruit. It is for aging over the next 4–5 years.
Tart and juicy, with wild raspberry fruit streaked with dried herb and just hinting at black cherry. This is a subtle yet powerful wine, with whiffs of smoke, licorice and coffee, but far less noticeable barrel influence than its companion reds. Focused and pure, with the structure to age.
The 2007 is full bodied and rich, but not really Beast-like at this stage of its evolution. The texture is creamy, the tannins nearly silky on the long finish. Flavors of blackberry, mocha and black olive linger. Drink now–2018.
A real success, this 100% Merlot, sourced from the Stillwater Creek and Conner Lee vineyards, is exotically scented with a rich mix of baking spices, coffee, dust, pencil lead and cedar. Lots of oak influence, but it plays well against the tart and mellow berry flavors. There is a suggestion of dried leaf, perhaps an indication of older vines.
Lively, piercing and powerful on the bouquet, which is solid as stone and delivers loads of black fruit and integrated oak. Feels full, round and deep, with full-out black fruit flavors strengthened by espresso, mocha and molasses. Toasty and deep on the finish, with tobacco and spice accents. Drink from 2012 through 2015.
This wine's velvety mouthfeel sets it apart from the pack, as does the vibrancy of its dark berry fruit. Hints of vanilla and mint accent the fruit without detracting from it, as does a subtle layer of mocha. Long and layered on the finish; drink now–2020.
There is huge fruit here, with the tannins firmly packed into the dark fruit character. Juicy Merlot is perfumed, open, swathed in rich robes. A wine for medium-term aging.
Ripe and lush, this off-dry Gewürztraminer shows remarkable balance between its acidity and ripeness. It has abundant rose petal, spice and musk tones, and the exotic spice note intensifies on the midpalate, before extending toward the jasmine-tea-flavored finish.
The lush nose is fragrant of orange blossoms and ripe peaches, and the palate tastes of Meyer lemon, lime and grapefruit. It's a fruit punch of a Riesling—delicious as a chilled sipper.
This is a silky, medium-bodied Pinot Noir that's ready to drink. Pleasant cherry fruit is joined by hints of twig and earth, and a touch of mocha emerges on the finish.
Scents of mixed forest berries, red plum, fresh thyme and bay laurel lead the bouquet of this wine, and carry though to the juicy palate. Approachable and enjoyable now, with ripe fruit flavors and a hint of chocolate that stays through the medium-length finish. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot. Mevushal.
Wood aging has imparted a slight bitterness to the ripe fruit. The juicy red-cherry flavor is melded into the firm tannins, and the finish is bright and round.
Zesty aromas of fresh lemon and tangerine peel add vibrancy to this brisk, dry Riesling. It's elegant and fruity, and it offers loads of crisp green-apple and pear flavors that are accented by dusty minerality. A hint of lime-skin astringency surfaces on the finish.
This ripe, fruity wine has a hint of wood, fine acidity, a soft, creamy texture and an attractive burst of lime juice flavor. The finish is warm and rich, marked by good acidity.
Givry, which is located in the Côte Chalonnaise, produces wines that have warmth and a firm edge. This wine fits the style with its juicy red fruits, ripe tannins and solid, chunky finish. This is not for aging, so drink now.
Elderflower, hay, exotic fruit and tomato vine aromas leap out of the glass. The bright delicious palate shows honeydew melon, creamy white peach and grapefruit. Fresh acidity lifts the rich juicy flavors.
Intense concentration and firm structure make this an age-worthy, big and tannic wine. It boasts a deep, dark color, dense ripe blackberry and black cherry aromas and spicy, oaky nuances that add complexity. Best after 2019.
Light, quiet layers of spice persist in this elegant, soft yet refined wine. Rose petal, orange, cherry and rhubarb flavors provide subtle fruitiness, supported by vibrant acidity and unobtrusive oak.
This bright, focused wine with tense acidity blends fruit from five vineyards across the appellation. Silky tannins enwrap its nuanced dark cherry and wild strawberry flavors tinged with earth.
Abundant dark fruit flavors, particularly Bing cherry, give this full-bodied wine lots to like. Light touches of spicy oak, moderate, grippy tannins and a generous mouthfeel all add to its considerable appeal.
A touch of citrus and herb on the nose points to the varietal character of Grüner Veltliner. The palate confirms this with a yeasty, savory tinge so typical for this variety. Frothing bubbles heighten these sensations on a light, dry and full-flavored body. This wine belongs on the table with food, thanks to its long aftertaste and strong presence.
Ripe, dark fruit flavors get great support from spicy oak and firm tannins in this full-bodied wine from an outstanding producer. Cinnamon and clove notes drive the aroma, while blackberry and black cherry flavors fill out the palate.
At present, the wood dominates the nose and mouth of this lush, creamy wine. It's brimming with notes of cedar, sweet spice and bittersweet cocoa powder that ride atop the baked cherry and raspberry fruit. The mouthfeel is smooth and plush, with velvety tannins and lingering dry, spicy notes that grace the finish. An infant now, give it some time to further harmonize and the oak to integrate; try after 2019.
This taut, tight wine is impressive. The mineral texture and crisp white fruits combine into a harmonious wine that is full of apple and pear flavors. It comes from the Grand Cru village of Avize, reflecting the chalk soil in its structure. Drink from 2019.
This pretty Pinot offers ripe fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry. There's a nice dash of chocolate and a supple, seamless mouthfeel, with all the components beautifully integrated.
A flinty note precedes touches of lemon on the nose. The palate adds a richer dimension of stone fruit to the flavors, a fine fizz accentuating the ripe but bright freshness. Flavors come together beautifully on a fresh, dry and light palate that has convincing creaminess. It's an elegant, if ripe-fruited sparkler.
A block selection from the producer's expertly farmed estate in Carneros, this is a robust, ripe white that's velvety rich on the palate and laced with apple and melon flavors. A tart, salty note laps at its edges.
This wine is labeled medium dry, a fair description. Aromatic with waxy, mixed citrus components, it's refreshingly tart, with suggestions of lemon peel throughout. The finish brings in notes of orange-pekoe tea, with good concentration and length.
Three-fifths was whole-cluster fermented, and the wine spent 18 months in 20% new French oak. This bottling amplifies the house style, which favors ripe, concentrated flavors of strawberry and raspberry fruit, adding highlights of chocolate and espresso. A whiff of dried straw wraps this up.
Classic smoky, spicy aromas and complex fruit flavors make this dry, light-bodied wine from veteran winemaker Scott Harvey fascinating to taste. Its green apple, grapefruit and peach hints are accented with light floral, spicy touches. Vibrant acidity keeps it lively and appetizing with each sip.
This is a fruity mix of sweet berries, with a streak of ripe orange. In both nose and mouth an almost delicate earthiness can be noticed, with suggestions of dried leaves.
Fermented in oak, this wine with its crisp apple aroma is ripe and spicy. It has great citrus and white fruit plus a dry character that gives it both a tang and a mineral texture. Drink this crisp balanced wine now.
Made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot and aged in 100% new oak for 20 months, this is a burly red wine with impressive structure and presence. Tangy red fruit, recalling cranberry and currant, is spiced with clove, mountain sage, bay leaf and molasses notes.
From a grape rarely used alone in the United States, this bottling from Rodney's Vineyard shows tart red fruit, carnation and iron aromas on the subtle and fresh nose. Its ripe red fruit flavors are presented in a light-bodied frame, with vivid energy and clean mouthfeel.
Concentrated cola, dark cherry, tree bark and wet-gravel aromas make for a very focused and intense nose in this bottling. The palate is hearty and full of blackberry and black plum fruit, with more complex char and tar flavors. Quite layered and compelling.
There's a compelling feral quality to this complex bottling, starting with hints of game on the nose, alongside wild thyme, red cherry, asphalt and rose scents. Hearty sagebrush flavors fuel the palate, where tangy pomegranate and raspberry flavors play with the roasted game component.
This is a luscious wine with a smooth and hearty mouthfeel, ample ripe fruit reminiscent of pears and white peaches, and vanilla and honey accents on both the nose and palate. Fermented in neutral barrels, it doesn't have oaky flavors but feels soft in acidity and seems to melt in the mouth.
Oaky, smoky aromas are New World all the way. Heavily toasted and creamy on the palate, this hefty full-bodied Chardonnay tastes of wood resin, spiced apple and peach. Solid acidity keep this in line, while a lasting wave of toasty oak pushes the finish.
Fragrant notes of tangerine and yuzu peel abound on this citrusy dry Riesling. The palate is cutting and fresh, full of juicy white grapefruit and lime flavors. Light bodied yet satisfyingly thirst quenching, it finishes long with invigorating minerality.
Made with slightly overripe grapes, this has aromas of menthol, exotic spice and baked plum. The structured palate offers dried black cherry, clove, star anise and a tarry note alongside firm tannins and fresh acidity.
From old-vine blocks planted in 1934, this vineyard-designate also contains 4% Carignane. Full bodied and richly concentrated, it has pillowy tannins, and aromas and flavors defined by mint, dill, black licorice and leather. Layers of deep, dark blackberry and black cherry give it a pleasing fruitiness as well.
The variety is unmistakable, with notes of dried herb, dark cherry and espresso. The jammy fruit flavors are rich, with lightly grainy tannins and coffee notes on the finish. It shows a fine sense of balance.
Just one barrel was produced from the own-rooted vines planted almost 50 years ago. It's earthy and scented with a menthol/eucalyptus note, that carries on through. Cranberry flavor reflects the rather low alcohol, but there is no hint of unripeness or any vegetative character.
The 45% Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine gives it structure and aging potential. It is a ripe wine that is also stylish with attractive acidity and plenty of black-currant fruitiness. The wine is developing well and it should be ready to drink from 2018.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (66%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Syrah. The aromas are brooding, with notes of earth, toast, red fruit and spice. The palate brings tart tangy cranberry flavors that linger on the finish.
The nose of this wine combines this grape's best attributes: bright, crisp citrus redolent in grapefruit and Key lime, but with a tropical touch of guava and pineapple. The palate is broad and ripe but restrained enough, with plush mango and guava laid against a chalky backbone.
The nose is initially shy but a few swirls of the glass release scents of pressed rose, aromatic herb, woodland berry, kitchen spice and a whiff of tar. The tightly wound and structured palate offers dried red cherry, white pepper and anise carried by a vein of mineral. Assertive but polished tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2026.
Made for broad release, this wine impresses for its rounded, approachable layers of dried herb and anise, the tannin and oak lightly applied. Blended with 10% Merlot, it finds a jolt of richness on the finish, a showcase for notions of chocolate, cherry and blackberry.
Initially demure notes of pressed apple and pear are amplified on the palate of this deeply fruity Gewürztraminer. Medium sweet in style, it's unctuously citrusy, but marked by exotic hints of tea leaf and potpourri. A lingering, slightly sugary note marks the finish. Drink now through 2020.
An honest-to-goodness traditional style of California wine, this smells like very ripe grapes and black pepper. Flavors are complex, a little earthy but well structured with sturdy tannins and echoing some of that ripe, raisiny fruit. The high-alcohol level suggests sipping it after dinner.
Earthy aromas of dried plum, baking spices, chocolate and cassis are impressive. A crisp, snappy, almost tomatoey palate with lightly herbal flavors of tomato sauce, vanilla and spicy red plum make sense for a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend. A steady finish offers no drastic detours. Drink through 2019.
A malty earthy woody nose with berry, vanilla and tobacco aromas is complete and generous. This is a bit tough and acidic, but that bodes well for the future. Flavors of marzipan, vanilla, coconut, mocha, black plum and raisin finish with depth and length. Drink through 2023.
This is MLG's entry-level Shiraz, but it's no slouch. Plum and blackberry fruit, hints of black olive and espresso, decent weight and dusty tannins provide plenty of bang for the buck. Drink now–2020.
It's rare to see a vineyard-designated bottle of Pinot Gris from the state. This one brings light aromas of apple and pear that are followed by dry fleshy fruit flavors. It hits all the right notes.
Yeasty, melony aromas come with a note of sourdough bread. This feels round, citric and tight, with lime, orange and bready flavors. A crisp citrusy finish exudes a sense of elegance along with freshness.
This wine is ripe and fruity, with solid tannins and juicy red-fruit flavors. Solid and concentrated, it is a dense wine that is still maturing. Drink from 2020.
This wine is fruity, with attractive supporting tannins and the concentration of old vines. Berry fruits are developing well, giving a wine that will be generous and full bodied. The aftertaste introduces layers of acidity. Drink from 2019.
The second wine of this legendary Douro estate is rich and full bodied. It has dark tannins along with generous red-berry fruits and juicy acidity. It will develop into a full, while accessible wine. Drink from 2020.
Winemaker J. P. Valot, who is from Argentina, shows a confident touch with this grape. Mixed fruit flavors of red plum, golden raisin and fig bring a unique character to this well-balanced wine. Solid through the midpalate, it carries into a generous, lightly chocolaty finish.
Lightly creamy in the mouth, tasting of wet stone and crushed apple, this young wine seems to gain weight as it runs through the palate. The scent and flavor of peanuts permeates the finish. Showing fine definition and length, it should continue to improve with an additional year or two of bottle age.
Matias Riccitelli keeps the hits coming with this concentrated, extracted Malbec that looks like crude oil and smells like baked black fruits. Chunky, tannic and massive on the palate, this tastes of prune, black tea and licorice. A ripe medicinal finish with controlled heat is tannic and a bit tough to wade through. Drink through 2020.
This is a well-made blend of 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It is among the producer's “curious blends,” created from estate properties in different styles. Here, firm, structured and present tannins dominate an otherwise concentrated and spicy mix of black licorice, clove and tobacco.
Intense aromas of mature black cherry, licorice, leather and a balsamic note lead the nose and follow over to the palate along with cranberry and a note of pipe tobacco. Tightly packed, rather austere tannins provide firm support and need time to unwind. Drink after 2012.
Heady raisiny aromas smell sweet, savory and a bit like animal fur. This is pinching and hot on the palate, which shouldn't surprise at 15.5% abv. Savory roasted blackberry and baking-spice flavors end with peppery heat and hard tannins. Drink this sizzling varietal Monastrell through 2023.
A fresh, fruity and fun rendering of Pinot Noir, this medium-bodied wine features lightly floral aromas, red cherry and raspberry fruit and a silky, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2020.
This expansive wine is generous on the palate in dusty tannin, currant, pencil and tobacco, more savory than sweet. Firm texture and structured acidity provide a classic edge to this 100% varietal wine that will do well at the table.
Hints of smoke, crushed mineral and pollen lend an earthen dimension to pristine white grapefruit and tangerine in this elegant off-dry Riesling. Juicy citrus flavors are satisfying and thirst quenching, accentuated by zesty acidity and a pleasant touch of astringency on the finish. Drink now through 2021.
Aromas of pear and yellow apple are at the fore. It drinks off dry with full feel. There's enjoyment to be had but the varietal is hard to discern.
This bright, pink-colored wine is full of caramel and vanilla flavors that give a fat, dull character to the taste. It is dry, touched by bitter almonds and with a sharp aftertaste of acidity.
This wine shows aromas of green olive, herbs, flowers and tire rubber. Flavors are sweet with a light spritz and chalky mesquite notes.
A minty strangeness permeates this wine, which comes off as artificial in flavor. Rumblings of cherry grenadine try to emerge from the muddled midpalate, which otherwise lacks flavor. The quick finish is medicinal and sweet.
Despite its slenderness, this Welschriesling (no relative of Riesling) fizzes with refreshment and verve. Its slim body carries fresh lemon flavors and treads lightly. Drink soon—for best results, on a sweltering day.
Pickled and briny smelling up front, this semisweet wine doesn't open well. A cloying, low-acid palate is another strike against it, while flavors of candied apple, canned peaches and vanilla finish sticky.
A rustic, barnyard aroma greets one on the nose before a basic taste of stewed prunes waltzes in.
Sweetly overripe with a briny backwash of green olive, this is a plain, weighty white wine that's indistinct.
This has sharp, tangy aromas, tart cranberry flavors, a lean texture and drying tannins that seem to coat the teeth. Difficult to enjoy on its own, it needs to pair with very rich, fatty food to tame the tannins.
Tight and sharp, this is an herbaceous wine with a strongly citrus character. The aftertaste has some spice.
A burnt, reduced quality mars the fruit in this wine, made in a big style with full-bodied power and density.
Barrel notes take the lead with aromas of char, butterscotch and spice overrunning the fruit. There's a pleasing creamy feel to the sweet fruit flavors but the variety is near impossible to find.
Waxy, yeasty aromas are not very fresh. A citric mouthfeel lacks clarity and foundation, while orange and nectarine flavors are briny. This tastes pickled on the finish.
Earth, mint and blackberry flavors make this full-bodied and firmly-tannic wine both flavorful and eccentric. As the wine sits in the glass for several minutes the aroma become like beef bouillon and the texture on the palate is a bit astringent.
Heavy oak on top of cherry aromas results in a chemical-driven, woody bouquet. This feels high in acid, with an oaky, resiny offset. Sour plum, vanilla and resiny flavors finish short, lean and citric.
The aromas of blueberry, milk chocolate and tire rubber are pleasant enough but the palate distracts with sweet, lightly spritzy blue fruit flavors backed by chalky tannins.
The aromas of this wine are gummy and candied on the nose. Weird flavors of pastry, mulched earth and clay are devoid of clean fruit and finish jumbled and flat.
Rusty in color, with rubbery cherry and raspberry aromas, this is a sticky, candied rosé with a low freshness quotient. Candied, sugary flavors finish sweet and gooey.
This wine is flawed, with rustic leathery undertones that veer into Band-Aid, and an intensely sour note. Multiple bottles tried over several months.
This Merlot has not fully ripened, with aromas of bell pepper, green herbs and savory notes overriding any sense of variety. Flavors are faint and lighter in style, trailing on the finish.
One of Italy's most iconic bottlings, the 2012 Sassicaia is drop-dead gorgeous. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, it boasts sensations of blue flowers, cedar, juicy red currants, ripe raspberries, white pepper and a balsamic note. Structured, radiant and loaded with finesse, it delivers everything you'd expect from a world-class wine and more. Drink 2018–2032.
Like a pastry shop in a glass, this rare treat of a well-aged bubbly smells of cream, butter and nutmeg, and tastes like baked apples, almonds and vanilla. Although not sweet, its generous fruit, spice and nut nuances build on the crisp but smooth texture and linger on the finish. From a cool vintage that produced long-lived wines, this is irresistible now but should keep through 2020.
This stunning expression of Solaia opens with ample aromas of exotic spices, tilled soil, mature black-skinned fruit and an underlying whiff of fragrant blue flowers. The vibrant, elegantly structured palate doles out high-toned black cherry, ripe blackberry, white pepper, cinnamon, clove and Mediterranean herbs alongside a backbone of firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2017–2032.
Firesteed's value-oriented Pinot is a solid and reliable wine that varies little from vintage to vintage. Flavors of rhubarb and strawberry are set in place with a touch of vanilla wafer. Don't cellar this. It's ready to go.
All stainless fermented, with the addition of 5% Viognier, this is a solid, if unspectacular effort. It shows pear and citrus and plenty of acid, with appealing freshness. Drink up over the next couple of years.
This lacks the underripe edge of Hunter Valley Semillon or the ripeness and breadth of Barossa Valley versions, so I guess you could say it expresses its Eden Valley terroir. That said, it's a bit neutral, with modest fig and citrus flavors that finish long and crisp.
This opens with earthy aromas of mature plum, underbrush, scorched soil and a funky whiff of game. On the round straightforward palate, a note of ground pepper adds depth to a core of dried black cherry.
This sturdy, well-made wine has lightly charred aromas, tasty cherry flavors and moderate tannins to give the texture some grip.
One of just a handful of varietal bottlings made in the state, this wine offers aromas of white pepper, fresh vegetables and flowers. It drinks dry with elegantly styled fruit flavors.
With strong new-wood character, this wine has vanilla and toast flavors. The concentrated red-berry fruits are suppressed, giving a wine that needs time to develop. Drink from 2018.
Initial briny citrus aromas give way to white grapefruit scents. Like the nose, this feels bracing and citric. Tangy flavors of lime and tangerine finish short but with tingling acidity.
Cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, herb, wood spice and cherry aromas lead to lightly styled cherry and cola flavors. The tannins bring a tacky feel.
Bright and straightforward, this has aromas of red berry, espresso, anise and a whiff of Alpine herb. The taut palate shows sour cherry and white pepper set against a backbone of firm acidity and tightly wound tannins.
This light and fruity wine has 80% Baga in its blend. It is juicy, full of acidity and bright with red-berry fruitiness. The wine is immediately attractive and ready to drink.
This fruity wine is young and full of black-currant flavors. The wine still has a stalky character that will soften. This is going to be a crisp while also structured wine. Drink from 2018.
Still full of tannins, this is a tight strongly textured wine. It is dry, just hinting at black fruits and juicy acidity. It is probably already aged and so will remain a firm wine with fruit flavors in the background.
The wine has some maturity although its tannins are still very present. It has some juicy black-currant flavor that is shot through with the dry core. The aftertaste brings out more acidity and a more juicy character. Drink from 2018.
Some wood aging has given this wine its smooth texture and light eucalyptus character. It has also give the fruit extra richness and depth. The black-currant flavors are rich, lifted by balanced acidity. This is going to be a delicious wine from early 2017.
The vineyards of this estate take their name from their hillside (Puy) position. The wine is still very young with its generous black fruits and acidity still bubbling with energy. With tannins in the background, it will be a wine that develops relatively quickly, certainly ready to drink by 2019.
This is a bold and ripe wine from the gravel soil of Lalande de Pomerol. It is now reaching maturity. It has rich blackberry fruits, layered with acidity. The tannic core is still firm giving the wine the chance to age further. Drink until 2022.
This ripe blackberry-flavored wine is deliciously ready to drink. It has soft tannins and a smooth texture that is now just right. The acidity and the jammy aftertaste make the wine attractive.
This is a late release wine, but a bit of a boon for wine drinkers, who may open and consume it at will. Light cranberry, licorice, root beer and coffee flavors meld, with plenty of supporting acidity. It's a modest wine, with a quick finish, but drinks nicely at the moment.
Barrel aromas are out front, with notes of char, toast and vanilla along with dark raspberry and spice. The palate presents a mixture of fruit and barrel, with the latter showing a bit too prominently.
Red-berry fruits dominate this still-young wine that has dark tannins and concentration. Spice and wood-aging flavors still show strongly. Drink from 2019.
Juicy black cherry and berry notes are layered in heady tones of char, tobacco leaf and cedar in this easy drinking entry-level Pinot. Ruddy ripeness is balanced out neatly by brisk acidity. It's a tad lean in concentration with a brisk finish.
Ripe raisiny aromas of spiced fruit cake are heavy and sweet. Matching the nose, this Bonarda feels thick and chunky with grating tannins. Flavors of chocolaty black fruits are oaky, spicy and minty, while this is equally woody on the finish.
Gritty plum and berry flavors are a touch rough. This is tight on the palate, but fair. Dry flavors of minty oak and clove are more out front than salty berry notes, while this is firm and tastes like roasted fruit, oak and salted tomato on the finish.
This is well made, in a light, pale, tart style. The ample acidity boosts sour cherry fruit, keeping the wine sporty and fresh. It would make a fine match to salmon or turkey.
Aromas of green wood, vanilla and cola are followed by plump fruit flavors. The palate brings appeal but the aromas don't seem to match up.
This is 100% varietal, aged in one-quarter new French oak. It's quite light, perhaps from young vines, with strawberry fruit that might be mistaken (in a black glass) for a rosé. It's tasty and fruity, but without much depth or detail.
Rounded aromas of baked strawberry, red plum and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this always-solid offering for everyday sipping. Black raspberry and dried sagebrush make for a compelling palate that finishes on a touch of caramel.
This is a mature, rich wine from an excellent vintage in Champagne. The wine has toast as well as lemon and grapefruit flavors, giving weight and complexity. Although this is ready to drink, it could probably age a few more years.
With a color more red than gold, this is an intensely rich wine, with flavors of jellied plum, honey and bottled cherry. The tannins give the wine structure as well as sweetness and richness. In the end, acidity offers a pleasant counterbalance.
Expansive and generous on the nose, this has all the bold berry aromas for which Ribera del Duero is known. It feels tight as a drum, with staunch acidity. Flavors of dark fruit and chocolate are typical for a small-production—150 cases—modern wine. It's tight, spicy and integrated on the finish, with a lasting note of lemony oak. Best 2014–2018.
Roasted meat, leather, animal and stout berry aromas make for an inviting bouquet. Like most serious Toro wines, this is hard but fresh and layered, with lively black-fruit flavors that darken under the control of oaky spice. Tobacco, menthol and mint ring loudly on the finish. Drink now–2018; 200 cases made.
Made from fruit that's sourced from over 50-year-old vines, this is a rich, concentrated single-vineyard wine. It shows notes of tropical fruit and pear, with just the right amount of crisp acidity. A dash of pepper gives spice to the wine. Showing its origins in the cool region of Weinviertel, the wine ends with a crisp bite of lemon.
Firmly tannic, this is a solid, chunky wine. It's full of dark plum, black currant and cherry flavors that fill out the firm, dry structure. Concentrated while also fruity, it's worth aging for a year.
This excellent estate-grown Merlot is a standout in the current Goose Ridge lineup. A scent of violet introduces a dark and potent wine. Plum and black cherry are enhanced by streaks of rock and tar. The tannins are supple and substantial.
A deep, dense blackberry flavor suggests that this is cellar worthy. Notes of ground coffee, cacao and clean earth abound. The finish is long and compact, with nicely polished tannins.
Opulent and rich, this is a fine expression of the dense mineral side of the Achleiten Vineyard. It has weight, and is packed with ripe peach and peppered pineapple flavors. It is obviously capable of aging for at least three years. Screwcap.
This blend consists of 40% Mourvèdre, 40% Grenache and 20% Syrah, creating a strong base that's loaded with steely mineral and graphite notes, plus tart fruit flavors of cranberry and strawberry. A hint of strawberry leaf brings in an herbal accent.
Consulting winemaker Matthew Loso knows his way around a blend, and this fine Cabernet-Merlot mix shines with focused, dark fruit flavors. It's threaded with streaks of clove, black olive and anise, with real muscle and tannic heft.
Minty and toasty upfront, this is layered with blackberry, licorice, leather and toast aromas. It feels raring and ready to go, courtesy of firm acidity and good overall framing. Flavors of wild berry are bright, with herb and oak accents. Long, toasty and solid on the finish.
In this vintage, the blend is 66% Tempranillo and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon. The earthy funk is well integrated with black cherry and hints of stem and bark. Still tight and herbal, this is a well-balanced, well-crafted wine, with medium body and length.
Smooth and rich, this shows notes of apricot, intense pepper and spice, with a dry, firm structure. There is a tangy orange zest character that gives some tightness, suggesting it can age.
This has a touch of toast and a rich character. A creamed pear note mingles with lime-driven acidity and a delicious, warm tropical-fruit aftertaste.
Though not indicated as such on its label, this is a sweet wine. It has spiced, ripe fruit flavors, notably pear, which are deliciously laced with honey and cinnamon notes. There is also a fine streak of lively acidity that keeps this very fresh.
This huge, rich wine is great Grüner Veltliner. Despite the alcohol, Rupert Summerer has managed to keep the intense freshness, the lifted, crisp pear flavors and the exuberant pepper in control. Impressive.
This Barossa Shiraz eschews the superripe character found in many from the region in favor of a more balanced, Rhône-ish approach. There's a base of raspberry and vanilla sweetness, but also lots of herbal and spice complexity—notably cracked pepper and black olives. Has enough soft tannins to suggest drinking now–2018. Imported by 34th Parallel, LLC.
Quite spicy, with the Syrah element offering a meaty, leathery quality that varietal Malbecs just don't have. The nose is rich, with some mocha giving it oaky warmth. the mouthfilling palate is packed with kirsch, cassis and blackberry, while the finish is smoky with some fiery heat. Needs another year or two to come together.
The blend includes 2% Muscat, an experiment that may not be repeated, though it worked quite well, boosting the aromatics and adding pretty floral notes at the top. The fruit is solidly anchored in citrus, pear and peach; and the barrels add a pleasing toastiness to the finish. There's a hint of anise as well. Lovely balance and fullness throughout.
Soft and opulent, relishing its rich fruits and round, velvet structure, this wine hits all the right notes. It's not all padded and soft: There are tannins there, wrapped in the richness and delicious fruit.
This opens with a powerful, sharp and spicy set of aromas mixing dense blackberry and boysenberry fruit with sweet smoke and chocolate-covered raisins. This is a fine effort, with sappy fruit, tart acids, streaks of leaf and vanilla, a burst of tobacco in the mid-palate, and a smooth finish with polish and verve.
Opulence is the winery's reserve Syrah, and it is a robust, tooth-staining wine that takes no prisoners. Dense scents suggest a pig roast on a pile of licorice sticks; the aromas are almost visceral. The fruit has been very well handled and the tannins, though full and powerful, have been polished to a satiny sheen. There's a little chalkiness to the finish, perhaps from acidification, but that may well resolve with a little more bottle age.
This is a prototypical Saar Riesling, with classic green apple and citrus flavors underscored by slate-driven minerality that lingers for a long time on the finish. Despite the sensation of plumpness, the wine is light on its feet. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
This smells superripe—the fruit seems almost caramelized—but there's also a refreshing bright beam of citrus as well, bringing the sweetness into balance. At the moment, there's a bit of a disconnect between the honeyed flavors and crisp, lime-like acids, but these elements should come into better harmony over the next few years.
Adding Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt gives an intense wine that explodes with black fruits and intense, dark tannins. It is maybe less of a bomb than 2004, but that means it is more sophisticated, ripe but elegant, and finely structured.
From Margaret River in Western Australia, this is a full-bodied, impressively endowed Shiraz at a reasonable price. Superripe aromas of blackberries and licorice mark the nose, while the palate features similar flavors, supple tanins and a creamy-textured finish. Good to go now, with enough concentration to hold until 2015.
Past vintages of Imperial Gran Reserva have seemed sharp and dilute; not the 1998, which is resolute in its delivery of cumin, root beer and subtle raspberry aromas. The palate has nice primary cherry and berry flavors, solid tannins and welcome but not overwhelming acidity. Notice a touch of dill and butter on the finish, a reflection of traditional American oak aging.
This is a full-bodied, firmly structured Shiraz with plummy, intense aromas tinged with licorice and framboise. Bits of chocolate, mint and spice accent the plum and raspberry flavors, and the wine finishes crisp, dry and deeply textured. It should drink well from now through 2015.
On the full side for a Mosel Riesling, this mouthcoating, succulent wine features piercingly pure fruit aromas of apple, citrus and honey. It's richly fruity on the palate as well, adding in hints of strawberries, which fade slowly and elegantly on the finish.
Made in a powerful, almost dry style with 12% alcohol, this is not a typical kabinett. The aromas boast admirably pure pear and pineapple scents, but the flavors show slaty, spicy complexity—this is much more than simply fruity. The texture is creamy and the lingering finish shows off more spice and stones. Might age, but it's so impressive now, why wait?
This wine's aromas of baked apple, honey, cinnamon and brown sugar are immediately attractive, and in the mouth it doesn't disappoint. It's broad and mouthfilling but avoids heaviness, finishing long, with hints of orange rind.
Varietal Graciano will never fit into the mold of “tried and true,” but this 2004 from top-level producer Contino shows the grape in its most positive light. The nose is natural, with hints of cola and ripe berries. The feel is brawny and intense, with semi-searing acids offset by ripe tannins. Finishes well, with a cleansing wave of red fruit and citrusy flavors. More of a novelty than anything, but a fine wine in and of itself.
Has the peripatetic Michel Chapoutier found his new Côte Rôtie? The aromas of this wine are simply intoxicating, combining peppery spice, raspberries and olives, while the flavors fold in bloody-meaty notes and blueberry fruit. Its remarkable complexity is packed onto a relatively light frame, with delicate, silky tannins suggesting early drinkability. Drink now–2012.
Ah, this is a wonderfully dry and bracing wine that avid wine drinkers will appreciate for its great balance, sense of reserve and mouthwatering quality. The aromas and flavors are like cucumber, grapefruit and white pepper, the acidity is almost electric and the finish lingering.
Sage-tinted cedar and black cherry combine in this proprietary blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Sangiovese, 13% Syrah and 13% Zinfandel, from the producer's estate vineyard. Lean and refined, it shares a generosity of chocolate on the palate, with a slight spiciness to the finish.
Beef teriyaki, lavender, lilacs, black pepper, smoked meat and blueberry jam combine for a dynamic nose. The palate is also very much the full Syrah package: black pepper dust, blackberry fruit, soy, charcoal, teriyaki-plum sauce, contained by both strong tannic structure and zesty acidity.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (63%), a whopping 22% Petit Verdot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of smoke, cedar, dried herbs, licorice, pencil lead, crushed flowers and red and black berries are followed by soft, plump fruit flavors. It brings an undeniable warm vintage appeal but with a compelling sense of elegance and balance.
This wine hails from a new vineyard region high above famed Seven Hills. Baking spice, cocoa and herb aromas are followed by focused black-fruit flavors, with espresso and vanilla notes that linger. It captures the attention.
Grapefruit zest, yeast and freshly cut kitchen herbs add to the enticing flavor of green pear on this light-footed, energetic wine. There is lots of drive, joy and ease. Yet there's nothing facile here—just the most nimble expression of clean-cut, refreshing Grüner.
Sizable, tightly woven tannin wraps itself around black fruit with moderate acidity in this thick, tangy wine, which has 9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot within the blend. Given less than two years in French oak, 60% of it new, it's an approachable, enjoyable wine that will also age. Drink now through 2021.
A partnership between Julia Jackson of Jackson Family Wines and Hélène Seillan, whose mentor is her father, Pierre Seillan of Vérité, this wine is lithe and complex, made from 100% Cabernet Franc, and shows plum and tangerine atop layered, pronounced acidity and a depth of weight that belies its lightness of being.
Named after the chapel of Château la Gordonne, which is an historic monument, this wine is a rich rendition of ripe red fruits and a generous texture. It is concentrated, with a tannic edge that gives bite to the aftertaste. It could even age a few months and will be great with the Thanksgiving turkey.
Produced from low-yield organic grapes grown close to the sea, this wine is intense and ripe. Smooth strawberry flavors are lifted with wild thyme and pepper. Bone dry, juicy and full of concentrated flavor, the wine comes from an estate owned by Lord and Lady Bamford.
Hints of earth and yeast deliciously suggest themselves onto the typical green pear notes. They also haunt the palate and give real resonance to the textured palate. This manages to be rounded yet svelte. The finish is lasting and combines pear and herbal notes of sage and savory yeast.
Juicy, with a firmness of acidity and a tenacious crispness, this wine evolves in the glass, shedding some of its wet stone and green apple for more voluptuous tenets of Asian pear and nutmeg. Lovely for the table, this is a well-balanced white that'll do well on its own or with food.
Made with equal parts Lagrein, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this structured, balanced red boasts aromas of black pepper, black currant, toast and a whiff of bell pepper. The firm palate delivers mature plum, roasted coffee bean and allspice accompanied by chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
For a winemaking family from the Loire, it must be a delight to work in Marlborough's almost unfailing sunshine. This is a medium-bodied, silky Pinot with scents of compost. Add that gentle earthiness to black cherry fruit, hints of herb and cola and the result is a winning combination. Drink 2018–2025.
The product of a partnership between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with the Perrin family of Château Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this bottling achieves instant fame. Happily, it is also a very fine wine, perfectly balanced between crisp fruit and acidity. In the background a touch of tannin accompanies pepper and minerality. It is ready to drink.
Simultaneously light, vivacious and flavor-packed, this bottling is a lightly faded shade of pink in the glass, and shows delicate bubble gum, sliced watermelon, pink rose buds and a squeeze of lime on the nose. The blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 25% Syrah offers zesty acidity and a pithy texture on the palate, with bright tangerine, lemon pith and a touch of strawberry fruit.
With a dominance of Clairette in the blend, this wine has a rich, lightly salty character as well as juicy green-plum flavors. It comes from organically grown grapes in one of the small parcels that make up the vineyard. Ripe and fruity with just a tang in the air, it is ready to drink.
This is a rich wine, full bodied and packed with fruit. Ripe red-berry flavors are just touched by pepper and spice. It comes from selected parcels in the Faulkner family's estate, giving a concentrated, dense wine that will work best with food.
Organic grapes grown on the estate's schist soil go into this delicious, ripe and clean wine. Shot through with a good balance of red berries, red currants and tight acidity, it has good depth of flavor along with a surface glitter of bright freshness.
Grassy green hints play with faint tropical notes of passion fruit. The palate is taut and fresh and provides that wonderfully phenolic backdrop that makes Grüner such a success at the table. There is concentration and ample stores of fruit underneath that cool exterior, waiting to be plunged into.
White spring blossom, orchard fruit and a whiff of Alpine herb come together on this delicious, structured white. The juicy, full-bodied palate offers white peach, mature pear and tangerine alongside bright acidity that lifts the creamy flavors. A precise mineral note closes the lingering finish and lends finesse.
Warm touches of lemon-laced chamomile tea, soft butter and a dollop of orange sherbert show on the nose of this intriguing and unique wine from the Sierra Madre Vineyard. There's a strong sense of baking soda-like alkalinity to the palate, laced through juicy lemon and tangerine flavors, pithy grip, slate minerality and a mouth-watering combo of acidity and salt.
Aged in stainless steel and small barrels of French oak, this wine remains smooth and silky with interweaved acidity, a classic, fresh expression of the variety with very subtle oak. Vanilla and pear find their way onto the finish, providing additional layers of flavor and finesse.
Very tight and Chablis-like in style, this bottling from Richard and Thekla Sanford shows crisp Asian pear, lemon pith, Pink Lady apple rinds, wet concrete and a touch of petrol on the nose. The palate is light and fresh, with yellow pear, nectarine and a lemon skin-led acidity, possessing all the bones to age with style.
The nose on this bottling shows just enough of everything to please all sorts of Chardonnay fans: yellow apple flesh, sea salt, a touch of butter and jasmine-laced honeydew aromas. The palate starts soft and then slowly sizzles with acidity, presenting flavors of butter, lemon rinds and key lime. It's a down-the-middle wine.
A plush style of the grape, this shows blackberry and black plum fruit, lush purple flowers, baking spice and a dusting of graphite on the nose. The palate is soft and cola-driven, with blackberry puree, woody elderberry and violet flavors. The tannic structure enhance its robust character.
Shimmering with the palest salmon pink, this is a softly scented, restrained but very refreshing rosé. Absolutely dry, it majors on fresh lemon notes with tart inflections of red currant. The slightest fizz helps the freshness even more. Lovely.
Supple and full-bodied, this wine offers ample aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, supported by hints of cedar and vanilla. It's not super complex, but is a bold, flavorful wine with a softly dusty, lingering finish.
Wild bilberries abound on nose and palate and scent the entire drinking experience. The palate is fresh and vivid, as befits the slender red vintage of 2014. This has been handled with great care and turned out into a wine of elegance with poised, pure fruit and gentle structure.
At first, this black-colored Garnacha smells horsey and reduced, but with time it exudes more aromatic harmony and quality. A big tannic palate is rough like sandpaper. Blackberry, pepper and chocolate flavors don't rise to a level of excellence, while a heavy saturated finish closes out this muscular red.
Black-fruit aromas include overripe prune along with herbal hints. In the mouth, this Syrah-Merlot-Cabernet blend is pulling and tannic. Toasty oak, blackberry and barrel-based spice flavors finish dry as a bone, with roughness. Drink through 2020.
Blended with 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec, this sturdily built, medium-bodied wine shows a distinct green, herbal quality that's strong and persistent on the nose. Pencil shaving and sage elements contribute further intrigue and complexity.
This unoaked Chardonnay is powered by tangy lemon and pineapple flavors. It's medium-bodied and has nice concentration without seeming overly ripe. Butter and vanilla touches weave through its lively fresh fruit notes.
Lychee, roses and sweet white peaches abound in this classic Gewürztraminer. While ebulliently perfumed and slightly brawny in footprint, its bold strokes are balanced with fresh grapefruit acidity. Delicate murmurs of rose potpourri and tea leaves fringe the finish.
Grippy with tar notes and tannin, this full-bodied wine offers ripe blackberry, currant and licorice highlights before giving in to its richness with dark chocolate renderings.
Juicy plum and currant flavors accent the velvety texture of this soft, integrated estate wine. It displays a light sprinkling of black pepper and clove.
The aromas are barrel-forward at present, with notes of baking spice and vanilla in front of red fruit. The flavors are plump in feel but also come off as quite woody. There are lots of good things going on. Perhaps some additional time in the bottle will pull them all together.
This shows a slight, volatile lift on the nose. That headiness is also present on the palate, which is slender, with a refreshing core of lime and lemon mflavors. It finishes clean.
Doug Margerum delivers his annual crowd-pleaser with this bottling, which evokes ripe apple, sweet stone fruit and grapefruit pith on the nose. Chalky texture and racy acidity mark the palate, providing the perfect framework for sour kumquat flavors and a cement-like minerality.
This bigraisiny-smelling Malbec opens with overt oak aromas and related hints of char and lemon peel. An expansive palate is high in acidity and drying. Raw oak flavors rest atop baked plum, blackberry and prune notes, while this tastes toasty and charred on a powerful finish that's driven by tartaric acidity.
Blended with 5% Sémillon, this crisp, tropical white is generous with bright acidity and a strong taste of pineapple and lemon. Zippy minerality adds a stoniness to the texture and flavor, as a fresh-cut grass note lingers in the background.
Consistently among the best $20-and-under wines each vintage, this blend of 52% Grenache, 44% Syrah and 4% Tempranillo from vintner Dan Lee delivers plump boysenberry, plum, baking spice and rosemary scents on the nose. The palate is dry and herbal yet bright with acidity, full of thyme and sagebrush notes against a backdrop of plum fruit.
This Pinot Noir-dominant sparkler is nutty and perfumed, its honeysuckle scents bringing lightness and brightness to a meaty core of body and weight.
Sweet tannins support this wine's cassis and cherry flavors, accented with sage and dried herb. With a dry, puckering mouthfeel, it's boldly ripe and brawny, showing persistent toasty oak scents.
Grapy, meaty aromas are loud and all over the map. The palate of this purple Cafayate Malbec is saturated and loaded with pulp, tannins and bulk. Roasted blackberry and cured-meat flavors finish mellow and soft, without much length.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Merlot and Petit Verdot, coming from a block designed by the late Master of Wine David Lake. Light aromas of herb, green pepper and cherry are followed by elegant fruit flavors that seem a bit faint. The oak appears to be dialed way back. Best paired with food.
This twist-top bottling is bolstered by 15% Petite Sirah but remains a bit wound up and tight on the nose, with caramelized blackberry, caramel and chocolate syrup notes. The mouthfeel is soft and lush, with black cherry flavors cut by graphite, wild sage and bay leaf accents.
This is an intriguing wine, with the extraction and the alcohol seemingly dialed back. Somewhat light in color, it brings aromas of fresh herb, sweet spice, cedar and cherry. The flavors are elegant and cranberry tart. It doesn't come off as entirely varietal but there's plenty of enjoyment to be had, especially if paired with food.
After five years on the lees, this is a brassy-hued, toasty wine. Hints of honey and caramel creep in, along with buttered citrus and ample toastiness. It's medium bodied and silky in texture. Drink now.
There's a pleasantly oxidized element to this wine from Michael Mooney (who also makes Chateau Margene from Paso Robles' Creston district). Aromas recall honey and dried apricots, mangos and bananas. The flavors carry that forward, with caramelized apples, melted marshmallow and all types of dried fruit, but with lots of acidic verve too.
This blend of Merlot (61%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Syrah (8%) and Petit Verdot brings notes of anise, black currant, herbs, mint and raspberries. The palate brings good depth of flavors and richness while showing both elegance and precision.
The distinct black and white pepper nose on this wine by Siduri's Adam Lee evolves into gingerbread and cinnamon, all backed up by riper scents of blackberry extract. It's light in density, but pops with black cherry and more berry flavors, all carrying a citrus-like tannic grip.
Glowingly ripe pear and juicy yellow plum make a great aromatic opening that continues onto the flavorful palate where it is tempered pleasantly by white pepper and lemon zest. Freshness, verve and drive characterize the concentrated palate. The finish is long and clean.
Still-subdued fruit signals that this needs time. The palate is tight and elegant, but riches of tart cherry fruit rest just beneath the surface and wait to emerge fully. There is acidic verve and velvety structure; nothing is overdone and it's very balanced. This fresh little number needs time to blossom.
Spicy white pepper pervades this rich, rounded red. Structured tannins call for meat if this is to be drunk now. These will mellow by 2016 in cellar and the ripe, crunchy red fruit will come to the fore.
Breezy, zesty stoniness is overlaid with lemon freshness, suggesting a slender wine. However, the palate is rounded and generous, with layers of red apple, Comice pear, honeydew melon and orange zest. The finish is whistle clean and that counterpoint of breezy freshness and rounded ripeness makes you want to sip more.
From the Hahn family of wines comes this solid representation of the appellation, with dark cherry, wet slate and soft mint on the nose. The mouthfeel is soft and comforting, with tight raspberry fruit and a clove-like spice note carrying through the entire sip, culminating in a mouthwatering black-pepper finish.
Very ripe yellow pear mixed with punchy arugula create a contrast that makes this wine hard to put down. Partly aged in large, used acacia barrels, partly in stainless steel, the slender but ripe body is accentuated by the peppery edge. Very moreish with a lovely and long finish.
A beautifully subtle scent of Williams pear makes for a soft opening. The palate is equally soft but totally driven by the ripeness of the juicy pear fruit streaked with lemon zest on the concentrated palate. Refreshment and enjoyment are programmed into this.
Juicy, luscious Comice pears and floral overtones are brought into tighter focus by the zesty freshness on the concentrated palate that shows intensity and warmth. This finishes with a long impression of pure lemon oil.
Dark and silky, this bursts open with ripe plum and black cherry fruit. Streaks of smoke and iron run through, along with highlights of bright citrus. Sweet toast and dark chocolate flavors wrap up a long and most satisfying finish. Drink now through 2024.
Aromas of dark berry, menthol, crushed violet, mint and pipe tobacco open this elegant expression of Nebbiolo. The palate offers black cherry, ripe raspberry, orange peel, cinnamon, mineral and herb alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. It closes on a mint note. Drink 2015–2021.
Strong aromas of blackberry extract, cedar, nose-tickling herbs and a bit of bacon fat mark the nose of this release from a winery whose 84-year-old namesake died in October 2014. The flavors balance tartness with ripe berries, roasted fennel, emergent tannins and purple flowers that linger into the finish.
This is a great example of what most would consider a straight-ahead and delicious California Chardonnay. The nose offers aromas of seared pineapple cake, vanilla soda and Meyer lemon, and the palate blends all of the typical elements: lemon juice acidity down the middle, minerality driven by slate and white rocks, apple and a bit of brown spice on the edges.
This is classic Cabernet, from the reticent aromas of pencil shavings to the restrained flavors of cassis and cigar box. It's on the full-bodied side of the spectrum, with enough dusty tannins to suggest longevity through at least 2020, despite an already velvety finish.
This wine shows a more savory side of Cabernet Sauvignon without being in any way underripe or malnourished. It's a big, ripe wine, but the mulberry and cassis fruit is marked by cinnamon and clove shadings. It finishes lush, velvety and warm, with hints of chocolaty richness. This should drink well through at least 2024, and possibly for longer if it firms up a little.
This concentrated Merlot is blended with smaller percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Dense in black licorice and toasty oak, the fruit character is dominated by red plum and berry aromas and flavors.
Coming from the highest corner of the limestone-laden vineyard at 1,275 feet—with views of the entire Santa Ynez Valley—this gives off broad, approachable aromas of lit match, bacon fat, purple fruits, pepper and smoked meats. Though full of dried cherry and smoked blueberry flavors, it's leaner in texture, with acidity that keeps it fresh. Drink 2017–2025.
This is the winery's superstar Bordeaux-style blend, and one of the defining red wines of the Okanagan. In its youth it is peppery, tannic and tough, with strong herbal flavors, along with pomegranate, cranberry and white raspberry fruit. It's firmly acidic, lightly toasty, complex and finished with flavors of coffee grounds, cacao, baking spices and smoke. Drink now through 2025.
Smoke and flintstones play among green pear and savory yeast notes. The palate reveals a yeasty, cushioned texture, framed by grapefruit zestiness. The finish is clean-cut but persistent and is set to evolve over the years.
This wine is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It offers brooding notes of dried herbs, cassis, spicebox, blackberry and anise. Flavors are rich yet refined with mouthwatering acids and exquisitely polished tannins.
Structured yet refined, this opens with lovely, understated aromas of red berry, violet and a whiff of exotic spice. The palate is more expressive, delivering mouthwatering black cherry, vanilla, mocha and black pepper alongside a firmly tannic backbone. It closes on a licorice note. Drink 2016–2021.
An inspired co-mingling of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese, this wine offers swirls of spicy cinnamon, plum and tobacco. Rounded on the palate and balanced, while rich, the finish delves into clove and black pepper.
Grapefruit zest and chervil meet in a happy union that suggests riper fruit the longer this stays on the palate. There is a little heat but lots of acidity, as well as midpalate texture and layers of citrus interspersed with yellow plum. Intense, concentrated and age-worthy, with a lasting citrus finish.
Intriguing notes of orange flower make for a delicate opening that segues into soft apricot notes. This is elegant and delicate, yet not without direction or concentration. There is warmth, too, and the vivacious Riesling acidity is cushioned by ripeness. The finish is earthy and long.
This stainless-steel-fermented white is lively in peach, apricot and guava flavors that are surprisingly lengthy and complex. Vanilla bean, wet stone and lemon add additional layers of goodness.
Fleshy and unctuous in flavor yet tautly structured, this neatly balanced Merlot offers loads of bright cherry and raspberry flavors layered into wisps of toast, spice and cedar. Its brisk puckery style makes it an ideal dinner wine. Fine-grained but persistent tannins on the finish suggest ageability well into the 2020s.
A blend of Dugger Creek, Summit View and Watermill fruit, this wine shows pleasing aromas of herb, flowers and dried tobacco. The flavors are silky and palate coating, showing a very pretty sense of precision.
This is the inaugural release from this winery. With Grenache (71%) and Syrah (23%) leading the way, it shows aromas of vanilla bean, herb and ripe red and blue fruit. The palate is full bodied and no holds barred, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel along with the ripeness of the region and vintage. The wood pokes through at times.
A savory, woody accent runs through this medium-bodied, earthy and attractive wine made from “America's oldest Zinfandel vineyard.” The mouthfeel is quite smooth, with ample blackberry and strawberry flavors that soak the palate.
Coming from a blend of fruit from the Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain and Yakima Valley appellations, this wine opens with high-toned aromas of spice box, dark cherry, earth, tobacco and herb. The flavors are full and tightly coiled, with lightly grained tannins giving support. At times it seems a bit dried out.
A blend of fruit from DuBrul and Meek vineyards, this wine brings light aromas of herb, vanilla, raspberry, orange peel and black licorice. The palate offers a mouthful of tart fruit flavors that are simultaneously sleek and generous.
A deep amber color and a rich, almost thick mouthfeel support tempting aromas and flavors like honey, orange marmalade and toasted almonds. Complex and interesting, it's super sweet and syrupy, but still stays light in weight.
Pretty violet perfume wafts from this aromatic Cabernet Franc. The palate is lush, with black cherries offset by streaks of cranberry and currant acidity. Expansive on the finish, its silky supple mouthfeel lingers long after the last sip.
Leesy, yeasty apple and pear aromas are a touch funky yet sophisticated. Made in Rioja, so it's based on Viura, this is cushioned but zesty on the palate, with lively bubbles. It tastes complex and a touch sour, with notes of apple cider and apricot. Briny in flavor and solid in feel on the finish.
Beguiling aromas of honeysuckle, lime, peach and baking spices are followed by palate-coating stone-fruit flavors. It shows an impeccable sense of balance.
In this well-made white, half of the wine was stainless-steel fermented, the other half barrel-fermented. Honeyed aromas of almond and a viscous, medium-bodied texture build weight toward the finish, while never becoming cloying. Vanilla and apricot round out the profile, buoyed by crisp acidity.
The blend is concentrated and spicy due to Syrah. It is a rich wine, with Douro minerality and concentration, given freshness by the final acidity. Drink this ripe wine now.
This wine blends 49% Syrah with 27% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache and 6% Counoise. Together, they provide a smooth, seductive taste of strawberry pie that invites and delights within a full-bodied package that's enjoyable now.
This blend of 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petite Sirah is actually a party of three, but the results are solid. Chocolate, black cherries, scarlet rose buds and toasted oak pop on the nose. The smooth and dense palate shows boysenberry, black pepper and a chalky tannic structure.
An unusually perfumed, sweetly floral scent soon yields to notions of juicy pear. Pear fruit dominates the dry palate that is richly textured without being fat, with hints of nut and gingerbread. Wonderfully layered, the wine offers a creamy finish.
A thread of caramelized sugar laces elegantly throughout this perfumed, peachy wine. Slicked with honey, the palate is unctuously ripe but balanced neatly by a bracing strike of lime and lemon acidity. The finish is long, lingering on a kiss of floral blossoms.
Somewhat lean in texture but very tasty and classic in terms of aroma and flavor, this wine has a unique presence. Aromas suggest rhubarb, raspberry and black tea, and the flavors reflect that complexity, too. At less than half the price of Hirsch's higher-priced wines, it has almost as much charm.
Some riper stone fruit has joined with bright aspects of green apples and ripe lemon zest in this aromatic and exquisitely light-footed Riesling. Balanced and totally refreshing, it has a gloriously lip-smacking finish.
Coming from one of the state's top Cabernet sites, this wine offers reserved aromas of earth, dried leaves and herb, cocoa and dusty cherry. The palate shows precision and balance, with a focus on elegance of expression.
Based on the local Castelão grape, this wine is aged in wood for eight months. Its ripeness and soft tannins are both fruity and lightly structured. It is full-bodied, yet has enough acidity to bring out a juicy, fruity aftertaste.
Full, ripe black-fruit aromas open this fine Casablanca Syrah. In the mouth, this is juicy and fresh, with good body weight. Black plum, blackberry, barrel spice and herbal flavors finish long, subtle and lightly herbal. Drink through 2019.
This estate wine comes from vines planted two decades ago and was named for John Drummond, who owned the land in the 1800s. With a touch of Cabernet Franc in the mix, it offers black licorice, buoyant acidity and a back beat of tannin that integrates well. Bark, dark plum and chocolate round out the full-bodied picture.
This wine comes from vineyards planted in the late 1970s. It shows pleasing aromas of Bosc pear, melon and flowers. The wine tastes a hair off dry, with a full, appealing feel to the apple and passion fruit flavors.
Briny, lightly green citrus aromas are round and pungent. A juicy, crisp mouthfeel is formed by citric acidity, while flavors of stony lime and green apple finish crisp and in fine form.
A pretty peachy color, this bottling, which is 100% Mourvèdre, shows an intriguingly salty strawberry hint to the nose, where dried cherries and brisk watermelon aromas also pop. There is zesty acidity to the sip with richness in the midpalate, offering flavors of sea-salted peaches, orange-rind tang and impressive length for a rosé.
Billowy, expansive tannins remain round and approachable on the palate of this generously ripe wine, juicy in black cherry and plum. The robust fruit is complemented by savory tinges of cedar and leather.
This starts off slowly, but red raspberry notes emerge after some vigorous swirling. It's full-bodied and supple, featuring some berry tea-like flavors, hints of cocoa and a fine, softly dusty finish. Drink it over the next 10 years.
Sizable tannins and oak make for a full-bodied experience that comes off closed and tight at first, the wine needing some time in the glass to unwind. With patience, it unpeels layers of soft, floral aromas and quiet notions of raspberry and strawberry.
This is meant to provide a counterpoint to the Tyrrell family's Hunter Valley offerings, but it retains similar sensibilities. It's a medium-weight, crisp Shiraz that features a slight herbal tinge to notes of cracked pepper and red raspberries. It finishes bright and lively; drink now–2025.
From old vines and dominated by Touriga Nacional, this is a powerful and dense wine. While smooth in character, tannins do offer a firmer core. The oak aging has added to the richness of this dark, impressive wine. Drink now and until 2022.
From the famous vineyard site along Westside Road, equally known for its Chardonnay, this big, bold red is not for the faint of heart. It delivers a powerful punch of voluptuously jammy blueberry around soft, earthy wisps of forest and black tea.
Second-generation winemaker Drake Whitecraft taps his friend Matt's vineyard for this fruit-forward bottling, which shows smashed black grapes, black cherry, black raspberry, lavender, lilac and cola on the nose. The palate is juicy with blueberry and blackberry, lifted by violet and lavender, and touched with white pepper spice.
This delicious bottle sings out with a burst of bright raspberry fruit. As with all the Winderlea designates, the exposure to new oak is fairly minimal—just 10 months in one-sixth new barrels. Juicy acidity keeps flavors buoyant, and the barrels add light notes of caramel and nougat. Drink this with great enjoyment over the next two or three years.
Expertly integrated aromas of black plum, vanilla cola, light clove, pralines and a touch of caramel cream show on the nose of this bottling by a Sta. Rita Hills producer that sourced from up north. Wild berries, red cherry and black raspberry pop on the palate, where an earthy tension of chipped slate meets with a baked goods richness.
In honor of Adam Comartin's daughter, who's named after the Australian city where he learned a bit of winemaking, this bubblegum pink wine offers plush and inviting aromas of light strawberry, peach skins and watermelon juice. Rounded pink and red fruits show on the palate, cut by orange zest, packed up with edgy acid and grippy tension. Quite complex.
Attractively spicy as well as fruity, this is a ginger and apricot-flavored wine. Great acidity balances the warm fruitiness. Full in the mouth while also crisp, the wine is ready to drink.
Now mature, this ripe wine has a creamy texture that is cut with the steely acidity of Chablis. Yellow fruits and a bright aftertaste keep this wine in the fruity stage. The aftertaste, though, has a more leafy character that shows its maturity. Drink now.
As its name suggests, this vineyard is above the Marconnets, one of Beaune's top vineyards. Beautifully perfumed, it is ripe with orange zest, apples and a streak of delicious citrus acidity. It has a light touch, fruity, with hints of wood and minerality.
Delicate notes of waxy lemon peel and apple waft from this light-footed spätlese. Its honeyed sweetness penetrates to the core, accenting flavors of pressed apple and pear. The finish is zesty and spry, leaving only a hint of black-tea tannins.
From a warm site on the valley floor, this wine is soft and velvety, approachable and sophisticated. An additional 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot provide complexity and further softness, the wine buoyant in juicy blueberry, currant and fig.
This powerful, ripe wine is a delicious testament to the structured qualities of the Alicante Bouschet. It is rich and dense, with juicy blackberry flavors and dark tannins. With the wood aging smoothing out the wrinkles, the wine is impressive. Drink from 2017.
Made from fruit grown across the valley, including Chiles Valley and Calistoga, this wine also includes 14% Petite Sirah and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is above all savory and relatively restrained, elegant in red fruit, soft mellow tannin and balanced acidity, with a lingering taste of wild blueberry.
This is the producer's proprietary Merlot-driven blend, the variety comprising 60% of the whole, with 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Like its other blends, it spent 21 months in French oak, 75% of it new. Sanguine in currant and plum, its thick structure holds richer notes of chocolate and coconut. Drink now through 2023.
Alluring aromas of dark berry, baking spice and a balsamic note lift out of the glass. The ripe palate offers fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and tobacco alongside firm acidity and velvety tannins. A licorice note closes the lively finish. Drink 2020–2028.
Estate grown and fermented with native yeasts, the Select cuvée is the entry level offering from Brick House. In this hot vintage the picking, sorting and fermentation have been carefully managed to produce a balanced and textural wine. The fruit shines through with apple, cranberry and cherry, underscored by a refreshing minerality. The acids have a subtle citrus/orange peel flavor.
Oak, roasted coffee bean and star anise aromas lead the nose. On the palate, notes of fennel, licorice, mocha and espresso lend depth to a core of dried cherry while firmly delineated tannins provide the framework. Drink after 2020.
Flat-out delicious, this brings compelling fruit flavors of melon, papaya and pineapple, coupled with juicy, mouth-cleansing acidity. The depth and complexity are phenomenal for an Oregon Pinot Gris produced in large quantities.
Natural and oak-based spice aromas accent tarry black cherry, blackberry and gritty, toasty scents. Full and chewy on the palate, this tastes oaky, with fully toasted blackberry flavors. A spicy, resiny, oak-heavy finish is right for this wine. Drink through 2019.
Fresh aromas of just-picked roses, fragrant blue flowers, fresh berries and a menthol note lead the way. The juicy palate presents red cherries, cake spices cinnamon and sweet pipe tobacco. Bright acidity and firm tannins provide balance.
This wine was inadvertently tasted against a bunch of Barossa giants, so I may have underestimated it. It still held its own, delivering subtle notes of plum, cinnamon and clove, plus hints of olive and mocha. It's medium in body, with some herbal notes, yet finishes dusty and mouthwatering. Drink now–2028.
This lush wine, green/gold in hue, offers mouth-coating flavors with richness and style. Apple, pear and papaya fruit holds down the center, with elements of toasted hazelnuts and butter pecan from aging in 20% new French oak. The creamy, smooth finish is delightful.
This perfumed wine offers good balance between citrus and warmer fruits. Peach and apple come together easily with the lemon flavors. The wine has a bright, tight mineral edge and is ready to drink.
There's plenty to like in this Tupungato Malbec, but since it was made from young vines, it's limited in depth, with angularity to the palate. Flavors of spicy plum and berry come with substantial oaky support, while the finish is lively, bouncy and holding onto its acidity. This may not improve but it's definitely not fading; drink through 2024.
A depth of earth and sassafras make for sultry companions in this vineyard designate, marked by heady aromas of roses. Soft and subtle on the palate, with a lightness and elegance, it lingers in pomegranate, raspberry and black tea.
Quite distinct from the winery's regular Pinot Gris, this is oak fermented and barrel aged on the lees for 16 months. The hock bottle suggests an Alsatian model, the extended barrel time softening the sharp acidity. There's a light suggestion of wood flavor, not toast but neutral wood, and the fruit is damped down. However, with extra aeration this wine springs to life, with complex highlights of wood, herb and stone.
A bit developed already, with a round mouthfeel and some honey character accented by citrus and gingery-peppery spice. Pleasant to drink now, but seems to lack the vivacity for extended aging.
While richly concentrated, with a plump, sunny, yellow peach and sweet lemon character, Wagner's Select Riesling boasts darker tones of bitter tea and a slightly herbal aroma that runs from start to finish. It's elegant and restrained on the finish, with puckery lemon and lime pith notes.
A blend of just over one-third Riesling, Atwater's Riewürz boasts a steely precision that cuts through all of Gewürztraminer's ebullient floral and juicy fruit characteristics. Semidry on the palate, with deliciously concentrated pomelo flavors, it finishes on a zesty, candied orange-peel note.
Solid on the opening, with red fruit aromas and a mild stalkiness. Feels healthy and medium in weight, with mild oak, fresh plum and berry, and a touch of cocoa for flavors. Dry and crisp on the finish, with leftover oak flavor and good balance.
Heavily toasted aromas promise strong wood flavors. The fruit, rich with pear flavors, balances that wood, although the wine does need a few months more integration.
A smooth, creamed apple-wine, ripe and delicious. It has a sweet feel to it, the acidity just giving a bite. A great apéritif.
Dark in color, with concentrated, jammy aromas of wild berry and plum. Offers a big body given that it's a $7 La Mancha varietal, with concentration, solid structure and full, mildly baked flavors of black fruits and baked fig. Short but stout on the finish.
Compact and candied on the bouquet, with dusty red berry aromas. Feels blocky and tannic but healthy, with cassis and blackberry flavors touched up by typical Chilean herbal notes. A flavorful wine for everyday drinking.
Medium-light, with clean and fresh berry fruit flavors, sharp and tart. It starts out with some quick punch, then fades away in a fast finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend, one of four from this tiny winery, is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon. The somewhat thin cranberry and raspberry fruit, high in acid, is not quite substantial enough to completely shed its candied character.
A white Bordeaux-style blend, crisp and edgy, with green fruit flavors sporting a citrusy kick. Young, tight and tart, it shows its alcohol on the angular finish.
Leather and earth aromas are subtle, with oak and berry scents lurking. This Monastrell blend has a solid mouthfeel and firm tannins that scrape a little but also give structure. Plum, raspberry and herbal flavors finish woodsy and ultimately oaky as smoke and spice notes fade.
Ripe berry and plum aromas are full and good. This Malbec has an easy mouthfeel that's weighty but well defined, with modest tannins and integrated acidity. Ripe cassis and berry flavors finish with a touch of creamy oak.
A new vineyard source for the producer, this was planted in 1910 to a mix of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Peloursin and Trousseau. The wine shows a zestiness to the palate and fruit, a mix of pomegranate, raspberry and plum, side-kicked by dusty mocha. Bright in acidity with a chalky finish, the wine can be enjoyed now with a decant or cellared through 2022.
With the same winemaking team as Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, Bernadotte has a good pedigree. The wine is full in the mouth, structured and balanced, with ripe berry fruits bursting out from the tannic shell. The wine will develop well over the next few years; drink from 2017.
Oak, herb, fennel, hay and wild berry aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers Morello cherry, oak, cinnamon, clove, Mediterranean herb and a confectionary note alongside tightly knit and austere tannins that need to unwind. Drink 2018–2030.
This 100% varietal wine is blend of Minnick Hills (66%) and Morrison vineyards. An intriguing mix of dried herbs, poblano pepper, pink peppercorn and red fruit is kissed by barrel accents and meaty notes. The acid is bright, the feel supple and the finish extended. Drink now.
Coming from Uvas Valley earth that was originally planted in the 1920s by Italian immigrants, this wine shows leather, plum sauce and dark chocolate on the nose. It's light on the palate, but possesses strong tannic grip and refreshing acidity that boost the dried flower, blueberry juice and graphite flavors.
Toast, coffee, mocha and spiced plum aromas mingle in the glass. The firm palate offers black cherry, plum, espresso, licorice and tobacco alongside a tannic backbone. It's ripe and powerful but also has the intensity many 2009 wines lack. Drink 2016–2022.
Solid layers of tannin partner with black currant fruit. This is structured, dark and very dry at the moment, although it will give a more rounded character as it ages. Drink from 2018.
Liversan makes a serious style of wine from its 125-acre vineyard, situated in the north of the Haut-Médoc. Dense, this is balanced between the black plum fruits and dry tannins. It's a wine for long-term aging, so drink from 2018.
Maucamps is situated in Macau, just south of Margaux, giving it a stylish character. It has weight, of course, but this is given perspective by the structured black fruits and supporting tannin. A dry core will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.
Heavily dominated by Merlot, this is a generous and full-bodied wine. Wood aging has left its mark in the burnt, toasty character. The fruit, though, is generous, bringing out the richness of the limestone soil. This wine will be ripe and full-bodied. Drink from 2017.
The aromas on this wine are light and nuanced with notes of pear, butter and pineapple. It's full bodied in feel, clean in style showing good weight and viscosity while retaining a pleasing sense of lightness.
Lemon-drop candy and white blossoms perfume this impeccably balanced Riesling from French transplants Céline and Sébastien Leseurre. It's dry in style, but white grapefruit and lemon flavors are persistent and deep. Delicately textured and vivaciously fresh in acidity, the finish is brisk and pristine.
This 100% varietal comes from StoneTree and Red Heaven vineyards. Fruit-forward, it suggests blueberry pie with barrel notes of pencil lead and vanilla. It's full bodied and supple in feel with abundant blue-fruit flavors and smoked-meat accents on the warm, lingering finish.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot opens with aromas of green bell pepper, roasted coffee bean, red currant and cedar. The palate delivers blueberry, black pepper, espresso, toast and herbaceous notes alongside subtle but drying tannins. Drink through 2016.
A majority of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon is at the core of this exceptional value, a wine that's classic in red, high-toned cherry and currant fruit. Soft, yet with ample structure, it offers everything one needs in a hearty red wine that's also accessible now.
Underbrush, berry, blue flower and rose lead the nose. Still closed, the firm palate eventually reveals dry cherry, licorice and baking spice. A backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provides support. It closes on a menthol note.
Zin fans should pick up this winery's entire range of small-batch takes on the grape, as they are all fascinating. This one is lighter in color and offers fresh blackberry and chopped black-sage aromas. The palate is very easy to sip, with salt and cherry flavors creating a food-friendly version of an often overpowering grape.
This earthy wine opens with rather funky aromas of tilled soil, leather and a whiff of barnyard. The hearty palate offers ripe black cherry, game and savory herb alongside chewy tannins. It's a bit rustic but has charm. Drink 2018–2025.
Blaufränkisch, also known as Lemberger, has found a happy home in the Finger Lakes, and this example from winemaker Nancy Irelan is striking. Tart Morello cherry is accented by cool swathes of fresh herbs and a touch of smoked nuts. It's concentrated and robust, yet elegantly composed. Soft tannins trace a moderately long finish.
This is a refined wine, with a layered fragrance of black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and bell pepper. The palate reveals ripe blackberry, plum and baking-spice flavors that are supported by refreshing acidity. Enjoy now or hold for a couple more years.
Aged 20 months in French and American oak (40% new), it has light aromas of high toned dried herbs, black currant and olive. It's airy in feel with the tannins providing some gruffness to an otherwise soft, silky wine.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-centric blend includes all six Bordeaux varieties. It has sweet, ripe notes of fresh dark cherries, herbs and chocolate drizzled with butter backed by slightly dry tannins.
A mid-weight Zin, with a tannic backbone and a soft mouthfeel plus, rich and interesting blackberry and coffee. Encrust some ribs, chops or tenderloin in coffee grounds to pair with this wine for explosive results.
This offers aromas of raisin, mature black fruit and spice. The palate is very lush and ripe, with plum and black cherry flavors layered with oak, chocolate, vanilla and espresso accents. It might not have much personality or complexity, but the flavors are defined and alluring.
The Gros Manseng, one of Gascony's two star white grapes (along with Petit Manseng), gives richness and delicious apricot flavors to this full and rounded wine. The acidity comes with the crisp, fruity Sauvignon Blanc. To drink now and until 2014.
The acidity here is certainly the Chenin Blanc, but with the richness of Chardonnay in the mix, the wine has a full character, softly ripe, apples and pears dominant. It has a crisper feel at the end, bright and lively and ready to drink. Screwcap.
Big, ripe, tannic and structured wine. It has rich black plum and chocolate flavors, very berry in its fruit. The dry core and wood flavors give smoothness to the texture. It would be worth aging this wine, so drink from 2015.
Created by Vigouroux as a hommage to Malbec in Cahors and Argentina, this has the structure of Cahors and the rich smoothness of Mendoza. Complex, powerful, full of ripe fruit, it's impressively juicy, textured and full of acidity at the end.
Ripe, creamy wood aged wine, this is rich and smoothly textured. It has weight, apple and pear flavors. Full in the mouth, it may be missing out on the freshness in favor of power.
This Amarone has aromas of rich black fruit and vanilla. The palate shows almost overripe plum and berry flavors, along with oak sensations and toasted notes. You'll also detect a warm midpalate.
This blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 20% Grenache opens with juicy scents of red cherry, blueberry and a touch of bramble. Those notes continue through to the palate, alongside a soft, spicy accent that adds depth. Medium tannins provide a solid structure and carry on through the medium-length close.
Although this is grassy and wiry smelling, there's enough ripe raspberry and red plum aromas to make the grade. A zesty, choppy feeling palate features plum, pie cherry and leafy berry flavors in front of a racy finish with decent follow through. This is 60% Malbec and 40% CS.
Coming from one of Washington's premier Riesling sites, it's redolent with peach, mineral and floral notes. It drinks almost completely dry with bright, crisp acids.
This Amarone has a rich fragrance of black cherry, prune and cocoa, with hints of almond and toasted wood. The palates shows notes of toasted oak, along with vanilla and espresso accents that muffle the black fruit undertones.
Pedro Vargas has made a nice Merlot in this strongly herbal, plum and cassis concoction inviting in its layers of oak and tobacco. Soft, it finishes lean and is all in all integrated and well-made.
91-93 The wine feels powerful, dense, tannins dominating. Hard and solid, foursquare wine packed with weighty fruit and power.
This is plenty ripe, with alcohol just under 15%. Fruit flavors are a little over the top, getting into pruney, or at least a cooked, compote character. But you'll find berries galore, the acidity to balance and a streak of bark in the tannins.
Oregon Petite Sirah is certainly an outrider, but this is a commendable effort. It captures the dense blackberry fruit of the grape, wrangles the thick tannins into some sort of rough balance, and adds a lick of espresso to the finish. Blocky, tasty and proportionate.
Tart to the edge of sour, this is made for hot weather drinking. Lemon, lime and sour orange fruit with plenty of acidity and a solid, clean, crisp finish.
A single-vineyard Pinot Gris, focused and tart, with flavors as fresh as can be. Sharp and yeasty, but with good grip and substance through the middle, and a flash of heat in the finish. This will benefit from another year or so of bottle age.
Stiff and fairly tannic, this includes some fruit from Oregon's tiny Red Hill AVA. Brambly wild berry highlights, bright and firm, lead into a finish annotated with baking chocolate.
Approachable with pretty cherry and rose petal flavors, this wine finds its spine via a streak of herb and tannin. Dried leaves, a hint of granite, and persistent berry flavors suggest that it can be cellared for at least 6–8 years.
Smoky and toasty, with those oaky notes balanced by honeyed fruit, like grilled peach and pineapple. This is a rich, corpulent Côtes du Rhône that just fades a bit quickly on the finish. Drink now.
Light, fruity and clean smelling, with a touch of candy to the nose. The palate, especially for an $8 Garnacha rosé, is zesty and spunky, with cherry, plum and citrus flavors. Crisp and crackling through the finish.
There are some elegant floral highlights in the nose, leading into a fairly substantial mouthful of mixed citrus, apricot and peach fruit. Bigger than most Oregon Pinot Blancs, this has a round, fruity flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Some wines fall outside the tasting box, and this is one of those. Intense, rich and distinctive—it's not your father's Chardonnay. Spontaneous fermentation (through native yeast) contributes to the texture and density. Concentrated fruit suggests nectarines, Meyer lemon and candied oranges just on the edge of being overripe. Drink now through 2018.
Bread crust, citrus, chopped herb and orchard fruit aromas lift out of the glass. The vibrant palate offers lime, nectarine and toasted hazelnut alongside vibrant acidity. An elegant mousse carries through to the crisp, bone-dry finish.
This impressive wine is tangy in cherry, cranberry and evocative peels of orange zest that possess concentrated tannin and weight while maintaining a baseline of positive acidity. Lengthy and bold on the finish, it lingers in hits of spice.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this opens with aromas of red berry, baking spice and a pastry note. The bright palate shows strawberry, cherry, cinnamon and bread crust framed in a silky mousse.
This white is barrel fermented and then aged further sur lie in a mix of French oak, stainless steel and concrete egg, with the goal of additional texture and complexity coming into play. It does, the wine intoxicating in floral apple blossom and honeysuckle, with a taste of crisp, refreshing lemon and grapefruit. Light bodied, it doesn't hold back on mouthfeel, offering richness without overripeness.
This concentrated, full-bodied wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, all grown from the producer's Upper Bench blocks known for cobbly soils. Brick, tar and pencil shavings accent a considerable presence of tannin and toasty oak. It should show best from 2020 to 2022.
A blend of 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Chardonnay, this opens with aromas of toast, bread crust, ripe pear and a whiff of dried wild flower. The firm, elegant palate offers ripe Golden Delicious apple, tangerine zest, almond and a hint of ginger alongside a persistent perlage and fresh acidity.
This is an approachable, varietal wine, representative of the appellation in its dusty black cherry and vanilla. Succulently juicy on the palate, it offers more satisfyingly savory accents of leather and black pepper in a full-bodied, concentrated package.
This is a huge bear-hug of a wine, from the effusive dark-fruit aromas through the rich, layered texture and ripe fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It is full bodied, well oaked, spicy and complex, with a mouthcoating texture and long finish.
Here is a powerful mix of tart berry and pungent herb, that punches through with authority. It picks up fresh blackberry fruit and a lick of licorice as it powers through to a polished and persistent finish.
From grapes grown at some of the Willamette Valley's highest elevations, this is a pungent mix of citrus oil, grapefruit, metal shavings and stone. The flavors persist along that path, crafting a sleek and distinctive wine that in many ways is the antithesis of the fleshy, jammy, fruit-forward style of many domestic Pinots.
Fresh-pressed boysenberries and blueberries meet with lilacs, Vietnamese coffee and a touch of cedar on the ripe, showy nose of this blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The thick, coffee-laden palate is full of deep blueberry fruit, sure to be an attention-grabber yet serious enough with bitter espresso and sour-plum skins.
Fermented in 80% stainless steel and 20% barrel, this at first shows a touch of barrel reduction on the nose that dissipates into richly layered stone fruit and fresh lime. Lingering minerality provides freshness and perspective.
This Douro wine is a new venture for Lagoalva, which is based in Tejo near Lisbon. Fermented in open stone fermenters, the wine is rich, endowed with fine tannins that are integrated into the full-bodied black fruits. The finish has acidity, layers of wood and a smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
Aged for a year in wood, this smooth, rich wine is structured and packed with ripe black-plum fruit. It is bold and generous with the fruits balanced by both acidity and dense tannins. The wine is just ready to drink although it will be better from 2017.
This is a rich complex wine from a great vintage Port year. It has much of the same intense fruit as the vintage wines but with the advantage of longer aging in barrel to allow the rich dark plum and spice to be more ready to drink. It is bottled to be drunk now although another six months into 2017 will make it even better.
Spicy, lemony acidity balances out a classic barrel imprint of oakiness and toast in this medium-bodied, concentrated wine. Silky-smooth on the palate, it rewards patience in the glass and will pair well with rich, creamy foods.
The nose signals crunchy, crisp red apple, which also follows through on the sprightly, wonderfully foamy and fresh palate of exquisitely small bubbles. This is light but full-fruited, brimming with all the crunch of Red Delicious and Braeburn apples supported by just a little shortbread richness from the yeast. There is concentration and poise, utter freshness and quite a bit of length.
A lovely rich apple scent of Golden Pearmain pervades nose and palate of this fresh sparkler. The palate is fresh and light-bodied, yet characterized by an almost honeyed richness of apple notes and freshly baked apple crumble. The finish is wonderfully dry, full-fruited, fresh and long.
Ripe, rich fruit flavors and a handsome streak of spicy oak make this full-bodied Rhône-style blend luscious and tempting. Great fruit concentration and a nicely viscous texture team up with soft tannins and an almost-sweet finish.
Dry and sappy, this potent effort is heavily influenced by botanical flavors, to the point of being almost grassy. Dry extract and lemon/lime acidity keep the riper fruit flavors in check, but with ample breathing time the wine fills in with highlights of fresh peaches.
A vivid buttered-popcorn aroma and luscious vanilla and lemon-meringue flavors make this wine frothy and mouthfilling. Made in 100% new Hungarian oak barrels and aged for 20 months, it's full-bodied, so rich in texture that it seems almost sweet, with good balancing support from mild acidity.
The wine is rich and spicy with layers of dried raisin and prune flavors along with a light touch of acidity. Its ripe fruit is tempered by the bite of spirit that gives the wine a lift as well as adding extra richness. On the dry side of Ports, it is made to be drunk now.
Ripe, earthy aromas of cola, coconut, blackberry and cassis are healthy and heady. Reflecting a warm year, this wine feels both flush and fleshy, with mild tannins. Flavors of blackberry, mocha and coffee finish clean, open and easy, with nothing overbearing. Drink through 2019.
Burly and powerful, this is an explosively complex and satisfying wine, full bodied and brooding in black cherry and tobacco, its tannins mild and lengthy.
This well-made wine opens in earthy compost and black licorice before unwinding a topknot of grippy tannin. Even with its power and concentration, it offers velvety mouthfeel and an expansive wave of juicy, robust acidity, particularly on the finish, making good use of smaller additions of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot.
This unusual rosé is all Pinot Gris, picked for thick skins, chewy tannins, high acidity, and given a 36-hour cold soak prior to fermentation. It's a pale salmon/copper shade, full-bodied and juicy, with fruit flavors of peach and citrus. Highlights of hibiscus tea and floral aromatics contribute further complexity.
Vibrant and elegant, this radiant sparkler has enticing aromas of wild flower, apple, graphite, Alpine herb and a whiff of bread crust. The fresh linear palate delivers ripe pear, nectarine, mineral and a hint of toasted almond alongside lively acidity. The bone-dry finish closes crisp and clean.
This very small-production offering deserves its reserve labeling, a nicely balanced and concentrated wine with aromas and flavors of baked bread, big leather, cigar and black peppercorn. Tense on the finish, it shows promise of opening further in time. Drink now through 2023.
The famous growers branch out into their own wines with aplomb in this 100% varietal wine, tangoing with a much sought-after grape from their property. Sanguine and gamy, it's structured in good acidity and low oak, showing a succulence of blackberry.
Sourced from two vineyards, including Sangiacomo Amaral Ranch, a cool site near the bay, this is a tremendous offering for the price. The wine is light, bright and brambly in raspberry and cherry kirsch, with a mischievous streak of cola. Pretty and fresh, it finishes in a tease of black tea.
This 100% varietal wine celebrates what the variety can do when planted in the right place. Remarkable layers of dried plum and cherry come with additional flavors of cocoa powder, coffee and leather. Smooth and medium bodied, it has a grip of tannin on the finish that mellows going down.
Tight and textured, this wine is still young. Minerality from the chalk soil gives it a nervy, crisp character. The citrus and fresh pear flavors are balanced with the bright, juicy acidity that is too intense at the moment and needs to soften. Drink from 2017.
This is a ripe, richly fruity wine. It has the full-bodied character associated with Pouilly Fumé, bringing out ripe green fruits, apricots and a tangy, zesty background that gives a lift. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
Made with dried Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes, this offers intense aromas of candied fruit and maple syrup. The concentrated palate doles out dried apricot, caramel, pine nut and lavender honey. Fresh acidity brightens the sweet flavors and lends balance.
This Bulgarian red blend is produced under the supervision of flying winemaker Michele Rolland. It consists of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. It has aromas of black raspberry, black plum and a touch of graphite. In the mouth, there are flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with chewy tannins and a pleasantly tart finish.
Cabernet makes up three-quarters of this blend. Appealing aromas of dried herbs, blue fruit, coffee and spice lead to sweet, full-feeling cherry and plum flavors backed by a light grip of tannins.
This is a pretty traditional blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault that's backed up by the aromas of clove and ripe cherries. It's firm yet silky in texture, adding notes of dried herbs and baking spices on the palate. Drink 2017–2025.
Full-figured tannins wrap luxuriously around textured layers of cranberry and black cherry in this blockbuster wine. A subtle minerality forms in the background, represented best by the taste of orange peel, before it finishes densely concentrated. Drink now through 2021.
On the south side of the village of Chablis, the Vaillons vineyard is on the cool, left bank of the river Serein. It is fruity with a creamy texture and a line of steely acidity that often marks out the premier crus, giving this wine the chance to age. Drink from 2017.
Beautifully perfumed, this offers crisp sliced apples lifted by juicy acidity. Lively, mineral and still young and textured, it needs to age. Drink this complex, long-lived wine from 2018.
This wine entices with its nuanced aromas of mineral, spice, almond butter, lemon pith, tropical fruit and chamomile. The flavors are concentrated while still showing exquisite restraint along with pitch-perfect balance. The extended finish kicks it up a notch.
Underbrush, mature berry, leather and grilled herb aromas lead the way. The ripe, chewy palate offers juicy wild cherry, cinnamon, menthol and a hint of anise while seasoned tannins give the finish a firm grip. It's rather straightforward but enjoyable. Drink 2018–2025.
Integrated and low in oak, this bright, clean and refreshing white doesn't skimp on body or texture. Lemon and lime rind play off toasted almond and apple crisp for a satisfying seesaw of savory and succulent.
This white wine seems to channel the stony soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, displaying aromas of crushed stone and melon. That's backed up by ample weight and more stoniness on the palate and a long, mouthwatering finish featuring hints of ginger and white pepper.
This Long Island winery's venture into making overseas wines offers rewards courtesy of this Petit Verdot-led blend from Mallorca. Rubbery, smoky aromas of blackberry and black olive set up a chunky, chewy palate with full ripeness. Flavors of baked blackberry, core spice and chocolate end with warmth but subdued richness. Drink through 2022.
Owned by the producer, this vineyard is planted to small-cluster Dijon clones in the heart of the appellation, near San Pablo Bay. Rich and voluptuous, it's intensely oaken and decadent in tropical pineapple, guava and pear, finishing clean and full bodied.
This vineyard is a premier site for this variety, taming the mean, green aromas and flavors it can be associated with. Aromas of peppery spices, green herbs and cherry are followed by soft, sultry dark fruit flavors that show exquisite balance and length.
This big mouthful of wine offers great value. Smelling like licorice and chocolate and tasting like superripe berries and black figs, this brute has full body, great concentration and richness of flavor, a thick but soothing texture, and a long, lingering finish.
A thick, decadent and dark wine with 5% Malbec blended in, this spent almost two years in nearly all new French oak, giving it a backbone of vanilla oak and toast. Atop that density and richness sits high-toned characteristics of plum and cassis.
Fresh pear and jasmine rise on the nose of this wine, a fulsome, full-bodied version of the variety that's creamy in vanilla and caramel undertones. Rewarding with food, it finishes fresh and fruity.
This wine comes from the two districts of Bué and Sancerre, from vines that are between 30 and 60 years old. A blend of richness and a tight mineral structure, it is a firm wine, full of white fruit and likely to age well. Drink from 2018.
This ripe, full wine has layers of green fruits over the acidity and mineral texture. It is structured and shows plenty of tight texture. But the fruitiness dominates, giving a refreshing edge and a crisp aftertaste.
Mourvèdre (47%) and Grenache (37%) are in the lead on this wine with the balance Syrah, Counoise and Picpoul. The aromas of red and black fruit, brown stems, green olive, coffee and spice are initially faint while the tart red-fruit flavors bring a sense of delicacy and restraint.
Don't be fooled by the Washington label. This is Yakima Valley fruit coming from a site next to esteemed Boushey Vineyard. Aromas of fresh herbs, brown stems, red fruit, graphite, bacon fat and orange peel lead to a mouthful of generous fruit flavors. The finish persists.
Initially intense in caramel and salty toffee, this wine offers a vibrant strip of acidity that provides backbone and levity to the body and oak. Floral and fruity in yuzu, it presents itself in a big style, but ultimately finishes with balance.
From a site planted by Steve MacRostie in 1998, this white sings in complexity and tension, providing tart jolts of lemon verbena, ginger and nutmeg. Complex and elegant, especially in its floral perfume, it drinks voluptuously, full of come-hither ripeness.
Exemplary Gran Reserva Rioja blending modernity with the best traditions of this famed region. Perfumed, lush and complex to start, then vibrant in the mouth, with excellent integration of flavors, acidity and tannins. Tastes of fine tobacco, mulled blackberry, chocolate and dry spices. Proper as the textbook calls for but individual as well. Best from 2014–2018.
Blaufränkisch dominates this blend with Merlot and Zweigelt. This flagship wine from the Igler winery is powered by its perfumed fruit, cherry and red berry flavors, ripe and juicy at the same time. There is no question of the ageability of this concentrated, complex wine.
This may be the quintessential site among the extensive Milbrandt vineyards that produce much of the K Vintners Syrah lineup. The Northridge bottling has amazing purity and concentration, with a beguiling mix of deep berry fruits and gravelly minerality. Supple power, muscular and dense.
From the estate vineyard, located in the cobblestone-rich area known as The Rocks, this cellar-worthy effort is complex and riveting. Berries and citrus, juicy and tart, cling to the palate and pull through to a lingering finish. Pure and deep all the way through.
A similar blend to the Ovide; this is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah. The fruit is more forward here, with pretty blackberry and black cherry flavors, and a dark and forceful streak of iron and charcoal and licorice. A light lavender note adds interest.
A deep and compact wine with Syrah fruit styled with a Cabernet-like verticality, this layers ripe berry fruit with streaks of graphite, ash and rock. The flavors persist through a lingering, super clean finish with the balance and acidity to age. What are initially tightly wound subtleties of herb and spice may well expand into nuanced complexity over the next decade or more.
A Burgundian take on Viognier, barrel fermented in 30% new French oak, put through M-L, and aged 18 months in barrel. Predictably dark and smooth, with a rich mix of soft, ripe stone fruit and barrel flavors. It's a bold style, showing plenty of toast and oak, but also concentrated and peachy, with lemon verbena, Key lime and a hint of honey.
With its excellent concentration of pure fruit power, this is like taking your mouth through a 100 yard dash of raspberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit, right down the heart of the throat. Along the way you find a tight wrapping of rock and espresso, but it's the snappy, sappy fruit that really shines here. Great length.
Pure and penetrating, with full berry aromas and power throughout. Tight and generous in the mouth, with nice acidity and structured tannins. Tastes toasty and black, with loads of berry, chocolate and spice flavors. Impressive and big; drink now through 2017.
This wine is made from 57% Petit Verdot (a variety of increasing interest, it seems) from mountain sites. An additional 29% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon help soften its tastes of black licorice, leather and black currant, dotted by a dash of black olive. Opaque in color, it's savory and sizable in body without becoming overly concentrated. Drink now through 2021.
Aromas of oak, toast, espresso, peppermint and a whiff of blue flower lead the nose. The firm palate offers dark cherry, cake spice, grilled herb and anise alongside tightly wound, assertive tannins and bright acidity.
This wine captures the passion fruit notes typical of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, then underscores them with a silky textural element. Hints of white nectarine and celery stalk add nuance to the long, white-grapefruit-inflected finish.
Aromatic blueberry scents this wine on nose and palate. The body is light but vivid with white pepper and crunchy, fresh, vibrant fruit. This is St. Laurent picked at exactly the right point of ripeness: luscious but still bright! A real treat with its long, smooth finish.
This wine contains 7% estate Cabernet Franc, showing bittersweet elements of dark chocolate, cedar and currant around an extracted core that drinks full-bodied, boldly structured and lush.
A sour tinge of toasty oak invites one in aromatically and taste-wise in this vineyard-designate, from such a stellar Westside Road site. Gravenstein apple and melon pique the palate while it remains balanced and beautifully textured through the spicy finish.
An enticing cedar and cinnamon aroma leads to robust spiced plum flavors and a lively combination of fine tannins and good acidity for balance. This is a bold, flavorful and ripe-tasting wine that also stays poised and appetizing. Not shabby at all and it should improve through at least 2020.
Aromas of red plum, herbs, smoky leather and toast crust unveil this Cab Franc with 5% Malbec. An expansive palate is the opposite of restrained, while this tastes earthy and spicy, with herbal cherry, plum and cassis flavors. A dry, composed, lightly herbal finish is a fine conclusion. Drink through 2022.
This Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault blend has ripe, textured red-berry fruits that give weight and richness. A tangy texture, almost mineral, in the background shapes the spicy, peppery aftertaste.
There's an exotic perfumey-ness to this wine that almost suggests patchouli, so relaxed and complex it is. Medium-bodied with an inviting layering of black cherry and stemmy earthiness, it's curiously riddled in white pepper as it finishes.
Known for great values, McManis has upped the ante with this outstanding blend made largely from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It has a gorgeous, spicy, new-leather, new-oak aroma, and similarly complex, minty and intriguing flavors. The wine tastes full-bodied, firmly tannic but well balanced and poised in style.
Bright and vivacious black and red berries meet with dill, mint and white sage on the nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard, with a touch of sweet pine wood as well. Dried purple flowers are prominent on the sip, where touches of asphalt, charcoal and beef in a blackberry sauce are boosted by peppery spice.
Delicate scents of spring blossom, exotic fruit, hazelnut and a whiff of oak emerge on this radiant white. The linear, elegant palate offers tangerine zest, yellow apple, mineral and bitter almond accompanied by vibrant acidity. It's loaded with finesse.
Whiffs of balsamic vinegar, leather and spice accent this rustic yet elegant Merlot. Ripe red cherry and raspberry flavors brighten the palate, but complexities of tobacco and riding saddle maintain that deeply savory tone. Coarse, fine-grained tannins and brisk acidity lend structure and gravitas.
This wine plays at the edges of ripeness, providing well-structured citrus and spice atop layered acidity. Aromas of salted caramel give it an additional intrigue before a lean, fresh finish.
This lovely wine has a great depth of decadent, succulent aromas of citrus and apple blossom, that explode around tangy acidity. Pear, quince and lemongrass-ginger spice dot the palate in measured, beautiful ways, finishing balanced and crisp.
A buttery style, this bottling offers popcorn, sea salt caramel and vanilla cookies on the nose alongside tropical coconut, ripe peach and banana fruit, all judiciously presented. There's an immediate sizzle of acidity to cut through the butter on the palate, where pan-fried apples, squeezed lemons and almonds make for an excellent California Chardonnay.
Made in a very ripe, supple style, this medium-bodied wine boasts plenty of dark cherry fruit. Hints of wind-blown dust give it a welcome non-fruity edge, while the silky tannins linger elegantly on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Winemaker Jesse Katz combines 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc in this blockbuster of a deal, a flavorful, well-crafted wine that impresses in its voluptuous body and spicy seasonings. Raspberry syrup, tar and a mix of cedar and sage accent a grip of tannin that softens in the glass.
Now winemaker for Swanson, Robin Ackhurst excels here in this tiny production of his own wine, which exhibits exotic plum and juicy blackberry. A 100% varietal offering, it has a girth of structured tannin and toasty oak.
Aromas of dried herb, bay leaf, spice, dried flowers and dark fruit are followed by tart, spritely cranberry and cherry flavors. It possesses a real sense of freshness and elegance.
This formidable Rhône-style blend has a deep color, smoky, toasted, and grilled-meat aromas, a dense and chewy texture and focused flavors like blackberries and black pepper. The concentration is quite good, the balance and tannins are very firm, preparing this wine for a long life. Drink after 2019.
This wine is an intrigue of lavender, rose and kirsch, young in firm tight tannins and tension. Black pepper, cherry and a light-bodied weight provide smooth drinkability and elegance, just waiting for the tannin to settle down. Drink now through 2020.
This 125-acre vineyard in the hills to the north of Aix-en-Provence has 24 acres dedicated solely to this rosé. It is delicious, fruity, and just right in its light tang of minerality that makes it both structured and refreshing, with a ripe yellow fruit aftertaste.
This wine has just about the lightest pink color possible, very tempting floral and cherry aromas, and vibrant, mouthwatering cherry and grapefruit flavors. It's essentially light in body but so alive with fruit that it will drink well with almost any dish.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this delicious white opens with aromas of citrus blossom and white stone fruit. The tangy, medium-bodied palate offers a lovely depth of flavors that include juicy tangerine, lime, white peach, bitter almond and mineral. Crisp acidity brightens the rich flavors and carries through to the clean finish.
As usual, the team at Craggy Range has turned out an excellent rendering of Sauvignon Blanc from the estate vineyard in Martinborough. There's a lovely, lively interplay of stone fruit, citrus and subtle grassiness, plus a plump, silky mouthfeel and a smooth, elegant finish.
This big but smooth wine has a seductive spicy, oaky aroma, rich and generous fruit flavors, a good layer of tannin to add mouthfeel and a lingering, delicious finish. The layers of flavor match layers of texture for an irrestible combo. 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% of the Portuguese variety Touriga Nacional contribute to the flavor complexity.
The sparkling wine producer shows off its prowess with still wines in this inaugural vineyard-designate from the well-loved Hyde. Tart lemon and green apple flavors highlight a brisk acidity that never tastes lean, and instead offers full-bodied luxury without the weight. Chameleon-like in that way, it's also juicy, structured and dotted in salty lemongrass.
The pale rosé color doesn't detract from this concentrated, ripe wine that offers yellow fruits, orange zest and spicy flavors. Pure acidity gives intense freshness and an impressive depth of flavor. The wine will be better after more aging, so drink from late 2016.
Rubber, shoe polish, blackberry and blueberry aromas control the bouquet on this Limarí Syrah. This feels gritty and tannic, while flavors of roasted black fruits and chocolate come across a touch reduced. Toast, chocolate and ripe berry flavors define the finish.
This is a rounded, rich and soft wine with a creamy texture and ripe pear and lime flavors contrasting with lively acidity. It has a smooth character, but with a bite of spice, lemon zest and minerality. Drink now. Screwcap.
With its herb and green olive aromas, this is not a typical value-priced Australian Shiraz. It's surprisingly complex, adding just enough red berry fruit into the mix while staying on the savory, herbal side of the tracks. The tannins are supple, fading into an ashy touch on the finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Sonas is half Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has graham cracker scents and flavors, and a soft, smooth mouthfeel. The red plum fruit is swathed in plenty of mocha flavors; a most enjoyable, unpretentious wine.
This wine starts off herbal and earthy, with forward aromas of pepper, tree bark and cherry tree. The palate is rich and velvety, with ripe notes of raspberry, blackberry and plum. Dusty tannins provide a nice texture, while the medium-length finish boasts a spicy cocoa flavor.
A lush, creamy Sauvignon Blanc from Foothills producer C.G. di Arie, which has traveled to Lodi here for its fruit. Full and rich, the wine has a pronounced taste of lime, especially on the finish. It is dry and crisp, ready for goat cheese and seafood.
With aromas of the apricots that ripen so well in the Wachau, this is a fragrant, perfumed, intensely fruity wine. It is stylish with white fruits, a mineral texture and bright acidity at the end. It's worth aging a year or two. Screwcap.
A blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's ripe and succulent with notes of cherry, vanilla and sweet spices supported by tart acids and tightly wound tannins.
A blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Chardonnay, this is bright and expressive, with forward aromas of white peach, yellow florals, fresh grass and sweet-orange citrus. Those notes carry through to the lively palate, with prickly acidity that keeps the finish crisp and clean.
This wine is fascinating on the nose with notes of ripe tropical fruit and heather mixed with dark, earthy scents of wax and lanolin. Dry in style with a rich, weighty mouthfeel, it finishes mysteriously with a smoky, floral flair.
Blended with ten percent Syrah and aged in neutral oak, this wine from the cool 2011 vintage brings notes of black pepper, plum, and game. It's full bodied and intense with tart flavors and firm, somewhat dry tannins.
Initially this smells oaky, pasty and lactic, but with time it opens to reveal blackberry and cassis aromas. The palate is lively and offers healthy acidic cut. Flavors of creamy berry, oak and plum end with a creamy feeling and lightly lactic tasting finish. Overall this is a polished wine with minimal varietal character.
This new offering from Gamache Vintners is a Bordeaux-style blend made from 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the Gamache and Champoux vineyards. Pretty cherry lollipop fruit carries a whiff of barnyard, and the tannins finish with an herbal echo.
This is a quintessential expression of young Nebbiolo, with pretty floral and strawberry notes that carry onto the palate, along with raspberry and mineral nuances and a whiff of spice. A bright, elegant wine made to be drunk young. Imported by Masciarelli Wine Co, Moonlight Wine Co.
This medium-weight Shiraz features subtle campfire notes from start to finish, underscoring its cherry and mint aromas and flavors. Fresh and friendly, it features a soft dusting of tannins on the finish. Drink it now and over the next few years.
This is an internationally-styled Barolo, with oak-driven aromas of toasted wood and roasted coffee beans. The palate shows black fruit flavors layered with oak, vanilla and espresso, accompanied by astringent wood tannins.
This starts with dense, murky, earthy aromas of stewed black fruits and rubber. In the mouth, it feels full and aggressive, with rubbery tannins supporting thick, herbal flavors of rooty black fruits. A chunky, chewy, layered finish is generous in every way.
A simple, big and fruity Malbec, softer than many although with all the right richness. This is a wine for drinking now, with its mature plum flavors and leather aroma. The French number for the department (county) of Cahors is 46.
This blend of 60% Carmenère and 40% Carignan opens with campfire, cassis, chocolate, oak and minty aromas. A wall of acidity greets you on the palate, creating a clampy, rough feel. In terms of flavor, oak is up front and behind that there's graphite and minty, herbal fruit in front of a finish with tobacco, vanilla and length.
Intensely aromatic, intensely fruity, this Riesling packs a powerful punch of flavor within a delicate frame. The fruit profile is tropical with concentrated guava and mango flavors spiced with hints of white pepper. It's semi-sweet in style, but bracing acidity leaves the finish quite dry.
This bold, fruity wine is all red berries and ripe cherry flavors. It has good juiciness, soft tannins and it will be ready to drink soon. A bright wine, with great acidity at the end.
Red berry, sweet cherry and ripe plum aromas come with a touch of leather. The palate feels a bit sharp and acidic, with tangy, juicy flavors of plum and wild berry as well as some stalkiness. Cleansing and long on the finish thanks to high acidity.
Solid and straightforward, this refreshing and vibrant Sauv Blanc is light and approachable, with aromas and flavors of lemon, sweet grass and pineapple core throughout. A crowd-pleasing selection for entertaining.
With a light touch of spice and some richness, this is a dry style of Pinot Gris. It has a kiwi fruit flavor along with white fruits, and finishes with pepper. Screwcap.
Charred and burnt-smelling, and those aromas are overpowering although not necessarily bad. Feels big and tannic, with bite to go with dark flavors of bitter coffee, roasted black plum and wild berry. The charred, burnt character that controls the bouquet returns with a fury on the finish.
The oak treatment stands out a little in this wine, imparting a dusty, wood-smoke component as well as plenty of vanilla. The cherry fruit is otherwise nicely presented, with ample weight and a touch of creaminess to the texture.
Floral and lightly earthy on the nose, with a touch of latex. Feels fresh and pure, with fine acidity pressing bright flavors of red cherry and raspberry. Gets toastier and darker on the finish, ending with spice and clarity.
This blend of 67% Viognier, 19% Chenin Blanc and 14% Grenache Blanc is crisp and tasty, with forward aromas of pear, hard peach, yellow florals and a touch of oak-driven spice. Roundly structured, with a lush texture and a nice, clean herbal characteristic to the close. Drink now.
Made from organic grapes, Yorkville's light-bodied Merlot is dry and herbal, with cedar in spades rounded out by elegant plum and chocolate softness. This vintage has 10% Cabernet Sauvignon as well, and would match well with lighter meats, like chicken.
Flashy notes of wood-grilled apple, brioche and apricot fill the nose. The mouth is round and the palate spicy, as flavors of ginger and cedar dominate the stone fruit.
Opens with aromas of black cherry and waves of resiny oak. Has good body and grabby barrel tannins along with a palate that deals dark berry flavor and even more oakiness. Tastes resiny and saucy on the finish; cleans up as it airs.
The relatively cool Adelaide Hills are making a name for their Sauvignon Blanc, and this example shows a restrained, grassy bouquet and flavors of grapefruit and tangerine. It's plump on the midpalate, then almost razor-sharp on the finish. Drink now.
Rustic on the nose, with scents of dried herbs and grass that mingle with pretty rose and tea-leaf notes, this wine is an unusual blend of Turkish Öküzgözü and Boazkere grapes with Syrah and Petit Verdot. Full bodied and soft on the palate, with ripe, red-fruit and mocha-chocolate flavor, it finishes with a coating of furry tannins.
The fruit shines here—pears and apples aplenty—with textural notes of citrus rind. Balanced, with medium length, it's a young, clean, lip-smacking style, with more density than most Oregon Pinot Gris.
Tart and spicy, the latest release of Adelsheim's iconic Auxerrois opens with grapefruit and lemon zest, shows excellent grip and length, and moves into subtle details of lime, citrus, and ginger. A unique and interesting wine, crisp as a new dollar bill.
While the wine has weight, it also has intense mineral structure. It piles the citrus flavors over more notes of apples and apricots, a medley of fruits that are shaped into a firm, concentrated structure. The wine has acidity along with a light toast edge.
Dark in color and flavor, the Crannell brings ripe fruit flavors of black cherry and prune. Smooth and full-bodied, with an easy-drinking roundness to the mouthfeel, it finishes softly with all components well integrated.
Casas del Bosque makes some of the most pungent, expressive Sauvignon Blancs in Chile. This vintage fits the blueprint; it's forward, punchy and full of passion fruit, white grapefruit and tarragon on both the bouquet and palate. Shows mineral components, saline and scallion on the finish. A high-quality wine with a commensurate price tag.
With its new wood and mint flavors, this is a smooth, polished wine, full of delicious ripe black fruit flavors and acidity. The wine is elegant, the wood already well integrated into the fruit. Age for 3–4 years.
A big, bold wine that is full of dense fruit and sweet berry flavors. It has weight and richness, the structure stuffed with pure, ripe Malbec fruit that has not been in wood. Delicious and worth aging 2–3 years.
A complete wine that starts with lemony oak-based aromas that come with notes of herb, spice and dark-berry fruit. Feels layered, ripe and fresh, with full, sweet flavors of brown sugar, herb and baked berry and plum. Chocolaty and smooth on the finish. Drink now through 2014.
This clean and leesy Chardonnay was fermented half in stainless, half in neutral oak. Its flavors are apple, melon and celery, with a lightly beery, textural mouthfeel that refreshes and lingers. Just a hint of toast comes up on the finish.
Good concentration and a classic Oregon Pinot mix of herb and fruit characterize this winning effort. Dried herb, thistle, berry, cherry and a Dr. Pepper streak are all in the mix, with hints of earth and stem.
A taut wine with dense tannins and tight black-currant flavors. There is a stalky element here, although the wine's structure should soften over the next 2–3 years.
Smoky on the nose, with a hint of rubber and good red-fruit purity. Feels tight, with modest tannic grab and dark flavors of baked berry, leather and earthy density. Shows complexity on the finish via tobacco and light herbal notes.
A blockbuster of a wine, very dense, packed with medicinal flavors and notes imparted by wood aging. It shows the solid structure of the 2008 vintage, and certainly needs aging.
Rubbery and gassy at first, with a ton of barrel power that pushes charred aromas onto the nose. Feels correct and well-balanced, with honest Pinot flavors of red fruits, herbs and baked earth. Tastes and feels harmonious.
A perfumed, floral white, its citrus character is laced with flavors of apricot and green plums. This is a summer day's wine with a cool, refreshing feel to its smooth and ripe texture.
The spice and juicy fruit give the wine its intense strawberry flavor. To balance its fruit, the tannins lend a firm background structure. The wine has just the right weight, and its soft aftertaste, it's ready to drink now.
A sweet wine that is packed with botrytis and also intense acidity. Honey, apricot and orange peel of the Riesling are blended with spicy Gewurztraminer, giving a taut, still young wine. Keep 3–4 years.
Emphasizes intense passion fruit aromas that grow more pungent upon breathing. Feels tangy as it dances on the palate, with passion fruit, lemon-lime and tarragon flavors. Long and focused on the finish, with tons of zest.
Dense and dark smelling, with coconut, tobacco, perfumed berry fruit and leather aromas. Feels powerful and layered, with tough tannins and a rugged overall mouthfeel. Flavors of dark berry, toast, herb and spice are rewarding, while the finish is herbal and chocolaty.
Dark, sappy and reductive, it shows skillful winemaking and sensitivity to vineyard management. The color is there, the aromas are pure and the flavors are balanced, without being overripe. It captures a pleasing mix of berries and currants. Tannins are quite dry and lightly peppery.
This off-dry (11.5% alcohol) Riesling is a fruit-driven wine, with a tangy sweet/tart mouthfeel reminiscent of Vouvray. Meyer lemon, apricot, lime and candied pineapple flavors pile on. There's plenty of natural acid to cut through the sweetness.
This is soft and round with pleasing flavors of black cherry and plum. Hints of coffee and chocolate do not tamper with the basic core of clean, ripe fruit. It's quite nicely made, drinking well, and comes into focus in the extended finish.
A bit Crozes-Hermitage-like, to tell the truth, with peppery, floral notes accenting crisp cherry-berry fruit, and slightly drying tannins on the finish. Not a typical Pinot Noir, but a nice drink nonetheless.
Though no new oak was used in the élévage of this wine, it has a lovely, toasty backdrop to the aromas of fresh rose petals, spicy tobacco and tart plum. This is nicely rounded, keeping the acids from dominating and allowing the fruit to display itself gently and without any rough edges. In the mouth the acids come forward, but they are so fresh, natural and clean that it's a genuine pleasure.
A tart, tangy Shiraz of only medium weight, this wine offers only moderately complex flavors of plum, tinged with coffee, leather and black olive.
Mint and crushed mineral aromas mix with floral scents and barrel resin to form a solid bouquet. The palate is a touch racy and sharp, and thus there's tartness to the cherry and raspberry flavors. Not sour or underdone, but definitely tilts to the red-fruit side of things.
An attractively crisp wine that is already well developed. There is lemon drop sweetness in the dosage and ripe grapefruit flavors. The wine is balanced and fruity.
This tasty, well-built wine is light in color, moderate in fruit flavor and has interesting spicy accents. The mouthfeel is broad and generous but also nicely supported by a light lacing of tannin.
Rubbery, leathery berry aromas are edged with woody accents. There's intensity and depth to the palate, which doles out rustic plum and berry flavors. A moderately powerful but ripe finish concludes this likable Mencía from a good year.
This blend holds fruit from Olsen and Red Willow vineyards. Aromas start out lightly reduced, followed by notes of stone fruit, spice and mineral. The peach flavors are full bodied, bringing generosity and appeal.
An interesting blend of indigenous Bulgarian and uncommon French varieties, this red wine is made from equal parts Melnik, Mourvèdre and Marselan. It offers aromas of red cherry, cassis and leather, while flavors suggest black cherry and tart cherry pie. It has fine tannins and a persistent finish.
Aromas of lemon zest, lemongrass and lime juice prepare the palate for flavors of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, tart apple and white peach. The finish is brisk and pleasantly acidic.
This wood-aged wine is full of generous fruits. The hints of toast from are already well integrated into the elegant structure. A blend of Touriga Nacional with Merlot and Aragonez, allows ripe fruit to speak easily and with just a touch of tannin. Drink this wine now.
This is a generous black-fruit-driven wine. It has great fruit with some spice from wood. The tannins are firm while giving plenty of richness. With its black plum and berry flavors now developing well, it should be ready from 2018.
A lovely touch of smoke and earth plays around the honeysuckle and peach notes. The palate adds even more stone fruit: apricot and juicy mirabelle. They are boosted by some residual sweetness that makes for an easy, friendly and fluid palate. The finish is off dry, peachy and floral.
From the ripe 2015 vintage, this is a smooth opulent wine. With its citrus and pear fruits, rich acidity and tangy aftertaste, this concentrated wine is balanced and ready to drink.
This amber-colored wine offers a clean bouquet of green apple. Sophisticated flavors of tart apple, honeydew and sage play on the tongue amid chewy tannins that persist into a mouthwatering finish, with lingering notes of Mediterranean herbs.
Ripe raisin, vanilla, tobacco and cassis aromas are more than adequately oaked. This feels grippy and bold, with an oak-based resiny mouthfeel. Toasty blueberry and blackberry flavors finish with a final note of oak and heat.
Ripe berry aromas show a note of prune as well as mocha and vanilla scents. Tight clampy tannins roughen up the mouthfeel on this Maule Cabernet, while a fairly heavy wood element blends with flavors of herbal berry fruits and beef jerky. This is a full-volume wine with a full-volume finish. Drink through 2020.
This blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot has aromas of cherry, vanilla and a whiff of lifted eucalyptus. It conveys flavors of black cherry, red plum and dried herbs. Medium bodied, it has a persistent finish.
From a promising winery in the Morgan Hill area south of San Jose, this blend of 48% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 2% Carignane and 2% Petite Sirah shows deep, dark but not juicy black plum, condensed coffee and game aromas. There's firm structure to the palate, which is dense yet dry with elderberry, dark chocolate and violet flavors.
Oak dominates the nose of this wine, leading to maple, molasses and mint aromas. It's broad and grippy on the palate, with herbal plum and toasty oak flavors. Its big, tannic finish is bold, but somewhat one-note.
This delightful wine has aromas of dried violet, cocoa powder and cherry juice, with flavors of fresh cherry juice, dried herbs and pomegranate. It is balanced and has a touch of acidity in the finish.
This wine is an unusual blend of Barbera (40%), Malbec (25%), Sangiovese (21%) and Cabernet Franc. It works, with aromas of sweet baking spices, vanilla, cherry and herb that are followed by generous, velvety cherry flavors. The oak is very primary but it still brings appeal.
Villa's Seddon vineyard is located in the Awatere Valley—a Marlborough subregion that's generally cooler than the main valley. As a result, this is a slightly lighter, more herbal rendering of Pinot Noir, but one that avoids any overt greenness or astringency. It's complex, elegant and silky—just like more Pinots should be.
Incredibly rich and delicious aromas of vanilla, scotch, blackberry jam, strawberry preserves and cola get a dash of added intrigue from the green hint of pasilla chile. The palate shows dark chocolate and blueberry-boysenberry juice, proving very rich but not overly dense in mouthfeel.
An intriguing mix of pepper, rose petals, stone fruit and zesty lime creates a heady aroma. The palate is more toned down but all the more appealing for it. Rounded and concentrated, this is full of textural and aromatic interest. Ripe, washed-rind cheeses or spicy pan-Asian combinations would do this rich, layered wine real justice.
Perhaps Temecula's future is in Super Tuscans. This balanced blend of 50% Sangiovese, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc offers a complex nose of cranberry, pomegranate, pencil lead and chocolate sauce. Flavors of hot brick, white pepper, raspberry and stewed mushrooms rock the palate.
Fresh and fruity, this elegant Cab is supported by smaller percentages of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Firm tannins and a low imprint of oak allow the cinnamon-dusted black cherry and cassis to speak, girded by a fine structure and peppery finish.
Earthy cherry and wild strawberry notes form the core of this deep, concentrated and yet not overly dense wine. Herbal and teasingly tart as it shifts from midpalate to finish, it offers a last splash of nutmeg on the finale.
This standout blend—the best from this winery to date—is 68% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers a complex assortment of cocoa, pencil lead, tomato leaf, mocha, cherry and herb aromas. The café au lait flavors are silky soft and concentrated, framed by bright acidity and showing an exquisite sense of balance and texture that carries through the lingering finish.
This lower alcohol-style wine from the biodynamic-minded producer shows cranberry, orange rinds, chaparral scrub, dried oregano and a mix of green and kalamata olives on the nose. It's very savvy on the palate, with minced parsley, olive tapenade, cracked peppercorns and caper berries, all framed by mouth-watering acidity.
Everything you'd ever want in a Sauvignon Blanc is here—and then some. Grassy, herbal, citrusy aromas set the pace, joined by some slightly feral, wooly pungency that adds even greater complexity. On the palate, it's plump and mouthwatering without being excessively tart, and lingers gloriously on the finish.
Subtle aromatics of earthy rose petal surround this silky, light wine, steeped in acidity and a damp-forested quality. Spicy throughout in cinnamon, cardamom and grated nutmeg, the wine picks up a girth of thickness on the finish, a knot of tannin that gives it a swath of complexity and cellaring possibilities, through 2018.
A blend of Olsen Estates and Stillwater Creek vineyards, this wine pops with heaping amounts of black pepper and raw meat aromas along with dried herb grace notes. It's full of fruit and savory flavors, with firm tannins backing it all up. An impressive wine, this should have a long life ahead of it.
Faint but appetizing notes of crunchy, red cherry are joined by white pepper on the vivacious nose. This is a serious red, but by no means a heavy one. With its supple, soft but palpable tannins, as well as unashamed fresh cherry and spicy depth, this is an elegant, honest and beautiful rendition of Zweigelt. Medium bodied, it shows the elegant, spicy side of the variety without denying its lively, cherry-laden appeal.
A blend of 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, this wine is aromatically brooding with notes of coffee, mineral, flowers and cherry. The palate boasts abundant coffee and cherry flavors backed by firm tannins that need time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best after 2021, with a long life ahead of it.
Aromas of underbrush, red berry, cooking spice and Mediterranean brush lead the nose on this structured, polished wine. The firm palate delivers wild cherry, tobacco, savory herb, white pepper and a balsamic note alongside supple tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
This producer is honing in on the unconventional, sourcing Pinot Noir grapes from unlikely Napa Valley spots like Spring Mountain and Atlas Peak. The resulting wines are surprising and unpredictable in their complexity of savory blithe spirit, light and clear with edgy red cherry and tea, plenty structured, with lurking tannin. The floral aspect on the nose is compelling, as is the cardamon finish.
Aromas of spiced plum, dark-skinned berry, leather and a balsamic note waft out of the glass. The firm palate delivers juicy wild cherry, white pepper, game and aniseed alongside firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2020.
Violet, iris, leather, tobacco, vanilla and savory herb aromas lead the nose on this full-bodied wine. The structured palate delivers juicy morello cherry, crushed black cherry, anisette, black pepper and tobacco. It's brightened by firm acidity while bracing tannins provide support. It finishes on a licorice note. Give this time to unwind and develop complexity. Drink 2018–2025.
Made from a barrel selection of Keefer Ranch grapes, this wine flirts in juicy grenadine and red licorice on the nose, before developing into a more complex expression of supple tannins and likable acidity. Ripe and blood-orange sweet on the finish, it delivers elegance and finesse without holding back on the appellation's exuberance of fruit.
Made from a single-vineyard source of Pinot Noir grapes, this lovely pinkish-red wine is a celebration of wild strawberry. Dry, crisp and refreshing, it offers a twist of citrus on the finish and a floral backbone of honeysuckle.
This wine is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Syrah. It offers roasty-toasty aromas of dark coffee, bittersweet chocolate, char and cherry. The palate is appealing and silky in texture, showing elegant styling but with a lot of flavor intensity, followed by a lengthy finish. It's a pleasing mix of grace and power, barrel and fruit.
Preserved lemon and lemon curd combine for dramatic effect in this wine sourced from three estate-grown vineyard sites. Fleshy on the palate, it continues the lemon theme throughout, with weighty additions of oak and crème brûlée that hit their peak on the finish.
Silky in blueberry and boysenberry fruit, this is a balanced Pinot, tending toward black and blue fruit over red, with a bouquet of rose petals and truffled earth. With just a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg, it develops spiciness on the palate, finishing light and bright.
Winemaker Justin Mund worked at Laetitia for four years, so he knows the blocks, and picks this one well. The nose shows blackberry fruit but the unique parts are the beef blood and gamy pork aromas. It's sanguine on the palate at first, then opens to Bing cherries and eucalyptus oil.
Extremely pungent yet not overdone aromas of ruby red grapefruit, tropical flowers and passion-fruit juice show on this great interpretation of the often sweet-leaning grape. Despite the showy nose, it's quite tight and dry on the palate, with flavors of pear and apple skins, lime rinds and yellow grapefruit.
Wild berry and vanilla rise to the fore on this rose-petal-piqued vineyard-designate, the site planted by this producer. There's some girth on the midpalate, and depth of flavor, along with a supportive structure of oak and tannin, the entirety teased in complexity. It finishes juicy and refreshing in pomegranate, wild mushroom and spice.
This powerful, dense wine has a good, long journey to travel. The 20% wood aging has given a surprising amount of toastiness to the black plum fruit and intense acidity. It needs to age, so drink from 2020.
This wine doesn't hold back from the representative California-style on its rich and strong nose: candied apples, browned butter, vanilla candies, sea salt caramel, browned marshmallow, even some Olroso Sherry tones. Yet the palate brings it all into focus, with bitter peach skin, pithy lime and grippy apricot playing the foil to vanilla bean and butter. It's a bold yet expertly restrained wine.
Hailing mostly from renowned Les Collines (44%) and Lewis (41%) vineyards and rounded out by up-and-comer Stoney Vine, this wine isn't fully ready to reveal its aromatic charms. Notes of dried herb, green olive, licorice, earth and boysenberry are out in front of brooding blue and red fruit. The flavors, however, are in full bloom, with palate-coating, focused and almost creamy cherry and plum notes that persist on the finish.
A blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this structured wine opens with aromas of dried blue flower, leather, game, graphite, mature black fruit and baking spice. On the palate, velvety tannins support ripe blueberry, spicy plum and licorice. Drink through 2023.
Distant woodsmoke, ripe blueberry and notions of amarena cherry create an aromatic opening. The palate is toned and has an enticing, fresh-faced but sophisticated red cherry fruitiness in a taut structure. While this wine is concentrated, it also shows poise and a light-footedness. Elegance, aroma and finesse—all in one sip.
Here is a generous, full-throttle, high-octane Zin, with lots of rich oak accents and a touch of sweetness. Aromas of strawberry jam, maple syrup and hickory-smoked bacon are followed by rich fruit flavors, full body, light tannins and a jammy finish.
Flowery and balanced in crisp, dry flavors of lemon and pear, this wine takes its designation from the French word for fog, a nod to its cool-climate environs. Supple tannins and refined acidity round out the deal.
Here's a straightforward and fruity Nero d'Avola that offers delicious blackberry and black cherry flavors that are accented by a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The ripe palate is brightened by just enough fresh acidity.
This rounded white starts with aromas of lemon peel, orange jam, spice and flowers, followed by appealing flavors of citrus and white fruit. It has body and structure, and will temper spicy food well: think Indian, Szechuan.
Bristling in acidity and steely in wet stone, this SB is crisp and layered in lemon, with more lemon on the finish. It yearns for shellfish.
Earthy, dried-fruit aromas are dessicated, while oaky scents of vanilla and licorice offer complexity. This Garnacha-led blend feels jammy in structure; flavors of plum and raspberry come with herbal notes, while the finish is tangy due to pointed acidity, with strawberry flavors in support.
Only the faint smell of grass emerges from this wine, but the palate is another story, with fresh squeezed lime and brisk nectarine flavors. The mouthfeel starts rich and then zips up tight with nice acidity. This vibrant wine needs food that's both rich and exotic, so try Chinese or Indonesian.
A Cabernet with 12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot blended in, all from Sonoma Valley's Rancho Salina Vineyard, this wine is medium in weight and viscous. A nice mix of cedar and herbs play against savory cranberry and tobacco. The balanced acidity gives it a lift.
This opens with aromas of toast, plum and chocolate that are accented by whiffs of blue flower, tilled soil and leather. The palate offers black cherry, plum, nutmeg and clove alongside racy acidity and astringent wood tannins that dry out the finish.
Almost blue-black in color with a red-violet rim, this Syrah presents aromas of blackberry, mocha and a hint of green pepper. Simultaneously refreshing and well-rounded, it has pleasant flavors of blackberry, orange rind and chocolate-covered espresso bean.
Exuberant on the nose with aromas of ripe red cherries, peppery spices, herbs and just a touch of funky earth tones, there's a pleasurable rusticity to this Cabernet Franc. It's boldly structured with rich body and dense, drying tannins that hug the finish. It's lovely now, but should continue to evolve well over the next 3-5 years.
Made with Nero d'Avola, this bright, pretty wine offers juicy red cherry, strawberry and blackberry sensations along with notes of black pepper and mineral. Fresh and savory, this is made to be enjoyed young.
Made by blending 60% Corinto, 20% Nero d'Avola and 20% other varieties, this opens with aromas of underbrush, game, leather, spice and mature black fruit. The warm palate delivers smooth tannins and flavors of blackberry, prune and black pepper. This isn't an ager, so drink soon.
Here's a unique blend of two of Campania's little known grapes, Casavecchia and Pallagrello Nero. It opens with a pretty fragrance of blue flower, ripe berries and spice. The soft, round palate offers red berry and fleshy blackberry accented by cinnamon-toast notes. Drink soon.
This structured Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla and hints of toasted oak. The juicy palate delivers blackberry, raspberry, black pepper, licorice and espresso alongside bracing tannins. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish.
Whiffs of lychee and pink grapefruit accent fresh florals on this slightly off-dry Gewürztraminer. It's plush on the palate with juicy stone-fruit flavors, but also bright with lemony acidity. Finishes elegantly with a murmur of tea-leaf tannins.
Showing some wood-aging aromas, this is a rich, tropical fruit-flavored wine balanced by acidity that goes with its peach and mango flavors. Ready to drink, it will be even better in 2015.
While there is a strongly wooded aroma, the yellow fruits shine through on the palate. Attractively rounded and soft, the wine has bright acidity, a good citrus touch and a feeling of lightness. Drink from 2016.
With spice and dark coffee flavors, this wine shows some wood aging. It also has considerable acidity and the brightest strawberry fruit. Lively and fragrant at the end, it can be drunk now.
Full of red fruits, it also has a strong structure and firm tannins. For now, the wine is textured and dense. It needs to age and broaden out to give a softer feeling. Drink from 2018.
Fresh and fruity, it offers a touch of citrus as well as acidity with pear and red apple flavors. The lightest hint of wood rounds the wine out. Drink now.
Coming from a cool-climate appellation in a cool vintage and aged in neutral French oak, this wine has a vivid, precise fruit focus. Notes of black currant and blackberry are framed by tart, lively acidity and firm, dry tannins.
A perfumed wine, it's very fresh and bright with strawberry flavors as well as a delicate touch of tannin. A delicious wine to drink now.
Light and crisp, it offers layers of lemon chiffon and spicy pear. The at-first luxurious mouthfeel evolves smoothly into crisper, citrus-wrapped acidity. This is a sippable, ideal summer wine.
Tropical, citrusy aromas are about as good as this gets. The palate is cloying and the flavors of banana and burnt sugar finish sticky.
While 2007 was not the greatest vintage, Roederer managed to produce one of the best wines of the year. It is a great blend of mature yellow fruits, with a pure line of tangy orange zest. Tightly txtured, with bright acidity and steely minerality, it promises long aging. Drink until 2025, and possibly longer.
A beautifully balanced wine that exudes elegance as well as richness. It is drier than previous vintages of Cristal Rosé, yielding a bright, crisp and layered wine. Red fruits are married with orange zest and tight acidity. It can be drunk now, but it is a young wine and will certainly age well through 2022.
A superb, mature wine that is ripe, toasty and full of yellow- and white-fruit flavors. A fine balance brings up spice, an opulent texture, a taut edge of steel and a feeling that this fine wine is ready to drink. It can age, and it will be better over the next few years as its secondary aromas stay in balance with the fruitiness.
This wine is so crisp and piercingly direct in its acidity and minerality. On the palate, apples are fringed with grapefruit and white-currant flavors, with a texture that tight and edgy. Although hints of toast peek through, the wine is still young, so hold and don't drink before 2016.
This is a full-bodied and ripe wine, showing some toastiness as well as concentrated apple and peach flavors. There is a crisp edge to this opulent and rich wine. It has a great future: it is drinkable now, but will continue well into the 2020s.
This limited reserve incorporates the best of 82 different lots, some done in stainless steel, some in neutral oak, and some in concrete eggs. Phenomenal concentration reveals a wine packed with powerful fruit flavors that cover the spectrum of citrus, apple, peach and pear. The luscious combination is supported with natural acidity and an underlying minerality. It's deep, long and satisfying, with the structure to age for decades.
Although it is still young, this vintage of Cristal promises great things. There's an impressive balance between ripe fruit and crisp acidity, rich and food friendly, but also a fine apéritif. Apricot and grapefruit flavors are round and rich, but with considerable minerality as well. This is a beautiful wine that can improve with age, at least through 2030.
This is a beautiful wine, from its onion-skin pink color onward. It is, of course, mature, but still exhibits vibrant red and citrus fruits. It is very dry in style, a paean to delicious acidity. This great wine does not need to age longer, but still has some potential to improve for the next few years.
Profoundly aromatic, Schloss Vollrads's 2012 eiswein leaps from the glass with waves of orange, melon and yellow-flower perfume. It's intensely honeyed on the palate, with penetrating tangerine, peach and apricot flavors, spiked with saffron and spice. Unctuously sweet, it finishes long, with honed citrus acidity.
A powerful and dense wine, showing some rustic character, big red fruit and dark tannins. This superb wine has weight and concentration, balanced acidity and a growing sense of maturity. This wine from the legendary Mouchão estate needs considerable aging; drink from 2018.
Supple and structured, this delicious red offers scents of Mediterranean scrub, mint, blue flowers and ripe berries. Made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 20% Alicante, the juicy palate delivers Morello cherry, cassis, mocha and wild aromatic herb notes. Supple tannins carry the savory flavors. Enjoy through 2016.
Red currant, blackberry and cedar aromas mingle in the glass. The focused, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy black cherries, crushed raspberries, tobacco and white pepper alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. A licorice note closes the finish.
Asian pear, crisp lime juice and crushed chalk show on the nose of this very restrained wine from one of the region's top-tier producers. The palate is framed in lively acidity and strong minerality, presenting flavors of white rocks, lemon peel and brie rind. A nice amount of grip will ensure some aging potential too.
Aromas of black currant, cedar, eucalyptus and dried Mediterranean herbs lead the nose of this full-bodied blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. On the structured but polished palate, notes of dark chocolate, black pepper and anise accent the juicy black cherry core. It's richly textured and balanced with velvety tannins.
Demure apple and pear aromas belie the intensely honeyed peach and tropical fruit flavors that burst from this feather-light nectar. A crush of lemon-lime acidity cuts through the sweetness, leading a long, laser-focused finish. Drinks well now, but will develop well through at least 2025.
The color is on the light side, with a garnet to brick hue. Intriguing aromas of forest floor, tobacco and black cherry waft out of the glass. Rich flavors suggest dark fruits, clove, cola and anise, and the texture is simultaneously generous and firmly tannic. Very complex and well balanced overall, it is just nicely medium bodied.
A tasty array of delicious fruit flavors merges with meaty, savory, smoky nuances in this full-bodied, bold-tasting and very enjoyable wine. It smells like blackberries, blueberries and oak smoke, and tastes more wild and beefy until a wave of fruit envelops the finish. It shows interesting complexity along with lip-smacking allure.
Earthy aromas of black loam and graphite give complexity to accents of beet juice and dried purple flowers on this wine by longtime Rideau Winery winemaker Andres Ibarra, who also manages La Presa Vineyard. Deep purple florals of violet and lavender hit the palate along with cooked peppercorns, sweet plums and spiced cherries, making for an elegant and complex package.
Stocky plum and smashed-berry aromas offer notes of garrigue and wild animal. As for mouthfeel, this Syrah is layered, chewy and pulpy, with power in reserve. Deep berry and cassis flavors are darkened by toast and spice notes, while the finish is long, spicy and only builds in fruit. Drink through 2022.
The finest shades of citrus and peach nectar frame this dancingly delicate Riesling. While diminutive in body, it's powerfully concentrated, striking the palate with endless bursts of sweet stone fruit and spice.
One of Italy's most lauded Cabernet Francs, this opens with aromas of new oak, cassis, crushed violet, tobacco, graphite and a whiff of espresso. The tightly wound palate delivers dried black currants, black raspberries, clove, oak-driven spice, ground pepper and grilled sage alongside assertive but polished tannins. It has structure and finesse but needs to unwind. Drink 2016–2023.
Always a dense and concentrated wine, this new vintage also reveal rich fruit, blackberry and plum. Combined with dark tannins and layers of spice from wood aging, it's a structured wine that finishes with fresh, fruity acidity. Drink from 2018.
This wood-aged wine is an impressive blend of Loin de l'Oeil and Sauvignon Blanc. The result is a wine that is rich, spicy, layered with creamy wood while preserving an intense freshness. From a stony vineyard, it has some of minerality that comes from the soil. It is a wine to age; drink from 2017.
One of the region's premiere bottlings, this vintage's blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc by winemaker Scott Shirley offers dried figs, raw meats, cigar box, chopped mint and red berries on the nose. The palate combines dried cherries, black currants and blueberry with a lavish amount of black pepper.
One of the region's top producers excels at exploring single-vineyard bottlings, and this is one of the best. A reductive nose of burnt rubber sinks into a fantastic menthol character, laid across plump black currants. The palate thrives on a minty blackberry element and complex black pepper and creosote flavors. A strong tannic structure ensures the best sipping 2018–2025.
This superripe blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%) and Mourvèdre (15%) is full-bodied, with a rich, creamy texture and a long, velvety finish. Spice and herb notes accent dusty black cherries, and a hint of cocoa sneaks in as well. Drink now–2017.
If this isn't Chile's best Syrah, then it's among the top three. Graphite, tobacco, leather, blackberry, baked black plum and spice aromas set up a lively palate, with firm tannins and good acidity. Stewed plum, blackberry, toasty oak and licorice flavors finish with a grabby feel and lingering flavors of anise and black pepper. Drink through 2020.
The most famous grape of the Douro has produced a beautifully aromatic wine, ripe and structured. The black plum fruits are finely matched with solid tannins and firm character of this ageworthy wine. Drink from 2018.
This has lots of fresh berry aromas, blending raspberry, strawberry and deeper blackberry. Full bodied, it features ripe flavors, velvety mouthfeel and firm tannins. Dry and well balanced, it will make a great dinner wine because of all the palate-cleansing texture. Drink now through 2022.
This big red offers opulent fruit aromas, like ripe blackberries and strawberries, followed by concentrated fruit flavors interwoven with slightly herbal, meaty accents. Full bodied but not at all coarse, it has a very smooth texture, moderate tannins and mouth-filling richness.
Very light in color, this bubbly shows ripe apples, caramelized pears, nectarine flesh, yellow cake and the slightest hint of roasted nuts, marzipan and yeast on the dynamic nose. Nuttiness and yeastiness also touch the tightly wound and tart palate, flavored further with seared pineapple, apricot and apple flesh elements.
Green floral notes and lemon zest perfume this pristine, pretty kabinett. Zesty lemon-lime acidity lends a breathless elegance, brightened by sweet-tart streaks of mango and tangerine that pucker and delight. Drinks gorgeously now, but will continue to improve through at least 2020.
A fascinatingly flavorful wine by South African Ernst Storm, this shows very perfumed apple peels, pungent green pears and telltale grass shavings on the nose, all lifted by white pepper, wet thyme and hints of dried peaches. The incredibly vibrant palate, with lots of energy and acidity yet not in a biting way, offers flavors of rainy cement, limestone, Granny Smith apple skins and more grass.
Aromas of bluish-black fruit, blue iris, menthol and aromatic herbs lead the nose of this 65% Sangiovese and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The palate offers dried black cherries, blackberries, coffee, tobacco and sage alongside firm, polished tannins. A note of ground aniseed closes the finish.
Showing a light whiff of funk, this seems a bit reductive at first, but opens gracefully with adequate aeration. Black cherry and dark chocolate flavors combine and thread into a medium finish with some of that same earthy character.
Blakeslee brings a wine with pinpoint aromas of beet root, ripe strawberries and accents of Dr Pepper and clove. Young and tart, it remains compact but shows an elegant profile, with the promise of further development. Drink now through 2030.
Extremely light in color, this dry wine has aromas that show Key lime pie, apple blossom and white rocks. It's tight and interesting on the bone-dry palate, with chipped chalk followed by apple tart, Bosc and Asian pear, lime juice and pith, and a dainty touch of honey on the finish. It's held together by strong but not bracing acidity.
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this reserve comes from a three-acre block of an estate vineyard. Dark, fleshy plum and soft, supple tannins give it a fruit-tinged structure and lushness, alongside plenty of full-bodied chocolate, tobacco and a hint of mint.
An eminently drinkable blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Grenache Blanc, this shows a delicate honey aroma on the nose, along with apricot-filled brioche and sweetly cooked chanterelle mushrooms. It's very light and restrained on the palate. Nectarine flesh, yellow peaches and dried mango gain structure and depth from a lime peel tartness and chalky minerality.
Smooth, rounded, with an obvious layer of wood to soften the red fruits and dry tannins. This is a balanced wine, offering some good juicy fruits and a bright red berry finish.
A wood-laden bottling, produced from a selection of wines at Patache d'Aux. If the wood weren't currently so dominant, the blackberry fruits would have more of a chance. It obviously needs a year or two to smooth out and come into balance.
This plump, medium-bodied Riesling is off-dry in style but avoids the one-dimensional fruitiness that sometimes plague the genre. Slate and brine notes mark the nose, balanced against peach, apple and citrus flavors.
Ultra-fresh and snappy, but a little light and neutral when it comes to fruit character. The palate is totally spunky and alive, with bouncy but mild flavors of lime, white grapefruit and orange. Clean and likable, with good focus but only medium-level intensity and power. Drink now.
Sweet berry flavors are matched to darker notes of smoke, black olive and moist earth, softening out in a finish that hints at chocolate malt.
Mulderbosch hits another home run with this lively, cheerful rosé. It starts with layers of cherry, flowers and strawberry on the nose, then offers a combination of fresh fruit and peppery spice on the palate Overall it has a zippy, clean character that is well balanced and substantial.
From cool-climate Leyda along the coastline, this SB is fairly grassy and green. The nose shows hints of green bean and peas, while the flavor profile rotates around a mix of honeydew melon and pea pod. Good mouthfeel and finishing persistence are positives; but in the final analysis it seems a little vegetal.
Clean and composed SB, with lemon-lime aromas that settle more toward lime. The palate is clean, with basic depth that allows for nice green apple and dry green-herb flavors to show themselves. A little weak on the back end, and very “liquid” due to medium concentration.
Fresh ripe black currant fruits are the delicious hallmark of this wine. It is full, rich, juicy, its core of tannins and oak a foil to the freshness and mouthfilling character of the fruit.
McKinley Springs vineyard has provided the grapes, and Joe Gunselman has crafted a spicy, forward and aromatic Syrah, co-fermenting it with 5% Viognier. The light fruit flavors of raspberry and pie cherry—remain clear and fresh through the mid-palate, but fail to add to that slender strength in the finish. In fact, the wine turns a bit chalky, and feels prematurely dried out, without the complexity that made the glorious 2005 so memorable.
This wine starts with an attractive nose of melons and lemons, followed by bright and exuberant melon and fruit flavors. Balanced with curvy midpalate weight and a clean but exotic finish, it's a fun wine that offers complexity with charm.
Crisp and sturdy at this young stage, with a lot of green on the nose: apple, onion, melon, even celery. For a Maule Valley SB, this one manages to maintain freshness and liveliness. There's give and take between the wine's acidity and body, with apple, green herb and talc for flavors. Finishes clean and chalky.
Allspice, cinnamon, clove and mint aromas are followed by a slightly sweet blend of vanilla oak and red berry. The wine has a peppery base and a spicy finish that gives it balance and poise. The acid and tannins are also all in check. Hold for a few years for added enjoyment.
A dancing, lively nose of citrus and slate is balanced by more lush aromas of tropical fruit and peach here. Full-bodied guava and pineapple flavors have a touch of floral elegance here, and a spiced backbone. Unique and pretty.
Berry fruit flavors give this ripe, still-young wine plenty of fresh fruitiness. The dryness, which should be at the core of a good Blaufränkisch, is still there, but it is overlaid by the delicious fruit and light acidity.
Like several other producers of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Jackson Estate is trying to make a cuvée that offers something more than stereotypical tropical fruit and fresh herbs. This is a partially barrel-fermented effort that boasts brown sugar and cinnamon aromas, and flavors that mix coffee with lime and passion fruit. It's not entirely harmonious, but offers concentration and innovation, something that should be applauded.
The charged scent of candied peach promises pleasure that the dry but deeply peachy palate keeps. The wine also conveys the pleasant bitterness of orange peel and refreshing crispness.
Aromatic in earthy green apple and mint, this is a bright, creamy California take on a white grape native to Campagna in southern Italy. Dry and moderate in body , it has a texture that's fresh and elegant, with a whispered suggestion of saltiness on the back-palate. Enjoy with spicy shellfish or a dish of briny olives.
Made from Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah, it has a soft but elegant palate. Fleshy black cherry, blackberry and spicy blueberry are accented with notes of white pepper and clove alongside smooth, silky tannins. Enjoy this soon.
Made from organically farmed grapes, it starts with aromas of mature black fruit, turned soil, blue flower and spice. The succulent palate delivers fleshy black cherry accented with notes of vanilla, Mediterranean herbs and cinnamon-spice alongside fine but tightly-knit tannins. Drink 2015–2021.
Here is a well-built, Bordeaux-style blend based largely upon Cabernet Sauvignon, with 12% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot filling it out. Firm, dark and muscular, this mixes tart black fruit flavors with streaks of licorice and peppery herbs.
Made from the younger vines at Tenuta San Guido, home to the legendary Sassicaia, this bright wine delivers vibrant red cherry, fleshy raspberry and blackberry; notes of white pepper give some depth. It has polished tannins and is made to be enjoyed young, so drink soon.
The entry-level Zin from Angel Vine combines fruit from the three single vineyard cuvées, along with a splash of Petite Sirah. Rich, plush berry scents and grapey berry fruit flavors abound—boysenberry, blackberry and more, buoyed with natural acidity. There is no sense that the alcohol is intrusive, and the wine fades gently with hints of red licorice and cocoa.
Juicy yellow pear and a touch of flint play on the mellow, textured body. Ripe apricot and pastry also show through, bringing a balance between zestiness and round flavors.
This captures the spicy vitality of Les Collines Merlot, with pretty cherry and plum fruit set against a smattering of new oak toast. It's a clean, well-defined wine that continues into a tasty finish with highlights of roasted walnuts and clove.
Aromas of black berries, dark spices and tobacco take the lead in this blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah and 10% Sangiovese. The dense palate delivers juicy but restrained black cherry accented with notes of black pepper, licorice and mocha alongside firm, dusty tannins. A warm note of alcohol on the close makes the wine seem even more structured than it is.
Opening aromas recall underbrush, red berry, white mushroom, truffle and thyme with a whiff of leather. The palate offers restrained wild cherry accented with white pepper, mint and sage alongside tightly knit tannins. While the tannins need to unwind, this wine isn't made for long-term cellaring. Drink 2015–2019.
Complex and solid, it holds rich berry fruits, a darkly tannic structure, dense texture and a juicy acidity. This firm wine has a good future, so don't drink before 2017.
While the wine is dominated by flavors of wood aging, it also has fine fruit weight that will come through. Then it will be a powerful and concentrated wine, rich and full of blackberry and black plum fruits. The structure will keep this fruitiness in order. Drink from 2017.
Aromas recall pine forest, balsam, black berries, sandalwood and menthol. The palate delivers rich red and black cherry layered with black pepper, toast and chocolate alongside bracing, teeth-coating tannins.
Ripe, with a fine texture, this full wine still young, developing its fruit element while maintaining texture and minerality. Drink this crisply fruity wine from 2017.
A heavy, full-bodied commingling of cola and dark cherry, this offers bites of minty bay leaf along the way. This accent is welcome and yet risks getting overcome by the ripeness of fruit.
Supple and very lightly toasty, this pleasant Chardonnay offers green banana, pear and peach fruit flavors. All are modest in scale and well-integrated, with a lick of toffee from aging in 20% new French oak. It thins out quickly through the finish.
This crisp, green-fruit-flavored wine has refreshing acidity along with a tangy, citrus texture that is immediately attractive. A mineral edge gives this wine extra bite. Drink now.
This wine is fresh with citrus and apple flavors, rich but showing good mineral texture. With its attractive juicy white-fruit aftertaste, the wine is full and ready to drink.
From organically grown grapes, this is a ripe, full wine. Excellent acidity binds the apple and grapefruit flavors. With a crisp texture allied to the ripe fruitiness, it is already balanced and very refreshing.
Cinsault dominant, with Grenache and Rolle (or Vermentino), this is an enjoyable sipper of tart cherry and strawberry, with a delicate blossom note lingering underneath. Pair this with a some relaxation on a porch on a hot summer day.
This offers aromas recalling wood shop, coconut, French oak and menthol while the palate offers cranberry, espresso, star anise and a green note of powdered sage. Tightly wound, assertive tannins grip the finish.
Aromas of underbrush, cellar floor, porcini mushroom and a whiff of menthol lead the nose. The palate is on the raw side, offering sour cranberry, dried herb and star anise alongside assertive, rather grainy tannins that leave a drying finish.
Steely cranberries and earthy tannins control the palate here. As the wine sits in the mouth a certain sense of green coffee beans arises. The finish is light and supple.
Chocolate graham cracker and a Port-like aroma of ripeness dominate in this wine, which adds in Carignane and Petite Sirah. Good acidity and a softness of texture complete the picture.
Completely gulpable in style, this Cab Franc shows a mild concentration of dark bramble and herbal spice, with cranberry-skin tannins giving a little grip. This is simple yet well balanced, and light enough to drink on its own but structured enough to enjoy alongside grilled pork chops.
Young, bright raspberry fruit brings fresh, forward flavors front and center. There's a touch of cherry Popsicle also. It's an undeniably pretty wine, ready to drink, though don't look for much in the way of either depth or concentration.
This tight, mineral wine is still waiting to show its fruity side. Hints of apples, pears and apricots are taking their time to unfold. With the toast and fruit potential, wait until 2017 to drink this wine.
A pleasant, though generic wine, this brings light touches of apple, pear and peach, underscored with moderate acidity. Though barrel fermented, it seems more in line with most stainless steel Chardonnays, with hints of herb throughout.
Alvarinho from the north of the Vinho Verde gives a ripe, creamy textured wine that also has a cool feel to it. It is juicy, with a fine floral character as well as ripe lemon and apple flavors. Drink this wine now.
Attractive hints of oak in the aroma and fresh cherry-berry flavors make this medium-bodied wine interesting. A good layer of fine tannins adds welcome traction to the texture.
Aromas of blackberry and saddle leather lead to flavors of cherry, raspberry, tobacco, leather and chocolate. Long-lasting but not overpowering tannins make way for surprisingly zesty finish.
This opens with aromas suggesting toast, coconut and roasted coffee bean. The palate is rather raw, offering sour cherry and espresso alongside raspy tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
This opens with aromas of French oak, vanilla, baking spice and steeped plum. The one-dimensional palate shows dried black cherry, sour cranberry and espresso with close-grained but not very persistent tannins that dry out the finish.
Smoky, spicy aromas are highly wood-driven, which creates hickory and campfire scents rather than discernible fruit. This feels a touch sticky and soupy, while baked, woody berry, black plum and cassis flavors are charred prior to a spicy, chunky finish.
This unusual blend, all co-fermented, includes roughly equal proportions of Vermentino, Viognier and Marsanne, with a splash of Roussanne. It's perfumed with the intensity of Gewürztraminer, a mix of baby powder and candied citrus, and those flavors carry through the palate. Though listed as just 12.5% abv, it tastes and feels much riper, showing some heat in the aftertaste.
While the nose reveals only faint whiffs of apples, nuts and brambles, the palate of this off-dry Riesling is crisply concentrated with fresh red apples and tart peaches. It's not a deeply persistent wine, but finishes brisk and bright.
A bright, lemon flavored wine with tight acidity and an attractive mineral texture. It is floral, zesty and very ready to drink.
This opens with aromas that recall nail polish remover, dark spice and toast. The palate offers fleshy black cherry, vanilla and a hint of coffee alongside bracing tannins. It finishes on an astringent note.
Chewy and tannic, this rugged wine puts Pinot in Cabernet clothing. The black-cherry fruit carries a streak of cola, and a slight sense of rubber in the finish.
Loaded with ripe pear, muskmelon and tropical fruit, this is a medium-bodied, plump white with crowd appeal. It seems a bit off dry, but closes on a citrusy note.
Vines planted between 900 and 1,200 feet above sea level give this cool interpretation of Pinot Noir. The wine is crisp, lightly structured with some tannins and with a delicate cherry and red-berry fruitiness. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
In 2004 winemaker Chuck Reininger put the accent on Merlot (45%), filling in the rest with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Syrah. Sweet and sappy, spicy and loaded with chocolate and cherries, it's a real flavor-packing bombshell that is sure to delight.
A big, fruity wine that starts richly and then becomes drier, more tannic and firmer. The fruit is all black, full of berries and fresh acidity. Finely balanced, with an herbal character to finish it off.
This is Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills fruit, delicately managed, so as not to overwhelm the fruit. The strawberry/raspberry sweetness is there, and a wash of molasses carries it into a smooth, luscious finish. The wine is not complex—just very tasty.
The name means black and white, but this wine, dominated by the local Baga grape, has more to do with black, structured, austerely dense fruit. In its dryness, it is typical of the region, a style that gives acidity and thyme flavors. Very dry aftertaste, great to cut rich food.
The Celilo vineyard, located on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge appellation, is one of the most unique in the region. This ripe, almost liquorous Merlot is bursting with sappy cherry fruit, buttressed with tangy acids. The structure is here to more than support the weight of the wine and its alcohol, just under 15%. Barrel flavors of bourbon and vanilla dominate the finish.
Definitely a riper, more solid version of Carmenère with blackberry, pine, herbs and chocolate on the nose. The palate is typically herbal but it's full of smooth, simple dark-fruit flavors and spice. Tasty, wholesome and well worth a go in this category.
Very deep in color and aromas, this slams you with black fruit, herbs and saucy oak aromas. The palate is stable, with dark prune, fruit cake and acidity giving it an extra burst of life. Finishes with some faux oak flavor, butter, pepper and heat. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA, Inc.
The label shows a pretty graphic of a young woman in flapper attire—the actual Stella Fino. Clean, fresh and true to varietey, with appealing melon and apple flavors, this displays confident winemaking with an elegant touch.
This is very well made, smooth and supple. The round, approachable fruit tastes of red currant, red berry, and black olive. There is a flash of heat in the back of the throat, but it offer excellent value. Unfortunately it's very limited—just 99 cases.
A deeply colored wine, reveling in the richness of 2007, a powerhouse of berry fruits, black plums and a layer of soft wood tannins. It certainly has plenty of ripe fruit, but the smoothness of the wine is the key here, a chocolate smoothness that wraps around the powerful fruit.
Rhône-based négociant Jean-Luc Colombo has crafted this fleshy, ripe and round rosé from a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Counoise. It's got plenty of cherry fruit, but that's balanced by hints of minerality and a touch of fresh lime on the finish.
Winemaker Michael Haddox is exploring unusual, emerging grape varieties in Washington State. This well-made Malbec is just the start, showing dried cherry fruit, graham cracker toast, and hints of stone and graphite. It's chewy and muscular, an interesting debut for the winery.
There's very little difference between this Merlot and La Joya's so-called Gran Reserve. Both are entirely solid, ripe, a touch bretty and friendly as can be. This wine has more plumpness and less structure than its big brother, but it's nice if you like soft, round, chewy berry fruit and not much tannic bite or acidic roughness.
This intriguing white blends 65% Ugni Blanc, 25% Rolle (Vermentino) and 15% Sauvignon Blanc into a ripe, honeyed wine—a product of the warm vintage. Yet despite the ripeness and bold orange flavors, it remains dry, even showing some minerality on the finish.
This 100% Syrah is a bit tough and chewy on the finish, but also has lots of black-cherry fruit upfront and a suave, medium-bodied mouthfeel. Imported by Routas USA.
Rather broad in the mouth without being particularly weighty or rich, with restrained aromatics of apricot and spice and flavors of melon, apricot and pepper. Drink now; the 2007 tasted out of tank looks significantly more interesting. Imported by Routas USA.
Bedell continues to raise the bar for Long Island Merlot with this offering. A rich, savory nose of meat, leather spice and dark berry leads into a poised balance of savory spice, rich fruit, acids and tannins. The wine has a friendly brightness about it but overall, is restrained and integrated.
Crisp, fresh, unoaked wine, with green plum and red apple flavors. It's lively, smooth and creamy, with delicious finishing acidity.
This luminous wine opens with a pretty fragrance of citrus, slate and an herbal note. The linear palate delivers juicy nectarine, yellow apple, mint and sage. It's energized with a mineral vein and bright acidity.
There's a basket of ripe raspberry and strawberry in this earthy, single-vineyard designated wine, an earthiness that doesn't let go. Truffle and damp forest meet in the middle to introduce dusty, dense tannins that will benefit from time and air.
With Syrah and Aragonez (Tempranillo) forming the blend, it's no surprise that this is an aromatic, smoothly tannic wine. The earthy aromas blow away to give a wine with structure, flavors of blueberries and raspberries plus a dense, tarry aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
Pretty aromas of stone fruit and yellow flower come together in the glass. The vertical palate delivers dried peach, yellow apple, nectarine zest and a flinty note balanced by bright acidity.
This smooth, rounded wine has just the right amount of fresh acidity to give it a lift and poise. Green fruits, fresh grapefruit and lemon zest all add to the crispness. Drink this attractive wine now.
Dark-skinned berry, anise and espresso aromas lead the nose on this softly textured red. Smooth, polished tannins support fleshy black-cherry flavors, while hints of vanilla and coffee provide back up. Enjoy soon.
Made with Garganega grapes and fermented in large casks and barriques, this features aromas of toasted oak and candied fruit. The palate offers baked yellow apple, dried apricot, butterscotch and nectarine peel alongside soft acidity.
Aromas of woodland berry and alpine herb lead the nose on this lively red. The vibrant palate displays red woodland berry and a hint of nutmeg, while supple tannins and bright acidity offer easygoing support and balance.
Aromas recall woodland berry and rose petal. The vibrant palate offers juicy raspberry and almond alongside crisp acidity and supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Drinkable now, this wine opens with a syrupy grenadine aroma that rises to the top, followed by enjoyable layers of black cherry, mushroomy earth and silky, smooth tannins. Not overly complicated or overpriced, it'll please a crowd and do service to midweek meals.
Distinctly mineral in character, this is a tough wine with its tense tannins and firm, very dry fruitiness. Black currant and berry fruits shine through this structure giving a full, juicy character. It's a wine of power and richness, still restrained by its tight, dry texture. Drink from 2018.
Tight and mineral, this is firmly structured, a solid wine that speaks of the dark granite soil of the region. With vineyards against Portugal's highest mountain range, this is a dark, always dry and tannic wine.
This high-reaching Terra Alta blend of Garnacha, Carignan and a local grape called Morenillo smells a bit stalky and herbal. A tight, pinching palate with hard tannins is powerful but bumpy. Flavors of raw oak, berry fruits and bitter herbs remain medicinal on the finish. Drink through 2018.
Grown in steeply terraced mountain vineyards, this crisp, bright wine has aromas of white spring flowers, chamomile and ripe pear. The refreshing palate offers juicy green apple, citrus and a hint of mineral alongside zesty acidity.
A swirl of fresh berries and sour cranberries, rust and a touch of asphalt greet the nose on this wine from one of the more beautiful vineyards in California. The flavors also touch on ripe, juicy blackberries and tart black plum skins.
Cool, earthy aromas of blackberry, vanilla and tobacco are encouraging. This aged Cab from the base of the Pyrenees is a monster with wall-to-wall tannins. Heavy black-fruit, fig, mocha and tobacco flavors finish with exotic spice notes and a touch of oaky coconut. This is big and boisterous.
Tasted shortly after bottling, this needed some airing to blow off the sulfur. Once open it showed itself to be a palate-pleasing, round and spicy wine, elaborating its pear fruit with notes of orange peel and Meyer lemon.
Charred and oaky smelling at first, this Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend transitions to caramel and marshmallow aromas as it breathes. Hard tannins pinch like a vise, while herbal dark-berry flavors show a note of juniper and green in front of a toasty, long, rugged finish.
Fresh and fruity, this is also a wine with some depth and concentration. Ripe, bright cherry fruits are layered with some firmer tannins as well as acidity. It's drinkable now although it will be better from 2016.
Red currants, balsamic-laced strawberries and darkly colored herbs emerge off of this wine by Grenache specialist Mikael Sigouin. There's a lot going on in this very flavorful wine, with Bing cherry fruit balanced by a graphite-like minerality.
Fragrances suggest ripe apple, Bartlett pear and a whiff of alpine wildflower. The medium-bodied, linear palate offers tart Granny Smith apple and juicy citrus alongside crisp acidity that gives it a bright, clean finish.
Richly textured, this is made with native grape Mantonico, opening with aromas of peach blossom, stone fruit and toasted notes. The round palate delivers ripe yellow peach, honey, vanilla and white almond. A spicy note signals the close.
Initial aromas of vanilla wafer give way to pear scents and minerality. This wine has creamy weight but acidic cut and pulse along with melon, vanilla and lightly oaked flavors. Honey, vanilla and a touch of pithy bitterness compete with melony notes on the finish.
This comes from a single vineyard—Folie Hill—and shows the pinpoint flavors that such wines can deliver. Cherries and milk chocolate, with light notes of dried herbs, sail across the palate. It's drinking well and needs no further cellaring.
Chunky, chewy and full-bodied, this fills the glass with flavors of tart red berries, tea leaves, wintergreen and a whiff of smoke. It's a gulp-able, interesting, and relatively affordable example of the outstanding 2012 vintage in Oregon.
Delicate aromas of white flower, apple and stone fruit lead the nose on this vibrant wine. The bright, linear palate delivers citrus, exotic fruit and banana, with zesty acidity that gives a crisp, clean finish.
Chalky tannins and dried herb mark the entry of this wine, which stays varietal despite the addition of 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sage, peppercorn and high-toned cherry complete the picture, with well-integrated, generous tannins framing the overall picture, finishing in swirls of cinnamon and vanilla.
Smoke, blackberries, black cherries, pencil lead and woody mints show on the nose of this wine from a label once owned by the California winemaking pioneer. The palate is heavily sprinkled with oregano, thyme and anise against a background of tart blueberry juice, and the tannins need some mellowing though 2017–2018, when it will drink even nicer.
Acacia flower, toasted hazelnut and Bartlett pear aromas take shape in the glass. The palate delivers stone fruit, citrus zest and mineral alongside bright acidity.
Michel Redde makes some attractive Sancerres, like this wine, across the river from its base in Pouilly. It is crisp and light as the vintage dictates. Green fruits, a touch of herbaceousness and lively acidity are well integrated already. Drink from the end of 2015.
Pink meets orange in terms of hue, while the nose gives a nice blend of sweet and snappy berry and citrus. The palate has a little weight and heft along with dry, white-peppery flavors of nectarine and apricot. Pithy, citrusy and healthy throughout. Good wine for the money.
The best wine from this bodega. It's focused and spicy, with black fruit and depth to the nose and none of the weird, rubbery, roasted characteristics that are sometimes found in Uruguayan wines. Round on the palate, with black cherry and cassis. A good option for grilled meats.
Fruity and spritzy, this fragrant, screwcapped Chardonnay is scented with apples, pears, a hint of grapefruit and spice. It's front-loaded, nicely balanced at 13% alcohol, and best enjoyed lightly chilled.
This Grenache-based wine includes 10% Tempranillo, 4% Malbec and 2% Syrah in the sophisticated blend. Recently bottled, it's still tight, tannic, and hiding much of its fruit. The aromas give an indication of what's to come—cranberry fruit and lemony acidity, with some firm tannins.
Organically grown and selected from a mix of specific vineyard blocks, Rex Hill's reserve is rather light in 2007, with tannins that are a bit out of proportion to the fruit. It's a carefully controlled effort, but thin and dilute, with strawberry/watermelon fruit and some tomato leaf creeping into the finish.
This is a sharp, tart Pinot, scented with pine needles and showing wild strawberry fruit flavors and plenty of sharp acidity. In the mouth the fruit also reveals a cherry candy core, pretty but brief, and quickly winds down through a citrusy finish.
Fresh and straightforward, this stainless steel-fermented Pinot Gris has simple, pleasant pear fruit flavors, and just a suggestion of caramel running through it. Perfectly suited for every day quaffing.
Laced with baked apples, ginger and savory spices, there's something unique about the nose on this off-dry Riesling. On the palate, honeyed apples and pears combine with a tart lemon-lime acidity and a hint of bitterness on the finish.
A bit spicier than the other R Wines Shirazes, the 2007 Boarding Pass features mainly McLaren Vale fruit, offering blackberry tinged with coffee and peppery spice. Turns tart, tangy, almost a bit citrusy on the finish.
Warm, leathery cherry and plum aromas are ripe and rugged. This blend of Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon feels choppy but bold due to firm acidity. Prickly, oaky flavors of mixed berries and green herbs end on a note of mild heat.
Plum, raisin and red licorice aromas are ripe and heady. This feels tight and structured, with meaty tannins. Black cherry and oaky chocolate flavors end mild and chunky, with length. This should raise no complaints.
There's a warm leathery character to the squeezed black cherry, black plum and violet notes on the nose of this wine from a vineyard on Paso's westside. Flavors are rustic and tart with barely ripe berries, showing balanced zing that lasts a long time as well as a grippy texture.
Fresh-smelling and generous in flavors, this full-bodied wine tastes like plums and black cherries with hints of dried herbs. A savory, almost meaty quality makes it rather serious and complex in a good way.
Very inviting, incredibly rich aromas of butterscotch, crème brûlée, peach custard, lemon curds, honeysuckle and caramelized banana show on this wine's thick nose. The palate offers orange peels cooked in a buttery sauce, marshmallows and marzipan.
Rich and juicy, this has tannins and wood-aging flavors that are already well integrated into the ripe, jammy berry fruits. The wine is still young, although it can be drunk now. Better to wait until 2017.
The chalk soil of Barbebelle has given a stalky, textured and structured wine that is still young. Black currant fruits come through the dry tannins and herbal flavors. As it matures, these elements should work together well, so wait to drink until 2017.
This is an immediately attractive, fruity wine. Crisp acidity cuts through the red currant and berry fruits to give a light and refreshing wine that has a tight, mineral aftertaste.
This wine offers an uncharacteristic bouquet of grapefruit pith and white flowers. It is full in the mouth, with flavors of green apple and crème brulee. The finish is dominated by a streak of minerality.
Freshly burnt, dark-brown Demerara sugar is a first, intriguing whiff, followed by more conventional notes of yellow plum and fresh lemon. The lemon also dominates the dry, sprightly palate and the moderate finish.
There's a smoky, char-like quality to this wine, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Soft and supple on the palate, dried tobacco and cherry intermix, along with leather and coffee, letting the more savory elements speak loudly. It finishes with a hint of sage.
Only very subdued notes of citrus emerge and add a little polish to a rounded, balanced and dry palate. However, a lovely, bundled ray of tangerine zestiness at the core brightens the wine immensely.
Known in Italy as Ribolla Gialla, Rebula is the name used for the same grape on the Slovenian side of the border. This wine has aromas of pineapple, tropical fruit and dried lavender. Flavors of green apple and pineapple flourish on the palate, lingering into the surprisingly tart finish.
This easy-drinking blend of 86% Viognier, 8% Roussanne, 3% Marsanne and 3% Grenache Blanc—featuring a sailboat painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter—offers aromas of flambéed bananas and toasted coconut on the nose. The palate shows grapefruit pith and the warmth of browned pears and seared red apples, seasoned with a nice sparkle of acidity.
This wine is easy to like at first taste, a heady, interesting combination of ripe, rich red fruit and spicy earth, accented in black tea and truffle. Soft in texture, and from a wonderful grower, it may have gotten overly ripe, finishing a touch hot.
Effervescent lemon, lime and grapefruit and a flinty edge define this crisp white, aged mostly in stainless steel. A ripe, unctuous finish gives the wine subtle power and voluptuousness.
This is the inaugural release of this Clifton Hill and Clifton Bluff vineyards wine. Aromas of plum, dark berries, pencil lead and chocolate precede soft, plump fruit flavors. It goes down far too easy.
The barrel influence plays prominently on the aromas, with notes of cocoa, vanilla and spice that show some warmth. On the palate, a mix of fruit and barrel flavors conveys creamy dark fruit, caramel and vanilla.
Hard-driving aromas of nettle, jalapeño, sea brine, wet stones and grapefruit set up a chunky palate with a ton of weight. Passion fruit, orange and controlled vegetal flavors are in harmony. Drink now.
The herb, grapefruit, tropical fruit and melon aromas are light but very varietal. The palate has a slight spritz that perks up the tangy fruit flavors.
All varietal, this wine is a blend of fruit from Beverly, Shaw and Stone Tree vineyards. Aged in all-new French oak, it leads with barrel spices followed by aromas and flavors of medicine cabinet, cherry and chocolate. It offers appeal but the tannins need time to unwind.
A medium cherry-red color, this wine offer fruit-filled aromas of strawberry bubble gum, pomegranate and cherry. It drinks a hair off dry, with broad, fleshy fruit flavors that linger.
Aromatically, this wine seems locked up with notes of tire rubber, herbs, pepper, woodspice and plum. Favors are supple and reserved in style. It's a unique expression of the variety from this cool vintage.
Nervy, herbal aromas and vivid grapefruit alongside lemon flavors make this wine stand out from the pack. It is light to medium in body and has a crisp, tangy texture and refreshing finish.
This is a dense, rich and soft wine, mostly Cab Franc, with 13% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. The PV shows through in the wine's thickness and color, followed by flavors of caramel, graham cracker and billowing campfire. The power is intense.
The warm climate of Gisborne, on New Zealand's North Island, isn't known for its Riesling, but this is a solid effort, as long as sweetness isn't an issue. Pineapple, peach and citrus flavors carry a hint of wet stone and deliver plenty of sugar (a reported 40 g/L), making it a strong candidate to pair with spicy Asian dishes.
Prickly aromas of nettle and green herbs are matched by spicy blackberry and lactic oak notes. A tight, tannic palate is firmly built, with spicy flavors of cherry and cassis as well as olive. A peppery, herbal, toasty finish sends this on its way. Drink through 2018.
This is a good, solid wine labeled to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Parducci estate. It has robust flavors, full body and a rich layer of tannins to add texture. The flavors are like ripe plums and pomegranate juice. It also has good balance and develops an elegant mouth-feel.
A slightly sour red-apple and light strawberry aroma meets with a touch of watermelon and cotton candy on the nose of this blend of 76% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 8% Mission, 4% Zinfandel and 2% Cinsault. There is lots of citrus zing to the nectarine-driven palate, which also shows some pink-lemonade flavors.
This is a middle-of-the-road, appropriately priced wine, which employs other Bordeaux varieties in the blend. Eucalyptus and bay leaf rise immediately on the nose, before a soft, slightly undeveloped body reveals mocha, red currant and soy.
This wine is half Syrah with the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Aromas of wet copper penny and herb are followed by sweet blue fruit flavors supported by firm tannins. The varieties seem to tussle.
A big, boisterous and concentrated wine, this has an aroma like smoke and rosemary and more rich, fruity flavors like plum and pomegranate juice.
Ripe aromas of black plum, cherry and boysenberry are at the forefront of this richly fruited wine. The wine's lushness is complemented by hints of pepper and baking spice, as well as medium tannins that lend a subtle structure to the palate.
Produced in the western end of the Loire, close to the Atlantic Ocean, this tightly herbal wine is packed with crisp lemon and grapefruit. It is dry, tangy and light, ready to drink.
A rubbery funk shows on the nose of this bottling, with beef char, brunt black cherries, red and purple flower aromas. Sour black fruits arise on the palate, where elderberry is spiced with familiar smoked cedar elements.
This has light floral aromas of dried chamomile and acacia flower. The palate is lean and not very expressive, offering bitter almond and yellow apple skin alongside brisk acidity.
This lightly herbal wine is crisp and has a tangy mineral character. It's tight, green and full of citrus fruits. The acidity is right up front, keeping the wine fresh and bright at the end.
Pale salmon-grey in color, this is perfumed, soft and generously ripe. It is well balanced between the light acidity and the rounded strawberry flavors, and the aftertaste brings in a crisper element.
This wine is made to be drunk young when it is still in the first flush of its fruitiness. Black plum and blackberry flavors are fleshed out with soft tannins. The aftertaste is fresh with bright acidity. Drink now.
Vibrant and straightforward, this opens with delicate aromas of Spanish broom, citrus fruit and herb. The bright, simple palate offers tangerine and a bitter almond note alongside zesty acidity.
Fleshy in pineapple and papaya, with a pinch of Sémillon blended within, this wine displays itself in a fuller-bodied style, quite ripe and robust, with strong, lingering flavors of dried apricot and vanilla.
this full-bodied white wine stresses complexity, weight and viscosity. It smells like blanched almonds and candle wax, and tastes rich, almost heavy.
Stalky, leathery aromas are low on fruit and freshness. This has a grabby feel, sort of like leather straps. Herbal berry and plum flavors are mildly bitter, while a green note is apparent on the finish. 90+? Not exactly.
This medium-bodied wine has earthy, almost salty aromas, good acidity, herb and melon flavors and a fresh mouthfeel. Its sea-breeze character suggests seafood as a good pairing.
This reddish-pink quaffer smells like cherry gumballs. Soft and flush, with mild rose hip and berry flavors, this finishes dry and hollow. Drink immediately.
A 100% varietal wine, on the nose this suggests a pungency of French bread, which doesn't open up for much else aromatically. On the medium-bodied palate, expect a mix of viscous honey and baked peach.
Smooth and soft, this is an easy, very accessible wine. Red fruits touched by pepper and spice are cut by zesty orange and lemon flavors. It has a warm, rounded aftertaste.
The aromas of ripe peach, honeysuckle and jasmine are bright. It's medium sweet and finishes with a floral soap flourish. It needs more acid to stand it up but goes down easy.
From the major Loire producer, this fresh and fruity wine shows the light touch of the region. With red-currant fruit sliced right through with acidity, the wine is lightly textured and ready to drink.
The nose of this Gewürztraminer juxtaposes savory earth tones against restrained tangerine and lemon. Subtle hibiscus nectar and citrus flavors lend sweetness the the palate but overall, it's a simple, delicately concentrated wine. The finish is brisk and clean.
This entry-level red from this estate is aged in tank, preserving bright red fruits and a touch of stalky acidity. The 30% Cabernet Sauvignon gives a smoky flavor and a good sense of structure to go with the juicy Grenache fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
Oaky tones of vanilla bean, wood and sweet spice are at the fore of the bouquet, while notes of black cherry, stewed plum and raspberry coulis provide a solid backbone throughout. The mouthfeel is smooth and supple, with easy, approachable ripe-fruit flavors and a lingering hit of baking spice.
This Kosher wine is darker in color than many Provence rosés. Made from organically grown grapes it has an earthy character that masks some of the fruit. The acidity and the sense of freshness are, however, all there.
Oaky bacon and barbecue smoke make for a burly wine-drinking experience in this full-bodied, expressive and somewhat heavy offering from the Dry Creek winery's estate.
Jammy berry and raisin aromas are compact and tell a lot about what's coming next. That's a saturated but rough and tannic palate with extremely ripe flavors of prune, licorice and blackberry jam. A peppery, syrupy finish is anything but lean.
Rich and sweet yet without excessive weight, Erbes' three-star auslese goldkap features beautifully delineated aromas and flavors of dried apricots, ripe peaches and pineapples as well as great minerality and freshness. The finish is virtually endless. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Filled with minerality, spice and everything nice, this incredibly intense wine is also filled with honey, gently caramelized peaches and citrus. It's got huge presence on the palate and a virtually endless, sweet finish. It should evolve gracefully for 50 or more years.
Our wine of the year in 2007 (the '04 El Puntido) is back with a vengeance in the 2005 vintage. This is a deep-fruited modern specimen with that elusive mix of floral, fruit and meaty characteristics. The palate is ripe and everlasting, with berry, coffee and hickory flavors. Long and calm on the finish, with amazing texture. An excellent encore to the prior year's achievement.
With the exact same rating as the awesome 2004, this new vintage of Aurus is an unbridled winner. It's a little creamy and sweet on first blush, but time and air reveals its darker, more serious side. Flavors of blackberry, barbecued beef and fudge tell all you need to know about ripeness and richness, and among the new classics of Rioja, Aurus is one of the leaders. Drink now and over the next three years. It's not really for long-term cellaring.
Yes, this wine is supersweet, but it's also pristine in its clarity. Despite layers of honeyed richness, the aromas and flavors of lime and pineapple provide great energy and focus; there's even hints of slate-driven minerality on the nose and the long, mouthwatering finish.
Soft herbal berry aromas are minty and green. The palate on this young but raisiny Cabernet has a jammy cushion to it, while flavors of green bean, herbs and carob are not distinguished. A creamy feeling but tannic finish is chewy, chunky and weighty.
This wine is off dry, with honey and lemon flavors cut with tight acidity. Young and fruity, this simple wine is ready to drink.
There are only two words for this carbonic-macerated Mencía: Bug Juice. Aromas of wild-berry fruits are clumsy and wooly. This feels narrow, raw and choppy, with gritty plum and candied berry flavors that fall off on the finish.
A rare finding of this variety in California, this wine is golden-orange in color and offers resin-like sweetness that may not appeal to everybody.
Made entirely from Cinsault, this copper-orange-colored wine comes in a swank square bottle, but delivers a tart, sour quality that veers slightly metallic.
There's something overripe and flat about this wine, which conveys a mix of Dr Pepper, chocolate and vanilla that doesn't impress.
Unfocused, and jumbled aromas of clove, mint, latex and gritty oak barely allow for any fruit to show through. This is clampy and acidic. Roasted oaky plum and berry flavors finish jagged, with roasted flavors.
This blend of Saperavi, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has prominent aromas of smoke and cured meats. There are flavors of red and black fruits and a touch of smoky sweetness in the finish.
Aromas of plastic and weedy berry fruits are not a draw. This feels dilute and pulling. Weedy, raw, tart red-berry flavors finish with green notes of mint and leafy herbs.
The wine is too rich, losing sight of the fruit. It is so soft, lightly spicy and feels heavy.
This sparkling red wine made from Muscat is cherry red in color. It has pleasant aromas and flavors of red raspberry, black cherry and sweet pomegranate juice. It could use a few more bubbles but it will satisfy the palates of wine drinkers looking for sweet red sparkling wines.
Rusty in color and overdone on the nose, this Pinot smells charred and burnt out. Rough and abrasive in feel, with weedy herbal berry flavors, this tastes roasted and savory on the finish while leaving a lot to be desired.
Bland, sweet aromas are not persuasive. This feels cloying and sticky due to a lot of sugar and not much acidity. Soapy, sweet flavors finish with bitter notes.
Aromas of herbal berry are green and leafy. This feels wiry, lean and scouring due to sharp acidity and not much body. Stewy, herbal, candied berry flavors finish with a distinct herbal green character.
Pinot Noir blended with Tannat? Like it or not, here it is, and this unicorn wine from Uruguay smells cheesy and murky. A linear palate is not well padded, while this tastes earthy, like saucy plum and tomato.
Grassy, herbaceous, raisiny aromas are green and harsh. This is brutally tannic and out of whack on the palate, while green, weedy flavors finish thick, blocky and rough.
This vivid pink-colored wine tastes of candy with added acidity. There is some sweetness along with the artificial flavors.
Gritty aromas of asphalt, licorice and especially clove are off the beaten path. Flavors of dried clove, pepper and wood smoke are dominant and don't allow for any fruit to show through. A finish that tastes like pure clove is in its own zip code. Tasted twice.
This is a fabulous wine from the greatest Champagne vintage so far this century. Still young, it blends almost equal amounts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fleshed out with Pinot Meunier. The minerality and the rich apple and green fruits are balanced, and acidity cuts into the wine with a pure, perfumed line of freshness. The wine could be drunk now, but it will age well into the the 2020s.
Pure Chardonnay from the walled vineyard in the heart of Le Mesnil, this intense wine from a great vintage is tight and mineral, still showing hints of toast from its barrel fermentation. With its taut texture, complex acidity and crisp citrus, it's very young, but will age indefinitely. Showing the beauty of Chardonnay in Champagne at its best, it will certainly still be impressive come 2030.
Salon's releases are rare and signify a great vintage—the last release was the 2002. Coming from grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this 2004 is complex and concentrated, capturing the essence of Chardonnay in Champagne. Intense minerality and ripe apple and citrus fruits accompany the purity and crisp texture that are part of its ability to age. The wine can continue for many years, certainly to 2025 and beyond.
The balance between ripeness and acidity that is the hallmark of this fine vintage is expressed well in this impressive wine. Tangy, with a strong streak of minerality, it is crisp and rich at the same time. For its fruitiness, it is ready to drink; for more maturity, it will need to age until 2018.
Candied lime and lemon zest are bathed in the rich honey notes of full-blown botrytis. This lifted scent is more than heady and continues intensely on the lusciously sweet palate. Candied quince and mandarin peel run circles round honeycomb and apricot jam which swirls around your brain like a psychedelic dream in all its apricot glory. There is something otherworldly about this wine, something ambrosial and decadent, made all the more so by its apparent weightlessness. What a triumph.
Made entirely with the native Coda di Volpe grape, this lean, linear wine has citrus peel and flinty mineral sensations alongside fresh acidity.
Smoky, rubbery, heavily oaked aromas sit on top of a stocky, creamy palate. This blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah is plump and candied, with hickory, bacon and generic black-fruit flavors resting on lemony acidity.
A straightforward, easy drinker with notes of pear and melon supported by a rounded feel and little overt new oak influence.
With a rusty color and leafy aromas of earthy berries and tar, this wine is fading. Hailing from a subpar vintage, it is acidic, with oaky resin on the mouthfeel. Flavors of herbal plum, tomato, vanilla and tobacco break up, while the finish brings stalky notes.
It brings a Northwest Cabernet profile of black currant, plum, licorice and light herbs with medium-bodied feel. A touch of sweetness rounds out the finish.
Simple but well made, it opens with a fruit fragrance of peach and golden apple. The palate offers pineapple and banana alongside bright acidity.
A perfumed wine with notes of candied orange, peach and lavender. The palate is sweet and easy drinking. Chill down and enjoy.
Powerful whiffs of smoke and nuts lend a dark, savory tone to this brisk, medium-bodied wine. The palate is tart with flavors of pressed apple accented with grapefruit acidity and a hint of freshly cut grass.
The wine is soft and rounded, with red fruits that are lightly sweet and balancing acidity. A rich wine, it's ready to drink.
This blend of Muscat and Gewurztraminer is all spiciness. It has peach freshness as well with just a touch of honey. It's immediately attractive.
Reduced, condensed aromas of jammy berry fruits are herbal and narrow. In the mouth, this Cabernet-Malbec blend is wiry, rubbery and pinched. Flavors of prune, fig, black cherry and oregano finish blocky, with raw residual tannins.
Intense tutti fruity aromas recall grape-flavored chewing gum. The palate is less expressive but muddled, offering sensations of thyme and rock candy that finish abruptly.
With 45g/L residual sugar, it drinks quite sweet but doesn't have the acidity to hold together its notes of green grapes, jasmine and stone fruit.
Black fruits and rich tannins bring out the fruitiness. A strongly mineral character gives structure, while still allowing room for the red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. It will age, so drink from 2016.
Note the vintage—2009. This is already moving into maturity, loaded with berry-pie fruit flavors, especially blueberry. It's soft and drinking well, with cinnamon and baking spices in abundance. Don't delay—enjoy it over the next couple of years.
Floral and fragrant, this opens with aromas of rose, blue flower, forest floor and woodland berries. The palate offers crushed black cherry, wild raspberry, orange zest and clove alongside firm tannins and bright acidity. It's savory and tannic; enjoy through 2017.
Hearty, full-bodied, definitely rich and deeply colored. The chocolate and oak aromas lead to plenty of ripe blackberry and boysenberry flavors that come out on the palate and linger on the finish. It tastes big and tannic, yet the gushing fruit flavors balance everything out, and the overall impression is smooth and polished.
Dark and richly colored, this juicy, mouthwatering, generously oaked wine has a high quotient of blackberry and raspberry. It is as rich on the palate as it is in color, getting better in the glass.
Dense, earthy, inky aromas of raisin and schisty minerals are a good introduction to a well-packed palate that's pumping out wild berry flavors along with blackened toast accents. A medium-length finish brings this flavorful, stacked blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan) and Syrah to a good close.
The Tain cooperative's luxury cuvée of Crozes-Hermitage is marked by touches of vanilla and cedar, yet retains some sinewy herbal notes and ample black cherry fruit. It's medium-bodied, well structured and firm, even a bit crisp, on the finish. It's modern and oak-influenced, but well done.
Aromas suggest crushed blue flower, tilled soil, spice and perfumed berries. The savory palate delivers ripe black cherry and wild raspberry alongside notes of clove. Supple and smooth, it will offer easy drinking enjoyment now through 2016.
A banner vintage delivers a wine with nicely delineated layers of flavor, from fleshy tropical fruit into streaks of slightly bitter-skin flavors, herb and banana cream pie. It's long, lush and deliciously lively.
Full, ripe and smoky, this well-balanced wine has a dense texture to offset the bright red fruits and acidity. Spice, smoky flavors and a fresh red fruit aftertaste give a ready-to-drink feel.
A barrel selection from the estate and Shaw vineyards, this spent a couple of years in new French oak. It shows good concentration and oak influence. Cassis fruit is underscored with vivid acidity, and the wine retains its balance through a long finish that offers highlights of smoke and char.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot split the blend with 8% Syrah in addition. The opening scents are toasty and inviting, and the wine enters the palate smooth and agreeable, with pretty red fruits. There's a lick of licorice and then the flavors seem to lighten up and finish tart and astringent. But decant this and let it breathe, and the wine can surprise with its staying power.
Earthy, tarry plum and berry aromas are herbal and gritty. This is a forward Syrah with juicy acidity. Flavors of plum, currant, raspberry, tomato and herbs finish fresh, with lingering acids and spicy flavors that include fennel and licorice root. Drink this spicy, elegant Syrah now through 2017.
The wine at this stage is all tannin. But you can feel the weight of red fruits underneath. It will develop as a serious wine, packed with both fruit and structure. Strongly mineral and with a dark texture, it has considerable aging potential. Drink from 2016.
This joint venture between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Perrin family continues to source high quality wines from the northern Rhône. This Saint-Joseph is a spicy, plummy wine, somewhat chunky on the palate while remaining reasonably light afoot and finishing with soft tannins. Drink now–2018.
Showing excellent concentration and structure, this sharply etched wine sets vivid fruit flavors of raspberries and pie cherries against buoyant acidity. The focus is excellent, right on through a crisp finish.
Sourced from an outstanding vineyard, this juicy, spicy, zesty Riesling shows terrific balance and lively acidity. A mix of peach, green apple and Key lime fruit anchors a thoroughly refreshing wine, with just a touch of residual sugar.
A subtle style of Viognier, this has body and presence without overt fruit flavors. It soothes the palate with a creamy viscosity. Modest apple and mineral flavors interact with crisp acidity for a low-key, reserved and well-mannered personality.
Ready to drink now, this blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre displays hints of roasted fruit and game on the nose. It's full in body, supple in texture and velvety on the finish, making it a solid choice for roasts or braises this winter.
There's an intriguing edge of spice to this blossom and apricot-scented BA, as befits the heady aromatics of the Scheurebe grape. The palate is sweet but wonderfully countered by lemony freshness. A spicy and intriguing little number.
Atypical, proprietary aromas of blowsy tropical fruits, apple cider, white rose and lettuce are perplexing. The palate, with its depth and balance, suggests high quality, while flavors of lime, sweet lettuce and green herbs finish calm, with complexity and richness.
Green gooseberry and freshly-cut grass lend elegant perfume to this ripe, full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. It's silky in mouthfeel, with opulent Meyer lemon and honeysuckle tones, but balanced with a squeaky-bright acidity that cleanses the mid palate. Finishes with a lingering sheen of oyster-shell minerality.
Sun-ripened apricots and yellow flowers perfume this lush, richly textured Chardonnay. It's fresh and primary in sunny tangerine and stone fruit flavors, yet deep and penetrating on the palate. It finishes long, with a chalky, briny, mineral tone.
The blend includes Bordeaux grapes along with the local Abouriou. Richly structured, it has the ripe black fruits to match. It shows power, although it also keeps an elegant balance between tannins and fruit. Hold until 2016.
This is a full-bodied blend of Syrah and Carignan, aged a year in oak. It's dense and velvety, with an almost chocolate-fudge texture and notes of plum, leather and spice. Drink now–2018.
Something different, the fruit for this wine comes off 80-year-old Carignan vines. The result is an intensely concentrated wine that mixes raspberry and blueberry fruit with delicate herbal shadings. It's full-bodied, but supple and easy to drink, ending on a note of dark chocolate. Drink now–2018.
From a 90-year-old vineyard, this begins with a lean blackberry nose and other pointed dark-red to deep-purple fruits, all nicely laced with minerality and herbs. The flavors are dynamic, slipping from cranberry to pomegranate to cherry juice. A black tea finish framed by strong tannins ensures long cellar life. Drink 2018–2022.
Balanced and fairly light, this is nuanced in apple, pear and quince, with soft tannins and eager acidity that comes off as bright citrus. The texture has some creaminess that isn't overdone and the finish revisits the themes of lemon and lime.
Intriguing notes of ivy, citrus and juniper are hinted at on the nose of this straw-coloured fizz. The vinous palate continues in this vein, giving more of a white-wine vibe than that of an austere sparkler. If you are serving food, this is your wine, thanks to its sufficient backbone and character to counter anything, and a long, fruity but dry, rich finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot filling in the rest. The winery states it's their “signature wine,” combining fruit from Dineen, DuBrul, Meek and Sheridan vineyard sources. Despite its age, the wine remains tight and tart, with the balance and structure for further cellaring.
This wine is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by smaller percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the lot aged almost two years in 75% new French oak. It presents itself as a classic example of the vintage and the valley, robustly bold and approachable in sage and red berry with a sturdy, sizable structure.
This enticingly fragrant wine offers scents of white spring flower, apple, ginger and flint. On the elegantly structured palate, radiant acidity underscores crisp apple, Bosc pear, white peach and lemon drop, while a salty mineral note closes the tangy finish. It's an impressive effort for what was overall a washout vintage. Drink through 2024.
Aromas of fragrant white blossom, stone fruit, honeydew melon and tomato vine come together on this savory white. The round, medium-bodied palate offers creamy peach, tropical fruit, dried herb and an energizing mineral note. Bright acidity provides freshness and balance.
Lots of richness and a multi-layered personality make this deep-colored, full-bodied wine delicious and interesting too. It's a big red, with bold berry and black cherry flavors, an especially attractive texture that's velvety and firm at the same time, and a long, lingering finish.
A salty lick of saline brings the palate to attention before tingling acidity seals the experience: the wine's backbone a nicely balanced combination of generous oak that supports ripe fruit. Francois Freres and Taransaud barrels cradled the wine for 10 months, only 35% of it new, making for a robust yet elegant expression of the variety from this site.
This is a juicy, mid-weight and lengthy version of the variety, elegantly crafted with highlights of cherry and cranberry as well as integrated layers of earthy forest floor. Lengthy, it drinks well on its own but will star with the right food, especially pork.
An estate-grown wine from an Oakville-based producer, this is an opaque, concentrated expression of black fig and gunpowder, girded by sturdy tannin and a richness of black cherry and berry. It reveals the power of the appellation well, and a ripeness of the vintage.
Structured and elegant, this opens with scents that recall beeswax, honey and almond. The vibrant, balanced palate offers white peach, fresh orchard fruit and a saline note alongside bright acidity. Drink now or hold for even more complexity. Drink through 2023.
This combination of 63% Roussanne with 37% Viognier goes through native fermentation and given time in neutral oak, making for a refined, light-bodied white pungent in pretty honeysuckle. Sharp acidity provides a powerfully lingering zip on the finish, the whole punctuated in herb and honey.
Ripe aromas of brandied cherry, cassis, dried cheese, tobacco and mocha are alluring. This has a linear palate with acidity in the driver's seat. Flavors of vanilla, plum, currant and wood-grain finish with additional oak and red-fruit residue. Drink through 2022.
Riper notions of yellow plum and melon mingle with Grüner's attractive freshness, here expressed by lemon and lime zest flavors. The palate adds extra verve with a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge. This is a taut, clean, super-fruited textbook example of freshness with tons of verve.
This structured red offers scents of perfumed berry, rose, leather, an earthy whiff of game and a balsamic note. The chewy palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, tobacco and dark spice alongside ripe, velvety tannins.
Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and baking spice lead the way on this roundly structured wine. On the chewy, concentrated palate, notes of white pepper and nutmeg add depth to the juicy black cherry core. Bright acidity and velvety tannins provide structure, freshness and finesse. Drink through 2022.
A blend of just over two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon along with Merlot (26%) and Petit Verdot (7%), this wine beguiles with its brooding aromas of spice, toffee, dark fruit and scorched earth. The flavors are layered, bringing a real sense of gravitas along with a compelling mouthfeel and sense of balance. The black-fruit flavors linger. It's all about finesse.
Winemaker Chris Pisani used small American oak barrels to age this well-made, generous wine, which opens in a sweetness of vanilla bean, grilled peach and toasted oak. Richness and concentration make friends with a decent level of minerality and plenty of length, the wine made in a full-bodied style.
Citrus peel, naked rock and cold mountain streams are the images conjured up by the first whiff of this fine, featherlight Riesling. Sprightly and fresh, wired and zesty, it is a reminder of the bracingly fresh and thrilling 2014 vintage. This will provide supreme refreshment on a hot day but also keep its cool in years ahead. Riesling ahoy!
Underripe lemons, yellow roses, cut apples and white lilies are bolstered by an intriguing, light cinnamon spice on the nose of this bottling. It's a bit like sipping on honeysuckle tea, as the palate is sizzling with acidity and packed with flavors of lemon oil, green apple skins and tangerine rinds.
From a vineyard atop the Cuesta Grade, this atypical yet awesome blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec shows blackberries, beef char, pencil lead, coffee beans and a touch of dried dill on the nose. Though flavors are still unfolding, there's plenty of blueberry, violet, lavender, soy, dried strawberry and night jasmine on the palate.
A Cabernet-heavy blend with 7% Sangiovese and 3% Petit Verdot, this wine marks the twentieth vintage of the producer's flagship wine, sourced from both its estate Cloudy's Vineyard and several Beckstoffer heritage sites. Black and green olives dance on the nose and palate first, followed by a concentration of cedar, pencil lead and black tea. It's powerful without being overly concentrated.
This wine comes from a small parcel of 41-year-old vines in the Muraires vineyard. It has concentration, richness and a structured character that suggests aging potential. Of course, this impressive wine is ready to drink now for its freshness.
This is the deal of the century for wine made at this level from vines dating back as far as 1881, the wine sourced from two sites, the Saitone and Banfield ranches. Yeasty baked bread and juicy strawberry commingle around black currant and blood orange, the texture smoothly seductive, with a cradling of dried herb as a back note.
A blend of Grenache and Cinsault, this wine comes from old vines in an estate revived in 1997 by Gilles Pons and Pascale Massenot. It's all about aromatic fruit, with grapefruit, pineapple and red currants playing in the flavors. A rich element contrasts pleasurably with the tight, crisp acidity. The wine will benefit from a few more months aging, so wait until the end of 2016.
Black cherry, black cardamom, vanilla bean and iron show on the nose of this bottling from a new husband-and-wife producer in the region. Fuller flavors of black cherry and clove foam pop on the palate, where grippy tannins and mouthwatering acidity bolster thyme and orange rind tartness.
Orion Stang's stylish winery produces a solid bottling here, starting with blackberry jam, pressed violets and cedar flakes on the dense and brooding nose. The palate offers well integrated flavors of boysenberry, lavender, woody elderberry, herb-crusted beef roast and a minty, purple flowers sensation that lingers into the finish.
The main estate of the Bunan family is a citadel from the 18th century. This wine is perfumed, rich with pepper as well as ripe red fruits. Structure from the dominant Mourvèdre in the blend gives some tannins and a sense of power. Drink from early 2017.
This is such a refreshing take on the variety, still robust and rich in body, yet possessed of firm acidity and a crispness of cherry kirsch and pomegranate. It practically shouts violets and roses on the nose, following through on the palate with a delicacy of power that's entirely surprising. The finish is a mix of allspice and white pepper.
From a vineyard on the western edge of the cool climate appellation comes this great wine, with touches of butter, almond, white flower buds and lime pith on the nose. The palate is high and tight, structured by Meyer lemon pith, made savory by sea salt and warmed up with savory melted butter on the finish.
A classic mix of cedar, tobacco, charcoal and earthy cherry aromas set the stage. In the mouth, this is minerally and tight, with crisp, pointed acidity. Flavors of vanilla and spice are oak-based, while raspberry and herbal notes are straight from the vines. A long, balanced finish simmers with spice and cigar box notes. Drink now until as far out as 2028.
Charred blackberry aromas carry a minerally note. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah feels tight and drawing, although with time in the glass it lessens its grip. Meaty, savory, oaky notes top core blackberry flavors, while this takes on a sauvage note along with a can't-miss flavor of wood grain on the finish. Drink through 2022.
There's no mistaking the variety, with plentiful aromas of fresh herb and cherry alongside vanilla and light barrel accents. The dark fruit flavors are supple with a mesmerizing texture and an exquisite balance that extends through the coffee-filled finish. The attention to detail throughout is impressive, especially for a wine at this price.
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.
This appellation is best known for its power but this wine shows it can just as easily demonstrate subtlety and nuance. Coffee, milk chocolate and cherry flavors lead to a textured palate that shows a lot of polish and detail. It's impossible to take a sip without wanting to take another.
Rich and concentrated in red cherry, cigar and plum, this demurely approachable and enjoyable wine has the legs to age. Structured and tightly drawn, it holds a tannic overbite that eases in the glass. Cellar through 2017.
A 100% varietal wine, this still has a puckering sense to the tannins, the power and weight of the wine generous and robust. Leather and banana figure into the bouquet, with the savory-laden flavors leaning toward black pepper and dark, ripe plum. This wine needs time; cellar through 2022.
Almost clear in color, this wine has pungently floral aromas of honeysuckle that pave the way for sizzling acidity and fresh layers of peach and lime zest to complement one another on the palate. Refreshing, light bodied and dry, this is a wonderful additional to any arsenal of aromatic wines for summertime enjoyment.
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.
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.
Bold aromas and generous but sophisticated flavors shape a rich tasting experience in this full-bodied, buttery wine. Aromas resemble nutmeg and ripe pear, while the flavors are like lively green apple. The texture is both smooth and crisp at the same time, and the long finish denotes quality.
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.
Tart cherry, ripe plum and black cherry flavors and barely a trace of detectable oak character make this a lively, fruit-driven wine. The aroma has touches of clove and black pepper, the texture is not too rich but braced with firm acidity and tannins that keep the fruit flavors zooming along through the finish.
A subtle nose of lemon leads to a chorus of zesty, citrusy freshness: rind of lemon, grapefruit and mandarin make for a streamlined, concentrated and incredibly refreshing palate with a tangy moreishness. The purity of this wine shines. This is lovely now but will develop through 2020.
Voluptuously exotic in Asian pear and honeyed hazelnut on the nose, this savory and ultimately lean wine is balanced and elegant, with a richness of texture and juicy mouthfeel on the midpalate and finish. Made in small quantities, it has a lovely label and is well worth looking out for.
A well-made and full-bodied wine, this has generous helpings of succulent blackberry and boysenberry flavors, with a firm texture of tannins and acidity to balance out all that richness. It smells fresh and fruity, tastes juicy and crisp, and seems to gain depth and interest with repeated sips. The blend includes 10% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignan.
This 100% varietal wine blends fruit from Summit View and Canyon Vineyard Ranch vineyards. Aromas of plum, fresh herb and woodspice are followed by plump blue and black fruit flavors and a tart lick of acid.
A blend of Sangiovese (38%), Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine displays each in turn with aromas and flavors of dried herbs, coffee, tobacco and cherry. The style is reserved, with plenty of fruit and acid but subtle oak—perfect for the dinner table.
Very structured and dark, this is a wine for the long haul. It is concentrated and balanced, still very young and only just hinting at the black fruits that show the rich potential of this wine. Drink from 2020.
No punches are pulled on this blend of Dionysus, Northridge, Red Heaven and Stone Tree vineyards. Light aromas of coffee, toffee and herbs lead to über rich, sweet, high-octane cherry flavors that are backed by grainy tannins.
“Delicate” is how owner-winemaker Larry McKenna describes Pahi, and that seems apt. It's smoky and vaguely herbal, hinting at tomato, then offers cherry fruit and soft, gentle tea-like tannins that turn silky on the finish. Drink now–2021.
It is always intriguing when a very light-bodied wine has lots of depth and flavor. There is an abundance of citrus peel freshness, especially grapefruit, with more subtle, almost salty notes of spice that make you want to keep sipping. This offers wonderful verve and refreshment.
Subdued aromas of underbrush, pressed violet, ripe berry and cake spice slowly emerge in the glass. Made entirely with Sangiovese, the palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry, ground pepper, licorice, tobacco and sage alongside assertive, grippy tannins. A note of grilled sage signals the close. It's still tightly wound and needs time to come together. Drink 2017–2022.
Aromas of cocoa, coffee, flowers and herbs lead to a velvety palate that possesses a real sense of texture, flavor and balance. The finish lingers.
Subtle hints of green pear meet yeasty pepperiness head-on. The palate is focused and concentrated and has a spine that tingles with crisp acidity and more pepper. This is inviting, moreish and very drinkable despite its comparative seriousness. Pepper and zest linger.
Maple-tinged oak aromas are huge and frame equally massive black-fruit scents. A tight clampy palate needs time to soften and expand; it's hard and unyielding now. Flavors of black fruits, coffee, chocolate and heavy oak finish firm and peppery, with a reprise of grabby, grating tannins. Drink from 2020 through 2030.
Tart and tangy in orange and lime, this wine conveys an undeniable freshness that one won't soon forget, with a bright, focused acidity at its core. Mouthwateringly succulent in lemon custard and brioche as it develops and lengthens in the glass, it offers the best of vibrancy and voluptuousness.
Aromas of tree bark, braised turnip and smoky black plum are rooty. This feels gritty and borderline astringent due to massive drying tannins. Savory earthy tarry blackberry flavors end with a hard tannic clamp. Drink this hefty brute from 2018 through 2035.
This is the first vintage of this 100% varietal, vineyard-designate for the producer, a mountaintop site 1,900 feet high. Red, rocky volcanic soils contribute a dusty concentration to the wine that shows a graceful grip of cranberry, cherry and currant wrapped in buoyant acidity. A wisp of smoke appears at the end.
There is a healthy dose of 22% Petit Verdot in this bold, juicy wine, rich in wild raspberry and cassis aromas and flavors. Graphite and chocolate fill out the dense, integrated midpalate, complemented by tangy acidity that provides structure and a hint of grace.
Sweet-tart tangerine and quince are shaded in deep folds of smoke, crushed slate and pollen in this nuanced wine. Savory spice and earth tones are prominent now, but a core of pristine honey and citrus notes pulse from within. Concentrated and composed with radiant lemon-lime acidity, it's likely to improve with bottle age. Hold till at least 2020.
Despite a nose and palate that delivers plenty of mixed citrus fruit, this comes across as very dry. It's lemony and crisp on the long, austere finish. Drink now with oysters, or cellar for 5–10 years.
The Art Series Cabernet seems to be increasing in quality nearly every vintage. The 2012 boasts plenty of sweet, cedary oak, but backs that up with layers of red currant fruit and hints of bay leaf. It's silky and harmonious on the finish, adding tea-like notes of complexity. Drink now–2025.
Velvety, robust structure makes way for a textured, complex personality of baked plum, rhubarb and cola spice. That spice continues in lengthy spikes of clove and cinnamon, providing a warmth that complements and accents the concentration.
Ripe berry, raisin and Maduro cigar aromas are hefty and convincing for Spanish Syrah. This feels full, with bracing acidity. Flavors of cassis, plum, chocolate and tobacco are steady as a barge on calm water. This is impressive for varietal Syrah from Spain. Drink through 2021.
You'll find aromas of forest floor, leather, graphite, chopped mint and an earthy whiff of soil on this elegant red. The structured, medium-bodied palate delivers dark cherry, raspberry compote, star anise, espresso and a toasted note. It's balanced, with firm close-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2019–2028.
Menzies is the name of Yalumba's Coonawarra estate, which is almost entirely devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Like most of the Yalumba wines, the oak levels have been pared back in recent vintages, allowing this wine's cassis fruit to to shine. Hints of tobacco, bay leaf and sage bring complexity, while the tannins are fine, adding a softly dusty feel to the long finish.
Floral aromas of orange peel, rose petal and violet blend with more typical scents of tar and char. This Malbec blend is linear in feel but full, without an ounce of flab. Lightly spiced berry, red plum and chocolaty oak flavors finish toasty and tight, but with give. Drink 2017–2023.
A ripe bold wine with generous black fruits, it is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Dark and concentrated, it brings together rich fruitiness and firm tannins that will allow it to age. Drink from 2018. The wine comes from a vineyard that is currently in biodynamic conversion.
Young and compact, this well-made, single vineyard Pinot is layered with cranberry, raspberry and black-cherry fruit. Tannins remain a bit stiff, and the acids assertive, with a muscular, tannic finish. Give this a bit more cellar time, and drink 2020–2030.
This complex spicy wine is tangled up in blue fruits—plum and blueberry—with a side order of raspberries. It's bright, youthful, in perfect balance, and sporting a palate-pleasing toasty note.
This medium-bodied wine is rich and dessert-sweet, with the warm, lush feel of the Barossa. Candied pineapple and dried pear aromas and flavors turn honeyed and long on the finish. Ready to drink.
Hailing from Phinny Hill, Two Blondes, Bacchus, Dionysus, Octave, Loess, and Old Stones vineyards, this Cabernet Sauvignon prototype brings aromas of fresh herb, dusty earth, cherry and raspberry, displaying an electric sense of purity. The flavors are elegant and layered showing an exquisite sense of oak and tannin integration. Far from a big bruiser, this is a thinking person's Cabernet that lingers and lingers.
The wine is pure fruit, deliciously perfumed and with a rounded ripe character. It has acidity and structure although these are just supports for the bright fruits. The acidity at the end will allow it to age further, so drink from 2019.
A welcome new entry in the burgeoning Oregon sparkling wine scene, this vintage-dated, all Pinot Noir cuvée can stand right alongside the best in the U.S. Details in both aroma and flavor bring elements of sweet hay, lemon rind, pineapple and green apple, with fine bead and impressive length.
Still tasting quite young, this potent Pinot brings a dark streak of smoke and a splash of citrus to its core black-fruit flavors. The tannins are stiff and carry a hint of stem. Give this some further bottle age, and drink it between 2018 and 2028.
Fermented in neutral puncheons, this is a dense, rich and mouth-coating wine that ups the bar for Oregon Pinot Gris. The neutral wood aging expands the breadth and texture. There's a rich mix of apple, jicama and Bosc pear fruit, lightly touched with wood highlights, and finishing with a lick of buttery caramel.
This top-tier blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot shows lots of black rocks at first on the nose, and then black plum, lavender, cigar box and rose petals emerge with patience. It shows floral depth on the palate, with lavender and fennel enhancing the blackberry fruit, all wrapped together by minty earth tones.
This is a new style for Redoma, smoother and fruitier when young than in the past. Old vines give concentration and extra richness, making it velvet-textured and packed with black fruits, This will be an impressive wine as it ages. Drink from 2019.
The first vintage for this re-branded, mid-level Ponzi Pinot is a doozy. Lovely aromatics offer a plush potpourri of plum, blueberry and cherry fruit, along with hints of curry, chocolate and hickory chips. Flavors are nicely entwined, round and full bodied, with a streak of root beer. This is ready to enjoy now and over the next couple of years.
From one of the few Pinot Noir plantings in Paso, this wine is hearty on the nose, with black cherry, black plum, bay leaf, forest berry, balsamic reduction and a rugged earthiness. It's thick on the palate, where strong licorice spice meets with flavors of caramelized beef in a black-plum sauce.
This must-have wine from the producer is always fun, a celebration of bright, juicy acidity and softly rendered dried lavender. Seamless on the palate, it will please fans of the variety and bring new ones into the fold, alluring in its smoky leather, white pepper and depth of blackberry.
The finest Jester Cabernet I can remember, this full-bodied yet supple wine features aromas of cassis, cedar and vanilla in fine balance. Cassis and chocolate flavors continue in the same vein, followed by a silky, long finish. Drink now–2028.
Another of the producer's 100% varietal wines, this hails from a tiny site at the base of Spring Mountain. Juicy and delicious, it offers a mix of ripeness and savory complexity, with layers of soft, integrated cranberry, blueberry, cassis and sage, the acidity balanced and nicely uplifting.
This south-facing vineyard has produced a well-balanced wine. The tannins are gentle, enveloped by the juicy red-fruit flavor and the mineral acidity. It is ripe, full of fruit with a crisp, tight aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
The lightly fruity flavors conjure cranberry and raspberry, with moderate acidity. This young wine should improve with further bottle age. Best to tuck it away for another three or four years.
Earthy berry aromas come with a note of balsam wood, tobacco and soy sauce. This is juicy, with sinewy tannins and a sense of perpetual hardness to the palate. Lightly herbal blackberry and plum flavors exhibit a stalky note. Toasty and tannic on the finish. Drink through 2022.
Warm, earthy, slightly horsey berry aromas are brambly and spicy. This Malbec feels flush but reduced and hard at the edges. Potent but crude boysenberry and plum flavors show a raisiny note, while this is long at the end, with earth notes and lemon peel. Drink through 2018.
Fiery cherry, blackberry, spice, toast and animal aromas lead to a racy, intense, narrow palate. Plum, blackberry and peppery flavors finish with toastiness, spice and juicy acidity that highlights the high tones in this blend of three Malbec vineyards. Drink through 2022.
Stone, smoke and mineral oil aromas juxtapose deeply concentrated flavors of peach, tangerine and quince on the palate of this deftly balanced Riesling. While dry in style, it's lusciously mouth-filling, suggesting swirls of honey and citrus. A long, steel-touched finish dries everything up nicely. It's lovely now but should continue to improve through 2022 and likely beyond.
The nose of this pretty kabinett starts off demure, wafting fresh grapefruit, sage and lavender scents. The palate, by contrast, boasts tropical mango and berry tones. Boldly concentrated and brisk in acidity, it's a punchy, four-square Riesling with appeal well into the 2020s.
Well rounded, subtly spicy and deep in fruit concentration, this full-bodied wine packs a lot of flavor into an almost deceptively smooth package. It has plenty of black cherry, blackberry and cocoa notes to savor and a texture that's saturated with fine-grained tannins. Best after 2018.
This bottling shows off more savory smoke than fresh fruit, with soy, black and white pepper and teriyaki/peppercorn-crusted beef aromas. The structure is surprisingly fresher and more clean, with lighter blueberry, pepper and more soy.
Fragrant and structured, this offers enticing scents of rose, violet, menthol, underbrush and a whiff of leather. The juicy palate offers layers of crushed raspberry, fleshy black cherry, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and a hint of anise alongside velvety tannins. It's already accessible. Drink through 2022.
Aromas of fragrant purple flower, ripe berry and pipe tobacco lift out of the glass. On the generous palate, notes of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg accent mature cherry and crushed raspberry. Smooth, velvety tannins leave a polished mouthfeel. Drink through 2023.
Smoky, roasted aromas of hickory and foresty berry fruits roll onto a palate that's bright and lifted by acidity. Oaky, spicy flavors of vanilla and mocha accent berry fruit, while a juicy finish with bold acidity and smoky, toasty notes of new oak closes this out. Drink through 2021.
This opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of ripe red berry, violet, leather, dark spice and a balsamic note. The chewy palate doles out fleshy Marasca cherry, licorice clove and a hint of pipe tobacco alongside robust but smooth tannins. Drink from 2018 through 2023.
Perfumed berry, fragrant blue flower and a hint of toasted hazelnut lead the way. On the taut palate, notes of star anise, white pepper and coffee bean accent a core of juicy red berry. Firm but refined tannins provide the elegant framework.
Here's true “old vine” wine—from vines 75 years old on average—and it is ripe and toasty, with flavors of almonds, spice and baked bread. Fresh, crisp apples and green plums are lifted by a citrus aftertaste. Drink this attractive wine now.
This is a serious effort, with concentrated flavors of blackberry and cherry syrup. Syrah sometimes shows a substantial coffee streak, as it does here, along with a vanilla-soaked finish, amplified by aging 18 months in two thirds new French oak.
Baked red cherries and strawberry paste form the pretty components on the nose of this bottling from four vineyards and five clones, but more poignant twists comes from black sage, chipped slate and pepper dust. The cranberry fruit is quite restrained on the palate, which instead shows lots of pepper, bay leaf, rose petal and dried fennel. It offers lots of energy and depth.
Really youthful, with almost grapy aromas buttressed by mocha and lifted, slightly leafy notes. This is a big wine, marked by thick, chewy tannins on the finish, but they never obscure the flavors of grape skins, tapenade and mocha. Try after 2018.
This is a complex, layered and elegantly conceived wine. It's enjoyable now in its juicy waves of red currant and cassis, with a background hint of brown sugar and toasted oak.
Notes of hibiscus meet with red cherry, cola and cinnamon on this wine from a hilltop vineyard in the heart of the appellation. Intriguing chalky tannins frame the palate, where pomegranate and ripe cranberry flavors are leveled by a black-tea element.
Garnet in the glass, this 100% Kékfrankos has aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, black plum and espresso. In the mouth, there are silky tannins and flavors of cherry, blackberry and nutmeg.
This classically crafted wine opens with earthy aromas of rose, violet, leather and a whiff of game while the juicy palate offers black cherry, cinnamon and star anise. Chewy tannins provide support. It's already approachable but will continue to drink well over the next several years. Drink through 2022.
This wine is textured, with a firm backdrop to the ripe white fruits. Acidity cuts through everything, giving a fragrant character. Drink this developing wine from 2018.
Dark garnet to the eye, this wine offers a bouquet of blackberry, blueberry and menthol. There is a sense of coolness on the palate amid flavors of cassis, blackberry, lavender, eucalyptus, aniseed and iodine. A smooth web of tannins fills the mouth, lingering past the bright yet soft finish.
A fully ripe bouquet brushes up against raisin notes but pulls back. This feels juicy and full of life. Flavors of toasty, spicy plum and cassis roll onto a rugged, slightly hot finish with chocolaty spice and lasting berry intensity. Drink through 2021.
While demure on the nose, the palate of this off-dry Riesling explodes with mouthwatering flavors of tangerine, grapefruit and peach. Kisses of honey and caramel on the midpalate are calibrated neatly by strikes of lemon-lime acidity and a clean, mineral finish. Drink now through 2025 for it's youthful vitality.
The Legacy estate reserve is a limited selection from the original mid-1970s vines. Fruit flavors of blue plum and blackberry are shot through with a streak of chocolate, from aging in 18% new French oak. Elegant and persistent, this will drink well now through 2025.
The stupidly heavy bottle is off-putting. That's a shame as the wine itself is ripe and impressive. Rich lemon and pear fruits go with touches of wood spice and a mineral texture. They blend well in a full and generous wine that is now ready to drink.
Purple, smoky and dense but beyond that it's regular. The palate is racy and medium deep, but the flavors are more superficial than interesting. Finishes quick, with coffee and bitter chocolate flavors.
This hits the palate rather hard and green, with thin fruit that does not seem quite ripe. The barrel flavors add fat and caramel over the top, but remain unintegrated and seem out of place. The wine reverts to its green side as the tannins take over.
If you catch this wine young and properly chilled, it isn't that bad. It's very sweet and sugary, with candied melon, mango and citrus flavors. Then it gets more tropical on the finish, with ending notes of banana and mango. On the verge of tasting fake but not quite.
Opens with candied berry and salinic aromas. It's tough in its youth and also a little too funky to inspire much confidence for the future. Toughness in tannins; toughness in fruit; quite peppery on the finish. It just isn't that inviting.
A little bit off balance, with mild compost and earth on the nose giving way to an angular palate with pointed acids along with flavors of zesty berries and red apple skins.
Heady plum and dark berry aromas give a warning of size and ripeness, and indeed there's a ton of ripe fruit to the palate; but the wine is also raw, untamed and lacking in mouthfeel. It could stand to flow and finish better than it does.
Dark purple, juicy wine, with spice and pepper flavors from the Zweigelt. The fruit comes through as fresh blackberries touched with plums and lightly tannic. Simple, rustic and fruity. Screwcap.
Quite piercing on the nose, with unyielding cherry and hard-spice aromas. The palate is also intense, with saturated black cherry and raspberry flavors riding rough on a tight frame. Not the most friendly and easy Malbec.
Citrus blossom and pine notes are welcoming enough, but the palate is sort of sweet and gummy for Torrontes. The wine has a spritzy body but not much variety in flavor. Powdery on the finish, with sugary leftovers.
The difficult Xinomavro grape is wrangled well by talented winemaker Hatzis, though the wine feels slightly discordant. Aromas and flavors of olive, pepper, spice and tart berry offer intriguing layers, and the finish has  sweet spice.
A little sharp and ringing on the nose, with pine and citrus keeping it ultra fresh. The palate is mildly aggressive and zesty, with herbal raspberry and cherry flavors. With light oak and acidity kicking all the way to the end, this shows the crisp side of Pinot Noir.
This easy-drinking Shiraz features some plummy—almost pruny—fruit aromas, facile plum and berry flavors, little tannin and bright acids on the finish.
This medium-sweet wine is attractively perfumed, with a good balance between exotic spice and fragrant acidity. The wine is soft and immediately drinkable. Screwcap.
An uneasy mix of steel and butter, this may just need a bit more time to settle. At the moment, the twin elements of metal and popcorn clash and compete. For those who love the buttery style, this should prove pleasing.
The fruit for this wine is sourced from the former Sandhill Vineyard on Red Mountain. The nose is pretty and enticing, but the palate shows a sour note. There seems to be a separation between the first berry flavors and the tight, quick finish. Perhaps more time in bottle will meld it together.
There is some of the structure characteristic of 2010 Beaujolais in this wine, but it is mainly dominated by a red cherry flavor and fresh acidity. It's ripe, fruity and ready to drink.
Line 39 is a consistently solid name in Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. The 2011 delivers an aromatically inviting, grassy, New Zealand-style wine, with layers of citrus and grapefruit.
Three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also has Sangiovese, Syrah and Merlot. The result is a pleasant, unfocused red wine, with candied flavors of berry and cherry, plus some tannic bite. Drink up.
The label—a grinning winery dog—is irresistible. The wine is a bit sharp, with a green edge to the tannins and a strong streak of vanilla, perhaps from some sort of oak treatment.
After whiffs of burnt rubber and char blow off, this berry-packed Cabernet hits like a small brick with black fruit flavor, which packs punch and aftershocks of cocoa and coffee. Chunky, rough and warm.
This offers pleasant notes of apricot, dark caramel, grapefruit, gooseberry and pineapple. It's medium in weight and texture, with acidity on the finish. Swirl it early and often to get the aromas going.
Floral berry aromas are fresh and carry only the slightest grassy, green element. The wine feels crisp and tight, with nice red plum and raspberry flavors. Mild, focused and not very hefty or thick on the finish.
This is a modest red wine, with very light berry-flavored fruit, and just a hint of cherry candy. The simple flavors are ready to drink.
It may be a second-rate grape in France, but in Portugal Alicante Bouschet has really come into its own. This is a ripe, smooth wine, with dark plum skin tannins, red peppers and intense concentrated spice. Drink now.
Hints of fresh mint leaves highlight the brooding black currant and dark fruit aromas. The balance of Cabernet and Merlot has been successfully achieved, as the wine is beautifully structured with a firm backbone of ample tannins and a rich, supple mouthfeel.
This is quite light, almost ephemeral, with tart raspberry and red licorice flavors and a strong metallic/mineral streak. It is delicately made, and interesting, but comparable to a simple Bourgogne rather than a wine priced at this level.
This is a light, leafy wine, with tannins that taste of green tea and leave a sensation of astringency long after the wine is swallowed. Sounds like Burgundy! In a world where so many Oregon wineries are making Pinot Noir that is superripe, extracted and alcoholic, this shows why the Burgundy comparison is still valid.
Another lovely wine from Chaddsford, with both class and a delicate touch. A pretty, poised nose of black pepper and spice are followed by restrained, minerally flavors that leave a clean but complex wave on the palate.  Pair this with more elegant French dishes with a seafood slant.
This aromatic wine has a strong floral scent that opens into more typical notes of tart lime skin and pineapple. It continues with similar palate impressions, then leaves a somewhat oily aftertaste, like a swallow of perfume.
It's hard to rate an aging, oxidizing, barrel-fermented Verdejo and take into consideration the wine's faded qualities versus its complexities. If you like dried apricots, dehydrated mango slices and fruit jellies, then this will tickle your fancy. Adherents to the school that believes whites should be fresh and palate cleansing should take a pass.
Bears a passing resemblance to some Monterey (California) Chards, combining peaches with sweet corn and bright citrus, all wrapped in a coating of toasty, vanilla-scented oak. Crisp on the finish. Drink now.
This is 100% Pinot Noir, tart and young and juicy, and at this price it's a pretty fair value. It could be criticized as being slightly sour, but it has none of the herbal, leafy, vegetal character that can haunt inexpensive Oregon Pinots.
With what seems a stylistic change, this 2005 version of Periquita is firm, tannic, structured, with dark fruits and plenty of dry tannins. It is impressive for a big brand, dark and concentrated.
This starts off a bit tarry and rubbery at first, but soon settles down to reveal black cherry and cola aromas and flavors. It's a nice, medium-bodied red, turning a little tart on the finish.
Dusty and still fairly fresh, but with that said this wine was certainly more in its prime six or eight months ago. Now it is slick but softening, with peach and citrus flavors doing their thing without much edge or kick.
From grapes grown at the Ramal Arad vineyard located 500 meters above sea level. Pale straw in color, this is loaded with bright lime and pineapple notes with flavor accents of fresh cut grass and pear. Closes with an appropriately crisp and clean finish. Only 600 cases produced.
This single-vineyard Cabernet is a bit less impressive than the winery's Katzrin bottling. That said, it is still a beautifully crafted wine with impressive cassis, licorice and vanilla flavors and a dash of orange rind on the nose. Imported by Yarden Inc.
This Macabeo (Viura) blend is neutral on the nose but fairly big and bulky on the palate. Flavors of lemon-lime and banana are spritzy at first and then stickier late. The rest of the composition (Macabeo and Parellada) dictates that the flavors will be short; but what's on display is nice and creamy.
An open-book Cabernet medium in tannin structure and expressive in plum, blackberry and tobacco. Juicy with a rustic edge.
A powerful Cabernet rich in black fruit, cinnamon and a backbone of mild tannin, Freakshow is robust and grippy, the finish showy in vanilla and smoky oak.
This wine is soft and ripe with a generous palate of wild-strawberry flavor, but a balancing act of acidity lends elegance. It's fruity but finishes crisp and dry.
Ripe and creamy, this is an attractive wine that has forward apple, lemon and green-plum flavors. It's a lightly textured, vanilla-touched wine that can be drunk now.
This is a soft, rounded and fruity wine that is already ready to drink. It has dark berry notes, spicy accents and a strong layer of acidity to keep it fresh. Tannins show through gently, softly, just enough to give the wine structure. Drink now and until 2018.
A ripe, juicy and fruity wine that has attractive black currant aromas, lively acidity on the palate and a light, bright feel. With open berry fruits, this wine is ready to drink.
Tropical aromas of lychee and pineapple come with blocky, pithy citrus notes. The palate follows that lead with body weight and power; flavors of green fruits fold in a touch of nettle and funk, while the finish is medium in length but doesn't bring anything new to the table.
A ripe, very smooth second wine of Château Siaurac, rich while still full of fresh fruit that already shows elegance and a light touch. The wine is likely to age well and soon, so drink from 2015.
A branded Bordeaux, this shows the structure of the vintage while also being accessible and ready to drink now. It is dominated by Merlot which gives ripe berry fruits and a full, soft structure. Drink now and until 2018. Screwcap.
Tannins and structure bring out the character of the 2010 vintage in this open, generally soft wine. It is already attractive, drinkable and fresh. Black currants dominate the natural fruitiness. Drink now.
Compared to the cool 2011 vintage, this Cabernet Sauvignon-centric blend comes off as quite herbaceous and leafy. Still, it's propelled by its elegance and silkiness in texture.
Perhaps with a nod to the battlefields of the Napoleonic wars fought in this region north of Lisbon, this is a crisp, apple- and lime-flavored wine. It has bright acidity and a delicate texture, with notes of pear skin and grapefruit. Drink now.
A soft and spicy wine that has firm tannins and ample plum fruit notes. Balanced acidity gives this accessible wine a sense of freshness as well as weight. Drink now.
This is fashioned from a single clone and sourced from a single block of the estate vineyard. Peppery berry fruit is focused and concentrated. The length and overall precision and power suggest that further development in the bottle will continue to add complexity.
The core strength here is the bright, pure fruit. Boysenberry and blackberry to be specific, along with interesting scents of rose petals. The finish brings in the sweet botanical flavors of Amaro.
Pressed white flowers and white orchard fruit aromas emerge on this racy sparkler. The palate offers white peach, kiwi, pear and apple alongside bright acidity and a vibrant perlage. An energizing saline note closes the finish.
This medium-bodied wine offers 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.
This ripe wine from a warm year is raisiny up front, with additional scents of molasses and baked plum. Choppy, clampy tannins frame oaky flavors of red plum and raspberry, while oak spice and resiny flavors push a woody finish that includes a strong minty accent. This is 85% Monastrell and 15% Syrah.
This barrel-fermented wine has a bright pink color, with exuberant peach and citrus aromas. Light cherry and peach flavors meet a tangy mouth-watering texture.
The wine is sweet and jammy, with attractive berry fruits and ripe tannins. Juicy with ripe plum flavors, it is ready to drink.
This slightly sparkling wine opens with heady aromas of spring wild flowers, white peach and Bartlett pear. The vibrant palate doles out beeswax, chamomile, acacia, green apple and citrus zest alongside tangy acidity and small bubbles.
Juicy with scents of cherry cola and cream soda, this wine was sourced from two vineyards. It shows violet flavors, backed up by hibiscus and a light raspberry juice. It's clean, fresh and very easy to drink.
Green melon, lime peels and lime blossoms show on the nose of this racy wine from the historic regional producer. The green fruit flavors carry to the palate, where Granny Smith apples, green Anjou pear and lime juice mix with lemon peel and white rocks.
Definitely mature, this is a ripe wine with rich tropical flavors that give balance to the beginnings of toastiness. An attractive tang of acidity contrasts with the soft, ripe aftertaste. The wine will age further, although it is ready to drink now and until 2018.
Aroma of lemon zest, acacia, yellow apple and a whiff of almond lead the nose. On the palate, chopped herbs adds interest to pineapple, lime and yellow pear. Vibrant acidity and racy bubbles offset the fruit flavors while a hint of lemon drop backs up the finish.
This wood-aged blend of Arinto and Chardonnay is a fine contrast between the round toastiness of the Chardonnay and the fresher, tank-fermented Arinto. It works to give a ripe, full wine that is textured, with ripe apple flavors lifted by acidity. Drink from 2017.
The odd name (misspelled on the front label, correct on the back) means beyond the beyond. It's a lightly buttery, nutty take on a relatively simple, yet tasty Chardonnay, with mixed apple, tangerine and honeydew fruits.
Fully ripe, this opens with scents of hibiscus tea, mixed berry, plum and black cherry. The fruit flavors are bold and intense, right on the border of showing some prune character. Streaks of balsamic, tobacco and black olive make it a real potpourri. Drink up now through 2018.
Dark, ripe, tarry aromas announce a macho Malbec. This is jammy and pulpy in texture, with more than enough extraction. Herbal, woodsy black-fruit flavors are supported by an oaky, resiny finish with black-pepper spice notes. Drink through 2018.
A spicy oak aroma, fresh red cherry and cranberry flavors and a brisk, slightly tannic texture make this wine quite appetizing. While medium bodied, it has plenty of flavor impact as well as an enticing mouthfeel.
Black-fruit aromas are accented by notes of licorice, green herbs and grass. This is full and chunky, but a bit hollow in mouthfeel. Pronounced tartaric acidity results in surface-level pop along with hollowness, while lactic oak and coconut flavors on the finish are familiar for Argentine Cabernet.
This blend of Garnacha, Marsellan and Syrah opens with a dark, inky, smoky nose that's full of lemony oak along with black-fruit aromas. It's hard as nails on the palate, with drilling tannins. Rubbery, herbal blackberry flavors end with burnt toast, rubbery accents and a briny aftertaste. Best from 2017–2022.
Juicy, nearly sweet-smelling aromas of blackberry pie introduce this wine by master sommelier Paolo Barbieri, who moved from Las Vegas to become a winemaker in the Santa Ynez Valley a few years ago. The flavors are streamlined and fruit-forward with dark purple and red berries, as well as root beer and cola notes.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this straw colored Metodo Classico opens with subdued aromas of nut and a whiff of bread crust. The palate is more expressive, offering white peach, citrus zest and pastry notes alongside a creamy mousse. An almond note closes the finish.
Sweet on the nose, with marshmallow, Nestle's Quick and generic dark fruit aromas. The palate is more snappy and alert, with good but regular berry flavors mixing with chocolate and herbal notes. Juicy and lively across the palate but herbal on the finish.
Black berry and plum aromas keep greener notes from dominating the bouquet, along with accents of stale burnt coffee that lingers in the back. The medium-weight mouth is juicy and driven by more dark fruit flavors with a hints of olive. Soft, round and easy to drink.
Rubbery and hard on the nose, but with solid berry and cassis aromas lying in wait. The palate is solid, fresh and good, with raspberry, plum and herbal flavors. Finishes dry and herbal but there's enough fruit and clarity to push it up a notch or two.
Smelling sweetly of freshly pressed apples with a hint of burnt sugar, this lemon gold Riesling exhibits vibrant apple and citrus flavors combined with a pleasant lime pith astringency and clean, stony minerality.
Dusty apple and a clean lightness define this basic, totally enjoyable white blend that is based on the pedestrian Airén grape but features 30% Macabeo. The palate is fresh and easy, with apple, citrus and white pepper flavors. Finishes crisp.
An excellent Finger Lakes pick, it's redolent with aromas of sweet apples and guava balanced with fresh-cut herbs and grass. The dry, full-bodied palate is rich and unctuous but freshened by a tart gooseberry and green plum acidity and a gravelly minerality in the finish.
Sweet with the aroma of ripe, red plum preserves and a touch of green herbs, this is a lovely blend of Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with hints of toasted oak. Soft and lush with a cherry pie filling palate, it's an easygoing, medium-bodied wine with a pleasant, fruit-forward profile.
A decent value in New Zealand Pinot Noir, the 2008 Wild Rock displays aromas of bright if somewhat simple cherry fruit. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied, supple wine; the cherry and plum flavors show only modest complexity, perhaps a hint of hickory smoke. Drink now.
A new offering (and label) from Oregon's King Estate, this sports a label meant to resemble a folded-up piece of note paper with random jottings. On the back label is a sort of freeform poem; in the bottle is a fresh, dry, rather light Riesling. Flavors of lemon and lemon rind, with a papery finish.
A serviceable Syrah, with somewhat muted blueberry and huckleberry fruit, pepper and herb. Medium concentration, with more of the herbal and stem flavors coming through in the tannins.
No it's not a mistake—this is Columbia Valley Washington Pinot Noir. A rare beast, but one that delivers an interesting bottle at this modest price point. Earthy, tannic, even a bit rough, but showing genuine varietal character and enough tart red fruit to provide a counterpoint.
Used espresso grounds and soft nutmeg aromas mingle with sweet red berry and plum fruit notes. The mouth is full and creamy with dusty tannins and a juicy red fruit core. Straightforward but enjoyable and easy to drink.
With hints of vanilla as well as black currants, this wine still needs to come into balance. It has attractive fruitiness along with tannins, but it is still young. Drink from 2027.
Lots of raisins, prunes and heavy baking spice show on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling, as well as hints of black pepper and shredded asphalt. Exotic figs and prunes also make an appearance on the palate, which is framed by a decent tannic grip.
A single-vineyard wine from property owned by the Messias family, this is structured and packed full of tannins. A chocolate and spice character partners with the red fruits and acidity. It is ready to drink.
Dark, burnt, crusty aromas lead to a palate with choppy tannins. Spicy, rooty, peppery flavors of red bell pepper, tomato and plum finish spicy, peppery and savory, with a burst of freshening acidity that adds energy and jump.
This shows light, tangy cranberry and raspberry flavors on the fresh, straightforward attack. Beyond that, it doesn't offer much detail, finishing with a touch of acidity.
This Bordeaux-style blend offers licorice at the forefront, with baking spice, fig, prune, soy sauce and Lipton tea queuing behind. Showing more of the same on the palate, these flavors help to quench the parching tannins that carry this blend to a lingering finish.
This full-bodied wine shows smooth and rounded plum fruit. The flavors are mouth-filling, but the rather quick fade suggests it's best consumed in the near term, as it's already five years past harvest.
Aromas of coffee, fig, dried fruit and soy sauce are concentrated on the nose. Earthy flavors on the palate are elevated by these aromas, with a hint of Rooibos tea that gives it lift and intrigue. The tannins are silky and the finish is long with evolving flavors.
Ripe apple and banana flavors lead this native yeast-fermented, oak-aged wine. Its loose-knit mix of fruit seems on the cusp of oxidation and is countered with tart, lemony acidity.
This wine shows grapey and plummy purple fruit notes lead to an earthy palate, with hints of stem and coffee. No new oak was used, but it spent 22 months in barrel prior to bottling.
This music-themed blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc is named after vinyl records, and the name means “white noise.” The nose is made up of simple apple and stone-fruit aromas, and the wine tastes of briny orange, finishing racy and salty.
This wine opens with a rich nose of graham cracker and a concentrated midpalate, which becomes full bodied and toasty in oak. Around a gravelly texture are flavors of green olive, brine and baked pear, a mix of savory and sweet that finishes with a dash of nutmeg.
This is a good bargain for a varietal that's very difficult to make inexpensively. Whiffs of wood smoke meet ripe concentrated black-cherry flavors in this full-bodied smooth-textured wine. It has moderate fine-grained tannins for grip and a lingering spice and smoke finish.
This concentrated but not overwhelming wine has charred-wood aromas and ripe, almost sweet blackberry and raspberry flavors. It's ripe enough to be syrupy, but doesn't go over the top.
Made in an understated classic style, this wine has a woody persistence of dried herb and mountain sage amid a grip of dusty tannin. Pencil shavings and red currant provide a yin and yang of structure and subtle character.
This is a stiff and herbal wine without much charm, even after considerable breathing time. Rubbery scents, bitter tannins and a chicken stock note obscure its tart berry and black cherry fruit.
Delicate aromas of chamomile flower, toast, thyme and orchard fruit lead the nose. The vibrant palate offers yellow apple, tangerine zest and bread crust alongside vigorous, persistent bubbles.
The nose on this easygoing Riesling is a bit reserved, suggesting hints of stone and bramble. It's quite vibrant on the palate though, offering loads of sweet-tart apple and pear flavors bolstered by zesty tangerine acidity. The finish wraps up brisk and clean.
All estate-grown and aged in one third new French oak, this elegant wine gives you the best that this difficult vintage can offer in a low-alcohol Pinot Noir. It's rich in aromatics, showing details of violets and rose petals, with gentle flavors of blood orange and white raspberries.
Subtle minerality lends finesse to pristine notes of lime, kiwi and grapefruit in this thirst quenching off-dry Riesling. It's pleasantly honeyed yet brisk, suggesting excellent pairings with spicier Chinese or Thai dishes. Drink now through 2020.
This is obviously a young Colheita aged in wood for just eight years. That puts it close to a Late Bottled Vintage and takes it away from a tawny style. It is a fine wine with dried fruits and acidity in balance, just not quite a mature Colheita. Drink now.
This is a ripe structured wine. With red fruits, some firm well integrated tannins, it is rich with a strong mineral edge and final acidity. The wine, full of fruit, is ready to drink.
A blend of Encruzado and Gouveio, this is a soft, creamy and fruity wine. It has no wood aging, emphasizing the ripe apricot and pear fruits. The aftertaste is crisp and bright.
This estate wine is soft, smooth and ready to drink. With its ripe red fruits and gentle tannins it is a fruity, generous wine, rich in juicy acidity and with a crisp aftertaste of acidity. Drink now.
Made with Chardonnay, this straightforward sparkler opens with aromas suggesting ripe orchard fruit, dried chamomile flower and a whiff of hazelnut. The bracing palate offers Golden Delicious apple and toasted nut alongside a brisk perlage.
Like most 2013s in Rioja, this smells gritty and earthy more than overtly ripe. A plump, slightly flat palate houses medium-ripe berry and plum flavors. A dry, peppery finish with moderate but present oak is solid.
Owned by the same family since 1850, this estate has produced a ripe Merlot-dominated wine. It is densely structured and full of black-currant fruits. The crisp fruitiness of the year shows strongly. Drink from 2018.
This is a fruity wine with contrasting wood-aging spice and high toastiness. It is still young with the acidity still prominent, so the two elements should blend well over the next few years to give a ripe, fruity wine. Drink from 2018.
Stephane Heurlier makes a generous yet structured wine that's full of fruit. It has plenty of spice and black currant layered with a touch of chocolate and coffee. Let the wine mature and drink from 2019.
Vanilla aromas give this wine its warm wood character. The ripe fruits that are underneath are full of red berries, touches of spice and acidity. This is a full-bodied wine, likely to be ready from 2017.
This substantive but not too full-bodied wine starts with dark-chocolate aromas. It offers good black-plum flavors and has a smooth but slightly tannic texture.
Aromas of toast, vanilla, apple and bread crust follow over to the invigorating palate along with candied citrus and walnut. Small vigorous bubbles give it a vibrant edge.
This vineyard site, like many others in Green Valley, was once planted to Gravenstein apples. That heritage persists in this wine's tartness that highlights an earthiness of sassafras, pomegranate and even citrus, bright elements atop a velvety-smooth texture.
Black plum and berry flavors are topped with toasty oak. This is a bit gripping, but also deep and generous. Flavors of blackberry and dark plum come with oaky accents of clove and pepper, while a woody finish is balanced and powerful.
This wine opens with a touch of reductive qualities on the nose, allowing the oak to speak loudest. Soon, dark berry and cherry make their presence better felt, with the oak taking a lesser role and the soft, integrated tannins coating the palate in this light-bodied, unfussy effort.
This is a ripe, creamy blend of Arinto, Viognier and Verdelho. A lightly perfumed character as well as a crisp texture. Yellow fruit and bright acidity are in fine balance. Drink now.
Classic Viognier with its apricot aromas and flavors, this wine is ripe, smoothly textured and with pear as well as yellow fruits. It is soft, rich and ready to drink.
Spicy aromas of cedar and peppercorn mingle with scents of red berry and blue flower on this luminous red. The bright linear palate offers raspberry, tart red cherry and white pepper alongside firm tannins and fresh acidity.
Berry, cassis and cola aromas are bold and stout. This Garnacha feels full and clampy. Plum, blackberry and leathery flavors are strong and secure, and the wine finishes in composed fashion, with rubbery, chewy tannins.
Elegant and lush aromas of black plum and boysenberry mesh with violets and lavender on the nose of this wine. Earthy tones of mace, cinnamon and crushed gravel enhance the bouquet, while wild berries pop on the palate. Flavors of bay leaf, coffee bean and more lavender ride atop the soft and polished tannins.
Fragrant and refined, this has classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, rose petal, tilled soil and a balsamic note of eucalyptus. It's vibrant, elegant and balanced, boasting juicy cherry, crushed strawberry, white pepper and a hint of licorice framed in bright acidity and taut, polished tannins. Drink 2019–2026.
Given the poise and complexity, it's hard to believe this is the firm's entry-level Barolo. It opens with alluring aromas of wild berry, forest floor, new leather, menthol and purple flower while the full-bodied palate delivers crushed raspberry, morello cherry, mint and star anise. Firm refined tannins and bright acidity give it a structured finesse as well as balance.
This is a shockingly good wine. The aromas draw you into the glass, with vibrant notes of capers and Kalamata olives, brine, smoke meat, mineral, black pepper and earth. The fruit and savory flavors—speckled by black and green olive notes throughout—show a compelling sense of texture and richness. It's a savory delight.
Dark berry, chopped mint, sage, tobacco and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this. Firmly structured and youthfully austere, the palate delivers red cherry, raspberry compote, anise and clove framed in vibrant acidity and tightly-woven tannins that give it a firm finish. It needs time to fully come together and develop complexity. Drink 2025–2043.
This is a bright, engaging and vibrant 100% varietal wine, lovely in currant, cranberry and a sanguine earthiness. The acidity is weaved throughout and entirely supportive, uplifting the fruit to greater heights of freshness and focus.
Juicy, wooded and herbal, this full-bodied wine is deliciously layered in plum, cherry and blackberry, well composed and sourced from a site in Yountville. The grippy texture is accented in dark chocolate that gives velvety lushness that lasts through the finish.
From two of the most coveted sites in the appellation, this wine showcases an elegant ripeness and rapturous relationship to fruit. Dried sage and forest overtones complement concentrated flavors of fig, orange and dried cherry. It offers ample structure and is beautifully put together.
Ripe berry, menthol, licorice and tobacco aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather and truffle. The delicious palate shows both generous fruit and restrained elegance, doling out raspberry jam, anise, clove, vanilla and dried herb framed in firm fine-grained tannins.
Rich, but also subtle, this full-bodied wine smells like wood smoke, baking spices, ripe plums and red cherries, then brings mulled cherry and cinnamon flavors on a broad, velvety texture. It offers nuances of oak in the spices, and a confident sense of pure fruit behind it all, giving this bottling a slight edge over the other 2014 Pinots from Goldeneye. It will be best after 2021.
Candied lemon and rich blossom honey hit the brain with their lifted, intense scents. A touch of smoky stone can be glimpsed before the sweetness of the palate takes over. Here, a pleasantly bitter note edges the richness with welcome texture and bite. Candied-citrus notes swish across the palate, trailing blossom, honey, nectar and candied peel in their wake. The finish is fresh and clean.
A rusty cherry and earthy forest-floor quality marks the energetic nose of this bottling, along with graphite and touches of chocolate and coffee. The sip boasts great verve, showing flavors of tart raspberry and well-integrated thyme, rosemary and pine-needle herbaceousness.
This blends vineyards from across the valley, successfully capturing a compact and full-bodied explosion of black cherry and chocolate that benefits from bright, balanced acidity. Though offering depth and concentration, it finds a focused freshness that adds length and breadth.
The first such bottling from the producer's 75-acre ranch on Westside Road, this impressive white is crisp in acidity with a fullness of body, both lengthy and complex. Apple skin, nutmeg, Bosc pear and a salty lilt combine effortlessly around a core of power and concentration that continues to evolve in the glass.
This wine is a blend from several of the producer's higher-elevation estate vineyards in the appellation. Floral and inviting in sugar apple, caramel crème brûlée and complex spice and salt seasonings, it's plush and voluptuous, with supportive acidity and a crushed stone minerality.
A restrained nose recalls ripe pear peel and a touch of grapefruit. The palate has a gentle sweetness, with caramelized apple notes. Fresh and balanced, this enticing wine is sweetish but not fully sweet. Lovely now, it will show its true, fascinating Riesling colors only over time. It will hold well through at least 2030.
This bright ten-year-old has enticing aromas of red berry, pressed rose, dark cooking spice, leather and a balsamic note. Balancing ripe fruit and finesse, the juicy palate delivers succulent cherry, cranberry, star anise and white pepper set against a backbone of refined tannins and fresh acidity. A savory mineral note closes the lingering finish. It's smooth and enjoyable now but will offer years of fine drinking pleasure. Enjoy through 2027.
Velvety smooth, this wine seduces from the get-go, robust in black fruit, tea and delicate offerings of rose petal and lavender. Intensely full bodied, it retains a balance of bright, natural acidity that tames the spicy tannin.
Coming from Upland and Boushey vineyards, this wine is 60% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre and 7% Syrah. Expressive aromas of fresh blackberry, huckleberry, black pepper, smoked meat and herb are followed by penetratingly pure dark fruit flavors that are rich but still bring a sense of freshness. The purity is dazzling as is the length on the finish.
A touch of promising reduction still colors the ripe and aromatic blueberry notes on the nose. The palate shows exactly what makes Blaufränkisch so sexy: that telltale mix of blueberry, cherry and tingling white pepper. Precise in its fruit and fine tannic structure, the wine has purity, toned muscle and verve, with a freshness and illuminating brightness that makes it both fresh and elegant. The finish rings with all the peppery glory of this variety.
Rose, iris, ripe red berry and aromatic herbs are some of the aromas you'll discover in this wine. It's both focused and juicy, delivering succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, mint and licorice alongside a backbone of fined-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Bright acidity provides balance. Drink 2023–2043.
Both tart and ripe red cherries characterize nose and palate. Ample, crunchy freshness gradually tips into juicy ripeness. The palate discloses lovely density, with overtones of licorice that create subtle, delicious resonance. The tannins are superfine and have a sexy little crunch. It's a totally balanced and beautiful red.
The wine, with its firm tannins and solid structure, is still young. The hints of black-plum fruits are way behind the structure. That's all good, because this wine will come together well, to give a rich full wine with spice, juicy black fruits and acidity. Drink from 2020.
Enticing scents of woodland berry, new leather, blue flower and baking spice meld together in the glass. The focused yet full-bodied palate delivers raspberry, Marasca cherry, clove and a hint of dried herb. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide framework and balance. Drink 2021–2033.
Subtle, intricate aromas and equally sophisticated flavors of baking spices, tamarind and cherries make this a fascinating wine to taste. It's full bodied but lithe. Energizing acidity and firm tannins give it great structure and help carry the complex flavors through a lingering finish.
This bottling by Josh Jensen shows sharp aromas of black plum and blackberry, with hints of lilacs. The palate combines a strong earthy quality with gravelly minerality, rose petals, lavender and dark cranberry fruit. Tannins are a bit rigid this early in this wine's life, so wait for the mellowing. Drink 2018–2034.
Sultry and inviting aromas of buttercream, custard and white peach are sliced by Meyer-lemon juice, salt and jasmine on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. It's finely tuned on the palate, delivering butterscotch and pecan flavors dissected by razor-sharp acidity and a chalky texture.
Menthol, French oak, exotic spice violet and red berry aromas take center stage. The full-bodied, enveloping palate delivers dried Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, espresso and cinnamon framed in youthfully assertive close-grained tannins. Give this time to fully unwind. Drink 2023–2038.
Aromas of red berry, violet and baking spice are front and center. Polished and savory, the palate offers cinnamon and crushed herb alongside a backbone of refined tannins. Bright acidity lends nice balance. Drink 2023–2033.
This is a tremendous example of Côte-Rôtie from an irregular vintage. After 20 months in new oak, the wine is a seamless amalgam of roasted meat and charred fruit. The tannins are supple, the extraction and ripeness judged expertly to provide richness without excessive weight. The finish does firm up a bit, so drink it from 2018–2028, and possibly beyond.
Toast, hay, pear, light ginger and savory herb aromas take shape in the glass. The linear palate offers tart green apple, citrus, brimstone and a smoky note, while crisp acidity adds freshness.
This bone-dry wine has a soft, ripe touch. It is crisp at the start and at the end, with attractive fresh sliced apple and pineapple fruit flavors. It can be drunk now.
This grape is historically from southwest France but performs intriguingly in this bottling, with aromas of black cherry and sweet sage. The palate presents black olive, cooked cherries and plums, charred meats and decent tannins. There is not a ton of acidity, but it feels balanced nonetheless.
Aromas of toasted oak, vanilla and dark berry take shape in the glass. The brooding palate offers black cherry, espresso, oak spices and a hint of grilled herb alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
With a light red color, tantalizing oak and raspberry aromas, bright cherry flavors and a firm texture, this wine discloses a lighter, leaner style than many. It could match with salmon as well as meat, pasta and poultry.
Situated in Eguisheim, the Emile Beyer winery is based in a former inn, hence the name L'Hostellerie. This wine is rich and very spicy, with a good cut of acidity. Yellow fruits are balanced with citrus to give a ripe, full-bodied wine. Drink now.
Crisp and fruity, this bright and fruity wine has attractive acidity as well as spice and a lightly tangy texture. It's still very fresh and needs time to deepen and become richer. Drink from 2016.
Intense aromas of white blossom, citrus and dried hay take shape in the glass. The crisp palate doles out passion fruit, lemon zest and a note of Mediterranean herb alongside bright acidity.
Medium blush in color, this wine has aromas of guava, melon and strawberry. Cool herbal flavors meld with zesty fruit, notably anise, soft clove, guava and grapefruit with hints of butterscotch. The soft, lingering finish is equal parts smooth and bright.
A GSM blend of estate-grown fruit, this is delicate, brambly and shows light cherry-candy fruit flavors, benefitting from an elegant touch. There is a subtle hint of whipped cream and coconut as it winds down.
Aromas of oak, dill, lemon drop and mature apple lead the nose. The palate offers up toasted notes, vanilla, butterscotch, candied ginger, yellow apple and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
Red dusty berry cobbler marks the entry to this estate wine co-fermented with 2% Petite Sirah. Milk chocolate, nutmeg and clove play supporting roles in this otherwise bright, food-friendly wine with measured oak impact.
This is a lively and structured blend that integrates Tannat with Merlot and Petit Verdot. With 11 months in French oak, toasted coffee and tobacco notes ride over ripe cherry, plum and currant aromas. The tannins are sandy on the palate, giving ample structure to a dark fruit-driven wine. Freshly crushed black pepper lingers on the finish.
Coming from the popular vineyard owned by the Chumash tribe, this delivers aromas of ripe raspberries and sanguine, earthy elements of iron-rich dirts. It's fairly mellow on the palate, with flavors of wild berry, lifting anise and a dank sense of tree roots.
The winery is in eastern Oregon, near the Idaho border, but the grapes were sourced from an unnamed Willamette Valley vineyard. It's a toasty wine, pleasing and easy-drinking, with pretty red cherry fruit. A dash of iron and some roasted coffee flavors add interest.
A blend of 85% Nerello Mascalese and 15% international varieties, this opens with aromas of toasted oak, mocha, vanilla and grilled bell pepper. The aromas carry through to the palate, along with cassis, cedar and graphite.
This medium-dry spätlese balances savory with sweet. Initially earthy, mineral tones build to plumper peach and pear through the midpalate. It's gossamer in texture, but finishes strong with a polished strike of steel and acid.
Bold and ripe, this tastes almost sweet due to the aroma and flavor of cherries and vanilla. It is full-bodied, fat in texture and carries heat on the finish. It matured in 40% new oak barrels.
Mild aromas of balsam wood and lightly spiced raspberry and plum are subtle and unforced. This deals ample body weight and lively acidity along with savory berry flavors accented by mild herbal and leather notes. Light spice and tomato flavors mark the finish.
Inviting aromas of dark cherry, spicy bramble fruit and warm vanilla show brightly on the nose. The palate brings ripe flavors of blackcurrant and dark cherry, with mildly grippy tannins providing a solid structure. A lightly peppered note mildly lingers on the finish.
Aromas of candied citrus, toasted oak, acacia flower and vanilla lead the nose. The palate offers butterscotch, lemon zest, yellow apple and vanilla brightened by crisp acidity.
Whiffs of sage and brush lend an herbaceous quality to this vivacious wine. Apple cider and honey tones are bright and sweet, accentuated by puckery lemon-lime acidity.
This sparkling wine is fresh and crisp. With a creamy texture and a touch of toast, it is very complete and perfumed, with bright acidity to finish. Drink this fragrant wine now.
A fruit fragrance of raspberry jam and black cherry follows through to the dense, juicy palate along with blackberry, cranberry and a hint of carob. Round tannins hold up the succulent fruit. Enjoy soon.
Made by longtime Napa winemakers Bernard Portet and Bob Pepi, this Cab is a complex study of bittersweet chocolate, cedar and herb. Juicy, it features a well-managed use of oak and medium body and weight, finishing with a sense of elegance.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec offers classic peppercorn and big juicy cassis and blackberry notes. It's enjoyable now in its vibrant fruit forwardness but also structured enough to let sit 2018–2020. On the finish are touches of bittersweet chocolate and dried herb.
These old vines are from the original 1971 estate planting. The wine is quite dry, surprisingly soft in the mouth, with lemon zest, peach and grapefruit flavors. The floral nature of the grape is kept in check, as are both the alcohol and acidity.
The unusual but inviting medley of aromas include Mediterranean herb, sea salt, oregano, citrus and dried yellow flower. On the round palate, a saline note backs mature pear, creamy yellow apple and nectarine zest. It closes on a buttery note.
Rich almost to the point of chunky; aromas of coffee and new oak announce its New World style, and then come blackberry, chocolate and smoked-meat flavors. This wine is probably shocking to the old guard, but if tastes this good, drink it.
This excellent wine represents a model for straddling the line between the past and current styles of Brunello. The cherry and raspberry fruit gets a kick from oak-based notes of charcoal and vanilla. Hold for at least four years, if possible.
Splendid from the gun, and classy. Early aromas of hard spices, mineral and matchstick announce some young oak, but that shortly dissipates, revealing a tight cherry and dark-chocolate bouquet. This model Brunello is impeccably balanced through the palate and onto the finish, which features a huge mix of pepper, licorice, baked fruit and vanilla. Hold at least until 2006.
Lovely, with its own version of perfume exuding from the glass. Additional rose and berry notes lead to a silky palate featuring prune, flourless chocolate torte and coffee. The back end is tighter and heavier than the front, which bodes well for its future. Made in the modern style.
Full, classy and exciting from the first sniff to the last essence of the finish. Along the way is a largely flawless wine that bobs and weaves; at one moment it seems forward and modern; next, classic. Overall it's a beauty with structure and style. The real deal in newer-style Brunello.
Rich, dark and lush, with liqueur-like aromas wafting upward from a sea of purple. An obvious entry into the “modern” category of Brunello. There's jammy, mouthcoating fruit and only modest acidity. Detractors may find it heavy and bruising, but fans will adore its weight and creaminess.
Truly classy, with a deep nose of earth, tar and pure berry fruit. This wine delivers both the sweetness and ripeness that it should along with some rugged, spicy edges. The finish is big and packed with licorice, spice and pepper. A fine wine. Hold until 2006.
From Ruffino, this Brunello is ripe yet earthy, with a touch of forest and moss to the nose. It may be softer and riper than many, but it's definitely balanced. Meanwhile, fine black cherry and plum fruit steals the palate, which also dishes hints of chocolate and fennel. Good tannins and grip ensure its longevity.
T-L has three cuvées of Châteauneuf, and while this is the least expensive, it's also the most enjoyable now. A hint of sweaty horse blanket may put off some tasters, but this full-bodied, lushly textured wine features ample raspberry and cherry flavors, copious spices and a long, softly dusty finish. Drink it over the next 5–8 years.
Bokisch has made a Tempranillo that's relatively light in body, bursting with an earthy tobacco tone, with a backbone of leather. The palate feels velvety, with soft but structured tannins, bearing black cherry and dark chocolate flavors. This has to be one of California's best Tempranillos.
From one of the few Saint-Julien properties that are not cru classé, this nevertheless shows all the class of the appellation. It has ripe black-currant and berry flavors, laced with acidity and dry, dense tannins. Its richness  is still developing. This has considerable aging potential.
This opulent wine is very ripe. From Dow's flagship vineyard, it is a sweeter wine than many of its kind, showing a caramel note and soft tannins. Within all of its sweet fruit is a firm, dry, structured core.
This plush, fruit-driven style of Shiraz displays aromas that resemble a cross between Nilla Wafers and graham crackers spread with berry preserves. The flavors follow along similar lines, underscored by hints of chocolate and coffee on the lingering finish.
Lush and mouth-filling, this is a plummy rendering of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that's ready to drink. Hints of green peppercorn and mocha add nuance, while the finish is long and voluptuous.
This full-bodied Shiraz starts off plummy, with oak-derived accents of smoke and vanilla. Those elements also show up on the palate, picking up additional notes of blackberry, cedar and baking spice. The texture is velvety, and the finish is long and surprisingly elegant. Drink now–2025.
Chunky cassis, tobacco and cedar mark the nose and palate of this textbook Cabernet. It's round in the mouth, with a long, richly textured finish that adds nuances of cocoa and dried herb. Like its close cousin from the Hickinbotham Vineyard, it can be drunk now–2025.
Le Châtaignier is a luxury cuvée of the domaine's oldest vines, approximately 96% Grenache and 4% Mourvèdre. Bright red fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry are complemented by coffee and chocolate notes (the wine spends four months in oak). For a 2009, it's crisp and on the firm side, so give it until next year, and then drink it through 2025.
This firm, perfumed, dry wine has concentrated spice and raisin flavors. Owned by the group that also owns Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca, Romariz continues to forge its own identity.
This big, lush, friendly and serious Malbec is packed with prune, blackberry and toast aromas. On the palate, it's deep and layered, the perfect bed for flavors of blackberry, chocolate and herb to fill. Huge for sure, but still complex, with dynamite prune and licorice notes on the finish. Drink now–2015.
Although this probably won't be easy to locate (only 64 of the 550 cases produced were imported to the U.S.), it is worth seeking out for its full, expansive mouthfeel; intense cassis and dark chocolate flavors; and long, velvety finish. Drink now–2025.
This wine starts with a shock of acidity, followed by a ripe blackberry note. It is upright, structured and still young, and its sweetness is just beginning to show through the tannins and acidity. Give it 3–4 years.
This is an aromatically appealing estate Syrah with the Viognier (4% co-ferment) at the fore with notes of flowers and orange peel backed by Syrah's smoked meat, pepper, and earthy funk. The palate is light in body and flavor, not quite matching all of the intensity the aromas have to offer.
The nose on this crisp, acid-driven wine is dry and leathery, with generic plum and berry-fruit aromas. It's a sizzler in the mouth due to racy acidity and brisk red-fruit flavors. Tang, freshness and snap define this wine.
Elegant and smooth with just a touch of wood and vanilla to bring out the blueberry fruit flavors. It's deliciously perfumed with soft tannins and a gentle, fruity aftertaste.
This grassy, slightly stalky smelling SB struggles with purity on the nose. In the mouth, however, it's lifted and shows good feel along with flavors of green herbs and citrus. The finish is under control, with adequate cut.
After a soupy smelling opening, leather and rubbery black-fruit aromas rise up. The palate feels firm and acidic, while the flavors revolve around berry fruit and oak, with additional oak spice and grabby tannins controlling the finish.
On first whiff, you may not be convinced that this Tempranillo-Cabernet blend is up to snuff. The nose has carob, rubbery oak, creamy vanilla and cookie aromas along with jammy berry. The palate is capped with tannins and feels rubbery, while flavors of milk chocolate, baked cherry and rubber finish with blackened flavors of barbecue. For $10 it's pretty good, but don't expect a miracle.
A fleshy, full-bodied Syrah with a streak of gingerbread flavor that's got a bite of heat on the finish. This is a wine for people who like a bolder, higher-alcohol style.
The cool 2010 vintage seems to have taken a toll on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It's distinctly herbal with dry, astringent tannins and the fruit unable to stand up to the oak.
The nose on this Syrah-Cabernet combination is defined almost entirely by raisin and prune. The wine feels heavy and raisiny rich on the palate, with one-dimensional flavors of raisin and prune (just like the bouquet indicates). Lastly, the finish tastes brandied.
From the start, this is a heavily roasted and fully oaked wine. The nose is charred and cooked, with black-fruit aromas lurking below the surface. The mouth is drying and shows black-fruit flavors along with burnt meat, licorice, lemon peel and herbs.
A classic Gaillac blend of Duras, Gamay, Merlot and Syrah, this is a bright, fruity wine, the lighter of the two wines produced at Château Lecusse. Red berries dominate, allied to crisp acidity.
This is a good value Zinfandel. Its label was modeled after the Fillmore's better days of poster art, meant to appeal to Baby Boomer rock lovers everywhere. Spicy and not overbearing, it'll work for casual jam sessions and/or barbecues.