A bright, fluffy white, this moderately bodied, oaked wine is intertwined in apple, pear and a bite of nutmeg, with supportive acidity and a soft, smooth texture.
Lime sherbet and wet-stone aromas are classic for the variety and region. This is a light- to medium-bodied wine, dry, with high acidity that drives it through a long, zesty finish. Drink it now with raw oysters or ceviche, or cellar it another five years to develop greater weight and complexity.
Split pea and earthy mushroom give way to sparkling acidity and a bright, flush taste of lemon and grapefruit in this succulent white, low in oak imprint. This is a food-friendly wine that can stand on its own, complex and layered with a citrus-squeezed finish.
Bringing together old vines from a number of the Chablisienne cooperative's vineyards, this wine is concentrated and finely structured. Its rich creamed apple and tangy orange zest flavors are lit by acidity and a mineral edge. Drink from 2018.
From the village at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, this wine is warm and ripe, with great berry flavors and a good sense of structure from tannins and wood aging. It's packed with fruit and likely to age well. Drink from 2021.
Fully ripe, extracted fruit dominates in this robust, heady wine, a mixture of red berry jam and vanilla that takes on a perceptible sweetness on the palate. From the mighty mountain vineyard, it also shows dustings of dried herb and brush, an herbal undertone that balances its overall intensity.
Half Cabernet Sauvignon, and a quarter each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine is a smoky blend that's gamy and feral, while also pretty on the nose in violet and bramble. Red currant and red cherry fill out the midpalate with tart fruit.
Peach and nectarine aromas come with a dusty covering. This Godello feels both round and pulpy but also balanced and well cut by acidity. Dry almost briny white-fruit flavors are stony and suggest nectarine on the finish. Drink now.
Velvety and dense, this vineyard designate from a cool appellation is floral and herbal as well as freshly celebratory in wild strawberry. A leathery texture finds balance and life in prickly acidity.
Rich and thick, this full-bodied, ripely bold wine has small amounts of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Mocha chocolate meets blackberry jam washed down in fresh-brewed coffee, making for a memorable experience.
Smoky and soft, this full-bodied, rounded wine tastes of baked raspberry and vanilla, its texture velvety and likably smooth. Concentrated, it retains only moderate acidity, peaking in freshness on the finish.
Aromas of grass and green citrus fruits are just pungent enough. This is basic but lively in the mouth, with grassy flavors and citrus notes of grapefruit and lime. A chalky finish is cleansing.
Savory, spicy aromas of saucy fruit, fennel and sausage are gamy, herbal and interesting. This is plush and big on the palate, with weight and depth. Flavors of spiced plum and berry are ripe given that 2011 was a cool year for warm-weather varieties like this.
Morello cherry is the central note here—almost candied but wonderfully ripe—with a juicy, almost bouncy body of fruity freshness. The acidity is bright but buffered by plenty of fruit. This is huge fun to drink, with or without food.
Spice notes accent pressed-apple aromas on this semidry Riesling. The palate is juicy and penetrating with flavors of quince jelly and elegant notes of peach and blossom. Finishes vibrantly, with a zippy lemon-honey note.
An aromatic wine, this is crisp with lively acidity and a tight texture. White currants and apple skin flavors are supplemented by lime and grapefruit. Drink now and until 2018.
This is a light, tropical Sauvignon Blanc that's widely distributed. The palate is marked by pleasant layers of pineapple, guava and melon. On the finish a streak of lemon lingers awhile. A great wine for parties, picnics and other casual gatherings.
A blend of 50% Montepulciano, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, this densely packed wine is loaded with black fruit and new oak sensations. The ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors are layered with notes of espresso, spice and new oak. It's not very complex, but the fruit is attractive. Enjoy soon.
This is a wine in development. It has lost its primary fruit and not yet found its way to maturity. While there are citrus and green herb flavors, they are overshadowed by a closed, steely edge. Wait a few years, and drink from 2016.
Charles Smith and Charles Bieler have grabbed a tiger by the tail, ramping up their brand while keeping quality high. This blend perfectly matches two shining stars in the pantheon of Washington grapes, delivering a tasty, accessible, lightly leafy wine, with sassy berry fruit front and center. Broad, open and delicious.
There is an attractive smoky character to this round and warm wine. Perfumes from the Gewurztraminer in the blend are combined with delicious fresh citrus and apple flavors. It's a young wine, to be drunk young.
Aged in a mixture of French and American oak, of that, 33% new, the barrel notes of vanilla and spice are at the fore followed by cherry and herbs. It's blended with 19% Merlot where all the fruit is coming from Alder Ridge Vineyard and made in a lighter style—the oak providing a significant amount of the flavor and feel.
Here's a crisp and refreshing Sauvingon that opens with aromas of stone fruit and a hint of crushed tomato vine. The crisp palate shows juicy white peach, green melon and mango, as well as a delicate mineral note.
This opens with lemon, lime and tropical fruit aromas that carry over to the palate alongside flavors of yellow apples, citrus and peach. It's linear, with freshening acidity and a drying finish. Pair it with lightly seasoned seafood.
Rich black berry flavors lead in this delicious blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese. The juicy fruit carries over to the palate, with notes of balsamic herbs alongside big, ripe tannins. It's a straightforward wine for everyday pleasure. Drink now.
Light on its feet and effortlessly quaffable, this Lemberger balances deep, dense blackberry and cherry flavors, with a refreshing granite edge. Crisp in profile, it finishes in a murmur of soft tannins.
Already mature, this is a full-bodied, perfumed wine full of stone-fruit and toast notes. It has a bitter almond character that gives the wine an edginess while spice lends a peppery sensation to the palate. Drink now before it fades.
Mourvèdre and Grenache share the lead in this Rhône-style blend, with Syrah and Viognier filling in the rest. It's a bit amorphous, showing red fruits, baking spices and some heat in the finish. A decent quaffer, but no specific focus.
Cassis and bramble-bush notes are aromatic on this vivacious Blaufränkisch. It's loaded with blackberry flavor and subtle hints of vanilla, spice and Bourbon that linger on the finish. Medium bodied, with fine-grained, moderate tannins.
Smoke aromas blow off with aeration to reveal a wine that's fresh and fragrant with apple blossom and pear notes. Dry and delicate in body, it's full of zippy lemon-lime acidity and concentrated apple flavor accented by a hint of bergamot.
Hints of earthy mushroom and brioche add depth and maturity to apple and orange-rind notes in this softly petillant sparkling. It's piercingly bright on the palate, with a high-toned lemon-lime acidity that lingers on the finish.
For cool-climate Casablanca Valley Malbec, this is dark, meaty and ripe. The bouquet is chunky and beefy, with a touch of leafy green. A meaty feeling palate is home to herbal, savory flavors of black fruits and salt, while the muscular finish continues with the salty theme.
Aromas of pineapple, white fruit and apple start this likeable white from Santorini. Citrus, tropical fruit and apple flavors on the palate are fuller bodied but still lively. A solid white for everyday enjoyment.
Medicinal, rubbery, oaky berry aromas are ripe by Leyda Pinot Noir standards. This is full in body and offers much-needed grip and structure. Beefy, maximum-ripe flavors of cherry and plum finish earthy, leathery and a touch salty.
This full-bodied blend of Viognier, Clairette and Grenache Blanc is a pretty typical white from the Southern Rhône. It's largely neutral in aroma and flavor save for a modest melon note, with a weighty mouthfeel. Drink soon.
This is tart and steely, with a flavor of pear skin rather than pear flesh, along with a green apple note and a whiff of grapefruit. Sharply acidic, it's a wine that should pair well with spicy Asian cuisine.
This is a decent, midpriced Pinot, soft and round, with light strawberry flavors and a streak of licorice. The 18 months in 60% new French oak adds a note of vanilla as well.
Modest leather, spice and black plum notes lead into a wine that's plump and dark fruited, not especially complex, but mouthfilling. The acids seem a touch low, so consume this soft, charming wine over the next few years.
Made from a typical Gascon blend of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng, this zesty wine is dry, herbaceous, fresh and crisp. Its full of citrus and green apple fruits, with a tangy finish. Screwcap.
This smooth, easygoing blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah is a pleasant surprise, offering up bright raspberry fruit and a hint of chocolaty richness. Drink it over the next year or so.
This smells nice and rooty, and also a bit like strawberry jam. It feels steely, zesty, juicy and almost too acidic, with blazing red plum and pie cherry flavors that are offset by integrated, spicy oak. It's dry and tangy on the finish.
A bulky wine with an ample mix of cherry and chocolate flavors, this Gigondas is a big, fairly rich mouthful but is slightly lacking for nuance. Give it another year or two to see if more develops.
Dusty berry and plum aromas set the stage for a big, cheek-grabbing wine with red berry, leather and light herb flavors. Toasty and minty, this finishes with a touch of spice. This is a good blend of 60% Mal­bec and 40% Merlot.
The structure is present as is the bright black-currant fruit. It has some richness, although it is tempered with acidity and a stalky character. Age for 2–3 years.
This is a lightly sweet wine that has perfumed apricot and orange fruits. Balanced with acidity, this would be just right as an apéritif.
Light, fruity and balanced, this combines acidity, red fruit and a bright feel. For drinking over this year.
A lick of vanilla hovers over the nose, creating an unusual waxy, rich impression that becomes far more focused on the linear, taut palate. This is rounded but streamlined, with slender citrus fruit that shares the limelight with earthier notes.
A bowl full of complex aromas and flavors are bundled together in this full-bodied, lush-textured wine. The aroma resembles wet earth for a moment, then transitions to buttery, bakery spices. Ripe and honeyed pear flavors come out on the palate and the mouthfeel is nicely viscous.
This is a pretty wine with its elegant pale color and delicious fruit. Made from organically grown Grenache (85%) and Cinsault (15%), it is crisp, full of fresh red currant fruit and has a nervy, very fresh aftertaste.
The heavy bottle signals this is statement rosé. It's certainly rich, full in the mouth with spice, acidity and tangerine flavors mingling well together. The wine is deliciously textured and could do with some more aging. Drink from the end of 2015.
Fresh citrus aromas follow through to the crisp, lemon and grapefruit flavors of this wine. To balance, a tangy texture, red currant fruits and intense acidity give this tasty wine all its poised presence. This blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mouvédre is from certified organic vineyards.
This is a selection from parcels on the Rimauresq estate. Well balanced, it has enough weight and texture to be food-friendly. Intense red fruits dominate, put easily against fresh acidity that finishes the wine with a lift.
Orange-pink in color, this is a ripe, full-bodied wine. It offers red fruits along with apricot and peach. Together with its lightly peppery texture and edge of caramel, it is a rich wine to go with food.
This wine has an exotic, perfumed component to its beginning bouquet, spicy jolts of cinnamon and cardamom around the more classic clove. Juicy and creamy in texture, it offers blackberry, plum and licorice and is approachably easy to enjoy.
A small-production Pinot that's earthy in just-picked strawberry, this offers light color and smooth, soft, silky tannins that have integrated well, though the wine remains young and fresh in the glass. It becomes weightier on the finish, expressing just the right amount of oak.
This wine leans more toward the earthy, savory side of Pinot Noir, yet still boasts enough plum and black cherry fruit to please most consumers. It's medium bodied, with a velvety or suede-like texture and hints of root vegetables, mushrooms, sassafras and cola. Ready to drink.
With 50% Mourvèdre in the blend, this is an aromatic, ripe and complex wine. It has a sense of structure, with tannins as well as zesty orange and layers of spice. The aftertaste is more floral and fresh, although there is a touch of pepper right at the end.
One of the lightest rosés in color, this wine does have plenty of flavor as a contrast. It is ripely fresh, full of red fruits and delicious, refreshing acidity. It has the fruit weight of a Sainte-Victoire wine, full right to the end.
This entry-level wine of the Saint André de Figuière range is pretty impressive in itself. It has a rounded, smooth character that is lifted by attractive red berry acidity and a nervy, mineral texture. Balanced acidity completes the picture.
Lip-smacking white peach and grapefruit flavors abound in this semidry Riesling, but are anchored by a deep vein of minerals. It's piercing and fresh, yet quaffable and delicious, struck by shards of lime and lemon and a lingering touch of honey.
A ripe, brambly Zin with 25% Petite Sirah, this holds a richness of cinnamon, dark chocolate and leather at its core. Sprightly in acidity, it has an elegant sense of restraint, yet offers subtle tannic grip on the finish. Smooth, it'll take on additional nuance through 2020.
Floral, this crisp white starts out in quiet contemplation, offering an abundance of fresh-squeezed citrus and minerality. It remains light and complex on the palate, teeter-tottering between fruit and acidity, with a solid backbone of structure and girth on the finish.
Vibrant and delicious, this has aromas of violet, red berry and a whiff of peppercorn. The sleek, savory palate doles out crunchy wild cherry, crushed raspberry and spicy herb alongside silky, supple tannins and bright acidity. This is all about sheer drinking pleasure, so enjoy over the next few years.
This vibrant, sunny wine opens with aromas of blue flower, red berry and a whiff of Mediterranean brush. The elegant palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry and hints of white pepper and herbs alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the juicy fruit.
With a bright violet color and jammy boysenberry and black-cherry aromas, this amounts to a fruity, chunky blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the palate, blackberry flavors run inky and come with a lot of oak and vanilla. A round, creamy finish is chewy and lush. Drink through 2019.
Here's a full-bodied, succulent wine with a sunny character that opens with aromas of perfumed berry, blue flower and a hint of cake spice. The smooth, structured palate doles out juicy dark cherry, crushed plum and a hint of mocha alongside velvety tannins. This is already enjoyable but will age well for several years.
Blended from eight different vineyards across the Columbia Valley, this wine displays aromatic nuances of toast and spice along with pear and peach. The restrained, medium-bodied flavors offer a mixture of citrus and stone fruit, with citrus winning out on the warm finish.
This white has a bit more meat on its bones than its non-vineyard designated companion, the grapes from a Ulises Valdez-farmed site, always a good sign. Structured and substantial, it shows oak and even a whiff of petroleum darting in between the crisper elements of apple and stone fruit, the finish entirely steely.
All Cabernet coming from the winery's estate vineyard, this high-octane wine is quite red-fruit driven for the variety, with notes of raspberries and cranberries along with a dried herb accent. It's soft and plush in feel with tart fruit flavors and elegantly styled tannins.
Unabashedly appealing, this 100% varietal, full-bore wine displays aromas of dark plum, milk chocolate and clove. The flavors are sweet, rich and palate-coating, leading to a persistent finish.
Intense aromas of wild red berry, violet, underbrush and a whiff of graphite lead the nose on this hearty wine. The warm, round palate offers ripe sour cherry, crushed strawberry, tobacco and a licorice note alongside firm but polished tannins.
There's a filigreed delicacy to this late-release 2012 Gewürztraminer, yet it's powerfully persistent, bursting with sweet, almost tropical fruit flavors. Zesty acidity and whispers of pollen and earth lend a savory complexity that's beguiling, sip after sip.
The aromas of cocoa, woodspice, cassis, cherry and herbs are brooding on this 100% varietal wine that hails from Red Mountain. Palate-coating cherry flavors are supported by dry, lightly gritty tannins and tart acids.
Dusty pollen notes lend complexity to this gorgeously floral, fruity nectar made from naturally frozen grapes. Brimming with luscious stone fruit flavors yet marked by a cool strike of lemon-lime acidity, it's impeccably balanced. The finish is long and silken.
Aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, menthol and ripe berry lead the nose. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry, grilled herb, anisette and white pepper alongside round tannins. Drink through 2018.
Leafy underbrush, scorched earth, tobacco, vanilla, toasted oak and spiced plum aromas lead the nose. The smooth palate offers crushed black cherry, game, grilled herb, espresso and cooking spice. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support.
Dark purple in color, with blackberry and spice on a potent bouquet. The palate is ripe and pure, with rich dark fruit flavors and oak-driven chocolate notes. Finishes full, toasty, peppery and smooth. Very nice and sturdy Malbec for everyday drinking.
There's a strong herbal presence in the bouquet of this wine (bay leaves, clover) that marries well with the red plum and dried raspberry flavors. The mouth is smooth and creamy with a touch of tobacco spice lingering on the close. Drink now–2012.
Rounded and soft, very approachable. It has attractive raspberry fruit and lively acidity, while the structure evolves slowly to show the dry edge of tannins and smoky aftertaste. For drinking now and over 4–5 years.
This Rhône blend is scented with sharp-toned berry, spice, and menthol and it has an herbaceous note that is well-integrated and set against light tannins. Don't look for a lot of sweet fruit; this is more European, herbal and firm. A fine food wine.
While there are plenty of firm tannins and weight here, the wine does feel somewhat hollow. The red fruits are there, showing slowly against the tannins. It has fine final acidity, but not the power and concentration you should expect.
Soft, plump and fruity, this pleasing, pure Washington Merlot pushes black cherry, coffee and baking chocolate flavors into a roundly accessible wine with no rough edges at all. It's a quaffer with cojones.
A very pure wine, its red berry fruits dominating lively acidity as well as a tight, tannic, dry core.
Pure Sauvignon Blanc, this is herbal while also crisp, very fruity, bright and lively. Gooseberry juice dominates this intense wine.
This five-grape blend is dark and concentrated, but also a touch soupy and mulchy. Interestingly, the palate shows snappy acidity along the edges, yielding crisp flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice. Finishes dry, herbal and spicy, but needs a boost of fruit to equal previous efforts.
Labeled off dry but with little or no sweetness, this is a unique effort, a rosé style with unusual length and focus. Chill this wine and drink it as an apéritif. It is most unusual—dusty, musky, and concentrated, with a fine finish that resonates with a Grand Marnier note.
Given additional structure from the addition of 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, this well-made wine shows a wealth of plum and raspberry that's succulent on the palate. Soft supple tannin provides support and a touch of heat, the finish is awash in cinnamon and vanilla.
Herbal aromas of green tobacco, black fruits and coffee grounds require some understanding of Carmenère to fully appreciate. A chunky, saturated palate is thick but balanced by tartaric acidity. Herbal, minty blackberry flavors are woody and show a hint of graphite, while coffee, carob and burnt toast flavors blend with green notes on the finish. Drink through 2020.
Underbrush, scorched earth, leather and camphor aromas lead the way along with an earthy whiff of game. On the ripe chewy palate, notes of crushed mint, clove, licorice and grilled porcini accent a juicy black-cherry core. Firm close-grained tannins offer taut support.
This brilliant and affordable wine will be amazingly versatile with food, as it shows wonderful ripe black-cherry aromas, equally fruity flavors, and a fresh, almost crisp, texture that's unusual for a red wine. It has good concentration, too, and enough depth to stay interesting.
Tart ripe pineapple is given a caramel flip of richness and concentration in this lush integrated wine, that is heady in oak and made in a voluptuous style.
This wine includes 20% Petite Sirah from the winery's property. Juicy, thick and tannic, as would be expected given the vintage and varieties, it offers pretty aromatics of violet and plenty of grit and grip on the palate. Dusty blackberry and black currant ride along a carpet of leather and meat.
Herbal in cedar, this medium-bodied wine is simply layered, with a thickness of tannin and oak, its mouthfeel substantial yet smooth. Black fruit speaks loudest—a mix of black cherry, blueberry and blackberry jam.
This serious wine is beginning to mature. Its spicy wood and mint flavors are now integrating with the rich structure. The finish is bright in a final burst of fruit. Drink from 2018.
A structured blend of a selection of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is perfumed, ripe and firm. It has a dark core and rich, exuberant black fruits. With a few more months aging, this will develop further into a generous, smooth wine. Drink from late 2018.
While this wine has obviously seen plenty of wood aging, it's also full of dark blackberry fruit. Together, those qualities give density and structure, with acidity and fruitiness to match. Drink from 2021.
This is a fruity, juicy wine with swathes of black currant and berry flavors. The tannins give a smoky, spicy character and add to the sense of richness. Drink from 2020.
This soft wine is still waiting for its intensity to come through. The acidity is there, as is ripe, honeyed fruit. Wait until 2022 to open it.
This wine is juicy and fruity, with generous tannins that support its ripe black fruit and balanced acidity. It has a smoky edge and will be ready to drink from 2020.
Mint aromas from new oak aging and spice and toast notes on the palate are part of this young, firm-structured wine. It 's powerful and dense, with great black fruit and acidity. A dry core of tannins indicates it will age. Drink from 2020.
Concentrated and smoky, this wine has plenty of black cherry and black currant fruit. Its firm tannins promise that aging that will make it a richly endowed wine. Drink from 2020.
This young wine is packed with firm tannins and juicy black plum fruit. Its structure of tannins, both from the fruit and from wood aging, gives it a rich texture. It's spicy and ripe and needs some aging. Drink from 2020.
Apricot and orange flavors are still right up front in this rich wine. Its acidity and poise show a balance that is delicious now. The aftertaste is crisp, cool and stylish.
This is a juicy, earthy wine from a tremendous site, that's firm and thick in tannic structure. Cedar, tobacco and dill complement the bolder swathes of black fruit that's powerfully concentrated and grippy in coconut oak.
This wine is rich and rounded, with some wood flavors and plenty of spice. Creamy with swathes of ripe pear and quince flavors, it's just now ready to drink and has a great balance between acidity and richness.
Aged in wood, this smoothly textured wine is rich with spice and creamed pear and melon flavors. Its acidity cuts easily through the ripe fruitiness and oak-derived toast. At three years old, it's ready to drink.
This 100% varietal wine, a steal of a deal, works in its offering of juicy plum, just enough grip and pleasant structure. Integrated oak helps it maintain a lightly firm texture on the palate, piquing in cranberry and red currant flavors on the finish.
Firm tannins and concentrated black fruit flavors set this wine up for long-term aging. It has a solid core that gives it dryness at this young stage. But the bold blackberry fruit and acidity will come through to produce a generous, balanced wine. Drink from 2021.
This finely wood-aged wine is rich and packed with ripe toast and generous fruit flavors. Its balanced combination of intense acidity, tangy citrus and apple flavors are supported by the spice from the wood aging. It is a generous wine, still young and best from 2016.
This wine is structured and dense, benefiting from two years in oak to offer a balanced, round palate that's rich in spice and black fruit tones. Drink now.
Aromas of raw oak, vanilla, balsamic vinegar and olive crowd out blackberry and cassis notes. This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend feels a bit reduced and choppy. Herbal berry and chocolate flavors finish dry due to hard, almost abrasive tannins.
This cuvée is put together from several estate vineyards, most of them marked by low vigor and cool ridge-top climates. The blend shows them all off well. Dark cherry and plum delve into classic earthy forest floor and sautéed mushrooms, the texture soft and silky.
Made from 75% Syrah with the rest Malbec and a smidgeon of Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings notes of dried cherry, vanilla and barrel spices. The palate is luscious and rich with abundant cherry flavors and barrel accents leading to a cranberry-filled finish.
This opens with aromas of blue flower, blackberry, crushed plum and a whiff of wet asphalt. The bold palate discloses black plum, prune, black pepper, coffee bean, and grilled herb alongside tightly-knit tannins. It finishes on a mocha note. Drink 2016–2023.
Pretty floral and fruit aromas suggest violet, iris, blackberry and a whiff of saffron. The palate delivers sour cherry, prune, black pepper, ground nutmeg and espresso alongside big, chewy tannins. Drink 2015–2024.
Entirely sourced from the estate vineyard, this is loaded with black cherry fruit, as befits its Dundee Hills location. There's a bit of root beer in evidence, and a modest but complete palate with relatively soft, approachable tannins. Drink this vintage young for optimal enjoyment.
Violet and lavender florals mesh with strawberry pie and earthy bark aromas on this single-vineyard expression from Lompoc-based Joey Gummere. The flavors are cranberry-apple and boysenberry, tart and relatively light, both tannins and acidity integrated seamlessly.
With half the blend Chardonnay, this has a crisp and steely character. It also has richness and the first signs of maturity. It is full in the mouth, an elegant Champagne that would be good to drink now, but will also develop further.
A directly appealing wine with notes of apple, toast and melon. It's fresh in feel, medium bodied with a good sense of balance throughout and a lingering finish.
Pointed, toasty aromas of black fruits and graphite are lemony, woody and not bashful. A giant palate with rock-hard, piercing tannins is drying but generous. Flavors of wild berries, earth and oak finish toasty and tannic, with lasting acidity. Drink through 2023.
A heady bouquet of orange blossoms opens this lithe, vivaciously sparkling Riesling. Delicately moussed, it's elegant and spry on the palate with a shock of lemon-lime acidity that highlights luscious flavors of peach, apricot, honey and blossom. Lingers long on the finish with a delicate crushed-stone minerality.
Aromas suggest pastry crust, almonds, spice, and lemon zest. The vibrant palate doles out Golden Delicious apple, white grapefruit, clove and toasted walnut alongside smooth, persistent bubbles.
Black plum, blue flower, oak, espresso and chocolate aromas waft from the glass of this densely structured wine. The palate delivers blueberry extract, roasted coffee bean, vanilla and spice alonside tightly packed wood tannins that generate an astringent, mouth-drying finish. Give it time to unwind. Drink 2018–2030.
Strongly wood-aged, this is a ripe, toasty wine. The citrus and creamed apple fruits are still working their way through the wood flavors. It's going to be richly fruity wine with a round texture that is cut by acidity. Give it time and drink from 2018.
Saffron and pollen notes dust juicy pink grapefruit and melon flavors on this dancing, delicate Riesling. It's lithe and nimble in body, but concentrated with sunny fruit and snappy with acidity. A quaffable, yet remarkably nuanced semi-sweet Riesling.
The wine is structured and concentrated, showing a strong sense of minerality. Citrus and ripe apple fruits are complemented by richer apricot, always cut through with acidity and a tense texture. It needs to age, drink from 2016.
A blend of Malvasia Fina and the great local grape Encruzado, this rich, wood-aged wine is perfumed and offers great fruitiness. Citrus and green plum fruits mingle with pineapple. The texture and the light toast give weight and add another dimension. The wine can be drunk now, but will be better from 2015.
Earthy cherry and plum aromas come with hints of sweet plastic and heat. This is plenty strong on the palate, with just enough elegance and restraint to create a sense of comfort. Ripe berry and plum flavors are syrupy at first then loamy, while the finish is steady and solid. Drink through 2018.
Bold, floral aromas of rubbery red-berry fruits introduce a full, fresh, largely elegant palate that's home to minerally, medicinal cherry, plum and berry flavors. Wood grain and resiny notes are apparent on the finish, which is long, driving, spicy and oaky.
Tangerine and pineapples scent this intensely ripe semi-sweet Riesling. The palate is fleshy with peach concentrate, but touches of dusty slate and mineral lend elegance. Sunny citrus acidity shines softly through the finish.
Ripe stone-fruit, pineapple and tangerine flavors are marked by streaks of lime and lemon acidity on this irresistibly vibrant semi-dry Riesling. Touches of berry lend a sweet, summery warmth that lingers on the finish. Enjoy now for it's fragrant, fruity exuberance.
Initial aromas are scratchy and piercing, but with airing this blend of Syrah, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon offers intriguing notes of vanilla, tobacco and charcoal. In the mouth, this is undeniably thick and tannic. Flavors are saturated and suggest blackberry and cassis. The finish leans toward syrupy but maintains acidity for balance. Drink through 2018.
This full-bodied, ripe, lush wine boasts layers of peach and pineapple fruit that verge on being overly tropical, but has an edge of citrusy acidity that pulls it back from the brink. Delicious over the next year or two.
Melon, peach and a delicate wisp of smoke are aromatic on this off-dry Riesling with bristling acidity. It's lean and light in style, but concentrated with juicy stone fruit and melon flavor. Finishes steely and long.
Fresh scents of orange zest and tangerine are tinged with smoke on this dry, piercingly lemony Riesling. The palate feels lean and steely, but is brightened by tart green apple and citrus notes on the midpalate. Finishes nervy and brisk.
Aromas of black plum, espresso, grilled pepper, toast and spice take center stage in this blend made from 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The dense palate offers juicy black cherry, lemon rind, coffee and black pepper alongside dusty tannins.
Still a little stiff upon opening, Watermill's Cabernet offers streaks of stem and earth along with the tart black cherry fruit. There's plenty of vanilla flavor also, and the tannins finish with a lick of green tea.
Rubber and minerally aromas settle on ripe black plum and berry. In the mouth, this Malbec is firm and fresh, with full-force flavors of blackberry, plum, leather and salt. A strong, steady finish confirms overall quality.
This is a full, ripe and rounded wine, with spice and red berry fruits. Its flavor has little connection with Pinot Noir, but it is certainly a rich wine with plenty of structure and an earthy aftertaste. Drink now.
Aromas of sawdust, toasted oak, espresso and spice lead the nose on this blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino. The palate offers black cherry, mint and eucalyptus notes alongside bracing tannins. Evident oak muffles the juicy, ripe-fruit notes.
This structured blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with slightly evolved aromas of prune, underbrush and a hint of leather. The rich palate delivers lush plum, black cherry and coffee accented with notes of Mediterranean herbs alongside solid but ripe tannins. Drink 2014–2019.
Pomegranate, cherry cola and forest floor aromas lead to flavors of mint, pomegranate and cherry cola. Well-rounded in the mouth and with strong tannins, this blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot has a pleasantly chewy yet refreshing finish.
This value-priced Chardonnay is fresh, crisply acidic, and immaculate. The green apple and jicama flavors are dappled with a hint of white pepper. 60% was fermented in neutral oak.
This is a deep, hard wine with sandpaper tannins and chewy weight. Earth, mushroom, blackberry and raw oak are all present on the bouquet. Flavors of blackberry and plum are ripe and rich, with an herbal hint. The finish is long, heady, heavy and tannic. Drink through 2018.
This luminous, ruby-red blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 5% Alicante starts with intense aromas of forest floor, underbrush, berry and tobacco. Lively, juicy fruit flavors are accented with mint, black pepper and thyme accompanied by bracing tannins. Give this a couple of more years to come around. Vos Selections, Tosco Wine.
This was a Vintage Port year for many producers and the quality of the year shines through in this rich, still-young wine. It is solid with tannins that are brightened by red plum and bitter cherry; the solid structure promises potential. It will age a few years in bottle, so will drink at its best from 2016.
The plush texture and silky midpalate almost define Langhorne Creek, and the cedar, cassis and tobacco notes are classic Cabernet. So what's the rub? The finish falls off just a bit too quickly. It's still nice stuff for the price.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this wine commences with aromas of blueberry jam, black currants and spice. The structured, fruity palate delivers rich black cherry, blackberry and vanilla layered with chocolate and nutmeg alongside firm but fine tannins.
Using grapes sourced primarily from Lodi, this Merlot is oaky and smoky, expressing an aroma of cooked black olive. It also features a subtle and toasty berry cobbler flavor, and the finish is all cedar and caramel.
Difficult to categorize, although the winery calls it a ”rosato,” this wine contains 86% white Moscato, but gets its red color from the addition of 14% Cabernet Franc. Light and bright, with a touch of sweetness (2.89% residual sugar), its flavors veer toward ripe strawberry purée and dark plum. It retains enough acidity to not taste cloying, though, and it is light in alcohol.
This fruity selection has light fizz and soft, gently sweet flavors of citrus and grapefruit. With its crisp apple edge, this makes for a great apéritif.
Aromas of sweet honey and caramelized sugar on this Bulgarian Riesling belie a palate that's crisp, dry and bristling with acidity. Fresh lemon and apple flavors lack concentration but finish briskly with a hint of dusty minerality.
With its dusty, leathery components that are wrapped in sweet tannins this tastes typical. However, it's a little austere in terms of fruit.
Lavender and ripe black-cherry aromas are enticing on this Pinot Noir. Dry and full bodied, it doesn't have a lot of concentration, but it's softly fruity, with hints of soil and autumn leaf.
This lively, fruity wine has fine acidity that's smoothed by creamy pear and green plum flavors. There is a touch of sweetness—perhaps some residual sugar—from grapes that were harvested when very ripe. Drink over the next few months.
With touches of wood and spice, this is round, soft and ready to drink. It has a core of red fruit flavor and an attractive touch of cool-climate acidity.
Made in a semisweet style, this smells almost dry, with notes of cheese and vanilla. On the palate, it's simple, where the sugary flavors quickly emerge before fading away to almost nothing.
This wine is very soft, rounded and gentle. A touch of light pepper accompanies melon and creamed pear flavors. It's a good apéritif wine and it can be paired with amuse-bouche.
Pungent up front, with green herb, white pepper and citrus aromas, this is zesty and acidic on the palate, with a monotonous lemon flavor on the finish. It turns more tart and acidic as it airs.
This single-vineyard offering is almost transparent. Thin fruit runs quickly into a buttery finish.
This straightforward mountain Zinfandel has big dark-fruit notes and a cherry-­syrup finish, with textures of leather and tobacco.
Granular citrus aromas define the bouquet on this wine. It feels soft, with just enough acidity to avoid flabbiness. Banana and pithy citrus flavors set up a basic finish with lasting bitterness.
The wine is lean with austere tannins and plenty of structure. What is seems to be missing is the fruit potential. It will soften over time, although probably not enough.
The aromas of this wine are rich, with sweet cream, butter, vanilla extract and pineapple. Butter is also very present on the palate, as is vanilla, overripe apple and some toasty charred oak. Medium in body, it feels creamy and round. The finish has a bit of a bitter seed or pit quality.
The nose of this 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot cuvée shows prune and vanilla scents. On the palate, it's simple and easygong, delivering cocoa and black cherry jam flavors. Drink soon.
It's not clear what separates this from some of the other estate-grown cuvées. The thin strawberry fruit accompanies rather stemmy tannins and a green vegetal streak.
This inexpensive wine is relatively low in alcohol and reasonably refreshing, although pear, melon and pineapple flavors leave a slightly sweet impression on the palate. Drink now.
The winery calls this a Super-Tuscan blend, a bit of a stretch with 33% Carmenère along with 57% Sangiovese and 5% each Syrah and Malbec. There is a strong streak of green bean that goes so far as to hint at asparagus and drying tannins through an earthy finish.
This basic, fairly priced offering is bright in acidity with crisp, clean cherry and cola flavors.
This Grenache/Syrah/Tempranillo blend is already showing hints of oxidation. The toasty nose brings scents of sweet baking spices and orange liqueur as well, but the fruit is dried out and the finish astringent and attenuated.
Past vintages of this cuvée have been delightful, but this one hits a speed bump. Diluted fruit flavors conjure up memories of cherry Kool-Aid, with a spare hint of chocolate. The wine has no depth, and not much flavor.
This simple wine offers subdued charred earth and dark-skinned berry aromas. On the palate, an unusual medicinal note and green hint of sage accent the faint sour cherry fruit. The tannins are astringent yet fleeting.
Subdued pineapple, lemon and orange blossom on the nose give way to similar notes on the palate, plus a slight guava note. Thin in feel, it does have a crispness that lasts through the tart finish.
Smoky, charred aromas and roasted flavors give this full-bodied wine a big, rowdy personality, nearly outshining the fruit flavors. That heavy toast an oak-derived attribute that tends to polarize wine drinkers, but those who love it will appreciate this wine.
The nose of this bottling is quite shy. After being open for hours, it begins to show dust and soil aromas, like sun-baked clay, crushed rocks and flint. The palate is also hard to decipher, with a little blackberry fruit but mostly dry, flat soil flavors.
This is a soft wine from the warm white vintage of 2015. It is a touch herbal and much more tropical and white fruits. The balance is just right, so drink now.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this informal red has subdued black cherry and vanilla aromas that carry over to the simple palate, where they're brightened by a hint of tangerine zest. It's easy-drinking, with soft, fleeting tannins. Enjoy soon.
Somewhat flat on the palate, this full-bodied wine is ripe in blue fruit but shy in acidity.
Faint aromas of lemon peel, apple peel and Meyer lemon pith show on the nose of this county blend bottling. Earthy clay-like notes meet with tangy citrus, sliced apple and pear flesh.
This is a thick, syrupy-rich wine that traffics in candied cherry and oak flavors.It has appeal but lacks varietal character.
This wine is solidly built with tannin and oak, a searing earthiness dulling the fruit. Tar, earth and spicy cardamom aromas domainate its full-bodied concentration and youthful ripeness.
This easy-drinking blend of 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Malvasia has spice-laced ripe black cherry aromas. The light, simple palate shows sour cherry and clove with soft tannins. Drink soon.
Exceedingly dark, with chewy herbal tannins and high-toned somewhat volatile aromas, this is a wine that has not knit together. Black cherry, kirsch, fig and balsamic elements are scattered about, but nothing holds the center. Best to drink up soon.
This light and fruity wine offers fresh peach flavors, with a burst of lemon candy. It's off dry and finishes with a sugary kick.
This wine has vibrant aromas of lemon, lime and wet stone, with a hint of lightly buttered popcorn. Flavors of pineapple, lemon and yellow apple unfold on the palate, hit by a dusting of oaky spice. The crisp texture boasts a subtle viscosity, leading into a butterscotch-accented finish.
From the western edge of Sonoma Valley, this robust, full-figured wine took on considerable power in this vintage. It exhibits elusive fruit before peeling back bittersweet layers of cranberry, orange peel and tea. After fresh rose on the nose, it adds an element of char to the finish.
This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, sourced from throughout the Napa Valley, including the winery's estate Diamond Mountain vineyard. Bold and lush in cranberry and dark chocolate, it's also robust in black pepper and cedar.
Light-bodied and modestly priced, this is a wine for a wide circle of friends, great for midweek meals and larger weekend gatherings. Hazelnut and caramel-honey confront the senses, while the palate offers balance and zesty acidity. The finish is soft and subtle.
This delicious, dark, full-bodied wine smells like blackberry jam and tastes like blueberries and dark chocolate. It has a richly tannic but not harsh texture and lingering finish. The gorgeous fruit flavors make it drinkable now, but it will mature nicely through 2020.
A rather closed nose leads to a citric, ever so slightly peppery palate. The body approaches on light feet, with an almost weightless freshness. If you like it feather-light, this is your wine, just a silky touch of bracing acidity and an ultraclean finish.
Made from a field blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Musque, this wine is given three months in French oak. Structured, it also has a decadence of vanilla cream and pear pie surrounded by briny aromas and plenty of citrus.
Spicy, savory notes dominate the nose of this fresh Zweigelt which features crunchy, fresh tannins and a vein of refreshing acidity. The palate is sonorous and textured with notes of cinnamon and pepper accentuating the red and black fresh cherry fruit. This is refreshing, invigorating and appetizing.
Slight flinty notes on the nose open up into flavors of ripe pear on the palate. Everything is toned by fresh citrus zest and a linear, taut body that holds ample refreshment. This is clean, zingy and slender and offers ultimate refreshment.
Just a hint of citrus emanates from the glass. The very light-bodied palate remains very citrussy, taut, fresh and bright. Save this one for a hot summer day and it will provide ultimate refreshment.
An overtly fragrant nose of both moss and ripe yellow pear makes for an intriguing opening. The palate has the same seductive pull of ripeness—and the accompanying warmth. But there is tone and freshness that lifts everything up and ends up as a picture of complete charm.
Opulent layers of quince, apple and tangerine seem to be glazed with honey­comb and smoke in this complex, textured wine. Dry in style, it's satisfyingly creamy on the palate, yet struck by a nervous edge of lime zest and lemony acidity. Drink now–2025 to allow its mineral complexities to deepen.
A step up in weight, texture and concentration from VM's Private Bin bottling, Cellar Selection is the middle tier of the company's Sauvignon Blancs. Delicate leafy characters mark the nose, but the emphasis is on the engaging gooseberry and pink grapefruit notes. Textures of silk and cream add richness to the palate, lingering on the mouthwatering finish.
Aromas of baked plum, toasted oak, coffee and a whiff of chocolate come together in the glass. On the palate, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla add depth to the juicy black cherry core while firm, polished tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2020.
The second vintage of this declassified barrel wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah. It provides aromas of blackberry, pencil eraser, coffee, strawberry and herbs. The palate boasts plump, flavorful fruit and savory notes before a lingering finish.
Randall Grahm's reserve version of this 37% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 9% Cinsault blend is a bit shy on the nose before revealing boysenberry, asphalt, sesame, soy and an ever-so-slight barnyard twist. The palate shows lots of verve but not much overt fruit, with flavors that are tarry but not overly tannic and a great finish of purple flowers.
This wine from the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains has a distinctively intriguing nose, with sweet chive, yellow onion, lemon shaved ice, wet cement and pink grapefruit blossom aromas. Iodine and a quinine character greets the palate, with slight hints of balanced almond, lime pith and citrus-blossom flavors.
While Merlot makes up the majority of this blend, the Cabernet Franc seems in the lead, with aromas of leafy green herbs, bell pepper, flowers and savory notes. The feel is silky and polished, showing richness and deftness with a finish that lingers. Some warmth holds it back.
This is a ripe, full wine with flavors of pineapple and apricots. Still developing, it still has a strongly mineral texture, so wait until 2018. This third-generation family estate hosts monthly musical and tasting events with estate fruit, vegetables and honey for sale.
Dark in color, this wine is firm, structured and dense. Ripe blackberry fruits dominate the tannins, giving weight and impressive richness for the vintage. The wood-aging is still showing in the dry core, so the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This Grand Cru Classé, with its 25% Cabernet Franc, is rich and opulently textured. It brims with ripe berry fruits, plus dense tannins that are supple and well integrated. Still developing, it's full in the mouth and is becoming a generous wine, more fruit than long-term structure. Drink from 2017.
This is a finely etched wine with just the right balance between its ripe fruits and tannins. Structured while also juicy, it has a mint and black-currant freshness as well as a dry core that will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.
More delicate and dainty in mousse than other bottlings from Château Frank, this blanc de blancs calibrates gossamer layers of pristine apple, pear and citrus flavors against spine-tingling acidity. It's breathlessly vivacious and penetrates long with a touch of sugar cookie crumbles.
This full and structured wine offers good acidity, firm tannins and layers of black-currant flavors. It has good potential with richness, weight and balance. Drink from 2019.
Hints of ceder, bramble and smoked nuts add savory complexity to this ripe, full-bodied Syrah full of succulent black cherry and berry flavors. It's approachable yet elegant, framed by soft, feathery tannins and a zesty spray of cranberry acidity add. Drink now through 2018.
With 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a structured wine, firm with tannins that contrast with the black-currant fruits. Still full of young tannins, it will develop well over the next few years. Wait to drink until 2019.
A sweet wine from one of the best Grand Cru vineyards, this is full of ripe spice and is still very young. It offers layers of pepper, lychee fruits and a luscious texture that wraps around the palate. It's going to be excellent; wait until 2018.
This dry-farmed, small-batch wine offers dark purple-fruit aromas alongside spicy spearmint notes and a bit of unique nuttiness. It's fleshy, with ollallieberries and plum-skin flavors on the palate and a fresh fennel herbalness giving licorice grip on the close.
Gold in color, this beautiful wine combines intense spice and fruit with a fresh, mineral character. It is off dry, hinting almost at honey and botrytis. The acidity brings out all the complex textures and flavors. Drink from 2016.
Situated in Turckheim just below the Brand Grand Cru vineyard, Heimbourg is a great vineyard for Gewurztraminer. This wine is dense, rich, poised and balanced. The intense fruitiness is balanced by the structure and a crisp edge to its sweetness. Drink from 2017.
This powerful blend of 23% Malbec, 20% Carmenere, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 7% Petite Verdot delivers layered aromas of olallieberry, grape candy, sage, anise and lava rocks. Purple fruits dominate the palate, with complexity provided by creosote and violets, along with ample tannins and acidity.
Caramel aromas lead to a wine that is soft, ripe and rich. It has sweetness, a generous texture and ripe spicy fruits. Tantalizing hints of honey go with the smooth yellow fruits and opulent character. It's still young for a wine of this stature, so drink from 2017.
Licorice, dark berry, toast and orange-peel aromas take shape in the glass and carry over to the palate, along with grilled herb, mocha and cinnamon. Firm, polished tannins provide balance and support while a mineral vein drives the finish.
Dark golden-yellow, this opens with inviting notes of toasted caramel. It remains bright in citrus on the palate, getting riper and steamier as it goes, developing deeper, richer flavors of preserved lemon and baked pear. From the winery's estate, this is a small-production wine well worth seeking.
The best Mosel Rieslings of the difficult 2013 vintage all juxtapose plump, luscious yellow fruit against spine-tingling acidity. Dancing and delicate, this is a classic example of the style. It seems demure in stature, yet packs a punch of complexity and flavor from start to finish.
Aromas recall ripe berry and blue flower with a balsamic note. The structured but seemingly weightless palate delivers layers of ripe raspberry, juicy dark cherry, clove and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. An intense mineral note signals the close. Drink 2017–2027.
Slightly pink in color, this Pinot Noir-based sparkler brings appealing notes of orange blossom and pink lemonade, nearing but not quite reaching bubble-gum tropicality. It's riper than its sister Blanc de Blancs, but remains very high and tight, enlivening the mouth with acidity and sour plum flavors.
Whiffs of pine frond and moss lend a cool, alpine air to the nose of this medium-dry Riesling, but the palate is all lemon drops and sunshine. Juicy citrus flavor is uplifted by a stream of acidity that's invigoratingly fresh.
Whiffs of pressed apple intensify on the palate along with shades of smoked nuts, stone and steel in this deeply mineral wine. It's honeyed and slick on entry, yet bristled by a shock of lime acidity that rallies the finish endlessly.
Delicate, attractive aromas of chamomile, pear and brimstone lead the nose on this graceful wine. The linear palate delivers green apple, juicy pear, savory herb and mineral alongside fresh acidity. It's linear, vertical and elegant. Hold for complexity. Drink 2015–2020.
Aromas of blackberries are set against freshly milled cedar, dried flowers, chopped herbs and a bit of iron. Oregano and thyme lead the palate, with slightly sour boysenberry fruit as well as espresso, dark chocolate and camphor, leaning on herbs more than ripe fruit.
The winery's robust blend of Sangiovese, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, some of which comes from Monte Rosso, is structured and surprisingly high-toned, offering herbal cherry, raspberry, cigar box and peppery spice. Aged in bottle for a while, it's enjoyable now and has the bones to get better; try after 2016.
Very pretty aromas of rose, violet and perfumed berry lead the nose on this concentrated wine. The juicy palate offers blackberry, black cherry, licorice and white pepper alongside lithe, polished tannins and bright acidity. The succulent finish closes on a mineral note.
The winery's smaller Zin projects are fantastic, and this is a great example, with aromas of strawberry extract mingling with mint, anise and leather. The palate is even more savory, with mushrooms, olives and herb-crusted roast beef, benefiting from ripe plum fruit as well.
From a recently planted site on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, this combines tangy, raspberry fruit concentration with elegance. Spicy and vertically stacked with flavors, it moves from brambly, peppery fruits into a long finish with highlights of cinnamon and spice. The vine cuttings are from Lonnie Wright's original (1893) planting.
This is an exciting wine, simultaneously serious and fun, with a steely minerality and clean nectarine on the nose. The palate is energetic, showing both tight limestone and more deliciously hedonistic notes of Fuji apples and Japanese pear. The acidity kicks expertly throughout.
Deep brick-red in color, this wine leads with aromas of stewed black fruits, petrol and green pepper. Flavors of cherry preserves, smoked meat, vanilla and a pop of tart cherry make their way across the palate, encased in silky tannins. The finish is simultaneously cool and bright.
This begins with a bucketload of dense and brooding aromas, from macerated plums and cherries to dark chocolate and melted black licorice sticks. It's soft and mouth-coating once sipped, with pronounced tannins on the midpalate, flavors of black cherry and olallieberry, a bit of tarry tension and minty sensation on the finish.
This is a moderately rich Chardonnay, loaded with hints of pineapples, white peaches and roasted cashews. It's round in the mouth, delivering ample weight and complexity, yet finishes long, with fresh, citrusy acids. Drink now–2016.
This big but well-behaved wine brings out the pure deliciousness of the grapes. It smells perfectly ripe without being sweet or jammy, feels very elegant and rich, and tastes like blackberry-boysenberry juice. It's just tannic enough for balance, and the polished fruitiness continues through the finish.
This smells basic and clean, with black fruit aromas of cherry and plum. It feels rugged, grabby and tannic, with a dark, chocolaty flavor of baked berry leading to a toasty and spicy finish that delivers strong tannin. It reflects the cool conditions of 2010.
This small-production wine features light but potent aromas of lychee, orange, honey, wild flowers and spice. It's fairly lean and elegant on the palate, with exotic spice and tropical fruit flavors. Short and pithy on the finish but nice for Chilean Gewürztraminer.
There is an attractive floral and fragrant quality about this wine, along with a light herbaceousness. It is light, though with a good intensity of fruit and a tang of citrus. For drinking now or over the next 2–3 years.
Savory notes of hazelnut skin and smoke are countered by crisp white-peach and tangerine flavors on this brisk, refreshing Pinot Gris. Dry in style with zesty acidity, it finishes on a faintly astringent note of lemon skin. Drink now.
Ripe, soft fruits give this wine a rich and open character. It is an attractive, ready-to-drink wine, with added complexity from black plum, spice and herb.
Full and fleshy, with a tropical edge, this is creamy in its vanilla and almond paste flavors. With its layers of depth and richness, this is a crowd-pleaser.
This classic South American red has robust, rustic berry aromas that are matched by chewing gum, animal hide and spice. This is muscular stuff, with oaky, spicy, drying flavors of dark cherry and fudge. It's not a cuddly wine; it could use some aging.
This Zinfandel takes time to unlayer, but once it does, the combination of leather and blackberry is tasty, and the finish is pleasantly spicy.
Richly textured in flavor and structure, this is fleshy with ripe red fruit that's accented by soft tannins, dried lavender, and savory smoked meat notes. Hints of dark chocolate and fresh green herb cap off a long, juicy finish.
A wisp of a white blend, this is mostly Chardonnay and Sémillon, with 9% Orange Muscat that comes through most powerfully and pleasantly on the nose. It's a light wine that's meant to be enjoyed chilled. With its ripe stone-fruit flavors and minerality, it's perfect for pairing with appetizers of all sorts.
This seems a bit fiery on the nose, with tomato, exotic berry, herb, coffee and earth aromas. It feels raw and tannic but serious, with zesty, herbal flavors of briary berry and oak. The herbal Elqui character appears on the the finish.
A robust rosato made from Sangiovese grapes, this wine has been saignéed and aged in oak for three months. It has a meaty edge about it. Medium-to-full in body, it tastes of ripe strawberry and watermelon.
The bouquet of this red blend starts off with medium-intense aromas of dried red cherry and raspberry, but transitions into secondary accents of sweet smoke and soft spice. The medium-weight palate is balanced and straightforward. Drink now.
This offers subtle black-skinned berry and cooking spice aromas. The straightforward palate evokes ripe blackberry, tobacco and licorice and is blanketed with velvety tannins. Drink through 2019.
This soft wine is ripe and creamy. With fruit mainly from the southern Burgundy, it offers warm apricot and spice flavors. As a contrast, the zesty texture adds a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This Cabernet Sauvignon's vanilla, baking spice, dill, herb and cherry aromas are locked up. The palate brings plenty of vanilla flavors backed by gritty tannins, but the oak is too prominent and distracting.
This wine's aromas suggest asphalt, herb and dark fruit, showing whiffs of volatility. The palate delivers bountiful black fruit flavors supported by smooth tannins, providing appeal.
Ripe tropical fruits permeate this ready-to-drink wine. Pineapple and mango flavors have just enough acidity to keep this generous wine crisp. Drink now.
This wine's light aromas include herb, black pepper, licorice and cherry notes, showing volatility. It's full bodied on the palate, with black cherry flavors that run a bit sweet.
From several of the producer's estate vineyards, this wine traffics in spicy, leathery texture and robust full-bodied power, layering in more tart savory characteristics of rhubarb, dark cherry and orange. The tannins are firm and supportive, taking on a velvety sheen.
The nose on this bottling is quite reserved, with anise, dill and black plum, as well as a hint of crushed black rocks. The flavors are also tightly wound, with licorice and oregano laid atop the tart plum fruits.
This is a rich style of Burgundy, broad and full of yellow fruits. These are cut by acidity, a lime-zest character that pushes the fruitiness right forward. Drink now.
Fresh lemon, grapefruit and green apple build in ripeness and sweetness on the palate of this light-bodied Riesling. It's a juicy, uncomplicated white but offers loads of pristine fruit without feeling candied or confected. Drink now through 2019.
This is a very good, reserved and light-bodied wine with mostly tangy citrus and a bit of riper apple flavor, but it's not at all oaky. It will make an excellent wine before or during a meal, and should be versatile in pairings.
Black plum, crushed violet and cooking spice aromas lead the nose of this easy-drinking red. The round palate delivers dried cherry, blackberry jam and licorice notes alongside firm tannins. Drink soon.
This leads with subtle black plum and cooking spice scents. The simple palate shows clove, tobacco and blackberry flavors. Drink soon.
Aromas suggesting cellar floor, camphor and paraffin lead the nose of this wine. The camphor note follows through to the lean palate, along with red berry, ground clove and powdered sage flavors. Bracing tannins leave an astringent, drying finish.
Cherry and raspberry aromas are also stalky and gamy, a likely reflection of the 75% Syrah in this blend with Garnacha. A hard, grabby palate holds flavors of herbal plum and grape skins, while an obtuse finish tastes a little green.
Leathery red-fruit aromas turn more gritty and earthy with airing. This feels chunky and full, without much elegance. Plum and rubbery berry flavors finish with a chocolaty oak note.
This wine's oak, toasted nut and menthol aromas carry over to its evolved palate, along with a coffee note and bracing tannins. It's shy on fruit richness and intensity.
Smoked red-cherry and pomegranate-juice aromas show on the sip of this appellation blend. The palate shows fruit punch with touches of lavender and vanilla, which tastes good altogether, even though it is not very complex.
This opens with camphor, medicinal herb and cellar floor aromas. The lean, racy palate shows oak-driven spice and powdered sage flavors framed by raspy tannins.
This wine hits the nose with red cherry vibrancy. That almost dramatic fruit also fills the palate with its easy juiciness. This may be simple and light, but its absolute fruitiness makes it great for summer sipping, especially with a slight chill.
The nose promises ripe, red cherry fruit and the palate delivers with a sprightly, bouncy, juicy red that's full of freshness. Wonderfully unpretentious fruit shines, with a little pepper spice to liven things up.
This wine includes all five traditional red-Bordeaux varieties, Merlot the most dominant, resulting in tart Bing cherry and cassis flavors. It doesn't hold back on tannin or power, showing grippy persistence on the finish.
The little subregion of Te Tuna Road, set apart from the vines in and around the village of Martinborough itself, is home to several fine vineyards. This is medium to full in body, with flavors of black cherry, menthol and toast, silky tannins and a long finish. Drink now–2025.
Creamy oak aromas shout “vanilla” and “wood resin” in full voice. This is a rough wine with stampeding tannins. Toasty boysenberry flavors are more pounding than elegant, while this tastes of bitter chocolate on an aggressive finish. Give this five years and it may show better but now it's massive and unsettled.
This blend of 42% Grenache, 37% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah offers plum and mulberry aromas, with touches of thyme and sage. The palate delivers a similar range of dried fruit and wild herb flavors, showing dark strawberry and plenty of savory garrigue.
Classic varietal aromas of hay, tomato vine and honeydew melon lift out of the glass. The structured, polished palate doles out exotic fruit, peach, and graphite notes while tangy acidity keeps it balanced.
A blend dominated by Malbec, this wine comes from one of the estates managed by the Marmande cooperative. It has fine tannins and attractively juicy black fruits. The wine is balanced with plenty of fruity acidity. Drink from 2019.
This wood-aged blend of Merlot and Malbec comes from the range of hills that continue from Saint-Emilion and Castillon in Bordeaux. There are similarities in the richness of this wine giving a fine balance between fruit and acidity. The tannins and the spice from wood aging are showing well, suggesting the wine will age. Drink from 2019.
Pacherenc wines are the white counterpart to red Madiran, grown in the same area. This dry wine is a blend of Gros and Petit Manseng and the rare Arrufiac. It is a lightly honeyed wine with fine acidity and a really juicy fruity citrus and white-fruit-flavored aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a powerfully ripe wine. It has layers of great black fruits and firm tannins. Both indicate a wine for aging. It has a concentrated juicy character along with acidity and a dry structured core. Drink this wine from 2019.
This luxurious and well-mannered wine was aged in a new but un-toasted French cask. Solid structure supports its ample fruit flavors and full body, lending balance. Bright acidity and moderate tannins add texture on the palate, framing its ripe black cherry, blueberry and dark chocolate flavors nicely.
Aromas of blue fruit, green herb, funk and savory notes lead to sweet, luscious blue-fruit and smoked-meat flavors that linger effortlessly on the finish. The sense of balance and length are rare for a wine at this price.
Done in a ripe fruity style, this offers fresh Meyer lemon and grapefruit flavors. Both flesh and rind come into play, with a nice balance as it moves into the finish. It concludes with a touch of phenolic bitterness.
Sparkling reds may never be a strong domestic category, but some uniquely compelling examples have recently turned up. This one shows juicy and tart red cherry, plum, cola and shiitake scents, delivered with a yeasty touch. The foamy palate brings forth red cherry, earth and sourdough flavors.
Spicy, peppery, charred oak aromas meet rich blackberry and boysenberry flavors in this expressive, full-bodied and dry wine. It's rather heavy on the oak, which serves to add complexity and firm tannin, keeping it well-structured through the spicy finish.
From one of the four Pinot Noir vineyards that this producer controls as monopoles, this dark-hued bottling shows blackberry, black plum, clove and star anise aromas. Tart cranberry, sour cherry and strawberry fruit marks the palate, rounded with rose petal and sage elements.
Fruit flavors of pear and peach roll into a soft, spongy midpalate. The finish brings in fermentation flavors of cracker and sweet grain, with some skin phenolics.
Grapey blackberry aromas come across foxy. The palate is wet and high in acidity, leaving a semisour flavor profile with only a few hints of sweetness around the edges. Drying, herbal and salty.
Earthy and leafy aromas yield to tomato leaf and weighty plum aromas. The palate is full but sharp, with tart, driving pie cherry and herbal flavors. Stays rather hard on the finish, where more tomato rolls out.
Scents of raw wood wrap around smoky black cherry fruit. There is a buttery streak, leading into tannins still rough and chewy despite the ample bottle age this wine has been given. The fruit is quickly overwhelmed by the wood.
Astringent, stemmy tannins almost overtake the fruit, which is light and slightly sweet. Some strawberry fruit leads quickly into a drying, earthy finish.
The wine feels lean, the fruit fading behind the bare bones of a wine. The tannins show through dry and solid, and the finish has attractive acidity.
The wine tastes sulphured, with suppressed fruit. There is some weight, with caramel and red berry fruit flavors, but it is all muted.
Tart and fruity, with cranberry flavors dominating. There is little or no depth or texture to this wine; it goes straight from fruit to tannin, with a bitter, astringent finish.
Awfully green and scratchy for a $30 “special edition” Malbec. The nose is brambly and rapidly devolves into outright grassy. The palate is narrow and underdeveloped, with reedy, raspy flavors of plum, raspberry and mint. Far from what you'd hope for from a higher-priced wine; 350 cases produced.
Roasted, rubbery aromas fold in olive and asphalt. The palate has a decent feel and herbal flavors of olive and leafy, mulchy black fruits. Herbs and black olive flavors work the finish as well.
Hard, dark and spicy up front, then clampy, tannic and aggressive feeling, with astringency and bitter, burnt, oaky flavors of black fruits. Finishes hard and tannic, with rubbery heat. A case of more being less; needs to be dialed down.
Spicy and roasted on the nose, with little that's typical of Cabernet Sauvignon. Astringent like a rubber band across the palate, with roasted, earthy flavors that offer some sweetness but not much else.
Nail polish and mulchy fruit don't do a lot to help the wine along. The palate is sweet, cloying and creamy, with milk chocolate flavors on top of simple plum and cherry. Sweet and a bar-worthy red at best.
Earthy and thin, this has little in the way of fruit flavor or varietal character. Stemmy tannins and sour acids leave an impression of a dilute, unripe wine.
The wine is full of the taste of superripe fruit. That gives a juicy character as well as the softest tannins. It is ready to drink.
This wine is slightly flabby and overtly ripe, making for a dull experience on the palate.
This stainless steel-fermented wine opens with white flower scents and grassy, herbaceous notes, following up with tart lemon and melon on the palate.
Honey gold in color, this wine made from an indigenous Georgian grape has a bouquet of white cherries and lavender. Tart flavors of honeydew melon and white plum persist into the soft floral finish.
Meaty aromas and scents of stewed red-berry fruits are rustic. This feels hard and high in unabsorbed acidity. A strong smear of buttery oak rests on top of edgy currant and red-plum flavors, while this is spicy and oaky on the finish.
This semisweet Muscat is gold in color and has aromas of caramelized peaches and honeysuckle. Flavors suggest dried apricots and canned peaches.
This wine has aromas of pomegranate and black plum. It conveys flavors of cranberry and black raspberry. The finish is short-lived yet pleasantly acidic.
Golden honey in color, this wine proffers a one-note nose of guava. Flavors of guava, apricot and flint culminate in a lightly floral finish.
Without any wood aging, the wine shows just the yeastiness from aging on the lees. That fills the palate with spice and a touch of pepper. The wine needs a little more time. Drink from 2018.
This somewhat flat, green and tannic wine is reduced and sour in tone, with medium body and broad acidity.
This linear wine's neutral aromas vaguely resemble peach and peach pit. Its yeasty, leesy, oxidized white fruit and white bread flavors finish on a melony note but with little intensity.
It's obvious there has been some oak aging here, because the wine is packed with spiciness and toast. That rather diminishes the fruit. Made to be drunk young, it may miss the target.
Here's a light-bodied casual wine that has subdued aromas suggesting white flower, orchard fruit and a hint of almond. You can find traces of the nose on the extremely simple diluted palate.
This Bobal's roasted berry and funky animal aromas hardly lay down the red carpet. Its dry spice and oak flavors smother berry and plum fruit, tasting herbal and minty on a heavy, grippy finish.
Pronounced mint and menthol in the nose, with good, ripe cherry fruit underneath. It's like a mint chocolate covered cherry in the mouth, distinctive and delicious.
Shows off the exotic musky-spicy side of this grape in its peppery, leathery aromas. Turns tropical in the mouth: papaya and mango are joined by zippy citrus-tinged acidity. Finishes long, with some of the peppery notes returning.
Tight as a drum, but a little cherry fruit escapes from the nose. It opens up into a sweet, lovely bottle of wine, with a bit of cocoa and coffee in the finish. Well-balanced, with sweet, clean fruit.
Impressive dark purple in color, this powerful vin carries lots of toasted-oak aromas: menthol and cedar in particular. There's some promising dark fruit underneath it all that should emerge in a couple years' time. Less exciting than this winery's 1996, which leads to the question: could the creation of a luxury cuvée have had an effect on the quality of this wine?
Smoke and oak dominate the nose, with some fairly light, pretty fruit underneath. The oak seems mismatched for the weight of the fruit, which is sweet and charming, like cherry lifesavers.
Bright, brash fruit sets this off on the right note, with raspberries and strawberries and even a little watermelon in the mix. Fruit defines the middle, and extends through to the full, ripe finish.
There's a lively gaminess to the nose; a wild, Rhônish note, perhaps from the Carignane, Mourvèdre and Petit Sirah blended in. This wine is front-loaded: the flavors lighten up on the palate, and the finish is tight and tannic.
Full, forward, fleshy nose shows lots of bright, spicy fruit. Unlike a lot of lower cost Zins, this wine has a lot of sweet fruit, and enough body and weight to carry through past the nose into a big, satisfying finish. Nice toast, plenty of acid, a bit hot in the finish.
Peaches and pears, lemons and grapefruits come together in this harmonious late harvest wine that shows little evidence of botrytis. The high acidity gives it balance and makes it a great foil for fruit-garnished foie gras.
Tar and cherries in the nose, and the follow-through shows thick, ripe, sweet cherry fruit with some dark, tarry underpinnings. Good concentration and a long finish. There is 11% Petite Sirah, which adds color and depth.
With its bold, jammy blackberries and a hint of black pepper on the nose, this wine is all about delivering a flavor punch. Straightforward berry fruit is tinged with licorice in a bulky but satisfying package.
A fair amount of the cuvee is from the 130-year-old Grandpère vineyard, which lends a soft, herbal, grassy undertone to the wine. From elsewhere comes bright cherry fruit, and the wine seems a little disjointed, though it may come together in time. Some nail polish in the nose carries through to the finish.
The fruit is on the tart side, cranberries and raspberries, but the wine is fleshed out with plenty of vanilla oak, and fills the mouth with soft, seductive flavors. Well made and approachable, with some added interest from Carignane, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre in the blend.
A lot of wood, still pretty rough, surrounds a thick, tannic, muscular, ripe, rustic, Old World-style Zin. There's nothing elegant about this wine, but it packs a lot of flavor into a sturdy frame.
A solid claret, with cherry and plum fruit accented by dried herbs and a touch of vanilla. This is a basic Saint-Emilion that stays true to its appellation and doesn't try to be more than it is: a user-friendly wine that goes down easy.
Firm, fruity, with tropical flavors and lots of alcohol. The flavors are tight and contained, the fruit tends to strawberry, and the finish is tannic.
Honeyed mango and papaya flavors are accented by a citrus streak that provides much-needed verve, while the aromas are more along the lines of pear and lemon. A solid effort, with only a hint of the musky or foxy quality that can sometimes dominate wines from hybrid grapes.
Forward, fruity and clean, with a jokey label showing a moose, an elk and a sheep playing pool. This wine would make a great house Zin if the price were just a tad lower.
Built along traditional lines, this claret features soft plummy Merlot fruit accented by leafy tobacco and cassis. Its cedary leanness makes it an ideal foil for rich meat dishes.
Tannic, alcoholic nose, with a softer, rosier color tending toward brick. Old vines, soft, sweet, ancient flavors. The wine feels a little bit pushed — the alcohol is too high, and the finish is harsh, tannic and hot.
A gorgeous wine, dark and complex, with assertive leather and licorice spice throughout the boysenberry and bramble character. Touches of graham cracker, tobacco leaf and spice unfold in the mouth. Lush and decadent, with a lingering chocolate-raspberry finish. Enjoyable now, it could show more balance and finesse in 2–3 years.
This small, family-owned, biodynamically farmed vineyard and winery is quickly becoming a southern Oregon cult producer. Certainly one of the finest Viogniers produced anywhere in the Northwest, this extraordinarily aromatic wine showers the palate with luscious and tangy lemon, pineapple, Satsuma orange and pear fruit flavors. Then the spices pile on, lending an exotic twist to a lengthy midpalate, and leading into a lightly toasty finish.
Shows lovely balance between intense sweetness and crisp acidity, so that the wine's honeyed citrus notes really sing. Hints of marmalade, clove and a perfumed, slightly minty note all add complexity. Delicious now, and probably for a good many years to come.
One sniff tells you plenty: there's attractive spice, coffee and leather to go with rich molasses and broad black-fruit aromas. The palate maintains balance due to fine, fresh acidity, and the flavor profile brings mocha, coffee, berry, plum and toast. Delicious, deep, layered and refined. Will age for at least 5–6 years, but best from 2012–2014.
Toasty aromas are followed by intense black plum fruits twisted with tannins and polished with wood. It's an impressive, powerful wine, with a complex structure. Firm at this stage, it need 4¬–5 years at least to age.
A complex, concentrated wine. It shows richness as well as tense minerality, the ripe black berry flavors melding with firm tannins. Alte Reben is old vines,  impressive and designed for aging.
Though Adelsheim offers a large assortment of single-vineyard Pinots, this is the first they've made from Zenith. It surely won't be the last. Concentrated, thick black raspberry and black cherry fruit centers a substantial wine, laced with vivid streaks of vanilla, tobacco and spice. The immediate impact of the fruit is amplified by the density on the palate, and the finish, loaded with baking spices, reflects the aging in one-third new French oak barrels.
This two-acre site dates back to 1975; this is only the fourth time that Ponzi has offered it as a designate. Muscular and authoritative, it is still compact and somewhat unyielding. Dark cherry and cassis fruit is packed with iron filings, coffee grounds and black licorice. Winemaker Luisa Ponzi does her usual excellent job of putting the polish on outstanding fruit. Give it another decade and it will show its best.
Black fruit aromas feature a touch of licorice. Feels lively and alert, with edgy acids and juicy, forward flavors of plum and wild berry. Toasty, integrated and spicy on the finish, with pinches of green and black pepper.
Once thought to be Albariño, this grape variety is actually native to France's Jura. In this example from South Australia, it's a lean, crisp white, with hints of pencil shavings that accent its grapefruity flavors. It's pretty, harmonious and a good all-around white for drinking over the next 6–9 months.
With its distinctive herbaceous edge, the wine has a grapefruit-and-citrus character that offers a bright acidity. It has density and richness, fruity and forward.
A very soft-textured Cab, unusual for its high-elevation origins, with sweet red fruit and dark plum nestled around a trace of chocolate.
Opens with berry fruit aromas, density and slightly medicinal notes. Feels bright and lively, with ample acidity pushing toasty, lightly herbal flavors of blackberry and plum. Shows mild spice, licorice and barrel notes on the finish, along with herbal notes. Seems like a very good everyday or value-driven choice.
A light, easy-drinking Merlot that spent two months in new French oak and otherwise speaks of dark plums and earth. Some bottle variation; two bottles tasted.
Perfumed wine, all its flavors directed towards a spice-driven lychee character. Rosehip and peppered pineapple are layered with soft, ripe texture. Screwcap.
Dark in color, with plum, berry and medicinal aromas. Round, full and in good shape, with dark plum, blackberry and a lot of oak for a $10 wine. Finishes creamy and big, with a spicy aftertaste. Plump and solid for value-priced Graciano.
A big Zin with juicy dark cherry and blackberry jammy-ness and a slight hint of cedar and clove. This wine is a chance to open but is a nice showpiece for Ruby Hill's love of and prowess with big, ripe Zins.
Made in an oxidized style like a Sherry from Spain, ROX is meant to be drunk as an apéritif with raw oysters or hard, stinky cheeses and cured meats. An interesting almond-flavored take on Sierra Foothills-grown Roussanne grapes for sure.
A nicely done wine, especially at the price. It's very pretty aromatically, boasting pear and vanilla notes, full in the mouth and lemony with minerality. “Jam” of Jam's Blend is a commingling of the names of the two Tortoise Creek founders, Janie and Mel Master, who source the grapes for this wine out of a Lodi Rules vineyard.
Saline and oceanic on the bouquet, but largely it's neutral-smelling. Feels tight and fresh, but tastes a bit stalky and bitter, with baked apple and a strong taste of straw. Finishes with white pepper notes and that same stalky flavor from before.
Jammy raspberry aromas come with a minerally kick and toastiness. The palate is fresh and delivers pointed acidity in support of toasty berry, herb and licorice flavors. Finishes with a lightly baked and chocolaty note, confirming that this is well-made, value-priced wine.
Baked, smoky, earthy aromas are more subtle than overpowering. The palate is juicy and full, while plum, raspberry and cocoa flavors finish tight, with flavors of toasty oak and crisp red fruits. This is a textbook Rioja to drink now.
This is a superripe Malbec with jammy aromas of raisin and prune that can best be described as “fleshy.” A chunky palate follows the nose in lockstep, and then baked blackberry and chocolate flavors take over. A chubby, jammy finish says drink this soon.
A brawny yet refined expression of oak and coffee, this is an intense red wine crafted from mostly Syrah grapes, with smaller amounts of Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet and Mourvèdre. Well-made it is balanced and age-worthy, the proper pour for a slab of grilled meat slathered in spicy sauce.
This straightforward selection has aromas of succulent wild cherry, raspberry clove and a touch of truffle. The palate shows restrained berry, plum and a hint of ripe bell pepper. It's well made, with an easygoing structure perfect for enjoying soon. Amici Imports, Siema Wines.
This Basque white is fresh, fit and will go well with anything from the sea or garden. Crisp apple and peach aromas are friendly. The palate is firm and offers the right mix of acidity and weight. Flavors of green fruits, green herbs and apple finish pithy but not pushy.
Very young, herbal wine, it has a surprising green element to its otherwise ripe, succulent fruit. It's very juicy, fruity, layered with a hard set of tannins, a tight acidity. A year or two should help soften this firm wine.
Here's a delightful rosso, offering spicy and earthy fragrances of clove and pepper as well as whiffs of leather and forest floor. The palate offers delicious dark plum flavors layered with spice. This is enjoyable, very well balanced and is perfect to pair with salami or seasoned cheese.
This cool, crisp wine shows its bright character right from the go. Very fruity, fresh, clean and with a fine aromatic character, it's a wine to drink now or age a year. Screwcap.
Earthy yet fruity, this second wine from Romaneira is delicately textured, full of red fruit and soft tannins, and ready to drink. There's a fine flourish of acidity on the finish.
This new Shea designate is focused and appealing, with streaks of cola and vanilla running through the pretty cranberry and strawberry fruit. It's balanced and nicely textured, with a dollop of moist earth accenting the tannins.
Here's an inky dark wine, with aromas of plum, leather and forest floor. The palate offers ripe black-fruit flavors, richened further by oak, chocolate, vanilla and café au lait sensations. It closes with drying wood tannins.
This is a substantial wine, with alcohol over 14%, and spicy fruit flavors of strawberry, cranberry and apple, buoyed by fresh acidity. Aromatic highlights of cherry and rose petals add further interest, and the concentration is impressive.
Lightly herbal aromas of cola, forest floor, chocolate and berry are attractive. In the mouth, this is linear and tangy, with sharp acidity and grabbing tannins. Flavors of pie cherry, plum and oak are drawing, while the finish is more scratchy than substantive. For a Cabernet-dominated wine from 2008, this is very good.
Very lightly golden in color, this perfumy wine has fine ripe tropical fruits with a touch of honey and spice. Rounded, full bodied, pepper and acidity at the end. Screwcap.
This riserva shows initial prune and tobacco aromas followed by dark cherry, blackberry and coffee flavors. The palate is lean and restrained, with smooth tannins and mineral notes. Showing the forward nature of the vintage, this is already drinking well and should be enjoyed soon.
The nose on this Malbec is loaded with oak and pencil eraser aromas; there's also a raisiny quality to the bouquet. This feels a touch stewy, although strong acidity functions as an offset. Blackberry, licorice and clove flavors come in front of a raw, tight, narrow finish with stomping tannins.
This is a wine with potential. For now, it is textured and tight. For the future, plenty of citrus, crisp acidity and ripe apple flavors promise a fruity, fragrant wine. The grapes, vinified in wood, are from the Graves and Entre-Deux-Mers. Drink from 2016.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with pretty aromas of crushed berry, violet and a whiff of menthol. The juicy palate offers black cherry, white pepper and licorice alongside firm but fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of baked plum, truffle, coconut, toasted oak and espresso lead the nose of this blend of 93% Sangiovese and 7% Colorino. The palate doles out fleshy black cherry, ripe raspberry, mocha and baking spice alongside chewy tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this seven year-old is showing some age. It opens with aromas of prune, resin, toast and vanilla that all carry over to the dense palate along with blackberry extract and oak-driven spice. It lacks fruit richness while astringent wood tannins leave an abrupt, drying finish.
All varietal from up-and-coming Scooteney Flats Vineyard, this wine displays aromas of fresh herbs, dark raspberries and barrel spices. There's no lack of richness to the fruit flavors but the chalky tannins need time to stitch together.
Soft gold in color, this wine offers fragrances of apple tart and vanilla. Flavors of pear, apple, lemon curd and eucalyptus come on strong but mellow as it moves into the pear and lemon peel finish.
There's no question of the variety of this wine with its notes of raspberry jam, plum and herbs. It's full bodied with a mixture of fruit and spice flavors, running hot on the finish.
Medicine cabinet, licorice, leather and dried and fresh red and black fruit aromas lead to rich, concentrated flavors. The variety seems subsumed by the style but it's still pretty delicious.
Comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this wine shows aromas of herbs, pencil lead, flowers and cherry, with light meaty notes. There's a elegance to the plum and cherry flavors along with a supple feel.
Aromas of baked earth, vanilla, toasted oak and grilled herb waft out of the glass. The meaty palate has a rustic appeal, offering blackberry, cherry and cured meat, with a smoky note alongside chewy tannins.
This Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle blend is rounded and ripe, with yellow fruit flavors to go with the fresher acidity. It shows the ripe, tropical side of the Sauvignon Blanc—rich and full in the mouth. Drink from early 2016.
Bright, crisp and fruity, this is a classic white Bordeaux. It is fresh with just a touch of herbaceousness, followed by a riper orange and green plum character. The aftertaste brings in spice as well as fruity acidity. Produced by Crus et Domaines de France.
This delicious, crisp wine conveys a great bite of fruit and acidity. It has light tannins, tasty crushed raspberry fruits and lively acidity at the end.
Fleshy, ripe black cherry fruit pervades nose and palate, there are some palpable tannins framing all that fruit and of course the telltale notes of Zweigelt pepper. An uncomplicated red for every day. Drink soon.
Aromas offer raspberries, stemmy herbs, jalapeño and spice while the palate brings plush and lightly sweet cherry and blackberry flavors.
Zestiness pervades nose and palate: this is so citric and fresh that grapefruit peel is the chief marker. This typical Thermenregion blend of its two indigenous white grapes, Zierfandler and Rotgipfler, shows briskness throughout and will deliver welcome, clean-cut refreshment on a hot day. Drink soon.
A Cab-based wine with 20% Merlot, this has juicy blackberry and currant to soften the overreaching tannic profile. Blessed in cedar and tobacco, this also presents a strong showing of dried herb. The fruit leans black and blue, from blueberry to black plum, a nod to the Merlot.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Montepulciano, this opens with aromas of violet, toast and spiced plum. The ripe palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and espresso. It's balanced with round, hearty tannins.
Produced with Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo, this opens with subtle aromas of turned soil, ripe plum and dark cooking spice. The palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, coffee, oak and a leathery note accompanied by solid tannins.
Nectarine and fig notes mark the nose, while the palate is mellow and well-ripened, then delivers a refreshing citrusy kick on the long, grapefruit finish. Drink this medium-bodied wine over the next 6–9 months.
Aromas of underbrush, blackberry, ground black pepper and a whiff of leather come together in the glass. The warm, forward palate shows dried black cherry, licorice, clove and sage accompanied by dusty tannins that leave a drying finish. Drink sooner rather than later to catch the remaining fruit richness.
Aromatic restraint with just a dash of lemony freshness characterizes nose and palate. There is a pleasant midpalate texture and a friendly, bright citrus nerve. This is a rather slender Pinot Gris. Drink soon.
Very slight fresh citrus notes emanate at first and become more pronounced with air, the palate is light and equally lemony, with lovely texture and freshness. A light-footed Chardonnay which is known as Morillon in Styria, that will please those who like aromatic restraint.
This light, bright and juicy wine from estate vineyards exalts in the goodness of red cherry and cola spice. Not fussy, the wine has medium body and acidity. It finishes clean and restrained on the palate, making for an easygoing quaff.
90-92 New wood aromas, and a tight palate, very toasty in character. Blackberry juice is under the wood, with the relief of final acidity.
This Two Blondes is the best ever—powerful and ripe, with a plush mix of raspberry and strawberry fruit, tart and tangy and mouthfilling. This wine has a huge midpalate, but doesn't stop there; as it slowly winds through a full-throttle finish, threads of chocolate, coconut, caramel and coffee appear. The flavors go on for several minutes.
Flinty, with dense citrus rind phenolics, and great length. There are subtle traces of honey, lingering threads that suggest everything from apples to papaya.
A very seductive nose with both power and flower in full array. The floral components are unusual and show exceptional winemaking talent. Very chocolaty, smooth, with the purity of cassis fruit and the power of fully ripe tannins to back up the barrel flavors. It fades gently into the finish, leaving behind that lovely chocolate and a trail of dark fruits.
Big and sultry as always, with bacon, smoke, black fruit and a full rack of spices making for a wonderful bouquet. Concentrated and ripped for a 2007, with blackberry, clove, pepper, cinnamon and vanilla flavors. And then comes tobacco and more spice on the finish, which is grabby but understandable because it's so young. Best from 2012 through 2019.
Once again this is a stalwart modern-style Rioja with a mix of floral aromas, licorice, blackberry and coconut. The palate is both lively and subtle, and the flavor profile shows an impressive blend of cherry, plum, cream and cocoa, while the finish is long and smooth. A high-quality wine that should impress. Drink now through 2015.
Bob Betz continues to refine his Bordeaux blends. This new Clos de Betz is much more forward than the monumental Père de Famille and sports ripe, dark, round, appealing fruit flavors of luscious raspberry and cassis, swathed in beaucoup de barrel. Toasty oak dissolves into polished tannins, finishing with black tea, licorice, smoke and charcoal.
The name, referring to the flinty soil of the vineyard, says it all. It is a mineral wine that tastes of stony soil, flint and chalk. It has a great core of hardened steel, very firm, surrounded by intense green fruits, filled with apple juice and grapefruit flavors. For aging over 2–3 years.
Zippy, with natural rubbery aromas. This is quite tart and has a personality defined by lemon. There's lemon torte up front, while at the end it's purely tangy and sharp. Not an astringent, scouring wine, but high acidity comes into play.
Shows some wonderful botrytis aromas of dried apricots, but also a disturbing amount of volatile acidity. If you can tolerate notes of shoe polish and nail polish, you may find this rating woefully conservative.
Some caramel and candied fruit goes well with the flowery element on the bouquet. In the mouth, lime, peach and mineral run the show. After that comes a clean, light finish with just a hint of stone-fruit flavor. A good mouthfeel ensures that this will be a decent wine for trout caught during the summer.
Bulky and clumsy, with powerful early barnyard aromas that ultimately give way to more refined plum and cherry. While this wine has its virtues, it lacks elegance. And while we admit that it's a country wine that's probably meant to be a sizable, rustic quaff, it seems a bit too basic and borderline to garner a better review.
Full and minty, and quite the bargain at five bucks. This bargain buster features some cherry liqueur and sucking-candy flavors, while the finish is not devoid of some class, as it offers coffee and chocolate notes. Yes, it's a bit like cherry soda without the bubbles, but what's not to like at this price, especially if the menu calls for burgers or London broil? If Two Buck Chuck is so popular, try giving this wine “hug,” the English translation for abrazo. Best Buy.
The aromas are a bit too prickly and pickled to call the nose clean, and thus the wine never really achieves solid footing. The raspberry and strawberry fruit is there, but it's marred by sharp, pickled accents, which ultimately don't work in its favor. The feel is nice, as the acidity and tannins are proper. But with too much funk to the nose and palate, it misses the upper echelon.
Smoky and toasty, this is a structured wine. It has layers of black currant fruits, fresh acidity as well as firm tannins that overlay the juicy fruitiness. It needs to age. Drink from 2016.
Firm and dry, it's packed with as much tannin as fruit. It has a dark, structured character that's shot through with mint and black currant flavors. The aftertaste is dense and solid. Drink from 2017.
This medium-bodied Grenache features vanilla and raspberry compote on the nose. It's a smooth, if not particularly textural wine, with berry flavors and hints of toast that fall away on the finish. Drink now.
With a touch of wood aging, this is a bright yet toasty wine. Its fruitiness shows as citrus, pineapple and pear, with a tangy edge. There is aging potential here, to round out the wine and bring out its softer side. Drink from 2015.
One of the many estate Pinot Noirs produced by the pioneering Arroyo Grande Valley winery, which was founded as a sparkling wine house, this offers scents of sandalwood, black licorice and red currant. The flavors are tart with cranberry, then bring some bitter notes of crushed herbs.
This dark cherry-red wine has aromas of red plums and dried black plums that flow to the palate. An easy drinking wine, with pleasantly tart cherry flavors.
Boysenberry, cracked peppercorn and caramel frame the nose of this rich red. Although not particularly complex, lush flavors of berry juice and espresso on the palate prove rather tasty and enjoyable.
This tight, young wine is shot through with steely acidity and minerality. It tastes of the flinty soil of Pouilly, full in the mouth and concentrated. Give it until 2015 before drinking.
Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, this tart, citrus-flavored rosé is anchored in rhubarb and strawberry flavors. It offers medium concentration and length, with a subtle suggestion of cola woven into the finish.
This tastes of warmer Russian River Valley climes, darker and riper in black cherry and berry fruit character with a layering of toasty cinnamon and oak. The aroma tends to the earthy/pastoral.
This crisp, delicate Pinot Noir should be consumed over the next few years for its elegant cherry and rose petal notes and silky tannins. Hints of scorched earth and dry leaves add extra interest to the reasonably complex bouquet.
Light yellow in color, this has heady aromas of elderflower, white lemon blossom and freshly picked basil. There are touches of vanilla and honeycomb on the palate, with fresh stone fruit flavors. It's well-balanced, with an energetic acidic finish.
This comes from estate-grown fruit in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Spicy and sharp-toned, it brings tart acidity and highlights of orange peel to flavors of wild mountain berries. The tannins are still a bit rough, but should smooth out with more bottle age.
While 2010 was a great vintage in most of Spain, parts of Bierzo had a mildew problem and thus some wines are less than fully ripe. This seems to be a case in point; it's scratchy on the nose, with a sinewy, drawing mouthfeel that's only partly covered up by oak. Prickly berry and black cherry flavors finish tight, with scraping tannins. Drink now with meat or cheese.
Argile is French for clay soil, and that terroir gives this wine a full-bodied feel that is ripe and rich. The Sauvignon flavors lean more to tropical, rounded and fruity. It could benefit from some aging, so wait until 2015.
Pretty aromas suggest plum, red berry, leather, graphite and eucalyptus. The understated palate isn't as expressive as the nose, but reveals subdued black cherry, black pepper, espresso and oak. Astringent tannins still need to integrate, but for now leave the mouth feeling dried out. Drink after 2020.
Made for early drinking, this bright wine delivers red berry fruit lightly accented with sage and baking spices. It's not an ager so enjoy now through 2020.
This offers fresh fruit flavors of watermelon and strawberry. Delicate and flavorful, it's perfect for sipping on your porch, deck, boat or simply while picnicking.
A brighter, more mineral- and acid-driven take on the often rustic Rhône grape, this kicks off with fresh smells of raspberry and rock. The palate brings tart cherry, followed by just-ripe black berry and really ripe raspberry on the midpalate, and a tartness on the finish.
Racy, zesty aromas of honey and squeezed orange form the nose of this still-tight wine, a blend of 62% Grenache Blanc and 38% Rousanne from a vineyard at the mouth of the Arroyo Seco appellation. The crisp palate offers pear and apple cider flavors with a finish of honeydew melon. A perfect pairing for halibut and shellfish.
This retro-styled wine displays its new-wood influence. It opens with aromas of coconut, oak extract, coffee and espresso that continue onto the palate along with a hint of mint and spice. But there's not enough fruit richness to support the evident oak and drying wood tannins.
Enticing aromas of blackberry, bramble and wet leaves meld on the nose of this elegant, nuanced Spätburgunder. It's concentrated and juicy, with black cherry flavor, but invigorated by a stream of laser-like acidity that carries through the finish. It ends with a pretty violet accent.
This Pinot Bianco boasts elegance and structure. It leads with aromas of white flowers, yellow apples and a hint of toasted oak that all carry over to the palate alongside crisp acidity. It has a nutty finish and nice length.
From old Lodi vines, V. Sattui's annual heartland Zin is minty and herbal, high-toned and tannic, able to find a nice equilibrium between opposing personalities. Leathery and akin to pipe tobacco, it offers a more savory side of Zin, and is worthy of cellaring until 2019 or so.
Elegantly structured, it starts with aromas of cut grass, stone fruit and pineapple alongside whiffs of mineral and Alpine herbs. The smooth, linear palate delivers white peach, apple, lime, exotic fruit and flinty minerality plus crisp acidity.
This structured wine has subtle aromas of apples, vanilla and toasted notes. These carry over to the linear palate together with pear, mineral, lemon zest and lively acidity. Pair it with baked pasta dishes or grilled chicken.
The magnificent Tomar convent complex was once home to the Knights Templar. This wine, with its firm tannins and dense fruit, brings out the structure of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Spice, wood aging and rich berry fruits all promise medium-term aging. Drink from 2015.
Saline, lime, grass, bell pepper and green bean aromas swirl around the bouquet on this fresh, coastal SB. This feels round yet crisp, with modest acidic cut and flavors or orange, passion fruit and minerals. Finishing flavors are similar, with a hint of green herb.
A darker, quite savory expression of Black Kite's entire vineyard site in the Deep End of Anderson Valley, this Pinot imparts a touch of cardamom spice and high acidity, with a dryness to the finish that gets a lift from that acid at the end.
Aromas of green, fresh herbs and lime lend a brassy, vivacious tone that balance out this otherwise ripe, intensely fruity Riesling. It's semisweet in style, with luscious peach and apple flavors.
This structured white opens with aromas of lightly toasted oak, citrus, golden apple, and herbs. The palate delivers grapefruit, Bartlett pear, nectarines and mineral alongside fresh acidity. It closes on an almond note.
Very elegant, it opens with refined aromas of rose petals, lychee and a hint of juicy citrus fruit. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe pink grapefruit and steely mineral notes accented with a spicy note of white pepper.
This full-bodied Pinot Grigio opens with aromas of tropical fruit, melon and stone fruit. The concentrated palate delvers yellow peach, mature pear and juicy pineapple alongside notes of aromatic herbs.
A blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia, this wine conveys aromas of espresso, roasted coffee bean, black fruit and mint. The palate offers oak, vanilla, toast, coffee, black cherry, black pepper and grilled balsamic herbs. It's soft and already accessible. Drink now through 2019.
Laden with wood aromas, this is a firm, dry wine. The fruit can cope with the considerable wood flavors, suggesting a wine that will be smooth, rich and velvety. It has weight now, but needs to age. Drink from 2016.
The top wine from this château is a solid, textured effort. It has a full-bodied feel with very ripe black fruits. With its tarry texture, firm structure and generous fruits, it merits medium-term aging, although it could be drunk now.
While the savory nose leads with subdued notes of apple and lemon, this off-dry Riesling shines on the palate, with juicy stone fruit and yellow cherry flavors. Tangerine acidity adds zip and verve, leading into a finish that's fresh with herbal and floral tones.
The wine is undeniably rich, but it wears its richness easily, allowing the fruitiness to show through. With hints of wood aging, spice as well as peach and ripe apricot fruits, it is full of potential. Drink from 2015.
There's a hint of sweetness here, but the rich flavors of strawberry nougat, along with a creamy texture, carry it beautifully. A lick of vanilla comes through in the finish. Drink it solo or with a spicy cold noodle salad.
Juicy red fruits are the veneer on a wine that is structured and complex, full of tight tannins, intense acidity and the promise of a long-term future. The dry center of the wine holds the exuberant fruit flavors together, while the aftertaste is all freshness.
Bill Easton doesn't make this dessert wine every year, so when he does, especially of this caliber, it's a good time to pick up some of this deliciously balanced dessert delight. It's a very nuanced rendering of crisp, clean peach, pear and honey flavors that would go well with fruit desserts or anything involving almond paste.
A beautifully ripe wine, with the new wood just a hint in the background. The wine has rich red plums and black cherries, laced with the most intense acidity. It is a dense, firmly concentrated wine with a long ahead.
Richer and more grapey than the Valdorramiro 2008, but also friendlier, deeper and more complete. Aromas of blackberry, vanilla and sweet spices lead to a structured, weighty palate full of spicy, oak-driven berry and plum flavors. Clove notes and length define the finish. Drink from 2014–2019
Full bodied and richly tannic, Lehmann's 2006 Mentor is dark, chocolaty and intense, with further nuances of cassis and cigar box. The finish is chewy and juicy, simultaneously drying and mouthwatering. Drink 2015–2023.
This beautiful Semillon-dominant blend that shows great finesse, depth and power. Rich and opulent in every way, notes of baked red apple, lemon verbena, honey-drizzled peach and sweet orange oil flood the nose and mouth, while additional flavors of hazelnut cream, fig bread and soft sweet spice carry into the long finish. Round, but with enough acidic lift to keep it from being flabby. Drink now–2015.
Like most Pinot Gris, this is subdued aromatically, but does unfold on the palate to reveal sweet melon and pear flavors. A burst of citrusy acids on the finish give it a sweet-tart balance that would work well with various spicy Asian dishes.
Brambly and a bit herbaceous, this blend of Cabernet Franc and Lemberger offers crisp black currant and berry flavors accented by hints of cedar and toast. While bold in body, it's a bit delicate in concentration, finishing with a lingering fringe of fine-textured tannins.
Aromas of wood spice, tar, green herbs and black cherry lead to plump fruit flavors. Grainy dry tannins provide support.
This full-bodied wine brings a basket full of fruit to the table. It smells like grape juice and black cherries, and tastes plummy, almost jammy but not sweet. The tannins and acidity are lighter than usual, making it easy to enjoy.
This is an off-dry wine, which is not indicated on the label. Honey and lemon flavors partner with ripe pears and lively acidity. The balance is just right, giving a wine that is ready to drink.
The wine comes from the only appellation in Burgundy to grow Sauvignon Blanc, located not far from Chablis. This is classic herbal Sauvignon that is light and fruity with tangerine and citrus flavors and a tropical fruit hint. Drink now.
Coffee, raspberry, green herb, dill and vanilla aromas are followed by light but plump fruit flavors. It goes down easy.
Gritty berry aromas come with notes of cheesy oak and road tar. This feels clunky and syrupy, but not unfriendly. Candied, reedy flavors of berry fruits and brown sugar finish jagged, with medicinal green notes.
This is an easy-drinking, attractively fruity and seemingly sweet wine with medium body and a soft texture.
Citrus and melon-rind aromas lead to off-dry, medium-bodied fruit flavors. The concentration comes off as quite light.
This is a 100% varietal red, tannic and soft, with slightly astringent notes behind the notions of dried cherry and blackberry. Leather, herb and tobacco all make themselves known.
Medium bodied and soft in texture, this wine has a pale, brownish-gold color, butter and vanilla flavors, and a lingering vanilla finish.
This medium-bodied red from county-wide sources is herbaceous, offering dry, somewhat green tannin and lingering spiciness of black pepper.
This straightforward red has aromas of woodland berries and violets. The simple palate offers up sour cherry, a hint of grilled herb and a saline note alongside brisk acidity and angular tannins.
You'll find subdued aromas of leather, red currant and forest floor on this blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. The simple palate delivers mature plum and toast offset by drying tannins. Drink soon.
Dusty stone-fruit and white-flower aromas are mature, while the palate is linear and citric. Dry salty flavors of pineapple and tangerine finish with notes of mustard, lemon and brine.
This red sources from across three appellations and four varieties, all aged in a mix of French and American oak for one year. That oak imparts a smoky element around thick, concentrated baked fruit and big, lasting tannin weight, showing plenty of leathery tobacco.
Ripe and full, this wine is balanced with its rich strawberry fruit, with enough acidity to keep everything fresh. It's a fruity, spicy wine that is ready to drink.
Made with 70% Sangiovese, 15% Ciliegiolo and 15% Montepulciano, this simple wine opens with subdued aromas of leafy underbrush, nut and dark-skinned fruit. The lean diluted palate offers dried berry set against evolved tannins. Drink soon.
Plum and animal aromas are okay. A chunky, rubbery palate is full but lacking in shape and nuance. This tastes of peppery plum and berry in front of a limited finish with notes of hard spice and berry fruits.
This Brazilian Merlot smells rubbery and gaseous, with saucy berry notes. In the mouth, this is severely tannic and drying. Toasty, blackened and bitter in flavor, this ends with peppery notes and hard-pounding tannins.
Smoky roasted aromas of tomato, saddle leather and earthy red-berry fruits lead to a medium-bodied palate. Dry herbal peppery flavors of cherry and plum finish with heat, juicy acidity and a mild toasty burn.
This is a very fragrant and floral rosé, reminiscent of peach gummy candies, orange blossom and orange-ginger tea. The palate is surprisingly lush, with round ripe-fruit flavors that are just barely lifted on the finish. Drink now.
This is a straightforward, varietally correct wine, with aromas of apple and spice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, bringing a sense of texture.
This is a light and fruity wine with red-currant fruit and a crisp texture. Coteaux Bourguignons is one of the Burgundy regional appellations that offers, as here, bright fruity wines that are ready to drink young.
Mossy, earthy and damp smelling, this has roasted plum and berry aromas that suggest savory things to come. It feels rich, with good acidity and a thick overall texture. Saucy plum, berry, tomato and herb flavors finish with barbecue, vanilla and tobacco accents. This is a blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Tempranillo, with 500 cases produced.
While this shows the ripeness of the vintage, it remains very minerally in style, with a lemony crispness to match with its white fruit flavor, tight texture and taut finish.
A hint of exotic spice adds dimension to the freshly pressed apple and tangerine skin notes on the nose and palate of this off-dry Riesling. Intense, ripe fruit is balanced by bracing lime-juice acidity that lingers long on the finish.
Nicely concentrated, with a touch of Petit Verdot in the blend, this complex effort incorporates notes of tangy berry, forest leaf and a hint of mint. The barrel influence lends coffee and light toast notes, which are symmetrical and proportionate.
Intensely aromatic, with loads of sunny peach, apricot and yellow flower aromas, this off-dry Riesling is ripe and concentrated, yet impeccably structured. So fruity, it's almost tropical on the palate, but it finishes dry and crisp, with penetrating lemon-lime acidity.
This Merlot-dominant red blend displays classic Yakima Valley flavors that are well-integrated and balanced for medium-term (6–8 years) aging. The fruit is on the tart side, with accents of earth and herb. The tannins are textural and somewhat drying.
Black cherry fruit is accented with flavors of coffee grounds and dark chocolate. The fruit is clean and brambly, and the wine overdelivers for the price.
This is finely structured, with its ripe tannins forming a solid base for the dense red fruit and spicy wood flavors. It's soli and chunky, showing its youth through the rich texture. Age for 3–4 years.
Intense stone-fruit and honeysuckle notes merge seamlessly with hints of smoke and crushed stone. While ripe and rich, it's also penetratingly dry, with juicy fruit flavors. It's gorgeously composed with striking lime-juice acidity and a savory, minerally tone that lingers.
Firm from the start, the wine then shows both ripe red-berry fruit and a dense structure. There's an herbal edge that will soften in the next 2–3 years, bringing out the richness of Chambolle.
Soft and rounded, this has an open, fragrant character. It has ripe flavors of strawberries and red plums, with a touch of wood and delicious, fresh acidity. Only on the finish does the structured side show through.
Quite oaky on the nose, showing lots of caramel and butterscotch flavors on the palate, this Chardonnay is anchored by its apple and peach flavors. It opens up nicely with some breathing time; decanting would not be out of order.
This is Brian Carter's Southern Rhône-influenced blend, which is comprised of 50% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 6% Counoise and 3% Cinsault. Expressive aromas put the emphasis on bright berries that are annotated with baking spice, toast and a hint of forest leaf. This is complex and forward, with excellent balance and structure. The finish fades gently with a hint of anise.
This is a little heavy and oily on the nose, with blowsy white-fruit aromas. It feels peachy and smooth, with key flavor components of melon, apple and pear. This shows some extra heft, ending with a subtle and smooth finish.
Topel uses the Syrah Noir clone that was originally sourced from M. Chapoutier to make this tasty wine. It's packed with spicy red fruit and smooth, silky tannins. On the finish, it has a leathery tobacco note, with the richness of a cinnamon roll. Enjoy this with meaty dishes.
Lavish aromas of ripe peach, canteloupe and honeysuckle extend onto the palate of this juicy, fruit-forward Riesling. Semi-sweet in style, it's one lipsmacking nectar, with bracing lime acidity on the finish.
This compelling blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne—aged for three months in 20% new French oak—brings notes of barrel spices, apricot and pear. There's a touch of sweetness to the full -bodied, textured fruit flavors that provides a perfect counterbalance to the sharply defined, lingering finish.
Tannins give a dark, mineral structure. The black fruits, slowly coming through, are still part of this serious purpose, with wood flavors and dry fruits prominent. It still needs aging, so don't drink before 2016.
Smoke accents ripe yellow peaches on the nose of this intensely penetrating kabinett. The palate shocks with luscious mango and melon flavors, layered with bristling mineral accents. It finishes long, with a reverberating astringency.
With a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this is a solid, tannic wine. It is also rich, complex and fruity. Fermentation in open lagares gives extra fruitiness, soft extract and great acidity. Drink from 2017.
From a small estate, this big, ripe and fruity wine has swathes of black fruits to go with the dark, brooding tannins. Very broad and fruity, the wine is always likely to be structured. Drink from 2017.
Made from Viognier grown in the Gaillac region, this is a rich wine with tropical and yellow fruit flavors. The wood aging shows gently through the fresh fruit and attractive acidity. The wine is ready to drink, but will improve until 2018.
This is a ripe and smoothly textured wine. It is already finely balanced, rich with toast, apricot fruits and a tight, mineral character. It is enjoyable now but will age well until 2022.
Whiffs of spice, honeycomb and lanolin meld curiously on the nose of this intensely mineral Riesling. Dry in style, with pretty yellow-cherry flavor, it builds in concentration and complexity as shades of spice, rock and fruit amass against a backdrop of sunny tangerine acidity. Drink now.
Ripe, juicy peaches and nectarines burst from the nose and palate of this semisweet Riesling. Sunny and pristine, with a soft, lacy sweetness, it's balanced by bristling acidity and a delicate minerality on the finish.
Sourced from a 15-acre vineyard on Parrett Mountain, this displays single vineyard specificity. Entry is surprisingly soft, and (perhaps influenced by the name) there seems to be a pleasing clay-like quality to the mouthfeel. Clean blueberry fruit leads into a tasty, balanced finish.
An intense and fresh wine that is packed with acidity as well as powerful red fruits. It is breathtakingly fruity at this stage, the structure still developing and giving a delicious perfumed berry character. Drink from 2015.
This estate-grown, organic Chardonnay is a terrific value, detailed and brightly fruity, with precise angles and spicy details. The apple/pear/pineapple fruit flavors are crisply defined, perfectly ripe, and beautifully balanced.
This rich, sophisticated wood-aged wine has complex fruits, structure and tannins. Ripe, juicy black fruits are intertwined with a solidly dry texture, powerful but still elegant. It will repay aging. Drink from 2016.
A rich wine that is made by the Abreu Callado charity foundation. It has dark black currant fruits, big tannins and an elegant feel. With its structure, minerality and ripe, juicy fruitiness, it is finely structured and ageworthy. Drink from 2017.
This opaque Merlot is charred to the max, with burnt coffee, grilled beef and campfire aromas. The palate is wiry but mostly good in feel, while mossy, herbal-leaning flavors of toast, blackberry and black pepper finish with coffee and herbal notes.
Raspberry and rubbery aromas come across gritty but improve with airing. This is lively in the mouth, with loud, slightly burnt flavors of spiced plum and raspberry. A hot, medicinal finish closes things out.
This opens with floral and spice aromas of violet, berry and exotic spices. The palate is austere: restrained fruit and oak sensations accompany bitter and drying wood tannins.
This simple Nebbiolo retains a floral, strawberry character but is already losing its youthful charm and freshness. Drink now.
A dense and extracted expression of Barbera, with concentrated black fruit and citrusy sensations as well as a funky undercurrents of animal and smoke.
A value-priced California Zin from the folks at Sobon in Amador County, this wine is jammy in blackberry flavor, meaty with traces of tobacco. While the finish is long it's also piqued with a taste of high alcohol.
This offers earthy aromas layered with ripe black fruit and a hint of chocolate. The palate opens with succulent black-cherry, plum and white chocolate flavors, but then finishes abruptly. Drink now. L.A. Dick and Ambrosia
This dry, firm wine shows a hint of bitter extraction, but the core of the wine is smooth. Give it several years' aging.
Heat and earthy, leathery aromas are the initial blast here. This is a zesty, raw Pinot with punchy, tart raspberry and red plum flavors. Throughout this runs bright and juicy, with tangy acidity creating a citrus-like finish.
This straightforward Dolcetto offers varietal aromas of black cherry, licorice and hints of black pepper, all of which carry over to the palate. Simple but well made.
The oak spices (30% new American and French) are at the fore here along with notes of orange peel, game, and vanilla on this unusual blend of Syrah, Malbec and Grenache. It's medium bodied with dry tannins.
An attractive, fruity wine with black-currant and red-berry juiciness followed by a lightly tannic character. It's a classic for the vintage—light and fruity.
Firm and dry, dark and dense, this wine has intense concentration and hard tannins. It feels heavily extracted, giving a bitter, burnt edge. The aftertaste just hints at potential juiciness.
An unusual Zinfandel, with 10% Cabernet Franc mixed in, American Legend is from Frank Gunther's Vineyard in California's Shenandoah Valley (the Zin is anyway; the Cab Franc is estate). Smooth with a background of smoky berry flavor, it suggests sweet tarts mid-palate, and a taste of chocolatey vanilla on the finish.
This is an intensely herbaceous wine; all grapefruit and hedgerow fruits with a grassy core. It is light, very fruity, clean and crisp; a typical cool climate Sauvignon Blanc.
This Barolo shows roasted coffee notes and a whisper of prune, with lots of oak on top. It's very dry, tannic and tough on the palate. Still young, but it lacks fruit flavors and balance.
This Chardonnay is generally solid. However, on the nose, palate and finish you'll find a briny, almost pickled character to go with aromas of citrus fruits, flavors of melon and apple, and finishing notes of melon and lime. All in all, there's not a lot to this wine.
Nectarine and tangerine aromas come with a floral note and a whiff of sea foam. This is light in acidity, so the palate is round and chunky. Flavors of citrus and melon finish pithy and slightly bitter.
Though 100% Merlot, it seems more reminiscent of a Syrah with notes of blue fruit and ash. The flavors are light with chalky, mouthcoating tannins.
A sweet, raisin-flavored vintage Port with a hugely dark color. Despite the attractive fruit, the wine lacks real intensity of structure. True, there are firm tannins but they are not anchored to the fruit, which misses concentration.
Starts with sulfur and matchstick before turning broad and saucy. The palate is slick and savory, with herbal, meaty blackberry and plum flavors. It's a big, young, extracted Malbec with an equal amount of ups and downs. Thus it falls in the middle of things.
JV Estate stands for junior vines; these young vines bring on sweet, candied flavors of berries and citrus. There's no depth here, but what's up front is fresh and fruity, if slightly sugary. The impression of granular sugar lingers into the midpalate, where some green tannins also appear. But for the price, this is a fine bottle for near-term enjoyment.
This sweet white starts with beguiling aromas of orange blossom, white flowers and spice. The flavors are mouthfilling and honeyed—a pretty balance of exotic fruits and crisp minerality. Pair with lighter cuisine or salads.
Aromas of fresh cantaloupe melon and apricots, are echoed in the flavors of this tropical fruit wine, which is ripe and full, with the acidity coming from nectarines and some toast.
A refreshing nose of menthol, cloves, spice and cherry lead this alluring red. Soft, integrated flavors of cherry, vanilla, forest berries and pepper follow. Gentle tannins and an overall classic character add to its pretty appeal. An elegant sip.
A lovely, aromatic nose of flowers, fresh white fruits and citrus leads this delicate white. Crisp acidity and a touch of richness give the wine both complexity and a food-friendly edge. Pair with richer seafood dishes or enjoy this one alone.
Although the varietal composition isn't typical of Châteauneuf (one-third each Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), the flavors certainly are, combining baked fruit with dusty earth and touches of leather and spice. It's soft and round in the mouth, with a juicy, mouthwatering finish. Drink now-2015.
Blueberry, pepper and cedar aromas and flavors dominate in this structured, elegant red. The wine finishes long with spice and dark cherry notes. A collectible wine that will pair well with poultry, game.
Alchemist is a new offering from the Union Wine Company, producers of the Kings Ridge wines. Chewy and complex, the Alchemist Pinot weaves together cherry fruit, graphite, tomato leaf and rich loam, finishing with a hint of bitter baker's chocolate.
Fresh and juicy, with bright acidity and some solid tannins. Flavors of spice accompany an edge of green fruit. The aftertaste is tannins and wood.
Crisp and clean, this all-purpose white wine will please those who enjoy moderate (12.7% alcohol), stainless steel-fermented wines with clean fruit flavors. Apples and pears combine in the body of the wine, with a hint of cheese sticks in the finish.
This limited-edition Pinot Gris was barrel-fermented and aged sur lie. It broadens out the palate and adds layers of buttered popcorn, caramel and toasted hazelnuts to the apple and pear fruit flavors.
Neutral, dusty and a bit damp-smelling, with a leanness to the palate feel as well as flavors of semitart melon and peach. Decent but fails to excite. Drink now.
Murky smelling, with nondescript berry aromas. Ultratannic and hard in the mouth, much like chewing nails. Meanwhile, the flavors run herbal and earthy, with dark fruit carrying things to a hard, tannic finish.
Tomato and herbal aromas tell you most of what you need to know about this bargain-priced Cab. It's somewhat green and sweet, with a raw feel and tannic bite. Tastes of tomato and herbal red plum. Feels light on the finish.
Burnt and leafy on the nose, with murky, earthy aromas. Feels gritty but lively, with sweet, herbal berry fruit in front of a somewhat dilute and dull finish. A modest, herbal Cab that does the job.
The bouquet is demanding, with burnt tire rubber, horse, heavy char and muddled black-fruit aromas. Feels closed and tastes buttery and burnt, with barrel char and resin sitting heavily atop herbal berry flavors. A heavily made-up wine.
Green smelling. Feels thick, grabby and stewed, with herbal, saucy flavors of tomato and red berry. That same sauciness defines the herbal finish.
Foxy cherry and cough drop aromas are not convincing. Feels astringent and tastes tart, with sharp but candied cherry, faux oak and milk chocolate flavors. Blends sour notes with sweet oak, all to little avail.
Rooty aromas come with a caustic side, something akin to Pine Sol or ammonia. Feels narrow and restricted, with limited berry flavors, juniper and other weird elements. An intense wine, but not in the right way.
Neutral smelling except for pithy white fruit aromas. Feels sticky but not cloying, with lychee flavors that turn bitter towards the end. Short on the finish, with little activity or lasting flavor.
Smells like wet clay with an accent of floral black fruit. In the mouth, it's edgy and sharp, with rock-hard tannins that clamp down. Tastes lactic but not creamy, with sharp red-fruit flavors and a hard finish.
Smells grassy, jumpy and foxy, and while it sports a decent feel on the palate, it's herbal and tomatoey in terms of flavor, with a vegetal undertone. Green and oaky on the finish.
Bright aromas of lime peels, green pear skins, ruby red grapefruit and lemongrass are leveled by slightly rounder nectarine flesh notes. The ripe grapefruit flavors come with touches of honeydew melon, all dazzled by a sharp acidity and vibrancy that makes the mouth water.
Aromas of baked plum, coconut and roasted coffee bean lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry, vanilla, toast and a confectionary note alongside assertive but ripe tannins.
Full of acidity, this is also a really fruity 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Great citrus and green apple flavors go with a mineral edge and a final fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink from late 2015.
This wine is crisp and packed with both acidity and lively citrus fruits, balanced between fruit and freshness. It makes a good apéritif wine, light and very much in balance. The mostly red-wine property, owned by Régis and Hervé Grandeau, sits on a slope above the Right Bank of the Garonne River only four miles from Bordeaux city.
Light-bodied, lean and very refreshing, this lively, crisp wine will make a great counterpoint to lots of appetizers and many kinds of seafood. A tangy apple and peach-skin flavor is mild but tasty, and the finish is crisp and clean.
Plum and raspberry aromas grace a simple but clean bouquet. This Toro is lively on the palate, with high acidity that's reflective of a cool, wet vintage. Plum, currant and earthy, herbal flavors end with grabby tannins and zesty acidity. Drink through 2018.
Fragrant purple flowers, dark berries and a whiff of baking spices lead the nose of this medium-bodied red. The round, soft palate offers black cherry, vanilla, milk chocolate and cinnamon alongside smooth, polished tannins. A confectionary note signals the close.
Syrah (55%) along with a dollop of seldom-seen Counoise (28%) makes up the majority of this wine, with the rest Grenache and Mourvèdre. It's aromatically quite reserved, with notes of blue fruit, dried herb and baking spice. The palate is full with concentrated plum and berry flavors, finishing a bit short.
This opens with aromas of toast, pressed violet, mint and woodland berry. On the palate, notes of dried Mediterranean herb and mocha accent a core of dried black cherry. Polished tannins lend it an easy-drinking quality so enjoy sooner rather than later.
A blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this offers aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, underbrush and black pepper. The palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry, clove, anise and espresso alongside assertive tannins. A slightly bitter note of dried sage marks the finish.
Composed of Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this offers aromas of blackberry, espresso, toast and a whiff of exotic spice. The palate offers black cherry extract, coconut, vanilla, toasted oak and licorice accompanied by fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Wild berry, fragrant blue flowers, pipe tobacco and sun-baked earth aromas come together in the glass. It's bright, with notes of clove, white pepper and tobacco adding interest to the black cherry core. Lithe tannins and fresh acidity support the juicy flavors.
Steel and nervy mineralogy are the hallmarks of this wine at this stage. It's still waiting for the fruit to develop, but expect crisp citrus and succulent apples. The aftertaste, tensely fresh now, should soften as the wine develops. This 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon blend comes from the estate's small vineyard on the slope near Cadillac.
This is a perfumed wine full of attractive black currant and spice flavors. The wood aging has given a great fillip of richness to the stalky fruit as well as rounding it out. It could age further, so drink from 2017.
This ripe, concentrated wine brings out the fruit of the vintage, ripe blackberries and currants. Tannins integrate well into the fruity character of the wine. Black cherry acidity comes through strongly at the end.
The dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend of this structured wine gives strong tannins and tight black currant fruit at this young stage. It has good potential, however, a solid and powerful wine that needs several years. Drink from 2018.
Here's an easygoing blend of Sangiovese, 18% Merlot and 2% Malvasia Nera that opens with aromas of wild berry, violet and a whiff of baking spice. The fresh palate offers crushed wild cherry, raspberry, white pepper and a sprinkle of cinnamon alongside sleek tannins.
Dark berry, purple iris and a whiff of cake spice float from the glass. The palate offers up black cherry, blackberry, clove and cinnamon alongside round, smooth tannins. It's already extremely accessible and will provide easy-drinking pleasure for the next few years. Drink through 2018.
Initially this smells rugged and choppy, but calmer aromas of spice, red plum and cherry emerge with time. A fruity, approachable palate and straightforward cherry and plum flavors finish fairly long, with a touch of controlled bitterness.
Aromas of woodland berry, violet, underbrush and a hint of tilled earth lead the nose. The savory palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, spice and a tobacco note. Firm but polished tannins support the juicy flavors.
This medium-bodied red opens with aromas of red berry, tilled earth, underbrush and dried herb. The firm palate doles out black cherry, plum, licorice and crushed mint alongside modest acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2017.
Baked plum, truffle and mocha aromas emerge on this blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. The warm, chewy palate offers ripe black cherry, coffee, vanilla and anise alongside brooding tannins. Drink through 2018.
There is rich blackberry juice enhanced by campfire ash and a touch of roasted game on the fruity nose of this wine. Black cherries power the palate, but in a restrained fashion, with graphite, black loam and pencil shavings adding to the mix.
A distinctly musky note mingles amidst pretty orange blossom and grapefruit on this dainty, but surprisingly complex Sauvignon Blanc. Mouthwatering acidity yields a brisk but clean finish.
The aromas of apricot, drizzled honey, lime and pear are followed by off-dry, lightly spritzy stone-fruit flavors that linger.
Bright and brooding, this lightly-textured, medium-bodied wine offers smoke, leather, blackberry and baked plum. There's an underlying richness akin to decadent crÃ¨me anglaise, with a finish of clove and coffee.
This well-made wine has appealing aromas of milk chocolate, coffee and plum. The style is lighter, with the concentration not seeming quite all there, but it still provides plenty of appeal with its elegance. Put it at the dinner table to see it at its best.
This winery's young estate vineyard shows lots of promise. Aromas of dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, mineral, licorice, raspberry and cherry lead to textured, rich cranberry flavors with a firm handshake of tannins and a tart, cranberry-filled finish. It needs time to all come together but has the stuffing to go the distance.
Here's a structured but elegant wine that opens with aromas of wild berry, mint, clove and a balsamic note. The firm, fresh palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry, menthol, white pepper, grilled herb and a note of well-integrated oak while velvety tannins provide support. It's great now but it will be even better in a few years. Drink through 2020.
This is Syrah co-fermented with Viognier coming from Boushey and Stillwater Creek vineyards. The aromas pop with notes of boysenberry cobbler, orange peel and whiffs of smoked meat, while the palate delivers intensity, flavor and richness.
Flinty highlights join lemon zest freshness on a thrillingly pure and streamlined palate bursting with lemon and tangerine zest. This is taut and slender but packs a citrus punch. This is destined for hot days; it is lovely now but will also last. Some spritz enlivens the finish. Drink Now till 2020.
A heady, minty nose is joined by fuller fruit of green and yellow pear. On the palate, highlights of pepper appear amidst lemon and grapefruit peel. This is sleek and slender, with wonderfully zesty concentration and brisk freshness. Take your time drinking this, there is a lot going on.
Lightly charred aromas of plum and blackberry carry meaty, savory, leathery notes that crank up the complexity quotient. A round, balanced mouthfeel and generous flavors of baked plum, black cherry and savory spices finish ripe and deep, with hints of tobacco and raisin. Drink this exemplary reserva from a great vintage through 2025.
The white pepper of Blaufränkisch is joined here by rounder spices of oak. The fruit is ripe but not plump, everything is in balance and makes for a refreshing yet rich red, dense with blueberry and black cherry flavors. There is energy and drive and no heaviness at all. This is full of life.
Aromas of buttered blackberries, plum extract, black pepper, leather and dark tobacco emerge on this powerful, 100% whole-cluster wine by Ryan Pease. It's very elegant and complex on the silky, concentrated palate, with espresso grinds and deep purple fruits. It's darkness in a glass and will get more interesting with time.
A dark and brooding aspect of smoke hangs over the black cherry fruit. This is still a little closed but the palate reveals elegance and concentration and wonderfully palpable chiffon tannins. This is fresh and has pure focus with some hints of iron oxide and a slight dusting of pepper: a wine of great charm.
Deep ruby to the eye, this wine offers rich aromas of cherry, black licorice and orange rind and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, anisette and eucalyptus. Long-lasting tannins coat the mouth but there is always a sense of fresh fruit on the palate and a brightness that lingers right into the satisfying finish.
A bouquet of cherry, blueberry and vanilla prepares the tastebuds for flavors of blueberry, strawberry, fennel bulb and white chocolate. There is a nice play on the palate between bright acidity and chewy tannins, and the delightful finish is like a mouthful of blueberry pie with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this wine all comes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. The aromas of vanilla, dried herb, plum and black cherry are brooding. It's palate coating and velvety in feel, showing richness and elegance to the sensuous plum and coffee flavors.
The nose is still unwilling to yield much. This is tightly closed, but the palate shows what lies in store: wonderful grapefruit peel and enticing, herbal pepperiness. This is very sleek and zesty, concentrated and utterly refreshing with a delicious lick of lemon on the finish.
Pure cherry, blackberry and plum aromas are dense, toasty, minerally and smoky. Intense plum and blackberry flavors soften a bit on a loamy, lightly baked finish. Overall, this is a ripe, thoroughly drinkable RDD with tons of fruit and well-applied oak. Drink through 2020.
A blend of Sangiovese and 15% Canaiolo, this chewy wine offers enticing aromas of violet, ripe berry, underbrush and baking spice. The fresh, savory palate doles out fleshy black cherry, licorice, black pepper, clove and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy 2016–2020.
Subtle notes of both green, crisp Conference pear and ripe Delicious apples yield to some zesty grapefruit notes. There is structure and a resonant background of herbal spice, yeasty notes and fresh white pepper. The palate is streamlined and crisp yet cushioned. Ott once again shows his mastery of this variety—this time with all the freshness of a cooler vintage.
This 100% varietal wine comes from Wallula, Dionysus and Stone Tree vineyards. It brings alluring aromas of red currant, cranberry, coffee and dried herbs. The palate is concentrated and layered, backed by chewy tannins. The textured feel adds to its appeal.
A dark core of strawberry and cherry fruits is leveled by lots of turned earth, graphite, slate and brown spice at the edges on this single-clone showcase from a vineyard on the appellation's eastern front. The palate is full of lively lemon peel acidity, showing dried strawberry ripeness and sagebrush herbals.
Near equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, this wine saw 28 months in French oak. It offers aromas of herbs, baking spices, vanilla and fresh and dried cherries. The rich red and black fruit flavors are starting to show some age but the wine still has plenty of life in front of it.
A new offering from this winery, this pulls no punches with its dense, concentrated flavors of raspberry jam, red apple, peppery spices and huckleberry. It offers a dazzling mouthfeel and an extended finish.
Wound up like a drum, this wine opens to reveal hedonistic aromas of toast, barrel spice, blackberry and light meaty notes. It's made in a full-bodied, concentrated style, with wound-up tannins that would benefit from time in the cellar. Best after 2020.
Asian pear and Meyer lemon curd form a viscous, sensual core of balanced richness and acidity in this lovely wine, from a set of vineyard blocks planted partly to 40-plus-year-old heritage vines. A stony quality permeates throughout the fruit, combining for a sense of refreshing complexity.
Very supple, easy notes of ripe apple and ripe green pear make for a charming, superfresh and slender white. Immensely approachable in fruitiness, but not in the least facile. It treads lightly but has subtle impact and tender, fruity length.
Aromas of violet, plum, mint and sun-baked earth lead the nose of this blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Ciliegiolo. The lively, elegant palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Elegantly structured, this opens with aromas of dried berry, ground pepper, grilled herb and a cedar note. On the firm palate, notes of licorice, ground pepper and sage add depth to the core of dried black cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the backbone.
Merlot (48%) blends with Cabernet Franc (40%) and Cabernet Sauvigon on this earth-laden wine. Aromas of funk, earth, peat, savory herbs and dark flowers lead to soft, sweet, smoky flavors. The texture and richness keep the interest high.
Inky violet in color, this wine has a bouquet of blueberry, vanilla and nutmeg. At first sip, coolness makes its presence known, but flavors of blueberry, cherry, white chocolate and orange rind ultimately dominate notes of eucalyptus. The cherry-chocolate finish is awash in velvety tannins.
This 100% varietal wine from Lewis and Wallula vineyards beguiles with its aromas of vanilla bean, butterscotch, baking spice, cherry and cinnamon. Whereas many wines from this vintage put a focus on elegance, this one also displays power, with a pleasing mixture of fruit and barrel flavors that carry through the finish.
Asphalt, crusty leather and herbal berry aromas are the opening on this racy Merlot. Flavors run from herbal, peppery and olive-driven to red-berry fruits. A spicy finish brings enough red-cherry character to make things work.
Fragrant with notes of grapefruit, apple and lemon, this dry, delicately-framed Chardonnay is crisp with lemony acidity and an elegant citrus-rind flavor. It's refreshing and easy drinking, but could use a boost of intensity in the mid palate.
Lamoreaux Landing is usually a Finger Lakes favorite, but this 2011 Yellow Dog is a bit subdued and savory compared to recent vintages. Still, it's brisk and minerally, with notes of waxy apple skin brightened by brisk lemon-lime acidity.
Blackberry fruit is the focus of this one-dimensional Syrah. Some coffee flavors come into play, presumably from barrel aging, and the tannins are rough and grainy.
With 70 g/L residual sugar, this 100% varietal wine drinks quite sweet, with notes of peach, sage and dried Nestea Iced Tea.
This wine has an overwhelmingly smoky character, like charred forest floor, along with layers of sweet vanilla in the background. Time in the cellar may allow it to meld, but for now it's meant for lovers of smoke and oak.
A roasted, stalky smelling nose is a touch offputting at first but improves with airing. This high-elevation Maipo Pinot is watery on the palate, with raspberry, plum and earthy spice notes. A modest finish can generously be described as elegant.
This off-dry wine falls on the sweet side, with pleasant honey/lemon tea flavors up front. The fruit is followed with some earthier notes, and a quickly fading finish.
The opening notes include unusual aromas, such as tire rubber and meat juices, along with notes of plum and fig. The palate is better, with ripe blackberry, raspberry, vanilla and black pepper. It's soft, warm and ready to drink now.
Light-bodied, straightforward red, with blackberry aromas, this wine could be accentuated with chilling and is a solution for cuisine such as mixed charuterie platters or liver terrines. A friendly, uncomplicated red made for the moment, with gracious, cheerful fruitiness.
Preserved black cherry and berry notes seem lush and ripe on the nose, but are surprisingly tart on the palate. The palate is full bodied, with concentrated black fruit flavor and soft, drying tannins on the finish.
Direct aromas of lime, green apple, melon rind and pressed flowers unfold in the bouquet, while flavors of orange zest, sweet spice and melon flesh develop on the palate. The medium-weight mouth could use a bit more lift, as could the flat finish.
This five grape southern Rhône-style blend shows sour cherry fruit, set in an earthy frame. Simple and rugged, it's suitable for every day drinking.
Made from the native Pecorino grape, this has pretty floral aromas that mingle with bright sensations of tropical fruit and citrus. It's simple but well constructed and enjoyable.
This shows more oak than fruit. It opens with aromas of toasted oak, chocolate, vanilla and espresso that all carry over to the palate along with a note of spearmint chewing gum. Plum notes are strangled beneath and it closes on a note of bitter wood tannins.
A blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Montelpulciano, this offers berry and mocha aromas that come across round and ripe. Raspberry and sour cherry flavors are layered with chocolate and vanilla, ending quick and clean. Not for ageing; drink soon.
Aromas of blackcurrant leaf, plum and pepper are apparent on the nose of this value-priced wine. The palate is light but firm, with flavors of red plum and cherry wrapped in astringent tannins. The finish is short, but clean.
Hints of spice lend an exotic feel to aromas of freshly pressed apples on this Riesling. It's off dry in style with ripe, juicy white-grapefruit flavor accented with piercingly high acidity. Finishes briskly on a slightly bitter note.
A combination of savory and herbal red-fruit aromas set up a flat-feeling palate with little to no textural variation. Flavors of baked berry, oak spice and herbs finish blocky and a touch green.
Aromas of minty oak, pastry and jammy raspberry set up a palate that's racy, juicy and somewhat raw feeling, with plum and raspberry flavors. It's woody on the finish, with a spice flavor.
After a somewhat gritty start, the bouquet settles on aromas of perfumed red fruit and lemony oak. It feels full, with nice acidic cut, offering flavors of leather, earth and savory baked fruit. Fairly long and mildly herbal on the finish.
There aren't too many California Pinots lying around at $16. A Pinot made from organic grapes, this has a strawberry note in the foreground, followed by a peppery, spicy undertone. With its weight and depth on the finish, it'll hold up to a range of meals.
Rich and soft, this has a creamy smooth texture, with notes of toast, ripe apple and quince. There is a good touch of acidity to this attractive, ready to drink wine.
With structured and ripe dark-berry fruits, this is a warm wine that has a good mineral edge. Fine tannins give a sense of shape to the rich fruit flavors. Drink now or age for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
A Barcelona-based brand with this Bierzo label that's good, with generic red-fruit aromas and cheesy smelling oak. Feels light, snappy and feminine, with spicy, resiny flavors along with tart raspberry and tomato. Ends abruptly.
Standard berry aromas show touches of raisin and earth, but not too much of either. It feels fresh, crisp and alert, with cherry tomato, berry fruit, tobacco and vanilla flavors. This feels healthy but not real deep or complex on the finish.
Spicy and perfumed, this has a rich yellow-fruit flavor that's contrasted with a crisp pink-grapefruit edge. It's rounded and smooth, with a taut, herbal burst on the finish.
This 2007 is nearing the end of its shelf life, but it still features a round, ample mouthfeel and pleasant honey, peach and citrus flavors. Drink up.
With layers of nutty, toasty oak flavors lingering in the background, this is a Sauvignon Blanc with lushness to its core of melon, guava and grass notes.
A slightly chunky and inelegant Côtes du Rhône, this wine nevertheless delivers satisfying and assertive notes of black olive, espresso and dark chocolate. Drink it over the next few years.
Brambly red-fruit aromas mix with notes of sweet milk chocolate and dust. It feels crisp, tight and fresh, with raspberry and lightly herbal plum flavors. This finishes taut and fruity. A blend of 75% Garnacha and 25% Tempranillo.
More flush and generous than the Vertus 100% Tempranillo, this blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Cabernet is bold but not heavy, with a medium body and clean, direct flavors of red berry and plum. It shows dashes of pepper and spice on the medium-long finish.
Ripe dense aromas of blackberry and cassis border on prune and raisin but pull back. A compact saturated palate is held together by hard, pounding tannins, while grapy black-fruit flavors show a chocolaty note of fudge. A condensed tannic finish is heavy and feels a bit overextracted.
Juicy black fruit, tobacco, tar and leather notes provide a muscular edge to this medium-bodied wine, which is shy on fruit flavor but bold with structure and complex, gravelly, dusty tannin.
Compelling warm berry compote and orange rind aromas mark the nose of this stylishly labeled bottling, with dried fennel, cola and dill accents. The palate is as hearty as expected, with ripe blackberry, vanilla, rose petal and ginger snap flavors.
Ripe blackberry notes dominate this wine's nose and palate. Their ripe, tart juiciness makes for an appetizing, fruit-driven palate. Smooth but pervaded by freshness, it's a vibrant, juicy blend full of refreshing, ripe fruit. Uncomplicated but delicious.
This is a bold ripe wine that is dominated by firm while juicy Tannat. Named after the characteristic black berets worn by the menfolk of Gascony, the wine is powerful and dense with black fruits and balanced acidity. Drink this already enjoyable wine now, or better from 2018.
This estate, managed for the owner by Producteurs Plaimont, surrounds a perfectly preserved medieval castle. The wine is firm with tense tannins and intense juicy acidity. It has a structured character full of blackberry fruit and with a dry core. It hints at being mature already although it will be much better to drink from 2018.
This blend of Friulano, Malvasia Istriana and Pinot Bianco has ripe pear, fragrant yellow flower, herb and graphite aromas. The elegant, medium-bodied palate doles out yellow apple, candied lemon drop and bitter almond hints, with fresh acidity.
With the addition of 8% Petite Sirah for color, this jammy bottling offers boysenberry and blueberry fruit, along with oregano and a touch of tar on the nose. Deep berry flavors and lava rock minerality lead the palate, with peppercorn and roasted herb notes adding depth, and a tannic backbone providing structure.
Dense and black in the glass, this bottling shows black currant, blueberry, dark chocolate and coffee scents. The palate is framed by hearty tannins that provide structure but don't get in the way, holding up milk chocolate, violet, and black cherry flavors. It finishes on a burnt fudge kick.
Buttery vanilla and baked cherry aromas make for a pretty and plump entry to this bottling from a vineyard in the heart of the appellation. Approachable plum and cherry flavors meet baking spice on the palate, the texture soft and acidity ample.
As densely built as its name suggests, this wine is grippy with black fruit and robust tannin, its full-bodied concentration laced with integrated oak. Brooding blackberry and black cherry dominate the midpalate, with a one-two punch of chocolate and tobacco, finishing with clove and pepper spice.
This vibrant, savory and linear white offers alluring spring flower and mature orchard fruit scents. On the elegant—almost ethereal—palate, hints of ginger and citrus zest add depth to ripe pear and juicy peach. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors, leaving a crisp finish.
This estate blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot is smoky and tart. Its robust underbelly of tannin and persistent charred oak notes frame a core of red currant and cranberry fruit, peppered with clove.
This wine is expressive, with aromas of violet, herb and purple fruit. The palate is lighter styled and tart, delivering a bit more tannic heft than this variety often shows. Give it some time to open up.
Full-bodied, rich and a bit sweet, this plump wine offers up hints of honey, cinnamon toast and ripe pear and melon. Drink it before the end of 2017.
This vineyard designate from Yountville is packed with compact tannin and rich oak yet nicely balanced by crisp ranberry, cherry and clove flavors. Light black-pepper notes add seasoning.
The Fillippini family has been growing grapes in eastern Paso Robles since 1982, and this is among their better modern bottlings. The nose offers light sandalwood, ripe cranberry and river stone mineral scents. Its punchy berry fruit is underlaid with leather and cigar accents on the palate, where buoyant acidity and grippy tannic structure pervades.
An excellent value, the 2010 Shotfire Shiraz offers bold, punched-up cherry-berry fruit framed by hints of vanilla, dried herbs and cracked pepper. It's a big wine that's reasonably creamy in texture, with plenty of mouthcoating flavor on the finish. Drink it over the next few years.
If only more California Primitivo could be made in this style - soft, lower in alcohol, modestly showing its fruit - there would be more converts among Zin fanatics, who would be wowed by the subtle black cherry and licorice flavors and dry finish, minimally aged in oak.
Substantial and muscular, still quite tight and unyielding, this grudgingly displays purple fruits in a mix of roasted coffee beans, clove and black olive. If past releases are any indication, this will continue to evolve and expand as it gets a bit more bottle time.
A complex, kitchen-sink blend of 29% Chenin Blanc, 23% Roussanne, 11% Viognier, 11% Chardonnay, 10% Grenache Blanc, 5% Colombar, 5% Grenache Gris, 2% Sémillon, 2% Clairette and 1% Verdelho, there's a lot to be discovered in this wine. Melon, pear and sweet citrus lead the bouquet, with nuances of orange blossom and honeysuckle, while spicy flavors of baked apple, glazed canteloupe and lightly-mulled pear flood the palate. Round and forward, with a silky texture; give it time to open up now or hold another couple of years.
One of the classic wines from Drouhin, this concentrated and ripe wine has rich tannins, certainly laced with wood. Plum and red-fruit flavors are a delicious presence to go with the firm, solid structure. Age for 3–4 years.
A delicious Sauv Blanc from one of the coolest areas of South Africa, it takes a while for this wine to fully express itself. Green pepper and grass start on the nose, but then subside to allow green fig, lime rind and tart tropical fruit accents to unfold. Balanced and refreshing, with a fynbos herb note that remains through the long finish, almost like fresh hops.
From its situation on the plain outside Beaune, Chorey is often overlooked. A wine like this, ripe and smooth, full of red fruit, offers a deliciously juicy drink and represents a great value in red Burgundy. Drink now, or keep for two years.
Big blackberry aromas show very little rusticity. Feels full but smooth and balanced, with a nice mix of wild berry, spice and fine herb flavors. Mellow and not pushy on the finish. Really good for Bonarda.
This 50-50 Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is soft upon entry, with delicate, pretty fruit flavors of raspberry and wild plum. Gentle accents hint at buttery caramel and sweet cracker through a well-balanced finish. A light touch is evident throughout.
A firm, darkly structured wine. It has a hard edge of smoky wood tannins that dominate the black fruits, so it needs 2–3 years to balance out. It's always likely to be a firm, dense wine.
Delicate scents suggesting aromatic herb, citrus blossom and a whiff of orchard fruit come together on this. The palate is round but rather shy, offering notes of mature yellow apple, honey and bitter almond.
This is ready to drink, quite pleasant, though it leans a bit generic in flavor. Light berry fruit comes with hints of cola and a green streak. The finish turns tannic and lets those stemmy flavors abide.
Made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this opens with delicate aromas of red currant and baking spice. The straightforward palate offers raspberry jam, clove and white pepper alongside rounded tannins. Enjoy soon.
Delicately scented, this offers whiffs of white stone fruit and white spring flower. On the linear, rather lean palate, a note of bitter almond underscores green apple and citrus alongside racy acidity.
Aromas of white spring flower, yellow pear and apple follow the straightforward palate along with a hint of citrus. A light touch of almond signals the close.
Leafy herbal aromas of tomato sauce and spicy red plum will be attractive or too green depending on your point of view. This has a snappy freshness to the palate, while flavors of red plum, herbs and tomato finish comfortably, with an Old World essence.
Perfumed aromas of flowers, peach and hard candy lead to dry stone-fruit flavors. Its variety is unmistakable.
Ripe blackberry, spiced plum, purple flower and vanilla aromas jump out of the glass. The palate is more restrained, showing dried cherry, clove and a hint of clove set against close-grained tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.
This contains all five red Bordeaux varieties, aged individually before blending and barrel aging. Merlot is the majority, and it shows in the wine's coaxing of soft plumminess and simple seasoning of cinnamon and allspice.
Made with 90% Nero d'Avola and 10% Nocera, this opens with earthy aromas of black plum, Mediterranean herb and a whiff of game. The straightforward palate displays black plum and carob alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Forest pine and sap are further accentuated by this wine's grip of smoky oak, partially offset by the ripeness of full-bodied baked cherry pie at its heart.
Tropical mango, guava and melon flavors abound on this fruity, forward off-dry Riesling. It's plush and crowd-pleasing, nuanced with a nutty tone on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
This wine brings aromas of caramel, blue fruit, barrel spice and herb that are followed by elegantly styled fruit flavors and gritty tannins, with a light bitter note that distracts.
The aromas bring notes of green herb and purple fruit. The palate is barrel forward, with vanilla flavors up front and the tannins showing a touch of astringency.
This easygoing red opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, baking spice and a whiff of violet. The bright shows black plum, cinnamon and a touch of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This no-fuss red opens with aromas of red berry and underbrush. The cheerful palate offers strawberry, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel accompanied by smooth tannins. It's made to be enjoyed young so drink soon.
The aromas bring notes of jasmine, lime zest and honeysuckle. It drinks dry, with lightly concentrated fruit flavors that lead to a floral finish. It provides enjoyment but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
Aromas of vanilla, spice box, raspberry, dill and wood spice are followed by medium-bodied cherry flavors that linger.
Aromas of espresso, black-skinned fruit and a whiff of toasted oak take center stage on this. The firm palate delivers black plum, clove and mocha while assertive tannins leave a somewhat drying finish. Drink through 2019.
A blend of 45% Cannonau, 45% Muristellu and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this laid-back red has delicate aromas suggesting ripe black cherry and Mediterranean underbrush. The straightforward accessible palate offers black plum, nutmeg and a bitter almond note alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This opens with aromas of black plum and baking spice that carry over to the straightforward palate together with a touch of pepper. Round tannins provide easygoing support. Drink soon.
This dark-colored Merlot offers reduced berry, chocolate and herbal aromas. In the mouth, it's displaying rubbery tannins. Dried berry and oak-based flavors of spice and wood grain finish with hints of clove on a finish that could use more harmony and depth.
Dusty red fruit dominates in this otherwise muted, mellowed and somewhat demure estate wine, soft in texture and approach that cranks in acidity.
The scents and flavors are dominated by chocolate, right from the start. The mouthfeel is tight, and herbal notes come up ahead of the light red fruit. Whole cluster fermentation was employed, perhaps accounting for the woody accents in the tannins.
This is a bright, medium-bodied blend of 65% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. Herbal notes on the nose suggest mint, thyme and bay leaf, layered over hints of cassis and red berries. Not overly tannic, this is a drink-now proposition.
Aromas of vanilla, mocha, dried herbs, pencil lead and flowers rise up from the glass. Rich and hedonistic in style, it's full of concentrated cherry and coffee flavors that pack a hefty punch.
Plush, full and warm, this is an immensely attractive wine now, though it should cellar well through 2021. Dark, intense notes of berry preserves, menthol, curing spice and vanilla bean all mingle harmoniously on the nose and palate. Lush and mouthfilling, it is carried by a full structure and a crushed-velvet texture. Notes of muddled black berries and sweet spice linger long on the finish.
Crisp raspberry tart is the prominent flavor in this wine that is intoxicatingly alluring on the nose, bright in pomegranate and dried herb. Minerality surrounds the savory, light-bodied core, the finish bracing in black peppery spice.
Rich and seductive aromas of black cherry, vanilla-laced fudge, rendered animal fat and chopped dill entice the nose on this bottling. The palate is juicy with blackberry, black cherry and just-pulled espresso, but rather lean and quite restrained, with expert measures of acidity and tannins.
This opens with aromas of blue flower, ripe woodland berry and a whiff of pressed powder. The robust palate doles out juicy black cherry, mature plum, licorice and savory herb alongside firm, velvety tannins. It's concentrated and already accessible but will offer drinking pleasure for the next several years. Drink through 2021.
Rich, lusty aromas of blackberry, graham cracker and coconut are hard-driving in this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. It's oaky and full of coconut, vanilla, blackberry and toasted marshmallow flavors. Ripe and oaky on the finish, it also offers coffee, mocha and chocolate notes. Drink through 2020.
This luxury-priced wine boasts plenty of ripe fruit, yet avoids being one-dimensional. Hints of smoke and damp moss add complexity to the cherry aromas and flavors, while the silky tannins glide easily over the palate. The finish is long, while simultaneously slightly dusty and mouthwatering. Drink now–2020.
This opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, leather, game, dark berry and graphite. The firm palate offers up juicy blackberry, dried black cherry, notes of grilled porcini, peppercorn, thyme and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. It closes on a licorice note. Hold for complexity. Drink 2016–2022.
Juicy and powerfully structured, this vibrant red boasts aromas of underbrush, game and mature plum. The palate offers cherry marinated in spirits, juicy raspberry, white pepper, clove, tobacco and licorice alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink through 2019.
Aromas of Mediterranean herb, balsam, eucalyptus and dark berry lead the nose. The firm, elegant palate delivers juicy black cherry, dried blackberry, black pepper, clove, thyme, orange peel and anisette alongside youthfully austere but fine-grained tannins. Let this wine develop. Drink 2017–2022.
This wine is a blend of 60% Syrah from Funk Estate in The Rocks and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from McClellan Estate. It draws you into the glass with aromas of plum, coffee, huckleberry, black olive and light spices. The feel—plush and palate-coating—is the real star of the show, with persistent blue fruit and coffee flavors on the finish.
Demure in stature yet brooding with power, this late-release 2012 Riesling is compelling evidence of winemaker Steve Shaw's soft-spoken dynamism. Semidry in style, it's light as a feather, yet richly layered with shades of grapefruit, spice and smoke. While delicious now, it's rigidly structured still, and likely to continue to improve for many years to come.
This wine blends near-equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a smidgen of Cabernet Sauvignon (3%) rounding it out. It pulls no punches with sweet, opulent aromas and flavors of dried herbs, coffee, licorice and cherry—an unabashed crowed pleaser.
Concentrated and dark in color, this wine reveals itself slowly, sharing vibrant layers of raspberry and citrus around burly tannins. It's an all-in-all juicy wine that balances Napa exuberance against a sense of elegance.
Beef jerky, dried mushrooms, black pepper, pencil lead, black olive and elderberry swirl into a memorable nose on this wine by professorial vintner Wes Hagen. It's incredibly alive on the palate, delivering soy and deeply tart cranberry-cherry juice flavors, and needs until late 2015 to emerge as an even more solid sipper.
This has the look of a monster. It's dense and dark in color, with brooding aromas of plum and mushroom. Yet that's somewhat deceptive, because it's relatively light and nimble on the palate. It's a fine juxtaposition of darkness and levity that should drink well through 2020.
From vines planted in 1955, this is a ripe, fruit-packed and mineral-driven wine. It has succulent green fruits, laced with lemon zest and firmly textured. It needs to age for several years to reveal its full potential. Drink from 2018.
Ripe and succulent, this opens with aromas of mature black fruit, leather, graphite and Mediterranean herb. The full-bodied palate delivers juicy black cherry, mocha and baking spice alongside chewy, mature tannins. Drink through 2019.
Deep and dense from head to toe, this Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend opens with heavy, loamy black-fruit aromas along with coconut, graphite, cedar and tobacco scents. A definitively rich and chewy palate is tannic and heady but cushioned, while baked, toasty blackberry flavors come with vanilla and marzipan notes and an inky, chewy, thick finish. Drink through 2019.
This old-vines wine is really clean and light on the nose, with aromas of red apple, fresh-cut white sapote and blanched almonds. The laser-focused palate is dominated by a refreshing texture, like sipping an ice-cold martini or licking a steel knife, with sea salt and lemon peel flavors most prevalent.
Former Harlan Estate cellarmaster Adam Henkel presents aromas of tart Bing cherry, bright red berry, black slate and dried black cherry on this wine. The palate shows initial flavors of oregano, thyme and dill then pops with blackberries and black cherries, all flecked by ample coffee and cola seasonings.
Enhanced with a bit of Viognier, this wine shows an intriguing mix of violet-like fruit and fragrant juniper on the nose, alongside some game and pepper. Tar opens the palate, but then it evolves toward elderberry jam, coffee and very dark chocolate, with more black pepper and violety fruit on the finish.
This appellation blend by celebrated winemaker Sabrine Rodems shows cranberry fruit, bergamot peel, woody chaparral and mushroom on the nose. A great sense of shiitake mushroom characterizes the palate, with the crushed sagebrush and dried marjoram expanding through the sip, culminating in a leathery, tobacco-laced finish.
This blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 42% Grenache and 5% Cinsault mixes up fresh raspberry fruit aromas with mint, light licorice, charred meats, white pepper, lavender and bouquet garni. The palate centers on strawberry and raspberry, balanced by plum-peel tannins and seasoned with sage, anise and chaparral herbs. It's a very versatile Rhône blend.
This fruit-driven, minerally Malbec hails from the Altamira section of Mendoza's Uco Valley. Blueberry, cassis and stony aromas feed into a deep, pure palate with plenty to offer. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, peppercorn and exotic spices finish with moderate tannins and flavors of fig and black pepper. Drink through 2019.
Fully ripe and very aromatic yellow plum notes make for a welcoming nose. The ripeness intensifies on the palate where it is joined by fresh, pervasive lemon acidity. This is rounded and fresh at the same time and has the mileage to develop. The slightly phenolic hit lends more structure to the aftertaste. Drink 2015–2018.
Quite ripe raspberry juice, cola, roses and violet candy shows on the nose of this wine from the veteran producer along Highway 101 in southern San Luis Obispo County. The palate offers root beer, cola, cream soda, chocolate-covered cherries and cappuccino elements.
The yum factor on this wine is impossible to ignore, with aromas of jammy blue fruit, dried herbs and cigar box. The concentrated, high-octane flavors are full and textured with a lingering finish.
Mint and eucalyptus combine to offer a forest full of aromas and intrigue upon the entry of this wine. The presence of mild tannins makes for an elegant decadence that begs for food—the fruit as tart as dried cranberry and currant chiseled in bittersweet clove.
A cleverly threaded mix of black cherry extract, cola, brown sugar and baking spice notes, with a dash of espresso, this is undeniably flavor-packed. It's big but remains balanced and nuanced, with all components in proportion. It's drinking well now, so don't delay.
This medium-bodied wine is taut, firm and wiry. Floral notes dress up black cherries and vanilla before ending on a crisp, slightly edgy note. Give it another year or two to round into form and drink it through 2021.
Dusty clay and spice notes lend savory nuances to high-impact peach, nectarine and lemon in this mouthwatering Riesling. It's boldly fruity and lip-smackingly sweet-tart. Vibrant acidity leads a long luminous finish.
The nose on this bottling is immensely intriguing and unique, with gooseberry, grapefruit skin, wet river stone and the faintest whiff of serrano chili. It's as racy as it can be on the sip, as the bright, fresh and grippy texture reveals flavors of underripe white peach, lime and tons of wet stone.
Like most Sancerre producers, Roger also draws on vines across the Loire in Pouilly-Fumé. This ripe full wine shows the richness of this appellation and also its potential for aging. Its lime and green-plum fruits are shot through with acidity and balanced by a tangy rich texture. Drink from 2018.
This ripe, perfumed wine is an opulent blend of Touriga Nacional with smaller proportions of Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro. It is juicy, ripe, concentrated and dense, with abundant black fruits. This harmonious wine could age a little longer and will be at its best from 2018.
Full of dark tannins, this has bold black fruits, with acidity to balance. The wine is impressive with its weight, concentration, dense texture and spicy aftertaste. Drink this wine from 2019.
Intense red cherry and violet aromas follow through to the firmly structured palate in this wine, along with pomegranate, licorice and chopped herb notes. Taut, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide the framework. Drink 2023–2033.
This deep, grippy wine has the bones of a mastodon. Its thick blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruit carries even darker streaks of chocolate and espresso. Though still rare, Tannat is making a home for itself in Southern Oregon. It's a meaty, steak-friendly alternative to pricier Cabernets.
This supple and succulent wine mixes red and blue fruit with a persistent peppery note. The winery's top offering, it's a barrel selection from five organically-farmed vineyards, including Chehalem Mountain vineyard. Aged for 17 months in half new French oak barrels, it fades gracefully with a touch of char.
Anselmo Mendes from granite Vinho Verde and Diogo Lopes from clay-soil Lisboa brought together the fruit of their harvests to make one limited-edition Alvarinho wine. The result: a ripe, warm and creamy character with wonderful fresh acidity. Drink this refreshing, ripe wine now.
This is a lovely, unadorned Chardonnay: no oak, no malo, just great fruit. The beauty and power of the Dijon clones is on full display, with penetrating citrus and apple fruit buoyed by punchy acidity that carries through a long finish.
Thick on the nose in black pepper and garrigue, this wine is velvety in layers of berry and cherry, with a hearty tobacco chaser. Concentrated and duly ripe, it brightens in the glass to show compelling bursts of white pepper and violet.
Opening aromatically effusive as a rose garden, this wine takes on darker, thicker overtones of baked strawberry rhubarb as a heaviness of tannin and oak permeates the midpalate. Its youthful power should mellow as an underlying, almost carbonic freshness lurks.
This blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in oak for 40 months, which contributes dark, woody spice to the nose, enhancing the fresh-pressed elderberry and crushed lava-rock aromas. The sip is soft at first before the tannins tighten around the dark flavors, and the acidity is powerfully fresh. Give it a tad more time for all components to marry. Drink 2019–2028.
This wine's peppery details act as counterpoint to its well-defined raspberry and cherry flavors. Streaks of toast and graphite add to the layers, suggesting further complexity will develop with another year or two in bottle.
Sourced from the Omaka Valley, this Pinot Noir is fermented and aged in 1000-liter casks, hence the Big Barrel moniker. It's medium bodied and silky in texture, with only minimal oak-derived flavor. Instead it offers crisp red fruits like cherries and pomegranates, plus subtle hints of tomato leaf and smoked meat. Drink now–2021.
The great majority of this wine is made from old-vine grapes, planted pre-Prohibition. The age tells tales of soft leathery chewiness on the palate as swathes of cherry-syrup flavor make for a hearty velvety explosion that's lengthy and rich. Black licorice plays a part.
This wine offers black cherry, chocolate and lavender aromas. It has a good mouthfeel, with blackberry, pomegranate, juniper and violet flavors set in a web of supple tannins that give way to dried Mediterranean herb notes on the finish.
This beautifully balanced wine has a fine texture of steely acidity and ripe fruit tones. Like many Pouilly-Fumé wines, it needs time to mature further to bring out the great fruit and the fine structure that will make this an impressive wine. Drink from 2018
Made from a field blend, this Port is rich and packed with fruit. The tannins and juicy black plums are balanced by prune, spice and a hint of wood aging. Drink this wine from now and until 2022.
Rich, dense and full of black fruits, this wine conveys a dusty tannic character as well as mint, spice and blackberry fruitiness. Eight months of wood aging softened the structure and deepened the density of the wine. It is ready to drink.
Opulent tropical fruit and florals perfume this decadently ripe yet bracing wine. It's intensely fruity and juicy yet spine tingling with acidity. Blossom and honey notes leave a lingering, pleasantly viscous trail of sweetness on the palate. Delightful now but likely to hold through 2022.
This is a medium-bodied, silky rendering of Pinot Noir. Restrained aromas of cherries, dried herbs and vanilla lead into similar flavors, then pick up a touch of mocha on the long finish. Drink now–2020.
This wine is a very appealing pale bronze color with a light peach tinge. It brings bountiful aromas of wet rock, mountain strawberry and herb that lead to a dry, broad, flavorful palate, with mouthwatering fruit and stone flavors.
Deep garnet in color, this wine has a nose marked by black cherry and blackberry scents. It's soft on entry but brightens as it washes across the palate, offering blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors. Velvety tannins persist into the zesty, cranberry-tinged finish.
This is a smooth wine with soft tannins cushioned by generous fruits. Its red-cherry acidity gives the lightest stalky edge and will allow the wine to age further. The partial barrel aging has added spice. Drink this fine wine from 2019.
Earthy, fairly deep aromas of black fruits and mellow spices come with plenty of oak. In the mouth, this is fresh in feel and medium in body. Flavors of toasty, creamy oak and related vanilla top berry flavors, while the finish is mild, smooth and woody.
A smooth and ripe wine that is rich in fruit as well as tannins. It has red berry flavors, a direct line in acidity and a texture that brings out both minerality from the limestone soil and dark fruit tannins. Drink from 2014.
With very herbal aromas, this wood-aged red has a green quality that detracts from the riper red fruit flavors. Acidity and firm tannins do add structure. It needs time to fully integrate, so drink from 2015.
A full-bodied white blend composed largely of Chardonnay with smaller percentages of Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Viognier, Pinot Blanc, Sémillon and Muscat Canelli. The aromas and flavors lean tropical, ensconced in crisp vanilla and lemon-lime. A versatile wine for a myriad of foods. Rich seafood dishes will work particularly well.
This Verdejo is fruity and tropical on the bouquet. In the mouth, it's plump and smooth, with just enough acidic bite to keep things zesty. Flavors of melon, peach and pear finish solid and fairly long.
Aromas of peach, green apple and freesia yield to flavors of apricot, peach, orange zest and rose petal. Light in the mouth, with touches of smooth viscosity, the finish is bright but pleasantly subdued.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, easily recognizable for its fun label showing antique cars and cyprus trees, has earthy aromas that suggest leafy underbrush, wet soil, woodland berries and plum. The palate delivers black cherry accented with black pepper, espresso and menthol. Tightly woven and tannic, it will benefit with a few more years aging. Drink 2015–2019.
This earthy Tuscan offers aromas that recall underbrush, berries, violet and spice. The juicy palate delivers ripened dark cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and cinnamon-spice alongside chewy tannins and fresh acidity.
This wine veers between richness and austerity. Ripe berry fruits contrast with a tough core and dry tannins. It comes from the mountain region in northeast of Portugal, which explains the structured aftertaste.
There's a lot of good things going on in a glass of this Yamhill-Carlton sourced wine that shows notes of strawberry, mint, cherry and herbs. It's light and elegantly styled with a good sense of balance and a smoky, mint-filled finish.
This quintessential young Chianti Classico is composed of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Pugnitello and 10% Colorino. The juicy palate bursts with ripe black cherry, raspberry, black pepper and cinnamon-spice. Smooth and delicious, it's ready to be enjoyed soon.
Another excellent bargain wine from St. Christopher, this light-footed kabinett is perfumed with notes of lavender, apple and honey. Off dry, it's concentrated on the palate, with juicy apple and hints of sweet berry flavor. Steely acidity drives a long, lean finish.
Fresh pear, apple and tangerine notes are accented by smoke and earth tones on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Widely distributed at a fantastic bargain price, it's a juicy and fruity quaffer, with a delicate hint of bergamot on the finish.
Spice, saline and berry aromas feed into a jammy, slightly sticky palate. Generous flavors of oak and medicinal black fruits finish warm, chewy and dense in flavor. Overall, this captures the positive elements of ripe, consumer-friendly Malbec.
Cortes de Cima was one of the earliest producers of Syrah in Alentejo. The style is full of ripe fruit, structure and a fine juiciness. Touches of spice are a reminder of the natural flavors of the grape. With its tannins, it will age and can be drunk now– 2018.
This blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of blueberry and black plum accented with vanilla and coffee notes. Still tight, the palate offers up a core of rich black cherry accented with espresso, oak, vanilla and licorice alongside astringent, drying tannins. Give this a few years to unwind and fully develop.
This older vintage Chardonnay has a flinty, saline quality to it and a faint taste of waxy apple. Medium in body, it's savory and surrounded by citrus tones with a high note of acidity. Clean and integrated it's a nice reminder of how Chardonnay can be just as fresh and alive five years on as upon first release.
This flat-lining wine is yellow in color and shows aromas of dusty apple and nuts. The palate is too soft and fleshy to be considered lively, and the flavors suggest mealy melon and apple. For a 2012, this is dull.
The nose on this strange Cabernet is mostly about cinnamon and funky smelling fruit. This feels flat, with gum drop flavors that end in a grabby, cloying finish.
This is the weak link in an otherwise increasingly enjoyable range of wines from Barton & Guestier. Positioned somewhere between off dry and medium sweet, it has an edge of bitter sulphur along with almond and quince fruit flavor. The final acidity jars.
This is almost offputting in terms of its feral aromas of wet dog and animal fur. The palate has a narrow, acidic feel and herbal, roasted berry flavors that end in a swirl of green herbs and gamy notes.
This rusty-colored Merlot is burnt smelling, with oregano and tomato-driven aromas. The palate feels dried out and raw, while flavors of burnt grass, roasted plum and tomato finish with an oxidized flavor.
This no-oak Petit Verdot is rusty and turning vegetal and herbal, with tomato-based flavors and a burnt-out finish.
This smells cheap, weird and almost dirty. The palate is cloying and the flavors are candied and melony, but also bitter and oxidized.
This spritzy, weird wine opens with grassy aromas that are backed by a coarse, bubbly palate with flavors of banana, lettuce and bitter greens.
Almost black in color, this stunning wine is gorgeous, rich and dense. It's grand and powerful, with a strong sense of its own importance. The beautiful tannins and the fragrant black currant fruits are palpable. It's a great wine, with huge potential.
This is the finest Cheval Blanc for many years. It is, quite simply, magnificent. The wine shows the greatness of Cabernet Franc in the vintage, with 57% of the variety in the blend. It is beautifully structured and perfumed, with velvety tannins, balanced acidity and swathes of black-currant and black-cherry fruits. It's well on course to becoming a legendary wine.
A hugely powerful wine, full of dark, brooding tannins. It's a wine for seriously long-term aging, a sculptural vision of classic Bordeaux structure with with classy, ripe blackberry fruits. It has fresh acidity and an immense full-bodied character, cut through with mineral acidity. A great wine, with great potential.
This is an architectural wine, very classical in its structure like so many of the top wines of 2010. It's powered by ripe tannins and beautiful black currant fruits. While the wine is gorgeously ripe, it also has a powerful dark and structured character. For long-term aging.
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.
Leather, ripe dark-skinned berry, chopped herb, rose and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this. The austere palate offers tart red cherry, sour cranberry, sage and a hint of anise alongside firm tannins. Give it time to fully develop. Drink after 2022.
Citrus and herb aromas and crisp, inviting flavors make this medium-bodied wine hard to resist. Nicely dry, well balanced and lively with acidity, it has a lingering finish.
This fascinating wine is quite dry, smoky in aroma, black peppery and beefy in flavor, and rather lean and fresh in texture. While firmly tannic, it sits more lightly on the palate than is typical, and feels surprisingly light bodied.
Beefy aromas and flavors complement ample blackberry and cranberry notes in this firm-textured, well-balanced and nicely layered wine that's based on Zinfandel and Syrah. It's concentrated without being too full bodied, with good length on the finish.
A fragrant nose unites notes of candied lime peel, hay flowers, savory yeast and apple. The same complex, rounded and rich flavours are present on the smooth, creamy palate which nonetheless has a firm backbone of freshness and an autolytic frame reminiscent of bread crust. With all its body and restrained dosage this is more suitable as a food partner than as an apéritif.
An affordably priced wine brings meaty, peppery aromas, interesting fruit, spice and smoke flavors, and a mouthcoating texture. It is full bodied, complex and concentrated.
Vibrant and linear, this opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, moist soil, woodland berry and chopped herb. The luminous, graceful palate is all about freshness and elegance, offering crunchy red cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside bright acidity and firm refined tannins. Drink 2018–2030.
A welcome presence of clean, spicy oak aromas and flavors lifts this full-bodied and fruity wine to a higher level of complexity. It's elegant in balance and smooth in texture, showing a lingering, light spicy finish.
Beautiful fruit flavors and a lively texture make a memorable impression in this medium-bodied, richly layered but also crisp and balanced wine. It tastes like sliced Pippin apples and Bosc pears, with pinches of vanilla and nutmeg.
Black plum and blueberry lead the nose on this fruit-forward wine, but there's a dark turned-earth component keeping it serious. Thick black fruit like elderberry ride a firm structure on the palate, where smoked beef, black-pepper spice and a vanilla finish combine for a solid bottling.
While dusty mineral, smoke and lemon notes are demure on the nose, the palate of this Weissburgunder, or Pinot Blanc, turn surprisingly honeyed and rich. It's satisfyingly weighty despite moderate alcohol, with delicately creamy flavors evocative of lemon curd. Bright acidity refreshes through a long finish. It's ready to drink now, but could evolve nicely through 2024.
Warm, round and full-flavored, this is packed with in-your-face flavors of cooked strawberries, blackberries and cherry-pie filling. The explosion of rich ripe fruit is captivating, and though it may not be right for long term cellaring, it's ready right now and most enjoyable. Drink now through 2020.
This lush and aromatic wine has beautiful rose-petal aromas and vibrant grapefruit flavors that spread across the palate and linger nicely on the finish. Rather full bodied, it is rich enough to serve with strong cheeses and roasted birds.
There's a nice spicy character that appears throughout the nose and mouth of this wine, lifted by juicy black berry and plum fruit flavors. Medium weight with solid acidity and balanced alcohol. Drink now.
A rich Amador County estate-grown Viognier with a touch of diesel on the nose balanced out by honey and peach, this wine spent time barrel fermenting in French and American oak and would go well seafood or, as the winery suggests, pepper steak.
Classic southwest France Sauvignon Blanc, bright, fresh and citrus-flavored. Great for summer drinking, clean and delicious.
A dry, tannic Zinfandel from Amador, fairly large production at 14,000 cases a year, with enough blueberry, sweet black olive and spice on the finish to make the whole package a nicely made bottling from a Sierra Foothills Zin specialist.
Barrel fermented and left on the lees for 10 months, this fruity, fleshy, creamy wine tastes of citrus (oranges) and tropical (banana) fruits, and still shows the unresolved tannins from the barrels. It's slightly bitter as a result, and will profit from additional bottle age or decanting.
Dominated by herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, this cool wine is a great alternative New Zealand Sauvignon. It has nettle and gooseberry flavors with an attractive poise and fresh acidity. Screwcap.
Dr. L has developed into the sort of consistent, large-production wine consumers can depend on when faced with an otherwise unknown array of wines. The 2009 is off dry, with crisp acidity, lime and pineapple flavors and a mouthwatering finish. Drink it over the next year or so.
Inky and tight smelling, with rubbery black-fruit aromas. The palate is full, tannic and a little choppy, but the flavors of olive, blackberry, black cherry and herbs are good. Finishes rustic and a touch salty, with good bounce and verve.
The exotic, slightly sweaty nose of this Sémillon-Assyrtiko blend mean it's going to stand out, and the rich, creamy tropical fruit flavors on the palate confirm it. A little heavy and slightly showy, the wine still has a great texture and an appealing spicy wood finish.
Minerally on the nose but also slightly pickled, with a wet but basic tasting palate that is a touch dilute as it deals grapefruit and lime flavors. Finishes clean, fruity and a bit sweet.
A gorgeously salmon-colored rosé made predominantly from Grenache (62%) co-fermented dry with Viognier (58%) out of Yolo County. The wine has a delicately pretty nose of peach and a light-medium body despite its 14.8% alcohol, though the finish falls off fast.
A simple, fresh and appealing Riesling, light to medium in body and off dry in style. Apple and citrus notes dominate, with some slightly riper melon notes evident as well. Drink over the next few years.
If the oak integrates better and recedes more into the fruit than I suspect, this rating will look conservative. Right now, oak is front and center, arrayed in ranks of toasted cedar and vanilla. It's full bodied and chewy in texture, with a long, plushly oaky finish. Try after 2015.
This is a wine that teeters on the edge between superripeness and overripeness. At one moment its fruit comes across as slightly herbal and raspberry-like, while the next it can seem slightly raisined, with a hint of nail polish. It's round and creamy in texture, with a long finish framed in elegant, soft tannins. Drink now–2018.
There is a nice lift to the aromas, which focus on sweet black-cherry fruit. Streaks of cola and brown sugar come into play in the mouth, but the rich fruit is the star of the show.
This selection shows pure black-cherry fruit on the nose, then it folds in hints of flowers, spices, chocolate and coffee on the palate. It's full bodied and creamy in texture without being heavy, then finishes long. Ready to drink, but should easily hold another 5–6 years.
This is deeply colored and rich, showing both the juicy fruit character of Alicante Bouschet and a more serious, concentrated element. It's solid and densely tannic, with wood flavors layered on its black plum fruit. This is worth aging for another two years.
Morel, the general manager at M. Chapoutier, also has his own label, which includes this very attractive wine from Sign­argues, the southernmost villages appellation of the Côte du Rhône. It's full bodied and ripe without being flabby or unstructured, delivering blueberry and blackberry fruit, peppery spice and a long finish that reverberates with fruit and an espresso note.
An impressive single varietal wine, this shows notes of spice, black currant and wood, along with dark tannins and a firm, dry core. With its acidity and tannins, this will likely age over several years.
A glorious, grapefruity, lusciously fresh Pinot Gris, this new vintage from Seven Hills is made for a summer afternoon. This has notes of citrus and melon, with highlights of mint and a hint of pepper, keeping it lively and interesting all through the refreshing finish.
The wine's name comes from the Adour River that flows through the Madiran region. This is dark colored, powerful and spicy, with weight and richness that should allow this to age for at least four years.
Showing a lot of barrel toast in both nose and mouth, this backs its buttered apple flavor with plenty of acidity. It's like biting into a crisp-tasting slice of apple pie; delicious now, or hold for another 4–6 years.
Full bodied and complex, this is a fleshy Pinot Noir with fruit flavors that run from mulberry to spicy plum. Streaks of Dr. Pepper and some black pepper add finishing highlights.
With a very pretty nose of perfumed pear, green apple and lime, this unoaked Chardonnay is nicely soft and easy to drink. Made from organic Chardonnay and a touch of Viognier, this smells and tastes of summer. Even without a hint of oak this retains plenty of richness and a fresh vibrancy on the finish.
Good body and a fair amount of richness here. The nose is on the heavier, rubbery side, and it dulls down rather than expands. On the palate, Huique is warm, sweet, figgy and a little syrupy, with soft fruit and a touch of bitterness on the finish.
An easy-drinking red blend, made for near term enjoyment. The blend is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cab Franc, 10% Syrah and 10% Zinfandel. All quite ripe and wrapped in smoky chocolate. The finish gets a little chalky.
Fine and fresh, this has clean fruit, a touch of caramel along with crisp white peach and creamy apple. The wine is light, soft, accessible now.
Jammy black fruit aromas are pleasant, while the palate has a feel and flow that rolls along nicely. Tastes of baked black fruits and vanilla, while the finish is solid and keeps its form. Slightly herbal if you did deep, but good overall especially when you consider the price.
As per usual, this wine offers solid berry fruit aromas as well as good balance and varietal correctness. The palate feel is balanced and fresh, while the flavors of cassis, berry and oak are properly welded together. Finishes with a touch of chocolate and wood spice.
This is consistent with the other 2007 reds from Camaraderie. Fresh, forward red fruit comes up quickly, but stops abruptly, with a wash of astringent acidity. Many hours of breathing failed to open up the flavors further.
Regular but inviting, with good berry aromas and only a modicum of baked-fruit grit to the nose. The palate is solid and fruity, with lively, grapey berry and black-cherry flavors. Finishes smooth, with chocolate notes. Easygoing, simple Malbec from San Juan province.
A light style, with straightforward citrus and green apple fruit, this widely available Chardonnay is clean and generic, unoaked and bone dry.
Yellow-ish in color, heavy on the nose, more oily than in the past, and with an aroma of cheap perfume. The wine has high acidity, a zesty bite, but not much in the middle, and thus the flavors of mango, melon and papaya are wan. Good for quaffing but not on a par with previous years.
Hard, spicy and rubbery on the nose, with ripe, semi-baked flavors of rubber, black fruit and hardy oak. There's a ton of wood spice and clove as it opens, and nothing is finessed. Dark and chocolaty on the finish, with even more oak.
Forward and flavorful, this brings together five different grapes from eight different vineyards, though it is mostly (70%) Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon. I found a hint of funk, cooked raisin, and lots of baking spices. Penetrating, unusual flavors, but overall not quite together.
Fairly stemmy on the nose, with rhubarb and raspberry pushing things to the red fruit side. The palate feel is dry and basic, while the flavors of cherry and raspberry are candied and sweet. Somewhat sugary on the finish, but good for the little-known region of Catamarca.
A great selection for those seeking an affordable organically grown Merlot. Ripe red berries along with notes of mocha and spearmint unfold on the nose, while red plum and cherry take center stage in the mouth. With solid structure and good balance, this is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ripe black plum and berry dominate the nose and mouth on this Merlot, with appropriate accents of coffee granules and black pepper to spice things up. Lightweight but round with a medium-length finish.
Not bad for basic Argentine Chardonnay. The nose has banana and tropical fruit aromas to go with dried hay, while the soft-bodied palate has enough acidity to keep it flowing. Flavors of melon, banana and vanilla are solid even though it flattens out and shows mild bitterness on the finish.
Candied cherry aromas are simple and sweet, while the young, jammy palate is clean, fresh and offers basic berry flavors. Finishes with some thickness, but overall this is the type of wine that we can recommend at $6.
Attractive and layered with a blueberry and raspberry fruit core accented by notes of sweet spice, orange oil, ashy tobacco and a touch of dark purple florals. The gripping tannins are fine and balanced, with skin-driven fruit flavors dominating the palate and a fudgy chocolate and sweet spice note lingering on the finish.
This is the rare Riesling that has seen some oak influence. Yet it's not obtrusive at all, and just adds hints of honey, vanilla and toast to the wine's already complex flavors, encompassing lilac blossoms, fresh greens, peach and tangerine. It's on the full-bodied side of the Riesling spectrum, with just a pinch of residual sugar and a pleasant cremainess on the midpalate.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot and Malbec. A tasty, toasty bottle, it's loaded with ripe black fruits, notably cherry and cassis. The tannins are supple and seem soaked in Kahlua.
Light brown and slightly translucent in color. Aromas lean toward raisin and prune, but there's orange zest and molasses on the bouquet as well. Bores straight ahead on the palate, with sweet flavors of burnt brown sugar, caramel and prune. Satisfying and balanced even if it's not overly complex.
A beautifully crafted blend that includes 19% Merlot and splashes of Syrah and Cab Franc, this melds black fruits, black olives, a pleasing array of fresh herbs and a hint of mint. The mix is full and seamless, with an easy roundness that carries into a pleasing finish.
Delicate aromas of white spring flower, pear and Mediterranean herb waft from the glass. The vibrant but restrained palate offers white peach, nectarine and a hint of mint alongside firm acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
Garnet colored with brick tones around the rim, this offers aromas of underbrush, vanilla, leather and dried berry. The palate is still rather closed but displays dried red cherry, white pepper, clove and savory herb alongside austere tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2017–2022.
This opens with aromas of cured meat, sweaty leather and a stalky note of moist hay. The dense palate is more expressive, offering mature black cherry, spiced plum, mocha, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside velvety tannins.
Aromas of beeswax, honeysuckle and broom lead the nose on this juicy white. The concentrated palate offers white peach, apricot and nectarine zest alongside bright acidity.
This blend has a slightly meaty, chicken-broth aroma from the Sémillon, and toasty, buttery flavors from the Chardonnay, followed by a lingering finish. It is medium bodied, silky, smooth and elegant.
Aromas recall dried herbs, blueberry, dill and vanilla. The palate brings rich blue fruit and cocoa flavors backed by firm, slightly dry tannins.
This blend offers notes of herbs, woodspice, black licorice and cherry. It's full of sweet black fruit flavors, with the alcohol riding high and providing some distraction.
This wine is 100% varietal, featuring light and appealing notes of herbs, freshly tilled soil, purple fruit and violets along with high-toned barrel spices. It's full bodied yet remains elegant with abundant cherry flavors accented by peppery spices backed by a firm squeeze of tannins and tart acids—a high-quality example of the variety. It needs food to truly shine.
Quite light in color, this blend of Mourvèdre (62%), Grenache (24%) and Syrah offers pleasingly pure notes of herbs, white pepper, pine needles and cranberry. It's quite elegantly styled with a pillowy-soft feel and an appealing sense of purity. It will shine at the dinner table.
A blend of fruit from Sea Shell and Shoemaker vineyards on Paso's Eastside, this blends black cherry aromas with pungent cigar box and toasted sage. It's lively on the palate, with acidic flare and a nice tannic structure. The red fruit and dark spice flavors culminate in an uplifting, anise-flecked finish.
This is lighter in style, but nicely dry, balanced, appetizing and complete. It smells like red cherries and cranberries and tastes fresh, nicely tart and lively. At the same time it feels firmly tannic and palate-cleansing. This will be a super-versatile wine with food.
This smells at first like butter, butterscotch and buttered popcorn. It tastes the same and comes with a soft, creamy texture and full body. On the second and third sips, however, flavors become more fruity, vivid and refreshing, showcasing peach, apricot and fig. Underlying crisp acidity works through the butteriness for good balance.
Dark, minty, inky aromas of blackberry are rugged. Same for the palate, which is pinched and rubbery, with grabby tannins. Flavors of toasted, blackened berry fruits are chocolaty and well oaked. Raw heat and minty, coffee flavors rev up the finish on this Malbec-led blend.
Aromas of dark berry, blue flower, baking spice and a whiff of forest floor come together in the glass. The vibrant palate starts off with wild cherry, clove and sage but then loses some steam midpalate. Fine-grained but not very persistent tannins offer support. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink through 2016–2020.
Aromas of toast, espresso and meat juices lead the nose. The palate offers oak, cured meat, grilled herb and dried red fruit alongside firm but fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2022.
This polished red opens with aromas of ripe berry, toasted oak and a whiff of blue flower. The vibrant palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and ground black pepper framed between bright acidity and supple tannins.
Fresh green sage and tarragon notes lend an herbaceous freshness to this elegant off-dry Riesling. It's dancingly delicate on the palate, but sunny yellow cherry and tangerine flavors are bright and concentrated.
A combination of American and Hungarian oak lends sultry spice, smoke and herb tones to this elegant wine. Freshly pressed apple and pear flavors are a touch savory on the palate, but the wine finishes brisk and bright.
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah offers varietally blended aromas of black currant, charred hardwood and black pepper. It's very jammy and hedonistic on the palate, with hot blueberry pie and toasted vanilla-bean elements, yet the tannins and acidity hold the powerful flavors in check.
Zesty pink grapefruit, lime and lemon abound in this refreshingly spine-tingling wine. Delicately framed, it's sunny and tangerine-sweet on the midpalate, finishing spry and crisp.
A unique rendition of the variety, this is smoky and charred to the max, with nothing else escaping from the bouquet. In the mouth, the acidity is ripping and tight, creating purity and elegance. Super smoky, toasty flavors of green apple and citrus fruits finish woody in flavor but chiseled in feel. Drink through 2017.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of red currant, plum, cedar, bell pepper and toasted oak. The palate offers dried black cherry, grilled herb, espresso and vanilla alongside ripe but rather fleeting tannins.
Spiced plum, mocha, leather and Mediterranean herb are some of the aromas that jump from the glass. The one-dimensional palate delivers oak, anisette, stewed plum, vanilla, menthol and a confectionary note alongside drying tannins.
While toast and spice are prominent on the nose, oak notes integrate elegantly on the palate of this plush, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend. It's juicy and fruit forward, with soft, chalky tannins showcasing sultry, ripe cassis and blackberry flavors.
This 100% varietal provides a pretty example of Petite Sirah, with appealing accents of dark coffee and plum. The soft, supple feel to the fruit flavors belies the firm tannins at this wine's core. Amaro-like bitters on the finish are the only thing that holds this wine back from reaching further heights.
Aromas suggest underbrush, scorched soil, stewed black fruit, pressed rose petal and a whiff of game. The warm palate offers steeped prune, fig, grilled herb and a leathery note alongside the heat of evident alcohol. Drink 2016–2021.
Char and coffee notes ride high on this Tempranillo's black-fruit bouquet. Grabby tannins and an overriding scratchy quality control the palate, which is full, ripe, tannic and abrasive. Dark flavors of blackberry and chocolate end with notes of espresso and black pepper.
This late harvest wine is soft with delicious creamed apple and light honey flavors. It's spicy and attractive to drink as an apéritif.
This is one of a range of branded wines produced by the Alliance Bourg. It is ripe with red berry fruit and spicy tannins that are beginning to soften. Drink from 2018.
Barrel aromas and flavors of dill, vanilla, cocoa and wood spice are far out front, overwhelming any sense of fruit or variety. The wood completely steals the show.
One of the first bottles from this newly approved appellation, this wine brings aromas of raspberry, herb, tire rubber and barrel spice. The palate is elegant and smooth with assorted red-fruit flavors.
This wine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of barrel spice, herb and green pepper are followed by abundant fruit and savory flavors. It leans pretty far into the green, especially for a wine that could be varietally labeled as Merlot.
Red bery, chopped herb and ground clove aromas carry over to the light-bodied simple palate. Lightly-knit tannins provide the easygoing framework. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of grilled meat, oak and saucy berry fruits set up a stretched palate that feels fine but basic. Salty plum and berry flavors are mildly stewed, while this is short on the finish. As a whole, this is good Cabernet that cuts no new ground.
This opaque purple blend of Tannat and Merlot opens with heavy oak aromas that suggest carob, plastic and cheese. A full, scratchy palate with rubbery tannins is bold and tastes savory and stewed, with notes of black plum keeping it afloat. A lightly herbal finish is efficient.
Black-cherry aromas include a note of rubber. This wine feels raw, linear and monotone. Lean punchy flavors of plum and currant are tart, while this finishes with drying tannins and notes of tomato and herbs.
This is the producer's most popular wine in Portugal. A touch of oak aging adds spice to the easygoing tannin and red-berry fruit flavors. It's easy to drink and ready now.
This ripe, rich wine has solid tannins and still-young blackberry fruit. Although a basic Bordeaux, it is extra rich and extracted and, surprisingly, needs to age. Drink from 2019.
This wine is dry, structured and heavily extracted. That leaves a bitter note behind the fruit and acidity. It could have benefited from more gentle winemaking, and although it will soften with age, it will always be tough.
This is the entry-level red from this family-owned estate. It is soft and juicy with some attractive red-berry fruits. The tannins are really gentle just giving a structure to the warm fruits and acidity. Drink now.
Light bodied and ideal for everyday fare, this has flavors of dried cherry, ground black pepper and a hint of clove. It's simple and easygoing, with soft tannins.
Woody berry aromas are solid but standard. This blend of Marselán, Tannat and Merlot is hard as nails, with rubbery tannins. Saucy plum flavors are green and spicy, while this shows abrasive residual tannins on a firm but limited finish.
Quite full bodied and obviously powerful in flavor, this wine is piled deep and rich with fruit aromas and flavors like ripe blackberries and blueberries plus chocolate and espresso. An impressive, astringent texture adds structure and makes it appetizing to drink, while the tannins seem to help the opulent flavors linger during the aftertaste.
Underbrush, crushed blue flower, fig, charred earth and ripe black cherry aromas come together on this full-bodied red. The brooding, muscular palate delivers blackberry jam, raisin, licorice and tobacco while tightly knit, ripe tannins provide support. Drink after 2017.
Nearing the 20-year anniversary of their winery, career vintners John Clark and Kelley Brophy Clark make solid wines such as this one, which shows marjoram, cardamom and crushed rose-petal aromas against a pomegranate juice frame. It's lush and lively once sipped, with dried strawberries and raspberries lifted with lavender and pencil lead, all flavors that keep going and going.
Another of the producer's 100% varietal wines designed to showcase a specific Napa Valley appellation, this one shines in juicy black licorice and dark cherry. Expansive on the palate, it's bright and minerality-driven, with a flourish of coconut and vanilla on the finish.
Rich, juicy and packed with both wood flavors and delicious red fruits, this concentrated and dense wine has a wonderful sense of freshness. There is a strong mineral texture, with tannins that come from ripe fruit as well as wood. The whole wine is finished with acidity, spice and a full-bodied, rich aftertaste.
With big, ripe fruits, this powerful wine oozes rich plum and spice flavors. It is dark and intense, concentrated with both acidity and wood aging. A line of freshness gives this dense wine an impressive lift of raspberry and red currant flavors. Drink from 2021.
From a vineyard that lies just beneath the Grand Cru vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, this is a well-structured wine. It has a smoky character from the wood aging, giving complexity to the red fruits and dense texture. The acidity of the vintage shows strongly, giving a fruity aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
Bacon fat, blackberry jam and black pepper combine for a classic and inviting nose on this bottling from the family-owned winery and winemaker Greg Brewer. The palate is dynamic with tart boysenberries, chipped dark chocolate, crushed peppercorns, a bit of char and beef tar, plus a rich mole-ancho chile element that keeps on giving.
Ripe, fleshy and opulent, this wine is also balanced and light on its feet, cohesive in oak and tannin. Dark cherry is the star, accented by anise, cola spice and a compelling hint of orange peel. Medium bodied, it'll pair well at the table, while also standing out on its own.
Rich and creamy, this beguiling wine offers a counterweight of lightness and balance, finding as much lemon and lime zest as baked apple and pear within its layers of flavor. Lifted in minerality, it offers accents of vanilla and honey on the finish, making the wine both complex and completely delicious.
Still way too young, this is developing into a substantial and structured wine. Full of both fruit and tannins, it is dark and dense, very dry at this stage but with the most enticing perfumes. The Grand Cru, split between Chambolle-Musigny and Morey Saint-Denis, is known for its structure and this wine is a great example. Drink from 2020.
Roasted beef and pork aromas are interspersed with cherry, blackberry, black currant, dried herbs and just enough cooked bell pepper to know it's a Cab. The palate is all about meaty fun, like cherry-crusted tenderloin topped with herbed béarnaise sauce, finishing on rustic elderberry, cigar and menthol flavors.
This wine is now in perfect condition. Just mature, it has great swathes of ripe plum and dark berry fruits that are textured with tight, spicy tannins. Balanced and rich, it shows mint and a concentrated structure. Drink now and until 2020.
The lifted, pure scent of damask rose after rain hits you first. It is then joined by riper notions of Mirabelle but always with fresh, airy lift. While the palate weighs this down with perceptible sweetness, the aromas rise unfettered. This is a beautiful wine singing with rose and orange aromatics that persist with a lingering perfume.
Feathery, lifted notes of citrus, lemon zest and leaf announce a lightness of touch. Some topnotes of chamomile tisane swing alongside. The palate is fresh, taut, dry and light-footed. Deeper notions of fruit are still just hinted at, a core of fruit that still takes time before it is unlocked. Purity and elegance mark this one out.
A fresh smell like just-baked bread and terrific flavors like Bing cherry and spiced plums make a great combination in this medium- to full-bodied wine. The texture is firm with fine tannins, but so supple that you hardly notice them.
Enticing aromas of violet, baked plum and cake spice lead the way on this bold, elegant wine. The velvety palate offers juicy black cherry, ripe blackberry, licorice and black pepper accompanied by firm, polished tannins that give it a smooth texture.
Aromas of steeped cherries, ripe plums, scorched earth and a medley of cooking spices lead the nose on this round, rich wine. The lush palate doles out ripe black cherries, raspberry jam, licorice and a dash of black pepper while velvety tannins lend finesse.
Subtle notes of orange meet freshly-cut pear flavors, amplified by some residual sugar. The richness of the palate is cut beautifully by a fresh and pure, citric acidity and a wrought phenolic structure which lends pleasant notes of subtle, enticing bitterness. There is something bittersweet about this that is touching and alluring.
Honeyed notes of pear promise oriental richness. The palate cuts this opulence, edged with Seville orange spice and a streak of zesty lime. This interplay between baroque and discipline continues, creating a scintillating experience. Enjoy the ride and marvel at all the spicy overtones.
Fresh raspberry and Bing cherry juice meet with wet black slate, rain on cement and toasted sagebrush scents on the nose of this block-selection expression. The palate opens with ripe red berry, then tightens on slightly sour cranberries, with singing acidity down the middle and a warmer anise tinge to the edges.
Hearty aromas of baking spices, roasted fennel, ginger and light licorice give nuance to dried cherry, cranberry, beef bourguignon and sweet onion scents on this wine from the eastside of the Salinas Valley. The palate is all about exotic spice, from sandalwood and myrrh to oregano, thyme, marjoram and black cardamom, all hanging on a lush, dark-fruit core.
This floral wine opens as if in a damp but not wet forest, surrounded by ripe, red cherry trees. Likable from the start, it's grippy on the palate, expressively juicy, seductive and refined. Blackberry and dried herb pop on the finish, providing a darker side to the red fruit.
A rich, decadent and generous wine, 100% varietal, this is both floral and fruity, bright in cherry and raspberry alongside herbal cedar and vanilla. A medium weight surrounds softly integrated tannins, leading the way to an explosive, juicy finish. This is a classic example of the appellation's prowess in approachable power.
There are light and airy elements of nectarine flesh and lemon blossoms on the nose of this first Chardonnay ever made by veteran Doug Margerum, who also imparts warmer scents of toast and clarified butter. The palate is tightly coiled, simultaneously soft with stone fruit and sharp with chalky texturality.
Subdued, riper fruit has not yet come to the surface. Notions of Bramley apple are evoked on the nose; on the palate they show as the more rounded flavor of baked Bramley. Hovering above it all is grated lemon zest, pulling fruit, texture and freshness tautly together in a dry, fresh yet mellow finish. The more you taste, the more the still-underlying fruit yearns to rise to the surface. Best to give this some time so it can show its true, exciting colours.
Concentrated hibiscus and rose petals are cut by an iron minerality and anise character on the nose of this wine that Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton make for a Japanese partner. It's rich on the palate but still just medium weight, showing graphite, Asian spices, black peppercorns and lots of textural energy and acidic verve on the palate.
Just-ripe blackberry forms a tight, centralized core aroma, with flashes of pencil lead, dried rose petals and lavender adding nuance. It's focused and dark on the palate, with grippy pine sap stringing together purple fruit, dried cranberry and black pepper flavors.
Crushed blue flower, ripe plum and a whiff of exotic spice emerge on this bold wine. On the concentrated palate, ground pepper, cocoa and licorice notes accent ripe black cherry and baked plum. Velvety tannins lend elegance and support.
Full-bodied and firmly structured, this offers aromas of dark cherry, mocha, blue flower and a whiff of exotic spice. The concentrated palate doles out black cherry, raspberry jam, raisin, chocolate and baking spice alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2017–2023.
A good amount of sweet smoke and cured bacon aromas integrate seamlessly with the boysenberry and black plum notes. Ripe, juicy fruit flavors provide a mouthwatering sensation on the palate, while a touch of tobacco leaf and charred cedar lingers on the long finish.
There's a pretty touch of carnation florals to the dried black fruit and black cherry center of this wine. Spicy notes of black pepper, whole clove and black tea leaves appear in the mouth alongside juicy blackberry and fudgy brownie flavors.
Beaver Creek's Lake County Zin is juicy and spicy, full of stewy red fruit and rough-hewn tannins that are thick and fragrant of oak and molasses. Definitely big though well made for its style. Time and air are its friends.
A herbal wine, its sweetness just an element in a series of crisp, fresh flavors. The wine has weight and concentration, with a tangy texture of lemon zest and exotic fruits.
Emphasizing the herbaceous nature of Gros Manseng, this is a ripe, full and fruity wine. The flavors of fresh citrus combine with herbs and broad beans to give a wine with some weight, although with taut final acidity.
The dominance of young Sémillon in the blend gives considerable herbaceousness. The wine has a fresh, grassy character, its acidity offering freshness within the full texture.
Juicy with brambly raspberry fruit with a slight herbal note, Deaver's Henry House is full and fleshy with soft tannins and ready to drink now.
A concentrated, tannic-driven wine, with the structured black fruits as a balancing contrast. It is certainly rich, while having a solid structure that promises several years aging.
Among the numerous 2009 single-vineyard bottlings from Erath, the Battle Creek seems especially youthful. At first a bit disjointed, it breathes itself into focus, with excellent component flavors—black cherry, cola, and clean earth.
Dark and brooding on the nose, with mint, menthol, beefy fruit and coconut for sweetness. Feels choppy and more acidic than expected, with heavy flavors of coconut, toast and blackberry. Toasty, herbal and slightly scratchy on the finish.
A whiff of this is like a whiff of lovely orange perfume, with that sort of oily complexity. At just 7.2% alcohol, this lightly sparkling wine is definitely a dessert bottle. Deep flavors confirm the impression of drinking perfume.
A firmly tannic wine, leading from red plums to juicy, bitter cherry flavors. It is structured while also generous and ripe. There is an edge of wood that emphasizes the dry core.
An earthy, light Mendocino Pinot from a fabulous vintage that's got all the cherry, dusty mushroom flavors one could want, with a smidgen of black pepper on the finish. The bottle's suggestion to pair with Coq au Vin is a good one.
This red starts with aromas of dried forest fruit, crushed herbs and red fruit, and on the palate, classic, elegant waves of dried fruit, spice and black pepper. Spicy and dry but softened at the edges by cherry fruit, it's a classy red with versatile pairing ability.
Dark and leathery up front, with a dusting of nutmeg and sawdust. Feels a bit grabby and resiny, but it's boasting enough acidity to push things through. Flavors of cassis, berry and herbs are normal and nice, while the finish is warm and chunky. Good Cabernet for the price.
A grapey wine, thin and watery, with just a hint of raspberry soda pop and coffee grounds.
Stewed plums and black cherry preserve notes dusted with hints of chocolate and smoke are enjoyable, but there's a vein of leafy green and a touch of sourness that distracts from this wine's otherwise ample ripeness.
Grassy aromas send you toward a lean and gappy-feeling palate with rudimentary cherry and plum flavors blended with medicinal, green undertones. Turns more green on the finish.
Smells strange, with aromas that are hard to identify or label. The palate is tangy, with pickled, resiny flavors and a dead-end finish. Suggestive of sauerkraut; not very good Chardonnay.
Sharp and almost vinegar-like on the nose, with a strong blast of field greens and nettle. The palate is broad and edgy, with sour plum, tarragon and juniper flavors. Very green, herbal and funky. Not one of this label's better wines.
Smells green and weedy at first, and then oak aromas rise up to cover the green overriding character. Clacky in the mouth, with green-leaning berry flavors and oak. Finishes herbal, with a lasting flavor of pole bean.
Thin, tannic and earthy, with an odd plastic, Band-aid flavor in the finish.
Cherry and menthol meld with whiffs of forest floor and bramble on this dry, medium bodied Merlot. The palate is pleasant with black fruit and a rustic fall foliage character, but the finish falls short with a hint of bitterness at the end.
Smells a bit sweaty and oily, with the variety's feline and funky aromas on display. The palate runs flat, with bitter green fruit flavors and a vegetal leaning.
Dusty, chalky and thin, with little fruit.
Salinic and simple on the bouquet. The palate is narrow and citric, with lean, sour tangerine, lemon and lettuce-like flavors. Tangy and lemony on the finish as well.
Charred black plum, cola and licorice aromas show in this rare bottling of Petite Sirah from Santa Barbara County. The palate is streaked with dark purple and black fruit, its tarry tannins and sharp acidity dissolving rather quickly.
Herb, anise, baking-spice, smoke and dark-fruit aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit flavors surrounded by velvety tannins. The balance is just about spot on.
Gisborne wines are poorly represented in the U.S., but this is a good introduction. Mouthwatering scents of bergamot, hickory smoke and peach lead the way, followed by similar flavors on the palate in this medium- to full-bodied wine. Hints of cashew and underripe pineapple creep in on the crisp finish. Drink now.
This blend of 55% Frappato and 45% Nero d'Avola opens with red cherry, crushed strawberry, clove and white pepper aromas that carry over to bright, polished palate. It's ready and enjoyable, with silky tannins and fresh acidity.
Dark and toasty, this wild yeast fermented wine spent 10 months in 10% new Oregon oak. Slightly roasted flavors combine coffee grounds, chunky cherry and cassis. It's a full-bodied full-flavored wine which favors power over finesse.
This tasty white wine has skin flavors in abundance–citrus peel and apple, with a bit of white peach as well. It's sleek and focused, not afraid to show a touch of bitterness to frame the fruit. It might benefit from decanting an hour or so before consuming it.
Dark toast, dill and tobacco frame this late-release Bordeaux-style blend, but there's still plenty of pristine black cherry and cassis flavor too. It's surprisingly fresh and fruity, balanced crisply in acidity and alcohol. The finish lingers on a sweet-tart berry tone.
Blackberry, oak, spice and chocolate aromas are dealt in equal parts. This feels ripe and fairly plush. Flavors of burnt toast, black pepper and charred wood lead secondary fruit notes across the palate and onto the finish.
Toasted oak and maple syrup aromas meet indulgent brown sugar and blackberry jam flavors in this very ripe-tasting, full-bodied wine. It's easy to gulp and enjoy, not being especially brawny or tannic, and should be great with pulled pork or Mexican molé.
Apple, peach and yeast aromas are welcoming but a little wayward. This brut nature shows roundness on the palate and no coarseness. Briny apple and dried-apricot flavors are calm on the finish.
Light in color, this bottling from winemaker Colin Murphy shows rounded red plum and tart strawberry scents, with graphite and wet river stone minerality. The palate is lively with acid-driven red fruit that's round and full on the midpalate.
This elegant nectarine-scented Riesling is a notable solo project by Hazlitt winemaker Michael Reidy. It's deft on the palate, but offers plenty of ripe quince and tangerine flavors accentuated by zesty lime acidity. It finishes moderately long.
Immaculate freshness abounds in this zesty Chardonnay. While supple and quite creamy on the palate, pristine lemon and pear flavors and a vibrant backdrop of lemony acidity invigorate. Elegantly meshed vanilla and spice tones linger on the finish.
A chalky, mineral aroma leads to lively green apple and dried herb flavors. This wine is light-bodied and subdued but has enjoyable, savory flavors to complement its moderate fruitiness and an easy elegance that separates it from the pack.
Name and reputation get you only so far, as this underwhelming offering from a poor vintage proves. Compact stewy aromas of baked berry fruits and asphalt are the appetizer. A main course of chunky jammy stewy berry and prune flavors finishes with a desiccated essence. Unico is known to age for decades, but not this vintage. Drink now for what it's worth.
This has intense forest-floor aromas, a hint of violet along and toasted oak and vanilla notes. The palate shows bright raspberry and espresso flavors, nervous acidity and firm tannins. It needs time, so drink after 2016.
This expression of young Nebbiolo boasts a pretty floral and strawberry fragrance. The palate delivers bright strawberry and raspberry flavors and fresh acidity. It's simple, yet well made, with good balance and a silky texture.
This BSH is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and includes 15% Cabernet Franc. It's among the best of the recent releases from O•S, with the two Cabs dominating with berry and cassis, earth and cacao. The tannins are lightly grainy and well-balanced.
This is a good bottle, single vineyard-sourced, toasty and still tightly-wound with tart red fruits. It's pretty and forward, perhaps best enjoyed in the next year or two.
A gritty, full-force bouquet is oaky, slightly lactic smelling, crusty and a little green. This blend of Carmenère and Malbec is mouthfilling, with tartaric bite and jumpy flavors of raspberry, plum and herbs. On the finish, it's herbal and mildly green like on the nose, with toughness.
This straddles the fence between vegetal and citrusy, with both sides appearing on the nose. In the mouth, this is high-toned and piercing, with laser-beam acidity pushing passion fruit, grapefruit, green herb and melony flavors. On the finish, a wave of mild green settles in, while the feel is actually a touch creamy. Drink now.
This dry Silvaner balances a crisp, lean fruit profile of white peach, lime and green apple, with a palate that's full, voluptuous and weighty. It's intensely minerally, with a slight mineral-oil slick, but finishes clean with brisk lemon and citrus pith notes.
Syrah in Washington can assume many shapes; here it shows many elements of the forest floor—dried leaves, moist earth, hints of mushroom. It seems to be locked down at the moment, the green tea tannins forming a shell around the tart fruit. Bound to improve dramatically with further bottle age.
This affordable bottling offers intensely concentrated fruit nicely accented by hints of cedar and mocha. The tart, mixed-berry flavors are crisp and mouth-watering, finished off by a dusting of cocoa powder on the finish.
A solidly structured wine, this is firm in both its tannins and in its mineral texture. Black cherry flavors are combined with a dense, dry core to give a wine that's both fruity now and worth aging for 1–3 years. Screwcap.
Very dry, this wine is firmly tannic, with the potential for great swathes of juicy fruitiness. It's currently developing beyond its youthful dryness and just beginning to reveal black-currant fruit. Give it another 2–3 years.
Ripe and fruity, this is already a delicious wine. It has blackberry fruit, sweet tannins and acidity that percolates through the ripe texture. Generous and open, it is almost ready to drink.
Bright and fruity, this wine has fine acidity, which balances the firm tannins. The whole wine feels juicy, packed with forward fruit and having a lively character. Drink now.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot is shy and demure now, requiring a decant or time to air before opening up to reveal notes of red-plum flesh, muddled raspberry and soft sweet spice. Medium weight, with soft tannins and an herbal finish.
Despite the moniker, this blend of Counoise, Mourvèdre, Malbec, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah strays pretty far afield from the southern Rhône. It's an edgy, stylized effort, light with tart rhubarb fruit, wild berries and plenty of tongue-tingling acidity. Yet it does not lack for flavor, detail, or interest. For acid hounds.
This is a soft, creamy wine with a texture that is dry while also rounded. White fruits, lemony acidity and a mineral edge are all consistent. The finish is full of acidity and a touch of bitterness.
The Ursa blend is about 40% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon filling out the rest. Unsurprisingly, there is a forceful streak of herbal flavors running through this wine. It's more focused on the palate than the Star, with riper flavors of blackberry and bramble, albeit with plenty of pepper and stem.
Here's a fresh and fruit-forward selection, brimming with bright aromas and flavors of white peach, clementine, yellow florals and a hint of fresh hay. Balanced and refreshing, the medium acidity provides good lift to the ripe fruit flavors on the palate and keeps the finish light and clean. Drink up.
The neglected other white grape of Burgundy, Aligoté proves its quality and accessibility in this wine that's fresh, fruity and crisp. Full of green fruits, it's touched by apricots and finished with sunshine. Drink now.
This is a rich, full-bodied wine in a generally light and crisp field. It has the heft and texture of more substantial varietals—and indeed has Sémillon, Flora and Chardonnay blended in. It also offers a touch of sweetness and straightforward apple and Anjou pear flavors.
The fresh, jammy and spicy aromas and ripe, maple syrupy, almost sweet fruit flavors are tasty and easy to swallow. A soft texture, full body and little tannin add to the smoothness and sweetness of its taste.
Caramel aromas give this wine a rich, full and almost sweet character. It has weight, a warm feel cut with pear and quince acidity. It needs to be drunk now.
The aromas suggest this wine has too much wood for its own good. The palate is just rich enough to sustain all that toast, while also allowing room for some crisp white and green fruits. Drink this wine from 2016.
Soft and fruity, this lightly spicy wine has refreshing acidity over orange and lemon fruitiness. It is lightly structured with some minerality, leaving a delicious, fragrant character. Drink now.
Blueberry and green-herb aromas give this Malbec-led blend a grassy bouquet. Jammy and chewy in the mouth, this tastes like raisin, molasses and herbal blueberry. Minty, herbal notes dominate the finish.
A wine that is dominated by the floral character of Touriga Nacional, this is a dense and dry at this young stage. It has a dry, firm character, with the fruit still firmly masked by tannins. Give it until 2017 before drinking.
Aromas and flavors of black cherries and pomegranate juice fill this medium-bodied and sturdy-textured wine. A generous helping of tannin gives it a firm mouthfeel and more than stands up to the generous fruit flavors. Drink now through 2020.
With aromas like sweet strawberries and red cherries, and flavors as ripe as the aromas, this medium- to full-bodied wine is tempting, smooth and polished. It tastes refined but still lets loose a lot of fruit power. The balance is on the soft side, with mild tannins and subdued acidity.
This light-bodied, high-acidity white is aromatic in briny citrus, veering on citrus peel and zest rather than the fresh fruit itself. It stays bright on the palate through the finish.
This is a fruity, immediately drinkable wine. It has red berry flavors and bright acidity that gives the wine freshness and a light, juicy touch. Light tannins add structure to the bright aftertaste.
There is a light prickle on the palate of this Alvarinho-Trajadura blend, giving lift to the just off-dry peach and orange zest flavors. It's an attractive, fruity wine to drink now.
Unlike many Zinfandel rosés, this one is dry. A bright pink color, aromas like canteloupe and flavors like watermelon and fresh grapes add up to a light-tasting but rather full-bodied and soft-textured wine.
Very pale in the glass, this proprietary white blend offers soft peach and sharp lemon juice on the nose as well as cut grass and kiwi fruit. The palate is quick, easy and clean, with green pears and green apples framed by decent acidity.
Subdued aromas and rather tight fruit flavors make a modest impression, while full body and very firm tannins due to 15% Petite Sirah give a lot of structure. With astringent grip in the texture, this will taste best with juicy meat dishes and other rich proteins.
Spiced prune and dried plum aromas carry to a medium-bodied palate of tart blackberries sporting crushed violet and dried herb flavors.
Stemmy and woody, this soft, bright and feral wine is revelatory of its site, where coolness reigns. The taste suggests the hulls of fresh strawberries, while the color, structure and body remain elusively light.
Generic pear and apple aromas are simple but good. This wine runs light on oak and feels juicy and correct. Flavors of apple, pear and vanilla turn more briny and salty on the finish, which circles back with sweetness as it fades away.
Muddled mixed berries meet strawberry Jell-O flavors on this streamlined blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The racing acidity offers a sense of juiciness to the palate, making this an easy-to-enjoy sipper.
Gritty, rubbery plum and berry aromas are also a touch smoky. This is solid in mouthfeel, with plum, cherry, spice and mild salty flavors. A dry finish with plenty of woodspice character is a bit hot.
Showing Cannonau's lighter side, this simple red has fruity aromas of wild berry and a hint of dried aromatic herb. The easygoing, informal palate offers red cherry, raspberry and a hint of white pepper alongside soft tannins.
This looks, smells and tastes so young that it might have come right out of the fermenting tank. It is tight to the point of reductive, with tart fruit flavors of cranberry and rhubarb, and stiff, chalky tannins.
Woodsy raisin and cassis aromas are closed and a bit chemical. This feels solid, round and resiny, with wood-driven flavors of raspberry, plum and oak-related spices. Dry and resiny feeling on the finish.
There's a definite ripeness to this rosé, with upfront aromas of red gummy bear, cantaloupe and juicy cherry. Lively acidity helps to enliven the medium-weight palate, with a plum-skin flavored finish. Drink now.
This is a spicy, fresh wine with cinnamon alongside fragrant acidity. It's crisply fruity, full of balanced acidity and deliciously aromatic. With its ripe apricot flavors, this wine is ready to drink.
With an ominous rusty orange color and saucy, rubbery aromas, you'd think this would be over the hill, or even DOA. But in the mouth, this is juicy and holding steady. Light flavors of apricot and tangerine finish zesty, dry, citrusy and a touch bitter. Drink immediately.
This is a soft wine that seems removed from the tight, mineral Alvarinhos found further north in Portugal. It has a smooth texture, the acidity lying easily over the ripe apple flavor. Drink from 2016.
This red blend is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Syrah—peppery, tannic, and fruity. A jam and toast style, it shows some heat in the finish.
This medium-bodied white features attractive scents of lime zest and pineapple. On the palate, the flavors veer toward apple and citrus, which fade rapidly on the finish. Drink now.
Vanilla, cherry and violet on the nose lead into flavors of black fruit, spices and pepper in this balanced, crisp red. Complex but refreshing, with a food-friendly character. Pair with lamb, cheeses.
Coffee, mocha and spice aromas are followed by flavors of violet, coffee, red berries and spice in this rich, complex Greek red. The finish is dry and spicy. Pair with lamb, semi-hard cheeses, beef.
Chiseled aromas of lemon-lime and spring flowers are lean but clean, and that pretty much describes this blend of Treixadura, Torrontés and Palomino. Lime and green banana are the key flavors, and the finish brings back lemon-lime and minerality. More basic than flashy, but nice in a neutral way.
An alluring nose of black cherry, cedar, cinnamon and anise leads this friendly, ageable Cabernet. Cedar, spice and tobacco unfurl on the tongue, offering a classic style red with food-friendly restraint. An elegant sip suitable for lamb, beef or aged cheeses.
Roasted berry, marzipan, prune, spice and earth are rolled into a solid whole on the bouquet, while the palate rides on the heavy side with grating tannins and deep but clumsy flavors of blackberry, raisin and fruitcake. Smooth but not complex or demanding. Chewy and bulky, which isn't uncommon for Toro.
A chunky, thick, earthy type of wine with syrupy, sweet berry flavors and a friendly palate that's tannic but not too much so. Caramel and carob mix with coffee and cola on the finish, and overall it is good RDD if you don't mind full extraction and syrupy richness.
Apple and pear, cracker and citrus, pineapple and a hint of residual sugar combine in a soundly made, all-purpose Chardonnay. The alcohol is just under 13%, and the wine was not put through malolactic fermentation, leaving it crisp and fresh.
Herbal citrus and asparagus aromas lead this plucky white from Spier. On the palate, fresh, clean citrus and slate mingles with grass and fresh fruit. An excellent warm weather sip: pair with seafood and poultry dishes.
From organic grapes, this fresh, slightly sweet Chenin Blanc marries lemongrass, pear and citrus skin flavors with a hint of butterscotch. Very nice through the midpalate, then a quick fade.
Aromas of black fruits, light oak and violets are good but basic, and that pretty much defines the rest of the wine. Expect an easy flowing palate with candied, regular berry flavors in front of a light to medium finish. Nicely done and approachable.
Like many Cafayate reds of stature, this opens with funky murkiness, leather, animal notes and baked characteristics. The blend is 70% Tannat with Malbec and Syrah, and overall it's full-bodied, snappy in the mouth, and good in terms of offering integrated plum, raspberry and spice flavors. Shows a lot of heat and burn on the finish, however. A wine with individuality. Drink now through 2012.
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.
Strawberry, rose petal, dark spice and a whiff of oak lead the nose and follow through to the robust palate along with steeped black cherry and a vanilla note. Firm tannins grip the finish. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the close.
Toast, violet and plum aromas lead the way and carry over to the inviting palate along with mature blackberry, vanilla and cinnamon. Dusty tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Aromas of wild berry, dark spice and leather lead the nose. The solid palate shows ripe black cherry, cassis, clove and coffee beans alongside firm tannins. Drink through 2018.
Light pink in color, this wine is fresh and zesty in aroma, mild and pretty in flavor and light on the tongue, with just a hint of sweetness. Made from 80% Zinfandel and bottled with an elegant screen-printed label, it's as a classy version of white Zinfandel.
Full and heady notes of iron-oxide and pepper are bound up in the fragrant blueberry nose. The light to medium body is translucent with flavour and highlights the pepperiness and the fresh berry fruit. There is the slightest tannin texture and ample freshness. This would even work as a chilled summer red.
Rich flavors and a juicy texture make this dark-colored but medium-bodied wine fun to drink. It smells like ripe boysenberries, tastes almost jammy, and has a nice grip on the palate. It comes with a very reasonable price tag for the quality.
This bottling of one of the Central Coast's most promising white grapes is light and lithe on the nose with apples, lemon zest, lilies and a touch of vanilla bean. The palate is also delicate, showing apple blossoms, sour apple candy and cut pear.
A summer's bounty of cherries and berries take the lead in this fresh, intensely fruit-forward red blend. Taut but fine-grained tannins and a shock of sour-cherry acidity tightens up the finish.
This classic blend of Bordeaux grape varieties maintains a classic feel throughout. It's elegant in frame, medium bodied and invigorating in acidity, yet rich with blackberry and cassis flavors. Tannins are bold and dense, but ripe, suggesting improvement with age. Hold till 2019.
Dark gold in color and perfumed on the nose in a mix of apple blossom and sea spray, this wine is aged in a majority of seasoned French oak and a third stainless steel. It's soft, layered and voluptuous on the palate, despite its cool provenance and tenacious acidity.
Spicebox, dark raspberry, vanilla and toasty oak aromas are followed by reserved, well constructed fruit flavors that taper toward the finish.
This is a soft, light-bodied white that refreshes in honeyed apple and apricot that's dry, pretty and quite floral, with a flat, linear finish.
The extreme side of the grape variety comes out in this boisterous wine that smells like lemon and garlic, tastes like gooseberries and grapefruit, and has that vibrant, crisp texture that goes great with seafood.
Spring flower and yellow stone fruit aromas lift out of the glass. The round, juicy palate doles out creamy peach, nectarine zest, Bosc pear and a hint of hazelnut. Soft acidity brightens the creamy flavors.
This is a ripe wine, full of red fruits cut with grapefruit acidity. Gravel vineyards on the slope of Mont Sainte-Victoire give a mineral character to this tight and nervy wine with its structure that supports the fruitiness that is developing well. Drink from later in 2016 for the wine to be at its best.
This is an attractive, round wine. The ripe red-fruit character is balanced by a tangy, zesty lemon texture that gives freshness plus a touch of tannic structure. Very dry and spicy in the mouth, it will be good with food.
Produced from organic grapes, this wine is totally crisp with red fruits, a touch of pepper giving an extra edge. It is rich and full in the mouth and, with its alcohol, certainly needs food.
This wine is full of fresh acidity, with a soft, gentle fruitiness that is immediately attractive. With its light touch of raspberry and red currant, it is poised and stylish.
From vineyards in a protected natural park, this wine is rich and full in the mouth. It is a touch herbal as well as fruity, adding spice and pepper to the mix. Lively acidity balances the ripeness of the wine.
There's excitement about the return of this rather iconic bargain brand to the market, and this bottling packs the goods, offering rich and bacon-laced aromas as well as maple, campfire and jammy fruits on the nose. It's not as structured or varietally typical as pricier bottlings, but it's fun and delicious to quaff, with more maple, bacon fat and ripe berries.
Aromas of tomato, spiced plum, cherry and asphalt are encouraging. This feels somewhat syrupy and clunky, while candied berry and spice flavors are strong. A modicum of varietal herbal spice rises up on an otherwise sweet-tasting finish.
Earthy aromas of scorched soil, leather, prune and white pepper lead the nose. The solid palate shows ripe black cherry, blackberry and ground pepper alongside firm, chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.
A year older than the Riboli family's higher-end San Simeon brand, this bargain bottling is a steal for the oft-ridiculed vintage. Dense elderberry fruit, smoked cedar and dried oregano show on the nose, while the palate is complex and herbacesously Bordelaise in style, with oregano, thyme and dill giving nuance to tart blueberries and black plum fruit.
Aromas of white flower, tropical fruit and an herbal note lead the nose on this medium-bodied white. The juicy, generous palate doles out ripe pear, tangerine, mineral and white almond. Soft but fresh enough acidity offsets the creamy flavors.
This wine lives up to its name in the pure, perfumed flavors that are an enticement for sipping. An edge of tannin and lemon zest liven the wine even more. The tight, bright acidity at the end is mouthwatering.
Aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit lead the way on this easygoing but generous white. The round, juicy palate offers mature peach, ripe pear and a white almond note. Fresh acidity balances the creamy flavors.
High in perceptible acidity, this wine leans savory in rhubarb, cranberry and a twist of sour cherry, adding in clove and black pepper behind the scenes. Light-bodied, it's soft and table-ready.
Aromas of raw oak, related spice, vanilla and berry fruits lead to a fresh palate that's slightly choppy in feel. With its cherry, raspberry and oak flavors this blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Carignan blend finishes dry, spicy and steady.
Marked by pronounced oak on the nose and entry, this wine unwinds slowly in the glass, though the intensity of toasted notes and richness never lets go. Along the way, there's a sour tang of salt and lime atop thick flavors of baked apple.
Following a Bordeaux model, this is the second wine of Romaneira. Named after the bell that hangs at the entrance to the quinta, it is a ripe, lightly structured wine that is ready to mature quickly. Berry fruits and acidity give the wine its main character. Drink from 2017.
This rich rendition of a variety you don't see every day has a hint of honey in the aroma, lots of apple and peach flavors, a rounded, full texture and medium body.
From the highly sought-after vineyard high atop the Mayacama Mountain Range, this burly red traffics in smoky leather and big, ripe, juicy black fruit, providing touches of spice and smoke along the way.
A short time in oak gives this wine its extra toasty, spicy character, that lies comfortably alongside the perfumed acidity and crisp lemony texture. It could age a few months, so wait to drink until 2017.
Generous strawberry and cherry flavors make this medium-bodied wine taste fruity and fresh, and a gentle texture buoyed by light acidity seems to match their modulated intensity. It finishes dry and with a good touch of tannin.
Dried herbs and coconut flakes provide an intriguing entry into this medium-bodied wine. Dotted with Asian spice and soy, the fruit is more savory than sweet.
Aromas of berry and cassis come with a shot of raw oak. This is grabby and puts on the clamps, but spicy, peppery flavors of olive, berry and oak are very good in front of a hard, moderately tannic finish.
The Cabernet Sauvignon structure shows strongly in this firm wine. Mint and black currant flavors are dense and concentrated. The tannins give a dry character to the wine that contrasts with its fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Tea, spice and modest berry aromas make for a reticent nose. This feels jammy and spongey, while medicinal, herbal berry and oak flavors veer towards minty green and resin on the finish.
The peel of ripe pears paired with a soft lemon freshness characterizes this somewhat earthy wine. The earthiness becomes stronger on the dry palate but is brightened by lemony acidity and a clean-cut finish.
Although the wine is dry, it has a tempting honey aroma. That follows through lightly to the palate along with yellow fruits and contrasting crisp citrus acidity. The wine is bright and ready to drink.
Bold hits of spice and toasted cedar envelop ripe black-cherry and plum flavors in this Merlot-based wine (augmented by proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). The palate is intensely lush and fruity but anchored neatly by a bitter edge of tannins and cranberry acidity. Should drink well through 2023.
Clean fruit-forward aromas of pear and tropical fruits introduce a smooth, slightly creamy palate with good acidic cut. Citrusy flavors of orange and lime dominate, while the finish is lasting and fresh.
This wine comes from Woodinville Wine Cellars. It displays aromas of lemongrass, custard and tropical fruit. The flavors are ripe and full bodied, lingering on the finish.
This is a ripe and fruity wine that is also structured. It has tannins that lift the red-berry fruits and spice flavors. With concentration as well as acidity, it should be aged another few months. Drink from 2017.
This is a sweet ripe wine, a blend of Gros and Petit Manseng. It has lychee and peach flavors and a layer of acidity, all given richness by the botrytis and honey flavors. The wine is ready to drink, soft and with a touch of ginger spice at the end.
Earthy aspects pervade the pear, apple and lemon freshness of this slender, taut Riesling. Concentrated and brisk, the body has a bracing, dry lemon finish.
Loin de l'Oeil with Sauvignon Blanc gives a ripe, soft and deliciously fruity wine. Finely balanced with tangy acidity over melon and rich red-apple flavors, the wine has a touch of minerality from the gravel soil. Drink the wine now.
Aromas like petrol and turned earth along with fruity, very sweet flavors make an interesting combination in this luscious dessert-style wine.
Slightly floral aromas are yeasty and show a note of vanilla. In the mouth, however, this is tight and lemony. Flavors of lime and green apple are snappy, while this SB from southerly Bío Bío ends with minerality and crispness.
This is a jammy Syrah with earthy, saucy black-fruit scents and a sense of reduction. Round and smooth for the most part, this registers as soft in feel. Flavors of blackened spice, blackberry and chocolate finish with coffee and mocha notes, while moderate acidity means the finish is short.
Hints of passion fruit rest among the ripe peach notes. The palate is zippy with ripe orange and zesty tangerine. Full of juicy freshness, this wine would be an exuberant apéritif when well chilled. Drink soon for maximum fruit.
Vanilla, baking spice, black licorice, flower and dried cherry aromas are followed by sweet fruit flavors. The tannins bring some astringency and it seems a bit dried out.
This wine starts off with some reduction, opening up to show aromas of pineapple and herbs. The palate has generous tropical-fruit flavors, backed by tart acidity.
This opens with dense, rich aromas of pressed honeysuckle, beeswax, baked apple, orange preserves and muddled peaches. The medium-weight palate offers more of the same, with ample acidity to lift the fruity richness and slight viscosity. Hints of candied nuts and orange peel unfold on the finish.
Herbaceous and green, this is a crisp wine, still with fresh, tangy fruit after four years. It is light, bright with lemon and green herb flavors and a tight aftertaste. Drink now. This small Roux estate has been in the family for five generations; now guided by Romain Roux. the winery is solar powered.
Sancerre's near-neighbor produces wines in a similar style, although with less intensity. That gives this attractive, fruity rosé from Pinot Noir a fresh, light step. Crisp raspberry and red currant acidity cuts through brightly. Drink now.
Yeasty aromas and a tangy herbal character certainly make for an unusual Chardonnay. It is closer to the Jura's Vin Jaune than it is to any normal fruity wine. Drink now for its fascinating flavors.
Creamy apple aromas stand out on an otherwise neutral nose. This is plump but fairly balanced, with melon, apple and light herbaceous flavors.
Brown sugar and brown apple betty figure into this wine's aroma and flavor profile, making for a slightly overdone quality of ripeness. Slightly tropical as it moves along, the finish is robust in size and body.
Rustic, leathery aromas of brandied cherry, red currant and resiny oak set up a full, round palate. This Monastrell tastes earthy and a bit flat, with mild spice notes accenting core prune flavors. A beefy, loamy, thick finish brings herbal notes.
Made to benefit restoration efforts devoted to Steelhead trout and Coho salmon, this wine is earthy, bounded by straightforward flavors of rhubarb, cranberry and black tea, dense and oaky enough for those who like a fuller-bodied wine. Made by Hugh Chapelle of Quivira, it finishes in oak.
Sweet-tart Maraschino cherry and bitter bramble notes meld in this punchy, primary red wine. Cranberry acidity hits the midpalate with a spine tingling force and lingers through a moderately long finish. Drink now.
Mild citrus and tropical aromas are pleasant. The mouthfeel on this Central Valley SB is pulpy and full, with only moderate acidity, while flavors of melon, papaya and cucumber finish quietly.
A sturdy, medium-bodied wine, this has an unusual metallic aroma that leads to fully ripe and nearly sweet flavors like blackberry and boysenberry carried along on a smooth texture. Moderate acidity and tannins keep the texture appetizing.
Made by an Oregon winery from Carneros region grapes, this wine tastes mellow and mature. It has a relatively light color with an auburn rim, aromas that are savory and meaty, flavors like rhubarb and beef, a fairly crisp balance and smooth texture.
This county-derived Cabernet is plush and pronounced in big, smoky tannins. A taste of berry pie evens things out, before a long, dry finish. It's a good pick for larger gatherings.
Buoyantly aromatic, this blossomy Traminette sparkling wine stands out in a line up of traditional Champagne-style sparklers. Heady rose and gardenia tones feel perfumey on the palate, but brisk acidity and soft, pillowy foam are pleasant.
A soft-textured, rather light-bodied and fruit-forward offering, this smells and tastes like pear, apple and grape juices with a touch of sweetness and low acidity.
A rich texture and rather ripe fruit flavors make this softer and broader in taste than many of its peers. Flavors like Fuji apple and Bartlett pear are appealing, and the mouthfeel is smooth and easy rather than crisp.
Fresh peach and light floral aromas lead to ripe, grapey flavors and a soft, soothing texture in this medium-bodied wine. It is smooth and low in acid, with a charming flowery element that helps it stand out.
This wine is tangy and cool in character. Red fruits are poised, reflecting the light color of the wine. Fresh and crisp, this is ready to drink.
Black-cherry aromas are dark and candied, with a slight chemical note. This feels choppy, with pounding acidity. Short, grapy flavors finish dense and clunky, with acidic tang and ultimately some bitterness.
Named after the French word for inhabitants of the Loire Valley, this crisp, medium-sweet wine has a light caramel touch over crushed strawberry fruits. It is ready to drink.
This soft and slightly sweet wine smells like cinnamon and vanilla and tastes like cherry juice. It is medium bodied and smooth in texture.
Forced oak and grassy core aromas make for a challenging, slightly green and resiny bouquet. This feels thick and heavy, with oaky, stewy flavors of ripe raspberry and black plum.
Soft, light and juicy, this is a fresh, strawberry-flavored wine. It has only the lightest tannic structure, with plenty of acidity and bright red fruits. This Ginestet wine is ready to drink.
While this wine is big on acidity, it does offer ripe, fresh blackberries and currants along with a firmer tannic background. Drink from 2016.
Smoky aromas lead to a palate with firm tannins and a dry, extracted character. All this masks the fruit for the moment, but let the flavors develop over the next few months, to mid-2016.
This 100% Merlot is firm, dry and structured. Although the fruit is there, it has been submerged by tannins. Give it a few months for the ripe berry flavors to come through. Drink from 2016.
This stellar blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot is woven together with care, revealing an earthy bouquet of leather and compost. Old World in style, with its light approach and elegant underpinnings, it offers layers of clove, black pepper and graphite flavors within a balanced frame.
To age an extra brut vintage before release is a great idea. It leaves a wine that hints at toasty aromas as well as still-crisp fruitiness. The apple and pear flavors are filled out by the tangy edge and the hints of maturity to come. Drink this fine vintage now.
From the cru village of Château Thébaud, this wine with its five years of aging has reached a happy peak maturity. Perfumed and rounded, its fruit has changed into almonds and spice while keeping a strongly mineral texture. It is a fine wine that is ready to drink now.
Creamy, almost mellow notes of ripe yellow apple constitute the nose. The palate intensifies that creaminess with hints of vanilla and burnt sugar as well as with a finely fizzing, creamy mousse. All this is countered and balanced by sprightly freshness. Overall it conveys an opulent, hedonistic style, with an expressive and long finish reminiscent of salted caramel.
This bold, intense expression of the variety entices with an exuberant nose of white pepper, clove and cardamom scents, a spark of pine needle fragrance just underneath. Tingly acidity provides freshness and added succulence to its otherwise rich texture and black cherry decadence.
This Chablis-esque bottling from Leo Hansen—the Danish, Healdsburg-based sommelier-turned-winemaker—offers Gravenstein apple, buttered toast and mandarin orange zest aromas. The palate is high-toned and brisk, with zesty citrus peel and grapefruit pith flavors and a prominent chalk-like minerality.
Designer Philippe Starck was involved in the blending and label design of this Champagne. It is a pure crisp white-fruit-flavored wine, almost austere with intense acidity. Like many great bone dry Champagnes it will need to age to allow the spare lines of the wine to fill out. Drink this bottling from 2019.
Hearty black plum, mulberry and blackberry notes show on the nose of this bottling, alongside scents of gravel, turned earth, dried sage and toast. Violet and blackberry flavors unfold on the dark palate, but vibrant acidity and a solid structure expertly balance the richness.
This ripe wine from the Montagne de Reims is dominated by its 75% Pinot Noir. That gives a rich wine, full of ripe berry and citrus fruits and with a strong edge of tannin and minerality. It is young—a vintage that needs to age. Drink this firm, youthful wine from 2019.
Most Domaine Serene single-vineyard wines are grown right on the Dundee Hills estate; this one reflects a different home, in the Eola Hills AVA. It's a delicious riot of red and blue fruits, with toast, chicory and a touch of licorice threaded through. The balance and muscle are there to keep this in fine shape through at least 2027, but it's delicious right now, so why wait?
Soft and round, with an undeniable Old World-like balance, this wine shows dark chocolate, tobacco and tar notes. Its power derives from its complex texture, imbued with a smoky oak essence and clove and graphite accents.
Though still very young, this bottling is already compelling. Black currant, black plum, fig, rosemary and game aromas arise on the concentrated nose. The layered palate offers fennel, cracked rainbow peppercorn, black currant jam and hoisin sauce flavors, cut by a vibrant acidity that penetrates into the finish.
This is a very delicious and accessible wine for all palates, both lavish in style and complex. Candied blackberry, fragrant rose and fennel pollen aromas introduce a palate of baked red fruit, maple syrup and brown sugar flavors. That fruit-forward richness is balanced by extreme floral character and lively acidity.
This lovely blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Grenache is hearty and robust, with lavender, garrigue, black pepper and cinnamon aromas. Its velvety texture gives way to rich blueberry cobbler flavors peppered with firewood smoke notes, recalling a winter's night.
Precise and polished, this wine offers up a mix of fig, plum, black cherry, chocolate and caramel. A streak of graphite underscores the polished tannins. Good already, this can be cellared and enjoyed through 2028 and perhaps beyond.
With sizable additions of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and aged nearly two years in new French oak, this wine has lavender scents and soft, rounded edges. Mountain tannins and fresh acidity frame its chocolate and dark, spicy berry flavors. It finishes on a toasted oak note.
This ripe wine is still young. It has a taut texture that's dominated by the lively white fruit and crisp acidity. There's a mineral streak that cuts through the wine to give a steely texture that will soften over the next year. Drink from the end of 2018.
This barrel selection is the winery's reserve. Dense and detailed, it moves gracefully from lime-inflected citrus through peach and papaya. Though modest in alcohol, it has a warm kick to the finish, along with a light kiss of barrel toast.
Lovely enticing freshness of freshly cut Conference pear jumps from the glass. On the palate, the pear fruit becomes fleshed out with more juiciness and ripeness and shines with its pristine purity. There is a lovely phenolic edge that gives guiding structure alongside lemon freshness. This is concentrated but not heavy, rounded but utterly refreshing. This strikes a great balance between freshness and generosity and has a dry lip-smacking finish.
A whiff of blossom clings to the appetizing hint of freshly cut red-apple peel on the nose of this very pale rosé. The palate adds richness and a touch of honey and chalk that provides a sonorous dimension, filling the mouth with the bounty of ripe, red apples. The mousse is creamy, underlining the ample structure that allows the ripe acidity to swirl alluringly across the palate. This brisk but generous sparkler would work on the table.
There is almost something of the sea breeze in this wine. An alluring iodine hint on the nose mixes with notions of green apple and the merest touch of rhubarb. The palate comes in with a smooth, fine mousse of tiny, creamy bubbles that counterpoint the inherent English briskness. Slender and elegant, the palate gears everything to a fresh finish of green apple and lemon purity that lingers. It's harmonious, refreshing and balanced.
This black-fruited offering has the winery's signature stamp all over it, with a vein of herb and wet rock that slices through the aromas and into the palate. Tangy acids prop up the blackberry and black-cherry fruit, and suggest that this can age. Drink now through 2030 at least.
Very dark in the glass, this drought-hammered bottling (from a yield of just two-thirds of a ton per acre!) shows deep and concentrated black plum, black currant and licorice aromas but retains the wild thyme and dark mint character typical of Central Coast Pinot Noir. The palate combines richness with strong acidity, its concentrated black cherry fruit cut with tart plum skin notes.
This full-bodied and apparently sweet Zinfandel drinks more like a Port than a dry wine. It smells like boysenberry syrup on waffles, has a juicy, soft texture, and raisin and prune flavors.
This blend is 44% Cab Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot. It's stubbornly closed, with aromas of tar, earth and rubber ball rather than fruit. Some brambly berry flavors can be found, but the finish seems hard and slightly bitter.
Here's a simple, easygoing wine that offers fleshy black cherry, clove, cinnamon and accents of white pepper. It's extremely accessible, with soft acidity and fleeting tannins. Enjoy through 2015.
At first this Merlot-led blend is heavily charred and toasty on nose, but with time baked berry aromas rise up. A full palate features a lactic note offset by jagged acidity, while toasty, herbal flavors include berry, mint and wood resin. This is Merlot, Shiraz, Tempranillo and Viognier.
There is an openly fruity, uncomplicated personality in this medium-bodied, easy-to-drink wine. It show fresh raspberry and cherry flavors, a juicy rather than tannic texture, and nicely dry balance. It blends Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chopped herbs, licorice and a bit of smoke lead the nose on this affordable wine. It's thinner on the palate, with more licorice that spices up the red fruit flavors. The finish shows some tannic grip.
This is a rather light wine in both density, flavor and impact. Some dilute citrus fruit flavors are framed with the lightest hint of cracker. Drink it chilled or use it as a mixer.
A relatively light and civilized version of a notoriously dark and full-bodied varietal. The color is a medium purple. An aroma of grilled vegetables leads to satisfying cherry flavors carried on a moderately tannic but not extreme texture.
Lychee and kiwi soda aromas meet up with slight yeastiness on the nose of this single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. A sharp zing of acidity runs from the front of the palate to the finish, with apple cider flavors holding up the fruit. Serve with fish tacos.
Barrel notes and outright wood resin are the aromas that dominate. In the mouth, it's a blend of sharp acidity, citrus zest and cidery astringency. Woody flavors match the bouquet, while an apple note pops up late. On the finish, this tastes wheaty and woody.
A robust, very ripe style of red wine, this is deep in color and packed with fruity flavors that tend toward prune and raisin. A taste of celery comes up on the finish. Though not high in alcohol it feels full-bodied and rich in texture, and rather heavy.
Raspberry aromas are simple but friendly. This feels condensed and a bit jammy, without a lot of stand-up structure. Candied, lightly loamy flavors of plum and currant finish modest and short.
This high-octane wine offers sensations of toasted oak, sawdust and evident alcohol. It's warm and evolved without much fruit richness.
A wine that is light and fruity. While it doesn't have great structure, it does offer fresh acidity, delicious raspberry flavors and bright acidity at the end. Drink now.
Although based in Cahors, Château Famaey uses this looser Côtes du Lot appellation for this easy, fresh and fruity wine. It has ripe berry fruits with a light touch of acidity and tannin. Drink now.
This flavorful, lively red wine was made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, but it doesn't fall easily into a category. Earthy, herbal aromas turn spicy, smoky and rich with raspberry and blackberry flavors as you sip. The other four Bordeaux red grape varieties complete the blend.
There's a candied tone on this honeyed white blend (predominantly Grüner Veltliner)that extends from nose to palate. It's sunny pineapple and peach flavors are indeed tasty, but can seem a bit confected in style.
Soft, ripe and fruity, this wine is ready to drink. Light tannins shape up the cherry fruits and attractive acidity that cuts right through to the end.
There's a stalky, corny element to the nose, which otherwise shows peach and apple aromas. The palate is citrusy and hits with punchy acidity. Flavors of white fruits include honeydew. The finish is citrusy but lacks complexity.
This has a reductive nose, with stewed blackberry giving a fruity side to the barnyard-y aromas. The flavors are earthy and savory, with some cigar box surrounding it all, but not tons of fruit.
Dusty aromas of orange blossom and rind are snappy. So is the palate, which is citrusy and skids along on a tight beam of acidity. Apple and melon flavors are green in nature, while lime and green-apple flavors dominate a pointy finish.
Savory notes of pressed apple and golden toast accent this bristling, bright sparkling Chardonnay. On the palate, thick, dense mouth-filling foam carries flavors of zesty lemon and pear speckled with savory herbs.
With the tell-tale grape-flavors of fragrant Muscat, and an off-dry, completely fruit-driven palate, this is Austria's version of fizzy (carbonated) Moscato, very much in an Italianate vein—easy, fruity and simply fun. For immediate consumption. Also works great in fruit salads and makes delectable jellies.
Herbal, wiry red-fruit aromas kick this off, followed by a spunky, jumpy palate. Flavors of plum, raspberry and tomato are saucy and herbal, while the finish is good, with modest acidity keeping the wine stable and balanced.
A stalky, almost weedy nose offers burnt aromas of red fruits and oak. This feels tannic and crisp, while flavors of roasted berry fruits are earthy. The finish feels right but tastes herbal and saucy. This is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 10% Cab Franc.
While there is plenty of acidity in this wine, it also has red fruit character that conveys a ripe, full feeling. It's juicy and fruity, crisp but still warm at the end.
Apparently the Oregon Trail leads down to Santa Rosa, where this wine was cellared and bottled. Long-distance travel aside, it's a good wine for gulping, matching red currant fruit to a generous wash of black tea and tobacco. Flavors pull up a bit short, but by then the next swallow is already on the way.
Dark pink-red in color, this is a dry, lean and pleasant quaff, bright in cranberry and orange, with a meaty back note and a quick finish.
An unusually deep color and black-cherry flavors help make this wine concentrated and full bodied. A thick layer of tannins puckers the mouth, but will help the wine pair with a roast or rich risotto. It's made from 76% Grenache and 24% Syrah.
This is a smooth, easy-drinking white, ready for the patio or picnic blanket, or to serve as an apéritif, that sings in bright acidity, a balanced body and an exuberance of lime and melon.
Light strawberry, earth and rose-petal aromas add to the blackberry flavors in this medium-bodied wine. It feels tight and tastes lean now, so it's best to drink after 2019.
A streak of petrol persists from nose to finish lending complexity to this otherwise easy-drinking off-dry wine. Pressed apple and lemon flavors shine brightly on the palate, finishing briskly.
A pale copper color, this offers initial aromas of ripe peach, pineapple core and ripe strawberry, providing a lushly fruity impression on the nose. The palate offers subtle structure and ample acidity to carry the ripe fruit tones, with a subtle peppery spice that dances on the finish.
Campfire smoke presents a hearty, full-throttled introduction to this rugged wine, grippy, with offerings of red and black berry layered against tar and dark chocolate.
The Estate bottling, at least at the moment, is a light and delicate wine, with more than a hint of beetroot and stem. The cherry fruit is pleasant and a bit thin, but the wine has some complexity, which shows in the residual flavors of orange peel.
An almost neutral nose leads to a palate of subtle spice. There is freshness and balance with a clean-cut finish and some lasting savory notes.
Slightly high-toned hints precede nuances of pear and lemon. The palate is light, dry and crisp, finishing with a fresh, clean lemon note.
Bright and simple, this has delicate aromas of white stone fruit. The easygoing palate offers white peach and fresh apricot alongside fresh acidity.
Not exactly worth 100 points as the label implies, but this wine is ripe and full flavored, smooth on the palate and almost soft in texture. It is medium bodied and very drinkable.
Smoky, stalky plum, cherry and tea aromas set up a dry, full-sized palate with herbal raspberry flavors touched up by briny salt and woody pepper notes. A racy, salty finish reflects cool-climate origins.
Candied mint and brine on the nose are followed by pineapple and white peach fruit on the palate. An interplay of brisk acidity and exotic fruit give it a distinctive character. Pair with grilled fish, spicy cuisine.
Soft notes of earth and gentle red fruit appear on the nose. The palate is very soft, smooth and centers on autumnal earthiness rather than fruit. Its pleasing backbone of freshness gives direction to the softness.
Despite its honey and pressed-apple sweetness, there's a decidedly earthy, savory tone to this light-bodied Spätlese. Citrusy acidity lends refreshment to the midpalate before a slightly dusty pollen and saffron-spiced finish. Drink now through 2018.
The wine is round and full in the mouth. The acidity gives a fresh character to the ripe caramel flavors that shine through the light texture. It is a wine that needs food, with its lively acidity giving a dry, mineral aftertaste.
This full-bodied and earthy-tasting wine has berries and cherries in the aroma and beefy, savory flavors that fill out the rather tannic texture nicely.
From a Lovall Valley location, this light white is intense in pear and peach, with a nuttiness to the strong, viscous foundation of oak. It finishes crisply like a twist of lime.
A hearty cradling of oak provides a tinge of vanilla sweetness here, before richer notions of apple pie and cinnamon tug at the wine's fuller-bodied core. It'll appeal to fans of this richer, riper style, while still finishing in a measure of acidity.
A steely mouthfeel and tight lemon and herb flavors make this full-bodied wine refreshing, dry and reserved. It will make a good accompaniment to shellfish or pasta.
A ripe, raspberry flavored wine that is crisp while also very fruity. It has attractive acidity and a refreshing, juicy aftertaste that is irresistible. Drink now.
A 50-50 blend of Catarratto and Chardonnay, this opens with aromas that recall Spanish broom and ripe orchard fruit. The bright, simple palate offers yellow apple and citrus alongside fresh acidity.
This is a delicate wine, true to variety with musky scents and flavors of beetroot, cherry and cola. The only off-note is a hint of plastic in the aftertaste.
This unconventional, rather light-bodied wine has smoky, roasted herb aromas and broad cherry and black-pepper flavors that lighten up on the finish. The texture is pleasantly soft.
A dull nose leads to a slightly herbal, softly citrus-fresh palate. This wine is dry and fresh with a clean finish.
A faint scent of red cherry greets the nose and also makes a brief appearance on the fresh, clean and rather light body. This is slightly rustic but is honest and straightforward. Drink soon.
Aromas of white flowers and ripe banana lead the way to flavors of tart green apple and melon. The finish is pleasant but slightly acidic.
Pear compote, salty lemon and limestone define the flavor profile of this medium-bodied white that lives up to its reserve-tier billing. Integrated oak meets lifted acidity, providing a refreshing, food-friendly experience.
Earthy tea and cola flavors unfold within layers of soft, supple texture in this impressive wine, its midpalate marked by meaty texture and moderate weight. Bright acidity keeps it fresh while a burst of blueberry carries into the long, spicy finish.
A floral freshness hovers above the lemony notes on the nose. It is those concentrated, clean but ripe and pure lemon notes that totally inform the slender and dry palate. This is light but has real impact. Its fruity core reveals some fresh apple notes on the long, clean and refreshing finish. Drink now through 2025 at least.
This wine is sourced from Griffin's Lair, Sun Chase Vineyard and Terra de Promissio—three sites cooled by the coast. Candied and perfumed with robust oak and pine, it shows dark red fruit and supportive tannin, with a richness that remains balanced and fresh.
Floral and seductive on the nose, this vineyard designate from the well-loved site sizzles with acidity and dark cherry and blueberry goodness. Substantial tannins integrate well into its ripe body and fleshy texture, with dried herb and lavender accents.
This is made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, the grapes sourced from two estate vineyards on Howell Mountain. Thick, peppery meat and leather notes are framed by densely layered tannins and an impressive backbone of acidity. It finishes in a flourish of pretty mountain flowers and wild vanilla.
This vineyard is really coming into maturity, and it shows in the firm, polished and dense flavors. Black cherry and savory herb components meld nicely, with streaks of minerally earth. Some skin contact is apparent in the tannins, which will benefit from a bit more bottle age.
This wine is a blend of fruit from top sites DuBrul (60%) and Klipsun. Appealing aromas of milk chocolate, herb, vanilla, French-oak spices and cherry lead to supple, focused cherry, date and spice flavors, capped off by an exceptionally long finish. It delivers both unabashed appeal and plenty of nuance.
This is seriously structured and firm with great aging potential. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, both grapes very much at home in the Dão, the wine is full of solid tannins, concentrated black fruits and a dark texture. Fermenting in open tanks has helped the wine gain its broad rich texture. Drink from 2020.
Aragonez (aka Tempranillo) is the backbone of this finely textured wine. The fruit and the tannins are well integrated giving a rich wine that is also stylish. The acidity, the wood texture and the ripe red-berry fruits are all showing potential. Drink the wine now.
This rich, smoke- and wood-flavored wine shows great potential. It also has plenty of black fruits that give it a ripe full character. The spice from wood aging is still right up front and needs time to settle down to become a dense, balanced wine with fruit and structure all in place. Drink from 2019.
The blend of this rich wine is dominated by Alvarinho, some of it from old vines. With its wonderful ripe fruit and layers of apricot and pear flavors, this is like no other Vinho Verde. That is except for that zingy acidity that gives the wine is refreshing fruitiness at the end. Drink now.
Light blackberry aromas mix with dried dill and pepper on the nose of this bottling from an appellation known for its ageworthy Syrahs. The palate's lively black fruit is well spiced with thyme, black pepper and more wild herbs.
Gorgeously pure apple, both fresh and baked, immediately appears on the nose. Evolution is in progress here, slowly transforming fresh fruit notes into richer flavors. There is an edge of dried pear and dried lemon and orange zest. The body is slender and wonderfully dry and transparent. Savor this slowly.
Almost tropical overtones on the nose announce ample pure fruit. Russet pear has both a touch of fresh Amalfi lemon and luscious honey. Yet the palate is slender, taut and dry. A lovely evocation of the varietal richness of Pinot Gris, framed on very light feet with elegance and poise. Totally appetizing, dry and moreish.
Faint notes of ripe pear rise from the glass. The palate comes in with fresh zestiness—it is dry and slender but has lip-smacking citrus freshness of grapefruit and tangerine. This is bundled, full of invigorating appetizing freshness. There is something bracingly clean but also harmonious about the finish.
Richly extracted yellow peach and tangerine flavors are slicked in honey in this silk-textured auslese. It's lavishly sweet, yet vibrantly citrusy too. Drink this sunny yet neatly balanced Riesling now or hold through 2027.
This is a robustly built, densely packed and velvety wine with smooth layers of integrated oak. Tannins provide the power and foundation behind its crisp blue fruit and dried herb flavors, seasoned with cola and black pepper spice.
Brooding dark fruit and luxurious French oak spices intermingle on the aromas. The palate is seamless with pitch-black fruit flavors. Not a shy wine, it's an exhibition of power.
The highest priced among the four different Grüners produced at the winery, this elegant wine has the depth of the Reserve, the minerality of the Dolium, and riper flavors than either, with peach and melon dominating. Drink this slightly chilled and it will pair beautifully with just about all poultry and seafood.
An earthen backbone of smoke and crushed stone lends depth to pristine yellow peach and nectarine in this elegant single-vineyard Riesling. Dry in style, it's juicy and flush on the palate yet vibrantly balanced in acidity. The finish lingers on spicy earth tones. Beautiful already, it should gain complexity through 2027 and hold another decade.
This ambitious project delivers another great wine with plenty of deliciousness to substantiate its crazy endeavor to plant grapes on a windswept island. Baked red plum, cola and cinnamon aromas lead into an acid-driven palate full of ripe yet tangy cranberry fruit and a strong sagebrush quality.
Made from a field blend of old vines, this is a dense wine. Full of tannins and with a strongly mineral texture (you can almost taste the dirt), it is solid with rich fruit, acidity and hints of wood aging. This powerful wine needs to age another year, so drink from 2018.
This wine comes from the original Merlot blocks at this vineyard, planted in 1982. It's aromatic, with notes of plum, raspberry, clove and generous spices. The flavors coat the palate from end to end, backed by firm tannins that need time to soften out but have the strength to go the distance. It will be best after 2022.
Waxy and exotic with lychee scents, this is a bone-dry, nutty and meaty version of the variety, which has been grown by this producer since the 1950s. It's refreshing and complex—a perfect companion for the table or picnic basket.
A partnership between winemaker Jesse Katz and Colorado-based sommelier Brett Zimmerman, this 100% varietal wine is intensely powerful and concentrated yet balanced between ripeness and body. Cranberry and cassis fruit meet savory pine and leather notes, settling into a finish of smooth clove and pipe tobacco.
Sophisticated in every way, this engaging, complex effort begins with fresh apple fruit, then layers in lemon curd and sliced orange components. There's a touch of beeswax, and a creamy mouthfeel that stretches out the finish.
Aromas of tobacco, cherry, brown sugar and cassis are ripe and well oaked. In the mouth, this Cabernet-led blend is tight and mildly astringent, with pulling tannins. Toasty blackberry flavors are more boxed in than expansive, while this is hard and rattling on the finish, but still excellent as a whole. Drink through 2022.
The lighter-style nose that focuses on red plum and cherry is a welcome change from all of the heavy Malbecs out there, but the wine doesn't follow through on the palate. It becomes astringent, with tastes of tomato, stewed berry and cranberry.
Grapy and jammy smelling, this feels narrow and high in acid, bearing plum and tart cherry flavors that turn more sour with time. The finish is tomatoey and abrupt.
This is not a consistent wine year to year. Some vintages are true and vital, but this is clunky, with flavors of honeyed white fruits and bitter almond skins.
The nonexpressive berry and cherry aromas are closed. Light in feel, this tastes of citrus, plum and rhubarb. The lightweight finish is mildly herbal and green.
This smells like a forest fire, but it's also creamy and roasted. Tangy and tart, this features narrow plum and cherry flavors that are powered by blazing acidity.
As its name states quite clearly, this is a plush, lush, smooth red wine. It's sweet and jammy like a shot of Jell-O.
Light on the nose, it feels tangy in the mouth, with sharp flavors of mustard, brine and lime. This finishes with a pickled flavor.
Twizzler and other red candy aromas lead to a creamy feeling yet acidic palate that tastes like raspberry extract. Sharp acidity prevents what would otherwise be a cloying wine.
A nutty apricot aroma marks the nose. It feels creamy and sticky, with sweet vanilla and baked fruit flavors. With time it turns more cloying.
This is saturated, flat and flabby on the nose, with pudgy blackberry aromas. It has a static, jammy mouthfeel, tasting overspiced and heavily oaked.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 10% Syrah was too sweet for this taster. It's full of huge ripe fruit and a lingering aroma of burnt toast.
A delightful bottle, this fruit-packed Gamay has more stuffing and sweetness than most of the Oregon Pinots from 2007. Plums, cherries and black currants ramble through the mouth, running into some fairly stiff, chewy tannins. This is a sturdy, immediately drinkable, thoroughly enjoyable quaffer.
There's a slight coppery tinge to this wine's hue, which can't help but influence perceptions of aroma and flavor. With 7 g/l of residual sugar, this is off-dry in style, with strawberry, apple and melon flavors. Like an alcohol-infused fruit cocktail with a sense of balance and proportion.
Dense and spicy on the nose, with tobacco, baked fruit aromas and dry, woody notes. It's a fairly rich, slick and generous Rioja with lightly baked berry fruit flavors, spice cake accents and limited complexity. Solid on the finish, with additional spice notes. Drink now through 2013.
Spicy, soft wine, full of sweet juicy fruit, the wood element more of feeling of roundness than taste. The wine has fresh blackberry fruits and a gentle core of tobacco and tannin.
From specific rows of the Te Awa estate farmed to Dry River's exacting specifications, this is a concentrated Merlot that offers black cherry, mocha and leather notes. The acids are crisp, the tannins firm, so give it a few years in the cellar to soften.
A whiff of leather to open, followed by plenty of cranberry and cherry fruit, balanced and medium bodied. Mocha and cola streaks run into ripe tannins.
Heavily oaked and overtly toasty, this mature, barrel-aged Godello from Bierzo is round, creamy and braced by citric acidity. Resiny, oak-based spice, melon and peach flavors are consistent and lasting on the finish. Drink now.
This light, airy varietal Pedro Xímenez offers leesy, melony aromas. The palate has a creamy feel bolstered by acidic zip. Leesy, waxy flavors of lime, melon and apple finish long, with tropical leanings. Drink this dry PX now.
Sangiovese and Merlot grapes are behind this ripe red. It opens with aromas of fleshy black cherry, black currant, blue flowers and oak-driven spice that carry over to the palate together with a mocha note. Grippy tannins provide the backbone.
Aromatic and drinking at its peak, this remains fresh, tart and tangy, with palate-penetrating boysenberry and blueberry fruit. Think Lemberger meets Pinot Noir and you have a sense of it, albeit with a slightly rustic edge.
With cedar and tobacco aromas, and vivid black cherry and black currant flavors, this full-bodied red has lots of fruit character and complexity to match its firm tannins and bold texture. A welcome spice component from oak aging starts in the aroma and continues through the finish.
This is attractive in a bright, fruit-driven style. Bright berry fruit is tinged with apricot and cocoa on the midpalate, then finishes firm and dusty.
Red currant, vanilla, toasted oak, coffee and chocolate aromas lead the nose and follow through to the dense, full-bodied palate. It's one-dimensional but muscular, with ample, velvety tannins.
The color is not too deep or too light, showing a red-brick rim. Aromas resemble red cherry and cranberry, while fresh, tart and tangy flavors like cranberry and raspberry combine with firm tannins for a bit of grip in the texture. Lean and medium bodied, it will make a versatile foil for food.
Showing a slightly coppery blush hue, this softly aromatic wine has a pleasing muskiness. It's high acid, slightly spritzy, clean and fresh. Though perfectly quaffable, it's not a typical Oregon Pinot Gris.
A tremendous value, this white is light and floral, soft in honeyed stone fruit and pineapple. A nice minerality buoys the proceedings, a medium-body taking on new strength midway through before letting the wine finish crisp and clean.
Earthy aromas of a leather, scratchy plum and a dusty country road lead to a tight feeling, rubbery palate, with flavors of herbs, baked plum and cassis. This is more fruity and ripe than leafy and spicy—overall, it's perfectly enjoyable.
Woodsy, cheesy, earthy aromas of berry fruits are a bit hot, jumbled and rooty in style. This is showing a mature, clampy, tannic palate with firm acidity, while earthy flavors of raspberry and plum are lightly baked. This tastes a bit raisiny on the finish. Drink now.
Bright, fruity aromas and straightforward cherry and strawberry flavors make this a rather light, fresh wine. It has good balance between the almost-sweet fruit and lively acidity, so it stays appetizing on the second and third sips.
Profoundly floral, this aromatic white balances ebullient violet and lavender perfume against crisp grapefruit and gooseberry flavors. Made from the Rivaner grape (also known as Müller-Thurgau), it's an exotic, yet dry, refreshing wine. Drink now.
This medium-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan delivers just what you'd expect from the appellation, it just does it better than most, at a modest price. Hints of bay leaf and wild thyme accent black cherry fruit and a touch of licorice, while the supple texture features a just slightly astringent finish. Drink now–2018.
This vivacious white is a beach pour with class. Fresh lemon zest and floral aromas and a combination of white fruit, minerals and citrus on the palate are lively and light, but the wine has some weight behind it.
Dusty aromas of yellow apple and cream soda are creamier than the palate, which is tangy, lemony and green. This tastes of briny citrus and green apple, while tangerine, lime and green-herb flavors define the finish.
Lightly toasty, this wraps its yellow apple fruit with citrus rind. A hint of butter cookie comes up gently as it winds down in a soft finish.
A really good wine for the price, this offers a dark color and varietal aromas of black cherry, black olive and faint dried herbs. Next it layers handsome oak on the rich and fruity flavors. The texture is quite dense without being heavy; while somewhat tannic the mouthfeel is not drying.
With vines in the northeast of the Gers region, this winery produces impressively ripe red wines. This wood-aged and spicy wine is still young and needs time to integrate the wood with the red berry fruits. It does have weight and potential richness, so give it until 2016.
In this intriguing blend, the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc dominates the smoother Chardonnay. The wine is all about crispness and freshness with a strongly aromatic component. Acidity and a touch of minerality come through at the end.
Rose petals, violets, red cherries, plums, rhubarb and heavily peppered spices dominate the nose of this tasty wine from a little-known appellation 27 miles inland from Monterey Bay. It's softly textured upon sipping, then acidity shows up and holds through the sip, along with a stemmy tension. Fresh flavors include sour cherries and red berries.
Deep blackberry and fresh dill aromas arise from this wine by Paso pioneer Gary Eberle. The flavors are complex and wide-ranging, with milk chocolate, more dill, oregano, thyme, dried cherries and some tar.
The grapes for this wine from regional pioneer Gary Eberle are nearly equally sourced from three vineyards: Steinbeck, Wine-Bush and CoCaVin. The nose is herbal with sagebrush, oregano and thyme, offering just a bit of black plum fruit. The palate is also full of crushed, dried herbs, proving a touch sour and tarry, with cooked strawberry and dried raspberry fruit.
A barrel-selection from multiple vineyard sources, this offers black cherry fruit highlighted by root beer and black licorice. Aging nine months in 25% new barrels adds pleasant toastiness to the finish.
On the nose, this is challenging: gaseous, oaky aromas of wet cement also contain notes of bitter lettuce, baking spices and general grit. Raw, tannic and abrasive on the palate, this unfolds to offer herbal flavors of berry and plum. Tannic, scratchy, rugged and mildly green on the finish.
This is the pinnacle of achievement from an outstanding dessert wine producer. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, it is an explosion of hugely rich, hugely sweet fruit, with brown sugar, raisins and tight acidity. This is an astonishingly rich wine, likely to age for at least 10 years.
Eola Hills Pinots often offer this sort of interesting flavors—a mix of earth, herb and forest; the red fruit is tart and the tannins hard. A wine to cellar, it already shows depth and penetration, with a darker, smoky streak in the finish.
Lemon, apple blossom and honey aromas make for a correct, attractive bouquet. Meanwhile, the palate is typically crisp and vibrant, with cutting acids that push the pineapple and citrus flavors to a point. Long and exact on the finish, and overall there's not an ounce of flab to this streamlined white.
This is a really good example of a blended wine from Aragón. It's 50% Garnacha with 25% each Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, and thus it is more complex and interesting than your run-of-the-mill varietal Grenache. Mellow aromas of ripe fruit and spice open things up, followed by balanced flavors of berry fruits, vanilla and cream. Easygoing and highly recommended for the price.
Pungent, grassy and ultrafresh, with citric aromas and textbook scents of wild grass, nettles and passionfruit. The palate is similar, with passionfruit, green melon and citrus front and center. The feel is wet and flashy, and overall this is a very nice wine to match with salads, fish and the like.
The nose of this wine features some delicately lifted floral scents, but also darker notes of brandied cherries and asphalt. Give it some breathing time to let the tarry notes fade and allow the red cherry and cinnamon red-hot flavors to emerge. Finishes long, mouthwatering and just a touch warming. Drink now–2014.
Leaving aside the suggestive name and packaging, this is a very soft, almost pillowy-tender 80% Shiraz blend, with a fair bit of complexity. It starts with scents of hickory, cedar and vanilla, adds plum and black cherry fruit, then hints at espresso and black olive on the finish. Drink now.
Lightly herbal, scented with tart pear and tasting the same, this organically grown estate wine is King Estate's best Pinot Gris. Their signature bottling sets a good standard for the grape in Oregon; this elevates it with more detail, density and personality. The alcohol is a sensible 13%, allowing subtle green fruit and herb grace notes to emerge.
Winemaker Rich Cushman notes that this is a “field blend” of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from this vineyard's single bearing acre. It is a delightful wine, and the three grapes all contribute to the mixed scents of grass, citrus and melon; and the fresh fruit flavors that run to cool green and yellow fruits and berries. A nice finish suggests fresh-cut cantaloupe.
This bright wine bursts with crisp acidity as well as layered pear and apple fruits. It is already a delicious wine, its vivid texture a foil to the edge of spice. Screwcap.
Mixed aromas of vanilla, Christmas spices and brandied black cherries give an almost dessert-like impression, although the wine is technically dry. The texture is creamy and luxurious, and the wine is very easy to drink despite its considerable weight, balanced by a tart edge of acid on the finish. Drink now–2012.
Scents of dark chocolate greet you immediately; woven into the palate are delicate, feminine Pinot Noir fruit flavors. The overall impression is light and elegant, a mix of berries and wafer-thin chocolate. It's a pleasure to find more and more Oregon producers moving to lower alcohol (here 13%), more elegant Pinots.
Pressed directly to barrel prior to fermentation, it's dusty and fragrant, capturing the higher acidity of the vintage, and some underlying minerality. This 2008 does not have the ripe peachiness of the previous year, but the citrus/pineapple fruit makes an excellent food wine, stylish and affordable.
There's lots of zing in this lush, fresh wine with ripe pineapple, melon and peach aromas. Tart tangerine notes meld gorgeously with a bitter lime peel finish, giving added complexity to this intensely concentrated although not quite “dry” Riesling.
Smooth and fruity, this seductive wine is front-loaded with pretty cherry fruit. It shows a little herb and loam in the midpalate, and that pretty fruit fades away gently, leaving a harmonious, give-me-another-sip aftertaste.
This wine has the magic mix of vanilla, tobacco and cherry that many consumers (and critics) love. It's a seductive Cabernet from an excellent Walla Walla vineyard, with a little bit of Yakima Valley Merlot blended in. With more time it may flesh out and show better depth to the fruit, but it's quite enjoyable as is.
The Ironstone Pressings features enough rough edges at this stage to think it will benefit from a few years of cellaring. The tart cherry notes are angular, the tannins a bit chunky, but tea leaf and spice notes provide ample complexity. Try in 2013.
A taste of juicy red cherry provides a brightness of acidity to this wine, a 100% varietal aged in entirely French oak. Soft, integrated tannins form a foundation around dried herbal notes and black pepper, working seamlessly together to an elegant end.
The first red grape harvested each vintage—hence the Watchdog name—this Westside Paso wine shows vanilla-laden red-cherry sauce, allspice, plums and grapeseed on the nose. It's light and easy on the palate, with grape juice flavors picking up smoke, vanilla, cola, cream soda and mocha elements.
Fermented and aged in four-year-old French oak barrels, this wine is ripe, creamy and fruity. It has a rounded character with flavors of pears and apricots to give richness. Refreshing with its zing of acidity at the end, it is ready to drink. Robert Perroud's family has been making wine since 1789. He began a vineyard conversion to biodynamic practices and considers making wine an art.
Pink-salmon in color, this blend of 61% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier shows sharp and ripe citrus scents of kumquat and pink lime on the nose, along with a showy bubble-gum aroma. All the pink flavors come to the party on the palate, from watermelon to pink lemonade to bubble gum.
Golden in color, this wine otherwise exhibits a low amount of well-integrated oak, letting the crisper elements of pear and lime shine through. Medium bodied, it's a tight, focused wine that finishes dry and complete.
Made with Pinot Noir, this opens with aromas of toast and roasted walnut. The palate offers ripe apple skin, dried berry, vanilla and pastry accompanied by a creamy perlage.
Ripe and soft on the nose, this blend of Monastrell, Garnacha and Syrah is so easygoing that it lacks pop up front. Plump and fruity on the palate, this is low on structure and acidity. Jammy raspberry and strawberry flavors end in friendly fashion, but with low definition. Drink now.
Organically farmed grapes from an estate vineyard comprise this 100% varietal wine, another unusual offering from the Napa Valley. Dry, as advertised, it's fruity and medium bodied, with a taste of waxy apricot and melon.
From the least-known of the Beaujolais cru villages, this wine is soft and supple in character with ripe, firm tannins to support the fruitiness. Red berries and acidity give the wine its bright aspect while still retaining a good sense of structure. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2016.
Orange blossoms, lemon juice, honeydew melon and a nearly guava element show on the topical nose of this slightly sweet wine. The palate offers orange and lime juice flavors, with sour and bitter sides to cut the sweetness. Expect this to age well and show even better in the years to come.
Honey butter, vanilla bean and dried banana aromas emerge on the nose of this Chard. The palate shows seared apple slices cut with lemon juice, boosted by minerally tension and a peppery energy.
Aromas like fresh honeydew melon and cucumber and flavors suggesting lime and melon ride on a smooth texture with just enough crisp acidity to keep them lively. This wine is pleasantly dry, tangy, and mouthwatering.
A white Meritage of just over 53% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Sémillon, aged in neutral French oak, this wine has a full body and a balance of crispness and weight. Lemon, lime, pear and honeydew melon highlight the aromas and flavors, finishing with length.
Well made in large quantity, this wine offers fleshy tropical papaya around a structure of toasty oak and vanilla. Medium in body and length, it's balanced with a crisp finish.
Bright and fresh, this is a totally fruity wine with a more serious edge at the end. Red cherries push through the crisp acidity that offers a zingy texture. The touch of minerality in the 40-year-old vines from the Chapoly vineyard granite soil gives an austere, structured aftertaste.
This blend of 27% Mourvèdre, 23% Cinsault, 18% Counoise, 17% Grenache and 15% Syrah by the Fess Parker family shows cherry cola and concentrated plum on the nose. Blackberry and other purple fruits power the palate, with aromatic elderflower elements adding complexity.
Big, dry and tannic wine, this is a dense and structured wine. Black chocolate and coffee flavors suggest extraction shows strongly in the tough texture. The wine will be filled out as the black fruits develop, so wait until 2018.
This is an ambitiously lean style for a widely available brand, showing reserved tension. Aromas of yogurt and freshly-cut apple and nectarine give way to a steely palate of lime pith, flavors much more common on pricier bottlings.
You'd be hard-pressed to find another Oregon producer with both Tannat and Zinfandel. Troon does them well. Dark and bloody, this pure varietal bottling mingles brambly berries with road tar and some chewy tannins. It's a perfect everyday red for the onset of cold weather.
This luminous wine opens with scents of wisteria, jasmine and white orchard fruit. The vibrant palate doles out tart green apple, white peach and a hint of lemon drop alongside brisk acidity and a foaming mousse.
The slopes of the Brouilly hill produce more structured wines than those on the plain below. This single-estate wine offers some firm tannins and concentration. It is rich, fruity with red cherries and worth aging for a few months. Drink from late 2016.
With grapes from 40-year-old vines, this is a dense and concentrated wine. Yellow fruit as well as crisper citrus flavors give a balance between richness and freshness. It has high alcohol that shows in the light pepper edge although this doesn't detract from the fruitiness of the aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
A blend of Syrah (59%) and Cabernet Sauvignon from mostly Upchurch and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, this wine offers reticent aromas of herbs, woodspice, mineral and dark fruit. The blackberry and black cherry flavors are plump and show a sense of balance, with slightly dry tannins providing some heft.
A whiff of bergamot lends musky floral intensity to this peachy featherweight wine. It's perfumed but not at all cloying, etched finely with a lingering lace of crystalline sugar. Drink now through 2017.
This blend of 40% Furmint, 40% Pinot Gris and 20% Riesling has aromas of pineapple, lychee fruit and fresh herbs. It's thin and racy in the mouth with flavors of mango, apple and guava.
This round, structured Syrah opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, tilled soil and ground black pepper. The palate shows mature blackberry and raspberry together with notes of spice and clove. Velvety tannins provide the framework.
A unique offering of the variety, this wine displays aromas of fresh and dried tobacco, allspice, smoke and blue fruit. The plum flavors are sweet and supple, showing good concentration with a mesquite-filled finish.
Aromas of blackcurrant, spice, menthol, espresso and a whiff of toasted oak lead the nose. The round, chewy palate doles out blackberry jam, licorice, ground black pepper and coffee alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Showing the heat of the vintage, it's evolving quickly so enjoy sooner rather than later.
This pale pink rosé offers a reasonably complex array of aromas and flavors, ranging from anise to wet stone, and cracked pepper to wild strawberries. It's medium to full in body, with a finish that resonates of wet stone and spice. Drink now.
Mature berry, pressed rose petal and exotic spice pave the way on this easygoing red while the medium-bodied palate boasts juicy black cherry, clove and a hint of coffee. Round tannins provide support. Drink through 2018.
Made from 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Syrah, this ethereal wine is pillowy in candied aromas of lemon and lime. Pinkish-copper in color, it's light, bright and succulent, and then finishes dry and with brevity.
Bold, penetrating tannins and bright cranberry acidity lend a tight frame to this classically styled Blaufränkisch, a.k.a. Lemberger. Crisp-tart blackberry and blueberry flavors are accented by bramble and herb notes that linger long on the finish. Its quite closed now, but should show well after 2018.
This blend of 68% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot hits the nose with aromas of brick, uncrushed clove, red cherries, wet gravel, rosewater and a touch of tobacco. The palate is surprisingly light, but packs cedar, pipesmoke, clove and nutmeg against a red cherry and cranberry backdrop.
Though billed as a Super Tuscan, this is an odd but refreshing wine for those seeking something different. The Cab-Sangio blend offers strong black pepper, brambleberry, pink peppercorns and a touch of pasilla chile on the underripe nose. The palate is light in body but full of bright cranberry fruit and intriguing herbals, led by green peppercorns.
Aromas suggesting mature plum, scorched earth, clove, menthol and a hint of iris lead the nose. The ripe, one-dimensional palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry jam and cooking spice alongside fine-grained but not very persistent tannins. Drink through 2020.
This 100% Tamjanika from Serbia has gooseberry, mango and white flowers leading the nose. Following that, it is soft on entry with flavors of pronounced florality, white peach and yellow peach.
Fresh and bright aromas of blackberry pastry and black-cherry fruit show on the nose of this wine from a longtime Paso producer. There are tart tannins on the palate, with red-cherry flavors enhanced by turned black earth, dried mint and dill.
Earthy and rustic, this intensely tannic wine has a dry character. The fruit is all there, hiding behind this rough exterior. Allow the wine time to soften out and drink from 2018.
Produced in western Touraine, close to Chinon and its red wines, this soft wine is ready to drink. With its smoky character and jammy fruit flavors, it is very much a light, perfumed Cabernet Franc. The aftertaste is dry, although the fruit is always there.
Aromas of char and toast are quite up front, though they smooth out over time and give way to lemon meringue. The tropical fruit, butter and spice flavors are broad and well balanced, with a creamy feel and a lingering finish. The oak gets out front, but there are good things going on.
Briny and dark copper-orange in color, this is a weighty wine, though the alcohol level is low. The tannins and leathery texture of the Syrah shine through, checked by tangy citrus and a hit of white pepper.
A lush, medium-bodied wine with an extroverted personality, this starts with aromas like butter, vanilla and toasted baguette, then emphasizes ripe pear and yellow-peach flavors. A soft texture and lingering finish completes the picture.
An perfumed wine, this is light and fruity. Bright raspberry flavors are lifted by refreshing acidity and a tang of zesty lemon. A touch of minerality gives texture. Drink now.
Coming from a classic limestone vineyard, this is tense, structured and tight. It is textured, with spice and tangy acidity giving some complexity to the otherwise fruity wine. Drink from 2017.
This 900-foot-high vineyard produces wines that are flinty, mineral and tight. With its textured character and zesty lemon notes, this wine is fresh yet still developing. Plenty of fruitiness will explode in the next few months. Drink after 2016.
Garnet colored with a light brick rim, this opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, leather and a whiff of menthol. The palate is straightforward for a Brunello and already surprisingly accessible, offering dried wild cherry, licorice and a hint of baking spice alongside ripe tannins.
Fig and fennel star in this block-designated white that is crisp and fresh around a medium-strength body. Ready for the table, it finishes quick and clean.
Oak, coconut, toast, espresso, menthol and a whiff of cellar floor are some of the aromas you'll find on this robust red. The big, warm palate offers raisin, date, licorice and roasted coffee bean. Teeth-coating tannins leave an astringent finish while the heat of evident alcohol throws it off-balance. While it's tightly tannic, there's not much fruit richness, making this more suited for mid-term drinking.
From nose to finish, there's a distinctly floral tone to this vibrant, delicately framed Riesling. Dry in style, it offsets fresh, cutting grapefruit and tangerine flavors against perfumed notes of potpourri and talcum powder. Drink now through 2019.
Only faint notes of apple and lemon appear on the nose. The palate has a creamy, leesy element and a light, toned body. There is real freshness here, even if the aromas are subdued.
Made from 40-year-old vines, this structured white opens with aromas of pressed chamomile, Spanish broom and a waft of dried apricot. The full-bodied palate offers baked apple, mature peach and dried herb. This shows some of the heat of the vintage, so enjoy soon to capture freshness.
A very attractive peppery and herbal note informs the citrus nose of this refreshing white, along with a floral hint. This offers a lot of charm for a very easy, enjoyable wine.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this structured wine opens with aromas of underbrush, toasted oak, crushed flower and plum. The palate offers dried black cherry, grilled sage, espresso and clove alongside firm tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this highlights earthy aromas of leafy underbrush, tilled soil and dark berry. The savory palate offers black cherry, nectarine zest, clove and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside assertive tannins.
Dominated by Cinsault in the blend, this is a fragrant wine, full of strawberry-flavored fruitiness. It is rich with wild berries and a smooth texture, but keeps freshness with its crisp aftertaste.
Leathery berry aromas are earthy and come with toasty oak. A round, flush, jammy palate brings plum, wild berry and resiny oak flavors in front of a forward, lively, oaky finish that's drying and resiny.
Aromas of vanilla, toast, mocha and plum come together in the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, prune, espresso, toasted oak and oak-driven spices but the fruit flavors are already drying up.
Herbal peppercorn cradles a soft composition with an oaky, structured backbone to this wine comprised of 47% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, the cranberry, tobacco and plum play on the palate through a lengthy finish.
Blended with nearly 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is lightly aromatic with notes of moist soil, violets and ground cashews. It's full bodied and tightly wound with dense cherry flavors and firm but not unyielding tannins.
Done in a super fresh, leesy, creamy style, this tastes of mineral-drenched fruit. A mix of jicama, green apple, white melon and Asian pear, it's finished with a burst of lemon that makes it light, crisp and refreshing.
This robust wine opens with aromas of forest floor, meat juices and game. The dense palate shows mature black cherry, plum, prune, cake spices and a hint of orange rind. It's extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
Light bodied and colored, this subtle wine has an edginess of cherry and pomegranate riding waves of silky texture that remain juicy without ever becoming overbearing. The finish is as light and soft as the lead-up, making this a straightforward, food-friendly wine.
There's plenty of earthiness to this wine. Tart cherry and cranberry lead the way on the palate, amidst dense, rich tannins and plenty of oak. The acidity is most prominent on the midpalate.
This blend of 40% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot and 20% Malbec is an intentionally beastly wine, with aromas of black cherry liqueur and plum brandy overcoming the nose. It's quite thick on the palate with cherry syrup and licorice flavors, but they are properly laced with decent tannins and acidity.
Attractive aromas of acacia, hawthorne, orchard fruit and delicate, oak-driven spice mingle in the glass. The elegant palate offers apple, passion fruit and a touch of candied lemon. It's brightened by firm acidity, while a hint of white almond backs up the finish.
Some leathery, clove-like notes spice up this solidly built Pinot. Hints of briar add more complexity to the cherry fruit, before some drying tannins take over on the finish. Rather than aging this to mellow the tannins, try it alongside beef or lamb instead.
This is a bold, showy wine with assertive oaky, smoky, spicy aromas, a very firm texture and equally oak-driven flavors. Plenty of tannin gives a grippy mouthfeel and full body, so it should pair well with meat and cheese.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black plum, tilled soil and a hint of underbrush. The palate offers dark berry, tobacco and a hint of espresso alongside firm tannins.
Round and rich, this blend of Sangiovese and 20% Merlot opens with aromas of dark berry and underbrush. The ripe, straightforward palate delivers black plum, crushed black cherry, coffee and a chocolate note while soft tannins make it extremely accessible. Enjoy through 2016.
Aged in equal parts French and American oak (43% new), this initially puts barrel tones in the lead. Notes of toasty spices, cocoa, toffee and coffee come out in front of blue and black fruit. The flavors are sweet but reserved in style, trailing toward the finish. There's a lot to enjoy but the oak seems a little overweighted for the fruit that's in the bottle.
Leathery on the nose before red cherry and cranberry come on stage, this wine is marked by a velvety texture and balance of acidity, staying fresh amid a medium-sized body and grippy suggestion of ripe tannins. Raspberry and cola spice feature on the finish.
The aromas on this wine are light and elusive, with notes of black pepper, dried flowers and green herbs. It's elegant in style with tart acids and rustic tannins.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot has aromas of orange peel, plum, coffee, vanilla and herbs. It's elegant in style with soft fruit flavors and a light tannic structure along with quite tart acids.
This 100% varietal wine, barrel-aged in French and American oak, offers aromas of vanilla, cranberry, cinnamon and raisinated red fruit, seeming a bit advanced for its age. The palate has tart acids and good flavor concentration, backed by somewhat blocky tannins.
Heady aromas of pine needles, beef char, pork fat, cooked cherries, pipe tobacco and leather greet the nose on this wine by the Vondrasek brothers. There is lots of zing on the palate, with flavors of purple fruit and cracked black pepper.
Barrel fermented and aged in 60% new French oak, this wine shows a pleasing mixture of fruit and barrel, intermingling aromas of toast, stone and tropical fruit, spice and butter. Flavors are light and elegant, but show a pleasing sense of balance.
This is a Merlot-dominant blend (65%) with the rest Cabernet Franc (33%) and smidgens of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Aromas convey black licorice, medicine cabinet and dried cherries. Flavors are sweet, rich and tangy. Good things are going on but they haven't come together yet.
This barrel fermented blend of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon shows aromas and flavors of guava, kiwi, green tea and lees. It's full, sweet and viscous in feel, finishing a bit short.
Smooth, wood-polished wine, packed with a ripe, comfortable texture, very ripe red fruits, highlights of tannins. There are black figs, balanced with sweet acidity and fattened with some bacon flavors.
May be getting old but still welcoming and mostly fresh. Citrus, melon and mango flavors are flush and clean, and the finish is racy and fluid. Normally Albariño is a one-year wine, meaning you should drink it in the year immediately after harvest. Here's an '05 that's hanging in there and still showing kick. Drink now for best results.
Vinified by the winemaking team of Dão Sul, this is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah, a rich, wild blend, with smooth blackberry jelly fruits, an edge of astringency, and a layer of toast from the eight months wood aging.
For the most part this is smooth, ripe red wine. At 50% Cabernet and 50% Merlot the flavors and style should be familiar, but still this wine has its own Catalonian personality. It's concentrated and ripe but not all that heavy. Overall it's very Mediterranean/mountainous and not very New World at all. A fine match for good food.
Fruity up front, with cherry cough drop, smoke, rubber and black plum aromas. Feels forward but resiny and creamy, with cocoa, vanilla, sawdust, plum and berry flavors. Juicy but drying and acidic late, with a lasting woody impression.
Composed and dry Merlot made somewhat in an Old World style. Cola, tobacco and basic berry fruit aromas come in front of a juicy, high-acid palate. Tastes spicy and toasty, with plum and red berry flavors. Fresh and clean; best with food.
An easy and approachable quaff with standard notes of cassis and black plum throughout. A touch of spice and licorice keeps things interesting and remain present through the medium-length close.
An approachable Cab with a clean finish and light tannins. There's a significant green streak throughout the nose amd mouth, and notes of black plum and olive on the palate. Drink now.
This feels a little flat in the mouth, especially when tasted alongside other 2010 Oregon Rieslings. It's a simple, somewhat oily wine, with flavors of lemon oil and orange candy.
Bringing out all the perfumed herbaceous character of Colombard, this has some softness along with freshness, flavors of pink grapefruit and green plums, finishing brightly. Screwcap.
Floral lead scents come with lychee and citrus aromas. Feels crisp, citrusy and tangy, with full acidity and lemony flavors of orange and lychee. Long, solid, driving and fresh on the finish. Drink as soon as possible.
Coffee, cocoa and red cherry lead on the nose of this solid red. On the palate, dark chocolate, black pepper and red berries are approachable and smooth. Overall, the wine is a great everyday red with food pairing qualities. Think burgers, ribs or lamb.
This light and approachable wine boasts easy notes of green apple, melon rind and a touch of hay. The mouth shows more citrus dominance, with a brisk lemon-lime character staying through the finish. Drink now.
Tangerine and citrus aromas give the bouquet an orangey element, and there's a pinch of oak and tarragon in there as well. The palate has a mild, buttery texture and creamy flavors of peach and apple. Honeyed and creamy on the simple finish.
Fresh and straightforward on the nose, with tropical fruit aromas. The palate is pulpy but good, with flavors of fruit punch and melon. Turns a little sweet and pithy on the finish, but holds it together. Perfectly good for the price.
Tight berry aromas lead the way, followed by a lively but aggressive palate with jammy, sweet, candied berry flavors. Turns a little syrupy and sweet on the finish, but overall it succeeds in a generic sort of way.
Sweet berry aromas are a bit warm and herbal, while the palate has good feel and soft, earthy flavors of herbs and generic berry fruit. Light on the finish, with a slight leafy note. Has good mouthfeel and doesn't overdo it.
Hints of savory herbs spice up this approachable Chard, adding character to the grilled red apple and sweet citrus oil core. The medium-length finish offers a touch of sweet smoke flavor to keep things interesting. Drink now.
There's a sweet edge to the nose of this wine, with aromas of sweet pineapple, guava and mango. The palate is cleaner with a more crisp, acidic edge that stays through the close.
An intimidating wine in that it's dark, huge and heavy. The nose is a roasted mass of tar, rubber, smoke and baked berry fruit. It's thick and fleshy in the mouth, with flavors of cola, chocolate, blackberry and blueberry. Minty and warm late, and overall it's more about color and size than refinement.
Bright red-fruited wine, its acidity well blended into the soft, full fruit. The wine has spice, toast, wild herbs.
Soft, ripe, juicy wine, full of bright red berry fruits, soft tannins and a light structure. The wine is ready to drink, the final flavor lifted by acidity.
A full wine, with soft, ripe, green plum and elderflower flavors. It has a spicy edge to it, almost a feeling of ground pepper. The acidity lends the shape.
Fiery, spicy, herbal black fruit aromas set up a tight, herbal palate with oak in support. Flavors are sweet and also creamy due to ample oak, while the finish is light in fruit, with a tomato accent.
Soft peach and wild berries lead the way on the nose, while the medium weight mouth offers a bit more fleshy stone fruit and watermelon flavors. The finish is dry and accented by hints of peppery spice.
For a $5 wine, it offers pretty good red berry aromas along with a decent mouthfeel and proper acidity. The palate pops with red plum and raspberry flavors along with mild stalky, brambly notes that are more in the background than up front. Not overwhelming but doesn't disappoint.
Soft caramel aromas lead to a light, fresh wine with attractive red berry fruits. It is an easy style, only a touch of texture. Screwcap.
Opens with gumball aromas and also foresty spice and bramble. The palate is tight and tannic as it delivers standard red licorice, berry and leathery flavors. Finishes with some salty leather and that's about it.
A nose of creamy pear and apple aromas carries a citric edge, while citrus leads the palate, with vanilla and resin in support. The feel is round and medium-bodied, with modest oak making itself noticed on the palate and finish. In the end there's more wood than pure fruit. Better than acceptable but that's as far as it goes.
Slightly heavy and saucy, with a bit of cooked fruit and lemony oak to the nose. But it's not over-the-top baked or overoaked, so there's still some black-fruit quality to mine as well as decent chocolate and mocha on the finish. Hardly elegant, but by the same token it's not wanting for gusto.
Firm and crusty Syrah, with aromas of bacon, char, shoe polish and black fruit. It's angular on the palate, with a tight, lean mouthfeel along with lemony fruit and a broad brush of resin. And that's the way it finishes, too. Woody for a wine in this price range.
Smells almost as much like a pizza as wine with its herbal notes of basil, fresh tomato and pepper. Along with those saucy aromas come berry and plum fruit; but again, any fruit on the nose or palate is mixed with a strong dose of herbal essence. Soft and chewy in terms of feel. Standard Chilean Merlot.
A particularly fresh wine, which has light sweetness on top of spice, to give it a summer fruit flavor. It is soft, accessible, ready for warm days. Screwcap.
This smells— and remarkably it also tastes—like bubble gum, with some pineapple tossed in for good measure. Peaches and apricots? Not so much; this is definitely an atypical Viognier, but brings plenty of candied fruit to the table.
Clean but basic in its approach. The nose has dusty apricot and melon aromas, while the palate deals nectarine, citrus and peach flavors. That it's fresh, wet and easy on the tongue is probably the best thing it has going for it. Won't last a whole lot longer; drink now.
An alluring nose of smoke, herbs and tobacco spice start this red. On the palate, the wine has a tart cherry and spice profile combined with some blackberry—a bit lean and acidic but with a good steak or grilled chop, will calm down.
This eiswein is supersweet, yet remains decently balanced, thanks to a laser beam of bright acidity. After an initial hint of volatility, the flavors of preserved citrus and stone fruits are almost painful in their intensity, so sip it in small doses and savor the nearly endless finish.
From vines trained on the lyre system, here is one of the classics of Austrian wine. Its richness and concentration are present from the first taste. As the wine opens, it brings out perfumes and intense fruit flavors. A great wine that needs long-term aging.
The scents of dried apricot and honey are made even more captivating by intriguing hints of musky spice. This is viscous, luscious and complex, with bergamot notes that lend another exotic element. Long and mouthwatering on the finish.
Sweet and viscous, this ratchets up the level of sugar and concentration beyond that of Weil's 2009 auslesen. Dried apricots rule, but nuances of musky spice and candied pineapple play supporting roles. Unctuous enough to pair with dessert if need be, but better on its own, or perhaps with aged hard cheeses.
One of the palest icewines to come across our tasting table, this is an extraordinarily fine example, with great purity of fruit and incredible balance. Tangerine and pineapple flavors shine with pristine clarity from start to finish, making it very drinkable.
Terrific, from its nearly indefinable aromas akin to Cloud Ear fungus to its intensely sweet yet racy palate. Dried apricot, peach and pineapple flavors give it substance without excessive weight, finishing long and intense. Drink now–2030.
This very limited, concrete-egg-fermented, and thoroughly splendid Pinot Gris is a good indication of the potential for PG in Oregon if the price limitations are lifted. Stunningly rich with citrus, lemon curd, ripe apple and light tropical fruits, this concentrated, deeply driven wine is both roundly full and amazingly dense. Certainly the best Oregon Pinot Gris in memory.
Like all of the Schloss's noble sweet wines, this one isn't overblown, displaying ample sweetness but also zesty acidity. There's a slight greenish hint to the candied citrus and dried pineapple flavors, with a lemony streak on the finish that balances the sweetness impeccably. Should last for 40–50 years—possibly more—in a cool cellar.
The top wine of Château du Cèdre is beautifully balanced, its chewy tannins given the right perspective by the impressively dark fruits. The wine is brooding, profound, concentrated and complex. Age for at least 6 years.
Lush and luscious, this is a standout among the 2009 Erath Pinots. The richness of the fruit gives this zaftig wine immense appeal, with deep cherry flavors streaked with gun metal, anise, mocha, and coffee. A lick of dark chocolate ensures a glorious finish.
Spicy, fruity and extremely youthful, this complex wine brings black cherry and cassis flavors with subtle notes of cola, licorice, allspice, sandalwood and pine needle. Still quite tight and primary, it has been beautifully sculpted into a focused wine with a long life ahead.
A terrific auslese, sweet but balanced near perfectly by lime-like acids. It's stony yet honeyed, concentrated yet somehow light on its feet. Then it's bright, fresh and full of juicy citrus fruit on the finish.
Perhaps a step behind Weil's other supersweet 2009s, this eiswein remains a prodigious effort. The candied pineapple and golden raisin notes are so intense, so concentrated that they're almost painful to taste, lingering virtually forever on the finish.
So unctuous and decadently sweet that this is one of those TBAs that's best taken in very small sips. Dried apricot, candied pear and caramelized pineapple flavors are concentrated and intense, lingering sweetly on the long finish.
This historic estate certainly excelled with sweet wines in 2009. This auslese is lusciously sweet yet lithe, its ripe stone fruit—apricot and peach—balanced by citrusy notes. Finishes long and clean, not cloying. Delicious now, but should easily be capable of aging for 20–30 years.
A selection of the best lots of the vintage, here sourced entirely from biodynamically-farmed blocks of the Maresh Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Among the most Burgundian of all Oregon Pinots, this complex, cellar-ready wine shows ripe red and black fruits, old vine hints of dried leaves, light herb and autumnal profundity.
Spicy, hard aromas blend with pasty black fruit scents. The palate is big and lively, with baked flavors of blackberry and dark plum. Turns tight on the finish, which is crisp and tannic. Good Bonarda and a food-friendly wine.
There's a distinct salinity to this Chard, complementing the green apple and hard peach flavors. Notes of sweet lemony citrus linger on the mouthwatering finish.
Clean and approachable with soft brioche and toasted hazelnut character among the bright peach, pear and white floral notes. Full but clean; drink now.
As often with wines that have some Baga in the blend, rusticity fights with elegance. In this case, elegance is winning as the wine ages. The herbal element is important as is the sweet jelly fruit.
Seems like quality and character are slipping a bit on this Malbec, which a few years ago overdelivered but is now more average. Red licorice, strawberry and sweetness characterize the nose. The palate is sweet and generic, while the finish is pretty much the same. Perfectly good but not the gem it used to be.
Here's a light and easy-drinking white with soft notes of green plum, citrus and melon rind in the nose and mouth. A hint of tropical fruit acidity unfolds on the brisk finish. Drink now.
With its beautiful burst of lemon aromas, this is a really fresh wine, very crisp, very bright. The wine has a tangy texture that tingles with lively acidity. Screwcap.
A bit fleshy and melony on the nose, and also flowery. The palate has a full feel despite present acids, and the apple and citrus palate is clean and slightly green. Shows all the basics on a sweet, soft frame.
Starts out with some heaviness and aromas of fresh cement and lacquer. With airing it improves, revealing a high-acid, fresh palate with raspberry, saline and herbal flavors. Roasted and firm on the finish, with a bit of excess heat.
Rubbery and warm on the nose, with earthy plum and blackberry aromas. The palate is full and bouncy, with appropriate plum, berry and cassis flavors. Nice for standard New World Cab, with fig, chocolate and no buttery, sloppy oak.
Very soft, full-bodied wine that has red berry fruits and a light touch of acidity. There is some concentration with a pepper and spice exoticism to go with the ripe feel.
Clean and fresh on the nose and palate with hints of fresh gooseberry, apple and red plum, Waters Crest's rosé could use a boost of concentration on the midpalate, but it's a simple, easygoing rosé for casual entertaining. Finishes tart, with a brisk, sour cherry note.
Earth, rubber and blunt black fruit aromas mix with air freshener on the boisterous nose. It's big and rugged in the mouth, with over-the-top herbal fruit and burnt earth. Charred on the finish, with mild bitterness. Funky in the Cafayate mold.
Greenwood's Merlot-Zinfandel blend is a nod to vintner-in-chief Allan Green's Dragons baseball team and would be so fun to recommend to baseball lovers the world over if only it tasted better. There's some nice cherry notes buried in there somewhere, but otherwise the wine is overly tannic and its aromatics seemingly benched.
Striking acidity adds freshness to more rustic characteristics of cooked red fruit, caramelized sugar and hay on this medium-bodied Pinot. Brambly on the palate with hints of mushroom and foliage, it finishes clean with just a trace of tannins.
Generic black fruit aromas are accompanied by mocha, heat and lemony oak. Feels tannic and choppy, with herbal berry fruit flavors. Lively but pointed and jagged on the finish.
Crisp black plum and cherry flavors are pleasant, if a tad underripe, on this full-bodied SheNAdoah Valley Cab Franc. Striking acidity and an abundance of green, herbal notes give it a lean, slightly tart midpalate.
Yeasty wine, with mature toast flavors, showing bitter almonds and old acidity. The wine tastes really mature, about to be too old.
Crisp red plums and sour cherries add a tart fruit character to this sheer Finger Lakes Pinot Noir. Brisk on the palate with a good dose of bramble in the midpalate, it finishes clean on a minty, herbaceous note.
Old-style Carmenère with green bean, mocha and muddy berry aromas. Tight and more acidic than expected, with generic red berry, chocolate and mocha flavors along with a palpable wave of green. Finishes quick and crisp.
Full-bodied, juicy, off-dry and forward. Immediately approachable and plenty flavorful, with streaks of tea, lemon and tangerine.
Layered on both the nose and palate, this standout Finger Lakes Pinot is tart and fresh, yet full with concentrated sour cherry and red plum flavors. Firmly structured with bright acidity and a delightful spray of violet perfume on the finish.
Big, extracted and clumsy on first blush, with raisin and prune preceding chocolate on the nose. The palate is big and tannic, with chocolate and baked berry flavors. Finishes full, toasty and grabby, with mocha and vanilla. Drink now through 2012.
Starts out oaky and cheesy, with baked berry, leather and clove-like aromas. The palate has lots of size, clacky tannins and acidity, while flavors of berry, mocha and tobacco are nice and lead to a toasty, grabby finish. Typical for RDD in that it's tough and tannic but full of brash flavor; drink now–2015.
A rich, full Petite Sirah with a taste of cola and spice followed by ripe raspberry and blackberry. A very yummy version of the variety from one of Livemore's most promising vineyards.
Earth, tree bark, dry spice and finally some plum and berry aromas appear on the nose. The palate is astringent but also bright and structured, with plum, raspberry and herbal flavors. Warming and tannic all the way to the very end. A very nice and forceful Toro.
Laced with tannins, this has intense, very pure red cherry fruits and a cool feel to it. The wine's juiciness has a smoky edge, while remaining fresh.
Minty at first, and herbal, the way a Cabernet can be, this Petit Verdot from Lodi is juicy and well made with licorice and spice and plenty of tannin structure. Its limp finish could signal the need for a bit more time in the cellar, perhaps 2–5 years.
Not as impressive as the Esprit de Granit bottling, this is nonetheless a solid Northern Rhône Syrah, with herbal notes accenting dark fruit. The moderately concentrated plum flavors show touches of coffee and chocolate, turning crisp on the finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Darkly toasted Canadian oak reveals itself through layers of vanilla, smoke and burnt sugar on the nose of this lovely North Fork Cab. On the palate, bright acidity shines through a concentrated black cherry palate flecked with hints of dark caramel and freshly cut mint.
Fine, aromatic wine, very cherry, its structure and bright fruits already integrating well. Acidity is a dominant element, with the underlying tannins pushing through the intense juiciness.
Lithe and streamlined, with spare fruit aboard a minerally frame. Kerosene and petrol notes dominate, ending with a burst of fresh lime-like flavors.
A racy, citric undertone and spicy toast beckon on this fun, fresh wine from New York. On the palate, there's an impressive roundness and a touch of butter on the tongue, but a very pretty wave of flowers, minerality and zip keep it light.
This is a bit fat and forward, with flavors of tropical fruit and banana, and a light dusting of cocoa, cinnamon and butterscotch. It's a tasty wine to drink up as soon as possible.
A round, full character with ample layers of creamy spice and balanced acid recommend this elegant, more traditional Chardonnay from the Finger Lakes. The mouthfeel is full but poised, and the finish long.
A rich, intense wine, a definite step up from the standard Periquita, smooth and packed with sweet, ripe red fruits, the juiciness of the Castelão grape tamed by the wood polish.
With 18 months in French oak and another 18 months in bottle before release, this is a developed and complex wine with serious cassis and blackberry flavors accented by notes of menthol, tea leaves, cocoa nibs and black currant leaf. Structured and firm with velvety tannins and a long finish, this will continue to develop if cellared.
This is Casal Branco's branded wine, designed to be drunk young. And that's exactly how it tastes, with bright, lively fruit, soft tannins, a very light vegetal hint, and a soft, almost jammy aftertaste. Highly enjoyable.
Argyle's reserve shows more barrel flavor than the regular Willamette Valley bottling, highlighting an interesting mix of Asian spice and coffee. But the tannins are oddly absent; there seems to be a bit of a hole in the back of the wine. It opens beautifully, then hits a dead spot. A good wine, but missing something.
Earth, leather and tomato are accents to the dry, lean bouquet. The wine is expectedly juicy and tight, with snappy raspberry and cherry flavors. It shows clean lines and an unbreakable personality; elegant, juicy and firm. Drink now–2009.
An unoaked blend of 68% Chardonnay and 32% Pinot Blanc, with the peach and sweet-corn Chard flavors to pair with the orange and grapefruit notes of the Pinot Blanc. It's round and mouthfilling, finishing with hints of spice and citrus. Drink now.
A maturing wine with aromas of burnt leaves, dill, leather and shaded black fruit. It opens up on the palate, revealing cherry, raspberry and plum flavors along with ancillary vanilla. With medium tannins and moderate acidity, the wine shows no ill effects of the broiling 2003 vintage. Drink now.
This is a young, grapy wine, with primary scents of grapes accented with cola and tomato leaf. You taste grapes, berries, ginger and herb, with an interesting creamy streak of milk chocolate. It's a well-made wine with surprising complexity and length.
Fresh and fruity, this is a wine that's all about juicy textures, ripe fruit, touched by dry tannins. Flavors of tomatoes, red plums and a lively acidity.
This Pinot Noir, named for a particular soil type in the Willamette valley, is scented strongly of the lumber smell you get at a building supplies store. There is a simple but pleasing layer of strawberry/raspberry fruit hidden in the wine's core. Perhaps a year or two of bottle age will pull things together.
Light but generic aromas of white fruits and white flowers give this wine a happy bouquet. The palate is starting to tip toward fading, but if you get at it soon you'll find perfectly nice peach, melon and citrus flavors setting up a soft, easygoing finish.
This Krug vintage is showing some maturity, especially from its toast aroma. But certainly not too much maturity, because on the palate the fruit remains young at heart, a crisp burst of freshness coming through the more mature acidity. All the elements are in balance, making a finely shaped wine, which impresses as much from its elegance as from its richness.
Whether by virtue of vintage or bottle variation, Boudreaux wines seem to gyrate a bit wildly when first released. This new 2005 is no exception. At first sniff it explodes into life, the aromas a mix of herb, spice, tar, smoke, earth and fruit. Flavors are threaded together into a seamless, saturated whole—plum, cassis and cherry liqueur up front, earth and tannin right behind. Some tasters may find it leaning toward the medicinal, but for those who love Rob Newsom's full-speed-ahead style, this is a gorgeous bottle.
Jacquesson is proud possessor of top quality grand cru vineyards in Avize. This vintage is subtle, a wine that takes a while to show all its richness, balanced with elegance. The fruit is ripe pear, peach and orange zest. It has a great streak of minerality. Worth aging.
Femme is Duval-Leroy's top cuvée. This, from the great 1996 vintage, is as much wine as sparkling experience. It has great depth of flavor and a powerful steely background, with tight acidity. The grapefruit flavor is only superficial, because behind this crispness, the wine shows considerable richness.
Tart lime and lemon notes brighten fresh apple and pear flavors in this light-bodied dry-style Riesling. It's a refreshingly nimble, spry wine, but hints of smoke and mineral lend complexity. Drink now–2016.
An oaky, concentrated wine, this is briary in robust black and blue fruit that offers a smidgen of black tea. Tannic, this is a powerful wine from a powerful vintage, exuding much of the appellation's earthy signature.
Herbal and savory smelling up front, this cool-vintage Cabernet also shows plum, berry and mild green aromas. A tight, tannic palate offers flavors of herbal plum and cherry, while the finish is choppy, drawing and tannic, with herbal leftovers.
Rooty, minty aromas of blackberry and boysenberry are heavy on the nose. This feels blocky and full-bodied, with loamy, jammy black-fruit flavors that show a typical varietal greeness. A finish with herbal, tomatoey flavors includes a dusting of chocolate.
At the risk of overgeneralizing, Martinborough Sauvignons typically show less overt herbal characters than their Marlborough counterparts. At least, that's the case for this medium-bodied wine. White grapefruit, stone fruit and underripe melon notes finish crisp and clean.
Spicy, smoky oak aromas dominate this dark-colored and full-bodied wine. Cherry and raspberry emerge as the flavors. The texture is plush but not quite soft, as firm tannins and moderate acidity give it good structure.
This blend of 30% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, 17% Picpoul Blanc, 17% Roussanne and 6% Marsanne offers hints of honeycomb and yellow apple on the nose. Green apple, bruised pear and salted nectarine flavors show on the palate.
This straightforward wine opens with scents of prune, blue flower, coffee and resin. The aromas follow through to the round, accessible palate along with fleshy blackberry and a hint of anise. Drink through 2016.
Light volatile aromas distract from this blend of Seven Hills (75%) and Les Collines vineyards. The fruit flavors seem a bit leaner than expected and also somewhat dried out.
This strong dessert wine is made from 100% Petite Sirah grapes from a particular site and was bottled in 2013. Salty, mushroom and earth aromas drift upward from the glass followed by a thickness of sour-sweet dark chocolate and raisins.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, toast and coffee lead the nose on this soft, uncomplicated red. The dense, straightforward palate is full of ripe blackberry, raspberry jam and a light peppery note alongside rounded tannins.
Brambly blackberry and leathery tar make for a full-bodied atmosphere around what is actually a fairly light, integrated and smooth wine. Clove and black currant give the finish a spicy edge.
Red berry and intense white pepper aromas lead the nose on this bright, easygoing red. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry, clove and toasted almond alongside loose knit tannins. Serve chilled for an ideal summer red.
Blackberry, leather, clove and dark cooking spice aromas lead the way while the ripe palate extends dense wild cherry, raspberry jam and a dusting of cocoa. It's easy drinking and enjoyable, with round, velvety tannins.
Fresh and fruity, this straightforward red offers aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice and leather. The soft, juicy palate doles out dried blackberry and spiced blueberry alongside round, smooth tannins.
This is an attractively balanced blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. It is still at its youthful, green-herb stage although signs indicate that the wine will round out and fill. The aftertaste hints at crisp apples and Rocha pears.
Reminiscent of a Peppermint Patty or Thin Mint cookie, this is a soft, smooth and somewhat nondescript wine, given ample time in bottle before review. Easy to drink, the tannins are mellowed and the oak subtle.
An unusual blend of Viognier (50%), Chardonnay (19%), Sauvignon Blanc (19%) and Pinot Grigio, this wine offers reserved aromas of ripe banana that lead to stone fruit and citrus flavors that drink a hair off dry. The varieties don't entirely mesh but it still brings enjoyment.
Candylike oak aromas and flavors dominate this full-bodied and rather tannic wine. It smells and tastes like vanilla, fresh-sawn oak and maple syrup. Some ripe plum flavors in the background are nearly sweet.
This is a well-balanced wine. Peppery and earthy aromas lead to cherry and raspberry flavors, a smooth texture and medium body. Owner Sam Sebastiani uses 65% Zinfandel, 30% Primitivo (legally the same as Zinfandel) and 5% Barbera.
Here's a great value wine that opens with aromas of ripe plum and blue flower. The simple but well made palate offers juicy black cherry and a hint of vanilla alongside soft, round tannins. Drink now.
An almost overpowering fragrance greets the nose on this bottling, with scents of lime and pear blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and peach sorbet. The palate is very citrus-driven, with oranges and tangerine skin, proving quite sour and tart for such a ripe introduction.
Compact aromas of berry fruits are more basic than complex. This has a choppy, edgy, grating mouthfeel to go with prune and stewed-berry flavors. A loamy, overripe tasting finish struggles to display a sense of freshness.
Pungent, feline aromas of nettle and passion fruit are sharp and uric. This feels narrow and angular, with racy acidity. Flavors of passion fruit, grapefruit, bell pepper and cactus pad finish with pink-grapefruit sharpness and pithy bitterness.
Tasting higher in alcohol than listed, this is a soft, somewhat jammy, simple wine. It offers raspberry preserves and chocolate around generous oak and sweet tannins.
A heavy smoke aroma and similar smoky, toasty flavors dominate this medium-bodied wine. The mouthfeel is velvety and a modest amount of cherry flavor bolsters the oaky, smoky character.
Soft and fruity, this simple, easy-drinking red offers aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, dark raspberry and hints of wild Mediterranean brush. Round tannins support the juicy flavors.
A ripe character of Anjou pear and nectarine flesh mesh with honeydew rinds and smashed cement minerality on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows a touch of smoke wrapped around green and yellow pear flesh, plus cooked apples in the midpalate.
A high proportion (65%) of Cabernet Sauvignon has given this wine a structured character. It's also brought out black-currant flavors that are allied to juicy acidity. The wood-aging was almost too much, giving the wine a bitter edge that needs to soften. Drink from 2018.
Another fine Best Buy from a winery that knocks 'em out year after year. This Monastrell-Syrah blend delivers full, rustic aromas of tomato, baked berry and salsa. The palate is saucy and smooth, with blackberry flavors mixed with herbs and tomato. Textured, healthy, snappy and a good partner for full-  flavored foods.
Satisfying from the purple color to the sweet bouquet to the clean palate to the long finish. It's a little simple and syrupy, but overall there's plenty of freshening acidity and flavors of plum, berry and chocolate to make it a complete and balanced wine. And that's really all you should hope for in this price category.
Hitting the tongue with a slight spritz, this is another elegant, beautifully perfumed Riesling. On the nose, it's billowing with white, waxy floral perfume, honey, fresh apples and a tinge of petrol. The perfume persists on the palate as well, combining with fresh lime juice and notes of slate and wet stone.
This elegant Riesling smells beautifully of honey, fresh apples and petrol. Dry and austere, but not the least bit bony in style, its refreshing lime juice palate and saline finish would pair wonderfully with sashimi or raw oysters.
Searching for New World Chardonnay that's restrained, crisp and only 12% abv? Steve Webber at De Bortoli is your man. This medium-bodied Chardonnay displays a hint of custard to its texture, while the flavors are citrus driven and refreshing.
Starts off rather Rhônish, with hints of white pepper and grilled meat, then offers tart cherry fruit on the palate, accented by those same savory elements. The tannins are modest but silky, and the acids turn up while the flavors thin out just a bit on the finish. Drink now–2014.
Dark, smoky, heavily oaked and resiny, with aromas of char, leather and burnt toast. The palate is big and forceful, with a lot of oak character and also snappy blackberry, plum and buttery flavors. Modern and creamy, with enough quality fruit to back things up.
This “basic” Tierra de León wine made from the obscure Prieto Picudo grape outshines Pricum's higher-priced bottlings. It has a leathery nose with mild baked-berry flavors, while the palate is tight but not astringent. Flavors of toamto, red currant, raspberry and herbs are snappy, and overall it's textured and long in the mouth.
This blend of Petit Verdot (40%), Grenache (29%), Shiraz (29%) and Mataro (2%) ends up being a pleasing recipe at an even more pleasing price. Mulberry, plum and vanilla flavors emerge from the glass, while the mouthfeel is full and lush. Probably best over the next year or so.
A bit lemony and tight to start with; aromas of roasted berry, coffee, shoe polish and tar are hard and dark. In the mouth, it's fresh and tannic, with forward flavors of black fruit, herbs, dark chocolate and toast. Shows some heat and burn on the finish, but it's a concentrated, full-force wine.
This 100% Tempranillo will linger with you for a while, a real thinking wine that takes time to reveal its power. Properly tannic—have a hearty meal at the ready—the St. Amant is structurally sound and yet concentrated with sweet notes of toffee, vanilla and brown sugar on the finish, its dark fruit both subtle and ripe. From the foothills of Amador County on a relatively cool site, the wine is aged in both French and American oak (35% new).
A strong, concentrated and ultimately rustic wine, a flavor that derives from the Alicante Bouschet in the blend. This gives it power and alcohol that shows in a pepper character. The final juicy palate feels solid and heavy.
Lightly perfumed and floral, this is classic mineral and gunflint Riesling. It is light in texture, clean and refreshing, with some crisp pear fruit and green plum skin tannins.
Toasty, oaky and a bit lemony on the nose, this has baked apple notes that are friendly. It feels round and honeyed, with toasty, candied flavors that veer toward pear, apple and honey. Resin and cinnamon flavors work the soft, sweet-tasting finish.
Whispers of smoke and crushed stone add an interesting element to the fleshy, ripe peach and lychee flavors. A tad sugary on attack, but it finishes dry, with a hint of bitter tea-leaf notes.
Balanced and brightly fruity, this is laden with acidity and a ripe apple flavor. With its touch of vanilla, this is full and crisply delicious. Ready to drink now.
A solid and well-made selection, this boasts plenty of blackberry and cassis aromas and flavors, laced with hints of licorice root and warm spice.
This is quite grassy and herbaceous, with an almost perfumy quality to the bouquet. Fruity flavors of pineapple, mango and tangerine help to flesh out the medium-weight palate, ending clean and lifted. Drink now.
Light notes of forest berry, cassis and licorice root unfold on the nose and on the medium-weight palate. This might not be the most complex wine, but it's clean, balanced and approachable now.
This begins with a light red-fruit aroma that falls into the cherry-berry vein. It feels bouncy, rubbery and pleasant, with roasted, rubbery berry and savory spice flavors. The finish is light on fruit but good in feel.
Crisp and cool, this shows a vanilla flavor that softens the attractive tight, acidic fruit. It's light in texture, with a prominent tang of citrus.
Very pale copper in tone, this is a delicate rosé that's made entirely from Mourvèdre. Hints of peach, melon and a light flower top note are evident.
Dry yet lusciously mouth filling, this is subtly floral, with a hefty dose of fresh apple flavor. It's straightforward but pleasantly quaffable. Drink now.
This value selection is a no-brainer, with medium tannins providing good structure to the ripe palate. Boysenberry and black currant flavors mingle with spicy accents of hoisin sauce, licorice and coffee bean. Drink now.
Green plum and tart gooseberry aromas and flavors lead the way of this lively selection. Linear and direct on the palate, it has refreshing notes of lime rind, sweet grass and a touch of white flower. Clean and balanced; drink now.
Juicy black cherry and violet notes permeate throughout this easy-drinking Merlot-based blend. Luscious and fruity, but bold in style, it holds up well to the coating of grippy tannins.
This is delicate and crisply fruity. Its acidity and citrus presence offer a fragrant character that contrasts nicely with the more creamy texture.
Delicate sour cherry and plum flavors are intensified by notes of black coffee, fresh green herb and aromatic cedar. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir is earthy and savory, with refreshingly high acidity.
This is fruity, with some structure and pure acidity. It's fragrant and delicious now, bearing raspberry fruit and a light texture.
Cool, crisp and tonic from start to finish, this is an easy-drinking wine with ample sweet apple and wildflower notes, with shades of smoke, hazelnut skins and delicate lime-juice acidity. Drink now.
Delicate aromas of white cherry and strawberry lead the nose and carry through onto the palate with a bit more intensity. There's texture to the mouthfeel, with flavors of red cherry and plum skin that stay through the medium-length finish.
At 15.9% abv, this is a monster by Finger Lakes standards, but it's unsurprising perhaps for such a hot vintage. A tad jammy on the palate, it's sweet with red cherry fruit that's framed by herbaceous green notes and layers of soft, furry tannins.
Still tannic, this is a minerally wine that's driven by red currant fruit. Its acidity is also an important element. It has the potential to round out and fill out over the next 2–3 years.
The latest release from Vallado is a value wine named after a four-leaf clover found on the estate. Soft and spicy, it is full of berry flavors, with just a hint of Douro power. This 2010 is ready to drink for its fruit and its structure.
Moderately full and roundly fruity, with an undertone of mineral or concrete. This is a nicely managed blend, with the balance and grip to age for another five years.
A nicely balanced entry-level Riesling, with hints of stone fruit and wet stone accenting apple and citrus. As a Saar wine should be, it's properly light on its feet, with refreshing acids on the abbreviated finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Dark and toasty, with ripe cherry and berry aromas offset by herbal shadings and an aroma of earthy, wet clay. Feels fresh and ready, with a standard blend of sweet berry flavors, oak, spice and herbs. Turns toastier and slightly bitter on the finish.
Dark up front, with aromas of charcoal and crusty black fruits. Feels full but creamy, with black fruit flavors and oak-driven accents of butter and mocha. Warm and full, with licorice and dark berry flavors accenting a healthy feeling finish. Good Syrah for everyday drinking.
A powerful wine that shows berry fruits, with dark tannins and layers of acidity. It is structured while being fruity and juicy; a great pasta wine that is ready to drink now.
It's impressive what a small addition of Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle can do to a Sauvignon-Sémillon blend—it turns this into an exotic wine, with spice and lychee flavors.
Classic Carmenère aromas of oregano, basil and tomato vie with ripe plum and spice to create an herbal-leaning but honest bouquet. Feels good, with balance and lift to flavors of berry, olive, tobacco and herbs. Mild and short on the finish, but nice for $10.
The name of the wine refers to the almost-unknown ancient varieties of vines that have been rediscovered by the Plaimont cooperative. The blend shows a perfumed mix of yellow fruit and citrus, with a tight tang of final acidity.
Nice yet quiet on the opening, with lime, apple and minerally aromas. Feels tangy, maybe a touch sharp and pointed, with standard Casablanca flavors of lime, bell pepper and green apple. Short and tangy on the finish, with washing acidity.
Nice on the nose, this has a leafy note and a mellow red-berry aroma. Bouncy and rubbery feeling, it has easygoing flavors of raspberry and plum. It's candied and rubbery tasting on the finish, but good overall.
This is oakier and more expensive than prior Trapiche Chardonnays, but it's not necessarily better. It smells like a rubber band and a barrel, bearing resiny flavors of mango and melon, with lots of sweet oak and vanilla tones.
Jumpy and nervy smelling, with tottering aromas of jammy berry and strawberry. It feels dilute at first, but more structure and body appear as the wine unfolds. The flavor of jammy raspberry is somewhat herbal, and the finish is light.
This is leathery and stemmy on the nose, with horsey plum and raspberry aromas. It feels narrow, with rubbery, herbal and roasted berry flavors. This is a rustic, roasted wine no matter how you slice it.
The candied red-fruit aroma is soft yet snappy. It tastes briny and citrusy before ending with a persistent peppery bitterness and lively acidity.
This is a rounded, full-bodied rosé that also has a herbal element. It has a wild strawberry flavor, with light acidity and sweetness. Screwcap.
Hard and herbal, this has sour, barely-ripe fruit and chalky tannins.
Roasted and rubbery smelling, this has heavy oak influence that yields notes of mint and shoe. Shearing on the palate despite its body, this has flavors of oak-based vanilla, mint and sweet-and-sour plum. Prieto Picudo is a difficult grape to make into good wine.
Raspy cherry aromas precede a scratchy palate that's characterized by its high acid-to-body ratio. It tastes a bit tart and generic, with a red plum flavor in front of a fiery finish. This is light and crisp in style.
Very soft and easy going, this has rounded peach and apple flavors. The acidity is light, hinting at citrus. Screwcap.
Somewhat murky and smelling of compost and green berry fruit. Feels full and wide, with a hard palate containing milk chocolate and molasses flavors. Finishes bitter, dark and herbal, with gripping tannins. Tasted twice.
This has subdued scents suggesting grapefruit, citrus and a whiff of sun-warmed hay. Round and ripe, the palate offers yellow apple, lemon zest and a hint of green melon alongside a note of dried sage.
Medium straw in color, this wine has aromas of caramelized pineapple and Banana's Foster. It conveys flavors of tart apple cider and freshly sliced Honeycrisp apple. The finish is pleasantly acidic, with a bright splash of acidity in the post palate.
Aromas of exotic fruit and candied citrus zest take center stage on this deeply colored white. Reflecting the scorching vintage, it's ripe and round, offering dried apricot and nectarine drop. Enjoy soon to capture the fruit and freshness.
This wine has enticing aromas of jasmine, white peach and orange blossom. It is well balanced with flavors of apricot and tangerine on the palate and a touch of bright orange flavor in the finish.
Ripe and sweet blackberry jam and dried fig flavors fill out this Port-style sweet wine. Good doses of tannin and acidity keep it structured enough to not feel cloying, lending a little textural grip.
Iron-laced beef aromas meet boysenberry and wet stone on the nose of this widely available and smartly priced wine from the historic producer. Red cherry fruit shows on the palate along with a touch of turned earth, making for a pleasant yet simple sip.
The floral aromas in this animated wine give way to fragrant fruit salad flavors that range from orange to pineapple to apple. It has a nicely tart texture and lingering fruity finish.
This is a 100% varietal wine made to be widely distributed and enjoyed by a range of palates. With a slight perception of sweetness, which may just be ripeness, it gives way to fleshy flavors of baked apple and pineapple.
Rich red cherry, anise and a bit of smoke show on the nose of this affordably priced bottling from Kevin Riley. The palate is quite grippy, with flavors of dried blueberry, dark chocolate and black coffee.
Bright and fresh, this easygoing wine offers aromas of wild berry and fragrant blue flower. The simple, easy-drinking palate delivers red cherry and a hint of white pepper alongside zesty acidity and limber tannins. Enjoy soon.
Wiry plum and green-tobacco aromas transition to red-fruit scents as this breathes. A fresh, forward palate is medium in body, while a mix of spice, green herb, olive, plum and berry notes comprise the flavor package. A tight, juicy palate maintains the wine's core flavors.
This is a pale colored, attractively perfumed wine. With red berry fruit flavors, bright acidity and a lively orange zest texture, it is fruity and ready to drink.
Subtle aromas suggesting moist soil, violet, red berry and a whiff of leather come together on this light-bodied red. On the straightforward palate, lithe tannins and bright acidity provide easygoing support for juicy Morello cherry, clove and a touch of anise. Enjoy soon.
Vibrant and easygoing, this opens with aromas that recall woodland berry, violet and moist soil. The bright, simple palate offers tart sour cherry and a hint of white pepper alongside zesty acidity.
Here is a sturdy, fruit-driven wine, with a mix of quickly maturing mulberry and plum fruits. Add a dash of mocha and vanilla custard, and you have a solid, all-purpose red for lighter meats and poultry.
Fresh apple rinds, squeezed Mexican lime and a touch of guava show on the nose of this crisp yet tropical-tinged bottling. The flavors also start light with citrus and then delve into more guava-led tropicality, approaching ripe tuberose-flower pungency.
Bright cranberry and pomegranate notes meet with tart orange juice and zest on the nose of this fresh bottling from the artist-producer. That cran-orange flavor combo carries through the zesty and flavorful sip, with a touch of anise toward the finish.
A smooth, deliciously drinkable blend of Mauzac and Loin de l'Oeil gives crisp acidity, green fruits and tangy acidity. It's a wine that's fresh and ripe at the same time, a very dry wine that will certainly be best with food. Drink from late 2016.
This widely ranging blend includes Bordeaux-style grapes, Tannat and Syrah. This wine is fruity, light as a feather and with the typical caramel underlay that comes from the Merlot in the blend. Red fruits and a crisp texture give this wine its attractive acidity. Drink now.
This opens with subdued aromas of menthol, dried herb and spiced plum. The palate is rather evolved, offering dried cherry, coffee, clove and a hint of black tea framed in close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink sooner rather than later to capture what fruit remains.
The wine is tannic and structured, with a dry character that masks the juicy black currant fruits that are there at the back. It shows its wood aging in spice and toast. The wine is ready to drink, although it will always be tannic.
This is a thick and burly version of the variety from a rocky, high-elevation appellation well known for Zinfandel. Leathery tar overlaps with herbal, vegetal elements before a bittersweet finish.
Stalky aromas are a bit sweaty. In the mouth, this is racy and fresh due to high acidity. Monotone flavors of nectarine and citrus fruits finish long, with a note of pithy bitterness.
This mature blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo smells stalky and herbal, with stewed berry notes and a whiff of coffee grinds. The palate is raw and rubbing, while horsey berry flavors suggest underripeness. A soupy, stewy tasting finish feels chunky and obtuse.
French oak, toast, espresso and menthol aromas lift out of the glass. The lean, taut palate offers dried black cherry and oak-driven spice alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish. The fruit richness is starting to dry up so drink sooner rather later.
This opens with delicate scents of red berry and fragrant blue flower. The soft, easygoing palate offers juicy wild cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and round tannins. It's simple but well made.
It's unclear why this wine's bottle has to be so heavy. After all, the wine inside is ripe, fruity and very ready to drink, certainly not for aging. Black fruits have matured into a leather texture and smoky flavors. The wine is ripe and full in the mouth with just a touch of pepper at the end from alcohol. Drink now.
This is the winery's first-ever release of a varietal Tempranillo, after using the grapes with Syrah for years in other bottlings.This wine has a softness around a touch of black pepper and dried herb that's inviting, if not a tad generic. The finish is round and lean.
This wine plays close to the edge of overripe-ness, becoming baked and syrupy-rich in cranberry sauce and clove. Nutmeg spice help pique the palate before the high-octane finish.
This blend of Baga and Chardonnay is structured, almost tannic in character with spice and acidity dominating the fruit. That suggests the wine needs to age in bottle a little longer, so drink from 2017.
This blend of Rabigato and Códega do Larinho grapes brings out the crisp acidity of a Douro white. The wine has a fragrant character with hedgerow fruits and white flower aromas. The aftertaste goes more towards yellow fruits while keeping all the freshness.
Dense blueberry, concentrated purple flowers and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling of a fairly rare grape in the region. The palate intrigues with tar, beef crust and tart, tannic elderberry fruit, but it's quite wound up in a very solid structure that still needs time to unwind.
A mix of 48% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, all from Pickberry Vineyard, this wine is surprisingly light bodied and lean, despite a big presence of tobacco and grippy leather. The fruit is elusive, finishing with a flurry of cedar and clove.
This blend of 43% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 17% Petite Sirah offers boisterous berry, cherry and plum-juice aromas on the nose. Black-cherry juice flavors dominate the ripe palate. This would make a great wine for backyard barbecues with burgers and ribs.
More commonly found in the Dão region, the Alfrocheiro is sometimes called the Pinot Noir of Portugal for its smooth, red cherry flavors and sometimes earthy character. Those attributes are found in this cherry-flavored wine with its bright acidity and fruitiness. The whole effect is spoiled by a green edge that shows tight tannins at the end.
Bright, bouncy aromas of cherry and pomegranate are mild, dusty and typical of a carbonic macerated Tempranillo. This feels chewy and plump, but simple. Medicinal cherry and raspberry flavors are spunky on the finish.
While the nose is demure, with just a touch of rose petal remniscent of Gewürztraminer, this dry white gains body and power on the palate. There's a surprising intensity of stone fruit flavor that remains through the finish.
Intense aromas of tropical lychee and honeydew waft from this concentrated, off-dry Gewürztraminer. The palate is lush and unabashedly forward in fruit, but elegantly balanced by tangerine acidity.
This is the winery's more accessible and approachable Cabernet, ready to drink. Robust flavors of tobacco and brambly blackberry provide a nod to the mountain provenance. The wine spent more than a year in oak, 30% of it new French and 10% of it new American. The wood flavor is pronounced, a taste of vanilla an endpoint to the finish.
Medium-bodied, spicy and peppery, this offers dark plum and earthy leather, the fruit tasting quite ripe.
The second wine of Château Belcier is a firm proposition in its own right, with dark tannins and juicy black currant acidity. It's tight with some austerity that needs to round out. Drink from 2017.
The wine is softening already, bringing out ripe red berry fruits that have taken over from the tannic structure. It makes for a delicious, gently structured wine that will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2016.
Lemon blossoms and tangerines bring lift to the aromatics. On the palate there are flavors of tropical fruit and tart, green apples.
This warm expression of Nebbiolo opens with aromas of stewed prunes, resin and raisin. The palate offers plums steeped in spirits and espresso alongside green wood tannins that generate an abrupt finish.
Made by winemaker Georgetta Dane, this white is awash in kumquat and vanilla, the medium-bodied layers of texture soft and round and accessible to a broad range of palates.
Shades of golden toast and crushed granite lend depth and complexity to crisp red cherry flavors in this unusually brisk, sprightly Merlot. Refreshingly quaffable, a fringe of soft tannins linger on the short finish.
Juicy, ripe peach and blossom notes perfume this full bodied blend of Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Blanc. It's moderately concentrated, with delicate flavors of fresh stone fruit, pear and toast, but enlivened by a streak of sunny lemon acidity. Finishes briskly.
Dry, restrained and a bit mouthpuckering with tannins and acidity, this needs to pair with antipasti like Italian salumi. Its lean texture and tart cherry and cranberry flavors do make it appetizing and help it stand out from the crowd of simply ripe California reds.
This is a broad, rich wine that is ready to drink. Red berry notes and soft tannins push forward, bringing attractive acidity to freshen the palate. Drink now.
Savory shades of dust and pressed apple contrast fresh lemon and blossom in this off-dry Riesling. It's starkly acidic, but plush tangerine and peach flavors round out the midpalate. Finishes moderately long on a earthy mineral note.
The Kaapse Vonkel (meaning Cape Sparkle in Afrikaans) Brut Rosé is a blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 45% Pinotage and 2% Pinot Meunier. It's a subtle selection, offering delicate notes of rose, Asian pear, lemon custard and white strawberry. The palate is creamy yet brisk in medium carbonation, ending light and fresh.
Aromas of butterscotch, toasted oak, roasted coffee and espresso follow through to the palate along with notes of black pepper. There's not enough fruit richness to stand up to the astringent, woody tannins.
Aromas of toasted oak, espresso, chocolate and mocha echo on the palate, along with notes of chocolate and mocha. But it lacks fruit richness and can't stand up to the astringent wood tannins.
While the nose is exuberant and tropical with swirls of mango and pineapple, the palate of this dry Riesling is surprisingly dainty. Crisp pear and tangerine flavors are refreshing and easy drinking through a brisk finish.
White pepper and celery aromas, along with distinctly herbaceous and tart flavors give a tight aspect. It is definitely light, crisp and mouth-cleansing; would be great with raw oysters or goat cheese on toasts.
Stewed aromas of berry fruit and leather with green notes get this Tannat-Merlot blend going. Lively acidity and tannins create an aggressive mouthfeel, while flavors of vanilla and baked berry fruit finish round.
Fresh, crisp white peach and apple aromas are bright and breezy on this refreshing unoaked Chardonnay. It's not robustly concentrated, but zesty acidity keeps it quaffable and brisk.
A spicy, creamy wine that has a refreshing slice of lemon squeezed over it. It's bright, fruity and soft, leaving a crisp, clean acidity at the end. Drink now.
Toasted oak, coffee and vanilla lead the nose and carry over to the palate along with dense cherry extract and espresso. Raspy wood tannins leave an astringent, abrupt finish.
Like most young Hunter Valley Semillons, this is starting out on the neutral, acidic side. Notes of melon and citrus rind only hint at the potential to be found in a few years' time. It's a little weightier than expected, with a silky mouthfeel and a long, gentle, lime-riddled finish.
This wine is hyperbright in acidity, with a lemony tartness that's pleasing on the palate. Its use of oak is subtle and integrated, allowing for a layering of peach cobbler to be introduced.
This is a lush, amply oaked wine, brimming with the things that make Margaret River Chardonnay so lovable. Grilled bread and fruit abound, pushing forth peach, pineapple and melon flavors through a soft, espresso-tinged finish. Drink now–2020.
Earthy compost, black pepper and leather define this red that's hugely structured in tight-grained tannin. Lush blueberry pie and violets mark the fruity, floral side of its personality.
Aromas of pressed rose, red berry, chopped herb and espresso lead the nose. The firm palate offers juicy black cherry, licorice and a hint of mocha alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Drink after 2018.
Lightly pickled apple aromas are dry and direct, like a brut nature should be. Citric and malic in feel, but with enough body to absorb and project the wine's acidity, this tastes briny, salty and like apple and tangerine. This stays the course on the finish, and overall it ranks as a complex Cava.
This wine offers a wealth of dried cherry, chocolate and licorice, remaining relatively medium bodied and sublime on the palate. Hints of dried herb and minerally thickets of violet dot the experience.
This is a ripe, full-bodied wine, produced by a grouping of 19 growers. A single-vineyard wine, it offers spice and vanilla from wood aging as well as black-currant fruits. Its acidity and bold fruitiness augure well for its future. Drink from 2018.
The top white wine from this producer, this is aged in wood for six months. It is rich and spicy, with layers of toast over the white stone fruits. Produced by a grouping of growers, the wine is bold, ripe and fruity. Drink from 2018.
A blend of 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Vespolina and 10% Croatina, this opens with enticing aromas of red woodland berry and a whiff of a vineyard in bloom. The fresh savory palate doles out crunchy sour cherry, pomegranate and a hint of tangerine zest while a mineral vein wraps up the finish.
Locked up aromas of spice box, vanilla, coconut and dark fruit are followed by sweet, ripe black-currant flavors. It shows a lovely sense of balance.
Linear layers of lemon chiffon and clove-spiked orangewrap around light oak and focused acidity. Medium bodied and smoothly textured, it offers a kiss of caramel on the finish.
This wine includes 8% Petite Sirah and smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, fleshing out a rich, full-bodied embrace of chewy tannin and extracted blackberry and brick tar. Let it hang in the glass awhile and swirl a time or two to get it to speak.
A full-bodied, fleshy expression of the variety, this wine opens in aromas of toasted marshmallow and caramel, the oak impressive and memorable. From there it offers a wealth of baked apple and pear, finding its footing along a lush, richly defined path.
Syrah is the lead grape on this blend, which also contains Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha. Spicy, gritty aromas are not uncommon for warm-climate Spanish Syrah, while a hard, tannic, dense mouthfeel and spicy, savory, tarry flavors finish peppery, with drying tannins. Drink through 2022.
Rich dark-berry aromas combined with toasty oak give this seven-grape blend a modern yet encouraging nose. Saturated but slightly tannic and grating in feel, this tastes of blackened toast, vanilla, blackberry and spices. Toasty black-fruit flavors are largely pure on a tannic finish. Drink through 2022.
This is a deeply colored, nicely oaky wine at a good price. It tastes like it's been aged to a peak already. The aromas are spicy, cedary and perfumed, while the flavors offer ripe berry and cherry notes and the texture is smooth but moderately tannic.
With sizable yet soft tannins firmly in place, this wine unleashes substantial flavors of raspberry and prosciutto-wrapped fig. Its seamless texture is dotted in vanilla and smoky meat, ending with plush, round knots of blackberry pie.
Smooth and graceful, subtle and delicious, this wine comes from an old pro with Alsace varietals and shows a deft touch and great balance. Wonderful peach and Bosc pear flavors mingle on a smooth texture and linger on the finish.
A blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller additions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a likable wine, rich in red berry, currant and vanilla. Firm, integrated tannins behave on the back of the palate, allowing for a softness amid the robust, full-bodied concentration.
This blend of 54% Grenache Blanc, 44% Roussanne and 2% Viognier makes for a very floral nose at first, then it unleashes aromas of grapefruit peels, seared yellow pears and candied apples. The palate is racy with joyous acidity and chiseled with wet stone, showing crisp apple and nectarine flavors.
Peach and apricot aromas give way to vanilla and resiny oak notes. This blend of Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca is full in body and has taken well to oak. Melon, green banana and wood spice flavors are dry and elegant on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, with smaller additions of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this red doesn't skimp on richness nor oak, showing layers of chocolate liqueur and coconut flake. Soft, mellow tannin that retains some dustiness rides alongside juicy boysenberry.
Fresh white grapefruit and tea leaves perfume this gorgeously honeyed kabinett. The palate is just delicately sweet, glazed by honey and sweet-tart tangerine flavors. Juicy in concentration yet finely filigreed on the tongue, it's an elegant yet approachable wine with wide appeal. Drink now through 2020.
Enticing scents of fragrant white flower, apricot, pineapple and a whiff of wild herb float out of the glass. On the rich frothy palate, notes of sage and candied lemon drop accent ripe apricot and yellow peach alongside a softly foaming mousse. It finishes bright and clean.
The floral aromas and tangy grapefruit flavors of this medium-bodied wine are wonderfully vivid. It tastes nicely concentrated, becomes riper with each sip, and has a lingering finish.
Showing surprising structure for the vintage, this medium-bodied white offers aromas of honey, nut, pressed flower and peach. The flavors follow through to the vibrant palate, along with mineral and tangy acidity.
Rich and full bodied but not sweet, this fruity-floral wine blends vanilla and pistachio flavors with ripe pear and apricot. It has nice flavor complexity, a soothing texture and lingering finish.
This offers the vinous elements of fruit cocktail, combining hints of peach, pear and citrus in the glass. That fruit mélange tightens up on the finish, reined in by an extra squirt of mouthwatering lime.
This wine offers billowy, bittersweet tannin and a flirtation of gunpowder, highlighted by a ripe, full-bodied midsection of black currant and tobacco leaf. It's well-balanced and flavorful, with a lingering finish.
A big firmly structured wine with solid tannins and black-plum-skin texture, the wine is rich and dense. Its fruits are balanced by the concentrated tannins and by the sense of restrained power. Drink from 2023.
Foxy blackberry and cassis aromas are young and untamed, with a note of wet animal fur. This Mencía is grapy and rich, with a dense, saturated palate. Chocolaty black-fruit flavors finish with hard tannins, lots of residual fruit and a structure that suggests that this wine is here to stay for a while. Drink 2019–2025.
This stunning red was a favorite amidst a strong line up of North Fork Cabernet Franc. There's a purity of black cherry and plum flavors here, but also meandering veins of animal, earth and herb that feel a bit savage and wild. Crisply composed, it finishes with delicate whispers of anise and cinnamon. Ready to drink now but should improve through 2024.
This unabashedly powerful and jammy wine shows black-cherry candy, sweet roses, vanilla, black rocks and black pepper on the nose. The soft tannins carry forth waves of vanilla, coconut, caramel and blueberry jelly, perfect to please those seeking a whopper of a wine.
Principally Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from old vines at the Dionysus vineyard, this includes 12% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Merlot. It's spicy and toasty, with ripe fruit flavors recalling strawberry preserves and cherry pie. Coffee and smoke hints thread throughout and into the finish. It's oaky in the best way and delicious from start to finish.
Vibrant aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, cigar box, wet soil and dried oregano are reminiscent of classic Bordeaux in this blend of 34% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 9% Petit Verdot. Rounded red fruits show on the front and finish of the sip, but the midpalate is layered with olive, crushed pepper, marjoram and black tea.
Big, richly fruity and quite tannic, this concentrated wine pulls off good balance, as the ripeness and near-sweetness of the fruit flavors seems to dissolve some of the firm grip in the texture. Aromas like tobacco, pencil lead and cedar keep coming as the wine opens up in the glass.
A stacked nose includes aromas of tomato, herbs, cocoa, molasses and berry fruits. The saturated palate announces that this is a big one, while spicy flavors of plum and berry fruits are slightly herbal on a finish with excellent feel and flow. Drink this blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère through 2021.
At first, this is plump on the nose, with cherries and warm star anise. Aromas of dried plum skins, orange rind and bitter black tea then reveal layers of complexity. Light in body and energetic on the palate, it shows strong peppery spice against the tart red fruit, making for a very lively experience.
Intensely ripe and concentrated fruit flavors dominate both the aromas and flavors of this very full-bodied but ultrasmooth wine. Light notes of dried sage and cinnamon dust the blackberry jam and candied-strawberry flavors for a nuanced complexity despite the high alcohol and supreme ripeness.
Have you ever tried varietal Baboso Negro from the island of Tenerife? Give it a shot and you'll likely be impressed, as I was. Cherry and plum aromas are in the red zone, while this wine feels crisp and fresh, with edge. Salty raspberry and plum flavors end with racy snap. This is a versatile and elegant food wine; drink through 2020.
This Petite Sirah, enhanced by 8% Syrah and 1% Viognier, is extremely dense on the nose, with aromas of blueberry, black currant, vanilla, tarragon and fudge. Mouthcoating tannins and powerful acidity bloom on the palate, where black-cherry-laced chocolate-cake flavors rise to an espresso bean finish.
Floral aromas like rose and lilac give this lush and fruity wine a unique character. It has very ripe, exotic fruit flavors that resemble blueberries, macerated cherries and boysenberries. Subtle oak nuances form a lightly spicy background, while firm tannins add grip to complete a nicely balanced and high-intensity package.
This is a bold, very ripe and full-bodied wine that has a good frame of firm tannins and acidity to give it an appetizing texture. While packed with plump, almost sweet flavors like blackberry jam, it is nicely dry and well balanced, leading to a lingering finish that last for 30 seconds.
A bit of bottle age has made this vintage quite fascinating, with cola, black tea, black plum and mulberry on this wine's deep and peppery nose. The flavor profile is hearty with star anise and dried spearmint as well as deeper dried red-fruit touches. The texture is mild but the overall experience is complete.
Big, tight and tannic, this is a full-fledged dinner wine that needs to pair with a nice caloric veal shank or lasagna. It's made with 80% Syrah, so the color is almost black, the aromas are spicy and smoky and the flavors feature black cherry, espresso and dark chocolate. The texture is both mouth filling and a bit astringent due to hefty tannins.
Firm and structured, this is a solid wine that will take time to mature. The vineyard, backed by woods, is considered one of the top premier crus in Mercurey. Certainly, this wine with its solid tannins and wood flavors that are backed by acidity and red-berry fruits, is one with a serious future. Drink from 2021.
A smoky, heady nose is defined mostly by char, coffee and black-fruit aromas. In the mouth, this wine is solidly built but not too heavy. Toasty, chocolaty blackberry and cassis flavors don't change much on a bold, blocky finish that stays the course. Drink through 2027.
A delicious, refreshingly crisp wine, this has an excellent balance between acidity and bright apple fruits. In the background, the wood aging and vanilla flavors give an extra dimension. Drink now.
Crisp, juicy and fruity, this is a wine that has red-currant flavors under the tannic structure. It is a delicious wine that is light, fruity and likely to age quickly. Drink from 2023.
Plump blackberry and black currant meet with asphalt and dark chocolate on the nose of this bottling from a relatively new vineyard on Gypsy Canyon in the heart of the appellation. Dried violets, lavender, tart boysenberry, peppercorns and a hint of cardamom make for an exotic yet balanced palate.
From two sections of the producer's historic estate vineyard, this wine combines 53% Viognier, 33% Roussanne and 14% Marsanne, all fermented and aged in stainless steel. Together, they offer a dry balanced expression of green apple, Meyer lemon, tart pineapple and integrated oak.
Vanilla, cocoa, graphite, woodspice and black cherry aromas lead to polished blackberry and cherry flavors in this Cabernet. It shows a fine balance and texture that piques interest, and a distinctive spice note that lingers on the finish.
Blackberry and raspberry flavors are ripe and juicy yet invigoratingly crisp in this elegant Bordeaux-style blend. Subdued spice and perfumed violet notes enhance bold berry flavors on the midpalate. A well-integrated package with finely textured tannins, it's ready to drink now but should improve through 2025.
The white wines of Pernand-Vergelesses have managed to preserve a cool, crisp character even in warm 2015. This wine has the citrus well to the fore along with flavors of wood aging and spice. It is tangy and mineral, with a bright textured aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
This wine is not at all petite, with its richly layered and concentrated palate. It has an abundance of fine-grained tannins to support its opulent flavors of dark fruits and oaky spices. Full bodied but plush and soothing in texture, it blends in 15% Petit Verdot. Drink through 2022.
Brooding blackberry, dark plum, dried herb, vanilla and bacon fat aromas are followed by sappy, rich, saturated fruit flavors in this wine. It's a hedonistic rendition of Syrah that holds nothing back.
This is a beautiful spice and mint-flavored wine. The wood aging has left a strongly perfumed character to the rich black fruits and acidity. Structured and firm, this will develop into a ripe intense wine. Drink from 2019.
This has a great nose, with bright cherry and berry fruit. Berry, black cherry, coffee and earth components combine in a pleasing and muscular blend. The midpalate is broad and chewy, with plenty of liquorous highlights. Tannins are a bit drying and the finish shows some sharp alcoholic burn.
Hafner has been a pioneer of Austrian ice wine. Not every one in their considerable range of ice wines work. This one does. It has just that right piercing acidity to give a heart-stopping lift to the sweetness of the wine. The sweet pineapple and peach flavors add extra richness.
V.T.S.? Vintage Top Select is the name of this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Merlot and Syrah. Quite a collection, but the result is a finely polished wine, new wood topping a concentrated, lightly jammy texture, which has richness and good ripe redfruit flavors. A finishing bitterness, which needs to soften out, is the only downside here.
Starts off with a bold blast of Maraschino cherry fruit, backstopped by hints of oaky spice and vanilla. It's medium in body, structured around silky tannins that frame flavors of cherries, button mushrooms and just enough cedary oak. Drink now–2015.
Very rich, as you might expect from botrytised Chardonnay. It remains surprisingly young, no sign of 11 years' aging, with the acidity coming through freshly over the maple syrup and baked apple flavors. The finish brings the acidity right up front.
An attractive, balanced, drinkable wine that is soft in texture, almost ready to drink now. The pure black currant fruits are fresh and bright, with light wood flavors.
Fresh, fruity, relatively lightweight, this offers immediately pleasurable drinking. Tannins give a counterpoint, but only play a minor role. For drinking over the next 2–3 years.
The newest vintage ramps up the complexity of this wine, while keeping the fruit front and center. Good concentrated flavors run through all the citrus and into the stone fruits; there is just a hint of cardboard on the end. Light toast is there if you look for it.
Wonderfully ripe, with its sweet creamy white fruit flavors and delicious richness. A yeasty edge suggests it is still young, still a little shrill. Give it six months. Drink by itself or with cooked seafood. Screwcap.
A rich, full-bodied nose of tropical fruit leads on this complex Sauvignon Blanc from Jardin. The wine has a crisp wave of fruit with a spicy overall character, but there is complexity and roundness as well. An elegant wine that's integrated and ageable.
Johann Heinrich's vineyards are in the Deutschkreutz region, traditionally regarded as the heartland for Blaufränkisch. This entry-level wine shows the richness of which the grape is capable. It shows rich berries, a red pepper flavor and a dry core of dense tannins. The final flavors areof red fruits and lifted acidity. Screwcap.
Definitely shows its Leyda roots via citric, oceanic aromas and flavors of crisp celery, bell pepper, grapefruit and mango. It's a bit softer on the palate than some coastal SBs out of Chile, but it's still full of verve and clarity. A very good wine that shows the Leyda style with Sauvignon Blanc.
A nice effort at a nice price, the 2007 Piko Pinot Noir captures that elusive supple, silky mouthfeel of Pinot, then adds black cherry fruit, touches of mushroomy complexity and hints of vanilla and cinnamon. A delicate but strong herbal note adds a sinewy core. Drink now–2012.
A strong effort from Shepherd's Ridge, showing decent complexity—cola, wintergreen, plum, smoke and coffee notes—ample structure and a mouthwatering finish. This is the rare Marlborough Pinot than can match with red meat, like lamb chops or venison—many are just too soft.
This unusual blend of grapes from both Washington and Oregon shows that each state can profit from the other. The Oregon grapes give more structure, acid, and delicate spice notes; while the baseline Washington fruit—melon and passion fruit—is bright and tangy and annotated with citrus andtangerine.
This Chardonnay offers a lovely balance of vibrant fruit, spicy vanilla toast and lemon zest. Balanced and elegant, it's a great example of the marriage of Old and New World styles that makes South African wine so food friendly.
Younger is better when it comes to 1865 SB. Tasted alongside the older 2007, this wine is brighter, more focused, more balanced and ultimately more fun and flavorful to drink. It is direct and clean, with passion fruit, green pepper and freshness on the nose. The palate shows green fruit,bell pepper and grapefruit, and the finish is intense.
Even tasted blind, this wine comes across as a bit warm. The 15% alcohol imparts a thick, rich consistency in the mouth, while the flavors stay true to the site, showing notes of ripe peaches, citrus and hints of home heating oil. It's certainly impressive, but the alcohol shows through a bit on the finish, suggesting near-term consumption.
This well-crafted red wine is supple and smooth. It opens with scents of violets and berries, fills in with round, lush berry and cherry fruit flavors, then applies a wash of milk chocolate to the tannins.
Leathery, herbal aromas of black fruits, horsehide and murky earth lead to a medium-bodied palate with wiry acidity. Saucy, herbal tomato and plum flavors are typical of the variety, while the finish maintains the wine's true-to-form flavors.
This 100% Feteasca Neagra has aromas of fresh strawberry and red plum. It is soft on entry into the mouth and has flavors of dried cherries, cloves and prunes.
This is a plump, succulent Chardonnay for drinking by the end of 2016. The apple, citrus and pear notes are pretty simple, but clean, with a long, refreshing finish.
Familiar berry aromas blend with hard spice notes and a hint of blueberry. Like many 2013s, this is showing a clamped-down mouthfeel along with flavors of peppery black fruits. A limited finish is hard and compact. Drink or hold for another five or more years; this isn't going anywhere.
Can't-miss aromas of petrol, wet stones and lime will have you thinking this is Riesling, but the blend is two-thirds Garnacha Blanca and the rest Macabeo. Tight and well cut on the palate, this tastes of melon, lime and peach pit. A quick, lean finish works.
This wine is ripe with generous strawberry flavors and perfumed acidity. A smoky edge accompanies tastes of red cherry. The wine is rounded and light with attractive final acidity.
This Slovenian sparkling wine is made from 100% Ribolla Gialla in the Charmat method. It has aromas of green apple, brioche, toast and hazelnut. In the mouth, the bubbles are pleasant and prepare your palate for flavors of apple, hazelnut and toasted almond.
Subtle but alluring aromas of yellow spring flower and white almond lead the way while the fresh palate shows mature apple, sage and mineral alongside bright acidity. A tangy saline note signals the close.
A very light yellow-plum fruitiness colors nose and palate of this fresh, easy and soft white. Plummy friendliness is matched by equally sunny lemon freshness, resulting in a balanced, fruity, easy-drinking wine.
This family estate, established since the 14th century, has produced a light, beautifully fruity wine in the difficult 2013 vintage. With red fruits and soft tannins, it is fully of ripe berry flavors cut by acidity.A light structure in the background will allow the wine to age, although it is ready to drink now.
From vines that are at least 25 years old, this wine is rounded and soft. It has red fruit concentration, a lively wine that is also full in the mouth. It is a wine that could age a few more months and will be better from late 2016.
Notions of baked Mirabelle plums lend their full-fruited aspect to nose and palate. Their softness is countered by fresh, lively crispness. This is friendly, refreshing and fruit-driven.
This opens with delicate aromas that recall pear, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of almond. The juicy palate presents yellow peach, citrus and a hint of hazelnut alongside fresh acidity.
Made with Zibibbo, this refreshing white offers floral and fruit aromas suggesting white rose and yellow stone fruit. The lively palate tastes of apricot, lemon zest and a hint of aromatic herb alongside bright acidity.
A new effort from DDO, this drops Domaine Drouhin from the name, and puts the vineyard name front and center. It's young and well-crafted, with strawberry and cherry fruit. The potential is evident for an impressive site once the vines get some age under them.
Extremely ripe fruit flavors fuel this full-bodied, no-holds barred wine. The aromas are like blackberry jam and raspberry syrup, and the flavors are almost that extreme, but the wine is technically dry. A very viscous texture wraps it up.
Despite the low alcohol, this is completely dry. Crisp and steely, with fruit rather than flower flavors, it's accented with mineral and a whiff of petrol. The finish stops short, but more time in bottle may fix that.
This wine is ripe, juicy and packed with fresh red fruits. It has the softest tannins, the whole point being that this wine can be drunk young. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.
Stalky, herbal aromas of leather, olive, asphalt and berry fruits come in front of a clampy but fresh palate with hard tannins. Briny, herbal black-plum flavors fit the common profile for Carmenère, while this is slightly astringent on the finish.
Mild but authentic Pinot aromas of saucy berry, tomato and spice set up a fresh palate with plum, cherry and peppery flavors. A spicy, dry finish holds form but never rises to a level of complexity.
Modest white-fruit aromas share space on the nose with seashell and briny notes. This feels tight and moderate in depth. Flavors of lemon and tangerine are mild, while this loses some clarity on the finish.
Fruity and bright, this is a lightly textured wine. With lemon and pink-grapefruit flavors dominant and a pale color, it is the crispest possible interpretation of a rosé. Drink this attractive wine now.
This everyday Viura opens with yeasty aromas of green fruits and chewing gum. It's crisp on the palate, with a medium-weight body. Flavors of apple, citrus, peach pit and white pepper finish fresh.
Peach and honeysuckle aromas rise out of the glass in this floral and inviting medium-bodied white that was fermented in stainless steel, then aged in French oak barrels, 20% of them new. Never over the top, it offers a richness on the finish.
Crisp-tart lemon and apple flavors cascade on the palate of this invigorating, fresh Riesling. It's a juicy, approachable off-dry wine that finishes with a bristle of lemon-lime acidity.
Smoky, oaky aromas and vibrant spicy fruit flavors make this wine stand out from the pack of simple, ripe wines. It is very full bodied, high in alcohol, moderately tannic and definitely oaky.
This opens with aromas of black plum and baking spice that carry over to the straightforward palate together with a touch of pepper. Round tannins provide easygoing support. Drink soon.
This dark-colored Merlot offers reduced berry, chocolate and herbal aromas. In the mouth, it's displaying rubbery tannins. Dried berry and oak-based flavors of spice and wood grain finish with hints of clove on a finish that could use more harmony and depth.
Dusty red fruit dominates in this otherwise muted, mellowed and somewhat demure estate wine, soft in texture and approach that cranks in acidity.
The scents and flavors are dominated by chocolate, right from the start. The mouthfeel is tight, and herbal notes come up ahead of the light red fruit. Whole cluster fermentation was employed, perhaps accounting for the woody accents in the tannins.
Made entirely with Nero d'Avola, this opens with aromas of red berry and Mediterranean herb. The vibrant straightforward palate delivers red cherry, raspberry and baking spice alongside fresh acidity. Drink soon.
Made with 50% Trebbiano, 20% Grechetto, 10% Verdello, 10% Malvasia and 10% Drupeggio, this has aromas of ripe peach and apricot. The aromas carry over to the rather sweet, lively palate together with a hint of almond. Enjoy soon.
Compact cherry, plum and cassis aromas are nice. In the mouth, this is ruled by snappy edgy acidity. Flavors that match the nose finish raw, with blazing residual acidity. There's probably no limit to how long this Graciano will last; drink through 2030.
Plum and raspberry fruit, intriguing spice notes reminiscent of allspice and cardamom, and ample weight and suppleness make this bargain-priced offering a winner. Drink now.
Fleshy melony aromas are devoid of any sharpness. This feels chunky but balanced, with peach-pit flavors and citric undertones. A clean short finish seems right for this basic white.
This is a bright, medium-bodied blend of 65% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. Herbal notes on the nose suggest mint, thyme and bay leaf, layered over hints of cassis and red berries. Not overly tannic, this is a drink-now proposition.
Tobacco leaf and dried herb dot the landscape of this velvety wine, made from the producer's estate-grown grapes. Blackberry and dusty mocha are girded by bittersweet tannin and toasted oak.
A selection of the firm's best Vernaccia grapes, this offers delicate alluring scent of hawthorn and white stone fruit. The bright straightforward palate shows yellow apple and pear alongside fresh acidity while a bitter-almond note marks the finish.
Delicately scented, this has subtle aromas evoking acacia, orchard fruit and a whiff of honeyed nut. The medium-bodied palate offers yellow apple and Bartlett pear that merge with bitter almond. It closes on a saline note.
This is a soft, warm wine with ripe red fruit and attractive cherry flavors, its tannins subtly in the background. Open and generous, it's ready to drink.
This wine brings aromas of caramel, blue fruit, barrel spice and herb that are followed by elegantly styled fruit flavors and gritty tannins, with a light bitter note that distracts.
The aromas bring notes of green herb and purple fruit. The palate is barrel forward, with vanilla flavors up front and the tannins showing a touch of astringency.
This easygoing red opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, baking spice and a whiff of violet. The bright shows black plum, cinnamon and a touch of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This no-fuss red opens with aromas of red berry and underbrush. The cheerful palate offers strawberry, cinnamon and a hint of orange peel accompanied by smooth tannins. It's made to be enjoyed young so drink soon.
The aromas bring notes of jasmine, lime zest and honeysuckle. It drinks dry, with lightly concentrated fruit flavors that lead to a floral finish. It provides enjoyment but the concentration doesn't seem all there.
Aromas of vanilla, spice box, raspberry, dill and wood spice are followed by medium-bodied cherry flavors that linger.
Reduced and extracted, with 10% Syrah blended in, this big-boned wine imparts big tannins around a taste of boysenberry, strawberry and tobacco.
Aromas of toasted oak, smoke and whiff of dried yellow flower take shape in the glass. The rather lean racy palate shows oak, butterscotch, bitter almond and a hint of citrus zest while tangy acidity provides the framework.
This is an easy-drinking Pinot Gris, with light melon and pear fruit. It's well-balanced and lively, with modest concentration.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this has aromas suggesting acacia honey and toasted nut. The aromas carry over to the palate along with mature yellow apple and a marked note of bitter almond. Zesty acidity lifts the finish.
This wine combines 90% Sangiovese with 10% Syrah and is both tart and grippy in tannin. Smoky char displays prominently on the palate, as more green elements of dried herb and cedar ride a quiet wave to the finish.
Leafy aromas of field brush accent cassis, plum and oak-based clove scents. This feels obtuse and on the heavy side. Generic black-fruit flavors include a hint of raisin, while this Carmenère also tastes spicy and peppery. Baked berry flavors lead a chunky finish.
Warm cherry pie and hibiscus notes meet with candied vanilla and cream soda elements on the nose of this bottling. The palate is rounded with red fruit and a clay minerality in the background.
In the nose, this 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc blend offers a plush mix of black cherry, cassis and black olive. There is a slight hint of tanned leather, but not enough to dampen the sweet fruit. Smooth and open, forward and just plain delicious.
Restrained and elegant, this is a wine on the austere side, its acidity dominant along with a firm, dry aftertaste. Produced by the other Machard de Gramont estate.
Fritz Wieninger's blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zweigelt is a perennial favorite. With its soft tannins and ripe, juicy full-bodied fruit, it is an elegant, stylish, drink-now wine. Screw cap.
The typical field blend from Vienna, full and deliciously spicy. It has elegance and style, a wine that waltzes across the palate, offering hints of lychee, pear and crisp citrus all finely integrated by tangy acidity. Screw cap.
Now at the end of its peak, this is showing mature lychee, melon and soft-fruit aromas along with citrus, mango and nectarine flavors. It's tasty and pure, with only a slight bit of oily harshness that most Torrontés show. Drink immediately or wait for the 2010.
A bright, fresh wine, its red currant and fresh plum acidity an important element. It has dry tannins at the core, giving a firm structure and hints of wood, with sweeter fruit coming through to finish.
Like any good Bonarda, this is a tough wine. But on the other hand, it's flush, very dark and full of black-fruit flavors and texture. The nose is piercing but honest, while the palate is big and fleshy, with firm tannins, extract and bright black cherry and blackberry flavors. Thick throughout, with bacony notes to the finish.
This is intended as an Amarone-style wine, made from half Sangiovese and half Barbera. The alcohol hits almost 17%, yet it is quite dry. Though not especially Amarone-like to this taster, it is an interesting, well-made wine that approaches Port-like intensity without either sugar or spirits.
Herbaceous aromas are balanced against a strong core of black fruit and berries. A touch of anise and roasted espresso beans add intrigue to the bouquet, while accents of licorice sticks, clove and whole black peppercorns carry the finish. A very well balanced wine with solid weight and appropriate medium grain tannins.
While there are tannins, they are not as powerful as the appellation and year would suggest. Instead, there is bright acidity, strawberry flavors and a fresh feel.
The winery's widely available Willamette Valley blend is forward, open and easy-drinking, with chocolaty cherry fruit. It's a style that should have wide appeal—smooth, toasty, with plenty of tasty chocolate highlights.
This is the winery's eighth vintage working with this block of this vineyard. Aromas of spice, herb and dark fruit lead to sleek pure sweet fruit flavors. It shows a lot of delicacy.
Delicate scents of yellow field flower and ripe orchard fruit float from the glass. The savory palate doles out yellow apple, yellow Bartlett pear, tangerine and a hint of stony mineral. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors.
Holding the massive bottle in your hand, you'd rightly expect the wine inside to be a bit of a monster. But instead, it's a light, almost delicate effort, with pretty cherry fruit edged in smoky toast. There is nothing to indicate either vineyard or winemaking facility, but someone has a nice elegant touch. Drink now through 2020.
Made entirely with Cannonau, this opens with aromas of red berry and Mediterranean brush. The friendly full-bodied palate delivers red cherry, raspberry and white pepper alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
Gold in color, with pineapple, lanolin and air-freshener aromas, this Treixadura-led blend feels round and creamy, with a shot of bracing acidity. Salty tropical fruit and flowery flavors finish plump in feel and briny in flavor.
Punchy and forward, this fruity concoction offers loads of ripe pineapple, peach and citrus flavors. It's slightly off dry and straightforward in style but neatly balanced. Sharp lemon-lime acidity lends a pleasantly zesty kick to the finish.
This wine shows its 40% whole-cluster fermentation in its stemmy and exotic nature that won't please every palate as it develops a strong, savory character that holds on dearly on the palate. Chewy and peppery in leather, tar and pine, it shows the cranberry and rhubarb qualities of grapes picked just-ripe.
This young wine brings scents of cola, truffle and black cherry. It's light and lively, with those flavors coming along with notes of chicken stock and a juicy mouthfeel. Though not a big wine, it's complex and interesting.
Crisp and elegant, this offers alluring scents of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit. The bright linear palate mirrors the nose, offering yellow pear, crunchy apple, white almond and a citrusy note alongside vibrant acidity.
Black pepper, mature plum and a whiff of damp soil carry over to the dense palate along with chopped herb and black-cherry extract. Assertive close-grained tannins provide the framework and leave a dusty, drying finish.
This wine all comes from Red Heaven Vineyard. Aromas of barrel spice, dark fruit and black licorice are followed by full-bodied black-fruit flavors backed by grainy tannins, with baking spice flavors lingering on the finish. It provides a lot of appeal.
Aromas of spring flower, Mediterranean brush, wild herb and tropical fruit lead the nose on this expressive white. The round juicy palate offers pineapple and yellow stone fruit, while a hint of chopped mint closes the finish.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo, this evokes dark-skinned berry and baking spice aromas. The firm savory palate delivers black plum, tobacco and vanilla alongside round tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
Dense blackberry aromas meet with nuances of coffee, lavender and graphite on the nose of this bottling from a warm section of Paso Robles along Highway 46. The fruit is surprising bright on the sip, with black currant lifted by mocha, espresso syrup and purple flower touches. The acidity is quite strong and persistent, and it finishes the slightest hint of dried herbs.
Gravenstein apple, honeysuckle and jasmine aromas show on the relatively boisterous nose of this bottling from a large vineyard on Highway 46 east of Paso Robles. There is compellingly grippy texture to the sip, with ripe flavors of pear and honeydew melon. A salty acidity takes it to the next level.
Stocky yet comported up front, this dark-colored Carmenère pumps out blackberry aromas along with notes of dried herbs and desert brush. A full but balanced palate deals toasty, blackened plum and spice flavors in front of a finish with ample oak and baking-spice notes.
Combining ripe fruit and freshness, this sunny white delivers aromas of yellow flower and yellow stone fruit. Mirroring the aromas, the enveloping palate offers juicy apricot, candied ginger and citrus zest. Bright acidity lifts the rich flavors while a hint of almond closes the finish.
This saw no new wood at all, and comes out of the bottle somewhat reduced, with aromas of rubber and little fruit. Decant and/or aerate it, and the flavors of pomegranate juice and black licorice arise, along with a definite green streak. This should be consumed in the next two or three years.
With all of the fruit coming from Dineen Vineyard, this wine brings aromas of vanilla, herb, cherry and slightly dried-out fruit. It's medium bodied, with cherry flavors on the finish.
Coming from an esteemed vineyard best known for its Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers beguiling, very varietal aromas of plum, fresh herb and spice. The palate is soft and silky, showing a lot of elegance, with plenty of barrel accents.
With crisp fruit well to the fore, this is a bright, lively wine. Its fruitiness is balanced by firm tannins that lie in the background, lending structure. It should be aged a little longer, so drink from 2018.
Leathery blackberry, vanilla and tobacco aromas include a gritty burnt note that's not entirely welcome. This feels full and oaky, with good balance. Oak-based flavors of vanilla and mocha sit atop black-fruit notes, while this is balanced yet tannic on the finish, with a lingering flavor of vanilla. Drink from 2018–2023.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, tilled soil and cooking spice lead the nose. The savory juicy palate offers ripe black cherry, leather and black pepper alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
Made with 98% Sangiovese and 2% Ancellotta, this has aromas of black-skinned berry, baking spice and a whiff of new leather. The concentrated palate delivers blackberry jam, toasted oak, roasted coffee bean and a hint of licorice framed in fine-grained tannins. You'll also notice the heat of evident alcohol. Enjoy through 2021.
This medium-bodied wine has a delicious blend of savory aromas and flavors including pepper, mushroom and beef stock that jazz up the mild grapey flavors underneath. Almost the opposite of a fruit bomb, this has lots of complexity from those secondary characters.
Dark fruity aromas of black cherry, currant and plum signal ripeness, which is confirmed on a fleshy, rubbery palate with good acidity. Flavors of black plum are a bit salty and sour, while a cocoa note on the back palate sweetens things up. A plump grabby, pushy finish is anything but weak. Drink through 2019.
Electric acidity anchors this otherwise sunny, peachy wine. Its delicately off-dry, offering just enough sweet honey and melon flavors to offset the sharp lemon and lime tones that flood the midpalate. The finish is lean and a bit steely. Drink now through 2020.
Delicate aromas suggesting citrus blossom, white stone fruit and a whiff of chopped herb slowly emerge on this medium-bodied white. The fresh rounded palate offers yellow apple, juicy tangerine, lemon drop and a hint of almond alongside bright acidity a salty hint of mineral. A bitter-almond note graces the lingering finish.
This cuvée is made with the oldest block in this biodynamic vineyard. Planted in 1998, all Pommard clone, and given some extra bottle age, it's drinking well at the moment. Spicy cranberry-raspberry soda flavors come with a textural midpalate. There is a significant scent and flavor of tanned leather, which pleases some tasters more than others. That aside, the wine is complex, balanced and reasonably long.
This is a richly ripe 2009 Pouilly Fumé. It steers right to the tropical fruit end of the spectrum while not losing sight of a more textured mineral character. It is rich and could age for 1–2 years and more.
Very pure—this has a straight line of acidity right to the wine's citrus- and pineapple-flavored heart. It is structured and taut, with its acidity dominant. It is concentrated and ready to age for 2–3 years.
Winemaker Bill Owen consistently produces one of Washington's most stylish Rieslings. High in acid and low in alcohol, the sweet-tart balance of the wine is exciting and perfectly rendered. Despite a change in vineyard sources, this remains rich, round and juicy, with flavors of peach, apricot and a hint of fresh cream.
Paumanok's portfolio is full of winning wines, but the 2010 Cabernet Franc is a particularly intoxicating mélange of ripe red-cherries and violets framed with sweet spices and herbs. Bright acidity and minerally granite tones intensify the dried cherry flavor and the lush, furry tannins.
Aromas of graphite, black fruit and herb mark this powerful, forward, extracted Syrah. The palate drills away with tannins and fruit, while the flavors run toward blackberry, herb and earthy spice. Dark and dense on the finish, with licorice and pepper flavors, this is ready to drink now–2014.
Rounded and rich, this is an impressive wine. It has weight, with ripe yellow and white fruits to go with the intense acidity and citrus edge. The finish is crisp and taut. It's worth aging this wine for 2–3 years.
Labeled “Stainless Cuvée,” this stainless-steel-aged Chardonnay is definitely European in style. A fine contrast to Rulo's toasty Walla Walla cuvée, this has minerally apple and citrus flavors. It's delicate but full flavored, with concentration and length.
This is an unusual blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Orange Muscat—quite different from previous vintages. Crisp and penetrating, it's a mix of lime, melon and kiwi flavors that are etched with skin phenolics, putting some delicious bite into the finish.
This is a complex Lodi old-vine Zinfandel with boysenberry and blackberry notes poking through layers of complexity and a touch of dusty plum. It has a strata of black licorice throughout the midpalate, with a peppery, wild herb flavor keeping it interesting. Notes of espresso and leather mark the finish, and a controlled amount of acidity keeps in balance.
Like most Savennières, this is a dry wine. Yet it is so rich, rounded and packed with ripe tropical fruits. The texture is opulent, smooth, creamy and concentrated. It needs to age for at least fours years.
A pleasant wine, it has straightforward berry flavors and a wash of cola. It's slightly quick to fade.
Pretty raspberry fruit scents and flavors dominate, and in the mouth there is a sense of grainy sugars. It has good fruit and ripeness, but still seems a little disjointed. Perhaps more time in the bottle will help sort it out.
With nonaggressive, lightly oaked aromas of raspberry, tea and spice, this bargain-priced Pinot gets off to a nice start. The palate is bright and has good flow, while flavors of tomato, red plum, raspberry and saline are full but reserved.
Chunky black-fruit aromas come with strong notes of coconut, chocolate and cedar. Feels fresh, zesty and voluminous, with sweet oak, coconut, mocha and herbal flavors to go with standard berry and cassis. Long and mildly herbal tasting on the finish.
One of two Tempranillos from Fenestra (the other from Lodi), the Livermore Valley version is bright, tasting of cherry spice, with good acidity. Nearing the finish the taste turns to toasty dark molasses; a nice wine overall.
Nice for a warmer-climate Chardonnay, with toast, white fruit, cinnamon and baked notes to the bouquet. Feels healthy and round, with fleshy peach, apple and spice flavors. Falls off a touch on the finish, but overall it runs smoothly.
Aromas of cola, blackberry, cherry and mild herbs are cool and collected. Feels good, chunky and round, with plum, raspberry and more than enough herbal essence in the backdrop. Finishes herbal, spicy and peppery, which is textbook for this variety.
Dense and a bit green on the nose, with oak-based aromas of coffee to go with graphite and blackberry. Feels thick, creamy and resiny, with oak-led flavors of coconut, chocolate, vanilla and herbs along with black fruit. Finishes minty, with tobacco notes and heat.
Earth, olive and ample berry aromas vie with herbal scents to create a textbook Maipo Valley bouquet. The palate is packed and full, with olive, sweet oak, herb and cassis flavors. Finishes long but herbal tasting, with lasting flavors of olive and tobacco.
Ripe and fruity, this forward, candied wine is for those who love ultraripe Zinfandel berry flavors, set in rich baking spices. It's full, forward and powerful, but carries a whiff of burnt rubber and some serious heat in the finish.
A blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires, this is a citrus flavored wine. With bright lemon acidity and a soft texture, it also has tropical pineapple fruit flavors that give the wine a soft, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
From a small, new appellation in the north of Beaujolais, this wine is fresh and fruity. It has a cool feel to it—mineral and with stalky, crisp red currant fruit flavors. It's a style of wine that will benefit from serving chilled.
This is a soft, fruity wine that has attractive citrus and ripe apricot fruits. It has just a touch of spice to balance the acidity and the tangy texture. Drink now.
This is a dry rosé with crisp acidity and smooth strawberry fruits. It is light and soft with a gentle texture that is lightly perfumed and with some citrus zest. Drink now.
A fresh, lightly herbal blend of most of the grapes of Gascony. It is crisp, lemon, currant and grapefruit flavored and bright as a button. The wine is made to be drunk young.
This wine is soft in tannins and bursting exuberant fruit-bomb flavors. It is fresh, obviously young but drinkable as a great summer red.
Pellehaut likes blends and this wine has seven varieties. The result brings out more of the cool herbal character of Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc and less of the riper flavors of Chardonnay. That makes for a surprisingly attractive spice and asparagus flavored wine that has lines of acidity and tightly crisp citrus fruit flavors. Drink now.
This is a very apple-driven bottling, with apple juice, apple cider and mulling spices on the nose. The palate is also very cider-like, with cooked-apple flavors and the slightest hints of acidity.
There's a complex and gamy profile on the nose of this blend of 51% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah and 7% Viognier, with dried meat and olallieberry fruit scents. The palate shows raw beef, sour plum and crushed thyme flavors.
One of a series of single-clone offerings from Kason, this pushes the ripeness to its limits. Nonetheless, the black-fruit flavors can't compete with the intense charred-wood character. Bitter tannins take over the finish.
Quite ripe and quite mature tasting, this wine has pruney aromas, raisin and plum flavors, full body and firm tannins.
A small percentage of Carignane figures into this wine, a hugely extracted and rustic expression of red fruit, cinnamon and black pepper that is somewhat dry and dusty on the palate.
For a rosé that was bottled more than two years ago, this is showing well. Citrus and bath soap aromas announce briny flavors of orange and tangerine. A tart, monotone finish holds steady. Drink immediately.
Though the listed alcohol pushes well past 15%, this wine does not show that much heat or concentration. Aggressive oak-treatment flavors of vanilla and tobacco mingle with mint, cola and black cherry.
With just 10% new oak, this wine takes on slightly overripe aromas around a taste of ripe plum and vague red fruit. A simple, straightforward expression of the variety, it finishes in a touch of bitter tea.
Aggressive vanilla and tobacco flavors overtake the simple, light cherry fruit. The over-oaked impression continues into the finish, which leaves a bitter aftertaste.
This 100% Malbec rosé comes from vineyards in Cahors however only red wine only can be labeled under the appellation. It has just a hint of the tannins of the grape but is just as much about red currant and berry fruitiness. The wine should be drunk now.
Aromas of pear and anise pace the nose of this medium-bodied wine. It's a simple, fruit-cocktail-like sipper, with a quick, easy finish and a reasonable price tag. Drink now.
A pungent feline nose includes scents of melon, passion fruit and white grapefruit. Chunky and round on the palate, this has acidic cut to it, while flavors of tangerine, grapefruit and mango are workmanlike.
This widely available, entry-level-priced wine shows black raspberry, clove, allspice and fennel pollen on the nose. Flavors of sour raspberry, cranberry and a touch of gravel arise on the palate, where the tartness extends into the finish.
This full-bodied, generously oaked and caramel-laden wine starts to show overripe flavors and textures on the palate, becoming heavy on the finish.
Subdued aromas of toast and red berry lead the way on this easygoing red. The simple, rather diluted palate offers sour cherry and a hint of spice alongside soft, fleeting tannins and fresh acidity.
On the nose, this leans towards stalky, with match stick and sulfuric notes. The palate is full and chunky, while peachy, pithy flavors are dry as a bone and finish with notes of soda crackers mixed with melon.
This opens with aromas suggesting red berry, blue flower, menthol and a whiff of oak. On the angular palate, raspy tannins and brisk acidity underscore raw cherry and orange peel.
Black plum and black-cherry flavors are prominent but not too deep on the nose of this bottling. There is noticeable grip on the palate with flavors of black cherry and sagebrush.
Soft and fruity, this is a wine that is ready to drink. Red fruits and soft tannins are lifted by perfumed fruits that are forward and immediately attractive.
Leather, shaved cocoa, smoked beef and purple fruit show on the nose of this wine. The palate offers touches of savory soy and smoked meat, but is dominated by sour boysenberry fruit.
Lightly seared lemons, cut pear and a touch of butter show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is simple and easy to drink with light apple, nectarine and lime touches.
Wax bean and citrus notes meet dry, woody elements on the nose, but this wine does feature a plump, appealing texture and a soft, easy finish. Drink now.
True to its name, this wine is golden amber in color. Its apricot and almond blossom aromas lead to quince, underripe apple and bitter almond flavors. Grippy tannins come on strong from first sip and persist into the chalky finish.
Slight apple aromas are found on this fading Pinot Gris that's feeling flat and syrupy. Melon and pear flavors are a touch bitter on the finish.
Honeysuckle, peach and ginger are prominent with each whiff of this wine. Unfortunately these notes do not carry to the palate, which is thin and slightly hot. The finish takes a plesant turn with short flash of ginger.
Floral, oily aromas are not typical of Chardonnay. A plump, melony mouthfeel is chunky, while this wine tastes both tropical and bitter, with a bath-soap character.
Aromas of raspberry and green peppercorn carry the nose. The palate is green, with underripe cranberry and wild blackberry accompanied by leather and white pepper. Underripe tannins are course throughout and dominate the finish with flavors of blackberry and cedar.
Amber in color, this wine has a soft nectarine aroma and a hoppy, herbal taste, with a touch of sourness. It's chalky on entry, and its tannins don't let up, even into the gum-numbing finish.
This extracted wine has too hard an edge for the Vin de France category. Softer, more accessible black currant fruit is just hinted at underneath all its structure.
Raisin and prune aromas are up front, and overall this Malbec is not showing any fresh fruit on the nose. A wide palate lacks cut and shape, while this tastes weedy, raisiny and green.
This is a spicy, heavily toasty wine. Strong wood flavors mask the ripe berry fruits. It is a wine to be drunk young, but the wood is too much.
An oxidized nose and a deep burnished gold color are telling. Acidity barely keeps this Chard upright. A highly briny flavor profile is salty, lightly vegetal and oaky.
Marginally fresh on the nose, with aromas of black tea and compost, this is sugary and confected. Hickory and syrup-like flavors end with the tang of barbecue sauce.
A mixture of blueberry, cranberry and iron are upfront on the nose. An extremely fruit forward wine, the palate is reminiscent of Concord grape juice. With 40 g/L residual sugar and a lean body, the finish is short and sweet.
Although the plush plum and coffee grind flavors combine seductively with hints of bramble and earth in this rustic, full-bodied wine, pervasive notes of char and a stalky, green character make this wine a bit clunky. Sturdy tannins, combined with black spice and tar drive a long finish.
This off-dry Riesling offers plenty of concentrated apple juice flavors accented by a dash of lemon and savory apple pie spice. There's a hint of petrol throughout that adds a layer of depth, but overall, it's simple and easy drinking.
Leafy and herbal, with green tomato and pineapple flavors that mesh surprisingly well. It's medium-bodied, with a slight tang on the finish.
On the austere side, the tannins dry and firm. The fruit flavors echo the severe character, with red currant flavors and a slight vegetal edge.
The partner to Copains d'Abord, this wine sports a label of women having a good time at a party. The wine suits the image: fresh, fruity and juicy.
There's not a ton of intensity to the bouquet of this wine, but some serious sniffing can coax out suggestions of red apple and white florals. The mouth offers a bit more by way of full, juicy cantaloupe and grapefruit supreme flavors. Fresh and easy; drink now.
Accented with intriguing notes of charred oak, dried herbs, porcini mushrooms and a whisper of peppery grains of paradise, this is a rustic Merlot.  The midpalate shows hints of underripe red fruit and raw green peppers, but it's a sturdy dry red that would hold up well with rustic braised meats on a cold winter's night.
Quite dry and tasting more of skin than fruit, this has a bitter, alcoholic edge to it. The fruit hints at banana and light tropical.
Starts off slightly flinty on the nose, then delivers restrained grapefruit flavors on the palate, tinged with green peas. Medium-bodied, with a short finish; drink it over the next couple of months.
This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc smells like fruit cocktail, and the flavors that follow are pleasantly reminiscent of guava, but slightly one-dimensional. Finishes soft.
Bold, forward and extracted red wine, with raspberry, earth, compost and a light leafiness to the nose. Tannic and tight, with plum and heavy, ripe berry flavors. Toasty and dark on the finish too, with power and freshness.
Spicy fresh berry fruit, with a great burst of ripe plum juice, along with acidity. This is rich, although easy and medium-bodied. Drink now.
This has aromas of smashed berry and red licorice candy. It feels raspy and resiny, with flavors of toasted oak and jammy blueberry and raspberry. It's wiry and lacking finesse on the finish.
A green and herbal style of northern Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon, this smells like tobacco, green bean, bell pepper and oregano. Quite tannic in feel, it bears a roasted herb flavor, finishing savory but green.
A tight note of spearmint defines the nose. The palate follows suit: It's pinched and hard, with outsized acidity leading to a lemony palate, with searing cherry and red plum flavors. It doesn't waiver on the finish.
This Merlot is muted aromatically. On the palate it's gigantic in tannins—big and bold for sure.
Mellow and melony up front, with a plump, bland palate featuring mealy melon and peach flavors. The finish has a touch of bitterness.
After light scents of butter and spiced apple surface, the wine turns briny and pickled, both in aromas and flavors. It feels fleshy on the finish, with briny stone-fruit and citrus flavors.
Lean and austere, this brings out the mineral character of the Dão region without expressing the richer fruit side. It has tannins, juicy acidity and a tight, severe finish.
Rubbery on the nose, this has berry aromas lurking below. On the palate, it feels acidic, with tart raspberry flavors. It's lean on the finish, with a touch of oak.
This is an herbal Merlot that tastes of toasty oak and finishes slightly sweet.
Waxy smelling and gritty, with an oily overtone, this feels O.K. but sort of wayward, with flavors of bitter grapefruit and matchstick. Simple and somewhat sour on the finish.
An easy, fruity wine, this is full of blackberry and red currant flavors. Its fruitiness is tempered with a firm tannic core that gives a light structure.
This opens with red fruit aromas that are wrapped around earth and leather scents, yielding a rustic whole. It feels snappy, with red fruit acidity leading to a gritty, lively palate, with flavors of brown sugar, red pepper, plum and raspberry. Long on the finish but short on texture.
Subtle and fairly deep, with aromas of berry, pastry and cherry cough drop. It feels lively and good, with blueberry and plum flavors in front of a textured, medium-deep finish.
Dense and sweet up front, the nose is balanced and deep, with blackberry and graham cracker aromas. The palate feels grippy and concentrated, bearing blackberry, dark plum and black pepper flavors, with a lifted flower note. This finishes mild and spicy.
With just that extra bottle age, the wine shows ripe quince and apricot flavors, with a suggestion of artichoke and a rounded texture. Soft and open, this is ready to drink.
Attractively ripe, this has a dense texture that's full of red fruits and soft tannins. With its richness, it is delicious and ready to drink now.
The chiseled lemon-lime aromas are minerally and crisp, with a touch of lychee. This feels light on its feet but shows depth, with flavors of citrus, green herbs and lychee. It's smooth and fresh on the finish, with a green herb note.
This is jammy and bulky from the get-go, with heavy fruit aromas leading to a saturated, dense palate that feels thick. Baked, blackened flavors of sweet blackberry, chocolate and mocha mark the palate.
A floral nose greets you at first sniff, followed by hints of light citrus. A mix of grapefruit, melon and apple flavors are light and enticing, keeping the wine delicate and balanced. The finish leaves an impression of lemon tea.
This weaves spicy melon and pear flavors into a soft, smooth, fleshy and fruity core. Forward and accessible, it's best served chilled.
Rounded and soft, this is a red-fruited wine. There is a strong element of spicy wood lending dryness and a cinnamon note, which goes well with the young, bright fruits and acids.
This smells ripe and full, and the palate confirms it. The wine is wood-aged and this broadens its character—the extra year means fruit is diminished, while the richness is increased. The finale brings some essential acidity.
Solid wine, very much dominated by dry tannins. The fruit is in the bright style of juiciness from the estate, just softened with extra aging.
A period of wood aging has rounded out the fruit in this rich wine. It has a dusty, soft structure, offering sweet juiciness to go with the toast and spice element. The final flavors are of berry acidity.
Full in the mouth, spiced with new wood over ginger. The fruit is rich, showing apple and pear juice flavors touched by almonds. It is ripe, delicious, finishing very fresh.
The Fire Red is a four grape Bordeaux blend, with an interesting flavor mix that runs through red and black berries, cassis, cedar, smoke and dark chocolate. The 21 months in barrel (French and American) shows well, and the fruit and acids balance nicely against the roasty toasty espresso in the finish. Give it an hour or two to breathe and the midpalate fills in nicely.
At 15% alcohol, it does show a trace of warmth on the finish, but this is a full-bodied, richly textured wine of great appeal. Cassis fruit dominates, with hints of cherry, camphor and asphalt adding nuance. Best from 2012–2018.
The Birch Creek fruit creates a sweetly fruity, forward Merlot, with warm, ripe cherry candy flavors. Cabernet adds some structure to the midpalate, and depth to the finish.
Oatley has sourced the fruit for this wine from way out in Western Australia thousands of miles from his home base, but the results show why it was worth it. The aromas and flavors seamlessly marry fig, melon and pink grapefruit notes, while the wine is mouthfilling and lush without being overweight. Drink it over the next 6–12 months.
This firmly built Merlot shows almost Cabernet-like reserve in its tobacco, cherry and cassis shadings that finish woody, warm and firm. At the moment, the copious oak sits atop the fruit, suggesting at least another 2–3 of cellaring prior to full enjoyment.
With the number of really good dessert wines available for under $12 per bottle severely limited, this is a refreshing ray of golden sweetness. Dried apricots add enough citrus pith to partially balance out the intensely sweet flavors. Drink in the lusciousness over the next couple of years.
This Domaine, based in the Pouilly-Fumé region across the Loire, also has vines in Sancerre. The wine is rich, with melon and juicy apple flavors. Its acidity and steely texture form a contrast to its deliciously refreshing character. Drink now.
This wine hails from a variety of Dutton family vineyards, many of them popular vineyard designates of their own. Together they show a deftness of blending, offering bright acidity within a lighthearted context of licorice and wild strawberry. The juicy core is further embellished in huckleberry and blueberry, finishing in a mild hit of nutmeg.
This is plush and oaky, with cedar, vanilla and baking spices layered atop cherry-berry fruit. The midpalate is rich and round, while the finish is a bit astringent. Try in 2019.
Vinified in large wood barrels, the wine is extra rich with a touch of spice and vanilla as well as mango and warm apple flavors. It comes from vines grown on flinty soils, but there is little sign of that in the generous full texture. Drink this ripe wine now.
Large barrels were used for aging this superrich wine. That gives it a round character as well as generous fruitiness. Soft, full of tropical fruits and with a slight and attractive oxidative character, it is beautifully ready to drink.
This vineyard is within the Oak Knoll District, a cooler section of the Napa Valley's southern end. Tart, tangy and richly woven, the wine is salty, with notes of toasted oak, apple skin and oyster shell. This shows a combination of savory spice and lush ripeness.
Dr. Pepper, black plum and poppy-seed aromas show on this bottling by Ken Brown, who planted the first Syrah in Santa Barbara County in 1978. The soft palate offers cola, candied black cherry and violet flavors, lacking many of the gamy qualities found in the region.
Dark, tarry aromas of baked black fruits lead to a lively, jumpy palate with resiny oak. Roasted berry and hickory-smoke flavors finish with a wave of forceful, dominating oak, leaving a barbecued taste.
Blackberry, violet and leather aromas rise from the glass in this firm Nero d'Avola. Mature black cherry, mocha, licorice and tobacco flavors are framed by fine-grained tannins on the palate. Enjoy through 2021.
Jumpy berry aromas are crisp and slightly charred. Rugged tannins and alert acidity create a high-energy palate. Dark flavors of black fruits and chocolate are slightly herbal, while flavors of herbs, clove and wood spice control an aggressive, fiery finish.
This dry Furmint has beeswax, freshly cut peach, ripe apricot and lemon blossom aromas. The palate recalls apricot and peach, with a pleasantly tart finish.
Light in color, this wine brings pleasing, pure aromas of peppermint, strawberry, sarsaparilla and cherry. The flavors are light, elegant and juicy, providing a lot of appeal.
Produced from a mix of clones and vineyard sources, this is a chewy, substantial wine, with dark fruit flavors of plum and black cherry. Light suggestions of coffee, gravel and iron also factor in. It's a rugged, earthy, tannic wine that will be best decanted.
Strawberry fruit defines this open, broad-flavored wine. The palate is smooth in feel and carries accessible red-fruit flavors that offer immediate appeal.
Fresh and enticing aromas of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and green olive are abundant in this Bordeaux-style blend. The palate is bursting with jammy berries, molasses, cedar and vanilla. The tannins are supple but smooth and are a matched well for the rich body. The finish is long and full of depth.
Consistent with the previous vintage, this combines tart citrus with wild berry and cranberry fruit. Its tannins are stiff and not yet fully integrated, and the finish evokes a dusting of dried herbes de Provence.
This full-bodied attractively dry wine has very flavorful blackberry and black-cherry accents and a good grippy moderately tannic texture. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, it's nicely balanced and complete: a go-to wine for almost any occasion.
Ripe black-skinned berry, sun-baked earth and cooking spice aromas lead the nose in this 100% Nero d'Avola. The firm palate offers dried blackberry, licorice and leather notes alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
This is medium-bodied, perhaps a bit broad on the palate, but combines green tomato, pineapple and grapefruit notes with an attractive, silky texture. Drink now.
Fragrant notes of white blossom and peach waft from this juicy off-dry Riesling. Creamy and luscious in texture, it offers concentrated tangerine and stone-fruit flavors balanced briskly with acidity. It's an uncomplicated but lip-smacking sip to enjoy now through 2018.
This opens with blue flower, new leather, crushed mint and underbrush aromas. On the taut, racy palate, white pepper and tobacco notes underscore sour cherry and cranberry fruit alongside austere, fine-grained tannins.
A smooth, creamy textured wine that has both citrus and richer tropical fruits. Pineapple and lemon mingle with a more zesty acidity to give a fruity wine that could age for a few months.
This pink wine is made from Grenache grapes. It's fresh, clean and spunky on the nose, with good acidity cutting into what would otherwise be a thick body. Flavors of plum, cherry and citrus make this a solid rosado from Mexico.
This is an aromatic, sweet smelling Riesling with notes of ripe peach and honeysuckle. Though labeled as dry, at 1.86% residual sugar it drinks almost medium-sweet. Misdirection aside, it provides good value.
Leathery berry aromas are wiry and come with a hit of lemony oak. The palate is tightly focused by staunch acids, while flavors of tart berry, red plum, oak spice and pepper end with scouring bite and a note of anise. This is 85% Tempranillo with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
This is tight to the point of being shut down. Scents of skin phenolics suggest pear and apple fruit, but there's little flesh on these bones, and the wine stubbornly refuses to open up, even after several hours of breathing time.
This is a soft, fragrant wine, with attractive acidity, creamy apples and fresh acidity. The Chardonnay gives a rounded character while also keeping the tight, mineral texture at the end.
This is a dusty, earthy Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles-based producer Brochelle. With a firm, tannic backbone, the wine has flavors of tobacco and chocolate and a ripe finish.
The reserve version of this wine is rich and wood-aged solid with tannins as well as black fruits. The 20% of Alicante Bouschet in the blend brings color and a strongly textured character. Still young, this should be kept until 2019.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, violet and underbrush lift from the glass. The juicy lively palate presents red cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of truffle set against fresh acidity and polished tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
Wood spice aromas are an indication this wine that has had serious oak aging. Along with the dense tannins and wood, there is, happily, some fruit that will develop as the structure softens. Drink this powerful wine with its rich berry fruit from 2021.
There's a great balance of tannin and fruit in this wine. It has concentration and a bold structure that contrast with the black currant fruit and final acidity. It will develop slowly and well. Drink from 2021.
This rich, wood-aged blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc is packed with botrytis and ripe, concentrated fruit. It's opulent, with bitter orange and yellow fruit flavors and a fine cut of acidity to keep it all in shape. Drink now.
From a 34-acre property that has vines both in Blaye and Bourg, this is concentrated, showing the ripe, generous fruit of the vintage. Still youthful, its blackberry juiciness lies behind its wood-aging flavors. Drink from 2020.
This dense, tannic wine has spice and black fruit aromas that follow through on the palate, with new wood and black plum flavors. Concentrated and firm, it has fine potential. Drink from 2019.
Powered by tannins and dense blackberry fruit, this is a rich, perfumed wine. It has structure and a solid texture that's cut with acidity, feeling stylish and built to age further. Drink from 2019.
This bottling, from a vineyard planted in 1972, is still fresh despite being six-years-old, and represents a much lighter style of Cabernet Sauvignon that goes great with a chill. Aromas of strawberry, pepper, bay leaf, leather and black pepper lead into a tart and tangy palate, which shows a light hint of barnyard funk.
Aromas of crushed stone and graphite lead toasty, charred berry scents. This Tannat feels fresh and lively, with a full body benefitting from bracing acidity. Lightly herbal plum and berry flavors are Bordeaux-like, while this feels dry and tastes a bit salty on the finish. Drink through 2021.
This exuberant wine is rich in tannins and fruit. It has power and a direct in-your-face fruitiness. The structure is soft only because there is so much fruit. In fact, it has a firm core. Juicy blackberries and almost refreshing acidity balance this wine that is now ready to drink.
This ripe, balanced wine is structured and packed with fruit. The firm tannins of Tannat are given a perfumed lift by Cabernet Franc, filling the palate with blackberry fruit and fine, balanced acidity. It's still young and bursting with fruit, ready to drink from 2018.
Nicely concentrated, smoothly polished and with good structure, this wine balances power and grip with a graceful mouthfeel and ripe but not overripe black-cherry flavors. Packaged with a wrap of gold netting, this wine has moderate tannins and medium to full body, so it will be enjoyable on all kinds of occasions.
Aromas of tea, tomato and Chinese spices accent lightweight cherry and currant notes. This is elegant and fresh, with good balance and more than enough oak character. Spicy flavors of nutmeg accent plum and red-berry flavors prior to a long dry finish. This is classy and complex; drink through 2018.
A tiny production wine from a vineyard long farmed by the winemaker's parents, this is herbal, tannic and oaky at first, with waves of rose petal nipping on the nose. Integrated flavors of cherry and strawberry provide a bright overlay in balance with the moderate acidity and weight.
With small amounts of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this likable, broadly appealing wine is well made, generously rich and softly layered in blue fruit, chocolate and integrated American oak.
Restrained on the nose at first, this appellation blend shows lemon, butter on brioche and gardenia aromas with some swirling. It's floral on the unctuous palate, with hints of honeysuckle and daffodil, but quite rounded, with soft acidity and textural grip. A flash of coconut hits the finish.
Opening with beautiful aromatics, this wine has a heady invitation of orange and apple blossom before revealing a sublime texture and rich oak. Pillowy on the palate, it offers Asian pear and apple flavors, with a slight confectionery quality of crème brûlée.
Juicy, soft red layers of fruity dark cherry and blackberry accentuate this sophisticated, boldly ripe wine, with integrated oak and firm supportive tannin.
Dark cherry, vanilla and a quiet streak of smoke permeate the personality of this well-made light-bodied wine that's soft and supple on the palate. Raspberry and cherry flavors further define its bright fruit-forwardness and sense of freshness, with a touch of grip on the finish.
Still young, but promising good things, this is a ripe and balanced wine. It's a blend of grapes from two Douro vineyards (Duas Quintas), giving black fruits, a strong sense of minerality and a dark texture. The end promises aging and drinkability from 2016.
This is still a young wine, with its ripe red fruits and black cherry flavors. The taste of licorice mingles with the fruit and balances with the smoky toast flavors. It's a rich wine that needs time, so drink from 2016.
Fragrances suggest wild berry layered with notes of forest floor, red rose, leather, clove and balsam. On the palate, sage, thyme and espresso back up sensations of ripe Morello cherry alongside tightly woven and assertive tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2016–2023.
Made from head-trained vines planted where California winemaking pioneer Agoston Haraszthy first grew the variety 150 years ago, this lush wine offers intense aromatics of tar, brick and smoke, with briary blackberry secondary on the nose. The finish is topped by flavors of cocoa and a sprinkling of black pepper.
A zippy sense of freshness characterizes this wine that's otherwise soft and bright in red raspberry and plum fruit. Subtle and understated black pepper builds up on the finish and stays on the palate a long time, just the slightest suggestion of savory herb peeking through.
A detailed wine, with notes of wet slate, apricot and pear alongside high toned spices. It drinks off dry, with ripe stone-fruit flavors balanced by crisp acidity, leading to a lingering finish.
This wine was made by Bordeaux-trained winemaker Denis Malbec and his wife, sommelier May-Britt Malbec. They've sourced some exceptional fruit from the Reichel Vineyard, including some Malbec, with some Cabernet Franc also blended in. Offering big tannins that await the cellar, it is otherwise a juicy wine rich in black and blue berry fruit, as well as a taste of graham cracker and cigar. Enjoy through 2025.
Whole berry fermented and aged seven months in neutral oak, it shows appealing notes of dried herbs, raspberry and cherry. The palate is fruit focused with a abundant sweet raspberry flavors that linger on the finish.
Layers of mushroom, savory spice, and earth lend depth and complexity to luscious red raspberry and cherry flavors in this complex, standout Cabernet Franc. Tart cranberry cuts through the supple and silky palate, leading to a cool, mineral finish.
Granite and red cherry notes are reminiscent of fine Beaujolais in this surprisingly tasty Hudson River Gamay. Cranberry and cherry flavors are tangy and revitalizing, nuanced by fresh herbs and leaves. It's elegant and sprightly through a moderately long finish.
A project of Marc Mondavi, this wine is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded out by tiny percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Juicy in dark cherry and blackberry fruit, it is well composed, with a smoky undercurrent.
Cassis spritzer and pine tree-like herbals provide a promising start on the nose. It's rich in the mouth, with cherry, blackberry and a nice edge of black pepper.
This structured and dense wine hails from the steep, sloping hills of the Lisboa region. While aged in Portuguese oak, which provides spice and dark tannins, the delicious black fruit core is not overpowered. Drink now–2016.
Intensely perfumed, this wine is also structured and fresh. Combining these elements gives a dense wine, firmly textured and with a dry core. Acidity gives the natural richness lift. It's meant for aging, drink from 2017.
Baga, a grape unique to the Bairrada region, has a reputation for producing tough wines when young. This wine, however, shows the potential of aging the variety. Ripe and rich in character, this wine marries powerful blackberry tones with brooding, structured tannins. It could still age further, but the wine is very drinkable now.
A year in the barrel has given this powerful wine structured, yet polished tannins. While still young, it is powered by ripe red berry notes and driving juicy acidity. It's a wine for further aging, so drink from 2016.
Though reserved in the nose, this wine from a vineyard to the west of the Sta. Rita Hills already presents a bit of aromatic age, with honey, almond and dried apricot. It's lean, bright and flinty once sipped, with gravel, tangerine pith and chamomile, proving to be a refreshing sipper that never tires. Drink now.
The ninth generation of the Dublois family goes for tight cropping on only 7.5 acres for Nectar (95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon). Layers of wood dominate this wine. However, it does promise fruit as well, shown by the weight and richness. So it's a wine for a pause, to allow the intense spice and new wood flavors to die down. Firm and dry now, it will be worth the wait. Drink from 2018.
This Syrah was aged in 100% new oak, two thirds American and one third French. Barrel flavors abound, especially vanilla, and the fruit seems a bit overshadowed at this point in time. The tannins are aggressive, and overall this young wine seems to need more time in bottle to smooth out.
Distinct jalapeño aromas come alongside plum, boysenberry and star anise on this Cab from the team at historic Mount Eden. The green pepper fades to the background on the palate, where ripe plum and woody flavors meet with present but not overpowering tannins.
Produced in the Vallée Noble sub-region in Soultzmatt, this is ripe and powerfully rich. It is strongly perfumed, full of white fruit and very floral in character. A thread of minerality runs through this still-young wine giving structure. Drink from 2017.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 19% Cab Franc and 10% Petit Verdot is sourced from the Hedges, Stillwater, and Conner Lee vineyards. At first soft and smooth, it morphs into a textural wine with a mouthful of purple and black fruits—from blackberry on through cassis. Streaks of smoke, graphite and espresso highlight the finish.
Earthy aromas of fresh tarragon and burnt cedar make an intriguing start to this wine, whose soft opening on the palate veers quickly into heavy flavors of chopped oregano. A plum element emerges faintly on the midpalate, but this is a solid wine for herb lovers.
Fresh tomato, plum, herb and spice aromas are authentic. A medium bodied palate is lifted and elegant. Flavors of woody spice, light herb, raspberry and red plum finish racy, with hints of cocoa and white pepper. Among Chilean Pinot Noirs, this is at the top of its field.
This offers excellent refinement, with high-toned red-berry fruit and sarsaparilla that are on the edge of jammy—in a good way. Noticeable yet balanced acidity and generous tannins provide a solid structure.
This starts with aromas of rose, crushed violet, red berry and mint. The palate delivers red and black cherry accented with notes of cocoa and mocha alongside youthfully assertive tannins.
From the first whiff of cherry, cranberry and caramel you know you are in for a treat. Flavors of clove, marzipan and grilled peach add nuance to the red fruit driven palate. The smooth tannins persist without overpowering the bright fruit and spice tones.
This is a structured, fairly austere Cabernet fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French oak. Dark and concentrated, the profile ripe in blackberry, cedar, sage and bittersweet chocolate.
Significantly full and expansive in vanilla, lemon curd and toasty oak, the Durell Vineyard shows its power here, generous in ripe flavors and rich earth. Aged just under a year in a majority of new French oak, it's built to age through 2025 or more.
Dark in color, this is a rich, opulent, almost showy wine. The fruit is ripe, a combination of the sweetest strawberries with black cherries, laced with rich acidity. Then the tannins power in, a dry core of structure and density. Impressive and long-lasting, don't touch this wine for another six years at least.
A wonderfully complete wine, with all the elements in place. It is ripe and powerful, the black fruits jammy and rich. But at the same time, the layer of acidity, the dark tannins and the succulent texture all come together in a finely balanced way. It is almost exotic, but the tannins promise good potential for aging.
Big and bold, this is real Chambertin, a dense mouthful of plum fruit and tannin. It is foursquare, solid but not overbearing, leaving room for a delicious mix of black fruits and power leavened with some acidity. Age this wine for 10 years.
Here is an ageworthy wine, a proper grand cru. The spice from the wood is the dominant factor to begin with, and this needs more time to integrate. But already, the fruit is impressively ripe and jammy, a fruit salad of black and red berry fruits. The tannins are dark, brooding away in the background. Keep this wine at least five years, probably 10.
Smoky, rich, this wine packs a powerful punch of vibrant black cherry fruits, and generous sweet tannins. It is big, muscular, the structure wide and open. It shows richness and opulence, brought into line by a firm, youthful structure that needs five years or more to age.
Not all Clos Vougeot lives up to its billing, but this wine certainly does. With its superbly ripe fruit, a harmonious balance between fruit, tannins and acidity, and a full, generous texture, this is a wine to savor. It is a big wine in all senses, except that it has a great sense of proportion. Enjoy this wine in 2–3 years, or age for 10.
While it starts austerely, this wine is obviously going to be a powerhouse of red plum and other ripe red fruits. The aromas are smoky, and this also shows in the palate as the wine fills with juicy richness, finishing with tight acidity. Give it 5–10 years.
A complete wine that speaks of both richness and terroir. While the tannins are certainly there, they are dominated by rich black fruits, ripeness, power and concentration. It is the sort of wine that reveals many layers of flavor and complexity. Age for five years.
The bouquet on this Garnacha is mildly raisiny, with cola, mint and medicinal accents. The palate has a juicy, forward feel, while the flavors trend more towards dense, sweet plum and berry, with a pinch of lemony oak. It finishes with medium intensity and rewarding, ripe flavors.
This Paso producer went north to find old-vine Carignan, a totally worthwhile effort with the wine showing aromas of hugely ripe strawberry and watermelon Jolly Rancher, the tannins smooth and dusty. An easy drinking wine, a hint of Pastis lingers at the end.
This is dark in color, with full plum, berry, leather and mild chocolate aromas. Tobiano delivers a medium-to-full body, with ample stuffing and flavors of dark plum, oak and spice. This shows a smooth finish, controlled oak and good body weight. Drink now–2015.
A tight wine with notes of almond and green fruit that add tension to the structure. The acidity is dominant in this complex, textured wine. It could age beautifully over the next 2–3 years.
Light in color and texture, with faint mushroom and earth tones and wispy swirls of cherry, this Pinot is silky with perceptible acidity and a finish of spicy mint. It's structured enough in body to pair beautifully with a range of food.
This almost see-through blend of Grenache and the native Morenillo grape is a throwback wine with dry cherry and plum aromas, a fresh and racy palate, and mild but attractive raspberry, plum and vanilla flavors. It's all about freshness and elegance, with a lightness of being. Drink now.
Fruity wine, wild strawberry flavors that are cut through with juicy acidity. Touches of wood support the soft, ripe tannins of this structured, generous wine. Age for 3–4 years.
This is quite solid, with creamy oak, herb, spice and leather aromas. It's grabby and round on the palate, which is generous in its herbal-yet-floral plum and berry flavors. A fair amount of chocolaty oak and spice cover the long, chewy finish. Drink now–2016.
This is solid example of the variety, with its apple and pear flavors. The wine feels a bit flat in the mouth, lacking snap and freshness.
This wine starts off well with an aromatic mix of red fruit, citrus and toasted grain. The palate shows thick tannins and a stemmy finish which cut the flavors short.
Jammy aromas of cassis and red-licorice candy lack framing. This wine feels dense and compact. Medicinal berry and plum flavors carry a bitter edge, while green tannins make for a raw finish.
Co-fermented with 4% Viognier, this is deeply floral on the nose. Tomato leaf, soy and lavender notes provide a savory, herbal landscape, yet it remains bright on the palate, as licorice and garrigue flavors float in.
This young wine has tart, rather thin fruit flavors of pomegranate and wild berry. There's ample acidity—maybe too ample for some tasters. Flavors seems to fall off and fade quickly.
A nose with oxidized baked-fruit aromas confirms that this 2008 is on the back side of its run. A jammy, reduced palate houses squeaky tannins and leads to a flavor profile ruled by raisiny, stewed berry fruits. Prune and baking-spice flavors control a soft, mature finish.
This creamy wine has soft fruit flavors and light acidity. It has a touch of spice as well as pear and melon fruits. The texture is warm, ripe and rounded with just enough acidity at the end to keep the wine buoyant. Drink now.
This soft, although food friendly wine has a creamy character and touch of vanilla. The ripe melon and apricot fruit are balanced with the acidity and the warm texture. This is an enticing ripe wine that is ready to drink.
Piercing green aromas are far out front, distracting from the notes of cherry and herb. The cherry flavors seem a bit attenuated.
A heavily charred nose smells downright burnt. This Garnacha is tannic and oaky, with charred flavors of clove, black plum, toast and wood resin.
Reduced, jammy berry aromas open this loud Malbec that ambles across the palate with no sense of restraint. All about gritty, screaming red-fruit flavors and baked notes, it lacks elegance.
Dense intitial aromas suggest rubber on top of blackberry. In the mouth, this Tempranillo is deep as a trench, with layering and firm tannins. Flavors of toasty oak, blackberry, coconut and herbs dance together like a world-class ballet troupe, while the finish is textured, toasty and loaded with power. Drink from 2015–2021.
Held back for almost five years, this GSM (plus a dash of Cinsault) is thoroughly delicious and drinking beautifully. It's toasty and dark, packed with black cherry and cassis fruit, along with strong streaks of wood smoke, graphite, black olive and mineral. Cellar until 2024 at least.
Iron and steel, rock and earth are the first things you notice about this mineral-inflected, single-vineyard Merlot. It's an ode to tannin and terroir, a tough, tight and dense wine with primary fruit flavors of cranberry and cassis.
Two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this reserve is aromatically distinctive. A suggestion of grapefruit in the underlying acidity outlines pretty boysenberry, mulberry and sweet spices. It's beautifully balanced.
A fine effort in this cool vintage, this Merlot-dominated Bordeaux-style blend is aromatically arresting, with complex flower and herb scents suggesting appealing delicacy. It delivers that in a focused, wine with pretty berry and chocolate flavors.
With an opaque purple tint and super-concentrated aromas of blackberry and violet petals, this is an in-your-face Malbec that pulls no punches. The “Enemy,” which is really your friend, pushes blackberry, licorice, chocolate and floral flavors on a frame that expands as it airs out. Drink now through 2019.
The Pioneer Block series from Saint Clair remains a reference point for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This year, I had a slight preference for Block 3 from the low-lying Dillons Point subregion. It's grassy yet ripe, with flamboyant nectarine and gooseberry notes, plenty of weight and textural interest and a long, mouth coating finish.
This Southern Rhône blend of Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne is pretty and smooth, with a pleasing array of light tropical fruits, good acidity and a finishing pat of butter. Drink (happily!) through 2017.
Tranche does an excellent job with this grape; here the palate-filling flavors are round and fleshy, with peach and pear fruit. Short-term neutral-barrel aging has further smoothed out the mouthfeel, and it finishes delightfully with just a hint of butter.
This new offering is beautifully knit together, framing the ripe raspberry fruit with barrel spices, herbs and a streak of coffee grounds. Immediately appealing, it nonetheless has the weight and structure to be cellared until 2020–2022.
Fragrances recall white flowers, stone fruit, Barlett pear, flint and lemon pie. The rich palate delivers layers of white and yellow peach, mineral, ginger, white pepper and pink grapefruit. The creamy texture is brightened by crisp acidity.
This blend of 37% Pinotage, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 9% Shiraz is dense and concentrated, with deep aromas and flavors of fleshy black plum, boysenberry, crème de cassis and fruit cake. The lush, creamy palate is decadent and satisfying, with enough balancing tannin to provide a crushed velvet texture. Notes of coffee and toasted oak unfold on the close. Drink now–2018.
This blend of Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense, ripe bruiser with huge blackberry aromas that set up a wide-bodied, raw-feeling palate with tons of extract and monster tannins. Blackberry, espresso, chocolate and spice flavors are full, ripe and deep. Things hold firm on a staunch, youthful finish. Drink through 2021.
Gorgeously aromatic with notes of white blossoms and waxy lime and lemon skins, this dry, delicately composed Riesling is a stunner. Tart mango and and tangerine flavors are juicy on the palate, accented with lemon verbena and a lingering waxiness. It finishes remarkably long with a streak of lemon acidity and a zesty astringency. Delicious now for its youth and exuberance, but likely to develop well over through 2021–2024.
Initial oak-based scents of plastic and rubber give way to minerality and stony aromas of cassis and plum. In the mouth, this youngster is wide, jammy, fleshy and chewy. Flavors of earthy, loamy black fruits and licorice pick up herb, spice and anise flavors on a forward-leaning finish. Drink from 2015–2020.
Made from organically grown grapes, it boasts a floral fragrance of chamomile, white flower, beeswax and tropical fruit. The structured, elegant palate delivers grapefruit, nectarine, peach and mineral accented with aromatic herbs. Can be held for more complexity; drink now through 2020.
This blend of 66% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache and 4% Cinsault is pure and balanced, with an immediately perceptable core of brambly berry that's accented by notes of white pepper, charred cedar, forest floor and cocoa nib. The medium-weight palate is fleshy yet firm, with spiced-fruit flavors and structured tannins. It's certainly drinkable now, but this will continue to mature and evolve nicely through 2018.
Your first take on this heavily oaked, natural-yeast Chard is that it's a three-alarm smoke alert. Few, if any, Chilean Chardonnays are this overtly oaky. But the wood is of high quality, and the more time you give it the more you find apple, citrus and spice. Yes, it's still resiny. But the balance and natural character of the wine are very good. Best if you like a New World style with plenty of barrel character.
With only 30 cases imported, you might have to search a little to find this, but if you happen to stumble across some, don't hesitate. It's a very good Pinot Noir, with varietally correct aromas and flavors that range from flowers to cherries, all framed by hints of coffee and vanilla.
A big wine with a nose defined by crushed coal and perfumed black fruit. The palate is plush and ripe, but also lively and pleasant. Tastewise, this is generous and defined by good berry, chocolate and herb flavors. Finishes with carob and cinnamon. Laudable New World Syrah, a k a Shiraz.
Nice and ripe, with cassis, blackberry and some oaky softness up front. The palate is convincing and properly textured, and it deals tasty cassis and plum-like flavors. Across the board this wine is comfortable and comforting; it finishes short but composed, with honest Malbec color, feel and flavor components.
This is the first varietal Grenache from Bunnell Family, with grapes from Boushey and Olsen vineyards. It's rare enough to find Washington Grenache, as the grape was essentially wiped out in the mid-1990s. All neutral oak, so what comes out are the lovely, spicy, grape and berry flavors of Grenache, with snappy acids and early hints of Provençal herbs and toast.
Another winner from Castle Rock, this is a lovely Merlot, pure and true, with a luscious core of soft, sweet cherry candy fruit. Medium weight, excellent balance, exceptional clarity and freshness for the price.
Tense and dark, this has firm, dry tannins that overlay black plum skin and black fig flavors. The wine shows richness but also a foursquare solid structure and weight that is balanced by a final sweet, satisfying juicy acidity.
Big and burly, here is power from Pinot Noir. The tannins are firm, spiced with dark black fruits, rolling luxuriously around the mouth. A spike of acidity gives the wine some freshness, but it remains a big, plump wine.
One of the most famous Crozes-Hermitage bottlings, the 2005 Domaine de Thalabert is a little tough and unyielding right now, but shows promise in its persistent, peppery finish. It starts off with gamy, leathery notes and hickory smoke, all backed by crisp blackberry fruit and ample tannin. Try after 2012.
Raspberry, tomato leaf and a spot of rhubarb give the nose a crisp outlook. The palate is zesty and linear, with herbal strawberry and raspberry flavors kissed by oak-based mocha. Creamy on the finish, with spice more than residual fruit. A nice ride, and solid for Carmenère. Imported by Republic National Distributors.
No shortage of oak is apparent from the get-go. The nose is woody, plump, sweet and soft, while the palate is balanced and creamy, with apple, spice and melony flavors. Definitely a big, buxom wine with plenty of vanilla and resin on the finish. Generous in a purely New World style.
A friendly wine with aromatic hints of cassis, coconut and chocolate. This wine reflects its northern locale with popping raspberry and plum flavors. On the other hand, there is also plenty of wood thrown at it, so expect loads of brown sugar, spice and peppery resin. One of Tamaya's best wines to date. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
A gorgeous wine, its richness fuelled by the concentration that comes from old vines. The wine rolls opulently around the mouth, showing apricot flavors over almonds and spice. A final burst of freshness gives it a delicious lift.
Planted to a single Dijon clone (114), this single block of Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard expresses its individuality with precision and spot-on balance. Barrel toast meets buttery berries, and the 15% alcohol shows no trace of heat or burn. Rather, it suggests an increasingly rare honesty and lack of manipulation; this is what it takes to ripen these grapes. Many people would love to see that number come down, but the flavors are there, the balance is there, and most importantly, the elegance is (still) there.
Aggressively herbal, dark and slatey, this arresting Pinot Noir is distinctive and powerful; it won't appeal to everyone, but those who like it will appreciate its uniqueness. There is an impression of clay and a hardness to the fruit, but it's compact enough to suggest a reasonably long life ahead.
Made from the Gros Manseng grape, this pineapple and mango flavored wine is dry, but so fruity. The acidity just floats in the mouth, while the slight fruit-skin texture adds an edge to a wine that's delicious.
Delara is Maysara's mid-priced Pinot Noir. The wine is a block selection, and it is still rather tightly wound, despite the extra time in bottle. The fruit is dark and laden with exotic spices, and as you dive into the flavors you find smoke, licorice, earth and rock. This is a wine that would be quite interesting to age, but if you drink it now, be sure to spend time with it, as it runs through its delightful changes. Decanting is highly recommended.
Inviting aromas of cracked pepper, dried fennel, spiced meat and berry give this elegant Merlot from Paarl instant character. On the palate, smooth, integrated flavors of pepper and spiced meat are layered, while the soft tannins give the wine a delicate edge. Still a spin of heat in the wine; consider holding for a few years.
Valbuena is Vega Sicilia's so-called second wine, and this vintage is elegant and lithe. To equate it to Burgundian Pinot Noir is not a stretch, seeing that the nose is earthy and dry, with fresh flowers, leather and tobacco aromas. The palate is light and full of finesse, with airy cranberry, earth and cherry flavors. From a poor vintage, this is more than admirable. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
The nose starts with a delicate aroma of minerals, black currant and spice, and on the palate, layers of anise, cracked pepper and clove add a soulful touch. Sturdy tannins and a vibrant overall fruit profile give the wine a lift, but the package is balanced and smooth.
Whether you call the winery Haras or Haras de Pirque, this Character Cabernet is the real deal. It's earthy and round, with almond, moss, blueberry and boysenberry on the well-oaked bouquet. Comes across juicy and ripe, with layered plum, blackberry and black olive flavors. Smooth on the finish, with a dark, mildly herbal salutation.
The packaging is underwhelming, so much so that you worry that this is just another generic Shiraz from whereversville. But that's not the case at all. The wine is sexy and smooth, with light minty aromas accenting solid berry fruit. The palate is clean and zesty, with dark-fruit flavors as well as black olive, cola and toast. Integrated and ready to drink.
A little yellow in color and fuller with its aromas, Laxas delivers chunky but pleasant apple, melon and orange scents that come with pine-needle accents. The palate is clean and textured, with apple, green melon, banana and cucumber flavors. Shows body and balance throughout. Imported by Frontier Wine Imports.
Made from old vines, this is a blend of Syrah and Négrette, with some Cabernet Sauvignon to give extra structure. It has fresh juiciness, with red plum and berry flavors, a touch of sweet chocolate, the wood aging well judged to leave the clarity of the fruit.
Rich, full-bodied, a Muscadet that brings together crisp green fruits, intense minerality and concentration. There's a great tang of lime and pink grapefruit, smoothed out with ripe, creamy apple. Age maybe for a year.
Nicely made, this enters the palate with confidence and strikes a juicy pose, layered with white peach, apricot and pear. The fruit flavors gather strength in the midpalate, dappling in bits of baking spice, cinnamon and custard, and then gently fading into a smooth, supple finish. Classy winemaking here; this is a lovely, fruit-driven bottle with extra dimensions of texture and spice.
This wine is rounded, rich and full of ripe fruit. Its wood flavors, giving spice and vanilla, are a backdrop to the generous apricot and pear flavors and good acidity. Drink this wine from 2022.
This premier-cru vineyard, wholly owned by the Devillard family, has produced a broad, ripe wine. It is generous, somewhat muted at this stage although promising plenty of citrus and yellow fruits and acidity as it ages. The wood aging creates a smooth hint at the back. Drink from 2021.
From vines planted in 1982, this delivers exuberant lychee, spice, rose petal and citrus zest aromas. It's dry and medium-bodied on the palate, with spice-driven flavors and floral notes that persist on the (slightly warm) finish. It drinks well on its own but really sings at the dinner table.
Saline and mineral tones accent fresh apple, pear and lemon in this zippy, invigorating sparkling wine. Made in a Chardonnay-based traditional-method style, its delicate pétillance and whiffs of caramelized sugar and brioche are enticing.
Floral-based aromas of violet and blueberry announce this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot that also smells of hickory and campfire. A choppy, drawn-in palate is herbal and savory, with blatant oak accenting earthy berry flavors. A roasted finish with hard tannins calls for more aging or decanting. Drink through 2023.
This combines Merlot from Minnick Hills and Birch Creek vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and Candy Mountain in the larger Columbia Valley with smaller amounts of Malbec from StoneTree and Petit Verdot from Dionysus. It's generous in aroma, with with plentiful coffee, raspberry, bittersweet chocolate, flower and graphite notes. The palate displays a lot of elegance, with tart acidity providing support. It's a very pretty expression of the variety that should show especially well at the dinner table.
Blackberry and raspberry aromas are spicy but mostly focus on good fruit character. This wine is evenly balanced, with firm tannins and bright acidity. Spicy, chocolaty flavors of black fruits finish with a not-too-forceful dash of brown sugar. Drink through 2024.
This blend of 62% Syrah, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache shows relatively restrained aromas of dark chocolate, blackberry, crushed asphalt and baking spice. There is decent tension to the sour and ripe elements of the palate, with hearty flavors of black cherry, black pepper, fennel and vanilla.
This wine's brooding black cherry, spice box and black licorice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, well-structured palate that finishes with tart fruit flavors. It should perform particularly well at the dinner table and have a long life ahead of it.
The wine is structured with solid tannins and a foursquare character. Ripe fruits with plenty of balancing acidity give this wine its density and its crisp edge. This is a fruity wine that will develop slowly and well. Drink from 2020.
Light hints of honey, Meyer lemon curd and creamy nectarine show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. Broad flavors of ripe apples, cherimoya and kiwi are held together by sea salt and a crisp blast of acidity.
This is a soft, approachable wine, rightfully representative of its roots in the heart of the appellation. Allspice, plum and rhubarb provide a heartfelt offering of baked flavor and spice, as mild-mannered acidity keeps the fruit components fresh and persistent.
A very dark color and densely packed aromas of blackberry, charred wood and dark chocolate are followed by a richly tannic texture and generous flavors that are dry and reminiscent of espresso beans and black cherries. The concentration of flavor and equally impressive tannic mouthfeel make this wine bold and memorable.
The opulent, concentrated and jammy flavors of this big but smooth wine are hard to resist. Black plum, blackberry and a touch of black pepper make a classic combo on the palate as a broad texture and generous mouthfeel carry them through the finish.
Mellow and subtle, this is a soft-spoken but deeply flavorful special bottling from Navarro. It has great balance, reserved raspberry and black cherry flavors and an appetizing, firmly tannic texture. Save a few bottles until 2020 to see how well it develops.
This blend of 91% Syrah and 9% Grenache delivers a load of wild herbs and forest undergrowth to the savory nose, giving depth to the cassis and vanilla aromas. That garrigue character is wrapped around the mulberry and boysenberry core of the palate, where touches of smoke and roasted pork complete the sip.
This well-made red blend has no shortage of ripe black-fruit flavors or gripping texture. It's full bodied, very dark in color, smells like cinnamon, clove and cherries, and tastes very ripe and concentrated: like chocolate covered cherries without the sweetness.
Complex earthy spicy savory flavors make this Grenache-based wine a great escape from simply fruity bottles. It's fragrant with smoke and black pepper in the aroma, filled with ripe plum, toffee and cardamom on the palate and has a full mouthfilling texture.
This varietal Listán Negro from Tenerife in the Canary Islands opens with minerally cherry aromas offset by notes of earth and leather. A juicy, clamping palate with salty plum and raspberry flavors ends with light spice notes. This is elegant and svelte, but packs punch. Drink through 2021.
Sweet spice, sage and oregano accent this gorgeously complex, penetrating Cabernet Franc. It's satisfyingly plump with black fruit, but also brambly, herbaceous, and accented by deep, rich soil notes. Brisk acidity and a fringe of fine-grained, persistent tannins lend tautness and structure to the palate. Drink now through 2023.
This balanced wine, full of ripe fruits, also has good acidity and a crisp citrus edge. It conveys a warm character, the apricot freshened by lemon flavors and given a tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
Well-integrated aromas of hibiscus, red plum, dark berry and purple flowers make for a very clean nose on this bottling from an increasingly popular vineyard toward the western edge of the appellation along Highway 101. The palate packs a very loamy, wet soil minerality with boysenberry, lavender and white-pepper flavors.
This wine's aromas are brooding and high toned, with herb, vanilla and cherry notes. The palate is focused and brings textural appeal, with plum and cocoa flavors that linger long into the finish. It shows a lot of poise and subtlety.
Clove, star anise and deep strokes of red cherry show on the nose of this bottling from one of the estate's best blocks. The palate is redolent with bay leaf and eucalyptus, which give depth to the red-cherry, cranberry and tart pomegranate flavors.
Made from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc, this shows brooding aromas of spice and black and red fruit, followed by ripe, concentrated, plump fruit flavors. The tannins are grainy, calling for additional time in the cellar or a long decant to mellow.
Whispers of fresh green herbs lend elegance and restraint to this impeccably balanced Bordeaux-style red. Juicy, lip smacking red fruit shines on the midpalate, anchored against zesty acidity and nuances of earth, game and woodsy spices. Delicate in tannins, it's approachable already but should drink well through 2025.
This tight, rather sharp effort shows pear skin and lemon-oil highlights, with penetrating phenolics. It will benefit from substantial aeration, and/or another year or two in bottle.
Union Wine Company, which now owns Amity, makes a number of good-value, well-structured Pinots. Add this one to the list. Aged 11 months in 15% new French oak, it's pleasingly fruity (raspberry and cherry) but doesn't stop there. The touch of barrel-aging adds coffee and caramel highlights.
You'll find pretty scents of red berry, violet, pressed powder and a whiff of moist soil on this vibrant, savory red. The juicy, lively palate doles out tart red cherry, anise, cake spice and orange peel alongside zesty acidity and supple tannins. It's made to be enjoyed young so drink now.
This dark, intense wine is solid with rich tannins and brooding black fruits. It is almost too concentrated for its own good, with super-ripe plum fruits and a spicy, peppery character from the alcohol. There is a luscious aftertaste that is both immediately appealing and opulent. Drink now.
Structured and ripe with black fruits, this wine has some firm tannins along with rich, spicy flavors and acidity. The wine was fermented in open tanks a technique that gives an extra richness and color to the wine. Wood aging has added a final, smoothing touch.
A good value for the quality, this wine is smooth and velvety. Easy drinking, it offers an integrated texture dotted in dark cherry, allspice and plum. Full bodied, it remains soft and approachable from start to finish.
A ripe, smooth wine that has black fruits over generous tannins. The perfumed Syrah and Touriga Nacional in the blend give the wine structure and fine black currant fruits. The aftertaste brings out the acidity and tighter texture. Drink now.
Fresh, fruity and juicy, this is a red cherry flavored wine that has brought out the best of the light 2013 vintage. It is soft with only the lightest of tannins and refreshing acidity at the end. Two of the inventors of the cinema, the Lumière brothers, lived in this castle which dates from the 19th century.
Beaujolais is an increasingly attractive source of inexpensive Chardonnay. This perfumed wine is warm with yellow fruits as well as crisper green plum and citrus flavors. With a touch of toastiness and caramel it is ripe and smooth, ready to drink now.
This is a dry wine that wants to become sweet. It has that edge of honey and apricots typical of dry Jurançon along with the freshest, tangy acidity. With its bright fruit, fine texture and hint of toastiness, it will age and will be better from 2017.
This is a bright, medium-bodied wine with a thickness of creamy vanilla that makes it seem slightly sweet, built atop crisper shocks of lime zest and orange peel. Ultimately it finishes smooth and velvety, a nice match for the table.
Woody, earthy berry aromas are more elegant than overpowering. This crianza feels fresh, albeit a touch raw and scratchy. Earthy, lightly oaked flavors of vanilla, plum and cherry finish dry, spicy and with scrappy tannins.
Compressed and concentrated in juicy black fruit, this vineyard-designate is soft and powerful. Most of all it reveals a powerful ripeness of blueberry jam, washed down with coffee.
For a wine that is not a Dão appellation to be made by the cooperative union that under the old Fascist regime controlled all of Dão's wine production, this is possibly an irreverent wine. Otherwise it is a fine, accessible blend of all the Dão red grapes in a mélange that is full of blackberry fruits and acidity. Drink from 2017.
Soupy, rustic aromas of tomato and herbs feed into a scratchy palate with juicy, borderline raw acidity. Flavors of baked plum, peppercorn and brown sugar finish herbal and spicy.
Pure varietal, all stainless-fermented, and finished with 15g/L residual sugar, this fleshy, supple wine is packed with sweet pear-fruit flavor. Spicy highlights of cinnamon and nutmeg add depth.
Blackberry, oregano, asphalt and black gravel show on the nose of this first vintage effort from a new property along Highway 154 in Los Olivos. Dill, fennel, oregano and marjoram contribute to an herbaceous palate, which give nuance to the pressed olallieberry and grape fruits.
A tad earthier than other bottlings from the area, this shows damp herbs, forest-floor notes and soy on the nose, backed up by the stewed black-plum fruit. The tannins are soft but present on the palate, where teriyaki flavors mesh with elderberry, oregano and dark chocolate. This will improve with more bottle age.
Scents of mature wild berry, fragrant iris, chopped mint and a hint of leather come together on this. The round, no-frills palate offers up dried black cherry, anise and clove alongside mature, loosely knit tannins. It's already extremely accessible.
The producer picks from cooler sites to preserve the wine's freshness and acidity, succeeding in this majority varietal wine, blended with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Light and easygoing on the entry, it traffics in crisp red and black berry plus inviting notes of herb before finishing in powerful tannins.
Made in a style that will appeal to Cabernet Sauvignon fans, this full-bodied wine is thickly layered, packed in blueberry and plum with a slap of toasty oak on the backside. With a leathery, rounded texture, it sparks in spicy vanilla as it goes down.
This is a ripe, full wine that has firm tannins and a smooth texture from the Aragon (Tempranillo) in the blend. It is full of ripe berry fruits, along with attractive acidity. Spice and toast finish this attractive wine. Drink now.
This is a ripe, full wine that has firm tannins and a smooth texture from the Aragon (Tempranillo) in the blend. It is full of ripe berry fruits, along with attractive acidity. Spice and toast finish this attractive wine. Drink starting now.
Aromas of moist forest floor, truffle, new leather, blue flower and a hint of plum come together in the glass. The fresh, enjoyable palate doles out juicy black cherry, licorice and a note of chopped mint while supple tannins and lively acidity give it an easy-drinking nature.
Raspberry, tilled soil, dark spice and a hint of menthol lead the nose on this sleek, young red. The bright, juicy palate doles out tart red cherry, star anise and orange zest alongside vibrant acidity and lithe, silky tannins.
Aromas suggesting moist soil, plum and a whiff of menthol emerge in the glass. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, orange peel and star anise while lithe tannins and bright acidity provide the framework.
This is a tremendous deal of a wine, bold and medium in weight with light, well-strung, tangy acidity. Sour lemon, apple, flint and ginger combine for an elegant, widely appealing experience that works as an apéritif or with a meal.
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Canaiolo, this offers aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, menthol and dried herb. On the straightforward palate, notes of star anise and eucalyptus back up a core of dried black cherry while dusty tannins leave a drying finish.
Chenin Blanc may arguably be the least-appreciated great white grape in the world; outside of the Loire valley, no one bothers to showcase it. But Washington state has some Chenin vines approaching 30 years of age, and that fruit is the centerpiece of this ripe, round, floral and slightly spritzy offering from Pacific Rim. Fruit flavors of ripe pear and key lime make this a vivacious and lip-smacking crowd-pleaser, lifted with natural acids and finished at just 12.5% alcohol.
A blend of 50% Grenache, 43% Syrah and 7% Cinsaut, this is very fresh and fruity--loaded with cherries--but also includes spice and earth complexities and a reasonable rich, creamy texture.
James Millton's Chenin Blanc is a unique Kiwi classic, and displays the variety's hallmark wooly character. It's buoyed by apple and melon notes, finishing with citrusy acids.
Bright, intense, spicy and sharp, this right bank-style Bordeaux blend brings red currant and berry scents and flavors. There is a chocolatey layer right under the fruit, but it's not entirely integrated, though these are good components. Give this one more bottle age.
This is a nicely balanced wine from estate-grown vines, a mix of licorice and raspberry that offers luxurious mouthfeel and texture atop surprising acidity. A small amount of Viognier was used in fermentation to provide some additional lift and floral aromas, while a dustiness prevails on the finish.
Citric force creates a pleasant vortex of green pear on this easy, zippy and full-fruited summer wine. Finishes with a lip-smacking fillip of bracing, lemony freshness. Almost like sherbet.
This rich wine is ripe with red-berry fruits, mango and peach. Full in the mouth, it has a touch of spice from the Mourvèdre in the blend. Crisp and lively, the wine could age until 2018, although it will be best from late 2016.
Struck flint and tomato stalk on the nose lead into a medium-bodied wine with strong citrus overtones. White grapefruit and green leafy notes linger on the dry finish.
Stewed strawberries, blackberry jam, maple, brown sugar, black pepper, teriyaki and pork fat show on the lush nose of this bargain bottling. It's soft on the palate, with fruity strawberry and ripe plum flavors, as well as some more serious beef char elements. It's fun, easy and delicious.
Delicate aromas of hawthorn, white spring flower and a whiff of orchard fruit aromas lead the nose on this refined sparkler. The vibrant palate doles yellow apple, citrus zest and toasted breadcrumb accompanied by an elegant mousse.
Rustic leather and balsamic notes juxtapose vanilla, chocolate and spice in this complex, powerful Cabernet Franc. The palate is anchored in rich, ripe black plum and cherry flavors, bolstered by dense, mouth dampening tannins. It's a brooding but nuanced wine that should improve through 2020 and likely beyond.
Whistler Vineyard is an extreme site on the coast above Annapolis, and a source of Pinot Noir for other producers. Here, it is working with a suitcase clone from Condrieu, fermenting the grapes in entirely new French oak. Honey, clove and apricot jump from the glass, with a blithe spirit of minerality and light body that provides plenty of refreshment. Made in tiny amounts.
Green and yellow apples mingle with yeasty savoriness. The slender palate rings with an earthy tang and lemon overtones. A central thread of lemony freshness sets a bright, friendly tone. This is aromatic, fresh and utterly gluggable. Nothing less than Vienna in a glass.
The largest proportions of this blend are taken up by Cabernet Sauvignon (41%) and Petite Sirah (31%), with additions of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Together they make for a succulently juicy red, with an underpinning of subtle tannin and oak. The flavors are more red fruit and savory herb than black fruit or brooding body.
Freshly cut green and red apples vie for attention. Burgeoning fruit on the nose leads to an ultracrisp, lip-smacking palate of lemon peel flavours. This is a wine to provide refreshment on a hot summer day—mouthwatering and light-footed as it is. The textured palate offers a backbone and is an ideal canvas for all manner of food.
Light and delicate bubblegum aromas are cut by pink lemonade, a touch of honeydew and a peachy ripeness on this blend of 67% Grenache, 22% Picpoul Blanc, 8% Mourvèdre and 3% Syrah. There is lots of minerality on the sip, with rainy slate and wet cement, as well as rounded watermelon, strawberry and bubblegum flavors, all sliced by lime and tangerine zest.
A tasty tang of toasted oak adds a great top note to this full-flavored and full-bodied wine, so that it seems to build complexity from the bass notes of ripe pear, to the butter and cinnamon in the middle and up to the wrapping of spicy, smoky oak.
Smashed berries, honeyed coffee, leather, beef jerky, cola and black pepper show on the nose of this complex wine by the legendary Hearst family. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, with lightly roasted coffee notes, touches of seared caramel, sesame oil and teriyaki and a base of dried black-plum fruit.
This is a concentrated, dark and brooding wine from the producer's well-known property, sparkling in acidity despite its intensity of weight and length. Blackberry and nutmeg sit atop a soft integration of tannin and oak. Drink now through 2020.
Now fully mature and showing some bricking at the rim, this is a savory, earthy example of Marlborough Pinot Noir. Roasted cauliflower and caramelized root veggies sound strange but are actually quite pleasant, while hints of dried fruit and molasses add the suggestion of fruit sweetness. Drink now.
This wine is  dark in color, with just a thin red rim. It smells of ripe blackberries, grilled beef and clove, with flavors as dense as the color. For all its color and flavor intensity and fine-grained tannins, however, it feels smooth and velvety on the tongue and is hard to resist, especially at such a reasonable price.
Aromas of tree bark, cherry and cassis are rooty. This feels ripe, dense and generally well balanced. Rich flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, blackberry and black tea finish with creamy oak notes, herbal overtones and tobacco flavors. Drink through 2022.
Notes of crisp green pear and crunchy red apple are very appetizing, the palate is fresh and echoes these flavors and edges them with some spice and alcoholic heat, but also has a drive and energy of its own. Friendly and very moreish.
Blending Cabernet with 33% Petit Verdot might seem like folly indeed but it works on this wine. The aromas of flowers, vanilla and spice are quite reticent while the dark fruit flavors pack a well-balanced punch, with firm tannins and spritely, mouthwatering acids capturing the attention.
Merlot makes up nearly two-thirds of this blend with the balance Cabernet Franc. Brooding dried herb, cocoa and dark fruit aromas lead to rich but well-balanced black-fruit flavors backed by a firm core of tannins.
This medium-bodied wine successfully blends several disparate notes into a harmonious whole. Hints of just-turned earth, cola, root vegetables, clove and fresh greens join on the nose, while the palate adds fruitier overtones of red cherries and berries. The tannins are silky, the acids vibrant.
An affordable appellation wine, there's an introductory whiff of meaty bacon that signals full-bodied goodness, followed by soft, integrated layers of cherry and vanilla. Thick and densely concentrated, it's drinking well now and should please many palates.
Blackberry and charred aromas announce a juicy, tight-framed palate with crispness and modest depth of fruit and texture. Oaky flavors of vanilla and chocolate accent snappy notes of red currant and plum. Raw tannins, citric acidity and related bite make the finish a bit fierce. Drink through 2021.
From a vineyard in St. Helena, a source for this producer since 2004, this shows a generosity of extracted fruit built around burly bursts of black pepper, leather, black currant and cedar. It manages to be bright and refreshing on the lengthy finish.
The slightest hint of pale pink-orange in the glass, this late disgorged sparkler shows steel, lightly chilled dough yeast, lemon chiffon, crisp nectarine and an alkaline element on the nose. Mandarin orange peel, iodine and grapefruit pith slice through the palate, which is rounded by touches of melon and bubblegum flavors.
The nose gives little away but the palate reveals a juicy, straightlaced, citrus core of great freshness. As bracing as a palate cleanser and as refreshing as ocean spray. Needless to say this is ultraclean.
Intense aromas of pressed red roses, cinnamon and mature Moscato grapes lead the way on this lively dessert wine. The silky palate combines strawberries, fleshy raspberries, candied orange zest and a hint of cake spice. Smooth and elegant, it boasts refreshing acidity that offsets the sweetness.
Aromas of blackberry, violet and smoke emerge. On the ripe, concentrated palate, ground pepper and cassis accent a black cherry core. Chewy tannins and fresh acidity support the juicy flavors. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, cassis, leather and baking spice lift from the glass. On the solid palate, notes of vanilla, cocoa and espresso underscore a core of plum and blackberry. Ripe, robust tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Taking their cue from the old name for the local vineyards around Deutschkreutz in Mittelburgenland, the Reisners, who run the Igler winery, have fashioned a traditional style of Blaufränkisch. It's impressive, the density of the tannins never overwhelming the ripe, juicy, black fruit flavors. It is certainly a ripe wine, but the richness never overpowers the structure and the acidity.
Well done Shiraz, carefully made and judiciously oaked, with vanilla and cedar accenting blackberry, plum and black olive flavors. It's moderately tannic on the finish, where it adds some coffee-like nuances as well. Drink 2010–2018.
This fruit-driven wine lacks a touch of minerality but features admirably pure, focused notes of perfectly ripe apples, pineapple and citrus. It's a sweet, medium-bodied spätlese that's plump and succulent, delicious sipped on its own on a warm summer evening. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Full-bodied and richly textured, this is an example of a savory-style Shiraz, one whose flavors are based on pepper, black olive and meaty notes supported by black- and blueberry fruit and hints of vanilla oak. It's long, warming and complex on the finish. Drink now–2015. Imported by Margaret River Wines.
From one of the high vineyards on the slopes of the Schrattenthal, this complex Riesling has a fine initial raciness, then opens into perfumed white fruits touched by spice, apricots and a layer of tense minerality. Age for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
At seven years of age, this is a reasonably complex wine, well suited to pair with roasts. The ample oak is integrated with the fruit, yielding a mélange of nuances that include grilled meat, cedar, vanilla, dried spices, coffee, black olives, blackberries and tar. Drink now–2015.
A strong effort for this Penfolds bottling, the 2004 Bin 128 features powerful aromas of chocolate and cassis, then follows up with slightly more nuanced flavors that add brighter berry notes to the mix. Tannins are silky-smooth, suggesting early drinkability, although it should age well until at least 2015.
This is a barrel selection, from those lots determined by winemaker Brian Carter to offer more aging potential. In other words, it's a L'Etalon reserve, fragrant and offering scents and flavors of strawberry jam, berries galore, and fine-tuned acids and tannins.
This elegant Cabernet Franc is drinking beautifully, just beginning to round out the hardness of youth. The wine has a firm and confident backbone, which seems to wrap the acids and tannins tightly together. The framework supports the crisp, clean, immaculately ripe fruit, with flavors of plum, cherry and red licorice. Just 25% new oak was used, adding a light toasty touch to the finish.
A smoky number with vibrant aromas of dried fruits mixed with campfire and molasses. It's integrated and spicy, with cherry, apple-peel and other attractive secondary flavors. With no shortage of power and fine tannins, this wine is approaching its peak and should be good for another five years.
This is a full-throttle style of Merlot, jammy to the point of pruneyness, the flavors broad and loaded with ripe cherries, prunes, smoke, spice, licorice and cedar. Big as the fruit flavors are, the wine is proportionate, the oak applied lightly, the alcohol in balance, and the acids crisp.
This is crystal clear, fleshy and ripe, yet still graceful and refined. Mixed stone fruits are cut with yellow apple, the acids are natural and perfectly integrated. The wine was barrel fermented in a 50/50 mix of new and neutral, and there is just a hint of caramel in the extended finish.
The '06 displays bright and crisp flavors of currant and cherry. Tannins are substantial, with a satisfying earthy streak underscoring notes of graphite and olive. It's not a big wine, but it delivers a pleasing mix of New World fruit and Old World earthiness.
This has good, clean, ripe fruit with some mass and muscle, and the flavors go deep rather than broad. Berry, currant and cherry are in the mix, with polished tannins and finishing threads of coffee and chocolate. Nothing shy here, but delicious.
Don't look for grassy or herbaceous flavors, because there is not a trace of either. This is a stand-alone style that turns the usually snarly, gooseberry-flavored Sauvignon Blanc grape into a honeyed pussycat, ripe and   tropical and slightly sweet, with a toffee candy finish.
Here's a wine that is meandering towards maturity, its green herbal character leaning towards some steeliness, minerality and toast. It has richness, still possesses freshness, but also considerable delicacy. Screwcap.
Made from 100% Syrah, this wine is dark red and intense, offering flavors of baked strawberry-rhubarb and savory cranberry and pomegranate. Perfumy in jasmine, it finishes ripe and succulent.
Dark and inky, this wine is made from a small vineyard on the western slopes of its appellation, planted entirely to the variety. Juicy blackberry and black plum play off of milk chocolate and vanilla, the tannins still teeth-staining, though the oak remains well-integrated and the texture soft.
Aromas of tropical fruit, pear and honeysuckle jump out of the glass. The straightforward palate delivers tart green apple, white peach and a touch of citrus alongside bright acidity.
Floral cherry aromas are spunky and light, with nothing aggressive. Juicy in the mouth, this Garnatxa delivers some pop but isn't heavy. Cherry, plum and raspberry flavors end minerally and clean, with a drawing feel.
Clean and firm, with strawberry fruit and an earthy base. Hints of compost and tobacco came through in both the scents and flavors, while tannins were moderately coarse. Drink soon.
More floral than fruity, this white spent almost a year in French oak, a third of it new. Still, the oak doesn't overpower or overwhelm, allowing medium-bodied layers of stone fruit and apple to rise to the fore, finishing savory with a sense of dried herb.
Ripe and spicy, this attractive forward wine is ready to drink. Made from local grapes with the addition of Syrah, it is juicy with red fruits, soft tannins and fragrant. Drink now.
Loamy cassis, black plum and blueberry aromas announce a fleshy palate that's wide but low on definition. Earthy, loamy berry flavors are mildly toasty on the finish, which is chunky but soft in feel. Drink now.
Aromas recall yellow pear and tropical fruit together with a touch of vanilla. The palate offers pineapple, citrus zest and Golden Delicious apple alongside bright acidity.
Delicate aromas of honeysuckle and candied citrus waft from the glass. The zesty palate offers apricot, lime and a note of crystalized ginger alongside zesty acidity.
French speakers will note that père (meaning “father”) is misspelled on the label. The intent is to honor the winemaker's father, who planted the estate vineyard 30 years ago. It's a sturdy, honest wine, chewy and unafraid to show the slightly bitter, herbal side of the grape. Drink this with a hearty lamb stew.
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.
Aromas of yellow flower and tropical fruit mingle together in the glass. The vibrant palate offers banana, pineapple and citrus alongside bright acidity.
Aromas suggest wildflowers and orchard fruit. The racy palate delivers yellow apple, unripe pear, citrus and a note of toasted almond alongside brisk acidity.
Aromas of beeswax, acacia and honeysuckle lead the nose. The palate offers honey, mature yellow apple and citrus alongside racy acidity.
Aromas of acacia flower, broom and a toasted note lead the nose. The palate offers light oak, yellow apple and lemon drop alongside racy acidity.
This smartly priced bend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah offers showy aromas of ollallieberry and rose petals. Grape candy and crushed peppercorns entertain the palate on this well-balanced though not overly complex wine, perfect for weekly dinners and barbecue parties.
There's a rustic character to this wine, an unusual single-varietal of Touriga Franca. It's ripe, certainly, with soft tannins, juicy acidity and great fruitiness. While interesting, the wine's one-dimensional character doesn't give great depth. Drink now.
Perfumed, ripe local white grapes are the backbone of this soft, full-bodied wine. It's rich, full of yellow fruits and plums. Spice gives a touch of pepperiness that is then cut by the final acidity. It's attractive now, but will be better from 2016.
Vanilla and leesy aromas create a reticent bouquet. This feels plump, chunky and oily at first, but more cut and precise with time. Green apple, canned green bean and bell pepper flavors turn more spicy and in the direction of jalapeño on the finish.
Paillard's crispest Chardonnay comes mainly from the Côte des Blancs. Offering great white fruit and bright apple flavors, this wine is also textured and mineral. It is beginning to mature, suggesting a touch of toastiness while the fruit remains. It finishes dry. Drink the wine now.
This rich, opulent prestige cuvée lives up to the Séduction name, instantly appealing with its ripe yellow fruit and generous texture. It is just approaching maturity, with hints of toast. Drink now or, even better, from 2017.
A barrel-fermented white Pinot Noir, this is bursting with broad, creamy flavors of ripe caramel-dipped apples and fresh pear. It might be mistaken for Chardonnay, except for the extra weight that carries through the lengthy finish. Though it's tempting to describe white Pinot Noirs as sparkling wines without the sparkle, this is much more interesting, and one of the rare examples that defines both a style and a standard for the rest.
This ripe wine offers great balance between the rich, structured Pinot Noir and the mineral Chardonnay. From a very fine vintage, it reveals intense flavors, layers of ripe apple and a taut texture that promises further aging. The wine can be drunk now, but it will be so much better from 2018.
Fresh mint and cracked pepper accent dark plummy fruit on the nose, picking up hints of dark chocolate and black olive on the palate. It's full bodied, creamy in feel and loaded with supple tannins, which make the wine approachable now, but should sustain it through at least 2025.
Notes of chalk, bread and stone precede the bruised apple notes on this beautiful, elegant vintage Crémant. On the palate, the apple notes become fuller and rounder and appear like mellow, baked Golden Delicious. There is purity, structure and precision in the autolytic notes which are supported by pure citrus and apple freshness, leaving the palate impressed but not weighed down. Hints of spice develop in the background while all the freshness makes for a lip-smacking, long and savory finish.
This is sourced from vines more than four decades old. It's the sweetest of the non-dessert Rieslings from Brooks, with rich flavors of candied citrus, honey and orange marmalade. That said, it's crystal clear, dense, fresh and juicy, and can fill a variety of slots, from an accompaniment to blue cheese, to a wine to pair with fresh fruits and ice cream.
This wine is highly perfumed on the nose, reminiscent of a dried-flower-filled sachet, with lilacs, rosewater candy, sweet tobacco and a little caramel making for a distinct aroma. The dried purple flowers hit the palate too, along with plums, Asian spice and black peppercorns. The gritty structure is sprinkled with ample acidity.
The second wine of this Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé estate comes from selected parcels. Rich and with the smoothness of oak aging and ripe grapes, it is a generous wine that is developing well. Drink from 2020.
Vintage after vintage, this wine impresses in its tension of power and grace. Leather and cigar provide the savory yin to the wine's perfumed cedar and sage yang. With additions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the mix, accents of currant, blueberry and blackberry add succulence and flavor. Decant before enjoying or cellar through 2023.
This Aube-based producer has made a fine vintage from a good year. A half-and-half blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, still young and crisp, this concentrated wine brings in apricot as well as citrus fruits into a taut and mineral texture. Still full of its baby fruit, it will age well and will be best drunk from 2018.
Sold in a squat bottle that looks like it's from the Prohibition era, this unfiltered, unfined wine offers dense black currant, stewed blueberries and violets on the fruit-driven nose. The palate is also a dense monster, with strong licorice and tobacco meshed into cassis fruit, held together by popping acidity.
Dominated by Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, this mature, mineral-textured wine is both ripe and beautifully structured. With white fruits and a floral character, it is moving into spicy territory. Roast almonds are balanced with a crisp character from the low dosage. The wine is now just ready to drink.
Tarry aromas of elderberry, teriyaki beef, soy and purple flowers combine for an umami-driven nose on this bottling from a newer vineyard in the region, with winemaking by Matt Dees. The palate packs vibrantly tart plum juice and dried lavender flavors, held up by powerful acidity, impressive for young vines.
This powerfully textured white wine from Bien Nacido Vineyard will last for ages. Tightly wound on the nose with lime pith, limestone, Brie cheese rind and a touch of flint, the palate shows scorched Meyer lemon wedges and some seared orange pith. The mouthfeel is tremendously grippy. Drink 2017–2024.
The producer's flagship wine, this is sourced from several Green Valley sites, including Amber Ridge and Manna. Both contribute a full-bodied wealth of packed-earth flavor in a generously layered, rich explosion of dark cherry, plum and pomegranate. Along the way, streaks of citrus and black tea provide exotic interludes.
This is a 100% varietal wine, aged nearly two years in 75% new French oak and treated like a king. It responds in kind, rewarding the palate with smoothly voluptuous characteristics of red currant, anise and clove, its tannin and oak supportive and integrated and its finish lengthy. This wine should have years to go in the cellar; drink now through 2023.
Woody aromas of vanilla complement ripe black-fruit scents. This wine feels dry, comported, mildly tannic and nicely structured. Flavors of cherry and blackberry are accented by oaky notes of vanilla and toast, while hints of baking spices lurk around the edges. A dry, classy, well-oaked finish seals the deal on this excellent Rioja; drink from 2020–2028.
Notes of fresh sourdough rye bread, crisp apples and citrus vie for attention and signal an evolved wine with beautiful notes of long autolysis. This is borne out on the exquisitely pure and fresh palate, still sprightly with lemon and green-apple freshness against a background of bread crust and crumb. Over time, the apple notes mellow and are reminiscent of spiced winter apple. This is marked by exquisite elegance and purity. Without any dosage, this shines with pure, intense and lively fruit.
Aromas of baked plum, cake spice, purple flower and a balsamic note jump out of the glass. The full-bodied palate shows power and finesse, delivering dried cherry, fig, vanilla, nutmeg and pipe tobacco while firm, velvety tannins provide the framework.
The prestige cuvée from this producer, this has richness and a dense texture that brings out the ripe fruits. From a good, if not great, vintage, it is beautifully balanced, still young to taste and likely to age well. Drink now for the fruit or wait until 2018 for more maturity.
Sporting the AVA's classic, concentrated black-cherry fruit, this carries a strong whiff of fresh cut tobacco. Those flavors control the palate, with lemony acids and a light touch of spice.
This is not a declared vintage but one that has produced a fine and structured wine that is dark and dense and seriously firm. It is just turning from Millennial to Gen X and has begun to develop secondary flavors that give it weight and a rounder character. The wine is of course ready, although it will remain like this for many years.
Steely and focused, this invigorating dry Riesling maintains the classic mineral gravitas of the Mosel. While not severe in style, it's still tightly wound, with tart tangerine and lime flavors that are invigorating and racy. Given some time, its subtle honey and citrus flavors should flourish. Drink from 2020.
This amazing wine can match up against wines double the price. Brawny red berries and wild cherries mix with cut sagebrush, eucalyptus and crushed graphite on the nose. The palate combines bright red, acid-driven raspberry fruit with the darker structure of elderberry. Throw in thyme and bay leaf for the complete package.
This wine forms a beautiful union of sweet, spicy oak with dark, brooding fruit and black-pepper flavors from the grapes. It smells complex and spicy, like cinnamon, clove and cedar backed by concentrated flavors of black cherry, pepper and clove. Built to age, this will drink best after 2019.
Crisp, toasty oak and spice aromas are currently outranking this wine's berry-fruit components...but only for now. In five or more years, this will be less oaky and more complex. At this point in time, look for a sinewy, tight, almost jagged palate with toasty, robust flavors of plum and berry, dry spices and mixed herbs along with firm tannins. A long, balanced finish bodes well for the future. Drink through 2030.
The Kim Crawford wines typically display plenty of fruit character, and this example is no exception. Bright pineapple flavors are fairly intense, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Bold, if somewhat simple. Drink now.
Typical passion fruit and gooseberry aromas turn tropical and almost rich on the palate. This is weightier than many Sauvignons, lushly ripe and maybe even a touch sweet—serve it well chilled for best effect.
A pretty, expressive nose of fresh flowers, citrus and kiwi gives this Assyrtico added appeal. On the palate, slightly sweet tropical fruit and flowers will appeal to fans of a less bracing style of white. Pair with poultry, fruit.
The nose stands out on this Greek Syrah, with its elegant waves of anise, blackberry and cinnamon. Flavors of blueberry, cedar and pepper are fresh and focused. Easy-drinking and a good solo sipper.
Lovely scents mix rose petals and citrus blossom. Smooth and delicate, this captures the varietal character, with suggestions of bath oil and exotic fruits. The finish goes a little sideways, flattening out quickly.
A fresh and juicy wine, full of red fruits as well as striking acidity. The tannins are soft, but do offer a core of firm dryness. For aging over the next two years.
Meaty, herbal aromas are savory and suggest baked black fruits. The palate is short in the middle and scratchy, but lively as far as Cabernet goes. Herbal red plum, cassis and mint flavors lead to a finish with good feel and flow.
Mild pungency with an oily edge describes the bouquet. It's lemony and slick in the mouth, with green papaya and lemon flavors. Dry and crisp on the back end, with white pepper notes and sharp lasting acidity.
Shows an aggressive, roasted set of aromas that feature leather, meat, olive and char. The palate is full and thick, with chewy, flat tannins and then herbal flavors that mute the wine's black fruit content. A good midlevel wine that delivers within its price range.
Powdery on the nose, with aromas of sweet pear and lime. The palate is round and melony, indicating a warmer origin. Tastes a lot like basic Pinot Grigio; peach and green melon are the lead flavors. Finishes solid but soft, with lasting sweetness.
Bright and tart, almost sour. This is the style of rosé you want on a hot summer day. Chill it well down and drink it like a stainless-fermented white wine. The alcohol is barely over 12%––it won't hurt!
This is old vine Lemberger, one of the first red grapes to be widely planted in eastern Washington. It comes from a 1979 planting at the Red Willow vineyard. Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors dominate, pretty and pure, but lacking in depth. Some Lemberger can approach the style of Dry Creek Zinfandel; this is more of a simple red quaffer.
This ancient variety marches to the beat of its own drum, with aromas of spearmint, citrus and sea salt and flavors of mint, dried herb and lemon. Balanced acidity and an overall rounded fruit character means it goes well with a variety of dishes, from grilled sardines to creamy poultry dishes.
Savory in style with notes of smoke and black tea leaves on the nose, this full-bodied dry Welschriesling is vibrant on the palate with fresh apples and herbs. Strikingly high in acidity but finishes on a pleasantly tart apple skin note.
A simple, direct, fruity expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir, with ample black cherry fruit and a bit of weight on the palate but not much nuance.
Notes of sweet blueberry and blackberry jam entice on the nose and palate of this light to medium-bodied blend of Cab and Blaufränkisch. Soft on the palate with a core of sweet black fruit, it's balanced by smooth tannins, bright acidity and just a hint of bramble and wood. Surprisingly long on the finish.
Opens slightly muddled and murky, but then it spreads out toward earthy and mossy. The palate has a lean, dry feel along with simple berry and plum flavors. Finishes with a spicy aftertaste and it improves with time in the glass.
Starts like sweet strawberry candy, quickly turns plastic, dilute, with an unpleasant, artificial, plastic finish.
Dilute and pickled, with similarly pickled citrus and melon flavors that lose direction along the way. Rather weak and mealy wine, with a strange profile that has to be due to the Malvasia/Viura marriage.
A ripe, creamy Chardonnay-like wine, the tropical orange and lychee fruits pointed up with new French wood. The fresh lime acidity cuts through the richness like a knife. This is a complex wine that would profit from a year's aging.
In 2005 Charles Smith introduced three high-end Syrahs. In 2006 Smith has made a wine better than each of these, by combining them into a single wine—Royal City Syrah. Rich scents of purple fruit, smoked meat, cedar, lead pencil, moist earth and so on proclaim a wine with genuine gravitas. There is nothing missing, from the first sniff to the last sip, the wine delivers on all levels. Complex, beautifully balanced, powerful and detailed.
This isn't sweet, but just so wonderfully rich. It's the concentration of botrytis that makes the wine. The texture is velvet, but with a spicy bite to it. Apricot, honey and marzipan all contribute to a wine that will age over decades.
Juicy peach, pear and honey complement each other in this happy, exuberant expression of the variety that's understated in its elegance. A roundness of body makes it easily complementary to a multitude of spicy foods, itself offering a hit of nutmeg on the finish.
Aromatic herb, pressed rose, blue flower, menthol and mature berry aromas lift out of the glass. The firmly structured palate offers raspberry compote, licorice and grilled sage alongside tightly wound tannins. Drink 2019–2024.
Aromas of ripe berry, leather, truffle and a whiff of balsamic herb emerge on this straightforward but extremely enjoyable red. The approachable, juicy palate offers black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and a touch of clove alongside big, velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
This is a good deal for wine of this quality. Shy on the nose at first, it soon opens into a bevy of thick, meaty, smooth and rugged expression, dotted in a landscape of chocolate and bacon. Grippy tannin give way to more chocolate and welcome dots of white pepper.
Earthy aromas of leather, tilled soil, ripe dark-skinned berry and a funky whiff of game lead the way. The robust, chewy palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry, cake spice and dried herb alongside hearty, tightly wound tannins that will carry this through 2023.
This Bulgarian Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, red raspberry and cinnamon. In the mouth, there are flavors of dried black cherry, fresh cherry juice and brown baking spices before the pleasant, persistent finish.
With just the right black currant character, this is a rich, structured wine. It has weight and richness of course, but it is the solid tannins and tight texture that distinguish it. The wine is not quite ready to drink, so wait until 2017.
The producer concocts this fun blend every year from different varieties, this vintage a combination of 58% Syrah, 32% Zinfandel and 10% Grenache. Funky earth and mushroom meet thick, full-bodied waves of blueberry and blackberry bramble, riding smooth, textured waves of big, lengthy flavor.
This sleek clonal blend spent five months in neutral oak. Skin flavors highlight the mix of apple, pear and peach fruit. The wine fades gracefully into a gentle finish.
A hint of burnt sugar persists from nose to finish on this bright, delectably juicy late-harvest Riesling. Its fruit profile progresses from delicate apple and lemon to concentrated yellow peach and nectarine. Razor-edged acidity keeps all the fruitiness in balance, finishing bright and brisk.
Rose, dried herb, menthol and a hint of tilled earth aromas take shape in the glass. On the palate, notes of licorice, graphite and orange zest add depth to a core of dried black cherry while firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2023.
A vivid aroma of mint and cedar, ripe fruit flavors and a smooth but gripping texture make this wine compelling. It tastes nicely dry, moderately tannic, full bodied and concentrated.
This Hungarian white blend is composed of 65% Furmint and 35% Hárslevelu and has aromas of citrus blossom, dried Mediterranean herbs and fresh sage. It has flavors of grapefruit rind and fresh lemon juice. The finish is lively, bright and pleasantly acidic.
Opening with a strong streak of herb, bitter root and pepper, this carries those flavors on into a palate of cherry fruit, highlighted with orange peel. It's an intriguing wine, still a bit austere, and not as fruit-forward as many in this highly-regarded vintage.
From a small vineyard in the north of the Côte de Nuits, this is a rare white wine in a red-wine region. Lightly toasty, it has spice, pear flavors and perfumed acidity. It's bright and crisp, ending with lively acidity.
This semisweet late harvest Hungarian wine has aromas of apricot, caramelized pear and pear tart. There are lovely flavors of canned apricots, sweet ripe pear, white flowers and honeycomb. The finish is sweet but has balanced acidity.
Delicious and bold, this dry wine is easy to enjoy and appreciate. It has aromas like crushed fresh raspberries and blackberries, flavors that are ripe and rich without overdoing it, and a smooth texture punctuated with some fine-grained tannins.
This Sauvignon Blanc from Bulgaria's Thracian Valley has bright aromas of lemon grass, citrus blossom and freshly mowed lawn. It is medium bodied in the mouth, with flavors of freshly cut pineapple, guava and lemon meringue pie. The finish is clean, crisp and fruit filled.
Aromas of oak, toast, espresso and a whiff of violet come together. The firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, orange zest and licorice alongside bracing tannins.
Homenagem is an homage to the current owner's father and grandfather. With its rich fruit, this field blend made from old vines, breaks the mold of reds from the north of Portugal. Dense and firm, it has a tannic element as well as acidity. It is ready to drink now.
Underbrush, iris, rose and berry aromas take center stage while the ripe, dense palate offers cherry marinated in spirits, white pepper and grilled sage. Tightly wound, bracing tannins provide the backbone. Drink after 2020.
This Bulgarian Chardonnay has aromas of guava, custard apple and lemon pith. In the mouth there, are tropical fruit flavors like banana and mango with a crisp, clean finish.
This ripe, full wine has an attractive spice and toast character. Warm yellow fruits and a rich feel indicate the generous, rounded potential. The wine has a crisp side as well as a mineral touch. Drink now, but better from 2017.
Aromas of leather, licorice, underbrush and chopped herb carry over to the palate together with tart red cherry, strawberry and star anise. Assertive but refined tannins offer support. Drink 2018–2024.
Round and full-bodied, this block selection reflects the warmth of the Pommard and Dijon clones. The acids have a juicy, citrus character, and there is a streak of cola along with bright cherry fruit.
Grapes from two vineyards—Hyland in the McMinnville AVA, and Fortmiller in the Rogue Valley AVA—combine gracefully in a young wine with juicy citrus and ripe blackberry flavors. Eleven months in 40% new French oak adds dark chocolate around the typical earthy minerality of the Hyland fruit. There are substantial tannins, so give this extra aeration, or cellar for another few years.
The slightest hint of blueberry rises from the glass of this light and slender red. The palate is soft and has fresh red cherry fruit and would take well to chilling. This is an easy, cheerful picnic red.
This is a light- to medium-bodied wine with a soft, silky texture. Cherries, mushrooms and just the smallest of herbal nuances end on a faintly dusty note. Drink now.
Aromas of French oak, pressed rose, wild berry, mint, new leather and a whiff of truffle slowly unfold in the glass. The lean, evolved palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and toasted oak alongside drying, fleeting tannins that leave an astringent finish. Drink sooner rather than later to catch the remaining fruit.
This youthful wine will benefit from further time in bottle, but its full-bodied concentration is heady for now, a punchy, temperamental mix of sweet peach, vanilla bean and medium acidity. Intense on the nose and palate, it displays a quite ripe personality.
This is an elegant and light wine. It is full of clean raspberries and red currants, lightly textured and with a bright finish that has refreshing acidity.
Earthy whiffs of struck flint and smoke require some aeration to blow off, but patience is rewarded with pristine grapefruit, lemon and lime notes. Light bodied and nervy in acidity, it's an elegant Chardonnay that finishes on a delightful saline tone.
Classic rose and lychee notes are dusted by hints of potpourri and bramble in this unusually spry Gewürztraminer. Bright tangerine sweetens the midpalate, leading to a fresh, blossomy finish.
Considerable aromas of eucalyptus, Bay leaf and cedar rise to the front of this wine, making for an inviting, savory introduction that provides a reasonable complexity. Easygoing, approachable and softly light bodied, it'll do well at the table and big-crowd events.
A healthy portion of barrel influence is felt in this reserve wine, amid medium acidity. This makes for a robust, full-bodied experience, highlighted by caramel apple pie and pineapple, with muddles of butterscotch.
This has a subdued nose that eventually reveals fig, smoke and graphite. On the straightforward palate, a nutmeg note accents mature blackberry while round tannins offer loose-knit support. Drink soon.
This very drinkable and popular blend of 65% Grenache, 31% Syrah and 4% Mourvèdre is a great deal, offering red cherry, smoke and slate on the nose. The palate is equally simple yet quaffable, with red berries, allspice and nutmeg proving refreshingly pleasing.
Thick and concentrated with approachable, present oak, this wine has a ripe, luscious and almost sweet profile, presenting pear compote and peach in equal measure.
From a warm, south-facing vineyard, this is a sunny wine. Ripe red fruits are lifted by acidity. The background has a pepper and spice character that leaves the wine dry, almost structured. Drink now.
The “83” refers to the department number of the Var, the winery's home county in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This open, gentle wine dances with attractive bright, fresh fruitiness. It is crisply textured, with a strong citrus element along with raspberry sweetness. It is an apéritif style.
The entry-level wine at Roubine, this offers so much attractive, lighthearted fruit. It is crisp, packed with tight acidity and red currant flavors. It has a light, bright, deliciously perfumed aftertaste.
Produced from grapes purchased from local growers, this is the entry-level wine of the Rosaline range. It is crisp, clean with an attractive ripeness from the red-berry fruits. It is in a refreshing apéritif style.
Immediately attractive, this fresh wine has crisp fruit and lively acidity. It offers a straight shot of red fruits and lemon, with a tight, mineral texture. The wine will make a fine apéritif.
The entry-level wine at the Faulkner family's estate, this is easygoing, ripe and bright, with citrus plus cherry and strawberry flavors. With soft texture and lively acidity, it will be very drinkable on its own.
Toast and dried herb tones in this Chardonnay lend savoriness to fresher, fruitier expressions of apple, lemon and pear. It's light on its feet and delicate in concentration, finishing briskly.
Intensely fruity, forward tones of peach and strawberry are shaded by bramble and earth on this light-footed rosé. Approachable and fresh, yet just a touch savory, it finishes brisk and clean.
A pungent wine, this has crisp acidity and tight fruits. Lightness comes from the red-currant flavors and the tangy citrus texture. It is bone-dry and will be better with food.
The spice, peach, cream and corn on the cob aromas bring appeal. The flavors are silky and sleek, pulling toward the lemony finish.
Sourced from grapes outside the family's Mas de Cadenet estate, this wine is light, fresh and immediately attractive. Its clear, open texture is ripe but refreshing with a soft fruity aftertaste. The name means “sleepless night” because the grapes are harvested at night.
Peach blossom and dusty melon aromas set up a snappy palate with a mix of salty, melony flavors along with hints of nut skins and papaya. On the finish, a yeasty flavor softens juicy, nervy acidity and related citrus notes.
With his background in Bordeaux, François Lurton knows how to handle Sauvignon Blanc to good effect. This wine is crisp and herbal, suggesting the cooler vineyards of the southwest in its style. It is packed with citrus and spice flavors. Refreshing and delicious, this is an immediately drinkable wine.
Subdued aromas of violet, bilberry and mountain herb guide the nose while the easygoing palate offers fleshy black cherry, clove and tangerine zest. Soft, round tannins make this perfect for everyday enjoyment so drink soon.
This fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc offers a blend of pineapple and nectarine up front, then shows a stony, austere side on the palate, where it ends on dry notes of crushed stone.
Deeply colored, this opens with subdued aromas of smoke, pressed wildflower and a whiff of orchard fruit. The vibrant, linear palate offers pear, tangerine, white almond and a mineral note alongside bright acidity. Reflecting the cool, wet vintage, it's refreshing but a bit lean.
An earthy underbelly of just-pulled strawberry marks this wine, alongside a medium-bodied firmness and spicy acidity. Velvety on the palate it also possesses a tannic bite and showy oak.
Smashed black rocks mesh with dried dill, oregano and black currant on the nose of this bottling from one of the region's older vineyards. The palate is medium-bodied, showing prominent pencil lead, peppercorn, dill and tart black currant and blueberry. Would pair well with a variety of foods.
Aromas of blue flowers, blackberries and cake spices lead the nose on this smooth, structured wine. The palate delivers baked plums, prunes marinated in spirits, cinnamon, white pepper and tobacco alongside soft tannins. It has good length and closes on a chocolate note.
This single-estate wine is rich and opulent. Dark tannins and generous black fruits enhance this juicy wood-aged wine. A touch of mint gives a highlight to the polished feel. It needs aging, so drink from 2017.
Full-bodied but elegant, this conveys an attractive fragrance of blue flower, wet earth, exotic spice and black cherry. The juicy palate delivers black plum and crushed raspberry while notes of ground white pepper, clove and cinammon add depth. Thanks to fresh acidity and polished tannins, it's well-balanced and more accessible than most Amarones. Drink through 2020.
A whiff of Bourbon and vanilla introduces this block selection, then leads into a fine-tuned palate with blue plum, cola, clean earth and graphite. It's elegant without being thin, and pushes through gracefully to a lingering, perfectly balanced finish.
Tantara's 2012 Pinots tend to be cloudy and light like this one, which delivers aromas of cranberry and allspice. It's very soft on the palate, with light chai flavors and the tartness of barely ripe pomegranate.
Aromas of underbrush, porcini mushroom, scorched earth and prune lead the nose on this full-bodied wine. The concentrated palate offers blueberry extract and black plum, while notes of mocha and black pepper add depth. It's still young, with big, chewy tannins and enough fresh acidity to age another decade or more. Drink 2015–2024.
This offers exceptional concentration and power. Sweet strawberry fruit is dense and detailed, bringing hints of spice and milk chocolate into play through a long, utterly satisfying finish.
Single-clone wines can be less complex than clonal blends, but not in this case. The nose is dominated by anise, but the slightly bitter flavors are richer than Tantara's other Rio Vista Vineyard bottling, almost reminiscent of spicy beef goulash. Similarities do persist, though, such as the supple and suave mouthfeel, with an enduring finish.
Aromas of prune, plum cake, graphite and baking spices waft from the glass of this intense, full-bodied wine. The savory palate delivers mature black plum, blueberry extract, white pepper and mocha alongside velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It's surprisingly accessible already but will develop more complexity with aging. Drink through 2022.
Made in small quantities, this Pinot is light in color and gorgeously rendered in earthy, forested notes of Bing cherry and strawberry. Lean and buoyant in acidity, it was given 30% new oak, providing subtle depth and complexity without masking the wine's balance of fruit and earth.
Initially this smells closed, charred, oaky and minty more than lush and fruity, but with airing things get reversed. The palate is rich, ripped and juicy, with excellent structure. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, spice and reedy tobacco finish dry, powerful and with a strong note of licorice. Drink through 2020.
Old vines give this single-parcel wine its power and concentration. Long wood aging hasn't diminished the richness of the fruit, the juicy acidity and the succulent berry flavors. It's a wine that's full and structured, likely to age well. Drink from 2018.
Blue flower, tilled soil, underbrush, tobacco and dried-cherry aromas waft from the glass of this single-vineyard bottling. The warm palate delivers raisin, prune, graphite, mocha, vanilla and a hint of orange peel alongside bracing tannins. The long finish closes on a mineral note.
This toasty expression of Amarone delivers espresso, subtle oak, plum cake and smoky aromas. On the palate, notes of tobacco leaf and grilled herbs accent the primary raisin and prune flavors alongside tightly packed tannins that need a few more years to unwind. Drink after 2017.
Extremely light and transparent in color, this wine has a nose that mixes light raspberry fruit with diced green olive, pimento and burned rubber funk. The olive tapenade carries to the palate with a just-ripe strawberry, making for a lean, savory vintage, which is carried with vibrant acidity that lasts into days two and three.
This shows some extra concentration in its plum and cherry fruit. The mouthfeel has a pleasing texture, and the streaks of herb and cola are nicely integrated. As with many of the wines of this vintage, it's forward and fruit-driven and ready for immediate enjoyment.
This Blanc de Blancs has shed its initial minerality and gained rich fruitiness. Apricots as well as more citrus flavors abound, bringing out a full and round character. From Grand Cru vineyards on the Côte des Blancs, this is ready to drink.
A muskiness is present on the nose of this wine from Santa Barbara County's first commercial vineyard, along with fruitier aspects of strawberry-boysenberry tart. It's fruit-forward on the palate, yet cinnamon toast and cedar give it a more serious edge as well.
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.
While the wine has all the steely crispness you expect in a Chablis, it also offers ripe fruitiness that gives a full-bodied, round character. Acidity cuts through to give a lift to the fruit and to the tight texture of this young wine. It should age until 2015.
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 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.
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.
A great partner for rich sauced fish or pâté, this beautiful wine is relatively sweet, full of gently honeyed fruit, naturally full-bodied. The acidity is a light addition to the weighty texture.
Very spicy, lychee-flavored wine, rich and concentrated. It is full of this perfumed character, with pepper, sweet spice and an edge of honey.
This is an intensely aromatic wine that follows through to a complex palate of white fruit, almond, thyme and fresh acidity. It is dry, with a steely edge, likely to age for several years.
Newsome-Harlow's Shake Ridge is true to its famous Foothills vineyard source year after year and 2009 is no exception. The wine is a little muted at first, gamey even, with looming, site-specific, tarry structure. Give it a rest and it should open up in beautiful ways, its big, blueberry bones impeccably tamed.
Lush and aromatic, with ripe pear and melon fruit, sweet spices and a streak of vanilla. The 20% new oak seems just right, and the flavors persist through a seductively long finish.
Kalkmergel refers to the chalky marl soils, which are said to yield powerful and mineral wines. This is a wonderfully complex example, with scents of musk, quince and brine all combining easily into a knockout aroma. It's citrusy and fresh, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2016, possibly longer.
This full-bodied wine with its spice and creamed pear fruit flavors, feels rich and smooth. Structured and textured, the balanced acidity shows through well, giving a warm, off-dry aftertaste.
Salty brioche and pretzel bread come to mind first on the entry of this wine, both aromatically and on the palate. An intensity of ripe peach and pineapple show through with lush, full-bodied force, accented in vanilla oak.
Rich in blackberry jam and chocolate, this wine offers a wealth of dusty underbelly and tightly wound tannin and toasted oak. Around those richer rewards are brighter elements of cassis and currant, finished in zippy acidity.
Small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah are blended within this sanguine wine, which features tight-grained tannin and a grittiness to the texture. Black cherry, black pepper and a taste of soy round out the flavor profile.
Entirely varietal from one appellation and aged in 100% new French oak tanks for more than two years, this is a substantially robust and tannic wine, puckering somewhat on the palate. Red berry, coconut and a strong herbal component combine for a leathery grip and need for cellaring. Enjoy best from 2022 through 2030.
This wine needs time to open, offering a dense and reduced imprint at the beginning which blows off to reveal a succulent core of smoky maraschino cherry. It's medium in body, well integrated and moderate in oak.
Soft, supple and structured, this wine is richly crafted in pencil shavings and cedar, with denser, fuller flavors of red cherry and raspberry. With a bite of burly power, it contains 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot.
A blend of 54% Petit Verdot, 42% Zinfandel and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon that doesn't hold back in ripeness or body, this offers brick, blackberry and chocolate in equal waves. The texture is lush, plush and softly layered, dusted in mocha and vanilla bean.
Youthful, yet lush and voluptuous on the palate, this balanced wine shows a sublime layering of peach and tropical vanilla with hints of spicy nutmeg and fennel. The oak is subtle and supportive.
Juicy aromas of blueberry meet with licorice and cola, but then show that pleasing gamy funk that this grape often provides. The palate is very likable and quaffable though not particularly complex, with cola, cherry juice, clove and caramel flavors.
This is 100% varietal, from a heritage clone named for the owner and the winery, the Disney Silverado Heritage Clone. It contributes a dusty earthiness to the wine, a density and purity of fruit deep in dense blueberry and blackberry unctuousness. Cedar and graphite season it well, as firm, thick tannins fill up the finish.
Fresh wheat finds its way on the nose of this nicely made wine, followed by a depth of lemon and quince. Medium-bodied and weighty, it's also bright in acidity and succulent, with another dose of floral beauty on the finish.
Spicy cola and strawberry form around a moderate body of ripeness and dense texture in this vineyard designate from a cool-climate appellation. Vanilla and smoke contribute additional flavor and complexity, while a sharpness of acidity finds its way on the finish.
Form one block of the vineyard, this wine offers a substantial cradling of oak, pushing the envelope on tart, savory aspects of flavor, from pine to cranberry, orange and rhubarb. With a gravelly texture, it has weight and depth.
This opens with aromas of black plum, tilled soil, leather and fennel. The dense full-bodied palate offers black cherry and prune accented by notes of clove and graphite. It's all supported by a backbone of assertive tannins. Drink through 2020.
Gravelly texture and crunchy fruit combine for an intriguing experience in this wine, which offers pomegranate and cranberry tartness accented by forest floor and bay leaf. A bright streak of citrus is interwoven within.
Here's a textbook Greco di Tufo that opens with delicate but alluring scents of ripe orchard fruit, orange blossom and a whiff of toasted almond. The crisp yet creamy palate doles out ripe pear, peach and citrus while bright acidity lifts the finish. It closes on a mineral note.
Made from equal thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, varieties the are co-fermented and then aged in French oak for 22 months, 60% of the oak new, this is a dusty, leathery and earthy wine. Lightly styled, it shares a deep expression of blackberry, dark chocolate and coffee.
Smoky and meaty, this impressive estate wine contains 15% Zinfandel, the two grapes working together to form a supple, soft underbelly of full flavor. Blackberry and blueberry ride a textured wave of grippy tannin, accented in black pepper, coffee and leather.
Firm, generous and chalky, the tannins in this wine are profound and persistent, providing foundation for a layering of ripe, juicy black currant that's dusted in cedar and chocolate.
Juicy, this has an exotic twist of burnt cherry and orange to it, accented in Asian spice. Soft, with moderate acidity, it retains an earthy underlay of roses that add to the full-bodied length and density.
This is the culty Santa Cruz Mountains-based winery's entry level blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 27% Grenache, 19% Carignane, 16% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it'll put hooks in newbies, with elegant, soft and silky aromas of violet. The palate combines the purple flowers with acai fruit flavors, making for an addictive sip.
Aromas of wood spice, herb and cherry lead to rich, palate-staining black-fruit flavors. It shows a lovely sense of balance.
The nose on this bottling from longtime Sauv Blanc proponent Fred Brander and winemaker Fabian Bravo is light and delicate, with dried apricot and wet hay aromas, but also tangy, with fresh-cut tangerines. The acidity is evened out on the sip, making for a subtle and pleasant experience full of dried grass, light citrus and Granny Smith apple skin flavors.
Penetrating yellow peach and nectarine flavors anchor this mouthwatering, sun-kissed spätlese. It's gossamer-light in texture yet intensely ripe, calibrated by a thrilling streak of acidity. A delightfully sweet-tart sip to enjoy now through 2025.
Big but well poised and supple, this luxuriously ripe-tasting, mouthfilling, semisweet wine has enormous fruit flavors of black cherry and black currant wrapped in velvety, fine-grained tannins. It's so smooth that it's firm structure is not readily apparent.
The second wine of the historic Mouchão estate, this contains less Alicante Bouschet than the top wine, while still having great power and concentration. There is a crisp feel, as well as plenty of acidity and forward black-currant fruit. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
Apple, melon, saline and buttered popcorn aromas set up a lively palate with snappy acidity. Apple and melon flavors turn a bit stalky and bitter on the finish.
The stainless-steel style reveals lots of green-leaning fruit on this wine: green pear, green banana and kiwi, altogether quite tropical. Similarly, the palate shows lime pith, apple blossoms and apple soda, moving toward a sour and bitter sensation as well.
Subtle, fresh, green aromas like celery and cut grass are followed by light cucumber flavors, a soft texture and short finish. It's a delicate wine at a good price.
Straightforward plum and currant aromas are lightly spiced. This is medium in body, with herbal and slightly bitter plum flavors that finish medicinal.
This bright pink-colored wine is made from Malbec. It is fruity and fresh with strawberry flavors and layers of acidity that give it a crisp, tight aftertaste. Drink now.
Practically a liquid fruit salad, this smells and tastes like orange, apple, cantaloupe and banana. The texture is smooth and rounded, rather than crisp. A little buttery flavor comes through on the finish.
There's an earthy, rustic quality to this soft red Bordeaux blend that veers into overripe, syrupy qualities on the palate, giving it a heaviness that seems to defy its cooler appellation.
A ripe wine that is gently fruity with attractive pear and apricot flavors. It is textured with crisp acidity that contrasts with the rounded, smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Cinsault is just a bit too confected. Bubble gum, melon and stone-fruit notes are bold and forward, then finish tart and dry.
This earthy wine is full of firm and dry tannins. It has a dense and dark character, very concentrated along with its red berry fruits and acidity. At five years, it still tastes young and certainly tannic, not moving very far.
Aromas of lees and buttercup come with a hint of tropical fruit. This fading, Albariño is plump and generic in feel, without much cut or minerality. Melon, apple and pithy citrus flavors finish similarly, with mild bitterness.
Aromas of bath soap and apple come in front of a creamy, round, oily palate. Honeydew, date and vanilla flavors make for a ripe set of flavors, while toast and caramel notes come up on the finish.
This blend of 55% Sémillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of fresh-cut apple and pear with an undercurrent of grapefruit and lime. Light and ephemeral, the finish leans savory in a big way, a taste of salinity lingering.
Low in alcohol for a Syrah, this shows light, underripe flavors of strawberry and white pepper. Not particularly complex, it's maturing quickly and should be consumed over the next couple of years.
With aromas like butter and custard, and flavors that suggest ripe apple and crisp lemon, this is both refreshing and multifaceted. It feels light bodied and has a bit of a sweet-tart balance going for it.
A lightly herbaceous aroma and bright citrus flavors make this light-bodied wine fresh and easy to drink. It smells like fresh-cut grass and lemon, tastes like grapefruit and honeydew melon, and feels soft and smooth.
The nose is a little subdued on this wine, offering leather, red fruits and dust. Pomegranate, plum and raspberry elements arise on the palate, with some roasted game and the faintest hint of chopped herbs.
Dry and somewhat dull in dried herb and chalky tannins, this wine lacks fruit, instead taking on a tomato leaf edge.
Every Gascon white grape seems to have ended up in this ripe, soft blend. It offers plenty of cool-climate acidity, with lemon and pink grapefruit. It also has a steely, more mineral bite, with a more honeyed, perfumed aftertaste.
A relatively pale color and rather delicate plum and red cherry aromas suggest a light, elegant wine, but these are followed by richer flavors and a very tannic texture that dries the teeth like strong tea. It's made from 50% Mourvèdre, 40% Grenache and 10% Petite Sirah.
A very dry and firmly tannic wine, this doesn't give up much aroma, and the flavors also seem bound up with the astringent texture. With a bit of time some blueberry and blackberry aromas emerge, and flavors of black olive, too. This wine seems to require the most marbled steak to balance its austerity in texture, or perhaps 10 years in a cool cellar.
Metallic, stalky aromas open this big but shallow Pinot. Candied plum and raspberry flavors are herbal and heavy. On the finish, stalky berry fruit, herbal hints and animal notes are part of the package.
This is tart to the edge of sourness, so much so that flavors of lemon prevail. It might make a suitable wine to quaff with raw oysters, but as a varietal Pinot Blanc it doesn't offer much charm.
This 100% Viognier from Cairanne is broad and rich, showing proper varietal notes of apricot and ginger. It seems a bit warm and soft on the finish.
This is a plump, perky little red, full of ripe, bouncy cherry fruit on the nose and palate. It's an easy quaff that falls away quickly on the finish.
The herbal side of the grape dominates here, in both aromas and flavors. The mixed red berries have a wild, mountain-grown flavor, with streaks of green bean. Acids are chalky, and a thoughtful food pairing—something meaty and pepper-crusted—is what will bring out the best in this wine.
Fruity and big-boned, this opens well with pleasant plum and cherry flavors. It doesn't quite hold together, turning sour and leaving an off-taste in the finish.
This feels good in a regular sense, with apple-driven acidity and leesy notes of vanilla. A standard, zesty, pithy palate offers briny, slightly bitter flavors of peach and pulpy citrus, while the finish feels citric and tastes briny.
Green apples and citrus flavors dominate this fresh, fruity wine with its finishing acidity. It's light, bright and ready to drink.
This huge, ripe wine is packed with sweet fruit and a sense of structure. It is concentrated and intense and has good aging potential for the next four or five years.
The nose is light and attractive, with peach and floral accents. The mouth is perfectly smooth, with apple, melon and a hint of flint or steel. On the finish, some cinnamon spice adds character to the baked-apple flavors. With no flaws, this is the epitome of affordable, drinkable Chardonnay. Best Buy.
It is rare to find a Müller-Thurgau with such flavor, but Pojer and Sandri have a penchant for getting more than most out of lesser grape varieties. This wine has broad fruit flavors along with a crisply aromatic aftertaste.
Offers rich, concentrated fruit with lovely apple and cream flavors, a touch of vanilla and superripe fruit. The aftertaste has a touch of acidity, but richness rather than acidity is what this wine is about.
The nose is big and forward, a statement of modernity for this French-owned Chilean winery. Once you get to the wine itself, it's a bit boxed in and young, but with plenty of berry and cherry fruit. The finish is big and expansive, an indication that the wine should age nicely for at least four or five years. A good wine for fans of Chile's reds.
Tocai Friulano and Ribolla Gialla give this wine attractive floral aromas and full flavors of tropical fruits (lychees?), while the Sauvignon Blanc in the blend provides grapefruity notes that perfectly balance the effusiveness of the other varieties.
Quite condensed and woody, with brier and sawdust aromas and some vivacious berry fruit. The palate is deep and pure, with cherry and cassis along with hints of coffee and earth. Yes, it's a bit hard due to firm tannins, but it's also a complete wine with a long, overt finish. Best Buy.
You don't hear much about Cab Franc from Chile, but this is one that is worth seeking out. The aromas are spicy and attractive, even if there's some lemony oak masking the fruit. In the mouth, raspberry, red cherry and red apple run the show, and then comes a fresh, lithe, balanced finish. Everything is generally in place here, including some bright, refreshing acidity. Only the heavy oak dulls it down a touch. Best Buy.
This Trentino Sauvignon is surprisingly rich and viscous, coating the mouth with mixed fruit flavors, including tangerine, lime and pineapple. Despite the rich mouthfeel, the flavors linger delicately on the finish, giving an unexpected feeling of elegance. Best Buy.
Named after the matriarch of the De Martino family, this is a tropical-influenced wine with full banana, papaya and melon flavors atop lighter-weight aromas. The finish is equally tropical in style, with creamy oak mixing with ripe banana to create a sundae-like whole. The palate is chewy and satisfying as the wine tips the scale toward full bodied. Best Buy.
Very fragrant, with aromas of violets, charred meat and ample black fruit. The flavor profile is uncommon but appealing, surely a result of the blend, which is Cabernet Sauvignon along with Carmenère and Petit Verdot. On the finish, you get a hint of charcoal in addition to espresso. If it were deeper and more complex it could potentially be a great wine.
At first take, the aromas are of barbecued meats, beets and earth; later some lemony oak emerges. The fruit here is nice: It's a clean mix of cassis and cherry, with toasty oak-based undercurrents. Very solid and sturdy, and a bit charred at the edges. Try it for a positive look into modern Carmenère.
A supple, oaky red, infused with aromas of sandalwood and flowers and flavors of roasted cherries and dried spices. Finishes smooth and creamy, with hints of vanilla.
This wood-aged Pinot Bianco offers ripe, full fruit with accompanying wood and spice flavors. It is rich and quite soft, but has a touch of crisp acidity.
Boasts penetrating grapefruit aromas but also some warm, peachy accents. On the palate, its stony and minerally flavors play against a richly textured mouthfeel. The long, delicate finish shows hints of pepper and grapefruit.
Consistency is always a virtue, and once again this wine is creamy, fully oaked and more European in style than most Chilean Chardonnays. The nose is like popcorn, with apple and peach in the background. Flavors of banana, coconut, melon and apple carry the rich palate, while the finish is smooth and oaky. This is very good Chardonnay even if it lacks the extra elements required of a great wine. Drink now for its freshness.
This single-vineyard wine blends 60% Pinot Bianco with 30% Chardonnay, plus smaller amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Complex flavors come from this blend and from the wood aging, giving a wine that is rich and ripe with acidity at the same time.
A blend of Malvasia, Riesling and Tocai Friulano, the name of the wine means flowers of the grapes. It is a deliciously aromatic wine, spicy, perfumed, with flavors of honey and citrus. Light acidity at the end stops it being too over the top.
From the Apalta Vineyard in Colchagua, this robust, fruity Merlot is rich and sweet, and offers a fine mesh of blueberry and black raspberry fruit. The wine is warm and friendly, and overall it's quite easy to drink. The structure is there and so is the flavor and foundation. And it improves with airing, always a good sign of quality.
The toast and blackberry aromas seem to lighten with air, giving way to raspberry and  strawberry scents. Flavors of sweet red berries and cream and a long, oaky finish.
If you love overt oak, then add a couple of points to this plump, modern Chard that runs over with the aromas, flavors and textures that stem from new-oak barrels. The bouquet is mostly popcorn atop apple and pear, while the flavor profile is ripe apple and banana. The finish is soft and creamy, with flavors of lemon and fresh-cut wood. Fine acidity and balance work in its favor.
A soft, full style of Sauvignon Blanc, with tropical fruits and rich, toasty flavors. But there is a layer of gooseberries and herbs to give the wine some freshness.
This is a new wine from one of Chile's most consistent producers, and it's quite the saturated bruiser. The color is deep purple, while the nose is raw and heavy, with deep fruit and plenty of bacon-like character. The mouth is like blackberry pie, while the feel is full and tannic, although not at all offensive or tough. The finish is dark, brooding and just a little bitter. An interesting new entry to Chile's roster, and one that's very well oaked.
Crisp cherry and plum aromas are gritty. This Malbec shows wiry acidity but the palate is still a touch soupy. Salty plum and oak spice flavors include notes of clove and pepper. As a whole, this is oaky and fairly heavy.
The tannins and the fruit are well balanced in this open, fruity wine. A blend from several vineyards, it has a dusty texture, ripe red fruits and acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Billowy tannins star in this blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Smoky toast and tobacco form a foundation of prominent oak and tannin, softened by ripe layers of black cherry, blueberry and mocha.
This stiff, herbal, low-priced wine is in a suddenly competitive category. It's muscular and compact, with tight, sharp cranberry fruit, overtaken by stem and herb flavors.
Aromas of cedar and leather leave a savory impression that's echoed on the palate, where flavors center on cola, baking spices and mushroom. A crisp finish provides bright contrast. Drink up.
Leathery animal notes blend with stalky berry and plum aromas in front of a bumpy palate with hard tannins. This tastes of herbal plum and berry, with a mildly green, oaky accent. That same oaky, green action repeats on the finish.
Lime and orange peel remain in front of dried apricot and nuts on the nose. The palate shows soft grassiness and lifted acidity, which keeps the feel lean and short.
This full-bodied wine has unapologetic late-harvest flavors like raisins and prunes dusted with dried herbs, and a firm texture that comes with alcoholic heat.
Vivid, tangy fruit flavors like raspberry and strawberry come with a light sweetness in this medium-bodied lightly tannic wine.
Rich and creamy, yellow fruit ripeness over lime zest acidity. This is powerful wine, although not heavy, its acidity bursting out through the complex flavors.
Literally timeless, L'Intemporelle is an elegant, almost discreet style. It downplays the rich fruit to present a stylish wine, with citrus highlights over ripe yellow fruit. This 2005 is still young; age for 3–4 years.
Smooth and rich, with ripe, spiced peach as well as a mineral edge. The acidity tightens the generous texture of this powerful wine, leaving the concentration deliciously fresh.
A soft product of a soft vintage, offering rich fruit as well as a crisp texture. The balance is just right: green apples and lime to go with yeast and acidity that lies neatly under everything. Age this excellent wine for 2–3 years.
This is just the third Sauvignon Blanc from Stevens (none was made in 2008), sourced from Klipsun vineyard and stainless steel fermented. Richly textural, with a creamy minerality, this has a pleasing intensity, a sort of nervosity (as the French might put it), lined with a sweet grain character. The fruits are tart and racy, a mix of citrus rind and pulp, tangerine and pineapple, finished with natural acidity.
From a hard-edged vintage, this Bordeaux blend is just beginning to open up, but has a firm structure and a steely spine. The aromas are strongly varietal, with a mix of fresh herbs and sharp tannins. The fruit is subtle, black cherry and cassis, threaded with smoke.
Dusty, sweet, dark-fruited and properly herbal, this is a Cabernet that very much fits the Chilean blueprint of what the variety should smell and taste like. Creamy and full, with bold berry, herb and vanilla flavors, and then with a lush, dense finish. Drink now through 2012.
This is a full-bodied wine with a citrus streak of acidity to go with peach and apricot flavors. It is rich, just hinting at minerality, generous in mouthfeel.
This wine is an unusual blend of equal parts Carmenere and Petit Verdot. The former takes the lead on the aromas with notes of whole green and jalapeño pepper. The peppery flavors provide interest but the light concentration can't keep the focus together.
This blend of 50% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 17% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne offers candied banana, crème brûlée and sea-salt caramel on the very tropical, rich and creamy nose. Similar flavors show on the palate, where a banana-cream-pie character is delicious, though it may be too ripe for many.
Rounded red cherry, fresh-pressed grapes, fruit punch and a touch of espresso show on the nose of this always popular and easy-to-drink bottling. The flavors are juicy and light on the palate, with anise and cranberry-cherry lifted by cola.
Invigorating citrus and crushed-mineral tones reverberate throughout this spry Pinot Gris. It's not deeply concentrated on the palate, but the zesty grapefruit and lime flavors are refreshing and thirst-quenching.
Aromas of herb, pressed rose, ripe berry and a funky whiff of farm animal come together on this. The firm palate offers tart red cherry, chopped herb and a balsamic note alongside bracing tannins and bright acidity. An earthy, bitter note of game marks the finish.
Delicate aromas of wild berry and flint eventually take shape in the glass along with a whiff of underbrush. The linear palate is on the lean side, offering raw, sour cherry and a suggestion of star anise alongside firm but rather fleeting tannins that lead to an abrupt finish.
This is an attractive, soft and fruity wine. With gentle tannins and a touch of spice to balance the red fruits, it is developing into a juicy wine. Lightly smoky at the end, it will be ready to drink from 2017.
The wine has yeasty aromas although the fruit is all there. Red-berry flavors are cut with a tannic texture and enough acidity to balance. The wine will be better from the end of 2016.
An attractive, fruity wine full of black currants and acidity. The tannins are still dry and need to soften a little before the wine is ready to drink. It does have all the bright character of this early developing vintage. Drink from 2017.
This is a crisp, really fruity wine with a light touch of wood from the six months of barrel aging. It is ripe, lightly herbal balancing citrus flavors with riper yellow fruits. Drink now.
Layers of coffee, vanilla and spice lend an oaky undertone to this plump, easygoing red. The palate is approachably fruity, offering a generous dose of fleshy plum and cherry flavors. Feathery fine tannins and a kiss of vanilla mark the finish.
Plump and voluminous on the palate, this full-bodied wine is marked by swirls of caramel, orange and peach flavors. It's a bit plush in feel but accents of spice and smoked lend nuance.
Light aromas of stone fruit, prickly pear and spice lead to a medium-bodied palate that tapers toward the finish.
Compacted aromas of blueberry, rubber, smoky oak and leather precede a jammy, widespread palate with tannic grab. This tastes of woody, savory berry fruits, while the finish is short, a touch salty and moderate in depth and complexity.
Unusual aromas of cocoa and green tea mochi lead to a creamy smooth palate. The oak plays a primary role.
Aromas of weedy underbrush, toast, menthol and cherry marinated in spirits emerge in the glass. The palate shows raw sour cherry and a hint of licorice alongside raspy tannins that dry out the finish.
Whiffs of barnyard and bramble lend rusticity to this wine, contrasted by fresher, prettier notes of rose petal and blackberry jam. It's a charming Merlot marked by crisp black-fruit flavor, sprightly acidity and dusty, lingering tannins.
A smooth and creamy wine that is also full of fresh fruit and crisp acidity. It has an attractive floral character along with a mineral texture that gives the wine its shape. The wine is ready to drink.
This is a ripe, warm Gamay with black-cherry fruits that give acidity to go with the soft texture. It is juicy, fruity and will make a fine summer drink, lightly chilled. Drink now.
This is a light blend of the two Cabernets with fresh red fruits and a touch of stalky tannin. It is made from organically grown grapes, fresh, full of red-cherry and red-currant flavors that are given an even crisper character by the acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from the end of 2016.
This is a lively, fresh and crisp wine. It has a touch of minerality and pepper that is lifted by the citrus and kiwi-fruit flavor. There is a fine tang at the end. Drink now.
Aromas of lemon-lime soda, chalk, underripe nectarine and kumquat show on the nose of this bottling from Southern California. Tangy citrus and a wet-cement minerality show through on the sip, where ripe Gravenstein-apple flavors trend toward sour stone-fruit rinds on the finish.
A juicy, herb-tinged wine expressive in dusty, just-ripe blackberry, Paradiso combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all aged in 80% new French oak for 19 months. Full bodied and oaky, it has a lasting taste of chocolate.
Now mature and ready to drink, this is a ripe, smooth wine. It has soft tannins and a rounded texture with spice and secondary undergrowth flavors. The wine, from an estate owned by the bishops of Angers before the French Revolution, needs no more aging.
Aromas of currant, plum, herbs and dry brush are fresh, focused and don't try too hard. Wiry and juicy on the palate but not all that deep, this blend of 40% Cabernet and 60% Mencía tastes of pointed plum and raspberry, flavors that turn a touch sour on a zesty, acidic finish.
Red currant and dried-herb aromas lead into sweet cranberry and cherry flavors. It goes down easy.
A strong oak influence adds a lot of maple syrup and toasted spice flavors to dark-fruit notes in this full-bodied and firmly tannic wine.
Tropical aromas of melon and mango make for a good start. This varietal white rings with bright acidity but tastes a touch pithy and bitter, like barely ripe nectarine with the pit. An orange-like citrus flavor takes over on the finish.
Hints of milk chocolate and spice accent this sumptuously rich, silky wine. Ripe black cherry and berry flavors are approachably juicy and fruity, fringed by soft, feathery tannins.
Uniquely sea-salty aromas of kelp mesh with sharp Italian herbs and heavily spiced cherry on the nose of this wine from a vineyard at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Flavors range from raspberry and tart cranberry to clove, cardamom and espresso.
This polished wine opens with delicate white floral aromas and hints of stone fruit. The savory but elegant palate delivers white peach and lemon accented with almond and mineral notes. It's a subtle wine that shows true elegance.
Inky, black aromas of asphalt, licorice and shoe polish hit hard, and the alcohol is immediately evident. This is gigantic in the mouth and carries some burn, but flavors of coffee, chocolate cake and wild berry are exotic and finish firm and generous, with multiple layers. Drink this ripe Malbec through 2018.
Raspberries, a hint of mint and some tea flavors highlighting the tannins are the first impressions. Young, bright, juicy and concentrated, this wine seems sure to improve through 2020 or longer. If you want to drink it young, give it a good hour of decanting first.
Extended wood aging has deepened the gold color of this wine and brought out the old wood, old gold flavors. It is opulent, with plenty of acidity as well as spice and perfume. It is not the sort of wine to age in bottle, so drink now with dried fruits or blue cheeses.
From an estate just northwest of the already rather western Sta. Rita Hills appellation, this mashes up raspberry, oak tree roots, black tea and vanilla on the nose. The flavors are crisp and clean with red fruit, brown spice and just enough tannins and acidity.
J. Lohr dives into the dark side of Pinot Noir, presenting a deeply hued wine with black cherries, slate and yeast on the nose. Licorice and blackberry power the palate with sage as the prevailing herb, all balancing out well despite the relatively high alcohol content.
Although this wine is labeled Brut, it is in fact right at the driest end of that category. Bone dry, therefore, while full of white fruits and crisp lemon zest flavors. The texture is tight, steely and speaks strongly of the chalk of the soil. It is still young, so this vintage wine can be drunk now for its fruitiness or left until 2016 for a more rounded, toasty character.
Made with organically grown Pinot Nero, this opens with a fragrance of perfumed red berry and cream-filled pastry. The elegant palate offers creamy strawberry, wild raspberry and spice alongside bright acidity and a soft mousse.
Made without the added dosage used to enhance sweetness in traditionally crafted sparklers, this wine proves that with great fruit no corrections are needed. Flavors include ripe McIntosh apple, bright nectarine, toasted almond and vanilla alongside an elegant perlage. It finishes dry in flavor, with tangy acidity.
A soft and round exterior hides the concentrated, structured core that sets this wine on a long road to maturity. Creamed pears, quince and tight acidity are developing to come through and fill the wine with a crisp character allied to steeliness. Drink from 2017.
This is the best Delamotte vintage since 1996, a ripe and rich wine that brings out the chalky soil character with a strong mineral content. It has weight along with a relatively high dosage that gives softness. It is balanced, fruity and ready to drink.
A lightly orange-colored rosé that is made by macerating the grapes on the skins for 72 hours. The result is a soft wine, very dry while also showing a rounded character that gives richness. Ripe red fruits and a touch of grapefruit are sustained by a mineral texture. Drink now.
Concentrated, smoky aromas of dark fruits, graphite and toast are direct and potent. A grabby mouthfeel is defined by elastic, staunch tannins. Blackberry, cassis and a hint of lemony oak create a fine flavor profile, while the finish is loamy and tastes of licorice and peppery spices. Drink through 2018.
Pato's pair of old vine wines, a red and this white, are beautifully complex. With its rich melon, tropical fruits, spice and light toastiness, this wine is concentrated with still-young acidity and currant fruit flavors. It's a great wine that needs to develop before drinking. Wait until 2016.
Powerful, with tannins that are seamlessly woven into the fruitiness, this is a rounded, ripe and concentrated wine. The berry fruits and the juicy damsons are as important as the generous, soft texture. The wine will develop over the medium-term; drink from 2017.
Scents of pine pitch, tomato, smashed kalamata olive and wild berry combine for a clove-soaked punch experience. Spice hits the palate hard, with oregano, thyme, sagebrush and more pine, set against strong tannins as well. Lay this one down for additional development and maturity, and try after 2018.
This dry, savory, small-production sparkler has deep layers of fresh-baked brioche and orange blossom. The golden yellow color provides a sign of its longer evolution in bottle. The finish is long and lingering, making this a memorable wine.
Ripe, jammy raspberry and blackberry aromas come with pastry notes and a strong blast of woodspice. This strapping wine has staunch tannins and hard-pushing acidity. Flavors of toast, blackberry and pepper lean toward the dark side, while the wine's handsome finish is secure in structure, balance and length. Drink through 2020.
Dark, ripe aromas of blackberry and cassis are accented by tree bark, baking spice and licorice notes. This feels ripe, loamy and borderline jammy. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, cocoa and loamy earth finish toasty and weighty. Drink through 2017.
While the nose is savory with dusty mineral and earth tones, the palate of this semi-sweet Riesling is intensely concentrated with juicy, ripe peach and marmalade flavors. It's lacy and light in texture, but penetrating fruit flavors linger long on the finish.
Made entirely with native grape Greco, this sparkler from southern Italy features aromas of lemon blossom, chamomile and yeasty notes of bread crust. The creamy palate delivers nectarine, citrus, lemon cream pie, honey and mineral alongside an elegant mousse and crisp acidity.
Concentrated berry and mossy aromas are inviting and introduce a fresh palate that rolls comfortably along. Black fruit, spice, herb and licorice flavors finish minty, spicy and long. This wine is from the Tupungato region, and it shows: It's balanced and herbal, but also loaded with fruit.
Formerly known as Vendimia Seleccionada, this old-vines Tempranillo is strutting its stuff. Savory, rooty, baked aromas of black fruits come with a hint of grit and leather. The mouthfeel is powerful and deep, while flavors of toasty oak, chocolate, coconut, tobacco and vanilla accent spicy blackberry and cassis notes that finish long and strong. Drink through 2024.
Gorgeously ripe and rich, this powerful wine has a dark structure and layer after layer of juicy black fruits. It's still young and the mineral side of the wine is still showing, but its future is looking good with that beautiful fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
Soft and seductive, this wine is seriously sexy with its palate-coating flavor-fest that runs from bright, crisp raspberry into ripe Bing cherry. Lemony acids underscore the lush fruit, and 10 months aging in one-third new barrels brings finishing highlights of caramel and toasted coconut.
Very dry, this is a crisp, steely and structured wine, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that still tastes young. A blend made from nine different villages, it is so fresh and fruity with its white and citrus fruits, sliced apples and lemon juice. A zesty character at the back gives it a lively aftertaste.
Raisin, cassis, earth and lead pencil aromas make up the bouquet on this ripe, meaty Mencía. The palate pushes up against jammy, but shows enough structure and restraint to rate highly. Earthy, loamy flavors of ripe blackberry blend with herbal notes and graphite to usher in a smooth, warm, oaky finish. Drink through 2020.
This Slovenian Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of bramble, pencil lead and red plum. It is soft on entry into the mouth with flavors of black plum, black raspberry and a soft, sweet tannic finish.
Herb, strawberry, cigar box and orange twist aromas provide interest. The palate is broad in feel, with lightly styled fruit flavors that deliver.
The Stewart cuvée is lightly smoky, with plenty of up-front flavor. It marries cherry fruit to citrusy acidity, with a chunky, robust core and a crisp, clean finish.
Delicious ripe berry and cherry flavors make this medium-bodied wine very lush and fruity. It does have moderate tannins for texture, but the richness of fruit just drenches the palate.
Just a shade off dry, this delicately sweet Riesling showers the palate in a cascade of fresh grapefruit, apple and lemon flavors. It's straightforward in style but refreshing and enjoyable, finishing with hints of bramble and earth. Drink now through 2019.
Heady aromas of white wild flower, chopped herb and a whiff of honeydew melon lead the nose. The enjoyable palate offers ripe lemon and juicy nectarine that carry through to the tangy finish.
This wine comes from a single vineyard in the heart of the appellation. It is soft, just hinting at the lime acidity while focused on ripe yellow and green-plum fruits. This wine can develop further and will be at its best from 2017.
Ripe, juicy pear appears as a pristine, expressive flavor on nose and palate. Body and structure are light and just off dry. Drink soon while at its delicious peak.
In this generous interpretation of Nuits Saint-Georges, ripe berry fruits burst through the typical dry tannins. It has plenty of red-fruit flavors, a generous texture and structure. Drink this already attractive wine from 2018.
This wine is crisp and refreshingly fruity. With red currant and bright spicy acidity, it is lively, just hinting at a tannic edge. It finishes with a burst of raspberries.
This 100% Traminer is light bodied and has aromas of pineapple, peach, kumquat and rose petal. It is soft and balanced in the mouth with flavors of peach, apricot and lychee.
This Romanian Chardonnay has a perfumed nose of vanilla, white flowers and ripe banana. It is medium bodied with flavors of papaya, guava, mango and honeydew melon.
This is a forward, fruity take on the grape, mixing plum and berry and vivid citrus components. Oak aging brings in dark chocolate highlights, which complement the highlights of candied orange peel in the finish.
Light cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors go with a medium-body and grippy texture to make this wine rather tight on the palate. It's a good, versatile lunch and dinner drink because the supportive tannins and acidity will pair nicely with food.
Red cherry, a touch of cinnamon, purple flowers and baked vanilla cookies show on the nose of this wine. Black cherry and gingerbread spice consume the palate, which also offers a rocky minerality and a vanilla foam finish.
This effusive wine is so fruity and plush that it tastes almost sweet, as the strawberry and boysenberry jam flavors flood the tongue followed by black pepper in the wake. High in alcohol and ripeness, it would make a great pairing with chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Beeswax, mature orchard fruit and yellow flower aromas emerge from the glass. The refreshing palate offers lemon drop, peach and pear alongside tangy acidity. A grapefruit note closes the finish.
Aromas of citrus blossom, lemon and fragrant wild flower open. The fresh, juicy palate offers lemon zest, mature apricot and grilled oregano while a tangy saline note backs up the finish.
This medium-bodied wine has bold aromas of black pepper, tobacco and clove that merge with straightforward cherry and herb flavors for a nicely complex profile. It has way more depth and interest than the price tag would suggest.
Situated on the east coast of Corsica, this vineyard is 50 hectares. The wine is ripe, full in the mouth and refreshingly fruity. There is a touch of spice as well as great waves of fresh acidity.
Aromas of citrus, white flower and Mediterranean herb lift out of the glass. The round, juicy palate offers lime, apricot and pineapple alongside tangy acidity. A hint of white almond backs up the finish.
Tasted barely six months past fermentation, this is as fresh as spring strawberries. It's juicy and forward, delicious and rather substantial at near 14% alcohol. Enjoy this chilled with cold salads and picnic fare.
Hard, rubbery blackberry and black-currant flavors are herbal but settle with airing. This feels round, fresh and fair. Flavors of spiced plum, blackberry, carob and generic spices finish dark and foresty, with good overall balance.
This balanced, ripe and fruity wine is already refreshing and crisp. Plenty of red-currant flavors go along with the lively acidity and bright aftertaste.
Punchy berry aromas lead to a fresh, direct palate with fairly sharp acidity. This shows flavors of plum, berry, herbs and spice, which are standard for Rioja. A lasting finish with mild oak and acidic snap wraps up this easy-to-gauge Crianza.
Paler than typical for Australian rosés, this is more in the style of southern France. It's light to medium in weight, with a crisp, refreshing feel and bright berry and lime zest flavors. Drink now.
A full-bodied, robust expression of the variety from an appellation that can sometimes be relatively cool, this shows deft characteristics of savory pepper, cedar and a tightness of lively acidity. While fresh it's also heavy, with a finish of black tea.
Featuring some dusty tannins on the finish, this is fairly structured for Aussie Grenache. Dried herbs and dried cherries are balanced by hints of dusty earth on the long finish. Drink 2013–2017.
Firm raspberry fruit, tight and concentrated, is swathed in a generous coat of deliciously toasty oak. Tart and youthful, the wine's depth comes through as it breathes open in the glass, adding licorice, coffee grounds, and buttered nuts to the toasty finish.
This Rhône-style red blend plays out broadly across the full palate, filling the mouth with tangy flavors of mixed berries and plums. Generously applied oak brings on a wash of baking spices, coconut and cinnamon, giving a sweetness to the moderate tannins.
A superb value, this wine's weighty presence and rich texture convey the warmth of the Barossa without ever stepping over into overripeness. Instead, it delivers mixed berry fruit, peppery spice and overtones of vanilla and chocolate. Drink now and over the next few years.
A stunning Chard that shows the greatness of the vintage in the wine's superb balance between ripe fruit flavors of pear and melon and vibrant acidity. Soft floral accents add depth to the nose, while well-integrated oak flavors infuse the palate and spice up the long finish. Delicious now, but shows promise for some aging.
Interestingly, Sidewood's 2008 Reserve Shiraz comes in considerably lower in alcohol than the regular bottling. It features a complex interplay of herb, spice and olive that gives it a stylistic resemblance resemblance to northern Rhône Syrahs. The tannins are silky, the finish long and balanced. Drink now–2018.
Similar in style to the higher-priced Cobos wine from the same vineyard. Bramare delivers cassis, plum and berry aromas rolled into a pleasant and familiar whole. Feels rich but refined, with meaty flavors that hit on leather, berry, black plum and chocolate. Spicy and chocolaty on the finish. Drink now through 2014.
All six Bordeaux grapes—yes, including Carmenère—are in this fruity blend, aged for 21 months in 80% new French oak and 20% once-used French oak. Plums and cherries, a distinctive whiff of cola, and highlights of cinnamon spice all come together. Tannins are round, almost silky, and the wine fades in a graceful finish.
With refreshingly tart blackberry fruit, this Zweigelt has some concentration and displays a good balance between light body, refreshing acidity and clean, lively fruit notes. A great party wine.
This opens with a blast of bell pepper and leafy berry aromas. The palate is juicy but scratchy, while flavors of plum, raspberry and herbs finish tart, with no evolution.
Chardonnay from a hot valley in a hot vintage equals something like this. Orange peel and oak aromas, a pulpy palate and warm flavors of orange and grapefruit.
Aromatically inviting, with notes of fresh apple, honeydew and white blossoms, this Chardonnay is a bit confected on the palate from candied, overripe flavors of apples and quince. It's a shade off-dry in style with soft, lemony acidity.
Gentle red-cherry fruit, soft and pliable tannins and fresh acidity combine to make this a simple and cheerful light red for drinking now.
Fermented in 100% stainless steel, this priced-to-sell Syrah has some red fruit and violet character. On the finish it tastes slightly burnt.
Usually Natura is better than this; this hot-vintage wine shows animal notes, spice and jumpy plum and cherry aromas. It's edgy and raw in feel, with hollow, green-leaning flavors and minty oak. An echo of green rattles across the finish.
Plum and cherry aromas are generic in nature. This feels jammy and candied, while heavy berry fruit and oak flavors combine to keep things basic and muddled.
This coastal Syrah smells reduced and funky, with notes of juniper, blueberry and green herbs. A jammy, saturated palate is more flat and dull than ideal, while flavors of stewed, herbal blue fruits and carob finish minty and green.
Herbal aromas, a chunky palate and herbal cherry and plum flavors finish earthy and with a raisiny element. This is sort of amorphous and mealy on the palate.
This smells pretty good: cherry and plum aromas with mild oak are solid. The palate, however, is hard and has a plastic-like feel. Flavors of plum and berry finish bitter like espresso.
Ripe with cherry-berry juiciness, this is a value-priced Zin that's straightforward all around, with a bitter taste to the finish.
Raw, leafy aromas announce a hard, astringent wine with green, herbal flavors of juniper and raspberry. A rubbery finish confirms that this is base level and acceptable in the scheme of things.
This is a strangely chemical wine that has overripe fruit. It misses out on initial acidity and fruitiness.
Made without added sulfites and with no dosage, this opens on aromas of acacia and honey that lead to the lean palate, along with yellow apple and citrus zest. Racy acidity provides the backbone while a hazelnut note claims the finish.
The nose and palate of this wine are quite mellow for the first few hours after opening but grow more compelling with time, so decanting is strongly recommended. Pepper, subtle blueberry, coffee and slate aromas lead into chocolate, black plum, charcoal and soy flavors on the palate.
Cedar, tangy black cherry, boysenberry, black pepper and sharp citrus scents show on the very powerful nose of this bottling. The oak influence remains strong on the palate, where vanilla and charred pine notes meet piquant dark red fruit, oregano and marjoram flavors.
Aromas are high toned and barrel-forward, with notes of vanilla, green wood and cocoa. The fruit is able to break through on the palate that shows a pleasing sense of balance.
Coconut, vanilla and spice aromas are at the fore, with the fruit seeming a bit dried out. The black-plum flavors show pleasing depth, with baking-spice flavors speckled throughout. The wood is primary but it's still appealing.
Pleasing aromas of marionberry, cocoa and spice are followed by lightly styled but still palate-coating fruit flavors. A velvety texture heightens the appeal, with fruit and barrel flavors lingering on the finish.
This is a fun and quaffable kitchen sink blend of 32% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 9% Zinfandel and 4% Malbec. Sea salt caramel and cherry candy aromas lead into a palate full of red currant and strawberry jam flavors. Serve with cheeseburgers.
A rosy, almost rusty color and dusty aromas of crushed granite, cinnamon and citrus peel open this high-elevation Garnacha from the Sierra de Gredos, which is south of Madrid. A full, pulling palate features rubbery tannins while light, salty red-berry flavors end with a creamy finish.
A green-gold shade, this wine leaps up with buttery scents and flavors, at first more nutty than toasty. It has a tight core of mixed stone fruits, with toasty barrel flavors to wrap it up.
Dried mint, dessicated red currant, rose bud and wet slate aromas show on the fairly shy nose of this appellation blend. Game, red berry and sharper allspice notes arise on the palate. Persistent acidity makes it a good match for a variety of foods.
There's a light nectarine touch on the nose of this bottling, alongside coconut and Bosc pear aromas and a kiss of oak. It's a tad ripe on the palate, with lemon cream flavors, but compelling acidity, grippy structure and lime pith bitterness all keep it in check.
Alluring aromas of Spanish broom, chamomile and a whiff of crushed stone come together in the glass. The bright palate offers peach, nectarine and a pleasant touch of bitter almond alongside vibrant acidity. A mineral note closes the finish.
Lovely floral scents of black locust flower, orange blossom and a whiff of aromatic herb float out of the glass. The round but elegantly structured palate offers white peach, white currant, sage and mineral. Soft acidity lifts the creamy flavors.
White spring flower and citrus aromas lead the way on this juicy, savory wine. On the bright palate, a touch of cake spice accents succulent grapefruit, lemon drop and green apple alongside fresh acidity. A white almond note fills in the finish.
This is a rounded, ripe and fruity wine named after a red star in the Cetus constellation. It is immediately drinkable with attractive red-currant fruit flavors along with perfumed acidity and just a touch of orange zest. The wine is refreshing and very ready to drink.
There is building excitement around this grape, popular in California 100 years ago and often coming from old vines today. Aromas of caramel, baked plum and crushed brown spice show on the nose, while the palate offers darker touches of espresso, dark chocolate, elderberry, plum skins, pulverized blackberry, black pepper and cedar on the finish.
The Sauvignon Blanc style here has gotten more refined and restrained in recent years, less opulent and flamboyant. This hints at snow pea and struck flint on the nose, then delivers primarily grapefruit on the palate, ending on a slightly austere note.
This wine's delicately lemony bouquet belies the exuberant tropical mango and guava flavors that await on the palate. While intensely ripe and boldly concentrated, it balances neatly with a refreshingly citrus finish.
This wine is mostly Merlot along with equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of barrel spices, red cherries, dried and fresh herbs and toast are followed by plump cherry and cranberry flavors, brightened by tart, puckering acidity that needs time to fully integrate. Drink from 2019 and beyond.
Made from a selection of grapes dominated by Syrah, this is the more structured of the two rosés produced at the estate. Rpe red and citrus fruits are filled out with touches of apricot juice. Very much a wine for food, it has a dry, spicy aftertaste.
Aromas suggesting honeysuckle, citrus blossom, honeydew melon, aromatic herb and a whiff of tomato vine lead the way. The round, medium-bodied palate is full of grapefruit, white peach and mature Bosc pear while a mineral note closes the finish.
A high mark of acidity complements the crisp flavors of cherry, strawberry and cranberry here, accented by woody forest notes and a bitter, savory component of black tea. Light-bodied, it has enough body and weight to stay relevant through the finish.
Aromas of the underside of a pineapple and freshly cut mango are followed by just off-dry, exuberant tropical fruit flavors. It's a mouthful of fruit that goes down easy.
Red apple, light pineapple and key lime cream show on the nose of this twist-top bottling from the regionally pioneering Smith family. The palate is tightly wound and full of intriguingly delicate depth, offering pencil lead, shiso leaf, daikon radish, lemon-lime, sea foam and oyster shells.
Plump raspberries, darker blackberries, a touch of red and purple flowers, a bit of pork fat and a splash of root beer show on the nose of this blend of 51% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre and 7% Zinfandel. It's full and fruit on the palate with cooked blackberries, surounding a line of lavender, white pepper and thyme.
Generous fruit rises from the glass: Juicy pear and red apple, mellowed with a dollop of yeasty roundedness. The palate is supple, fresh and crunchy. Everything here is appetizing and moreish. This is easy but fun. Drink soon.
Yeasty savor, tick. Fresh zestiness, tick. Lemon and pear flavors, tick. This must be archetypal, soft and fresh Grüner. This one has a fluid, supple body and goes down far too easily, leaving a wake of peppery pear behind.
A 50-50 split of the two varieties, there's a lot to like in this wine, from its opening steely aromas to its surprisingly robust body of apricot and pineapple, with a crisp floral aspect keeping it balanced on the palate. A curious suggestion of marshmallow closes things out.
Reserved green apple, lees, flower and mineral aromas lead to off-dry green apple and stone fruit flavors. The acidity gives the palate some snap.
This opens with delicate aromas of pressed chamomile, Spanish Broom and toasted nut. The rich, rather evolved palate offers pineapple, candied citrus zest, dried herb and a hint of papaya freshened by rather fresh acidity.
While the nose gives little away, the palate is smooth and fruit-laden. A mix of cinnamon-scented red and black forest berries appears on the smooth midpalate which has just the slightest grip of tannin. This has a mellow, soft theme but nonetheless carries all the necessary freshness on a medium body.
This opens with aromas suggesting toasted almond, Spanish broom and grapefruit. The bright, linear palate shows lemon zest, chopped herb and mineral alongside tangy acidity.
A blend of the winery's Whistling Hills and Riviere Galets vineyards, this wine brings aromas of funk, coffee, tire rubber, blue fruit and smoke. The cranberry and cherry notes are sweet and full flavored, hanging on the finish.
This producer makes small amounts of minimal-intervention wines from a handful of California appellations and this one does a good job of capturing Russian River. Peppery and steeped in dried herb and lavender, it goes light on the oak to show tightly woven tannin and structure, but the floral aromatics, especially of rose, really shine.
Blueberry, violet and nutmeg aromas take center stage. On the balanced palate, vanilla and dark baking spice underscore black cherry and cassis while dusty tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
Full-fruited blueberry fills nose and palate with pure aroma. The body has perceptible but gentle grip while some notes of iron-oxide and ripe, red cherry creep in. There is liveliness, freshness and drive. Drink soon.
A very fresh and superfruited nose suggests not only pear but peach, melon and citrus. The palate adds some spice and savoriness to that with a yeasty edge but the primary fruit remains the central theme on this light-bodied, easy-drinking Grüner. Drink soon.
This is a blend of all five red Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon taking the lead position at 65% and Merlot following at 22%. It shows classic characteristics of tart red currant, dried herb and cigar box within a full-bodied richness that's seamlessly smooth.
Yellow melon and yellow-peach aromas meet with a touch of honey, apple blossom and wet cement on the nose of this bottling. Pleasant and elegant on the sip, this shows poached apples and bright citrus flavors, with an Asian-pear warmth in the midpalate and a crispy tension.
Aromas of French oak, coconut, blue flower and spiced plum emerge in the glass. The firm palate offers black currant, espresso, tobacco and vanilla while fine-grained tannins provide support.
Moderate acidity and a low imprint of oak allow the voluptuous fruit to speak in this vineyard-designated white, a show of pretty aromatics and ripe, succulent peach. Along the streaks of more fulsome vanilla appear brighter, crisper hints of lime zest and lemon meringue.
This widely found local grape has produced a crisp, wine full complex berry and black fruits that are balanced with tannins. Richly structured, the wine is held together by the tannins and by the bright acidity typical of the grape. Drink now.
More deeply colored than the current fashion for pale rosés, this wine also has plenty of flavor. It offers juicy red-berry fruits, orange juice, and a crisp, direct texture. It is meant to go with food.
Eight months on lees before bottling give this wine its rich, concentrated character. Melon and green-plum fruits are poised and stylish, pointed up by a touch of pepper. It is ripe, full bodied, ready to drink in 2017.
Vineyard designated Cabernet Francs are an extreme rarity in the state. This one brings aromas of plum, herb, vanilla and pencil lead that are followed by pillow-soft fruit flavors. The variety doesn't always show through but it provides enjoyment.
For years, Gisborne was known as the Chardonnay capital of New Zealand, so it's nice to see that region's product being given some overdue international recognition via this label. In the glass, the wine is subtly toasty and mealy, yet loaded with peach and citrus fruit, carried by plenty of weight and a full, rich, velvety texture. Drink now.
This impressive, larger-production wine is forested and savory in compost. It offers a medium-bodied imprint of molasses, citrus and deep, dark tannin.
Beautiful rose petal, orange blossom and honey flavors practically leap out of the glass as this sweet, lightly sparkling and nicely concentrated wine works its charms. It has good acidity to balance all the sugary sweetness, and a low alcohol strength.
Cab Franc is an emerging variety in Mendoza and this jammy fleshy version won't hurt the cause. Inky berry aromas are wide and fruity, not specific. A full-volume palate is a bit heavy, with blackberry, chocolate and peppery flavors. The finish hangs around with similar flavors, grapy weight and just enough acidity to maintain integrity.
Fragrant and polished, this opens with enticing scents of blue flower, red berry, baking spice and an earthy whiff of underbrush. The luminous linear palate offers crunchy red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and orange zest framed in vibrant acidity and silky tannins. Drink through 2019.
This wine is a blend of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties with Merlot (30%) and Syrah (24%) taking the lead. Aromas of raspberry, dark plum and black fruit are followed by plentiful dark-fruit flavors. It's unabashed in its easy drinking appeal.
Concentrated and very firm in texture, this well-made wine has plenty of dark-fruit flavors. It offers fine-grained tannins in the texture and mouthfilling breadth.
Baked mulberry, black cherry and brown spice lead into more nuanced notes of iron, turned earth and carpaccio meatiness on the nose of this blended bottling by Rick Longoria. Dark red-fruit flavors show on the sip, framed by a tannic tension that will steadily reveal more elements in years to come.
Syrah shows increasing promise in Long Island, but particularly with this gorgeously ripe, complex wine. It's robust in stature, plump with blackberry and cherry flavors, but also shaded by nuances of pepper, wet clay and mushroom. Fine pleasantly astringent tannins and zesty acidity frame a long penetrating finish. Drinks beautifully now but should improve from 2020.
Deep red-violet in color, this wine has a bouquet of raspberry, strawberry and lavender. It is complex but eminently pleasing on the palate, with chewy tannins and flavors of blackberry, leather, smoke, chocolate and coffee and a soft touch of iodine on the tenacious finish.
Aromas of black cherry, anise and violet lay the groundwork for flavors of dark berries, smoke and leather with touches of violet. Tannins are firm, but vigorous berry flavors maintain dominance into a soft smoky finish.
You'll find aromas of resin, blue flower, spiced plum, leather and menthol on this boldly structured red. Densely concentrated and chewy, the palate delivers blackberry jam, black cherry extract, mocha, tobacco and a confectionery note alongside velvety tannins.
Full flavored but also complex and seductive, this dark-colored wine has a lightly oaky, cinnamon-and-chocolate aroma. Mouthfilling, ripe blackberry flavors partner with the smooth, polished texture.
Coming from the oldest Syrah vineyard in the state, this wine brings aromas of herbs, coffee and dark fruit. The flavors are soft and smooth, showing polish and poise along with a finish that lingers.
Lightly spicy aromas and rich, soothing fruit flavors make this an attractive, lovable and classically proportioned wine. Cherry and raspberry flavors rest on a lightly tannic but smooth texture, and linger on the finish.
This is a pronounced wine, boasting upfront aromas of blackberry, plum and boysenberry that are graced with additional scents of licorice, chicory, black pepper and crushed violet. The palate is bold, with a gripping texture that supports the lush black-fruit flavors. Toasted oak and sweet smoke accents grace the medium-length finish. Drink now–2020.
This wine is a blend of the five Bordeaux varieties. It's aromatically reserved, with notes of flowers, high-toned herbs, wood spice and dark fruit, but it's not yet fully ready to reveal its charms. The flavors are dark and dense, with chewy, lightly dry tannins providing support. The finish stretches-out.
This is opaque in color, with oaky, balsamic aromas of black fruits, mint and vanilla. In the mouth, this is muscular, with full and somewhat rough tannins. Toasty roasted blackberry flavors are peppery, minty and fully spiced, while on the finish this is packing all sorts of power and oak. Drink through 2021.
The Chéreau family has long been proponents of wood-aging for some Muscadets. Also, so it appears, of long aging. The toasty aromas and flavors that still dominate the wine give it a Chardonnay feel, replacing the crispness of melon with a round creamy flavor. There is spice, but also some oxidation.
Solid and anchored in darker flavors of earth, leaf and tannin, this well-made Pinot Noir shows black cherry fruit at its core. The best part is the nose, promising some development in bottle. Aromas are elusive and elegant, but in the mouth it turns a bit tannic and rough.
An appealing combination of sweet fruit and savory mocha and balsamic aromas lead on this easy-drinking wine from KWV. Flavors of mocha, spice and red berry are combined with good acidity and tannins that allow for aging. Overall, a crowd-pleasing red for myriad occasions.
A little too fiery and monotone for me. Noticeable alcohol, on the nose and at the end, weighs down the edges, and frankly the dark-style fruit is forced to wear a heavy blanket of sizzle and barrel char. Has its merits, but you better be able to handle the menthol, cola, char and heat to get into the game.
Crisp and lacy, this is a fine successor to the 2006 Riesling from A to Z. Once again, it sets up the palate for spicy fare with bracing acids and scents of citrus skins. Flavors emphasize citrus rind and spice, fill in the middle with jicama and spicy pear, then finish with a lick of minerality.
With its spice, white pear and nutmeg flavors, this is a rich wine, round, full-bodied, packed with apple skin tannins, and a welcome and balancing freshness. The alcohol does show, however, in the pepper feel to the aftertaste.
Finely balanced wine, layering tannins, red juicy fruits and plenty of delicious, sweet acidity. Like so many Gaillac wines, it has an attractive, earthy edge, which gives character and will blow away as the wine ages. The tannins come back at the end, so the aging potential is good.
An opening of spice, toasted fruit, leather and lemon peel is attractive in the traditional sense. Medium bodied, with tangy red-cherry flavors up front and some citrus in the rear. Finishes light and fresh, with touches of vanilla and fresh-chopped dill. Very drinkable if you like a more classic-style Rioja.
A refreshing, lively white with a citric nose and flavors of lemon/lime mingled with elegant acidity. Approachable but has a memorable character.
Composed of 100% Dijon clone Chardonnay, this was fermented in small stainless- steel barrels; it's tight, sharp and crisply defined. The wine is lifted with lots of tasty spices, and the fruit is clean and tastes of apple, pear and white peach. It doesn't try to be more than it is; the fruit is front and center.
On the brink of excellence, with a creamy, more funky nose courtesy of the 30% Loureira and Caiño Blanco added to Albariño. Flavors of ripe tropical fruits show light green accents, while the finish is steady and a little pithy. Perfectly good white wine, with a punch-like quality. Imported by A.V. Brands.
Young, tight, firm and somewhat acidic, this is one Pinot Noir that needs decanting. Like the other releases from Johan, it is a subtle wine that rewards your attention. Details of fruit, earth, rock and herb emerge slowly as the wine opens, suggesting that a few bottles should be tucked away in the cellar for future reference.
This elegant, nicely spiced wine from an Amity grower displays the subtlety that comes from attention to detail. The alcohol is a moderate 13%, and if any time has been spent in oak, it has also been moderately applied. Gentle flavors mix pear, apple and citrus, moving gracefully into apple butter and a whisper of caramel. Light and lovely.
A good effort from 2003 (hottest vintage in ages) because it holds onto those classic Rioja qualities, like tobacco and spice on the nose as well as tea and black cherry flavors. It's definitely a bigger, rounder wine than in the past, but it will deliver the goods if drunk within the next few years.
Riper and richer than some standard RDDs, with aromas of tomato, raisin, maple and blackberry. The palate is ripe and grabby, with serious tannins and structure to frame dark fruit, chocolate and brown sugar flavors. A full and positive wine that has restraint. Will settle in the bottle and should be at its best come late 2008/early 2009.
A mouth-filling sweetness is the hallmark of this wine. For its style, it is concentrated, honeyed, with rich fruits, the dry edge of noble rot a counter-balance to all the sweetness. The acidity is there, but is overwhelmed by all this richness.
From one of Sonoma County's newer mountain appellations, this wine is expressive, with juicy black licorice and blackberry flavors, grippy tannins and a slight reductive note. Leather accents adorn the full-bodied palate, softening as it approaches its long, spicy finish.
This big, bold red in a leopard-spotted bottle is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's powerfully concentrated with tobacco aromas, boulder-sized tannins and cherry-like fruitiness. Ancillary sparks of cedar and sage contribute intrigue.
Bright, fresh raspberry fruit takes the center stage in this young and still rather tight wine that will reward further cellaring. There's a hint of metal in the acids. Drink 2020–2030.
Very fresh and lively carnation, rose petal, tarragon, elderberry and strawberry aromas show on the nose of this bottling from young winemaker Gretchen Voelcker. Deep cranberry flavors show on the strong and pleasant palate, where dried herb and peppery spice notes add complexity.
Inviting aromas of honeysuckle make way for an unctuous, voluptuous palate of smooth, ripe apple, fig and pear flavors in this vineyard designate. Full-bodied and concentrated in style, it has a high-toned hint of lemon zest that peaks on the finish.
This is a juicy, earthy and expansive wine, with highlights of rose petal and wild strawberry. Pretty and ethereal, it offers body without an abundance of weight, the oak and tannin both integrated well.
Tender notes of strawberry and lemon play on the nose of this wine. On the palate, the lemon note takes over, playing against frothy, fine fizz on a light but full-flavored, textured body. The yeasty backdrop is reminiscent of rye bread. Bright, pure lemon shines on the long, refreshing and dry finish.
Doughy bread, tart raspberry and citrus aromas mingle effortlessly in this nicely made wine, which offers a robust build and velvety texture. Its cherry, pomegranate and fig flavors are boldly defined.
This elegant wine appeals from the first sniff to the last lingering flavors. Vibrant in color, it tastes of rose petals, raspberries and cocoa powder. Supple and balanced, it shows impressive structure and length, with hints of citrus. Drink now through the mid-2020's.
This bottling, which features an elephant's painting on the label, is extremely rich and ripe, showing caramel-laced blackberry, coffee cake, brown sugar and molasses aromas on the nose. Luxurious tannins rein in its sweet flavors on the palate, blending Vietnamese coffee, vanilla and espresso cordial notes. A great wine to accompany cigars.
Heady scents of elderflower, ripe stone fruit and dried chamomile lift out of the glass. The medium-bodied savory palate delivers creamy white peach, mature apple, citrus and mineral. A nutty note wraps up the lingering finish.
From a grape that's rarely planted in the Central Coast, this bottling shows loads of earthy aromas, from wet soil to crushed gravel, as well as tight blackberry, dried dill and white pepper notes. There's a touch of ripeness to the palate, with tobacco-laced red cherry and blueberry fruit, gravelly minerality and a firm, tannic structure.
Piquant black raspberry, sweet anise, thyme and game notes show on the nose of this bottling from a new brand that took over the Addamo Vineyards property. On the palate, there's a nice interplay between snappy cranberry fruit and the garrigue.
Alluring scents of white flower and beeswax fill the glass. Smooth and full bodied, the rich palate doles out ripe apple and pear set against a round polished texture.
Very rich and jammy, this full-bodied wine grown at 2,500 feet has spicy oak aromas, lavishly ripe blackberry and dried cherry flavors and a mouth-coating texture. Its vanilla, nutmeg and toasted bread aromas meld nicely with all the fruit notes for a complex, showy, wine.
From a winery started in 1973, this is an excellent Chardonnay. Vibrant almond and macadamia nut mesh with guava, peach and melon notes on the nose. A clean line of citrusy acidity dissects the palate, cutting into ripe stone fruit and touches of smoke and oak to yield a mouthwatering finish.
This blends 53% Cabernet Sauvignon with 29% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc from the producer's estate in the heart of the appellation. Together, they form a spicy, pleasing palate that's velvety smooth, soft and rounded, the richness relatively tame. Underlying currant, mocha and oak notes contribute additional complexity.
Dry earthy aromas suggest rubber and sea shells along with mild red-fruit scents. This Garnacha from vineyards planted at 3,300 feet feels tight and rubbery. Savory, meaty plum and berry flavors are complex, finishing long and dry on a strong accent of woodspice. Drink now.
This Bordeaux-style blend may strike those unfamiliar with Okanagan reds as tilting toward an astringent, tannic style, which many of these wines do. That said, it's complex and compelling, with an array of dried herbs, dried tobacco, dried fruits (cranberries and cherries) and dark chocolate. The granular tannins are ripe and supportive, with a finishing lick of espresso. It's best to decant this for a couple of hours before drinking.
Full and expansive tannins emphasize this wine's mountain origins, the “crown jewel,” as the name indicates, of the winery's portfolio. Ripe cassis and black cherry flavors are accompanied by dill, coconut and vanilla hints. This is a wine for fans of a big style.
A crisp green-apple note has an appetizing lactic edge that shimmers alongside lemon ice cream and sherbet tones. The palate shows lively, small bubbles that fizz excitedly, with further notions of green apple and tart lemon. The midpalate adds notes of sponge cake to counter the freshness, but the exuberant lemon-sherbet aspect wins the day and lasts through the finish. It would be an ace apéritif, totally refreshing and mouthwatering.
Plump but wholly generic, with semisweet aromas that are neither here nor there. The palate is round, with adequate to good mouthfeel. And the flavors of citrus are solid but kind of pithy and bitter. A full, chunky wine with virtues as well as some flaws. Drink right away for best results.
Generic in every way, but commendable for its freshness, green-fruit aromas and body. This wine offers nothing more than mid-level fruit flavors, but it's flush and nice enough on the palate. Some bitterness to the finish re-emphasizes its basic quality.
Not sure what has changed at Isabel, but the wines seem to lack the excitement of past vintages. The 2007 is oddly neutral, with waxy overtones to the grapefruit and lemon flavors and a slightly bitter note on the finish.
A heavier, more vegetal style of Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of alfalfa and peas. It's a struggle to find much ripe fruit in this wine, and instead it rests on flavors of melon, canned peas and bell pepper. A bit soft in texture as well.
Tohu is a wine company owned by New Zealand's indigenous peoples, the Maori. The wines have been mixed over the years, but this is an excellent bottling. It boasts a full, ample mouthfeel and plenty of supple tannins. Black cherry fruit marries well with complex savory notes, while hints of pomegranate brighten the aromas. Drink now.
This is pure, superripe Sangiovese, and it bears fruit flavors of strawberry preserves and cherry pie, plus a dash of dark chocolate and accents of mint and vanilla. It's big and a bit blocky, but it's loaded with fruit.
The inclusion of 11% Aligoté, which was sourced from a block planted in 1979, makes this Chardonnay unique. The Aligoté seems to thicken the core fruit, and it adds flesh and rind-like flavor, along with old-vine details of dried herb and spice. It's a pleasing mix of integrated stone-fruit, grain and citrus-peel notes.
Brancott's top Pinot Noir is a round, mouth-filling wine that finishes tart and long. Cranberry, mocha, roasted parsnip, mushroom and smoke notes make for a complex wine that may be enjoyed now and over the next several years.
This is a delicate but flavorful wine. It starts off with smoky, beet-like aromas, while the flavors are of pie cherries, with herb overtones. It's medium bodied, with a tart finish. Drink now–2018.
This is a rich, fruity wine that has a definite minerally character. The chalky texture is laced with lemon and apricot flavors, leading to a crisp, tight finish.
Rich, full bodied and smooth, this wine is driven by its black fruits and dark tannins. Acidity lines the fruitiness, which gives a juicy edge to the solid texture. It shows potential, so keep it for at least four years.
A musky perfume note is sultry and exotic in this rich, textured Pinot Grigio, which was fermented on its skins and matured in oak. The fruity palate offers penetrating dried-pear, nut oil and apple flavors, which are layered with citrusy acids and soft, tea-leaf-like tannins that linger on the finish.
This Mourvèdre has a pretty cherry flavor, with a suggestion of ripeness that borders on raisining. It also carries interesting details of dried leaf and milk chocolate.
The name refers to the blend of 62% Barbera and 38% Nebbiolo sourced from a pair of Horse Heaven Hills vineyards. A little high-toned on the nose, the wine eventually smoothes out in the glass, and it offers pretty flavors of raspberry and Bing cherry. Succulent and nicely balanced, this is one of the better Washington examples of these two grapes.
This blend is comprised of seven varieties that were sourced from nine vineyards. Despite a hint of green in the tannins and a bit of stem in the fruits, this shows good complexity. Streaks of earth, mineral and licorice mingle around notes of dried cherry and fig.
Somehow, Mission Estate has managed to produce a prototypical Cabernet for a price that should leave consumers smiling. Cassis, tobacco and cedar notes pick up a mocha shading on the long, mouthwatering finish. It's a soft, supple wine that can be consumed over the next five years.
Ripe and rich in texture, this powerful Slovenian Cabernet balances a bold black-cherry flavor with loads of savory dried herb, graphite and reverberating acidity. There's a nervous quality about this wine that could smooth out with a good decant, or a few more years in a cellar.
Made from fruit sourced from a parcel in Fourchaume, this fruity wine offers green fruit flavors that are cut by the minerally texture. It is crisp, taut and nervy, and it needs a few years to show its best.
This has apricot and pear flavors, plus a nutmeg hint and intense, refreshing acidity.
The Cabernet used to make this wine was sourced from Bacchus, Dionysus, Klipsun, Stillwater Creek and Wahluke Slope vineyards. It has Bordeaux-like tannins and flavors of herb and stem. The red currant fruit is solid and compact, which suggests that further bottle age will reward the patient consumer.
Murky, earthy aromas mark the nose—a blend of tomato, herb and meat notes. It feels good, with herbal-berry flavors and grapy thickness. It finishes with a flash of acidity, a note of coconutty oak and a final herbal blast.
Lean and rather severe, this is now showing maturity. It has a leathery texture, with just a hint of juicy fruit in the background.
This Shiraz spends 13 months in French and American oak, and it shows, thanks to decadent notes of chocolate-covered cherry, cocoa powder and tree bark. The palate exhibits a bit more fruitiness, with flavors of red plum and cherry flesh. A hint of white pepper stays through the medium-length close.
On the nose and palate, notes of delicate cinnamon spice and bramble mingle with the blackberry and cassis fruit. Light weight and juicy, this has approachable tannins and a clean finish.
Taut and herbaceous, this has a refreshing line of perfumed pear and lime flavors. It's crisp, tangy and drinkable now with a clean, bright finish.
On the lean side, this is a tannic and structured wine. The fruit is stalky, with a black currant note and tight acidity, creating a wine that needs 1–2 years to really soften.
Strawberrry and rhubarb aromas open the bouquet of this Merlot, with hints of cinnamon, bark and raw cocoa nib unfolding shortly after. Medium weight with soft, approachable tannins, this has a clean, cherry-flavored finish.
Notes of light grass, green melon rind and a touch of green pepper unfold in the bouquet, while the palate boasts more citrus-based flavors of lime and tart gooseberry. This is bright and lively, with a short, mouthwatering finish.
Mocha, raspberry, sour cherry and spice are the focus of this plucky red from Skouras. The wine has focus and a masculine edge, and should pair well with dried meats, spicy pasta sauces and salty cheeses.
Standard berry, plum and herb aromas set up a gummy-feeling palate, with a berry flavor and a hint of fine herbs. It shows texture and a black olive flavor on the finish.
Hints of char, smoke and green bramble accent tart black-fruit and vanilla-spice flavors in this Shiraz (with a splash of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon). The dense tannins are tacky on the palate, but zesty acidity and fresh flower and herb notes on the finish add elegance.
Herbal and raspy on the nose, with feral notes and briary red-berry scents. It's juicy and wild feeling, with briny, herbal plum and raspberry flavors. It finishes with a zap of blazing acidity.
Produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, this aromatic, crisp rosé has refreshing red-currant acidity and a light, lively character. Screwcap.
This has tannins, black currant fruit and a solid structure. It should soften in two years, resulting in an attractive, juicy and fruity wine.
White flower and bubble gum notes show little depth on the nose. A briny, sharp palate overpowers generic fruit-cocktail tones.
Rustic and leathery, the fruit is held back behind the barnyard aspects of this wine's bouquet and grainy palate, making it tough to figure varietally.
Aromas of Band Aid nearly overwhelm this wine's notes of dried cherry. Flavors are lighter in style, backed by firm tannins.
Four out of five of the Bordeaux red varieties are represented here, as well as Petite Sirah. The mix is juicy in cherry and cranberry, supported by a soft, tannic backbone that's somewhat dull on the finish, accented along the way by oak and leather.
Shy on the nose and fairly nondescript, this wine has a diluted quality that makes it somewhat generic, curious given the appellation. It finishes strong in oak.
This offers aromatic notes of toasted grapenuts, pineapple and apricot. It drinks off dry, with a creamy feel to the light fruit flavors.
Floral in bouquet, this wine is flat on the palate, offering a curious mix of mint and earth without much structure or flavor.
Muddled citrus notes are the highlight of a somewhat lacking nose. The oily palate is more fruit-driven, with overripe peach showing full force.
There's an uneasy mix of aromas of berry, green olive, herbs and tire rubber on this wine. The flavors seem light and dilute.
There's not much that makes this stand out as a Pinot, except for an unusual sour note atop otherwise blandness and lack of structure.
This is a soft, muddled and somewhat green wine, with sizable tannins and an earthy element of wet tobacco that will require strongly flavored food to enjoy.
A Sauvignon Blanc-based blend, this opens with a pretty bouquet of white flowers before it becomes quite thick and rich on the palate.
Pressed apples meld with notes of hay and cheese rind on the nose. The mellow palate brings similar elements, brightened by a squirt of citrus on the finish.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this rosé carries notes of unripe strawberry, basil and cracked pepper.
This majority-Cabernet Sauvignon is not aided much by the additions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the trio combining for an untidy mix of black olive and dust. The wine throughout is a bit flat and the finish quite abbreviated.
The producer describes this as a Super Tuscan blend and it is based on 93% Sangiovese, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination is tight, sour and thin, lacking in fruit.
Citrusy and grassy, this light-bodied wine shows delicate tropical fruit tones on a perceptibly sweet finish.
A wine of this size and weight has nowhere to go on the palate, remaining massive, sour and puckering. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon given plenty of time in oak, it's cranked too high.
Almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this wine is reduced and tastes somewhat burnt, lacking in fruit with a sour aftertaste.
This is one of the grand wines of the Douro, from the last estate to be founded by the legendary Dona Antonia Ferreira in the 19th century. This is a long-lasting wine showing a fresh character, with dense, dark tannins and intense floral fruit. This will age for many years, so don't drink before 2020.
This is a gorgeous expression of the variety, co-fermented with 6% Viognier, fruity, ripe and plush yet also completely varietal in its punches of floral white pepper, anise and gamy meat. Although the wine is ready to enjoy now, those who can restrain themselves should cellar it through 2022 to see how it further develops.
Not many producers get fruit from this magical vineyard, sought after for being cool, coastal and meticulously farmed. This wine speaks to all that, offering sublime Meyer lemon, pear and golden honey around a balanced soul and wild ginger-infused intensity.
Clean and ripe raspberry notes are cut with complex scents of coyote brush, slate and sweet tobacco smoke. The palate is juicy, with flavors of wild berries and Bing cherries as well as strong accents of dried herbes de Provence, sagebrush and chipped slate. Strong acidity tingles the tongue long into the finish.
This marks the 17th vintage of this wine, a joint venture between the Douro-based Symington family and Bordeaux consultant Bruno Prats. Based entirely on fruit from Quintas de Roriz and Perdiz, this smooth, structured wine has many of the characteristics of Bordeaux with its new wood and elegant texture. Acidity, black fruits and tannins are developing well. Drink from 2019.
In the old times, a Douro vineyard held a muddle of any number of different local grapes. This wine, from 80-year-old vines, is a tribute to the old style of vineyard planting. It's firm, very concentrated and dark, with stunning tannins and rich fruit. The black plum-skin texture, superripe fruit, chocolate and final acidity are all developing slowly and impressively. Drink from 2018.
With its patented blend of ripe plum and berry aromas matched against notes of wood smoke, herbs and leather, this is ripped and focused in the mouth, with strong but manageable tannins. Flavors of buttery oak, schist, blackberry and cassis culminate with mocha, vanilla and an overall sense of greatness. Drink from 2017 through 2025.
The Malibu-based winery's take on this Miller family vineyard—which sits at the appellation's western edge—is intriguingly complex, with aromatic layers of clove, raspberry, vanilla bean and dried rose hips. Set against a tight but bright raspberry backdrop, the palate shows black tea, Indian spices and all manner of dried herbs and flowers, from oregano, rosemary and thyme to cardamom and coriander.
Delicious aromas cover the entire range of the strawberry experience, from the scents of a blossoming strawberry field to frozen berries macerated into a syrup. It's refreshing and yet grippy on the palate at the same time, with candied raspberry and crushed vanilla bean swirling with bergamot rind, anise, black pepper and pine sap. Imagine mint-wrapped berries on a fresh-cut plank of oak.
From one of the great Douro estates, this dense, intensely perfumed wine is just setting out on a long journey. Tannins and a complex structure give an initial impression of dryness. They are followed by the richest of black fruits, dark cherries and a balance between sweetness and acidity. Drink this long-lived wine from 2025.
The producer's annual, highly anticipated 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this comes from the wilds of the appellation's rocky hillsides. This is a burly, distinctive and sizable wine, ripe yet refined, having been given three years in barrel and another in bottle before release. Chocolaty tobacco combines with pencil shavings and dense blackberry before finishing in an explosion of black pepper. Gorgeous, it will get even more interesting over time, through 2025.
The vineyard is on typical steep slopes on the north bank of the Douro River with cooler corners for white wine. This wood-aged wine is in a bottle more suited to a liqueur and is impressively rich while preserving its cool feel. The mouthfeel has toastiness and ripe yellow fruits which are cut with a steely texture and pink grapefruit acidity. It's a wine to age, so drink from 2017.
Zesty lime cuts razor-sharp edges into this buoyant, fruity Riesling full of white peach, apple and honeysuckle notes. Delicately honeyed, it's piercing yet lip-smackingly juicy, finishing on a lingering spray of green florals. It's an elegant, tightly structured wine that's stunning now but will hold nicely through 2020.
Supple and silky, this expressive, seductive wine offers ripe plum and cherry fruit matched to polished tannins. It's finished with tasty barrel flavors of coconut, butter pecan and toast, and it is thoroughly, irresistibly delicious.
This perfectly embodies the fruit-forward, irresistibly delicious wines of the 2012 vintage in the Willamette Valley. Along with lively aromas of pepper and spice come brambly fruit flavors of just-picked raspberries and black cherries. It rolls into a lush finish with a streak of espresso.
Concentrated blackberry and prune aromas are wrapped in a blanket of chocolaty oak. Side-to-side jamminess and beefy tannins make for a full-force mouthfeel, while minty blackberry flavors end plush but with focus. Herbal notes of rosemary, thyme and mint add complexity. Drink through 2024.
Merlot from the family's vineyard in Lovall Valley informs the majority of this blend at 44%, with 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc in the wine as well. Dry and herbal, it sings in bold notes of red currant, cedar and anise, offering elegance around integrated tannins and a mouthcoating finish. Drink now through 2022.
A blend of 51% Palomino and 49% Chenin Blanc, this is a pure and mineral-driven wine, with superb verve to the clean aromas and flavors of apple flesh, white peach, orange glossom, almond skin and minty fynbos. It's balanced and complex, with layered notes of roasted nuts, honeysuckle, toasted apple skin and sweet spice all mingling harmoniously. Delicious now, but will hold well through 2020.
Four clones comprise this vineyard blend, which opens into a moderately soft, well-rounded palate with sweet spice, pumpkin bread, a dash of Dr Pepper and plenty of strawberry and cherry fruit. It's already quite accessible and drinking deliciously. Pop this while waiting for some of the other 2013 Adelsheims to develop further in bottle.
Plump blackberries and warm gingerbread dusted with clove, nutmeg and anise makes for a very complex and layered nose. The palate is hearty with black plum skins, bramble and ripe elderberry, with lots of sage and coyote brush playing into a strong chaparral spice.
Here is an outstanding stainless-fermented Chardonnay, thick and fruity. It's totally loaded with ripe apple and pear-pastry goodness, and the flavors dive deep into a thoroughly delicious, textural finish.
A majority of Cabernet Sauvignon drives this blend, with 34% Sangiovese and 12% Petite Sirah providing spice and substance. Black leather, chocolate and a distinct taste of baked strawberry provide flavor atop soft, full-bodied layers of high-octane intensity.
There is a whiff of flint before the tangy nose reveals itself with orange and lemon zest. This has a sprightly, lively feel and a textured, dry palate where orange zest, lemon juice and tangerine freshness play against a fruit-drenched backdrop of chalky stone. This is chock-full of fruit and joy but also really fresh. Drink 2016–2025.
While the nose gives little away, the palate has a shy but very seductive nature: floral borders of honeysuckle adorn the edges of tart, fresh apple fruit and are highlighted by lemony acidity. The body is light and dry and shows playfulness and charm against a more serious, stony background. A very charming, subtle wine.
The Encruzado, grown almost exclusively in the Dão is one of Portugal's unsung great grapes. This wine—perfumed, steely and mineral—really brings out the granite soil of the region. It's tight, taut and packed with acidity as well as hints of yellow fruits. Drink from late 2016.
Stony, peachy notes are evident on the nose. The palate confirms these and majors on that stony, structural framework. Pervaded as it is by ripe stone fruit flavor of yellow plum and peach, there is a pleasant bitter edge, reminiscent of honey. This is an exciting tightrope walk between the slightest smidgeon of residual sweetness and electric acidity, finishing dry. Ready now, will drink well until 2018.
Spiced, baked apple constitutes the main aroma on nose and palate: ripe but tart baked fruit scented with edges of cinnamon and citrus. This brims with fruit and lemony brightness on a citrus-focussed, dry palate of concentration and earthy poise. Lasting and delicious. Drink 2016–2020.
Aromas of fresh-baked bread greet the nose on entry into this wine, an unusual find in the appellation that's blended with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Toast topped in plum jam accompanies a strong presence of blackberry, leather and tobacco, dusted in cinnamon. Drink now through 2023.
Black as a cave and thick as jam, this wine offers a decadence of black licorice and chocolate truffle, aged entirely in new French oak for 30 months. Fruit plays a supporting part to the richness, making for a wine that's a dessert in itself.
This is an impressive, rich wood-aged wine. It is generous and full in the mouth and packed with ripe peach and apricot flavors. There is a depth to the wine coming from barrel fermentation that has given it richness. Nutmeg flavors are matched with toastiness to the give this ripe wine extra complexity. Drink from 2017.
Soalheiro is in the heartland of Alvarinho in the northern Vinho Verde, close to Spain. This Reserva is a fine expression of the grape that has been enhanced and given added richness by light oak aging. It's a wine that should age to soften the tight crispness. Drink from the end of 2016.
Aromas of Dr Pepper, black pepper and clove provide a heady invitation into this wine, which is soft, layered and expressive in blueberry and blackberry-baked fruit. Full bodied with integrated oak, it's approachable and luxurious.
With a blend that's dominated by 75% Touriga Nacional, this wine is superrich, perfumed and dense with tannins as well as fresher fruit. Black berries and dark plums push through the dry core that is solid and needing to age. This is a very fine wine which will be ready to drink from 2018.
Grippy in wound-up black fruit and black pepper, this is a ripe, bright and softly layered wine, completely in keeping with its old-vine status in dusty, complex notes. Spicy cinnamon and leathery pepper combine on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2021.
Quite toasty, with deep scents of buttered nuts, this luscious wine delivers generous flavors of new barrels, ripe apples, pears and buttered popcorn, set against defining acids.
Beet juice, dense pomegranate, root beer, turned earth, fire-roasted meats and toasted sagebrush aromas power the action-packed nose on this bottling by one of the appellation's bigger outfits. The palate combines juicy elderberry and bramble fruit with cedar, dried mint and wild herbs, finishing on a menthol-like sensation, with decent grip for a Pinot.
This wine sees less new oak than many top-of-the-line Shiraz (30%), so it showcases mulberry and black cherry fruit. Sure, there's a hint of vanilla, but the oak plays a suitably supporting role, while the ripe fruit tannins are rich and velvety on the midpalate, then firm up a bit on the finish. Drink 2018–2030.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre is plush and brooding, with dense aromas and flavors of macerated blackberry, black plum and boysenberry that are laced with hints of bramble, violet and baking spice. The medium-weight palate boasts approachable tannins, ripe black-fruit flavors and a crushed satin texture. Notes of black tea, pepper and licorice grace the long finish. Drink now–2020.
Soft and lightly oaky, this barrel-fermented wine has a lightly honeyed element, perhaps an indication of botrytis. The wine should be consumed young, as it is already showing signs of age in both color and mouthfeel.
On the nose, there are cider, oak and baked corn notes. The palate is full of oak and resin flavors that prevent the fruit from emerging immediately. It tastes of hickory, apple and melon on the palate and finish.
Although it's not very aromatic, the nose on this wine is easygoing, with mild peach and apple aromas. It feels fresh and medium bodied, with apple, peach and melony flavors, the latter perhaps due to the blend's 14% white Carmenère. It shows mellow oak notes and latent acidity on the finish.
This is firm, with an almost-burnt toast flavor. It is packed with fruit and dominating woody tannins, so give it at least two years to soften.
A big but not-too-tannic Petit Verdot, this is juicy and structured with red fruit and a light layer of spice. Tending toward black licorice and dark chocolate, it could use a splash of something to brighten it up. But it's otherwise a bottle worth trying if you're curious to try a varietal Petit Verdot.
After a leathery start, aromas of plum, berry and spice enter the picture. It feels clampy with an aggressive tannic bite. The flavors are more briny and herbal than ideal, with a leather hint in addition to plum and wild berry notes. It's hard and minty tasting on the finish.
A pretty, inviting nose suggests sweet cherry and cherry blossom. On the light-bodied palate, the wine shows earthiness. It's pleasant and just right for near-term enjoyment.
The nose is vibrant and a bit feral, with aromas of red plum, cherry, red currant and herb. It feels lively, with raspberry, cherry and herbal plum flavors. The finish is juicy.
This is crisp and refreshing, although it shows little of the complex aromatics that some Rieslings obtain. Scents and flavors of green apples and white peaches carry through onto the modest finish.
Rich and ripe, this is an intense and decadent Zinfandel, with highlights of blackberry jam and milk chocolate.
The bouquet here is crisp, dry and minerally, with a petrol scent. In the mouth, it feels snappy, cutting and citrusy, with orange and peach flavors. This is fruity and solid, with juicy acidity and a citrus-dominant character. Made using grapes from old vines planted in the 1950s.
Dusty up front, with leather, red plum and berry aromas. Focused and snappy in the mouth, with forward cherry and plum flavors. Finishes toasty and peppery, and overall this is a juicy wine with crispness, good fruit and spice.
Fits the fashion for very pale rosé, with delicate pink color and aromas of struck flint and passion fruit. In the mouth, it's mouthwatering and plump, with peachy notes and a bit of lime zest to finish. Drink now.
Sweet accents of vanilla bean and cedar spice up the red plum and raspberry core of this wine. Creamy and round in the mouth with soft tannins and a medium-length finish, this is a wine that's easy to enjoy now.
Earthy and lightly baked on the bouquet, with raspberry and plum aromas along with grassy notes and spice. The palate is medium in size and juicy, with fresh, lightly oaked berry and herbal plum flavors. Not heavy or overbearing.
Marrenon's luxury cuvée aged in oak is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah and is full-bodied without being tough or overly muscular. Cherry preserves are wrapped in a coat of coffee- and chocolate-tinged oak. Drink now and over the next couple of years.
From organically grown vineyards, this is a medium-bodied blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, with crisply defined fruit notes of black cherries and hints of coffee, sage and baking spices. Drink it over the next 9–12 months.
Grassy and oily smelling and then you'll find a thick, oily palate with honey and lychee flavors. Not very zesty, so it's kind of clumsy and dense, with a chunky finish and bitterness. Decent acidity is what keeps its head above water.
Dark fruits, leather, compost and burnt aromas blend together on the nose. The palate is tannic and gritty feeling, while black fruit and herbal flavors lead to a narrow, mildly bitter finish containing chocolate and coffee. Solid but hard and herbal.
Round, forward and fruity, this pleasant red does not scream out its varietal stamp, but it's a perfectly fine quaffer, a bit tart and short in the finish.
Warm, jammy and lightly herbal smelling, with an overriding aroma of blueberry compote. Fairly full and concentrated on the palate, with herb-infused flavors of dark berry and plum. Plump, warm and chewy on what amounts to a solid finish.
Sweet blueberry, dry wood, sawdust, vanilla and toast aromas lead to a chunky palate with jammy berry flavors accented by fairly forceful oak. Finishes similarly, with ample barrel influence, vanilla and medium length.
Starts with rubbery, flat berry aromas but rounds out with air. It's tight and rocking with tannins as dark fruit flavors take control. Shows weight and darkness on the finish. Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Although this is aimed at a slightly higher target than Beaubois's entry-level Expression cuvée, it comes across as just slightly more tannic, with a fine balance of blackberries, olives and earth on the midpalate but a touch of coarseness to the finish. 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache. Drink 2012–2015.
This blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc shows some plumpness on the midpalate thanks to lees contact rather than oak. Aromas are of struck flint and passion fruit, but the flavors are riper, skewing toward melon and nectarine yet remaining crisp and focused on the finish. Drink now.
This mildly aromatic blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Vermentino marries apple and lime flavors into a fresh, citrusy white that persists nicely on the finish. Drink now.
Intense aromas suggest white rose petals, stone fruit and honey. The rich palate offers ripe yellow peach, apricot, candied ginger and clove with just enough freshness to keep it well balanced.
There's lots of zesty lemon on nose and palate; all that freshness is buffered by a textural and super-savory element on the midpalate. This balanced wine delivers quietly but convincingly.
A blend of 33% Petite Sirah, 16% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, 9% Graciano, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 4% Merlot this makes a great showcase for Shake Ridge Vineyard, where all these varieties and many more thrive. Plummy with a tight tannic taste of vanilla and cherry, the finish offers licorice and leather.
A hint of lime and green pear peel, a touch of pepper and passion fruit: this subtle and light white does not give too much away. However its acidity and texture make it a versatile and satisfying food partner.
Tart, tight and delicately spicy, this offers unusual depth considering the cool vintage. Give it extra breathing time as it opens up slowly, showing lemony acidity, cranberry fruit and remarkable persistence.
Opening with a clean-cut scent of ripe green pears this has refreshing, lemony zip in a rounded, soft body.
Green pear aromas are joined by a playful, floral note and lifted lightness; on the slender palate there is peppery arugula, too. A super-refreshing summer white.
A full spectrum of Chilean SB aromas are present, from grass to citrus to tropical fruits to vegetal notes. This feels fresh but more or less regular. Flavors of green fruits come with grassy interjections, while the finish is good and clean.
Smooth and soft, this is a restrained Grenache intense in cranberry and Rainier cherry, easy to drink and love. Made in small quantities from a Lodi producer known for its Zinfandels, it demonstrates the potential of Grenache from the right place in the right hands.
The McIntyre family took over their Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards in 1987. The wine kicks off with aromas of black mustard, violet and dark spices. Once sipped, the mouthfeel is rich and full, but the nondescript flavors fall somewhere between tart cranberry and warm strawberry.
Comprised of 48% Zinfandel, 39% Syrah and 13% Petite Sirah, it's soft in resolved tannins and balanced between juicy black fruit and earthy spice. Set this one aside until 2017–2019 and the best characteristics should only get better.
A concentrated combination of blackberry and blueberry fruit, entwined in straps of leather, this soft, structured wine offers suggestions of meat and spicy pepper. From vineyard located inland from the cooler Anderson Valley, it delivers ripeness throughout, ending on a high note towards the finish.
Savory herbs like lovage and chervil and ripe pear fruit unite to produce a very appetizing, concentrated if uncomplicated wine. Sheer drinkability, spurred on by clean, racy acidity is its hallmark.
Restrained aromas compete against plump ripeness; brisk, lemony acidity provides balance. It features a subtle mineral background and lovely midpalate concentration with some length.
Grassy overtones and freshly clipped boxwood turn this into an aromatic, fragrant wine with a lithe body but lots of aromatic depth, with hints of tropical passion fruit underneath. Drink now.
This very limited production reserve was fermented and aged sur lie in a concrete egg. Egg-zactly what that did for the flavor remains a mystery. It conveys crisp flavors of green berry, green apple and pear.
Delicately aromatic with apple blossom, this brisk medium-sweet wine dances on the palate with hints of honey-kissed nectarines and peach. Dusty saffron and mineral tones lend an earthiness that linger on the finish. Elegant and refreshing.
Very ripe flavors of yellow pear gain focus on the palate where they are framed by grapefruit zest. There's an earthy pull, too, and lots and lots of texture.
Overtly fruity and fresh aromas of boysenberry and cassis set up a juicy, racy, linear feeling palate with slightly shrill, acid-driven flavors of red currant, plum and cherry. This wine isn't much about complexity or nuance; it mostly conveys persistent fruit character and forwardness.
Bright in acidity, it's light in texture, soft but firmly structured. Earthy and aromatic in cedar and caramel, it offers nuanced plum and strawberry, with a suggestion of your grandfather's tobacco.
Comprised of 55% Zinfandel, 30% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah and 5% Grenache. Rich in juicy cinnamon and leather, this is a well-textured wine with structured acidity that's very drinkable. It finishes with an exuberant lengthening of blackberries and tar. The Petite Sirah stands out most and should give the wine the chance to develop further with age.
This rounded, ripe wine has a considerable amount of creamy Alvarinho in the blend. With a year's aging, it is full-bodied, while retaining the cool, crisp character of wines from Portugal's north. Drink this fresh and rich wine now.
This attractive wine has a fine, dusty structure that balances well with the rich berry fruits. Sweet tannins and layers of acidity meld well. Ripe while also elegant, it needs a short period of aging. Drink from 2015.
Clean, tight and crisp, this treads a straight, citrusy path seamed by a phenolic touch and the aroma of crisp, green pears.
Whiffs of pine fronds and herbs lend a green tone to this dainty medium-sweet wine. Steely and lean, it's refreshingly quaffable with sweet-tart pineapple and grapefruit flavors that linger nervously on the finish.
The Barrel Select offers a bit more concentration than the winery's regular Pinot, with meatier tannins and highlights of spice and coffee grounds. It's soundly made and already drinks well in a forward, accessible style.
Made with 60% Friulano, 30% Sauvignon and 10% Malvasia, this opens with aromas of ripe Golden Delicious apple, vanilla and hay. The straightforward palate offers pink grapefruit and toasted almond alongside fresh acidity.
This big, ripe wine is soft and round, with integrated tannins. It evokes licorice, blackberry jam and toast on the palate, with mountain sage and molasses notes that linger on the finish.
Herbal blueberry aromas blend with green and blue-fruit tones on the nose. The palate is disjointed in minty flavors of oak and berry fruits that finish thick.
This wine is forward and high-toned, with bright strawberry/raspberry fruit. It's front-loaded for flavor, drinking nicely, though on balance a bit simple, with a quick fade.
This straightforward white opens with aromas of chamomile flower and mature orchard fruit that carry over to the ripe simple palate along with yellow apple. A hint of dried herb marks the close.
This mild-mannered wine offers moderate acidity, a stony texture and Gravenstein apple and lemon highlights. Medium bodied, it finishes clean and simple.
Aromas come off as quite green, with notes of jalapeño pepper and garden herb mixed with cherry and vanilla. The palate brings broad cherry flavors. It provides appeal but the aromas and flavors seem a bit disconnected and the greenness proves distracting.
Although it is dry, this wine with its gentle mousse has a light touch of honey to go with the ripe pear and cantaloupe flavors. It has a crisp edge, lightly toasty, dry and with tight acidity at the end.
Aromas pop, with notes of starfruit, cantaloupe, apple, butter and spice. The palate is broad with a lightly creamy feel, speckled throughout with cardamom notes.
This cuvée is a barrel selection, fermented with whole berries and aged in 35% new oak. Simple strawberry and raspberry fruit seems almost weightless, and the quick finish carries a strong streak of bouillon.
Raspberry and rubber-band aromas lead to a saturated palate with full tannnins and flavors of plum and plum skins. A mildly hot finish with grapeskin residue maintains the high volume this Malbec is putting out.
Ripe green and white fruits give a fresh while warm character to this wine. An herbaceous element brings in a more tangy character. It is fresh at the end, very fruity while still young. Drink from late 2015. Produced by Grands Chais de France.
Yeasty, briny scents define the nose on this smooth, round-bodied Cava. Flavors of apple, lime, tarragon and lemongrass veer towards green, while the finish is slightly oxidized, which results in a bready aftertaste and a soft ending texture.
Aromas of dark berry, cedar and allspice take shape in the glass. The straightforward, medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and espresso alongside round, ripe tannins. Drink through 2017.
This is rich and generously spiced, smelling and tasting like chocolate, vanilla, smoke and blackberries. Aging for 19 months in American and French oak certainly boosted the spices. It tastes full-bodied, very deep and almost sweet in flavor, with moderate tannins to lend some support.
Peppery spice is as important here as ripe, luscious cherry and plum fruit: this blend unites the pepperiness of Austrian Zweigelt with the fleshy roundness of Merlot. There is a lick of vanilla on the finish to accompany the ripe fruit flavors.
Notes of poached pear, peach and spice lead to elegant, lightly creamy fruit flavors and a lemony finish. The concentration is light but what's there possesses a good sense of balance.
A strong marking of cedar, pencil and green tobacco exude aromatically and emphatically before soft, silky waves of integrated oak and tannin play on the palate. Elegant, this wine finishes in a hurry.
Aromas of charred soil, dark spice and a whiff of barnyard lead the nose. The palate offers fleshy black cherry, baked plum, mocha and a confectionary note alongside dusty tannins. It's a bit rustic and shy on fresh acidity, so drink soon.
Fleshy and dry, this voluptuous wine has an abundance of creamy weight on the palate, but it never veers too far, remaining balanced and ultimately elegant. Stone fruit and quince vie for attention, with a salty undertow of lemongrass and ginger.
This opens with aromas of toasted oak, fennel, roasted coffee bean and a whiff of sage. The extracted palate offers ripe black plum, dark chocolate, espresso and grilled herb alongside tightly packed tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.
One of two wines from the same vineyard, a block apart with different clones (this one Entav 179), this all-varietal bottling features notes of orange peel and flowers mixing with jammy fruit and mocha. The plum flavors show pleasing purity and freshness, lingering on the finish.
All Riesling, this aromatic wine conveys notes of jasmine, peach and pear. It drinks off dry, with spritzy soda water and stone-fruit flavors and mouthwatering acidity.
Up-front fruitiness of green and yellow pear lead to a simple, citrus-fresh palate with lots of zing. A simple, savory pleasure with lingering pepperiness.
Just a touch of passion fruit and mango hovers tropically over this fresh, zesty Riesling which is slightly less focused on the palate than the nose. This is zesty and refreshing. Ideal for a summer party when it's hot and you need cooling down.
Black plum, dark berry, fragrant blue flower, coffee and cake spice aromas take shape in the glass. The juicy palate delivers wild cherry, espresso and mocha alongside fine-grained tannins. An anise note signals the close.
A splash of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon supports this juicy, smoky wine, from vineyards scattered across the wider Napa Valley appellation. Textured, it tastes of brambly, just-picked blackberry, with a robust body through to the finish, which ends lean.
Fruity and dense in brambly blackberry, with a waft of smoky oak, this wine offers a lean, balanced entry before taking on complexity and concentration on the finish, softly layered as it goes.
Rich and thick in blackberry and licorice, this wine is also soft and juicy on the midpalate, with big black fruit, vanilla and leather. Integrated tannins remain chewy until the finish, when a taste of bittersweet chocolate comes into play.
This light- to medium-bodied wine is composed, restrained and balanced. Scents of struck flint and tomato leaf add a welcome edge, while delicate white-fruit notes play in the background.
Aromas of vanilla, coconut and clove mix with dark fruit and black pepper on this fruit-and-barrel-style wine. It's full bodied and high octane, needing more fruit intensity to balance it out.
This wine offers bright aromas of watermelon and cherry Jolly Ranger. It drinks dry with candied fruit flavors that show a pleasing sense of texture and richness.
Fresh green pear and hints of ivy on nose and palate create a light-bodied, friendly, easy-drinking summer white. Zippiness and fruitiness are the hallmarks. Drink as soon as possible while fruit flavors are at their peak.
A touch of smoke precedes notes of ripe, black cherries and baked plums whose fruit becomes even fleshier on the rounded, fruit-forward and rather juicy palate of this blend. Tannins are very soft. Fresh acidity keeps the rounded fruit in check. Drink soon.
Very slight hints of fresh pear peel on nose and palate are joined by fresh lemon concentration on the palate. Chardonnay in the blend provides midpalate texture and with a bit of air there also are notions of riper, jucier yellow pear. Not a showy but rather subtle and light-bodied. Will work on its own or as a versatile accompaniment on the table.
Made with a classic blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino, this offers quintessential Chianti aromas of wild berry, forest floor, leather, savory herb and game. On the palate, notes of licorice, sage and white pepper accent a core of juicy black cherry. It's quickly approaching its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
This 100% Sangiovese opens with aromas of scorched earth, stewed prune and clove. The forward palate offers ripe black cherry, ground black pepper, anise and tobacco alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins. Reflecting the heat of the vintage, this is evolving quickly so drink sooner rather than later.
This Waiheke Island-based winery sources its Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. The result is a rather leafy, slightly vegetal wine that's reminiscent of tomato stalk and celery leaf, yet remains refreshing and pleasant, with a strong citrus core. Try it with ceviche or simple broiled sole.
Rich black plum, soy, salt, pepper, grilled pork fat and a touch of purple flowers show on the nose of this blend of 55% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 15% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier. It's ripe, luxurious and savory on the palate as well, with vanilla, caramel and smashed black fruit, but upright tannins and strong acidity keep it within balanced bounds.
This wine is well made, structured and built to age. A wealth of baked plum meets clove, leather and mouth-coating tannin weight, as a full-bodied concentration of meaty texture provides heft and depth.
Intensely floral scents of fragrant blue flower and rose mingle with red berry and a whiff of dark spice. On the elegant, structured palate, star anise and cinnamon accent juicy Marasca cherry and crushed raspberry. Firm refined tannins and bright acidity provide seamless support. It's savory and loaded with finesse. Drink 2023–2035.
A majority varietal wine, this also includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Fleshy and full bodied, it offers notes of cedar, graphite and ripe black currant atop a lengthy, classy and structured body.
Both stylish and complex, this wine has great tannins and impressive fruits. An impeccable balance along with flavors from 12 months of wood aging is what gives this wine its cohesion and aging potential. This is a fine wine from the top vines of this producer. Drink from 2020.
Candied red fruits of raspberry and pomegranate meet with rhubarb pie, sweet thyme and ripe tomato on the nose of this bottling by a San Francisco accountant-turned-vintner. It's supple and soft on the palate, with more tomato flavors as well as fennel pollen and tarragon.
Toasted sandalwood, hints of sagebrush, crushed pencils, tart cranberry and vanilla brioche show on the nose of this bottling. The tannic structure is light but shows structure and tension, with rich flavors of cherry, cola, vanilla and clove.
Much more Pinot Noir like in style, this single vineyard Grenache offers aromas of fresh sagebrush, black raspberry, crushed slate and the slightest bit of game. It's light and bright on the palate, yet bolstered by strong and persistently grippy tannins, allowing rose petal and light violet flavors to shine atop the structure.
Spicy, briary cassis and wild berry aromas come with notes of mountain herbs. As per usual, Casa Real 2013 is in great shape; the palate is lush and cushioned but stern and balanced. Spicy cassis, plum and oaky flavors finish with a mix of wood spice and dried-fruit notes. Drink through 2026.
Leather, licorice and balsamic aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Full bodied and taut, this delivers dried black cherry, mature raspberry, star anise and clove set against fresh acidity and firm, refined tannins. Drink 2023–2043.
This Zinfandel project comes from a block that combined plantings from historic vineyards across the state, and the result is excellent. Aromas of red and purple flowers meet with wild sagebrush, roasted coffee and persistent black-cherry ripeness. The mouthfeel is soft but with an upright tannic structure, delivering flavors of blackberry, cocoa and dried sage.
Though this bottling still needs a year or so of patience to truly shine, it's a great example of cool-climate low-alcohol Syrah. Dark in the glass, it shows tar and lavender, but the core is like a black and blue pepper-crusted steak, with charred beef, raw beef and strong spice converging. The palate is all about raw meat, fresh-ground black peppercorn and squeaky tannins.
Wood aged and serious, this is a finely balanced wine. Its spice and toast notes are beginning to come together with its young, exuberant fruit and acidity. Black currant flavors dominate, giving it a crisp, juicy edge. Drink this impressive wine from 2021.
This serious, ageworthy wine is the top in the series of three wines from the Moinié estate. It's powerful and perfumed, with rich dark chocolate and superripe black plum and berry flavors. The tannins are still firm, showing its considerable potential. Wait until at least 2021 before drinking.
Illogically, there are two second wines at this estate. This is the richer of the two (the other is Lions). It has intensity, spice, ripe apricot fruit and a smooth, dense texture. Its honey and botrytis notes are just right while the thread of acidity keeps it all in place. Drink from 2019.
Fresh aromas of carnation, framboise, cherry cola and blooming rose petals show on the nose of this bottling by Coby Parker-Garcia. Bright flavors of hibiscus tea, pomegranate and raspberry ride a clean line of crushed thyme and peppercorn dust on the lively palate.
The third generation of the Laplace family has produced a black-colored, juicy and richly balanced wine. Its black plum and damson fruit is enclosed in young, firm tannins that will gradually soften. It's a dark, dense wine that will be ready to drink by 2020.
Intense aromas of menthol, pressed rose, dark spice, new leather and wild berry take shape on this fragrant full-bodied red. Concentrated and structured, the dense palate delivers Marasca cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and a hint of exotic spice framed in firm refined tannins.
This is a head-turning Pinot Noir due to its darkness and depth. An intense crushed slate and loamy soil minerality dominates the nose, like serving pepper-dusted blackberry pie in a dark cave. A low-simmering acidity powers the almost Syrah-like sip, where boysenberry and elderberry meet with a roasted meat quality.
There's a warm and welcoming note of baked goods and toasty brioche on the nose of this bottling, along with hints of vanilla and black cherry. The flavors are also very accessible and delicious, with black-cherry syrup, maple, brown sugar and more vanilla spice that carries deep into the finish. The tannins are firm enough to hold up the richness.
Named after Roman emperor Probus, who allowed the replanting of vines in France, this finely mature wine is smooth, with a dry core. That structure supports secondary flavors and spice, which add to its juicy acidity and overall richness. Drink now.
This blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen is a satisfying melting pot of complex flavors. Its tannins are solid, although now complementing the rich berry fruits. It is an impressive wine that could still age further before complete maturity. Drink from 2019.
Roasted coffee, charred lamb, dried plums, purple flowers and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard at the southern edge of the appellation, where it picks up a tad more coastal influence. After a soft entry to the palate with rustic cocoa and more coffee flavors, an exotic plum flavor takes over, proving a great balance between ripe and sour.
This is the second wine of Mouchão estate, a power in its own right. It is beautifully perfumed with violets and spice while its tannins and dark chocolate flavors are well integrated with the generous black fruits and acidity. The wine, even at four-years-old, is still young and will need much further aging. Drink from 2020.
This is an earthy herbal wine that's also soft and supple on the palate. Dill, cedar and sage play against a tart core of cranberry and cassis, finding their way to a lingering layer of spicy clove. The power and weight of the fruit wears well against the ultimate grace of the wine.
Toast, moist earth, iris and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The lean, simple palate offers sour cherry, French oak and clove flavors, while raspy but fleeting tannins leave a drying finish. You'll also find a bitter, green note of powdered sage on the finish.
A subtle smoke component adds nuance to the aromas of peach and pineapple. The flavors match up precisely, adding a touch of marshmallow to the mix. This is fairly full bodied, yet lacks a bit of depth and flesh in its midpalate and finishes warm. Drink now.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this informal red has subdued aromas suggesting dark spice and plum. The simple palate delivers prune fruit with a sprinkling of clove and laid-back, fleeting tannins. Drink soon.
The 65% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend has produced a wine that is tight with as much acidity as fruit. It does have a juicy edge that is attractive although overall the wine seems thin and dry.
Owned by the Francisco family since 1870, this wine is juicy and just lightly stalky, with fine crisp acidity. Needing to develop and soften its firm texture, it will be ready to drink from 2020.
This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is light, bright and crisp. It has red fruits and perfumed acidity along with a softly tannic aftertaste. It is not a wine for aging long so drink from 2018.
On an eminence above the river Garonne, this estate is in the Entre-deux-Mers. The wine ,with its juicy red fruits, has just a touch of tannins along with crisp acidity and a mineral aftertaste. Produced from organically grown grapes, this is clean, bright and will be ready to drink from 2019.
A fruity wine with soft tannins that reflects the crispness of the vintage. The wine, full of blackberry fruit and balanced acidity comes from an estate in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux. Drink now.
Aromas of stone-fruit pit and citrus peel are punchy. This blend of Viura and Tempranillo Blanco feels solid. Pithy grapefruit and salty flavors carry over to the finish of this everyday white.
This is an interesting blend—the proportions are 46% Riesling, 34% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Marsanne. Passion fruit and white currants notes dominate, with hints of tomato stalk. It does taste slightly off dry, fading quickly on the finish.
This is so light in color it almost looks like water. Oily aromas suggest tropical fruits, while this feels lean and somewhat dilute. Pithy citrus is the key flavor, while an acidic finish shows a note of papaya.
This is overtaken with unripe flavors of tomato and underbrush. There's little suggestion of fresh fruit. Aged 14 months in one-use French oak, it finishes quickly with earthy tannins.
A heavy frosting of sweet oak aroma and flavor covers this otherwise soft and unassuming wine. It smells like custard, tastes like pastry and has a butterscotch note on the finish.
Gritty, tarry aromas are front and center on a hard bouquet. This Crianza feels brutally tannic. Gritty flavors of burnt berry and road tar reflect the nose, while this tastes like blackened creosote on a rough finish.
White-fruit aromas are generic but satisfactory. This mix of Viura and Chardonnay is plump to the point of being slightly cloying. Candied melon and lime flavors finish short, with residual sweetness.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Trebbiano, this opens with violet and underbrush notes. The light-bodied palate offers red plum fruit with a hint of brown spice, framed by simple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, this simple red opens with a whiff of black currant and brown spice. Informal and easygoing in structure, it shows plum and clove flavors on the palate. Drink soon.
Peachy aromas are pulpy and lack sizzle. This feels loose and wide, with modest acidity. Dry, peppery flavors are low on fruit, while this feels fleshy on the finish, with mildly bitter citrus notes.
This wine is buttery and toasty, with sourdough on the nose alongside a hint of clementine pith. The palate is a creamy blend of mango, pineapple, sourdough and sweet cream flavors, with a slightly nutty finish.
Bright red currant and Cran-Grape juice aromas battle it out with a rare meat note. Flavors of black cherry, red currant, flint, cedar and iron ore are set against smooth tannins. The finish is long and woody.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this has black-skinned fruit and dark spice aromas. The simple palate delivers red cherry fruit and the slightest hint of white pepper with a frame of easygoing tannins. Enjoy soon.
Made of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Syrah, this easygoing red has black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The simple palate delivers red plum and leather flavors, supported by mellow tannins. Drink soon.
Yeasty white-fruit aromas lead to a light-bodied affable palate. This blend of Viura and Chardonnay tastes as expected, meaning simple lemon-lime. A mild lees character surfaces on a standard finish.
Tight and herbal, this budget bottle brings a taste of wild strawberries, along with chewy tea-infused tannins. The finish conveys an impression of chicken broth more than fruit.
With notes of green pepper, clove and ripe plum, this wine is super herbacious and stalky on the nose. Green pepper is heavy on the palate as well, and mingles with blackberry, currant, white pepper, black pepper and some baking spices. The tannins and acidity are well integrated and lend to a long finish that ends on a charred-oak note.
Intense aromas of green apple, lemon curd, lychee and lemongrass follow through to the palate alongside a hint of mango, which results in a tropical feel. Ripe and rich on the finish, it begs for a bit more acidic lift through the close.
This inexpensive wine is relatively low in alcohol and reasonably refreshing, although pear, melon and pineapple flavors leave a slightly sweet impression on the palate. Drink now.
This simple wine offers subdued charred earth and dark-skinned berry aromas. On the palate, an unusual medicinal note and green hint of sage accent the faint sour cherry fruit. The tannins are astringent yet fleeting.
Half the fruit is sourced from the Carabella vineyard, half from the Hyland vineyard. This is a young, tense, tight wine, still melding itself together. Melon, green pineapple, green banana and Streaks of butter and toast suggest that all the right flavor components are in place. The wine remains steely and compressed; definitely a white wine that should be decanted.
Almost half of this wine's production of 1,800 cases came to the U.S., which should make this broad, mouthfilling white relatively easy to find. The largely neutral palate suggests pineapple, honey and cinnamon, with citrus and spice lingering on the finish. Drink now.
Light but nicely detailed and flavorful, with an overriding spicy cola character. Streaks of vanilla and caramel infuse the brambly, wild berry fruit flavors. The wine also carries a seductive scent of sandalwood, which continues as a flavor in the finish.
Despite its age, you can still smell sawdust, dry oak and resin on the nose. The palate is acidic and drying, with tight plum, cola and raspberry flavors. The finish warms up some, with caramel and roasted fruit notes. Nice and tasty, and ready to drink now through 2011.
Almost impossible to distinguish this nice and easy Garnacha from the winery's Monte Oton label (also rated 89). Open berry and jam aromas keep it together, while the saturated, sweet blackberry palate is living proof of Campo de Borja's sun and terroir. Ripe, deep and easy to enjoy.
The continuing improvement at classed growth Camensac under the ownership of the Merlaut family (Chasse-Spleen, Citran, etc) is apparent even in the lesser vintage of 2007. The structure hangs well with the stalky but solid black berry fruit, the acidity a pure streak through it. Age over 4–5 years.
Citrus, tropical fruit and a crisp minerally burst give this dry white a unique flair. Overall, the wine is clean and light—a great cohort to grilled fish or Mediterranean cuisine. Classic and elegant with a terroir-driven edge.
This unfolding white offers lemon and oaky spice on the nose and palate, with rounded, silky flavors and a spicy finish. A bit bigger and richer, it can handle bigger dishes—think lobster, oysters, cream dishes.
Shows some slightly rustic but authentically Rhônish qualities, ranging from grilled cherries to hints of leather and cured meats. The tannins are supple, turning elegant on the finish. Drink now-2015.
This is the winery's most limited offering, with exotic aromas of musk, saffron and sandalwood. It fills the midpalate with soft red fruits and more of those floral highlights, then turns slightly soapy and tannic.
Luzon's signature Best Buy red blends one-third Syrah with two-thirds Monastrell, and always with consistent results. Year after year, we like this wine's lusty, broad fruit, richness and overall balance. It's not sophisticated or complex, but it is deep, clean and very tasty.
Bright, round wine, with a layer of firm mineral tannins, but more about black berry and plum fruits, jammy acidity and a finishing dry structure. This second wine of Vray Croix de Gay will be ready in 2–3 years.
Loaded up with toast and vanilla, as you might expect from Tardieu Laurent, but the wine shows plenty of weight and concentration under the wood, and some underlying pear and melon fruit ultimately finds its way out. It's a rich, succulent mouthful of oak and fruit for near-term drinking.
Faury has crafted a wonderfully quaffable Old World Syrah in '05, with scents of violets, cracked pepper and ripe blackberries, modest tannins and a crisp, clean finish. Drink now-2012. Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant.
The 2006 Boundary is a full-bodied, concentrated Bordeaux-style blend, with plenty of cassis and vanilla apparent on the nose. There's a slight baked fruit component to the wine, and supple, slightly dusty-textured tannins on the finish. Drink it over the next 5–6 years.
Bottled after five years, this is an LBV that could well age. It is a ripe wine, bringing out a dry tang of dark raisins and black figs. Attractive perfumes go with the richness of the texture. Tannins add to the aging potential.
Tart and leafy, this pure Malbec shows good grip and concentration. Sour raspberry fruit flavors and sharp acids are complemented with barrel spice from aging in once-used French oak. This tastes like a good wine from young vines; it may improve for a couple of years, but it's best for near-term drinking.
A sturdy, slightly chunky wine, the 2008 Swan Pinot Noir features ample black cherry and plum fruit, and complementary coffee-tinged oak. With its dark color and assertive flavors, it's certainly trying hard. Drink now–2015.
A touch neutral on the nose, but overall this is a nice, minerally, grassy SB with lots of green apple and freshness. The palate offers depth and clarity, and the flavors of green fruits are good. Falls off on the finish, which seems flat compared to the rest of the wine.
Juicy and off-dry, this succulent Riesling pushes orange and candied citrus flavors to the front of the bus, with a smooth, sweet but not sugary ride into the lingering finish. A final impression of spun sugar and marshmallow brings a smile.
Made by Paso Robles-based Ranchero from old vine Carignan grown in Mendocino's Redwood Valley, this still-young rendition of this rough and tumble Old World grape is densely rich and textured with aromas of blackberry and blueberry, clove and tobacco, with a nice kick on the finish. Winemaker/owner Amy Butler also makes the Edward Sellers wines from Paso Robles.
By all accounts, 2008 was a tough vintage with cool weather, stunting frosts and ripeness issues. This wine seems afflicted: its opening is good, with coconut and floral shadings. But the palate is limited in richness and the flavors are standard, with char and barrel notes creating bitterness. Nice and honest for a subpar year.
Tight and unyielding, with a dominating Band-Aid streak that does not disappear even after many hours of breathing time. There is some Walla Walla Syrah berry and loam character evident, and the vineyards are first rate (Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge), but the reductive, plastic flavor masks much of the fruit.
A wine that is pure, quaffable pleasure. There is no complexity, just clean, soft pear and pepper flavored fruit. The acidity is finely integrated into this ripe, mouthwatering wine.
Bold and pruney, with herbal, soft, ultraripe aromas in front of a jumpy yet partially stewed palate. This blend of Malbec with Bonarda and Syrah is your typical huge, tannic bruiser with big extract, huge tannins and just enough acidity to keep it pumping. Pretty good and perfectly drinkable, but a little over the edge.
Intense aromas of cassis, black plum, licorice and espresso grinds fill the bouquet of this 65%   Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Firm and tight in the mouth with prominent tannins and assertive dark fruit flavors. A touch of soft spice unfolds on the end.
Fragrant and soft, this wine carries a gentle floral fragrance—crushed roses—into a midpalate of bright raspberry and cherry. It turns a little leathery in the mouth, astringent but with the cherry flavors persisting, suggesting that further bottle age will soften it and add more textural complexity.
Big, brawny and not entirely welcoming: this Priorat heavyweight is full of licorice and cool black-fruit and cola aromas. The palate is hard as nails, and only time will tell if it softens and finds a sweeter spot. We think it will; in five years it should trade in the current burnt steak notes and fierce tannins for softer touches and more complex flavors.
Mint aromas, followed by young, fresh fruit topped with firm tannins, make an impressively dense wine from one of Portugal's top winemakers. Flavors of mint and eucalyptus go with dark black fruits and concentration.
Fitou, a small region entirely surrounded by Corbières, is very dry in the summer. In 2004, when little rain fell, the grapes became extra concentrated, as shown here. There's a powerful burst of fruit, with black cherries, coffee and plenty of spice from the 50% Syrah. Only to finish are the tannins at all apparent.
Firm and ripe, with dense, juicy fruit, this shows the exuberant side of Touriga Nacional. It has solid tannins, but the fruit is full of bright berries, herbs and a touch of pepper. The wood aging has rounded the fruit out.
A bit over the top, thickly layered with dried apricots, honey and dried spices. This is one rich, sweet BA, with surprisingly apparent alcohol (9.5%). It finishes a bit low in acid, making it impressive but not classic. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Made from organically farmed grapes, this structured wine opens with an intense fragrance of violets, iris, leather and Mediterranean herbs. The concentrated palate delivers layers of rich, wild cherry, mocha, white pepper and clove alongside bracing but fine tannins. This needs time to unwind and develop complexity. Drink 2015–2025.
With ample power under its engine, this Ferrington Vineyard Pinot is rich in cranberry and red cherry, soft and lilting in texture yet nuanced in toasty oak. Big on the finish, it'll beautifully withstand a few more years on its own before opening, the acidity lively enough to keep flavors vibrant yet mellowed.
Most barrel-fermented Marlborough Sauvignons will set you back close to twice as much, making this a bargain. Awesomely pungent and smoky aromas leap from the glass, followed by complex flavors that range from saline to pink grapefruit and stone fruit. Drink this full-bodied, silky-textured wine over the next year or two.
A serious, powerful and rich wine, it has great structure that is allied with ripe black plum fruits and a dense texture. Since the structure and fruit balance, the wine is drinkable now, although it is also likely to age. Drink before 2020.
Turkey Flat's Mourvèdre is perennially one of the Barossa's finest. The 2009 is a full-bodied,  creamy-textured example, with flavors of cherries jubilee grounded by savory, meaty notes. A long, mouth-coating finish completes the picture. Drink now–2018.
Made from 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine leads with aromas of violet and red berry. The juicy palate delivers layers of sour cherry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside firm but polished tannins. It has both structure and finesse and while it already has depth, it will develop more complexity over the next few years. Drink 2014–2019.
Château la Varière produces powerful reds, and this concentrated blend is no exception. It has some licorice flavors, intense black currant acidity and a touch of smokiness from the wood aging. It is a wine to age for several years; don't drink before 2016.
Fruity and fragrant, this rich and complex wine also has a strong sense of acidity. Putting it all together, the wine has weight, aging potential and a fine, zesty, tight texture. It needs to age, so drink this fascinating wine from 2016.
The only Ribbon Ridge cuvée from Archery Summit, it makes a welcome addition to the lineup. Tart cranberry and pie-cherry fruit, citrus flesh and rind, hints of marjoram and Italian herbs combine seamlessly. Superb balance and excellent length make this a fine candidate for cellaring until 2022.
The Ab Ovo is principally fermented in a concrete egg, as students of Latin might easily surmise. Richly detailed and layered, the wine displays impeccable balance, ripe citrus and tropical fruit flavors and countering acidity. The egg seems to bring out some additional minerality also.
Named after a pioneer of wood-aged Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has toast as well as rounded fruit. The subtle wood focuses on enriching the fruit and bringing out its steel and citrus character. The wine can certainly age, drink until 2020.
Opulent and elegant, this brilliant deep-gold Tokaji has aromas of vanilla caramel, crème brûlée and candied apricot. On the palate, crisp acidity clears the path for flavors of preserved apricot and candied apple. It's full and round in the mouth, and delightful on its own or served with cheese.
This impressive operation covers much of eastern Waiheke, although only a small portion of the property is planted to vines. The 2010 vintage was especially good on the island, and this wine is crammed with ripe, peachy fruit, framed by smoky oak and roasted nuts. Despite being weighty and round in the mouth, it finishes well, on a lingering citrusy note. Drink it over the next couple of years.
Clearview's Chardonnays are always opulent and textural, and this ultra-luxe offering exemplifies the house style. Aromas of grilled fruit mesh beautifully with toasted whole grain on the nose, while similar flavors swirl endlessly in the mouth. Yet despite being warm and welcoming, full bodied and broad on the palate, it's refreshingly firm on the lengthy finish. Drink now–2016.
Jammy, ripe and loaded with inky, sweet black-fruit aromas, the bouquet on this modern Cab Franc draws you in. Once there, look for a big but balanced palate with blackberry, roasted notes, loam and chocolate flavors. The satisfying finish is pure and long, with toasty blackness.
With classy aromas of cedar, dark berry, aged balsamic vinegar and spice, this blend of Tempranillo, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is layered and holds onto its freshness and kick. Heady flavors of baked black fruits, coffee and spice finish long, with mocha notes and a creamy texture. Drink through 2017.
While dry in style, S.A. Prüm's 2005 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Old Vines showcases the staggering ripeness and richness of the vintage with super concentrated flavors of peach preserve and caramel. It's round, rich and textured on the palate, with a lush orange acidity and hints of saffron, fennel and spice that linger on the finish.
A darker shade of pink, this is rosé done in a rich style, but rather delicious throughout. Dark plum, baked cherry and ripe strawberry aromas meet with clove spice on the nose, and the palate offers tasty bubblegum and watermelon candy flavors. It's bold but balanced.
Robustly citrusy notes of orange peel and tangerine show brightly in this brisk, off-dry wine. It is approachably fresh and fruity, but nuanced by a touch of crushed stone and whiffs of rose petal on the finish. Drink now through 2018.
Clean, saline-driven aromas of apple and minerals filter into a round, plump, fresh palate. This tastes of lime, green apple and green herbs, while a cucumber note comes up on a juicy, tangy finish.
This wine is fresh, crisp with acidity and an attractive zingy character. It has a lift and brightness along with hints of yellow fruits and a touch of spice.
This is a young, perfumed wine with attractive red fruits. While the wood is showing at the moment, that will fade as the wine develops, giving a fresh, raspberry-dominated wine. Drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, full of yellow fruits that are balanced with crisp acidity. That gives a balanced wine that is juicy, perfumed and rich. The aftertaste is equally attractive, showing lemon-zest flavor.
Pale in color, this ripe, perfumed wine is packed with red fruits. It is smooth, rich and only lightly textured with a tannic character. It conveys a nervy, mineral-textured aftertaste.
This wine is serious in style, from the deep, dark color to the tempting touch of oak in the aroma to the plump but tangy fruit flavors. Its full body and nicely tannic texture gives it some grip on the palate.
Fresh apple blossoms, lemon-lime soda and fragrant key lime pie aromas waft off of this bottling from the hillside vineyard that was one of the first in California to offer this grape. Similar key lime flavors show on the palate as does freshly squeezed pear juice, which offers a ripe, rounded character.
Aromas of ripe berry, grilled herb and a whiff of wild flower lead the nose. The fresh, enjoyable palate offers fleshy red cherry, nut and mineral alongside bright acidity.
Light red cherry, dried sage, black tea and thyme show on the nose of this bottling from the iconic facility in the heart of its namesake valley. There is a lot of action on the palate, where tart cherry and plum skin flavors meet with dried mint and earthy shrub elements.
Smoky notes of roasted meat and white pepper spice up the plum skins and blackberry fruit that show on the nose of this bottling. The smoke is also prominent on the sip, where graphite minerality frames the blueberry and blackberry fruit. The character of slightly burnt balsamic reduction sauce also shows through.
Longtime value producer Firesteed has another winner. This pretty Pinot shows excellent ripeness and full-bodied fruit flavor, thanks to the southern-Oregon components. Strawberries and tart raspberries come through cleanly, with a touch of cola in the aftertaste.
Grapefruit and orange peel aromas are followed by a balance of white peach and lemon on the palate. Brisk but fuller-bodied, the wine has a viscous mouthfeel that finishes clean. This is a food-friendly wine to pair with fresh fish and poultry.
There's a pleasing snap to this wine, which sends up scents and flavors of peavine and petrol. It's pungent and penetrating, with lime and citrus fruit (from organically-grown grapes) at the core. Drink lightly chilled, now through 2021.
Intense aromas of tropical fruit, banana and white stone fruit lead the nose on this straightforward, refreshing wine. The vibrant palate doles out juicy pineapple, citrus and white peach alongside tangy acidity.
Rubbery berry, tea, cool mint, herb and savory aromas amount to something a bit funky. This Syrah feels chewy and tannic. Herbal, savory, soupy flavors finish with an infusion of tea-like influences on closing plum and berry fruit notes.
Zingy lemon-lime flavors pierce the palate of this zesty dry-style Riesling. It's remarkably sheer in mouth feel with a crystalline briskness to the finish. Drink now through 2019.
This is a bold wine with aromas like Concord grapes, and flavors so ripe they are almost jammy, but it also has lively acidity and moderate tannins to keep the texture fresh. There is little oak flavor to get in the way of the pure expression of the grapes.
Rubbery aromas of pencil eraser, raisin, blueberry and red bell pepper are good but not at the highest level. Chalky and abrupt in feel, this is good on the palate but lacking a bit in flow. Medicinal red-berry flavors finish with sandpaper tannins.
This dark, very ripe Crianza smells extracted, jammy and slightly soupy, with aromas of raisin, pipe tobacco and blackberry. The palate is heavy and a touch hollow, with baked berry, vanilla, licorice and resiny flavors. An oak-based finish tastes ripe, succulent and like mocha.
A tad light on the nose but offering white pepper, black pepper, fresh-pressed boysenberry and lavender. The mouthfeel is soft with olallieberry, plum skins, fresh purple flowers and touches of cola and coffee bean. The winery just opened a new tasting room west of Paso.
This ripe wine offers swathes of red fruits and soft tannins. The structure is well embedded in the juicy red-cherry flavors that are further lifted by acidity. It's an attractive, smooth wine that will be ready from 2017.
Stone fruit and slightly funky yet natural aromas get this organic and biodynamic varietal Xarello off to a good start. A standard mouthfeel along with apple and banana flavors finish clean but nothing more. From 67-year-old vines.
This wine may have potential in the years to come, but is still searching for its soul at this young age. Aromas of dried black cherries and strawberries meet with black tea, juniper and a touch of tar on the nose. The palate is framed in a foamy acidity, offering plum and squeezed blackberry fruit, but dominated with a very herbal character that's still integrating.
A bold take on a tough grape, this bottling, which also features 20% Roussanne and 3% Grenache Blanc, offers creamy and elegant lemon curd and the slightest touch of marshmallow on the nose, which is then cut by chalky minerality. The palate is oily yet sharp, with dried apple peel and walnut flavors.
A light cedary, floral aroma starts this full-bodied wine on an interesting note, and similar flavor complexity continues. It feels nicely astringent on the palate, as fine tannins and good acidity keep it lively.
This wine sources fruit from throughout Napa Valley, as well as 9% from Lake County and 1% from the Sierra Foothills, incorporating all five red Bordeaux varieties and a smidgen of Syrah. It's juicy in black currant, with a tension of acidity and a smooth, simple focus, aged in both French and American oak.
Grapefruit aromas, bright kiwi and apple flavors and appetizing acidity make a lively, refreshing wine. This will be thirst-quenching on hot summer days and good with seafood, goat cheese and many other dishes any time of the year.
An intense, flavorful rendition of Sauvignon Blanc, this is grapefruity from start to finish, balanced by slightly riper notes of pineapple and a custardy richness to the wine's texture. Pair it with bold fish dishes over the next 6–9 months.
Two-thirds Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, and the rest Sauvignon Blanc—an unusual blend that works well. Medium gold and showing the color and scents of oak aging, this big-boned white runs the gamut from apple to pear to peach, soaked in Bourbon barrel flavors, with a rich, creamy finish.
Pronto red is 77% Grenache, with the remainder a blend of Touriga Nacional (11%), Syrah (7%) and Monastrell (5%). It starts off with leather and spice, then folds in cherries and licorice. It's full-bodied, round and slightly warm, with a supple, spice-driven finish. Drink now-2015.
Dried leaf and cherry tobacco scents highlight this well-made Grenache. It includes just a whiff or two of the classic funk, but the rich black-cherry fruit is the real star, well-ripened and leading into a clean, lingering finish.
Stottle does an especially good job with Tempranillo, sourced from the same site as its Nebbiolo. Fruity and fleshy, loaded with bright berry notes, it reflects its 21 months in barrel in its complex streaks of spice, chocolate and butterscotch.
After picking yourself up off the floor having digested the price, the wine is excellent but not otherwordly. Sweet, dense and calm on the nose, with alluring black fruit and raisin aromas. Feels hefty and gritty, with rooty, sweet flavors of brown sugar and baked blackberry. Finishes round, big and smooth, with generally good balance. 120 cases made; drink now through 2014.
Pure, condensed and dark on the nose, with blasting aromas of blackberry, crusty spice and char, this is packed like an overstuffed suitcase, with flavors of jammy black fruit, fine herbs and spice. Shows more big fruit on the finish and plenty of lasting berry flavor. Drink now through 2014.
Rich and round but not overdone, with a nice brightness to the apple, clementine and white peach aromas and flavors. Balanced and well-integrated, with all of the components working together in harmony. Closes on a brisk citrus-rind finish. Drink now–2014.
A very drinkable, densely lush Barbera that's been given proper time to age and tame its tannins. This wine has dense plum flavors and accompanying layers of spice and earth, a very nice example of mountain-grown California Barbera.
Nicely rounded in texture without being flabby, this is a lively, crisp white wine, well endowed with flavors reminiscent of melon, pear and lime. Perfect to drink now with most seafood dishes, or as an apéritif.
This is all Merlot, tight and toasty, with generous black fruits compacted into a dense core. This one needs more bottle age, and/or substantial decanting time, but it shows excellent depth and polish already.
This Shiraz does a nice job of balancing its fruit-sweet characters of blackberry and blueberry with savory elements of herbs and green olives. It's full-bodied, warm and creamy-textured, with a warm, chocolaty finish. Drink it now and over the next few years.
Complex, integrated and solid up front, with berry aromas, vanilla notes and toasty oak. Feels full, thick, staunch and balanced, with deep berry and cherry flavors leading to a toasty, peppery finish with leftover berry flavors. Well formed and well oaked, with excellent fruit quality. Drink now through 2014.
Attractively ripe aromas of melon and softly baked apples lead the nose, with a touch of sweet smokiness, almost like cured bacon, following close behind. Medium weight with balanced, lifting acidity and a spice-infused clementine rind finish.
This perennially consistent Priorato deals graphite, coconut, leather, forest and oaky, chocolaty berry aromas in front of a round, mouthfilling palate. Tastes primarily of plum, cherry and currant, with a snappy finish defined by red fruit flavors and length. Perfectly good and ready; can hold through 2014.
A concentrated, intense wine, filled with cherry-berry fruit and more than a hint of vanilla. It's tart and edgy, with some firm tannins on the finish, so hold it another 12 months and then drink it over the next 5–6 years.
Honey on the nose and palate is the most distinguished component of this otherwise generic white wine that runs sweet and basic. Mild additional notes of melon and mango don't improve the overall take-away.
A maderized gold color and oxidized aromas are not inviting. This feel heavy and clunky, with oily, nutty tasting white-fruit flavors. An almondy bitterness drives the finish.
Pickled, briny aromas set up a plump palate that is the best part of the wine. Flavors of bland melon are salty, while the finish fails to improve on anything that came before it.
A fairly flat rendering of Cabernet Sauvignon simple in style and execution.
The nose on this SB is pure grass, bell pepper and hay. The palate is citric on one hand but still flat and wayward in feel, with globular green-fruit flavors and a bitter tasting finish.
A grippy Cabernet lacking in fruit and personality.
A shimmering purple color is the greeting on this strange-smelling blend of Cabernet and Carmenère. The palate is weak in feel, while flavors of oaky blueberry are weird and seem manipulated.
Waxy, stalky aromas provide little to no varietal familiarity. This is acid-driven, with lemon and underripe pineapple flavors along with wheaty, stalky aftershocks. The fresh and tangy feel turns bitter on the finish.
Vanilla cookies and sulfuric match stick are about all you can draw from the bouquet. This is flat in feel, with candied, flabby flavors of green fruits. The finish is bland.
This reedy smelling, jammy boxed wine is on the cusp of acceptability. It's gooey in feel, a bit fake and sugary in flavor, and sticky on the finish.
A powerful and ripe wine, strongly influenced by its tannins, super ripe black fruit and great structure. It has all the hallmarks of a long-lived vintage Port—very rich, while densely textured and firm. This is an amazing, impressive, concentrated wine, with huge potential. From a parcel of ungrafted vines at Noval.
The sweetness of the wine vies with the acidity to bring out a dense structure, black currant flavors and firm tannins that are strongly integrated into the ripe texture. This is a gorgeous, dense, concentrated wine, coming into balance while showing great structure and potential.
This is beautifully ripe and perfumed, packed with richness in the form of sweet berries and touches of spice. It's already a gorgeous wine, its ripeness lifted by the acidity and given shape by the tannic structure. This powerful wine shows great aging potential.
A powerful, spicy wine, luscious in its peppered berry fruits and sweet tannins. The structure is dramatic, offering a smooth texture as well as a drier core. With its weight, density and dark, final character, this is a wine for serious aging.
A very aromatic wine, with violet perfumes, this is attractive and obviously ageworthy. The wine has the richness and tannic structure necessary, while showing an open, accessible character. The acidity shows strongly at the end. Produced from old vineyards at Graham's Quinta dos Malvedos, it has magnificent long-term potential.
This hugely rich yet approachable wine shows power and boldness. All the elements are there, linked by firm tannins and freshness from berry acidity.
There is an initial smoky character, followed by a burst of ripe, rich black fruits, giving the wine weight and a dark, brooding core. Black plum and berry fruits, considerable acidity and a delicate final perfume flesh out this wine's character. For serious aging.
This is a seductive and deeply satisfying Pinot Noir, light in rose petal and red cherry notes and yet intense and voluptuous in texture. Part of the winery's 30th anniversary celebration, with the fruit coming from original co-founder Burt Williams' Morning Dew Ranch in Anderson Valley, this is a remarkably polished and balanced wine, with a racy jolt of spiciness on the finish.
A complete wine, ripely fruity, firmly tannic and dense. It has weight and the right balance of fruit and structure. It's an impressive wine, powerful and concentrated while showing great fruitiness. The finish reveals its freshness.
A seriously top of the heap California Syrah. This complex, interesting wine sings of black pepper and garrigue, fleshy in just-ripe cherry, leather and dark plum. From the mountainous Fenaughty Vineyard, always a good source, it finishes long and will age gorgeously if you can possibly wait to drink it; that pepper will mellow in interesting ways.
A dark, black-fruited wine, with the fruit hanging off the hard tannins. The wine is dark and concentrated, the fruit expressing itself as fragrant black currants. This dry wine is very firm and destined for a serious, long-term future.
Tight-grained tannin wraps around dark, brooding swathes of black cherry, blackberry and cinnamon; dustings of dark chocolate and graham cracker weaving their way underneath. Strong herbal components balance the fruit and complexity, brightened by dashes of fresh citrus and herb.
An ethereally lithe and elegant wine, the aromatic profile and exuberance on the palate suggest savory and spicy specks of pomegranate, cranberry and even rhubarb. It's fresh, structured and well-integrated, with a bite of bark and clove on the rounded finish.
It's easy to appreciate this wine's generous, almost jammy aromas. They're followed by spicy, concentrated black-cherry flavors backed by firm acidity and lots of fine-grained tannins. This wine, from a vineyard owned by Williams-Selyem co-founder Burt Williams, tastes terrific now, but will show more complexity with time. Try to save it until at least 2018.
This wine is young, surprisingly fruity at this stage for this normally textured, structured Grand Cru. A pure line of sliced apple and green-plum flavors are shot through with tangy acidity. The fruitiness and intense acidity will pass soon and the wine will develop the proper steely, tight and mineral character. It will drink at its best from 2020.
Pure purple aromas of boysenberry jam and Concord grapes swirl amidst melted dark chocolate, maple-drizzled bacon and touches of beef carpaccio on the nose of this bottling from a coveted vineyard. Starting with strong blueberry and blackberry fruit, the palate then sizzles with acidity through the fine-grained tannic structure. The midpalate shows meaty depth with roasting herbs and minty lift throughout.
Enticing scents of rose, fragrant blue flower, perfumed berry and chopped herb take center stage. Combining structure and finesse, the palate doles out juicy wild cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, mint and star anise while firm, polished tannins provide the framework. Enjoy 2019–2029.
Aromas of menthol, star anise, clove and mature berry unfold in the glass. The firmly structured palate offers mature black cherry, star anise, espresso and a touch of exotic spice framed in taut, fine-grained tannins that lend elegance. Drink 2020–2035.
Grown on two parcels of 60- and 80-year-old vines, this is a dense, impressively concentrated wine. It has rich white fruits cut with citrus, as well as a firmer, more mineral character that sets the wine on the road to aging. This structured wine will be best from 2019.
Elegant purple flower, black cherry fruit, a bouquet of white sage and a touch of graphite decorate the rich and vibrant nose of this wine by Adam Lee. The palate surrounds soft red brambleberry fruits, with thyme, rosemary and Earl Grey tea spicing the edges. It's both plush and herbal.
Dried spices, cracked pepper and roasted meat notes scream of Syrah and the Northern Rhône. It's medium to full in body, but with fine tannins and bright acidity, making it remarkably easy to drink. Approachable now, it should still be drinking well through 2030.
In hommage to the man who pioneered the use of oak to ferment Sauvignon Blanc, this wood-fermented and matured wine is only produced in the best years. It is rich and just toasty, but equally about the structured mineral texture and ripe citrus. It is a wine to age, so drink from 2018.
Ryan Zepaltas coaxes complex aromas and flavors of baked Golden Delicious apple and anise around a well-constructed foundation of integrated oak, 33% of it new French. Cloudy in appearance, the wine sings in anise and tangy tangerine.
Close to the village of Aloxe-Corton, this vineyard is one of the smallest of the Corton grand crus. This wine, still fresh while also closed up with tannins, is dark, structured and has the potential to age many years. Intense red-berry acidity and a tight, dry core still convey youthfulness. Drink this impressive wine from 2022.
A tremendous single-vineyard wine from a highly sought-after site, this white sings in great salty aromatics, almost as if it has captured wisps of fog from the nearby Pacific. Expansive on the palate, full bodied and completely balanced, it teases in caramel, finishing lithe and bright.
This densely packed and very firm-textured wine will need aging to show its full potential. It has smoky, black pepper aromas and concentrated, dry flavors that layer with blackberry, blueberry and dark-chocolate impressions. A welcome sense of austerity keeps it from seeming sweet, and it features an elegant balance. Best after 2019.
Aromas of well-toasted oak, cinnamon, crushed stones, cassis and plum form a fine nose. This is bullish on the palate, where heavy tannins clomp along. Savory flavors of tree bark, herbs and blackberry finish woodsy, with lightly stewed plum notes and hints of oregano and thyme. Drink from 2017–2025.
This wine is from a blend of four vineyard sites, including the single-vineyard-designated Silver Pines, chilled by Petaluma Gap air. Clear and light in color, the wine is vibrant and earthy in dark cherry, clove and petulant Asian spice. The tannins are well integrated and soft, rounded in forest floor and toasted oak.
The nose is still a bit shy but eventually reveals underbrush, ripe plum and whiff of dark spice. The firmly structured palate delivers mature black cherry, clove, licorice and a hint of tobacco framed in densely packed, fine-grained tannins that need to unwind. Drink 2020–2030.
An artful blend of 43% Cab Franc, 28% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot, this captures the seductive sensuality of the winery's excellent lineup of red varietals. Ripe berry, plum and cherry fruit is swathed in dense highlights of herbs and spices. It's complex and captivating, while remaining refined, even elegant.
The Big Pig Vineyard, for which this wine is named, is the producer's estate vineyard, a site planted to four Pinot clones. Altogether it's stunning, a vibrant mix of funky lavender and licorice that's big in both flavor and presence on the palate, with a grip of soft tannins. The finish is concentrated in black cherry, with a seasoning of Asian spice.
Earthy and structured, this opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, grilled porcini, sunbaked earth, wild berry and dried aromatic herb. The big, bold palate doles out layers of mature black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice, sage, tobacco and black tea. Firm, velvety tannins provide structure and finesse. Drink 2019–2029.
Dark golden in color and high in acidity, this vineyard-designate was made in small amounts with great skill. Yellow apple skin and a slight slant to tropical guava provide a fleshy intensity and burst of weight on the palate, before the wine settles down and finishes long and lean.
All varietal, the aromas of high-toned herbs and spice show promise but haven't yet fully revealed their charms. The palate delivers concentrated yet restrained and balanced flavors that possess a captivating texture and a lengthy finish. It's a commanding interpretation of the variety that shows great nuance.
Grown on dense chalky soil, this concentrated, tight and mineral wine is also rich. Pure acidity and rich apple flavors are cut by a nervy streak and textured with lively spice. This wine is worth aging, so drink from late 2017.
Organically grown grapes are the source of this wine that comes from selected parcels on the Domaine de Rochoy. Flint soil gives a strongly mineral character that permeates the wine. The tight and steely texture contrasts happily with the sliced apple and lemon flavors. It needs to age for several more months. Drink from late 2017.
The initial impression is of toast and spice. Only slowly do the fruit and full-bodied richness of this wine become apparent. It comes from a Grand Cru close to Corton-Charlemagne and has similar structure and power. The wine will develop slowly and richly. Drink it from 2020.
This single-vineyard wine offers wonderfully balanced fruits and texture, along with ripe fruitiness. Apples, crisp citrus and warmer pear and peach flavors are all integrated into a texture that just hints at the herbal while being more about bright, fresh acidity and fruit. Drink now.
Quite dry on the palate, this seems less ripe than the previous vintage. The opening flavors are dominated by earth and stem—rather than fruit—followed by notes of baking spice, coconut and caramel.
This demonstrates a fine balance between the crisp white and peach fruits and the nervy texture that keeps this feeling taut and sharp. Beneath the fruity surface there is structure and a mineral character. Age for another 2–3 years.
This smells red and reedy up front, with a punch-like aroma that comes with a nice hint of fresh herb. It's fresh in feel, with brushy red-fruit flavors of currant, raspberry and plum. The finish is floral and likable.
Hints of sea salt and crushed stone add layers of minerality to this Riesling that's just a shade off-dry. The palate is concentrated with notes of tangerine juice, lemon peel and pressed apples, balanced by puckery lemon acidity.
The light apple and mild citrus aromas are nice. It feels fresh and medium in intensity, with notes of peach, apple, pear and citrus in equal, moderate doses. Short, lemony and fresh on the finish.
Firm, hard and tight, this offers black cherry flavors with some peach-pit phenolics. It's sharp and edgy, definitely on the herbal side, with a hint of stem.
This is a bit mulchy and leathery on the nose, with stalky berry aromas. The heavy palate feels wide, with pointed acidity, bearing soupy flavors of vanilla and cream. It finishes with lots of flavor but a syrupy feel.
Rose petal and cherry blossom aromas are stunning additions to the scents of black cherry and exotic spice. Full bodied, with a deep, fruity palate, it's full of ripe black-fruit and crisp red-cherry flavors that are wrapped up in a blanket of silky tannins.
Boisterous floral notes on the nose lead to a palate that's chock-full of penetrating mango, yellow peach and melon flavors. Not quite dry as labeled, but it's delightfully quaffable with sprightly tangerine-tinged acidity.
Midnight purple in color, this has legs as thick as an elephant's. It smells like boysenberry jam, spice and bacon, then feels like motor oil on the palate, with flavors of black fruit, chocolate and boysenberry syrup. It lacks complexity, but it hits hard with concentration, power and sweetness.
This is ripe and finely balanced, with its wood-aging character showing well with the yellow fruit flavor. It has weight and a fine sheen of brightness, while the finish shows a crisper side.
Rich and soft, this is full of pear and quince flavors that pack a punch of acidity. The fruitiness is offset by a yeasty character that adds notes of almond and spice.
Comprised of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 2.5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this Santa Clara Valley red is bursting with rich, big fruit, ending with a quick finish.
This is initially round and ripe, with a hint of vanilla, before showing a more structured, steely side. It shows fine balance between its intense texture and fruitiness, promising 2–3 years of aging.
This new producer's family has been farming in the Yakima Valley for four generations. A fine debut, this has clean apple and peach flavors, with supporting acids and a sensible price.
Rich and honeyed on the nose and palate, this is chock-full of superripe tropical fruit notes, spiked with hints of white truffle, black tea and sweet brioche. It's an interesting mélange of yumminess, but there's just a hint of something chemical on the nose and palate that distracts.
Minerally and tight on the nose, this has a modest level of white fruit and flower aromas. It feels angular and light, with tangy acids pushing lemon and pineapple flavors. Crisp but lean on the finish.
An elegant wine, its acidity showing through balanced black berry fruits. The wine has good spice along with a dry core of light tannins.
Fresh, fruity and juicy, this is a bright expression of Zweigelt. It is packed with red cherry and currant flavors, lively balanced acidity and a delicious warm finish. Screwcap.
Dark, rubbery aromas yield to black cherry and spice, while the full-bodied palate has both sweet flavors of blackberry and cola but also some acid, tartness and pie cherry character. Drying, solid and full of red plum and berry fruit.
Solid Syrah character is evident—pomegranate, wild berry, and gamy streaks of soy and earth and peppery spice woven into the flavors. Light chocolate adds interest to the finish, but some chalkiness (from unintegrated acids?) detracts from the finish.
Honeysuckle, spice and lime on the nose lead into juicy flavors of citrus and pineapple on the palate. A balanced combination of spicy oak, minerals and fresh fruit, the wine is both fun and unfolding. The Chenin Blanc and Viognier both have a prominent place here, but neither overpowers.
Sweeter and more medicinal than Morandé's basic Pionero Cab, but more or less on the same quality level. The mouthfeel is solid with slightly rough tannins, while the flavor profile revolves around medicinal cherry and cassis. Finishes similarly.
This wine offers a balance of apple and citrus crispness with a touch of buttery oak. The nose is redolent of crisp fruits; on the palate it's refreshing and seafood-friendly. Pair with shellfish or creamy egg dishes.
A surprisingly mature-colored wine, with flavors that are of herbs, dark tannins as well as more juicy beets and dark black cherries. There is firm concentration, but the wine should be drunk now.
The inaugural release from this négociant winery is a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah. The aromas pop with notes of black pepper, marionberry and herbes de provence. Flavors are fleshy and fruit-forward with a snap of acidity that pulls it all together.
A 100% varietal wine, this Cab is subtle and elegant in crisp red fruit, bordering on a richness that remains at the cusp of the palate. Leather and tobacco leaf figure into the mix as well, along a well-integrated foundation of oak and tannin, finishing with a hint of brick.
Juicy mango and yellow peach flavors are intensified by a mineral slick in this gorgeously textured wine. A jolt of lime on the midpalate gives edge to silky layers of fruit, exposing a lingering honeycomb finish. Complex yet light bodied and quaffable, it's a new benchmark for Long Island Riesling.
Talk about a composed wine; this opens with pure, subtle scents of raspberry, cherry and licorice. Next up is a young but clean palate housing choppy, bright acidity. Wild berry, herb and carob flavors finish with breadth and grab; drink this varietal Monastrell through 2020.
This Demeter-certified biodynamic wine is made in an immediately enjoyable, drink-now style. Brandied black cherries and sun-baked earth mark the nose, while the palate is full, creamy and plush. It's warm, ripe and welcoming from start to finish.
This blend features Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. The oak (30 months in 20% new French) is primary right now, with aromas of vanilla bean and coffee along with dark berry and thistle. It's supple in feel with a long finish. Additional time in the bottle should serve it well.
This wine shows bacon fat, boysenberry and tarragon on the nose. It's full and ripe on the palate, bringing similar flavors, also showing blackberry, roasted pork and black pepper. It proves quite delicious and just what one expects from a warmer-climate Syrah.
This 100% varietal wine comes from Conner Lee, Sagemoor and Klipsun vineyards. Already six years old, it's near full-bloom with aromas of dates, blackberry pie, dried herbs and spice. The black fruit flavors are full bodied and dense. Drink up.
This is the inaugural release from this project that pairs Chateau Ste. Michelle with Rhône stars Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie. Coming from a variety of vineyards across the Columbia Valley, it offers aromas of black cherry, smoke, incense and cocoa. The flavors are plush in feel with a finish that lingers—an impressive first offering.
Tropical fruit, white flower-flavored candies, aromatic heirloom apples and a touch of honey come into crystalline focus on this wine by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi. Lime blossoms, Key lime crème fraîche and a touch of yogurt consume the energetic palate.
This wine is at the fringes in Washington, exploring dry farming where irrigation is the norm. Fresh herb, blackberry and raspberry aromas lead off. Packed with rich, elegant fruit flavors, it also has an herbal streak running from head to tail.
Made in what the producer calls a Right-Bank Tradition, this red wine combines 69% Cabernet Franc with 27% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon to classy, restrained effect. Perfumed in cedar and pencil shavings, it has fine, integrated tannins and an elegance to the lengthy, cassis-kissed finish.
Fleshy, sun-kissed black plums and cherries abound in this supple, velvet-textured Merlot. It's mouthfilling and rich, but brisk cranberry acidity lends firm structure. The palate is subtly nuanced, marked by soft tannins and layers of brambly wood, cedar and baking spice. Aged 19 months with a large proportion of new French oak, it drinks well now but should meld beautifully from 2020–2028.
Leathery cherry and plum aromas offer a hint of tobacco as well as a burnt, roasted note. This is healthy in feel, with lively, snappy acidity. Flavors of herbs, vanilla, tomato, tobacco and red currant finish wiry and high-toned, with moderate tartness and plenty of length. Drink through 2023.
Aromas of wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of camphor emerge in the glass. The palate delivers tart cherry, red raspberry, clove, anise and ground pepper alongside youthfully assertive but refined tannins and fresh acidity.
This wine brings aromas of pineapple, lemon drop, chamomile tea and custard to the bouquet. The flavors are ripe and full, showing a sense of texture and weight followed by a persistent finish.
A ripe and honeyed wine, this is dry and with acidity along with fresh fruitiness. It's crisply textured, refreshingly perfumed and with delicious, pure apple flavors and acidity. It's a wine to drink now, although better to age until 2017.
This huge, rich wine has weight and density. What make it still recognizably Bordeaux are the black currant fruits, acidity and the stylish tannins. Everything else is larger than life, with power and concentration. Drink from 2018. Owners Mallet Frères use parcel selection for this 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
The inaugural release from this winery, this wine was barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 17 months. Unfiltered and lightly cloudy, it offers appealing aromas of peach, butter and spice that lead to textured but deft flavors and a persistent finish.
This wine has immediate appeal with its aromas of coffee, mocha, vanilla and blueberry. The blue and black fruit flavors are concentrated, with a sumptuous feel.
Bright and airy on the nose, with aromas of lemon pith, ripe apple and delicate white peach, this wine is one of the first made in its entirety by Dierberg's new winemaker, Tyler Thomas. The palate offers flavors of fresh lime sprayed on cold apple slices and sprinkled with sea salt, proving tightly wound with the right amount of grip and energy.
Grilled yellow plum and anise aromas set the stage for this blend of 47% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc and 13% Clairette. It's full and plump on the palate, with smoky notes that accent the plum and melon flavors on the lengthy finish.
This may not be as potent or complex as Colombier's Cuvée Gaby, but it comes close, which makes it an excellent value. Meaty, savory notes are ideally suited for accompanying autumn game or winter stews, yet the tannins are supple, making it approachable already.
This is a tight, textured and fruity wine. With a great mineral texture and steely structure, it is a wine for some aging. Lemon and pink grapefruit flavors sheer through the texture, still waiting to balance. From 2017 it will be a fine wine.
From an estate-farmed property in the Russian River, this otherwise Carneros-based producer shows it can handle different conditions with aplomb, taking its foot off the pedal a touch in terms of power and concentration in this wine. Floral, soft and silky, it remains complex in red and black berry, with handfuls of truffled earth.
This offers a surprisingly savory look at this sun-drenched appellation, with aromas of smoke, mineral and Kalamata olives. The cherry flavors are full bodied with a palate-coating, slightly tacky feel that smooths out over time.
Appealing aromas of coffee, cherry, vanilla, woodspice, mesquite and herbs lead to concentrated, rich cherry and chocolate flavors that linger. It's drinking well now but also should have a long life ahead of it in the cellar.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah has aromas of cocoa, baking spice, green wood, plum and black cherry. It's concentrated and richly flavored, with layers of dark fruit, coffee and mesquite. Firm tannins lead to a warm finish.
This is mouthfilling but not overly weighty, with a wonderful blend of herbs and spices rounded out by cherries and plums. Intense garrigue notes pick up hints of anise on the long, softly dusty finish. Drink now–2020.
Much better than the 2009, this Malbec opens with menthol, leather and herb aromas along with notes of berries. It feels deep, with a medium body and sweet, friendly, flavors of blackberry, brown sugar and chocolate. The finish tastes slightly candied.
Saint Clair produces some 86,000 cases of this solid Sauvignon Blanc. If it's not quite as rich, concentrated or flamboyant as its Pioneer Block bottlings, it still delivers authentic Marlborough Sauvignon character. Pineapple and tomato leaf notes are well balanced, while the wine is medium bodied and slightly creamy in the mouth.
This offers quality that's almost the equal of Seifried's primary label Pinot Gris for a couple dollars less. Melon rind, pineapple and cinnamon notes are pervasive. This is plump and expansive on the palate, yet remains focused through the soft, elegant finish.
Dark in style, with graham cracker, shoe polish, hard spice and blackberry aromas. It feels staunch and edgy, then tastes deep, with a blackberry flavor backed by rubber and chocolate. The finish is marked with cocoa powder and vanilla notes.
This opens with a breeze of air freshener, tropical oils, green fruits and apricots. Fresh and crisp in feel, it has mild green-fruit flavors that are led by notes of lime and lychee. The finish is creamy, tropical and slightly bitter.
Aromas of sweet grass, vanilla cookie, lime and lychee are welcoming on the nose. This is a melony, round style of Torrontés, featuring apple and lychee notes. Flavorful and friendly, with a moderate finish.
Untamed and herbal on the bouquet, this has a coconutty sweetness that's offset by scratchy berry and grassy notes. It feels firm, with high acidity and tight tannins; the herbal flavors mingle with notes of sweet cassis and baked berry.
From old vines and only produced in top vintages, this ripe perfumed wine is impressive. Rich with tropical fruits, layers of vanilla and acidity, it is full, up-front and packed with concentrated flavors and textures. Like many wines from this appellation, it can age and will be better from 2019.
This delicious wine shows focused black cherry, cola, cream soda and baking spice flavors. It's perfectly balanced, with all components in proportion and settled nicely together. Drink now through 2022.
The biodynamically grown fruit that has gone into this ripe impressive wine has given great richness. It is structured while full of yellow fruit and an opulent character. The wine is still young, still full of baby fruit and will be superb from 2018.
This Nero d'Avola opens with mature black cherry, cinnamon and toasted almond aromas while the fresh, structured palate delivers juicy blackberry, raspberry jam and white pepper notes. Fresh acidity and polished tannins lend balance and a smooth texture. Enjoy through 2024.
Austere and elegant in its cool-climate, light-bodied way, this wine is dark and brooding nonetheless, offering a wild bramble of berry and rhubarb flavors. Firm in tannin and subtle in oak, it is dotted in black-tea and savory forest-floor edges.
This top tier effort captures all the most distinctive characteristics of good Oregon Pinot Noir. Black cherry fruit, a liberal dash of cola, a touch of sassafras and a dusting of baking spice combine in a burst of flavor. Delicious already, it will drink well for another half decade or longer.
A bold wine, this is full of ripe tannins and black-plum fruits. The local Baga grape dominates the blend, giving its special style of firm tannins that are integrated into the rich fruits. The wine will be best from 2018.
Making top-flight Marlborough Pinot Noir wasn't easy in 2014, so this is an especially notable effort from Kevin Judd. Classic savory, forest-floor notes frame black-tea and plum flavors in this concentrated, richly textured wine. Drink now–2022.
A rather light-garnet color doesn't keep this wine from displaying plenty of flavor concentration, a smooth texture and nice layers of complexity. Red cherry and sour cherry dominate the palate while the mouthfeel is nicely dry and lightly tannic. Best after 2020.
Winemaker Matthieu Finot deftly transforms this wine by keeping it on the skins for three weeks with a daily punch-downs, then allowing 100% malolactic fermentation during aging in neutral oak. This orange wine boasts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh apricot, orange blossom and rooibos tea. These aromas transition onto the palate where they taste concentrated and fresh. It's dry, with delicate tannins and a clean finish that lingers and evolves.
There are a lot of intriguing and unique aromas on the nose of this bottling, from candied pomegranate and wild blueberry to olive, rosewater, cinnamon and carnation. Those deep fruits and exotic spices show on the sip as well, where a tense acidity leads into a tart cherry finish.
Wonderful richness, depth and concentration make this full-bodied wine a standout. Rich berry and cherry flavors are densely packed within a velvety viscous texture that soothes the palate and clings to the sides of the mouth. A long finish completes the picture.
This fascinating medium-bodied wine has a wild streak that first brings rhubarb and forest-floor aromas, then deep dark flavor nuances like mushroom, black cherry and more tangy rhubarb. It has good acidity and fine-grained tannins to support all that complexity. It offers all the complexity one looks for in a Pinot.
Crushed hibiscus, rich red cherry, sweet sagebrush and chai spice make for a complex nose on this bottling. Rusty cherry rises to the fore on the soft and light palate, where a compelling texture and bright acidity go deep into the finish.
Very light in the glass, this bottling from a very cool-climate vineyard shows a clean line of honeysuckle, crisp Asian pear and tart lime blossoms on the nose. There is great tension to the tight and tart lime-laced sip, with some nectarine ripeness in the midpalate, lots of chalky texture and a sizzle of acidity. Racy as can be, it's great now, but will last for years. Drink now through 2030.
Named after the fourth Marquesa who was a noted poet, this dense and concentrated wine is all about power and intensity. It has dark tannins, bold black fruits and super-rich wood-aged flavors. It is made to age further, and will be better from 2019.
Floral fruit gives this powerful wine a great lift, bringing out the tannins, the black fruits and acidity. Its structure is still young and packed with dark tannins, suggesting that this complex, rich wine needs further aging. Drink from 2019.
Maison Louis Jadot's Willamette Valley project continues to bear fruit and has increased the production of this entry-level cuvée. A lovely, chunky mix of purple and black fruit, it's beautifully proportioned, with plenty of power, lacking only the depth of the older estate vines. It finishes on a lacy note of minerality.
This glossy and fragrant wine opens with heady woodland berry, menthol, botanical herb, iris, new leather and exotic spice aromas. The palate delivers Marasca cherry, clove, pipe tobacco and savory mineral notes held taut by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
Pungently earthy in cigar box and compost, this is a compact and densely powerful wine, full of blackberry-jam flavor dipped in chocolate and cinnamon spice.
Ripe, lush berry and vanilla aromas announce this nicely oaked blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The drying tannins are firm, and vanilla, mocha and blackberry flavors finish with tannic grip but also a sense of purity and lushness. Drink through 2023.
Although labeled Shiraz, this wine also includes 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Viognier. Those additions help account for its impressive color and rich mouthfeel. Vanilla and cedar frame mixed berries, yet the wine remains savory and complex, adding hints of black olive, mocha and grilled meat. Drink this dense, full-bodied wine now through 2025.
Concentrated berry and plum aromas are potent. In the mouth, this blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc is massive but also abrasive and narrowing due to fierce tannins. Giant raspberry and blackberry flavors include chocolate and coffee notes. It settles on the finish but remains scratchy out the back door. Drink through 2025.
With a swirl, this wine's enticing new leather, eucalyptus, woodland berry and herb aromas unfold in the glass. The taut and savory palate offers sour cherry, crushed strawberry, star anise and white pepper notes. Refined tannins and firm acidity provide balance while a hint of coffee signals the close. Drink 2020–2029.
Dusty tannins, ripe fruit and concentrated structure point to a wine that is going to age well. It also has great perfumes and juicy black-currant fruits that are going to be delicious as the wine ages. Drink this wine from 2026.
Underbrush, new leather, menthol, culinary spice, dark fruit and toast aromas take center stage in this wine. The elegantly structured and linear palate delivers red cherry, strawberry, cinnamon and white pepper flavors set against bright acidity and taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2023–2033.
Quite dark in the glass, this very concentrated blend of 37% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 28% Mourvèdre shows boisterous aromas of black currant, blueberry, vanilla, violet and clove on the nose. Rich as expected in body, the bottling offers nutmeg and black-cherry-syrup flavors on the sip, with a touch of prune as well. It's a heavy-duty attention grabber.
Bright, juicy acidity perseveres around a rich, concentrated core of baked apple and pear. A strong cradling of toasted oak supports the fruit and creamy texture, finishing in a flourish of floral apple blossom and salty brine.
This is a flagship wine for DFJ owner and winemaker José Neiva Correia. It is generous while preserving great style and elegance. The black berry fruits and layers of tannins are well balanced with the acidity and the light wood aging. A wine to savor, it will be ready to drink from 2018.
Bright, distinctive fruit impressions pop through a layer of smoke and bacon aromas as this full-bodied but balanced wine opens up. Jazzy flavors like raspberry and cranberry meld with bass notes like blackberry as firm tannins and good acidity give it great structure, too.
Yellow plum, sweet apple and juicy pear form an appetizing, aromatic trinity. Those apple flavors, some of them fresh, some bruised, some baked, become the central theme of the lemon-focused palate. With some time, honeyed notes come to the fore and suggest that many things still lie hidden in this fruit-laden Riesling. The finish is dry, the entire wine is focused and still taut. It's delicious now but will reward cellaring.Drink 2015–2025.
This is a delightfully dense, yet herbal and well-structured wine, 100% varietal, with still-chewy tannins that integrate in the glass. Cassis and tea highlight the experience. The wine is sourced from a prime spot in the heart of the Napa Valley known for both its exuberance of fruit and classic elegance.
Succulent black plums and cherries flood the palate in this irresistibly juicy yet elegantly structured Cabernet Franc. Brisk acidity lends an electric jolt, intensified by waves of granite and green herbs. Its fresh demeanor and delicate tannins make it approachable in youth, but refinement persists.
Aromas of exotic spice, prune, resin and nail polish remover lead the nose. The big, round palate delivers raisin, fig, licorice, ground pepper and a confectionary note alongside a network of polished, velvety tannins. Drink through 2026.
Extremely spicy on the nose, with clove, black cardamom, gingerbread and more baking spice, this bottling also shows aromas of concentrated hibiscus, soy sauce and beef teriyaki. A black-rock minerality powers the palate, alongside buttered cherries, charred beef, pipe smoke, fudge and lifting menthol flavors.
While lower-priced than some of the Loring single-vineyard wines, this offers compelling characteristics and complexity. It smells like red and black cherries, black tea and cardamom, and tastes ripe but tangy. Full bodied and very flavorful, it stays well balanced by firm acidity and fine tannins.
Fine-grained tannins cradle juicy blackberry and blueberry around a complex character of graphite and smoke. Full bodied, the wine is nicely balanced, with acidity behind the strength, finishing with length and grace.
Light in color and clear, this 100% varietal wine from a prime spot in Carneros known better for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dances in the glass, a celebration of floral violet aromas and faint white pepper. Restrained and elegant, it's plenty spicy and fresh, finishing with just the right amount of red cherry.
Aromas of ripe black currant, spice, pressed violet, scorched earth and a whiff of cedar emerge on this boldly structured red. The full-bodied palate delivers dried blackberry, raisin, licorice and chewing tobacco, accompanied by firm, chewy tannins. A black pepper note signals the close.
Light in color and sizzling in Asian spice, this wine is made by Sam Spencer from a variety of top-notch vineyard sites, including Durell and Wildcat Canyon, as well as locales farmed by the Sangiacomos. Light to medium in body, it features soft texture and well-integrated oak. An element of exotic Mediterranean spice never quite lets go atop the black cherry and strawberry notes.
Mandarin zest and the tenderest suspicion of rose petals hold lots of promise. This satisfying aroma continues on the medium-sweet palate where sweet citrus flesh meets spicy, aromatic orange peel. Lightness of touch marks this as a paradigm of subtlety, and its purity lingers.
From two blocks of the vineyard, this light, crisp, medium-weighted wine stays refreshing on the palate and remains complex in acidity. Nutmeg dances throughout its soft layers, while the finish burnishes in rich vanilla brioche.
This beautifully structured wine has tannins and a dry core, but they are surrounded by ripe black fruits and a smooth, luscious texture. Rich and full bodied, the wine is almost drinkable but it will certainly be better from 2017.
Hyde has figured into the producer's sparkling wine production for years, but this marks Davies' first release of still Pinot Noir from the stellar site. It opens with tangy acidity and a bite of tropical citrus along with black tea before unveiling substantial underlying tannins and plenty of contained power. A ripe trace of cherry and raspberry lurks along the background, peaking on the finish.
Wonderfully pure notes of mandarin and tart apple on the nose are joined by richer hints of burnt sugar, candied orange and honey. These are shot through with arrows of clean, fresh and pure lemon acidity that highlight the richer, honeyed notes, and also make this wine finish dry. It's full of life and joy.
This wine over-delivers a mouthful of juicy quality vis-a-vis price, combining Cab with smaller dabs of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Savory blackberry and cassis lift the fruitiness, seasoned in savory tones of black tea and cranberry that give it an edge. Fleshy and smooth, it's a good wine to stock up on.
The grapes for this wine hail from esteemed sites, including Three Palms and Cork Tree, and their good farming shows. Cherry and cassis aromas and flavors provide the wine with vibrancy, while well-structured tannins and a juicy core balance each other out. The oak is integrated and the finish long.
A slight hint of petrol on the nose of this wine by veteran Kathy Joseph then ventures into delicate and soft aromas of preserved lemons and scratched grapefruit skin. It's edgy in style, treading a pithy line of tangelo, pomelo and yellow grapefruit, with racy and lingering lemon-spritz acidity.
This appellation has shown great promise with the variety and this wine demonstrates why. Aromas and flavors of dried and baked plum center on a juicy, soft core, accented in pencil shavings and cedar. Red cherries and a long finish complement the whole.
Concentrated in raspberry liqueur and balsamic tanginess, this is a juicy, soft and smooth wine, with plenty of structure and complexity. Blackberry coats the palate along with a savory tip of tobacco and black tea, components that linger on the finish.
A reductive element of petrol and oak blows off over time bouquet-wise, but in taste and weight, the wine retains a sultry sense of oak and baked apple. Full bodied in style, it manages to stay balanced throughout, finishing in a buoyant twist of citrus.
This is a taut and trim wine, but with plenty of toasted oak aromas and rich maple and cherry flavors to fill out its firm frame. Flavors combine cinnamon, cardamom, plum and Bing cherry. The texture is moderately tannic and firmly crisp for an attractive, lip-smacking quality.
Heavy wafts of petrol and oak dominate at first in this wine, before some air and some swirling in the glass reveal more lifted aromas and flavors of lemon candy, green apple and apple tart. A tale of two wines in some ways, it zigzags between crisp and luxurious, finding its balance in the glass.
From the eastern-reaching Chiles Valley appellation, the vines planted in 1975, this is a soft, juicy and well-made wine, blended with 3% Merlot. Red and black berry star, complemented by a treasure trove of clove. Grippy on the finish, it should cellar well, a robust, full-bodied wine that finishes with a taste of coffee.
There is something special about this beautifully balanced wine. It has the ripe and fruity flavors that are expected, but they are attractively reserved, and the firm tannins don't overwhelm the creamy texture. It will be great for a special occasion now through 2019.
First made for the historic summits between Reagan and Gorbachev in 1985, this blend of 69% Pinot Noir and 31% Chardonnay marks the 30th anniversary of that event. Made in a Brut style, it's nonetheless among the winery's most richly opulent concoctions. Lemon bar and vanilla form around a medium build with notes of nutmeg and baked apple, finishing in an intensity of lemon zest.
The producer's flagship high-end sparkler starts with 52% Pinot Noir, adding in 48% Chardonnay, a touch of residual sugar (10 g/L) and 44 months in bottle. Peach and cherry take on candied flavors in the glass, adding an opulence to the leaner notes of tart orange and grapefruit. Round and smooth on the palate, it's enjoyable now.
This is a highly unusual wine made from a traditional Champagne grape variety, with 12% of the South African Pinotage variety blended in. It Aromas like dried herbs and cedar, intriguing flavors like black tea and pomegranate juice and a beautiful balance between acidity, ripeness and a lightly tannic texture make a compelling combination.
This is aromatic, with ripeness that balances the bright green and white fruits. Wood and spice notes are followed by a touch of lemon jelly and minerally acidity. It's a wine that is still developing, waiting for the ripe fruit of the vintage to surface.
Big and firm, this is packed with red fruits and solid tannins. It has flavors of red berries and black fruits—the wood component still prominent. The acidity is gentle; but it does need to age for at least four years.
Elegant and elevated, this shows fine integration of fruit and oak on the nose. It feels creamy, with barrel toast, dry spice and melon flavors. It is firm, healthy and structured on the finish courtesy of barrel fermentation and aging. A Burgundian facsimile from Rueda.
Upon opening, it's compact and tangy, with deep fruit flavors of raspberry, red plum and pie cherry. There is a lot of life to this wine, with fresh and clean fruit flavors. It needs time to develop in the bottle. A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 33% Merlot.
Crisp and fruity, but also with some weight, this dense, textured wine has a very minerally character, with a straight line of tight acidity. This is complex and tense while also refreshing.
This impressive wood-aged wine shows both the rich side of Pouilly Fuissé and its taut, minerally character. It is full and rich, yet always expressing a nervy, zingy edge. Age for at least three years.
A first release from this new Walla Walla winery, this is complex and textural, made using estate-grown grapes from a vineyard in the section of the valley known as The Rocks. Notes of black cherry and umami-soaked funk swirl together, with a strong streak of black tea and syrupy coffee.
Ripe and full, this tempers the natural richness of Volnay with the restraint of tannins and layers of wood. The red fruit flavors are given a boost by the young acidity that needs time to calm down. Age for 3–4 years.
This has a warm, rounded character, with pressing minerality. Notes of apple, pear and a touch of vanilla all add richness and an open character. It has warm, rich fruit on the finish.
Made from grapes sourced from vines that were planted in 1955, this is ripe and rich. The fruit is still reticent, but it will develop into a concentrated, full-bodied wine. Its density is balanced by a firm, minerally structure. Age this for 2–3 years.
This demonstrates the complexity of firm and concentrated Vosne-Romanée, with a generous, fruity character. It shows its structure first, followed by beautiful red fruits. Age for 4–5 years or more.
High-toned apple-cider aromas on the nose belie the gorgeously fresh palate. This is lip-smackingly good, with a concentrated fresh-fruit flavor that's sweet and bright with notes of hibiscus nectar and honey. It lingers long and smooth on the finish.
Floral and round, this pushes its red berry flavors forward. It's so elegant and perfumed, with an attractive structure and acidity. Ready to drink in a few months.
This is complex and ripe but also mineraly and very structured. It offers many facets of the village: its richness and its strong sense of terroir. Bright, clean and fragrant on the finish.
Big and opulent, this has ripe tropical fruits, with a soft, toasty texture and full-bodied feel. With its richness, this is developing quickly and is already ready to drink.
A nose of black cherry with a pronounced note of bell pepper gives way to flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, smoked meat, coffee bean and green pepper. Velvet tannins recede on the finish to reveal a splash of acidity with a hint of smoke.
Aromas of blackberry and cured meat give way to flavors of black cherry, dark plums, fennel bulb, lavender, thyme and a hint of smoke. This wine is surprisingly bright considering the depth of flavor and strength of its chewy tannins, with acidity that holds its own right into the orange-zest finish.
This opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, underbrush and leather. The bold concentrated palate offers black cherry, raspberry jam, clove and a hint of licorice. Firm fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2025.
Made with 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo, this brawny red opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit, violet and baking spice. The robust but polished palate doles out juicy red cherry, plum, cinnamon, mocha and vanilla while fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2023.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec is overtly woody smelling in support of chunky earthy berry aromas. A full, racy, balanced palate deals structured tannins and salty plum flavors backed by a heavy dose of wood spice. On the finish, this is dry, oaky and tannic. It's good now, but will be best from 2020–2025.
This Rioja reserva hits all the standard checkpoints with aplomb. Earthy loamy mossy aromas of plum and berry fruits feature a hint of tobacco and vanilla. In the mouth, this is full, with round but serious tannins. Tea, wild herb, black plum and berry flavors finish with savory soupy notes and prodding tannins. Drink through 2022.
There's a forward lush, toasty character to this wine, which opens with smoky, oaky notes alongside fruity tones of pink apple and rich melon. The round, broad palate offers more of the same, with flavors of creamed pear and buttery baked apple that are balanced by ample acidity, lending freshness to the close.
Round aromas of chocolate-covered raisin set up a loaded palate. Salty berry, cassis, baking-spice and chocolate flavors finish with a full helping of berry and plum fruit, while this maintains a moderately full outlook on the finish. Drink through 2021.
This wine has aromas of cherry and violet. Acidity and silky tannins play nicely together among flavors of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate-covered espresso bean, thyme and a hint of spearmint. As the wine washes over the palate, savory flavors recede into a lively fruit-laden finish.
With a rich nose of toasted oak and caramel, this wine, sourced from the Sangiacomo Vineyard, takes on more brightness on the palate—a medium-bodied celebration of green apple flavor with squeezes of tangerine and lime.
The richly tannic texture of this full-bodied, well-balanced wine makes it a pleasure to sip, supporting ripe fruit flavors and a generous dash of oak spice. Concentration, layering and depth all add to the enjoyment.
Aromas of truffle, new leather, black-skinned fruit, wild herb and pressed rose lead the nose. The velvety full-bodied palate delivers fleshy wild cherry, ripe cranberry, star anise and clove set against athletic tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Here's a savory Pinot Grigio that's loaded with character, offering inviting aromas of white spring flower and ripe orchard fruit. The round, medium-bodied palate has just enough weight, doling out ripe Bartlett pear, creamy yellow apple and a hint of juicy tangerine while an energizing mineral note closes the finish.
Blackberry jam, gravelly mineral and kirsch scents make for a playful yet intense nose in this blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Grenache. Boysenberry, dried purple flower and candied grape flavors show on the palate, framed by chalky tannins. Give it time to reach its full potential.
This wine shows red plum, Rainier cherry, rose petal and churro spice aromas. The palate is clean and crystalline in its red cherry and cinnamon spice flavors, proving light and easy, with bright acidity and grippy texture.
This opens with alluring aromas of Granny Smith apple, citrus zest and a hint of flint. On the creamy palate, notes of Alpine herb and mineral accent Abate Fetel pear and tangy nectarine. Lively acidity gives it a crisp finish. While enjoyable now, it will also drink well for several years. Enjoy through 2020.
Custard and apple pie aromas lead the charge in the bouquet of this decadent wine, accented by notes of roasted nuts and orange essence. The mouthfeel is full and creamy, with just enough acidity to lift the rich fruit, honey and sweet-spice flavors. There's a beautiful evolution to the close, from lifted citrus to ripe fruit and finally sweet spice. Drink now–2019.
Castelão thrives in the sandy soils of the Palmela appellation. This reserve wine from 60-year-old vines with 12 months in wood is a rich, structured example. It's full bodied and ripe, packed with black plum fruit and acidity. Still young, it's ready to drink but will be better from 2018.
Intensely concentrated sour cherry and raspberry flavors ripple throughout this lusciously textured Pinot Noir rosé. It's intensely forward and fruity yet nuanced with hints of nut, spice and toast. Supple and slightly clinging on the palate yet briskly structured, it can stand up to a wide variety of cuisine and far beyond those fleeting summer months.
This powerful blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petite Sirah, 15% Malbec and 5% Syrah shows maple syrup, caramelized black cherry, graphite and coffee aromas. A solid tannic backbone anchors the wine's richness, its blueberry, smoke, coffee and mocha flavors lingering long into the finish.
This 100% Pinot Nero offers enticing aromas of fragrant blue flower, wild red berry and a whiff of baking spice. The sleek savory palate delivers raspberry, green tea, graphite and a white pepper note. Fresh acidity and firm but refined tannins provide balance. Enjoy soon.
Veteran winemaker Eric Laumann pushes the varietal envelope by blending Dornfelder, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in this wine. Vanilla, baked black cherry, spice cake, cola and strawberry scents show on the nose, while the palate strikes a balance between judicious tannins and vibrant acidity, integrating red berry, baking spice, mulberry and dark chocolate flavors.
Only a cave cooperative could deliver Hermitage at this price. Even better, the wine is excellent and admirably reflects its terroir. Cracked pepper, leather and mocha aromas lead into flavors of coffee, black olive and peppery spice. It's medium to full in body and slightly creamy in texture, with a long, silky finish that reflects bottle age. Drink now–2025.
From the oldest vines of the estate, this is a lush, luscious wine. Vanilla and cedar notes complement bold cherry fruit, while hints of cinnamon, clove and allspice lend nuance. It's not a highly structured wine, so there's no need to defer gratification.
This red interlaces juicy red fruit with soft, elegantly rendered layers of tannin and oak. It's highlighted with crisp acidity, its tart cranberry and red currant flavors complemented by a dusting of subtle dried herb.
This high-priced Cabernet Sauvignon, which is entering its prime, shows reedy berry aromas along with notes of prune, cola and spice. In the mouth, this is a bit on the soft side, while candied cola, cassis and cherry flavors finish with a note of chocolate. Overall, it's ripe, tasty and ready to drink.
From 70-year-old vines, this cedar-tinged wine reflects its maturation in one-third new oak. Brown sugar, cracked pepper and plum notes mingle easily into a pleasant, silky Cornas that should have broad appeal. Drink now–2025.
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.
Here's a bright and delicious Pecorino, with sensations of white peach, pear, tropical fruit and lemon zest. The savory palate is uplifted by a vein of energizing minerality. Pair this with pastas topped with shellfish.
This leafy, Bordeaux-style Merlot is applealing for its moderate approach and emphasis on herbs and spice over oak and extraction. The wine is smooth and and round, with berry, cassis and herbal offsets. Classic Merlot from Chile, with just enough oak and fruit to rank as modern.
Fresh and bright, with notes of orange peel and lemon, this dry, intensely mineral Riesling is effortlessly quaffable. While delicate in body, the palate is concentrated with apple and lime flavors, and finishes with a slick of beeswax and honey.
This Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Agiorgitkio blend is both authentic and versatile, with aromas of strawberry, cinnamon and cedar and robust flavors of mocha, cigarbox and red cherry balancing a firm acidity. A touch of smoke and leather adds earthy appeal. Pair with burgers or grilled lamb.
Crisp, tart blackberry and cassis notes have a green, herbaceous flair throughout this vibrant, impeccably balanced Cabernet. Lushly textured with velvety tannins and a weighty, full-bodied palate, it finishes long with delicate spice accents.
A whiff of roasted nuts adds a rustic character to ripe black fruit on this Merlot. It's big and bold on the palate with concentrated fruit framed rigidly with tannins and acidity, but a hint of leafy, herbaceous notes adds elegance.
This is a ripe and seductive Chardonnay, with great opulence to the palate and lush fruit characteristics of red-apple flesh, clove-spiked orange and creamy pear. Hints of toasted challah and sweet spice add depth and interest, while ample acidity keeps the generous mouthfeel in line and the finish clean.
A hint of dark earth adds dimension to bright sour-cherry and red-plum notes in this elegant Lemberger. Brisk and balanced, the palate is marked by a pleasant plum-skin tartness, alongside pretty floral notes on the finish.
Hints of blue flowers and granite, spicy chocolate and vanilla notes add complexity to this Merlot. It's crisp and tart on the palate, but balanced, with penetrating flavors of blackberry and bramble bush. Finishes briskly with a leafy, herbaceous flair.
Hard spice, fresh-cut oak and dark berry aromas make for a serious, stout bouquet. This is bright and lively in the mouth, with mouthfilling tannins and flavors of boysenberry and vanilla. A quick, slightly hot finish is aggressive but sturdy.
Whether due to vintage conditions or simply the result of re-prioritizing the brand, production of the Muleskinner has plummeted. Too bad, as this 100% estate-grown varietal wine is a unique expression of Walla Walla fruit. Here, it's tight, tannic and sharp-toothed with wild, brambly berry fruit in a compact frame. The aromatics promise more, so this could age for a bit before drinking.
This wine was fermented half in stainless steel and half in neutral oak, and did not undergo malolactic fermentation. The result is a textured, rich explosion of honeysuckle, spice and lemon zest flavors that finishes with a minerally, flinty character.
Of all the current releases from this new winery, it is this rosé that is highest in alcohol. Thick and heavy, it's quite rich and expressive, with plum and cherry flavors. The finish is viscous and scented with rosewater.
Blended with 10% Barbera and aged in a mixture of French and American oak (45% new), it brings notes of garden herbs, vanilla, jammy red fruit and chocolate. The feel is pillowy soft with tart, cranberry-like acidity brightening it up.
Cherry, strawberry and light candied aromas are good but basic. This feels full and creamy, with oak, dry spice, cinnamon and earthy red-berry flavors. Spice notes and a flat, chunky feel define the finish.
Here's a rather slender Pinot Noir, with soft cranberry fruit, hints of smoky mocha and a little clove. There is something chocolaty, and at the same time refreshing, about this wine, and the tannins are silky-soft in a light and restrained body.
Principally a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, it's quite dry, to the point of being austere, with earthy tannins behind chunky black cherry and cassis fruit. It offers plenty of flavor, fair value and decent length.
Production size of this pure, estate-grown, Red Mountain Malbec is much lower in 2011. Earthy and showing a whiff of leather, it brings dried cherry fruit, a streak of dark chocolate and smooth tannins in a juicy wine with a lively finish. Hints of orange peel linger long after the last swallow.
Powdery, sweet aromas of peach and melon are tropical and suggest botrytis. The palate is smooth, juicy and fresh, with weight and flavors of orange, peach and mango. A honeyed, creamy finish with good acidity is a nice ending.
This rich, structured wine is made from 100% Niellucciu (Sangiovese) from a nine acre estate. Its black cherry flavors are bolstered by plenty of firm tannins and concentration, and its richness and density are now at peak maturity, so drink now.
Bold smoky aromas join equally bold and concentrated fruit flavors in this full-bodied well-oaked wine. Beyond the wood smoke and grilled meat components are ample blackberry, dark chocolate and black-cherry flavors.
Round and easy on the palate, this wine combines 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Approachable dark fruit meets touches of leather and garrigue. It's a full-bodied and concentrated wine that's still developing in the bottle.
An exciting new project named after the cult that once lived in the Guadalupe dunes at the end of the Santa Maria River, this cool-climate Syrah from a vineyard just behind Pismo Beach shows rosemary, fennel frond, white pepper, tar and soy on the nose. The sip starts with a flash of blackberry syrup before the savory hints of charred beef and peppercorns arise. Still a young wine, this will improve with time.
This wine is made from grapes grown on the producer's RockRise Mountain vineyard, 1,100-feet up. Graham cracker provides a decadent introduction to the nose and palate, as extracted, extended red fruit plays along. Full bodied and concentrated, with rounded corners, it ends in cola and vanilla.
Intensely robust and grippy in smoky oak, this is a well-built brawny red wine. Its flavors are textured and bold in cured meat, char and blackberry jam.
Voluptuously lush and creamy, this is thick in vanilla swirls and crème brûlée, with full-bodied concentration of baked apple. Rich and round, it finishes in a yeasty tone of brioche.
Plump plum and dark raspberry aromas meet with a chiseled-slate minerality and a strong oak spice on the nose of this reserve bottling by the regional pioneer. There's a hickory smoke character throughout the sip, which adds a savory note to the bright and racy red fruit.
Richly soft, round and concentrated, this wine is exuberant in apple flavor, with a touch of stone fruit and papaya. It has a pleasing succulence that should broadly appeal.
This blends 68% Syrah and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon from one site, the whole having aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak. Bright, brooding and velvety, it tastes of berry pie and chocolate-covered strawberry, with a softness to the leathery finish.
Licorice, menthol, red berry and clove aromas carry over to the taut palate along with a tobacco note. Tightly wound fine-grained tannins provide firm support. Drink 2019–2027.
This opens with aromas of mature plum, violet and an inviting whiff of vanilla. The firm full-bodied palate offers black currant, raspberry jam and clove accompanied by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
You'll find alluring scents of iris, blackberry and nutmeg on this blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. The savory palate delivers ripe plum, black cherry, carob and a touch of licorice alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
Produced at the iconic Mouchão estate, this wine comes from old vines of Aragonez, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet. It has all the richness that comes from fermentation in open stone lagars, giving density and juicy black fruits. Wood aged, the wine is spicy, jammy and fruity; ready to drink now.
This wine has a quiet entry and soft lilt of cinnamon and black pepper spice. A grip of strong-willed tannin envelops a firm concentration of red berry, leather pouch and mountain sage.
Aromas of underbrush, dark-skinned fruit and a whiff of oak lead the nose. The succulent palate presents black plum, fleshy morello cherry, cinnamon and a hint of mocha alongside pliant tannins and zesty acidity. It's easy drinking, vibrant and delicious. Drink through 2018.
The nose on this single-vineyard bottling is mellow at first but then allows very complex, nearly nose-tickling aromas of lemon peel, lime sorbet, Marcona almond and white peach to emerge. The sip starts crisp and clean before the more opulent white peach and honeysuckle flavors blend with a pinch of sea salt.
Intriguing aromas of earth, roasted almonds, beeswax and ghee prove almost mead-like on the nose of this twist-top single-vineyard bottling by Larry Schaffer. The tightly wound palate is more restrained and familiar for the variety, offering honeyed pear and citrus peel flavors.
Winemaker Larry Schaffer proudly explores lesser-used varieties such as Cinsault, and makes compelling arguments in their favor. This bottling from Camp 4 Vineyard shows fresh and dried strawberry and slightly sour plum on the nose with a touch clove and dried ginger. The palate offers cranberry and hibiscus with red licorice spice, presented with lively acidity.
Made in a balanced and graceful style, this light-bodied red comes from vineyards in both Oak Knoll and Oakville. Tart cherry, plum and coconut shavings are supported by light oak and firm tannins. The finish is complex and spicy.
Among all the 2011 single vineyard Pinots from Ken Wright, the Carter was the most difficult to assess. It showed reductive scents and remained stubbornly closed despite all efforts to give it a chance to open. Tight cranberry and cherry fruit peeked through a hard shell.
This blend of six grapes is led by Cabernet Sauvignon. On the bouquet, it's dry and dusty, with tobacco, cherry and a hint of raisin. The palate feels a touch baked and/or cooked, while reedy, minty, lightly herbal flavors are offset by cassis and berry. Mild astringency defines the finish.
The bouquet on this Malbec is just right; it shows integrated aromas of smoke, cola, blackberry, cherry and brown sugar. The palate offers strong acidity, which keeps the wine racy. Black-fruit flavors dry up on the finish, which is a bit acidic. This is very good but lacks complexity.
Toasted marshmallow aromas lead the way, underscored by hints of white peach, vanilla and citrus. The palate is broad at first, then progressively narrows into tight, crisp notes of lemon and orange zest on the finish.
This is a classy wine made from familiar Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The nose of rooty, brandied fruit and floral scents is the definition of light and mild, while the palate holds form via vital acidity. In the mouth, pointed flavors of raspberry end in a juicy, crisp finish. Drink this pleasant Old World wine now.
Firm, full-bodied wine, the estate wine of Domaine de la Noblaie is rich in its dried fruit, red berry and solid structure. While it is still young, the wine has weight and the definite potential to age.
Crisp and fragrant, this wine is lively with lemon and green-apple fruit flavors. Floral, fresh and herbaceous, this has a great swathe of tangy acidity to finish.
For an aged, value-priced Cabernet, this is steps ahead of the competition. The nose on this ready-to-go wine is earthy and deep, with cherry and raisin notes. The palate is rich, solidly built and full of cherry, cassis and tobacco flavors. On the finish, it's compact and sturdy, with herbal berry flavors.
This is rich, smooth and weighty as befits a Pouilly-Fumé. Peach and green-plum flavors befit this impressively warm, full-bodied wine. The grassy Sauvignon character is there, but restrained by the ripeness of the wine.
A very unique offering of Malbec from Northridge Vineyard with notes of sassafras, black cherry, and spice. It's sappy and succulent with sweet fruit flavors and soft, velvety tannins. You might never guess it's Malbec but who cares?
Paix Sur Terre manages to translate the heat and sunshine of Paso Robles into a rich and savory but not overripe wine. Quite dark in the glass, it shows blackberry, black plum, roast beef, black pepper and soy notes on the nose. The palate is dense and creamy, with dark chocolate, roasted blackberry, vanilla and caramel flavors.
This wine's Honeycrisp apple and Applejacks cereal scents lead the nose before bold layers of luxurious texture confirm its complexity and overall appeal on the palate. Densely packed with flavor, it also shows plenty of structure to support its powerful range.
Tender notes of lemon and glorious freshness are first apparent on the shy nose but achieve their full expression on the slender, dry and incisive palate. The purity of the lemon zest notes tingles on the tongue and creates a streamlined, refreshing dynamic. This is clean and invigorating with its uncompromising bright freshness that lasts and lasts. This is lovely now but has huge promise. Drink 2017–2037.
This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.
A toasty touch of brioche joins ripe red and yellow-apple notes on the nose. The palate has even more of that autolytic richness, grounding both tart red apple and ripe lemon notes. Fine and creamy, the mousse highlights the fruit freshness while an earthier, toastier, richer background shimmers through enticingly. This harmonious and complex sparkler majors on beautiful development and pristine freshness. Lovely now, it is certain to develop further. Drink 2017–2025.
Evocative redcurrant notes play on the nose. They become more intense on the palate where lively fizz lets them mix with lemon and pink grapefruit zestiness. This wine is lively and fresh but the exuberant surface is supported by a firm and taut structure of subtle autolysis that provides the perfect backdrop for all the tart, refreshing berry fruit. It offers freshness, joy and verve in one tidy, neat package. Lovely now, it will develop. Drink 2017–2025.
From a 25-acre site on the western flank of Rutherford, this wine includes 2% Malbec. With sanguine cassis, cranberry and cinnamon touches, it's a soft, round and velvety expression of the hearty variety, finishing with notes of coffee and dark chocolate.
Only one barrel of this Paul Hobbs-consulted bottling was produced, and that extreme focus made for a powerful and rich though not overripe result. Concentrated blackberry and violet aromas are cut by crushed gravel and cedar spice notes. Leather, tobacco, rose petal and black pepper accents spice up its black fig flavors on the hearty palate, which is structured with fine-grained tannins.
This Syrah is Terre Rouge's flagship, and it lives up to its reputation with more complexity and spiciness than the other wines in the portfolio. It's earthy and oaky in aroma yet full of indulgent flavor—drenched with dark berry and dark chocolate notes and cedar, anise and new leather accents. Full bodied and memorable, it has wonderful layering and a lingering, spicy finish.
This wine is velvety smooth, thick and savory—a complex and nuanced celebration of a great site that's meticulously farmed. It unspools black tea, clove and spicy cola flavors as it opens.
This powerfully built, youthful wine was made from coastal fruit grown in Susanna's Vineyard. Brawny and smoky, it offers a concentrated black-cherry note that takes on a refined, baked quality. The fruit is cradled in soft, seductive acidity and a hint of leather.
Restrained notes of tart red berry and pink grapefruit play on the nose of this wine. The palate is taut but has an appetizing touch of wet stone along with fresh, fruity notes and a mellow but bright autolytic core that creates a harmonious impression. Tiny bubbles fizz away beatifically, sure in the knowledge that they go straight to your heart. This is quietly convincing, just being its very elegant self.
This rich, delicious wine is still bursting with young apple and grapefruit flavors, giving it a fruity start with great long-term potential. Then the concentration and the richly mineral texture kicks in, lending the wine intensity and the possibility of aging. Drink from 2019.
Tiny amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot were added to this succulent, elegant wine with cassis, cranberry and black cherry flavors and rounded structure. A light note of cocoa dust and soft texture balance its exotically spiced lushness with delicious integration.
Stunningly good, this offers off-dry numbers (13g/L) but plenty of high acid tang. Honeysuckle, tart citrus, green apple and honeycomb start it out, and the wine kicks into more and more gears with superb concentration and depth. Lemon verbena and lemon-tea flavors come into the extended finish, with light tannins and superb details. Drink now through 2035.
A lovely, heady lift of lemon, peach and passion fruit dances on the nose. This rich sweet-fruited tropicality is played out fully on the medium-sweet palate where the passion fruit swirls tartly alongside sweet ripe generous peach. It is the passion-fruit aroma and tartness that gives this a real edge. This not only has sweetness but a real tropical thrill. It's a very concentrated, pure-fruited wine with lots of promise. Drink 2017–2027.
The aromatic richness of ripe pears rises from the glass. The same rich fruit is joined by a lively streak of lemon freshness on the palate where it is met with a judicious dollop of residual sweetness. This wine plays off generous, juicy ripeness with tingling, tart freshness and creates a delicious balancing act. The finish is zesty and just off dry and wonderfully moreish.
Subtle but persistent notes of ripe pear, sandalwood and mirabelle appear on the nose. The palate is powerful and concentrated, weighing in with bundled notes of ripe orange zest that lend bright structure to an abundance of pear and earth notes. This is a big ripe wine, full flavored and potent. It has barely begun its trajectory and will acquire even more spice and allure over the years. This really is one to lay down. Drink 2020–2030.
The pithy, appetizing notion of russet pear peel entices on the nose, alongside the juicy ripeness of yellow pears. The palate has a rich earthy profound juiciness where generous pear fruit is countered by a pleasantly bitter edge. Notions of sandalwood spice glint in the distance. There is something warming, powerful and generous about this rich wine but the finish remains dry. This will benefit from bottle age. Drink 2020–2035.
While the nose is plush and tropical, there's elegance and restraint on the palate of this complex dry Riesling. It's delicate in body, yet its honeyed lemon and tangerine flavors are bold and penetrating. The finish is long and edged in steel, with a pleasantly astringent kick of lime zest. Beautiful already, it should improve through the next decade.
A touch of salted caramel appears before the flesh of ripe yellow apples takes over on the nose. The palate sings with freshness and presents a mousse of tiny pin-prick bubbles. The spicy but rich notion of salted caramel tantalizes again on a bone-dry palate. This wine is both weightless and profound, with lovely length and a lip-smacking finish.
Fragrant overtones of acacia honey play alongside lemony notes on the nose, adding a touch of restrained, exotic decadence. A hint of chalk contributes grounding dimension. All combine to make a fragrant nose. These themes play out again on the slender but expressive palate. Pure lemon freshness brightens the notions of honey and chalk, while tiny bubbles provide endless explosions of deep, sustained flavor. This wine seems still young and taut, but the energy suggests great future development. Lemon purity on the finish appeals with its clean and invigorating nature. Drink 2017–2027.
Expansive on the palate, with lively acidity, this is robust, ripe and complex. Its powerful core of strawberry-rhubarb fruit is layered with forest pine, rose, and crushed rock notes, the texture velvety thick but balanced.
Dark in color, this wine packs deep blackberry and boysenberry aromas together with violet, allspice and sandalwood. The palate is redolent of licorice and nutmeg, wrapped in an unrelenting texture that lets the black plum and lilac flavors just peek out. Time will allow this to blossom. Drink 2019–2034.
This bottling from Fintan du Fresne has all the hallmarks of savory, cool-climate Syrah: deep blackberry aromas wrapped in black pepper, rosemary, game and tar. The palate adds pine and boysenberry to the mix, making for a compelling and lively wine.
Juicy and supple, this wine astounds with its ability to be generously broad in appeal yet with undeniable complexity and tension. Its soft texture betrays chalky tannic grip, while its fruit and spice attributes—a mix of cardamon, clove and brambly berry—become increasingly intense.
A wonderfully tender hint of Damask rose swirls into the nose, followed by a smoky, grounding earthiness. The palate plays with that rose flavor and adds a touch of peach and tangy citrus zest. The palate stays on the off-dry site and focuses on zesty spice and a wonderfully textured phenolic edge. It masters a wonderful high-wire act between richness and zesty vigor. The wine is beautiful, full-flavored and exciting with a long just-off-dry finish. Drink 2017–2027.
This wine carries aromas of white blossom in the dusk and freshly ripened stone fruit. The palate continues on this dreamy note, enveloping the tart-ripe freshness of red apples and a touch of citrus. The fruit is remarkably ripe and fresh for a wine from the 2012 vintage. The just off-dry palate hides nothing and just charms and entices. Lovely, dreamy, pure flavors from start to long, long finish. Drink 2017–2030.
Brawny, with an explosive concentration of blackberry, this intense wine offers hints of tobacco, smoked meat and black licorice elevated on the palate. Blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, it finishes on a bittersweet note and with some black pepper. Cellar through 2020.
Very pure fruit notes of yellow, ripe pear mingle with fresh citrus zest on nose and palate of this supercrisp Grüner. The aftertaste reinforces that wonderful pepperiness and lends extra vivacity to this streamlined, dynamic wine. Very moreish.
This tasty blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache offers blueberry, olallieberry, gamy goat meat and minty cola on the ever-so-slightly reductive nose. The palate picks up a bit of tar as well as cooked beef and pork, served in a sauce of elderberry and blackberry fruits.
A pure expression of Sangiovese, this classically crafted wine offers aromas of wild berry, blue flowers, sun-baked earth, clove and a whiff of menthol. The generous, open palate doles out juicy black cherry, plum, white pepper, mint and cinnamon while smooth, polished tannins provide support. It's already accessible but will age well for another few years. An anisette note signals the close. Drink through 2018.
This well-balanced wine is both rich and tightly fresh and crisp. It's aromatic from the steely Chardonnay that treads a fine line between generous fruit and great minerality. The wine is just reaching its peak with touches of toast beginning to develop. Drink now through 2019.
Smelling like a fresh bowl of fruit, this blend of co-fermented Syrah (73%), Grenache (20%) and Viognier provides pure aromas of blueberries, raspberries, smoked meat, fresh flowers and orange peel. The oak (30% new French) is dialed back, letting the fresh, light and appealing texture and sweet fruit flavors shine.
This gorgeous, bold, almost thick-textured wine also brings finesse and a lingering finish. The aroma is smoky, toasty and earthy, then the desirably decadent flavors and creamy texture hit the mark, immediately filling the mouth with ripe pear, fig, toasted almond and grilled baguette impressions.
Red violet in color, this wine offers a bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, apple peel and nutmeg. There are flavors of black cherry, eucalyptus, flint and black tea, with a touch of tart cherry. Strong but not overpowering tannins remain on the palate, along with flavors of mint and fresh berries.
Hailing from one of the westernmost vineyards in the appellation, this wine offers aromas of plum wine-soaked cherries, graphite minerality and slightly rotting violets, like a florist's shop at the end of the day. The palate blends crab-raspberry fruit with licorice, iodine and black pepper spices.
Dark aromas of molasses, maple syrup, toast, char and blackberry are rich and ripe. This is intense and firm on the palate, with hard-pounding tannins absorbed by a full, receptive body. Baked blackberry, cassis and loamy flavors finish ripe, tannic, pure and typical of excellent Tinto Fino from Ribera del Duero. Drink through 2021.
Initial oaky aromas of dried cheese, coffee grinds, lemon peel and vanilla welcome in plum and other red-berry scents. This rings loudly across the palate, with punchy acidity attributable to the Graciano in this Tempranillo-led blend. Flavors of tomato, raspberry, dried Manchego cheese and vanilla finish savory, long and fresh, with elegance. Drink 2017–2026.
This patiently aged wine boasts an amazing nose of dried olallieberry fruit leather, chocolate-cherry sauce, vanilla extract and exotic black spices, showing its years in only the best ways. It's surprisingly lean on the palate at first, then evolves into red cherries and plums, with well-integrated dried oregano and black pepper spices.
Notes of green apple cores; rich, savory yeast and peppery, pungent herbs characterize nose and palate. There is verve here and tons of flavor, the crispness of the vintage is beautifully countered by rounded yeastiness—but that backbone of structure and acidity shines and guarantees a long life for this wine—even though it will be difficult not to drink it now.
Golden Delicious apples and yellow Mirabelle plums vie for attention on the nose of this focused, citrus-fresh Grüner. This is mineral and nervy, zesty and taut and very streamlined. While there is fine spritz, it is serious and sleek with complex yeasty notes woven in.
If you could get an essence of grapefruit peel with edges of savory herbs and tingling white pepper, this wine would be it. This is wonderfully bracing and fresh yet concentrated, so there is tone and muscle but slenderness, too. Totally sleek and exhilarating now, will open up through 2019.
Slight smoke surrounds the citric acidity, the palate comes together in a pairing of bright acidity and pleasingly bitter phenolics, yet there is nothing heavy - despite some alcoholic heat. This wears its sophistication very lightly and will age beautifully.
This wine is dark garnet to the eye, with a fragrance of raspberry, cherry and Mediterranean herbs. There is a pleasing balance of fruit and dried herb notes. Smooth tannins prevail, with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, eucalyptus, smoked meat and fresh-cut herbs of thyme and oregano paving the way for a blueberry, oregano and orange rind finish.
Hailing from a warm year, this smells heavy and raisiny, with crusty, toasty blackberry and plum scents. A wide, smooth palate shows soft but present tannins, while this tastes baked, with blackberry, loam and prune flavors. A toasty finish with a chocolate cake note confirms the wine's ripeness. Best enjoyed 2016–2022.
Fragrant and elegantly structured, this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo and Colorino opens with lovely aromas of pressed violet, iris, perfumed berry and baking spice. On the palate, notes of white pepper, toast, espresso and anise accent the black cherry core. Tightly knit but polished tannins give it a firm finish. Drink 2016–2022.
Fruit and barrel intertwine on this wine, with aromas of toffee, shaved coconut and spice leading to layered blackberry and cherry flavors. This wine is stylish and undeniably tasty.
Deep red-violet to the eye, this wine has a well-defined nose of blueberry pie and flint. There is a good mix of tart fruit and spice, with flavors of blueberry, cranberry, black pepper, anise and smoked meat cavorting amidst very soft tannins. The smooth finish is characterized by flavors of smoke and orange zest.
There is a stunningly unique resinous quality on the nose and palate of this wine by Dan Kessler, very much like the aromatic, crystalline sap that comes from the obscure dragon's blood tree. There's also root beer, cinnamon, dried orange rinds, raspberry tea and potpourri in the nose, and mulberry, black tea and spiced cherry on the palate.
Concentrated in black currant, cedar and olive, this has subdued tannins that are chalky and smooth. The aroma takes on pretty lavender and violet connotations that allure. Dried herb and black pepper mingle on the finish. This wine is lovely now, but should cellar nicely through 2020.
This single-vineyard Sangiovese—made with organically farmed grapes grown 1,470 feet above sea level—offers aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, pipe tobacco, scorched earth, menthol and a whiff of leather. The full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and ground black pepper alongside brooding tannins. Drink 2017–2023.
The subtlest overtones of pine and mint hover above the rather citrus-focused nose that also comes with a good dose of white pepper. The palate reverberates with savory, herbal spiciness. A cooler vintage has turned the usually very nutty and rounded Neuburger into a spicier but equally interesting food companion. Lemon zest and pepperiness provide a lasting finish.
Dark berry, cooking spice and tilled soil aromas lead the nose. The sleek, savory palate delivers juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper, mint and clove alongside supple tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
This wine commands attention with its aromas of dark raspberries, milk chocolate and barrel spices. Flavors show plenty of richness and intensity with a supple texture that dazzles.
Cocoa, dark chocolate, raspberry and barrel spice aromas intoxicate the senses. The flavors are sweet and concentrated with a hedonistic styling.
An appetizing, peppery yeastiness on the nose leads to a zesty, slender yet toned, citrus-focused palate which reverberates constantly with that lovely, enticing spiciness of white pepper. This delivers a wonderfully tangy, tingling finish.
This fruity wine has a refreshing citrus flavor. Lightly textured, it is lively and crisp. A mineral edge gives it tight structure, putting the wine into the food category.
There is a good range of flavor complexity in this medium-bodied, soothing wine. It starts with a bit of grapefruit and lemon in the aroma, then adds a riper peach flavor that matches the supple texture.
This Slovenian red blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a touch of green bramble. In the mouth, there is balanced acidity with flavors of cherry pie and dried plums. The finish is persistent with grippy tannins.
Tangy and fragrant, this gives off aromas of red berry, white rose and a whiff of carob. The vibrant palate doles out juicy red cherry, red raspberry, mineral and a hint of baking spice alongside crisp acidity. It finishes crisp and clean.
Aromas of beeswax, acacia flower, honey and a waft of smoke drift out of the glass. The tangy, medium-bodied palate offers dried stone fruit, citrus zest and a note of honeyed mineral while bitter almond backs up the dry finish.
The slightest hint of baking spice hovers over fresh, tart but ripe apple notes. Something juicy and textured at the core makes you want to drink more.
With just a touch of yellow fruits, this is a ripe, concentrated wine. It has something of the Chablis minerality that is combined with intense fruits and acidity. The wine is young but very drinkable now, although likely to age at least until 2020.
The wine comes from a large 300 acre vineyard in the eastern Costa Serena region. Dominated by Niellucciu (aka Sangiovese), it brings out all the acidity of the grape, restrained by ripe raspberry and apple fruitiness. It is a light, bright and crisp wine.
Round and juicy, this offers enticing scents of white flower, mature apple, citrus and pear that carry over to the palate along with honeydew melon and a hint of aromatic herb. Fresh acidity balances the ripe fruit flavors.
Slight notes of green pear hint at a fresh, lively and fruity palate. This is a light, easy summer wine of feather weight. Lemony freshness makes it ideal for a summer afternoon, with its freshly fruited finish.
Aromas of corn, white pepper, vanilla and apple cider feed into a linear, stony palate with modest depth. Flavorwise, this is minerally but bland, with dry, distant nectarine, apple and melon notes. A juicy finish is tight and minerally but shy on flavor.
This red blend is comprised of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Saperavi and 5% Rara Neagra. It has aromas of black plum, saddle leather, black pepper and menthol. In the mouth there are flavors of sour cherry and dried plums with a velvety tannic finish.
This full-bodied wine smells jammy and tastes superripe, like blackberry syrup, so it has a broad, soft texture and a mash-up of late-harvested fruit flavors that are very tasty.
Typically soft and ripe, this is already a delicious, fruity wine. It is strongly perfumed and has the acidity typical of the vintage. Ripe red fruits and acidity are well balanced, with dry tannins that are still in the background. Drink the wine from 2018.
Sheer tones of lemon, tart pineapple and lime invigorate the nose and palate of this feather-light Auslese. Its juicy tangerine sweetness makes it refreshingly gulpable, but a dust of pollen on the finish lends nuance. Drink now through 2020.
Blackberry pie stars in this soft, grippy estate wine, held in both French and American oak, only a third of it new. Integrated tannins provide an approachability, along with a strong suggestion of leather.
Full-bodied and dry in style, this wine has a nice, gripping texture, plenty of fruit flavors, and accents like black pepper. It's built more for the dinner table than drinking alone, because the firm tannins and good acidity will be great with meat or fowl.
No longer an oddity, making a white wine out of Pinot Noir creates a most useful alternative to Chardonnay. Apples and white peaches abound, with a full, creamy mouthfeel. It's round and fresh with a pleasing sprinkle of cinnamon spice.
A tad lighter in color, this smartly priced screwtop shows juicy red cherries and bramble fruit with wet gravel and red rose petals on the nose. The rich red cherries on the palate are cut by tart cranberries, pencil lead, peppercorns and rosemary.
Fresh flavors of herb, gooseberry, lime and pear comingle. This is the first release of a new sister brand to Elk Cove. All Willamette Valley fruit, including some estate grown grapes, it's done in a clean and refreshing style. This is a perfect mid-week, food friendly white wine.
The aromas of forest floor, cherry, smoke, strawberry and herb provide intrigue. The flavors are light and elegant, hanging on the finish.
This wine is already in solid shape for near-term drinking. Black cherry fruit of medium weight is annotated with whiffs of smoke and coffee. It's fine for opening now through 2020.
Smooth and very tasty, this wine seems infused with wild berry flavors and has an easy, gliding texture despite very full body. The intense fruitiness tastes almost sweet.
This rather soft and approachable wine offers tart green apple fruit with a delicate hint of honey and brown sugar. That sweetness is not to say it's a dessert wine: there's plenty of backing acidity. It's just a nice gentle nuance.
Pungent orange blossom and jasmine aromas show on the extremely floral nose of this bottling, which almost smells sweet. But the palate is dry with very vibrant acidity and a lot of interesting texture, showing ripe apple and pear flavors.
Extremely ripe aromas of prune and pencil eraser are funky as per usual for this Elqui Syrah, but more sweet and generous than in past vintages. This feels quite heavy, almost oversaturated. Ultraripe blackberry and cassis flavors finish thick and gooey.
A tart austere red wine blended with 13% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, there's a tangy element of currant and pomegranate that provides freshness here if not complexity. A food friendly wine, its texture is just the right kind of leathery.
Softened by 20% Merlot, and aged in a healthy majority of new French oak, this is a smoky, smooth and tannic wine with savory characteristics of pencil and cedar that outweigh the fruitier aspects of mountain blackberry.
A big, bold, fruity wine, this has great tannins, ripe black-currant fruit and an attractive sense of structure. It has all the juiciness and freshness of 2010, but is a wine for aging over 3–4 years.
Cured meat, game and mentholated herbal aromas lead on the nose of this Shiraz-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend, backed by fruity notes of red currant, plum and cherry. Those fruit-based aromas carry through to the round, approachable palate, with soft tannins and a peppered-mocha flavor that lingers on the finish. Drink now.
This is a very pleasing Cab Franc that's rich and and spicy like cola with a dark and brooding feel. Full bodied and concentrated, the finish is long and slightly herbal.
Rich and chewy in blueberry fruit, Cuda continues to make a name for Livermore Valley Petit Verdot as a standalone wine, this one is huge in mouthfeel, as you'd expect, ready for savory, meaty fare.
Fruity and forward with ripe blackberry and cherry flavors, this Merlot-based blend is balanced with savory layers of dried herb and crushed granite minerality. Vibrant acidity and soft but penetrating tannins extend on the finish.
Stainless-steel fermented, this Sierra Foothills' Sauvignon Blanc is creamy, with great texture, and lilting layers of light peach, kiwi, lime and melon. Delicious—enjoy it with seafood or goat cheese on crackers.
With waxy citrus aromas offset by stone-fruit scents, this Verdejo opens in clean, attractive form. The palate is easygoing and offers freshening acidity, while flavors of apple, lime and orange set up a fresh, cutting finish. Drink immediately for maximum freshness and expression.
Rubbery, floral aromas of raspberry and cherry along with wet cement get this mature Toro wine going. The palate offers fleshy fruit and firm tannins, while the flavor profile brings floral, leafy, leathery flavors in front of a solid, fresh feeling and leafy tasting finish. Drink now.
Inviting berry and dark plum aromas are matched by spice notes and depth. The palate feels ripe and full, maybe a touch scratchy, with generous flavors of berry fruits, licorice and toast. For a value wine this shows intensity and good flavors.
From one of the state's most esteemed vineyards, this shows prominent toast, vanilla, coffee and marionberry aromas. The palate is considerably more restrained, bringing a sense of lightness. Alone, each delivers, but the two seem out of sync.
This is a creamy wine with soft fruitiness. The roundness is happily cut with acidity and with a citrus edge that lifts the melon and pear flavors. The aftertaste is tangy and zesty. Drink now.
Now fully mature, this soft wine has berry flavors over a dry core. It is rich with a touch of pepper and jammy red fruitiness leading to a toasty aftertaste. Drink now.
There's an overwhelming sense of menthol to this bottling, with a minty character extending over the pomegranate of the nose. It's also prominent on the sip, with camphor masking the cranberry fruit.
This wine seems quite reduced out of the gate, delivering aromas that prove distracting. The palate shows more depth with an array of pleasing dark fruit flavors.
Vanilla, coconut and baking spice aromas are at the fore, with the wood primary. The palate is rich and full bodied, with dark fruit and oak spice flavors. There are some good things going on but the oak—half new American and half seasoned French—rides right over them.
This wine's unusual purple fruit, citrus, herb and wood spice aromas waft up from the glass. The palate brings abundant orange peel flavors supported by tannins that are surprisingly firm for the variety. Citrus twist notes linger on the finish.
Faint white flower, orange peel, spice and citrus aromas are followed by broad fruit flavors in this wine, which lacks concentration.
Streaks of anise, vanilla and toast linger from nose to finish in this punchy, fresh wine. Crisp red cherry and raspberry flavors are puckery but pleasant, framed by fine, firm tannins and a lingering kiss of caramel. Drink now through 2020.
A nose with diverse aromas of herbal berry, grilled meat, carob and compost doesn't exhibit clean fruit scents. A grabby palate with rugged tannins hosts hard-edged flavors of plum and leafy berry that dry out on a slightly murky, funky-tasting finish.
Aromas suggesting dark berry, exotic spice and toasted oak come together in this. The tight palate is more subdued than the nose, recalling sour berry and powdered herbs alongside astringent tannins.
A jumbled mix of aromas includes notes of rubber, berry fruits, plum, grass, fennel and oak. In the mouth, this is full and blocky. Rubbery flavors of plum and berry finish salty, savory and spicy, with unintegrated oak that stands out.
This wine is mild in acidity and simple in structure, a light-bodied take on the variety that shows flavors of green apple and green olive tapenade.
Fresh, primary red-cherry and raspberry flavors get a kick of cherry-cola spice and vanilla here. It's an approachably plummy, juicy red with soft, feathery tannins, but puckering cranberry acidity keeps it fresh. Drink now through 2020.
Very focused and vibrant, this wine has plenty of good acidity that lends a crisp mouthfeel, along with fresh and buoyant flavors of red cherry and cranberry that are nicely concentrated. Moderate tannins add to the grippy texture, and will make this wine work well with rich foods.
This leads with light baking spice and apple pie aromas. The palate is broad, with abundant vanilla flavors that suggest strong oak influence.
Ripe black plum, toasted oak and menthol aromas lead the way in this wine. The firm palate offers blackberry jam, vanilla and licorice flavors set against grainy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Syrah and 20% Zinfandel is a little simple at first on the nose, with loamy soil and tart elderberry aromas eventually apparent. It's quite dry on the sip, with dried oregano and marjoram, and then come flavors of black fruit, graphite and black pepper.
A toasty but green-smelling bouquet mixes scents of grass with charred oak and berry fruits. A creamy, lactic palate deals flavors of green herbs, mint and milk chocolate, all of which carry over to a minty finish.
Stewed black cherries, dark chocolate, caramelized beef and a touch of dried spearmint show on the nose of this wine from the historic Riboli family, who celebrate their 100th year of winemaking in 2017. Ripe and straightforward on the palate, it offers charred cherries, roast beef, dried mint and more chocolate on the finish.
While dry in style, a hint of honey marks the nose of this zesty medium-bodied Riesling. Electric acidity lends a raciness to the palate, highlighting fresh, concentrated flavors of apple, pear and lemon. A kiss of blossom and crushed minerals dance on the finish.
Lemon meringue and graham cracker show first in this rewarding wine that's made in a lush, full-bodied, barrel-fermented style. Golden apple stands out amid the toasted oak, while crisp acidity shines on the finish.
A totally satisfying wine in its bringing together of velvety texture and flavors of pepper steak, juicy red berry and sultry cinnamon. Aged in American oak, it offers length and body in a ripe, rich package.
This soft, approachable wine has been blended with small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Leather, cedar and black cherry ride a current of bright acidity and mellowed, integrated oak, providing body and texture without too much weight.
This new wine from the winemaker of Sol Rouge is extreme in ripeness and fruitiness, smelling like dried plums and tasting like grape popsicles without being overtly sweet. It should taste really good with slow-cooked barbecue. It's very full bodied but not very tannic, so it has a smooth texture.
A rare 100% representation of the variety, this is juicy, dusty and restrained, showing soft waves of blackberry, blueberry, black licorice and a smoky edge of black olive. The texture is soft and bright.
Bread crust, toast and citrus zest aromas lead the nose on this creamy sparkler. The soft, frothy palate presents ripe apple, white peach and toasted hazelnut. Small, persistent bubbles lift the finish.
Rich, full bodied and plush, with mochaccino-like fruit and plummy notes. This Shiraz is warm and inviting, picking up hints of vanilla and mint along the way. The velvety finish lingers.
This is a structured and dense wine. It has a fine contrast between the ripe red fruits, the mineral tannins and acidity. From the company's vineyards, the wine is balanced and worth aging. Drink from 2017.
An inviting style of Sauv Blanc compared to green-grassy options, this bottling shows rounded red apple and ambrosia melon on the ripe nose. Nectarine, green papaya and full green-apple candy flavors meet with honeysuckle on the palate that is cut by a fine line of acidity that keeps it all dry and balanced.
Aromas of mature red berry, dark plum, chopped herb and a balsamic note come together in the glass. The structured mid-weight palate delivers dried cherry, star anise, cinnamon and mineral alongside firm, refined tannins.
A cofermented field blend of 56% Malbec and 44% Tannat, this pairs two of Troon's strengths in a single bottle. Deeply hewn fruit flavors of raspberry, blackberry and cherry combine in a powerful wine that's laced through and through with streaks of tobacco, leather and smoke. It's supple and smooth, and drinks beautifully right out of the bottle.
This nervy, refreshing and substantive wine practically bursts with apple peel and apricot flavors. The texture is tangy but also full enough to feel rounded, and lively enough with acid and fruit to have a virtual electric charge.
While this is pink fizz, its intent is serious and showcases the structure of Pinot Noir. The palate is dry and displays some pleasant bitterness around the edges, accentuating both dryness and austerity. This will work better at the table—say with salmon sashimi—rather than as an apéritif. This is a serious wine, so explore its hidden charms.
A workhorse for the winery, this bright and focused Pinot Gris offers pinpoint flavors of melon and pear, with a strong streak of wintergreen. It's refreshing and ultraclean, with fruit flavors front and center through a medium-long finish.
This flagship blend is sourced from 25-year-old vines. It's sharply focused and bright, the strawberry and cherry flavors front and center. The flavors have a hard candy quality, with pleasant hints of toast and caramel through the close.
Delicate tones of crushed stone and dried apricot entice on the nose of this silken yet steely dry wine. Despite its moderate alcohol, there's a robustness on the palate marked by concentrated white peach and apricot flavors. That steely precision rings through the finish though, bolstered by a nervy streak of lemon and lime acidity.
Abundant in flavor and broad in mouthfeel, this full-bodied wine is dark, rich and fairly tannic. It has a good deep core of dark fruits like blackberry and blue berry, and hints of light oak around the perimteter.
Made with organically grown grapes, this opens with aromas of French oak, mature black-skinned fruit, kitchen spice, menthol and a whiff of cured meat. The full-bodied straightforward palate offers mouthfuls ripe morello cherry, star anise and chopped sage alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Hints of charred wood and fresh-cracked black pepper meet tasty baked-fruit flavors in this full-bodied, rather rugged wine made from Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a good, firm and moderately tannic texture.
Led by Vincent Lacoste (the sixth generation), this is a rich wine, with smooth tannins and plenty of spice. The wood-aging flavors are already integrated into the generous black fruits and concentrated structure. Drink from 2018.
Anne-Marie and Jean-Guy Todeschini started a revolution here and at Château Mangot and sons Karl and Yann (mid-Millennials) are moving it on. They use Jean-Pierre Cousinié's terroir analysis (look it up), no pesticides, experiment with no sulfur and are changing the way their terroir talks to the wine. This vintage is a rich wine with attractive black currant fruit and fine acidity. With structured tannins and light spice, it is fruity, juicy and will be ready to drink from 2018.
This rich wine is still young, but packed with dark tannins and concentrated black-currant fruitiness. This hand-picked blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon needs to age. It will not be ready to drink before 2019. The chateau is the home of the Dubourdieu family.
Off-dry with lemon-drop fruit flavors, a lick of citrus that suggests pear and lime. Though it's a fairly simple, fruit-forward wine, it delivers a concentrated burst of fresh, vivid flavor that's missing from most wines in this price range.
This is a Bordeaux blend; the winery's entry-level Cabernet. What that means, say the winemakers, is that it's made to be a little softer, more fruit forward—a wine for immediate pleasure. Most is estate (Walla Walla) fruit, despite the Columbia Valley designation. It's soft and fruity, with strawberry and juicy fruit/tropical flavors. Not exactly plump, but broad and generous, with a little spicy kick to the finish.
A dancing nose of lemon and white flowers leads this fun, refreshing white from Greece. On the palate, clean and crisp citrus flavors and good acidity make it an ideal cohort for grilled seafood and salads. Versatile and a great go-to white.
Soft blackberry, cinnamon and pepper aromas lead flavors of juicy berry and savory spice in this Merlot from Bulgaria. Good tannins and structure give the wine ageability, which will also temper its oaky character. Overall, an impressive effort from an emerging region.
There's no mistaking the high sweet spice character of the Traminer grape in this crisp, fresh aperitif-style wine. While the acidity is low, there is freshness from mandarin orange and lychee flavors. Screwcap.
A good value Cabernet from Argentina? You bet. This one smells like a bowl full of berries touched up with spice, vanilla and leather. It's fresh and ripe in the mouth, with flavors of blackberry jam and nutmeg. Smooth on the finish, it gets things right without pushing the envelope.
Haraszthy's old-vine wine has a good Zin nose and great mouthfeel and just the right balance of spice and plumminess. Medium in weight it's not heavy-handed the way old-vine Zin can often be, tasting of just-ripe blackberries, but the spice that's so nice throughout doesn't stick around for the finish.
Here's a straightforward but enjoyable Shiraz with notes of dark plum, cherry and strawberry on the nose and mouth. There's a touch of greenness on the palate augmented by firm, young tannins, but it all works out and fades smoothly on the finish.
Fresh, apple-flavored wine, full of white fruits and a tangy, bright acidity. The wine is deliciously fresh, with stone fruit acidity on the finish.
Opens with mellow peach and melon aromas and some oak. The palate is round, creamy and full, but hollow in the center. Tastes of spiced, dried apple with a stalky, pithy accent. Easy and basic on the finish, and overall it's pricey for what's in the bottle.
Deep red fruit is at the core of this nicely balanced, no-frills Merlot. A fine every-day red, with enough muscle to qualify as almost Cabernet-like.
Round and floral, with melon and other simple, clean aromas. Good mouthfeel, proper acidity and basic, likable flavors of citrus, green apple, green banana and tropical fruits make it a good quaffer and a good value.
Raspberry and citrus aromas sit in front of a cheerful, sweet-styled set of juicy watermelon and plum flavors. This is about as simple as it gets, with a bright pink color, mild acidity and good balance. A wine to drink as soon as possible.
A relatively small-production offering from Michael David at 3,600 cases, this white wine blend is quaffable, full-bodied and slightly sweet.
A young and fruity wine, full of ripe black currant fruit. Its tannins are soft, a good balance with the fresh, juicy fruit. Drink or age a year.
Dainty and nuanced, this crisp citrus-driven Chard offers background notes of almond skin and pear to flesh out the mouth. Lively and somewhat prickly acidity dances on the tongue through the mouthwatering close. Drink now.
Mineral and leather aromas are a combination of the wine's rocky soil origins and heat and dryness from 15.2% alcohol. Evolves in the glass, going from tasting spicy/earthy to medicinal plum and berry. Finishes round, sweet, hot, herbal and syrupy.
Really appealing on the nose, with smoky, meaty scents that give the impression of a Shiraz that's savory, yet packed with fruit. But the wine is less impressive in the mouth; it's soft and cuddley—deliciously ready to drink—without anything apparent in reserve. Drink now.
An uneasy mix of grapes and flavors. Peaches and apricots—more skin than flesh—seem to hit a hard wall and just stop. Can a Viognier have a “dumb” phase? That is what seems to be going on here.
Rubber, bacon, berry and plum aromas are good overall. The palate is creamy as a whole but has enough acidity to carry cassis and berry flavors past being resiny and herbal. Basic on the finish, with mild oak flavor and resin coming into play.
Opaque purple to the eye, which portends the wine's dark, meaty, jammy aromas of black fruit and leather. The palate is chewy and syrupy in feel, with massive but basic blackberry, toast and peppery flavors. Big and hot on the finish, with size but suspect balance. 67% Tempranillo and 33% Shiraz.
Red berry, tobacco and sweet oak lead on this exemplary Pinotage, whose mocha, red fruit and smoke flavors offer South African character with an elegant edge. It's balanced and smooth but still hearty enough to stand up to dishes like grilled, sliced meat and stew.
For only 11% alcohol and virtually no residual sugar, this is surprisingly weighty, with ample richness and depth. There's a strong petrochemical side to the aroma, but the flavors are fruitier, evoking baked apple and dried spices. Turns citrusy on the finish.
With grapes from the estate vineyard, Minnick Hills, this promising effort opens with concentrated, dark berry fruit, backed with rich tannins. The fruit and muscle hold down the center, but the finish gets a bit chalky, and the tannins are not quite fully ripe. The best is yet to come from this estate.
Light, lucid and exactly what we're looking for from Chile. This organic wine has pure varietal aromas of nettles, tarragon and citrus, which are followed by flavors of green fruits, scallion and pepper. It's super zesty and spritzy, with a cleansing finish. About as true as they come in this price range.
Fermented and aged in Burgundian oak, this is intended to evoke a traditional Meursault style. It isn't far from the mark; soft and oaky, it's a bit like biting into a ripe banana squished between two graham crackers. Other tropical fruit flavors are in evidence: mango, pineapple and papaya. It's an easy-drinking style that will have a lot of consumer appeal.
Allspice and black raspberries lead off the nose, followed by flavors of juicy plum and thyme on the palate. Accents of milk chocolate and earth add complexity to the otherwise straightforward selection. Nicely balanced with a strong, sweet-spice, lingering finish.
This intriguing wine is dominated by the 60% of normally rare Petit Verdot. Made by the same team as Château Paloumey, this wine shows an impressive color, and a rich, black berry juicy character. The tannins are solid, but the exuberant fruit overrides everything else.
This juicy, fruit forward Grenache offers flavors of red plum, blueberries and licorice supported by notes of rosemary and roses in the background. Silky texture with ample tannin and acidity leads into a fairly long and nicely evolving finish. Excellent choice for red meat dishes. Imported by The Portfolio Group.
This may be one of the most austere Viogniers I've ever found from Washington; it's bone dry and just a bit over 13% alcohol. That makes it a good and versatile wine for mealtime. It's light, hints at beeswax and citrus, with a soft mouthfeel and a curious mix of toasted almond, banana andbutter cookies in the finish.
This wine starts with a curvy nose of pineapple, apricot and melon, leading into a very pretty interplay of tropical melon and spice on the palate. Elegant with a cheerful overall character, this Chenin balances acid and fruit well, creating a rounded wine with a delicate edge. Overall, dependable and fun.
A strong scent and flavor of vitamin pill mixes with tight red fruit, stone, licorice and earth in this Rhône blend that includes small amounts of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Give this wine time to breathe and let the fruit come forward before you drink it.
There is a pleasing creaminess to the mouthfeel, yet the wine retains well-defined green apple and citrus fruit flavors. Where many Viogniers are bitter and hot at the finish line, this one is like sucking on a creamsicle.
Shows some pungent, aggressive Sauvignon aromas that verge on vegetal, then pulls back on the palate, where it develops flavors of melon and nectarine and a slightly creamy texture. This is nicely balanced and easy to like, with a long, nettle-y finish.
Barrel fermented in new French oak, then pulled out and put into neutral oak. So the acids are softened, the wine gains some flesh, and there are nuances of toast and butter without overwhelming the fruit.
This is almost two thirds Sauvignon Blanc, one third Chardonnay, and one percent Marsanne providing the ‘M' that completes the name. Fresh and fruity, pure and quaffable, this fragrant white wine is exactly what this state needs more of. Nothing wimpy about it, just great, lightly ripe flavors of citrus and stone fruits, without the crutch of oak.
Spicy, slightly resinous with notes of leaf, clove and licorice that complement good dark cassis fruit. Some coffee and smoke enter into the middle and finish, though the flavors fall away rather quickly. It's well balanced and a pleasure to drink, but not built for cellaring.
This popular mutt red is supple and smooth. What began as “an accident” in 2001 has become a complete blend, with structure and nuance and a mix of fruit, black olive, herb and earth.
On the herbal-vegetal side of the Sauvignon Blanc spectrum, but manages to balance those elements with red pepper and nectarine flavors in a plump, easygoing style. Served with a cold vegetable terrine, this would be very stylish. Drink now.
Funky at first, with barnyard aromas giving way to roasted fruit, olive and rubber aromas. Chunky in the mouth, with leafy, roasted flavors that follow the nose. Finishes herbal, toasted and spiced, with adequate freshness.
A little funky and pickled on the nose, with vanilla and oak aromas. The palate has an average feel and tangy acidity to push citrus, green banana and vanilla flavors. About as regular as Chardonnay gets.
Gently soft wine, with a creamy character. There are light white and citrus fruit flavors, hints of green herbs and just the right amount of acidity.
A fading wine with a brown-gold color and oxidized aromas mixed with leftover barrel resin and lacquer. The palate is resiny and thick feeling, with Sherried flavors of old wood, butterscotch, buttered apple and peach. More resin and pepper flavors work the finish.
An unusual blend of Tempranillo and Ruby Cabernet, this New Mexico red blend is a touch overripe with soft, cooked prune and cherry compote flavors. Hints of violet and tobacco leaf are pretty, but overall, there's a flatness in the midpalate that could use some fine-tuning.
Pleasant pear and melon notes, a light- to medium-weight feel on the palate and a crisp, citrusy finish add up to a decent simple quaff. Drink now.
Oak and resin aromas are overpowering and dominant. The wine is big and woody in the mouth, so much so that it almost collapses upon itself, leaving resiny flavors of melon and underdeveloped citrus. Flat on the finish.
Aromas of cedar and black cherry syrup are sweet on the nose, but the black fruit character on the palate could use a boost of intensity and depth. Lean in profile, it's pleasantly brisk, but fades away a bit too fast.
Pickle, rubberband and briary berry aromas give way to a full but choppy palate with stewy, herbal berry flavors. Oak rises up on the finish in the form of burnt toast and mint. Standard but herbal; average for inexpensive Chilean Merlot.
A rare disappointment for a Grosses Gewächs wine. Although solid, it lacks the expected fireworks, instead delivering off-dry honey, anise and oil notes and finishing with a distinctly sweet-sour edge.
This big bottle of Pinot Grigio has strong aromas of peach and is pretty full in flavor though not in finish. Not a lot of acidity here, but the wine is fine for the price and volume. No problem next to a plate of spicy paella.
Baked apple and pastry flavors, along with a darkening gold color, suggest a wine approaching its twilight. Buttery and soft; drink up.
From vines planted in 1955, this is a rose-tinted Pinot with a woven, integrated bouquet of toast, mineral and berry fruits. There's more Burgundian character here than New World, so it pours on the cerebral scents and flavors of tea, rose hip, strawberry and raspberry. Reserved in style, but good to drink now and over the next few years. If $100 seems like a lot to spend on Argentinean Pinot, you should try to give this a taste at some point; you may be convinced otherwise.
Round, soft, with the fruit dominating its mineral character, this wine shows richness, but doesn't have huge aging ability. It is more a wine that charms, is open, lively, spice and dried apricots working together with ripe acidity.
Perfumed white flower aromas lead into a wine that is dense and ripe. As the palate opens up, white and yellow fruits, cinnamon and buttered toast all work their ways into a wine that is almost a meal in itself. Still young, of course, already fresh, it will surely deepen and broaden as it ages. Screwcap.
Still young, this is a wine that needs to open and ripen. But already there are signs of richness, a wood- and tropical fruit-flavored wine that is typical of the full character of a Corton Charlemagne. It would be worth keeping 2–3 years for the wood to soften, the fruit to round out.
All signs point in one direction: the top of the heap. This is one great Chilean red blend! With Syrah, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the mix, Gê sets a new benchmark for multigrape blends from Chile. This wine is loaded with berry, cassis and black plum flavors, but it's textured, balanced and alluring. There's a bit of creaminess on the finish to offset any tannic bite that's still holding on, but as a whole it's delicious, generous and ready to go. Best now through 2011.
Showing the typical power of Corton-Charlemagne, this is a classic wine that offers full-on fruit allied to a strong wood element. It is rich and bold, flavored with white fruits, apricots, almonds and spice. While it is drinkable now, it would certainly repay cellaring for 3–4 years.
This wine from a parcel in the Fourchaume vineyard is a step up from the Fourchaume premier cru wine. That's because it has an extra edge of minerality, of apple skins and tight, ageworthy green fruits. With its final burst of acidity, this will certainly mature over the next 3–4 years.
An impressive wine, with its tense structure, its ripe pear and melon flavors and its layers of richness. The smooth wood shows slowly and gently as it underlies the fruit flavors. There is also power here, and a definite ability to age.
There is a definite richness to this wine, the ripe white fruit and melon flavors aided by a judicious amount of vanilla and toast. That makes the wine seductive, but Laroche does not forget its Chablis origins and leaves enough room for a core of grapefruit, steel and tight acidity. Screwcap.
This is one of Olivier Leflaive's benchmark wines, showing how his winemaker Franck Grux keeps lightness, freshness and complexity all in play. To start, it is firm and austere, then it bursts out with green fruits, toast, white currants and lemon, integrated and balanced. Drink now, or age for 2–3 years.
This is just 14.2% alcohol, so despite the richness and ripeness, this is not fat or flabby. The fruit has concentrated black cherry and cassis flavors, and the smoky, pain grillé flavors of barrel aging are nicely integrated. Aromatically this wine is just beginning to evolve, with complex plum, prune, cherry liqueur, coffee and smoke.
A powerful take on the grape, this shows dried cherries, cherry blossoms, black pepper and torn-up concrete aromas on the nose. The palate is rich and luscious, with concentrated strawberries, smoked plums and purple flowers, as well as licorice, fudge and just enough roasted red bell pepper to show the varietal's greener side.
A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc, this opens with rich, decadent scents of brandied cherries, blackberries, plum and crème de cassis, all married to assertive notes of black pepper, licorice and tree bark. Structured yet fine-grain tannins result in an approachable palate and a texture like crushed satin, while the finish offers accents of cigar box and roasted cocoa nib. Drinkable now, but will hold well through 2020.
This Bill Price and Gavin Chanin partnership project from the renowned vineyard is fairly light and bright, with aromas of cherry blossom, raspberry juice and gravel, showing some bitter and sour elements on the nose as well. The palate offers roasted chicken, fennel and cranberry, and it likely to grow more intense with time.
Notes of Golden Pearmain apple persist beautifully and lastingly on the slender, dry and very elegant palate. This is delicate, ethereal and approachable, yet complex and structured. The autolysis hides behind the fruit but is evident once you look for it. Acidity and dosage are in perfect tune, creating a beautiful wine.
This offers good quality for the price from this historic producer, which heads south to this dry-farmed vineyard planted in 1976. The wine shows lots of lemon scents, from blossoms to peels, along with browned butter, sea salt and smoke. The palate offers singed lime peels, red grapefruit skin, iodine and sour yellow apple peels, proving quite complex.
Ripe, loamy aromas of raisin, baked blackberry and earth filter into a saturated palate with bracing natural acidity. Blackberry, cassis, herbal notes, oak and sauciness create a set of integrated flavors, while vanilla and woody notes drive the finish on this pago-designated Bobal from Utiel-Requena. Drink through 2020.
This varietal Bobal from a designated pago (Finca Terrerazo) within Utiel-Requena is loamy, spicy and loaded with black plum and blackberry aromas. A ripe, pure palate is chock full of baked plum, cassis, spice and chocolate flavors, while the finish is chewy, complex and chunky. Drink through 2019.
From a three-acre block of a fantastic vineyard known for powerful finesse, this offers characteristic intensity, a fleshy, tropical pineapple and guava sensibility that makes the wine rich and thick. A buoyant acidity maintains freshness and focus, and a well-built structure should provide ageability. Cellar through 2021.
There's a yogurt-driven dairy element on the nose of this estate wine from western Gilroy, with sleek white peach, light white pepper, lemon blossom and lime-pith aromas in support. The Brie cheese-rind tension carries to the palate, along with grapefruit pith, lime zest and bountiful energy. This bottling is great now but will hold until at least 2022.
Blueberry, dark berries and tar swirl together on the nose of this hedonistic wine from Mike Sinor's Bassi Ranch property, located just 1.3 miles from the ocean at Shell Beach. It's rich, meaty and heavily spiced on the palate, with dark chocolate, cedar and plenty of blackberry, but the bitter and savory elements stop it short of being a fruit bomb.
Heady scents of jasmine, wisteria, chopped herbs and fresh orchard fruit lead the way on this delicious sparkler. The creamy palate doles out Bartlett pear, yellow apple and a hint of white peach alongside bright acidity and a soft perlage. One bottle might not be enough of this.
With fruit from the chalk vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, this wine named after Alain Thiénot's son Stanislas is tightly textured, mineral-driven, steely and crisp. Apple skins and lime juice feature along with a continuing freshness despite the wine's age. It can be enjoyed now, although it will be better from 2017.
Lightly dusted with cinnamon and baking spices, this is apple pie in a glass. Along with the lovely apple-pastry richness come lighter suggestions of pear and peach. This immaculate and substantial effort should be consumed now through 2017.
This is a terrific vintage for this blend, helped by the decision to bump up the alcohol and reduce the residual sugar, now down to 16g/L. Though off dry, this retains a spine of steely acid, highlighting the bright and spicy lemon curd, orange peel and pink grapefruit flavors. It will be delicious with pork roasts or simply sipped with mild cheeses.
Celebrating the Roman name, Munda, for the Mondego River, this wood-aged wine is also a celebration of the great white grape of the Dão, Encruzado. It is rich, smooth and ripe, with a fine mix of tropical, yellow and crisp citrus fruits all finely integrated into the mineral texture. The wine needs to age a little longer, so drink from 2017.
Creamy and fresh, this off-dry sparkler offers heady aromas of exotic fruit, candied orange peel and ripe peach. The foaming palate doles out ripe apple, Bartlett pear and crystallized ginger alongside crisp acidity that gives it an almost linear quality.
Dijon-clone Chardonnays from Oregon are distinctive and appealing, with excellent acidity behind fruit that stays on the lean side of tropical. Here are lightly buttery flavors of apple and peach pie, with a spicy kick to the finish.
Look out Rutherford dust, here's Eola-Amity dust. Soft and yes, dusty, this intriguing wine brings a sensation of well-tanned leather under black-cherry fruit. The finish adds a dash of beet root, and leaves with some stiffening tannins. Give it ample aeration and it will improve dramatically.
This is the winery's reserve, made just once previously, in 2010. Rich, deep and chewy, it brings black cherry fruit to the front and center, streaked with highlights of earth and iron. Big at first, the wine seems to lighten up through the finish, with lemon and orange-peel notes leading into a pleasant wash of chocolate.
Buttered cherries and grippy cranberry skins mix with a bit of barnyard funk and some sanguine elements on the nose of this clonal study. The palate shows pomegranate, anise seed, black slate, oregano and thyme, though clings mostly to the ripe raspberry and black currant fruit backbone.
A creative, dry-farmed blend of 47% Grenache, 40% Petite Sirah and 13% Zinfandel, this bottling shows dense sagebrush, cedar, sandalwood, pine and black gravel on the dark, shrubby nose. The palate offers olallieberries with a woody twist of dried rosemary and oregano, as well as dried orange-rind tartness.
This is a ripe style of Champagne, rounded and rich, from a 60-40 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend. The structure of the Pinot gives it ripe apple and Rocha pear flavors, well cut by acidity and with a soft, full, creamy aftertaste. The wine is still young and will be better drunk from 2017.
A smaller project from the Scheid family of wines, this single-vineyard expression offers a sanguine nose of blood, iodine, dirt, crushed violets and a touch of pungent juniper and pine. It's light and lithe on the palate, with pomegranate, cranberry and iron, proving to be a very fresh sipper.
No punches are pulled on this hedonistic wine with its aromas and flavors of blackberry, chocolate and barrel spice. It's rich and high octane but maintains a sense of balance.
Dusty, earthy plum and cherry aromas are a bit scratchy but enjoyable and powerful. A smooth, plummy palate entertains flavors of toasty black fruits and peppery spice, while the finish is meaty and full, with easy tannins. Drink through 2017.
The third vintage of this wine is 100% varietal, with the fruit coming from Stone Tree, Cold Creek and Beverly vineyards. Aromas of coffee, vanilla, clove, dark plum and spice lead to concentrated, layered but still elegant fruit flavors.
Oak aging has added layers of vanilla and cinnamon, clove and menthol to this wine's ample black cherry fruit. There's a velvety plushness unusual for Crozes-Hermitage, but it adds welcome dimension to the finish.
The only Steve Clifton Nebbiolo of the vintage that's truly suitable for drinking now (though it too will last many years), this shows a focused acidity on the high-toned nose, with tight, almost crystallized cherry, rose and tar elements. Tart red fruit and black spices power the palate, which is well structured with intense tannins, but approachable today.
Enticing aromas like baking spices and a vivid mix of fruit and spice flavors are carried along beautifully by lively acidity matched with luxurious body. This tastes subtly and attractively oaky and has considerable complexity and length.
Aromas of coffee, mocha, spice and dark fruit lead to full-bodied, layered fruit and barrel flavors. There's plenty of power but it doesn't sacrifice nuance.
This lively, muscular, full-bodied wine ripples with smoky, meaty, peppery aromas. A thick, almost chewy texture partners with rowdy blackberry flavors and vivid tannins that will tame the rarest steak or wildest game.
A vivid yellow-gold color grabs the attention and creamy, tropical fruit flavors deliver the goods in this medium-bodied but full-blown wine. Pineapple, grapefruit, fig and almond are layered in an almost unctuous texture, but supported by vibrant acidity that keeps everything in great balance.
Nano-produced, this wine offers aromas of herbs, crushed violets and coffee. Cherry flavors coat the palate with a full feel while displaying expertly integrated tannins. The finish lingers.
This wine is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and a whopping 27% Petit Verdot, with the fruit coming from Yellow Bird and Tokar vineyards. Brooding aromas of freshly tilled soil, dried flowers, herbs and cherry lead to a richly flavored but well-balanced palate. It should age well.
A rare single-vineyard bottling from this tiny site, this wine offers aromas of black licorice, herbs, cassis, dates and black cherry. The palate brings tart, vibrant acidity along with chewy tannins.
This 100% varietal wine, fermented and aged in stainless steel, is silky and creamy, with a medium body and texture that retains a sizzle of freshness on the palate. Well balanced, it offers melon, green apple and lemon, with a tease of fresh-cut peach, ending crisp and clean.
A blend of Grenache from Angiolina Farm and Upland vineyards along with 22% StoneTree Mourvèdre, this wine offers aromas of violets, raspberry, plum and assorted herbs. The plum and dark raspberry flavors are pure, ripe and full while retaining a pleasing sense of balance. The complexity only increases with some additional time open.
There's a vibrant purity to this wine with its aromas and flavors of boysenberry, green olive, wet gravel and smoked meat, with the Viognier blended in (8%) only adding to its perfume. It coats the palate with a plush but still light and lively texture backed by a zing of tart acidity.
Despite the Columbia Valley label this is all Red Mountain, old-vine Merlot from the winery's estate vineyard. Raspberry, mocha, clove and spice aromas lead to supple, understated fruit flavors and an extended finish. It's a perfect example of what makes this variety special in Washington.
Oak, ripe dark-skinned fruit, menthol, grilled herbs and brown cooking spice aromas lead the way. The firm palate offers baked black cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso and anise accompanied by firm, refined tannins. It's well balanced and already almost accessible.
This opens with aromas of dark berry, forest floor, dried rose, new leather and a balsamic note. On the palate, notes of white pepper, coffee and clove accent a core of crunchy red berry. Racy acidity and assertive tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2023.
Warm, ripe, earthy aromas of plum and berry are welcoming. This is moderately tannic, with lasting acidity. Oaky aromas of coconut and vanilla blend nicely with loamy earth, black plum and prune flavors. A mellow, flavorful, smooth finish amounts to a fine ending; drink through 2020.
There's an almost green tint to this wine and the nose shows honeyed peach, Key-lime pie, kiwi fruit and a touch of white pepper. The palate is tightly focused yet brings ample structure, with lime rinds, green-apple skin and red-apple flesh combining for a strongly complex sipper.
Moss and wood notes mingle with violet and lavender perfume on this elegant, subtly nuanced Pinot Noir. Ripe, rich black-cherry and berry flavors are offset by a brisk acidity and a penetrating mineral backbone. It's lovely now, but structured enough, and still boldly tannic, to merit further cellar aging. Drink from 2020–2025.
Fragrant and fresh, this opens with aromas of yellow field flowers, peaches, pineapple and citrus zest. The vibrant palate offers pear, lemon drop and lime alongside lively acidity. The clean, lingering finish closes on a white almond note.
This full, ripe wine offers rich apple and pear flavors as well as considerable acidity. The wine is concentrated in citrus and green fruits which complement each other and add to the rich character. Drink from the end of 2017.
A heavier take on this often fresh and light grape, this shows blackberry fruit, roasted game and dark tobacco leaf on the slightly sour nose. Dense and rich with black cherry flavors, the palate is lifted by menthol and white pepper, with cooked beef flavors adding heft.
Produced from old vines in Verdigny, this is rich while still totally crisp. Ripe yellow and white fruits, apricots and apples are cut with acidity and a taut, mineral character. While this wine is ready to drink, it will improve for some time, and will be better in 2017.
Ripe fruit flavors and a gorgeously rich texture make this full-bodied wine difficult to resist. It smells like Pippin apples and toasted almonds, tastes more like Bosc pears with a layer of cream on top, yet it's dry and well balanced.
Leesy aromas of pear, apple and vanilla are pure and generous, with intensity. Layered and elegant on the palate, this was made entirely from free-run juice and tastes of dry apricot, citrus and apple. A note of spicy white pepper rises up on a minerally finish. Drink this winning Albariño now.
At a full 91% of the blend, this could be labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc rounding it out. It's shut down aromatically at present with assorted dried herbs poking through. The palate brings highly structured fruit flavors, with vibrant acidity tying it all together. Decant for a day if drinking in the near term; it will be best after 2022.
From a fourth-generation winemaking and grape-growing family, this Cab with 5% Merlot conveys peppercorn, cedar and dried herb, a slice of pencil lead on the periphery. Cranberry, cherry and rhubarb dance around its smooth, substantial edges, with dense tannins and vanilla surging on the lengthy, spicy finish.
This is all Cabernet coming from one of the state's top vineyards. The aromas offer notes of fresh tobacco, red fruit, dried herbs and an assortment of barrel spices. It's packed with plentiful dark cherry and cranberry flavors that show intensity, finesse and impressive length.
Ripe, rich yellow-cherry and peach tones are surprisingly plump on this dancing, delicate wine. A strike of razor-edged acidity on the midpalate cuts through all the luscious fruit, leading a steely, mineral finish.
Aromas of plum cake, spicy blueberry and cocoa unfold in the glass of this structured wine. The palate delivers black cherry, vanilla, graphite, ground black pepper and well-integrated oak alongside assertive but refined tannins. It has muscle but also shows elegance and restraint. Drink 2015–2025.
From a tiny hillside block in Rutherford, this 100% Cab is soft in clove, black currant and olive, juicy yet restrained. It spent almost two years in 90% new French oak, but the presence of oak is subtle and the tannins well-managed, making the wine both enjoyable now and worth cellaring through 2020.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier is quite pale in color, with aromas of ripe pear and squeezed lemon. It's bright and lively on the palate, with cold crushed apples and pear blossoms bringing lots of life to the wine.
A creamy texture and apple pie flavors make this so rich it's almost a dessert. It is not actually sweet but has a full body and lush viscosity, presumably from barrel fermentation. It shows the shaping influence that barrels can have on heft and mouthfeel without adding heavy oak flavors per se. Delicious!
Smoke tones blow off revealing layers of tropical fruit encased in wax and lanolin on this bold, nuanced wine. It's dry in style with a luscious, creamy texture cut with shards of acid and lime-zest astringency. Finishes long and lean.
This is strongly marked by toasty, cedary oak, but enough fruit comes through on the midpalate and finish to suggest this is more than just another oaky red. It's rich and creamy through the midpalate, then finishes long, with mixed berry notes emerging at the end.
Meaty, minty scents accent core cassis, jammy blackberry and oaky aromas. In the mouth, this benchmark Argentinean Malbec is tight and structured, with no flab or excess weight. An exotic mix of blueberry, cassis and Middle East spices finish long, with oak-driven lemony snap. Drink through 2020.
This concentrated, midnight-black Malbec delivers the aromatic goods in the form of charcoal, grilled meat and blackberry scents. An extracted palate benefits from core acidity, while black cherry, cassis and blackberry flavors come to rest on a rich but controlled finish. Drink through 2018.
The winery notes that this was done in an ice wine style—cryogenically—and it was done very well indeed. Pretty aromas show concentrated lemon and honey highlights. Once tasted, they carry through with flavors of orange marmalade, maple syrup and brown sugar. Sweet but not cloying, it's a slice of lemon pie in a glass.
It's difficult to name favorites amidst this vintage of Huber's Pinot Noirs, but the Schlossberg is distinct for its plump, ripe fruit. The palate penetrates with bright red-cherry flavor, yet maintains composure. A vibrant vein of acidity trails through the finish.
Highly intriguing aromas of forest floor, damp pine trees and blackberry reduction sauce power the nose on this blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec. The flavors are quite broad and welcoming, with purple and blue fruits, but also herbs of oregano and thyme. It's tasty but not showy, a wine that's happy in its own skin.
Roasted berry, black pepper and mild leafy aromas are true to the region. The palate is full but not heavy or clumsy; flavors of earthy berry fruits show a touch of raisin, while the finish is loamy and smooth. Drink this approachable wine now through 2018.
The nose on Josh Jensen's latest vintage is expertly restrained, suggesting honey- and lemon-laced chamomile tea. The flavors are even and nicely arced, with tart lime moving into pear flesh and finishing with butter-scorched lemon and custard.
A delicious blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon, this delivers flavors of juicy Golden Delicious apple, lemon drop, nectarine and candied ginger. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy palate.
An elegant rendering of the appellation, this is only medium bodied, yet packs in plenty of complex flavors. Cracked pepper, cured meat, blueberry and plum notes finish with a soft dusting of silky tannins. Drink now–2020.
Clos Marco pays tribute to the late, much-loved winery dog, and a lovely memorial bottle it is. All stainless-fermented and aged, it's loaded with tangy apple fruit and vivid acidity. Pineapple and citrus fruit provide additional accents, with a bright, concentrated, lengthy finish. Put this one away for a few years and you might be surprised how good it will be.
This Monastrell-led blend opens with a smoky blast of toasty oak on top of forest floor and herbal tones. The palate feels massive and extracted, showing ripe cassis and blackberry. Chocolate, herb, toast, berry and black currant flavors ride through the ripe finish. Drink through 2017.
Solo comes from the winery's estate vineyard, the third vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stags Leap District. It is elegant and old-school in style, pretty in violets and red berries, with a juicy, soft texture. It begs for steak.
The Peach Tree cuvée actually carries a whiff of peaches—possibly the power of suggestion. Its strawberry fruit includes an herbal component, more like a wine from the Eola Hills than Dundee. Overall structure is fine, and aging in 42% new oak puts some toasted coconut into the finish. This has the balance and persistence to age nicely through 2025.
From a newish, small producer that's worth keeping an eye on, this wine is earthy and slightly cloudy, balanced in nature. Wild strawberry and cranberry are pitted smoothly against firm, medium-bodied tannins and oak. The finish is crisp and juicy.
Concentrated dark berry aromas are powerful on the nose, showing a touch reduced but minerally. The palate on this young Ribera wine is pure and potent but not fierce. Ripe, loamy blackberry flavors finish muscular, with just enough elegance and grace to confirm the wine's overall quality.
If it's possible for a Châteauneuf-du-Pape to have Burgundian style, this would be a candidate. The cherries are delicate and herbal, with crisp acids and silky tannins that provide a wiry, peppery framework for the elegant fruit. Drink now–2020.
From one of the few estate properties in this new appellation comes anise-flecked aromas of blackberry puff pastry, mixing up ripe fruit with buttery oak. This is a very approachable Syrah, with dark fruits and pepper spice that will appeal widely, showing why Ballard Canyon may be the variety's best hope for popular acceptance.
Floral and exotic, the tingling acidity in this wine is the standout, but it's equally buoyed by a mouth-filling texture adorned by a sensation of fresh-squeezed lime and grapefruit. Balanced, this lovely Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc should convince one and all of the variety's regional merit.
Sourced from the family's Animo Vineyard atop Atlas Peak, this Cab comes from the highest-elevation blocks on the vineyard, some 1,350 feet up. Ripe plum fruit flavors surround savory elements of black tea, the structure well-honed and age-worthy through 2020–2025.
Lavender, stone fruit and sugar cookie notes scent this exuberant, aromatic wine. Dry in style, it's sprightly and lean with puckering lemon-lime flavors rounded out by a plump, peachy finish.
Rich and thick in leathery blueberry, this Syrah from the great Carneros-based Hyde Vineyard is a study in full-bodied black licorice and dark chocolate caramel. Though bigger in style, it retains acidity and balance.
Initial charred aromas turn to licorice and black fruit on the nose. A rigid structure of fierce tannins provide strength to toasty, spicy berry flavors on the palate. Vanilla, herb and mocha tones combine with textural dryness on the finish. Drink though 2025.
A special spot for Syrah, Parmalee-Hill gets plenty of coastal fog and coolness, providing this gamy, silky 100% varietal wine with structure and buoyant acidity around a balanced weight of tar, black olive and dark cherry.
Full-flavored and assertive, this has vivid herbal and citrus flavors that pop in the aromas and continue on the palate. It's full bodied, tangy, and mouth-filling, great for creamy pasta dishes and seafood.
This wine doesn't fully come together, with a somewhat uncomfortable mixture of grapy aromas, wood and herbs. It's medium bodied with cherry flavors and grainy tannins, trailing toward the finish.
Extended maceration on the skins combined with two years of oak aging lends layers of savory spice and smoke to this unusual dry Riesling. Pops of fresh apple and pear brighten the palate, but are accompanied by twists of bitter herbs and grass. Finishes briskly.
With a color somewhere between salmon and mauve, this offers a boozy bubblegum nose, reminiscent of fermenting strawberries. The flavors are also driven by strawberry, but with lemon rind bitterness and minerality present as well.
A blend of 60% Primitivo and 40% Negroamaro, this features aromas of spicy plum, ripe berry, vanilla and a balsamic note. The firm palate offers blackberry, black cherry, espresso and licorice alongside assertive tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Aromas of underbrush, clove and mature black-skinned fruit lead the nose on this accessible, medium-bodied wine. Notes of nutmeg and peppercorn add interest to the juicy blackberry and black cherry flavors, while supple tannins provide the framework.
This brawny wine opens with aromas of nail polish remover, resin, leather and plum cake. The warm, syrupy palate doles out blueberry extract, prune, raisin, mocha and vanilla alongside robust tannins. The heat of alcohol throws this off balance and gives it a monolithic quality.
Piercing, heavily oaked and smelling a bit of turpentine, this is grabby and tannic on the palate, with resiny, oaky flavors of raspberry and plum. It finishes hot and thick in feel as well as minty in flavor.
The blend is 53% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir and 3% Pinot Meunier. The wine is a classic traditional-method sparkler, with modest biscuity notes and understated fruit. It's light to medium in body, with a dry, scouring finish.
This plump, medium-weight Chardonnay features bright, fleshy pineapple flavors that finish clean and crisp. At this price, you could do a lot worse.
A plush texture and mild fruit flavors make this easy to drink and enjoy. It's rather light bodied, showing spicy, oaky aromas plus soft plum and berry flavors. Just enough acidity and tannin give a satisfying bite.
Earthy, dense, smoky and charred, this Pinot is showing clear signs of coming from a warm year. Tomatoey acidity and a leathery quality drive the palate, while flavors of stewed, briny raspberry and plum are leathery and finish savory and slightly salty.
Luscious black cherry and cassis notes are kissed with menthol on this elegantly structured Merlot. It's a wine with wide appeal, balancing juicy, forward fruit with a streak of cranberry acidity and penetrating, yet velvet-textured, tannins.
Golden toast and spice tones lend warmth to crisp red cherry and cassis on this silken, supple wine. Bright and fresh on the palate, it boasts juicy berry flavor wrapped in soft, easy tannins. It's a straightforward, balanced red with wide appeal.
Zesty and fragrant with notes of grapefruit and citrus blossom, this is an endlessly quaffable white with wide appeal. Juicy and fresh with a focused edge of acidity, it finishes briskly with just a touch of minerality.
From estate-grown fruit, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is dark in mocha and generous dry tannins, softened on the midpalate by vanilla, caramel and candied cherry.
This hearty red conveys aromas of rose, violet, plum and graphite. The juicy palate doles out ripe blackberry, raspberry and cracked black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins.
Smoke and bramble lend a savory, herbaceous tone to this ripe, lusciously fruity wine. Ripe red plum and cherry flavors are contrasted with bitter, dense tannins that build through the midpalate, adding structure and weight.
Made predominantly from grapes that were left until they became overripe on the vine and 5% from grapes dried on wooden racks, this has aromas of nail polish remover, resin and raisin. The palate offers prune, dried black cherry, medicinal herb and hint of orange peel alongside hearty tannins.
A subtle mix of ripe fruit notes of red apple, melon and slight pineapple play on nose and palate. There is a phenolic edge and very clean-cut acidity.Simple but effective.
A whiff of petrol introduces this bone-dry effort, continuing with flavors of citrus rind and tangerine. The piercing acidity will cut through any number of noodle dishes, white fish, or poultry, though on its own the wine seems to fade into a somewhat dilute finish.
Full-bodied, this conveys aromas of toast, scorched earth, espresso, plum and allspice. The hearty palate offers prune, blackberry extract and licorice alongside firm tannins.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (32%) and Cabernet Franc, this wine is moderately aromatic with notes of coffee, vanilla, cherry and freshly hewn wood. The fruit flavors are tart with some grit to the tannins.
Aromas of wild berry, clove and white pepper lead the nose on this fresh rosato. The juicy palate delivers candied wild cherry, crushed raspberry and a cinnamon note alongside refreshing acidity.
Straightforward and easy-drinking, this delivers ripe black cherry, succulent raspberry, violet and a dash of white pepper. It's smooth, with round, polished tannins that support the juicy palate.
Firm and savory, this charming wine doles out aromas and flavors of underbrush, ripe blackberry, crushed dark cherry, clove and ground pepper. Supple tannins support the juicy, easy-drinking palate.
Quite aromatic, this has notes of fresh and dried tobacco along with leafy green herbs. It's full of cherry, coffee and green herb flavors with chalky tannins.
Sweetly baked strawberry aromas open this vineyard-designated wine, grown from a steep site. Earth and oak intermingle on the palate among firm, smooth tannins, finishing with a bittersweet, herbal end.
Whispers of leather and granitic soil lend rugged appeal to this slightly savory, subdued Merlot. Bright acidity adds lift and light to the midpalate, accentuating flavors of crisp black cherry and cassis. It's supple and round, yet finishes curt and brisk.
Delicate flowers, honey and a touch of apricot typify this lovely dessert wine. On the palate, the flavors are set aloft by a touch of spice and acid. The character is serious but feminine, and the finish lingering, but clean.
A deliciously dry wine, evoking flavors of crisp green-apple skins and white currants; this is elegant despite its weight and body. It has freshness, certainly, and needs some bottle age. The style is ripe, but the dryness gives some opening austerity.
Forward and ripe, with flavors of tangerine, lemongrass and light herb. The elegant, nicely textured midpalate is extended and still a bit tight. There is a delicacy to this fruit that rewards those who prize nuance. Lightly touched with cinnamon and sweet spice, flavors linger pleasantly with hints of wet stone.
The palest of pinks announces the lightness of touch that makes this wine so attractive. Sure, it has ripe strawberry flavors, but they are delicate, laced with acidity, good freshness. A real apéritif wine.
Full-bodied and surprisingly muscular for a Prima Donna, the 2004 features big plum and black cherry fruit, wrapped in hints of hickory smoke, mint and cola. Finishes with enough dusty tannins to suggest cellaring another year or two. Imported by Meadowbank Estates.
Aromatic and silky upon entry, this stylish Syrah brings dark berry fruit flavors laced with toast and smoked meats. It's saturated, bright and sappy, with fine grained tannins that seem to spread the flavors fully across the palate. The finish is of medium length, expanding gradually as the wine airs, and adding vanilla and chocolate flavors.
This is almost pure Cab, with the addition of just 2% Malbec. Solidly in the firm, muscular, polished style of winemaker Holly Turner, this is a substantial effort that will need to be decanted if you are going to drink it any time soon. Black cherry, cassis and blue plum are swathed in milk chocolate, but this is Cabernet with its sinews intact, showing streaks of herb, smoke and light pepper. I can't imagine a better companion to it than a good, rare steak.
This is the winery's French-oaked Syrah, thick and smoky, with a balanced mix of red and black fruits, nicely retained acids, and layers of creamy oak. The alcohol hits 14.6% but the wine remains smooth and supple. Barrel flavors expand into a lingering finish with butterscotch, mocha and spice.
Estate-grown, two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Franc, it's another wine from the Naramata Bench. It is almost impenetrable when first poured, inky and dense. Over a period of hours the tart and spicy red fruits emerge, along with the herbal, soy, smoke and olive flavors that often characterize Okanagan Bordeaux blends.
Author Heidi Noble (Menus From An Orchard Table) and her husband Michael Dinn make Joie, and all four releases are beautifully executed. This unusual blend includes Riesling, Gewürz, Pinot Blanc, Kerner and Ehrenfelser, with a splash of unfermented grape juice “in the spirit of Edelzwicker.” It is intensely perfumed, oily and loaded with peach and citrus, with the acidity to offset the sweetness.
This is your quintessential New World Best Buy. The bouquet is full, slightly oaky and a touch burnt, and overall it's very nice. Same goes for the mouth, full of ripe berry and cassis flavors. It's medium to full in terms of weight and intensity, while the tannins create a chewy, masculine sensation.
A bit of apple, a bit of citrus, a bit of toast—things are just hinted at in this frothy sparkler which would make an ideal, dry-finishing but lively party wine.
This brings an intriguing assortment of dried fruit including pear, spiced apple and apricot. It drinks off dry, with abundant stone fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Aromas of oak, espresso, toast, vanilla and chocolate carry over to the palate, along with licorice and coffee notes. It has structure but not quite enough richness to support the evident oak sensations.
This fruit did not attain full ripeness in 2011, at least as far as this single-vineyard bottling would suggest. It's thin in the mouth, with considerable herbal character. Though balanced in terms of tannin and acid, the finish feels dilute.
Aromas of resin, vanilla, toast and espresso carry over to the palate. It's dense and sweet with drying tannins on the finish. This isn't an ager so enjoy soon with hearty first courses or medium seasoned cheeses.
Aromas of forest floor, pipe tobacco, blue flower, cinnamon and clove carry over to the palate together with sensations of spearmint and cherries marinated in spirits. Round and forward, this is made to be drunk young so enjoy now.
Of the six Syrahs that make up Lapostolle's Collection series, this is the most distinct, but also the most unusual and proprietary. Soupy, stewy, earthy aromas of tomatoey plum and spice are pure Elqui. The palate is high in acidity and shrill, while the flavor profile is tangy, herbal and zesty. Drink through 2017.
Firm and surprisingly complex for a Beaujolais, this is rich, ripe and deliciously full of cherry and red plum fruits. It's asking to age into 2015, to bring out full pleasure of its fruitiness.
This is a Shiraz-led blend of five grapes that's concentrated, smoky and spicy on the nose. The palate is ripe and bolstered by racy tartaric acidity, while flavors of spiced berry and coconutty oak finish bold but shallow.
This opens with a delicate fragrance of wild flower, tilled earth, red berry and sweet baking spices. The soft palate offers up dark cherry layered with hints of mocha, vanilla, mint and subtle oak. It's not an ager so enjoy soon.
Ripe and fruity, the wine has rich cherry flavors, a touch of tannin and a rounded, smooth texture. The tannins are already well embedded in the fruit, giving a wine that is both fresh and ripe.
Earthy and simple, this opens with aromas of game, mature black fruit and a whiff of leather. The dense palate offers ripe black cherry, plum and crushed raspberry alongside notes of baking spices and a hint of espresso. Round and one-dimensional, this is made to be enjoyed now.
Aromas suggest red berries, white pepper and clove. The round, robust palate delivers juicy wild cherry and hints of Mediterranean herbs alongside dusty tannins. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the midpalate. Drink now.
From a cooler section of the Napa Valley, this Chardonnay offers simple, crisp and creamy aromas and flavors of apple and pear, toasty oak and vanilla.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, this delightful Rosato unfolds with a pretty floral and berry fragrance. The bright, refreshing palate offers crunchy red cherry, strawberry and pink grapefruit accented with a light cinnamon note.
Opening aromas include dark cherry, fragrant blue flower, orange zest and a hint of meat juices. The palate is warm with an overripe quality but not enough fruit richness or freshness.
Whiffs of baby powder and blossoms lend a floral, perfumed tone to this pretty Gewürztraminer. It's bold in body and alcohol, but the palate stays bright thanks to fresh grapefruit and tangerine flavors.
A sturdy red, it offers a deep color plus oak and smoke aromas. Moderate flavors combine fruit and savory nuances with a firmly tannic texture that's appropriate for a full-flavored and medium-bodied wine like this. Blended from 70% Petite Sirah plus Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah.
Touches of spice highlight ripe yellow-plum and pear notes on the nose of this delicately framed Chardonnay. The palate is surprisingly mineral in character, with shades of wet stone against a backbone of tart peach. Finishes moderately long.
Delicate white-flower perfume is accented with earthy notes of herb and grass on this intriguing dry Vidal. The palate is fresh with apple and lemon flavors, but nuanced with complex notes of saline and bramble. Unique and quite enjoyable.
Full-bodied and earthy, this opens with funky aromas of game, new leather and a hint of barnyard. The hearty palate deliver crushed black cherry, baking spices and sweet vanilla. Ripe and round, this is already evolved so enjoy soon.
Pale copper in color, this 100% varietal wine—all of which hails from Weinbau Vineyard—is lighter in style, with notes of cherry and spice. There's a viscous feel to the fruit flavors and a touch of sweetness.
Simple, clean and grapefruity, this will do nicely on the patio or deck in summer. It's medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing.
This simple but inviting wine is made from a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bright palate boasts sour cherry, red currants and light note of white pepper alongside fresh acidity. It's perfect for everyday fare.
This single-vineyard Sangiovese is aged 30 months in neutral oak. Sweet tomato and wild strawberry fruit carries notes of ground oregano. Despite the high alcohol, it doesn't finish with any heat, just a hint of dark chocolate.
This makes a nice choice for your house white wine to buy by the case. Attractively rich, it seems to be all about the fruit flavor. It brings ripe pear and peach notes, an opulent texture and lingering fruity finish. It is medium-bodied, smooth and complete.
Herbal garrigue notes accent tart raspberry fruit in this medium-bodied cuvée. Compared to its brethren, it seems lighter and crisper, but it's not without flesh. Cranberry notes linger on the finish. Drink now through the end of 2015.
This savory Rosso opens with aromas of perfumed berries, violet, earth and a hint of cedar. The easygoing palate offers juicy dark cherry lightly accented with hints of sweet spice. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy through 2015.
Quite tart, this mixes a core of cherry fruit with acidic citrus flavors adding lift. It's a lifted, high-tone wine, and the tannins carry a hint of green herbs.
This limited-production Viognier reflects the ripeness of the 2012 vintage. Immediately appealing, it coats the tongue with thick, peachy/tropical fruit flavors. A hint of saline cracker comes through as well. It's front-loaded, fruit-driven, and drinking at its prime.
Soft in peach and orange-blossom, this wine offers a rich, deep texture and a clean finish, balancing fruit-forwardness with acidity in refreshing ways. Pair with a bowl of sweet peaches over vanilla ice cream.
This ripe wine opens with aromas of stewed black fruit, underbrush, prune, and a just whiff of farmyard. The palate reveals nearly overripe black cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside bracing, astringent tannins.
This wine, which has a surprisingly evolved light garnet color with some brick on the edges, opens with a delicate floral perfume of violet, red berry and cinnamon. The spicy palate offers red cherry, white pepper, clove and cinnamon alongside fleeting tannins and a note of warm alcohol. Not much weight or complexity and extremely approachable for such a young Brunello.
This mid-weight Brunello starts with a pretty fragrance of wild berries, violet and baking spices. The juicy palate delivers red cherry and black berry accented with notes of mint and white pepper alongside tight tannins. It's rather simple but very enjoyable. Drink 2015–2019.
David Ramey is the consulting winemaker for this wine, a blend of 46% Pinot Grigio, 33% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Gewürztraminer. Smooth and crisp, the Sauvignon Blanc's qualities are prominent, the wine a tempting mix of apricot, honey and lemon meringue.
Pure Merlot from the Barde-Haut vineyard gives a smooth and ripely fruited wine that is now on the way to maturity. It combines soft tannins, an elegant structure and juicy acidity. The aftertaste is fruity with a more mature edge.
Still firmly tannic, the wine also promises rich black fruits. It has weight, a solid, firm structure and good balancing acidity. Complex and powerful, it's only spoiled by the show of pepper from the alcohol. Drink from 2016.
This is a warm, soft and rich wine. Coming from vines close to Margaux, it has something of the light touch of that appellation. Fruity, with fresh berry fruits and already well-integrated tannins, it's likely to mature over the medium term. Drink from 2016.
A big, ripe and smoky wine, it displays a fruity, juicy undertow. It is developing well, giving great black currant fruitiness, some dense tannins and final acidity. Drink from 2017.
The sweet wine appellation of Cérons is just next door to Barsac. This 2005, now mature, shows the possibilities of these wines. It still has the botrytis, but it also has a rich texture that is rounding, losing its initial sweetness and gaining complexity. Drink now, or age until 2020.
From the northern edge of Margaux appellation, Grand Tayac is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. It has elegance, light wood flavors and generous black currant fruits. The tannins just give support, bringing out the style of the wine. Drink from 2017.
This rich, full-bodied wine is becoming smooth and ripe. The tannins are enveloped by the generous black fruits and drier raisins. A core of dryness show the wine is still developing. Drink from 2015.
Closed at first and immediately tannic, this Petite opens up in vibrant ways, showing off a soft texture and earthy blackberry and blueberry flavors. Long on the finish, it's round enough to pair with something gamey.
A light, freshly fruity wine, with edgy green tannins and tight redcurrant fruit flavors. Its fruit is a burst of juice in the mouth; light, bright red, and with prominent acidity. Buy a bottle, and the UN will plant a tree in Africa is the claim that comes with this screwtop, PET bottle.
This is a huge and impressive step up from the 2003 Astrales, which was fine but not at this level. Here we're talking about color, bouquet, palate feel, intense flavors, finish, you name it. It's pure, ultratasty, chocolaty, smooth and pleasurable. Astrales is the complete package and a wine to watch.
The first vintage of this great wine since 2003, this remains a wonderful example of the almost ethereal character of cooler climate eiswein (ice wine). The wine is certainly honeyed, but the freshness, the lightness, the poise, are just as important. If you can resist, age this wine for at least 5 years.
After finding little to like about the blatantly overripe 2003 El Nogal, the '04 is a wonderful surprise. Yes, it's still a ripe, chewy specimen with aromas of prune, smoke, spice cake and leather. But in the mouth it delivers weighty plum, raspberry and cassis but also a delicate wrapping of chocolate and coconut. A lot to ponder, and better sooner than later. Drink now through 2011.
It's an extraordinary wine that still tastes so fresh after 13 years, but for a Muscadet it's almost unbelievable. Yet, here is this citrus and white currant flavored wine that still shows high acidity and liveliness as well as a depth of texture that has come during its aging. Probably at its peak now.
A wonderfully balanced wine, rich, rounded but showing off the crispness, the tightness of great Muscadet. There is a yeasty, creamy element here, from its 30 month's aging on the lees before bottling, but this just makes the crispness even more exciting.
Fans of Miguel Angel de Gregorio's Finca Allende wines from Rioja will want to snap up this excellent, lush-styled blend of Graciano, Merlot and Petit Verdot from La Mancha. This wine almost proves that talent is as important as terroir, because no other La Mancha wine features this grape blend, these rich and pure medicinal flavors, and a smooth-handed sense of balance that calls for drinking now through 2013.
Capellanes waded through some weak efforts in 2002 and 2003, but this vintage marks undisputed excellence for a reserva. The wine has alluring smoky, sultry notes to match its bold fruit, while the flavors of blackberry, dark spice and chocolate announce perfect raw material and a deft winemaking hand, i.e. controlled oak. Delicious now through 2014.
A full-bodied, mouth-filling wine that bursts with melon, peach, peppery pear skin and nutmeg flavors. It is ripe, rich, a fruit salad whose final freshness and acidity suggest aging for 3–5 years.
An impressive, powerful pepper- and yellow fruit-flavored wine, which has been given a considerable depth of flavor by the wood fermentation and lees aging. The balance is great. It is a wine that shows class and aging potential.
Hiding behind Griñon's impressive 2004s is this ultrapremium blend of Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Emeritus is sweet and ripe with pipe tobacco, cassis, spice cake and chocolate aromas. It's immense and inviting, with grabby, plump blackberry fruit along with cinnamon, mocha and cola notes. Creamy, rich and almost unctuous. Drink over the next five years. 200 cases made.
One can make the argument that in 2005, Martinet Bru, Mas Martinet's “second” wine, is every bit as good and quite a bit more approachable than Clos Martinet. This wine is entirely solid and free of holes. It shows deep, ripe cassis and berry flavors along with chocolaty richness and accents of sage and herbs. Drink now through 2012. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
The Hundsleiten vineyard is on the last slopes of the Weinviertel looking across the Danube Valley. With its great exposure, it produces a rich style of Grüner, with added structure and minerality. In 2007, the vintage exposed the terroir, giving a flinty edge to the still-rich character.
Structure may be the Holy Grail in Oregon, even trumping terroir. This wine has an abundance of both; the Dundee Hills fruit brings rich flavors of blackberry and black cherry, along with interesting notes of iron and earth. But the lovely structure—a perfect balance of fruit, acid, oak and alcohol—takes the wine into a more complex dimension. It moves gracefully through the palate, adding a note of spice or a new fruit as it goes, then lingering in a taunting, teasing finish.
Arguably the best Seña to date. This blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Carmenère, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot opens with a mix of perfume, spice and prickle along with raspberry. The palate is flush and flashy, with a complex blend of strawberry, raspberry, vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco flavors. Smooth as a glass table, and slightly creamy. Excellent Chilean wine to drink now through 2010.
Ripe, sweet-smelling and “muy moderno,” but by no means is this Syrah-led warrior only fruit, bulk and oak. Spanish wine writer Victor de la Serna's wine gets better all the time. This vintage is like berry cake in a glass, but it's not short on anything, including acidity and tannic structure. Expect a blast of fruit flavor, intensity in reserve, and some forward oak, vanilla and butter. Should settle into form over the next 18 months.
Big and modern is the path that Alion (owned by Vega Sicilia) follows. This vintage is excellent, the best since 2001. It offers sweet, ripe black fruit with solid but balanced tannins. Chocolate and leather give the finish sweetness and style, while the overall take is that this is a forceful but sexy wine. Best in a couple of years through 2014. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
This is a quintessential café red, with a lively, brambly potpourri of fruits and plenty of acid to juice it up. It's fresh and forward and ready to go right now. Nothing too fancy, but plenty of ripe flavor for the price.
Morandé likes to dabble in Malbec, and we haven't been big fans in the past. This wine is much better; it is still a bit saucy on the nose, and there's a touch of that herbal essence that gets into so many Chilean reds. But overall it has fast-hitting black fruit, soy, spice and mocha notes that serve it well.
Chocolate, a hint of mint, spice and black fruit make this a true-smelling Syrah. The flavors run a little bit red, i.e. raspberry and red plum, and the finish offers a smack of oak along with dried fruit flavors. More of an acid-based, lively style.
If you like the Australian Rieslings, which often push petrol, mineral and shy fruit, than this is for you. It hails from cool and southerly Bío Bío, and it's an honest Riesling with lemony freshness and grapefruit on the palate, followed by a juicy finish. A potential by-the-glass favorite.
This wine offers barnyard scents: saddle leather and silage, compost and herb. It's got the sort of aromas that are found in some biodynamic wines, smells of moist earth and what one winemaker calls the good funk. But it doesn't follow through in the mouth. It offers no depth and little weight, leaving an astringent, earthy impression. Maybe with time it will show more flesh.
The minerality of this wine is clear from the start, mingling with round layers of cherry, violet and spice. Good structure in the mouth. The wine is both bold and juicy while at the same time showing an elegant restraint. A very interesting choice for the glass or the table.
Vanilla toast and a compelling yeasty character on the nose entice. It's a little brighter on the palate, offering a balanced combination of minerality, acid and cream that lingers.
Where else in this country can you find $12 Pinot with actual varietal character? Yes, it's quite young, light, lean, tart and even simple, but it does taste like the grape it's made from, and avoids the vegetal and the overtly leathery qualities of many of its rivals. Gentle flavors of raspberry and cherry are supported with juicy acids and hints of spice. This would be a lovely companion to a simple roast chicken.
A full and solid wine with some leather and robust oak on the nose backed by racier cherry and plum flavors. The mnouthfeel and balance are both good, and overall the wine is packed to its core with berry boldness and choppy, serious tannins.
Starts off smoky, with meat-like notes, then adds cola, blackberries and spice on the palate. It's round in the mouth, with some dusty tannins and crisp acids on the finish, suggesting a pairing with richer cuts of beef or lamb. Drink now–2012.
Red berry, cinnamon and vanilla mingle playfully in this personality-laden Cab. The combo of pretty and slightly wild flavors works well—and firm tannins and structure mean the wine will age nicely. Imported by Monsieur Touton.
Supple and lightly toasty, this is an easy-drinking wine that seems more like a Merlot than a Cab. There's an herbal side, some green tea, light spice and broad, strawberry/cherry fruit. It's very pleasant in a lighter style.
Brambly plum and red berry aromas and a lush, full palate make this both approachable and great to drink on its own. Plum, berry and pepper on the palate are smooth and elegant, and the finish is soft and poised.
An instantly recommendable Pinotage, with soft, pretty aromas of berry and spice and a balanced, integrated overall flavor. It's approachable and full of juicy red berry that plays along with spice. Many Pinotages verge on tongue-stripping; this one is both playful and serious. Will pair well with grilled meat.
Varietally correct scents of rose petals and spice burst from the glass, followed by pear and melon fruit. It's all backed by acidity that's fairly crisp for Gewürztraminer and relatively modest residual sugar. The only quibble is the relatively quick fade on the finish.
Balanced and subtle but with good character, this blend offers flavors of tobacco, leather and clove. Fruit-driven and accessible, it's both elegant and ageable.
This is a mix of grapes from Willamette and Umpqua Valley vineyards. Light and earthy, it has a classic style that echoes a village Burgundy, only with the distinctive hint of tomato leaf that typifies less expensive Oregon Pinots. There's tart raspberry fruit as well, whiffs of plum and cherry, and overall it packs a lot of interest into its moderately-priced frame.
Orange-cranberry in color and medium in body, this wine is sourced from three vineyards. It shows bright cherry, raspberry and orange flavors, with a lift of acidity. Juicy on the finish, it refreshes and rewards in depth and complexity.
This is built for both immediate appeal and graceful aging. It's toasty and chocolatey, smooth as silk, but with the depth and balance for further development. Not a big wine, but quite pretty, textural and detailed.
This is quite pretty, with a soft initial entry into strawberry fruit. There's a touch of resin, a whisper of chocolate, and overall a delicate sensibility, that gains strength and length with ample aeration. It exits smoothly with a finishing lick of caramel.
This is almost confectionery in its fruit sweetness, layering raspberries over black currants in wave after wave. There's a hint of mint as well, ample weight and power on the palate and a long, dusty, tannic finish. Drink now–2030.
This creatively labeled bottling by Herman Story alum Chris Kiranbay uses 70% whole cluster fruit to produce a complex nose bursting with strawberry, kola nut, mulberry, elderflower and maraschino cherry aromas. The palate starts with mulberry fruit, growing more serious as it opens, with slate-inflected textural tension, finishing on cinnamon spice.
Made of 70% Trebbiano, 15% San Colombano and 15% Sangiovese, this savory dessert wine opens with fig, maple syrup and caramel aromas. The complex palate delivers chestnut honey, toasted almond and candied date flavors, while a hint of dried tangerine accents the lingering finish.
Production is only about one-tenth as much as the Willamette Valley cuvée. For a couple bucks more you get a tight, less opulently fruity wine, with compact skin flavors over-riding fruit flesh. Hints of apple, pear and peach accompany a streak of minerality, and the persistence suggests that this will age nicely. Drink 2020 through 2026.
Toil spearheads an ambitious Oregon project for Chris Figgins (Leonetti Cellar and the Figgins Family). A new vineyard is being developed in the Chehalem Mountains; meanwhile grapes are sourced from Ribbon Ridge and the Eola-Amity Hills. This svelte generous wine still has some baby fat from barrel aging in 30% new French oak. Cherry, cola and toasty oak flavors come together with a touch of underbrush. It's best to give this another year or two of bottle age. Drink it 2020 to 2026.
This opens with black plum, underbrush and new leather aromas. The palate is concentrated, its mint- and tobacco-laced black cherry core underpinned by fine-grained tannins. Drink now–2023.
Aromas of wild herbs, dry brush, rubber, oak and berry fruits come prior to a pointed palate with high acidity and choppy tannins. Flavors of creamy oak support racier currant and red-plum notes, while this Carignan-Garnacha-Syrah blend tastes oaky, spicy and thorough on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Made of equal parts dried Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, this dessert wine has intense toasted almond, maple syrup and caramel aromas. The dense, structured palate delivers acacia honey, dried fig and toasted hazelnut flavors.
Stewy and rustic when first tasted, this wine develops intrigue in the glass. A mixture of fresh compost and minty earth aromas underlie concentrated baked plum and clove flavors. Ripe and robust, it drinks fresh and fruity.
Full bodied and lavishly oaked, this wine boasts gorgeous shadings of brown sugar, clove and cinnamon layered over cassis and red berries. The plush finish lingers, folding in plum and vanilla. Drink now–2023.
The beautiful perfume that unites tangerine peel and apple, lemon and blossom makes for an inviting nose. The palate brims with the same generous and utterly fruit-driven flavors. This is Riesling at its most charming. The finish is off dry, but all the more fruit driven for that.
A certain creamy nuttiness is suggested on the nose. The sunniness of 2015 is expressed by a generous mirabelle ripeness. The body still is very slight and subtle and all about a graceful texture. There's a lovely touch of lemon freshness on the finish.
One of the winery's single-clone bottlings, this brings tart strawberry and cranberry fruit into focus. It's a young bright stylish effort, with a touch of chocolate and fine tannins.
A touch of wet stone and wet earth accompanies the scent of ripe pear on the nose. The palate, therefore, surprises with luscious, off-dry peachiness and ample fruit: ripe pears and juicy peaches abound with expressive flavor. Their generosity is met with lemony freshness. This is utterly moreish and seductive with a lemony, just off-dry finish that makes you want to sip again.
Citrus and white-fruit aromas are elegant, smooth and suggestive of Burgundy, which makes sense given that this was aged in oak. The right amount of acidity lends lightness and length to the palate, while ripe lime and honeydew flavors are well oaked. A fresh friendly finish is minerally and crystal clean.
The nose on this bottling is very familiar and approachable, with tons of baking spices like clove, star anise and vanilla alongside red cherries. The same red fruit upholds the palate, which is nuanced by eucalyptus and bay leaf as well as a graphite minerality.
This delightful wine, principally fermented in neutral oak, and aged sur lie, offers lovely details of apple flesh and skin, white melon, a hint of daikon radish, and the pinpoint persistence that is the mark of superior winemaking. Pinot Blanc can go in various directions in Oregon, but this bright and acidic wine really shows the way to a style that is at once drinkable, complex and food friendly.
Tight and precisely hewn, this is crystal clear and medium weight while pushing strawberry and cherry fruit into the core. Its 14 months in one-quarter new French oak added hints of vanilla custard.
This is a solid Pinot Noir for just $30, with clove- and vanilla-laced cherry pie notes on the nose, evoking warm pastry crust. Deep pomegranate and blackberry flavors show on the palate, as does more baking spice, crushed slate and wet clay minerality.
A lovely plum shade, this blends scents and flavors of pomegranate, cherry cola, Asian spice, black licorice and a dash of cacao. It's dense and penetrating, yet drinking well already. It spent nine months in 40% new French oak.
French oak, tobacco and exotic spice aromas emerge in the glass. The firm, full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherry, raspberry compote, vanilla and licorice flavors, framed by assertive but fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2027.
Low yields and a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon have produced an impressive, dense and structured wine. With a smoky backdrop from the wood aging, it has rich black-plum fruit and a serious concentration. It is going to age well, and will be ready to drink only from 2020.
This is a generous ripe wine. It is full of rich black fruits that are cut with acidity as well as fleshed out with firm tannins. Dense and still dry, this young wine needs to age further. Drink from 2021.
Ripe and fruity with smooth tannins and generous fruits, this is a concentrated wine that is also stylish. It has plenty of tannins that are so well integrated. The wine is going to be delicious with its acidity and juicy jammy fruit. Drink from 2020.
This attention-getter has aromas of sea breeze, black olive, coffee, earthy funk, orange peel and high-toned fresh flowers along with assorted blue fruit. It's lighter in style, soft and velvety in feel with a finish that lingers. Coming from a cool vintage, it puts a lot of elegance on display.
Coming from McClellan Estate, Anna Marie and Seven Hills vineyards, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (31%) and Petit Verdot. It springs up with aromas of boysenberry, plum, dried herbs and coffee. The blue fruit flavors are sweet and luscious supported by a soft tannic structure.
This 100% varietal wine is appealing with aromas of coffee, toasty barrel spices, berry and red fruit. It displays good richness and depth, offering plenty of pleasure now but clearly keeping an eye on the future. Best after 2018.
The dark honey-gold color leaves no doubt that this wine spent time in oak, but it's well managed and well integrated, allowing the ripe apple and pear to shine alongside fresh aromas of white flowers and orange blossom. Medium bodied, it offers a pleasant hint of coconut on the lengthy finish.
An elegantly floral nose is at the forefront of this wine, made from a Forestville site replanted in 2009. Concentrated in dark cherry and vanilla, it's robust and generous in oak and tannin, finding its balance on the finish. Time in the decanter or cellar should open things up as well, through 2020.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 19% Merlot has aromas of toast, fresh-brewed coffee, graphite, dried herbs and milk chocolate. It's silky and elegant yet densely flavored, backed by grainy tannins.
A lovely ripeness of juicy, yellow pears peeks through the lemony freshness on nose and palate. While this wine is streamlined and slender, it hints at muscle and richness. Touch-and-go vintages like 2014 can produce thrilling wines—this is one of them, pitching fine fruit against absolute freshness.
This appealing wine is already five years old but could use more time to show its best. The aromas of black pepper, licorice and blackberry are generous. Taut and tart fruit flavors come with a pleasing mouthfeel and a finish that lingers. Best from 2018 to 2021.
Underbrush, leather, spice and savory herb aromas lead the nose. The smooth palate offers juicy dark cherry, mint, tobacco and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Ripe berry, blue flower, Mediterranean herb and a balsamic note led the nose. The savory palate offers juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and anise alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink through 2020.
This five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend is more than half Merlot, fragrant and forward in both aroma and flavor. It's broadly displayed across the palate, with pretty cherry fruit, steely tannins, and lighter hints of nut skin, cacao and dried earth. The complexity and balance are impressive. Drink 2015–2030.
As with so many Provence rosés, this wine is dominated by Grenache. That gives the wine a full and fruity character without any hint of heaviness. Ripe red fruits are contrasted with a zingy texture that leaves the wine so fresh in the mouth.
This wine displays all of the intensity of expression of Cold Creek. Aromas of toasty spices and pear are light but lead to a full, rich-feeling palate, with the acids providing a perfect counterbalance.
This wine boasts subtle black cherries and plums, framed in a bed of toasty, mocha-tinged oak. It's rich and silky, with a discreet dusting of cocoa on the long finish.
This is a spicy, softly lush offering of Cabernet sourced from a tiny part of the Larkmead Vineyard in northern Napa Valley. Black and red currant play off one another well, before revealing subtle layers of dried herb and tobacco leaf, the finish as cushy as the opening and midpalate of the wine.
From organic grapes in a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is rich and ripe. Generous red fruits are cut with light acidity and broadened by the smooth, creamy texture. The fruit lasts right through to the end.
There are touches of toast here, allowing the wine to broaden and become riper. It's still young, showing a future of yellow fruits contrasting with a tight and nervy texture. The aftertaste is full, ripe and generous. Drink from 2018.
Made with 80% Malvasia-Trebbiano and 20% Sangiovese, this amber-colored nectar reveals aromas of dried stone fruit, hazelnut and a whiff of clove. The rich but balanced palate delivers mature apricot, toasted hazelnut and citrus zest brightened by just enough fresh acidity. Pair this with classic Tuscan almond cookies. Wine Warehouse, Polaner Selections.
This is an experiment in a bottle, a 100% whole-cluster, carbonic maceration Pinot that intrigues and delights. Light and clear, it opens with wildly crazy aromas of earthy herb and dirty strawberry, remaining pillowy on the palate. The finish is edgy in pine and spice.
Pear, green and red apple and fresh citrus unite subtly to create a refreshing, slender and bright Riesling. There is a well-judged phenolic edge and both midpalate and finish are whistle-clean. Drive and verve are the hallmarks here, as is enlivening citrus freshness.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot comes from the winery's young estate vineyard. Aromas of vanilla bean, dried herb, licorice, cranberry and cherry are brooding. The palate offers focused yet restrained fruit flavors and well-balanced acid and tannin. Built for the long haul, it will only improve with some additional time in the bottle.
Yeasty, savory hints pervade nose and palate in an intriguing fashion, along with white pepper. The fruit is still subdued and lemony freshness is prevalent on the superlight body that nonetheless shows plenty of Grüner character. If you like zippy wines, you will fall in love with this.
Hints of bay leaf and wild thyme provide complexity and lift to this dark-fruited, full-bodied wine. Black cherry, cola and mocha notes carry the midpalate, then finish with a velvety texture. Drink now–2018.
A very fresh-faced, fun Zweigelt, this shows off wonderfully crunchy cherry fruit on an equally crunchy palate, as well as a palpable tannic structure. If you want to wow your friends at a picnic or outdoor meal, this has the necessary rustic readiness. It could even do with some chilling in summer.
At the cooler end of the Dry Creek Valley, this vineyard site provides juicy blackberry fruit accented in leather, tobacco and even black tea, giving it a savory edge. Juicy with soft tannins and mellowed oak, it finishes with a brightness of anise and nutmeg.
Blended with 4% Viognier and 1% Grenache, this fragrant offering displays aromas of fresh flowers, herbs, green olive, huckleberry and smoked meat. The palate is ripe and fruit forward, a bit balled up in the middle right now but showing a pleasing sense of purity with length to match. Give it time to come into its own.
Ripe waves of juicy strawberry ride along an ocean of tight, firm tannins that need time to coalesce and soften. Complex, the fruit is complemented by spicy clove and black tea, giving a savory edge to the succulent fruit. It needs time, through 2020.
Earthy spice and black and white pepper open the palate on this wine, a savory, tart expression of black tea and cranberry-rhubarb. The tangy red fruit remains pronounced from start to finish, sprinkled generously with dashes of cardamon and nutmeg through a lighthearted finish.
Elegantly structured, this opens with aromas of underbrush, red berry, tobacco and savory herb. The linear palate offers bright red berry, crushed strawberry, licorice and cooking spice, while firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
From a great year for vintage Champagne, this is a fine wine, bringing out minerality, green stone fruits and mouthwatering acidity. It is a wine for aging, so give this impressive Champagne 3–4 years.
Harvested on December 15, this rich and sweet wine is light on acidity but heavy on concentrated apricot jam and honey flavors. It is opulent, intense, with a bright ginger spice aftertaste.
Black in color, with sweet, full-force aromas of cola and black fruits. There's staunch acidity on the palate, something that will barely be noticed if drunk with food. Meanwhile, the flavors are flashy but smooth, with a play toward coffee, blackberry, chocolate and herbs. Dense and deep; very nice Merlot.
First to arrive, straight to your awaiting nose, are complex aromatics, with a mix of floral and spicy highlights that surround the black and purple fruits with exotic nuances. The fruit is nigh perfect—ripe, round, forward and loaded with plummy, sweet berries. It gathers strength in the core, holds, and then expands into a finish dusted with cocoa and coffee.
This is pure Chardonnay, from cool-climate sites, showing a lean, sculpted spine that both defines and expands the flavors. Exceptionally complex for Washington Chardonnay, with good natural acidity, a mix of peach, apple and pineapple fruit, and a finish that shows tight layering. There is a dense core that should unravel with bottle age; this is that rare Washington Chardonnay that will prosper with cellaring.
From a vineyard sited near the winery, this is the most supple, balanced and evenly detailed of the 2007 red wines from Fidélitas. The lightly muscled, compact fruit flavors bring black cherry, cassis, and plum together, with a strong minerality providing subtext. A suggestion of smoke suffuses the finish.
This is a beautiful wine from the nose on out. Complex and aromatic, it has Italian-style tobacco scents, fresh acidity, leafy highlights, and undertones of tar, licorice and clove, all wrapped around tart, pie cherry fruit.
A nutty aroma follows through to the mature palate of this distinguished Blanc de Blancs. It has a good element of acidity, toast and spice and an intense pear and mineral aftertaste.
The nose is quiet but the bright, simple palate offers lime and a hint of bitter hazelnut. It's rather lean, with brisk acidity.
Steely lemon aromas bring some focus to overripe apple and candied banana tones on the nose. The palate is light on intensity of mushy peach and candied flavors.
This is a light, juicy and snappy Chardonnay, with peach and pineapple notes held in line against crisp green-apple acidity.
Sheltered by a coastal range of hills from the Atlantic Ocean, this vineyard has produced a ripe soft wine that has gentle tannins and succulent red fruits. The aftertaste is fresh, continuing the fruit theme. The wine is ready to drink.
This finely structured wine with its intense acidity and tight tannins has a cool, high-altitude feel to it. It's a single vineyard wine from Quinta Terra, fresh and with red currant acidity. The wine can be drunk, although the acidity is such that it will be better to wait until the end of 2016 for it soften.
Tart and tight, this mixes chalky, citrus-inflected acids with light fruit flavors of wild berries. There's a palate-drying minerality, and the sharp acids and ultradry tannins are tough to punch through.
Trincadeira, Moreto and Castelão form the blend for this stalky, fruity wine. It shows no signs of wood aging, boasting only fresh red fruits and balanced acidity. The aftertaste is fresh, continuing the fruity theme.
This fresh, informal white opens with subdued aromas of yellow flower and white orchard fruit. The lean, simple palate offers unripe pear, apple skin and a mineral note alongside crisp acidity.
Light and fruity, this shows some sugary sweetness, much like some of the inexpensive California Pinots. It's a simple, quaffable red wine with a cherry-lollipop flavor.
Extremely light on aromas, this bottling eventually shows lemon peel, chalk and slate. The palate is simple yet clean, with flavors of pear, nectarine and lime peels.
Gothic is the project of a New York-based restaurateur and sommelier team. This spent 10 months in 15% new French oak. Scents and flavors of rubber tire dominate, and the tannins are hard and harsh. Airing it out helps a bit, but the bitterness does not entirely disappear.
The wine is tight, tangy and crisp. It has hints of the perfumes that are typical of Riesling although it's more of a fresh, lively wine that has lightness and plenty of acidity at the end.
This wine has a weedy streak, beyond just herbal. Don't look for sweet berry fruit; it's a mélange of beet root, earth and dried leaf.
Nut, flint and apple skin aromas lead the nose. The palate is quite lean, showing mineral and bitter almond alongside racy acidity.
This Zin, which gets a boost from 20% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, shows a slightly sweet touch on the nose, where dark strawberry and baked cherries meet with a touch of asphalt. The palate is quite syrup and fruit-driven, with blueberry, blackberry, cola and root-beer flavors reminiscent of soda-pop concentrate.
Aromas of orange and grapefruit are clean and easy. This feels citrusy but that's about it. Standard orange and lemon-lime flavors finish with juicy snap. Drink this rudimentary Godello as soon as possible.
Produced from a single vineyard, this fresh, fruity wine combines intense citrus and crisp apple fruits. They are shot through with a zingy, textured character that adds interest and brings out the bright acidity. Drink now.
The winery's regular Pinot Gris approaches 15% alcohol, and this takes it a step farther. Not overly sweet, but identifiably late harvest, the fermentation has been stopped at 60g/L residual sugar, and fortified with some neutral spirit. White Port may have been the concept, but it hasn't really come together in the bottle.
Intense but rather muddled aromas of Stargazer lily and air freshener lead the nose along with brief dashes of hay, mature peach and apple. The unusual flowery aroma carries through and dominates the lean palate.
Aromas of almond, pressed white flower and crushed stone emerge on this racy white. The palate is less expressive, showing apple skin, mineral and a hint of citrus. It's on the lean side, with brisk acidity.
An attractive, very fresh, citrus-flavored wine. It is crisp, tight, tangy and with a young fruity aftertaste. Give it six months to calm down and drink from late 2016 or just revel in the intense, bright fruitiness now.
Waxy, weird aromas of lemon and ham are all over the map. This feels heavy, with a sense of sugary weight. Chunky flavors of cured pork and creamy melon finish plump but amorphous.
Despite this being aged in new Russian oak, this Chardonnay is light bodied and oddly floral. Wild flower tones ride over underripe peach, with leesy undertones.
Combine a warm year with too much time in bottle and this is what you get. This chunky, barrel-fermented Verdejo smells and tastes of early oxidation; it's creamy on the palate and strained in terms of flavors. Wheaty, leesy, faded melon and apple flavors have lost their verve.
Sweaty aromas of gym bag, nettle and grapefruit come in front of a citric, astringent palate with grapefruit-like acidity. Heavy, pithy citrus flavors finish similarly.
Strong aromas and flavors like smoke and bacon seem heavy in this medium-bodied but tannic wine. A dish with bacon might bring it around.
This barrel-fermented Viura smells so woody and grainy that it suggests turpentine and/or lacquer. The palate is light in body, but with resiny stickiness. Flavors of white table grapes, orange and raw oak finish severely woody.
This is a compelling example of how very low-alcohol wines needn't be thin or overly green. This shows fennel and dill notes on the nose, along with cola, red cherry, cranberry, star anise and nutmeg. The palate's sizzling acidity carries zesty pomegranate and cranberry fruit, with touches of black pepper, pork fat, lavender, rosemary and lamb roast.
This impressive wine, packed with both fruit and tannins, is just setting out on a long road of aging. It is rich, dense with dry fruit and wood tannins, and buttressed with dark black fruits layered with acidity. The wine, with its ripe fruit and firm structure, needs time. Drink from 2018.
Elegantly layered on the nose, this region-showcasing project presents baked plums, pure black-cherry extract and mulberry alongside nutmeg and clove spice. The palate offers a steady evolution of savory flavors, from black cherry and exotically spiced berries to espresso bean, garam masala, plum rinds, peppercorn and allspice.
The wine is impressive and packed with dense dark fruits. It comes from the showpiece estate of Madiran that was created by the iconic producer of the region, Alain Brumont. If this wine wasn't quite so intense, so overpowering and so alcoholic, it would be very great indeed. As it is, it will surely age and should not be drunk until 2020.
Layers of fresh purple flowers, from lilacs to lavender, meld with dried rose petals, cinnamon, concentrated hibiscus, orange rind and black tea on the wondrous nose of this bottling. A sanguine character starts the sip before it evolves into dried strawberry and a mix of lavender, mint and thyme, framed by bright acidity and lush texture.
Plump black currant, lavender extract, bright purple flowers and touches of raw beef and tar show on the nose of this bottling, made with 20% whole-cluster and 7% Viognier. Black pepper and asphalt show first on the palate, where tannins softly coat the mouth and then stand up to boost elderberry flavors. Thorough, zesty acidity ensures long cellar potential. Drink 2017–2032.
This wine has an impressively floral and savory fruit bouquet. Squashed mulberry, cherry blossom and black plum integrate expertly into a generous but judicious hickory-smoke element. Black plum baked in sesame sauce, beef char and roasted coffee notes sing together on the palate chorus, which is enhanced by a 9% Grenache.
Elegant and structured, this offers aromas that suggest sunbaked earth, ripe woodland berry, chopped mint and a whiff of new leather. The taut, polished palate offers juicy black cherry, ripe raspberry, orange peel, anise and grilled herb alongside austere, fine-grained tannins that give it a firm finish. Drink 2018–2023.
This is a delicious and complex white wine, beginning with its aromas of matchstick, hay and hazelnuts. Zesty citrus stars on the midpalate, giving way to more generous, rounded layers of vanilla cream. Age-worthy, it peaks in bursts of orange blossom and tangerine, and would be a lovely partner for some fresh oysters on the half shell.
Blended with a healthy dose (21%) of Merlot, this luxurious, velvety wine is named for co-owner Craig Hall's mother. Blackberry jam, black pepper and a touch of thick tar mark the full-bodied deliciousness going on here, a totally pleasurable experience worth enjoying now, though it can be held through 2020.
Harvested according to the moon cycle, this wine is dense, complex and concentrated. With the dark color typical of the red grape Alicante Bouschet, the wine also has rich, smoky tannins and firm black fruits. It is going to need some more aging, so drink from 2018.
This intriguing mix of cedar and cassis, with meatier elements of black licorice, sings in the glass, remaining restrained and elegant despite a full-bodied ripeness and cradling of French oak. Priced below many wines of similar provenance and quality, it's age-worthy, too. Drink now through 2021.
Underbrush, French oak, Mediterranean herb, menthol and blackberry aromas unfold on this elegantly structured red. The full-bodied palate offers ripe black cherry, cinnamon, star anise and chopped mint alongside fine-grained tannins. This is still young and needs to develop to its full potential. Drink 2018–2028.
The Chambert estate was first planted in 1690. Now owned by Philippe Lejeune, it is farmed biodynamically. With consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt as part of the team, this top wine from the estate's best parcels is concentrated, dense and firmly tannic. The wine's young acidity and structure are in place so it just needs time to age. Drink from 2020.
This is a bold wine in all senses. It is packed with fruit, dry tannins and a dense texture from vines planted not long after Alain Dominique Perrin began Lagrézette's restoration in the '80s. The blend of 87% Malbec, 12% Merlot and 1% Tannat presents powerful tannins and generous fruitiness. This estate wine will be slow to develop and to reveal its full ripe potential, so drink after 2020.
This is a big, dark wine. It is full of dense tannins and ripe black fruits. The tarry, leathery texture is developing well alongside the black-skinned plum fruits that are cut by intense acidity. Nothing is reticent about this powerful wine. It will be ready to drink from 2019.
Sébastian Bordenave-Coustarret has the light touch needed to show the delicacy and great charm of the Petit Manseng grape. With a fine balance between honey and apricot fruits and such poised acidity, the wine is light and fresh as well as ripe. It's wine that will develop slowly, so drink from 2019.
Crafted from six vineyards within the Dutton family's holdings, this is a pretty wine, smooth and supple with a balance of acidity and light body. Citrus and apple vie for attention with a slight tropical note and expansiveness of ginger cookie and toffee.
Slate and struck flint provide a mineral-intense backdrop to pristine white grapefruit and pear flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's just a shade off dry, with a silken, supple mouthfeel that's delightful. Drinks beautifully now but will continue to improve through 2020.
A curious whiff of lemon pastry entices on the nose of this sprightly wine. The palate is intensely ripe, bursting with sweet honeysuckle nectar and tangerine, yet it's almost lacy in texture, cut by a spray of green-apple acidity. It's delicious already, but sure to hold well for another decade.
While still vibrantly peachy and floral, four years of bottle aging have given this off-dry Riesling sumptuous tertiary complexities of dusty mineral and white mushroom. It's feather light on the palate yet deeply penetrating in honeyed tangerine and stone fruit flavors. Drink now through 2021.
One of Chile's ripest, most full-bodied Syrahs needs more time to fully strut its stuff. Aromas of graphite and coconut are prominent on a lush, boldly fruited bouquet. A highly concentrated palate allows for deep digging, while flavors of blackberry, black plum and raw oak turn savory and spicy as this breathes. An inky, powerful finish is appropriate. Drink through 2022.
From an extreme coastal vineyard three miles north of Cambria comes this exciting wine. Green and Kalamata olives show on the nose, along with crystallized cherry, juniper, fig, unripe strawberry and Mediterranean spice. It explodes with acidic life on the palate, where underripe cherry and tart strawberry flavors mix with green peppercorns, forest underbrush, wet gravel and thyme.
From 20-year-old vines grown on old stone terraces, this wine is structured and concentrated, yet balanced, with fine red fruits that are layered by tannins and acidity. The wine has a dense texture that gives it depth and ageability. With its structure and rich still-developing fruits, it will be best after 2018.
Named after the owner of the estate in the Alentejo that the Fonseca family bought in 1986, this wine is packed with firm, generous tannins and ripe, juicy black fruits. It has some oak aging that has given the wine a polished feel. With its concentration, structure and final acidity, it will age well. Drink from 2018.
Generally, some bottle age improves Pinot Noir by leaps and bounds, so 2011s like this are firing right now. In this bottling, from a longtime winery near Woodside just south of San Francisco, brings concentrated aromas of cherry-cola, crème brûlée and blackberry-vanilla purée. A soft creamy palate full of oregano, thyme, black cherry, graphite and pine needle precedes a mentholated finish.
Tangy, juicy, fresh and fun, this vineyard-designate, a consistent star in this producer's arsenal, is densely layered, supported by an oak structure. Black plum, black cherry and raspberry cross paths to offer a spark of ripe fruit before succumbing to several shakes of Asian spice.
Very dark in the glass, this bottling shows blackberry jam, crushed slate, turned black loam and hot baking spice on the nose. There is prominent structure to the palate, where olallieberry meets with smashed clove, bay leaf, black pepper and vanilla. The acid is seamlessly integrated, so drink 2018–2030.
With a small percentage of whole-cluster fermentation, this is a prized, sultry and cohesive wine, nutty in aromas and a sizable pinch of oak that speaks to its youthfulness. Raspberry jam and bitter tea ride over soft waves of integrated tannin and a fierce earthiness. Drink now through 2024.
Joe Dobbes was the winemaker for this Riesling, fashioning an intense and focused wine, with a bit of sweetness but ample acidity to balance it out. It's a deft combination of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon oil and a hint of mint, with impressive length and penetration.
Much better than the 2009, this Malbec opens with menthol, leather and herb aromas along with notes of berries. It feels deep, with a medium body and sweet, friendly, flavors of blackberry, brown sugar and chocolate. The finish tastes slightly candied.
Raspberry ripeness and soft tannins lend warmth to this structured wine. It has weight and a smoky wood character, with a juicy finish. Age for 2–3 years.
Loaded with fruit—apricot, pineapple and passion fruit—this is an attractive, medium-bodied Pinot Gris with just a hint of sweetness. Enjoy it over the next year.
Earth and rubber notes on the bouquet give way to black fruit and black olive aromas. It feels fresh, with a good acid level and a solid body supporting flavors of wild berry, plum and spice. The finish is toasty, with a fair amount of oak and bacon flavors.
With organically grown grapes from both Lake County (58%) and Mendocino (42%), this showcases the best of both regions. It has a great mix of lemon, grapefruit, honeydew and kiwi freshness that remains balanced on the finish. It's a quaffable summer wine.
A light touch works well with this elegant reserve. Its wild berry flavor and juicy acids are seemless, with a kiss of oak carried through on the finish.
On the rustic side, this fruity wine has rhubarb and red fruit flavors, with intense acidity and a pure, juicy core. The soft tannins just underpin the fruity character. Age for two years, although it's ready to drink now.
This is an admirable aged Malbec, but it's definitely tannic and tough. The nose is hard and rubbery, with tire, mushroom, graphite and black cherry aromas. Feels tight as nails, with burnt caramel, tomato, green herb and cassis flavors. This finishes with some warmth.
This opens with a whiff of green and clam shell but quickly transitions to black plum and berry scents. Tannic and rugged on the palate, it has a mix of blackberry, chocolate and herbal flavors. The finish is firm, with length and more than enough power.
Dark, meaty and ripe, the bouqiet has a strong wave of herb and carob notes. It feels grabby almost to the point of cloying, with heavily oaked flavors of roasted black fruit and milk chocolate. This is oak dominated, but full and chocolaty.
Dusty, chunky peach and apple aromas find a second gear with airing. This feels round, with mild acidity and flavors that range from apple and citrus to sweet banana. The finish is mostly smooth and full flavored, albeit sweet.
Hints of lightly toasted oak highlight bright, fresh apple and lemon flavors on this easy drinking Chardonnay. Delicately structured with a vibrant, zesty acidity, it finishes with just a hint of sea breeze.
The Lange Twins are longtime growers in Lodi who also make their own wine, with the help of former Woodbridge winemaker David Akiyoshi. This Bordeaux blend is mostly Petit Verdot and Cabernet, with smaller amounts of Merlot and Malbec in the mix. The time this spent aging in French oak shows through in its minty, full mouthfeel and vanilla tannins.
This is a cool-climate Zweigelt, with a spicy, juicy fruit character and light tannins. The red fruit and green herb flavors are layered with acidity.
Rather unusual smelling, with exotic spice and blue fruit aromas that aren't cut from the normal cloth. It feels rubbery, with black plum, cumin and licorice flavors. Dark and fruity on the finish, it has warm notes of spice covering every angle. A blend of Garnacha, Monastrell, Samso and Syrah.
The earthy-smelling aromas of red berry and plum are snappy and rustic. It feels fresh, zesty and deep, with bright but basic tasting berry flavors that transition to chocolate and herb before the scratchy feeling finish. This is a good wine with moderate depth and complexity.
Charcoal, cola and menthol aromas sit on top of blueberry and mint. The mouth is so tannic and powerful that it's tough to swallow. Incredibly ripe, this has a short finish that's toasty tasting and not complex in the least.
This is dark in color, with pushy aromas of wild field, prune and vinegar. Wide, chunky and heavy, it has flavors of black fruit, mint and green herb. It's full but soft on the finish, with pruny accents.
This brings light flavors of leaf and hard cherry candy, with a hint of cola.After its quick start, the wine tails off gently.
Opens with tolerable green tobacco and green bean aromas interspersed with black-fruit notes and earth. It feels astringent and supertannic, with leathery, herbal berry flavors. Same on the finish, which is rough in feel and tastes herbal.
Beefy and roasted up front, without much lift to the bouquet. The palate is marked with high acidity but also some texture, while the flavors run toward salty tomato, herb, baked berry and a hint of brown sugar. It's crisp and tangy on the finish.
A sweet mix of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, Souzão and Tinta Barroca that smells of melted chocolate over strawberries. The alcohol overwhelms the fruit's charm and makes it hard to discern the care that was taken in putting such grapes together.
Fragrant and floral with exotic figueroa, orange and peach scents, this wine is a feast for the senses, playing out on the palate with high-toned acidity, anise flavor and oak.
Some funk on the nose soon blows off to reveal generously ripe fruit of yellow pear. The palate benefits from a touch of flavor-boosting residual sweetness but the finish is dry. This is full fruited and balanced. Drink while flavors are at their peak.
A touch of pineapple informs the ripe pear fruit on the nose with extra tropicality. The palate is a little hot and boisterous but the fruit wins through. There is freshness, too, and a dry finish.
This wine is brooding, with aromas of dark cherry and game. The palate boasts bold fruit and savory flavors along with slightly bunched-up tannins.
This is an elegant edition of the Henry Estate Pinot Noir. It has shed its rusticity in favor of a delicate expression of varietal character. Crushed rose petals, wild raspberries and a dash of pepper are backed with stiff tannins. Give it another year to fully come together.
This tart, plush and broadly appealing wine is fruit-forward and rounded with red cherry, cola and vanilla flavors.
The aromas of barrel spice, toast, herb and plum are reticent on first pour. On the palate, sweet fruit flavors are supported by lightly grainy tannins. It's straight down the fairway.
This is a ripe take on the crisp Alvarinho. The wine does have acidity but it also has hints of rich tropical fruits. The texture is tangy while revealing a full-bodied, perfumed and vibrant wine. Drink now.
Quite a bit lighter than the 2014 vintage, this wine layers buttery aromas over crisp apple and lemon flavors. It's pleasant and light in body, showing more richness than expected from its lively fruit components. Labeled as Pinot Noir, this is actually a white wine made from the dark grapes.
The point of this semisweet bottling is a little unclear, but it offers a beautifully rich nose of honeysuckle, buttercream, white peach, almond paste and flint. The palate is rich, creamy and quite sweet, with peach, melon and mango flavors. Consider it as a light dessert wine or a pairing for spicy foods.
This pure Touriga Nacional is full of black-currant fruit. Along with its mineral texture it has some good aging ability as well as the richness. Maybe a little less wood aging would have helped bring out the obvious fruitiness and fruit tannins of this wine. Drink from 2019.
Sangiovese makes up 45% of this blend, with the balance Barbera (22%), Malbec (22%) and Cabernet Franc. The barrel treatment is at the fore, with notes of baking spice and vanilla that are followed by aromas of dried cherry and herb. The palate is full bodied, loaded with appealing tart cranberry and cherry flavors.
Classic and restrained, with herbal components and a firm tannic backbone, this is a finely made wine at a respectable price that's easy to enjoy and share. Savory currant, leather and oak define it best.
This blend of nearly equal parts Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah is food-friendly and approachable, with smoked meat, blueberry jam and cherry highlights, the oak thick and slightly reductive.
This young wine offers fresh raspberry and pomegranate scents on the lively, simple nose, with dashes of anise and wet slate. Those bright red fruit flavors show on the palate, too, seasoned with thyme and bay leaf and finishing clean.
This is a fine creamy wine, rich in white fruits with just a hint of citrus. The aging has given it concentration and depth, spice and a strong mineral character. Drink now.
The addition of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc add an apparent spiciness and structure to this young, tightly wound wine that's otherwise showy with oak and savory clove notes. Firm tannins and a strong streak of dried herb and cedar add to the mix.
A fruity, fragrant wine, it has a light structure, soft tannins and generous, juicy red berry fruits. The balanced touch of wood aging smoothes out some of the sharp corners. Drink this attractive wine from 2016.
Aromas of Spanish broom, tropical fruit and graphite take the lead. The smooth, creamy palate offers white peach, melon, almond and mineral brightened by crisp acidity. Enjoy now through 2016.
Deeply concentrated, with honeyed yellow-peach and tangerine flavors, this is a gorgeously composed wine, with just a hint of sweetness for balance. Notes of cherry blossom and crushed minerals add complexity and depth. It finishes long, with a delicate, lacy sweetness.
Zesty evergreen and herb notes lend freshness to notes of Meyer lemon and nectarine in this delicate Riesling. The palate builds in floral, fruity intensity, with bright peach and blossom notes. Delicately sweet yet brisk in lemony acidity, with a long finish.
It opens with intense aromas of tropical fruit, green apples and a note of Mediterranean herbs. The juicy palate delivers white peach, pear, banana, papaya and almond alongside bright acidity that leaves a clean, refreshing finish. Drink now through 2016.
Gritty aromas of berry fruits, wild herbs and leather are hardly shy. This has a lot of energy and acidity across the palate, while flavors of blackberry, plum and coffee finish ripe, baked and rich, with a slight raisiny note. Enjoy with grilled beef or lamb.
Of course, this wine is too young to drink now. However, its ripe fruit, sweet fresh acidity and red plum fruits all promise a fine future. There is a good juicy, full aftertaste. Drink from the end of 2014.
Structured and sophisticated, it offers creamy green apple, pear, citrus and white peach sensations. The juicy fruit palate is restrained by subtle notes of white pepper and mineral alongside fresh acidity that leaves a focused, lingering finish.
Crisp in green apple and lemon, this light Chardonnay, only 12.4% in alcohol, will sweep you off your feet with Thai food, seafood or as a before-dinner quaff. From an un-grafted, old Wente clone vineyard found abandoned (thus the name), it has a trace of salinity throughout and a lurking layer of Asian spice.
This medium-bodied and elegant Pinot Bianco boasts fragrances of white spring flowers, green apple and flint that carry over to the savory palate. The juicy fruit is supported by fresh acidity that leaves a clean crisp finish, making this extremely food friendly. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.
Aromas of exotic fruit, green melon and crushed tomato vine carry over to the palate along with a mineral note. The vibrant acidity gives a linear character and a clean, focused finish. Oliver McCrum, T. Edward Wines.
Char and roasted coffee notes add toasty nuances to ripe black-cherry flavors in this penetrating Pinot Noir. A vein of brisk cranberry acidity runs through the palate, adding zip and verve. It's finely textured, but bold tannins linger on the finish.
A fantastic bargain at $14, this nuanced wine balances heady saffron and spice notes against a backdrop of ripe mango and yellow cherry flavors. It's lavishly mineral on the midpalate, with striking lemon-lime acidity that drives an elegant, herb-accented finish.
For whatever reason, this wine consistently fails to impress. Once again, it's vegetal and pickled, with forced flavors of candy and too much residual sugar. Forget it if you only drink dry rosé.
Bright in color but that's where the excitement ends. The nose has plum, cherry and nail polish aromas, while the palate is sour, sheer, overly acidic and tartaric to the max. Way too sour and sharp.
Something's definitely not clicking with this wine. It has sweet, heavy beet and horseradish aromas, and there's a burnt harshness to the whole package. The palate shows a hard scour as well, with sour, strange, underdeveloped flavors. Just a tough, heavy wine with little charm.
A full-force, racy blend led by Merlot. It's ripe, staunch, mildly herbal and shows aromas of leather, savory berry and molasses. The palate is saturated, acid-driven and clacky, so it's lively stuff with medicinal, ripe berry and spice flavors. Finishes snappy and crisp, with pronounced acidity and tannins.
Controlled on the nose by blackberry, mint, menthol and fire. Like the 2008, this is not the easiest road to run, but it is a blast of penetrating blackberry, boysenberry, heat, spice and dark minty length. Tasty but tough, with the roughness and quality meeting in the middle. Drink in a couple of years.
This is a rich and toasty Chard with notes of wood-grilled peaches, soft Cortland apple flesh and vanilla cream. The finish is long and the mouth round without being flabby or overdone.
This well-defined Cabernet offers blackberry, black cherry and a hint of sweet grape jam. It's set in a frame of rock and tannin, that seems to catch and hold as it enters the back of the throat. Perhaps an indication that more bottle age, or some hours of decanting, are in order? In any event, it stops a bit short.
The Grand Estates Merlot holds center court in the vast Columbia Crest portfolio. This new release, which has received extra bottle age, is seamless, smoky, supple and seductive. Exotic sandalwood and Asian spices weave from the nose into the palate, wrapped around broad black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. A darker streak of black olive and licorice runs into a finish replete with tannins that are tight and hint at stem.
A beautifully perfumed wine. It has a good edge of firm tannins, but the fruit is so sweet and ripe, packed with strawberry jam flavors. Very seductive, the wood spice gives an extra edge. Drink now, or age for 4–5 years.
Named after the gravel soils in which the vines are planted (and the old quarry site), this Cab is well balanced and surprisingly approachable now with flavors of blackberry, black currant leaf, cola, sandalwood and a kiss of menthol on the finish. It's soft, silky tannins linger through the long finish.
There's plenty to enjoy here—smooth, supple, forward black fruits, aged in 100% new oak. Fragrant, approachable, and medium-bodied, it fades into a finish with hints of chalk and herb.
James Mantone's white wines are always full of delicious fruits, but they go beyond that, bringing in sometimes exotic, often surprising grace notes. Here there is a pure thread of caraway, running through the melon and white peach core. It's 100% Roussanne, giving a rare and interesting glimpse into what specific identity the grape might have in Washington's future.
Smells slightly reduced but enticing nonetheless with aromas of kirsch, melted milk chocolate and balsamic drizzled stewed strawberries. Accents of sweet cigar spice and vanilla keep things simultaneously interesting and hedonistic in the very round and lush mouth, leading through to the long oak-driven finish.
This comes across as quite sweet and tannic at the same time, with plummy fruit and drying tannins warring on the palate.
Stewy, raisiny and baked on the nose, this wine feels rough and tannic. Soupy, stewed black-fruit flavors finish raisiny.
This is an unfocused wine with fruit flavors that miss the mark. Only the juicy aftertaste is attractive.
The wine is dry, laden with wood flavors rather than fruit. It has a hard over-extracted edge that will stay with the wine as it ages.
An undeniable raisiny nose leads to a soupy, flat, raisiny wine that's flawed and barely drinkable.
Aromas suggest compost, murky grit and olive. In the mouth, this wine is heavy and flat. Roasted, underripe berry-fruit flavors finish hot and gritty.
This blend from individual blocks includes 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot. Juicy and round, it expresses chocolate, vanilla, dark cherry and cassis flavors and is a joy to drink and experience evolve. Despite plenty of ripe power and lushness, it also boasts substantial elegance.
Juicy and seductively smooth, this blockbuster beauty from the revered vineyard site is big, bold and intense, with granular tannins and a grip of integrated French oak. Its bright cassis, lavender, Tahitian vanilla and dried herb flavors are irresistible right out the gate. Ripe and rewarding, it's one to remember.
This bold, broad-shouldered wine shows focused truffle, gravel and cassis flavors. Densely layered, it's 100% varietal, 100% barrel-fermented and further aged in new French oak. With its firm structure, it shows plenty of ability to age and will be best from 2022 through 2023.
From another of the grower's impressive, coveted sites, this wine imparts soft, dusty cherry, cassis and pomegranate notes, with a luxurious tease of vanilla and coconut macaroon. Full-bodied and robustly built, it's 100% varietal and barrel-fermented and finishes on a compelling streak of cedar, herb and graphite.
From one of the warmest sites in the grower's stable, this barrel-fermented, 100% varietal wine is beguiling in its complete embrace of ripe, supple sunshine. A grip of oak tannin helps support the exuberant, juicy, dark blue fruit, further defined by its soft texture and underlying, focused acidity.
This 100% varietal, barrel-fermented wine from the hallowed site delivers a grip of tension and balanced weight, providing power within its layers of texture. Earthy and pungent with tobacco and herb scents, it offers leather, cedar and black cherry flavors in equal amounts, finishing with length and grace.
This 100% varietal and barrel-fermented wine is a remarkable study in power and grace. Black cherry, cigar box and cedar bark flavors and an invitingly sweet sensation of tannin are supported by bright, lingering acidity and supple complexity.
This Chardonnay—one of the best tasted in months—is light in the glass and shows clean, refreshing, yet compellingly rich sea salt, toasted sourdough, key lime and daffodil aromas. Its unique palate blends bright lemon-lime, Asian pear and Marcona almond flavors with a crushed shell minerality that brings the seashore to mind.
The condensed pomegranate aroma on the nose of this bottling from Jim Clendenen is beautifully spiced with star anise, tobacco leaf, dried ginger and cinnamon. The palate shows chai and Indian spice—accents to the cranberry fruit that rides a fine line between ripe and tart. Although light in body, the tannic structure is firm enough to cellar for decades. Drink now–2033.
Peach and tangerine unite to create an utterly seductive nose: luscious juicy flesh is defined by aromatic spice and zestiness. These opposites play off each other and create something that is alive and vigorous, joyful and precious. There is concentration and poise, structure and texture, but none of this concerns the hedonistic forces at play. They just want to express their careless exuberance. There is something defiant about this dry concentrated wine. Perhaps it is a welcome and encouraging counterweight to so much sadness in the world.
This bottling showcases Jim Clendenen's brilliance at making light wines packed with flavor. Rustic sagebrush, oak forest and animal pelt aromas meet red plum and alpine strawberry fruit on the nose. There's a salt and white pepper quality to the palate, where wild sage and more chapparal spice decorates the pomegranate and red plum fruit flavors.
Racy and deeply mineral, yet buoyantly fruity, this wine embodies the best from the Mosel's fantastic 2015 vintage. It's lavishly forward in ripe yellow peach, apricot and honeydew flavors, yet bracingly high in acidity. Satisfyingly rich in extract yet feather light, it finishes long, with shards of slate and crushed mineral. Stunning already, it should continue to improve through 2030, likely beyond.
A heady swirl of Amalfi lemon hits you right in the heart, if not the nose. The lemon notes become even more fully expressed on the taut but full, streamlined but expressive and dry body: they take the rich guise of lemon oil and candied peel. They are utterly tart and fresh but with that golden ripeness at their very core that makes this rather seductive. Taste buds just want to get to the bottom of this and rejoice in the purity and fruity tang. This is translucent and refreshing but also rich and full of delicious lemony vigor. The finish is lip-smacking. It will be hard to resist this, but this is certain to get even better. Drink now through 2035.
It's hard to find a favorite within Dr. Loosen's excellent line up of 2015 auslese, but this bottling stands out for its kaleidoscope of fruit, floral and earthen complexities. Sumptuous and ripe, fleshy white peach and grapefruit flavors undulate on the palate. It's finely framed, edged by sharp lines of slate, spine-tingling acidity and swathes of fennel and earth. The finish feels fragile, laced in sweetness and lingering.
Voluptuously succulent and welcoming, this coastal wine seduces with its caramel apple, pear and preserved lemon flavors, edged with high-toned acidity and an exotic touch of seaspray. That sense of the sea plays out on the palate in texture, too, with a stony note that lingers in nutty spice.
Rich layers of honey and nectar roil through this lip-smackingly tropical wine. It's penetrating and juicy, flush with sweet mango, guava and citrus flavors. Cutting lime acidity and mineral intensity jolt the midpalate through an endlessly lingering finish. Stunning already it should improve for decades to come.
A clean-cut top note of citrus hovers above the otherwise still-closed nose. The palate comes in with a concentrated richness that is as much sustained by residual sweetness as it is by sheer force of fruit: candied lemon and orange, juicy pear, ripe mirabelle and yellow peach. There also is a zesty spicy pithiness on the midpalate that frames and guides the wine alongside invigorating lemon freshness that lets this finish off dry despite the richness. This is yet to unfold fully. Lovely now, sure to improve. Drink 2020—2035.
Funky notions of yeast still cloud the nose. The palate gives us tense, concentrated lemon and tangerine zest at first but you feel that there is more strength, almost raw force, at the core of this that still needs to develop and work out its balance. This is a big wine, energetic and dry, intense and generous but not yet fully fledged. Drinking it now would rob it of its as of yet untapped essence. For now it is lemon purity that holds sway but there will be so much more. Cellar from 2022–2035, at least.
This bold, beautiful wine benefits from the addition of 14% Merlot from the famous site, as well as smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec. Together they weave a story of smoky power and dusty black fruit, layered with raspberry, black pepper, clove and mocha flavors that linger into the finish.
This is a blend of almost 50% Syrah, with Sangiovese, Cabernet and splashes of three other grapes. Jumping from the glass are flavors of juicy raspberry and sweet cherry swathed in a note of chocolate.
A textbook example of Washington Sauvignon Blanc, this is bright, racy, juicy and vibrant, with an array of crisp, clean fruit flavors. Citrus, grapefruit and pear are all in the mix, accented with notes of sweet grain from aging in new oak.
This is a sweet, botrytized wine, treading the line between richness and intense acidity. A dry edge and flavors of ripe yellow fruits and a touch of maple syrup give the wine both complexity and aging potential.
Only 300 cases of this blend were made, and it's a jammy wine with plenty of wood, leather and blackberry notes on the nose. It feels thick and borderline syrupy, with tastes of baked black fruits, prunes and molasses. Toasty and black in flavor on the finish, with chocolaty-oak notes. Drink now.
Aromas of melon and pear run into a smooth, full-bodied core of lovely fruit that's highlighted with a hint of fresh cream. Broad and mouthfilling, with excellent concentration, this is a fine example of Washington State Pinot Gris.
Blackberry, plum and savory meat aromas give this red an earthy, visceral appeal. On the palate, bright fruit, acidity and brooding spice strike a delicious balance: think smoke, clove, and leather notes. This is a wine that's elegant and easy to like.
As with all Nefarious wines, balance is the key to success. Whiffs of toast, smoke and sea breeze introduce a delicate, estate-grown wine, with pretty melon, pear and apple notes. Complex and graceful.
This is elegantly perfumed with notes of waxy white blossom, tangerine, honey and lemon zest set against a thin veil of lanolin. Paumanok's late-harvest Riesling is intensely concentrated and complex on both the nose and palate. Striking lemon-lime acidity balances the rich, honeyed sweetness and extends onto the long, floral finish.
Quite dry to the point of astringency, this stylish Syrah brings flavors of toast, coffee grounds and tangy berries. There is just a hint of finishing heat.
Whispers of smoke and fresh herb are a counterpoint to the heady notes of white flower, sweet peach and melon on this gorgeous Bordeaux-style. It's elegantly composed, with a rich, creamy texture, a bristle of acidity and a crushed-stone minerality. This is undeniably a top pick from Long Island.
The winery's single-vineyard Syrah spent 20 months in 50% new French oak. It has an appealing mix of black cherry fruit and citrusy acids, with a hint of stone. The tang of Meyer lemon resonates long after the first swallow.
This potent wine brings the snap and vivid acidity of Washington-grown grapes to the spicy red- and black-berry flavors of this fully ripened Zinfandel. It has cut and verve along with dense fruit, and a finish with smoke, espresso, anise and mineral streaks.
Syrah makes up 70% of this blend—the rest is Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a fine, focused effort that's smooth and immediately drinkable, with flavors of dried herb, dark chocolate and pretty blueberry pastry. The soft, smooth tannins encourage near term consumption.
Fragrant of spiced apples and yellow florals, this dry, medium- bodied Gewürztraminer is sunny and bright on the palate with high-toned apple and honey flavors.
Not very fragrant, in fact it's barely a step above water in its neutrality. The palate is clean and solid, with sweet flavors of candied mango and melon. Plump and on the mild and bland side overall.
Off in the nose with hints of sweet cherry, almost bubblegum, this Petite Sirah gets supertannic and oaky quick and just doesn't have enough fruit to pull it through.
Neutral on the nose except for some oily rusticity. The palate is full with okay acidity and sweet flavors suggestive of mango, pineapple and melon.
This blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier and 20% Roussanne seems a bit lean and tightly structured for a white from the generally warm communes of Laudun and Saint-Gervais. Aromas and flavors are clipped, with hints of wet stones and underripe pineapple.
A sweet Lodi Zin with much chocolate and mint from beginning to end.
Horse & Plow turns out so many lovely wines it's heartbreaking not to include this one in the mix. It was sourced from one of the great organic Mendocino vineyards, old vines no less, but there just wasn't much there, the wine tasting tight without much fruit.
Tart and angular on the nose, with sharp red berry and plum aromas. Crisp and acidic, with sweet-and-sour flavors in front of a tight, clean, short finish. Fresh but high in acidity and veering towards tart.
A lean wine, all tannins and missing the fruit. It has acidity, a smoky character, but there is a hollow feel to it.
A little too sweet on the finish to recommend it as a balanced wine, this Gnarly Head from Lodi's old vines has about 16% Petite Sirah in it, too.
Beautifully balanced, with a creamy texture that pushes the wine into deeper and deeper layers. A mix of stone fruits, ripe citrus, brightness and purity of young vines, with .95 residual sugar that nicely rounds out the finish.
Chunky, fruity and softer than many Priorat wines. There's raisin, blackberry and prune on the nose, which is followed by a grippy, round palate with sweet blackberry, raisin and chocolate flavors. Fleshy and easy on the finish, with coconut and warmth. Drink now through 2014.
Rich and perfumed, the wine is packed with black cherry and damson fruit flavors. It is concentrated with its tannins firmly integrated, giving great final fruit and ripeness.
Impressively powerful, structured wine that has spice, richness, plenty of firm tannins as well as a punch of sweet plum and red cherry flavors. There is an edge of acidity that suggests aging potential.
A very structured wine, as befits this normally powerful cru. It is packed with dark tannins and minerality. The wine is angular, and you can taste the granite and schist soil. This edge of austerity is balanced by delicious fruit.
From estate-grown fruit, this fresh, lightly frizzante, insanely crisp white wine brings all the tang and salt of the real deal from Spain. What marks it as New World is the fruit concentration, a dense thicket of midpalate citrus—lemon, lime and lots of grapefruit.
Starts out crusty and dark, with earth, leather and other savory aromas. The palate is clacky and tannic, with roasted berry, leather and slightly burnt and bitter oak accents. Finishes peppery, with drying hardness and a pinch of leafy herbalness.
Pretty aromatics include balsam wood, blackberry and blueberry. The palate is lush but well structured, with bullish berry, chocolate and creamy oak flavors. Minty and super spicy and long on the finish, with a lasting dark toastiness.
A fine value in Northern Rhône Syrah, the Tain cooperative's 2009 Crozes-Hermitage is fairly extracted for a Crozes, with plummy, dark fruit alongside hints of clove, leather and coffee. Turns a bit astringent on the finish; try 2013–2018.
Aromas of spice cake, licorice, moist earth, pie cherries and kirsch, with flavors that follow suit. A luxurious wine, bursting with flavor, tannic and just a bit pruney. This is a love it or hate it style; you pick.
Dark and loaded with big black fruit aromas, tobacco, spice and a lot of vanilla from copious oaking. The palate is good and juicy, with a healthy blend of blackberry, fig and chocolate flavors. Toasty, round and chocolaty on an oaky, creamy finish.
Delicious apple aromas give a wine that is as fresh as possible, with a pear skin texture. It's bright with almost a prickle on the tongue. Apples, grapefruit and other citrus fruits dominate this mouth-watering wine. Screwcap.
A very complete wine, firm but flattering on the palate. A mix of cherry skins, red plums and lovely juiciness all come together in an harmonious whole.
Savory and meaty on first take, with ample berry on the nose as warmth and leather seep through. The palate is round and healthy, with a mix of succulent berry and savory spice and leather pumping up the flavor profile. Spicy and chocolaty on the finish.
This wine seems a bit confected and simple, combining ripe stone fruit with lemon zest to achieve a sense of balance. Short on the finish.
Aromas of pear, stone fruit and lees lead to peach and floral flavors. The concentration is light and elegant.
Aromas are light for the variety, with notes of jasmine and poached pear. The medium-sweet flavors deliver notes of mandarin orange and Nestea ice tea, finishing dry.
This shows a bright yellow-gold color and light lemon and butter aromas. Pronounced butter, lemon and almond flavors almost overwhelm the lean texture. Tart in taste and light in texture, it refreshes the mouth.
Aromas of mocha, tire rubber, herbs and blue fruit aren't entirely in sync. They lead to a palate with soft, fleshy fruit flavors and a light structure trying to hold it all together.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a light, very young and stalky wine. It has tight black currant flavors and a dry core of tannins that need to soften for a few months. Drink from the end of 2015.
Stalky, mulchy aromas of compost and underripe fruit are a low point on this otherwise decent high-end Rioja from a poor vintage. Hard and grating across the palate, this tastes stalky, burnt and raw, with oak for cover.
Briny citrus, feline notes and pithy scents send this Merseguera-led blend toward a pulpy, citrusy palate. Grapefruit and pithy, lightly bitter flavors finish citric, with little change from the wine's primary flavors.
This caramel- and red-fruit-flavored wine is fresh with red berries and balanced acidity. A food style of rosé, it's round with just a light tang of orange zest at the end.
This is a curiously juicy wine that is not fully integrated with the dry tannins. It has a hard-edged texture, a dry character that sits uneasily with the crisp black currant fruitiness.
Situated two miles north of the castle of Blaye, this estate has produced an obviously wood-aged, heavily extracted wine. At this stage, this wine is all tannins, smoky acidity and structure. It will always be concentrated with wood, although this will soften.
This perfumed wine conveys attractive balance between its fruit and fresher acidity. A fresh, crisp texture still needs time to settle in. Drink from the end of 2015.
This is a soft wine that is round and with a fat texture. It is rich with soft crushed strawberry flavors. The acidity does come through at the end to ensure a fresh aftertaste.
This wine is fresh without being too herbaceous. Sauvignon Blanc controls crispness with flavors of almonds, citrus and quince. The tangy, steely aftertaste will soften from the end of 2015.
Although obviously still young, this fruity wine will develop fast. It benefits from the ripe fruit of the vintage, sweet black currants and berries that are given a crisp edge by the acidity. Already balanced, it will be drinkable from 2016.
Cherry colored and lightly bricked, this wine offers aromas of herbs, orange peel, wet stone and cherry. It drinks dry with fleshy, boozy-seeming fruit flavors.
Earthy blackberry flavors include carob and herbal accents. This is drawing and high in acidity, while earthy, herbal flavors of raspberry and plum are a bit green. Charred oak, clove and leafy berry flavors take over on the finish.
Looking more like a light red wine than a supposedly pink one, this smells like ripe cherries and boysenberries, has a luscious, smooth texture and a soft, almost sweet finish.
Dark, raisiny aromas of kirsch and marzipan open this jammy Tempranillo. Dark berry, black plum, foresty accents and mulchiness define the flavors on this stewy, plump offering.
Softly sweet, this brings bright Fuji apple and Anjou pear aromas and flavors. It charms with fresh fruit character and stays away from the dry balance of more serious wines.
Generic peach and apple aromas are light and easy. This blend of Merseguera and Macabeo feels pulpy and citrusy, while pithy flavors of peach and orange finish fresh, but with limited complexity.
This wine is aromatically reticent with cocoa, berry, brown spices and light volatile notes. The palate is medium bodied with a thick feel and cranberry-like tartness.
This shows fresh, crisp apple and lemon-cream aromas, with clean appley flavors and buttery accents. Medium bodied, it tends toward the soft, rather than crisp, side. Lively fruit flavors make it refreshing.
Slightly sour elements of lemon and lime meet with a riper nectarine tone on the nose of this wine. There is good citrus-driven acidity on the palate with limeade flavors, though it trends a bit sour and wipes up with not much finish.
The color is a deep copper, while aromas suggest chocolate and vanilla, and the flavors are buttery and rich. Together with a thick texture it makes for a full-bodied rosé that will be more of a dinner wine than something for a sunny outdoor lunch.
Leathery, horsey lead aromas include hints of licorice, baked plum and green herbs. This Garnacha has a saucy, tomatoey feel and leafy red-berry flavors that finish with a hint of sweet caramel and herbal overtones.
In this near-equal split between the two varieties, both show themselves on the aromas and flavors of overripe pear, peach and flowers, with the alcohol evident throughout.
Peach and apricot aromas are a touch grassy, as if some alfalfa or sweet grass were blended into the Moscatel. The palate is juicy and quite high in acidity, while it tastes of tangerine and other citrus fruits. Sharp on one hand but fresh and flavorful on the other.
Full bodied and heavily extracted, this is a dark, plummy wine with almost chewy tannins on the finish. Yet the aromas remain fresh and floral, nicely accented by coffee and spice. Drink now–2017
Powerful, rich and chunky wine. It has the ripest jammy plum and crushed strawberry fruit, along with a serious tannic structure. Just approaching drinkability, its texture is now refreshed with delicious fruit.
Firm wine that is packed with tannins as well as solid fruit. The wine is concentrated with a dense plum skin texture. Chunky, perfumed and solid.
A firmly terroir-driven wine, solidly based on its tannins and the richest of red fruits. Very mineral, chewy at this young stage, densely concentrated, the acidity a sharp light through the fruit. Powerful stuff.
Firm tannins push this wine into the concentrated direction. It is rich, ripe, although with plenty of juicy red fruit flavors. The wine, with its pure line in acidity, has an attractive chewy structure.
Fragrant with orange blossom and tart, tangerine-based fruit. The barely-perceptible residual sugar is listed at 0.53%. Solid winemaking by Lynn Penner-Ash, as usual.
Ripe, densely structured wine, balancing tannins, acidity and red plum and cherry fruit flavors. There's a strong mineral edge here, a wine that needs 2–3 years of aging, to round out its edges.
Thea's, the blended offering in Lemelson's stable of single vineyard Pinots, advances the idea that blends are often the most complete wines in a lineup. Though each of Lemelson's single vineyard wines has its own unique particularity, this wine takes the best of them and gracefully pulls them all together. A gentle mix of spice, floral, mocha, forest and chocolate streaks, it is buttressed with firm purple fruits and polished tannins.
Forward and accessible, this wine has broadly displayed flavors of berry and milk chocolate, along with more subtle details of cayenne and herb. The nuances sneak up on you, but make for a fascinating ride. Drink now or give it another 3–4 years.
Barrel fermented, with deep fruit flavors of orange concentrate, Meyer lemon, candied pineapple and pear. A smorgasbord of fruit, nicely set against light caramel and toast from the barrels. Could not be more delicious, in a drink-now style.
Enticing scents of violet, rose, new leather, perfumed berry and aromatic herb are front and center. Full-bodied and elegant, the taut structured palate delivers morello cherry, raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside tightly knit fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. It's still youthfully austere and needs time to fully come around. Drink 2023–2038.
Blended with 6% Marsanne, the aromas are light (considering the appellation and producer), bringing notes of herb, smoked meat, white pepper, mineral and earth. The flavors are tart and bright, creating a real sense of freshness and vibrancy.
An elegantly integrated dark-red-cherry component distinguishes the nose of this blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Counoise, with hints of sagebrush and baking spice. The food-friendly palate combines dark-berry flavors with dried herbs, graphite and light sarsaparilla, with well-integrated acidity and a silky yet firm texture.
This is a great example of a lower alcohol, somewhat underripe Pinot Noir that shows solid depth and lovable freshness. Lively aromas of black-raspberry sorbet and dark strawberry show on the nose, while the palate picks up a tart cranberry character. White pepper, thyme and juniper enliven the fruity flavors.
A fine example of white Hermitage, Guigal's 2012 offers mellow, ripe stone-fruit aromas. It's medium to full in body, with flavors that suggest toasted marshmallow, stone fruit and anise hyssop. That licorice note extends through the long finish, giving the wine a refreshing quality. Drink now–2025.
It's fading a bit at the rim, but it's a treat to know that mature releases like this are in the market. Age has mellowed its tannins to silky smoothness, while the aromas and flavors resemble thyme blossoms, cherries and leather. Hints of herbal tea and mocha linger elegantly on the finish. Drink now–2022.
A full 13 years old, the aromas are still vibrant, with notes of cranberry sauce, leather, vanilla and baking spice. The palate displays a beautiful sense of balance between the fruit and barrel flavors. It's in an absolute sweet spot right now but still has life in front of it.
This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. High-toned aromas of raspberry, cherry, cranberry, barrel spice and dark fruit lead to concentrated, well-balanced red- and black-fruit flavors. The finish sails into the distance. It drinks beautifully now, but should have a long life in front of it.
A luscious nose of chocolate-covered cherries and black pepper start this delicious Kostifali from one of Crete's wine champions. On the palate, ample flavors of black cherry, cocoa and soft spices give the wine equal parts heft and finesse. This wine has more aging life in it but is excellent now.
This full-bodied and relatively pale-colored wine offers a pretty combination of light cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. A sweet-seeming ripeness adds to the luxurious texture. Firm acidity and a backdrop of fine-grained tannins balance it out and counter the richness beautifully.
Rose, chopped mint, red berry and new leather aromas slowly take shape on this fragrant red. Elegant and precise, the palate delivers Marasca cherry, raspberry, licorice and pink peppercorn set against fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. A coffee note backs up the close. Drink 2023–2033.
Aromas of pear, lees and tropical fruit lead to a rich flavorful palate, absolutely loaded with tropical-fruit flavors that show a delightful sense of balance. The oak usage (25% new French) is judicious, allowing the fruit to shine.
Full bodied and opulent, yet remarkably refreshing at the same time, wines like this are why the commune of Laudun is so highly regarded as a white-wine terroir within the warm Southern Rhône. Honey, pineapple and stone fruit notes linger through the finish, balanced by hints of crushed stone and citrus. Drink now.
This is an excellent Central Coast Chardonnay, from a cool, coastally influenced growing region. Browned butter, sea salt, nectarine and vanilla meet with sharp lemony freshness on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is familiar and easy to quaff.
This well-balanced Pinot Noir shows red-cherry fruit, with complex hints of anise, star anise, thyme and even tarragon on the nose. Both the acidity and tannic structure are lively but not aggressive, carrying tart cherry flavors deep into the finish.
Full, robust layers of black cherry and peppery tannins figure prominently on the palate of this fruit-forward wine that also manages to be lively in acidity. Spicy clove, black pepper and toasted oak add complexity and depth.
From the heart of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, this vineyard-designate delights in rhubarb and strawberry, hugely pleasing in fresh fruitiness. Complexity builds in its salty undertones and bright, sharp teases of blood orange and lemon, while the backbone is strong in floral-driven minerality.
Late disgorged, this wine combines 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay from the vintage, exploding in well-honed, equal flavors of strawberry and white peach. Spicy acidity keeps it fresh and lively as it builds toward a dry, lemony finish.
This wine has excellent depth, concentration and an array of subtle spices that mingle with lightly toasted oak, ripe plum and mulled-cherry flavors. Good acidity and a tart edge to the fruit lend nice balance against the full, velvety texture and rich finish.
The nose is still closed and shy, while the palate speaks of ripe but tart cherry and blueberry fruit, coralled into a fine, firm tannic structure. Inherent freshness makes this wine bright and bold, lending precision and promise. The wine needs to mellow but all is there: fruit and firmness, tone and brightness. Crunchy and lovely right now, this will relax soon. Drink 2018–2025.
Full-bodied and broad, this is a big mouthful of barrel-fermented Roussanne. Modest florals highlight grilled pear and pineapple fruit, toasted marshmallow and honey, turning to stone fruit on the long finish.
This wine is a blend Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (31%) and Syrah. The aromas open up with vibrant notes of cranberry, cherry, baking spice, licorice, vanilla and barrel spice. The palate is concentrated with cherry and blackberry flavors that show a lot of textural appeal. The tannins bring a touch of grit.
An instantly recommendable Pinotage, with soft, pretty aromas of berry and spice and a balanced, integrated overall flavor. It's approachable and full of juicy red berry that plays along with spice. Many Pinotages verge on tongue-stripping; this one is both playful and serious. Will pair well with grilled meat.
Varietally correct scents of rose petals and spice burst from the glass, followed by pear and melon fruit. It's all backed by acidity that's fairly crisp for Gewürztraminer and relatively modest residual sugar. The only quibble is the relatively quick fade on the finish.
Balanced and subtle but with good character, this blend offers flavors of tobacco, leather and clove. Fruit-driven and accessible, it's both elegant and ageable.
A nicely balanced red. It's not the richest, deepest wine out there, but it does offer plenty of red plum and raspberry flavors, framed by vanilla-scented oak. It's reasonably long on the finish, too, where the wine picks up attractive cedary accents.
With its pure, clean scents and flavors of green apple, lime and mineral, slightly creamy texture and long, mouthwatering finish, this nearly dry Riesling offers a lot to like. No, it's not that complex, but it is admirably concentrated and eminently satisfying. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Like many Chilean Pinots, this starts out funky as a three-legged llama. The bouquet pumps bramble, dusty country road and roasted berry fruit. But with time it settles and unfolds, and in the end there's sweet herbal fruit flavors along with spice and vanilla. Voilà! It's honest PN from Chile.
The 2004 vintage favored Cabernet, and that quality has evidently trickled down to this bargain from Penfolds. Hints of brown sugar and raisin on the nose give an impression of great ripeness, but that's balanced by fresh black currant, coffee and black olive flavors. Tannins are supple, but finish on a slightly dusty note, giving the wine enough backbone to pair with steak.
Veramonte is one of the early proponents of Casablanca, and this wine sings a pretty tune. The bouquet offers apple, melon, pear and a kiss of solid oak, while the palate shows vanilla along with soft pear and apple flavors. Balanced and a touch sweet, but not too oaky or resiny. Imported by Huneeus Vintners, LLC.
Pungent and green on the nose, which makes it 100% varietally correct. It smells and tastes of cool-climate terroir, and if you enjoy simple but likable citrus, melon, snap pea and bell pepper characteristics, this has it. Good by the glass or by the bottle.
This is a classically proportioned Bordeaux blend, featuring 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Mint and cassis aromas pick up shadings of dried herbs and tobacco on the palate, ending with good persistence and a certain degree of elegance. Because of that, serve this wine alongside a roast rather than a big, beefy steak.
Quite woodsy and mossy on the nose. The palate is actually pretty juicy and fresh by comparison, with plum and cherry flavors. The mouthfeel and tannins, however, are a bit raw and firm, so to avoid the evil clamp down we strongly suggest drinking this wine with food.
Ferngrove's entry-level Shiraz includes 5% Viognier, but it avoids any Viognier-derived stone-fruit character, instead yielding up savory spice scents, a hint of mint and ripe blackberry and plum flavors. Tannins are soft, with acid providing the needed structure. Pepper and clove on the finish bring this bargain to a satisfying close. Drink now.
The 2003, though still just 13% alcohol, seems to have more stiffness to the structure, more tannin and more density than the 2002. It's harder, chewier, less open and more challenging. It may also age more slowly. Right now there is a certain stemminess and bitterness to the tannins that keeps the fruit at bay, though the aromas seem to promise more. It may profit from an hour or two of breathing.
Aromas of tree bark, cola, mushroom and black olive get this Cab going, while on the palate it keeps that savory-over-fruity character by showing meaty, mildly herbal flavors. It's full, a bit tannic and grabby. But overall it has an honest feel and integrity.
This wine has a restrained, elegant character that offers minerality and deep Chardonnay fruit on the palate. Aromas of lemon and spice on the nose are followed by full-bodied flavors and a toasted nut finish. Poised and pretty, it will pair well with most dishes.
The bouquet smells like spiked fruit cocktail, and in the long run what's wrong with that? The palate is open and fairly easy, with a touch of kick pushing citrus, tropical fruit and even some mineral notes. A more citrusy and fresh style of Viognier, with 15% Chardonnay.
A bright cherry-red color, this lively, sweet-scented wine proves that Oregon can still make a Pinot Noir in a lighter style without having it turn vegetal. Despite a citrusy snap to the palate, it feels smooth and even a bit satiny, and the pretty cranberry/cherry fruit is annotated with cinnamon and light toast. A superb value.
Next time you drop a six-stroke lead on the last day of the country club tournament, head for the dining room and order a bottle of this mainstream Shiraz. It goes down easy, thanks to its roundness and supple tannins, yet still offers enough complexity and tannin to stand up to simply grilled steaks.
Comes out of the chute showing a funky, rubbery edge, but that blows off with a little time to reveal dark, somewhat earthy notes of cola and blackberry. It's medium-bodied, with good length to the finish, where it picks up enough dusty tannins to give it backbone.
While fairly subdued on the nose, this dry, rather uncharacteristic Gewürztraminer is refreshingly quaffable, with an abundance of fresh apple and fig flavors marked by snappy tangerine acidity.
Fresh and appley, but restrained overall, with just a whisper of smoke and nuts, this semidry Riesling is refreshingly quaffable. A honeyed sweetness that lingers on the finish.
Soft and richly fruity, this has all the right red cherry and banana flavors that are immediately attractive. A delicious, juicy wine. Screwcap.
Thick, raisiny and a heavy on first take, with meaty aromas. Feels jammy and soft, but the middle layers aren't well defined. Tastes dark and sweet, with fig, prune and lemony oak. Bulky, but struggles to reach a higher plane.
Aromatically restrained, with hints of green herbs, underripe apple and pineapple on the nose. It's semisweet in style, but brisk and approachable with pretty apple blossom and tart, green apple-skin flavors on the palate.
Earthy tones of smoke and hazelnuts give way to bright white peach and grapefruit notes on the nose and palate of this fruitful Pinot Gris. Off dry in style, it's a tad sugary on the midpalate, but finishes fairly dry with a refreshing shower of lemony acidity. Drink now.
Strong scents of vanilla and fresh-baked pastry inform this wine, with a floral, lightly soapy character to the aromas. It is pleasant enough, but fades quickly.
Earthy berry aromas come with rubbery notes, tobacco and bramble. The feel is scratchy but lively, with flavors of lean red fruits, dry oak and milk chocolate. Oaky on the finish, with some heat. Needs food to help it along.
A supple, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a pronounced acidic edge. Cranberry is the starring fruit here, framed by coffee-like oak. Crisp and a bit astringent on the finish.
Whoa... need... water. Michael David's Earthquake is all about impact, no bones about it. And this one won't disappoint people who like their wine like finely aged Scotch, high in alcohol. For them, its bold smoky chocolate, savory bacon on toast notes will be delightful.
Much higher production than Noceto's Riserva and sourced more broadly, this Sangiovese is more rustic and earthy, its cranberry flavors bursting from the seams, and would be yummy with thin-crust pizza.
Whiffs of sweet curry spice and fennel are enticing on the nose of this earthy, rather savory Riesling from Rock Stream. Lean in profile and vibrantly acidic with a squeaky, lemony sheen, it's the perfect pairing for subtly spiced South Indian cuisine.
This Rhône-style red brings Grenache and Mourvèdre from Meek Vineyard and Syrah from Lewis; good sources both. Hard and fruity, the forward flavors quickly hit a wall of tannin, with hints of dried leaf in a tart, short finish.
With its supple tannins and expansive mouthfeel, this wine has some real positives working for it, but there's also a definite clove and rubber edge to the aromas and the flavors show more leather and spice than fresh fruit. Turns crisp on the finish.
Starts with aromas of clove, coffee and black olive, then adds brighter flavors of red berries on the palate before picking up some tea-like notes and a hint of chocolate on the finish. This medium-bodied Shiraz should prove versatile at the table.
Elegant, integrated and balanced, this Bordeaux blend from lauded winemaker Miles Mossop offers an Old World-style experience that is both subtle and stylish. A touch of spice and oak on the nose lead into taut but tasty flavors of smoky spice and fruit.
Slightly granular and brambly on the nose, which never really opens up. The palate is round, sweet, a bit medicinal and healthy due to snappy acidity, firm tannins and decent overall structure. Truthfully, it's a straight-down-the-middle wine from a producer that always does this well or better.
One of the two most commercially important red grapes grown in Greece, Agiorgitiko is a light, lively variety that does especially well in the Pelopponese, where Papagiannakos is located. This wine exhibits a nose of playful spice and appetizing flavors of red berry and black currant. Mellow and balanced, it will pair well with heartier meat dishes as well as tomato-based pastas and poultry.
This is one aggressive varietal wine. The nose is packed with sweaty leather and olive notes, while the palate is rough and tart at the edges. There are notes of cola and burnt coffee on the finish, but by then you may just grow tired of wrestling with it.
Light in body, but fresh and clean, this was a surprise performer in our last round of tastings. Herbal overtones to the cedar, cherry and tobacco notes are correct from a flavor standpoint, but note that this wine doesn't have the stuffing to pair with hearty, traditional Cabernet pairings.
Estampa's new crop of wines seem to be hit-and-miss. This blend of Syrah and 35% Cabernet and Merlot is a bit herbal and heavy. The palate shows prune flavors along with more generic red-fruit notes; finishes coarse. Not terrible but not interesting either.
Reminiscent of some Paso Robles red wines, this superripe Shiraz has some sweetly grassy or alfalfa-like aromas to go alongside blackberry and chocolate flavors that lean toward coffee and caramel on the finish. It's round in the mouth, the tannins ultrasoft; drink now. Imported by Pernod Ricard USA.
Pronounced FOO-kway, this is the highest in alcohol but the lowest in flavor of the Erath line up. The first bottle tasted flat, leafy and dull, but a second bottle was significantly improved. Nonetheless it appears to be aging quickly, with an astringent, tannic finish.
Blending Cabernet, Carmenère and Petit Verdot could only happen in Chile, and here it takes on a candied, simple personality that will please undemanding palates but may bore those seeking more. If you're after red-berry flavors, body and alcohol, this wine fits the bill.
The winery rather coyly refuses to divulge the blend here, saying only that it is a “secret recipe” that contains 14 different Rhône grapes. Whatever. If you are expecting a true grand rouge you are going to be disappointed, for it's more like a rosé, just a bit darker in color. Dry and tart, with fruit flavors of the sort that come with a rosé of Sangiovese for example. Serve well chilled.
A showy nose of violet perfume and grape candy emerges from this bottling. Similar flavors persist on the palate, along with a touch of licorice. The wine is not overly complex, but it's quite easy to quaff.
There is no lack of dark, smoky flavors in this 100% varietal bottling. Leather, cola, cassis, tar, burnt rubber and smoke all whirl about, with an underlying impression of dried leaves. The listed flavors may not stir you with longing when named in this way, but taken all together and accompanied by a bowl of beef stew, they will satisfy.
Jammy black plum aromas are savory, leathery and funky, with rusticity. This feels stout and chunky, while condensed flavors of fig and prune are fully ripe. A savory but mild finish is round but missing some structural support. Drink now through 2018.
Softly floral and sculpted in red berry and leather, this extracted and somewhat reduced wine may need time in the glass, if not the bottle, to open. The brawnier tendencies reign in full dominance and weight.
This blend of Jaén, Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz is ripe and juicy, with black fruit tones. It does have a structure that will allow the wine to age for a few years, so drink from late 2016.
This appellation blend shows buttered toast with lemon marmalade on the nose, with a growing sense of tropicality. The palate is plush and smoky, with vanilla and cream flavors cut by just enough citrusy tang to keep it serious.
From vines planted to the west of Chablis, this is a soft, ripe and fruity wine. It has some tension from the minerality while keeping the white fruit flavors to the fore. Drink now or, better, from late 2016.
An unusual blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre, this tasty wine keeps its focus, offering up a palate-pleasing mix of plum and blueberry. There's a dash of pepper and pleasantly earthy tannins. All in all, this is a fine, out-of-the-ordinary pizza and burger wine.
Wood fermentation still allows the Arinto grape to retain its natural crispness. At the same time, it gives it a perfumed spicy character that enhances the juiciness of the wine and brings out the zesty texture. It's fruity, fresh and ready to drink.
Pretty, pale and poised, this offers light pear flavors with a touch of cinnamon. Snappy acidity and a clean, fresh finish all contribute.
Leesy fleshy papaya aromas come with a touch of sulfur and harshness. This feels solid, albeit modest in bubbles. Flavors of apple and green melon are lasting and steady on the finish.
Leesy white-fruit aromas come with hints of corn and slate. This feels plump but not too heavy to be cut by a beam of firm acidity. Chunky leesy flavors of apple and kiwi finish fleshy, pulpy and round. Drink immediately.
Aromas of baked plum, spirits, baking spice and a whiff of blue flower lead the nose on this robust wine. The hearty palate offers dried black cherry, raw cranberry, leather and licorice alongside firm tannins and racy acidity. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol on the finish.
The nose on this widely available bottling is vivacious and juicy, with strawberry, strawberry blossoms and raspberries laid across a pencil-lead frame. It tightens on the palate, with lots of graphite and pencil shavings, showing just a bit of pomegranate fruit.
Aromas of orange peel and orange essence are oily and bring softer notes of melon, apple and tropical fruits. This is bright but basic on the tongue, with cutting acidity. Tropical flavors of green melon and mango are ratcheted by citric acidity, while the finish is citrusy and pithy.
Dark spicy aromas of black plum and black currant are solid. In the mouth, this is saturated and hard, with heavy overall density and strong tannins. A dark, spicy, blackened set of dark-berry flavors finishes with more spice and mint than fruit.
Stalky aromas of leathery berry fruits suggest animal and earth. This is raw, tannic and hard on the palate, with saucy berry flavors that fall off towards stalky and stewy. A dense tannic finish is structured but tastes herbal and stalky.
Like most Tradition wines in Cahors, this fruity and perfumed wine has been aged in stainless steel to keep the fruitiness. Blackberry flavors are cut with acidity and a tight tannic character. It needs to age another few months, so drink from late 2016.
Bright and fruity, this accessible wine is ready to drink. Fresh and packed with red berries, it is juicy and fresh. The aftertaste, with its acidity, has a touch of spice. Drink now.
Ripe, loamy raisin and kirsch aromas set up a pinched clampy tannic palate that grabs like Velcro. This tastes of vanilla and creamy oak along with herbal red berry fruits. Resiny, vanilla-driven flavors crowd out residual berry fruit on the finish. Drink now.
This opens with rather funky aromas of scorched earth, overripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of barnyard. The extracted palate offers mature black cherry, toast, espresso and a gamey note alongside tightly packed tannins. A note of roasted coffee bean signals the close.
This ripe, still very young wine has a tangy, mineral texture that cuts into the white fruit flavors. Acidity, creamy texture and flavors of melon and apricots all give this wine the potential to be deliciously fruity. Drink from 2017.
An effusive wine, this shows potent, almost sweet aromas and opulent flavors with hints of mint and rosemary. It has a medium body, fine tannins that add nicely to the texture and a lingering finish.
Luscious peach and blossom notes perfume this plucky off-dry Riesling. Laced with honey and tart tangerine acidity, it's easy, fresh and approachable. Drink now.
Despite opening with a yellow color and waxy oily peach aromas, this benefits from zesty lemon-like acidity. Flavors of quince and apple are oaky, while effusive acidity keeps this Verdejo fresh on the finish, which is otherwise big and full. Drink now.
Notes of cinnamon and peppercorns adds complexity to the cranberry-pomegranate fruit and slate minerality on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. It's more reserved in its palate, which offers cranberry tang with an herbal sagebrush quality, proving a reliable, straightforward take on the grape.
While it does have a rounded texture, the dominant character here is a black currant and pink grapefruit herbaceousness. The wine has richness and good concentration along with tight acidity on the finish.
There's more than a whiff of eucalyptus, olive and herb aromas on the nose, but there's also a dry berry hint underneath. It hits with hard acids and tannins but settles, while cherry and plum flavors come across herbal and dry. A sinewy blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Carignan and 20% Malbec.
This is roasted and meaty smelling. What the nose holds back is revealed on the palate, which is rugged, aggressive and tight as nails, with boisterous plum, berry, menthol and chocolate flavors. Coconut and chocolate-mint flavors come up on the power-packed finish.
Amador Foothill does a nice job with Esola's 67-year-old, dry-farmed Zin, making a wine that has dusty strawberry and cherry goodness interwoven around a toasty, oaky base.
Wood aging has produced a well-rounded wine. It has a citrus flavor to go with the more tropical fruit, a good zing of acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Drink now, or age over the next year.
There will be far less House Red in the freeze-shortened 2010 vintage. As always, a forward, compelling wine, with a swirl of black fruit, smoke, earth and cola scents. The tannins are graceful and proportionate; the finish does a gentle fade.
Black cherry fruit with a bit of black olive and a hint of smoke lead quickly into an oaky finish with plenty of roasted coffee and tobacco flavors. A lot of barrel, but the fruit is simple, not distinctively varietal.
This is a fragrant and full-bodied Tempranillo, with flavors of sweet cherry and plum and a leathery, long-lasting finish.
This is rounded, with its ripe fruit dominating the new wood influence. It is dense and smoothly rich, with blackberry and bitter coffee flavors. Age for three to four years.
Green herb and cut-grass notes lend a fresh purity to this Cabernet Franc rosé. Sprightly in body, with fresh, citrusy acidity, it would pair beautifully with herbaceous Thai or Vietnamese cuisine.
Spicy and dry on the nose, with subdued, earthy aromas that suggest some hotness. The palate is a bit fiery and aggressive, with red berry and cassis flavors. Warm and spicy on the finish; edgy but good overall.
Smoke and bramble fringe vibrant cassis and cranberry flavors on this rich, round wine. Made predominantly from Cabernet Franc, it's a touch plush and soft, but boasts supple tannins and an elegant violet and vanilla finish.
Opens with light tropical aromas, toasty oak and vanilla. It's honest on the palate, where the body is good and structured and the flavors of peach and apple are accented by toasty oak. Nice and balanced, but maybe a touch woody for what it is.
While ripe with black fruit and hints of caramel, forest bramble and black pepper, this Bordeaux-style blend (with a hefty dose of Petit Verdot) boasts an elegant structure and clean acidity with just a hint of green on the finish.
Attractive, zingy wine, full of lemon zest acidity, crisp green apples and clean, pure fruitiness. It has just a hint of pepper, layering the creamy final taste. Screwcap.
Moderately herbal and tannic, with tight cranberry and pomegranate fruit tucked inside the leaf and stem flavors. That said, this perfectly captures the terroir of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. If there is a classic Oregon style of Pinot, this would be it.
Tight and intense for a $10 varietal, with crusty, charred oak aromas on top of ripe berry fruit. The palate is thick and full, with clamping tannins and flavors of lemony oak, plum and blackberry. Vanilla and mocha work the woody finish.
There's an odd smell of roasted peanuts under the citrusy fruit aromas, but once in the mouth the fruit takes over big time. It bursts forth, apples and lemons, and stays solid and unchanging into the tart finish.
Sweet yuzu, tangerine and black tea leaves perfume this intriguing off-dry Gewürztraminer. Melon, lychee and citrus flavors are voluptuous and ripe, but bright acidity and spice notes on the midpalate keep it in balance.
Not complex but if you're looking for size, red fruit flavors and balance, it has that. The nose shows compost and horse hide but for the most part it's fruity and welcoming. The mouth is fresh and a bit sheer, with direct berry, plum and creamy flavors. Finishes smooth for a $10 Tempranillo-Garnacha blend.
Beautiful on the nose with sweet notes of honey tangerine and marmalade, Dr. Frank's 2009 Rkatsiteli is leaner than in previous vintages, but bright with fresh navel orange peels and a crisp, clean acidity. Finishes quite long with a delightful orange pith astringency.
Produced by the Terravant facility in Buellton, this shows lots of smoked pork and bacon fat against a boysenberry-fruit frame on the nose. Flavors are quite sanguine, with iron and blood elements, as well as more smoke and some dried herbs.
Warm aromas of red cherries, star anise and cinnamon greet the nose with inviting brown spice scents on this entry-level bottling. Cinnamon, cranberry and black plum show on the palate, along with pencil-lead minerality and a tart plum-skin finish.
A plume of fresh blossoms and herbs lends lift to this plush, full-bodied Merlot. Luscious, creamy swirls of blackberry and cherry syrup penetrate deeply on the palate but are contrasted by sharp notes of sour cherry and cranberry. It's a brawny, fruit-forward wine, but not overbearing in stature.
Aromas of cherry, baking spices, cocoa and herbs are followed by dark fruit and vanilla flavors with a creamy feel. It's a bit oak-driven but overall it works.
Shrouds of leafy herbs and savory stems lend a fresh tone to this brisk yet fruity, concentrated Cab. Crisp blackberry and currant flavors shine bright and pert on the palate, framed squarely by lingering strikes of tannin and acidity.
Old-world elegance abounds in this rustic yet deftly balanced wine. Crisp blackberry and raspberry notes intertwine with savory hints of earth and barnyard. Fresh acidity electrifies a long finish.
The aromas of black cherry, blackberries and spice seem a bit dried out. The flavors are full in feel with a dry finish.
Despite opening with saucy, earthy, gaseous aromas, this mountain-vineyard Pinot delivers textural balance and modest acidity in support of peppery, toasty, spicy flavors of dried cherry, tomato and earth. A mildly spicy, round finish provides for a good ending.
This is tropical, boisterous rendition of the grape, with heavy tuberose, white lily, peach and apple-blossom aromas. The palate combines honeysuckle, ripe apple flesh and pineapple-guava flavors.
Spice and cedar notes pepper this plump, plummy blend of Cabernet Franc and Lemberger. It's round and ripe in mouthfeel, yet electrified by a twist of cranberry acidity. Finishes with a lip smacking pucker of tannins.
A delightfully light, crisp and well-rounded expression of the variety—aged in stainless steel—this has a beginning, middle and end, all well defined. The bouquet is part lime and part mint and cilantro, while the middle traffics in peach. The finish accents the acidity that's been there all along, refreshing and well balanced.
Grapes for this wine were sourced from mostly Sonoma and Lake counties, with an additional 22% brought in from San Joaquin. The blend holds Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Primitivo. Here, the kitchen sink approach works well, offering classic elements of herb, leather and savory plum, with a streak of black pepper and tannins that soften in the glass.
Thick and rich, this has saddle and tobacco going on, alongside leather and smoke. A meaty, gamy note akin to bacon also characterizes the wine, as well as jammy blackberry and clove.
This wine captures the popular grapefruity, grassy style of the variety in a crisp, refreshing and flavorful way. Light to medium bodied and full of bracing acidity, it will be great with seafood or as a pre-dinner drink.
This is developing into a delicious, fresh and fruity wine, tangy with acidity that cuts into the strawberry fruits and gives a crisp edge. The wine has some weight, is bone dry and will be better with food than as an apéritif.
Bold and fruity, this ripe wine has rich black fruits that are still tied to young tannins. A ripeness to the fruit will allow the wine to age, with tannins softening and filling out. Drink from 2017.
Close to the beaches of Saint-Tropez, this estate has produced a light-hearted wine that is fresh and crisp. The blend of Ugni Blanc, Clairette and Rolle give a light, bright character, with lemon and refreshing final acidity.
Ripe black-plum and black-cherry aromas lead the nose. This is full in body, with comfortable tannins. Blackberry and baked blueberry flavors end with chocolaty, herbal notes and a coating of blackened toast.
Fragrant, tender notes of ripe Conference pear on the nose are met with fresh grapefruit zest on the palate ,which also conveys scented citrus foliage. It's a balanced, elegant Riesling with a dry finish.
The broader focus of ripe, juicy yellow plum on the palate is subsumed into a defining lemon freshness that has some of the concentration and unctuousness of lemon oil. The finish is tart, dry and lip-smacking.
Sultry spice lurks beneath the powdery scent of citrus peel. The palate offers the same intrigue and has welcome freshness, with a touch of oily charm and a dry, clean finish on which the indefinable but undeniable spice still lingers.
Very rich, almost overripe pear dominates the palate, which also has a rich marzipan edge. Residual sugar is just about cut by citrus freshness. This is at the cusp of being just a little too much.
If chocolate-covered cherries could be liquefied, this wine is what they would taste like. It is delicious, fruity, soft in texture, maybe slightly sweet, and so easygoing and tempting that it's hard to stop sipping. Note that it's deceptively full in body.
The small enclave of Coteaux Varois produces lighter wines than Côtes de Provence. This fresh and smooth wine is typical, with an attractive poise that comes from ripe strawberry flavors and the lightest acidity. It's real apéritif style of wine.
Made from certified organically grown grapes, this wisp of a wine is made in a quiet style from a cool year and a relatively cool area of the Napa Valley. Pencil lead, peppercorn and cedar come to mind first and foremost, followed by light, juicy notes of classic cassis. Not overly oaked, the finish suggests chocolate.
Tasty flavors like Pippin apple and tangy cherry, plus a smooth and lively texture bring a lot of appeal to this light-bodied wine. The combination of crisp acidity, luxurious mouthfeel and bright but subtle flavors is a winning one.
Cherry fruit and a tense slate rockiness show on the nose of this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah, along with a bit of heat. Energetic, juicy plums and black cherries consume the palate, which is rich, lively with acidity and just a tad sweet.
A blend made of up a majority Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine also includes Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Licorice and red plum mingle on the palate, around a layering of cinnamon and black spice. Soft, the overall texture and body is substantial, finding a balance and trace of acidity on the finish.
The wine is almost salmon in hue, but don't let that put you off. Layers of ground cinnamon help provide balance to the broad, ripe flavors of melon, pear and stone fruit.
This is a true Claret, in that the blend includes 41% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Malbec. It is lushly scented with licorice, tobacco, clove, some plastic and dark fruits, especially black cherry. The fruit and indeed the wine itself has been softened to the point of losing its focus; perhaps an effort to subdue the vineyard's notorious tannins. This is forward and pleasant but a bit diffuse.
This is an impressive Cab Franc from Red Newt, with bright cherry, violet and pepper spice on the nose and a fresh, lively blend of red fruit in the mouth. The harmonious acid and structure add to the upfront, appealing nature of this wine.
Oak is front and center on this high-priced affair from Freixenet. And that's the primary problem with what is otherwise a commendable and solid wine. Vanilla and resin aromas and flavors push the fruit to the side, and what's left is a slick of butter, sawdust and tannic astringency. Not a bust, but for nearly a hundred bucks we want more than just wood. Imported by Freixenet USA.
A very juicy, fruity, light wine that shows spice and fresh black currant fruits. The acidity is a major element in this cool year wine.
Bright, clean flavors of cranberry and strawberry make this dry rosé easy on the palate and the wallet. There's a fruity kick on the nose followed by a dry but flavorful wave of flavors that seem perfect for a picnic or summertime sip under flapping sails. Pair this with seafood or poultry or experiment a little—its refreshing, crisp quality will play well with most foods.
There's a fine line between a fresh Godello and one that's starting to turn. This one may soon fall into the latter category, but before it gets there look for peppery white-fruit aromas and flavors. Tastes of honeyed melon are  topped with cracked black pepper. Turns a bit creamy and sweet on the finish, another indication that it is starting to age.
An indigenous varietal wine from Spain. Parraleta hails from mountainous Somontano, and this rendition is dark on the nose, with asphalt and licorice aromas. The palate is more tangy and medium, with raspberry, plum and oak. Almost Chianti-like in its body and feel. Good but limited depth of flavors.
Easy-drinking and elegant is the word on this appealing red blend. On the nose, raspberry, coffee, cedar and spice lead, with rounded flavors, smooth tannins and a long finish following. A versatile wine with food on its mind—think everything from grilled, herbed chicken to a hearty meat stew.
As a one-liter package you get one-third more wine here for the money, which only cements this Tempranillo's Best Buy credentials. It's a little roasted on the nose, but it doesn't fall into the burnt or baked realm. Raspberry, plum and some coffee-driven bitterness make up the flavor profile, while the texture and length are both commendable.
The nose on this wine is instantly exciting, with its playful, floral and fresh character. On the palate, honeyed spice stays light and lively, with a lingering finish. A good white that will pair well with spicy cuisine—think Indian, Chinese or Thai.
Dominated by rather simple cherry aromas and flavors, this is a mouthfilling, nicely textured wine that just lacks the complexity to elevate it to the next level. Tart acidity and some warmth on the finish provide a piquant counterpoint to the gobs of fruit. Drink now. Imported by Cellar Door.
This is a lovely New York rosé, with its lemon, strawberry and spice nose and its rounded but fresh fruit flavors. Clean but with complexity, it's a sip that can handle richer dishes—think oysters, poultry.
Interesting and distinctive, this draws upon old vines and a (relatively) high elevation site to extract unusual nuances. Tangy fruit flavors of wild berries are soaked with earth and mineral. Tannins are sharp and just slightly green, but the most interesting aspect is the spicy, resinous, pine needle bouquet that continues right on through the mid-palate.
From old vines and with 17 months' wood aging, this is a smoothly ripe wine, the structure softened out, giving dusty tannins, great ripe black plum fruits and balancing acidity. It could be drunk now, but for the super-ripe fruit to meld even better, give it a year.
Carabella's tasty, toasty take on Pinot Gris is a blend of two clones, mostly fermented in stainless steel, but with a third of it fermented in neutral oak. The resulting wine is elegant and complex, a mix of white peach and pear, toasted hazelnuts and butterscotch. Simply delicious.
Made from old vine Touriga Franca, this is an elegant, perfumed wine. There are firm tannins, but the fruit is juicy, spicy, layered with blackberry jam, but also good balancing acidity. To finish, the wine spreads out in the mouth, leaving richness, but always that elegance.
One of the Cigales region's big new wineries, Museum seems to be getting on track. This wine, from a very hot year, is composed, rich and in good balance. It has a slight baked character that's offset by almond candy, black cherry and toast notes. Black plum is the lead flavor, with coffee and molasses providing a rich background. Drink now and over the next two years.
Rich and opulent, this is a big fruity, toasty white wine. The vanilla from the wood combines with ripe peach and pineapple flavors, the acidity a hint of tangerine zest. While it is definitely full-bodied, both the full fruit and the acidity give it  very drinkable balance.
Solid fruit brings firm, taut black cherry and cola flavors to the front. This is a muscular, flavorful, somewhat blocky wine that brings Pinot Noir up to burger wine status—and you may take that as a compliment. Some barrel toast adds butter and almond to the finish.
This is a fruit bomb supreme. Bright, effusive strawberry, raspberry and boysenberry aromas and flavors seem to spread out in all directions, first in the aroma, then repeating in the flavors and finish. With a sip or two some deeper black cherry notes emerge, and full body and gripping tannins become more apparent.
A self-described “irreverent blend” of Pinot Noir (70%) and Syrah (30%), Rubeo manages to capture both the finesse of the former and the power of the latter. Pinot is rarely blended in a still wine, but Lynn Penner-Ash pulls it off in in this selection, showing pretty strawberry and raspberry fruit, dusted with cinnamon, coffee and toast.
Made entirely from Tempranillo—a rarity in Italy—this opens with aromas of blue flowers, plum and a whiff of leather. The smooth palate delivers dried cherry and prune, accented by ground pepper and oak-driven spices. Bracing but fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide support. Drink through 2018.
Fruity and easygoing, this blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Syrah doles out crushed black cherry, blackberry, spiced blueberry, white pepper and clove. Supple tannins support the juicy flavors and give it a smooth texture. Drink now.
Solid but jammy black cherry and blackberry aromas come with hints of forest and rubber. This is flush and easygoing in feel, with a friendly, not demanding mouthfeel. Boysenberry and plum flavors finish round and fleshy, with mild tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this offers scents of blue flowers, ripe berry and mocha. The simple, forward palate delivers fleshy black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, oak and a confectionary note alongside velvety tannins and the warmth of alcohol. Drink now.
Spanish broom, jasmine, peach and apple aromas lead the nose of this charming white that hails from an estate located just outside of Rome. The juicy palate delivers Golden Delicious apple, tropical fruit and a hint of mineral. It finishes on an apple note.
This opens with aromas of pressed acacia flowers, ripe stone fruits and dried sage. The palate isn't overly sweet, offering dried apricot, wildflower honey and toasted almond notes.
This blend of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc and 20% Clairette is soft in texture. A welcoming mix of ripe stone fruit and spicy nasturtium blossom finish clean and refreshing.
This super-smooth but hearty red blend made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre smells smoky, meaty and oaky. It tastes savory and a bit peppery before a good dose of ripe, plummy flavor joins in. It feels full-bodied, and almost soft in texture because of light tannins, but has enough acidity to keep an appetizing balance.
Classic varietal scents of talcum powder and rosewater lead into a tangy, tart, low alcohol but bone-dry wine. The fruit is substantial, offering solid flavors of grapefruit and lemon peel.
A senior version of Purple, this wood-aged wine is smooth, soft and generous, with attractive mint perfumes along with toast. Big black plum fruits are generous and warm, while still solid with tannins. The wine is drinkable, although it will be better in 2017.
Blackberry, cherry and earthy aromas are backed by a secondary wave of oaky char. This is 80% Garnacha and 20% Carignan with raw clamp to the palate created by grabby tannins and tomatoey acidity. Briny raspberry and plum flavors finish with rubbery tannins and related grab. This is a tough wine but one with lots of life and power. Drink through 2019.
Closed on the nose at first, this wine reventualy reveals black currant and cassis around wrapped tobacco leaf, the midpalate somewhat dry and puckering in tannin. Concentrated and dense, it finishes in dusty mocha.
From one of the great names of Port, this LBV is a richly sweet wine, full of dried fruits, balanced acidity and a soft, smooth texture. It is a generous, very accessible wine.
Chardonnay in Gascony retains the freshness of the region. In this wine, there is the richness of the grape, with touches of caramel and a floral perfume. It is balanced and fruity, needing a few more months in bottle. Drink from the end of 2015.
Aromas of raisin, vanilla, nutmeg, peppermint and a whiff of resin lead the nose of this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. The easy-drinking palate delivers crushed black cherries, black currants, clove and chocolate covered mint alongside supple tannins.
This is a light-tasting, dry wine with white pepper and fennel aromas, crisp green apple and lemon flavors, and a savory, earthy nuance that adds complexity. Medium bodied and mouth-filling, this interesting wine steps outside the flavor box.
This medium-bodied blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (25%) and Mourvèdre (5%) is aged in large oak vats. Leather and spice notes accent modest cherry fruit, then fold in touches of black olive and mocha on the slightly dusty finish. Drink now–2017.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah, this opens with aromas of black currant, pencil shavings, toast and a whiff of pine. Notes of mocha, graphite and anise add depth to the black cherry core alongside chewy but astringent tannins that leave a drying finish. Drink 2016–2018.
Light as gossamer, this nimble off-dry Riesling enlivens the palate with delicate bursts of lemon and lime accented by blossom and pear. Brisk and clean on the finish, it's best enjoyed for it's youthful refreshment.
Briary berry aromas come with notes of mint and oak-based vanilla scents. Earthy berry, prune and licorice flavors finish with rooty spice and mild herbal notes.
Bright and fruity, this Sangiovese offers aromas of wild berry, clove and tilled soil. The easy-drinking palate doles out dark cherry, raspberry, white pepper and a hint of crushed mint alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
This full-bodied, focused and distinctive wine has a deep, dark color, aromas of black cherry and cocoa, and flavors that are ripe and lingering. It offers power and complexity.
A rich blend that includes the local Abouriou grape gives a structured, firm wine that has both tannins and juicy black fruits. The oak aging still shows in the spice and vanilla edge that underlies the fruitiness. It should be aged, so drink from 2016.
Red currant, blackberry, espresso, wood shavings and cedar aromas unfold in the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, anise, coffee, coconut and oak alongside alongside drying tannins that leave an astringent finish. The fruit is starting to dry up so drink sooner rather than later.
With light herbal and earthy aromas, and crisp citrus flavors, this is a mouth-cleansing, appetizing and refreshing drink. Tangy grapefruit, lemon and tart apple notes make it vivid and the ample acidity carries everything through to a lingering finish.
Racy and revitalizing, this delicate off-dry Riesling balances a core of fresh white peach and citrus flavors with savory smoke and nut tones. Fresh and easy going in style, it's a likely to please a wide audience.
The 5% Viognier co-fermentation shows itself first, with notes of flowers and orange peel. Next the wine opens fully to reveal roasted meat, wet gravel and coffee. The palate is lighter in style and shows a pleasing sense of balance with tart acidity and a sultry feel.
From vineyards close to Saint-Estèphe, this wine has something of the dark tannins and dry character when young. Ripe fruit under the chocolate, coffee and new-wood flavors shows the potential for aging. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of pressed blue flower, spiced plum and pipe tobacco mingle in this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Petit Verdot. The racy, tight palate offers black currant, black cherry, licorice and espresso alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins that still need to unwind. Drink after 2017.
This juicy, fruity while structured wine comes from the southern sector of the Médoc towards Bordeaux. It has a dry core of tannins surrounded by aromatic Cabernet spice and black currant fruit. Drink this still-developing wine from 2018.
Tangy black cherry and cassis flavors are punchy and penetrating in this Bordeaux-style blend (with an emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon). It's richly, densely textured, but uplifted by a strike of cranberry acidity and granite. It's a polished wine with a long, meandering finish.
A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.
Good balance, firm tannins and plenty of luxurious black cherry and dark chocolate flavors make this a complete and satisfying wine. It's medium to full bodied and has a rich but firm texture. The ample fruit flavors linger on the finish.
A rich sense of earth emerges on this Riboli family wine, with blueberry fruit, leather and roasted beef complementing the loamy character. The palate walks a balanced line between ripe olallieberry fruit and graphite minerality.
A blend of Zinfandel (41%), Sangiovese (34%), Lemberger (9%), Malbec (11%) and Merlot, this appealing wine suggests plum, currant and red fruit. It's supple in feel with cranberry and raspberry flavors backed by tart acidity.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of grilled bell pepper, hay, dill and red currant that carry over to palate, along with notes of dried black cherry. It's still tightly knit and tannic. Drink 2015–2020.
A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this presents lovely fragrances of blue flower, incense and tilled soil. On the palate, velvety tannins provide a backbone for juicy blackberry, black cherry and Asian spice. Soft and elegant, this is ready to be enjoyed. Drink through 2017.
A mixture of Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills vineyards, this offers aromas of orange peel, flowers and assorted blue fruit. It shows good depth and concentration of flavors with a gritty feel to the tannins.
This full-bodied red features aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, dark berry, new leather and a whiff of game. The concentrated palate offers ripe black cherry, licorice, mocha and a note of pipe tobacco alongside firm, velvety tannins. It's already ripe and accessible but will also age well for the next decade at least. Drink 2016– 2025.
Damp forest floor give this wine a strong character of earthiness and wintery, savory notes, surrounded by intense black cherry, oak and firm, sizable tannins. Enjoyable now, the wine also shows promise for the future, able to relax through 2020.
This upper-end brand for Bill Foley's Santa Barbara projects delivers a nose of dark raspberry, slate and clove. Tongue-tingling acidity emerges amid flavors of pomegranate juice, black pepper and toasted sage. The lively palate benefits from a seared lemon-skin bitterness.
Aromas of orange blossom and jasmine intoxicate on the entry of this delightful wine, which combines in complex ways to offer savory fennel with a creaminess to the texture. That complexity continues through the finish, which ends long and lean.
This firmly structured wine opens with toasted aromas, baked plum, fennel and a licorice note. The palate offers dried cherry, fig, roasted coffee bean and anisette alongside bracing tannins. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of wild berry, pressed violet, leather, underbrush and a balsamic note lead the nose. The firmly structured palate is still closed but reveals dried red cherry, raspberry, clove, oak, sage and vanilla alongside bracing tannins and firm acidity. The warmth of alcohol is evident on the midpalate. Drink 2017–2022.
Cola spice and eager acidity mark this blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah and 2% Syrah, which spent time in both French and American oak. Soft and medium in weight, it's enjoyable now and an easy crowd pleaser, with a long, spicy finish.
Alluring blossom, lemon zest and petrol notes entice on this late-harvest Riesling. It's densely concentrated in sweet-tart pink grapefruit flavor, yet minerally and spry. Finishes with a lingering lacy sweetness.
Blackberry, licorice, black pepper, uncrushed cloves and pencil shavings emerge from this wine by veteran Steve Dooley. It's richly layered on the palate, with dried strawberry, fennel, black earth, oregano and chopped dried sage, providing a flavorful offering from his home vineyard.
Steve Dooley heads a bit south from his San Luis Obispo winery for grapes from this historic vineyard, producing a wine with scents of fresh pomegranate, black plums, sweet sage and graphite. The palate shows squeezed red cherry fruit that grows in complexity with sagebrush and pine sap elements.
Concentrated and structured, this wine also manages to be sleek and glossy but by no means weightless. It opens with aromas of blue flowers, cedar, black currant and herb while the dense palate doles out black currants, blackberries and licorice. Tightly packed but fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2017–2027.
Peppery and high-toned, this wine offers a restrained and classical taste of red currant and cassis around dried herb and a fine-grained structure of tannin. Juicy, it nonetheless leans savory, making it a compelling and complex experience.
This is a big, bold wine, packed with the typical Baga tannins and also with layers of ripe, dark fruit. Black plum skins give texture while the wood aging of this impressive wine brings out toasty notes balanced by juicy acidity. The wine has potential for aging, so drink from 2017.
This new vintage of Caitlin's Reserve was barrel-fermented in 25% new French oak. It went through regular lees stirring and a generally traditional Burgundian élévage. Trim and compact, it remains up to the taster to forecast how well this will age, and how much complexity is locked within it. Based upon the wine's track record, there's every reason to put away a few bottles to drink in the mid-2020s.
A 50/50 blend of Pommard and Dijon 777 grapes, this is the biggest, brightest and juiciest vintage to date for this cuvée. The concentrated raspberry fruit carries a touch of sweetness, set against refined, proportionate tannins. The mouthfeel is smooth and the finish chocolaty, with enough concentration to drink well into the mid-2020s.
This has a traditional medium-garnet color with brick rim. Effusive aromas that are smoky, beefy and earthy lead to distinctive wild berry, sage and cherry flavors. The texture is smooth but nicely supported by acid and tannins, and all the complexity of this wine lingers on the finish.
Ripe plum, spiced blueberry, cedar, toasted oak and tobacco are some of the aromas you'll find in this structured blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The full-bodied palate delivers blackberries, black currants, clove, espresso, ground pepper and licorice while assertive but fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2016–2025.
Still young, this complex and dense wine packed with tannins celebrates the fact that the vineyard is on the Greenwich meridian longitude line. The 95% Tannat (and 5% Cabernet Franc) has weight and a layered structure of black fruits and acidity, all of which promise aging. Drink from 2019 or hold until 2034, 150th anniversary of Greenwich Prime Meridian.
Blackberry, cassis, coffee and charred aromas make for a smoky, healthy, attractive bouquet. This is dense, deep, tannic and a bit rubbery and bouncy in feel. Tea, herb, chocolate and baked blackberry flavors end with cocoa and herbal, earthy notes. Drink this ripe gran reserva through 2023.
Septette is supple and sexy, using all seven Pinot Noir clones grown in the estate vineyard. The fruit flavors run toward blueberry and blackberry, with supporting acidity and drying tannins. Aging in 40% new French oak adds suggestions of mocha and dark chocolate to the finish.
This powerful and rich wine wants to be sweet but is bone dry. Hints of honey accompany opulent ripe peach and spiced pear flavors. The balance of the acidity is crisp and refreshing. Drink from 2017.
This cuvée offers the pleasures of sweet, sappy red fruits, soft tannins and broad swaths of caramel, toasted hazelnuts and mocha. It coats the tongue with flavor and has a sort of insistence that the next sip will be even better.
Exotic spice, stone fruit and orange rind tones perfume this aromatic dry Riesling. Full bodied and lusciously textured, it gains a cutting, linear feel on the midpalate from staccato strikes of lime pith and lemony acidity. It's a finely poised wine with dramatic complexity that's likely to evolve well through 2025.
Clouds of powdery mineral and pollen blanket dense, ripe peach and apricot in this sprightly, feather-light Riesling. Semidry in style, it bristles with tart tangerine acidity. The finish is long and perfumed in honeysuckle. Drink now through 2025.
Peach pit, apple and pear fruit flavors combine in this crisp, somewhat steely wine that has a classic elegance. Depth, length and finishing minerality make this a wine worth extra attention.
Aromas of underbrush, blue flowers, dark berries and a whiff of menthol unfold in the glass. The supple palate offers fleshy wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice, mint and white pepper alongside firm but fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Sadly, this is the last vintage for this single-vineyard Pinot Gris. Oaky, spicy, buttery and rich, its mouthfilling flavors conjure up thoughts of that fabulous baked pear brioche you had at that little bakery in Paris. It's ripe, fleshy and deliciously buttery, and it should be consumed right now.
This biodynamically farmed, single-vineyard wine has subtle extra dimensions. Delicate accents of truffle, earth, graphite, iron ore and coffee grounds add to a round, fulsome wine with black cherry fruit. The finish is a little chalky, but pairing with a fine fat fowl will take care of that.
Made from organic grapes, this wine blends every variety grown in Gaillac. Everything gels together to give a concentrated wine that is both solid and powerful with a dry core. Rich berry fruits are complemented by a stream of acidity. It's a wine to age; drink from 2017.
While there are powerful tannins at work here, this wine is mainly full of rich black fruits that have a juicy side from the acidity. The addition of Tannat brings even more tannin to the wine while also giving it density and longevity. Drink from 2019. The wine comes from a long-time wine family that tended the few remaining Malbec grapes that survived phylloxera of late 1800s. Alain Gayraud is the current owner.
Blackberry, black currant and toasty oak make for a dark, charred, manly nose. This is full but not heavy, with racy acidity and firm tannins. Blackberry, baked plum and savory flavors finish with notes of prune and leather as well as salted cured meat. Drink through 2022.
Though Syrah is not new to Southern Oregon, the recent rise in quality may surprise you. DanCin's Danseur is estate-grown in the Applegate Valley. It's an aromatic, tightly woven gem, loaded with plum, berry and kirsch, highlights of herb and bramble and a finish streaked with chocolate, espresso and licorice. Tannins are polished and the flavors linger delightfully.
This standout wine has enticing herb and mineral aromas, plus rich, unorthodox flavors that resemble fresh fennel bulb and crisp white peach along with racy acidity and a good, substantial mouthfeel. It tastes concentrated, though not overly full bodied, but most of all it has a memorable personality.
Purity and concentration are the hallmarks here, with the forward, instantly delicious character of the 2012 vintage. This has the intense purity of summer fruit, lightly spicy and perfectly balanced.
A stablemate to the Richard's Cuvée, bottled under the winemaker's Matello label, this is a creamy, juicy wine with a lush mix of apple, pear and banana fruit flavors. There's a suggestion of mineral underlying the creamy mouthfeel, which adds an extra bit of freshness.
Made from Cabernet Franc, this opens with scents of purple flowers, toasted oak, exotic spice and red currants. The firmly structured palate doles out blackberries, black cherries, ground black pepper, clove, vanilla and mocha alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2020.
The top-level bottling from the ambitious, sprawling property originally planted by the Mondavis, this vintage-varying blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Malbec offers licorice, German chocolate cake, blackberry jam, violet extract and night jasmine on the detailed nose. It's visceral once sipped, with thick jammy blueberry and plum fruits, bloody meats, leather, dark chocolate and coffee grinds.
This is the equivalent of a second wine from Les Valentines, a lighter version of the estate wine. With lively acidity, it is fruity while rounded, crisp but also sweet with ripe strawberry flavors. The acidity at the end is soft, light and bright.
Like with so many rosés, the grapes were harvested in the early morning to bring in fruit at its freshest. The result, even with a rich wine like this, is a crisp, crackling character that gives life and poise. The aftertaste sings of acidity.
A lighthearted wine, this has perfumed acidity and a deliciously refreshing character that balances acidity and pear and lemon flavors. It's such an easy drink, lively and lightly mineral at the end.
Produced by the fourth generation of the Dragon family, this delicately pale wine is full and bold in the mouth. Tasting of the sunny 2015 vintage, the soft texture is warm. Acidity is less apparent, lost in rounded strawberry flavors.
The traditional skittle bottle shape always looks attractive on a summer table. This soft wine with its red currant and strawberry flavors is just right as an apéritif, lively and bright with acidity to cut through the fruitiness. It is ready to drink.
Reserved aromas of ripe red apple, cherry, dried herbs and spice are followed by quite ripe black fruit flavors speckled with vanilla and cocoa notes. It doesn't all come together perfectly but still provides interest.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up three-quarters of this blend, with the balance Petit Verdot and Syrah. The aromas of herb, barrel spice, fig, dried fruit and vanilla are reserved while the red- and black-fruit flavors are rich but deft, with the tannins providing some heft. It seems a bit more evolved than its age might suggest.
Bursting with Conference pear flavor, this supple, fun and crisp all-rounder should be drunk as soon as possible to make most of the primary fruit.
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, this wine is bright, light and totally ready to drink. A touch of caramel gives extra richness. Acidity at the end brings everything back to freshness.
Savory and fruity flavors combine in this full-bodied, mouth-filling and affordable wine that was made from certified organic grapes. There are hints of smoke and meat along with ripe plum to complete the picture.
The aromas of black currant, black cherry and plum announce this warm vintage wine. The flavors are plump and easy drinking, trailing slightly toward the finish.
A full-bodied, quite ripe expression of the variety with an abundance of baked apple offset by a zest of lime, this wine is rich in vanilla and marshmallow.
Named after the French author who came from Provence, this wine is a bright, fruity style with pepper and caramel flavors. It has plenty of red fruits and attractive final acidity.
Aromas of nettle, citrus fruits and stream water set up a minerally palate with some plumpness. Moderately intense stone fruit and citrus flavors finish melony.
This opens with aromas that recall acacia flower, chamomile and a whiff of beeswax. The zesty palate offers grapefruit, green apple and hint of white almond alongside racy acidity.
Clean, neutral aromas of white fruits, hay and vanilla wafer lead to a citrusy, round palate. This fresh Chardonnay offers orange and apple cider flavors in front of a clean finish.
A simple, fruity wine, this has light acidity and a touch of pepper at the end. It is a classic apéritif style of rosé.
This linear white opens with delicate aromas that recall citrus blossom, citrus peel and orchard fruit. The racy palate offers green Anjou pear, lime and a note of bitter almond alongside a backbone of firm acidity.
Clean, snappy aromas of apple and citrus are sharp but appealing. This fresh, healthy white offers tangerine, nectarine and stony flavors before a crisp, refreshing finish.
Overt floral and lychee aromas, lean peach and bosc pear flavors and a smooth, dry texture make an exotic mix for this medium-bodied wine.
Fresh for the summer season is this tutti-frutti Navarran Garnacha. Pink in color and pumped up, this tastes of pink grapefruit, nectarine and citrus pith. It's all about freshness and drinkability.
This bold, ripe blend even contains some Muscat that gives richness and a touch of honey and spice to what is otherwise a dry rosé. The acidity acts as a balance to this attractive wine.
Lighter in color than its colleagues, this Mourvèdre offers light clove, red cherry, fruit punch, rooibos tea and turned loam aromas. There is a strong acidic sizzle to the palate, where red fruit mixes with black pepper and coffee flavors that are very powerful.
A pretty purplish pink, this rose shows deep cherry, ripe strawberry and bubblegum-ish notes on the lush nose. The palate is slightly effervescent but with crisper flavors than the nose suggests, offering cherry blossom and steely minerality, finishing crisp and tart.
Spicy, herbaceous aromas, fresh flavors and a nicely crisp and lightly tannic texture make this medium-bodied wine versatile. It's light enough to drink at lunch or before dinner and it's well-balanced enough to go with lots of different kinds of food. Its name is a nod to super Tuscan wines, since this blend contains Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes, among others.
Slightly sour raspberry, orange juice and earth tones show on the nose of this bottling from the Los Angeles-based Riboli family of San Antonio Winery fame. The palate is a bit thin, with orange rind and cranberry juice flavors, proving fresh and lively though a touch sour.
This savory, straightforward white opens with fruity aromas that recall ripe peach and tropical fruit. The round, juicy palate offers mature yellow apple, passion fruit and white peach while fresh acidity lift the creamy flavors.
From Schug Estate, Wildcat Mountain and other nearby vineyards, this wine is made in larger quantities and intended for casual consumption with its soft, juicy personality bursting in tropical mango and pear. A touch of clove and nutmeg shine through a persistence of oak.
Profoundly aromatic, this Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with plumes of ripe red cherries, cedar and spice. Fruity and forward, the palate is accented by a touch of cherry menthol that lingers through a softly tannic finish. Drink now through 2020.
Concentrated cool aromas of herbal plum and berry along with lemon peel announce this firmly tannic, medium-bodied Carignan. Toasty herbal blackberry flavors include a note of black olive, while this tastes spicy, savory and wild on the finish.
Made with 40% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot, this offers aromas of red currant, cedar and cooking spice. The firm palate delivers anise, white pepper and dried aromatic herb alongside assertive tannins. Drink 2017–2021.
Fresh and polished, this opens with scents of wild berry, crushed aromatic herb and a whiff of violet. The bright linear palate offers wild cherry, anise and baking spice alongside fresh acidity and lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
An easy-drinking blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers aromas of black currant, clove and roasted coffee bean. The polished, accessible palate shows cassis, toasted oak, licorice and mocha alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy over the next few years.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, dried plum, a whiff of French oak and a balsamic note lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried cherry, cranberry, licorice and espresso set against close-grained that leave a firm, rather drying finish.
Herbaceous aromas and a whiff of blackberry take center stage on this 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc blend. The dense palate doles out raspberry jam, French oak and white pepper alongside close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
From delicate grapefruit to lychee and guava, fruit flavors gain concentration from nose to palate in this rich almost tropical Gewürztraminer. Bold and lusciously textured, it's slightly warming on the palate yet balanced, finishing with sizzles of spice and lemon-lime acidity. Drink now through 2020.
Melon and citrus scents blend with notes of crushed vitamins and lanolin. This feels round and smooth, with acidic kick that helps maintain balance. Melon and creamy flavors lead the charge, with a briny hint in the background. Drink now.
Herb, baking spice and exotic spice aromas are followed by tart luscious cranberry and cherry flavors. It comes off as a bit oaky but it still brings a lot of appeal.
This barrel-fermented Chardonnay offers subtle layers of flavor, weaving hints of leafy green herb, lemon skin and oil, together with suggestions of white peach. It's structured for drinking now and through 2021, with an elegant frame and modest proportions.
Three red-Bordeaux varieties combine in this blend, a soft, supple expression of baked plum with a subtle grip of leather. Texturally medium bodied, it shows an abundance of ripeness on the midpalate before settling into more classic elements of cedar and dried herb.
Baked apple and baking spice aromas lead to a lightly creamy palate capped off by a tart, lemony finish. It provides a lot of appeal.
Initially shy, the nose eventually reveals subdued aromas of dark berry, sunbaked earth and blue flower. The medium-bodied palate offers mature black cherry, anise and a hint of crushed herb while rounded tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2019.
Fresh and easygoing, this opens with scents of berry, blue flower and a whiff of baking spice. The light-bodied, simple palate offers tart cherry, black currant and a hint of espresso alongside soft, not very persistent tannins.
Made entirely with Merlot, this opens with subdued aromas of ripe plum and vanilla. The aromas carry through to the robust palate, together with tobacco and clove. Round tannins provide soft support. Drink through 2019.
Produced using natural indigenous yeasts, the wine is rich and firmly structured. It has dark tannins as well as generous black-cherry fruits. The wine is serious and complex without losing the cool, mineral texture of the cru appellation. Drink from 2017.
Big briary berry aromas smell smoky and like coffee. This is tight at its core, with a sensation of buttery oak around the fringes. That same buttery oak character carries over to the flavor profile, which includes medicinal red fruits. On the finish, this is firm, crisp and juicy.
Owner Dominique Morel has produced a firmly structured wine that wraps firm tannins and red-cherry fruits into a crisp parcel. It is still young, bursting with fruitiness. Drink this cru wine now for its fruit, but it's better to wait until the end of 2017.
Wood-aging flavors have given this cru wine a toasty character that balances its natural fruitiness. The structure and linear character of the wine is prominent. The red fruits and acidity come through slowly at the end. Drink from mid-2017.
This very good go-to wine can stretch from weekday meals to special occasions. The aromas are ripe and fruity, shaded by light oak spices. Flavors are abundantly plummy and the texture is nicely firm and moderately tannic.
Exotic streaks of licorice and cinnamon spice bolster this full-bodied forward Cabernet Franc. Ripe blackberry and cherry flavors are approachable and plump yet elegantly anchored by fine firm tannins and brisk acidity. It's ready to drink now but should hold well through 2020.
Bold herbal, grassy aromas and rich, full citrus and melon flavors make this wine generous and mouth-filling, while crisp acidity makes it appetizing. This not one of those simply crisp and neutral wines, but a full-fledged and herbaceous one.
Aged in large 130-gallon wood vats, this is Beaujolais made in a Burgundian style. It has ripe red fruits, a firm structure to allow aging and concentration. It will develop over the next two years to give a generous rich wine. This is Drouhin's second vintage of handling the vines, wines and marketing in partnership with the Hospices de Belleville charity. Drink from 2018.
Principally Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon along with smidges of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this wine offers subdued aromas of dark coffee, herb, blackberry and graphite. The coffee and cherry flavors are lighter in style, tapering slightly toward the finish.
Smoky beef aromas meet with crushed pencils, toasty oak, cola and sweet tobacco set against a subtle purple-fruit backdrop on this bottling by Rick Longoria. The palate is dry, easy to quaff and quite refreshing for a dark-red wine, with subtle touches of clove, black currant and more oak-smoked meat.
Quite dark in the glass, this is very fruit-forward on the nose, with blueberry sauce, tart plum skin, turned loam and vanilla aromas. Ripe blackberry fruits mix with licorice on the palate, where rising acidity and soft but present tannins also offer up roast-beef flavors.
While it shares the same ripe rich fruit intensity of Paumanok's more expensive reds, there's a distinctly green tone to the Festival marked by shades of herb, bramble and green pepper. It's approachably juicy, yet complex, with pert acidity and a tight frame of tannins. Drink now through 2021.
Made entirely with Ciliegiolo grapes, this opens with fruity aromas of red raspberry and red cherry that carry over to the easy-drinking palate along with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. It's already accessible and enjoyable, with smooth tannins.
Made with 45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Colorino, this opens with subtle aromas of black currant, ginger and a hint of star anise. On the mature palate, notes of vanilla and licorice accent ripe plum while polished tannins provide the framework.
Made with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this delicately fragrant wine offers alluring scents of dark-skinned berry, purple flower and a whiff of cedar. The bright light-bodied palate offers red currant and star anise framed in racy acidity and lithe tannins.
There is a burnt sugar scent over the top of this wine; caramelized past the point of sweetness. It's very soft, with just the barest hints of black cherry and smoke.
A simple Chardonnay, with a soapy mouthfeel, lemony fruit and a hint of almond in the finish.
A heavy, cheesy-smelling wine that turns rougher and more gaseous as it opens. The palate is high in acidity, yielding underdeveloped, tart black cherry and plum flavors. Sharp on the finish, with a lean feel. Doesn't ever find a groove.
This is a soft, tart, light red wine with excessive volatility. The finish borders on vinegary flavors, which overtake the fruit.
Melony and sweet smelling, with sticky, strange flavors of chewing gum, melon and pickled citrus rind. Finishes weird, too. Overall, Indomita's wines are outside the lines and hard to enjoy.
Too much volatility, and too much oak take over here, obliterating the fruit. As a result, flavors are thin, the finish sour.
Tannic and chewy, this is simple, sturdy and solidly in the herbal camp. Flavors are short and the finish leans into veggies.
Cutting, fresh apple, lemon and lime reverberate throughout this zesty Chardonnay sparkling wine. The palate is exceptionally fine in texture with a softly mouth-filling mousse. The finish is tinged by a pleasant swathe of green herbs and lime zest.
Grapy berry and plum aromas set up a fresh tannic wiry palate. Popping plum and berry flavors are lively and toasty, while this Tannat, with its black pepper notes, tastes good and spicy on the finish. Drink through 2020.
A unique blend of Viognier (50%), Roussanne (41%) and Riesling, this wine offers light notes of peach and pear. The palate is full of stone-fruit flavors backed by vibrant acidity that piques the interest.
Lively aromas of brambly red fruit and spice are followed by plump raspberry flavors. It shows a lot of freshness and purity.
This is a perfect wine, both in accessible flavors and somewhat affordable price, for pizza night or meatballs. Cooked red plum, strawberry and a bit of cracked pepper kick off the nose in the Cabernet Franc-led blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. More plum hits the palate along with peppery spices, tobacco and marjoram. It's easy but not overly simple.
This domaine is now sold through the Jean-Marc Brocard family. This is a rich wine with yellow fruit as well as crisper citrus. There is a touch of pepper that lifts the fine acidity and the ripe apple and peach. At the end, the wine is crisp and clean.
Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, toasted hazelnut, dark spice, menthol and new leather emerge in the glass. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, raisin, coffee and chewing tobacco while fine-grained tannins provide the framework. It finishes on a slightly bitter note.
This wood-aged wine is rich, spicy and with a stylish combination of acidity and rich yellow and white fruits. The acidity cuts through the ripe texture and gives the wine its full-bodied character. The aftertaste shows a wine that is still young and will be best from 2018.
This wine from the Côte Chalonnaise is a lighter style of Chardonnay than Leflaive's rich Côte de Beaune wines. It's a delicious lightly toasty wine that has crisp acidity and a strong and refreshing dose of lemon juice. The wine is creamy at the end. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
A favorite within Fox Run's unique geology wine series, an exploration of specific vineyard terroir against specific vinification styles, the 11 Lake Dana Vineyard offers a lovely balance between rustic earth elements and more pristine expressions of fruit and flower. Concentrated tangerine and lemon flavors are honeyed and sweet yet elegantly balanced by tones of black tea, blossom and smoked nut. The finish lingers on a pleasantly astringent note.
Challenging aromas of roasted beet, horseradish, herbal blackberry and animal hide lead to a meaty dense palate with rock-hard tannins. Flavors of black plum, blackberry and toasty oak are fiery, intense and carry over to a hot finish.
Intensely plush aromas of peach, daffodil, sweet rose and even pineapple show on the nose of this botting. There's lots of sizzle to the racy sip, where tart green apple, green pear and green-tomato flavors make for a tangy, refreshing wine.
This is a rare red wine in this Loir Valley appellation, wood aged and rich. A blend of Pineau d'Aunis with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, it is densely textured and full of spice as well as blackberry fruit. Full in the mouth, replete with fruit, it is ready to drink.
With fine concentration and crisp fruit, this is a young wine with a future. Ripe apples and lemon zest are balanced with a strongly mineral texture as well as spice. The wine is rich, and will develop over the next two years. Drink from 2018.
This full-bodied wine smells like black currants and blackberries, tastes ripe, and is lightly tannic to give it a little grip. Bring on the beef or pork tenderloin.
Savigny-lès-Beaune, better known for its reds, also makes small quantities of white. From a three-acre parcel, this wine is ripe and tangy with orange peel and mineral acidity. It is a wine that is aging fast and that will be ready to drink from late 2017.
In the ongoing debate about how well Muscadet can age, this wine gives a good answer: yes it can. There is no sign of the fruit declining; in fact it seems to have become richer and fuller. The texture has softened to give a smooth, creamy wine that is still bright, although very ready to drink.
This wine is produced from old-vine Pinot Noir planted on flint soil. The wood from the wine's aging does show, giving a spicy, smoky character that is still dominating the red-cherry fruits. This will balance out over the next few months to give a wine with concentration. The aftertaste brings out acidity. Drink from 2017.
Lots of inviting smoke, roasted pork, bacon fat, oak, blackberry and leather show on the nose of this blend of 54% Zinfandel, 31% Petite Sirah and 15% Syrah. Flavors are well integrated on the palate, almost too mellowly done, with tangy black-plum skins and pencil lead framed by a solid tannic structure.
Here's a structured red that opens with aromas of spiced plum, French oak, menthol and a floral note. The full-bodied straightforward palate offers raisin, espresso, licorice and a tobacco note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity.
Aromas of black plum and green pepper set the scene for flavors of black cherry, blueberry and white chocolate. Tannins are a touch chalky, but fruit brightness takes the power seat and shines through on the zippy finish.
Citrusy bright, with a core of red and black cherry, this simply structured, light-bodied wine shows well-defined acidity and a touch of forest floor.
Forest floor, chopped herb, iris and red berry aromas lead the nose on this medium-bodied red. On the smooth silky palate, notes of star anise and white pepper accent juicy red berry alongside supple tannins and bright acidity.
This robust red shows plenty of ripe berry flavors, firm texture and full body. It has a gripping mouthfeel and persistent raspberry and cranberry flavors that make the mouth water.
A fresh, grassy aroma and lively grapefruit and herb flavors give a lot of zest to this medium-bodied and almost peppery wine.
Tropical fruit aromas come with notes of bath soap and white-flower blossom. This is easygoing and healthy on the palate, with just enough snappy acidity. Flavors of lime and green banana run long on the finish, which shows a touch of the variety's patented oily bitterness. Drink immediately.
Wood spice, cherry, vanilla, coffee and exotic spice aromas are followed by herb and cherry flavors. The palate has a silky feel, accented by bright acidity and lightly chalky tannins.
This wine is an intriguing blend of three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Syrah (20%) and Grenache. Aromas of café au lait, exotic spice, vanilla, wood notes and black cherries lead to tangy cherry flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins.
This wine delivers good value for its quality, a medium-bodied expression of ripe, exuberant honeycomb, baked pear and anise that is supported but never distracted by mellowed oak. Refreshing and balanced, it has moderate acidity and a luxurious mouthfeel.
Enticing, classic Sangiovese aromas of fragrant blue flower, wild berry, underbrush and a whiff of tilled earth lift out of the glass. The bright, supple palate offers crushed red cherry, anise and white pepper alongside zesty acidity and lithe tannins.
Round and fruity, it has flavors of ripe Bartlett pear, creamy green apple, white peach and apricot. It's perfect to pour as an apéritif or pair it with starters and light first courses.
Spicily aromatic, the wine is richly fruity while also full of new wood flavors, touched by vanilla and toast. It needs to integrate better, so give it until 2016.
Damp, herbal aromas of pine, juniper and olive blend with black-fruit scents. Dense and mouthfilling, it features flavors of black fruits, savory spices and rubber that finish herbal and a mile long. This may benefit by waiting until 2015–2016 in bottle.
A blend of 50% Friulano and 50% Chardonnay, this offers toasted oak, lemon zest, yellow apple and buttery sensations accompanied by zesty acidity. It has more oak-driven flavors than fruit richness and it ends on a note of bitter walnut.
Herbaceous aromas translate to a crisp, citrus-flavored wine that's light and fresh. The wine is fruity, bright and ready to drink with its intensely green aftertaste.
Subtle aromas include white flowers and pears. The linear palate offers tart green apple, grapefruit and energizing mineral alongside crisp, quenching acidity.
Stewed plum, freshly chopped meat, oregano and fennel serve as attention-grabbing aromas on this inky wine from Paso Robles' Westside. On the palate, the tannins are nicely even and smooth, and the herbal notes tend to overpower the tart cranberry fruit. It's very pleasant, if not quite completely full on the midpalate and finish.
This is a pleasant wine, with grapefruit and nectarine fruit, fresh but just a little flat through the midpalate. A good sipping wine, it's best served chilled and enjoyed while young.
Pretty violet aromas elevate this off-dry wine, accenting sunny flavors of quince and tangerine on the palate. Brisk lime acidity lends a brash, nervy feel that extends through the finish. A touch of savory herb lingers.
Steeped in smoky black fruit, this is a chewier version of Petite, ripe and meaty, black as night. Amid the ripe black fruit, a flash of red fruit midway through a taste leads to the big, tannic finish.
Concentrated tannins give this wine from organic grapes a powerful structure. For balance, it also has a more fruity character that offers blackberry and black plums. The dense texture means it needs to age until 2015.
Made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah this wine opens with a rich mouthfeel and flavors of tobacco and blackberry jam, layers of smoky meat in the foreground. At 15.9% alcohol it devolves into pruny territory, a tad hot on the finish. Drink now.
Aromatically rich in red cherry and black currant fruit, this is a lean Zin despite its 15% alcohol. Tar, cedar and chocolate dominate the palate.
Leading with a slightly sour smell of tart apple and lime rind, the aromas from this single-vineyard Pinot Gris also pick up a wet rock minerality. Upon sipping, flavors of apple pie and peach emerge on the backdrop of a light, vibrant mouthfeel thanks to the stainless-steel processing, making this an excellent companion for fruit-topped salads or spicy food.
Bright pink in color, this is a fresh rosé, just off dry, with lively citrus and wild strawberry fruits. Acidity cuts through the wine, making it crisp and ready to drink.
Sweaty, nutty aromas of popcorn and nettle lead to a chunky, somewhat soft palate. Flavors of mango, bell pepper and sea salt are fair, while the finish is ripe and relatively soft, with mild cut. Drink now.
A bright, light and fruity wine that is ready to drink. It has flavors of currants, juicy orange as well as a mineral texture and a touch of bitter marmalade. Drink now.
Just lightly structured, this is a delicious, fruity wine. With soft tannins and rounded black fruits, it's fresh and fragrant. Wood flavors support the fruitiness. Full-bodied and ripe, it's ready to drink.
Straightforward and enjoyable, it delivers aromas of peach blossom and citrus. The juicy palate offers white peach, green apple and banana peel. Sip this as an apéritif or pair with light first courses.
Spicy, peppery cherry and plum aromas precede a medium-bodied palate with grip but not much depth. This tastes warm and spicy, with driving berry flavors. A fresh, lightly woody finish fits the wine.
With chocolate as well as fruit flavors, this is a structured wine. A bitter edge gives the juicy damson fruit a jolt. However, it should develop well to give a ripely textured wine from 2016.
Herbal savoriness and hints of green pear on an otherwise neutral and clean nose promise sleek but uncomplicated refreshment. Ideal for entertaining.
Made from estate-grown Dijon clones, this saw a touch of new oak. It's fruity and forward, as befits the ripe vintage, but stops short in the finish. There's also a light streak of vanilla and a suggestion of ginger.
Here's a serious Cava with Champagne qualities. The nose is nutty and rich, with hints of vanilla and popcorn that aren't overdone. The palate is toasty but also candied, with citrus blending perfectly with butterscotch. Plump and ripe through the finish, this is high-end and stylish, as Spanish bubbly goes. Drink now or hold in a good cellar for a few more years.
This Old World-style red starts with a savory, complex nose of rich meats, tobacco, leather and smoke. The flavors are a blend of spicebox, tobacco, smoke and cedar. Its elegant tannic structure and generous mouthfilling character will attract collectors and lovers of Bordeaux wines.
Opaque in color, with reduced aromas of mushroom, rubber and so forth. But do not give up on this masculine bruiser; it will loosen up with air and offer plum, leather and chocolate flavors that are nothing short of excellent. And while it's a touch zesty at its core, the wine still mixes in enough coffee and richness to make it a modern-style success story.
Almost tooth-achingly sweet, this nectar still retains an amazing level of fruit purity. It's floral and apple-y in its aromas, then offers pineapple, honey and melon fruit flavors. There's even some lime zest on the finish to partially offset the succulent sweetness.
These vines were planted in 1984; they are dry-farmed with all-natural acids, most unusual for Washington State. So you have a beguiling mix of aromatic, lightly soapy, perfumed, floral scents, matched to exotic passion fruit and grapefruity citrus. There is a lot of acid here, and it's a young wine, but it has wonderful concentration and a full-throttle mix of perfume, fruit and flesh. The finish seems endless, and promises a long life ahead.
This is thick, rich and very beerenauslese-like, combining honey and dried apricot aromas with similar flavors and a touch of candied pineapple. It's sweeter and richer than the regular auslese, but only more appealing for true sugar hounds, who'll admire its extreme viscosity and long, mouthcoating finish.
Like the 2003, this is a big, no-holds-barred Shiraz. The 2005 is packed with cassis and blueberry fruit, framed by chocolate and vanilla notes and finishes with plenty of spicy complexity and some slightly rough tannins. Drink 2010–2020.
Vintage after vintage, the Resonance Vineyard designation is the most seductive, most expressive of all the Sineann Pinot Noirs. In this difficult vintage it is a more elegant and delicate wine than usual, but delicious. Tart cherry, hints of pine resin, delicate spicy highlights and a persistent and elegant finish are the hallmarks here. Nicely done!
Light in color with aromas of finely scented bath soap, strawberry, fresh cream and steel. The palate is a touch sweeter than you might expect, and that's because this is 60% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) along with Garnacha and Pinot Noir. Still, it's an elegant wine with punch bowl flavors.
Some sandalwood incense elevates the nose. In the mouth there is little varietal character, though the Sangiovese is unblended. Tart, chewy, acidic and light, with plenty of acid.
Gritty, narrow aromas of cherry and red plum smell rubbery, like latex. The palate smacks down with acidic bite along with sweet red fruit flavors, toast and heat. Feels lean and rough; tastes good enough.
Made from Clarksburg grapes, a small appellation near Lodi, this soft Merlot tastes a touch metallic and its blackberry and cherry notes finish a tad bitter.
This lightweight red is on the herbal side, although with attractive bitter-cherry flavors and some fresh acidity.
Dry, spicy and peppery on the nose, but not very fruity. The palate is juicy and tight, with briar, stem, citrus and herbal cherry and plum flavors. Shows heat on a short finish, which is herbal and drying.
Both the nose and palate of this medium-bodied Plavac Mali are soft and pulpy with overripe red fruit accented by the scent of golden hay. Bright acidity in the midpalate adds freshness, and moderate tannins are mouthcoating with a soft, powdery grain.
A Sierra Foothills-area Merlot without much aroma or deep flavor, fairly middle of the road and 14.9% alcohol.
Rough, green and olive-dominated on the nose. The palate is plump to the point of being weighty, while the flavors are briary and run heavy with olive, green tobacco and green bean. Mild on the finish, with another wave of green olive.
Melon, pear and apple aromas are standard and sweet. The palate is soft, maybe a bit mushy, with banana, pear and tropical fruit flavors. Finishes easy and flat, with lasting tropical sweetness.
Chunky, oily, sweet aromas of pineapple and vanilla lead to a soft palate with mildly green, pickled flavors and creamy melon. The finish is quiet and quick other than for a final wave of sweet cream.
Crisp acidity buoys sharp red fruit in this delectable wine—a blend of multiple sites across the appellation. Medium build, it shows youthful tannins and oak that supports without intrusion, allowing the crunch of cranberry, strawberry and pomegranate to speak forcefully.
The Serrano Mira family has been producing wine at this estate since 1667. The old-vines blend of four grapes (including Petit Verdot) is a rich testament to this legacy—a powerful wine that is impressively full, concentrated and dark. Despite its high alcohol, it is stylish, balancing swathes of ripe fruit with acidity and poised tannins. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
Incredibly dark in the glass and potent on the nose, this bottling from west of Paso Robles shows dried blueberry, black currant, black pepper and asphalt aromas, proving thick but not sweet. The wine coats the palate with lavish tannins and bright acidity before delivering flavors of charred berry and peppercorn.
Strong aromas of mulberry syrup, exotic strawberry, allspice, cardamom and fresh cola combine for a deliciously rich nose on this attention-grabbing wine from Grenache-focused winemaker Mikael Sigouin. It's soft on the palate before the tannins tighten up, full of cherry mousse and strawberry-foam flavors that are leveled by bay leaf and garden herbs.
Alluring aromas of fragrant blue flower, woodland berry, forest floor and pipe tobacco slowly take shape in this compelling wine. Gorgeous and full-bodied, the palate delivers ripe morello cherry while licorice, cinnamon and crushed herb add depth. Polished tannins provide the elegant framework. Drink through 2026.
Very light in the glass, this fascinating exploration of the underripe side of Pinot Noir shows green olive and crushed cherry tomato aromas on the nose, with prevalent bay leaf, green peppercorn and pine resin. Those elements converge on the sip to make a cranberry, spicy herb and eucalyptus nut tea, which is tangy and complex.
This vintage is the first that was under complete control of winemaker Tyler Thomas, and his studious touch shows magically. There's a powerful density of ripe but not sweet black fruit on the nose of this bottling, along with hints of violets, turned earth and leather. The structure is firm, dense and chalky but with a vivid acidity, offering ethereal, supple flavors of black currant and cocoa on the finish. Drink 2018–2034.
Made entirely from the famous vineyard named for its stony soils, this resplendent wine is powerfully crafted and bold. Coconut shavings and chocolate provide a luxurious flavor profile that meshes perfectly with the wine's lush grip of tannin and velvety mouthfeel. Dark cherry and cassis round out the flavors, accented in black pepper and clove.
The very intriguing nose of this bottling by a winery that explores all types of Pinot Noir sites and styles shows sarsaparilla, sandalwood, incense and fresh boysenberry aromas. The palate is all about freshness, with blackberry and black raspberry flavors lifted by anise, peppercorns and wild thyme. Great depth and verve throughout.
This is a structured, substantial wine, grippy on the palate, with firm-grained tannin and smoky oak. Mouth-filling with a juicy sophisticated core of cherry, blackberry and black currant, there's a defiant meatiness to the fruit, spiked in clove, black pepper and tobacco. Cellar through 2033.
When it was planted with Bordeaux grapes in 1974, this vineyard was a first in Portugal. It continues to produce great wines, with this is the latest release. It is sophisticated and rich, while also finely structured. Its wood aging lifts the wine and adds spice and density. As with past vintages, this wine needs to age. Drink after 2020.
Crushed sea shells and chalk meet with lemon blossoms, citrus rinds, baked pears and a touch of butter on the nose of this excellent bottling. Juicy lemon and brisk salinity drive the palate, with judicious acid cutting through the Gravenstein apple and lightly roasted macadamia nut flavors.
There is a strong pithy character to the nose of this wine, with aromas of Meyer lemon peel, grapefruit rind, Brie cheese wash, yogurt and wet rock. The palate is really tightly wound and also full of that tight pith character, with ethereal and wispy flavors of clean smoke, chalk and ash. The acidity is soft but penetrating.
This wine has rich, intense yellow fruit, orange marmalade and concentrated botrytis flavors. With all the elements in place, it is well poised to mature slowly and gently into a very fine wine. Its concentration is balanced by fresh fruit and and honey notes. Drink from 2023.
This wine is already balanced and developing quickly. It has fine acidity and crisp citrus and floral honey flavors. With its light touch, it's likely to be ready to enjoy. Drink now–2021.
There's intensely sharp fruit character on the nose of this bottling from a single clone and block in this historic vineyard, with candied raspberry and pomegranate aromas that are leveled by Early Grey tea and pressed purple flowers. The palate is extremely lively and tightly structured, with dark boysenberry and candied raspberry flavors that rise into a minty finish.
Tight aromas of Montmorency cherry, rhubarb and hibiscus are spiced by cinnamon stick and vanilla-laced brioche on the complex and delicious nose of this bottling by Edgar Torres. It's a very well-rounded Pinot Noir, with dark refreshing cranberry juice at the core and ample amounts of thyme, fennel, tarragon and black pepper throughout.