This opens with delicate aromas suggesting mocha, black-skinned berry and vanilla. The dense palate delivers black currant jam, clove and tobacco alongside taut tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
The aromas are quite muted, not revealing much about what's inside the glass. It's a shame because the palate is quite flavorful, ripe with cherry and spice flavors that show persistence. If the two come together it could move up a notch.
The aromas seem surprisingly subdued for the variety and style, with notes of flower, herb and spice. It drinks sweet but doesn't quite have the acid to back it up.
Intriguing aromas of sweet herb and baking spice lead to drawn-out feeling biscuit flavors. It shows a bit of heat on the finish.
Caramel oak meets thick tar and sticky tannin in this robust wine from the mountain appellation. Dark brooding fruit is seasoned in minty earth and forest floor.
Brambly berry aromas include a note of blueberry as well as a hint of oaky char. This Tannat feels wiry as things condense at the center of the palate. Peppery spice and blackened oak flavors are more out front than the fruit, while this is toasty on the finish.
Reduced and extracted, this is a hearty blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Viognier. A juicy backbone of high-toned cherry is met by pretty aromas of violet as broad-shouldered body weight and texture provide a meaty edge.
This is a robust mouth-filling wine with good fruit flavors, nice accents of black pepper and grilled beef, and a nip of sweetness to take the edge off moderate tannins. It's made from two of the classic Foothills grape varieties: Zinfandel and Barbera.
This aromatic wine, floral and ripe, is made from the Gouveio grape (known in Spain as Godello). The wine has a rich, yeasty character as well as crisp white fruits and acidity. It is finely balanced, ready to drink now.
A blend of 60% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone and 10% Negrara, this offers delicate aromas suggesting black-skinned berry and cooking spice. The firm palate evokes blackberry jam, tobacco and green pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
This lightly structured wine is all fruit. Its red berry flavors are already well integrated with the smoky tannins that form its core. It will, however, age quickly. Drink from 2019.
Lovingston's medium-bodied Bordeaux Blend is pleasantly grapy on the nose with an undertone of darkly toasted oak, nuts and savory spices. The palate holds a decent amount of black fruit, but with a green, underripe vein and fairly high level of acidity and tannins.
Like most bargain Chilean Cabs, the wine is a bit green and herbal, with scratchy red-fruit aromas helping it along. The palate has reasonably good depth and saturation, with flavors of roasted berry, stewed fruits, tobacco and green veggies. Good but challenged.
The low-level “good” rating is more a reflection of the wine's age than its core qualities. It's flat and wayward now, with no real direction to the nose or palate. It tastes bland and semisweet, with dying acids and simple flavors of apple and melon. Go with the '09, then look for the '10.
Earthy and mildly medicinal smelling, with a healthy, not too stark palate that's dealing pointed cherry flavors and some dry oak. It's a touch sharp and angular, with a dry, peppery finish that's lean, acid-driven and starching.
A soft, off-dry wine, full of lightweight currant fruits. It is gentle, in a fruity, apéritif style.
Green smelling, with lettuce, oregano and other herbal aromas. The palate is also green and starchy, while the structure screams hard, big tannins and fierce acidity. Does not mesh that well; too much green character and hardness to rate better. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah.
Brambly red-fruit aromas of currants and pie cherry are on the sharp side, while the palate is clacky and tannic, with crisp red-plum, herb and wayward oak flavors. Finishes full and rugged, with toasty heat and an herbal aftertaste. Not a bad wine but it's fairly typical for Chilean Merlot.
The grapes for this immense, rich blueberry jammy Syrah come from NFL's John Madden's ranch. It's as big and loud as he can be, with not quite enough fruit or acid to overcome the alcohol, which even gets in the way of the nose. With a small percentage of Grenache blended in and the whole aged in 100% American oak (1/3 new), this style may appeal to some;, but can be interpreted as overly voluptuous, even on a second tasting eight hours after the first. Decant or, preferably, give it another 3–5 years.
Mostly Sangiovese with a small dose of Petit Verdot, this has attractive vanilla, dark cherry and spice aromatics, but a green, stalky note that lingers throughout. Supple tannins mingle pleasantly with tobacco and smoke on the palate.
Blowsy and mustardy, like it's starting to turn south. The palate is loud, jumbled and heavy, with mustardy orange flavors, a touch of flowery honey and then bitterness. Big and powerful, but not very poised.
A soft, fat, caramel-flavored wine, showing strawberry fruits and a creamy texture. It lacks acidity, leaving a wine that needs to be drunk soon.
Aromas of toasted oak, green leaves, vanilla and spice waft from this medium-bodied North Carolina Bordeaux-style blend. The palate is ripe and plush with plenty of sweet dark cherry fruit, but there's a tinge of green in the backdrop. Tobacco, smoke and supple tannins on the finish add an edge to this otherwise soft sipper.
If a buttery, oaky, roasty, toasty Viognier is what you seek, Virginia's Tarara Vineyards has it. Toasted oak, buttered popcorn and fresh apples dominate both the nose and palate of this dry, full-bodied wine. It's a straightforward wine with fairly high alcohol, but balanced with a vibrant acidity.
Veramar's Estate Club Viognier has a high-toned apple scent. Fat and full bodied with lots of rich cream, butter and apple cider notes, it's fairly low in acid, but high in alcohol, contributing to a finish that feels a bit dense and hot.
The Guarda Rios, or kingfisher, lives in the vineyards that produce this wine, which is bright pink, strawberry flavored, attractively dry and crisp.
Loved the 2008 but at this point in time I can't say the same about this bottling. It's vegetal, with heavy bell pepper and asparagus aromas and flavors. Low-volume zest and kick indicates that it has turned; best to wait for the 2010 because this is too green and flat.
Disjointed from the start, this wine never pulls itself together. Cracker, oily fruit, overripe apples, and some burn in the finish.
Jammy smelling but also lean and minty. The palate is almost sour, a bit better later on, but never does it rise above tight, lean and tart. Mesache means youthful but youth is wasted on the young in this case. Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and the indigenous Parraleta.
Smoke and leather tack-room scents and flavors, making for a sharp, short, fruitless wine.
There is a bit of sweetness which gives a quick impression of body to the light, cherry-flavored fruit. Once in the mouth the wine quickly fades, leaving just an astringent aftertaste with no particular varietal character.
Stewed and vegetal, with hard, bitter tannins. This does not taste as if the grapes ripened sufficiently, and the extraction is such that green, bitter tannins are the main flavor.
A blend of five diverse red grapes, this lightly fruity quaffer is almost invisible as far as flavor is concerned. It hits the tongue and vanishes.
This feels slightly softer in the mouth than the massive 2006, but carries the density and gravitas that one associates with Quilceda Creek. Wonderful balance, with a deeply detailed set of flavors that gather strength as they move through the palate. Mixed berries, threaded with chocolate, lingering with black cherry, cassis, smoke, cedar, lead pencil and more.
This blackberry-flavored young wine is structured with tannins. The acidity and the ripe fruitiness are developing well, so drink from 2019 when it will have softened and filled out.
This wine's name translates to “dear father” in Farsi, the Persian owner's native tongue.The blend of 63% Shiraz and 37% Petite Sirah offers black fruit, wet earth and anise on the nose—altogether quite reserved for such a dark wine. The mouthfeel is full, but the flavors of black currant and cola are very shy.
This fruity wine bursts with the warmth of the Alentejo. It has a rich texture, black currant and berry fruits, and just the right amount of acidity. It is a good wine to drink young.
A spritzy texture livens up this sugary light-bodied wine that smells like honeydew melons and tastes like a sweet citrus sorbet.
This is a syrupy, ripe take on Grenache, which renders it varietally unrecognizable. There's a deep core of cassis and black cherry fruit, but any remaining details have been blown out by the alcohol.
Supple and rich, this medium-bodied wine is slightly sweet, blending berry and cherry flavors with milk-chocolate accents. The sweetness softens the texture and makes it feel broad and mouth-filling.
Woody aromas of clove and spice clash a bit with jammy, stewy berry scents. This wine feels pushy and resiny, with high acidity that makes the palate feel tomatoey. Herbal, oaky plum and tomato flavors finish with a blanket of oak and related clove flavors.
This Moldovan Cabernet Sauvignon has strawberry jam, saddle leather and raspberry aromas. The palate is marked by smoked meat, clove and baking spice flavors that accent its fruity core.
This wine is broad on the palate and creamy in texture. Bruised apple aromas mar the otherwise delicate melon and peach notes, while it finishes quickly.
The Saumur-based merchant has produced this ripe soft wine from a single vineyard. It is an easy simple wine with attractive acidity and some tangy citrus fruits. Drink now.
Gamy aromas lead to a sinewy, lean palate. This funky Cabernet tastes of creamy oak, plum and green herbs. It finishes a bit weedy, with savory offsets.
Inky, grapy aromas come across hard and reduced. This is pinchy and tannic on the palate, with dark berry, game and crusty flavors. On the finish, it's hard-driving, with heat and tannic grab.
Marche's Passerina grape is known for making easy-drinking and enjoyable wines like this one. It has delicate pear and tropical fruit flavors, with a restrained mineral note on the finish. Perfect to match with light, everyday fare.
Oak and alcohol aromas dominate this wine made from 100% Montepulciano. The palate delivers café au lait and espresso, blueberry, chocolate and mint alongside the warmth of alcohol. It's starting to fade, so drink soon.
There's a lot of oak on this value-priced Chard, to the point that any fruit aromas are blanketed. In the mouth, there's ample acidity affording good cut, while flavors of pear and apple are spiced up by aforementioned forceful oak. Fortunately a resiny tasting finish isn't too heavy
Dry and soft, this is a warm, creamy Pinot Blanc. It has pear and quince flavors, a touch of spice and delicate acidity. It is rich on the palate and ripe and ready to drink now.
Aromatic with notes of raspberry, cherry and sugar cookie, this is robust on the palate with a big, mouth-filling foam and penetrating wild cherry flavor.
After a cheesy opening, the bouquet shows tropical fruits but little more. In the mouth, this is round and heavy, with very ripe flavors of tropical fruits and melon. A big, honeyed finish with vanilla and banana flavors is quite sweet.
Bright, ripe strawberry and cherry flavors are contrasted with the firm tannins of wood aging. This is a very young wine, with layers of acidity, spice and toast. Drink from 2016.
Here's a bright and easy-drinking wine made from Trebbiano, Passerina and Pecorino grapes. It has sensations of acacia flower, lemon and peach alongside vibrant acidity.
Very mature and soft in structure, this is a wine that needs to be drunk now. It has some richness, a dry edge and some attractive acidity, but it is not a wine that will improve.
The wine is very fresh and fruity with lively red-berry flavors balanced delicately with light tannins and acidity. It's refreshing with a red currant aftertaste.
This is a gamy wine that shows ripe fruit with a barnyard accent. It's quite full and forward with red berry flavors, bright acidity and a sense of structure.
The aromas of this wine are ripe—almost overripe—with notes of mushy strawberry and red cherry, while the palate shows more restraint in flavors of red currant and tart, small berry. With soft tannins and medium acidity, this is an easy-drinking and fruity selection that finishes quick and clean.
This opens with somewhat evolved aromas of flint and tilled earth, with a hint of vanilla and toast. The palate offers notes of lemon zest, tangerine, bitter almond and apple skin, but it lacks fruit richness.
This smells like burnt tire rubber, oak and coffee. The palate demonstrates faint notes of restrained plum, but toasted oak, chocolate and espresso dominate in a style reminiscent of the late 1990s. Bitter wood tannins finish this off.
This is a wine with that's crisp and delicately fruity with flavors of red apples and pear skins. It's a fresh, bright wine with a soft aftertaste for enjoying now. Screwcap.
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.
Tart red fruit flavors, lightly spiced, reflect a mix of southern Rhône grapes. The tannins are rough and earthy, and the wine turns a bit green and sour in the finish.
Dark in color, with minty oak on the nose, this is a medium-to-full, resiny wine with cinnamon and clove outmuscling plum and cherry flavors. Resiny oak, modest acidity and tertiary fruit flavors work the finish.
Prominent on the nose with scents of apple and pear, this is a dry, medium-bodied Pinot Grigio with subtle nectarine and citrus flavor. It's puckery from acidity, but refreshing with a clean, brisk finish.
A perfumed nose of violet, black cherry and cedar give this Syrah-Mavroudi blend a seductive start. On the palate, black fruit and spice flavors are balanced, but not overly complex. A solid everyday red with indigenous appeal, and a great match for pasta with red sauces, pizza or steak.
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.
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.
Yeasty bread notes mingle with preserved cherry and raspberry tones on this dry, but fruity, Pinot Noir sparkling. It's quite bold on the palate with big, mouthfilling foam, and finishes with a touch of mushroom.
It will be a lucky day for people who scoop up this great-value wine. Dark in color and rich in flavor, it is medium to full bodied and tastes ripe and grapy. Smoothly tannic on the palate, it has enough concentration for a lingering, darkly fruity finish.
This full-bodied wine is made in a fumé style and tastes as if it's been oak aged, making it feel rich and rounded on the palate. It gives generous flavors that are riper than usual, plus a lingering vanilla and almond finish.
Pretty cherry blossom perfume wafts midst dusty granite and crushed mineral tones in this approachable Spätburgunder. While a touch more nuanced than the producer's basic-label Pinot, it shares its juicy, easy black cherry and plum flavors. Sunny acidity and fine, yielding tannins add to its easy drinking feel. Drink now through 2020.
Malbec and Syrah both make up just under a third of this wine, with the balance Mourvèdre, Sangiovese and Tempranillo. It shows some reduction out of the gate, along with barrel spice, herb and blue and black fruit. The flavors are soft and supple, showing a pleasing sense of balance.
This feels a bit sharp in the mouth, the oak (25% new) punching through some fairly light fruit. Wild-berry flavors come up against chewy tannins. The wine has some power, but lacks a little bit of balance at the moment.
This is a solid wine from a new appellation, offering much promise for vintages to come. Baked red cherry, smashed pomegranate, cinnamon and bay leaf play on the nose, while anise, light clove, strawberry, red plum and red apple vie for attention on the palate.
Aromas of tropical fruit and white peach carry over to the creamy palate along with ripe Granny Smith apple, candied lemon rind and a ginger note. Fresh acidity lifts the rather rich finish.
Rich and oaky, this wine gives plenty of flavor at reasonable price. It has an abundance of baking spice, butter and toasted-baguette flavors, full body and a pleasantly viscous texture.
A little more expensive than this producer's regular Chardonnay, it's worth it. Classic nutmeg and vanilla aromas lead to vivid and delicious flavors echoing baking spices, ripe apples and a touch of sweet cream. Quite full bodied, the wine's texture is also rich enough to encourage a lingering finish.
There are two Ovum Memorista Rieslings; this one sports the label with the whale drawing. It's a block selection, and combines distinct flavors of apple candy and sour lemon. Not yet entirely knitted together, it's an interesting though puzzling wine, which shows some early signs of oxidation.
Tart black-cherry fruit carries a load of earth and stem flavors, along with notes of bitter chocolate shavings and espresso grounds. It's tannic and tart, with a dash of sassafras threaded through the finish.
White-fruit aromas of apple and green melon are slightly yeasty. This feels round, with enough weight and body to absorb amplified acidity. Flavors of melon and apple are dry and salty, while this is clean and secure on the finish.
Mellow yeasty apple aromas suggest good things to come. This feels full, easygoing and good. Toasty apple and spice notes control the flavor profile, while this finishes with an overall sense of completeness.
The northernmost Beaujolais cru of Saint-Amour is also the smallest, giving wines that are structured like this. It is a firm wine, made from 55-year-old vines (his youngest vines, says the producer) and with density as well as smooth red-fruit flavors. The wine will be ready to drink from late 2017.
This Pinot is a full, fragrant, fetching wine with spongy citrus and cherry fruit, underscored with leesy minerality. It's ready for immediate enjoyment, and should be consumed now through 2020.
Candied cherry, crushed fennel, rosebuds, baking spice and baked blackberry show on the sweet-smelling nose of this single-vineyard Zin. Anise arises first on the palate, then more candied red-cherry elements and herbs. The texture is not complex, but the overall experience is nicely varied.
This wine is fruity, rich and well structured, with tannins that are already integrated with the fruit. Juicy and fruity, it is going to be delicious as it develops. Drink from 2019.
This mountain Nebbiolo opens with aromas of forest floor, violet, menthol and a whiff of scorched earth. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and star anise alongside austere tannins that grip the finish.
This is a ripe wine that also has a light touch. That gives black-currant fruit and tannins along with a poised structure and attractive crisp acidity. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit dominates while also giving the wine a dry core. Drink this stylish wine from 2019.
This is the second wine of Listrac's Chateau Fonréaud. A blend of half-and-half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is rich and juicy. Blackberry fruits are shot through with acidity and balanced with generous tannins that are softening well. With its juicy acidity and fruity aftertaste, it will be ready to drink from late 2017.
Cofermented with 6% Viognier, this is a perfumed wine with notes of fresh flowers, orange peel, herb and blue fruit. The elegant blue fruit flavors persist, with abundant floral accents.
While the nose is a touch savory, accented by hints of nut and earth, a bounty of luscious, fruity exuberance awaits on the palate of this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Layers of honey and nectar lend an unctuousness to fresh yellow peach and citrus flavors. The finish lingers with a swirl of sweet caramel.
Fresh, cutting gooseberry and grapefruit flavors persist from nose to finish in this exquisitely light bodied Riesling. The palate is off-dry in style, suggesting sweet-tart tangerine and apricot accented by shades of green herb and bramble. The finish is brisk but clean. Drink now through 2020.
This dark, fully saturated red wine starts with scents of eucalyptus, black cherry and dill. The ample weight and dusty texture is appealing, but purists may quibble with the amount of dill in this robust Cabernet. Drink now–2025.
Earthy aromas of raisin and plum are buried under heavy oak. This is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Bouchet, and it feels raw, woody and resiny. Barrel-based aromas of vanilla and wood are front, center and dominant, while this remains highly barrel driven on the finish.
Warm earthy ripe aromas of raisin, baked berry fruits and prune are typical of Jumilla and Monastrell, which is 85% of this blend along with 15% Syrah. Punchy and tannic, but not fierce, this is ripe and tastes of raisin, prune and dried herbs. A lasting finish is raisiny and choppy.
Bright, appley aromas and ripe apple and peach flavors make this light-bodied wine fresh and appealing. It tastes slightly off dry, with an engagingly smooth texture.
Dense, herbal berry aromas are borderline stewy. On the palate, this is wide and demanding, with meaty black-fruit flavors touched up by minty herbal notes. A long finish is mildly stewy and tastes of brown sugar and blackened oak.
Though this wine's mouthfeel is chalky, its dark fruit, touched with black olive, coffee and licorice, offers interesting, complex flavors. It's tight, tart, lightly saline and peppery, with the fresh berry fruit flavors holding up through the finish.
Vivid berry flavors drive this medium-bodied, lively and firmly tannic wine. It has good acidity that combines with the fine-grained tannins for an especially tangy mouthfeel.
This garnet-colored Bikavér blend is comprised of Kefrankos, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sagrantino and Kadarka. It has cherry, raspberry and plum aromas and sour cherry, raspberry and smoked meat flavors. Nicely balanced, it has rounded tannins and a prolonged finish.
The wine is velvet soft with smooth red berries and gentle tannins. It has a line in acidity along with spice and a rounded texture. Drink this lightly wood-aged wine now.
Tart pomegranate and cranberry meet with strong sagebrush and mace on the nose of this fairly priced bottling. The palate shows nutmeg, pine needle and juniper seasonings, which give depth to the bright and crisp cranberry-orange rind backbone. Pencil shavings add to the complexity.
White peach, sea salt, pecan, guava and the slightest hint of sour cream show on the nose of this bottling from the family that owns Bien Nacido Vineyard. It's light and delicate on the sip, with stone-fruit and tangerine-laced citrus flavors held up by a pithy structure and acid that rises toward the finish.
With hints of vanilla as well as black currants, this wine still needs to come into balance. It has attractive fruitiness along with tannins, but it is still young. Drink from 2027.
Lots of raisins, prunes and heavy baking spice show on the nose of this single-vineyard bottling, as well as hints of black pepper and shredded asphalt. Exotic figs and prunes also make an appearance on the palate, which is framed by a decent tannic grip.
A single-vineyard wine from property owned by the Messias family, this is structured and packed full of tannins. A chocolate and spice character partners with the red fruits and acidity. It is ready to drink.
Dark, burnt, crusty aromas lead to a palate with choppy tannins. Spicy, rooty, peppery flavors of red bell pepper, tomato and plum finish spicy, peppery and savory, with a burst of freshening acidity that adds energy and jump.
This shows light, tangy cranberry and raspberry flavors on the fresh, straightforward attack. Beyond that, it doesn't offer much detail, finishing with a touch of acidity.
This full-bodied wine shows smooth and rounded plum fruit. The flavors are mouth-filling, but the rather quick fade suggests it's best consumed in the near term, as it's already five years past harvest.
Aromas of coffee, fig, dried fruit and soy sauce are concentrated on the nose. Earthy flavors on the palate are elevated by these aromas, with a hint of Rooibos tea that gives it lift and intrigue. The tannins are silky and the finish is long with evolving flavors.
Ripe apple and banana flavors lead this native yeast-fermented, oak-aged wine. Its loose-knit mix of fruit seems on the cusp of oxidation and is countered with tart, lemony acidity.
This wine shows grapey and plummy purple fruit notes lead to an earthy palate, with hints of stem and coffee. No new oak was used, but it spent 22 months in barrel prior to bottling.
Ripe, red cherry, with floral notes of rose, iris and a hint of cinnamon introduce this ripe and luscious wine that is already surprisingly open and generous. Its gentle, finely-knit tannic structure will allow this to age, but there is a pleasant, seductive mellowness already in the alternating layers of spice and cherry. Drink from 2014–2018.
Liquorous and tight, this opens into a rich and full mid-palate loaded with smoky cassis and tar, accented with aromas of cedar and tobacco. The taste and track record suggest at least a decade of further aging is necessary.
Silky, cherry-fruited elegance and a caressing subtlety make this a winner in the sleekness stakes. There is freshness and perfectly pitched balance, with soft yet structured tannins. Seductive notes of Amarena cherry and dark chocolate, with mere edges of cinnamon, dance on the palate. Drink 2016–2020.
This pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate vineyard shows focused blueberry, black cherry and cassis fruit at its core, with underlying minerality. Dusty tannins and firm acids support a chewy, cherry-infused finish.
This is a dark, dense and brooding Bordeaux-style blend, comprised of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc. Notes of cocoa, cigar tobacco and leather jazz up the black-fruit core of cassis, black plum and berry. The palate is full and gripping, with firm tannins that hang on tightly through the long and slightly smoky finish. Drink after decanting now, or enjoy through 2018.
This wine is immediately attractive and seductive, with forward floral notes of crushed iris and violet that are supported by a decadent ripe-fruit core of black raspberry, wild cherry and boysenberry. Woody tones of toasted coconut and vanilla add richness to the dense, fully structured palate, while hints of black pepper and cocoa nib blossom on the finish. Delicious now, but should age well through 2018.
This is an elegant wine, blended with 13% Merlot and just a splash of Carmenère adding some peppery spice. Surprising citrus highlights suggest tangerine juice and rind, and the tart pomegranate and wild cherry fruit slides gracefully into sleek tannins.
Old vines and a Grand Cru vineyard have produced an impressive wine. It is bone dry and very crisp, but also has swathes of dense fruit and texture. It's very mineral and steely in style with youthful acidity and pink grapefruit flavors, but this is a wine to age. Drink from 2016.
A great purity of lifted, wild blackberry, fringed by ivy leaves, makes a lasting impression on this mysterious, ethereal wine. Deeper down lurk darker notes of smoke, elderberry, tar and flint. A slender body with fresh acidity destines this for the table: wherever intriguing aromatics are required, this is the wine.
Crisp, spicy aromas of red fruits matched against oregano, basil and olive notes give this Cabernet a lot of character and points of interest. The palate is tight and well structured, while dark berry, spice, herb and chocolate flavors flow onto a toasty, minty, warm and tannic finish. This is a bit aggressive now; give it two years and drink through 2019.
All six Bordeaux varieties are incorporated here, half being Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla's Pepperbridge vineyard. A smooth entry brings up a flavorful mix of ripe strawberry, red plum and black cherry fruits. The wine is somewhat liquorous, with the alcohol showing in a finish tasting of Bourbon-soaked cherries.
A Cabernet-dominated, Bordeaux-style blend, the Electrum is tannic, dark and earthy. Its cassis fruit is cloaked in rich, dense layers of graphite, espresso and dark chocolate. The density is impressive and suggests that a decade or more in the cellar may prove rewarding.
A peppery, aromatic start leads into this tightly-layered, pure varietal, single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It's layered with red berry fruits, from strawberries on through. Young and firm, it shows just the right amount of barrel toast around polished tannins.
This Cabernet delivers a complete package at an incredibly attractive price. Aromas of mocha, graphite and vanilla play nicely with core berry scents. Baked berry, vanilla and pastry flavors settle softly, with mellow tannins. Drink through 2018.
Sourced from 18-year-old vines, this Bordeaux-style blend is loaded with aromatic red fruits and deliciously savory spices. Smooth and supple, with excellent balance and polished tannins, it's a wine that rewards decanting.
Aromatically reticent initially it opens to reveal notes of herbs, coffee, plum and barrel spices. It's elegantly styled with silky cherry flavors and soft tannins that lead to a drawn out finish.
This textbook Verdicchio from Matelica opens with enticing aromas of yellow spring flowers, stone fruit and citrus. The delicious palate offers peach, tropical fruit and mineral flavors, with a hint of sea salt.
While this wine does have sweetness, its great character comes from its structure and spiciness. It is rich, full in the mouth, ripe and concentrated. Even at four years old, it is youthful and closed still, and needs some time in the cellar. Drink from 2015.
Unctuous texture is the telltale sign of quality  in a rich, sweet, botrytized wine. This wine has traded the spice of a Gewurztraminer with a palate full of honey and delicate lemon acidity. It is a fine, complex wine that is developing well. Drink until 2020.
This barrel-fermented effort was not put through malolactic. It retains a very fresh, citrusy profile, a mix of rind and pulp flavors, with streaks of quinine and tonic. Good persistence, with the snap of fresh lime in the finish.
Cool, green, minerally aromas lead it off, and next there's fresh bell pepper, jalapeno and gooseberry flavors. Bright, focused, edgy and stony, with proper acidity, bite and clarity. A good one similar to the winery's Reserva SB, but clearer and more precise.
A top value in drink-now Shiraz, Reilly's 2008 Barking Mad shows none of the overripe character that plagued the vintage. It's almost floral on the nose, with an intense crème de framboise character. Raspberry, coffee and chocolate notes marry easily on the palate, and although it's not that concentrated, it is full in the mouth and lushly textured on the finish. Drink now–2015.
Vanilla, honey, citrus and spice aromas lead this luscious white blend from Bellingham. On the palate, vanilla, lemon and creamy white fruit all mingle in a round, integrated character, but are spun with spice. A pretty, appealing white with something for everyone.
While there is some botrytis here, this wine is not heavily into that style. Rather it shows freshness, with its white currant and grapefruit acidity and delicate perfume. There is a fine core of sweet apple skin tannins to finish.
This is the inaugural vintage of what is intended to be the flagship wine in the Milbrandt portfolio. It has rather light fruit flavors of mixed red berries and currants, a little spice and some toasty accents from barrel aging. Decanting may help to flesh it out.
A rich, creamy wine loaded with toasted almond, vanilla cookie, bright melon and apple, and hints of white peach—there is a lot going on here. The acids sharpen up the fruit flavors, and the wine has a clean edge, along with expressive barrel flavors.
Biodynamically run, Château Tour des Gendres is at the top of the tree in Bergerac. This beautifully fruity wine shows freshness as well as depth of tannins, complex berry and bitter chocolate flavors. It is firm, but as a sign of the vintage, has a light character with final freshness.
This barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc is from Klipsun vineyard. There is a clean and lightly grassy nose, with added highlights of citrus, lime rind, lemon drop, honeysuckle and light toast.
Full-bodied and loaded with ripe, round fruits, this forward and juicy Sémillon shows some new oak flavors, but retains its varietal character and most importantly, its freshness. A mix of melon, pineapple and white peach, with some skin phenolics evident in the finish.
This is a blend of the three single-vineyard Syrahs from AlmaTerra, and is in some respects more complete, but not quite as interesting as the individual wines. It seems to concentrate the minerality and expand the fruit component, but also becomes blockier, and loses some focus in the finish.
A wine that offers elegance, the wood flavors going with strawberry and dark berry flavors. There is an earthy, undergrowth character here as well, bringing out a bitter edge to counteract the sweet, jammy finish.
Complex, albeit within a limited and rather dark spectrum that runs from cola and earth through to black olive and espresso. Full bodied, but seems to lack just a bit of midpalate texture, finishing crisp. Drink now–2018.
This pure Roussanne offers bracing acidity coupled with fleshy melon, citrus and pineapple. Balanced and fresh, it still shows a yeasty character, with hints of cracker from aging in older French oak.
Made by Reid Bosward of Kaesler, this is a chance to taste his handiwork at a reasonable price. The wine delivers plummy, meaty, slightly herbal aromas, then turns more savory on the palate, suggesting mixed olives. In a word, it's complex. Tannins are supple without being too soft, while the finish is long and lush, concealing the wine's 15.3% alcohol amazingly well.
With its aromas of smoke and cracked pepper, this shows more Rhône-ish qualities than many of its Barossa brethren. It's also less weighty than most, with an appealingly silky texture that fades just a little too quickly on the finish. Drink now–2015.
This may be simple Zweigelt, but it has a great structure, bringing out an impressively complex juice and tannin combination, with a ripe sweet character, black berry fruits and a core of tight, mineral tannins. The finish is open, warm and juicy.
Fresh red-berry aromas offer a clean opening. This blend of Bobal, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon is snappy and crisp in feel, with flavors of fresh tomato, raspberry, red plum and vanilla. The finish is fresh and friendly, with a hint of scour.
Dark as night, this is a sumptuous, rich, concentrated and full-bodied Cabernet tasting of dark berry and oak, with a trace of leather saddle on the finish.
Small pockets of Aglianico persist in the Foothills with mostly good results. This wine upholds the effort in its boysenberry jam, vanilla and strong tannic structure. Heavy shouldered with a foundation of acidity, pair it with a steaming lamb roast encrusted in herbs.
This wine is quite fruity on the nose. Next, it's dense and solid in the mouth, however the flavors turn quickly towards syrupy berry and stewed black fruits. A raisin-like flavor pops up on the finish to accompany chewy tannins and a pasty feeling residue.
A juicy, fruity wine with attractive, bright red-berry fruit flavors. The wine is fresh, touched nicely by some wood and tannins.
This rooty smelling wine delivers herb, cola and cassis aromas in front of a wiry feeling palate that's loaded to the brim with hard-biting tannins. Flavors of mossy, baked berry fruits come with an herbal streak, and the finish is hard due to those grating tannins. For a five-year-old wine to feel this hard is telling.
Lemon, green gooseberry and plum lead the nose and mouth of this refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. The texture is ripe and fruit forward, but lifted with good acidic cut that ends on a mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
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.
This appropriately named wine contains a mix of eight Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties with no single grape making up so much as a quarter of the blend. Notes of cherry and tobacco meld with dry chocolate, ash and light herbal tones leading to a spice-filled finish.
This 100% varietal wine hails from Canyon Vineyard Ranch and Oasis vineyards. It's tart and puckering with notes of cocoa, raspberries and licorice and a firm squeeze of tannins. Barrel notes of vanilla and dill linger on the finish.
The bouquet of this wine is somewhat dainty, offering layered aromas of yellow apple, gooseberry, melon and crushed mineral. Ripe stone-fruit flavors add breadth to the dominating citrus notes, with a hint of sweet grass unfolding on the finish.
Firm and structured, this is a textured wine, its tannins currently showing strongly. The blueberry fruit flavors offer a juicy, friendly contrast, resulting in a balanced wine that will benefit from a year or two of aging.
A rich but structured wine, this shows dark fruits and a strong tannic core. There is fine acidity and a taut, mineral texture.
Dense and tannic, a firmly wood- and stalky-fruit based wine. Black currant fruits and dry tannins are the prominent characteristics. On the finish, the fruit shows a juicier feel.
Surprising and delightful, this blend of Syrah and Merlot brings a complex mix of botanical highlights to a base of citrusy red-berry flavors. Notes of black pepper and granite-like minerality add more interest. The depth and persistence are remarkable in a wine at this price.
This is an impressive wine that's full of fruit, structure and acidity. It's well balanced, rich and crisply fresh, with lively acidity on the finish—a real food-friendly rosé.
An elegant and refined Chenin that shows superb balance and the potential to age gracefully for another five years, at least. Lush and rich, this has a smooth texture and a round but lifted palate. Aromas and flavors of baked apple and toast are layered with sweet citrus and honeyed richness. The long, strong finish leaves sultry sweet spice and nutty accents behind.
A hugely-rich wine that is very concentrated, offering as much pepper flavor as fruit. With its weight and soft, velvety texture, there are notes of ripe yellow fruit and pear. This should age over several years. Screwcap.
Gifford Hirlinger's Stateline Red is perhaps the least-known best-value wine in the Walla Walla AVA. The blend changes radically from year to year—this is 83% Cabernet with splashes of Malbec, Tinta Cão, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. Focused and concentrated, it has a streak of orange and cherry liqueur, and yummy highlights of coffee cake.
Firmly tannic and structured, this has a dark, black-fruit character along with paprika and pepper. Blackberry and juicy plum flavors sit behind the tannins. This should develop over 5–6 years. Screwcap.
A textbook example of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Art Series offers perfumed cassis fruit just tinged with mint and tobacco. There's ample body yet classic Cabernet restraint, so it's not jammy or overdone. The tannins are supple enough to make it enjoyable now, yet sufficient to see it through 2018, at least.
Smoky, toasty and without a doubt barrel fermented. This feels a little raw and tannic for a white wine, but it's also grippy, elevated and fruity. On the palate, things open with a blast of apple and raw oak; the finish is long and tastes of butterscotch and dried apple. A classy wine from some of the oldest vines in Rueda.
Dark and opaque, with compact aromas of rubbery blackberry and controlled oak. Feels flush and grabby, with staunch tannins and creamy, toasty flavors accenting core blackberry and cassis. This seems more barrel-influenced the longer it airs out. A generous wine to drink now through 2015.
The reserve takes the tight focus and black fruit flavors of the regular Cab and ramps them up a notch or two. Deeper, denser and darker, with flavors of cassis and licorice wrapped into the tannic, earthy depths of the finish. This has great power.
A full-bodied yet remarkably fresh Gigondas, with floral aromas and a fruit-driven style. Subtle shadings of licorice and chocolate add dark overtones, while the tannins are finely textured on the long finish. Drink now–2018.
Full bodied, softly tannic and immediately appealing, this offering from Alain Jaume's négociant business is attractively priced. It's not the biggest or most complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the ripe black-cherry and chocolate flavors and finely dusty texture are undeniably satisfying. Drink now–2018.
Dark and smoky, with superconcentrated black fruits, this also displays notes of black olive, char and earth. The bright, clean, pure fruit shines through the darker elements, giving the wine balance and a touch of elegance.
This is an elegant wine that has a smooth, perfumed character, with a racy, peppery edge. It has a crisp element, white fruit and pineapple. This should age for several years. Screwcap.
This wine balances ripeness with crispness. There is a spice note as well as a smooth texture that will round out further as the wine develops over the next four years..
This tightly-wound effort is built from 40% Malbec, 40% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's forceful and elegant, with streaks of black tea, anise and iron filings set in tangy red fruits that play out vertically through a lingering finish.
Slightly rusty in color and ready to drink, this lovely blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot conveys a lightly roasted bouquet, with cigar box, earth notes and tons of berry fruit. It feels rich but lively, with sweet black-fruit flavors, cocoa, mocha and licorice. This is toasty and chocolaty on the finish. Drink now.
A stunning wine, with great balance and layers of flavor. Baked apple, melon, honeysuckle and delicate fynbos notes dance on the nose and palate, with a toasty thread that ties it all together. A peach-pit nuttiness remains throughout the long finish. Delicious now, but should age nicely through 2015.
Hickory is the lead aroma, followed by notes of leather, earthy berry and spice. It feels juicy, lively and traditional, with a fine body-to-acid ratio. This offers classic Rioja flavors of red fruit, tomato, tobacco, dill and vanilla, with a long, consistent finish. It's healthy and drinkable now through 2017.
This is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec. It's forward, fruity, and almost plump, with a beguiling mix of spices and barrel notes, including red licorice, cola, mocha, smoke and chai. Concentrated and long, the finish is very clean.
This is a spicy ripe wine. Its berry flavors are shot through with acidity and generous tannins. It is still dry and still young although its future is assured. This estate is Bordeaux producer and négociant Nicolas Thienpont's family home. Drink this fine wine from 2019.
This 16th century chateau with towers is in the northern Médoc. The wine is spicy with the wood aging still showing. At the same time, the ripe black-currant fruit is developing well and as it ages further, the wine will become finely balanced. With 60% Cabernet in the blend, this is a wine for the long term. Drink from 2019.
Light in color and in the fruit flavors that are front and center, this tastes of straightforward cranberry and raspberry. It's pleasant but on the simple side, and its tannins bring a touch of green flavors as it wraps up with a gentle suggestion of milk chocolate.
Notes of creamy apple on the nose also pervade the palate where they are joined by a more bitter element that lends both structure and pleasant backbone. In spirit, this is sprightly and pure and brings lots and lots of honest, frothy refreshment.
With just a touch of Merlot in the blend, this juicy, big-boned red tastes of tar, blackberry and cedar, with a suggestion of mossy wood. Integrated in terms of oak and tannin, its highlights include cherry and vanilla among a straightforward complexity of texture that finishes mildly.
Fruity in style, offering a bubbly mix of cherries, raspberries and blueberries in a medium-bodied format. It's softly dusty on the otherwise fresh finish.
Mild leather and horse aromas blend with blackberry and cassis notes to form a familiar RDD nose. This feels grabby and tannic, but fair. Flavors of baked plum and cassis are a touch salty. It finishes with mostly ripe berry, tobacco, oak and vanilla flavors.
Despite the late harvest label, this is not a dessert wine. It's been fermented to near-dryness, and the late-picked fruit has resulted in quite high alcohol. It's an odd duck, but tasty with an appealing lemon-drop candy flavor.
This opens with aromas suggesting toasted nut, oak and bread crust. The soft palate offers mature yellow apple skin, toast, citrus zest and a confectionary note alongside a creamy perlage. Bitter almond marks the finish.
Aromas of French oak, roasted coffee bean, dark berry and menthol lead the nose. The ripe, full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and a toasted note alongside assertive, close-grained tannins. You'll also notice the heat of evident alcohol that throws the finish off balance.
Aromas of citrus blossom, white stone fruit and sage lead the nose on this bright, frothy dessert wine. The rich palate doles out lemon, tangerine zest and apricot offset by fresh acidity and a soft mousse.
Earthy, woody, spicy berry aromas suggest briar patch and sandalwood. This is quite clampy and tannic, and thus the mouthfeel is rough. Gritty, herbal plum and berry flavors finish with a strong sense of oak and abrasive tannins. Drink through 2021.
This is a supremely earthy and highly tannic wine, leathery and smoky in oak and texture. Grown in the foothills of Diamond Mountain, as well as pockets of Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder, the variety is unusual for the Napa Valley. This one is worthwhile, showing subtle cassis, cranberry and vanilla.
A charred, peppery aroma and a stiff, tannic mouthfeel go along with dark-fruit flavors in this full-bodied blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
Juicy red fruit dominates this wine. It has some firm tannins underneath—just enough to support the delicious raspberry and red-currant flavors. It is maturing well and will be ready to drink from 2017.
This is a ripe and juicy wine that has fine red fruits and some firm tannins. It is spicy, concentrated and fully fruited, with well-balanced tannins. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
A ripe and spicy wine, this is structured with black-currant fruits and lively acidity. It is still very young: its exuberant fruitiness likely to calm as it matures. Give this ripe wine until 2019.
This is a spicy wine, with toasty wood flavors. Happily the fruit is also there, spreading its juicy acidity over the tannins. Let this wine fill out over the next few months and it will be ready to drink from 2017.
This is an attractively perfumed wine. It has fine acidity, ripe wood flavors and spice. The weight of the fruit is enough to balance with the wood. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
This 60-40 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris is a tightly textured wine with hints of minerality as well as citrus and grapefruit. The wine is crisp, bright in the mouth and packed with attractive final acidity. This estate is the home of Bordeaux producer Nicolas Thienpont.
The wine is soft, ripe and fruity with fine tannins and plenty of red-berry fruit flavors. Structured and spicy, it will develop well into a concentrated ripe wine. Jean-Michel Baudet's Blaye estate vineyards were the first to be certified sustainable by Terra Vitis. Drink from 2018.
Crisp and fresh, this is a light wine that is dominated by red-currant fruits. It has considerable acidity as well as tannins. Fruity while lightly perfumed, it will be ready from 2018.
This is a tasty, juicy, easy-drinking wine with good fruit flavors. Well balanced and medium bodied, it offers some of the density and texture expected, but without going over the top in tannins.
This is a dry wine meant for the dinner table. It has blackberry and raspberry aromas, concentrated fruit flavors, firm tannins and a taut finish. It will be best to drink after 2018.
Wine doesn't come much more buttery, luscious and creamy than this! It smells like melted butter and butterscotch, tastes rich, smooth and almost candylike, with a soft, gentle texture, apparently low acidity and lots of creamy viscosity.
This complex and positively charged wine has light savory aromas, and nicely earthy and spicy flavors that evolve into focused fruitiness with each subsequent sip. It ends up tangy on the finish due to crisp acidity and firm tannins.
A special bottling commemorating Edwards' 40 years as a winemaker, this wine is made from a clonal selection created by her in 1975. The fruit is from both the Coopersmith and Georganne vineyards, made in a tiny amount. Built to age, it wraps earthy dried herbs around cherry, strawberry and boysenberry, with a juicy core of acidity. A forested hint of spearmint dances at its edge, as strong suggestions of bacon and pepper build on the finish. Drink now through 2028.
This is ripe and muscular without being overly oaky. Cherry fruit is supported by a balanced dose of cedary oak, but the tannins come largely from the fruit, suggesting decent aging potential. The finish is dry, firm and long, further bolstering that impression. Drink 2017–2025.
This single-vineyard bottling opens with aromas of fragrant white flower, yellow stone fruit, dried herb and a whiff of tropical fruit. The concentrated, elegantly structured palate delivers creamy white peach, mature apple, crystallized ginger and mineral. Fresh acidity lifts the rich flavors while an almond note closes the lingering finish.
This is a celebratory display of the appellation and vintage, a rewarding show of creme brûlée and spicy acidity. Well-integrated and balanced, while undoubtedly ripe, it has mellow oak around tropical mango and juicy apricot and peach.
Bright, almost luminous Meyer lemon and orange hover like a halo. The palate intensifies this ripe but zesty purity even more. The fruit is pulled into lemony focus at the concentrated core of this sleek, moreish Viennese original.
While the softer scent of green Conference pears wraps around the nose, the palate also takes in subtle earth and adds pliable, almost soft notes of apricot and yellow plum to a stony, poised and statuesque background. This is lovely and fresh now but sure to develop. Drink anytime now until 2019.
Smoky, charred aromas of leathery berry fruits and coffee are staunch and potent. Matching the nose, this feels plump and full in body and soul. Earthy cherry and berry flavors come with a hint of herbal plum. On the finish, this rises up, beats its chest, and shows gravitas and fine oak. Drink through 2024.
Luxurious notes of vanilla, cedar and spice go head-to-head against lusciously ripe blueberry and blackberry flavors here. Deeply fruity yet structured, it's freshened by crisp cranberry acidity and swathes of bramble and herb. While big boned and densely tannic now, it should meld beautifully from 2019–2025.
The signature bottling from this estate that is one of the few on the south side of the Santa Ynez River, this blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Petite Sirah is utterly delicious on the nose, showing lavender-blackberry creme brûlée , rich caramel on toast, smoked pork and zesty, uplifting purple flowers. The palate shows sour plums, wood smoke and mocha.
How can such lightness, such supple slenderness, come with such full flavor? Visions of swirling citrus are made manifest here. Mandarin, kumquat, tangerine: they all dance and flit around a central seam of freshness. Lovely and almost irresistible now, but sure to advance most gracefully.
This is a big, rich style of Pinot, with toast, vanilla and bacon marking the nose. While the palate delivers more black cherry fruit, it still remains savory overall. It's slightly chewy on the finish, so drink 2017–2025.
Enticing scents of fragrant white flower, stone fruit and crushed herb lead the way while the creamy, savory palate doles out white peach, mature yellow apple and tangerine zest. A blast of mineral energy lifts the lingering finish.
This blend is proprietors Claire and Gonzague Lurton's foray into California fruit: the two of them together owner several estates in Bordeaux. Their estate vineyard site, still in replanting mode, sits atop a compelling knoll atop Chalk Hill. Leathery and smoky, this wine is classically styled in currant and pencil lead, with a dry, restrained body that lingers on the palate.
Bright, jammy red-berry aromas are gritty and a bit herbal. A fleshy, jammy mouthfeel belies the snappy raspberry and blueberry flavors that follow. A lot of blue-fruit character and herbal notes grace a high-energy, bright finish. Drink through 2023.
A deep color, concentrated fruit aromas, and equally concentrated fruit flavors give a lot of depth to this medium-bodied and lushly textured wine. It smells like black cherries and light baking spices, tastes like rhubarb and raspberry but also has some clove and cedar notes that add complexity. It's an all-around palate-pleaser that seems to keep improving hours after opening.
This is a lovely, lilting and light version of the variety, so rarely found in this appellation. Highly aromatic in white flowers and even a whiff of roses, it dances on the palate, the acidity tight and able to lift the texture to new heights of flavor and freshness. It shows best with food, preferably spicy.
This is a solidly made wine that hits all the right notes. Hot toast, lemon curd and cut red apple show on the lush, perfectly ripe but not at all buttered nose. Key lime flesh and skins show on the balanced palate, where a touch of butter is cut by laser sharp acidity and chalky minerality.
Angela Soleno has struck a bit of gold on her Petit Verdot-Sangiovese blends, in this bottling offering blueberry, cinnamon, star anise, leather, clove, maduro cigar and truffle notes. The palate shows cola, root beer, roasted fennel truffle salt and blackberry-balsamic reduction sauce, framed by sticky tannins that will hold these flavors for a few more years.
This wine is made from 57% Petit Verdot (a variety of increasing interest, it seems) from mountain sites. An additional 29% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon help soften its tastes of black licorice, leather and black currant, dotted by a dash of black olive. Opaque in color, it's savory and sizable in body without becoming overly concentrated. Drink now through 2021.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up nearly equal parts of this blend, with the balance Cabernet Franc (9%). Coming from a who's who of vineyards that includes Bacchus, Red Willow, Klipsun and Boushey, it offers nuanced, supremely well balanced aromas of spice, dried herb, raspberry and blackberry. The palate delivers on all of this promise with succulent yet still reserved red and black fruit flavors that show purity, focus and impeccable balance that kicks it up a notch.
Crushed orange peels, plump lemon blossoms, spun sugar, clarified butter and a slight almond oil touch combine for a lush, layered nose on this bottling from the Carmel Valley producer. The palate presents an expert balance between salt, butter and almond warmth aand tingling, lime-led acidity. Will please both lovers of classic Cali chard and acid-heads.
Rich earthy tones of iron and sagebrush meet with a touch of barnyard, roasted meats, dark cranberry fruit and a touch of sarsaparilla on the nose of this Josh Jensen bottling. More iron, wet clay, turned loam and slate minerality show on the palate, where black pepper, cooked black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry round out the still quite tannic sip.
With its striking (and heavy) square white bottle, this wine will certainly make a statement on any table. The wine itself, with Hubert de Bouärd (whose family owns Château Angélus) as consultant, is impressively ripe and concentrated, but still retains its crisp, fresh poise. The acidity at the end is intense and tight.
Structured, tight and mineral, this wine comes from a selection of old vines in a northwest-facing vineyard on the Rimauresq estate. It offers a tang, along with a firm structure and concentration. A fruitier aftertaste will show through more strongly by late 2016.
Made from low-yielding, 70-year-old vines, this is a dense wine with an almost-dark structure and ripe red-plum flavors. Powerful, it obviously will be better with food and could even benefit from decanting before drinking. Age this concentrated wine until late 2016.
The Mourvèdre in this blend gives this wine a distinctive perfumed, structured character. Soft and rich yellow and tropical-fruit flavors are spiced with the edge of tannins and youthful red-fruit flavors. It is intensely ripe and also crisp with acidity. Drink from late 2016.
From an Olivet Lane-situated site, where Pinot Noir is its likely neighbor, this head-trained vineyard is planted to a heritage selection put in the ground in the 1920s. It sings in black licorice and juicy black cherry, showing a tightness of texture and medium build, buoyant in acidity. This is a likable, complex wine with traces of dried herb that linger.
Cherry and sautéed morels provide an intriguing introduction to this deeply hued wine, but there are also hints of something funkier, like wet newspaper. On the palate, the pleasing black cherry returns, as does anise, some bitter elements and chewy tannins.
Oaky, lean red-fruit aromas precede a scratchy, thin, resiny feeling palate. This tastes of oak on top of underdeveloped, stunted red berries, while the finish is herbal, woody tasting and heavily spiced.
Bruised apple notes scent this dry-style Riesling. The palate exhibits glimpses of fresh apple and pear flavors, but there's a savory, earthy tone throughout. Bristling acidity lingers on the finish.
The wine seems soapy and out of focus. It's soft while missing fruit. The acidity and freshness at the end are the best parts.
Smoke and toast dominate the nose of this barrel-fermented Chardonnay, and overpower subtle apple and pear flavors on the palate. It's a bit earthy and savory in style, but bright with citrus acidity.
Dusty mineral notes lend an earthy tone to this light-bodied, dry Riesling. On the palate, flavors of savory pressed apples are accented a bristling lemon-zest astringency. Finishes briskly.
Hints of earth and spice accent savory apple aromas on this slightly off-dry Riesling. Brisk lemon and lime acidity make it a refreshing, if straightforward, Riesling.
Bulky, stewy, jammy aromas of prune and raisin are an accurate indication of what's to come. This is pure prune juice, with mushy weight and sweet, syrupy flavors. Fig, raisin and chocolate flavors pop up on the finish, but overall this is soupy and drastically overripe.
Dominant aromas of char and rubber give way to chocolaty oak and vanilla on what amounts to a confected, forced bouquet. This feels flush and oaky. Flavors of creamy oak, vanilla, milk chocolate and herbal berry finish resiny and woody.
Earthy, mealy aromas don't bring much freshness to the nose. This is acidic and sharp on the palate, while flavors of sour plum and raspberry finish scouring.
Good red wine in a light, herbaceous style. Tastes fresh and clean as if it was made with good quality standards. Lacks much Cabernet character, however, but adds sufficient cherry and berry flavors to make it complete.
This rustic wine opens with aromas of underbrush, petrol and tire rubber, all of which carry over to the palate along with notes of sweet and sour sauce. It has a bitter finish.
Flavors of sour grapefruit and almond are somewhat masked by the amped-up oak.
With a tan tint and aromas of banana, undefined stone fruits and slight chemical, this is not all that inviting. The palate is on the flat side, while pithy flavors of melon and citrus finish with a bitter note of almond skins.
This is tannic and almost bitterly herbal, with tomato leaf, stem and earth flavors, but no hint of ripe fruit.
Savory notes of spring ramp and clay mingle with fresh apple and blossom on this dry, light-bodied Riesling. Earthy, savory tones extend on the palate as well, but finish briskly with a streak of lemony acidity.
While relatively neutral on the nose with notes of savory apple and pear, the palate is deeply earthy with flavors of mushroom and dried herb. Light in body and alcohol, it's brisk on the palate with a streak of lemon-lime acidity.
Smoke wafts amidst savory notes of apple on this dry, slightly bitter Riesling. Crisp lemony acidity lends refreshment on the palate.
Chemical notes sit atop aromas of peach pit and green banana. This is narrow in the mouth, with mealy melon and tropical fruit flavors. A peachy finish lacks finesse and more.
Saline and nettle aromas are a lot like underripe Sauvignon Blanc. This is a sour, cutting wine with flavors of lime, grapefruit and underripe passion fruit. The finish is overly acidic and citric.
On the nose, this is gaseous and mealy smelling, and the palate is flat, with flavors of pithy, bitter white fruits.
Sweet melon and peach aromas are candied. In the mouth, this is awkward, fizzy and cloying. The flavor profile has little positive to offer, while the finish turns bitter and grassy tasting.
A barrel fermented Chardonnay that is uncharacteristically soft and fruity. Aromas of bananas and bubble gum lead to slightly sweet, uncomplicated flavors. The texture and body are light.
The cold, rainy conditions of 2008 must have affected this wine. Vegetal aromas, vinegar and green notes drive the nose, while the flavor profile is briny and pickled to an extreme. High acidity and green flavors draw down the finish.
This is the latest release of Portugal's most iconic wine. It's made only in selected years (the last vintage was 2000) from Ferreira's Quinta da Leda in the Douro Superior. This new vintage is superb. It's a richly tarry wine laden with dark plum fruits and tannins that are just beginning to mature. It's a ripe and luscious, demanding attention, yet will still age for many years. Drink now, or hold until 2020.
From first sniff this exquisite wine grabs you and won't let go. Brambly berries, redolent with rich umami notes of spice and pine needle cascade into a wine densely packed with fruit and herbs. It lingers, opens and becomes more and more expressive, with soil-generated flavors of forest floor.
The Freedom Hill selection from Ken Wright has never been better than this exceptionally rich, dark and dense Pinot Noir. Black cherry, smoke, earth and chocolate intertwine in a remarkably smooth, long, complex and extended finish. A sensational wine to enjoy right now.
This boasts a brilliant, linear progression from pepper to lush cherry and berry fruit. It's spicy and floral in nuanced, beautiful ways, with perfectly balanced acidity. Creamy and silky, this wine lingers, building complexity as it coats the palate.
Sweet fruit dominates this attractive, spicy wine. It has ample acidity, giving a fine, fresh black-currant character and tannins that are already melding into the wine. For medium-term aging of 3–5 years.
Dense and concentrated and still very young, the wine has ripe blackberry flavors, a sense of ripeness and a dry wood-and-tannin core. Give the wine at least 4–5 years.
This wine is showing excessive oakiness at the moment, but it's so young that it could easily meld into the fruit with another few months in the bottle. Sharp and youthful, it has some real fruit power from the Gamache vineyard grapes. Apple and citrus rind dominate, with a touch of butter in the finish.
A delicious, classic Barbera with a dense core of rich black cherry and spice balanced by fresh acidity. Well made, with a long, clean finish, this is a perfect match for barbecued meats.
Borra's Fusion is 90% Viognier and 10% Gewurztraminer and the two varieties bring out nice things in each other here, the floral aromas at the wine's opening evolving into a crisp, soft, creamy center on the mid-palate, a taste of citrus and honeydew standing out.
This is an earthy, somewhat flat wine with herbal berry aromas that fall away in quiet form. A full, grabby palate brings berry, raisin and tobacco flavors, all supported by a modest beam of acidity. A finish of earth, tobacco and mulchy flavors announce that 2009 was indeed a hot vintage in Chile.
Just beginning its secondary phase, the wine has weight, dark tannins and complex dried fruit, licorice and spice. A stylish, elegant wine with some of the freshness of the vintage still in place.
From vines on the slopes of the north-west corner of Lake Neusiedl, this is a broad, juicy wine. It has red cherry flavors, soft, generous tannins and attractively balanced acidity. It's not a wine for long-term aging and is likely to be at its best in three years. Glass stopper
This full-bodied Shiraz is bulky and a bit loosely knit. The overtly smoky notes persist on the palate, vying with maple syrup and dark fruit flavors. It's a big, flavorful wine that needs time to come together, so consume over the next few years.
The fruit profile on this Riesling is crisp and fresh with elegant hints of underripe peach and pineapple. Dry and full bodied with a broad, feathery texture on the palate, it's brisk with minerality and a delicate lime acidity.
This is half Syrah (from Chandler Reach) and half Cabernet Sauvignon (from Stillwater Creek), aged in 100% new French oak. The plush fruits are ripe and well-matched, and there are nuanced highlights of herb, leaf, bark and beet root. The tannins are tight and stiff, so some extra breathing time is a good idea.
While expressive on the nose with scents of dried cherries, potpourri and spice, the palate on this Pinot Noir is rather savory and austere. Fresh with green herbs and a tart sour-cherry profile, it makes a brisk companion to an array of light meat and game dishes.
This Pinot is aromatic; rhubarb, dried raspberry, rubber, prickly herbal notes and spice scents all vie for attention. This is solid and creamy in feel, with cutting acidity and herbal, lightly leafy flavors of dried, spicy red fruits. A lightly herbal tasting finish is the finale.
Here's a robust and jammy selection that offers assertive notes of black plum, blackberry and cassis on the nose and in the mouth. The texture is like crushed velvet, with additional nuances of licorice, fruitcake spice and light char, adding depth to the palate and length to the finish.
Aromas of graphite, chocolate, olive, herbs and berry fruits open this cool-climate Syrah. Laser-beam acidity comes on like gangbusters, while those sharp acids create racy, almost tart flavors of currant and huckleberry. The finish is more flashy and racy than generous and tasty, and thus crispness is the defining character of this wine.
This blend shows decent weight and texture, along with elegant aromas and flavors of scorched citrus peel and grapefruit. It's long and mouthwatering on the oak-free finish, making it a versatile food companion. The 2012 looks to be even better.
Oveja Negra consistently produces a very good Cabernet with inky darkness and concentrated aromas of black fruits and toast. This vintage is saturated on the tongue, with lactic notes as well as acidic cut. Blackberry flavors mix with creamy oak and tangy acidity to create a fresh, honest impression.
Paul Dolan Zin remains big with savory flavors beef jerky, roast meat and black pepper. Not overdone in alcohol or tannin, its a perfect go-to for nights around the grill and will please a crowd.
Soft and fragrant, this is a warm feeling Riesling. Of course, it has fine, steely acidity but it also has a riper fruity character, white fruits, hedgerow flavors and an edgy feel. Ready to drink. Screwcap.
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cold Creek vineyard. Smooth and fruit forward, it's done in a seamless, accessible, ready-to-drink style that makes it difficult to put down. A fair amount of vanilla flavor comes through, accenting a consumer (and consumption) friendly style.
Labeled dry, this nonetheless carries a hint of sweetness, at 70 g/L residual sugar.  It's fruity and fresh, with melon, citrus and peach prominent. A perfect summer sipping wine.
Tilled soil, forest floor, mature black-skinned fruit, leather and a truffle note come together in the glass. The firmly structured palate presents juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, vanilla and an earthy hint of game while assertive, close-grained tannins provide support. Give it a few years for the tannins to relax then enjoy. Drink 2019–2023.
Sauvignon Blanc makes up three-quarters of this blend with the balance Sémillon. The aromas offer notes of herb, toast, nut oil and star fruit. The elegantly styled flavors of kiwi and spice are creamy in feel with a lingering finish.
Aromas of earthy, nutty, mature berry fruits come with a hint of raisin and a touch of compost. This saturated Vino de Cádiz is composed of 80% Syrah, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a heavy wine with flavors of vanilla, burnt wood, blackened spices and stewed berries. The finish tastes peppery, dark and outright woody. Drink through 2019.
This blend from Cádiz features Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's big, ripe and minty on the nose, with hints of animal fur and leather. A blocky, full palate weighs in at 15.5%, while flavors of oak and vanilla blend well with spiced berry fruit. A drying finish tastes mostly of oak. Drink through 2025.
Rich, ripe streaks of black cherry preserve are balanced by savory nuances of dried herb, toast and bramble in this luscious Pinot Noir. Aptly “lusty” in style, it's deeply concentrated with an unabashed fruit-forwardness, but crisp cranberry acidity and a penetrating earthiness gives it marked composure.
From a small, 15-acre property, this wine is ripe, rich and full of yellow fruits along with crisp apples, with a tight texture that needs to develop. It is crisply structured, zesty and mineral in character. Give this juicy, delicious wine until 2017 before drinking.
Decadent and candied, this is an oaky, well-made wine with richness at its core. Tahitian vanilla, caramel and Meyer lemon give way to more weighty tropical characteristics, making for a ripe, bigger-styled wine.
Hailing from Olsen and Elephant Mountain vineyards, this wine brings black currant, huckleberry and dark plum aromas that smell pure and sweet. The black fruit and smoke flavors display a mixture of concentration and restraint.
Aromas of wild berry, leather, sunbaked earth, star anise and a balsamic note of menthol lift out of the glass. The robust, powerful palate offers fleshy blackberry, wild cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg and tobacco alongside chewy tannins. Despite the juicy fruit, there's a warmth of alcohol on the finish but it doesn't dominate.
Made in a similar fashion to Sherry with a solera that is topped up, this was aged outside for a year to concentrate the wine and its flavors. A sweet wine, it has a richly nutty, peppery character to balance the ripe plum fruits. Softly textured, just hinting at the alcohol used for fortification, this is a rare, fascinating and very drinkable wine.
An estate-grown wine in its second vintage, this comes from the cooler-climate hills of the coast. This plush wine is dark brown in color and brimming in stinky earth—a rich, funky and concentrated expression that's herbal, spicy and shy in raspberry fruit.
This ambitious blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, 15% Petite Sirah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon largely succeeds, with aromas of tight blueberries, concentrated purple flowers and a touch of crushed peppercorn. The fruit-driven palate is dense with blueberry, tart boysenberry and a dusting of cocoa.
Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot are included in this wine that's black-purple in color, with a thick density to its dusty black fruit. Cedar, tar and tobacco weave in between blackberry and currant, finishing in a powerful grip of tannin.
The 15% Viognier in the blend exerts outsize influence on the bouquet of this wine, which exudes notes of honey, apricot and spice. On the palate, this is a big mouthful of ripe tropical fruit, framed on the mouthwatering finish by hints of toasted oak.
Ripe tropical-fruit flavors give this wine a rich, rounded character. The attractive apricot and peach fruits are cut by citrus acidity to keep the freshness right up front. An opulent, full-bodied wine, it's ready to drink now.
This wine comes from one parcel that has particularly flinty soil. With a strongly mineral character, it is tight and nervy, needing some time to calm down. The fruit is all there, fresh citrus, apples and green plums, all ready to burst out over the next few months. Drink from 2017.
Coming from flint soil, this is a structured, mineral wine. Tight texture, tangy acidity and an almost chewy character show that this young wine is still developing. It will reveal citrus and apple flavors in a year, so drink from 2017.
This opens with aromas of forest floor, truffle, ripe berry, leather, crushed blue flower and a whiff of herb. The medium-bodied, concentrated palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and nutmeg alongside integrated tannins that give the finish grip. Drink 2018–2024.
While exuberantly fruity, almost tropical on the nose, there's a crystalline edge to this dry Riesling that renders it especially refreshing. It's vibrant and light footed, brightened by a lingering honey note on the finish.
This 100% Furmint has delightful aromas of vanilla, honeycomb and honeydew melon. It's creamy and elegant in the mouth with flavors of lemon curd and Key Lime pie.
From the renowned vineyard's F Block comes a wine with plump wild berries, pencil lead and juniper on a tightly woven nose. Certain to last for years and evolve steadily over that time, the palate now shows lavender, elderberry, elderflower, cranberry essence and a touch of black tea. Drink 2018–2028.
Dark strawberry fruit meets with rustic earthy aromas and light allspice notes on the nose of this wine from the late actor's family-owned winery. The palate shows boisterous and tart cranberry and black raspberry fruit, with pencil lead minerality and great energy, if not a ton of complexity.
Slightly shy aromas of blackberry, black plum and turned black soil are simple and straightforward on this wine. The palate combines pencil lead with anise, thyme, marjoram and black pepper, framed by tart cranberry, beet juice and sour-cherry fruit. A sip enlivens the mouth and wipes clean on the finish.
Elegant, soothing and delicious, this wine seems suave and sophisticated. It feels supple, tastes like subtly spiced plums and cherries, and has medium body and a lingering finish.
This well-balanced wine has scents of finely ground black pepper, dried cherry, black plum and violets with flavors of plum, blackberry and tart cherry. The tannins are smooth and the finish is persistent.
An expansive, full-bodied and generously rich wine, this features present but integrated oak. Aromas of orange blossom and jasmine rise slowly out of the glass to lighten the experience, polished in bites of green apple and pineapple.
Luminous and fresh, this opens with aromas of red berry, violet, chopped herb and a whiff of baking spice. The vibrant, linear palate offers red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and star anise alongside racy acidity and polished tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Pressed violet, perfumed berry and a hint of baking spice aromas unfold on this sleek, savory red. The medium-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove and star anise alongside firm, polished tannins. Drink through 2021.
Black plum, dark kitchen spice, leather and pressed violet aromas lead the nose on this round, savory wine. On the velvety palate, firm, polished tannins frame mature black cherry, licorice and a hint of chewing tobacco. Drink through 2018.
Made from organically grown grapes, this blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 10% Carignan boasts a pleasant balance of ripe black-fruit tones and earthy, herbal hints of garrigue. Hints of violet and lightly toasted oak add depth and interest throughout, with a lush, fruity finish of blackberry and boysenberry.
Jasmine, spice and honey on the nose lead to a balance of lemon zest, mandarin orange and fresh fruit on the palate. The wine has a good balance and a zesty finish.
Fig and raisin aromas blend with damp earth and animal notes on the nose of this grippy, bumpy crianza lacks focus but is still quite good. Black cherry, herbal plum and toasty oak flavors finish sticky and with lasting oak. Drink through 2025.
This Godello feels composed and solid. Dry white-fruit aromas are reticent and oily. Flavors of peach and golden apple finish with stability and a sense of class. Drink now.
This wine, from selected vineyards owned by the Carrille family, is rich and now mature. Its tannins are merging with the secondary flavors of the fruit as it softens and develops a spice and tobacco character. Drink this wine now.
Red Mountain fruit from Obelisco, Kiona and Klipsun vineyards make up the heart of this wine, with Dionysus, Olsen and Oasis rounding it out. High-toned aromas of vanilla, herb and jammy black cherry lead to polished dark-fruit flavors. It brings a lot of enjoyment.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (39%), Cabernet Franc (29%), Merlot (19%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot. It explores the first two varieties's leafier sides, with aromas of garden herbs followed by graphite, orange peel and barrel spice. The palate is tart and fresh, full of cranberry flavors supported by lightly chewy tannins. It brings a pleasing sense of acidity that bodes well for its longevity.
The aromas are bright, with notes of fresh herb, red cherry, Red Vines, orange peel and barrel spice. The palate shows a pleasing sense of concentration and richness, with light meaty notes on the finish.
The aromas pop on this 100% varietal, with notes of dark plum, mountain blueberry, vanilla and cream. The flavors are smooth and sultry, mixing fruit and barrel with a plush feel and a lightly astringent finish. The variety is hard to get but it delivers a lot of enjoyment.
Very pithy aromas of grapefruit, squeezed lemon, crisp Asian pear and a touch of chalk show on the nose of this bottling, another strong argument about how well this variety can do in cool coastal California. The flavors are light and crisp, with yellow apple and yellow-grapefruit pith most prominent.
Expertly light touches of banana, honey, pecan, tuberose and citrus peel show on the nose of this blend by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi. There is great energy and tension to the sip, with yellow-grapefruit-juice flavors. Crisp, this would be a great shellfish pairing.
This wine is half Grenache, with the balance Mourvèdre (31%), Syrah (14%) and Counoise. Lighter in color, it brings aromas of cranberry, cherry, spice, smoked meat and herb. The tart cranberry flavors are full bodied, showing a sense of purity and balance, pulling up a bit on the finish.
Plush and velvety in texture, this is a reasonably mouthcoating and rich wine made from organic grapes. Blackberries, plums and dark chocolate mingle easily on the palate, lingering on the finish. Drink now–2020.
This elegant, lithe little wine is ready to drink. Leather, dried fruit, black olive and cocoa notes fade into a softly dusty finish tinged with lingering espresso nuances.
Jammy fruits—wild strawberry and boysenberry—are complemented by scents of violet and sweet spice. The medium-weight palate is plush and velvety in texture, with dense fruit flavors that are countered by a lingering grip on the finish. Drink now–2020.
The smoke, herb, vanilla, wood spice and black cherry aromas are barrel forward but still provide appeal. The flavors are medium bodied, bringing a bit of grittiness to the tannins while finishing green.
Fairly sweet aromas of marzipan, honeysuckle, candied apricot and honeyed orange slices show on the nose of this bottling from a longtime winegrowing family in the Watsonville area. It's much tighter and brighter on the sip, with flavors of slightly sour green-pear skins and poached apple, and a touch of caramel on the finish.
Red berry, underbrush, crushed herb and a whiff of porcini mushroom aromas lead the way. Linear and rather straightforward, the palate offers juicy sour cherry, cranberry and clove alongside polished tannins. It won't take years to come around. Drink 2019–2025.
Stewed prune and cake spice aromas lead the nose along with a balsamic note. Showing the intense heat of the vintage, the warm palate offers dried cherry, raisin, powdered sage and a hint of clove alongside polished tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit and freshness.
A coniferous lift weaves through tart red-cherry notes. The slender, translucent and crunchy palate is pervaded by the same aromas and a lot of freshness. This is a light-bodied aromatic red wine that is ideal for lunch, for picnics or for serving chilled.
Sourced from an experimental vineyard planted in the early 1970s, this blends eight different varieties, all picked on the same day and co-fermented. At least one red grape (Cabernet Sauvignon), adds a touch of amber to the wine. It could be called rosé, though it's listed as a white wine. In any event, it's unique, with concentrated flavors of tree fruits, citrus peel and anise. Try it with charcuterie.
A nod to the winery's co-owner Judge Royce Lewellen, this bottling is full of campfire smoke, red cherry, hibiscus and roasted pork aromas. That smoky character, which is pleasant if a tad overbearing, follows through to the palate, accenting the plum and black pepper flavors.
Blue flower, ripe plum, baking spice and pine forest scents lead the nose. The palate is still tense and tightly drawn, showing tart sour cherry, star anise and a hint of espresso through flexed, fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink after 2020.
Ripe fruit flavors and chocolate accents give opulent character to this full-bodied wine. The flavors are suggestive of late-picked grapes, raisins and ripe figs, while the texture is easy and almost soft, with no tannic bite.
Made of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Canaiolo, this opens with violet and leather aromas. The savory, straightforward palate offers mature black cherry, sage and anise flavors, supported by lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This is aged four years prior to release, which proves a benefit here, as it helps tame the spicy wild-berry flavors. The aromatics offer an olfactory tapestry of orange peel, violets, sandalwood, cherry cola and more. It's balanced and sophisticated, offering many subtle pleasures.
A big oaky can't-miss blast of clove and wood spice is more dominating than secondary berry aromas. This is resiny and full in body, with ample acidity. Oak plays a lead role on the flavor profile, which includes toast, mint and herbal black plum. A peppery toasty finish benefits from moderate juicy acidity. Drink through 2021.
Forest floor, truffle, new leather and woodland berry scents mingle in the glass. The palate is linear, taut and austere, offering sour cherry, licorice and sage notes, framed by firm acidity and assertive, close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink after 2019.
Aromas of burnt wood and spice cover rugged gritty berry scents. This is a tight minerally wiry Garnacha that's oaky on the palate. Oak-rich plum flavors finish with strong tannins, residual grit and lasting wood-based notes. Drink through 2022.
Bright lemon and crisp apple aromas lead to similar but richer flavors, supported by firm acidity for balance. It makes for a lively but flavorful package that both tastes great and is versatile with food.
This all-Sangiovese Chianti opens with black-skinned fruit, allspice and new leather aromas. Polished tannins lend structure to the dried black cherry, licorice and a tobacco flavors on the palate. Drink through 2022.
Leather and meat mark the entry of this brooding, brambly wine, offering shocks of black pepper on the lightly textured palate. Soft and sleek on the finish, it's benefitted from time in bottle and is ready to enjoy now.
Gritty cassis aromas are oaky and challenging, which is what you can get when a wine spends more than three years in oak. In the mouth, this is wiry and rubbery. Foxy plum and cherry flavors finish clampy and herbal. Very good but with a few holes and pitfalls.
Leather, truffle, ripe berry and a whiff of oak-derived spice lead the nose of this 100% Sangiovese wine. The taut palate delivers mature plum, black cherry and licorice flavors, its fine-grained tannins leaving a firm, dry finish.
This wine's new leather, menthol, steeped prune and French oak aromas seemingly fill the glass to brimming. The firmly structured palate offers dried Morello cherry, chopped mint and licorice flavors framed by bracing, close-grained tannins.
This wine has a unique, earthy fig aroma and flavor, full body and a broad, mouth-filling texture. Its slight rustic character is interesting to explore and doesn't overwhelm the palate. An enjoyable and different expression that's also reasonably priced.
Dark fruit flavors with a welcome sense of ripeness make this full-bodied wine feel generous and easy on the palate. It has soft tannins that let its black plum and blueberry flavors fan out and linger on the finish.
This 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot blend has herb-laced blackberry aromas. The dense palate doles out raspberry jam, toast and clove flavors through close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink through 2018.
Berry and plum aromas are so ripe that raisin enters the picture. This feels medium to full, with soft acidity. Flavors of chocolate and wood spice share space with ripe berry fruit, while a full, long finish deals mocha and raisin notes.
Cherry pie, cherry candy and dried ginger notes converge for a very approachable and inviting nose on this bottling from a sprawling vineyard in eastern Paso Robles. It's light in body, but solid red cherry, cedar and smoked chocolate flavors keep it lively.
Delicate black-skinned berry and baking spice scents lift out of the glass. The dense, ripe palate offers dried black cherry, white pepper and leather notes, framed by mature tannins. Drink through 2021.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this opens with purple flower and forest floor aromas. The firm palate delivers black cherry, clove and a hint of leather alongside polished tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
The nose of this 90% Trebbiano and 10% San Colombano wine suggests dried apricot, chestnut honey and marzipan. Its rich flavors carry over to a sweet, luscious finish.
Forest floor, sun-baked soil, mature plum and new oak aromas lead the nose. The assertive, structured palate shows star anise, espresso and dried black cherry flavors, braced by medium-grained tannins that carry the finish.
Wild red berry, new leather and violet scents take center stage in this bright, young red. The palate is taut and linear, offering crushed raspberry, dried cherry, sage and clove notes, while fine-grained tannins provide the framework.
This 240-acre property has produced a ripe, smooth and fruity wine. With layers of tannins under the juicy blackberry flavors, it is already balanced and likely to be approachable soon. There is a lively edge of acidity to keep everything crisp. Drink from 2019.
This opens with subdued toast, espresso, scorched earth and underbrush aromas, while the chewy palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, vanilla and coffee notes. Assertive, close-grained tannins carry the finish.
Bell peppers and green herbs as well as dark tannins are the main characters of this very dry, bitter wine.
A diffuse wine without focus. The tannins and the fruit are some way apart, while the final flavor is dry and tough.
Pasty, chemical aromas do little to draw you in. The palate on this everyday Rioja is scratchy, while flavors of tart fruit with rubbery, pasty overtones fail to elevate the wine.
This is a just-acceptable wine with latex, roasted berry and plastic-like aromas. It's heavy in the mouth, with jumbled, roasted flavors of rubbery fruit and forced oak.
Stalky, waxy aromas get this subpar varietal white going in the wrong direction. In the mouth, it's mushy, with creamy, briny, almost bitter flavors.
The quality of Casarena's wines range from excellent to not great, with all points in between represented. This Malbec-led blend is heavy and raisiny on the nose, then syrupy in the mouth, with flavors running straight to candied and flat.
This Viura smells waxy and oxidized for a 2011. The palate feels chunky and awkward, while the flavor profile deals maderized pear and apple.
Aromas and flavors of rhubarb and red pepper dominate, resulting in a wine that is sharp and unbalanced.
A Cabernet Sauvignon marked by an overpowering aroma and taste of bell pepper and herbs.
With acrid matchstick aromas and little else, this wine gets off to a rough start and never finds solid footing. The palate is chunky and grabby, while the flavors are burnt and stalky, with bitterness to the finish.
Odd aromas of talcum powder and bath oils are fragrant but not very wine-like. This is flat on the palate, with very little cut and oily tasting flavors of ripe white fruits.
This white Garnacha is strange smelling, with a mix of cream soda, pickled fruit and vanilla aromas. It's tart, briny and citrusy on the palate, with a sour finish.
This blend of 75% Barbera and 25% Merlot smells and tastes of strawberries in dirt, a strange sensation for a wine.
A Rhône-style blend of mostly Grenache and Mourvédre, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Cinsault, the wine is prune-like and overdone.
Animal cracker aromas are sweet and the fruit on the nose is mealy on this Viura-Chardonnay blend. The palate is also deficient in that it's watery in feel, but there's some tangy lemon to the flavor profile.
93–95. Barrel sample. This firm, dry wine is solidly rich and full in the mouth. With fine acidity and black currant fruit that show through the tannins, it is a wine with considerable potential.
Aromas of resin, blue flower, Asian spice, leather and a balsamic note meld together in the glass. The robust palate offers dried black cherry, date, sage and clove alongside firm close-grained tannins. This is still rather closed so give it a few more years to fully develop. Drink 20182023.
For an affordable, ready-to-drink bottling, this twist-top wine, which gets a touch of Sémillon, shows ripe nectarine, Pink Lady apple, lime water and grapefruit pith on the nose. The palate offers baking soda and lemon-lime flavors, along with tart apple skins and grassy notes.
Deep blackberry aromas are laid across a rocky minerality and lifted by touches of coffee and vanilla on the nicely restrained nose of this best-barrel bottling. Cola, blueberry and black gravel show on the palate, framed by firm tannins.
Although labeled as Sec (dry), this wine has hallmarks of the sweeter wines from this estate. Through its crisp, dry texture come honey, almonds and a light hint of botrytis. It makes for a delicious wine that is likely to age well, although hard to resist now. Drink ideally from 2018.
Merlot (64%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) makes up the majority of this wine, which is topped off by smidgens of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The aromas of raspberries, black cherries and milk chocolate are generous, while the palate brings a sense of smoothness and balance.
Aromas of French oak, coconut, blackcurrant, exotic spice and a whiff of grilled bell pepper lead the nose. The firm palate offers cassis, licorice, espresso and chewing tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins.
From a selection of old vines in four parcels, the wine has rich fruits, concentrated blackberry flavors and fully integrated tannins. It is ripe, juicy with fine acidity and a good potential. Drink this fine and fruity wine from 2018.
The wine is from a tiny parcel (around an acre) of vines that are over 30-years-old. It is concentrated both with fine fruit and sweet acidity. Yellow fruits are cut with lime and green plums. A touch of vanilla gives the wine a full final aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
This pioneering winery is all about integration of aromas and flavors, with this bottling showing rounded notes of honey, macadamia nut, salted peach and candied lemongrass on the nose. The blend of 72% Roussanne, 23% Grenache Blanc and 5% Picpoul Blanc is light and delicate on the sip and refreshing in structure, with crisp yellow-apple-skin flavors.
Inky red-violet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of blackberry with touches of pencil lead. There is a nice balance of brightness and smooth tannins, with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and nutmeg. A unexpected splash of acidity perks up the persistent white chocolate finish.
Mature black-skinned fruit, forest floor, leather and dark spice aromas come together on this hearty red. The full-bodied, assertive palate offers dried black cherry, prune, licorice and pipe tobacco framed in firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
This deeply colored wine has a nose of raspberry and juniper with a hint of summer farm stand. It is well-balanced in the mouth, offering flavors of blackberry, cherry, green pepper and smoke. Strong tannins coat the palate, while a steadfast note of cherry hangs in through the soft smoky finish.
Aromas of cassis, flint and violet prepare the palate for flavors of black currant, cherry pie, smoke and white chocolate with a hint of purple flowers. Fruit and savory flavors vie for attention among a web of lush tannins. The smooth finish is characterized by sustained floral notes.
Fruit and tannins play well together in this wine. The blackberry flavors are crisp and juicy while having some richness ready to develop as the wine matures. Behind that, firm, mineral tannins give a strong sense of structure. Drink from 2017.
A floral and cedary aroma leads to rich fruit and dark chocolate flavors. This wine has full body, a smooth, rounded texture and good complexity from the intermingled spice, plum and oak nuances.
Black cherry and currant flavors are spiced up by light floral, rosemary and black-olive aromas in this full-bodied, smooth-textured wine. It's a great value, with good concentration and a lingering finish.
Pretty straightforward Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but done well, featuring passion fruit, pink grapefruit and melon aromas and flavors that end on a gently herbal note.
This is a smooth-textured, mouthfilling wine with quietly rich aromas, ripe, welcoming fruit flavors and a soft suede texture. It's not a showy, oaky wine but a composed and calm one.
Dusty spice notes of ginger and cinnamon accent ripe pear and muskmelon fruit on the nose. This is rich and off-dry in style, with a round, mouthfilling presence on the palate balanced by bright acidity and a lingering note of white pepper.
Barrel fermented and aged in once-used French oak, this wine offers generous aromas of corn on the cob, corn silk, baked apple and spice. The flavors are silky and restrained, showing a lovely sense of balance.
This robust red opens with enticing aromas of mature black-skinned berry, pipe tobacco, baking spice and crushed violet. The dense hearty palate delivers ripe black cherry, fig, mocha and star anise framed in chewy tannins.
The aromas are reserved, with notes of wood spice at the fore along with chocolate, vanilla and dark fruit. The chocolate-covered-cherry flavors show polish, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
Underbrush, tobacco, mint and ripe dark-skinned berry aromas slowly take shape in the glass. The powerfully structured, monolithic palate offers raisin, cinnamon, licorice and clove alongside a backbone of firm velvety tannins. You'll notice the heat of alcohol on the finish but the rich flavors still hold their own.
Depths of earth and tobacco define this well-made, robust and lengthy wine, given to both red and blue berry fruit and plenty of juicy acidity. It shows again how well the grape seems to do in this appellation from specific sites.
Dark pink in color, this wine offers a pleasing brightness of strawberry and grapefruit, with moderate acidity that retains body and texture. It finishes ripely succulent.
This red is smoothly seductive in its lineage of cedar, pencil lead and undercurrent of lifted cassis and red cherry. Lengthy and full bodied, it is generously lush and brooding on the palate, with plenty of length on the smoky, peppery finish.
This attractive, well-balanced and deeply concentrated wine is also affordable. It wraps fine-grained tannins around a fruity core, making this medium-bodied wine full in flavor.
From the producer's family estate site planted in 1982 on Eastside Road, this is a nuanced elegant expression of the variety, earthy and pungent in baked bread. Baked plum, strawberry and dried herb are accented by forest floor and a rich hit of maple.
Dark in the glass, this bottling shows strawberry, black plum and gingerbread aromas on the inviting nose. The mouthfeel is airy and relatively light, with a strong tannic tension that frames flavors of dark purple fruit and baking spice.
A Bordeaux-style blend of all five classic red varieties (the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot playing nearly equal roles) this wine is tart in blackberry, cranberry, dark cherry and cassis, with firm, youthful tannins supporting the fruit. Softly intense, it offers balanced acidity and integrated oak.
Plump and somewhat jammy flavors of vanilla and baked cherry meet with soft clove dust on the nose of this bottling by the Foley family. The palate is tight in bright acidity, with flavors of red plum and cracked pepper that linger long on the finish.
This bold and full-bodied wine has vivid smoke and spice aromas, with rich blackberry and espresso flavors. A healthy wrapping of tannins add an appetizing bite and a lingering, lightly spicy finish. Overall, the tasty oak nuances are well blended with the ripe fruit.
Aromas of licorice, underbrush, scorched earth and a balsamic whiff of menthol develop in the glass. Firm but elegant, the structured palate offers dried Marasca cherry, spicy blackberry and ground clove set against taut close-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2028.
Seared lemon peels, densely packed honeysuckle, Brie rind and white-ash aromas show on the nose of this appellation blend from the regional superstars, which recently became part of the Jackson Family of wines. The palate is tightly wound with grapefruit pith and a lemon spray-laced acidity that provides ample structure, carrying the slightest bit of riper stone fruit at the core.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc is still quite fresh for being seven-years-old, offering aromas of concentrated red-cherry juice, allspice, sandalwood and nose-tickling cinnamon. Cedar and myrrh flavors lead the woody palate, where a buoyant acidity lifts up the red cherry and tart red-currant fruits.
This fine wine has firm tannins and a solid feel from serious wood aging. The toast and spice flavors merge with the black fruits, the dark plums and the rich texture of this ripe wine. It is still young, needing further aging to soften those tannins. Drink from 2019.
This second wine of classed growth Château Dassault is still young. It has tannins and a dense texture that comes from its rich fruit and high alcohol. However, it's balanced and jammy, with ripe blackberry flavors and a sense of restrained power. Drink from 2020.
This ripe wine is full of the fruit that's typical of the vintage, with its bursts of red berry flavor and layers of wood. It has a crisp edge from plenty of acidity and a good concentration that gives it the weight it needs. Drink from 2020.
This wine is ripe and juicy, with delicious damson and berry fruit. Being rich and full bodied, it's also densely textured, with smoky touches of wood from barrel aging. Drink from 2020.
New wood aromas set the scene for this ripe, fuity and toasty wine. It has plenty of black plum fruit, rich tannins and a dry core that will soften. The texture is polished and ripe. Drink from 2020.
Still very young, this ripe Merlot-dominated wine is packed with dark plum and rich damson fruit flavors. They balance the serious amount of wood influence that gives it its spice and ageability. Drink from 2023.
Cinder is quietly one of the wineries carrying the banner for this nascent growing region. The aromas here are sappy and brooding, with notes of Marionberry, huckleberry, bittersweet chocolate and a spice top note. The blue-fruit flavors show an alluring sense of purity and grace that carries through the finish, which includes a savory note that heightens the interest. Delicious stuff.
A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Grenache and Merlot, this delicious red is juicy in blackberry and vanilla swirls of flavor. Tar, sage and tobacco add savory touches that work within its soft rounded frame.
Muted on the nose, this light-bodied effort is velvety in texture, with a bite of tannin met by equal parts acidity and freshness. Cranberry and black tea highlight the appealing flavor profile.
Herbal plum and berry aromas are gamy almost to an extreme. This multigrape blend has a lot of Syrah and Carmenère in it, and that shows. The palate is muscular in feel, and quite meaty and rustic in flavors, with tastes of olive and beef jerky. A blackened finish is more dark and oaky than fruity.
This is a rich, powerful wine. It is dense, with dusty tannins and great swathes of ripe black fruits. The acidity, crisp and generous at the same time, is well integrated with the fruit. Its solid, firm texture promises aging. Drink this serious, concentrated wine from 2019.
Enticing oak spices in the aromas and deftly blended fruit, spice and mineral flavors make this wine especially appealing. It's medium bodied, not a monster, and combines ripe black-cherry flavors, moderate tannins, muted acidity and a velvety mouthfeel.
A barrel-aged Alvarinho, but one that is so delicately toasty that the fruit is what this ripe generous wine is all about. It is rich with citrus and pear flavors, zesty and tangy while also having room for a round ripe aftertaste. This is an impressive wine, ready to drink now.
Intriguing and enticing aromas of honey and toasted peanuts lead to very sweet but mild fruit flavors and a texture so soft and billowy that the wine seems to vaporize on the palate. This will be great to drink after dinner or with a selection of cheeses.
This is an intensely earthy wine, showing a rich bouquet of rose garden, geranium and wild pine. Soft on the palate and supple in tannin, it retains a savory edge throughout, spicy in Asian five spice, nutmeg and orange peel.
Tight but ripe elderberry aromas mingle with lots of sagebrush, hints of smoke and a crushed slate minerality on the nose of this blend. The palate's tart acidity and aggressive tannins could use a tad more mellowing, but the bright and pretty boysenberry flavors are easy to enjoy right away.
This is a rich and heady Cabernet from head to toe. Solid, ripe blackberry and cassis aromas are coated with oaky coconut scents. In the mouth, this is saturated and heavy to the point of being syrupy. Flavors of chocolate, oaky char and herbal berry flavors finish smoky and spicy. Drink through 2020.
This has notes of black cherry and smoky tar. It's tannins can barely be wrapped around one's lips on first sip, but let the wine open (and/or age) and its black cherry, berry, coffee and mint components swirl together in exciting ways.
Aromas of fleshy white fruits and spice give this Greek white a soulful edge. On the palate, clean, bracing flavors of bright lemon and minerals mean this is a multiple-glass choice. This should pair well with grilled octopus and fish.
Some wood aging gives this Merlot-dominated wine a full structure, with attractive tannins and juicy black fruits. It is ripe, full-bodied and very approachable now.
Big and densely tannic, this wine's fruit is still firmly buried in the structure. It has wood, spice and ripe plum notes. With its concentrated texture, it is still capable of aging.
Made by the top Muscadet producer Christophe Gadais, this is beautifully clean and crisp. It has fragrant fruit flavors of citrus and apple, with a light, dancing character.
Rich red fruits along with a stalky element give this wine weight and structure. It's on the dry side, with the fruit tannins and wood notes still dominant. Good acidity offers a bright aftertaste.
Massive and dark up front, with gritty aromas of herb, cola and black olive. It feels chunky, ripe and full bodied, bearing an herbal, minty flavor and notes of black fruit, licorice and earth. A chocolate/carob flavor marks the finish.
Although there is a wood-aged character to the wine, the main feeling is of stalky red fruits, tight tannins and acids. It has a smoky character from the Cabernet Franc that adds complexity.
The sweetness gauge on the back label indicates this as medium dry, and at 3.2% residual sugar, there is more than a hint of sweetness. It's all in fine balance, full flavored, fruity and round. A mix of peaches, apricots and Mandarin oranges makes this an interesting Riesling with some complexity.
A Zin brimming with berry deliciousness, this is lushly fruit forward with a dusty coat and hints of cracked black pepper for good measure. It has a great, long, cocoa-kissed finish.
Made from fifty-year old Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo vines, this wine has aromas of violet, cherry and earth with whiffs of tobacco leaf and smoke. The palate delivers black cherry, white pepper and nutmeg mingled with balsamic notes. It's smooth with fine tannins.
The Encruzado is Dão's own grape, rarely found outside this mountain region. Here, it has produced a smooth wine, with reminders of a mineral Chardonnay—textured, cool, collected and crisp. Apples and white fruits are laced with delicious, refreshing acidity. Drink from 2014.
Hailing from the winery's Cave Spring Vineyard, it's dry in style with notes of notes of lime, slat, and mint backed by tart, mouthwatering acids that draw out the finish.
Initial aromas of smoke and earth dissipate to reveal scents of rich, honeyed peaches and spice. The palate is bright and sweet with ripe, juicy stonefruit and preserved quince, accented by hints of fresh herbs and ramps. An unusual harmony of sweet and savory, it finishes long and complex.
Aromas of baked berries and spice are mature and complex. This feels rich and almost lactic, while oaky, buttery flavors of roasted berry fruits and molasses finish soft and cuddly, with a licorice note. Drink this very nice Uruguayan blend of Tannat and other red grapes now.
Hints of savory spice, toast and bramble add dimension to ripe blackberry and plum flavors on the nose of this ripe, full-bodied Pinot Noir. The palate is lush with fruit and oak tones, brightened by crisp cranberry acidity. Finishes long, with a murmur of soft, dainty tannins and green herbs.
The reserve spends 18 months in 50% new French oak. It's already drinking well and hinting at quickly-maturing tannins. Soft and lightly leathery, it mixes rose petals, milk chocolate and sandalwood in with the pretty cherry fruit. Drink now and over the next few years.
This is a great Barbera that's loaded with varietal aromas of ripe berry and black pepper. The delicious palate delivers black cherry, white pepper and cinnamon flavors. The round, soft tannins are balanced with fresh acidity, making this perfect to pair with hearty pastas to grilled steaks.
Mediterra opens with intense aromas of bell pepper, red currants, sage and black pepper. The round palate offers lush plum and blackberry layered with nutmeg, clove and pepper. Pair it with a variety of foods including cured meats and medium aged cheeses.
Fruity in blackberry and dark cherry with a meaty undercurrent, Heritage blends 47% Barbera with 22% Petite Sirah, 18% Alicante Bouschet and 13% Carignane. Meaty and brisk in acidity, it has a brightness to it traditionally inspired field blends don't often have, amidst a core of power and follow-through. This is a great Lodi wine.
This lean, firmly tannic wine is more about structure than fruit. There is a burnt, chocolate- and bitter-coffee flavor that gives edge to the palate, while firm tannins enrobe black-cherry fruit. Drink from 2016.
A full-bodied wine, ripely fruity while preserving the natural, cool freshness of a Vinho Verde. It is richly endowed with apple and pear flavors, a touch of yellow fruit and a just a hint of spice. One in a series of single variety wines from Vilacetinho.
Serious amounts of new wood dominate this still young wine. It has weight and there is great juicy black currant fruit underneath the dry wood character. Once it opens up again, this is going to be a delicious, structured wine. Drink from 2016.
While it is still young, this is a complex wine, with black currant notes supported by firm tannins. It shows wood aging, fresh acidity and a solid core of structure that promises good aging. Drink from 2015.
A zesty, warm dark plum Primitivo rich in leathery coffee and jam and nestled in a wall of finely structured tannins. This is the kind of wine one can describe as having nice legs.
Balsam wood, floral berry and herbal aromas rest in front of a crisp, fresh palate with raw acidity and clampy tannins. Olive, pepper, herbal and foresty fruit flavors announce a medium-weight, snappy finish with no obvious oak. This is very nice but at $125 a bottle it has its limits.
With some concentration from skin contact during fermentation, this is a wine with richness, spice and apricot character. The palate is full with hints of toastiness, with the ripeness laced by a fresher burst of lemon acidity, resulting in an overall well-balanced wine.
Initially this doesn't distinguish itself. The nose deals typical Chilean Chardonnay aromas of corn and stalks, along with warm-weather fruits. In the mouth, however, this is minerally and intense, with driving acidity pushing flavors of oak, cinnamon, toast and baked apple. On the finish, the fruit fades rather quickly while vanilla and resiny oak flavors settle in and take over.
Funky aromas of game, powdered herb and scorched soil lead the nose. The tightly wound palate isn't very expressive, but eventually shows raw cherry, thyme and a hint of star anise while astringent tannins leave a rough, mouth drying finish.
The wine is all about fresh fruit. Blackberry fruit jumps from the glass with its light tannins and lively acidity. The structure, with just a touch of dryness, is just right to support the boisterous fruit. Drink from 2017.
From a region well-known for its sparkling wines, this is a fruity wine with soft acidity and a ripe apple character. It has a light mousse, creamy rather than crisp. Drink now.
Scents and flavors suggest cherry pipe tobacco, along with streaks of dried leaf and lemon oil. It's a rough and tumble, every day red, with some chewy tannins.
Finished quite dry, this brings tart rhubarb and sour berry fruit to bear, backed with ample acidity. It was whole cluster pressed, blended with Pinot Noir saignée, and cold fermented in stainless steel. It's a good picnic rosé, ready for cured meats and soft cheeses.
This is unusually pale, with a suggestion of a tawny, slightly oxidized hue. The soft entry brings dusty spices and tart cherry fruit. It finishes with some darker, slightly charred tones, and a hint of cigar. Drink up.
This wine is crisp and fruity. It has attractive acidity, a nice touch of spice and a backbone of minerality. The juiciness leaves a bright, crisp aftertaste.
This wine bears the blue label, and includes 20% Sauvignon Blanc in the blend. The grapes were co-fermented and aged in oak. The wine is grassy, woody and herbal, with tart acidity. Unusual, but perhaps it would have been better if left entirely in stainless.
Charred blackberries and deep caramel notes make up the nose of this wine named after the cellar master. Medium in feel, the palate shows a decent roundness, however racing acids cut the midpalate short. Additional black fruit carry the flavors, with black pepper marking the finish.
From the area known as Pierres Dorées because of the gold-colored stone used in buildings, this wine is soft and fruity. It carries a touch of tannin along with red-cherry crispness. The wine is ready to drink.
A bramble patch of aromas and flavors comes to mind in this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot: spicy raspberry, blackberry and green stems are prominent. The palate is silky and round in feel, with soft tannins melding against a veil of vanilla and butter.
Thin for Cabernet fruit, yet forceful as far as its tannins are concerned, this stiff and chalky wine will show better with hearty food, such as a beef stew. You'll find flavors of cherry candy and espresso grounds, along with a light touch of chocolate-covered orange peel, but a green edge to the tannins is the final impression.
With Chardonnay from Provence the dominant partner in this blend with Burgundian Chardonnay, this wine is soft and unoaked, with melon and yellow fruit flavors. It has light acidity, enough to give the wine freshness. It is ready to drink.
Aromas of stewed red currants and blackberries mingle with sweet tobacco and vanilla on the nose. These notes carry to the medium-bodied palate that shows a mild concentration of flavors over a buttery lactic feel.
A simple, straightforward wine, this has an attractive mineral, tangy texture to go with the bright citrus fruit. Crisp and refreshing, it is ready to drink.
This is well done, given the transportation issues involved in producing this wine. The flavors are balanced and true to variety, with details of orange peel and citrus. Though a bit one-dimensional, this is pleasantly quaffable and should be consumed over the next couple of years.
This blend of 45% Cinsault, 45% Carignan and 10% Syrah offers vanilla-kissed aromas of blackberry, raspberry and plum, as well as a touch of menthol. The slightly creamy, full-flavored palate boasts ripe black-fruit flavors and a touch of milk chocolate, all of which linger through to the medium-length finish.
Full, creamy, lightly toasted aromas give way to a mature, mellow palate that's a bit flaccid. Nutty flavors suggest papaya and melon, while the finish is low on acidity and thus more flat than ideal.
From a Chablis producer, this rosé is cool, crisp and fresh. It has plenty of red fruits and a tight mineral texture. A smooth caramel flavor balanced by juicy acidity keeps the wine deliciously refreshing.
This wine is light and fruity with citrus and red apples. It misses out on crispness, giving a more rounded character. It should be kept for a few months and drunk from 2017.
This soft wine is ripe with berry fruitiness. It has a warm sunny character while still demonstrating smoothness and flashing bright blackberry flavor and balanced acidity. Drink now.
Floral, fruity aromas, pistachio and peach flavors, and a frothy, sparkling texture create a sweet, fun and light wine.
This is a good, medium-bodied wine with light aromas, fairly neutral flavors and a very clean, straightforward personality. It will suit a crowd.
Choppy plum and berry aromas are mildly raw and herbaceous, but not overly so. Round and standard in feel, this Malbec tastes of creamy, herbal berry fruits that turn slightly green and oaky. Peppery, medicinal, herbal flavors drive the finish.
Light and fruity, this is an easy, immediately accessible wine. Soft apple and creamed-pear flavors are balanced with acidity and a ripe aftertaste. Drink now.
This Tempranillo is dark and dense, but not loud, with blackberry reduction, herbal stems and mint scents. The palate is rich and round, with grippy tannins, yet there's a lag on the midpalate. Sweet spice notes linger on the finish.
Ripe and full, this is an apricot-and melon-flavored wine. With this ripeness comes a soft texture that offers some warm acidity and a perfumed aftertaste. From 50+-year-old vines, the wine is attractive now and ready to drink.
The fruit here is attractive, pears and white currants on top of pink grapefruit and orange zest. It shows its structure and its tense minerality only slowly, allowing the acidity to give it a lift and vibrancy. This is a wine that is still young, still smoothing out its hard edges.
In the blend are small portions of 6% Syrah, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc—winemaker Mike Wade is a meticulous blender—and the nuanced character is immediately apparent. Seductive scents mix black cherry, nutmeg and toffee, leading into rich red and black fruits, licorice and smoke. Just a hint of earth and herb highlight the lightly tannic finish.
Roughly two-thirds Shiraz, the 2006 Henry's Seven is a lush, full-bodied blend that combines dark, feral notes of cola and cured meats with brighter red-fruit flavors and an herbal tinge. It's a bit warm on the finish, but that only serves to accentuate its spicy complexity. Drink now–2012.
Predominantly Sagemoor vineyard, along with some Champoux and estate grapes, including some old vine fruit and 13% Syrah. Somehow, the Artist Series Cabernet has an open softness that seems more like Merlot; it's lush and approachable, sleek and liquorous, dotted with malted milk/chocolate highlights around deep black cherry fruit. The aromas are lovely, though at first taste it sags a bit in the late going; the fruit falls off and the chocolaty notes take over. The tannins have a little green tea flavor.
Great wine and great value, too. The nose is a blend of floral, graphite and cassis aromas, while the firm and rugged palate is packed with sweet, friendly cookie, chocolate, coffee and berry flavors. If the tannins seem a little aggressive now, time should come to the rescue. Otherwise, there's very little to pick at and a lot more to praise.
A beautiful wine with unfolding aromas of orange peel, honey, vanilla and spice, with a viscous mélange of honey, spice and citrus on the palate. Elegant and flinty, with a luxurious finish.
Big and saturated is the best way to describe this mammoth blend of Cabernet, Carmenère and Cab Franc. It's full of ripe fruit, coconut and cassis on the nose. Next up is a pure, bulky palate of raspberry, plum and vanilla. There's some sweet, resiny oak notes if you dig deep, but overall it is a high-end, structured red blend. Drink now through 2012.
Once again, the amazing Stillwater Creek vineyard comes through with a highly expressive, pure and intense Syrah that captures the heart and soul of a Washington State take on the grape. The sharp flavors of berries and spice mingle proportionately; the tannins are chiseled and the acids just right.
Fragrant and expressive, it's got a wonderful lift to the plummy fruit which is spiced up with clove and gamy scents of smoked and cured meats. This is not your typical jammy, fruit-driven Syrah; it's much tighter and more Rhône-like, with fine natural acids and aging potential of up to a decade.
A rich and creamy wine with good structure and plenty of fruit. The nose yields berry essence, vanilla and smoky wood notes, while the palate has depth, layering and composed flavors. There's coffee and chocolate on the finish, and the texture and length seem just right. It's oaky for sure, but this vintage of Q can handle it. Drink now through 2012.
Built a little more sturdily than some NZ Pinots, Rockburn's 2007 shows fine intensity and purity of black cherry flavors, allied to hints of mushroom, earth and cola. It's full-bodied, with a long, supple finish. Drink now–2015.
Santa Carolina's Reserva de Familia red wines from 2007 are vastly improved from what the winery has done for the past two decades. This wine—along with the RdF Cabernet Sauvignon—show immense color and fruit, but also balance, structure and a friendliness that can't be mass produced. This wine is loaded with cassis, cherry, cola, mint, toast and bacon. And for $15 you'd be hard-pressed to find a better, more complete red from anywhere in the world.
Konrad's 2008 Pinot Noir shows quite a bit of toast and vanilla to go alongside its cherry fruit. Gently toasted marshmallows impart a sweet succulence to the wine, making it attractive despite some woody tannins on the finish. Drink now–2014.
This is an easy-drinking quaffer, the kind most people think of when they hear Riesling. It's off dry but well balanced, with slightly broad melon and peach notes. A nice patio sipper for summer 2011.
Tropical is how to best describe the bouquet; it's melony and sweet, but not that zesty or pungent. The palate is round and works well, while flavors of orange pith, lime and sweet grapefruit are just lively enough. Drink now or wait for the 2010.
A complex, savory Pinot Noir for $12? Yup. Hints of bacon and mushroom are prominent, with just enough cherry fruit to support them. It's light in body, with supple tannins, so drink it over the next six months or so.
Aromatic with notes of white peach, florals and just a whiff of petrol, this is fairly dry in style but softened by a gentle grapefruit and limeade sweetness. Finish clean with a refreshing stone and slate note.
Toasty on the nose, with plenty of baked apple and warmth. The palate is round, smooth and toasty, with caramel running alongside baked apple and pear flavors. Sweet on the finish, plump in feel and good overall in a tropical, fun way.
Solidly mainstream in style, Whitehaven's 2009 Sauvignon Blanc displays slightly sweaty aromas to accent its red bell pepper and passion fruit flavors. It's nicely concentrated, with enough palate weight to pair with slightly rich fish or poultry dishes. Drink up.
Dry, firm and toasty, this has acidity over a tight black currant character. That makes it feel almost as much wine as Port, the woody character adding to the dry side.
Here's a bright, fruit-forward Merlot with notes of small black berries, black cherry and cassis accented by soft fruit cake spice. Balanced and drinkable with soft tannins and a solid finish.
This is a superb value white that's versatile and perfect for company. Fresh white florals, Asian pear and a touch of pineapple acidity dominate, with softly prickling acidity dancing on your tongue through the close. Light weight but mouthwatering and easy to drink.
Baked red fruit, cherry pie filling and sweet spice dominate the overall character of this wine, with a finish reminiscent of a Christmas fruit cake. Medium weight with vibrant acidity and a clean finish; easy drinking and ready now.
Bright and dark all at once with lovely notes of black cherry, bramble and juicy red plum guts all accented with a touch of sweet spice. Silky and smoothly textured with an overall vibrancy and easygoing character.
Dry, spicy red-fruit aromas are solid and standard, while the palate is lean but comfortable, with dry, simple cherry flavors accented by a spot of oak-driven vanilla. Good but as regular as they come. Easy to drink.
Generally this is a nice South American Chardonnay. The nose offers touches of apple, pear, peach and light oak, while the palate has bounce, acidity and tangy apricot, nectarine and apple flavors. Finishes lively but dilute, with citrus and lemon peel flavors. Hits the target.
This delicate white offers aromas of roses and a palate of spice and flowers that are both lively and sweet. Distinctive and elegant. Pair with poultry, pork and seafood.
This Cabernet Sauvignon, with 11% Merlot added, offers intense ripeness and a plush texture of soft tannins. Rich blackberry jam and chocolate flavors are layered with soy and leather notes, benefitting from integrated oak.
Classic Rioja aromas of earthy berry, cassis and raisin along with cocoa and dry spice notes announce a ripe wine with complexity. A dense palate with good acidity sets the stage for baked berry, cassis and raisin flavors. This Tempranillo is earthy and smooth on the finish. Drink through 2020.
This Bordeaux-style blend, made from 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, is a complex and layered wine. Pleasant green notes of savory herbs, peppercorn, blackcurrant leaf and brambly berry drive the bouquet, while the medium-weight palate offers flavors of black-fruit skin, char and cigar box all framed by a crushed-velvet texture. It shows good grip, concentration and length, and should drink well through 2021.
Yellow-apple notes are clearly expressed on the nose. They also appear with lovely purity on the balanced dry palate which has a rich backdrop of autolysis with hints of rye bread. The mousse is fine and creamy, the finish is dry and lasting.
A touch of vanilla can be discerned in the sweet peachy juiciness of this wine which is already apparent on the nose. The palate is fluid, almost plump and rich with these flavors, especially peach and rose, come to the fore. A pleasantly bitter phenolic edge saves this from becoming too rich. Alcoholic warmth is apparent on the rich sweet finish.
This 100% varietal wine from the producer's prized estate vineyard is soft textured and full bodied—an exploration of leather, blackberry pie, coffee and cigar. With its long, black pepper-inflected finish, it's ready for steak.
This fine, small-production wine is fermented and aged predominantly in concrete egg—the better to preserve and promote its beautifully crisp, briny green-apple and pear flavors. Its sharp acidity acts as a squeeze of lemon, making it all the more satisfying.
This well-made wine is powered by lush red and black fruits and berries. The acids keep it lively and fresh, tannins are polished and the outstanding fruit is a real joy. It's unfiltered and aged in French oak, 50% new.
Notes of apple immediately rise from the glass: Ripe and mellow Golden Delicious as well as crisp Granny Smith. A background of shortbread appears with a little more air. On the palate the mousse is very lively, almost frothy, highlighting the briskness and freshness of this cuvée. Crisp apple and citrus notes underline the purity and freshness against a backdrop of subtle autolysis. The finish is bright and clean.
Lightly astringent cherry and berry aromas are intriguing and complex. This eases across the palate with weight and ripeness prior to baked berry, cassis and prune flavors. Earthiness becomes a more dominant characteristic the longer this sits. Drink through 2021.
Light red in color and quite cloudy in the glass, this appellation blend boasts sweet-and-sour spice on the nose, along with kalamata olive, sagebrush, tangy fig and raspberry jam aromas. Its underripe red fruit and piquant olive character on the palate will please those who enjoy the style but turn off those who don't.
A ripe, raisiny nose with a black-fruit essence and mild warmth leads to a tight and tannic palate. Toasty blackberry and cassis flavors are powerful and include a note of oaky graphite. A dark, spicy finish with full-blast intensity ends the ride. Drink through 2022.
Aged and fermented in neutral French oak, this luscious wine is smooth and open, with just the right touch of butter, presumably from partial malolactic fermentation. The mouthfeel is creamy and rich, like a peach cobbler, with a splash of butterscotch.
A slightly tawny color and extra spicy, meaty aromas make this appetizing blend of 75% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah interesting to taste. It's medium-bodied, peppery and savory and is backed by moderate berry flavors.
A focused nose with purity, mineral notes and clean white-fruit aromas opens this fine brut nature. The palate is round enough to not be austere, while it carries flavors of white currant, apple and lime. On the finish it maintains its flavors, minerality and clarity.
This blend of 64% Malbec, 21% Merlot and 15% Mourvèdre is forward in ripe red cherry and plum as well as strawberry-rhubarb pie. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean weave throughout the nose and palate, spicing up the fruity core and lingering on the close. It's smooth and plush, with a crushed-satin texture and excellent overall balance and harmony.
Enticing aromas of citrus, spring blossom and white stone fruit set the tone on this elegant sparkler. Bright and polished, the silky palate offers Bartlett pear and green apple alongside vibrant acidity and a silky perlage.
This bottling from a warm part of the upper Carmel Valley is lavish, rich and inviting on the nose, with cassis, French toast, vanilla and lilac aromas. It's thick on the palate, with blackberry syrup, maple and snickerdoodle flavors, cut by bountiful acidity.
From a dry-farmed patch of land inaccessible to irrigation, this bottling offers rounded blackberry pie, chocolate, sun-baked rock and burnt caramel aromas. It's quite rich and thick on the palate, with baked boysenberry and clove dust flavors, proving a touch sweet.
Broadley offers well-ripened, estate-grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at affordable prices. This juicy, concentrated cuvée brings a lively mix of boysenberry, blackberry and black cherry. It was aged for one year in one-year-old French oak. The focus, concentration and sheer pleasure cannot by overstated.
Certainly a remarkable value, this brings concentrated flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry liqueur into a big, broad and deep midpalate. The exuberance and depth of fruit is astonishing, and the balancing acidity suggests that the wine will retain its freshness through 2020 and beyond. This is one to buy by the case.
A bright touch of candied strawberry shows prominently on the nose of this bottling, with judicious hints of roasted red pepper, herb and peppercorn hiding behind that vivacious veil. The palate is light in body but has plenty of structure to hold up its cranberry and strawberry flavors and peppery spice. Great with a slight chill.
Having tasted the 2002 through the 2005, the '04 seems bright by comparison, with aromatics that include forest floor, tar and lively berries. The palate, like all the Poesia wines, is mouthfilling and substantial; flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and mocha are knit together and don't skip a beat.
Katnook's top-of-the-line Cab, the Odyssey, already seems mature, with a touch of brick to its color and some dried fruit flavors. But even if this won't improve further, it's at a lovely spot right now, with a lush, creamy texture, pillowy-soft tannins and wonderful cedar and cigarbox notes. Drink now–2010.
Folks who enjoy herbal complexities in their Cabernet shouldn't pass this wine up. Aromas of roasted peppers, eucalyptus and cassis verge on vegetal, but the flavors are more refined, layering rich chocolaty notes over cassis and hints of green pepper. It's only medium-bodied, but still packs in plenty of intensity, evidenced on the long, silky finish. Drink now–2020.
Very concentrated and closed up, like a coil. The intense green fruit is followed by plum skins. Crispness, dry but fresh, comes alongside a powerful explosion of flavors.
From a somewhat difficult vintage, Stephen and Prue Henschke have turned out a wonderful Cab. Eucalyptus, tobacco and cherry aromas lead the way, followed by flavors that add a deep undercurrent of cassis. It's a big, thickly textured wine, with a long, berry-inflected finish. Not that tannic, it should nevertheless drink well through at least 2015.
Steeliness exemplified in wine. This is crisp and structured, complex with its green fruits, structured acidity and touch of caramel and kiwi. It's the acidity that shows at the moment; needs 4–5 years.
Generous in style, with great freshness. The flavors are rich, touched by caramel, ripe white currants and some spice. A fine, red apple skin structure comes through to finish.
Howard Park's single-vineyard wines continue to impress for their value and consistency. The 2004 Leston is a richly textured, velvety Cab, marked by earthy, loamy scents and classic cassis, vanilla and tobacco flavors. Drink 2009–2015.
This wine is much more convincing than Jenke's 2005 Cabernet, reinforcing the concept that Barossa Cab typically performs better in cooler years (2002 was the coolest on record). It's still broad and mouthfilling, but the plum and cassis flavors stay this side of overripe, buttressed by plenty of smoke, vanilla and spice. Long and savory on the finish. Drink now–2015. Imported by 34th Parallel, LLC.
This wine is much better than most in its class. The blackberry, graham cracker and exotic spice notes are particular to Bosca, while additional notes of bacon, chocolate and nutmeg add to the pleasure. For anyone looking for quintessential Argentine Malbec at a good price, we say start here.
The 2004 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 100% new French oak. There's plenty of fruit to back up the lavish oak treatment, but this wine needs 3–5 years to integrate its cassis fruit with the overlay of vanilla, chocolate and toasted coconut. It seems a bit coarsely textured at first, then smoothes out nicely with air, gaining length on the finish. Drink 2008–2015.
When first opened it is tight and herbal, with the scent of blood. But the subtle hints of rock and spice that underlie the pristine cranberry fruit need some years to unwrap themselves. This new 2006 Schindler comes out swinging, its wild berry fruit laced with earthy, barnyard funk. Tastes like an unbridled mix of fruit and soil, spice and barrel, that adds up to a vibrant, earthy, alive Pinot.
This is the second wine from the Château Grenouilles vineyard, very fresh, but at the same time weighty and concentrated, with wood, caramel and generous fruits. Age for 5 years.
This blend comes from seven vineyards: John Sebastiano, Shadow Canyon, Thompson, Harrison Clarke, Watch Hill and Stolpman. Melded with 10% Grenache and 1% Viognier, it shows warm gingerbread and blackberry aromas, cut by pencil lead and anise. The flavors expertly balance ripeness with tannins and acidity, offering dynamic ollallieberry, pepper-crusted roast pork, wild herbs and a touch of vanilla on the finish.
From an extreme, cool-climate estate vineyard, this Chardonnay is remarkably complex, golden in color and semi-rich in lemon chiffon and intense caramel. Yet it holds back ever so slightly on the lusciousness by offering crisp, tingling acidity. Orange blossom delights in terms of aroma and flavor, with an accent of fennel, too.
Structured in firm tannins, this seamless wine offers juicy red cherry and strawberry most significantly, followed by dried herb and hits of baking spice. Layered without being overly concentrated, it's made and owned by Chris Pittenger, who also makes Rhône-inspired wines for Skinner Vineyards in El Dorado County. The name honors wife Sarah's rounded belly while expecting the couple's first child.
This powerful, single-vineyard wine is both fruity and structured. Dense tannins and dark cherry fruits are beautifully balanced with the wood aging. Wait to drink this wine until 2017.
Plum, blackberry and toasty aromas are pure, heady and classy. Immediately this wine shows itself to be powerful: The tannins are grating and the overall outlook is far from shy. Toasty, dark flavors of black fruits, spice and licorice end spicy and blackened, with hard-ripping tannins. Best from 2016 through 2026.
Honey tangerines and freesias perfume this dazzling auslese that's full of pristine yellow peach and citrus flavors. It's luscious, almost opulent with fruit, but cut with a shock of lemon-lime acidity that extends the long, long finish.
Dark in color, this muted, thick and brooding wine is rich, intense and still developing. Floral and juicy, it offers wild berry and cherry flavor, accented by a taste of vanilla and caramel. Concentrated, this wine will please Cabernet drinkers, who will enjoy its peppery, oaky finish.
The slightly oxidized nose on this wine, which is sourced from the K Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard and Jim Clendenen's own Le Bon Climat Vineyard, shows seared marshmallow, hot Marcona almonds and honey, with a noticeable alkalinity. The browned-butter palate is cut by a lemon peel zing that evolves into truffle salt and roasted nuts. All elements linger deep into the finish.
Made from vines that are between 30 and 60 years old, this radiant white opens with aromas that recall white spring flower, mint and pear. The elegant, linear palate delivers concentrated flavors of juicy apple, creamy pear and zesty citrus, with firm acidity. The lingering finish closes on a mineral note.
CH, the international initials for Switzerland, are here as a reminder of the birthplace of Alice Tavares da Silva, one of the estate's owners. The wine, rich and dense, offers layers of new wood, mint and dark tannins. Seriously ripe, it's produced from old-vine Touriga Nacional, allowing juicy acidity to give some freshness, although the wine is much more concerned with power and longevity. Drink from 2019.
Earthy hints of pollen and crushed minerals lend complexity to honeyed swathes of peach and raspberry in this delicately framed auslese. It's racy and lithe, yet remarkably penetrating through a long finish.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sees 20 months in 100% French oak, half of it new. This wine has lovely cassis and red cranberry notes at its core, while accents of earth, leather, oak and cedar give it a classic feel. Sizable, dry tannins should integrate with the bright fruit and minerality over time, through 2020.
Salted peaches, dried apricots, sliced lemons, crushed vanilla beans and oak smoke mark the nose of this wine, sourced from one of the appellation's biggest and oldest vineyards. It's light and crisp on the salty palate, with a fleshy apple flavor, racy acidity and slate-driven minerality.
This packs tremendous flavor into a low-alcohol wine with moderate residual sugar. Peach pit and juice, green apple and citrusy acids start it off. The flavors keep going through a long, complex finish, adding subtle notes of herb and cut grass.
Nervous, racing acidity casts an electric sheen onto pristine yellow cherry and grapefruit flavors. Semidry in style, this light-footed wine is intensely juicy, but elegantly framed by a vein of chalk and saline minerality. It's complex and vibrantly delicious.
The winery's flagship Cabernet, this offers elements of cranberry and black cherry that slide onto the palate rather than explode. Fig and plum give it a savory edge, around accents of pencil lead, mocha and clove. Rich and soft on the tongue, the wine offers plenty to enjoy now, but it will also yield intrigue over several years, through 2029.
This dry-farmed portion of the exciting family-owned estate delivers aromas of cardamom, pomegranate extract, cherry juice, ollallieberry, sweet woods and the yeastiness of a baking croissant. The palate shows cherry pie, pulverized cloves, star anise and more yeast, with a very full mouthfeel and silky tannins.
This is made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in two unlikely places in the Napa Valley: the Foss Valley near Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain. There is incredible deliciousness going on in this ever-so-lightly hued wine that is vibrantly crisp in grapefruit rind and earthy cranberry and raspberry. With the slightest salinity on the back palate, it remains thirst-quenching and memorable from start to finish.
This is a big, perfumed wine. It is still young, with new wood flavors, touches of eucalyptus and dense, dry tannins. To balance all this structure, the ripe and juicy berry flavors give the wine the richness it needs. Drink from 2017.
This single-vineyard wine is structured and dense. Powerful tannins come both from fruit and from wood aging. Underneath the black cherry fruit and fresh acidity are developing. Drink this complex wine from 2016.
Longtime Winemaker Kathy Joseph has crafted a wine that presents aromas of cherry, raspberry, slate, frozen chocolate chips and a bit of wild mint. Juicy raspberries lead the palate, along with root beer, cola and a touch of eucalyptus, all sailing through the texture of grippy tannins and strong acidity.
Made from old plantings of Touriga Nacional in the Alentejo, this is a structured wine. Perfumed and juicy, it's rich in dark fruits and powerful tannins. Like any great wine from this grape, it's ready for aging, still densely textured and immense. Drink from 2018.
Named after the fourth Marques da Alorna, a Portuguese poet of the 18th century, this powerful wine (both in terms of the wine and the heavy bottle) is hugely dense, brooding and still very young. Its tannins dominate, giving strength to the fresh blackberry flavors under all this structure. Drink from 2018.
This is a structured and beautifully wood-aged wine. It comes from vineyards high up in the hills above the Douro, giving a balanced character to the wine. Red berries and black plum skins give the fruit, balanced by the dense, dry core of serious tannins. It's a wine for long aging, so don't drink before 2018.
Squeaky-fresh lemon and lime shine a spotlight against sweet melon and stone fruit flavors in this gossamer-textured spätlese. It's dancingly delicate, yet deeply penetrating on the palate, finishing on lingering notes of hazelnut and white flowers.
Rose petal and sage notes lend a garden-green freshness to this sprightly semidry Riesling. Nervy lemon-lime flavors jolt the palate awake, but are softened by plush tones of apricot and honey. It's a squarely structured wine that's revitalizing sip after sip.
One of this historic winery's top bottlings, this wine shows aromas of mushrooms, turned earth, wet gravel, chipped slate and rich raspberry syrup. Juicy flavors of raspberry and cranberry are cut by bracing acidity, which lingers through the secondary elements of pencil lead, licorice and truffle.
This blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc shows black cherry extract aromas along with leather and an appealing sense of oak-grilled pasilla chile in the background. The easily quaffable but still serious palate is redolent with juicy black cherries and charred plums, leveled with mocha and a tiny bit of herbaciousness that gives balance.
Ripe, lush and a touch raisiny on the nose, this smells like boysenberry pie and crème de cassis liqueur. Chewy, tannic and a bit heavy in this youthful state, this offering from vineyards in the town of Porrera (Vall Llach's home) delivers blackberry, cassis and prune flavors along with a toasty, chocolaty, oak-heavy finish. Best from 2016 through 2021.
Aromas of green pear, yellow apple and sage accompany a smoky whiff of flint stone. The structured, vibrant palate delivers a wonderful depth of flavors, including mature apple, white peach, orange zest, grilled rosemary and energizing mineral. It's impeccably balanced, with bright acidity.
Typically young and fruity, this wine is packed with fresh cherry fruits and plenty of acidity. It's almost crisp and should be drunk now.
Melony aromas come with a gritty, oily accent. Although the wine is still zesty on the palate, it is limited in elegance. Flavors of pithy green fruits turn bitter on the finish. The wine is at peak/past peak.
A fruity wine, it has fresh citrus and pear flavors. It is very light with just hints of texture. Drink now.
An herbal wine, rather green in character and missing fruitiness. Structure and cherry fruits are there but lost in this green stalky character.
A blend of 90% Barbera and 10% Viognier made into a white wine, this bottling is mired in candy apple and white grapy flavors. It's round and otherwise simple.
A juicy wine, it has soft tannins and gently stalky fruit textures. Black currant fruits accompany fresh, tangy acidity. Not for aging, so drink now.
This basic, inexpensive Pinot has Syrah and Viognier blended, but overall the wine is fairly generic, with a streak of smokiness in the background.
The Singerriedl is the most renowned vineyard in Spitz, and this ripe but cool example shows its great minerality and taut apple skin tannin structure. Rounding the wine out is an attractive, creamy finish.
Erath is now part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio. The white wines, which have long been a strength of the brand, remain fresh and lightly fruity. The flavors of this young Pinot Gris suggest pear skin, grapefruit and lime, and there are bracing acids providing some additional lift. The '07 seems to show a bit more textural density than the previous vintage.
This is the kind of elegant wine one expects from Chateau Lafayette, with its flirtation of mint, chocolate and soft pepper on the nose, and its integrated berry and spice flavors on the palate. Smooth but sturdy tannins and a long finish seal the deal.
Citrusy and fresh, this low-alcohol (11.5%) blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc strikes the right chord as an apéritif or fish complement. It's lean, lemony and long, with hints of toast and paraffin adding a modicum of complexity.
Powerpacked stuff, no ifs, ands or buts. But it's also a tannic heavyweight with a clamp-down palate that feels a bit like chewing on bolts. Starting aromas of raisin, char and black olive are brooding and mulchy, while the main act is dark, with coffee and cassis. Better flavors than feel; however, time could tame the beast.
Aromatic with ripe black plums, violets and cedar, this elegant Pinot Noir is chock-full of red cherry and dried plum flavors, fringed with soft, velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity leads to a long finish, flecked with graphite and dried herb notes.
Juicy and fruity, this has apple and lemon flavors that combine with a steely edge. It's refreshing and crisp, with a bright, lively character, and a tang on the finish.
This is a good, round, fruity style of Riesling. It's off-dry (2.6% residual sugar), with flavors of pineapple, sweet tangerine and Meyer lemon. The fruit is simply delicious; drink now.
Ripe and full bodied, this is a wine that reflects the softness of the vintage. Aged in wood, it has a rounded texture, with spice, apricot and pineapple flavors, finishing with a touch of acidity.
Made from 100% Lake County-grown Riesling grapes, this opens with sweet aromas of nectar and golden honey. It's pretty and off dry (30 g/L residual sugar), remaining balance because of its crisp acidity.
Opulent and ripe, full bodied and rich, this has notes of toast and spice as well as apricot and pear flavors. With its balanced character, it can be consumed now, but it will also age for another year.
Lean and steely, with penetrating minerality, this bone-dry Riesling just begs to be paired with briny oysters or caviar. The palate boasts delicate apple and pear flavors that are layered with smoke, fresh fennel and a deliciously herbaceous finish.
This blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz and 26% Merlot boasts assertive aromas of cassis, black plum and licorice root. The medium-weight palate offers similarly concentrated fruit flavors, with a slightly chewy texture and a long, spicy finish.
Ripe notes of stone fruit and apple blossom lend a lavish air to this dry yet penetrating Pinot Gris. It's big and voluptuous, but it finishes clean, with lingering minerality and a flash of green flower.
This has flavors and aromas of hazelnut, dried apricot and coconut in between layers of lush white peach. Overall, this is very pretty and well balanced. Its light-handed finish is floral and tropical, without a sign of oak.
This Merlot has a fair splash of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It does not shy away from underbrush accents of leaf and herb, adding complexity to the cherry fruit.
Despite its 2.4% residual sugar, this is a tart, lemony wine that seems made to enjoy with raw oysters. The searing acidity is not for everyone, but if you like lip-smacking tartness, this has the depth and flavor to match it.
Berry candy and licorice aromas become more subtle and earthy with air. It feels grabby and abrasive as many Toro's are prone to be, with blackberry and root notes and a sugar beet flavor. The slightly hot, candied finish holds onto that rooty character.
Just three barrels of this reserve were produced, commemorating the owners' half century together. Spicy and tight, with the ample acidity of the 2013 vintage, its fruit suggests hard raspberry candy, with elements of peppery herb and stiff tannins. Give it extra aeration, or cellar 2017–2019.
Ripe and dark aromas of black raspberries, blackberries and gingerbread greet the nose on this wine by veteran vintner Larry Brooks. The palate offers up lots of purple flowers with more black raspberry juice, proving tense with energy. Bright acidity cuts through the luscious elements.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this opens with intense aromas of thyme, sage, citrus peel and toasted walnut. The aromas carry through to the palate, along with ripe apple and a hint of bread crust that are offset by crisp acidity and a creamy, refined perlage.
This is a structured wine, solid with tannins as well as ripe red berry and dark cherry fruits. The combination gives a wine that has concentration from old vines on sandy soil as well as the potential to age. Drink from 2016. The handsome château was an important fortified structure when the Lords of Beaujeu were defending themselves in the 12th century.
A blend of Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and a small amount of Pinot Meunier, this opens with aromas of bread crust, hazelnut and Golden Delicious apple. The ripe palate offers candied nectarine zest, toast and slightly-bitter roasted walnut alongside a refined, persistent perlage.
Buttered nuts, lime spritz, green apple, fragrant honeydew and a shred of pineapple treat the nose on this bottling from a steadily rising appellation. The palate shows lots of pep, blending both light crème fraîche with lemon and lime peels, quite focused though not terribly complex.
Ripe yellow peach, spring flowers and pastry aromas emerge from the glass. The creamy palate offers crisp Granny Smith apple, white peach and a confectionary note alongside bright acidity and a frothy perlage.
Bright and silky, this opens with aromas of citrus and walnut. The luminous palate delivers ripe yellow apple, nectarine, a hint of brioche and a mineral note offset by a frothy mousse.
A blend of 75% Pinot Nero and 25% Chardonnay, this offers aromas of white spring flowers, citrus zest, walnut and a whiff of exotic spice. The racy palate delivers ripe apple, pastry, hazelnut, vanilla and a note of candied ginger alongside bright acidity and a vibrant mousse.
Delicately scented, this offers aromas of white stone fruit and spring field flowers. On the bright palate, green pear, lemon-lime and chopped herbs emerge alongside racy acidity and a persistent perlage. A mineral note leaves a clean, crisp finish.
This pure varietal bottling is compact and tannic. Blue and black fruits lean toward deep cassis flavors, with earth, pencil lead and peppery herb along for the ride. Chewy tannins and herbal flavors come up in the finish.
This estate wine from Château Moulin-à-Vent comes from a selection of different vineyards. It has a very direct, structured character, firm with tannins and ripe with delicious berry fruits. It is developing well, still structured and needing some time. Drink from 2017.
Floral scents of rose, acacia and a whiff of white tree fruit lead the way. On the palate, bright acidity lifts up white peach, green apple and lemon drop while a creamy mousse adds softness. It closes on a note of candied citrus zest.
This is a particularly earthy Pinot Noir. Beetroot and mushroom notes are dark and earthy, balanced by bright acids and supple tannins on the palate. The crisp, lean finish shows tremendous focus and length but less generosity. Drink 2018–2024.
Ripe aromas of black plum, blueberry and charcoal lead to a palate that's muscular and full-bodied. Dark, peppery, slightly bitter flavors of toasted blackberry and prune end with burnt notes and black pepper along with grabby, rubbery tannins.
Granit is the sandy granite hillside soil of northern Beaujolais. The vineyard is a neighbor to the Fleurie appellation. This textured wine is rich with cherry and red-currant flavors that are rounded out and have just hint of tannins. The wine could soften even more so wait until early 2016.
All juicy fruit, this is a bright, dry wine with delicious acidity that gives freshness. It also has a mineral edge, giving the red berry fruits a firm texture. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2016.
Tart and tannic, this has a sleek, almost steely character, with cranberry and black cherry fruit, razor's edge tannins, and supporting acidity.
A blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Côt (aka Malbec), this smooth, dense and barrel-aged wine has impressive richness. Spice along with acidity and red berry fruits give a fresh aspect. The light tannins are dry and offer a balanced structure. It's ready to drink.
Fragrant and fresh, this rare white is fuller bodied in style despite its time in stainless steel only. Fleshy, it's both crisp and creamy, with undulating waves of citrus and green apple ending in a flurry of lemon zest. The producer was the first to make this variety commercially in California, tapping into its Austrian roots. Enjoy its freshness now.
There's a compelling note of candied maraschino on the nose of this wine, an extreme sense of just-picked wild strawberry near the ocean. With a briny afterthought and plenty of earth, it offers high acidity around a firmly structured body and finish.
Made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, both from Kick Ranch Vineyard, this salmon-colored quaffer was fermented in concrete, and is hard to describe aromatically, taking its time to open. Dry, it tastes of watermelon and a hint of clove-like spice, remaining fresh on the palate and lightweight.
Crisp in citrus, with noticeable tension that softens in the glass, this wine offers tremendous value and elegance. Medium bodied and well integrated in terms of oak and power, it has a lovely note of preserved lemon on the finish.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this wine is aromatically brooding, with notes of pencil lead, barrel spice, herb, medicine cabinet and cherry. The flavors are rich and full bodied, showing concentration and depth.
Rich and fragrant, this is perfumed with white flowers and lemon blossom. Apples, crisp pears and lime give a fresh and tightly fruity taste. The aftertaste is bright, while also rich. Drink now.
Knights Valley continues to be a fine spot for this variety, as evidenced by this wine, which is extremely vibrant in grassy lemon zest and melon. A pure expression of the grape, it offers enough oomph to remain consistent and textured, ending with a succulent suggestion of apricot.
Aromas of ground pepper, clove, mature plum, black currant and charred earth emerge on this Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend, with a whiff of game. The palate delivers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, licorice and grilled herbs alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. A tobacco note marks the close.
Fresh and structured, this offers aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, mature plum, violet, coffee and baking spice. On the smooth palate, notes of chocolate, chopped mint and clove accent the black cherry core. Bright acidity and fine-grained tannins provide balance and structure.
Here is a hefty, concentrated, satisfying wine to pair with big proteins. A dense red-black color, with aromas of blackberry jam and dried plums lead to bold fruit flavors, full body and a thick, nicely tannic texture. The intense plum and blackberry character lasts through the lingering finish.
Aromas of scorched earth, overripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of game lead the nose. The palate is fresher, offering fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, dark cooking spices and a hint of menthol. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support, while a tobacco note signals the close.
Dried leaf, cherry, woodspice and medicinal aromas are followed by supple, sweet cherry flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins and a tart lick of acid. It's an intriguing wine that keeps you coming back for more.
Made in a stainless-steel, grassy style, this features a charming balance of peach and apricot buzzing in the background to maintain the fruit amidst the natural acidity. Delightfully drinkable, it finishes lean and crisp.
A mix of fruity notes immediately hit: white currant, gooseberry, apple and citrus. The palate is slender and fizzes with those primary fruit flavors that have overtones of meadow flowers. This is frothy, refreshing and fun on the surface, but there is serious backbone and intent.
Leather and cooked meats open the nose of this wine from Southern California that also shows aromas of blackberry extract. Once sipped, it offers dark and dense flavors of sweet tar, concentrated violets and a pinch of lavender, all held together by grippy tannins.
Several varieties figure into this blend, from 26% Zinfandel and 21% Syrah to smaller amounts of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Big and powerful in smoky leather and black currant, it offers a rich softness on the palate, with a tightly wound savory, peppery aspect to the finish.
Herb, dark raspberry and flower aromas take the lead on this young wine that saw just five months on neutral French oak. The cherry flavors are plush in feel, lingering on the finish. It's a very understated wine that appeals to the senses.
A 60% majority of Zinfandel plays nicely with 40% Petite Sirah, blending into a happy union of big, ripe blackberry and thick tannins. Smooth on the palate, with a touch of vanilla, it highlights red and black fruit in complementary waves, staying juicy throughout.
This powerful blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc by longtime urban winemaker Benjamin Silver comes together in a big way. Aromas recall rosemary-crusted beef, boysenberry, sweet tar and, thanks to the oak-aging, both caramel and vanilla. The rich palate shows black cherry, black raspberry and a pinch of tarragon.
Rounded by small amounts of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this Cab is earthy and lean on entry, before developing in the glass into juicy dark cherry and leathery notes. Smooth, integrated oak and tannin leave an impression in terms of texture, with a persistence of tannin on the finish.
A blend of Syrah, Merlot and Malbec, this wine has aromas of berry, cocoa and vanilla. The cranberry and cherry flavors are tart and full flavored with a velvety feel.
With the majority of the fruit from the producer's Calistoga and Oakville estate vineyards, as well as its Healdsburg property, this is a dry, citrus-laden wine, zesty and refreshing in lime and grapefruit. The acidity is dialed high, yet remains balanced by the density of fruit and body, the overall effect just right in terms of ripeness.
This is a nicely blended mix of 37% Zinfandel with smaller amounts of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The kitchen-sink effort rewards in juicy red fruit, herbal, cedar accents and medium-bodied weight and tannin strength. The finish is lengthy in vanilla and smoke.
Like a genie released from the bottle, this wine rises up with aromas of violets, herbs, cranberry and bittersweet chocolate. The palate has tart, vibrant acidity along with a silky feel with little apparent new-oak influence to interfere with the fruit and savory flavors. It's a pretty wine that needs to be paired with food to be fully appreciated.
While five years from harvest, this bold, penetrating Merlot is still a baby, with a long, promising future ahead. Subtle whiffs of crisp red cherry and mushroom seem quiet on the nose, but the palate is deeply concentrated. Black plum and cherry flavors are penetrating yet deftly grounded by a core of mouth puckering tannin and acidity. Enjoy starting 2020, but should maintain for much longer.
Vibrant aromas of black plum, cassis, dried leather, licorice and herb lead to full, sweet, soft-feeling dark fruit flavors that linger.
This wine brings aromas of herbs, black cherry, chocolate and flowers. The palate is medium bodied, showing a mixture of fruit and barrel flavors that include vanilla, cocoa and cherry.
Aromas of clover blossom, stony minerals and apple are inviting and clean. This is fairly full in body, with pulpy weight as well as citrusy acidity. Pithy flavors of orange and citrus rind turn slightly bitter on the finish. Drink now.
Herb, cherry, smoke, cedar, vanilla and coffee aromas are out front, with the Cabernet Sauvignon blended in (18%) showing itself. The palate is rich but well balanced, with coffee flavors lingering on the finish. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but it brings plenty of appeal.
Ripe notes of yellow pear are rounded with creamy notes of yeast. There are overtones of dried hayflowers and fresh, green spring meadows. The palate comes together around a vein of zesty, enlivening lime freshness and leaves a clean, mouthwatering finish.
Impressively crafted from 20-plus-year-old vines, thus the Heritage tag, this blend of mostly Zin with 20% Petite Sirah and 1% Primitivo is like Sunday brunch. It offers a study in bacon and strawberries laced in syrup, a thick, leathery wine that finishes balanced and just shy of over-decadent.
Lime zest, the freshly peeled skin of Conference pears and crushed watercress make for an intensely fresh trio of flavors. This is zesty and concentrated, sleek and refreshing on a linear, slender but concentrated palate.
Seeing just a kiss of new oak (20%), this wine offers brooding aromas of spice, white flowers, tropical fruit and citrus. The palate is full of white-grapefruit flavors backed by a zing of tart acidity, with barrel spice flavors lingering on the finish. It shows a lot of tension.
Named for the documentary filmmaker, artist and wife of Francis Ford Coppola, Eleanor blends Syrah and Petite Sirah from Rutherford with Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and Syrah from Dry Creek Valley to form a rich, red, extracted wine generously succulent in cranberry and dark cherry. Licorice, tar and tobacco add to the complexity and flavor.
Aromas of ripe berry, fragrant blue flower and a whiff of Alpine herb lead the nose. The generous palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Brooding aromas of barrel spice, dried herbs, cranberry and black cherry lead to ripe but in focus pit-fruit flavors that show a pleasing sense of harmony. A squeeze of firm tannins provides the frame.
Unusual hints of mango hint at very ripe fruit. The slender palate counters this aromatic abundance with tenderly fresh notes of lemon zest and wood sorrel. The result is both delicious and refreshing.
Of all the excellent Genium 2010s, this is the only one that's a bit stalky on the nose. It's also rubbery smelling, with tight-grained oak scents and earth notes. Hard, tannic and without much cushion, this Garnacha-led blend tastes earthy, stalky and of high-toned plum and currant with lemony oak. A bold, tannic finish says this will last through about 2024.
Fresh, even vigorous pear and lemon zest notes make a promising opening. The palate is light but has a concentrated, almost fizzing core of peppery, citrussy freshness and delivers lots of verve. This is a collaborative effort between a German star chef and an Austrian winemaker to celebrate this variety's endless versatility with imaginative cooking. I think they've done themselves justice.
A rather closed nose gives way to a very light-bodied, lime-zest scented and pure palate that boasts the slightest shimmer of pepperiness and enhances its light-footed, barely-there credentials with the tiniest hint of fizz. If you like it light, clean and yet flavorful, this is for you.
Swirls of butterscotch lend a rich, almost lactic feel to this sumptuously full-bodied wine. It's unabashedly oaky, boasting deep layers of spice, nut and caramel, but maintains a stately, firmly structured elegance. Bright, lemony acidity and a strike of minerality mark the finish.
Certified organic by Ecocert, this estate straddles the communes of Sablet, Plan de Dieu and Gigondas. This entry-level blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah is beautifully floral and herbal, yet backed by appealing red and purple fruit. Medium to full in body, it's firm but ripe, framed by dusty tannins. Drink now–2020.
This wine is expansive and juicy on the palate. A tight grip shows its youth while the underlying softness on the texture reflects the relative coolness of the growing spot. It imparts Napa's robust ripeness in its depth of cassis, chocolate and black pepper.
Leafy underbrush, leather, truffle, grilled herb and tilled soil aromas lead the way. The dense, forward palate doles out juicy black cherry, star anise, tobacco and an earthy hint of game while velvety tannins give it a smooth, polished texture. It has immediate appeal and will offer fine drinking for the next few years. Drink through 2020.
Milk chocolate, dark cherry, herb and floral notes are followed by silky smooth pit fruit flavors that linger.
A blend of co-fermented Syrah (60%) and Viognier, this wine is a very pretty pale copper color with just a tinge of salmon. It offers nuanced aromas of pear, strawberry and white flowers. The palate is dry and fresh, sleek but with depth and texture to the fruit flavors.
Ripe, rich blackberry and plum notes abound from nose to finish in this bold, deeply concentrated wine. The palate is velvety in texture, edged by a fine, chalky frame of tannins and lively cranberry acidity. Hints of pepper, dried herb and lavender lend nuance to a long finish.
Fresh green herbs on the nose accumulate fruit and floral notes on the palate of this pretty but robust rosé. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, it offers intense red berry and watermelon fruitiness along with a pleasantly clingy, silken mouthfeel.
Grapes are sourced from St. Helena and Oakville for this light-bodied, tart and slightly herbal wine, blended with 8% Sémillon. Ripe and round, it's both floral and fruity, highlighted by melon and pear.
Ripe yet deftly balanced, this full-bodied wine offers an abundance of blackberry fruitiness balanced by tones of granite and dried herb. It's sumptuous and expansive on the palate, finishing long with fine, sharply edged tannins.
Good winemaking lies at the heart of this wine, which also blends in smidgens of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, the grapes from a range of estate-grown sites. Balanced fruit and dusty tannins accent a generously expansive palate that is rich but not overly concentrated, shining in berry, cherry and mocha tones.
There's tremendous value in this well-made wine. It's savory in its mix of dried herb and plum notes, with smooth, softened tannins and judicious use of oak that lends richness to the palate. It'll appeal broadly.
Dark orange-pink in color, this meaty, substantial wine doesn't skimp on flavor or body. It presents a rewarding and intense celebration of raspberry and cherry that delights on the palate and will do well at the table, indoor or out.
Dried herb and wood spice aromas are followed by sappy black fruit flavors backed by a light squeeze of tannins. There's no mistaking the warm vintage it comes from.
Light aromas of spice, graphite and sour cherry are followed by elegant, tart fruit flavors. It's a pretty expression of the variety that should sing at the dinner table.
Black pepper, black plum and blueberry show on the nose of this bottling from the nearly 900-acre vineyard atop Cuesta Grade, where it enjoys essentially its own dedicated appellation. A very full mouthfeel delivers blueberry and blackberry-paste flavors along with pencil lead, black coffee and bitter espresso. Still a tad firm in structure, this should age well and open even further in the years to come.
An entrepreneurial debut blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot from vineyards across California and Washington state, this wine was guided by a team of winemakers from Pine Ridge, Double Canyon, Chamisal and Seghesio, who worked together to produce it. Full bodied in blackberry and black cherry, it's refined but has a bite of tannin and power that keep it interesting. It finishes in smooth vanilla and chocolate.
This full-bodied wine gets more interesting with each sip, as generous cherry flavors gather light and almost sweet oak accents, and as fine-grained tannins build the texture. The flavors become mellow and more complex as they echo on the finish.
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.
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.
This vineyard-designate opens with intoxicating aromas of violet and rose before expanding on the palate into seamless, sturdy waves of juicy pomegranate and red cherry. Earthy and somewhat feral, it ends with a note of black tea.
Crisp green apple flavors are immediately apparent—lactic inflections and floral notes appear too, alongside wood sorrel and moist brioche. The palate has electric English acidity and a very creamy, fine mousse that gives shapely curves to its slenderness.
From high-elevation vineyards, this is a lean, dusty wine driven by dried herb, blueberry and savory tobacco, with a floral flirtation on the bouquet. Integrated tannins are still sizable and structured, the midpalate touched by a gamy, meaty suggestion akin to charcuterie.
The fruit for this 100% varietal wine comes from Cold Creek, Klipsun and Anna Marie vineyards. Herb, dark fruit, toast and raspberry aromas lead to tightly wound fruit flavors with a buttery top note. Its best days await. Enjoy after 2018.
Jammy aromas and concentrated grape and blackberry flavors pack a lot of fruitiness into this full-bodied and velvet-textured wine. The ripe and almost sweet berry and plum notes gush forth with gusto while the firm, grippy texture keeps the mouthfeel nicely dry and helps clear the palate for the next bite or sip.
Crushed bricks, rose petals, red currants and grape syrup are sprinkled with elegant black spices in this blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot by Steve and Chrystal Clifton. The palate is silky, redolent with mulberry and tart plums skins, amped up by sagebrush and thyme. It's perfect for a variety of foods.
Made from 62% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 8% Counoise, this perennial delight is Demeter-certified Biodynamic and tastes as fresh as a summer day. Orange, grapefruit and lemon give it a sizzling refreshment and high level of acidity, while the texture of the wine stays smooth and luxurious.
Set in a colorful and whimsical bottle, this attention-grabber offers dense blackberries, blueberries and black licorice candy on the nose, along with bacon fat, smoke and black loam. The palate shows violets, boysenberry, blackberry and beef char. With grippy tannins, it's structured to last a few more years.
Blackberry, boysenberry, smoke and grilled meat flavors fill this rich, well-balanced and medium to full-bodied wine. The aromas are charming and appetizing, making it seem ready to drink now. However, the mouthfeel is very firm with tannins and acidity, signaling that the wine should age well through at least 2020.
Structured and savory, this polished wine doles out aromas and flavors of mature plum, crushed black cherry, violet, black pepper and clove. Firm but fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2016–2021.
Luminous is an apt word to describe this sun-kissed, blossomy wine chock full of plump yellow peach, mango and pineapple flavors. There's so much more beyond fruit here though. A strike of lemon-lime acidity cuts through the palate, lending balance and vibe. The finish is long, accompanied by a delightfully astringent kick of lime zest. Drinks well now but should mature well through 2020.
Fragrant and fresh, this offers scents of blue flowers, wild berry, moist earth, chopped herbs and a hint of baking spice. The vibrant, supple palate doles out juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside fresh acidity. It's made to be enjoyed young so drink through 2016.
This wine offers caramelized apple, seared pear, honeysuckle, a touch of buttercream and vanilla ice cream on the even, well-measured nose. The flavors lean more green but not underripe, with lime juice, green apple and green mango, offering some bitterness and an alkaline/iodine character.
From the producer's estate ranch, a coveted source of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this is a 100% stainless-steel wine, low in ripeness, that's enthusiastic in watermelon, cherry and strawberry, smelling like summer. Dark pink-red in color, it's crisp, light, tangy in acidity and everything you want in a quaffing wine.
Vines with an average age of 30 years give this wine good intensity that balances the firm, dark tannins. It's a powerful, concentrated Merlot-based wine, big and generous. Ripe plums and berries show strongly through the tannic structure. Give this wine until 2017 before drinking.
This is the second wine of Château Pibran, whose vineyard is situated close to those of the the first growths of Mouton and Lafite. Structured and dense, this is a solid, powerful wine, packed with juicy black currant fruits and generous tannins. Give this wine until 2018 before drinking.
This 100% varietal from one of the state's oldest vineyards brims with aromas of dark roasted coffee, char, bittersweet chocolate and black cherry. Flavors show plenty of concentration and depth with a lingering, cocoa and vanilla-filled finish.
This is bold in flavor, full in body and quite firm in texture. Aromas are densely fruity, like blackberry and cranberry, while flavors are ripe and deep. A strong mixture of tannin and grape acidity holds everything in rather tightly, especially on the finish. Approachable now, it will mature nicely through at least 2020.
Offering deep complexity, this bold, brazen wine is decadent in caramel and toffee aromas and flavors, with a foundation of ripe Gravenstein apple and hazelnuts. The oak is pronounced but it adds more than it subtracts. Cellar through 2018.
Tight, young and tangy, this wine will be delicious when it all comes together. The elements are all there, with the quince and pear fruits, intense acidity and the crisp texture that is so refreshing. Drink this ageworthy wine from 2017.
Aromas of herb, cedar, mushroom, anise and cherry are reserved on this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend. It's supple in feel, with well-balanced dark-fruit flavors and tart acidity that draws out the finish.
This ode-to-the laborers twist-top bottling is a solid sipper, with aromas of turned earth and black slate giving depth to black cherry and blueberry fruits that sit atop a mole sauce made from chocolate and dried bell peppers. The palate offers more dark fruit, chocolate and lava rocks, set amidst fine-grained tannins.
Absolutely clean, fresh and vibrant, this wine smells like sliced lemons, limes and Granny Smith apples, with lively tastes to match. Full bodied, and energized with bright acidity on first sip, it rounds off on the palate and finish, turning softer and richer.
The color is about as deep as wine gets, virtually black except for a thin red-purple rim. The aromas resemble black cherries, even black olives and the flavors are as rich as blackberry jam, but without the sweetness. So this is a bold, full-bodied wine with lots of well-integrated tannins that make it astringent to drink at this young age. It will be best after 2020, when it will have softened and gained more diverse flavors.
Based on 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, with all four major red Bordeaux varieties represented, this expansive wine is big, dense and dusty in tannins and oak, but offers a soft side, too. Cherry, strawberry and a lift of citrus peel ease the power and intensity, before a chewy, dark chocolate finish. Cellar through 2021.
Aromas of mature black fruit, tobacco, allspice and mocha unfold in the glass along with a note of tilled earth. The opulent palate offers blackberry extract, dried plum, licorice and chocolate while velvety tannins provide support and give it a smooth texture. Drink through 2019.
This is an impressive wine at the price and production level, a great go-to for multiple occasions. It delivers earthy, candied strawberry around a light, bright core, remaining soft and smooth in texture and intensity, finishing with a tease of milk chocolate.
Aromas of black cherry, cassis and alfalfa are ripe and appealing. This is 95% Monastrell with 5% Garnacha; the palate feels ripe, fresh and free-flowing, while flavors of blackberry and chocolate are moderate but appealing. A long, toasty, blackened finish is in excellent shape; drink through 2020.
While a bit restrained in style, this dry easy-going Riesling offers delicate shades of tangerine and yellow-apple flavor augmented by zesty lime and lemon acidity. Crisp texture and a soft bristle of lime zest lend a vibe to the finish.
Compact, rubbery aromas of plum and berry come with notes of cheesy oak and cowhide. A tight, fresh palate is balanced, tasting of plum, berry fruits and oaky spice. A straightforward finish echoes the palate.
This opens with subdued aromas of French wood, grilled herb, forest floor and dark spice. The firmly structured palate shows espresso, toast, powdered sage and licorice but not much fruit richness. Grainy drying tannins leave an astringent mouthfeel.
Vanilla, toffee, wood spice and Band-Aid aromas are out in front of herb are red fruit. The palate is lighter in style, mixing equal part fruit and barrel, finishing tart.
Subtle aromatics ride a steely frame of straightforward acidity and subtle oak, the wine medium in build and layers. It finishes in a flourish of salty brine.
This wine is a unique blend of Viognier (53%), Roussanne (35%) and Riesling. It's aromatic, with notes of flowers, green gummy bear and pear. It drinks dry with floral and grapey flavors, with it all not seeming to entirely meld.
The aromas are light, with notes of toast, char, apple, lees and spice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with a lightly creamy feel. It's a straightforward easy drinker where the variety is unmistakable.
This wine is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Syrah. The aromas seem a bit off, with notes of dried cherry, oregano, anise and medicine cabinet. The palate has a pleasing sense of restraint and elegance, with gamy notes on the finish.
Crushed stone, lemon rind and pear aromas start this silky but bright white from Alpha Estate. Juicy flavors of melon and lemon are topped with a brisk spin of minerality. A great wine for spicy cuisine and grilled poultry.
Dense and well structured, this is going to be an attractive wine. It has blackberry fruit, plenty of crisp acidity and a structured aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Ripe both with the generous tannins and the juicy fruit, this is a wine with good potential. There is plenty of acidity to bring out the crisp character of this attractive wine. It will be ready from 2019.
There is plenty of fruit to find in this generous wine. Its tannins and dense structure are just part of its ripe future. The berry fruits and acidity promise a delicious wine from 2018.
Crisp and full of red fruits, this is a balanced wine. With its tannins well tamed and integrated with the fruit, this is going to be a fruity easy wine. Drink from 2018.
There is a toughness to this young wine that will take time to soften. On the other hand, there is plenty going for it with the smoky black fruits and acidity and the warm aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
The wine is ripe with rounded black-plum fruits over the toasty flavor. It has structure certainly, although this is already integrated into the juicy character of this attractive wine. Drink now.
Aromas of matchstick, herb, vanilla and cinnamon are followed by a creamy-feeling palate that equally mixes fruit and barrel flavors. The tannins seem a bit bunched up.
Soft peach and nectarine aromas meet with grapefruit-laced créme anglaise on the balanced nose of this bottling. There's an oily presence to the palate, where tropical mango and banana-cream flavors show in a reserved style.
Fresh herb and leaf notes lend a peppery green edge to this savory smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. Crisp red-cherry and raspberry flavors are tart and cool, marked by a slightly gamy meaty note that would pair especially well with pizza or pasta Bolognese.
This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc and 29% Merlot from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Aromas of flowers, purple fruit, herb, barrel spice and cranberry lead to medium-bodied cherry flavors. Firm tannins provide support.
Brooding aromas of purple fruit, apple and spice are followed by brawny dark fruit flavors. The tannins bring a firm squeeze.
While the nose is quite demure, the palate of this Chardonnay-Riesling blend is vibrantly fruity. Dry in style with forward fresh flavors of red apple, pear and tangerine, it's an easygoing sip with a crisp lemony finish.
Rubbery dark-fruit aromas are surrounded by hints of olive, minerals and spice. This feels round as well as fair and balanced; flavors of loamy blackberry are smooth and come with chocolate notes. Coffee, spice and herbal flavors work the finish.
Restrained and soft on the nose, this light-bodied white offers subtle lemon zestiness and a phenolic seam that provide structure and food-friendliness with a savory, almost herbal edge.
Upfront aromas of savory herbs and pressed apple lend an earthy feel to this medium-sweet wine. It opens gradually to reveal a pretty perfume of jasmine and lavender that penetrates long on the palate. It's juicy with sweet white-grapefruit flavor, and finishes tight with zesty lime and lemon astringency.
Fresh green herbs and tart stone-fruit aromas waft delicately from this dry, remarkably juicy wine. The palate bursts with ripe white peach and nectarine flavor accented with bright, zesty lime acidity.
Nutty, slightly earthy tones lend a savoriness to lush, ripe apricot and peach flavors. It's juicy and sweet, yet refreshing on the palate with zesty lime acidity and a pleasant astringency that lingers on the finish.
Firm, pinched aromas of rubbery berry and red fruits feed into a narrow, tomatoey palate with crisp, drawing acidity and tannins. This Carignan-led blend of five grapes is herbal and briny tasting, with tomato, cassis and red-berry flavors. Length, balance and drive push an herbal finish to a good ending.
A blend of 40% Bourboulenc, 30% Grenache Blanc and 30% Vermentino, this is a bright and floral wine, offering upfront scents of orange rind, melon, apple flesh, green fig and garrigue herbs. Flavors of red apple and stone fruits continue on the medium-weight palate, with ample acidity to provide good cut and freshness to the finish. A toasted-walnut flavor whispers softly on the medium-length finish. Drink now–2016.
This inviting Pinot is broadly ripe and fully lush in earthy, spicy layers, dark cherry and plum that plays across the palate. With a long, substantial finish, iot suits pork roasts and bacon-wrapped scallops.
A crisp, fresh and creamy wine, it has grapefruit acidity and a firm sense of mineral structure. The wine is developing well, but to bring out its balance between fruit and texture, it needs until 2015 in bottle.
Aromas recall white spring flowers and mature pears. The linear palate offers tart Granny Smith, lemon custard and Bartlett pear alongside fresh acidity. It has balance and a clean finish.
Waxy white floral aromas add a hint of richness to squeaky-fresh lemon and lime tones in this dry, rather tonic wine. Refreshingly mineral and moderate in alcohol, it's a brisk white to pair with rich, creamy pasta or a cheese plate.
Restrained Meyer lemon and slender zestiness characterize this featherlight wine that nonetheless has a concentrated, melting core and convinces with simple purity.
Restrained yet ripe nuttiness with spikes of lemon zest characterize this slender, refreshing white. It is made from a typically Viennese field blend of 11 different white grape varieties—guaranteed to show its true and arresting colors with richer food.
This attractive, medium-sweet Riesling keeps the alcohol low. Generous apple and apricot fruit flavors make it a fine warm-weather sipper. Start out any picnic with a chilled bottle of this bright and vividly fruity wine, and you're on the right track.
Ripe yellow pears and an earthy edge knit together this refreshing yet concentrated white that finishes with the clean tang of lemon zest.
Aromas that recall hay, stone fruit, herbs, nectarine and mineral carry over to the palate. The rich flavors are restrained by bracing acidity that gives a clean, succulent finish.
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.
This full-bodied, well structured Pinot Noir offers some minty, herbal notes and hints of cedar alongside tart plum and cherry flavors. Crisp acids and firm tannins frame the tightly wrapped flavors, which should unfold over the next 8 or 9 years.
Any vintage Champagne from 2004 will still be young, and this is no exception. But with the fresh, light Deutz style, this is already offering delicious green plum and citrus flavors, supplemented by creamy acidity. The finish is soft, light, creamy.
This new producer is off to a good start with its first vintage. The fruit is clean and complex, ranging from watermelon to wild strawberry to pie cherry as it washes across the palate. Deep in color, yet light in the mouth, this not only makes you reach for a second glass, it makes you wish the vineyard, planted in 2001, would hurry up and age.
Intense, creamy aromas set the scene for an impressively rich wine that brings out plenty of stops. While the fruit is fresh, it is also dense, concentrated, a welter of white and yellow fruit flavors over acidity. There is a pure sense of terroir wine, the fruit a real expression of the land.
This is a finely made wine, bringing out really concentrated herbaceous flavors, almost New Zealand in their intensity. It is fresh, green, grassy, ready to drink now.
Leafy at first, but those greenish notes are backed by plenty of stone fruits and pineapple. It's plump and round in the mouth, with a long, clean, zesty finish. Drink now.
This is toasty and vanilla-laden, but stands out for its full-bodied, lush character and intense fruit, which powers through on the finish.
A rich, smoky style of wine that revels in its high toast character as well as ripe yellow fruit flavors. It is certainly full in the mouth, a burst of ripeness followed by balancing acidity and a texture of red apple skins. It would be worth aging for another year.
An intense wine, this is certainly full-bodied, but has fruit weight and concentrated power to match. Beautiful yellow stone fruits—apricots, peaches—are super ripe, their richness allied to sweet acidity, pink grapefruit tones and a smooth, almost oily texture. The one downside is the alcoholic burn that shows through, an unfortunate end to an otherwise spectacular wine.
Fairly oaky, dark and baked, but also well balanced and complete. The nose starts with vanilla and toast, and then asphalt, chocolate and black cherry come into play. In the mouth, it's round and comfortable, with raspberry, plum and herbal flavors. Smooth but short on the finish, with coffee and additional herb notes. Drink now.
Nice mix of citrus and tropical fruits in the nose, with a spicy burst on the palate. Bone dry, racy and yet still full-bodied, this excellent Viognier carries its tropical papaya flavors into a surprisingly creamy finish, laced with vanilla cream and butterscotch.
For a big brand, Alamos knows how to deliver quality at a fair price. This vintage is exemplary for its sweet black plum and graham cracker bouquet and lush, deep palate. The fruit is tasty, balanced, dark in nature and just a little bit spicy. For a basic-priced Malbec it more than gets the job done.
Opulent yet refined with notes of rich black raspberry, plum flesh and cocoa flooding the nose and mouth. A touch of tar and acidic notes appear in the bouquet, but they are nuanced and balanced by the richer fruit and oak flavors. The finish is long and chocolate infused, with the dusty tannins lingering throughout.
Often a highlight in the Kestrel portfolio, this 2008 version of the Viognier is right on target. Juniper, lime, grapefruit, citrus and wet stone flavors pile on, yet the wine remains elegant and fresh. Give it a good chill and it could easily become a regular go-to white.
Savory and full, with dusty black fruit aromas, saucy spice and kick. The palate shows good feel and depth, and the flavors of savory berry, bacon fat and vanilla work well together. Mild herb and leaf notes give complexity to the finish, which is long and fades away comfortably.
Ripe and smooth wine, with a rich Port-like aroma, the sweet fruit structured with some fresh stalky tannins. Great herbal and wild berry flavors to finish.
Potent and black, with inky, minty aromas that suggest asphalt, tobacco and blackberry. The palate is gritty and seriously concentrated, with dark, oak-driven fruit that carries a tight, lemony personality. Licorice, toast and other black-ish notes bring it home. Ripe but can still age for another 5+ years.
Sweet and open on the nose, with blackberry and pure grape aromas. The palate has a tight, drawing texture but rewarding flavors of spice and roasted berry fruit. Long and flavorful on the finish, with bite and tannic residue. A wine with positive components but a rough young feel.
A delicious, mineral structured wine, very pure. The acidity is a great layer going through the textured white fruits, the wood just there as a subtle support.
Soft in character and rounded, this is a full-bodied wine, feeling fat and gently textured. The yellow fruits are sweet, ripe, buoyed by wood and finishing with attractive acidity.
Swathes of ripe fruit over a broad layer of wood, a generous, opulent character, ripe, the spice from wood giving a good, rich final character.
A smooth wine for the price where all the dots connect. The nose has black cherry and raisin, while the palate is lush, deep and concentrated, with rewarding flavors of cherry, cassis and roasted plum. Lasting on the finish, with a licorice flavor. Very good wine for the money; Monastrell/Syrah/Tempranillo is the blend.
A rock-solid wine with bright currant, berry and rooty, cola-infused aromas. The mouthfeel is excellent and integrated, with earthy, savory, spicy flavors of blackberry, cherry and tea. Long and savory on the finish, with complexity. Wines like this are what make the Chilean Carignan category worth exploring. Drink now through 2012.
Cadaretta's Windthrow is a limited-release southern Rhône blend of 37% Syrah, 27% Mourvèdre, 18% Counoise and 18% Grenache. The fruit is just ripe enough, clean and juicy, with a spicy and tart mouthfeel. What's most surprising is the length—the wine seems to gather itself and push on through a full-throttle finish, adding nougat and vanilla custard to the mix.
This is Syrah from the far northwest corner of the Columbia Valley, a cool region, whose wines show an underlying minerality. The berry flavors are subtle; this is a mélange of leaf, herb, rock and acid. Still young, the tannins are drying and the wine seems to be entering a dumb phase. Give it plenty of breathing time.
The Optu red is packaged in a supremely heavy, oversized glass bottle, suggesting that this is the winery's prestige blend, as does the name, Latin for “the best.” Big, full, rich, ripe, round, fleshy and forward, this is a no-wait red that should be consumed as soon as possible.
This is a small property under the same ownership as Château Paloumey. It is unusual in the 20% Petit Verdot that goes into the blend. That gives the wine its deep color and rich generous black-plum fruit. Solid and dense, the wine will age well. Drink from 2020.
This rich barrel-aged wine is a blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is a small, seven-acre estate just outside the village of Saint-Émilion. There are touches of licorice in this wine, hinting at extraction that needs to calm down. When that happens, this will be a dense and finely perfumed wine, rich and with a good future. Drink from 2022.
Owner Xavier Chassagnoux bought this estate in 1978, producing this as the top wine of the property. It shows the richness and fruitiness of the vintage, a ripe wine with black-plum fruit and touches of wood aging as well as crisp acidity at the end. Drink from 2018.
This outstanding value is sharp and precise, its black-cherry fruit holding down a compact core, annotated with streaks of coffee, truffle and chocolate. It punches well above its price, and should drink nicely into the early 2020s.
From a biodynamic-certified vineyard, this is wildly spicy wine, taut in acidity and sizable tannin. It shows a dark funkiness of baked plum, clove and leather wrapped in more vibrant hits of cherry and orange.
Aromas of black fruits, integrated spices, licorice and tobacco are sturdy and almost heady. This feels layered, with structurally sound, slightly scraping tannins. Flavors of spicy cherry and cassis finish ripe, loamy and with a note of prune. Drink through 2020.
Ripe berry aromas combined with oak, vanilla and coconut scents make for a full friendly nose. This feels choppy and abrasive. Woody flavors of coconut and black fruits finish full and tannic, which creates a raw blocky feel that time may tame. Drink through 2023.
Aromas of underbrush, mature berry, new leather, blue flower and menthol emerge in the glass. On the firmly structured palate, an intense mineral vein of iron underscores dried black cherry, white pepper, dried sage and star anise. Austere fine-grained tannins provide the taut framework.
Named for nickel's number on the periodic table, this hillside vineyard site is located across Lake Hennessey on the eastern edge of the valley. Entirely varietal, it offers juicy layers highlighted in cedar, mountain sage and mellowed chocolate. The oak and tannin are well integrated and deeply embedded, providing support and structure.
A whiff of pine frond lends an invigorating alpine air to this lean, refreshingly mineral dry Riesling. The palate is crisp and cutting, bursting with fresh lime, gooseberry and quince flavors. Zesty acidity draws out a long, piercing finish. Drink now through 2020.
Zesty lemon and lime acidity takes center stage in this invigorating medium-dry kabinett. It's leaner and more linear than the producer's regular-label kabinett, but offers loads of cutting white grapefruit and red apple flavors. The finish is refreshing and penetrating, lingering on a note of sugar cookie.
Leather, mature dark-skinned berry, clove and star anise aromas lead into the velvety, surprisingly approachable palate. Solid but rounded tannins uphold the juicy flavors. Drink through 2022.
This Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blend opens with blueberry and currant aromas that hint at the exotic. A flush racy palate is high in acid and a touch abrasive. Plum and currant flavors are not what you'd call cushioned, while this ends with hard edgy tannins and a reprise of scouring acidity. In terms of aging, this will last a long time. Drink through 2027.
Appropriately restrained and even a bit austere, this is a firm, dusty-textured Cabernet. Vanilla, tobacco and cherry notes start things off and extend through the long finish. It offers at least a decade of aging potential at a very reasonable price. Drink 2020–2030.
From the producer's younger hillside blocks, this is comprised of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percents of Malbec and Merlot. Blackberry and cherry are warmly wrapped in a blanket of chocolate and clove, while easy acidity provides softness and approachability to the texture and body weight, which are voluptuous.
This Cabernet Franc blend opens with herbal oaky aromas of coffee and red fruits. The palate feels tartaric and shocking, with heavy extraction and an overall wiry feel. Jacked-up berry flavors come with more than enough oak, while this is steady but not finessed or elegant on the finish. Drink through 2021.
One of Fowles' best efforts, this wine shows ample vanilla and toast influences from oak, but those elements play a necessary role in supporting and defining the ripe peach and melon fruit. This is medium to full in body, with a soft, pillowy texture and a long finish.
Full bodied, creamy and supple, this wine offers textbook aromas of cedar, tobacco and cassis. It brightens slightly on the palate, where cherry notes join the fun, then finishes long and softly dusty. Drink now–2028.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant aromas of raspberries, orange peel, red currant and garden herbs lead to restrained but sumptuous fruit flavors backed by a lick of tart acidity. It brings a sense of presence and depth.
Lush and forward, this lovely wine is bursting with red and black-cherry fruit. It socks you (gently) in the nose and seduces you in the mouth, with streaks of cola and a dash of pepper. No need to wait on this wine, as it is already drinking like a dream.
This dark tannic Malbec with ripe black-fruit aromas hits the right notes on the nose. In the mouth, things are tight and rubbery in feel. Salty blackberry flavors are rustic but balanced by a note of sweet marzipan. On the finish, this is dry, drawing and fiercely tannic. Drink through 2023.
A blend of Merlot (62%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot, this wine opens with aromas of cocoa powder, spice, dark cherries, savory herbs and flowers, displaying pleasing complexities. The palate is full of exquisitely balanced red and black-fruit flavors that sail off into the distance on the finish.
This is a thick, dense and juicy Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, rich in currant, black cherry and blackberry. An approachable tannin structure allows for drinkability in its youth.
Full-bodied, lush and supple in the mouth, this blend of 40% Grenache, 38% Shiraz and 22% Mataro is the Australian version of a barbecue wine, bursting with rich, ripe fruit. Chocolate, mocha and plum shadings dominate, ending on a soft, warm note. Drink now–2020.
Full bodied and richly tannic, this gives lie to the notion that all Grenache-based blends are easy quaffers. Dried spices and mixed berries include hints of clove and cracked pepper, finishing with some dry, chewy tannins. The assemblage is 49% Grenache, 29% Shiraz and 22% Mourvèdre. Drink 2020–2030.
The limited-release reserve wine from a 21st century winery and one of the best vineyards in the Graves was wood aged for 24 months. That has given it extra richness and spice along with the dense blackberry fruits. It is complex, ripe with great ageability. Drink this wine from 2019.
A structured, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine that is already showing its ripe juicy side. It is already impressive, with its layers of butts as well as acidity. The black-currant fruitiness of the vintage is shining through. Currently performing well, this property is at the southern end of the Haut-Médoc region. Drink the wine from 2019.
This is a ripe wood-aged wine drawn from a selection of barrels. Eucalyptus flavors go with the black fruits and solid tannins. The wine is dense, and still obviously very young. It is going to be an impressive ripe wine. Drink from 2019.
This is a full-bodied wine, perfumed by its 25% Cabernet Franc and given a juicy fruitcake character by the smooth Merlot. It does still retain a crisper juicy acidity that will develop well as it ages over the next few months. Drink from late 2017.
Steely. Cool fruit joins an immense series of flavors—crisp citrus, lime zest, pink grapefruit in the tightest texture. For aging over 3–4 years, probably longer.
Attractive aromas of violets, clove, pepper and plummy fruit give way to leather and spice on the palate. This is medium bodied and firm, with some dusty, metallic notes on the finish. Drink now.
Very fruity and rather soft in texture, this wine has a sense of sweetness from the buttery, grape aromas to the ripe, almost jammy flavors and gentle finish.
Smoky oak and a distinct note of birch mark the nose of this broadly built, full-bodied and robustly ripe wine. Grippy tannin and leathery texture give it extra weight and breadth, with a green undercurrent of cedar and peppercorn lurking beneath.
The aromas are light in style, with notes of tin, mint, berry and wild raspberry. The flavors are light and cranberry tart, not bringing the heft to stand up on their own.
Herbal blackberry and jammy black-plum aromas are forceful and brutish. This Toro has a hard, collapsed, jammy palate and overripe berry fruit flavors. A dense, chewy, baked finish is solid but lacks elegance.
A dark color and stewy aromas of earthy berry fruits lead to a lush, lazy palate that tastes of toasty oak and roasted berries. A hot, minty and charred finish feels heavy.
Solidly structured, this is a dense wine. Its black fruits add to the density, giving a concentrated, fruity wine. Drink this starting from mid-2018.
The wine is firm with tannins as well as black-currant fruit. It does have a juicy edge that will develop well as it matures. Drink this potentially attractive wine from 2018.
Dusty tannins show the ripeness of the fruit in this wine. With its black-currant fruits and acidity, it is balanced and almost ready to drink.
This is a structured wine, juicy with black-currant fruit and acidity. It will develop quickly, softening its tannins and filling out with ripe fruit. Drink from 2018.
A medium-bodied blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this is a crisp, plummy wine with hints of leather and earth. It's juicy and mouthwatering on the finish, but don't expect it to last—drink it over the next six months or so.
Deep blueberry fruit, sweet tobacco, chocolate syrup and minty lift show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard to the far south of Paso. An almost overwhelming, eye-watering acidity presents intense flavors of baked blackberry and dried herbs.
Quite shy on the nose, this bottling offers crushed lava rocks, pencil shavings, dried herbs and prune aromas. The flavors are also reserved, with dried oregano, black olive and elderberry emerging.
Roasted, leathery and rubbery berry aromas are gritty and short on brightness. This feels rugged but good. Jammy cassis and cherry flavors show notes of cocoa and herbs.
This wine is mostly Merlot (77%), fleshed out by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Petit Verdot. Fresh aromas of plum, herb, bittersweet chocolate and red fruit are followed by medium-bodied, lightly sweet fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grit and it shows some heat on the finish.
A 100% varietal expression of the grape, this is soft and simple, medium bodied and quite tannic, with highlights of green herb and tomato leaf.
Concentrated and slightly dried red cherry meets with cola on the nose of this densely packed, heavy-bodied bottling. The palate shows very dried red fruit with a touch of nutmeg spice.
From grapes grown at this estate and vinified by the Tutiac cooperative in Blaye on the north bank of the Gironde Estuary, this wine is easy, soft and fruity. With black-currant fruit and acidity, it reflects the fruitiness of the vintage and is likely to be ready to drink soon. Drink from late 2017.
A brand new vineyard designation for the winery, Bedrock dates to the 1800s and is being made famous by proprietor Joel Peterson of Ravenswood and his son, Morgan Twain Peterson. This wine does the site justice, a smooth concoction of cherry pit and allspice, elegant and yet plenty generous in fruit and structure, measured by natural acidity.
Abundant flavors combine with a plush texture to make a wine that slowly builds interest from the first sniff to the lingering aftertaste. Hints of vanilla and honeysuckle enhance the vivid apricot flavors, lasting long on the viscous palate and through the finish.
This is the first vintage for this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Sangiovese. Ripe, lush and complex, it offers flavors of plum and cassis, with an appealing texture and moderately gripping tannins. There's life and snap to the finish, and though it's already delicious just two years after the vintage, another year or two of bottle age should see it continue to improve.
Sourced entirely from the Otis Harlan Vineyard, these vines were planted about 25 years ago. It's a pleasure to see them singled out for this showcase bottling. It's a rich, oily, nutty, buttery style to be sure, but also dense with ripe apple, pear and peach fruit. The acidity buoys it up throughout a strong, long finish.
From a single-vineyard, estate-grown and bottled, this is an intense 100% Cabernet, generous in roasted plum, cedar and coffee. With supple tannins it's easy to enjoy, concentrated and dark, a good match for roasted meats and savory pies.
This special selection, tight-cropped from 30 acres of 100% Merlot, is ripe and rich. This is a smoky and fruity wine, in barrel for 14 months. It has ripe black fruits and rich, dense structure. Spice and toast balance the fruit, giving an impressive sense of generosity. Drink from 2017.
Just under 16% alcohol, this nonetheless displays lush and pure flavors of blueberry and black cherry, dusted with cinnamon and sandalwood. The concentration is exceptional.
This is a wonderfully balanced wine, bursting with ripe spice as well as acidity. It's a rich wine, now showing maturity without losing its fruit. The depth of flavor, drilling right down to the mineral structure, is impressive. Drink now, although also wait until 2016.
With no new oak, La Sereinité is indeed serene, textured and round with vibrant acidity. The aromatics do the talking first, inviting one in with nuanced white peach, orange blossom and lime before the palate develops over time into richer, fuller flavors of crème brûlée. Throughout, the wine is balanced and expressive.
This lightly wood-aged wine is slightly austere in style, with plum and blackberry tones providing weight. Some tannins and acidity accompany its fine, fruity core, giving a more serious note to this wine. Drink from 2018.
Scents of effervescent cherry and mint run with emergent licorice and slate on this wine that proves lithe yet flavorful on the palate. Lovely blackberry flavors and black pepper make for a very balanced bottling that doesn't rely on bombastic power to tell the Syrah story.
Richness (of both flavor and texture) marks this deeply colored, full-bodied Syrah. Aromas of ripe blackberry and licorice coupled with flavors of clove and blackberry jam make it luscious yet not overly big. It has the firm tannins and good balance for aging through 2019.
A Spanish grape variety produced this temptingly smooth, polished but earthy-flavored wine. It smells like new leather, seems young and still leesy and tastes deliciously fruity and supple. A bit decadent, it carries a long finish.
Aromas of blackberry, cherry preserves, white chocolate and a hint of green pepper prepare the taste buds for flavors of forest-fruit, smoked pork, black pepper, violet and almond blossom. A trio of fruit, savory tones and spice travels across the palate on a layer of smooth tannins, leading to a smoky finish.
This offers the classic Nebbiolo fragrance of blue flower, red rose, woodland berry, tilled earth and whiffs of cake spices. The palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper framed in big, chewy tannins.
A wine that is rich in both tannins and ripe fruit. The 45% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend gives the concentration of the wine, with spice and black berry fruits that are given an extra richness by the intense dark plums. The wine needs aging, so drink from 2018.
Made from young vines, this is the second wine of Suduiraut. It has young, honeyed character, with a ripe, opulent texture that lays bitter orange fruits over drier noble rot flavors. It is so delicious now, but will be better from 2017.
This Syrah-based wine is dense, concentrated and seriously ageworthy. It is weighted by concentrated black fruit, with solid tannic structure and fine acidity on the finish. Drink after 2016.
Made from grapes grown in Santa Barbara County's oldest commercial vineyard, one of the region's winemaking pioneers presents aromas of citrusy meringue atop a core of toasting wood. The wood vanishes on the palate, leaving light and racy apple spritzer flavors with a grand show of minerality.
Bold and effusive in flavor, this full-bodied red gives ripe, concentrated, focused fruit flavors that recall boysenberry and blackberry. Tannins create that grippy, dry sensation that tames big slabs of meat. An attractive take on a traditional Spanish grape variety; drink now.
This is ripe and smooth, with a generous creamy texture. Spice and apple combine to give a tangy edge that will soften and integrate as the wine ages. It's full of potential. Drink from 2017.
A very aromatic wine, showing notes of orange marmalade, brown sugar and apricot. It's supremely rich, with a mango and honey filled finish.
Rich and meaty enough to sink your teeth into, this dark and deep Syrah has toasty, smoky aromas. Generous blackberry and boysenberry flavors that are full but not sweet accompany a velvety texture. This is tasty now, but has the layered tannins and acidity for aging. Best now through 2019.
Fresh-squeezed apple juice, grapefruit spritzer and nearly sweet cherry aromas sit atop minerality on the nose of this blend of 46% Viognier, 19% Verdelho, 19% Vermentino and 16% Sauvignon Blanc. There's a lot of tart acidity, with a lingering apple flavor.
Impressively concentrated for a Pinot Blanc, it offers intense spice as well as crisp apple flavors. It's bright, with good acidity as well as a rich and rounded aftertaste.
Hugely ripe, this is a dense and potentially intense wine. Its high alcohol brings out a disturbing pepper character that spoils the purity of the rich fruits and mineral texture. It shows the heat of the volcanic soil of Ragen de Thann Grand Cru in its rich fruits and ripe structure. It does need aging, so drink from 2017.
Not overly sweet, this offers a spicy character on top of a touch of honey and fresh lemon flavors. It's surprisingly and attractively delicate for a Gewurztraminer, and ready to drink now.
Distinctive and generous, this white Rhône-style wine is made from Sierra Foothills grapes by a seasoned Napa winemaker. It tastes like vanilla, hazelnuts and pears, has a creamy texture, feels layered with fruit and spice notes, and has good acidity balanced by richness of flavor.
While super light in color and texture, this old-vine Zinfandel is undaunting, with a subtle intermingling of jammy cherry and mint flavors. Made to commemorate McFadden's 40 years of farming, it's a throwback in color and personality to a different time and place in Zinfandel.
Mostly Malbec and Syrah topped off with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's subtle with notes of freshly hewn wood, plum, cinnamon, and cherry pie. The palate's soft cherry flavors are juxtaposed against oak spices but the wood ultimately wins.
This is an intense, dense Sauvignon Blanc, full of concentrated lemon zest and green herbs. It has a young, mineral texture, while possessing a nervy acidity.
Picked in November, the late harvest grapes make up this rich wine, with honey and ginger flavors along with light, dancing acidity that gives the wine great poise. Great with pâtés or terrines.
The nose on this three-grape blend of Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Shiraz is a bit funky and herbal, with metallic notes and tomato to go with roast plum and heavy spice. It's lively and shows kick in the mouth, while the flavors are oaky, spicy and end with dry raspberry and oak-based vanilla.
Powdery, tropical aromas are light and fresh. And that pretty much describes the wine. In the mouth, it's bouncy, with citrus flavors, tropicality and a hint of nutmeg. The finish is true to the grape, with nice feel and clarity.
Floral in aroma, this Mendocino Cabernet is soft and structured with a nice balance of acidity against its medium weight. Made by Penny Gadd Coster whose tenure as Albertina's winemaker began with this vintage.
This Cab is hard-capped on the nose, with chocolate, vanilla and plastic-like aromas. In the mouth, it's nervy and hints at astringency, while the flavor profile is led by lemony oak but also shows dark cherry and cassis. This is bold on the back side, with a resiny, oaky finish.
The bouquet on this aggressive Malbec is a mix of olive and leather along with black fruits and asphalt. The palate is big but pinched by narrowing acidity. Flavors of blackberry come with heavy oak, and the finish is toasty and dense.
Shelton leaves the organically grown Carignane grapes she uses for this wine on the skins for three days, resulting in a dark velvet-red color that's followed by flavors of ripe strawberry with a twist of watermelon. Smooth and easy drinking, enjoy before a meal, on a picnic or with light, springtime fare.
Toasty black-cherry aromas are also minty and a bit leafy. In the mouth, this veers off course. It's highly acidic, with a shearing character that turns plum and berry fruit sour. Tongue-smacking and astringent on the finish. Tasted twice with mostly similar findings.
This is a lightly sweet wine with candy flavors and an attractive touch of acidity and an orange zest backdrop. It's ready to drink now either as an apéritif or with spicy food.
This opens with funky aromas of game, cured meat and wet animal fur. Rustic and lean, the astringent palate offers a suggestion of powdered sage and a balsamic note but lacks fruit.
Aromas of fruit punch and wet dog are less than fulfilling. This feels weighty, with a flabby build and not much structure. Mushy berry flavors transition to raisin on a jammy, soft finish.
Waxy, oxidized aromas suggest Sherry and late-harvest wines. A peachy, fully mature palate offers apricot and papaya flavors in front of a salty, dry finish with fino Sherry notes.
Soupy, volatile plum and berry aromas are stalky. The palate is adequate but sticky, while saucy but sweet plum flavors fall off quickly on the finish.
Light and fruity, the wine is dilute and gently textured. It is ready to drink.
Abnormally high pyrazines give this a sharp, oily nose. This feels and tastes much like it smells; the mouth is sharp and angular, while sour grapefruit flavors and oily bitterness on the finish suggest green Sauvignon Blanc.
This is a soft, unfocussed wine with some acidity and a hint of strawberry fruits and a sweet candy flavor. Drink now.
Aromas of Sherry and barrel resin are all you get from this wood-fermented, oxidized number. While neither foul nor severe, the all-wood nature of this is overly dominant and not pleasant enough to stand on its own.
Woodsy, spicy top aromas announce plenty of oak, which is confirmed by minty notes. In the mouth, this is raw and clamping—harsh in a word. Sour, pinchy, leafy flavors are herbal and underripe. A hard-tannin finish is grating.
Tan in color, with stale aromas of apple cider, this feels simple, like fruit juice. Plain and straight, this tastes sour and spent, while citric flavors mix with tart apple notes on the finish.
If it weren't for a fresh, reasonable mouthfeel, this would be a disaster. Aromatically, it's all pyrazines and funk. Flavorwise, it's herbaceous and rough, like celery and nettles. Bitter on the finish.
This inky, embryonic wine deserves to be cellared until at least 2025 and should drink well for at least 25 years after that. It takes its time opening up in the glass to reveal notes of grilled meat, vanilla and plum. In the mouth, it's full bodied and firmly built, with a wall of chewy tannins surrounding a deep ripe core.
This is yet another stunning wine from this site, guided by the capable hands of Winemaker and Viticulturalist Bibiana González Rave, who has coaxed from it beguiling layers of complex concentration and sublime notions of tang and salt. The only white from a sea of Pinot Noir grown here, it speaks to what the extreme Sonoma Coast can bring to the variety—a celebration of lemon zest, crisp apple and brioche delicately wrapped in minerality.
Jaw-dropping on all fronts, this wine by the pioneering Franscioni family approaches regional perfection. Black plum fruit meets with dried violet and lavender on the extremely well-integrated nose, while a mineral tension frames the palate. Flavors of black plum and blackberry jam are cut by rocky earth and wild mint, and the acidity is vibrant but not overpowering.
You may have to scour the country to secure some of this (only 14 cases were imported), but this is a treasure worth the search. It's full bodied without seeming overly rich or heavy, framing the lush notes of dark berries, grilled meat, mint and licorice with supple tannins. Spice-driven flavors linger elegantly on the lengthy finish. It's delicious now, but should age gracefully through 2030.
Thorn Clarke has taken its Shiraz to a new level with this single-vineyard wine, bottled only in exceptional vintages. The 100% new American oak gives this a classic Barossa profile, starting with vanilla, cedar and maple syrup-like notes and flowing seamlessly through ripe blackberry and plum flavors. It's full bodied, lush and creamy in texture, with a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2025, possibly beyond.
This is such a perfumed wine with deceptively soft tannins and great fruit. The acidity is classic for the vintage, with raspberries and intense freshness at the end. It has a fine line of tannins and a life that will go far. Drink from 2022.
Is this the Yin to Grange's Yang? The wines are completely different, yet almost always destined to be discussed together. The 2010 HoG is aromatic and bright, with raspberry and cranberry fruit notes, hints of mint and a pinch of peppery spice. It's full-bodied, but with elegant, supple tannins that ease gently into a long, crisp finish. Drink now–2030.
This wine is dense, although you hardly notice the tannins for the weight of concentrated fruit. The tannins are there, though, a power to thrust this immense wine well into the future. It is well formed, firm while rich. Drink from 2024.
This wine is rich, concentrated and ripe. With its opulent mix of yellow fruits, citrus and sliced apple—a real fruit salad—it is also balanced with spice and wood flavors. The fruit is rich and will develop well. Drink this from 2020.
Lusty aromas of black cherry and blackberry are powerful. Likewise, this Tempranillo from just outside the Ribera del Duero district tastes bullish, with blackberry, currant, mocha and rich oak flavors. Robust berry fruit along with spice and chocolate are the lead flavors on a strong, dense finish. This has the potential to age nicely for seven to 15 years. Drink through 2030.
This is the small-production, flagship wine from the Sierra region's best producer of Rhône-style wines. Lovely, spicy, floral aromas and generous, complex and layered flavors make the wine irresistible, while its strong but velvety texture sets it up for a long life in the cellar for those who can resist. It smells lightly oaky, like a cigar box and cocoa, tastes deep and focused on blackberry, pomegranate and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is both rich and a bit reserved. Best to drink from 2020 to 2030.
This massive wine is powered by dark, concentrated and smoky tannins that are masking the fruit. Dry and dense, it will take many years for the black fruits behind the facade to develop. Drink this intense wine from 2025.
Initially showing considerable wood flavors, this wine hints at its rich fruit through its weight and concentration. Spice, toast and beautifully ripe yellow fruits are slowly coming together and will harmonize with time to showcase a rich, opulent and impressive selection. Drink from 2022.
An extremely dark color sets an expectation of concentration, and this full-bodied but velvet-textured wine delivers it. In the aroma are cocoa and licorice and dark-skinned cherries, then the flavors resemble a rich blackberry cherry syrup without the sweetness. The wine tastes exceptionally rich but not heavy. Best from 2020 through 2030.
An assortment of vineyards contributes to this tight and chewy Cabernet, blended with small percentages of Merlot and Cab Franc. The crunchy black fruits and underlying minerality contribute to the impression of well-structured compactness, with plenty of potential for aging through 2022–2024.
Over the last few years, veteran winemaker Roman Roth's eponymous Merlot has proven to be a consistent winner. His 2007 vintage is no exception. While intensely ripe with a rich, almost raisined black-fruit character, it's balanced with hints of granite, smoke and brine that all lend a savory, earthy tone. Penetratingly tannic and robust in structure, it's a wine to decant now, or cellar through 2019–2021.
The estate wine from Sacha Lichine's Château d'Esclans discloses deeper color than some rosés from Provence. It has a ripe feel, smooth red fruits and a touch of toastiness. Full-bodied and dry, it is definitely a food rosé, and best left until late 2014 before drinking.
The La Londe appellation came into existence in 2008 and this wine celebrates that fact. Rounded and smooth, it has a touch of saltiness as well as dried red berry fruits and intense acidity. Drink from the end of 2014.
Jammy berry aromas are fiery and aggressive. In the mouth, this is sticky in feel, with huge, grabbing tannins and blocky ripeness. Chocolate and vanilla drape overripe black-fruit flavors, while the finish is heavy, chewy and tastes like fudge. Drink this forceful, oaky RDD now through 2020.
The color of a vibrant sunset, it's composed of 55% Grenache, 39% Mourvèdre, and 6% Cinsault. The lush and layered fruit flavors move from ripe summer strawberries into a mineral-drenched fruit salad.
A nose of cherry, violet and flint cedes to juicy flavors of pomegranate, cherry, salted popcorn, lavender and sage. Evenly weighted tannins and acidity make for good mouthfeel and a graceful finish.
Barrel-fermented and aged sur lie for 10 months, this elegant Chardonnay offers immaculate scents and flavors of lemon rind and pith, a dusting of spice, and a generous slice of ripe apple. It's full and luscious in the mouth, with appealing texture, barrel toast and just a pat of butter in the finish.
This bone-dry wine is beautifully perfumed, rich and full bodied. Its ripe texture is cut through with floral, apple and mineral characters that all contribute to the complexity of this concentrated wine. Drink from 2017.
Smooth and palate-coating, it's 100% varietal, with just the right balance between blackberry and black cherry fruit, and barrel-induced flavors of toffee, toasted macadamia nuts, and café crème.
Layered berry and cassis aromas are a bit scratchy and gritty. This Cabernet feels saturated, pure and deep; flavors of blackberry, cassis, prune and chocolate are ripe and generous, while the finish is mildly herbal in flavor, with good length and build. Drink through 2018.
A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 5% Malbec, this is a tight, focused selection, with excellent precision to the black plum, blackberry, dried raspberry and cassis fruit core. Well-integrated accents of leather, cigar box and pine resin add depth and complexity. The medium-weight palate is structured yet elegant, with fine-grain, lingering tannins. Drink now through 2020.
Hints of lanolin and beeswax lend a luxurious slick to this delicately framed yet remarkably complex medium-sweet wine. White peach and pineapple flavors are luscious and ripe, but pierced with a streak of lime acidity and steely minerality. It finishes long with a swathe of fresh green herbs and lime zest.
While dry in style, this wine is chock full of ripe, rich yellow peach flavor accented with hints of dusty, floral potpourri and mineral tones. Its bold, expansive mouthfeel is penetrating on the palate, but cut with a line of lime acidity that lingers long on the finish. Delicious now, but its sharp edges and dark mineral tones should meld beautifully from 2019–2021.
With just 8% Syrah in the blend, this is a fine example of the distinctive flavors found in the best Washington state Mourvèdre. The vines are still young, the raspberry/blackberry fruit flavors bright, focused and forward, but the penetrating minerality of the grape and the region is also in evidence. The Syrah brings a hint of pepper into play in the finish.
This satiny, slightly waxy Viognier is a blend from Ciel du Cheval, Red Willow and Olsen fruit; for the first time, roughly 10% was fermented in a concrete egg. Aromatic with yellow apples, lemon curd, bee pollen and floral highlights, it's underscored with a lick of wet stone.
This tangy, all-stainless, lightly grassy, dry Sauvignon Blanc is a pure and definitive elaboration of the grape's varietal character. Penetrating and crisp, it would be hard  to ask for more from a $9 wine.
Predominantly Merlot, this Bordeaux-style blend includes 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cab Franc and 11% Malbec. Given extra bottle age prior to release, it's drinking quite nicely, with plum and black cherry fruit, a rich layer of mocha, and a firm finish with polished tannins and lemony acids.
From one of the classed growths of Provence, this wine is intense with ripe fruits. Red plum, red currant and berry fruit flavors go with a steely, nervy texture that needs to age. Drink from the end of 2014.
Packed with red fruits, it shows structure and concentration. A mineral texture brings out the freshness of the fruit while also giving complexity. It could benefit from aging, so wait until the end of 2014.
A French-owned outpost in the South Pacific, Clos Henri seems to be finally coming of age. This entry-level offering delivers a hint of smoky, fumé character, but also plenty of ripe fruit, ranging from fig, melon and stone fruit to zestier notes of passion fruit. It's reasonably full-bodied, with an attractive, silky mouthfeel and a touch of gingery spice on the finish.
A medium sweet wine, it is full of ripe tropical fruits. It has a rounded texture, generous and opulent in feel with an intense, concentrated structure. Spicy and warm, it needs several years to rdevelop. Drink from 2016.
This relatively small estate in the Awatere Valley continues to impress. The tomato leaf character of the region comes through loud and clear without being overbearing, being balanced by passion fruit and gooseberry flavors. It's reasonably full in body, yet finishes spicy, prickly and refreshing.
Immediately this strikes you as true Verdejo from Rueda. It has pungency on the nose, with accents of cucumber and celery to the primary passion fruit, apricot and citrus aromas. Plenty of zing to it, and tastes of citrus and fresh green apples. Then tangerine and grapefruit carry the finish. Varietally correct.
Clean, straightforward aromas of berry, cassis and mineral are nice, while the palate has ample lushness, purity and focus. Flavors of cola, black currant and blackberry are solid, and the finish keeps its pose. On the money for a regular, journeyman's Malbec.
Peachy, mildly sweet, smooth and inviting. Godeval always makes a true and easy wine that showcases the essence of Godello but doesn't go off the blueprint. Flavors of apple and citrus are well blended, and the grapefruity finish is only mildly pithy. Eminently drinkable white wine from Spain.
Coconut and vanilla aromas are squarely in the lead, but the nose's berry base is more than solid. Plump, round and showing good overall balance, with flavors of cola, dark fruit and coconut. A ripe, bulky crianza with plenty of leftover oak on the finish.
Spunky dark fruit aromas open the show, with leather, cheese and mocha coming in later. The palate is a little grabby and acidic, but the juicy flavors of plum, wild berry, citrus and cassis are good. Finishes with some bounce in its step due to full acidity, and overall it maintains freshness and zest. Malbec with smaller doses of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot.
Long a steak house staple, Kangarilla Road's Shiraz mixes dark berries and plums with touches of cedar, caramel and vanilla. The creamy-textured tannins pick up just enough dustiness on the finish to match well with fatty cuts, like ribeyes. Drink now-2015.
There's a healthy 8% Viognier in the blend, but this wine doesn't come across as overtly apricotty. Instead, it delivers big blueberries and blackberries on the nose and hints of plum and cola, with just a hint of raisining. It's full bodied—almost viscous in texture—balanced by crisp acids on the finish. Drink now-2016.
Cherry, cough drop, mineral, heat and red licorice on the nose, with medicinal raspberry and plum flavors. Snappy and fresh in the mouth, with a rooty finish touched up by vanilla. Flavorful and properly executed, with a slight intrusion of cherry cough medicine.
Hot and crusty smelling at first blush and then the nose turns to mocha and smoky berry. Good mouthfeel, rich and balanced, with a fresh quality as well. Solid, complete red wine with a nice berry-packed Merlot character.
Somebody was carried away with wood here. The wine is totally dominated by flavors of burnt wood— even the 50% new wood was too much in 2007. That said, the fruit could increase in weight and black berry flavors. But not just yet—in another three to four years.
Made in a mouthfilling, supple style, this cheerful blend is easy to like and easy on the pocketbook. Black cherry and vanilla notes are perhaps a little simple, but carried along by a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a lingering finish, they make for a satisfying glass of hearty red. Drink now-2014.
Warm, rich aromas of wild berry carry a hint of dried cheese, while the rest of the bouquet is woodsy and spicy. The palate is juicy with fresh acidity, and the flavors of red plum and raspberry are solid. A structured wine with good DNA. Drink now through 2011.
Rounded, warm wine, its walnut and kiwi fruit balanced by a soft texture. It has preserved its freshness, allowing the acidity to shine through. A serious wine, as well as delicious, to drink now.
This walled vineyard has produced a surprisingly tannic, if impressive, wine for a Savigny in this vintage. It has a dark and firm character, the red berry fruits just beginning to break through the firm and dry tannins. It needs 4–5 years' aging.
Very honeyed and sweet, with bold flavors of apricot and mango that seem almost caramelized in their sugary intensity. Drink now and over the next few years.
Complex on the nose, with leather, dried flowers, tobacco, licorice, coconut and cassis aromas. It's solid as a rock on the palate, with herbal, spicy flavors of mature berry fruits and raisin. Spicy and a touch hot on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
Big and brooding with richly concentrated black plums and velvety, mouthfilling tannins, Roman Roth's namesake Merlot is boldly structured, but beautifully nuanced as well, with sprays of violet perfume and just a whiff of wet, earthy forest and dried herb notes. Drink now with a good decant, or hold for another 2–3 years.
A beautifully balanced wine, its acidity lacing through the smooth apricot and orange zest flavors and riper red fruits. It does show richness and weight, although always with great freshness.
Supersaturated, so much so that it's opaque, with blackberry, horseradish and chocolate aromas. In the mouth, it's on the cusp of overextraction but manages to toe the line. Flavors of roasted berry, coconut and bitter chocolate are dark and lead to a tannic finish. Drink now through 2014.
A firmly tannic wine, the ripe fruit surrounded by a dry shell. It is already showing the firm chunky character of Nuits-St-Georges, with its dark plum and bitter cherry fruits well into the complex mix of flavors. Age for at least three years.
Light ruby in color, with slight bricking, this Cabernet Franc has aromas of red cherry and currant, dusted by notes of violets and iron. While light bodied in feel, what's there is concentrated and persistent, offering a palate of vibrant red berries lined with cedar oil and savory game. Delicate black-tea tannins offer just enough support and make this an approachable wine to enjoy now.
This Chenin Blanc-based white, with 13% Clairette Blanc and 7% Viognier, boasts a harmonious blend of fruit and floral tones throughout. Scents of underripe tropical fruit, green plum, apple and lime peel are kissed with hints of rose petal, ginger and honeysuckle, while the medium-weight palate boasts ripe flavors of green melon and fleshy pear. A hint of white pepper and minty fynbos lingers on the clean finish. Drink now–2019.
Dark in color and generously bodied, this wine exudes a taste and aroma of brown sugar and roasted plum, flavors that ride a wave of soft, velvety texture, blackberry compote and mocha chocolate. Richly rewarding, it's also a tremendous value.
Dark red violet in color, this wine has a nose of cranberry, lingonberry and juniper. Luxuriant tannins provide a backdrop for flavors of cassis, cherry pie, eucalyptus and freshly ground black pepper. There is a pleasing interplay of fruit flavors and cool notes, but the fruit stands out through a slightly minty finish with a closing burst of orange zest.
Deep orange, almost amber in color, this boasts aromas of candied tangerine zest, ginger, mineral and a balsamic note. The aromas carry over to the palate along with white pepper, berry, apricot and anise, all offset with bright acidity. It's still fresh. Drink through 2021.
This opens with a full and succulent burst of fruit, notably cherries and plums. The rich and juicy flavors are highlighted with a streak of cola and buoyed with ample acids. This is just flat-out delicious.
From a very fine Port vineyard, this is an attractive wine from what is not a great Port vintage. It has perfumed fruits and gentle tannins that give a red fruit character to the wine. The wine is in a style that can almost be drunk young for its fruit, red plums and dried raisins spiced with acidity and a easy structure. Drink now, although for the true vintage Port experience, wait until 2025.
Creamy bubbles pour from the bottle on this reliably solid sparkler, with aromas of Meyer-lemon zest, gray slate, wet concrete, crushed white rocks and a shade of nectarine. The palate is yeasty with sourdough elements dominant, alongside shreds of red apple, lemon juice and tangerine rinds.
Thick, dense tropical fruit is balanced by acidity and a tartness of green apple and lemon pith in this wine, aged in French oak. Structured and medium bodied, it'll work well at the table.
Fresh and elegant, this opens with lovely scents of elderberry flower, hay, tomato vine and citrus. The subtle, refined palate shows grapefruit, sage and lemon drop framed in crisp acidity. Energizing mineral backs up the finish.
A savory nose on this quality bottling shows roasting herbs, oak smoke, pork fat, beef jerky, black pepper and black cherry. A medium-bodied palate reveals dried cherry notes with flavors of thyme, oregano, beef roast and graphite. Altogether, it's a well-balanced and layered Zin.
Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this wine nonetheless offers an oak-like body and warmth of vanilla and baked Alaska, ripe and grippy flavors around a tightness of texture. A pretty note of honeysuckle provides a more delicate sense of elegance.
This deeply hued, golden colored wine opens with aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and crushed rock. The linear, vibrant palate tastes of Golden Delicious apple, candied lemon zest and mineral alongside racy acidity that leaves a firm, clean finish.
This is a complex and introverted vineyard-designate. Sour cherry, pomegranate and rhubarb surround a wildness of anise and medium-weighted tannin. Earthy and varietal, it should pair well with pork-driven fare.
This wine has a crystalline clarity both in its color and its palate impressions. Light and elegant, it offers highlights of rose petals and raspberries, pinpoint acids and polished tannins.
Made from old vines, this ripe and firm wine is young and still developing. It has black fruits that are lifted by the juicy, concentrated acidity. Structure, spice, pepper and a generous, full palate all point to some aging. Drink from 2017.
Beeswax, acacia and aromas of pressed yellow flower are front and center on this lively wine while the vibrant palate offer yellow peach, crisp apple and toasted almond. It's lively and balanced, with a fresh finish.
This structured white opens with enticing scents of citrus and orchard fruit. The vibrant, full-bodied palate delivers lime, grapefruit and yellow peach accompanied by lively acidity. A mineral note signals the finish.
Classic varietal aromas of tomato leaf, hay and passion fruit lead the nose on this fragrant white. The elegantly structured palate offers grapefruit, white peach and mineral alongside crisp acidity.
Nicely concentrated aromas of black currants meet tobacco, bell pepper and pencil lead on the nose. There's great verve and tenison on the medium-bodied palate, with tart blackberries against a backdrop of graphite and cocoa dust.
Wiry raspberry and plum aromas put this in the red-fruit category. A loud, tannic, expansive palate blazes with acidity, while fully toasted oak gives this a burnt element to match raspberry and red-plum flavors. Hard tannins and bold acidity make for a long, rugged finish.
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, vanilla and anise. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry, chocolate and violet roll on the tongue amidst almost chewy tannins that are kept in check by bright acidity. There is a strong note of cranberry on the finish and a touch of chocolate on the post-palate.
There's a layered complexity to this interesting blend of 47% Viognier, 32% Chenin Blanc, 18% Roussanne and 3% Grenache Blanc, with a beautiful interplay between the fruity notes of citrus peel, tart melon, green apple and plum and the earthy tones of fynbos, almond skin and sweet baking spice. The plush texture is countered by ample acidity, leading into a clean finish that's laced with toasty accents. Drink now–2018.
This oxidized, woody white displays Sherry aromas of flor and peanut buttter, but little to no fruit. Crisp acidity corrals the palate, while barrel-driven flavors are front and center, and once again, fruit is hard to find. Overall, this is stylistically iconoclastic, but the execution is good. Drink through 2022.
Decadent aromas of kirsch liqueur, pipe smoke and campfire waft from this wine by David Hunt, who is also a blind piano impresario. Leathery flavors of cooked cherries, smoked berries, baked cookies and a strong coffee character power the palate.
Aromas and flavors of green apple and white peach come together on this lively, elegant white. Racy acidity lifts up the creamy flavors while a mineral vein ties it all together.
Concentrated swells of peach and honey sweeten this bright, sunny off-dry kabinett. While crisp, almost lacy, in mouthfeel, stark, lemony acidity drives a piercing finish. Drink now.
This organic bottling, made by the winery's former Winemaker Craig Hawkins (who now spearheads his own brand, Testalonga), is a blend of 54% Chenin Blanc, 31% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay. There's an immediately attractive richness to the nose, thanks to upfront notes of beeswax, honeysuckle, Asian pear, yellow apple and a touch of guava. The medium-weight mouthfeel is surprisingly direct and clean, with tart white fruit and pure citrus tones that carry through to the bright finish. Drink now–2018.
Driven by vivid blackberry and black cherry flavors, this medium-bodied wine tastes pure, concentrated, and true to the grape variety. It has mild tannins, fresh acidity and an appealing sense of balance.
There is an opulence of ripe, black fruit in this Pinot, a selection from various vineyard sources throughout the appellation. Floral in violet and rose, it offers rich cardamom-cinnamon spice and a balanced taste of cola and jam.
Crafted from grapes grown in two estate vineyards, Pastorale and Quarter Moon, this wine deftly provides a taste of wild strawberry and feral forest floor, offering concentration within a lean frame. The finish memorably imprints lasting cardamom spice.
Classy and focused, this elegant effort features sharp citrus and raspberry flavors, in a tight, vertical, fruit-driven style. Given its depth and tangy acidity, it seems a good candidate for some additional bottle age, though not long term cellaring.
Aromas of mature prune, blackberry and baking spice lead the nose and follow through to the rich palate along with cinnamon. It's balanced with fresh acidity and chewy tannins.
The Jaume family's regular bottling of 2011 Châteauneuf is a firm, sturdy effort. Dusty tannins frame notes of cherry, ash and espresso and come to a slightly chewy finish. Give it another year or two and then drink it up by 2020.
Apple and stone fruit aromas are fresh and direct, not wayward, leesy or creamy. This is a layered, somewhat complex Albariño, with fresh flavors of lemon curd and white peach. A dry, classy, wet stone finish is elegant and emphasizes the positives of the variety.
A barrel-fermented Chardonnay with creamy texture, this opens with bright, prominent Meyer lemon notes before delving into softer flavors of pear and vanilla on the midpalate. The acidity holds through to the finish, accented by a touch of honey.
Pungent tobacco, sage and grape juice aromas lead the nose on this tasty wine. The tannins are well dispersed on the palate, and the flavors balance between dark purple fruits and herbals of licorice and crushed marjoram.
Tightly wound and sculpted fruit anchors an appealing Chardonnay with ample influence from barrel aging. In this excellent, fruit-forward vintage, plenty of weight characterizes the core apple flavors, which are wrapped in a lush coating of toast, butter pecan and nougat.
Unusually dry and crisp, this gives up tangy green apple, kiwi and lemon flavors backed by electric acidity, rather light body and a touch of enervating astringency that's unusual in a white wine. Fresh oysters, please.
A blend of 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this is a rich, spicy and perfumed wine. Layers of wood aging accompany ripe blackberry fruits and dark tannins. The texture is dense and dark, still developing. Drink from 2018.
More than 30 years of making dry Alsatian wines in the Edna Valley are on display in this classic bottling. The varietal's familiar gasoline nose picks up lightness from fresh apple, crisp nectarine and a macadamia-marzipan touch. The palate is based on very balanced acidity, with flavors of buttered pear and lemon strudel.
Fragrant and elegant, this vibrant wine has aromas of crushed violet and spice. The creamy palate doles out juicy wild strawberry, raspberry and cake spice alongside zesty acidity.
This is bright in notes of apple blossom, lemon and lime, with additional hints of mineral and oak. Developing in the glass, it offers flavors of grapefruit and lemongrass from middle to end, while the finish is lightly marked by a honey accent.
Made with native grape Picolit from Italy's Friuli region, this dessert wine delivers concentrated apricot, candied ginger, oak, vanilla, honey and dried exotic fruit. Pair it with seasoned blue cheeses or sip as a meditation wine.
This blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre shows considerable weight and richness for the price. Subtle garrigue shadings lead into dark flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola and licorice, ending with hints of mocha and espresso. Drink it now–2017.
Lush in toffee and rounded layers of rich oak and crème brûlée, this sultry Chardonnay delivers a lot of heft. The wine is crafted from a stellar vineyard and given just over a year in 50% new French oak. The toasty notes are balanced by a taste of pear tart in custard.
Classy aromas of pear, stone fruits and resiny but controlled oak lead to a pure, moderately woody and balanced palate that delivers ripe apple, melon and peach flavors along with oak backing. Vanilla and walnut flavors grace a nicely textured, creamy yet lively finish.
This was made from a saignée after a full-day's skin contact, resulting in a sultry, soulful, tiny-production wine that's refreshing and fruity in orange and lime, dry and completely in balance.
Hearty cranberry and chaparral herbs mesh with iron and sweet rose florals on the slightly rustic nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard. It's light in body, with decent acidity and bounce to the sip, showing hibiscus and pomegranate juice as well as floral lavender touches on the palate.
This wine shows great potential but is still so young and tightly wound, it takes time to suss out its delicately floral aromas of lavender and violet, which then give way to smooth, soft layers of peppercorn and chocolate. The tannins mellow on the finish, but this is big, bold wine made in a big, bold style.
Pervasive scents of dried rose petal, iris, berry and a whiff of chopped mint lift from the glass. The youthfully assertive palate offers tart red cherry, dried sage and anise set in a framework of tightly wound tannins. Drink 2019–2024.
This Rhône-based négociant brand offers a range of appellations at reasonable prices. The 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an open-knit, full-bodied wine that frames mulberry, plum and black cherry fruit with cedar and vanilla shadings. Fruit-driven, yet crisp on the finish, it should drink well for the next seven or so years.
Full bodied, savory and retentive of tannin and oak, this is a robust, rich and ripe wine, with a tang of dark cherry, cola and vanilla. Youthful, it has ample acidity to keep it fresh in the glass, but allow it to open over time.
Clean-cut zesty freshness pervades nose and palate with lively, ripe and toothsome citrus zest: mandarin and lemon dominate. The palate is sleek and slender with focus and verve. Wonderfully bracing.
This is the rare Côtes du Rhône that needs cellaring, but it is sourced from a patch of 50-year-old vines near Sorgues. Ground cinnamon and clove, fine leather and just enough cherry fruit mingle to create a compelling, medium-bodied wine framed by fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2022, possibly beyond.
Aromas of fresh, savory herbs are in the lead, followed by plum, vanilla and dark fruit. The black-fruit flavors are elegant with a firm squeeze of tannins backing them up. It needs time to come together but has all the stuffing.
Very much done in a mineral-driven Chablis style, this interesting bottling shows a tremendous amount of flint, crushed rock and struck match on the nose, alongside dried apple and yellow-grapefruit skin. Briny oyster shells and sandstone combine with a touch of smoke on the palate. Serve with shellfish.
This is a luscious wine, ripe with honeyed fruit and edged with botrytis. Apricot and peach dominate the fruit profile, laced with bitter marmalade and touches of acidity. The wine has a toffee aftertaste that emphasizes its richness. Drink from 2018.
Ripe notes of yellow pear are rounded with creamy notes of yeast. There are overtones of dried hayflowers and fresh, green spring meadows. The palate comes together around a vein of zesty, enlivening lime freshness and leaves a clean, mouthwatering finish.
Impressively crafted from 20-plus-year-old vines, thus the Heritage tag, this blend of mostly Zin with 20% Petite Sirah and 1% Primitivo is like Sunday brunch. It offers a study in bacon and strawberries laced in syrup, a thick, leathery wine that finishes balanced and just shy of over-decadent.
Lime zest, the freshly peeled skin of Conference pears and crushed watercress make for an intensely fresh trio of flavors. This is zesty and concentrated, sleek and refreshing on a linear, slender but concentrated palate.
Seeing just a kiss of new oak (20%), this wine offers brooding aromas of spice, white flowers, tropical fruit and citrus. The palate is full of white-grapefruit flavors backed by a zing of tart acidity, with barrel spice flavors lingering on the finish. It shows a lot of tension.
Named for the documentary filmmaker, artist and wife of Francis Ford Coppola, Eleanor blends Syrah and Petite Sirah from Rutherford with Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and Syrah from Dry Creek Valley to form a rich, red, extracted wine generously succulent in cranberry and dark cherry. Licorice, tar and tobacco add to the complexity and flavor.
Aromas of ripe berry, fragrant blue flower and a whiff of Alpine herb lead the nose. The generous palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Brooding aromas of barrel spice, dried herbs, cranberry and black cherry lead to ripe but in focus pit-fruit flavors that show a pleasing sense of harmony. A squeeze of firm tannins provides the frame.
Unusual hints of mango hint at very ripe fruit. The slender palate counters this aromatic abundance with tenderly fresh notes of lemon zest and wood sorrel. The result is both delicious and refreshing.
Of all the excellent Genium 2010s, this is the only one that's a bit stalky on the nose. It's also rubbery smelling, with tight-grained oak scents and earth notes. Hard, tannic and without much cushion, this Garnacha-led blend tastes earthy, stalky and of high-toned plum and currant with lemony oak. A bold, tannic finish says this will last through about 2024.
A vineyard farmed by the family, Rockpile Ridge is set at the 1,200-foot elevation and planted to nine blocks of the variety, harvested and fermented separately. In this vintage, that leads to full-bodied, well-developed flavors of blackberry dotted in black-peppery meat and dusty tannin.
Hints of smoke frame this very traditional, authentic Pinot made in time-honoured Austrian fashion. The balance and freshness of red fruit is borne in a very graceful structure and just cries out for food. Light bodied but with lovely depth.
A seductive, oaky, butterscotchy aroma and ripe fruit flavors combine nicely in this bold, full-bodied wine. Good tannins add grip to the texture, and its spicy nuances keep swirling around the blackberry and raspberry through the finish.
The sumptuousness of the nose belies the 2014 vintage: this is Zweigelt made plummy and elegant to render it like velvet. There are wonderful overtones of dried Morello which give this additional color and aromatic lift. The body remains slender but shows beautiful concentration. We are left with elegance that is distinct but not heavy.
Luscious raspberry and red-cherry flavors are concentrated in this bright, fruity rosé. Made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, it's marked by bristles of bramble and herb that lend complexity to the palate. The finish is brisk and refreshingly saline.
Aromas suggesting mature dark-skinned berry, French oak, leather, menthol and parched soil come together on this. The round, dense palate is already accessible, offering fleshy black cherry, licorice, cured meat and espresso alongside ripe, chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
Grapefruit, peach and melon notes cannonball from nose to palate of this bright, intensely fruity wine. Zesty lemon-lime acidity keeps it vivacious and spry, but the finish is long, marked by gentle touches of honey and hibiscus nectar.
This is a sanguine, meaty and smoothly textured wine, relatively medium bodied and moderate in oak. Twists of dried cranberry and blueberry provide the fruity components, which are nuanced compared with the big hits of black and white pepper.
A new offering from this young winery, this wine is mostly Syrah (54%) with the rest equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre. Appealing aromas of high-toned herbs, smoke and fresh raspberries and blueberries lead to a medium-weight, yet silky palate, with fine concentration throughout and a finish that lingers.
A fresh, lively nose and clean, elegant flavors give this Chardonnay a food-friendly, easy-sipping feel. Pretty and dependable, it will pair well with grilled seafood and light salads.
Seems a bit on the woody side for now, boasting aromas of dark roasted coffee backed by hints of plummy fruit. The cedary, coffee-tinged oak continues on the palate, where it imparts a slightly dry, tannic edge to this otherwise supple, rounded wine. Give it a year or two to see if the oak integrates with time.
Smooth, velvet texture seem to leave the freshness on one side. It's delicious, like drinking a sweet soft drink but with real fruit and natural sugar. The botrytis is present on this unusual red TBA, but sweetness overwhelms everything.
The aromas are of new wood and spice. But the red cherry flavors of Blaufränkisch are enough to absorb this wood, giving a spicy but fruity wine that happily fills the glass with ripe fruit.
A soft but spicy nose starts this flavorful sip from Thorntree. Open, fresh and friendly on the palate, the wine has a simple but elegant character. Pair with poultry, grilled seafood or enjoy every day on its own.
Ripe and vibrant with red raspberry, apple skin, cherry and plum alongside hints of mint, sage and cocoa mark the nose while flavors of chocolate covered cherries reside on the finish. 120 cases imported.
We haven't seen anything labeled Trio for years, but the return of this Concha y Toro brand seems solid. Aromas of orange blossom, lime and other green fruits are good, while flavors of citrus, grapefruit and cucumber are fresh and appealing. A good but standard wine that is lifted by a touch of green herb and brine.
Spritzy and spunky, but already the flavors seems to be on the way out. The bouquet is salinic and narrow, with more sea water and clam shell than bright, forward fruit scents. Still, this is true Chilean SB, so there's ample melon, apple and other green flavors, including bell pepper.
This is all Cabernet, aged in American oak, and it delivers dark and tannic flavors suggesting purple plum and black cherry. Tannins are rugged and the oak seems to have a fairly high level of toast, which translates into flavors of coffee grounds and ash.
The Barrel Selection certainly has no qualms about hiding its true colors. The nose offers ripe stone fruit supported by hints of butter and cream, while the mouth presents a prickly acidity and clean citrus flavors that prevent the wine from landing with a thud. A solid selection that will pair well with most poultry dishes.
A moderately intense nose of sweet baked red plums and toasted coconut is followed by hints of rosemary. In the mouth, it offers a lightweight but silky texture with medium soft tannins and flavors of licorice, anise and raspberry. The lingering finish is like a raspberry Halls cough drop.
Fresh but not overly racy, with apple and pear aromas. There's ample snap and pop to the palate, but not a whole lot of body or specificity of flavors. That said, the tastes of lemon and green apple are clean albeit shallow, and the finish is more of the same. Drink now.
Vavasour has done better than this in the past, and undoubtedly will do better in the future. The 2008 just lacks a bit of the jacked-up pungency that it has had in the past, instead offering relatively tame white grapefruit aromas and flavors and just a touch of grassiness. Well made, clean and refreshing.
Sourced from the Chalice (estate) vineyard, this aromatic and seductive wine presents a compelling mix of tree fruits, racy acidity, and a rich, textural, open mouthfeel. The flavors of pears, orange peel and snappy spices linger deliciously through a long finish.
Intensely aromatic in spicy black cherry and earthy leather, the Devious Primitivo is more structured than some of Macchia's Zinfandels, more savory than sweet, with tannic grip. Smooth and velvety, it'll impress alongside salumi and other charcuterie.
Black-plum and apple-skin aromas are fruity and a bit raw. In the mouth, this blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Carmenère and Petit Verdot is full, properly tannic and loamy in feel. Dark-leaning flavors of licorice, peppery spice, chocolate and herbs finish with classic Chilean notes of black olive and tobacco. Drink through 2019.
This dainty off-dry Riesling is marked by aromas—ripe stone fruit and florals against a backdrop of tea leaves and crushed minerals. On the palate, it's intensely juicy, with flavors of orange, mango and peach, but with a streak of acidity that ripples the tongue.
With strong wood-aging flavors, this is a full, very ripe and concentrated wine. Coming from old vines, it has depth of flavor, both fruity and rich. Peach and pear flavors dominate, along with spice from wood aging. The wine needs some aging, so drink from 2015.
This savory Pinot Grigio has a little weight on it thanks to grape selection and 20% aging in large barrels. It delivers classic Granny Smith apple, Bartlett pear, nutmeg and flint in a creamy texture brightened by fresh acidity.
White wines are rare in the Côte de Nuits and this wine is as structured as many reds. It does have strong toast flavors, a juicy citrus character and pear flavors. They go with an apple skin and spice aftertaste, laced with acidity. Drink until 2022.
Hugely tannic at this stage, this dense and complex wine has great structure partnered with dark black fruit and licorice. There is forward bitterness, suggesting this wine needs aging. Drink from 2017.
This semisweet Riesling balances an intensely fruit-forward profile of ripe yellow cherry and quince flavors against a backdrop of crisp, tart tangerine acidity. It's sunny and bright, yet elegantly composed, with a bristle of fresh herb notes that linger on the finish.
Still firm and closed, this is a structured wine, solidly tannic with just hints of fruit. It has a dry feel to it, firm, the acidity and red fruits coming through the leathery, dark texture. The wine needs aging, so drink from 2017.
From the estate vineyard, this is thick with spicy flavors of fresh-cut pear. There's a hint of butter and a slightly minty aspect. All in all it's complex, rich and inviting, with penetrating acidity.
Still youthful, it shows aromas of fragrant white flowers, stone fruit and pear. The juicy, lively palate delivers golden apples, yellow peach, almond and hints of aromatic herbs alongside fresh acidity. It boasts balance and finesse. Drink now through 2016.
With mint and black fruit aromas, this is a ripe, fruity wood-aged wine. Power and complexity come from the structure and the dark black fruits. Hints of licorice accent the strong tannins and fruit. Drink from 2018.
De Loach continues to impress with this Lake County vineyard-designate, a well-balanced Zin with plenty of density amid its brick tar and brambly blackberry fruit. With leveled acidity along with plenty of power, it'll both age and be pleasing to drink now, with smoky meats.
An easy, fresh, slightly sparkling wine with pleasant, soft, lightly sweet fruit flavors. It is clean, a great apéritif for a summer's day.
Concentrated aromas of mocha, toffee and burnt coffee bound from the glass, followed by flavors of sour red cherry and berry. Sound balance and soft, dusty tannins make this wine easily enjoyable and easy to drink.
For a wine that didn't go through malolactic fermentation, this is thickly textured, almost pulpy, lacking a bit of vibrance. The pineapple fruit is weighty, but one-dimensional.
This friendly, likeable wine offers approachable, slightly sweet flavors—fruity and fresh—that are not complex but will pair well with food.
So young and simple that one can only describe this as Albariño Nouveau. It's a bouncy, almost spritzy confection with pineapple, green apple and other thin citrus flavors. There's zero body to it, but it is fresh and snappy.
This is a sturdy, stemmy, sharp and chewy bottle. It has some bitter, tarry flavors, but might be up to the challenge of spicy foods or stewed meats.
Sweet and chunky, like Hawaiian Punch. This is heavy and unctuous at this stage of evolution, with raspberry and ripe melon flavors. Round and no longer edgy. Wait for the 2007.
Soft, subtle flavors of classic Chardonnay mingle with warming spice in this friendly but simple white. Pair with salad or seafood.
An oaky, awkward, lactic lug that offers a ton of wood grain, funky fruit and a hard, overly spicy mouthfeel. It's trying to do too much with smoke and mirrors; the raw material isn't there.
A very dry, tannic wine, full of dense structure. The fruit can be found underneath all this dryness, a layer of hedgerow blackberries, tight and firm. At the end, there is some baked acidity.
Pitch-black in the glass, this is a meaty, deep wine, with inviting aromas of beef, black currant, caramel and smoke on the nose. The acidity is quite explosive on the palate, where flavors of charred beef, plum sauce, peppercorns and blueberry migrate towards a dark-roasted coffee note.
Blackberry jelly meshes with enticing aromas of hot gingerbread on the nose of this bottling by regional pioneer Gary Eberle. Dark chocolate, coffee, black cherry, loam, crushed herbs and graphite all play into the layered palate, held strongly by firm tannins.
With a majority Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine also blends in 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Austere in crisp red fruit and dried herb, it's lean on the midpalate before developing a more pronounced grip of leather and tar on the finish.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Malvasia Nera, this vibrant red opens with aromas that recall underbrush, grilled herb, graphite, new leather and ripe berry. On the elegantly structured palate, firm, fine-grained tannins and nervous acidity support juicy wild cherry, tobacco and clove. Drink 2017–2023.
Leathery, baked aromas of earthy berry fruits and coffee grinds take time to unwind. This feels solid and tight due to potent acidity, while the flavors lean in the direction of stewed prune and berry. On the finish, flavors of chocolate, cherry and cassis are integrated.
Despite this wine's initial big-barrel influence, it becomes a complex, satisfying mix of salted caramel, melon and ginger that remains relatively light bodied and able to display minerality. At an attractive price, it's worth considering for midweek meals and larger gatherings.
There's a healthy 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc in this wine, which is classically structured in red fruit, soft oak and peppery spice. Its cedar notes speak to the Cab within, while the overall texture and breadth of the wine is lengthy, food-ready and impressive.
A mix of Pommard and 667 clones, this spent 16 months in 18% new French oak. By no means oaky in flavor, it balances highlights of chocolate and baking spices with plenty of pretty raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a dusting of dried herbs as it rolls into a palate-pleasing finish.
Gritty initial aromas of coffee grinds, balsamic vinegar and sassy berry fruits open this Cabernet-led blend that includes Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Blackened flavors of berry fruits are offset by spice, olive and herbal notes. On the finish, oaky spice and modest acidity are lasting. Drink through 2020.
Pretty textbook cool-climate Chardonnay here, from the lovely aromas of toasted grain, white peach and pineapple, to the balanced alcohol levels, medium body and vibrant, citrusy finish. Drink now–2020.
This blend of Pommard, Coury and Dijon 667 clones shows bright cherry fruit, bedecked with lovely spices. It's round and forward, with medium weight and depth.
Reduced and extracted, this old-vine wine is smooth and velvety, powerfully made to reflect rich, ripe red berry and a layering of brown sugar. The finish is lean and reminiscent of black licorice.
Produced by a négociant based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, this is a ripe, Burgundian take on Beaujolais. This creates a full, plum and black cherry flavored wine where the tannins have been cushioned by the generous fruit. It does have the typical acidity and freshness of the year to give a lift. Drink now.
Deemed “The Imaginary One,” this bottling shows a combination of spice and fruit on the nose, with gingersnap, red berry and strawberry aromas. There's woody complexity on the crisp and clean palate, with cedar, incense, sandalwood, star anise and clove set against a red berry and fruit-punch frame.
Crushed stones and citrus blossoms perfume this fresh, primary Pinot Blanc. It's a bit puckery on the palate, but balanced nicely by sweet-tart peach and apple flavors. Ready to drink now, it's a value wine with a refreshing, widely appealing style.
Everything in this full-bodied wine comes in big helpings, from the deep garnet color to aromas of rich oak and ripe fruit, to the mouthfilling black-cherry flavors. Yet it doesn't go over the top and achieves a high-level complexity that's delicious.
Brawny and concentrated in black fruit, this wine includes 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and is touted as a Cab-lover's Merlot by the winery. It indeed is, with its juicy blackberry, cherry, espresso and clove notes, while remaining varietally correct in terms of its mellowed tannins.
Based in the southern Alentejo, this producer has made an old-fashioned, dark, brooding wine. It's still full of tannins even after six years, although the fruit is certainly there. It is rich and concentrated, dense with plum skin and ripe fruit flavors. The aftertaste is dry. The wine needs to age another year. Drink from 2017.
A youthful wine given 50% whole-cluster fermentation, this is complex and delicate, restrained in oak while being expressive in roses and bitter black tea. Soft, pungent black fruit provides a savory element that's entirely welcome and interesting, before a freshness takes hold on the finish.
Just a couple of barrels were produced of this vineyard-designate. Tasting of lush strawberry preserves, it's nicely focused, slightly peppery, and offers skin flavors as well as fleshy fruit. Sweet barrel spices carry a hint of clove, and round off a big, delicious finish.
This outstanding Riesling brings a bouquet of rose petals and peaches. There's enough bright acidity to push flavors of lime and grapefruit forward, and the wine drinks dry despite relatively low alcohol.
Picked at 33 brix and fermented in new French oak, this heavy, almost oily dessert wine has a floral aroma as intense as bottled perfume. Flavors suggest orange liqueur, honey and candied apricots. It pulls together just enough acidity to avoid falling into a fat, cloying finish.
This wine starts out brawny and tannic before finding itself in a more vibrant light of cherry, cinnamon and dried herb. Aromatically, it's a field of violets on a spring day, backed by a complex structure that makes for a food-friendly companion that's fresh from start to finish.
Ripe aromas start with raisin, while tobacco notes and baked berry warmth reel you in. This blend of Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Vinos de Madrid region feels layered and welcoming. Earthy cherry, plum and baking spice flavors finish long, complex and slightly toasty. Drink through 2018.
This wine starts with a lovely perfumed nose of jasmine, oranges and rose. The full-bodied flavors are big to be sure, but a brisk acidity keeps everything in check. Pretty and full of personality.
A grippy, powerfully concentrated wine, this is rich and full bodied in every way. It packs dense heaps of tobacco leaf with tar and baked, almost dried plum. A luxurious, decadent quaff from a Calistoga-based producer, it shows the vintage well.
Spicy strawberry and cherry hover over forest floor and a tangle of tangy acidity that keeps this wine fresh and vibrantly compelling. Full bodied and robust, it maintains a balance in the glass, making it both food-friendly and an option on its own.
From one of the older organic properties in the state, this bottling offers blackberries, blueberries and a rocky element on the nose, along with smoked beef, condensed violets and a touch of leathery tobacco. The palate is relatively light in density, but medium in tannins, with complex flavors of pencil lead, purple fruit, roasted coffee and oregano.
Wild berry, moist earth, crushed violet and a whiff of dark baking spice meld together on this. The polished palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, polished tannins.
A wine from the Santos Lima home estate, the wine brings together two noble varieties in a homogenous, smooth blend. The tannins that are part of the DNA of both grapes have been softened by wood aging so that the dominant character of this ripe wine is almost refreshing, juicy acidity. Drink now.
Vanilla, baking spice, dark-fruit and herb aromas are followed by elegant cranberry and raspberry flavors. Spice flavors linger on the finish. It's a pretty expression of the variety, showing impeccable balance.
From a cool, well-known site in the new appellation, this wine offers a complexity of coconut macaroon, clove and cinnamon. Well-formed flavors and aromas accent a moderate level of acidity and tannin, providing elegant balance.
Aromas suggesting toast, hazelnut, camphor and mocha lead the nose. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe wild cherry, white pepper, grilled sage and anise alongside close-grained tannins that leave an assertive finish.
Made with 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon, this vibrant wine offers aromas of pressed white flower and white stone fruit. The lively, elegant palate delivers white peach, grapefruit, nectarine and chopped herb alongside racy acidity. A mineral note closes the clean, crisp finish.
This is a rich, smoke and tannin-filled wine. Still young, the black-plum fruits are in the background, suggesting ripe juiciness for the future. Produced from vines on the east end of the plateau of Saint-Émilion, it is full bodied and will develop well. Drink from 2018.
This is a ripe concentrated wine with attractive smoky tannins as well as fresh acidity. It is perfumed with black-currant fruits that are laced with the dry structure as well as acidity. With a year or two more in bottle, this will be a finely balanced wine. Drink from 2019.
This is an opulent, ripe wine that is full of black fruits and firm tannins. It is dense and concentrated with layers of juicy fruit piled over a drier core. It's a full-bodied wine that's still going to develop. Drink now or wait until 2017.
This densely textured wine is ripe with blackberry fruits over firm, smoky tannins. It has a generous feel to it, rich with fruitiness while just moving into a more mature mode. Drink this wine now for its forward fruit, although it will be even better from 2017.
This is the second wine of Labégorce, named as a remembrance of the separate château Labégorce-Zédé that was purchased in 2005. It is a firm wine, with a perfumed character from the judicious wood aging. The tannins are likely to remain part of the character of this wine, working with the black-currant fruit and the final, smoky flavor. Drink from 2017.
The vineyard surrounds a 14th century castle, built by the English. The wine from organically grown grapes, is rich and full. Still with some tannins while also with rich black fruits, it is structured, ripe and generous. The wine is ready to drink, although keeping it until 2017 will make it even better.
A Rochet property since 1865, now Joëlle, Daniel and Fabienne Rochet manage the 210 acres. Bright, light and textured, this is a crisp and refreshing wine. Attractive lemon and green apple flavors lift the mineral texture and give a juicy, spicy character. The wine is still developing and will be better from late 2016.
Dried herb and wood spice aromas are followed by sappy black fruit flavors backed by a light squeeze of tannins. There's no mistaking the warm vintage it comes from.
Light aromas of spice, graphite and sour cherry are followed by elegant, tart fruit flavors. It's a pretty expression of the variety that should sing at the dinner table.
Black pepper, black plum and blueberry show on the nose of this bottling from the nearly 900-acre vineyard atop Cuesta Grade, where it enjoys essentially its own dedicated appellation. A very full mouthfeel delivers blueberry and blackberry-paste flavors along with pencil lead, black coffee and bitter espresso. Still a tad firm in structure, this should age well and open even further in the years to come.
Aromas of underbrush, tilled earth, mature dark-skinned berry and rose lead the nose. The ripe, smoothly textured palate doles out raspberry jam, clove, star anise and a hint of orange peel alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
Certified organic by Ecocert, this estate straddles the communes of Sablet, Plan de Dieu and Gigondas. This entry-level blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah is beautifully floral and herbal, yet backed by appealing red and purple fruit. Medium to full in body, it's firm but ripe, framed by dusty tannins. Drink now–2020.
This is a ripe, full-throttle wine. It has layers of blackberry and firm, dusty tannins. They are balanced by the juicy texture that gives the wine both freshness and the promise of some further aging. The wine is complex, rich and with good potential. Drink from 2018.
Barrel aromas of vanilla, cocoa and coconut are at the fore. The black-fruit and barrel flavors provide a lot of appeal.
Luscious watermelon and berry aromas perfume this buoyantly fruity dry rosé. It's robust in body and amped with concentrated red-cherry flavor but maintains deft balance. Lingering raspberry notes finish brisk and bright.
Tight and tannic, this opens with aromas of Amaretto, ripe berry, Alpine herb and a balsamic note. The firm palate offers black cherry, licorice, white pepper and cherries marinated in spirits. Firm but refined tannins provide structure.
The wonderfully peppery nature of Blaufränkisch makes itself felt here: this is appetizing, honest and fresh-faced. On the palate aromatic blueberries join in while freshness and pepper give verve and energy. This is lovely, honest, refreshing and utterly moreish.
Aromas of ripe red berry, fragrant blue flower, cake spice, menthol and an earthy hint of truffle emerge in the glass. The juicy palate offers fleshy cherry, raspberry, licorice and chopped mint alongside firm, velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
Aromas of minerally pencil lead and smoky plum and berry are positive albeit oaky. This is tight and grabby in feel, with firm tannins. Plum and berry flavors offer more than enough oaky support, while the finish is dominated by wood-spice notes and bulky tannins. Drink through 2021.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (65%) and Barbera. Cranberry, raspberry and baking spice aromas are followed by generous tart fruit flavors with an electric jolt of acid. The acid is quite bracing to have on its own. Pair it with pasta with a red sauce.
Beautifully ripe notes of yellow pear, even floral overtones, dance above the glass. The palate unfolds in the same friendly, floral, light-footed fashion. Lightness, freshness and flavor are all reminiscent of a flower meadow in spring. A lovely, delicate wine with well-hidden depth.
Merlot (59%) takes the lead on this blend, which is balanced out by Cabernet Franc. Intriguing aromas of herbs, flowers, spice raspberries, café au lait and barrel spices lead to silky, polished fruit and barrel flavors that linger.
The nose just hints at green pear but the palate unfolds with quite some power: there is ripe lemon zest, a phenolic midpalate with textured, peppery citrus notes, the rough but ripe peel of Boc pear and quite a bit of heat on the finish. Lemon lingers long.
This wine is a unique blend of Tempranillo (62%), Graciano, Cabernet, Merlot and Garnacha. Spice, coffee, tobacco, vanilla and red-fruit aromas are followed by a smooth, elegant palate, with flavors that linger.
This is a light, bright, nearly clear bringing together of 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay, just barely pink in color. It accentuates the beauty of both varieties, from Pinot's mix of cherry and watermelon to the Chardonnay's ability to bring out notions of crisp green apple.
This wine is quite the bargain, offering nice fruit and spice for under $10. Simply structured with soft tannins, juicy black currant and plum flavors all accented by a hint of pepper. Drink now.
Given that the package holds the equivalent of four regular-sized wine bottles, this delivers a fair quaff for the price tag. Slightly sweet, it has a candied, bubblegum character, light melony fruit and a granular, sugary aftertaste.
Seems slightly mealy on the nose, and then comes a tired set of flavors that includes mushy apple and spice. Finishes easy but dilute, with a pithiness that's normal for the variety. It's the current vintage but it already seems passé.
Aromas of mealy apple and citrus are less than inviting, while the palate is citrusy but lacking in true Chardonnay character; instead it shows odd flavors of ham and orange juice. Ranks as yet another uninspired Argentine Chard in a long line of such wines.
Funky and smelling of pine and tarragon. That aromatic sharpness carries straight to the palate, where the feel is narrow and the flavors are short and tangy, with little to no big-time berry fruit. Simply an acceptable underperformer that's tough and sharp.
High-toned apples and pears and a grassy, herbal note scent this unique blend of Croatian and international grape varieties. Deep gold in color, it's a savory wine with a bruised apple palate, but an interesting pick for everyday.
Smells murky, leafy and of compost. The palate is lean, dry and slightly rough, with green herb, tomato and light raspberry and strawberry flavors. Finishes herbal and tea-like, with more earthiness than clarity.
A curious bouquet of lemongrass, pine needles and green florals, this Bulgarian Traminer boasts pretty floral scents and flavors accented with notes of apple and lemon. The dry, medium-bodied palate is a bit dusty, however, with an abrasive acidity on the finish.
Lifted apple and pear aromas accent this light-bodied Tokaji with characteristic honey sweetness and a bright, citrus acidity. There's a darkness to this wine, however, brought on by hints of oxidation and a slightly dusty, tinned finish.
Dusty, tannic and simple. Still, juicy and pleasant enough, with a touch of bitterness on the finish.
Yellow in color, blowsy on the nose, and chunky to the max in the mouth. This wine is big, forced and heavy, with orange, banana and melon flavors. Finishes soft and with no discernible oak or elegance.
Neutral on the nose except for a spot of peach and citrus. The palate is soft and chunky, with generic citrus flavors that suggest passion fruit and grapefruit. Turns a little mealy on the finish, so drink ASAP.
While savory and smoky on the nose with subdued aromas of apple and pineapple, this dry yet fruity Furmint from Slovenia offers a host of bright tropical flavors. Full bodied with a bracingly high acidity that's a tad off-balance, it's a refreshing wine for everyday.
Dark and heavily extracted, with a big, rubbery, gaseous bouquet that foretells the rest of the wine, which is herbal and full-bodied, with baked plum and berry flavors. Finishes oaky, with drying tannins and heat.
Forward and simple, with red fruit and citrus on the nose. The palate is lean and light bodied, with tangy, dry red fruit flavors, orange and sour sucking candy. Quite tangy on the finish, and overall it achieves only a certain level of weight and prominence. No oak.
Briny, with a taste of salted kettle corn, this offers a nice balance between an edgier, more savory character and the fine-tuned minerality that extends into the finish as bristles of Meyer lemon and wet stone. The aromatics reveal an inviting touch of orange peel and lemon custard.
Feral and smoky, this light-bodied, light-colored estate-farmed wine gives way to dark cherry, white pepper and pronounced floral elements of rose and violet. Given time in 35% new French oak, it's structured and intriguing, with a tannic punch on the finish.
A new designation from the producer, made in tiny amounts, this wine is sourced from vines on the Donum Ranch property grafted to cuttings from the Ferguson Vineyard. Cardamom, dark plum and earthy black cherry mingle on the palate around medium-bodied, softly layered texture and a medium length. A persistence of savory black pepper and black olive tease on the finish.
Lemony and light on entry, this tropically kissed, textured white develops body and weight over time, finding a balance and elegance that's hard to ignore. A touch of white peach wraps up the finish.
Fresh green florals and melon rind lend a breathlessly cool tone to this elegantly composed dry Riesling. Forward flush yellow plum and gooseberry flavors are offset by lime zest, fresh sage and bristling acidity. It finishes with persistence and length. Drinks well now but should improve through 2020.
Lime and gooseberry are gilded with candle wax and smoky minerals in this bracing dry Riesling. Lemon and tart tangerine flavors drench the palate, leaving a honed, steely focus on the finish.
Caramelized white peach, salted lemon, pear skin, red apple and the hint of white flowers show on the nose of this wine by these longtime but under-the-radar producers. The palate blends orange skins and grapefruit pith with buttered toast, sea salt and a dill-like herb character.
Tart, firm and (for this lighter vintage) showing good concentration, this well-constructed effort is built around tangy cherry/berry fruit. With above-average length and depth, and naturally high acidity, this can continue to develop further refinement through 2026.
The producer's flagship Bordeaux-inspired blend combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Sanguine, it has a refined sense of cedar and pencil shavings around still-tight tannins that lean savory in tea and dark chocolate. Dried herbs dominate the finish. Cellar through 2020.
Cola, Dr Pepper, licorice, blueberry paste and smoked meat show on this blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, which is an ode to Adam Comartin's butcher ancestry. Dense and chalky dark fruit on the palate is boosted by tobacco, asphalt, black plum skins and good grip. It's full bodied but tart on the edges.
BlackJack is sourced from the oldest block in the vineyard, planted in 1965. In this warm, ripe vintage it shows lovely blackberry and black cherry fruit, fully ripened and wreathed in streaks of smoke, ground coffee and dark chocolate.
L'Homme Mort is a northern extension of the Fourchaume Premier Cru vineyard, so called because this was where a local lord dispensed justice by death. It often produces cooler wines such as this. It is tight, with toasted bread hints and with a strongly tangy character. It does need to develop and shouldn't be drunk before 2018.
Creamy on the nose, this wine shows seared pineapple, apple custard, lemon oil and faint iodine aromas. The flavors are evenly placed between lemon yogurt and salted apples, mixing a bit of tang and ripe fruit with a savory sea salt.
Aromas of dark berry, baking spice, Alpine herb, graphite, iris and a whiff of game take center stage. The warm, enveloping palate delivers fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, white pepper and anisette alongside velvety tannins and nervous acidity. Drink 2016–2026.
Produced in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, this structured Tannat-based wine is dense and firm. Its tannins though are just the beginning, the entry point to the rich black fruits and concentrated texture. The wine, from a good vintage, is powerful, dense and needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Fresh cherry blossoms and cranberries breathe zest into luscious notes of preserved black cherry, sweet beets and earth in this ruddy, ripe and yet complex Pinot Noir. Dense on the palate and framed in baby-soft tannins, it's enjoyable now.
From the Lovall Valley section of the Napa Valley quite near Sonoma, this lovely wine is awash in tropical mango, with lilts of pear and vanilla. Creamy, it's made in a fuller-bodied style but never gets ridiculous, instead offering balance and elegance, finishing with a squeeze of grapefruit.
A Garrafeira wine is a special selection and this wine, which was aged for 30 months after bottling before being released, shows its quality quickly. Now reaching drinkability, its tannins have softened leaving rich full black currant and fresh acidity along with a more mature leathery character. Drink now and until 2020.
This is made in a steely, high-acid style, harvested at low (18.5) brix and put through 25% malolactic just to keep it all in proportion. Give this some time in the glass and it shines, with a focused mix of lemon, apple and mineral flavors. This can easily age for another decade at least. Drink 2020–2030.
Lightly leesy aromas of vanilla cookie are offset by crisp minerally apple and stone-fruit scents. This is pure and lifted by fine acidity, while flavors of apple, pineapple and lemon-lime end fresh, with a distant note of citrus pith. Drink immediately.
Enticing aromas of woodland berry, crushed rose, mint and menthol lead the nose on thisfull-bodied red. Mint carries over to the palate along with wild cherry, red raspberry, kitchen spice and a hint of toast. Assertive tannins and bright acidity hold it all together.
Ripe blackberry, mature plum, rose and grilled herb aromas lead the nose. The savory, approachable palate offers dark cherry, crushed raspberry, aromatic herb, ground anise and a hint of mocha. Firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity give it balance. This will make fine drinking over the next few years. Drink through 2016–2021.
This hearty red opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, leather, licorice and a hint of menthol. The firm, chewy palate offers ripe wild cherry, raspberry jam, anisette and tobacco. Brooding tannins support the dark flavors. Drink 2019–2029.
The great 2010 vintage has produced an appropriately powerful and dense wine. With its tannins and concentrated, dry flavors, this wine is still young. It has power, the rich black fruit still masked by the structure. It will need long aging, so drink from 2018.
This wine has a nose of lingonberry, juniper berry and toffee. It is round in the mouth, with flavors of black cherry, red plum, cranberry, spearmint, and caramelized sugar. An element of toffee fills the palate as fruit flavors recede on the silky finish.
Bold and structured, this opens with aromas of spiced plum, French oak, menthol and a whiff of violet. The concentrated, full-bodied palate doles out blackberry jam, juicy black cherry, vanilla, licorice and exotic spice alongside fine-grained tannins.
A full rich and ripe wine that has toast as well as juicy citrus and yellow fruit flavors. It's a young wine, full of crisp fruitiness that will soften and fill out. With its mineral texture, typical of Douro whites, it is a wine for aging. Drink from 2017.
From old vines, this rich and concentrated wine is dominated by ripe apple and pear flavors. They combine with the well-judged toastiness from wood aging to give a full, dense wine will age well. Drink from 2018.
Citrus blossoms are coated in honey and peach nectar in this sunny deeply concentrated Kabinett. It's off-dry in style yet balanced by a luminous streak of tangerine acidity that drives the finish long and dry. It's a bristling revitalizing sip.
Aromas of graham cracker and chocolaty fruit yield something similar to berry pie. The mouth is grapey and full, with sizable tannins and not much finesse. With airing this wine grows more cumbersome and untamed.
A bit rough and rustic, but packs in plenty of sweet pear-nectar flavors dusted with dried spices.
The nose is flat and not very expressive. The flavors are of sweet fruit, but beyond that they are hard to describe. A midland wine with a simple, clean finish and a bit of a waxy mouthfeel.
The nose is murky and overdone, seemingly a victim of the rainy 2002 harvest. The palate is heavy and dark, with sweet plum and berry fruit, but not the pulsating, pure type normally sought.
A minty nose blends in some floral and citrus scents as well, giving this light-bodied wine some interest. Flavors are minty, too, verging on wintergreen, and finishing clean and fresh.
Light but clean, with aromas of anise, pears and green apples and modest flavors of pear, watermelon rind and lime.
This blend is very light in color and similarly shy on the nose, where it takes coaxing to find some citrus fruits and dried spices. Tastes like mixed citrus, but folds in a dash of cherry juice as well
Smells strongly of lemongrass, and this character carries over onto the palate, which is flavored by lemon, pear and herbs. Feels a bit heavy in the mouth, but finishes clean and lemony.
Apricot aromas with flavors of green apple, cucumber and green bean. The finish is clean and easy, but bland. This wine does nothing to offend, but it doesn't do much to impress, either.
While there's a decent amount of weight to this wine—enough to stand up to food—the flavors seem a bit dilute, showing only hints of almond and melon.
Piercing aromas, but not very fruity. It's a bit like wasabe at the sushi joint. The palate has some cassis, cherry and spice, while the finish is also spicy. At first it shows some power but things fade fast as opposed to improving.
Flat and dull in the nose, with only a touch of apple along with plenty of leftover wood. The palate is thick and woody, and there just isn't ample fruit to offset the oakiness.
The color is very light, and so are the flavors. Although it lacks intensity, this faintly lemony wine is crisp, clean and moderately refreshing.
Accents of crushed violets add interest to the wild strawberry, blackberry and plum fruit core. Mouthwatering and clean, this has dusty tannins and medium acidity that provide a nice structure.
The aromas are slightly maderized and soft, with hints of baked apple and corn cake. It feels plump, mealy and a touch flat, with nectarine and wheat flavors. Chunky and peachy on the finish, this is starting to fade.
Raisiny on the nose, but even with the bouquet's overripeness, it settles on the palate, showing fresh raisin and cassis flavors, with just enough acidity to keep it balanced. Jammy and short on the finish.
There's an herbal streak to the berry center of this wine, with just the faintest suggestion of mocha that unfolds on the finish. The texture is full and slightly creamy, with dusty tannins providing enough structure and balance.
There is nothing wrong with this wine, but it shows no particular varietal character. It's a soft, mocha-inflected, all-purpose red.
This is a fruity Merlot with a strong lemony streak. There are hints of pepper as well. Drink soon.
Slender and acid driven, this Tempranillo, with its light berry and herb flavors, resolves with a lemony, chalky finish.
Ripe and broad shouldered, this blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon is full in flavor and tannins. It's a perfect pizza wine.
Herbaceous and brisk, this elegant, medium-bodied Cabernet perks up on the palate with its crisp red-fruit and acidity. Straightforward yet pleasantly accented with hints of violet and black coffee, it would pair well with a variety of earthy, fall braises.
The 2011 vintage created wines with underripeness and low alcohol, and this Riesling attempts to cut the sourness with its 2.4% residual sugar. It comes across as a mix of lemon juice, orange juice, and simple sweetness.
Fruity and attractively wood aged, this is soft and round, with a bright edge of acidity that brings out the taut, refreshing finish.
Aromatic and lively, this fresh rosé offers bright notes of juicy peach, red cherry and wild strawberry. The medium-weight palate is balanced by refreshing, orange-infused acidity that results in a clean, mouthwatering finish.
This is forward and fresh, with notes of green apple, gooseberry and lemon-lime on the nose and palate. Zippy and mouthwatering, it has faint suggestions of lime zest and fresh-cut grass on the back.
Gaseous berry aromas settle on pepper, oregano and earth tones. It feels tight, full and potent, with herbal, peppery flavors of black fruit and licorice. This turns more meaty and pumped up as it unfolds—much more rugged than refined.
Hints of black coffee, dried lavender and herb add punch to the lean plum and cherry flavors of this medium-bodied Cabernet Franc blend. Brisk on the palate, with an herbaceous, green note that persists, it finishes firm, with a chalky coating of tannins.
Vibrant strikes of acidity and spicy mineral tones permeate through this brisk, feather-light spätlese. Zesty green-apple and plum flavors are cutting and spry on the palate, accentuated by delicate, lingering sweetness. Invigorating now, it should gain depth through 2025 and hold further.
Classy and complex oak nuances give the aromas and flavors of this wine a suave, spicy personality. Grilled baguette and cedar notes merge nicely with its focused and concentrated berry and black cherry flavors.
Earthy berry aromas are a touch heavy and raisiny, with horse and leather notes. A full chunky palate is more dense than expansive, while this tastes of baked plum and prune. Hard tannins are drawing on a full-size finish. Drink the ripest and heaviest of Garage's 2014 Carignans through 2021.
Cabernet Sauvignon (73%) makes up the majority of this blend, with the balance Syrah (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of barrel spice, baking spice, dark fruit and herb are followed by luxurious black-fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It shows a bit of heat but otherwise delivers.
Peach, earth and lemon zest unite on nose and palate. The body is concentrated and warm, the fruit is made more intense with slight residual sweetness but zesty lemon freshness frames it all with tangy brightness. The finish is clean, medium sweet but refreshing.
Touches of tree bark, barrel spice and olive accent core berry and black currant aromas. A jammy widespread palate offers its fair share of tannic bite, while flavors of berry fruits, cassis and brown sugar are a bit overripe and syrupy in front of a heavy finish.
A full package of spice, tobacco and black-fruit aromas make for an attractive opening. This feels solid and dense, with grabby tannins that muscle out elegance. Lightly stewed berry and plum aromas are backed by chocolate, cola and molasses notes on the finish. Drink through 2022.
This wine's earthy cherry and plum aromas come with a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is edged with rubbery tannins, its savory, lightly salted plum flavors growing jammier and more fig-like as it breathes. A textbook fruit-forward Grenache.
The not-so-secret blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz and 12% Malbec, yielding a dark plummy wine with ample palate weight and softly dusty tannins. Espresso and black olive shadings give this a savory cast, making it more an accompaniment to food than a standalone sipper. Drink now through 2019.
Ripe white peach and sharp lime peel qualities interplay on the nose of this bottling from the iconic vineyard, which is now under the quality-focused ownership of the Foley family. That lime zest comes through on the palate too, cutting through the creamy midpalate and adding a pinpoint edge to the finish.
This wine spent 20 months in French oak, which has given it an appealingly smooth, lightly buttery character. It's medium rich, quite tasty, with a nutty flavor and a lime-inflected finish.
Aromas suggesting yellow spring flower, beeswax and yellow stone fruit set the tone while the ripe medium-bodied palate offers creamy golden apple, peach and a hint of wet stone.
A spicy, earthy personality makes this wine unique, and it has a great sense of balance. It exudes cardamom, wood smoke and black pepper aromas, and the flavors follow with black plum and clove, accented by peppery spice.
The Mistral blend was changed in 2013 to a more traditional GSM—63% Grenache, 32% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, aged 18 months in neutral French oak. Firm and detailed, its accents include iron filings, licorice and sweet baking spices, hung on cranberry and plum fruit. Overall it's a tasty effort drinking well right now.
Fresh pear notes and a touch of white blossom appear on the nose. The palate is rounded with fruit and a touch of flavor-boosting residual sweetness. This is easy but generous, full of ripe pear fruit.
Partly fermented and aged in 500-liter French barrels, this opens with aromas of toasted oak, bread crust, acacia and sage. The rounded medium-boded palate offers mature yellow-apple skin, pineapple and a hint of butterscotch while a nutty note closes the finish.
Very dark though not too viscous in the glass, this bottling of a rarely planted grape originally from Madiran in France shows pressed blackberry, dark chocolate and coffee touches on the nose. The palate balances blueberry and other purple fruits with mocha, black coffee and hoisin hints.
Good concentration and a firm mouthfeel make this full-bodied wine a fine pairing for osso buco or mushroom risotto. It has robust ripe berry, anise and dark chocolate flavors, velvety tannins that seem to coat the palate, and a lingering, rich finish.
Big flavors meet big tannins and full body in this dark-colored, concentrated and mouth-filling wine. Made from Syrah grapes that were foot-stomped and fermented with native yeasts, it delivers a blast of black cherry flavor that lasts from the aroma through the finish.
This offers aromas suggesting pressed wild flower and ripe orchard fruit. It's medium bodied, doling out ripe yellow apple, peach and a note of bitter almond. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors.
This shows nice elegance and restraint. It has earthy aromas, along with black berry and tobacco notes. The palate delivers a core of tight black berry, plum, raisin pepper and cinnamon. While this doesn't have the longest finish, it's enjoyable.
Aged for two years in Hungarian Tokaj barrels, this wine is fresh and appealing with notes of dark plum, spice and green herbs. The fruit flavors are sweet and succulent and backed by more tannic structure than usually seen for the variety.
A great, all-purpose white blend, this is half Pinot gris, a third Viognier and the rest, a mix of Sémillon and Marsanne. Piercing flavors of pineapple, grapefruit and lemon peel shoot through the firm mid-palate. The skin flavors add a pleasantly light frame of bitter citrus around the finish.
Coming from three different blocks of the winery's estate vineyard, it brings notes of cherry cola, peppery spices and medicine cabinet. The fruit flavors are quite ripe and lush, with the use of one year-old French oak putting the fruit front and center.
A very good Merlot rich in baked plum and rhubarb with a back note of olive. Slightly spicy and medium-bodied, the finish offers smoke and spice.
This is modeled after a Rioja crianza, showing young, mixed fruits from a blend of 62% Tempranillo, 12% Graciano, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Grenache. Showing generous acidity, hints of apple, peach, cranberry and herb, it's a fresh and fruit-driven young wine, perfect for warm weather enjoyment.
Tomato, red bell pepper, plum and currant aromas have a slightly sharp, varietal-related minty, green angle. This feels round and creamy on the tongue, with good acidity propping up flavors of baked berries, spice, chocolate, raw oak and vanilla. A medium-length finish with baking spice flavors confirms the wine's power.
Strident apple and lime aromas are pure and pretty in this wine. This isn't a complex or complicated white, but rather friendly and easy to like. Flavors of peach, apple and apricot finish minerally and clean. This is a textbook quaffing wine.
This is a Petite Sirah that's easy to love, ripe in sweet blackberry and smoky leather, juicy and balanced with enough meat to pair with a lamb roast or rack of ribs.
This Amarone has somewhat rustic aromas that recall animal and meat juices. You'll also detect whiffs of burned rubber. The palate is better, showing ripe fruit and smooth tannins. While the fruit is delicious and immediate, this also reflects the heat of the vintage and is shy on fresh acidity.
The nose is dominated by spices and herbs, a whiff of violets, fennel and white chocolate. Complex and intriguing, it leads into fruit flavors of plum and cherry, with a hint of alcoholic heat. The wine improved substantially after being open for several hours.
This forward Amarone reflects the heat of the vintage. It has somewhat evolved aromas of leather and prune, accompanied by rich black fruit flavors and soft acidity. The tannins are starting to fade, so enjoy now and over the next few years.
Earthy aromas of tilled soil, meat juices and blackberry are accompanied by flavors of black cherry and nutmeg. The palate is already evolved and shows tertiary aromas, with a slight warmth throughout, so drink over the next few years.
Fruity and dark, this is an excellent chugging wine. It's substantial without being tiring; the fruit is lively and has a somewhat earthy, wild edge to it. Immediately tasty, this is one to enjoy in its youth.
A soft and rounded wine, full of ripe fruits that command all the attention. Red fruits dominate, just supported by tannins and a firm dryness. This is a rich wine that will age quickly, worth drinking in the next two years.
A chunky, solid wine, its tannins as important as its fruitiness. It shows black fruits, ripe bitter cherry flavors, along with dense tannins. Offering a powerful blast of Pinot Noir, and worth aging for three years.
Licorice and leather aromas give character to smoky yet generic plum and raspberry scents. This feels tight and fresh given its age, with earthy, slightly muddled flavors of raspberry and plum infused with oak and vanilla. On the finish, things seem caught between racy and tired, so drink now.
A softly polished wine that's ready to enjoy soon, this shows classic aromas of black fruit, spice, tobacco leaf and underbrush. It has a delicious black-cherry flavor, punctuated with black pepper, clove and a hint of bitter almond.
Earthy plum and raspberry aromas come with notes of animal fur and tree bark. This blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon feels crisp due to lip-smacking acidity, while woody flavors of vanilla and dry spice form an accent to core red-fruit notes. A long, dry, stylish and tangy finish is squarely old school in character.
The blend includes Grenache and Syrah, suggesting a wine that is part Ribera del Duero, part Priorat. Firm and dark, with black fruits and a strong streak of licorice, with some lighter highlights of blueberry and coffee.
Aromas of pointed red plum and mild earthy, leafy aromas precede a well-constructed palate, with dark plum and standard berry flavors. This is a mellow wine that's very good for the price.
A silky, easy-drinking Pinot Noir, with all of the expected complexity and tender texture expected in a very good example. The cherry and vanilla notes offer enough leafy, mushroomy, earthy complexity to satisfy. Ready to drink now and over the next few years.
Jammy berry aromas come with a dense coating of milk chocolate. But in the mouth, it's snappy and juicy, with enough body to handle the acids. It tastes fresh, pointed and zesty, with plum and berry flavors that finish full and grabby. A very good old-vine Garnacha for the price.
With a nose of citrus and mineral and a fresh palate, this is nothing but pleasing. Flavors of grapefruit, tangerine, lime and green apple are direct and lively, while the finish is long and fruity. This is how Verdejo should be.
Surprisingly, this Red Mountain Merlot is rather light and tart, showing cranberry fruit with a streak of smoke. The tannins are peppery and earthy, with a hint of stem; a European style, with poise and good balance.
Tight aromas of cherry and cassis come with orange peel and licorice scents. It feels edgy and acidic on the palate, but there's enough body and fruit to absorb the acids. Tastes like schisty licorice, black fruits and spice, with a choppy, tannic, medium-long finish. Drink this Syrah-Carignan blend now.
This is toasty and overflowing with wild berry and cassis aromas. The palate is tight and tannic, with salty berry fruit flavors that seem wild and untamed. Stays salty on the finish, with herbal notes sneaking in. It smells great, but it's rough in terms of feel.
This is the rarest of all finds: a high-quality Pinot Noir at an everyday price. It's medium bodied and crisp, with ample complexity that blends smoke, cedar, cola and black cherry notes. With its reasonably firm finish, it might be interesting to try in another year or two, although it's ready to drink now.
A Bordeaux blend with all the usual suspects (except Malbec), Six Sigma's Cuvee has a huge Cabernet Sauvignon nose, all dark berry and plum with a hint of lavender. It has a huge brick wall of structure, with dusty tannins that finish long and meaty, and a slight blip of just-ripe blackberry.
Roasted and rustic up front, with bricky, oaky berry aromas. This is tight and ripped across the palate, with hickory, maple and bacon flavors. It's zesty in terms of mouthfeel, with adequate chunkiness. The finishing flavors of spice, herb and earth are solid.
Blackberry, tobacco and balsamic aromas lean slightly towards vinegar, and there's a distinct tangy quality to the palate. Otherwise, the wine is very nice, with plum and blackberry flavors. Tobacco notes reappear on the finish along with toasty oak. Will do best with food.
Hello alcohol and black cherry liqueur. A nicely made and compelling Syrah this is, although the alcohol is intense. The wine has mighty tannins and is very fruity, with an added note of black licorice. The peppery finish will make you want more.
This has pretty fruit flavors of plums and spicy black cherries. At first the wine seems sharp and slightly warm, but it mellows with air.
All the Eight Bells wines show attention to cleanliness and varietal expression. This has a ripe apple flavor, with a lick of minerality on the finish.
This interesting blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah and 2% Petit Verdot works on many levels. Floral lavender and violet open the wine before a light, rounded touch of blackberry and leather hit the palate, followed by earthy cola spice. Well-priced and easy to enjoy, it puts good winemaking on display.
This wine is full of smoky tannins and ripe black fruits, with a light touch of acidity. It's dense, structured as befits the vintage, and still has a way to go. Set on the slopes above the river Garonne, this is a seriously improved estate, bought by the Dulon family in 2004. Drink from 2016.
Despite the wine being fermented and aged in 100% new French oak, the fruit shines through, with notes of corn silk, peach and tropical fruit accented by barrel spices. Texture and richness to the sweet fruit flavors keeps interest high.
Aromas of leather, coffee, chocolate, grilled rosemary and a balsamic note lead the nose. The smooth palate offers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and mocha alongside round, ripe tannins. It's not loaded with complexity but it's delicious and already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2016–2022.
Lavish notes of toast, vanilla and spice abound on this robust Pinot Noir, but balance elegantly against bright red cherry and cranberry flavors. The finish is moderately long, marked by velvety tannins that frame the palate squarely.
This Syrah opens with aromas of scorched earth, ripe black-skinned fruit, game and dark cooking spice. The dense palate offers blackberry, black currant, licorice and tobacco alongside firm but fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of dark berry, forest floor and Mediterranean spice lead the nose on this vibrant wine made with 100% Sangiovese. The palate offers crushed blackberry, ripe dark cherry, black pepper and savory herb, while firm but fine-grained tannins provide support.
Aromas of stewed plum, dried hay, toasted oak, espresso and game lead the nose. The palate delivers succulent wild cherry, fig, baking spice, tea leaf and pipe tobacco balanced by polished tannins. It's already accessible. Enjoy through 2019.
A new vineyard source for the producer, this was planted in 1910 to a mix of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Peloursin and Trousseau. The wine shows a zestiness to the palate and fruit, a mix of pomegranate, raspberry and plum, side-kicked by dusty mocha. Bright in acidity with a chalky finish, the wine can be enjoyed now with a decant or cellared through 2022.
With the same winemaking team as Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, Bernadotte has a good pedigree. The wine is full in the mouth, structured and balanced, with ripe berry fruits bursting out from the tannic shell. The wine will develop well over the next few years; drink from 2017.
Liversan makes a serious style of wine from its 125-acre vineyard, situated in the north of the Haut-Médoc. Dense, this is balanced between the black plum fruits and dry tannins. It's a wine for long-term aging, so drink from 2018.
Maucamps is situated in Macau, just south of Margaux, giving it a stylish character. It has weight, of course, but this is given perspective by the structured black fruits and supporting tannin. A dry core will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2018.
Heavily dominated by Merlot, this is a generous and full-bodied wine. Wood aging has left its mark in the burnt, toasty character. The fruit, though, is generous, bringing out the richness of the limestone soil. This wine will be ripe and full-bodied. Drink from 2017.
The aromas on this wine are light and nuanced with notes of pear, butter and pineapple. It's full bodied in feel, clean in style showing good weight and viscosity while retaining a pleasing sense of lightness.
Lemon-drop candy and white blossoms perfume this impeccably balanced Riesling from French transplants Céline and Sébastien Leseurre. It's dry in style, but white grapefruit and lemon flavors are persistent and deep. Delicately textured and vivaciously fresh in acidity, the finish is brisk and pristine.
This 100% varietal comes from StoneTree and Red Heaven vineyards. Fruit-forward, it suggests blueberry pie with barrel notes of pencil lead and vanilla. It's full bodied and supple in feel with abundant blue-fruit flavors and smoked-meat accents on the warm, lingering finish.
Chalky in stone fruit, this white combines a crisp lightness of being with a creamy texture, making it satisfying on the palate, balanced and elegant, with just enough ripeness to keep it sharp. The finish continues the theme, crisply refreshing and long-lasting.
Surprisingly complex, yet accessible and appealing, this semisweet Riesling showcases plump yellow peach flavor offset by lemon-lime, saffron and pollen. It's sunny and ripe, yet nuanced with earth and mineral tones. Delicate in body, it finishes moderately long with a touch of honey.
Oak, herb, fennel, hay and wild berry aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers Morello cherry, oak, cinnamon, clove, Mediterranean herb and a confectionary note alongside tightly knit and austere tannins that need to unwind. Drink 2018–2030.
This 100% varietal wine is blend of Minnick Hills (66%) and Morrison vineyards. An intriguing mix of dried herbs, poblano pepper, pink peppercorn and red fruit is kissed by barrel accents and meaty notes. The acid is bright, the feel supple and the finish extended. Drink now.
Coming from Uvas Valley earth that was originally planted in the 1920s by Italian immigrants, this wine shows leather, plum sauce and dark chocolate on the nose. It's light on the palate, but possesses strong tannic grip and refreshing acidity that boost the dried flower, blueberry juice and graphite flavors.
While it's fresh and creamy, as any Vinho Verde should be, there's something extra to this smooth wine. The tangy acidity is balanced by melon and apple flavors to give the wine some richness. Drink now.
Ripe and jammy, this is a rich wine from a fine vintage. The tannins are well-integrated into the black fruits, soft texture and juicy plum flavors. Drink now.
A light straw color, bright fruit aromas and a dot of sweetness paint the picture of an easy-drinking refresher. The bracing grapefruit and green apple aromas and flavors are attractive and pleasurable. It's medium-bodied, crisp in balance and slightly soft on the finish.
While the wine does have tannins, it's dominant characters are juicy red fruits, sweet tannins and a fresh, lightly mineral texture. It's a wine that's ready to drink, fruity while firm at the end.
A pretty strawberry-colored rosé, this shows uniform scents and flavors of strawberry, with a peppery kick in the finish. It was fermented in neutral French oak.
With its green, herbal aromas, this wine could come from New Zealand. It's crisp with intense gooseberry and packed with citrus and green apple flavors. Drink now.
A cherry pink, red-cherry flavored wine that has soft, clean fruit and acidity. It's pure fruitiness, easy to drink although with a heft of alcohol that contrasts with its light style.
From a small region just north of Pouilly Fumé, this is light and fruity. It's soft, just herbaceous and full of green apple and grapefruit flavors that give a fresh, lively character. It's completely ready to drink.
While the wine is rich and tarry, it has an old-fashioned feel to it that comes from the juicy tannins and touch of rusticity. That's not unattractive, a wood-aged oxidized wine that has fruit and spice to add to its allure. Drink from 2015.
Light in color it reveals intense aromas of ripe, baked cherry fruit and pungent earth, streaks of herbal cinnamon and clove playing in the background.
Steely yet somewhat sweet, it offers a richness of baked apple and pear amid midweight layers of softened tannins.
Full, pushy aromas of stewed plum, tomato, herbs and heavy oak come in front of a high-acid palate with salty flavors of herbal red plum, oregano, basil and tomato. A saline character sits heavily on the wine's chunky finish.
Dust, pipe ash and pencil shavings give an Old World vibe to the nose. The palate offers very austere blackberry and soil flavors. Serve with pot roast or cigars.
With attractive lemon flavors within a smooth and rich wine, this is both bright and ripe. It's aromatic and full in the mouth, showing apple, peach and mineral tones. Drink from 2015.
Orange peel and lychee aromas are typical of the variety. This feels straightforward, juicy, clean and fresh, with tangy acidity. Flavors of lime, lychee and tangerine finish bright and snappy.
This forward wine opens with funky aromas of game and leather, with a whiff of barnyard. The palate is evolved and much of the fruit has already dried up, leaving bitter prune alongside green, astringent tannins.
Gritty, heavily roasted aromas of stewed berry, coffee grinds and compost are less than appealing, although with airing things improve. This is wide and blocky in the mouth, with ripe, raisiny, roasted black-fruit flavors matched by bitter espresso. Molasses and heat drive the finish on this pricey wine that's not in great shape.
White currant aromas give an exotic character that is confirmed by the spice and ripe apricot flavors. Acidity is bright and fresh while the aftertaste moves the wine more to a warmer character.
The young tannins are keeping the wine dry at the moment. But the flavors of black currant fruitiness and fresh acidity promise a bright and fruity future. Drink from 2016.
The Rutherford grapes that go into this wine travel down to Santa Barbara post-harvest, a journey that doesn't diminish the wine's sense of place. It represents its dusty provenance well amid a taste of sanguine tannins, soy sauce and ripe plum.
This is a hard, rather chewy young wine, tannic and tight, with some earthy flavors. The fruit is thin and plummy, with a vein of chocolate adding some extra interest.
Young and spicy, this easy-drinking Pinot Gris still shows some bite and some bitterness, perhaps from skin contact. Give it a little more bottle age, and drink it chilled, to bring out the tart fruit and cut the phenolics.
Ruby garnet in color, this has aromas of red plums, purple flowers and black fruit conserves. There are nice bright fruit flavors on the palate, with touches of tobacco leaf and tart cherry on the finish.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec offers vanilla, herb and cherry aromas that seem a bit coarse. The palate is full of baking spice flavors—notably vanilla. It's heavy on the oak notes, despite having aged in just 42% new French barrels, the rest older French and American.
This wine shows vanilla, celery root, mesquite and herb aromas on the nose. Its baking spice flavors are quite sweet, suggesting heavy-handed oak. Vanilla flavors take over on the finish, leaving a disjointed impression.
This wine lays on the vanilla, cream and butter flavors along with a seeming sweetness and smooth texture due to soft effervescence and apparently low acidity. It's very flavorful and plays outside the bounds of traditional sparkling wine.
This is an extremely savory wine, with aromas of black pepper, dried herbs, turned earth and a touch of elderberry jam. It's somewhat thin on the sip, with cedar, boysenberry and charred beef flavors.
Smoky and with strong wood flavors, this wine also has an attractive crisper edge that gives it a bright character. A lively wine, it's both rich and crisp. Drink now.
Light lemon and vanilla flavors and a creamy texture make this wine easy to drink. The body is on the light side, too, with soft acidity and a mouthfeel that's not too thick.
Toasted nut and balsamic notes and a whiff of cellar floor dominate the nose of this wine. Although shy in terms of fruit richness, it shows assertive and brooding licorice, espresso, fig and dried cherry notes on the palate. The tannins are close grained.
Fresh and fruity, this medium-bodied Cabernet Franc offers forward red berry and plum flavors framed by soft, easy tannins. It's a plush, juicy sip, with pleasant hints of bell pepper, sage and fresh cranberry acidity. Drink now through 2019.
Swirls of vanilla, sweet spice and cream cover more delicate flavors of yellow apple and pear in this yielding, richly textured Chardonnay. Sunny acidity and a ripe, rounded mouthfeel makes it easy and approachable in style. Drink now through 2020.
This soft, ripe wine has good apricot and peach flavors alongside the crisper citrus acidity. It is spicy, fruity and ready to drink.
Beaujolais Blanc is effectively Burgundy-type Chardonnay but from the southern neighbor Beaujolais region. This wine, with its ripe and creamy texture, has the same rich character as a Mâcon wine. It is smooth and soft from a warm vintage for white wines. Drink this wine now.
The ripe fruit of this vintage is right up front in this strawberry and spice-flavored wine. With a texture that adds a touch of tannin to the fruitiness, it is smooth and round. Drink this aromatic wine from 2018.
This opens with delicate aromas of baking spice and black-skinned fruit. The simple palate offers black cherry jam, vanilla and white pepper hints while smooth tannins lend supple support. Drink through 2019.
This blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 20% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 12% Merlot is very approachable on the nose with blackberry and black-pepper aromas. The palate also offers the black fruit with a touch of purple flowers, but it is somewhat simple and weak, especially compared to this winery's other bottlings.
The wine is juicy with intense acidity. Its red-currant flavor is consistent with this acidity. Tannins are firm and will soften. The juicy aftertaste gives the wine crispness.
From vines in the vineyards behind the Côtes de Nuits, this wine is warm, smooth and ripe. It offers yellow fruits as well as rich apple and enough acidity to give a crisp edge. It's attractive and will be ready to drink from 2018.
High-toned aromatics precede a light, lean palate, with a jolt of tingling acidity polished around a medium-weight body. There's  a hint of wet stone and spice to the finish.
Aromas of stone fruits and citrus are dusty and nice; so is the mouthfeel, which is fresh but shows texture and body. Watermelon, nectarine and citrus flavors finish slightly bitter but within reason.
This Barolo has a somewhat raw quality, delivering sensations of tart red cherry, black pepper, sage, coffee bean and bitter chocolate. The bracing tannins are astringent and overpowering at this stage. Try it after 2020.
A whiff of cellar floor burns off to reveal berry, subtle oak and leather. The palate displays juicy sour cherry, sage and menthol alongside tightly packed tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2018–2025.
Light, bright and refreshing, it offers pear spritzer, lime zest and a hint of guava on the nose, followed by citrus rind, light papaya and apple juice on the palate. It makes a nice bridge between the richness of Chardonnay and crispness of Sauvignon Blanc.
All stainless fermented, this seems to show some residual sugar, perhaps in order to round out the austere acidity. Lemon and tangerine fruit—all with plenty of acid—are annotated with highlights of fresh cilantro. It would be a fine match for simple, white fish.
This earthy Barolo has funky sensations of game, meat juices, oak, vanilla, spice and ripe black berry fruit. The warm midpalate and sweet fruit are balanced by tightly packed, astringent tannins that leave the mouth feeling dry. Drink after 2020.
This is a great sunny day wine, starting with aromas of honeydew melon, ripe nectarine and lemongrass. There is a slightly peachy, bubblegum character once sipped, with lemon-lime soda in the midpalate and a flinty, gunmetal finish.
Despite being nine years old, this comes across young and jammy, with foxy aromas of wild berries and animal fur. The palate is blocky, heavily extracted and fully ripe in feel. Flavors of prune and blackberry finish with hard tannins. Drink or hold.
Round and velvet smooth, it has blackberry fruits that are full in the mouth, giving freshness while also making the wine rich and generous. The tannins are already well-integrated into this soft wine. Drink from 2015.
Crisp and deliciously fruity, this is lively and bright. Acidity points up the lime and grapefruit flavors, leaving a fresh, juicy aftertaste. Drink now for maximum pleasure.
The lightest wine in the winery's well-crafted lineup, this marries grapefruity acidity to tart cherry fruit. It's nicely balanced, airy and a pleasure to drink.
A red Meritage blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, the name honors Dry Creek Vineyard's love of seafaring. With a nod to the Old World, it's lean and savory in black tea and exotic herb. Juicy, brambly berry come to the fore on the finish, which is still grippy on the palate.
This wine has both fruitiness and delicious, bright acidity. A subtle use of wood creates a firm structure under the black currant fruit flavors, giving a solid base on which to develop. Drink from 2017.
Big and flashy, it has oodles of almost sweet oak and ripe fruit character. Full-bodied, rich in texture, with ripe raspberry and red cherry flavors, it offers firm tannins and a lingering, vanilla scented finish.
Intriguing floral aromas like rose petals and appetizing, fresh berry flavors are tempting in this medium-bodied and not-too-tannic wine. While still firm in texture, this will drink well soon, but will be best after 2018.
Most of this skin-fermented blend of 64% Semillon and 36% Sauvignon Blanc spent four months in new oak. The result is aromatically restrained, but full-bodied and a bit oily in texture. Hints of marmalade and white pepper appear on the palate, lingering through the long, dusty-with-tannins finish.
With aromas like wood smoke, cardamom and black pepper, this is a beefy, spicy wine. It is full bodied, quite oaky in flavor, and almost tastes like pepper steak in liquid form. Ripe and satisfying dark-fruit flavors kick in and linger on the finish.
Aromas of dried rose, menthol, espresso and mature berry lift out of the glass. The linear, tightly wound palate offers dried red cherry, cranberry and star anise alongside firm fine-grained tannins.
With the concentration that comes from old vines, this is a rich wine intense with black-fruit flavors. It offers layers of wood and spice, with tannins and a dense texture that mean it is only just ready to drink. Rich and dark, it will be better from 2017.
This is a sweet and perfumed wine, rich in red fruits and with a floral character. It shows some of the structure of the year while offering a ripe, smooth, caramel flavored character. The wine is ready to drink.
Balsamic notes, rose water, stewed prune, porcini and sweet oak-driven spices lead the nose. The accessible palate has immediate appeal, offering black cherry extract, cranberry, cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of espresso while close-grained tannins give the finish grip.
This offers aromas suggesting camphor, grilled herb, red berry and a whiff of exotic spice. The straightforward palate offers chocolate covered cherry, baking spice and espresso alongside firm tannins.
Strongly mineral in character, this is a crisp, tight wine that is still young, bright with acidity and citrus flavors. The touches of wood are just right and give an extra dimension to this fruity wine. Drink from 2017.
Deep violet and lavender flowers mesh with soy, beef char, uncrushed peppercorns, asphalt, mocha and black sesame on the nose of this bottling. The mouthfeel is medium weight and bursting with energetic acidity, offering flavors of pepper and bright boysenberry that would complement any barbecue or burger.
This is the entry-level wine from this Alvarinho specialist. A blend with Trajadura, it is crisp, light and bright. Tangy orange and lemon zest flavors give the wine its tight, lively acidity and refreshing aftertaste. Drink now.
The chalk soil of the appellation is reflected well in this tangy, mineral wine that shows hints of the wood aging in large barrels, which rounds out the crisp fruits and gives a pinch of spice. The wine is still young and will be better from 2017.
With the velvet texture typical of the appellation, this smooth wine offers a good balance between the red fruits and soft tannins. A smoky edge mingles with the berry-fruit acidity to give a wine ready to drink from 2018.
Half Z'Ivo and half Illahe vineyard fruit, this aromatic wine punches up its relatively light flavors of cranberry fruit with an array of side notes. Leather, cola, dust, chalk and brown spices come into play, as the finish tilts towards the rustic.
Whiffs of bramble and dried thyme on this semi-sweet Riesling suggest a decidedly savory wine, yet the palate surprises, brimming with sweet stone fruit, melon and red berries. It's a honeyed, almost candied wine, but zesty acidity keeps everything in check. Enjoy now through 2021.
This wine has dramatic, smoky aromas and ripe blueberry and toasted bread flavors. The texture is supple, making it hard to realize that this wine is as full bodied as it is.
Named after the current generation's grandmother, this wine comes from family vines. It is crisp with the strong mineral character typical of the vintage. The acidity and citrus fruits are up front and ready to drink now.
The exceptionally dry mineral flavors often found in designates from this AVA are here in abundance. In this instance, it seems to strip the fruit of any lushness, leaving tart cranberry backed with austere acidity. It's a good representation of the vineyard and the AVA, but needs to be carefully paired with an entrée. Try experimenting with something rich and creamy, like a peanut sauce.
The wine is dusty, dry with layers of fruit that are still developing. Blackberry fruitiness is embedded in the firm structure of this stylish wine. It has a delicious, juicy aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Zesty Gala apple and squeezed tangerine aromas come through on this wine's citrusy nose, though it also shows riper nectarine, honeysuckle and chalky depth. The mineral flair continues onto the palate, where mandarin orange flavors meet with apple in the midpalate, bound together by a grapefruit pith texture.
Rose, blue flower, wild berry and freshly chopped herb lead the nose along with a whiff of espresso. The firmly structured palate doles out tart cherry, crushed strawberry, white pepper and clove alongside a backbone of astringent tannins that generate a mouth-drying finish. A note of roasted coffee bean signals the close. Drink 2020–2028.
Inky garnet in the glass, this red blend offers aromas of cassis, raspberry and juniper berry. There is a nice mélange of fruit and herbal flavors, especially blackberry, black cherry, thyme and oregano with a hint of tobacco. Chewy tannins recede in tandem with a bright burst on the finish.
Deep violet to the eye, this blend of Syrah, Barbera and Petit Verdot has a nose of black cherry and cranberry with a touch of green pepper. It has a bit of a bite on entry, with flavors of tart cherry and raspberry joined by notes of caramel and espresso. It is smooth on the palate, with touches of cherry and freshly ground coffee on the finish.
Oak, toast, espresso and dill aromas come together on this. The firm palate offers raw red cherry, vanilla and mocha framed in assertive, fine-grained tannins. A hint of raisin closes the finish.
Balanced sweetness and pure fruity freshness personify this surprisingly elegant bargain buy. The palate bursts of fresh pear, grapefruit and tangerine flavors accented by a glaze of waxy lemon peels. Bristling acidity leads a long, revitalizing finish.
Whiffs of chalk and slate lend a mineral tone to aromas of honey and white peach on this unctuously sweet, yet nuanced Riesling. Ripe mango and yellow cherry flavors are densely concentrated on the palate, yet lifted by bursts of tangerine acidity. Finishes endlessly long with a lingering spray of blossoms.
Cool aromas of cola, roasted berry and leather are also lightly floral, with violet hints. The palate on this single-vineyard Mencía is vital but meaty, with dark, earthy, toasty black-fruit flavors. A chewy finish offers up robust pepper and chocolate notes to accent leftover berry flavors. Drink through 2019.
This medium-bodied Pinot Noir shows tasty varietal characteristics such as complex aromas of tea, plums and forest floor, almost-sweet cherry flavors, refreshing acidity, moderate tannins and a lingering finish. It earns its points with charm rather than weight.
There is a marvelous intensity from the first sniff to the last swallow of this excellent wine. Spicy and penetrating, it augments ripe strawberry and cherry fruit with details of herb and pepper. With power to spare, it remains an elegant, even pretty Pinot.
Now reaching its peak, this vintage of Ayala's top quality prestige cuvée is ripe, full-bodied and rounded. It has the hallmark dryness of the house although it has been softened by aging and given elegance and style. It's totally ready to drink.
The vineyard around the renaissance palace of Bacalhôa was first planted with Cabernet Sauvignon in the mid-20th century. The estate continue to produce an exemplary, memorable wine. This latest release is full of tense tannins, black currant fruit and acidity and a smooth texture from the wood aging. It is a wine for holding, so drink from 2017.
Dark, concentrated aromas are oaky and lemony, with a note of graphite showing through. This is forward, layered and hard-driving on the palate, with baked berry and mineral flavors leading the charge. Crisp acidity and flavors of licorice and black pepper grace the finish on this lusty red. Drink through 2019.
This dry sparkling wine is made from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Full of finesse, it delivers yellow apple and Bartlett pear aromas that carry over to the palate together with notes of almond biscuits and a note of vanilla. It's extremely elegant, with a refined mousse and lively acidity.
Italy's most iconic sparkler, this is made entirely from Chardonnay and aged on its lees for at least 10 years. Layers of flavors include yeasty sensations of baked bread, pastry cream, honey, vanilla, juicy pear and candied lemon peel. It has depth and complexity, with an ultrafine mousse that enhances the creamy texture. Drink through 2020.
There's something transformative about Foxen's winemaking. This smells of smoldering clove cigarettes, set against concentrated pomegranate and cranberry juice. The flavor follow an impressive arc, with Bing and sour cherry sliding into savory Italian herbs. It ends with a tongue-tickling wash of light yet coating tannins and bright acidity.
This offering comes from a two-acre parcel of Quail Hill Vineyard, the coolest pocket of the site. Earthy, herbal and savory, it's seamless in black cherry, clove and plum. A bite of acidity enlivens the palate before a finish of tannin and oak.
This concentrated wine offers aromas of tobacco leaf, stewed plum, grilled porcini mushroom and sage. The lush palate delivers blackberry extract layered with notes of chocolate and vanilla alongside velvety, embracing tannins.
Wildly expressive aromas include maple syrup-laced chamomile tea, root beer extract, wild raspberry and menthol. The palate continues the excellent array: red fruits with oregano, thyme, even basil, some sanguine flavors, some coffee. It would be a perfect companion to roasted pork or turkey, or anything that needs some extra spice.
Valmur is considered to produce a generous style of Grand Cru, and this wine lives up to that. It's warm and rounded while never losing touch with the crisper side of a great Chablis. The ripe white and yellow fruits are on the rich side, cut with citrus acidity and underlined by wood aging. Drink from 2018.
Wood and fruit balance in this rich and full wine. The yellow and citrus fruits give a good mix of ripeness and a fresher, more mineral character. The toast, just the right amount, gives the warmth and polish the wine needs. The result is a serious wine, still young, to be drunk from 2018.
Flavors of honey tangerines and quince preserves resonate deeply in this sweet-tangy Riesling full of fruit and blossom flavors. So sprightly and brisk, it dances delicately on the tongue, yet lingers long with a murmur of lime zest astringency.
Cranberry and clove swirl into a decadently spiced nose on this single-vineyard expression from veteran winemakers Dick Dore and Billy Wathen. The wine delivers more complexity on the palate, with touches of raspberry, allspice and cardamon.
Crisp and edgy, this is a ripe while crisp and cool wine. With bright acidity and tangy lemon zest, it's a still young and full of citrus fruits. The mineral, taut texture promises some good aging. Drink from 2017.
A rare look at this single vineyard reveals a savory and spice-driven character, powered by burnt orange and cranberry fruit that's lifted by cardamom, chopped Italian herbs and potpourri tea. It's rich with flavors of licorice, pepper, black tea and other very dark spices, arcing through black olive in the midpalate toward tart, tannic cranberry on the finish.
This intense Mencía is showing heavy doses of asphalt, raw oak, char, exotic wood and dark berry aromas. It's layered, rich and lively in the mouth, with heady, toasty flavors of smoked black fruits. A mix of toast, baking spices and licorice flavors shadow subtle but integral black-fruit notes. Best from 2015 through 2020.
Sugar cookies dusted with saffron and blossom notes perfume this dancing, delicate sweet Riesling. It's so subtle and brisk on the palate, but wispy lines of stone fruit, pollen and honey build dramatically through a long, lingering finish.
Made entirely with the Corvina grape, this brawny wine conveys aromas of blackberry, mocha and baking spices. The smooth, dense palate offers up blueberry extract, grilled herbs, chocolate, vanilla and licorice alongside velvety, enveloping tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Inevitably, coming from a Grand Cru vineyard, this wine is still very young. It has the beginnings of ripe black plum fruits that will develop well. For the moment, the tannins and structure show most strongly. Give this concentrated wine until 2019.
Incense, forest floor, raisin and mocha are just some of the aromas you'll find on this intense Amarone. The rich palate delivers plum, blueberry extract, espresso, chocolate-covered cherry and vanilla that are supported by firm, round tannins. It has good length and finishes on a note of bitter prune.
There are sanguine elements of blood and iron on the nose of this darkly colored Pinot Noir, but ripe cherries, cola and nutmeg as well. The slate-led, mineral-driven palate offers both acidity and tannic structure, with Bing cherry, ripe cranberries and a well executed vanilla-laced finish.
Framed beautifully with scents and flavors of toasted hazelnut (the property was orginally a walnut, hazelnut and plum orchard), this builds its substantial core around deep black cherry fruit. The density and length are impressive, and though delicious already, it will surely gain in complexity with further aging. Drink now through 2025.
Dry, schisty aromas of cherry and spice are reserved and elevated. This is a bright wine with juicy acidity and complexity. Flavors of baked berry fruits are minerally at the core, while the finish is smooth, mature and steady, with lasting purity. Drink through 2019.
Blueberry, savory plum and lemony oak are the key aromas on this firmly structured RDD. Flavors of blackened toast, blackberry, pepper and creamy oak finish pure, strong and long, with mint, licorice and chocolaty residual notes. Drink through 2022.
Sophisticated and complex, this terroir-specific wine artfully blends herbal components—green tea, chamomile and mint—with tart red fruit flavors of pomegranate, raspberry, and bramble. The blend is 43% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec.
This Bordeaux-style blend showcases the intensity of the vineyard's grapes, with aromatics suggesting bright berries and iron filings. It's still a tight, compact wine, sharply acidic, and will require further bottle age to really deliver on its potential. Try after 2018.
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.
Inky violet-red in color, this blend offers vivid aromas of cranberry, pomegranate and aniseed. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry pie, caramel and a dash of salinity endure through the lingering finish, against a backdrop of grippy tannins.
Made from Grecanico, fermented and aged in terra-cotta amphorae, this amber-colored wine delivers a great depth of flavors that include dried apricots, orange zest, cured meats, Mediterranean herbs, lemon drop and forest floor alongside energizing mineral. It would make a great vino da meditazione. Drink through 2021.
This rosé needs to age. It has a zesty, crisp and mineral texture that is tight and nervy. As it softens, more red fruits will come to the front, although the structure will remain, making this a serious rosé for drinking with food.
Pale salmon pink, this is a beautiful wine both to look at and to taste. It combines a light touch of red fruits with bright acidity and a rich texture. Fresh and pure fruited, it will age through 2015.
With robust aromas of cola, coffee, dry leaves and blackberry, this lusty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc outperforms its reasonable price tag. Despite being big and dark, the palate is juicy in feel. Flavors of cassis and black cherry are backed by chocolate and mocha, while the finish is deep and pure, with toasty notes and additional chocolate. Drink through 2018.
This wine reflects many of the refinements that have crept into New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over recent years. There's just a hint of sweatiness, not out-of-control thiols, and the texture is silky, giving a rich feel without requiring high alcohol levels. Gooseberries and pink grapefruit round to the flavor profile, ending on a clean, refreshing note.
Just the ninth reserve made in the winery's 23 vintages, this is densely aromatic, powerful Cabernet, just at the beginning of what should be a long life. It's tight and astringent, textural and balanced, with a cassis core, and a gravelly, grainy, espresso-flavored finish, still quite tannic.
Displaying exceptional single grape/single vineyard particularity, this tight and focused wine delivers pinpoint flavors of berries, berries and more berries. Light streaks of cola, earth and baking spices bring further complexity and interest. Drink now or cellar through 2024.
This is a ripe, sweet and immediately attractive dessert wine, with forward aromas and flavors of dried apricot, golden raisin, papaya, honeycomb and gingered orange. Hints of sweet spice and toasted nuts unfold on the long close. It's viscous and lush, but with ample acidity to lift the finish. Drink now–2018.
Though labeled Cabernet, it's a full-on, four-grape Bordeaux-style blend. It sports a classic Cabernet nose, dusty, smoky, with cherry tobacco, forest floor and a whiff of barnyard. The fruit remains tart and showing a fair amount of acidity; the tannins stiff and the mouthfeel tight but sensual. Give this one until 2017 to pull itself together.
Cool berry, graphite, cola and prune are the lead aromas on this ripe RDD. In the mouth, choppy tannins and firm acids create a strong, edgy feel. Flavors of cassis, wild berry, coconut and vanilla announce ripeness and plenty of oak. It finishes with abrupt tannins, tons of residual flavor and weight. Drink now through 2021.
As usual, the Wairau Reserve is Saint Clair's biggest, plushest, most opulent Sauvignon Blanc bottling. Bold and unabashedly tropical in nature, it screams passion fruit aloud, then settles down into a mouthwatering, slightly chalky finish of immodest length.
This is a rich, smooth, vanilla-flavored wine that is impressively ripe while keeping all its freshness. It has a sense of concentration, with ripe strawberry and red cherry fruits and enough structure to allow it to age. Drink from 2015.
Ripe dark-fruit aromas come with ample oak, spice and balsamic notes. It's lush and deep in the mouth, with a shot of lemony acidity for mooring. Blackberry, loamy berry, baking spice and toast flavors finish plump, round and with a cedary note. Drink through 2022.
A stunner of a rosé, this wine's pale pink hue does little to indicate its action-packed reality. Nectarine, wet stone, and bubble gum occupy the aroma profile, but the flavors are what set it off. Ruby red grapefruit, strawberry shortcake, and a slight lemon chiffon element hammer home this beauty by Sta. Rita Hills-based superstar producer Kris Curran, formerly of both Sea Smoke and Foley. This is versatile enough to handle both seared scallops and grilled babyback pork ribs.
Akin to a fresh basket of strawberries picked up at the farmer's market, this Grenache Rosé is intensely floral and fruity. A touch of blood orange peeks through, along with a flirty herbal streak and dry, soft textures. Light and bright, it offers a slight effervescence.
After an extra year's aging, this wine's richness is very apparent. It may have lost immediate freshness but it has gained in ripe fruits, in texture and in depth. It's a complex wine worth pairing with food.
The intriguing golden-pink color looks like sun shining through a rose petal, and the aromas of honey, buttered popcorn and pecan pie are just as appealing. Once sipped, the flavors of poached salmon somehow show. These continue into a long finish, although the acidity soon wipes the slate clean like a good rosé should. This is one of many wines made by ninth-generation Santa Maria Valleyite James Ontiveros.
At first, this black-colored Garnacha smells horsey and reduced, but with time it exudes more aromatic harmony and quality. A big tannic palate is rough like sandpaper. Blackberry, pepper and chocolate flavors don't rise to a level of excellence, while a heavy saturated finish closes out this muscular red.
Cool aromas of kola nut and woodsy black fruit suggest ripeness. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Petit Verdot is linear and jammy in feel, without much depth. Spicy blackberry and grapy flavors are up a notch from simple, while this finishes with toasty oak and spice notes.
Green and invigorating peppery tones accent this lemony Sauvignon Blanc. It's not a deeply complex penetrating wine but is vivaciously fresh through the finish.
Light aromas of mango, melon and lime are quiet but clean. This is a simple but fresh white with a crisp stony mouthfeel. Easygoing flavors of melon and apple finish with a note of lime as well as a hint of wheaty yeast.
Plump soft aromas of berry fruits, raisin and prune hint at ripeness. This feels dense and chewy, with integrated tannins. Saucy savory berry and plum flavors suggest tomato sauce, while this tastes lightly oaky and minty on the finish.
Jammy raisiny berry aromas are soft and a bit flabby. In the mouth, this is dense, jammy and fleshy. Roasted plum and berry flavors carry a salted note, while this holds steady on the finish.
All Chardonnay, this wine brings aromas of the underside of a pineapple along with apple and tropical-fruit notes. The flavors show the warmth of the vintage and bring a bit more sweetness than often seen on a brut.
Tart cherry flavor meets firm tannins and chalky texture in this robust, ripe and brawny red. Full bodied and richly concentrated, it holds its ripeness in check.
A somewhat flat baked jammy nose offers up a helping dose of oak spice. This feels chunky but largely healthy, while oaky minty flavors of berry fruits and plum show a tomato-like quality on a blocky finish.
This producer, based in the Tarn valley east of Cahors, has created a rounded, ripe and fruity wine. With some young tannins still in evidence, it is all about berry fruits and balanced acidity. The structure will soften over the next few months, so drink this attractively fruity wine from late 2017.
The name of the wine comes from the red rocks that make up the vineyard. It is fruity with ripe red-plum fruit and a generous tannic structure. With its youthful vigor, the wine is likely to develop further, although it is bright and fruity now.
Gritty tomatoey aromas suggest rustic but underripe fruit. On the palate, this delivers a mix of freshness combined with a medium-full body. A mix of herbal berries and wood-based spice notes finish grabby and warm.
This bottling from neutral barrels is reserved on the nose, showing dust, light red fruit and earth aromas. The flavors are equally light, evoking red mulberry fruit and turned earth. Clean and quaffable, but not very exciting.
Made from 100% Nero d'Avola, this offers ripe red berry and Mediterranean herb aromas. It's straightforward, with red cherry, raspberry and baking spice flavors, framed by smooth tannins. Drink soon.
Wiry, slightly grassy aromas of raspberry and plum come with a touch of oaky vanilla. This Malbec feels downright hard and choppy due to tough gritty tannins. Plum and berry flavors come in blips rather than a harmonious whole, and this tastes of lactic oak and rubber on the finish.
The plum, herb and spice aromas are followed by ever so slightly dried-out-seeming cherry flavors. There's enjoyment to be had, but it seems slightly more evolved than its age indicates.
A big and rich wine, packed with fine blackberry and red plum fruits, with bitter chocolate and toast flavors. The wine is full-bodied, fruity and also stylishly elegant. Worth aging for 2–3 years.
Black cherry and cola flavors are entwined, with a hint of earth. Assertive and flavorful, though still wrapped up tightly, this shows a darker side of coffee and licorice, all nicely balanced with the fruit.
No modesty here in the “extraordinary” tag. It is a crisp and quite weighty wine, its acidity to the fore along with red berry fruits. It has good concentration and final richness while remaining fresh.
A surprise from the Assyrtiko-dominant island of Santorini, this delicious red is made from an endangered island variety. Rich aromas of cherry, violet and clove are followed by a balanced array of juicy red and black berry and complex warming spice flavors. The tannins are firm but the wine is smooth in the mouth. Pair with meat and rich cheeses. A find.
A bright and lifted three-grape blend with red berry, bright plum and mild oak aromas. The feel is firm but round, with raspberry, plum, pepper and other dry spice flavors. Finishes smooth and uncomplicated, with lingering vanilla flavors. A complete wine made from Malbec, Cabernet and Merlot.
Light (for Sineann) and almost delicate, but expressive and delightful, with lovely fruit displaying highlights of peach, cherry and hard candy. Broadly appealing, with a lick of light chocolate in the finish.
Bright black berry and purple floral notes immediately waft from the glass, followed shortly after by glimmers of sweet smoke, tea leaf and soft leather. Fruit-forward and balanced, the round mouth is framed by medium-fine tannins and lifting acidity. A hint of milk chocolate sexes up the close.
This needs oxygen to open up past its slightly reductive nose; then it blossoms into a full-bodied, flavorful wine with a broad array of mixed black fruits. Hints of leaf and herb are nicely styled and not intrusive.
This is at the sweetest edge of off dry (alcohol at 9%, residual sugar 5.1%) and it is loaded with citrus fruit—especially ripe orange—that keeps it lively and refreshing. A well-made, full-bodied Riesling that lingers gracefully through the finish, with a streak of lemon tea.
Yellow tinted, with toasty, creamy aromas of baked apple and pear. Feels round and fleshy but fresh, with peach and baked apple flavors blended with copious toasty oak. Toasty and long on the finish; a high-quality Chardonnay for sure.
Hugely concentrated wine, full of new toasty wood flavors, its structure packed with tannins. That said, there is also a weight of black currant fruit, richly jammy, adding to the sense of power.
From red slate vineyards in Erden and Ürzig, this is a medium-bodied dry Riesling that delivers bold pineapple, apple and citrus notes accented by hints of dry spices. The zesty acids impart a tongue-tingling quality to the long finish. Drink now–2013.
With a couple of extra years already behind it, this Oregon Riesling is drinking well, but should be consumed now. It has the body of a Chardonnay, rich and round, with mixed stone fruits and a hint of bitter citrus rind. Quite dry and already mature.
Ripe, rich and overall yummy, this Syrah offers bright notes of red plum and cherry laced with a touch of gaminess and soft foliage. The medium-weight mouthfeel boasts fine tannins and prominent acidity that provides a nice lift to the long, spicy finish.
A wild animal character and soft gaminess infuses the nose of this classic South African Pinot, but the red cherry and plum flavors still take center stage on this delicate wine. Hints of forest bark and soft menthol grace the finish, while the soft tannins and balanced acidity carry long into the close.
A stern and tannic wine, with its acidity to the fore. With the weight of fruit and the firm structure, this is a wine that needs to age. The final juicy character gives great promise for the future.
This limited production blend of Arinto and Baga is tight, taut and creamy. Initial intense acidity is balanced by citrus fruits and a lively, bright mousse. The wine has an impressive depth of flavor, richly endowed with fruit, yeastiness and the ability to age further. Drink now, but better from 2018.
Brooding aromas of fresh herb, flowers, plum and piercingly pure red fruit lead to an elegant pillowy palate. It shows an impeccable sense of balance along with a lingering finish.
From vines planted in 1959 on old rootstock, this is an intensely concentrated wine, dense and meaty, with flavors of bouillon, cedar, leather and clove. Lengthy and complex, it offers structure and balance within ripe black fruit seasoned by peppercorn.
Boysenberry, cassis, woodsy spice and leathery aromas hit the right chords. This feels tight and juicy due to bright core acidity. A combination of spicy plum and red-berry aromas are intense and turn feral upon airing, while this limestone soil-based Syrah tastes of coffee, pepper, plum and various spices on a powerful finish. Drink through 2021.
Sourced from a hillside block of the vineyard, Floodgate is about juicy, velvety texture with a side of grip, offering a fully decadent mouthfeel and sense of luxury. Floral on the nose, its flavors are nuanced, a touch of strawberry and cherry dotted in cola spice.
From a 1,000-foot-elevation site, this wine traffics in juicy red cherry, plum and blackberry, its body robust and full-bodied. Red licorice adds to the power and brightness of acidity, the wine finding its balance between concentration and peppery spice.
Light and vibrantly high in integrated acidity, this wine is complex and savory, but white pepper is a constant. Along the nuanced layers are an earthy patch of wild strawberry and cardamom that persists elegantly on the palate.
Fully oaked plum and berry aromas are dense and inviting. This feels flush and full, with scratchy tannins. The flavor profile offers plenty of oak and related chocolate to go with blackberry and plum notes. Oak remains in the lead on the finish, which is stacked with blackberry, dark plum and wild-berry flavors. Drink through 2025.
There is lots of garrigue and purple flower elements to the nose of this bottling, with hints of vanilla and cola against the dark red fruit base. The thyme, sage and marjoram touches come through on the sip as well, decorating the sweeter red cherry fruit.
Enticing scents of Spanish broom, citrus blossom, aromatic herb, baked bread and mature orchard fruit emerge on this elegantly structured white. The rounded savory palate shows a nice depth of flavors, including ripe yellow apple, peach, toasted almond and lemon drop. A flinty mineral vein wraps around the lingering finish while bright acidity provides balance.
This bottling, which is bolstered by 9% Malbec, 3% Merlot and 2% Carmenère, shows rounded black currant, blueberry, smoked beef and graphite on the nose. Soft tannins make for an elegant presentation, with heavy black-fruit flavors of crème de cassis and dark chocolate.
Aromas of espresso, spiced plum and whiffs of oak-driven spice take center stage on this structured red. The firm elegant palate doles out black cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon and licorice set against assertive fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2028.
Elegance and finesse are the touchstones here, with the scaffolding to age for decades. Tight and precise, it shows pomegranate and red-berry fruit, stiff and potent tannins, and plenty of supporting acidity. Drink 2020 to 2030 and beyond.
This barrel selection shows its wood-aged flavors strongly in a spicy toasty character. It does need time to bring out the ripe red fruits that are rich as well as crisp. Drink this serious wine with its firm tannins still intact from 2018.
Examples of this variety are rare in the state and this is one of the finest to date. High-toned aromas of smoke, raspberry and herb lead to piercingly pure cranberry and raspberry flavors. It shows texture, elegance and purity, with some warmth being the only thing that holds it back from going higher.
Dark chocolate and black cherry converge for an elegant and dense nose in this wine from the Riboli family. The palate offers an intriguing range of flavors, from blackberry to cocoa dust and black pepper. The chalky tannins still need some time to open up, but will ensure a long life.
This wine is a blend of Two Blondes Cabernet Franc (50%), Benches Merlot (34%) and Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon. Appealing scents of green herb, dark cherry and barrel spice are followed by plentiful cranberry and cherry flavors. It shows an exquisite sense of balance along with a lengthy finish.
This silky-textured, medium-bodied wine starts off with aromas of toasted marshmallow and ripe citrus. The flavors show more range, covering hints of melon, white peach, lime, pineapple and roasted cashew, before finishing long and crisp.
From the producer's Mount George Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this has 12% Petit Verdot within, the vineyard first planted in 1868 in these volcanic mountain soils. Juicy, dusty red currant and cedar are girded by firm tannins that present as chalky and lengthy, the soil a consistent echo on the palate.
A crazy-good combo of lavender, espresso and baking spice flavors make this full-bodied wine fascinating to taste. It's deeply colored, aromatic and tannic, but not heavy. The wine has a vivid stamp of spicy oak, with enough lavish blackberry and black cherry behind it for balance.
Tight-grained tannin plays a supporting role to this wine's undeniable earthiness, a mix of compost and wild mushroom. Subtle on the nose, the savory character gives way eventually to a density and concentration of brighter flavors, from cherry and citrus to spiky pine.
A nice discovery at a great price. This is a spicy, bold and concentrated wine with exciting oak accents that are like earth, pepper and cardamom resting on a firm palate of rich berries, grilled meat and black pepper flavors. The fine-grained tannins add good grip to the mouthfeel.
Exotic hints of dill and clove open on the nose in this elegantly robust wine, which finds a balance in its brightness of red cherry and red currant. Generous tannin takes on a leathery feel on the palate, finding a softness that lingers on the finish.
Light in color and stemmy and spicy in equal parts, this light, bright wine is complex and intriguing in its offering of white pepper, baker's yeast and cranberry coated in vanilla. It delivers flavor and nuance in a pleasing showcase of the variety.
Hearty and thick aromas of raspberry, mulberry and sugar plums meet with a touch of bay leaf on the nose of this bottling from a famous vineyard. Woody and dark red fruits show on the sip, with juniper and sour cherry flavors most prominent.
Baked blackberries, nutmeg and star anise aromas make for a dense and full but not overly powerful or rich nose on this bottling. It's fairly thick and soft in body, but with some textural grip, showing flavors of black plum skins, graphite and sandalwood, before finishing on a eucalyptus kick.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), with the balance smidgens of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The aromas bring notes of barrel spice, vanilla, herb, cherry and red and black fruit. The flavors are full and bold, with burly but not unyielding tannins giving support. Put it up against a juicy steak or give it some time in the cellar.
Young and fresh, this Chenin shows the stuffing to hold for another couple of years thanks to firm, tight acidity and a solid fruit core of pear, melon, guava and lime rind. The mouthfeel is round, but the palate isn't heavy. An attractive hint of sweet spice unfolds on the finish.
This interesting Cabernet combines brambly berry fruit with a streak of maple syrup. Aged 22 months in a mix of French and American oak (roughly half new), it has picked up a hint of pickle spice along the way. Flavors are nicely integrated and work well together on the lasting finish.
Among all the latest 2009 releases from Andrew Will, the Ciel du Cheval is the most shuttered and in need of further bottle age. Tight and tannic, it is unusually herbal for this hot climate site. Even after many hours of breathing time, it remains stubbornly closed. Given the vineyard history and winery credentials, it seems highly likely to improve significantly with more time.
This is full bodied and aromatic, with ripe red fruits layered with spice and pepper. With its weight, this is a food-friendly wine— great for barbecued fish.
This attractively priced Gigondas is a solid example, boasting traditional notes of leather and spiced meat. It's supple and slightly warm, with modest cherry fruit coated with a dusting of dry red earth. Clove and metallic notes on the finish suggest early consumption is the prudent option.
Smoky, dark and robust, with blackberry and black coffee on the bouquet. It's full, textured, resiny and tannic on the palate, with blocky blackberry, leather and a pinch of saltiness. Dry, dense and oaky late, this is powerful overall.
Strawberry and herbal aromas find their way to a tight, structured palate that's home to medicinal fruit flavors, accented by toast and bitter chocolate. Dark and medium-long on the finish, with freshness, depth and good complexity. Drink now.
This wine's dark root beer and cola notes surround a core of plummy fruit. There's ample body and richness, supported by soft tannins and crisp acids, but the overall sense is one of immediate approachability.
Light and bright, this has pear and apple flavors. The acidity cuts through to balance the fruitiness, with a lively lemon-peel note and an edge of minerality.
Our first taste of the 2011 Chards from the Finger Lakes, Knapp's Barrel Reserve is wonderfully crisp and refreshing with an abundance of fresh pear and lemon flavor. Subtly oaked with just a hint of vanilla and cream that lingers on the palate. Drink now.
A brisk and lifted Chenin that should pair well with summer salads, grilled flake fish or chicken. Peony and orange blossom notes grace the background of the bouquet, while white peach, lemon and yellow apple flesh flavors fill the medium-weight palate. Balanced and refreshing; enjoy now.
Supple and inviting, this mellow take on Cabernet Franc has soft cherry-pie flavors, a dash of pepper, and a smooth, chocolaty finish, with a pleasant, toasty, caramel aftertaste.
Michael David makes bombastically huge wines, but here they've mastered the style, making a black-as-night Syrah true to it's roots, with flavors of dark red fruit, bacon and toast, with a wall of vanilla and oak. It's juicy, jammy and surprisingly well integrated, a wine that's ready to drink now, preferably with a sizzling tri-tip.
For a wine that's been made with a soft touch but still has some weight and finesse, this is a great value. It opens with aromas of ripe peach fuzz and crisp apple, a nice intermingling of flavors. Lemon and grapefruit rind flavors shine on the finish.
An attractive, crisp wine that boasts all the right citrus and green herb flavors along with a hint of pepper. Bright and ready to drink. Screwcap
From the first whiff—laden with tangy notes of herb, leaf and spicy cranberry fruit—this announces itself as classic Oregon Pinot Noir. At 14+% it's ripe enough to build a core of sweet cherry fruit; but it is not shy about expressing the herbal side of the grape, and does so to good effect. It's a vivacious, expressive wine that offers a rich range of flavors, well beyond the basic fruit and barrel approach of too many wineries.
Barrel-fermented Roussanne isn't what you'd expect from Provence, but this is an excellent wine, offering subtle smoke and toasted hazelnut aromas to go with white peach fruit. It boasts honeyed richness, plenty of weight and a long, cinnamon-infused finish.
A lively, fresh wine, whose wood aging has just enhanced the delicious fruit flavors of mango and pineapple. The acidity bounces up and down, vibrant and crisp. Considering its origin in one of the hottest regions of the Douro, this is impressive.
Smelling of pure Syrah, annotated with rock and white pepper, this is graceful, muscular and compact. The wild blueberry fruit is not too sweet and has a clean, resonant finish. It still needs time to knit together and bring the barrel flavors into focus.
This is the highlight of an excellent lineup from Stemilt Creek. It brings the same smooth, round fruit forward flavors as the other wines, but adds in more details with citrus, olive and green tea flavors streaking through. The finish gets downright sexy, with a strong wash of chocolate and caramel. It's made for immediate enjoyment rather than cellaring.
This is reminiscent of the best Glen Fiona Syrahs from the Rusty Figgins era. It's 100% varietal from the Lonesome Springs Vineyard, quite dark and spicy with sweet berry fruit. Consistent stylistically with the other releases from Michael Florentino Cellars, this adds interesting details of white pepper and baking spices. Forward, fleshy, appealing, delicious and well-made.
Tightly coiled, the firm tannins hold down the exuberant berry fruits and fresh acidity. It is certainly young, but the elegance is already here, as well as the herb and spice seasoning from wood. The dry aftertaste reinforces the need for aging, at least 4–5 years.
For unknown reasons, Chuck Reininger holds back his Merlots; but Reininger makes real Merlot—96% pure—and it works. It's silky and smooth, chocolaty and showing pleasing nuances of herb and grass. The fruit is light, pretty and perfectly ripe, tasting of strawberry, cherry and pomegranate.
A blend of 60% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, 18% Syrah and splashes of Malbec, Zinfandel and Tempranillo, this spicy and toasty red wine shows the care that went into the original barrels, which were never intended for this inexpensive tasting room red. The fruit is juicy and bursting with bright sweet berry flavors, and the generous oak adds cinnamon and butterscotch.
The Shea vineyard is still recovering from extensive post-phylloxera replanting, and many of the wines produced from its fruit seem much lighter than in the past. Here, however it compensates, at least partially, with a graceful, elegant composition. The mix of red fruits, mineral and light spring herbs is perfectly set against polished tannins. I would expect this wine to add texture and complexity over the next decade or more.
Floral and fresh, but there's more to it than just a simple quaff. Watermelon and berry flavors are carried by a plump, medium-bodied palate, slightly oily texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.
The domaine bottling of Saint-André de Figuière really ratchets up the quality over its négociant wines, adding much more weight and concentration. This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 25% Cinsault blends black cherry and citrus flavors into a richly textured, spicy rosé.
It's expensive, but there's no denying the high quality of this wine. Almost smoky, mineral-like complexity emerges on the nose, followed by hints of cherry fruit underscored by dramatic freshness on the lengthy finish.
For a first effort from Casablanca, Viu Manent has hit a home run. This wine is a classic New World Chard, meaning it's liberally oaked, vibrant, ripe and full of tropical fruit. But along with the obvious there are also notes of cinnamon, mineral, exotic apple and butterscotch. Imported by Baystate Wine Co.
Boudreaux has made a lively and well-modulated Chardonnay in 2006. Bright, snappy fruit flavors mix apple, pear and white peach. Acids are fresh and clean, and the wine has verve and lift right on through a lightly toasty finish, hinting at butterscotch.
Impressively rich and dense, with dark plum and sweet fruits signalling opulence. The wine has power and intensity although it never loses the acidity of the vintage.
Black cherry juice vies with a dense structure in this powerful wine. It has layers of tannins and sweetness. This is a firm, solid wine packed inside velvet. Age for 10 years and more.
A warm, rich wine, with cream and butter flavors lying over the more textured acidity. The wood is just noticeable, adding its smoky character to the yellow fruits and citrus.
This wonderful, mineral wine boasts the ripe apricot and peach fruits of the year combined with a taut texture, well-integrated wood and a great waft of citrus to close.
A new offering from Ardenvoir, this Chardonnay is as Burgundian as any in Washington. Fine, tart and racy fruit is married to top-notch French oak. The meld of vivid apple and citrus flavors to mineral-soaked acidity and a frame of toasted coconut is marvelously seductive. Ageworthy but already delicious.
This barrel-fermented Sémillon deftly mixes smoky toast with rich and deep fruit flavors of melon and grapefruit. Exceptionally concentrated and full-bodied, it carries forward into this new vintage the well-established style of Ardenvoir's unique take on Washington Sémillon.
Showing austerity via its tannins, this is a severe wine despite its red berry fruit. It has layers of wood and a dry core. Age for six years or more.
John Chiarito is making Italian varieties like Nero d'Avola and Negro Amaro––as well as estate-grown Petite Sirah and Zinfandel––on the outskirts of Ukiah, from his basement winery. There he combines an Old-World sensibility with New World techniques. He's nailing it here with a rustic, tannic but intensely delicious Zin full of berry aromas and a spicy finish. Big and hearty, this wine has soul.
From a single vineyard, this wine has structure and dense tannins. It is still young and the lean stalky character needs time to open up. Look for the black currant fruit to become richer over the next year and drink from 2017.
This Rhône-leaning kitchen-sink blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Nebbiolo, Zinfandel, Touriga Nacional and Merlot shows red currant, blackberry and vanilla on the nose. The light-bodied palate combines blackberry with dirt and rock flavors, with slight tannins.
Like many 2013 RDDs, this offers minimal cherry and plum aromas prior to a raw, tannic palate. Limited berry and plum flavors are piquant and short, while the finish is choppy. This shares a lot in common with cherry Kool-Aid.
An aroma like waffles and maple syrup and bright fruit flavors that are almost sweet give this wine a big personality. Full bodied and moderately tannic, it should make a nice pairing with rich pastas and lamb chops.
Tart, acidic hard-candy fruit flavors come through, along with hints of sweet spices. But the wine quickly hits a wall, stopping abruptly in a short, tight finish with austere tannins.
Fresh peach and pear mark the nose and palate. The intensity is bright yet fleeting on the midpalate. Overall this is quite enjoyable, with balanced acidity, making it a quite enjoyable every-day white.
A popular Portuguese brand, this is a ripe, fruity wine that's made to be drunk young. It has fresh berry fruits and some firm tannins to support the otherwise easygoing acidity and fruitiness. Aging in large barrels has given the wine an open, ripe aftertaste. Drink from late 2016.
Earthy and soft, this structured, medium-bodied wine is elusive in fruit, playing its hand with shy suggestions of cranberry and raspberry underneath integrated tannins and subtle oak.
Full bodied, quite flavorful and generous in texture, this wine will be a crowd pleaser. It smells like toast, vanilla and maple, tastes juicy and plummy, and has a lingering, almost sweet finish.
Hay, papaya and tomato vine aromas lift out of the glass. On the thin palate, you can find notes of grapefruit, mineral and a hint orange peel alongside bracing acidity.
Bright and refreshing, this easygoing white offers delicate aromas and flavors of white spring flower, Granny Smith apple and citrus. Racy acidity gives it a crisp finish.
This has an aroma like charred wood, and meaty, smoky, steak-sauce flavors. It's not a style for everyone, but it does have a full body, bold flavors and the unique packaging and hands-off winemaking style of the Lodi Native wines.
Medium-intense aromas of brambly berry, cherry and plum are coupled with seductive notes of milk chocolate and licorice root. The palate is clean and direct, with straightforward black-fruit flavors that are framed by moderate tannins and juicy acidity, finishing fresh and fruity. Drink now.
Plummy aromas, peachy flavors and a bright mouthfeel lend a lot of appeal to this medium-bodied wine. It tastes smooth and rounded in texture, ripe and somewhat rich but not overdone.
Having seen 20 months in French oak, the aromas of this wine are dominated by cola and rooibos tones. The light- to medium-bodied palate shows more fruit tones, with juicy red cherry and black currant taking on an almost candied flavor. Sandy tannins and a line of acidity give enough support to keep this Pinot in check.
On the borderline of exuding overripe fruit aromas and flavors, this wine reins it in to reveal juicy blackberry and raspberry around firm, sizable tannins.
This is a soft fruity wine with stalky blackberry fruits. Like many wines from the Tejo region it has a light structure that is built around easygoing fruitiness. Drink now.
Lightly perfumed tropical-fruit aromas are dusty and a touch soapy. This feels round, oily and cidery, while flavors of orange, nectarine and apricot finish with good weight, texture and length.
Forward, fruity swathes of peach and apple verge on overrripe in this off-dry, slightly fleshy Riesling. Vibrant lemon acidity balances the palate out neatly on the finish. Drink now.
This is a ripe wine with its juicy black fruits and generous tannins. It has a mature character that's emphasized by the wood aging and rich fruitiness. There's a touch of pepper at the end from the alcohol which is a shame. Drink now.
The nose of this dry-style Dornfelder wafts of fresh green herbs and violets, but the palate is plump, almost ruddy, bursting with cherry and berry flavors. Plush acidity is augmented by a fringe of fine tannins, but overall it's an easy, everyday red for youthful consumption.
Austere and slightly bittersweet at the start, this wine evolves into flavors of lemon and lime around large wrappings of oak that give it a woody taste. The finish is lean and brief.
Initial volatile notes blow off to reveal ripe red cherry, sweet sawdust, vanilla and cola notes. With 32 months in French oak, toasty flavors pervade on the light-bodied palate, while underneath all that, luscious cherry transitions to spicy raspberry.
Aromas of apple, citrus, hay and a whiff of medicinal herb carry over to rather lean palate along with a note of bitter almond. Racy acidity gives it a brisk finish.
A weight of oak and tannin marks this full-blown, bombastic expression of the variety. It has a reduced quality to the fruit and an unexpected twist of mint.
Fresh, fruity and crisp, this is an attractive, refreshing wood aged wine. It has citrus and crisp apple and riper apricot flavors, bright with acidity and needing a few more months to age. Drink from late 2016.
This light-colored Godello smells mostly of oak and lees. The palate is dilute in feel, with yeasty flavors of banana and vanilla along with pithy bitterness and resiny oak. An overt candied sweetness takes over on the finish.
Sourced from select barrels drawn from five estate vineyards, the reserve spent 10 months in oak. It is only made in exceptional years, and 2012 was certainly among the best in memory. Berry, cherry and toast components are here in full measure, with a sumptuous mocha-infused finish. Still young, this wine will show best with aeration, or tuck it away for some extra bottle age.
Deep, dense and penetrating on the nose with the power of graphite, blackberry and mocha aromas, La Nieta is a wide-awake, bright wine that's chomping at the bit to get out of the bottle and run. Coffee, mocha and blackberry aromas are oaky for sure, with toast, vanilla and creamy notes driving a long finish. Drink through 2026.
Velvety in texture, this is a concentrated yet finely wrought expression of modern-style Châteauneuf-du-Pape, matured in oak. Cherry and leather notes slide toward chocolate and espresso on the long, richly textured finish. Drink now–2025.
Elegant yet ripe on the nose, this gets going in fine form via spicy, exotic, oaky aromas on top of primary berry tones. Powerful and oaky on the palate, with a creamy vanilla flavor, this brings on the blackberry, mocha, cocoa and toast as it works its way to a clean, long finish. One can drink this now, but the optimum window will be 2018–2021.
Jammy and mineral-smelling at the same time, this Malbec exhibits an ideal set of plum and berry aromas. The palate is full but juicy, fresh and alert. Raspberry, currant, toast and spice flavors finish elegant and long, with no break-up in the wine's totality. Drink through 2022.
This sumptuous Cabernet speaks volumes to the power of good winemaking in a challenging vintage. The wine is juicy, rich and layered in crisp red fruit and dusty spice. It's built to age through 2020, but you could decant it now and enjoy.
Tight at first, this elegant Pinot from cooler climes is velvety on the palate, with a back note of juicy blueberry fruit that maintains an edge of acidity and tension. Earthy black tea wraps the fruit in a savory core of intrigue and desire.
This mashup of 62% Syrah, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Tempranillo, 7% Grenache, 5% Zinfandel and 2% Malbec delivers aromas of black cherry and Chinese five spice as well as mint and black earth. The palate picks up blackberry-laced iced tea with sprigs of mint and pinches of cardamom, alongside spicy gingerbread cake.
The excellent Maresh vineyard is the source of these grapes. Lovely aromas of leaf and cherry open into a wine generous with pretty flavors of black raspberry and cherry. The tannins are still a little stiff, with black tea, green tobacco, and a definite dryness. Give this extra breathing time and it reveals some additional complexity.
Structured yet elegant, this blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and a drop of Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a medley of sensations including crushed blue flower, black cherry, blackberry, ground white pepper, savory herb, graphite and cinnamon-spice. It's impeccably balanced with fresh acidity and firm but refined tannins. Drink through 2020.
This is a delightfully floral and lemony-crisp wine, with a touch of crème brûlée balanced between layers of citrus. Despite the rich accent, it's light-bodied and easy to like, offering subtle complexity and a sultry, spicy finish.
This family-run vineyard and winery continues to excite, delivering delicious, broadly appealing aromas of caramelized yellow pears with a cinnamon-butter glaze, honey-laced pineapple and lemon soda. The creamy mouthfeel carries flavors of yellow cake, lemon custard and warm peach, yet candied grapefruit peel carves a sharp line down the middle.
Tannic on the entry, this wine evolves softly into balanced overtones of leather and cherry, representing the more restrained and elegant side of Syrah that's possible in cooler pockets of the Russian River Valley when the grapes are put in good hands. A peppery bite to the finish adds intrigue.
Voluptuous in wild strawberry, cranberry and tart cherry, Quintus is light and suggestively chalky, balanced in velvety tannins and a backbone of structure. Dancing in the background is a taste of black tea and dark, fragrant earth.
Dark golden, this resplendent Chardonnay offers all one would expect from the Russian River Valley's Middle Reach, a relatively warmer pocket of a still-plenty-cool region. Creamy and yet retaining plenty of acidity, it offers brightness and depth simultaneously, making for a memorable wine.
This lovely, evocative wine celebrates the finesse that characterizes the finest Pinot Noirs. Delicate nuances of bramble, cinnamon, tar and nougat wrap around and weave through a core of black cherry fruit. Ample acidity ensures much life ahead, through at least 2025.
Scents of buttered popcorn and oiled nuts ride over a rich midpalate with ripe kiwi, melon and apple fruits. The barrel fermentation brings a wealth of toast and butter flavors, and the length of the finish is superb.
Rich blackberry and graphite aromas are ripe and heavy but magnetic. The palate on this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell is extracted and mega ripe. Baked black fruit, chocolate and fig comprise the flavor profile on this rich red that tips the scales as a heavyweight. Drink through 2018.
This is a full-bodied, amply tannic red with an incredibly long, silky finish. It's also rather animale in style, boasting intense leather and beef jerky aromas and flavors that are smoky and meaty, while hints of liniment and horse tack grow stronger toward the finish. One to try—if possible—before committing to a purchase.
The nose is all wildflower bouquets and honey on this lavishly ripe, full-bodied Riesling. It's dry in style, yet buoyantly fruity, bursting with flavors of honey tangerine and quince preserves. Finishes long with a lingering mineral slick.
Made with 16% Merlot to soften it, this is an unctuous, fully satisfying wine, restrained and complex, grown on the family's Chiles Valley estate. It opens with ripe red berry and currant as well as a suggestion of vanilla, the oak providing structure and texture. Enjoy through 2025.
This Ponzi-owned vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA (but not listed as such). It's bright and tense, with coiled energy and flavors that do need some hours to breathe open. Poached pear, lemon curd and caramel apple are in the mix. At first a little hot in the finish, it smoothes out and turns into a buttery gem.
Vivid with acidity yet deep and rich in body, this dry, voluptuous wine brings out the best of a difficult vintage for Germany. It's fresh on the palate with bright apple and pear flavors, touched with nuances of bramble, spice, pollen and caramel that add complexity to the long finish.
From 35-year-old dry farmed wines (the oldest in Corralitos) and 30% whole cluster/wild yeast fermentation comes aromas of pine pitch and blackberry jelly. The flavors are driven by sagebrush against a backdrop of deep purple fruit, with distinctive notes of juniper and eucalyptus powering the flavors from front to back.
Expertly balanced between crisp acidity and concentrated, creamy textures, this is fresh in orange blossom and just-picked Gravenstein apple, a wisp of orange peel and other citrus bringing the wine to life. This Chardonnay has enough stuffing to age but is immensely enjoyable now.
Intoxicatingly elegant aromas of cinnamon and baking spices laced with sugared plums and ripe cherries greet the nose on this heavy-duty take on the grape. The palate's first impression is of grippy tannins, with flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, espresso, leather and sandalwood running into a long finish. It is a tad boozy.
This ripe, attractive wine leads with notes of red and black cherries, dried sage, crushed violets and pipe smoke on the fragrant, herbal nose. Once sipped, it's light and lofty for such a dense-smelling wine, with well-spiced cherry flavors and easy-to-enjoy tannins on the palate.
Ripe black cherries get aromatic lift from sagebrush and thyme on this wine that Doug Margerum makes from the fruit of his friend, Reo Reiswig. There is an immediate zing of acidity, with red and purple fruit flavors that bounce between raspberry and blueberry while also picking up mocha, herbs and leather along the way. A very dynamic wine.
Winemaker Norm Yost racks up bundles of sagebrush, wild mint and all manner of fresh-cut chaparral on the nose of this stellar bottling, which comes from a vineyard on one of California's longest-held ranchos. The herbally driven palate mixes black and green olives with fresh raspberry juice and black pepper.
Strong, earthy and herbal, this dances in wild strawberry and dark cherry that's concentrated in texturally pleasing layers leading up to a potent, spicy finish.
A solid, structured wine, showing the fine tannins of the vintage along with ripe berry fruits. It has weight, acidity, without pushing the alcohol forward, remaining in balance. Age this wine for 3–4 years.
Boysenberry and blueberry aromas mixed with oak scents amount to an inviting, solid bouquet. In the mouth, this is healthy, full-bodied and showing plenty of kick. Flavors of berry fruits, plum and roasted notes end with jammy berry flavors and a good texture. Drink now–2015.
Intense lemon and lime-skin aromas add sheen to ripe, juicy citrus, peach and honey flavors in this off-dry Riesling. Racy and crisp on the palate, it finishes vibrant and dry with lingering crushed-slate minerality. A fantastic bargain for such a solid wine.
A jammy, grapey bouquet offers blueberry and spice aromas but not much complexity or nuance. The palate is lively, with acidic cut and leathery, herbal flavors of raspberry, plum and pepper. This is bouncy feeling and tastes earthy and chocolaty on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
Made from all six Bordeaux varieties, this estate grown blend only hits a few notes but hits them persistently and deliciously with milk chocolate, dried cherry, and herbs. It's soft and silky and lingers on the finish.
With tropical fruit richness, this is a full and rounded Sauvignon Blanc. It has weight, its spicy texture filled out with both opulent fruits and a crisper citrus acidity. Glass stopper.
Perfectly salmon pink in color, this blend of half-Sangiovese, half-Barbera, is light and refreshing, with bright flavors of watermelon, cherry and mint. Just the tiniest bit ripe, yet finishing dry, it's long lasting and satisfying, a good call for a summer's day.
A very fine edition of River's Red, this returns Merlot to the first chair (55%) position, with Syrah and Cab Franc splitting the rest. Sturdy, chewy, bone dry, tannic and authoritative, it's a quintessential steak wine. Cassis, earth, hints of dried mushroom and those stiff but powerful tannins combine to make this a standout at the price.
With floral aromas mixed with darker notes of asphalt, mineral, leather and berry fruit, this opens well. The palate is rubbery in feel but structured. Flavors of bold berry fruits, chocolate and herbs end chewy, warm and chocolaty. For a basic Carmenère-Cabernet blend, this is on the money.
A good effort in a challenging vintage. This has a warm core of round, pretty cherry fruit, with a dash of bitters, sassafras and caramel. It persists through the middle into a Dr. Pepper finish, with details of herb and earth.
Sourced from a cool site in the Coastal Range, this has a powerful streak of grapefruit both in the fruit and the acidity. It's sharp but interesting, with pine needle highlights and rhubarb/cranberry fruit. It has the structure to age, and would be an interesting wine to follow over the next decade or so.
Light, fruity, very crisp in character, this is an apple and citrus driven wine as much as red fruits. There is an attractive, exotic touch of pomegranate fruits that add an extra dimension to this lively, fresh wine.
Fresh lemon-peel and lanolin notes add complexity to this bright, intensely fruity Riesling. Crisp with acidity, it's refreshingly easy on the palate, with a delicate, lacy sugar note that lingers long on the finish.
This is a dark, concentrated blend with minty oak, lactic aromas, boysenberry and blackberry on the bouquet. The palate is muscular and clampy, with resiny, oak-based grab to go with full tannins. Flavors of boyseberry, chocolate, toast and oak end in a warm, oaky finish. Drink now through 2016.
The tannins of the Zweigelt show through the rich texture of this wine, giving a fascinating balance between smoothness and a dry, firm, smoky core. Even at six years, it does need more aging to round out even more and bring out the natural honey flavors.
A big, round and soft wine, full of blackberry and plum fruits, rich and generous. It has warm tannins as well as touches of wood and a open, ripe aftertaste. The name is a pun on the dialect—nit'ana means “not one” referring to the fact the wine is a blend (as well as the family name, Nittnaus).
Aromas are all of honey, while on the palate the honey balances with acidity, rhubarb and candied orange flavors giving a wine that is rich while still keeping lightness. For medium-term aging.
There is good balanced intensity here. The varietal character shows through in the lychee and white peach flavors, with sufficient acidity lacing through. It is rich, packed with ripe flavors, hinting at a terroir-driven mineral character.
Solid, deep and earthy smelling, with cola, mushroom, violet and tree bark aromas. The palate is smooth and balanced, with dark berry, baked plum, chocolate and spice flavors. Dry, foresty and healthy as can be on the finish. Exemplary for the price.
Tight, textured wine with delicious green apple and mineral character. The wine has some softness, but is more dominated by a fine steel core of acidity. It could age well.
Rich, oily and just slightly sweet, this is a broad-shouldered Riesling, redolent of honey, heating oil and wet rocks. It's powerful and concentrated without being fruity, delivering instead a mouthful of stones and spice and ending with a peppery bite.
Hints of graphite mark the nose, but this wine is tight and restrained aromatically. Green apple and citrus flavors are crisply defined and tightly focused, ending long, with mouth-tingling acids. Give it another couple of years to develop in the bottle.
A rich wine with ample barrel influence on the nose along with white fruit aromas. Healthy and big in the mouth, with a flavor profile that blends tropical flavors with citrus. Deep and lightly toasted on the finish, with an excellent feel and texture out the door. Noticeably less oaky than in the past.
No doubting the pure Riesling character of this wine. It has a beautiful perfumed character with lively acidity, a steely mineral character and a great purity of fruit.
The old vine designation, though unregulated, is usually reserved for plantings at least a quarter century old. Though the first sniff suggests a wine that has been over-oaked, such is not the case. It has the concentration and fruit power—layers of citrus and stone fruit flavors—along with the depth and texture that older vines bring, to more than support the generous new oak.
Soft, ripe and juicy, this wine is full of ready-to-drink fruit housed by soft tannins from light wood aging. Mainly fruit-forward in style, a bright acidity kicks on the finish to balance the palate out.
Spicy cranberry/raspberry fruit is at the heart of this bright, quaffable and value-priced wine. There's a light dusting of pepper also, but it's the fresh fruit that stands out.
Expressive, not expensive, this has an appetizing mixture of spice, herb and smoke aromas, plenty of blackberry and raspberry flavors, and a soothing texture. It smells like black pepper, dried thyme and wood smoke, then turns more fruity in the mouth. It is medium bodied and slightly soft in balance.
Cherry and olive aromas are fair and sound, with a minty green touch. This offers a chunky, full palate and oaky, spicy flavors of black plum. The dark, toasty finish is solid, with kick and mild heat.
Earthy, dry and leathery on the nose, with slightly briny red-fruit aromas, this meets all the requirements of very good everyday Pinot Noir. Tea, brandied black cherry, spice and oak flavors darken up and turn chocolaty on the finish.
Classic varietal aromas of pear flesh and skin open into just slightly underripe fruit flavors. The wine is balanced and adds tart apple to the pear fruit.
A vivid gold color and spice-rack aromas like nutmeg and cardamom add a different twist to this medium-bodied and rather rich-textured wine. Those are probably characteristics from aging with oak, and they enhance the clean, fresh fruit flavors in a good way.
Gritty, tarry plum and raspberry aromas are firm and good. This feels wide, fleshy and tomatoey. Plum, raspberry and currant flavors turn more oaky and toasty as they open, while the finish is lightly herbal and peppery in flavor, with zesty acidity.
Forest fruit and pepper aromas lead into flavors of blackberry, cedar and spice. Elegant and exotic, this wine is balanced with good acidity and luscious fruit.
Black cherry fruits sink even deeper into blackberry jam on this nose, which is leveled by vanilla and black licorice. It's chunky and sticky once sipped, with blueberry juice and chocolate-chip elements that are cut with anise-like herbs. Espresso shows on the finish, which is slightly sour and bitter.
Aging on the lees for a few months has given this fresh white wine also richness. It has lemon juice and crisp apple flavors and a bright mineral acidity at the end. Drink now.
The light grassy aroma and mild citrus flavor are pretty quiet, yet this wine still comes through with a vibrant texture, crisp acidity and good, tangy finish. It should make a pleasant match with lots of appetizers, salads and creamy pastas.
Violet, lavender, espresso and cherry-cola syrup aromas show on the nose of this wine by interior designer Caren Rideau and industry veteran Andres Ibarra, who's been growing and making wine for decades. The palate offers blueberry, cedar ash and pencil shavings, but it shows quite a bit of grip and will require more patience to enjoy fully.
Ripe aromas of passionfruit, ruby red grapefruit and a juicy grass element show on the nose of this wine by Andres Ibarra and Caren Rideau. That ripeness tightens on the palate, with Granny Smith apple skins, yellow grapefruit juice and pressed green apples.
Sourced from a single block at the top of the vineyard, this seems thin, especially for such a rich vintage. It's characterized by cola and root beer flavors, along with details of fennel, iron and earth.
The deep, dark-red color and jammy fruit aromas signal a bold, friendly style that develops in the ripe blackberry, maple and strawberry flavors. It has a rich, soft texture and lingering finish that is almost sweet.
A simple, fruit-forward rosé ideal for summer sipping, this blend of Syrah and Grenache boasts attractive mixed berry, melon and citrus aromas, with flavors that finish clean and dry.
Almost as yellow as a white wine with just a tiny touch of blush coloring, this blend of 60% Counoise and 40% Cinsault shows lychee, ripe pears, watermelon juice, lemon juice and a touch of orange rind on the nose. The flavors are very light, so it's more about texture, with lime juice acidity and pear skin grip.
Pungent, borderline sweaty aromas of passion fruit, mango and orange peel are classic SB. This Rueda-based Sauvignon is zesty on the palate, with strict flavors of grapefruit, passion fruit and tangerine. A crisp, fresh, slightly pithy finish doesn't hurt.
A heavy bottle holds a wine that's dark gold in color and exuberant in lemon curd and vanilla. Surprisingly light on the palate, given the color, it has a relatively low oak presence and layered, caramel-apple finish.
Lees and mineral notes blend with green apple and pear aromas to create an inviting nose. This feels good and fresh, with citric acidity. Peach, green banana and papaya flavors finish mellow, with pithy notes and mild bitterness.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this fresh wine opens with aromas of black cherry and freshly ground pepper that carry over to the palate along with notes of black raspberry and a hint of orange rind. Racy acidity and supple tannins provide the framework. It's easy-drinking, so enjoy soon.
Complex floral and citric aromas lead this sophisticated white blend. Flavors of fresh tropical fruit, lemon and sea salt are balanced and appealing. A great everyday pour.
This wine is rich and structured while also approachable. It is meant for drinking young with its ripe, black currant and plum skin flavors, stalky acidity and great depth of flavor. Drink from early 2016.
There's a touch of sweetness around fruit flavors of apple, pear and melon. This has a forward, easy-drinking style, and that hint of honey finishes out with a streak of caramel.
A 100% varietal wine, this is both soft and dense, herbal and restrained in cranberry and red currant. Dry and dusty, the body is medium to full bodied, and the finish medium-long. Enjoy now.
Sourced from a range of vineyards across the Napa Valley, including Atlas Peak, Rutherford and Oakville, this intense wine is informed by thick-grained tannins and pronounced oak. Dark blackberry fruit and clove season it well, along with a finish steep in mocha. The blend includes a small amount of Merlot.
Blossomy and fresh, this off-dry, light-footed Riesling offers a palate full of sweet-tart white-grapefruit flavor. Zesty and spry, it's a refreshing apéritif best enjoyed young.
Fresh black fruits give this wine a bright start in life. It is rich with some tannins and dark spice. Dominant berry-fruit flavors are balanced with acidity and a dry, firm aftertaste. Drink from the end of 2015.
Topped with 18% Malbec, aromas of wood spice, vanilla, pencil lead and dark cherry lead to juicy full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that show a lovely sense of balance, despite the wood being forward. It's a very pretty expression of Cabernet.
Temecula vintner Phil Baily is one of this warmer region's strongest proponents for upholding complexity over ripeness. This bottling offers red currant, cedar, leather and minty chocolate on the nose, while the palate conveys lots of herbal influence, from peppercorn, licorice and dill to minty black raspberry and eucalyptus oil. All those elements need more time to integrate. Drink 2019–2023.
This wine is 76% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 9% Grenache. Aromas of black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, raw meat and spice are followed by smooth black-coffee flavors. It lingers on the finish.
Candied honeydew, lime, bubblegum and crushed chalk show on the nose of this bottling. The acidity is razor-sharp and the palate's squeaky-clean texture is compelling, with flavors of lemon-lime soda and grapefruit pith to round it out.
Sanguine and nuanced, this vineyard-designate comes from a relatively warm site in the appellation, finding a way to be ripe and bold while balanced. Red currant, cranberry and a bright, persistent acidity give it personality and show a softer take on the variety, the texture equally smooth.
Tannic and spicy, this wine settles in the glass to offer a glorious spectrum of medium-bodied black cherry, blackberry and rhubarb. Along the way it threads a savory undertone of forest floor and chamomile tea.
This is a bold, ripe and spicy wine. With firm tannins contrasting with the rich perfumed Cabernet Franc fruits, this is a wine with good potential. The dry edge will soften as the wine matures and create a dense concentration. Drink this wine from 2019.
This large estate on the slopes above the river Garonne has produced a Merlot-dominated wine. It is rich while already finely balanced. It has juicy red fruits with a solid dry core that promises aging. Drink this wine from 2019.
This top cuvée from Carignan has too much wood. That trait, along with its extracted character, makes it hard to like at this stage. With powerful tannins from superripe Merlot, this is going to take many years to reveal any balance. Drink from 2020.
The wine comes from a selection of parcels on the Castera estate. With a majority (60%) of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is structured and firm and still developing. It has red-berry and black-currant fruit along with plenty of tannic structure. Drink the wine from 2020.
Big and bold, this is a rich wine with firm tannins that are balanced by dense fruitiness. Spice, a dark texture and concentration hint at the extraction although this does not detract from potential of the fruit. Give this several more years before drinking, certainly don't try it before 2020.
Already a soft wine, this is packed with fruit. Yes, there are tannins, but they are well integrated into the berries. It is fruity and juicy, with hints of wood aging. Drink from 2019.
This rich wine is approaching maturity. Secondary animal aromas, dried fruit and richness are showing well, allowing this ripe wine to shine. The warm 2009 vintage comes out in the density and the dusty tannins. This is ready to drink.
This is the second wine of the Phélan-Ségur estate. With its firm tannins and layers of wood aging, it is a wine that will need time. At this stage, the wine is dry although the rich berry fruits offer intensity and the potential for a fine wine. Drink from 2020.
Barrel-forward aromas of vanilla and toast are in front of herb and cherry. The palate brings a sense of polish and appeal, with the tannins bringing some squeeze on the finish.
A no-fuss approach makes this aromatic and smoothly textured wine a treat. The oak influences suggesting tamarind and cedar are subtle and complementary to the good black cherry and black-plum flavors. Supple tannins lend a light bite to the mouthfeel.
Rounded and approachable, this estate-driven wine is 100% varietal and dusty on the palate in tight-grained oak and tannin. The flavors are richly rewarding, etched in chocolate-covered raspberry, clove and an herbal undercurrent that's hard to pin down.
Seeing only neutral French oak, reserved but intriguing aromas of dark raspberry, herb and plum are followed by well-constructed dark-fruit flavors. It's equal parts intrigue and delivery.
Brooding aromas of huckleberry, braised meat, flower and mineral lead to a full-bodied palate, rich with blue and purple fruit flavors that possess a supple seamless feel and a lengthy finish.
Done in the very dry, herbally infused Santa Cruz Mountains style, this blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc offers cohesive aromas of black cherry, oregano, gravel and graphite. The mouthfeel is soft but with a tannic tension, showing tart and cedar-laced black plum, elderberry, bittersweet chocolate and tobacco flavors.
Lighter in color, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The aromas are locked up tightly on first pour, opening up over time to reveal notes of herb, spice, flower and dark cherry. The palate is more giving, with abundant but still elegant cherry and herb flavors that linger on the finish. It's all about elegance.
Both dried and juicy red currants form the core of this impressive wine, made in larger quantities with a deft hand. Medium bodied and offering grip and structure, this restrained version of the variety doesn't skimp on flavor.
Dusty white-fruit aromas lead to a firm palate with fine acidity, minerality and a sense of completeness. Dry slightly spicy apple and peach flavors finish in elegant form. This is everyday Godello at its best, meaning no bells and whistles, just fruit, slate and acidity.
This small property is in the same ownership as nearby Château Clauzet. The wine, half-and-half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, is dense with bright black-currant flavors under the firm tannins. These and the wood-aging flavors will integrate well, giving a concentrated wine to drink from 2021.
Bold and fruity, this wine is rich with smooth tannins and a fine ripe texture. Powered by its structure and its dark fruits, it is a wine for serious aging. Drink from 2022.
From the north of the Haut-Médoc, just outside Saint-Estèphe, this wine has a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon. That yields black-currant fruit and tight tannins. The spice from wood aging will integrate as it matures to give a rich juicy wine. Drink from 2020.
This is one a group of chateaus just to the north of Saint-Estèphe owned by the Fabre family. Ripe and rich, it is already a smooth and fruity wine. Black plums and black currants shine here supported by a dry core of tannins that is sure to soften. Drink from 2019.
Philippe and Gilles Reich have produced this rich while structured wine from their family vineyard. It has generous black fruits that are supported by wood-aging flavors and finely balanced tannins. The majority Cabernet Sauvignon blend gives juicy black-currant fruit. Drink this wine from 2018.
This is rich, full of jammy Merlot and with layers of tannins interspersed with crisp acidity. It feels full, ripe, structured and likely to age well. With its youthful exuberance, it will be ready to drink from 2019.
This is a powerful wine with a strong presence of Cabernet Sauvignon to give structure as well as fruit. The wine has great acidity and a rich texture along with ripe plum and black-currant fruit. It comes from an 18th-century estate in the southern Médoc. Drink from 2022.
The ripe 65% of Sémillon is the secret behind this rich wine. While at the young stage it has a herbal character that is going to fill out impressively to give a creamy wine with a touch of vanilla and fine crisp, juicy acidity. Drink from 2020.
A firm, young, compact, nicely sculpted wine, this shows pinpoint fruit flavors of quince and pear. There are subtle highlights of gin-like botanicals, and the flavors penetrate clean and clear all the way through a lingering finish.
Concentrated, jammy fruit flavors meet full body and sturdy tannins in this well-made wine. It has a large presence due to alcoholic strength and the ripe spectrum of its fruit flavors, which includes raisin, black cherry and dried fig. Yet, tannins and acidity provide a firm texture that keeps it feeling balanced.
This Chardonnay is striking in its ability to convey marshmallow roasting over a campfire. It's full-bodied and lush, its rich fruit core of apple and pear seemingly dressed in clarified butter. That richness, however, doesn't weigh down the palate; it finishes with refinement.
Beautifully pure cherry notes are subdued on the nose and fight against the privations of the 2014 vintage. There is lip-smacking freshness and admirable concentration on the textured palate with its velvety folds. The finish is clean and dry. Drink now through 2019.
Heady notes of dried Damask rose petals rise straight from the glass. The palate has the same strong aromatic impact, countered with pleasantly bitter texture. This is an unusually powerful and highly concentrated Muscat and comes with a medium body. This is best showcased next to strong cheeses. The finish is clean.
You'll find wild red berry, coconut, leather, dark spice and balsamic notes on the nose of this wine. They infuse the palate, accenting its espresso-like flavor. It's full-bodied, with a backbone of close-grained tannins that give the finish grip. Drink 2019–2027.
A potpourri of floral red-fruit, dried herb and wet cement aromas lead to a racy fresh palate that's mildly complex. Oaky red-berry flavors come with a note of chocolate, while this tastes lightly herbal on a lasting well-formed finish. Drink this Carignan-Garnacha through 2021.
The nose is shy and does not give much away. On the palate, beautifully pure red currant and tart red-cherry notes come through. The slender body is pervaded by freshness and has lovely overtones of conifer and oak leaf. It is later on that the fine but firm structure comes to bear. This is light but has depth and the potential to develop.
The squat Port-like bottle is the first indication that this is no ordinary Sauvignon Blanc. The juice was intentionally oxidized, then barrel fermented and aged on the lees. It's complex winemaking, and delivers a toasty textural wine with less snap and more softness that is usual with this grape. If you like the pricier barrel-fermented Sancerres, this is in your wheelhouse.
Earthy aromas suggesting grilled porcini, leather, tilled soil and balsam lead the nose. The dense, chewy palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry, licorice and dried sage flavors, set against a tannic backdrop that needs time to soften. A tobacco note signals the close. Drink 2022–2032.
Integrated acidity and ripeness allow for a Good & Plenty licorice-like note, accenting the fresh apricot and white peach flavors in this lovely, easygoing sipper.
This opens with tobacco, dark spice, forest floor and leather aromas. The palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and clove flavors, set against tightly wound, taut tannins. It still needs a few years to come together. Drink 2019–2025.
A limited-production wine made to commemorate the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, this full-bodied vineyard-designated wine is softly layered in bold, rich huckleberry pie and strawberry flavors. Juicy on the palate, the fruit is seasoned with clove, cola and a hint of earth.
A fresh nose suggests both green and yellow pears. The palate shines with the freshness of both fruits—crisp, sunny, light and very fruity. The finish is clean and very refreshing.
This medium-bodied shiraz is remarkably fresh and vibrant, deftly blending maple syrup and smoke with red berries, then easing into a firm, dusty finish. Drink now–2025.
A touch of vanilla clings to the yellow pear on nose and palate. The palate adds the merest hint of butterscotch spice. The body is balanced and fresh, clean, generous and intriguing.
Coconut, baked plum and French oak aromas come together in the glass. The taut, medium-bodied palate offers red cherry fruit with hints of toast, espresso and star anise, framed by fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Licorice, grilled herb, mature black-skinned fruit and balsamic aromas take shape in the glass. The juicy palate doles out fleshy black cherry, crushed blackberry, orange zest and spice flavors, with a saline hint of cured meat. Chewy tannins provide lend structure.
Interestingly, I preferred this winery's entry-level Cabernet (Blacksmith) to this one. The 2014 Jackaman is so supple and easy to drink that it lacks a bit of the Cabernet austerity that makes the variety so attractive with red meats. Vanilla, dill and cassis notes finish softly dusty. This is very smooth and polished in texture, maybe too much so for me.
A closed nose hints nonetheless at some concentration. The palate reveals yellow plum held tight by citrus freshness. This is whistle-clean and holds charming nuances of grapefruit and peach. Drink now or wait until 2016–2017; more fruit may come to the fore.
Dense in packed earth and forest floor, this well-integrated and silky wine bursts in black cherry, blueberry pie and cardamom. With a beautiful flower on the label, it conjures floral orange blossom from the bottle, speaking elegance to power.
This opens with initially assertive oaky tones of cocoa powder, vanilla sauce and sweet spice that marry seamlessly with raspberry jam and boysenberry fruit. The palate is velvety and plush, with decadent fruit flavors and earthy soil and spice notes that hang around through the long finish. Drink now–2020.
This blend of 42% Syrah, 31% Petite Sirah, 20% Zinfandel and 7% Grenache from the Templeton Gap area shows aromas of grape soda, pencil lead, sweet violets and effervescent cola, all fun yet elegantly restrained. Blueberry, black pepper and fresh purple fruit combine for a very lively wine, with strong acidity on the palate.
This is a young, fresh and very attractive Chardonnay, brimming with aromas and flavors of wood-grilled apple, honeydew, Honeycomb cereal, buttered popcorn and toasted oak. The palate is round and full, yet with ample acidity, citrus flavor and a mineral streak that all provides lift and character to the close. Drink 2016–2020.
The 2012 vintage was a cool one in Marlborough and this wine does show hints of tomato-like herbs. But it also has ripe, supple tannins, crisp, bright fruit flavors of pomegranate and pie cherry, with a long, silky finish. While approachable now, it should drink well through at least 2022.
Aromas of espresso, mocha, spiced plum and vanilla lead the nose on this concentrated wine. The palate delivers dark cherry, coffee bean, toast and cooking spice alongside firm tannins. Drink 2016–2022.
Four years of aging on the lees gives this particularly late-release Merlot a delightfully tactile mouthfeel. It's silky to the touch, yet voluminous on the palate, filling the mouth with flavors of ripe red cherry and cranberry accented by bramble, earth and potpourri. Sprightly in acidity yet rich in body, it lingers with intensity and persistence.
Ripe yellow pear and red-cheeked apples combine into a fresh and lively fruitiness. The edges are just seamed by a little peppery herbal spice while fresh citrus delivers refreshment. This delivers squeaky-clean lightness, fruit with a little peppery twist.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers light aromas of cherry, coffee, raspberry, flowers, citrus and tobacco. It's tightly wound with abundant cherry flavors backed by dry tannins. Best after 2018, with a long life in front of it.
Aromas of ripe berry, underbrush and exotic spice waft from the glass. The structured palate offers juicy black cherry, vanilla, espresso and aniseed alongside hearty but fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2021.
This unfiltered wine is cloudy in the glass and rides the low alcohol, low ripeness movement, showing a tangy nose of green olive, tart cranberry and herbaceous peppercorns. The palate is all about spice and savory elements, with lots of acidity and not much ripeness at all. Drink 2019–2029 to test the early picking trend.
This Malbec from the Vista Flores zone of the Uco Valley falls outside the box. An exotic bouquet comprised of blueberry, graham cracker, citrus peel and cardamom aromas stirs interest, while a jammy palate deals blueberry, baking spice, Middle Eastern spice and blackened flavors. This is extracted but juicy on the finish. Drink through 2018.
This distinctive offering is light in color, with aromas of rose petals, red raspberries and minerals. It's supple and elegant in feel, all about purity of expression as it dances lightly on the palate.
This variety is a consistent strength for this winery. A warm vintage wine, it offers aromatic notes of freshly cut flowers, peach, creamsicle, pear and tangerine. It's textured in feel with abundant stone fruit and vanilla flavors that lead to a tart, apricot filled finish that lingers. The barrel influences play a big part but it works.
Rich, ripe black berries, briar and bramble waft from this intensely aromatic wine. It's rather sexy, opulent and yielding with black cherry and plum flavors accented by tinges of clay, fur and leather.
This is 100% varietal and aged in 60% new French oak, offering primary aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and savory herbs accented by woodspice. The fruit flavors are ripe and focused with firm tannins and a pleasing lick of cranberry-like acidity. Best after 2020.
This blend of Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friuliano and Pinot Blanc from three different vineyards made by winemaker Doug Margerum shows brilliantly juicy aromas of pressed pear, dried apples, apple blossoms and cantaloupe. Poached pears and boiled apples come with the sip, which allures with just a touch of sugariness.
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon make a warm, blend that is full, herbal and concentrated with black fruits and dark tannins. Spice provides a reminder that this wine comes from a warm climate. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2016.
The Bandol appellation gives this wine structure, density and a sense of tannins. It makes for a wine that will be excellent with food, rich and firm. It should age for a few more months, so drink from early 2016.
Fruity and structured, this strongly wood-aged wine is packed with toast. That dominates the fresh apple and pear fruits that are underneath all this spice and toastiness. Rich and full bodied, the wine is still developing, so drink from 2016.
Pure blueberry and red cherry fruit is pervaded by lashings of aromatic white pepper. It tingles at the edges and gives even more freshness to the fruit. The body is structured by fine-grained but palpable tannins and leaves a long, aromatic trail of cherry behind. This is elegant and seductive.
This is a muscular wine. Intensely colored and redolent of superripe fruit, it nevertheless remains firm and structured from start to long, dusty finish. It's almost grapy in its intensity, but also hints at coffee and cocoa along the way. Drink it now if you like your Pinots big and bold, or hold it through 2020.
This wine brings aromas and flavors of cherry, coffee, herbs, medicine cabinet and oak spices. The style is reserved, with a seamless, focused feel to the tart cherry and plum flavors that keep the attention on each sip.
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 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.
Dark and extracted, this has firm, dry tannins. It's hard edged, but the potential of the black currant fruit is apparent. Give this structured wine at least five years for the rich fruit to surface.
This is full bodied, firm and fruity, with solid tannins and concentrated flavors of black fruit, tar, licorice and wood.
A ripe wine, this shows the richness of the 2009 vintage. The tannins are well integrated into the blackberry fruit, creating a smooth and opulent wine that's worth aging but is also ready to drink now.
This delivers a bit of extra grip and weight compared to the widely-available Three Vineyard bottling. Pear and peach fruit flavors are lightly toasty, leading into a full-flavored midpalate and a medium-long finish.
More extracted than any of the other 2010 Erath Pinots, this wine has a pleasing mix of cherry cola, clean earth and dark chocolate flavors.
An attractive, rich and creamy Chardonnay, this balances acidity with  tropical fruit and wood flavors. Made using fruit from a parcel in the Haute-Serre Vineyard, this is a wine that has an edge of minerality as well as ripe, textured fruit.
This red blend is snappy but also jammy on the nose, with a blueberry aroma and a pinch of green. The mouthfeel is syrupy and big, with jammy flavors of baked berry and cherry. On the finish, there's enough acidity to keep it fresh as the red berry and cassis flavors take over.
Youthful and compact, this shows a lot of unresolved oak aromas when first opened. Slowly more complexity emerges—rose petals, tart berries, anise, cedar and ground coffee. It's balanced, young and age worthy, but decant it if you plan to drink it anytime soon.
This AVA's typical minerality underscores this full-bodied wine, which bears flavors of spice, berry and black cherry cola.
Here is a full-throttle mouthful of brambly berry fruit, with generous accents of dried herb and underbrush. The melding of fruit and herb is perfect, with clean, polished tannins.
This intoxicates with berry pie and coffee notes. It's a soft, elegant and restrained Zinfandel, with savory curves from beginning to end.
On one hand the nose comes across burnt and stalky, while on the other hand it's toasted, smoky and racy, with pent up intensity. Overall, it's medium in size and density, with a blend of herb, licorice, pepper and red fruit flavors. Oaky, spicy and a touch hot on the finish, and it's bright and juicy throughout.
Fragrant, soft and fruity, this has weight and firm tannins, which meld with the juicy blackberry flavor. The result is a forward and ready-to-drink wine.
This has a mineral structure that's laced with acidity and red currant flavor. It has a tight texture and a crisp feel, showing a serious, austere side of Beaujolais. It's all balanced by the bright, crisp finish.
The aromas on this Carignan-Syrah blend are gritty and suggest asphalt, smoked meat and dark berry notes. It feels electric and tight on the palate, yet controlled, with rubbery tannins and plenty of herb, pepper, spice and licorice notes to go with the oak-infused berry flavor.
Aromas of ripe red berry, leather and pipe tobacco unfold on this concentrated red. The full-bodied, chewy palate offers fleshy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and ground white pepper alongside tight, close-grained tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish.
Briny, elegant and made in a lighter, delicate style, this is a lovely high-toned wine from estate vineyards, with stony minerality and a persistence of peach. Delicious and ideal for the table, it's made by well-respected grower and winemaker Steve Matthiasson, who's done fine work here.
This firm wine is solid with tannins while also having the fruitiness of the year. A dry element will allow the wine to age balanced, with bright juicy fruits shining through. It comes from one of the lesser-known premier cru vineyards in Beaune. Drink from 2018.
This is a fragrant, sinewy wine. Mixed herbs twine around cranberry and raspberry fruit, while the palate builds in weight and flesh in the glass. Give it until 2018.
Full-bodied and plush, this wine is clean, ripe and richly textured. The palate marries toasty oak with caramelized cherries and finishes long and velvety. Drink now–2020.
Intense aromas of ripe plum, fragrant blue flower, menthol and sweet baking spice almost jump out of the glass. The big, bold palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, vanilla, star anise, leather and a hint of game alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Maucoil's 2013 is a sturdy, full-bodied wine. It's plummy, dense and earthy, with nuances of cracked pepper and mocha showing themselves on the palate. The finish—long, firm and peppery—bodes well for aging. Drink now–2025.
Aromas of leather, grilled herb, wild berry and baking spice lift out of the glass. The full-bodied palate doles out raspberry confiture, ripe Morello cherry, dark spice and tobacco while densely packed, mature tannins offer support. Drink 2018–2023.
The hard limestone and chalk soil has given this wine its distinctive minerality and wonderful acidity. Rich and juicy, it has intense yellow and green fruits that are laced with lime acidity. The wine has depth with concentrated fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Named after the shells from sea creatures that are found in much of the chalk soil of Sancerre, this crisp, mineral wine is tangy, zesty and textured. Fresh apples and gooseberry are cut by the intense acidity and tight structure. Drink from 2017.
This is a wine to age, with such concentration in its texture and mineral structure. It offers rich white fruits and touches of spice. The aftertaste with its apples, green fruits and hints of apricot, is fresh and still developing. Drink from 2018.
Burly oak and tannin surround black and blue fruit sourced from a vineyard atop a knoll in the cool Green Valley. Earth and herb come into play midpalate, providing a savory underbelly beneath the power. This wine needs time; cellar through 2023.
Eucalyptus leaf, black raspberry and black cherry aromas combine for a sultry nose on this bottling, one of this producer's many expressions of individual sites in the region. Herbes du provence show on the sip, then flavors settle into gravel and graphite minerality, all based on dark strawberry and plum fruit.
Delicate scents of violet, iris, woodland berry and baking spice abound on this firmly structured red. Made with 95% Sangiovese, the remaining 5% is Colorino and Malvasia Nera. The smooth palate doles out Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and a hint of chopped herb while a backbone of velvety tannins provides the framework. Drink through 2016.
Just below the main street of Chassagne-Montrachet village, this vineyard has produced a beautiful wine. Apples and crisp citrus are allied with the lightest touch of wood to give a dancing, juicy wine with serious depths of flavor. Bright and young to drink now, it will age gently into a riper future. Drink now, but the wine will be much better from 2018.
The showy nose on this wine, which is bolstered by 5% Malbec, is both fruit-forward and extremely floral, with plum blossoms, cola and blueberry juice. The palate is densely layered and firmly structured, with flavors of caramel, vanilla, anise-laced blueberry pie and minty herbs. Drink 2017–2025.
The combination of chalk and flint soils has produced a wine that is young and all about minerality at this stage. It has considerable potential with its hints of ripe fruits. For now, with texture dominant, it is still fresh, tangy and developing. Drink from 2018.
Typical of Pouilly Fumé in its dense texture and flavor, this ripe wine has a smoky character that comes from the flint soil, which also adds its tight, mineral texture. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Brooding aromas of cranberry and mulberry lead to rich fruit and mineral flavors that show exquisite balance and a lengthy finish. It's rare to find a Rocks District wine so fruit filled—a real treat. Best before 2020.
Enticing scents of iris, violet, red berry, spice and a balsamic note mingle in the glass. The firm, juicy palate delivers crushed black cherry, white pepper, cinnamon, coffee and menthol alongside fine-grained tannins that give this an elegant texture. Drink through 2020.
Given extended lees contact during barrel fermentation to add richness, this wine is rich and incredibly intense, a mix of crème brûlée, brown sugar and hazelnut aromas with a palate satisfying in pear puree. Despite its power and heady qualities, it finds a nice balance in the glass, ending round and lush, yet bright.
Leveled by 4% Grenache, this Syrah, which is made in Paso's Tin City district, is rich and lush on the nose. Black cherries and lavender-chocolate truffle are lifted aromatically by herbes du provence. The black-fruit-laden palate is dense with blueberries, maple syrup, dark caramel and touch of black peppercorn.
There's amazing floral energy on the fresh and inviting nose of this wine that shows punchy notes of hibiscus, red rose petals, dried red cherries, kola nut and a touch of cinnamon. The palate, aided by an 8% Syrah inclusion, is almost effervescent with raspberry and baking-soda qualities that settle into dried red fruit and chopped thyme herbals.
Scents of ripe plum, espresso, cake spice, menthol and a whiff of toasted oak lead the nose. The rich, concentrated palate offers mature black cherry, blackberry compote, licorice, mocha and vanilla alongside ripe tannins. It's already almost accessible but also shows modest staying power. Drink 2018–2025.
A 100% varietal wine from the core of St. Helena, this vineyard-designate expands on the palate in juicy, leather waves, showcasing coconut macaroon, cassis and kirsch in equal measure. Full bodied and concentrated in the ripeness of the vintage, it caps off on the palate in black leather and tobacco.
From nearly 30-year-old vines planted at 1,700 feet, this very balanced wine begins with an excellent nose of citrus blossoms, lime rinds, salted cream and a touch of popcorn. The sharply focused palate rides a racy line of lime zest with flashes of tangerine and lemon and a creamy character on the edge, mouthwatering throughout the sip.
Blackberry, black cherry and cinnamon aromas start this balanced, smooth wine. The palate follows with mellow flavors of vanilla, cherry and spicebox. An affordable red with versatile appeal.
The tart, strawberry flavors of Barbera come into balance, amplified with what seems to be a generous amount of new oak, which contributes lovely caramel throughout the finish. Acids and tannins are in proportion, and the cinnamon toast flavors of the finish end harmoniously.
Like many Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, this one starts off leafy and pungent, then develops greater depth of white nectarine and grapefruit on the palate. It's plump, medium-bodied and slightly creamy in texture, making it an attractively versatile option.
Dry, peppery and earthy on the nose, then juicy and fresh in the mouth, with herbal cherry, chocolate, olive and leathery flavors. Dark, smoky, toasty and varietally correct on the finish. A nice and true taste of Carmenère at a good price.
Ripe, tropical-fruited wine, with apricot and peach and layers of toasty wood. The wine is fresh, finely balanced, finishing with a citrus hint.
Rich in character, with big citrus, pineapple and pink grapefruit flavors. Even if it is rich, the wine also gives freshness as well as acidity to balance the full-bodied texture
This Livermore-based producer continues to impress with a range of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese whites. This Verdelho no exception, a grape that in Europe makes its way into Madeira. This Lodi-sourced version is a rich white with layers of texture on the diesel, flint and gravelly side of things with plenty of acidity, kiwi notes and a long finish.
A very good Pinot Noir out of Potter Valley, one of inland Mendocino's cooler spots, made by Kenny Likitprakong, who also makes the Hobo and Banyan wines. This cinnamon and red cherry-tinged Pinot opens up with aplomb, getting more and more Burgundian in nose as it goes and at 13.5% alcohol, will get you pleasantly through a meal.
Milla Handley is attempting to make an Alsatian-style wine that is indeed austere, with an almost almond-butter and earthy, mushroom nose that's well balanced between acidity and tropical sweetness and finishes smooth. A suggested pairing with sushi is right on.
This wine has a floral tone in the aroma that is quite lovely, along with strawberry, spice and pepper tones. On the palate, savory waves of spiced meat, balsamic and spice are rounded out by plum and cherry fruit.
Juicy red plums and cherries, vanilla and smoke are pleasant on the nose and palate of this Bordeaux-style red from Istria, but gain freshness and verve from layers of bramble, menthol and fresh herbs. Full bodied with exceptionally integrated tannins that are soft and round, it's a big surprise at $13.
This unique old vine Chardonnay vineyard makes cool-climate grape flavors as interesting and complex as any fruit bomb. Spring herb, light floral, citrus and grapefruit combine in a delicate, elegant wine. It's Chablis without the chalk; plenty of acid.
For anyone who wants to walk the walk of low-alcohol wines, this is a place to start, a 12.5% alcohol blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat Canelli, Gewürztraminer and Orange Muscat all grown in the Livermore Valley. This wine has inviting notes of toffee, vanilla and caramel and will make a welcome companion at any backyard barbecue or casual dinner party.
This is bold and bullish, but also acidic and raw in feel. The opening berry aroma conveys a wild side, and the mouth is racy and grating, with the feel of fruit skin and flavors of plum and cherry. This captures the rugged, hard-core side of Maule Carignan.
This has juicy cherry and banana flavors, plus smoky tannins that give this wine a structure that's unusual for Beaujolais Nouveau. The acidity is just right, lending the finish freshness.
A light wine, this shows mostly flavors of earth, forest floor and dried wood, rather than fruit. The finish leaves a sour aftertaste.
A simple Sauvignon Blanc that tastes of cantaloupe. Serve it at a big outdoor party or any other time the focus is not entirely on the wine.
This opens with prickly herbal-plum and red-fruit aromas. The palate feels blocky, with thick tannins, and the flavor profile offers black fruit in front of a resiny, dry finish that comes with overt oak influence.
This wine has a barnyard flavor, and its black currant fruit shows a bitter edge. The tannins are firm and dry, likely to soften with age.
Attractive red fruits and soft tannins make this ripe, lightly structured wine easy to drink. There are hints of herbs and red berry fruits, with a touch of dryness on the finish. Drink now.
As fresh and fruity as any Nouveau should be, this also comes with a tang of black-currant-skin-like tannin as well as red cherry fruit.
Orange and lime aromas control the nose on this spritzy, tangy wine that literally shows bubbles in the glass. The flavors are lemony and sharp, with a grassy accent. Tasted twice.
This has an intense aroma that's almost overpowering, leading to a wine that is firm and dry. Its red cherry flavor is dominated by dense tannins. The perfumed character, joined by acidity, remains on the finish.
Bright, light, fresh and fruity, this is a perfect apéritif. It has red berry fruit and crisp acidity, and it is smoothed with a touch of vanilla. The herbal finish has bite.
The nose is a bit prickly and jumpy, with a candied red-fruit aroma. On the palate, there's some grab and stickiness along with flavors of mint, woo-driven spice and berry fruit. It loses some character on the finish.
This creative blend of 64% Zinfandel, 21% Grenache, 11% Petite Sirah and 4% Syrah shows chalky cherry, nose-tickling violets and a bright bloodiness on the nose. The palate is framed with a tongue-tingling acidity, offering flavors of olallieberries, spicy peppercorn and a sanguine character throughout.
Zesty acidity wraps itself around well-defined flavors of lemon and grapefruit in this mostly stainless-steel fermented white. The finish maintains the minerality, adding on a taste of fig.
This medium-sweet proposition takes off on silky wings of lemony freshness. The interplay thus created spells fun and balance. Citric freshness is the decisive, playful, enjoyable factor here.
Fragrant and refined, this elegant wine offers aromas of ripe berry, crushed flower and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate doles out wild cherry, black raspberry, clove and a graphite. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and silky tannins. Drink through 2016.
Voluptuous and bold, this intensely aromatic Gewürztraminer explodes from the glass in plumes of ripe lychee, peach and apricot perfume. Dry and full bodied in style, it's richly textured in mouthfeel. While soft in acidity, it's surprisingly balanced for its brawn.
Rich but not overly dense, this 100% varietal wine from a vineyard known also for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon is wickedly generous in chocolate mocha, full bodied yet balanced. It finishes in a flurry of black pepper and leather.
Grippy blackberry and licorice wrap around an intriguing bouquet of Italian deli meats and spices, with sinewy tannins and unobtrusive oak. Given over a year in 40% new French oak, it proffers a subtle hit of pepper on the finish.
Licorice, fennel and tropical guava provide a flourish of savory and ripe around a fleshy, rounded and smooth overlay unimpeded by oak, the wine aged in both stainless steel and neutral oak barrels.
This is a very perfumed wine, full of red fruits and hedgerow berry flavors cut with some firm tannins. It has an aromatic character that is typical of Chambolle-Musigny, a soft, warm texture that is developing behind the tannins. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
Dusty minerals tones, dried mushrooms and luscious black cherries collide on the nose and palate of this unusual New York Sangiovese. It's a bold, full-bodied and forward wine, but brisk acidity and fine-grained tannins lend elegance and style.
Fresh lemon notes are tinged with smoke and earth on this easy, balanced and dryish Pinot Gris. Ample fruit at the core and an easygoing light touch engender enjoyment.
Known in other regions as Blaufränkisch, Frankovka is widely grown in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This wine is garnet in the glass, with aromas of black cherry, cherry cola, and black plum. Flavors of black cherry and anise linger on the palate right through the spicy finish.
Savory aromas of dried herb and mineral contrast crisp nectarine and peach in this brisk, refreshing white. It's a deft blend combining the body and weight of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay with the zest and perfume of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
Named after the old road that used to bring vacationers from the north to the beaches of Provence, this wine is smooth and soft, with a definite touch of sunshine in its flavors. The acidity, well in balance, is light and bright, a breeze across the red fruit flavors.
There is some solid structure here, along with a tannic edge that marks out a wine for aging. This has plum skin and a dense texture that brings out a richness as well as the acidity that marks the vintage. It should be aged; drink from 2017.
This wine is rich with the sort of firm tannins that will give great supporting structure to the ripe berry fruits. With a juicy character, the wine is fresh and balanced with the solid tannins. It likely will be ready to drink from 2018.
Fairly subdued dark purple and even black fruits mix with graphite and violet petals on the nose of this wine by Paso Robles-based Michael Mooney. There is verve to the palate, with flavors of black cherry, iron and juniper.
Cherry-vanilla and boysenberry jam combine around a ripe, lush and full-bodied wine, ideal for smoky, grilled foods. Smooth tannins make it enjoyable now and accessible to many palates, though be mindful of its power and intensity.
Ripe, earthy plum and prune aromas come with complex notes of graphite, vanilla and marzipan. This feels solid and lifted, with lightly charred blackberry and cassis flavors. A heady finish with mild heat and burn closes the show. this is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with drops of Shiraz and Merlot.
Buttered black cherries and olallieberries mix with snapped dark chocolate and crushed peppercorns on the nose of this blend of 62% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 12% Zinfandel, 4% Touriga Nacional, 4% Tinta Cao, 2% Bastardo and 2% Alicante Bouschet. The palate shows lots of brick and earth, with sagebrush, licorice and pomegranate-hibiscus flavors.
Having tasted two vintages of this value-priced Pinot, it seems this winery is doing things right. Spicy, earthy plum aromas set up a plump but balanced palate with good acidity. Plum and raspberry flavors turn more woody as this opens.
Candied peach and apricot aromas meld with dusty pollen and saffron on the nose. Showing a bit more ripeness on the palate, pineapple and mango tones appear, with wildflower honey and ginger spice offering nuance. Vibrant acidity drives the palate and follows through to a lingering floral finish.
This intriguing bottling shows the cool vintage's influence. The nearly vegetal nose conveys snapped twigs, mulch, red cherry and cracked pepper, and the palate shows similar characteristics, proving light in density. It's lively, but may confuse those seeking a rich red.
Heady proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon lend a brambly, peppery edge to this classic Bordeaux-style blend. Rich, ruddy black currant flavors are luscious and juicy, lifted by a streak of cranberry acidity and fine, feathery tannins.
This wine intrigues with its aromas of peppery spices, tobacco and purple fruit. The flavors are lush and focused, bringing a lot of hedonistic pleasure, though it trails a bit toward the finish.
Heavy berry aromas are slightly raisiny, indicating modest overripeness. A plump, soft palate isn't surprising, while loamy, jammy berry and plum flavors are a bit herbal. A finish with jammy weight, spice and a recurrence of raisin marks the close.
Aromas of licorice and barrel spice are light and elusive. The plum and dark-fruit flavors are tart and tangy with a velvety feel.
Made from a selection of high-end vineyards otherwise sourced for single-vineyard wines, this is a stellar offering and a steal of a deal for the quality, a mix of funky, lightly spiced dark plum and black cherry that's unfussy in its approach. Mouthcoating, it'll please a wide range of palates and meals.
Loaded with smoke, hickory and vanilla, this definitely shows plenty of oak, but there's also plenty of fruit to balance the ledger. Cola and blackberry flavors pick up a slightly tart edge on the long, finely textured finish.
This is an aromatic, smoky, herbal and ultimately captivating Syrah. Dense, smoky, tarry and herbal, it is a serious effort from a winery that specializes in the grape. The fruit is a juicy mix of wild berries, cassis and black cherry, with substantial tannins that add herbal, green tea flavors. Give it time to smooth out in the glass and notice how the finish runs on and on into a lovely dénouement of Provençal herb, black olive and spice.
While there are signs of maturity, this wine still retains its original perfumed character, with aromas of spring flowers, and flavors of pear and cantaloupe.
This excellent red is 75% Cabernet Franc, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. O•S generally produces one of the best Francs in Washington, lifted and intense, occasionally a bit high-toned, but always packed with juicy red fruits and barrel highlights of coffee and tobacco.
Dark, sappy and syrupy, this jet-black, 100% Syrah mixes superconcentrated raspberry compote with espresso, smoke and hints of pepper bacon. There is nothing shy here, but the wine is authoritative and splashy, a Syrah that does not taste like all the other Syrahs made in Washington. Despite alcohol levels just under 15% the wine keeps its shape and its detail, and the tannins are smooth and polished. A fine effort from winemaker Bill Owen.
Lush, opulent aromas of tropical fruit, spice and honey lead this Tokaji from Hungary. On the palate, the wine is supple and unctuous without heaviness, coating the tongue with more pineapple, orange and honey and finishing off with a delicious, lingering finesse.
The cool Coonawarra region can produce Shiraz with more elegance and complexity than is seen in hot regions, and this is a fine example, balancing ample weight with juicy acidity. Toasty oak frames flavors of cassis and mint, blackberry and spice. Drink this great value from now–2020.
This is Walla Walla Vintners' signature wine, and it is a classic: rich and oaky, sculpted but also chewy, with big cherry and baking chocolate flavors. There is an unusual flavor streak running through that tastes a bit like Thanksgiving turkey, believe it or not, but it's good. Tannins are polished and the toffee and chocolate finish ends things on a sweet and creamy note.
Syrah is quickly gaining popularity in Hawke's Bay and this is a good example why. Reminiscent of a Crozes-Hermitage, this wine's meaty, peppery aromas and blackberry-boysenberry fruit aren't overpowering, just nicely balanced and very drinkable over the near term.
A light, floating style, pierced with minerality and crisp green apple skin flavors. There is wood, but it is only just noticeable. With its structure and tense fruit, this is likely to age well: give it 5–8 years.
Fragrant and liquorous, this opens with scents of berry and cherry and spice, lightly lifted with floral accents. The wine is a pretty ruby color, and it walks the line between open and closed, poised right on the fence. There is a sharp spicy streak, which wraps into the graphite and mineral character of the vineyard.
Unusually complex for a wine in this price range, marrying grilled peaches with hints of toasted hazelnut and bacon fat, and wrapped in a layer of cedary, vanilla-scented oak. Medium-bodied, with a long, subtly oaky finish.
A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre, this offers strawberry/leaf flavors that glide softly into more concentrated, deep fruit flavors of cherry and plum. This is an elegant wine, graceful and fine, with intriguing length and a smooth finish. The tannins are a pleasing mix of light herb and moist earth, and there is a finishing kiss of chocolate wafer.
Gunpowder, charcoal, licorice, mint and exotic black fruits are all components of the nose. The palate is firm and drying, with rock-hard tannins that will likely never go soft. So drink this secure, structured Cabernet with food, and drink it now or over the next three or four years, and it will show you what true reserve-level Chilean Cab is all about. Imported by Orvino Imports.
Emiliana began as Vinedos Organicos Emiliana, but now goes only by Emiliana because getting certified as an organic winery proved too difficult. Still, Emiliana's vineyards are organically farmed, and this five-grape blend made by Alvaro Espinoza is intense and extracted yet still finely knit. It's a serious wine with slight herbal/pine aromas, robust red-fruit flavors, and a smooth, stylish finish. Not overdone, so drink now.
An excellent trio of vineyards—Minnick Hills, Pepper Bridge, and Alder Ridge—contribute to this substantial effort. The fruit is dense and lively, with spicy, tangy mixed berry, currant and cherry character. The tannins have been nicely polished, and the acids provide the underpinning that gives the wine its lift. Despite its power, the wine keeps the alcohol in check, without a trace of heat or burn.
There's nothing to dislike about the 30th anniversary release of this iconic Australian wine—only the price is hard to swallow. Cedar, earth and mint frame the nose, while the dark-fruit and rich cola flavors ease across the palate in a wave of creamy tannins. It even firms up a little on the finish; could age until 2020.
Citrus, flowers and melon on the nose are mirrored in the flavors of this elegant and lively dessert wine from Hungary. The character is fresh, fruity and powerful, but not overwhelming. A lovely balance of fruit and acid gives it sophistication and a food-friendly style. Very pretty and sure to please myriad palates.
Here the blend is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest an even split between Cab Franc and Merlot. Straightforward and unadorned, this wine is tightly defined, with sleek and juicy red fruit flavors. Cranberry, raspberry, pie cherry and even a bit of pomegranate mingle together, with substantial acids. The 50% new oak is barely evident, but some pleasing toastiness seeps into the finish.
Displays the majesty of Rhein Riesling in a dry format, combining muscle (13% alcohol) with elegance and length. Layers of dried and fresh fruit unfold on the palate, backed by a solid underpinning of minerality and spice.
Silky and luscious, this extraordinary Sémillon from the makers of the Chateau Rollat red wines sends up cascading scents of orange blossom, orange peel, citrus and light tropical, moving into the mouth with beautifully integrated fruits dappled with honey and tea. Elegant and impressively long, it concludes with a light kiss of toast.
This is pure Cabernet from Red Mountain's Klipsun vineyard; there is nothing subtle or gentle about this wine. It's a powerhouse, sharp and astringent, with edgy flavors of berry and granite. The rock/mineral component dominates the finish, which lingers and gently fades. Overall, this is a wine to cellar and to watch; it tastes like a high-altitude Malbec from a 7,000-foot Argentine vineyard.
A Right Bank style—48% Merlot/46% Cab Franc/6% Petit Verdot—this is meaty, spicy, herbal and earthy. There's nothing subtle here, but flavors a'plenty, everything from tomato and strawberry to riper hints of black cherry, cassis and plum. Spice, black coffee and earth dominate the back palate, which slides into very dry, mouth-scraping tannins.
The newest vintage of Long Shadows Pirouette is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 5% Malbec and 4% Cab Franc. Combined with the benefits of a stellar vintage, this is substantial, textural and  complex. The toasty new oak flavors are more than matched by rich layers of berries, cassis and black cherries. It glides into a seductive midpalate, adding flavors of dusty cocoa, espresso liqueur and toasted grain. It would show quite well against California Meritage-style wines costing twice as much.
Starts off with beautiful scents of ripe peaches, orange blossom and a briny minerality, then delivers all of that and more in a slightly creamy, sensuous mouthful of flavor. The purity of ripe fruit is noteworthy, extending through the long, filigreed finish.
Most Monte Xanic wines are well made and fall into this region on our 100-point scale. This Cab-Merlot blend begins with herbal tomato aromas, leafy touches and spice notes. It's a lot like basic Bordeaux, but with a creamy feel, rubbery tannins and more overt oak. This finishes with mocha, coffee, chocolate and peppery flavors.
A bit of a disappointment, given the excellence of the winery's 2010 vineyard designates. Tart cranberry fruit carries a whiff of saddle leather, and finishes with a fair amount of leafy herbal notes. It's sealed with screwcap, so decanting it would be a good idea if you plan to drink it soon.
This is a moderately aromatic, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, Bordeaux-style blend, with notes of cedar, char and cherry. It's lighter in style, with tart cranberry and cherry flavors.
Gentle and open, this is a ripe, apricot flavored wine. It has light acidity, its pleasure coming from the generous, full texture. It's ready to drink now.
A moderately aromatic Viognier with notes of peach, citrus, and flowers. At 1% residual sugar, it's off-dry, with neutral-oak aging contributing to the rich, full feel.
A Clarksburg Chenin that does its region proud, this is invitingly floral, with a thick, viscous imprint of pear and fig and just slightly sweet at 1.1% residual sugar.
This is a warm, honey- and apple-flavored wine. It's fresh and full in the mouth with tight mineral acidity. It could well age a year or two, but is ready to drink now.
Fernão Pires and Arinto are blended together to yield this ripe and warm, while also poised wine. It has pear and creamed apple flavors that are shot through with orange-zest acidity. Ready to drink in six months.
This basic but good wine opens with powerful, dark and brawny berry and rubber-like aromas. The palate feels beefy and broad, with thick, pummeling tannins. Baked black-fruit flavors end short with coffee and bitter chocolate notes.
This dessert-style wine has notes of dried pineapple, orange peel and granulated sugar. It's sugary sweet at 14.7% residual sugar.
Fleshy red plum and cassis notes are ripe and luscious in this Hudson Valley Cab Franc. Full bodied and lush on the palate, it's framed with soft, delicate tannins and a spray of pretty violet tones.
This medium-bodied Merlot boasts an abundance of ripe, juicy black-cherry and plum flavors, but with a shade of savory green herbs that persist on the palate. Bright acidity and soft tannins make it brisk and easy to drink.
Bright, lively and fruity, this is a delicious, crisp, dry Vinho Verde from the north of the region, close to Spain. It has citrus notes, a bright texture, lively acidity and a touch of spritz.
Standard plum and berry aromas form a harmonious opening. The palate on this Cab is a bit acidic, with a clipped overall mouthfeel and lightly baked, earthy flavors of generic black fruits. The finish is leathery tasting and chewy.
Fruity, full-bodied wine, with tropical fruits, pear and sweet orange flavors. The acidity is just right, but richness is where this is going.
A blend of Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre, this is a driven by its bright black cherry flavors, although there are enough spicy, savory notes to add complexity. It's medium-bodied, with crisp acids and firm tannins, making it a candidate to match with rare beef or lamb.
There's some tingle and bounce to the nose, which exhibits the variety's herbal character. The palate is fresh, a touch sheering, and good overall; cherry flavors are in the lead, with vanilla playing second fiddle. Long and a bit grating on the finish. Carmenère with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
A blend of Grenache and Rolle, this easy-drinking rosé features peach and canteloupe aromas, simple ripe strawberry and grapefruit flavors and a fruit-driven finish.
Starts out neutral but soon it develops a dominant Viognier personality. It's got all the fruits in a fruit salad covered: green melon, cantaloupe, banana, mango and others come to the fore. Fresh and ready at this young stage, with upright structure and nothing cloying. Drink this year, preferably well chilled.
Soft, dusty-textured wine that shows blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, along with a dry, firm core of tannins. The edge initially shows some bitterness, but then the wood comes through. Drink now or until 2010.
A one-note wine. It's round and roasted, and it settles more toward savory than bright, fruity or lithe. The palate is on the thick side, with roasted black plum and other baked flavors. Fleshy, with a saucy, mildly herbal finish.
Generic pear, citrus and vanilla aromas are well-thrown together, while the palate offers ripe banana and melon flavors. The feel is lively enough but is showing some signs of flattening out. Walnut is evident on the short, fast-fading finish.
Funky, big and buttery, with an oily texture. This has some traditional Viognier qualities such as gardenias and stewed peaches, but it's also lacking that exotic edge. All totaled it's heavy and bawdy, but there's enough edge to make it worth a go. Imported by Baystate Wine Co.
Dense and richly structured, this opens with black cherry, rose, leather and asphalt aromas. The concentrated palate offers succulent black cherry, crushed red raspberry, orange peel, sage, toasted oak, espresso and vanilla alongside brisk acidity. Astringent wood tannins leave the mouth feeling dried out. Drink after 2018.
This is a full-bodied Pinot Noir, showing lavish new-oak aromas and rich, ripe fruit flavors. Medium-deep ruby in tone, it has aromas suggesting vanilla, toasted oak and nutmeg, with a hint of rhubarb. Flavors recall cherry and blackberry. Gradually the oak flavors recede and the lively fruit character comes out, lingering on the finish.
Entirely fermented in neutral puncheons, this new release shows some extra depth and roundness, with a clean, leesy and mineral underpinning. Fresh cut pear and a hint of orange peel highlight the core fruit flavors.
Delicate and fascinating, this offers both charm and persistence. Deep, drawn-out fruit flavors of raspberry, cranberry and cherry are matched to vivid acidity. Balanced and well-structured, this promises excellent evolution. Drink after 2018.
Lush ripe plum, licorice and toasty oak form a triangle of flavor in this blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The tannins are undoubtedly present yet soft. Much of the fruit comes from cool Coombsville, with a slight floral characteristic popping up from the midpalate through to the finish.
Aromatically muted at first, the bouquet opens up with time to reveal steely, finessed notes of pear and fresh citrus that continue through to the palate. The oak is subtle and well-managed, and the minerality alive and fresh.
Well made, complex and complete, this offers a tantalizing whiff of lightly toasted oak that mingles with cinnamon and berry aromas, all carrying through to the palate. It's nicely balanced between assertive flavors, fresh acidity and full body. Nuances of rosemary, plum and cherry linger on the finish.
This single-vineyard selection from the Jackson Family's Santa Maria Valley winery kicks off with scents ranging from red, blistered tomato to pomegranate reduction and mole sauce. On the palate, flavors vary from sweeter berry to tart cherry, with a savory, roasted pork element rounding out the wine.
This is initially rather closed but eventually reveals underbrush, ripe black cherry, plum, prune, mushroom, dried rose petals, licorice and black pepper sensations. It's warm and already accessible but give the ripe tannins time to integrate fully. Drink 2016–2024.
It leads with dense aromas of black fruit, plum, spice and dried rose petals. The rich palate offers juicy black cherry and red raspberry accented with notes of white pepper, cinnamon clove and cocoa alongside bracing tannins. It closes on a note of black licorice. Drink 2020–2030.
Tropical fruits dominate this rich wine. Mango and pineapple flavors are freshened with a twist of lemon. There are only hints of a more steely character in this full and round wine that's ready to drink now.
Still in its first flush of youth, it shows great minerality as well as intense citrus and apple fruit flavors. A light touch of ripeness brings out a more yellow fruit character. Drink now, but better to keep until 2015.
Berry and cassis aromas are spicy and powerful, with integrated oak in support. This solid, tough wine features rugged but fair tannins. Savory berry, baked notes, leather and herbal flavors are very Cabernet-ish, while the finish is dry, firm and tannic. Age this until 2017–2022, or decant if drinking now.
Savory and structured, it has a supple layering of allspice that dances on the palate, with floral violet tones. Black cherry and earth make up the soul of this wine; it's both classy and hearty.
Deep smells of sagebrush, cherry and herbed mushroom sauce lead the nose in Adam Lee's take on Rosella's Vineyard. The wine is rich and soft on the palate, with sour cherry, roasted tomatoes and a slightly bitter, tannic finish framed by espresso. Serve with thinly sliced roasted beef.
Getting quality Pinot Noir for $20 remains a tough trick to pull, but this succeeds with fresh raspberry, white pepper and wet rock aromas. The flavors are delicate, ranging from cherry to cedar to Italian herbs, with some noticeable complexity.
Oak, toast, coffee, espresso, chocolate and vanilla sensations dominate this wine along with notes of black plum. There's not enough fruit richness to stand up to the oak or the astringent wood tannins on the finish.
This is a finely made, easy to drink wine. It is soft, round, with spice and light tannins, a wine that would travel to parties, barbecues and pasta bakes. The acidity from the blackberry flavor keeps it fresh and fruity.
Dark in color, the wine is meaty, dry and brambly in wild strawberry. It's easy to drink and like, with a smooth, hearty finish.
Saucy, scratchy aromas suggest road tar and compost. This wine is wide in feel, with peppery, spicy raspberry and plum flavors. A minty, herbal tasting finish is neither overbearing nor oaky.
There's plenty of dark chocolate and full-throttled blueberry fruit in this Petite Sirah from a producer with a longstanding history with the grape. Subtle yet chewy black pepper plays on the palate, finishing in a waft of smoke.
Smoky and herbal upfront, this is a light-bodied wine with silky-soft tannins. The flavors are on the savory side, ranging from hickory smoke and hung game to dried mint and thyme. Worth trying with roasted or braised lamb.
The nose isn't very expressive but eventually reveals fig and raisin aromas. The simple palate offers raw, red cherry alongside brisk acidity and firm tannins.
The wine is tight and nervy, very fresh, crisp and citrus dominated. It delivers a cool feel and delicious acidity that brings out a light character, as well as a bone-dry, mineral aftertaste.
Mushroom, tobacco, leather and red berry aromas lead the nose. The palate is still closed, revealing game, barnyard and bitter, green tannins but not a lot of fruit.
The name of the wine is, of course, a branding exercise in itself. Luckily, the wine inside the bottle is ripe and enjoyable. It's fruity, soft, gently tannic with juicy red fruits and black plums, all finished with fresh acidity. Drink now. Screwcap.
Black cherry fruit is encased in dark barrel flavors of smoke, charcoal and espresso. Tart acids tighten up the finish. It's got plenty of power, but the fruit seems over-matched by the oak, at least at this young stage.
This opens with aromas of sour cherry and red raspberry. In the mouth, there are pleasant flavors of tart cherry and red raspberry leading up to an astringent yet balanced finish.
The wine is soft, a gentle meander through the flavors of Sauvignon Blanc without any shocks. It has an attractive, rounded texture, with shots of acidity that complement the apple skin and pear flavors. Drink now.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape really comes through on this rosé from Paso Robles pioneer Justin. There is strawberry shortcake at first, but the Cab's capacin-led aromas of green bell pepper are prominent. The pepper carries through to the palate, in a very intriguing, tasty way, offering balance between berry fruit and green bitterness.
Fresh, lively and brimming over with fruit flavor, from lemon to lime to peach. The appearance is light gold, the aromas are very immediate and effusive, the texture tangy and the finish light with a hint of sweetness.
This is a bony, tight and herbaceous wine, sharp and crisp with bright apples and lime flavors. Light and full of minerality, it has a steely line that goes to its heart. Drink now, but it will be better in 2015.
With a motto of “affordable luxury,” Layer Cake sources Chardonnay fruit from the fringes of pricey appellations. In this case it draws from Monterey County vineyards near the Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Barbara County vineyard between the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. The results are solid for the price, with expressive aromas of honeydew and vanilla soda, and a palate of juicy melon and toasted oak. It is slightly boozy, so very much in the cocktail style, and is not for those afraid of oak.
There's something delicious about this wine, but it's not very Pinot Noir-like. Aromas of barbecue, bacon fat, smoked meats and strawberry carry through to the flavor profile, making it a perfect pairing for grilled ribs.
Oak, toast, coffee, espresso, chocolate and vanilla sensations dominate this wine along with notes of black plum. It lacks fruit richness to balance the oak and the astringent wood tannins on the finish.
This opens with weedy aromas along with whiffs of coffee, espresso and toasted oak. The raw palate displays oak, licorice and dried sage but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent tannins generate an abrupt finish.
Tight, snappy aromas of citric red fruit and lemon peel set up a driving, tight palate with brambly berry, spice and herbal flavors. This shows chocolaty oak on the finish and juicy acidity that ensures freshness and long-lasting flavor.
The apricot notes of Viognier come through strongly with this smooth, ripe wine. It has a steely character and a cool freshness from the Arinto and Síria in the blend. All in all, an attractive wine that could age a few months.
Fado, wine and song, reads the label, and Fado is the essentially Portuguese style of music. The wine is more international in character, ripe, soft and smooth, with attractive acidity and juicy fruit. Drink through 2016.
This is leafy and red smelling at first, then becoming raw and candied tasting, with a herbal note.
This is a magnificently solid wine, initially even a bit severe. At this young stage, the tannins dominate, but it's also full of black fruit notes. Very dense and concentrated, this is a wine that's even better than the legendary 2005. The structure tells of its extraordinary aging potential: don't even attempt to drink this for 10 years.
A wine of architectural strength and classical proportions, this has straight lines that mark the packed, concentrated fruits, which are sustained by its tannins. This is certainly the best wine that Léoville-Poyferré has produced, sumptuous while so finely structured.
The new-wood smokiness is an important element of this creamy-textured wine. The richness bares flavors of honey, botrytis, almond and orange peel. Ripe and age worthy, this wine's opulence is just beginning to show.
The superb palate boasts richness, with honey and orange zest notes. It shows fine balance between the flavors of orange jelly and the intense botrytis-driven notes. It has a light, delicate texture and acidity.
The concentration of old vines is very evident in this wine, which uses fruit that was sourced from a portion of old vines in Niepoort's Quinta da Pisca. There is a touch of bitter cherry, as well as a firm, dense core that shows a fine balance of acidity. This is powerful, full-bodied and packed with dark fruit—for long-term aging.
This ripe and full-bodied wine from Cristiano van Zeller is powerfully concentrated, showing all the right weight while also providing generous fruitiness. Rich black fruits and sweet tannins are layered with acidity. This is a wine for long-term aging.
Light in color, alcohol and texture, this dynamic wine has a fresh pepper flavor, and is gorgeous all around, like drinking fresh rose petals. This could be enjoyed all day long, every day, but with only 51 cases produced, get it now or you'll miss out on it.
The 2009 Les Cailloux is a classically built Châteauneuf that should age well through at least 2025. The blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah and 3% Cinsault starts off with lovely notes of wild thyme and dark fruit, then adds herbal complexity and chocolaty richness. It's full bodied yet firm, with some dusty but elegant tannins on the finish. It's excellent now, but will be even better in 2016 and beyond.
Stalky and light, this is a blend of Tannat, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an herbaceous character that is balanced by berry fruits. It is the red berry fruitiness that dominates at the end.
This medium-bodied wine is a bit austere and crisp, with cherry fruit accented by hints of mint and beetroot.
The winery initially produced Cabernet, a fact fans of its white wines might not know. This vintage offers 83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Puckering in tannin, it offers faint mint and high-toned black cherry, the finish ripe and vanilla-sweet.
Smoky leaf tobacco aromas are typical of young Cabernet Franc. And this wine, aged only in tank, is certainly much too young. It's full of brittle tannins and acidity that needs to soften. Wait until late 2015 before drinking.
Aromas of mature plum, sage and clove lead the nose. The warm, mature palate offers dried blackberry, prune, black pepper and licorice alongside round tannins and evident alcohol. It's already reached its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Sémillon, it tastes like green apples sprinkled with herbs and white pepper, on a smooth texture with fairly full body. An appealing intensity lingers on the finish.
There's not much to this light-bodied Merlot, its soft dark cherry, vanilla and plum flavors muted and hard to make out. From a San Francisco-based vintner making wines from around the world, including Bordeaux and South Australia, it sources Merlot from both Rutherford and Oakville.
This largely neutral-smelling SB shows minor aromatic hints of pool chlorine and lemon rind. The palate is citrusy and generally well cut, with flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and tart apple that finish with a note of bitterness and green herbs.
Blackberry aromas are oaky, with accents of mocha, sweet plastic and vanilla. A medium-bodied palate is slightly scratchy, while flavors of herbal plum and berry fruits show sweet, resiny oak and mint on the finish.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a soft, simple wine with attractive, clean acidity and a good splash of grapefruit and gooseberry. It's fruity, lightly textured and fresh. Drink now.
Light in weight and texture, this wine was aged in both French and American oak. Smokiness surrounds the otherwise restrained offerings of plum, dark cherry and herb.
This pleasant fruit cocktail of a wine smells like pears and peaches and tastes equally fruity, ripe and smooth. It's medium bodied and soft in texture, yet fresh and clean on the finish.
This smells like toasted bread and hickory smoke and tastes even more charred and smoky. Like a good barbecue sauce it has a sweet touch to balance the smoky, jammy fruit flavors. This is an extreme taste experience that will be a big hit with some.
Reasonably complex for such an inexpensive wine, with crunchy red-berry fruit framed by slightly unintegrated timber notes. Without much tannic structure, the alcohol shows a bit of warmth on the finish.
Leesy aromas of tropical fruits, banana and canned peaches are sweet and candied but fair. Good acidity keeps this upright, while apple juice, peach and citrus flavors finish short but clean.
This vineyard from the Santa Margarita Ranch at the southern end of the appellation produces a wine with blackberry, mint, slate and barrel smoke on the nose. The flavors aren't quite as dynamic, but still present cocoa, berry, beet juice and strongly mouth-coating tannins.
Aromas recall wood, coconut, vanilla and coffee. Sweet oak and a mocha note dominate the dense palate but it lacks fruit richness. It's already spent, with abrasive wood tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Aromas of coconut, spicy plum cake, mocha and vanilla waft out of the glass. The warm palate doles out stewed plum, blackberry, espresso, licorice and a confectionary note alongside bracing, astringent tannins that dry the mouth. The intense oak sensations throw this off balance.
Pungent and green on the nose, this is showing cool-climate aromas. In the mouth, this is shear and tangy, with a high level of citric acidity. Flavors of lime, Granny Smith apple and asparagus finish briny, crisp and scouring.
Herbal raspberry and tomato aromas are edgy and come with a note of oak-based sweet plastic. A saucy-feeling palate is moderately intense, while flavors of tomato, plum and green herbs finish short, with a salty aftertaste.
This opens with aromas of wood shop, toast, blue flower and spearmint. The lean palate offers toasted oak, dried blackberry and a whiff of clove alongside angular, astringent tannins that dry out the finish. It lacks the fruit richness to stand up to the oak.
This wine balances between the sweetness of a Rosé d'Anjou and fresh, crisp fruitiness. It makes for an attractive wine that's both full of red fruits and that has a light texture.
Heavy on the oak, this soft, rounded estate-made Merlot brims in red fruit and herb. A bit of a mouthful now, it should evolve in the bottle and in the glass, burning off some of the wood over time.
Aromas of plum, herbs and confection come along with barnyard notes that jut out. The fruit flavors are dry and chalky with medicinal notes taking over. Drink now.
It tastes lean and refreshing, with light lemon and green apple in the aroma and flavors, rather light body and a slightly tangy finish. It makes a nice change from the often too-heavy or too-sweet whites in this price range.
Made predominantly with Negroamaro, this offers aromas of blackberry, smoke, tobacco leaf, game and clove. The lean, mature palate displays dried black fruit, licorice and allspice but the fruit richness has dried up, leaving an astringent finish.
A cool, fresh wine that is packed with crisp herbaceous flavors. It's as clean as a whistle and deliciously bright with lemon, pink grapefruit and gooseberry flavors. Drink now.
Made with Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this informal red opens with aromas of blue flower and wild berry. The simple palate offers juicy blackberry and Morello cherry alongside soft, fleeting tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Aromas of wild flower, black fruit and toast lead the nose on this dense wine. The one-dimensional palate offers mature black cherry, dried plum, coffee and a hint of licorice alongside chewy but fleeting tannins.
This ripe, black-fruited wine is based mainly on Merlot and Abouriou. Full of juicy flavors with soft tannins, it's rich and ready to drink, and makes a great barbecue wine.
This ubiquitous brand does a fine job with Willamette Valley Pinot. This is a spicy, peppery wine that smoothes out into a broadly flavorful middle with streaks of light cherry and caramel apple.
A pungent Viognier, with aromas of oranges and apricots, and an appealing accent of English breakfast tea. The fruit flavors are almost Riesling-like, but fatter and rounder.
A little hot smelling at first, but then it settles nicely on floral cherry and aromatic plum. Good in the mouth, with lightness of being and flow. Tastes of light oak, butter, strawberry and raspberry in front of a short but airy finish. Fresh and solid for the price.
Floral, alert and nice on the nose, with tight lime, lychee and melon aromas. Feels good, lifted and layered, with lychee, citrus and tarragon flavors. Shows mild bitterness on the finish, but not too much. Nice Torrontés.
Ripe and maybe a touch overdone and weighty on the nose. The palate is plump and melony feeling, with sweet pear and vanilla flavors. Creamy, easy and long on what amounts to an oaky finish.
A fresh and white-fruited wine. It has the crispest acidity along with open melon and peach fruits, moving to a soft, ripe aftertaste. A great apéritif wine.
Cherry flavors turn a bit syrupy, with a sour cherry candy appeal. Acidic and slightly volatile, this tight, chewy wine spent 14 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
Dark and sweet smelling, with marzipan, coconut, licorice and black fruit aromas. Surprisingly clacky and tartaric feeling, with oak-slathered berry flavors that are both baked and racy. Shows flashes of quality flavors, but the mouthfeel and overall balance are just o.k.
Though two years older than the widely available Oregon bottling from Firesteed, this wine is almost its twin. Elegant and balanced, with light flavors of wild berry and an herbal underpinning.
Salty is not a common descriptor for Pinot Gris, but appropriate here. Crisp apple, Asian pear, unripe peach, a dusting of cinnamon, and some slightly bitter skin flavors combine here; the acids rule.
As prices for Argentinean Malbecs climb, this is a really good value. It's earthy and full, and slightly rustic on the nose. Feels ripe and rugged, with scratchy tannins supporting red berry and oak-based vanilla notes. Feels fresh and good for a large-production Malbec.
Citrusy in style, with aromas of orange, passion fruit and grapefruit. Feels flush and full-bodied, with basic tangerine and navel orange flavors. Fresh on the finish but hollow in terms of depth, with a light fade.
A core of ripe, dense blackberry and cherry flavors pulsates from within this lusciously textured red blend. It's a bold, robustly structured wine, but elegantly composed with spry acidity and fine-grained, persistent tannins. It's ready to drink now with a brief decanting but could improve through the next decade.
Milk chocolate is girded in a wall of firm sturdy tannin as this wine takes on complex elements of wood, herbed spice and raspberry pie. Sanguine, it opens slowly, adding layers of red cherry and dark cherry to the soft full-bodied palate.
A small-production vintage-dated sparkler made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, this wine succeeds in its smooth refined contour of peach mousse and vanilla. It's dry, but voluptuously rich, remaining balanced through the tangy tart finish.
Blackberry juice, licorice, grape seed and dried ginger show on the nose of this jammy, spicy blend of 31% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec. It's rich in dark fruits at first, then tightens on clean and wound-up tannins, with intense pepper and rounded caramel toward the finish.
This expresses pretty Nebbiolo aromas of violet, saddle leather, truffle and red berry. The vibrant palate offers crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, cinnamon and tobacco hints while assertive tannins and bright acidity provide support. Drink 2021–2029.
Ripe and fruity, this has a rich texture that comes both from the generous white fruits and from the cut of lemon acidity. A mineral-textured wine, it's crisp now and will likely round out to bring out the ripeness. Drink from 2019.
The Daou brothers break a bit from their polished house style to dive into gamy wonders in this blend of 80% Petite Sirah, 12% Tannat and 8% Tempranillo, with a nose that shows burned tire, bacon fat, underripe plums and freshly paved street. Crushed black pepper, charred beef and animal-hide funkiness converge on the palate. It's a great counterpoint to the winery's usual suavity.
Very deep violet aromas are shrouded in a thick veil of heavy-duty dark fruit as well as woody cedar spice on the nose of this blend of 78% Syrah and 22% Mourvèdre by Orion Stang. The palate is well composed, its solid core of black fruit lifted by vanilla and allspice flavors.
This full-bodied, dry and quite tannic wine follows the classic form of California Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms 65% of the blend. The aroma is full of ripe black fruit shaded by nutmeg, cedar and cinnamon, while black currant and dark chocolate drive the concentrated and deeply rooted flavors. Best after 2020.
Impressive aromas of dark fruits, blackened spices and herbs lead to a lush, well-executed palate that only falls off after extended airing. Spicy, herbal blackberry flavors spread out on a long, comported finish.
This Cabernet and Carmenère blend deals aromas of cedar, cigar, vanilla, tomato, herbs and dried red fruits. A medium-bodied palate is just big enough, tasting of medicinal cherry and chocolate. A lightly woody finish with pepper and cocoa notes provides for a happy ending. Drink through 2020.
Jammy berry aromas are touched up in a good way by spicy notes of good oak and chocolate. A solid, ripe palate feels right and balanced. Mellow but thorough berry fruit and oak flavors linger easily on a finish with chocolate and muted oak notes. Drink through 2022.
This 100% varietal wine brings brooding aromas of black licorice, anise, dark plum and herb followed by rich, focused black plum flavors. It delivers a lot of charm and hedonistic appeal.
This wine's raspberry jam, cocoa, fig and barrel spice aromas really pop. Its red fruit flavors are rich and ripe, providing hedonistic appeal.
This wine's aromas are vibrant and fruit forward, with plum, blackberry seed, barrel spice, herb and clove notes. The palate delivers plush, tart, textured flavors. A compelling example of the variety.
The nose on this bottling is nicely rounded, with pan-seared apple, sea salt caramel and a touch of butter. A good sizzle of acidity rides through the sip, with flavors of seared Meyer lemon and tangerine, baked apple, a pinch of salt and a buttercream finish.
Richly oaked aromas of burnt wood, caramel and sawmill compete with jammy blackberry and cassis notes. A rugged, drawing palate is fiercely tannic and dry. Blackberry, burnt oak and coffee flavors dry out quickly on the finish, leaving simmering toasty mint. Drink through 2025.
With its crisp texture, this wine is bright and fruity, with good acidity and a complex background of spice, vanilla and yellow fruits. The wine is deliciously balanced and ready to drink.
Dried red-cherry aromas meet with turned earth, concentrated rose and intriguing carnation notes on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard on the northern tip of the appellation. The well-woven flavors included tart cherry and baking spices of vanilla and nutmeg, all presented on a relatively lightweight body.
This full-bodied Zinfandel adds in 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is an unusual blend but works really well. It shows a great mix of fruit and spice flavors, with a rich, smooth texture. It's lightly tannic, oozing raspberry and blackberry flavors on the palate and through the finish.
This wine was made by Rhône-variety specialist James Mantone of Syncline. The aromas are locked up at present but suggest mineral, spice and red and blue fruit as it opens. The palate is full bodied, seamless and pure, showing depth and detail.
Produced at a Domaine that is run by the Arnoux family, the wine has both a rich side and a firm side. The rich side is expressed in the bold red fruits, while the firm side comes through in the tannins and structure that will allow the wine to age. Drink this dense wine from 2020.
Produced by Dominique Piron in association with the Lameloise family, this wine from strong granite soil reveals a firm texture and dense tannins. The fruit suggests very ripe, concentrated black plums and damsons. It is wine to age, drink from 2019.
A smoky spicy wine that is full of berry fruits and with some toasty wood-aging flavors. With its tannic structure it will need to age, although already the bright berry fruits are generous and ripe. Drink from 2022.
This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Tannat works quite well, with rounded aromas of caramelized blackberry, vanilla and vibrant violets on the nose. Black currant, dried herbs and pepper show on the palate, which is nicely balanced and not as unctuous as the nose implies.
Black as coal, with a heavy, smoky, meaty nose, this is one of a growing number of excellent biodynamic Syrahs from Oregon. It marries tangy acids to chewy red and blue fruits, with streaks of coffee liqueur and caramel latté. Half was whole-cluster fermented, and it all spent time in 50% new French oak.
Subtle aromas of mulberry, mace and vanilla meet with more intriguing notes of animal blood, rust and iodine on the nose of this bottling by Jennifer Hoage. Snappy and tart raspberry pops on the palate alongside forest underbrush and sandalwood. It's a great, balanced and even-handed entry point for those looking to explore the less ripe side of the grape.
Exotically spiced mulberry and red currant aromas meet sumac, clove and sweet rose petal scents on the nose of this bottling from a promising new project by Jennifer Hoage. The palate blends dried sage, juniper and pine needle flavors with cherry and red plum fruit, showing complexity but a light texture.
Blossom and citrus inform the nose—white jasmine hovers alongside grapefruit and orange. The palate is juicy and full of bouncy easy fruit on a fluid dryish body. Bright lemon freshness makes the fruit flavors even more vivid. The balance between fruit and freshness gives this tension and makes it very moreish. The finish is clean and orange scented.
The vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, though the label simply reads Willamette Valley. Light toast and dark fruits abound, with black cherry, char and roasted-coffee flavors leading the charge. Utterly delicious, this is a fine single-vineyard offering from Adam Lee. The barrel aging is subtle and complex, with a hint of coconut in the finish.
Opaque and almost black in the glass, this young bottling shows savory aromas of roasted meat, crushed slate, dark chocolate, fresh thyme and green peppercorns. Ripe black fruit flavors leap from the glass, bringing layers of thyme, pepper and Indian spice, all framed by bright acidity. Ready to enjoy now.
Plump with sunny peach and apricot flavors, this offers a steely precision that's bracing and revitalizing. Dry in style, it's pristine and fruity with an endlessly persistent tangerine finish.
This blend of 25% Sangiovese, 25% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot shows the winery's characteristic tobacco spice in a subdued way, along with red and black cherry, hibiscus and red currant-filled chocolate truffle scents. The palate is leathery and full of dried cherry, nutmeg and vanilla flavors.
From a pocket of Sonoma County becoming known for quality Syrah, this wine is dense in jammy strawberry and blackberry flavors, with powerful espresso and compost notes—a celebration that's equal parts fruit and earth. Its expansive tannins suggest it will benefit from cellaring; enjoy 2020–2024.
Slightly reduced aromas of plum and prune are closed, but there are fine things to come. In the mouth this wine is tight and focused, with ripe tannins. Black-fruit flavors are herbal and spicy, while this takes no prisoners on a long, serious finish. Drink through 2022.
Ripe notions of juicy pear and hay flowers have a lovely zesty edge on the nose. The palate confirms this with concentrated counterpoints of honeyed fruit and bright citrus zestiness. This is full on and rich, and a touch of residual sweetness gives this extra heft and conviction. It is the citrus freshness that provides structure and direction. The finish is merely off dry, so this will shine alongside various dishes. Drink 2017–2025.
A fresh orange note dominates the nose of this exuberantly fruity wine. The palate is a fruity little number of more soft orange with hints of quince and pear peel, giving a tangy, textured and slightly earthy edge. The merest touch of residual sugar bolsters the fruit notes and adds extra playfulness. The finish is dry and zesty.
This is a rich, heavy wine, a Chardonnay on steroids. It's packed with ripe and lush tree fruits, and those flavors are matched with generous barrel toast. Though it feels a bit thick on the palate, it has enough acidity to avoid being flabby and is terrifically delicious. Drink now through 2021.
From 100% Pommard clone grapes, this ripe and luscious wine is packed with razor-sharp, brambly-berry fruit. Lively minerality underscores the ample acidity, keeping the wine fresh and focused. The extended finish is pleasantly peppery.
This producer, based on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, has created a tight vintage wine that is still young. With its 70% Pinot Noir it has a dry, almost tannic edge that will soften to bring out the ripe pear and apricot flavors. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
From a site at 2,400 feet elevation, this wine's aroma suggests pencil lead, cedar, clove and mountain sage. With its juicy midpalate of black cherry and cassis, it unleashes firm, grippy tannins on its long finish, showing structure but also grace.
Ripe and textured notions of russet pear take center stage with this wine. The nose already signals at the generous fruitiness and the palate is pervaded with fresh poised juicy fruit. A touch of residual carbon dioxide adds liveliness alongside lemony brightness. The finish is dry and utterly moreish with its fruit-centered joy.
A touch of wet stone reaches the nose even before appetizing lemon hints make themselves known. This wine is restrained and fresh with lemon and brightness. The palate adds more depth and a grounding of creamy autolysis, but it remains slender, lithe and refreshing throughout. Fine bubbles disperse bright flavors everywhere. The lasting finish is pure.
Lovely aromatics conjure up rose petals, a dash of body powder and ripe citrus. The fruit is very ripe, with almost a candy character, and there's a sensation of powdered sugar. But despite the almost 14g/L residual sugar, it's more sweet/tart than syrupy, keeping it sappy and refreshing.
Young vines give a fruity style of wine with attractive violet aromas and black-fruit flavors. The wine has powerful dense tannins, spice from the wood aging and a cooler, mineral texture at the end. It is a rich wine, just now ready to drink.
This is a smoky and ripe wine from Beaune's top premier cru. Structured, dusty tannins support the red fruits and acidity. The combination is already rich, but holds good potential as well. It will be best from 2020.
This wine is rich, firmly structured while also full of dense black fruits. It comes from one of the top premier-cru vineyards in the appellation, well situated halfway up the slope, facing east. The wine will develop slowly as the ripe fruit comes through the structure. Drink from 2021.
This impresses in graceful red berry, dried herb and wild vanilla, each component complementing the next. Well integrated and well made, this is a lengthy, complex and delicious wine that'll please a range of palates in search of moderate ripeness.
From the highest point in the Meursault vineyards, this wine is crisp and cool. It has a tight, bright character that is driven by the steely, mineral texture. The grapefruit flavors go with the riper apple and pear roundness to give a wine that will take a little time to develop. Drink from 2018.
Extremely flavorful and intensely fruity, this wine is exuberant, concentrated, very ripe and very full bodied. But it's also smooth and luscious, light on tannins and so packed with blackberry, blueberry and milk-chocolate flavors that they won't quit on the finish.
You'll find alluring scents of black-skinned berry, baking spice, violet, a hint of leather and a balsamic note on this well-structured red. The chewy palate shows dense black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, clove and pipe tobacco alongside velvety tannins and fresh acidity. A hint of cinnamon closes the finish. It's already approachable but also has great mid-term aging potential. Drink through 2023.
Fragrant blue flower, ripe wild berry, a whiff of exotic spice and a whisper of French oak come together in the glass. On the firm palate, notes of baking spice and pipe tobacco accent a core of dried black cherry. Close-grained tannins provide the polished framework. It's already rather accessible but will offer fine drinking for several years or more.
A slightly high-toned scent of lemon candy, pineapple and peach opens the door to this delicious Dijon clone Chardonnay. Aged 11 months in neutral French oak, it's lively and concentrated, with a finishing lick of butterscotch.
Fresh-pressed boysenberry and olallie-berry aromas are lifted by tons of inviting violet florality, garrigue-like potpourri and oak forest underbrush on the nose of this blend of 44% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 12% Counoise and 8% Mourvèdre. Mulberry and black-plum flavors are fruit-forward, enhanced by toasted vanilla bean. A lavender lift carries deep into the finish.
This blend of 55% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise offers boisterous yet elegant aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and dried violet that are met with hints of crushed marjoram and white pepper. Once sipped, mulberry and exotic plum flavors mesh with wild mint on a brooding yet bright and fresh palate.
Albariño is not the first grape that springs to mind when thoughts turn to Willamette Valley wines, but what a pleasant discovery this is. A spicy, refreshing, New World take on this Spanish variety, here are layers of citrus rind—lemon, lime and grapefruit—that broaden out into like flavors. Keep tasting and satsuma orange and a bit of pineapple come into play. An absolute delight.
This wine has spice, juicy wood and good acidity that are well integrated. The rich, smooth fruit character contrasts with the more tangy wood acidity. Together, they bring a wine that has bite, with a mineral as well as toasty aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Jammy blackberry and cassis aromas are weighty and touch up against raisiny. This feels deep and bold: Flavors of cassis, black plum and smoked meat end ripe and long, with racy acidity fueling the afterburners. Drink through 2022.
Getting past the heavy bottle, you find a structured and firm wine that has aging potential. Dark and firm, with rich black-plum flavor and a concentrated texture, the wine is developing into a ripe, impressive wine. The mineral edge will integrate well over the next year. Drink from 2018.
Matured in 70% new French oak for six months, this is quite different from most Margaret River versions of this blend. It's more like a white Graves, with a silky mouthfeel and ripe, restrained fruit notes of fig and melon that linger on the finish.
Packed with flavor and hefty in texture, this wine is almost chewy. It shows a delicious ripe berry character and feels velvety on the tongue as its ample, fine-grained tannins mingle with full body and pure flavor concentration.
Squeezed boysenberry, smoked beef, thyme, lavender and even rosemary show on the nose of this fresh and smoky bottling from a lesser-known appellation. The savory qualities invade the palate, where dried herbs, soy and smoked meat hang on a backbone of dense berry fruit and slightly chunky tannins, finishing with crushed mint.
Every producer seems to own, or have access to, a small part of Clos de Vougeot even if quantities produced are tiny. This wine is still firm, packed with tannins although providing hints of the delicious red fruits to come. It is a structured while also generous wine, just needing time. Drink from 2022.
This four-acre, east-facing slope has produced a rich, ripely maturing wine, with rounded red fruits layered with acidity. It's a generous wine, full in the mouth. The aftertaste continues the juicy, fruity theme, firmly sustained by the tannins.
This rich wine has spice and red fruits backed by a dry texture. The smoky wood is still right up front, giving the wine a firm character. Wait for the fruit to develop further and drink from 2020.
Produced from a small vineyard in Pouilly Fuissé, this rich wine is full of ripe, generous fruit. Spice and yellow-fruit flavors blend seamlessly with the soft texture and perfumed acidity. It is developing into a very fine wine, ready to drink from 2017.
This wine offers pure fruit flavors of crisp lemon, ripe apricots and apples, all nourished by carefully judged wood that gives a touch of toast. A strong mineral element gives the wine tight texture. As it develops, this will become a well-balanced wine. Drink from 2018.
From one vineyard site, this 100% varietal wine is boldly aromatic in peppery clove, raspberry and a hint of vanilla, showing structure and elegance amidst a ripe, full-bodied foundation. The tannins are integrated and appropriately dusty, providing a chalkiness to the texture.
Light and fresh, this is a consistently delicious aromatic white from the appellation, a chiseled study in white peach, pear and lilting acidity. Floral in zesty grapefruit, it adds a streak of ginger spice to the finish, with just the right amount of rich body to add weight.
Heaps of earthy compost provide seductive intrigue to the opening of this wine. It continues satisfactorily on the palate, a piquant expression of black cherry, black tea and lingering acidity wrapped in a medium, softly layered body.
A wood-polished wine, smoothed by mint, black currant and black plum fruits. It has a core of dry, dense tannins, but the fruit and wood around are accessible, giving a wine that has developed fast, and is certainly ready to drink now.
This Chardonnay has an appealing nose that's both fruity and toasty, with complex, lush flavors of Chardonnay fruit, vanilla and toasted wood. A spirited but elegant wine that will pair well with poultry, cheeses or richer fish.
A lovely nose of citrus, apples and spice gives this Moschofilero from Mantinia a fresh but opulent appeal. On the palate, it's fuller bodied with rich fruit, but balanced by spice and minerals. A great white that can hold its own with myriad dishes.
A Merlot-dominated wine, but with enough tannin from Cabernet Sauvignon to give structure. It is balanced, fresh, moving towards fruitiness, taking in red berries, plums and bright final acidity along the way.
Also sourced from the McKinley Springs vineyard in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this is the regular Syrah compared with the Opulence, the reserve. The wines are clearly differentiated, the Envy showing rougher edges, tougher tannins and a more tannic, earthy character. There's a strong herbal streak also; this wine definitely needs hearty foods to complement it.
Red fruit and spices—cinnamon, pepper—dominate the nose of this solid, easygoing Agiorgitiko from Nemea. The palate offers perky red berry, spice and minerals in a full-bodied and smooth package. A dependable, elegant red.
Warm and mulchy at first; this is a muscular, dark wine despite the bargain price, and it's tight, tannic and herbal but serious in weight, structure and depth. The palate shows creamy, oaky, herbal fruit in front of a full, grabby, tobacco-accented finish. Elevated size and structure is what brings it up a notch.
This is a rustic style of Shiraz, with hints of beef bouillon and cola layered over earth and plum notes. Chewy tannins bring it home, suggesting a pairing with rare roasts.
A floral nose of violets offers an intriguing start to a wine that's both a value and a fun find. On the palate, red wild berry, spice and smoke are balanced, and though this has a rusticity that tells of its terroir, overall, it's simply pretty. Imported by Cape Wine Ventures, LLC.
This is a clean and fruity Shiraz—and one that fits the Australian success formula almost predictably. Jammy blackberry and cassis fruit is framed by touches of oak-derived vanilla and spice, tannins are soft and the mouthfeel supple. It's well done, even if it lacks a certain degree of individuality.
In a flight of inexpensive Australian Merlot, this wine stood out for its density and concentration. Which is not to say it's a big wine, but it does offer plenty of mixed berry fruit and hints of chocolate in a medium-bodied wine. Picks up some savory olive and coffee notes on the mouthwatering 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.
Bramble, leather and red fruit make for a decent nose, while the palate is basically deep and fruity, with an emphasis on blackberry and cherry flavors. For the most part the wine has structure and feel, although there's a spot of bitterness on the finish.
Earthy tobacco, smoke and spice on the nose and a fruit-forward palate make this expressive Shiraz an attractive cohort to smoked meat dishes and cheese assortments. The wine has a backbone of toasted oak and a smooth character.
Sharp and bitter, this is an edgy version of Viognier. Citrus peel leads into a thin middle and a finish that seems tannic and hard.
A relatively dry kabinett, with slightly nutty scents of vegetable oil followed by flavors of peach pit and underripe melon. But the sum of the parts is actually better than they sound alone, offering fresh, lemony refreshment with mineral underpinnings. Drink now.
Aromas of cherry, plum and flint introduce this fun Merlot from South Africa. Elegant, soft and supple on the palate, this offers good fruit flavors and a pleasant finish. Not terribly complex but certainly enjoyable. Imported by Cape Wine Ventures, LLC.
This is the winery's first bottling of this Bordeaux blending grape It is a curiosity that will be of interest to those in search of the unique and rare, but this does not convince me that the grape should be the centerpiece of a varietal wine. There's tangy, plummy fruit, searing acids and very astringent tannins. But the wine is incomplete—there's no middle.
This traditional Shiraz displays aromas of prune and toasted spice, followed by flavors of cheerful cherry and vanilla. Though young, the wine has a balanced, silky texture and good finish.
The blue bottle with the banana-colored cork is almost iconic in Oregon. The wine, as always, is far less flashy but perfectly serviceable. It gives fair flavor for your 10 bucks, keeping it simple, sweet and slightly tropical. Don't look for complexity, but if you want a decent, tasting room Riesling, this does the job nicely.
After an early blast of mint and menthol, the nose works its way toward solid berry, spice and vanilla flavors. The finish is round and moderately long, with no sharp angles or jagged edges. Good yet standard Merlot at a welcome price point.
I sense some sappy black cherry fruit in here, but it's buried in heavily-toasted barrels and a reductive, plastic flavor that takes over and won't let go. If you give it plenty of extra air time it smoothes out slightly.
A good effort given the price. Although the nose is a little bland, the wine is clean and shows hints of pear and sweet grapefruit. The palate is wet and not overly concentrated, so things flow easily as it delivers tepid lime and citrus flavors. A lightweight made for limited-thought quaffing, which is exactly what you should expect for eight bucks.
This is simple, pleasant, with whispers of melon, apple and even celery, set against light acids and herbs.
Some foliage aromas are echoed in the mouth along with dark fruit and banana. Medium weight and structured tannins provide a full body, leading into a strong but somewhat waxy finish.
There's something plaguing the nose here: talcum powder? air freshener? Whatever, it seems powdery and a touch artificial. The palate features soft flavors of green bean and orange juice, and the mild vegetal character carries onto the finish. Plump, with some friendliness, but a touch green.
Full and fat, this soft wine has broad, sweet apple flavors. The green plum acidity gives structure, aided by a fruit skin edge. There is a spicy finish to give the wine freshness. Screwcap.
Cherry soda, cherry candy; however you define it, this has a sweet cherry character. Light and fruity, it does offer some black pepper and loam character as well, elevating it above the level of simple soda pop wine.
The bouquet delivers moderate citrus and snap, while the palate offers midlevel varietal flavors of lime and generic citrus. There's a smattering of green-herb character, while the finish is peppery, light, a touch watery but fresh. Drink soon and it should elicit more smiles than frowns.
A fresh style, showing crisp black currant flavors, acidity, a touch of licorice and a layer of dry tannin. Attractive, spicy finish.
On the lean side, with more pineapple and citrus than apple or pear and a tart, crisp character. There's a touch of sweetness, but the emphasis is on brisk lemon and lime flavors. It would make a nice summer refresher.
The grapes don't have any sweetness or concentration, and the wine comes off a bit dull. A suggestion of boysenberry is quickly overtaken by flavors of stem, bark and earth.
A firm and tannic wine initially, but then it opens out with such sweet, generous fruits and flavors of strawberries and pepper. The texture is dense, a vertical pile of ripe tannins and richness.
Sharp, dense, tight and oaky; this has a lot of plump pineapple, apple and sweet citrus fruit. There is a wonderful mix of spice, herb, fruit and acid. Deep and focused, this wine has serious guts and the flavors last a good long time.
A big bruiser of a wine. It is easy to love the firm, complex structure allied with beautifully ripe, sweet fruit flavors. The wine is rich and powerful, but there are so many things going on here, from the intense tannins to the smoky black finish.
The largest of the premier crus of Vosne-Romanée can make complete wines, as in this example. It has ripe fruit, touched with juiciness, but it is the enveloping firm and full structure that gives the wine its special character. It has a range of sweet fruit flavors, allied to dark tannins, suggesting aging potential.
Classic Pommard, a big, firm, tannic wine that is foursquare and dominating. It broods with its dense structure and concentration. The fruits are solid, with plum skins, red berries and bursts of acidity. All this adds up to a wine that needs to age. Aim for five years before drinking.
This wine is rich, sweet, extravagant and, finally, elegant. Its ripe fruit flavors, red plums, sweet strawberries and smoky acidity all work together. The wine shows considerable concentration, but never loses sight of freshness. Age for another five years at least.
Initially round, this develops a strong minerality, with a texture that is firm and dominating ripe fruit. There is definite austerity here. The wine is at present firm and tough, and needs several years to open up.
A structured, relatively cool Volnay, dominated more by ripe tannins than by fruit. The fruit that is there is fresh, layered with acidity, juicy in texture, with cranberry and black plum skin flavors. The finish suggests red berries with its firmness. The wine demands at least five years' aging.
A beautifully perfumed wine, all herbs and smokiness. The palate sings the same tune, a rich, sensuous one, laced with more somber notes of dark, dry tannins. At the end of the day, this is already a delicious wine, but one that will really improve over 5–10 years.
This is the sort of Shiraz that forces tasters to re-examine their view of the variety as produced in Australia. It starts off with powerful aromas of cracked pepper and floral notes evocative of violets, then delivers explosively spicy flavors of pepper and licorice cushioned by ripe blackberries and a rich, supple texture. It's the best of New and Old Worlds. Drink 2010–2020 plus. Imported by USA Wine West.
Corton is the largest grand cru in Burgundy (all of 240 acres) and its style can vary widely. Bouchard has gone for a relatively soft style, emphasizing fruits, raspberry, myrtle and black currants, topped with acidity. It is a light, delicious wine, but probably not for aging.
A dense, almost heavy wine, with smoky, licorice flavors that dominate the fruit. It is firm, big, solid, the sort of wine that demands attention with its concentration and powered structure. It may need time for aging, but already the power and weight are there.
The richness of the fruit from Caillerets is so evident in this scrumptious wine. With its big, bold black fruits, it has sweetness, a soft, generous texture and evocative perfumes. It is so delicious and ready to drink now, that even the acidity that shows through has a hard time reminding us that this wine should age as well.
Relatively light in the glass, this blend of nine vineyards from up and down the coast shows savory baked plum, cardamom dust, earthy cranberry, bay leaf and smoked meat on the nose. It's medium bodied on the palate and very down-the-middle flavor-wise, with cranberry, oregano and thyme elements.
This is a fruity wine with lively acidity and a brisk, zingy character. Freshness shoots through the wine, making it lively with hints of yellow fruits. The aftertaste is crisp and ripe.
Fresh and crisply fruity, this is a balanced, lively wine. A touch of caramel adds to the tannic edge, giving the wine a good structure along with ripe strawberry fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
This blend of 40% Ribolla Gialla, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Sauvignonasse has aromas of freshly cut grass, lemon grass and white peach. It is clean and bright in the mouth with flavors of peach, apple, pear and apricot.
Punchy citrus and minerally aromas open this fresh SB. A juicy, citric palate points in the right direction, while this tastes like tangerine and orange peel mixed with lime and green herbs. A crisp, persistent finish closes it out.
Aromas of mango, pineapple and petrol are pure Riesling. Plump on the palate, with citrusy acidity, this tastes of green melon, lime and tarragon. On the finish, a simple, sweet melony flavor blends into a sharper grapefruit note.
You'll find aromas of dried orchard fruit, beeswax, Spanish broom, acacia and an earthy note on this spry nine-year-old. On the mature, waxy palate, fruit flavors have given way to tertiary sensations of honey, toasted nut, candied citrus zest and flinty mineral that carry through the to lingering finish. A saline note signals the close.
The nose is very quiet but the body emanates a generosity despite its lightness. There is red-cherry fruit and a certain ampleness on a slender, fresh body. Tannins are like barely-there linens. The finish is wonderfully clean.
Fresh and packed with red fruits, this wine comes from the Faiveley domaine. With raspberry flavors and plenty of acidity, the wine is forward and going to develop quickly. Drink from 2018.
La Casita is all clone 114 and 50% whole-cluster fermented. In a year with many wines showing minimal ripeness, this breaks the mold. The forward strawberry fruit hints at sugary sweetness. Flavors are fresh and appealing, front-loaded and best for near-term consumption.
This wine is tight and well-structured, emphasizing a good, gripping texture and firm tannins while tasty berry flavors lurk beneath. It's not something to sip at a party, but a gutsy dinner wine to pour with osso buco or mushroom risotto.
Grapefruit blossoms, lime zest, lemonade and chilled green apple slices show on the fresh and citrusy nose of this bottling. Tangy lime and richer pear flesh notes lead the palate, where a salty character cuts through the juiciness.
This offers aromas suggesting mature apple, citrus, hazelnut and a whiff of dried herb. The rich, full-bodied palate doles out candied nectarine zest and ripe pear while a mineral note lifts the finish.
Alluring aromas of citrus, white flower and a whiff of tropical fruit come together on this. The racy palate offers lemon zest, mango, sage, saline and an almond note alongside vibrant acidity.
Struck flint and smoke lend shade to exuberant pineapple, mango and citrus flavors in this sprightly, honey-kissed Auslese. It's an approachable but elegant wine invigorated by whiffs of fresh green herbs and a touch of bitter pollen on the finish. A fantastic bargain find.
Although this Garnacha Blanca shows rustic, cidery aromas, it displays a balanced, layered, round palate with vital acidity. Salty, savory peach and apple flavors are true to white Garnacha, while a long, salty finish is full of energy.
Aromas of blue flower, black-skinned fruit and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub meld in the glass. The chewy, straightforward palate doles out juicy black cherry and ground pepper. It's made to drink young so enjoy soon.
This is a fully oaken, reserve-level wine with decadent yellow wax that's concentrated and ripe on the palate in toffee, vanilla and baked apple pie. Robust, it drinks decadently.
Juicy and round, this opens with scents of honeysuckle, yellow stone fruit and a hint of aromatic herb. The full-bodied palate offers ripe white peach, pear and a hint of candied lemon drop while a mineral note backs up the finish.
This wine is just over half Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), with the rest Merlot (20%), Malbec (15%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of dark cherry meats, plum, herb and spice are followed by elegant fruit flavors backed by a firm grip of lightly dry tannins.
Pear and nectarine flesh are cut by a quince, Gala apple and slightest touches of guava and mango on the chalky nose of this wine. It's refreshingly light on the palate, with sliced pear and squeezed lime notes, bound by a very grippy texture.
A powerful and concentrated wine, this has dark fruit aromas like black cherry along with black pepper and wood smoke, plus strong, ripe flavors from cherry to blackberry and black currant. It also has a lot of tannin and good acidity, and will mature into a softer feel over time.
While a touch weightier in mouthfeel, Schloss Vollrad's standard-label bottling, this boasts the same peach and pink-grapefruit intensity that's so appealing on the Kabinett. Edged by a lacy fray of sugar, it's lip-smackingly sweet, but irresistably quaffable and neatly balanced by a streak of tangerine acidity. Drink now through 2020.
Fresh, primary blackberry and cherry flavors are streaked by a fresh herbal tinge in this especially food friendly Pinot Noir. Soft tannins and a rounded mouthfeel make it approachable now through 2020.
This Chardonnay brings scents of pear juice, apple and a light whiff of mint. It is smooth on entry with flavors of caramelized pineapple and golden apple. It has good balance and a clean finish.
Lively nutty and citrus aromas meet apple and lime flavors in this full-bodied and mouth-watering wine. It has fresh acidity to counter a fairly rich texture, and the resulting balance reinforces the bright flavors.
Ripe aromas of honey, yellow peach, brown pear and a nearly marshmallow character show on the nose of this bottling from the Carmel Valley. It's surprisingly very dry on the palate, where mouth-watering acidity offers plush nectarine and browned apple fruit flavors.
Fried banana, struck match, smoked mozzarella and seared lemon show on the nose of this bottling from a winery along the mountaintop road that cuts through the appellation. Citrus, apple and smoked stone-fruit flavors trend toward vanilla on the long finish.
Very light aromas of Anjou pear and lemon-lime soda grow riper toward an increasing melon element on the nose of this wine. There is a bouncy and enlivening acidity once sipped with green lime, kumquat and citrus pith flavors.
Medium-apricot in the glass, this wine offers aromas of apricot, flint and clove. At first sip, a smoky flavor fills the palate, backed by summer fruit such as peach and nectarine with notes of smoked meats and orange blossom. Smooth tannins make their way around the mouth, culminating in a finish that is equal parts peach and flint.
Lively aromas of lemon and crisp apple contrast with flavors that are buttery and rich. It offers a soft, smooth texture on the palate, while the finish is spiced by nutmeg and vanilla.
Dark berry, toasted hazelnut and menthol aromas lift out of the glass. The tightly wound palate is still rather closed and on the lean side in terms of fruit richness, but slowly reveals sour cherry, licorice and a note of ground pepper. A tannic backbone provides structure.
Aromas of toasted oak, espresso and exotic spice follow through to the firm palate along with star anise and notes of dried cherry. Bracing, close-grained tannins leave an extremely astringent finish.
Aged in wood for 15 months, this wine shows ripe flavors more from fruit than toast. Apricot and Williams pear flavors are richly integrated with the light spice and the lemon crispness. The wine is ready to drink.
This is a highly perfumed wine from the village of Favaios above the Douro valley and well known for its Moscatel. It is rich with its candy-shop aromas and lychee flavor. The acidity of this dry wine is enough to keep it crisp and fresh. Drink now.
In line with the winery style, this is lean and tight on the palate, a bit of a citrus laser blending lime and grapefruit. Try it with raw seafood dishes, like a fluke carpaccio or ceviche.
Made in small quantities, this wine opens in a decadence of gingerbread and graham cracker aromas before a medium-bodied texture supports a supple ripeness of green apple, melon and pear.
Smoothness and richness describe this full-bodied wine. It smells plummy and raisiny, tastes ripe like dried fruit, and has a firm texture.
Dark, woody berry, mocha and herbal aromas are potent and fiery. This has a layered mouthfeel with raw tannins. Rich, oaky blackberry and cassis flavors finish with notes of prune, coffee and lingering spice.
A fairly deep-red color, aromas like plums and roses, and flavors like sweet peaches and cherries combine for a delicious sweet wine. It's light in alcohol, lightly effervescent and well balanced.
Dark, minty and fiery on first take, this folds in aromas of licorice and oaky lemon peel along with spicy berry fruit. Firm and tightly built, this is spicy, peppery and chocolaty on a canvas of berry and cassis. Powerful, toasty and a touch hot on the finish.
From the homeland of Alvarinho in the Monção region in the north of Vinho Verde, the wine is rich and mineral with touches of wood fermentation adding spice. It is textured, full of juicy fruit at the end. Drink now.
This blend of 36.5% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 31.5% Grenache (the Syrah and Grenache were co-fermented) produces aromas of tart berry, tar, anise and a touch of raw lamb on the nose. The palate is strongly driven by a pencil-lead quality and framed by a nicely rising acidity, offering tart cranberry fruit.
Even in a fruity year, Pommard lives up to its reputation for firm tannins. This wine will have delicious ripe black fruits, although not just yet. The structure and the dark tannins are up front, leaving tantalizing hints of the richness to come. Drink from 2019.
This Hungarian Chardonnay has aromas of honeycomb, pear, apple and citrus blossom. In the mouth, there are flavors of toasted brioche, green apple and vanilla.
This blend of 63% Marsanne, 28% Viognier and 9% Roussanne is a warm, broad wine, ably reflecting its grape varieties and geographic origins. It's slightly toasty and honeyed on the nose, then delivers hints of toasted marshmallow and poached pear on the palate.
Earthy, spicy plum and berry aromas are racy and a touch leathery. Grabby tannins make for a drawing mouthfeel, while this tastes of herbal plum and wild berry along with chocolate and mint. A dry, lightly oaked but spicy finish provides for a good ending.
Planted in a parcel in the Château Montus vineyard, this gold colored, rich Chardonnay is balanced now and perfectly ready to drink. It shows wood aging flavors along with hints of juicy yellow fruits that are moving towards maturity.
Aromas of vanilla, toasted almond and white-peach juice prepare your palate for flavors of citrus blossom, apricot and pear. The finish has crisp acidity and pronounced minerality.
Baking spice, blue flower, exotic spice and a hint of game slowly emerge on this. The approachable palate offers ripe black cherry, fig, cinnamon and a hint of pipe tobacco alongside rounded tannins. Drink through 2019.
Coming entirely from Gimelli Vineyard in San Benito County, this bottling, which is aged in neutral oak and concrete, shows squeezed Meyer lemon, Gravenstein apple, rain on slate minerality and key lime pie on the nose, which balances citrus with minerality. The palate is rather light and fresh, with cement, squeezed lime and yellow apple skin flavors.
With vines in the south of the Vinho Verde region, the estate has wines with a warm, ripe character. This example shows a richer side of Vinho Verde while preserving the natural crisp edge. Tropical fruits are balanced with a citrus aftertaste. Drink now.
A heavily charred nose puts a burnt crust on top of earthy, savory red-berry aromas. This feels big and blocky. Savory, salty red-fruit flavors live under a heavy oak blanket, while char and burnt-meat flavors linger on the finish.
Aromas of leather, stewed prune, underbrush and a whiff of game lead the nose. The solid, straightforward palate offers Marasca cherry, sage and a licorice note alongside tightly wound tannins that grip the finish.
Aromas of oak, coffee, rose, chopped mint and licorice take shape in the glass while the tight palate offers toast, espresso, raspberry jam and a confectionary note. Firm tannins grip the finish.
From vines in the north of the Nuits Saint-Georges, close to Vosne-Romanée, this is a structured wine. It has ripe berry fruits and acidity that are still developing through the firm, dry tannins. The wine is still young and needs to age, so drink from 2019.
Full and ripe, this wine also has good acidity that gives a lively edge to the yellow-fruit flavors. Along with the peach and apricot fruits, it presents refreshing crispness. The aftertaste delivers a great lift of acidity.
This wine is smoky yet fresh and juicy. It has a light touch of red-currant fruits, a crisp texture and bright acidity. The tannins are gentle, leaving pride of place to the natural fruitiness of the wine. Drink from 2017.
A touch creamy and milky on the nose, with shy tropical aromas in support. The palate shows warm-climate melon and peach flavors on a round, chunky frame. A mild, innocuous wine if there ever was one. Drink as soon as possible.
This refreshing Chardonnay—with aromas of grapefruit and lemon and flavors of zesty grapefruit and lemon zest—is anchored by a weight that gives it balance. Overall, the wine finds a great middle ground and is food friendly.
A little sharp and unfocused on the nose, but the palate is simple and juicy, with tangy red-fruit flavors backed by good acidity and solid tannins. Overall it's healthy and ready but sorely missing that one key ingredient: finesse.
Compared to the 2004, this wine seems less generous. The nose is solid, with licorice, spice, pepper and plum fruit. But the palate is kind of flat and bland, with plump but dull raspberry and strawberry fruit. For $30 you want more.
A little sharp and ringing on the nose, with pine and citrus keeping it ultra fresh. The palate is mildly aggressive and zesty, with herbal raspberry and cherry flavors. With light oak and acidity kicking all the way to the end, this shows the crisp side of Pinot Noir.
Citrusy but also salinic, with mildly tart and lean lime and orange flavors. There's a touch of canned fruit character to the feel, with grapefruit on the finish. Juicy in the middle but limited.
Hot and earthy, with herbal aromas sitting in front of a hard, grabby palate. The flavors show more plum skin and sourness than sweet, ripe juice. Hence the wine is narrow and fairly astringent. On the plus side, it seems natural and typical for what Cariñena produces.
There's a slightly eccentric nose to this Moldovan SB, with its baked vanilla and floral notes, and on the palate, the wine is a bit overwrought and grapy. But despite these hiccups, the wine offers overall refreshing citrus flavors and a nice spin of spice.
Rather minty and herbal up front, with grassy, field-like aromas overriding the red fruit that wants to peek through. The palate offers only secondary fruit flavors that turn to cider if given time. Acceptable but doesn't offer much.
Big and black but also heavily charred and very oaky—we're talking bulldozer oak that leaves mostly resin and vanilla on the palate. Combine that with huge tannins and extract, and what should be pleasant and fruity becomes a stampede across the palate.
This Xinomavro, with its compelling nose of coffee, cinnamon spice and olive, has a rough character that both distinguishes it (showing its Greek blood) and makes it tough to embrace. Tannic and slightly tart, with an underlay of spice, the wine wants more balance and less barb.
Well priced and friendly, this Muskat has the honeyed, floral character of a traditional muscat, but also a lemony wave that overrides the rest. The citrus mutes the prettier character here, but overall, it's a good, exotic sip at a great price.
Pungent, rudimentary berry aromas come across as candied, while the palate is very narrow and sweet. Drying on the finish due to wayward tannins; doesn't go beyond the ordinary. Imported by USA Wine Imports.
This reserve offers rather light strawberry fruit, and some highlights of tobacco and milk chocolate. It spent 18 months in one-third new French oak. Despite the reserve tag and the excellent vintage, it comes across as simple and a bit dilute.
This big and imposing wine pushes the boundaries with assertive charcoal and smoked meat aromas, tons of tannin and an oaky, astringent finish. Best to drink after 2022, by which time the mouthfeel may have mellowed.
This is an earthy, minty, tart and taut wine, worthy of its appellation. It offers light-bodied notions of black tea, cranberry and rhubarb.
As reserved on the nose as on the palate, this Rosso shows faint dried black cherry and licorice notes. The subtlest hint of thyme marks the finish.
The wine is firm and still structured. With wood, dense tannins and just the hint of juicy black-currant fruit, it needs time. From 2019, it should be a richer fruitier wine, always with a tannic core.
Considering the relatively light nature of the vintage, this wine has been overmanipulated. Hard tannins and a bitter chocolate flavor are all too much for the fruit. A gentler approach would have been better.
This is a wine that is almost mature. With generous black fruits and tannins that are integrated into the texture, the wine is ripe and fruity. The acidity is still there, giving a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Ciliegiolo has dark-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. Black cherry jam brightened by a hint of green tea is the core flavor, set against a backdrop of easygoing tannins. Enjoy soon.
Crisp and tightly wound, this is a relatively austere Cabernet with an astringent finish. Cassis emerges with enough airing, accompanied by tart cranberries, which act to accentuate the drying tannins. Try after 2020.
Light floral and green apple aromas and ripe apple and peach flavors make this wine tasty and easy to like. It's medium-bodied and soft on the finish.
Graphite, tar, pine and smoldering campfire aromas show on the nose of this bottling, which only shows brief flashes of the grape's peppery, herbal core. There are forest floor hints on the palate, where dried mulberry flavors meet with pine and cracked pepper notes.
Aromas of corn silk, toast and stone fruit are followed by dry, somewhat lean seeming fruit flavors. Floral notes persist on the finish.
The nose is very shy and almost neutral. The palate does not brim with aroma, either: here is slender clean freshness on a light dry body. Drink soon.
Muted aromas of red currant, raspberry and baking spice comes forth more on the structured palate. Flavors also evoke something woody and tobacco like, with hints of cinnamon.
A deeply tawny gold color, this offers slightly oxidized, dusty peach and pear fruit, with a bit of residual sugar (20g/L) to round off the rough edges. Drink now through the end of 2017.
Closed and muted on the nose at first, this wine shows varietal scents that include blue and red berry fruit and dried sage. Softly textured, it's an approachable middle-of-the-road Syrah.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo opens with aromas of bath soap and apple juice. Plump and standard in feel, this tastes of stone fruits and salt. On the finish, which is steady but basic, this tastes bready and leesy.
Tight with lean fruit and texture, this is a wine with more tannins than fruit. It does have a juicy edge with some attractive acidity but this is pushed to one side by the dry core of tannins and wood.
Owned by the Ducourt family which has a number of chateaus in the eastern end of the Bordeaux vineyards, this estate has produced a piercingly fruity wine. With its acidity and crisp texture, it is a good reflection of the fruitiness of the vintage. Drink from 2018.
Butterscotch, tangerine and honeysuckle show on the nose of this bottling. There is a bit of textural tension to the sip, with buttery hazelnut and seared apple flavors. Familiar if simple.
Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with subdued black-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. It's built for early drinking and delivers ripe plum and cinnamon flavors with supple tannins.
Smoky oak and campfire scents provide an earthy entry into this densely tannic wine. Upfront in its youthful power, black fruit and assertive oak flavors muddle its varietal character.
This full-bodied and robust wine is marked by dense tannins and heavy-handed oak, suppressing its ripe, bold strawberry and rhubarb flavors. The acidity is moderate and as of yet not fully integrated.
Deep gold in color, this vineyard designate is oaky, with gingerbread, caramel and canned pineapple flavors. It's full, unctuous and creamy on the palate.
Just barely out of barrel when released, this will surely benefit from another year or so in bottle. The watermelon and strawberry fruit is pretty and light, and the acids have a peachy tang, but the mouthfeel is not yet quite integrated.
This traditionally-styled wine has nice olive and herb aromas and smoky, dark cherry and bell pepper flavors. It's light-bodied, smooth and easy to sip.
Tingling acidity keeps this wine fresh. It is an impressive Cab, blended with small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot, that's aged in French oak. Lively, the oak is soft and approachable, making room for the bright notions of dark cherry, cassis and vanilla that linger on the generous finish.
The aromas are redolent with notes of blueberry and boysenberry syrup, along with dried herbs providing accents. The palate is full bodied with rich fruit flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins. The finish lingers.
Juicy tobacco, clove and black currant accent plush layers of integrated oak and rounded, persistent tannin in this Bordeaux-style blend. Full bodied and quite ripe, it's a nice showcase for Napa Valley fruit.
This wine sings in the glass, offering substantial aromas and flavors of charcuterie, dried herb and orange creamsicle, conjuring up visions of picnics in a glass. It will do well in such settings, but is also a worthy addition to the table, balanced and structured to pair memorably with a wide range of foods.
This wine is a unique blend of 40% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It brings intriguing aromas of black currant, violets, black licorice, black pepper, herbs and smoked meat. The flavors are full of lively, lip-smacking black cherry and plum flavors that linger. It shows impressive balance.
This is a memorably refreshing and reasonably complex effort, a crisp, delicious mix of tangerine, grapefruit and fresh strawberry made by the saignée method. Meaty, with texture, it's round, balanced and dry. Stock up.
Unique tarry and crushed-gravel notes show on the nose of this bottling by veteran Adam Tolmach, giving nuance to the red cherry and raw beef aromas. A juicy acidity opens the palate up to flavors of peppercorn, red rose petals, hibiscus, red cherry and a touch of smoke.
New wood aging gives this fine wine its smooth, ripe texture. It is rich and full of spice and generous tannins. It is dense with plum skin and blackberry fruits. Drink the wine from 2017.
A rich, full-bodied, yet also elegant wine that is ripe and mature. A selection of the best lots, it has spice, rich red plum and generous texture. Drink now.
The aromas are light, with mineral, crushed flowers, savory notes, smoked meat, black pepper and embers. The palate is restrained and pretty in style, showing a sense of balance that runs from head to tail, with plenty of length on the finish.
Scented freshness of lemon and apple hits the nose. The palate follows with frothy lively mousse that majors on crisp lemon flavors. This is tart and bracing, refreshing and totally joyful. It leaves the palate tingling with English verve but also hints at hedonism underneath through some stony depths, then finishes with a brisk flourish.
This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (59%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%) and Syrah. Toast, herb, cranberry and spice are followed by lush, ripe fruit flavors. It possesses a firm structure.
Complex and well balanced, this elegant dry, barrel-fermented sparkling wine has light white-cherry aromas, crisp fruit flavors with a touch of buttery richness, and a tangy, citrus finish. Quite dry and classic in style, it will get more interesting with age; it will be best to drink after 2019.
Mineral and citrus aromas are on the money. Peach and citrus flavors are clean and snappy on the palate, finishing with fresh acidity and a reprise of lime and minerally notes.
This captures attention with piercing cherry and cranberry aromas and with herb and orange-peel grace notes. The palate is soft, polished and layered, with a mouthfeel that dazzles and the flavors to back it up. The finish lingers.
Lively, crisp apple notes on the nose immediately signal freshness. The palate follows with equally brisk green apple and citrus notes, mellowed fittingly with a very fine, soft and creamy mousse. This is lithe, dew-fresh and of great purity. It conjures up visions of clear brooks, green meadows and budding elderflower. The crisp green-apple notes echo long and make for a totally refreshing, brisk finish.
A blend of Syrah (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Mourvèdre, this opens with aromas of wet gravel, herb, smoke, funk, nori and black olive that are followed by plentiful, soft, generous savory flavors that bring a lot of intensity and appeal. The finish lingers.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Syrah (23%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of violets, black licorice, dried blackberries and dark fruit are followed by ripe, full-bodied dark fruit and baking-spice flavors. The tannins pack a hefty but still well-balanced punch.
This youthfully full-bodied, grippy wine has juicy cassis and a leathery texture at its core, with dried herb and cedar playing at its edges, a fine representation of a tannic vintage that offers structure in spades. Densely concentrated, it has ages to go in the bottle; drink now through 2023.
A rounded earthiness reminiscent of Bosc pear envelops this fluid, balanced and fruit-driven wine. It conveys effortless harmony with a creamy touch that's clear and beautiful. The light approach is admirable, the clean, apple-scented finish very satisfying.
The first impression is of spiced banana bread. Next the palate presents the soft richness of yellow plums and juicy nectarines. Underneath it all, a lemony freshness streamlines the rounded palate and makes this all the more appetizing. The finish is warm and rounded.
Aromatic hints of baked Cox Orange apple and ripe pear are accented by aromatic overtones of ripe quince. Quince also shimmer on the dry, even slender palate that shows uncommon spice and and clarity. A pure expression of Pinot Gris, this is shaped by freshness and zest.
From a famed vineyard in the warm enclave of northern Napa Valley, this wine has soft tannins and a focus of blackberry, black licorice and tar, its fruit becoming more explosive on the palate as it goes. The finish offers additional length and weight.
Grenache makes up half of this wine with the rest equally split across Syrah and Mourvèdre. It brings aromas of herb, cherry, blueberry and raspberry that are followed by silky feeling red and blue-fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (56%), Merlot (38%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Earth, bittersweet chocolate, green herb and floral aromas lead to palate-coating, pillowy fruit flavors that display a beautiful sense of balance along with a lengthy finish.
A blend of fruit from Boushey (70%) and Olsen vineyards, this wine offers subdued aromas of red fruit, coffee, herb and iron. The flavors are generous and full, coating the palate from end to end, with a velvety texture heightening the appeal.
A delicate and light nose of red-cherry fruit picks up hints of smoked pork and flecks of forest floor on this botttling from a historic vineyard in a small appellation. Red cherries also show on the palate, where touches of oregano and graphite make fo a versatile wine that's easy to like.
Chappellet winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus helps make this wine, a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. While possessing a sizable tannin structure it remains balanced and elegant in cedar, pencil shavings, tart cranberry and cassis. It's rich and velvety.
Aromas of fresh raspberries, flowers and dried herbs are followed by full-bodied, succulent red-fruit flavors. It shows a pleasing sense of purity and elegance to the jammy fruit flavors.
Winemaker Matt Dicey has crafted a winner, seamlessly combining aromas and flavors of toast, cherry, smoke and dried herbs into a relatively full-bodied, muscular wine. Although firm, it's approachable now, as the finish fades elegantly into dusty tannins laced with mocha and berries. Drink now–2020.
Tasted side-by-side with the Neyen 2009, this younger wine is more vital and strapping. Spicy aromas of herbal berry and cassis come with a tree-bark accent. This is well cut but delivers good body and weight, while flavors of herbal plum and berry are spicy and finish earthy and loamy. Drink through 2020.
A powerful and concentrated wine that has solid tannins and a tight, firm structure. It comes from heavily granitic soil, giving a steely texture that will take time to soften. As the red cherry and plum flavors develop, it will broaden out impressively. Drink from 2016.
The least expensive Saint-Joseph from LVV is this attractively tarry, smoky offering. It offers exciting complexity, marrying herbal, savory notes of black olive, smoke and wood ash with just enough blackberry and raspberry fruit while remaining medium bodied and almost delicate on the palate. Drink now–2018.
This savory wine opens with aromas of violet, red rose, wet soil, woodland berries and a whiff of Mediterranean herbs. The fresh, inviting palate doles out juicy dark cherry accented with hints of cracked black pepper, sage and clove. It's straightforward, balanced and enjoyable now but will drink well for through 2017.
Half barrel-fermented and half done in stainless steel, this classy effort seems to overdeliver. It starts with good fruit, but the feeling is that winemaker Jessica Munnell did everything right, and maxxed out the complexity. It's a sensuous mix of grape and barrel, steel and butterscotch, with a lively, lingering finish.
Movie theater aromas of caramel candy, buttered popcorn and burned popcorn kernels converge on the nose of this classic Chardonnay from one of California's most historic vineyards. Despite the prominent nose, the flavors are elegantly restrained, with a brisk acidity surrounding warmer notes of caramelized pineapple.
Aromas of blue flower, tilled soil, and perfumed berries waft from the glass of this full-bodied Rosso. The smooth palate delivers succulent black cherry accented with sweet baking spices alongside supple tannins. Enjoy it now to capture the juicy fruit flavors.
This elegant Rosso opens with an intense and alluring fragrance of rose, blue flower and crushed red berries. The palate is more evolved than the fresh aromas suggest, delivering ripe black raspberry and crushed red cherry lightly accented with cinnamon-spice. A note of orange zest marks the close.
Vespera combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Petite Sirah from two of the winery's signature vineyards, Grigsby and Collinetta, into an explosion of chocolate, mint and intense tannins. A tropical layer lurks on the back palate, making the wine an intriguing quaff.
Lengthy and expansive, this wine offers cherry and herb on the nose, followed by a taste of chocolate and anise, with a jolt of spicy black pepper on the finish. Ready to drink now it's also structured enough to age 2017–2019.
This has a vivid, ripe, black cherry flavor, with fresh sweetness and bursting acidity. It makes for a gorgeous, generous character buoyed up by firm tannins, a lively texture and finish, and no noticeable oak. A great find from a small, ambitious Lake County winery that loves Italian varietals.
A substantial and imminently structured wine from a coolish vintage, this blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec to impressive effect. Leathery and intense it will benefit with time, its black pepper, red cassis fruit and flowery anise layers commingling in complex ways.
Tart and spicy, this brings tangy berry and pie cherry fruit into focus, buoyed by sappy acidity. The tannins are still young and chewy—a bit on the rugged side—and carry highlights of earth and sweet spice. Give it a good decanting or, better yet, a couple more years of bottle age.
This dry red blend is as sophisticated, structured and balanced as many high-end Cabernets. Made from old-vine Zin, with Syrah, Cabernet and Petite Sirah as well, it has a deep, exotic aroma of dark fruit plus cedar and cardamom. The flavor is richly fruity, the mouthfeel is firmly textured and the finish lingers nicely. It's medium bodied and full-flavored.
The winery's Poetry Vineyard names its blocks for famous rock songs, this one a combination of Van Morrison's “Moondance” and Aerosmith's “Dream On.” The resulting wine, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, is elegant in earthy cinnamon and clove followed by currant and black cherry, with a spiciness to the taste. The finish all savory, smoky oak.
This Carignan from Cachapoal is one of Santa Ema's best wines year in and year out. This vintage is woodsy and dark on the nose, with boysenberry jam and shoe-polish aromas. It's tannic and powerful for sure, with flavors of ripe tomato, graphite, black plum, herbs and even salt. A rugged, briny tasting finish confirms the inherent rustic character of Carignan. Drink through 2019.
The aromas from this Dijon clone-planted vineyard start with sweet ripe peach until a touch of flint and sage emerge. The plush, creamy palate leans toward tropicality, also with peach and lime, plus a slight mustard bitterness.
Delicious, almost sweet fruit flavors are wrapped in firm, velvety tannins for a seriously enjoyable experience. There's a feeling of polish in the texture, and careful balance between full body, good tannin structure and lively acidity.
Aged 28 months in French oak, this wine shows the coffee highlights and lightly earthy character of the variety, in a wine with just-right ripeness, a balanced structure and some legitimate depth. It would be no surprise if it aged well through 2024 or longer.
Exotic, smoky aromas of blue fruits and Middle Eastern spices are proprietary to this wine. The mouthfeel is juicy but also earthy, while flavors of tobacco, mint, herbs and plum finish mellow and elegant. Although 2007 was not a good vintage in Rioja, this is a success; drink through 2024.
Restraint on the nose yields into biscuity, strawberry-tinged roundedness on the palate, with pleasant length. Fresh acidity lends focus while fine, persistent mousse and gentle autolytic hints speak of elegance. This is a light but classy apéritif that would make a wonderfully unburdened start to a special evening.
This fresh-smelling wine blends aromas of caramel apple and light grapefruit juice. The palate is racy in acidity, like a glass of fresh orange juice splashed with squeezes of lemon and grapefruit, and a vanilla warmth toward the finish.
Expressively aromatic, this is sourced from the Lawrence Vineyards on the Royal Slope. It bursts from the glass with scents of body powder, lilacs and lemon oil. It gracefully weaves those accents into a rich body with floral, citrus and tree fruit flavors, rounded off with just a hint of residual sugar. Still medium dry, this is a versatile wine to sip and enjoy solo or with light picnic foods.
Though coming from the warm 2013 vintage, this wine still retains its balance with notes of peach, mango and crushed granite. It's light and airy in style for a Washington Viognier without sacrificing flavor or length.
Yonder is principally Kiona vineyard Cabernet Franc, with 20% Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon. A potent combo, it was aged in 60% new French oak, and it's oak that provides the sweet scents that greet you at first sniff. Ample blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruit is set amidst the toasty, roasty tannins, with layers of espresso and dark chocolate compounding the finish.
Richness and depth are the hallmarks of this full-flavored, complex and complete wine. Attractive cinnamon and toasted bread aromas blend into ripe cherry flavors. The texture is smooth, the tannins moderate and the finish long. It deserves the best osso buco or risotto Piemontese.
Fruity and juicy in blackberry and black cherry, this mountain-grown Zin has soft, integrated tannins and a backbone of spiciness, white pepper mostly, and dark black licorice, that winds its way through the finish.
A lightly textured wine that has spice, pineapple and baked apple flavors. It is medium dry and fruity with a zesty orange peel texture. Drink this wine now, or keep it until 2015.
This appealing wine is rich, smooth and juicy, with a spice and blackberry character. Still young, it has the chance of aging another year, but remains great to drink now.
A of blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of oak, sawdust, espresso and black fruit. The palate shows overripe cherry, oak extract and sweet, sugary vanilla alongside astringent wood tannins.
Jammy raspberry aromas come with herb, oak and lactic notes. This Malbec feels chunky and pulpy, with a sticky oak-resin feel resulting in creamy grab. Flavors of red apple skins, plum, cardamom and vanilla finish sweet and slightly exotic.
This delightful wine opens with notes of blue flower and ripe red berries that carry over to the palate. It makes a warm, soft accompaniment to everyday fare such as hearty pastas or dense Tuscan soups.
This mélange of mostly Viognier and Chardonnay also holds smaller percentages of Sauvignon Blanc, Symphony and Muscat. Incognito spent no time in oak. With a lively taste of orange blossom, it could almost be mistaken for Gewürztraminer because of its distinct mixture of floral and spice.
Very fruity, this is a dry wine, with green fruits, citrus and a tangy character. It is light, bright and fresh, very ready to drink.
Generous in white pepper, particularly on the nose, this Petite has tight, puckering tannins pleading for more time in the bottle. Soft flavors lean to the leathery blackberry and licorice side of things.
This blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Alicante and Merlot opens with a fruit and spice aroma that recalls bright red berries and black pepper. The one-dimensional palate offers juicy black cherry and raspberry along with notes of white pepper and clove. Simple and easy-drinking, it will pair well with hearty Tuscan soups.
Attractively perfumed, this wine is still full of youthful apple and citrus acidity. It carries light flavors of almonds and tangy Seville orange zest, with the crispest aftertaste. Drink now.
This toasty Barbera has small amounts of Syrah and Carignane blended in, giving it a dryness that somewhat overshadows the fruit, which is more ripe blackberry than anything else. A good go-to for pizza night; drink it slightly chilled and soon.
Torrontés is usually a one-year wine, so this 2011 is showing well via flowery white-fruit aromas and notes of lychee and bath oil. The palate is largely fresh and full, with melon, lychee and tangerine flavors. A touch of wheat flavor and creaminess on the finish are the lone indications of age.
Cherry and berry aromas are generic but clean and welcoming. A crisp, fresh mouthfeel is fruity and fairly light for Cab, while flavors of red plum, cherry and red apple skins finish racy and not oaky.
Violet petal, cookie dough and graham cracker aromas surround berry scents on the nose of this good-value Malbec. The palate is jammy and not at all fierce or demanding; flavors of floral raspberry and vanilla finish sweet and a touch candied.
Rich, smoky, cherry fruits are impressively forward and ripe in this young wine. It has firm tannic structure that comes through the dried fruit and the edgy texture. Drink now and until 2017.
Smoky in leathery barrel flavor, this soft Cabernet Franc comes with layers of herb and red currant that are modest in alcohol and tannins. Those flavors will be piqued when paired with chicken pot pie or a pizza topped in bell pepper and olive.
Pale straw colored, with aromas of white flower, lemon blossom and vanilla caramel, this fills your mouth with flavors of caramelized apple tart and finishes with crisp, clean acidity and a splash of lemon zest at the back of the palate.
Bright lemon and apple aromas make for a subtle Gewürztraminer, but this off-dry wine is bright with tangerine acidity and a crisp, blossomy palate. It's straightforward in style but pretty and easy drinking.
There's a cantaloupe-like ripeness on the nose of this blend of 37% Grenache Blanc, 33% Viognier and 30% Roussanne, but not overdone, layered with seared white peach, caramelized pear, poached apple and almond aromas. The palate is more restrained and quite grippy, with flavors of green-apple skins, Bosc pear and a touch of honey.
Strawberry fruit sails above a light layer of milk chocolate, leading into a well-textured wine layered with leafy highlights. The tannins have a breakfast-tea component, keeping them dry, rather light and lifted. The overall texture and balance are spot-on. Give this extra breathing time and it gives you extra depth and flavor.
Quite deep and brooding on the nose, this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot shows mocha, blood, blueberry, smoke, loam and gingerbread on the nose. The showy, ripe purple fruit is restrained by a lava-rock minerality, oregano herbals and cedar tannins that give a grippy texture.
This is a creamy ripe wine, spicy and toasty in character with rich Chardonnay and local grapes to give a balanced texture. Acidity is there along with pineapple and white peach flavors. The rich rounded texture is generous and opulent. The wine needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2015, this brand was the among the first Douro still wines. This Reserva, with its wood-aged flavors, is rich and full of ripe white fruits while not losing sight of the mineral texture of white wines from the region. While it is drinkable now, it will be much better from 2018.
The majority of the grapes for this lithe, elegant wine come from the Zio Tony Vineyard, with the remainder from Red Car Estate. Cool-climate in its high-toned acidity and delicate features of rose and lavender, it's smooth, soft and vibrantly shaken with white pepper, a classic call-out to the Northern Rhône.
Dried strawberries, smashed plums, a hint of iron and a pleasant dusty element combine for a sultry nose on this bottling. It's full and lush on the palate with bright raspberries, richer plum notes and a complex array of spice, from sagebrush to anise. It's framed by bright acidity and fine tannins that clean up quickly on the finish.
Ginger and saffron intensify the spicy mineral-toned complexities of this gorgeously silky nectar. It's lusciously fruity as well though, boasting cutting white grapefruit and lemon flavors that penetrate through a long, tea-stained finish. Drinks beautifully now but should only intensify through 2024.
From an estate vineyard and given very little oak, this white sings in Key-lime pie and orange blossom, a heady, floral liquid invitation that gives way to unctuous texture and medium weight. Chalky somewhat on the finish, it should continue to integrate over time.
Chamomile blossoms seem to perfume this delicately fruity, floral wine. Medium-sweet in style, it's dainty and spry, showering the palate with sweet Meyer lemon, lime and honey. It's pristine through a long meandering finish.
Light banana flambée, vanilla meringue and yellow-cake aromas show on the generous but not overbearing nose of this blend of 49% Grenache Blanc, 31% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 8% Marsanne. The tropicality of the nose disappears on the palate, which is tart and grippy with green apple and Anjou pear flavors as well as a touch of melon and smoke.
Often herbal and a bit green in nature, Silvaner is a much maligned grape. Yet at Thörle, it seems to blossom into something perfumed and quite fruity, redolent of peaches and fresh pears. Characteristic herb notes are fresh and nuanced, highlighted against brisk citrus and apple flavors and a silken supple mouthfeel.
This wine over-delivers in quality for the price. It's made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with handfuls of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in to good effect. The whole combines into layers of chocolate and graham cracker, dappled in vanilla and jam. Thick tannins suggest a swirl or two of the glass. The finish is all tobacco.
Restrained aromas of black plum barely set the stage for flavors of dark plum, cherry-vanilla, mint eucalyptus and ground black pepper. Fruit flavors are soft, but the minty notes never overpower brightness and acidity. Tannins are just shy of opulent, and the finish is marked by a note of tart apple crispness.
Dark red violet in color, this wine has aromas of cherry, lavender and rose petal. It is a well-balanced wine with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, Turkish delight and herbes de Provence. Silky tannins coat the palate into the lasting finish, which is punctuated by a note of bright cherry.
The blended Pinot Noir from Dalrymple equals (or even exceeds) the single-vineyard bottlings on occasion. The 2012 is sturdy yet elegant, with ample weight joined by a silky texture on the long finish. It smells earthy, yet delivers cola, dark cherry and plum flavors.
Be prepared for a murky visual in this unusual, concentrated and complex wine. The appearance is hazy and the color brassy, but the flavors are vivid, fresh and bracing. The mouthfeel has great acidity, an unusually thick texture and fine tannins. A sense of layering and intensity develops with more sips, and lingers on the finish.
Stout bold berry aromas come with a hint of bacon. This feels condensed, with rubbery, pinchy tannins. Flavors of plum and wild berry are tightly wound, while this is long and loud on the finish, with a recurrence of abrasive tannins. Drink through 2020.
It is the ripe dark Alicante Bouschet that dominates this firmly structured wine. It is packed with tannins along with a hugely dense texture and concentrated juicy berry flavors. It is very firm, still young. Wait until 2017.
This wine is bone-dry, although with some age the shock of the acidity has been rounded out by a hint of toast. It's linear, fresh and intensely crisp, with citrus and almond tones. Drink this wine from a good vintage now.
Generous black-cherry fruit anchors this barrel-aged wine that remains tartly acidic, with pretty accents of toast and mocha. Focused, young and fresh, it should drink optimally 2018–2028.
Lush aromatics conjure up dreams of strawberry cream. This is quite pretty, with perfect balance among its components of fruit, acid and tannin, set comfortably in a compact frame.
In this ripe, smooth wine, the fruit dominates the tannic structure. Black fruits, dense plums and blackberry flavors are rich and concentrated. The firmer underlay is dark, brooding and promises good aging. This is not a shy wine and it will also need aging, so drink from 2018.
This delicious, refreshing wine is textured, tight and mineral, with fruity acidity. Tangy and crisp, it has a tight structure, touches of toast along with apple and citrus flavors. The wine is still young and very tight, so should not be drunk before 2017.
Enticing aromas of crushed rose, red berry, wild mint, menthol and a hint of oak come together. The linear, focused palate offers raw red cherry, strawberry, white pepper, licorice and chopped sage accompanied by tightly knit, close-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2019–2026.
Smoky cigar and toffee caramel hit the high notes in this soft, thick and rich reserve-level wine, sure to please fans of a full-bodied, generously layered style. Blackberry and blueberry jam provide the fruit to match the savory elements.
Warm, sharp (15.3% alcohol) and spicy, this Roussanne has a lot of bite in the mouthfeel. Sharp, edgy citrus rind flavors lead quickly into a finish that also has a bitter edge, a bit like quinine or gin. But served chilled on a warm day, it makes a fine apéritif.
A perfumed, ripe wine, attractively flavored with citrus, peach and melon, this is a wine for drinking young, a warm day wine, or as an apèritif. The crisp structure adds to its mouthwatering character.
The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Petit Verdot, and the PV takes over the bouquet with bright floral aromas. There is some boysenberry fruit, with a strong herbal streak, and the tannins are slightly green and very astringent; the fruit seems buried in contrast.
Floral and clean on the nose, with good red fruit and cherry flavors. By no means is this a fat-styled, extracted Malbec. Instead it's fresh and crisp, but tasty and pretty well balanced, especially if there's some food along for the ride. Imported by USA Wine Imports.
An obvious, fruity kabinett, with ample body and off-dry character, Ehlen's 2007 Erdener Treppchen boasts ripe melon aromas and flavors underscored by hints of nectarine and a squirt of citrus.
With a nose of soft floral notes, this Chardonnay is pretty on the palate too—floral, fruity with a touch of spice. Though not terribly complex, the wine has a fun and delicate character that gives it solo sipping appeal.
A bit green and ashy, with aromas of green bean, green tobacco and bell pepper. It's not over-the-top vegetal, but it does deal plenty of green bean and celery in addition to tangerine. As a whole it's wet and easy on the palate, but it doesn't have the clarity of flavor and pure fruit that we're seeking from Leyda and Chile as a whole.
Slightly sweet and powdery smelling, with simple creaminess to the orange-influenced nose. The palate is solid and plump, with basic citrus flavors that shouldn't steer you wrong. Nice feel and a good but regular finish seal the deal.
Easygoing on the nose, with light melon and green-fruit aromas. Yet it's crisp in the mouth, but sort of choppy and tart as well. The wine is refreshing but short and linear, as if some of the pulp and power were siphoned off. What's left is fresh and lasting, but a little weak in flavor.
This unoaked white offers rounded tropical fruit aromas and flavors like pineapple, melon and pear. The style is straightforward and exuberant, with balanced acidity and a fruity, lush finish. Keep on the table for everyday enjoyment.
An elegant white with a nose that combines zippy citrus, minerals and a touch of guava. The palate offers clean and spritzy character with a wave of rounding tropical fruit and a spin of spice. Pair with spicy food—think Indian or Thai.
A little soft and heavy on the nose, which conveys a sense of overripeness. In the mouth, it's not overly heavy but it is sort of chunky as flavors of apple and citrus brush up against mealy but then draw back to a fresher place. Finishes mild, with only a modicum of acidity. Drink soon for best results.
An elegant, perfumed nose of white flowers and crisp fruit is followed by light, flirty flavors of honey, gooseberry and lemon. Soft and simple, the wine has a pretty quality and a good balance of fruit and acidity.
Two Oceans offers a friendly, vibrant sip with this Sauvignon Blanc. Tropical fruit, gooseberry, some straw on the nose and simple, fresh citrus and fleshy tropical fruit flavors give the wine complexity. A fun white with some heft.
Hints of dried pear and apple appear on the nose and suggest subtlety but the palate does otherwise: it comes in with bright citrus freshness, recalling lemon oil and candied lemon peel. This is absolutely dry and very sprightly, lively and even exuberant. There is great depth of fruit here that will just evolve. Drink 2017—2030.
While the nose is a bit cool, suggesting tart, green notes of melon rind and apple, the palate of this late-harvest Riesling is unctuously ripe. It's boldly honeyed yet pristine in fruit character, suggesting sun-kissed yellow cherries and tangerines. The palate is concentrated and forward but balanced by zesty acidity and a lingering, delicately sweet finish.
To be fair, the Cabernet Franc portion of this wine is only 3%, so don't expect to be bowled over by Loire-like florals or leafiness. Rather, it's a dense full-bodied wine, savory in style, with edgings of charred meat, grilled plum, mocha and a long cocoa-tinged finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This wine leads with tire rubber, bacon, forest floor, juniper and blackberry aromas, requiring as much air or time as you can give. In the mouth, it's hard, tannic and almost astringent. A mix of oak and herb-laced black fruit flavors finishes long, with plenty of energy and power in reserve. Drink 2018–2027.
White pepper, tart pomegranate and herbal touches show on the nose of this bottling from winemaker Mike Sinor. There's a strong spice-and-herb quality to the palate, evoking thyme, oregano and black pepper, which gives depth to the black plum skin flavors. It's racy with acidity and vibrant as can be.
A superstar in this new vintage, this wonderfully concentrated and well-delineated wine offers precise fruit flavors of etched and sculpted peach, apricot and melon in perfect proportion. There is ample acidity under the 19 g/l residual sugar.
Yeasty funk still clings to the nose. Underneath that there is a concentrated palate with lovely texture. Spicy pith with hints of grapefruit zest, almond peel and shy pear all play on the rounded powerful body. There is bundled force and energy here. Bright, enlivening and luminous freshness makes for a moreish, dry finish.
Peach and honey characterize the nose on this golden wine. These flavors also play generously on the concentrated rich midpalate where they are countered by aromatic orange and tangerine zestiness, creating a lovely contrast and exciting richness. There is just a touch of residual sweetness here to create some drama, but it works to great effect. The wine is not sweet enough for deserts but will work with Asian spices or ripe cheeses. It's simply wonderful and so balanced.
A medicinal lift precedes any notion of fruit on the nose which only hints at juicy ripe peach. The palate has the full hit of fruit with lovely quinine and peach pit bitterness thrown in as a counterbalance to the luscious, concentrated and powerful sweetness. With time, hints of lemony barley sugar and toffee come through. This is full-on and intense with incredible sweetness and length. The flavor just lasts and lasts with a stony warm persistence.
From the oldest vines owned by the producer, this wine is intense and concentrated. Packed with citrus and still-bright herbal flavors it has layers of minerality and perfumed acidity. It still has its freshness which is in the process of changing into a rich maturity. Drink now and until 2024.
Inviting, exotic coconut and vanilla scents give this vineyard designate a tropical flourish before more traditional cassis and cherry notes take the lead. Bright acidity counters velvety texture as the wine unfurls its underlying grip of tannin. Approachably rich, it rewards with full flavor and body.
What rises from the glass is reminiscent of very ripe sun-warmed mirabelle and pear. The palate supports these fruits with wonderful, zesty concentration of citrus notes which also give a lovely pithy texture and brightness to the wine. The palate is dry and slender but has real impact. The finish is long, fresh and aromatic.
This vintage of the hearty proprietary blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc highlights the best of the harvest. It's dense with mouth-coating red fruit and a touch of sweetness from oak. As it unwinds, more developed graphite, black olive and dried herb accents come to life. Enjoy 2023–2030.
This excellent, restrained bottling is compelling. Lemongrass, kaffir lime and lemon-lime aromas lead into a palate laced with fresh, high-toned citrus notes. More exotic touches of sweet onion, yuzu and wet slate complete the experience.
Velvety thick with black fruit and pepper notes, this wine is firm with tense, fully structured tannin—a powerful backbone that contributes complexity and concentration.
An outstanding vintage for this cuvée, this sports a concentrated mix of plum and cherry fruit, matched to perfectly proportioned acids. Tannins are supportive and yet subtle, and this easily passes the two-day test, drinking beautifully a full 24 hours after first being opened and tasted.
This wine is subtle at first, but each sip brings more richness, nuance and layers. Soft, lightly spicy vanilla aromas lead the nose while Bosc pear, cream and marzipan flavors unfold on the palate. The texture is rich from the beginning and seems to grow more luxurious as it opens, lingering long into the finish.
A true family effort—bottled with help of Jim Clendenen's kids, Knox and Isabelle—this deep, creamy and balanced wine shows honeyed almond, buttercream and Meyer lemon aromas. There's a grapefruit-skin freshness to the palate, rounded out with a warmth recalling toasted brioche and pecans that carries into the finish.
Wonderfully lively notes of fresh aromatic orange and citrus zest mingle together. The palate is bright and tight, fresh and concentrated. The body is slender and energetic, precise and fresh and has a lovely translucent quality with a beautifully clean finish. Drink now through 2025.
Slight yeasty funk still hangs over the nose. The palate immediately comes in with driven force and incredible energy. There is pith and zest, stone and smoke, but for now the fruit is hidden at the core. Great concentration adds to the drive and dynamic here. This is warm and ripe, but still incisive—it's not showing its true colors yet. Drink 2020—2030.
While sprightly in body and texture, this intensely concentrated, medium-sweet Riesling offers powerful fruit intensity offset by toe-tingling acidity. Ripe, luscious apricot and yellow-peach flavors are fresh, lingering on the finish with hints of sweet biscuit and caramel.
Sun-ripened bramble and fresh herbs lend freshness to sweet cantaloupe and peach flavors in this deeply fruity yet earth-inflected auslese. It's lusciously sweet yet taut and bristling with acidity. The finish is marked by mouthfilling, lingering nectar.
This bottling from the historic vineyard boasts a balanced, smoky quality on the nose that pairs well with its sharper white flower and salted nut aromas. Its acidity and tongue-tingling texture on the palate is addictive, revealing ripe Gala apple flavors backed by lemon juice, sea salt, oak and wet stone notes.
This vineyard, just behind the Bourgeois winery, has the steepest slope in Sancerre. With a brilliant exposure to the sun it is capable of producing totally ripe rich wines. This example, packed with mango and apricot flavors, is far removed from an herbal character. Instead, it is exotic, ripe and likely to be ready to drink from 2019.
This coastal, cool-climate estate wine is fresh and fruity, with plush tannins that feel velvety on the tongue. Cranberry, pomegranate and orange flavors provide complexity, complemented by black tea and forest floor notes.
Restrained notes of honeyed richness rise from the glass. The ripe peach scent has floral overtones. The palate has a fluid, almost oily feel but is dry. A wonderfully fine phenolic edge helps to provide structure to this evolving Gewurztraminer, as do aromatic notes of orange zest. The harmonious balance of body and weight, of concentration and elegance on this dry wine are exemplary. The finish is long and elegant.
With a vivid golden color, bold and buttery aromas, and rich, almost nutty flavors, this is a full-bore rendering. It is full bodied and brings out the most flavorful aspects of the grape. The texture is rich and almost thick, and the buttery nuances linger on the finish.
Fleshy peach, melon and papaya aromas set up a round, pulpy, full-bodied palate housing a creamy weight. Grapefruit, lime, melon and guava flavors finish a bit herbal, with shades of tarragon.
Easy berry and plum aromas come across clean and pure. This has a staunch mouthfeel with rubbery, pinching tannins. Earthy, ripe berry and plum flavors turn even riper on the back palate and finish, which lingers in a solid state.
In this fresh and fruity wine, lively flavors of strawberry and watermelon are buoyed with adequate but not over-riding acidity. The finish is clean and lingering, inviting the next sip.
Aromas of blue flowers, forest floor and red berry lead the nose on this straightforward red. A blend of 80% Sangiovese, with 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the smooth, accessible palate offers red cherries, strawberries and anise alongside bright acidity.
This unoaked, Dijon-clone wine is lively and lush, with tongue-coating fruit. Melon, banana and papaya flavors steer it in a tropical direction, with a lick of mineral and phenolic bite giving further support.
This rich, almost sweet wine owes a lot of its exuberance to the flavors that oak barrels impart—toasted, smoky, seemingly sweet but not sugary notes like maple syrup. Ripe black cherry and boysenberry flavors blend in too. The mouthfeel is dense but not harsh, as the layers of fine-textured tannins add shape without a lot of weight.
Very citrusy aromas of fresh squeezed lemons grow rounder with pear and nectarine flesh, all cut by a white rock minerality, without many of the typical grassy notes. The palate is very tight with lime juice and green apples, and driven by chalky grip and vibrant acidity.
Soft and earthy, this wine's herbal, funky nature suggests Carneros as much as Sonoma Coast, with black tea and crunchy dried cranberry lurking on the back of the palate. Medium in weight, it eases into a mellow finish.
Aromas of brambly plum and raspberry set up a palate with ripe flavors of black cherry and nutmeg. A baking-spice character carries onto the finish, which turns more soft and candied as it wraps up.
This rich, full-bodied wine is packed with ripe, dense blackberry and plum flavors. With firm tannins in the background, it is always going to be dark and solid. Produced on a single vineyard by the local cooperative, it could still age and will be best from 2016.
Recalling the time when Cahors was on the pilgrim route to Santiago in Spain, this wine is a solid, structured example of Malbec. Textured berry and black currant fruits are still developing alongside the dark, dry tannins. With the tannins and the final acidity, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.
A late-harvest wine from 40-year-old vines, this is balanced with a totally refreshing touch of acidity and lemon curd. It is light and fruity, just hinting at honey and apricots. The aftertaste has a great lift of acidity.
With its 50% Sémillon, this ripe wine has the potential to be rich. It has a perfumed, fruity character at this stage, emphasizing flowery fruits along with citrus. As it develops, it will fill out comfortably. Drink from 2016.
Cherry, plum and raspberry aromas cover the red end of the aromatic spectrum. A wide, tannic, grabby body and earthy flavors of raspberry and baked plum finish bold and choppy, with freshening acidity.
An unusual Syrah-based blend with large amounts of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as smaller percentages of Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a fun wine. Soft on the front palate in blueberry and leather, it develops density and scratchy texture on the finish. It's big yet balanced in acidity.
Whiffs of saffron and crushed stone lend an earthy tone to the nose, but the palate of this semidry Riesling is all honey and tangerines. Laser-cut acidity lends precision and lift to a moderately long finish. Quaffable and invigorating.
Dusty with earth and saffron aromas, this seemingly savory Silvaner is surprisingly plump and fruity on the palate. Ripe yellow plum and cherry flavors are anchored by bracing lime acidity and a moderately long, mineral finish. Drink now.
A 100% varietal wine with layers of leather and bacon at the core, this full-bodied bottling is otherwise soft and juicy in red and black fruit. Overlaying it all is a smoky quality that overbears at times, but will pair well with the right foods.
Bordeaux blends show promise in this region. This combination of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37.5% Merlot and 12.5% Cabernet Franc reveals rustic, leathery aromas of crushed Italian herbs, dried red cherries and fresh dill. Once sipped, flavors of fresh-ground coffee, oregano and bay leaf spice a base of cranberry fruit.
Classic notes of lychee and rose petal waft on the nose of this delicate Gewürztraminer. Off dry in style, it's brisk and dancing, offsetting plush, juicy white grapefruit with spice and honey. Finishes briskly on a sugary pastry note.
Aromas of cedar, cinnamon and earth make a fascinating welcome, and the flavors are equally vivid, adding tart raspberry and pomegranate. This is medium bodied, lively with acidity and firm tannins, and nicely lean in profile.
Although it's young, this wine has seen some time in oak, which has given it a ripe fruity character balanced by toast. It's rich and full with balancing acidity and a spicy aftertaste. It needs to age a few months, so drink from 2016.
This blend of half Merlot, half Cabernet Sauvignon is rustically earthy and soft, betraying the plush, plummy Merlot. Tight on the finish and medium in weight, it has a black peppery finish that appeals and suggests pairing with well-seasoned meats.
Cranberries, raspberries and black cherries are in the fruit bowl here, with a hint of wet hay. Still sharp and spicy, it's astringent and offers a light hint of dried tobacco. As with many of the winery's reds, the basic material is excellent, and shows great potential as the vines mature.
This soft wine is dominated by tropical fruits as well as fresher pear and apple. It is ripe, brightened by citrus acidity that still needs to integrate. It will be attractive to drink by the end of 2015.
Smooth and elegant, its fresh citrus and apple fruit flavors are buoyed on firm acids. Despite the high alcohol, the character of this sipper is lithe and light.
Rubbery, somewhat funky aromas shift toward iodine and stewed blackberry. A dense palate houses rubbery tannins that are short on structure. Baked blackberry, plum and cassis flavors finish toasty, herbal, leathery and salty.
Aromas of mocha, espresso, coconut, ripe black-skinned fruit and new wood lead the nose on this hearty blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The thickly concentrated palate offers up dried black cherry, roasted coffee beans, toasted oak and vanilla alongside astringent tannins.
Smoky aromas of campfire and clove are blended with high-toned black-fruit scents draped in additional toasty oak. An energetic palate brings its share of resiny, heavy oak, while dark-berry flavors come with woody, toasty, charred accents that suggest clove and black pepper.
This smoky, perfumed single-vineyard wine has exotic spice flavors and a rich texture from wood aging. Made from the rare Zierfandler grape (only 200 acres are planted), the palate has weight, a good depth of yellow-fruit flavors and a generous character. It could age well another year or two. Screwcap.
Aromatic wild flowers lead to a rich, exotically fruity wine, full of peaches and apricots, fresh acidity and great, lively acidity. This is a deliciously fruity wine from the start. It's the more textured backdrop that promises some aging. Screwcap.
Spicy, exotic and dry, this wine is full of ripe lychee and mango fruits. Rounded, full and deliciously rich, it's perfect for sipping or for accompanying rich fish sauces. A wine for aging over 2–3 years. Screwcap.
This fragrant Barolo has lovely floral and underbrush aromas and a restrained palate showing cherry and spice. It's tightly tannic and very nervous, needing more time to soften up.
Crushed granite notes add an austere elegance to pristine white-peach and citrus notes on this dry but lusciously mouthfilling Riesling. It's rich and round on the palate, with savory tones of fresh herbs that linger on the finish.
A wood-aged blend of Pinot Noir and Saint Laurent, this is a ripe, smooth, perfumed wine. It has juicy red fruits laced with acidity, toast and a firm structure of fruit tannins. Give this wine at least three years to develop. Screwcap.
This is surprisingly tough and tannic for a wine that incorporates 8% of a white variety. But those mouth-drying tannins give shape to the cassis, cranberry and black olive notes. Take a chance by cellaring this rather austere wine for five years or so and see how it develops.
Matthew Loso makes excellent Sauvignon Blanc, and this is no exception. Smooth, lush and creamy, it's bursting with concentrated fruit flavors of apple, peach and papaya—definitely not a grassy style by any measure. Everything points to barrel fermentation, including the lick of fresh cream in the finish.
A rich, bold wine full of wood flavors that are already well integrated with the ripe fruit and solid tannins. The wine is dense, while having a surface polish of smooth fruitiness. Give the wine 3–5 years.
Ripe and fruity, this is a finely balanced, already delicious wine. The tannins promise some aging potential, bringing a dry core to the rich blackberry fruit. It's firm, yet layered with fine juiciness. A forward wine that will still develop well.
Though labeled simply “Red”, this is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends grapes from Pepper Bridge and Candy Mountain vineyards. It has a satiny mouthfeel, with generous red fruits, licorice and hints of sweet herb. There's a dash of white pepper in the crisp, clean finish.
This riserva from one of Barolo's most celebrated vineyards doesn't disappoint, even in the scorching 2007 vintage. It delivers succulent black cherry, herb and spearmint sensations along with brooding tannins and just enough freshness.
This is a cool, restrained style of Cabernet, which nonetheless manages to pull in ripe flavors of cassis and chocolate. The tannins are svelte and modestly textured, while the flavors turn slightly tart on the cedary finish. Already approachable, but it should drink well through at least 2020.
The 2011 vintage is a high-water mark for the Indian Wells Chardonnay, principally because the oaky, buttered popcorn flavors have been muted. It's a firm, slightly tart mix of green and yellow fruits, with supporting acids and excellent length. Pleasantly toasty, but not over the top.
This impressive offering is crystal-clean and direct, with green apple, lime and petrichor notes that typify Riesling. It's medium bodied and fully dry, with a long, lime-riddled finish. Drink it over the next decade or so.
Dried herb and spice aromas lend a savory tone to the nose, but the palate on this Riesling is lush with intensely ripened apricot and yellow-peach fruitiness. It's dry in style, yet luscious in body with a slightly herbaceous, mineral-rich finish.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Orange Muscat shows extra ripeness in 2012, reflected in both the higher alcohol and the noticeable sweetness. It's fragrant and expressive, with sweet orange peel and candied grapefruit dominating, along with slices of pineapple and apricot. The sweetness makes it a bit of a challenge with food.
Blueberry, graham cracker and mild herbal notes define the nose on this high-altitude Malbec from Chile. The palate is rich and a bit zingy, with jammy density and mountainous flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and toast. A pure and zesty finish is the right ending to this dark, lusty Malbec.
Brief skin contact during fermentation gives this appropriately named, single-vineyard (The Benches) rosé it's pretty pale-salmon color. It's immediately appealing, with notes of melon and strawberry, and just a hair off-dry, with a rich, textured feel.
This is a medium-weight, supple Cabernet with bright acids that's seemingly designed for early drinking. Perfumed notes of mint, vanilla, brown sugar and cassis lead the way, followed by similar flavors and ample oak.
The sophisticated southern Rhône-style blend includes Viognier, Grenache and Mourvèdre, sourced from vineyards in Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, and the Horse Heaven Hills. It's smooth and sexy, with a satiny presence in the mouth. The purple plum and berry fruit flavors are matched to lightly grainy tannins, with streaks of cocoa and earth.
Notes of waxy lanolin and crushed slate add an earthy, savory tone to ripe, rich orange-marmalade flavors on this juicy little Riesling. Dusty minerality and tart lemon-rind notes extend on the long, bracing finish. Drink now for it's fruity freshness, or hold for 5–7 years at least to allow its minerality to intensify.
This subtle, graceful Syrah acknowledges the cool vintage and takes full advantage of what it has to offer. It's based upon elegantly-layered citrus and sappy berry fruit flavors, with just a delicate hint of clean earth.
Tomato vine, elderberry flower, hay and dill aromas mingle on this crisp white. The vibrant palate delivers grapefruit, pineapple, celery and graphite accompanied by vibrant acidity. Nectarine backs up the finish.
Fermented and aged in large Slavonian oak, this unusual, copper-colored wine opens with scents of wildflower, red berry, baking spice and a balsamic note. The spicy palate is linear and structured, showing ginger, cinnamon, tangerine zest and mineral but not much fruit richness. A white pepper note closes the finish.
You'll find aromas of beeswax, white flower and a whiff of orchard fruit on this fragrant white. The lively palate offers crisp apple, nectarine, toasted almond and mineral alongside bracing acidity.
This is a dark, dense wine. It has concentrated tannins that are still dominant. The ripe fruit that is underneath will shortly reveal red berry and red currant freshness. This blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional is perfumed with a fresh, bright aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Aromas of toasted oak, vanilla and a confectionary note lead the nose while the palate offers mature Golden Delicious apple, butterscotch and walnut skin alongside bracing acidity.
Ripe aromas of honeydew, orange creamsicle, grilled apple and almond are framed by a hint of fynbos on the nose of this accessible Chenin. The plush, round palate boasts notes of tangerine, apple flesh and pineapple that finish crisp and clean. Drink now–2018.
The nose is at first rather shy but slowly reveals cut grass, kiwi, tomato leaf and tropical fruit. The svelte, vibrant palate offers grapefruit, raw white nectarine, sage and white pepper alongside racy acidity. A mineral note signals the close.
Tropical aromas of lychee and banana come with a varietally familiar note of bath soap. This is oily feeling, but with integrated acidity it isn't ponderous. Pithy citrus flavors are backed by a hint of bitterness, while the finish is juicy, a touch burning and tastes of nectarine and mango.
A stellar deal for the price, this wine shows plum, strawberry and asphalt on the nose, with a touch of clove-nutmeg spice. It's tart and dry, with dusty elderberry flavors on the palate, boosted by a touch of mint and a decent structure.
Rich caramel and a substantive presence of oak overlay an otherwise fairly light-bodied, structured wine from an estate vineyard. It's packed in tropical elements and baked apple.
The wine has the correct texture and attractive perfumes for a delicate Riesling. The crisp apple and tight mineral flavors are light and floating. It's a surprising wine for the Lisbon region, but it works so well.
This is a deliciously perfumed wine that is fresh and fruity with a fine, tight texture to add interest and give it shape. It takes advantage of the natural aromatic flavors of the grape to produce a wine that is both crisp and fragrant. Drink now.
With its typical perfumed fruit and firm tannins this is a ripe structured wine. It does suffer from the one-dimensional character that can come with a mono-varietal Touriga Nacional. That keeps the wine firm with good fruit although without great depth and complexity. Drink from 2017.
Two bottles were tasted, with significant variation. The better bottle showed moderately ripe cherry fruit framed in chocolate and orange peel. A 50/50 mix of Pommard and Dijon 777 clones, this is best enjoyed soon.
While the nose is a touch savory and subdued, the palate of this off-dry Riesling boasts an abundance of sweet-tart apricot and peach flavors. Its sunny, simple demeanor is jolted by searing lemon-lime acidity that bristles on the finish.
Sporting a big burst of juicy cranberry fruit, this young wine, one of the first Pinots to be released from the 2014 vintage, is easy to like. There's nothing too fussy here, just tangy red fruit set against balanced acids and light tannins.
The Côa Valley is in the far eastern end of the Douro vineyards, increasingly exciting for red wines. This wine, from organic vineyards, retains plenty of freshness with red berry fruits and tannins that are already well integrated. It is fruity, ripe and ready to drink now.
Packed with ripe fruits and soft tannins, this is a juicy, red fruit flavored wine. Although it is young with the fruity side right up front, it is really not a wine that needs to age for long. Enjoy the wine for its freshness and light touch of minerality.
An herbal-leaning bottling, this shows oregano, pasilla chile and a shred of bell pepper on the nose, giving nuance to the blueberry-fruit base. It's fresh and easy-drinking on the peppery palate, with strawberry cut by more chile elements. It's great for those who enjoy pyrazine influence, but stay away if not.
This bright, fragrant wine offers aromas of an orchard in bloom, spring flower, peach and a hint of banana. The crisp palate shows crunchy apple, pear and mineral alongside bracing acidity. A light almond note signals the crisp close.
This wine opens with potential that is realized as it develops in the glass. It starts powerfully grippy and closed, then earthy loam and dried herb emerge aromatically before bites of black cherry and pomegranate tease the palate.
Sleek and polished, this vibrant white opens with aromas of wildflower, citrus blossom and summer orchard fruit. On the lively palate, bright acidity adds zest to crunchy green apple and pear while a mineral note closes the finish.
The blend is approximately 50-50 in this full-bodied but firm, slightly closed wine. The cassis, cedar and vanilla aromas and flavors are spot on, so just give it another year or two to soften. Drink 2017–2025.
Slicks of preserved peach and apple marmalade juxtapose vivacious lime and lemon in this juicy, off-dry Riesling. It's a satisfyingly fruity, pert wine finishing crisp and clean. Drink now through 2018.
Oaky cherry and raspberry aromas are clean and fresh. This feels muscular, with pounding tannins. Cherry and plum flavors, like the nose, are straightforward, while the finish echoes the palate, meaning it's drawing, hard and tannic. Give this as much time as you can, but don't expect miracles—it's a 2013, a complicated vintage.
Aromas of white orchard fruit, spring wildflower and a hint of nut unfold on this bright wine. The round, structured palate tastes of Williams pear, apple and a bitter almond note alongside fresh acidity.
As a side project alongside the Mari Vineyards wines, this is the first release of winemaker Sean O'Keefe's Scriptorium line. Blending Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Lagrein, this cool-climate red boasts dark cherry and raspberry laced with pink peppercorn and cedar oil. There's ample concentration of fruit on the palate, with lively acidity and crushed stone keeping things light.
The perfume of honeysuckle is followed by peachy, plum fruitiness. The palate presents a medium sweet richness that glows with peach jam and floral overtones, there is a warm finish and echoes of ripe peach.
Juicy black cherry and strawberry flirt with this vineyard-designate's sultry and dense earthiness, combining two sides of the equation with a deft hand. Tea, sage and robust tannins give it depth and breadth across the palate, as tingling acidity keeps it fresh.
This is an absolutely charming, lighter-style dry wine that has a translucent ruby color, fresh raspberry and red cherry aromas and mild but vivid flavors buoyed by good acidity and very moderate tannins. Light body doesn't mean wimpy, though, as this gem has good depth and a lingering finish.
Youthfully wound up, this wine celebrates the winery's founding in 1977. A waft of nutty marzipan opens the gate to a wonderland of lemon, apple, pear and pineapple, the acidity supportive in lending a refreshing backbeat to the fruit.
The cuttings for this vineyard were taken from the Old Garden Vineyard, so despite it's relatively young age, it has pedigree. Sage, smoke and black olive notes mingle easily on the nose, backed by flavors of vanilla, black cherry and mocha. It's medium to full in body and creamy in texture, with a smooth, silky finish.
This blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache offers plum, blackberry and blueberry on the nose with sweet cedar, tobacco and vanilla spice touches. There is strong acidity through the sip, which delivers similar elements as the nose, with baked black-purple fruit and clove spice.
This wine is soft and subdued, inviting in its full-bodied embrace of vanilla. With all five red Bordeaux varieties involved, it makes an impact, showcasing rich red berry, cassis and cherry, while a dusting of clove spice finds length on the finish.
Schisty aromas of licorice and blackberry are touched up by a shot of cedary oak. This feels juicy and not that heavy or compact on the palate. Reedy, spicy plum and blackberry flavors come with lemony oak notes. This is toasty and spicy on the finish, with a spot of licorice. Drink through 2022.
A plump nose full of fruit and spice shows black raspberry and mace. The palate is well fleshed out, with a range of fruit-forward flavors, including mulberry and exotic plum. Graphite minerality binds it together, surrounding tangy acidity.
It's rare to find Pinot Blanc in Champagne, let alone as a stand-alone grape. From the southern Aube vineyards, it's fruitier and softer than a Chardonnay-based wine. That makes it accessible, smooth, creamy and just ready to drink.
Boushey Vineyard makes up two-thirds of this wine, with the rest coming from Seven Hills. Fruit-forward aromas of cranberry, cherry, plum and spice lead to a thoroughly charming fruit-laden palate that shows a lot of purity. It's unabashed in its appeal.
Light red cherry, marjoram and allspice aromas mark this bottling from a winery in the Central Valley that has sourced fruit from coastal regions for many years. The flavors are even more interesting, as cherry is enhanced by bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns and Indian spices.
Aromas of mature plum, French oak and tilled earth mingle with vanilla and an earthy whiff of game. The scents carry over to the chewy palate along with ripe black cherry, prune, new leather and black pepper. Assertive fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity show the wine's Aglianico pedigree. Drink 2019–2025.
This wine, which is 100% varietal, brings aromas of fresh herbs, coffee, toast and char. The palate is rich with dark-fruit flavors while maintaining a lovely sense of balance.
Aromas of flowers, herb, wood spice and dark fruit lead to plentiful dark-berry flavors. It shows the warmth of the vintage.
Vibrant aromas of cherry, black currant, green herb and barrel spice are followed by polished fruit flavors that show depth and detail. It's expressive on the finish.
Earthy aromas of clay and wet slate meet with tangy red fruit on the nose of this bottling, which is a best-barrel blend. There is expert acidity and nicely polished tannins, with dark berry flavors along with more slate-driven earthiness. Relatively mellow and reserved for a top-tier effort.
This is Zinfandel at its unabashed best, bringing aromas of vanilla, spice, raspberry and cranberry. The palate holds nothing back—full bodied and rich. It's a heavy hitter but keeps its balance remarkably well.
Heavy oak, vanilla and lightly herbal black-fruit aromas are savory and border on soupy. In the mouth, this is rich, saturated and jammy. Flavors of maple, chocolate and toast accent fully extracted dark-fruit flavors. Full chewy tannins result in a pounding finish. Drink through 2022.
Black-fruit aromas are made more complex by notes of leather and oak. This is full, blocky and tannic on the palate, with dark-fruit flavors of black plum and blackberry touched up by oak. A woody but long finish suggests that this will find its prime in a couple of years; drink through 2024.
Produced from a 2.5-acre parcel of vines planted in 1949, this is a sophisticated wine. It has a fine balance of fruit, maturity and concentration. Its fruit richness lends weight and a fast-maturing quality. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of flinty mineral, smoke, dark fruit and moist soil lead the nose. Mirroring the nose, the fresh savory palate offers dark plum, juicy cherry, ground pepper and clove. Rounded tannins provide a cushion of support and a smooth, irresistible texture.
Although this wine is tight with tannins and wood aging, it shows the softer side of the appellation with its ripe red berry fruit. Needing more time in bottle to deliver the opulence of its fine Premier Cru vineyard, it will be best from 2022.
Dark in appearance, with reduced, grapy, inky aromas, this compact Carmenère nearly collapses under its own weight. Heavily toasted blackberry flavors finish stout, with blackened spice notes. If there's a knock on this blockbuster, it's that it lacks layering and elegance.
This red-label cuvée is made exclusively from estate-grown fruit. Lively and aromatic, it carries a streak of beetroot threaded through blackberry fruit. It's tight and tense, like a coiled spring, suggesting that some additional bottle age will help to open it up. The concentration is impressive, and the flavors continue on through a lengthy finish, with a suggestion of gunmetal as it subsides.
The deep, almost tawny gold color, coupled with a slight pétillance, signals that this is no ordinary GV. It went through four days of whole cluster maceration before being fermented with wild yeasts in new 500-liter Austrian oak puncheons. It's rich, toasty and lively in the mouth, yet smoothed out with the oxidative impact of the time in wood. A generous and flavorful wine, it shows toast and nuts and caramelized highlights along with light apple-butter fruit.
A 100% varietal wine from the wilds of the appellation, this wine shows a pretty range of violet and dusty sage. Concentrated in fruit and girth with a bright backbone of acidity, it finishes in earthy forest floor and chocolate.
Caramelized apples and toasted squash-seed aromas arise from this wine, which offers good zing but a more oxidized style on the palate. Flavors of nut-based syrups, dried citrus and slightly sour orange juice arise once sipped.
This 100% varietal brings a fruit-forward profile of candied red currants, cranberry and spice. It has fresh, medium-bodied flavors, with the concentration a bit wanting.
The barrel aromas of vanilla and coconut are far out front of the fruit on this blend of Petite Sirah (40%), Zinfandel (33%), Lemberger (20%) and Syrah. It's full bodied with the wood overwhelming any sense of varietal flavors.
The nose is reluctant at first, but patience reveals struck match, smoke, slight mint and tar elements. The palate is dominated by tart red fruit, like cranberry skins, bolstered with pinches of brown spice.
Initially this smells earthy and rubbery, but with airing it shows roasted dark-berry aromas mixed with horsey leather. The palate is full, tannic and scratchy, with black-fruit flavors, pepper, toast and herbal notes. Toast and coffee flavors are found on a hard, tannic finish. Tasted twice with mixed results.
Light in color for a Cabernet, this conveys black currant, fresh blackberries and coffee. It's a bit thin in the middle but remains pleasant and straightforward on the edges.
This round, sticky blend smells burnt and like underbrush, and is very woody, with milk chocolate and plastic aromas. Thick and sticky on the palate, with lactic oak, sweet spice, carob and berry flavors, this is dominated by creamy oak and generic fruit.
This wine comes from Château le Gardera on the slopes above the Garonne river in the Entre-deux-Mers region. It's a big, wood-aged and spicy wine that's full of attractive red berry fruits. There is a dry core of tannin, so the wine could age although it is quite ready to drink now.
Stalky aromas suggest weedy underbrush and celery, with whiffs of salted appetizers and sweat. The meaty, impenetrable palate delivers rubber, mocha, and a confectionary note alongside chewy tannins and searing alcohol.
This mild-flavored wine delivers light apple, floral, almond and maraschino-cherry flavors, a smooth, soft texture and medium body. Although subtle, it does develop more complexity in the glass.
Full in flavor and body, this sturdy wine based on Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris with a dash of Chardonnay has crisp acidity to keep it lively. It smells like pears and honeydew melon and tastes dry but generous and a little buttery, and finishes clean.
A blend of six different varieties with Chardonnay (35%) and Marsanne (19%) taking the lead, this medium-sweet wine suggests tangerine, sweet corn and crème fraîche, with some of the aromas and flavors seeming to tussle.
Herbaceous, crisp and fruity, this fresh wine has citrus, juicy apple and a hint of yellow fruits as well as bright acidity. It's totally ready to drink.
This moderately aromatic wine offers notes of yellow apple, flowers and ale. It's medium bodied with watery fruit flavors, pulling up short on the back half.
A separate cuvée produced from the vineyard of Château Beaumont, this has an earthy aroma, dense and extracted tannins, and still needs to find its balance. If it is to round out, it will need several years, although it could well remain tough.
This is a totally herbaceous wine with no messing around. It has fresh acidity, crisp green fruitiness and lively acidity. Just a touch of wood gives a more sophisticated edge. Drink from 2016.
The 56 acres of this estate are in the heart of the Entre deux Mers region. This young and fruity wine has stalky black currant fruits and fresh acidity. There's a light touch of spicy wood and a crisp, red fruit aftertaste.
Firm and structured, this is a lean and austere wine. It has solid tannins while the juicy acidity and red berry fruits are crisp with hints of green, underripe Cabernet.
Considerable toasted wood flavors show from both the aroma and the initial taste. The fruit is lean, without the weight needed for balance. It's likely to remain an austere wine.
Aromas recall jasmine, botrytis and tangerine. It drinks medium sweet with honeyed fruit flavors and a clipped finish.
Red-fruit and citrus aromas create an astringent sensation on the nose. In the mouth, this is rather dilute and wiry in feel. Flavors of cranberry, pie cherry and orange peel finish herbal and lean.
This 100% varietal wine conveys aromas of pear, melon and ale. It drinks off dry with herb and apple flavors, needing more acidity and concentration to keep it all together.
This 100% varietal wine is lightly aromatic with peach, almond and pumpkin. It's cleanly made but the flavors seem dilute.
Aromas of roadside brush, field greens and raspberry are suggestive of fruit punch. The palate is full but somewhat cloying, while jammy red-fruit flavors come with a green note. The finish is jammy like the palate, with a pronounced chocolaty oak flavor.
Moderately aromatic, this offers notes of red apple, jasmine, and peach. It drinks off dry leaning toward medium sweet, with abundant peach flavors with a creamy feel. It needs a bit more acidity to hold it all together.
Pithy citrus aromas are heavy and strangely herbal for a white wine. Pulpy and wide in feel, with little midpalate structure, this tastes of citrus rind, white grapefruit and nopal. A zesty note reprises on the finish.
This aromatic wine suggests candied red apple, jasmine and ale. It's medium sweet with a lightly spritzy feel and ale notes throughout.
This easy-drinking, value-minded wine offers notes of plum, tobacco, bell pepper and green herbs, with a vanilla top note. It's straightforward in style, with clunky tannins.
Lean and steely, with penetrating minerality, this bone-dry Riesling just begs to be paired with briny oysters or caviar. The palate boasts delicate apple and pear flavors that are layered with smoke, fresh fennel and a deliciously herbaceous finish.
Ripe notes of stone fruit and apple blossom lend a lavish air to this dry yet penetrating Pinot Gris. It's big and voluptuous, but it finishes clean, with lingering minerality and a flash of green flower.
This has flavors and aromas of hazelnut, dried apricot and coconut in between layers of lush white peach. Overall, this is very pretty and well balanced. Its light-handed finish is floral and tropical, without a sign of oak.
This Merlot has a fair splash of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It does not shy away from underbrush accents of leaf and herb, adding complexity to the cherry fruit.
Despite its 2.4% residual sugar, this is a tart, lemony wine that seems made to enjoy with raw oysters. The searing acidity is not for everyone, but if you like lip-smacking tartness, this has the depth and flavor to match it.
Balsam wood, pencil eraser, coconut, anise and blackberry aromas share the bouquet. It feels linear and a touch scratchy, with roasted berry and toasted flavors that steer toward bacon. It feels a little gritty and short on the finish.
Made from 100% Lake County-grown Riesling grapes, this opens with sweet aromas of nectar and golden honey. It's pretty and off dry (30 g/L residual sugar), remaining balance because of its crisp acidity.
American oak is the barrel choice, 100% new, and it shows strongly in the nose of this young Zinfandel. The citrusy acids help to balance out the alcohol, and with additional bottle age the score could certainly rise. If you plan to drink this soon, give it plenty of breathing time.
Apple and citrus aromas mingle on the nose, with hints of steely minerality and just-dried grass. The medium-weight mouthfeel boasts flavors of underripe stone fruit and lemon zest, shifting to riper orange and pear flavors as the finish evolves.
A distinct note of honeycomb marries harmoniously with the pear and hard nectarine aromas. A nice creaminess fills the mouth, with green apple and citrus flavors, which finish on an appropriately toasty yet mouthwatering note. This already shows nice development; drink now.
This smells a bit charred at first, then turns syrupy and richly oaked. It feels fresh but hard, with spiky acidity that pushes the citrusy, vanilla-accented red-fruit. It finishes crisp and a little tart, with cherry, plum and herb flavors.
This spicy white blend mixes Viognier, Sémillon and Pinot Gris. Notes of green berries and other green fruits—notably banana—all have an herbal underpinning.
Rich, deliciously fruity and ripe, this combines warmth with a more mineral undertow that cuts through the palate, creating a wine that is refreshing and mouth-filling. It would be worth aging for two years or more.
Forward and fruity, with loads of sweet cherry flavor, this tasty Cabernet Franc boasts shades of briar, cracked pepper and savory dried herbs that add subtlety and depth. Ripe and full in body, it's balanced by puckery acidity and soft, rippling tannins.
Forward and fruity, this is a tight, tart wine with a jumble of berry and bramble flavors. It's peppery, spicy, but don't look for too much complexity. Gulp it down for the enjoyable quaffer that it's meant to be.
This smooth and rich selection is wood aged and full of ripe, juicy black fruits. Made from grapes sourced from vineyards in the upper valley of the Douro, it showcases its tough, mineral soil while retaining its dense weight. Worth aging for at least four years.
In perfect balance now, this is a great expression of mineral-driven Chardonnay. Its acidity is a vehicle for the crisp flavors of pear and lime, with a hint of ginger. It's still young, so drink it now for its great fruit, or age for four more years.
From the highest point of the Herdade da Boavista Vineyard in Alentejo, this is complex, mineral driven and structured. It combines great fruitiness with spice, intense acidity and dark smokiness. Best aged for at least three years.
Using grapes sourced from estate vines planted in 1972, this wine is comparable, in its subtlety and delicate elegance, to an old-vine Zinfandel. Strawberry and spice run through the core, with brambly highlights and excellent balance. The wine is still a bit closed, so give it a good decanting, or leave it alone for a few more years.
As always, this is among the best Malbecs Chile has to offer. The nose is concentrated and packed with huge aromas of black fruit, vanilla and earthy tobacco. It feels pure and incredibly deep, with beefy berry and toasted plum flavors. The chewy, easy-to-like finish is mellow. Drink now–2017.
This sparkling Vouvray has weight and richness, balanced by intense acidity and a crisp green-salad texture. Lemon zest and quince flavors add the fruit element. It will benefit from another two years in bottle.
The Red Queen bottling is Evening Land's most limited in terms of production. The grapes are sourced from a block in the estate vineyard at the highest point of the hill, and the wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 14 months. Tasted a few weeks prior to its official release, it was stubbornly unyielding, even after a full 24 hours. Given the pedigree of this estate, and the superb quality of the two other 2010 Pinots, it is reasonable to expect this to come out of its hard shell and earn a much higher score.
A ripe, golden selection, glowing with a just-ready-to-drink feeling. From a fine vintage, this is structured and complex, layering acidity with sweet, juicy fruits and an attractive touch of toast.
Even at $32, this remains one of Oregon's best-value Pinot Noirs. This 2010 offering is racy and refined. Tangy raspberry fruit accompanies a luscious streak of smooth, dark chocolate. The espresso-drenched finish is a finely tuned detail.
Packed with juicy fruit flavors that recall a tart lemon drop or limoncello cocktail, this low-alcohol beauty retains its powerful acidity even as a dollop of residual sugar softens it. It's full and round, with both power and precision.
This wine, the first vintage produced by the Esporão winemaking team, gives fine, elegant Douro tannins along with new wood and rich flavors of damson and blackberry. It is structured, powerful and very age worthy. Keep for at least four years.
This wine features a melding of concentrated fruit, toasty oak and toffee notes, especially on the finish, which is similarly ringed in smoky oak. It's a meaty Cabernet Sauvignon out of Lodi, with a touch of burnt ember reminiscent of a campfire.
Moderately leafy and brambly smelling, this is supported by its berry aroma. It feels edgy and juicy, with tangy, herbal raspberry and plum flavors. The finish is quick and snappy, with a hint of tomato and lasting green flavor.
This Tempranillo gives off intense aromatics of ripe berry pie and has a crisp, smoky finish. In between it's big and brawny, delicious and rustic around the edges. On second sip, the flavors are wrapped in vanilla-kissed oak.
Though labeled Riesling, it's blended with 16% Muscat and 9% Gewürztraminer. The residual sugar is listed as 2%, but rather than sweetness, the wine carries a sour lemon snap and a palate of tart citrus and orange soda flavors.
Fiery berry and cherry aromas emerge with a hint of milk chocolate. This wine feels high in acidity, with raspberry, tart red plum and spice flavors that finish with citrusy snap and grittiness.
Always a wine that shows a powerful oak influence, this new Indian Wells seems soaked in buttered popcorn flavor. The finish comes out a little bitter, with little fruit flavor to round it out.
This was a difficult vintage in Washington, and the style of this dry Riesling seems to have changed significantly, perhaps as a result. The grapefruit flavors have no body or texture; it's light, certainly refreshing, but rather simple.
With a slightly chemical smell, this is an intensely spicy, relatively dry wine. It's not abundant in acidity and freshness, so drink soon.
Dry herb and spice aromas precede a solid, drawn-down palate, with lively acidity and flavors of medium-dark berry, toast and herb. Modest in intensity, this is composed.
A 100% Petite Sirah, this is inky, dark and thick, exuding tobacco, blackberry and an old-school rusticity true to its Mendocino roots.
Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, this tart and sharp-edged Washington Syrah sports bright berry fruit and just a hint of earth in the tannins. The acids are a little chalky, and there is a slight medicinal quality in the back of the mouth as the wine finishes.
Early tobacco and mint aromas quickly yield to mossy black fruit, and in the mouth it's fresh and zesty, with mild green-pepper infused plum and cassis flavors. Quite crisp and lean, with herbal influences showing up at all points. Classic Navarran red wine.
Not very vivid in color, with aromas of rhubarb, raspberry and red licorice candy. The palate is a touch scratchy, with flavors of cassis and brown sugar but not a whole lot of true Cabernet character. The finish has a slight tannic bite, but overall this is generic red wine to the max.
Initial aromas are squarely in the bell pepper/jalapeño mode, and later moss and earth enter the picture. The palate is basic, a bit acidic, and saucy, with herbal red-fruit flavors and a finish of tomato and basil. Struggles a little, but solid in a “country” sort of way. The blend is Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Straightforward and easy to drink with dominating juicy red fruit supported by accents of spice and menthol. Fresh and lively, light in the mouth with a short but clean finish.
Powerfully oaked but awkward, with bruising aromas of fresh-cut wood, sawdust and campfire smoke. Amid the woodiness and thick body you'll find roasted plum and berry flavors, but on the finish resin reappears and lingers. Tastes too saucy and resiny to be called “clean.”
A soft, clean, fruity wine, with spice and a fresh, aromatic character. The lemon and white fruit flavors are in an easy, apéritif style, with a lightly sweet aftertaste.
A fresh, slightly sweet rosé, that keeps crispness through its bright, breezy strawberry flavors. The wine is soft, crisp, clean, a summer rosé.
Basic Torrontés aromas of citrus, greens and saline water greet you. The wine is light-framed and rings and zings on the palate. Lemon and green apple share the palate before lime rises up on the finish. A bit clanky but gets the job done when chilled down.
Tropical aromas of pineapple and melon are simple but clean, while the palate is fresh yet a little plump, with pineapple, mango, apple and banana flavors. This one will wet the whistle but it turns monotone on the finish. Drink as soon as possible for maximum vitality.
A big, roasted and fiery nose is act one, while act two offers a raisiny palate with black cherry and cassis flavors. This is a saturated, rough, gritty wine that's defined by baked, dark flavors and then coffee and roasted fruit on the finish. A hot-climate wine with integrity but marginal balance.
The aromas of this Sauvignon Blanc carry a lot of perfume, as if dusted with talcum powder. In the mouth it is soft and tastes lightly of melon and apple, again with a rather odd impression of sweet powder. Serve it well chilled.
Light cherry and mild sulfuric aromas are standard fare for this class of wine, while the palate is snappy and fresh, with sweet-and-sour cherry and strawberry flavors. Finishes a little gritty and candied, but pleasant enough overall.
This structured Barbera offers aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry and plum with light toasted notes. The palate delivers a tight core of black cherry with black pepper and licorice, layered with a hint of espresso. This still needs a year or two to fully unwind, so it's best after 2015.
Here's a smooth and juicy wine that has great black fruit aromas and flavors. It has good balance between the dry tannins and firm structure of Dão and the fruity character, meaning it is likely to develop over the medium term. Drink from 2015.
With great fragrance and just a touch of spiciness, this is full-bodied ripe wine. Along with the more exotic flavors, it has intense apple and nectarine fruit, and a bright, tight texture. Drink now, or age for a year.
A perfumed wine that is ripe and richly tannic, with the minerality of the Douro. It has weight, while also retaining elegance and rounded black fruits. Give this wine a few years, and drink from 2015.
Castello d'Albola's Chianti Classico has a typical fragrance of ripe berry accented with hints of violet and spice. The bright palate delivers ripe, red cherry and white pepper along with round tannins. Pair it with pasta topped with ragù or barbecued steaks.
A fresh, fruity and sophisticated wine, this offers acidity balanced by dry tannins. It has juicy black currant fruits, hints of mint and a bright, smoky feel. The wine will obviously age, so drink from 2016.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, Carpoli has aromas of cedar, black berries and tobacco leaf. The palate delivers black currant along with green and black peppercorns layered with espresso notes. Pair this with spicy marinated steaks.
This is a ripe rosé that is full-bodied and rich. Its red plum and strawberry notes are right to the fore, with light tannins adding shape and texture. This dry and hefty wine is made to be paired with food.
Leather and scents of horse hide mesh with baked, stewy aromas of plum, berry and exotic spices. This feels lush and mostly well balanced, with a level of ripeness and richness that doesn't veer into jamminess. This is rustic tasting, with roasted, leafy berry flavors along with chocolate and herbs.
A well-balanced wine that both shows an herbaceous character and a ripe, full flavor that brings in yellow fruits and green plums. It has a well-judged hint of spice from wood aging to give extra richness. Drink from 2013.
The Stoller-sourced Pinot is forward and ripe, with pretty fruit flavors in a compact, light vintage. Cola, peach, black cherry and milk chocolate components swirl together, fading gently into a light finish. Drink over the next 2–3 years.
A heavily wood-aged wine, this wine has smoky, burnt-toast aromas. At the moment, ripe yellow-fruit flavors are submerged beneath this onslaught of wood, but it should integrate better, so give it until 2016.
A blend of Chardonnay and Touriga Nacional, this is a ripe, mature wine that shows a great balance between acidity and rich flavors of almond and toast. It has weight but still hints at freshness. This is a food sparkling wine.
This brut offers notes of citrus, stone fruit and Mediterranean herbs. It's fresh and linear, with an elegant perlage. The quenching finish closes on a note of bitter walnut.
Artesana favors dark, extracted, full-bodied wines and this Tannat fits the bill. Cedar, spice and blackberry aromas rest in front of a chunky, full-bodied palate with woody flavors of toast, mint and generic black fruits. On the finish, things evaporate quickly, leaving a menthol-driven burn.
Here's a fresh and spicy Ripasso with cherry and intense black pepper and clove aromas. The palate delivers black cherry layered with spicy pepper and nutmeg aromas. This is for immediate enjoyment and will pair nicely with hearty pastas and stews.
Tart and earthy, this unusual Pinot does not lack for flavor interest. Cranberry fruit, sharp acidity, a streak of cola, a hint of wintergreen and a slight bitterness to the finish keep the palate on its toes (if such is possible).
Light and chocolaty, this carries a strong and distinctive scent and flavor of cinnamon spice. On the palate, the flavors suggest strawberries, with a quick-to-fade finish.
A light and fruity style of Vinho Verde, its acidity balanced with pear and white-currant notes. Lemon flavors cut through, adding brightness.
While this is lightweight for a Douro wine, it does have a backbone of tannin. It is warm, with its damson jelly flavors giving a reassuring winter feel. The texture shows dusty tannins and a final juicy character. Screwcap.
Dark, toasty and leathery on the nose, but also earthy, rubbery and herbal. Shows good body on the palate, with oaky, lightly medicinal flavors of herbal plum and raspberry. The finish lingers, with herbal flavors and a healthy feel.
Musky, spicy and reasonably complex on the nose, this recent entrant into the ranks of realistically priced Riesling is a bit chunky in the mouth, but offers satisfying apple, melon and citrus flavors.
A tart take on Pinot Blanc, with sour peach and pear fruit flavors, finishing slightly bitter with pear skin and a hint of spice.
Quite aromatic and fruit-forward, with seductive scents of ripe lychees and peaches in syrup alongside some crushed rose-petal accents. The palate shows a bit more balance, with lemon peel flavors that mingle on the slightly astringent finish.
Simple and a bit light, this brings brambly berry and garrigue-like herbal flavors, all done in a clean, approachable style. It lacks the concentration and meatiness of the better Northwest Syrahs, but it's perfectly serviceable for everyday consumption.
Light and tart, this simple and fruity style has hard candy flavors of sour cherry and raspberry. A fun wine, straightforward and good for chilling.
A wine with only natural sulfur, it feels lean, with piercing acidity and firm tannins. It is young and all the elements should fall into place, but with the fruit's stalky character the wine will always be dry.
Reasonably accurate on the nose for Leyda Sauvignon Blanc, but also a little pickled smelling. Feels chunky and a little flat, with mild flavors of green apple and citrus. Finishes somewhat bitter, like walnut or almond skins, with a green-banana flavor.
Neutral up front except for sweet cherry and plum aromas. Feels full and grabby, with biting tannins pushing dark, baked flavors of earthy black fruits and chocolate. Grabby and resiny on the oaky but short finish. Feels hard but tastes good.
Minty aromas include whiffs of cola, bramble, animal fur and berry fruit. Feels creamy and solid, with standard berry fruit flavors, minty herbal notes and blatant oak. Finishes green and simple; a good representation of basic Carmenère.
Thin fruit, with a canned pea scent and a hint of the veggies.
Made from Malbec, this is a full-bodied, dry rosé, with ripe strawberry fruit. It has the acidity that carries the wine, but is more of a food rosé than an apéritif.
Still with its young tannins intact, the wine is firm and structured. It has spice, mint and black-currant fruits under the tight texture. It will still age so wait, if you want, for another year.
Fresh-squeezed grapefruit, pomelo, Key lime, lemongrass, green papaya and Anjou pear combine for a very green, fruit-driven nose on this bottling from a vineyard just behind Pismo Beach. The palate is a tad ripe but shows apple soda, lime juice, cherimoya and apple-custard flavors.
Aromas of cellar floor, roasted herb, anise and toast come together on this. The straightforward palate offers cherry marinated in spirits and licorice while a note of powdered sage gives it a bitter finish.
This is a soft and easy wine. It has light apple and lemon flavors along with a orange zest tang. It is a light, crisp wine that is totally ready to drink.
Oak, espresso and toast aromas take center stage and follow through to the tightly wound palate along with a hint of butterscotch, coconut and the barest hint of dried cherry. It possesses structure but lacks the fruit richness to stand up to the assertive tannins and evident oak.
Grapy, balsamic aromas of blueberry and wild brush come with a hint of animal fur. Hard, edgy and compact in feel, this tastes punchy, with a note of vinegar and plum skins to an otherwise black-fruit flavor profile. Shallow, raw and tannic on the finish.
Largely neutral lime and generic citrus aromas lead to the type of crisp, fresh palate Txakoli is known for. Tart, snappy lemon and orange flavors are lasting on a cutting finish.
The grapes were harvested in the early morning to preserve the real freshness that is here. The attractive, rich wine is full in the mouth with its red-berry and red-currant fruits that are cut with citrus. The wine is ready to drink.
A rather neutral nose leads to a simple, dry, fresh palate. There is a little citrus and green pear flavor. This is easy-drinking, fresh summer wine.
The slightest hint of lemon zest on the nose leads into the light, crisp, dry palate. If it weren't for the friendly lemon notes, this would almost be neutral, but also clean. Slight spritz makes this slimline wine very easy to enjoy. Drink soon.
The wine is perfumed with a crisp edge of acidity that is brightly attractive. There is a good mix of green fruits, citrus and riper apricot flavors. It's a refreshing, tangy wine that is ready to drink.
Delicate aromas of spring flower and ripe orchard fruit lead the nose. The simple but well-made palate offers mature apple, white peach, lime and a suggestion of bitter almond.
Dried herb, sugared plum and tire rubber aromas are followed by light, slightly sweet fruit flavors. The tannins run quite dry.
From an 88-acre vineyard in the heart of the Bourg appellation, this is a bold, spicy wine. Its wood aging tends to dominate the fruit and the touch of pepper from the alcohol gives the wine a bite on the palate. Some of this character will soften over time, so wait until 2018.
The wine is fresh, stalky and showing its wood aging. It has a hard edge of tannins that are not quite ripe. Balancing with that is the black currant fruit and acidity that are crisp and showing a mineral texture. The wine needs to age a while, so wait until 2018.
Currant and green-plum fruits give this wine a rich character that is then cut with orange acidity. The result is a wine that is full bodied, lightly spicy and perfumed. It can be drunk now.
This light-colored rosado smells dusty but that's about it. Frankly, there's nothing happening on the nose. In the mouth, this is wet and basic, with dry, briny, citrus flavors that finish snappy but low on fruit and flavor.
Asphalt, wet dirt, blueberry fruit and grapeseed aromas show on the nose of this dark and dense bottling. The palate starts with milk-chocolate shavings followed by tart red-cherry fruit. The acidity is overwhelming, singeing the tongue, and the tannins are a bit chunky. It should improve with cellar time.
Produced by the family that owns Château la Gaffelière in Saint-Émilion, this is a fruity, smoky and lightly stalky wine. It is red and blackberry fruits that are structured with easy tannins that just give shape to the wine. Drink now.
Produced from Cabernet Franc on the family-owned estate, this caramel and redfruit flavored wine is attractive, tangy and bright. It has a crisp texture, shot with acidity and with red-berry flavors. Drink now.
Light olallieberry juice mixes with wet-slate minerality on the nose of this widely available wine. It's a bit simple, but also light and easy to quaff, with a blueberry-blackberry juice core enhanced by dried oregano.
The aromas of rose petal and pink grapefruit are light and easy going. It drinks dry with lightly oily floral flavors.
Hot pink in color and showing some bricking, light aromas of cherry and spice are followed by broad-feeling fruit flavors that are a hair off dry. It comes off as a bit ponderous but there's enjoyment to be had.
Ripe, earthy aromas of raisin and baked plum lead to a chunky palate with hard, blocky tannins. This tastes of blackberry, raisin and prune, while the finish is much the same.
The aromas of apricot, honeysuckle and jasmine are light and elegant. The flavors show restraint but the concentration doesn't all seem there.
A very pretty pale salmon color, this wine offers aromas of strawberry and cherry. The flavor concentration is wanting, not entirely able to hold it all together.
Fairly light in aromas, this bottling shows red cherry and raspberry fruit lifted with an herbal edge of crushed thyme. The palate is also dainty in flavors, clinging to wet slate and cement minerality more so than fruit, although touches of cranberry and hibiscus notes do arise.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay has big aromas and flavors. It smells like toasted oak and pineapple, and tastes buttery and appley, with extra baking spice flavors and a smooth texture.
Oak, toast and coconut aromas dominate the nose carry and over to the bracing palate along with espresso and anise. It lacks fruit richness while raspy tannins leave the mouth feeling rough and dry.
A Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Merlot. The fruit is marginally ripe but thin, and there is a watery character to the midpalate. Flavors of tart berries are set against lemony acids; tannins are insubstantial and the wine feels a bit weightless in the finish.
This medium-bodied blend of 50% Cabernet and 50% Merlot features decent cassis fruit marked by herbal touches. A hint of raisin is balanced by minty freshness, and the wine finishes a bit short.
Lightly herbal and light in body, with earthy aromas that include leather, tea and dried fruits. This is medium-bodied in style, with elegance. Problem is, there isn't much substance to it and compared to Chile's better Cabs, it pales in flavor and generosity. Also, the finish is kind of scratchy and thin.
Straightforward, this offers thin, tart fruit with excessive vanilla and tobacco flavors. There's no residual sugar, but otherwise it's right out of the Australian playbook.
Freshness is the hallmark of this attractively crisp, apple-flavored wine. The lightness of texture manages to retain some good green plum skin, apricot and lively acidity. The finish is pure, clean, slightly honeyed.
Aromas of pear, citrus and almond should be familiar to anyone who knows Chilean Chardonnay, but to call this wine elevated or beyond regular would be a stretch. The palate is slightly lemony and green, and the finish has a persistent tang. Seems like basic Casablanca Chard to us.
Much better than the watery 2004, this wine still seems a bit light and thin for its Reserve status. It's got some tart, sharp flavors of wild blackberry, but the herbal flavors suggest unripe grapes.
Bold and saturated to the eye, with black fruit, olive and other slightly herbal aromas. But where this wine loses points is in the mouth. It's sharp and overtly acidic, which makes the cola and cherry flavors ring and seem tangy. Thus it finishes short and scouring.
The deep gold color with a hint of copper suggests some skin contact. The attractive melon, lychee and spice aromas quickly dissipate with air, leaving mot much more than a slight astringency on the finish. Sourced from Nelson.
This is a modern-styled, young Priorat with driving, focused aromas of ripe cherry, plum and cassis. The palate feel is total purity and silk, while smooth flavors of black cherry, nutmeg and cocoa blend with pepper, chocolate and mineral notes on what can best be described as a delicious finish. Drink now through 2016.
Initial molasses, raisin and maple aromas indicate heavy ripeness, but in the mouth this is refined and lifted, with fine acidity that pumps everything up a notch. Flavors of plum, herbs, spice and vanilla end with tobacco, lasting acidity and complexity. Drink this classic Rioja now through 2018.
Half of this year's Poet's Leap Riesling is sourced from The Benches, one quarter from old-vine plantings at Dionysus, and the rest from Yakima's Phil Church vineyard. Marvelous concentration and a panoply of lush orange, apricot, peach and papaya flavors carry this beautifully balanced wine through a long and satisfying finish. Delicious young, it could also be cellared for a decade or longer.
The 2009 vintage of this wine is dark, tight and compact with youthful verve and contained energy. The structure and depth are imposing, as is the dense mix of blackberry, black cherry and cassis at the core. This is one to tuck away in the cellar for a decade or longer.
This is a marvelous wine, made for Force Majeure by Syncline's James Mantone. A delectable blend of 56% Mourvèdre, 38% Syrah, and 6% Grenache, it's a spice rack of aromatics, with flavors of boysenberry and raspberry over crushed rocks. Tight, tart and tangy, it has remarkable depth and density, and should age beautifully for at least a decade.
A fragrant and fruity wine, ripe in character, its black currant fruits showing strongly. The wine is richly textured, opulent and full in the mouth. It has weight, spice, jammy black fruit and sweet tannins.
Ripe and smooth, this is a light take on this Grand Cru. Red berry fruits are still smothered by the wood aging which brings in a strongly toasty element. The wine though has potential as it comes into balance, elegant and stylish. Drink from 2019.
This is as good as Sauvignon Blanc gets in Washington—a dense, pungent, intensely aromatic and gloriously flavorful wine sourced entirely from the Klipsun Vineyard. Inaugural scents suggest wet hay, new-mown grass, fig and citrus. Following are flavors of pineapple, more citrus, beeswax and a suggestion of bee pollen. This is one of those bottles that empties much faster than you'd like.
Here's a structured white that boasts a classic varietal fragrance of cantaloup and tomato vine. The delicious palate delivers melon, pineapple and mineral flavors of great depth and impeccable balance. This will pair magically with asparagus recipes.
The best of a lineup of single varietal red wines, this melds raspberry and cassis fruit flavors into a wrapping of earth and licorice. The dark and roasted accents continue through the finish with earthy tannins and a hint of stem.
This rich Sauvignon Blanc shows classic aromas of crushed tomato vine, cantaloup and a hint of bell pepper. The palate shows succulent green melon and apple flavors, with a hint of smoke and a freshly acidic backbone. This will pair well with asparagus dishes or pasta topped with pesto.
This medium-bodied white is made from the Trebbiano grape in a small area between Veneto and Lombardy. It has lovely fragrances of peach blossom and Spanish broom, while the palate delivers white peach and lemon pastry flavors. It finishes crisp and clean.
This has an earthy fragrance of moist soil and tobacco, with hints of raisin. The palate delivers plum, nutmeg and black pepper notes, but it's already quite evolved, so drink soon.
Here's a delicious ripasso, with mouthwatering aromas of black fruit, mushroom and white pepper. Mouthfuls of ripe black cherry, nutmeg and licorice flood the palate. Its velvety texture is uplifted by fresh acidity, making it perfect for rich pastas or steaks.
This Amarone has aromas of ripe berry, raisin and spice. The palate delivers mature plum, prune and black licorice notes. It's soft and sweet right now, but reflecting the heat of the vintage, it also seems evolved beyond its age, so drink soon.
Sourced again from the excellent Far Away vineyard, this pure varietal Mourvèdre shows lovely, fruit-driven aromas of baked cherry, plum and apple. It's round and detailed on the palate, with highlights of cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper.
This Amarone is well made and boasts dark fruit and spice aromas and flavors. The dominant oak sensations of vanilla, toast and coffee make it a tad anonymous in style.
Fragrant and perfumed, this is a delicious wine. While the perfumes shine, it has a more subtle citrus fruit and honey character that gives the wine elegance as well as immediate attraction.
This has a pretty fragrance of Spanish broom, citrus and pear. The palate shows white peach, pear and apple along with mineral sensations presented in a restrained, elegant style.
This structured ripasso has intense aromas of prune, raisin and graphite. The round and velvety palate offers a ripe blackberry core, spiced by accents of chocolate, mint, tobacco and bitter almond. Pair this with seasoned cheeses or spicy red-meat dishes.
Firmly tannic wine, packed with dark, ripe fruits. It has weight, concentration and dense texture that brings together the fruit juiciness with the dry structure. Solid, while also stylish.
Coming from a warm site in a cool vintage, it's an intriguing wine with notes of freshly cut hay, peach and mango.  It's lighter in style, with the partial malolactic fermentation (60%) providing extra weight and feel.
This is a first for Forgeron, pure Sangiovese, sourced entirely from the Boushey vineyard. A soft, plummy entry spreads lushly across the palate, with flavors of ripe raspberries and strawberries. The acids have a sharp edge and a slight perception of chalk, while the finish turns further in that direction, with a hint of milk chocolate.
This Amarone is made in a more restrained style. It shows black cherry, raisin and black pepper sensations. While it's not overly complex, it has great fruit and spice flavors, and is perfect to accompany seasoned dishes, like grilled Portobello mushroom steaks.
Made from a blend of Corvina, Syrah and Oseleta, this savory wine is made by one of Amarone's leading producers. It offers red currant, bell pepper and black pepper flavors. It's tightly wound but fresh, and would pair nicely with grilled portobello mushrooms.
Foxy berry aromas are the lead scent, and they're followed by notes of wet dog and raspberry. This is full bodied and round as a ball, with earthy, lightly herbal flavors of red berries, thyme and rosemary. A warm, loamy finish brings oaky flavors and closing weight. Drink this blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon through 2016.
Charred aromas top this dark-fruited, high-quality Bobal from central Spain. While not very complex, this wine is exceedingly friendly and easy to like; it feels smooth and deep, with oaky goodness supporting black-fruit, carob and herbal flavors. Toast, blackberry, licorice and clove flavors all rise up on a clean, medium-length finish.
An intensely dark and elegant Malbec, structured in firm tannins and complex in black almost-liqueur-like cherry, and a finish of herb, oak and mocha. A full-bodied and yet soft wine that is ready to drink now that is poised to get more interesting in time. A small percentage (10%) of Cabernet Sauvignon is blended in.
Ripe black cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry notes abound on the nose and in the mouth of this accessible wine. Medium weight, with fine yet spicy tannins and a medium-length finish that's kissed with a hint of mocha. Easy, approachable and food friendly; drink now.
A complex, full-bodied wine that is full of mature fruit flavors with a touch of toast to add to the attractive mix. With apple, quince and almonds well blended together, this is a finely balanced wine, that could age for a couple of years more.
An intense wine that has powered, nervy acidity, lots of citrus with lime zest. The wine is still young and should be aged to become an impressive Riesling.
Paloumey is in the southern Médoc, close to Margaux. This brings out a perfumed character that sits well with the fresh black currant fruit and gentle tannins. There is a great juicy quality that develops as the wine opens.
With some richness, red fruits over wood and a full-bodied structure, this is a solid, dense wine. Acidity is present, while the ripe juicy fruits more than balance it. The tannins offer a firm structure and suggest aging.
One third Petit Verdot, which really shines here, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. The PV brings intense floral aromas, dense but supple tannins, the deep color and the cassis-laden fruit. Tarry, tannic, grainy and powerful, this is a potent wine with particular appeal to lovers of the Petit Verdot grape.
This pure Cabernet blends first-class fruit from Loess, Windrow and Cold Creek. It's spicy and tight, with black cherry fruit at the core. It's back-loaded with toast and caramel flavors from aging in a mix of French and American oak.
Aromatic and complex, this wine, though not quite bone dry, is tart and citrusy. The mixed fruit flavors run a spectrum from grapefruit to lemon candy to nectarine, lingering gracefully into a mineral-soaked finish.
After opening with graham cracker, plum and ripe berry, the wine settles into a thick and heavy place that's rich but bordering on cloying. This is a heavy style of Malbec that tastes of ripe black fruits and herbs. It's toasty, full, thick as can be and long on the finish. Drinkable now but could use a couple of more years for everything to mesh.
A rich white wine, its toast character submerged in a generous peach and apricot ripeness. There is an attractive lemon zest acidity to give a bright shot through all the richness. Worth aging 2–3 years.
A densely firm wine with fine perfumed fruit. The fruit and acidity ride well with the firm tannins and the restrained wood element. It is well balanced and likely to age for several years.
In 2009 this single vineyard offering includes 11% Sémillon. It has wonderful texture, and a mix of light herbal flavors that run through a gamut from celery to lemongrass and up into tart citrus fruit. The acidity is generous but not searing; it penetrates but never overpowers. A quintessential food wine.
Strong, full-bodied, tannic and muscular, this 50-50 blend of Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc seduces you with sweet berry fruit, backed with stiff tannins and well-modulated streaks of iron and earth. For Cab freaks this is a gold mine of flavor, but it will need decanting or cellaring. It should keep for a decade or more.
A wonderfully herbal lift of mint precedes ripe cherry fruit on the nose of this wine. The palate brims with lusciously ripe plum, while supple tannins provide a velvety but firm background against which the mellow fruit can play. It's fresh, juicy and full-bodied.
This blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is succulently smooth yet big boned and slightly smoky. Red cherry and berry fruit provides plushness on the palate, upheld by tight, firm tannins and supportive oak.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The aromas are almost completely shut down at present, with just hints of barrel spice, herb and dark fruit. The fruit flavors are similarly locked up, backed by lightly grainy tannins. There are good things going on but it needs time to reveal itself. Best after 2022.
Classic varietal aromas of hay, tomato vine and tropical fruit take center stage in this expressive white, accented with a whiff of wet stone. The savory palate doles out juicy grapefruit, green melon, yellow peach and mineral flavors, with tangy acidity.
Bold strokes of blackberry, cassis and bramble persist throughout this surprisingly youthful late-release Cabernet Sauvignon. It's rich on the palate yet balanced neatly, boasting brisk acidity and ripe but grippy tannins. Two years of maturation in French oak contribute to a long finish marked with sweet tobacco and baking spices.
Generous on the palate, this wine from the famous site is ripe with wild strawberry and pomegranate fruit and accented with the distinct spiciness of cardamom. It displays its youth through assertive tannins and oak-derived scents, layering the thick finish with cinnamon bark.
Mild comfortable aromas of burnt orange and spiced pumpkin lead to a tight, focused palate of moderate weight. Dry melon and peach aromas are on the money, while this finishes clean as polished glass, with a touch of spice.
Earthy aromas of forest floor, grilled mushroom, red fruit and leather slowly take shape in the glass. The chewy palate offers plum, licorice, Marasca cherry and clove flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins that lend a polished texture and a tight finish. Drink through 2022.
Produced with consultant Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, this wine is complex, impressive and packed with red and black fruits. It has a fine juicy character as well as a dry core of tannins and wood aging. It could probably do with some more aging and will be better from 2018.
This youthful ten-year-old demonstrates the impressive aging potential of well-made Greco di Tufo, opening with compelling dried stone fruit, Spanish broom, herb and smoky aromas. The round, smooth palate doles out creamy peach, mature Bartlett pear and lemon drop flavors. An energizing mineral note lingers on the finish. It's at its peak so drink now.
Rich and mouth-filling, this full-bodied wine has plenty of fruit flavor and is structured with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. It blends ripe berry and plum notes with more vibrant red cherry for complexity and has a lingering, layered finish.
Fleshy red cherry notes dominate this wine's nose and palate. An edge of smoke adds aroamtic complexity to the fluid and fresh flavors. It's juicy and generous with a welcome counterpoint of supple tannins that lend structure to all the cherry fruit.
Bruce McGuire makes a strong case for the potential of Petit Verdot—a variety not often bottled on its own—in the Santa Ynez Valley. Baked blackberry, licorice and cocoa scents show on the playful nose, while black cherry, cocoa dust, cardamom and anise flavors light up the palate.
Unabashedly buttery and oaky in aroma and flavor, this first-class, full-bodied wine has a mouth-filling, creamy texture that lingers long into the finish. It starts with buttered toast and almond aromas and opens into a rich pear-and-hazelnut palate, its flavors unfolding in nuanced layers.
Brawny, toasty aromas prop up a sturdy oaky nose with a familiar dark-berry core. This Malbec is tightly wound, with wiry acidity. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, spiced plum, chocolate and cardamom finish earthy and mellow, with a lingering note of exotic spice. Drink through 2022.
Yellow stone fruit, crushed herb and tomato vine aromas leap from the glass. The creamy palate boasts lively elegance, offering ripe peach, juicy grapefruit, chopped mint and stony mineral flavors before finishing on a tangy note.
Blackberry, cherry and plum notes form this estate wine's fruity core, complemented by an earthy thread of cedar, pencil and tobacco. Dry, firm tannins give it a structure that takes time to unwind, the finish marked by powerful grace and spicy clove.
Delicate aromas of raspberry, sagebrush and white pepper make for a lighter yet complex expression of Pinot Noir from this estate vineyard of Richard Longoria, who's a regional veteran like the Foxen owners. Tart and taut flavors of black raspberry, pepper, oregano and leather combine for a very earthy experience, which is simultaneously subtle and stunning.
Late-disgorged and made from nearly equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this wine has benefitted from aging in the bottle, giving it time to build up sublimely nuanced texture that's richly layered in nutty apple and strawberry. Dry, the wine is balanced and crisp, a fine companion for the table.
This 100% varietal wine comes from two stellar sites: Broken Rock on Atlas Peak and Las Piedras, an appropriately gravelly site farmed by Andy Beckstoffer. Together, they yield magic—a thick, juicy and well-integrated layering of red cherry, clove and cigar that exudes a strong barrel presence and structured tannin profile.
The wallled Clos des Ursulines is wholly owned by this producer. This perfumed wine is showing strong wood aromas as well as concentrated spice. Underneath, the generous juicy fruit has a fine balance between red plums and bright acidity. Drink from 2022.
Everything about this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot is elegantly unique. An intensely focused aromatic line of blueberry, tomato leaf, dried tobacco, black olive and lanolin on the nose leads into intriguing flavors of cardamom and chai spice. Cedar shavings, fennel and crushed olives also show on the expertly structured sip.
Very cohesive aromas of blueberry and black currant meet with deep violet, lilac and brioche aromas on this bottling of the relatively rare grape from Southwest France. A well-woven tapestry of blueberry mousse, cola spice, root beer, dried ginger and clove dust make for layers and layers of thick and impressive flavor.
An old-vine field blend of Gewürztraminer, Trousseau Gris and Riesling, this vintage is tiny in production but boldly delicious in flavor and intent. Bright pretty aromatics of honeysuckle meet a balanced layering of creamy white peach, apple and wild vanilla, blessed by supportive acidity.
Truffle, forest floor, new leather, purple flower and crushed herb aromas take center stage in this Barbaresco. The firmly structured, elegant palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and clove flavors in a matrix of tightly wound, polished tannins and bright acidity. A hint of star anise signals the close.
From a vineyard that's northwest of the already very coastal Sta. Rita Hills, this racy and unique bottling shows clean precise lines of grapefruit pith, almond and key lime pie on the nose. There's a vibrant coil of acidity driving through the palate, with flavors of lime, lemongrass and lime skins, wrapped in a chalky crisp texture. It will age with grace or pair perfectly with sushi today.
Honeydew, white peach, honeysuckle, sea salt and toast make for a fairly exuberant nose on this bottling by Gavin Chanin from the region's iconic property. There is a savory salt character right away on the sip, then come rounded flavors of nectarine, red apple and Asian pear. A bright electric acidity enlivens the full mouthfeel.
Wonderful old vines facing south and south-east give a powerfully tannic, structured wine. They also give great black fruits, spice and a toasty edge from the wood aging. This is a dense wine with a serious future. Drink from 2020.
Enticing new leather, dark baking spice and violet aromas emerge in this taut red. Succulent and savory, it delivers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, flinty mineral and star anise flavors while firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity offer support. Drink 2020–2029.
This is an intense expression of cola and cinnamon stick, provocatively spicy on the tongue. Boldly ripe and full bodied, it unpacks layers upon layers of baked cherry, blueberry pie and orange flavor, wrapped within a velvety lush texture that's lifted by underlying acidity.
This is from a great vineyard near the Wohler Bridge in Forestville, and the fruit is well-represented in this bottle. Boldly layered, and richly designed, it's fragrantly floral with cherry blossoms. Those scents are paired with contiguous flavors of raspberry and cherry. Within a framework of upfront but integrated tannin and oak, it finds balance on the earthy finish.
This wine is hugely robust in concentration and power, a study in mountain-grown brambly berry and serious tannin. Bark, pencil and a wealth of spiced plum form the core of its character, with secondary elements of cherry and cigar box coming into play over time. Enjoy best beginning in 2024 through 2034.
Cranberry, rhubarb and allspice combine effortlessly in this well-made, memorable red. Silky on the palate, it shows a refinement of character and robust grasp of dark spicy notes that betray a baked, brooding quality of balanced richness. On the finish is a refreshing seasoning of orange zest.
Enticing violet, berry, new leather and cake spice aromas lead the nose of this wine. Its precise, structured palate offers Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and star anise flavors set against youthfully exuberant but refined tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink 2024–2034.
Cloudy as dark hay and still evolving, this memorable wine is deliciously toned in lime zest, salty brine and a supporting note of clarified butter. Intense on the palate at first, it relaxes to let its sublime, innate acidity speak as a twist of hazelnut delights on the finish.
Crisp, focused aromas of ripe berry fruits, hot asphalt and spice are potent and excellent. From one of the Priorat's highest locales (2,400 feet), this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha tastes of spicy plum, crushed peppercorn and schist. Warm finishing notes of minerality combined with strong fruit flavors are thorough and complex; drink through 2028.
The wines from this remote ranch off of Jalama Road combine mossy forest-floor touches with dark hearty aromas, in this case showing pine, rust, juniper, thyme and purple fruit on the nose. The texture is grippy, and there is cranberry fruit in the background, but the palate's attention turns mostly to eucalyptus, dark spice and even tobacco toward the finish.
This firmly structured wine is packed with solid tannins as well as ripe juicy red fruits. It comes from the upper part of the Rugiens Premier Cru, one of the top sites in Pommard. Dense and needing to age, the wine will be ready from 2023.
This blend of 64% Syrah, 26% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre is unabashedly rich and lush, with cassis, vanilla, baked pastry, white chocolate, brown sugar and caramelized pork fat on the nose. Fudge, caramel and vanilla show powerfully on the sip, which will pair with a juicy steak or simply wow everyone at the table, even toward the end of a long night.
Rich and rounded with a creamy texture, this wine is ripe with apricots and has a strongly mineral character. Full of fruit, the wine also has a texture that means it needs to age. Drink from 2021.
Among the most northerly of the run of Beaune premier crus, the wine is structured but the structure is cushioned by the ripe red-berry fruits to give a generous wine. Backed by tannins, the wine will age well. Drink from 2022.
A firmly structured wine, solid with tannins and with structure. The wine is also full of fruit potential, ripe with red berries. It is dense wine that needs to age. Drink from 2025.
Here's another raring red from Bordeaux-born Rivière that needs time to settle. Ripe aromas are all about fruit, while this wine is clamping on the palate, with a sense of skins one hopes will resolve with time. Peppery plum and wild berry flavors finish with cheek-grabbing tannins and lasting toastiness. Drink 2019–2035.
This is a beautifully made, elegant wine that combines classic aromas of toasted bread, ripe apples and almonds with mouthfilling flavors of vanilla, lemon and cream while maintaining great balance from fresh acidity. A lingering finish echoes the spices and toast.
A dense wine, with black fruits that go in one direction, and tannins that go in another. Maybe this is because it's young. There is some good, ripe acidity and blackberry flavors, so in six months, this may well integrate.
A fairly full-bodied, broad wine, with aromas and flavors of honeyed peach and pineapple. Could use a little length to its finish and complexity to its flavors, but this is a pleasant, easy-drinking style.
True to Toro, this is a riper styled wine that shows a lot of raisin and licorice on the nose. It's aged in oak, but it's not that woody or resiny, hence the approval despite its lack of acidity. A drink-now wine with some richness, weight and black-fruit flavors.
Simple, clean and a little bit charming. This is your standard, boilerplate Rioja, and it shows some raspberry, raisin and prune on the palate but also enough acidity and balance to prevent it from coming across heavy. A drink-me-now sort of wine.
Grassy herbal aromas offer a fresh, appealing start to this accessible Chenin/Sauvignon Blanc blend. On the palate, it's a mix of flinty and round fruit, and the finish is clean and lively. Simple, but good.
Fruit from old vines go into this freshly fruity, black currant-flavored wine. There is some wood, but the tannins in this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine come mainly from the fruit, leaving a wine which is light but with a dry core.
Peach, pear and melon notes on the nose and in the mouth are tinged with some slightly herbal (fennel?) notes, turning tart and citrusy on the finish. It's a pleasant, medium-bodied quaff for the summer months.
A little rubbery and wild on the nose, but the palate is sturdy if a bit tangy. Flavors of red fruits, while not that sweet, are cleansing and fresh, and for a leaner-bodied, more racy young wine, this fits the bill. And it definitely seems food-friendly.
Clean, balanced and simply refreshing, this Sauvignon Blanc from Sebeka fits perfectly within their line of good, affordable wines. Crisp, clean, but flavorful with tropical fruit, it makes for a dependable summertime classic on the patio.
Lush tropical fruit and a zippy minerality give this wine both character and lift. Fresh, inviting, and not too complicated, this wine will make a fantastic summer sip at a very reasonable price.
Year in and year out this is a consistent wine that's dry, traditional and confident but also rather reserved. The palate shows classic but quiet cherry, raspberry and tobacco flavors, while the finish is warm and offers a dash of molasses and balsamic vinegar. Drink now.
An effusively fruity, unoaked style of Chardonnay, with bold flavors of pear, apple and citrus and maybe even a touch of mango. Its charms are upfront for all to see, as it loses a bit of intensity and lacks length on the finish.
This wine has certainly been wood aged, the easy fruit well balanced with the layers of wood tannin, which come through in the aftertaste. Ripe, ready to drink.
A lean, fresh style of Bordeaux, with red fruits balancing on dry tannins and a top layer of acidity. It is almost austere, but it's rescued by the freshness of the fruit and underlying structure.
A smooth, rich wine that wears its lightness and freshness with grace. There are plenty of crisp black currant and plum skin flavors, along with wood tannins that add spice and dryness. Not hugely rich, but attractively fresh.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinotage is complex yet restrained from start to finish. Aromas of red cherry, cranberry and grape fold into vanilla, smoke, fig presserves and a sanguine character. On the palate, these are met with a smooth tannic structure and a rooibos tea note. It is lush and silky in mouthfeel and boasts a long, harmonious finish.
Bright red-fruit tones of hibiscus and pomegranate meet with dried fennel on the complex nose of this bottling from the winery owned by pioneering vintner Louis Lucas and his friend, Judge Royce Lewellen. It's light bodied, but with a grippy texture, showing candied rose petal, thyme and roasted red-fruit flavors.
Roasted plum, smoke and a hint of licorice emerge from this lightly styled blend of 38% Grenache, 37% Tempranillo and 25% Mourvèdre. It's bright and lightweight on the palate, with tart berry flavors, making for a brisker entry to this winery's typically rich portfolio.
Black cherry, kola nut, licorice, clove and mulling spices show on the nose of this bottling from the high-elevation vineyard. The flavors are pure and easy, with tart cherry, thyme and peppery spice, all wrapped in an earthy overcoat.
A ruby color in the glass, this wine offers a bouquet of raspberry and chocolate. It's soft on the palate, with mellow tannins that mingle with flavors of black cherry, pomegranate and mocha, leading to a smooth finish.
A 100% varietal wine from the producer's estate, this is a greasy, meaty wine, exuberant in smoky barrel background and a thicket of black licorice. Brawny and broad on the palate in fleshy full-bodied waves, it tastes deliciously of blackberry jam and chocolate.
This variety is an extreme rarity in the state but shows plenty of promise in this nascent growing region. Aromas of cherry, herb and spice lead to broad tart full cherry flavors that show a sense of purity, finesse and length.
Merlot makes up 40% of this blend, with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc as well. Smoky meaty characteristics ride a rounded, smoothly textured and full-bodied explosion of baked blackberry and cassis, the tannins chalky.
Made with 70% Petit Verdot and 30% Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas suggesting new leather, graphite and mature black-skinned berry. The concentrated savory palate doles out blueberry jam, spicy plum and licorice alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2024.
This blends 70% Zinfandel with 14% Petite Sirah, 6% Alicante Bouschet, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carignane and 2% Viognier. It succeeds in its full embrace of juicy red berry and big tannin concentration, showing good structure and powerful waves of caramel and pie crust.
This wine comes from the home region of this producer, and features the local Baga grape. Once difficult to control, this grape can now produce richly structured wines, as it does here. This is packed with as much fruit as tannin—ripe fruit giving red-berry flavors that are bursting with juice as well as acidity. Drink this wine from 2018.
Opulent and ripe but also full of black pepper and clove, this wine is full-bodied, spicy and firmly structured. It has good supportive tannins in the texture while blackberry, smoke and charred oak flavors make for interesting flavor complexity.
Owned by the Dassault aerospace family, this château is producing some fine wines, like this crisp, textured second label. With its juicy acidity from the fruity vintage, it has delicious black currant flavors and is likely to age quickly. Drink from 2019.
This ripe, fruity wine has soft tannins and a generous, warm character that makes it already drinkable. Better, however, to wait until its full potential is realized, from 2019.
Packed with spicy black fruit, this is a solid, dense wine. It has acidity and a crisp edge, although this is more than balanced by the ripe black plum flavors and generous tannins. Drink from 2019.
Rich, structured and juicy, this wine shows black fruit tones, with its firm tannins and fine acidity. It's developing into a warm, ripe wine. Drink from 2020.
This rich, ripe and generous wine is full of blackberry fruit and tannin. It's powerful, with a solid structure and fine fruitiness. As a result, it has good aging potential, so drink from 2020.
Big on tannins and equally big on ripe fruit, this is a rich wine. Its dense texture and bold blackberry flavors are coming together well. Drink from 2021.
Grown on clay and chalk soil, this second wine in a series of three from the Moinié estate is intended for medium-term aging. With its dark color and solid tannins, it certainly needs time. However, its rich black fruit and acidity already show through that structure. Give it until 2019, and it will be ready to drink.
Toast and blackberry aromas set the scene for this ripe, bold, fruity wine. With tannins, spice from wood-aging and a still-firm texture, it's showing its youth, but the rich blackberry fruit and density promise long life ahead. Drink from 2020.
This aromatic, perfumed wine is deliciously fruity and crisp, with fine acidity and kiwi-like flavors. Its citrus and apple fruit is bright and lively, with plenty of spice and pepper in the texture. It's ready to drink now but will be better in 2018.
This dry, tart wine smells like sliced apples and has lemon pastry-like flavors without the sweetness. The palate is full-bodied but cut with a zing of lemon and green apple.
The volatiles are quite amped on this wine. It makes it a struggle to get at the tart black cherry flavors.
Reduced and dominated by tannin and oak, this large production offering is earthy and spicy, with full-bodied texture and weight. It finishes slightly green.
This is a soft rosé with ripe strawberry fruits and light acidity. A Bordeaux-style blend of the two Cabernets and a dominance of Merlot has produced a caramel and fruit-flavored wine that is ready to drink.
The wine is soft and fruity with hints of honey as well as mango and peach flavors. It is lightly perfumed leaving room for a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a soft wine that has plenty of red-berry fruits, bright acidity and a light fruity texture. It is dry although the softness gives it an apparent sweetness. Drink now.
Jammy aromas and equally ripe sweet fruit flavors give this wine a candied character. It's full-bodied and feels a little warm on the finish.
This blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires is soft and bland. Its light fruit and acidity feel open and ripe.
Wiry herbal aromas of blueberry and currant lead to an acidic citrusy palate that's choppy and a bit rough. Quick-hitting plum and currant flavors are herbal before hollowing out on a zesty, tannic finish.
This is a soft and crisp wine that shows attractive, tangy orange flavor and has plenty of acidity to keep it as fresh as possible. Drink now.
This is a soft, fruity and easy wine. With simple tannins and black currant fruit laced with spice, it's made to be drunk now.
Cherry and cassis notes provide a touch of brighness on the nose and palate of this blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 26% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, but its plum-raisin backdrop and dullness on the finish suggest it might be going downhill.
Jammy jumbled foxy aromas set up a blocky flat palate. Greasy flavors of buttered-up berry fruits finish without much verve. This is good enough, but just barely.
This pleasant, fruity wine has lemon-lime crispness. Hints of apricot flavor prove the Alvarinho grape is far from its northern Portuguese homeland. Drink now.
High-acid red wine is not for everyone, but this one—dry, stalky and light—is a genuine example of a wine that has always had a following in northern Portugal, great for pairing with fresh sardines. Think that way, and it's more than just a curiosity.
Soft, light and fruity, this wine is ready for a warm day. Apple flavors and clean acidity balance its soft sweetness, making it ready to drink now. Intriguingly, its label resembles that of a much more familiar brand of Vinho Verde.
Vague apple, pear and lime pith aromas show on the subdued nose of this bottling. The palate is pleasant, with dried apple, lime peel and grass flavors, but it's somewhat lacking in energy.
Soft notes of straw and honeycomb grace the orange and red apple fruit tones. The mouthfeel is round and a touch flat on the midpalate, finishing with a bitter almond flavor. Drink now.
Floral berry and plum aromas are also saucy and oaky, and thus discordant. A wobbly tannic palate with green herbal oaky blueberry flavors tastes grassy on the finish. If you know Casarena's wines, this fits the mold.
High in ripeness and intensity, this vineyard designate overpowers with astringency as it plows through a wall of blackberry jam and chocolate flavors.
Raisiny aromas lack freshness and lift. Following that lead, this Cabernet feels stewy and heavy, with questionable balance. Herbal flavors of stewed plum and tomato finish chunky and choppy.
Light plum and raspberry aromas include notes of animal and latex. This lightweight Garnacha has a monotone mouthfeel, while hollow simple berry flavors finish with acidic tang.
This is a lightly aromatic wine, with faint aromas of melon, lemon-lime and yellow flowers. The palate is soft and thin, with similarly delicate flavors as the nose. Drink now.
This soft, robustly ripe wine shows a raisin-like prune character, tasting somewhat chalky on the palate.
An unusual earthy, herbal character dominates the mild fruitiness and marzipan character of this medium-bodied, slightly sweet wine.
This is a hugely rich wine with great black-plum fruit flavors. It's powerfully concentrated, densely tannic, solid and chunky.
Ripe peach and yellow cherry aromas take a turn towards the tropics on the palate of this intensely fruity wine. It's semi-dry in style with a slightly candied tone but balanced neatly by tart lemon­-lime acidity. Drink now.
Brushy, herbal aromas include saucy notes of cherry tomato and iodine. This mystery blend from a 60-year-old vineyard in Curicó is medium in body, with salty, savory plum flavors. Briny notes and saltiness outmaneuver the wine's fruit content on the finish.
Glimmers of minerality lend elegance to zesty white grapefruit, lemon and pear notes in this dry, full-bodied Pinot Gris. A brisk backbone of acidity balances nicely against a mouthfeel that's succulent and satisfying. Drink now through 2016.
Lean and spry, this dry Riesling balances fresh apple and tart nectarine notes against a backdrop of crisp lemon-lime acidity. The finish is moderately long but marked by a pleasantly bitter lemon pith note. Drink now.
Pale in color, this wine offers fresh aromas of cranberry, herbs and red currant. The palate brings elegant flavors with a zing of cranberry-like acidity. It will be best at the dinner table.
Syrah (79%) takes the lead on this blend. The blue-fruit aromas seem a touch oxidized—a shame as this wine otherwise shows pleasing purity and persistence.
The aromas of tennis ball and chalk are light and brooding while the flavors are broad and creamy in feel. It doesn't all quite come together but still provides plenty of appeal.
The aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, ripe peach and botrytis are bright. The mouthwatering stone-fruit flavors are sweet and persist, with white flowers on the finish.
This is not a showy wine, but the sense of reserve, good acidity, fresh flavors and good balance form an enjoyable picture that will be versatile with food.
This is a light- to medium-bodied example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, one that offers somewhat pungent, sweaty aromas that veer toward scallion at times, followed by mouth-puckering grapefruit flavors.
Pungent and leafy at first, this also boasts honey and passion fruit aromas. It's medium in body, with tropical, pineapple flavors and a clean, refreshing finish. Drink up.
Traditionally, Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blancs were riper and richer than Marlborough versions, but that isn't the case for this wine, which carries a modest 12% abv. It's pungently herbal on the nose, while the flavors of white grapefruit are complemented by greenish, leafy notes.
Tight tannins support a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon with 21% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Black fruit, tobacco and leather give it a robust profile, finishing full bodied and ripe.
Consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt has helped this light wine to have a good balance and soft, generous fruitiness. The tannins are kind, rounded and already well integrated with the fruit. Drink from 2017.
Ripe plum, berry and cocoa aromas lead the nose on this fruity, easygoing red. The soft, round palate offers ripe blackberry, juicy raspberry, a note of dark spice and a hint of chocolate. It's simple but well made and enjoyable, with silky tannins.
A juicy wine certain to please those who opt for the hip label, this is quite showy on the nose, with densely packed blackberries, clove, caramel and vanilla elements. The rich palate is equally poppy and boisterous, with black cherry jam, allspice and nutmeg notes.
Slightly murky, earthy aromas of tree bark and baked fruits are herbal and soft. This is a blend led by Syrah and Carmenère; it's round, chewy and bulky on the palate, with flavors of blackberry and dark plum. A hint of cocoa sweetens a lasting but basic finish.
Quite light in the glass, this wine offers crisp and tight aromas of Japanese pear, peach blossom and custard torte. It's light and easy on the palate, with honeysuckle and cooked-apple flavors cut by lemon juice.
Soft and fruity, this opens with aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and dark cooking spice. The juicy, easygoing palate doles out fleshy black cherry, raspberry jam and a hint of ground pepper accompanied by round, smooth tannins.
Summer blossom, honeysuckle, even rose petals appear on the aromatic nose. The slight and slender palate is poised and comes on very light feet. This is a breezy, easy summer wine to be drunk as soon as possible.
Aromas of wild cherry, blue flower and a hint of cinnamon unfold in the glass. The no-frills palate offers black cherry, sage and a note of white pepper alongside soft, rather fleeting tannins. Drink through 2016.
Crisp apple and pear aromas take a richer, riper turn towards melon and peach on the palate of this medium-sweet Riesling. Its juicy, fruity demeanor is straightforward and lush, but a punchy strike of lemon-lime acidity livens up the finish. Drink now.
Dark and muscular up front, with a bright purple color and grapy, woody aromas, this Malbec is pleasant, albeit clipped on the palate. Short, punchy plum and boysenberry flavors finish with a barrel note or two, but not much more.
Craggy Range has put their marketing energy in the U.S. behind this largely unoaked Chardonnay. It's clean and bright, with refreshing melon and pear notes, but not a ton of weight or complexity. Drink this medium-bodied dry white now through 2018.
A new offering from this partnership, this wine brings aromas of jasmine, lime and dried Nestea Ice Tea. It tingles the palate with lightly spritzy, off-dry lemon and peach flavors with a floral finish.
This is a lively, fruity wine with good acidity and a delicious fresh and tangy streak. It is textured with acidity and a steely, youthful character. Drink soon for its full, fresh character. The property has been in the Ballande family since the early 19th century. Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc production from 10 acres is overseen by consultant Denis Dubourdieu.
Young, fresh and fruity, this wine is bright and attractive. It has a strong juicy element along with red-currant liveliness and only a touch of tannins. It will mature early, so drink from the end of 2016.
Named after the outcropping of gravel on which the vines are planted, this second wine of Fourcas-Dupré is Merlot-based. With its smoky tannins and strong flavors of wood, it needs to fill out with the blackberry fruits that lie in the background. That won't take long and the wine will be ready to drink from late 2016.
This attractive and fruity wine is ready to drink now. It is bright with acidity, citrus and lively fresh-sliced apples. It's a delicious wine, all fruit with only the lightest texture. Ghislain Boutemy is the winemaker at the family estate.
The LUX bottling has a bit more concentration than the other estate-grown Pinot Noir from Luminous Hills. The fruit carries much the same strawberry/citrus flavor, but with more grip and focus. The tannins are proportional, and the wine is balanced, but thins out quickly in the finish.
Like most base-level Garnachas, this one has a sweet, candied aromatic cover. But unlike many it has depth, purity and avoids boring, offensive sweetness. The flavors of raspberry and boysenberry are bright, and it maintains balance and integrity through the finish. A nice wine for under $10.
This unusual Chardonnay is fermented and aged sur lie in 60 gallon stainless-steel barrels. The pleasant mix of fruit includes cucumber, melon, jicama and apple, balanced and tart. The color, already a fairly deep gold, suggests that you drink it soon.
Ripe and soft. There is an attractive citrus element that gives structure, wih acidity coming through. Delicious now. Screwcap.
Quite dry on the palate, this seductive Riesling exhibits aromas of honeyed ginger with a hint of smoke and petrol. Lime and apple flavors combine with a zippy acidity and subtle minerality throughout.
A very pleasant offering from Duck Pond, this is lightly toasty, moderately fruity, broad on the palate, with a gentle mix of pear and apple flavors. Smooth and drinking at its peak.
Sort of scratchy and generic on the nose, with reasonably fresh red fruit aromas. The mouthfeel is angular and clipped by piercing acidity, while the flavors are of nice but regular black cherry and plum. Fairly juicy and fresh as a whole.
A spicy note in the nose carries suggestions of caraway, pepper and rye. This is a light, tart, palate-refreshing red wine, with wild red berry flavors, a hint of earth and a delicate balance.
Reddish in color, with solid aromas of tire rubber, cherry and plum. The palate shows fine lift and balance, and the flavors of juicy, slightly pithy and bitter raspberry and plum are just right for Navarran Garnacha-based rosé. Drink soon with salads and finger foods.
Like the D&J; Chardonnay, this is a readily approachable, easy-drinking wine with good varietal character. Cassis fruit dominates, accented by slightly herbal notes suggestive of mint. The tannins are supple, adding an appropriately dusty edge to the finish. Drink now–2012.
Whole cluster fermented in stainless steel, this is big and spicy, with a lovely textural impact. The aromas and flavors run to honeyed pears and very ripe apples; the finish is resonant and surprisingly mature for a 2009. Drink up.
A deep straw, this unusual Chardonnay has a strong herbal component, with penetrating seed and grass flavors wrapped around tart, green apple fruit. It's a little oxidized, drinking well, but not for cellaring.
Made half in stainless steel and half in neutral oak, this comes from 34-year-old vines. It's quite dry, with interesting nuances of sweet grass, clover and green apple. The acids are borderline sour; try this with a bit of prosciutto and a salty cheese.
With its slight vanilla aroma, this is a broad style, with ripe acidity, a fresh green fruit character, rounded by the toast edge. There is a good final crisp texture.
Made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% other red grapes, this pretty wine has a bright fragrance of red berries and a hint of violet. The straightforward palate offers sour cherry and hints of cinnamon spice. Simple but well made, it's thoroughly enjoyable and will work well with everyday fare, from pizza to barbecued meats.
This is a light wine, with fresh berry fruits and acidity that delineate the structure. It's already an easy wine to drink, hinting at minerality and finishing softly.
A single-vineyard Vouvray that is rich and fruity, it has almond and light apple flavors laced with citrus acidity. Medium sweet in style, it has a rich feel and is very ready to drink now.
There is an earthy element to this ripe and fruity wine. It adds some herbal flavors to the tannins, red fruits and final acidity. Drink this wine soon, and until 2020.
Light and bright, this attractive, fruity wine has raspberry and red plum flavors along with a tannic core. It could age, although it's good to drink now.
This Monastrell-Cabernet blend is ripe and syrupy. The palate is so saturated that it verges on being overdone. Flavors of blackberry and cassis syrup finish heavy, sweet and sticky.
An oaky, smooth Tempranillo with understated black cherry and earthy notes, soft and medium-bodied. On the finish, expect vanilla.
The wine offers a taste of cherry liqueur and blueberries that's soft, high in acidity and still a bit tight in tannins. This would be a good one to give a bit more time.
Fascinating spice and green fruit characterize this wine that comes from the Chasselas grape still planted in the Loire in small quantities. With tight acidity and great freshness, this wine beckons for instant enjoyment.
This is a crisp, tart and somewhat ungenerous example of Australian Pinot Noir. It's lean and wiry, with a solid sinew of pie-cherry fruit, so maybe it just needs time, as it seems otherwise well made.
This is a deep violet-red wine, with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, butterscotch and anisette. Flavors of blueberry, toffee and licorice play off of strong woody notes that dominate the finish.
Stalky and aromatic, the wine is cool, full of red fruits with an herbaceous edge. Berry fruits are laced with tight acidity and a mineral character, backed up by chewy tannins. Drink now.
A rich, full-bodied wine with notes of cherry and plum. It's sweet and tangy with a huckleberry and wood spice-filled finish.
Flowery and balanced in crisp, dry flavors of lemon and pear, this wine takes its designation from the French word for fog, a nod to its cool-climate environs. Supple tannins and refined acidity round out the deal.
Here's a straightforward and fruity Nero d'Avola that offers delicious blackberry and black cherry flavors that are accented by a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The ripe palate is brightened by just enough fresh acidity.
This rounded white starts with aromas of lemon peel, orange jam, spice and flowers, followed by appealing flavors of citrus and white fruit. It has body and structure, and will temper spicy food well: think Indian, Szechuan.
Bristling in acidity and steely in wet stone, this SB is crisp and layered in lemon, with more lemon on the finish. It yearns for shellfish.
Earthy, dried-fruit aromas are dessicated, while oaky scents of vanilla and licorice offer complexity. This Garnacha-led blend feels jammy in structure; flavors of plum and raspberry come with herbal notes, while the finish is tangy due to pointed acidity, with strawberry flavors in support.
Only the faint smell of grass emerges from this wine, but the palate is another story, with fresh squeezed lime and brisk nectarine flavors. The mouthfeel starts rich and then zips up tight with nice acidity. This vibrant wine needs food that's both rich and exotic, so try Chinese or Indonesian.
This opens with aromas of toast, plum and chocolate that are accented by whiffs of blue flower, tilled soil and leather. The palate offers black cherry, plum, nutmeg and clove alongside racy acidity and astringent wood tannins that dry out the finish.
Almost blue-black in color with a red-violet rim, this Syrah presents aromas of blackberry, mocha and a hint of green pepper. Simultaneously refreshing and well-rounded, it has pleasant flavors of blackberry, orange rind and chocolate-covered espresso bean.
Exuberant on the nose with aromas of ripe red cherries, peppery spices, herbs and just a touch of funky earth tones, there's a pleasurable rusticity to this Cabernet Franc. It's boldly structured with rich body and dense, drying tannins that hug the finish. It's lovely now, but should continue to evolve well over the next 3-5 years.
Made with Nero d'Avola, this bright, pretty wine offers juicy red cherry, strawberry and blackberry sensations along with notes of black pepper and mineral. Fresh and savory, this is made to be enjoyed young.
Here's a unique blend of two of Campania's little known grapes, Casavecchia and Pallagrello Nero. It opens with a pretty fragrance of blue flower, ripe berries and spice. The soft, round palate offers red berry and fleshy blackberry accented by cinnamon-toast notes. Drink soon.
This structured Nero d'Avola opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla and hints of toasted oak. The juicy palate delivers blackberry, raspberry, black pepper, licorice and espresso alongside bracing tannins. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish.
Woody, brambly notes lend an earthy complexity to fresh blackberry and cassis notes on this bright, brisk Merlot. A shower of cranberry acidity jolts the palate and cuts through the fine, but penetrating tannins that fringe the finish. An elegant, refreshing example of a cool-climate Merlot.
At first this muscular wine feels tight, even stiff, with crisply defined plum and cassis fruit. The only knock on it is the drying tannins, which leave a chalky aftertaste. Pair with a juicy cut of pork or salmon.
Rich red fruits combine with good acidity, raspberry flavors and soft tannins. Ripe and juicy, it shows great fruitiness at the end.
This is the first Tempranillo from Animale, and it's a soft, supple wine with a pleasing mix of red berries and light tanned leather. It's well made, balanced and interesting, with hints of rose petals and dried leaves.
Earthy and stemmy, the famed Bacigalupi is the source of grapes, a Wente field selection clone. Lush and soft, the flavors are faint strawberry and tart cherry, a touch of brown sugar and vanilla darting through the midpalate and into the oak-tinged finish.
A spray of violet perfumes ripe blueberries and blackberries on this deep, rich Cabernet Franc. Lusciously full in body, the palate is a concentrated crush of black fruit flavor accented with brisk acidity and soft, velveteen tannins on the finish.
Punchy and bright with tones of honey, pineapple and quince, this medium-sweet Riesling is an alarm clock to the senses. Juicy and forward, with a streak of sunny, lemon acidity, it's a straightforward but unabashedly satisfying quaffer.
Tart tangerine and fresh herbal tones lend freshness to juicy lychee, jasmine and grapefruit flavors in this Gewürztraminer. Just a shade off dry, it's deeply concentrated on the palate and finishes with an exotic sizzle of ginger spice.
Exotic spice and bramble notes accent rich, ripe aromas of blackberry preserves on this perfumed Bordeaux-style red. A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, there's a plush, primary fruitiness to the palate, but it's elegantly structured with bright cranberry acidity and finely-grained tannins that add texture to the finish.
If oaky whites are your thing, this barrel-aged Viura is a good choice. Waxy, floral aromas of gardenia, lilly, cured ham and resiny oak play against white-fruit scents. The palate is not blowsy or resiny, while woody flavors of spice and white pepper accent core flavors of peach and baked apple.
This is a ripe and fruity wine, with soft tannins and rich raspberry fruits. Already accessible, it's very full in the mouth, wonderfully juicy and jammy, yet with some freshness at the end.
Here's a round, savory Nero d'Avola that's loaded with juicy blackberry, tart red cherry and black raspberry sensations. The juicy, easygoing palate is accented by hints of black pepper, clove and roasted almond that give it a pleasantly bitter finish. There's low complexity, but it is delicious.
This medium-bodied wine climbs several notches up the quality scale from a typical California AVA Chardonnay. It blends ripe pear and butter aromas, pleasing peach and pear flavors, a texture that is soft and easy, and a slightly buttery finish.
A fragrant wine, it offers truffle and red fruit aromas. The palate is ripe although it does have intense acidity, more bright red fruits than firmer structure. It feels almost ready to drink, fruity and fresh.
A fruity blend of Tannat, Syrah and Cabernet Franc that has berry fruits, a stalky texture and touches of wood spice. It's an easy, juicy wine, made fresh and ripe to be drunk now.
This wine is fresh, bright and light, with citrus and ripe yellow fruits. Crisp, light and aromatic, it's ready to drink.
Coming from the cool 2011 vintage, this vineyard-designated wine doesn't seem entirely ripe, displaying notes of herbs, cranberry and red fruit. It's screamingly tart with moderate fruit flavors and abundant oak accents that lead to a warm finish.
The wine is ripe, full in the mouth while also having an attractive lightness. With flavors that include candied strawberry, red currants and tight acidity, it's a wine that needs food. Drink now.
This bright and fruity wine, with its typical and delicious local blend of Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc, is full of citrus and grapefruit flavors. It's a light wine, all fruit with just a light texture of steeliness. Drink now.
The wine is all about fresh apples and pears, with just a hint of smokiness and mineral texture. Crisp, with great acidity, it's ready to drink now, bright, full in the mouth and very fruity.
The wine is soft, rounded and lightly perfumed. A smoky character brings out ripe cherry fruits and a soft texture. Spice and acidity contrast with each other at the end.
Now a limited-production wine club wine, Columbia's Riesling is simple and light, with suggestions of stone fruits. There is a hint of bitterness in the finish. Serve chilled and drink soon while it keeps its freshness.
This boasts typical Marlborough characters of passion fruit and herbal notes, layered with a hint of nectarine and extra pungency. It's round in the mouth without being especially concentrated, finishing short but pleasant.
So light in color, this is almost a rosé, this soft and fruity wine comes from a parcel of 35-year-old vines. It has red fruits, some spice and a gentle structure. It's a summer red, even better served slightly chilled.
Slightly confected floral notes are ruffled with green herbs and leaves on this off-dry Muskat Ottonel. The palate is peachy and a bit  perfumey, but refreshingly brisk with acidity.
Sweet aromas of almond paste and stone fruit, as well as green apple, mark this wine fermented in stainless steel tanks. It has a slight effervescence and a hint of lime and Asian pear on the finish.
With notions of cherry and cinnamon on the nose and just slight fizz, this is a refreshing, fruit-driven sparkling rosé that's full of strawberry and cherry notes—it might just be the very definition of easy summer wine. It ends dry, yet refreshing.
Lightly aromatic with notes of apple and pear. It's medium bodied, off dry (9g/L residual sugar) and straightforward while still providing drinking pleasure.
Aromas recall a closed cellar, leafy underbrush and raisin. The lean palate offers stewed prune, nutmeg, cedar and black pepper alongside firm tannins.
This offers modest aromas of lightly toasted pear and peach. The wine is alive in feel, with zesty acids pushing mid-level nectarine and citrus flavors. The finish offers up a touch of wood but also lots of acidity that washes everything away.
There is a strong cherry-juice character to this wine. It's ripe, young and very drinkable now. But with the underlying tannins, the wine should be able to age to bring out the structure and acidity.
While the nose is demure with delicate notes of apple and lemon, the palate on this Grüner Veltliner is ripe with fleshy gooseberry flavor. It's delicate in flavor concentration, but overall, refreshing and brisk.
Dense and extracted, this displays sensations of espresso, roasted coffee bean, sugary vanilla, chocolate and sweet oak. It's already evolved so drink soon.
A clean but fairly neutral blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, this will fit the bill whenever you need a medium-bodied white to support dishes like grilled fish, pork chops or soft cheeses. Modest citrus and apple aromas and flavors are never overpowering or overly complex—they'll just comfortably ride alongside your meal. Drink before the end of 2015.
Sourced entirely from the Milbrandt vineyards, this shows little in the way of either varietal character or ripeness. There are indications that some of the fruit was raisined, while some was green. A lot of tobacco, vanilla and oak flavors cannot mask the thin finish or herbal tannins.
This is an exceedingly light for a Cab with a reserve designation. It's also astringent, with flavors of vanilla and cut tobacco overtaking the thin fruit, and a finish that resolves in bitter coffee grounds.
The fruit is thin and herbal, with light hints of plum. The tannins take over quickly, chewy and earthy. This is for those who like a lot of stem and herb flavors in their Syrah.
This is a light and very crisp wine. Acidity, gooseberry and pink grapefruit give a fruitiness without any complexity. The bright texture and simple aftertaste make it a wine to drink immediately.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this is a wine to pour with casual meals. It's on the lean side, with raw cherry-berry sensations, soft acidity and angular tannins. Drink soon.
Subtle apricot and herb aromas, then juicy apple and apricot flavors characterize this straw-colored, sturdy wine. It is crisp and dry, with enough body to keep the texture smooth and the whole taste experience balanced.
Pithy citrus and nectarine aromas announce a palate that's citrusy all the way. Flavors of orange, lemon and grapefruit keep a persistent citric character through the finish, which is basic but refreshing.
The heady florality of damask rose is joined by powerful earthy forces to acquire a rich autumnal touch of ripe fruit and fragrance. The palate is wonderfully dry, precise and fresh: There is enough acidity here to brighten every last corner of flavor. This is both ethereal and earthy, elegant but firm, fragrant and fresh—from the first whiff to the last vestige of flavor on the tongue.
Subtle aromas of sunbaked earth, toast, French oak and chopped herb slowly emerge in the glass. The aromas carry over to the round robust palate along with raspberry jam, dried black cherry, licorice and baking spice while velvety tannins lend finesse. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol on the close. Drink 2018–2023.
Leathery at its core, this small-production wine is subdued and relatively restrained, showing bold, juicy layers of strawberry and cranberry. It offers enviable structure and ability to age. It will drink best 2023–2028.
With an aroma like sweet vermouth and rich, chocolaty, smoky flavors, this Rhône-style blend exerts an exotic influence on the palate. The mouthfeel is smooth and graceful, with mild tannins, while the lingering finish echoes opulent fruit and spice notes. The winemaker used 48% Mourvèdre and lesser amounts of Grenache and Syrah.
Black pepper and orange rind complement one another aromatically before riding a medium-bodied layering of soft, seductive texture and acidity, additionally highlighted in rhubarb and black tea. As the wine builds complexity in the glass, it shows a minerality marked by earthy mint on the finish.
Deep notes of elderberry and pepper meet with roasted lamb on the somewhat reductive nose of this bottling. The structure is a bit rigid at this early date, giving a lengthy frame to flavors of deep purple fruit, brown baking spices and a touch of vanilla.
A vivid yellow-gold color and creamy, butterscotchy flavors pile up the richness in this full-bodied wine. Great underlying acidity lifts up the wine for good balance and a lasting, tingly finish. The concentration and creaminess are wonderful to taste.
This satisfyingly full-bodied, dense wine offers a wealth of baked strawberry complemented by a fistful of clove, cinnamon and Asian five-spice. The tannins are firm and supported by moderate acidity, while strong elements of forest floor and sautéed mushroom add to the savory nature of it all.
This wine takes a light approach to a robust red grape, in this case mellowing it with the addition of 15% Merlot. It remains buoyant on the palate and well structured, a combination of black olive, toffee, chalky tannin, juicy blackberry and blueberry. It allows for a richness of flavor without ever going overboard in texture or weight.
The ripeness of pear and mirabelle is expressed with softness and gentleness. The nose is most inviting and leads to a more defined palate that also holds savory yeast and white pepper that appears in textured lemony waves. Beautiful and expressive.
Crisp, clean flavors of apple and apricot shine in this medium-bodied, lively and dry white, an ideal companion at the table. A sly finish of lemon peel adds to its refreshment, and it's best enjoyed now.
Full and roundly lush, this is a big, bold wine from a specially selected site within an estate vineyard. It imparts smoked meat alongside rich, spiced plum, an undercurrent of rosemary and herbes de Provence whipping in between the fruit and generous tannin.
Notes of spice and ripe stone fruit rise from the glass, along with a grapefruit-scented freshness. The palate comes with a very light-footed feel, full of weightless citrus flavors, edged with gentle white pepper and grapefruit spice. This is completely refreshing and beautifully delicate.
While the nose is shy, the palate displays a grapefruit-spiced edged along with the ripeness of juicy stone fruit: mirabelles and yellow pears are conjured up. While the fruit is ripe the wine has something weightless, transparent and fresh. This goes down far too easily and needs to be savored. The finish is delicate but full flavored.
This lovely wine from the producer's Pelissa Vineyard is perfumed in roses, while offering a soft, velvety texture that's restrained in terms of tannin and oak. Clove, graphite and white pepper develop in the glass, adding to the wine's classical nature.
There's a savory roasted-meat quality to the nose of this blend of 68% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah that also offers crushed riverstone, a touch of violet and coffee-syrup scents. The hefty, meaty character carries right into the palate that is thick in body, chalky with structure and redolent in roasted blackberry and tangy elderberry fruit.
Fresh and zesty notes of strawberry, bright raspberry, white pepper and herbal touches of fennel show on the nose of this wine from an iconic vineyard. The herbal influence goes big on the sip, where, thyme, oregano, bay leaf and fennel decorate the light raspberry and cranberry fruit, with vanilla on the finish. It presents a lighter take than usual from this site.
The very pure scent of green Conference pear peel rises from the glass. It is soon tempered by peppery yeast notes, but characterized throughout but that dual nature of freshness and the plumpness of rounded yeast. This contrast provides interest and makes this rather moreish, especially once you've savored the long spicy finish.
This is a serious, complex cru wine from Jacky Janodet. It is full of structured tannins and rich black fruits. It is a wine that will age with its dry core and layers of acidity. There is a brighter element to this impressive wine that keeps the aftertaste juicy and crisp. Drink from 2018.
A blend of Syrah (62%), Petite Sirah (25%) and Mourvèdre, this no-holds-barred wine offers aromas of potpourri, orange peel, peppery spices and dark fruit. It's ripe and full bodied with a finish that lingers.
Coming from the winery's estate vineyard in The Rocks District, this aromatic brooder shows notes of crushed flowers, wet stone, orange peel, brown stems and dark fruit, along with lightly smoked meat accents. The palate boasts generous fruit and savory flavors that linger on the finish.
The slightest touch of vanilla perfumes the nose. The palate is fresh and takes a little while to reveal its secrets: slowly enjoy this and its peppery savory core will become apparent. This is a quiet, unobtrusive wine—give it time to breathe and let it come towards you. Its gentle harmonious lightness will captivate.
A new, high-end offering from this producer, this wine is made to celebrate and luxuriate in the appellation, which it does in its ying-yang of dark chocolate and cedar. Bright acidity uplifts a soft, creamy texture and firm, subtle tannin, allowing the blackberry bramble to speak.
Named for his sons Hunter and Ryder, this is part of Guy Fieri's small wine project based in Sonoma County. The partnership with Winemaker Guy Davis of Davis Family Vineyards sources from three old-vine sites, including Doug Rafanelli's, to make a balanced wine marked by savory black olive, black pepper and a strong current of Italian deli aromas and flavors. Pillowy tannin and a shot of tobacco add nicely to the whole.
Impressive at any price, but especially notable at this cost, this 100% varietal red is a testament to the power and concentration of the vintage, integrated with a push of tannin on the back of the tongue. Spicy clove and pepper ride a wave of cassis, dark cherry and chocolate, needing time to unwind in the glass. It will do well in the cellar through 2028.
Compost aromas open this vineyard-designated wine, a full-bodied, densely concentrated exploration of juicy black licorice, coconut and dust. Soft and lengthy, it develops slowly in the glass, providing a vibrant showcase for the site.
Spicy cardamom adds to the exotic perfume that opens this wine that is juicy in acidity and bright with crisp red cherry. Refreshing, it takes on more weight and substance as it glides effortlessly to the finish.
Clove, leather and cherry aromas lead the way, followed by more of the same flavors on the palate, joined by hints of darker, plummier fruit. This full-bodied blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre has some dusty tannins, but they're balanced by ample fruit, at least for the moment. Drink now–2025.
This blend—mainly Grenche Blanc and Roussanne—is fairly neutral on the nose, but weighty and rich on the palate, where it delivers succulent notes of pineapple, perked by a sprinkling of white pepper. That peppery spice picks up in intensity on the finish, imparting vibrancy and length. Drink now.
Full bodied and rich, with extravagant mint, chocolate, cassis, coffee and cedar notes that come close to going over the top, kept in check by muscular tannins that impart the texture of fine powder to the wine's lengthy finish. Drink 2012–2020.
Sourced from Kilikanoon's home region of Clare, this is a lush, creamy-textured Shiraz of chocolaty richness, balanced by notes of black olive, plum and mocha. It's intense but not overbearing, with lingering notes of dark fruit and spice on the finish. Drink now–2020.
A streak of iron and mineral leads, with rich, ripe, dark fruit flavors following. Compact and tannic, this is extremely young. But compressed in the wine are complex streaks of herb and mineral. The tannins are strong and polished.
The iconoclastic Emilio Rojo produces this five-grape blend from terraced vineyards located in inland Galicia. The wine is lush, rich and shows barrel characteristics and depth. The nose is toasty and alluring, but the real play comes in the mouth, which is healthy as an ox, with layered flavors of baked apple, tropical fruits and honey. Long on the finish, with an appealing texture and fine acidity. In perfect condition now; drink through 2013.
Right out of the chute this has sappy, delicious black cherry fruit, accented with scents of tobacco and graphite. Streaks of ash and more juicy berries fill the middle, as it unfolds into a taut, sculpted finish. A classical style from a vintage that favors it; accessible, yet built for cellaring.
Winemaker Mike Lee continues to prove his prowess with Sauvignon Blanc in this latest vintage of Patianna, Patti Fetzer's line of organically farmed wines from outside of Hopland in Mendocino County. Fermented entirely in stainless steel without undergoing ML or barrel aging, it delivers everything you love about the variety, inviting one in with melon and minerality, then following through with a surprising creaminess and almost decadent, mousse-like finish.
If you like lusty, ripe, full-bodied reds, then scoop this up because it's excellent and priced to sell. The nose is rich, crusty and minerally, with a ton of black fruit. The palate is layered and creamy, with ultra- ripe, concentrated black fruit, chocolate and café mocha flavors. Pure and deep; drinkable now and over the next few years.
A compelling blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, this wine captures your attention from the first sniff. The aromas have a rare mix of fruit, soil, barrel and animal, the sort of complexity that eludes language. It fills the mouth with wild and arresting flavors, sweet cherry fruit, animal, loam, cut tobacco and coffee grounds, all folding into dense, dark tannins.
Cofermented with 2% Viognier, this elegant Syrah rests on a base of toast, coffee grounds, loam and savory herbs. The fruit—pie cherries and plums—is subservient to the details of earth, mushroom and leather. All is beautifully integrated, balanced and long. A wine to savor.
Pure Malbec from one of Washington's best vineyards, this is power personified. Cassis and black cherry fruit is tightly wound around mineral-drenched tannins. There are telltale streaks of earth and stem, a dusting of ground coffee, and other nuances that show the varietal details often missing from domestic Malbec. A fine effort.
The dark color and high acidity of this wine are both typical of the Sousão grape which is normally found only in Douro blends. It is ripe, fruity and juicy although with tight acidity and black currant fruits. The wine's tannins suggest it needs to age, so drink from 2017.
While big and brawny in style, this Pinot still maintains good balance. The aromas resemble toasty, spicy oak, with cranberry and dark cherry notes. The flavors echo the nose and are vivid due to lively acidity and a firm layer of tannins.
This opens with aromas that recall white almond, walnut and graphite. Made with 50% Friulano, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon, the svelte palate offers yellow apple skin, grapefruit, almond and mineral. A hint of lemon drop backs up the finish.
This wine offers baked flavors of red raspberry, black cherry and grapy plum. It finds its balance between juicy approachability and a swat of tannin that provides depth and body. It finishes ripe and with a suggestion of char.
Light aromas of lime, apple peel and honeysuckle show on the nose of this bottling. The style leans toward the racy end of the spectrum, with lime-zest energy, chalky tension and a touch of red apple fruit.
Subdued aromas suggesting yellow apple and a touch of citrus emerge after a few twirls of the glass. On the tangy palate, a vein of mineral and crisp acidity underscore juicy tastes of nectarine, pear and a hint of crystalized ginger.
Cut grass, tomato vine and gooseberry aromas lead the way on this zesty white. Racy acidity underscores grapefruit, kiwi and a hint of green bell pepper while a mineral note invigorates the finish.
This light-bodied, semidry Riesling from Traverse City's first urban winery offers an explosion of peach blossom, apricot and ripe pineapple on the nose and palate. A vein of lime zest creates tension from start to finish, making this well-balanced offering a perfect apéritif.
A blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Picolit, this offers muted scents of wildflower, toasted oak and orchard fruit. The palate offers oak-driven vanilla, butterscotch, candied nectarine and yellow apple skin.
This lively white opens with aromas of grapefruit, light oak and crushed rock. On the racy palate, zesty acidity underscores yellow peach, citrus zest, ginger and a hint of vanilla. A hint of mineral marks the finish.
Inviting aromas of toasted almond, pear and a whiff of chopped herb lead the nose on this linear white. The lively palate offers crisp apple, nectarine zest and flinty mineral accompanied by bright acidity.
This is an unusual commingling of mostly Rhone varieties, a mix of 75% Viognier, 12% Roussanne and 12% Marsanne, with the addition of 3% Sémillon. Honeycomb and Nilla wafer rise from the nose before a medium-bodied swirl of sour lemon, grapefruit and yuzu give it tartness on the finish.
Showing copper reflections, this vibrant wine offers enticing scents of white wildflower and orchard fruit. The savory palate presents poached Bartlett pear, nectarine zest and a mineral note accompanied by firm acidity.
While the nose is quite neutral, the palate of this off-dry Riesling boasts ripe, concentrated peach and apricot flavors bolstered by sunny lemon acidity. Juicy and mouthwatering, it's a lively sip to be enjoyed young.
Blossomy floral and bramble notes accent ripe black currant and raspberry flavors in this zesty blend of Dornfelder, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's plush and velvety in mouthfeel and maintains intensity through a moderately long finish. Drink now through 2018.
Production has more than doubled, which may account for a dilution in quality from past vintages. Lightly spicy, with a streak of pepper and cinnamon, this is a pleasant wine, but thins out quickly.
Light and subtle, this offers tart cherry fruit with hints of mushroom. The texture and definition somewhat compensate for the overall lightness and lack of depth. It's a graceful, elegant wine best enjoyed young.
Made with a blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio, this opens with aromas of toasted oak and vanilla. The lean palate offers yellow apple skin, pineapple and mineral alongside brisk acidity.
From a handful of vineyards, this wine showcases good blending skills in its ability to offer crisp grapefruit, apricot and green apple atop a creamy texture and neutral oak structure. It's light, bright and ready for the table.
Rhubarb, turned earth and iron aromas power the nose on this bottling by Sabrine Rodems, who also makes Wrath wines. The iron character extends to the palate, picking up flint and gunmetal notes along with raspberry fruit and more fresh dirt flavors.
From the lightly nutty almond-skin aroma, to the creamy palate and savory finish, it's apparent that the winemaker enjoys experimenting with lees contact to help broaden the midpalate. While this application might seem a little aggressive to some, there's a lovely balance of juicy red apple and streamlined, focused quince to appeal to a broader audience.
Enticing aromas of a citrus orchard in bloom, peach and Alpine herb lead the way on this vibrant, racy wine. The lively palate is all about citrus zest, raw apple, mineral and racy acidity.
Aromas like a pastry shop and ripe pear and sweet apple flavors make this wine easy to like. Smoothly textured, it is medium bodied and the balance is rather soft.
A strong and tasty oak component makes this full-bodied wine an attention-grabber, beginning with the toasted aromas, then complex and spicy flavors and firmly tannic texture. While the oakiness tamps down the fruit flavors, it does make it fun to drink.
A cool, alpine streak runs through this easygoing but refreshing Riesling, revealed through greenish glimmers of pine frond and fresh herb. Off dry in style, it calibrates sweet-tart green plum and apple notes against streaks of lime and lemon. Drink now.
Aromas of toasted oak, vanilla and a confectionary note lead the nose while the palate offers mature Golden Delicious apple, butterscotch and walnut skin alongside bracing acidity.
Ripe aromas of honeydew, orange creamsicle, grilled apple and almond are framed by a hint of fynbos on the nose of this accessible Chenin. The plush, round palate boasts notes of tangerine, apple flesh and pineapple that finish crisp and clean. Drink now–2018.
Minty and raisiny on the nose, with Port-like elements of dried fruit and high (15.0%) alcohol. Still, it shows the variety's trademark delicate structure and silky texture.
This is fairly sweet but not as sweet as you'd expect given its 7% residual sugar. Credit the vivid acidity built in to Washington Riesling grapes (though labeled American, the grapes are all Washington). It's got plenty of mixed fruits and as the back label suggests, it's a good choice to pair with spicy Asian foods.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache starts off with scents of charred beef and smoke, then adds coffee and blackberry flavors to give it plenty of complexity. The tannins are soft, lingering on the finish with traces of caramel and vanilla. Drink it now and over the next few years.
Starts with clean cedary aromas and bold cassis scents, then slowly works in flavors of coffee, licorice and earth. It's medium- to full-bodied, with a dusty, tannic finish. Hold a couple of years, then try with stews or braises.
This is off-dry, roughly 2% residual sugar, and it nicely balances the sugar and the acids, using the floral and spicy character of the grape to fill out the middle. It's a pretty wine, fruity with peach, melon and grapefruit.
Candied black cherry aromas give this a sweet, rich outlook. The palate is bold and heavy, with ripe cassis and other heavy fruit flavors. It's a big, extracted wine that could use more balance and structure. To this taster, it seems denser and duller than past vintages. Frankly it's syrupy and chocolaty on the back palate and finish.
Owned by Guigal but made at a separate facility, Vidal-Fleury's 2005 Crozes-Hermitage offers plummy aromas of superripe fruit, but lacks any midpalate richness. It's a crisp, medium-bodied Syrah with a supple, easy-to-like finish.
This is tasty, with strawberry and watermelon flavors, moderate sweetness and crisp acids. In short, an excellent summer sipping wine.
Clean, pure and lightweight, with aromas of citrus blossom and lychee. The mouth is zesty and crisp, with citrus, lychee and pineapple flavors. Don't expect miracles and it'll work wonders as an apéritif. But drink it soon to capture its white-fruit intensity. Tastes better and fresher than Andeluna's 2006 Torrontés.
Quiet on the nose and 100% inoffensive. The palate hints at bell pepper and green bean while also dealing ample pineapple and citrus. Turns a little tart and lean on the back end, but that frames the wine's freshness, zest and energy. Another good Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that's made to drink now.
High-toned and already considerably far down the aging path, this 98% pure Merlot (2% Cabernet Sauvignon) brings the heat (14.9% alcohol) and packs substantial, earthy tannins. The fruit flavors remain on the lighter side of strawberry and raspberry, with a strong herbal component running through the middle and into the finish.
Malbec is relatively new and rare in Washington, and it is still some years before most of the vines are mature, but the potential is there. This is 100% varietal, quite light, with forward fruit suggesting cherry, plum and berry. It's balanced with good acids, but there is not yet much depth or detail.
Slightly sharp and salinic smelling at first, but soon it veers toward strawberry and raspberry, with hints of smoke and rusticity. Still, for the most part this is a basic New World Cabernet with familiar cherry and plum flavors backed by a touch of chocolate. Feels creamy and medium-bodied, with healthy tannins and acids. A nice everyday Cab that doesn't overstep its limitations.
The overriding sentiment is that Limarí is too cool for Carmenère, yet this wine, while a bit sour and rhubarby, is still pretty comfy and satisfying. The flavors rest on plum, blackberry and wood, while olive and carob control the finish. Falls off at the end, but good overall. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
A little bit wild and sauvage, as Merlot from Chile is known to be. Flavors of herbal berry fruit and plum work the core, while the finish is woody and resiny, but also a little zingy and acidic. Not so much tart but definitely a little more snappy and “red” than the norm.
Nice enough but not all that varietal in terms of aromas, flavors or anything. There's big red and black fruit aromas and flavors along with firm tannins, extract and some pepper. It's rich and chewy, but also tannic and fairly regular. For the price it should not disappoint.
Big, meaty and broad, with thick, masculine coal, pepper and blackberry aromas. This marks a nice comeback for Abadia Retuerta, which had some weak wines in 2002 and '03; this single-vineyard Syrah is lush, loaded and bursting with char, chocolate and deep fruit. It has size, power and balance pulling it in the right direction. Probably better in another year or so.
The Lui & William bodega is behind this outstanding Tempranillo from Toro. The wine shows a brilliant violet tint in front of intense, inky aromas of black cherry and chocolate cake. The palate is superripe and bucks like a bronco; the tannins are dense and form titanic structure, and the finish of coffee and spice hints at a fine cigar. It's a huge load at 15%, so be prepared.
Potent and raring to go, with lots of young oak and intense fruit that causes the wine to change in the glass in the blink of an eye. What we can tell at this early point of development is that it is saturated, healthy, balanced and clean. There's vibrancy and full tannins, with lip-smacking acidity. Already a good one to ponder, but should be even better from 2009–2011. Just 750 cases made.
A top-flight Toro that knows how to step on the gas but keep the car centered. Aromas of dried lavender, violets, coffee and black fruit come together marvelously, while the palate is dark as Mud Cake but still loaded with tasty blackberry and black currants. Pure and strapping, and giving all the oomph that Toro is known for.
Brian Croser's efforts with Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay have finally paid off in a big way. This is a plump, amply textured wine that doesn't lack for elegance, marrying scents and flavors of toasted grain with white peaches and hazelnuts. Long and intense on the finish, echoing with toasty oak but also layers of vibrant fruit. Drink now–2015.
Oak, yellow apple and butterscotch aromas open on the nose. The structured palate offers toast, mineral, oak-driven spice and a confectionary note but it's shy on fruit richness. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol on the close.
This light but firm style of Pinot shows spicy, slightly herbal and oaky aromas. The palate is fresh and fruit-forward, with a medium body and enough concentration to create a lingering finish.
Aromas of cut grass, tomato leaf and kiwi lead the way on this vibrant white. The lively palate offers grapefruit, honeydew melon and a tangy note of nectarine zest alongside brisk acidity.
Putting Syrah and Touriga Nacional together is a popular blend in Alentejo, producing structured wines that also exude ripe berry fruitiness and a fine aromatic character. This wine is still young as its firm tannins are evident even as its fruit is well in place, fresh and fruity and with a rich aftertaste. Drink from late 2016.
Production has more than tripled in the past three vintages for this wine. This is a full-throttle, tannic young wine, with muscle and verve, but lacking finesse. The midpalate offers cherries, earthy tannins and stem flavors.
This is a well-crafted, likable wine made at a fair value. The tightly wound mix of red fruit and licorice softens on the palate to offer approachability and a bite of tannin and oak.
Orchard fruit aromas and a whiff of toasted hazelnut lift out of the glass after a few swirls. The racy palate offers pear, apple and a mineral note alongside vibrant acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.
Aromas of toasted nut, citrus and oak lead the nose. The linear, rather lean palate shows yellow apple skin, bitter almond and lime zest. A mineral note signals the finish.
Fresh and fruity, this lively white offers aromas and flavors of green Anjou pear, Granny Smith apple and white peach. Zesty acidity gives it a crisp, tangy finish.
Delicate varietal aromas of tomato vine, cut grass, citrus and yellow stone fruit come together on this lively wine. The linear palate offers green melon, juicy grapefruit and a hint of tangerine alongside zesty acidity.
Rhubarb and cranberry fruit, along with a touch of red apple suggests minimal ripening. It's a tangy, pleasant wine, light and optimal for near-term drinking with simple poultry dishes.
This is a thick, rich and very ripe wine, with a charred back note making its way against higher-toned tastes of red raspberry and blackberry. The oak is integrated and the wine softly varietal, but it packs a punch on the palate.
This low-alcohol, off-dry wine offers tart citrus and apple fruit. Light cinnamon accents and significant acidity somewhat offset the 22g/L of residual sugar.
Aromas of apple, spring flower, bread crust and crushed rock come together in the glass. The brisk palate offers unripe Kaiser pear, citrusy notes and mineral set against a backbone of racy acidity.
This is a tangy, not entirely varietal wine that's dense in black tea and black fruit, with layers of tobacco and dried herb. Give it time in the glass to open.
Pomegranate, dark plum and slate show on the simple nose of this appellation blend. The palate is light, with hints of strawberry and plum as well as pencil lead and mace. It's a great option for chilling a bit and drinking on the beach.
This waxy, heavily oaked Chardonnay regularly pulls the same score. This vintage has aromas of grapefruit, quince and garlic. Blasting oak and modest acidity result in flatness, while oak resin is by far the dominant flavor, with creamy apple and pithy bitterness lurking.
The nose of this lively white is a combination of delicate aromas of wildflower and orchard fruit while the bright palate offers tart Granny Smith apple, tangerine and a hint of crushed stone. Vibrant acidity carries through to the crisp finish.
Apple, peach and melon aromas are clean and fruity. The palate on this Verdejo is melony, which matches the wine's melon and papaya flavors. On the finish, a note of apple cider is detectable. Because of moderate acidity and some flab, it's advisable to drink this now.
Law enforcement veteran-turned-winemaker Cindy Cosco named this brand for her Italian roots, and presents violet, red cherry and pencil-lead aromas in this bottling. A wild-herb character powers the palate, with bay leaf most prominent, followed by tart elderberries and orange-peel sourness. The grippy palate will open more with age.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 25% Merlot, the rest an even split between Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Stiff, tannic and earthy, it delivers robust flavors of herb and bark more than ripe fruit. With its assertive tannins, it should stand up well to a grilled tri-tip.
A juicy, fruity wine that is named after the Knights Templar who built a magnificent castle and convent in the local city of Tomar. It is fresh with red berry acidity and some perfumed tannins. It should be ready to drink soon, but wait until the end of 2016 for the best results.
Leather saddle wafts from the glass atop ripe cherry, blackberry jam and brown sugar. Tightly wound in tannin and oak, this wine becomes pleasantly juicy on the finish.
The nose is a bit shy but reveals delicate scents of citrus and a whiff of peach blossom while the vibrant palate displays crisp apple, tangerine and a hint of steely mineral. Brisk acidity gives it a clean, refreshing finish.
Lavender and lilac are just part of the floral bouquet that emerges from this wine, which also shows a blackberry vinaigrette element on the nose. Once sipped, it's like sucking on a purple-flower candy, with more lavender as well as plum and a pencil-lead edge that cuts through the palate.
Delicate but alluring scents of spring flower and orchard fruit lift out of the glass. The palate is linear and rather lean but still refreshing, offering pear, yellow apple and mineral alongside bracing acidity. It closes crisp and clean.
This wine is powerful and concentrated but sophisticated, too. It offers a medley of ripe fruit, dark spice, mouthfilling texture and age-worthy structure. The color is inky-dark and the aromas cassis-laden, with baking spice and a light smoky accent. The flavors recall dark chocolate and macerated cherries. Best after 2022.
Lush aromatics push a bouquet of toasted hazelnuts, citrus peel, apples and white peaches up from the glass. Flavors follow in a clean, spicy wine with a fresh and lively mouthfeel. One-third of the fruit was sourced from the estate's premier Jacob-Hart vineyard, and the wine spent 11 months in 20% new French oak.
This wine shows a touch of spicy, smoky oak from aging in 20% new French barrels, setting off powerful fruity, earthy flavors that create a complex, layered and fascinating personality. It's full bodied, mouth-filling and moderately tannic.
This subtle, restrained and elegant wine from a classic producer leads with nice doughy, toasty aromas. It fills the mouth with delicate bubbles and lingers on the finish, giving more toasty complexity and lasting fruit impressions.
From a Green Valley vineyard high on a ridge, this is an exceptional and softly layered wine, with cola, plum and black cherry notes. Offering length and breadth with moderate acidity and oak, it's dark and brooding in all the best ways.
Earthy notes of sweet beets and mushroom mingle amidst violet and lavender in this beautifully fragrant, complex wine. It's brisk and fresh with acidity yet penetrating in black cherry and currant flavors. Dense, deeply penetrating tannins frame a long, bold finish.
Quite light in color, this wine has a ton to like, starting with its thyme, oregano, juniper and tart cranberry aromas. The palate is overloaded with energy, showing snappy raspberry, kalamata olive and iron-rich mineral notes. A great example of fresh Pinot Noir.
Hints of tart redcurrant have a softenting creamy edge. The palate fizzes with tiny bubbles that disperse the red-fruited, creamy tartness across the palate. A lovely touch of white pepper and enduring, beautiful briskness brightens everything from the first sip to the last echo of flavor on the lip-smacking finish. It's fresh, mouthfilling and exuberant.
Compact, almost gritty aromas of tree bark and herbal berry fruits require time to breathe. After necessary airing, this is elegant and fresh on the palate, but full in body. Herbal plum and berry flavors are leathery, spicy and suggest tomato as this transitions to a firm, racy finish. Drink through 2020.
This is a very supple wine from a vineyard just north of Highway 246, with baked strawberry, iron, cinnamon and allspice aromas, recalling French toast on the nose. The palate is tarter, with cranberry, rose petal, fennel frond and vanilla flavors that carry deep into the finish.
Juicy peach and aromatic orange make for an appetizing fruit-driven opening. The palate adds an element of pure zestiness and bright freshness to these exuberant, ripe and enticing fruit notes. This masters this playful tension between fruit and freshness beautifully. There is a touch of heat on the just-about-dry finish, but this spells fun, full fruit and total refreshment. Drink 2017–2025.
A rich, mellow whiff of vanilla and burnt sugar sweeps across the nose at first before appetizing tart notes of Granny Smith apple kick in. The palate is superfresh with these same green apple notes but also has a toasty mellowness adding and earthy charm and a richer, pithy texture. The finish is rounded but dry and lasting.
Hay flowers and juicy yellow pear create an enticing nose and promise rich ripeness. The palate brims with wonderfully ripe pear fruit, countered by citric freshness that brightens and heightens the flavors. The mouthfeel is rich but defined. It is the wonderful streak of freshness that holds all of this rich fruitiness together. The finish is dry and refreshing.
Rich red cherry, rust, smoke and crushed gravel aromas show on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Smoked meat, lavender and rose petal notes play with cranberry, pomegranate and hibiscus flavors, creating a pleasant mix of delicate and savory elements.
Touches of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot contribute to this wine's overall complexity. The cuvée formerly known as “Cask,” it now emphasizes the historic estate property. Red currant and cedar notes and firm tannins strike first, as bright, underlying acidity provides balance. Tobacco leaf and chocolate flavors mark the long finish.
White peach aromas and powerful fruitiness give this wine great intensity. It is bone dry while rich, full of quince, pear and peach fruits. There is an extra richness from the edge of wood aging. The wine is still young and should not be drunk before 2020.
Gorges is one of the recently created village crus or village appellations in Muscadet. The wine has richness and a dense character not always found in Muscadets. While it has some age, which has softened the intense fruit, it is still crisp, fruity and ripe with apple, lime and spice. Drink now.
Juicy, penetrating raspberry fruit launches this tight young wine into the center of the palate. The overall balance and prominent acidity suggests that it is a good cellar candidate. Drink 2020 to 2030, and aerate aggressively if you plan to pop it in the near term.
Gutsy and full-bodied, this small-production wine offers more structure than usual, its bright acidity and ripe tannins in full support of the tasty red and black cherry flavors. With earth, beef and oak nuances, it will taste great with hearty proteins, especially after some cellaring. Best after 2020.
This broad-shouldered, full-bodied wine shocks and awes with its clove and black pepper notes that are as savory as a fine steak, with which it would pair brilliantly. Oak and tannin form a shield of power that girds the black fruit for further battle.
Looking for a stylish, elegant, low-alcohol, off-dry Riesling? Here it is. Under 11% alcohol, this floral, almost delicate wine is a breath of sweet air. A perfect mix of honeydew, Asian pear and ripe apple, it holds down center court with a delicious liveliness. Flavors extend, lightly kissed with honey, into a lingering, clean and sweetly fresh finish.
My favorite of the 2005 releases from Gypsy Dancer, this is a complex wine that seems to be holding back, like a fine race horse at the starting gate. It's got the concentrated core of cherry fruit, which leads into mixed berries, toast, spice and more. A light earthy streak supports notes of root and soil, and the midpalate is a bit subdued, but the flavors come roaring back at the end, gaining strength and suggesting that this is a wine to cellar for some years.
This is rich and creamy, retaining enough acid and wet stone character to bolster the lush, soft fruit. Papaya and peach are the dominant fruit flavors, but there is much more to this leesy, textural bottling. It smothers the palate in stone fruits but is neither fat nor heavy; quite a winemaking feat.
The barrel aging is still the defining element in this wine, adding layers of meaty fat to what appears to be very young fruit. Bright cranberry and cherry notes are set in firm acids. Well-integrated hints of herb and spice, bursts of sweet berry and dry, tea-flavored tannins sail through the finish.
A smoky, spicy nose leads to a lovely integration of tannin and balance in this elegant wine. The touch of Viognier adds a pretty floral quality to the anise and smoke of the Shiraz. Long and lively finish. Imported by GBW, LLC.
Integrated, elegant flavors characterize this full-bodied Cab from premium producer Beau Joubert. Mocha and blackberry on the nose and palate, paired with soft, smooth tannins, create layers of flavor that linger. A wine with dimension and class.
The Calina label  seems to have hit its stride; this Carmenère opens with scents of black fruit, dill sprigs and chocolate. The palate broadens with olive, plum, blackberry and coffee flavors, and as a whole it comes together with a certain ease that announces it's on the money.
The juice is sharp and spicy, with some baking spice and cinnamon livening up the back of the palate. The fruit flavors suggest boysenberry and blackberry, set up against stiff acids and earthy tannins. Young and still a little rough around the edges, this distinctive bottling should be cellared for a few years and could go as long as a decade or more.
A big wine, round and ripe with luscious flavors of peach, pineapple and citrus fruits, layered into plenty of toasty oak. It's smooth and seductive, and the finish, which tastes like a dessert of toasty hazelnuts and cream, is especially enticing. Just a bit of heat runs through it.
A blend of seven different vineyards, the name is French for spoon. This is a softer, less tannic wine than most of the other Torii Mor 2005s, but is not quite what you would call silky. Mixed red fruits, light scents suggesting flower as well as berry, and a feminine elegance characterize this Pinot. It's been carefully crafted to emphasize the subtle herbs and spices, without hiding behind the more obvious flavors of new oak.
The winery notes that these are the oldest commercial Riesling vines in Oregon, planted in 1965. This has a succulent core of sweet apple-flavored fruit, quite rich and delicious. It dries out a little toward the back, but continues with excellent length and more of that crystal clear fresh red apple flavor. It's got enough textural interest to keep it from feeling one-dimensional.
Soft and rich, with appealing flavors of chocolate, cherry and butterscotch, this is a seductive wine. It is ripe but not hot, and the chocolaty richness wraps around the sweet cherry fruit but retains just enough of the leafy quality that defines it as Oregon. Nice balance and structure too.
A spicy tobacco and dark fruit nose leads on this elegant Cabernet, followed by luscious flavors of plum, clove, tobacco and a touch of oak. Layered and smooth, the wine has a stylish complexity that will develop nicely in the cellar. Overall, a compelling wine that will call for more than one glass.
It opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of rose, cherry, truffle and earth. The palate delivers sour cherry, white pepper, clove and balsamic herbs alongside firm but fine tannins. It's wonderfully fresh and balanced for the vintage. Already enjoyable, it will develop complexity over the next decade.
Quite young and firm, this is packed with bright purple and black fruits, balanced against stiff but smooth tannins. Black olive and blueberry come through, with a light suggestion of caramel.
Ripe pear, peach and a wild-thyme-scented edge play on nose. They continue on the slender, focused palate into a long trajectory of flavor that remains dry and refreshing throughout.
A wine this good makes you wish there were a lot more of it. Pure Sémillon from a single vineyard, fermented in stainless steel, it opens with lovely fragrances of linalool and citrus pith, softens up in the mouth, and brings grapefruit and a hint of wet stone. It has the power of Chardonnay with more complexity than most unoaked versions of that grape.
Leather-boot black in color, this fine Petite Sirah is distinctive in herbal, almost eucalyptus aromas and intensely huge blackberry fruit. Earthy and soft with curtains of tannin, the wine is a complex version of the variety, rich. Age it until 2017–2021 and see if the eucalyptus mellows or intensifies.
Solid and firm, this initially tannic wine has ripe black fruits under the tough surface. It will take time to bring out the potential richness and complex flavors. Wait until 2018.
Cherry, cassis and plum aromas are clean as polished glass. This feels fruity and firm, with good flow. Peppery blackberry and minerally cassis are the lead flavors, whiile the finish brings schisty minerality and integrated but noted acidity. Best from 2016–2019.
It conveys classic aromas of bright red berries, baking spices, leather and forest underbrush. The dense palate delivers juicy black cherry accented with notes of mint, fresh sage, thyme, licorice, black pepper and chocolate. It's well balanced, with solid tannins that carry through to the finish. Drink 2016–2028.
The harmony of this field blend is astonishing: Delicious notes of ripe Amalfi lemons, mixed with some lanolin introduce this streamlined, sleek but concentrated wine, toned slenderness and grace make one almost forget about that central heft of pleasantly bitter phenolics. An athlete in a flowing, flattering and silky summer dress.
Aromas of ripe blackberry, prune and minerality are upright and intense. The palate is lush, smooth and balanced, while blackberry and cassis lead the flavor assault. A deep, long and delicious finish confirms that this wine offes great value for just over $20.
First a faint touch of flint and smoke appears, followed by subtle notes of green pear. Still fairly closed, the wine shows a tight body that will loosen into plumper ripeness. Intimations of orange peel and golden pear promise a great wine with a rich mouthfeel and cleansing acidity.
Coming from a mixture of blocks 17 and 24 at Stone Tree Vineyard, it's a dark, glass-staining wine with notes of plum, crushed blueberries, coffee, tar and spice. The palate is silky soft, textured in feel with concentrated coffee flavors. An exquisite sense of balance carries through to a long, lingering finish.
This small-production, single-vineyard Grenache is direct and appealing with notes of raspberry compote, strawberry, orange peel, violets and tapenade. The palate is pure silk, elegant in its styling with an extended finish.
Sourced from the Hightower vineyard on Red Mountain, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is firm, full, tannic and dense. It compares favorably with wines from the iconic Klipsun vineyard just down the road. A thick mix of smoke, coffee, cassis, herb and dark chocolate swirls up from the glass and on through the palate.
Feral, rustic aromas of sweaty leather, tar, animal hide and dried cheese override core berry fruit scents. This is a tannic, grippy monster with a mix of licorice, medicinal and black-fruit flavors. The finish is staunch and tannic, with creamy oak notes and a borderline syrupy feel. Drink from 2016 through 2025.
Fragrant and young, this Cab bursts with juicy berry fruit flavors. Brambly raspberry, a whiff of mint, plenty of cassis and a dusting of spice all combine in a well-structured wine ready for the table. Firm and supported with mineral-soaked acids, this has the texture, tannins and push-through to age gracefully, though it's perfectly ready right now.
A rich, wood-aged wine, its high proportion of Sémillon gives it a full and creamy character. Apples mingle with white plums, spicy quince and fresh rhubarb. Already delicious, it should age. Drink from 2016.
Structured but poised, it opens with balsamic aromas of menthol, red berries, blue flower, Asian spices and a hint of new leather. The succulent palate offers dark cherry accented with notes of mint, lemon sage and chocolate alongside polished tannins and just enough freshness. It's delicious and already approachable so enjoy soon.
From parcels of old vines, a smooth, wood- influenced wine. Flavors of ripe yellow fruits emerge from the vanilla toast character. It is rich, velvet textured, feeling opulent.
Ripe yellow fruits and light almond flavors, a rounded and soft texture. This is a wood-aged wine, the vanilla toast giving a smooth structure. while leaving the concentrated fruits firmly in charge.
A balanced and easy to drink Pinotage with notes of black plum and berries with accents of vanilla lingering on the finish. Soft, approachable tannins, vibrant acidity and a medium-weight mouth make this a very food-friendly selection.
On the fresh side, with crisp bright, lively acidity. Green fruits run well alongside apricot juice and lively vivacity. Good and attractive.
Light and earthy, with cedar, moss and mild, well-aged red fruit aromas. It's a solid rendition of older-school red wine. Mature, mellow and baked, with roast plum and mocha. Long and earthy on the finish, and drinking at its most mature and best state now.
Modest lemony aromas set up additional scents of balsam wood, dried cherry, plum and spice. The palate is forward, maybe a touch sharp in terms of acidity, with rustic, roasted, leathery flavors. It is a big wine that finishes lively and also a little rooty and roasted. Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec-Merlot is the blend.
Although this wine starts off a little closed and muted, with time it opens up to reveal a nuanced and refined Chenin. Hints of chalk, soft white florals and red apple unfold in the bouquet, with more dominant flavors of sweet tangerine, ripe melon and leesy richness flesh out the mouth. There's a soft oakiness throughout, though it's never overpowering or out of line.
With 14 months in new oak and a whopping 16% alcohol, you might think this wine is going to be too big and over the top, but while it's ripe and rich it's also well made and balanced. Berry preserves mixed with fennel seeds and coffee grinds dominate the profile, with a solid black pepper kick to keep things lively on the lengthy finish.
Full-bodied and supple in texture, this plummy Shiraz offers plenty of enjoyment at a realistic price. Vanilla and brown sugar notes frame blueberries and spice, with just a hint of bitterness apparent on the finish. Drink now–2012.
Good, clean and pleasant. The nose has pure apple and pear aromas along with a hint of vanilla and powdered sugar. It's fresh in the mouth, with lively apple, white peach and green banana flavors. Closes well and stays zesty and true from start to finish.
Smooth baked apple aromas work well, and the peach and vanilla side notes are equally good. Plump and easygoing on the palate, with honeyed apple and banana flavors, and then creamy on the finish, with vanilla and spice. Sweet, good and easy to enjoy.
Pomatia is an almost mythical creation—like one of those half man, half beast monsters from ancient times. The blend is not that unusual, but the results might be likened to a sculpture by Picasso—a piece of wood here, an old newspaper there, and a bicycle seat for a head. Not to disparage the wine—it's flavorful and full-bodied, but a puzzler. Funkadelic meets Clapton? Cherries and earth, tannin and tea.
Ripe, full-bodied wine, the fresh white currant and pear fruits layered with wood. The wine is bright with good concentration. Screwcap.
Smoked meat, rubber, char and leathery darkness are all good aromas for a value-priced Malbec. The palate is adequately deep and lush, and it maintains pulse and verve while delivering robust flavors of black fruits and herbs. Meaty and pretty long on the finish, and very good Malbec for the money.
Marked by modest apple and pear fruit on the nose, this is a fairly richly textured but dry example of Pinot Gris. It's not the most complex wine, but it fills the mouth with ripe tree fruits and a slightly warm finish. Drink now. 500 cases imported.
Ripe aromas of dark berries blended with licorice and hard spices are attractive. In the mouth, this is round and blocky, with a friendly disposition. Flavors of blackberry, baked plum and black currant finish with licorice, chocolate, oak, mint and pepper notes. Overall, this is a fine Malbec to drink through 2016.
A very rich and smooth Pinot Noir that is impressively concentrated. It has rich, structured fruit and fragrant acidity, red plums and a sense of tannin. This could certainly age, so drink after 2015.
The silex, flint soil typical of Sancerre creates this style of crisp, very textured wine, as sharp as the soil itself. The wine is glass brittle, very fresh and with intense citrus flavors. Drink now, but better to wait until the end of 2014.
Gold in color, this is a concentrated, rich wine, now very mature. It is dominated by almonds, ripe spice and a intense tangy character that gives intense acidity to this complex wine.
Tannins and acidity exhibit a high level of teamwork in this smooth, mouth-pleasing wine. Aromas of lemon, white pepper and vanilla give way to flavors of lemon-lime, bergamot and vanilla custard. The finish is simultaneously lingering and bright.
Intense sensations of blue flower, juicy marasca cherry, blackberry and blueberry form the focus of this luminous blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 5% Alicante. White pepper and cinnamon spice give the juicy, delicious palate depth while supple tannins and freshness make it extremely accessible. It's at its peace so enjoy soon. Vos Selections, Tosco Wine,
Made from 100% Sangiovese, this opens with a lovely floral fragrance of violet and iris. Ripe sour cherry dominates the palate accented by toasted notes and black pepper. Even though it's not complex, the juicy fruit and smooth tannins make this friendly and delicious.
Made with the traditional governo method of refermenting the wine with partially dried grapes, this exceptionally smooth offering opens with aromas of prune, plum cake, raisin, spice and graphite. The palate delivers ripe black cherry, plum, cinnamon-spice and a balsamic note alongside velvety tannins. It's structured, soft and already accessible, so enjoy soon.
A wood-aged wine, with the wood flavors well balanced with crisp acidity. Lemon, peach and melon flavors mellifluously combine to give a rounded wine with a tang. It shows a strong mineral-textured aftertaste, a product of the granite soil of the vineyard. Drink this richly flavored wine now.
The winery's Willamette Valley cuvée is right on target in 2012, loaded with luscious cranberry/raspberry fruit. Fresh and racy, with added spice and a dash of dark chocolate, this is a palate-pleaser from start to finish.
Fragances of wild berries, bramble and honeysuckle pave the way for flavors of cherry cola, toffee and tangerine zest. This is soft and round in the mouth, with tannins that are almost imperceptible at first yet last through the finish, hand-in-hand with remarkably bright acidity.
Crushed mineral tones lend a smoky, dusty intensity to brilliantly ripe peach and mango flavors on this delicate off-dry Riesling. Bright with acidity and elegantly fruity, it's a fantastic bargain wine that should carry far beyond casual dining situations.
Dr. Loosen offers a solid value in this remarkably well-priced eiswein. It's enticing on the nose, with aromas of honey, saffron and a dark, dusty mineral tone. Rich and silky in texture, it's concentrated and lively on the palate, with intense flavors of lemon and peach. Finishes with a tinge of tea and spicy orange rind. It's delicious now, but should develop well through 2020.
This blend of 54% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 18% Mourvèdre often offers solid value. The 2009 features hints of mocha, vanilla and red plum on the nose, accented by a pinch of peppery cinnamon. In the mouth, it's medium to full in body and richly textured without being over the top, then ends on a warming spice note. Drink now and over the next few years.
Perfumed with notes of blossom, ripe stone fruit and citrus, this is a lush, slightly honeyed, dry Silvaner. Brisk and bright with lime acidity, it finishes with just a hint of varietally characteristic grass and smoke.
Labeled a reserve, though it's priced well below the winery's single vineyard selections, this is a pretty, elegant, nicely defined wine that out-performs its modest ripeness. Raspberry and cherry fruit is dappled with dried herbs, black olive and hints of dark chocolate.
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bogazkere and Syrah, this wine has aromas of eucalyptus, blackberry, tobacco and clove. Flavors of mixed berry pie, eucalyptus and tobacco leaf are encased in a web of powerful tannins. The smooth finish keeps on going, with just the right touch of acidity on the palate.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot starts with aromas of blue flower, plum, blackberry and spice. Juicy red and black cherry flavors are accented by white pepper, cinnamon and hints of espresso that add depth. It's well-balanced but tight so give this a few more years to soften and develop fully. Drink 2015–2020.
A firm and concentrated wine that reveals its fruit and structure gently. It has a solid texture, dark tannins and a smoky, wood-laden character. Red fruits and balanced acidity dominate the aftertaste. This fine wine is ready to drink and until 2018.
This is Cabernet Franc at a perfect moment. It has a solid tannin and fruit base that gives a feeling of weight. Ripe red fruits are bolstered by acidity, toast and a smoky nature that leads to a juicy finish. Drink now and until 2018.
Violet, iris, red berry and spice scents take center stage in this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and Syrah. The bright, fruity palate delivers wild cherry, black pepper and cinnamon spice notes alongside assertive tannins and freshness.
This is Watermill's five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend, built upon a solid foundation of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon. All the fruit is estate-grown, and the blend is smooth and well-integrated. The tightly packed, cassis fruit is framed with peppery tannins, and the wine has good definition and moderate length.
There is something of the essential crispness and green fruit character of a Vinho Verde. But the wine also has some richness, weight, and a creamy texture. Very aromatic, this is a wine to drink and also age a few months.
This rich, hearty and ultimately lovely blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot still needs time to open up. When it does, expect dense and pure aromas of blueberry, black currant, graphite and nose-tickling spice. The palate's intense structure, though shy for now, reveals charred beef, coffee, caramel, black cherry and dried rose flavors. Drink 2019–2030.
Fresh and full of finesse, this radiant red offers rose, forest floor, woodland berry, new leather and pipe tobacco scents. The palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, wild herb and white pepper notes, finishing on star anise. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity give it intensity, lift and balance. Give it time to develop to its full potential. Drink 2020–2032.
Enticing perfumed berry, violet, new leather and a truffle scents emerge in this textbook Brunello. On the savory, full-bodied palate, licorice, clove and chopped herb flavors accent a juicy core of ripe black cherry fruit. Firm, refined tannins provide structure. It's already tempting but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2020–2032.
This is a top example of the classic Australian blend. Cabernet (57%) provides cigar box aromas and elongates the finish, while Shiraz (43%) fills out the midpalate. The combination is full-bodied yet muscular, generous yet firmly structured. Essence of cassis is framed by hints of vanilla and cedar, while the long finish shows off chewy tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink 2023–2035, and posssibly beyond.
Truffle, leather, forest floor, pipe tobacco and purple flower aromas all come together in this young, balanced Brunello. The palate is taut and chewy, with a nervous tension that offsets its juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry, licorice and clove flavors. Its fresh acidity and polished tannins promise good aging potential. Drink 2020–2032.
This powerful ripe wine has firm tannins that are so well integrated. With acidity and with rich black fruit, the wine is concentrated and dense. From a small parcel on the slope of Saint-Emilion, it is a wine to age for many years. Drink from 2026.
From an estate vineyard planted high atop the Sebastopol Hills near Freestone, this wine impresses from start to finish. It shows unique white pepper and floral aromas, while a seamless texture supports its succulent cranberry and cherry flavors, a long, lingering accent of nutmeg spice rounding out the finish.
A lovely touch of flint and smoke carry a touch of residual reduction. Underneath that is lemony purity. The palate adds a touch of stone fruit, a touch of ripe mirabelle plum—its generosity only underlined by the taut lemon freshness that pervades the wine. There is something stern and stony at the core, something fundamental and profound. The body is precise, dry and powerful and incredibly moreish. This is lip smacking but has not even started to show itself properly. The finish is clean, stony and lasting. This is one to keep. Drink 2020–2040.
Tight tannins mask the ripe fruit in a wine that is set for long-term aging, so there is a dry core that dominates at the moment. But not for long: the bold black fruits are insistent and are going to be delicious. This is a structured wine that will be ready in 2026.
Ripe black-skinned fruit, underbrush, truffle and dark spice aromas come together in this full-bodied red. The palate is firm and seamless, delivering mature black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and pipe tobacco flavors with both power and finesse. Tightly knit, polished tannins provide structure. Drink 2022–2032.
This is a throwback to those brash, flavor-exuding Aussie wines of the past. Flashy, sweet-scented oak (think maple syrup and toasted coconut) marks the nose, while concentrated cassis and vanilla flavors coat the palate. This is big, but gorgeously so, with velvety-rich tannins and a long, plush finish. No, there's nothing subtle about this blend of 60% Cabernet and 40% Shiraz, but sometimes subtlety is overrated. Drink now–2030.
It's a shame more producers don't hold their Pinot Noirs back longer, for this bottling from Joe Davis reveals so much depth compared to current releases. Raspberry, rose petal, cola and cinnamon stick show on the nose, while the palate offers rounded flavors of dried strawberry, thyme and game. It's all intricately woven by time into something wonderful.
Captivating wild berry, rose, chopped herb and baking spice aromas take center stage in this earthy, stunning wine. The palate mirrors the nose in vibrancy, delivering tight layers of wild cherry, star anise and white pepper notes. Fresh acidity and firm, refined tannins provide a polished framework. It's loaded with finesse and already delicious, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2020–2032.
Richly endowed, the wine is beautifully concentrated. Still young it has considerable potential with its rich fruits and firm tannins. There is a strongly juicy aftertaste that brings in the freshness of the year. The wine will age well, and should not be drunk before 2026.
The wine is rich with layers of wood aging and ripe tropical fruits. Pineapple and peach dominate, cut with some attractive lime acidity. Full of the fruit of the vintage with a texture of serious intent, the wine is tight, tangy and likely to age well. Drink from 2022.
Dark spice, ripe berry, forest floor, Mediterranean brush and new leather aromas lead the nose on this powerfully structured wine. On the full-bodied palate, baking spice, licorice and pipe tobacco notes accent a juicy black cherry core while firm, velvety tannins provide the framework. Drink 2020–2030.
The wine is powered both by its tannins and by its great fruit. Dark and dense both in the structure and the black-plum flavors, it is very fine wine– juicy and ripe. This is a serious wine with a great future. Drink from 2026.
The lifted nose seems like an amalgam of chalk and dried apples along with lemon zest. The aromas are reminiscent of evolving Riesling but this is not the only grape in this expressive and highly aromatic field blend. While there is distinct residual sweetness on the palate, this has a counterweight in the rich texture of the midpalate. There is something authentic and deeply comforting and satisfying at the core of this wine that says Alsace. It's impossible to put this wine into a box, it needs to be tasted and enjoyed on its very own terms. The finish is medium sweet, totally soil-driven and very, very long. This is an experience rather than a drink. Drink now through 2035.
Seductive and velvety, this concentrated Pinot Noir is richly layered in raspberry cherry cordial, cardamom and cola flavors. Pine and allspice notes contribute a homey spiciness as as the fullness of the wine lingers into a long finish.
Forest floor, aromatic herb, dark spice and eucalyptus aromas come together with a floral twist. Bright and elegant, the palate shows succulent wild cherry, white pepper, star anise and chopped mint flavors. With its taut, fine-grained tannins and firm acidity, it needs time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2022–2032.
A perennial standout, this Syrah is cofermented with 10% Viognier, all fruit sourced from a site on the western edge of Sonoma Mountain in the cool confines of the Petaluma Gap. Beautiful and bold, it imparts a focused line of blackberry and lavender flavors over a lush backdrop of sizzling acidity and smoked meat scents.
Coming from this exceptional winery the term reserve (or in this case, riservata) actually means a great deal. Flavors are broad and deep and entwined with plum, cherry compote, soy and chocolate. The length and power are impressive: these flavors just don't quit.
This wine defines luxurious texture, at once velvety, richly layered and bright. From one of the warmer sites in a cool climate zone, it complements its fruit concentration with deeper sarsaparilla, vanilla, tea and cardamom scents, the finish delightfully playful in orange peel accents.
Initial tight acidity in this crisp wine gives way to smooth rich black fruits. This already has a fine balance with its ripe juiciness and delicious red-berry flavors. It is going to develop into a very fine wine. Drink from 2024.
Lifted notes of dried pear, dried chamomile flowers and dried lemon peel have a strong impact. The palate comes in with lovely generous sweetness that amplifies that chamomile-tisane notion and boosts the dried-fruit notes. Against the distinctly medium-sweet fruitiness stands a clarion line of acidity. The evolution of fruit flavors weaves a colorful tapestry of aromas. This is carefully balanced and quietly intense. It holds immense strength at its core that radiates flavor and fruit. Made from a field blend of Alsace varieties, each adds something: aroma, texture, freshness and body. The finish is endless and very fruity. Have this with cheese or a subtle dessert. Drink now through 2035.
The nose is still shy but already tells of tender sweetness. The palate has a rounded earthy smoky element that grounds the luscious generous fruit of dried pear and supersweet Reine Claude and mirabelle plums. The sweetness of this SGN is balanced and almost fresh, but the intriguing thing is a kind of smoky, dark and mysterious core of stone.
A hint of smoke and a touch of earth precede the fresh lemon notes of the nose. The dry palate, with its vivid impression of very pure, bright and incisive lemon freshness, still seems tightly wound. There is something brooding and alive about this—it can be felt below the surface, disquieting but promising. This has barely started on its journey and will take a while to develop fully but it's all already there, dormant and ready to unfurl with a little more bottle age. The pure, long and intense finish is a delicious promise. Drink 2017–2037.
Clean lines of nectarine, lemon blossom, orange sorbet and wet rock show on the lovely nose of this bottling from Trey Fletcher. Boisterous energy and a chalky grip power the palate, where citrus freshness dominates, and the acidity is powerful but not overblown. It will age with beauty and grace. Drink 2018–2035.
Beautifully delineated fruit constitues the nose, with ripe, yellow plum playing alongside crisp, green apple. The palate layers a sonorous tone of sourdough bread with rich hints of yeast, green-apple briskness and gentle yellow plum. The notions unite with the fizzing, fine mousse. On the midpalate and the finish, the depth of this wine becomes clear: Profound and rich but in a totally slender, unassuming and convincing fashion. The finish is pure and lasting. Drink 2017–2027.
Definitely dry, this impressively crisp wine is tightly textured, mineral in character and with great fruit. Its acidity and taut tangy character are part of a sophisticated wine that is still maturing. The hints of toast are there, but this beautiful wine will take a while to show its full potential. Drink from 2019.
The nose of this bottling explodes with exotic cherry scents and compelling strokes of iron, rose, carnation and cinnamon. It's refreshingly tart and earthy on the palate, where dewy sage, mint and tarragon touches lift its youthful raspberry and green olive flavors. Easy to guzzle, yet intriguingly complex.
The musky touch of botrytized fruit appears immediately, adding even more allure to the golden color. An explosion of golden apricot and luscious peach provide mouthfilling sweetness on the palate. All this is countered by very concentrated lemon freshness. This is not one of the tooth-achingly sweet SGNs—this is fresher and still has vivid fruit flavors. The finish has so much freshness it is lip-smacking. This will be a killer with fruit-centered desserts. Its sweetness-acid balance is of utter poise and a wonderful class act. Drink 2017–2050.
Brine and oak accents cradle this impressive wine's elegant green apple, wet stone and lime notes. Bold and concentrated yet complex, it's balanced by lively acidity and persistent freshness.
An inviting hint of butter shows on the nose of this big, bold and concentrated wine. It displays craftsmanship through its embrace of lightly toasted oak, which accents vibrant apple and pear notes. It's lushly textured, with persistent acidity and a lemon peel flourish on the close.
A lovely touch of orange zest teases the nose and there also is a lovely hint of chervil. The streamlined palate comes in with bundled citrus notes. The tart flesh of tangerine and the zest of lemon are softened and enriched with orange oil and ample concentration. This is pure and racy, linear and bold. There is something salty and energetic, something incredibly fresh and vibrant at the core. The palate and finish are absolutely dry, the echo is long and clean. Blastingly fresh right now, sure to evolve. Drink 2019–2037.
This new cuvée is sourced from a 2008 planting of the Swan clone, rare in Oregon. The aromatics are dazzling, with a lightly peppery, meaty aspect around slightly muted notes of herb and rock. The fruit is especially generous, with blackberry and boysenberry predominant. The wine is stylish, with cut and precision. Though truly exceptional, it needs your complete attention and some extra aeration to show its best.
This rich and voluptuous wine wins one over with its baked pear and vanilla sumptuousness, etched with an apple blossom aroma. Robust and velvety on the palate, it's balanced by fresh citrus and wet stone nuances. The lifted acidity provokes both succulence and complexity.
A funky whiff of yeast has to blow off before wonderfully pure orange zest notes appear. The palate has a wonderful richness of texture, something earthy with a pithy, beautiful grip. The flavors are still taut, for now (just zesty aromatic orange peel) but much more still hides and sleeps below the surface. This is powerful and concentrated, with a lovely and enduring backbone of freshness. This needs bottle age to come into its own. The finish is fresh, clean and lasting. Drink 2020–2037.
The nose at first is all about aromatic orange zest but with a little more air there are lovely hints of jasmine and honeysuckle. The palate adds a judicious bitterness and counters this with residual sweetness. The counterpoint here is between texture and full fruit. This is incredibly powerful, as if some inner force was at work. This seems like a genie in a bottle—willful, driven and deliciously aromatic. The finish is off dry and long. Lovely now but sure to last. Drink 2017–2040.
This head-turning wine was made from vines planted in the 1970s and 1990s—a selection that shocks with its complex beauty. Pine forest and Christmas spice notes accent cranberry, rhubarb and tart citrus flavors, all seemingly infused with seductive smoke. At its juicy core is an earthy, mushroomy component.
A touch of luscious peach plays among the ripe lemon notes of the nose. A heady chamomile lift hints at some evolution. The absolutely dry palate is still vividly fresh and has barely begun to unfurl its store of rich aromas. For now the luminous freshness and brightness of pure ripe lemon zest still dominates. Here and there a touch of candle wax, stone and chamomile appears. From the 2011, this has barely begun its journey. A lovely, incisive, intense but elegant wine with a clean refreshing finish. Drink 2017–2030.
Heady notes of chamomile and dried hay flower stream from the glass immediately hinting at a wine with some evolution. A touch of candied lemon peel makes the nose even more enticing. The palate is generous but dry, showing off the pristine pear fruit and wonderful phenolic texture that gives as much structure to this wine as its fine pure lemony acidity. Savored slowly, the full depth of pure pear fruit becomes apparent. This is a class act just coming into its drinking window now, with ample potential for further aging. Drink 2017–2035.
A funky earthy touch hovers on the nose before hints of nettle and lemon balm add an aromatic edge to lemon freshness. On the exquisitely dry palate, it is the vivid, bright and intense lemon freshness that takes over, but those earthier notes still flash up around the edges, adding interest and depth. They will unfurl more as time passes. While this is linear, incisive and precise now, it will truly shine with bottle age. Drink 2017–2037.
This classic Napa Cabernet is juicy in explosive black cherry and cassis flavors that pair with firm, integrated tannin and an elegant structure. The oak is restrained, contributing complementary baking-spice accents. Long and sublime on the finish. Best from 2024–2040.
Now at its peak, this impressive wine has moved from fruit to maturity, adding toastiness to its acidity and giving the wine richness. It's full and ripe while keeping the taut, steely edge proper to a Chardonnay Champagne. There's no need to age further. Drink now.
This estate, owned by the same family since 1787, has amazing stocks of old sweet wines maturing in its cellars. With red apple, honey and apricot aromas, this wine, mature and yet so fresh, is proof of the aging ability of Chenin Blanc. It is the balance between the ripe honeyed flavors and the intense acidity that keeps it so vibrant. Drink this superb wine now.
Made from equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this still young Champagne is rich in the Taittinger style, with an elegant poise that is impressive. The wine, with its apricot and ripe apple fruit, is generously tempered by bright acidity and a crisp edge. Drink from 2021.
Dried lemon peel and hay flowers make for an inviting nose. On the palate, the vivid brightness of lemon brightens notes of tart apple and the merest touch of earth and stone. This is precise and pure, absolutely dry and magnificent. The freshness is incisive and invigorating. It's another one of those gloriously bright and unapologetically fresh 2014 Rieslings. Clearly a vintage for adults only. The finish is lip-smackingly clean and utterly moreish. Drink 2017–2037.
Made from vines planted several decades ago, this wine shows its worldly sophistication with pungent, smoky earth and gravelly texture. The overall impression is sensual and seductive, enriched by bright blackberry and raspberry flavors and appreciable acidity.
With its high-toned sparkle of lemon zest and orange, this lovely wine evolves to show rich oak and apple pie notes, evoking baked Gravenstein apple, cinnamon and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, it wears its concentration of flavor and texture well, finding a well-earned balance through the lengthy finish.
Austin Hope's latest releases are all about power and ripeness, and this blend of 35% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 30% Syrah achieves balance and elegance amidst that strength. Cuban coffee, fig jam, dried blueberry and chocolate aromas lead into a pillowy-soft palate that's layered with espresso, cocoa, roasted fig and plum jam flavors. Steady acidity and finely chiseled tannins frame it all.
A restrained but impressive notion of honeyed oatmeal on the nose makes for a promising opening. A crisp green-apple note plays alongside ripe lemon. The palate shows fine, elegant mousse, amplifying those restrained aromas of honey, oatmeal and biscuit. This wine is at a perfect juncture of freshness and evolution, with wonderfully developed autolytic notes and great balance. The finish is long and moreish.
A very shy closed nose gives little away but the palate reveals all. A beautifully lithe and fluid synthesis of ripe and tart orchard fruits is leavened by bright citrus, green pear, Cox's apple and pure ripe Amalfi lemon. There also is a fine hint of discreet herbal lift—chamomile and chervil can be glimpsed here and there. What an aromatic, statuesque beauty. Alluring now but absolutely certain to become spectacular with some age. The finish is totally dry, aromatic and long. Drink 2017–2037.
Hay flowers, honey and ripe yellow pear create an alluring nose. The palate adds even more fruit, with juicy mirabelle and peach carried by boost of residual sugar. This richness is aptly countered by lemon and tangerine zest. This joyful exuberant medium-sweet wine has a tightrope balance and incredibly deep and rich dimensions of fruit. The finish is lasting and pure. Drink 2017–2037.
A golden, liquorous wine, ripe honey and botrytis, yellow fruits and the most intense richness. The contrast is between the botrytis texture and crisp orange zest acidity that offers a beautifully balance wine for long-term aging.
This Bordeaux-style blend includes 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 14% Cab Franc. It's a balanced and fine-tuned effort, with a lovely mix of tart, sleek, red and purple fruits. There's a nice underpinning of dried herb, ripe tannins, and a graceful, lingering finish. At almost six years of age, the wine remains fresh and lively.
Blackberry, blueberry and maple aromas announce a rich, ripe wine. There's also toast and char on the nose. In the mouth, this is layered and grabby, with mossy black-fruit flavors that end in a cool, earthy swirl of cola and licorice. This blend of 75% Malbec and 25% Syrah is a stunner and should be consumed now through 2016.
A perennial favorite, Leeuwin's 2008 is another success, marrying ample weight and texture with easy elegance. Notes of toasted hazelnuts and grilled tropical fruit mingle into an opulent parfait of flavor that's held together by bright acidity, while a lingering veil of smoke hangs on the finish.
A seven-acre vineyard surrounding an ancient castle, with vines planted in 1938. They give a densely concentrated and powerful wine, with wood and sweet, fleshy red fruits allied to delicious acidity. The whole structure promises long-term aging—give it five years or more.
A blend of 33% Merlot (from the original, 1976 block), 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot and 13% Cab Franc, this shows Euro-style refinement from first sniff to last swallow. The alcohol has climbed up a bit without any sacrifice of detail. A mix of berries, cherries and cassis, the fruits are woven around tightly defined, perfectly ripened tannins, with an underlayer of acid and mineral.
Sestina is the bigger sister to the winery's Gravura; again Cabernet Sauvignon takes front and center, with Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc (9%) filling in the rest. 70% of the French oak used was new, and the wine has more toast, smoke and barrel depth than its companion, though less of the luscious red fruit is showing. Espresso, cacao and other dark, roasted flavors wrap around black cherry cola and milk chocolate; the finish thoroughly delicious.
With vineyards on the south bank of the Vienne river, facing Chinon, the Charles Joguet style is firm and tannic, with a need for aging. This wine is proof, big, structured, very firm and concentrated. Tannins dominate now, but the fruit is all there, a panoply of ripe blackberries, impressively rich and succulent. Age this wine for five years and more.
A perfumed, red-fruited wine, packed with tannins and huge, concentrated fruit. It has richness, dark structure and an intensity that promises a long future. The balance is not there yet, so wait at least 7–8 years.
This is a dark purple colored wine, packed with tannins that come both from the rich fruit and new wood used in aging. It's still a young wine with black fruits showing strongly through the structure. Powerful and concentrated, it will age well over many years.
Working with both Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval, winemaker Casey McClellan extracts the essence of both these great vineyards in his Red Mountain cuvées. Here is the raw power of 100% Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon, full-throttle black fruits and mineral-soaked, chewy, dark tannins. It's all done in a wine with both length and precision; one that will surely age well over at least a decade.
Terre Rouge's Ascent is, as intended, indeed its best of the best, from a selection of worship-worthy sites strewn across the Sierra Foothills. With deep layers of black pepper, roasted game, leather and a mouthful of dust, it's structured, balanced and intense, and full of concentrated fruit. Give it 7–10 years or plenty of air before enjoying with a dish of herb-encrusted meat.
A powerfully concentrated wine, its ripe yellow fruits smoothly filling the mouth with their unctuous honeyed character. Ginger and other spices add an edge to this gorgeous, full wine that needs aging over many years.
Pretty, structured, layered and bright, Kite's Rest is a blend of all three block designates found on the 12-acre Black Kite Vineyard on the southern side of the Anderson Valley. The wine highlights attributes found in its sister wines.
Wood and fruit tannins push through strongly in this powerful wine. It has weight and plush fruit texture, and behind the tannins, dark chocolate and licorice flavors. It's dense and concentrated, needing several years, at least 5–6, to shine.
Lisboa's coastal climate keeps this wine fresh and with good acidity despite its richness. Wood aging has smoothed the natural tannins of the fruit, yileding a concentrated wine with a deep, solid base that could still benefit from some aging.
Juicy and peppery this is everything one could want in a Mourvèdre—smooth and delicious with a backbone of earthy leather.
It's too bad California can't produce more Grenache Blanc, especially along these lines. This is a crisp, dry, layered white complex in almond, honey, green apple and dried apricot tones and tartness. Very dark in color, like an apricot liqueur, but the flavors are fresh and refreshing.
This is almost exactly like the winery's excellent 2004 Gran Reserva, proof that Olabarri knows how to make this style of Tempranillo. This is smooth and concentrated, with a deep color and ripe plum, blackberry and tobacco aromas. Flavors of mossy berry, fresh prune, chocolate and vanilla come with light herbal accents. This is elegant, with aging potential. Drink now–2020.
Hard aromas of road tar and herbal berry fruits are the definition of gritty. Leafy dry red-fruit flavors are light on ripeness, while this is spicy tasting and drawing on the finish.
A dark and brooding exploration of black fruit with soft edges, this wine shows generous smoky oak and cinnamon notes, along with an unexpected streak of egg cream.
Cedar and resin notes rise to the fore in this full-bodied wine that's basic and hearty, with blackberry and dried herb flavors.
The aromas of plum and blue fruit bring appeal but don't seem entirely varietal. Flavors are sweet, backed by lightly tacky-feeling tannins. It delivers easy-drinking enjoyment, though characteristics of the variety seems hard to find.
Unctuous and bold with toasted oak flavor, this wine shines with layers of ripe, round pineapple and pear flavor.
This aromatically unusual wine, with notes of cocoa and green herb, seems to show some oxidation. The purple fruit and orange-peel flavors are on the lighter side of medium bodied, pulling up on the finish.
Smoky oak and extracted tannin give this wine girth and concentration, as earthy compost, tobacco, black cherry and woody oak flavors mingle on the full-bodied palate.
Concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors are lifted by hints of fennel and smoke on the nose of this bottling. The first impression on the palate is thick cherry syrup, but a definitive structure and prominent acidity emerge to brighten the experience.
A yellowish shade of pink, this Grenache-based rosé shows Meyer lemons, tangerine zest and cantaloupe on the steely, restrained nose. There is lots of grippy texture on the palate, with mandarin orange rind, red-apple skin, light raspberry and lime juice-on-strawberry flavors.
Made in a crisp, dry style, this is leaner than many other New Zealand Pinot Gris, marked by its taut texture and subtle notes of almond skin, barely ripe melon and tart citrus. It makes for a refreshing sipper, or a fine foil to delicate fish dishes.
This blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne boasts upfront aromas of yellow peach, orange and honeydew, with just a touch of white florals. The round, slightly creamy palate offers additional notes of apple and white plum flesh, with ample acidity to keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean. Well balanced and approachable now.
Underbrush, prune and a whiff of leather lead the nose. The palate offers raisin, dried black cherry, black pepper and a hint of glazed plum alongside big, round tannins.
Ripe blackberry, leather and soy show on the nose of this solid bottling from a relatively new producer in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Fruit-forward flavors of red and purple berries rise to the top of the palate, but there is also a tannic density powered by pencil lead and a spicy acidity.
Soft and easy on the nose, this wine by a newer estate suggests ripe kiwis, Key lime and a brisk minerality. Broad and approachable flavors will be inviting to many palates. Flavors of apple flesh and pear cider go down easy on a hot day.
With rich pear and apricot flavors, this is a blend of old-vine Ugni Blanc and Rolle. Ripe and full bodied, it is pointed up with spice that balances the fresh fruitiness. The wine, tangy and with a warm aftertaste, is ready to drink.
Classy, complex aromas and flavors make this full-bodied contribution from the Sierra Foothills quite attractive and interesting to drink. It smells like baking spices and cedar shavings, tastes fruity like cranberries and adds a good amount of acidity and firm tannins to firm up the texture.
Candied mandarin peel and apricot join the rose-petal flavors that meet on an unctuous, rich palate. Residual sweetness gives this considerable heft but the overall balance is there, with a soft-focus finish that carries both fruit and spice.
A subdued nose leads to a very zesty palate, with grapefruit zest and crunchy green apple. The fruit is lively, clean and rather vivacious. Lemony freshness brightens the dry finish and makes you sip more.
Orange and mandarin peel illuminate the sunny, pear-fruited character of this rounded and full wine. The fruit flavors have an additional boost from residual sugar, but this is balanced beautifully. Drink soon.
This wine is a blend of 40% Merlot, 35% Feteasca Neagra and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bouquet is an intricate jumble of saddle leather, cigar box, black plum and spice that girds the taste buds for spice-heavy flavors of mace, anise and clove with a firm backing of tart cherry.
The dried tobacco, vanilla, green olive and cocoa aromas seem somewhat unusual for the variety and vintage. The chocolate and cherry flavors are creamy in feel, displaying a good sense of balance and length.
Slightly floral notes combine the creaminess of jasmine with the fresh scent of mandarin peel. Despite the typical varietal broadness of Pinot Gris, this wine offers an appealing slenderness and a tender balance. Subtle and almost delicate, it conveys a touching edge of florality and lovely seam of acidity.
Freshly cut apple peel and apple fruit create a very welcoming and lively palate. The fruit is clean and very invigorating, while the dry finish provides cool refreshment.
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, this seductive wine opens with rich aromas of chocolate covered cherry, raspberry, mocha and black licorice. High acidity lifts the rich black-fruit flavors on the palate, while fine tannins lend a subtly gripping texture. Drink now.
This is favorably marked by hints of stuck flint and bold, herbal flourishes on the nose, then settles down to deliver stone fruit and citrus on the palate. For the price, it's surprisingly long on the finish.
This showy wine has maple syrup aromas, extremely ripe and almost unctuous flavors, lots of spicy oak influence and full body. While it offers a lot of flash, it also has lots of substance underneath. A velvety, grippy texture owes a lot to layered tannins, and a base note of ripe berries carries through the finish.
Apple peel and citrus shyly greet the nose, but the palate is rounder, zestier and full of red-apple goodness. This is crunchy, fruity, lively and refreshing. The dry finish is moreish and the textured midpalate is a bonus.
Made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Feteasca Neagra, this wine has a bright nose of black cherry and dark plum with just a whiff of mint. Flavors of blackberry and plum are joined in the mouth by a sophisticated touch of tobacco leaf that recedes with the arrival of the zesty finish.
Ripe, jammy fruit aromas and flavors of black berry, cherry and plum abound in this attractive wine, with a secondary hint of fudgy brownie adding additional decadence. The palate is smooth and medium bodied, with approachable tannins and ample acidity providing just enough structure. Drink now.
With a good sense of structure, this bottling, formerly called Vieilles Vignes, comes from 55-year-old vines. It is textured, with some firm tannins as well as ripe plum flavors and acidity. The wine is still developing and will be better from 2016.
This full-bodied wine has a rather light color. Aromas seem roasted and savory rather than fruity, leading to attractive spicy, meaty, almost mushroomy flavors. The texture is on the lean side, moderately tannic and quite dry.
This seems prematurely evolved with its lifted, kerosene-like whiff on the nose, but is no less pleasant for that. Ripe stone fruit melds into a slick, oily palate guided by a seam of bright, lemony freshness. The finish is dry and bright, and flavors fill the mouth long after the last sip.
A hint of rose petal perfumes white peach and grapefruit on this elegant off-dry Riesling. The midpalate is softened by a burst of luscious apricot, while a zesty steak of lime balances a long, meandering finish.
Seared peach, ripe Gala apples, wet slate and pineapple aromas show on the nose of this very down-the-middle bottling. The palate is broad and inviting, with charred vanilla, buttered apples, an orange-rind sharpness and a solid oak framing.
The toasty framework around soft and spicy red fruits needs a bit more bottle age to integrate fully. Accents of herb and leaf add a bit of complexity which show promise for future enjoyment. Drink 2018–2022.
This is a smooth and gently fruity wine. Aromas are subtle, fresh and slightly floral, while the more-forward flavors resemble peaches and honeydew melons. The texture is smooth rather than tart, and the wine may have a touch of residual sugar to keep it tasting fruity and feeling rounded.
About half Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc making up the difference, this wine brings concentrated red cherry and currant notes to a mix of sawdust and anise on the nose. The full-bodied palate follows suit, with additional notes of dark plum adding depth. Grippy tannins balanced by driving acidity make this wine a well-balanced showing from an environmentally-conscious, LEED Gold-certified winery.
This makes a nice change from the simply fruity norm. The color is a traditional light garnet with a bronze rim, while the aromas resemble rhubarb and raspberries. Flavors are earthy, savory and meaty rather than straightforward grapy. The texture is rather soft, the tannins muted and the body not too full.
This light, pleasant quaffer has apple, green melon and hint of pineapple in the mix. The barrel fermentation adds a dusting of toast as a welcome accent. This is not a particularly complex or powerful wine, but will quench your thirst admirably when you're up for something not too heavy.
This opens with aromas of red berry and aromatic herb. On the palate, black pepper and dried sage backup raw red cherry while bracing tannins provide the framework.
The color of light straw, this wine offers a clean aroma of ripe pineapple. It is soft in the mouth, with a flavor of slightly tart lemon curd and a hint of lemon blossom.
Slightly green and still quite stiff, this matches tart cranberry fruit to green herbs.
Slightly buttery aromas and definitely fruity flavors shape this medium-bodied, barrel-fermented wine into crowd-pleasing form. The ripe peach, cherry and apricot flavors are delicious, the texture is smooth and the finish crisp and floral.
Black cherry, raspberry, leather and spice aromas are fairly typical of Mendoza Malbec. A fruity, no-nuance palate delivers short but fresh cherry and cassis flavors in front of a jammy finish with rubbery tannins and mild bitterness.
Viscous and heavy, this 100% Zinfandel made in a Port-like style is intense and chocolaty, a concentrated form of blackberry and blueberry that shows full-bodied richness.
Subdued aromas of jasmine, hawthorn and citrus lead the nose. The sunny palate offers yellow peach, pineapple and a hint of toasted almond alongside restrained acidity.
Blueberry sauce and toasted vanilla notes are mild on the nose, with crushed blackberries and black pepper gracing the palate. Ample body and silk tannins make this Syrah approachable, easy and perfect for backyard barbeques.
With an unusually bright gold color, pineapple and honey aromas, and lively lemon and grapefruit flavors, this wine shows a lot of personality. The effect is refreshing and fruity, but not wimpy. It should pair well with lots of different salads, appetizers and seafood.
A strong herbal front leads on the nose of this wine, with oregano and thyme notes, alongside lemongrass and a fresh, ripe green fruit element. The broad palate shows hints of green pepper.
Aromas of passion fruit, banana and a hint of Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this medium-bodied white. The soft, round palate offers yellow peach and ripe pear alongside just enough fresh acidity.
This unoaked, tank-fermented, straightforward Chardonnay has a certain steely precision that underscores crisp flavors of apple flesh and skin. Botanical highlights continue through a short, sharp finish.
This is chewy and tannic, with sharp edges around cranberry fruit. It's blocky and one-dimensional, but solid and substantial. If Pinot Noir can ever be a steak wine, this is it. A touch of anise and coffee winds it down through the finish.
Cooked berries, turned earth, sweet tar and dark chocolate aromas greet the nose on this blend of 67% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah from Mossfire Ranch. Ripe, plump and dark strawberries power the rich, grippy palate, along with licorice lift and vanilla elements on the finish.
Aromas of ripe blue and black-skinned fruit, dried herb, spice and a floral note lead the nose on this big, hearty wine. The warm, one-dimensional and forward palate delivers ripe black cherry, blackberry, licorice and searing alcohol alongside velvety tannins. The evident alcohol throws it off balance.
Some alcoholic sharpness impacts the aromatics, leading into tightly wound, spicy green apple fruit. Notes of thistle, white pepper, and lightly bitter herbs compile through a compact finish.
Oak-driven aromas lead on the nose, with coffee, burnt caramel and toasted vanilla taking center stage. The ample body of this Tannat, Malbec and Merlot blend shows toasted plum and blackberry flavors accented by sweet vanilla tones and supported by grippy, grainy tannins.
Apple and modest dusty white-fruit aromas are about all you'll get from the neutral bouquet, while the palate is sweet and a little candied, with apple and mango flavors. Fleshy and chunky, but good enough to enjoy in a casual setting. Probably a good base wine for white sangria.
A lightweight, supple Pinot with decent varietal definition, Salitage's Treehouse Pinot features slightly herbal notes of brown sugar and cherries, then fades quickly on the finish. Drink now.
Expect to see plenty of this Torrontés across the States (18,000 cases have been imported). But also expect a wine that's lemony and that carries scents of floor polish and air freshener. Being lithe and jumpy is not an issue; the wine is definitely lively. But it doesn't have that ethereal, tropical quality that the best Torrontes' have. It's narrow and limited.
Despite a touch of volatility and jumpiness, this is good Bonarda from San Juan Province. The nose is a bit narrow, but raspberry and floral notes seep in. The palate has some zing to it, but the cherry and raspberry flavors are forward and mostly pure. There isn't much complexity or depth, but what's here is good.
Thick and concentrated stuff, with aromas of sweet plums and cough syrup. The body is beefy and round, with full but simple plum and blackberry flavors. With color, size and heft, it has much of what Malbec is known for. Problem is, it needs better tuning and precision to rank higher.
This deliciously fruity wine shows some good depth of apple, apricot and orange zest flavors. The wine is light, crisp and finished with white currants. Easy and refreshing. Screwcap.
A white currant-flavored wine with soft but fresh acidity, layered with just a touch of spice. The wine is fruity, juicy, an easy drink as an aperitif or with fish.
Lo Tengo, which means “I have it” in Spanish, is Norton's fun and trendy Torrontés. It's not meant to be serious—it's more of a nightclub or aperitif white—but it does come across as a true but limited Torrontés. Distinguishing characteristics include melony aromas and tropical fruit flavors. Think basic Albariño and you'll have a good clue as to what this is.
Initially ripe and creamy, the wine tightens up with herbaceous, lemongrass flavors, only hinting at the richness. It needs another six months in bottle before drinking.
Bonnet was this family's winery in 1744. André Lurton took over in 1953 and in 2015, the third warmest year since 1900, his team created a wine with tropical fruits, mango and pineapple. This give this wine its ripe, perfumed character. It does have a crisp side as well, fresh with apple and citrus. The balance is just right, giving a refreshing, ready-to-drink wine.
Fine, new wood flavors mingle with acidity and ripe blackberry fruits to give a balanced wine. It has a fine texture, spice and juicy acidity that brings out the fruit of the vintage. It will be ready to drink soon, certainly by 2017.
In the south of the Layon Valley, this producer has made a soft, fruity wine that is packed with red fruits. It is rounded, smooth with only a dusting of light tannins. The fruit is right up-front, exuberant and refreshing. Drink now.
This is a spicy, perfumed wine that has a fine balance between acidity and red fruits. It comes from 40-year-old vines in this estate owned by French actor Gérard Depardieu. The wine is ripe and crisp with acidity at the end. Drink now.
The aromas offer notes of vanilla, baking spice and tropical fruit. The flavors are light and restrained, pulling up slightly toward the finish.
Barrel notes of toast and spice intermingle with stone fruit aromas and flavors that show nuance. The flavors are light but the feel is compelling.
A sleeve of ginger seasons fresher, crisper notes of Gravenstein apple and ripe mango, as well as vanilla, in this medium-bodied, expressive white. Intensely ripe, it pleases within its bold, generous style.
Dark aromas of asphalt, lead pencil, blackberry, toast and lemony oak lead to a raring, zesty palate with toasty, racy cherry and currant flavors. Spicy oak flavors and tingling acidity make for a lively finish.
Fresh and zippy Grüner bursting with white pepper, arugula and lime zest on its very slender, crisp palate. This is easy but super fresh and almost has a cleansing effect.
Gold in color, with aromas of hay, melon and banana, this feels plump and round, with a fair amount of skins-based tannin. Nectarine and orange flavors finish full and snappy.
A red-mauve in color, this bottling shows pomegranate, watermelon, strawberry paste and brioche on the nose. It's a rich style of rosé, with strawberry, cherry and red-plum fruit lifted by clove spice and a strong acidity.
Tender, fresh notes of arugula, green pear and grapefruit on the nose acquire a creamier, softer aspect on the fresh, slender but very pliable and fruity body. Easy to drink and easy to like.
Brooding aromas of dill, purple fruit, vanilla and wood spice are followed by full dark cherry flavors backed by a wall of firm yet still accessible tannins.
Hints of nut and fresh-baked brioche lend savory nuance to bright apple flavors in this Pinot Blanc sparkling. Thick, almost chewy foam fills the palate but brisk citrus acidity on the midpalate balances things out nicely.
Whiffs of lavender and violet lend a perfumed, floral edge to this stylishly composed wine. Full bodied and supple on the palate, it's moderately concentrated with crisp blackberry and cherry flavors. Penetrating but fine-grained tannins bristle on the finish.
This is a plump, medium-bodied rosé, one that ably marries strawberry fruit with hints of cracked pepper and cinnamon. Drink now.
The Sichel family delivers a ripe, tropical-fruit flavored wine that is full bodied while also balanced. It has weight, with its apricot and mango flavors right up-front. The aftertaste continues the rich theme, a medley and yellow fruits with enough acidity to balance.
Smoky aromas of tree bark and tobacco blend with dried, earthy cherry and plum scents. This feels a bit raw and pulling, while dried cherry, plum and baking-spice flavors finish good but a touch hot and scratchy. Drink now.
The high altitude vineyards of Luberon can yield some thirst-quenching rosés, of which this is a very good example. Hints of crushed stone and barely-ripe peaches finish on a refreshing note of fresh lime juice. Drink now.
This wine, which is 100% varietal, is a blend of fruit from Art Den Hoed and Gunkel vineyards. Aromas of cranberry, clove and fresh flowers are followed by coffee and floral flavors that show elegance and persistence.
Lightly volatile aromas are followed by focused cherry and spice flavors that linger. There are good things going on here, but the aromas provide distraction.
Honey-kissed lemons and tangerines perfume this dry, full-bodied wine. Ripe apricot and grapefruit flavors extend over the palate with a rich, slightly clingy feel, but balance neatly against a strike of tart citrus acidity on the finish.
This wine is nearly two-thirds Cabernet Franc with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It opens with fragrant aromas of cherry, coffee, green herbs and floral notes that are followed by an elegantly styled palate backed by a light grip of tannins. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
Toasted hazelnut, espresso and eucalyptus aromas lead the nose. The bracing palate is tight and rather closed, but eventually reveals licorice, tart cherry and orange peel alongside grainy tannins. An anisette note closes the warm finish.
This opens with aromas of toast, sage, hazelnut and a hint of eucalyptus. The palate offers sour cherry, strawberry jelly, anise and orange peel alongside assertive tannins that leave a dusty finish.
This wine is principally Cabernet Franc along with dollops of Malbec and Petit Verdot. A pretty pale salmon color, it offers very primary aromas of strawberry, green pepper and spice. The palate drinks dry with lovely fruit flavors and acid that brings tension and keeps the interest high.
Pervasive notes of red apple and red pear that are both intense and restrained rise from the glass. They persist freshly and beautifully on a fluid, rounded body that is given much direction and shape by taut, bright acidity. There is a beautiful balance and great concentration with a warm, alcoholic finish.
Lush and round, floral and fruity, this only hints at residual sugar. The acidity makes for a bracing palate that offers highlights of clover and honeysuckle, plus rich notes of stone fruits.
Striking aromas of cassis, tobacco and fresh-ground coffee introduce this excellent new edition of JRG. The grapes were sourced from the excellent Alder Ridge, Klipsun, Canoe Ridge, Champoux and Seven Hills vineyards. It has a full midpalate, which is buoyed by juicy acidity. It could age for another five years or more, but drink it young to enjoy it best.
Saint Clair's Pioneer Block wines are always worth trying for their expressions of Marlborough's subregional characters. This one, from deep clay soils at the foot of the Dry Hills, features a bold cherry aroma and flavor, backed by ample vanilla and baking spice notes. It's big and slightly chunky in style, but it seems likely to smooth out over the next 12 months as the dusty tannins subside.
Les Fourneaux is one of the smallest premier crus. Rich and balanced, this wine is full of pear and apricot flavors. It combines a minerally edge with a generous structure and fruitiness. Delicious now, but keep it for 3–4 years.
Rich and full, this wine shows some sense of structure. It has considerable acidity and flavors of cherry and red currant. With the dry tannins coming through on the finish, it will need some years to soften.
Made in a tart, juicy style, this well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon should be decanted. The acid-driven berry flavors carry a hint of gun metal. A few more years of bottle age would be advisable.
This is an amply endowed, round wine, with no hard edges. The ripe cherry fruit is dusted with hints of dusty earth and ground cinnamon that linger on the finish. It's a lush, harmonious mouthful of Pinot pleasure. Drink now–2020.
This wine boasts a riot of tart huckleberry, marionberry and purple fruit flavors that taste as if they have been lightly soaked in Bourbon. The dusty tannins set up a long ride onto the palate-pleasing finish.
Made from fruit that's sourced from the Buçaco Mountains in the east of Bairrada, this wine is rich and elegant, and its juicy fruit provides a counterbalance to the structure. With its youthful fruitiness, this is worth aging for another 2–3 years.
Made from fruit that was sourced from Central Otago's Bendigo subregion, this is a ripe and concentrated wine that still manages to show a surprising degree of elegance on the finish. Black cherry fruit is framed by maple syrup and brown sugar timbering. The wine seems chunky and full at first, but it smooths out and turns supple by the finish. It should drink well for the next five years or more.
Dark golden in color, this late-harvest Riesling, which was allowed to develop botrytis after two October 2011 storms, has knockout, sweet honey and apricot goodness from start to finish. It's round and concentrated, and it has 12.9% residual sugar. Incredible on its own, this will also pair well with peach- and pineapple-based desserts, foie gras and blue cheeses.
Fruity and rounded, this has attractive, citrus-like acidity that cuts through the caramel and apricot flavors. There is a delicious, forward orange-juice flavor that adds to the fresh feel of the wine. It's ready to drink, although it will also age.
Smoky aromas of hickory-laced dark fruit lead the way, easily sliding into boysenberry and bacon notes on the palate. The flavors are meaty and savory, not simply fruity, while the texture is lush. One of the best examples of Peg Bay Pinot Noir in memory, it finishes long, framed by supple tannins. Drink now–2020.
One of the top offerings from Saint Clair is invariably its Omaka Reserve. The 2010 features blackberry and cola notes that are accented by a hickory smoke tone, a harmonious and supple texture and a moderately long finish. Ready to drink now, the wine should easily last another few years.
This dark and attractive Shiraz shows excellent balance and a satiny texture. Notes of brambly raspberry and cherry mingle with seductive hints of sweet smoke, game and pepper. Hints of spicy mocha and forest berry linger on the finish. Approachable now, but should hold well and develop additional complexities through 2016.
This wine is concentrated and full in the mouth, and it bears a minerally texture and intense acidity. It's packed with flavors of sweet peach, lime, ripe Rocha pear and spice from the wood maturation. This promises to age for several years.
Bright and high in acidity, this has a lively cherry flavor, plus a layering of earthy mushroom. It's silky from start to finish.
Only a small portion of this vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, and it has produced a minerally wine that's both crisp and ripe. The acidity is dominant at this stage, which lends the palate a juicy, peach- and citrus-like character. This wood-aged selection needs time.
Decadently ripe, this voluptuous Cabernet Sauvignon brims with fleshy black-plum and berry flavors. Touches of green pepper and stem add a bit of contrast to all the richness, and subtle notes of spice and bramble tones lend complexity as well. Despite its brawn, it's a neatly balanced wine kept in check by crisp cranberry tones and a fine-grained tannin structure.
Aromas of dried tobacco leaf, toast, oak and underbrush lead the nose. The bright, approachable palate offers black cherry, espresso and star anise alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
Aromas of espresso, mocha and black-skinned fruit lead the nose. The robust, one-dimensional palate offers black cherry, mint and licorice alongside close-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
Delicate scents of red berry, blue flower, forest floor and menthol lead the nose. The no-frills palate offers juicy wild cherry, star anise and cured meat framed in firm acidity and close-grained tannins.
Aromas of violet, red berry and a whiff of sage lead the nose on this blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Canaiolo. On the palate, round tannins offset black cherry and a note of white pepper. Enjoy soon.
Whiffs of black cherry, rose petal and spice scent this invigoratingly crisp red blend. It's satisfyingly full in body but impeccably balanced, offering taut black-cherry and plum flavors. Aged minimally in oak, there's not a lot of fuss or complication on the palate, but it's delightfully fresh and tasty. Drink now through 2019.
From an organically farmed block planted entirely to the Pommard clone, this wine offers strawberry, earth and black tea, diluted slightly by a tannic underbite that competes with the fruit. Softly structured, it grips further on the finish.
While unoaked, this tropical swirl of mango, guava and pineapple is unabashedly rich in style. Decadent caramel and butterscotch notes are a bit on the confected side but clean up tidily against a streak of sunny lemon on the mid palate. Drink through 2019.
This is a generously fruity wine with light oak aromas, lots of straightforward black-cherry flavor, a smooth texture and full body.
Light vanilla, macadamia and crisp apple flavors make this dry, medium-bodied wine a good blend of rich and lively.
Punchy citric aromas come with a note of fresh celery. This is zesty and crisp in the mouth, while orange and celery stalk flavors end with a refreshing, cleansing finish.
Subdued aromas of French oak, underbrush, espresso and menthol lead the way. The rather lean but polished palate offers tart sour cherry, vanilla and roasted coffee bean alongside vibrant acidity and firm tannins that grip the finish.
The Alicante Bouschet and Castelão in the blend give it its rich, immediately fruity character and dense color. Structure and concentration leave room for an elegant texture. Blackberry juiciness shines at the end. Drink now.
This is a thick, concentrated wine, full bodied in its toasty oak and bursts of cherry-vanilla. Oaky and soft, it possesses a funk of earthiness.
The nose on this blend of Zinfandel and Syrah is a bit shy, with a touch of baked red cherry and hot asphalt. The palate is more intriguing, with stewed red cranberry, anise, brioche and cinnamon.
Aromas of pear, apple, and whiffs of tropical fruit are followed by a tart lively palate full of rounded fruit flavors. It shows a light spritz and a lot of crispness.
Ripe, almost overripe notes of yellow pear signal a generouswine. Full of fruit, the palate is juicy, mellow and easy. Drink soon to make most of all these pear notes.
It's nice to find a well-balanced, fruity but structured wine that's dry and will be very versatile at meals. It has red cherry and cranberry flavors, firm acidity and tannins for grip in the mouth, and a clean finish.
This is an immensely fun albeit simple, Beaujolais-like wine, best served chilled and on the beach or by a pool. Fairly dark in color, it shows deep blackberry, smoke, crushed graphite and a touch of tarragon on the nose, while the flavors offer Concord grape, plum, fruit punch and a touch of caramel.
Leafy, spicy berry aromas open up with airing. This is medium in body, with chewy tannins. Fresh plum and red-berry flavors come with plenty of oak, toast and pepper. This finishes with a persistent spicy toastiness.
While quiet on the nose, the palate of this semi-sweet Riesling screams for attention with its buoyant fruit salad of peach, maraschino cherry and tangerine flavors. It's a fun, unabashedly fruity wine to enjoy young.
This Muscat starts with floral and honeyed aromas, followed by a lush combination of honey, citrus and white fruits on the palate. A good interplay of spice and fruit, it will pair well with soft cheeses and fruit.
Simple peach and melon aromas shine in this unoaked Chardonnay. A light-bodied palate holds apple and stone-fruit flavors before fading in to the short yet clean finish.
An earthy hint comes with the bright lemon flavors of this dry, tart wine. The palate reveals a glimpse of riper fruit but lime freshness rules. It finishes totally clean.
Dusty orange and nectarine aromas are on target. This is basic and citrusy in feel, with mild orange and stone-fruit flavors that fade quickly. A fresh finish isn't that flavorful but hangs around nicely due to healthy core acidity.
This is a lightly tropical, peach-fuzzy wine, grassy with a touch of dried herb that gives it a meaty undertone. Lemon and grapefruit round out the experience, before a substantially dry, intense finish.
Butterscotch and roasted corn-on-the-cob aromas are followed by an off-dry, viscous, creamy feeling palate. Vanilla notes persist on the finish.
Tire rubber, smoke, cranberry and red-currant aromas lead to quite-sweet plum flavors. The palate provides appeal but the aromas are difficult to get around.
Produced only in outstanding vintages, this rich Bordeaux blend exudes fantastic flavors of black plum, blackberry and black cherry accented by notes of tobacco and white pepper. The bold palate and creamy texture lead in to a long and evolving finish that closes on a hint of mocha. The solid structure and assertive backbone ensure this wine will be a pleasure now and for years to come. Imported by Yarden Inc.
This wine comes out of the bottle a little cranky, but give it some time in the glass and the initial stink gives way to notes of lime, apple and peach. It's plump in feel, with some dusty minerality and dried spices adding nuance to the sweet fruit.
Ripe and richly fruity, with chunky flavors of oranges, honey and tropical fruit tinged with hints of mineral and orange pekoe tea. It's a lush mouthful of easy-to-enjoy fruit.
A relatively restrained, minerally version of Australian Chardonnay, with a touch of graphite to the crisp pear aromas. Some gently toasted nut notes impart richness of texture and complexity on the palate. Long and slightly tannic on the finish, this could develop well over the next 2–3 years.
Ripe, jammy and forward, Prima could become the blueprint for affordable but well-made Toro wines. It's a modern bruiser from a modern, spotless facility, and it offers a clash of wild berry flavors, big-time tannins and powerful acidity. Like most Toro wines, it'll take your cheeks to the cleaners if you don't have meaty foods, cheese or lots of water to go with it. Drink now through 2012.
This wine's elevated—for a fruchtig German Riesling—alcohol level (11.5%) and botrytis-influenced flavors of dried apricots and orange marmalade suggest early consumption, although some may want to see if it settles down in another five years. It's fat, oily and rich right now, and a bit warming on the finish.
Fans of structured Chard should give this a try. Ripe citrus flavors are subtly framed by toasty oak in a medium-bodied wine that finishes crisp and minerally. Good now, but should last through 2010.
The steep slopes of the Himmelreich provided some wonderful wines in 2005, and Raimund Prüm's offering has turned out well. It's a touch more muscular than some vintages, but finely focused, marrying aromas of green apple and crushed stone with flavors of honey, peach and pineapple and ending in a long, mouthwatering finish.
Loaded with flavors of fresh Bartlett pears, this excellent Pinot Gris has both flavor and texture to spare. It's a fine expression of the Oregon style; clean and fruit-driven, forward and juicy, with a broad midpalate and crisp natural acids.
This new vineyard site, on the east side of the Chehalem mountains, has delivered a precisely rendered, spicy wine, with a pleasing mix of leaf, herb, berry and earth flavors. It's cut on the tart, acidic side, but it's neither dull nor simple. Given its balance and texture, it may well age for another decade or more.
Supple, spicy and loaded with tangy stone fruits, this outstanding offering shows that Pinot Blanc can develop some pleasing fleshiness when handled well in Oregon. This offers well-blended streaks of pear, apple, white peach and tangerine. The fruit is plush and nicely supported with crisp acids. A resonant spiciness carries the finish.
This opens with aromas of scorched earth, black-skinned fruit and game. The aromas carry over to the simple palate alongside rounded tannins. Drink soon.
This is Alvarinho from the southern part of the Minho region, close to Oporto. It has lemon fruit and a smooth texture, giving a rich wine. It could age a little longer, so wait until 2018.
Aromas of milk chocolate, herb, plum and cherry are followed by a palate full of cherry and chocolate flavors that persist on the finish. The tannins bring astringency that provides some distraction.
This medium sweet wine is indeed quite sweet even on the nose, where honey, apple blossoms and night jasmine aromas show. There is tingling acidity to the sip that cuts through the strong sweetness. Would pair well with a rich pork dish.
Fleshy honeydew and berry notes verge on overripe in this medium-sweet Riesling. Its delicate body and easygoing tangerine-inflected palate are pleasant. It finishes on a slightly sour note. Drink now.
The aromas on this wine are a bit weak, showing hints of licorice and a touch of blueberry. The palate offers dark red to purple fruit, with a touch of more bitter coffee grinds. The tannins are squeaky in texture.
This wine is 60% Syrah with the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of blue fruit and glue are followed by light-bodied flavors that show astringency.
Cola and Dr. Pepper both appear on the nose of this thick, dense and heavy wine, that's hugely concentrated in black olive and blackberry.
Scents of singed orange peel, roasted nuts and lemon curd are promising, but are followed up by rather crisp, ungenerous lemon flavors. There's a silky textural element on the palate and a long finish, so it may yet come around.
Aromas of charred earth, smoke, grilled herb and a balsamic note lead the way. The soft easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, prune, clove and a hint of coffee alongside round, rather fleeting tannins.
The wood aging shows strongly in this spicy wine. Besides bitter tannins it also gives the wine a minty character. It is young and hopefully the fruit will develop more and fill out this structure.
The meaty, spicy aromas of this medium-bodied wine are quickly followed by a flood of ripe, grapy fruit flavors that seem lightly sweet as they coat the sides of the mouth. It's big in flavor and rather soft and easy in texture.
Lightly volatile aromas of raspberry, vanilla bean, and cherry are followed by smooth fruit and barrel flavors. The oak seems to get in the way at times.
The Lapa vineyards are away from the Tagus (Tejo) river giving better structured soil and therefore firmer wines. That shows in this ripe wine with its tannins and bold fruits. It is attractively fruity, with a dry core. The wine is ready to drink.
This high-end wine has a tenacious hold of earthiness, that exhibits as tomato leaf and dried herb. Full-bodied and densely concentrated, its tannins are smooth and fine, while the texture leans gravelly. Black pepper and leather characteristics are hard to ignore.
The aromas seem to lack clarity, with white flower and orange rind notes struggling to get to the surface. It drinks medium sweet with abundant floral and orange-peel flavors that provide appeal.
This wine is made from a majority Merlot, with sizable percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Together they weave a lean, simple gathering of red berry and dried herb, that finishes in toasted oak.
Robust in red berry and vanilla, this wine is big-boned and ripe, with a tartness under lying the fruit and a moderate structure.
A blend of six different varieties with Merlot and Syrah taking the lead, this wine brings aromas of toast, matchstick and cherry. The flavors are luscious and full, backed by lightly tacky tannins.
One of a trio of Pinot Gris offered in this vintage, this has a yeasty beery character. It falls into a generic white wine style, refreshing enough for a warm day's glug, with that yeasty tang reminiscent of a good cold brew. There is not much in the way of varietal expression though, just a bit of apple and pear fruit coming up in the finish.
From one of Montalcino's cult producers, this wine leads with earthy aromas of underbrush, truffle, stewed plums and prune. The palate offers overripe black cherries, baked plums, licorice and black spices. It's fast approaching its ideal drinking window so enjoy soon.
Aromas recall black plums marinated in spirits, red berries, toast and a hint of espresso. Reflecting the precocious nature of the vintage, the fleshy palate seems fast forwarded, offering sweet black cherry layered with baking spices alongside tame acidity and restrained, fleeting tannins. It's savory and already accessible so enjoy soon.
Aged for 24 months in new wood, this opens with aromas of toasted oak, black cherry and coffee bean. The rich palate offers up juicy sour cherry, vanilla, mocha and sweet oak alongside firm but supple tannins.
Funky, earthy aromas dissipate in the glass to reveal mature black plum, espresso and vanilla. The forward, warm palate offers ripe—almost overripe—black cherry, layered with fleshy raspberry, coffee, and bitter chocolate sensations. It closes on a sweet, almost sugary note.
Bristling with lime zest and a steely, mineral tone, this dry, moderate-bodied Riesling is elegant and refreshing from start to finish. It's packed with white peach and apricot flavors, but zippy and bright with hints of fresh herbs that linger on the finish.
Typical apple and straw aromas are ripe and pure. In the mouth, this is lean, racy and spritzy, with elegance and fine lines. Flavors of pineapple, nectarine and pink grapefruit finish on a wave of citric acidity.
Toasty, smoky black-fruit aromas come with a fair amount of density and char. This is plush but balanced, with blackberry, blueberry and toasty oak flavors. A solid but quick finish isn't complex but it does confirm the wine's quality. The wine is 85% Malbec with the remainder Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Black fruit, chocolate, licorice and menthol aromas take center stage in this brawny, forward Brunello. The palate starts off with fleshy black cherry accented with notes of cinnamon-spice layered with bitter dark chocolate, but it finishes on a note of drying tannins. You'll also notice the hefty alcohol on the close.
A very limited (three barrels) block selection, this is a tough, chewy wine that remains stubbornly closed even after being open a full 24 hours. Hard cherry candy is concentrated in a tannic casing, with streaks of licorice, dark chocolate, and slightly bitter herbs wrapped around it. But the power and stuffing are there for significant improvement over time.
Zestiness on the palate pulls this rather subdued Riesling out of the ordinary. The lovely and bright acidity also gives an almost crackling texture and makes a lovely, refreshing summer wine.
Rose petals, Turkish delight and honeysuckle leave no doubt that this is from the aromatic Traminer family. The nose and palate are pervaded by perfume and overall mellow softness. This will be a killer with washed-rind cheeses.
Like a liquid blueberry cobbler, this is a juicy, soft, well-integrated red wine, leathery and roundly rich. Perfect for a rib roast meal with buttery mashed potatoes, let it breathe a half-hour or two before serving.
Penetrating aromas suggest lemon oil and citrus blossom, with a hint of terpene. This is the driest version of this wine to date, with residual sugar down around 0.5%. Pear skin, pear flesh and citrus carry it through a lengthy finish.
Melon, apricot and leesy vanilla notes work the bouquet on this juicy, fruit-forward white. In the mouth, this perennial favorite is citrusy and tight, with less creamy lees action than in years past. Flavors of nectarine, citrus and pith finish with force.
Narrow berry aromas are straightforward but not complex. This is a smooth operator with round tannins, plenty of body and a mix of black fruits, licorice, herbs and spices on the flavor profile. Flavors turn more herbal on the finish, where oregano and thyme accent tastes of cassis and berry.
This estate continues to improve every year and has made an outstanding effort with the 2009 vintage. It opens with aromas of underbrush, violet, red berries, menthol, thyme and a hint of orange peel. The palate offers wild cherry layered with notes of chocolate and espresso alongside dusty, drying tannins. It ends on a licorice note.
The blend is 81% Merlot, and includes small amounts of four other Bordeaux grapes as well. It's aromatic with dried herbs and tart berries and plums bringing fresh flavors and juicy acidity. It's well-built for another few years of cellaring.
This is a light, bright wine with flavors of green fruits and citrus. There is a hint of yeastiness. Overall, a cool feeling wine that is ready to drink. Screwcap.
A lime-centric wine that also has notes of white peach. It's medium sweet with the sugar getting out in front of the acid.
This smells reedy and like beets blended with mint and other green herbs. The palate has a shrill feel, while the flavors trend toward herbal red plum, salt and oak. A green-leaning finish is choppy and high in acid.
This bodega always puts out a charred, roasted Carmenère, and this keeps the tradition going. Burnt, roasted aromas of coffee, campfire and blackberry lead to a full but angular feeling palate with vinegar-like acidity. Herbal, clipped flavors are mostly charred, while herbal black-fruit flavors vie with even more char on the finish.
Oily, salinic aromas of match stick and pickled white fruits offer up a pinched palate with briny, stalky flavors of burnt orange and passion fruit. A briny tasting, clampy finish doesn't do much to bring this around.
There's a distinct floral streak to this lightly aromatic Chardonnay, which also has notes of apple and spice. Though it has 61 g/L residual sugar, it drinks dry with bitter notes on the finish.
Gritty, tarry aromas of black fruits carry a certain sharpness. The mouthfeel is clampy and narrow, with raw acidity. Flavorwise, this is acid-driven, thus expect racy red-fruit notes with a stalky, burnt offset. The finish is peppery and lean.
Chemical smelling oak, sawdust, plastic and milk chocolate aromas create a less-than-stellar nose. This is oaky/lactic feeling, with snappy acidity cutting through the palate. Flavors of generic red fruits and wood finish without much follow through
Cherry and berry aromas are basic and just good enough. This smacks down hard in the mouth with acidity, while flavors of tomato, red plum and medicinal berry end short and without a lot of substance.
100% varietal, it's intriguing with notes of toast and cherry. Though the fruit concentration is good, the tannins are dry and bitter.
A solid wine, full of dried fruits, dense plums and firm tannins. It has fresh acidity, bright juiciness that will come through more strongly over the next few months.
Almost equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with the balance Merlot, it comes off as quite green and strongly herbal along with notes of green tea and cherry. It's soft in feel and quite tart.
The browning color shows that this wine has age. It has weight still, as well as considerable acidity, but the wine is beginning to dry out and certainly should not be kept for much longer.
Here's a plush and straightforward wine that would pair well with braised brisket or lamb. Flavors of berry compote and all-fruit preserves are upfront, while a milk-chocolate accent unfolds on the medium-length finish. Soft tannins and a silky texture make this a wine that's easy to enjoy now.
Peach and melon aromas help define what amounts to a tropical smelling bouquet. A tight, lemony palate offers a firm mouthfeel, while bright citrus flavors are dominant but fail to bring much else to the table. The finish offers banana and vanilla flavors before dropping off.
The nose is slightly creamy due to overt oak, and it's also somewhat disjointed, what with both bold berry fruit and a strong whiff of wet dog. In the mouth, things quickly turn grapey, and then that overt fruitiness morphs into cherry and espresso. Meanwhile, bursting acidity throughout keeps it lively and fresh. Best Buy.
A deep sniff delivers leather, ripe black cherry, marzipan and some smokiness, but the palate isn't congruent. It's candied, a bit burnt, and it tastes just a tad too much like cherry cough syrup. The texture is fine and the flavors solid, but it falls short in the areas of layering and elegance. It's too one-dimensional and not multifaceted. –M.S.
Mature already, with aromatic notes of berry, lemony oak and root beer. The flavor profile is at first medicinal, but it opens to reveal cherry, chocolate and cassis. The chewy finish is aggressive and forward, and all told the wine is round if a bit candied.
The nose is fruity, with hints of vanilla bean. In the mouth, peach and lemon flavors carry a note of cinnamon spice, although the finish veers toward asparagus and green beans. Acidity and balance; are both on the money. Best Buy.
The old-vine name is French, as are the estate owners, and the wine itself is pretty good despite being a bit thick, chewy and aimless. The nose is full but nondescript, while apple and oak-driven flavors define the palate. The finish is textured and woody. Mouthfeel is its primary attribute while interesting or unusual tastes prove elusive.
Here's a good example of a value Chardonnay. It's clean and fruity, with spicy apple flavors, a focused and lengthy finish, and proper acidity. The whole is better than its parts.
A full-bodied, rounded wine with some good crisp acidity to balance. It has flavors of pears and some spice, leaving an attractive fresh feel in the mouth.
The bouquet is closed, with only a touch of prune, plum and cranberry aromas emerging. On the palate is raspberry fruit, a hint of veggies and some tight tannins. The finish is lean, and here those tannins assert themselves again in a way that's more than the fruit calls for. Still, it's pretty solid Cab. Best Buy.
Aromas of pineapple, ripe melon and lemon create a balanced bouquet, while the citrus and banana on the palate make for a ripe and ready offering. The finish is long, clean and fresh, and the mouthfeel is good and lean, and overall quite crisp. Standard fare, but a good example of Chardonnay.
Mint and licorice aromas combine to give a medicinal impression that fortunately is not confirmed on the palate. In the mouth, it's ripe and mostly fresh, with flavors of plum, cassis and blackberry. The finish is round and smooth, with more mint. Solid and racy if not overly stylish.
Toasty, buttery and spicy, this blend's aromas and flavors are heavily influenced by barrique. So if you are oak-averse, be warned. The lavish wood is adequately supported by a wine that has good weight and density but doesn't contribute much additional flavor.
Clean, crisp and fresh, which is enough to satisfy most Pinot Grigio drinkers. This one blends Asian pear with hints of green herbs and lemon to make a refreshing summertime quaff.
In general, we love Felluga's wines. So why the modest score on the winery's top white? One simple word: oak. With this wine's buttery, oaky aromas and flavors of peach, cinnamon and brown sugar, it could pass for a decent Chardonnay. But this blend of Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc from a great producer should do so much more.
Made in a Super-Tuscan style, this includes 12% Syrah and 5% Malbec. Young, tight and still a bit severe, it needs airing out. But the fruit has the right structure for Sangiovese which, though rare, does quite well in Washington. Tart and spicy, with cranberry and strawberry fruit flavors under a warm blanket of oak and acid.
Subtle on the nose, with coffee, mocha and berry aromas. The palate is built well and stirs up nary a gripe; it's full of cherry and cassis fruit followed by mild espresso-like bitterness on the finish. It's firm almost to the point of narrow, but for many that structure will be appreciated.
Crisply acidic, with firm tannins, this is a Pinot Noir that could use 2–3 years of cellaring. By then it should have smoothed out a little, allowing the promising aromas and flavors of plum, leather and spice to blossom.
Tight and tannic, very taut, the tannins initially long and one-dimensional. Then great fruit kicks in, black jelly, ripe plums and cherries and a fine fresh aftertaste.
Full-bodied and embued with tannins supple to the point of creaminess, this dark-fruited Shiraz offers flavors of leather, cola, espresso and bits of black olive and tar. Ready to drink.
Ryan Patrick's Reserve Cab is a round, subtle and forward wine that does not over-reach. The tangy fruit shows a mix of cassis and black raspberry fruit, then opens out into a darker mid-palate with licorice and coffee running solidly through to the finish. It's broad and open, and falls off in the finish, suggesting that this is a wine to enjoy in its youth.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon from older vines, the Cold Creek bottling often begins life rather compact, even hard, and will usually benefit from some years of bottle age. This 2005 is a tough, somewhat stemmy wine, with tightly wound black fruits, herbs and leather wrapped into its core. Tannic and unyielding, even after some hours of breathing time, it is a bit too soon to know exactly how good it will ultimately become.
The Sangiovese grape makes some of the best bone-dry rosés in the Northwest; this being a prime example. The grapes were cold-soaked for four days, then fermented in neutral oak. The strawberry/pie cherry fruit is just ripe enough; the acids fresh and natural; the finish long and utterly satisfying. This should be chilled and enjoyed outdoors on a beautiful day.
This is the winery's sixth vintage of Zinfandel from the Zephyr Ridge vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. It's ripe and substantial, soft and loaded with rich berry fruit flavors. Despite the high (27.1) brix, the wine is neither hot nor jammy, and keeps plenty of acid behind stiff, lightly earthy tannins. It is one of the best Zins yet from the winery that pioneered the grape in Washington State.
Forward berry and plum aromas are pleasant on the nose. On the palate, high acid drives flavors of plum and red berry fruit to a short and clean finish.
Talley Vineyards' bargain brand offers light lemon and chalk aromas before delivering a palate where brisk acidity is the primary player. White rocks, apple, lime and honeysuckle flavors linger in the wings.
Herbal plum aromas are oaky and lactic on the nose. This Pinot is juicy on the palate, with cool-climate acidity. The flavor profile includes distant red fruit notes and a heavy topping of oak resin on the finish.
This is ready to drink with its ripe black fruits and soft structure. A tannic edge keeps the berry fruits in order, allowing the juicy acidity also to shine. At the end, the wood aging shows along with the black currant fruit.
The wine has a hard extracted edge, with bitter tannins that are dominating the fruitiness. It needs to soften and bring out the berry fruits, although the wine will always have a tough character.
For a young Sauvignon Blanc, this is surprisingly rich. A concentrated character supports the yellow fruits and light vanilla flavor. Drink now and until 2018.
This dense, wood-laden wine has ripe spice and dark tannins. It's heavy with wood as well as black currant fruits and acidity. It is young and needs time to integrate, so don't drink before 2016.
Soft and round, this young wine is all about fruit and a light tannic structure. Fresh berry fruits abound along with acidity and a drier core. It's not for long aging and will be ready to drink in 2015.
This fruity, light and fresh wine offers easy tannins and red berry fruits. It's rounded and juicy, smoothed by wood aging that gives it a ripe aftertaste. Drink now.
This wine has a hot character, full of spice and overripe fruit. Black plum notes combine with a strongly toasty character that needs time to soften. It is rounded and rich, with mild freshness at the end. Drink from 2016.
This young, easygoing wine opens with fresh aromas of violet, red berry and a touch of leather. The simple palate delivers crunchy red cherry and crushed raspberry alongside fleeting tannins.
Yes, the wine is perfumed, but the aromas are restrained, stylish and never in your face. That gives this Gewurztraminer a place at the table, fragrant while cut with acidity. It's ready to drink.
Fresh raspberry and blackberry flavors liven up this juicy wine. A strong note of sweet maple syrup comes out in the aroma and the flavors. It feels soft in texture and medium-bodied, but a sheen of tannin makes the finish dry.
Well-rounded, this offers aromas of fresh-cut grass and citrus fruit, citrusy flavors, good acidity, a smooth texture and soft finish. Very refreshing, it will be a good match with seafood, goat cheese or grilled chicken.
Medicinal cherry aromas are a touch herbal and green, but also floral. This red-tinted Malbec is jammy on the palate, with lightly herbal plum and currant flavors. The zesty finish brings a cool-vintage green character into play.
Blackberry is the flavor frontrunner in this soft, supple Cabernet. It's medium-bodied and toned-down in tannins. Drink now.
Scents of cedar and forest floor linger prominently throughout this delicately fruity Cabernet Franc. Tart cranberry and sour cherry flavors keep the round palate crisp and elegant.
A faint whiff of herbs linger from nose to palate, adding earthy complexity to tart sour-cherry and cranberry flavors. It's crisp and invigorating, but a little restrained in character. Finishes on a pleasantly tannic, brambly note.
With vibrant aromas of green apple and lemon, this seemingly delicate Pinot Grigio turns out surprisingly brawny and bold. Apple and pear flavors are fresh on the palate, finishing moderately long with a hint of alcoholic warmth and a lingering bitter-almond note.
Simple and straightforward, this has aromas of blue flower, wet leaves and tilled earth. The lively, fruity palate offers intense red and black berry flavors alongside brisk acidity.
Aromas of violet, black plum and cassis lead the nose on this nearly opaque, purple-colored wine. The lively, one-dimensional palate offers black cherry, blackberry and a hint of black pepper alongside brisk acidity and a framework of tight tannins.
Yet another extreme barrel-aged wine from Core Wine Co. Cherry syrup and heavy wood presence on the nose is followed by dark chocolate, cooked vanilla and other flavors dominated by wood and age.
Aromas of corn and underripe fruit dominate the nose, while the palate is broad and oaky, boasting notes of popcorn and white fruits. Good acidity from coastal vineyards gives it life, but overall it's woody and a bit vegetal.
Bold, ripe and fruity, this is a young wine that will be ready to drink soon. It has blackberry notes laced with bright acidity to balance the rich palate. Already delicious and approachable, this is a generous wine with a fresh aftertaste.
Fresh and apparently unoaked, this offers an appealing floral aroma, with a slight buttery accent over the crisp apple flavors. It is light to medium-bodied, soft in texture, showing no apparent oak flavors but instead straightforward fruit character.
Produced from vineyards in the mountains away from the coast, this cool wine still gives free rein to the richness of Vermentino. There is an herbal touch, some spice and ripe apricot flavors. Balanced and fruity now, it will be better from 2016.
Very ripe pear fruit is dangerously close to tipping over into cloying richness, almost hinting at cream soda. The palate is less overwhelming. As always, that special streak of Alsace acid saves the day.
Aromas of honeysuckle and orchard fruit lead the nose. The fruity palate doles out white peach, green apple and a hint of white almond alongside lively acidity. A mineral note signals the close.
Aromas of cassis, Alpine herbs and a whiff of menthol lead the nose. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, redcurrant, espresso and ground black pepper alongside firm but refined tannins. Drink through 2016.
Tart and ripe in grapefruit and lime, this is an easygoing quaff with buzzy acidity that will be enjoyable on a summer's day or at a casual gathering. Light, it finishes muted and fast.
Gritty, tarry aromas of black olive and raspberry lead to a hard palate with choppy acidity. Sizzling plum and currant flavors come with a burnt note, while a long finish is bolstered by preserving acidity. This is a patented Chilean Cab: expect a heavy herbal character centered around olive and eucalyptus.
A healthy percentage of Sauvignon Musque sets the tone for this creamy and somewhat spicy white wine, a mix of vanilla and unctuous fig that finds a balance with flavors of crisp, green apple and melon. Fresh acidity keeps the fullness of the wine in check.
Iconic Sauvignon Blanc notes of pink grapefruit, gooseberry, mango and papaya shine brightly on the nose and palate. Ample weight, with balanced acidity and crisp, clean flavors mark this well-made wine at a bargain price.
Young and tightly wound, this wine from the family's Olivet Lane Vineyard is reduced and generous in oak and spicy dark cherry, its aromas resplendent in rose petal. Layered and soft, it's big on complexity and plush textures, with a lengthy, caramel-and cola-laced finish.
Ripe black cherry, black plum and chipped slate aromas greet the nose on this blend of 86% Grenache from La Vista Vineyard and 14% Petite Sirah from Mainini Vineyard. It's soft and ripe with blackberry fruit at first sip, then comes an electrifying acidity and flavors of roasted fennel and pencil lead.
This blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre needs more time to develop. In its youth it's shy to reveal much beyond a robust, earthy and tannic taste of inky black fruit and tobacco. Let open further or set this wine down through early 2017 or so.
A thick wrap of fine tannins surrounds this extra-dark, inky-colored wine and restrains the concentrated dark fruit and dark chocolate flavors inside. This solid wine is dense with flavor and firm in texture but does not feel heavy.
A feral, somewhat sauvage aroma of pungent earth opens this wine, followed by notes of bay leaf and mint. Spicy and vibrant in red fruit, it is buoyed and balanced by acidity that keeps this full-bodied wine from ever seeming weighed down. This wine also offers good value.
This estate-grown white is consistently yummy, tangy in lemon peel and fresh-squeezed lemon, with a splash of fresh grapefruit. Dry and crisp, it finishes refreshingly, an ideal wine for light appetizers and most rewardingly, raw oysters.
Cherry and cassis aromas come across as generic, not spicy, complex or particular. This Cab Franc is aggressive and tannic as it spreads out, with ripe berry, caramel and burnt brown-sugar flavors. Additional caramel sweetness joins chocolaty heat on a ripe finish.
Very light and slightly sweet in style, this low-alcohol bottling offers stone fruit, lemon juice and peels, and the slightest hint of petrol on the honeyed nose. Exceedingly bright and crisp on the palate, the peachy sweetness is cut by a nearly bubbly acidity. It would be great for pool parties.
Equal parts Viognier and Roussanne, this offers aromas of ripe peach and flowers that lead to dry, full-bodied flavors that taper toward the finish.
Aromas of pear and toast are followed by apple pie and spice flavors that show a pleasing mixture of fruit and barrel. It delivers a lot of wine for the money.
Charred earth, smoke, roasted coffee bean and raisin aromas come together on this. The brawny palate offers prune, blackberry jam, licorice and mocha alongside tightly packed tannins that leave a drying, rather astringent finish.
Cherry-raspberry notes show on the nose of this appellation blend from a Paso producer, along with eucalyptus and cedar. The palate is straightforward, with cranberry, raspberry, pencil lead and a bit of tar.
Deep ruby in the glass, this wine offers aromas of cherry cola, espresso and black cherry. Black plum flavors are enhanced by a medley of spice including cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. A strong network of tannins lingers on the palate into the persistent finish. Called Kekfrankos in Hungary, this grape is more commonly known as Blaufränkisch.
Brawny, with a bite, this wine offers juicy blackberry and black cherry, along with Cab-like elements of clove that give spiciness. Medium bodied and well integrated, it was aged entirely in neutral oak, allowing the fruit to shine.
This is a generous, tightly wound vineyard-designate that tastes more full-figured than it lists in terms of alcohol, jammy in dark plum and cardamom. It finishes with a ripe robustness of dark cherry fruit flavor and hint of earth.
This elegant, savory red opens with aromas of wild berry, baking spice and a whiff of toast. The supple palate offers sour cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of cinnamon alongside silky tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
There's a dark green dankness on the nose of this single-vineyard wine, with wet basil and damp oregano mixing with lawn cuttings and dark-green lime peels. The sip shows tangy lime zest, lime juice and a wet-cement minerality.
Just-squeezed lime mixes with soda for a light, refreshing aroma on this wine from the longtime Sauv Blanc producer in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley. The palate is all citrus, with lime sorbet and lemon-pith flavors.
Lots of smoky, toasted-oak aromas and tight, dark fruit flavors meet a firm and very tannic texture and dry mouthfeel in this full-bodied wine. Too intense to enjoy now, this will need until at least 2018 to turn more smooth and drinkable.
Vivacious cola and pomegranate fruit gain complexity with lava-rock minerality, cigar box and woodfire ash on the nose of this appellation blend. The palate offers perfumy purple flowers and blackberry, quite quaffable though not especially complex.
Made from a majority of Zinfandel with tiny amounts of Carignane and Petite Sirah, Gino's is big, rich and straightforward, with a touch of dried herb and dark plum surrounded by accents of oak. Powerfully robust, it'll need a rich meat dish to stand alongside.
It's the smoky flavors and acidity that dominate this fresh wine. It has hints of black-currant flavors that may develop although the wine is light and shows more dry tannins than fruit at this stage. Think about waiting until 2018.
Bruno Mottet's 2013 purchase of Right Bank Château Seguin now delivers a ripe, smooth and soft wine. There is plenty of fruitiness, citrus, green plum and apple, all integrated into the rich texture and final acidity. Drink now.
Squeezed lime, pear shavings and poached apple arise on the nose of this bottling. There is a tingling and tactile acidity on the sip, but only very light flavors of green pear and lime rind.
This is a straightfoward, plummy, grapy red wine. It's medium in body but rather simple, ending on a slightly astringent, chalky note. Ecocert.
A 100% varietal wine, this has a biscuit-like, baked-bread quality to it, with a sweetness of tannin that threatens to overwhelm. The full body lacks in complexity and acidity.
This is a light, earthy wine from the limestone soil of Saumur-Champigny. It is soft, lightly smoky and with some attractive tannins and berry fruits in the background. The wine is ready to drink.
From a producer in the Layon valley, this is an off-dry wine with considerable acidity as well as red-fruit flavors. It is light with the yeasty character of a young, fruity wine. Drink now.
The wine is smoky, with black currant-fruits and a core of dry tannins. Those tannins are probably not going anywhere much, so while the fruit and acidity will soften, the wine will always be dry.
The wine has ripe yellow fruit flavors that are soft and full. Spice and a generous texture give a rounded wine that is full bodied and ready to drink.
The wine has the lightness of the vintage. It has spice, red-currant fruits and hints of not-quite-ripe grapes. The wine is developing fast and will be ready from 2017.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault comes across as slightly confected. Bubble gum and cotton candy hint at sweetness, although this medium-bodied wine is technically dry. Serve well chilled.
An homage to the classic French mustache (rarely see now), this is an amusing label interpretation of simple, fruity Bordeaux. It has plenty of black-currant fruits and a lightly stalky texture that balances the crisp acidity. Drink now.
A light wine that seems rather dilute. It has simple, green and citrus fruit flavors that are gentle and refreshing. Drink now.
Light aromas like canned fruit cocktail and almost sweet flavors like banana and marshmallow characterize this medium-bodied wine.
Oaky aromas of cinnamon, clove and vanilla dominate the nose. This feels hard around the edges but empty in the middle. Oak-based flavors of clove and milk chocolate dominate generic raspberry fruit, while more oak pushes the finish.
While supple in mouthfeel, this offers a curious juxtaposition of puckery sour cherry and cranberry notes against slightly overripe black-fruit flavors. Soft tannins frame a relatively brisk finish. Drink now.
An odd mix of apricot, melon, oak spice and herbaceousness leads to a chunky palate with green flavors and forceful woody notes. A flat, pickled-tasting finish fails to bring this around.
Plump blueberry and blackberry fruit meet with crushed slate and root-beer notes on the nose of this widely available bottling. It's a bit thin in body and a tad sweet-leaning, but shows caramelized black fruit and rocky earth on the palate.
This wine is soft, with touches of honey and orange marmalade. It's made from late harvest grapes that have concentration and natural sweetness. Drink now.
Slightly confected in style, with bubble-gum and cotton-candy notes accenting pear and guava fruit. It's medium bodied, with an abbreviated finish.
Currant and cherry aromas come with a volatile hint of vinegar. This is narrow on the palate, with hard-clamping tannins. Flavors of red plum, currant and tomato end raw, tart and peppery, with an herbal aftertaste.
Varietally designated Pinot Noirs are an extreme rarity from this warm region. This one brings notes of cranberry, copper penny and herb, although the aromas not in sync. The flavors are plump and sweet, showing a sense of elegance.
This is a softly fruity wine that has attractive, easy apple and melon flavors. It is floral and ready to drink.
The Sèze family's white vineyard is enclosed by their Fronsec red vines. This wine is soft, ripe and rounded. It has gentle acidity along with a tangy edge of orange zest. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine has soft apple and ripe pear flavors. It has a smooth texture that means it is ready to drink. The aftertaste, with its crisper acidity, suggests a wine that will be a good apéritif.
This is so fruity with its blend of Grolleau and Cabernet Franc. It is off dry, full of strawberry flavors and laced with acidity. It is a fine summer rosé.
The Willamette Valley blend is just one of four debut releases from this new Oregon project. Mark McNeilly (of Mark Ryan Winery) is the owner/winemaker, and his skills producing full-bodied robust reds are put to good use here. Ripe cherry and brambly strawberry fruit blends seamlessly with sweet vanilla, coconut and tobacco, from 16 months in 20% new and 80% once-used oak. Drink 2018 to 2024.
Round and fruity, this differs from Willamette Valley Pinots, in that it's broad, fruit-driven, perhaps less complex but readily accessible and quite delicious immediately. Cherry lollipop, oranges and light tropical-fruit flavors abound. Drink while it's young and fresh—slightly chilled if you wish.
Classic Rioja aromas of berry fruits, spice, tobacco and vanilla lead to a grabby palate that's slightly bumpy in feel. Dry spicy plum and berry flavors are lightly herbal, while the finish tastes the same.
A wonderful creamy texture accompanies ripe cherry and blackberry flavors in this full-bodied, smooth and mellow wine. Rich cherry and cappucino flavors fill the corners of the mouth, mingling with a velvety layer of fine tannins.
Crisp and fresh, this comes out with some snap and sizzle from bright acidity. A pleasing mix of apple, pear and melon fruit catches hold in midpalate and continues on into a finish with some phenolic bite and a bitter edge.
This young, fruit-driven sparkling red delivers the party in a bottle. Currants and black cherries abound, accented by touches of cigar box and vanilla, while the palate is ripe and creamy-textured. Drink now.
Leather and meat mark the entry of this brooding, brambly wine, offering shocks of black pepper on the lightly textured palate. Soft and sleek on the finish, it's benefitted from time in bottle and is ready to enjoy now.
This offers mature black-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. The palate is ripe yet firm, delivering prune, mocha and clove clove flavors blanketed in chewy tannins. Drink 2018–2023.
Add Raptor Ridge to the slender ranks of Oregon wineries producing this off-the-radar Alsatian grape. Sourced from the Zenith vineyard and aged 11 months in neutral oak, this is a tightly wound, lightly spicy white wine. Crisp peppery highlights somewhat recall a domestic Grüner Veltliner, and the barrel aging has begun to round out the sharp edges. Drink now through 2020.
Styring also makes a wine called Reckless, so you get a sense of where this unusual blend is coming from. Big cherry fruit is adorned with notes of citrus and pine needle, and one senses that the addition of 10% Petit Verdot has stiffened up the finish. If you had to describe it, it's Pinot Noir on steroids, with all that implies.
Black-skinned fruit, cooking spice and balsamic aromas come together in this solid, straightforward Brunello. On the palate, firm, close-grained tannins frame black cherry jam, clove and vanilla flavors. Drink 2018–2022.
Still young and assimilating its oak, this seems destined for further improvement in bottle. Tightly wound flavors of apple and Asian pear combine with the buttery notes from a percentage of malolactic fermentation in French oak. There are edgy phenolics also, and the whole combine needs a bit more time to pull together. Drink 2020 to 2024.
Delicate coconut, vanilla and plum aromas mingle in the glass. The subtle palate reveals licorice, cherry extract, espresso and a hint of vanilla, held together by tightly wound tannins and fresh acidity.
Despite the reserve designation, this is a tasting-room-only wine. It's rather light and elegant in style, with a raspberry veneer over sturdy herbal tannins.
Friendly appetizing hints of Golden Delicious apple and pear make for an inviting but subtle nose. The palate is fresh and balanced, with a backbone of gentle but firm texture. The finish is clean and aromatic on this very successful blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Gritty cassis aromas are oaky and challenging, which is what you can get when a wine spends more than three years in oak. In the mouth, this is wiry and rubbery. Foxy plum and cherry flavors finish clampy and herbal. Very good but with a few holes and pitfalls.
Leather, truffle, ripe berry and a whiff of oak-derived spice lead the nose of this 100% Sangiovese wine. The taut palate delivers mature plum, black cherry and licorice flavors, its fine-grained tannins leaving a firm, dry finish.
This wine's new leather, menthol, steeped prune and French oak aromas seemingly fill the glass to brimming. The firmly structured palate offers dried Morello cherry, chopped mint and licorice flavors framed by bracing, close-grained tannins.
Aromas of burnt wood and spice cover rugged gritty berry scents. This is a tight minerally wiry Garnacha that's oaky on the palate. Oak-rich plum flavors finish with strong tannins, residual grit and lasting wood-based notes. Drink through 2022.
Bright lemon and crisp apple aromas lead to similar but richer flavors, supported by firm acidity for balance. It makes for a lively but flavorful package that both tastes great and is versatile with food.
This all-Sangiovese Chianti opens with black-skinned fruit, allspice and new leather aromas. Polished tannins lend structure to the dried black cherry, licorice and a tobacco flavors on the palate. Drink through 2022.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this opens with black cherry, white pepper and an earthy underbrush scents. The savory, straightforward palate shows plum, clove and tobacco notes, set against chewy tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
This opens with ripe dark-skinned berry, underbrush and baking spice aromas, while the dense, robust palate offers black cherry jam, clove and licorice flavors. It's already accessible, with fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2021.
Made of 48% Sangiovese, 35% Montepulciano, 10% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has black-skinned fruit and baking spice aromas. The firm palate delivers black cherry, black currant and tobacco notes in a frame of fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Made of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this offers black currant and vanilla aromas. The dense, approachable palate delivers ripe black plum and toasty tobacco flavors, pulled taut by firm tannins. Drink through 2019.
This is a thorough exploration of Chardonnay, leading with vanilla, apple, buttercream and baking spice aromas. The palate rides lemony acidity into seared apple and nectarine flavors, finishing on marzipan and a citrus tang.
This mixes darker shades of berry and cherry fruit, with a streak of tobacco and well-managed tannins. It's polished and carries moderate weight through the finish.
Linear and loaded with finesse, this delicate, polished red opens with fragrant blue flower, berry and crushed herb scents. The bright, ethereal palate offers sour cherry, strawberry and a hint of baking spice, framed by silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink soon.
The oak peeks through, set against proportionate strawberry and cherry fruit which has been lightly ripened. It's not a big wine, but it is balanced, and was barrel-aged for 18 months in a percentage of French oak. It should drink well now through 2022.
Tropical aromas mixed with pear are just right, and overall this Treixadura-Godello-Torrontes blend is ripe and delicious. It's round but zesty, with pear, kiwi and honeydew flavors. It stays on message from front to back, and despite its size and ripeness it keeps everything in balance. Drink now.
King Estate first made their Domaine Pinot Gris in 2003, exclusively from estate-grown fruit. Constant experimentation with new clones and multiple trellis systems has brought marked, steady improvement. This is a fine effort; the fruit smacks of cut pear, pineapple and light tropical flavors. It's textural and tangy, with a pleasing citrus skin finish.
Muruve is a label worth watching in Toro. The wines are not as brawny and robust as some, and instead they offer more reserved pleasures. This reserva shows coconut and black plum aromas, with very ripe but structured black fruit flavors. Coffee and vanilla flood the finish, and overall the wine is raring to go now and over the next few years.
This debut effort from a small, family-owned winery offers light, pretty scents of Dr. Pepper, red berries, rose petals and vanilla. It's a delicate wine, sculpted to capture the nuances of Pinot, without attempting to bulk it up unnecessarily. The flavors play out sweetly across the palate, finishing with milk chocolate and spice.
A fine, firm, structured wine that shows richness along with elegance. Fresh, black fruits ride over dry tannins and acidity, allowing this to be a food-friendly wine that could benefit from some aging. To finish, the lifted, vibrant fruits leave a ripe, clean taste.
Ysios is a ripe, smooth wine with polished aromas of black fruit, charred meat and vanilla. The palate has black cherry, plum, bacon and chocolate flavors, and the finish is smoky. Throughout there's a nice grilled character to the wine, which isn't very complicated and isn't likely to improve much with age. Drink now through 2010.
Starts with scents of pear and melon, butter and spice, but takes on an ever-larger oak presence in the mouth, adding more and more wood spice and cedar. Not sure if this will ever completely integrate, so the best bet seems to be drinking earlier rather than later.
This wine's nose bears an uncanny similarity to animal crackers, and along the way there's peach and melon aromas. The palate is sweet and slightly punchy, with mango and white raisin flavors. Overall, bank on sweetness and liquidy ripeness from this drink-now Albariño.
A formidable rival to Moscato notoriously produced in Italy, this soft sparkler is sure to please. Rose petals, sweet lychee and peach purée draw you into the creamy yet effervescent texture. The long, juicy finish ends clean and satisfying.
A densely tannic wine, dry with bitter dark cocoa and black fruit flavors. The concentration of fruit and tannin is impressive, and gives considerable complexity of fruit as it powers alongside the dryness. It needs aging for the rough edges to smooth out, probably 2–3 years.
This is a subtle and intriguing bottle, crafted from a range of sources, offered in significant quantities (16,300 cases) and showing varietal fruit, spice and a deft touch with the barrels. Not a big wine, but balanced and quite flavorful, with more depth than you expect at this price point. Lots of chocolate and spicy burnt coffee in the finish.
This fruity Pinot is loaded with ripe strawberry preserves, mixed in with tomato leaf and slightly resiny flavors that are typical in Oregon. It's an interesting mix, both ripe and herbal at the same time, but not yet entirely melded together. It will be fun to see where it goes in the next five years.
This is definitely a wine in the new ripe Bordeaux style, with rich black fruits and spicy tannins. Impressively dense, dusty fruit tannins are alongside smooth, polished new wood flavors. The acidity and black currants are the reminder that this is still Bordeaux, not New World.
This widely available Oregon Pinot Noir has lovely aromas of berry, cherry and rose petals. Ripe but not sweet, its tart, juicy fruit is wrapped in plenty of acid and punctuated with fresh herb, resin and peppery spice. Nicely blended and balanced, it's a quintessential food wine.
Ripe and smooth, balancing dense black fruit flavors with spice, wood and acidity, this is a solid, concentrated wine. It has a good restrained power, although the pepper hints at the alcohol. It certainly demands rich food.
A wood-aged, rich wine that shows big, ripe fruits and a good spice and toast element from the wood, balanced by white nectarines and currants. It is full, rounded and creamy.
Crushed floral aromas, berry-infused tea and cherry candy aromas give this wine a sweet profile. The palate, however, is anything but. It pounds with toasty black fruit, licorice and fiery menthol. The feel is a bit tannic but not terribly harsh, so maybe another three to five years will serve it well.
A bigger wine at 14.5%, this offers the full allotment of leather, crude oil, violet petals and cassis. The palate is rich and relaxed, with blackberry, plum and lightly oaked vanilla flavors. It's integrated and smooth, with a touch of wood and caramel well woven into the wine's core fabric. Drink now.
All spice, juicy fruit and dry tannins, this certainly evokes the spirit of the grape. There is a mineral quality to the red berry fruits, which comes through in the youthful, firm edge. Give this wine another two years so the  fruit will open up.
Dark and sultry on the nose, with aromas of burnt toast and raisin that hint at ripeness and some serious oak aging. The wine is juicy yet also a little creamy, with raspberry and plum flavors that are broad and flow nicely across the palate and onto the wide, chewy finish.
This leads with light raspberry, plum, vanilla and barrel spice aromas. The palate is lighter still, mixing fruit and barrel qualities in equal proportion and finishing on a baking spice note. The oak is a little intense.
This blend of 43% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot, 22% Carmenère, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Syrah offers orange peel, herb, raspberry and spice aromas that don't seem entirely knit together. Dry tannins back up its blue and black fruit flavors.
This is an untamed traditional-style wine that is tannic to its core and may require 20 years to reach its peak of enjoyment. It has aromas of blackberry and black pepper, flavors of espresso and bitter chocolate and a titanic structure built with layer after layer of muscular tannins that leave quite an astringent effect on the finish. Best after 2025.
Kendall-Jackson helped define the buttery oaky Chardonnay movement, and this bottling plays that card quite strongly. Oak meets with roasted nuts, sea salt, pecan brittle and Gravenstein apple on the nose. The rounded palate shows sandalwood, candied walnuts and chamomile, though oak is very prominent as well.
This blend of 57% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne and 3% Grenache Blanc manages to be very light and crisp on the nose, with aromas of underripe nectarine and apricot as well as lemon peels and crushed white rocks. There is a defined grip to the sip, with lemon and nectarine flavors.
While the wine is dry from the austere tannins, it also has a core of ripe berry fruits that are laced with acidity. It should develop some more and the tannins will soften, although they will always be very present. Drink from early 2018.
This blend of 67% Stonetree Vineyard Syrah and 33% Arianses Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. delivers vanilla, baking spice and dried cherry notes. Its fruit flavors are sweet but seem dried out. Drink now.
This is a very wood-driven bottling, starting with strong cigar box on the nose alongside broad lilac, baked blackberry, spearmint and slate aromas. Cedar spice dominates the palate, allowing just hints of blueberry and wild herbs to emerge. It presents balanced tannin and acidity.
This is ripe and fruity with attractive red-fruit flavors and a touch of tannins to keep it all in place. The wine is soft with just a layer of tannin and plenty of red cherries at the end.
This wine combines fruit from several notable vineyards, including Goldrock Ridge, Thale's Estate and Wildcat Mountain. Together, they drive a focused expression of smoky dark fruit and tart, moderate acidity. The fruit shows a depth of ripeness that's intense, with a finish of spicy black tea.
A round and generous wine, the pair of an equally rich red wine, this is full and ripely fruity. A soft, creamy texture underlines the broad fruitiness. The apple and melon fruit is softening and filling to give a delicious, ready-to-drink wine.
Rooty aromas of licorice and sarsparilla are out front, followed by a big wave of barrel char. This wine feels good but a little abrupt and choppy. Savory flavors of barbecue and meaty berry fruits finish blackened and peppery, with a lasting note of charred wood.
Roasted aromas of tomato and red plum are spicy. This has a chunky, blocky mouthfeel that's searching for its groove. Herbal plum and tomato flavors finish a bit raw in feel and salty in flavor.
This wine is brightly aromatic, with raspberry, mint, herb and woodspice notes. The palate is full of plush, plump fruit flavors that provide appeal, despite the prominent alcohol.
In this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, vanilla, carob, herb, green wood and dark fruit aromas are followed by fruit and oak-derived flavors in equal proportion. It shows restraint but doesn't come together.
Lighter in the glass, this bottling shows garrigue, rose petals and buds and bright pomegranate aromas on the nose. It's lighter bodied on the sip, and would be nice on a summer day with a slight chill, offering flavors of cranberry, raspberry, thyme and marjoram.
Anise, barrel spice, clove, vanilla and plum scents lead to full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. It shows some warmth on the finish, with lingering purple fruit and pepper notes.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (17%) and Petit Verdot brings vanilla, baker's chocolate, woodspice, dried herb and cherry aromas. It's medium bodied on the palate, with cherry flavors and cinnamon accents throughout.
Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). The aromas are all high toned, including spice, dried dark fruit and herb notes. The black fruit shows depth, framed by lightly dry tannins and a gamy flavor that lingers on the finish.
Fermented in neutral oak barrels and aged sur lie for 7 months, this wine, which includes 6% Viognier, brings herb, honeycomb, pear and orange peel aromas. It drinks dry, with sleek, citrusy flavors.
This opens with oak, coconut, toast and camphor aromas while the tightly wound palate offers Marasca cherry, espresso, mocha and star anise flavors. It's still oak-dominated, with raspy tannins that grip the finish. Drink after 2021.
This has violet, black-skinned berry and herb aromas. The bright, savory palate offers juicy raspberry, star anise and clove flavors alongside velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. Enjoy through 2020.
Crisp and bright, this wine has retained plenty of acidity even in this ripe vintage. Attractive and spicy, it offers citrus fruits as well as apricots. Drink now.
A handful of vineyards and additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot make up the whole of this wine, a cool-climate style accented in spicy red currant, cherry and woody tannin. With an earthiness of compost and wood, it shows a touch of reduction as it finishes.
Velvety smooth, and brimming with ripe berry flavors, this wine feels broad and rich on the palate, carrying flavors like black plums and boysenberry jam. So ripe it's almost sweet, the wine is nothing if not generous and fruity. A 7% addition of Port-style sweet wine gives it that extra dimension.
Bright and concentrated raspberry fruit is the hallmark of this Washington Zinfandel, with the acidity it needs to support almost 16% alcohol. High-toned and juicy, the fruit shines, though the finish turns chalky.
Named after the crows that fly on the Campolargo estate, this is a warm, ripely fruity wine with sweet flavors and soft tannins. It is ready to drink, a delicious winter warmer.
This attractive, soft and fresh wine is fruity, with red berry flavors, balanced acidity and warm tannins. With its light touch of spice, it is ready to drink.
Juicy on the nose and palate, with loads of sweet peach and melon, this semidry Riesling is balanced by brisk lime-tinged acidity and crisp starfruit flavors that shine on the midpalate. Finishes on a pleasantly drying jasmine-tea note.
Neutral aromas suggest peach, apple and minerality. Solid, compact and healthy on the palate, with peach and white pepper flavors. Good on the finish but starting to show some maturity; at peak level now so drink immediately or wait for the 2011.
Esterlina's Dry offering is smooth, crisp and yes, dry, with a lot of light lemon scents and flavors. Would pair well with seafood or lemony chicken.
Concentrated and dense, this has aromas of spicy black plum, game and a whiff of clove. The massive, monolithic palate delivers prune, dried black cherry, coffee, licorice and hints of grilled herb alongside velvety tannins. Searing alcohol dominates the finish.
This wine displays peppery, spicy, briery fruit sweetness without discernible berry character. It's silky and plump on the palate, making it easy to drink in the near term.
From a remote vineyard, this generous, well-made wine offers subtle black-cherry aromas, a velvety texture and blackberry flavors. Just moderately tannic, it's softer than some, yet has enough grip in the texture to be great with an indulgent meal.
Spicy, dry and showing cassis and berry aromas, this is a textbook Chilean Cabernet. A tight, tannic palate stops short of grating, while spicy berry and toast flavors offer a touch of oaky mocha. The finish is mild and echoes with the flavors that came before it.
Lemon, green pear and aloe vera meld into a balanced, streamlined white with focus, elegance and depth. Citrus flavors play with peppery spice and combine for a lasting finish.
This smells typical of coastal Chilean SB, meaning it's citrusy and green, but the nose seems a touch flat. Not so the palate, which is snappy and juicy. Flavors of grapefruit and passion fruit lead the way, with a backing of green bean and mild bell pepper controlling a crisp, fresh finish.
This proffers a very clean-cut nose with a hauntingly precise notion of Williams pear. The lovely, slender palate features some midpalate texture and delicate lemon and pear notes finishing with a warm aftertaste of alcoholic power.
Aromas of spicy plum and black cherry lead the nose. On the fresh, savory palate, accents of white pepper and clove add depth to layers of ripe, red berry. Supple tannins support the juicy fruit flavors.
Earthy and tarry at first, this is a firmly structured Shiraz. Peppery notes accent blueberry and blackberry fruit along the way to a slightly abbreviated finish. Try in 2016.
Complex fruit, herb and subtle oak aromas lead to an appetizingly dry feel and mellow, woodsy, autumnal flavors. It's medium bodied, smooth-textured and just savory enough to complement the tasty fruit flavors.
This opens with aromas of blackberry, cassis and leather. The palate is full and fairly lush, with firm, rubbery tannins. Ripe, leathery blackberry and chocolate flavors finish long and with modest tannin-driven clamp.
Soft, light, fresh and zippy. This quintessential and very refreshing light white wine hints at citrus, arugula and pepper notes and presents a light-footed, invigorating mouthful.
Alert but a bit yeasty on the nose, with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and green herbs filling things out, this is weighty and mature, with acidity to spare but also some creaminess to the palate. Briny, salty flavors of orange, tangerine and lime finish long and reflective of the Pacific Ocean, which isn't far from the vineyard that yielded this new-to-the-market SB.
Aromas of dark plum, blue flower and dark cooking spice lead the nose and follow through to the robust, spicy palate along with notes of licorice, tobacco and mocha. Mouth-puckering tannins support the juicy fruit. There's noticeable warmth of alcohol.
Waiting to release this wine greatly benefits the experience, with inviting aromas of blueberry pie and perfectly roasted meat emerging. There still are strong tannins, but they're more digestible, with flavors of red and light purple fruits, violet, mocha, and plum skin.
Cherry, strawberry and boysenberry fruit tones dance on the nose and mouth of this ripe, attractive wine. Shadings of bramble and sweet spice add depth to the fresh and lively palate, ending clean and mouthwatering. Drink now–2016.
Inviting hints of crushed blueberry and blackberry show the slightest overtones of smoke. The palate is smooth, with still slightly crunchy but ripe tannins that provide a pleasant framework for the refreshing berry fruit. A ripe, appetizing medium-bodied red with a welcome streak of freshness.
Ripe green pear and a leafy, savory edge of watercress with a phenolic dimension on the mouthfeel create a rich and concentrated wine. The rounded palate demands food.
Meaty, earthy aromas of mixed berry fruits show a fair amount of wood. The palate is ripe and blocky, with black-fruit flavors, primarily blackberry and plum, accented by a noticeable herbal element. Toasty and spicy on the finish, this is a commendable value-priced Carmenère.
Abundant pear fruit, both green and yellow, with yellow plum thrown in, provides an immensely fruity core that is tightly corseted by zesty citrus for a wonderful and lasting contrast.
This robust wine opens with aromas of spiced plum, clove and a balsamic note. The spicy palate offers prune, dried blackberry, red currant and ground pepper alongside hearty tannins. A marked licorice note signals the close.
Winemaker Scot Covington trained with Merry Edwards and his prowess with Pinot shows through in this spicy, structured release, adorned in plum and dark cherry fruit. The finish is grippy and marked by a pronounced and inviting nuance of earthy forest floor.
Bold and spicy, this is a soft, round wine. It is ripe with berry fruits and crisp with acidity. While it only hints at the structure of Touriga Nacional it does have a rich, warm character that makes it ready to drink now.
Melon and ripe pear flavors give some richness to this lightly citrus flavored wine. With attractive acidity, it is crisp, clean and tangy at the end. Drink now.
Plum and cherry aromas are earthy and generic. This wine feels pinched and high in acidity. Flavors of tart plum and berry fruits are racy, while a long, salty, tannic finish is pushed by crisp acidity.
Light but relatively interesting aromas of black cherry, oregano, dill, pipe tobacco and cedar show shyly on the nose of this bottling. The shaved cedar is strong on the palate that is light in mouthfeel, and shows the same notes as the nose.
Bouncy berry and cherry aromas are more or less standard for basic Garnacha. This wine feels a bit gummy and grabby, but not sticky. Lightly herbal, minty dark-berry flavors finish herbal, chocolaty and a touch green.
Rosés are an extreme rarity from this blazing hot appellation. This blend of Cabernet Franc (80%) and Mourvèdre is pale peach in color and offers notes of herb, cereal and strawberry. The palate drinks off dry with weighty somewhat ponderous fruit flavors that seem to get bogged down but still provide enjoyment.
Baked pineapple and mango rise to the fore in this nutty, slightly grassy and herbal wine. It's lightly bodied and creamy in texture.
A totally ready-to-drink wine that is full of bright red fruits and crisp acidity. It has some soft tannins and a dry edge, though the wine just bursts with fruit. Drink now.
This wine has a pronounced nose of flowers and bright tropical fruit, followed by fruit-forward flavors of nectarine and lemon. The wine is a bit showy but a mineral finish gives it poise.
The wine is bright and fruity. It has crisp acidity and a light touch of citrus to go with the lively acidity. Its blend brings out the herbal flavor of Colombard with just a touch of honey from Gros Manseng. Drink now.
Citrusy aromas of lemon rind and lime juice are sharp but welcoming, enhanced by white pepper and Gala apple flesh. Flavors are broad with apples and more lemon rinds, made intriguing with a touch of herbs including fresh-plucked thyme.
Slightly strange aromas of horseradish, mustard, buttery oak and dried wood are more out front than fruit scents. This feels big, rugged and grabby, while saucy, herbal berry flavors play out on a tannic finish.
Fresh tangerine skins scent this zesty dry Riesling. Restrained on the palate with flavors of pressed apple and pear, it's not a deeply concentrated wine but refreshing and brisk.
Fresh and fruity aromas and flavors make this medium-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It has an earthy smell at first, but that blows off quickly. The mouthfeel is smooth, almost sweet. .
Herbal and citrus, this is a crisp, immediately drinkable wine. With its light texture and zing of orange peel, the wine is fruity—so fresh and bright.
This is a bright, cherry-flavored wine. It has an attractive tannic edge to the ready-to-drink fruitiness. The acidity at the end gives the wine a good lift.
With pictures of violinists, this is obviously a musician's wine. The wine is soft, full of red berry fruits, and attractive bursts of acidity. Drink this crisp wine from 2017.
This is an attractive, fruity wine that has soft tannins and ripe fruit. Berry flavors and a full-bodied fruitiness are right up front, while the aftertaste has crisp acidity. Drink Now.
A perfumed and crisp citrus wine that is light and fruity. It is soft and smooth with a light creamy texture and refreshing acidity. Ready to drink.
Made from 30% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, this offers direct cherry, watermelon, peach and citrus notes on the nose and mouth. Light weight and balanced, it's a refreshing and easygoing quaff that finishes briskly.
Muted citrus and white-fruit aromas blend on the nose with briny sea notes. This offers a plump palate and flavors of bitter citrus, salt and pepper. A sense of citrus skins creates pulling tension on the finish.
This dry, medium-bodied wine has lively grapefruit aromas, good acidity to keep it tasting fresh, and a crisp mouthfeel.
This wine was made for grilled meats, with its tobacco and spice aromas and combination of fruit and savory flavors. The wine has an assertive character and finishes with a spin of cedar.
This unoaked Chardonnay offers bright aromas of red apple and white peach, laced with the faintest hint of hay and yellow flower. It's light and zippy on the palate, with a lemon-lime freshness and a green plum flavor that results in a tart and refreshing finish.
This wine brings obvious fruit flavor that is ripe to overripe, good acidity and a nicely gripping texture. It tastes a bit earthy and woody and seems to be plenty mature.
This round yet direct Cava offers stone-fruit aromas that are upright and clean. Simple citrus and nectarine flavors hold steady on the finish.
Citrus peel and mineral aromas set up a zesty palate that doesn't show a lot of weight or body. Mild citrus and apple flavors are maintained on a basic finish. This is fresh, clean and easygoing.
Plum, herb and vanilla aromas lead to easygoing black-currant flavors. It provides a lot of easy drinking appeal.
At first, this smells gaseous and rubbery, but airing reveals ripe blackberry aromas, graphite and warmth. In the mouth, this Mencía is jammy and woody; flavors of resiny, salty black fruits are chunky, while barrel influences carry onto the finish, which tastes of hickory, mixed spices and cassis. Drink through 2017.
This wine offers a tight nose of cherry cola and petrol. It opens on the palate by featuring flavors of smoked meat, eucalyptus, cherry, and ripe peach. Lush tannins contribute a fatty umami sensation to the palate.
Aromas of black cherry, smoked meat and thyme prepare the taste buds for flavors of black cherry, smoked meat, oregano, and lemon zest with notes of dark chocolate. Soft yet persistent tannins coat the palate, culminating in a delightfully bright finish.
Earthy herbal plum and currant aromas are light and a touch minty. This is easygoing and fresh with a medium-size body. Flavors of cherry and raspberry are lightly herbal, with light oak that adds a lactic note to a berry driven finish. Drink through 2017.
Aromas of scorched earth, underbrush, red berry and a whiff of cellar floor lead the nose. On the firm palate, ground pepper, tobacco and sage accent sour cherry while brooding tannins offer firm support.
Aromas of woodland berry, toast, clove and chopped herb emerge in the glass. The palate is still rather closed, eventually giving up raw red berry, coconut, espresso, oak and grilled sage alongside tightly wound, astringent tannins. Give this a few more years to open up. Drink 2018–2024.
This wine has a nose of pineapple and roasted fennel bulb. There is a nice balance of fruit and cool herb flavors, in particular guava, lemon, roasted fennel and a touch of mint. It is slightly waxy in the mouth and cooling herbs remain on the palate until the bright finish.
Aromas of charred earth, forest floor, truffle, sage and mature berry lead the nose. The brawny palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and tobacco alongside tightly packed tannins. You'll also notice the heat of evident alcohol. Give the tannins a few more years to unclench then drink to capture the remaining fruit richness.
Nicely textural, this propels its black-cherry fruit into a tasty finish. The wine spent 16 months in French oak, yielding grace notes of coffee grounds, cola and a dash of mocha.
This single-vineyard cuvée brings bold red fruit backed with steely minerality. After 14 months in 50% new French oak, the barrel flavors remain unintrusive, allowing pretty aromas of roses, raspberries, cherries and chocolate to emerge. It's drinking well already, and should continue to shine through 2026.
Alluring aromas of rose, iris, menthol and woodland berry waft out of the glass. The straightforward, polished palate offers ripe cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside fine-grained tannins.
A lacy spray of sweetness extends from start to finish on this fruity, fresh Kabinett. Fresh apple, pear and tangerine are honeyed and lip smacking, energized by a streak of lemonade acidity on the finish.
Dark in color, this Mencía smells of turned earth, roots, herbs, dried cheese, tobacco and baked black fruits. It's round and chunky on the palate, but cobbled together at its foundation. Ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors come with vanilla and creamy notes in front of an ephemeral finish. Drink through 2017.
Subtle honeysuckle, orange and apricot aromas lead to nicely tangy fruit flavors, medium body and good crisp acidity. This is a well-balanced, vibrant and refreshing wine.
Papaya and stone-fruit aromas are fleshy and a touch green and grassy, giving way to dustiness upon airing. This feels spritzy and good, with a full complement of golden apple, white grape and green plum flavors. Solid, stony and minerally on the finish, with a hint of tropical fruit flavor.
A silky texture without much tannin, and vivid fruit flavors combine for a smooth and satisfying wine. It smells like fresh berries and cherries, and tastes on the light side as the fruit nuances mingle. Medium bodied, this is a pleasure to drink now. This blend was made from 49% Zinfandel, 20% Charbono, 20% Carignane and 11% Petite Sirah.
This is a classic style of Cabernet that should improve with age. It smells like pencil shavings, tobacco and cedar, and tastes like dark chocolate and black cherry, while feeling very firm on the palate. It has fine-grained tannins, and a lingering dark chocolate and cherry finish. It will be best after 2018.
Brisk and bright, this delicately framed Pinot Noir offers both elegance and thirst-quenching quaffability. It's fresh and primary, bursting of raspberry and blossom, but finishes suprisingly long with a murmur of feathery tannin. Drink now.
The spicy aromas resemble black pepper and anise. Fruit flavors are ripe and delicious, and the creamy texture seems to melt in the mouth. This wine offers lots of personality and very good balance.
This tight and steely wine is fresh with crisp fruits and a strongly herbaceous character. It offers gooseberry, grapefruit and intense, youthful acidity that needs to calm down. Give this very young wine until the end of 2016.
Fresh apple, pear and lemon flavors have a crystalline edge in this just-off-dry example of Elbling, an unusual white variety grown in the Mosel. It's zesty and spry, finishing with a delicious murmur of lime-pith bitterness. Drink now.
Spicy, meaty flavors like black pepper and beef broth blend with substantial fruit flavors in this medium-bodied, dry and rather sophisticated wine. It's almost a meal in itself, and well-balanced.
A dark-red color, aromas like dark chocolate, flavors recalling black cherry, and a dry rather than sweet taste make this a great wine for a special meal. It has layers of fruit, a bit of smoke, and lots of fine tannins that pile up for a rich mouthfeel and lingering finish.
Light fleshy aromas of peach and apricot lead to a tight juicy direct palate with pure, unadulterated flavors of pineapple, tangerine and apple. A crisp stony finish is fresh and in fine shape. This is a textbook racy Albariño to drink right away.
Aromas of resin, nail polish, overripe plum steeped in spirits, oak and a confectionary note lead the way. The warm palate displays ripe black cherry, cocoa, anise and a whisper of licorice framed in velvety tannins. Drink through 2026.
Tropical with notes of gingerbread and vanilla, this wine tastes full bodied despite its medium level of alcohol. It offers a reduced note on the finish, anchored otherwise in sweet toffee.
Menthol, mature black currant, eucalyptus, espresso and clove aromas lead the nose. On the austere palate, ground pepper and licorice accent mature black cherry while assertive, close-grained tannins leave a firm finish. Drink after 2020.
This is a highly unusual blend of Marsellan and Touriga Nacional, and it smells reduced, lemony and like cola and coffee. The mouthfeel is grating, with sandpaper tannins. Odd, herbal, citrusy notes infiltrate core blueberry flavors, while the finish is hard as nails and tannic to an extreme. Only 200 cases made.
Banana flavors spoil this otherwise attractive and fruity wine. A dry core of tannins is surrounded by creamed banana and red fruits. Drink now.
Initially, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo smells vegetal, although the nose settles on saucy tomato and bell pepper. Fairly raw and astringent on the palate, this tastes like pizza in a glass, meaning basil, oregano and tomato flavors are dominant. The finish is mildly green but feels right.
Light and fruity, this is full of strawberries. The wine has a fresh character with a light touch of pepper and spice. It's attractive, bright and ready to drink.
Rather aggressive tannins and distinctly earthy scents of tomato leaf and vegetation characterize this modest effort. It's chewy and herbal, with little indication of fruit ripeness.
A good, basic wine, this has a mix of fruity and vegetal aromas, tart cherry and watermelon flavors, firm texture with moderate tannins, medium body and a slightly astringent finish.
This is a soft wine, light and fresh. It has a citrus character, lemon squeezed over apples that give crispness. Some minerality to the texture adds interest and puts the wine in the food-friendly category. Drink now.
This Chardonnay from Marcel Grillet's horse-plowed biodynamic vineyard called Pizay is still very young, showing a candy, confected flavor that needs to calm down. It has the potential for attractive fruit from 2016.
This wine is lean, based more on acidity and structure than on fruit. It has hints of red-cherry flavors although they ought to be more developed. It leaves a smoky aftertaste.
With its bright pink color and fruity acidity, this is a candy-flavored, crisp wine. It is as bright in its flavors as it is in its color. It is light and ready to drink.
This is a broad, earthy wine showing black fruits and a rich aftertaste. It has spice, juicy acidity and tannins in the background. The fruit is verging on overripe, giving a jammy aftertaste.
Pungent, sweaty aromas of nettle and cactus are sharp and muddled. This feels citric and alert, with an oily sense to the palate feel. Flavors of pink grapefruit turn pithy and bitter in front of a chalky finish.
This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.
Yellow in color, this blend of 80% Macabeo and 20% Sauvignon Blanc smells waxy, with notes of lanolin, peach and papaya. It's sharp and fairly austere on the tongue, with tart, lemony flavors that end pithy, citric and slightly bitter. Drink immediately.
Cherry and plum aromas are aggressive. This energetic Malbec is beyond snappy and juicy, while salty plum and currant flavors are racy and edgy. A briny aftertaste and peppery spice flavors dominate a tough finish.
A basic, light-bodied red, this has earthy and raspberrylike aromas, a firmly tart and slightly tannic texture and lean fruit flavors like cranberry. Its tangy and appetizing mouthfeel is the best attribute.
This is a soft, rounded and ripe wine. Attractive raspberry fruits are filled out with a light tannic character. The freshness and acidity do cut the full texture although perhaps not enough. Drink now.
Light and clear in color and texture, this wine is both slightly sour and sweet, swerving between savory leather and clove notes and a more ripe aspect of black cherry and strawberry.
Aromas of cured ham and funky, gaseous notes are heavy. Lime, mango and melon flavors persist on a chunky, slick feeling finish. This is good but oily and strange on the nose.
A blend of modest floral and mustard aromas makes for a quiet bouquet. Chalky and acidic in feel, this Malvasia-Viura blend tastes of tart peach, lemon and mustard. A stony feeling, borderline sour finish is angular and grabby.
This is a fruity wine showing a touch of wood aging alongside juicy red fruit flavors. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, this wine has a bright youthful color and fresh acidity at the end. Drink now.
Initial stalky aromas are low on freshness and vitality, and with time, this blend of Macabeo and Chardonnay smells more artificial and soapy. Round on the palate, it tastes fairly bitter and pithy, with a modest white-fruit character that makes a soft impression.
This medium-bodied wine is dry and crisp, showing light dried herb, celery and nut aromas. Lively citrus flavors are tinged with earthiness and a tangy texture.
Earthy, wet-stone aromas and very tart flavors make for a lean, dry character in this light-bodied wine. The aroma and initial flavor are sharp and smoky and the texture is a bit rough.
Gaseous aromas are thick and upfront, with a hint of lychee. This tastes and feels pithy, with a heavy skins component that causes bitterness. Amid that, this dry Muscat tastes soapy, with an oddly floral finish.
Grassy and dull, this white tastes diluted and is lacking in flavor. The few decipherable notes lean toward fresh-cut lime.
This young winery has made huge strides with its red wines, as this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates. Young, tight, tart, and expressive, it takes the cranberry and cassis components from cool-vintage, cool-climate grapes, and turns them into a complete and complex wine. High acid, with well-integrated nuances of mushroom, earth, and smoke.
This wine may lack the dramatic power of its top-flight brethren, but it still satisfies, delivering reasonably complex notes of cherries, rhubarb and olive carried by silky tannins and moderate alcohol. Drink this terrific value over the next year or two.
Opens with horsey, leathery aromas that are funky and wild, but are surrounded by solid berry-fruit scents. Picks up steam on the palate, which is easygoing, solidly built and just firm enough. Tastes of blackberry, cola, spice and chocolate, then finishes smooth and creamy.
This Chenin seems to have an older soul than its peers, with mature notes of honeyed almond and sweet spice that infiltrate the Anjou pear and hard peach flavors. Citrus pith adds a touch of bitterness to the otherwise toasty, sweet spice-infused finish.
Clean, pure and uncomplicated on the nose, showing depth and clarity. Smells and tastes much like a good Malbec or Cabernet might; it's sweet and fruity, with black cherry, pastry, baking spices and a certain rubbery quality that seems to come with Bonarda. On the money for this variety.
Not the darkest, biggest or richest Shiraz to ever come out of Australia, this is nevertheless a delightful wine. A green peppercorn note accents red raspberry and cherry fruit, with just a hint of vanilla in the background. Drink it over the next year or two.
A meaty, bulky, earthy style of Ribera with smoky, charred, new-oak aromas setting up a reduced-seeming palate with roasted, sweet flavors of black fruits and cured meats. Feels rich, sticky and candied on the finish. Needs a couple of years to knit together; may improve with bottle age.
Deep purple in color, with a dense, compact bouquet showing ripe blackberry, density and heat. Full-force on the palate, with drying tannins along with prune, blackberry, licorice and peppery flavors. Serious and tannic, with richness, extract and power.
This wine almost quivers with freshness when first sniffed, it's so vibrant and citrusy. Then it broadens out nicely on the palate, delivering ripe melon and apple flavors and ample weight. Drink it now and over the next few months.
A screwcapped, Rhône-style white, blends 43% Viognier, 39% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne in a tightly wound, fresh, lively wine. Spicy apple and pear fruit flavors run into a medium long finish with some near-term aging potential.
This has a soft entry, its fruit beginning to show secondary flavors of bakery pastries. Mulberry and prune, soft and spicy, make for a pleasing, accessible wine that finishes with a lick of cinnamon. It is already drinking well.
Opens with grainy, whispy aromas of reedy raspberry and smoky blackberry. Feels tannic and aggressive, so it punches ahead with lively, firm flavors of raspberry, plum and strawberry. Finishes oaky, with vanilla and dill notes. Bold Rioja to drink now.
Fusion blends 79% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah, 5% Zinfandel and 1% Alicante Bouschet a delicious case in point. Gamy, with flavors of dark earth, thick blackberry jam and dark plum, it's the tobacco kicker on the finish that'll bring you back.
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 20% Merlot has a fruity nose, the Syrah's leathery-ness is quite strong, surrounded by raspberry sweetness and red cherry from the Cab and Merlot. Although it's been in bottle some time, the finish is grippy and strongly tobacco-infused.
Initially fresh, with a creamy, white-fruit texture, this has acidity, but it finishes fat and rather hot, with pepper.
Lots of charred oak and leathery fruit start it out, and then you get runaway berry flavors and screechy, almost grabby tannins. It finally settles and smooths out with airing, but requires too much compromise on the part of the drinker. Has its good points but not enough of them.
Dusty and peppery aromas alert you to the fact that this will be a lean, tight ride. The palate delivers on the promise, showing tart cherry and raspberry flavors in front of a wave of vanilla on the choppy, acidic finish. Decent fruit and clean, but lean and clipped.
At 70% Garnacha and 30% Tempranillo, this hold-over from the sketchy 2002 harvest starts with an odd blend of clove and shaved wood notes, while the palate pushes basic cherry and tangy raspberry flavors.
No doubt this is meant to be a slightly more serious attempt at sparkling wine, but it merely succeeds in being pleasant. Obvious citrus and earth aromas add hints of ginger on the palate. It's slightly creamy in texture, finishing clean and fresh.
This black wine is so ripe it's syrupy. Dense aromas of blackberry, raisin, cassis liqueur and perfume push the limit, while licorice, prune, raisin, blueberry and chocolate flavors end in a sticky, slow-moving finish with a lot of weight. This tastes every bit like a warm-climate wine.
This Tempranillo is more traditional than modern. The nose is crisp, with a hint of tomato, clay and dry herbs along with plum and berry aromas. The palate shows proper grip and honest flavors of leafy berry, carob, earth and prune. It's short on the finish but perfectly good overall.
This is a fairly dense and rich wine given the price. The nose deals raisin, plum and cherry aromas in front of a loaded, chewy palate with earthy, slightly flat berry and rubbery flavors that are accompanied by low-level acidity. Don't wait long to drink this generous value wine.
The Hospices de Saumur is a charitable foundation, with the Clos Cristal one of the donations of vineyards. This young, fruity 2011 shows some rough, rustic edges while also giving full, red berry fruits and some tight tannins. For aging over the next 2–3 years when it will smooth out.
Broad on the palate and seemingly even a bit warm in alcohol, this lacks the spine and concentration of the Art Series bottling yet still remains a bold, authoritative example of Margaret River Chardonnay. Apple, pear and melon notes all swirl together before finishing in a whirl of smoke. Drink now.
An oak-driven blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Petite Sirah with notes of vanilla and woodspice sitting atop concentrated dark cherries, stewed raspberries, and white pepper leading to a vanilla filled finish.
The nose on this basic Sauvignon is likeable, with moderate citric bite and zing. It's smooth and tasty in the mouth, with lime, tangerine, passion fruit and minerality. A cleansing, smooth finish confirms the wine's quality. It says a lot for the potential of Chilean SB.
One of the many chateaus with vines on the wide valley floor of the Dordogne, this estate has made a lightly extracted wine that has chocolate as well as blackberry stalkiness. There's freshness as well, with fruit acidity that cuts through the mineral texture. Drink from 2018.
The smoky aroma and toasty wood character smothers the fruit. It is a tough wine at this stage although it does hint at some of the 2012 juicy fruit flavors. Drink this firm, solid wine from 2018.
This smoky wine has firm tannins and a tough core. The juicy fruit is taking its time to develop, although it will give the wine density and ripe berries in time. The vineyard, created in the early 1980s is now at peak maturity. Drink from 2017.
Swathes of fresh tarragon lend a green, herbal tone to cassis and black plum flavors in this pretty wine. Penetrating, grippy tannins are jolting on the finish, underlining a tight, brisk finish.
One of Bordeaux's more memorable labels (orange nymphs supporting a picture of the chateau), Saransot-Dupré is one of a number of chateaus in Listrac with the Dupré suffix. This is a solid wine, chunky in a typical way for the appellation with plenty of black fruits and balanced tannins. Drink from 2017.
Juicy and fruity with acidity and black currant fruits, this wine comes from a vineyard on slopes at the entrance to Saint-Émilion. It's bright and fresh with lively, easy fruits and soft tannins. Drink from 2017.
This single-vineyard wine offers wild blueberry with vanilla and herb accents. It's full bodied and high-octane in feel with the flavors running straight down the fairway.
Grass and gooseberry are prominent on the nose and palate in this crisp SB, bright in dialed-high acidity. That sense of vibrant freshness mellows somewhat midway through the wine, allowing it to finish with a lushness on the tongue.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot shows an uneasy mix of green coffee bean, cherry, char and meaty notes. The cherry flavors are medium bodied backed by a wall of firm, dry tannins.
Herbal and foresty up front, this Bordeaux blend smells of fig, caramel and berry fruits. Big, tannic and chunky on the palate, this has toasty, chocolaty, burnt flavors and a blackened finish. This offers a lot of power and fruit but it's brusk.
Neutral on the nose except for a whiff of apple, this is a wine to drink now. A round, pulpy palate is balanced by citric acidity, while waxy flavors of baked apple and peach finish briny and round, with a hint of green banana.
An unidentified mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from throughout the county, this is a smoky, leathery expression of sanguine black and red fruit that's approachable and easygoing. The finish has a bittersweet note of chicory.
Leafy underbrush, fennel, hay, savory herb and dried berry aromas come together in the glass. The palate lacks fruit richness but offers raw red berry, espresso, dried sage and anisette alongside astringent tannins.
This straightforward wine from the Riboli family portfolio goes down very easy, making it perfect for backyard barbecues. Cherries, dried rose petals and anise greet the nose. The palate isn't too complex, but delivers dark red fruits and pepper spices.
This smells oaky and tastes ripe and pure, like crushed blackberries and raspberries. It feels plush and smooth in the mouth, finishing on the soft side. While medium bodied, it has just a touch of tannin to balance the ripeness and make it appetizing to drink.
This opens with aromas of toasted oak, black plum, graphite and grilled sage. The palate offers dried cherry, prune and dried tobacco leaf alongside extremely astringent tannins that completely dry out the mouth.
Oodles of black cherry and boysenberry fill the aromas and flavors of this bold but not-too-big wine. The rich, ripe fruit shows right away in the nose, and continues on the palate but gets reined in a bit (in a good way) by a firm texture created by good acidity and tannins.
Aromas of cured meat, stewed fruit and toasted oak lead the nose. On the ripe palate, notes of powdered sage, vanilla and oak spices accent fleshy black plum. Bracing tannins provide the framework, but drink soon to capture the fruit richness.
Berry and plum aromas are spicy and saucy, with secondary notes of tomato and oregano. Snappy on the palate, this live-wire Malbec is a bit aggressive and acidic. Toasty oak and mint flavors accent fresh red-berry fruit prior to an energetic yet woody finish that's raw feeling but fair.
A blend of 60% Vermentino and 40% Viognier, this presents a delicate fragrance of honeysuckle and stone fruit. The bright palate offers creamy white peach and tangerine, with a candied ginger note on the close.
Figs and spice perfume this tawny Cabernet Franc ice wine. It's a bit rustic in style, evoking layers of fallen leaves and potpourri melding with dusty raisins and figs. But it's elegantly crisp and the exotic, uniquely spicy character is seductive.
This moderately aromatic wine conveys Red Hots, baking spices and red fruit. It's on the lighter side of medium bodied, soft yet full of drawn-out blue-fruit flavors on the finish.
Aromas suggest toast, mocha, vanilla, dark-skinned fruit and a whiff of burnt matches. The oak-driven spices carry over to the palate along with a licorice note but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins provide the backbone.
This wine hails from Lawrence and Antoine Creek vineyards and was barrel-fermented in new French oak before being moved to stainless steel. It starts out quite reduced and then opens to show notes of peach, pear and mineral. It's rounded and lightly oily in feel, tapering on the back half.
This opens with a pretty floral fragrance of acacia, Spanish broom and chamomile. The palate doles out white peach and tangerine zest alongside fresh acidity.
Soft, sweet rosé, with a caramel and sugared strawberry character. A light wine for those who want less alcohol than is found in a white Zinfandel.
Slightly feral, with baked fruit notes alongside hints of coffee grounds. Disappointing; lacks freshness.
Tan in color and bland as a whole, with vanilla and pear aromas that do little to allure or entice. Strained and pickled tasting, with a heavy, overdone overall style. Pushes the definition of “acceptable.”
Sauvignon Blanc has never been a focus at Kumeu River, and this is an overly lean, green and underripe rendering.
Smells strange, as if juniper berries were blended with tomato and weedy red fruits. Scratchy and herbal in the mouth, with game and other oddball flavors. Finishes gummy and confected, with a final blast of green herbs and weeds.
Heavy and soupy in its current state. This is one chunked-out white wine that is barely hanging on with flavors of papaya and dried-out peach. Has lost whatever freshness it may have had.
Green and funky smelling, with a grassy, tomato character. Sticky and unctuous on the palate, with a strange, weedy set of red fruit flavors. Finishes creamy and weak; barely acceptable but still not fresh or well balanced.
Oxidized and mute, with mushy, nutty flavors and a similar finish. An underperformer that lacks freshness, purity and character.
Overly perfumed, with burnt notes, wayward sulfur and acridness at the wine's core. The palate is fleshy and low in acidity, with bitterness to the white fruit flavors that are none too clean. Offers very little that's redeeming.
Cedarville is loved for its Syrah and Grenache but it can expertly handle its estate Zinfandel too—grown at 2,500-foot elevation—This smoky, raspberry-wrapped, silky wine is full of big, round mountain tannins yet somehow manages to be light on its feet on the finish. Have it with sticky ribs.
Aromas of pencil shavings, marzipan and jammy berry are sweet and slightly candied. Flavors of Bing cherry, raisin, licorice and citrus peel are forward and tight, while the finish is long and flavorful, with some acidic tang. Lively despite a mild raisiny quality. Drink now through 2013.
Hawk and Horse have managed to make a delicious Cabernet from a challenging vintage. Dark, earthy flavors of cedar, spice and blackberry, are enriched with plenty of smoothness and structure to give it that extra something special. Made by winemakers Dick Peterson and Scott Harvey from a certified-Biodynamic vineyard with rocky red soil at 2,200 feet above sea level.
Packed and concentrated, with blueberry, blackberry, bramble and pastry aromas. Initially, it's jumbled and out of joint, with jumpy acids and heavy flavors of blackberry, grilled meat and herbs, while on the finish, the fruit fades quickly, leaving weight, resin and vanilla.
Opens with cassis, black cherry, blackberry and dusty aromas that suggest leather. Feels healthy, with blazing acidity propelling dark fruit, toast and vanilla flavors. Juicy on the finish due to semisharp acids, with length and liveliness.
Tart and juicy, with crisply-rendered berry and plum fruit flavors. As with all the Smasne wines, the oak is a large presence, here adding a striking note of clove. The tannins hint at a slight green streak, but the overall balance is fine.
From Dwelley vineyard grapes, this barrel-fermented Viognier offers appealing toasty fruit coated in buttered nut goodness. Meyer lemon and stone fruits, dusted with cinnamon, give it a French pastry sort of finish, though it is completely dry.
Shows some of the warmth of the vintage in its elevated alcohol levels and high-toned fruit. It's full-bodied and supple, with flavors of brandied plums and baking spices. Drink it over the next few years.
Expect ripe and open fruit from this Faiveley owned vineyard in Mercurey. The wine tastes soft, the tannins well integrated into the ripe cherry and berry fruits. It could age, but it is ready to drink now.
Just an edge of butter gives this wine roundness and extra richness. Along with this character comes ripe peach fruit, lifted with acidity. Ready to drink. Screwcap.
This is a classically styled Coonawarra Cab, with ample cassis, cedar and mint wrapped up into a balanced, well-proportioned whole. The Katnook style favors silky tannins over power, making this elegant Cabernet one to drink over the next several years.
Round, ripe and quite pretty cherry fruit flavors, showing a hint of loam and a briny note. Tannins have smoothed out, and the length is better than average. Score could improve with further bottle age.
This 60-40 blend combines Shiraz's blackberry fruit with Cab's slightly herbal notes to make a pretty marriage. It shows enough firmness to stand up to rich, fatty meats now, or to sustain it through up to a decade of cellaring.
Dusty dark cherry and blackberry fruit dominate the nose, with secondary aromas of game, peppery spice and tobacco. The dark fruit character continues on the palate, transitioning into the finish, which is laced with hints of mocha and spice. Medium weight, with nice vibrancy in the mouth. Drink now-2015.
Pretty to sniff, with aromas of lemon, fresh white fruits and minerals. Feels crisp, chiseled and racy, with blazing acidity propelling green apple, lime, green melon and saline flavors. Long on the finish. Drink now.
Supple but structured, this is only the third vintage for Felton Road's Cornish Point Pinot and it is really starting to hit its stride. Touches of hickory smoke and mocha accent the dark plum and savory fruit, finishing long, spicy and with a note of brown-sugar sweetness.
As classy a bottle as you might expect from veteran winemaker Laurent Montalieu. Once again the fruit is crystal clear, setting up fresh pear, green apple and pink grapefruit flavors against crisp, juicy acidity. The finish is lively and spicy.
This is a medium-dry Riesling with plenty of weight and richness, but also wonderfully perfumed aromatics of citrus blossom. Lime and green apple fruit carries the palate, and finishes long, with an almost tactile sense of minerality.
Still quite young yet unmistakably lush, this bottling immediately shows fresh apples, white peach and plenty of new oak from 100% barrel fermentation. The lip-smacking acidity keeps fruit and oak in balance; all that is needed is a bit more bottle age. Decant it if you plan to drink it immediately.
Gibbston is the coolest of Central Otago's subregions, and this wine reflects that in its delicate floral and herbal notes, even a touch of rhubarb. But there's also ample cherry fruit and a wonderfully lacy, silky texture. Long and crisp on the finish. Best from 2012–2018.
A genuinely attractive, well-made old vines red with earthy, minerally aromas along with violet petal and blackberry. The palate has a fine feel to it, depth and complexity, while flavors of dry berry and baking spices work wonders. Dry, pure and long on the finish, and really quite excellent for a vino de tierra. Drink now through 2014.
Dense and heavy, and maybe a touch dull on the nose in terms of fruit aromas. But once it hits the palate the wine shines with intense black fruit, sugar beet and chocolate flavors. The finish is toasty and warm, with saturation and texture. Almost over the edge as far as ripeness, but not quite. Drink now through 2012.
This soft and seductive wine is reminiscent of a good Chassagne-Montrachet from a relatively warm year. It has the same ripe, lightly tropical fruit, inflected with citrus and buoyed by firm acidity. The use of oak is restrained, the balance perfect, and the finish long and satisfying.
Powerful scents mix dried herb, wet grass and petrol—it could be mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc in a blind tasting, and it has that much density and extract. The label says dry, and it is certainly that, much in the Australian style. Big, concentrated, high acid and quite cellarworthy.
While not strictly part of the Haut-Médoc Château Cambon la Pelouse, this small parcel in Margaux is under the same ownership and vinification. The wine has weight, some solid fruit, with the wood adding polish but not dominating. A well-structured wine for medium-term aging.
The best of this year's crop of Saint Clair Pinots is the Pioneer Block 4, which boasts dark and mysterious aromas of damp earth and ripe plums. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with hints of mocha emerging on the supple finish. Drink now–2015.
Deep purple in color, with roasted, rubbery aromas of wild blackberry. Thick, lush and rich in the mouth, with mellow tannins (for a Priorat wine) and big, broad flavors of plum, blackberry and herbs. Smooth on the finish, with black tea notes and leftover oak. Has a lot going for it; drink now through 2012.
Bold and striking aromas of mushroom, seaweed and organic funk set this apart from the other Ken Wright vineyard designates. There's plenty of tart, tangy cherry fruit also, though it seems to hit a wall, perhaps due to the recent bottling. This is a wine that could score even higher with additional bottle age.
This is a delight—a supple, polished, ripe and full-throttle Pinot Noir offered at a mid-1990s price. Winemaker Aron Hess keeps the alcohol at 13.5%, the oak a moderate 20% new, and the earthy underpinnings gracefully in check. Lush purple and blue fruits are lightly licked with chocolate; the result is a very satisfying mouthful of wine.
Round, stylish and wholesome on the nose, with wild berry, smoke, spice and not too much obvious oak. The palate is racy and forward, but also offers subtleties including dry fruit, spice, fresh tomato and wild herbs such as thyme and sage. Long and warm on the finish, with vanilla. Drink now through 2015.
Caramel and vanilla aromas, the palate rounded, poised, with pear and green plum flavors, along with lively acidity, filled out with toast.
The Vineyard Select is made only on occasion. As in 2006, the cuvée includes a splash of Petit Verdot. From the extraordinary 2007 vintage, this wine has it all: depth, polish and panache. The richly fruity nose brings on the berries and cherries; they fill the palate and add layers of fig, plum, chocolate and coconut.
From what is always the Grand Cru that develops most quickly, this is a gorgeous, already very drinkable, ripe wine, certainly fresh. Maybe there is a more mineral character than usual, allied to higher acidity.
There is an explosion of ripe yellow fruit here, giving a ripe, tropical feel. Spice, mango, it's quite a powerhouse of flavors. This is a gorgeous, opulent wine.
Selected from barrel tastings, this mineral, vibrant wine demands aging. The flavors are bright white fruits, with a tropical touch, followed by a dense biting texture. Final grapefruit acidity tops this ageworthy wine.
Concentrated and dense, very structured, swathed in sweet ripe plums, dark chocolate, spice and balancing acidity. This is complex, dark, while remaining stylish. For aging over 5–6 years.
Gorgeously impressive wine, super-rich, balanced by acidity, juicy, concentrated red stone fruits, mulberries and dark chocolate. It is a powerhouse of ripe fruit, dark, ready to age for six years and more. One downside: high alcohol.
From old vines, this powerful wine is the epitome of a great Douro red. Its ripe, plum and prune fruits, layered with bitter chocolate, are tinged with acidity. Spice and pepper add to the complexity of this ageworthy wine.
A beautifully smooth wine, with a rich Port-like texture. The dry, firm tannins give the wine impressive structure, although it remains opulent, its dark fruit, cocoa and herbal flavors just breathing the concentration of the Douro.
A mix of small lot-fermented, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, some from Champoux, it's fine-tuned, varietal, loaded with cassis and plum, light toast, and ground coffee. Elegant, proportionate, and a fine expression of a great vintage.
A blend of Shiraz from Eden Valley and the valley floor, this is both amply endowed and impressively complex. The creamy purée of raspberries is dusted with peppery spice and cocoa, leaving a savory impression on the lasting finish. Drink now–2015.
A beautifully crafted, elegant red wine with sharp acidity, violet aromas and dense and wild red fruits. Still compact and young, this vintage and cuvée will need a lot more time to evolve. Deep purple fruits and streaks of earth and licorice and coffee suggest a long life ahead for this baby.
This elegant Elgin white starts with a slightly grassy nose, flecked by aromas of cspice and lemon. The wine's flavors of citrus and spice have a light touch and fruit is balanced by good minerality and acid. A refreshing, easygoing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with seafood and lightly spiced ethnic cuisine.
Warmth and mocha greet you, but dig as you might it's hard to settle on any particular fruit aromas or flavors. There is, however, plenty of cola, rooty flavors and baked characteristics. Finishes almost hot, with sticky tannins and a sprig of green. Drink now through 2009.
If you like a ton of oak, then this may be up your alley. Early aromas of tea and cherry quickly step aside as heavy, toasted wood notes take over. The palate is full and round, with weight, thickness and heavy berry and chocolate flavors. There's some Pinot character here, but put it on the scale and it's going to weigh out on the heavy side. To our taste, it's very New World and clumsy.
Soft, creamy, rounded wine, which seems initially unfocused. But there are some good pear and kiwi flavors. The end, though, is dilute.
This pale yellow Chardonnay begins with aromas of lemon, lime and spice and offers flavors of lush tropical fruit and crisp acids. Balanced and alluring, with a fresh overall feel.
A savory, peppery nose with a touch of jammy spice leads this classy Cabernet, and on the palate, robust, earthy flavors endure. Ageable and full of muscle, this is a big wine with expressive fruit flavors. Pair with strong cheeses, grilled meats.
Out of the gate it smells sharp, sour and murky. But time allows most of that young RDD funk to settle, and what arises is oak, juicy blackberry, herbs and brown sugar. It improves as it picks up speed, but it always has some funk and angularity to it. Big at 14% but not flabby.
Fairly hot and heavy at first, as alcohol blows up your nostrils. But let it settle and you'll get dark, sultry aromas of leather and black plum in front of edgy, mildly citric cassis and red plum flavors. The blend is Carmenère, Petit Verdot and Shiraz, which is not something found on every shelf. Like its Cab Franc-Petit Verdot partner, Anke Blend-2 is good but not great.
Luscious blueberry and blackberry aromas unfold into balanced, easygoing flavors of berry and black pepper spice in this value Shiraz. A touch of acidity adds freshness. A good buy and pleasing everyday choice.
A blend of the local Niellucciu and Sciaccarello grapes, this is a robust wine, with rustic tannins, blackberry acidity and a firm dry core. A great barbecue wine, finishing very fresh with a layer of wood.
Leesy mango and lime aromas are fleshy, but attractive. A plump, juicy palate is holding its own, while flavors of pithy orange and melon end in a friendly, round fashion.
While the nose is demure, suggesting only a hint of muted apple and pear, the sweet-tart palate on this spry wine is full of yellow-cherry flavor. Bracing acidity wraps the finish up tight and brisk.
Clean, simple and fresh on the nose, this is showing aromas of lime and apple cider. The palate is creamy and melony more than sharp and acidic, with leesy pear and apple flavors that finish short but bright. Drink now.
A blend of Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia, this vibrant wine opens with delicate aromas of white flower, tropical fruit and a hint of beeswax. On the palate, creamy white peach is energized by nectarine zest and crisp acidity.
Strawberry and raspberry fruit carry a nice touch of bright spice, notably saffron. Some 30% new French oak was used, and the wine expresses it with highlights of toasted coconut. The wine has medium concentration and length, and will benefit from aggressive aeration.
The nose isn't very expressive but the palate eventually reveals raw red berry, espresso, brimstone and grilled rosemary alongside astringent and rather drying tannins.
This wine is all spice and sweetness. If the sense of terroir is missing, it does offer ripe swathes of apricot and spiced pear flavors lathered with honey. Drink now.
Lemon zest and orchard fruit aromas are accented by notes of toasted popcorn. The medium-bodied palate shows fresh lemon juice and underripe peach tones, with crisp acidity balancing the toasted vanilla finish.
A blend of Nero d'Avola, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this easy-drinking wine opens with aromas of ripe black fruit, blue flower, graphite and whiffs of exotic spice. The round, juicy palate delivers black cherry, blackberry, ground black pepper and charred notes alongside light tannins and soft acidity. Drink through 2016.
Sour cherry and brown sugar aromatics introduce this wine, with comparable flavors that thin out rather quickly. Hints of clay and wet fur show as well. It's an unusual, but interesting, wine that may improve with more bottle age.
Packed with exotic, tropical fruits, this is the essence of Gewurztraminer. It's perfumed, ripe, over the top and spicy. Lychee juice and peppered pears dominate this ready-to-drink wine.
This opens with aromas of toast, dried apricot and nut. The palate offers lemon zest, dried yellow apple and oak-driven spices, but most of the fruit has already dried up. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
Aromas suggest leafy underbrush, oak, vanilla, espresso and ripe berry. The firm palate delivers dried blackcurrant, cranberry, baking spice and toasted oak alongside rather raspy, drying tannins.
Subdued in just-ripe cantaloupe, this light wine dances in lemon, lime and grapefruit, skirting the line between delightful and sour. Midweight, it allows a touch of oak on the back palate to intermingle with the fruit.
Dried fruit and salt are featured prominently in this estate-grown wine, perfumed in aromas that make it seem as though it has more age on it than it does. Herbaceous and robust in hearty oak, it finishes creamy and crisp in tart apple.
Raisin and earth aromas come across a bit baked and bland. Conversely, the palate is choppy and hard, with pointed acidity. Loamy raisin and berry flavors finish oaky, minty and a bit hot and raw, with residual tomatoey acidity.
Still young and tight, this cassis-laden wine has a softness, complemented by herb and dusty tannin. As it opens, more ripeness comes to the fore, almost like grenadine, with a braised meat streak to the aroma.
Herbaceous and earthy, this playfully ponders the juicy delights of soft, red raspberry and black cherry, the wine somewhat silky on the tongue. It finishes consistently and bright in acidity.
Red-fruit aromas of currant and raspberry aren't sophisticated but they are good and fruity. Firm and solidly built, this likeable, easy-drinking blend offers plum, blackberry and raspberry flavors along with a loamy finish that contains a ripe hint of raisin.
This is huge, brawny Zin, given some parameters through its 15 months in oak, the vast majority of which was French and new. Behind the power lies a slight elegance, with a taste of tar and bittersweet chocolate that lingers on.
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, this is softened by the addition of 18% Merlot. Austere and slightly grippy, it is marked on the palate by leather and red plum, finishing in a clash of both.
Light strawberry fruit is heavily cloaked in flavors of butter and toast from eight months in oak. The wood flavors cover but do not entirely mask the bitter herbal notes, and the tannins seem disjointed and not fully integrated.
Honeydew and lychee aromas abound on this very pretty wine. A bit of spice offsets delicate sweetness, and a strike of lemon-lime acidity shines through the finish.
Hannah is a particular block from the winery's Tualatin Estate. In 2012 it ripened to considerably higher Brix than the previous year, yielding a full 2% higher alcohol. Still the impression is of wood, earth, stem and hard red fruits that need further softening. The finish turns a bit chalky.
Two bottles were tasted; the first showing some signs of incomplete fermentation. The wine is lean, grapy and tart—stylistically apart from the other 2012 releases. Though relatively high in alcohol, the flavors don't seem to have the full physiological ripeness you might expect. This may need additional bottle age.
Hard, flat and slightly chemical smelling, with capped, herbal plum and berry aromas. Feels short and tangy, with mossy flavors running alongside green-inflected berry notes. Herbal and choppy on the finish.
While luscious on the nose with ample notes of honey and orange blossoms, this Riesling is surprising dainty on the palate. Sheer and steely with tart, slightly underripe stonefruit flavors, it finishes on a spicy white pepper note.
There's a strong funkiness to this wine, which can be called barnyard or even bordering on Band-Aid, that almost overwhelms the nose and mouth. Black plum and berry flavors struggle for dominance, while spicy oak controls the close.
Starts out heavy and roasted, with herbal, earthy berry aromas settling in. Feels pruney but there's also acidity, while the flavors run herbal and peppery as prune and plum represent the fruit side. Decent but doesn't fully click.
Opens with a blast of oak rendered as bacon and sawdust. Feels bulky, tannic and tight, with saturated wood flavors taking on a heavy hickory accent that overrides what standard red fruit the wine is bringing. Quite woody for a wine of this caliber.
Smells green and leafy, with tomato leaf, oregano and grassy aromas. Feels clampy and biting, with gritty tannins and roasted, slightly bitter flavors of black plum and pepper. Burnt tasting on the finish.
Basic cherry and red plum aromas are simple and fresh. Feels tight and crisp on the tongue, with an average body and edgy flavors of strawberry and red plum. Lightly oaked and hollow on the finish, with juicy acidity.
Sweet and herbal smelling, then firm and tight in the mouth, with clampy tannins and generic, dark flavors of black plum and berry. Feels a little reduced and heavy on the finish.
Opens with sweet milk chocolate and candied aromas that don't seem totally natural. Feels drawn down, with standard red berry flavors that get lost rather quickly. Finishes juicy and forward, with acidity balancing off some leftover oak.
A soft wine, with some herbal, pear and kiwi flavors. It has just an edge of sweetness that gives it a soft aftertaste. For drinking now.
A Cabernet of strong olive, oak and cassis aromas, medium in weight with smoky overtones that tastes a bit hotter than it is.
Herbal and reedy like a Cabernet Franc. The oak presence on this Merlot is high and its tannins soft and thick without much to say by the wine's end.
Penfolds' entry-level Chardonnay is a medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine with modest fig and anise notes. Drink up.
Spice and pepper aromas come with hints of green herbs, olive and standard berry fruit. Feels stretched out and grating, with herbal, olive flavors along with green-infused berry and cassis. Herbal on the finish.
The acidity and alcohol are a bit pronounced on the nose, but otherwise this is a drinkable and clean rosé with tart but lively notes of white cherry, rhubarb and cranberry.
Subdued aromas of dark-skinned berry, baking spice, truffle and leather slowly emerge in the glass. The chewy, delicious palate is more expressive, delivering juicy black cherry, raspberry jam, white pepper and a mineral note while firm, refined tannins provide youthful tension. Enjoy through 2020.
The vanilla spice and smokiness of new oak dominates the nose, the palate however is subtle and smooth where dark berry fruit is edged by smoky spice. The fine tannins are still a little drying but there is an underlying juiciness that just spells joy in an elegant fashion. Ready to drink now.
Vanilla and notes of mocha pervade nose and palate: this peppery, ripe and cherry-laden Blaufränkisch has a good dollop of fine oak spice. The generous body counters dill fruit and mellow spice with ample freshness and ripe, pliable tannins. Lovely now but a year or two of bottle age will reveal more of the rich fruit.
Subtle yeast spice plays on the nose of this light-bodied wine and gains far more currency on the peppery, spicy palate. Fruit comes in the form of slender, lemony citrus but the peppery spice fizzes on beneath the surface creating an immensely lively and refreshing wine with real zip.
Ripe and powerfully structured, this is dense with bold blackberry flavors and dark tannins that give a firm structure. However, as so often with 2013, it's the fruit that shines in this rich wine. Drink from 2018.
A thick structure surrounds grilled white peach and candied lemon in this full-bodied, creamy wine. It shows plenty of barrel impact and integration, a style for those who like their whites with some meat on their bones and curves in all the right places.
Fizzing lemon peel and more rounded tangerine unite on the nose but really shine on the palate which is concentrated and fruit-driven with a tangy, mandarin-like richness that sweeps to a clean, joyful finish. This is ultraclean and very racy with a glowing core of tangerine.
The aromas of lees, citrus, almond, melon, apple, spice and butter draw you into the glass. This wine brings a dazzling sense of texture, with fruit and spice flavors dappled throughout.
With a rare if tiny showing for the Blaufränkisch grape (3%), which this estate grows on their Los Olives property, this is a tangy, tart and lean Syrah, with bright cherry fruit, coffee, light menthol, tobacco and cedar on the nose. Aromatic wood flavors of pipe smoke and cigar box show on the palate, along with red cherry fruit, vanilla and sagebrush elements.
Hailing from one of the state's most esteemed vineyards, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc. Jammy aromas of red and black fruit and licorice lead to plush but well-balanced flavors that linger.
Hailing from Slide Mountain and Dineen vineyards, this wine charms with aromas of flowers, toast, clove, cardamom and anise. The pillowy-feeling flavors show richness, depth and detail.
Aromas of mature black-skinned berry, wild mint, dill, coffee and tobacco emerge on this full-bodied red. The round palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, chopped herb and a hint of black pepper framed in velvety tannins while a licorice note closes the finish. Drink through 2023.
This single-vineyard red, made only in top vintages, opens with aromas of steeped prune, anise, Mediterranean herbs, leather, camphor and tobacco. The polished palate offers dried black cherry, fig, licorice, and black pepper. Fine-grained tannins give the finish grip. Drink 2017–2027.
The color is almost black, and lots of dark berry and black pepper aromas come out. This wine's flavors are even more pronounced, tasting peppery, meaty and like boysenberries. Dense ­tannins make the mouthfeel thick and layered. A lingering finish attests to its considerable concentration.
Plush and pillowy in texture and very ripe in flavor, this wine is smooth and delicious. The aromas are plummy and the flavors almost sweet, as subtle oak adds baking spices. Moderate tannins give a little structure while the balance leans to the soft side.
A very closed nose on the palate gives way to zesty citrus notes on a very refreshing, clean and slender palate. With some probing, a little textural spice shows and leads to a fuller notion of lemon and grapefruit zest. The finish is fresh and clean and suggests the merest hint of pear.
The bewildering but utterly enjoyable mix of floral, citrus and herbal hints on the nose is symptomatic for the co-planted diversity of this vineyard. Subtle yeast adds a more sonorous tone on this slender, linear wine that is exemplified by flavors of orange peel and fennel seed and a textured palate.
Dark golden-brown, this dessert offering has whiskey-like aromas, fierce and strong. Described on the bottle as a white dessert wine, there's nothing specific to suggest varietal. Toffee plays around with coffee on the persistent finish.
Made in a heady, voluptuous style, this wine conveys quality from the fruit to the oak, one-third of it new French. Golden honey and apple blossom combine for a floral, powerful and hearty expression on the palate, finishing in crème brûlée.
A wonderful perfume of citrus zest and the subtlest hint of aromatic pine. The palate shines with rounded but zesty citrus and shows immense concentration for such a zippy, slender wine. This is like dancing on a high-wire and terribly animating.
Tight-wound minerality jumps from the glass in this crisp, delightful white, the grapes sourced from the famed Ritchie Vineyard. With just the right amount of richness, it remains balanced and elegant, exhibiting a complex mix of white flowers, crushed rocks and a squeeze of salty lemon.
Wonderfully concentrated and aromatic blueberry mixes with floral overtones of violet and smoky vanilla oak on nose and palate. The body is smooth but has a rather warm finish. But there is a huge amount of luscious, smooth and dense fruit with a natural, crunchy freshness.
While tight and mineral focused, this dry, featherweight Riesling seems to accumulate depth and body with each sip. It's brisk and spry, but a delicious streak of lanolin lends a waxy sheen that amplifies delicate notes of apple, pear and blossom. A strike of zesty lime acidity enlivens the finish. Drink now–2019.
A slightly milky note dampens the citrus flavors on the nose, a similar notion presents itself on the palate. There is lemon freshness and a streak of immense purity at the core, finishing with a slender but definite lemon note. Very clean-cut.
Aromas of cranberry, raspberry, rose hips and green herbs are all high-toned. The red-fruit flavors are elegantly styled and fresh in feel, backed by soft, plump tannins. It shows hang time on the finish. This is a very pretty wine and a unique expression of the variety and vineyard.
From a notoriously tannic grape variety comes this well-polished yet massively concentrated wine. Gorgeous, softly ripe berry and black-fig flavors demand attention from the first whiff to the lingering finish. Delicious to drink now with meat or game, it will age well through at least 2020.
Aromas of tobacco, vanilla and licorice are nicely intermixed with black fruit scents. The palate on this blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère is hard driving and focused. Flavors of plum, currant and spice hold steady across a tannic, mildly abrasive finish. Drink through 2020.
The nose is not forthcoming and the palate only hints very subtly at white pepper and green pear. There is ample freshness on the light palate and the finish is one of pure lemon zest. It is weightlesseness and poise rather than power that convinces here.
The aromas of cedar, fresh dark berries, thyme, garden herbs and flowers provide instant appeal, with woodsy accents following. Lively plum and raspberry flavors back them up, with fine-grained tannins and barrel accents speckled throughout.
Hugely brawny in dark blackberry, plum and cinnamon, this wine packs a punch despite its coastal influence. Black pepper and smoke provide the savory aspect, while cranberry and strawberry the softer, prettier side of the story. Drink now through 2020.
Milla Handley is attempting to make an Alsatian-style wine that is indeed austere, with an almost almond-butter and earthy, mushroom nose that's well balanced between acidity and tropical sweetness and finishes smooth. A suggested pairing with sushi is right on.
This wine has a floral tone in the aroma that is quite lovely, along with strawberry, spice and pepper tones. On the palate, savory waves of spiced meat, balsamic and spice are rounded out by plum and cherry fruit.
Like many Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, this one starts off leafy and pungent, then develops greater depth of white nectarine and grapefruit on the palate. It's plump, medium-bodied and slightly creamy in texture, making it an attractively versatile option.
A bracing, mouth-cleansing style, 100% varietal. Ultracrisp fruit mixes apple, melon and cucumber, then fills out in the middle with pretty herb and grass. The wine resonates, refreshing and textural, begging for food, or at least another glass.
An upright burst of cedar, menthol and molasses on the nose gives this dessert wine a serious edge. On the palate, cinnamon, cigarbox and cedar offer spicy, masculine character. Toasted nut adds to the mix. An intriguing sip.
Produced from young vines, this fresh, fruity wine offers immediate pleasure, with red berries and sweet fruit flavors over a spicy layer of wood and a soft, generous texture.
Tight and reductive when first opened, with a mix of strawberry and raspberry fruit, and a hint of rubber ball. Let this one breathe! It's well-built, the fruit nicely matched to the French oak (two thirds new), and still a baby.
Elegant, aromatic, and expressive in the nose, this blossoms into a pleasing mix of berries, cherries, bark, spice and sassafras. Good acidity, with a lick of chocolate in the tannins and the finish. Though very light for Syrah, this has good balance and length.
Like a freshly picked cherry, all juicy fruit with sweet perfumes and a jammy, ripe character. The wine is soft, open and already accessible.
A dusty, cinnamon-inflected Syrah bursting with blackberries. Persistent flavors play across the palate, with a streak of citrus showing the underlying acidity.
Viognier, Roussanne and Grüner Veltliner mix pleasantly in this newest edition of Syncline's popular Subduction white. Tasted shortly after bottling, it was delightful, though perhaps not yet at its peak. Spicy and aromatic, with melon, herb and lemongrass, and just a whiff of white pepper.
Dark fruit aromas lead a rustic, earthy, smoky bouquet towards a crisp, healthy palate with ample oak that creates a buttery taste to accent dry berry flavors, a light herbal character and pepper. Fresh, solid and well oaked.
Fragrant red and black currant aromas pervade on the nose of this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A lively palate of tart berries and worn leather is supported by chalky tannins and vibrant acidity.
Aromas of lemon-lime soda, ripe nectarine, honeydew and kiwi paint a tropicality that is strong but not overdone. Citrus-driven acidity drives the sharp palate, which also shows flavors of green apple and steel.
Pale straw in color with a faint touch of green, this wine has a nose of lemon blossom and freshly cut grass. Crisp, clean flavors of apple and lemon zest wash over the tongue, culminating in a burst of fresh acidity.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, this wine features an intriguing nose of lemon grass. Flavors of pineapple and Golden Delicious apple mingle on the round palate.
Zesty, tropical aromas are clean and approachable. This is a patio wine with juicy grapefruit and lime flavors. Lean notes of citrus grace a sharp, pointed finish.
Spicy and juicy, this majority Cabernet also contains Merlot, Petit Verdot and Ruby Cabernet, plus a microscopic amount of mixed reds. Aged in American oak, it has soft tannins and flavors of mocha and blackberry, suiting it for many occasions.
Pomegranate, concentrated cola, brown dirt and oregano aromas emerge on the nose of this blend of 41% Zinfandel, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Sangiovese. Light and subtle flavors of raspberry juice, boysenberry, black rocks and chocolate nibs prove pleasant thought not overly complex.
Smooth to the edge of silky, this barrel-fermented wine spent 14 months in French oak. Green apple and butter flavors are foremost, with a light suggestion of fresh herb.
A touch of spritz adds extra zip to this vibrantly youthful Riesling. It's dancingly light on the palate, but sweet yellow-peach and mango flavors penetrate deeply. It's a thoroughly enjoyable sip for youthful consumption at a fantastic bargain price.
This opens with aromas of charred topsoil, resin, leather, game, overripe black-skinned fruit and raisin. The forward palate is equally earthy—a bit rustic even—showing fig, cured meat, carob, steeped prune, fig and a note of bitter almond alongside ripe, chewy tannins.
A blend 80% Vermentino and 20% Chardonnay, this vibrant wine offers aromas and flavors of yellow apple, exotic fruit and yellow peach while an almond note provides backup. It's balanced with bright acidity.
A Zin-based blend with proportions of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah and Malbec, this is a burly, decadent wine, fruity in blackberry and blueberry, with a swaddling of black licorice and chocolate. With restrained oak, it remains full bodied and velvety on the palate, sure to please many palates and low-key dinner nights.
There's a definite ripeness to the bouquet of this wine, with rich scents of mealy melon, peach, strawberry and banana. The palate, however, shows more restraint in flavors of crisp watermelon, firm cherry and citrus peel. Medium acidity lends lift and freshness to the mouthfeel and finish. Drink up.
Savory and fresh, this easygoing, medium-bodied red doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, anise and ground pepper. Round, soft tannins give it immediate appeal.
The family-owned vineyard of Santar is run by Dão Sul. This white has plenty of the mineral texture of the region, along with a rich, fruity character. Orange zest, refreshing acidity and bright pear and green-plum flavors come together. Drink from 2016.
A new wine from the next generation of Barry boys (Tom and Sam), this is a blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a bit herbal, but the bright red-fruit notes win out in the end. Hints of raspberries linger through the finish, whose slightly earthy, gritty tannins would pair well with simple grilled meat dishes—burgers, anyone?
As the name indicates, this limited reserve is a selection of the winemaker's best barrels. It was fermented with 90% whole clusters, and aged 15 months in one-third new French oak. There are ample scents and flavors of stem, leaf and root, which dominate. Give this wine a lot of breathing time or a vigorous decant, which will help to bring the fruit back up.
A hint of menthol infiltrates the red cherry and raspberry fruit core, smelling almost like a cherry Halls. Hints of cherry pit and mineral add intrigue, while lively acidity lends a refreshing feel to the palate and carries through to the mouthwatering finish. Enjoy now.
Woody, exotic spice aromas blend with blackberry and raspberry notes. This has a sturdy but basic feel and proper flavors of black plum, peppery spice and wood grain. A grabby finish with salty black-plum notes closes this out.
This soft, smooth and creamy wine has attractive spice and vanilla from the wood aging, along with light citrus and peach flavors. Ripe and full in the mouth, it has a touch of minerality at the end to give a fine texture. It is ready to drink.
This wine is fruity, with crisp, fresh lemon flavors. It is lightly textured and smooth, with green fruit acidity and a creamy aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
Dainty aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry and peach pit lead the nose of this playful rosé. The palate is light and lively, with flavors of citrus peel and white melon rind that carry through to the mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Purple plums and tangy pie cherries are the fruit focus, in a well-balanced wine that pushes through with precise, acid-backed cut and drive. This leans to the elegant side in terms of style, with excellent balance and proportion.
Unfined, unfiltered and fermented with native yeasts, this is a solid effort with medium concentration that expands with ample aeration. Blackberry and black-cherry fruit is matched to notes of cola and chocolate, with fresh acidity and a pleasing, textural mouthfeel.
Forward and open, this has chocolaty, brambly raspberry fruit, along with pleasant hints of tobacco, vanilla and caramel. It glides through the palate smoothly, finishing with an elegant touch of stem, from 15% whole cluster fermentation.
This is a ripe, tropical take on Alvarinho. The effects of partial malolactic fermentation in wood are there in the round, creamy character of the wine and the lights touch of oak. It is all ready to drink although it will be even better from late 2016.
This elegantly structured white opens with scents of citrus, yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and a light whiff of oak. The polished palate offers yellow peach, apricot, tangerine zest and mineral alongside fresh acidity. A hint of vanilla closes the finish.
The 200-acre Shea vineyard provides fruit to many of Oregon's best winemakers. Here is the estate's own brand, offering up a fragrant, appealing blend from various blocks. Floral highlights, dusty spices, a whiff of cocoa and a streak of nut butter all come into focus around pretty purple fruits. The finish is silky, long and lovely.
A seductive, downright sexy wine, this opens with scents of dried cherries and sandalwood. Those cherry flavors expand inside a frame of dark chocolate. Tannins have a bit of a shell, but ample aeration takes the stiffness out.
This appealing wine demonstrates the exciting potential for Malbec in Southern Oregon. Fresh, zippy acids underscore bright raspberry and black-cherry fruit, framed in chocolate with a dash of sea salt. The finish resonates with lightly applied baking spices and cayenne pepper.
An earthy if slightly reserved nose offers mushroom and iron aromas on this bottling by the single-vineyard experts in Los Gatos. The wine comes alive on the sip, with bergamot, black tea, bay leaves, Greek spice and thyme decorating the woody elderberry fruits.
A bouquet of black cherry, toffee and violet sets the stage for flavors of black cherry, coffee, caramel and soft notes of mint. Acidity and tannins are well balanced, and the appealing finish features bright notes of lightly caramelized fruit and soft touches of mint.
This outstanding Malbec dazzles with scents of tobacco and chocolate, flavors of sour cherry and plum, and impressive concentration and persistence. The flavors gather strength and focus, adding details of lavender and lemon curd, as they roll into a lingering finish.
Tart blackberry and black-cherry fruit is the focus of this medium-density wine with excellent aging potential. The tannins are dusty with black-tea flavors. Put this away for a bit, and drink 2018–2026.
A burly, robust wine from a 1930s planting containing 5% Petite Sirah, this offers lots of classic character. The mix of leather, herb, blackberry and blackberry gives a sense of completeness. Full bodied, it'll stand up well to further aging. Drink now through 2023.
Brick House was one of the first to plant Gamay Noir in the Willamette Valley, and may well be the state's leading producer in terms of quantity. This is loaded with chunky cherry fruit, a penetrating style that simply brings a grin with every sip. Aromatics of root beer, sassafras and hard cherry candy add to the complexity.
This is a high-acid, minerality-driven wine from the wilds of Rockpile. Soft and integrated in terms of oak and tannin, it also possesses a savage touch of grip, a nod to its mountainous heritage and the perils and pleasures of a warm year. Black cherry and a vibrant squeeze of citrus stand out on the palate, providing juiciness and balance.
Lush and buttery smells of cherry pie, caramel, lilacs and blackberry muffins are quite inviting on this block-designated estate wine. Strawberry and ripe raspberry play with croissant flavors on the palate, which is excellent though not quite as decadent as the nose.
The wine is produced from old Alicante Bouschet and Sousão vines both of which contribute to the dark, almost black color. It is concentrated while with considerable acidity, tannins and a mouth- tingling juicy black currant character. The wood-aged, spicy wine needs to age much longer to even begin the round out, so don't drink before 2018.
Lifted, fresh notes of peach on nose and palate somehow manage to pull off a wine of utter freshness that is soft, mellow and rounded at the same time. The peachy fruit pervades the entire palate which has just a smidgeon of residual sweetness and a helpful, balancing edge of pleasant bitterness.
Beautifully ripe and aromatic notions of juicy pear and red apples play on the nose. The palate is more advanced and full of lanolin and chalk notes with a rich texture but absolutely dry. This has a rich but taut, almost balm-like body with concentration. The backbone of lemony freshness pull a tight focus. Ready now, but will develop and drink well until 2020.
Aged in 100% new American oak for 14 months, this big wine shows tobacco, roasted beef and campfire aromas cut by fresh boysenberry fruit and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is packed with flavors, ranging from tart elderberry, smoked meats and graphite to oregano, oak and thyme.
Black cherry, dark plum and charred rubber give this a masculine opening. Generous and layered across the palate, this tastes of blackberry, chocolaty oak and spice. A lasting, tannic finish is loaded with oak and baking-spice flavors. Drink this ripe, delicious bruiser through 2021.
This immense Cabernet contains 3% Malbec, and it's about as ripe and raisiny as a wine can get while still holding onto a semblance of balance. Aromas of raisin and baked blackberry blend with rooty cola and vanilla notes. This feels heavy to the point of syrupy, while flavors of prune, mocha and blueberry finish chunky, with low acidity. Drink through 2019.
This wine opens with a strong aroma of oak and vanilla-toffee-caramel. The plethora of richness gives way to tropical pineapple and ripe, baked apple, revealing a spear of minerality just in time to keep the decadence from getting messy.
This is a seriously impressive, ripe and powerful wine. Boasting rich fruits, black plum and berry flavors and concentrated acidity, it also has a dark, solid structure. Still young, this shows boisterous acidity and needs to soften and fill out further. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
Aromas of cream, baked croissant, lemon custard and dried apricot characterize the nose of this offering from the winery's estate vineyard just below the Santa Lucia Highlands. The palate packs lemon-buttered toast, roasted almonds, seared green apples and a cement element into a strong bottling.
Oatley Wines, based in eastern Australia, sources a few bottlings from out west, like this flagship Cabernet. Cedar, tobacco and cassis mingle easily on the nose and palate, while the texture is supple, turning to silk on the long finish. Drink now–2028.
A terrific value if you can find it (alas, only 150 cases were imported), this is full bodied and richly textured, marrying hints of peppery spice with grilled lavender and rosemary that perfectly season the beach cherry and mocha flavors. It's stout, tannic and mouth coating on the finish, ideal for matching with roasts or steaks. Drink 2018–2025.
Here's a winning combination of succulent, ripe and tangy cherries, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a lingering lick of caramel. It's 100% estate-grown, fermented with native yeast and aged 10 months in 28% new French oak.
Tomato vine, mango, pink grapefruit and papaya aromas take center stage and carry over to the elegant palate along with notes of flint, chopped mint and sage. Lively acidity carries the fruit and herb flavors while a saline note closes the tangy finish.
Like many Cafayate Cabs, this shows raw, herbal aromas that add rusticity to red-fruit scents. The palate is tight and juicy for the most part, with a touch of oaky creaminess. Flavors of roasted plum and berry fruits come with vanilla, brown sugar and oak accents, while the finish is a bit grating.
A gentle undertone of clay soils permeates this delicate effort. Raspberry and rhubarb flavors are light and slightly peppery, and the low alcohol keeps everything in proportion.
Solosole is a lovely Vermentino with floral and stone fruit aromas aromas accented by Mediterranean herbs. The palate delivers ripe peach and citrus flavors that are balanced by crisp acidity. Pair this with grilled chicken.
This creamed-apple flavored wine is soft, smooth and ripe. It has a dense texture, concentrated structure and rounded corners attractively touched by acidity. The aftertaste is crisp with a fresh, clean finish. Screwcap. Artisanal Cellars, Select Wines.
This Grechetto-based wine opens with a pretty floral fragrance that recalls yellow- and white-spring flowers. The palate offers juicy peach, tropical fruit and citrus flavors, with a hint of thyme. Thanks to crisp acidity, it has a clean, refreshing finish.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Barbera opens with aromas of bell pepper, black currant and cedar. Plum, blackberry and cherry flavors carry the palate in a soft and ready-to-drink style, accented by a hint of black pepper.
This opens with a pretty bouquet of yellow spring flowers and tropical fruit. The palate offers lingering pineapple, lemon zest and pear flavors that finish clean and refreshing. Pair this with light pastas or lightly seasoned seafood dishes.
A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of ripe red berries and toasted oak. The palate offers notes of black cherry, espresso and cocoa, alongside smooth tannins. It's soft and made to be enjoyed young.
Firm, but balanced, this is a wine with many of the virtues of the vintage. It has weight and richness, but also fresh, juicy, fruity acidity all packaged nicely in tannins. Drink this wine from 2015.
Costalupo is a fun blend of Trebbiano, Passerina and Chardonnay that offers fresh aromas of lemon zest, spice, ripe apple and pear flavors. It has a creamy texture and crisp acidity that would make a nice match for rich seafood dishes.
L & T, meaning “light and dry” in German, is pure, peppery, fruity Grüner. It has some creamy richness along with apple and grapefruit flavors, all bundled into a fresh, crisp package that is very ready to drink now. Screwcap.
This 50-50 blend of Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon is jammy and modest on the bouquet. In the mouth, it's plump but a bit wishy-washy, with generic dark-berry flavors. While it's easygoing on the finish, it falls off a bit and doesn't show much kick. Drink now.
This wine is very fruity, fresh and crisp while also showing texture and tight apple-skin flavors. Refreshing acidity brings out the fragrant, fresh aftertaste.
This robust red opens with aromas of espresso, plum cake, toast and dark spice. The hearty palate offers blackberry jam, licorice, vanilla and mocha alongside firm fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish.
Forest floor, tilled soil, mature berry and a whiff of new leather combine on this. The ripe palate offers fleshy black cherry, dried aromatic herb and tobacco, while fine-grained tannins give the finish some grip. Drink 2018–2023.
The fact that this variety is still in the ground in the county says something; the fact that's it's still in the confines of Pagani Ranch says even more. In this ode to generations gone by, the grower and winemaker find common ground in showcasing a big-bodied, black-purple expression of fig, plum and grippy leather that lands softly on the palate.
The nose on this creative blend of 52% Gewürztraminer, 25% Sauvignon Blanc and 23% Chenin Blanc is quite showy with peach, baked orange, apple blossom and honeysuckle notes. But the real star is the palate that is racy with sizzling energy and flavors of cut grass, lemongrass and sour-apple peels.
Black cherry, red raspberry, dried violets and graphite scent this Thracian Valley Syrah. It is full bodied, tasting of blueberry preserves, black cherry and espresso beans. The tannins are soft and round and lead to an elegant finish.
Produced from two parcels in Aloxe Corton, this structured wine has red-plum fruitiness that is still masked by a dry tannic coating. It has concentration and good potential. Drink this textured, firm wine from 2018.
This wine is packed with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and crisply textured minerality. Finely wrought, it's structured and made to age, with a strong steely backbone to the otherwise fresh lemon and lime flavors. Drink from 2018.
From the heart of the Rutherford Bench, this estate-grown wine is a classic version of restraint and elegance, structured in dusty tannin with bursts of cedar, tomato leaf and cassis. Cabernet Franc makes up 8% of the blend, with 3% Merlot. This will benefit from time in the cellar; drink 2020–2023.
Red berry, chopped herb, blue flower and menthol all come together on this elegantly structured red. The juicy, accessible palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and a hint of vanilla alongside round tannins. Drink through 2021.
Sourced from 50+ year-old vines in the commune of Sorgues, this aromatic blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre boasts hints of rosemary, bay leaf and clove. It's reasonably full bodied, with a long, drying finish that demands another year or two in the cellar or (preferably) some rare beef or lamb.
This has a charming nose that boasts rose, violet and red berry while the juicy, easy-drinking palate offers ripe wild cherry, chopped mint, white pepper and a hint of star anise. There isn't much complexity but it is savory and balanced, with fresh acidity and supple tannins.
Round and ripe, this opens with aromas that recall baked plum, vanilla, anise and a whiff of leather. The approachable, juicy palate doles out mature black cherry, blackberry, mocha, dried sage, baking spice and licorice. Polished, fine-grained tannins provide support.
Damp sagebrush, dark cranberry, buttered black cherries, fresh plucked marjoram and wet stone show on the nose of this bottling. The tip of the sip shows great thyme, bay leaf and anise character, then settles into rich cranberry fruit, all held together by a decent tannic grip. The dark fruit flavors linger deep in the finish.
Tire rubber, herb and locked-up barrel spice notes are followed by bountiful yet elegant black fruit flavors that show a spot on sense of balance along with exquisite length. There's no hiding the warm vintage it comes from but it shows the year well.
Aromas of jammy red raspberries, cranberries, dried herbs and peppery spices are followed by a silky soft palate that is elegantly styled and well-balanced. Fruit tones blend with savory flavors, with coffee notes providing accents. A peppery, meaty finish rounds it out and keeps the attention high.
Luxuriously honeyed, this wine sings in rich hazelnut but also remains crisp on the palate, relatively light-bodied in fresh pear and lemon. Staying lithe as it goes down, it has subtle power and integrated oak, finishing creamy and bold.
A blend of Cabernet from Grand Ciel (31%), Ciel du Cheval (30%), Upchurch (28%) and Klipsun (11%) vineyards, wood spice aromas start out up front. The cherry flavors are light and elegant, with the tannins bringing some grip.
Produced from three vineyards in the north of the Sancerre appellation, this is a crisp, ripe wine. It offers a blend of green plum and lime with a touch of white peach. The acidity, still young, will soften over the next few months when the wine will be even better. Drink from 2017.
Entirely sourced from this Sangiacomo family-farmed vineyard, which is planted entirely to the Old Wente clone, this wine offers fleshy and tropical juiciness and texture. Aged in French oak, the vast majority of it neutral, the wine lets the fruit and acidity speak for themselves.
Here's a big, hearty wine that opens with aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, truffle, stewed black-skinned fruit and a whiff of menthol. The palate offers blackberry jam, cherries marinated in spirits, coffee, mocha and a confectionary note alongside the warmth of evident alcohol. It's already rather evolved and accessible, with velvety tannins. Drink soon.
Layered aromas and rich but vibrant flavors help this medium-bodied wine stand out. It has a medium color with a brickish rim, while aromas suggest black tea and black cherry. A dry, tangy, but ripe fruit expression on the tongue lingers on the finish.
Dark in color and in flavor profile, this medium-bodied Cornas boasts aromas and flavors reminiscent of chocolate fudge, espresso and plummy fruit, all framed by soft, dusty tannins. Drink now–2025.
From the producer's main ranch and blended with 11% Malbec and 4% Merlot, this classically structured, crisp wine offers notes of thyme, blackberry and tar. Medium bodied on the palate, it finishes in juicy cassis and will stand up to cellaring. Drink now through 2020.
Dried cherry and strawberry notes are marked by a hint of anise on the nose of this lush, velvety Pinot Noir. While delicate in frame, ripe berry and cherry flavors build in concentration on the palate, accentuated by a spray of pomegranate acidity and lingering bramble notes.
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this high-end Coppola offering is like liquid chocolate on the nose.t\Thick and dense on the front of the palate, it settles into a mix of cherry, strawberry and clove.
Brilliantly fresh, this wine is tight with acidity and textured with zingy citrus. Layers of apple and toast are already integrated in this bright wine. It's tangy, lively and likely to be ready to drink from 2017. The wine comes from the highest vineyard in Chassagne.
A classic and fun Nouveau, this has an extra side of firm tannin that adds weight to an otherwise bold, fruity and food-friendly wine.
Rustic smelling, this has a leafy scent and red fruit aromas akin to cherry and raspberry. The mouthfeel is tight, jumpy and alert, and the flavors of cassis and plum set up a rugged, scratchy finish, with notes of carob, vanilla and coffee.
This intensely aromatic Riesling bursts with cheese rind and apple cider. Elegant, fruity and dry. Pair it with Thai food.
The aromas are hard at first, then rubbery and leathery, with a tarry black-fruit note. After the palate opens with aggressive, rubbery tannins, flavors of licorice and grapy, medicinal oak burst onto the scene. Long on the finish, but with a lasting resiny flavor.
A clean aroma of apple that's detailed with light notes of fresh herb and barrel toast introduce this well-structured Chardonnay. It's a solid effort, buoyed by good natural acidity.
An herbal wine, this has fruit flavors that suggest peach and crisp apple. Round, textured and fragrant, this is for drinking now.
This is a restrained Cabernet, with spicy aromas of cherry and plum. It feels fresh, clean and juicy, with a balanced mix of herb, cherry and red berry flavors. The finish is tight, focused and fresh, with herbal shadings.
Jammy, dark aromas form a good opening, and there's blueberry and rubbery notes as well. The mouthfeel is entirely full and chunky, with grabby tannins in support of the spicy core flavors of licorice, blackberry, pepper and espresso. Oaky, toasty and a touch hot on the finish.
Clean and fresh, this value-priced southern Oregon Chardonnay offers balanced, elegant flavors of flower and fruit. Notes of apple and pear are front and center, with hints of white peach and cinnamon.
Tart and spicy, this is loaded with flavors of raspberry and cherry pie, lightly dusted with accents of cocoa powder. The result is a pretty, slightly candied, ready-to-drink Pinot Noir.
Overpowering, intense barrel aromas are resiny and fully toasted. This oaky Chardonnay is flush and textured in the mouth. Flavors of resiny, raw wood are front and center, followed by woodspice and hickory. A final heaping of oak is poured onto this wine's barrel-heavy finish.
With a bright pink color, this shows slightly heavy aromas of watermelon and red apple skins. It is medium to full in body but fresh, with candied red-fruit and citrus flavors. A fresh, properly acidic finish does the job.
A perfumed wine that is soft and fruity. It has a fresh, tangy character that makes it very refreshing and crisp.Think of this as an apéritif rosé, bright and light.
Very young, the wine gives out pure fruitiness, very fresh and lively. Good juiciness offers a riper view of this already very drinkable wine. Drink from 2015.
Named after the winemaker's emergency flight landing on the local interstate, this is an unusual blend of Landot Noir, Chancellor, Zinfandel, Syrah and Maréchal Foch, along with bits of Pinot and Gamay Noir. It brings brings aromas and flavors of green olive, tire rubber and sea breeze with mouthwatering acidity. It doesn't all fit but still piques the interest plenty.
Juicy in red raspberry and cherry, this soft Malbec is satisfying on many fronts, with a touch of savory sourness on the finish.
Crusty black-fruit aromas come with tarry notes, a strong whiff of green herbs and olive scents. This feels lively and fairly aggressive, with herbal-influenced flavors of raspberry and plum. Green herb, tobacco and earthy berry notes bolster the finish.
Crisply fruity, this light, bright wine is designed for immediate drinking with its acidity, lemon fruits and lightly herbaceous touch.
Initially just juicy black currants, it shows a more structured side very slowly. The result is a fruity wine, ready to drink soon.
Tight and textured, this is a mineral structured wine. Green fruits and acidity keep the wine fresh. The aftertaste is flatter, not bringing out enough fruit.
This well-balanced wine is rich, just off dry and with a mineral texture. Plenty of freshness with a crisp aftertaste balances the softer side of the wine. It's for immediate drinking.
Bright, fruity and fresh, this familiar Vinho Verde brand does exactly what it's meant to do: provide a refreshing, light glass of wine. Apples and citrus easily carry the lightly sweet flavors and blend with an orange zest texture. Drink immediately.
Ripe, loamy berry aromas are soft at heart but are picked up by lemony oak scents in this wine. Flavors of raisin, baked berry, herbs and oak finish on the woody, resiny side.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir, this is a light, thin rosé with simple flavors of watermelon and strawberry.
Crunchy and somewhat bitter, this has tight citrus rind flavors and a whiff of vanilla. A small percentage of the blend spent a bit of time in neutral oak.
This shows the fruity side of Cabernet Franc. No wood aging, just red fruits, spice and stalky tannins, with a hint of smokiness and a light structure. Drink from 2015.
Soft, ripe and fruity, this is the entry-level wine from Herdade da Farizoa in Alentejo. With its spice, soft tannins and blackberry juice flavor, it's a fresh wine that can be drunk now through 2019.
Bigode, meaning the mustache, is fruity, fresh and light in texture. The juicy character needs another few months to integrate fully with the berry fruits. Spice adds interest. It will be better by the end of 2014.
Red berry fruits great freshness and brightness to this fruity wine that has tight acidity as a balance. The wine is crisp, young and layers light tannins at the end.
Lemon and apple lend shape to this clean and uncomplicated white that boasts a little spice on the midpalate.
Perfumed in dusty red fruit this Rhône-style blend is chewy in tannins and otherwise solid, the alcohol noticeable on the finish.
Textured and mineral, this crisp wine has some lively acidity as well as raspberry fruitiness. It's totally ready for the summer.
Sweet red berry fruits come through the firmer tannins. An unusual blend of Pinot Noir and Touriga Nacional, it has plenty of acidity, delicious juiciness and touches of wood at the end. It's not for long-term aging, ready to drink now.
Frothy (beware the cork upon opening), this sparkling Muscat is sweet in jasmine and vanilla that finishes clean and quick.
Rich and round, this offers plenty of concentrated blackberry notes enveloped in warm spices and supple oak. There's a hint of green tomato leaves throughout, but the lush fruit combined with sturdy grape tannins and high acidity would pair well with fatty short ribs or braised pork.
Fresh and fruity, laced with citrus, crisp apricot and a delicious layer of lime juice. Drink now, but the wine will age a year.
For a sort of kitchen sink blend composed of Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino and Chasan, this wine is surprisingly pleasing and easy to drink with flavors of lively melon, stone fruit and accents of lime citrus. Versatile for food pairing, easy to drink and a terrific value.
Waipara isn't usually considered Sauvignon Blanc country, but this is a creditable effort, boasting ample melon and fig flavors and a shot of grassiness on the otherwise soft finish.
Starts out with roasted, stewy, beefy aromas and not much brightness. The palate is measured and healthy, with dry raspberry, currant and medicinal plum flavors. It shows oak, earth, leather, acidity and some burn. In a nutshell, it's a good, standard, respectable Rioja that will complement almost any food.
For Spanish Chardonnay, this is perfectly good and clean. The nose brings your basic set of white-fruit, mineral and fresh herb flavors, while the palate is lively despite some dry, resiny oak flavor. Even with banana, vanilla and creamy flavors, the wine is decidedly not cloying.
This wine has very ripe, juicy fruit flavors that coat the mouth with rich blueberry and blackberry, while the texture is smooth and almost viscous. It is full bodied and has soft tannins and acidity.
Aromas like cherry candy and butterscotch, and almost-sweet flavors make this deeply colored, sleek-textured wine easy and fun to drink. It feels lightly tannic but stays velvety smooth.
The aromas are still locked up, with notes of dark fruit and barrel spices. The palate shows restraint, considering the warm vintage and region, with refined tannins showing a deft touch.
Crisp snap-pea and cucumber aromas are lightly citric. This feels fresh, tangy and citric, with plenty of acidic cut. Lime, pea and bell pepper flavors are about as true to Chilean SB as it gets.
Pineau d'Aunis vines planted in 1920 by the grandfather of the estate's current owner have produced a smooth, ripe and spicy wine. It has some red fruits and acidity, but the edge of tannins in the texture gives the wine its real character. Drink now.
This is a well-balanced, flavorful and fresh-tasting wine that's medium bodied and fun to drink. It has boysenberry and blackberry flavors and a firm, moderately tannic texture that gives it good heft.
Dark orange-pink, this saignée of Cabernet Sauvignon is orange-crisp in flavor, with a meatiness to its body. Moderate acidity gives the fuller, bolder characteristics and texture a welcome lift.
A blend of 34% Viognier, 27% Grenache Blanc, 22% Marsanne and 17% Roussanne, this bottling is clean and light on the nose, with dried white flowers, ripe apples, Asian pear and a wet river -tone touch. The palate is more about texture and acidity that strong flavors, proving quite tangy if not a tad sour.
Black plum, slate, black rocks, red cherry and a touch of sandalwood show on the nose of this red blend that offers decent quality for the price. Pepper and pencil lead combine for a vibrant palate that's grippy in structure and lively in acidity.
The aromas are light with notes of vanilla, wood spice, coffee and cherry. The coffee flavors are silky and smooth, with barrel and baking-spice flavors lingering on the finish.
This is a pale-colored wine with a soft texture and gentle strawberry fruits. The texture comes through slowly to give a firmer edge to what is a wine for medium-term aging. This is stylish and smooth. It should be drunk from 2018.
This Merlot-based rosé offers up some slightly herbal notes of thyme and bay leaf, then complements those with understated cherry—berry fruit. It's medium in weight, yet finishes with vibrant acidity. Still hanging in there, but drink up.
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this offers aromas of vanilla, baking spice, green pepper and dark fruit, with the oak showing somewhat prominently. The palate brings well-balanced dark fruit and green-pepper flavors, with spice lingering on the finish.
Savory tones of moss, spice and toast juxtapose crisp red plum and cherry in this elegant Pinot Noir. Crisp acidity lends a delicate, dancing feel to the palate. Balanced and composed, its moderately long finish is marked by a hint of forest floor.
Mouthwatering fruit flavors and a firm, dry mouthfeel make this medium-bodied wine easy to appreciate. It smells like fresh cherries and raspberries, tastes ripe and has a fine-grained texture.
Fruity and fresh, this medium-bodied wine has dark plum and blackberry aromas, along with ripe and almost sweet blackberry flavors. A lightly gripping texture helps make it appetizing.
Peach, melon and citrus aromas are good but standard. This is edgy and sharp due to lean pointy acidity. As a result of that acidity, this is tart and citric in flavor, with little lees or yeasty richness to soften things up. A finish with stony, dry lime flavors is scouring.
Musk melons, limes and lemons perfume this crisp, cutting Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is refreshingly citrusy, offering brisk grapefruit flavor accented by swathes of green leaf and herb. Full bodied yet spry, it's a neatly balanced wine to enjoy now through 2019.
Vibrant and poised, this charming red opens with scents of red berry, iris and aromatic herb. The luminous palate offers red cherry, mint and orange zest while a firm vein of acidity and supple tannins provide freshness and an easy-drinking structure. Drink through 2017.
This sweet, low-alcohol, red version of Moscato is fantastically fruity and floral in aroma. Boysenberry and rose-petal flavors accompany a broad texture that clings to the palate on the finish.
This zesty red has pretty aromas that suggest small red berry, blue flower and a whiff of moist soil. The vibrant palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate and a hint of anise alongside zesty acidity and refined tannins.
Lychee and minerally aromas amount to a pleasant whole. This dry, still Moscatel is texturally round and oily, while flavors of melon, lychee and orange are a touch bitter around the edges and on the finish.
Ripe oaky aromas include prune and raisin scents along with vanilla. This is somewhat rough and heavy in feel, with baked blackberry flavors and roasted meaty notes. A full blast of minty spicy oak controls the finish.
This earthy wine offers dusky, mossy aromas, raisin and light black-pepper flavors, and a touch of sweetness. It has full body and a soft, soothing texture.
Flat slightly flabby aromas of green and grassy black fruits smell of sweet plastic and oak. This feels raw, choppy and scraping. Flavors of minty, herbal black fruits are toasty and show grainy, forced oak. Pepper and mint flavors along with scratchy tannins make for a solid but rough finish.
Fleshy black plums and berries burst from nose to palate of this juicy lip-smacking Long Island Shiraz. It's approachably plush and round with a pleasantly clingy mouthfeel. A backdrop of sweet spice and fine, feather-tipped tannins extend the finish.
Made entirely with the native grape Trebbiano Spoletino, this opens with aromas of acacia flower, chamomile and a whiff of tropical fruit. The round medium-bodied palate offers ripe honeydew melon and nectarine zest alongside fresh acidity.
Prominent aromas of toast, dried cranberry, herb and cherry lead to straight down the fairway to more cranberry flavor. It delivers a lot of appeal.
The Jaen in Portugal is unique to the Dão (in Spain it is called Mencía). It gives, as in this wood-aged wine, a richly tannic character, full of red-berry fruits. The wood aging creates the hint of toast that is still present. Drink from 2018.
This bottling marks a stylistic shift in labeling for the winery toward more youthful and creative, and the wine is quite tasty, with aromas of deep black cherry and leather, proving pleasantly rustic. The palate is easy to enjoy, if no particularly complex, with lots of blueberry, Concord grape, white pepper and dark chocolate flavors.
A good chunk of this wine comes from old-vine plantings at Bacchus Vineyard. Herb, barrel spice and mocha aromas lead to reserved cherry flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins, with mocha flavors on the finish.
Cream and spice aromas lead to a palate accented by peach and lees flavors that stretch out the finish.
Caramelized blueberry and a sweet cedar woody aroma makes for a very inviting nose on this bottling from regional pioneer Gary Eberle. The palate is full of flavor, with blackberry syrup, balsamic fig vinaigrette and cola spice. A judicious acidity holds it all together.
Candied honeydew aromas are fairly light on this blend of 41% Viognier, 33% Grenache Blanc, 14% Marsanne and 12% Roussanne, and there is also a wet wool complexity to the nose. The palate focuses more on the tense texture than overt flavors, though there are touches of Anjou pear, mango and coconut.
This is labeled Methode Champenoise, though its time on the lees was minimal. It's a bit of a sourball, a mix of green apple and lemon, but would be a knockout with raw oysters.
Dark plum fruit shows on the nose of this bottling from a quality-focused property in the region, with touches of smoked meat and dried herbs adding complexity. A fairly rigid, chalky and sticky tannic structure consumes the palate, so it needs a bit more time to fully unleashed the black fruits, chopped herb, black pepper and tar flavors.
This blend of 53% Grenache Blanc, 34% Viognier, 10% Roussanne and 3% Marsanne, which features a painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter, shows interesting touches of honey and orgeat with a macadamia nut backbone. The tinge of honey extends to the sip, where it joins baked apple, nectarine and peach flavors, along with a chalky texture and decent acidity.
Golden in color, this wine starts out lightly reduced, followed by aromas of clarified butter and pear. The flavors are creamy and full in feel, lingering on the finish.
Spicy in plum and cherry, this is a full-figured effort with mildly smooth tannin and oak that fills the palate with dense force. On the finish is a mix of cola and cardamom.
Boasting a rustic charm, this opens with earthy aromas of sunbaked soil, game, leather and black-skinned fruit. The gamy note carries over to the ripe palate along with hints of Mediterrenean brush, star anise and white pepper that accent a blackberry core. Chewy tannins provide the framework.
Intense smoky, slatey complexities lend an earthy rusticity to this wine's punchy tangerine and grapefruit flavors. It's sunny and sweet yet neatly balanced with crisp lemon-lime acidity. Drink now through 2021.
Soupy heavy aromas suggest that the sun-baked conditions of 2011 got the better of this wine. In the mouth, this feels jammy and thick, with a shortage of balance and elegance. This tastes stewy, with meaty berry flavors and licorice notes. A heavy finish confirms a sense of overripeness.
Lemon drop and sweet, pink grapefruit flavors brighten this punchy, crisply balanced wine. It's fruit-forward on the palate, nuanced with of nut and mineral hints. Drink now through 2018.
The market is loaded with inexpensive Oregon wines at the moment, but few if any can offer this kind of quality at this price point. Crisp and fresh, this brings a mix of lime, quinine, pine needles and green apples into play. Well defined and immaculately clean, it can accompany a range of salads, noodle dishes or cold cuts.
Blackberry, black pepper, crushed rocks and a touch of herbs show on the nose of this always solid-for-the-price bottling from this crew in southern Paso. There is firm structure on the sip, with soy and peppercorn giving umami touch to the blackberry syrup and purple flower flavors.
This is a rich and powerful blend of 50% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah and 25% Petite Sirah. Quite dark and dense, it offers boisterous aromas of boysenberry and blackberry along with espresso, caramel and a bit of graphite. The palate is extremely juicy with vanilla, caramel and blackberry pie, a bit overwhelming but very hedonistic.
Nutty in generous oak, this wine is smoky in bacon fat, tart and intense. Full-bodied and ripe, the fruit leans dark and brambly, with under layers of cigar, leather and cinnamon.
Bright red fruit complements mellowed tannins in this estate-grown wine that's moderately complex and layered. Cedar and herb show up in spades.
Light aromas of barrel spice and red and black fruit are followed by sweet fruit flavors. It delivers enjoyment, but the flavors seem slightly dried out.
This is a lightly wood-aged wine, with crisp acidity and just a hint of toast. The fruit is upfront, showing a crisp, tight lemon character that's tangy and refreshing. Drink now.
Showing its volcanic growing area, this opens with aromas evoking smoke, brimstone, red berry and a whiff of brown spice. The fresh savory palate doles out juicy red plum and a hint of clove while a savory mineral note backs up the finish. It's easy drinking and ready now, with pliant tannins.
Toast, mocha and vanilla aromas lead the charge, followed by a lactic palate with a lot of oak resin and creaminess. As for flavors, this blend deals upfront oak and medicinal berry fruits. A resiny, sticky finish teeters on cloying.
Aromas of blueberry, violet and berry fruits come with a strong hint of alfalfa and sweet grass. The palate is narrow and high in acidity, while green-leaning flavors of plum and berry finish acidic and crisp.
Leafy notes give way to the barest hint of nail polish remover. The palate is dilute with dried-up red fruit flavors that quickly fade away leaving only bracing tannins and evident alcohol. It closes on a bitter note.
Scratchy, raw, spicy aromas of saucy fruit and spearmint lead to a palate with minty green, herb and plum flavors. This is herbal tasting on the finish, which is creamy and jammy in feel.
This opens with an unusual aroma that recalls floral air freshener, roasted coffee bean and a medicinal note. The palate is diluted with jumbled flavors of red apple skin, small berries and toasted walnuts. It has a green, bitter finish.
Gritty cherry and cranberry aromas and a bright red color announce a spunky, simple wine with little Cabernet character. Juicy and light-bodied, it conveys basic plum and cherry flavors.
Neutral aromas suggest pear and mealy apple across the palate but lacking in definition. Flavors of stone fruits and apple are short on freshness; this is plump and low on acidity come finishing time.
Light plum and red-berry aromas lead to a racy, fresh palate with little body or structure. Candied raspberry and plum flavors are fresh but don't change or improve on the finish.
Restrained in aromatics, this is a ripe, round and soft ZIn with a Port-like personality, streaks of cedar through the mid-palate and a touch of heat on the finish.
Resiny, nutty, toasty aromas just barely cut it in terms of drawing you in. The palate on this basic, woody Chardonnay is fine, while resiny white-fruit flavors finish with a forced flavor of vanilla and oak.
Stalky, earthy aromas are leathery and lack freshness. The tired, heavy palate has flavors of saucy berries mixed with dill, vanilla and raw oak.
A waxy, sour-leaning Chardonnay that's tart in a teeth-clenching way though it might mellow in time with air.
A wall of raw, herbal, minty aromas feeds into a jammy feeling palate. Reduced boysenberry flavors are herbal and green, while the finish is quite green and almost grassy in flavor.
The nose on this Verdejo is nutty and a touch harsh. The palate feels hollow, while the flavors are limited and suggest generic citrus and peach. A soft finish carries a mildly stalky flavor of corn and/or hay.
The aromatics are faint on this wine, and the taste puckeringly tannic and raisiny with a strong taste of toffee on the finish.
Oaky and smoky, this Cab is perfumed and intensely tannic with a bitter coffee-like finish.
This unusual rosé is all Pinot Gris, picked for thick skins, chewy tannins, high acidity, and given a 36-hour cold soak prior to fermentation. It's a pale salmon/copper shade, full-bodied and juicy, with fruit flavors of peach and citrus. Highlights of hibiscus tea and floral aromatics contribute further complexity.
Winery Block is four acres situated around the producer's winemaking facility, a small band of sandy soil. The resulting wine is tart in cherry and pomegranate, with tight acidity and plenty of freshness on the palate. Highlights of citrus and cola spice interweave effortlessly within.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this opens with subtle aromas of toasted bread crust, mature pear and a note of wild herb. The elegant palate—which is made without dosage—offers ripe Golden Delicious apple, sour lemon drop and hazelnut alongside a refined perlage.
Rooty/ berry aromas come with a big heaping of mature earth tones and cool cola accents. This is ripped with acidity, which makes sense since 2008 was a chilly, wet year. Bold berry, plum, cherry and tobacco flavors finish easy and smooth; drink through 2020.
Made with Pinot Nero, this fresh, elegant sparkler offers delicate scents of berry, orchard fruit, chopped herb and bread crust. The smooth, refined palate delivers red apple, tangerine zest, strawberry and mineral alongside a soft, persistent mousse and bright acidity.
From an estate vineyard, this wine combines 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Malbec and 20% Petit Verdot. Brick tar, blackberry and smoked meat show first, followed by leather and black pepper. Medium acidity and body weight make way for firm, integrated tannin. If you allow the wine to open over a couple of hours in the glass, it'll share further flavors of chocolate and vanilla.
From organic and biodynamic vineyards, this wine is full of ripe berry fruits backed up by firm tannins, this is a wine that is full of potential. It has structure, a fine form of rich fruit and acidity. With its dense texture this is a wine to age. So just wait until 2019.
This surprisingly rich, concentrated and full-bodied wine has delicious spicy oak accents and an easy-sippng texture. The color is a very dark, deep red. Aromas are grapy, jammy and fresh, and the flavors convey ripe blackberry and plum.
Hints of ripe peach creep in with the yellow plum notes on the nose. The palate adds a generous if frothy creaminess to these flavors, making them fizz and fill the mouth with their fruity freshness. Behind all this lurks a grown-up backdrop of biscuity richness that allows for a restrained dosage and a very dry finish. Lovely now, will benefit from bottle age. Drink 2016–2019.
This 100% varietal wine from the producer's famous vineyard is sanguine in red currant and woody tannin. Full bodied and substantial in body and spirit, it has alluring aromatics of sage and mountain brush, remaining balanced in acidity despite the intensity and power.
Spicy, lemony acidity balances out a classic barrel imprint of oakiness and toast in this medium-bodied, concentrated wine. Silky-smooth on the palate, it rewards patience in the glass and will pair well with rich, creamy foods.
The nose signals crunchy, crisp red apple, which also follows through on the sprightly, wonderfully foamy and fresh palate of exquisitely small bubbles. This is light but full-fruited, brimming with all the crunch of Red Delicious and Braeburn apples supported by just a little shortbread richness from the yeast. There is concentration and poise, utter freshness and quite a bit of length.
A lovely rich apple scent of Golden Pearmain pervades nose and palate of this fresh sparkler. The palate is fresh and light-bodied, yet characterized by an almost honeyed richness of apple notes and freshly baked apple crumble. The finish is wonderfully dry, full-fruited, fresh and long.
Ripe, rich fruit flavors and a handsome streak of spicy oak make this full-bodied Rhône-style blend luscious and tempting. Great fruit concentration and a nicely viscous texture team up with soft tannins and an almost-sweet finish.
Dry and sappy, this potent effort is heavily influenced by botanical flavors, to the point of being almost grassy. Dry extract and lemon/lime acidity keep the riper fruit flavors in check, but with ample breathing time the wine fills in with highlights of fresh peaches.
A vivid buttered-popcorn aroma and luscious vanilla and lemon-meringue flavors make this wine frothy and mouthfilling. Made in 100% new Hungarian oak barrels and aged for 20 months, it's full-bodied, so rich in texture that it seems almost sweet, with good balancing support from mild acidity.
The wine is rich and spicy with layers of dried raisin and prune flavors along with a light touch of acidity. Its ripe fruit is tempered by the bite of spirit that gives the wine a lift as well as adding extra richness. On the dry side of Ports, it is made to be drunk now.
Ripe, earthy aromas of cola, coconut, blackberry and cassis are healthy and heady. Reflecting a warm year, this wine feels both flush and fleshy, with mild tannins. Flavors of blackberry, mocha and coffee finish clean, open and easy, with nothing overbearing. Drink through 2019.
This wood-aged wine is rich and smooth with light toast blending with the yellow fruit and spice. Acidity gives the wine its freshness contrasting with the complex fruit and wood balance. Drink this fine wine from 2017.
Burly and powerful, this is an explosively complex and satisfying wine, full bodied and brooding in black cherry and tobacco, its tannins mild and lengthy.
This estate vineyard is generally prone to cool-site characteristics, meaning more of an emphasis on leaf and root and herb. Peppery herb and tart red fruits combine in an elegant, precise midpalate, suggesting wild strawberry and carrying a dash of sea salt caramel through the finish.
This is already showing some evolution in its color, displaying some lightening at its rim. The aromas are floral and tea-like, with subtle cinnamon and spice shadings, and the flavors follow along, resembling Wild Berry Zinger tea. It's medium in weight, with silky tannins and a softly dusty finish.
Pretty blossom and apricot aromas bolster ripe, rich flavors of honey tangerine and yellow peach in this forward, fruity wine. There's no pretense here: It's a hedonistic guzzler of a wine, but its tangy salt-and-lime finish makes it hard to resist another glass. Drink while young.
Named for the proprietor's daughter, Taylor's is stainless-steel fermented and meant to exude juicy waves of pear, apple and lemon, a fully immersive expression of fruit and minerality. Well balanced, it shows a tease of peach fuzz and the crispness of never having met a swath of oak.
This vineyard-designate opens in bombastic amounts of Asian spice and wild strawberry, making for a whirlwind of flavor and acidity on the palate. Black tea and rose garden dance around highlights of orange and cranberry, the wine tart in mineralogy, as well as full of length and density.
This mix of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah offers blackberry jam, lavender and cracked pepper on the nose. Tart berries show on the sip, made more serious with a tarry structure and lifted by light purple flowers and an incense element that carries through the finish.
Try this bold and concentrated wine for a change of pace. Enormous aromas of fully ripe plums and cherries mix with savory, herbal accents. The flavors are rich and mouthfilling, dripping with prune, boysenberry and anise.
White-flower aromas and little more define the nose on this bland wine from hot Jumilla. A flabby mouthfeel sets up green banana and pyrazine-based flavors. Papaya is the only discernible flavor note on an otherwise soft and creamy finish.
Buttercup aromas are peachy and yeasty. Although the wine offers adequate freshness, it is starting to lose clarity. Flavors of dull peach finish nutty and slightly oxidized.
Incredible aromas of barbecued meat leap out of this wine, followed by a taste of sweet raspberry jam. It has penetratingly thick tannins that are dusty too. There's a pronounced amount of smoky oak going on, which might be pleasant with similar food.
This opens with aromas of wild herbs and field greens. This wine is full but flat in feel, with green, minty flavors that overshadow the minimal fruit. The finish is herbal and broad.
This sour, beery wine is for those who like a high acid flush with their meal. The very tart flavors focus on lemon and green apple.
Bing cherries rise to the top of the aroma profile, but the flavors, like many 2011s, appear unwilling to share themselves in any forward way, even after the wine is opened for some time. It necessitates much searching to get past the tart and lean vintage to find the limited but characteristic flavors of Pinot Noir.
Generous in aromas of leather and chocolate-covered fig, this wine gets mushy in the middle. Thin with an earthy edge and a finish that's slightly herbal.
This wine is marked by oak, baked vanilla and bacon, and is quite thick and syrupy, offering generic tones of berry and plum.
Pushy aromas include minty oak, shoe polish and foxy plum and berry. There's a lot of forward oak, warmth and ripe fruit.
An imperfect combination of 35% Negroamaro, 33% Primitivo and 33% Sangiovese, it's structured and slightly spicy but otherwise simple without much in the way of fruit.
Briny aromas of gooseberry and citrus are a touch sweaty. In the mouth, this is medium in weight. Flavors of briny grapefruit and other citrus fruits finish similarly. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Tempranillo.
This candied rosé is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah. Full of soft red berry fruits with only light acidity, it is off-dry to taste. A touch of pepper at the end is less attractive.
Exotic aromas of talcum powder and gardenia are true to the variety, while the mouthfeel is flabby and soft. Flavors of lychee and green melon turn bitter and pyrazinic on the finish.
Volatile and showing some scents of glue, this hides its cherry fruit. It's drinkable, but for those with a high sensitivity to volatility it may be problematic.
Pickled, briny aromas come up short and the palate is snappy but not well defined. Flavors of bitter citrus finish equally pithy.
Herbaceous aromas and flavors dominate this medium-bodied wine. It shows assertive herb and savory aromas, pungent lemon and celery flavors and a very crisp, dry finish.
A sweet wine that has a candy shop confected taste. It does have acidity along with a touch of citrus although the sherbet aftertaste is off-putting.
Vividly pink in color, this is a light and sweet wine. There is a sugary aftertaste followed by fresh, crisp acidity.
Oaky, chemical aromas top generic berry scents. The palate is creamy and grabby, while fake-tasting, candied oak is the dominant flavor. This feels cloying and tastes like vanilla and processed milk chocolate on the finish.
Light apple-blossom aromas are harmless. In the mouth, this Chardonnay-based blend is flat and buttery in feel, with baked apple and peach flavors before a flat finish.
This wine is flat and capped on the nose. On the palate, it's angular and narrow, with cidery flavors and little to no complexity.
Generous in toasty oak aromas this Cab is otherwise rich in tar and black jam, its flavors muted by the overwhelming taste of wood.
The wine has sweetness as well as a sugar-water character. It is fruity, but has a concocted, artificial aftertaste.
Apple aromas are mild and innocuous. This feels wide, chunky and without definition. Flavors of pithy white fruits turn bitter and briny on the finish.
Mealy white-fruit aromas are lacking in clarity and freshness, while the flavor profile is based on pineapple. The finish is broad and heavy.
Named after the pomegranate orchard that existed before the vines, this is a powerful, dense wine, concentrated with fruit and dark tannins. Good spice, extreme juiciness and acidity give extra character. This is for aging over 4–5 years.
A rich wine that takes time to show its structure, starting with blackberry fruits, then revealing firm, closed tannins. The wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, giving off power and complexity.
Smooth Chardonnay-like richness gives concentration to this magnificent ripe wine. The wood aging shows through the fruit, ending on toast, spice and green herbs.
Deliciously perfumed wine that revels in its cool-climate structure and freshness. Black currant fruits and soft tannins follow through with some dryness. A fine, food-friendly wine.
A lusty value made right. The nose issues black cherry, cough drop and cassis aromas. It's concentrated and balanced, while flavors of black cherry and cassis follow the nose. A mild tannic burn and chocolate on the finish tell you it's good and can go with any meat, from burgers to a quality steak or roast.
Adelsheim helped to pioneer Dijon clone Chardonnay in Oregon, a movement that completely reshaped and reinvigorated those wines. Crisp styling (from stainless steel fermentation and no malolactic) puts the emphasis on clean, refreshing fruit flavors of melon, star fruit, lime and cucumber, with excellent concentration and length.
Pure Touriga Nacional, firm while also fruity, this is an intense, aromatic and finely perfumed, smokey wine. The wood aging has softened the tannins while keeping the structure.
A rich, fat wine, with the weight of concentrated red fruits laced with pear and a touch of spice. There is a vanilla layer that adds extra complexity.
A very aromatic, violet-perfumed wine. It has structured fruit, with wood and blackberry flavors, plenty of acidity and long-term aging potential.
Winemaking team Alex MacGregor and David Ramey have produced a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc here, from organically farmed grapes grown in several vineyards throughout Mendocino County, including owner John Fetzer's Kathleen's Vineyard, named for his mom. Barrel-fermented but having not undergone ML, the wine is deliciously fresh and vibrant with lots of minerality to recommend, as well as depth.
Four vineyards provided the fruit, one third of which was fermented in whole clusters, creating a round, full-bodied wine with lush cherry fruit, streaked with vanilla. Nice spice notes from barrel aging, and a pleasing earthy character underscores the tannins.
This lush wine will be too oaky for purists, but there is no denying the superb quality of the underlying fruit. It's full-bodied, soft and succulent in texture, with cassis fruit framed by ample cedar and vanilla. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Drink now–2018.
Aptly named as this Syrah is grown at 3,000-feet elevation, the wine is full of very ripe plum, dark cherry and gamy meat flavors, with thick tannins evocative of leather and cigar box. A big-time Syrah that will deliver nuance and complexity as it opens up, particularly when paired with appropriately rich foods.
Aragonês, a k a Tempranillo and Tinta Roriz, is the source of this smooth, rich wine that shows great elegance despite its high alcohol. It has concentration, very dense fruit flavors and a gorgeous ripe finish.
Emblematic of the emerging trend of pushing finished alcohol levels down and aromatics up, this puts the flavor emphasis on subtle complexity. It offers a full range of tart red fruits, along with seams of dried leaf and milk chocolate. It was entirely whole-cluster fermented, and aged 16 months in 15% new oak.
Smoky, oaky, charred flavors of savory plum and berry lead to a full, layered palate with slightly abrasive tannins. This tastes of grilled beef, lemon peel, toast, cassis and chocolate. A toasted character remains on a solid finish. Drink through 2020.
Quite dark in color, brooding aromas of olallieberry, blackberry, grape soda, plums and concentrated purple flowers appease the nose on this bottling from one of Paso's newly designated appellations. The palate blends licorice, turned earth and eucalyptus with a fresh pomegranate juice flavor.
A slightly herbal, minty character gives personality to this full-bodied, generous and richly textured wine. It is attractively dry, nicely tannic, layered with black cherry, wild berry and rosemary notes. Great to drink now through 2020 with rich meats or mushrooms.
Lemon freshness encounters some honeyed richness. There's a hint of pleasant bitterness of honeycomb on the flavor, while the palate is streamlined with zesty lemon freshness. These create an intriguing and successful counterpoint on the dry, slender but expressive body.
This most intriguing white grape, which the Larners grow as an ode to their Italian past, shows a sweet nose with a bone dry palate. Sugary citrus scents of orange blossoms and peach syrup give way to a brisk palate full of honeysuckle, night jasmine and a nearly pine needle bitterness that cuts dynamically through it all.
Quite a steal of a deal for a widely available wine, this shows cinnamon, red cherry, ripe cranberry, light tobacco and a touch of leather on the rustic nose. Once sipped, the mouthfeel is soft, offering flavors of cranberry and red cherry that are spiced by thyme, bay leaf and more cinnamon.
A winning combination of seductive, spicy aromas and generous, well-developed fruit flavors make this wine hard to resist. It is full-bodied, dry and quite full-flavored, but without overdoing anything, so it's well balanced.
Leather, cedar and tobacco figure most prominently here with an additional 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend helping matters. The juicy core of blackberry and currant brushes against a rustic, burliness of tannin that finds balance and restraint on the finish.
This wine comes from one of the best vineyard sites in Savigny-lès-Beaune, on the slope closest to Beaune. It is a smooth, perfumed and ripe wine that has a balanced structure under the bright red-cherry flavor. Still bursting with young fruit, the wine will age, so wait to drink until 2019.
Allowing Zinfandel to take the 60% lead in this marriage with Cabernet Sauvignon, this is an impressive mingling of the two. Black pepper, clove and leathery cigar fuel a high-powered succulence of black and red fruit accented by a smoky drawl.
This light-bodied wine has aromas of grapefruit and prosciutto, flavors of melon and toasted almond, making it one of the most interesting and complex versions around. Its balance is good, its texture crisp and its finish lingering.
The softest hint of apricot can be discerned on the nose. The palate reinforces this flavor with more soft stone fruit and just a touch of off-dry sweetness. The result is a very expressive, gently but deeply fruited, slender palate that will sing with spicy Asian dishes or soft cheeses. It offers wonderfully lasting flavor.
Peppery leather opens up this wine, blended with 5% Mourvèdre. More savory than fruity, it pleases in big tannin weight and length, with an intensity of brambly wildness and a sagey, smoky edge.
Aromas of toasted oak, nut, acacia flower and orchard fruit come together in the glass. The firm palate offers mature yellow apple, candied nectarine zest, toasted hazelnut and flinty mineral. Bright acidity provides balance.
The Dead Arm is always firmly structured, making it one of the more challenging Shiraz to judge in its youth. The 2010 is full-bodied and chewy, characterized by dark, earthy and umami notes of roasted meat, asphalt and grilled mushrooms. The length and ripely tannic nature of the finish is reassuring. Drink 2018–2030.
This is a richer take on the grape, with aromas of baked cherries, pie crust, allspice, nutmeg and a touch of bacon fat. The palate is quite juicy, accessible and action-packed, with roasted pork, cherry jelly, blackberry jam, star anise and baking spice flavors deep into the finish.
Dried purple flowers and dark cardamom spices are layered across aromas of blackberry, roast beef, soy, jerky and peppercorn on the nose of this blend of 52% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache. A solid, nearly chewy structure unveils dark flavors of beef char, pencil lead, blueberries and a touch of asphalt.
Deceptively light and tight when first opened, this wine has flavors and character more in line with Gamay than most Pinots. Tart cranberry and raspberry fruit carries into a tangy finish, with citrus, mineral and herbal highlights.
Fairly light in the glass, this bottling shows chalk, slate and wet-sand minerality on the nose, alongside Asian pear flesh, kiwi and honeydew fruit notes. The texture is quite pithy once sipped, showing grapefruit and apple skins, and then it warms toward yellow pears and a sea salt warmth.
This is one of the most inky, concentrated, fiercely tannic vintages of Alion to date. Aromas of granite, boysenberry and grilled meat feed into a biting, full-bodied palate that can only benefit from more time. Blackberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors finish with mocha notes and stocky, rugged tannins. This is fierce and unrefined now; drink from 2018 through 2027.
Faded yellowish pink in color, this bottling by vintner Richard Sanford and winemaker Nick de Luca shows baking soda, squeezed lemon, sour raspberry and a touch of maraschino cherry on the nose. The palate offers lighter strokes of nectarine and chalky clay notes.
Salty caramel rises to the fore of this lovely, medium-built wine, which begins thickly concentrated in Gravenstein apple and vanilla before finding its rhythm in more nuanced, elegant undertones. Lemon and lime lead the way to a hint of guava before finishing fresh and focused.
Aromas of raw oak, cinnamon, bacon and clove outmuscle fruit on this rough, tannic, scraping 2013. Flavors of toast, chocolate and baking spices push blackberry and black-plum fruit towards an oaky, abrasive finish with rocky tannins and accents of chocolate and cinnamon. Holding this for another couple of years may or may not soften this fierce but tasty RDD.
This is a delightfully crisp, elegant and lip-smacking wine, that's subtle and easy to love. Lemon peel, apple skin and pear play together well, never becoming distracting, but instead integrating well with one another and the light hint of oak. Food friendly, it's also a great deal.
Dark cherry in the glass, this wine offers aromas of raspberry, chocolate and tobacco. Smooth tannins create a framework for flavors of black cherry, white chocolate, violet and anise. It is soft in the mouth, and an almost warm feeling peels away at the last moment to reveal a burst of cranberry and spice on the finish.
This full-bodied wine combines deep, ripe fruit flavors, light spicy accents and a very firm mouthfeel that begs for a bite of a grilled rosemary lamb chop. The wine pushes the stereotype of wimpy Merlot out of the way and does it with fruit concentration rather than obvious oak. Drink through 2020.
While relatively full-bodied and tannic, this wine also has friendly, fresh berry and cherry flavors that are held in place by very firm acidity and tannins. It feels and tastes generous but also strong and taut, so it should improve with a little time. Best to drink now through 2020.
Damaged by hail in 2013, the vineyards yielded low quantities. The grapes harvested produced a wine with crisp red fruits and bright berry acidity. The fresh, tight aftertaste suggests the wine will age. Drink from 2019.
A sublime twist of citrus lies at the heart of this light yet complex white, which is refreshing and layered with a subtle bite of underlying oak. From a dry-farmed vineyard maintained by the same family for 30 years, this whole-cluster pressed wine was given time in a majority of stainless steel and neutral French oak. It shines in moderate acidity and tropical flair.
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.
As with the Indian Wells Cabernet, winemaker Bob Bertheau is using a considerable amount of Syrah (19%) to beef up the flavors. The Merlot here seems a bit light, it fades out in midpalate. There is a chalkiness to the finish, and the tannins are just a little green.
A full, generic berry fruit opening is not such a bad thing for value-priced Chilean Merlot. Fresh and fruity in the mouth, with no hard edge or bite. A mild herbal layer settles in on the finish. Tight and solid overall.
Dry and smoky on one hand, but also somewhat damp and soupy on the nose. This is a medium-to-full PN with a dark color and a mix of sweet and dry flavors as well as chunky oak and chocolate on the back palate. Creamy, sweet and showing a lot of barrel influence.
Though not terribly complex or exciting, this is a well-made Minervois with soft red fruit and kirsch aromas backed by hints of spice and light floral characters. Approachable tannins and light acidity followed by a short, clean finish make this an easy-to-drink and enjoyable selection.
This is a perfect go-to, everyday Chardonnay, solid and light, if a bit unexciting. The fruit flavors of apple and melon are gentle and soft, and the oak treatment delicately handled. You get a little bit of buttered popcorn, but it's not a night out at the movies.
Bold, aggressive aromas of shoe polish, grainy oak, campfire and heat lead to a grabby, wide palate with sweet flavors of candied fruit and marshmallow. There's a lot of superficiality here, particular oak, but there's also legitimate Malbec fruit and character that make it worthwhile.
Pungent aromas of tangerine and passionfruit get it going, so it's not shocking that the palate is zesty and citric, with flavors of passionfruit, lemon and orange. A little dilute in body, with passionfruit as the prime survivor on the finish.
Toasty oak yields a smoky nose, but the fruit aromas are mild and hidden, showing only basic apple notes. With ample oak, the wine is slightly resiny in feel, with tropical fruit flavors followed by a wave of oak flavor. Ditto on the finish, which feels solid and good.
Dry smelling, like a wild field in summer, meaning it's a bit brambly. Feels thorough and full, with tea, spice and oaky flavors supporting sweet berry fruit. Crusty and toasted on the finish, but clean and solid as a whole.
Plum, berry and milk chocolate aromas are not too aggressive. The palate is round and friendly feeling, with flavors of wild berry, sweet oak and carob. Finishes with solid oaky flavors. Good Syrah that's uncomplicated and generally well made.
This is showing light black cherry fruit, forward and moderately chewy. Other hints of black fruits and coffee grounds add some interest, with smoke and pepper filling out the finish.
Rubber, tar, coffee grounds and crusty dark-fruit aromas set up a chewy, full palate with meaty flavors of blackberry, toasted oak and herbs. Round on the tongue and thick, but controlled on the finish, with a mild licorice flavor and herbal leftovers.
Straightforward berry aromas come with modest herbal shadings. Feels edgy, lively and alert, with briny red-berry, spice and oaky flavors. Finishes minty and meaty, with mild oak bringing it home. Standard but good.
Aromas of hard spices, black licorice, dark plum and herbs are in sync. The palate feels a bit high-toned and jumpy, but the structure is there and so are flavors of toasty oak, black fruits, herbs and spices. Broad but woody tasting on the finish.
Sweet, grapy, raspberry-candy fruit flavors are set against suggestions of dried leaf. Tannins are grainy, with a rough, earthy finish.
The mid-14% alcohol gives this wine a solid fruit core, much like a California Pinot. Cherry cola flavors hit the palate immediately, then quickly fall away. Bottle shock maybe, but the wine doesn't show the stuffing of past versions.
A brawny, dusty Petite with ripe flavors of plum and black fruit enveloped by sticky tannins.
A blend of Merlot and Duras, the red grape of Gaillac. The combination creates a meaty and chewy wine, with pepper and red-currant flavors. While the Merlot supplies the warmth, the Duras offers acidity and fruitiness. Drink now.
Casablanca is the new source for this winery's Sauvignon Blanc, which smells prickly and spicy, with lychee and melon notes. Feels smooth, fleshy and round, with green flavors of lime and lychee offset by mild bitterness. Peppery on the finish.
The wood aging of this wine has given a lightly oxidized character. It is rich and creamy with toasty acidity as well as yellow fruits. Drink now.
Stainless steel-fermented and kept on the lees for two months, this new vintage still feels a bit dilute—a function of the low brix and difficult vintage. Pungent with scents and flavors of rosemary and citrus, it is best drunk chilled and young.
Made to benefit the Wente Foundation for Arts Education, this wine is made in small quantities. It is juicy and leathery, soft, structured and medium-bodied with a long finish of tar and tannin.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Fernão Pires is aromatic and ripe. Its fruitiness is tropical, with pineapple as well as apricot flavors. It's softly textured  and ready to drink.
A sharp entry brings a clear-cut diesel component into focus. The golden apple fruit is penetrating and ripe, with some bitterness in the follow-through.
Attractively fruity, this is a crisp, citrus and green plum flavored wine. The tight texture gives a fresh character that also has some minerality. Lively and bright at the end.
This soft Zin bursts with blackberry and cherry fruit. Grippy, it's savory in coffee and leather with a slight astringency to the finish. It tends to be among Sobon's better bottlings every year.
Richness and fruitiness combine in this medium-bodied, uncomplicated wine. It brings fresh citrus and pear aromas, ample apple and pear flavors, a smooth texture and a clean finish.
While there is some bitterness in this wine, it also has forward black fruits and a great sense of juicy acidity. It needs a little time, so don't drink before 2016.
The faintest hint of pineapple signals ripe fruit on the nose. Soft but fresh, the palate delivers uncomplicated, unoaked and simple drinking pleasure with a seam of fresh acidity.
This lively Pinot Grigio from northern Italy has green apple, ripe pear and citrus sensations alongside fresh acidity. Sip as an apéritif or pair it with summer salads.
A delicate salmon pink, this offers light scents and flavors of rose water and strawberries. There's plenty of juicy acidity, and the low alcohol makes it great for sipping chilled in hot weather.
Dusty, leesy stone-fruit aromas form an easy bouquet. Made from the Pansa Blanca grape, this is pulpy and leesy on the palate, conveying creaminess. Flavors of mild citrus, nectarine and pear run sweet and ripe. A finish with peach and melon flavors is just bright and vital enough to avoid flabbiness.
A medium-bodied Aglianico, it's softly textured and light in red cherry fruit and plum flavor, with a hint of rose petals on the nose. Ready to enjoy now, the light imprint of this wine won't get in the way of food flavors, accenting something meaty or gamy that's not overly rich or overdone in sauce.
Not quite as showy as its cousin Zinfandel, this Primitivo takes more time to emerge from its shell, eventually revealing scents of white pepper and graphite. There is absolutely no show of Zin's traditional hamminess either; instead, mouth-watering minerality and a vibrant acid structure lingers on the palate.
Comprised of 50% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah. The Coro winemakers appear to have liked these three varieties together in 2010 and it works okay here. The Syrah imparts savory leather tones to the otherwise ripe, black fruit and softened tannins.
Bonterra sources organically grown grapes from both Mendocino and Lake counties to craft this light, slightly sour white generous in kiwi and a pronounced aroma and taste of honeydew.
A touch on the delicate side with very soft aromas of white peach, melon and barely browned toast. The palate is light but round with ample flavors of apple core, hard nectarine and citrus rind. Fulfilling and enjoyable without being overdone; pair with chicken or crab salads.
Minty, herbal and slightly grassy on the nose, and of course there's berry fruit to boot. The palate has normal feel and balance, with regular red fruit flavors from the currant and cherry family. Lengthy on the finish, but overall it's as basic as they come.
Jumbled aromas of grilled meat, asphalt and black cherry candy require patience and modest standards, while the palate is regular, a touch sticky and cloying, with sweet but generic berry fruit flavors. Dry and fairly snappy on the finish.
A solidly structured rosé with a bit of weight and great ripeness in the mouth. Strawberry and somewhat medicinal cherry fill the bouquet and palate, with a touch of herbaceousness on the finish.
A simple but easy-to-drink Chardonnay with soft aromas and flavors of ripe red apple and pear. Medium weight with a solid, clean finish.
Earthy, rooty aromas get it started. The palate is lean and crisp, and the flavors are of sweet ‘n sour raspberry. A punch of cranberry shows itself on the finish, which is lean like the rest of the wine.
Soft and broad, a little unfocused, the fruit showing pear juice and green apple skins. It feels light, juicy, missing concentration, and there's a caramel toast aftertaste.
The aromas are not that inviting: roasted tomato, bramble, burnt earth, etc. The mouth is textured and solid, with savory, herbal berry flavors. Grabby and full on the finish, with a reduced, weighty overall persona. Strained but still pretty good for the money.
Though there's no oak on this Chard, it's still quite rich and ripe with loads of honeydew, yellow peach slices, lightly baked apple and tangerine oil. The mouth is round and lacking a bit more acidity, but as a whole the wine is enjoyable and easy to drink.
A curiously textured wine, with dry stone fruit characters, missing some of the aromatic virtues of Riesling. That said, it has good freshness, white currant acidity and a light, crisp finish. Screwcap.
Open, soft, creamy, along with a candied fruit character. There is freshness here, with the acidity dominant on the finish.
Not a bad wine but definitely overoaked for what it is. The nose bleeds resin and faux milk chocolate, while the chunky, herbal palate offers pretty good mouthfeel but also roasted berry flavors. Menthol and herbal notes rise up on the hot finish.
Tropical fruit and new wood flavors thread this opulent, seductive Chardonnay. It has surface glamor, with its flavors of ripe mango, peach and toast. Under the surface, the flavors are simple, softly textured.
Warm, ripe and round, this red-fruited wine has a fine feeling of richness. It is soft and fruity, with just the right amount of acidity to balance. Ready to drink.
Dusty and warm up front, this has baked apple and peachy aromas. It feels round with only mild acidity, while the flavors yield barrel resin, citrus and sweet melon. It's not too evolved on the finish.
Here's a bright Pinotage that offers aromas of blackberry and plum, as well as faint hints of dried herb and cured meat. The palate is light and easy drinking, with approachable tannins and a short but clean finish.
This starts with some Verdejo sweat and funk on the nose, and while those notes don't last, the bouquet doesn't improve dramatically with airing. It feels soft and basic, with melon and lettuce flavors. Falls off a bit on the finish, which tastes a bit briney.
This opens with a blast of berry fruit and a note of spice. It feels bouncy, full and healthy, with black fruits and dark spices comprising the flavor profile. The finish is short, but fruity and clean.
Initial tar and asphalt aromas yield to grapy berry and earth notes. It feels hard but not real deep, with a short wild-berry flavor that leads to a reasonably good but superficial finish. Juicy and fresh.
Aromas of sweet white peach and apple blossoms are lovely on this lean, light-footed Grüner Veltiner. The palate could use a hint more concentration, but it's lemony and brisk, with pleasant crushed chalk and grass notes. Drink now.
The bouquet bursts with ripe black-fruit aromas, alongside hints of crushed violet petals. The mouthfeel is round and filling, with a chocolaty flavor that stays through to the finish.
While the texture is rich and full-bodied, there is an edge of sharp acidity that takes away from the generous ripeness. Tannins and juicy red fruits are present, but the acidity is a little jarring.
Scents of cherry and raspberry sauce unfold on the bouquet, while the approachable palate offers similarly intense, fleshy fruit flavors that are laced with hints of pepper and soft mint.
Golden in color, this has bready baked-apple aromas. It feels plump and soft for a brut nature, with a maderized quality to the palate. It tastes extremely dry, like seltzer water blended with citrus, almond and butterscotch. It continues on the same flavor plane throughout the finish.
This structured wine opens with aromas of subtle oak, toast, leather, espresso and dried plum. The extracted palate delivers prune, crushed black cherry, soy sauce and grilled herbs framed by bracing tannins that leave a drying finish.
A complex wine that takes time to unveil itself, this offers muted dark cherry and exotic cardamom spice, light and layered through the midpalate before revealing a taste of toasty oak on the finish.
This smells like a cherry crumble pie that's been heavily hit with cinnamon and other brown spices and served on slate. It dances across the palate with hearty spice, very vibrant fruit, cola and acidity that carries from beginning to end.
A companion to the Helen's designate, this shows the same black cherry core, here with a streak of iron ore down the middle. Flavorful and rather fruity, its moderate acidity carries a hint of lemon.
This dark-colored rosé comes from a single vineyard in the village of Dizy. It is certainly dry as its Extra Brut description indicates, but it offers so much ripe red fruitiness that it is also rich and concentrated. There is bright acidity at the end. Drink now.
Jammy aromas of plum and berry are oaky and come with a hint of rubber and/or latex. This is weighty yet balanced. Earthy flavors of baked black fruits, tea and spice are slightly minerally, while the finish is oaky and generous, with a touch of menthol and heat.
Testarossa's annual best-barrel offering starts with broad aromas of violets, blackberry tea and anise on the edges. It's a lighter Pinot density-wise, very soft and expressive with purple fruits, black olive and a fennel-powered acidify on the finish.
Bold berry, leather and rubbery aromas show a minerally side. This is a big Malbec-driven blend with nice layering and structure. The flavor profile features reduced, roasted black-fruit flavors along with hints of herbs and leaf. The finish is generally smooth and long, with a pinch of heat. Drink through 2017.
From one of the Veneto's leading producers, this is made with native Turbiana grape. Creamy flavors of lemon pastry, Bartlett pear and yellow apple are brightened by refreshing acidity and a fine perlage. It finishes on an almond note.
Grapefruit, apple and walnut aromas lead the nose on this graceful blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Nero. The smooth, creamy palate offers pear, lemon zest and roasted almond alongside soft bubbles and fresh acidity. It boasts enough depth and complexity to age for several years. Drink now through 2018.
Concentrated, potent aromas of earthy blackberry and cassis bring notes of briar patch, prune and exotic spices. The palate is full and oaky but fresh, with flavors of berry, cassis, herb and wood grain. A heavy finish with overt oak and related spice is modern in style. Drink through 2017.
This fresh, pure value red cranks out raspberry and boysenberry aromas in front of a crisp, tight palate. Ripe, quick-hitting flavors of red-berry fruits and toasty smoke finish zesty, with a lasting note of pie cherry.
The nose on this Fess Parker study of barrel age is dominated by Christmas trees and eucalyptus, with subtle red fruit in the background. The palate is woody too, with tart cranberry amidst camphor, burnt cedar and spicy forest herbs. A very intriguing bottle.
This fresh Amarone offers an inviting fragrance of perfumed berry and exotic spice. Notes of graphite, black pepper and clove give depth to the ripe plum and blackberry flavors. It's balanced with firm, chewy tannins. Drink through 2019.
This reserva from a warm year smells like crushed rocks, clay, wood smoke and spiced berry fruits. The palate is rubbery and tannic but bold, while oaky, roasted flavors of spiced black fruits and toast finish lightly baked and chocolaty. Drink through 2018.
While demure and mineral at first whiff, this revitalizing Riesling blossoms on the nose as it aerates, accumulating layers of citrus and floral aromas. Off-dry in style, it boasts ripe yellow-cherry flavor streaked with lime-juice acidity.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Nero, this begins with aromas of chamomile, honey and acacia. The lively palate offers ripe yellow apple, candied citrus and walnut alongside a persistent perlage and bright acidity.
Underbrush, tobacco leaf and raisin aromas lead the way on this structured wine. The smooth palate delivers black plum, prune, black pepper and exotic spice alongside velvety tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage. It closes on a licorice note.
Principally a Bordeaux-style blend, with some Oregon Zinfandel included, this is toasty and dark, a muscular wine offering strawberry preserves, cassis, cola and a swirl of smoke. Quite young and fruit-powered, it's got the concentration to develop further 2018–2020.
Cedar, coconut, tobacco and earthy berry aromas are typical of Rioja. This is juicy and zesty in the mouth, with bright acidity. Flavors of berry, vanilla and earth finish strong. This is an excellent but not overly complicated wine; drink through 2024.
A ripe and forward style with upfront notes of pineapple, softly-grilled peach, juicy melon and a touch of spice. The mouthfeel is round and rich, but with enough acidic cut to keep the palate fresh and lively through the long finish. Flavors of sweet orange citrus and ripe green fig linger endlessly.
Hard and crusty on first impression, with smoky, leathery, meaty aromas along with hints of wild herbs and dark berry fruit. Feels racy and ultraslick, with cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Hits all the right notes while not pushing any buttons too hard or too often; long on the finish. Drink now through 2014.
After it oozes rubber and bacon on the nose, berry fruit and mild medicinal aromas settle in. Feels full, tight and structured, with meat, black cherry and wild berry flavors. Finishes warm, chocolaty and lightly roasted. Well-made, and impressive for the price.
For $20, this bargain basement Tokaji is pretty unbelievable. Abundantly floral and honeyed on the nose, it's deeply concentrated on the palate, with layers of luscious figs and peaches, accented by lanolin and beeswax. Creamy and unctuous on the tongue, yet clean and fresh on the finish, with orange-inflected acidity that lingers.
Sweet new wood goes with rich plum skins in a wine that has a firm structure. The richness of the wine revolves around sweet cherries and juicy acidity. With the wood still dominant, it needs at least five years to settle down.
This is a GSM blend—about two-thirds Syrah—loaded with juicy acidity. The sappy, deep raspberry fruit sinks into the palate, racy and penetrating. It suggests that this is a wine to cellar for awhile. At the moment it suddenly hits a hard stop—a wall of slate and graphite.
An excellent value, the 2008 Gold Label Shiraz is a full-bodied, powerfully built wine, filled out by cassis, chocolate and tobacco flavors. It's long and velvety on the finish, not just an upfront powerhouse. Drink now–2020.
This ripe Grenache is full-bodied and fruit-driven, but seems to have the stuffing to last at least 3–4 years. Cherry-berry flavors are punched up by herb and spice shadings that linger on the finish.
A solid wine, with plum skin and dry tannin textures. It does have the ripe fruit of 2009, attractive red fruits and juicy acidity. But it needs aging over at least three years to show its fruitiness.
An intense wine, its spice finely integrated with a more fruity character. It has the classic Gewürztraminer lychee flavor but this is balanced with acidity, ripe baked apple and mineral structure.
Murky aromas of herbal black fruits and coffee grinds are funky. A scattered mouthfeel and herbal, spotty flavors of plum and currant finish briny. Overall, this is interesting and good but odd, with can't-miss herbal notes.
A very reliable and widely available bottle for daily drinking, this shows blackberry, clove and rust on the fairly dense nose. It's quite juicy on the palate as well, with raspberries and bramble as well as sour plum skins and bright acidity. There's a touch of steel in the background.
This clonal study leans into a quite tropical area, blending aromas of honeysuckle and other white flowers with guava fruit. There is good energy on the palate, with a sour apple-cider character midway, dried pears throughout, stony minerality and a bitter aftertaste.
Leesy whiffs of cured ham and salami are common, and this folds in grassiness and stone-fruit aromas as well. Chunky and fairly citric on the palate, this tastes mostly of orange and tangerine, while mango and nectarine notes pop up on the finish.
Jammy berry aromas are pleasant and only slightly rubbery. This baby Monastrell (with 15% Syrah) is fresh but choppy and gritty in feel. Pure plum and cherry flavors finish with a medicinal note and lasting acidity.
An earthy aroma, light apricot and lemon flavors and crisp, tangy texture add up to a lean, medium-bodied and refreshing wine made from Pinot Noir grapes.
Herbal and stemmy (100% whole-bunch fermented), this is a bit of an outlier in the world of Australian Pinot Noir. It's light to medium in weight, with gentle tannins and tart cherry fruit. Oak takes the form of mocha on the finish. My initial impression was “simple but appealing,” but upon reflection perhaps it just needs more time to show its stuff.
In an oxidative style, this is a wine that is smooth and full of ripe fruit tones. With black plum and berry flavors it has just enough of a tannic edge, with a soft aftertaste.
Earthy, herbal aromas of cherry and plum come with a funky note of wet dog fur. Hailing from a cool, wet vintage, this is showing shearing acidity and abrasiveness. Quick-hitting raspberry, plum and red-currant flavors end with edginess and snap. This is 40% each Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, with 20% Monastrell.
Scratchy cherry and raspberry aromas are lightly herbal. This 50-50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Cab Sauvignon is tightly wound, with punchy acidity. Herbal raspberry and red-plum flavors finish dry and lightly oaked, with rawness and herbal notes.
Aromas of dry herbs, plum and raspberry come with a medicinal note of Band-Aid. This feels chunky almost to the point of being lazy, while earthy, baked black-fruit flavors are slightly salty. This Bobal holds firm on the finish, which is meaty in texture but herbal and medicinal in flavor.
A fresh citrus core underlies rich fig and walnut flavors in this light-bodied but luxuriously textured blend of white Rhône grape varieties. Crisp and tangy elements nicely balance out the ripe and savory ones.
Juicy and soft with just a touch of tannin, this is all about red cherry fruits. A rounded texture makes the wine ready to drink.
Ripe and jammy, this is an immediately attractive wine. Warm crushed-strawberry flavors have enough tannin and acidity to keep freshness. This wine can be drunk now, although it will be better, with softer tannins, from 2016.
Aromas of tropical fruit and citrus blossom lead the nose on this rich sparkler. The round, rather sweet palate doles out banana, green apple, yellow peach and apricot alongside a foaming mousse. Less sweet than a dessert wine, it would pair nicely with vanilla ice cream or cream-filled pastries.
From the village of Lantignié, rosé from this 1,300-foot elevation vineyard is fresh and light-hearted. Full of ripe strawberry flavors, the wine also has great acidity, giving a direct and fruity wine that is ready to drink.
Sunny aromas of golden pear, caramelized red apples and toasted oak arise on the nose of this bottling from a winery near Morgan Hill. Dried grapefruits, smoked green apples and a jasmine-extract character show on the ripe palate.
A little green and entirely basic, but in this price range it's not disappointing. The nose offers oregano, tomato and plum all in a savory wrapping, while the palate is lively and plummy, with no huge faults. Juicy as far as feel goes, with a bouncy red fruit-meets-herbal personality.
An earthy nose of cherry and spice, followed by flavors of tart cherry, cedar and violet, give this wine a distinctive character. It's balanced and easygoing—a great go-to red for game, turkey and beef.
A fresh white currant-flavored wine, attractive with its acidity and fresh berry character. Dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, it has a grassy element, but there is also good intensity of sweet flavors.
This is very floral and fruity--almost to the point of being candied and artificial--with prominent flavors of cherries and bubble gum, yet finishing dry. A decent summertime quaff.
Even among value-priced Cabs from Chile, this one isn't offering much. The nose is sharp and brambly, with a hint of stem that takes a while to loosen its grip. The palate is made up of bitter-tinged raspberry flavors and short, choppy tannins. Seems more short on substance than in the past.
Powdery and sweet smelling, with an acidic palate propelling pedestrian green apple, lime and orange flavors. Fruity but not very refined, with a tenuous balance that indicates that it should be drunk as soon as possible.
Enticing aromas of crushed black cherry, mature plum, black pepper, blue flower and tilled earth lead the nose on this vibrant, full-bodied wine. Rich blackberry, clove, espresso and black pepper back up the palate alongside firm tannins. It ends on a licorice note. Drink 2016–2025.
You can taste the craftsmanship in this beautiful wine. The color is a brilliant light copper, the aromas and flavors remind you that the wine is made from 75% Pinot Noir, with cherry and cinnamon notes delicately coming through. A hint of fresh baked bread comes out on the palate and stays on the finish. Very tasty, and elegant in style.
Orange rind and exotic spices lend a mysterious appeal to ripe, rich flavors of melon, mango and peach on this intoxicating, unctuous Riesling. It's sunny and sweet on the palate, but tart tangerine acidity makes it refreshingly thirst quenching.
Complex and rich, this is full of tangy fruits, with a dense structure that brings out weight, minerality and a chewy core of zesty citrus. It very crisp and fruity at this stage and needs to develop its many other flavors. Drink from 2017.
There's a surprising element of power to this Pinot Noir. Intense in dark cherry cola, clove and nutmeg, it offers a pronounced finish of wintery cardamom and caramel. The body is medium weight and the tannins smooth and silky.
Tense and full-bodied, Summit is from all Calera clone vines that deliver seductive elegance and earthiness. Cranberry and red currant follow aromatics of herb, dark cherry and classic Russian River cola spice. All the flavors develop further in the glass.
Dense and rich, this shows structure as well as powerful fruits. It comes from a parcel of chalk soil at the southern end of Pouilly Fuissé. The wine is firm, concentrated, packed with yellow fruits as well as layers of acidity and toast structure. Drink from 2016.
This is an old-world-style Pinot Noir that many a Francophile will love. Adorned in spice, earth and herbs, it is light in color and texture, with a deft approach to oak. Dark cherry fruit abounds around a silky, sublime mouthfeel.
This is a dense wine, with mint aromas and dark, brooding tannins. Black plum and berry fruits are both rich and tight, with a strong mineral texture. It brings out the hard soil of the Douro and also the heat in the valley. It does need to age, so drink from 2018.
A full-bodied, well-polished and nicely oaky wine with a smooth and full texture. Flavors are ripe and fruity and laced with vanilla, maple and toasted bread nuances. Vibrant acidity pairs with firm tannins to keep it mouthwatering on the finish.
Spécial Club is a grouping of growers who taste each other's wines and approve them for Club status. This is certainly an impressive wine, seamlessly moving from freshness to richness via a steely texture. It is still impressively young and fruity, a bright, crisp wine that will age for several more years. Drink from 2016.
A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero and made without dosage, this opens with a delicate but alluring fragrance of white flower, citrus, stone fruit and pastry notes. The smooth, silky palate delivers lemon zest, ripe red apple, candied ginger and a yeasty note of baked bread alongside a soft, persistent mousse.
Spicy, leathery, gritty notes share the nose with ripe black-fruit scents on this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec. At this stage, the palate feels narrow and pinched but not miserly. Flavors of spicy blackberry, briary plum and cassis finish with smooth yet strong tannins and a note of licorice. Drink 2015–2022.
Dense and delicious, this opens with aromas of plum cake, tobacco, leather and blackberry. The rich palate delivers crushed black raspberry, mocha and chocolate alongside brooding tannins. Give it time to unwind and fully develop.
This savory Pinot Noir features aromas of blistered tomatoes, Italian herbs, Dr. Pepper and strawberries stewed with anise. Oregano and rosemary give herbal backbone to the pomegranate fruit flavors, all culminating in a very sanguine finish.
An estate-grown Pinot Noir from the wilds of Freestone, this wine delivers in high acidity and perfumed aromatics that are highlighted by violet and sandalwood. The taste leans towards tart cherry and strawberry. Medium in weight, it's a structured wine, with just the right amount of heft and oak on the finish.
Sometimes a wine has such a distinct individual personality that it stands out from the crowd, and this focused Pinot fits that description. There is a light touch of sophisticated, subtly spicy French oak but a crystal-clear raspberry fruit character energizes the aromas and flavors. It is medium-to-full bodied, but not at all heavy. It's hard to imagine tiring of this.
With its mature orange, onion skin color, this is a soft, toasty wine. It is losing fruit and gaining a wide range of mature flavors while keeping tight acidity. The wine tastes drier than previous vintages, a crisp aftertaste allowing the texture to shine and the more mature elements to develop well. Drink now, although the wine will age longer.
From a newer planting of the Durell Vineyard called the Ranch House Block, this Pinot is rocking in deep, delicious baked strawberry and raspberry fruit, fruity, lush and spicy yet balanced and tempting. The texture is satisfyingly velvety and complete.
This proves that sparkling wine does not have to be bone-dry to be sophisticated. Although moderately sweet, it is complex in aroma, elegant in texture and balance, rich in flavor and long on the finish. An appealing fresh-bread aroma leads to rich poached-pear flavors. This will be great with an after-dinner cheese course.
Good grip and detail highlight this vineyard designate. Smoke, pipe tobacco, a whiff of cigar and a spicy edge bringing in cinnamon and clove are all well-matched to the ripe, plush fruit. Length and complexity make this a standout.
A unique and rich nose of clove, beet juice, freshly turned earth and wet chalkboard lead this wine. It's soft and peppery on the palate at first, with raspberry fruit, strong spice and excellent acidity.
Light and a bit cloudy in appearance, this wine begins with a nose of wet slate and raspberry. Next comes a flavor of cherry tomato sauce that's combined with stewed spices of clove, anise and dried orange peel. Layered, interesting and complex.
Very ripe, this offers sweet cherry and cinnamon aromas, equally enticing red cherry flavors plus great balance and purity. Full-bodied, it has silky texture and a long finish. A sweet oak influence is evident.
Named for the Servite convent in the town of Borba, this fresh, crisp and tangy wine is citric, with almond and apple overtones. It's young, fruity and made for immediate consumption.
Reduced on the nose, this wine has a nuttiness and a petrol-like quality that colors its otherwise thin dried plum flavor. Low in oak, it will pair well with traditional Italian fare.
This opens with aromas of resin and a whiff of dried flower that follow through to the lean palate along with hints of citrus and dried stone fruit. But it's cut short by extremely bitter sensations that recall walnut skin.
Lightly spritzy, this tastes of crisp apple and finishes just off-dry. It's deliciously refreshing, bright and tangy. Drink now.
The 12 months of wood aging has left its mark on this wine, giving it a spicy burnt character. That makes it tough and unlikely to broaden out. It will likely remain dry and firm.
This range of wines comes from different regions of the southwest. The white comes from Gascony and is typical local blend. It is crisp and fruity with a soft texture from the ripe Colombard. There is a light dancing character to this lively, fruity wine. Drink now.
This is one of several wines from this producer that are created to give lie to the tannic Malbec. This is soft, ripe and full of the young fruitiness that demands to be drunk now.
This wine balances swathes of ripe berry fruit with hints of tannin. It's fruity, full bodied and delicious to drink now. A great barbecue wine.
A soft and easy wine with black currant fruit and gentle tannins, this has just enough acidity and structure to hold it together. Spice adds interest on the finish. Drink now.
A very pale, watery straw color, this is soft and low in intensity, with faint aromas and flavors of citrus pith and fresh grass. The palate is thin and light, followed by a short, brisk finish. Drink now.
Smoky, toasted oak aromas lead to strong char and butter flavors and a viscous texture that clings to the palate. Subtlety is not one of this wine's virtues, as its outsized flavors stand in stark relief.
This is an earthy blend of Touriga Nacional, Jaen and Trincadeira. Unencumbered by wood aromas, it's full of structured red berry fruit and balanced acidity and is ready to drink.
Made to be drunk young, this wine gives a burst of ripe red fruit. The tannins are soft and open, balanced with acidity. The aftertaste is smooth and generous. Drink now.
With its typical prickle on the tongue, this is a medium sweet wine. It's clean, crisp and citrusy, with sliced apple and orange zest flavors. Drink now.
According to legend, the Baron of Figuiera got his foot stuck in the stirrup while riding one day. He promised that where his horse stopped, he would build a chapel, and that's where this 2,100 foot high, cool-climate vineyard is today. The wine is crisp and fresh, with attractive citrus notes and plenty of refreshing acidity. Drink now.
A large production offering, this white is simple and direct in its expression of the variety, remaining steely and low in oak on the palate, with a depth of green apple and melon fruit.
This warm, ripe wine is open and ready to drink. With its bold red fruit and generous, well-integrated tannins, it's made for barbecues. Drink now.
A light orange pink color sets the scene for a fruity wine that has raspberry flavors, soft acidity and an attractive, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Pristine Asian pear and lemon perfume on the nose of this full bodied Chardonnay take a slightly darker savory tone on the palate. The mouthfeel is rich and textured, but brambly slightly vegetal notes and a bite of astringency distract on the finish.
A hint of maple syrup in the aromas and flavors gives this medium-bodied red a touch of sweetness. Oak flavors dominate the modest fruit on the palate.
Port-like cedary aromas and mature flavors mark this full-bodied, ripe and broad-textured wine. It's tasty in a superripe way, although the high alcohol is apparent on the finish.
This wine starts out a bit reduced, along with aromas of melon and red apple. It drinks a hair off dry, with a blend of stone-fruit and tropical flavors.
This wine veers slightly sweet, like many overripe red blends. It's deep in color, soft in and makes a good counterpoint to spicy foods.
This is a soft, gentle Pinot with a plum jelly flavor derived from a touch of sweetness in its fruit. Drink now.
This opens with standard cherry and berry aromas before transitioning to a juicy palate with red berry, plum, herb and grass notes. It finishes a little hot and aggressive, but for $4 who's complaining?
A touch of minerality on the nose comes with apple and lemon aromas. It feels fleshy, with pulpy white-fruit flavors that end with honeydew and papaya notes. Drink now.
This is a lightweight, fruity and softly tannic wine. The red berry flavor is bright and breezy, and the acidity is a dominant feature. Screwcap.
Fruity and off-dry, this has light touches of sweet strawberry and vanilla to go with the orange zest acidity. Screwcap.
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 100% stainless-steel-aged Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp, herbal mouthfeel, with a melon-like brightness. Just a touch of green pepper and jalapeño muddle the finish.
The nose of this blend of 58% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 8% Petite Sirah is a touch funky, with sour blackberry, charcoal and dried meat aromas. Charred blueberry, sour black plum and savory meat flavors show on the palate.
The nose is a bit shy but eventually reveals underbrush, red berry and a toasted note. The straightforward palate is quite lean, offering raw sour cherry, a green note of powdered sage and a hint of ground pepper alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Muted aromas of tart gooseberry and lime peel dance in the bouquet, while pithy flavors of plum skin, currant and citrus rind unfold on the lightweight, slightly astringent palate. Pleasant hints of fresh herbs and saline make a fleeting impression on the close.
This mountain-grown wine is hugely tannic and oaky, hard to penetrate in its full-bodied ripeness. Smoky oak and currant flavors vie for attention against a backdrop of concentration and power.
This wine offers nice balance between the ripe-fruit tones of pear and green-apple and the green, stemmy herb and grass notes. There are subtle smoke and spice accents that unfold on the finish, following a plush mouthfeel that's enlivened by bright citrus tones. Drink now.
This fruit-driven white blend is powered by Roussanee, which showcases its hallmark pineapple fruit. Hints of honey and pear add a bit of nuance, but this easy-drinking, medium- to full-bodied wine remains pretty straightforward.
Scents of green apple and plum lead the bouquet, with a strong lime-pith note that carries through to the palate. The texture is soft and somewhat flat on the midpalate, but ample acidity and a pleasant astringency help to lift the close. Drink now.
Like the hyperexpensive Cuvée à Tempo, Pegau's 2015 Cuvée Reservée has a slightly bitter edge to the finish. Otherwise, it shows subtle pineapple, anise and white gumdrop notes and medium body.
Bright aromas of tart apple, melon rind and fresh chrysanthemum dance in the bouquet, while the lively, lightweight palate offers notes of white peach and citrus pith. A subtle astringency graces the close. Drink now.
This is a fresh and lively white, with some green bean and herbaceous notes to support the core of gooseberry and lime rind aromas and flavors. It's light and straightforward, but clean and so easy to enjoy. Drink now.
An aromatic opening of compost and vinegar might suggest casting this aside. But flavors of strawberry and chocolate, along with an admitted weedy note, amount to something decent. Finishing notes of brown sugar and berry syrup are chocolaty and ensure that this finishes better than it begins.
Produced in the west of Gascony, with a strong oceanic influence, this Chardonnay is cool, fruity and with bright acidity. It does have a creamy texture that fills out the fruitiness. It is an attractive, ripe wine that is ready to drink.
This is a light wine with plenty of acidity and soft tannins that come together in a juicy, crisp, red fruit-flavored medley. Ready to drink.
An intriguing blend of grapes with both Bordeaux and Gaillac origins has produced a wine that has a softly herbal character as well as richer white stone fruits and an attractive perfume. It is a pretty wine, ready to drink and very fruity.
With hints of minerality typical of any wine from the Dão, this has tight, yeasty notes that contrast with its crisp, bright apple fruit. Drink now.
A wine for early drinking, this is soft, fruity and bright. With red berry flavor and gentle tannins, it's direct and packed with fruitiness. Drink now.
This gentle blend of Aligoté and Chardonnay shows yellow fruit flavors. It has a crisp edge to its round smoothness. Drink now.
A blend of Chardonnay, Garganega and Sauvignon, this has aromas of peach and golden apple. The simple palate offers pineapple and banana alongside bright acidity. Enjoy soon.
While light in color, this wine is flavorful and easy to enjoy. Its smoothly textured, medium-bodied palate carries generous red cherry and plum flavors.
Blended with less than a handful of Petite Sirah, this wine is thick and ultraripe, showing dense chocolate and plum sauce flavors, accented with soy.
A soft and ripe wine with spicy red fruit flavors cushioned by a smooth texture, this has well-embedded tannins and can be drunk young.
Named after the series of vineyard terraces that rise steeply from the Lot river, this wine is soft and easily accessible. It does have the Malbec structure although this is comfortably balanced by the black fruit and acidity. The wine will be ready to drink from 2017.
From four estate vineyards, this wine appears to be low in oak and extra crisp in mouthfeel, offering austere apple and citrus elements with a slight metallic edge.
Already a bit light in color and showing some rust at the rim, this medium-weight, silky-textured wine features aromas of sun-baked clay and cherries. There's not much depth or richness, but the tart fruit makes for an easy quaff. Drink now.
Eight years down the line and this Malbec shows the flaws caused by a harvest marred by freezes. This smells like a mix of green bean and jammy boysenberry. The palate feels saturated but soupy, with outsize acidity. Green-herb flavors mix with baked plum and blueberry, while the finish feels sticky, tannic and heavy.
This is a simple, tart red, crisp in cranberry and red currant fruit and perfumed with spicy oak. Despite the high acidity on the front palate, it hangs heavy in full-bodied ripeness.
Fresh grass, gooseberry, lime leaf and a touch of melon rind appear on the nose and mouth of this straightforward wine. It's lightweight and easygoing, with brisk acidity and a crisp, refreshing finish. Drink now.
An overachiever among dessert wines. It opens with ripe melon and sweet stone fruit aromas, but it's not overly challenging or heavy. The palate is thick but offers just-right acidity, which frames sweet, enjoyable orange, lychee and honey flavors. Rich yet bright; an extreme.
Aromas of wet stone, smoke and petrol seep evocatively into the sweet pineapple bouquet. The palate is dry but deeply concentrated with a ripe stone fruit character. Finishes briskly with a bracing lime juice acidity.
On the citrusy side of things for the Pfalz, where many of the wines lean toward peachiness. Pineapple and passion fruit notes are accented by hints of stuck flint and a vaguely briny character. Although only 12.5% abv, the wine is richly textured on the palate, then turning crisp and refreshing on the finish.
Brightly perfumed wine, its acidity coming from a delicious array of white fruits, citrus and green plums. It has some sweetness, making it a fine apéritif style.
A balanced wine that showcases the ripe fruit while preserving freshness and layers of melon and spiced pear flavors. It has some concentration, leaving a final rich texture.
Even Grünhäuser's entry-level trocken is impressive in 2010, combining ample petrol-like notes with a pronounced streak of lime sherbet. It's medium bodied and slightly creamy on the midpalate, yet sharply focused on the finish.
The Shea Vineyard, replanted during the 1990s due to phylloxera, is returning to its old form. Round and fresh fruit flavors, lightly toasty, and showing a dusting of powdered sugar, craft a fruity wine with a raspberry pastry character. Lovely for near-term enjoyment.
A rich rosé, edging towards dryness. The wine is full of fresh crushed strawberries and red apple flavors, showing the ripeness of the year yet keeping a sense of elegance and tight structure.
Very tasty fruit flavors showcase pretty berries, especially raspberries, with a hint of mint and fresh herb. It's front-loaded and ready to drink immediately.
Generous fruit flavors of strawberry preserves are the focus of this full-throttle Pinot Noir. Stone fruits and anise, along with a butterscotch vein from barrel aging, add further interest. Drink this over the near term.
A beautifully perfumed wine, with ripe flavors, soft and rounded, hints of tropical fruits as well as spice and honey. Intense and full-bodied.
Hickory smoked, campfire aromas lead off the nose, which has dense berry and curt minerality at the core. The palate is chewy, meaty and rich, with toasty, woody, spicy flavors of dark fruits and chocolate. Almost blackened at points, but undeniably from good grapes.
A little funky and cheesy on the nose, with leather, olive and leafy berry fruit aromas. The palate feel is staunch and tannic, with dry, roasted flavors of red berries and herbs. Finishes baked, with some heat and smoke. Hard and tannic stuff, but also flavorful and generous.
Quite earthy and sun-baked to start, with raisiny aromas that come with cola and leather. Thick, dense and heavy in the mouth, with concentrated, baked flavors of blackberry, pepper and bitter chocolate. A superripe, inky wine with soft tannins and a spongey finish.
A subdued Mountain Zin at first, surprising given its power. It hits you first with nice licorice flavors, its tannins mellow and tight, and just the right amount of jammy fruit. A mouthful that sometimes doesn't hit too hard.