Fresh and forward. The nose is pure, ripe and rubbery, with a deep level of black fruit. The mouthfeel shows zippy acidity and total ripeness of the grapes. The grippy finish is long and rock solid. The tannins make it a touch hard, but with food you can't really fail.
The bestselling Pinot Grigio on the market is full of forward fruit and balancing acidity. It succeeds in epitomizing why Pinot Grigio is so popular, with its slight spice and crisp, soft, clean and fresh flavors, with just a touch of citrus and lychees.
Spicy and peppery, with lots of body and richness. In a word, it's true Carmenère. The fruit here is ripe and lush, with plenty of herbal essence, and for every drop of plum or black cherry there's a balancing hint of green herb and bell pepper, which does not signal underripeness. The finish is tight and long, with some espresso flavor. If you're interested in trying a well-made Carmenère, give this a go.
This offers black currant flavors and firm, stalky tannins. It has acidity, a good juicy character and a dry aftertaste. Drink from 2015.
This wine is all about fruitiness, its crisp texture merely an aid to the lively acidity and herbaceous character. Cool and fresh, it delivers a bright aftertaste of lime juiciness.
This is a wine that's on the lean side. That gives it structure without enough fruit to balance. It is dry, tight and shows black currant acidity at the end.
There's a slightly sour smell to this offering from Coomber Family, who produce “wines for animal lovers.” However, the sipping experience is pleasant enough, with hard cherry candy, a range of spices and a lingering licorice finish.
There is an earthy, barnyard character to this Sauvignon Blanc, with a tightly herbaceous flavor overshadowed by a more rustic style. It's ready to drink, but does need food to balance that earthiness.
The nose on this Navarran rosado is briny and strained. The palate is on the heavy side, while flavors of peach pit and citrus peel finish pithy and mildly bitter. This will not age well.
Tropical fruit and melon aromas are basic but friendly. This has a punch-like mouthfeel as well as open-knit flavors of orange, nectarine, white grapefruit and apple. What it lacks in finesse is made up for in fruit.
Lightly wood aged, this is a rich wine that has tropical fruits as well as toast and pepper from the alcohol. Unfortunately, there's a streak of citrus that sits awkwardly with the rest of the wine. Drink now.
Lychee and tropical fruit aromas are heavy and rubbery. Ditto the palate, which weighs in soft. Generic tropical flavors of lychee and papaya are mellow at best and finish with bitterness.
Rustic, hearty aromas of tar, cola, herbs and burnt rhubarb make for an intriguing nose on this entry-level bottling from Testarossa. The sips feature cola and cherry flavors, with a very quick finish.
The wine does have fruit, but it is masked by strong burnt tannins from the wood aging. The acidity shows the possibility of red berry fruits appearing later.
Fruity and fresh, it's full of grapefruit, lime and green apple flavors. It is crisp and ready to drink.
Peach and apple aromas are light. Peachy acidity carries the palate toward basic flavors of orange and nectarine, while the finish feels healthy but low on flavor and character.
This funky rosé is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, and there's color, spice aromas and weight dictated by that grape mix. Heavy plum and cherry flavors are fruity but flat in feel, with no cut to the finish. This is interesting but not refreshing.
Apple and tropical fruit aromas are mild. This feels round, creamy and soft, with moderate acidity. Flavors of walnut, banana, melon and vanilla finish creamy, without much follow through.
Heavily dominated by wood aging, this wine should be showing its fruit by now, but isn't. It has bitterness, layers of spice and smoky wood. Only the aftertaste brings some freshness and acidity.
The wine is fruity, crisp and herbaceous. Everything is in place for an attractive, ready-to-drink wine, all fruit and with only a light texture.
This herbal wine has grassy plum aromas and a touch of cowhide on the nose. Aggressive tannins and sharp acidity run alongside leafy plum and raspberry flavors. Chocolaty oak with vanilla sweetness helps things along.
There's a tension between leanness and grip in this Cab, from the mountainous terrain of Atlas Peak. Black tea and tarragon intermingle between near-hidden layers of black fruit.
There's matchstick to the nose along with aromas of lychee and tropical fruits. This is a bit heavy and creamy on the tongue, with sweet, lightly grassy flavors of melon and citrus.
A hard, too-toasty wine that is completely dominated by smoky wood flavors. Whatever fruit is there is swamped, only a juicy hint through the wine's weight.
This wine benefits from some time in bottle. Wood and fruit are integrated, bringing out the spice in the fruit, while leaving delicious apple and white currant fruits to blossom. Screwcap.
There is impressive balance here—rich apple and pear flavors with a tang of minerality. It is smooth and concentrated on the one hand and edgy and nervy on the other. Screwcap.
A fine example of white Hermitage, Chapoutier's 2007 Chante-Alouette boasts attractive aromas of crushed stone, honey and pineapple, while in the mouth the wine goes down easily, flowing along like a gentle, honeyed stream. Harmonious. Drink now–2014, or after 2019 if you prefer aged Hermitage.
The rich, exposed soils of the Wagram ridge give richness to this wine. From old vines, it is impressive with spice, red pepper, cinnamon as well as green plum and mango fruits. Six months wood aging rounds it out. Screwcap.
Already showing well, Guigal's 2007 white Hermitage displays hints of truffle and peach on the nose and in the mouth. This blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne is full bodied and mouthcoating, with a long, citrusy finish. Drink this beauty now, or hold 10 or more years.
Full bodied and concentrated, with a long, chewy finish, this wine gets points for being complex as well. It's plummy yet savory, with touches of braised beef, coffee and black olive. Drink 2013–2023.
Lush and dark, with balance throughout. The nose oozes blackberry and fine oak, while the palate is thick and meaty, with dark berry and vanilla as the prime flavors. Solid, textured and rich, with a long, lasting, complex finish of tobacco, vanilla, mixed spices and chocolate. Drink now through 2017.
Tart red currant notes come with peppery, fresh verve on nose and palate of this delicate but lively wine, providing ideal refreshment. This rosé has the wonderfully tart citrus notes that go so well with food. The superclean finish provides a last, citric hurrah.
This Rhone-inspired specialist, who also does a fine job with Zin, shows both sides of the coin in this Rhône variety that in California is more often associated and blended with Zin. Elusive red berry takes on layers of flavors in the glass, becoming densely mouth-coating and intensely rich on the leathery finish.
While its briary, red berried fruit expression is pristine, there's an Old-World anchor to this Cabernet Franc. It's brambly and a bit herbal, but bright and fresh, framed firmly by tart acidity and velvety tannins. The palate is supple and silky with a long, persistent finish. Drinks well now but should improve till at least 2021.
The 123-acre estate has been in the Rabarin family for 150 years, yielding both wine and market-garden produce. This is a delicious, crisp wine full of red-currant freshness with a tight, mineral character. It is concentrated with pepper overtones and a nervy, bright aftertaste.
This fascinating wine has a deep gold color, aromas like toasted nuts, flavors like apricots and a rich but tangy texture. Winemaker Pietro Buttita fermented it with the skins like a red wine and aged it without oak. It would be fun to try with a chunk of Pecorino or some liver pate on toast.
The aromas of black fruit, vanilla and high-toned spice are brooding but display a sense of purity. The flavors are lighter styled, tart and supple, with bitters on the finish. Far from a big brawny bottle, it explores the variety's nuance.
Citrus zest, faint passion fruit, guava and woodland ferns all vie for attention here—this is a zesty, aromatic mix of greenery and ripeness. The central freshness makes this very appetizing and moreish. This is crisp and mouthwatering with a lasting, wonderfully aromatic aftertaste.
Totally zesty swirls of ripe citrus sweep up green pear and yeast notes as they rise from the glass and flow across the palate. This has verve and liveliness and acts like a tonic: it's light-bodied, balanced, scented refreshment.
Very light in the glass and nimble throughout the sip, this is a promising young wine that may wind up quite excellent with some bottle age. Tightly wound black raspberry and strawberry fruit notes meet cinnamon, camphor and dewy eucalyptus on the nose, while the palate packs an array of thyme and bay leaf against a lighter cranberry fruit base.
Grassy, herbal notes accent pink grapefruit on the nose. There's ample weight without it ever seeming heavy, and a silky feel to the wine that lingers on the finish.
Subtle aromas of dark berry, tilled earth and baking spice lead the nose. The ripe, juicy palate doles out mature plum, cassis, anise and black pepper alongside round, solid tannins. Drink through 2018.
Berry, cherry, earth and coffee aromas form a solid, appealing bouquet. This feels juicy and fresh, not excessive. Flavors of berry fruits, red plum, baking spices and pepper finish toasty, dry and collected. Drink this bright crianza through 2022.
Fruity and crisp, this is a ripe, refreshing wine. Lively acidity sets off the full strawberry and red-currant fruits. The aftertaste continues the fruity theme with tangy orange-zest flavors.
With 70% Mourvèdre, this rich, concentarted wine is packed with dark, tarry tannins and juicy black-plum fruits. A strong, spicy, character goes with the powerful tannins that still need to soften. Drink from 2018.
From a two-acre block planted to the variety within this stately place, more famous for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is herbal in dried sage, girded in big tannin and exhibiting plenty of density. Leathery black fruit, especially currant, and black pepper provoke the palate.
Intense salinity and tropical fruit meld beautifully in this ripe, lusciously textured Sauvignon Blanc. Tart grapefruit and lime notes lend a zesty vitality to the midpalate. The finish lingers with chalky, salty minerality.
Fashionably pale in color, this light, bright and very poised wine is made from old-vine Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault. With its acidity and fresh red currant and raspberry fruits, it is still crisp and could age a few more months, although why wait?
Assertive and delicious, this light-bodied and dry wine has dramatic aromas of wood smoke, wet stones and even diesel. Those are classic for the German grape varieties from which it was made, as are the light peach and white pepper flavors that ride an elegant texture and slightly sweet balance.
Savory in personality and at first austere, this wine blossoms into a full-bodied, concentrated and tight-woven exploration of black cherry and dark chocolate, accented by 1% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Elegant, it's also bold, and will successfully appeal to Cab drinkers.
Nicely balanced, full of tasty fruit flavors, and accented by light vanilla and nutmeg, this is a seamless wine that has lots of appeal. At this reasonable price, it will make a great go-to choice—the kind to stock by the case.
The cocoa, herb and woodspice aromas are still quite locked up. The black cherry flavors are more revealing, showing a pleasing tartness and sense of elegance.
Rather elegant and well integrated aromas of stewed black cherries, clove, gingerbread and vanilla are reminiscent of a rich dessert. The palate is also full and flavorful with similar components as well as brown sugar, Vietnamese coffee, purple flowers and a lifting mint component. It's fruity but nuanced and fairly priced.
A trove of wild strawberry wraps around a concentration of full-bodied smoothness in this deep and brooding wine marked by a juicy core and plenty of length on the finish.
Made from equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, with an additional 20% Malbec, this is a spicy, sturdy, full-bodied wine rich in restrained red fruit, leather and a healthy dose of tannin.
Earthy, yeasty notes signal that this is still a baby of a wine. Once they have blown off, the palate reveals juicy, ripe, yellow pear and a savory, herbal touch reminiscent of fresh sage and and chervil. Lovely focus and a very savory finish.
Savory herb, fresh tobacco, dark cherry and anise aromas lead to elegant, pitch black fruit flavors. It brings plenty of outright appeal but should truly reveal its charms at the dinner table.
All varietal, the aromas come off as a bit green, with notes of leafy fresh herbs, green tea, cedar and spice that haven't yet fully blossomed. The dark fruit flavors are generous while showing restraint and balance.
This is a medium- to full-bodied wine, a bit chunky and edgy at first, but these characters should mellow with another few months in the bottle. It's boldly flavored, with black cherry and beet notes upfront, while subtle mocha and vanilla shadings emerge on the finish.
Animating, grassy, citrussy freshness sings on the nose. The palate bursts with fresh, juicy pear fruit. This is slender but full of drive and flavor. Perhaps the little angels depicted on the label helped to make this wine as light-footed and joyous as it is? It certainly will put a smile on the face of every lover of Grüner.
While the aromas of this young wine reveal considerable toast, on the palate the wine brings forward the ripe apricot and mango flavors to go with that wood. As it matures, these elements will coalesce with the taut, tense mineral texture into an superb, ageworthy terroir-driven wine.
This rich wine balances ripe yellow fruits with intense citrus acidity in a harmonious whole. Its structure is laden with minerality, toast and a smooth, delicious creamy aftertaste.
Surprisingly subtle, yet maddeningly complex, this is a rare treat to unravel slowly, sip by sip. Sweet and honeyed on the nose with scents of freesia, orange peel and stone fruit, but accented with just a hint of sun-dried hay. The palate is deeply concentrated with undulating waves of honey, beeswax and fruit, but balanced with striking tangerine acidity. Remarkably long on the finish.
Full-bodied and lush in style, with aromas of cherries and spice. On the palate, it delivers waves of fresh fruit and hints of cocoa, but also enough complexity to hold your interest before finishing on a long, mouthwatering note. Drink now–2016.
Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, deep and sappy, with the dark, licorice and coffee-infused complexity of Walla Walla's best bottles. Sharp and young, with a potent, liquorous finish, this explosive bottle of cassis-driven fruit should cellar well for a decade or more.
Juicy white grapefruit and lime flavors penetrate throughout this juicy, off-dry Riesling. It's refreshing and quaffable yet elegantly structured, finishing moderately long on a lingering lime-pith note.
Ripe and oaky up front, a sweet vanilla aroma is redeemed by darker notes of blackberry and asphalt. Jammy and full bodied, the palate delivers boysenberry, herbs and creamy oak flavors. The heavy, chewy finish is dense and ripe.
The nose on the winery's annual Pomerol-focused blend of mostly Cabernet Franc and Merlot remains tightly wound, with purple fruit and tobacco just barely poking out. It's richly textured on the palate but the dark fruit flavors remain elegantly restrained throughout the sipping experience.
Light salmon-pink in color, this refreshing wine is made from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which all provide structure and complexity. Subtle in aroma and flavor, it is light and tart, leaning toward intriguing flavors of pomegranate and cranberry.
Fragrant and soft, this sends up a chocolaty mix of strawberry and raspberry fruit scents and flavors. It's a barrel selection from a variety of vineyards, and is young enough to show a stiff, somewhat herbal edge to the tannins. Give it an hour or two in a decanter for best drinking.
An appetizing hickory-smoke aroma and bold fruit flavors make this one stand out, yet it doesn't go too far with the woody character. A hint of bacon blends well with the ripe blackberry flavors, and the rich texture and firm tannins make it a great wine to pair with big portions of protein.
Aromas of leather, prune, mature dark berry and carob lead the nose on this warm, brawny wine. The ripe palate offers fig, black cherry-marinated-in-spirits, licorice and tobacco alongside dense tannins. The heat of alcohol is evident on the midpalate.
Crystal-clear aromas of green apples and minerals come with a slight dash of oak. This is barrel-fermented Viura (with 10% Malvasia), but there's nothing woody or overtly barrel-dominated about the wine, which is tight and citric on the tongue, with tangerine, green apple and nectarine flavors that finish racy and tart.
Minerals and earth lift the nose of this wine, with iron ore, rust and jet black soils alongside a touch of boysenberry fruit. The palate is sanguine as well, reflecting red volcanic dirts, with fruit trending toward violet and cranberry.
Made with 100% Garganega, this amber-colored wine features floral aromas of dried white spring flower, peach blossom and stone fruit. On the palate, rosemary and honey accents add interest to ripe yellow peach. It closes on a note of white toasted almond.
Straightforward but structured, this opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, wet soil and stewed plum. The palate offers dried cherry, raisin, nutmeg and seasoned herbs framed by firm tannins.
Aromas of asphalt and grilled steak accent berry and cassis scents. This hits hard on the palate, with no mercy to the tannins. Flavors of cherry and cassis come with notes of desert sage and chocolate. Drilling tannins last through the finish. Drink through 2020.
This is a fun and lively blend of 38% Grenache, 24% Cinsault, 21% Syrah and 17% Petite Sirah, with aromas of fresh wild berries and white pepper. The flavors are berry punch-like, with intriguing clove, licorice and anise.
Citrus and chocolate come up from the glass, wrapped together like chocolate-covered orange peel. The core fruit is tangy raspberry, spicy and focused. This drinks like a young wine in terms of both vineyard and bottle age. It should continue to improve with a bit of cellar time.
A bit more oxidized style of Riesling from Buellton-based winemaker John Wright, this delivers aromas of baking bread, roasted almonds and toast with marmalade. The rich yet lively wine relies more on tannins than tart acidity, with flavors of honey-laced brioche and seared marshmallow.
Aromas of truffle, ripe plum, grilled mushroom and herb lead the nose on this full-bodied but wonderfully easy-drinking wine. The savory palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry and cinnamon alongside supple tannins. Enjoy it soon to capture the fresh fruit flavors. Drink through 2016.
Blue flower, ripe berry and baking spice aromas unfold in the glass of this blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Cabernet and Merlot. The juicy palate delivers black cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and espresso alongside bracing tannins.
Fresh floral tones persist from nose to finish on this sharp, spry wine that's refreshing, with a delicate, dancing mouthfeel. It finishes briskly on a cutting lemon-lime edge.
This dense dessert wine conveys aromas of fig, prune and blackberry jam. The palate offers dried black cherry, dark chocolate and cake spice alongside chewy tannins.
A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot, this opens with aromas of blue flower, plum cake, raisin, mocha and a whiff of resin. The dense palate offers blackberry, plum, vanilla, roasted coffee bean and sage alongside tightly compacted tannins that need to unwind.
Blue flower, ripe black fruit, black pepper and cedar are just some of the aromas offered by this blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino. The palate features ripe black cherry, coffee, espresso, vanilla and grilled sage alongside bracing tannins. Drink after 2016.
Hints of bramble and smoke add savoriness to fresh apple and pear flavors in this almost-dry Riesling. The palate is piercingly high in acidity, but zesty lemon and lime flavors are bright and invigorating.
Delicate and racy, yet intensely penetrating with peach and lemon flavors, this off-dry Riesling achieves satisfying balance. The palate is smooth and finishes long on a sultry smoke tone.
Leather, tobacco, mature plum and clove aromas unfold in the glass. The robust palate doles out fleshy blackberry, cherries marinated in spirits, licorice and nutmeg while assertive tannins offer support. The heat of alcohol shows on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Truffle, game, leather and black plum aromas open this earthy, full-bodied red. The palate offers ripe blackberry, juicy black cherry, mocha, white pepper and savory herb alongside assertive, drying tannins. It ends on a licorice note.
This is lightly baked and sweet on the nose, with a hint of plastic and raisin as the bouquet opens. It feels fresh and a bit sharp, with tangy red-plum and currant flavors followed by bland oak. The finish is tart and acidic.
As it smells blowsy, stalky and oily, this is probably already past its freshness point. It feels chunky and sort of flat, with mealy apple flavors leading to a honeyed finish that feels fleshy. This is a blend of 50% Viura, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Muscat.
Quite tannic and herbal, this is no match for the previous vintage. Barely ripe, with a bitter edge to the finish.
Broken up on the nose, with a nutty, leafy set of over-the-hill aromas. Feels soupy, with hard acids and flavors of tomato, herbs and heavy sweetness. It shows a few good qualities but not enough to rate better.
Herbal to the max, with strong bell pepper and pimiento aromas. It feels clacky, with salty, herbal flavors of blackberry and dark plum. Warm almost to the point of being hot on the finish, with burnt notes as well as acidic zip.
This is mustardy smelling, with salad-like aromas. It feels round, plump and a little heavy, with spiced apple and mild citrus flavors. Chunky in feel and briny in taste on the finish. Not as good as past vintages.
Burnt and leathery smelling, with aromas of earth, rubber and baked fruit. It feels rough and grabby, with dry spice, cinnamon and roasted berry flavors. The finish is abrasive, with some warmth.
Quite savory on the nose and palate, with notes of cooked apple, lemon and peach purée. This is judiciously oaked with bright, lemon-lime acidity that livens up the palate.
Pungent notes of cranberry and pruny oak mark this wine, with tannins that are a bit tough and slightly out of balance.
Thin and earthy, this is Pinot Noir at its most herbal, with no fruit in sight.
A touch of vinegar and volatility sits atop the nose, but there's fruit and weight under the surface. It feels tannic and slightly sour, with sharp acidity pushing zesty flavors of tomato, red cherry, red plum and herbs. Tasted twice with inconsistent results; this note reflects both wines that were tried.
This smells flat and stewy, with jammy sweetness and little punch. Conversely, it's pointy on the palate, with tart, generic red-berry flavors and warmth on the finish. A blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aromas of white pepper and nettle are about as fresh as it gets. The rest is falling off, with bitterness and oxidation. Acceptable but bland and bitter on the tail end.
Like liquid toasted cinnamon, this Cabernet Sauvignon is texturally harsh.
This is rubbery smelling, with distinct whiffs of leather and grilled meat. Sheer, tangy and acidic, this has a burnt, gritty flavor that blends with cherry and tart plum. It's minty and somewhat dilute on the finish.
Fresh on the nose, with red cherry and apple skin aromas. This feels rather sharp and acidic, with flavors of tart cherry pie and red plum.
Stalky aromas give off the impression of corn and funk. It feels ultrasnappy, with medicinal fruit, forced oak and berry flavors that don't really click. The finish is grating and slightly bitter.
Stemmy, earthy aromas of cherry and hard spice lead to a rough palate with hard cherry and berry flavors. It blackens up on a pounding finish; this is edgy and rough stuff.
A funky, lean wine that's all over the place. The nose is fiery, with cardamom and notes of sweet peppers and candied berries. It feels clampy but juicy, with flavors of cumin, cardamom, sour plum and raspberry. It finishes acidic.
Here's a fragrant white that opens with aromas of spring blossom, orchard fruit and a whiff of brimstone. On the bright juicy palate, a savory saline note energizes yellow apple, Bartlett pear and lemon zest.
Big and flavorful, this full-bodied wine boasts butter, toast and smoke nuances layered over ripe pear and marzipan flavors. Fermented in stainless steel but aged in French oak, it has a rich texture and overt sweetness without going to extremes.
This is a pretty wine, forward and fruit-driven, with orange-juice highlights around cherry fruit. It's as fresh and flavorful as a Cru Beaujolais, ready for immediate enjoyment and best consumed sometime this decade.
Pure bright smoky fruits give this wine its edge of tannin and great red plum and spice flavors. Its youth adds a dry character to the fruitiness and acidity. Drink this from 2018.
Pastry notes blend with ripe berry aromas and hints of vanilla and raisin. This is rubbery and tannic in feel, with flavors of cherry, plum, cassis and herbal spice. On the finish, an herbal flavor note is typical of Chilean Cabernet.
Don't be fooled by this honey-colored wine's simple nose of clementine. It offers a complex palate of green apple, guava and honeydew melon bolstered by soft floral notes. Strong tannins make their presence known on the gums and tongue, but any sense of grippiness is overcome by the bright citrus finish.
Aromas of toasted oak, hazelnut and espresso lead the nose. The oak sensations carry over to the firm palate, along with candied citrus zest, butterscotch, yellow-apple skin and a confectionery note.
Light, high-toned aromas of potting soil and purple flowers are followed by lemon-twist flavors and a wall of burly tannins. It's a bit brusque on its own but will show better with food.
Edgy slightly sharp aromas of herbal berry fruits, olive and eucalyptus set up a tight rough palate. Big-time herbal flavors are oaky and taste of leafy black fruits and olive. This powerful Cab Franc finishes with woody notes of mint along with herbal berry and leftover eucalyptus nut flavors.
Rose petal aromas and sweet lychee, honey and marascino cherry flavors make this a colorful, exuberant wine. The texture feels thick and luxurious, the acidity is soft, and a mouth-coating viscosity helps the outrageous floral quality linger on the finish.
This blend is comprised of 55% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Melnik and 6% Petit Verdot. It has aromas of powdered cocoa and black cherry and flavors of tart cherry, blackberry and blueberry. A pleasant burst of acidity shows on the finish.
Enticing aromas of blueberry syrup open this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Melnik, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Flavors of cherry, tart cherry pie, blueberry and red raspberry come with a burst of acidity before the persistent finish.
This dark-garnet wine has aromas of eucalyptus, balsa wood and black cherry. Flavors of cassis, leather and black cherry lead to a long finish.
This blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from the same site is a complex aromatic display of clove and bay. Simple and succulent, it's full-bodied and densely concentrated, emphasizing blackberry and strawberry flavors.
Sourced entirely from old vine Tapteil fruit, this spent 32 months in French and American oak. It's loaded—as per usual with this winery—with generous, dark and smoky flavors of espresso, smoke and charcoal. But the fruit has the power and depth to handle it well, and as the wine breathes it smoothes out into a thoroughly luscious quaff.
Dense up front, with earthy notes to go with aromas of cola, ripe berry, coconut, almond candy and toast. Features a well-oaked personality and full flavors of ripe black plum, blackberry, fine herbs and integrated spice. Long and lasting on the finish, like a good cigar. Mature, but with lots of life left; drink now through 2018.
Smooth and spicy, matching bright, tight, sweet-tart lemony fruit to nicely integrated barrel notes of sandalwood and graham cracker. The sleek structure, balanced for cellaring as well as immediate enjoyment.
The husband-and-wife team of Mike and Claire Allen have turned out 2,000 cases of this terrific value, which delivers authentic Pinot Noir complexity at an attractive price. Bold black cherry fruit carries subtle herb, twig and vanilla shadings with aplomb, while the texture turns velvety on the lengthy finish. Drink now–2017.
From a very cool vintage, this wine takes full advantage of the flavors the year delivered. Bracing and fresh, with a lively mix of lime and citrus fruits, its vivid acidity and a wash of wet rock, give it life and length across the palate. Complex and textural, this is a lovely wine.
Features an admirably lean, elegantly fine line of acids from start to finish, off of which hang notes of crushed stone, green apple and lime, with just the merest hints of riper fruit, like nectarine. Crisp and long, this should develop well over the next 5–10 years.
A big, bold, black vintage Port, already enticingly perfumed, packed with as much rich fruit as tannin. It's in the sweet vintage Port arena, an immediately attractive wine, yet layered with enough structure to keep it maturing for many years. The final sense is all richness.
Fragrant with pretty berry scents, this compact wine rewards some hours of breathing time. The tangy fruit is complemented by streaks of herb, mineral and citrus peel, all woven together into a gently fading finish that adds a lick of dark chocolate.
Reserve caliber fruit—a throat-coating mix of blueberry, cherry and cassis—rolls into a rich, full throttle wash of barrel flavors. Toast, smoke, espresso and dark chocolate give the wine depth and gravitas. Ageworthy to be sure, but also enjoyable right now.
The first Washington wine to be released from the 2011 vintage hits the ground running, with ripe, round, rich flavors of honeyed pears and peaches. Succulent and fruity, it cuts its sharp acidity with 2% residual sugar, making for a wine with fine concentration and length.
Another outstanding value from Three Rivers, this powerfully-built wine mixes ripe berry and plum fruit with polished, astringent tannins. It opens well, but really hits its stride on the back palate, with the balance and concentration to age. That said, it's drinking awfully well right now.
Tight and edgy but ultimately oaky and generous on the nose, with earth, vanilla, dried cheese and blackberry notes. Feels cushioned and complete, with depth of feel and flavor; tastes of deep berry, mild herbs and finally a toasty wave of coffee and chocolate takes over. Impressive for a 2008; drink now through 2014.
A finely balanced wine with toast and ginger flavors peeking through the ripe peach and apricot fruits. It is striated with minerality giving an intense ageworthy texture. The acidity shows through strongly at the end.
Underbrush, black-skinned fruit, exotic spice, leather and balsamic aromas emerge on this full-bodied red. The austere structured palate offers dried black cherry, star anise, tobacco and clove framed in bracing, fine-grained tannins. Don't even attempt it for another few years. Drink 2021–2031.
A classically styled, beautifully made red, this is defined by its well-chiseled structure and sanguine characteristics, as well as notes of cranberry, dried herb and anise. Lush and full-bodied, it has additional elements of pencil shavings and meaty game, complex and interesting to the end. Enjoy best 2022 through 2032.
While more mineral than fruit-forward on the nose, this pretty, dry Riesling is quite yielding, suggesting ripe, rich pink grapefruit and white peach on the palate. It's feather light but silky in texture, balanced by a strike of lemon acidity that lingers on the finish.
Aromas of fresh high-toned mortared herbs, raw meat, dried flowers, spice and dark fruit lead to broad yet elegant fruit and savory flavors. It brings a lovely sense of texture and freshness.
Bold and spicy, this vineyard selection impresses with dusty tangy red and purple fruits. They are elevated with pineapple and citrus flavors from supporting acidity. The length and complexity are excellent, as is the entire lineup of 2014 Pinots from J. Christopher.
The addition of 5% Merlot softens this wine, a lovely representation of the wild mountain appellation from a vineyard 2,000-feet up. Juicy and layered, the wine shows restraint and elegance amidst a woodsy forest component of lean, tart fruit and cocoa powder.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (45%), Mourvèdre (36%) and 19% Syrah. Reserved aromas of dark berry and herb lead to vibrant fruit flavors that display a lovely sense of texture and detail. The balance and combination of richness and restraint is exquisite, as is the finish. It impresses.
Truffle, blackberry, dark spice, dark chocolate and new-leather aromas take center stage on this delicious full-bodied red. The smooth, enveloping palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, ripe plum, vanilla and a confectionery note framed in velvety tannins. It's structured but also remarkably easy drinking and a fantastic value. Drink through 2022.
The aromas jump out of the glass, with notes of dried orange peel, fresh white flowers, herb, smoked meat, moist earth and potpourri. The palate is plush and lush with abundant fruit and savory flavors, with floral and gravel notes threaded throughout. It's as much about feel as flavor.
A rich depth of flavor is at the heart of this wine, a mix of blueberry, blackberry and cherry that shows a generosity on the nose and palate. Bright acidity lifts the deeper, darker notes of toasted oak and cola.
Named on whim after a peacock's feathers and hence a fan, this attractive wine is full of bright fruit and the proper stony mineral structure typical of the Dão. The wood aging has given the wine extra richness without losing the fruit. Drink this finely wrought wine from 2019.
Malbec makes up just over two-thirds of this blend, with the balance Cabernet. Aromas of bay leaf, plum, green herb and barrel spice are followed by sweet lush fruit flavors that bring a sense of layering and density. Give it some time to open up.
Based in the Côte des Blancs Grand Cru village of Oger, this producer draws on some very fine vines. That superior fruit gives this vintage wine its texture, minerality and intensity. Crisp with acidity and a flinty texture, it still needs further time to develop. Drink from 2019.
This pale rosé is showing its maturity at seven years of age, its fruitiness transforming into extra richness, with touches of toast. It's a very fine wine, ripe and ready to drink.
Tart and sappy, this compelling wine wraps its bright raspberry and cherry fruit in a veil of citrus and caramel. The various flavors entwine gracefully, with excellent balance and length. It's still young and forward, with primary flavors, but has the potential to age over the next decade.
This is a full-bodied, fully hedonistic and feral wine, integrated in oak and tannin, that show a robust density on the palate of blackberry, wild sage and earth. With its robust ripeness and concentration, it features a brightness of acidity that helps complement its power.
This fragrant, thoroughly delicious blend is the most widely available offering from this esteemed grower/producer. Floral highlights, ripe cherry fruit, and lightly herbal, slightly stiff tannins are in balance, and show the muscle and structure of a big wine still in its infancy. Tuck it away for a couple more years and watch it blossom.
Aromas of dried herb, dark plum coffee and barrel spice lead to exquisitely balanced dark-cherry flavors. Velvety tannins provide the frame.
Earth, mushroom and forest floor intrigue from sip one in this thick, densely structured effort from the great site. Cardamom, pine needle and cranberry contribute additional intrigue and spiciness to the palate, which is buoyed by bright, lengthy acidity and integrated oak.
Dried red cherries, turned earth and wild herbs show on the nose of this bottling from the vineyard that winemaker Stephen Dooley shares with the Talley and Kynsi wineries. Tangy Montmorency cherries show strongly on the sip along with a thyme-lavender-rosemary potpourri touch, which is an intriguing combo that lingers long on the finish.
Bright and fresh aromas of black currant and Concord grape meet with violet and a sense of chalkiness on the nose of this blend of 57% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. The sip is bone-dry, relying on a graphite backbone and relatively light body to carry forth purple fruit flavors.
Aromas of apple, exotic fruit and Mediterranean scrub lead the nose while the fresh, savory palate shows juicy white peach, mint and citrus zest. It has lovely balance, structure and finesse.
Aromas of blue flower, ripe plum, new leather and menthol take center stage on this firmly structured red. The elegant palate delivers ripe blackberry, red cherry, vanilla, licorice and pipe tobacco while firm fine-grained provide polished support. Drink 2019–2030.
Intensely perfumed this dark golden vineyard-designate is young and still resolving, youthfully fresh and alive. Coconut, Brazil nut and Asian pear give it context and texture, with a background invitation of homemade biscuit.
A blend of Carricante and Catarratto planted in high-altitude vineyards, this linear vibrant white offers delicate but enticing scents of Spanish broom, jasmine and orchard fruit. The bright delicious palate doles out creamy yellow apple, green pear and chopped mint while a mineral note underscores the finish. It's loaded with finesse.
Baked slightly raisiny black-fruit aromas tell you that 2011 was a ripe vintage. In the mouth, this is pushed by fresh acidity and weighty berry fruit. Peppery flavors of black plum, blackberry and spice show outsize oak on the finish. Drink through 2024 with the understanding that as each year passes this will taste less oaky and more integrated.
This is powerful wine made at a high level, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc. Muscular and dense, it offers a rich, ripe succulence of baked plum clafoutis, coconut, blackberry and clove within a dusty, gravelly brawn of dried herb and plush chocolate.
Made as a barrel and block selection from the producer's own estate vineyard along River Road, this is an inaugural release. It impresses in spicy rose, black tea and geranium, supple in tannin and structure with a robust, full-bodied lushness on the palate that lingers.
This wine comes from the furthest west of the Chablis Premier Cru vineyards, and furthest from the Serein river. The coolness of its chalk soil reflects in its crisp, appley and tight mineral character. The fruit is bright, in accordance with the 2014 vintage. Drink now, or, better yet, from 2018.
This inky garnet-colored wine offers a bouquet of blueberry and aniseed. It is well made, with ever-so-slightly chewy tannins and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and violet that culminate in an anise-laden finish.
Dark, ripe and concentrated, this voluptuous red offers loads of Merlot's characteristically plush plum and cherry flavors. It's also a deeply nuanced wine with pretty violet and chocolate notes mingling into spicy licorice and graphite. Richly textured, yet neatly balanced, it's drinking beautifully now but should hold well over the next decade.
Ripe, full and showing the richness of the vintage, this comes from one of the premier crus vineyards on the south bank of the Serein river. It's crisp with strong minerality, while also having plenty of ripe citrus and apple fruit. Drink from 2019.
Full-bodied and firm yet rounded in mouthfeel and generous in fruit flavors, this wine strikes a harmonious balance that makes it irresistible. It boasts blueberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and cinnamon flavors, its plush texture carrying them long into the finish.
Lilac and olallieberry notes are enhanced by tobacco spice and white pepper on the nose of this rare Petite Sirah bottling from Santa Barbara County. Juicy and rich on the palate, it shows blackberry and blueberry fruit, accented with lavender and anchored with sticky tannins. The finish is marked by char and menthol.
Densely tannic and deep in flavor, this full-bodied wine should continue to develop nicely because two days after opening, it was still terrific. It leads with anise and charcoal aromas, settling on dark chocolate-covered cherry flavors, while its firm, dry mouthfeel holds it all together. Best after 2022.
Cassis, blue flower, baking spice, grilled herb and a whiff of new leather lead the nose. The chewy palate offers dried black cherry, mature plum, chewing tobacco and nutmeg alongside fine-grained tannins. Despite its solid structure, it also has elegance and freshness.
This dry version of Jurançon can't go far from its sweeter partner. It is rich and dry with considerable acidity, but underneath there is honey, spice and a wonderful ripe apricot fruits. It is full, tangy, a wine for food. Drink from 2018.
Plum, blue flower, baking spice and a whiff of French oak lead the nose along with new leather. The juicy palate shows both chewy concentration and finesse, doling out raspberry compote, ripe wild cherry, vanilla, dried rosemary and coffee alongside bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2027.
Deep ruby to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of black plum and cherry with a touch of iodine. A network of gentle tannins provides the backdrop for flavors of black cherry, blueberry, cranberry, smoked meat, vanilla and lavender. There is a hint of smoke on the otherwise fruit-filled finish.
This bottling from the cool-climate Jespersen Ranch offers baked black cherry, graphite, gingerbread and vanilla on the nose. There's a kick of white pepper on the palate, possibly owing to the 10% Syrah that's blended in, along with dark boysenberry fruit. The texture is grippy and serious for the grape.
The fruit and structure of this monopole bottling from Nuiton-Beanoy are already well integrated. With a smoky character from wood aging and a core of firm tannins and acidity, it manages to feel ripe and crisp at the same time. Drink from 2020.
Showing plenty of the concentration this village can produce, this wine from a small parcel is structured to age. It's rich while keeping the acidity and crispness of the year in mind. Drink from 2021.
Aromas of black cherry and green pepper prepare the taste buds for flavors of black cherry, blackberry, green bell pepper and espresso bean. Silky tannins glide across the palate as flavors evolve from fruit forward to slightly vegetal. The finished is marked by a return to bright berry notes and a touch of eucalyptus.
This wine is memorable on the nose and palate, offering bold anise, red currant and strawberry aromas and flavors. The mouthfeel is pleasantly light and accessable, with silky tannins and a lingering note of dried herbs.
Clean, bright and focused, this is currently showing its youth, though with great promise to continue to mature and flesh out with another couple of years. Notes of yellow apple, beeswax, straw and honeysuckle abound on the nose, while flavors of orange oil and honeycomb flesh out the medium-weight palate, with great verve and lingering spicy elements through the close. It's approachable now, but should drink best from 2018–2021.
This opens with aromas of ripe black plum, underbrush and a whiff of cassis. On the concentrated palate, notes of tobacco, mint and thyme accent a black cherry core while polished tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2024.
Dark garnet in color, this wine proffers a bouquet of cassis, dark plum and lavender. There is a nice combination of fruit and savory flavors, notably black cherry, strawberry, espresso, smoked meat and oregano. Soft almost sneaky tannins appear on the palate and then retreat just in time for a vivid finish sprinkled with just a touch of Mediterranean herbs.
Aromas of cherry, blueberry and rose petal prepare the taste buds for flavors of cherry pie, vanilla custard, black pepper and Turkish delight. Tannins can feel momentarily stiff, but they are soon outweighed by bold acidity that carries into bright black cherry finish.
A bouquet of blackberry and juniper sets the scene for flavors of black cherry, red plum, anise, spearmint and pepper. Smooth on entry, bright and cool flavors fill the entire mouth, with tannins that make their presence known on the midpalate and then recede into a soft cool finish.
Deep red-violet in color, this features a bouquet of cherry, Delicious apple and juniper. It is bright on entry, with flavors of black cherry and red plum that are overtaken by notes of clove and tar with a touch of iodine. Smooth tannins persist into a bright lingering finish with a hint of smoke.
This full-bodied wine has a smooth texture that is mouthfilling and rich. It offers mild, savory mineral flavors that complement the creaminess and prolong the finish, while subtle oak flavors contribute to its sense of smoothness and viscosity.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this inviting wine opens with aromas of raspberry, underbrush and a hint of vanilla. The fragrant palate delivers sour cherry, strawberry jam and a touch of cake spice alongside supple tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
This classically styled red with 9% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot impresses with perfumed violet and its soft, smooth and succulent black cherry and currant flavor. Approachable and round, it has cedar and mocha undertones that make it memorable and compelling.
A blend of 51% Sauvignon Blanc and 49% Sémillon, this is a beautifully balanced white. It opens with pretty floral aromas of lemon verbena, fynbos and sweet pea, with supporting fruit tones of citrus and crisp pear at the core. It's lightweight, but nuanced and layered, with waves of plum and lemon-lime citrus that are cut by bright acidity and a hint of toast on the close. Drink now–2021.
Bright, forceful and slightly reductive, this white is aged less than a year in neutral French oak, allowing the fruit to speak and offer richness on the midpalate. Gingerbread and lemongrass flavors accent its essential core of green apple fruit.
This organic vineyard in the northern reaches of Tejo regularly produces concentrated wines like this. It's richly endowed with fine tannins and black fruit but also has the sort of structure that will allow it to age well. Drink from 2019.
Sanguine, leathery aromas show on the nose of this blend of 55% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, accented with dried elderberry, wild thyme, black plum and peppery spice. Woody flavors of bay leaf, black sage and rosemary show on the medium-bodied palate, with sour plum notes lifted by black pepper on the finish.
This off-dry character is a hard style to work well. This wine succeeds because it has kept a dry background as well as strong minerality, so the almond-perfumed character of the wine is beautifully restrained and delicate. Drink the wine from 2019.
Delicate whiffs of spring blossoms gain intensity on the palate of this easy-drinking, off-dry Riesling. Rounded and a bit plush, it's not a deeply concentrated or complex wine but the fresh apple and peach flavors are pleasant. Drink now.
Aromas of olive, mushroom and berry fruits are lightly herbal. This Cabernet feels scratchy, abrupt and edgy, while herbal raspberry and plum flavors finish solid and with a slight note of pickle.
Aromas of toasted almond, white flower, dried herb and orchard fruit lead the way. It's round and fresh, with flavors evoking mature yellow apple, candied nectarine and a hint of thyme.
From the cru village of Boudes, this wine is now mature with its soft red fruits and juicy acidity creating a fruity refreshing wine. The wine, produced on the edge of France's central mountains comes from vineyards that are just a couple of mountain ranges away from Beaujolais in a direct line to the east.
Light straw in color, this wine has a bright nose of pineapple and grapefruit. It fills the mouth with flavors of grapefruit and pineapple, with a touch of quince. The finish is a tad tart, with a pleasant note of passion fruit.
Though labeled as Merlot, this smells more like Syrah which makes up 20% of the blend, with aromas of blue and purple fruit along with whiffs of smoked meat and dried herb. The fruit flavors are sweet and plump, backed by soft, luxurious tannins. It's enjoyable but doesn't seem varietally correct.
Still a bit fragmented, this offers a core of tight apple and peach fruit. It was barrel fermented (10% new) and that shell of barrel flavors has not yet smoothed into the fruit. Give it brisk aeration or another year in the bottle.
Aromas are light, with notes of potpourri, barrel spices, game and dark fruit. The black-cherry flavors are tart and puckering, also showing tannic grip. This wine seems disjointed at present.
This wine's heavy oak aromas are toasty but not overdone, while bacon and tobacco notes lurk in the background. Its raw, supremely tannic palate delivers woody, spicy berry flavors.
This is a young wood-aged wine with rich toast. While the toast does smother the fruit at the moment, there are enough crisp acidity and citrus flavors in the background to come through as the wine matures for another year or two. Drink from 2018.
Barrel notes dominate, with aromas of vanilla, pencil lead and coconut shavings out in front of purple fruit that's struggling to get to the surface. The palate is tart and elegantly styled, but the wood takes over the show.
Candied red and purple fruit meets mocha and cola spice on the nose of this bottling, which is approachable and simple. The palate is tart with cranberry and plum skin flavors, lifted by dried ginger spice.
Aromas of whole green pepper, hot spice, cherry and baking spice are followed by lighter styled, tart, silky-feeling fruit and barrel flavors.
Reticent dark fruit and licorice aromas are followed by tart fruit flavors and lightly bunched-up tannins. There's interest but it doesn't all seem to come together.
Subdued aromas of pressed acacia flower, hay and beeswax take shape in the glass. The mature palate offers ripe yellow apple and a hint of citrus zest alongside a note of toasted almond. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit and freshness.
Light and carbonic in tone, with a slight spritz to the acidity, this wine is ethereal, laced with black tea and tart cranberry flavors.
Great wafts of sweet fruit and ripe tannins show this wine well. Its fruit is balanced, the power behind it well judged alongside the fresh juicy black currant flavors and acidity. The texture is certainly dense, and the wine needs time. Give it 4–5 years.
Big, rich and elegant, this wine has fine, lifted black fruits layered over dry new wood and fruit tannins. It is certainly firm, and needs at least 4–5 years' aging, but it will develop into a sophisticated, balanced wine.
Classic aromas of cinnamon, raisin, prune and spice rise from the glass, while flavors of pure caramel, baked apple, chocolate and cinnamon take over. This is thick stuff, but with game acidity it stops short of being syrupy. And it's forever long on the finish. Sweet, rich and balanced. What P.X. ought to be.
Under the watchful eye of consultant Michel Rolland, Candale has produced an intense, powerful expression of super-ripe Merlot. The tannins are dense, powering through the dark berry fruit, rounded by the wood. It could do with 4–5 years aging.
With its rich chocolate and spice flavors, this rolls around the mouth like velvet, its fruit so well-integrated with the wood and the vanilla that it is seamless. A delicious wine that deserves 3–4 years aging.
D'Arenberg is better known for its red wines, but this promising effort from the Adelaide Hills is one to watch. Vanilla and custardy notes mark the nose, while the flavors turn toasty and cereal-like, backed by plenty of mixed citrus fruit. It's not overly rich or ripe, but has long, mouthwatering finish.
This stunning dry Riesling somehow manages to seamlessly combine such disparate elements as orange sherbet, smoky-briny minerality, a creamy mouthfeel and ample weight. It's a wild ride, one that values power and complexity without sacrificing elegance. Hard to know how it will age, but at least 5–10 years seems a safe bet.
This Bordeaux blend is a complex and sappy red with plenty of raspberry, cherry and cassis fruit flavor, tangy acids and ripe tannins. Young and tart, it is structured for age, compact and quite young. The oak brings in hints of butter and caramel.
The Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay continues to be a reliable performer, with the 2007 showing more restrained oak influence than in the past. It's still smoky and toasty upfront, but backed by ample apple and citrus fruit, and on the palate there's more of a toasted-grain note rather than overt vanilla and spice. Acids are crisp, elegantly extending the finish.
The name of the top brand from the massive KWV winery refers to the cathedral-like roof of its main winery. This is a rich, generous wine, with spice, ripe fruit and a good layer of toasty wood flavors. There is complexity also, introduced by the crisp acidity that complements the opulent fruit. Best Buy.
This relatively understated wine is less ebullient than the 2000s it was tasted alongside, but held its own, with green apple and lemon fruit underscored by smoky, earthy flavors. The lemony finish lingers a long time.
This bold, burly wine has a pretty shine to it. Attractive honey, melon and buttered-toast aromas dance on the nose, and the creamy yet structured palate offers coconut and banana flavors along with proper acids. It's very much like the inaugural '99 wine, maybe a bit better balanced, but less concentrated. Regardless, it's still potent Chardonnay featuring plenty of high-grade oak.
There's nothing subtle about this wine, which layers tropical fruit and pecan aromas over flavors of buttered nuts and citrus. Turns lemony on the finish. The intense flavors are all powered by an undercurrent of gravelly nuttiness.
A big and friendly wine, with plenty of forward fruit mingling flavors of citrus, apples and pears. There is a nice blast of vanilla too, the only obvious sign of new oak aging, but the impression overall is of crisp, clean elegance. Best Buy.
Complex from start to finish, beginning with aromas of smoke, kumquats and grilled pears and ending cleanly, with tart pineapple notes. The texture is a compelling mix of gravel and custard, yet the wine never seems heavy.
At this price, it would be hard for this wine to live up to expectations—which is why we taste blind. But without any preconceptions, this wine was still delicious. The promising oaky aromas of honey drizzled over toast, coconut and vanilla are backed by white peach. It's tightly wound and less giving on the palate.
Very fresh and vibrant, filled with zesty pear, citrus and pineapple fruit. Just a pleasure to drink, balancing lush fruit with zippy acids. Hints of apples and butter linger in the background.
A smooth, easy-drinking Chardonnay, with mild, understated aromas of green apple and toast, but also sweet tropical fruit flavors and a ripe pineapple-citrus finish that picks up hints of oranges. Best Buy.
A big step up from the “regular” Chardonnay, this is riper, richer and longer. Buttered toast and tropical-fruit flavors, a rich, textured mouthfeel and a smooth, easy finish make this a very enjoyable drink.
Buttered toast and vanilla scents lead the way, buttressed by peach and citrus. It's medium-weight and smooth in the mouth, with a long finish that boasts echoes of orange and lemon.
This well-made wine features tangy flavors of citrus, nicely mingled with orange rind and a hint of grapefruit. Good texture, bracing acids, a food-friendly balance and some spicy complexity in the finish.
This is one tightly wound Shiraz. There's cedar and spice on the nose, but the plum fruit is balled up inside, needing time to emerge. Still, the spice notes are impressive, ranging from sage to peppercorn, and the structure is impeccable. Probably worth trying again in 2016.
With its expressive notes of espressso and black olive, this Shiraz is on the savory side, but it still carries enough plummy fruit to provide balance. It's mouthfilling and generous, while a bit of tartness on the finish serves to highlight the coffee and earth flavors. Drink now-2017.
Plenty of dark Malbec tannins here, giving a tight, mineral wine with a core of dryness. Around the core are black plum and fig fruits, and an edge of the crispest black currants. Firmly extracted, with fine wood toast flavors.
If you are looking for wild flavors, then this wine is for you. It is dry, but smells sweet, with lychee, green candy and aromatic spices. It's a wine with a terrific character, needing cheeses and rich fish dishes to bring out its full potential.
There's no denying the wine's power and intensity. It's concentrated like a cement block, with richness, plummy aromas, sweetness and char. But it's also candied and ultrarich in the mouth, with syrupy flavors of berry extract, cola and chocolate. A heavy wine that shows every ounce of its 15.5% alcohol. Ultimately it's more sweet and powerful than it is precise. Drink now through 2013.
This wine starts with a spicy nose of tobacco and mocha tinged with a green character. The wine's dry style offers flavors of wooded spice, red berry, tobacco and a slightly lean spin. Spicy and food friendly, but a touch rustic.
Chocolate and prune aromas and flavors come across as somewhat generic, then finish on a drying, astringent note.
Neutral oak, 100% varietal. These three new releases from Cave B all taste of extremely young fruit, perhaps overcropped? In any event, without much going on. This is acidic, tastes like cranberry juice, with some volatility also.
A sweet, soft, clean wine, anonymous almost. Yes, there is freshness, lightness, but all the time the awkward, unbalancing sweetness pulls it down. Drink very chilled.
A tough wine to enjoy. The nose has a cheesy top layer, while the base aromas are of bell pepper and lettuce. It's very tangy and juicy in the mouth, with searing red-cherry flavors and green accents. Snappy and whispy to the max.
Despite 15.1% alcohol, this is dull, one dimensional and rather light. The tannins are a little beefed up, but there's marginal fruit and everything seems a bit out of whack.
Gold in color and heavy, with melony aromas and citrusy, melony flavors that end fast and veer toward bitter. Quite heavy and seemingly on the fade; there aren't many reasons to go here, chief among them the weird blend of Chardonnay and Sémillon.
Past its sell-by date, with mealy aromas and dull flavors of apple and banana. The feel is flat, the acidity is not there, and the finish is bland and a little bitter.
Rubbery and rhubarby on the nose, then confected and frankly sweet-tasting on the palate, with a short finish.
Starts with some odd aromas of burnt rubber, charred plum and scorched marshmallow, then delivers slightly sweet, caramelly flavors. It's thick and viscous in texture yet without much in the way of tannin.
Off the grid and strange smelling, with jumbled aromas that are hard to describe. Exceedingly sour and lean on the palate, with a vegetal finish.
This inexpensive Aussie Shiraz seems to have deteriorated in recent vintages. The 2007 tastes sweet, filled with candied fruit and turning a bit cloying on the finish.
Heavy hayfield aromas are oxidized, and the flavors of almond peel, citrus pith and baked banana do nothing to impress. Not a fresh or healthy wine, if it ever was. Past its prime.
A Riesling that hovers deliciously between Alsace and the German Rheingau. It has the richness of Alsace, but the structure of the Rheingau. And it brings more, because the tight soils of the Hochrain vineyard, with its stony subsoil, brings an intense minerality, which is surrounded by opulent apricot and pineapple fruits. A great wine with enormous potential.
One of Austria's great wines, this intense expression of an imposing vineyard explodes in the mouth. Its perfumed, floral character quickly gives way to a taut, tight mineral structure, a coiled spring with its white fruits, citrus and bright acidity all waiting to race out as the wine ages. Keep for at least five years.
This wine sports a green-apple and pear nose with some extra weight from barrel fermentation. Well-balanced and right on the border between stainless- steel and barrel-fermented styles: steel meets butter on the palate. Best Buy.
Clear, bright and fragrant, with a soft and seductive nose. This is a wine that can only be called pretty, with a light floral component to it—roses maybe. There’s lots of ripe black-cherry fruit, some raspberries, and a chocolaty edge. It’s made for drinking right away, but structured enough for near-term aging.
Barrel fermentation, with the full malolactic treatment, yields a ripe, buttery wine that sets up rich and plush on the palate. Despite the fat, buttery style it isn't overblown or flabby, and lingers through a clean, polished finish.
Bright orange-blossom scents mingle with spices and limes; there's plenty of acid despite the 1.9% residual sugar. Soft fruit on the palate, where it's elegant, in a sensual way. A perfect summer white.
A wonderful nose mixes pineapple/tropical fruits, honeysuckle and some spicy herbs. The crisp and clean flavors are of green berries, melon and vanilla. Best Buy.
Delicate, elegant and floral, with light flavors of white peaches and citrus blossom carrying over to a lingering, nicely knit, stylish and elegant finish. Just 10% alcohol. Best Buy.
Pineapple, honeysuckle, baked apple and citrus all blend together in the nose. On the palate it is sweet but not too sweet, with good acid balance and just 10% alcohol. It adds up to a light, flavor-intensive dessert wine, with good concentration and appeal. Best Buy.
The blend is 80% Zinfandel and 20% Petite Sirah. The nose is forward, with rich, ripe scents of plummy fruit and zingy spice. This is a lively, tart, zippy wine with attractive flavors. The fruit mingles plums, apples and berries; it's distinctive-very spicy and fairly lightweight, but still quite flavorful.
The blend is about two-thirds Pinot Gris and one-third Viognier. Pretty orange-blossom scents lead it off, and it has good acid balance and lots of lemony fruit. Yet it still feels like two separate wines coming together. Spice and pear flavors open up in the glass with a little swirling.
Honey and pears on the nose. Bone dry, this wine offers bracing acidity, a crisp fruity core, good focus, and a hint of vanilla on the finish. Very pretty nose; fine food wine.
The blend is 79% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is clear and bright, with sweet blueberry and cherry fruit and a pleasant whiff of barnyard. Very soft tannins and acids make for an easy-drinking red wine that would make a terrific house pour.
This is 100% Cabernet from a 25-year-old estate vineyard. There’s plenty of vanilla and cassis in the nose, with some pickled volatile acidity lurking about. Firm and earthy, with a hint of mint and some dark, toasty streaks running through the red fruit. High-toned and slightly hot in the finish.
The deep green-gold color and bananas-and-crackers bouquet suggest the full barrel treatment was used here. Full, fleshy and ripe, it tastes like mashed bananas in butter sauce...in a good way. Finishes short and a bit sharp.
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.
Aromas like bourbon and soy meet flavors of dried herbs, raspberries and black cherries in this full-bodied dry wine. It creates a good mouthful of flavor and has a healthy dose of tannin for a nicely firm texture.
Widely distributed and often praised, this seems a bit off-kilter this vintage. It delivers light berry and rhubarb fruit but also a hint of plastic and little sense of depth or flavor that go beyond basic red wine.
This accessible ripe wine is full of fruit. The aromas are intensely herbal, a character that is repeated in the grassy palate that is lifted by juicy green fruits and citrus. Drink now.
The wine has a lean texture, presenting fruit that is shot through with tight acidity. Cherry flavors are firmly balanced with tannins and a dry core. Definitely cool-climate Pinot Noir.
This feels a bit thin, even in this warm, ripe vintage. Its rhubarb and mountain berry fruit comes with green tannins, finishing with light coffee and mocha suggestions.
Smashed pomegranate and raspberry aromas meet with underlying mocha, herbs and plum skins on this bottling. The palate's sour-plum flavor slides into turned loam and dried herb, which makes the wine complex but not quite delicious. A bit more time may smooth it out.
Intense scents and flavors of charred wood and espresso beans take full control here. There's little evidence of the underlying fruit. It's a stylistic choice—one that the winery has clearly embraced.
Ruby in color, this Cabernet Sauvignon has black cherry and black plum aromas and vanilla, cherry and black plum flavors. The finish has a touch of tartness.
Vivid red-cherry and raspberry flavors and a rather high level of sweetness make this medium-bodied wine seem light and easy. A vanilla accent and soft texture come through on the palate.
Black fruit and soft tannins yield a wine that is rounded with some attractive texture. Its ripe black currant fruitiness is lifted by its crisp acidity. Drink now.
This is a light, crisp wine for current drinking. Herbal notes make the cherry fruit resemble cherry tomatoes, while the acids carry through the tart finish.
Part of a range of single-varietal wines from this producer, this bottling features richly structured and perfumed Touriga Nacional. A firm core gives a minty edge to the blackberry fruits. Drink from 2018.
From the Napa side of Carneros, this Merlot is blended with 1% Petit Verdot, which presumably has added a smidgen of weight and color to the mix. Supersoft, the wine is well-rounded in ripe cherry and blueberry notes, with ample acidity, textured tannins and a strong finish that's awash in mocha flavor.
This wine from the historic vineyard offers classic oaky aromas of smoke, butterscotch and salty roasted nuts. Smokiness lingers throughout the soft, excellently weighted palate that surrounds rich apple, nectarine and white peach flesh, with a citrus pith tension holding it together.
This wine does take time to open up but convinces with a spicy freshness dominated by lemon zest and a suggestion of wet pebbles. Concentrated yet subtle, this deserves some aging but is delicious right now.
Charred strawberries and very ripe cranberry sauce make for a very compelling nose on this rare single varietal bottling of this lighter Rhône red. It's full and light on the palate, with tanned leather, sandalwood and more spiced strawberry. A very nice change of pace from the region's big reds and good way to impress wine geek friends.
This may be the best vintage of this wine yet. The aromas and flavors are a lovely blend of citrus, stone fruit and roasted cashew, while the mouthfeel is creamy and lush without being soft or flabby. Drink now–2017.
Slight tar notes hold the brimming dark berry fruit in check for now. The palate is structured and mouth-filling. Glints of peppery spice appear among the crushed blackberry. This is muscular and toned: Drink now with steak or keep until 2016–2017, when this will be perfect for braised venison and game.
A pleasant vein of freshness runs through this crunchy, refreshing and intriguing red. Notes of cured meat, white and black pepper, earth and red berry all appear at intervals. Underneath it all is a heart of true red fruitiness that flirts pleasingly with notes of undergrowth.
Miso paste cuts through with yeasty, salty richness set against wonderfully sharp citric freshness lends serious thrill to this textured, layered Grüner. There is more to come on the aromatic front in future years, even though it will take a lot of resistance not to drink it right now.
The winery is making new strides by finding the best sites for its wines rather than trying to grow everything on its estate. This Chardonnay is a case in point. High in acidity and low in oak influence, it offers restrained layers of tropical mango, lemon and ginger snap.
With 4% Merlot, this Cab is aged just over two years in French oak and given almost as long in bottle before release. The result is satisfying, a swirl of savory black pepper, espresso, black cherry and tar smoothed out by dry tannins and restrained, toasty oak. The artist featured is Sonoma-based painter Keith Wicks.
This aromatic wine brings a pleasing assortment of smoke, bacon fat, citrus, plum and blue-fruit notes. It coats the palate from end to end with sultry fruit flavors that lead to a tart, dry finish.
From organically grown estate grapes, all of them Hanzell clone, this Pinot is light, earthy and elegant in its herbal composition and soft body. While approachable now, it has enough structure to last through 2018.
Powerful and elegant aromas of tobacco, dark herbs, cedar and a touch of green pepper keep the nose entertained for quite a while. There's a peppery, meaty character to the palate, with purple fruits arising over time. This one will be even better in a few years.
The 2011 vintage wasn't an easy one in South Australia to say the least, which makes this wine all the more admirable. Mouthwatering, peppery, red-currant fruit remains firm and focused from start to finish, ending on a crisp note. Drink now–2023.
Putting two naturally tannic grapes together seems to soften them both. The blend gives this rich wine structure, as well as rich plum and damson, leather and smokiness. The wine finishes on a high note of acidity. Age and drink from 2016.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Franc from Klipsun, Ciel du Cheval, and Upchurch vineyards, this wine offers brooding notes of bittersweet chocolate, assorted red and black fruit, licorice, mineral and high-toned dried herbs. Reserved in style, it's full of coffee and cherry flavors, with mouthwatering acids and enough structure to go the distance.
Braucol, hardly found outside Gaillac, produces a deep, dark-colored wine. This powerful wine is rich, smooth and still very young. It is packed to the limits with dark tannins and flavors of its wood aging. Drink from 2017.
This is a solid, firm and ripe wine. With its dry structure and still youthful tannins, it has weight and the potential to age. The smoky aromas and fragrant berry fruits are bursting out of the glass, giving a ripe wine that should be drunk after 2016.
Smoky hints play about the nose but the palate comes through with green pears, pear peel, grapefruit zest and yeasty, peppery savoriness. Layers of flavor emerge, and savory spice wins the day. This will be compelling with soft cheeses.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%) and Sémillon—all from Klipsun Vineyard—saw only eight months of neutral French barrel aging. It brings a pleasing assortment of fig, herbs, tropical fruit and corn silk notes with a broad, creamy texture and a drawn-out finish.
A bright, spicy oak note in the aroma sails through the flavors and adds a nice lift to the ripe red cherry and plum flavors. It's a medium-bodied wine, with mild tannins and a generous, smooth texture.
This is a concentrated, firmly built example of Grenache, with herbal overtones to its black cherry fruit. Despite the dark plum and cherry fruit, the impression is one of tautness and freshness. Drink it with red meat now, or give it until 2017 to settle down.
Full bodied and supple, this is one of the more opulent and open of d'Arenberg's array of single-vineyard wines. Notes of vanilla, maple syrup and bramble berries mark the nose, while the flavors add cassis and tobacco elements. It's a pretty, fleshy wine for drinking now–2020, although it may age well even past that.
One of the most muscular of these multiple 2010 d'Arenberg Shiraz bottlings, Tyche's Mustard is full-bodied and burly, packed with dark, earthy notes of loam, black olive, and espresso. Despite its power, the finish is long and elegantly textured. Drink 2016–2030.
This full-bodied, full-flavored, ultraripe and smooth wine smells rich and fruity, tastes ripe and generous, feels velvety and finishes softly. The rich plum and strawberry aromas and flavors meld with the full, viscous mouthfeel.
The dazzling cherry-rhubarb character starts in the aroma, expands on the palate and cruises through the finish, making this a memorable wine. In a no-nonsense way it serves up vivid, bracing flavors with virtually no oaky notes while displaying lively tannins and great acidity. Tempting to drink now but will improve through at least 2018.
There are light peach and honeysuckle aromas on this blend of 52% Grenache Blanc, 21% Viognier, 15% Picpoul Blanc and 12% Roussanne. The palate features a remarkably intriguing tension between ripe nectarine and lemon zest that holds through the entire sipping experience and beyond, with a refreshing mint character adding complexity. This vibrant wine will improve age into 2018 and beyond.
Year by year, Salentein's top wines are improving. Primum is truly a fine wine, right up there with the country's best. It's harmonious and inviting, with cola, mineral, floral notes and honest black fruit aromas and flavors. The feel is secure and tight but also well balanced, with a touch of molasses but mostly just deep, driving black fruit. Muscular, intense and long on the finish. Drink now.
A beautiful evocation of Washington fruit, it has concentration, balance and structure, and the clean berry/cherry fruit is amplified by polished tannins, bright acids and light splashes of peppery spice. This is one of the finest pure Washington Merlots to be released in many years.
Rock solid, clean and composed. For the past several years this Malbec-Merlot-Cabernet blend has been an Argentine flag-bearer, and the '05 is as good as past vintages. Look for bold berry flavors accented by medicinal, herbal notes. And then comes a finish that's chewy and round. This is like a fat fastball in the proverbial wheel house; just see it and swing away.
While Savigny is better known for its red wines, its whites have a rich, soft character that makes them accessible when young. This wine, from 40-year-old vines and aged lightly in wood, is structured, mineral and full of crisp green and white fruits. Drink from 2016.
The pale, pink-gray color indicates how light this wine is. It does have attractive red fruits, crisp acidity and a refreshing shot of green apples, all packaged in a dancing, buoyant body. Drink now.
This ripe and full-bodied wine has a wonderful balance between pure acidity and ripe yellow fruits. From chalk and clay soils, it's both mineral and rich, both fresh and warm. It could be drunk now, although it will be much better from 2016.
Brûléed banana and peach lead the aromatics and flavors of this French oak-aged Chardonnay blended with 15% Petit Manseng. A rich, creamy palate is balanced by a tart pineapple and lemon-curd vein, moving to a toasted vanilla finish.
Tight, tart and nearly effervescent aromas of pear cider greet the nose on this bottling, which features a Spanish dancer on the label. The palate is laser-focused on lemon rinds and blood orange pith, showing a tad of ripeness thanks to poached pears, with a slight saltiness on the palate.
Lightness defines this wine, from its body to bouquet. Fresh-picked strawberry, cranberry and herb commingle nicely, but quite shyly, the fruit forwardness subtle and the structure refined. Spikes of mushroom and tea peak throughout.
Aromas of overripe red apple, cranberry, raspberry and white pepper predominate, along with light oxidative notes. The jammy red fruit and apple flavors are luscious and sweet, bringing a pleasing sense of texture along with a lingering finish.
Aromas suggest tilled soil, mature blackberry, leather, game and allspice. The lively palate offers prune, cherries marinated in spirits, ground black pepper and licorice alongside a firmly tannic backbone and brisk acidity. Drink 2016–2012.
Aromas of wild berry, violet and a hint of Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. The structured palate offers mature black cherry, a hint of orange zest and cooking spice alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
Aromas of dried black fruit, violet and a whiff of grilled herb lead the nose. The palate offers crushed black cherry, vanilla, mocha and baking spice alongside firm but rather astringent tannins.
Raspberry, medicine cabinet and Red Vine aromas lead to sweet, succulent fruit flavors and a tart finish. Good things are going on but the wine could use more structure to back it all up.
This wine offers light medicinal aromas followed by red raspberry, cherry and woodspice. It's creamy in feel and richly flavorful, with smooth tannins and a finish that lingers.
Coming mostly from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, this wine is co-fermented with 4% Viognier. Dark fruit and orange peel aromas mix with sweet barrel spices. The blue fruit flavors are sweet and lush, carrying some warmth along with them.
There's a high-toned sensation to the red cherry and raspberry fruit aromas of this wine. It mixes with herbal accents of bramble and forest floor, while the palate offers subtle red-fruit flavors that finish soft and short.
Focused berry aromas are cool and smell slightly rubbery. A medium-bodied, good-quality palate features generic but pleasant plum and berry flavors, while the finish holds steady, with a dash of spice and complexity.
A warm expression of Sangiovese, this features aromas of underbrush, forest floor, dried plum and ripe berry that carry over to the palate. It's straightforward and made to be enjoyed young.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas that recall green bell pepper, mature plum and soy sauce. The palate offers dried cherry, fig and a hint of baking spice alongside evolved, fleeting tannins. It's already extremely accessible so drink soon.
Aromas of leather, game, carob and a nuance of exotic incense come together in the glass. The palate offers dried cherry steeped in spirits, thyme, roasted coffee bean and spice alongside smooth tannins.
This is a fresh while also rich wine. Yellow fruits are laced with appealing acidity and a crisp lemon zest texture. Lively, fruity and mineral, it is ready to drink.
Aromas of mature black fruit, leather, vanilla and a whiff of incense take shape in the glass. The palate offers dried cherry, licorice and espresso alongside hearty tannins.
A soft blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this fresh, bright red delivers sensations of ripe red and black berry, violet and rose. It's easy-drinking and balanced with smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
This Vermentino from the Tuscan coast opens with delicate aromas of honeysuckle and peach blossom. On the palate, a light mineral vein accents the creamy white peach and candied lemon flavors.
Aromas recall yellow flower, stone fruit and Mediterranean brush. The bright palate doles out yellow peach and citrus zest alongside crisp acidity.
A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and other grapes, this features aromas of bright berry, spice and violet. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, red currant and black pepper alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity.
A subdued nose of citrus leads to a pleasantly round, fresh palate that is enlivened by a little spritz. Subtle citrus notes linger. Well-chilled, this will make for easy, light-bodied refreshment.
Evident aromas of prune and raisin announce extreme ripeness. Like the nose, this feels ripe and chunky, with hard tannins. Jammy, extracted flavors of raisin and black plum are oaky and peppery prior to a pushy finish with heat.
Smoked meat, olives and mushroom lend a distinctly rustic flair to this late-release Merlot. Blackberry and cherry flavors are pristine and concentrated, but accented by hints of barnyard and astringent tannins that linger on the finish. Drink now through 2017.
Beautifully aromatic, this weaves exotic scents of coffee, smoke, black cherry, cassis, moist earth, lead pencil, and toffee into a lush tapestry. Smooth, fruity, flavorful, soft and balanced, it finishes with lightly grainy tannins that are as supple as leather.
A charming and rich wine, with tannins that nestle within the soft texture. It is approachable, packed with ripe red fruits in an attractive juicy texture. The finish has enticing acidity.
This normally rich Meursault has gone into overdrive in 2009, producing a superopulent wine. It does, however, balance that with fine acidity and a mineral edge. It opens slowly to give its apple and peach fruits.
A charmingly seductive small lot from Tamas, a sister brand of Wente in the Livermore Valley. The wine has tremendous aromas of violet and oak that evolve into blackberry and cherry flavors, all dry and elegant at the end. Made from 88% Barbera and 12% Petite Sirah, serve this one with grilled meat.
Big and earthy, with char, savory spice and black fruit aromas. The palate is full and bold, with ripe tannins and delicious flavors of herbs, baked berries, integrated spice and leather. Smooth, long and muscular; made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah.
A ripe, pure wine of red fruit around a core of toast, dominated by vital acidity and an edge of dry tannins. The wine is linear, finely balanced, fruity and exuberant.
Toil spearheads an ambitious Oregon project for Chris Figgins (Leonetti Cellar and the Figgins Family). A new vineyard is being developed in the Chehalem Mountains; meanwhile grapes are sourced from Ribbon Ridge and the Eola-Amity Hills. This svelte generous wine still has some baby fat from barrel aging in 30% new French oak. Cherry, cola and toasty oak flavors come together with a touch of underbrush. It's best to give this another year or two of bottle age. Drink it 2020 to 2026.
Tight and precisely hewn, this is crystal clear and medium weight while pushing strawberry and cherry fruit into the core. Its 14 months in one-quarter new French oak added hints of vanilla custard.
A touch of wet stone and wet earth accompanies the scent of ripe pear on the nose. The palate, therefore, surprises with luscious, off-dry peachiness and ample fruit: ripe pears and juicy peaches abound with expressive flavor. Their generosity is met with lemony freshness. This is utterly moreish and seductive with a lemony, just off-dry finish that makes you want to sip again.
Citrus and white-fruit aromas are elegant, smooth and suggestive of Burgundy, which makes sense given that this was aged in oak. The right amount of acidity lends lightness and length to the palate, while ripe lime and honeydew flavors are well oaked. A fresh friendly finish is minerally and crystal clean.
The nose on this bottling is very familiar and approachable, with tons of baking spices like clove, star anise and vanilla alongside red cherries. The same red fruit upholds the palate, which is nuanced by eucalyptus and bay leaf as well as a graphite minerality.
This delightful wine, principally fermented in neutral oak, and aged sur lie, offers lovely details of apple flesh and skin, white melon, a hint of daikon radish, and the pinpoint persistence that is the mark of superior winemaking. Pinot Blanc can go in various directions in Oregon, but this bright and acidic wine really shows the way to a style that is at once drinkable, complex and food friendly.
A lovely plum shade, this blends scents and flavors of pomegranate, cherry cola, Asian spice, black licorice and a dash of cacao. It's dense and penetrating, yet drinking well already. It spent nine months in 40% new French oak.
Yarra Valley isn't really where you'd expect to find Marsanne, so this entirely barrel-fermented example is a treat. Only 10% new oak is used, just enough to lend a subtle note of toasted hazelnuts to the fruit, imparting silky texture and added complexity to the white peach, fig and melon flavors on the medium-bodied palate. Finishes long and citrusy.
Elegant spicy aromas of dried red fruits and plum are fresh and clean. A pure forward medium-bodied palate holds flavors of spiced cherry, plum and vanilla. Those flavors are repeated and unbroken on a clean lithe finish. Drink through 2022.
Classic Margaret River Cabernet, showing great balance between cedary oakiness and effusive fruitiness. Cola and plum notes give this a darker flavor spectrum than some vintages, yet the flavors remain crisp and vibrant, ending with soft tannins. Drink now–2025.
Dark chocolate and cedar merge easily on the nose of this medium- to full-bodied wine. Those dark, oaky elements are balanced by tart berries on the palate, enhanced by barrel char and oodles of soft tannins on the long finish. Drink now–2025.
This is the first reserve Pinot Gris from the winery—half fermented in stainless, half in barrel. The wine feels as if it's very lightly oxidized, with dusty, tawny apple flavors that recall a good hard cider. Its power is in the persistent, bone dry finish, that never quits. Drink now through 2018.
The great dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend has given this wine both a fine structure and crisp swathes of black-currant fruit. It is a firm wine at this stage, although the fine fruitiness will become an important part of the taste. The estate is named after one of Napoleon's generals who became King of Sweden. Drink from 2021.
The wine has weight, tannins and a firm structure. At the same time, its ripe black fruits are developing to fill out the structure and give an impressive wine. Hints of dark chocolate go with the juicy acidity to leave a wine that has several years to develop. Drink from 2021.
Owned by the Cruse family, part of the old Bordeaux elite, the estate is in the southern Médoc. The wine, with its firm character and rounded fruit, has weight and considerable richness. It will develop into a plush full-bodied wine. Drink from 2020.
This is a fine wood-aged blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is darkly colored, dense and with great ripe tannins. One of several Bordeaux properties owned by the Thiénot family, this estate occupies a fine, gravel outcrop in the Pessac-Léognan region, just south of Bordeaux. Drink from 2024.
This a finely perfumed wine with its 32% Cabernet Franc, unusual for this estate. It gives a wine with great structure and concentration as well as layers of ripe black fruits. The wine needs to age so drink from 2023.
Ripe Merlot gives this wine its richness and concentration. It is filled with black fruits, hints of the wood aging and with tannins cushioned by the fruit. Acidity shows strongly at the end, leaving a bright aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
The home chateau of the group of properties owned by the Guyon family, this estate has produced a solid very ageworthy wine. It has dark tannins and rich juicy black fruits. With its structure and bright berry and plum flavors, it will not be ready to drink before 2020.
Earthy underbrush, scorched earth, leather and grilled Porcini mushroom aromas lead the nose. The brawny, vigorous palate delivers fleshy wild cherry, black raspberry, anise and vanilla flavors, while firm, chewy tannins lend structure. Drink 2020–2027.
This affordable wine is a testament to skilled sourcing and blending, using choice grapes from up and down the coast. Spicy cherry, forest and black tea aromas provide plenty varietal character, while medium-bodied weight and juiciness are lifted by bright acidity.
This reserved and classically styled wine has subtle fig and marzipan aromas, is dry on the palate, with a bundle of tight fruit and spice flavors wound up in fresh acidity that emerge slowly with each sip and on the finish. It is a serious wine and a good candidate to age until 2018 or longer.
Maturity gives a bruised apple aroma to the generous mellowness of ripe pear on the nose. The palate is more taut than the nose leads you to expect, but there is concentration and richness and more bruised apple skin texture. Fruit, evolved flavors and freshness make for an intriguing wine. Drink soon.
Sumptuous peach comes across as almost overripe. There certainly is opulence on the rich almost oily palate. Flavors are very concentrated and have edges of caramel and barley sugar, but these are balanced by freshness and a pithy welcomed bitterness. This finishes medium sweet with lingering flavors of both zest and peach.
A touch of fresh bay leaf, wet earth and musk rose combine to make a very enticing intriguing nose. The resolutely dry palate carries these lovely aromatics with zesty freshness and lovely zesty texture that is reminiscent of grapefruit peel. It is its abiding freshness that makes this stand out.
From two blocks of a vineyard above Freestone that's strongly influenced by the ocean, this wine is marked by leathery pepper, baked cherry and an exotic mix of savory spice. Medium-bodied, it has a density that's both plush and lush.
This wine is all bramble and brawn. High-octane in power and ripeness, it has a juicy core of mocha-laced blackberry fruit. Pencil shavings and gravel notes add a tease of minerality amongst all that richness.
Not quite as good as the 2007 Les Collines from this producer, but perhaps it just needs more bottle age. Light spritz and flavors of berry punch, along with not-yet-integrated barrel toast. Give it another year to fill out.
Toast, buttercup and baked apple aromas give it some richness and sweetness to start, and the palate is creamy but well balanced, with toasty apple, peach and vanilla flavors. Solid and creamy on the finish, with tropical afterburners. Drink soon before it fades.
Salad dressing, vinegar and a heavy herbal blast greet you on the nose. The palate is chunky and thick in feel, but the flavors mirror the nose with green notes, herbs and burnt coffee. Has its merits but there's no escaping the fact that this is an herbal, roasted red blend.
A creamy style of Sauvignon Blanc, showing soft pear juice and flora flavors, fresh with a feeling of richness. Screwcap.
Straightforward apple and lime aromatics bust from the glass alongside some slightly smoky, struck-flint notes, but this wine offers rather simple fruit flavors on the palate, It's medium bodied, with a hint of honey already creeping in on the finish, suggesting early consumption is warranted.
Here's an earthy, dark red with soft tannins that's perfectly approachable now. Menthol, blackberries, cassis and leathery spice fill the nose and mouth, with moderate weight and a medium finish. A nice choice for grilled or herb-crusted lamb chops.
Foresty, earthy aromas are dark and dusty, and the palate is mammoth and doesn't hold much back. The flavors of blackberry and black currant are deep and rich, and the fruit plays out long and chocolaty on the finish. Simple and steady red wine with plenty of bulk, body and flavor.
Soft suggestions of cigar ash and green pepper complement the fruity notes of small red berries and plum. Forward medium-grain tannins and prominent acidity supply a sturdy backbone to the wine, leading through to the anise-infused finish.
The blend of Cabernet Franc and Tannat allows this wine to be released young and for the tannins to be accessible. It's young and fresh, Nouveau in its style, going for bright berry fruits and lively acidity.
Slightly musky and briny on the nose, with a broad underlay of peach. This medium-bodied Riesling seems lightly honeyed and a little soft relative to its peer group. A user-friendly introduction to Australian Riesling that should be consumed over the next 6–9 months.
Earthy, heavy and herbal on the nose, with snappy fruit, grating tannins and intense but rustic flavors of plum, raspberry and oak-based butter. Mildly rich but also a bit rough, with vanilla on the finish.
Made with a bit of skin contact, this pale copper-hued wine boasts scents of dusty earth and cantaloupe. Melon and apple-skin flavors mingle easily on the palate, ending with some light tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink now–2011.
The Tempranillo has an agreeable entry, with pretty violet scents leading into tart raspberry and cherry fruit, amplified with a bit of barrel spice. It loses steam quickly, and the tannins turn chewy and a bit rough, but more bottle age may help smooth it out.
A slightly chunky, sturdy rendition of Pinot Noir, with earthy complex notes ranging from beet root and cola through sous bois and animale. Finishes with tangy cherry and herb flavors that could use another year or two to mellow.
Despite aromas of Band-Aid and rubber, this is predominantly smoky on the nose, with black-fruit scents and asphalt. The palate feels crisp and focused, while plum, berry and cassis flavors fold in herbal notes and a hint of olive. This is textbook value Chilean Cabernet to drink on any occasion.
Alluring aromas of violet, fresh herbs, mint and berry fruits are snappy and work well together. This smacks down hard in the mouth courtesy of lively acidity and tannic bite, while flavors of blackberry, toast, green herbs and tobacco finish narrow but firm.
Savory, meaty aromas of leathery berry and spice are attractive and a touch woody. The mouthfeel is muscular and raw, with bright acidity pushing flavors of creamy oak, baked plum, raspberry and blueberry. A juicy, tight finish confirms that this is a very nice Malbec.
A firm wine that has solid, dry tannins as well as rich fruit. It shows minerality, structure and a firm character that suggests potential for aging. The wine also has rich fruit that balances the density well, its acidity cutting through. Drink from 2016.
An aromatic offering with notes of pear, peach and flowers. The lack of malolactic fermentation freshens up the feel while a touch of residual sugar sweetens the finish. Drinks best slightly chilled.
Pear, apple and a drop of petrol work the nose on this German-style Riesling from Chile. A touch of spritz offers bubbly zest to the palate feel, while acid-driven flavors of lemon-lime, mango, pineapple and white peach finish chalky and a touch sweet.
This is a composed and lovely wine, light in body yet quite complex. The palate is integrated with flavors of ripe apple, lemon, melon and beeswax. Structured with a mere suggestion of oak, it'll stand up to bigger foods than most California Chenin, textured and good-naturedly creamy.
This big and ripe wine is abundant in red and yellow fruit notes. It has a warm feel, with piercing acidity throughout. This full-bodied wine is perfect to be paired with food.
Aged in new wood, this wine is warm and rich with spicy vanilla and apricot notes. It has green plum, yellow cherry and citrus flavors that are nicely rolled into a balanced package. It can be drunk now, but would be better to wait a year.
One hundred percent Cabernet Franc, this wine shows subtle, nuanced aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry and wildflowers. The palate is compact with a tight core of sweet fruit flavors.
Black cherry fruit anchors this pleasing bottle, nuanced with cola and a streak of chocolate. The tannins are smooth and supple, and the earthiness common in this AVA is carefully managed.
Made with native grape Cortese, this Gavi has pretty aromas of citrus, pear and sage along with delicious yellow peach and lemon zest flavors. The fruit richness is balanced by zesty acidity that leaves a clean finish, making this is a classic wine to pair with most seafood and fish dishes.
Here's a delicious Gavi with aromas of white flowers, peach and tropical fruit. The palate delivers citrus and lime flavors along with a hint of pineapple and crisp, quenching acidity. Perfect for seafood. Saranty Imports, Pleasure Elite.
Good vineyard sources and a flavorful mix of raspberry, cranberry and rhubarb characterize this aromatic and spicy Pinot Noir. Well-balanced and lightly herbal, it finishes with medium length and should be consumed over the next 3–5 years.
It seems this Italian venture is starting to hit its stride, turning in a plump, round offering layered with complexity. It starts off sweaty and pungent, then develops more melon and nectarine scents with aeration. Those flavors follow through on the palate, followed by persistent notes of white grapefruit on the finish.
Big indeed, this is very dark and concentrated, with fruit-powered flavors wrapped in sweet baking spices. An impressive Petite Sirah that does not seem too tannic; the barrel flavors—vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar—more than compensate, and the fruit is round and ripe enough to hold the focus.
Alexandria Nicole's Shepherds Mark is a Rhône blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, sourced from the Destiny Ridge (estate) vineyard. Barrel fermented in neutral oak, it presents an inviting floral blossom nose, leading into a delicious mix of citrus, white peach, melon and light tropical fruits. It's rich but never tiring.
This captures the essential flavors of Washington Sauvignon Blanc. There are no aggressive grassy-herbal flavors, none of the vegetal or canned pea flavors that show up in other New World Sauv Blancs. Here it's all about clean melon and yellow fruit flavors, backed with bracing natural acids, round and ripe.
Roughly three-fifths Merlot and two fifths Cabernet Franc. Though the blend and oak treatment are quite similar to the 2005, this new release comes out with far better balance and structure. The oak flavors are lighter, the tannins are polished and lightly herbal, as befits Cabernet Franc, and there is a hint of steel in the backbone of this tight, svelte effort.
Bergevin's Bordeaux blend is almost jet black in color, thick with liquorous candied cherry and coffee scents. It's mostly Wahluke Slope (Stone Tree vineyard) fruit, and has the power to show for it. Black fruits, tar, coffee liqueur, chocolate, whiffs of tobacco make for a complex and compact wine that will reward cellaring.
From 70-year-old bush vines, this is excellent Maule Carignan. It has a brightness of fruit that puts the spotlight on cherry and raspberry, and while the color is a brilliant ruby it isn't overly dense, deep or heavy. There's a lightness of being to it, but also structure and acidity. Ageable for up to 5–8 years.
Full and ripe, this wine has the ease of the 2000 vintage but has integrated textured acidity and some powerful green and white fruit flavors. There is an attractive yeast element to add complexity.
With just the right amount of bottle age, this is a vintage to drink now. It has light, sweet pastry flavors, some toast and yellow peach and strawberry flavors. Delicious, but not for keeping.
A little damp and earthy at first, but it rounds into a full, powerful Malbec with a lot of color, size and drive. Blackberry, chocolate and spice notes control the hefty palate, and coffee precedes a bitter dryness on the finish. An improvement over the past couple of vintages. Drink now through 2012.
This is a full-bodied, well structured Cabernet, with plenty of intense cassis fruit tinged with minty, herbal overtones that give it a slightly medicinal cast. Give it 2-3 years to develop additional complexity, then drink it over the next 7-8 years.
Imported by Kobrand.
Herb, spice, smoke and a whiff of roasted meat lead into a wine that is balanced and deep. This puts a focus on the dark side: black fruits, tar, coffee and smoke. It's grainy and tannic, and the tannins and toast may eventually outrun the fruit. But it's a good effort in a Washington style, that captures the black olive and herbal leanings of the Bordeaux grapes.
A different style of Mendoza Malbec (with 30% Merlot), and for the most part it's intriguing and satisfying. For starters, the bouquet is a true bouquet: there's funky spice, cinnamon stick and floral fruit aromas. The palate has some snap and acidic sharpness, but also good blackberry essence. Finishes smoother than up front, with woodspice and pepper coming on strong. Drink now through 2010.
Expensive by South American standards, but at least it's no imposter. This is high-class Chardonnay with toast, apple and quince aromas. The palate runs a little sweet, but it has the acidity, smoke and wood tannins to keep it focused. Quality from head to toe puts this in the top decile for Argentina. But is it worth $39? 280 cases made.
Peppery-spicy on the nose, adding welcome lift and nuance to earthy notes, plum and cola. the Viognier gives this wine a slightly fatter, rounder mouthfeel and brightens the fruit on the palate, so while the acids are crisp, the wine remains soft and readily accessible.
Citrus rind and grapefruit fruit flavors are set against more floral highlights. It's as refreshing as a gin and tonic, and even carries a hint of quinine flavor in the finish. The wine is sturdy and consistent through the middle and finishes with a gentle fade.
Supple and scented with a sweet mix of fruit, coffee and mocha, this expressive red blend (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 8% Cab Franc, 8% Syrah) tastes of bright black cherry fruit, coffee grounds, some grainy tannins and a long finish that brings in pepper, spice and chocolate. Very accessible and full-flavored, it is built for immediate drinking rather than cellaring.
The original “black wine” of Cahors is obviously alive and well—and living in the Loire valley, to judge by the color of this wine. Made from ungrafted Malbec, this is rich, unoaked, a ripe but stalky textured wine that gives great perfumes and a firm, juicy and tannic aftertaste.
This is the fifth vintage for this rare Washington version of Petite Sirah. It is almost jet black in the center, purple at the rim, tight and tannic with plenty of acid sculpting the earthy, black cherry fruit. Loaded into the finish are layers of earth, iodine, tar and licorice; it's very well made and retains just enough roughness to satisfy lovers of this often rustic grape.
From vines in the upper Douro valley, this is an intense wine that's still young. Its smooth, ripe black cherry fruits are followed by blueberry, spice from wood and bitter chocolate. This is a complex wine that finishes fresh.
For Argentinean Chardonnay this has chops. The nose is fleshy and ripe, with pineapple, candy corn and peach scents. In the mouth, there's verve and balance to support apple, pear, cantaloupe and green-herb flavors. In a purely New World way it manages to blend fleshy fruit and drying white tannins into a pleasurable whole.
Hoff is a reliable source for satisfying Barossa Shiraz. The 2005 shows touches of carob to go with its blackberry fruit, a lush, creamy texture and a hint of cracked pepper on the finish. Drink now-2015.
This easy-to-drink, medium-bodied red blends 31% Merlot, 28% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, then adds lashings of toasty, vanilla-scented oak. The result is a supple wine redolent of plums, vanilla and baking spices that finishes soft and creamy-smooth. Ready to drink now.
Sophisticated barrel aromas of butterscotch, dusty peach and apple cider are inviting, while the palate shows good intensity along with flavors of apple, pineapple, peach and vanilla. While this is toasty, well-oaked and modern in style, it avoids being heavy and flat. Still, drink now for optimum balance.
This is an oaky, smoky wine, with cinnamon and hickory notes on the nose and palate. There's also ample pear and melon character along with tropical fruit and spice notes. It's resiny and chunky, but good acidity keeps it lively and balanced.
This wine is mostly comprised of Merlot that was sourced from 30 different parcels. It is smooth and ripe, with red berry fruits, soft tannins and attractive acids. From the hands of top consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, this simple Bordeaux has character and style.
Flavors of banana and red berry come with some tannin. This exudes vibrant, in-your-face fruit that's crisp and juicy.
This has a sweet charm to it, with a rich lemon flavor. This would be fine as a light dessert wine with lemon cake.
This is roasted to the max, with a very earthy nose, including burnt leaf, smoked meat and heavy fruit. The palate feels a bit high in acidity, with cherry and berry flavors that take on a baked character as it eases into a simple finish.
Similar in style to a Côtes de Gascogne, this is a fruity, ripe and attractively light wine. The crisp, refreshing palate dances along.
This is classic and fun, bold and fruity, with weight coming from the firm tannins. Pair this with food.
A Chardonnay of heightened acidity, this is fresh, light and banced, with tastes of lemon and pear.
The wood influence in this wine is almost too much for the fruit, even in the future. It has a severe, burnt character that shows an herb flavor and a tight texture.
Light, fruity and herbaceous, this has a crisp grapefruit flavor, laced with lemon. Soft and fresh, this is ready to drink now.
Quite tart and perhaps just a bit underripe, this red checks in at barely 12% alcohol. It has a bit of a Band-Aid scent that competes with the light berry flavors.
Candied cherry and plum aromas come with a floral note and a hint of citrus peel. The body is a bit sticky and resiny, while a flavor of herbal cherry comes with a lactic, resiny angle. The finish is dry, peppery and resiny.
Herbal and short, this offers a very light watermelon flavor, along with plenty of herb and tomato leaf notes. It's on the slender side, with a quick-to-fade finish.
Isolated as a single clone, this limited bottling comes across as sharp and grassy, with some sour plum fruit. The finish carries a hint of asparagus.
For a wine meant to be consumed now, this is almost too tannic. It has bright fruit and a flavor of black currant skin, plus a dry, tannic core.
Crusty aromas of herb, tar, black olive and baked black fruit set up the jumpy, high-acid palate, with flavors of herbal berry fruits, accented by green bean and pepper. Overall it's a hard, baked and oaky wine, with a strong herbal tilt.
A Barbera offering dark plum and handfuls of meaty brawn, it has rounded tannins and plenty of intensity. Pair this with spicy sausage and risotto to help it mellow.
It's taken New Zealand's largest producer a while to get on board the barrel-fermented express, and this wine is still only 50% done in wood, mainly large formats. Some funky, slightly acrid notes mark the nose, but this adds welcome complexity to the stone-fruit aromas. It's rich and textural in the mouth, the ripe fruit marked by intriguing hints of green herbs and spice before drawing to a long, elegant finish.
The power and complexity of wines from the slope of the Côte de Py is very evident in this wine. Densely argued, it is a solid wine with red fruits and a strong minerality from the volcanic soil. The acidity and tannic structure promise aging, and the wine will be best drunk from 2016.
A lovely single-vineyard Chardonnay that's subtle and complex in pear, lemon and melon, integrated, soft on the palate and completely composed. The mouthfeel is creamy but bright, layers of grapefruit and tangerine accented by a slight tropical vibe.
This wine bursts from the bottle with rich and appealing fragrances and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and citrus. Tart and expressive, it seems to gain extra dimensions from fermentation with wild (native) yeasts. It holds a floral character that is most intriguing.
Alluring aromas of cigar box, cedar shavings, olive and berry fruits are magnetic with this Carmenère-led blend. In its youth, it is pushy and vibrant in the mouth. Flavors of tobacco, chocolate and leafy, lightly herbal berry fruits finish smooth, long and with just enough acidic cut. Drink through 2022.
This black-colored, opaque bruiser is as concentrated as wine gets before crossing the line. Aromas of gritty black fruits are amped up, while the palate pounds with extraction and tannins. Huge flavors of blackberry and cassis finish with more muscle than finesse. This is ultra ripe Graciano and Petit Verdot that nobody would describe as shy. Drink through 2020.
Deep plum and sweet tobacco leaf aromas mesh with sour and candied blueberry in this layered and luxurious wine from Petite Sirah specialists MCV. The palate is pleasantly broad, with chocolate and smoked cactus flavors, reminiscent of tequila. Both the tannins and acidity are proper and smooth.
Heftier than the producer's Platt Vineyard Pinot, this estate-grown wine features astoundingly bright acidity around dense black cherry fruit. It saw 10% stem inclusion during fermentation and was aged in 20% new oak for just over a year, a recipe that works to buoy the wine and give it plenty of complexity.
Faint vanilla and lovely creaminess play around the richly contrasting flavors of sumptuous, bright blossom honey cut by zesty, tart lemon-peel notes. Here and there a notion of passion fruit appears, highlighting the linear, zesty and yet totally rich nature of this seductive wine. An intriguing play between two extremes.
Complex and meaty, this deeply colored Syrah from a family estate vineyard oozes flavors of toasted oak, pepper, grilled cherries (if there is such a thing) and grilled beef. There is more going on than just fruit and oak, as the earthy-spicy tones meld with fine-grain tannins. This kept getting better hours after opening and should mature well through 2018.
Perennially one of New Zealand's top Syrahs, this full-bodied, creamy-textured wine finishes long and velvety. The black olives, espresso and cracked peppercorns on the nose are marvelously varietally true, while the palate features those dark fruit notes and a moderate dose of dried spices. Drink now–2025.
This looks to be among the best vintages for this wine, or at least it's one of the most flattering to taste young. Stunning floral notes emerge from the glass, wrapped in ripe black-cherry scents. On the palate, it's slightly plummier, but still retains those exciting rose-petal nuances and folds in hints of spice and earth. Despite the evident suppleness, there's a sense of weight and structure that suggests ageability as well. Drink 2015–2022.
Slightly cloudy with a lighter, cranberry juice color, this multi-layered wine begins with a nose of strawberry, pomegranate and black cardamom. It is deliciously refreshing on the palate, with rounded tomato and smashed berries dancing with eucalyptus and bay leaf, providing fruit-meets-spice excellence.
Aged more than two years in air-dried French oak, this is classic Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety and plush. It boasts juicy blackberry and black cherry fruit aromas and flavors, with weighty oak and a mix of coconut flake and chocolate that linger on the finish.
Black cherry, leather, tar and nose-tickling clove aromas mix with a tad of green pepper on the nose of this signature bottling. The wine is very elegant in structure and memorable in flavors of peppercorn and cherry pie, all while retaining an acidic tartness.
This is Zinfandel at its richest. Boysenberry, vanilla and maple syrup aromas meet up with jammy fruit flavors that coat the mouth and linger on the finish. For all its fullness, it stays balanced and dry. It does not feel heavy in texture nor heavily oaked.
Wonderfully heady notes of berries preserved in spirit, with vague hints of dried apple slices, strike a sonorous note, with a seemingly more grown-up sweetness, tempered by almost autumnal flavors of cinnamon. A rounded but totally precise body speaks of purity, which is only highlighted by glimpses of very ripe, yellow Mirabelle plums. A very elegant BA.
This estate Chardonnay is keeping stylistically with the winery's other offerings, though a tad weightier and richer in oak and crème brûlée. Fresh peach, pineapple and anise intermingle on the palate, with a silky yet complex texture. There is a palate-refreshing hint of lime on the finish.
Bold and beautiful, this powerful Zin has a deep, dark color that's practically black but with a brilliant ruby rim. Brooding aromas suggest wood smoke, black pepper and boysenberry. There is an impressive density in texture, as firm tannins and acidity support the rich array of flavors.
Juicy strawberry and raspberry fruits form the base of an aromatic profile that also picks up some sagebrush and dried cake frosting. Though lighter in body, the flavors emerge continually on the palate, from ripe berries to tomato stew to cola to mint. Serve with roasted chicken or turkey or even a rich pasta.  Bargetto has been making wine since 1933.
Bloody, barely charred game aromas meet with slightly dusty raspberry and tomato in this unforgettable and unfiltered Bonny Doon experience, a blend of 30% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault. The sanguine sense carries to the palate, but so does a basket of red fruit, from cherry to pomegranate. A chalky tannic backbone will keep it drinking nicely for as long as patience holds.
This is true Tannat, black colored, powerful and firm. It also has fruit weight, potentially delicious black plums, damsons and dark berries that give aging potential. For now, it has tannins, a dark, brooding character and concentration. Age at least until 2018.
A dark and dense wine that has solid tannins and tight, juicy acidity. Its texture is very mineral, firm, complex and still needing to age. From a single vineyard in Morgon, it offers the powerful side of a Beaujolais cru, powered both by fruit and by structure. Drink now.
In the range of what Clos Troteligotte calls micro-parcels, this is in the middle. It's full of generous black fruits and attendant acidity. At the same time, it is young and still coming together. The future promises great concentration and depth of flavor. Drink from 2017.
Starts off with a slightly funky, struck-match aroma, but then opens to reveal tangerine, nectarine and roasted-nut scents. The flavors are an blend of all that, delivered via a rich silky-textured palate and ending long.
Cool, earthy, foresty aromas dance with sweet berry and spice scents to form a superb nose. This offers an exemplary mix of weight and acidity, while lively berry flavors are meaty, complex and show mild herbal notes, peppery spice and juicy length on the finish. Definitely one of Chile's best Syrahs. Drink through 2019.
Light and floral, this is a complex, well-integrated Chardonnay that's bursting in just-sliced pineapple, with a layering of butterscotch and caramel. It's richly textured yet nicely balanced between savory and sweet. The acidity upholds the wine from entering into dense territory, a celebration of one heck of a sunny vintage in a glass.
One of the consistently finest Rieslings from the state, this is technically off dry, but feels dry given its exceptional acidity. Elegant citrus and floral aromas introduce a dense, textural midpalate. A showcase of style and panache, its layered citrus and stone fruits bring both skin and flesh flavors into focus.
Though given extra bottle age prior to release, this remains a bit stiff and tannic. Floral highlights and smoky tannins book-end the black fruits. Deep cassis and a bit of licorice wind through the finish. This is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
Crisp and penetrating, with great fruit purity, the wine's core bears cassis and black cherry flavors. The tannins are supple, even silky, and the finish is smooth, with dark accents.
Complex and finessed, this has loads of flavor. The pretty cherry and plum notes are framed with a milk chocolate accent. The modest alcohol in no way diminishes the concentration.
Full, soft and rich, this has flavors of ripe yellow fruit and red apple, with a textured edge. The wine is round and layered with delicious acidity. While its already to drink now, it will age for 3–4 years.
This is deliciously crisp and steely, with an apple flavor and the weight of citrus and grapefruit. It has a minerally, chalky feel, and then the wine rounds out, with crisp fruit on the finish.
Aromas of balsam wood, dry spice, berries and vanilla are attractive and inviting. It feels lush and deep, with good layering and robust flavors of berry fruit, spice, herb and tobacco. Flush and slightly herbal tasting on the back end, this is a complex, quality blend of Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.
This is intoxicating on the nose with scents of white flowers, fresh herbs and honey, layered with hints of smoke and pine needles. Just a shade off-dry, the palate boasts ample peach and pear flavors that are tinged with a bitter lime-skin note and bristling minerality.
Lush and generous, this has a center of blackberry fruit, showing barrel accents of sweet baking spices. Notes of graphite and clean earth round out the finish.
This is a particularly fine vintage for the popular Dr. Wolfe's, maintaining the customary blend of Primitivo, Lemberger and Petite Sirah. Dark and smoky, with dense flavors of berry, cassis, licorice and dark chocolate, it is far more substantial than most red blends in this price range.
Pretty and deep, this has notes of juicy boysenberry, blueberry and cherry. The balanced acidity and racy tannins give it substance and style.
Norton Reserva is one of Argentina's best Cabernetss for the money. This vintage offers a mineral aroma along with rose petal, baked plum and spiced cherry scents. It feels deep, generous and balanced, with cassis, blackberry, earth and molasses flavors.
Though only aged in 30% new oak—half French and half Hungarian—the wood is far out front here with notes of vanilla and butterscotch overtaking the cherry. It's light in style with vanilla flavors throughout.
Nectarine, peach pit and a dusty, oily scent define the nose on this mid-level, quaffable white. The body is on the plump side, with ample acidity. Flavors of stone fruits and papaya finish briny.
Light and fruity, this is a fresh, rounded wine with attractive berry fruits. It is already smooth, although the tannins are in the background. It's fragrant with a medium-term potential. Drink from 2015.
A light and rather stalky wine from the flat plain close to the Dordogne river. It has some black currant flavors that are firmed out by dry tannins. The aftertaste is fresh and juicy.
With considerable spicy, smoky wood, this is a rich, while extracted, wine. It does have some juicy fruit that shows potential so it should soften and become less bitter. Drink from 2017.
A lightly aromatic wine with notes of peach, melon, and toasted grapenuts. It drinks off dry, but lacks the stitching to hold it all together.
Despite having mildly cheesy, oily aromas, this ranks as a perfectly quaffable everyday white, with modest acidity and a round, easygoing attitude. Flavors of peach and melon finish a touch mealy.
A pretty coppery color reminiscent of the rosés of southern France, this unusual blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Malbec and Viognier is done via the saignée (bleeding the tanks) method. Muted flavors of dried peach, banana and cantaloupe combine in an interesting way, but the finish has off-flavors.
A full and ripe wine, it is richly layered with black fruits, soft tannins and a juicy, warm aftertaste. The acidity at the end adds a little freshness. It's made to be drunk now.
This wine offers a sizable mouthful of blackberry and softened though persistent and present tannins. On the nose a whiff of rubber glove mars the wine.
This single-vineyard offering opens with aromas of very mature—nearly overripe—black fruit and tilled soil. The palate is already evolved, showing fig, prune and cooked fruit along with espresso and oak. It finishes on a note of astringent wood tannins.
Crimson is half Merlot, one-third Cab Franc, the rest a mix of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There's some volatility in the nose, with bright, spicy strawberry fruit swathed in light chocolate. The midpalate drops out.
Scratchy red-berry aromas are herbal but not fully green. This has a lively, raw, choppy mouthfeel and flavors of herbal red berry and thyme. On the finish, it reverts to dry and scratchy.
Slightly mealy aromas of melon and papaya set up an easygoing, creamy palate, with green banana and nectarine flavors. A plump, fairly balanced finish ensures that this quaffer makes it to the finish line in decent shape. Drink immediately.
Latex, leather and asphalt aromas compete with berry aromas on what amounts to a hard, tough nose. Narrow in the mouth, with tomato-like acidity, this tastes woody and salty, with modest berry flavors.
This reserve wine is a four grape, Bordeaux-style blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon holding the principal spot. The flavors are diffuse, lightly herbal and peppery, with little concentration or definition.
Leather, fresh mushroom and stalky notes surround a core of black-fruit aromas. This feels hard and choppy, with bold acidity that isn't fully integrated. Plum and berry flavors end in a bright finish driven by the acidity.
The varieties in the blend include Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. They come together to offer hints of pineapple, pear and citrus. There's a silky texture on the palate, then a clean, crisp finish.
Fruit flavors of blue plum and blueberry are matched to a light layer of chocolate from aging in 30% new French oak. It's smooth and polished, but feels a bit stripped as it fades out, leaving some orange-flavored acidity.
Sunny tangerine acidity and white peach flavors brighten this earthy, smoky Riesling. Off dry, brisk and finely textured, it's a refreshing, yet juicy sip. Drink now.
Apple and pear aromas provide a smooth entry to a round, slightly creamy palate. Grapefruit, green-herb, pear and apple flavors lean toward sweet and ripe, while the finish holds onto just enough acidic zest.
Spicy plum aromas show a nuance of smoke on the nose. This has a linear, high-acid palate, with lightly oaked, toasty flavors of currant and plum.
The two signature white grapes of Côtes de Gascogne give a wine flavored with tropical fruit and honey. It is delicate, ripe and just off dry. The wine is ready to drink although it will be better at the end of 2015.
As tasty as a pear tart, this combines mild pear, vanilla and almond flavors on a smooth texture. Medium bodied, balanced slightly to the soft side, and quite fruity, it will make a satisfying glass at cocktail time or with dinner.
Light, perfumed aromas are feint on the nose. The palate is intense and tightly presented. Raspberry flavors are direct prior to transitioning to oak and related peppery spice. A hot sensation rises up on a snappy finish.
A brick color on the rim agrees with very tasty and mature flavors to indicate this wine should be enjoyed now. It smells like dried leaves on the forest floor, and tastes rather beefy and savory in flavor with hints of Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar. It is medium to full bodied and smooth in texture.
Made from 80% Sangiovese, blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this straightforward wine offers sensations of raw red berry, white pepper, cedar and a hint of grilled herbs. The fruit is drying out, so drink soon.
Raspberry and red-plum aromas are floral and fresh, but simple. This has a hard, almost metallic mouthfeel and red-fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry. A wiry, short finish is raw and snappy in feel, with a hint of oak.
Made entirely of the Alpine grape Prié Blanc, planted in the highest vineyards in Europe, this vibrant sparkler opens with aromas of green apple, white spring flowers and a hint of resin. The palate offers ripe Bartlett pear, creamy Granny Smith and Alpine herb alongside brisk acidity and persistent bubbles.
A Portuguese classic, this fresh and fruity wine comes from a small zone in the heart of the Lisboa region. It is citrus flavored with delicious lime and pear flavors, fine acidity and a bright, zesty aftertaste. Drink now.
A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, this has a subdued nose that doesn't give much away. The palate offers dried black cherries, blackberry extract, vanilla, licorice and new oak but the fruit is drying up quickly, leaving an abrupt, astringent finish.
Cedar, black currants, prune and tobacco aromas unfold in the glass. The warm, forward palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, black pepper and tobacco alongside astringent tannins. While the tannins need to unwind, it's shy on fresh acidity and the fruit is starting to dry up—a result of the hot vintage—so drink sooner rather than later.
Lime and passion fruit aromas are subtle and appealing. This delivers a fresh, alert palate and crisp, lightly brined flavors of lettuce, apple and cucumber. On the finish, it runs peppery but not overly aggressive.
A strong earthiness greets the nose on this appellation blend. Turned loam and black dirt show first, followed by cocoa, cran-raspberry and vanilla bean. The earth shows on the palate too, with juniper, pepper, rhubarb and rose petals balanced by a orange-rind bitterness.
Tart cran-apple fruit—some of it from 35-year-old vines—is at the heart of this vineyard-designated cuvée. It has a woody/earthy undertone, tart acids and some stiffening tannins.
This 100% Syrah offers aromas of mature black currant, charred earth and a whiff of cedar. The palate delivers dried black cherries, clove, ground pepper and powdered sage alongside raspy tannins that leave a drying, astringent finish.
A 50-50 blend of Merlot and Syrah, this easygoing wine opens with aromas of red currant, graphite and cracked peppercorn. The lively palate offers blackberries, blueberries and clove alongside tangy acidity and dusty tannins.
Burgundy- and California-based Boisset's Rhône outpost has turned out an excellent value in this medium-bodied, firmly structured 2012. Black cherry and leather notes predominate, but pick up welcome hints of espresso, black olive and clove. Drink now–2017.
Ripe plum and berry aromas share the nose with heavy oak notes. This Tempranillo feels dry and tannic, while initially it tastes mostly like sawdust and oak. Deep digging and patience reveal briary berry and salty notes amid a lot of wood.
Initial aromas of wet cement, black cherry and cassis grow more rubbery, reduced and animal-driven the longer this Syrah sits around. Bright, fresh and fiercely tannic, this deals dark-berry flavors, peppery spice and raw oak on top of dry, herbal notes. Oaky but not overly charred or pushy on the finish.
One of many excellent values to be found among the 2012 Southern Rhône wines, this is supple in style, with ripe cherry and chocolate accented by vanilla and sandalwood. Drink now–2016.
This has a very deep-red color with a reddish-purple rim, followed by very ripe, jammy aromas like boysenberry jam with spicy, smoky oak accents. Flavors are ripe, effusive and nearly sweet, as the wine goes for broke in terms of well-ripened grape flavors and generous helpings of sweet-spicy oak.
Aromas of Spanish broom, honeysuckle and a yeasty note lead the nose of this Sicilian sparkler from Mount Etna. The palate offers ripe apple, candied citrus and bitter walnuts alongside persistent bubbles and zesty acidity.
Dried cherries, black slate, brown spice and leather greet the nose on this affordable red from the esteemed regional producer that makes many Zinfandels each vintage. The palate shows black cherries and a plum skin acidity, with some rocky elements providing further intrigue.
Made with 85% Merlot blended with varying amounts of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of truffle, underbrush, baked plum and dark cooking spice. The palate delivers licorice, roasted coffee bean and blueberry extract alongside astringent tannins that dry out the palate. While the tannins are still aggressive, the fruit richness is starting to dry out.
Polkura's first value-priced Syrah opens with earthy black-fruit aromas that are thick yet not precise in character. The palate feels wide, chunky and not particularly elegant. Flavors of baking spice and herbal blackberry finish peppery and chunky, with a touch of resiny oak.
A ripe, soft and well-integrated package of mountain fruit stars in this vineyard-designate, from a site high atop the Mayacamas Mountains that is famous for Zin. Spicy cinnamon spins itself through husky layers of black fruit and leather.
The lifted, lemony scent promises purity and poise, while the palate delivers what nature provided: pure, crunchy fruit and the flavor of stone. This is dry and clean-cut in its traditional style, with potential to develop.
Light and delicate on the nose with lime blossoms and damp herbs, this top-end bottling from Fred Brander shows lots of peppery energy once sipped. The tense palate is more about texture than flavors, yet wet cement, ripe lime, grass and oregano do make flashy appearances.
This polished, savory red offers aromas and flavors of black raspberry, black currant, flint, graphite, and dried Alpine herbs. Easy drinking and well balanced, it has supple tannins and snappy acidity that make it very approachable now. It ends on a smoky note.
This wine, combined with 10% Petite Sirah, impresses in grip and softness, offering big, rich waves of raspberry, cinnamon and allspice, before unveiling a leathery finish. An all-around likable wine, it's ready to enjoy now.
Rich, ripe black-cherry and plum flavors penetrate throughout this plump, juicy Cabernet Franc. It's decadent and forward in style, but lingering notes of spice and tea leaves lend complexity to the palate.
Rounded red apple with an edge of peppery spice and a whole lot of grapefruit zest makes for a lively, textured and vivid palate. This is fresh, pure and totally appetizing. The finish similarly leaves the impression of peppery red apples.
There's a reductive element to the nose of this wine, indicating the powerful nature of the vintage but also the wine's youth. Let it open to unveil an intensity of baked apple and white peach, along with heartier highlights of crème brûlée and vanilla toast. With a medium body and length, it has enough acidity to remain vibrant. It's sourced from a who's who of the region's vineyards.
The aromas on this wine are quite reserved, while the flavors bring down a hammer of rich, tightly coiled, jammy black fruit flavors. If the aromas and flavors come together it goes up a notch or two.
The purple flowers and pomegranate fruits that hit the nose first on this bottling give way quickly to savory elements of rosemary and roasted fennel. That savoriness carries to the palate, as does an earthy character, lifted by pine and juniper-berry spice.
This is a rich wine, with notes of buttermilk, toasted macadamia nut, bright Meyer lemon and orange blossom, all delivered in a measured manner. The palate shows walnut oil, orange bitters, coconut, pineapple and Gala apples, proving quite ripe but balanced by ample acidity.
Pale in color, this ripe, full-bodied wine has a rich core of red fruits and spicy acidity. The wine is concentrated while still keeping elegance and fresh fruitiness. The aftertaste is full and smooth.
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, this boasts assertive aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry, bramble and licorice root, with accents of black pepper and cocoa powder. The velvety tannins frame the dark fruit core on the palate, with lingering notes of dried fig and charred pepper on the close.
This blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Carignan opens with attractive aromas of fudgy brownie, mocha latte, dried cherry and raspberry sauce. Medium weight and plush, it's rich and attractive, but not overly done, with flavors of blackberry and cherry that lead into a spicy finish of black pepper and roasted cocoa nib.
Earthy notes and yeasty richness swing along the aromatic lemon bouquet. On the very slight, slender palate these flavors appear linear and leave a feeling of near weightlessness. Savory tones of yeast make themselves felt on the long, gossamer finish.
The Rolle, or Vermentino, has produced a warm, herbal, southern sun-touched wine. It is full of rich yellow fruits and laced with acidity. A light touch of honey from the ripe fruits gives a deliciously smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
This impressively concentrated wine focuses on the brilliant red fruits that shine through the generous texture. It is ripe, with a streak of fresh acidity at the end to give the essential refreshing aftertaste.
So pale, this wine is almost white. The fruit and the red-berry flavors are definitely those of a rosé, a fruity, full wine with a touch of spice as well as a tight, mineral texture. Weight and ripeness are balanced by a fresh, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
Poached apple, tart nectarine skins and a tiny whiff of petrol decorate the nose of this single-vineyard study that received 14% new oak. It's clean and easy on the palate, with Golden Delicious apples, cement stoniness and a pear skin tartness.
Saint-Maur's vines are planted close to Saint-Tropez in one of the warmest sectors of the Provence coast. This wine is firm and tannic, with signs of bitter coffee from extraction that are balanced by the ripe black-currant flavors. It will develop well; drink after 2017.
A light, straightforward and focused wine, 100% varietal, this offers cranberry, mushroom and a complexity of tannin and oak. High acidity dances around fresh layers of strawberry and raspberry on the palate, with a grippy, cinnamon-spiced finish.
The inaugural release of this producer's GSM blend is comprised of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre. Jammy and dense in blackberry, espresso and leather, it offers a mouthful of flavor and intensity without ever becoming over the top.
Tender, freshly cut yellow pears and yellow plums play on a rounded, rich and almost oily palate that remains dry but expresses richness in terms of texture and mouthfeel, edged with earthy and nutty notes. This finishes exquisitely clean.
Beautiful and appetizing notes of Cox Orange Pippin apples shine. The palate is zesty, sprightly and textured, and shows pure fruit—a combination that spells ideal refreshment. The lemony fillip on the finish is lip-smacking.
The oak (40% new French and American) is up front, with aromas of barrel spices, cocoa and generous amounts of vanilla followed by cherries and blue fruit. This wine is velvety in feel, displaying a mixture of fruit and barrel that carries through the finish. The oak influence is heavy but the appeal is impossible to ignore.
Pressed violet, baked plum, baking spice and coconut emerge on the nose and carry over to the full-bodied palate along with ripe black cherry and licorice. Tightly packed but refined tannins provide firm support.
There's brilliant black cherry and blackberry richness on the nose of this blend of 10 grapes, from Syrah to Malbec to Touriga Nacional, as well as a mineral character of cold asphalt, clay and mud. The palate offers earthy and delicious flavors, with dried strawberry and olallieberry as well as black pepper and cappuccino.
A rich umami character of smoked beef, freshly laid pavement and cola mixes with sour cherries and a light raspberry element on the nose of this wine. Flavors are quite dynamic, with a punchy strawberry-raspberry-sour cherry juice picking up complexity from a eucalyptus bite.
This powerful wine that also holds 5% Cabernet Franc shyly packs a punch. At first it comes off as elegant, soft and highly approachable. Faint notions of blackberry and black cherry are highlighted amidst a concentrated, tannic build.
A New World analog to an Alsace vendange tardive, this sweet, lushly fruited Riesling displays ample honey, melon and apple fruit, with just a hint of lime zest to provide some balance to its 60 g/L of residual sugar. Try it with spicy Asian dishes, on its own or with a cheese course.
With 19 months spent in French oak, this is a big and powerful Cab based wine (with 18% Merlot) that has the drive and stuffing to hold nicely through 2015. Black fruit dominates with supporting notes of licorice, fruit cake, coffee and Asian spice. The velvety texture and firm structure make this an ideal choice for pairing with hearty meat entrées.
An attractive, fruity wine, very pure in character, with some minerality along with dry tannins. The wine does keep a little sweetness, but remains on the dry side.
Starts out with gentle matchstick aromas, but with time it's all about white fruits, green herbs and apple. The palate has a firm, standard, high-quality mouthfeel along with tart apple, white peach and pineapple flavors. The finish is pure lime and snap, while the refreshment quotient runs long and strong.
One of few Kiwi Pinots typically worth cellaring, Neudorf's 2008 Moutere bottling comes across as a bit oaky, with menthol and cedar notes forming a tight overlay to the cherry fruit. Tannins are silky yet firm, suggesting the wine will be at its best 2012–2018.
From a usually reliable producer and a top vineyard site, this is a bit of a disappointment. Some floral, apple-y notes grace the predominantly crushed-stone aromas, while the impression on the palate is broad and slightly unfocused.
This fresh, fruity wine offers pure red fruits with light tannins. Very much in a Beaujolais style, this is juicy, with balancing acidity over sweet raspberry fruit flavors. Screwcap.
A wine that tries too hard. The extract is strong, giving some bitterness. And, although the berry fruits are sweet and rich, the tannins edge the fruit with hardness. On the finish, some smokiness enhances the black currant juice, but that astringency just won't go away.
Reasonably nice peach, melon and apple flavors are nothing extraordinary, but together they make for a decent nose. The palate is soft but not what you'd call flabby, while flavors of pear, apple and banana are innocuous and shouldn't send anyone running to the door. For best results, drinknow.
Can't really say there's much difference between this and Carta Vieja's Classico SB. Both are bland, with chunky apple and pear characteristics. Neither has much of a pulse, but on the plus side they aren't nasty or aggressive. This “limited release” turns out to be a basic wine for basicoccasions.
Sweet and soft, although it does show enough concentrated apple, melon and citrus fruit to warrant recommendation. Finishes with the barest hint of minerality.
Starts off with a bit of a sweaty funk that soon blows off and allows more pleasant notes of bay leaves, thyme, red currant and rhubarb to come through. A touch sanguine and mulchy in the mouth with lighter body and acidity.
This is tight, showing bitter red berries as well as firm tannins. It has an awkward rough animal character that underlies the crisp acidity. The finish is better, showing delicious red cherries and layered freshness. Glass stopper.
For an icewine, this is ultra-sweet. 2003 was a tough year for icewine, because there was not enough autumn mist, but the fruit was very ripe. This shows in the intense honey and burnt toffee flavors here, the acidity a mere hint.
Plump but wholly generic, with semisweet aromas that are neither here nor there. The palate is round, with adequate to good mouthfeel. And the flavors of citrus are solid but kind of pithy and bitter. A full, chunky wine with virtues as well as some flaws. Drink right away for best results.
This structured wine has ripe black fruits followed by red berries. There is a good depth of flavor, the tannins giving the bright fruit weight and a mouthfilling character.
Medium in body yet with a slightly viscous texture, this entry-level offering shows some petrolly minerality and mirabelle plum tartness. It's a solid effort, just lacks the vivacious, forward fruit you might expect in a young Riesling.
This is a light- to medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc that's clean and fresh, but not particularly intense or characterful—the kind you can comfortably serve to a non-wine crowd and expect accolades for your choice. Drink now.
Floral cherry, raspberry and aged wood aromas are elegant and mature. This Rioja is in regal condition, with smooth tannins and integrated acidity. Dried cherry, red plum, herbs and vanilla create a classic Rioja flavor profile. A supple, long finish puts this in perfect drinking shape, which doesn't mean it can't last another through 2025 or so.
Soulful and smooth, this conveys classic Sangiovese fragrances of ripe black cherry, leather, scorched earth, baking spice and crushed violet. The savory palate doles out ripe wild cherry, cinnamon, grilled herb, tobacco and mineral alongside big, velvety tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage. It's already delicious but will age for years. Drink through 2027. Grand Cru Selections, Oliver McCrum Wines.
Aromas of leather, forest floor, tobacco, mature berry and a balsamic note open this structured, elegant wine. The palate delivers crushed black cherry, cinnamon, licorice and savory herb alongside firm but polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2016–2026.
Sumptuous, ripe and very full on the palate, this wine is dense and packed with notes of botrytis that give a strong sense of structure. This well-balanced wine shows potential to age, offering rich acacia honey and beautiful final acidity. Drink from 2020.
This is a perfumed and generous wine with great tannins and a strong minerality. This is the first year that wines from the former Château Magdelaine were also included in Bélair as the two estates were amalgamated. It's dense, complex, balanced in character yet still with fruitiness of the vintage. Drink from 2024.
Very firm and closed up, this wine is a tough proposition at the moment. It has the weight to develop well along with richness. Acidity, sweet fruits and concentrated tannins will all come through strongly as the wine matures. Drink from 2020.
Gentle on the front palate, this gorgeously rendered Cabernet Sauvignon, with smatterings of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, develops weight and body as it goes, while retaining classic restraint. Cherry and cassis counterpoise layers of toasty oak, cedar and silky tannins, finishing balanced.
Forest floor, leather, fennel and woodland berry aromas lead the nose. The vibrant palate delivers crunchy red cherry-berry, eucalyptus, sage and a balsamic note alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2025.
Aromas of a raspberry torte with flaky crust mix with cardamom and marjoram spices on another compelling wine from the region's historic producer. Tart cranberries kick off the palate, followed by wet slate and graphite minerality in the midpalate that barely hide riper fruits. It culminates in a cola-laced finish.
An alluring fragrance of rose, aromatic herb, dark berry and a whiff of new leather take shape in the glass. The firm palate delivers ripe, dark berry, grilled sage, mint and sweet pipe tobacco alongside austere tannins that need time to come around. It's well balanced, with a licorice finish. Drink after 2018.
The producer continues to hit it out of the park with this vintage of Pinot, offering a gorgeously balanced interpretation of a marquee vineyard site. Rose petal and lavender aromas evolve into flavors of rosemary, high-toned orange peel, dried cherry and cranberry on the palate, keeping things ethereal throughout. Smooth and medium bodied, the tannins are coy and the entire experience memorable.
Crushed berry, leather, scorched earth, carob and underbrush are just some of the aromas offered by this powerfully structured Brunello. The ripe, warm palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, clove and grilled herb alongside firm, chewy tannins. Drink 2017–2027.
Tropically layered in glazed pineapple and generously vibrant Asian pear, this wine offers heartiness at the beginning that evolves in the glass into a compellingly balanced wine. The oak is there, but well-integrated.
This wine is already balanced, rich and structured. Acidity, honey and yellow fruits are well integrated. At the same time, aging potential is there with the dry core, firm texture and the strong final acidity. Drink from 2020.
Lafite's second wine is much closer to a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that the first wine. It's also a properly rich, satisfying wine that is as much fruit as structure. Packed with blackberry fruits, it has a fresh character that dominates the firmer tannins and touch of bitter chocolate. Drink from 2020.
Aromas of dark berry, graphite, forest floor and grilled herb mingle in the glass. The savory palate offers ripe black cherry, grilled herb, vanilla, licorice and a gamy note alongside a firm, tannic backbone. Drink after 2018.
This blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon delivers notes of savory herbs, vanilla, cocoa and dark plum surrounded by a salty brine. The cranberry and blackberry flavors exhibit depth, elegance and purity, with a mesmerizing mouthfeel that leads to a hyper-extended, fruit-filled finish.
Earthy aromas of game, leather, tilled soil and eucalyptus lead the nose. The concentrated palate shows some muscle, delivering ripe wild cherry, crushed raspberry, mocha, licorice and tobacco along with assertive but fine-grained tannins. Hold for complexity. Drink 2018–2028.
Earthy aromas include tilled soil, underbrush, blue flower and wild berry. The firm, vibrant palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, cinnamon, Mediterranean herb and a licorice note alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2018–2030.
A blend of Syrah and Grenache, still hard and tannic. The flavors of earth, coffee and dark toast conceal whatever the fruit might have to say, leaving a trail of bitterness in the finish.
Aromas of grapefuit blend with green, vegetal notes of asparagus. The palate is pliant and easy, with mango, citrus and green bean flavors. Doesn't commit to being green and vegetal or blaring and citric; falls in between.
On the light-bodied side of the Pinot Noir spectrum, with modest red-fruit aromas and flavors accented by some funky, oaky notes of tree bark and charred nuts.
High-toned, red cherry fruit aromas on this bold, full-bodied Croatian Pinot transition nicely to a deeply concentrated black fruit palate sprinkled with cocoa and vanilla notes. The texture is lush overall, but grape tannins feel harsh and grippy on the finish.
Sharply defined aromas, with a little funk at the base, lead into tart red fruits and flavors of slightly bitter herbs. The fruit fades quickly, leaving tart flavors of stem and leaf in its wake.
Earthy notes of cedar, tobacco and leather mix with tart cherry and violet on the nose and palate of this indigenous red. A crisp, focused style that will pair well with spiced meat and burgers, and is ready to drink now.
Black cherry, cigarbox and balsamic on the nose is followed by red currant, leather and cherry on the palate. A touch of lean minerality and lots of acidity give the wine a plucky kick. If you like leaner-style reds with an exotic flair, this wine is for you.
Grapey on the nose with veins of bramble and black tea leaves, this Blaufränkish (Lemberger in Germany) is fairly tannic on entry but softens considerably with aeration. Give it some time, and it reveals a far more elegant profile with fresh black cherry fruit laced with a rustic, autumn leaf note and lively acidity.
Floral and fruity up front with sweet lychee, stonefruit and jasmine flower notes, this is a refreshing wine with zesty acidity and a clean, grassy midpalate that's just a bit short on concentration.
The Santa Cruz producer Bargetto ventures into Lodi to make this old-vine Zin and unfortunately something gets lost in translation. The wine comes off a little bitter, like blackberries picked too soon.
Warming spice, cherry and plum on the nose and palate give this wine a food-friendly edge. A touch of smoke and mocha adds appeal. Pair with grilled meats, pastas.
Tropical fruits, flowers and citrus lead this appetizing Chardonnay from Peconic. On the palate, the wine has some depth, with lemon/grapefruit citrus, pear and apple. A good everyday white.
Marked on the nose by scents of berry, rhubarb and leather, this wine morphs on the palate to offer flavors of prune, chocolate and date. Although the tannins are supple, the wine's substantial alcohol (15.8%) shows through on the finish. Probably best consumed in its youth.
There is a barnyard feel to this wine, from its rustic aromas through the edgy berry fruit to the final flavors of acidity and beetroot. The character gives licorice and spice as well as blackberry fruits.
This wine offers lychee, apple and pear on the nose and palate and is both fresh and floral. Mouthwatering with a lingering finish. Pair with grilled poultry, salads, fruit or Indian cuisine.
Citrus, apple, spice and flowers on the nose and palate give this pretty wine dimension. It's a simply good sip that will pair well with spicy cuisine and seafood.
This Riesling has a zingy but complex character, starting with the pear, lemon and vanilla on the nose and the honey, apricot and lemon on the palate. It's elegant but easy drinking, and a great accompaniment to richer ethnic cuisine.
Sweet apple aromas are probably the most defined thing coming off the innocuous nose, while the palate is forceful and citrusy, with jangly pineapple, peach and lemon flavors. Amplified white wine with a vague Viognier identity.
Citrus, spice and pear on the nose give way to waves of spice, white fruit and flowers on the palate. A pretty wine with a soft finish.
Roasted berry and plum aromas go counter to the wine's tough, tannic, semisour feel and flavor profile. Lean, a little choppy and tight in the mouth, with herbal cherry notes on the finish. Generic except for its hardness.
Smoke and earth notes vie with leather, olive, herbal scents and baked fruit aromas prior to a syrupy, sweet and cloying berry fruit palate. Lacks drive and spine as it comes across heavy, and the finish is syrupy and herbal, with a rubbery bite at the end.
Fairly citrusy and lean for a reserve-level Malbec. The nose is short, high-toned and shows aromas of red fruits, citrus and even celery. The palate is fresh but tight and drying, with raspberry flavors and cherry skins and tomato on the finish. A red-dominant wine.
Cherry, blueberry, tea…this combination of Cab Franc from the Finger Lakes, Merlot from Long Island, and Baco Noir from the Hudson Valley is aged 24 months in oak and offers ample spice because of it. The black fruit/red berry is balanced by a minerality and a clean finish.
The plush-feeling plum and blue fruit flavors provide much of the appeal on this pleasant, easy-drinking wine. Aromas of tar and berry provide accents.
This opens with aromas of red berry and black-skinned fruit. On the fresh, easy-drinking palate, savory notes of black pepper accent ripe plum and juicy strawberry. Bright acidity and soft tannins balance the juicy fruit. Enjoy through 2015.
This blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Ciliegiolo opens with bright aromas of red berry, violet and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The vibrant, easygoing palate brings juicy black cherry, raspberry and a note of clove alongside bright acidity and supple tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
This opens with oak-driven aromas of toast, espresso, coffee and coconut. The concentrated palate offers oak, dried blackberry, ripe plum, roasted coffee bean, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside packed tannins. The fruit is starting to dry out so drink soon.
Pretty aromas of violet, iris and woodland berry waft out of the glass. The vibrant palate offers raw red cherry, orange zest and dried Mediterranean herb alongside racy acidity and sleek tannins.
This opens with aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, grilled porcini, espresso and ripe black berry. The palate offers dried black cherry, roasted coffee bean and coconut alongside drying, astringent tannins and soft acidity. Drink through 2015.
This has a candied cherry color, vivid strawberry and cotton candy aromas, and on first sip a freshness that's almost startling. On second sip it's more like a light red wine, delicate, medium-bodied, very fruity but easy on the palate.
Ripe and fruity, this wine brings out apricot and pear flavors. It is rounded, full of fruit as well as balanced acidity. It is ready to drink but will be better from late 2015. The vineyard, about two-thirds old-vine Sémillon and one-third Sauvignon Blanc, tends to be harvested during cool mornings.
This is a soft wine, ripe with lime and grapefruit flavors that are sweetened with juicy red apple. It's tangy as well, laced with orange zest and filled with steely acidity. It should age a few months, so drink from late 2015.
Structured and still dry with young tannins, this concentrated wine has the potential of fresh black currant fruits. For the moment, it is dark, showing some bitter chocolate flavors that need to soften. Drink from 2017.
Tight and tangy, this is the epitome of an herbaceous wine. Packed with fruit, it is just emerging into a rounder, fuller future, conveying great acidity along with hints of richer yellow and white fruits. Drink from early 2016.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc (65%) and Sémillon comes from Sagemoor, Boushey and Klipsun vineyards. It starts out barrel-forward with aromas of char and toast followed by citrus oil, spice and herbs. The concentration of the tropical fruit flavors is light and elegant but shows pleasing nuances and a good sense of balance.
This earthy wine opens with aromas of wild red berry, wet soil and a gamey note. The vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry while touches of cinnamon, dried herb and orange zest add interest.
Flowers, melon and stone fruit inform the aromas and flavors of this unctuous, weighty and viscous wine, smooth with a lingering taste of ripe peach on the finish. Tiny percentages of Riesling and Gewürztraminer figure into the mix, too.
Medium in build, with soft, approachable layers of texture and tannin, this wine is big on blackberry and black olive, blending the sweet and savory successfully. It builds tension as it goes, finishing with a taste of smoky leather.
Rich in plum, black cherry and blackberry, this wine is subtle in cinnamon and dried herb, with additional embellishments of leather and earth. Soft and subdued, it's approachable and versatile.
This medium-bodied wine smells a bit like a bouquet of pineapple, sage and lemony thyme. On the palate, the wine is restrained and citrusy, with a clean, refreshing finish.
Pungent, briny aromas of sweaty citrus and green herbs are typical of the variety, while this feels fresh on the palate. Lime, lettuce and tarragon flavors end short, with modest acidity. Drink immediately.
This wine is half Viognier with the rest Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. It offers aromas of almond, lees and peach. It's unctuous in feel but lighter in style with a touch of bitterness that distracts.
This rare varietal bottling has lightly volatile aromas of Dimetap, raspberries, woodspice and herbs. Cranberry, raspberry and rose-hip flavors are full bodied and show purity. Drink now.
Fruity aromas of red berry mingle in the glass together with a light note of cooking spice. The easygoing but rather fleeting palate offers wild cherry, strawberry and grilled herb alongside bright acidity and loose knit tannins.
Ripe aromas of prune, blackberry, marzipan and leather announce a palate tougher than the nose indicates. Plum, cherry, prune and peppery flavors finish baked and loamy, with some heat. This is Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Lees notes take the lead on this unusual wine, followed by aromas of apricot, almond butter and cream. It drinks a hair off dry with a lightly creamy feel.
Toasted oak and vanilla give this wine substance and style. It's fuller bodied and robust on the palate, still young and holding on to some weight. A touch of grapefruit spruces up the proceedings, providing crispness just in time.
Leather, dried cherries, plums, dark chocolate and sagebrush aromas are woven into a decent if not entirely lively nose. Lots of chopped fresh and dried herbs arise once sipped, along with gravel, black fruit and sticky tannins.
A very neutral nose leads to a textured palate on a slender body with crisp, fresh acidity and pleasing notes of lemon. This is neutral, fresh and versatile. Drink soon while fresh.
Fragrant and refined, this polished red opens with enticing scents of woodland berry, menthol, pressed violet and a whiff of dried herb. The creamy, luminous palate delivers strawberry, raspberry and cake spice alongside fresh acidity and refined tannins.
This wine comes from the stony slopes above the river Tarn, 45 minutes northeast of Toulouse. That gives it its strongly mineral texture and powerful tannins. A blend of rare and local Duras, Braucol and Prunelard grapes, it's firm and structured while also full of great black fruit and potential. Drink from 2021.
Concentrated tannins and rich black plum and currant flavors distinguish this serious, dense wine. It has structure and dry tannins resulting from both the old vine fruit and the barrel aging. This is a wine that deserves some good aging. Drink from 2020.
This elegant bottling is named after the late actor-turned-vintner's daughter, who still runs the company. It features well-integrated aromas of cherry, rhubarb and smoke. That smoke also shows on the palate, where piquant raspberry, dried lavender, thyme, rosemary and allspice sizzle toward a lively finish.
This is one of a series of limited-production single-variety wines from this large Alentejo estate. Ripe spice and bold juicy flavors, both the hallmark of Alicante Bouschet, give this wine its richness and concentration. It is generous, opulent and just ready to drink.
This is a tip-top appellation blend from a winery based in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, showing fresh-pressed raspberries, fennel pollen, dried rose petals and hibiscus on the nose. It's tightly wound on the spicy palate, with light cranberry, thyme, marjoram and Earl Grey tea flavors.
Juicy and earthy, this lovely appellation wine is voluptuous with a spicy thread. Blueberry and huckleberry fruit meld seamlessly into savory bites of tree bark and forest as the whole offers length and breadth.
This is a heck of a value for a wine that would shine no matter its price. Juicy in exuberant red fruit along the lines of cherry, plum and pomegranate, it shares deeper undertones of concentration and richness on the midpalate, with subtle accents of rose, cardamom and dried herb.
A richly spicy wine, showing its wood aging in the mint flavors as well as toast. Despite a dodgy harvest year, the wine has the dense, ripely fruity character that comes from winemakers João Menezes and Francisco Montenegro's use of foot treading and fermentation in open stone lagars and that gives great black fruits and soft tannins. This is a wine that is powerful and concentrated, ready to age for a few more years. Drink from 2020.
Richly layered red fruit accents an explosion of firm lengthy tannin, alongside dashes of clove and cinnamon, in this hearty full-bodied red. Robust and concentrated, it shows oaky bursts of vanilla and smoke on the finish.
This is a wine for those who crave density and ripeness. Black currant, mint, fudge and burnt caramel aromas show powerfully on the nose, while the strong tannic frame leaps onto the palate to deliver caramel, milk chocolate and black cherry-syrup flavors. Roasted coffee and butterscotch touches lead into a long Cognac-like finish.
Rhubarb, cranberry and roasted plum aromas meet with gamy hints of grilled boar and toasted oak on the nose of this bottling. Light touches of fennel pollen, bay leaf and dried sage start the sip, followed by more roasted meat and rustic red fruits. It packs great energy and tremendous depth of flavors in a lightweight frame.
Mulberry, cherry, iron, raw beef and roasted pork aromas make for a gamy entry to this bottling, which also shows bay leaf and sage on the nose. Those sagebrush qualities are strong on the palate, which is reminiscent of an Asian-spiced meat dish, with rhubarb and pomegranate lending freshness.
Reticent aromas of lemon peel, honeysuckle, meringue, tangerine, sea salt and chalk show on the nose of this top-end white from one of the region's pioneering properties. Rounded pear and apple show on the palate, but it's chalky and restrained, with a vein of grapefruit peel and lime pith.
This is an excellent appellation blend, starting with a slightly sweet nose of concentrated grenadine, carnations and wild herbs. The sip dries up considerably, with lots of eucalyptus showing at first and then a strong candied raspberry flavor riding the herbs and a strong acidity. Strawberry arises into the finish.
Housed within a beautifully artful bottle, this blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon does justice to both sides of the equation, offering clove, cedar and juicy black cherry within soft, rounded corners of texture. It's fleshy, lush and full bodied.
This is the first vintage of this new purchase by Sylvie Cazes, a leading figure in the Bordeaux wine scene. A classed growth, it's richly fruity yet structured and firm, with dense tannins and layers of delicious black fruit. With its tannins still well at the fore, it will need to age further, so drink from 2022.
Bountiful and rich black fruits of black currant and black cherry meet with dark clove and other baking spices as well as a hint of maple on the nose of this Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre blend. The palate's chalky structure is soft, allowing strong spice to rise amidst the black fruit in the midpalate, followed by a wave of plummy purple-flower flavors. The finish is all acid, which makes for a compelling combo of sensations.
This is a well-composed and memorable wine. It offers a wealth of complexity in dusty graphite and black cherry, teased by wisps of soy and tobacco. The finish shows spicy clove that lasts for days.
This sweet and vibrant wine is a rare find. Wonderful floral, grapefruit and honey aromas lead to incredibly concentrated ripe flavors on a lush texture that's lifted by underlying acidity. It's almost irresistible now, but will be best after 2022.
Soft supple tannins open a gateway of big bold respectable power and flavor in this vineyard designate from the famous Napa Valley grower. Black pepper, mountain-like sage, milk chocolate, cedar and pencil shavings all rise to the fore of this impressive, complex, interwoven wine that should do well in the cellar and be enjoyable now.
Dark ruby in color, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, lavender and juniper berry. It offers pleasure from first sip through the fruit filled, smoky finish, with velvety tannins and flavors of cassis, black plum, espresso, chocolate and a hint of green pepper.
A project of Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth with the assistance of winemaker Megan Glaab of Ryme Cellars, this is a light beguiling take on the famous appellation's most famous variety—one wrapped in crisp crunchy red fruit and floral aromatics of rose. Dried cherry highlights tight focused acidity and soft delicate layers of silky texture for a satisfying combination of elegance and quiet oak.
This blend of fruit from several estate vineyards bears a brown label, to differentiate it from Trisaetum's vineyard designates. Bright raspberry and cherry fruit is accented with sweet brown spices and hints of barrel toast and chocolate. Drink now through 2020.
This wine exudes classic aspects of the appellation, combining power with graceful elegance and finesse, though that finesse is more tightly wound in this vintage. Plummy and thick in dusty tannin, it's a structured, lovingly crafted and complex wine, eager to be cellared and enjoyed at its best 2026–2031.
The bottle is stupidly heavy but there is a nice cool feel to the taste. It's to do with the vineyard's proximity to the ocean which brings out acidity to balance the delicious ripe pear and sweet melon fruit. It is ripe and lightly toasty. The aftertaste adds a mineral texture to the complex mix. Drink now.
The two grapes in this blend create a finely structured wine full of tannins that give shape and density to its young fruit. Blackberry flavors dominate—they are cut with acidity and filled out with dense tannins. The wine needs to age further, so drink from 2017.
Although no longer widely planted, Tinta Francisca is often found in old vineyards. It doesn't have the power of some Douro reds, but it does have the concentration and a fine balance of fruits, tannins and acidity. There is a freshness that brings a bright edge to this fruity wine. A bonus: It is ready to drink.
Not many Douro whites get the heavy bottle treatment like this fine wood-aged wine. It is a half-and-half blend of Gouveio and Viosinho, ripe and with layers of toast and intense yellow fruits as well as citrus acidity. It is just ready to drink although it will be better from 2017.
Richness makes this wine exceptional, while it still keeps its varietal personality. Aromas are grapy, almost jammy, then the flavors are quite fruity and berrylike, accented by mineral and chocolate notes. A finely tannic texture braces everything for an appetizing mouthfeel.
This vibrant wine shows how well this grape variety does in Amador County. It melds beautiful, pure, almost jammy aromas and flavors with a rich, layered and soothing texture. The color is quite dark, the aromas drip blackberry and boysenberry, the flavors are deep and the mouthfeel broad.
Alluring scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and aromatic herb take shape in the glass. The structured palate offers mouthfuls of ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, licorice and pipe tobacco alongside austere tannins. Give this time to unwind. Drink 2020–2028.
While sleek and slender in style, there's a steely intensity to this well-priced dry Riesling. It's deeply mineral, wafting of smoke and crushed slate, and vibrantly acidic, but the midpalate yields nicely, offering layers of ripe honeydew and grapefruit. It's silken in texture, with a lingering chalkiness on the finish.
Dark color, generous dark-fruit and earth aromas and flavors, and a firmly tannic texture make this quality wine typical of the variety. It has good flavor concentration, with more fruit and light spices pouring out on the finish. It will be best after 2019.
This wine showcases the producer's prowess with two varieties, adding 25% Petite Sirah into the mix. Woody, funky earth meets tobacco and black tea while firm, soft tannins provide structure and luxury. A generous helping of chocolate adds warmth to the flavors.
Muscular and slightly austere, this wine does offer attractive notes of mint and blueberry. Some meaty nuances creep in, adding welcome complexity. Although firm, it's approachable now, yet should age well through 2025.
This is a quietly intense wine with a good, deep color, nice aromatics like black plums, and tasty prune flavors. Not too full bodied and supported by taut tannins, it has an almost chewy texture and lingering finish.
The Pfeiffer Vineyard also contributes fruit for the winery's excellent Unity bottling. Here, its grapes are the whole show, and the wine is focused and substantial. It drills down with precise flavors of peach and pear with a touch of citrus, all showing excellent length and depth.
Full bodied and concentrated, this is a substantive wine with a deep gold color and intriguing lime and thyme aromas. Ripe, layered fruit flavors are shaded by butter and nutmeg, making it taste deep and powerful.
The extreme youth of this stylishly packaged wine is on full display, with exuberant notes of crushed cranberry, raspberry, Earl Grey tea and rosewater on the nose. Lively acidity on the sip carries flavors of dried red fruit and touches of leather and tobacco. It's almost soda pop-like, and would go great with a slight chill on a warm day near the water.
With 80% Chardonnay barrel-fermented and 20% Pinot Noir from vat, this prestige cuvée is ripe, with the fruit softening towards a more mature character. A tang of orange zest gives a crisp texture that contrasts with the spicy, rich aftertaste. The wine from the family's small vineyards in the Marne Valley is still developing; drink from 2018.
Strong cedar notes greet the nose alongside charred red bell pepper, crushed gravel and elderberry fruit. Pencil shavings are prominent on the very full and complex palate, giving nuance to black plums, roasted beef, charcoal and dark chocolate.
Even in a cool year, Mauro has bottled a ripe Tempranillo (with 10% Syrah) that smells of raisin and toasty oak. Full, chewy and balanced on the palate, this tastes rooty, chocolaty and like mixed black fruits. Flavors of pepper, coffee and toast accent dark fruit and prune on the finish. Drink this fairly tannic red through 2024.
This is a hefty wine that's also well-polished and well balanced. Wonderful aromas and flavors blend cedar, cinnamon, tobacco, red cherry and black plum, while a blanket of fine-grained tannins wraps everything up in an appetizing grip.
A healthy portion of new oak blends beautifully with the variety's inherent tannins in this full-bodied wine. The two influences meld with each other rather than pile on. It has that sweet-seeming oak perfume, like cedar, vanilla and cinnamon, followed by vivid red cherry and raspberry flavors with new leather accents that linger through the finish.
A classy, spicy oak aroma and very concentrated fruit flavors highlight this full-bodied and firmly tannic wine. It's so layered and saturated with delicious dark fruit that the impression stays on the tongue and palate for a long finish.
This well-balanced wine tastes more nimble than the huge bottle it comes in. The wine has oak and balsam aromas, fresh raspberry and cherry flavors, full body and just-right moderate tannins for good grip on the palate. This is a great example of a high-alcohol wine that doesn't taste extreme and is very enjoyable.
Juicy and inviting, this is a bright red-fruited wine accented in anise. Soft, integrated oak and tannin allow the vibrant, happy acidity to shine atop full-bodied generosity.
This appellation blend from the single-vineyard-focused winery offers a great look at the region, showing a pithy nose full of Meyer lemon as well as a touch of yogurt. The mouthfeel is grippy with lots of nervous tension, which is much more interesting than the standard range of citrus flavors on display.
A blend of McLaren Vale, Hunter Valley and Beechworth fruit went into this bottling, and the components have knit together well. The wine is sappy and floral on the nose, and silky-textured on the palate, loaded with raspberry and blueberry fruit and ample peppery spice. Drink now through 2020+.
This is made in an earthy-savory style, offering hints of roasted meat, black olives and espresso. It's also firmly constructed, with firm tannins that suggest a couple of years of cellar time would do it some good. Drink 2018 through 2025.
Reliant on perfumed Touriga Nacional, this single estate wine is generous, ripe and full of black fruits. Richly tannic and structured, it has a serious side, firm and with good potential. Drink from 2018.
Alitgoté, the other white grape of Burgundy, can produce attractive herbal wines that have considerable freshness. This is crisp and lively, showing citrus and earthiness. It's not for aging, so drink now.
The wine is fresh, fruity, still young and all the better for it. Red cherry fruits and a crisp texture gives a cool, juicy feel. It's not for aging.
A soft, fruity wine, this features attractive citrus and peach flavors. It's light and fresh with a crisp, bright aftertaste. Saint-Bris is the only appellation in Burgundy to produce Sauvignon Blanc.
Dusty strawberry and cherry aromas are hollow but easy. The palate is plump but short on edge and framing. Flavors of strawberry and raspberry roll awkwardly into a low-acid, soft finish.
This is an attractively fruity wine, crisp, full of red currant flavors and with a tight, tannic edge. Still young, it is dominated by acidity that needs to calm down. Give the wine until mid- or late 2015.
Salmon-colored, this is neutral on the nose except for a touch of peach and melon. The palate feels plump and melony, with adequate acidity. Simple peachy flavors finish with no lasting impression.
Herbal plum and leather aromas are tight and earthy. This is juicy, with green-leaning plum and rhubarb flavors that have a peppery note. The finish is minty.
An old-school, non-interventionist style of Pinot Noir with a slightly tawny color on the rim and similarly mature flavors. This has earthy, tea-like aromas, flavors of dried cranberries and a mellow texture.
This crisp, lightly sparkling, off-dry Vinho Verde offers attractive acidity and bright citrus flavors, with hints of apple and green plum. Light and fresh, it's ready to drink now.
With flavors of vanilla and caramel, this is rounded and full in the mouth. It passes up on a steely, edgy texture in favor of a warm and rich character. The result is a wine that is soft and needs to be drunk now.
This soft, caramel flavored rosé is produced from the native Castelão grape in coastal Setúbal south of Lisbon. With rounded red fruits and light acidity, it is dry and destined to pair with food.
The nose conjures feral notes of skunk. A rich, syrupy palate tastes complicated and uneasy. Flavors of brown sugar and herbal black cherry are confusing, while the finish is herbal, earthy and green.
The color—a rather light garnet going to brownish—suggests an older wine or one made with rustic methods, and the flavors travel the same path. An earthy quality shades modest cherry flavors, while hints of clove and cinnamon add complexity.
This heavily oaked wine starts closed; only clove and asphalt aromas escape. In the mouth, it's sinewy in feel, with overly demanding wood-based tannins. The flavor profile is all burnt oak and clove, while showing barely any fruit.
Angular, crisp aromas of red fruits and rubberband are echoed on a sizzling, high-acid palate. This tastes like tart red plum and currant, while the finish is lean, quick and acid-driven.
Gritty, burnt, stalky aromas are shy on fruit and not that fresh. This is tight and rough in feel, with peppery, herbal flavors that run green and low on fruit. More oak and modest berry flavors carry the finish.
A cynical take on Pinot Noir offering little in the way of fruit or personality. It's overly oaky and dark in color, perhaps due to the 5% Petit Verdot listed in the blend, and overly ripe on the finish.
Oily, gritty stone-fruit aromas announce a plump, soft palate with papaya and banana flavors. A mealy quality and bitterness rise up on the finish.
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.
This is a fluid, fruit-laden, well-balanced blend. Spicy and herbal purple fruits are highlighted with cayenne pepper, chocolate and a pleasing hint of violets.
On the nose this wine remains ripe and vital, but subdued. Tobacco, vanilla and baking-spice scents ride on top of mature berry aromas. A rubbery, healthy mouthfeel is round and showing pulse, while flavors of baked berry fruits, spice and cocoa finish dry, earthy and composed. Drink this mature Rioja now through 2018.
Rusty and mature looking, this is woodsy, dry and rooty on the nose, with whiffs of tree bark and tobacco running alongside cherry and berry notes. It's mature, with flavors of stewed plum, herbs and spice that are straight from the textbook, while the finish is dry, earthy and showing core acidity. Drink now.
Complex and rich, it has ripe red fruits that are full of sweetness as well as some fresher acidity. With red plum, minerality and vanilla, it can age for a few months. Wait until 2015.
This starts out massive and grapy, but with each passing minute it becomes more Salta, and hence more complex. Feral, leathery, roasted-berry aromas require patience. In the mouth, this is tannic and muscular, with herbal, spicy, dry flavors of blackberry and stewed plum. Raging acidity and firm tannins suggest that this needs at least until 2016 to settle.
Always a fine value in the Gorman lineup, this new Zachary's Ladder is the best yet. It's half Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, and 10% Petit Verdot, yielding a plush, mouthfilling wine that remains light on its feet. Credit the lively acidity that elevates mixed red berry fruits and finishes with a kiss of milk chocolate.
From one of the Nelson region's pioneering winemakers, this is as good a wine as I can remember the Seifried family producing. The combination of subtle snow-pea and bold passion-fruit flavors is spot on, and the wine's ample weight, slightly creamy texture and long, grapefruity finish work together to create a harmonious whole.
The distinctive varietal character of Petit Verdot, a grape that is most often used in very small amounts for blending, is nicely displayed here. Whiffs of violets and tanned leather are followed with a quite dry, astringent wine, anchored in blueberry fruit and flavors of espresso grounds, clove and dried herbs.
Impressive in its size and weight, this wine has tart fruit flavors of pomegranate and blueberry, with a dusting of coffee grounds. Tannins are ripe, firm and sleek, and the structure impactful. This needs even more bottle age or some hours of aeration.
Hailing from the hottest vintage in years, this is round, rubbery and showing sweet, rooty aromas of root beer, cola, mocha and stewed plum. Dense but soft, it has rubbery, savory flavors of barbecue sauce, herbal plum, tomato and carob. An earthy, loamy, chunky finish offers tobacco and baking spice accents. Drink through 2020.
Remarkable power and intensity characterizes this ripe, honeyed wine. Off-dry in style, it's round and rich on the palate with loads of luscious peach and apricot flavors, yet nuanced with layers of white blossoms, lavender and spice. Thoroughly enjoyable now for its floral, fruity exuberance, it's structured enough to develop well through 2019.
This top-flight effort features herbal, slightly pungent notes that accentuate the wine's ripe, nectarine-like stone-fruit elements. There's ample weight and richness on the palate, lightened on the finish by a fresh, green-leafy component.
It opens with intense honeysuckle, wisteria and jasmine aromas. The delicious palate delivers juicy peach, pear and green apple accented with aromatic herbs and energizing mineral alongside fresh acidity. It's nicely balanced with a lingering finish.
Ripe blackberry, graphite and tobacco aromas become oakier with airing, making resin, vanilla and mocha notes rise up. The wine is lush and weighty in the mouth, with loamy, baked flavors of black fruits, raisin, herbs and chocolate. A smooth, textured finish is home to licorice and sweet berry flavors. Drink now through 2017.
The nose offers both minerally crispness and full-fledged black-fruit aromas. Chunky and meaty in feel, the wine has baked, loamy flavors of blackberry and plum that hold onto their vitality. A medium-long finish with hints of salted beef, leather and chocolate provides for a good ending.
This wine delivers just about everything you'd possibly expect from the variety and the region—grassy aromas, a bountiful mix of herb and tropical fruit flavors, ample weight and texture, and a long finish built around a solid core of grapefruit.
At this early stage of the wine's evolution, it shows some slightly pungent, sweaty notes, but they're balanced by ample ripe passion fruit aromas and flavors. It's medium in weight, with an attractively structured mouthfeel, and a bright, lengthy finish that echoes with grapefruit.
Tight and quite dry, this mixes dried herbs with wild blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. The ample acidity underscores just-ripe-enough tannins; but overall what most impresses is the wine's balance, tension and length.
The producer blends 57% Chardonnay from the Maldonado Vineyard with 39% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Viognier for this fresh, floral white. On the palate, apple and lemon flavors are buttressed by a core of laser-like acidity. A fresh pear note lasts long into the finish, proving the wine's ability to be both creamy and crisp.
This almost-100% Zinfandel bottling from the heritage Papera vineyard is delightfully complex and juicy—an expressive celebration of spiced plum and soft, juicy cherry. The spiciness on the back palate is especially rewarding.
From old vines in selected vineyards, this wine is richly endowed with dense black fruits and dusty tannins. Full bodied and intense with a ripe, jammy character, its fruit concentration is bolstered by wood aging. Drink from 2018.
Underbrush, scorched earth, dark spice and grilled herb aromas slowly take shape on this full-bodied red. The chewy, enveloping palate doles out mouthfuls of fleshy black cherry, juicy blackberry, ground pepper and clove while ripe tannins provide support. The lingering finish closes on a mocha note. Drink 2018–2026.
From old vines and aged in wood for nine months, this rich blend that is dominated by the local Negrette grape is balanced and packed with fruit. There are touches of violet and exotic spices as well as berry fruits. The wine is still young and should age. It's a shame about the unnecessarily heavy bottle. Drink from 2019.
There is an oaky toastiness to the nose of this bottling, which shows light browned butter, honeysuckle and struck match aromas. Its barrel ageing shows prominently on the palate, brightened by lemon peel-like acidity and a finish that combines butter with tang. Toasted croissant notes fill out the midpalate.
Planted by Guy Moreau in 1934, the vines for this wine are now over 70 years old. This vintage is richly endowed, layering delicious wood spice and yellow fruit flavors over crisp, citrusy acidity. It's firmly textured with a mineral edge, finishing with concentration. Drink from 2020.
A sweet-seeming oakiness fills the aroma of this full-bodied, ripe-tasting wine from a Pinot Noir specialist. It smells like vanilla, cinnamon, and maple and tastes generous and rich, with layers of cherry and cola flavors. The texture is soft and full, keeping the ripe fruit lingering on the finish.
This negociant wine produced by Domaine Dujac has plenty of the generous fruit associated with the appellation. It also has solid tannins built for aging and strikes a fine balance between the crisp character of its red fruit and richer wood spice notes. Drink from 2019.
Appealing aromas of cedar, vanilla, smoke and cherry are followed by a full creamy-feeling palate loaded with fresh cherry flavors along with abundant barrel accents. It hits a lot of high notes, with a lengthy finish capping it off.
Lightly colored and textured, this is an earthy, fresh wine that's delicately laced with rose petal, strawberry spice and mint. Light in body but concentrated enough to pair with food, it's lovely with a lingering finish.
The vineyard of this estate is shaped like an amphitheater facing south. The great exposure produces a full rich wine which moves easily between solid, dense and dry tannins and powerful black fruits. Together they make a ripe full-bodied wine that will age. Drink from 2021.
Named for an energy industry phrase meaning an upside-down market, this wine from Rick Grimm and winemaker Paul Lato shows black cherry pie and melted dark chocolate aromas. The palate is lush and soft but framed with rigid tannins that support its ripe blueberry, vanilla and crushed clove flavors. It's built for ageing.
Candied black cherry aromas meet loam and fluffy chocolate cake scents on the nose of this bottling from Rick Grimm and winemaker Paul Lato, from a brand new vineyard above the Santa Ynez River. Black plum, black spice and more black cherry flavors show on the lush and intriguing palate, where the texture is grippy and the results promising.
Heidi Barrett makes this 100% varietal wine, coaxing lovely, fully ripe cherry and cassis notions from the intensely perfumed glass. A sizable tannic structure girds the fruit, adding graphite and tar accents. It finishes on a dried herb note.
Dark plum, mulberry, brown sugar and spice scents show on the nose of this rich and dense bottling. It has a crowd-pleasing palate, as its black plum, nutmeg and violet flavors will prove familiar to both Pinot Noir and Cabernet lovers.
From vineyards across both Napa and Sonoma, this blends 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with 16% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot and 2% Malbec. It's structured and herb-driven, with ample ripeness. Black fruit and cedar flavors dominate through the lengthy, peppery finish.
A welcoming opening consists of creamy oak, raspberry and exotic blueberry aromas. In the mouth, this is just right, with a seamless blend of acidity, rich oak, tannins and depth. The big three of Ribera flavors—intense berry fruit, chocolate and pepper—end with notes of toast and coffee along with length. Drink through 2024.
Deep gold in color, this wine opens with a whiff of caramelized apple, mango and pineapple, following through with a richness of those flavors. Robust with a backdrop of chiseled minerality, it's brawny, full-bodied and brisk.
Fragrant and refined, this offers aromas of Mediterranean brush, rosemary, violet, woodland berry and a whiff of dark spice. The juicy savory palate gives layers of succulent wild cherry, black raspberry, clove and star anise while polished tannins provide a lithe framework. Drink through 2022.
This firmly tannic, serious wine has great potential for aging. It shows the structure and acidity typical of the Baga grape, while also bringing out red berry fruit that will be delicious as it develops in the bottle. Drink from 2019.
A blend of 26% Roussanne, 25% Chardonnay, 19% Grenache Blanc, 17% Chenin Blanc and 13% Viognier, this is a complex and layered wine. A soft flinty character lies atop a rich bouquet of yellow apple, ripe green melon, tangerine and honeycomb. The medium-weight palate offers both weight and refinement, with a smooth texture and ripe fruit flavors that are cut by ample acidity and lingering sweet-spice accents. Drink now–2019.
Full-bodied, creamy in texture and richly fruited, this is a fine example of Gigondas. Garrigue and black cherries mark the nose, picking up hints of chocolate on the long, silky finish. Drink now–2025.
From the producer's estate at over 1,000 feet in elevation, this seamlessly textured wine grabs one's palate from the start and doesn't let go. Huckleberry and cedar notes meet bay leaf accents and grippy tannins, all enveloped in smoky oak. It finishes with bright, fresh blackberry.
Ripe fleshy blackberry and plum notes are pristine and pretty in this richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon. It's densely concentrated on the palate, but brisk acidity and glimmers of violet, lavender and graphite lend levity and freshness. Approachable already yet regal with fine firm tannins, it's ready to drink now but should continue to improve for at least another decade.
An enticing nose of cherry pie and vanilla sets the stage for flavors of ripe cherry, blueberry, white chocolate and lilac. Grippy tannins hold their own against a strong vein of acidity, and the finish is notable for its light floral lift.
Toasted nut, smoke and slate aromas lend complexity and nuance to this high-pitched Riesling Sekt. Lemon-lime acidity and vivacious effervescence give the palate an electric feel, countered nicely by delicate swirls of sweet red apple and caramel. It's concentrated and boldly penetrating through a long finish.
Candied red cherry fruit meets wild herb and wet slate aromas on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard planted in 1988. Boisterous acidity kicks off the palate, where raspberry and tart strawberry fruit flavors lead to round red plum and a slate-like rockiness. The finish is bright with acidity.
The blend is all over the map, with portions of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Malbec. There's a whiff of leather and a core of sweet plum, with lean, slightly stemmy tannins.
Hints of smoke and toast add warmth to the fresh pear and blossom aromas. An easy-drinking blend of stainless-steel- and barrel-fermented wine, it's bright with fresh fruit, but it's lusciously textured on the palate.
All stainless-fermented, this clean and fruity wine has pleasant flavors of light peach and pear. It's round and forward, with balancing acidity.
Lake County producer Chacewater has made a pleasant, refreshing rosé from 100% Syrah. It's dark in color, with tastes of watermelon, ripe peach and tropical fruit. Intensely textured and full bodied in mouthfeel, it emphasizes its flavors through to the finish.
Reedy and minty in smell, this has a green aroma that shares the stage with cassis and plum notes. It feels gritty and choppy, with rustic flavors of burnt leaf, roasted berry and herb. The finish is short on flavor and high on heat.
Rubbery and minty on the nose, this wine has cherry and raspberry scents in the background. It feels edgy, tannic and grabby, with roasted berry and a touch of bitterness. Clampy, drying and warm on the finish, it has an herbal edge.
At first this is lactic and heavy, but later it becomes charred and toasty. Its feel is full, round and fairly smooth, with baked plum, berry, vanilla and chocolate flavors. The finish is toasty and solid. Good for a 50,000-case production.
Nervy and brisk with acidity, this is a refreshingly crisp, unoaked Chardonnay, with underripe tropical fruit and lemon notes on the nose and palate. Elegant minerality adds a tonic touch.
Modest and generally clean on the nose, this features little more than a touch of berry. It feels tight and juicy, with citrus flavor and not much complexity. A note of pink grapefruit shows up on the finish.
Soft and creamy, this has good intensity of flavor. Ripe pear and red apple flavors introduce a soft, rounded texture and a rich, ripe finish. Screwcap.
Coarse on the nose, this has scratchy aromas of unripe red fruit, green herb and grass. It feels forward but choppy, with zesty acidity pushing its familiar flavors of red fruit and herb. A bit stalky and leathery on the finish, it ends with a vanilla streak.
This is a straightforward blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, offering briary, jammy black-fruit and leather flavors, finishing with a splash of vanilla.
The blend is 60% Sauvignon Blanc, but the finished wine is fairly well balanced between the two grapes. Apple and lime rind flavors dominate. It's tangy and sharp, with a quick finish.
This bold, ripe wine is full of smoky tannins from the wood aging, plus blackberry jam flavors that are nicely cut by the acidity. The dry core and dark chocolate flavors are balanced by the fresher, richer fruit. Drink now.
An early-release, single-vineyard wine that clocks in at a mere 12.5% abv in a warm vintage? Yes! This is quite aromatic with dark coffee, poblano pepper and herbs followed by a light, elegant styling that brings delicacy and nuance. Much like the variety, the wine is not for all comers.
A full six years old, this aromatic wine from Crawford Vineyard unfolds with baking spices, raspberries and cranberries along with a whiff of volatility. It's full bodied, sweet, rich and extracted with abundant red fruit flavors, sweet oak accents and a warm finish. The alcohol rides a bit high but overall the wine holds it well.
Tart black cherry and bramble give way to a cool granite minerality on the nose of this stately wine. Black fruit notes intensify on the palate, accumulating richness and ripeness, but the finish is a bit abrupt.
For this new offering from the winery, fruit comes from top vineyards Dineen, StoneTree, Klipsun, Pepper Bridge, Discovery and Kiona. It displays strong aromas of burnt coffee, woodspice and cherry. Flavors are medium bodied with blocky tannins and mouthwatering acids.
Somewhat light in color, this wine suggests red and blue fruit along with herb and barrel accents. The concentration is light with a soft feel to the fruit flavors. Mouthwatering acids draw out the finish and keep the interest high.
This friendly wine offers fresh, jammy berry and cherry aromas. The palate has a bit of grit and stickiness to it, while blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry flavors are ripe, sweet, not pushy and ultimately satisfying.
A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, this wine features earthy aromas of leafy forest floor, tilled soil and dried black currant. The straightforward palate delivers juicy blackberry, raspberry and clove alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2016.
Wiry aromas of berry and spice are tempered by a touch of oaky vanilla. On the palate, there's a blend of creamy oak and sharp acidity, while flavors of plum and boysenberry are tart overall but again softened by barrel-driven vanilla notes. Snappy acidity makes for a moderately sharp, pointed finish.
Stewed plum, savory herb and tobacco aromas carry through to the full-bodied palate along with dried red cherry, coffee, anisette and a confectionary note. It's big and brawny, with bracing tannins.
There's a lightness to this 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot that surprises, making for a friendly, approachable entry. Cassis, raspberry and cedar mix around rounded tannins and a medium-length finish.
The oak notes of dried coconut, coffee bean and vanilla are far out front here and provide a good deal of the aromas and flavors. But some pretty things are going on in the bottle; it's just hard to get at them.
Hot, stalky aromas of red chili flake and weedy raspberry lead to a lean, tomatoey palate with flavors of tomato, dried berry, vanilla and especially dill weed. A saucy, woody finish confirms that this is now mostly oak and acid; drink through 2020.
Briary plum and cherry cough-drop aromas give way to a crisp, fairly full palate with chewy tannins. Plum and peppery spice flavors are kept simple, while this finishes with some dark-berry character and a touch of bitterness.
Tawny in color and wafting of potpourri and fallen leaves, this raspberry-inflected wine is already starting to show its maturity. Briskly concentrated and light on its feet, it makes an elegant sip to enjoy now before it loses its delicate, perfumed charms.
The nose on this wine by oil worker-turned-winemaker Ert Sevtap offers lifting aromas of blueberry and mint. The spearmint notes carry to the palate as well, which also shows blackberry fruit and roasted beef meatiness.
This robust wine delivers aromas of spiced plum, stewed prune, vanilla and chocolate that carry through to the ripe, monolithic palate. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of dark berry, clove, bell pepper and cedar take shape in the glass. The tightly wound palate delivers dried black cherry, espresso, oak and a green note of dried sage alongside astringent tannins. While the tannins need time, the fruit is already starting to dry up.
Fresh apple flavors and a crisp vein of acidity make this medium-bodied wine lively and refreshing, while still delivering delicious Pippin apple and white peach flavors. It feels balanced, clean and easy to enjoy.
Aromas are dominated by oak with accents of vanilla, cocoa and woodspice along with cranberries, rose hips, herbs and raspberries. The palate is elegant with herb and cherry flavors that lead to a tart, cranberry-filled finish.
Lemony-vanilla crème brûlée rises to the fore in this medium-bodied Chardonnay. Medium to high in acidity, it retains a crisp freshness throughout its layers of fruit, finishing clean.
Leesy on the nose like the name implies, this Godello smells creamy, with notes of apple and melon. The palate shows moderate citric acidity but nothing scouring, while flavors of ripe apple, orange and powdered sugar finish leesy and peachy.
The new American oak barrel fermentation and aging steals the show on this wine. Notes of vanilla and woodspice overpower the variety's melon and apple aromas and flavors. There are some good things going on but it's hard to get at them.
Pale lemon in color, with a slightly green tinge, this is a light, crisp and steely Pinot Blanc. Citrus zest and quince carry the nose and palate, making this a perfectly enjoyable everyday white.
Herbal, tomatoey red-berry aromas lead to a fleshy, fresh palate with barely any structure. Plum, currant and herbal flavors finish solid, with basic flavors of oak and spice.
Yeasty apple aromas lead to a fair and balanced palate. Mixed citrus flavors come with a tropical leaning, while the finish is clean, mild and fades fast. Drink right away.
Apple, citrus and yellow floral aromas are what hits the nose first. Them they carry over to the simple, zesty palate along with green pear and a note of bitter nut. Bracing acidity generates a clean finish.
The wine is all fruit, so fresh and crisp and light. Sliced apples and sharp lime juice are swirled around with so much acidity that the wine just dances in the glass. This is delicious and ready to drink.
This fun, copper-colored wine offers aromas of cut grass and Bartlett pear. The simple palate shows white peach and green apple alongside zesty acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
Subdued aromas of yellow stone fruit and a whiff of cut grass lead the nose. The linear, rather slender palate shows grapefruit, tomato leaf and lime alongside brisk acidity.
Chamomile flower and yellow stone fruit aromas are the primary aromas. The simple, straightforward palate tastes of yellow apple skin, a hint of white peach and a touch of mineral alongside crisp acidity.
This opens with muted aromas of yellow stone fruit and tomato vine while the rather lean palate offers unripe peach, citrus and mineral alongside brisk acidity.
Dusty apple aromas form the opening on this scratchy Brut Nature. Flavors of pickle brine and weedy citrus fruits end similarly. This isn't overtly faulty, but it's briny and funky.
Aromas of toasted almond and yellow apple skin lead the nose. The aromas follow through to the palate along with a hint of peach and a mineral note. It's rather lean, with brisk acidity.
Alluring scents of apple and Alpine wildflower float over to the bright but slender palate along with notes of pear and mineral. Brisk acidity gives it a clean, crisp finish.
Specs of dusty mineral lend some depth to this honeyed, off-dry Riesling. The palate is straightforward but brisk, marked by pressed apple, pear and a tart lemon-lime finish. Drink now.
Jammy blackberry and plum fruits are upfront on the bouquet, with background hints of bramble, baking spice, cured meat and sweet oak. Medium acidity and lightly structured tannins lend an appealing texture to the mouthfeel, with hickory-smoked bacon and peppered black-fruit preserve flavors hanging on to the finish. Drink now.
Minerally plum and raspberry aromas come with latex and Band-Aid notes. This feels tannic, loud and high in acidity. Rubber and iodine flavors come in front of plum and raspberry fruit, while the finish is juicy and fresh, but drawing.
The wine is fresh, aromatic and so crisp. Made from Fernão Pires and Verdelho, it is ripe with apple flavors and tangy with orange zest. The wine is young, fruity and ready to drink.
Grapy aromas of black cherry introduce a tight, rubbery but fair palate. Ripe berry, black cherry and bitter chocolate flavors finish with a note of toasty oak but also fiery burn. Let this aggressive Malbec air out and it will show best.
This is an incredibly modern style of Pinotage, boasting forward notes of mocha, raspberry sauce, muddled black cherry and vanilla cream on the nose and mouth. The palate is rich and creamy, with plush fruit flavors and a soft, jammy texture. Drink now.
The heavy bottle is probably a good proportion of the price of this wine—an unnecessary affectation. The wine itself is firm and structured, perfumed with typical Touriga Nacional violet aromas and rich. With its dense texture and juicy black plum fruits, it is still coming together, so don't drink before 2017.
This is a fresh wine that is balanced between solid tannins and the ripe red berry fruits. Made to be drunk young, it has juicy acidity along with a firm mineral texture. Pure fruitiness shines at the end. Drink from late 2016.
Delicate aromas of wildflower, citrus and an apple orchard just before the harvest float from the glass on this luminous wine. The crisp, rather lean palate offers notes of pear and flinty mineral alongside racy acidity.
This racy white opens with scents of cut grass, tomato vine and grapefruit. The zippy, rather lean palate offers citrus, pineapple and a mineral note alongside bracing acidity.
Delicate scents of spring flower and white orchard fruit waft out of the glass. The bright, direct palate offers yellow apple, tangerine zest and a hint of mineral accompanied by vibrant acidity that leaves a crisp finish.
Aromas of hawthorn and a spring orchard in bloom lead the nose while the bright, straightforward palate offers green apple, bitter almond and a mineral note. Crisp acidity gives it a clean finish.
Basic citrus aromas lean towards grapefruit. This blend of 70% Godello with Treixadura and Albariño feels fresh and snappy, with bracing acidity. Briny flavors of white grapefruit and tangerine finish fresh and cleansing. Drink immediately.
The aromas and flavors of this medium-bodied Cabernet recall a spiced, mulled wine. It smells like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, and tastes like dark grapes and orange zest.
This opens with the delicate scents of citrus blossom and white stone fruit. The lively palate tastes of white peach and lemon zest while firm acidity gives it a fresh finish.
Dense and concentrated strawberries mix with black rocks and gravel on the nose of this stylishly labeled bottle. The palate is somewhat sweet with blueberry and blackberry jam flavors, as well as earthy notes.
Delicate scents of white flower and stone fruit emerge on this brisk white. The slender, racy palate shows grapefruit, citrus zest, slate and a note of crushed herb.
Perhaps this wine just needs some additional cellaring, as the finish is long enough to suggest promise, but this particular bottle was in a cranky stage, showing lots of toasted oak and coffee-like aromas and tart acidity. The tannins seem ripe, so it's worth trying again in a year or two.
The Red Hills Estate bottling sends a spicy note sailing out of the glass, with a pleasing follow-up of red currant, cherry, cinnamon and vanilla. Medium-bodied and displaying a core of tart fruit, this tails off into a tannic finish that needs a bit more polish.
Supple and velvety, with a ripe, creamy texture, this shows textbook Cab flavors: cassis, tobacco and some vanilla from new oak. It deftly avoids the common Barossa problem of excessive size and weight, just could use a touch more persistence on the finish. Imported by AUSA Pacific, LLC.
An austere blend of Cab Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. There's color and power galore, but also a choppy, firm mouthfeel that guards intense cherry flavors and smoldering oak. An aggressive wine that doesn't back down from its essence. Will do much better with food than by itself.
A holdover from 1999, this varietal single-vineyard Cabernet offers tree bark, molasses and prune on the nose, while the palate has raspberry flavors sitting front and center, with drying tannins in support. It's a woody and grabby wine, with vanilla notes toward the end. And at eight years old, it doesn't appear as though it will improve beyond where it's at now. So drink soon.
A better effort than in previous years. This vintage has a tangy personality and no tricks up its sleeve. The pineapple and citrus flavors are solid and the finish holds onto the Verdejo's citrusy profile. Steady and clean all the way through.
The name “Not so little” is a joking reference to its appellation. This is a pleasure, a delicious unoaked Chardonnay with green fruits, a touch of caramel and kiwi fruit flavors.
A fresh, simple wine, all crisp green fruit with ripe apples and a touch of grapefruit. Delicious; drink now. Screwcap.
Dark and fiery, with grapy, heavily extracted aromas. Compared to the winery's Premium Cabernet, this is harder and more choppy, with staggering tannins and heat on the finish. It's a monster with teeth, and only time will tell if it finds a friendlier place. Hold for a couple of years.
Lots of oak gives the nose a strong coconut essence, while the flavors of baked red plum and berries bring along notes of pepper and spice. This is a meaty, hot wine with maple and resin on the finish. It shows flashes of brilliance but also ruggedness and a few clumsy characteristics.
Stocky and warm, with mild baked-fruit aromas and a hint of bramble. This venerable table wine is made from 65% Garnacha and 35 Cariñena, and from 2005 it's pretty much on the money. Expect earthy, mildly brambly flavors, lively acidity and soft tannins. Good for a wide range of simple foods and appetizers.
Early on the wine is dominated by buttery oak, and it's all over the nose, palate and finish. Airing settles it down, and up from the creamy underworld comes raspberry, stewed plums and chocolate. Not the thinking man's Ribera del Duero, but it gets the job done. Imported by Freixenet, USA.
From the estate vineyard, this classy, Merlot-driven blend has a good mix of berry, cherry, compost, green tea and tobacco scents and flavors. The acids are in good proportion to the fruit and tannins, and the wine keeps its focus and power into a lingering finish.
Fall Line makes its Bordeaux blends AVA-specific; here the focus is on Red Mountain, and the wine is composed of 42% Cab Franc, 29% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. An elegant wine, it shows refined tannins, mature fruit flavors, already light bricking and aromas of plump fruits, pie cherry and tobacco. Drink now.
This inexpensive red wine has muscle and depth. It's chocolaty, rich and loaded with ripe, supple fruits and smooth caramel. There is plenty of coffee flavor, a sweet and broad mid-palate, and a simple but satisfying finish.
Despite tipping the scales at more than 15% alcohol, this wine actually comes across as nicely structured and elegant. It's certainly not a fruit bomb, instead offering a complex array of sour plum, espresso, olive and coffee notes to go with its blueberry fruit. It's round without being fat, framed by supple tannins that turn slightly dusty on the finish. Drink now-2016.
There's a hint of sur-maturité to this wine's cassis flavors, giving it a chocolate and dried-fruit character to go with hints of eucalyptus. That ripeness gives it a rich, soft, warm character that makes it instantly approachable. Drink now-2012 or so.
Just the second Malbec from Fidélitas, this pure varietal bottling opens with deep, dark aromas of smoke, coffee and pepper, with saturated colors that seem to promise a dense, exotic wine. Though it is lively and offers nice flavors of pepper, berry and spice, it does not have the concentration in the mouth that the aromas suggest. There are some prickly herbal flavors, along with light chocolate, in the finish.
This is Morrison Lane's first Dolcetto—previously these grapes were blended into the winery's Nebbiolo. The color is dark and saturated, the plummy fruit flavors laced with spice and leaf. There is a high acid sharpness on the tongue, with a little green character in the tannins, but it is a very promising first effort.
This 70% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend is tight, spicy, peppery and sharp. Though probably not a wine for cellaring, despite its slightly green fruit, it has density, flavor and depth. As it breathes and smoothes out, black currant and blackberry fruit flavors begin to poke through, and a streak of licorice does also.
Typical Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc (it appeared on the 2008 MW exam), with grassy aromas laid over a base of passion fruit and gooseberry. It's medium in body, finishing with hints of mineral, citrus fruit and great freshness. Drink now.
The combination of high alcohol and ripe fruit gives this wine a sweet-seeming profile dominated by plums and blackberries, but there's also a note reminscent of alfalfa or sweet hay. Ripe tannins impart a lush, creamy mouthfeel that extends through the finish.
This Meritage red blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 12% Malbec. The fruit flavors are pure and focused, and the wine opens beautifully with tangy boysenberry, plum and wild cherry. The acids carry it aloft, and the tannins, just slightly hinting at green tea, are polished and firm. Though it finishes with some herbal flavors, it is satisfying throughout.
Subtle aromas of dried berry, Mediterranean brush, game and savory herb lead off this vibrant blend of Pinot Nero and Nero d'Avola. The sleek palate offers candied red cherry, cinnamon and thyme alongside fine-grained tannins.
Ripe blackberry, dark cherry, prune, mocha, oak, grilled sage and vanilla sensations come together on this soft and accessible wine. Ripe, round tannins provide the framework for the juicy palate. Enjoy through 2016.
Made with 90% Perricone and 10% Nerello Mascalese, this hearty wine delivers aromas of red berry, Mediterranean brush, grilled herb and a menthol note. The palate offers dried cherry, espresso, mocha and peppercorn alongside firm but fine-grained tannins.
Herbal jalapeño aromas invite one in initially, before the wine takes on a bright, lively acidity and components of dried fruit and nuts. Creamy on the palate while still maintaining that acid, it offers a lingering sense of fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit on the finish.
This wine from the El Pomar district leads with 40% Mourvèdre, boosted by 30% each of Syrah and Grenache. Subtle aromas of hot bricks, purple fruit and rose petals lead the nose, and the stronger flavor profile trends toward red fruit, with hints of mocha and licorice on the finish.
Swathes of lemon verbena, smoke and minerals lend a mysterious air to this dry, vivacious wine. It's lean and steely, yet deeply concentrated in lime and lemon flavors. It finishes briskly.
This ripe and fruity wine is rich and full in the mouth. It's balanced in acidity and packed with layers of yellow fruits, quince and pears. It will still develop, bringing out a fuller character. Drink from late 2015.
Light flavors mix citrus and stone fruits, with hints of honey and lemongrass. Just a tad above bone dry, it's finished with 8g/L residual sugar.
If you like Txakoli's high acidity and spritzy feel, then this is one of the best on the market. Waxy aromas of honeyed apple, warm radiator dust and cider are complex and pure. In the mouth, malic acidity rules, while flavors of nectarine, green apple and stony minerals finish long and pure.
Oak-dominated berry and cassis aromas are full but not complex or intriguing. This Mencía has a direct palate with needling tannins and a lot of oak resin. Woody, toasty flavors of blackberry and dark plum finish with flavors of mint, mocha, coffee and chocolate. Drink through 2018.
The nose is concentrated and dark, with currant, plum and mocha driving the aromas. Fruit-driven on the palate, this Merlot- and Cabernet Franc-heavy blend is given structure from sandy, ripe tannins. A dusting of cracked pepper and stone linger on the finish.
Barrel-fermented, this is bright and heavily flavored with sweet new oak. It's young and forward, but will benefit from additional bottle age in order to integrate fully the barrel flavors with the crisp, clean, apple-flavored fruit.
A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, this opens with aromas of black fruit, toasted oak and espresso. The palate offers dried black cherry, ground pepper and roasted coffee bean alongside polished tannins.
Fragrant and rich, but also with acidity and a tight, nervy texture, this concentrated wine has good potential. A single-vineyard wine, it contrasts richness and spice with a fresher character. Drink from 2016.
This cool wine features considerable freshness cutting the fragrant fruits. The single-vineyard site of Hohrain is next door to Pfersigberg Grand Cru. The wine is still young and showing textured mineral character. It needs several years to bring out its depth of flavor. Drink from 2017.
A blend of 70% Carricante, 15%, Catarratto and 15% Grillo this offers aromas of dried Spanish broom, candied lemon peel and a hint of butterscotch. The ripe palate offers mature apple, candied ginger and mineral, with a note of bitter almond on the close. Made without added sulfites.
Bien Nacido Vineyard actually planted this grape decades ago at Craig Jaffurs' request, and his mastery shows, with aromas balancing between sharper lime zest and riper white peach. There's lots of verve on the palate, yet the steely acidity is presented with medium brushstrokes rather than jabs, with flavors of poached pears, lime glaze and nectarine.
Well-defined, crisp and lightly peppery, this estate-grown Pinot Gris carries no hint of oak aging. Tart apple and pear fruit have just the right bite to sail into a sharp and satisfying finish.
Kumeu River is one of New Zealand's most consistent producers of Chardonnay. This bottling boasts slightly austere aromas of wet stone, struck flint and woodsmoke, then delivers white peach and pineapple flavors on the palate. It's medium in body, with a slightly creamy texture and a moderately long finish.
Delicate aromas of lemon blossom, pear, Spanish broom and brimstone lead the nose on this vibrant white. The bright palate offers citrus, apple and mineral along with a touch of light oak that adds depth, while crisp acidity imparts energy.
Exotic aromas of cardamom, blueberry and spiced currant filter onto a fresh but wide-bodied palate with raspberry, blueberry, herb and spice flavors. The finish is intriguing due to a reprise of notes like anise, mint and herbal berry flavors.
Bright, clean, crisply rendered raspberry fruit—nicely spiced—really shines here. This relatively modestly priced cuvée carries itself with style and elegance, still young, tight and tart, with plenty of medium-term aging potential.
Slightly leesy, oily aromas are mature, with notes of salami, apple and melon popping up. The palate is lush and round, with good acidity keeping things vertical. Leesy flavors of melon, vanilla, spiced apple and brine finish chunky, with moderate complexity.
A blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Frappato, this elegant wine opens with aromas of dark cherry, strawberry, blue flower and spice. The juicy fruit carries over to the soft, supple palate together with notes of toast and espresso. Drink through 2017.
Made from 47% Primitivo, 29% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah and 8% Petite Sirah, this offers a complex nose that mixes sanguine elements of iron, tar and black rocks with smoked meats. The palate is plush and smoky with decent grip, culminating with a bit of creosote funk on the finish.
This explodes in sizable red cassis and berry fruit along with darker shades of blackberry and espresso. With leathery tannins that remain puckeringly huge, it can stand some time in the cellar mellowing out, through 2026.
Aromas recall rose petal, dark berry and orange zest. The palate delivers mature blackberry, cocoa, mocha and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
The Momtazi vineyard supplies these grapes. The wine has a sharp edge to it, a sense of raw wood that pushes against tart, stiff red fruits. Whiffs of smoke and salted chocolate add welcome nuances. The winery's AVA series provides interesting, nicely differentiated wines at somewhat moderate (for Oregon Pinot) prices.
Tight and bright, this tasty wine hits the mineral button under tangy lemon flesh and rind. The tart fruit is refreshing, clear and clean through a driving finish.
It is rare to find a high-end domestic Pinot Noir so restrained, so elegant. Lightly layered with tangy raspberry, mineral and herb, this wine proves that supple, graceful, complex, delicious Pinots can be made in Oregon. So often they are sacrificed on the altar of overripeness and oak. Here are authentic flavors of grape and soil, biodynamically farmed and lovingly crafted into a complete and fascinating wine that with attention, gives the drinker more.
The terraced vineyard of Ried Bruck is a dominant site in Spitz, stony and impossibly steep. The excellent exposure gives richness to the wine, even in cooler years such as 2007. There is fine balance here, a ripe, perfumed character, with its aromas of wild flowers and thyme and its flavors of green pears and red apples.
Big and noisy for a wine with 13 years of age behind it. The bouquet mixes raisin, tobacco and leathery aromas with great results. The palate is stylish and flows nicely, with tobacco, dried fruit and tomato flavors. Excellent on the finish, with classy oak and leather. Drink now through 2015. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
The almost legendary wine of Gassac is in fact a deeply satisfying, rich but structured southern wine, with a fine balance between spice, red fruits and powerful tannins. There's a raw edge of youth here, confirming that these wines always have considerable aging potential.
Proof again from Pierre Luneau that Muscadet can age. This wine, 11 years old, still tastes fresh. The only concession to age is the loss of the high green primary fruits, but the flavors have then rounded out, still creamy, still full of vivacious acidity, but now with almonds, some toast and ripeness.
With the extra crispness of the 2007 vintage, this wine has lost its usual opulent character, but it has gained a great definition of structured fruit and flavors of cream, caramel, spice and pear. A benchmark Grüner from its home territory.
Very young, very closed up, but it's possible to tell that this will be an immense wine, even from the 2004 vintage. The acids, the dense structure, the hints of wood and the power of this wine are already in place. Soon, the fruit will come bursting in.
Concentrated structure and flint combine with richness in this wine. It shows spice, dense acidity, freshness and very green, crisp fruit flavors. There is a real line of structure running through the fruit, an edge of lemon zest. Keep 4–5 years. Screwcap.
Crisp and perfumed, this shows white berries, crisp white stone fruit and a great twist of lemon zest. It's light, floating, the acidity like a whisper within the fresh flavors. The final acidity stays forever.
The winery spells it Petite Verdot, and the wine shows tight aromas of black fruits, leather and mushroom. The palate is deep and very ripe, with full-force blueberry and blackberry flavors. A little edgy and tannic, but immensely ripe and pleasant, just like all the Marqués de Griñon 2004s. Good now and better in 2009–10.
Spindrift is the little winery that could, and makes excellent wines at consumer-friendly prices, from a variety of grapes that showcase all the strengths of Oregon. This lovely bottle is spicy and tart, yet full-flavored with a mix of lime, lemon, pineapple, pear and rind that gracefully runs into a midpalate that is full and spicy. The sharp acids keep it lively and refreshing, and the finish is nothing short of remarkable in a wine at this price.
It's certainly a big wine, as befits Madiran, but the tannins are well tamed, and contribute to richness rather than dryness. The texture is rough velvet, a smoothness topped by some tannins. Fruit flavors range from black figs to dark plum skins. It could evolve over 5 years, at least.
Intensely mineral in character, with a real feel for the stony soil, this is a tight, taut wine that reveals layers of fresh pink grapefruit and green plum flavors along with sufficient ripeness to give a rounder aftertaste. But the wine does need 3–4 years' aging at least. Screwcap.
This is a gorgeously rich wine, smooth and concentrated. The tropical fruits, added to apricots and green plums, and the spicy edge, fill the mouth with a creamy texture. There is light acidity, just enough to give a final shape to the wine. Screwcap.
Its presentation and dark bottle suggest a premium cuvée, borne out by the ripe character of this toasty wine. Produced from old vines in good years, this is a wine that could well be aged. Creamy apple purée flavors and rounded fruits add to the richness.
Approachable and stately. Aromas of toast, bacon and reduced berries get it going in the right direction, while blueberry and cassis flavors control the palate. This is a ripped yet stylish wine with texture and chewy, integrated tannins. Congratulations to MontGras and chief consultant Paul Hobbs for making a serious Cabernet (with 2% Malbec) that most folks can actually afford.
The richest of the Grüner Veltliners from the Krems cooperative, this has power as well as the ripest fruit. The flavors are of pear, melon and freshly ground spice, edged with a green apple skin texture. There is depth of flavor, the fruits going right into the core of the wine.
Low yields, old vines and 2 years' lees aging are the basis of this concentrated wine. It is rich, full, very intense, but doesn't lose sight of strong minerality. Certainly a wine for aging, this is only just beginning its ripe development.
A little raisiny and obscure, but with air it turns into a lovely lump of darkness. In the mouth, there's jumpy spice, heat and jammy berry and plum flavors. This wine is less about elegance and ageability and more about pure, ripe and flavorful dark fruit. Drink now through 2013. A Europvin, Christopher Cannan selection, imported by multiple importers, including Michael Skurnik Wines.
The Roosevelt vineyard bottling goes from strength to strength as it shows nuances of root, sassafras, black cherry and cassis. This vintage is bigger and heavier than previous bottlings, adding sweet fruit but taking away some of the leafy, herbal flavors. Depending upon your attitudes about Pinot Noir and alcohol, you may applaud these changes or bemoan them, but you can't deny it's a delicious bottle with power and structure.
This complex, spicy-herbal wine is also well-fruited, with a core of ripe black cherries. Anise and thyme notes mingle easily on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate eases into a long, supple finish. Drink now and over the next few years.
Raspberry and plum aromas are fresh with a hint of sharpness. This defines zesty and crisp; the acidity level is high, which is common for 2008s, but there's enough body and power to support red-berry and vanilla flavors. A cleansing, fresh finish closes things out.
Obra Prima is a perennially excellent wine that satisfies more than it overwhelms. This vintage is woody on the nose, with blackberry, moss and an herbal. The mouthfeel is deep and plump but not soft, while toasty blackberry flavors control the palate and finish with herbal, baked notes.
A fine example of what Tavel can be, this is a full-bodied, luscious rosé with a bit of sturdiness to its structure. Cherry and peach notes fade into hints of fresh herb and cocoa on the long, harmonious finish. Drink now and through the summer of 2014.
This vineyard-designated Merlot includes 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage, Syrah is eliminated and alcohol is lowered—a welcome shift. Rich and loaded with black fruits, it carries interesting accents of caramel popcorn, yielding a delicious, tongue-coating wine with a silky-smooth mouthfeel. It has good length, and the possibility of aging for another five or six years.
The original Dagueneau domaine, Berthiers has produced a rich, warm wine, full in style, layering its crisp lemon acidity with ripe pear flavors. As often with Pouilly Fumé, it's a wine that needs aging, so drink from 2014.
Full bodied and richly textured, this wine stood out in a flight of southern Rhônes for its obvious oak. It's a toasty, cedary, vanilla-laden wine, but with enough fruit weight to support the wood. Drink it now if you like that style, or give it a few years' in the cellar and see if the fruit emerges over time.
Pinched and fiery at first, the bouquet on this Mallorcan blend evolves to show earthy cherry and plum scents. A flush, mouthfilling body is dry and classy. Flavors of baked, earthy, savory cherry and plum come with a load of spice and herbal accents, while the finish is fit and complex. Drink through 2015.
This wine shows ample weight and concentration for a rosé. Bold, berry-scented aromas lead into similar flavors on the palate, joined by a hint of white chocolate. The texture is silky, lingering gently on the long finish. Drink up over the next few months.
A heady mix of jasmine and orange rind, Quady's Electra packs a lot of flavor into a light amount of alcohol, with residual sugar listed at 172.4 g/L. Slightly effervescent, it's subtle and light, ready to serve as a happy mixer in a range of cocktails, much the way an elderflower liqueur might work.
A firm and tannic wine that brings out a fine, solid structure and concentration from old vines. Power and fruitiness are allied to a dry core of tannins that give a style and shape to the wine. This is a wine to age, so drink from 2015.
An immediately appealing wine with notes of freshly cut apple, apricot, mineral and jasmine. Though it has 17 g/L residual sugar, it drinks barely off dry with the vineyard's electric acidity more than balancing out the midpalate's sugar, providing a dry feel to the drawn-out finish. Equal parts phenolic feel and flavor, put it on the dinner table now to see it at its best.
A reserved, interesting bouquet of pine and black fruits isn't overdone or overly oaky. In the mouth, this Cab is powerful and muscular, with a creamy, rich texture. Flavorwise, it's heady and creamy, with blackberry fruit and peppery spice on the finish. Drink through 2017.
This is a fresh, bright Syrah that's also rich in flavor and texture, lush in plum and raspberry with a proper hit of pepper on the finish. With 6% Viognier in the mix, it shows some floral bouquet among the depth of earthy caramel and coconut.
Jammy berry fruits, violet notes and graham cracker define the bouquet on this high-quality, good-value Malbec. The palate isn't huge but it's well structured, and the flavors are exotic and out of the ordinary, with an emphasis on Middle Eastern spice and blue-fruit flavors. On the finish, it's chocolaty and spicy but loses steam quickly.
Resplendent in white pepper, aromatically defined by it in fact, with a touch of cedar, this is a smooth, full-bodied Syrah that's mighty good, a duet of cool and warm-climate character. Pair with braised meats thick in earthy mushrooms.
More than half Merlot with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon (39%) and Syrah (10%), it's immediately appealing and freshly flavored with notes of bittersweet chocolate, cherry and dried herbs supported by a backbone of grainy tannins.
A decent effort, with notes of spice, brambly wild berries, smoke and licorice mingling together. It doesn't quite snap into focus, but there's never a dull moment. The finish gets chalky as the tannins take over.
A soft blackberry, vanilla and plum nose is followed by a rustic mélange of dried tea, berry and spice flavors in this Merlot. Tannins are firm and the overall flavors good, but the wine needs a little more cohesion.
Simple, solid aromas of cherry, cinnamon and spice are followed by like flavors in this good everyday red from Lebanon. The wine has a soft touch but plenty of character, and its lingering berry and spice finish add to the appeal. A solid overall performance.
After a few nice vintages of Sol Huarpe from this San Juan producer, the 2007 is sharp and weighed down by rhubarb and burnt field aromas. The palate is thin, while the flavors are mildly vegetal and soupy. Finishes crisp and citrusy. Blame it on the vintage.
There's a lot of new oak in the nose, and it's tannic and has a fair amount of the volatile aromas that are found in several of the Hogue reds. The midpalate is soft to a fault, but shows hints of the spice and pepper of the grape. It finishes with volatility and unusually soft tannins. Tasting room exclusive.
Reserved on the nose, with a hint of rhubarb and bramble. But where this wine really fails to impress is on the palate. It's sharp and underdeveloped, with tart cherry aromas and piercing acidity. Some mocha and vanilla come on late to help things along, but by then the wine has defined itself as borderline sour and miserly. Unusually short on fruit for Luigi Bosca, a winery we've come to like. Imported by Multiple U.S. Importers.
Slightly sharp and brambly on the nose, with muddled fruit aromas. The palate is both lactic and snappy, with spiky acidity mixed with buttery, creamy notes. Finishes kind of pasty, with bite and grab. Even at $10 this Maule Valley Pinot struggles with the pleasure factor.
A reedy and odd-smelling wine. No matter how many times you come back to it, there's the scent of latex and a strange perfume to the nose. In the mouth, it's tannic and blocky, with saturated black cherry and a funky, unfamiliar twist. And it finishes with rubber, plastic, cotton candy and coconut notes. Can't say this does much to push Carmenère's status.
Looking for a juggernaut red that cries out for steak? Give this lush, stylish, nearly flawless Carmenère a shot and you won't be disappointed. The nose opens with toast, mineral, herbs, olive and berry fruit, and the palate is more of the same. In terms of feel, it's smooth and elegant, yet ripe and forceful. Finishes crusty and long. A winner from a winery that up until now hasn't shown much.
At 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, this drinks like a Cab, combining ripe cassis and chocolate notes with hints of mint, brown sugar and cinnamon. It's full-bodied and a bit chewy in texture, which should serve it well through at least 2015.
A rounded, creamy style of wine but with a deliciously fresh green fruit and citrus character. It shows very pure, direct flavors, a line that goes right through the wine. There is only a hint of spice or toast at the mouthwateringly fresh finish.
A steely, mineral wine, concentrated and firm, with vibrant green fruits and very fresh acidity. The structure circles around green apple skins, with tangerine zest and some dry tannins. This is a wine that should be aged—give it 2–3 years. Screwcap.
Smooth and supple, this Helix Syrah is consistent with past efforts. There's more than a trace of herb and earth, plenty of acid and some tannins with more than a hint of compost and green tea. But for all that earthiness the wine has grip and concentration, with fruit that seems natural and honest. Don't look for jam or sweet preserves; this is more to the gamy, herbal side of the grape, but beautifully balanced.
Johann's Garden gives consumers a taste of the Henschke mystique at a reasonable price. A blend of 68% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre and 15% Shiraz, it offers restrained, elegant aromas of cherry and cassis with a lifted hint of mint, then adds richer notes of coffee and chocolate on the palate. It's full-bodied and creamy in texture, with a lush, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2016.
Those cherry fruit flavors so characteristic of St. Laurent just fill the mouth with their lightly spicy edge. Around them, wood polishes the tannins and the acidity and gives the wine an ageworthy character. This is a sophisticated wine, its juicy fruit character in fine harmony with the tannins and wood.
This wine's elevated alcohol level (16.2%) gives it plenty of fullness on the palate, and combined with jammy fruit and superripe tannins makes for a slightly sweet palate impression and a creamy texture. It does offer waves of raspberry and blueberry fruit topped by hints of cinnamon and vanilla as well as savory undercurrents of grilled meat and tapenade. Drink now and over the next few years for its exuberant fruit.
Crisp, with green plum flavors, this shows plenty of immediate freshness, very open. The structure is soft, with creaminess and toast, the hints of minerality and austerity initially kept at arms length, then gradually pushing forward into the delicious finale.
A powerfully rich wine that brings in delicious white and yellow fruit flavors. It is unctuous, rounded, made richer with toast then given a boost by a streak of fresh citrus acidity. Good, plump white Burgundy.
A fine Otis Cab, from Columbia's now departed winemaking team of David Lake and Robert Takahashi. It's rich and deep, scented with a luscious mix of fresh herbs. The fruit has a pleasing spiciness, sweet plum and cassis threaded with anise and sage. There seems to be more fruit concentration and less of the green, peppery character that Otis can bring in some vintages, but even now this is a very young wine (it was released in June of 2008) that should reward another few years of cellaring.
From a relatively young vineyard (planted in 2000), this is a nicely complex effort, showing hints of rose pollen, cherries and herbal tea. It's round in the mouth, yet virtually weightless, showing off a wonderfully silky texture that persists through the finish. Without any real track record, opt for drinking this one on the young side (now–2012).
The Carmenère in this Carm-Cabernet-Syrah blend is the lead singer, so expect a touch of minty green and herbal essence. It's a heavyweight in the sense that the mouthfeel is big and the tannins are a little hard. But with airing it unveils classy, spicy berry flavors and wood-based accents of vanilla and butter (20 months in new oak will do that). A big wine that needs some airing. Ready now but can rest well in the cellar for a few more years.
The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah and 5% Merlot; the fruit is sourced from vineyards scattered throughout eastern Washington. Velvety and supple, this is a modulated mix of bright, sassy blackberry and currant fruit, spiced up with the peppery highlights of Syrah. The effect is to move it solidly into the Australian camp, which makes perfect sense, for nowhere else in the New World do these two grapes sync up so well. Vanilla and espresso streaks enhance the finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend—60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 6% Cab Franc—comes from Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and McClellan vineyard fruit. Round and approachable, it puts the sweet and tangy flavors of cherry and berry front and center, yet has the structure to age for up to a decade. These are the oldest blocks of fruit that Saviah uses, and this, says winemaker Rich Funk, stands as the winery's signature wine.
Great steely, mineral wine, powered by startlingly fresh green fruits, vibrant, vivid acidity and delicious herb and plum flavors. This is lively, but also densely packed with flavor.
Spicy tomato aromas show an herbal side as well as red plum and cranberry notes. In the mouth, this is ratcheted down and crisp, with fine acidity creating ideal Pinot framework. Flavors of briny plum and currant end more oaky and rich, with a light caramel note to go with lasting dried red-fruit flavors.
Firm and tannic, this powerful wine is solid, foursquare and dense in structure. There is plenty of fruit as well, with the typical juiciness of Alicante Bouschet to give a ripe fruity character under the tannic structure. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.
From the historic family-owned vineyard down a ways on Westside Road, this Bacigalupi wine is richer and more layered than some of the producer's other vineyard-designates, providing a meatier, more tropical edge of fleshy butter and nuttiness. The aromatics balance things out, sharing whispers of orange blossom and caramel.
From one of the properties where Duboeuf does vinification and bottling at the estate, this is a dense and structured wine. While it does have intense, young acidity, it also offers ripe berry fruits that are bold and rich. Drink from 2016.
Complex and inviting, this artfully blends tart berry fruit with streaks of clove, pepper, sandalwood and hibiscus tea. Balanced and lingering, it shows the sexy, seductive side of the grape.
Wisteria, orchard fruit, aromatic herbs and citrus zest aromas lead the nose on this vibrant sparkler. The linear, focused palate offers pear, lime and apple alongside bracing acidity and an invigorating perlage. It boasts a crisp, quenching close.
This blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 9% Cinsault and 3% Counoise offers boysenberry, hot bricks and condensed violets on the nose. The palate is quite pleasant with olallieberry jam flavors alongside sanguine elements and dark slate on the edges, altogether quite light and easy to drink.
A Sangiovese-based blend named for the expression “Call me Crazy,” this wine also contains small amounts of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Crazy or not, it works, providing a thicket of black and blue berry, smoky cinnamon and a juicy, medium build, meant to please, not to over-ponder.
Dark, brooding black fruit and chocolaty mocha form the core of this 100% varietal wine's personality, a full-bodied, ripe and explosive figure. It's grippy along the way, so cellaring might help, the finish already dusted in a mighty wave of black pepper. Drink now through 2020.
Father-son winemakers Joe and Sam Miller use fruit from the vineyard Dick Graff planted in 1989 for this interesting wine, which shows preserved lemons, dried apples, crushed ants, iodine and yogurt on the nose. There's lemon pith, smoked citrus, Japanese pear flesh and crisp plum flavors on the palate.
Winemaker Larry Cherubino has crafted an excellent yet affordable Pinot Noir. Hints of cedar and vanilla accent the cherry fruit, while the texture is appropriately supple without being overripe. The oak is prominent, but the weight and texture hit the mark. Drink now.
Aromas like new leather, tobacco and spices lead to vivid cranberry and raspberry flavors in this lively, fine-textured, authentic-tasting wine. It has a medium to light color, medium body, firm tannins and a great mouthwatering character partly because of its relative leanness.
A light salmon color, this wine offers aromas of pink lemonade, scratched orange skin and a tiny bit of bubblegum, though on a very steely frame. It boasts a tremendous amount of energy once sipped, with lime juice, orange rinds and yuzu flavors.
Light in aromas, this wine shows light honeydew, gray slate, wet cement and a hint of butter crisps on the nose. The palate is also delicate, with lime juice that arises on the midpalate and lasts through the finish. Citrus-blossom elements add to the bright, light and tight flavors.
This is a beautifully perfumed wine, with just the right dense texture of tannins and depth. A balance of fruit, tannins and acidity make this quite attractive. Drink now for immediate pleasure or wait until 2017 for a more mature character.
This opens with attractive floral aromas of Spanish broom, acacia and chamomile while the bright palate offers white peach, green apple and citrus. Brisk acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish while a note of white almond signals the close. Small persistent bubbles add finesse.
This wine has already spent some time in bottle, but should withstand further time in the cellar quite well, through 2020. Inky, it's also fragrant and floral, with a depth of cherry and vanilla, offering big tannin structure and a black-licorice finish.
This perennial favorite from the producer hits home in smooth, easygoing style. It offers a succulence of juicy tropical pineapple and apricot. A medium build gives it weight and length before it finishes clean and just the slightest bit spicy.
Wild berry, licorice and plum aromas are solid but quiet. This Cabernet is built on leathery, tough tannins and roasted, savory flavors of saucy berry and plum. A spunky, savory tasting finish is tomatoey and leathery, with leftover sauciness. Drink through 2020.
Aromatically accenting its herbal, spicy highlights, this sports lightly ripened strawberry and cherry fruit. It's an elegant, well-crafted, nicely balanced wine, with the delicate authority that Josh Bergström brings to all of his wines.
Impeccably fresh and dry, this wine smells like crisp apple skin and white peaches, and tastes vivid and refreshing, while combining light alcohol with a substantial and smooth texture.
Smooth and tangy in dark plum and cassis, this vineyard-designate leans toward the savory side of the variety, yeasty and tasting of tobacco and tar. It finishes with a swirl of mocha. Drink now through 2017.
Fresh apple, lime and minerally aromas come with leesy complexity and bread notes. This feels layered and classy, with yeasty flavors of baked apple and vanilla. Bready, toasty finishing notes are centered by a dusting of white pepper.
Muted aromatics hide beneath thick, leathery tannins and a puckering structure of crisp red currant and cranberry in this full-bodied wine that will benefit from time. Cellar through 2020.
Bready aromas of baked apple, lees and vanilla convey quality. This feels solid and healthy, with length and depth to the palate. Apple, papaya and honeydew flavors are ripe and smooth, while the finish shows honey and green-herb notes.
This is a punchy wine that's fresh on the nose. The palate sports a viscous feel that's related to Viognier and Chardonnay, while the Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris in the blend bring a citrus-like quality and an asparagus flavor.  The finish quickly loses steam.
Smooth and rich, this 50-50 blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng has ripe flavors of peach and kiwi that are layered with acidity and hints of herb and honey. It's fruity, but it also shows a mineral-driven structure.
A red-fruited wine, this is a bright and crisp selection from the lightest of the Beaujolais cru villages. Its acidity cuts through the soft fruit flavors, and it has touch of tannin. Ready to drink.
New wood aromas and flavors make this selection seem dominated by toast, giving it a dry, tannic character. The ripe plum fruit is submerged and is likely to surface only after 3–4 years of aging when a powerful, upfront wine will emerge.
Firm and juicy, this Pinot has a core of berry fruit and plenty of acidity. The earthy, herbal accents are typical of this AVA. Overall, it shows fine balance and decent concentration.
Perhaps because it is a blended wine, the Estate Selection is showing better fruit than many of Erath's single-vineyard Pinots in 2010. Light, pretty cherry fruit comes with a note of milk chocolate from barrel aging. It's nicely balanced with a medium-length finish.
A spicy wine with crisp acidity and ample texture, this Alsace-style white would stand up to spice-driven noodles.
With the delicious black-currant aroma of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a stylish, fruity wine that also has a firmly tannic side. One of a range of wines produced by consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, this wine exudes the attractive acidity and the forward fruitiness of the vintage.
In contrast to the Artist Series Viognier, this is made entirely in stainless steel. It's quite soft, with ripe fruit flavors of peaches and apricots. There's a hint of vanilla spice as well.
As there is not a lot of Cabernet Franc made in Lodi, this is a rare chance to see what it can be. This wine is imprinted with Michael David's typical big, bold flavors. It's an aromatic combination of perfume, cinnamon spice and toasty oak. The palate is dense and smoky, with strong raspberry and currant fruit.
A six-barrel reserve selection, this offers a notch or two more depth and density than its companion Bayliss-Bower Vineyard designate. Along with the soft and sultry fruit flavors comes a cavalcade of barrel-generated details: baking spices, toasted coconut, caramel and salted peanuts.
Powerfully built, this opens with a potpourri of aromas including pressed rose, violet, mature berry, baking spice and a whiff of leather. Dried black cherry, licorice, pipe tobacco, nutmeg and a balsamic note wrap around the gripping palate alongside a backbone of ripe, assertive tannins. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2020–2032.
Almond and anise open what evolves into a concentrated expression of a stellar vineyard site in a great vintage in good winemaking hands. Honey and baked peach initially fool the palate into anticipating that this wine might head into full-blown hedonism, but subtle layers of lemon, grapefruit and pear keep it crisp, fresh and ultimately complex. Creamy, it retains plenty of acidity for balance.
Aromas of dark berry steeped in spirits, baking spice, crushed flower, mocha, eucalyptus and pipe tobacco come together on this stunning wine. The firm palate boasts more fruit than many from this vintage, delivering juicy dark cherry, ripe raspberry, vanilla, cake spice and licorice alongside firm but refined tannins and bright acidity. It's youthfully assertive but balanced, with serious aging potential. Drink 2021–2041.
One of a pair of single-vineyard, reserve-level Chardonnays, this seamlessly pulls together yellow apple, lemon panna cotta, white pepper and a suggestion of wet rock. Located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Aurora fruit is fermented with wild yeast all the way through malolactic, and aged in one-third new and two-thirds neutral French oak. The wild yeast adds detail and texture, and the wine makes a soft, buttery, graceful, prolonged exit.
Made with 90% Nebbiolo and 10% Vespolina, this elegantly structured red offers a fragrance of crushed rose, wild berry, tilled soil, baking spice and iron. The sleek, focused palate boasts juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and white pepper backed up by a vein of energizing mineral. Bright acidity and polished tannins provide balance. Drink through 2017–2030.
Aromas of baked plum, crushed blue flower, allspice, leather and chopped herb come together on this on young, powerfully built wine. The taut palate delivers black cherry, cinnamon, tobacco, licorice and toast alongside bracing, fine-grained tannins that need to time to come around. Drink 2021–2031.
Aromas of ripe red berry, cake spice, tilled earth and a balsamic note unfold on this structured, elegant red. On the full-bodied palate, notes of mint, anise and a hint of mocha accent the juicy black cherry core while firm but refined tannins provide the framework. Drink 2018–2031.
Named after enologist Benjamin Cooker, this wine was aged in egg-shaped cement tanks. Pure Malbec that is rich, rounded with spice and firm tannins, it has a generous, spacious character that is beginning to develop. With a dark background to the black-currant fruits, this needs to age. Drink from 2018.
This is the big wine from Famaey. Bold, ripe black fruits are rich and generous in character. With a tarry backdrop and some dry tannins from wood aging, the wine is dense, generous and still young. Drink this powerful wine from 2020.
Inky ruby in the glass, this Bordeaux-style blend has aromas of caramel and anise that all but hide a whiff of cherry. On the tastebuds black cherry is the predominant flavor, backed by a mouth-pleasing chorus of allspice, violet, custard and mint. Grippy tannins coat the mouth yet touches of fruit remain strong on the post-palate.
Concentrated tight-grained oaky aromas rest on top of deep smoky blackberry and cassis scents. This is solid as an ox and quite ripe across the palate. Flavors of blackberry, pepper, fine oak and herbs are integrated, while a toasty chocolaty lightly herbal finish tastes and feels right. Drink through 2022.
From 40-plus-year-old vines planted on old rootstock, this wine is tangy in pomegranate, rhubarb and kirsch, but marked most by an irresistible depth of earthy truffle and black tea. Fine, dusty tannins add to the complexity of the mouthfeel and finish, with a hint of cinnamon at the end.
Crushed violet, herb, wild berry, leather, exotic incense, eucalyptus and balsamic aromas carry over to the elegantly structured palate underscored by a mineral vein. It's bright and fresh, with young, tightly wound tannins that need time to unfurl. Drink 2018–2031.
This wine lives and breathes terroir, with the rock and wild herb character of the AVA and the vivid cherry fruit of the vineyard. It's beautifully proportioned, with a vein of cola, a toasty bouquet and a focused finish.
Aromas of mature dark berry, baking spice, pipe tobacco and a balsamic note lead the nose. The ripe palate doles out juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice grilled herb, clove and tobacco alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and velvety tannins.
This is a serious wine, with its mineral texture and tangy structure. It has plenty of apple and zingy orange flavors. But the main thrust at this stage is of a wine poised for considerable aging. Fresh and still tight, it needs several years. Drink from 2018.
Mature berry, new leather, spice and balsamic aromas lead the nose. The bold palate doles out baked cherry, black raspberry, white pepper, clove and grilled herb balanced by firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity. A tobacco note closes the finish. It's already almost accessible but will drink well for years. Drink 2017–2026.
This estate-grown wine is tart and tangy, with a backbone of enviable structure. Orange citrus adds an illusion of heightened acidity that balances the burly tannins that give strength and power. Red cherry and pomegranate round out savory clove and black tea on the way to an earthy finish. Drink now through 2023.
A strong and complex nose on this wine offers concentrated hibiscus and pomegranate fruit along with star anise, mace, cinnamon, rose petals and a bit of toasted bread. A sip reveals lots of flowery and herbal elements, proving light and elegant, but with lots of flavors, from tart berries to pencil lead and a lifting menthol element.
Classic Nebbiolo aromas of wild berry, aromatic herb, tilled soil and a balsamic note slowly emerge on this structured red. The focused, full-bodied palate offers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper, anise and mint alongside assertive tannins and bright acidity. It needs to come together but already boasts finesse and complexity. Drink 2019–2031.
Rose petal, perfumed berry pressed powder and sweet cake spice aromas lead the way. The vibrant palate offers crunchy red cherry, raspberry, white pepper, grilled herb and tobacco alongside fresh acidity and assertive tannins. Drink 2019–2029.
Engaging scents of wild berry, rose petal, aromatic herb and spice lead the nose. The full-bodied palate slowly reveals red cherry, anise, black pepper, clove and tobacco framed in assertive tannins and bright acidity. Give this time to fully open and develop. Drink 2019–2031.
Rather austere whiffs of lemon, lime and pine on the nose of this medium-sweet Spätlese belie the fruity mélange of grapefruit and guava that awaits on the palate. It's dainty in mouthfeel, yet buoyant and penetrating in sweet citrus, honey and melon flavors. The finish draws out dramatically, meandering on a murmur of tea tannins.
Plump but not overripe raspberry and alpine strawberry notes greet the nose on this bottling, with hints of shiitake mushrooms, turned earth and lavender. There's lots of herbal depth and chaparral character on the palate, with a touch of candied cherry, all presented with zesty energy that buzzes through the sip.
Red berry, violet and aromatic herb scents unfold in the glass while the juicy palate doles out crushed red cherry, strawberry, mint and white pepper. Bright acidity and firm, polished tannins provide impeccable balance. Drink after 2018.
This big and rich wine is succulent and generous. Firm tannins show strongly through the ripe juicy black currant fruits. Full of the strong minerality typical of the Douro, this wine and its dry core still needs time to age. Drink from 2018.
This focused, full-bodied wine opens with aromas of scorched earth, ripe black-skinned fruit and a whiff of game. The tight palate is still rather closed but already offers dense black cherry, clove, licorice and grilled herb alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2021–2031.
Smooth and unctuous in texture, this has dense black fruits that edge toward dryness from the tannins. Dark chocolate and licorice notes lend a bitter edge. Rich and modern in style, this should age over the next 5–6 years.
Big and concentrated, this wine's spice and dark fruit flavors are sustained by solid tannins and acids. It has a rich texture that's laced with acidity, so give this concentrated wine another 4–5 years.
At this stage, the wine feels lean, austere and minerally, despite the richness of the vintage. But this black-currant-driven wine is likely to age impressively. And with its dense tannins, it shouldn't be touched for at least four years.
Ripe and fruity, this is full of red cherry fruit. It has a mineral-driven structure that gives it a firmly textured edge and brings out the acidity. This could age for several years.
This is about as racy as Sauvignon Blanc from Chile gets. It's green and melon-like on the nose, with punchy asparagus and lime aromas. It is wide awake on the palate, where citrusy acids push lemon, lime, green herb and lemongrass flavors. It cuts like a razor; drink with shellfish.
This is a field blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. Some overt stemmy notes are present, lending a bitterness to the finish that may not be for all palates. But the wine carries a thread of sweet berry as well, suggesting that not all of the grapes were equally ripe. An interesting wine, and it should improve with further bottle age.
Named after a Roman centurion rather than a god of love, Saint-Amour produces structured Beaujolais. With its solid tannins and firm structure, this wine proves the point. It is concentrated, with acids and minerally red fruits dominating at the moment. It needs to age for 1–2 years.
A hard spice aroma leads the charge, and while the nose is tough and closed, it harbors a solid black-fruit element. Jammy, thick and chunky on the palate, this has equally jammy flavors of blackberry and herb. It remains chewy and rich on the finish, with a molasses flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carmenère form the blend.
Oregon Pinot Noir is no rarity, except when it bears the Walla Walla appellation, as this one does. Made using fruit from the Couse Creek Vineyard, this is lovely from the first sniff. A wealth of earthy and herbal scents, dusty spices and brambly berries make this memorable. It finishes with medium weight and a whiff of truffle.
Smooth and dark on the nose, this exudes a deep, earthy accent of lead pencil. The palate is firm, tannic and layered, with healthy doses of blackberry, cassis, black pepper and tobacco flavors. Like most top-level Maipo Cabernets, this shows herbal notes of olive and moss on the finish.
While the nose on this sweetie isn't deep, it's lush, inviting and peachy as they come. The palate feels fresh and straightforward, and the flavor profile blends tropical fruit flavors with spice and honey accents. Overall this seems natural, easygoing and expressive.
Full of new wood and tannic flavors, this is dense, dry, very firm. It does suffer from some licorice overextraction that gives the wine a bitter edge. At the same time, the wine has a full and firm character that promises a softening over the next several years.
Smooth and rich, this has fine black and red cherry flavors, along with structured, dry tannins. There is a spice note from the wood aging, which is balanced by the acidity. The finish has a fine, generous texture. Give this wine at least four years.
This unoaked, tank-fermented, no-malolactic style delivers flavors as crisp and refreshing as a clear mountain stream. Steely and mineral-driven, its apple and pear flavors carry just a tongue-tickling hint of butter.
Light, elegant and lithe on the nose, with a touch of stemminess to the core plum and cherry aromas. Feels just right, with a feminine touch and snap to the mouthfeel. Flavors of red plum, raspberry, herbs, tomato and dried spice lead to a fresh, focused finish. Top level for under $15.
From a top vintage year, this LBV has a fine richness and dry core to its blackberry-jelly and spice flavors. Despite being softened by wood aging, it could withstand a few more years in bottle.
Its Grand Escolha (equivalent to a Reserve wine) label explains why this is a young, reticent and closed wine. With its firm fruits and tight tannins, it needs several years of aging to reveal what will always be a serious wine.
A good value Cahors that shows delicious black fruit flavors and balancing acidity. The tannins are relatively gentle, although there is a dry core. Ready to drink.
A blend of Gouveio and Verdelho, this is a spicy, perfumed wine that has fine, lively acidity to go with its honey, lemon and pear flavors. To drink now, although the mineral edge suggests aging potential.
With mint gumdrop, graphite and black fruit on the bouquet, the invitation is open. Feels generous but a little sticky and grabby, with black fruit flavors, char, toast and licorice on the palate. Finishes toasty and dark, with lasting grabbiness. Drink now through 2014.
From 40-year-old vines, this is quite tart and puckery, but ultrafresh and clean. A lemony Riesling that seems like a match made in heaven for Pacific coast oysters.
Pretty aromas of pure Pinot fruit, a mix of cola, earth, cherry and root beer introduce this estate bottling. Still a bit tight, perhaps even bottle shocked, it nonetheless opens up with breathing time into a balanced, elegant and stylish effort.
An early freeze shut down the vineyards in 2009, and produced wines that are less immediately generous than the ripe, fruit-driven 2008s. The vanilla wafer aromas from barrel aging show prominently here, with the wild berry fruit being tart and so compact as to be almost invisible at first. But patience is rewarded, as the wine fills in gracefully with nuanced notes of herb and dried leaf, as well as balanced acids.
Still a little hard and tight, with a flavorful mix of plum and black fruits, this may need extra breathing time to show its full strength. Some whiffs of smoke and coffee linger on the finish.
More neutral than fruity or pungent, with vivacity and minerality on the bouquet. Feels lifted, medium-bodied and citrusy, with lime, tarragon, wet stone and green apple flavors. Level and chiseled on the finish.
This is the blended Bordeaux from Calvet, one of the oldest wine names in the city. It's full and ripe, a rounded wine that has good berry fruits as well as a drier, firmer core. At the end, a more smoky character appears.
One of the labels from the Bonnet vineyard of André Lurton, this red follows the approachable, fruity style of these wines. Red berry fruits and soft tannins make it already drinkable.
Soft, perfumed wine that has fresh red berry fruits, ripe tannins and a juicy fragrance. This is fruity and ready for drinking in the next 2–3 years. Screwcap.
A crisp, clean, deliciously fruity wine. It's light, fragrant, touched with red berries and attractive acidity. There's no complexity here, just pure fruitiness and freshness.
This Cab boasts big cherry and vanilla-oak flavors, but it's slightly smoky and herbal, too. Entirely comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Livermore, the wine might benefit from some more time in bottle, another 1–3 years.
A drop in alcohol by more than a full percent since the excellent 2009 Nysa was released suggests that this vintage did not achieve optimal ripeness. Bitter upon entry, with a medicinal note, this remains stiff and unyielding, with tart cranberry fruit and sharp acids.
After this Rioja opens with earthy, almost food-like aromas of ground beef, rubber and leather, oak takes over and in march a bacony scent and plenty of char. This is plump and chunky in feel, with earthy, rubbery, savory flavors of charred black fruits and cured meats. It becomes more and more oaky and drawing on the finish.
This is sourced from several Milbrandt vineyards, and a blend of both barrel (one third) and tank (two thirds) fermented grapes. It's soft and creamy, with melon, green banana and other light tropical fruits. A pleasant, easy-drinking quaffer, it finishes with a lick of vanilla custard.
Punchbowl aromas of melon and papaya are a bit watery. The palate is round and simple in feel, with modest acidity. Easygoing flavors of melon and peach finish nice but short. This is basic white wine in every way.
Juicy and ripe with flavors of peach, tangerine and apple, this is an easy-drinking, off-dry Riesling. Delicately structured, it finishes moderately long with a pleasantly bitter lime pith note.
Pale in color with a pink/orange tinge, this is an aromatically appealing wine with notes of strawberry, sour cherry, cedar, and mint. It's delicate and light with tart fruit flavors.
This young Pinot is tight and stubbornly hard, showing some rhubarb and pepper scented fruit, with just a hint of raspberry. It's underscored with a quick, slightly chalky, tannic finish.
Made from sustainably-grown mountain grapes, this is a fruit-forward Cab Franc with smaller percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It's subtle in the variety's classicly herbal qualities, but has a juicy softness and a whiff of coffee on the finish.
Amador Foothill's Clockspring Zin is aromatically reminiscent of its Rosato, with wafts of watermelon and pomegranate and a back splash of black pepper. Young still, enjoy with light barbecue fare, such as grilled chicken with salsa.
Yeasty white-fruit aromas of melon and peach set up a narrow feeling palate with nectarine and peach flavors. This is straightforward Verdejo with no frills. The finish is lasting but simple in feel and flavor. Drink this fresh, quaffable wine right away.
Mushroom aromas indicate a wine that is now mature. It's light, textured with hints of green herbs as well as tannins that are now dry. Not for aging, drink now.
Firm, closed wine that exhibits a strong tannin character. The wine is powerful and dense, its black plum fruits lying under the dry structure. There is a touch of alcohol burn—a shame in an otherwise well-made wine.
Taut and mineral, this is currently a wine that is waiting to reveal its power and majesty. The fruit is on a tight rein of acidity, which only slowly opens up to show mango, pineapple, crisp citrus, layers of toast and a mouth-enveloping richness. Age for at least five years, preferably 10.
The balance of this wine is what makes it so impressive. Spice and yellow fruit intermingle effortlessly. There is a core of tight, coiled steel, like a spring, which gives minerality along with the richness. At the end, acidity lifts the wine, finishing with freshness as well as intensity.
What makes a great Chablis grand cru? It's the intensity of flavor, which can be found in this wine. Its green and white fruits are layered with wood spice and an ineffable crispness that allows the wine to show the purity of Chardonnay and the great terroir at the same time.
A beautiful wine, a pure expression of ripe but steely Chardonnay. The wine floats onto the palate, with green plums and citrus leading. Then come toast, a mouthwatering acidity and a mineral structure. This wine's complexity just continues to impress.
This is a bright star in Olivier Leflaive's firmament, a wondrous big, rich wine that is just so finely poised. The structure is dense, rich, fat and full-bodied, a hymn to ripe fruit. Flavors are fruit-driven at this stage, but this is a wine that will develop over many years, if you can resist the urge to indulge its luxuriant tastes now.
This monopole within the Chablis grand cru vineyards produces top Chablis. In 2006, the wine is powerful, but layered with intense minerality, a flinty character on top of the ripe white and yellow fruits. It has concentration, a depth of flavor that is impressive. It will age well.
This is from a sub-division of the Corton vineyard, at the northern end of the Grand Cru. It shows both depth of flavor and freshness, a ripe wine that brings in delicious, appetizing acidity and spicy toast. It will obviously age, the nuts and secondary flavors still waiting to show, but as a fruitier style it will be ready in a year.
Big, powerful brush strokes of ripe fruits, spice and rich creaminess paint this wine with vividness. The fruit envelops the mouth, the pears, green plums and ripe apples working with a citrus edge. Impressive, and with a great finishing freshness.
There is a little Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Syrah (4%) in the blend also. This is a silky, yet muscular— let's say it, masculine—style of Merlot. Meaning that the fruit is concentrated with deep blue and black berry and cassis flavors, augmented with lead pencil. Beautiful polish and concentration characterize this wine, yet it's quite approachable.
Dried herbs, lots of spice and some black raspberry carry the bouquet. Fruit is front and center; the palate is all cherry and black pepper, and the finish brings more red fruit and firm tannins. It's mostly a one-song act, meaning it's clean, spicy and adequately fruity.
This Bordeaux blend features charred, barrel-driven aromas along with leather and black-fruit aromas. The palate is snappy and acidic, with plum and raspberry flavors poking through a heavy coating of concrete tannins. The finish is equally tight and grippy, and here the tannins are even more pronounced. Very tight and hard; time in the cellar could be the prescription.
Soft, easy and well-made, this wine is quite sweet, but pleasant, with apple blossom and ripe pear aromas and flavors of apples, pears and apricot.
Sweet and ripe, with intense flavors of apples and pears. Decent acidity keeps it from becoming cloying, but this comes close to being dessert-sweet.
Aromas of snap peas and minerals come in front of grapefruit, apple and lemon flavors. This wine has both a stony, crisp core as well as a plump, chewy texture. The finish is at once tangy and lean, but also fairly driven. Not an easy wine to wrap your arms around and assess, but not bad either.
Sweet and honeyed, but with enough tongue-tingling acidity to keep it almost in check, this is a well-made sweet table wine. Aromas and flavors blend tangerines and ripe apples.
Aromas of white pepper and pear start it off, and it smells snappy and inviting. The palate is all about grapefruit and orange; in a word, it's citrusy. The finish comes in waves, with notes of stone fruit and licorice. As a whole it's round and satisfying, but it's also a tad bit dilute and dull, which is why it rates where it does.
Rubbery, plastic-like aromas of black fruits come with a burnt, smoky edge. There's grip and acidity on the palate, but the mouthfeel is jumbled, and the wine's flavors come across like wiry plum mixed with herb. It finishes hard, candied and herbal.
This seems to have some residual sugar, as there is a grainy, sugary aspect to the light pear and melon flavors. It doesn't quite come together.
Dark in color, this wine has an oaky and earthy nose, with a compost streak. It feels full and stocky, and it tastes of resiny oak and dry berry fruits. It finishes with a citrus-like juiciness.
Wet clay, tomato paste, oregano and carob aromas form the bouquet that's more strained than smooth. The palate is lively and herbal in flavor, with a baked berry note that ends in a wash of herb. It gets better with airing.
This is mild on the nose, with a lemon-lime aroma. The palate is soft, but it has a pulse. The wine's citrus, melon and tropical flavors finish flat. For the most part, it's clean and quaffable.
Exceedingly light in color, scent and flavor, this mixes a herbal note with touches of strawberry and green tea.
Flat on the nose, this has a mild whiff of paint or turpentine along with touches of banana and melon. The palate is flat and chunky in feel, with clipped, pithy flavors of mealy citrus.
This Syrah is heavy and minty, with plastic aromas. The palate is chunky and citrusy in feel, with little body. Flavors of clove, mint and berry lead to a resiny, almost fruitless finish.
The flabby citrus aroma is dusty and shows a tinge of vanilla, which is an aroma that isn't normally associated with Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is big and globby, with an oily note and flavors of citrus, green herb and nettle.
This wine seems strained, with a nose that's outright lemony and pinched. The palate is surprisingly thick feeling, with a herbal plum flavor and a weedy finish.
This is prickly and grassy smelling, with cherry candy and plum aromas. The palate is tangy and abrasive, with plum, herb, spice and green tobacco flavors. It's tart and a bit green on the finish.
This generous wine opens with aromas of ripe dark berry, ground pepper and graphite. The round, juicy palate offers mature black cherry, blackberry jam, menthol and licorice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2021.
Aromas of violet, blackberry and baking spice take center stage. The chewy, concentrated palate offers plum, mature black cherry, ground pepper and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
Blackberry, black cherry, dark baking spice and licorice aromas follow through to the chewy, concentrated palate along with touches of espresso and clove. Firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balance. Drink through 2019.
A broad and expansive wine eager in youthful tannin, there's red fruit at the core of its flavor profile, that travels from plum to darker berry. Soft, integrated tannin give way to a light body and restrained weight.
The peppery, berry-ish drive of this refreshing red is already evident on the nose. The body bursts with fruit and softness but has the pleasant, tartness of wild bilberries. What energy, what joy, what medium-bodied fun. Drink soon.
Aromas of white peach, flint and hint of banana carry over to the round, ripe palate along with green apple and a note of juicy tangerine. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors and leads to a bright, clean finish.
The producer's combination of 50% Merlot (the Mer) with 44% Cabernet Sauvignon (the net) and a remaining 6% Cabernet Franc, (which doesn't make it into the name) is a classically styled mountain expression of chewy tannin around toasted oak and black currant and berry. Ripe, full-bodied concentration is the star.
From a vineyard at the base of Sonoma Mountain, this rich red has a strong streak of cedar as well as spearmint, bolstering an herbal taste that complements red cherry and cassis. Firm tannin and integrated oak make for a complete experience.
A spiced, yeasty character reminiscent of broth and citrus zest precedes a crisp and equally savory but slender palate. This is a curiosity, made from 40-year-old vines of the rare Orangetraube, an unusual but textured white wine with a lovely, lasting and aromatic orange peel finish.
Made in robust style, then blended with 11% Petite Sirah and smaller amounts of Syrah and Petit Verdot, this old vines wine is a juicy core of brick, tar, blackberry and smoked meat, with an undeniable girth of oak and tannin. It's well-made in a bigger, bolder package.
With tiny additions of Syrah and Petit Verdot, this thick, syrupy, full-bodied wine is black in color and brimming in bacon, salami and coffee, with smooth, tempered tannin. It's more meat and earth than fruit, with a baked quality throughout.
Very light on the nose, this wine from an extreme coastal site shows key limes, wet slate and pear flesh on the delicate, well-integrated nose. Ripe Pink Lady apples and lemonade show on the surprisingly juicy sip before settling into tighter lemon peel flavors and a chalky structure.
A light, bright, affordable quaffer, this youthful wine is flinty with a juicy core of fresh-pressed grapefruit and lemon peel. It retains varietal character and a buoyancy throughout, finishing with grace and persistence.
Cool, grapy black-fruit aromas are front and center on the nose. This feels dense and a touch hard and tannic. Bumpy, chewy blackberry and dark plum flavors are lusty and come with a hint of sawdust and oak prior to a tannic finish that's hard, powerful and can still use some time. Drink through 2020.
Named after a young goat in early Indo-European mythology, this full-bodied, ripe wine has yellow fruits as well as red-berry flavors. A pepper edge contrasts with the fruitiness and gives the wine a rich texture. The fruit and acidity come through strongly at the end.
If a rosé can be serious, this is it. Named after the owner, it is a structured, concentrated wine with a dense texture and hints of tannin. It also is fruity, perfumed and refreshing. The edge of pepper does betray the alcohol although that is offset by intense final acidity.
Organic grapes tended in plots close to the sea have produced a delicious wine full of red-fruit flavor. It is rounded and soft in texture with an herbal hint. The right amount of acidity gives the wine a crisp fruity aftertaste.
Organically grown grapes have produced a clear, crisp wine with freshness and lively acidity. These blend effortlessly into the red fruits and light squeeze of lemon juice. The wine is bright and ready to drink.
Honeyed apple crisp and salty pretzel pave the way for a complex, compelling wine, the acidity high and the floral apple blossom and nutmeg intriguing. The middle shows a youthful tease of impermanence before finishing strong.
Red cherry and raspberry flavors in this Cabernet Sauvignon show remarkably fresh and pure. It's a juicy, approachably fruity wine but also structured keenly by zesty acidity and fine, firm tannins. Surprisingly well balanced for a big, ripe red.
Though not labeled as such, this could be a varietal Cabernet Franc (80%). Dried herb, tobacco and wood spice aromas lead to well balanced, expressive dried black cherry flavors that stretch out on the finish. The aromas and flavors don't quite sync up but it still brings a lot of appeal.
Night-harvested to keep freshness, this wine has a bright, cool character. Lively acidity is filled out with spice, caramel and a peppery character. Wild strawberries and yellow-fruit flavors have just a light texture from the 20% Syrah in the blend. Drink now.
This is the palest of rosés, almost white in color. Ripe red fruits, from 80-year old vines, show through on the palate, with tight acidity and a crisp aftertaste. Balanced and rich, this has a shot of spice to add interest and put the wine firmly in the food rosé category.
Situated in the valley on the other side of the hill from Bandol and the sea, this estate has produced a ripe, full-bodied wine. The high proportion of Mourvèdre in the blend contributes a perfumed character and some structure. It is a complete, ripe and concentrated wine that will age, and will be better from late 2016.
This is a Petite Sirah to sit on while the tannins mellow out a bit. It starts with fresh-pressed blue- and blackberries, a touch of lilac, hints of roasted meat and a touch of black coffee on the nose. The dense structure holds espresso, dark chocolate and a ripe blackberry sensation. Drink 2018 through 2023.
This wine offers most things one wants in the variety, from an opening hit of cinnamon spice and toasted oak with an overlaying of juicy blackberry, licorice and mocha. Undoubtedly ripe and bold, it was aged in American oak for 20 months, only one-quarter of it new.
Drinking this tasty, grapy wine is like raiding a wild blackberry patch in July. It has fresh, bright berry aromas and flavors, medium body, good acidity and a clean finish. Made from one half Zinfandel and one half Petite Sirah, it seems to keep improving and gaining more depth with each sip.
Big and tarry, with asphalt and black fruit galore on the nose. A full, heavy, saturated style of wine with chunky blackberry and sweet, syrupy flavors. Rich but candied, with a bit of toast to the finish.
Dark and charred, with black cherry, black licorice and a burnt-oak element on the nose. The palate is thick and firm, with dark berry, herbal notes and some additional burnt char. Finishes with herbal flavors, olive notes and carob. An obvious Chilean Merlot; comes straight from central casting.
Warm, syrupy, jammy and brambly up front, with the grape's typical meaty, herbal aromas. The palate is soft save for core acidity, while the flavors run medium-rich and plummy, with controlled sourness. Solid for the money, with a chunky disposition.
Rich and concentrated for an entry-level wine, with earthy, bold aromas and a lush, well-balanced palate feel. Deep and sweet in terms of flavor, with a mix of ripe black fruits and herbs. Shows a bit of faux oak flavor on a mocha-tinged finish. Exemplary for this price range.
Rubber and black fruits carry the standard nose, then comes a zesty palate with upfront acids and related zingy berry fruit flavors. Despite a touch of scour, this  brings freshness and a clean, tasty fruit level. Perfectly good for Central Valley Cabernet.
Generic Chardonnay but still pretty good, with oily, nutty, tropical aromas followed by a zesty, acidic palate that loads up on apple and citrusy orange-like flavors. Shows good length and clarity on the finish, and overall it outperforms the winery's so-called “reserva” Chard from the same year.
Fragrant of freshly cut grass, honeydew melon and orange blossoms, this dry, medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia has pleasant grapefruit and lemon flavors and a racy, zippy acidity that tingles on the tongue. It's a simple but refreshing wine with a lime zest and smoke finish.
Attractive fresh fruit, crisp apples and vivid acidity make a great citrus wine, perfect as an apéritif.
While there's lots of candied black cherry and coffee grinds on the nose, on the palate, this medium-bodied Romanian Pinot Noir is rustic and herbaceous with balanced sour cherry fruit and notes of grass and earth. With such mild tannins, it lacks impact on the midpalate, but bright acidity carries it through a fairly long finish.
French oak, toast, espresso and menthol aromas lift out of the glass. The lean, taut palate offers dried black cherry and oak-driven spice alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish. The fruit richness is starting to dry up so drink sooner rather later.
This opens with delicate scents of red berry and fragrant blue flower. The soft, easygoing palate offers juicy wild cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and round tannins. It's simple but well made.
It's unclear why this wine's bottle has to be so heavy. After all, the wine inside is ripe, fruity and very ready to drink, certainly not for aging. Black fruits have matured into a leather texture and smoky flavors. The wine is ripe and full in the mouth with just a touch of pepper at the end from alcohol. Drink now.
This is the winery's first-ever release of a varietal Tempranillo, after using the grapes with Syrah for years in other bottlings.This wine has a softness around a touch of black pepper and dried herb that's inviting, if not a tad generic. The finish is round and lean.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this simple wine shows subdued aromas of purple flower, moist soil and dark berry. The palate delivers black plum, sour cherry and a hint of spice.
Dusty mineral tones outshine slightly demure apple and pear flavors in this dry, delicately concentrated white. Crisp acidity leads a brisk but pristine finish. Drink now through 2018.
Dry, tannic and bursting in dusty red fruit, this is a majority varietal with 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Brawny and broodingly full bodied, it finishes leathery and smoky.
The wine is tannic and structured, with a dry character that masks the juicy black currant fruits that are there at the back. It shows its wood aging in spice and toast. The wine is ready to drink, although it will always be tannic.
Bright purple in color, this dwells on the natural dark fruitiness of Malbec, without any wood aging. Black currants and berries dominate this bright wine with its attractive acidity. It's a wine to drink now for its vigorous fruitiness.
There's an indulgence of oak on the nose and palate of this wine, which makes it more challenging for the aspects of pear, nutmeg and melon to shine through. The acidity fights to make its mark, too, resulting in a medium- to full-body feel.
Stalky aromas are a bit sweaty. In the mouth, this is racy and fresh due to high acidity. Monotone flavors of nectarine and citrus fruits finish long, with a note of pithy bitterness.
Aromas of orange, scallion and match stick are a bit sulfuric. This feels simple, lemony and juicy, while monotone white pineapple and lemon-lime flavors finish zesty and cleansing.
Simple and fresh, this red doles out red cherry, crushed raspberry and a hint of baking spice. Bright acidity and soft tannins give it an easy-drinking vibe. Enjoy soon.
This has a subdued nose that doesn't give much away. The equally inexpressive, rather fleeting palate offers dried red berry and anise alongside somewhat abrasive tannins.
This blend of Rabigato and Códega do Larinho grapes brings out the crisp acidity of a Douro white. The wine has a fragrant character with hedgerow fruits and white flower aromas. The aftertaste goes more towards yellow fruits while keeping all the freshness.
Dense blueberry, concentrated purple flowers and a touch of tar show on the nose of this bottling of a fairly rare grape in the region. The palate intrigues with tar, beef crust and tart, tannic elderberry fruit, but it's quite wound up in a very solid structure that still needs time to unwind.
A mix of 48% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, all from Pickberry Vineyard, this wine is surprisingly light bodied and lean, despite a big presence of tobacco and grippy leather. The fruit is elusive, finishing with a flurry of cedar and clove.
This blend of 43% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 17% Petite Sirah offers boisterous berry, cherry and plum-juice aromas on the nose. Black-cherry juice flavors dominate the ripe palate. This would make a great wine for backyard barbecues with burgers and ribs.
More commonly found in the Dão region, the Alfrocheiro is sometimes called the Pinot Noir of Portugal for its smooth, red cherry flavors and sometimes earthy character. Those attributes are found in this cherry-flavored wine with its bright acidity and fruitiness. The whole effect is spoiled by a green edge that shows tight tannins at the end.
This tannic blend is 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Petite Sirah. It opens with black cherry and cassis fruit, with a strong flavor of charred wood. Flavors are front-loaded, as the wine quickly turns thin and vinegary.
From the kosher winery in Oxnard comes this bottling. Black rocks, dust, black cherry and tart plum skin aromas show on the nose. Flavors are primary and lean once sipped, with Concord grape and grapeseed elements as well as woody elderberry, pencil lead and balanced acid and tannins.
Aromas of moist soil, red berry and a whiff of blue flower come together on this simple red. The taut palate offers sour cherry, white pepper and a dash of clove set against a backbone of sharp acidity and dusty tannins.
Smashed black currant, licorice, dill and a bit of smoked beef show on the nose of this well-priced bottling. Black plum and black cherry mesh with oregano and thyme on the palate, which is rich, a tiny bit sweet and will please many crowds.
Actress Drew Barrymore's project produces a respectable wine in this bottling, with light aromas of red berry, pomegranate, allspice and a touch of graphite. The palate is equally dainty, with sagebrush, elderberry fruit and an orange-rind tang.
Aromas of spiced plum and chopped mint lead the nose and carry over to the brawny, one-dimensional palate along with vanilla, toast, coffee and liquor-soaked cherry. Dusty tannins dry out the finish while the heat of searing alcohol that throws it off balance. Drink sooner rather than later.
This offers aromas of just-crushed grapes, a note of chopped thyme and a whiff of moist soil. The palate is simple and soft, offering wild strawberry and a hint of fennel seed alongside round tannins.
Blue flower, tilled soil and wild berry aromas lift out of the glass along with a breath of Mediterranean herb. The simple, easygoing palate offers unripe sour cherry and a hint of anise seed alongside fleeting tannins that give this a rather quick finish.
This is a structured wine, probably because of the Touriga Nacional in the blend. That also gives a perfumed edge to this ripe, full wine with its juicy red fruit acidity. It is fruity and will be ready to drink from late 2016.
From the Conti family, one of the best-known producers in Bergerac, this wine is a ripe blend of organic Merlot and Malbec. It is succulent with red berry fruits and acidity that are lightly spiced with some wood aging. The wine is fresh at the end yet still needs to age. Drink from 2017.
This is soft and rich, with a light and smooth textured. It has red fruit, light acidity and a rounded aftertaste.
A ripe style of wine, typified by its caramel element and full, spicy fruit. With its weight, it should pair well with food.
Savory on the nose and palate, with persistent dill, coconut and vanilla notes, there's an abundance of American oak on this wine. Medium bodied, this is creamy and oaky on the palate, with a slightly-bitter herb finish.
Bright and attractively fruity, this has pear and green apple flavors, with a lemon zest tang. Drink over the next year. Screwcap.
Good intensity of fruit aromas and flavors are matched with a light, easy mouthfeel and clean finish. Aromas of guava, mango, yellow peach and sweet pineapple flood the nose and palate. Drink now.
Full of bright acidity, this is a crisp wine, with a taut texture and flavors of red plum and orange. This is a good quaffer with summer food. Screwcap.
This has berry fruit aromas that don't fully register as crisp and spunky. It feels narrow and tastes tart and tangy, with red plum and cherry pie flavors. Punchy and refreshing.
This is soft and round, with flavors of sugared orange and caramel. It's an attractive, easy apéritif rosé.
This is light in color and strikes the right strawberry tones. It's big and tannic, with weight and warmth on the finish.
Scents of sweet-cream butter, vanilla and stonefruit are enticing on the nose of this richly textured, medium-bodied wine. The palate boasts hints of sweet lemon curd and fresh apple, but the slightly-sour oak notes can be overwhelming.
Light fruit suggests strawberries with a slightly green edge. The tannins are still a bit rough and tumble, with a peppery kick.
A solid wine at a rock-bottom price, this Côtes du Rhône Villages was put together by the well-known négociant Patrick LeSec. The full-bodied, amply textured wine delivers bright and cheery cherry and cinnamon flavors with a hint of chocolate. Only a slightly sharp, acidic tang kept the score from rising higher.
A blend of Grenache and Syrah, this is slightly minty upfront, followed by bright cherry flavors. It's on the light side for a Côtes du Rhône, but fresh and silky in texture, with just a hint of chocolaty richness on the finish.
Darkly charred wood mingles with scents of coconut, dill and sweet spice on this heavily-oaked Chardonnay. Hints of smoke and hazelnuts seep into the palate as well, but serve to highlight fresh, fruity flavors of pear, lemon and orange rind. This finishes on a slightly-bitter wood note.
While the nose on this Chardonnay is decidedly savory, with notes of cooked apples and buttery cheese rinds, the palate is surprisingly feminine, with pretty orange-blossom and apple jelly notes. Opulent and fruity, yet refreshingly-balanced in alcohol and acidity.
Rich and full bodied, this abounds with pretty flower, sweet peach and pear aromas mingled with a toasted oak. It's decidedly oaky on the palate, with an abundance of smoke, vanilla and coconut notes. Generous in body, this has nicely extracted apple and lemon flavors. Drink now.
Rugged and roasted on the bouquet, with rubbery blackberry and freshly laid tar aromas. It feels big and solid, but simple, with raspberry, strawberry and a hint of green herb on the palate. The finish is mild tasting, with a cocoa note.
Sassy right off the bat, with feline aromas and juniper. Feels wet, bouncy and soda-like, with a mix of prickly green-fruit flavors and sweetness. There's more of the same on the finish; it's briny and melony sweet.
Fine ripe fruit here, with soft, sweet berries and surprisingly smooth tannins. The wine is rich, not heavyweight, but glorying in the opulence of Pinot Noir. The finish brings on the tannins again.
There's no drop-off in this wine from the excellent 2005. Expect blackberry, cassis and dry balsam wood/cedar aromas. The palate is lush and chewy, but also vital and lively. Toasty, dark berry flavors get a softening of vanilla on the finish. A winner to drink now through 2013.
Among full-bodied, old-vines Malbec, this is an unbridled winner. The nose is rooty and sweet, but also inky and dark. And the palate is totally pure, with snappy tannins, fine acidity and loads of black fruit flavor mixed with tobacco and coconut. Racy, juicy and delicious as it enters its prime. Drink now through 2013.
Solid, foursquare wine, full of structure and fruit, bringing light tannins into play with black plums and sweet acidity. But the wine also has a lightness of touch, offering approachability as well as concentration. Age for 3–4 years.
The style is full in the mouth, showing vanilla as well as soft peach fruits. Finishing richly, this is not a Grand Cru for aging, but it does wear its ripe fruit easily with a good burst of steely acidity.
Lavishly oaked, but richly fruited as well, with layers of ripe peaches and grilled nuts leaving a creamy impression of luxury on the palate. The finish is long and vanilla-tinged yet features mouthwatering citrus. Drink now–2012.
Rich, toasty and custardy, this is a big Chardonnay that retains a sense of balance, with a creamy texture and a powerful core of citrusy fruit that comes through on the finish. Based on a couple of older vintages, this wine should last at least 7–8 years from the vintage, but I find them most attractive in their youth.
A rich wine that shows the power of Gevrey, even in a lesser vintage. The fruit fills the glass with aromas of red plums, sweet raspberries and cranberry juice. There is spice here along with juicy fresh acidity. It is worth aging 3–4 years, but is delicious now.
With wood and white stone fruit in fine balance, this is a ripe, full wine, the acidity lighting up the ripe flavor. The wine has a broad character, ready for drinking in a year.
This wine has gorgeous aromas of honeysuckle and anise that make it undeniably heady on the nose. What follows are full and creamy peach-like flavors, with a pleasing lushness and measured acidity.
A lovely mix of aromas appears on the nose: a touch of sandalwood amidst fresh greenery—something at once sonorous and very fresh. The gentle and mostly subtle sandalwood notes continue across the palate, with a touch of mace, alongside something tenderly green, like aloe vera and chervil. This is a most unusual and most intriguing wine. If you were wondering about Sylvaner, here's one to mesmerize you.
Brilliant, crystalline freshness tinged with chervil and lemon is the impression on the nose. The palate is rounder than the nose suggests but has the same brilliance and lightness of flavor. Sylvaner is an underrrated grape that is all about subtlety and herbal nuance. This lovely, expressive but light-bodied example has it in spades. Lemony freshness resonates long.
Generous and fruity in flavor and rich in texture, this is a wonderfully warm wine that's comforting to sip. It has mild tannins, a texture that seems to melt on the palate, and easy-drinking appeal.
Deep salmon in color, this pink sparkler from Norm Yost of Flying Goat offers nectarine, strawberry, mandarin zest and lees aromas on the nose. The palate is tangy, with hints of cranberry-orange juice and tangerine rind.
Baked red cherry, rose petal, star anise and cinnamon sauce show on the spice-laced nose of this bottling from Rhône grape specialist Jaffurs. More cherry and deep raspberry flavors pop on the palate, meeting with lilac and violet notes, all polished by more cinnamon spice.
Appealing modern-leaning aromas of root beer, berry fruits and vanilla settle with airing and turn more mellow and traditional for Rioja. Slightly plush on the palate, especially given 2013's cool nature, this is balanced despite showing raw tannins. Toasty blackened flavors of baked berry fruits, chocolate and licorice finish long, toasty and peppery. Drink through 2025–2028.
Juicy black and red cherry flavors enwrap classic cedar, graphite and peppercorn notes in this brawny, full-bodied wine. Accessible despite its bulk of tannin, its texture leans leathery, with clove scents lingering long on the finish.
This intriguing category—white wine made from red grapes—finds another winner in this new release from Aberrant Cellars. A pale copper hue, it's rich and full bodied, loaded with flavors of poached pear. Highlights of pepper and toast give way to a finish that somehow suggests Butterfinger candy. It's flat-out gorgeous from start to finish.
Tight and youthful, this wine unwinds slowly, in full command of its power and intensity. Compost, wild strawberry and a hit of citrus give life to the generous tannin and oak character, while savory black tea and cocoa flavors provide bite.
This is a sophisticated and opulent red blend with great structure, concentrated dark fruit and dark chocolate flavors, good depth and a lingering finish. The fruit is ripe enough to balance its firm but rounded tannins, so it's tempting to drink now but will be best after 2019.
Sourced from several vineyards within the AVA, this shows lightly peppery Bing cherries with streaks of sassafras, cola and dark chocolate. The wine gains amplitude and weight as it breathes open. The finish brings flavors of cherry pie and a hint of butter.
Enticing floral, woodland berry, new leather and tilled soil aromas come together in this stunning red. Vibrant and elegant, the linear palate delivers wild cherry, red raspberry, cinnamon and clove notes, framed by firm, refined tannins and vibrant acidity. The youthful tension is pleasant, but give it time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2020–2033.
All the rich and aromatic flavors of ripe peaches unite in this fruity wine. The fruit sweetness is balanced by zesty freshness. Together, they create a lip-smackingly sweet and intense flavor experience. This is full-on and medium-sweet with a clean finish.
This has a balsamic nose of menthol, eucalyptus, new leather and chopped herb. On the palate, vibrant white pepper and licorice notes accent a core of Morello cherry and crushed raspberry fruit. It has a backbone of firm, polished tannins and bright acidity and will only improve over next decade.
Textural and spicy, this has a subtle mix of herb, salts, stem, leaf and wild berry flavors. It's fascinating and complex, with the sort of mystifying sex appeal that only Pinot Noir seems to be capable of. It spent 18 months in 30% new French oak to good effect.
Toast, mocha, spiced plum and pipe tobacco aromas come together in this savory red. The palate offers juicy raspberry, wild cherry, star anise and vanilla notes with firm, refined tannins. Drink 2018–2026.
A microscopic amount of this wine was made, a sad reality given its lovely, creamy texture and seductive layerings of black raspberry, wild strawberry and vanilla. Full in both body and weight, it manages to coax the tannins to the background, where they play a supportive, complementary role.
Pronounced mature plum, black-skinned berry, vanilla, dark spice and French oak aromas lift out of the glass. The firm palate delivers dried wild cherry, roasted coffee, licorice and cocoa notes, while compact tannins provide support. Drink 2020–2028.
This wine made from estate-grown, dry-farmed fruit has a large presence on the nose, offering earthy rose and lavender aromas. Velvety on the palate, it broods in tart cherry and rhubarb flavors, with allspice and toasted oak notes that accentuate its spice on the long finish.
Sexy and seductive, this melds cherry fruit with a touch of white pepper, blossoming into a full midpalate with length and power. There's a buttery softness, and a dash of caramel, making this ready to go for immediate enjoyment.
This bottling comes off a select corner of the Talley family ranch and is quite shy on the nose at first, reluctantly offering beet, cranberry, and cooked strawberry aromas, with the slightest touch of caramelization and loam. The flavors tend toward bramble, with wild thyme, white pepper and oregano, starting off simple but growing persistent and beautiful as the wine opens.
Great Southern is an underrated source for Cabernet Sauvignon, amply demonstrated by this wine. Expansive notes of cedar, brown sugar, vanilla and baking spices enrobe tart berries, while the wine's firm structure carries through to a crisp, tannic finish. Try in 2020.
French oak, coconut, cassis, menthol and coffee aromas lead the nose of this structured red. Made entirely from Merlot, it's densely concentrated, offering mature plum, black currant, dried sage, anise and espresso flavors. Firm, close-grained tannins give the finish grip. Drink 2018–2025.
This wine has a lovely rustic component that suggests forested earth and leaves. Juicy and explosive in cardamom and black cherry flavors, it offers a full-bodied experience of ripeness and concentration.
Wonderfully mellow and lifted flavors of ripe, aromatic apple rise from the glass. The same pure apple notes also play on the palate where they are pervaded by a zesty lifting freshness. This is precise and bone-dry, but the full expression of the tangy apple fruit gives this great richness and an clean finish.
A whole host of aromas interest here: black and red cherry, fresh earth, lifted conifer and a touch of mocha. The palate is concentrated and has a lovely texture of starched velvet. This echoes aromatically and has a vein of brightening freshness at its core. There is warmth and a huge generosity of fruit that is utterly moreish.
On one of the many steep slopes above Nuits Saint-Georges, this vineyard produces wines with much of the classic structure of the appellation. This is rich, full of firm tannins and with a solid structure and future. Blackberry flavors are dark and intense and the wine needs time. Drink from 2019.
Produced from 60-year-old vines, with some new wood aging, this complex, ripe wine has an intense structure, with layers of vanilla and spice. The crisp nature of Sauvignon Blanc adds brightness to the ripe roundness. Drink now.
Vines grown on thin soil close to the stony subsoil produce this tight, taught and mineral wine. With acidity, structured tannins and concentration, the wine is still starting out. It is a dark wine with black fruits that need time to fully develop. Drink this intense wine from 2020.
This wine comes from village appellation vineyards. It is soft and without the powerful tannins often found in the area. It compensates with dark berry fruits and some ripe tannins that are finely integrated into the wine. Acidity at the end adds to the potential of this wine which will be best from 2019.
This Premier Cru vineyard is on a high point in the village. It has produced a rich fruity wine with great structure and dense tannins. Bold red fruits are dominant with the acidity in a supporting role. The wine is rich, full and needing to age. Drink this wine from 2018.
Baked blueberries, peppery allspice, wet gravel and a touch of vanilla show on this nose of this blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Shiraz, a spelling of Syrah used to reflect the owner's Persian heritage. Those elements are very well integrated on the palate, where a cedar-laced frame presents lots of dark red fruit and crushed spice.
Reserved on the nose, this bottling by Billy Wathen and Dick Dore from their friend Rick Longoria's vineyard offers cranberry, fennel, lavender and a touch of smoke on the nose. It's delicate in its approach, with tightly woven strawberry, red plum and cranberry fruit lifted by dried sagebrush and more of that wildfire smoke.
It's taken some time for many of Marlborough's 2012 Pinot Noirs (the product of a cool season) to come around, but this is one that's worth the wait. It's evolved into something quite round and soft, with a long, silky finish. Yet it's not a fruit-forward wine by any stretch, showing more earth, soy and mushroom notes and just enough plum and black cherry fruit to carry those savory complexities. Drink now–2020.
An entirely varietal wine, aged in a majority of stainless steel, this smoothly textured experience begins in peach and apricot with balanced acidity, dry as a bone. It entices with rounded creaminess and inviting floral and lemon highlights.
Juicy and ripe yet zesty and bright—balance is the key to this deeply satisfying red blend. It's a lavishly fruity wine from nose to finish, wafting of sun-kissed plums and cherries. But the palate maintains a brisk, upright demeanor, boasting vibrant acidity and a fine persistent frame of tannins. The finish is supple and silky with just a hint of lingering nut skins.
Aromas of plum, violets, orange peel, earth and herb are followed by palate-staining fruit flavors. A lengthy finish caps it off.
With a beautiful honeysuckle nose, this dessert offering of 100% Moscato di Canelli is simply divine. Bright acidity balances against bold waves of honeycomb and gingerbread, alongside pear compote. It should be mandatory to serve it over ice cream.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petit Verdot. Aromas of black fruit, spice and black licorice are followed by dark-fruit flavors that bring a dazzling sense of purity and restraint. The balance is impeccable.
Cabernet Franc (39%) takes the lead followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Merlot. Aromas of black currant, licorice, pencil lead and flowers are followed by ripe generous fruit flavors. The tannins are combed to a fine sheen.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (71%), with the rest Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc. Very pure aromas of black cherry and black currant are followed by cranberry and tart fruit flavors surrounded by a firm structure. It shows a lovely sense of restraint and balance, especially considering the warm region and vintage.
This nicely made wine balances juicy black fruit with black licorice, flinty dried herb and a velvety texture. Medium bodied, it shows structure and grace within a context of ripeness and depth.
Cool and ripe earthy berry aromas are nicely oaked and highly presentable. This feels a bit grabby and tannic, while savory salty roasted blackberry and oak flavors combine into a complex whole that finishes with minty oak and cola notes. Best from 2019 through 2023.
This is an impressive, while unusual, take on the Gamay as grown in Beaujolais. It is spicy and minty, with the long wood aging giving a rich, smooth texture to the red-cherry flavors. It needs another few months, so drink from late 2017.
Intense fruitiness along with touches of mint and baking spices make this full-bodied wine impressive as well as complex and layered. The vivid, ripe strawberry and blackberry components are well balanced by firm tannins and a light oak coating.
Aromas of tar, flowers, barrel spice and dark fruit lead to palate-staining purple-fruit flavors backed by firm but quite well integrated tannins. It shows a compelling sense of purity.
This is a top value, offering unusually rich palate weight and texture in a wine this inexpensive. Ripe stone-fruit flavors finish long, picking up hints of fresh herbs and leesy richness. Drink through the end of 2017.
This boldly structured wine opens with aromas of baked plum, clove, tobacco and graphite. The firm full-bodied palate displays dried cherry, raisin, licorice, clove and espresso alongside gripping, close-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Forest floor, dried dark-skinned fruit, cedar and smoky aromas come together in the glass. The firm, full-bodied palate delivers dried black cherry, baked plum, ground pepper and clove alongside solid but fine-grained tannins.
Perfumed in violet, white pepper and leather, this expansive, medium-bodied red is sourced largely from vineyards in Coombsville, with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon added in. It explodes in blueberry, while taming its tannins through bright acidity.
This bold, mouthfilling wine was aged in large-format barrels, helping make it polished and relaxed in texture. Aromas and flavors are ripe and inviting, like blackberries and black cherries, while the mouthfeel is well supported by fine-grained tannins.
This is a bright and fully textured, creamy white wine, integrated and smooth in its approach, with highlights of apple, pear and piquant nutmeg. It shows a light yet full style, awaiting pairings at the table.
The aromas of earth, herb, cranberry, cherry and barrel tones are light and subdued. The flavors are tart and brambly, with the tannins needing some time to stretch their legs.
Named for a type of surfboard, depicted on the label, this dark, inky and leathery red wine is blended with 6% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Rustic and full of earthy minerality, it shares a juicy underbelly that provides welcome succulence on the palate.
Aromas of toast, coffee, baking spice, herb and dark fruit lead to full-bodied, expansive black-fruit flavors. It pulls no punches but still manages to stay in balance, with a lingering finish that caps it off.
This is a dense and complex pour. Rich, dark fruit aromas and flavors of cherry, plum and boysenberry are handsomely graced by spicy tones of licorice, black pepper and wood spice. The mouthfeel is plush and powerful, with structured tannins that frame the ripe black-fruit flavors. Hints of leather, baking spice and just a touch of iron flesh out the finish. Drink now–2020.
Drawn down on the nose and showing a chemical edge to the berry fruit aromas. The palate is wayward and candied, with heavy plum and vanilla flavors. Creamy but dull on the finish, with a sticky, raisiny quality. Lacks focus and vitality.
If you catch this wine soon, meaning before it goes belly up, you may like its peachy simplicity and ample palate weight. Lychee, melon and spiced-meat flavors are interesting up to a point, and the finish is generic, soft and clean. Drink immediately.
Opens with thin fruit and alcoholic burn, and while the wine is always hollow in its middle and basic, it does offer adequate plum, raspberry and peppery flavors. Toasty and bitter on the finish, with an o.k. mouthfeel.
More oaky and resiny than in prior years, with a strong, undeniable scent of sawdust. This suggests faux-oak aging via tank staves, which results in a textured but resiny wine that lacks fresh fruit. Too much like a tour through the sawmill.
You may or may not fancy the blue bottle, but the juice inside is a good example of Yakima Valley Riesling. Tea, honey and lemon flavors are co-mingled; and the 5% residual sugar adds sweetness without becoming grainy or cloying.
There is nothing wimpy about this 100% pure Merlot. The firm core of tart berry and currant adds iron and clove highlights through a concentrated midpalate; the finish is a bit rough and hints at green tannins.
This is a robust Sauvignon Blanc that announces itself with aromas of grass, spice and straw, leading into a combination of fresh fruit and earthy spice flavors. A great balance of acid, fruit and spice means it's assertive, but still poised. A fun wine with lots of character.
This tight and tannic Cab Franc tastes of cranberry, wild raspberry and green coffee bean. It's a crisp evocation of not overly ripe varietal character, leaning toward the Loire Valley versions of the grape rather than anything distinctly New World.
The structure is Cabernet-like, and the peppery and herbal character of Carmenère is there in abundance, along with accent notes of dried sage. The fruit is sharp and plummy, and the wine has been aged for 14 months in oak.
With more than a quarter of million cases of this wine coming to the U.S., Nobilo's Regional Collection SB will turn up on a lot of tables over the summer—and justifiably so. It's a very good rendition of Marlborough Sauvignon, offering grassy aromas and flavors backed by lime and grapefruit. It's plump enough to have mass appeal, with a refreshingly crisp finish. Like almost all NZ Savvies, it should be consumed over the next 6–9 months.
Though there is noticeable residual sugar in this quite sweet wine, the flavors are rich and appealing. Candied pineapple and lemon drop fruit flavors dominate;  this was barrel fermented but aged in tank so there is only the barest hint of toast and oak.
Apple and citrus scents mark the nose, and then the wine adds mineral notes of crushed vitamins on the palate. It's plump and medium in body, with a crisp, citrusy-minerally finish that would go well alongside Asian dishes without too much sweetness or spice.
New Zealand seems to be the model for this highly pungent and scrappy wine. To this taster, Quintay's basic Casablanca SB is easier to like and more balanced. This one is prickly to the max, with sweaty aromas and flavors of lemon-lime, tarragon and celery. It's sharp and cleansing, but not quite fruity and rewarding enough to rank as an excellent wine. Still, it has its virtues.
Tropical fruit and a touch of lemon lead on this gentle white. Elegant and approachable, its combination of crisp lemon and citrus with rounded tropical fruit flavors gives it a balanced, complex edge. Soft spice and a lemon zing finish it off.
The grapes for this wine were obviously very ripe before they developed botrytis. The wine is sweet, unctuous, flavored with ripe apricots, very sweet honey, just leavened by a light acidity. As it lingers, the apricot and dry botrytis remain on the palate.
This user-friendly Pinot Noir hits the right notes, starting with its bright, crisply delineated bing cherry aromas and progressing through dark undertones of cola and fresh compost. It's round, mouthfilling and very soft, with no hard edges. Drink over the next year or two.
The slightly lifted aromas are characterized by hints of green apple and honey, while the flavors add an extra note of peach to the mix. This is sweet but reasonably balanced by crisp acids, leaving a lithe, relatively light impression on the palate.
This barrel-fermented Chardonnay has a nice mix of fruit flavors—apple and melon, pineapple and citrus – some picked up from the addition of 5% Semillon. Fresh and light, this is a versatile wine that would be a great by-the-glass restaurant pour.
Though not labeled as such, this 75% Sauvignon Blanc/25% Sémillon blend is moderately ripe, lightly toasty, and a well-balanced, all-purpose white wine for poultry and richer seafood.
Full-bodied and intense for a rosé wine, the Lekkerwijn offers complexity in a dry, concentrated delivery. Savory and spicy with an herbal spin, the wine finishes long. Pair with spicy food, duck, game fish.
Just off dry, this is a bright and crisp wine that bounces round the palate. It is summer apéritif time with this vivid, pink grapefruit-flavored wine.
A rich nose of cloves, exotic spice and tobacco give this red a distinctive edge. The palate offers pronounced allspice and tobacco, touched by sweet oak, tea and red fruit. A good everyday wine with an exotic touch.
Light in color and texture, this is a wine that reflects the lightweight red wine vintage. But it is balanced, with good spice and enough sweet fruit to fit with the acidity. Drink now.
Strong currant aromas, soft in texture with hints of caramel and toast as well as a more steely texture. The wine is fresh, light, deliciously ready to drink. Screwcap.
A little stewy on the nose, with vanilla, liqueur and roasted berry aromas. The palate is young and vibrant, arguably teetering on sharp, with piercing cherry flavors and lots of oak. Flavorful but rough, with burnt brown sugar on the finish.
This is the prototype for an over-the-top, roasted, charred Tempranillo. The nose smells directly of burnt coffee, charcoal and grilled beef. It's super-chunky on the tongue, with dominating roasted black fruit flavors. It has its merits but is still too blackened for our liking.
This could be Chardonnay, or any light white wine. Fruit flavors are apple and pear; there's lots of acidity. A simple, pleasant, everyday style.
Soft and fruity, a mix of apples and peaches, with a hint of toasted cracker. A simple, light Sauv Blanc that is smooth and easy-drinking.
An unusual blend of Riesling, Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc that is largely neutral on the nose and then waxy, honeyed and pithy in the mouth. Along the way there's an appealing dry, melony, petrol character and some good old-fashioned tang. A breed unto itself.
Super dense and hard as a rock, with bacon and black fruit aromas that lead straight to a saturated, chewy, tannic palate that pounds away as it delivers blackberry, coffee, licorice and other huge flavors. As big, baked and heavy as they come, with gargantuan tannins. Includes 15% Syrah in addition to Monastrell.
A balanced Malbec with red fruit aromas and just a touch of aged cheese on the nose. The palate is creamy and slightly candied, with layered black fruit, fig and chocolate flavors. Creamy and candied but lively on the finish, with enough integrity and structure to rank as a Best Buy.
This Rhone-style cuvée is a little thin—light, the fruit showing generic strawberry flavors, with a sprinkling of dried herbs.
Much of a piece with its companion releases, this is done in a lighter style, with plum and berry fruit, dried herbs and a short, simple finish.
Minerally lime and wet-stone aromas are light but elegant. This varietal Xarello (called Pansa Blanc in Terra Alta) feels full but well balanced. Flavors of wet stones, melon and banana finish peachy.
A nose of fresh citrus fruit and toasted vanilla is followed by flavors of exotic pineapple fruit and spice. Its rich mouthfeel is balanced by an undercurrent of mineral briskness. Pair with fattier fish or poultry.
Fresh and zesty, this opens with aromas suggesting white spring flower, pear and exotic fruit. The tangy palate offers white peach, citrus and pineapple while a mineral note accents the finish.
Quite a lot of fruit flavor is packed into this straightforward, dry and non-oaky wine. It should be versatile at the dinner table because of its direct flavors, rather reserved texture and good balance.
A light straw color in the glass, this wine shows smoked-chicken, stone-fruit and pineapple aromas on the nose. It's delicate on the palate, with easy apple, oak and vanilla flavors.
This Sauvignon Blanc has scents of lemon pith, honeydew and cantaloupe. It is soft on entry into the mouth with flavors of peach, apricot and lemon zest.
Saucy, spicy berry aromas are earthy. This has a fleshy, jammy mouthfeel and flavors of blueberry, cassis and blackberry. A dry, spicy, lightly herbal finish confirms the wine's above-average status.
Mild apple and citrus aromas are simple and clean. A light, tangy palate with virtually no weight tastes of pithy citrus fruits and tropical papaya. Light on the finish, this fades away quietly.
Produced by the Domaine de Chevalier team, this is a bright and crisp wine with red currant and tight red-berry flavors. These are lifted and given a refreshing character by the acidity. The wine is clean, bright and fruity. Drink now.
Ripe apple notes are pervaded by dried-fruit flavors. The palate has less aroma but is textured and defined, with echoing apple notes on the finish.
Soft white peach and citrus aromas are touched by a wave of vanilla in this pretty white. On the palate, it offers full-bodied fruit and spice flavors but never loses its balance and finesse. A friendly and easy-going wine with enough body to pair against richer dishes.
Smoky berry aromas are natural but nothing special. This has a regular, balanced mouthfeel along with flavors of cherry, cassis, herbs and spice. A modest finish is fresh and holds it together.
A lovely streak of lemon pervades both flavor and taste of this slender, fresh and easy-drinking white. Drink soon while aromas are still fresh.
Initially rather shy, this eventually reveals delicate scents of fragrant yellow flower, orchard fruit and a whiff of citrus. The linear palate is a bit austere, offering yellow apple skin, lime and a mineral note alongside firm acidity.
This wine struts the full oak treatment. It smells like vanilla, toasted bread and cherry syrup, and tastes almost like cherry pie. It may be technically dry, but it seems sweet with all its baking spice and ripe fruit characters.
Rubber and asphalt aromas dominate the nose of this high-acid coastal Syrah that's about as shearing as they come (only 12% abv). Additional scents of olive and savory plum feed into a tight palate that lives on a hard beam of natural acidity. Flavors of tomato and citrus are tart and end with a raw, juicy finish.
Made with Catarratto, this bright sparkler opens with scents of pressed white flower and a whiff of sea breeze. The racy palate delivers lemon and nectarine before finishing crisp and clean.
This wine has an earthy character, with some bitter flavors as well as more generous acidity and yellow fruits, The earthiness should blow off as it develops to give a ripe, richly fruity wine.
A fruity and rich-tasting wine, this has black plum and mild oak aromas, ripe cherry and slightly savory, beefy flavors along with a nice, velvety texture. It is dry, medium bodied and drinker friendly.
A very smoky nose is reminsicent of mocha. This oaky spice is also very evident on the light, red-fruited body. There is a bitter edge to the soft tannins but also a warm finish.
Juicy, fresh tangerine and peach flavors shine brightly on the palate of this vibrantly fruity Riesling. Approachable yet elegant, it offers uncomplicated refreshment with delicately lingering sweetness marking the finish. Drink now through 2018.
Bright, punchy raspberry, pomegranate and cherry aromas properly announce cherry and raspberry flavors. This feels snappy, with a medium body. Light spice notes accent bright red-fruit flavors on the finish. For a carbonic macerated Rioja, this is pretty good.
Peach and yeast aromas are mostly fresh. This Xarello has a citrus-like palate with the suggestion of spritz. Melon, green banana and papaya flavors finish with mild pithy bitterness but nothing off-putting.
Generous flavors of red and black cherry, and a nice, firm coating of fine tannins make this full-bodied wine good and substantive. Those dark fruit flavors are fairly deep and concentrated, and linger on the finish.
Honeysuckle and tropical fruit are noticeable as the primary scents. The straightforward palate offers lime, unripe apricot and a hint of bitter nut alongside fresh acidity.
The slightest hint of pineapple shows on the nose, followed by a just off-dry fruitiness on the palate. This wine is clean and should be drink while still fresh.
Initially this smells like iodine and inner tube, but with time it freshens up. Plump, dense and chewy on the palate, this Cabernet tastes a touch stewed, with prune, blackberry and peppery flavors. A dense finish is chunky and chewy but awkward.
This Bordeaux blend brings expressive, dark, tannic, coffee/toasty flavors to the party. The juice is dark and tangy, tight and compact, but fully ripe and balanced nicely against the tannins and natural acidity. The flavors are layered and seamless, rather than floating along the top of the wine and relying on sugar and oak to fill in where the fruit is lacking. This should be your everyday go-to bottle for Cabernet.
If Washington “owns” Merlot as a category in the U.S. (not that anyone cares at the moment), this confirms it. You get ripe, sweet, tangy red berry fruit, fresh acids, ripe tannins and toasty oak; there may not be a better value in the country. The way the oak is used is magnificent and adds layer after layer to the extended finish.
This is 100% Cabernet from three different vineyards, mixing cherry, berry, plum and cassis, and setting the fruit against crisp acids. The tannins, slightly green around the edges, are focused and appropriate. Could it be fleshed out with a little Merlot? Yes, but the elegance and precision of pure Cabernet is somehow more thrilling.
The winemakers speak of “wild chokecherry jam” flavors. OK. There are interesting, wild berry flavors, along with the winery's generous, milk chocolaty, oaked-up finish. Still young and knitting together, if this wine follows the path of earlier successes, it will begin to expand and fill out over the next five or six years.
The Cold Creek Chardonnay is built upon 30-year-old vines, fully ripened at this warm site. Sensuous, soft and broadly laced with flavors of toasted nuts, brioche and apple pie, this luxurious Chardonnay still maintains a pleasing, focused structure that carries along flavors of lemon and apple, cut against the dominant oak. Cold Creek wines are among Washington's most ageworthy.
This Riesling collaboration between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Ernst Loosen is no longer unique, but the wine has been fine-tuned over the years and sets a consistently high standard. This may be the most acidic ever made, but it is juicy rather than sour, and has a textural creaminess that adds both depth and length. The fruit flavors mix ripe apple and Mandarin orange, with hints of sweet lime and wet stone.
For a rosé Champagne, the deep pink color is extraordinary. So is the palate, definitely more a red wine than a Champagne, tasting of spice, wood from fermentation and very ripe red berries, with  a tannic texture. The wine was made by getting color from the skins, rather than by the usual rosé Champagne method of adding still red wine.
This Sémillon is quite dry, with an unusual mouthfeel that is a bit like chewing on beeswax, honeycomb without the sweetness of honey. It's a beautifully scented wine with a beguiling mix of floral and spice, suggestions of cinnamon, baking spice and body powder. Following on the palate are firm yet supple flavors of melon, pear and hints of baked apple, gliding into a smooth and satisfying finish, which resonates with hints of buttered toast.
This extracted purple Malbec is furry and grapy smelling. A heavy sticky palate feels creamy, while cherry and boysenberry flavors are so ripe that the word syrupy is in play. A note of chocolate and lasting creaminess come up on the finish.
A mineral textured wine with stone fruits and attractive fresh acidity, it has a lively citrus character that comes out of the bright citrus and green plum fruits. The wine is ready to drink.
Strong in alcohol aromas on the nose, this shows tobacco, cigar, pipe smoke and brandy-like notes. The palate is extremely sweet and treacly, with fig and prune flavors.
Cigar-box aromas and a perfumed, fruity character give this wine a typical Cabernet Franc character. It is structured, with some firm tannins at the core, surrounded by ripe red fruits and fresh acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
This high-octane wine smells like Port, honey and black figs. It tastes very ripe, almost hot, feels quite tannic and heavy, and has a touch of sweetness to redeem it. Enjoy this as an after-dinner drink with chocolate or a cigar.
Though unstated on the label, this is made from Pinot Gris. It seems to be glowing, an almost day-glo shade of orange, and is quite dry, with flavors of pine needles and watermelon.
Simple, fresh and fruity, this has attractive herbal flavors and crisp citrus. It has a tangy edge that will allow it to age a little longer. Drink now, but better from early 2017.
Yellow in color, with heavy dusty flat aromas of apple and citrus, this feels low on acidity and thus flat. Cidery apple and lime flavors finish chunky and leesy with an oily texture.
This soft, approachable Pinot is light and spicy, with an earthy character. That sense of herb and earth dominates light red fruits. Try this chilled with cold cuts or poultry.
Tropical fruit and melon aromas are filled out with a touch of toast and acidity. The result is a wine that is not quite balanced, with wood and fruit still at odds. The aftertaste, with a creamy texture, is more attractive. This is one of the first vintages since Labouré-Roi, which was hit by scandal in 2012, passed into new ownership.
While the aroma is a touch earthy, the flavors in this full-bodied and plush-textured wine resemble honey, peach and almond. With a hint of sweetness to round out the mouthfeel, this could be a good match for a wide variety of cheeses.
Stone-fruit and apple aromas grace a mild bouquet. This feels solid but generic, with chunky peach, citrus and pithy flavors. On the finish, this Verdejo becomes more waxy and heavy in feel.
With a dusty core of black plum, cassis and clove, this is a straightforward, softly approachable wine made to be enjoyed now. Medium bodied, it enters into a realm of creamy vanilla on the finish.
Reduced, with a pronounced aroma and flavor of barrel, in actuality this is a stainless-steel-fermented wine that takes on weight and density as if it spent time in wood. Meaty, it has an end note of caramel.
Brambly and wild on the nose, this Cafayate Malbec features a narrow palate with edgy, briary plum and berry flavors. This seems riper with time in the glass, but all the way through it's pinchy in feel and ultimately ends with candied sweetness.
This unpretentious, grapy and slightly herbal-tasting dessert wine is sweet but thick in texture and superfruity in flavor.
This is an intense, somewhat unformed vineyard-designate, ripe with sweet tannins that takes on considerable barrel flavors of vanilla and caramel.
Big and bold, this is a massive Touriga Nacional, emphasizing the structure as much as the fruit. It has a rich black plum character that is paired with firm wood and fruit tannins and a ripe juicy aftertaste. It could do with a year's aging, so drink from early 2017.
Made from 100% varietal grapes, this vineyard-designate offers minty eucalyptus and leather in a medium- to light-bodied package, with streaky tannins and low oak. The fruit is elusive behind the savory meat and flinty gunpowder.
This fruity, ready-to-drink wine is crisp and packed with citrus and grapefruit flavors. With bright final acidity, it is refreshing and herbal.
This is an attractive wine that is crisp while also having a soft background texture. It is fruity, perfumed and balanced. Drink now.
Half Cabernet Franc and 25% each Tannat and Malbec, this rough-and-tumble red is tannic and earthy. That tannic stiffness might subside with further bottle age, but this wine may be best opened soon and served with spicy, hearty food.
Rich, dark and concentrated, this hearty red is somewhat reduced and grippy, with a layering of wild strawberry and earth overlaid in solid oak. It'll appeal to fans of bigger-bodied wines.
Nectarine flesh and a hint of guava combine for a rather tropical-leaning nose on this wine from the famed Hollywood director's collection. A straightforward and very ripe Gala apple character characterizes the palate, boosted by honeysuckle and tangerine, laid across a decently grippy texture.
Apple and melon aromas are mild, straightforward and devoid of oak. A chunky melony palate doesn't have much stuffing, while this tastes of mild peach, papaya and other tropical fruits. Overall, this is inoffensive but hollow.
Waxy peach and apple aromas come with a leesy cookie-like component. This is 50% each Sauvignon Blanc and Garnacha Blanca, and it feels both plump and watery. Flavors of quince and apple are diluted and distant, while the finish is mild.
While this wine has hints of a green herbal character, its main character conveys creamed apples and even riper fruits such as white peach. It is soft and lightly textured with just a touch of final acidity. Drink now.
Riserva Colle Secco, made from the Montepulciano grape, opens with aromas of raw wood chips and sawdust. The palate is dominated by aggressive oak and espresso with hints of black fruit muffled in the background.
A mash of coffee, turned earth, Band-Aid and charred, baked berry aromas are funky and lead to a wide, flabby palate with briny berry and red-fruit flavors. That charred character from the nose persists on the finish, which tastes roasted and feels pinched.
Major olive and charred aromas ride on top of herbal black-fruit scents. This is loud on the palate, with probing acidity and mild tannins. The flavor profile is herbal, with stewed plum and blueberry accounting for the fruit components. On the finish, this feels solid and tastes minty.
What a difference a year makes. In the warm '09 vintage, this was ripe and delicious. But in 2010, a much cooler year in Chile, the wine came out dry and leafy, with aromas of green herbs that strengthen with airing. Flavors of mint and green herbs are dominant, while plum and spice flavors form the underbelly. A scratchy feeling finish confirms this wine's abrasive DNA.
Fragrant in raspberry with an achingly light texture, this Tempranillo has notes of tobacco, rose water and pepper and a quick, dry finish.
This is almost brutally austere. The nose expresses nothing but grass and zest, and the palate is sharp in feel, with chiseled, raw power and pithy, stony flavors of lemon, grapefruit and sour orange. This is overpowering and clipped; it has merits but needs to be more friendly.
Heavy flavors of vanilla syrup coat the tongue, obscuring the fruit but not quite hiding the green tannins. Though such flavors are not unusual in many inexpensive Merlots, it's a little disappointing from a grower with such excellent fruit to work with.
Tropical aromas are friendly but basic. A melony feeling palate is low on acidity, thus flavors of honeydew and mango seem mushy. A soft, mealy finish with a papaya-like flavor is the last act. Year after year this unoaked Chardonnay barely gets by.
Aromas of forced oak, plastic and berry fruits don't forecast how tight, shrill and acidic the palate is. Snappy flavors of red plum and red currant teeter on being sour, while acidity is what keeps this cranking through a sharp, oaky finish.
Whereas once Ochoa produced some of Navarra's best rosés, lately the wines have been marginal. This is awkward, with aromas of chemicals and rubber gloves. The palate is wan in flavor and feel, while the finish tastes burnt and medicinal.
An aromatic opening of raisin and prune is a clarion announcement that this is on the overripe side. The mouthfeel, which is heavy and chunky but also fruity, is confirmation of the wine's ripeness level. Flavors of baked plum, raisin and chocolate finish deep and raisiny.
Punchy grapefruit aromas come with a touch of minerality. An oily yet spritzy feeling palate doesn't score many points, while the flavor profile is bitterness offset by pithy citrus flavors.
This Lodi area Pinot Noir is fruit forward, particularly on the nose, though the lucious notes carry through on the palate as well, buoyed by oak.
A pale wine with almost sugary flavors. It has a strawberry fruit character and soft acidity.
Citrus and passion fruit aromas emphasize the SB over the Verdejo component, even though the blend is 70% Verdejo and 30% SB. A zesty, pithy feeling palate houses citrus peel and pithy flavors, while the finish tastes the same.
A rusty, translucent color announces a light body. Along the way, aromas of compost and leaves, red fruits and earth don't stir much interest. Meanwhile, light oak and stalky red-fruit flavors finish leafy.
Closed aromatically, this Chardonnay has a lemon-lime crispness that follows straight into vanilla and toasty oak. Young, it finishes on a sour note.
Here's a classically crafted Barolo with Nebbiolo's quintessential fragrance of rose, cherry and balsamic herbs. The palate is still tightly wound but shows wild cherry and spice, with firm but fine tannins. Needs time to develop complexity. Best after 2015.
This red blend has characteristics of late-harvested grapes from a cool year. Aromas of prune and blueberry are cool and mellow but not lifted. The palate is smooth, with blackberry, baked plum and chocolate flavors. A mild, slightly pasty tasting finish is rich but hollows out quickly. Drink now.
The ever-popular Three Legged Red keeps the quality high in this new vintage. Tart raspberry fruit fills the mouth, with good concentration and some snap to the finish. This is simply delicious, and ready for warm weather sipping.
This smooth, wood-aged wine is richly tannic and packed with new wood flavors. Ripe red berries offer fruitiness and acidity. It has a fine depth of flavor and density, making it likely to age for several years, at least four. Screwcap.
The blend in this torrid vintage is 68% Shiraz, 32% Cabernet, which somehow manages to avoid any sense of baked or raisined fruit. There's a slightly medicinal, eucalyptus note, common in wines from this big gumtree region, but also red currant and cherry fruit, a creamy, supple texture and a long finish dusted with cocoa powder. Drink now–2020.
Hints of crushed slate lend a smoky, flinty character to concentrated flavors of tangerine and quince preserve in this beautiful off-dry Riesling. It's intensely fruity, but anchored in minerality from start to finish.
A sculpted, refined expresion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Oatley's 2010 combines hints of mint and dark berries into a wine that offers clean, pure fruit, subtle oak shadings and a long, silky finish. Drink now–2020.
This elegant, finely balanced blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot displays the supple, silky tannins for which Margaret River is justly famous. Gentle cigar box aromas and flavors that suggest cherry and mocha round out the wine's ample charms. Drink it over the next few years.
Prunotto's straight Barolo shows juicy, ripe cherry, white pepper and balsamic sensations, and just a hint of espresso. It's nicely balanced, although there's not a ton of complexity. Enjoy it now and over the next few years.
This is an excellent effort from this scalding vintage. It has a ripe berry fragrance layered with incense and orange peel, while the palate shows wild cherry, white pepper and a hint of espresso. It's concentrated, yet balanced, and already drinking well.
San Biagio's classic Barolo shows captivating scents of violet, mint and eucalyptus. The palate is shy at first, but opens to reveal ripe berry, plum, spice and licorice notes. This has big but round tannins, and is already forward and enjoyable.
This is a concentrated, fruity wine that is also striated with minerality, giving a firm, almost chewy texture. White fruits are combined with more exotic fruits, and cut with lemon acidity. It's a wine for aging over at least four years. Screwcap.
This is a tight, mineral driven wine that's very textured and almost stark in its character. It offers steeliness, brisk acidity, and a palate packed with citrus fruits. Give this ageworthy wine at least five years. Screwcap.
This is a ripe, rich, sumptuous wine that has both great berry fruits and a more serious character. With acidity that plays right through the wine, it is crisp and bright, but full bodied, with considerable depth of flavor.
This Bordeaux-style blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, and splits the rest among Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec, sourced from six different vineyards. It's a lovely blend, balanced and judiciously earthy, with a mix of red and blue fruits. The blend and balance suggest that a decade of cellaring would not be too much.
A tinge of white flower mingles with notes of honeycomb and lemon rind on this beautifully complex semi-dry Riesling. The palate is rich with sweet yellow peach and honey flavors balanced by citrus acidity and a bristle of black-tea astringency.
Notes of lemon and cherry blossom brighten tones of crushed stone and slate on this semi-dry Riesling. Juicy and ripe with flavors of melon and white peach, it's intensely fruity and floral but honed with reverberating minerality on the finish.
This shows hallmark Nebbiolo aromas of violet, rose, earth and forest floor. The silky palate delivers ripe black cherry and balsamic notes, smooth tannins and just enough fresh acidity. This is ready now.
Barrel aromas are up front, with notes of wood spice alternating with game and dark fruit. The fruit, wood and game flavors mix in equal parts on the palate, not entirely in harmony.
This wine is sourced from the Wood Vineyard along the appellation's Eastside Road, a relatively warm location that adds rich lemon chiffon and graham cracker to the whole. Creamy and velvety on the palate, it remains lush on the finish, tasting of baked peach pie.
This blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Carignan and 10% Cinsault smells plummy and superripe, balanced out by hints of crushed stone. It's medium in body and creamy in texture, with nearly overripe flavors that stay just on the fresh side of raisin. Drink now.
This is a balanced wine with fine young tannins and plenty of blackberry and black-plum fruits. It is ripe while keeping plenty of acidity. The wine is going to develop well and should be ready from 2019.
This ripe smoky wine has fine tannins and plenty of red-berry fruits. With its acidity, dusty texture and crisp aftertaste, it is not made for long aging. Drink from 2018.
A fruity, perfumed wine that has attractive acidity as well as spice. The black currant fruit gives the wine a crisp edge as well as an easy approachability. Drink now.
Ripe and structured, this is a concentrated wine. Its blackberry fruits are powerful and dense with tannins as well as acidity. It will take some time for the juiciness to really show, so wait until late 2018.
Structured and at the same time fruity, this is a wine with good potential. Its tannins and its acidity are balanced to give a warm wine that will be fine to drink from 2019.
Charred, meaty aromas and equally smoky flavors give a rowdy personality to this full-bodied blend of Bordeaux grapes. Firm tannins and underlying acidity create a puckering mouthfeel.
Unusual aromas of wet copper penny, rubbed sage and black cherry are followed by tart cherry and cranberry flavors. The aromas and palate seem disconnected.
Cheesy oak aromas and murky fruit scents are less than what Atauta usually offers. Chalk it up to the rough conditions of chilly 2013. In the mouth, this is choppy. Roasted berry and earthy notes precede a tannic, rubbery finish.
This Viura smells oxidized and soft, with barrel-based aromas in charge. A soft, watery palate is resiny, tasting bready and yeasty more than fruity. If you dig around, there's some complexity and quality, but this is not the best vintage for Capellanía.
Notes of apple, yellow peach and pear are savory in tone in this unoaked Chardonnay. Dry in style, it's delicately concentrated with soft tangerine acidity. The finish is brisk but clean.
This wine is straightforward in approach and uncomplicated in its light-bodied gathering of cola, pine forest and tea notes.
The aromas on this wine are surprisingly blue fruited for a Cabernet, followed by notes of herb, green pepper and spice. The flavors are lightly sweet, followed by a spice-filled finish. It's a straightforward quaffer that doesn't quite show its variety.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Nebbiolo and 22% Sangiovese. The volatiles are amped up, bringing distraction from the aromas of cranberry, cherry and vanilla. The fruit flavors are broad and drink quite sweet.
Restrained aromatically, this bottling shows touches of crushed lava rocks, black pepper and blackberry on the nose. Balsamic vinegar and sour cherry flavors mark the sip, with very sticky tannins.
This densely structured wine has firm tannins and concentration. The juicy black fruits are still developing to fill out the wine even further. Drink from 2018.
Owned by the Devillard family, Château de Chamirey produces firmly textured wines. This Mercurey is on the dry side, while not losing sight of fresh red-berry fruits and bright acidity.
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.
Chocolaty and malty to start with, then more meaty, rubbery and traditional on the nose. The palate is round and just right in feel, while the palate is meaty, layered and savory, with juicy acidity and savory undercurrents. Cutting and food-friendly, and very well-made for a $10 wine.
Finely perfumed, a wine that has some elegant structure, sweet red-berry fruits and a light acidity. The texture is gentle, soft and rounded, ready to drink now.
You should know what you're getting yourself into here, as the name definitely doesn't lie. So minty and herbaceous it's almost hard to believe, and it all mingles with notes of crushed violets and black currant leaf as well as a solid fruit core of cassis and black plum skins. It's firm and tight in the mouth but approachable after a little breathing time.
This Yakima Valley bottling highlights fresh herbs and sharp, juicy pear and apple fruit flavors. The vivid fruit is racy and tightly defined, and seems to gather strength and focus as it sits in the mouth. A splendid effort that really sets the standard for Washington Pinot Gris.
This smooth and supple wine has been aged in 65% new oak, yet does not seem at all oaky. A solid core of black fruits is annotated with streaks of coffee, licorice and gun metal. The finish is persistent, with a hint of citrus. Recently bottled, the wine may merit a higher score with a bit more bottle age.
Hits all the classic well-oaked Cabernet notes: cedar, tobacco, vanilla and cassis upfront, with similar flavors coursing through from start to finish. It's not quite as full bodied as some Australian Cabernets, which isn't a bad thing, finishing with silky yet firm tannins. Drink now–2016.
Beautifully perfumed, with acidity, white fruits and a mineral context. The wine is layered with citrus and lime, hints of fresh pineapple acidity. Screw cap.
A full wine with smoked meat, licorice and black-fruit jam aromas. The palate is healthy, snappy and tannic, with earthy, full-blast berry flavors that veer toward sweet raisin and syrup but then pull back before falling off the cliff. Saturated, dense and raisiny, but still very rich, real and rewarding.
A delicious, beautifully aged tawny-style dessert wine, this rarity is sweet and fortified with alcohol, and also superbly well balanced. A diverse palette of flavors includes toffee, coffee, sweet prune, toasted almonds and chocolate. Supportive tannins and acidity keep the texture lively and the finish lingering.
Fabulous flavors and a racy, elegant texture lift this wine above the pack. It has an intricate perfume of baking spices, rhubarb and forest floor followed by vivid and slightly tangy fruit flavors all held together with ease by the lightly gripping mouth-feel.
Situated next door to the Grand Cru vineyards, this vineyard produces some grand wines. This wine comes from the Olivier Leflaive domaine. It has richness and concentration with beautifully dense yellow fruits that are cut with inspiring acidity. The texture shows minerality and a taut and nervy character that will allow this fine wine to age very well. Drink from 2020.
Bougros is one of the richest, opulent of the Grand Cru Chablis. In this fruit-driven year, the wine is wonderfully spicy, rich and full of fine fruit. Yellow fruits dominate the balancing citrus and wood flavors. It is so forward that it could be drunk now, but this fine wine will be much better from 2019
Honeycomb and slight tropical flourish accent bright minerality in this fuller-styled, integrated white that offers a plush ripeness without ever succumbing to sweetness. Toasted oak and anise layer over a texture of baked apple dusted in nutmeg.
Exotic yet classic aromas and generous, complex flavors make this medium-bodied wine very compelling. Black-tea leaves, black cherry, clove and mint are a few of the nuances that flood the palate, and the lush viscosity allows them to linger on the finish.
The aromas pop with notes of fresh flowers, smoked meat, stems, mineral, smoke, white pepper and an earthy funk. The flavors dance on the palate, with mouthwatering fruit and savory notes that lead to an outrageously long finish. It's equal parts elegance and intensity.
The aromas are intense, with notes of embers, stargazer lilies, funk, wet stone and black pepper. The palate dances gracefully, putting a premium on texture along, with generous amounts of savory flavors that persist on the long finish.
This new vineyard-designate from Saintsbury has a classic profile. Spicy, woodsy, cherrylike aromas lead to layered raspberry, cinnamon and cherry flavors, with the firm texture of fine-grained tanins and good acidity. It offers a lightly tart and lingering finish. Great balance and complexity come together beautifully here.
Another unique, intriguing and delicious bottling by Ernst Storm, this shows damp garden herbs, wild cranberry fruit, kelpy seashore, light white sage, grain fields, flecks of dill and dried rose buds on the nose. The sizzling palate starts with crushed pencils and then dances through underripe raspberry fruit into fresh herbs, showing a distinct note of hops.
A gorgeous mélange of botrytized Riesling and Chardonnay, every sip of this honey-kissed wine is an explosion of blossom and fruit. It's intensely concentrated, rippling with tropical tones of mango, melon and pineapple, yet featherlight on the palate. The finish is languorous, alternating sweet layers of honey and marmalade marked by hints of salt and crushed mineral. Delicious now but should only improve with age, well beyond 2025.
Winemaker/owner Alejandro Vigil keeps the hits coming with this complex but highly appealing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Robust aromas of balsamic black fruits and licorice ease into a round lush tannic palate. Lightly herbal flavors of blackberry, cassis, pepper and baking spices end with spicy chocolaty oak and licorice flavors. Drink this whopper through 2024.
Fermentation in wood has given this wine a rich spicy character that contrasts with the honey and lemon fruitiness and the mineral texture. Aromatic and perfumed with summer blossoms, it is ready to drink.
This ripe selection conveys a superb sense of balance and refinement, with forward aromas and flavors of black cherry and brambly berry framed by notes of wood spice, mocha and pressed violet. Velvety in feel, the texture is plush and seductive, with fine yet structured tannins and ample acidity to keep the palate fresh through the close. It's certainly delicious now, but this should age well through 2022.
The unusual name (the donkey's back) refers to the shape of this premier cru vineyard which is high up the slope of Meursault. The wine itself, from vines owned by the Leflaive family, is in a rich yet structured style. It has great spice and toast as well as stylish crisp fruits and great acidity. The minerality and the texture will certainly allow the wine to age, so drink from 2020.
This displays a particularly rich style of Sancerre, full bodied and opulent. It has the purest white and citrus fruits, with plenty of crisp acidity. But it is the intensity of the wine and its generosity that marks it. The wine is young and could age—although why wait when it is so good now?
From one of the most dramatic vineyards in the entire state comes a bottling almost as impressive. Refreshing Key lime and mandarin zest mesh with sea shells, chalk and honeysuckle on the precise, steely nose. A chalky tension binds the palate around flavors of lemon-lime, grapefruit flesh, nectarine and a touch of vanilla.
Blue flower, baked plum, exotic spice and pipe tobacco are just some of the aromas you'll find on this bold red. The full-bodied enveloping palate doles out layers of juicy black cherry marinated in spirits, fig, cinnamon, mocha and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
This producer, based in Ladoix-Serrigny in the Côte de Beaune also has a small parcel in this Grand Cru in Vosne-Romanée. Like all this producer's wines it was fermented in open tanks before barrel aging. That gives an extra concentration to the ripe fruits and firm tannins. It is an opulent wine, juicy with black fruits and acidity. With its structure, it will certainly age further, so drink from 2019.
This blend from five Beaune Premier Crus was made to celebrate the Potel family's 50 years in wine. It is a richly structured, beautiful wine with its dark tannins and black fruit showing so well. Concentrated from the low yielding old vines, the wine is packed with fruits and acidity that are developing slowly. Drink from 2020.
This wine comes from perhaps the most well-known of the many Beaune Premier Crus, from a small parcel of vines that are over 100 years old. It is a rich wine, generous and with a ripe future. At present, the structure and tannins dominate, allowing the wine to have good aging potential. Drink from 2020.
The Bertins Premier Cru vineyard is on the southern Volnay side of Pommard, giving a comparatively soft generous style of wine. Even so, there is plenty of structure here with powerful dark toasty flavors balanced by rich blackberry fruit. This is a fine wine with great potential. Drink from 2022.
Vines planted in 1939 by the current winemaker's grandfather give an impressively ripe wine. It is dense with concentrated tannins, smoky red fruits and still youthful acidity. The wine has a bold juicy character that comes from the open-tank fermentation giving great fruitiness. Drink this wine from 2020.
Subdued floral aromatics open this delightfully complex, dry wine, lilting in lemon, green apple and stone. Beautifully balanced, it begs for inclusion at the table, ready to complement or contrast, lingering in orange blossom on the refined finish.
A unique blend of several of the winery's vineyards, this wine brings brooding notes of smoked ham, raw meat, lilac, fire pit and peat, with a thread of minerality that runs throughout. The flavors are full but deft, showing abundant smoked meat and savory notes along with a finish that seems near endless. The balance is perfectly spot-on.
This vineyard is regarded as the finest of the Grand Crus, certainly for its more serious character. This 2014 has great complexity, toast and spice mingling with the mineral and white-fruit flavors. It is obviously set for long-term aging with its wood still not fully integrated. Drink this impressive wine from 2020.
Named for the clone so beloved by winemakers, this white is sourced from two estate vineyards. It opens in confectionary aromas that lead into a full-bodied style that's lushly voluptuous and exotic, yet completely in balance, a celebration of lemon curd, nutmeg and tarte Tatin.
The Devillards own 99% of this 8.5-acre Premier Cru and so feel they can describe it as a quasi-monopoly. Vines dating back to 1922 give immense concentration as well as rich black fruits. The wine is spicy with a strongly mineral texture, red-berry fruits and black cherries. It is a wine for aging, so drink from 2022.
Quite light in the glass, this bottling offers a strongly sage-driven nose bolstered by light licorice and chipped slate that's laced through the tangy cranberry and pretty red-cherry aromas. It's easy and light on the sip but with a full flavor profile, from pomegranate to snappy raspberry, thyme, oregano, dill and tons of pepper.
Oak aging and no filtration give this beautiful wine richness and dense texture. A touch of spicy toast contrasts with the melon and grapefruit flavors, smoothly ripe texture and nutmeg aftertaste. The wine is concentrated and full in the mouth. This opulent wine is still young, so wait until late 2017 to drink.
This vintage has the Horiuchi artist label. Another glorious wine from the 2007 vintage, full and forward, packed with plum and purple fruits. Sweet tobacco and baking spices lead into a lush, fruit-loaded core, ripe with berries and plums. The finish—thick and textural and darkly chocolaty—wraps around polished, elegant tannins.
Dark, dense, spicy and full of everything nice, including cola, berry, earth and richness. The palate has ideal ripeness and power, and the flavors are a clever mix of light herbs, spice, chocolate and blasting berry. Long and sultry on the finish, with tobacco and immense complexity. One of Chile's very best wines; a blend of Syrah, Carmenère, Cabernet and Merlot.
Lovely dessert-style Riesling at an extremely attractive price. It yields dried apricot aromas, then turns to honeyed marmalade in the mouth, just loaded with orange-apricot preserves. It's weighty and viscous, with a long, sweet finish. Should last through at least 2016.
Initially austere, this wine is driven by notes of bitter chocolate and lean fruit. The fruit weight promises some attractive aging, but for the present, it is firm, dry and solidly tannic.
Jammy and fruit forward, this has intense notes of strawberry, blueberry and plum flesh throughout. The lively palate is bright and juicy, ending with an easy, mouthwatering finish. Mevushal.
Solid, chunky and dense, this shows a rich character based around dark tannins. It has a ripe black-plum flavor and juicy acidity on the finish.
Firmly structured, this has a dry core that's solidly based on smoky tannins. The fruit is holding back, although in a few months the blackberry flavor should surface. The finish retains the dry, firm character of the wine.
This is a wine that brings out a soft, tropical character allied to a citrus and a herbaceous element. It's open, attractive and soft, and it's ready to drink.
Light and fruity, this wine's berry flavor dominates the gentle tannins, while the bright acidity adds lift. Drink this in the next two years.
The wine seems lean, austere and minerally in character. It has stalky black-currant fruits, firm tannins and forward acids. It should age over 2–3 years, but it will always be on the severe side.
Dark in color, this delivers black fruit aromas along with a toasty note. While it's slightly hollow in the middle, it's wide around the edges, tasting of mossy blackberry and herb. The finish is toasty, big and grabby.
This Macedonian wine made from 100% Žilavka has aromas of honeysuckle and peach. Balanced in the mouth, it has flavors of green papaya and tart pineapple.
Cherry, cassis and a yeasty celebration of grapes mark this wine, which is a majority varietal with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied, it's softly approachable and priced to serve for a crowd.
Tire rubber aromas provide some distraction from the notes of black pepper, citrus and fresh herbs. The elegant dark fruit, pepper and savory flavors are unmistakably varietal. There are many good things to explore.
This hearty red opens with aromas of sunbaked earth, leather, menthol and aromatic herb. The solid, one-dimensional palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry confiture, licorice and tobacco alongside bracing, close-grained tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Bright and straightforward, this opens with aromas of wild berry, blue flower and a whiff of eucalyptus. The easy drinking palate offers red cherry, star anise and a hint of chopped herb alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2017.
The aromas of blue and red fruit are direct and appealing, with dried herbs providing a grace note. The currant flavors are plump with lightly grainy tannins backing them up.
A mix of just-ripe fruit flavors and savory accents on a medium-bodied frame make this wine intriguing to taste. It starts with seemingly sweet fruity aromas, but then the flavors turn a bit leaner and more complex.
Violet, iris, red-berry, toast, clove and menthol aromas take center stage. The mature palate offers oak, dried black-skinned berry, anise and a hint of tobacco alongside close-grained tannins. It's already rather shy on fruit richness so drink sooner rather than later. Drink 2018–2022.
This wine was aged for 30 months in new French oak before subsequently seeing time in bottle. It offers aromas and flavors of herbs, woodspice and red and black fruit, with firm tannins providing the frame.
This is a soft, fresh while rounded wine. A gentle texture hints at a more tangy character while pushing the apple and spice flavors forward. Attractive now, the wine is ready to drink.
Named after one of the Merovingian kings of the Franks (7th century), this wine is somewhat more modern in style than that. In fact with its ripe red and black-cherry fruits and balanced, smoky tannins, it's a wine to drink now. It will age though, until 2020.
A blend of vines from different soils, this rich, dense wine has concentration as well as steely, tangy fruits. It is still young and nervy, needing time to open out. Drink this wine from 2018.
This tight, young wine has a steely, mineral texture as well as juicy fruits.Those fruits need to develop to give the full potential of this perfumed wine. Drink from 2017.
Light and fresh, this wine has intense, spicy strawberry fruits. The acidity is balanced, adding lift to the ripe fruitiness. It has an attractive, tangy aftertaste.
This is a fruity, lightly structured wine. With perfumed red berries and tight acidity, it is all about fruitiness and freshness. It needs to fill out and to become as rich as its potential suggests. Drink from 2018.
This is a blend of seven parcels from the higher slopes of the appellation. They give the wine a cool, fresh character, aromatic and steely. It's a crisp wine, with textured citrus and clean acidity. Drink now.
Named after the Roman name for the village of Sury-en-Vaux, the producer's home, this wine is soft and rounded. Red-berry fruits are full and ripe, lightly spiced and with an attractive fruity aftertaste. The wine is tangy, fresh and ready to drink.
This bright and fruity wine is attractively ready to drink. It is fresh, crisp with apples and lightly touched with citrus.
Produced from vines with an average age of 30 years, this wine was aged on lees until bottling. That gives extra richness to the ripe green and white fruits. Laced with citrus flavors, they are fresh while also having a concentrated aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend is 74% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Locked up vanilla, herb and dark fruit aromas lead to high-octane dark-fruit flavors, with the heat providing some distraction.
Reticent herb, mineral, barrel spice and red-apple aromas are followed by concentrated fruit flavors. The tannins this vineyard is often known for are kept well in check.
An herbally prolific blend of 46% Cabernet Franc, 41% Merlot, 9% Syrah and 4% Petite Sirah, this wine packs dried oregano on top of plump strawberries, ripe plums, grape jelly and a touch of cedar. Bay leaf and sesame-oil elements show once sipped, along with black plums, dark strawberry and savory soy-sauce flavors, altogether nicely intriguing.
Earthy aromas of brick dust blend with spiced cherry and tomato notes. A chewy, solid palate registers as correct, while this tastes of ripe, candied berry fruits and chocolate. A long, warm, slightly oaky finish sends this on its way.
From parcels around the village of Maimbray, this wine is structured and tight. It has attractive fruit potential with plenty of lively acidity, surrounded by a strong mineral texture. The wine will be best from 2017.
Aged 10 months in 25% new American oak, this pleasantly oaky wine delights with its complexity and overall balance. Pineapple, peach and citrus fruits are complemented by notes of coconut (there's that American oak) and hazelnut. Firm acids bring further citrus highlights to the finish.
Made of 100% Çalkarasi, an indigenous Turkish grape, this coral-colored wine offers a bouquet of strawberry and pomegranate. It is both full on the palate and refreshing, with flavors of strawberry, pomegranate, aniseed, lavender and a hint of smoke.
Coconut, chocolate and coffee make for sweet and savory companions in this mushy, grippy and satisfying wine. Big on power and concentration, it has an underlay of brown sugar.
While sunny melon and peach flavors are forward and fruity, an underlining of chalky minerality lends finesse and elegance to this dry, neatly composed wine. It feels sprightly on the palate, finishing briskly on a lifted white-blossom note.
A solid wine for the price, this often sells for less than suggested retail in grocery stores. This bottling shows bacon fat, tart blackberry, black loam and baked goods on a just-enough-of-everything nose. The soft palate is smooth, with mouth-coating tannins and flavors of cigar leaf, black currant and black pepper.
The nose doesn't give much away while the tight palate offers mature black cherry, mint and a hint of baking spice. Fresh and tannic but one-dimensional, it lacks charm.
This is an aromatic wine with generous fruit and soft tannins. Its wood aging has given the wine extra richness as well as spice. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine's green, herbal character suggests underripe fruit. All bell pepper and spice flavors, the fruit seems left behind.
This lean wine is high on acidity and structure. The fruit seems to be missing, needing more flesh to feel complete.
Dark color and a punch of smoky oak underline this wine's big burly hold of tannin and ripe fruit. Tobacco, tar and baked cherry highlight the flavor wheel.
This wine is marked by dry tannins and is smoky and toasty, with little sign of fruit. While it will soften, it will stay somewhat tough.
There's something overwhelmingly herbal and weedy about this wine, which shows a simple structure of tannin and lingering flavors of cherry cola.
This medium-bodied wine has ripe and semisweet flavors like cherry juice and plum jam that give a soft impression on the palate.
This wine starts on intense aromas of charred oak and roasted nuts. It eventually gives way to stone fruits and marmalade that, while soft on the nose, are stronger on the fruit-forward palate. Nutty flavors and rough oak seem out of place among the fresh fruit and viscous mouthfeel, and makes for a long yet disjointed finish.
With the addition of 24% Merlot, this big burly red is simple and soft in its elements of cedar, graphite and soy. The fruit is black and jammy.
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is orange in color and smells neutral except for a note of orange peel. On the palate, this has a grabby skins-driven texture. Short flavors of stone fruits are chunky and clunky. Other than having a mild flavor of nectarine, the finish is neutral.
The aromas are a bit unsettled, bringing a wilted-flower note that is off-putting. The ripe cherry, blackberry and smoky flavors seem disconnected. It doesn't all come together, and the variety seems impossible to find.
Stale fruit and damp-earth aromas are a warning sign. In the mouth, this Cabernet Sauvignon is raw and acidic, with hard tannins. Lean plum flavors are oaky and resiny, while this feels scratchy on an intensely dry finish.
This wine has meaty aromas that lead into a bacon flavors. It has ample tannins but hardly any fruit.
This wine is overwhelmingly smoky in char and bacon flavor, with a side note of herbal mint. Extracted, the oak is intrusive.
This is a sturdy, dry wine that has a brownish color on the rim, roasted fruit aromas, subdued earthy meaty flavors and very full body.
Viognier makes up 61% of this wine. The aromas don't seem entirely pleasant, with notes of ale and herb. The palate brings a lightly oily feel to the stone-fruit flavors that also show some sweetness that isn't balanced by acidity.
This blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot is bitter and astringent.
This earthy wine has barnyard aromas and a rough edge. The redeeming feature is the juicy black-currant fruit that provides a crisp aftertaste.
Heavily charred aromas are like a smoldering campfire. This is so drawing and dry on the palate that it borders on difficult. Salty oaky black-plum flavors are more savory than fruity, while this has no fruit left on the desert-dry severely tannic finish.
This older wine seems to have lost some of its youthful appeal, showing older characteristics of caramelized oak and weedy herb. The structure is beginning to show a mushiness that causes the wine to fall somewhat apart.
This is a smooth-textured, medium- to full-bodied wine loaded with scents of cedar and spice. Red berry fruit emerges on the palate and lingers alongside the cedar notes on the long finish. Drink now–2020.
A smooth, soft and full wine, rich in fruits and warm acidity. A touch of minerality expresses the chalk soil of the vineyard. Still dominated by young fruitiness, it will be better in 2015.
A mountain of a mountain-grown Cabernet, this is hearty and generous in cherry-vanilla-laden tannins and a leathery grip on the palate. Herbal notes intermix with anise and soy sauce, a taste of black tea and ripe black, brambly fruit upfront. Give the wine time and air to soften.
Waxy and crisp, this white is a blend of 61% Roussanne and 39% Viognier, a marriage that complements in fresh, balanced creaminess amidst light layerings of pear and apricot fruit. Nicely sippable on its own, it's the right call for fruity salads or goat-cheese omelets dusted in herbes de Provence.
From organically-grown and certified Biodemeter-grown grapes, this rosé blends 70% Grenache with 15% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah to produce a dry, robust wine aromatic in peach skin and tangerine. Orange blossom and candied orange peel on the palate add to the freshness and lively acidity.
Black as night, it offers classic characteristics. Oodles of black pepper on the nose and palate are seasoned over soft, lush tannins and hearty layers of licorice, dark chocolate and coffee. It's ready to enjoy now but will also grow gracefully over many years.
Sophisticated, delicious and tight enough to age through 2018. The color is a deep but not dark ruby, the aromas suggest fresh crushed cherries. Flavors blend crisp, jazzy raspberry with deeper plum and currant notes, wrapped in a lively texture of bright acidity and tannin.
Banana blends with cut grass for a tropical-meets-traditional take. On the palate, the wine is very soft, reminiscent of pineapple-flavored whipped cream, and there is a nice touch of smoke as well.
This lively, vibrantly young sipper kicks off with generous aromas of pineapple sherbet and peach brioche. A racy energy dominates the bright palate, with crisp pear fruit, lime juice tang and white rock minerality. An excellent partner for oysters or sashimi, but drink now, for the lovely energy may quickly evaporate.
Full-bodied, with a rich character that adds to the fruitiness, this still needs to mature. Bright apples and citrus are caught up in a strongly mineral texture that gives a steely character. Wait until 2015.
Ripe aromas are full of cherries and plums, with a hint of pine. Concentrated flavors recall dark cherries and cinnamon. The texture is full and broad with moderate tannins and fresh acidity to keep it lively.
This is an elegant, cinnamon-spicy Cabernet from Corey Beck, the head winemaker for Francis Ford Coppola. Balanced and soft, it has a texturally pleasing mouthfeel of velvety herb and cassis and a fully realized, lingering finish.
Espresso, roasted coffee bean, plum and toasted oak aromas lead the nose. The dense palate doles out crushed dark cherry, espresso, mocha and roasted sage alongside youthfully aggressive and very astringent tannins. Give this time to unwind. Drink 2020–2040.
Full-bodied herbaceousness is the hallmark of this ripe wine. It offers great acidity while also having rich yellow and grapefruit fruits. Dense with fruits and acidity while also structured, this is a wine to age for a few years. Drink from 2017.
The exciting range of aromas include the rose petal lift of Grenache and a citrusy mix of grapefruit and grenadine, as well as iron, whole peppercorns and Dr. Pepper soda. It's quite smooth once sipped, with tart cranberry-orange fruit and noticeable tannins.
Black-fruit aromas along with floral violet notes are draped all over the nose on this impressive mondern-styled Rioja. A juicy, zesty palate is acidic but offers enough body to handle it, while flavors of plum, berry and oaky vanilla and chocolate finish warm but fairly quick. Drink  through 2020.
This immaculate, fresh and beautifully defined wine is Aubichon's entry-level Pinot Noir, and sets the stage for a lovely lineup. Cranberry, cucumber, wet stone and even a faint hint of banana wreathe aromatically into a sinuous midpalate with both density and focus.
Despite the relatively high alcohol, this comes across as a fairly classic Coonawarra Cabernet. Mint accents chocolate and cassis, and the wine is full bodied yet still seems a bit restrained on the palate. Firm tannins frame the dusty, appropriately drying finish. Drink 2016–2025.
Orange marmalade, lemon meringue and warm melon aromas open this wine from the cool Templeton Gap area southeast of Paso Robles. The flavors show off the brighter elements of the grape, with caramelized pear giving way to slate in the midpalate and a nicely bitter finish of orange peel.
This Merlot has good plum and cherry flavors up front and is straightforward enough to pair with just about any food, but the finish falls a bit flat.
This has soft, ripe fruit, with notes of lime and orange zest fitting easily with the ripe peach and melon flavors. This is warm, rounded and ready to drink.
Leathery berry aromas are earthy and suggest notes of cured meat and cheese. It gets tougher and more tannic the more it breathes, with black fruit, herb and spice flavors. Generous but rough in feel, it has a powerful, medium-long finish.
The fresh berry aromas are solid, and the palate is plucky and lively, with plenty of acidity to push the ripe, standard Malbec flavors of blackberry and spice. It shows some tartaric crispness and bite on the finish, but tastes right.
This smells roasted, leathery and earthy, with a mouthfeel that's solid if a bit scratchy. It delivers an intense wild-berry aroma and some of Cafayate's signature complex herbal character. Oaky vanilla and dill notes accent the finish.
A rare slip up from the talented Jaume family, this 100% Roussanne is swimming in smoky, toasty oak, with the fruit currently hidden. You could gamble on it bouncing back in 5–6 years, or just wait for the better-balanced 2010.
Briary berry and milk chocolate aromas lead to a tart, alert palate full of red berry, sour plum, vanilla and spice flavors. Juicy acidity creates a long, racy finish that brings lasting raspberry character.
This smells a bit like asphalt and peanuts. It feels angular, with plum, berry and pepper flavors. The finish is spicy, with drying tannins and a lasting leafy flavor.
Imagine all of the scents you associate with a Margherita pizza and that's what this wine smells like. The nose is leafy and full of oregano, basil and leather notes, while the flavor profile is pure tomato sauce, herb and spice. A blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Clean and varietal, with cool-site flavors of lemon and lime. Bracing acidity, and cool, green fruit throughout.
Floral, spicy, semi-oaky aromas precede a tangy, fresh, higher-acid palate with snappy raspberry and red cherry flavors. There's an abundance of pop and snap to this medium-bodied wine, and then drying woody notes to the finish.
Oak, pepper, cinnamon and clove aromas give this red a masculine, exotic edge. On the palate, cherry, tea and cinnamon flavors are likeable and easy to drink. A fun red for everyday enjoyment.
Full, roasted and earthy on the nose, with only some coconut and berry aromas to sweeten things up. Tight, level and structured in the mouth, with roasted raspberry and plum along with oaky, buttery, smoky accents that confirm the wine's “roble” designation. Good but with some excess oak to process.
Grapey and fruit-powered, this easy-drinking Cabernet drinks like a fresh Zinfandel. Strawberry fruit is at the core, with light details of leaf and mineral. A good picnic wine.
The fresh, likeable Sebeka SB starts with lively lemon, gooseberry and tropical aromas, followed by rounded flavors of fresh citrus, tropical fruit and fig. An easygoing white that pairs well with spicy cuisine, seafood.
The Grisant Pinot Gris is more full and fleshy than the winery's LEHM bottling, but still a bit one dimensional. Pleasant flavors of pear fruit, skin phenolics and light suggestions of cinnamon.
A spiced, firmly dry wine, the bitter cherry character dominant. Tannins and flavors of rhubarb, cranberries and final acidity. To taste Cabernet Franc in its purest form, look no further.
La Grenouille, the frog, is a soft, creamy wine, but with a great waft of acidity, like biting into a green apple. The citrus element is there, but it's that apple flavor and texture that dominates.
A bit rubbery and earthy at first but with time it develops, yielding syrupy berry aromas, woodsy oak notes and dried cheese. The palate feel is deep, lush and silky smooth, while it tastes of ripe berry, coconut and vanilla. Softer than some, with a lush texture that will allow for near-term drinking.
Though this is just the first vintage from the estate vineyard's Viognier grapes, it is immensely satisfying, with juicy, rich, dense flavors of limoncello and tropical fruits. Peach and papaya, mango and pineapple, all sharply defined by just enough tangy acid.
Leesy, textural, a rich mix of spring herbs, celery, lime, green fruits and melon. Though relatively low alcohol it has a lovely mix of flavors. Bracing but not at all sour. Good winemaking.
Full and rich wine, its acidity brightening peach, melon and spice flavors. It is an expressive wine characterized by its ripe fruits, intense pepper and ginger. Screwcap.
Lemelson makes a consistent lineup of single vineyard Pinots, and with a track record extending back a decade or more, the results are predictably satisfying. The Meyer has a solid core of blackberry and black cherry, highlighted with a lining of licorice, scents of dried herb and citrusy acids. Beautifully styled and riding on perfectly ripened fruit, it will be hard to keep your hands off it, but it can cellar for 5–6 more years.
Juicy as a dark plum with a raspberry chaser, this 80-case Petite Sirah gets better and better as it opens, revealing itself to be mellow and rustic, yet big and broad-shouldered. It would make the perfect pairing with a plate of cheesy pasta, meat sauce and crusty garlic bread, or anything with pancetta.
Roasted and leathery upon first impression, with a juicy, mildly astringent palate that's full up with tannins. Tastes baked and leathery, with herbal accents running alongside roasted berry flavors. Tannic grip rises up on the finish, which is clampy and hard but offers sturdy support to what is ultimately a pedigreed Catalonian blend.
Spicy and bright, this young wine nicely displays the Chehalem Mountains mix of earth, pine needle, mountain fruit and crisp tannins. It has the grip and authority to take on a big, oily, fresh-caught salmon steak.
Deep, ripe, pure black fruit aromas feature leather and oak accents. The palate has a nice feel and good balance; it's tight, minerally and deals toasty berry, snappy pomegranate and chocolaty spice. Tight as a drum and long on the finish. Drinkable now but better down the road. 65% Garnacha with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
A finely perfumed wine with aromas of white flowers and honey. The wine has the purest acidity, very citrus and grapefruit, delicious apple skins and a dancing freshness. Worth aging, but delicious now.
This is richly oaked, which may turn off some northern Rhône purists, but the underlying fruit is superb, with the toast, cedar and vanilla notes amply supported by black cherry fruit. The texture is velvety, leaving the flavors to linger softly on the finish.
Aromas of apricots, pears, go with this smooth wine. It has weight, complex acidity and fruits as well as a taut, mineral core. It feels rich, its white peach flavors giving the wine a warm final feel. Screwcap.
Coconut, smoke and sweet aromas of cola, berry jam and fine tobacco make the bouquet inviting. In the mouth, it maintains freshness due to good acidity, while the flavors of earthy blackberry and plum come across dense and right. Firm and tannic on the finish; drink from 2012–2016.
The castle of the Hardegg family is a magnificent edifice near the Czech border with Austria. The wine from the castle vineyards is concentrated and rich, hinting at vanilla with intense ripe mango and peach flavors. There is pepper, acidity and ripe fruit. Screwcap.
This, the first of 12 grades of richness in the Kracher range in 2008, is already an intense wine, with concentrated orange marmalade and honey flavors. What gives it just the right fresh lift is the lemon acidity on the refreshing finish.
Chapoutier's largest Hermitage cuvée is rich and almost fudge-like in 2007, yet at the same time isn't at all sweet or confected. Notes of sweaty leather, dried cherries and chocolate are framed by silky tannins. Drink now–2020.
A wine that needs some aging. It is restrained at the moment, holding back its rich, very textured fruit flavors, along with acidity and a core of citrus. Keep for 2–3 years. Screwcap.
A wine with an important structure, tasting very young at this stage. There is great acidity through a lovely, fragrant, forward wine. The acidity gives everything a lift of fruitiness.
As good as last year, this vintage has a subtle lemon taste that's layered with dashes of lilting lychee and fresh cantaloupe. Well integrated and pleasant, it will pair with spicy and seafood-infused foods, or go down easy on its own.
Like the winery's Gran Reserva '08, this is a saturated bomber that rides along the edge of overripeness. Aromas of baked berry, cassis, vanilla and coconut are rich and oaky. It feels tannic, with a beam of shrill acidity that props up flavors that otherwise might seem raisiny or pruney. Chocolate and wood resin tones pile up on the finish.
Dense and complex, the winery's Walla Walla Cabernet offers a beguiling nose of toast, coffee and baking spice, combining to create a scent of a liquid coffee cake. Vineyard sources are scattered throughout the Walla Walla Valley and play together well, with a mineral base under the tart, focused black fruit.
Fermented and aged in neutral oak, this mixes the richness of Chardonnay with the herbaceous tang of Sauvignon Blanc—but flavors notwithstanding, it's in fact pure Viognier. Excellent mouthfeel and structure carry the light and pretty fruit onto the finish that shows just a hint of barrel toast.
This is a difficult wine to analyze: Even after some hours of breathing time, it seems resolutely shuttered, tart and actually a bit on the thin side. Given the track record of both the producer and the vineyard, it was unexpected. Another taste on the second day showed promise. With time, the score could improve.
There's plenty of size, sweetness and fruit on the nose. It feels rich and ripe, with an exemplary weight-to-acid ratio, and it tastes juicy, fruity and friendly, with notes of black licorice and dark chocolate on the finish. A wine that properly blends Malbec's sweet and sultry sides.
The 2009 vintage was a warm, dry one in the southern Rhône, lending itself to the production of rich dessert wines like this one. Plum and chocolate notes dominate, but there's also complexity in the form of cinnamon and clove. It's full bodied and softly tannic, with lingering notes of cocoa powder and dried spice on the finish.
Focused and salinic, offering mild white-flower and peach aromas, this feels full, round, fleshy and balanced, with pithy citrus, peach and almond flavors that lead nicely to a smooth, melony finish. This is about as complex as Albariño gets.
Firm and rich, this is both structured and fruity, showing a touch of wood along with the spiced blackberry flavor. Now ready to drink, it will also age over several years.
L'Ecole consistently makes the best Chenin Blanc in the Northwest, if not the entire country. Done in an almost-dry Vouvray style, this engages the full range of varietal flavors. This has a scent of white flower and flavors of stone and citrus fruit, with overriding freshness and vitality that are heightened by the snappy, juicy acidity.
Graham cracker, raisin, earth and leather aromas announce a level of richness. It feels prune-like and saturated but not flat, with blackberry and exotic spice flavors. It qualifies as a lush, ripe specimen with a long finish that stays the course. Syrah, Cabernet and Tempranillo are the components.
Vibrant, coppery salmon in color, this lively and delightful rosé is two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvèdre, all stainless steel-fermented. Pretty watermelon and strawberry flavors are accented by streaks of cracker and mineral.
This intensely aromatic wine has perfumes of peach, apricot and ripe plum. These fruits dominate the warm, ripe palate, with just a hint of minerality.
This wine's dark berry cinnamon, blue flower and truffle aromas come together in the glass. The taut palate shows Morello cherry, cranberry and white pepper notes alongside firm acidity and somewhat grainy tannins.
Firm and tart, this is a rather light, earthy, herbal take on the grape. Its blueberry and blue plum suggestions are bound in an unyielding frame, with a whiff of rubber ball on the nose.
Floral in jasmine and apple blossom, this wine offers a solid foundation of baked apple and sizable oak, still youthfully wound up in concentrated richness. Moderate acidity helps keep things in check, as lengthy complexity comes to bear on the finish.
Winemaker Helen Masters is trying to get a bit more texture into her Sauvignon Blanc by incorporating a small portion that's been fermented on the skins. It adds a bit of richness to the already ripe flavors of fig, nectarine, melon and pineapple. Drink now.
Made in a richer marzipan-laced style, this bottling shows browned butter, butterscotch and baked apples on the nose. The palate is a tad oily with strong browned-butter and green-apple flavors, but also very balanced, with the unctuous custard elements cut by tart citrus peels.
Restrained and dusty in leathery tannin, this wine opens in the glass to unravel bold black-fruit and licorice power, offering stark succulence and moderate acidity on the palate.
An easy focus on fruit and flavor is the key to this ripe wine that is full of creamy apple and peach flavors. It is crisp, with plenty of acidity and a delicious, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a good example of a red Portuguese wine, showcasing soft, generous tannins and juicy red and blackberry fruits. It is ripe, full of fruit and rounded with a firm, dry aftertaste. Drink now.
Velvety smooth and big-boned, this wine shows crisp red fruit wrapped in tart acidity and subtle oak. Bay laurel, spearmint and green tea add savory complexity.
A firmly tannic wine with a powerful structure, this is rich and well concentrated, with a solid character that supports the generous black fruits. Juicy and with good acidity at the end, the wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
The winery calls this their “Bunny Cuvée” due to the rabbit on the label. It's well made, of fair value, with sharp details. Cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors punch through with a gentle streak of cola. The finish comes with a hint of composted earth.
This wine has weight and considerable richness. Spice and an attractive perfume meld with the blackberry fruits and juicy acidity. The Castelão grape is at home in this region, which shows in the sense of terroir in this bold wine. Drink now.
This full-bodied perfumed wine brings out ripe white and green fruits. With summer-flower aromas and plenty of acidity, it is attractive and crisply refreshing.
Pinot Gris, with its pale-pink skin, is the grape of choice in Reuilly for rosés. With a color that matches pale rosés from Provence, the wine is lightly spicy while also dry. Its balanced acidity is just right. Drink now.
Produced from 10- to 20-year-old vines, this wine is bold and fruity. It has delicious apricot and white peach fruitiness that is cut by intense zesty acidity. Its fruit and crisp texture are still young and the wine will be better from 2018.
This ripe wine from Albin Roux's estate is generous and packed with rich apricot and pear fruits. There is a steely edge to the texture, giving a final bite to the acidity of this opulent wine.
All the ripe fruit potential of a Douro red is displayed in this unoaked wine. Intense blackberry flavors are laced with fruit tannins and plenty of acidity. The young wine has a mineral edge that gives the aftertaste a fine bite. Drink now.
Espresso, French oak, exotic spice and wild berry aromas lift out of the glass. The palate shows little fruit richness, favoring instead oak-driven spice, coffee bean, clove, powdered sage and sour cherry. Grainy, astringent tannins clench the finish.
The wine goes for the herbal side of Sauvignon Blanc with its green-fruit and gooseberry flavors. There is a grassy character that gives the wine its intensely crisp acidity. Drink this wine from 2018 so it can calm down.
One of the most familiar and best situated Premier Crus, this vineyard has produced a fine and ripe wine from the fruity, crisp 2014 vintage. It's lively, bright, textured and still packed with citrus and apple fruit. Drink now.
Olive, tree bark and earthy berry and cassis aromas set up a rich palate that borders on thick and syrupy. Ripe flavors of maple, chocolate and spiced berry fruits end in a swirl of mocha, spice and creamy oak. This is far more ripe and fruity than prior vintages, which emphasized more herbal, hard-toned characteristics. Drink through 2022.
Pine resin, bay leaf and cedar aromas give depth and intriguing forest floor nuance to the tart cranberry and red flower scents on the nose of this bottling. The palate is extremely savory, with incense, damp anise and more woody spice flavors decorating the sour plum fruit. Light, energetic and extremely flavorful.
From a very good if not great Champagne vintage, this mature wine is delicious and beautifully ripe. It still has plenty of crisp acidity, allowing the fruit to shine. At the same time, a yeasty, toasty character indicates its gentle aging. After eight years in the cellar before disgorging, it is ready to drink.
Juicy, fresh and lively, this is a light-bodied effort with a big presence on the palate in terms of rich mouthfeel and velvety tannin. Blueberry, cherry and a pronouncement of forest floor play well together to offer both savory and fruit-tinged sweet.
New leather, ripe black plum, carob, baking spice and balsamic aromas jump out of the glass. The round full-bodied palate delivers mouthfuls of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and coffee set against a backbone of velvety tannins that lend a smooth, polished nuance to the firm structure. Drink through 2022.
Made from old vines grown in a field blend, this is a finely structured wine, fermented in open stone lagares. With its fine tannins, ripe black fruits and concentration, it is an impressive wine that is still aging. The black fruits and tannins will soften and broaden if the wine is kept. Drink from 2019.
The nose is a bit shy at first but eventually reveals aromas of underbrush, scorched soil, new leather, ground clove and balsamic notes. On the full-bodied palate, nuances of licorice, black pepper and flinty mineral underscore dried black cherry while assertive but refined tannins provide the framework. Drink 2021–2031.
Spicy cardamom is part of the package here, where a robust flavoring of pomegranate and wild strawberry shine brightest. Smooth and tart, this medium-bodied wine is complex in additional elements of freshly tilled soil and black tea.
Dark gold in color and mightily textured, this lovely wine is medium-bodied and salty in pear, mango an pineapple. The flavors are subdued and nuanced, finding their way within layers of acidity and refined oak.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of plum, barrel spice, incense and black cherry. The palate is rich and concentrated with blackberry flavors, backed by firm tannins that need some time to settle in. It's high on the hedonistic scale.
New leather, exotic spice, mature plum and graphite aromas come together in the glass along with menthol and a pleasantly earthy whiff of game. The smooth concentrated palate evokes dried morello cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and star anise framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2022.
Ripe berry and cassis aromas are supported by sweet oak scents and related notes of graphite, vanilla and maple. This high-end Syrah is flush, full bodied and widespread. Flavors of oak, vanilla and mocha are up to the wine's rich blackberry and cassis fruit, while a plump wide finish with smooth tannins includes doses of mocha and coffee. Drink through 2023.
Packed with ripe fruit, this wood-aged wine is dense and rich. A blend of Arinto and the Douro's local white grape, Rabigato, it is full of the ripest yellow fruits, laced through with stony minerality. The acidity and the spice from the wood give this wine its aging potential. Drink from 2019.
Situated next to the Grand Cru vineyards, this Premier Cru has produced a rich, concentrated and beautifully dense wine. Its rich, creamy texture is enhanced by bright acidity and underlying power. Touches wood aging show through in its spiciness. Drink from 2019.
This is one of the better Temecula Valley wines in recent memory, with dried blackberry, leather, tar and condensed purple flowers on the nose. There's a kiss of herbs upfront on the palate, followed by layers of tangy boysenberry, caramel and salt and pepper flavors. The structure is apparent but not in the way, and the acidity is lively.
While subdued on the nose and delicate in body, this dry yet honey-slicked wine overflows with concentration and power. Pristine, ripe grapefruit and lemon flavors flood the palate, catapulted by tart tangerine acidity and earthy touches of pollen and crushed minerals. The steely finish lingers long.
Spice comes up in the nose and on the palate, punching up the fruit and bringing with it a nutty barrel-inflected base. Black cherry and blue plum cover the core fruit flavors, with a lovely sweet concentration dead center in the midpalate. This young wine is finely crafted and clearly built to age. Drink 2018 through 2028.
Sublime texture imprints this delightful, serious wine, floral in gardenia aromas and orange blossom. A bright, lengthy acidity supports mouthwatering flavors of Meyer lemon, tangerine and wild Tahitian vanilla, combining effortlessly on the palate to wow and refresh.
Old vines and barrel fermentation have produced a singularly rich wine. Smooth, creamy and ripe with a predominance of Chardonnay, it has loads of yellow fruit reined in with plenty of acidity and crisp texture. Now just mature, it's ready to drink.
This is a true pan-Washington Syrah, with fruit coming from Discovery, Olsen, Stone Tree, Pepper Bridge, Dineen, Stoney Vine, Yellow Jacket and Boushey vineyards—all top sites rarely seen in a bottle at this price. Scents of smoke, blue and black fruit, crushed flowers, sagebrush and herb leap out of the glass, demonstrating a lot of aromatic complexity. The palate shows intensity, purity and layering.
Boysenberry, black fruit, bay leaf, plum and spice aromas are followed by intense but still well-balanced dark-fruit flavors. It stretches out on the finish, drinking extremely well now, but its best days are in front of it. Best from 2023–2030.
Smoky bacon and a bittersweet element of black tea make for an exotically spicy, complex and full-bodied wine from the mighty vineyard site overlooking the Petaluma Gap. Black cherry, pomegranate and cardamom are wrapped in a swaddling of toasted oak, while the mouthfeel is dense and concentrated.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, this is a light, ethereal and lovely sparkling wine, faintly pink in hue with high-toned, nuanced layers of red cherry and orange. This is one to enjoy on its own or at the table, picnic blanket or tailgating from the back of a truck, preferably with soft cheeses.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot. Vibrant aromas of cherry meats, raspberry, dried herb and barrel spice are followed by a fruit-forward flavorful palate backed by firm tannins. It has a high yum factor.
This wine is still young, reveling in its bright fruit and mineral texture. Drawn from Côte des Blancs vineyards, it's tight, tense and loaded with citrus fruit. With its finely crisp aftertaste, it's delicious now for its fruit but will also be great from 2020, once its toasty character develops more fully.
Sharp and focused, with fine-tuned varietal expression, this is flat out loaded with rich fruit flavors. Orange, lime, pineapple and pear can be found, all beautifully polished. It's ripe and precise without being bitter or hot, and a fine value as well.
Aged in large oak barrels, this opens with aromas suggesting toast, espresso and baking spice. The firm, concentrated palate offers tart cherry, licorice and ground clove alongside a backbone of bracing tannins.
Rugged, rustic, stalky aromas are a bit challenging. In the mouth, this is stout and tough, with hard tannins. Toasty blackberry flavors are mildly stalky and earthy, with peppery bitterness, while a firm, tight, tannic finish tastes of black peppercorn and blackberry. Drink through 2028.
Aromas of moist underbrush, saddle leather, dried herb, menthol and a whiff of game take shape in the glass. The firm palate offers raw sour cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and a hint of tobacco while close-grained tannins provide the framework and leave an astringent finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unwind then drink.
The estate belongs to the Borie family, one of the grand names of Bordeaux, with the wine making done by the team of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien. The result is an aromatic, balanced wine that is both structured and fruity. It has fine tannins, black currant fruit and a perfumed aftertaste.
A very pretty shade of pink, this blend of 89% Grenache and 11% Syrah shows crisp nectarine and peach, squeezed lime, fragrant honeydew, jasmine, strawberry ice cream, sweet onion and a green-mint twist on the dynamic nose. The palate is nicely tense, with lime rind leveling the riper peach, strawberry and watermelon flavors.
Hints of smoke on the nose dissipate with aeration to reveal a bright raspberry perfume. Full bodied and expansive on the palate, it offers up plenty of concentrated blackberry and cherry flavors. Zesty acidity leads a brisk, clean finish.
Aromas of apple, crushed stone and thyme come together on this vibrant white. The medium-bodied palate offers green pear, juicy nectarine, dried herb and flinty mineral alongside lively acidity. A note of bitter almond fills in the finish.
Inky, earthy berry aromas come with a hint of animal. This feels grabby but solid, with firm tannins. Standard plum and berry aromas are the slightest bit stalky, while flavors of roasted black fruits and coffee are bolstered by hard tannins on the finish.
Aromas of gun smoke, blue fruit and herbs are followed by palate-coating cherry and chocolate flavors. The finish is impressive.
Fresh pear notes mix with creamy hints of white flowers, there's a little pear drop, too. The palate is zesty and fresh, light and comes with the slightest, refreshing fizziness. This is light, easy and fun.
Hints of spice and marzipan accompany the mandarin fruit of this ripe, rounded, linear but dry Riesling. There is quite some power here, you can feel the edges of heat. There is serious palate weight but ample fruit: of apricot and ripe citrus.
Pristine red apple and raspberry flavors lend fresh, fruity exuberance to this classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Its fine, mouthfilling mousse and delicate pétillance are quite elegant, edged by touches of bramble and smoked nut that linger on the palate.
Made with the Albana grape, this opens with scents suggesting thyme honey, yellow stone fruit and a whiff of toasted nut. The bright, medium-bodied palate offers dried apricot, lemon drop and bitter almond while a mineral note adds energy.
Melon and apricot aromas are solid and clean. A juicy, stony, fresh palate with mixed citrus and mineral-like flavors finishes with a riot of citrusy acidity, which creates extended length.
A blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Petit Verdot, this offers aromas of toast, mature black-skinned berry, scorched earth, espresso and clove. The evolved palate delivers dried black currant, licorice, roasted coffee bean and tobacco alongside close grained tannins.
Nomes est omen: the easy joy of crunchy red, ripe cherries is embodied by this easy-drinking, peppery and fruit-driven red. Fruit abounds on the slender, spicy, fresh but generous and balanced body. What's not to like?
This wine has aromas like toasted oak and baking spices, plus flavors like rich blackberry and boysenberry jam. It's also nicely dry and has a good gripping layer of tannin in the texture.
The gentle mix of red apple and strawberry play aromatically around nose and palate. There is ample fruit and ample citrus freshness. The palate is light, dry but focused and very refreshing.
Savory notes of yeast and miso hover over the glass. The palate is of a transparent lightness, just tinged with lemon freshness and that yeasty overtone which becomes more apparent and central on the finish.
Hints of stone and fresh pear juice on a superslender, light-footed body create an immensely inviting, easy-drinking but very fruity white which has mass appeal. What's not to like? Lightness, full fruit and freshness that finishes with a moreish grapefruit-zesty lick.
Blackberry, dill, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, roasted fennel and the slightest touch of green pepper show on the nose of this well-aged bottling. Similar elements extend to the palate, where the herbal influence gives intrigue to a backdrop of blackberry and elderberry fruit. Strong acidity ensures even more life.
Plum, cherry, cassis and earth aromas are as is, with little nuance or complexity. In the mouth, this is plump, maybe a bit chunky. Quiet, ripe plum and spice flavors finish with more of the same and little to no change. Drink now.
Whiffs of talcum powder and orange blossom perfume this bright, brisk wine. Crisp white peach and melon flavors are penetrating on the palate, finishing on a clean, slightly mineral tone. Drink now through 2017.
Bright aromas of plum, herb and abundant wood spices are followed by plump, fresh dark fruit and barrel flavors backed by a light grip of gritty tannins.
Earthy, moderately complex and mature aromas of lemon peel, dried red-berry fruits and sandalwood set up a tannic palate with vitality given that this is now nine-years-old. Earthy cherry and plum flavors are uncomplicated and finish tannic, with mildly leafy berry undertones. Drink through 2018.
Layers of butter and spiced caramel accentuate the richness of this sumptuously ripe, full-bodied wine. Fresh, crisp apple and pear flavors freshen the midpalate, leading to a lingering sweet-spice finish.
Soft strawberry and cherry aromas, ripe fruit flavors and a sense of lushness make this a mouthfilling and full-bodied wine. It oozes fruit flavors that spread across the tongue and linger almost like jam on the finish.
Fresh, fruity flavors of sun-ripened blackberries contrast with savory notes of smoked nut and granite in this elegant wine. Nervy acidity and a clean, mineral edge makes it refreshing and quaffable through the summer, but it's also substantial enough to enjoy with food well into autumn.
Fairly light in the glass, this bottling shows sharp pomegranate aromas with a gunmetal edge and a touch of cracked-pepper spice. Pomegranate also arises on the palate as does orange rind, tart cherry and an intriguing potpourri and lavender element, altogether light and easy to drink.
Fresh, bright and subtly floral in flavor, this dry and medium-bodied wine combines richness with good acidity for beautiful balance and a refreshing personality. It's not too fruity, not too thin, but just right.
Crisp, steely and linear with grapefruit and pineapple flavors, this is a refreshing Pinot Gris from one of Lake County's newer sub-appellations. It's an interesting contrast to the winery's upfront and fruity Pinot Grigio. On the finish there's a hint of tree nuts.
Made from the native Pecorino grape that is being revived in central Italy, this wine offers aromas of white and yellow flowers accompanied by citrus notes. The palate delivers flavors of pineapple, tangerine peel, lemon zest and a hint of butterscotch.
This easy-drinking blend of Montepulciano, Merlot and Sangiovese opens with aromas of scorched earth and prune that carry over to the palate alongside flavors of raspberry and licorice. It's already reached its ideal drinking window, so enjoy soon.
The lightly floral, soapy aroma of this wine shows some varietal character. The palate is buttressed with flavors of talc and a wash of rose water. The complexity stops there, and this seems to be a wine that should be consumed within the first year or two.
Ripe and fruity, this is an attractive wine. It has a rich, spicy character from wood aging. It has a friendly, open character, making it ready to drink now.
This wine is quite closed at this stage with dark tannins and a firm texture. The dry edge obscures attractive fruitiness, finishing with acidity and freshness.
This is an attractively fruity wine that has just the right tannic structure, solid berry fruits and good acidity. It's a wine that is developing well and is ready to drink now.
This wine is very juicy with fruit, but also exhibits a strong mineral element that adds texture and tightness. With acidity prominent, it seems to be a wine that will always be taut and firm.
This wine is firm, solid and strongly tannic in nature. Juiciness is there, along with wood aging, spice and some concentration. The acidity is very present and needs to soften over the next year. Drink from 2015.
This blend of Incrocio Manzoni, Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto opens with tutti frutti aromas of ripe banana, pineapple and pear that carry over to the palate, along with mango. The savory palate also has a certain salinity that restrains the exuberant fruit.
Fresh and crisp, this is a blend of perfumed Musaketeller, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and spicy Welschriesling. It is light, very fruity and has an attractive lemon-zest character. Screwcap.
Intense smoke and crushed-stone notes linger from start to finish on this distinctly mineral beerenauslese, adding a savory tone to luscious honey and lemon flavors. Zesty lime and lemon notes offset sweetness on the palate, finishing with a touch of puckering astringency.
Field notes of clover and herbs lend spice and roughness to the bouquet. This is strong on the palate, with herbal-leaning plum and berry flavors. Hard, peppery spice notes ride high on an herbal tasting and juicy feeling finish.
This is a fresh and fruity wine, flavored with creamed apple and pears. There is the merest hint of pepper here to give spice and to bring out the bright acidity at the end. The wine could hold a year, but is ready to drink now.
Whiffs of smoke and crushed stone lend a mineral edge to this dry, full-bodied Riesling. The palate is fairly straightforward, but crisp and bright, with grapefruit acidity and a swathe of savory herbs that would match well with herb-accented Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
This is a ripe, fruity wine with rich strawberry flavor. Light tannins and just the right amount of acidity make it fresh, juicy and already attractive.
Here's a pretty Pinot Grigio that offers a heady fragrance of white flowers and Granny Smith apple. On the palate, this offers creamy green apple and pear flavors, uplifted by fresh acidity.
Spicy with leather undertones, this softly textured wine is dusty on the palate and laced with red fruit.
Deep in color and lushly scented, this wine speaks of moist earth, dark chocolate and black cherry. While the start is promising, the palate falters a bit as the wine thins out and quickly loses its fruit.
A blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot and Cabernet, this offers aromas of cherry-berry and dessert spices that carry over to the palate, along with a licorice note. It's ripe and round but also a bit tired, with a drying, tannic finish.
Cedar, violet and red forest fruit aromas start this complex and stately red. On the palate, cherry, plum and pepper prevail. A classic wine with potential in the cellar.
From the highest-elevation spot within the producer's Conn Creek vineyard, this wine is sticky and grippy in coffee, red cherry and billowing tannins that reach a soft, round approachability. The finish is part chocolate, part vanilla, both in proportion and in balance, the wine ultimately full of grace.
The aromas are generous, with notes of spice box, blue and purple fruit, pencil lead, barrel spice and vanilla. It's silky and sumptuous, showing a pleasing sense of texture and an extended finish.
This wine is 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from Cold Creek and Four Feathers vineyards. Designed with the specific intent of aging, brooding aromas of blue and red fruit, earth and spice lead to a saturated seamless palate. It drinks beautifully now, but should have a long life in front of it. Best after 2022.
Perfumed in smoky oak, this 100% varietal wine is nuanced and well rounded. Expressive in dark, brooding flavors of baked cherry and cedar, it has a persistent, gritty texture that impresses through the spicy, peppery end.
This ripe, boldly made wine offers a rich tease of Dr Pepper that pleases the palate, before complex characteristics takes over. Black tea, forest floor, currant and spicy acidity are memorably interwoven with dense black fruit.
This Gironde-inspired blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon is solid now, but will be far more interesting in the years to come. Aromas of wet slate and wet wool meet with Pink Lady apples and green, grassy meadows on the nose. The mineral-focused palate shows graphite and steel touches, with angular grass tones that lead into a warmed touch of toast on the finish. Drink 2018–2025.
Savory aromas of black pepper, leather and sandalwood provide depth to the core mulberry fruit on this clonal selection. Rounded flavors of black plums and dark berries are lifted by sagebrush, dried ginger and Christmas spice on the palate that offers layers and layers of depth.
Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this opens with scents of violet, perfumed berry, crushed herb and a whiff of tilled earth. The bright elegant palate conveys raspberry, cherry, licorice and cinnamon framed in firm, refined tannins. Drink 2019–2026.
A pithy tangerine aroma meets with yellow melon, sharp lemon and lime rinds, oak shavings and yeasty toast on the nose of this bottling by Christian Roguenant. There is a sharpness to the palate, with strong acidity and a grippy texture framing margarita-like flavors of salt and citrus.
Aromas suggesting ripe berry, espresso, pressed rose and a whiff of camphor slowly take shape. The palate is focused but still extremely tight, offering morello cherry, dried sage and a hint of dark spice alongside assertive close-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Give the tannins several more years to unclench then drink.
Quite light in color with almost an orange hue, this wine brings exuberant aromas of white pepper, fresh herb, red fruit, stem, smoked meat and potpourri. The palate is light, elegant and transparent in style with vibrant fruit, spice and savory flavors that linger on the extended finish and kick it up a notch. The oak influence is dialed way back. It delivers a lot of enjoyment on its own but should really sing at the dinner table.
Underbrush, truffle, baking spice, leather and tobacco aromas segue over to the smooth full-bodied palate along with raspberry jam, licorice and clove. Seasoned polished tannins provide elegance and structure. Drink through 2027.
Rose, violet, crushed mint and red-berry scents mingle together in the glass. On the tight palate, bright acidity and taut fine-grained tannins frame cherry, strawberry, star anise and dried herb. It's a great introduction to this classic vintage. Drink 2021–2028.
Leaving Bordeaux for the Médoc, this is the first estate along the road. The wine is structured and firm, with some solid tannins as well as generous blackberry fruit. The wood aging and spice balance the blueberry and blackberry fruits. The wine should age well; drink from 2021.
The Bordeaux outpost of the Jackson family winery has produced a rich wine in this vintage. It is structured with swathes of ripe black fruits. The tannins promise some serious aging for this complex ripe wine with its solid texture. Drink from 2023.
Dark mulberry, black raspberry, wet slate and a touch of whole nutmeg show on the nose of this bottling by a Chicago-based winery from a vineyard that now goes by the name Shokrian. It's dry and tart on the sip, full of sour wild berries along with lots of sage and thyme, culminating in a cola and candied-plum finish.
Lush and generous, this is textbook Condrieu from the appellation's largest producer. Subtle ginger notes add an exotic edge to the ripe apricot, mango and lychee flavors, then persist on the long finish. Drink now–2018.
Hefty tannins are resolved into a velvety texture by the intense fruit and cedar flavors in this full-bodied, beautifully made wine. Notes like blueberry, dark chocolate and cocoa powder coat the palate and linger on the finish. It's thick and tannic in mouthfeel, but those tannins feel rounded and generous.
Fresh aromas of salty lemon cream, wet slate and riverstones, as well as a touch of slightly sour yogurt, show on the nose of this bottling from the vineyard named after Fess Parker's daughter, who now runs much of the company. The lively palate combines squeezes of citrus with a creamy mouthfeel that offers hints of nuts and orangesicle. It's a very cohesive wine.
Aromas show new leather, iris, balsamic notes and aromatic herb. Elegant and structured, the smooth taut palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of licorice set against tightly knit polished tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it a few more years to let it bloom into a beauty.
The 4% Viognier shows prominently, with perfumed aromas of fresh flowers and orange peel out in front of plum, purple fruit and smoked meat. The fruit flavors are sweet and saturated, with the dial turned way up. It brings a sense of deliciousness that is impossible to ignore.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Cabernet Franc. Brooding aromas of blackberry, black currant, herb and spice lead to rich ripe hedonistic black-fruit flavors that bring a compelling sense of texture. It's not shy, but for those looking for a big bold ripe wine, this one's for you.
The aromas are quite reserved, with notes of cherry, herb, smoke and graphite. The black-fruit flavors, in contrast, are rich and full, bringing a sense of hedonism. It brings plenty of appeal now but should bring even more if the aromas open up.
Like all of Movia's red wines, the Modri Ceglo is herbaceous on the nose and palate, with hints of menthol and bramble adding complexity to the crisp red-fruit flavors. The palate is ripe, silken and elegantly structured, with brisk acidity and whispers of graphite, soy and brine that linger long on the finish.
Made from Kiona Vineyards fruit, this Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon has the dark fruit and the dense tannins one might expect. But that meaty power is leavened by natural acidity. A highlight of orange peel accents the deep flavors of cassis and smoke. It turns a little chalky at the tail end.
Full, rich and round, this is packed with ripe yellow-fruit flavors, layered with toast. It bears a spice note, delicious acidity and a concentrated, open finish. Let it age for 2–3 years, but it is also enjoyable now.
Rich yet structured, this village wine from Meursault is made in a taut, tight style. Its acidity pushes through the toast flavor, which creates a nervy texture. Ready to drink  in 1–2 years.
Always extremely popular, this Southern Rhône-style six-grape blend is especially noteworthy in 2011. It's a powerful wine that has a broad array of red and purple fruits, plus penetrating focus. This is juicy, forward and immediately delicious, and it also has the structure to age, perhaps surprisingly well.
Powerful and finely structured, this rich wine has swathes of red plum and red berry flavors that balance the core of solid tannins. It shows the ripe fruit and structure of the vintage. Age this for 2–3 years.
Rich, round and complex, this is full of ripe red-berry flavors. The acidity drives the solid tannins and firm structure. The wine has the approachability of Beaune, but it can also be aged for 4–5 years.
Smooth and rich, this generous selection is full of ripe fruit and balanced tannins. It shows the elegant side of village wines. With delicious acidity on the finish, this wine can be consumed soon, although it will also age well for several years.
This wine emits details of iron and citrus rind along with somewhat stark, tight fruit flavors that are often associated with Red Mountain Syrah. Racy and bracing, this will improve with 1–2 more years in the bottle.
Although it has a delicate structure, that feels almost lace-like on the palate, this light-bodied Riesling bursts with concentrated ripe peach and apricot flavors. Semisweet in style, this has vibrant acidity and an oyster-shell- and stone-like minerality that lingers on the long finish.
This is one unabashedly bold, brawny wine that's full of rich red fruit and milk chocolate. Bright herbal and floral tones add an unusual freshness to this Croatian Plavac Mali. Intense, penetrating tannins frame the long, mocha-flavored finish.
This Southern Rhône-style blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault opens with a lovely nose of violet and blue fruit scents. The fruit flavors are joined by a layer of wet stone, which adds some heft to the wine's foundation. Sleek and tangy, this can be consumed young, or it can be aged for several more years.
Oaky notes of chocolate-drizzled raspberries and chocolate pudding are supported by juicy black cherry and plum fruit flavors. Full-bodied and a bit tight with assertive tannins and a long, drying finish. Try now if you like 'em big or give it a year or two to mellow out.
An oversupply of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has led to bargains like this wine, which delivers nectarine and white grapefruit flavors in a medium-bodied format. It's plump on the palate, then turns zippy and citrusy on the finish.
Bone dry, almost shockingly so, but with the freshest acidity and crispest pure apple and citrus fruit. The flavor is tight, with intense fruitiness. Screwcap.
Gunn Estate's 2009 is on the green side of things, offering hints of asparagus on the nose before balancing those out nicely with white grapefruit flavors. Despite the herbal overtones, it actually seems richly weighty on the palate before turning citrusy on the finish.
Made in a round, soft style, this is an atypically mouthfilling Sauvignon filled with notes of nectarines, honey and ripe citrus. It's a summer crowd-pleaser for the beach crowd.
This wine features a unique combination of stone fruit, citrus and chili pepper, making it a treat to pair with piquant dishes like ceviche. It's medium-bodied, but with plenty of freshness and zest on the finish.
A hint of stuck flint adds a touch of complexity, but this is basically a simple, fruity Sauvignon, imbued with ample passion fruit flavor. A hint of green herbs comes in on the finish.
Aromas of tree bark, vanilla and herbs mix with peppery red fruit scents, while the palate is comfortable and herbal, with plum and dry oak notes. Peppery on the finish, and overall this is a nice but standard Chilean Cabernet that should strike most as being familiar.
Honeyed in apple, pear and mango, this is a tightly wound, full-bodied wine, voluptuous and quite ripe in style.
Round, creamy apple aromas open things up. This is melony and soft in feel, with flavors of cider, lemon and lychee. A tropical-leaning finish is solid but suggestive of a wine in decline. Drink immediately.
This wine has a sun-dried quality to the grapes, which are moderately exuberant in cherry and leathery earth. It's lean, dry and robustly tannic.
This Serbian 100% Portuguiser offers scents of dried cherry, dried herbs and fresh tarragon, and follows up with tastes of red plum and dried strawberry.
This Grenache-based cuvée is medium-bodied and crisp in feel. Black cherries and chocolate mingle easily on the palate, but the wine finishes dry and astringent. Serve with rare beef or lamb for best enjoyment.
Minerally cherry and raspberry aromas are as crisp as the black volcanic soil this varietal Listán Negro comes from. Bright in color, juicy and aggressive on the palate, with candied cherry flavors that are short on complexity, this Canary Islands wine tastes of berry residuals and brown sugar on the finish.
This wine packs a playful nose, with strawberry, plum blossoms, crushed cloves, cedar and a touch of vanilla proving quite inviting. The palate is light, ripe and drinkable, if not very complex, with flavors of strawberry jam, licorice and milk chocolate.
This entry-level wine from Domaine Fouassier is produced on limestone soil, giving a crisp, bright and lightly herbal wine. It is clean and clear, packed with citrus and gooseberry flavors. The aftertaste continues the fresh, fruity character.
The name Tradition in Loire terms often means no wood aging. This wine is certainly all fruit: 75% Gamay and 25% Pinot Noir, from the small area of Chateaumeillant south of Sancerre. The grapes give a juicy, red cherry and berry-flavored wine that's fresh and light. After nearly four years, it is ready to drink.
The vineyard of the Giennois is close to the city of Orléans, making it the most northerly Loire vineyard. This wine with its cool, fresh character has a light tannic character and brings out red fruits as its biggest attraction. It has a fresh, crisp, juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
The 24-acre Domaine Curot is at Thauvenay close to the Loire. This wine is attractive and soft. Apples and ripe pears dominate, with a fresh citrus streak. It's ready to drink.
This delicious, sweet and fruit-driven wine smells like pineapple and honey. It tastes full bodied, very ripe and unctuous, and has a long, lingering finish. It will be great with salty cheeses and toasted nuts.
Soft baking-spice notes mesh with vanilla, red currants, dark chocolate and cranberry on the nose of this bottling. There's a cinnamon and nutmeg spice to the palate, where hibiscus, more cranberry and red cherry also shows.
It's fun to try this wine from an Italian grape variety that is rare in California. It tastes unusually lean and tangy, with earthy aromas. Dry and taut on the palate, it has a mineral or metallic tinge to the rather austere fruit flavors.
Red-fruit aromas come with a hint of animal, something that's not uncommon to Bobal. An expansive palate is mildly abrasive, while chunky plum flavors end with heat and skins-driven bitterness
Unctuous and made in a robust style, this wine offers a taste of caramel apple and hazelnut, with the illusion of sweetened oak amid a persistent finish.
Reduced and thickly concocted, this wine overpowers in big tannin and oak. The fruit presents a mix of cherry and cassis wrapped in dark chocolate, burly and a good fit for the power thirsty.
From sandy soil above the banks of the Cher river, this wine has crisp citrus and clean, bright white berry and lime flavors. There's a refreshing herbal aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a perfumed, fruity wine. Along with its fresh acidity, crisp apple texture and touches of lemon, it offers a tang of orange zest as well as touches of minerality from the gravelly soil of the vineyard. Drink now.
This informal red opens with aromas of violet, berry and a whiff of sawdust. The simple, fleeting palate offers dried black cherry and a hint of dark spice alongside grainy tannins that lead into an astringent, abrupt finish.
This big, ripe, well-oaked and very firm textured wine could be paired with equally big proteins. It has generous blackberry and black-cherry flavors. Overt tannins give a drying sensation, especially on the finish.
A medium build and managed acidity combine for a crowd-pleasing wine that will satisfy in melon, lime and vanilla. The oak is never obtrusive or unsupportive of the whole.
This is the winery's first bottling of Malbec from this up-and-coming vineyard. Woodspice, cedar and mushroom aromas are followed by seemingly dried-out cherry flavors that trail toward the finish.
Quite ripe in style, this wine packs a bevy of white flower aromas, from jasmine to tuberose, as well as fleshy yellow pears. There is solid sizzle in the glass once sipped, but the honeysuckle prominence, ripe peach and powerful orange-blossom flavors dominate.
The wine is fresh, so crisp and fruity. Its red currant fruit and lively acidity are rounded out by a caramel flavor that gives richness. The aftertaste though is dry and packed with fruit. Drink now.
Floral plum and horsey aromas comprise the nose on this multigrape blend led by Bobal. A grabby palate exhibits raw, tough tannins, while plum and berry flavors finish rugged.
A perfumed wine, this offers fresh apple and light spice flavors and considerable acidity. It is light and fruity, with a crisp lemon-zest flavor at the end. The vineyard of the Giennois is close to the city of Orléans, making it the most northerly Loire vineyard. Drink now.
Light, fresh aromas of tomato and plum are gritty. This feels round for the most part, with rubbery tannins. Medicinal, slightly minty plum and berry flavors end with acceptable rawness and a latex note.
Cherry and plum, chocolate and peppery herbs combine here in a well-structured wine with some years of life ahead. Aged in one-third new French oak for 11 months, it will reward decanting or aeration if you are drinking it in the next year or two.
This wine has a bouquet of raspberry, tart cherry and menthol. A medley of fruit and cooling herb flavors—in particular black cherry, cassis, mint and menthol with a hint of juniper berry—fills the mouth. Tannins are smooth and soft and the bright finish is marked with a touch of menthol.
Seductively tart in lemon pith, cranberry and pomegranate, this refreshing, light-bodied quaff is infinitely enjoyable, both on its own or at the table. It continues to expand on the palate into an increasing array of fresh flavors, finishing in cherry and orange.
Underbrush, dried mushroom, ripe dark-skinned fruit and cake spice aromas lead the nose on this accessible, robust red. The warm, hearty palate offers dried black cherry steeped in spirits, licorice and the heat of evident alcohol. Velvety tannins provide the setting.
The flint soil behind this wine gives it a stony, smoky character that is allied to the mineral texture. It's a ripe wine, still young with pure fruit and an intense acidity. The wine needs to age, so drink from 2018.
This Bordeaux-style blend offers reserved aromas of cedar, dried herbs and cranberries, vanilla and woodspice. The dark-fruit and spice flavors are retrained and elegant, possessing a sense of balance.
Blueberries and black cherries meet with rose petals, dark chocolate, brown spice and black tea on the nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard. The mouthfeel is soft with creamy tannins that grow grippier across the sip, showing cedar, black-cherry mousse, baking spice and a tinge of acidity.
This blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec shows umami-driven notes of beef char and campfire on the fairly tight nose, along with condensed violets and black cherry. Grippy tannins contain the palate, where layers of herbs, black fruits, asphalt, roast-beef char and blueberry pie show strongly.
Bursts of pink grapefruit and peach brighten this light-footed semidry Riesling. It's mouthwatering and juicy, intensified by streaks of lemon-lime acidity that extend a lingering finish.
Richly layered, the nose offers pan-fried apples, butter, vanilla, cinnamon brioche, fleshy peach and roasted nuts. The palate is action-packed with brown spice, juicy lemons and ripe cherimoya, bound by prominent acidity. Be forewarned that the wine grows overripe hours after opening.
Lush in winemaker Brian Loring's preferred style, this wine shows roasted cashews, seared lemons and baked apples on the nose. There's a walnut-oil quality to the palate, which is chewy and fat but not overreaching, with touches of tonic, cinnamon and caramel.
Crisp, flinty minerality shows on the nose of this wine, before a more concentrated experience of baked apple and crème brûlée enriches the palate. Both aspects find harmony in the glass, especially on the long, textured finish.
Bright aromas of apricot, pear, botrytis and jasmine are followed by medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors, backed by vibrant acidity.
Made with 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Sangiovese and 5% Petit Verdot, this offers aromas of black cherry, leather and green bell pepper. The firm palate shows mature plum, vanilla and cedar alongside tightly wound tannins.
This wine is muted and still youthful, a blend of mostly Cabernet with 13% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah and 1% Cabernet Franc. Pencil lead and dust fight for attention around big, bittersweet tannin and tobacco, not sure whether or not to let the black currant and cassis shine through.
Aromas of freshly baked bread, toast and melon are soft and welcoming. This Pinot Noir-led Cava feels plump, with moderate acidity. Flavors of melon, quince and pear finish mild, with only a bit of kick.
Dried black-skinned fruit, spice, violet and game aromas take shape on this easy-drinking wine. On the round palate, savory notes of white pepper, truffle and clove accent the juicy black cherry core while polished tannins provide the backdrop. Drink through 2017.
Juicy and smoky with a taste of tar, this full-bodied wine is soft and integrated in terms of oak. Black cherry, blackberry and strawberry play on the palate against measured acidity and weight.
Smoothly voluptuous, this is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah and 5% Merlot. Leather, red fruit, cigar and syrup combine to full-bodied effect, ending in a thickness of structure and power.
A heavily charred opening emphasizes surface-level oak and baking spices more than fruit. A heavy, jabbing, grabby palate tastes herbal, with stewed berry and prune flavors. A burnt-oak flavor and severe tannins are found on the finish of this muscled-up Tempranillo. Drink through 2020.
This Hungarian rosé is a blend of 33% Kékfrankos, 22% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 5% Pinot Noir and 3% Syrah. It has aromas of strawberries, freshly sliced apple and fresh cherry juice. It flavors are those of bright cherry and red raspberry with a pleasant tartness on the finish.
Dark cherry red in color, this blend of Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Tempranillo features a bouquet of cherry with a hint of green pepper. Flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, orange peel and spearmint are set in a web of soft tannins that fully announce themselves at the mouth-coating, minty finish.
From White Hawk Vineyard near Los Alamos, this wine has a nose that is both edgy with tangerine rind and ripe with warmer crème brûlée notes. The palate plays the same trick, welcoming with broad white peach, Japanese pear and vanilla-cream flavors, yet clinging to a zesty line of lime pith throughout.
Dark red-violet in the glass, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Grenache has a nose of black cherry, green pepper and cocoa. It may be a little too cool for some tastes, but bright fruit and slightly luxurious tannins make up for the fennel and eucalyptus flavors that are joined on the palate by cherry, pomegranate and orange zest. The smooth finish goes completely cool for a second but winds up in a burst of bright fruit.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, this has aromas of red currant, green bell pepper and clove. The bright palate delivers cassis, cedar and espresso framed in polished tannins.
Here's an easygoing red that opens with aromas of rose water, wild berry and aromatic herb. Made entirely with Sangiovese, the palate offers ripe dark cherry, raspberry and savory herb, while live acidity and polished tannins provide support.
Partly aged in wood, this ripe, full wine has rich cherry fruits and some balanced tannins. It's a structured wine while also juicy and with good acidity. It needs to age another few months, so drink from the end of 2017.
Made from a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Alicante, 10% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of black currant, bell pepper and clove. The palate offers mature black cherry, ginger and a hint of vanilla while firm tannins grip the finish.
Delicately fragrant, this opens with scents of chopped herb, elderflower, hay and citrus. On the crisp palate, a hint of vanilla underscores peach and grapefruit while a light mineral note backs up the finish.
Spanish broom, dried lychee, aromatic Mediterranean herb and balsamic notes are just some of the aromas of this multifaceted wine. The linear palate shows compelling depth, delivering layers of mature yellow apple, Bartlett pear, thyme, salvia and energizing mineral alongside still-bright acidity. This wine could go on for another several years at least. Drink through 2021.
Intensely aromatic, this is Oregon Pinot at its most lush. Seductive scents lead into lengthy, balanced flavors of cherry and red plum, highlighted with green tea and tobacco notes. Tannins are smooth and proportionate, and the overall structure suggests aging this wine through 2025–2030.
This is rich, full of spicy fruit, apricot juice and white peaches. The fruits are topped by an unctuous honey character that pushes the wine towards sweetness while keeping a fresh flavor in the background. Drink from 2017.
Dark violet-red in color, this is a blend of 40% Petite Sirah, 35% Petit Verdot and 25% Shiraz. A bouquet of cherry, violet and mesquite lay the groundwork for a winning mélange of savory fruit flavors—think cherry, strawberry, smoke, flint, jasmine and orange peel. Smooth tannins lead the way to an orange-rind finish, with a hint of smoke and a slight umami feeling on the palate.
Aromas of blue flower, wild berry, a hint of leather and brimstone lead the nose on this full-bodied wine. The palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry, grilled herb, oak, mineral and a hint of vanilla alongside firm, polished tannins that need to unwind. Drink 2017–2022.
There's a touch of forest floor funk on this wine, but the nose also shows lots of stewed black cherries, chemise and mint-chocolate chip. The palate is deep and rich but not overly ripe, with raspberry and elderberry fruit cut by herbal seasonings of oregano, thyme, marjoram and mint.
A complete wine in every way, this limited (three barrel) reserve opens with solid bass notes of thick wood and dark fruit. That platform of black cherry and cassis is adorned with light touches of pepper, vanilla, mocha and the streak of iron that seems to characterize many McMinnville wines. Drink 2015 through 2030.
There's something special about this Zin, given a handful of Petite Sirah for aromatic depth. It opens with supple, high-toned raspberry and cherry before delving into a layering of dusty, cinnamon spice. Juicy, alive and fresh, it delivers a cherry-vanilla finish.
This is a rich wine, labeled sweet but with a firm core of dryness that gives considerable texture. It reveals pure, ripe fruits coming from the biodynamically grown grapes, adding to a depth of flavor. It's ready for some good aging, so wait to drink until 2017.
Pretty red fruit leads the nose on this blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, along with brown spices, anise and chopped herbs. The forest flavors are strong, with pine sap and eucalyptus, as riper boysenberry fruit emerges with chopped oregano and thyme.
This vineyard, first planted in 1982, was recently acquired by Jason Lett. A steely, earthy core provides the spine, wrapped in tart red currant fruit. Firm and focused, it's a multi-dimensional effort that still shows well after being open for three full days. Berries, smoke, dark chocolate, a whiff of curry and a saline finish are all in play.
This wine comes from a partnership between winemaker David Galzignato of Jada Winery in Paso Robles, and Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery in Healdsburg. A devotion to Sauvignon Blanc, it succeeds with this sophisticated expression of lemon chiffon and mandarin orange that's bright and complex. With two handfuls of Sémillon to the mix, it's medium in body and length, with just the slightest suggestion of caramel-vanilla oak.
The curtain rises to smooth, lightly balsamic aromas of blackberry, black cherry and cedar. On the tongue, this Malbec is plush, smooth, chewy and a touch creamy. Elevated berry, mocha and vanilla flavors are oaky but not overdone. The finish is pure, succinct and deep, with lasting black-fruit echoes. Drink through 2019.
Toasted oak and caramel apple mark the entry of this wine, from a coveted and steady source of Carneros fruit. Lush and hedonistic in Golden Delicious apple and pear, it retains a core of minerality throughout, finishing clean and bright.
This beautiful wine is already so balanced and ripe. Rich tropical and yellow fruits are lightly spiced and given a lift with the acidity. Along with that, it offers a more complex texture and mineral character. Drink from 2017.
The aromatics immediately capture your attention, mixing baking spices with fennel, wet rock, and ginger cake. Compact, young, fresh fruit flavors suggest pomegranate, wild raspberry and very tart cherries. This is an acid-lover's wine, with the structure to age for decades.
Wonderfully floral, this wine is rich while also having great fruits, a fresher edge and tannins that caress. From the Croft home vineyard, it shows fullness and structure. The aftertaste is so fruity and fragrant, it's almost drinkable now. Wait, though, until 2020.
A medley of pretty aromas, including blue flower, perfumed berry, carob and Mediterranean herb all mingle in the glass. On the smooth, almost creamy palate, savory notes of clove, orange zest, white pepper and licorice add depth to the juicy blackberry core, while polished tannins provide the framework.
Dark violet-red in color, this wine has aromas of black cherry, lavender and confectioner's sugar. Cool and bright notes play off each other, with flavors of ripe black cherry, anisette, cranberry and sage. Soft tannins lead to a finish that is long-lasting but doesn't overstay its welcome.
The 2011 Mate's Vineyard appears to have more focus and drive than the Hunting Hill, but fewer curves. Toasted nuts garnish pineapple and tangerine fruit, while the finish is long, tight and richly textured. This should be long-lived by New Zealand Chardonnay standards; drink now–2022.
Named after the lords of Hattstatt—a word that evolved to Hatschbourg—this wine comes from selected grapes. It's a medium sweet, rich wine with a smooth structure and opulent texture. Lychees and yellow fruits are cut with lime acidity to balance ripeness and freshness. It's a wine to age, drink from 2018.
Golden hay in color, this fragrant, vineyard-designated estate wine offers floral jasmine on the nose before delving into notes of minerality and savory herb. Substantial on the palate without becoming overbearing, it's both elegant and memorable.
Flush on the nose, this huge, modern Rioja is loaded with cassis, blackberry and cola aromas. The palate is bold, tannic and flush, with fierceness playing off against lushness. Savory blackberry, hickory and controlled saltiness drive the flavor profile toward a roasted, spicy, blackened finish that's rugged and suggests a long life for this wine. Drink 2016–2024.
Seductively rich and powerful but also refined, this opens with aromas of ripe berry, orange zest, exotic spice and leather. The firm, juicy palate delivers crunchy red cherry, crushed raspberry, anise, mineral and pipe tobacco alongside polished tannins. Drink 2016–2032.
The winery's reserve-level bottling, this has the extra concentration to warrant the designation. Tart young berry/cherry fruit carries the brunt of the midpalate. The barrel treatment is delicately balanced, bringing in nuances of toast, coconut and almond. Very well made, and cellarworthy. Drink now through 2025.
Densely colored and nearly opaque in the glass, this offers aromas of black cherry syrup, strong black licorice and chicory, with lifting scents of chopped herbs and black pepper. It's velvety and dense on the palate, with purple and dark red fruits, black herbs and an even tannic grip.
Graphite, lemon peel, cedar and blackberry aromas are lusty and high in quality. A flashy, fresh, slick mouthfeel is the perfect vessel for toasty, dark blackberry, coconut, vanilla and mocha flavors. The mocha note persists on the finish, which is juicy and fresh but also thick and chewy. Drink through 2018.
Aromas of dark berry, mineral, blue flower and leather come together in the glass. The structured palate offers black cherry, coffee, oak, licorice and grilled Mediterranean herb alongside assertive tannins that need to unwind. It ends on a mineral note. Drink 2017–2025.
This is a classically crafted wine made by one of Montepulciano's most historic estates. It has an alluring bouquet of violet, rose petal, cassis and nutmeg. The palate delivers an intense wild-cherry flavor layered with white pepper and cinnamon, all impeccably balanced by firm tannins and vibrant acidity. Caffo Beverages Inc, Kiwi Distributing.
This savory wine has earthy and fruity fragrances of underbrush, spice and plum. The palate delivers a lush dark cherry flavor, accented by white pepper, cinnamon and licorice spice. With its fresh acidity and firm but elegant tannins, this has complexity and modest aging potential.
This powerful, concentrated wine hails from the steep granite slopes of the Sommerberg. It is packed with both acidity and structured white fruits and citrus. The wine is textured with great depth of flavor, the acidity streaking right through the wine. It needs aging over at least 5–6 years.
This is a potent brew with complexities galore, but there's also a simplicity about it that's appealing. Its raw size is bracing, but the structure and fabric of this Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon scream balance. Aromas of lead pencil, sawdust, coconut and brandied cherries introduce briary dark-berry flavors. A long, minty, power-packed finish says lay this down for a few years; drink from 2014–2020.
The last Altos that was this good came in 2004; this vintage is on a par with that superb wine courtesy of deep plum, mocha and marzipan aromas. This is a modern Rioja with impeccable balance despite being huge and tannic. Flavors of cassis, black cherry and dark plum operate off a mocha base, while the finish is toasty and chocolaty, with a note of black coffee. Best from 2015–2024.
This is the epitome of a dark, strapping, modern wine from an Old World region. Coffee, mocha and spicy yet smooth black-fruit aromas precede a rich, racy, agile feeling palate, with toasty flavors of berry fruits, licorice, mocha and espresso. Mint and licorice flavors combine with firm tannins and heat on the finish. Hold until 2015, then drink through 2023.
Made from selected barrels, this reserve wine is serious, dark and dense. It's strongly influenced by the richness of the blackberry and dark plum fruit flavors that roll through the firm structure giving waves of richness. Keep this impressive wine and drink from 2018.
Wood-aged wine, showing both spice and ripe tropical fruits. Mango and pineapple combine with vanilla and coconut milk to give a full, rich wine, though with Sauvignon Blanc's fresh acidity. Age for 2–3 years.
Dense leather, cola and wild berry aromas comprise the bouquet on this massive, layered, suprememly rich Tempranillo. Core blackberry, cassis and blueberry flavors are incredibly ripe, while chocolate and prune flavors carry the finish. This is a thick, dense wine squarely made in the modern style. Drink through 2020.
As its name suggests, Tradizionale is classically crafted. Aged in large French casks, this has alluring fragrances of violet, plum and black pepper, while the palate delivers black cherry and tobacco flavors layered with carob notes. It's nicely balanced, with soft tannins and fresh acidity.
New wood aromas give this very fine wine a firm start in life. It also shows rich blackberry fruits, dark plums and a solid, tannic character. Dense and concentrated with a smooth surface hiding a much firmer core. A serious wine  needing aging.
Nothing but excellence emanates from the nose of this cool, crisp, focused Tempranillo. The mouthfeel is currently young and tannic, but the wine's structure is just right and its future is bright. Flavors of licorice, spice and blackberry lead to a lively finish with flavors of mocha, chocolate and fine herbs. Best from 2014–2024.
This compelling Monument Tree Pinot offers a sauvage earthiness, layers of red cherry and blueberry fruit and a depth of character packaged deftly around its silky smooth texture. This is a knockout wine, a testament to the power of great farming and winemaking in a cool year.
Firmly in the style of the vintage, this is dense, full-bodied Cornas, with plenty of fruit. Intense plum, coffee and black olive notes dominate, while the tannins are ripe and plush. Believe it or not, this is actually drinkable now, yet should age easily through at least 2025.
Sure, it starts out a bit toasty and cedary, but that wood will surely integrate with the potent plummy, meaty fruit given a few years' time. It's full bodied and a bit coarsely textured for the moment, but finishes long and will clearly benefit from cellaring. Drink 2018–2025.
Damo has earthy fragrances of tobacco leaf, underbrush and truffle, along with notes of raspberry and spice. The palate shows ripe black cherry, vanilla and sweet spice flavors, as well as a hint of licorice. This has nice depth and balance, but will be more complex after 2017.
Whiffs of pine forest lend a pristine alpine feel to this bold dry Riesling. The palate is concentrated, with sun-streaked tones of pineapple and peach balanced by bristling lemon-lime acidity. The finish is moderately long with a lingering honeycomb note.
Sangiovese is still rather rare in the Walla Walla Valley, but if this is any indication of the potential, it should become a distinctive and valued variety as the vines mature. Lovely aromatics of berry, spice, cedar and toast wrap into a pretty wine with flavors of light cherry, ash and a suggestion of underlying minerality.
A stunning squeeze of fresh tangerine enlivens both the aroma and palate of this crisp wine that's high in acidity and dancing in refreshing tangents of lemongrass, kiwi and pineapple. Enjoy poolside or on a patio.
Orange blossoms perfume this voluptuous yet elegantly structured Pinot Gris. It's lush and ripe in white peach and pineapple flavors, but jolted by a stream of tart lemony acidity. Finishes moderately long.
Tasty and dry, this offers typical smoky, black peppery aromas, dark fruit flavors and medium body. It comes off as elegant rather than big, due to the smooth texture, slightly subtle flavors and silky texture.
A measure of Syrah was added to this Cinsault, probably to give additional heft. Nonetheless, the wine remains wispy and light, a layering of strawberry, rhubarb and wild spice playing amongst a field of herb and white pepper.
From a base of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon this robust red adds Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec to concoct a soft, smooth and juicy red wine that's brooding in personality. The tannins are tar-like and sizable.
A majority Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Merlot blended in, Artemis is aromatically inviting in dark plum, currant and a streak of herb. Light, lean and well-balanced, the wine features soft, barely perceptible tannins. Tri-tip is a wise pairing suggestion.
Straightforward apple and melon aromas are lightly oaky, but mostly clean and elegant. This Chardonnay delivers a fresh, clean palate, with a mix of oak, vanilla, banana and melon flavors. A round, properly sized and balanced finish is the final piece of framework.
Extremely sharp scents of freshly cut grass morph into tart Granny Smith apple and hints of guava on this bottling from one of the most striking vineyards in California. It's bright and lively on the palate, proving easy-to-drink, uncomplicated and fresh.
Widely accessible and hedonistic aromas of cherry pie with a tinge of wild mint lead the nose on this young but ready county blend. The palate is framed with oak influence and the associated tannins, as well as plum and ripe cherry fruit. It's unusual that this 2013 is on the market after 10 months in barrel.
Lemon-lime and lemon curd mark this wine. The lemon theme continues throughout the layers of apple, vanilla and oak, the oak not perceptible until near the round, voluptuous finish.
Lemony and toasty, this approachable wine is rich and balanced, its texture soft and the flavors long-lasting, highlighted by a taste of lemon meringue.
Jammy blackberry and boysenberry aromas are fruity and full. This modern-style Tannat shows a saturated, tannic palate that's jammy in the center. Flavors of dark fruit, toasty oak and mint finish with hints of graphite, rubber and leftover oak-related char. Drink through 2018.
Tart red cherries mingle with notes of warm toast, cedar and menthol in this bold, richly bodied Cabernet Franc. Bright cranberry notes cut through the midpalate, which is fringed by fine grained tannins, leading to a lingering hint of savory umami on the finish.
Assembled from the same lots as the winery's more expensive varietal wines, this high-powered, Bordeaux-style blend is one of Walla Walla's best values. Big and bursting with dark-fruit flavors of fig, black cherry and cassis, the barrel aging adds espresso and chocolate in generous amounts. There's noticeable heat on the finish, but no lack of potent flavor.
This is a rich and dense wine, full of dusty tannins and ripe, generous black plum and berry fruits. It's spicy and juicy, with an herbal overtone and a warm, full-bodied character. The wine could do with some aging, so drink from 2016.
This is crisp, tight, still young. Hedgerow flower aromas are sustained in the fresh character of the wine. Zesty lemon shines while the steely, tight texture is still closed and waiting to blossom. Drink from 2015.
This serious red blend puts together a texture firmed up with gripping tannins and acidity, flavors brimming with blackberry and sweet spices and a lingering finish. Too structured to appreciate alone, it will need pairing with roast beef, lasagna, ribs or the like.
Dark and earthy, with a streak of soy and a hint of funk, this complex effort opens powerfully, then turns more subtle, with plum and chocolate highlights. It's one of those wines that never stops evolving in the glass.
Just one barrel was made from this vineyard, which suffered losses from frost and wildlife in 2010. A shame, because the wine is terrific, delicate for Syrah, with boysenberry, raspberry, piercing acidity and refined tannins. Built to age.
As with Kiona's off-dry Washington Riesling, this includes a bit of Gewürztraminer, a clever addition that brings some spiciness into play. Intensely aromatic, the wine is almost Muscat-like, with dense orange peel flavors, along with citrus, tea and madeleine cookie. This is a sensational value from a leading Riesling producer.
This Merlot from one of Greece's most exciting producers offers aromas of plum, black cherry and vanilla on the nose, followed by smooth, integrated flavors of black fruit, cinnamon, pepper and a spin of mint on the finish. Layered and elegant, with good acidity for food pairing.
This is a rich and round wine, full in the mouth with a youthful palate. There is a ripe, creamy texture full of apple and orange flavors that are balanced with an edgy, steely character. This promises good aging so drink until 2022.
A blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat, this is a wine that fascinates. Both fresh and rich, this wine combines strongly perfumed notes with a pure, steely texture. It is drinkable now, although it will be better in three years' time. Glass stopper
The old blocks referenced in this pure Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from a perfect pantheon of Washington's finest vineyards: Klipsun, Bacchus, Sagemoor, Kiona and Red Willow. The wine has a charming delicacy, fragrant with tobacco and cherry, yet thick on the tongue with black cherry, cassis and cola. It finishes balanced, lively and deep.
The first Feral made by new winemaker, Peter Devison, continues a tradition of excellence. Natural yeasts and fermentation in neutral oak, combined with a superb vintage and world class vineyard, equal a gorgeous bottle of wine. Creamy, leesy, textural and deeply imbued with mineral-soaked citrus fruit, flesh and rind, this ultrarefreshing wine is a joy. Notes of cucumber and melon contribute further complexity through the long finish.
A concentrated but restrained wine that is a bit like French couture: timelessly elegant, quietly confident but incredibly well-made and fitting. The tannins provide structure without being obtrusive. Oak plays a sonorous supporting role and dark cherry beckons on the nose and palate, all concluding in a peppery, long finish. Ready now but will keep till 2016.
An aroma of fresh, green Bartlett-pear peel comes first, then the riper notion of pear compote, with a grippy, lime-zest accent and a dash of pepper. Waves of flavor unfold on the tongue and give exquisite length. It has ample mileage to develop; enjoy it now while primary and zippy or wait for mellowed richness later. Either way, it belongs on the table. Drink 2014–2020.
Keeping with past performances, Herencia is again one of Chile's best Carmenères. This is bold, toasty and ripe on the nose, with tobacco and vanilla nuances. The palate is huge but in shape, while toasty, chocolaty flavors of herbal plum and berry end chewy, stacked and deep. Drink through 2016.
Dry, leafy, herbal aromas come with berry power and spice. Triple C stands for Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon as well as Carmenère. This is a wide load on the palate, with smooth tannins and savory, roasted berry flavors that lead to a finish boasting chocolate, leather, spice and baked berry notes. Drink through 2017.
This is a Zweigelt with an identity crisis that thinks it may be Pinot Noir. It's elegant and silky, with a gentle tannic touch, refreshing acidity and restrained but evocative redcurrant and cranberry fruit. Overtones of peony and iris make this more intriguing, while there is substance despite its light body. This is delicious now, but will reward cellaring for one to two years to let earthy, tertiary flavors develop. Drink from 2014.
A decadent blend of ripe berries and rich oak characterizes this wine; sweet smoke and baking spice mingle harmoniously with notes of mashed raspberry and blackberry, accented by hints of hickory-cured bacon and raw cocoa nibs. The medium-weight mouth is structured and bold, with chewy tannins and heady flavors of plum and berry preserves, roasted coffee and sweet licorice. The finish is long and dry, and although this would certainly benefit from 5–10 years of cellaring time, it's approachable now with decanting.
This wine is immediately attractive, with initial aromas of ripe cherry, plum and berry fruits that are spiced with hints of Thin Mint, licorice and black pepper. Plush, but not overdone, the mouthfeel is like crushed velvet, with black cherry-skin and raspberry flavors and fine yet structured tannins. Glimmers of sweet smoke and black tea unfold on the lengthy finish. Drink now–2016.
This is an elegant and stylish wine that's full of lively acidity, red berry fruitiness and soft tannins. The wine is well integrated, with just a touch of gaminess and bright acidity on the finish. It is ready to drink.
Waxy and lightly lemony, this is a well-made, small-production wine from well-farmed vineyards, a steely, medium-bodied study in tangerine and green apple. Balanced and ready for the table, it has enough weight to match well against a wide range of foods and impress as an apéritif.
Facing almost due south, this Premier Cru vineyard produces some impressively rich wines. This bottling from the crisp 2014 vintage still shows ripe character, contrasting deliciously with intense acidity. The balance is just right, with a structure built to age. Drink from 2019.
This is a rich wine with a warm character. It comes from vines in the heart of Chablis, facing the Grand Cru vineyards on the opposite side of the river. It's full bodied and ripe, with plenty of acidity to partner its yellow fruit. Drink from 2019.
Concentrated aromas of black currant, lilac, wisteria and a hint of charcoal show on the nose of this very dark bottling, the first 100% Mourvèdre from this property. The tannins are very soft and massaging to the palate, physically coating the mouth through the sip and delivering flavors of grape Jolly Rancher and creme de cassis. The steadily rising acidity helps cut through it all.
Robustly structured and concentrated, this wine is tight-grained in tannin and firm on the palate, with meaty elements of leather, tobacco and clove. The dark personality traits continue on the black pepper-seasoned finish, which begs for steak.
Boysenberry, black fruit, bay leaf, plum and spice aromas are followed by intense but still well-balanced dark-fruit flavors. It stretches out on the finish, drinking extremely well now, but its best days are in front of it. Best from 2023–2030.
Smoky bacon and a bittersweet element of black tea make for an exotically spicy, complex and full-bodied wine from the mighty vineyard site overlooking the Petaluma Gap. Black cherry, pomegranate and cardamom are wrapped in a swaddling of toasted oak, while the mouthfeel is dense and concentrated.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, this is a light, ethereal and lovely sparkling wine, faintly pink in hue with high-toned, nuanced layers of red cherry and orange. This is one to enjoy on its own or at the table, picnic blanket or tailgating from the back of a truck, preferably with soft cheeses.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot. Vibrant aromas of cherry meats, raspberry, dried herb and barrel spice are followed by a fruit-forward flavorful palate backed by firm tannins. It has a high yum factor.
This wine is still young, reveling in its bright fruit and mineral texture. Drawn from Côte des Blancs vineyards, it's tight, tense and loaded with citrus fruit. With its finely crisp aftertaste, it's delicious now for its fruit but will also be great from 2020, once its toasty character develops more fully.
The winery holds back its wines to good effect. There's no sign of fatigue here, just well-integrated complex meaty flavors. It's dusky and dark, with aromas of smoke, tobacco and espresso. Flavors include all of the above around black fruits and slightly gritty tannins. It's dense and delicious and ready to drink.
This bottling, from seven cool climate vineyards, makes a great intro into savory Syrah, showing all that peppery might without shoving it down the throat. Cracked peppercorn is redolent on the nose and palate, with the latter also showing raw lamb and beef char. The sip tends toward soy and leather, but with a core of dried blackberry fruit that's familiar to most palates. The texture is tightly woven.
Aromas of smoke, charred earth, dark spice and black-skinned berry lift out of the glass. The concentrated firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, ground pepper and a hint of tobacco framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2029.
Produced from two parcels on the Montagne de Reims, this dry yet soft wine is ripe and richly fruity. Still young, its minerality and bright fruitiness are firmly intact. It will be a delicious Champagne as it matures. Drink from 2019.
This combines nearly proportional percentages of all five Bordeaux varieties, grown on the founder's estate, allowing each room to speak. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot together make up the majority, paving the road to full-bodied ripeness with supportive acidity, the highlights being smoky plum, blackberry and mocha.
One of the top wines from this producer, this blend of at least 10 grape varieties comes from its estate. The wood aging has added sophistication to this already concentrated wine. With black fruits to the fore and firm tannins, it will age well. Drink from 2019.
Baked black plum, dark strawberry and baking spice show on the well-integrated and elegant nose of this bottling by New Zealand-raised winemaker Fintan du Fresne. A chalky mouthfeel carries forth flavors of bright boysenberry fruit, loam and more brown spice, elements that are sure to gather more power with extended bottle age.
Winemaker Bruno Corneaux keeps a tight grip on alcohol levels, without sacrificing ripeness, flavor or balance. This aromatically compelling wine jumps up with scents of sea breeze, toasted nuts and buttered popcorn. Flavors follow, with apples, vanilla and toast coming to a full-bodied lingering finish. There's ample length and tension to age gracefully for another decade.
From a vineyard that's actually west of the already coastal Sta. Rita Hills, this wine offers rounded red fruits of strawberry, plum and even watermelon on the nose, along with cinnamon and graphite touches. The palate combines cherries, hibiscus, rose petals and tangy cranberry, sailing through herbal touches into a dried mint flavor that carries deep into the finish.
There's a slight bit of pleasant funk to the nose of this appellation blend, as well as graphite, sour cherry, soy and shiitake mushroom aromas. The palate is wound around tight acidity, with wild raspberry flavors lifted by incense and pine forest elements.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Bacchus, Phinny Hill and Loess vineyards. Brooding aromas of black cherry, herb and barrel spice are followed by pitch-black blackberry and game flavors, backed by tightly coiled tannins. It comes off as a bit richer than the norm for this winery but still delivers the goods. Best after 2022.
This is a powerful bottling, as is expected by this producer, showing fresh boysenberry, purple flower potpourri, tart black plums and a touch of rosemary on the nose. It's undeniably delicious at first sip, with caramelized blackberry and hints of thyme and rosemary. The texture is squeaky and sticky, and it's a bit sweet and boozy, but a definite Paso crowd-pleaser.
The name refers to the rocks in this section of the estate vineyard, and they can be felt as well as tasted in the wine. The mouthfeel is slightly astringent, with hints of metal and stone, and the alcohol is muted, allowing the more subtle suggestions of citrus and beet and truffle and wild strawberry to emerge. All in all it's the most complex and intriguing of the winery's offerings, and merits your full attention.
Sunny tangerine acidity highlights the rounded, slightly creamy mouthfeel of this light-bodied dry Riesling. Bright grapefruit and quince flavors are forward and fresh, offset by stony mineral tones that linger on the finish. It's a delicate yet richly balanced wine to enjoy now though 2025.
This blend of 78% Carignan, 18% Syrah and 4% Chardonnay deals a complete aromatic package of marzipan, fine oak and smooth berry fruits. A compact wall-to-wall palate is boldly acidic but balanced by pulpy berry fruit. Flavors of black plum, blackberry and burnt toast finish under control, with elegance and length. Drink through 2023.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Zinfandel and 5% Petit Verdot, a block and barrel selection of the producer's best lots, this is a well-made, impressive wine. Leather saddle and robust tannin is accented by dried herb, espresso and smoke, making for a burly explosion of blackberry and cherry.
Medium in weight and structure, this wine shows a tempting leanness at first, balancing its ripeness with complex notions of clove, cola and black cherry. Twisted in tannin and oak on the midpalate, its youthfulness on full display, it has a succulent finish.
The winery has stuck with a deeply austere, penetrating and rather Germanic style of dry Riesling—which is difficult to do this well. Though built for acid freaks, it's also layered with complex flavors, blending citrus pith and rind, wet stone, green apple and green pineapple. It's drinking well already, and likely to hold steady for up to a decade.
Composed, cool aromas of marzipan, vanilla, boysenberry and cassis are touched up by controlled oak. This feels cushioned but with pop and tannic grab. Dark peppery herbal black-fruit flavors come with a chocolaty component, while this tastes of herbs and chocolate cake on a bold oaky finish. Drink through 2022.
Exemplary in all areas, from the smoke, mushroom and berry nose to the exotic undertones of island spice and fine oak supporting vibrant raspberry fruit. It's one of those wines that's a pure pleasure to drink, and it's ready out of the gate. For very good Burgundy that clicks on all cylinders, this is it.
A rich, lush melange of fruit and nuts, with sinuous, almost unctuous flavors that twine around the palate like a snake. Long, fascinating finish, elegantly balanced and precise.
Powerful from the start, this has an herbal berry aroma, with a rubbery hint and a lactic element. The palate is chewy, dense and rubbery, with creamy, milky flavors of blackberry, carob, vanilla and plastic. Generally speaking, this wine is full and solid.
This is ripe, full bodied and delicious, with a red fruit flavor. It has all the juicy fruitiness that is associated with Beaujolais. Drink now, even slightly chilled.
This fruity wine has an aroma of tobacco and a spicy black-currant taste. It is full bodied, and it should be kept for another year.
This is a simple wine with friendly pear and apple aromas. The palate has modest complexity, with fresh acids and a touch of oak. Core flavors of peach and apple finish with modest accents of toast and popcorn.
Tart, bracing and a bit leesy, this has hints of rhubarb, jicama and starchy white vegetables. It's not vegetal in a green sense, just quite dry and a bit slender.
A fresh, fragrant and herbaceous wine, this dances lightly and brightly on the palate. Flavors of grapefruit and lime come with crisp acidity, lending a mouth-tingling finish.
Rooty and baked-smelling on the nose, this also has milk chocolate and leaf aromas. It feels spunky and fresh. Herbal, leafy flavors of roasted berries and spices set up the rooty, warm, baked-tasting finish that's full in feel but short on complexity.
Fresh on the bouquet, this has tomato leaf, plum, raspberry and spice aromas that are similar to those found in simple Bordeaux. The palate is snappy and fresh due to its acidity, while flavors of cherry pie filling and red plum lead to a spunky, lightly oaked finish.
Aromas of celery, arugula, snap pea, dusty apple and citrus announce a clean palate with scouring acidity. Lemon-lime and grapefruit flavors are typical of Casablanca SB, while a fresh, citrusy finish brings a green-herb element into play.
Pomegranate fruit scents emerge alongside licorice, black olive and green tea on this appellation blend from esteemed sommelier Raj Parr. It's light and bright on the palate, with plum-skin-driven tannic tartness, but there's not much else going on.
Aromas of oak, toast, underbrush and ripe berry lead the nose. The palate offers dried black cherry and black pepper alongside dusty, drying tannins. The fruit is drying up quickly and there's the warmth of alcohol on the finish.
Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this dry wine does not entirely skirt the challenges that the grape poses for rosé. Tart and stiff, it mostly tastes of underripe rhubarb, green herb and citrus. Best drunk with food, perhaps roast chicken.
This easy blend of Primitivo, Negroamaro and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with fruity aromas of dark berry and a whiff of tobacco. The palate offers dried plum, mature blackberry, a hint of clove and bitter almond alongside round tannins.
There's more meatiness, olive and wood to the nose than fruit aromas, and the palate is plump and a touch syrupy. Blackberry is the lead flavor, with oaky char and mint playing major roles. A resiny finish is chunky and a bit hot.
For under $10, this wine delivers an admirable blend of cherry fruit and savory underpinnings. Hints of asphalt and black olive finish on a mouthwatering note, joined by the suggestion of caramelized fruit. Drink now.
A newer appellation straddling both Sonoma and Mendocino counties, Pine Mountain has some unusual plantings, including Lagrein, more often found in Italy. This one, from the highest elevation vineyard in Sonoma County, is plummy and robust, not terribly high in acidity.
Aromas include mature blue flower, meat juices, dark-skinned berry and a whiff of barnyard. The robust palate offers blueberry extract, black currant and cracked pepper alongside hearty tannins.
Firmly textured and appetizingly balanced, this wine combines ripe grape aromas with a rather tannic feel. Some tart fruit notes of raspberry and cranberry lift the grapiness. It grows in appeal with each sip.
This fresh, tangy wine (69% Sangiovese) smells like spicy oak, red cherries and raspberries and tastes equally bright and fruity. The texture is nicely lean, cleansing the palate with each sip, and it doesn't feel full bodied.
Cinnamon-cola characterizes this soft, rounded expression of subtle dark cherry and herb. It comes from a sloped vineyard in the middle of the Russian River Valley near Olivet Lane, where moderate temperatures are impacted by morning fog. Layers of toasty oak grace the finish.
This is a surprisingly early release for the grape, which the winery ages on American and French oak. Tar and pepper are already ready on the nose, but the elements could use some time to coalesce. Right now, there are slightly sour blackberries and a woody bitterness, proving to be more about texture and tannins than flavors. Give it until 2016
This crisp Chardonnay conveys aromas of lemon blossom and mature pear. The refreshing palate offers juicy yellow apple, citrus and a hint of mineral brightened by zesty acidity.
Pleasant and straightforward, this has notes of pear, mead and herbs. It's full in feel with a big ball of fruit flavors in the middle but less around it. The tannins have a slightly drying feel.
Green apple is the lead aroma along with yeasty vanilla and a dash of white pepper. There's modest roundness to the palate and nonscouring bright acidity. Slightly candied lime and mango flavors feature controlled bitterness on the finish.
Aromas of underbrush, grilled mushroom, blue flower and menthol lead the nose. The linear palate offers dried plum, mature blackberry, espresso and licorice while firm tannins provide support. It finishes on a note of graphite.
Aromas suggest pencil shavings, resin and mature black fruit. The palate offers prune, dried blackberry and black pepper alongside grippy tannins.
A blend of Nero di Troia and Cabernet Sauvignon, this conveys aromas of scorched earth, cedar, black currant, leather and game. The palate is showing some age, offering dried plum, mature blackberry, graphite, roasted coffee bean and licorice but not much fruit richness. It finishes on an astringent note.
Blending Duras and Syrah indicates how Gaillac is at the median point between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates in France. The wine is earthy, herbal, rich while rustic. It has a big, spicy background to the red fruits and will certainly develop. Drink from 2016.
A single-vineyard wine, this is rich, not too herbaceous while full of grapefruit and lemon zest flavors. It's full bodied, rich in the mouth and finishes with a mineral, tangy aftertaste.
Big tannins and sweet, juicy cherry fruit dominate on the entry of this wine, which delves into oak and brambly blackberry thereafter. A hint of sage rounds out the finish.
The new American oak brings notes of vanilla, wood and coconut that largely overwhelms the seemingly green, citrusy fruit. There's a pleasing tartness to the acids but overall the fruit flavors get lost.
Notes of caramel sauce and balsamic reduction grace the jammy raspberry and cherry center of this wine. The medium-weight palate offers surprisingly gripping tannins, with a fine sandpaper-like texture and lively notes of black currant and plum. Drink now.
It's big and brawny, with a very deep color, strong oak aromas, assertive, astringent tannins, ripe blackberry and raspberry vinegar flavors and a spicy, eucalyptus note on the finish.
Dried peach and apple flavors peek out timidly through layers of crushed minerals and spice on this earthy semisweet Riesling. It's delicate and spry in mouthfeel with a brisk lemon-tea note that brightens the finish.
Broad and easy in texture, this is tempting to drink because of its near sweetness. Baking spices, possibly from oak add-ins, fill the aroma, and candylike cherry and strawberry flavors flood the mouth.
The color of this wine has a touch of brown at the rim. The aromas are almost overripe, with a syrupy, balsamic note on the palate. Overall, the wine is full bodied, quite tannic, and finishes with a sun-dried plum flavor.
A big wine that is full-bodied, ripe, juicy with some green flavors and flashes of toast. Possibly over the top, it is still enjoyable in its broad way. It will be better in 2016.
Elusive aromas mask an easygoing, straightforward white from the heart of the Russian River Valley. Characterized by matchstick and melon, it offers layering the back palate with additional flavors of apple and pear.
Heavy and smelling a bit of creamed corn and wax. The palate is oddly spritzy and big, with sweet, chunky apple and pineapple flavors. Finishes with sweet pineapple as well, and overall it's probably too tropical and chunky.
A rustic wine that blends Cabernet Sauvignon with local fruit. It has a layer of wood, uncomfortable black currant acidity and a core of tannins.
Yellow in color, with heavy aromas of toasted oak and popcorn. There's oxidation and mealy qualities, and the fruit is baked while the acidity is high, and thus overall it's not well balanced. Saving graces include lemon, baked corn and a so-so mouthfeel.
Although initially the bouquet is inviting with scents of dark fruit, chocolate and mocha, notes of tomato and tomato leaf carry through to the palate as well. Lots of tart acidity and chunky grape and wood tannins leave the mouth feeling jagged.
From the beginning this '08 seems as though it has turned; the nose is mildly oxidized and corny, and there's a shortage of freshness. The palate is dull and narrow, with limited apple and sour lime flavors. Acceptable but not at its peak anymore.
Marked by a touch of nail polish on the nose and a slight pickle-brine note on the palate, this is otherwise a medium-bodied, cherry-fruited blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah.
Smells like tarmac and tire rubber initially, and it remains stemmy and staunch even with air. The feel is dilute yet edgy, and the flavors suggest generic red berry and a dash of spice. Fades quickly on the finish, which is probably a good thing.
Heavy and mealy on the nose, with stalky white-fruit aromas. The palate is weighty and sticky, with a cloying feel and sweet, baked flavors of apple and honey. Then it turns distinctly bitter and pithy on the finish. Generally speaking, Calatayud is not white wine country.
Charred oak, green herbs and vanilla spice notes mix oddly. The palate is soft and plush, with notes of sweet mocha and chocolate, but also a bit tired and chalky with faint tannins in the background.
Pepperwood's first foray into Chilean Pinot Noir leaves a bit to be desired, even at $7. The nose is mulchy and candied, while the palate is clumsy, with candied berry, cocoa powder, vanilla and other sweet flavors.
Simple and neutral, with sweetness to the nose. It's soft and flabby in the mouth, with candied vanilla and melon flavors. Sweet and low in intensity, and already it's dull despite being a new release.
Lazy smelling, oddly spiced and off the grid in an artificial, strange sort of way. Flavors of apple, spice and banana are mulled and cidery, while the finish is grabby and hot. Not as good as prior vintages. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
A disappointing effort This is earthy and dank, with dark, leathery notes contrasting sharply with bright acids on the finish.
A creamy, faux-smelling-and-tasting wine with loads of bogus oak character and limited stuffing or quality backing it up. Smells like a berry marshmallow or county fair cotton candy, yet the palate is hollow and sour. A masked wine that's trying to be tricky and isn't.
Disjointed, sharp, astringent and thin, this shows little of the varietal character usually associated with grapes from the outstanding Destiny Ridge vineyard. There's a whiff of funk in the nose, but only tart, generic and unripe fruit in the mouth.
Chocolate and dark cherry aromas lead to ripe plum, boysenberry and blackberry flavors that are almost sweet, very rich and full bodied. The thick texture melts in your mouth, having soft tannins. This drinks almost like a Port and should be great with chocolate or cheese.
Aromas of apricot and fragrant yellow flower lead the way on this medium-bodied white. Framed in fresh acidity, the bright palate doles out ripe yellow peach, green apple, almond and a hint of mineral.
Maduro cigars, cedar, beef char and pipe ash highlight the nose on this blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot from a longtime producer. It's relatively lean and light on the palate, with black peppercorns and roasted pork elements. The Cab Franc shows strongly.
This perfumed, soft wine only slowly shows a more structured character. From a well-situated vineyard just above the Serein valley, it offers yellow fruits that are cut with tight citrus and minerality. Drink from 2017.
This Malbec-Merlot-Tannat blend from northerly Salta is bright purple in color, with compact aromas of wood smoke, graphite, ink and blackberry. The acidity is high but functions as a brace for plum, blackberry and cassis flavors. A crisp, clampy finish is edgy due to aforementioned racy acidity. Drink through 2020.
All five vineyards contribute to this widely available blend. It's on the chunky side, with blocky black cherry and a frame of milk chocolate from aging 10 months in French oak. There's a dash of spice as it races through the finish.
This deep garnet colored wine offers aromas of dried cherry, black raspberry and smoked sausage. It has an interesting balance of fruity and savory characteristics among raspberry, saddle leather and spicy tobacco flavors.
Aromas of blackberry, farmstand, leather and smoked meats prime the taste buds for a wine whose flavors of cassis, smoked meat, leather and tobacco may be an acquired taste for some drinkers. This wine is pleasant overall, but the sophisticated taste profile may not be to everyone's liking.
This 100% varietal wine displays a mixture of fruit and barrel aromas, plus flavors of coffee, vanilla, butterscotch and cherry. It finishes candy-bar sweet ,with the oak playing a prominent part in the show.
This is a medium-sweet Riesling boasting Spätlese-level alcohol, that mixes soft fruit flavors of apple, peach and pear with hints of honey and tea. Give it a light chill before sipping.
If a wine can caress the taste buds, this absolutely fresh and fruity one does. It smells like blackberry jam, feels soft and silky while still having full body, and gives up delicious, ripe, full fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend from the Warner Springs area in the mountains northeast of San Diego shows grape soda and blackberry chews on the juicy nose. The palate gains tartness accented by black pepper and crushed oregano.
There are both ripe yellow and pineapple fruit flavors and tight minerality in this wine. That gives it the potential to age with its structure, spice from wood and fragrant acidity. Drink from 2017.
The aromatics shine here, sending up a happy mix of ripe cherries and baking spices. The fruit carries the midpalate, with medium density and appealing, though blocky, flavors. This is not a complex wine, but most enjoyable.
This is an intriguing Merlot-dominant blend, with additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. Engaging aromas of red plum and currant take on savory herbal notes of thyme and rooibos. The plush, silky palate houses soft, mellow tannins and vibrant acidity, with flavors matching the nose. Contemplative yet approachable, enjoy this alongside a plate of charcuterie and hard cheese.
Red and black berry, dark spice and Mediterranean herb aromas lead the nose on this straightforward, friendly wine. The juicy, savory palate offers crushed black cherry, black berry, dried herb and peppercorn alongside smooth, enveloping tannins.
Lime and mango aromas stick out on an otherwise neutral, crisp bouquet. This is lean and well cut, with refreshing citric acidity. Flavors of pineapple, lime and green apple finish with zest and continuity. Drink now.
Aromas of oak extract, resin, toast and prune lead the nose. The extracted palate offers dried black cherry, baked plum, coconut and vanilla alongside abrasive tannins that leave a drying finish.
The Limestone Coast, which encompasses the noted regions of Coonawarra and Padthaway, is known for its Cabernet and its big gum trees. There's certainly more than a bit of mint to this wine, but there are also notes of cassis and even a hint of bell pepper. It does turn a bit astringent on the finish, so pair it with lamb chops or hamburgers. Drink now–2020.
Restrained bramble berries and crushed violet notes emerge hesitantly from the glass in this even-split blend of Petit Verdot and Tannat. An inky, heady palate of dark blue and black berries shows is balanced by a line of black currant acidity, while grippy tannins provide structure and length.
Aromas of ripe, dark berry, cured meat, leather and game emerge on this wine. The dense, extracted palate offers vanilla, oak, toast, coconut and dried plum alongside astringent tannins.
Though it's relatively light for Syrah, this offers flavors that are true to classic varietal characteristics. Red and purple berries, anise and a vein of steel are all in the mix, and continue through a gentle fade-out.
Vines grown at 1,800 feet give this wine its cool climate attitude. The granite soil gives a strong mineral character to the grapefruit and green apple flavors. With its textured almond and spice character, this is a ripe wine that is ready to drink now.
This entry level wine from top Douro estate Quinta do Vallado is soft and full of red berry fruits that are laced with firm, solid tannins. It has weight and concentration, the ripe fruits balanced by a fresher side to the wine. With its tannins and touches of wood aging, it needs to age a few months. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of toasted oak, dark berry and menthol lead the way. The firm palate offers bright red cherry, strawberry, thyme and sage alongside tightly knit tannins.
Sourced from the 80-acre estate vineyard, this would seem to qualify as the winery's reserve-level bottling. Light scents of musky umami suggest the estate's unique terroir, and those mushroom flavors, along with cola and red berry, continue throughout. The finish is tart and tight. Drink now through 2020.
A big, intense Malbec with giant black fruit aromas that veer toward medicinal. The palate is sizable and sticky, with grabby tannins bulking up sweet, ripe blackberry flavors. Finishes with mocha and creamy vanilla flavors. Chewy, broad and on the money.
Opaque and thick, with all types of black fruit aromas blending with smoked meat scents and toasty darkness. The body is fleshy and extracted, with raw tannins and a clacky feel. Tastes woody and baked, with blackberry, licorice and sweet plum flavors. Turns herbal and minty on the finish.
Horse & Plow continues to impress with its moderately priced wines that taste great. Harvester is a blend of 38% Pinot Gris, 34% Riesling and 28% Chardonnay that's austere aromatically and deep golden in color, woody and tasting of tart green apple, unearthed mushrooms with a lemony finish.
Floral red fruit aromas settle on raspberry and plum, and there's not much obvious oak or darkness. Round and juicy on the palate, with spicy and sweet blackberry along with clove. Integrated and solid, with a lightly toasted, chocolaty finish.
This Demeter-certified Biodynamic Chardonnay has nice color and full apple aromas, as well as a lot of depth and texture. The finish veers into caramel and vanilla, no stranger to oak.
Dark and smoky with notes of struck flint and crushed minerals, this wonderfully complex Riesling is unctuous on the palate with dried peach and mango flavors that shine. Quite dry yet lusciously textured with hints of lanolin and mineral oil.
Almost lacy in its delicacy, There's a crisp, underripe stone fruit and lime skin tone that reverberates through this refreshing, dry Riesling. Notes of crushed stone, jasmine blossoms and a bright, Meyer lemon acidity linger through a long finish.
A rich and fruity wine with an attractive layer of tannins to go with the bright red cherry and damson flavors. The fruit is delicious, succulent, finishing with fine acidity.
A wood-aged, rich and full wine, benefiting from the year and giving out fine perfumes, rich tannins and dark berry flavors. It's a wine with enough power to age further, already a solid pleasure to drink.
This $13 wine is quite fine, deep in color with a rich, flinty nose. It's big and full with drops of honey throughout and a layer of acidity on the finish. Modest in alcohol too.
A severe wine, its structure deriving from an important wood element and fruit tannins. It brings out apple and green plum skins, with a tangy texture that demands a few months aging.
This quinta is in the Rio Torto Valley in the heart of the Port vineyards. The wine is rich, sweet fruited, ripe with jammy blackberries and great perfumes. Open, already drinkable in a fruity way, it is likely to age over the medium term.
Lemon peel, wet clay, sandalwood and nutmeg aromas are inviting. In the mouth, it's tight and tannic, but lively, with leather and roasted berry flavors. Finishes firm, tight and a bit clipped and choppy. A reflection of 2008's tough conditions.
Glenora's Dry Riesling is intensely fruity with loads of juicy white peach and melon flavors, yet impeccably dry and crisp on the palate. Pure and pristine with a soft minerality that lingers from start to finish.
With the addition of 20% Grenache, this pushes the rich fruit flavors front and center. Ripe blueberries are in the foreground, cutting through some astringent tannins. There is little evidence of the herbal character that many Washington Syrahs evoke, but it's a bold, fruit-driven wine that is immediately enjoyable.
A dense, slightly raisiny nose indicates ripeness, but the palate on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenere and Petit Verdot is healthy and not overly heavy. Creamy, oak-infused flavors of plum and berry are uncomplicated and balanced, while pastry, vanilla and berry fruits grace a long, harmonious finish. Drink through 2015.
This traditionally crafted Barolo has a balsamic fragrance of sage, leather and berry notes. The palate shows wild cherry and mint flavors, and bracing but ripe tannins. This is one to open soon or to enjoy over the next few years.
This traditionally crafted single-vineyard Barolo shows the forward nature of the vintage but is an excellent effort, with overripe berry, truffle and forest floor aromas. The palate shows ripe black cherry, prune and spice with firm but fine tannins. This is almost ready now—enjoy it over the next few years.
Another jazzy, Best Buy winner from Barnard Griffin, this 2011 Chardonnay should be sipped to the tune of Harry Nilsson's “Put The Lime In The Coconut,” which neatly captures the flavors. Complex fruits, including apples, citrus—and yes, coconut—add up to a wine both sleek and satisfying, with toasted almonds rounding out the finish.
Vasse Felix's 2011 Chardonnay is full bodied and fleshy without going over the top. Toasty, grilled-bread notes mark the nose, while the palate unfurls into a mix of peach, melon and citrus flavors that finish clean and refreshing. Drink this well balanced wine over the next few years.
The Bishop's Blend is the value bottling at William Church, and the wine that most varies from vintage to vintage. Despite a price bump, the value is still there. In this vintage it's a five grape Bordeaux-style blend with a splash of Grenache as well. Initially silky and bursting with pretty red fruits, it moves into darker fruits as well, with cassis and black cherry. The balance is spot on.
Viognier remains a strong suit for William Church, and part of the consistency is the vineyard sourcing each vintage from Conner Lee and Gamache, in roughly equal proportions. Lemon and lime, peaches and apricots rule the palate, ripe but neither hot nor bitter. There's a good long finish as well, but it's the fruit that really shines.
This is a structured wine, with solid tannins and ample woody flavors. But it has the fruit weight to sustain the structure, offering a wine that promises good aging as well as short-term attractive fruitiness.
This estate-grown Chardonnay comes from one of the most expressive sites in the Yakima Valley. In this cooler vintage, it puts the accent on elegance. A judicious mix of apple, pear and peach fruit is matched with toasty accents from 100% barrel fermentation.
This is just what a Barbera should be: delicious, easy to drink and ready now. The palate delivers mouthfuls of black cherry, spice and licorice, balanced by fresh acidity and a silky-smooth texture. Pair this with virtually anything. Imported by Masciarelli Wine Co, Moonlight Wine Co.
This soft Barolo shows ripe berry, orange peel and toast notes. The palate shows ripe dark fruit, spice, hints of chocolate and firm but ripe tannins. This shows the hot, forward  nature of the vintage and is already enjoyable.
Here's a Barbaresco with fragrant and floral aromas of violet, rose, ripe berry and oak. The palate still needs to open up, but already shows bright cherry, strawberry and white pepper. This is vibrant, with bracing tannins that need time to soften. Best after 2018.
A full-bodied wine made from a cross of Traminer and Roter Veltliner, this is rich with pepper spice and yellow and white-fruit flavors. Very structured and youthful, the wine needs another year, maybe more to develop. Screwcap.
Compact and sturdy, this robust blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot is relatively simple, yet satisfying. Bold cassis fruit joins with earthy, tobacco notes and hints of vanilla to finish with dry intensity and promising length. Drink 2015–2020.
This is a wood-aged Chardonnay that's smooth, creamy and rich. The wine has weight, with lemon and peach flavors as well as vanilla accents from the oak. Its current fruitiness will mature and broaden well, so keep this wine for at least four years.
Foxy blueberry and jumpy aromas hint at volatility and are a bit alarming. But give this normally excellent wine some time and it comes around. In the mouth, this is textured, tannic and a bit lactic. For flavors, look for lightly herbal blueberry and cassis. The 2010 vintage was cold by Chilean standards, and that is evident in this wine.
Dense cassis and berry aromas aren't nuanced or complex but they sure are correct and ripe. Overall, this value-priced wine is rich and balanced, with good acidity and a chewy palate that softens up with time. Plum, berry, cassis and cherry flavors are tasty and easy to like.
This wine is already showing hints of evolution in its aromas of kerosene, toast and honey. Developing flavors of apple and citrus marmalade suggest that this dry, medium-bodied Riesling should be at its best now and over the next 5–6 years.
A very limited production wine (just two barrels) sourced from the Boushey vineyard, it is rather light but nicely detailed in a cooler vintage. There are notes of leaf and dried herb, tart red fruit, and surprising length overall.
This is an expressive Sauvignon Blanc with almost vegetal aromas announcing coastal origins. The palate is chiseled and lemony, then minerally flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and lemon give way to passion fruit and stony finishing notes. Laser-beam acidity and minerality are what drive this.
Made of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino grapes, this shows blackberry, underbrush and tilled soil aromas. The palate doles out juicy black cherry, clove and anise flavors with both bright acidity and sleek tannins. Drink through 2019.
This offers subtle black-skinned fruit, leafy underbrush and cooking spice aromas. The dense, forward palate shows dried cherry, blackberry jam and licorice notes, with assertive tannins that leave a firm finish. Drink through 2022.
Slightly rubbery black cherry and blackberry aromas are generic but good. This feels round and easygoing, with soft tannins and modest acidity. Black-plum flavors fly solo, while this is nice but hollow on the finish. Drink now.
Earthy rose, plum and rhubarb mark the entry of this soft, seamlessly textured reserve wine. Medium-bodied, it skews toward savory characteristics, most notably black tea.
Violet, new leather, dark berry and herb aromas take center stage in this young red. The juicy palate offers crushed raspberry, tart cherry and licorice flavors, enveloped in soft tannins and bright acidity. This is what a Rosso should be: fresh, succulent and enjoyable.
Plum and grape aromas kick off this bottling from Brian Loring, accented by clove, Indian spice and crushed cinnamon. Stewed black plum, peppercorn, turned earth and broad fruit flavors combine in a somewhat muddy formation on the palate.
This six-vineyard blend bears a sharp herbal edge that adds grip to the tannins. Beet and green tea flavors mix with tart wild berry fruit. Another year or two of bottle age is recommended.
Nice flavor concentration and light body make this wine a standout. It starts with vivid black cherry aromas that lead to riper, almost-sweet cherry and blackberry flavors. The texture is structured with moderate tannins that keep the flavors going through the finish.
Light in color, this wine is shy on the nose, yielding pleasant rose petal, pomegranate, cranberry and graphite aromas as it takes on air. The palate is bright, with a healthy dose of cranberry skin-like tannins to hold it all together. A solid Pinot for a sunny day.
Citrus and apple aromas are fresh, reserved and on the light side. In the mouth, this pops with lemony acidity and related tang. Flavors of tart green apple and lime are racy almost to the point of being sour, while this ends with a tingle of sharp acidity and a sense of wet stones and minerals.
This all-Sangiovese Chianti offers black-skinned fruit and new leather aromas. The firm palate delivers prune and ripe tangerine fruit, framed by smooth tannins.
This blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with bell pepper, cassis and grilled herb aromas. The palate offers ripe black currant, anise, sage and mocha flavors, buttressed by crunchy tannins. Drink through 2020.
Reserved at first, this Brunello gradually reveals tilled soil and black-skinned fruit aromas. The dense, straightforward palate displays ripe plum and clove notes with a hint of licorice and closed-grained tannins.
Dark-skinned berry, underbrush and leather aromas lead the nose. The palate is firm, offering plum, toast, mocha and tobacco flavors, while assertive tannins leave a taut finish.
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this juicy wine opens with red cherry and white pepper aromas that carry over to the easygoing palate. They're joined by raspberry notes and fresh acidity, smooth tannins providing the framework. There's lots to enjoy here, but drink soon.
A sweet succulence of white peach stars in this full-bodied, well-built and ripe wine. Plush on the palate, it rewards in a freshness of acidity that balances its richness.
Made of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Ciliegiolo, this has blue flower and underbrush fragrance. The earthy, straightforward palate delivers black cherry, thyme and white pepper flavors, held together with smooth tannins. There's lots to enjoy here, but drink soon.
A flintiness mixes with lemon peel in this full-bodied, oak-driven white with aspects of freshness that balance the more concentrated flavor and texture.
This vintage-dated Pinot Noir is the newest addition to the Evolution lineup. Tart and tangy, its light and lively pomegranate and raspberry flavors come from grapes principally fermented in stainless steel. In your wine-drinking pantheon, it might find a comfortable place alongside a cru Beaujolais.
Production volume is up, but the concentration does not match the excellent 2014 edition of this reserve-level wine. There are modestly ripe melon and green apple flavors, along with a touch of buttered toast.
A common thread among the 2015 Soléna Pinots is a stiff herbal beet flavor rather than fully ripe berry fruit. This tilts into cranberry and very tart raspberry, but finishes astringent and hard. Give it plenty of decanting (two or three hours) to help it open up.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with violet and redcurrant aromas. The straightforward palate delivers ripe black cherry and underbrush notes with a fine layer of smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Purple flower, dark-skinned berry and brown spice aromas lead the nose of this young wine. The straightforward palate shows dried black cherry, powdered sage and a hint of espresso with lithe tannins. Drink soon.
Earthy truffle, porcini mushroom, herb and game scents fill the glass. The palate is robust with rustic appeal, offering dried cherry, cured meat, sage and a salty finish. Grainy tannins provide support, while alcohol leaves a warmth on the finish. Drink after 2020.
Slightly herbal aromas veer off in the direction of grassy and rooty. This feels jagged and a bit choppy, with gritty roasted berry flavors. On the finish, that same gritty character persists and is joined by a tarry note.
Slightly briny and pickled on the nose, this Godello could benefit from being more fruity up front. Lemony acidity and a stony sensation define the mouthfeel, while this tastes lemony, briny and a touch bready from lees stirring.
Faint cranberry and incense aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers more flavors, including coffee, black tar, pomegranate and peppercorns.
Rose, violet, sour berry and tilled earth aromas take center stage in this young red. The easygoing palate offers rounded tannins and wild cherry, black raspberry and clove flavors. A mineral note signals the finish.
Ripe, dark-skinned berry, blue flower and Mediterranean herb aromas emerge on the nose. The palate offers toast, roasted coffee and star anise flavors, with bracing, grainy tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish.
With a ruby color and loud aromas of berry fruits, vanilla and graphite, this value Syrah pumps up the volume with plenty of berry fruit, mild buttery oak, herbal hints and wiry acidity. This is more generic than “varietal,” and it's juicy, bright and clean.
This new cuvée is 60% Malbec, 35% Syrah and the rest Merlot. It seems to have been given extra barrel time, and the overpowering and heavy toast scents and flavors dominate. The raspberry fruit flavors are somewhat buried as a result, and the wine seems over-matched. But more bottle age may help to open it up.
There's plenty of toasty oak flavor (the wine spent 27 months in barrel) along with pretty raspberry and cherry fruit. Dark notes come in with the tannins—smoke and char, along with a coconut kick to the finish.
Heavy berry, leather, mint and oak aromas show a bit of stalkiness in front of a regular feeling palate with mossy, earthy berry flavors. A chunky, savory tasting finish with fresh acidity and length keeps things moving in a positive direction.
Year in and year out, this around where this wine shakes out. The nose is clean and nice for an under-$10 white, with minerality and fresh white-fruit aromas. A light, focused palate offers up green melon, apple, herb and white pepper flavors in front of a crisp finish. This varietal Viura outperforms its price.
This is just the second varietal bottling of Marsanne—single vineyard at that—from McCrea. Firm and fleshy, with clear melon flavors, it shows a dash of cinnamon along the way. The finish brings on graham cracker accents, though only neutral oak was used.
Wine doesn't get much more specific than this single block, single clone 100% Cabernet Franc from Weinbau Vineyard. Unfortunately the wood (100% new French) gets in the way of the herb, cherry, and floral aromas and flavors.
This is dark in color and compact on the nose, with can't-miss aromas of herbal berry, mint, rootiness and chocolate. The palate feels good and fresh, with oak-based flavors of berry fruits that smack down with firm tannins in front of an oaky, medium-long finish.
The wine is equally sharp, with a spicy blend of Bordeaux grapes that show brambly berry adorned with highlights of pine needle and a thread of smoke. It would be no surprise if this aged quite well for up to a decade, but it's priced for near-term enjoyment.
The 2010 Select is a step ahead of Torii Mor's single vineyard offerings, but holds to the common thread of hard, tart, tight wines with little flesh on their bones. Here the raspberry and strawberry fruit pokes through the herbs and tannins enough to warrant drinking sooner while waiting for the others to (possibly) soften up.
It's not clear what differentiates this cuvée from the winery's Acrobat bottling. Both are Oregon AVA blends and produced in large (for Oregon) quantities. The Signature is a light, delicate wine, with tangy cranberry/cherry fruit and details of stem and herb.
This is a straightforward Merlot with herbal aromatics, oaky tannins and a layering of quiet raspberry and spice. Well priced for the quality and food-friendly nature of this wine.
Light berry, cheese and spice aromas are just clean enough; the palate is solid and well built for an $8 Cab, with chunky, candied, herbal flavors of plum and berry. Finishes dry and mostly clean. Delivers what you expect and probably a little more.
For only $5, this wine offers lemonade-style refreshment with a kick. It's simple, fruity and direct, with apple and citrus notes that provide a sweet and sour contrast to each other. Drink now.
This 65% Chenin Blanc - 35% Sauvignon Blanc blend is clean and fresh with flavors of green grass, hard nectarine and a touch of orange rind in the round mouth. Drink now.
Bright strawberry and cherry aromas are followed by a fruit cup of tropical fruit, cherry and strawberry. Easy-drinking but on the sweet side, this will pair well with fruit or spicy dishes.
Neutral on the nose except for some apple and cheesy oak. The palate is angular and tangy, with cidery flavors. Finishes similarly, with lasting acidic bite and zest.
This barrel-fermented Athiri-Assyrtiko blend starts with a wave of spice, mint and citrus aromas, leading into flavors of sea salt, lemon and spice. Though not entirely balanced, it's versatile; pair with meat, fish or cheese.
This unusual combo of Malbec and Syrah starts with hickory and campfire aromas and then medicinality enters the picture. The palate is choppy and features many holes in the road, but there's also solid black fruit flavors along with cocoa and berry syrup on the finish. In addition, the acidity seems high.
This blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Merlot shows herbal notes of bramble and black plum skins alongside a rubbery accent. Medium weight with a soft, round mouth and a clean finish.
Straightforward and approachable with notes of tart cherry and red plum dusted with cocoa powder on the nose and mouth. Drink now.
This is essentially a southern Oregon blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, with the unusual addition of 15% Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. It is difficult not to think that the winery just had an extra few barrels of Pinot around and decided to blend it in; the wine is a diffuse mix of generic red fruits and sharp acids, that thins out quickly in the finish.
Red plum and cherry aromas struggle to overcome notes of rubber and wet forest floor. Light weight with soft tannins and a short finish.
Pungent of baked plum and baking spice, this Shenandoah Barbera is soft and rustic, yet refined, with a jolt of mocha espresso on the finish. The expert acidity enveloping this wine should pair with Mediterrean-themed food.
A silky, easy-drinking Pinot Noir, but one that retains Martinborough's savory profile, featuring hints of dark earth and mushrooms alongside black cherries. Drink now.
The nose includes rubbery whiffs of berry, cherry and leather. On the palate, it feels solid but tomatoey, with zesty red-fruit acidity and flavors of red plum, herb, tobacco and spice. It turns more charred and peppery on the finish.
This is a soft, ripely fruited Sauvignon Blanc, embued with hints of passion fruit and lime. It's plump and medium bodied, round on the palate, then tart and lingering on the finish. Drink now.
This is a big, full Zinfandel that's blended with 19% Petite Sirah and 1% Chardonnay. With the right balance between fruit and spice, the wine is a liquid version of blackberry jam on toast.
A full, fruity Zinfandel, with dusty tannins and structure. Its lingering finish is laced with notes of chocolate and vanilla. With 7% Petite Sirah mixed in, this would pair nicely with barbecue and other meaty dishes.
This is a grapefruit- and apple-flavored wine with a lively prickle on the palate. Bright and dry, this is sharpened by a citrus flavor and acidity. Ready to drink.
Sweet, tropical aromas lead the way, followed by notes of melon and vanilla. It feels fresh, with citrus and lychee flavors. The finish is tropical and green tasting, with nervy acidity.
Tropical and pure on the nose, this has aromas of lychee, lime, talcum powder and candle wax. It feels juicy and healthy, with flavors of apple, lime and lychee. The finish is steady and pure.
Lavender honey and lanolin notes are warm and enticing in this semisweet Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing. A tad sugary on the attack, it gains balance on the midpalate thanks to delicate green floral tones and ample notes of bitter lemon pith.
Dark and berrylicious, a Syrah with leather, cedar and mint undertones that's both dense and rustic. Its dark plum, boysenberry and blueberry flavors long and lingering on the finish.
This is made from declassified barrels originally intended for Stevens 424. It's sharp-edged and spicy, not yet wellintegrated, but substantial, with wild berry flavors and slightly green tannins. A good quaffer, or pair it with a flank steak.
Klipsun vineyard grapes are fermented in stainless steel to produce this crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. In 2010, a cool vintage even at this Red Mountain site, the grassy side of the grape is in the spotlight. A little sweatiness blows off with airing, then the lemongrass and light melon flavors come through, with plenty of acid backing.
About as typical and pleasant as you'll find in this price range. The nose is snappy, with aromas of fresh peas, bell pepper, citrus and wild herbs. Feels light and fresh, with flavors of lime and apple alongside tangerine.
Intense acidity and a mineral texture show the northern origins of this wine. It is all citrus and grapefruit, the green apple flavors adding a tense texture.
Fragrant white florals and concentrated flavors of juicy pink pomelo are effortlessly decadent on this semidry Riesling. While soft and supple on entry, there's a nervy edge of Meyer lemon pith accentuated by a long, mineral-laced finish.
This easy-drinking, estate-grown, Bordeaux-style blend tilts more toward Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon in this new vintage. Medium-bodied and fully ripe, it falls just a little flat on the midpalate, and finishes with a suggestion of alcoholic heat.
Slightly herbal in style, with hints of tomato leaf accenting black cherry fruit. This is a crisp, fresh—even tangy—red that perhaps needs a few months to settle down and smooth out. Try it later this year; it should cellar well through 2018.
Starts out somewhat fiery, with a dose of aromatic horseradish. After airing out, this varietal Tempranillo is fresh, juicy and crisp on the tongue, with flavors of baking spices, tomato, roasted plum and earth. Feels juicy on the finish, maybe a bit lean, and overall it's cut from the classic cloth.
Yorkville has been making this blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc (for this vintage it's 60% the first and 40% the latter), for many of its 25 years, and it achieves a nice balance, the Sémillon there for richness, texture and color, the SB for acidity and the wine's citrus and herb finish. Made from organic grapes.
This is an attractive, perfumed wine that has fresh acidity and a crisply herbal flavor. It's bright with tangy citrus and refreshing, delicate apple and grapefruit flavors. The aftertaste is all fruit.
With apricot and floral perfumes, this is a ripe wine, full in the mouth and with a subtle mix of fresh acidity and rich yellow fruits. It is still a little young and will be better from late 2016.
Zesty aromas of tart pineapple and tangerine, slate and chalk contrast the luscious peach and red apple fruitiness of this off-dry Riesling. It's a refreshingly crisp and thirst-quenching wine for youthful consumption.
An enticing fragrance of wildflower, peach blossom, berry and a hint of white pepper lead the nose. The lively, linear palate offers green apple, pear and toasted almond alongside vibrant acidity.
Eola Hills is one of a handful of value players among Oregon wineries. This excellent Chardonnay is lightly toasty, with pretty apple fruit that is gently spicy. The fruit is ripe enough to suggest a bit of papaya as well.
Fragrant white flower, honeydew melon, tomato vine and hay aromas all come together in the glass. The vibrant palate shows pink grapefruit and tangerine alongside a vein of mineral.
Scents of cut grass, tomato vine and a hint of honeydew melon emerge on this tangy white. The crisp palate doles out yellow peach, apple, grapefruit and an almond note accompanied by zesty acidity.
Plump blackberries, sweet violets and a slight brushing of tar show on the nose of this straightforward, everything-you-expect Syrah. Bright acidity contains the dark fruit on the palate, with dense blackberries and elderberries dusted by black pepper and a touch of thyme.
Touches of tangerine decorate a brisk nose that's also redolent with mineral elements of chalk and wet river stone. Flavors of mandarin-orange peels, cut grass and wet cement skip across the tongue, winding into a finish that leaves a menthol-like sensation, though not flavor, on the tongue.
Several wineries make a Momtazi cuvée, an indication of the high esteem in which the vineyard is held. Here a touch of volatility attenuates the nose, leading into a bright, acidic young wine with flavors of orange peel, red berries, toast and nut butter.
You'll find aromas of elderflower, hay, crushed rock and a whiff of exotic fruit on this linear white. On the bright palate, assertive acidity underscores grapefruit, green melon, chopped herb and mineral.
Delicate but enticing aromas of citrus and apple follow through to the vibrant, polished palate along with peach, tangerine zest and a mineral note. Crisp acidity gives it a clean, quenching finish.
Dry, earthy plum and raspberry aromas are a touch abrasive. This is compact and solid in feel, with dense blackberry flavors. The finish registers as tannic as it leaves a heavy, mouth-coating residue.
Honeysuckle, tropical fruit and pear aromas lead the nose. Made with forty-year-old vines, the elegantly structured palate delivers crisp apple, white almond and mineral alongside vibrant acidity.
Pear and spring flower aromas lead the way on this vibrant white. The bright palate offers yellow apple, candied lemon zest and a touch of mineral alongside fresh acidity that leaves a clean finish.
Fermented and aged in large French and Austrian casks, this single vineyard Pinot Grigio opens with aromas that recall oak, yellow apple and candied citrus peel. The round palate offers white peach, vanilla pear, apple and lemon drop alongside racy acidity.
Here the intense floral accents lean toward oranges, as this is comprised of two different Muscat varieties. It's dry but not dull, with citrus aromas and a palate of peach, apricot and papaya.
Intense scents of apricot and peach, not to mention a hint of rose, lead the nose and follow over to the bright palate along with orange zest and lime. Sharp acidity leaves a tangy finish.
Fresh green herb and dusty mineral tones contrast ripe, luscious apple and pear flavors in this dry Riesling. Crisp lime and lemon notes lend a nervy, cutting feel to the midpalate. Drink now through 2020.
Delicate scents of apple and white flower lead the way and carry over to the tangy palate together with pear and citrus. Racy acidity and a hint of mineral give it a crisp, clean finish.
Neutral white-fruit aromas turn cheesy with airing. This vintage Brut Nature feels rather flat and lifeless, while a mix of buttery, bitter flavors suggest quince and butterscotch. Nutty notes and almondy bitterness control the finish. Drink now.
Done in a somewhat rustic style, this three-clone blend fills the mouth with smoky, oaky, dried-cherry flavors. It's a full-bodied country red, tasty but not necessarily representative of most Oregon Pinots.
Aromas of toast, vanilla and citrus zest lead the way and carry over to the bright palate along with Golden Delicious apple, lemon drop and mineral. Firm acidity offsets the fruit flavors while a walnut note closes the finish.
This blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and concentrated. It is full of dark tannins as well as spicy fruit. Blackberry flavors are perfumed, ripe and shot through with dry, smoky wood tastes. It's still a firm wine that will need more time. Drink from late 2016.
Quinta da Lapa has plantings of the rare Tamarez grapes that have gone into the blend of this wine along with Arinto. It is perfumed, ripe and fruity with a touch of spice and citrus and yellow fruit flavors. Drink now.
While there is little varietal character in this Pinot Noir, it is still an attractive, light and fruity wine. Red berries come through strongly sustaining acidity and some tight, mineral tannins. The wine is already well developed and ready to drink.
There is plenty of green tea flavor running through the fruit and the tannins here, along with dark cherry and bitter chocolate. A rustic, rough, but perfectly enjoyable take on pure Cab Franc.
Blackberry and slightly green, herbal aromas start it off, and while the flavors maintain that herbal, green-tobacco core, there's enough body, blackberry and oaky coffee and mocha notes to make it a nice wine. Needs more clarity of fruit, cleanliness and purity to reach the peak, but still good as is.
This budget Riesling sets a good standard for the style and the price. It's off-dry, low alcohol (11.5%) and solidly varietal. The fruit is full bodied and ripe, with vivid peach and apricot flavors. Additional notes of honey and lemony breakfast tea keep the finish up and running.
Here's a solid and accessible Shiraz with medium- intense notes of red cherry, raspberry and cola on the nose and mouth. The mouth is medium weight with delicate tannins and black pepper spice, while the finish offers a glimmer of mocha.
More exotic than many Malbecs, with intriguing aromas of prune, moss and savory berry. The palate has a proper, likeable texture and jammy flavors of black cherry and herbs. Finishes a bit short and hollow, which may be a reflection of tough harvest conditions in 2008.
A soft, creamy wine, with bright yellow fruits and just the right amount of acidity. Green apple skins give texture to go with a citrus aftertaste. Screw cap.
This Pinot Blanc is creamy smooth and soft, with a delicious line in peach acidity and lively green fruits. Crisp, ready to drink, and very fresh.
Fairly pungent and lively for an '09, with citric, grapefruit aromas. The palate is still fairly vivid and driving, and the flavors of lemon-lime and green apple are true if a touch pithy. Just zesty enough on the finish, but it's starting to fade. Drink now.
Beautiful fresh green grass aromas are backed by sweet grapefruit oil and ripe gooseberry in this attractive Sauv Blanc. Full but not fat with a hint of ripe melon lingering on the finish.
There's more good to this rough and rugged varietal than there is bad. It's hugely fruity, perfectly ripe, colorful and full of cola, coffee, black fruit, rubber and length. It'll definitely last in a cellar, and that can only help soften the punishing tannins and mouthfeel that dominate the current state.
With 22 to 24 months in new French oak, there's a lot of richness to this wine in the form of raspberry sauce, milk chocolate and balsamic reduction. There's plenty of fruit to support those heavy flavors, though, with vibrant cherry and plum flavors in the medium weight mouth. Cola and spice add interest to the close.
There's a nice minerality to this wine, with ripe and juicy aromas of citrus, honeydew and soft white florals. The mouth is tightly structured with flavors of sweet citrus, green berries and white strawberry hull. Balanced and clean with the medium weight mouth countered by appropriately zesty acidity.
Pop the cork and let it breathe for an hour before drinking, as this wine needs some time to open up and show it's true colors. Cassis, black pepper, mocha, balsamic reduction and a hint of tar unfold in the bouquet. The medium acidity and tight tannins take firm hold of your palate and linger through the finish.
A little generic, but overall this is a nice, simple, easy-to-like Cab with clean aromas and good structure and flavors. The nose is snappy, while the palate is driven by cherry, raspberry and plum flavors. Lasting and lively on the finish, with a modicum of complexity.
Unusually dry and lightly astringent, this medium-bodied wine adopts a Burgundy-style label and flavor profile, too. It tastes like toasted almonds and apple skin, and feels steely on the finish.
Already a full five-years-old, this cool vintage wine brings aromas of freshly brewed coffee, baking spice, vanilla, green herb and tobacco. The flavors are light and elegant, showing a pretty styling but the concentration doesn't always seem fully there.
A dark aroma like clove and wood smoke makes this full-bodied, ripe-tasting wine seem a little mysterious. It has ripe, easy blackberry and cedar flavors, a smooth texture and a very reasonable price.
This soft, juicy and fruity is full of red-berry flavors that are laced with acidity and a spicy, smoky edge. The wine is smooth and ready to drink.
The aromas are vibrant, with notes of flowers, jasmine, lime and peach. The palate drinks a hair off dry, with the concentration coming off as light but still providing interest.
A light cherry-red color, this wine offers bright aromas of strawberry and cherry. It drinks off dry, with lightly spritzy fruit flavors that come off as a bit weighty and ponderous.
This brawny, one-dimensional red offers flavors of raisin, dark spice, a note of powdered sage and the heat of evident alcohol. Bracing, grainy tannins leave a sharp finish.
This is a young fruit salad of a wine although one that is ready to drink for its crisp acidity and sliced apple flavor. The wine has citrus and a mineral texture as well as a bright line in zesty orange. Drink now.
Herbs, red berries and blue flowers come together on this zesty young red while the lean tight palate offers sour cranberry, unripe cherry and sage alongside brisk acidity. The somewhat grainy tannins leave a firm finish.
With judicious wood aging, this is a rich wine. Red berry and red-currant fruits dominate the acidity, giving a wine that is ripe and juicy. The aftertaste brings in attractive red cherries and acidity. Drink from 2017.
This wine seems a bit locked up at present, with aromas of garden herbs, plum and spice. The flavors show more generosity, with abundant cherry flavors backed by grainy, slightly astringent tannins.
Generous and fruity aromas of baked blackberry and blueberry syrup show on this blend of 48% Merlot, 45% Zinfandel, 4% Primitivo, 2% Petite Sirah and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with an underlying rockiness. A nicely tight structure boosted by strong acidity presents flavors of blackberry and black-cherry skin.
The wine is soft, fruity and immediately accessible. Red-berry fruit and balanced acidity are paired with red cherry and soft tannins. The wine is juicy and will be ready to drink from late 2017.
This opens with aromas of black currant, crushed violet, resin and a whiff of baking spice. Since it lacks the hefty structure of most Amarones it's more easygoing, offering red cherry, mint and a hint of tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins.
Milly-Lamartine is a village in the hills just north-west of Pouilly-Fuissé. Its style is for juicy and fruity wine like this. With hints of minerality, citrus and pear, the wine has a rounded character that is cut with acidity. Drink the wine now.
The Hautes Côtes de Nuits is in the first range of hills behind the famed Côtes de Nuits. Its cooler climate produces lighter wines, although in this warm vintage this is ripe style of wine. With its red-berry fruits and juicy acidity, the light tannins just give structure to a wine that is ready to drink.
Appealing aromas of citrus rind and pear lead to fleshy full-fruit flavors. The alcohol pokes through at times but it still provides enjoyment.
The wine is ripe and creamy with a toasty vanilla character. With spice and juicy fruitiness, it is smooth and ready to drink. The aftertaste, with its zesty texture, gives the wine final complexity.
The Devillard family has created a line of negociant wines, made from purchased grapes. This wine is properly crisp and mineral. It also has ripe yellow fruits and a perfumed floral character. It is still bursting with young fruit and will be better as it broadens out, so drink from 2017.
This offers aromas suggesting scorched earth, stalky underbrush, leather and steeped prune. The palate shows raisin, cassis and a hint of espresso alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish.
Deep elderberry and Concord-grape fruit tones are cut by cigar box and cedar galore on the nose of this bottling that employs all five red Bordeaux varieties. That woodiness dominates the palate, where juniper and pine sap meet with crushed espresso bean and graphite in the tightly wound structure.
Gritty, slightly grassy aromas are low on fruit. This is light yet composed on the palate, with mild stone-fruit and melon flavors. Modest acidity and equally modest fruit flavors make for a mild easy finish. Drink immediately.
Fermentation and maturation without oak casts a spotlight onto this unadorned Cabernet Franc. Sweet-tart black cherry and berry notes on the nose and palate are accented by streaks of green leaf and violet. It's not a deeply concentrated wine but refreshing, fringed by fine soft tannins and a touch of granite minerality on the finish.
Despite its Vin de France description, the fruit for this wine does come from the Loire Valley. It has just the right cool character along with lively acidity and a perfumed, white-flower character. Drink now.
The caramel, candy corn and peach aromas are rich and nectarous. The palate meanwhile shows delicacy and restraint. At times the concentration isn't all there but what is present is interesting.
In a ripe, tropical style of Sauvignon Blanc, this full wine conveys white peach and pineapple, rounded and fruity. The aftertaste has an attractive tang and zest of acidity. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of mature black-skinned berry, leather, menthol and dark spice. The palate seems a bit older than it is, offering raisin, bitter prune and star anise alongside close-grained but not very persistent tannins.
Fresh and citrusy in notes of lime zest and tangerine, this is a juicy, concentrated off-dry Riesling. On the palate, apples and pears are tinged with honey, spice and a bracing lemon-lime acidity. Luscious in mouthfeel yet irresistibly quaffable.
From a tiny winery in Lake County, over Mount St. Helena from Napa Valley, comes this mouthfilling, bold and fruit-packed red blend. It tastes rich and ripe, with deep plum and boysenberry and light herbal flavors. Medium to full-bodied and smooth-textured, it is structured with enough tannin for good balance. Winemaker Pietro Buttita says he didn't fine or filter it.
On first take, this is reduced and flat smelling, but with time it evolves to show raisin, licorice and herbal aromas. The palate is jammy, full and loud. Flavors of prune, raisin and blackberry are herbal and feral in nature, while the finish is acidic and full of chunky, herbal flavors. Drink through 2017.
Round and smooth, this delivers sensations of strawberry, wild cherry, raspberry, pine forest, menthol and cake spices. The concentrated flavors are balanced by supple tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy this over the next few years.
A toasty aroma greets you, from 20 months in 70% new French oak. There's plenty of fruit as well, concentrated mulberry and boysenberry annotated with ultradark chocolate. You may lay this one down until 2024.
Earthy aromas recall tilled soil, game and truffle. The dense, juicy palate delivers crushed black cherry, black pepper and clove alongside velvety tannins. It's forward and friendly; drink now for the succulent fruit flavors.
This medium-bodied Syrah is silky in texture, those soft tannins framing plummy fruit notes and hints of cracked pepper and licorice. The oak is integrated almost perfectly into the wine, leaving an impression of almost pristine fruit. Drink now–2020.
The classic Port grape gets a showcase here: 100% varietal, aged in 50% new oak (half French, half American). Spicy and complex, the scents and flavors include candied orange peel, plum and pastry fruits, along with plenty of sweet brown baking spices.
A rich and jammy wine that has ripe tannins that form a backdrop to the generous black fruits. Produced from old vines, the wine shows a rich and concentrated character. The aftertaste is punctuated by fresh acidity.
While Négrette dominates this blend, the addition of Cabernet and Syrah gives an extra ripe complexity, while adding sinews to the structure. Red berry fruits and a fresh layer of acidity are added to the oak from the barrique aging. Drink from 2016.
Apricots, ripe peaches and honey make an irresistible combination. The wine is ripe, showing some botrytis flavors as well as delicious fruitiness. The acidity that comes through gives a fresh while sweet aftertaste.
With rich cherry fruits and a firmer underlying structure, this is a dense wine. It is still fresh and fruity but has also developed a broad, generous feel that gives weight. It is ready to drink.
Chronos is the winery's Bordeaux-style blend, composed of half Cabernet Sauvignon and one-quarter each Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Sharp and peppery, it shows the tight, tart, herbal side of the grapes, amplified somewhat by the cool vintage. Berry, plum, fig and dark chocolate are the principal flavors, all in good proportion.
Mushroom aromas signify the maturity of this wine. It is now smooth, ripe and rich, while also very dry. Firm tannins are integrated, allowing plenty of room for the black fruits to register. There is no need further to age this juicy wine.
Consistent with past versions of this reserve-level Cabernet, this new vintage is smooth and sweetly fruity, with plenty of new oak aging under its belt. The tannins are ripe and svelte, and a streak of iron and licorice runs right down the spine. Drink now through 2020.
This is a polished Chardonnay, fruity in Meyer lemon and lime yet mellow and honeyed on the palate, buoyed by tight acidity and just enough spice. There's a balance of depth and breadth to this wine, and a lengthy finish. Some fruit comes from 40-year-old vines planted to Heritage Selections of the Robert Young clone.
With flavors of wood aging in the background, this is a rich while structured wine. It has firm tannins, spice and layers of acidity that come from the mineral texture. Drink this ripe and concentrated wine from 2016.
Properly structured, this is a solid wine. Great swathes of plum fruits are partnered with firm tannins. It is dark and firm, with a dense character. Touches of chocolate and roasted coffee go with the rich plums. Drink from 2015.
Lightly off dry, this graceful and beautifully balanced wine blends in about 7% Gewürztraminer, elevating the aromatics. Key lime, pink grapefruit and a touch of lemon zest are in play, with a finish that recalls a sip of English breakfast tea.
This has fresh oak and ripe boysenberry aromas and flavors. A thick but not harsh texure wraps around the tongue and keeps the flavors lingering on the finish. It's appropriately tannic and appetizingly dry, needing rich food or a drinker who loves this kind of delicious density.
This opens with plum and floral aromas, with freshness coming up from the bouquet. A zesty palate runs along a beam of bright acidity, while spicy raspberry core flavors finish peppery and with a burst of toasty oak. Just 50 cases made.
Jammy, baked, raisiny aromas convey a strong sense of ripeness. Voluminous and big in the mouth, this five-grape blend shows herbal flavors of olive, carob and roasted berry fruits. A spicy finish with graphite and lasting herbal notes is a touch green. Drink through 2018.
This wine contains a rather high (for Hermitage) 30% Roussanne in the blend (the balance is Marsanne). It's full bodied and luscious on the palate yet somewhat neutral in flavor. Fleeting hints of toasted nuts and stone fruit on the nose are followed by subtle oak and citrus notes, while the long finish features touches of mocha and flamed orange peel.
Soft, baked aromas of rooty, dark-berry fruits are easier going than the wine's high-toned, acid-driven palate. Flavors of vanilla, coconut, tobacco, prune and spiced berry fruits finish with length and structure along with tobacco and nutmeg accents. Drink through 2020.
Soothing menthol and green floral notes lend vibe to crisp sour-cherry flavors in this bold, penetrating Bordeaux-style blend. It's rich and brawny on the palate with juicy, primary cherry and plum flavors, yet streaked with delicate touches of oak and earth.
With its attractive aromas and flavors of ripe cherries and subtle notes of pine and dried mint, this wine is immediately accessible without being simple. Likewise, in terms of texture, it's sturdy enough to last a few years, but not so tough as to be off-putting. Complex, flavorful and supple, it should be at its best through at least 2016.
Pretty aromas of underbrush, crushed blue flower and perfumed berries lead the nose on this robust Rosso. The dense palate delivers succulent black cherry, raspberry, mocha and sweet cake spices alongside firm tannins. It's not an ager so enjoy soon.
A strong, vibrant texture of crisp acidity and firm tannins energizes this flavorful and distinctive wine. Red cherry and raspberry aromas lead to crisp cranberry and cherry flavors. An appealing dry finish brings you back for another sip.
Made from a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this ripe wine delivers soft plum, black currants, clove and cracked pepper sensations accented with coffee and espresso notes. A backbone of firm tannins give structure. Drink now through 2019.
Great balance in this fruit-forward yet well-structured wine. It's not a monster, but firmly in the lunch and dinner wine category because of appetizingly fresh raspberry and strawberry flavors and good acidity. It's medium-bodied, firm-textured and dry.
A big and bold Shiraz, dark fruit aromas and flavors of fig, black cherry and plum abound. Glimmers of sweet spice and smoke unfold softly, showing the promise of additional complexities and nuance that should continue to develop with time. Firmly structured tannins help to frame the lush, ripe palate, and prodive a gripping texture to the long close. Try after 2015 and beyond.
This single-vineyard Tempranillo is masculine and dark, as evidenced by aromas of licorice, pepper, blackberry, coconut and campfire. It's mouthfilling and oaky, with toasty, dark, baked-fruit flavors that lead to a finish defined by licorice and clove. Overall it's black, spicy and impressive; drink from 2015–2020.
Soft foliage notes lead on the nose of this wine, with supporting aromas of strawberry, raspberry and stewed rhubarb. The medium-weight mouth offers moderate tannins and a good streak of lifting acidity, resulting in a texture like crushed satin. Fruit-skin flavors linger on the medium-length close alongside accents of pepper and sweet spice.
Penetrating notes of melon, stone fruit and white florals set apart this lavish Riesling from Anthony Road. Semisweet in style with honeyed fruit flavors, it's balanced by bracing lime acidity and crushed-stone minerality that extends the finish.
Once again, this Malbec-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Norton excels. The nose is a bit grapy and candied, but there's depth and a level of intensity that bodes well for the future. The palate is deep and concentrated, with blackberry, prune, stewed plum, graphite and coffee flavors in front of a mellow, smooth finish.  Drink now through 2016.
A very structured, firm wine with excellent acidity and dark, dry tannins. The alcohol does show through, but the wine is firm and very dense, a big success from this Lurton family owned property.
A big, ripe and juicy wine packed with black fruit notes and laced with acidity. The tannins offer a contrast to the fruitiness, bringing balance and structure. This is an impressive wine, the smoky aftertaste bringing out the wood aging.
Gran is a step up from Mora's crianza. The nose deals marzipan, blackberry, raisin and chocolate aromas in front of a smooth, layered palate with toasted berry, vanilla and chocolate flavors. There's a ton of oak on this wine, creating a vanilla and caramel character on the finish. Drink now through 2017.
Made from Lava Cap's estate grapes, with small amounts of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc, this is a bright, earthy Barbera. Rustic and juicy with mouth filling plum and blackberry pie flavors, it's not shy, but entirely balanced, a treat for seekers of California Barbera.
Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable bouquet. The palate is juicy and fresh, with substance and structure in support of blackberry, spice cake and licorice flavors. The finish is long, with slightly rubbery flavors.
Traditional oak-based aromas of mint, dill, tobacco, vanilla and coconut sit on top of tarry black-fruit scents. In the mouth, this is a snappy, tight, structured wine with flavors of oak, coffee, licorice, spice and blackberry. It's stylish on the finish, with toasty, peppery flavors that linger for a good, long while.
Spicy and substantial, this authoritative Riesling snaps into tight focus around apple and melon flavors. Hints of clove and ginger add complexity.
Full bodied and fruity, the 2010 estate Syrah from Va Piano is rounder and less herbal than the 2009. Which style you enjoy is a matter of individual preference. Big and approachable, with lovely blueberry fruit, the 2010 seems to stop a bit short, but with more bottle age may reveal details that are currently in hiding.
While the nose of this wine is a bit savory, hinting of dried herb and bramble, the palate dazzles with crisp green apple and plum flavors that feel puckering and spry. The finish is racy and refreshing.
From grapes grown in Pope Valley, the eastern part of the Napa Valley, this is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot. Smoky bacon and thick, concentrated waves of blackberry mark the wine, which is made by Ted Osborne of Olabisi. The finish is dark and chocolaty, with more of that smoke.
Rooty, herbal berry aromas are forward and scratchy. This has a narrow, condensed, acidic feel and herbal, spicy, lightly green plum and currant flavors. A minty, peppery, dry finish is choppy and tannic, but it's also well focused.
Melon, apple and minerally aromas make this wine clean and steely on the opening. Lemony acidity combined with minerality gives this a Muscadet-like mouthfeel, while flavors of lemon, tangerine and lime are stony and sharp.
This is a round style of Sauvignon Blanc, bringing out tropical fruit, ripe gooseberries and fresh grapefruit. It is a lively, bright wine from stony, chalky soil, delivering a tight mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
Grape jelly, pipe smoke, lilac cologne, woody incense and a bit of tar show in the nose of this wine by Benjamin Silver, who's made wine for many years in a small warehouse on Santa Barbara's Eastside. Flavors of blackberry, wet tobacco, gamy meats and beef jerky are pleasantly rustic.
Subtle aromatics and a zing of acidity lift this steely, medium-bodied wine, buoyed by streaks of fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit. The majority of the grapes come from Alexander Valley, with additional components from Sonoma Valley and Knights Valley. Aging was done entirely in stainless steel.
This oddly shaped bottle of lightly colored wine shows aromas of boysenberry, dried rose petals, cranberry soda and minty root beer. The flavors reflect the nose, showing rose hips and pomegranate, proving very flavorful and refreshingly light.
Muted on the nose, this soft wine co-fermented with 9% Petite Sirah offers rich red cherry, blackberry and layers of clove and lavender. Lush, it finishes in firm tannins and oak.
Spicy Asian pear dominates in this low-to-no-oak white, medium-bodied and jumping in savory thyme. Aromas of peaches also come into play, before this wine finishes crisp and clean.
Light in color and seemingly simple, this wine celebrates the virtues of fresh-squeezed citrus and peach while floating through floating clouds of air, that's how light it remains on the palate. Still, there's flavor and refreshment, all at a more-than-fair price.
Elegant and fresh, this features aromas of crushed tomato vine, green melon and a whiff of passion fruit. The vibrant palate delivers white peach, cantaloupe and a mineral accent alongside bright acidity.
Aromas of dried black fruit, spice, tobacco and leather lead the nose on this vibrant, medium-bodied red. The savory palate delivers spiced plum, juicy blackberry, black pepper and a licorice accent alongside velvety tannins.
A blend of several vineyards, this was aged for 17 months in French oak. The barrel influence is subtle, but the time in wood has helped to round out the tannins. The strawberry and raspberry fruit still has sharp edges and an herbal streak, bumping up against a smooth, chocolaty finish.
Crisp green apple, fresh citrus and caramel coat the palate before delving into nutmeg and Tahitian vanilla, the wine's fruit ripe and in balance. Bright acidity refreshes throughout the glass, finishing in a splash of minerally spice.
This wine combines freshness and structure. It's full of acidity and bright berry fruits. At the same time, the solid structure gives the wine balance and a fine future. Wood aging offers further support to the fruitiness of this ageworthy wine. Drink from 2017.
Made in a lighter, more delicate style than many of its brethren, this is nevertheless fresh and flavorful. Pear, melon and white peach notes are framed by hints of toasted brioche, which takes on a slightly mocha-like character on the finish.
Vanilla wraps itself around cherry, cranberry and pomegranate to open with a ripe bang before this wine delves into darker tar notes and big tannins. Powerfully dense and concentrated, it maintains an herbal overtone that suggest further potential over time.
Bright and easygoing, this features aromas of red berry, wildflower and a touch of alpine herb. The silky, lightly tannic palate doles out crushed raspberry, a hint of baking spice and an herbaceous note.
This radiant red opens doles out succulent sour cherry, crushed strawberry, orange zest and a nuance of almond alongside bright acidity and delicate tannins. It delivers easy-drinking pleasure, so enjoy soon.
This light, elegant wine is the introduction to the estate Pinots. At almost five years of age when reviewed, it is drinking in its prime, with precise flavors of strawberry pastry and a touch of nougat.
Aromas of toasted nut and dried stone fruit lead the nose on this structured white. On the palate, dried herb and a mineral note accent the core of yellow apple and citrus. Fresh acidity generates a clean finish.
Here's a poised, refreshing white that opens with enticing aromas of spring blossom and stone fruit. The luminous palate offers fresh peach, Granny Smith apple and nectarine alongside crisp acidity. A hint of Alpine herb enhances the clean finish.
Delicate orange blossom and pear aromas waft from the glass. The linear palate offers crisp apple, juicy peach and a bitter almond note coupled with brisk acidity.
Aromas of white flower, green pear and flinty mineral mingle in the glass. The bright palate offers creamy Granny Smith apple, nectarine, sage and a light mineral note. Bright acidity gives it a clean finish.
Made with 100% Schiava Gentile, this conveys subdued aromas of red berry and fragrant blue flower. The vibrant palate offers wild cherry, nectarine and a nutty note alongside bright acidity and sleek tannins. Enjoy soon.
Subdued aromas of red berry and rhubarb take shape in the glass. The reserved palate offers up crushed cherry, green tea and a hint of vanilla alongside fresh acidity and slightly astringent tannins.
Pretty aromas of spring blossom and orchard fruit waft out of the glass. The bright palate offers juicy white peach and green apple alongside lively acidity. It closes with white almond.
Berry and plum aromas are concentrated but also medicinal. This has syrupy weight to the palate and a sticky mouthfeel. Flavors of baked berry, candied cherry, oak and cough medicine finish jammy, woody and a bit hot.
A typical aromatic trio of apple, peach and minerals gives way to a balanced palate. Pithy melon is the key flavor on this “patio-style” white. Melony flavors carry onto a finish that flattens out fairly quickly.
This rosé is done by saignée, which means bleeding the juice from the primary fermentation before it has acquired more than a touch of color. It's fully ripened and a little coarse, with some stiffness to the tannins. The strawberry and cherry fruit component is full-bodied, with medium acidity.
This smooth and fruit-driven wine was blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah, a combo unlikely to appear elsewhere on the globe. The vivid fruit flavors and light tannins lend a nice impression of sweetness.
Spunky aromas of red plum and red-berry fruits are fresh. This wine feels dry, chalky and tannic. Berry and plum flavors come with a hint of chocolate and spice on a choppy finish.
A ripe, smooth and richly fruity wine that has a well-integrated structure. Flavors of generous blackberry and red plums are lightly touched by acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Oaky, slightly odd aromas of clove and baking spices show more black fruit the longer this breathes. Tannic, drawing and hard across the palate, this tastes of savory, saucy plum and blackberry. On the finish, rubbery tannins and flavors of baking spices and tomato sauce take control.
Apple, spice and mild yeast aromas are composed and hint at complexity. This feels complete, with a layer or two of depth. Dry flavors of apple and apricot are clean and direct.
Aromas of grilled herb, French oak, sage and a balsamic note lead the nose while the firm palate shows tart red cherry, licorice and toasted notes. It's still tightly wound, with bracing, astringent tannins. Give the tannins a few years to unfurl then drink up.
A blend of four varieties, this is a full-bodied, plush-textured wine with easy-to-like fruit and spice flavors and a lingering finish.
This light-bodied, lightly sweet wine has lemon and peach aromas, ripe and bright fruit flavors, a smooth texture and lingering finish.
Fistfuls of oak, heat and chocolate-covered blackberry form the basis for this hugely ripe, leathery wine that features a sideshow of tannin. Brick and licorice notes fill out the rest of the generously robust package.
Full and ripe with broad aromas of jasmine, cooked apple and lilies, this wine gets a twist from brown spice on the nose. The rich palate reflects a touch of cinnamon sprinkled on baked apples, along with flint, sandstone, pineapple and a smoky character.
A bold ripe wine that is full of dark fruits and tannins. It is warm, rounded with spice as well as fine acidity and blackberry flavors. The wine is now fully developed, ready to drink.
This ripe, fruity wine is full of red fruit flavors. It has spice, attractive tannic structure and ample acidity. With its balance coming together, the wine will be ready to drink from 2017.
There's a density and concentration to this wine that many will find appealing, a mix of leathery cigar box and unfussy notions of clove and currant. Silky-smooth on the palate, it's full bodied and robust, made entirely from Cabernet.
This is a fuller-bodied style of the variety, rich and moderate in acidity, with a fleshiness on the palate. It sings in tropical kumquat and pineapple alongside a succulence of melon.
Aromas of cellar floor, underbrush and stewed prune open. The straightforward palate offers dark cherry, raspberry, toast and white pepper. Drink through 2020.
Foaming and fresh, this lively dessert wine doles out aromas and flavors of ripe yellow peach, juicy apricot, candied lemon drop and a hint of aromatic herb. A soft perlage and fresh acidity lift the creamy flavors.
Red fruits and soft tannins give this rounded wine a generous feel. It has spice and rich berry fruits that are lifted with a touch of acidity. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
This is a smooth wine whose tannins have been already integrated into the blackberry fruits. It is ripe, still young of course, and with a stalky texture in the background. With acidity and fruitiness, the wine needs to age. Drink from late 2017.
The stylish label puts this in the “bro” wine category, yet it's quite a good get for the price. Light aromas of crushed cherry candies, charred wood and fresh chopped mint drop into a palate laden with cherries and menthol. It's a nice, easy and not overpowering wine.
This is old-school Oregon Pinot, with plenty of pepper, wild thyme and hemp scents and flavors. Very tart cranberry fruit anchors the midpalate. Decanting will help to smooth it out.
With its dark color and rich fruit, this is instantly approachable. Tannins are well integrated into the ripe plum and black cherry fruits. With fresh acidity and a core of dry tannins at the end, the wine could age. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of white spring blossom and pear lead the nose on this bright, straightforward Pinot Grigio. The palate offers tart green apple and citrus alongside crisp acidity.
Stewed black plum, brandied cherry, licorice and raisin aromas are very ripe and chocolaty. This is dense and a bit ponderous on the palate, with raisin, cassis, kirsch, black pepper and caramel flavors that finish sticky and a touch fiery. In many ways, this red-grape-based sweetie is similar to Pedro Xímenez from Sherry country.
Delicate aromas recall white spring flower and green apple. The bright palate offers mature Bartlett pear, nectarine and a hint of bitter almond alongside brisk acidity.
Leafy, green, minty aromas blend with riper notes of cassis and a touch of clove on this medium-bodied Cabernet. Flavors of herbal berry and oak spice finish a little hot and raw, with herb and cinnamon notes that linger.
Rooty aromas of prune, berry and rubber band settle on a pleasant, bouncy palate with rubbery tannins. Spice, black pepper, cherry and raspberry flavors end with clove, a touch of sweet oak and juicy acidity. This is uncomplicated but well made.
Aromas of cut grass, crushed tomato vine and stone fruit come together in the glass. The vibrant palate doles out passion fruit, raw white peach, pink grapefruit and a celery note alongside refreshing acidity.
This opens with aromas of white rose and lavender. The refreshing palate delivers white peach, juicy citrus and accents of sage and rosemary. It's balanced with bright acidity.
Made with 100% Schiava, this has a subdued nose that eventually reveals red berry and iris. The palate offers crushed raspberry and a hint of marzipan alongside somewhat drying tannins and brisk acidity.
Aromas of dried oregano and sage, alongside a vein of dusty minerals, lend a dark, savory tone to this refreshing off-dry Riesling. Crisp apple and lemon flavors are cutting and spry on the palate, finishing brisk and clean.
Leathery, brambly blackberry flavors and aromas arrive with a bang in this bold, generous wine. Mouthcoating in smooth, vanilla-tinged tannins and reasonable oak, it's slightly sweet in a berry cobbler way, with a hit of smoke on the finish. Small amounts of Syrah and Petite Sirah are included.
Rusticity runs rampant throughout this off-dry kabinett full of savory earth and dust tones. Its crisp, cutting citrus flavors are remarkably complex, nuanced with hints of pollen, spice, slate and clay.
American oak stands out on the nose, before this wine offers bright red raspberry, blackberry and an unexpected crispness. A follow-up of orange peel and clove confuses in pleasant ways, before the finish repeats the oak. Still young, this wine will benefit from airing.
Dusty and jammy, this has layers of red cherry and blackberry that integrate well with the oak in this proprietary blend of 47% Malbec, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 11% Syrah and 3% Carmenère. A bit heavy on the palate, it finishes thick and rich, reflective of very ripe fruit.
This big, bold wine blends local grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional. It has red fruits and rounded tannins that are well integrated with the fruitiness. Full in the mouth and with delicious acidity, it is ready to drink.
Dry and stalky, this wine from the eastern Alentejo is structured and firm. It has ripe black fruit flavors along with acidity, both of them dominated by tannins from the fruit. The wine needs to age; drink from 2017.
Peppery aromas of roast beef crust, strawberry-balsamic reduction and grape candy introduce this bottling, one of the winery's smaller batch offerings. The candied element is strong on the palate, with licorice and a spearmint character giving herbal lift.
Tight and tannic, this majority Cab wine is distinguished by a thickness of black fruit and herbaceous back palate that gives it density, separated by bursts of vanilla and oak. Give it time to open and notes of mocha chocolate should also come through.
Ian Brand's stab at this grape shows a lot of black rock minerality and bloody meats on the nose, layered across blueberry syrup and sour cherry elements. The palate is much lighter than other takes on this varietal, showing menthol-laced flavors of blackberries and tobacco.
Made with 90% Schiava and 10% Lagrein, this approachable wine conveys subdued aromas of red berry and underbrush. The palate offers crushed strawberry, sour cherry plus hints of tangerine and almond. Soft tannins and bright acidity provide the framework.
Herbal, brushy aromas of raspberry and plum include notes of leather, coffee and cedar. This Carignan is tannic, chunky and muscular, with lightly herbal, green-leaning flavors of plum and berry. A texturally sound finish holds onto the wine's mild green character.
Tight and tannic, this 99% Cabernet Sauvignon also has 1% Petit Verdot, which provides a faint floral note to the bouquet that is otherwise punctured by ripe swirls of cherry, vanilla and coconut, themes that repeat on the palate. Hard to penetrate fully, the wine needs time to open in the glass to reveal its charms.
Whiffs of nuts, pollen and earth are savory on the nose, but the palate is full of pristine lemon and tangerine flavors. Zesty and refreshing, it has a touch of honey to soften the finish.
Aromas of strawberry, espresso, dried herb and toast lead the nose. The palate offers dried red berry, rhubarb, dill and coffee bean alongside smooth but rather fleeting tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
A 50-50 blend of Inzolia and Chardonnay, this has pleasant aromas of yellow flower and a whiff of tropical fruit. The fresh, simple palate shows white peach and citrus while bright acidity gives it a clean finish.
Sliced green pears, honeysuckle, jasmine, cut limes and a touch of apple-flavored bubblegum show on the nose of this bottling. The texture is nicely cut with steely grip, releasing flavors of sour apple, ripe nectarine and honeydew.
The aromas of this light-bodied wine are herbal and savory, while the flavors resemble melon and celery. It has a smooth style, with more of a ripe texture than a tart one.
Made in a cooler, lighter-bodied style, this wine appeals with cedar and wild strawberry, integrating the oak and letting the tannins mellow in the background.
Thin fruit flavors seem overtaken by the barrel flavors. The wine spent nine months in one third new French oak—not excessive by any means, but the fruit just isn't up to it at the moment. More bottle age may bring up the light apple into more substantial focus.
You could do a lot worse at the U.S. Open than to sip a glass of this. Keeping it well-chilled will help rein in the broad, weighty notes of peach and melon and allow hints of peppery spice to emerge on the finish. Drink now.
Saucy aromas are more earthy and herbal than fruity and rich. This feels chunky, clunky and tannic, while flavors of blackened spices, herbal berry fruits and tomato sauce finish tannic but also low on acidity.
This fresh, crisp wine has a light salmon-pink color. It bursts with attractive red and citrus fruits to give a bright character plus tight acidity. Drink now.
Fresh lemon and lime flavors are juxtaposed by dusty bramble and herb notes in this savory off-dry Riesling. Finishes briskly with a touch of green herb. Drink now through 2018.
Red plum and strawberry compote rise faintly from the glass. The palate is fruity but dilute, easy and clean. Drink soon and possibly chilled a little to accentuate the freshness.
Aromas of black plum, black cherry, green bramble and a touch of eucalyptus precede flavors of blackberry, raspberry and red plum.
Pineapple, citrus blossom, and white peach aromas prepare your palate for tastes of green apple, lemon zest and apricots. The finish is crisp and acidic.
Aromas of black berry and black cherry lead to flavors of cherry vanilla and red plum before a soft tannic finish.
A closed nose gives little away of the conifer and pine notes that seem to spice this wine. It has aromas of oak and some cinnamon but fruit never makes it to the fore.
Heavy smoke aromas mesh with red berries on the nose of this blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Smoked meat, blackberry fruit, the tang of anise and roasting herbs arise on the palate.
Yellow flower, hay and orchard fruit aromas lead the nose. The bright, straightforward palate provides lemon, lime zest and a hint of pineapple alongside fresh acidity.
This medium-bodied wine is high-toned in red fruit and tannin, a mix of cedar, black currant and blackberry that broods in the French wood it spent almost two years resting within, 60% of it new. Small percentages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are in the blend.
Fresh apple, peach and generous flavors of vanilla and coconut rest on a pillowy texture. The wine is fruity and light, without noticeable acidity.
Grapy and perfumed on the nose, this quaffable Garnacha is sound and fresh, albeit a bit acidic. Black-fruit flavors are common and show notes of earth and chocolate, while a grabby finish displays no glaring faults.
This light-bodied, dry wine smells fresh and fruity, tastes like crisp apples and honeydew melon, and has a soft texture that makes it easy to sip.
Rubbery black plum and berry aromas lead to a fresh, tight palate with astringent tannins. Generic berry flavors are angular, while this everyday Garnacha is tannic and scratchy on the finish.
From the home estate of wine academic and guru Denis Dubourdieu, this tight, nervy wine has a mineral character rounded by wild-strawberry flavors. An attractive citrus tang gives it good bite at the end. Drink now.
This Romanian Cabernet Sauvignon smells like black raspberry, cherry vanilla and a touch of mint. There are flavors of red berries and red plum on the palate.
Light, spicy aromas of tea, rubber, cherry and raspberry are earthy. This feels light, dilute and dry. Flavors of mulchy red fruits come with notes of tomato and pepper, as does the finish.
Spicy, leathery berry aromas are aggressive. This Tempranillo feels grabby and rubbery, while saucy berry and plum flavors lean in the direction of stewy. A finish with rustic berry flavors runs long.
This offers aromas and flavors suggesting unripe apricot, peach and lime. The simple palate is a bit raw, but crisp acidity gives it clean, bright finish.
This semisweet Viura-Malvasia blend is neutral on the nose, then sweet as expected on the palate, with upfront residual sugar driving a flavor profile that includes mango, banana and apple juice. Sugary and bit cloying from start to finish, but good acidity keeps it in balance.
With aromas of warm earth, cedar, tobacco and meaty black fruit, this covers the basics of Ribera. It feels plump, round and maybe a bit flat, with rich, ripe blackberry, prune and spice flavors. It's harmonious and full-bodied on the finish.
This is a delicate wine that blossoms with white fruit flavors and taut acidity. It's very tense, with fine depth of flavor and a mouthwatering texture that will take several years to mature. Screwcap.
Wonderfully fruity, this is a clean, crisp and food-friendly rosé. It poised and elegant, with a ripe fruit character that's balanced by taut acidity and lime zest flavor.
Lively and crisp, this is a finely balanced rosé. Its raspberry fruits are allied to notes of grapefruit and mineral, with delicious mouthwatering acidity.
This is a well-balanced wine that is both crisp and breezy and full of delicious red-berry fruits. It has a tight texture, with some minerality and a tangy aftertaste. This should make for an excellent apéritif.
Delicious and crisp, this has an initial taste of intense citrus and red fruit. The sensation carries through the wine, with a fruity yet taut and mineral-driven texture. There is great fruit on the finish.
Rounded and rich, this is full of strawberry flavors. It's deliciously ripe, with crispness to go with the serious fruit. This is very much a food rosé, concentrated and intense.
This is a structured wine, with a dry character, ripe fruit and firm acidity. It has a dry core that needs more aging to bring out its potential richness.
This is smooth, with creamed apple and pink grapefruit notes. Textured and concentrated, this has delicious pure fruit flavor that's contrasted with a touch of pepper and intense acidity. Screwcap.
A wine that has just the right balance between acidity and fruit. It's smooth and soft, with an attractive zesty texture. The wine has warm richness on the finish.
Alienor Grand Vin hails from Kelseyville, in Lake County, a fine place for Bordeaux varieties. A blend of 51% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this is highly structured with a lot of herbal intensity. The typical fruit forwardness of many California reds is subdued; the wine may need time for the fruit to make its way through.
Young, tight and primary, this stylish, astringent Cabernet includes 10% Merlot in the blend. Blueberry, cassis, black cherry and chocolate flavors mingle in this tannic, ageworthy wine.
Named for a tree native to the Northwest coast, this red blend is 60% Dolcetto, the rest Merlot and Syrah. Unusual, but it works well, pushing the luscious red fruits forward, which are bright and well-defined. Just a hint of pepper and dark chocolate is woven through the finish. Though not as big as the winery's varietal wines, it has a pleasing, supple elegance.
Sweet on the nose but also a little green, with minty aromas of herb mixed with blueberry. It feels typically tannic and tough, with roasted blackberry and chocolate flavors. The finish is tannic, with spicy, chocolaty flavors that last for quite a while. Drink now. USA Wine West.
Pine and juniper aromas mix with berry and plum scents on a lively but dense and slightly volatile nose. Airing leads to an edgy, full-bodied palate with baked berry, plum and tomato flavors. This is long, lively and mildly herbal on the finish. A bit wiry and high in acid.
Surprisingly, this seems quite light at first, with strawberry and cranberry fruit flavors, and a fair amount of acidity. Give it a few hours of breathing time and it gains flesh. The wine spent 19 months in a combination of American and French oak (two-thirds new).
The oak is pronounced on the nose and mouth of this wine, but it's supported by ripe fruit aromas and flavors of red apple flesh, guava and quince. It's lush and mouthfilling, but there's enough acidity to keep it from feeling overdone or flabby. Finishes clean with spiced tropical-fruit notes.
One of Faiveley's monopoles (wholly owned vineyards), Clos des Cortons makes powerful wines. That's the case in 2005. This wine towers up, a strong edifice of tannins and big, black fruits. It has all the right elements coming into place, along with weight and some elegance.
In the Fonseca tradition, this is a hugely rich wine, very dense. It is not all weight, with excellently integrated firm tannins and a range of complex flavors, from nuts and berry fruits to full frontal ripeness. There is some dryness to finish.
A powerhouse of a wine that goes from densely rich to massive without a pause. The ripe fruit, the dark, heavy tannins, the black plum and fig flavors, all come from the terroir of this great vineyard.
A big, burly wine, powerful, concentrated and packed with fruit, the tannins a potential aging advantage underneath all this delicious fruit. Solid, but charming at the same time.
A subdued, classic spice nose leads this impressive Bordeaux blend from powerhouse producer Ernie Els. The wine is structured but soft, vibrant but restrained—in short, an exceptional balance of leathery spice, plum and blackberry juiciness and delicate minerality. Very pretty but with a backbone, this wine can age for added elegance.
A beautiful rounded wine, full of juicy fruit, but sustained by a strong tannic structure. This dryness suggests good aging potential, as does the ripeness of the fruit and the acidity. Keep for at least 6 years.
This is Washington Syrah at its most distinctive. The fruit stands out with tart and tangy flavors of boysenberry, raspberry and a tartness reminiscent of cranberry. There are streaks of meat, smoke and bacon, and the acids are clean. This is a glorious food wine, but so juicy, assertive and delicious that it almost demands to be drunk on its own. Will it evolve in the cellar? Probably, but it's hard to keep your hands off it long enough to find out.
A round, full-bodied wine that goes for the generous, opulent fruity aspect of red Burgundy with its big, blowsy red fruits, just kept in check by tannins. The acidity is lively and fresh, keeping pace with the intense vibrant fruits. Screwcap.
An impressive wine, fueled by black plum juice flavors. The acidity is just right, balancing the richness of the fruit. The wine revels in the serious side of Echezeaux, packed with dark, tight tannins over the fruit. It needs at least five years, maybe 10.
This blend is concentrated and meaty. It perfectly captures and combines the raspberry intensity of the Grenache, the brambleberry fruit of the Mourvèdre and the peppery smoke and spice of the Syrah. Somehow winemaker James Mantone coaxes something akin to French garrigue out of the grapes as well, making this one of a handful of Washington Rhônes that really capture those elusive French herbal highlights.
Produced from two separate vineyards, the wine has all the concentration of old vines. It has tannins and dark fruits, blackberry and black plum. This is a finely structured cru wine that will need to age. Drink from 2020.
This variety is still a rarity in the state, with vineyard-designated offerings even more so. Aromas of cherry, mortared herb and mineral are followed by focused tightly wound black-fruit flavors that persist on the finish. It appears to show a bit more oak influence than the winery is typically known for but still delivers the goods.
This offers a great taste of an iconic vineyard for less than $30. Tart cranberry, bay leaf and sagebrush make for an expressive nose. The palate is laced with thyme, sage and more bay-leaf as well as nutmeg, which all sit atop dark red, almost-purple fruit, making for an intriguing combination.
This estate wine made of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot spent nearly two years in all-new French oak. Time has elevated its sanguine, herbaceous characteristics, melding them within a context of graceful softness dotted in black pepper, black olive and meat.
In this wine, a distinct and delicious blackberry-jam aroma is backed up by concentrated and pure fruit flavors. But the balance is good and dry, and the wine has a mouth-filling texture buoyed by fine-grained tannins and full body. This is a wonderful example of a flavor-packed but sophisticated dinner wine from this varietal.
This bottling is a great representation of the savory style that's typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains, but with enough rounded, approachable ripeness that it will appease those seeking juicier wine as well. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, spicy vanilla and sharp cinnamon-allspice lead into a black and white pepper-laden palate, full of ripe elderberry, blueberry and elderflower.
Key-lime rinds, pink grapefruit, crisp pluot, just-ripe pineapple, nectarine and a steely gunmetal aroma show on the nose of this bottling. There's an intriguing touch of sweet onion to the sip. The laser-sharp precision would pair well with shellfish, but a slightly buttered warmth makes the bottling quite versatile.
The impenetrably obscure label design makes this difficult to find, but once your hands are on the bottle, it's smooth sailing. A “second label” Bordeaux-style blend, this delicious, fruity and distinctive wine puts a wrap of tangy citrus around black cherry, coffee and licorice components. Malbec is the principal grape, with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc.
Emerging winemaker Giovanni Grandinetti is one to watch. In this bottling he blends co-fermented lots of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from Bien Nacido and Murmur vineyards to produce aromas reminiscent of venison in a rainbow peppercorn glaze, with touches of tar and crushed graphite. The palate is likewise quite gamy and tarry, with dried beef and teriyaki touches.
Sultry black cherry, clove and crushed graphite show on the nose of this single-vineyard study from Winemaker Paul Clifton. That baked black-cherry power arises strongly on the palate as well, with lots of allspice and star anise. The wine finishes crisp, wiping the palate clean.
It's rare to see varietal Carmenère outside of Chile, let alone in Long Island, and such a great surprise when it's as tasty as this. It's lusciously fruity yet pristinely fresh, boasting crisp black-plum and cherry flavors that penetrate deeply on the palate. A herbaceous swathe of green leaf and bramble only accentuates the freshness. Fine firm tannins need a few years to meld. Hold until 2020.
Spicy aromas of balsam wood, tobacco and sawmill work well with ripe but reserved red-berry scents. Tight, tannic but also fresh as opposed to drying, this Cabernet from a cool year delivers a classic set of herbal berry, plum and wood spice flavors. A ripped finish is dry and oaky now, with core fruit resting for the future. Drink 2018–2028.
The merest touch of apricot caresses the vanilla and hazelnut notes of fine oak. The palate, on the other hand, conveys power and concentration, held tight and taut by lemon freshness. This will take a little while in bottle to unfold and should entice lovers of Chardonnay with its combination of bright freshness and lush fruit.
A savory rather than fruity blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, this bottling offers black pepper, anise and light violet alongside boysenberry and elderberry fruit on the nose. The palate tightens up into underripe cherry, thyme, marjoram and bay leaf, with very dry elderberry fruit tones.
Handfuls of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot figure into this wine, a lovely, medium-bodied beauty that finds balance in its measured use of oak. Vanilla, plum and bold jolts of pepper and cinnamon combine well on the lengthy palate.
A curious mix of roasted smokiness and red fruits makes for an appetizing autumnal nose. The red fruit underneath these flavors is beautifully pure and speaks of raspberry and wild strawberries. The wonderfully refreshing tartness zips across the palate like a bright streak of light and gives freshness, direction and poise to everything. The flavors are lasting and long.
This delicious and distinctive take on the grape as a pure varietal impresses with its solid core of purple plum and blueberry fruit. Aromatic accents of lemon and green tea continue into the palate as well, and the lengthy finish is fresh and multi-dimensional.
Earthy aromas include herbal notes, a hint of tomato sauce, asphalt and dusty berry fruits. This has a raw tannic exterior but is softer in the middle. Flavors of saucy, herbal plum and blackberry come with notes of tobacco and olive, while this is drawing and gritty on the finish, with a roasted quality. Drink through 2024.
The nose is still closed: There is just a hint of dark fruit. The palate lightens with expressive and finely drawn fruit. There is pepper-tinged red cherry, fine notes of cranberry and red currant. The fruit here is beautiful and taut; there is freshness, tension and real elegance. Tannins are supple and fine, and the body is unforced and fresh.
This is from a fantastic vineyard site in the Laguna Hills neighborhood of the appellation, and the second vintage of this particular selection from this producer. Generous lemony oak meets toast within a robust body of complex layers and salty caramel.
A super bargain, this is a concentrated, structured glass of gamy Syrah. Black cherry liqueur, black olives, espresso and meaty flavors combine on the full-bodied palate, finishing with a hefty dose of smoky goodness. Drink now–2025.
Full bodied, rich and carrying a bit of residual sugar, this is a fine example of the variety's potential in Marlborough. Smoky, grilled-pear notes add hints of honey and melon on the palate, where despite its richness, the wine soars into a long, velvety finish. Drink now–2020, at least.
This wine seems soft and silky on the surface, but boasts a sinewy structure that should enable it to age well through 2025. Floral and cedar notes add nuance to the black cherries on the nose, while the flavors include hints of cola and herbal tea that linger on the finish.
West of the Okanagan valley, Similkameen Valley is being touted as the next great Canadian wine region. If these first releases from Vanessa are typical, they are right on track. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc blend is a supple and sensuous wine, with well-integrated flavors of fig, black cherry, brambly berry, roasted coffee and mocha. It's sturdy, layered and balanced, with a hint of smoke from aging 18 months in a mix of French and American oak.
This full-bodied, fleshy wine fits the typical Châteauneuf-du-Pape mold, delivering ample black-cherry and plum fruit, then layering atop hints of Mexican chocolate and baking spices. Drink now–2025.
This méthode Champenoise blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay impresses with its inviting mousse of peach and strawberry. It's fresh and lush, aged on the lees for three years, giving it body without an overabundance of alcohol. Dry, it finishes with a twist of candied orange peel.
This is a delightful wine, crowd pleasing and complex. It benefits from its lack of oak by focusing on its lifted fruit—a twist of fresh-squeezed lemon and grapefruit—its acidity nicely measured and not one-dimensional. The crisp freshness is complemented by a hint of white rock and subtle lushness on the back palate.
There's no doubt this estate-grown wine is at first funky on the nose, a mix of forest, mint and farmhouse cheese. It develops in the glass to embrace its quirks, complementing them with vibrant acidity, ripe texture, and hints of orange, rhubarb and spicy clove.
This is aged in barrel, but the power of the source's granitic soils is such that the oak is barely noticeable. Nasturtium blossom and apricot mark the nose, while the palate adds pineapple, cinnamon and clove. The wine is a bit oily in texture, but with a long, tropical-fruit-laced finish that brings admirable freshness, focus and energy.
Tangy orange and zesty tangerine flavors take over nose and palate. They fill your mouth and nose, and send signals of acute pleasure to the brain. This amalgam of ripe flavors and tart freshness makes for a lip-smacking, very refreshing and appetizing wine. You will simply want more.
This producer, based in the western Loire, has been able to take advantage of the cool ocean climate to produce a crisp, fruity Chardonnay. It is all fruit, citrus and white-plum flavored, with a soft, fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of cellar floor, moist underbrush, dried sage and a whiff of crushed violet. The robust but straightforward palate offers mature black cherry and a hint of dark cooking spice alongside close-grained rather fleeting tannins that leave a raspy finish.
Easygoing and not too complex this straightforward Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas and flavors of red cherry, plum and black currant. The finish is medium length with persistent soft tannins.
The Côtes d'Auxerre, west of Chablis, is the last outpost of Chardonnay in Burgundy. That results in this cool style of wine, light and fruity with apple and green-plum fruitiness. There is a zest to the wine, a lightly mineral texture and attractive final acidity. Drink now.
Light and smoky, this is a fruit-forward, soft wine. Berry flavors are balanced by the stalky texture. It's young, although very ready to drink.
The nose on this bottling is a tad fruit-punchy at first, with light red cherry and candied pomegranate aromas, but then picks up complexity with a leather note. The palate also offers that leather alongside tobacco and light elderberry fruit.
The nose on this red is a bit shy but eventually reveals aromas suggesting moist underbrush, crushed berry and a whisper of violet. The simple light-bodied palate offers sour cherry, tart cranberry and a hint of orange peel. It's on the slender side, with firm acidity and loose-knit tannins.
Grassy and herbal berry aromas suggest beet root. This is gritty and severe on the palate, with bone-dry tannins. Blackened, lightly bitter berry flavors finish with drawing tannins and a charcoal-like burn.
Spicy plum and berry aromas are full and fresh. This is Carignan from Cariñena, and it's chunky and lively on the palate with salty rustic leathery berry flavors that fade away on a juicy, tight finish.
This is a good, straightforward table wine with mild fruit flavors, medium body and a touch of vanilla on the finish.
Whiffs of potpourri florals, orange rind and pressed pears lend a musky tone to this deep golden Gewürztraminer. Soft acidity accentuates its robust body and texture. Bold alcohol lends a sizzle of heat to the finish.
The unoaked style is readily apparent on this bottling. Fresh and bright green aromas outdo the more savory ones, conveying Anjou pear, jasmine and light apple cider on the nose. Green apple and more pear show on the palate, with a pithy apple-skin flavor providing tang to the slight acidity.
This is a soft, gently fruity wine. It comes from a single vineyard creating a wine that has rounded yellow and pear fruits and balanced acidity. It is a smooth wine, made to be drink young.
Medium straw in color, this white blend offers the unexpected fragrance of toast and espresso. It is an easy-drinking wine with flavors of apple, lemon curd, peach preserves and toast. Soft floral notes are present on the palate, and the finish is marked by white peach.
This bone-dry wine offers flavors of white fruits. Its crisp acidity is tempered by a touch of honey and spicy almonds. Balanced and fruity, the wine is ready to drink.
This peppery, fruit-flavored wine has a ripe character and wild strawberry flavors. Drink this full, spicy wine now.
Wild berry aromas come with notes of Band-Aid and latex. This feels tight and pinched, with hard tannins. A flavor profile built on limited berry and peppery bitterness ends with some clipped tannins.
Aromas of wet cement, plastic and berry fruits are derivative of heavy oak. This feels as weighty as the nose, but with creaminess. Roasted black-fruit flavors share the stage with campfire and clove, while oak and clove are the dominant flavors on a forceful, heavy finish.
Barely-there whiffs of mango, guava and orange blossom lend a breathless delicacy to this light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. It's not deeply concentrated or persistent, but invigorating and quaffable. The finish is brisk and palate cleansing.
Very hoppy and herbal on the nose, this bottling offers aromas of dried blueberry, wet gravel and leather. The palate combines underripe blackberries with asphalt and espresso flavors. Too tightly structured now, it needs more time to develop.
While the nose is a touch brambly, profoundly ripe blackberry and cherry flavors are ruddy, almost pulpy on the palate of this plush juicy wine. Soft acidity and even softer tannins contribute to its easy-drinking style. Drink now through 2019.
Bracing and full-bodied, this offers dried sour cherry, raisin and licorice flavors alongside raspy tannins that clench the finish. Give the tannins another few years to unwind then drink up before the remaining fruit disappears.
Described on the label as off dry, this rare Muscadine is dark golden-honey in color, with foxy, tart aromas that speak to the varietal. Light bodied, it offers a wisp of stone fruit and sour lemon.
Apart from being part of a sparkling wine blend, Aligoté is found in the Côte Chalonnaise where it produces ripe full wines. They have a delicious crisp green fruit and floral character. It is a wine to drink young and fruity, so drink now.
This is a light, crisp and fruity wine. Full of ripe green plums and crisp acidity, it is a wine that is all fruit. A light touch of minerality gives texture and complements the refreshing, floral aftertaste. Drink this wine now.
Fresh and easy drinking, this has aromas of violet, wild berry and a whiff of earth. The luminous palate offers tart cherry, clove and a hint of aromatic herb alongside firm acidity and relaxed tannins.
The apple and peach aromas are not forced, oaky or heavy. It feels closed up, without much weight, body or texture, and tastes narrow and citrusy, like apple juice. The finish is short and tangy.
A simple, medium-bodied Chardonnay that emphasizes the variety's fruity characteristics. Apple, pineapple and citrus pick up a hint of peppery or clove-like spice on the finish.
A caramel aroma is followed by sweet strawberry fruit from the Touriga Nacional, lending a wine that is freshly fruity and soft.
Scratchy red-berry aromas come with a whiff of latex and milk-chocolate-covered cherry. It feels grabby and tannic, with flavors of baked berry, cinnamon and burnt rubber. The finish is warm, with an offsetting sweetness.
Quite light and tart, this has simple fruit flavors of light citrus and melon. The finish turns a bit plastic tasting.
Sharp and volatile aromas introduce this dark, chalky red. It needs to be paired with a seriously juicy, fatty red meat to buffer the the tannins.
Full of buttery, tropical flavors, it also has a barrel-infused taste of petroleum and char.
Smelling of coconut on the nose, this Malbec is good, like a big mouthful of cherry pie.
Raspberry is the lead aroma on an otherwise earthy, mossy and aggressive nose. Full bodied and rubbery, this has a blackberry flavor and an overriding baked character. Sweet and unwaivering on the finish.
Dense and grapy, this feels sharp before becoming oaky and resiny, with flavors of blackberry and peppery spice, and a slight bitter edge. It offers chocolate and creamy-oak flavor on the finish.
Sweet red-fruit aromas are mild and earthy. This feels rough on its own but will drink well with food. Flavors of plum, berry and chocolate lead to a similar-tasting, medium finish.
The aromas are fruit forward, with notes of berry and black currant. The flavors are ripe, with the oak pulled way back. There's plenty of easy drinking enjoyment to be had.
Ripe, spicy and full both of ripe fruits and tannins, this is a full-bodied wine that brings out the minerality and structure of a Douro wine. It has plenty of red fruits to balance these tannins, resolving into the wine that is firm but ready to drink.
The oak aging is what makes this wine. It brings out the black fruits and juicy acidity as well as adding toast and vanilla flavors. The result is a wine that is smooth, balanced, full of fruit and ready to drink.
Yeasty briny aromas are a bit pickled and not very fruity. This rosé feels yeasty and not very tight or expressive. Flavors of tropical fruits and melon don't change much on a quick-passing finish.
The producer obviously likes wood aging, because this is a strongly toasty wine. It has dark coffee and licorice flavors as well as a strong tannic character. It will need time to soften. Drink from 2020.
This soft and fruity wine was produced from vines between Bourg and Blaye. A perfumed, floral aroma makes it bright and fruity. Its black currant flavors are twisted by tannins and acidity. Drink from 2018.
This fruity wine, with its blackberry fruit, is ripe, generous and developing fast. A fine juicy character bursts through its firm structure to give a crisp aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
This is an easygoing, mouthfillng and fruity wine that's plump with blackberry and cherry flavors. It has a soft texture despite high octane and very little tannin.
This wine is all about fruit. Balanced tannins and crisp, juicy acidity permeate its blackberry flavor. It has an attractive smoky character and finishes with dry tannins and stalky fruit. Drink now.
Medium bodied and not too tannic, this enjoyable wine has vanilla and cedar aromas, moderate plum flavors and an almost soft mouthfeel.
A rusty minerality shows on the nose of this bottling alongside dried cranberry, hibiscus and an earthy streak of crushed slate. It's lightly bodied on the sip, with somewhat sweet cranberry and pomegranate-fruit flavors, lifted by clove dust.
A strong smoky spicy aroma and seemingly sweet flavors characterize this showy oaky wine. It's medium to full bodied and has moderate tannins that are softened by a syrupy fruit core.
This straight forward crowd pleaser brings aromas of apple, raspberry and plum. The palate is ripe and goes down easy. It should bring plenty of fans.
Very fruity and a little spicy, this medium- to full-bodied wine has a smooth texture, nicely concentrated black-cherry and blueberry flavors and a good sense of layering and length.
Uvaggio is making a serious case for Lodi Vermentino. This bottling is compelling: savory with herb and green olive notes, and yet freshly fruity and delicate, well integrated and plenty acidic to stand up to a wide range of food, even given its modest 11% alcohol level. A stunner that'll keep you thinking, and asking for more.
Very intense wine, packed with dark tannins, solid and powerful. It is leavened with great perfumes, while the overall effect is dark, brooding and concentrated.
Big, powerful wine that is restrained by its ripe, dusty tannins. It is concentrated, with an almost Port-like texture, a result of the open lagars in which it is fermented. The fruit is likely to be rich and opulent as the tannins move into balance.
A five-grape Bordeaux blend dominated by Merlot and Cab Franc, this is a deft mix of grapes nicely melded into a complete and satisfying wine. It's anchored by black cherry and cassis fruit, supple and focused. Surrounding that core fruit are layers of smoke, black olive, pencil lead and coffee grounds. It resonates gracefully through a long finish.
Happily, each new vintage of Bésoleil is a bit larger than the previous year, so more people can taste what a joy this wine is. In 2008 it's 82% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre. As with all the Betz wines, it is intensely aromatic. The wine glass fairly explodes with scents of grape, plum, raspberry and cherry. In the mouth grace notes offer hints of leaf and fresh herb. Plush and irresistible.
Big, rich, almost velvet in texture, this is a powerful wine. It has spice, black berry fruits, layers of wood and black plum skins. Powerful wine for long-term aging and medium-term accessibility.
A little more raisiny than expected, but that's offset by a brilliant floral streak and more dominant blackberry, blueberry and black plum flavors. Finishes with a mix of freshness, delicious prune fruit and chocolate. Tasted blind, like we do in almost all cases, this wine was easy to identify as Calvario; it has a uniqueness to its fruit. Drink now through 2018.
Snappy, crisp and green on the nose, but well balanced and showing the good side of Chilean SB, which is oceanic, fresh, green and citrusy. Flavors of lime, grapefruit and passion fruit are true, while the finish is fruity at first before breaking up.
Chocolate-covered cherry and vanilla aromas are an alluring start to this sultry Merlot. On the palate, soft, integrated waves of black cherry, vanilla and balsamic are followed by a clean berry finish. A mellow sip with class.
This is a fruity, spicy style of Riesling. It rests solidly in the midpalate, with apple, pear and white peach fruit, plenty of natural acidity masking the residual sugar, and alcohol just over 12%.
There's not a ton of assertive character to this wine aside from its gripping tannins and firm structure. The fruit is faint and shy, with notes of dark berries, black tea and licorice spice hiding in the background. Open well in advance, give it a good decant, or try cellaring for another couple of years before drinking.
Sweet, jammy and friendly on the nose, with a bit of herbs, olive and leather. The palate is firm and healthy, with some oaky residue along with jammy, grainy blackberry, baked plum and bitter chocolate flavors. Sweet and chewy in terms of feel, with a nicely baked overall character.
A light- to medium-bodied Sauvignon, the 2009 Discovery is more delicate than many of its counterparts, with hints of stuck flint, accenting stone fruit and citrus flavors. Turns chalky and crisp on the finish. Drink now.
It's not easy distinguishing one Emiliana Chardonnay from the other; they're all more or less similar. Novas shows a touch of match stick and aromatic harshness, which is offset by softer melon and peach aromas. The palate is full and pulpy, with melony, obtuse flavors. Good for Chile, and decidedly not bitter or pithy
A nice Cabernet for everyday usage largely because it's balanced, mild and under total control. The nose is pure red fruits with a touch of leather, while the palate is snappy, alert and full of tight, almost narrow cherry flavors and fine tannins. Dry and light on the finish.
Sweet mocha and coffee notes overwhelm the bouquet of this Pinot, with red raspberry and cherry skin notes providing support. Lively acidity and a satiny texture fill the mouth, while white pepper spice lingers on the finish.
This wine is tart and mouthwatering with strong notes of green gooseberry, lemon supremes, hay and a touch of green banana rind throughout. Balanced but bracing with a lively citrus finish. Drink now.
Starts out a little sharp and heavy on the olive aromas, but it brings enough freshness to override any roasted, herbal qualities that come with the variety. The palate is big and chunky, with sweet, jammy black fruit flavors. Long, chocolaty and slightly herbal on the finish.
Although this is not particularly intense or complex, there's no denying its easy appeal. It's nearly dry, with a creamy midpalate and medium body, and features easy-to-like notes of apple, melon and citrus. Finishes refreshingly clean. Drink it over the next year or two.
Even at a considerable 15 g/l of residual sugar, this wine comes across as almost dry, thanks to its crisp acidity. Scents of petrichor, green apple and lime start things off, while those razor-sharp acids show up on the finish. Drink now.
The nose is shy but eventually offers suggestions of black cherry, underbrush, grilled herb and a balsamic note. The firm palate offers raspberry jam, licorice and a hint of coco alongside austere, drying tannins that leave an astringent finish.
The wine is crisp and lightly herbal. It has a good citrus edge that is filled out with warmer peach and currant flavors. There is a good tangy texture as well that gives an attractive bite. The wine is ready to drink.
Plum, cherry and cassis aromas are mildly woody. This feels firm, choppy and rugged. Flavors of cherry, plum and cassis reflect the nose, while this finishes ripe, with fresh acidity that comes with a controlled citrusy character.
Aromas of pressed rose, toast, menthol and a whiff of cellar floor emerge after a few minutes in the glass. The palate shows dried cherry, coffee, vanilla and a hint of mocha alongside bracing tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This wine is equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet takes the lead on the aromas, with notes of dark cherry and dried herbs along with hints of toast, coffee and cocoa. The elegant milk chocolate and cherry flavors are brightened by the Sangiovese's tart acidity.
Rich, almost rose-petal like aromas of summer blossom dance across the wonderfully light but still textured palate. There is a suggestion of passion fruit and juicy, yellow plum on the palate. An incredible amount of fruit and aroma on such a light-bodied, almost frivolous wine.
This medium-bodied wine has lightly spicy aromas, good, mouthfilling fruit flavors and a smooth texture. Words like suave and velvety come to mind. It's a very nice effort for the winery's first Barbera.
The delicate pétillance and soft, lingering mousse of this wine exemplify Sparkling Pointe's house style. Crisp apple, pear and lemon flavors are approachable and fresh but nuanced by shades of cream, nut and pastry. Zesty acidity highlights a brisk, impeccably clean finish.
A rather neutral nose precedes a very clean-cut, subtly fruited palate with notions of yellow plum and wonderfully light-footed lemon freshness. The body is toned and slender, yet subtly expressive.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, and fermented and aged in amphora, this racy wine has aromas of wild berry, moist soil, blue flower and clove. The vibrant palate delivers black cherry, raspberry, white pepper, anise and mineral alongside a backbone of firm acidity.
Peach and melon aromas are appealing. As Godello tends to be, this is round in feel, with medium body weight. Flavors of orange and lime are bright and forward, with a hint of leesy yeast to the finish.
Luscious berry notes make for a totally appetizing opening: fresh huckleberries are chief amongst them, paired with ripe plum. They are equally lively on the just about mid-weight palate where a soft and pliable structure holds them aloft. Easy but berry-tastic drinking.
This medium-bodied, silky blend should drink well through at least 2018. Despite the soft texture, it's made in a savory style, with notes of leather, roasted meat and ground spices backed by just enough cherry and plum fruit.
Ripe, slightly raisiny berry aromas come with a floral hint and a welcome note of brown sugar. This feels bold and healthy, while plum, cassis, raisin and fig flavors are spicy and finish with a sense of completeness. Drink through 2018.
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this wine opens with aromas of dried herb and blue and black fruit, along with a toasty top note. The flavors show restraint, with firm tannins backing them up. The concentration isn't all there in the middle but there's still much to enjoy.
Faint hints of grapefruit zest and lemon characterise nose and slender palate. This is slimline, very clean, fizzing with freshness and summery ease. Wonderfully light.
This is an unsually firm and tannic wine for the varietal, and it will be great to pair with a juicy steak or fresh-baked lasagna. It smells like cedar and cinnamon, tastes fresh but not overly fruity, and has an appetizing texture.
The nose gives little away. The palate shows slight fizz and a slightly bitter but pleasant phenolic edge. There is zesty freshness, some concentration and clean finish.
Aromas of blue fruit intermingle with vanilla and wood spice. The palate is lush and forward, bringing a lot of enjoyment.
This wine combines Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel from multiple appellations, including Atlas Peak, Coombsville and Mount Veeder. Funky in cinnamon stick and clove, it features a silky, medium-sized build and soft, generous tannin, with a dry, spicy finish.
The aromas are bright, with notes of peach and flowers that display a sense of delicacy. The flavors are light but nuanced, displaying a fine sense of balance.
This wine is a blend Viognier (60%) and Roussanne. Aromas of almond butter, lees and spice are followed by a broad palate with a creamy feel. The finish lingers.
With 4% co-fermented Viognier, the aromas bring subdued notes of flowers, dark fruit and barrel spice. The cranberry and cherry flavors are tart and focused, trailing toward the finish.
Made with Albana grapes fermented in Georgian amphorae, this opens with intense and unusual aromas of resin, dried stone fruit and candied orange zest. The palate is structured and dense, offering honey, mineral and walnut alongside racy acidity. You'll also feel some heat on the finish.
From one of the oldest estates in Blaye, this smooth wine is rich and packed with blackberry fruits. It has a mint character as well as spice. It is a juicy, powerful wine that will need to age. Drink from 2019.
A vineyard on the river plain of Saint-Émilion, Haut-Pezat has produced a wine whose full black fruits handle strong wood-aging flavors with ease. The result is a ripe wine packed with blackberry flavors and acidity that is filled out with the wood spice. The wine should age well, drink from 2020.
Vanilla, green wood and dark fruit aromas lead to sweet black currant and baking spice flavors. The wood is somewhat prominent at times but it still provides a lot of appeal.
This is a ruggedly built Côtes du Rhône, showing a rich texture and a coarse but long finish. Along the way, it delivers a mix of plums, pie cherries and dusty sun-baked earth aromas and flavors. Drink now–2020.
This wine from cool sites in the county overdelivers for its price. Floral pear, nutmeg and orange peel flavors give it crispness and a savory bite, as tart grapefruit notes provide additional liveliness. Focused and bright, it's well worth stockpiling.
In this magical trio of grapes, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon contributes black cherry and black plum aromas, 33% Syrah adds tar and coffee and 33% Petite Sirah provides violet and crushed graphite notes. They converge on the rich palate, where balanced tannins and acidity present blackberry, fennel pollen and shaved dark chocolate flavors. The tannic coating persists deep into the finish.
Winemaker Joy Merrilees got more oomph out of Two Bud Block in 2013. A deeper than usual color, darker than normal fruit flavors and a satisfying, dark chocolate and cappucino richness on the palate make this big, luxurious wine stand out. The flavors are fruity but distinctive, blending blackberry, black cherry and mocha.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay is tightly wound. Scents of grilled pineapple and custard offer glimpses of ripe fruit and richness, held under wraps by intense citrus flavors and a long tart finish. Drink now through 2020.
Young, forward and energetic, this brings a fresh mix of strawberry and raspberry with a suggestion of cantaloupe melon. Other grace notes bring coffee and cola, all well-integrated. A distinct flavor of chicken broth comes up and lingers through the finish.
Packaged in the appellation's specially designed bottle, this Syrah from Steve Beckmen's mountaintop vineyard shows smashed blackberry, elderberry, graphite and roast beef aromas. Meaty flavors show strongly on the palate, where herbal touches of thyme and rosemary cling to the firm tannic structure. Vibrant acidity suggests good cellaring potential. Drink 2019–2029.
Expansive body and a undulating, textural palate set this dry Riesling apart. The palate is juicy yet elegant, full of ripe, concentrated white grapefruit and lime flavors. Fresh yet powerful, it finishes on lingering notes of earth and smoke. Drink now through 2030.
This big but harmonious wine made from white Rhône grape varieties pulls off the fully oaked style very well, starting with its buttered baguette aroma and continuing on the palate with baked apple and ripe pear flavors and smooth, creamy texture. It has a wonderful, lingering finish too.
This delicious wine is fresher and more lively than typical California Tempranillos. Cola, red cherry and vanilla aromas combine for a beautiful nose while the palate shows tart sour cherry and slight hints of leather. Both the acidity and tannic grip are strong but expertly measured.
Fennel, fresh herbs, pollen and earth lend complexity to sunny yellow plum and apple in this luscious medium-sweet Riesling. It's richer and fuller on the palate than most auslese, but neatly balanced by cutting lime acidity and a fresh, green-floral finish.
While unctuously honeyed from nose to finish, this elegantly balanced spätlese also conveys a purity of fruit. It's richly concentrated in white-peach and yellow-cherry flavors but invigoratingly brisk. The finish is marked by hints of pollen and spring blossom.
La Casita is made entirely from Dijon clone 114. It's a total “wow” wine, from the very first sip. Rich black cherry, chocolate and caramel flavors wrap tightly together. That firm and full-bodied richness continues through the midpalate. Enjoy this outstanding bottle over the next three or four years.
Murrieta's wines have been on a good run in recent years, as evidenced by this saturated, fleshy Reserva. The nose delivers berry and cherry aromas, with ample oak. The palate is a full-volume bonanza of berry flavors framed by briary spice and toasty oak. A naturally spicy, ripe finish confirms its excellence; drink 2018–2026.
Ripe apricot and peach flavors juxtapose leaner notes of white-melon rind and lime in this vivaciously fresh spätlese. Delicate sweetness is balanced against shards of acid and mineral. The finish is long yet pure.
This is the inaugural release of this wine, which is composed of fruit from Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills vineyards. It's aromatically generous, with appealing notes of sage, dried herb, cassis, dark chocolate, spice, pencil lead and dark fruit. The palate delivers a mouthful of dark-fruit flavors and tannins that are combined to a fine sheen. It shows a beautiful sense of balance capped off by a persistent finish. It drinks well now but is made with the future in mind.
The heady scent of Damask rose rises from the glass. The peach on the rich, soft and mellow palate is bathed in rose scent too. Residual sweetness boosts the perfumed aspect of this wine, bringing lychee and peach into play as well. A lovely phenolic edge provides structure and fluidity on this textbook Gewurztraminer. The finish is off dry.
Made from 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, much of the fruit from the Garvey Home Ranch, this wine impresses with its thick, rich red and black berry, tobacco and dusty gravel flavors. Well-integrated, it shows restraint without sacrificing body, its nuances developing slowly in the glass.
This is an impressive concentrated wine. Now with a couple of years of aging, it has lost its baby acidity and developed a leaner more structured character. That goes with the apple and citrus fruitiness to give the wine a balanced mature character. It is ready to drink.
Cedar, graphite and concentrated plum aromas mark the nose of this full-bodied wine from the southern end of the appellation, where it's cool and breezy from the Pacific Ocean. Entirely varietal, it shows a wealth of red and black berry fruitiness, dotted with dried herb.
This rich wine is made from old vines in a field blend. With its intense acidity and ripe apple fruitiness, the wine is full and concentrated. The spice and toastiness are at peace with the fruit, giving a balanced wine that will be ready to drink from late 2017.
This wine comes from this vineyard's original Cabernet blocks planted in 1980. Wound-up aromas of woodspice, herb, pencil lead and dark fruit are followed by concentrated but still supple black-fruit flavors. It's high up on the hedonistic scale, accentuated by a lengthy finish. Decant to let it open up.
This wine blends Merlot from Stagecoach and Antinori vineyards on Atlas Peak with Malbec from the Trefethens in Oak Knoll and Merlot and Syrah from Hudson Vineyards in Carneros. Together the varieties provide a juicy hit of dark cherry and plum that's densely built and moderate in acidity. The finish is marked by meat and tobacco.
This single vineyard cuvée has a lovely purity of expression. It's Fred Astaire in a bottle, with sculpted smooth apple fruit that glides across the palate. Dotted with light hints of baking spices, it finishes with a lush lingering pat of butter.
In the glass, this blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère is dark and looks stately. Ripe saturated lush aromas of black fruits, graphite, toast and oak introduce a balanced palate with big flavors of herbal blackberry and black currant. Overall, this is flush and fruity but also complex. Drink through 2019.
Smoky hickory and meat aromas overshadow this wine's berry scents. On the palate, it rattles about like an untied load. Berry and black plum flavors come with more than enough oak, which is reflected on the toasty, char-laced finish. Drink 2019–2026.
The inaugural release of this wine, this hails largely from the esteemed Klipsun Vineyard. Alluring aromas of herb, earth, cherry liqueur and black fruit lead to sweet, sappy black-fruit flavors and burly but still well-integrated tannins. It's only going to get better with additional time in the bottle. Best after 2023.
A rich wood-aged wine, this is dense and creamy. With acidity and toast, ripe apples as well as spice, the wine is made to age. Coming from the Alvarinho heartland of Melgaço on Portugal's northern border, the wine has minerality and great intensity. It will be good until at least 2020.
Ripe blueberry fruit meets vanilla, cola and thyme touches on the approachable nose of this wine from Steve Gerbac. There's a well-balanced array of flavors on the dynamic palate, from potpourri spice to blackberry and blueberry fruit.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of purple fruit, green herb, clove, barrel spice and spice box. It's light and supple, filling out with palate-coating fruit flavors. The tannins bring a bit of grip that softens with additional time open. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Thick aromas range from blueberry and other dense black fruits to fudge, concentrated purple flowers and nose-tickling baking spice. The palate on this blend of 62% Grenache, 28% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre is rich and luxurious, with more blueberries, tarragon, chocolate ganache, black-loam minerality and a Sichuan pepper element that makes the tongue tingle.
Concentrated and powerful, this wine is rich and full in the mouth, with wonderful ripe fruits over the great tannins. It is solid, dark and dense, full of smoky flavors and a rich strawberry flavor. Drink from 2022.
Fermented and aged in clay amphorae, this dark, delicious wine opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, ripe black-skinned fruit, Alpine herbs and a whiff of pine. The concentrated yet almost weightless palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, mineral and anise alongside silky, smooth tannins. The purity of the fruit is striking.
This wine's magically layered nose blends graphite, black cherries, dried violets, hints of savory smoke meats and the oddly captivating scent of composting rose petals. From a vineyard on the appellation's eastern edge come a spice rack of flavors, from black peppercorns and hoisin sauce to soy and blackberry fruit.
This Beaune bottling has a dense structure that broods through its tannic outer skin. Perfumed red fruits will shortly burst out to give an opulent, rich wine with both great acidity and layers of spice that finish with freshness. Drink from 2021.
Severe and austere at this stage, this solid, dark wine has all the weight of a wine from Gevrey, concentrated and densely tannic. It's firm, packed with dark plum fruit and perfumed acidity. It's foursquare, demanding long aging. Drink from 2021
This complex, sophisticated and undeniably delicious wine blends strong flavor components into a harmonious whole. Aromas are lightly smoky and toasty, while flavors emphasize black tea, Bing cherry and sweet vermouth. The texture is firm and fine-grained giving a very smooth mouthfeel, and the finish lingers nicely.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this structured wine is complex and still very closed up, with dense tannins and dark fruit. Powerful with dark plum flavors, it is firmly textured and needs plenty of time for aging. Drink from 2020
A high-acid, weighty and complex white, this vintage is even better than the last, gorgeous in a golden tannish color. Tropical guava and white flowers weave seamlessly through a web of minerality and freshness, without compromising body and texture. This is a delicious wine.
This wine has power and firm tannins. Intensely fresh, it offers acidity and red-currant flavors that burst out of the dark, dry core. It's complex, with a touch of spice from wood aging that gives an elegant, delicious aftertaste. Drink from 2019.
This wine's aromas are perfectly pretty but with a sharp edge, blending tight boysenberry, raspberry and red-apple with lilac and scarlet-red rose-petal florality and an anise-peppercorn spice. The palate is full, soft and yet focused, with dried strawberry, plum and red cherries giving way to pencil lead and sage.
Toasty aromas are not enough to smother the intense, rich and concentrated fruitiness of this powerful wine. Structured and with a firm backbone, it is slow in developing. its brooding dark character still very obvious. However, the fruit is all there, waiting to release the burst of red-berry flavors. Drink from 2022.
Ethereal notes of orange blossom and jasmine lead to richer tones of damask rose underpinned by a lively orange-peel freshness. The palate presents the same delicious juxtaposition of opulence and light-footed ease. Full of life and fragrant, vigorous joy, the wine has flavors that seem to linger forever.
Brut X is an extreme brut, made in a bone-dry style from a blend of 31% Chardonnay and 69% Pinot Noir with no added sugar. It's then aged four years. Floral in honeysuckle, the flavors are sharply focused and salty, a mix of lemon, pear and peach that can be enjoyed before, during and after a meal.
With a healthy 17% Malbec in the mix, this is the producer's top-tier still wine, from a range of vineyard blocks above its winery. Named for one of its founders, Jack Davies, it does him proud, combining spicy clove, cinnamon and black fruit around a fulsome, tannic and concentrated body with structure to age. It finishes with elegance and peppery spice.
From a section of the vineyard planted to only one clone, Paige's is luscious and velvety, smoothly decadent in sanguine, tangy fruit. Full bodied and in balance, it suggests a wild note of mint or bay leaf, something savory as one would find in a cassoulet or beef stew, two things with which it would pair well.
Velvety aromas of blackberry-spearmint chiffon greet the nose on this wondrous bottling from the Mainini Vineyard. The wine's mouthfeel is sexy, luxurious, soft and supple, with unctuous yet not overbearing flavors of dark chocolate, plum, black pepper, truffle and shaved licorice.
Aux Echanges is one of the smallest Premier Crus in Chambolle on the northern end close to Morey Saint-Denis, an area that gives a firm character to the wine. The structure is all there with some solid tannins although the wine also has superripe red fruits that are delicious and jammy. Full in the mouth, it is still young, so drink from 2019.
Dripping in earth, kir and fresh raspberry, this is a stellar wine from the heart of the appellation, estate-grown from a four-acre spot planted to a trio of clones. Spirited and refreshing, it dances in acidity and a floral back note that's compelling, wrapped in cinnamon and mocha.
An extremely dark wine, with purple bubbles, this blend of 94% Syrah, 4% Grenache and 2% Roussanne expresses the essence of dark, extracted fruit all around. The nose shows blackberry puree, fresh lilacs, lava rocks and background pepper and vanilla. The palate is rich with espresso bean, violets, lavender and dried blueberries, lifted by minty herbs and peppery spice.
Citrus blossom is evoked on the nose, aromatic mandarin peel and the dark, crushed foliage of citrus, too. On the palate there is a purity that is both mellow and taut, generous and restrained. The body is slender and willowy, while breezes of herbs and citrus come and go. Do not smother this dry, delicate veil of Riesling with big food. Choose light, delicate fare and this will simply sing.
In this lively, delicately balanced wine from an exceptional vineyard, an exuberance of pear and tangerine plays on the palate, buoyed by focused minerality. With just the right touch of ripeness and richness, it ends with a suggestion of lemon custard.
This wine blends all 12 clones of Pinot Noir grown on the property, to tremendous effect. Sanguine, it traffics in pretty pomegranate and cranberry, with a quenching taste of kirsch-like cherry. Lightly spiced, it delivers an end note of milk chocolate on the lengthy finish, a stellar, drinkable wine from start to finish.
This is a lighter style of the variety from a stellar vineyard, a crisp take on red cherry, dried cranberry and pomegranate that's deliciously balanced and sublime. A subtle suggestion of oak and spice peeks out on the lengthy finish, making for a complete, extremely quaffable wine.
This wine comes from a vineyard planted in the early 2000s in the Sebastopol Hills by Charlie Chenoweth for the Jenkins family, a country music trio consisting of Nancy Jenkins and her two daughters. It is inviting and seductive in black cherry and baking spices. Tightly wound, it has nuance and a lingering afterthought of savory pepper and meat.
The producer sources from both sides of its bi-county property for this lovely concoction, a mouthfilling mix of black pepper, juicy black plum and berry. Intriguing and complex, it's sublimely elegant, with a dusting of chocolate shavings on the long, velvety finish.
This is a tremendous blend of various vineyard sites, coaxed together into a stunning combination of beautiful floral aromas, ginger and baked lemon. Given time in half new oak, it takes on flavors of apple and vanilla, never venturing out of range and remaining balanced and textured.
Underbrush, dark berry, scorched earth and spice aromas emerge on this full-bodied red. The structured, refined palate delivers layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry jam, ripe raspberry, licorice and tobacco alongside firm, rounded tannins that give it a velvety texture. Drink 2017–2026.
Dried strawberry, black raspberry, cola, salted licorice and turned earth show on the nose of this wine from a vineyard in the Corralitos area near Watsonville. The palate is quite earthy and herbal, with dried mint, thyme, rosemary and graphite adding nuance to the cranberry fruit.
The first things to notice are the tannins with a strongly dry core. This wine is dark, dense and concentrated, still allowing red fruits and acidity to give freshness. It is a big, juicy wine with a great future. Drink from 2020.
Though without the richness that has defined California Cab in recent decades, this bottling is more of a classic Old World-leaning expression that is slowly coming back in vogue. Tightly wound blackberry meets with cigar box, dust and dried oregano on the nose, while the palate combines a strong tannic profile and solid acidity with more dried herbs, crushed slate, black olive and dark fruits.
Heady, beguiling aromatics dominate and invite in this well-made, robustly full-bodied wine, which is spicy and tart in baked plum, cherry, cranberry and a twist of orange. Zesty acidity gives it a kick on the palate, buoyed by a moderate tannin structure.
One of Italy's most fascinating wines, this rare red is made from the grapes of 100-year-old, ungrafted vines. It opens with intense, inviting violet, dark spice and woodland berry aromas that carry over to its smooth, juicy palate, along with ripe Morello cherry, cranberry and ground pepper notes.
The wine has barnyard aromas that need to blow off. It has firm dry tannins and dense red fruits that, again, need to integrate. It has a good future, though, as a wine that will be solid, rich and dense. Drink from 2024.
Very dark in the glass, this inky wine shows aromas of iodine, distilled violets and wound-up black-currant fruit, making the Syrah appear in charge. It's very dense but not especially ripe on the sip, where layered tannins reluctantly reveal elderberry and lilac flavors. Though five years old, it still needs time to unwind.
Perfumed like a summer garden, this wine is spicy and oaky, offering a wealth of cardamom and cola. Dark cherry, cranberry, orange and rhubarb vie for a balance between tart and succulent, the acidity ruling the day in the end.
Alluring aromas of cocoa powder, berry fruits, graphite and raw oak lead to a jammy palate with density and weight. This old-vines Monastrell tastes of chocolaty oak and herbal blackberry. On the finish, it's tight and rugged, with mildly scratchy tannins and a saucy aftertaste. Drink through 2022.
A nose led by aromas of fine oak, raspberry and mild spices opens this blend of 80% Carmenère and 20% Malbec. In the mouth, it's nicely built, with delicate layering and not too much weight. Toasty, spicy red-fruit flavors include a tobacco note and the wine tastes a bit chocolaty on the tail end. Drink through 2023.
Alluring Nebbiolo aromas of dark berry, purple flower, baking spice, truffle and herb slowly unfold in this wine. The savory, succulent palate doles out Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and licorice flavors against a backdrop of firm, refined tannins and bright acidity.
In this opulent, layered and full-bodied wine, a smoky beefy aroma and a melt-in-the-mouth texture come with flavors of dark maraschino cherries, dark chocolate and baking spices. It's very mouth filling and mouth coating as well as firmly tannic, but the richness of the flavors helps it to drink very smoothly.
Structured and dense with tannins, this is a big wine with a big future. Its black fruits, acidity and solid texture all point to its weight and richness. It is going to be a rich fruity wine. But wait until 2023.
From selected parcels of the Ollières estate, this wine is impressive. It has weight but that is balanced by the acidity and the generous black fruits and acidity. This is certainly a wine that has been well aged, although it would pay to wait another year before drinking. So drink this very fine wine from 2018.
This bottling, which is balanced by 16% Cabernet Franc and 9% Merlot, rides the savory edge of the grape, with aromas of underbrush and dried herbs giving depth to the black-olive and black-currant aromas. The palate offers a mix of red and darker fruits, including cranberry, plum and blackberry, with touches of thyme and anise.
The Suremain family winery in the main street of Mercurey has cellars going back to the 17th century. This wood-aged wine will have been kept here, where it has developed into a structured and firm wine, full of dry tannins as well as ripe red-berry fruits. Drink from 2023.
A blend from different parts of the Fleurie appellation, this wine is elegant and floral. Crisp red fruits are sustained by acidity and by a juicy character. As often with this appellation, it is a wine to age and will be better from 2018.
Produced from 100-year-old vines, this wine has been aged for nearly three years and has lost its intense fruitiness. Wood and spice flavors are present along with a perfumed intensity and toastiness. Drink this wine now.
Appealing black-fruit aromas include notes of tobacco and chocolate. This is a brooding, deep Tinto Fino with grippy tannins. Ripe berry, plum and cassis flavors are flush, while this wine finishes dark, with a reprise of young, rubbery tannins. Best from 2019–2030.
The 2015 harvest produced a bumper crop of excellent Bierzo wines, Baltos included. Aromas of black fruits and violets are full and floral, with a hint of nicely scented candle. There's balance to the palate along with toasty, blackened flavors of blackberry and spice. Toasty notes persist on a well-balanced finish. Drink this fairly dense and wholly delicious Mencía trough 2020.
Very fresh although not particularly fruity aromas of raspberry mesh with allspice, thyme and tarragon on the nose of this block-designate bottling from the historic vineyard. Energetic and lighter red-fruit flavors like pomegranate show on the sip, where fennel is the dominant spice.
This estate-driven wine combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Made in a classical Old-World style, it offers chalky tannin around composted earth, blackberry and cassis. The texture is firm and grippy, with supportive acidity at its core.
Wiemer's Cuvée Brut is fresher and more forward than the producer's longer-aged blanc de blanc. Yet amidst the cutting green apple and lemon, there's plenty of autolytic character, expressed as whispers of toast, rising dough and burnt sugar. It's vibrantly balanced by tiny, penetrating bubbles and a lingering, fresh finish.
This wine comes from one of Washington's top vineyards, best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, however this Malbec seems to shine as well. Almost 100% varietal, it boasts vibrant plum, coffee, clove, vanilla and herb aromas. The palate is loaded with plump, creamy fruit and an oak note of lingering espresso.
This wine has the weight that is typical of this appellation. It is full bodied, ripe with melon and yellow fruits. Contrasting with that, a crisper edge brings out minerality and a nervy texture. Drink from 2022.
This is a structured, full-bodied wine that has solid tannins and concentrated fruitiness. It is packed with red-berry flavors, ripe tannins and spice from the wood aging. The wine will take time to develop. Drink from 2022.
This wine's truffle, underbrush, dark berry and baking spice aromas take center stage. Still young and primary, it shows unripe red berry, sage, ground clove, truffle and star anise flavors on the palate, structured with bracing tannins and vibrant acidity. Give it time to fully come together. Drink 2021–2028.
A layered, somewhat delicate nose of rose petals, purple flowers, cola spice and raspberry-laced chocolate serves as the introduction to this bottling. Cherry, cranberry and raspberry emerge subtly on the sip, lifted by potpourri and sagebrush that fit into a chalky and tight structure. This will age very well.
This is a big, bold and dry wine that will pair well with roast lamb chops or grilled steaks. Spice rack aromas and generous blackberry, boysenberry and black-cherry flavors ride a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins. It has good concentration, layers of flavor and a lip-smacking texture.
Given 22 months in new French oak, this reserve Pinot Noir still brings the fruit front and center. Blackberries rule here, but there is a strong menthol/mint streak as well, which leaves the palate feeling as if a curiously strong breath mint has recently passed through. Kason seems to have great fruit sources, packaged in a rather rustic style, but offering quite delicious and bold flavors at moder prices.
For an off vintage, this is a nice wine. It has a touch of leafiness on the nose but also dark fruit, shoe polish and style. Gets better as it airs out, and thus the raspberry and plum flavors take on a forward, easygoing likability. Textured on the finish, and definitely not dilute or choppy like so many others from 2002.
Dark in color, with licorice, kirsch, mineral and prune aromas. This registers as a ripe wine with a soft frame. It's not flabby but it does seem a bit oily and rich, with black cherry and baked plum flavors. Finishes a touch short, but also a little thick. Drink now through 2010.
This is a perfumed wine that has just pure berry fruits, red plums and spice from tannins. There's no wood aging here, but the wine succeeds because of its delicious ripe fruits and balancing sweet acidity.
Dry and clean, with straw, hay and other cava-like aromas. Take away the bubbles and this Viura is indeed like cava, so expect green apple, citrus and other crisp, lemony flavors. As varietal Viura from Rioja goes, Faustino has crafted a wine that's well above average and mildly complex.
A light and very pretty Pinot Noir, Brandborg's Bench Lands is also a value offering by Oregon standards. Slightly soapy and cherry flavored, it's a pleasant quaffer, with light hints of vanilla, smoke, toast and earth, all in proportion.
This firm wine shows fresh, compacted fruits and vivid acidity. Its tight tannins suggest aging potential, while the black plum juice and blueberry fruit flavors make it attractive now. Layers of smoky toast show through on the finish.
Green plums, freshly sliced melon and some pineapple all come together in this fruit-salad-fresh wine. It is ripe, but retains plenty of crispness, a light structure of orange zest giving shape and piquancy.
Made with Sangiovese, Pugnitello and Colorino, this beautiful wine has an intensely floral fragrance of violet and iris, with undertones of dried tobacco and forest floor. The palate delivers vibrant wild cherry, white pepper and mint along with firm yet elegant tannins.
This lovely wine has hallmark aromas of violet, wild cherry and berry, with whiffs of pressed powder. The palate is bright and delicious, with marasca cherry, raspberry and licorice flavors.
This Mencía is offering up a pretty combo of earth, cola, graphite and black-fruit aromas. The palate pops with lush berry fruit balanced by darkness and weight; flavors of tobacco, earth, berry and cedar impress, while a mossy finish that's long and elegant carries clout but isn't too bullish. Drink through 2016.
Still young, this is a rounded full-bodied and intense wine. It has a very perfumed character, ripe pear and apricot flavors cut with a more steely, tight acidity. A fine Grand Cru wine like this needs several years' aging.
If you want spicy Gewurztraminer then go no further. This has lychee, sweet spice and apricot notes with just a touch of honey. It's not quite dry, as its richness propels it into a richer category. Drink now and over the next year or two.
This earthy Chianti Classico offers bold aromas of truffle, underbrush, dried tobacco and ripe berry. The palate delivers succulent black-cherry balanced by white pepper, cinnamon and hints of carob. Drink now–2020.
Barrel fermented in neutral French oak, this mouth-watering Pinot Blanc uses fruit from the Meredith Mitchell and Freedom Hill vineyards. It rested on the lees until bottling, yielding a rich, even creamy wine, with a gentle spiciness and plenty of acidity. A hint of beeswax and the lightest suggestion of toast bring more interest to the finish.
The Dalton Ranch is a special vineyard source for Newsome-Harlow and its ability to grow great fruit shows in this wine, a Syrah black in color, boastful in earthy ripe, bright violet, blackberry and raspberry, the tannins subtle and softened.
This Dundee Hills vineyard makes a cellar-worthy style of Pinot Noir. It takes some breathing time to get past a rather thin start. But it blossoms into a wine that is both deep and tightly wound, tannic and concentrated, with raspberry and cherry fruit accented with coconut. The finish is long and textural.
Americans Claudia and Mike Weersing's estate vines are grown so close to the ground, they look almost like a bonsai vineyard. Made as naturally as possible, it's yielded a smoky, savory style of Pinot Noir that shows some dark plum and black olive fruit and a lingering, slightly chocolaty finish. The silky tannins suggest immediate drinkability, although its inherent balance and concentration suggest it'll make it to at least 2020.
This is cool and restrained, with peppery flourishes layered over raspberry fruit. Rather than being massive or intense, it's medium bodied, perfumed and elegant, with hints of dusty tannins that build slowly on the finish. It's approachable now, but should age well through at least 2023.
Celebrating 500 years as grape growers, the Mellot family offers this top Sancerre. It is rounded and spicy with a touch of wood to add to its rich character. Apricots and pineapple are a delicious addition to the citrus acidity that cuts right through the wine. Age for 3–4 years.
Here's a savory selection, offering earthy and balsamic aromas of underbrush, tobacco and Mediterranean herbs. The restrained palate reveals ripe plum, cassis and licorice notes layered with chewy tannins and a warm midpalate.
A rich, ripe wine and full in the mouth yet still developing. It has weight, fine spiciness and tropical fruit flavors with just a hint of honey to balance its dryness. Full-bodied while stylish. Keep for 2–3 years.
A warm, opulent wine from the southernmost Grand Cru of Alsace. It has richness, ripe peach and pear fruits, a hint of maturity bringing out spice. There's a tang of orange giving freshness to this serious, complex wine. Drink now and until 2020
A very concentrated wine, almost too much in its overpowering richness. Peaches and crisper pears play with the spice, perfume and intense acidity. At the end, pepper shows the alcohol. For short-term aging over 3–4 years.
Made from organic grapes, this succulent wine delivers balsamic aromas and juicy black cherry flavors layered with cinnamon and white pepper. It's radiant and structured, with big round tannins and edgy acidity. Drink 2015–2025.
With a well-balanced but firm tannic structure, this is a wine that reflects the freshness of the vintage and also gives a feeling of richness. Berry fruits dominate, supported by a dry core that promises aging. Drink from 2014.
Very soft and rich, this wine offers dusty tannins now well integrated into the ripe fruits, It is full of red fruit and some herbal flavors, along with a light level of acidity. Drink now and until 2019.
A full and rich wine, almost too powerful and concentrated. It has great solid tannins, dark plum and chocolate flavors and a dense texture. It does need aging, so drink from 2016.
This Viognier is loaded with honey, apricot and ripe fig. It's a well made, full bodied and substantial white wine, ready for buttery sauces.
A dark colored red that is firmly tannic as well as ripe and fruity. The wine is spicy and earthy, redolent of dried fruits, like figs and red berries. With its solid texture, it can age; drink from 2015.
Savory oak, mint and leather aromas accent basic blackberry and plum scents. This feels round, full-bodied and oaky, and that character carries onto the flavor profile, which includes minty wood and blackberry. Toast and resiny oak lead the way on a bulky, generous finish.
One whiff says this hails from a warmer region like Maule as opposed to someplace cool and coastal. The aromas are tropical more than zesty, with notes of mango and banana. On the palate, this is round but acidic enough, while flavors of tangerine, grapefruit and lime wind down well.
This screaming vintage of Secreto is the living definition of pungency. Immediately it hits with fierce gooseberry and nettle aromas along with passion fruit and grapefruit. The palate is acidic and searing, with tangy, cool-climate flavors of lime and passion fruit. On the finish, this zinger is firm as concrete.
Aggressively oaky, this does not seem to have yet integrated the substantial barrel flavors with the somewhat sour fruit. Stiff and woody, it was tasted repeatedly over 24 hours without showing much change.
This is a simple but well made Bardolino that offers dark cherry and raspberry flavors with notes of black pepper. Fresh and enjoyable, it's perfect to accompany everyday fare, from light pastas to burgers.
A bright red wine rustic in black plum and cherry flavor, lightweight and easy, a rightful companion to spaghetti and meatballs or even a BLT.
This Gavi has delicate floral aromas of peach blossom and Spanish broom accompanied by restrained citrus and pear flavors. Linear with crisp acidity, this would pair well with moderately seasoned fish dishes.
Bright and fresh, this is a delicate rosé, showing both fruitiness and some structure. Strawberry dusted with pepper lends a spicy berry character throughout. It's not for aging, so drink now.
This is a shade off-dry, with ample crispness, a bright, prickly lightness and delicate texture. It's a great apéritif style, with its soft edge and easygoing freshness, that's ready to drink now.
This is a gravel- and mineral-textured wine that has a very structured feel, with red berry flavors and firm tannins. Still young, it is a wine that should soften, so wait until 2016.
A well-made relatively large production Cabernet, fruity in black cherry with a smoky edge of cinnamon toast and soft vanilla. Pour at your next party.
This is drinking very well; there's a little Merlot and Petit Verdot too in the blend. It's plummy and open, a little loose-knit in the core but soft and approachable. Wrapped into the tart fruit are streaks of licorice and tar, with light loamy tannins.
This is a substantial, dense Syrah, which runs quickly from berries and cherries right into barrel flavors of chocolate and butterscotch. It's balanced and delicious, but does not have the complexity and more interesting earth/herb notes that the grape is capable of.
For a Pauly Bergweiler wine, this is atypically minerally, as its wines have tended toward the lush, fruity side of the spectrum over recent years. Petrol and slate aromas lead into a wine that's round in the mouth but relatively dry in style, with good length and minerality on the finish.
A nice Pinot at a nice price, kicking off with lifted cherry fruit and a tinge of minty greenness. It's medium in body, with delicate and supple tannins framing clean, fresh cherry flavors. Finishes soft, easy and with decent length and intensity, making it a pleasant quaff for spring and into summer.
This Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blend is all stainless steel fermented, but carries some lovely spice and toasty notes along with soft, broadly fruity flavors of melon and citrus.
Taking its cue from the cool 2007 vintage, this Smaragd is very pure in its fine white fruit flavors, bone-dry with a definite fruit skin texture. It is crisp as much as rich, leaving fresh acidity to finish. Screwcap.
The aromas are of dark honey—there's almost a roasted quality to them that verges on caramel. The flavors follow in a similar vein, suggesting roasted pineapple and caramelized peach, while the mouthfeel is pleasantly rich and filling.
Intensely mineral on the nose, followed up on the palate by flavors of crushed vitamin tablets, wet stone and brine. Despite some residual sweetness, the overall impression is of salty, mineral dryness coupled with tart, citrusy flavors on the finish.
Cloves, pipe tobacco and a touch of pepper start this layered Pinotage from Stormhoek. The wine offers layers of cedar, tobacco, red berry and spice, and medium tannins and a smooth, balanced body seal the deal. An elegant Pinotage with exciting flavors.
Common apple, melon and other green, zesty aromas work the nose, which is slightly more reserved than outright pungent. The palate is flashy but a touch lean, with blazing acidity pushing tart, crisp, focused flavors of green apple and citrus. Not out of the ordinary, but quite well made and cleansing.
This wine appears to need a bit more time to come fully into its own. Tight and dark with notes of blackberries, plum skin, burnt coffee residue and herbs, the full mouth is overcome by firm tannins on the finish, preventing much else from coming through on the end. Some aging (try at least a year) should bring things into balance.
Shows varietally correct grassiness and herbal notes on the nose, followed by round, honeyed fruit flavors that turn racy and grapefruity on the finish. Suitable as an apéritif or paired with slightly weighty fish dishes.
This stylish white offers delicate peach and lemon aromas and a combination of zippy citrus and warming spice on the palate. Approachable but complex, the wine offers power and grace.
Even from a difficult Marlborough vintage for Pinot Noir, this bottling offers plenty of flavor intensity—there's lots of crisp cherry fruit—underlain with some earthy complexity. Acids are firm and will likely always remain so; it's probably best to drink this one young before the fruit fades.
Dark golden-yellow in color, this offers tart apple and honey flavors and is light on the palate, not overdone in oak. It will pair well with seafood or bacon and eggs.
A straightforward wine for casual occasions, this opens with aromas of wild cherry, cinnamon, clove and nectarine peel that carry over to the palate alongside firm tannins. A licorice note signals the close.
White flowers and a red apple candy reveal themselves on the nose, but the strongest aromas convey a concentrated pear-peach perfume. The palate is dominated by apple at first, but grapefruit carries the midpalate and finish, which shows good acidity and a bit of grip as well.
This red is roughly split between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent time in 40% new French oak and shows density and grip. There are substantial acids, bright black fruits and a streak of black tea among the flavors.
Fruity and fragrant, this opens with aromas of red berries, violets and baking spices. Notes of white pepper and clove accent the crushed strawberry and wild cherry flavors that are supported by silky tannins.
Dark, dense and delicious, this inviting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and a tiny amount of Petit Verdot delivers ripe blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa, clove and cinnamon. Full-bodied but velvety tannins and soft acidity give a smooth texture, making this wine extremely approachable. Enjoy soon.
Tarry dark-fruit aromas are piercing and slightly herbal. This is a staunch, rock-solid Cab with tannic bite and structural grip. Flavors of black fruits and oak finish spicy, with notes of licorice and woodspice. Freshness combined with ripeness and body weight conveys the wine's depth and overall quality.
A ripe and fruity wine with rounded tannins and fragrant acidity. The wine is juicy with red berries while soft at the end. It's delicious now, and will be even better from 2015.
Smooth and round while also fruity, this is packed with cherry and fresh plum flavors. It has a rich texture, full and juicy, the acidity giving just the right amount of freshness. Drink now, or age until 2015.
Rubbery, herbal initial aromas yield to black-fruit and earthy qualities as this breathes and unwinds. The palate has a healthy, forward mouthfeel and flavors of herbal berry and cassis. A dry, rooty-tasting finish is spicy in flavor and medium in length and complexity.
Popcorn and baked apple aromas are oaky but not overly woody. This feels fresh but with substance. Flavors of baked apple, woodspice and toast finish healthy, long and with acidic kick.
Berry aromas are mildly herbal and a touch grating and abrasive. This Carmenère-led blend is chewy and concentrated, with baked blackberry, fig, chocolate and herbal flavors. A spicy, figgy, herbal tasting finish is lively and fairly deep. Drink through 2019.
Labeled a “Super Tuscan-Style Blend” this is 36% Syrah, 45% Sangiovese and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from Red Mountain vineyards. It opens gracefully with pretty raspberry and cherry fruit, then grounds itself in a base of mineral and earth, enlivened with natural acidity.
Fully ripe, estate-grown fruit, 100% varietal, starts it on solid ground. It's soft and plummy, with purple fruits in abundance, and brings flavors of light chocolate threaded through smooth tannins. Just a little more acidity would elevate it further. Drink soon and enjoy.
This superrich wine has luscious plum fruits, cushioned tannins and a ripe character. Full black cherries bring out the density and the solid backdrop. It can be drunk now, but will be better from 2016.
A delicious fruit bomb, this has all the jammy goodness of blackberry syrup, with just enough tannin and acidity to keep it from being sweet. Smooth on the palate, it's full-bodied, uncomplicated and tasty.
Sun-baked pineapple and mango aromas abound on this ripe, tropical Riesling. The palate is juicy and a touch sweet with yellow peach and quince flavors. Despite it's dainty, sprightly body, it's slick and silken in texture with a lingering honey finish.
Floral red-berry aromas show well. This is zesty and energetic on the tongue, with oaky flavors of raspberry and cherry. This is from a warm year, so it has some sweetness to go with fuel-worthy acidity. Just 160 cases made.
With fruit hailing mostly from Sonoma (83%), this Overlook also sources from Monterey (11%) and Santa Barbara counties (6%) to craft a barrel-influenced wine that's intense in caramel, lemon and vanilla sugar, rich yet balanced.
Medium-bodied, this delivers sensations of mature black plum, blue flower and sweet baking spices. The juicy fruit is supported by lithe tannins and just enough fresh acidity. Enjoy throughout 2015.
While this may not be the strongest Clos de Sixte the Jaume family has made, it's still a very good effort. The red fruit aromas and flavors seem slightly confectionary, but carry enough pie-cherry flavors to see them through, backed by hints of dark chocolate. The tannins are supple, turning to a cocoa-powder texture on the crisp finish. Drink now–2018.
At first, this displays an almost grassy freshness, then fine bubbles bring out a certain savouriness on the palate that would work incredibly well with seafood, tempura or any number of lighter foods. If you are planning a dinner around sparkling wine, put this one on your list. The dry but rich and spicy finish call out for food.
Medium-bodied, this opens with a fragrance of crushed wild flowers, woodland berries, pine forest and a whiff of leather. The savory palate delivers dark cherry, raspberry, mocha and sweet baking spices alongside brawny but round tannins. Drink soon.
Dense and savory, this brings together sensations of ripe wild cherry, black raspberry, crushed strawberry, blue flower, cinnamon and white pepper. It's round, soft and ready; enjoy now for the juicy fruit flavors.
Herbal, green-leaning aromas of red berry fruits and coffee grinds come in front of a tight, restricted, rubbery feeling palate. Flavors of red plum, herbs, spice and olive finish with green-tobacco notes and raw tannins. Drink this blend of Cab Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Cab Franc through 2020.
Big ripe, fruity aromas promise a powerful wine. It does have weight, but it also offers fruity elegance that's borne up by firm tannins. With this good balance, it will age well, its black fruits bursting with attractive acidity.
This is an attractive, fruit-driven Syrah at an approachable price. Violets and pepper mark the blueberry-scented nose, while the flavors bit up darker notes of blackberry and licorice on the finish. Drink this medium-bodied wine over the next few years.
Earthy, roasted berry aromas are matched by tobacco, cedar and rooty notes. This feels chunky and tomatoey. Flavors of earthy, stewed berry fruits are mature and carry a stalky accent. The finish is medium-long and peppery, with a fading fruit character.
There are tarry and deep purple, almost black fruit flavors to this blend of 70% Petite Sirah-16% Tempranillo-14% Tannat. Once sipped, olallieberry emerges as the dominant fruit flavor, with espresso and tar complementing the thick tannins.
This is significantly young, tight and firm. Coming from one of the best sites in Fleurie, it has structure and tannins that dominate the rich red cherry fruits. Drink from 2016.
Tropical fruit, aromatic herb and tomato vine scents jump out of the glass. The palate is focused, albeit a bit lean, offering green melon and white grapefruit flavors, with crisp acidity.
Grenache (52%) takes the lead on this wine followed by Mourvèdre (31%) and Counoise. Light in color, it displays aromas of strawberry, coriander, herb and baking spice. The palate brings plentiful cranberry flavors that possess a lightly creamy feel.
This region is known for producing lean whites from grapes that tend to be blousy in warmer zones, and this bottling is no exception. It shows crushed chalk, pomelo and gardenia aromas on the nose and is tense on the palate, its grippy white rock flavors accented with Granny Smith apple notes.
Sagebrush and faint anise hints decorate the red cherry and ripe raspberry fruit in this appellation blend. The palate is lively if fairly simple, with fresh red berry flavors and a touch of garrigue.
Crushed stone and fresh lemon persist from nose to finish on this revitalizing off-dry Riesling. It's brisk and thirst quenching, offering loads of crisp-tart peach and tangerine flavors. The finish is long and refreshingly citrusy.
The cherry cola, herb, menthol and barrel-spice aromas seem a bit more evolved than their age might indicate. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with plump tannins providing support.
This has a rather subdued nose, while the palate offers citrus, pear and chopped herb notes. It's elegant and linear but a bit lean, with an energizing mineral finish.
It is rare to find a wine this old as a new release. In fact, it probably should have been released a few years ago. Because its browning color, old tannins and acidity all suggest a wine that has gone past its peak. As a curiosity this is definitely right there and, for that, drink it now. Two bottles tasted.
Soft and perceptively sweet, this densely built, full-bodied and intensely ripe wine layers brown sugar and baked plum notes, with a lingering taste of cola.
This easygoing blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot has black-skinned fruit, Mediterranean underbrush and blue flower aromas. The juicy palate offers mature blackberry, baking spice and nutmeg flavors, accompanied by round tannins.
A solid two years after the vintage, this shows the concentration of 2015. Fig, melon and nectarine notes mingle easily on the nose and palate, where a touch of creaminess adds an extra dimension.
Tight and linear on the palate, this is evolving very well for a $12 wine. Struck flint is prominent on the nose, adding a touch of Old World character, while the flavors feature cut grass and citrus. It's light bodied, but remarkably intense on the finish. Drink now.
Smooth and round, this wine offers rich cherry cordial and milk chocolate flavors—a simple, straightforward layering of ripeness within a medium-bodied frame.
Blended with 5% Sémillon, this crisp, tropical white is generous with bright acidity and a strong taste of pineapple and lemon. Zippy minerality adds a stoniness to the texture and flavor, as a fresh-cut grass note lingers in the background.
Consistently among the best $20-and-under wines each vintage, this blend of 52% Grenache, 44% Syrah and 4% Tempranillo from vintner Dan Lee delivers plump boysenberry, plum, baking spice and rosemary scents on the nose. The palate is dry and herbal yet bright with acidity, full of thyme and sagebrush notes against a backdrop of plum fruit.
This Pinot Noir-dominant sparkler is nutty and perfumed, its honeysuckle scents bringing lightness and brightness to a meaty core of body and weight.
Sweet tannins support this wine's cassis and cherry flavors, accented with sage and dried herb. With a dry, puckering mouthfeel, it's boldly ripe and brawny, showing persistent toasty oak scents.
Heady tropical notes of guava and melon perfume this light-footed wine. Semidry in style, it's not deeply penetrating in fruit but offers refreshing citrus flavors and a lip-smacking honey finish. Drink now through 2019.
A smoky, charred oak aroma leads the nose of this full-bodied, high-octane and appropriately tannic wine, and vivid, peppery notes jazz up its solid fruit flavors.
One of the few Petite Sirahs grown in Santa Barbara County's cooler climate, this bottling offers tart boysenberry, wild sagebrush and lean graphite touches on the nose. The tannins are sticky, although the body is relatively light, showing violet floral notes and earthy minerality.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Anna Marie, Dugger Creek, McClellan Estate and Seven Hills vineyards. The aromas are light, with notes of barrel spice, graphite, herb and dark fruit. The flavors are elegant in style, possessing a pleasing texture that heightens the interest.
Vibrant diesel, orange rind, white flower and dried apricot aromas lead to dry stone fruit flavors in this wine. It shows a pleasant balance and persists through the finish.
A mature nose of cornbread and oxidized fruits suggests a wine older than this. A white blend, it features a multitude of grapes led by Viura. On the palate, acidity is the key ingredient, while a mix of oxidized apple, melon and corn flavors runs long on the finish. Drink through 2022.
With fruit from Funk, Dugger Creek and Watermill Estate vineyards, this delivers funky peat, olive and fresh tobacco aromas. The flavors are light, soft and palate-coating, gliding into the finish. A subtle rendition of the variety.
Spicy tangerine peels perfume this intense, full-bodied Gewürztraminer. It's richly textured, almost creamy, in mouthfeel but balanced brightly in acidity. Hints of fennel and pollen pepper a pleasantly phenolic finish.
Elegant aromas of black plum, asphalt, black tea and sandalwood show on the nose of this appellation blend from Adam Lee. The palate offers hints of forest floor with mushroom and mulberry flavors, as well as a persistent woody spice.
This well-made full-bodied wine exudes a juicy core of red currant, cranberry and vanilla as a persistence of tannin provides power and wooded support. Oak and cedar play nicely together and add a wealth of savory concentration.
This combines 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec. Its baking spice, black fruit and herb aromas are followed by silky-smooth dark fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
A touch of green pepper dances on the nose of this otherwise bold, darkly fruited wine. Notes of coffee and brownie lend richness to the palate, fleshing out the crushed-velvet texture and black plum and currant flavors. A final hit of tobacco spice graces the finish.
This wine's aromas are locked up but still show nuance, with fresh herb, flower, vanilla, chocolate and cherry notes. The palate shows restraint despite the warm region and vintage, with firm, lightly dry tannins providing support. It shows well at the dinner table.
Showing a dry character from the wood aging, this spicy wine also has fruit weight. While it is still young, its ripe berry flavors laced with black cherries are right up front. It does have the rounded character of a Beaune and this will develop more strongly. Drink from 2021.
This delivers smoke, coffee bean, dark red fruit and spice aromas. It's oak-forward on the palate, somewhat obscuring the fruit flavors, but it still brings appeal.
Berry, cola and chocolate aromas are pretty. In the mouth, this wine is bright and brash, with rough tannins and high acidity. Flavors of plum and wild berry are a touch salty and then comes a hard-pounding finish. Drink through 2026.
This wine's violet and red-skinned berry aromas lift out of the glass. The palate is bright and racy, with juicy raspberry, red cherry and cake spice notes and lively acidity. Drink through 2020.
Produced from vines close to the chateau of Santenay, this is a tight, mineral wine. It has intense crisp acidity, tangy citrus and excellent potential. The fruit is asking for time to fill out, so drink from 2018.
This leads with aromas suggesting freshly picked violet, toast, espresso, menthol and crushed herb. The vibrant palate delivers Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, coffee bean and licorice flavors in a frame of youthfully assertive tannins.
Dark, rubbery aromas are offset by a floral berry component. Grabby tannins are a big part of this Cabernet's chunky palate. Flavors of hickory, café mocha and roasted berry fruits finish chocolaty and with residual tannins.
The wine is structured and with bold red fruits. It also has a firm texture, layers of tannins and a solid texture. Acidity shines through at the end. These elements promise a serious wine that will age well. Drink from 2021.
Tart elderberry, purple flowers, anise, bay leaf and other chaparral aromas show on the nose of this blend of 20% Carmenère, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 10% Petit Verdot. Forest-driven flavors power the palate, where firm but forgiving tannins present black cherry and dark chocolate shavings.
This drinks like a Port, with extremely ripe and definitely sweet flavors of raisins, dried plums and blackberry jam. It's not so much a dinner wine as something to sip around the campfire or with a dark chocolate dessert.
This wine's aromas are fruit forward, suggesting cantaloupe, melon and pear. The palate is spicy and broad, bringing a lot of appeal.
This wine's aromas are bright and fruit forward, with generous black pepper, raspberry, fresh flower, smoked meat and barrel spice notes. The full-bodied palate delivers cranberry flavors that are appealing but more ponderous than the aromas might suggest.
Richly concentrated with ripe tropical melons and mangoes, this juicy, fruity, off-dry Riesling is a straightforward yet undeniably tasty pick. It's zesty and fresh, with tart tangerine acidity that wraps the finish up crisply.
This jammy wine doles out overripe plum and mature dark-berry fruit, layered with a melted chocolate sensation. Warm and evolved, it has an almost sugary-sweet palate that's shy on freshness.
This 100% Cabernet conveys aromas of raw lumber. Nonetheless, the fruit is ripe and round, with full flavors of dark berry and cassis. Tannins are a bit rough and rustic, but pair this with a smoky, grilled beef and you'll be quite pleased.
Splash this around while pouring to help dissipate some reductive notes and reveal pleasant raspberry and herbal aromas. It's medium in body, with a welcoming suppleness to the texture and a silky feel on the finish, which folds in hints of mocha.
The blend is 60% Grenache from the Stone Tree vineyard, the rest Syrah from Stillwater Creek and LVdM vineyards. It's forward, fragrant and fruity, with notes of tanned leather. Bright berry fruit shines through into a finish with moderate tannins.
Scratchy, edgy aromas of boysenberry and blackberry are a touch minty and herbal. This feels big, loud and choppy, with plenty of kick and hard tannins. Flavors of ripe dark fruits are toasty and earthy, while the finish is blocky, bullish and a touch hot, with power in reserve.
This is golden-tan in color. The nose is gaseous and smells of ham and yeast. The palate is distinctly foamy, while flavors of briny apple finish mild yet heavy.
A fifty-fifty blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso, this monolithic wine is dominated by sweet oak, coffee and espresso sensations along with undertones of black fruit. Additional fruity richness would better support the overwhelming oak and astringent wood tannins.
With a dark red violet color and aromas of black cherry and fennel, this wine has flavors of black cherry, mint and clove. The scale tips in the direction of cooling herbs over fruit, and the warm finish is a bit one-dimensional.
Floral aromas are airy and fun. This is lean, bright and high in acid. Flavors of stony lime and white pineapple finish minerally and fresh, with a light, long, acid-driven finish.
A kitchen sink blend of white grapes, it comes together with interesting if slightly disjointed effects. There is honey and slight buttercream on the nose (likely from the Chardonnay lead). Once sipped, lush fruit comes to the fore, characterized by caramelized pear (probably the Viognier). On top of that, there is tangy acidity and slight tarriness.
Deep red violet to the eye, this wine offers aromas of ripe cherry, pomegranate and orange zest. There is a sensation of coolness dominating fruit, with flavors of blackberry, pomegranate, menthol, clove and orange zest. It is a bit chewy on the palate; the strong tannins are crying out to be served alongside grilled lamb or beef.
Wisps of smoke and spice lend an earthy tone to bright red cherry and plum flavors on this smooth, richly textured Cabernet Franc. The palate is velvety plush with layers of fine, soft tannins and soft berry acidity. Easy going but satisfying.
A straightforward, nicely priced wine offering mid-weight texture amidst grapefruit, lime and peach flavors and aromas. It's an easy-to-like quaffer for summertime or to enjoy before meals.
Here's a bright and easy-drinking expression of Nero d'Avola that offers sour cherry, ripe blackberry and pleasantly tart cranberry. Pair this with hearty first courses like four cheese gnocchi.
This dense Taurasi opens with black fruit, toasted oak and chocolate aromas. The extracted palate shows a heavy oak influence and is framed by coffee, mocha and vanilla alongside evident alcohol and bitter, raw wood tannins.
This Rosé of Sangiovese is light in color and density, with fruit flavors of watermelon and a hint of peach. It's a fine, light and easy sipper.
Hickory, roasted black fruit, vanilla, rubber and plastic aromas set up a big but balanced feeling palate. Flavors of roasted blackberry are rubbery and come with oaky vanilla, while this feels good on the finish with an overriding oak character in the driver's seat.
A hint of nail polish or paint thinner prevents this wine from scoring higher. It's full-bodied, with ample dark fruit, but that slight off note strips some of the texture from the midpalate. The finish is warm, with a hint of black licorice.
Fresh lemon, tangerine and apricot notes abound in this juicy, easy-going Chardonnay. Lack of oak aging highlights its youthful, primary character. Racy lemon acidity and zesty lemon-skin reverberate on the finish.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this single-vineyard wine brings notes of yellow apple and lees accented by tart acidity. While it provides some interest, it doesn't seem like all of the pieces have quite come together.
Broad and rich, it has already developed to give ripe yellow and green fruits that have fully integrated into the fresher, mineral structure. The wine is ready to drink.
Rich, ripe scents of cherry pie and cherry cola waft from this profoundly aromatic Merlot. It's boldly alcoholic and full bodied, but the palate shows restraint with crisp red berry flavors highlighted by a streak of acidity. Soft, furry tannins coat the finish.
A strong wood element dominates this wine. It's all toasty and juicy from wood aging rather than fruit. It does have the weight to suggest some fruit for the future, but the wood, with its bite and tang, will always be a strong presence.
This well-integrated wine delivers intoxicating aromas of jasmine, tangerine and peach. These intertwine citrus-y minerality with a candied sweetness, especially on the finish.
This bright wine opens with aromas of white flowers and citrus. The palate offers juicy lemon-lime and white almond alongside crisp acidity that gives it a clean, fresh finish.
Classically aromatic and slightly grassy, it has touches of sweet pineapple and vanilla dancing throughout the soft layers of easy-drinking acidity and crispness.
Fresh and fruity, it shows crispness as well as white fruits, orange zest and a lively lemon aftertaste. Drink now.
Attractive red fruits dominate this light and fruity wine. Good acidity and bright flavors are smoothed by wood, while the aftertaste brings back the fruit. Drink now.
This is a thouroughbred, elegant sparkler. With its delicate acidity, apple and grapefruit flavors, and tense, steely texture, it is an extremely well-blanced wine. Although it is ready to drink now, it could certainly age in bottle for many years.
This is top Champagne from Piper-Heidsieck, offering the delicious airy quality that's the hallmark of this house, with crisp apple flavor, tangy acidity and the first signs of yeasty, toasty bottle age. Its fruit intensity has transformed into a splendid selection. It's worth aging for a few more years, though also delicious now.
Still an icon of Douro reds, this is marked by elegance. The fruit blends effortlessly with the acid-laced, firm tannins. It has fine potential for aging over at least five years.
The aristocratic estate of Santar produces some of the most elegant wines in the Dão. The 2009 vintage adds richness to a deep, complex and powerful wine, which is full of dark plum and damson flavors, rounded by wood aging. Age for 3–4 years.
This is a beautifully balanced, elegant and mature sparkler. There is fruit—ripe strawberry—but the main character is its fine balance and richness. It can age, though it is at its best now.
A richly detailed riot of flavors, this outstanding Pinot Noir offers notes of lavender and rosemary on the nose and flavors of strawberry and raspberry on the palate, with hints of beetroot, clean earth and anise. The finish adds a lingering, resonant flavor of pastis.
Among an outstanding lineup of well-defined, beautifully refined Pinots from Le Cadeau, the Diversité takes top honors. Sourced from the winery's vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, it shows excellent varietal character, with exceptional depth and detail. It beautifully melds the notes of mixed red fruit, light earth, and sensitively-applied barrel.
The latest release of the legendary Comtes de Champagne comes from a great vintage. It has full, toasty bottle-age notes that give the wine depth of flavor, with a ripe, rounded mouthfeel and taut acidity. An almond note combines with the citrus-driven acidity on the finish.
Perhaps the best of a stellar lineup from Trisaetum, this off-dry estate bottling is packed with grapefruit and pineapple flavors. They run tart and deep into the palate, full and focused, with the vineyard's signature minerality.
Holly's Hill Mourvèdre opens with a gigantic waft of black pepper, followed by intense fruit flavors of cherry and dried plum. Medium bodied and light on the finish, this earthy wine also gives off a hint of cured meats, with which it would pair nicely.
Floral and herbaceous on the nose, there's an abundant freshness to the red plum and pomegranate flavors on this elegant Saperavi. Dry in style, with brisk acidity, it balances a crisp, fruity profile with a backbone of coarse tannins.
This is a creamy, intensely fruit wine, with lime and tropical fruit flavors, merely hinting at a minerally structure. It's delicious and ready to drink now.
Lightly spicy aromas give this an exotic feel. At the same time, there is plenty of crisp, citrusy acidity, along with a rounded melon texture. The wine is full-bodied, concentrated and will be ready to drink in six months.
Honeysuckle and sweet marzipan notes perfume this aromatic white wine. Concentrated fresh peach and flower notes on the palate are enlivened by a spray of lime-juice acidity and a murmur of salinity on the finish. A pretty wine at an irresistible price.
This full-bodied selection hails from the same region as Vinho Verde, offering creamy apricot and ripe white-fruit notes. It has great depth of flavor, with toast and spice tones as well as fragrant acidity.
The nose is lemony, warm and floral. It feels full, solid and sturdy on the palate, with tobacco, baked cherry, plum and herb flavors. The finish remains herbal, with coffee and chocolate notes.
Bill Easton's Mourvèdre features a combination of bright, ripe strawberry and savory herbal tea. It is medium bodied, with a distinctly peppery finish.
This is a refreshing and somewhat complex wine, with layers of underripe peach, green fig and melon rind mixing with garrigue accents. There's a grassy accent to the palate, with a hint of lime pith on the solid finish.
Despite Romanian labeling standards, this demidulce is only a shade off-dry. The palate is intensely juicy with a ripe cherry flavor that's accented by layers of violet, fresh herb and a striking crushed-granite minerality. Easygoing elegance for an incredible value price.
Perfumed, floral and intriguing, this is still tight with mountain tannins. In a few years, its thick black-cherry and pepper tones will emerge, becoming rounded out with notes of violet and oaky leather.
Open this wine and you'll feel as though you've stepped into an Italian deli—so finely has it captured the smell of cured meats. The back layers feature cherry and herb, the finish a burst of roasted, toasted oak. This is a great wine to pair with a range of Italian-inspired meals.
While this young wine is dry now, it has good potential with rich fruits developing well. Dark and firm at the moment, it will become a generous rounded wine as it ages. The 30-acre Etienne Barre and Christophe Reboul Salze estate is managed by the Stephane Derenoncourt team. Drink from 2019.
There is a fine balance between the firm tannins and the ripe fruit in this wine. It has juicy acidity, spice and layers of delicious black-currant flavors. The fourth generation, Nathalie Boyer and Alain Tourenne, converted vines to Ecocert-certified organic beginning in 2008. Drink from 2019.
With the vineyards in the family since the 18th century, it was Jérôme and Béatrice de Monteil's turn in 2010. The wine is dry and firm with powerful tannins. It is still young and there is plenty of rich fruitiness there as well. That makes its future good, balanced and ripe. Drink from 2019.
This wine from Blaye sister-brother team of Marie-Pierre et Pierre-Charles Dartier is perfumed, ripe with black fruits and with a generous smooth texture. With the hint of tannin from the wood aging and the black-plum fruits, it will be a rich, generous wine. Drink from 2018.
The wine is ripe and smooth with a fine balance between acidity and the red fruits. It is light on tannins, concentrating on the fruitiness. The aftertaste with its spice is dense and ripe. Drink from 2017.
Produced by the winemaking team from Château la Gaffelière in Saint-Emilion, this is a fine, smooth and ripe wine. It has black fruits and a structure that is well integrated into the rich wood and acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
This is named for Arnaud Puyanché, who moved to Francs to make wine but put the project on hold due to the Great War of 1914. Five generations later, the family has revived his dream of producing estate wines. Ripe and full of red fruits, this 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is concentrated and rich. The tannins are fine and already integrated into the fruits. With the acidity at the end, this is a well-balanced wine with a good future. Drink from 2020.
With its off-dry tango of sweet, tart and mineral components, this is a standout among a large range of Rieslings from Chehalem. Apple and white peach, citrus oil and wet stone are in play, with some grippy tannins adding a taste of orange pekoe tea. The residual sugar, listed at 16 g/L, is off-set with balancing acidity.
Saturated with oak flavors with ripe blackberry nuances, this full-bodied wine is assertive and mouthfilling. It has toasty, spicy aromas, an almost thick mouthfeel due to lots of alcohol and tannin, and a lingering, oaky finish.
This small-production, light and bright white wine is worth seeking out and succumbing to, lovely in green apple, peach, almond and apricot. It was fermented in neutral-oak barrels, the oak adding just enough body to what is otherwise a balanced and restrained wine encased in minerality.
Powerful flavors and a muscular structure make this wine big and imposing. It has intense oaky, spicy, earthy and barnyardy aromas. Dark-fruit flavors like blackberry accompany meaty, beefy nuances and a firmly tannic, dry mouthfeel.
Aromas of chamomile flower, dried herb, white stone fruit and a whiff of bread crust waft out of the glass. The savory, concentrated palate offers golden apple, pear and a hint of candied lemon drop alongside an elegant mousse.
Based in the Côte des Blancs, Nicolas Feuillatte has access to some fine Chardonnay for this mineral-textured wine. Lightly perfumed with white flowers, it is crisp and fresh, with sliced apple and lemon right up front. The wine is fruity now and will age well. Either drink now or wait for more maturity from 2017.
Aromas of fragrant white flower, chopped herb and white stone fruit jump out of the glass while the creamy palate presents juicy yellow peach, mature green apple and a note of candied nectarine zest. A soft foaming mousse accompanies the rich flavors.
Tightly wound raspberry fruit is the dominant flavor here, with slightly chalky, lemony acids wrapping up the finish. It's a pleasant, fresh wine, a bit lighter than the other designates, and best enjoyed over the next couple of years.
Full bodied and sizable in intent, this wine successfully offers a length and breadth of tart red cherry, cranberry and earthy black tea, providing varietal character in spades. Additional elements of strawberries just pulled from the ground add to the feral, natural aspect of the wine.
Restrained lemon freshness mixed with yeast and stone constitutes an inviting nose. The palate is fresh and taut with more creamy lemon and brioche breadiness from the yeast. This is light bodied and fresh with fine, fizzing bubbles and a dry elegant finish, reminiscent of Golden Delicious apples.
Aged half in stainless, half in French oak, the captivating wine, made from organically grown grapes, suggests buttered popcorn in the nose and lemon rind in the mouth. There are spicy highlights and subtle hints of sage, toast, and a finishing pat of butter.
Crisp green-apple flavors and a touch of lime make this dry and medium-bodied wine taste clean and vibrant. It's not big or showy, but nice, tight and beautifully balanced.
Red berry, white pepper, crushed herb and a balsamic note lead the nose on this elegant red. The tense, mid-weight palate offers raspberry, tart cherry, anise and clove framed in taut, polished tannins and bright acidity.
A simple but bright cherry and warm spice nose marks this Meritage, and on the palate, a soft array of berry and oaky spice follows. It's not terribly intergrated or elegant, but the wine has a good overall flavor and will pair well with fowl or beef.
Blocky and brambly on the nose, with a fair amount of funk. The palate is crisp, semitart and lean-bodied, and with tight acidity it's a little scouring. Lots of red-fruit character but not a lot of mouthfeel.
Quite an unusual specimen in that you don't often see Monastrell mixed with Cabernet and Shiraz. The end result is fairly strange and unfamiliar; the nose smells saucy and lean, while the palate is also saucy and a touch medicinal.
Thick and pulpy on the palate, this white is fruity and simple, with pear, melon and citrus aromas and flavors. It's surprisingly heavy for such a low-alcohol (12.7%) wine.
Tart and zesty, with lime and cranberry aromas and flavors. It's light, clean   and refreshing.
The nose on this Viognier is a touch off and slightly green, and on the palate, thin flavors lack the curvy allure of the variety. Still, the wine has a clean character and overall easy drinking quality that recommends it.
Ribera is not prime rosé country, and this wine doesn't much help the cause. Cherry cough drop aromas are about all you're going to get, while the palate is jumpy and sour, with apple skin and grapefruit flavors. Too much like a sucking candy.
An herbal and brambly roughneck with forced aromas, lots of leather, and ultimately cranberry and other tart red-fruit flavors. Not much body, and thus it's short and piquant.
Brambly and tart, with a peppery, leathery nose. It's zesty, lightly concentrated Garnacha with zingy, mouth-burning raspberry and plum flavors. A sharp, reticent wine in every way. Imported by USA Wine Imports.
This Bordeaux-style red starts promisingly, with a big nose of smoky meat, tobacco and pepper, but on the palate, there's a slightly rubbery edge and the fruit needs more complexity. Tannins are good. In the right direction but not quite hitting the mark.
Affordable and friendly, this refreshing wine offers strawberry jam and orange marmalade on the nose and a mineral-driven flavor profile. The fruit is overtaken by the acidity to some extent, but the wine still makes for a tasty warm weather sip.
Though this wine offers the vibrant cherry fruit and pepper of a good New York Cab Franc, it's a bit one-dimensional. On the nose, candied cherry and spice lead, followed by a slightly tart wave of cherry. Oak adds just a bit of interest. Pair with duck or fowl to soften it.
Aromas of raspberry jam, toasted oak, menthol and roasted coffee bean open. The firm palate offers dried blackberry, mocha and licorice with assertive, close-grained tannins. An espresso note signals the close.
There's been an evolution taking place at this house, with new oak no longer ubiquitous in the offerings. In fact, this wine is aged solely in concrete, which allows charming hints of lavender and thyme to shine among the cherry and cocoa notes. It's full-bodied yet firm, so pair it with burgers or steaks off the grill.
Pale apricot in the glass, this rosé made of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon has a bouquet of peach and clover. There is a bit of heft on the palate that belies its light color, with flavors of ripe peach, apple, and lemon curd. The finish is marked by touches of thyme and oregano.
Made from 35% Obeidi, an indigenous grape usually reserved for Arak production, 35% Clairette, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Chardonnay, this wine is medium straw in the glass and has a nose of peach, Turkish delight and lilac. It is full in the mouth, offering flavors of ripe summer peach, rose petal and eucalyptus. The final moments are punctuated by a delightful blend of soft peach and strong mint flavors.
Pure purple fruit and flower aromas hit the nose on this straight-ahead bottling, with plum candy, sour cherry and a touch of soy sauce as well. Strong energy and purple fruit show on the palate, along with violets and blueberries, proving floral and fairly tangy.
Grenache makes up nearly three-quarters of this blend, with the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre. Bright raspberry, cranberry, rose hip and white pepper aromas lead to elegant yet high octane fruit flavors that taper toward the warm finish.
Bright, jammy aromas and ripe, lively, chocolate and cherry flavors give a lot of personality to this velvet-textured wine. Medium to full bodied, it has a good blanket of fine tannins to coat the tongue and give the wine grip.
Ripe plum, game, truffle, leather and menthol are some of the aromas you'll find on this earthy wine. The tightly wound palate offers dried black cherry, chopped sage, mint and roasted coffee bean alongside raspy tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc make up the majority of this blend. The aromas of dried herbs, pencil lead, cherry and spice are subdued while the palate brings a somewhat elegant style, with the tannins seeming a bit bunched up.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and a drop of Petit Verdot, this has aromas of pressed blue flower, dark-skinned berry and toast. The firm, straightforward palate offers black currant, clove and a hint of tobacco. Fine-grained tannins proved the frame work.
Pure varietal, this is a relatively light take on Syrah, but balanced and showing some nice details of tobacco and licorice. The fruit is tart—a mix of rhubarb and tangy red berry—and there's ample acidity for those who like their reds to snap into focus.
This wine is just over three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aromas of black currant, woodspice and a violet top note are followed by plentiful black-fruit flavors supported by firm tannins that need time to stretch their legs.
Black-cherry syrup and gravel touch the nose of this bottling from an estate in northern Paso owned by television producers. The palate shows clove and allspice as well as intriguing olallieberry and dark strawberry fruit, laid across a fairly tannic, asphalt-driven structure.
This wine shows the intense fruitiness of the 2014 vintage. It's all about crisp acidity, green fruits and tight, steely texture. It's a refreshing wine, with a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
Aromas of lemon meringue pie, lemon grass and caramelized pineapple open to flavors of wet river rocks, lemon zest and lime pith. Bright finish with strong minerality.
Aromas of green herbs, flowers and soil lead to rich purple-fruit flavors and chalky tannins. It doesn't quite come together but provides intrigue.
Merlot (55%) and Cabernet Franc (41%) make up the majority of this blend, which is rounded out by Petit Verdot. Aromas of dried red fruit, herbs and woodspice lead to elegant, zingy, dried cranberry and spice flavors that linger.
A full-bodied, ripe wine, this is going to develop well, with balanced acidity and ripe, perfumed apple and pear flavors. The final tang of citrus gives a great lift. A warm wine, it's already delicious and will be even better from 2017.
An unusually rich wine for Sancerre, this is packed with apple and pear fruits, with a soft touch of honey to fill out the palate. It is ripe, full of fruit and immediately drinkable, soft at the end while still fresh.
The apricot and star fruit aromas start out quite reticent, with barrel notes providing accents. The vanilla and stone fruit flavors are full in feel and walk together through the finish.
This blend of 70% Blaufränkisch, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Zweigelt has aromas of cranberry, pomegranate and dried cherry with flavors of blackberry and red raspberry. There's a pleasant touch of spicy black pepper in the finish.
This fresh, crisp wine has plenty of lively citrus fruits that are enriched by red apple and zesty orange flavors. The wine is already delicious in its fruitiness and ready to drink.
The yellow apple, melon and spice aromas are bright and inviting. The palate is fresh and clean, with broad, vibrant flavors playing nicely against a tart finish.
This wine has a crispness and upfront brightness that speaks to low oak. Lemony with a bite of green apple, it offers a backdrop of marshmallow on the finish.
Bold boysenberry flavors and a broad, juicy texture make this full-bodied wine appealing and easy to enjoy. The texture is moderately tannic and everything tastes well proportioned.
This is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 52% Syrah, which seems to be the dominant grape in terms of flavor and style. Scents and flavors of char, licorice and espresso come up quickly, with black fruit showing a peppery edge. The finish seems attenuated, even with ample aeration.
This is a rounded, ripe and full-bodied wine, with spice and light toastiness that give richness. Apple and green-plum flavors are enhanced by the creamy texture and touches of apricots. It is young and drinkable now, although will likely be much better from the end of 2016.
This wine is ripe with a texture that remains tangy while also showing rich yellow and white fruits. A rustic edge adds interest rather than detracting from the quality. With its acidity and zesty citrus character, the aftertaste leaves a fresh, crisp feeling. Drink now.
This is a refreshing and somewhat complex wine, with layers of underripe peach, green fig and melon rind mixing with garrigue accents. There's a grassy accent to the palate, with a hint of lime pith on the solid finish.
Open this wine and you'll feel as though you've stepped into an Italian deli—so finely has it captured the smell of cured meats. The back layers feature cherry and herb, the finish a burst of roasted, toasted oak. This is a great wine to pair with a range of Italian-inspired meals.
Bill Easton's Mourvèdre features a combination of bright, ripe strawberry and savory herbal tea. It is medium bodied, with a distinctly peppery finish.
There's a nice mélange of aromas and flavors to this wine, as hints of dried purple flowers mingle with fruity notes of brambly forest berry and black plum. Accents of leather, smoke and graphite add depth to the palate, but the finish is a bit warm.
Though aromatically subdued, there's an intensity of tangerine and lime zest flavor in this dry, invigorating Malvasia. The midpalate is marked by elegant white-flower notes that linger on the slightly astringent lime-pith finish.
Super dusty, leathery and big shouldered, this is also quite bright and drinkable. Made using grapes sourced from old vines planted within the Esola Vineyard.
Simaens has produced a ripe style of wine here. Apple and rich citrus flavors add a delicious touch to tropical fruit flavors. This wine is fit for drinking in the next few months.
A juicy Touriga with nice structure and acidity, it bursts with notes of strawberry, cherry and vanilla spice, especially on the finish. A perfect pizza wine.
This is a pure Grenache, tart and spicy, with powerful herb components. It is not fruity or sappy-sweet by any measure, but it delivers moderately concentrated flavors highlighted by herb and earth notes, with good length and balance.
Soft and herbaceous, this is a warm wine, its acidity leading to apricot and pineapple flavors. The apple skin texture and the tangy final acidity make it crisp.
This relies on its ripe fruit to convey the rich flavors of the Douro. Its black fruit flavors dominate the broad tannic structure, with a light hint of wood aging. It's bold, chunky and ready to drink.
This is a very full, meaty, saturated blend, with a lightly stewed nose that carries aromas of tomato, bacon, mint and brambly berry. It feels grabby and punchy due to strong tannins, then tastes of medicinal black fruit, herb and coconut-tinged oak. Spicy and hard on the finish.
This is an earthy Pinot, showing layers of leaf, stem and clay. A tart cranberry flavor balances out the core, with drying tannins through the finish.
This Barbera is leathery and rustic, expressing a taste of the Old World with its juicy dark-plum flavor and roasted, toasted accents. It's slightly reminiscent of cured meats and salami, and both would make good pairings.
Notes of rose and waxy flower mingle with savory nut and nut skin on this traditionally-made Georgian wine. Long maceration on the skins in clay vessels gives it a deep, golden hue, and a concentrated palate, with flavors of tangerine, crushed stone and a bristle of grape-skin astringency.
This big, blackberry-infused Zinfandel has plenty of leather, roasted coffee, licorice and tobacco notes coming through. It's medium-bodied and complex, with an herbal hint on the finish.
A musky white-flower note melds into savory notes of hazelnut oil and nut skin on the nose and palate of this smoky, rather mysterious wine. Tart with tangerine acidity, it's refreshingly brisk but finishes long with a hint of smoky vanilla.
This begins like an aged Merlot, soft in cinnamon spice aromas, then it delves into the supple dark-plum flavors of a younger-drinking Merlot.
Crisp, green and snappy on the nose, this is however not as defined, cut or chiseled on the palate as in previous vintages. It tastes grassy, bordering on vegetal, but also a little wayward and soft.
Silky and seductive with notes of raspberry, red cherry, blueberry and earthy forrest aromas. The finish shows a sweet mocha accent through the dominant fruit flavors. Balanced and approachable with well-integrated tannins and a strong finish.
Lively but also narrow on the nose. The feel is very fresh and juicy due to firm, bracing acidity that gives a tangy, lemony character to the wine's dark-fruit core. Snappy, linear and crisp for a wine of magnitude and extraction. Some might say it's sheering and acidic; others might call it ageworthy.
Round, dense and correct on the nose, with heft and dark fruit aromas. The palate is tight, pure and just the right size, with blackberry, boysenberry and a bit of vanilla and caramel in the background. Smooth on the tail end, with sweet coconut and mocha notes. Friendly and well done for the price.
Dense and firm, dark plum fruits and tight tannins frame this wine against its fruits and spice flavors. Although it is not a heavyweight, the intensity of flavors more than compensates.
Dark as night, with shoe polish, coconut and powerful black-fruit aromas. This is jammy, dense, soft and not for aging, but it does deliver a truck load of toasted coffee, blackberry, molasses and crisped brown sugar. Supersweet, rich and made to drink now.
Dark, sweet and rooty on the nose, with a warm, soft outlook. The palate is bold and thorough, with ripe berry, plum and chocolate flavors. Per usual, Punto Final is ripe, sweet and big, with a peppery finish and toasty, jammy warmth.
Attractive and enticing, with aromas of dried red fruit and raspberry dust spiced up with notes of pepper, cocoa and toffee. Although grippy and somewhat sandpapery in the mouth, that firm texture lingers through the endless finish. Still young; try in 2012.
Though the alcohol comes close to 15%, this is still relatively light compared with other Spofford vineyard Syrahs. Sweet cherry candy, or cherry pie fruit is slathered in flavors of coconut/vanilla cream. It's tasty, though relatively simple, especially for fruit from this vineyard, which is known for its earthy terroir.
There is lovely richness here, with fresh acidity and red berry fruit flavors. The texture is round, lightly chewy, with some wood and final stalky fruit.
Perfumed with new wood aromas and violets, this is a full-bodied wine, its tannins blending into sweet plum and cranberry juice flavors. The wood is finely judged, giving a rounded feel to the finish, along with the acidity.
Lemon, orange and spice start this intriguing white from Biblio Chora. On the palate, it has richness, but the crisp citrus character keeps it balanced and clean. An elegant but robust wine with lingering character.
This red starts with black fruits and pepper aromas, followed by waves of black cherry, cocoa, pepper and red berry. Rich and mellow, it's a classy sip that will pair well with duck, roasted meats.
A purple, saturated, well-oaked, muscular wine with heavy, dark fruit and hickory aromas. Forceful and saturated on the palate, with big blackberry flavors blanketed by powerful oak. Dark and smoky on the finish, with intensity and thick legs.
With alcohol just 12.5%, this high-toned, fruit-driven Riesling has some residual sugar, but does not taste all that sweet. The extra ripe fruit suggests tropical candy—pineapple, papaya and lemon sours.
Shows off the TL barrel regime, with toasty, mealy notes and hints of vanilla that come close to overwhelming the honeyed pear fruit. Turns fresh and pineapple-y on the finish, so give it another year in the bottle to knit all its pieces together.
Tough, earthy berry aromas provide a fierce outlook. The palate answers the call, showing syrupy richness amid piercing tannins. Flavors of baked black fruits yield to molasses on the short, stout finish. Tannic and solid, but very sweet. Could it use a bit more balance perhaps?
Despite only 15% new oak, this wine comes across as toasty and caramelly, with delicate touches of pear, honey and wet stones. There's plenty of weight and length, so fans of oaked whites will find plenty to like.
Dark garnet in color with an intense nose loaded with blackberries, cassis and sweet tobacco. The palate offers more black fruit skin notes along with coffee granules and cocoa powder, with mocha dominating the lingering finish.
Lacks the precise focus and mineral lift of the '07, but still offers a satisfying mouthful of pear and pineapple fruit. Soft and a bit broad but tasty.
A big, sweet, fruity wine, with ripe tannins, mint and chocolate flavors from the wood aging. It is rounded, polished, full of black plums, spice and finishing with balanced acidity. Keep for 3–4 years.
Very structured wine that shows its wood aging as well as textured black plum fruits. It has spice, toast and a smoky character. Underneath are blackberry fruits and a strong layer of acidity. Age for 3–4 years.
Although this blend of 75% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache spends 18 months in French oak, the outcome is surprisingly balanced and elegant, with gorgeous mineral notes to the bouquet alongside earthy spice, garrigue and ripe red berries. Everything transitions seamlessly to the smooth mouth, with a silky structure that provides a bit of grip to the close. Drink now through 2014.
Dark colored wine, its fruit structured with building blocks of dense tannins, acidity and a plum skin texture. The wine has a fine balance, rich but also restrained and elegant. For aging over 3–4 years.
Ripe, fruity, full flavored wine. It shows its wood aging in the toasty character that lies over the herbaceous fruit. Rounded, smooth with a burst of citrus. Drink next year, but also age.
With considerable new wood flavors, this is a ripely opulent wine. It has weight, rich tannins, a smooth surface as its skims over the black fruits. The acidity, sweet black plum jelly, both give a warm, ripe character to the wine.
Lush and appealing, this is one of the more appropriately named of the Chocolate Box wines. Slightly jammy raspberry fruit is coated in chocolate; even the tannins come across as softly dusty, even vaguely cocoa-like. Drink over the next year or two.
Young and round on the nose, with black cherry, blackberry and dry spice aromas. Gets deeper and more exotic as it breathes, with ripe, full tannins and nice flavors of sweet berry fruit, black cherry, vanilla, fig and chocolate. Meaty and round on the finish; drink now through 2014.
Collin Cranor remains one of Livermore's most promising young winemakers and this wine proves the point, a blend from three vineyard sites. This has a very pretty raspberry nose and is well-balanced throughout, with blackberry, oak and black tea flavors giving it an intensity of purpose. Will age well over the next couple of years.
This medium- to full-bodied red features bright fruit accented by oak. Vanilla strongly marks the nose, yet cherry and raspberry also come through, tinged with baking spices. Crisp and firm on the finish; try pairing with rich cuts of red meat.
Yes this is a big boy but its chocolate and espresso mixed with dark caramel are so well defined, so bold that anyone looking for a serious example of mountain Primitivo need look no farther. The wine's cherry flavors are vibrantly balanced between an intensity of layered darkness and complexity.
Fresh berry, mint, cola and herb aromas make for a classic Maipo bouquet. Feels fresh and good, with plying tannins and bright acidity. Tastes earthy, mossy and herbal, with ample berry fruit. Licorice and prune flavors carry the finish. Syrah with Cabernet, Carmenère and Petit Verdot.
Although known in the Douro as an increasingly essential component of Port and table wines, the Touriga Nacional is equally at home in the Dão. As here, it produces linear wines, very mineral, full of acidity with a perfumed elegance. This is a wine for aging over 4–5 years.
This 100% varietal wine shows notes of raspberry and chocolate sprinkled with oak spices from time in 50% new French barrels. It's wound up tightly at present, packed to the brim with red fruit flavors and firm, slightly gritty tannins.
This is a rich and full-flavored wine that still has plenty of aging ahead of it. It has a very floral character that is followed by green fruit and spice, and sustained by a tight, steely texture. Drink from 2016.
Developing well already, this is a textured, steely, very mineral wine that has also has rich stone fruits that give the wine weight and flavor density. Apples and fennel lend freshness and spice. It should age longer, so wait to drink until 2015.
A new style and blend from Tamarack, Spicebox mixes Grenache from Weinbau, Counoise from Ciel du Cheval, and Syrah from Sagemoor. It's aged in neutral barrels, putting the emphasis on flavors of grape, root and leaf. Raspberries, minerals and tart acids are in play, in an elegant and ageworthy red.
This cool-vintage Syrah is lightly herbal and complex up front, with blueberry and boysenberry aromas. Compact and tight in the mouth, this is firm and shows no leaks or weak spots. Herbal plum and berry flavors finish toasty, and the overall feel is firm, serious and in balance. Drink through 2015.
Olive and herb aromas suggest juniper along with baked plum and berry. This is a muscular, saturated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère that offers roasted, savory, saucy berry flavors in front of a toasty, coffee-driven finish. Drink through 2020.
Balance is what typifies all the latest Walla Walla Vintners's reds. Here, the grape's natural herbal highlights are linked to well modulated acids and tart rhubarb and berry fruit. Young and full of life and lift, this excellent Sangiovese should continue to improve for up to a decade.
The reserve is still tightly wound, but expressive, with firm, focused flavors of cassis fruit, backed with a refreshing minerality. Chewy and stylish, its briary fruits carry through a long, sculpted finish with light accents of herb.
Structured tannins dominate this blend of Blaufränkisch, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon right now, but dense yet sleeping plummy fruit and oaky spice are waiting in the background for their time to shine. This will relax into something slinky and fruitful if you have the patience to wait a year or two; drink after 2016.
This Bordeaux-style blend, which includes all five classic Bordeaux varieties, opens with herbal aromas of forest berry, black-currant leaf and tobacco, all grounded in ripe, fruity tones of blackberry and cassis. The palate is concentrated and dense, with a full yet firm texture and flavors of black-plum skin, cherry, leather, bittersweet chocolate and anise that carry  through to the long finish.
Whether it's the biodynamic vineyard or the ripeness of the fruit, this is certainly a rich, full-bodied wine. It's fruity and forward, although it's structure and minerality lendimpressive character. The aftertaste is fruity, fresh and bone dry.
This is just the second time that this winery has released a Dolcetto, both sourced from the Dwelley vineyard. It's a very pretty wine, the color of Pinot Noir, and captures some of the feminine elegance of that grape as well. Scents of fresh crushed raspberries rise from the glass, lightly dusted with cocoa. Complex details of fresh herb add further interest.
Rather blocky and oaky at first, this can seem a bit overwhelmed with flavors from barrel aging. The tightly-wound red fruits appear slowly with hours of breathing, along with some alcohol heat in the finish. Give this as much aerating as possible.
This excellent Syrah captures much of the depth and complexity of higher priced bottles. Boysenberry fruit provides a concentrated core of flavor and rings of licorice, earth, coffee, smoke and vanilla circle through the lingering finish. Tannins are a bit on the crunchy side.
This is a rich, opulent wine with ripe lychee flavors. Forward and spicy, it is showing its flashy youth at the moment. While it will always be ripe in style, as it develops, it will become more sophisticated and complex. Drink until 2022.
Here's a polished Verdicchio made from 40-year-old vines. It opens with an attractive bouquet of Spanish broom and acacia flower, along with hints of citrus and mineral. The palate delivers generous peach and apricot flavors accented by energizing mineral notes. Hold a few years for more complexity.
This is a very good dry Gewürztraminer that's laden in jasmine and honey, extremely perfumed on the nose, and light and crisp on the palate. With a suggestion of vanilla on the finish, it's a balanced white, ready to be enjoyed with a salad dressed with figs and goat cheese.
Dense blackberry fruit and even a hint of new leather can be coaxed from the glass with the first swirl. A toned and muscular yet still graceful body gives equal measures of fruit and supporting oak. The tannins are fine and there is statuesque poise of a very well-cut wine, like an Italian-tailored suit, elegant yet masculine. This drinks well already but will be even better in two to three years' time; drink through 2018.
A first for K Vintners, this fruit was sourced from the Sunset and Evergreen vineyards, and supervised by winemaker, Brennon Leighton. Cool climate characteristics are shown in the form of unripe berry and juicy acid flavors. There's a slight natural herbaceousness, as well.
100% varietal with all of the fruit coming from StoneTree Vineyard, it's barrel-forward, with notes of fresh brewed coffee, dark chocolate and cherry. It starts out lighter in style before fleshing out over time with a pleasing interplay between the oak and fruit flavors. Soft tannins and tart acidity provide the frame.
Snappy aromas of citrus and lime come with minerality on a bouquet that's pungent but doesn't punch. This feels clean, friendly and well built; flavors of lime, tangerine and mango finish persistent, with no breakdowns. This is what top Chilean SB is all about.
It's tough to find a Walla Walla wine at this price with this much concentration and power. In the mouth it has a plush, soft appeal, with a lush mix of fruits and generous barrel flavors of chocolate and baking spices. It was aged for two years in a mix of new and used French and American oak.
A funky undertone, similar to the Nicholas Estate bottling, weaves through the wine, along with a mix of cranberry, raspberry and sour cherry fruit. Despite the 14% alcohol, this wine seems light, delicate, the flavors pleasing but pale, and the finish a gentle fade.
Powerfully rich, creamy wine that has considerable yellow fruit flavors to broaden the pear juice. The wine is ripe, full, while the acidity is just an afterthought.
Cinnamon, spice, leather and forest fruit leads the nose of this balanced, elegant red. Tobacco and spice are wound together with a clean minerality and crisp acid. Versatile and friendly.
Black berry, raspberry and cassis abound on the bouquet of this wine, lifted by superattractive aromas of fudgy brownie. The fruit transitions completely to the full palate, with a touch of peppery spice staying through the close. Drink now.
A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with some years of bottle aging has produced a sophisticated wine, pushing acidity and citrus flavors and a dancing sparkling character. Aromatic and very crisp.
Typical pepper and spice flavors mark this wine as a classic, fresh, ready-to-drink Grüner. It's all about bright acidity and hints of minerality.
A single-clone selection from this vineyard; it's like a pencil drawing, a sketch for a complete wine. Sharp edges, tight lines, a quick burst of pomegranate, earthy tannins and it stops, a hard finish.
While grassy, herbal aromas dominate the aromas, plenty of white grapefruit comes through on the palate to provide for a crisp, refreshing mouthful. It's medium in weight, with some leafy and citrusy notes on the moderate-length finish.
A blend of Grecanico, Chardonnay, Viognier and Fiano, this opens with a fragrance of honeysuckle, stone fruit and citrus. The juicy palate offers lemon zest, nectarine and white pear alongside bright acidity.
Made with a blend of 85% Falanghina and 15% Pallagrello Bianco, this opens with citrus, graphite and stone fruit aromas. The linear palate offers white peach, yellow grapefruit, lemon zest and mineral alongside lively acidity.
Altocedro's 2011 stable of high-end Malbecs all carry something in common: heavy, creamy oak that gives the wines severe milk chocolate and vanilla characteristics. This is sticky in feel, with ripe berry fruit, mulchy earth and resiny flavors. Carob, vanilla and cocoa flavors control a syrupy finish.
Gritty berry aromas require airing. This is grabby, full and fresh on the tongue, with zesty acidity and overall good balance. A heavily oaked flavor profile includes mint and chocolate along with generic berry and plum. Resiny oak carries the finish.
Fresh and fruity, this balances ripe red fruits with a touch of caramel and light, crisp acidity. It is fragrant and perfumed, and would make an excellent apéritif.
Plum and berry aromas are clean but regular. The wine feels wiry and bouncy, with pointed acidity. Fresh, tangy flavors of red berry and cranberry finish dry, oaky and tight. It's good and familiar in an old-school way.
Better known for its aromatic whites, Spy Valley has fashioned a solid, middle-of-the-road Sauvignon Blanc. Passion fruit and pineapple flavors form the medium-weight core of the wine, while grassy notes on the nose reemerge on the finish.
A blend of 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this deep garnet-colored wine has aromas of blackberry, brambles and green pepper. Flavors of black raspberry, cranberry and tart cherry with touches of green pepper are enmeshed in heavy tannins that persist into the tart, chewy finish.
Half Syrah with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, it brings sweet barrel notes of vanilla and coconut along with dried cherry and blueberry. The palate is light to medium bodied with an interplay of chocolate and cherry flavors that keeps things interesting even as the concentration dips.
Whiffs of freshly pressed apples and peaches entice on this brisk, easy-drinking wine. Refreshing on the palate, it has a hint of minerality that lingers on the finish.
It conveys overripe citrus, lemon peel and mature exotic fruit accented with mineral notes and buttery sensations. Artisan Wines, Oz Wine.
Mellow but friendly berry aromas feed into a firm palate with tight red-fruit tannins and then ripe flavors of blackberry and chocolate cake. The finish is toasty, with a chocolate mint-chip note and acidic snap.
There's a sweet, mocha oak streak at the center of this wine, with fruity notes of fleshy black plum and cherry as well as a hint of raspberry sauce. The palate is round and full, followed by astringent tannins that linger on the finish.
Named after the highway that joins Paris and Provence, this a light and fruity wine, crisp yet with a soft aftertaste. It stays lively right to the end.
Aromas of tarry asphalt, hockey puck and pasty oak dominate the creamy berry component. Jammy in feel, it has prune, spiced berry and herbal flavors. On the finish, the tannins are grabby while volume drowns out finesse.
A touch of caramel lies over the crisp fruit, giving a round texture, smooth and rich. The red fruits are bright and have the fresh final acidity.
Soft and fresh, this fruity wine discloses attractive acidity as well as crisp red fruits. A light, bright texture makes it totally ready to drink, with a lift of acidity at the end.
It's quite tannic, as is to be expected from this founding Red Mountain vineyard, and yet the wine seems smoothed over, buffed out. The black cherry and cassis fruit does not penetrate. Drink up.
A blend of 70% Insolia and 30% Chardonnay, this easy-drinking wine has apple, peach, pear and citrus sensations. The round, juicy palate is one-dimensional but easy to enjoy.
This is an easy and clean selection, with fruity notes of cherry, strawberry and a touch of carnation. Light weight and brisk in acidity, this ends bright and mouthwatering. Drink now.
Ripe red fruits are the main character of this soft, rounded wine. Attractive acidity with grapefruit and lemon zest flavors are balanced by a warmer element.
It discloses intense tropical fruit aromas of banana and pineapple. The palate is a bit more reserved, offering white tree fruits, grapefruit and hint of mineral alongside fresh acidity that leaves a clean finish.
Wines like this make a strong argument for the future of Pinot Noir grown in this region. The blend includes 10 percent Pinot Meunier, which pumps up the color. It’s a spicy, plummy wonder that’s soft and ready to drink. It tastes of spiced apples and cinnamon, with a hint of violets in the smooth finish.
Richer and denser than Mayo’s Sangiacomo bottling, this one also seems more marked by oak, with vanilla, menthol and toast aromas all riding over black cherries. In the mouth, the fruit really comes forward; there’s impressive depth and body here, and a lushness that’s balanced by a long finish with fresh acidity. Should age for up to 5 years—maybe more. Only problem? Finding some. There were only 100 cases produced.
Palate-pleasing toasty, vanilla-cracker and tropical-fruit flavors. Fine bubbles lend a richness to the mouthfeel; the lush, nutty finish extends deliciously on and on. This could almost pass for a French tête de cuvée, except for the distinctly almond note (very tasty at that) running through the finish.
Tannic and firm, yet fleshy, with cherries and cherry tomatoes mixing it up. Some pleasing smoke and toast notes come from aging in oak barrels. Overall, it’s elegantly styled but still on the young and tight side.
This prestige cuvee honors Guy Devaux, who founded the California winery, and takes the familiar, user-friendly house style to an unprecedented level of intensity. The concentrated, beguiling nose suggests cask-conditioned ale and freshly baked bread. The wine fills every corner of the palate with rich, seductively layered flavors. The finish says California, not Champagne, with its tart fruit and spice.
A classy package and a bright, flavorful sparkling wine. There are vivacious, creamy, tropical-fruit flavors creating a rich, ripe mouthfeel, which extends all the way through to a lip-smacking, have-another-sip finish.
This Central Coast offering is sly and crafty, with a pretty cola and herb nose, a fine not-too-extracted color, and a supple mouthfeel. It has California richness, as it should, but also a reserved way about it. Sizable amounts of cinnamon, vanilla and oak are found on the persistent fadeaway. Smooth enough to be drunk now.
An elegant, lighter-style Pinot that oozes charm and finesse, from its vanilla-bean and cola aromas through the sweet root-vegetable and sour cherry flavors. Finishes well, with pretty herbal and fruit nuances that reverberate for a long time.
This ripe, all-fruit wine tastes unoaked because a lush blend of apple, peach and pear crowds the aromas, and more of the same fruitiness expands in the flavors. The mouthfeel is especially gentle, and the finish almost sweet.
The Adelaide Hills is one of Australia's best sources of high-quality Chardonnay. This is a fine example, marrying toasted grain aromas with peach and citrus flavors and a touch of vanilla. It's soft, lush and promises easy drinking over the next year or two.
A blend of 41% Grenache, 37% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre, 4% Counoise and 4% Cinsault from seven vineyards, this longtime Margerum-fan favorite shows boisterous wild berries, allspice-laced brioche, juicy hibiscus and fresh watermelon notes on the fun, inviting nose. It's juicy, light and easy drinking, with hints of anise and dried mint that give character to the bright red fruit.
A light color goes with delicate aromas and subtle fruit and spice flavors in this medium-bodied wine. But it does not lack good balance or interesting nuances, including red cherry, cinnamon and cedar notes, and nice, bracing tannins.
Scents of ripe berry, grilled herb, sunbaked soil, violet and menthol lead on this fragrant red. The savory, straightforward palate offers mature black cherry, sage and a hint of anise alongside lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Aromas of French oak, spiced plum, menthol, exotic spice and a whiff of blue flower come together on this. The medium-bodied palate offers black cherry, vanilla, mocha and a hint of anise alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.
A rich interpretation of the Castelão grape, the wine is opulent and generous. It has juicy black fruits that are lifted by acidity. The slight tannins are far in the background of this wine that will be ready to drink by the end of 2016.
A beautifully layered nose of buttered pears, dried apples and steaming brioche show on this Bob Lindquist bottling, which is bolstered by 25% Roussanne. Once sipped, brisk lemon peel and Asian pear flavors evolve into dried banana chip and slight petrol notes on the palate, which also offers plenty of oak influence.
Made with 90% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino and 5% Mammolo—all organically cultivated—this lively wine opens with aromas that recall fresh plum, blue flower and a balsamic note. The bright palate offers red cherry and ground white pepper alongside supple tannins. Drink soon to enjoy the juicy fruit and freshness.
When botrytis struck, the Bien Nacido Vineyard-owning Miller family (who plan to steadily up production on this brand) made this dessert wine. This show honey, concentrated honey blossoms, golden raisin and baklava notes on the nose. The palate is expectedly viscous yet intriguingly grippy, with flavors of dried lemon peel, chamomile and honey butter, finishing on peanut brittle.
Blackberry, violet and ash aromas rise toward a light vanilla and fudge profile on the nose of this bottling. The tannins are prominent on the tip of the sip, followed by raging acidity. Next juicy flavors of black fruit pleasingly commence, accented by purple flowers, white pepper and cocoa powder.
Earthy, lightly baked berry, raisin and tobacco aromas are a touch leafy but comported. A sinewy, tannic palate offers earthy plum, berry and herbal flavors in front of a spicy, mildly astringent finish.
Bracing and fresh, this crisp, red-berried Pinot Noir boasts an invigorating mineral sheen. It's a spry, slightly lean wine but framed elegantly with fine, feathery tannins. Drink now through 2018.
Zesty pepper and herb aromas accent this elegant but fruity Pinot Noir. Tart red cherry and berry flavors are crisply concentrated, fringed by fine tannins and a lingering murmur of briar wood. Drink now through 2019.
On first take, this smells murky and baked, but with airing it freshens up. In the mouth, this features hard acidity while the flavor profile leans towards prune, earthy plum and toasty oak. There's heat and roughness to the finish along with woodsy, spicy berry flavors. Drink through 2020.
Fresh aromas of citrus, white flowers and exotic fruit are followed by ripe and round flavors of pineapple and preserved lemon. The wine is balanced by good acidity and a clean finish. A dependable everyday wine.
Initial aromas of horsey red-berry fruits are jammy as well as grassy. This feels blocky and static on the palate, while plum and berry flavors are more generic than specific. A finish with licorice, pepper and spice flavors is bold, with firm tannic grip.
Baked, spicy aromas of berry fruits are a bit damp and herbal. This feels chunky, with mouthfilling, rough tannins. Earthy, baked plum and berry flavors are herbal and a touch salty, while this ends with mature berry flavors and hard tannins.
Ripe and full-bodied, this opens with aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, leather toast, licorice and menthol. The round, forward palate doles out juicy black cherry nutmeg, mocha and grilled sage offset by loosely knit tannins. Drink 2017–2022.
This well-crafted blend is principally Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris, with a dash of Muscat. It's aromatically inviting, an explosion of citrus fruit and blossom. What follows is a tasty jumble of Meyer lemon, nectarine and pineapple, full, fruity and just plain fun.
A blend from the cooler Watch Hill Vineyard near Los Alamos and the warmer McGinley Vineyard in Happy Canyon, this wine from the veteran vintner shows dense red fruit and black cherry on the nose, along with fresh purple flowers and cracked pepper. Black-plum skins, beef char, black cherry, rosemary, thyme and black pepper pop on the palate.
Complex and dry, this has smoky, woodsy aromas and exotic flavors like black tea, soy and cranberry. The balance is good, due to firm tannins and acidity that combine for a mouthfeel with a little bite. It's very nice in a slightly rustic style.
Exceptionally light feet make this delicate spätlese so quaffable. The palate juxtaposes pristine tangerine and peach flavors against savory notes of saffron and pollen and a high-pitched acidic backbone. It's ready to drink now but should hold well through 2020.
Aromas of sunbaked earth, mature black-skinned fruit, menthol and a whiff of exotic spice unfold in the glass. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, pomegranate mocha and vanilla alongside tightly packed tannins that leave a tongue-drying finish.
Named after the rare Douro golden oriole bird (which obviously likes to eat figs), this is a bright, fruity wine with light tannins that give it a delicious fresh, red fruit character. It has a smoky edge from wood aging, finely balanced and ready to drink now.
This opens with aromas of French oak, toast, vanilla and baked plum. The robust, concentrated palate offers espresso, licorice, oak and dried black cherry alongside close-grained tannins. You'll also notice the heat of scorching alcohol that imparts a monolithic quality. Drink through 2019.
This wine was half barrel-fermented, with just 25% of it new and French oak. It benefits from this treatment, offering fruit that leans toward Meyer lemon, melon and a vaguely tropical vibe, remaining balanced throughout, but especially on the finish.
Although 2013 was a difficult vintage, some of the top cru wines are successful. That's the case here, with a wine that is structured with plenty of juicy fruit. The tannins are firm, although leaving room for the cherry juice fruitiness. Drink now.
Toasted nut and yellow apple aromas segue over to the ripe structured palate along with citrus peel and graphite. A hazelnut note closes the lingering finish.
California-based Siduri cellared and bottled this wine that was vinified in Oregon. Still young and compact, it nonetheless shows some good flesh on its bones. The tannins pop out a bit, along with red berries and a streak of coffee. Another year of bottle age would be helpful, or give it plenty of aeration.
Honeysuckle, citrus blossom and white stone fruit aromas take center stage. On the rounded palate, fresh acidity brightens beeswax, white peach and Bartlett pear. A bitter almond note wraps up the finish.
Earthy black-fruit aromas include notes of cigar box. This feels tight and acidic, but with plenty of oak. Flavors of woodspice and vanilla are more dominant than plum and berry notes, while this is thick but not entirely thorough on the finish.
This blend of 75% Garnacha, 20% Tempranillo and 5% Viura opens with oaky aromas of cigar box, floral notes and raisin. A snappy, fresh palate reflects high elevation and a north-facing vineyard exposure, while this tastes oaky and of herbal currant and raspberry. A spicy finish of dried red-fruit notes and a saucy snap fits into the traditional mode for Rioja. Drink through 2021.
Aromas of acacia flower, toasted nut and graphite lead the nose on this serious white. The structured palate offers mature yellow apple, honey, orange zest and almond alongside soft acidity. It closes on a lemon drop note.
Thick and concentrated in black and red fruit, this is a spicy, robust and oaky wine that shows the power of the vintage and site.
Raisiny, reduced aromas of baked fruits suggest overripeness. On a weighty palate this is saturated like the nose, but not overdone. Stewed black-fruit flavors are chocolaty, while this is extracted enough to leave a coating of black-fruit residue on your cheeks, tongue and teeth.
The aromas pop, with notes of fresh blueberry pie, sweet herb, dark-roasted coffee and spice. The palate doesn't quite deliver on all those aromas, seeming a bit less bold than the nose suggests. Still, this wine is enjoyable, especially after it has time to open up.
Fruity aromas of ripe orchard fruit and citrus zest mingle with fragrant spring blossom. The rather sweet palate doles out ripe peach, green apple and a confectionery note. A foaming mousse lends finesse while bright acidity lifts the finish.
Cab Franc makes a strong case for being top gun among this region's reds. This estate-grown example has been vinified for aromatics, elegance, balance and detail, and succeeds beautifully. Juicy boysenberry and blueberry fruit is buoyed with ample acidity. The flavors penetrate through a clean, crisp, lingering finish. Just 60 cases were exported to the U.S.
This savory, spicy wine is relatively light but offers a tasty combination of non-fruit flavors such as black pepper, beef broth and wood smoke. It's medium bodied, lightly tannic and quite complex for its moderate concentration.
Candle wax and pollen notes lend a slightly earthy tone to fresh lemon and lime in this off-dry Riesling. Crisp and citrusy, it finishes briskly with bracing darts of lime zest and cocktail bitters.
Coffee, beef stock, blackberry and graphite aromas require patience to process. A lively, ringing palate is jammy at its essence. Dark, toasty flavors of blackberry and blueberry are mildly green and herbal. It feels rubbery on a tannic finish.
The wine has a stalky character, with bitter cherry fruits and light, lean acidity. Very textured, its tannins give a dry feeling to the finish. Drink from 2014.
Vanilla is the lead flavor on this generic, oaky Chardonnay. Creamy and a tad soft in the mouth, it has flavors of resiny oak that blend with pear, melon and vanilla on the palate. Popcorn notes come up on a woody finish.
A moderately aromatic wine with notes of red apple, grape skins and lees. It's full bodied with a creamy feel but a bitter note throughout distracts.
Dusty berry aromas come with an herbal streak. This medium-bodied, everyday wine offers reasonably good mouthfeel and balance along with short plum and berry flavors that finish quick and woody.
An attractively fruity wine, it has apple flavors cut with lime juice. Bright, crisp and laced with acidity, it could age but is already delicious to drink.
Produced close to Fronsac, this Merlot-based wine has rich fruits and a warm, rounded character. A touch of bitterness and dark chocolate from extraction mar this otherwise ripe and fruity wine. Drink from 2016.
Very Merlot dominated, this is a ripe and soft wine. It has some dryness that forms the core, but the rich fruit with its balanced acidity dominates. Smooth now, it will age quickly and easily and should be drunk from 2015.
Young and fresh with an attractive prickle on the tongue, this medium-sweet Vinho Verde is well cut with acidity. Accented with apple and citrus, it is bright and ready to drink. Screwcap.
Flowery and sweet through and through, this lighthearted dessert wine could also serve as apéritif as it's perfectly sippable, or as a pairing with something packed with spice, like enchiladas or red curry.
A light and elegant Malbec, soft and fruity with berry fruits and gentle tannins. It has a rounded, polished feel with light acidity at the end. Drink this year.
As always, Loios is a bright and fruity wine that is ready to drink young. With peach, grapefruit and red apple flavors, it's a soft wine with a crisp streak. It is ready to drink now and will be better at the end of 2014.
This young Pinot opens hard and tight and remains so, even after many hours. The raspberry fruit is somewhat hidden, and some off scents creep into a finish that has a bitter edge.
Simple but well made, it discloses pretty aromas of yellow flowers. The bright palate delivers zesty citrus, pear and melon alongside crisp acidity. Pair with seafood salad or sip as an apéritif.
In 2012, Pizay made two whites: one labeled Burgundy and this one labeled Beaujolais. This is more in the apéritif style, fresh and fruity, full of apple flavors and with a touch of citrus at the end. It's ready to drink now.
A ripe wine dominated by tropical pineapple and fresh peach. This warm, lively and fruity wine can be drunk in 2014.
A rich and fruity blend with swathes of ripe red berry fruits that are smoothed out by the soft wood and tannin flavors. Acidity freshens the ripeness. Drink now.
Still very young, this wine is potentially crisp while also ripe. Citrus and yellow fruits present a fruit salad of flavors that are balanced by a more steely character. Drink from the end of 2014.
Jammy blackberry and plum aromas come with hints of Band-Aid and iodine. This is big and broad on the tongue, but also a little flabby. Flavors of prune, oak, blackberry and licorice finish without much drive.
This wine opens with aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit and an unusual sensation of Band-Aids that carries over to the palate, along with ripe apples and tropical fruit. It closes on a medicinal note.
This full-bodied Barbera opens with aromas of mature plum, violet, vanilla, toasted oak, sage and coffee. The firm palate offers black currant, raspberry, clove and anise accompanied by vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins.
Perfumed, soft, smooth and elegant, this 100% varietal wine is not overly oaken nor overly tannic, a surprising twist on type. Plum and blackberry weave through a medium build and easygoing finish.
This Cab-driven Meritage offers a heavy presence of tobacco leaf on the nose and palate, as well as cedar, both built around smooth, refined tannins. Then well-integrated blackberry, tar and black cherry take over, with the finish awash in dried herbs.
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-dominant blend has reserved aromas of herbs, cherry and freshly cut grass. The coffee and dark fruit flavors are full bodied, with a polished feel.
From vines grown on flint soil, this is a perfumed, crisp wine, hinting at almonds and spice. The background is a reminder of the soil, very mineral and severe. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine is rich and full bodied, already delicious with apricot and pear fruit flavors. They are given a shot by lemon acidity as well as an herbal element. Although the wine is ready to drink, it will be better in 2016.
The extra depth typical of Pouilly Fumé is here. It makes for a full-bodied and dense wine ripe with red apple, lemon and a tangy, orange-zest aftertaste. The wine is still developing and needs time. Drink from 2017.
Luscious peach and mango flavors abound in this richly concentrated, yet delicately framed Riesling. Succulent and honeyed, it's semidry in style, yet refreshingly brisk, accented by a crush of lemony acidity. The finish is quite dry. Drink now.
Berry and exotic notes of cinnamon and leather combine forces with briny clam-shell scents on the nose of this Ribeira Sacra blend that's 85% Mencía and the rest Caino and Bastardo. A high-acid palate yields tart, juicy flavors of red plum and cranberry, while the finish is power-charged. Drink through 2022.
This wine brings a whole lot of appeal with its fresh, lively but rich pear and melon flavors. The balance is spot-on and the flavors linger.
This power-packed wine leads with aromas of raspberries, blackberries, dark chocolate and herbs. The dark fruit flavors are high octane, showing some warmth on the finish.
This crisp and tangy wine smells like cantaloupe and cucumber and tastes more citruslike as lemon and grapefruit burst through. It maintains good, mouth-cleaning acidity that is thirst-quenching and will help it pair up easily with lots of appetizers, salads and seafood.
Aromas of white pepper, herbs and grass lead to bone-dry flavors and tart acidity. It doesn't quite stand on its own but should perk up nicely at the dinner table.
Tempting aromas of cherries, raspberries, earth and light spices precede lively flavors of cherry, cinnamon and clove. These partner with medium body and a gentle texture that has just a touch of crispness and tannin.
Crushed cloves, allspice and nutmeg are sprinkled across a ripe olallieberry base on this wine from a vineyard owned by the founder of Rabbit Ridge. It's thick and dense on the palate, perhaps too much so for some, with dried cherries, cranberries, lots of spice and even some tar elements.
Café au lait, spice, cherry, herb and chocolate aromas lead to silky, plump, dark fruit flavors. It provides a combination of quality and value.
Very slight notes of elderflower play around the crisp apple fruit. The palate is more mellow—its tart freshness countered by ample red apple fruit and the rounding effects of autolysis that highlight fruit and refreshment in every one of its prickles.
Mature blackberry, juicy cherry, smoke, coffee, mocha, clove, anise and tobacco come together on this fresh, savory wine. Bright acidity and supple tannins provide the polished framework.
Violet, dark berry and a whiff of spice lead the nose on this blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The sleek, straightforward palate doles out black cherry, raw raspberry and aniseeed accompanied by fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2020.
This crisp but full-bodied wine smells like fresh herbs, white pepper and grapefruit, and tastes as crisp and citrusy as it smells. The effect is lively and refreshing, ideal for light appetizers or seafood.
Ripe, juicy yellow peaches and cherries lend concentrated fruit flavor to this otherwise brisk, delicately framed Riesling. Dry in style, it's accented by a zesty spray of lime and subtle spice notes that reverberate on the finish. Drink now to enjoy it's racy, fresh feel.
Gobs of fruit flavor are supported by firm acidity and fine-grained tannins in this full-bodied but well-balanced wine. It has classic raspberry and blackberry flavors, attractive floral nuances and a high degree of likeability.
Wood sorrel and crunchy green apple are met with boiled lemon sweets on the nose. Lively, frothy fizz fills the mouth with exuberant, refreshing flavors and leaves behind that notion of sorrel and lemon candy.
All Elephant Mountain Vineyard fruit, this wine provides aromas of coffee, red plum and spice. It's soft and velvety in feel with café au lait flavors that linger.
Aromas of sweet plum, leather and spicebox lead to chocolate, coffee and cherry flavors with a soft, supple feel. It shows a pleasing mixture of fruit and barrel.
Inviting aromas of blue flowers, blackberry and pine forest make an attractive introduction to this friendly wine. The firm but easy-drinking palate doles out juicy black cherry, crushed plum and ground pepper alongside velvety tannins, creating a poised and enjoyable wine.
Subdued aromas of sawdust, dark spice, grilled herbs and dark-skinned berry slowly emerge on this blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot. The palate offers dried black cherry, menthol and clove alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2018.
Rich and fruity, this structured wine, still young, is firm and dense. Juicy black fruits are layered with acidity and given a solid character by the concentrated tannin core. Drink from 2017.
Perfumed, lightly oaked and exotic on the nose, this Garnacha Tintorera is showing some complexity on its bouquet. The palate is more standard and solid, while flavors of herbs, oak spice and resin infiltrate red-plum flavors prior to an oaky, lightly resiny finish. Drink through 2017.
This wine provides immediate appeal with its aromas of citrus peel, starfruit, mineral and apricot, with tropical notes lurking in the background. It's fleshy in feel with a tart zing of acid that stitches it all together.
The ultimate in spice and sweetness, this unctuous, full-bodied wine has developed a beautifully, smooth, honeyed texture that envelops and balms the palate. Yellow fruits are delicate in background, along with a touch of acidity. It's a wine to drink now.
This is an elegant and stylish wine that's full of lively acidity, red berry fruitiness and soft tannins. The wine is well integrated, with just a touch of gaminess and bright acidity on the finish. It is ready to drink.
From one of the top estates in the Matelica denomination and made from organically farmed grapes, this stunning wine offers a beautiful bouquet of acacia flowers, beeswax and stone fruit. The palate delivers flavors of creamy white peach, apricot and pear, all accented by aromatic herbs and mineral tones. Delicious now, with crisp acidity, this will develop complexity over the next few years.
Now gold in color, this is an opulent, finely made wine. With acidity transmuted into a memory of fresh fruit, it shows hints of its maturity. Honey and the rich texture dominate the palate. Drink now and until 2020.
Made from 71% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache and 13% Syrah all aged in neutral French oak, this pops aromatically, with abundant black pepper, rare meat and garrigue. It's full bodied and richly flavored, with a supple feel.
This is a Zweigelt with an identity crisis that thinks it may be Pinot Noir. It's elegant and silky, with a gentle tannic touch, refreshing acidity and restrained but evocative redcurrant and cranberry fruit. Overtones of peony and iris make this more intriguing, while there is substance despite its light body. This is delicious now, but will reward cellaring for one to two years to let earthy, tertiary flavors develop. Drink from 2014.
A decadent blend of ripe berries and rich oak characterizes this wine; sweet smoke and baking spice mingle harmoniously with notes of mashed raspberry and blackberry, accented by hints of hickory-cured bacon and raw cocoa nibs. The medium-weight mouth is structured and bold, with chewy tannins and heady flavors of plum and berry preserves, roasted coffee and sweet licorice. The finish is long and dry, and although this would certainly benefit from 5–10 years of cellaring time, it's approachable now with decanting.
Dark chocolate, black cherry and a hint of raspberry fill the nose and palate, with secondary floral hints. This blend of Blaufränkisch and Merlot is slender but muscular, with immense structure, ripe tannin and en edge of iron-oxide. It has the graceful but strong physique of a male ballet dancer. Drink 2016–2020.
Lovely aromatics push scents of espresso, cassis, truffle and baker's chocolate right up front. The wine is polished, fine-boned and balanced, with taut cranberry and raspberry fruit. It brings in subtle accents of chalk, earth, rock and lead pencil, building to a firm, beautifully structured finish.
This is a solid, darkly tannic wine balanced with black fruits and brisk acidity. It is a powerful and concentrated wine, solidly structured and full of fruit, but it needs to age. Don't drink before 2016.
Ripe red plums, cinnamon, baked blueberry and cocoa powder make a compelling, aromatic entry. Ripe tannins are still drying and grippy on the palate, but will soften with a little age and make this mellow, rounded and even more luscious. Tightly structured and densely packed with fruit, the fresh acidity keeps it focused and framed. A paradigm of balance. Drink from 2016.
Mossy, lightly herbal aromas of blackberry and marzipan are attractive. This is rich, loud and racy in the mouth, with vanilla, tobacco, plum and berry flavors that finish long and ride elegantly on a beam of slightly sharp acidity. Drink this fine Carmenère through 2016.
Tomato and basil aromas are suggestive of bolognese sauce. In the mouth, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvigon and 30% Merlot is rich, syrupy and full of sweet, savory flavors that include molasses, brown sugar, baked berry fruits and oak. A spicy tasting finish includes chocolate and lasting savory notes. Drink through 2018.
This is a grand, complex wine, full of ripe apple, dried apricots and pear skins. It is just beginning to hint at more mature, complex flavors. With great acidity that cuts right through the palate, this serious, dense wine will age well. Drink until 2022.
Here is a wine that is slowly developing the most beautiful flavors. It is so perfumed with a waft of white flowers that translates onto the palate. It's balanced by a firm, steely character and layer upon layer of acidity. Age this wine and don't drink before 2017.
Black berries, spice and black plums are the dominant flavors of this blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon. Austerity and minerality layer within the dry firm fruits. The wood shows well, a foil for the freshness, acidity and dry tannins. Screwcap.
A solid value in German Riesling that just misses out being a Best Buy, this wine features aromas of honey-drizzled baked apples with cinnamon and lemon juice, a refreshingly light feel on the palate and an ultraclean, persistent finish with undertones of ripe melon. Drink now–2015.
Very dry, crisp, taut and mineral, a tense wine with a streak of green berries and almost achingly fresh acidity. This is certainly a food style of Riesling, too dry for aperitif. Screwcap.
Complex aromas and flavors of blackberries, leather, roasted meat and coffee show plenty of class, and this wine appears to firm up in the glass, offering more structure than its initial suppleness and amplitude suggest. It may close up for a few years, so try it now, or hold and try it after 2012.
This is the lightest of the Bründlmayer Grüners and refreshing and crisp it is, too. It has green herb freshness and a tense, citrus aftertaste. Pure green fruits dominate. Screwcap.
A rich style of Grüner, showing tropical fruits, pears and classic pepper. It is rounded out with lively acidity and some green skin structure, but still leaves ripeness in the aftertaste. Screwcap.
Smooth, velvet-textured wine, packed with red plum juice and dusty tannins hanging in the rich folds. A rich wine, finishing with finely judged acidity. Screwcap.
From Stonetree vineyard, this tightly styled Syrah offers white pepper laced into plummy fruit. There's a pretty floral/violet streak, and also darker notes of tar and smoke, suggesting some coiled power behind the rather light front end.
A fine example of Styria's signature wine style, this Sauvignon Blanc has enticing herbaceous aromas followed by rich, full green plums, white currants and a layer of sweet, full acidity. Glass stopper.
Although there is some sweetness here, this wine is more about power and richness. The spices and the exotic lychee flavor dominate a super-ripe wine, dense and concentrated. Drink as a first-course wine, maybe with a pâté.
Full, soft and round—and reaonably priced—this Shiraz should be a steakhouse staple. It offers dark flavors of plum and earth, dressed by hints of vanilla, coffee and dark chocolate.
Barrel scents of smoke and bacon fat cover blackberry fruit, and lead into a thick, toasty wine designed to win friends. It's forward and bright, with pretty fruit flavors of strawberry, black cherry and more. The oak flavors are generous and lush, complementing the tart, acidic snap of the fruit.
One of the most popular mutt reds, this no-holds-barred blend  offers plenty of ripe fruit, nice chocolaty tannins, and it's a full, forward, well-balanced wine that has some genuine muscle behind it. There are notes of licorice and iron, hints of smoke and earth, all well integrated and complete.
This is a spicy blend of Cabernet fruit from five different vineyards scattered across the state; it's varietal and focused, with precise flavors of plum and red currant. If there is new oak it's hidden, and the acids jut out with a raw angularity, but it's a palate-refreshing style that will nicely accompany simple grilled meats.
Black licorice, mint and a hint of raisin work the nose. However, the palate on this venerable Ribera wine is a bit jumpy and early on it seems tart and miserly; the upside is that the wine will age for 15 years. To drink now it'll need to go with food. If given plenty of airing or decanting it'll show its best.
A pear-flavored wine, still fresh and young, showing its mineral texture, which is likely to soften. It's delicate, the lightest of the range of Rieslings from Rupert Summerer, the white fruits offering some sweetness as a balance to the bone-dry structure. Glass stopper.
Yeasty, bready aromas reflect time in the bottle, although for a gran reserva this is still young. Depth and cushion are present on a slightly foamy palate, while this wine is less about ripe fruit flavors and more about sourdough and fermented citrus notes prior to a lasting finish.
An overt and attractive toasted-oak aroma leads to assertive, smoky, buttery flavors in this traditional reserve-style California Chardonnay. Full bodied, it pulls out all the stops for a grand expression of pear, toasted almond and nutmeg flavors that are backed by ample acidity.
Ripe black-skinned fruit, dark spice, underbrush and roasted coffee aromas lead the nose of this wine, along with an earthy note of game. The rounded, chewy palate is loaded with black cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and truffle flavors set against fresh acidity and polished tannins.
Ripe, tropical mango and pineapple tones swirl from nose to palate in this plush, yet elegant Chardonnay. Creamy in texture and lavishly adorned with oak, vanilla and spice, it's a voluptuous wine, with a bold, slightly warming finish.
Very wound-up aromas of dried and dark red berries and asphalt show on the nose of this bottling from Temecula, another sign that Italian varieties can thrive in the warmer climate. The flavors are impressively deep and spicy, with black currant, blackened berries, pencil shavings, vanilla and char.
Ripe, earthy berry and cassis aromas smell damp at first but unfold nicely. Bright acidity and abrupt tannins make for a packed palate. Lightly oaky flavors of plum and berry show a note of vanilla. It finishes crisp and choppy due to the aforementioned bold acidity. Drink through 2022.
The line of premier cru vineyards runs to the west of the town of Givry, with Servoisine touching the town's last houses. The wine is ripe and juicy, hiding its tannins in the heart of generous rich red fruits. It is likely to be a wine that will develop quickly and should be ready from 2019.
Ripe and saturated with fruit flavor, this wine is so full-bodied that it comes off almost sweet in spite of a good streak of acidity. Strawberry and boysenberry seem to coat the palate and a broad, smooth texture carries the extreme fruitiness through the finish. Enjoy it after a meal with dessert or cheese.
Baked strawberries and cherries meet with vanilla and baking spice on the nose of this bottling. The palate is very approachable and pleasant, with chalky tannins presenting more baked cherry flavor as well as red currant, clove and star anise. The spice is quite penetrating.
Chocolate, tobacco and new leather aromas make a dramatic first impression for this full-bodied and comparatively smooth wine. Then very deep dark fruit hits the palate along with smoky, peppery nuances accompanied by a just-tannic-enough texture. It will be great to drink alongside some smoked brisket.
Made light and bright, this wine combines 56% Viognier with 22% Roussanne and 22% Marsanne. The three varieties are fermented in stainless steel to preserve the lean linear characteristics of lemon and lime that wrap around crisp tight acidity, the entirety buoyant in floral honeysuckle.
This wine comes from Weinbau, Lady Hawk, Champoux, Shaw and Obelisco vineyards. Its high toned vanilla, toffee, cherry, herb, coffee, barrel spice and plum aromas lead to generous cherry and espresso flavors. Lightly grainy tannins provide support.
This extroverted reserve-style wine combines generous buttery and nutty nuances with crisp and bracing apple and Anjou-pear flavors to find a very good balance. It feels full bodied and luxurious but stays lively due to good grape acidity.
This ripe, spicy wine offers apple, pear and apricot flavors, giving ripeness and warm juicy acidity. The wine is smooth and rounded, with a crisp aftertaste. Drink now.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese initially distracts with reductive aromas, but bright plum, cherry and spice notes follow. The flavors are plush, with light, grippy tannins. A great value that goes down easy.
This is a herb-driven, savory and relatively light Syrah, with crushed thyme, marjoram and black peppercorns spicing up the elderberry jam aromas. The chaparral spices take center stage on the sip, where wild sage and oak forest undergrowth play against the dark fruit. Very quaffable.
Flashes of buttery new oak show up in the lively aromas and richer flavors of this medium-bodied, barrel-fermented and elegant wine. It has a fine array of nutmeg, vanilla and lemon accents lifted by good acidity.
This wine's apricot, spice and creamsicle scents are followed by tart, medium-bodied, lightly creamy fruit flavors. Tart citrus notes fill out the finish.
Very jammy on the nose with fig and blackberry, this bottling of all the primary Bordeaux grapes except Cabernet Franc also shows aromatic hints of maple and bacon fat. It's very full on the sip, with chalky, mouthcoating tannins and flavors of black cherry, cola and cocoa.
Balsamic aromas of camphor, toasted oak and oak-driven spice take center stage in this wine. On the tightly wound palate, taut tannins enwrap Marasca cherry, cranberry, white pepper and clove flavors. It's balanced with bright acidity.
This wine has an extra measure of creaminess in the texture while giving up floral, lightly spicy and wonderfully fruity flavors. There's no obvious oak influence, just ripe raspberry, strawberry and macerated black-cherry notes that softly coat the palate and cling to the finish.
Aromas of cotton candy, vanilla and strawberry jam are fluffy. In the mouth, this wine feels ripe and syrupy, with firm tannins. Medicinal flavors of cassis, chocolate and herbs finishes thick and saturated. Drink through 2023.
Very light aromas of seared nectarine, wet stone, orange peels and gardenia show on the nose of this bottling from the Tooth & Nail team. Tangerine rinds, sea salt and Gala apple flesh show on the sip.
This complex and savory wine has a noticeably gold color, rather quiet aromas of light baking spices and blanched almonds, and then reserved oak, mineral and almond flavors on a soothingly broad texture. It has good presence on the palate and leaves a lingering 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.
From one of the region's most dramatically perched vineyards, this bottling shows baked red cherry, thyme, chipped slate and the slightest touch of game on the nose. Tangy acidity and a grippy texture frame the sip, where cranberry, black loam and wet clay minerality lead into a long sizzling finish.
Fully integrated in oak and fruit, this medium-bodied vineyard-designate is fleshy in fig, anise and vanilla. Textured and dense, it expands on the palate to show a great generosity of expression and personality.
Like 2005, 2015 looks to be an outstanding vintage for South Australia Riesling. This one, from two high-altitude vineyards, boasts incredible acid tension to go along with its relatively light body. Lemon and lime notes mingle with wet stone, finishing long and with great intensity. Drink now–2025.
Alluring scents of fragrant blue flower, wild red berry, baking spice and new leather lift out of the glass. The chewy savory palate doles out red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and vanilla framed in enveloping, velvety tannins that lend firm structure and polish. A hint of mocha backs up the finish. Drink 2019–2029.
With a handful of Malbec, this red is spicy in Red Hots-like cinnamon, both on the nose and initial palate. From there, it shows bittersweet tea, dried herb, cedar and forest floor, lightly layered in red fruit as it opens. Approachable, soft and structured, it manages the tannins to be firm and defined.
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.
Earthy aromas of cola, coffee and saucy plum lead to a palate that at first seems loud and acidic but which comes around. Plum and berry flavors are accented by oaky vanilla and citrus peel, while this is bright on the finish due to lasting acidity. Drink through 2023.
Cool, steely tones juxtapose intensely sweet mango, peach and honey flavors in this delightful value kabinett. Cutting lime and lemon acidity and a briskly textured palate lead to a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2022.
Blended with 6% Petit Verdot, this high-end estate wine is lovely and balanced, dense in tannin and brawny structure yet elegant in cedar, graphite and sage. The fruit leans savory and tart along the lines of red currant and cassis.
Plum, berry and raspberry aromas are light and elegant. This feels medium to full in body, with tannins that grab a little but don't clamp down. Ripe black-fruit flavors of plum and currant finish with an herbal note of basil along with flavors of oak and tomato sauce.
Blackberry, cedar and vanilla aromas lead the way on this polished savory red. The medium-bodied juicy palate doles out red plum, wild cherry, licorice and roasted coffee bean framed in fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
This combines all five predominant red Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominant at 41% Cabernet Sauvignon. It opens in a juicy core of black raspberry and cherry, vibrant in lively acidity. Integrated oak and tannin make it feel richer and fuller than it is, which is elegant and food-friendly.
This The wine from a monopole vineyard shows the intense acidity of the vintage yet also bursts with red berry fruit, underlined with firm tannins. Drink now, or better yet, from 2018.
This young wine balances ripe tangy fruit flavors of apple and peach against barrel flavors from aging in roughly one-quarter new French oak. The good components are in place, but a bit more bottle age should help to pull them together.
Blue flower, exotic spice and dark berry aromas take shape on this full-bodied glossy red. The structured enveloping palate offers dried morello cherry, raspberry, star anise and pipe tobacco alongside compact fine-grained tannins. It already has so much to offer but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2019–2029.
Produced at Château Ravatys for négociant Florent Descombe, this wine is rich and creamy. Wood aging has given it light toastiness and fine, ripe white fruit flavor. Already sophisticated wine, it will age further and be better from 2018.
Sharp acidity offsets juicy white peach and apricot flavors in this neatly balanced wine. It's dry in style, with a rich, rounded mouthfeel, but the finish is pristine and fresh. Enjoy now through 2022.
Tight-grained tannins wrap around full-bodied earthiness and fruit, while a mixture of strawberry and cherry is met by bay and a hint of mint. Bright, lively acidity adds to the experience, which succeeds in length and depth.
This wine has become a signature variety for this winery, and this vintage shows why. It brings aromas of cranberry and cherry that lead to ripe polished dark-fruit flavors. It's near irresistible and an exceptional value.
Of course, this 90% Tannat wine is still very young. But it's impressive, rich and concentrated and promises to age well. It is dense with both tannins and fruit, black plum and berry flavors dominating, cut by acidity. It will be ready to drink from 2019.
The addition of 15% Petite Sirah takes this bottling to a compelling place, showing barely ripe blackberries, animal fat, smoke, black pepper and a wild clove element on the nose. It's rich and layered on the palate, where chalky tannins support black cherry, grilled beef and mint flavors. This has the bones to last awhile.
A fairly elegant expression of the variety, this wine is bright in cherry kirsch and pretty aromas of rose petal and lavender, structured to age and enjoy with food. Rector Creek Vineyard is just north of Yountville and planted in rocky alluvial soils. Drink now through 2022.
This wine is put together from multiple vineyard sources, including the well-known Morelli Lane and Widdoes, all farmed by the Duttons. Larger in production than many of the vineyard-designates, it offers baked bread and juicy overtones of cranberry-raspberry layered atop luxuriously toasted oak. It'll show well at the table.
Bradley Brown's appellation blend is a nice entry point to this exciting winery. This wine shows lavish smoked black currant and plum flavors, with aromatically lifting spices of anise and black pepper and a savory roast-beef element. The palate packs lots of pepper and relies on plump black cherry, boysenberry and a dark-chocolate syrup richness.
Approachably fruity yet nuanced and electrifying, there's exceptional value here. High-intensity flavors of tangerine and stone fruit sweeten the palate, balanced by nerve-tingling acidity and deep ripples of slate, salt and honeycomb. It's an intensely zesty wine, but the finish has length and power.
From an estate in the south of the Alentejo, this is a rich, hot-country wine. It is firm, densely structured and with solid, dark tannins. There is a juicy black fruit background to this dense wine that gives a lift. Still young, this dark and very concentrated wine will be better from 2018.
Baked plum, Asian spice, vanilla and menthol aromas carry the nose. The elegantly structured palate offers fleshy black cherry, licorice, mint and well-integrated French oak alongside fine-grained tannins that lend firm, polished support. A coffee note marks the finish.
From a promising new project, the nose of this wine is linear and focused, with black raspberry, black licorice, cola, wet sagebrush and rain-on-slate scents. The tactile acidity once sipped creates a fascinating soft buzz on the tongue, with flavors of dried mint, brisk raspberry and cherry tomato. Camphor and eucalyptus add intrigue on the finish.
Dark and thick in the glass, this wine shows strong but not bitter tar notes on the nose plus charred beef in a blueberry glaze, wet campfire, bourbon barrel and vanilla. The structure is massive now, gooey with thick tannins and flavors of espresso bean and condensed purple flowers. Judicious acidity ensures strong cellaring potential. Drink 2018–2027.
Fresh and fragrant of blossoms, tart yellow peach and apricot, this off-dry Riesling maintains a crystalline fruit purity that persists throughout Fritz Haag's wines. It's invigorating and irresistably quaffable. The long, melon-rind finish is lip smacking.
Just a touch of honey-lemon sweetness is enough to make this zesty, citrus-focused Riesling lip smackingly delicious. Fresh, green herb and lime notes reverberate through a strong finish. Drinks well now but should meld nicely over the next five years.
Dry, spicy aromas of tobacco, cedar, vanilla and berry fruits come together nicely. This Maule Valley Cab is fresh and harmonious across the palate, with nothing too pushy. Complex, balsamic flavors of olives, herbs, dried berries, turned earth and cocoa finish dry, peppery and elegant. Drink through 2019.
This sultry, supple wine exudes aromas and flavors of baking spices and dark cherry pie, remaining brooding atop a full-bodied texture. Despite the oaky density, it retains a floral back note and bright, lengthy finish.
A proprietary blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, Zephyr is thick and rich. It offers a ripe, juicy and soft expression of mocha, coconut and blackberry jam that's generous on the palate.
A selection of old vines has given an intensely structured wine. It is packed both with tannins and concentrated black fruits. The density of the ripe fruits show how well the wine is maturing. Drink from 2017.
This cuvée, named after a statue in the vineyards, is dark and dense. There is a strong chewy character to this wine which is obviously much too young to drink now. The dark fruits are surrounded by considerable tannic structure. It is powerful and concentrated, perhaps all too much. Drink from 2020.
Jolts of lemon-lime acidity reverberate throughout this dry, mineral-focused wine. Golden apple, pear and lemon flavors are ripe and concentrated, but the palate maintains a svelte, spry style.
Part stainless-steel fermented, part neutral French oak-fermented, this light, refreshingly upfront wine offers bristling acidity around shocks of grapefruit, lemon and lime, settling into itself as it goes. The oak is well integrated and nicely subtle, allowing the fruit and minerality to speak.
Verbatim offers a compelling mix of juicy citrus flavors from the potent acidity, along with tangy strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit. The components are balanced and the flavors pure and well integrated. The length and balance suggest that this should drink well at least through 2022.
The family vineyards of consultant Anselmo Mendes are in the north of the Vinho Verde region the home of Alvarinho, so it's no surprise that this wine is a great interpetation of the grape. It is almost luscious in its intensity and richness. Orange, ripe apple and intense citrus flavors are encased in a generous, full-bodied wine. Drink now, although this wine will be even better from 2017.
From a small vineyard in Los Olivos, this wine offers boysenberry, lavender, rosemary and a touch of oak on the nose. Intriguing pine tar, bay leaf and eucalyptus resin show on the palate, which gives depth to the deep black fruit.
Spicy, with a hint of mint, this deftly integrated, late-release wine brings rhubarb and raspberry fruit into place. There's enough acidity to complement a nice, fatty piece of salmon, with a light streak of dried herbs running through the finish. It's drinking well, at or near its peak.
Underbrush, grilled herb, roasted coffee bean and dark-skinned berry aromas unfold in the glass. The elegantly structured palate delivers red cherry, raspberry, sage, anise and clove framed in bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020.
Underbrush, tilled earth, leather, ripe berry and a whiff of baking spice aromas meld together on this fragrant wine. The savory, refined palate offers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and a tobacco note framed in firm, polished tannins. Drink through 2020.
Subdued aromas of menthol, cassis, clove and sunbaked earth slowly unfold in the glass. The round, juicy palate offers mature black cherry, spiced blackberry, mocha and grilled herb alongside dusty tannins. Drink 2018–2024.
This intriguing and delicious wine includes 15% Viognier, the two grapes spending nine months in French oak, only 30% of it new. The oak provides structure and strength in unobtrusive ways, allowing the freshness of pomelo and grapefruit to speak and remain tangy against a tease of vanilla. The finish is dry and lengthy.
Grapefruit comes to mind first upon sipping this bracing bottle. The minerality, with flavors of wet rock and an immaculate transparency, carries it along with a mix of citrus, pear and a slice of cucumber. This is a great shellfish wine.
This barrel selection evokes the AVA's black-cherry fruit character nicely, keeping it lively and balanced, with excellent depth. Tasting the wine is like gazing into a deep pool; the flavors keep pushing further into the finish. Streaks of coffee and milk chocolate are in the mix, but it's the excellent fruit that captures your attention and holds it.
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.
Tart cherry, softened oak and firm tannin mark this 100% varietal wine most. It's fairly concentrated despite a leanness on the palate and finish.
Three appellations are called into service for this red, the majority from Sonoma and Monterey counties, with the remainder from tiny San Benito County. Together the fruit feels somewhat unformed while savory, a hodgepodge of red berry with a high-toned finish.
Made in the pale modern style, this has modest scents of melon and stone fruit. It's fully dry, with a zesty, clean finish that hints at lime and red berries.
Aromas of weedy underbrush, toast, menthol and cherry marinated in spirits emerge in the glass. The palate shows raw sour cherry and a hint of licorice alongside raspy tannins that dry out the finish.
Oak and oak driven spice dominate the nose and carry over to the palate along with butterscotch, coffee and buttered herb. Tightly tannic, it lacks fruit richness and has an astringent finish.
Game, wood spice and smoke aromas lead to grainy dried-cherry flavors. It seems advanced for its age.
A mostly clean, fresh nose delivers mild notes of red fruits, cinnamon dust and animal fur. A spritzy, medium-weight palate offers salty, almost buttery flavors of citrus and cherry, while the finish tastes much the same.
Aromas of this wine convey notes of roasted corn on the cob, popcorn and peach. The stone-fruit flavors are sweet and easygoing.
Stone-fruit aromas come with a note of cultured milk that one finds in yogurt. A healthy mouthfeel revolves around bold acidity, while this tastes of melon, peach and wood spice. A salty, oaky finish is balanced by lasting acidity.
Four appellations across the county contributed to this easygoing white. It's dark gold in color with a taste of peach skin, pineapple, vanilla and oak, which has a succulent sweetness to it but never becomes cloying.
Restrained aromas suggesting acacia flower, nut and honey lead the nose. The subdued palate offers yellow apple skin, hazelnut and mineral alongside fresh acidity.
The sites behind this wine range from near Rockpile to several of the Sangiacomo's vineyards in the southern part of Sonoma. Together they gel into a creamy, vanilla-laden experience, rich but not overly so, with plenty of ripe apple and pear.
Whiffs of nuts and smoke mingle into blackberry and bramble in this dry, slightly herbal wine. Light bodied, it has a refreshingly brisk, cutting mouthfeel that's pleasant.
This boldly flavored and deeply colored wine has aromas of dried herb, wood ash and anise. Flavors convey ripe black cherry, dried plum and black pepper, while the texture is quite firm from tannins and acidity. The wine is full in body and assertive in flavor.
Vineyard designated Merlot is a rarity in the state, though this is one of the three the winery made in this vintage. Amped volatile aromas and generous barrel spices are followed by light, slightly dried-out cranberry and cherry flavors.
Spice, herb, smoke and pencil-eraser aromas lead to elegant, tart fruit flavors that don't seem to have fully ripened.
The volatiles are quite amped while the cranberry flavors are backed by a firm grip tannins. There's good intensity and flavor but it doesn't all come together.
A light and crisp wine that has a creamed apple texture. It is fruity, light with a fine citrus tang to add to the general freshness of the wine. The name suggests a very appropriate pairing.
There is plenty of acidity in Sylvaine and Yannick Fournier's wine as well as ripe red-currant and spice flavors. The streak of crispness goes right through, lively and tight with a tangy, almost New World aftertaste. Drink from late 2016.
The Lobre family created a herbal wine that is crisp with green fruits, green herbs and tangy acidity. It is fresh, lightly perfumed and with touches of more tropical flavors. The wine could do with a few more months, so drink from late 2016.
This is a crisp wine, dominated by rounded Sémillon and perfumed with Muscadelle. It has the bright freshness of the 2013 vintage with citrus and red apple flavors. There is a light mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a young, structured wine that needs some time to develop. It has stalky tannins over black-currant fruits that give the wine both structure and freshness. With its dusty texture and spice flavors from the wood aging, it will be best drunk from 2018.
From its origin in 1789, the Barthe family vineyards were in the hands of sons. In 1991, Véronique Barthe took over and is now developing sustainable vineyards. This vintage is perfumed with touches of fruit candies that will probably integrate better as the wine settles down. Behind this confected front, there is good fruit, crisp acidity and a lively, bright aftertaste. Wait until late 2016 to drink.
The Courselle sisters, Marie and Sylvie, continue to boost their white style with the lovely blend of 50% Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sauvignon Gris. The wine is still developing, although it is already giving hints of its spice and ripe apple future. It is a full-bodied wine, only lightly textured. As it develops, it will add to its rich character.
A bright and fruity wine that is herbal in character although with a riper apricot and green plum character running alongside. It is an easy-drinking wine, lightly tangy, and crisp with acidity at the end.
This medium-bodied wine would be a fine accompaniment to weekday burgers. It's a bit simple, but fruity, supple and pleasant, ending with some soft tannins. Drink now.
Stiff and tannic, this has some black cherry fruit peeking through but it's overtaken by the earthy, bitter tannins. The wine finishes thin and short.
Gritty, oily aromas are gaseous, rubbery and tough to dig into. The palate is heavy but acidic, with sulfuric notes and flavors of grapefruit and citrus pith. Tangy, grabby and tannic on the finish.
This totally fresh rosé is crisp with bright acidity, red currant fruit flavors and lively, bone-dry aftertaste. It's a fine summer wine to drink now.
This is a simple, fruity wine that has ripe black fruits and soft tannins. Made for early drinking, it is aromatic, juicy with a spicy aftertaste.
This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Clairette is marked by hints of onion or wild garlic on the nose, and followed by a subdued palate that only hints at wet stone and subdued fruit.
An earthy, edgy character derives from slightly funky, smoky aromas and flavors, and a rather sharp texture. Savory and earthy flavors dominate the subtle fruit, and a core of dry tannins emphasizes the lean profile.
This easy-drinking blend of Sangiovese and Merlot offers red cherry, strawberry and a hint of anise. Simple and rather diluted, it's made to be drunk young, with brisk acidity and fleeting tannins.
This chunky, full-volume wine straddles the line between soft tropical tones and a cool, crisp character. Hard-pounding orange and grapefruit flavors finish monotone and citric. This is vital but lacks sophistication.
Saline and grapy aromas comprise the nose on this basic red. Hard tannins create pinch and a rubbery feel, while the flavor profile includes solid but minimally expressive black currant and dark plum. This is perfectly drinkable but hollow.
With light plum and strawberry aromas and almost sweet strawberry and marshmallow flavors, this medium-bodied red may be best with semisweet food like ribs in barbecue sauce or pulled pork. The balance and texture are on the soft side.
Lactic oak, shoe polish, bell pepper and boysenberry aromas are distinctly green. Creamy in feel, the palate brings blackberry, carob and herbal flavors.
Dense, heavy aromas of roasted berry fruits and hickory are challenging. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot shows rubbery tannins and flavors of bacon, clove and hickory that are clearly oak-based. A salty, shearing finish ends with a recurrence of a clove flavor.
The nose isn't very expressive on this barrique-aged Sangiovese but funky whiffs of barnyard and scorched earth eventually emerge in the glass. The muddled palate offers dried plum, vanilla and a gamy note alongside gritty tannins.
Herbaceous and aromatic with a touch of minerality, this is a crisply light wine. It is bright, cool and ready to drink.
An unusual and wonderful blend of grapes has produced a simple and fruity wine. Touches of caramel broaden the crisp red berry fruits and bright acidity. It should be drunk now.
Pink in color, this fruity, spicy wine conveys a juicy red currant fruit character. Clean and fresh, it's packed with fruitiness and topped by intense acidity.
There is an attractive touch of smokiness to this otherwise fruity wine. It is fresh with acidity and stalky tannins that march alongside the black currant fruits. This is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 20% Tannat aged in oak and wooden vats. It is ready to drink.
With a light caramel taste, this is a fat while still fruity wine. Salmon pink in color, it has acidity that fits behind the ripe red plum flavors. It should be drunk now.
Medicinal blackberry and beet aromas introduce a jammy, full-sized palate that's a bit out of shape but not a complete mess. Heavy black cherry and cassis flavors finish with a hint of licorice, yet lack a bit of complexity and structure.
Burnt smelling like charred steak, this also offers raw oak scents along with boysenberry aromas. A dense, pounding, tannic palate holds blackened, peppery flavors of blackberry. A smoky finish smolders with peppery spice and hard tannins.
Minty and light, the fruit here does not seem to have obtained optimal ripeness, even for rosé. Scents and flavors suggest pine needle and wintergreen rather than any hint of berry or melon.
Aromas of white flowers and mild tropical fruits turn more gritty with time. In the mouth, this Viura is dilute but not empty. Flavors of Bartlett pear, lime and nectarine finish tangy and lean.
Brambly red fruit, bell pepper and spice tones settle on a chunky, jammy palate without much spine or structure. Berry and plum flavors come with a briny aftertaste, while the finish is herbal in character.
Drunken peach, green apple, gray slate and rounded butter notes hit the nose. There is a baking soda minerality on the palate, some sea salt and a tongue-tingling acidity.
A smoky, slightly rubbery aroma is off-putting at first, until the black pepper and dense fruit flavors kick in on the palate. This is light to medium bodied, yet packed tightly with astringent tannins.
Briny, pickled aromas come with hints of citrus and flower blossom. This fast-aging Albariño is melony in feel, but it lacks the variety's patented kick and acidity. As a result, peach and apricot flavors are fleshy and chunky.
Touches of menthol and pine flavors set this wine apart from the crowd, dominating the fruit flavors from the aroma to the finish. It is medium to full bodied, tastes a little earthy and smoky, and is relatively lean in texture.
This is relatively light, with straightforward fruit aromas, flavors of pomegranate and strawberry, and a smooth, soft texture.
With the lightest, freshest tingle on the tongue, this is an off-dry wine that is crisp and fresh, combining citrus with sweetness. It is light-bodied, bright and ready to drink.
This wine is made from a collection of vineyards dotted along mountainous ridge lines and benchlands, most of these spots along the Mayacamas Mountains. Winemaker Randy Ullom captures a classic character of dried sage, cedar and pencil shavings here, supporting the savory with bright acidity and a strong presence of tannin. This wine could stand more time in the bottle before enjoying; its youthful grip doesn't go without notice.
Tempting aromas like fresh-baked bread and ripe figs lead to inviting lemon and pear flavors in this full-bodied and nicely layered wine.
Fresh citrus, apple and white-blossom notes are balanced neatly against layers of dusty mineral and earth in this nuanced Sauvignon Blanc. It's crisp and concentrated, rippling with tart pineapple and grapefruit flavors. On the palate, its silken texture expands and flows lavishly. It's a lovely wine already with a lingering lime-pith finish, but should hold well through at least 2022.
Deep ruby to the eye, this wine has a nose of fruits of the wood with a hint of roasted tomato. Tannins are surprisingly soft considering the depth of flavor, most notably black cherry, cranberry and smoke with touches of saddle leather. Velvety tannins cascade toward a finish that is equal parts bright and smoky.
This full-bodied and extroverted wine has become one of Lodi's best-selling. It has an unusually deep color plus lavish aromas of ripe fruit, maple syrup, and milk chocolate. Rich, nearly sweet fruit flavors suggest boysenberry jam.
This inaugural wine is a mix of fruit from Wild Rose and Yellow Bird vineyards, both located in the up-and-coming Upper Mill Creek area of the valley. Aromas of vanilla, clove, baking spice and dark cherry lead a palate that equally mixes fruit and barrel. The tannins need some time to settle in.
Big and bold, this opens with aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, exotic spice, leather and resin. The concentrated full-bodied palate delivers black cherry steeped in spirits, raspberry compote, vanilla and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins. There is just enough fresh acidity lifts the finish.
Made in barrels that have acacia wood on the heads, this bottling initially shows aromatic lemongrass and cut-grass greenness before offering riper peach, pear and almond oil on the nose. It tightens up on the sip, where tart apple skins, green pear and light honeysuckle flavors arise.
Dark gold-copper in color, this older bottling imparts rich notes of hazelnut, graham cracker and Christmas cake, making for a decadent experience that pleases and doesn't overdo it on residual sugar. A petrol, diesel-like reductive note adds complexity and a touch of the floral.
Dominated by Vermentinu, this is a rich while crisp wine. With its fresh apple flavors and good acidity, it is deliciously perfumed, ripe and poised with a strong line in minerality. Drink from 2017.
At the northern end of the Ladoix appellation, this small Premier Cru has produced a red-fruited wine shot through with acidity and spicy flavors. It is juicy, showing red cherries, raspberries bolstered with a layer of tannins. The wine is ready to drink, although it will age at least until 2023.
Stewed prune, blue flower, Asian spice and a whiff of oak come together on this. The dense palate offers raisin, blackberry extract, tobacco, vanilla and licorice alongside firm fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017 through 2024.
Black raspberry, blackberry, lavender and pepper show on the deeply purple nose of this blend of 67% Grenache and 33% Syrah. Dense black fruit shows first on the palate, followed by a zesty explosion of acidity, flowery spices and cola.
This is one of three wines produced by the estate created by the late Anne-Claude Leflaive of Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy. This wine uses the very local Grolleau, grown biodynamically. Unusually this is a red wine (Grolleau is normally found in rosé). The wine is lightly stalky with red-currant fruit and intense acidity. It is light in texture but rich in complexity, and has some aging potential. Drink now, but better from 2018.
Red berry, Mediterranean herb and a balsamic note of eucalyptus lead the nose on this polished red. The poised, balanced palate offers wild cherry, cranberry and a touch of exotic spice while smooth tannins and bright acidity provide a glossy framework.
Unusually, this premier cru vineyard produces both red and white wines, both of which are made by this domaine. The wine is soft, rounded and with a ripe creamy character. It has plenty of crisp apple and rich pear flavors along with enough acidity to keep it bright and tangy. Drink from 2018.
The strong herbal edge to this wine has more to do with its youth. Behind that lies rich apples and ripe pears cut deliciously with acidity. The wine is full and will benefit from more aging, so drink from 2017.
Four parcels in the Clos du Roi Premier Cru go into this wine. It is structured and firm—a wine for aging. It has a strongly mineral character, concentrated tannins as well as black-cherry fruit and freshening acidity. Drink the wine from 2018.
There's an alluring funk to the beginning of the nose on this bottling, with sour berries, carpaccio and dried fennel combining for a slightly barnyard twist. Dusy flavors of cinnamon and red rose mesh with olive, sage, thyme and spicy red fruit.
Like so many wines from the Pouilly Fumé appellation, this wine is very young at this stage. It shows pepper and only the beginnings of what will be intense white fruits, good acidity and rich texture. Drink from 2018.
The aromas bring notes of blackberries and black cherries, along with vanilla grace notes. The palate is full bodied, with dark-fruit flavors that show a sense of grace.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Syrah (30%), Merlot (18%), and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of pencil lead, raspberries, flowers, baking spices and herbs are followed by palate-coating red and blue-fruit flavors. It displays a lovely sense of balance.
Old vines from the vineyard next to the winery produce a luscious full wine. With its pear, peach and ripe apple flavors, these 70-year-old vines show their richness and concentration. It is opulent, structured and packed with juicy acidity. Drink from 2017.
Deep blueberry and coffee notes meet with Christmas spices and gingerbread on the nose of this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah, two grapes that really want to go together. It's woody on the palate, with cedar spice and cigar-box touches giving depth to the blackberry-syrup flavor. Firm tannins keep it upright.
This golden colored ice wine is made from Riesling and has aromas of honeydew melon, apple, peach and honeysuckle blossoms. In the mouth, there are flavors of apricot, cantaloupe and white peach with a nice level of acidity to balance the sweet finish.
Caramelized oak and ripe apple provide rich texture and flavor that find ideal companionship in this wine's more rocky minerality and salty tang. Medium bodied, it's a food-friendly find, with ample structure and apple and pear flavor.
Fresh boysenberry juice aromas meet with licorice, iron, smoke, cinnamon, rooibos tea and dried lilacs on the nose of this blend of 65% Barbera and 35% Sangiovese. It's soft on the sip and then quite tart, with blackberry fruit cut by tangy plum skins that are lifted by rustic tobacco and leather notes.
This is a relatively affordable yet tip-top representation of white wine from this region. White peach, honeycomb, seared tangerine and melted butter show on the nose. The palate continues the ripeness, offering yellow melon, lemon curd, smoke, baked oranges, poached pear and a touch of walnut oil on the finish.
Ten months of wood aging has given this wine richness and fine spiciness. It is rich while still textured with minerality and tight citrus flavors. With its juicy acidity, the wine will age. Drink from 2018.
Soft and smooth, this is a ripe and creamy wine. It has light acidity, pineapple and apricot flavors and a rounded aftertaste. Drink now.
Soft hints of peach, verbena and peony grace the delicate nose of this lightweight white. Touches of green banana and pear flesh out the palate, while ample acidity keeps the mouthfeel fresh through the finish. Drink now.
A highly unusual blend of Burdin, a rare French hybrid, and Chambourcin grapes, this red wine offers delicate maraschino-cherry and berry flavors. It's a slightly fragile wine but whiffs of tobacco and garden soil lend complexity. The finish lingers on tart red fruit flavors and a hint of tannin.
A lovely flinty character graces the yellow apple, peach and orange cream aromas on the nose of this friendly wine. It's quite round and mouthfilling, with a prevailing smoky flavor on the palate that's reminiscent of baked apple with bacon crumble. Drink now.
This is soft and accessible now, with plush notes of baked apple, creamed pear and oaky spice on the attack. The medium-weight palate is broad in feel, begging for a bit more lift to the rich fruit and buttered toast flavors. Drink now.
Round and pillowy in feel, this is a simple wine, offering modest melon and pineapple fruit. Drink it over the next few months.
This dense, rich and ripe varietal Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in new French oak for 19 months. It shows smoked meat and bacon flavors that last into the finish.
This widely available white is unfussy and medium bodied, with toasted oak and baked apple flavors, brightened by a squeeze of lemon.
A typical Douro blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, this wine is all about bright, crisp fruit. Black and red currant flavors come with tight acidity and a juicy character. Tightly wound now, it needs a few more months to calm down. Drink from 2018.
A clean nose of citrus paves the way for flavors of grapefruit and Sevilla orange. This wine is soft and pleasing on the palate, but it may be touch tart for some tastes.
This pale rosé blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is fruity with crisp strawberry fruits and acidity. It has a soft perfumed aftertaste that makes it immediately attractive. Drink now.
This white wine is fruity and crisp with a deliciously refreshing herbal edge. Lemon and pink grapefruit are cut by some zingy acidity and finished with a bright aftertaste. Drink now.
This yeasty wine is bone-dry, mature and ready to drink, a toasty element having replaced any fruitiness. The aftertaste is crisp and bright.
Aromas of vanilla and wood spice lead to elegant, somewhat dried out and dilute fruit flavors, followed by a short finish.
Raspy berry and plum aromas lead to a palate dominated by tartaric acid. That, in turn, leads to sharp berry and plum flavors backed by a bracing finish.
A French version of a brand that is more familiar in Chile as Viña San Esteban, this wine has more stylistically to do with South America than southwest France. It is soft, juicy, rounded and with attractive ripe tannins. The wine is ready to drink.
A blend of 30% Pinot Noir and 70% Gamay, this is a fruity wine with the softest tannins and red cherry flavor. Made to drink young, it's somewhat spoiled by a banana-like edge that comes from its vinification.
This is an easygoing fruity wine. It has soft tannins and bright juicy red fruits. The structure is just right to give the wine its shape along with the acidity and generous aftertaste. Drink now.
Basic white-fruit aromas are a bit dusty and yeasty. This feels plump, soft and creamy, with bitter-leaning green melon and papaya flavors. Notes of onion and grape skins rise up on the finish. This is a mix of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier.
A dry wine with a soft texture that suggests a small amount of residual sugar. It is a fruity wine with apricot and ripe pear flavors and a smooth aftertaste that still leaves plenty of room for acidity. Drink now.
This is a soft wine whose herbal character is held in check by a smooth texture. It is bright and crisp, with plenty of citrus and gooseberry flavors as well as intense acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Hints of nut and spice on the nose lift flatter tones of pressed apple and pear in the palate of this medium-bodied white. Soft lemonade acidity brightens the finish.
Surprisingly shy and reserved in nature, this offers subtle aromas and flavors of apple core and spiced orange peel. Soft and accessible, it's direct and clean, yet short on the finish. Drink now.
Made from the Manzoni grape, which is a cross between Pinot Bianco and Riesling, Santi Angeli has a lovely fragrance of pear, apple and stone fruit that carry over to the palate along with citrus and spice. It 's long and linear with a crisp finish.
Castle Rock again surpasses expectations with this Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It has clear Cabernet character, a soft mix of black cherry and cassis, delivered with a smooth and supple mouthfeel. There are well-integrated hints of coffee, cream and herb. Ready to drink right now, with enough heft to stand up to most grilled meats.
This wine has great swathes of green fruits, like biting into a crisp apple. It's bright, shimmering with citrus and grapefruit. There is a tight, mineral bite at the end.
Black fruits are wreathed in subtle notes of earth, smoke and graphite. This is a palate-pleasing wine, but seems a little too safe, lacking the complexity and northern Rhône accents that Washington Syrahs often show.
A crisp and fruity wine with herbal flavors, as well as riper apricot and quince flavors. It's a balanced wine, developing well, with great final acidity and a lively, crisp aftertaste. Drink now and until 2018.
This perennial Best Buy is realiably tasty and easy to drink in 2012. A fleshy nose of peach and almond aromas sets up a simple, lighter-weight palate with peach flavors and an easygoing finish. This is short on acidity so drink sooner rather than later.
This includes 10% Sémillon in the blend, which works nicely. It brings lush fruit flavors of melon, pear and passionfruit, along with a leesy, textural mouthfeel.
Rich in baked apple pie and ripe pear, this late-harvest Chenin Blanc, sourced from the Norgard Vineyard and named for Graziano's daughter, has pleasant acidity and isn't cloying or heavy. Smooth from start to finish, pair it with apple desserts or roasted nuts.
Hard oak on the nose creates a pinched, chemical sensation. Give this time and that goes away, leaving minerally apple and peach aromas. In the mouth, this is firm and intense, with peppery flavors, Sherry notes and almondy accents. A bitter finish with nut skins and dryness registers as complex.
Leather, lemon peel, licorice and black currant aromas set up a flush, rich palate with choppy tannins, depth and volume. Flavors of blackberry come with notes of licorice, spice, prune, herbs and pepper, while the finish is big, grabby and loamy in feel, with dark, herbal flavors.
Berry and black plum aromas are oaky and welcoming, with a hint of green herbs poking through. This feels full, round and friendly, with chunky weight and soft tannins. Creamy flavors of blackberry and dark plum  come with a saline note, while the finish slides away easily.
From a great vineyard, this Pinot is earthy and fairly robust in style, dry and balanced in acidity with a thick texture. Cherry and cranberry dominate in flavor and aroma, the wine aged 16 months in French oak, 25% new.
Formerly known as Familia Schroeder, this Patagonian Malbec features racy acidity and a medium body. The nose is a bit stalky in smell, while oak, herbal shadings, mint and pepper support blackberry and cherry flavors through the finish.
This spent 24 months in 500-liter American oak puncheons, blended with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Syrah. It is really showing the barrel influence, even after several hours of breathing time. The fruit is ripe strawberry, with fresh herbs, green olive and hints of tomato leaf. Good acidity suggests further bottle age would only improve this wine.
Here's a structured red from southern Italy with aromas of red and black berries, forest floor and vanilla. The palate delivers ripe raspberry and black cherry along with white pepper, clove and notes of well integrated oak.
Lola is roughly half Kiona Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and half Klipsun Vineyard Syrah, aged for 20 months in 60% new French oak. You can sniff the funky composted aspect of the Syrah upfront, followed by generous black cherry fruit. It's immediately accessible, with a cherry cola flavor running through to the finish.
Five vineyards contribute to this pure Syrah, which shows spicy, citrusy components around tart raspberry fruit. Clean and lively, it has excellent power all the way through to its clean finish.
On the nose, this jammy Malbec smells quite good; aromas of balsam wood, shoe polish and raisin are heady, woody and ripe. The palate, however, is more chubby than defined, with jammy weight and low acidity. Flavors of raisin and baked plum turn more stewy and soft as this breathes out. Drink now.
This blend of Corvina and Merlot has a smoky nose with plum, tobacco and oak aromas. The palate shows dense black fruit, chocolate and oak. Pair it with for savory pastas and barbecued red meat.
Firm acids and softly dusty tannins give this medium-bodied red a welcome bit of structure. Meanwhile, hints of garrigue accent black cherries, with dried-fruit, licorice and cocoa flavors emerging on the finish. Drink now–2016.
Black fruits, earth notes and a hint of toast create a subtle, inviting nose. In the mouth, this is chunky but balanced, with mild tannins. Cassis and plum are the lead flavors, and the finish is mellow and fleshy in feel, with a certain lazy ease to it.
A roasty, toasty wine with notes of mocha, vanilla and red fruit along with herbs that lean a touch into the green. Its sweet flavors are offset by tart acids that lead to a spice-filled finish.
This is an über-aromatic wine, with appealing notes of white peach, jasmine, honeysuckle and lime. It's lean in style, drinking off dry but balanced by racy acidity that stretches out the finish.
From a small portion of the Fonréaud vineyard, this blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon and Muscadelle is delicately wood aged to give a ripe fruity wine with added spice. It is perfumed and aromatic with a smooth creamy texture. With its intense acidity, it is a delicious and refreshing wine. Drink now.
Produced from Michel and Isabelle Dietrich's oldest vines on the plateau above the Cadillac fortress, the wine is rich. There's plenty of black-currant fruit and acidity to balance while still showing its wood aging. The wines are vegan (no animal products in production). Drink this wine from 2018.
The second wine from this estate, which is currently performing very well, is a rich and opulent wine, typical of the vintage. It has generous black fruits, concentrated tannins and a firm core. All of this points to a wine that will be delicious to drink. Wait until 2018.
This is the second wine of Laroze, a property situated on the plateau to the west of Saint-Émilion. This is a softly ripe and perfumed wine with 40% Cabernet Franc in the blend. It is rich, smooth and dense with black fruits and balanced acidity. Drink from 2018.
Although the wood aging shows strongly at this stage, this is a wine that will develop well. Already its blackberry fruits show ripe juicy character that blends well with the generous tannins and acidity. It should be ready to drink from 2018.
Forward and a bit on the chunky side, with fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry, this ready-to-drink wine shows the more open and fruit-driven aspect of the vintage. Tasty highlights suggest chocolate-coated orange peels.
This wine shows a classic Yakima Valley profile, with aromas and flavors of orange peel, fresh green herbs and cherry, along with barrel spice accents. It's made in a restrained style, with tart flavors carrying on the finish.
This rich wine still shows its wood-aging character. It has firm tannins, dark fruit and concentration. From vineyards in the Douro Superior, this wine should be drunk from 2018.
Loads of fresh peach, gooseberry and lavender scent this beautifully aromatic wine. Off dry on the palate, it's juicy and fruit-forward yet refreshingly elegant as well. Zesty tangerine acidity accents a brisk, clean finish. Drink now through 2020.
This gently wood-aged wine has spice and toast flavors over ripe mango and guava that are cut with a tight band of citrus. The wine is rich and full, finishing with just a lift of acidity.
Very ripe, almost pruney fruit flavors plus full body and a broad, rich texture give this wine amplitude. Made from mostly Mourvèdre, plus Syrah, Grenache and Counoise, it has chocolate, black pepper and jam flavors that fill the mouth and linger on the finish.
This lightly wood-aged wine is rich, with an attractive acidity to go with the citrus and green-fruit flavors. A delicious tang gives lemon and orange-zest flavors and some minerality. Drink from mid-2017.
Hints of smoke, crushed mineral and pollen lend an earthen dimension to pristine white grapefruit and tangerine in this elegant off-dry Riesling. Juicy citrus flavors are satisfying and thirst quenching, accentuated by zesty acidity and a pleasant touch of astringency on the finish. Drink now through 2021.
A compelling mix of cherry, plum and spicy aromas spell out Cabernet Sauvignon in block letters. This feels full, but also juicy, fresh and agile. Core berry flavors are lightly toasted and chocolaty, with coffee and lingering spice notes aiding a well-comported finish.
Made for broad release, this wine impresses for its rounded, approachable layers of dried herb and anise, the tannin and oak lightly applied. Blended with 10% Merlot, it finds a jolt of richness on the finish, a showcase for notions of chocolate, cherry and blackberry.
Initially demure notes of pressed apple and pear are amplified on the palate of this deeply fruity Gewürztraminer. Medium sweet in style, it's unctuously citrusy, but marked by exotic hints of tea leaf and potpourri. A lingering, slightly sugary note marks the finish. Drink now through 2020.
An honest-to-goodness traditional style of California wine, this smells like very ripe grapes and black pepper. Flavors are complex, a little earthy but well structured with sturdy tannins and echoing some of that ripe, raisiny fruit. The high-alcohol level suggests sipping it after dinner.
Earthy aromas of dried plum, baking spices, chocolate and cassis are impressive. A crisp, snappy, almost tomatoey palate with lightly herbal flavors of tomato sauce, vanilla and spicy red plum make sense for a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend. A steady finish offers no drastic detours. Drink through 2019.
Winemaker J. P. Valot, who is from Argentina, shows a confident touch with this grape. Mixed fruit flavors of red plum, golden raisin and fig bring a unique character to this well-balanced wine. Solid through the midpalate, it carries into a generous, lightly chocolaty finish.
Lightly creamy in the mouth, tasting of wet stone and crushed apple, this young wine seems to gain weight as it runs through the palate. The scent and flavor of peanuts permeates the finish. Showing fine definition and length, it should continue to improve with an additional year or two of bottle age.
From the winery's lightly oaked series of wines, this bottling is all about freshness. It shows pomegranate, dried fennel and sagebrush on the nose. The palate is zesty, uncomplicated and eminently drinkable, with sagebrush elevating the fruit-punch base.
Floral blueberry and plum aromas are not normal for Mendoza Malbec but are instead exotic, with notes of cumin and cardamom. This is punchy on the palate, with crisp, almost sharp acidity. Plum and berry flavors are peppery and racy, then tight as a drum on the finish. Drink this alert Malbec from Tupungato through 2022.
Sourced from a family-farmed vineyard first planted in the late 1800s, this brawny, robust 100% varietal red offers meaty black pepper and baked plum along a stewy, spicy backdrop of full-bodied ripeness and weight. The tannins are sizable yet soft, making for a food-friendly wine.
A blend of fruit from top sites Boushey (60%) and Red Willow, the aromas are light, with notes of straw, lemon pith and grapefruit. The flavors show an elegant styling, framed by a tart zing of acidity that stretches out the finish. It's all about nuance.
Smoky, oaky aromas and flavors make a big impact as this medium-bodied wine floods the mouth with ripe fruit, black pepper and grilled meat flavors. But it keeps its composure, not pouring on too much alcohol or tannin.
The barrel toast carries a lightly charred edge, while the strawberry fruit comes up front and center with flavors of sweet pastry. There's a lick of licorice running through it as well, and the overall structure suggests drinking it up now through 2020.
This is a ripe and structured wine with great fruit and still some firm tannins. It has layers of black-currant acidity along with the dry core that signal the potential to age further. The blend of 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine firmness while allowing plenty of expression for the exuberant fruit. Drink from 2019.
The winery's take on the grape produces a wine reminiscent of an orange wine, or perhaps a particularly striking rosé, though it's labeled as simply white. It's a coppery cherry hue, bone dry, with fruit flavors of dried cherry. Broad and lightly oxidized, it packs a lot of punch, and may be served lightly chilled. Drink now through 2018.
Intense aromas of mature black cherry, licorice, leather and a balsamic note lead the nose and follow over to the palate along with cranberry and a note of pipe tobacco. Tightly packed, rather austere tannins provide firm support and need time to unwind. Drink after 2012.
Dark, heavy and foresty on the nose, with astringent cherry and coffee flavors. Sharp in terms of feel, with plenty of leftover acidity on the finish. Tartaric acid is all over this wine.
Lightly chocolaty and herbal, the reserve is marginally fruitier than the regular 2005 Syrah, with the same mix of cherry tobacco and licorice. Tannins are chewy and quite dry.
A surprising  Pinot Noir from the Puget Sound AVA. Tart, tannic and lightly spicy, it presents itself as a rustic café red.
Prickly pickled aromas are offset by candied fruit notes, while the palate is thin and candied, with nectarine and other less-than-berry flavors. An edgy wine that does little for the image of the obscure Bonarda grape.
Waxy aromas of scented candles and canned pears define the nose. The palate is low on acid and thus tastes soft and remotely of Bartlett pear and peach. Light on the finish; thus it needs to be drunk now.
A Sauvignon Blanc with a Muscat aroma? That's the curious thing about this perfumed wine. It's pleasant, very fresh, perfumed like a candy shop, but has little to do with Sauvignon Blanc flavors. Screwcap.
Hard-crusted, medicinal aromas give the llama more funk than we prefer, and the palate is generic and clampy. Shows a mild burnt flavor throughout and while it's okay, it doesn't taste a whole lot like the Shiraz we've grown accustomed to.
Undefined black fruit aromas are average at best, while the cherry fruit is decent but citric. This wine shows too little to warrant much attention; it's brittle but persisent, with thin, cleansing acids throughout.
Pickled on the nose, with aromas that hint at white grapes such as Verdejo. This is jumpy and unsettled, with citrus and white grapefruit flavors leaving a tangy burn on the finish. Jangled and sharp.
Sharp scents of clove, cherry syrup and tobacco lead into a rough, tart and tannic wine with no particular varietal character.
Showing brown edges, this rapidly maturing wine is scented with cooked plum, brown sugar and baking spices. Thin and bitter in the mouth, with astringent tannins and a flat finish.
A subtle whiff of savory herb lends elegance to this sweet swiggable Dornfelder. Concentrated flavors of cherry preserve and plum are juicy and fresh, finishing with just a whisper of soft tannin.
To the blend of local Aragonez and Trincadeira, the producer has added the Dão's Alfrocheiro. That gives a ripe and attractively perfumed wine. It is soft and juicy, full of rich berry fruits and with a generous, warm texture. Drink now.
This is a ripe wine that is all fruit. Red berries and crisp acidity come together in a texture that is gently tannic and very ready to drink now.
Earthen notes of bramble and dried sage accent sweet apple, lime and lemon in this zesty spätlese. Its crisp citrus flavors are nervy and spry, but delicate in concentration and length.
Bold and very woody, this full-bodied wine takes charred oak, pine needle and aromatic cedar aromas through to ripe plum, licorice and black-cherry flavors. It stays smooth in texture, with a layer of fine tannins but otherwise is soft in mouthfeel.
The wine is rich and dense. It has plenty of black fruits although it does suffer from some bitter extraction notes. There is power here, with high toast flavors and a dark, spicy character. The final taste of pepper comes from the high alcohol percentage.
Canned fruit—both peach and pineapple—show good depth against a slightly smoky backdrop. Round and silky on the palate, there's a balance of acid to give brightness.
Toasty and ripe, this is a smooth, lightly textured wine full of yellow fruits lifted by crisp apple and lime juice. Rich while also fresh, it's a warm wine. Drink now.
This open, soft wine brings out some of the ripe fruit flavors of the vintage. It has attractive melon and apricot fruit along with a tight streak of mineral acidity. It's ready to drink now, although it will be better from 2017.
Fresh, minerally lime aromas set up a zesty palate with lemon-lime, pineapple and apple flavors. There's nothing complicated about this snappy white, which finishes with some bitterness and lasting acidity.
This smooth, wood-aged wine is ripe with red fruits, soft tannins and a generous, full-bodied character. The acidity keeps the wine in shape, round and ready to drink.
Two rounded, ripe varietals give a rich, smooth wine. It has just a touch of perfume from Fernão Pires, made ripe by the creamy Chardonnay. Pear fruit is cut with balanced acidity. Drink now.
The wine is just off dry, with a soft tropical-fruit character. It has pineapple as well as lemon fruit, crisp acidity and dried apricot flavors. The wine is crisp at the end, and ready to drink.
Dusty, lightly woody aromas are smooth and easy to like. Peachy in feel, with moderate acidity, this tastes of peach and papaya in front of a melony, ripe finish that's a bit soft, so drink now.
Aromas of sawdust, oak, espresso and dark cooking spice lead the nose. The palate is somewhat muddled, showing ripe black cherry, raspberry, sweet and sour sauce and a hint of bitter chocolate alongside robust tannins and rather soft acidity.
Spicy, rubbery aromas of plum and berry fruits feature a coating of heavy oak. This is tannic and narrow on the palate, while burnt, herbal berry flavors finish rooty and with rubbery tannic grab.
While not overly intense in grapefruit, gooseberry and pea-shoot aromas, the palate brings a bit more frivolity into play, with guava, peach and flint. There's some weight behind this wine, which takes it beyond a simple apéritif.
A shade off dry, this approachably fresh fruity Riesling offers a bounty of juicy peach and tangerine refreshment. Sunny lemon acidity and blossom notes extend through a moderately long finish.
While this Cab may be a touch soupy and heavy on the nose, aromas of coffee grounds and berry fruits are good. A full, blocky palate features cheek-rubbing tannins, while this tastes of coffee, chocolate and herbal berry fruits. For everyday purposes, this makes the grade.
A ripe wine that is soft and fruity, this is juicy and with fine acidity. The quinta, situated at the western end of the Douro region, has produced a wine with light tannins and which has fine, ready to drink fruitiness.
A dry Vinho Verde with a light sparkle that give it a fine lift. With intense citrus and a sliced apple freshness, the wine is refreshing and ready to drink.
Red fruit and wood are both prominent in this wine. A juicy red-currant character shows through the high-toast flavor. Attractive and fruity, it is likely to develop quickly. Drink this soft wine from 2018.
This opens with funky aromas of game, scorched soil, roasted herb and a whiff of barnyard. The palate is on the raw side, showing sour cherry and a sprinkling of white pepper framed in raspy tannins.
Aromas of menthol, stewed prune and a whiff of dark spice carry over to the evolved palate. The tannins are still firm but this has seen better days. Drink now.
Just out, this is quite young and tart, tightly wound with green apple and green pear fruit. It's the sort of wine that may well improve considerably with an extra year in bottle. A light touch of cinnamon comes up in the aftertaste.
Fresh fruit flavors of red apple and raspberry carry the wine into a light, fairly brief finish. The tannins are thin, almost stripped feeling, and there isn't enough weight to make a strong varietal statement.
Vines in the southern Amarante region of Vinho Verde give this wine its ripe melon and apple flavors. It is tangy, bright with ripe fruit and with a lightly mineral texture. Drink now.
A ripe blend of fresh apple and lemon fruits give this wine is crisp, dry character. It is packed with acidity, orange and lemon zest and has a lively aftertaste. Drink now.
A stewy nose includes notes of mashed leaves, herbal berry fruits, prune and black tea. The palate on this Merlot-Cab Sauvignon blend is heavily extracted and jammy, with hard-pounding tannins. A fully oaked set of black-fruit flavors moves towards prune, raisin and chocolate on the finish.
Cherry and latex aromas are lean and limited. This feels tight, juicy and jumpy, with raw acidity. Spicy, herbal plum and raspberry flavors lack body on a dry, racy finish.
This wine is intensely floral and gritty on the palate, showing a fleshy cloying sense of ripeness. Melon, pear and fig highlight the fruit profile.
With 4% Petite Sirah, possibly for color, this wine shows a preponderance of caramel-vanilla oak and big bones of body and concentration. Unfussy, it softens in the glass, showing cherry-cola flavor and a dash of herb.
Difficult aromas of cigar ash and hickory are forceful and dominate the nose as a pair. This Tannat stamps across the palate with loud acidity and hard tannins. Toasty woody berry and plum flavors are abrupt on a rough finish.
This wine is unusually soft and luscious, easy to drink, and marked by aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar followed by ripe lightly sweet flavors of blackberry jam. It has low acidity, low tannins and medium body.
Fresh and inviting in a strawberry aroma, the palate brings ripe red-fruit and vanilla flavors to the mix. This is a medium-bodied, softly textured wine.
This is a powerful, full-bodied and tannic wine with a lot of grip in the texture, very firm tannins and decent concentration. It smells and tastes smoky, backed by some tart blackberry flavors.
Light bodied and easygoing, this has flavors of red cherry, strawberry and clove. It's fresh and simple, with loose-knit fleeting tannins.
Thin aromas of cherries and oregano show on the nose of this simple but quaffable bottling. The palate combines fruit punch and candied cherries with a hint of more herbs.
Smoky flavor envelops a soft supple layering of blackberry and cherry in this wine, that's big, broad and full of heat. A sweetness of oak provokes the fruit.
Fruity, and crisp, it has citrus flavors balanced by an intense herbal character. It's fresh and juicy; the acidity gives a bright, lively aftertaste.
This young Cabernet has aromas of black plum, vanilla and a big bowl of freshly picked blackberries. There are flavors of black fruits and freshly ground black pepper in the midpalate, with good acidity on the finish.
Green plums and ripe apples bring out the best in Arinto's range of flavors. This is a soft wine, with light acidity that's well integrated into the rich fruitiness. Drink now.
This soft and rounded wine has attractive lemon, peach and almond flavors. It's crisp while showing touches of honey that give a riper feel. It's ready to drink
Slightly oily, gritty aromas match wits with melon and lychee scents. The palate is propped up by adequate acidity, while flavors of melon, orange and lychee are typical and end sweet and tropical.
The nose is muted somewhat and the wine grippy yet a tad thin, its flavors a mix of licorice and dust.
A wiry, fresh, slightly briny smelling nose sets up a pointed, zesty palate with electric, high-strung flavors of red plum and wild berry. The finish is hard, juicy and a little hot and fiery.
A yeasty character masks the fresh fruitiness. Underneath the bready notes, grapefruit and other attractive citrus flavors are waiting to get out. Wait until 2015 to see if the wine improves.
This is a soft, still grippy Cabernet with an earthy, tobacco-infused character that somewhat overwhelms the taste of blackberry and black currant.
Steely and crisp, this tight, very fresh wine is full of lemon zest and grapefruit flavors. It's bright, light, and taut as a wire.
Apple and peach aromas are slightly waxy and show a spot of petrol. This is citrusy but full in body, with flavors of apple, pear, melon and citrus. A plump, basic finish is monotone, but clean and fruity.
The low alcohol suggests fruit that was minimally ripened, and the flavors seem closer to fresh greens than ripe fruit. There's a splash of gooseberry, again quite tart, and a leesy texture. Drink chilled with a fresh salad.
For the vintage, this is a surprisingly lean wine. Some juicy fruit is still struggling out of the very dry tannic shell. Acidity is a dominant character of this firm, dry wine.
The wine is attractively fruity, its crispness balanced by round apple and pear flavors that give richness. It has a creamy texture, concentrated acidity and a finish that brings out lemon and lime.
This young, fruity wine is almost ready to drink. Attractive black currant acidity and light tannins t bring a bite to the natural smoothness of the wine. Drink from 2015.
Popcorn and butter are the lead aromas, and they give way to dusty baked apple over time. This wine feels round, but with just enough acidity. Flavors of candy corn, vanilla, spun sugar and ripe stone fruits finish sweet and fleshy.
Ripe blueberry, black plum and violet aromas are sweet and ripe. This is a chunky, flat feeling Tempranillo with candied, soft blackberry and other black-fruit flavors. A short, simple finish fits this heavy wine's overall profile.
This is a soft wine, attractively fruity with gentle tannins. It is fresh with red berry fruits and open acidity. There is a burnt edge at the end which needs to blow off. Drink from 2015.
This Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black plum, violet and vanilla that pave the way for bright flavors of red plum and blackberry on the palate. The tannins are a bit chewy, but the long finish is rewarding.
This fruity wine is full of juicy red berries that are laced with acidity. Hints of wood aging stay in the background of this essentially fresh and bright wine.
Stalky, short aromas suggest that this is raw and underripe. The palate feel confirms that impression; it's tight and choppy, with drying tannins. Roasted, gritty flavors of red fruits come with a sprinkle of cocoa, while the finish is tough in feel, spicy and ultimately mildly bitter.
Canned cranberry sauce and Indian spices collide on the nose. Light in color, it feels tad sweet once sipped, thanks to juicy flavors of strawberry and cherry.
A wine of medium weight and alcohol that tastes bigger on the palate due to the tannins. There's dullness to the fruit, which shows blackberry and cherry amidst a trace of clove before a hint of greenness on the finish.
Young Hunter Valley Sémillon is one of the most perplexing wines to evaluate, and I suspect that in 8–10 years' time, my rating will seem overly stingy. Still, this light-bodied wine appears to lack depth, complexity and length, offering just some odd, resiny scents and waxy, citrusy flavors.
Rusty in color but natural, which is also this wine's downfall. It has no dosage, so what's left is leafy, herbal Pinot Noir aromas and flavors. It's peachy, drying and zesty, but also saddled with tomato leaf and rhubarb. Such is the life of Brut Nature rosé.
Springhill Cellars has been around for two decades, but this new release of the estate Pinot Noir is a bit of a disappointment. Light, sweet and simple, it turns a bit medicinal on the finish.
A candied nose of raspberry and pepper starts this wine out on a slightly clumsy note, but on the palate, the wine offers solid, if slightly simple, flavors. The finish impresses with its warm, spicy wave.
With its ample body and complex touches of chocolate, plum and spice, this is clearly a serious attempt at rosé, just one that seems a bit tired at this stage of its evolution. Drink up.
Bramble and burning brush on the nose, while the palate is murky as it delivers tomato leaf, baked plum and carob flavors. Seems sort of cooked and funky, with a muddled mouthfeel. The 2005 is a cleaner, more focused wine.
Dill, cheese and mossy fruit give this wine a less than super bouquet. The palate is light, with strawberry flavors mixed with some peppery, herbal overtones. Short on the finish; not much bang for the buck.
Almost volatile, but with reduced raisin below. If you are familiar with   hot-climate California Zinfandel, this is not unlike that. It has a vinegary attack and then a strange but limited sweetness lurking in the weeds. A   challenged wine.
Meaty and very oaky, with resin, mocha and milky aromas that amount to a wood cutter's dream. Not surprisingly, the mouthfeel is more shocking and acidic than the oaky bouquet suggests; flavors are racy and tart, and then a bitter lactic quality comes on strong. Too much going on, with nothing pulling in the same direction.
White flowers, honey and toasted spice lead on this Riesling from New York, and on the palate, a backbone of elegant fruit prevails. Paired with the wine's sweet touch, the flavors offer a simple, appealing quaff that will pair well with spicy cuisine.
The name boasts of balance but we find mostly pine needle, skunk and eventually creamy red-fruit aromas followed by lean, tangy stawberry and cherry flavors. Light fruit and simple oak is all that's here.
Very dark and seemingly on the cooked side of the ledger. The nose is black and raisiny, while the core flavors are saucy. At least this meaty, overdone Garnacha isn't oaked, so in that sense it isn't offensive. But it is definitely soft, and without much future.
A plucky nose of fruitcake and spice leads off. On the palate, good, robust red fruit, a solid, dry and minerally backbone and a touch of oak offer dimension and balance. A bit rough and ready, the wine will benefit from pairing with grilled meats or spicy dishes that can match its energy.
Airén is a big-crop white grape that is usually distilled into brandy or made into Sherry. But here we see it as a dry white table wine, and while it is limited in scope, the wine's punch-bowl approach and cleansing lime and kiwi flavors are decent.
Lean, dry raspberry aromas and a slight floral essence carry the nose toward a zesty, semisharp palate with crisp cherry and cranberry flavors. Not bad in a lean, stripped-back way; but there's no excess oak, weight or sweetness. Lean stuff for old-school palates nursing plates of ham or salami.
Pickle and sweet funk on the nose give this chunky wine a nose that's less than fresh. Flavors of orange, peach and cantaloupe are sweet but flat, and in the end it tastes more like a fruit juice than a really solid dry rosé.
Deep and dark in the glass, this bottling from a family-owned winery shows aromas of cola spice, wild cherry, cocoa dust and game. On the palate, rich black-cherry fruit is expertly cut by accents of dried sagebrush and licorice. Persistent, bountiful acidity carries it to a black raspberry-inflected finish.
Just two barrels of this Paul Hobbs-consulted wine were made, and that focus is evidenced by its soft and lavish vanilla, mace, cocoa, white pepper and lavender aromas and its core of cassis fruit. Luxurious tannins and underlying acidity carry measured blackberry and chocolate flavors.
This perfumed and floral wine is concentrated and dense. Its ripe black-plum and spice flavors are impressive with their intensity. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is showing considerable aging potential. Drink this wine from 2020.
Burnt tea, forest floor and crushed leaf aromas ride atop dense layers of turned earth and stemmy rose scents in this intriguing wine from a beloved site. Moderate acidity keeps it fresh, highlighting its succulent black cherry fruit with lavender and Asian spice notes that emerge on the finish.
The nose of this bottling is extremely focused on black raspberry and grapeseed, and its snappy dark fruit is tempered with agebrush, lavender and mace aromas. Firm and upright tannins frame the palate, where dark cranberry and clove flavors combine for layers of energy and depth.
This is a dry-style Riesling, though it still lends a ripe, fruity impression. Lemon, lime and grapefruit are shuffled into a winning hand, with ample details of cilantro, fennel and wet stone. It's a vibrant, refreshing wine that is immensely food friendly.
Finely chopped herb notes, recalling marjoram, thyme and anise, combine with with dried rose and red cherry aromas on the delicately wild nose of this bottling. The palate adds forest floor flavors to its dark red fruit, making for a heady expression that grows in complexity sip after sip.
A fine blend of equal parts of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, this ripe wine is crisp with acidity and a nervy mineral texture. It is still young, still tight and structured. But it will be a fine wine as it matures. Drink from 2019.
A mellow touch of ripe Red Delicious apple hovers on the nose. The palate brims with rich fruit, showing candied pear and dried apple. This richness is countered by a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge and a pure streak of fresh zestiness. A touch of sandalwood and cinnamon adds spice around the edges. While this is attractive now, it will reward cellaring as far more interesting notes of spice and fruit are sure to develop. Drink 2020–2030.
Once again, this more affordable “younger brother” to the Mount Eden bottling competes with gusto. Including 14% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, it shows savory black plum, black pepper, char, leather and dried herb aromas on the nose. The palate is hearty and almost salty tasting, with beef, charred black fruit, pine resin and caramel flavors. Very satisfying and full of umami characteristics.
A rich floral notion of dandelion precedes the rich aroma of ripe peaches on the nose. The palate opens into a kind of vast peach mellowness, edged with a touch of citrus zest and a grounding, earthy element. A gentle sweetness boosts the peachy roundedness but does not dominate. This is gentle on the surface but very concentrated at the core. It is on the off-dry finish that the lemon zest comes though triumphantly. Drink 2017–2027.
Lovely structure amplifies all the best qualities of this estate-grown wine. A tight core of pear, lemon and tangerine fruit sets up a long finish. The acidity is clean and in perfect proportion, with no chalkiness. Drink now through 2027.
Ripe berry aromas are touched up with cola and root-beer notes that make this even nicer. A muscular, deeply structured palate is home to herbal plum and berry flavors along with notes of coffee and dark spices. Tobacco and herbal notes take over on a complex finish. Drink this Cabernet Franc (with 15% Malbec) through 2024.
The nose of this bottling from the former Addamo Vineyard is full of underbrush and sage notes, with complex layers of candied raspberry, wisteria and cinnamon stick aromas. Juicy raspberry and pomegranate flavors kick off the palate, where allspice, nutmeg, dried ginger and flowering thyme notes coalesce.
A generously ripe touch of apricot hovers before blending in with ripe Amalfi lemon and Granny Smith notes. Brightness and light seem to be at the core of this wine. The mousse is exuberant and flavors are brisk and urgent. Subtle autolysis provides a calm backdrop to all the lively, fruity action in the foreground. The balance is harmonious and flavors are brisk, fruity and pure The long-lasting finish conveys seriousness. Lovely now, the wine will evolve with bottle age. Drink 2017–2022.
This wine is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of other Bordeaux red varieties. Together, they offer bold, ripe red-currant and -berry flavors, with a rich entry and gravelly texture. Highly stylized, grippy tannins and a leather note provide additional strength.
This top-tier bottling from Steve Martell, which blends 62% Grenache with 29% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 4% Petite Sirah, offers roasted coffee, charred black currant, burnt wood and baked earth aromas. The palate is tight and bright with flashy boysenberry and black raspberry flavors balanced by anise and sagebrush accents.
With some age, this bone-dry wine has softened and filled out. There's still a lemon aroma as well as crisp acidity on the palate, but they are less tight now, rounded and with a fine balance between fruit and acidity. It is still a year off maturity, so wait until 2018.
This is a round, rich wine full of fig, vanilla and salty oak flavors. Bright, lemony freshness and a stony, mineral-like quality accentuate its texture and complexity, lasting long into the finish.
Delicately sparkling, this creamy Champagne is crisp, fruity and on the dry side of Brut. It has citrus as well as pear flavors giving a fruity edge to the lively texture. This delicious wine should age a little longer, so drink from 2019.
This wine comes from a parcel that is planted at a superhigh density of nearly 7,000 plants per acre. This gives the plants greater competition between each other and encourages concentration of the wine. That is true in this rich wine with its impeccable balance between white fruit and mineral texture from the chalk soil. The wine will age, so drink from 2020.
From one of the top of the new generation of Vouvray estates, this wine is a delicious medley of fruit flavors. With a touch of honey to go with the apple, and citrus to give extra freshness, this is a beautiful wine. It is very drinkable although still so young. Drink now if you can't wait, but it's better to hold on until 2021.
Here's a smooth, delicious Prosecco that will satisfy both the novice and the sophisticated wine lover. It opens with lovely aromas of pressed wild flower, apple and a whiff of pastry dough that follow through to the palate along with pear, tangerine zest and a hint of almond. An elegant mousse and crisp acidity offset the creamy flavors. It has lingering bone-dry finish.
Beautiful, bright boysenberry and blackberry aromas meet fennel and pepper scents on the nose of this blend of 64% Grenache and 36% Syrah, which is sold primarily through the winery's Santa Clarita Valley tasting room. A lavish tannic profile decorates the lush palate, where black currant jam, licorice and clove flavors fight for attention.
A wonderfully aromatic nose of blossom and Conference pear is very appetizing. The palate comes in with pear-fruited generosity and an almost oily mouthfeel that speaks of the power of this concentrated wine. There is a pleasant edge of pithy bitterness that acts as a counterpoint to the inherent richness and ripeness of the fruit alongside fresh acidity. This is balanced and rounded and just off dry with a lovely, fresh structure that echoes long. There is great aging potential here. Drink 2017–2030.
Simple, clean, fresh, raspberry-flavored wine, with light acidity. There is an edge of apple and caramel, the aftertaste just off dry.
Light, watery and thin, with simple lemon and green apple flavors, and plenty of acidity.
This has a rather noticeable candy cane scent, leading into a beery, yeasty, flat-feeling wine.
Vanilla, pear and a whiff of wintergreen make the nose intriguing, but after that it's commercial mango and pineapple flavors with a pithy finish. A sweet, overpumped Chardonnay.
Soft, almost sweet, with considerable caramel and sweet strawberry flavors. There is an awkward final bitterness.
This cuvée has a steely quality. The fruit hits solidly on raspberry, with a nice tang to the acids. It's still tight, focused and young, suggesting that further bottle age will lead to further improvement. It has a light touch of caramel in the finish.
This wine presents an interesting mix of herbal, citrus and stone-fruit components. Lemon pepper and grapefruit, with a touch of Satsuma orange, all stand out. A slick lick of caramel carries on the finish.
Intense aromas of inky, leathery black fruits announce a full, saturated palate that's bolstered by tartaric acidity. Plum, blackberry, raw oak and salty flavors are chocolaty on a finish. Drink through 2019.
Oaky, concentrated black-fruit aromas feature notes of graphite and savory earth. This Monastrell is deep, jammy and textured on a full-bodied palate. Spicy oak and black-plum flavors finish toasty, with hints of baking spices and dried herbs. Drink through 2019.
Aromas of pressed honeysuckle and orchard fruit lead the nose while the vibrant savory palate doles out ripe peach, yellow apple and a hint of lemon zest. An almond note lends a pleasantly bitter finish.
This voluptuous wine offers concentrated golden honey, baked apricot and pear notes, with integrated oak. Made in a full-bodied, creamy style that's hard to resist, it has a looming acidity that works behind the scenes to provide balance.
This intensely ripe wine is made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Malbec and Merlot. Its waxy cherry, currant and blueberry flavers are laced wtih milk chocolate and smoky oak richness, a dash of high-toned acidity sparking on the finish.
On the nose, this smells a touch yeasty and bready, similar to Saltine crackers. The mouthfeel on this sparkling wine is crisp and right on. Slightly bitter white-fruit flavors come with a dusting of white pepper and a lingering lime note on the dry finish.
This single-vineyard wine offers high-toned citrus, almond and vanilla bean flavors. Fresh and fruity, it's light  bodied yet doesn't skimp on flavor or texture, finishing on a tart note of lemon pith.
This elegant wine puts flavors of apple and citrus with floral highlights into the mix. It gains strength in midpalate, finishing strong with cinnamon, paprika and white pepper.
Aromas of citrus blossom, white stone fruit and a whiff of wet flint float from the glass. Fresh and savory, the juicy palate delivers ripe Bartlett pear, yellow apple, nectarine and lemon drop alongside bright acidity. Notes of almond and ginger add depth.
This wine's thick and buttery aromas range from cashew cream and caramel to honeysuckle and Maui onion. Its powerful acidity cuts through the palate's unctuous and oily qualities, with buttercream and lemon juice flavors combining for a big personality.
Smoky bark and cola notes are cradled in reductive oak in this robust wine from a fantastically farmed site. Its dark berry flavor is supported by velvety tannin and juicy acidity, both of which provide moderate structure.
Perfumed with rose and lavender, this wine has robust tannins and dominant oak notes, both in support of its ripe, concentrated red fruit. Woody, herbal components complement the lushness, framed by gravelly texture.
This is 100% Pommard clone, bright and spicy in the nose. The fruit flavors are sharp and penetrating, with brambly berries and a touch of pine sap.
Plum, dark berries and a slick streak of almond paste combine in this supple wine. It has a touch of dried herb and soft leather, with light tannins wrapping up the finish.
This tight, focused wine offers strawberry and raspberry fruit, aged in one-third new French oak. The oak is barely evident, but the fruit-centric wine shows good structure and medium concentration.
This 100% varietal wine is decidedly savory and herbal—a full-bodied expression of tomato leaf and tobacco, bursting with mushroom and forest floor notes. Leather and black pepper flavors enter the fray midway through, carried forward by firm tannins and fresh, lingering acidity.
Ripe aromas of cassis, prune and brandied black cherry indicate the concentration on this Cabernet. A palate that doesn't hold back is jammy but a bit heavy. Ripe berry, toast and charred flavors take on a chocolaty note on the finish. This wine is all about full extraction and big fruit. Drink through 2022.
Subdued cranberry, crushed rose petal, lavender and sweet sage notes show on the nose of this clonal mash-up. Tightly wound cranberry and red plum skin flavors show on the palate, brushed with anise and a hint of white pepper. This will probably be much more complex in the years to come.
David Potter continues to lead the way for underused varieties, and this bottling shows why more should bravely walk that path. Fresh-pressed plum, underripe strawberry, fennel and licorice aromas lead into a palate full of Christmas spice and plum sauce flavors. Although not incredibly complex, it's unique, fun and perfect for a sunny day.
Light in color, this wine has an exotic nose of dried herb, forest floor and wild mushroom scents. Tart, nervy acidity accents its rhubarb and cranberry flavors as a sprinkling of white pepper teases.
Fleshy and briny, this wine hails from the producer's own marquee vineyard, situated in the heart of the Olivet Lane district. Ripe, with a buttery undertone, it's classic in its rendering of Gravenstein apple and pear flavors—balanced, yet with a robust frame.
This new cuvée blends fruit from three of the estate vineyards—Mark Bradford, Grace and Côte Sud. It's medium bodied, with a mix of dried cherries, chocolate and herb. Somehow those flavors don't quite knit together. The wine feels a bit unfocused, though all the components are individually fine. It would be worth waiting until 2018 or 2019 before pulling the cork on this one.
This is a great wine, from a vintage that wasn't great. The nose is smooth and rich, with raspberry, plum, fine oak and all the spice that comes with it. The palate feels fresh and healthy, with racy blackberry fruit tempered by creamy chocolate, vanilla and spice. Like most high-end wines from the Eguren family, this is right on the money. Drink now through 2018.
With its classic mineral edge, dusty tannins and firm, dry structure, the wine has a core that weighs well with the severe texture. As a contrast, the fruit underneath is ripe and juicy. A wine for several years' aging.
A blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto, this is totally crisp and refreshingly fruity. It is perfumed, smooth while also cut with acidity. The acidity comes from both citrus and pineapple flavors. Drink now.
Aromas of citrus and petrol are backed by a juicy palate with tangy acidity and semisharp flavors of peach, tangerine and stone-fruit pits. Fresh, citrusy length and a lingering note of orange are the finish.
Known in Spain as Graciano, this grape produces attractive, fruity wine especially in the Tejo region. This example is ripe with layers of acidity as well as a generous texture. Soft and smooth, it is ready to drink.
This crisp, tangy wine is packed with citrus flavors. Brightly textured with a mineral edge, it is fruity, hinting at spice along with a floral, fresh character.
A rose garden's worth of aromas lift out of the glass in this hearty, full-bodied red, the peppery tannins somewhat grippy on the palate before settling down. Blackberry punches through on the palate, given additional color and lift from the 5% Petit Verdot.
Almost caramel in color, this wine offers aromas of lemon zest and vanilla bean. Grippy tannins provide a firm backdrop to flavors of lemon, clementine, green apple and caramel. On its own, it may seem too chalky for some drinkers, but enjoying it alongside nuts and hard cheese will put the balance into focus.
A mild concentration of cherry, green herb, spice and rose petals mark the nose. Softly grained tannins offer just enough grip to this medium-bodied wine, with high-toned cherry and cranberry leading the flavors.
With 12 months of oak aging, this is a ripe smoothly textured wine. It has black fruits, rich tannins and a jammy, generous texture. The wine is fruity and will be ready to drink from 2017.
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.
Lightly earthy flavors of dried raspberries have a chunky, almost rustic character, with a bass note of wet cement. It's a serviceable wine, solid and short, with none of the elegance of the finer Pinots.
The scents of toasted brioche and vanilla reflect the fact that half of the wine was barrel fermented. As a result, it's got some weight and texture to it, but the fruit, outside a dash of pineapple, is relatively muted.
From outlying vineyards in the Côte d'Or, the heartland of Burgundy, this wood-aged wine is full of red currants and attractive, easy acidity. With a touch of spice and a juicy aftertaste, it is ready to drink.
Baked and stewy on the nose, this Malbec-led blend is oaky and gives off a hickory scent. Chewy and rugged in feel, this tastes of roasted, herbal berry fruits, burnt meat and campfire creosote. Forced oak on the finish results in a strong sense of clove.
Pressed apple and dusty mineral notes scent the nose of this subdued slightly savory Riesling. Juicy tangerine and Meyer lemon flavors lend sweetness to the midpalate. The moderately long finish is accented by dustings of pollen and saffron.
Ripe and fruity, this wine offers crisp apples and pear-juice flavors. It has a strongly tangy element that is refreshing and delicious now.
Golden in color, this Petit Manseng (with 10% Seyval Blanc) underwent carbonic maceration, giving it punchy notes of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple rind on the nose and palate. Rich in feel, almost to the point of being flabby, there's just enough acid to maintain balance.
Fresh and vibrant, this Cinsault bottling is completely oak-free, which means that the juicy, fruit-forward nature of the varietal is front and center. Ultraripe blueberry and raspberry notes mingle with specks of black pepper on the soft and mildly grippy palate. The is light bodied and easily quaffable.
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.
Saucy, stewy plum and licorice aromas lead to a wiry palate with grabby tannins. Lightly herbal berry flavors come with a shading of oak, while the finish is herbal and minty tasting, with a sense of raw freshness stemming from latent acidity.
This sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has the faintest touch of blush color. On the nose, it offers grapefruit and lemon. Bubbles are not very persistent, lasting just moments after the glass is poured. It has flavors of tart Granny Smith apple, brioche and lemon peel and a zippy finish.
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.
Gorgeous, amplified aromas of wild berry, plum and fine herbs are crystal clear and magnetic. This beautiful Priorat is layered, smooth as glass and exemplary in every way. Flavors of mixed black fruits, cocoa, toast and schisty mineral finish in a swirl of chocolate, blackened toast, licorice and peppercorn. Best from 2015–2018.
A powerful, concentrated wine, full of dark tannins, ripe fruit and rich texture. This is a wine based on a solid structure—very firm in character while still allowing the gorgeous fruits to express themselves. It's obviously destined for long-term aging.
This is a very dry, firm wine that's solidly tannic but never harsh. The wine combines weight and ripe black fruit in a powerful expression of dense vintage Port from this estate in the Upper Douro. Acidity shines through the density on the finish. Age for many decades.
A hugely dense wine, with immense ripe black fruit and dusty tannins. The wine is balanced, rich and structured at the same time. Powered by a dark core, the wine has weight, intensity and a solid long-term future.
Spicy in aroma and mouthfeel, this is a wondrous wine, gorgeous in lovely ripe cherry and strawberry notes that are completely enveloped in thrills of white pepper. Those who love cool climate Rhônes will find much to ponder and celebrate. Racy, it is fragrant and lean, made without fining or filtering. Seek this one out.
A tad riper, fuller and richer than the 2009 vintage, this wine is deep, subtle and complex, with a myriad of fruit and mineral flavors. Cassis, olive, fresh herb, toast, caramel and coconut are all in play, balanced and layered. The wine is young, tart and full of promise for the long term; hold at least 10–15 years.
Fruit and acidity dominate the initial impression. The wine certainly has power and richness, as it's full in the mouth, juicy and fruity. In the background, there is a darker element, solid and dense, promising long-term aging.
A densely tannic wine, firm at the center and richly fruity on the outside. It is concentrated, with acidity shooting through the jammy black fruit. It's a finely structured wine, likely to age well, but showing its rich side already.
Smooth and rich, concentrated and dense. Dusty tannins power the dark fruit and sweet texture. Black plums and acidity match the dry, tannic structure.
This shows very sweet fruit that's ripe, dense and already delicious. That doesn't mean the tannins don't bring out the firmness at the core of this powerful wine. It is integrated, packed with black plum flavors, and full bodied. For long-term aging.
Big, bold and fruity, this wine shows richness, opulence and swathes of black plum fruit that cushions the structure. Powerful and fruity now, with long aging potential shown by the ample tannins and acid.
This Perli is a gem, a gorgeous reminder that California Syrah can be a liquified representation of beauty. Carrying violet overtones, the wine offers just-picked raspberry and a pronounced entry of peppery spice. Soft it has a long finish and complex subtleties approaching magic. Sit this wine in your cellar if you dare—it's so good to drink now.
Made by Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault, this wine, along with the 2008 and 2009 vintages, were released together. This is the most mature—a five-grape, Bordeaux-style blend. It's a beautifully integrated, floral and dusty wine, with contoured, sculpted fruit. Plums and cherries dominate, with dustings of cocoa powder, coffee and a hint of hazelnut. The wine is graceful and profound, with superb length and finesse.
Made from 100% Corvina, this shows the great potential of this native grape. It boasts rich blackberry, plum and licorice flavors, beautifully balanced and velvety smooth. This shows great depth and, while delicious now, hold for a few more years to allow additional complexities to develop.
From one of Amarone's premier producers, this delicious Amarone delivers generous black cherry flavors, with hints of raisin, white pepper, nutmeg and chocolate. It's soft and round, with smooth, velvety tannins and compelling intensity.
Pirouette is a Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux-style blend, with 31% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot completing the mix. Scents of violets and raspberries lead on the bouquet, with plenty of rich new-oak aromas. It's bright and spicy in the mouth, youthful and balanced, with terrific energy and aging potential.
This is Long Shadows's 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, offering a sharp-edged wine with a brilliant mix of berry, cherry and black fruits, sparked by juicy acids. There's spice and chocolate highlights as well, with a purity and focus that suggests cellaring to add more complexity over the course of a decade or longer.
Rich in heady cinnamon and aromatics of a perfumed rose in bloom this is a beautifully integrated, well-proportioned Pinot Noir, its black cherry and blackberry complemented by a depth of earth and mushroom and silky concentration of tannins.
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.
Rich with baked plum and earthy, mushroom goodness, this is a yummy Barbera, soft with a suggestion of cinnamon spice that will be beautiful alongside a long-stirred risotto or spaghetti Bolognese.
Made from 100% Touriga Nacional grapes, this wine is very perfumed and fruity while also structured. It is still young, showing its tannins and acidity as much as its berry fruits. It is not for long-term aging, so drink from 2015.
Made using Ciliegiolo, a native grape, this boasts obvious oak, coffee and tobacco leaf aromas. The dense palate offers rich plum and espresso flavors. It'd be interesting to see this aged in large neutral casks instead of barriques to have the complexity but less obvious wood sensations that muffle the grape.
The stalky, yeasty aromas on this sparkler are typical for Cava. The mouthfeel is big and a touch flabby, with wheaty, stalky flavors of brined apple and papaya. On the finish, apple and lime flavors are in control, but there's also a streak of haystack and brine that keeps a lid on how good this could be.
Touriga Nacional is even more at home in the Dão than it is in the Douro. Here it gives an initially austere wine, very mineral and textured. There is fruit there, juicy black currants, red berries balanced by dark tannins and condensed acidity. Drink from 2017.
This single-block, one-barrel reserve is the best of the 2010 reserve Pinots from Coeur de Terre. It's medium ripe, with pretty accents of rose petals and milk chocolate, around raspberry fruit. Showing well already, it's a wine to drink young.
Nicely made and expressive of a full range of AVA-specific flavors, this well-priced Pinot Noir shows off the unique attributes of Oregon's cooler vintages. Scents and flavors of beet root, rosewater and fresh strawberries occupy center stage. It doesn't over-reach, and brings these disparate elements into harmony.
Perfumed wine with some subtle overtones of spice, fresh fruits and acidity. It is a wine that has a rounded texture with just a final seasoning of pepper.
A delicate and elegant Riesling, light, fresh and perfumed. It has white fruits, a floral hedgerow character and a dry, more tight and nervy final character. Fruity while structured, it's ready to age a couple of years.
Lees, yeast and no discernible fruit aromas make for a faulty nose. This tastes briny, pickled and sour, with notes of rotten fruit.
Dusty apple and papaya aromas lack fortitude. Ditto the palate, which barely stays afloat. Briny citrus flavors and a pickled finish do nothing to elevate this bottom-feeding Chardonnay.
Stalky cranberry aromas are incomplete and properly announce a soupy, clumsy palate. Green, weedy red-berry flavors have an accent of carob. Tannic and herbaceous on the finish.
Vague melon aromas are strange at best and offputting at worst. This blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Moscatel is watery and suggestive of cantaloupe juice. Funky, mushy white-fruit flavors are tough to wade through.
Raw cherry and plum aromas are resiny and suggest wet cement. This is shearing and so jacked up with tartaric acidity that it's almost intolerable. Sour, citric flavors and a hard, gritty finish amplify this wine's weaknesses.
Chunky, wayward aromas are vague at best. This has no structural integrity, while waxy green-apple flavors come with bitterness and a flabby, oily finish. Barely passable.
This wine is a standout in an outstanding portfolio of 2013 vineyard- and block-designated wines from this producer. Five Sisters is big and burly at first, a fistful of leather and Asian baking spices that demands notice. Then subtlety takes over in lithe, sinewy waves of blueberry and blackberry, followed by a touch of licorice on the nearly endless finish.
The production is tiny, yet the potential of this wine is enormous, with its tight, textured structure that is still so young. It is opulent and generous while still keeping a tight rein on its emotions. A steely core is surrounded by fruit that has hints of apricots as well as citrus. This will be a very fine wine but it needs many years, so wait until 2022.
Mature dark-skinned berry, leather, underbrush and dark spice are some of the aromas that emerge on this fantastic red. Made from ungrafted vines between 150 and 200 years old, the powerful yet polished palate delivers mature black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and white pepper alongside firm, velvety tannins. This still needs time to fully develop. Drink 2018–2031.
A very alluring mix of wintery wood smoke, slight Bourbon vanilla and fallen oak leaves crushed underfoot frames restrained notes of red fruit. There is the most seductive, barely glanced notion of elderberry. The palate is silky and dwells on the autumnal aspects of Pinot but comes with immense elegance, tender white pepper notes and a store of profound fruit. There is a fine-grained density and real structure beneath this smooth surface. Be patient and give this wine its due and drink 2018–2025.
The purity of the nose is glacial and utterly clean-cut. There is an enticing headiness to the lemon and bergamot aromas. This is uncompromisingly citric, with a life force that can revive every single nerve in our body. The citrus spectrum gets its full due in a wine that sparkles and glistens with purity and life itself.
Right now, this feels like a compact parcel of closely packed fruit flavors, held tight by citric freshness and yet it offering glimpses of what is to come: there is a hint of yeasty savor, but also a textural element reminiscent of apple peel. The citrus notions are promises of tart grapefruit, tangy orange, ripe tangerine and the purest lemon. There is something definite and astute that stands with an absolutely straight backbone, just waiting for its time to arrive. It will be spectacular. Drink from 2019.
This is an impressive wine that transcends the problems of the vintage. It has rich fruit that is sustained by the tannic structure that rests on a bed of fresh blackberry fruits cut with fresh acidity. The wine will certainly age well. Don't think about drinking it before 2024.
Fresh green apple and riper Cox's Orange Pippin present an aromatic nose that reveals a more citric verve on the palate. This is suave and slender, with a very light but deceptive touch: apple and stone fruit, now wound tightly in citrus lie in wait, ready to burst forth when their moment comes. As floating as a breeze, as lasting as a stone. Drink 2017–2023.
This is finely structured, a tense wine with great fruits and an intense texture. It's tight while bursting with fruit. The structure is complex, dense and very mineral in character. It is a wine that will need many years, so drink from 2022. The production is tiny, and what is not fit for this wine goes into the Dillon Clarté wine.
Mandarin peel flirts with the aromatic zest of Seville orange. The concentration of flavor is immense and has the verve, drive and linearity of a jet-engine on on takeoff. The palate slows down the motion and captures the nuanced flavors of Seville orange—tinged green, bitter, juicy and tart at the same time. This will not reach its finish line for years but will provide racy enjoyment all the way. Drink 2018–2030.
This pure expression of Merlot opens with enticing scents of red woodland berry, crushed flower, smoke and exotic incense. The silky, structured palate boasts a range of flavors, including juicy wild cherry, raspberry jam, licorice, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon, while velvety tannins offer seamless, polished support. It's already elegant and thoroughly delicious, but it will age well too. Drink 2018–2028.
The concerted impact of bergamot, grapefruit, tangerine and lemon is almost surreal—its headiness reaches long neglected memories of deep summer mingled with the freshness of the open sea. The intensity of spicy grapefruit and the skin of still-green Seville oranges transports you to utopian shores. That such flavor should come from grapes is one of nature's unresolved, eternal mysteries. That this should shine in such a concentrated, slender wine is a marvel.
Once the first whiff of yeast has worn off, a very pure, linear procession of citrus flavors presents itself: from the yellowish green of grapefruit to the greenish orange of a tangy tangerine, always with a deeper, more resonant core of earth and stone. The zestiness glistens on the surface, the tightly closed, still earthy fruit broods at the core. Wait for it to explode. Drink 2018–2028.
This generous, almost opulent wine has both concentration and rounded fruits. It's open already, hinting at wood-aging while concentrating much more on the ripe fruits. Packed with fruit and tannins, it's densely textured. It will age, of course; don't start to drink before 2025.
This wines arrives on tiptoe, citrus-scented and fresh, but once it expands on your palate it soon fills the mouth with all manner of stone fruits. As befits this vintage, everything is tempered with grapefruit zestiness but both mirabelle and apricot richness not only lend flavor but also a beautiful texture that insinuates quince and blood orange zest. What a triumph, what a marvel. Irresistible now but with incredible concentration this is built to last. Drink now till 2020 at least.
The nose already promises pleasure. Layers of grapefruit and mirabelle, lemon and tangerine, apple and honey present a series of contradictions—not to mention delicious flavors—creating immense and irresistible tension. This is only going to get better if you can refrain from drinking it all. Pure thrill and lots of concentrated, zesty promise.
An overtone of leesy yeast quickly gives way to lemony freshness, rounded out by hints of yellow plum and peach. Citrus also continues to be the focus on the palate: fresh zest of ripe lemons and Meyer lemons just edged by peppery spice. This is taut and very linear, streamlined, concentrated and slender but still tightly wound. This will relax into more spice and fruit with a little while in bottle. Right now it is a zesty, evocative mouthful of promise.
The nose is a tease of subtle mandarin and lemon zest, promising but not giving away very much at all. The alluring juiciness of the palate hints at small, yellow mirabelle plums but as of yet merely plays at the surface. Underneath it all is a solid powerhouse bursting with Seville orange, freshness and precision. Another one to keep, guard and treasure for a precious but enlightening soirée. The endless length reinforces that promise. Drink 2018–2025.
Bergamot and lemon, grapefruit and tangerine: students of citriculture would find much to explore—perfumers too. As a drinker you just want to dive into this inviting, fragrant pool of refreshment. There is a powdery edge too, and quite some texture, despite the most slender of bodies. This represents depth rather than power and is a ticket straight to a citrussy Riesling heaven. With age this will get even better.
Chervil, lovage, watercress and yeast swirl headily on the nose. The palate subsumes these in a tight, taut, savory core of immense energy and power. There is muscle and tone, power and punch. If you are looking for a superlatively spicy, long-lived Grüner, this is the one to get. Underneath you will find notions of stone and earth that anchor this firmly. The finish is clean and long. Drink 2017–2020.
From mighty Kanzler comes this ripe, densely tannic wine, plush like candy, it's a celebration of black cherry, dried herbs and vanilla oak, rewarding in its nod to hedonism in balance. The minerality is pronounced and persistent, allowing the wine to breathe. Drink now through 2023.
Named after the late Antonio Mastroberardino, this stunning wine opens with aromas of underbrush, dark cherry, tobacco, exotic spice and blue flower. The radiant palate seamlessly combines structure and finesse, delivering mature black cherry, juicy raspberry, white pepper, clove and licorice while bright acidity and firm, polished tannins provide balance. Hold for added complexity. Drink 2018–2033.
From a label owned by former L.A. Laker Sasha Vujacic, this Merlot-dominant wine delivers aromas of bricks, dust, black cherries, dried oregano and cedar, the sense of ripe but serious fruit lingering in the background. The energetic, grippy palate is reminiscent of Vietnamese coffee—creamy yet properly bitter, rich and flavorful—with blueberry and tart blackberry fruit proving lush and welcoming.
New leather, black cherry, underbrush, sweet baking spice and a whiff of white pepper are just some of the aromas you'll discover on this stunning red. The structured, delicious palate doles out mature black cherry, raspberry, licorice, Mediterranean herb and a note of exotic spice alongside a backbone of polished, refined tannins. It already seamlessly combines power and finesse but will continue to develop complexity over the next decade. Drink 2018–2028.
This unusual Bordeaux-style blend has a substantial amount (61%) of Petit Verdot, yet that often-inky and tannic grape does not overwhelm the other four, and gives the wine a powerful foundation. The palate broadens out with generous black fruits, polished tannins, and lively acidity, finishing with a bit of cedar and a whiff of roasted meat.
If any rosé can be serious, it's this. It has structure as well as fruit, a sense of purpose, ripe red fruits and tight acidity. It could even age, so wait to drink it until late in summer 2014.
From a 100-acre estate formerly the home of the Counts of Provence, this wine has a great fruity character allied to a more mineral texture. With richness and vanilla flavors it is both packed with raspberry fruits and showing structure. Keep until the end of 2014.
A full-bodied, deliciously ripe blend of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Pinot Noir, this is spiced with apples and crisp grapefruit acidity. Rich and creamy yet fresh, it is ready to drink.
This southern Rhone-style blend consists of 35% Mourvèdre, 40% Grenache and 25% Syrah. Steely minerality underscores pretty cherry fruit, with a light and peppery streak of herb running through the tannins.
The winery's most-available Syrah is co-fermented with a splash of Viognier. The fruit is tight and compact, clean with red and black berry flavors, framed by firm, polished tannins.
Ripe cherry and luscious watermelon aromas waft from this summery, fresh wine. It's dry on the palate but concentrated, with bright cherry and berry flavors. Round and lush yet briskly balanced, it's a great summer quaffer at a fantastic price.
Long-time Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd has been out on his own for several vintages, and this is a fine effort. The characteristic herbal, grassy elements of Marlborough are present, but toned-down, making this wine an easier fit with a variety of foodstuffs. A pleasant plumpness to the mouthfeel turns dry and chalky on the long finish.
Floral notes of crushed violet and iris are partnered with fruity scents of boysenberry, black berry and cherry on the nose of this blend, made from 49% Merlot, 30% Malbec and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit continues on to the medium-weight palate, alongside spicy accents of pepper and licorice. The texture is full and the tannins mouthcoating yet fleeting on the finish. Drink now–2018.
This Catalonian blend is a concentrated number with a narrow, fruit-forward nose and cheesy leather on the side. The palate is full, grabby and ripe; flavors of blackberry and cassis are jammy and dark. It finishes sweet in flavor and ultraripe in feel, with a syrupy aftertaste. Another year or two in bottle will help this settle down; drink through 2020.
Whether it's this single-vineyard Malbec or its partners below (Turcos or Tanos), the characteristics of each are nearly identical: creamy oak, tons of vanilla and milk chocolate, resiny mouthfeels and rich, sweet berry flavors. Pick one or pick them all; they are quasi interchangeable and only time will tell if they show individuality or remain identical triplets.
Hints of purple flower, cocoa powder and licorice add depth to the black cherry and berry core. The medium-weight palate is lush and fruity, with fine yet structured tannins that provide a crushed-satin texture. The nuanced finish offers delicate suggestions of black tea and bittersweet chocolate.
Earthy aromas of forest floor, tobacco leaf and leather mingle harmoniously with the black-fruit core of this Merlot-based blend, with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Syrah and 7% Petit Verdot. The medium-weight palate boasts fruit-skin flavors of plum, cassis and berry, while accents of tobacco, balsamic herbs and pepper unfold on thelingering finish. Drink now–2016.
This has a charred, roasted opening along with big black-fruit aromas. Saturated and full-bodied, it offers flavors of baked berry, plum and herbs. It's long, expectedly toasty and fully oaked on the finish, with chunky, rubbery tannins. Drink through 2016.
A textbook Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers upfront aromas and flavors of black plum and cherry that are complemented by spicy accents of black-currant leaf, tobacco and dark chocolate. Medium weight, it has a peppery, lightly toasted finish and structured tannins that soften in the glass.
Roughly half and half Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Longevity bottling brings spice and tangy red fruits into focus. The forward, mouth-filling flavors suggest strawberry preserves and pie cherries. It's drinking nicely; no need to wait.
Despite originating from Hawkes Bay on New Zealand's North Island, this could pass for Marlborough. It's not overly big or ripe, but well-rounded without losing any sense of varietal character. Hints of tomato leaf and white grapefruit linger elegantly on the finish.
This balanced and attractive wine opens with aromas of white peach, gooseberry, dried grass, white florals and a touch of toasted almond. The flavors are ripe and the palate fresh, with good definition and purity. A hint of yellow apple lingers on the close. Drink up.
Exuberant on the nose, with aromas of fresh blossoms, luscious melon and peach, this wine is a welcome harbinger of long summer nights to come. It's rich and ripe with red cherry and berry flavor, but refreshingly brisk. A chalky minerality lingers on the finish.
Made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this rosé was made in the saignée method, cold fermented for six weeks, left sur lies and cold stored, producing an intense, structured wine thick in strawberry and raspberry flavor with just a hint of herbal amidst its complex layers.
Mature, earthy and soft on the nose, with roasted, spicy, integrated berry aromas. Full but baked feeling, with maturity and monotone flavors of sweet berries that don't vary. It remains roasted and warm on the finish. Drink soon.
Fragrant with lime, stone, apricot and flowers, this Gewürztraminer is deliciously dry and slightly crisp yet full bodied. A slight spiciness marks the finish, with a note of lime salt. It should pair well with a roast chicken and spicy stuffing.
This new Bordeaux-style red could technically be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon, as it accounts for 82% of the blend. Pungently smoky, the impression of charred wood penetrates into the deep core of cassis and black cherry. Dark and quite tannic, it remains to be seen if all that barrel toast will ultimately meld into the rest of the wine.
Off-dry, with flavors of fresh pear drizzled with honey. It's a charming Riesling, fruity and gently sweet, though with enough backing acid to keep it food-friendly.
Damp earth, subtle berry, plum and smoke notes define the nose. It feels typically tannic and clampy for Ribera del Duero, with leathery, roasted flavors of blackberry, rubber and herbs. Long, meaty and dense on the back side, with chewy tannins and sweet lasting flavors.
This pure Cabernet Franc, aged in 100% second-use French oak, displays nicely ripened fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry. Highlights of black pepper dapple the finish, which at first seems attenuated, but opens up nicely with extended breathing time.
This is a food-friendly rosé that's full-bodied and rich. It has orange and apricot flavors, along with a note of red plum. The acidity keeps the wine fresh and crisp while the aftertaste has a fine tang of zest. Screwcap.
From the Upland Vineyard, this sweetly fruity (3% residual sugar) wine bursts with fresh flavors of grapefruit and pear. The expansive, fleshy midpalate leads into a clean finish with excellent grip.
This blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon. It spends 18 months in barrel, 40% of it new American oak. Smooth and open, it's a tasty young wine reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries.
Perfumed and spicy, this has fine acidity and a light texture. The wine is bright and crisp, with flavors of pears mingling with green apples. Screwcap.
This is a very drinkable Gigondas despite being very much in the savory-spicy style. Leather, garrigue, cinnamon and clove are the dominant notes, softened by silky tannins and modest cherry fruit. Drink now–2015.
The leathery red-berry aromas are a tad stretched and tight but still good. This feels zesty, snappy and alert in the mouth, with lightly herbal flavors of red plum and tangy cherry tomato. The hickory spice imparted from 24 months of oak aging shows up on the finish along with licorice.
Gritty aromas of olive, herbs and charred berry give this Montsant wine a Chilean-like bouquet. The palate is wide, blunt and tannic, with blackberry and stewed plum flavors. It mellows out on the finish, with earth notes. It's solid and sturdy, but feels tough. A blend of Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gorgeous and authentic, this full-flavored, Port-style wine renders deep, flavors of black cherry and cassis liqueur. Dark veins of chocolate syrup and coffee liqueur pump through the mix, making it smooth as butter. It's a wine that could age—but why wait?
This is rich and ripe, with just a touch of wood influence. It has a tropical fruit and lime flavor, with lemon zest acidity. It is full, very structured and mineral, adding the complexity of ripe fruit. Age for 3–4 years.
Big and rounded, this will eventually develop into a ripe, complex wine. Spice and toast notes merge with the yellow fruits and structured nervosity.
This is a floral wine that combines structure, firm acidity and intensely ripe fruit. Flavors of green fruit, citrus, toast and some smoke give complexity to this concentrated, full-bodied effort.
This blend of premier crus and some village Côte de Beaune shows generous red-cherry fruit and a touch of acidity. Its depth of richness and complexity highlight its fine origins.
A beautifully perfumed wine from one of Volnay's top vineyards, this delights with its aromatic red fruits, ripe tannins and balancing acids. It is still settling down and will certainly round out over the next years when its more sumptuous side will come forward.
Excellent texture and overall balance typify all of the wines from this exciting new producer. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this brings a mix of melon, apple, herb and grass into play. Zippy, citrusy acids add zesty minerality as the wine rolls into a rocking finish, with just a hint of barrel toast.
This is a taut wine, touched by yeast and warmed by ripe yellow fruit. Flavors of melon and spice from the new wood give it an open feel. It's ripe, already rounded and full bodied.
This is a structured wine with rich, concentrated fruits. It has a strong mineral content along with a tense texture. Tropical fruit flavors come through on the rich, opulent finish.
Steely, minerally and very textured, this has concentratio and taut layer of acidity to go with the lime fruit. Powered by its structure, it will age for 3–4 years.
This medium-bodied dry Riesling is pleasingly aromatic, boasting scents of ginger, pear and citrus. Then it's linear and focused on the palate, delivering wet stone and crisp citrus flavors that finish long. Drink now–2025.
Dark, brooding and still tough, this powerful wine has layers of spice, black plum skins and dense tannins. Wood aging has added further tannins to this already dry and tough wine. Give it at least two years and drink from 2017.
Zippy and brisk, this light-bodied, dry Riesling is strikingly racy in style. Hints of white blossoms and fresh herbs add some complexity, but it's a fairly straightforward wine enjoyable for its squeaky-clean demeanor.
This polished white opens with an enticing fragrance of honeysuckle, wisteria and orchard fruit. The elegant palate delivers crisp green apple, Bartlett pear and citrus alongside fresh acidity. A light mineral note signals the finish.
Easy drinking and fresh, this opens with a fragrance of blue flower and crushed raspberry. On the palate, a hint of clove adds depth to woodland berry and bright red cherry. It's well balanced with lithe tannins.
Perfumy in lemon, lime and grapefruit, this blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon was barrel-fermented. Light in weight and heat, it offers an extreme bite of squeezed lemon on the palate, as well as a persistence of grapefruit rind. It begs for seafood.
Staunch herbal aromas of tobacco, olive, rubber, vanilla, cedar and wild berry are 100% Chilean. This Carmenère-led blend feels fleshy but alert, with tomato-based acidity. Saucy, herbal, tomatoey plum and red-currant flavors finish herbal and briny, with snappy tartaric acidity.
Aromas of bright red berry and alpine herb lead the nose on this blend of 95% Schiava and 5% Lagrein. On the vibrant palate, hints of nut and orange zest add interest to the red-cherry core. It's made to be drunk young thanks to soft tannins and fresh acidity.
Crisp in tart, luminescent lemon, this variety was once much more prevalent in Sonoma County, but now presents itself as a rarity worth finding. Aromatic in white flowers and grapefruit rind, the wine is refreshingly dry and saw no time in oak.
Roasted, leathery, soupy aromas of raspberry and plum precede a grabby, saucy palate that smacks down with firm acidity and tannins. Herbal plum, tomato, oregano and mild bitterness define the flavor profile on this woody Carmenère that finishes with olive notes and heat.
This is a ripe, full-bodied wine with already rounded texture and fresh pear flavors. It is perfumed, richly textured, the acidity a balanced part of the fruitiness of the wine. It needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Aromas of red currant and violet lead the nose on this 100% Schiava. The lively palate offers up sour cherry, tangerine and an almond note. It's balanced with bright acidity and delicate tannins. Enjoy soon.
This wavers from the classic Australian recipe of dry Riesling to offer something with a touch of residual sugar (13.6 g/L). Notes of crushed stone, pineapple and lime are buttressed by tart acids, while the sugar helps to balance the finish. A strong candidate to pair with spicy-sweet Asian dishes.
Chalk and peach blossoms swirl into an alluring nose on this wine from a biodynamic-minded estate. It's light and airy on the palate, showing flavors of grapefruit and light honey, with brisk acidity and a chalky minerality making for a good, clean, fun wine.
This tight, full-bodied wine has rich citrus and crisp apple flavors. It is textured, spicy and with a mineral background. With this sense of structure, the wine needs to age a few months, so drink from late 2015.
This light, fresh and creamy wine balances cool acidity and bright citrus and apple-peel flavors. It is poised, fruity with a crisp, refreshing aftertaste.
Notes of pollen and dusty mineral lend an earthy tone to pressed apple, peach and apricot flavors in this off-dry Riesling. Zesty lemon-lime acidity reverberates with intensity through the finish.
Waxy, minerally aromas include whiffs of butterscotch, peach pit and dusty apple. This is big and heavy on the palate, with just enough malic acid to keep it upright. Briny flavors of mustard and pickle finish with weight and the variety's patented lanolin character.
Aromas of red berry and wildflower take shape in the glass. The bright palate offers wild cherry, strawberry and a hint of almond alongside vibrant acidity and lithe tannins. Enjoy soon.
Light fragrances suggest red berry, rose and vanilla. The round palate offers candied red cherry, vanilla and a hint of beet alongside polished tannins.
Dense and juicy, this wine is abundant in black cherry, plum and chocolate that does a good job of reining in the sweetness of ripe fruit. Leathery and oaky on the palate, it needs time to open. After a mighty swirl in the glass, its medium body and lengthy finish will shine.
Aromas recall red berry, toast and savory herb. The palate delivers sour cherry, oregano and beet alongside firm tannins that leave a drying finish.
It's hard to find any interpretations of this white Italian grape in California. This one by Brian and Stephanie Terrizzi shows flint, green apples, tangerine blossoms and yellow rose on the nose. A tongue-tingling sensation dominates the sip, with flavors of squeezed lemons, ripe apples and white flowers peeking out, and a slight nuttiness on the finish.
Light red fruits with a suggestion of mint carry notes of leather, cedar and smoke. The blend includes 10% Merlot, and the wine spent 24 months in French oak, 15% new. Complex and balanced, with a streak of black olive, it's not a big wine, but well made and ready to drink.
Delicate aromas suggest red berry, green tomato and a hint of rosemary. The palate offers red cherry, toast and rhubarb alongside firm, rather drying tannins.
Perfumed wood aromas lead to tarry tannins and flavors of chocolate and coffee. The black fruit comes later, bringing a richer edge to this structured wine. Wood aging gives the burnt-toast character to this wine that is still firm and dense. Drink from 2016.
Named after the grandfather of the present Reynolds, this oak-aged bend of Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Syrah is firm and solid. It has perfumed black fruits, generous tannins and a concentrated structure. Drink from 2017.
Round and fruity, this is drinking at its peak. Pear and apple flavors carry lighter notes of cinnamon, with a caramel-apple finish.
Lean. Linear. Crisp. Focused. This is textbook dry Riesling, showing lime aromas and flavors tinged with hints of talcum powder and beeswax. Drink it now, or hold up until at least 2023.
This blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Merlot opens with aromas of berry, mocha and toasted coffee bean. The palate is friendly and forward, with plum and blackberry accompanied by a hint of chocolate.
Berry and plum aromas come with notes of woodsmoke and rubber. A fresh but common mouthfeel is pleasant, while red-berry flavors lead the palate and come with a touch of creamy oak. Hence, vanilla and additional cream flavors are key components of the finish.
Wiry plum and oaky aromas are powerful. This is fresh, racy and medium-bodied, with dry spice, vanilla, plum and cherry flavors. Peppery spice notes, dry oak and red-fruit ending flavors make for a straight-ahead, modest finish.
Scents of roses and cherries fill the nose, followed by raspberries and light milk chocolate in the mouth. There's a suggestion of wet stone also. The balance is good, although the wine skirts the edge of being a bit too thin on the finish.
This is a dense wine that has plenty of fresh fruit to support its weight. It's quite tannic though, so enjoy with food. It could also do with time, so wait two years.
On first sniff you may want to head for the hills; Maturana is a funky smelling grape with strong herbaceous notes. And while that character never subsides, this smells better with time. Flavors of mint, bell pepper and herbal berry fruits finish round, long and saucy. Only 160 cases of this unusual wine were made.
Powdery, tropical-fruit aromas are fine but innocuous. This feels clean and good, with ample acidity to keep things afloat. Flavors of tropical fruits come quickly and shutter down just as fast in front of a finish that's slightly oily in feel.
This blend of equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a black fruit aromas and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate delivers ripe plum and black cherry flavors, with a coffee bean accent, presented in a forward and ready-to-drink style.
Earthy berry and cassis aromas are more generic than particular. The mouthfeel on this Cab is scratchy and heavy, with firm tannins that grab and bite. Plum and cassis flavors are minty, herbal and spicy, while the finish is even more minty, with scouring, hard tannins.
This full-bodied Malbec smells roasted, rubbery and leathery, with meaty berry notes popping in and out. The palate is blocky and thick in feel, while flavors trend toward stalky and roasted, with a green note accenting a chocolaty finish.
Roasted, leathery aromas are reedy and minty but not too heavy or over the top. This feels straightforward, while crusty blackberry flavors come with doses of mint and herbs, ending with a lightly oaked finish.
Compact dark-fruit aromas turn more jammy with airing. This is gripping in feel, with firm tannins. Flavors of spice, herbs and  black fruits finish with pronounced acidity, leftover tannins and a leathery accent.
While this is stout and dark up front, the nose comes with a note of stewed fruit. The thick, tannic palate is grabby and resiny in feel, while flavors of raw oak taste lactic, and the berry fruit component in the wine is loamy and feels big and blocky.
Smoke and leather aromas come with earthy, leafy berry and floral scents. This is crisp and acidic in feel, while flavors of peppery red fruits are spicy and drawing. Raw tannins and red-fruit flavors carry the finish.
Pure grapefruit and other citrus fruits make for an inviting bouquet. The palate is pure, round, fresh and full of green melon, citrus and passion fruit flavors. Overall this is ripe but properly green, with a hint of pithy lime and mineral on the finish.
The crispness and acidity are very evident in this bright, fresh, strawberry-flavored wine. Drink soon for its delicious liveliness.
Fleshy, melony and tropical smelling, with a bit of warm radiator dust. The palate is plump but maintains a level of freshness, zest and clarity. Tastes citrusy up front and then shows a softer, more melony side. Quite good for under $10.
A glassy, crisp style of SB from Bío Bío in Chile's south. The nose is pungent and slick, while the palate has a smooth, tangy set of green fruit flavors like lime and apple. Reserved on the finish, with chiseled acids and fresh simplicity.
This unoaked Chard is light and peachy on the nose, with apple aromas. It's a fruity, driving, almost grating wine with apple, white grape and melony flavors. Super fruity and zesty without the wood tempering, with a citric, lightly bitter and pithy finish.
Plum, blackberry and earthy mushroom aromas lead here, followed by soft, balanced flavors of violet, plum and tobacco. Mellow and soulful, this wine will pair well with almost any meat-based dish.
A stately nose of black cherry, cocoa powder, black pepper and vanilla lead this impressive red from Amyndeon. On the palate, balanced elements of tobacco, cherry, black pepper and spice are both assertive and elegant. Integrated but with some power, this wine can age or be enjoyed now.
This cheerful wine starts with a bright cherry and vanilla nose, followed by flavors of raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and smoke. Integrated and easy-drinking, it's a good go-to wine for everything from pizza to a more serious steak entrée.
With good density, this is a success for the vintage. It has ripe, smooth fruit, flavors of black berry, the tannins well integrated. Age for a year.
From a tiny, seven-acre property in Saint-Estèphe, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine with black currant fruit and good, firm fruit tannins. There is a smoky wood element to balance the lively, youthful acidity.
Tropical fruits and a mix of grass and green herbs make for a nice bouquet. The palate on this Casablanca wine is juicy and round, not pointy, with citrus and nectarine flavors. Finishes with green apple tang; definitely gets the job done.
An earthy, dense four-grape blend that issues floral, cherry aromas in front of a creamy, candied palate that sports generic but nice plum, berry and cherry flavors. A smooth wine but one without much complexity; seems to have lost some of its identity in the blending process.
The intensely warm 2015 vintage goes full force in this off-dry Riesling. It's gorgeously sunny, with forward scents of guava and white peach and plump in flavors of apricot and tangerine. Approachable and easy, yet irresistibly charming.
Rich and creamy, this has alluring aromas of ripe orchard fruit, toasted bread crust and a whiff of honey. The smooth palate doles out mature yellow apple, candied nectarine zest and toasted hazelnut framed in fresh acidity and an elegant mousse.
Fruity in stewed plum and cherry, this is a robustly full-bodied, concentrated wine, with accents of violets on the nose. Integrated tannin makes way for a smooth texture dotted in black pepper and licorice staring at a precipice of overripe heat. Enjoy with meaty, grilled foods.
Dark berry aromas turn earthy and oaky. The mouthfeel on this crianza is edgy and a touch choppy, with prodding acidity. Blackberry and dark-plum flavors are subdued, while the finish is mild and healthy, but a touch abrupt. Drink through 2021.
The earthy aromas suggest fresh compost, and wrap around ripe raspberry and cherry fruit that tastes like a fresh baked pie. The mouthfeel remains light, almost airy, with a nod to Beaujolais. Drink this over the next two or three years.
Stony aromas include notes of peach and honeydew. This feels round but fit, with zesty acidity. A mild honeyed character lends a note of sweetness to peach and melon flavors, while the finish is round and smooth, with a hint of bitterness around the edges.
This is pure, focused Russian River Valley at its most exuberant, full bodied and dark in color. Textured layers of pear, honey and melon dance around good, tight acidity, allowing for a balance of decadent pleasure.
Compared to the winery's crisp and light 2014 bottling, this oxidative, skin contact-driven style, which is golden in color, is a bit weird at first, but immediately easy to enjoy. Candied orange rinds pop off the nose, and rich dried-apple flavors show on the palate along with orange syrup, almond oil and honey. But it stays lively and fresh, making for an intriguing sip.
Mossy, yeasty savoriness signals Grüner Veltliner on the nose of this Austrian sparkler. Soft bubbles burst on a creamy and frothy yet dry palate that offers up hints of spice and green pear peel. A lovely streak of freshness courses through this and lifts the dry finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend together well in this hearty red, which shows a healthy percentage of new French oak (80%), the wine made by Denis and May-Britt Malbec. Soft and easygoing, it shows a full-bodied balance of dark brooding black fruit and leathery spice.
A fresh, pure, comfortable nose with nothing pushy or out of place opens this layered, balanced Rioja that doesn't wow but definitely impresses. Plum, berry, tomato and spice flavors finish with peppery notes, staunch tannins and an overall sense of quality. Drink now through 2022.
Full bodied and juicy, this forward, friendly version of Nebbiolo offers aromas of ripe berry, exotic spice, Alpine herb and a floral note. The chewy, no-frills palate delivers crushed raspberry, black cherry and licorice alongside solid tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
This wine offers big-shouldered notions of black cherry and damson plum, the fruit providing juicy succulence on the palate. Softly approachable tannins give it texture without distraction, while the entire experience is balanced in weight and body.
Made with 70% Nebbiolo, 20% Croatina and 10% Vespolina, this has enticing scents of rose, pressed violet, wild berry and a hint of menthol. The bright, silky palate delivers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2021.
As befits a reserve wine, this blend was aged in wood for six months. That has given a ripe lightly toasty character to the wine along with its cool crispness that reveals its origin in the mountainous northern Alentejo. The wine is fruity with lemon and melon over the wood. Drink now.
This is an impressively rich wine, packed with dark black fruits and solid tannins. While it certainly has power it also has a sense of style with the acidity and the concentration well contained. Drink from 2017.
Herbal, slightly peppery notes spice up this wine's aromas, while blackberry, plum and black olive fruit rounds out the palate. This is medium bodied and supple, with a silky finish and hints of licorice.
Deep black plum, clove, dried blueberry, dried roses and dried violets show on the very nice nose of this bottling by Bruce McGuire and pioneer Pierre Lafond. It's well structured on the sip, disclosing plums, sweet berries and touches of nutmeg and allspice. It's a strong showing for one of their more affordable bottlings.
Dark in color and voluptuous in body and texture, this wine was aged in French oak, 35% of it new. With a sizable presence on the palate, it generously reveals brooding flavors of apple and pear.
Aromas of yellow stone fruit, chopped herb and white flower lead the nose. The savory creamy palate doles out juicy peach, candied nectarine zest, sage and mineral alongside a softly foaming perlage. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors.
Exuberant dried-flower aromas kick off the nose on this wine that shows rosebuds and lilacs before diving into heady notes of cola, olallieberry, blackberry and touches of tobacco, cocoa and cappuccino. The floral tones extend to the palate that is balanced between black raspberry and rosewater flavors, spiced with a touch of white pepper.
This wine conveys a powerful sense of extraction and nuttiness, with aromas of caramelized nuts, marzipan, honey, toasted oak and even some marshmallow. It's quite quaffable on the palate—rich, nutty and honey-like, but with zesty acidity that wraps it all together.
This is a big, satisfying wine, smelling like ripe black cherry and cranberry, tasting concentrated like espresso and cranberry, and feeling like it's wrapped in a thick blanket of insistent tannins. It needs time to mellow or pairing with a protein-heavy dish. Best to drink after 2020.
There's an exuberance of succulent black cherry and raspberry within this medium-bodied to lighter-style of wine. It offers a stronger presence of fruit and spicy clove and cinnamon on the palate than on the nose. Leathery, firm tannins provide support without distraction.
An almost buttery aroma and attractive peach, apricot and honey flavors give this dry, light-bodied wine a lot of personality. Nicely balanced, and smooth on the palate, it keeps unfolding more flavor nuances as it breathes.
This opens with enticing scents of dark berry, kitchen spice, blue flower and toast. The firmly structured palate delivers red berry, licorice, chopped herb and well-integrated oak alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2022.
From certified biodynamic fruit, 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Zinfandel, this vineyard-designate needs swirling, its tannins tightly wound and thickly conceived. Cedar, clove, sawdust and cranberry provide an elegant austerity of classic components, accented by a fragrance of violets. It gets better in the glass.
This firmly tannic, full-bodied wine smells lightly oaky, tastes rich and concentrated and has a velvety, mouthcoating texture. Cranberry and blueberry flavors fill out the middle. Best to drink after 2019.
Subtly perfumed with black cherries and cola, this is nevertheless somewhat chunky and muscular on the palate. Dusty, substantial tannins frame flavors of mocha, black cherries and baking spices. Best 2015–2020.
This has a bright bouquet of iris, crushed cherry and mint. A mouthwatering black-cherry flavor leads the palate, with accents of nutmeg and white pepper. Made in a straightforward style, this will pair wonderfully with mildly seasoned cheeses or pasta topped with ragu.
This distinctive Chianti Classico has a multifaceted bouquet of iris, crushed cherry and truffle along with accents of meat and balsamic herbs. It has a delicious wild cherry flavor, with a hint of orange zest. It's already enjoyable thanks to its forward personality.
This dark-fruited Pinot Noir is sturdily constructed yet never seems hard or tough, thanks to the silkiness of its plentiful tannins. Black cherry fruit picks up shadings of mocha on the dusty finish. Drink 2015–2020.
The cooperative of Reguengos is now a major force in the region. This wine, named after the hilltop town of Reguengos, is a powerful, condensed wine. It has dark black fruits, solid tannins and a smooth texture. Full-bodied and worth aging. Drink from 2015.
A rounded wine with spiced pear and citrus fruits, this is juicy and full bodied. A touch of textured minerality gives a sense of structure. It's still young and needs aging. Drink from 2015.
Very spicy, full-in-the-mouth wine. It has just the right amount of acidity to keep it fresh, but its main thrust is towards rich pepper and weight. At the end, a tighter mineral character appears. Keep for 2–3 years.
An opaque color suggests power and density, and for the most part that's what you get. Jammy, raisiny aromas culminate with prune and berry pie scents. There's pointy acidity to the palate, which amplifies cassis, blackberry and carob flavors. A warm, long finish is the conclusion. Drink through 2016.
Here's a savory Chianti showing violet and plum aromas with hints of leather. The palate offers black cherry, prune and white pepper flavors, all nicely balanced with edgy but refined tannins and fresh acidity. It will pair beautifully with pastas and bean soups.
Spicy and intense, this excellent Pinot Gris is loaded with Gravenstein apple, cut pear, and a taste of orange peel. Surprising length and power for a Euro-styled wine with modest alcohol.
This riserva shows ripe aromas of plum and wild cherry accompanied by notes of underbrush and oak. It has lush black-cherry, raspberry, mint and cinnamon flavors, and hints of vanilla and chocolate. It's enjoyable now, thanks to the soft, round tannins and easygoing palate.
Penfolds' 2009 Yattarna blends fruit from Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, but remains a lean, taut Chardonnay. Flavors are crisp and citrusy, primarily kumquat, lemon and lime at this young age. Give it several years to see if it comes around.
This Yakima Valley Merlot is forward and leafy, with hints of dried herb alongside fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry. It seems more delicate than its listed alcohol (13.8% abv) would suggest, but it's a nice bottle for near-term enjoyment.
Solid raspberry, plum and cassis aromas come with a sprinkling of herbal green. The palate features a round feel and good texture, while flavors of cassis and baked plum end in a soft, chunky finish with modest depth.
With hints of almond and touches of honey, this is a deliciously fruity wine. The palate is lightly textured with crisp acidity wrapped in rounded, ripe fruit. The aftertaste balances acidity and delicate fruit. Screwcap.
Jammy berry, oak and rubbery aromas are round and harmonious. In the mouth, this blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère is lively and electric, with raspberry, plum and cherry flavors resting in front of a smooth finish with vanilla and chocolaty flavors.
A smooth and silky Zinfandel with a great nose of subtle spice, its fruit hiding in the background, Oakland-based Mikami coaxes good things out of its Lodi grapes, from structure and jam to a vanilla-laced finish.
Mostly Merlot, with 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Malbec, this Bordeaux-style blend is broad, fruity, chocolaty and accessible. Enjoy it for its youth and immediate charm.
Registering well over 16% abv, this blended Syrah nonetheless retains its complexity and avoids excesses of heat or barrel. In the blend are Mourvèdre and Merlot, adding some herbal highlights to the bright blueberry fruit flavors. This will benefit from another couple of years of bottle age.
This easygoing white is just what most people will want to sip with tapas, appetizers or on its own. It's briny and citrusy on the palate, which is typical for Rueda, and the finish is lasting, with green-herb flavors, cutting acidity and elegance.
This engaging Primitivo retains a very youthful, grapy fruit profile, almost like a lightly foxy vitis labrusco. But then the tannins kick in, and it becomes something like a cross between a Washington Lemberger and a Zinfandel. In any event, it's got plenty of fruit, distinction, balance and flavor interest.
This wine is a blend of Aragonez with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Firm and rich while maintaining fresh fruit flavors, this is a solid, intense and stylish wine. The palate balances red-berry fruits with a core of dry tannins laced with acidity. Keep this wine for another year.
Made partly from ungrafted Chenin Blanc planted in 1979, this is an astonishingly opulent wine. It has spice, white currants and acidity, with a tight texture underlying the super-ripe fruit.
This is light and rusty in color—evidence of a mature wine that's ready to drink now. The nose is spicy, dry and earthy, with tomato, nutmeg and tobacco aromas. The mouthfeel is snappy and drying, with reserved flavors of cocoa, cherry and plum. Spice, tomato and herbal tobacco flavors carry the finish.
Loaded with fruit—apricot, pineapple and passion fruit—this is an attractive, medium-bodied Pinot Gris with just a hint of sweetness. Enjoy it over the next year.
With organically grown grapes from both Lake County (58%) and Mendocino (42%), this showcases the best of both regions. It has a great mix of lemon, grapefruit, honeydew and kiwi freshness that remains balanced on the finish. It's a quaffable summer wine.
Sadly, this is the last Patianna Sauvignon Blanc made by the late Mike Lee. It opens with great, subtle aromatics of just-ripe pear and melon and is balanced and easy to like. The finish is long and lean, with layers of acidity that would match well with scallops, shrimp or fresh oysters.
This is a full-bodied, soft and round style of Pinot Gris that's almost completely dry. Understated pear and melon aromas combine with hints of fern fronds to create an enchanting bouquet, while the flavors are more straightforward and fruity. Drink now.
This is firm, showing a ripe plum-skin flavor and a severe line of tannin. There's some bitterness along with a good depth of fruit flavor, structure and acidity, all of which suggest aging potential.
A rounded, wood-aged wine, this is full of ripe red-berry and spice flavors, with a core of warm, smoky tannins. It is structured and should age over several years.
Herbal and toasty, this is a smooth, open and forward Pinot. It is showing plenty of barrel influence at the moment, but the fruit seems to thin out a bit in the finish. As it's young, it could certainly flesh out and balance itself with a bit more bottle age.
Herbaceous and richly crisp, its acidity is tangy with mineral undertones and bright green- and white-fruit flavors. This is delicious and fruity, with a great final zing.
Dense aromas of berries come with graphite and peppery scents, with notes of wood smoke and grilled meat. This feels full and a touch rough and rugged, with raspberry and plum flavors matched by herbal and burnt accents. It's forward and toasted on the finish, with coffee, herb and animal notes. Contains 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pungent with true Sauvignon character. Tangerine, green fruits and grapefruit share the flavor profile, and the finish is mild but clean. Zesty, straightforward and tasty if served chilled.
Light berry aromas and a hint of spice open up this generic but solidly made Malbec-Merlot blend. Strawberry and raspberry are the lead flavors, with pepper on the finish. Not very evolved or complex, but good enough.
A soft, pale rosé with caramel, red fruit  and fresh acidity, finished with light sweetness. The acidity gives an extra dose of refreshment. Screwcap.
With fresh, grassy aromas and flavors and a subtle character on the palate, this friendly white is simple but enjoyable. Pair with grilled seafood or spicy Asian cuisine.
Best Buy wines come in all shapes and sizes. This one settles at the bottom of the category, which doesn't mean that it doesn't have its charms, namely sweet and ready fruit and just enough acidity to keep it from being cloying. Keep in mind the price and young vintage when drinking.
Supposedly Doña Paula's top selection for 2005, and while the wine shows some earthy darkness and plenty of fruit on the bouquet it doesn't follow up with the mouthfeel or overall balance that it should. It's ripe for sure, but also aggressive, with a disjointed acid-to-tannin ratio and an almost syrupy mouthfeel.
A good wine...but disappointing given the high quality of the winery's Chardonnay. This is a plump, medium-bodied Pinot with a somewhat coarse texture and rather simple sour-cherry flavors.
A little bit off balance, with mild compost and earth on the nose giving way to an angular palate with pointed acids along with flavors of zesty berries and red apple skins.
Heady plum and dark berry aromas give a warning of size and ripeness, and indeed there's a ton of ripe fruit to the palate; but the wine is also raw, untamed and lacking in mouthfeel. It could stand to flow and finish better than it does.
Grown only in Croatia, the Zlahtina grape is light, refreshing and redolent of lemon and citrus—akin to a Sauvignon Blanc. This one has a spicy lemon nose and a blend of lemon and orange flavors that stay light on the palate. Friendly and unique, it will pair with seafood.
Flowery and textural, this is both concentrated and airy at the same time. It floats across the palate gracefully, the pretty fruit flavors of spiced pear and hints of honeydew are set up nicely by crisp, leesy acids. Good length and a fine, clean finish.
From a top site, this is a big, full-bodied dry Riesling that features aromas of honey, mint and Golden Delicious apple. Those ripe apple notes continue on the palate, picking up citrus and herbal notes on the extended finish.
The wines of Abelis Carthago are enigmatic. The lowest-priced Lui is the most balanced and complete. This wine, William, is dark and dense, with shoe polish and raw crude oil on the nose. It's super strapping and tannic, with bitter chocolate and coffee notes carrying the racy palate to a fiery finish. It lacks nuance and subtlety but will augment a good steak with nary a problem.
Andrew Rich makes wine that stands out for the quality it delivers at its price. This is a delicious Pinot, bright, spicy and layered with raspberry, strawberry, and cherry-flavored fruit. It's full and fruity, but also substantial and hinting at further development of some interesting herbal and earthy nuances with further bottle age.
The 2006 Chardonnay is another excellent bottle from this Oregon négociant, offering ripe and luscious fruit flavors of pear, apple, quince and kiwi. As the wine broadens out across the palate, streaks of spice, nutmeg, honey and graham cracker appear. It retains its acidic underpinnings through a generous, creamy finish.
Bel-Air is owned by the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, and the pedigree of the winemaking shows. A rich, almost opulent wine, tempered with tannins. Flavors of dark black figs, herbs and wood come together harmoniously. It has a tense edge of tannin that promises aging.
The flagship wine from Alorna is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon, the two grapes melding well into a rich, harmonious whole. Flavors of spice, black figs and dark plum skin tannins are smoothed by 12 months wood aging. There is an edge of youth, which suggests good aging potential.
Dark and spicy, with rubber and baked-fruit aromas giving way to herbs, clove and other alluring spice scents. As might be expected from a wine bearing Alvaro Palacios' signature and approval, the final product is smart and snappy, with blackberry, herbs and barrel char all making themselves noticed. Good now and for the next several years.
A dark, brooding wine, packed with black fruits that are dominated by dry tannins. This is still young, but the dense blackberry fruit flavors are all here. Its weight and power need time to tame, but for now, the acidity and fruit are impressive.
A richly ripe wine, full of tarry, dark tannins and black fruits. Despite its weight and density, it is well balanced, the dark flavors opening out with flavors of licorice, bitter chocolate and spicy wood.
Very similar in style and feel to the 2005 offering, Wise's 2006 Single Vineyard Chardonnay is a crisp, nicely structured wine with a preponderance of citrus and toasty oak flavors. Apple and pear notes add just the right amount of fleshiness.
Richly tropical in nature, with ripe flavors suggesting peaches and mangoes framed by lingering hints of butter and toast. It's a plump, amply endowed version of this wine, but may not be as long lived as some other vintages. Drink now–2010.
Standard berry aromas show touches of raisin and earth, but not too much of either. It feels fresh, crisp and alert, with cherry tomato, berry fruit, tobacco and vanilla flavors. This feels healthy but not real deep or complex on the finish.
This intriguing blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Carignan combines crisp red-fruit flavors and lush, creamy tannins. There's a slightly herbal tinge as well. Drink it over the next year or two.
A slightly chunky and inelegant Côtes du Rhône, this wine nevertheless delivers satisfying and assertive notes of black olive, espresso and dark chocolate. Drink it over the next few years.
Brambly red-fruit aromas mix with notes of sweet milk chocolate and dust. It feels crisp, tight and fresh, with raspberry and lightly herbal plum flavors. This finishes taut and fruity. A blend of 75% Garnacha and 25% Tempranillo.
More flush and generous than the Vertus 100% Tempranillo, this blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Cabernet is bold but not heavy, with a medium body and clean, direct flavors of red berry and plum. It shows dashes of pepper and spice on the medium-long finish.
Dark plum and berry aromas come with a touch of rubber. It feels bright, healthy and juicy, with good body and earthy berry and dark plum flavors. While it's not complicated, it's accurate and flavorful.
A fruity wine that's laced with wood, this is smooth and lightly tannic. The red and black berry fruits are at the fore, supported by a toast character and lifting acidity Age for 1–2 years, but the wine is drinkable now.
Lifted citrus blossom and luscious peach notes rise from the glass. The palate follows this with sweetness, as though rose petals were dipped into blossom honey. The floral overtones are accentuated by a bitter caramel note, leaving a medium-sweet finish. Lovely now, the wine will still develop. Drink 2016–2022
Winemaker Karen Cakebread has coaxed high-toned highlights of cherry, strawberry and currant from an underlying richness of baked bread and wild earth. Tingling acidity makes for a succulent palate and impressively long finish.
Aromas of orange bread, jasmine and poached Asian pear cling to a steely edge on the nose of this sharp and zesty bottling. Mouthwateringly ripe flavors of yellow pear, toasted almond, cashew and sea salt play on the palate.
This opens with vibrant aromas of green olive, herbs and fresh asparagus along with dark cherry. Not shy, the full-bodied, tightly wound flavors bring a core of dark fruit and savory flavors that persist on the finish.
This is a vineyard change for this wine, which now comes from one of the state's top Syrah sites. Coming in at an absurdly low alcohol level, especially considering the warmth of the vintage, it offers aromas of garrigue, lemon twist and generous amounts of black pepper. The pepper and savory flavors are elegant and polished, with a mouthfeel that demands another sip. It's all about elegance of expression and feel.
Rich honeyed apple and crème brûlée rise on the nose of this classically styled wine, tight in texture and weight with a boldness of baked pineapple and nutmeg. Lengthy and complex, it draws much of the fruit from Dutton's Mill Station Vineyard in Green Valley, an appellation that can deliver lots of spice and minerality; both are on display here.
Subtle, nuanced aromas of ash, black pepper, crushed flowers and mineral are followed by a lithe, restrained palate mixing fruit and savory flavors. It shows a very pretty sense of balance and tension.
The aromas pop with notes of wet gravel, mineral, funk, olive tapenade and high-toned flowers. The flavors are palate coating yet light and restrained, with generous savory and umami flavors that draw out on the finish. It has a very pretty sense of texture and precision—all about elegance.
Delicious lemon-meringue aromas make a great start for this medium-bodied Chardonnay-based wine. Flavors are lively, lemony, with baking-spice accents. A buttery, creamy element carries into the lingering, tangy finish.
Bacchus and Boushey vineyards provide the majority of the fruit for this wine, which includes a generous amount of Cabernet (8%). Aromas of vanilla, spice and red and blackberries lead to rich, full, palate-coating dark fruit flavors. Smoke and savory notes persist on the finish. It's the density of flavors that most impresses.
Half-fermented in puncheon with the rest in concrete, this thoroughly enchanting wine offers aromas of cardamom and baking spices. The flavors are broad yet supple, rich yet restrained, displaying impeccable balance and a finish that glides.
Wohler contains the Wadenswil clone of the variety, one known for earthy aromatics. This wine is indeed floral and spicy, a mix of rose petals and tamarind. Enjoyable now, it's lush and meaty as well as supple on the palate, with buoyancy to its ripeness.
Golden yellow in the glass, this bottling from an iconic vineyard shows tight orange-rind aromas along with Asian pear, pan-seared apple and brioche on the nose. Crisp Meyer lemon and mandarin flavors meet with a sea-salt character and zesty acidity, which makes the mouth water on the finish.
Very stony and chalky sea-shell aromas arise off of this bottling that also benefits from lemon curd and plump Anjou-pear fruit on the edges. A tingling acidity and steely structure frames the palate, where delicate flavors of Key lime and more lemon curd add depth to the tension.
This bottling opens with clean and light yet pure aromas of peach blossoms, beeswax, rounded nectarine and sharper Granny Smith apple-skin notes. The palate is very high-toned and pithy with flavors of pear skin, Key lime, chive, sea salt and a touch of smoke, leaving the mouth with quite a sizzle on the finish.
A blend of Baga and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a powerful wine. Densely tannic and firmly dry, it is also rich and structured. The acidity from the black currant fruitiness shows strongly. It is not a shy wine, all guns blazing. It is a shame about the heavy bottle. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of bacon, road tar, spices and smoke lend masculinity and confidence to herbal berry-fruit notes. This feels fresh, a touch wiry and deep. Flavors of chocolate, burnt toast, baking spices and blackberry finish warm, roasted, long and lasting. Drink through 2024.
An inaugural release, this wine displays aromas of red and blue fruit, herbs and spice. The tart red and blue-fruit flavors show irresistible charm, like drinking a bowl of fruit. It doesn't seem entirely varietal but it's 100% delicious.
Deep yellow in color, scents of chamomile, daffodil, yellow lilies, toasted Marcona almonds, vanilla and a touch of paraffin show on the nose, while the palate starts rather fat with cooked apples, poached pears and a sea-salt caramel. But an orange-peel sharpness keeps it tight all the way into the long butterscotch finish.
Light in color, this county-blend wine by Adam Tolmach is redolent with aromas of rose, ripe cranberry, juniper, eucalyptus, sage and dried sweet basil. Dried herbs including fennel and bay leaf dominate the palate, giving nuance to the cran-pomegranate fruit and Earl-Grey-tea notes.
The aromas are generous, with notes of potpourri, dried herbs and black pepper. The palate is full of citrus and savory flavors that show depth and intensity along with restraint. Savory notes persist on the finish.
This open-knit, yet chunky Toro features sweet, oaky aromas of plastic, mocha and baked plum. Concentrated and creamy on the palate, it tastes of chocolate, vanilla and savory blackberry. Full, chunky and bold but balanced on the finish; drink through 2023.
Lifted notes of Williams pear show hints of gingerbread and dried Bierewecke, a confection made of Christmas spices, nuts and dried pear. Fresh with lemon zest, the palate is appealingly off-dry: all the richness comes from flavor and mellow texture. Pair this beautifully balanced wine with runny, ripe cheese for a real taste of Alsace.
Coming from Red Mountain's most esteemed vineyard, this wine offers aromas of cocoa, vanilla, coffee bean and dark cherry. The coffee and cherry flavors show exquisite polish and depth, with fruit and barrel flavors playing off each other on the finish.
Smoky but very ripe notes of Comice pear mingle with the honeyed spice of gingerbread on the nose. of this wine. The palate counters this aromatic richness with a steely, concentrated core of fresh citrus with apple and quince notes. It offers a great play-off of richness and utter precision for a wonderful expression of 2014. This wine is sure to develop. Drink 2016–2025.
Smoky notes mix with the lifted yarrow and lemon-peel notes of this wine. The palate is soft, rounded and medium-sweet, revealing a rich vein of peach compote flavors edged with bitter grapefruit pith. A wine of astonishing balance, it offers lively citrus notes and immense concentration.
Late harvest rather than botrytized, although here the richness and the superripe fruit have something of the same effect. Honeyed with yellow fruits and dried apricots, it is a gorgeously ripe sweet wine that is balanced with the wonderful acidity. Drink this wine soon, say from 2018.
This wine is a blend of fruit from six different vineyards across the valley. Alluring aromas of cassis, earth, spice, vanilla and flowers are followed by a structured palate, with enough tannic heft to reward time in the cellar.
Patagonian style floral and mild citrus aromas infiltrate the bouquet, with generic red-fruit scents coming on later. Bright, juicy and a little hot and fiery in the mouth, with wild berry flavors and a toasty, dark finish. Plenty ripe but not subtle.
Dark in color, with aromas of raisin, cassis, cough medicine and baked plum. More of a sweet, stocky style of Cab than your average linear, textbook version; but the blackberry and plum flavors, while chunky, are warm and well assembled. Richer than your average value-priced Cab, so drink now.
For some reason, the budget-priced Two Vines Chardonnay lags its pricier siblings by a vintage or two. It's beginning to flatten out as a result, the freshness fading, though the fruit is still there and it is a pleasant effort, with some buttered apple flavors dominant.
Aromas of perfumed berry, scorched earth, grilled herb and dried rose petal waft out of the glass. The chewy palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, ground pepper and clove alongside a solid backbone of velvety tannins. Tobacco and mocha notes close the finish. American Northwest Distributors Inc. and Vintage '59 Imports.
One of the more fairly priced blends from the appellation on the market, this mix of Bentrock, Radian, Rancho La Vina and Huber vineyards shows black cardamom, chai spice, lemon oil, eucalyptus and concentrated, aromatic black raspberries on the nose. Once sipped, flavors of sour cherry meet with juniper and pine herbals.
Red cherries, sagebrush and darkly colored slate elements power the tight nose on this wine from an estate located just east of the Sta. Rita Hills, which owner Blair Pence is trying to expand. The palate shows cracked peppercorns, cranberry-raspberry juice, lots of fresh energy and a decent amount of tannic grip.
The premier cru is right in the heart of the appellation, close to the village. This wine, with its intense fruits and strongly textured character, is still trying out its structure and density. The potential is there with apricot and apple fruits waiting to come thorough the tight structure. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
This elegantly structured wine opens with aromas of perfumed berry, game, leather and a whiff of cake spice. The delicious palate delivers juicy dark-cherry and -berry flavors, with cinnamon, white pepper and anise alongside a backbone of fresh acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This stunning white opens with aromas that recall white wild flower, orchard fruit and heady scents of eucalyptus and dried herb. The rich palate delivers white peach, ripe pear, wild rosemary, thyme, flinty mineral and ginger. Fresh acidity frames the juicy fruit flavors while an almond note backs up the finish.
Dark berry, rose petal, tilled soil, aromatic herb, leather and a whiff of game are just some of the aromas you'll find on this intense, full-bodied wine. The palate is still tight, showing wild cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, baking spice and tobacco alongside firm tannins that need time to unwind. It already has depth but will develop even more complexity over the next decade and more. Drink 2018–2027.
Produced from old vines, this is a beautiful wine. It has great structure, minerality and concentration along with a full-bodied richness that is developing well. Combined with the ripe yellow fruits, they give an opulent wine that will age for several years. Drink from 2018.
This is a barrel selection combining the best lots from all three estate vineyards. Refined, pungent, spicy and persistent, it opens with bright raspberry and cherry fruit, then lays on layers of anise, coconut, vanilla, caramel and a whiff of cannabis herb. It's long and concentrated, with good aging potential.
The Ribbon Ridge vineyard, adjacent to the winery, brings exceptional minerality to underscore potent grapefruit and pineapple flavors. The proportion, length and overall balance are outstanding. This wine responds well to decanting, and has the structure to age gracefully for at least a decade. Drink now through 2025.
Cowaramup is a Margaret River subregion. A herbal note adds interest to the aromas, and some lifted red fruit sets this wine apart from Cherubino's other 2010 Cabernets. Otherwise, it's pretty similar in its lavish oaking and meaty, savory flavors, but with a bright, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2020.
This is a full-bodied, dense wine. A hint of austerity in the mineral texture gives the wine a steely core. Around this center, ripe fruit fills out the wine and gives apricots and generous fruitiness as well as a crisp, perfumed aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Fonseca uses its Guimaraens brand in years when there is no general vintage declaration. Even so, the wine has all the broad, ripe and generous character that is so typical of Fonseca. It is packed with rich black fruits that are enveloped by the structured tannins and never-too-sweet character. It obviously needs to age; drink from 2025.
Silky and structured, this poised red opens with a delicate bouquet of rose, violet, woodland berry and a whiff of earthy underbrush. It's focused and vibrant, with notes of white pepper, graphite and rusted iron adding depth to the red-cherry and crushed-raspberry core. Elegant tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework. Drink 2018–2025.
Grenache (53%) takes the lead on this Rocks District wine followed by Syrah (37%) and Mourvèdre. The use of stems is apparent with aromas of cooked asparagus and green olives followed by earth, smoke, herbs, mineral and cherry. The flavors are rich, focused and mesmerizing, with a velvety feel and a hyperextended, savory finish. It has a distinctive, love it or hate it style.
This is a serious, concentrated wine. Still young, with dark tannins to go with the dark fruit, it was fermented in open tanks, a process that gives the wine extra richness. It has hints of the wood aging behind the ripe fruit and final acidity. Drink from 2017.
At nearly 80% Grenache, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured rendering of the Barossa's classic red trio. Savory, peppery elements add welcome complexity to the nose, while the flavors fold in hints of molasses and plum, then end on a long, supple note. Drink now–2017.
This blend of grapes from Bien Nacido, Presqu'ile and Riverbench vineyards is light in color with aromas of turned earth, dust and sliced strawberries. It's elegant and lean on the palate, with lots of slate and graphite minerality warming up toward macerated strawberry sauce. Pair with everything from white fish to pork tenderloin.
Wood aged, this has rich, perfumed and rounded fruits that give a beautiful, creamy texture. There is a light tang of acidity as well to give freshness. Still young, this fine wine should be drunk from 2017.
There are judicious hints of turned forest floor and barnyard funk on the nose of this wine from just east of the Sta. Rita Hills, with a licorice and wild berry fruit backbone. A lemon brightness highlights the palate, along with tobacco, black olives and a pronounced bitterness. The strong acidity will drive an evolution, so drink 2018–2030.
Tart pineapple and grapefruit tones contrast plump yellow cherry and peach flavors in this dry, nimble-footed Riesling. Zesty lime and mineral tones collide on the midpalate, lingering through a long, steely finish.
Powerful tannins are still at work in this structured and dense wine. Produced from grapes that were foot trodden in open fermenters, this wine shows considerable richness and dark plum and damson flavors. Spice and licorice add depth, while ample acidity and the firm texture suggests a considerable future. The wine comes from the Foz Vineyard at the mouth of the Pinhão river in the heart of the Douro. Drink from 2017.
The tannins are very fine, with rich fruitcake and smoky flavors. Red berry and black plums give a fruity character, along with delicious acidity. The wine is structured while still remaining very approachable.
The first Ross Andrew vintage for this Old Block (original planting) Boushey Syrah, it clearly displays the vineyard's defining characteristics—a powerful mix of herb, funk, game and brambly berry fruit flavors. Depth, density, complexity and nicely layered highlights make this a wine that never quits on you. It tastes like old vine fruit should—subtle, supple and balanced.
Abeja winemaker John Abbott sources fruit for this 100% Merlot from the estate (Heather Hill) vineyard and old-vine Bacchus grapes. Lush and full across the palate, this utterly delicious wine marshals an army of pretty red and black fruit into a silky smooth flavor formation, then wraps them in a tapestry of floral, caramel, coconut, coffee and chocolate highlights.
A substantial Bordeaux blend that trips into the palate on cat's feet—a delicate touch that gradually gains mass and dimension. It's compact and balanced, with a core of red fruit, a floral top note, and complex layers of mineral and metal. Give it time to open up, and see how the spicy fruit seamlessly mingles with satiny tannins; it scales up and out without being blocky or tiring.
An intense, mineral-driven wine, tasting of the limestone soil as well as very ripe fruit. Great acidity keeps the richness in line, toast offering sweetness. The wine is full-bodied, the flavors going right through to the apple-skin-textured core.
Since we last reviewed a vintage of Romaneira, with the 2005 wine, the estate has moved closer to realizing its potential. This is an impressive, powerful yet elegant wine. Its dark fruits are sustained by wood and leavened by acidity. It has a great sense of style and considerable aging potential.
As good as varietal Petit Verdot gets, this delicious effort marries ripe red and black fruit to firm tannins streaked with minerals. It has the density and length of a cellar-worthy powerhouse, yet retains the elegance and balance to drink young.
Abeja's Chardonnays are as certain to hit their target as a Kobe Bryant slam dunk, and the style remains consistent vintage after vintage. Spicy, nutty, based around stone fruits and melon, they do not shy away from the toasty flavors that derive from barrel fermentation in 40% new French oak. The underlying minerality and well-balanced acidity mark this as Washington fruit, most of it from the outstanding Conner Lee vineyard.
Quite young and tight, with primary apple, melon and stone-fruit flavors, this is that rare domestic Chardonnay that surely will reward cellaring. With decanting it becomes creamier, with an aromatic lift of cinnamon and a thread of vanilla running through the toasty finish. A baby, but already delicious.
A taut, steely, very mineral wine, showing a tense, textured character. Fruit flavors run from grapefruit to peach, with a delicious tang of zest along the way. With its acidity and structure, this is a wine for long-term aging.
This is a dark, fully formed and impressive wine, one that's 70% Tempranillo and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of mineral, spice, orange zest, bacon and black plum are integrated and lead to a lively palate with flavors of raspberry, plum and herbal essence. Long and spunky on the finish. Drink now–2017.
Gold color, this is a delicious ripe wine from the small section of the Layon valley that also has the Quarts de Chaume vineyard. The honeyed character is cut through with dry botrytis, baked apples and brown sugar, balanced by intense acidity.
A structured, ageworthy wine that has fragrant, smoky black currant fruits, layered with firm tannins. It is finely balanced, elegant, its acidity just the right balance to the developing rich fruits. For aging over 3–4 years.
The massive 2009 vintage has produced a rich, full-bodied wine. Wood aging shows in the smoothing of the tannins, which are joined by concentrated blackberry fruits, a smoky, just burnt wood character and a dark character that will need several years to open up.
This smooth and inviting blend is impressive for the price. With mildly herbal Carmenère-driven aromas of olive and peppery spice, and then a deep and structured palate feel, Gold is golden. Look for a ton of ripe plum and berry flavor touched up by oak, chocolate and pepper accents. On the finish, it's spicy, peppery, smooth and complete. Drink now–2016.
Canary Hill Shines in this new vintage, with mixed and juicy fruit flavors of cranberry, raspberry and cherry. It has good grip and a well-balanced herbal note, finishing with hints of green tea.
This smooth and elegant Priorat offers a fine mix of red fruit, tobacco, spice and vanilla on the bouquet. It feels fresh and crisp in the mouth, with ample body and solid flavors of licorice, toast and black fruits. Things darken up on the finish, where molasses, pepper and spice notes run out for a good, long time. Drink now–2019.
Delicious in cola spice and earthy tannins, this medium-bodied Zinfandel remains tightly wound but obvious in its promise of years of enjoyably structured blackberry fruit, leather and spice. A fine choice among all of Easton's 2010 Zinfandels.
One of the pair of top end wines from Fournier (the other is the Grande Cuvée from Pouilly-Fumé) this ripe and full wine is soft and rounded. The initial herbaceous character gets replaced by a more sophisticated, rich and ripe character, intense and a very good pairing for food.
This defines elegance with respect to South American Pinot Noir. A fine blend of cherry, leather and tea aromas leads to a round yet crisp body with toasty, smoky oak framing juicy, light-framed red-fruit flavors. A fresh and precise finish holds onto the wine's generous but refined oak component.
This potent Syrah is marked with strong scents of organic compost, umami, and roasted meat; it's packed with plenty of purple and black fruits. Though it tails off slightly in the finish, it seems destined for a good 6–8 year ride in the cellar, improving all the way.
This is Syrah with great purity of fruit, especially blueberry. The fruit is thick and tongue-coating, though well positioned with supporting acidity. It's a rich, supple wine with tannins and acids that are refined and in perfect proportion.
Young and very much still developing, Sentinel Oak is Terre Rouge's single-vineyard Syrah, a spicy, smoky concoction of great depth, intensity and beauty, concentrated and eager to mature. This wine has a pronounced meaty quality to it, and will pair accordingly, particularly with smoked meat, which will accentuate its own smoky allure.
An incredibly well-made and well-priced Viognier, from Cedarville's very own decomposed granite-filled soils high atop Fair Play. Opening with faint floral honey, wet stone and pear aromas, the flavors follow through accordingly, and the wine just continues to please with full-integrated minerality. It's a joy to drink.
Petit Manseng, just beginning to get its rightful recognition, produces superb sweet wines that avoid any sense of cloying, instead offering honey flavors in a fresh, fragrant context. Here it performs superbly with lively acidity and a bright, if sweet, aftertaste.
Slightly confected scents lead into sweetly spicy fruit, leaning to purple fruits with fig and prune highlights. The acidity is spot on, and the tannins are ripe and firm. The blend includes 10% Malbec.
Meritage wines must be Bordeaux blends; otherwise, they can be all over the map. This is an all-purpose, affordable red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Black cherry and olive, smoke and some noticeable alcohol (14.4% is credited) define a sturdy red in wide distribution.
Floral and citric, with clean, juicy aromas that conjure memories of orange blossoms and fresh lime. The palate is light and mildly citric, with melon and papaya flavors bringing a tropical edge. Ready to drink now.
“Les Faisses,” meaning “terraces” in Occitan, refers to the vineyards overlooking the Heurault from which this wine was sourced. 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, this is a vibrant, fruit-forward wine with ripe fruit characteristics of blueberry, raspberry and cherry along with accents of garrigue herbs and soft pepper. An easy-to-drink, ready-to-please wine at an attractive price.
A toasty, smoky wine, with freshening acidity, crisp green and white fruits and an attractive edge of toasty oak. The wine is lively, fresh, delicious, very poised and vibrant.
A 53% Syrah-47% Cabernet Sauvignon blend, finished at a moderate 13.5% alcohol. There  are pretty aromas, floral and bready, with hints of darker fruits. A rather soft, medium-bodied, fruit-forward wine, with plum and cherry, and a bit of cocoa in the finish.
Though it's Grenache, you can't really tell from the flavors. This is similar to many ice wines from western Canada—a bit fat and unctuous for icewine, tasting of caramel, simple and sweet.
Good fruit from the Riverbend vineyard brings earthy complexity to the wine. Sappy boysenberry fruit, soaked in barrel flavors of Kahlua and cinnamon, shows just a bit of alcoholic heat heading into the finish.
Floral fruit aromas are neither heavy nor concentrated, but they are a touch medicinal and chocolaty. Flavors of clove, cherry, plum and oak are racy, while the finish is a bit resiny and weighted down by vanilla. Good wine for the price.
A major-league oakster, with oily popcorn and baked apple aromas. The oak and vanilla are lead players on the palate as well, but along the way there's balancing acidity, length and good flavors of spiced apple, lemon curd and cinnamon. Woody and plump on the finish.
Somontano wines are not always easy to love due to firm acidity and limited flesh and fluff. Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon account for 70% of this lean, solidly oaked wine that revolves around its tangy raspberry and cherry core. Freshness and Old World restraint characterize Marboré.
One generally approaches a $15 Oregon Pinot Noir with extreme caution, but here is a lovely surprise. Clean, soft, balanced and reasonably varietal, this is as good a value as you will find in this price-driven state. The flavors are soft and supple, with butter and caramel streaks strongly evident. Don't look for big fruit, but what is there is crisp and clean.
Expect no shortage of power and pounding tannins from this modern-styled, heavily extracted Tempranillo. The nose is dark, sweet and jammy, but all pleasantries cease there; the palate is tannic as nails, with baked plum and other roasted dark-fruit flavors. To this taster, it's a hard, tough wine. Others may find it more appealing.
The nose on this wine starts a bit grape-jelly clunky, but on the palate, an appealing balance of fruit, pepper, oaky spice and minerals triumphs. The wine has class and structure and will be great paired with grilled meat or richer dishes.
If you're looking for a clean, well made Pinot Noir at an affordable price, you could do a lot worse. Modest cherry and cinnamon flavors ease across the palate on silky tannins and linger elegantly on a slightly dusty finish. Drink now.
Simple but steady and composed. This is throwback-style Rioja crianza, meaning it's moderately oaked and not very fat or expressive. Strawberry and cherry flavors run the show, and the mouthfeel is fresh. More innocuous than detailed, which means it'll do fine by-the-glass.
Slightly reduced but still balanced enough to give off a positive early impression. The wine is sweet, almost syrupy, but it's that same ripeness that gives it more oomph and richness than most under-$10 wines. Finishes baked and almost stewy, but if you get at it early it should deliver all the black fruit and size one can expect from a value-priced offering.
This vintage of Fontal, a basic crianza from La Mancha, shows structure, some tannin and body, and finally solid cherry and plum fruit. With a blast of obvious oak and a forward personality, it makes its point.
Roasted on the nose, with big scoopings of rubber, leather and raisiny fruit. The palate leans toward red-fruit flavors, but the feel is jangled and acidic. By the time you get to the finish your palate is worn out. Desperately needs food to show its best.
This firm Malbec comes from old vines. It is concentrated and dense, while wearing its power easily and openly. Wood aging adds complexity as do the leather, dark chocolate and black fruits that are followed by juicy acidity. A wine with great potential, don't drink before 2018.
La Nerthe's Cuvée des Cadettes shows a bit of oak on the nose in its hints of vanilla and toasted coconut, but also copious amounts of raspberry fruit. It's full bodied and lush, with the fruit gently cosseted by oak, not at all overwhelmed, and the finish is long and plushly textured. While approachable even now, it should be at its best sometime after 2020.
Intensely fruity on the nose, with spicy flavors that follow and expand across the palate. This has excellent grip and depth, along with balancing acidity and structure. Plum, kirsch and concentrated cherry flavors pop out. It's a wine of refined power.
This vintage marks a welcome return of Viognier to the otherwise all-red Cayuse portfolio. It's an immaculate, elegant, complex wine, redolent of wet stone, dried herbs (thyme, rosemary), jicama, cucumber, lime, grapefruit, melon and more. It is clear and clean, precise and focused. It does not push the ripeness, or overshoot the cool vintage, and never sacrifices complexity. Fermented and aged in a concrete egg, it's seen no oak at all.
Brandied berry, coconut and marzipan aromas are ripe and heady for CVNE, but super inviting. In the mouth, this is structured and firm, with plenty of acidic cut and snap. Coconut and balsamic berry are the lead flavors, while the finish is herbal and shows a pinch of saltiness along with a dry feel. Drink through 2025.
Losada wines are dark, dense, heady creatures. This high-end version delivers deep mineral and lead aromas alongside cassis, berry and toasted notes. The palate is upright like a good cadet, with lively acidity, blackberry and spice flavors. This is big and modern but not extreme. Drink through 2023.
Until this four-man group effort produces something that's less than outstanding, LTU will rank as a go-to producer of excellent full-bodied Malbec. This vintage is ripe on the nose, then saturated yet proportionally balanced on the palate. Plum, wild berry, roasted notes, licorice and herbal flavors finish big and ready. This doesn't need much time in bottle; drink now through 2016.
It hurts to say this, but $78 qualifies as a decent value in Côte Rôtie these days. This is delicately floral on the nose, while vibrant raspberry fruit carries through on the palate. A hint of creaminess marks the texture, turning to fine silk on the finish. Drink now–2023.
This is 100% Riesling, but with less than half the residual sugar of the winery's 2011 vintage. Sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard in the up-and-coming Ancient Lakes AVA, it has great acidity and purity of fruit, along with the minerality for which the region is known. Dense flavors of lime, grapefruit and pineapple are at the core of this wonderfully concentrated, expressive Riesling.
A Grenache-driven blend with 28% Syrah and 9% Mourvèdre, this is a substantial, concentrated wine generous in leather, pipe tobacco and blackberry pie, accented teasingly in clove. With a big, meaty presence and long, grippy finish, it should stand the test of cellaring, through 2020.
The aromas of toast, pear, pineapple and spice are nuanced and reserved. Flavors are light, focused and textured, displaying both varietal and winemaker intent.
An intriguing headiness of red cherry promises an unadulterated purity of fruit. On the palate there is pepper, too, and more of that ripe, red cherry. This is fruit-forward, refreshing and simple but at the same time very balanced, fresh-faced and wonderfully authentic: Its honesty shines alongside the pure cherry fruit.
Rhubarb, cranberry and strawberry mix on the nose in this richly inviting wine that is textured and not overwhelming in weight. Featuring electric acidity, the wine finishes boldly in blackberry and licorice.
A blend of Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache, this very pretty salmon-colored wine offers aromas of strawberry, melon, soda water and spice. It drinks dry but the fruit flavors are sweet, with tart acids finishing it off.
Apple and citrusy aromas of lemon and lime are pure and clean. This feels crisp and citric, with zesty, tangy lime and tangerine flavors. In general, this is a simply presented Albariño, but one with class and clarity.
Made with Sangiovese and 10% other varieties, this offers scents of dark berry, purple flowers and a whiff of allspice. The firm palate delivers black cherry, toasted oak, espresso and white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins.
Concentrated grapefruit zestiness dominates the palate while the nose remains rather closed. This is streamlined, refreshing and firmly located in the green citrus spectrum of flavor—eminently refreshing with a clean, brisk finish.
You'll find aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, espresso, brown spice and sun-baked earth on this medium-bodied red. The palate delivers dried black cherry, blackberry licorice, coffee and ground black pepper set in a framework of packed, fine-grained tannins.
This unoaked Chardonnay highlights a remarkable intensity of fruit flavors—from zesty tangerine and lime to ripe, rich yellow cherry and peach. While refreshingly crisp and sprightly on the palate, it boasts a long, blossomy finish.
Walla Walla Valley-designated whites are a rarity. Here aromas of vanilla, toast, honeysuckle and peach show nuance and detail and lead to sweet, light bodied, lightly spritzy stone-fruit flavors with a long finish that commands attention.
In its weight and richness allied to scents of garrigue and sun-warmed stones, this speaks of its Tavel terroir. The berry fruit is subdued, with spice, weight and warmth carrying the wine to a long finish.
Aromas of ripe plum, roasted coffee bean and espresso come together in the glass. A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, the firm palate offers dried black cherry, espresso, toasted oak and grilled herb alongside assertive but fine-grained tannins.
Young and still intensely oaked, this wine holds undeniable promise in its fleshy, viscous and smooth layers of stone fruit and guava—an untrammeled expression of the Napa Valley's ability for generosity and structure. The finish is bittersweet in Meyer lemon.
This delicious spicy white has an almost Latin flair. It smells like mango and cilantro, tastes crisp and peachy, and finishes with a sensation of mild chili peppers. It's fun to encounter something so arresting and unusual to drink.
Heavy and concentrated vanilla-cherry cola and gingerbread spice notes power the dense nose on this blend of 45% Mourvèdre, 37% Grenache and 18% Syrah. The dried cherries and vanilla bean character extends to the palate, where it also shows Vietnamese coffee flavors mixed with creamy mocha.
Enticing aromas of violet, iris, wild berry, forest floor and cooking spice lead the nose of this savory blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo. The sleek, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy black cherry, ripe plum, mocha and anise alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2016.
Structure and finesse come together nicely on this sleek red. It opens with aromas of baked earth, underbrush and blue flowers while the palate delivers ripe plum, dried black cherry, mint and tobacco. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity carry the savory flavors. Drink through 2018.
This is a tangy wine, packed with fruit, orange and lemon zest and a background hint of herbaceousness. A tight, steely texture gives both acidity and the promise of aging. Drink from early 2016.
A touch of spice comes from the wood aging. This has plenty of fruit as well, promising a good future. Ripe and rich, this should age well, so drink from 2016. The Maurice Robert family winery, in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers, is now in its third generation. The Sauve Majeure Benedictine abbey in the village is on the UNESCO World Heritage pilgrim route.
Pressed blackberries, bubbling cola, and violet-lilac extract shows brilliantly on the nose of this wine by Annette Hoff Danzer, one of Monterey's few women winemakers. The purple flowers concentrate on the front of the palate, followed by a dark, tannic rush of espresso, dark chocolate and black pepper.
Craggy's style of Sauvignon Blanc has always favored texture over flamboyant aromatics, but the 2014 offers subtle notes of tomato stalk layered over citrus fruit. Grapefruit predominates, but there's a hint of stone fruit and the hallmark Craggy creaminess to the wine's texture.
Medium straw-colored in the glass, this wine offers aromas of orange blossom, white tea and seawater. There is a nice balance of smooth fruit and brightness, with flavors of ripe peach and pear that will cause a bit of a pucker on the side palate right into the lingering peach finish.
Blue iris, violet and wild berry aromas waft out of the glass of this pure expression of Sangiovese. The structured but still easy-drinking palate doles out juicy black cherry, clove, ground pepper and anise alongside firm, polished tannins. The warmth of alcohol closes the finish but doesn't throw off the balance.
Menthol, savory herb and dark-skinned berry aromas lead the nose along with a balsamic note. The full-bodied but accessible palate doles out black cherry, crushed plum, sage and soothing licorice alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2016.
Sleek and fresh, this vibrant wine opens with aromas of dark berry, leafy underbrush, grilled porcini mushrooms and a whiff of tilled soil. The savory palate doles out juicy black cherry, clove, dried herb and anise alongside bright acidity and polished tannins. Drink through 2017.
A blend of fruit from Weinbau, Ciel du Cheval, Lady Hawk, Champoux and Obelisco vineyards, this is clearly Cabernet with its aromas of milk chocolate, herbs, vanilla, dark coffee and cherry. Flavors are rich yet supple, with a finish that lingers.
A mere youth, this blend of 68% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 2% Viognier needs time, suggesting a decant before enjoying. High-toned and juicy blueberry and blackberry remain shy on the palate, while the wine's more exotic handfuls of black licorice and tea are more pronounced, alongside a dark chocolate vibe and pinches of white pepper.
Inviting macerated strawberry aromas mix with light plum, pink peach flesh and the original Hubba Bubba bubblegum scent. The delicious palate is driven by a subtle sense of cotton candy, all cut with a lime peel acidity.
A chunky wine, this offers big, blocky flavors of oak, apple butter and melon. Round and forward, this is straightforward and perfectly enjoyable.
Very flavorful and full-bodied but also velvety-smooth in texture, this wine is packed with ripe black plum, cranberry and dark chocolate flavors. It has plenty of tannin to thicken the texture but low acidity, which lends softness.
Very generous and full-bodied, this wine has buttery, toasty aromas and almost-sweet marshmallow, vanilla and cream flavors. It's mouth-coating and has a lingering, tasty finish.
Tart red currant flavor glides along this light-bodied, 100% varietal wine's sinewy texture. Smoothly rounded, with power and grip, it has a dill-laced backdrop from aging in oak.
This is a superrich and ripe wine that many will find over the top, but it will certainly wow those looking for extreme concentration. Prune, black currant, blueberry and caramel aromas lead into a thick and raisiny palate of chocolate, baked fruit, gingerbread and coffee syrup flavors.
A softly unfussy wine with moderate acidity, this is rounded and light-bodied, with rose petal and red cherry aromas. The oak is subtle and supportive.
Rose aromas emerge on the nose of this block-designated, light-bodied wine. It's full of crisp red fruit and bright acidity.
A rich yellow color and intensely woody aromas of sawmill smoke and barrel spice lead to a fleshy, full and oily palate. This wine tastes heavily of oak and related resin. The fruit character is not a big factor on either the palate or the finish.
Aromas of forest floor, cassis and blackberry are solid, smooth and inviting. In the mouth, this wine shows penetrating acidity and controlled sharpness. Flavors of cherry, plum and mixed berries are propelled by acidity, and that's also how this ends.
Tangy and varietal, this emphasizes some pleasing grassiness, with a touch of petrol in the nose. The fresh, herbal components are set against a mix of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple fruits.
This is 80% Malbec along with Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe, malty aromas are almost soupy. The palate is drawing and barrel heavy, while oaky flavors of graphite shadow baked blackberry fruit. On the finish, chocolate flavors are derivative of oak.
This celebration of Tannat is a balanced while severe and structured wine. Plenty of juicy fruit is ready to come out from behind the dry, tannic structure. There is power here as well in this wine that is firm and needs to age. Drink from 2019.
Named after the wife of the previous owner, this top cuvée from Château de Cénac is powered by its structure and dark tannins. The rich black berries and plums are still working through the dense texture. It's a complex wine, still showing its wood aging. Drink from 2017.
As per usual, Don Melchor is singing a pretty tune. Deep, dense aromas of floral berry fruits and tarry darkness are solid and complete. Pure, elegant and confident across the palate, this delivers firm cassis, plum and cherry flavors backed by a toasty finish accented by licorice. This is rich and brawny but not heavy; drink through 2023.
Produced from the old vines of one of Cahor's emblematic estates, this is a dark, dense and concentrated wine. Full of black plum skins that are balanced with acidity, it is rich with black cherry and a smoky character from the wood aging. This 100% Malbec does need aging and should be drunk from 2019.
This sweet, honeyed wine has a rich, unctuous character. It is perfumed, full of sweet orange marmalade and spice. The acidity keeps it together and gives final freshness. This is a wine to drink by itself rather than with food.
This Dijon-clone wine is well defined and complex. The mixed fruit flavors bring lime and lemon, pineapple and pear together. It's supple and long, with balanced supporting acids and a pleasing goodnight kiss of toasted marshmallows.
The nose of this light-footed Riesling is demure, showing whiffs of lemon and crushed stone. Yet on the palate, preserved rose petal and cherry blossom notes seem to explode, mingling into crisp grapefruit and honeydew flavors. Effusive yet elegant, it's a stunning dry Riesling with dramatic build and complexity.
Two years of aging on the lees renders incredible textural dimension to this decadently silky dry Riesling. Fresh white grapefruit, lime and lemon notes shine on the palate, offsetting expansive mouthfeel, with acidity that's focused and precise. Stunning already, but should evolve dramatically through 2025.
This luxury bottling spends nine months in barrel, yet shows little overt oak. It's full, ripe and opulent without going over the top, boasting aromas and upfront flavors of honeydew, apricot and bergamot. Then the long, mouthwatering finish folds in hints of honey and pineapple without any hint of bitterness.
From old vines, this is the estate wine of Carvalhas. Black in color, it is hugely rich, dense and brooding. The wine is still young, pushed forward by tannins as much as fruit and packed with a concentrated structure. Spice at the end and a dry aftertaste need time to soften. Drink from 2018.
Fresh raspberries, red cherries and even blackberries arise on the juicy nose of this wine from Adam Lee, but it's lifted by wild mint, hummingbird sage and damp coyote scrub. The palate is very herbally spiced, with thyme, marjoram, black cardamom and charred pine, laid across dried strawberries, cranberries and sour cherries, all tied together by serious grip. Drink 2019–2025.
White truffle, dark chocolate, ripe plum and blue flowers are some of the aromas you'll find in this impressive Merlot. The powerful, extracted palate doles out fleshy blackberry, black cherry, clove, tobacco, licorice and cured meat. Velvety tannins wrap around the bold flavors, providing support and a smooth texture. You'll also detect the warmth of evident alcohol, which gives it a one-dimensional finish.
The Ribbon Ridge AVA is home to a small, select group of near-cult wineries, and fruit such as this is the reason why. Compact and refined, it delivers beautiful aromas of raspberries, with a subtle dustiness that might be Oregon's answer to Napa's famed Rutherford dust. Terrific concentration and pinpoint definition make this a wine to savor immediately, or cellar for enjoyment through 2025 and beyond.
This wine is rich and expressive, with the grip and texture of a fine Chardonnay—but it's Pinot Gris. Roughly half was fermented in a concrete egg; the rest in stainless steel and one new acacia barrel. The fruit is fleshy but not fat, crisply defined with exceptional phenolic details of citrus skin. The underlying minerality further frames the ripe, tangy fruit, and the three-dimensional flavors expand and extend through a lingering finish.
A beautiful trio of fruit flavors—red cherry, rhubarb and raspberry—provides harmony in this vivid and pure-tasting wine. The freshness and clarity of the fruit elements is well backed by lively acidity and moderate tannins to keep it clean and appetizing from first sip to last.
This blend combines 64% Merlot with 34% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon to nice effect, offering cranberry and red, juicy plum around softly cradled tannins and well-resolved oak. Juicy, structured and fully balanced, the finish sparks elements of leather with tobacco.
Powerful tannins are the dominant theme of this still-young wine that is dark, brooding, very firm and young. Big and muscular, this is a wine for long-term aging. Even the black currant fruits need time to soften the intensity of their tannins. Drink from 2019.
Rotier's top wine is an impressive, wood-aged example of how good red Gaillac can be. This spicy, black-fruited wine is packed with dark cherries, plums and dusty tannins. It needs to age even more, so drink this solid, long-lasting wine from 2018.
This is a stately Cabernet housing classic Chilean aromas of spicy, berry fruits mixed with earth notes. It's supremely fresh on the palate, with layers of briar fruit and integrated oak. Baked berry, hard spice and exotic chocolate flavors end toasty and warm, but lively and complex. Drink through 2024.
This lip-smackingly complex, pure varietal wine from a prime Napa Valley location is awash in floral chewing tobacco and roasted coffee aromas. These expand on the palate into cedar and black currant, remaining softly alluring through a base of power. Decant or cellar through 2020–2022.
This wine offers very yellow aromas of stewed lemons, pound cake, egg flour, peach blossom, ambrosia melon and even a shy bit of hazelnut on the nose. The fascinating palate shows orange sponge cake, acacia flower, dried papaya, stone fruits and a pithy minerality. Scents and flavors are altogether mysterious yet delicious.
The nose on this jet-black wine by vintner Carl Bowker is intoxicatingly appealing, with aromas of fresh blackberry jam, plum jelly, black pepper, black cardamom and allspice. It's rich and soft once sipped, unleashing an array of mission figs, black plums and black cherries, and gaining complexity thanks to graphite, black licorice, fudge and expresso.
Full of both fruit and structure, this richly perfumed and spicy wine is impressive with solid tannins that are coming into balance with the rich black fruits. It still needs aging, so drink from 2018. The property is owned by a dedicated wine family that over the years tended the few remaining Malbec vines that survived phylloxera of late 1800s, were founders of the union to protect Cahors wines in the 1930s and helped revive the Confrérie des vins de Cahors. Alain Gayraud is the family's current owner.
This pulls off the neat trick of being both light and dense, with fruit running the gamut from strawberry to cherry to cassis. Deeply concentrated, and with lovely purity and length, this is delicious now but will surely drink even better in a few years. Drink 2018 through 2028.
All types of tea, from black to nettle to Greek mountain to chamomile, show on this wine's herbally powered nose, with bits of sagebrush and wild berries thrown in for good measure. Tea elements also power the palate, along with cranberry fruit and raspberry leaf, held together with grippy tannins, at least for this grape
Aromas of blue flowers, black-skinned fruit and whiffs of mocha lead the nose on this structured Sangiovese. The full-bodied palate delivers mature plum, fleshy black cherry, clove and Mediterranean herb alongside velvety tannins. It closes on a note of mint chocolate.
Zesty grapefruit and tangerine aromas mingle with a waxy lanolin note on the nose of this intensely fruity, yet deeply complex kabinett. It's rich in stone fruit and mango flavors, but honed with steely minerality and citrus acidity that linger long after each sip.
This is a ripe, wood-aged wine that shows the richer side of Meursault. It's generous with ripe yellow fruits, but balanced and complemented by crisp acidity and hints of toastiness. A fine wine with impeccable structure, it will age well, so drink from 2015.
Full-bodied and ripe, this is a rich, generous wine that shows complexity as well as subtle fruitiness. A blend of Viosinho and Verdelho, it's full of tropical fruit flavors, with ample weight and concentration. Spicy accents, a dense texture and a fine, long-lasting finish are all part of this stylish wine.
An elegant wine that is given weight by its rich black fruits and style by the balance between tannins and acidity. There is a fresh character to this bright and fruity wine at this stage. Give it 4–5 years and it will begin to develop secondary aromas. Drink from 2016.
French philosopher and writer Charles-Louis de Montesquieu once lived at the moated Château de la Brède, hence the name of this wine. It is a ripe, finely perfumed wine, with new wood and eucalyptus aromas, rich red fruits and a soft, open series of tannins. It is almost ready to drink, but the chocolate edge suggests it should be kept until 2017.
Very ripe, powerful and extracted, the wine has a bitter edge, a dark and tannic structure and a dense texture. With its edge of cocoa and layers of wood over the blackberry fruits, it's a wine that will need a while before drinking. Drink from 2016.
With strong new wood aromas, this concentrated wine shows vanilla as well as black-fruit flavors. Acidity cuts the richness, giving shape to wine and focusing on the balance. With firm tannins in the background, it needs several years. Drink from 2016.
While earthy on the nose, the palate bursts with huge berry flavors on this powerful wine. Bold, ripe fruit is cushioned by tannins and penetrating acidity, lending a dark feel to its structure. Drink from 2015.
Full-bodied and smooth, this wine has weight, richness and a dense, rounded texture. There's some good juiciness as well, adding dark berry fruits to the soft tannins and rounded feel of the wine. Acidity at the end brings a sense of balance. Drink from 2014.
The full juiciness of Castelão is balanced by spice and structure from wood maturation. The result is a smooth, textured wine, firm with tannins for aging. It is rich, smoky, dry and edgy at this young stage. Drink from 2016.
This is a firmly structured, dark wine. It has black cherry and berry fruit, a solid core of tannins and tight acidity. With its dense character, there is every chance of this impressive wine aging well, yielding a more rounded wine. Drink from 2016.
Brut Milledì is an elegant sparkling wine made from Chardonnay. It offers aromas of yellow spring flowers and crisp zesty citrus flavors. This has nice length, and finishes on an almond note.
This sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero has a floral fragrance of Spanish broom and acacia. The palate shows white peach, citrus and toasted almond flavors. It has creamy texture supported by crisp acidity.
Soft and rounded with ripe apple and pear flavors, this wine expresses the richness of the vintage. Hints of toast and cookie are changing the fruit character, making this a wine that's ready to drink while still fresh, yet starting to show good aging as well.
This richly textured wine boasts incredible freshness, as well as complexity of flavor. Apple and citrus flavors show hints of development— secondary notes of toast and cookies. The acidity is still very present—a crisp reminder of its age worthiness. Drink through 2022
Fruity and fragrant, this wine shows just a touch of toast suggesting it is approaching maturity. Crisp on the palate with a light twist of lemon, it boasts tight acidity and a mineral character. It's an solidly structured wine, with a fruitiness that lingers on the finish.
Called 2 Worlds because of the two different vineyards that go into the blend, this is a structured, firm wine. It has a fine balance between the acidity, the tannins and the black currant fruit. With its texture and dry core, it needs time, so drink after 2015.
This densely structured, finely crafted wine is the latest vintage from one of the Douro's iconic brands. It has great weight and, at the same time, elegant fruits and structure that offer good aging potential. It could be drunk now, but best to wait until 2016.
This blend of Mourvèdre, Carignane and Syrah is still quite young but already shows lots of savory potential. Wild berry, underbrush, subtle game and crushed slate aromas lead into a palate of loaded with mulberry, sagebrush and cedar flavors. It has loads of energy out of the gate.
Waxy white-fruit aromas are a touch austere and harsh. This holds a tight, crisp palate with flavors of yeast, apple and citrus fruits. A short, clean finish ensures that this closes with ease and clarity.
A lovely blend of tart berry and red-apple notes creates an inviting nose. The palate brings these lovely, almost autumnal berry notes even further as they are amplified by the lively frothy mousse. This is totally fruit driven, very appetizing and refreshing with an almost cleansing but lasting finish.
Musky, floral perfume introduces this bright, candied Riesling full of sweet pink grapefruit and tangerine flavors. Crisp acidity freshens the mid palate but the finish is a touch caramelized. Drink now.
Made in a careful, non-intrusive, natural style, this combines wild strawberry and peppery herb flavors. It offers moderate tannins and a strongly herbal finish.
This easy-drinking wine is full of fruit in the aromas and flavors and has a smooth, non-tannic texture and full body. Its concentrated raspberry and red cherry aromas are followed by ripe plum and cherry flavors, with juicy acidity.
A touch of reduction clings to the nose, masking the fruit. On the palate, however, lemon and crisp green apple freshness prevail, carried by a soft lively mousse. This is dry, light and has a lovely backdrop of yeasty autolytic notes and a very clean finish.
Coming from Waterbrook Estate, Blackrock and Summit View vineyards, this offers high-toned aromas, with notes of flower, soil and bittersweet chocolate. The palate is full of bold flavors backed by lively acidity and firm, slightly dry tannins. It's a high-quality example of the variety, though it could use some steak to tame the tannins.
Dark plum and black currant fruit meet light licorice spice, violet and cedar aromas on the dense and dark nose of this bottling. The flavors are very wound-up and shy still, with char, loamy earth and floral notes. A core of cassis hides behind a veil of stiff tannins, and acidity pops on the finish.
This drinks a bit lighter than previous vintages, with light strawberry and thin, tart cherry fruit. The tannins are astringent and slightly green. It's worth cellaring until 2019 to let additional bottle age smooth out the finish.
Bold aromas of cola, forest floor and minty blackberry lead to a muscle-bound palate that's more ripe and saturated than outright hard. Oaky, chocolaty berry flavors are dense, while oak-based flavors of maple and woodspice take over on the finish.
A 50-50 blend of Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc that's crisp and ripe, and offers a touch of spice. A lovely, fresh, green wine.
Pungent aromas of lemony oak, peanuts and maple are the opening act. The next act is a big, sweet palate with monster extraction and the flavors of brandied black cherries. For some it might be too sweet, especially when the acidity kicks in to create a juicy palate feel not unlike fruit juice.
Fairly simple on the nose, but solid, with ripe pears leading the way. The flavors pick up some interesting graphite notes, extending through the minerally finish. Surprisingly full-bodied.
Flavors of ripe peaches and fresh, clean fruit make for an immediately attractive wine. It is balanced with a layer of acidity and vibrant white currants.
Simple, attractive crisp wine, with a pleasant depth of flavor. It has fresh fruit, a light toast touch and soft acidity.
Pungent, with grapefruit and grassy aromas that are true to the variety. The palate is fresh, the flavors good and fruity. There's mango and tangerine, and also some garden-fresh asparagus in the mix. The finish, too, is perfectly fresh; it's there one moment and gone the next.
A no-frills mass-appeal wine with a pretty color, ripe aromatics and a hint of oak. The palate is solid and full-flavored, while the finish is smooth and easy. Ripe, clean and round.
This barrique-aged Chardonnay tastes a bit too much of barrique, with toasty, cinnamon and vanilla flavors dominating the underlying melon and peach fruit. It's sexy wood, but it's just too prominent; tone down the makeup and let this beauty's natural good looks shine through.
There is some green bean and ashtray aromas on the nose, but also some maple-like wood. The palate is also slightly green at its center, but surrounding that is a fair amount of plum and cranberry. The finish is smooth, properly textured and tannic enough to create a dry, cheek-gripping feel. There's definitely some character here.
The nose is all black fruit and some cinnamon spice. Next up is a palate of cassis, plum and cherry, while the finish is round and buttery. Taken as a whole the wine is fairly focused, with an easygoing character and nothing too out of whack.
Atypically gold in color, this also smells atypically ripe, of red apples and strawberries. Flavors are of baked Golden Delicious, complete with a dusting of cinnamon. Low acid makes it plump, and it finishes short.
This rosé boasts slightly meaty aromas, plus a healthy dose of limes and berries. Feels big in the mouth and slightly soft, so maybe it's not totally dry, or maybe it's just an oversized rosé with relatively low acidity. Either way, it'll go down just fine this summer.
This inexpensive, delicious fresh wine has good depth of concentration and long, vanilla flavors.
The cherry and cinnamon aromas are true and inviting, and they stand up to the oak that's been thrown at this Pinot. The flavor profile deals raspberry and cherry amid oaky shadings. The finish is toasty and warm, with some coffee popping up late in the game. Fresh, fruity and true.
Compact and full in the nose, with a fine level of berry fruit and some attractive wood spice. The mouth offers sweet berry flavors and some toasty oak, while the finish is round and soft. There's little complexity or style—what you smell and taste at first is what you get.
The bouquet is fairly exotic as it kicks up some cinnamon and forest floor. But there's also some lemony oak that doesn't really fit in. The flavors of cherry and cassis are tasty but they carry an acidic tang, and that aggressive acidity continues all the way through to the back end, thus leaving a sharp impression on the palate.
Herbal and spicy, with some rubbery notes to the nose and a bit of pickle to the flavors. The plum fruit on the palate is round and peppery, while the wine finishes warm and full. Decent fruit but not rich.
The nose has some pine-based cleaner aromas to it, but not much luscious fruit. The palate has apple, pear and melon flavors, but they are more vague than distinct. The finish is a continuation of what you get on the palate, but at the end you get a hint of toffee or caramel. Straightforward and basic; not nuanced or exotic.
Freshly squeezed red currants, rose petals, sweet sagebrush and potpourri-like perfume arise on the nose of this bottling. Those florals extend to the palate, where it meshes with rhubarb and pressed-strawberry flavors.
Charred earth, toast, underbrush and roasted nut aromas come together on this. The palate shows the heat of the vintage, offering raisin and clove alongside close-grained tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.
Made with organically grown Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes, this opens with aromas suggesting black plum, baking spice and a touch of ginger. The vivacious palate shows raspberry jam, clove and white pepper alongside rather assertive tannins. Enjoy soon.
This has subdued aromas suggesting black-skinned fruit and baking spice. The straightforward palate evokes raspberry jam, clove and a hint of star anise alongside supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
This is the only bottling of this variety I am aware of in the state. The aromas are intriguing: all high toned, with notes of herb, barrel spice and ripe blackberry. The flavors are full bore, holding nothing back. The tannins bring a slight sense of astringency. There's promise.
Part of a series highlighting the principal varieties of the Douro, this wine is made from the grape that is known as Tempranillo in Spain. It is structured and dense, with red-berry fruits and the beginnings of the smooth texture more familiar with the grape. The mineral texture and acidity give further complexity. Drink from 2018.
Herbal berry aromas are slightly green and leafy, with spicy oak notes. A lively palate is medium-bodied and balanced. Flavors of plum, tomato, herbs and spice are common for Carmenère, while a crisp, solid finish is a proper conclusion.
Named after a traditional Portuguese dance, the wine is full of red fruits, soft tannins with a rich texture. It is made to be drunk young, its red berry and red-currant fruits well integrated into the structure and acidity. Drink now.
Firmly tannic, this wine is richly endowed with a solid structure and also with bold black fruits. It comes from the producer's main Douro vineyard. Concentrated and ripe, it will age and should be drunk from 2018.
Warm earthy berry aromas are mostly solid. This Tannat has a fresh rubbery mouthfeel and dark peppery flavors of mixed black fruits. The finish deals chocolate, coffee and spice notes. For entry-level Uruguayan Tannat, this is a good one.
This second wine of Château du Cèdre is floral, with plenty of tannic structure and ripe, juicy black fruit. Drink from late 2018.
Rich and fruity, this wine is packed with blackberry and damson flavors. The firm tannins at the back are balanced, giving an attractive character that will be ready to drink from 2020.
With its strong aromatic character, this wine layers firm tannins and intense acidity. Underneath all this, there is some fine fruit potential, evoking ripe blackberries. Drink from 2020.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this Merlot-dominated wine is bright with red fruit and lined with tight tannins. It has the crisp edge of youth that will fill out with time. Drink from 2019.
This wine is dry and extracted, with firm, almost bitter tannins. Licorice and black chocolate flavors dominate. It will take several years for the fruit potential to show. Drink from 2021.
This juicy, fruity wine has red berry fruit and gentle tannins. Although ripe, it's not rich but attractive and likely to age quickly. Drink from 2019.
Spice and damson flavors give this wine a fruity character. Add its smoky tannins and toasty layers, and it is a wine that needs to age. Drink from 2020.
This opens with aromas of dark-skinned fruit, baking spice and chopped herb while the assertive palate shows dried blackberry, prune and clove. It lacks richness while close-grained tannins grip the tight finish.
This 100% Merlot was—intriguingly—aged for three months on Chardonnay lees. It has notes of herbs, cherries and green vegetables. It has an appealing, broad texture, finishing on a bitter note.
Like most good Baja whites, this is done in a crisp, fresh style and offers acidic cut on the palate. The flavors are pure citrus—mostly lemon, tangerine and pineapple. This tangy wine narrows on the finish. Drink with ceviche and raw shellfish.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is medium bodied, with notes of lime and herbs. There's a touch of sugar to offset the tart acids, and the alcohol lingers on the finish.
Bursting with ripe, juicy peaches, this intensely fruit-forward white Merlot is surprisingly dry and dainty on the palate. It's straightforward and approachable in style, with just a hint of stony minerality on the finish.
With scents and flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, this pretty and accessible Pinot Noir promises a bit more than it delivers. The light cherry fruit turns a bit earthy and tannic as it winds into a quick finish.
This is a light, simple wine, mixing tart cranberry fruit with streaks of leaf and stem. The rather low alcohol and overall lightness makes it a good summer quaffing red.
Spicy red-plum aromas are dry and gritty, but fresh. This firm feeling Cab holds its own on the palate, which is tannic and a bit sandpapery. Tight, juicy flavors of spicy plum finish long, dry and mildly salty tasting.
Aged 24 months in French and American oak, the aromas are light with notes of vanilla, toffee, herbs and red fruit. The palate is simultaneously sweet and tart, with firm tannins and citrusy acidity.
Narrow aromas of red currant, raspberry and red plum carry a minty green accent. In the mouth, this blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is tight, with scratchy tannins and no shortage of acidity. Flavors of red berry and plum offer dry spice and herbal shadings.
Blended with 25% Grenache, this is an enjoyable wine with notes of peppery spice and plum. It's all about mouthfeel, light fruit flavors and citrusy acidity.
There is some of the freshness of the ocean climate in this cool, red fruited wine. It has a fine structure, juicy red berry flavors and fresh, lifted acidity. It's a wine to drink now for its fruitiness and fresh character.
Pressed yellow flower and spring orchard fruit are the primary opening scents. The lean palate shows rennet apple skin, lime and a mineral note alongside zesty acidity.
The blend of local Douro white grapes gives a soft wine that has a fine streak of freshness. Citrus is balanced with white peach and shot through with mineral acidity. Drink this wine now.
From a particular block of the Los Chamizal Vineyard that is indeed rocky, this brambly, fruity wine shows off layers of blackberry and vanilla, swaddled in cinnamon toast. Somewhat thin on the palate despite the power of its ripeness, it devolves on the sour finish.
This has a strong impression of sweetness, to the point of being almost cloying. That candied raspberry flavor is offset with citrusy acids, giving it a sweet/tart candy character. The flavors don't quite sync up.
This is labeled reserve, but has the same early release and light fruit flavors as the less-expensive regular bottling. Cranberry and celery-stalk flavors are the main elements, and the finish turns quite chalky.
Light and easy, this is a direct and straightforward Cab that offers pleasant aromas and flavors of ripe red plum, cherry preserves, raspberry sauce, mocha and baking spice. The soft tannins and fruit-forward palate make this an ideal selection to enjoy now.
A blend of two really local grapes, Síria and Fonte Cal, this is a fresh, mineral and citrus driven wine. It is so light and crisp with acidity that shoots though the wine. From high altitude vineyards, it has a refreshing, cool aftertaste. Drink now.
Blended with 20% Syrah, then aged almost two years in nearly all-new American oak, this wine is a mouthful of leather and tannin, with a dash of black pepper on the finish.
Estery aromas of pear and apple mark the nose. While there's a slight roundness to the palate, sharp acids cut flavors of Granny Smith apple and candied banana short.
Bramble patch aromas evoke the entire bush: from stems to berries. A raspberry Jell-O note mingles with juicy red cherry on the light-bodied palate, making this a great crowd-pleasing wine.
There's a slight pink hue to this light-bodied white. Citrus focused and a bit blossomy, this is simple and straightforward yet perfectly enjoyable.
Saucy, herbal aromas of tomato and red plum are scratchy. This is fresh and juicy, but also high in acidity. Flavors of red plum, red currant and vanilla come with herbal infusions prior to a mildly spicy finish.
Blending 75% Cabernet Franc with 25% Merlot, this wine is mildly aromatic on the nose, showing red cherry, spice and violet. While the palate is medium in weight, a string of acidity cuts short the blackberry and cherry flavors. Grainy tannins build on the finish, with a shock of cranberry and vanilla marking the close.
Delicate pink in color, this rosé boasts a strawberries-and-cream character, with a jalapeño kick. Showing a touch of breadth on the palate, this light-bodied sipper is an easy choice for an apéritif.
A young and fruity wine that is soft with gentle tannins and juicy black currant fruit flavors. It is ripe, fresh and balanced with generous acidity at the end. Drink now.
This wood-aged wine shows dark berry fruits and a dusty structure. That goes with the juicy fruitiness that is perfumed, fresh and spicy. The wine has a stalky aftertaste with plenty of acidity. Drink now.
The wine is smooth, soft and juicy. It has a fine balance, ripe with berry fruits and light with acidity and a easy-going texture. The oak aging has served to smooth any tannins, leaving a wine that is ready to drink.
Delicate aromas of honeysuckle, white stone fruit and citrus present themselves to the nose while the fun, simple palate shows green pear and a hint of lime. Zesty acidity gives it a tangy close.
This smells a bit stalky and murky, without much pop or freshness to the nose. A medium-bodied palate feels about right, while this tastes earthy, stalky and like roasted plum. Herbal notes come up on the finish.
Aromas of toasted nut and yellow apple lift out of the glass. The airy, zippy palate offers unripe pear, lime, almond and mineral alongside brisk acidity.
This presents the nose whiffs of pineapple and wet stone while the lean palate offers rennet apple skin, tangerine and a hint of mineral. Bracing acidity dominates the finish.
Extremely ripe and tropical aromas of tuberose, jasmine and apple blossoms prove quite overpowering on the nose of this wine. The palate shows lots of apple juice flavors and trends toward banana and pineapple tropicality.
This simple white opens with scents of honeysuckle and ripe orchard fruit while the easygoing palate offers hints of nectarine and green apple. Fresh acidity gives it a brisk finish.
Aromas of cherry and unconstituted berry drink mix precede a spunky palate with cherry and sweet oak flavors. A dry finish offers oaky cocoa notes and standard residual berry flavors.
Powdery aromas of generic white fruits suggest bath soap. This feels creamy and pulpy, with modest acidity. Peach, papaya and melon flavors are maintained on a mellow finish.
From vines around the medieval castle, this wine has brilliant cherry flavors that give fruitiness and balancing acidity. There is a refreshing juicy character that is sustained by the subtle touch of tannin. Drink the wine now.
Apple, vanilla and a hint of sulfur is what you'll find on the nose of this consistently solid value-priced Cava. A slightly soft body and flavors of green herbs, melon and white pepper finish well.
While initially quite closed, time and aeration seem to replace dusty mineral and smoke tones on the nose of this dry rosé with prettier notes of blossom and cherry. It's delicately concentrated but revitalizing and refreshing.
Bracing aromas of lemon and grapefruit meld into spice, caramel and red apple on the palate of this zesty off-dry Riesling. It's spry and lean yet juicy and gulpable. Drink now through 2019.
Very light aromas of apricot and apple blossom show on this appellation blend by the single-vineyard specialists, whose winery is based in Los Gatos. A nice touch of acid marks the palate, where lemon zest meets with ripe Pink Lady apple flavors.
Fresh, ripe notes of yellow peach are joined by creamy richness. On the palate a streak of lemony freshness pulls the broad palate into focus. It's a wine of full-blown, peachy abundance. Drink soon.
Darkly colored, this wine opens with aromas of menthol, espresso and plum. The one-dimensional palate is surprisingly dense for the vintage, offering black cherry, espresso and clove alongside polished tannins.
A blend of lots from the cooler Los Alamos Vineyard and warmer Valley View Vineyard near Solvang, this bottling offers kaffir lime, jasmine and steeliness on the light and easy nose. Crisp lime flavors make for a tangy sip in this simple but quite pleasant wine.
Woodsy, savory, plummy aromas and rather light cherry and black-tea flavors give this wine complexity. It's medium bodied, easy to drink and enjoy, especially at such a reasonable price.
This indigenous Cretan white displays lovely aromas of exotic tropical fruits and spice. On the palate, an appealing interplay of ripe citrus fruit and toast gives the wine a layered character. Not overly complicated but a unique glimpse into an ancient variety.
Fleshy black plums accented with nuts, vanilla and popcorn scent this voluptuously textured red. It's ruddy and ripe, but tinged by a hint of green on the midpalate. Bright red-currant acidity and fine slightly tacky tannins frame the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Light and crisp, this wine has aromas like crisp apples and flavors suggesting white peaches. The fresh texture stays lively through the finish.
Rusty in color, with soft aromas of cherry and plum, this rosé of Trepat feels fleshy and round, with modest acidity. Briny citrus and charred cherry notes unfold on the finish.
Punchy, mildly herbaceous aromas of olive, herbs, tobacco and plum are classic Chilean scents. This cool-vintage Malbec is lively and a bit raw on the palate. Savory, roasted, oaky flavors of minty blackberry and plum finish dry, hot, peppery and ultimately a touch salty.
This is a thick, concentrated version of the variety, tropically succulent in mango, papaya and a refreshing twist of lemon.
Possibly too much wood has been used in maturing this wine, which results in a toasty, burnt character to the otherwise ripe fruit. At four years, the wood should have mellowed.
Named after an old parcel of vines on the estate, the wine is ripe, and flavored with black currant and red berry. Its tannic character and tight line of acidity gives it a crisp and fruity finish. Drink now.
This wine is a field blend of eight different clones of this variety. It opens with reserved, slightly reduced aromas of sea shell, mineral and citrus that lead to lighter-styled fruit and mineral flavors.
The nose on this bottling leans slightly sweet and simple, with aromas of ripe poached pears and lemon syrup. A decent sizzle of acidity on the tip of the sip leads to yellow-apple flavors that show clean and crisp. A riper apple-cream element marks the finish.
Intensely floral aromas of iris, violet and wild berry lift out of the glass. The vibrant, linear palate offers ripe wild cherry, espresso and vanilla alongside fine-grained tannins and brisk acidity. You'll also detect the slight warmth of alcohol on the finish.
Luscious dark-cherry aromas find milk chocolate and cherry-cola flavors in this medium-bodied, smooth but firm-textured wine made from Syrah and Petite Sirah grapes with a dash of Petit Verdot.
Subdued aromas recall dark-skinned berry, moist earth and a whiff of menthol. The straightforward, medium-bodied palate shows dark cherry and clove alongside bright acidity and firm but not very persistent tannins.
Watermelon and caramelized sugar notes waft sweetly from the nose of this dry Cabernet Franc rosé. While delicate in body, the palate suggests fleshy red-plum and cherry flavors. A streak of acidity leads a brisk clean finish.
Kiwi, pineapple and herb aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit flavors. The concentration isn't quite all there in the middle but it still provides enjoyment.
The wine is structured and tannic which gives a dry edge that balances the perfumed black fruits and acidity. The aftertaste is fruity and juicy. Ready to drink.
Melon and pear aromas lean in the direction of tropical. This pulsing Chardonnay emphasizes acidity and zest over oak and weight. A flavor profile built on tart green fruits and scallion is racy and ends with snap.
Produced from vineyard around the 13th-century castle, the wine has concentration, rich tannins and ripe berry fruit. Pepper and spice bring out the texture of the wine that is freshened by acidity.
In the trilogy of wines made at Ponzac, this is the one to drink young. It comes from chalky soil that gives soft tannins and ripe blackberry fruits. It is fruity and soft with just an edge of structure and with plenty of acidity to finish. Drink from 2017.
Ripe, creamy wine with a good toast element. It is smooth, elegant, the flavors showing almonds, vanilla, baked apple and pear enlivened by fresh acidity. Attractive, ready to drink.
Chono is one of the better Chilean rosé wines we've come across. It has that Mediterranean look, smell and flare to it. The color is attractive, the nose fresh and clean, and the flavors of orange and fine herbs are crisp and on the spot. Good for this summer.
A darkly tannic wine, showing a dry side of Pinot Noir but still offering some good berry fruits and raspberry sweetness. The acidity needs to soften, though.
An extracted, full-bodied style of Malbec with blackberry aromas, density, meatiness and heft. It's thick and a bit awkward, especially early on, and then a roasted berry quality takes over. Solid as a rock, somewhat floral and young, with good kick at the end.
A relatively neutral Chardonnay, one that shows some smooth red apple flavors, a light touch of vanilla and an open texture. Ready for drinking now.
A lovely Sauv Blanc nose with pretty floral notes dancing among aromas and flavors of ripe tropical fruit, peach and tangerine oil. Light weight with good acidity and a clean finish. Fresh and inviting; not terribly complex, but a great example of the varietal.
Sweet basic cherry aromas are candied at first and then darker with airing. The palate is bold, juicy, a little aggressive and herbal, with ample berry and plum fruit at the base. Oaky and long on the finish, with a peppery, herbal ending.
Toasty and relatively smooth, with a comfortable nose and body. Smoothness is this wine's prime attribute, while the flavors are your basic apple and citrus. Finishes with tang and zest, and overall the wine satisfies while not pressing too hard to do so.
Slightly hard, burnt and earthy at first, with dark fruit sitting below that cap. The palate is tannic, thus the mouthfeel clamps down and closes up like a clam. More generous and savory in terms of flavors, with roasted black fruit and aged cheese notes. Narrow and grapey on the finish, but legit.
A fresh, lightweight Chardonnay, hinting at citrus and almonds. There is a taut, tannic edge to the yellow fruits, the acidity turning to a firm texture. Final acidity is fresh and crisp.
Starts with bulky fruit and bacon aromas. The palate is sort of rattled and jagged in terms of feel, while the flavors of baked berry fruit slip toward herbal. All in all, it's a pleasant, jammy, friendly, easy-to-drink, generic Cabernet.
Standard all the way, but isn't that what we want from a $9 wine? The nose offers raspberry and strawberry aromas, while the flavors are generic but familiar, with a lean toward cherry and berry. Solid on the finish, and fairly intense as a whole. Imported by Clock Tower Imports.
Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton's shared vision for this popular grape is distinctive and rather unfamiliar for those seeking a buttery style. This shows chamomile, dandelion greens, Japanese pear and petrol on the nose, with bittery flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon juice and nectarine skins showing first. Patience allows wet wool, stone, sliced apples and white peach elements to emerge. Drink 2017–2027.
This structured white displays enticing aromas of beeswax, Spanish broom, acacia and chamomile. The round, structured palate offers mature apricot, juicy nectarine peel, yellow peach and Bartlett pear, with firm acidity. Savory herb and energizing mineral sensations signal the close.
Structured, this oozes blackberry fruitiness as well as a balanced layer of dry tannins. The wine is fruity and rich while keeping its elegance. A core of tannins and fresh acidity in the fruit promise that this wine will age. Drink from 2017.
From selected grapes, this concentrated wine is dense and still needs aging. It has layers of wood over dark, brooding black fruits and a powerful structure of smoky toast and tannins. Big, rich and with great potential, it should be drunk from 2016.
Made from dense, rich, perfumed Baga, this is a structured wine. Layers of wood aging and strong tannins give a dark, brooding character. The wine is balanced and almost ready to drink, but is always likely to be firm and dry. Drink from 2017.
Hand-selected bunches from the Porto Franco estate of DFJ Vinhos went into this complex wine. It has solid tannins and a firm black-fruit character. The wood aging shows well and is already balanced, melding the fruit and structure together. Drink now.
Les Gras Moutons is regarded as one of the top vineyards of Sèvre et Maine. Here it has produced a richly fragrant, aromatic wine that is structured and tightly textured. It's full of acidity, freshly squeezed lemon and some minerality. Drink from 2016.
The centerpiece of Phil Sexton's current venture (he previously founded and sold both a brewery and a winery) is this single vineyard, from which he makes a Pinot Noir and this wine. The 2012 Chard is a bold yet elegant wine, filled with grilled pineapple and citrus fruit and framed by hints of toasted nuts, vanilla and graphite.
The former race car driver hired Doug Margerum to make his wine. Though quite pale in color, this offers fragrant aromas of sea salt, rounded nectarine fruit, wisps of white flowers and the slightest show of almond macarons. Stone fruit pops out on the salty palate, but the bright acidity and chalky minerality slice deeply, ending on a dollop of vanilla cream.
Ignore the silly name and focus on the important particulars—old vine (planted 1976), wild yeast, biodynamic farming. Absolutely bone-dry yet bursting with complex minerality, citrus rind, and penetrating acidity, it has phenolics that give length, breadth and detail.
Alluring aromas of white flower, orchard fruit and Mediterranean herb mingle in the glass. The delicious, linear palate offers a nice depth of flavors including juicy yellow peach, tart green apple, nectarine and a hint of ginger alongside tangy acidity. The lingering finish closes on a mineral note.
A tight-knitted core of acidity and minerality intensifies sweet white peach and honey flavors in this semidry Riesling. It's simultaneously bracing yet lush, with darting notes of saffron and lime zest on the finish.
Black cherries, hot licorice, ollallieberry meringue and smoked meats form a powerful and decadent nose on this rich wine. The palate is also vividly flavorful and dynamically changing, which is a welcome effect of high-alcohol wines, showing boysenberry, black pepper and sagebrush before diving even deeper into pipe tobacco and elderberry jam.
This opens with alluring aromas of acacia, apricot, citrus and alpine herb. The linear, elegant palate offers juicy yellow peach, lemon zest, mint and hazelnut alongside crisp acidity.
This is a strongly tannic, obviously wood-aged wine. The black fruits are paralleled by the new-wood toastiness, which gives a vanilla flavor. With top Portuguese consultant Anselmo Mendes involved, the wine has style as well as weight and dense fruit. Give it several years to mature. Drink from 2017.
Refined and subtle, this shows the power of Pinot at its most elegant. The fruits are mellow, melded and lightly marked with baking spices. Smooth and showing surprising density, it has the frame and finesse to age beautifully. Drink now through 2025.
The star of the single-clone lineup, this feels like a truly complete wine, with pinpoint focus. Complex fruit flavors mix berries and cherries with a touch of spice. Lively and detailed, this perfectly balanced wine does not push too hard, and delivers intriguing aromatics threaded with baking spices and a lingering finish. Drink 2020 through 2030.
This is a savory, almost briny, cool-climate white that's unusual for the appellation in some ways—it's crisp and bright in Meyer lemon and jasmine. Still, for all its elegance, it offers just as much in the way of creamy texture amid a midpalate of fresh-cut apple, peaking in a lightly buttered note on the finale.
This is a subtle, svelte and elegant wine, floral in rose petals and violet, the crisp, bright red fruit leaning more toward cranberry and pomegranate than juicy strawberry. With the oak and acidity well-integrated, it provides a seamless, delicious experience, touched by a taste of black tea on the finish.
This rich, oak-aged wine is so smooth with yellow fruits, with just an edge of citrus and spicy, toasty character. It's a beautiful, generous wine, opulent in its ripe fruit while keeping a cool, salty character. The wine is still young, needing to bring out even further flavors. Drink from 2017.
From old vines, this is a wine of great structure and depth. Serious tannins and dark fruits give a dense, brooding character. This solid, powerful and mineral-driven wine is still young, still coming together. Drink from 2018.
Planted on a relatively cool site for the Russian River, the Laguna Ridge, this Pinot is velvety and lush in baked strawberry and black raspberry, a celebration of finely grown, ripe fruit, with sharp-edged acidity and waves of savory mocha. With pronounced oak that mellows in the glass, it should only become more interesting with a few more years in the cellar, through 2022.
This vibrant white features delicate but enticing aromas of black locust flower, jasmine and stone fruit. The round, bright palate offers creamy peach, crisp apple and juicy nectarine alongside firm acidity. It closes on a mineral note.
This heavily charred blend of five grapes opens with maple, toast, wood and floral black-fruit aromas. The palate is full and forward but also alert and juicy. Flavors of blueberry, blackberry, licorice, chocolate and vanilla finish oaky, with a final dose of barrel-driven vanilla matching full black fruit. Drink through 2020.
Landron's complex wine comes from organic grapes that add a line of purity to the bright white and citrus fruits. A textured wine, this needs to age for a few months to round out the fragrant fruitiness and open up the structure. Drink from 2016.
Saucy, spicy aromas of wild berry, baked plum and raw oak are forceful and hard-driving. Wide, round, chewy and resiny in feel, this tastes lightly toasted, buttery and woody, but patience reveals deep berry fruit flavors and spice notes. A barrel-heavy finish indicates that this may benefit from another year or two of aging; drink through 2019.
Floral and fruit scents recall acacia flower, broom, dried apricot, beeswax and tropical fruit. Made from 100-year-old Garganega vines, this wine has an elegant, varied palate offering flavors such as juicy yellow peach, mature pear, clove and energizing mineral alongside fresh acidity. Impeccably balanced and delicious, this will continue to develop for years. Drink through 2027.
Part of the winery's Terroir Series, this is aromatic with bright raspberry fruit dotted with peppery herbs. It displays the spicy herbaceousness of this AVA, with excellent penetration and balance. A strong finish hits a resonant note of minerality.
Seven Hills vineyard fruit creates this pure Cabernet from a new project launched by Oregon's King Estate. This debut effort is light and shows a mix of strawberry and cherry candy flavors. Plenty of acid and balanced tannins complete a workmanlike effort.
This wine starts off a touch rubbery, so give it some air prior to serving if you can. The payoff is a pleasant mix of pear and citrus that's fairly broad on the palate yet balanced, and lengthy, too. This year's blend is 56% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 14% Verdelho.
Soft and peachy, with good midpalate concentration. This is a simple but fruity and flavorful wine, with just the vaguest suggestion of Meyer lemon in the finish.
This is a minty, aromatic Syrah, with tannins that are laced with violet and blackberry flavors. It's finely structured, and shows a spice charcter from the fruit that combines easily with the wood toast. Age for 4 years.
An impressive wine that is packed with notes of rich fruit, toast and vanilla. It has weight to its apple, peach and intense spice flavors. The style is like a ripe Chardonnay, just with extra acidity. Ready to drink, but could age for another year.
Very rich, ripe wine, full and round in character. It has spice from wood aging as well as almost-sweet yellow fruits. Pineapple acidity does give some balance to this powerful white wine.
The aroma is earthy, while on the palate this wine shows a full-bodied structure and rich, chewy black fruits. There is minerality here, a very textured wine offering spice as well as blackberry and plum-skin flavors.
Like its companion, Carpe Noctum, the Confero offers full flavors of cherry and berry, with spice and toast backing. Here the flavors are a touch lighter but perhaps more elegant and detailed, with suggestions of mint and caramel trickling through the finish.
A beautifully perfumed wine. It shows an elegant side to Cahors, offering intense and juicy blackberry fruit that override the dark tannins. The wine has weight and power and remains finely proportioned. Age for 4–5 years.
A wine that shows its wood aging from the mint aromas and dark, dry texture. At this young stage, the 18-month barrel aging weighs heavily on the fruit, but this should certainly soften after 3–4 years. An impressive wine showing the richness of 2009.
A tart and beautifully-defined mix of apple and pear fruit, with a steely spine and dappled baking spices. Excellent balance and mouthfeel, with a finishing mineral note.
This wine is atypically fine and chiseled for this estate, combining bright, sweet fruity notes of lime and green apples with crushed stone and spring flowers. It's light in body, but impeccably balanced.
Bottled in January 2012, this classic LBV has great perfumed fruit, soft and elegant. A blackberry jam flavor dominates, laced with black cherries and soft tannins. Immediately appealing and drinkable now.
A deliciously priced blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and 27% Grenache that'll be tricky to ask for by name but is worth the effort to find and share. This blend shows off brooding dark dollops of spicy fruit, herb and tobacco that are tenaciously balanced by the cherry tones from the Grenache. A fun wine to pass around at parties and barbecues.
A delightful, dry, citrusy Gewürztraminer, with a mix of dried rind and lightly candied fruit flavors. Lemon-lime and tangerine, a wash of rose water, and a balanced, elegant style, mark this as special.
A decadent, dark and meaty Syrah, with plenty of sauvage tendencies amid a rich, velvety texture that finishes long and lushly perfumed with sweet smoke. In a cool year in El Dorado, Lava Cap has reined in this Syrah's tannins and let its dark cherry and plum flavors take center stage.
A perennial favorite due to its precise yet prickly nose of green melon, passion fruit, grapefruit and minerality. It's smooth yet cutting on the palate, with pithy lime, orange, passion fruit and lemon flavors. More refined than CDB's Gran Reserva, but generally speaking it's a similar wine.
A powerful wine that has integrated its dense tannins with its equally impressive fruit. Blackberry jelly and spice mingle around a firm, dry core mingle in this concentrated, ageworthy wine. Drink now or keep for 4–5 years.
Dense in color, with earthy, crusty aromas of baked berry, moss, tobacco, cola and cassis. Feels lush, meaty and deep, with tobacco, balsamic flavors, baked blackberry and chocolate. Mellow, lightly herbal and smooth on the finish; hits all the high marks. Drink now.
A very fine wine with some bottle age that has given the dense tannins a chance to integrate beautifully into its sweet fruit. There is a bitter chocolate edge that comes from the wood aging. It has a dark and very structured aftertaste.
Sometimes in a challenging vintage such as 2009, it is the least expensive, blended wines that benefit most, perhaps because grapes normally destined for the single-vineyard wines are redirected. Here, rich fruit flavors highlighted with streaks of caramel and toffee get things rolling quickly. Berries and cherries, firm acids, pretty spice and a lingering butterscotch finish.
A rich wine, perfumed and intense. The tannins are a major element, although they ride with the sweet fruit and concentrated, complex wood and acidity. The wine is firm, impressively fruity and still likely to age further.
It's a ripe wood-aged wine, showing a full body, dark plum flavors and generous tannins. It is maturing well, giving plenty of ripe fruits along with spice and a solid tannic aftertaste.
Clean aromas of banana and apple get this Chardonnay off to a solid start. The palate is alert and upright, with a note of resiny oak. Flavors of melon and peach are supported by snappy acidity.
A bouquet of lemon rind, white flowers and peach prepares the palate for crisp, clean flavors of white peach and apricot. This wine is lean in the mouth, with a pleasantly astringent finish.
While ample flavors of apricot and rose are made even richer by residual sweetness, the components are abundant but slightly out of focus. Opulent and round, this might find its match in a mature wedge of oozing Munster cheese.
Softly ripe notes of pear mingle with earthier elements on nose and palate of this dryish Riesling. The spine of acidity provides structure and fills the palate with lemony, bright freshness that lingers pleasantly.
Red fruits, barrel smoke and chipped slate make for an intriguing although not entirely integrated nose on this single-vineyard bottling. The palate shows red berries, wet clay and hints of anise.
Plums, purple flowers and graphite characterize the nose on this wine from the producer that's now owned by the Foley family of wines. Spicy cherries and blackberries show on the palate long with pencil lead and hints of dried oregano.
Nectarine and melon aromas are ripe and round on the nose. The palate feels big but properly balanced with acidity. Flavors of grapefruit and bell pepper are prominent over the pyrazine-heavy finish.
Lime, lime leaf and stone-fruit aromas are followed by medium-sweet flavors that linger. It wants a bit more acidity but is pretty delightful in its own right. Pair it with a spicy Thai dish.
Bright lemon, nectarine and pineapple tones are touched with green herbs and savory pollen notes in this ephemerally sheer, light-bodied Riesling. Off dry on the palate, it boasts a mouth quenching grapefruit juiciness.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, this wine has subtle baking spice and a velvety texture of soft, red fruit. With the barest minimum of grip on the back palate, it's ready to drink now.
Classic with grassy scents on the nose, this also shows lime peel, lemongrass, ripe honeydew and slight passionfruit aromas. Ripe Anjou pear powers the tip of the palate, with sharper grass elements and a sour citrus flavor emerging later.
Aromas of eucalyptus, juniper, green tobacco and spicy blackberry deliver a floral note in front of a big, blocky palate. Dark, roasted flavors of herbal black fruits show a streak of cutting acidity, while spicy, peppery notes drive the finish.
Light aromas of citrus, white peach, soda water and herbs are followed by elegant, just off-dry, spritzy fruit flavors backed by a zing of acidity.
Whiffs of smoked nuts and savory dried herbs extend throughout this dry white, accenting fresh lemon and grapefruit flavors. It's not deeply complex or concentrated, but a savory accompaniment to delicate fish or fowl dishes. Drink now.
This is a very attractive, fruity and smooth wine in a plush style. Aromas of pear and pineapple turn to full flavors lightly spiced with vanilla. The texture is easy-going, mouthfilling and helps the flavors linger on the finish.
This blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Carignan and 20% Grenache opens with pleasant but soft scents of herbed cherry, plum and violet. The palate is light and easy, with soft tannins and juicy red-fruit flavors that finish clean and bright. Drink now.
Fresh bell pepper and passion fruit aromas are a bit underripe in character. The palate feels juicy and bright, with zesty acidity. Nectarine and green-herb flavors hint at vegetal undertones, while the finish is short but fresh. Drink now.
There is a nice cherry core and exotic spice aromas on the nose of this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, mostly from the Chalk Knoll Vineyard in San Lucas. The palate is dense and spicy, with rich vanilla-laden cherries and savory tobacco smoke.
This opens with a strong sense of oak and sawdust, later giving way to herbal berry aromas. This feels plump and resiny, with slick oak. Flavors of wood resin and pepper are on equal footing with berry flavors, while the finish shows moderate residual heat.
Caramel and white-chocolate aromas lead to very ripe, buttery flavors, a sense of sweetness and an almost thick texture in this full-bodied wine. Practically as rich and creamy as a milkshake, it will delight some drinkers for its unctuousness.
Richly tawny in color, this fortified wine from the Jacquez grape is savory on the nose, showing cured meat flecked with anise. The full palate brings dried figs, dates and molasses into the mix, with toasted coffee on the finish.
Bing cherry meets soft vanilla and coffee tones on the nose of this southern-Italian transplant. A bouncy palate of red cherry and strawberry is supported by mild tannins.
Pear, melon and white peach aromas are followed by rounded tropical-fruit flavors that drink off dry. It's enjoyable but the sugar seems a bit out of place.
Meaty, smoky flavors mark this dark and full-bodied wine, adding a layer of interest to the ripe blackberry and black-pepper notes underneath. The color is extremely dense and the tannic texture stops just short of extreme.
Aromas of saline solution and sawdust accent generic citrus and apple aromas. On the palate, this is fresh and citrusy. A blast of sharp lemon, apple and quince flavors come before a lightweight but oaky finish.
Leafy, herbal aromas of plum and raspberry show a touch of tomato, with a dash of oregano. This is soft on the palate, without a lot of spine or structure. Earthy, herbal flavors of stewed berries, tomato and green herbs finish minty and leafy, but with good feel.
Round black-cherry and herbal-blueberry aromas carry through to the medium-bodied palate. With enough tannic structure to support the ripe, full black-fruit tones, this wine is an easy call for all things grilled.
Smoky and savory on the nose, stewed blueberries mix with sweet barbecue sauce aromas. The palate shows fresher black fruit supported by grainy tannins.
Pretty violet and red cherry aromas perfume this aromatic Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, ruddy, slightly overripe tones of plum and cherry contrast markedly against a finish that's zesty and tart.
A full-bodied, rich wine that combines extra juiciness with delicious red-berry fruits. It is structured while being immediately attractive. It's a great wine to go with pasta dishes.
Sweet rosé, soft crushed strawberries with crisp, clean balanced acidity. The wine is fruity, fresh and great as an aperitif or with a fruit dessert.
With melon and green apple aromas, this mellow, mostly sweet wine cuts the mustard. The palate has a good feel, while core flavors of mango, melon and lime set up a short, unassuming, no-issues finish.
This basic Cabernet opens with standard berry, plum and herbal aromas. It's racy and tight on the tongue, with a mix of berry, chocolate and minty green flavors. The finish is spicy but not very fruity or complex. This is good as a pizza wine.
This unoaked Chardonnay starts with aromas of citrus and stalky greens. It's plump in the mouth, with soft acids and flavors of pineapple and other tropical fruits. It's just fresh enough, but mostly it's innocuous.
After initial horsy aromas of saddle, earth and roasted berry settle, there's oak and a chemical note to the palate, which also delivers herbal, tart flavors of raspberry and green plum. This is lean and citrusy on the finish.
The aromas on this wine run jammy, soft and baked. This is medium in intensity, with some dilution and herbal flavors of tobacco, berry and spice. The finish is modest and a bit green.
Tight, crisp and mineral driven, this wine has citrus fruits and a steely texture, demonstrating that it needs to age for a year.
This is a fruity wine, and its black currant flavor emerging right away. Next comes the bright acidity, while the tannins form a solid, dark and dry contrast. The wine needs at least two years to soften into something rich.
Ripe red fruits give this wine a juicy feel. The fruit is balanced, with new wood and caramel flavors offering a smooth contrast to each other. The smoky aftertaste is warm and ripe.
Very herbaceous and fruity, this has gooseberry, lime and pink grapefruit flavors. It's a light, bright and attractive, and it will be ready to drink in a few months.
With its forward acidity, this shows its fresh side before revealing its ripe red-berry flavors. Tannins form a firm, solid base that dominates the finish.
Smoky, ripe and juicy, this wine's weight and tannins are secondary to the plum note and balancing acidity. The wine is open, generous and delicious already.
This is a fruity effort, with a blackberry note that is laced with attractive tannins and acids. With its smooth, ripe texture and full mouthfeel, this is already approachable.
Both wines from this new producer show significant bottle variation. This Cabernet remains stubbornly stiff and compact, despite hours of breathing time. Some tightly wound berry and pomegranate flavors poke through, with notes of thistle and herb.
This is a dark, tarry wine, with a black cherry and cassis core that's accented by licorice and asphalt highlights. It's big but well built, a powerful red blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot. It seems to be trending into a somewhat pruny finish, and not likely to improve with further bottle age, so drink up.
This is called Old Ghost because the fruit used to make the wine is sourced from old vines. It's big, thick and dense, with layers of ripe blackberry, tar and smoky oak. A cigar smoker's kind of wine, this is a grand old Lodi Zin.
The bouquet on this Cava is a bit gaseous, with mild lime and apple aromas. In the mouth, it's foamy but fresh and lifted. Flavors of candied apple and mango finish in sweet fashion. Nice for Cava but with limits.
This is made in a dark, rich style, with the lush vanilla and tobacco flavors that can be found throughout this winery's red wine lineup. Here, the plummy fruit has the density to match the oak treatment.
This Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend has a tart and tangy appeal. The mixed plum and berry fruit flavors are matched with strongly herbal streaks. Tannins are earthy and astringent.
This medium-bodied, silky-textured rosé features modestly confected aromas of bubble gum and cotton candy, which give way on the palate to vinous notes of cherry and wet stone. Drink up.
This tight and compact Cabernet has an earthy base, with leafy forest-floor flavors and very astringent tannins. That said, there is good fruit at the core, especially the note of spicy plum.
This marks a change in style from Three Rivers's 2010, with noticeably less new oak influence and a much smaller production. The green apple and pineapple flavors have some sharpness, and the barrel fermentation (just 15% new oak) adds a biscuit-like note of vanilla wafer.
This new release of Riot changes the grapes around, with Sangiovese now comprising half of the wine and Mourvèdre and Grenache filling in the rest of the mix. It's a fun blend, fruity and broad, with a tart raspberry kick and a plummy, spicy finish.
This smells big but flat, with rich, jammy scents of berry and cherry. The palate comes across heavy and grabby. Flavors of pastry, lactic plum, berry and cassis are heavily influenced with oak, while the finish is full in feel but short in flavor. A blend of 62% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Syrah.
Cherry, cassis and spice aromas are mild and comported. The wine feels chewy and just dense enough, with baked cassis, berry and herb flavors that finish toasty and hot, with a rubbery note. Clean aromas and full fruit flavors are this wine's best attributes.
Medium to full bodied, with nicely supple tannins, Wirra Wirra's Church Block is an attractive wine for near-term consumption. Flavors in this blend of 48% Cabernet, 37% Shiraz and 15% Merlot range from broiled tomato to tart berry, then pick up some dried fruit character with air, finishing with an unusually tart edge.
Once past the whiff of tack-room leather, this young wine opens to reveal broad, sappy plummy fruit. It's not only unique but a whole lot of fun.
Planted in the 1970s, the Frank Herbert Vineyard is owned by winemaker Marco Cappelli. Newsome-Harlow winemaker Scott Klann made a great Zin from this vineyard in 2009, but the 2010 seems sweeter, dialed up on a lot of levels, with more intensity of fruit and alcohol and less of the savory spice that was so attractive last vintage. Still, it's worth tasting for the sake of understanding the vicissitudes of vineyard, vintage and vintner.
Talk about an incredibly ripe wine; this deals prune, marzipan, tobacco and sandalwood aromas along with loads of blackberry and cassis. In the mouth, it's tannic like nails, with enormous blackberry and chocolate flavors that narrow down on a fast-charging but ultimately short finish. You can equate this to a rough and bumpy road that takes you to a nice vista. Drink through 2020.
This big-boned Malbec from northern Argentina is full of brawny black-fruit aromas accented by pencil eraser, herbal scents and leafy notes. The mouthfeel is scratchy on the surface and chewy at its base, while flavors of clove, spice, herbs and baked black fruits are harmonious and impressive.
This is one of the few commercial bottlings coming out of Mallorca, and it's a unique wine made mostly from Callet, a native variety. Aromas of rose petals, strawberry and potpourri are exotic and unfamiliar. This crackles with acidity and delivers savory flavors of BBQ meat, earthy red fruits and molasses. Racy on the finish, this cries out for food; drink through 2016.
Like it's one-year-older brother, this is tight as nails from head to toe. Cedar, graphite and zero funk drive a black-fruit-heavy nose toward a hard-driving palate with fierce tannins and flavors of blackberry, toast and chocolate. A blackened, spicy finish is demanding but pure. Drink now through 2020.
There are wines with mass appeal and others that are so idiosyncratic that only one in five people might like it. This falls into the latter category; it's barrel-fermented Viura with Sherry, dry wood, butterscotch and corn cake aromas. The mouth is creamy and resiny, with integrated acidity that keeps it afloat. Flavors of spiced pear, vanilla, cinnamon and toffee suggest amontillado Sherry and something elusive yet refined. Drink now with a rich seafood dish like lobster or baked turbot.
Dominated by wood and spice, this is still a wine in progress. It has the weight of black fruit, dark tannins and licorice, while chocolate flavors promise a wine that will age over the long-term. For now, wait and don't drink this powerful wine before 2017.
All coming from Block 95 of the winery's estate vineyard, this is a beguiling wine with a complex range of notes that include caramel, spice, squash and cream. It shows excellent balance, length and finesse, with the enjoyment as much about mouth-feel as flavor.
This estate-grown Merlot is a standout among the Goose Ridge reds produced in 2010. A firm and substantial mix of red and black fruits comes on a bed of juicy acidity. Medium-bodied, it extends gracefully through the finish with hints of chocolate-covered raisins.
Opaque in color, this saturated Malbec-led blend exhibits coconut and cola aromas along with fully ripe blackberry notes. This is massive in the mouth, with a solid foundation. Maximum berry expression and a jammy, deep-fruited finish give this power and content beyond its price point.
This is solid, rich and with great fruit flavors to complement its structure. Red cherry fruitiness is lifted by intense acidity and broadened by the dark tannins and concentration. This is a wine to age for a few years, so drink after 2015.
This is one exotic number. The nose shows blueberry, boysenberry, charcoal, plenty of oak and hints of cardamom and star anise. A lush, layered palate is intense but doesn't hit too hard, while concentrated blackberry, licorice and spice flavors set up a peppery, minty finish that's stout and structured.
This is 100% Syrah from three vineyards: Funk, Les Collines, and Ranch at the End of the Road. Seamless, sexy scents of blue and purple berries, vanilla, licorice, black tea and cut tobacco swirl up from the glass and carry through to the palate. One third of the fermentation include whole clusters, adding savory flavors to the finish. An elegant Syrah for lovers of the grape.
This ripe, yellow-fruit-flavored wine has a smooth, rich texture. Full and flavorsome, it conveys a ripe, nutty character. The wine with its warm fruitiness is ready to drink.
Off a single vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion, this full-bodied red lacks a bit of richness on the midpalate but otherwise offers a mouthful of cola and plum.
A dense wine that is structured and concentrated, it has black fruits and dusty tannins under juicy acidity. With hints of the wood aging and fine berry fruits, the wine will be ready to drink from 2017.
This wine's pinkish-coppery hue suggests a bit of skin contact, as does the silky texture on the palate. Hints of gingery spice accent flavors of poached pear, finishing on a dry, dusty note.
Aromas of scorched soil, toasted hazelnut, dried black cherry and an earthy whiff of game carry over to the palate along with a note of bitter sage. Firm tannins provide support.
A whiff of cellar floor, camphor and grilled herb aromas lead the nose while the tightly wound, no-frills palate offers red cherry, pomegranate and white pepper. Assertive, close-grained tannins provide the framework while a hint of grilled sage closes the finish.
White pepper and a floral nose pique interest right away in this wine. A relatively light-bodied expression of the grape, it's soft in body and texture that persists in flavors of cinnamon stick.
A bit of skin contact gives this Viognier some extra character and texture. Quite aromatic on the nose, peach and pineapple juice aromas are shot through with pink peppercorns and grapefruit spray. The rich palate shows good acidic verve, however it feels slightly hot. Notes of jasmine show up on the midpalate leading to a slight astringent bitterness. In the end, fruit tones prevail and linger on a moderate finish.
Made from 65- to 80-year-old vines, this wine offers wood spice as well as apple and citrus fruit flavors. An underlying richness balances the acidity and crisp texture. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
Vines in deep red-iron soil on this tiny biodynamic family parcel (1.3 acres) are just coming into their own. This ripe wine balances rich yellow fruit with a tight shot of acidity and citrus. Fresh and crisp with touches of spice and butter., it is ready to drink.
Toast, espresso, oak and grilled herb aromas lead the nose while the palate offers dried black cherry, raw cranberry, orange zest and oak. Raspy tannins leave a bracing, drying finish.
This is an intriguing and unique wine with individual elements that are hard to pin down, but worthy of attention. The Portuguese varietal-led blend shows deep black plum, pencil lead, black cherry and cola on the slightly grapy nose. Cola, root beer and black cherry arise on the thick and chewy palate, which finishes slightly sour.
The Avesso grape is grown mainly in the south of Vinho Verde, in the warmer area nearer the Douro. Green plums and white peach flavors give this a ripe character while the citric edge adds the freshness. Drink this attractive wine now.
This is a smooth, ripe wine with just enough tannin to give it structure. The main character is rich, full of black plums and blackberries—ripe and generous. It has a wonderful juicy aftertaste.
Fermented in wood and naturally spicy flavors, this is a ripe, honeyed wine. Apricots and pears give the fruit element to a wine that is toasty and crisp. Fruitiness predominates in the aftertaste.
Dark-berry fruits, tomato and herbs make for a bouquet with ample power and varietal correctness. Big, blocky and fiercely tannic, this Cabernet tastes of roasted black fruits. A finish with heat, spice, oak-based clove and mint notes confirms a high level of oak that for the most part this can handle.
The magnificently named vineyard, the seat of God, is set in the hills next to Saint-Aubin. This wine is crisp while also having a warm, rich backdrop of yellow fruit. The chalk soil gives the wine its tight minerality and texture. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
With big holdings in the appellation, the Château de Santenay produces a range of wines. This single-vineyard bottling is typically rich and rounded. It cushions the tannins with ripe fruit and gentle acidity. Developing well, the wine will be ready to drink from 2017.
Quite possibly this has the largest production of any single Oregon Pinot Noir, which makes the quality even more impressive. A bit in the vein of a Beaujolais, this offers Gamay-like flavors of red berry and wild cherry. It's broadly fruity and forward on the palate, with zippy acidity that punches through the finish.
Grapefruit scents and flavors dominate this tasty wine. Some will find it identifies more closely with something akin to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, rather than a seasalty Albariño from Spain. No matter: It's fresh and zippy and best enjoyed within a couple years of the vintage.
Crisp apple flavors show strongly in this wine that offers good acidity and a tight, lively aftertaste. The brightness pushes the citrus character forward, leaving a lively, refreshing aftertaste.
Here's a straightforward red that offers aromas and flavors of mature black cherry, tart cranberry and dark baking spice. A note of powdered sage closes the finish while close-grained tannins provide support.
Leather, toasted hazelnut and ripe black-skinned berry aromas lead the nose. On the approachable, straightforward palate, hints of clove and nutmeg add interest to dense black cherry while velvety tannins give it an immediate vibe.
This wine is ripe and full, with a soft, creamy character that is warm and smooth. A light brushing of toast brings out spice. This attractive, rounded wine is ready to drink now.
There's a nice concentration of black-bramble fruit on the nose, with appealing notes of green peppercorn and anise. The moderately-full palate is tight, tannic and needs time in the glass to release the brooding black berry and plum flavors. A lift of menthol on the finish adds some levity.
Crisp green-apple freshness blends with hints of butter and vanilla for a nicely balanced, un-oaky, medium-bodied wine at a very reasonable price.
Spicy, fruity and attractive, this balanced wine has acidity, tight minerality, yellow fruits and a richer texture. Full bodied and generous, it will age well. Drink from 2017.
Made to be drunk young, this is a soft, ripe and fruity wine. It has a juicy blackberry flavor, plenty of acidity and a soft, smooth aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Olive, saucy berry and a sense of rawness on the nose drive this Malbec towards a solid but slightly scratchy feeling palate. Plum, blackberry and minty oak flavors are short and lightly herbal, while this ends without much force.
Livermore-based Fenestra always does well by Silvaspoons VIneyard in Lodi, a site devoted to Iberian and other unusual varieties, and its Tempranillo is bright and full-bodied, a glass of chewy dark cherries and coffee and caramel. Black in color, the finish is toasty with cloves. Pair it with hamburgers.
A soft, food-friendly wine, this has layers of vanilla and caramel apple, featuing a pronounced, lemony finish. With deeper, darker tones than an unoaked or neutral barrel-aged Chardonnay, Hoopla also retains plenty of acidity and a lurking sweetness.
This is full and fruity, with a wood-influenced caramel edge and soft tannins. It has a spicy black-fruit flavor, and its bitter edge provides piquancy to its fruitiness. Not for aging. Screwcap.
Leather and berry aromas are welcoming and veer toward mint. It feels solid and textured, with lightly oaked, earthy flavors of meaty berry and vanilla. It tastes roasted and shows medium intensity on the finish. A good crianza from a marginal vintage.
This has a slightly green edge to its tannins. It is balanced, detailed and true to its two varieties. No frills here: just confident and clean winemaking.
A clean and bright wine with focused acidity, this is a mouthful of lemon and lime flavors, with a hint of peach. With a handful of Chardonnay and Muscat in the mix, this is a great party or midweek white, but it's also fit for any special occasion.
This full and ripe Cabernet has berry and black cherry aromas. Tannic, narrow and tough on the tongue, it is blasting with flavors of blackberry, mint and black coffee. It's fruit flavor is met with plenty of kick and grab. Can age for a year.
Dusty apple and mineral aromas are clean, but that's about it. The palate is lifted by blazing acids and spritz, while the flavor profile is all tangy lemon, tangerine and freshly picked green bean. Cleansing on the finish.
A tasty mix of fresh fruit flavors—including melon, peach and nectarine—this is sourced in part from Snipes Mountain's excellent Upland Vineyard. Aged in 100% stainless steel, it's balanced and tight, with good snap to the finish.
Peachy, crisp aromas are mild but standard. It feels puckery and tight, with some spritz. Flavors of tangerine, orange and lemon are tangy but not sour, while the finish is long and chalky in feel. Drink immediately.
This has a big aromatic presence at first, but it elegantly melts into a soft texture and crisp red fruit. It would be a winner with steak.
Dineen Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills provides the fruit for this wine. The aromas of baking spice, herb, vanilla and poblano pepper are light while the flavors are elegant and creamy in feel. Coffee flavors linger on the finish.
Smashed Concord grapes, lavender and more purple flower aromas make for a very purple-leaning nose on this bottling from the hot stretches of southern Monterey County. The flavors are also quite violet-like, with lavender, jasmine, black plum, olallieberry, plum blossoms, and dill, altogether quite elegant with a relatively light touch.
On an estate about 10 miles north of Aix-en-Provence, this 32-acre vineyard has produced a pretty, fruity wine. Light and crisp, it is cut by citrus acidity, giving a lift to the lively raspberry fruits.
Lush and buttery with caramel notes, tar and plump blackberry fruit, this bottling by the Riboli family will certainly appease the dinner crowd. It's fairly light in body, but layered with smoky, juicy blackberry fruit, earthy undertones and an easy-drinking and soft tannic structure.
The scent of summer reaches out of the glass: fresh strawberries bathed in citrus and green pear freshness. The palate provides rounded berry fruit but also bright freshness for real, lasting zip. Drink soon.
Much lighter than the winery's other bottling of this level, this wine shows cranberry, light olive and the slightest hint of eucalyptus on the nose. Cranberry, black pepper, pencil lead and earth show on the palate, which makes for a very nice wine, just not quite as stunning as the Bien Nacido version.
Aromas of yellow stone fruit and Spanish broom lead the nose while the juicy palate offers mature yellow peach, citrus, pineapple and a hint of almond. Bright acidity provides balance and a crisp finish.
There's no mistaking the variety, with the hallmark aromas of jalapeño pepper, cayenne and herbs. The ample cherry flavors are sweet, with the tannins bringing some graininess.
Crisp fruit unveils itself slowly in this classically refreshing wine, soft and medium in acidity and oak. It picks up additional ripeness on the finish, from mango to peach.
Briny notes of oyster shell blend with spicy barrel notes and core apple aromas on the bouquet of this crisp, pure, minerally Chardonnay. Flavors of apple, quince, orange marmalade and minerals finish sturdy and secure.
Dusty earth, leather and tobacco notes juxtapose rich, luscious blackberry and plum in this bold, big-bodied wine. Intensely fruit forward but also balanced and complex, it finishes on a seductively dark mineral tone.
Dusty apple and minerally aromas are regionally and varietally correct. Flavors of apple and citrus are standard, while an unbroken finish is holding form. Drink now.
Subtle aromas of dark berry, tilled earth and baking spice lead the nose. The ripe, juicy palate doles out mature plum, cassis, anise and black pepper alongside round, solid tannins. Drink through 2018.
Earthy, field-like aromas include plum and currant. This Malbec shows tough, edgy tannins and toasty black-plum flavors. A bit of heat and burn is detectable on a bold, rugged finish.
Subdued aromas of ripe dark berry, violet, spice and a whiff of Alpine herb come together on this. The lively, straightforward palate offers up black raspberry, blackberry and nutmeg alongside velvety tannins. Drink soon.
There's a concentrated forest floor funk to the nose of this intriguing blend of 58% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 21% Carignane, as well as sweet root vegetable, blueberry, black plum and dried beef aromas. The palate is very wound up in a reductive, tarry tensions, with elderberry fruit and incense oil flavors. Needs some time to unfurl.
An almost neutral nose nonetheless gives slight hints of crisp citrus. An ultralight body provides easy, clean-cut drinking with a superdry, citrussy finish. Drink soon.
Green apples, apple blossoms, fresh Meyer lemon, tangerine skin and a bit of chalk show on the complex nose of this bottling, which is boosted by 5% Viognier. The flavors are fairly light, with energetic lime juice, apple flesh and tart apple skins in the midpalate.
Pink-orange in color, this is a tangy, high-acid wine that's not for everyone, given its bracing mix of tangerine and grapefruit. Light-bodied, yet textured, it's a good quaffer and food-friendly companion.
An attractive and ripely fruited Cab, this opens with lush aromas of blackberry, raspberry preserves and black plum that are complemented by spicy notes of bittersweet chocolate, toasted oak, pepper and cigar-box spice. The plush mouthfeel offers medium tannins and dense black-fruit flavors that linger on the spicy finish.
Delicate aromas of yellow flower and citrus lift out of the glass while the racy, linear palate offers grapefruit, nectarine and graphite alongside zesty acidity. It finishes crisp and clean.
Red-berry fruits dominate this crisp, clear wine with its direct line of acidity and light aftertaste. It's aromatic and full of life.
This wine presents itself initially as having a bold, big body, yet is actually light on its feet as it opens, revealing aromas of cherry liqueur, rhubarb joined with a funk of black licorice and sassafras.
A 100% varietal wine fermented in stainless steel, this is a bright, lively tangle of cherry and orange built around bristling acidity that practically sizzles on the palate. Light-bodied and plenty crisp, it mellows to show length and breadth on the finish.
Aromas of Bosc pear, apple, diesel and apricot lead to elegant fruit flavors. It drinks just a hair off dry. The concentration seems a bit wanting but what's there is well balanced.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Cabernet Franc (24%), Merlot (22%) and Malbec. Aromas of dark fruit and spice are followed by cherry and black-fruit flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
Aromas suggesting Anjou pear, almond, grilled herb and a whiff of smoke come together in the glass while the palate offers tangerine zest, ginger and mineral. Fresh acidity lends balance.
This opens with aromas of ripe orchard fruit and a whiff of citrus. The bright, juicy palate offers mature pear, peach and nectarine while a pleasantly bitter almond note fills in the finish.
Herbal and slightly bitter, this does bring some dark fruit flavors of black cherry and cassis into play. The finish has a slightly burnt character and a hint of rubber.
Soft fruit and lightly spicy, the wine has a touch of acidity, lychee and ripe apple flavors. It is ready to drink, a full and gently rich wine.
This is completely dominated by oak. It doesn't have the fruity richness to support the toasted notes and invasive wood sensations. It finishes on an astringent note.
This is a simple Pinot Grigio, with aromas of white spring flowers and green apple. The palate is slightly round, with a ripe pear flavor lifted by tart Granny Smith apple accents.
There is an earthy, rustic quality about this wine. The dry tannins are initially hard with chocolate flavors overshadowing the fruit. That gives a wine that needs time to open up and will always be on the dry, firm side. Drink from 2015.
A warm, fruity rosé, softly textured and full of strawberry fruits. There's a fine touch of acidity to balance and a dry aftertaste. Ready to drink.
Light colored wine with a touch of smokiness and soft, ripe fruits. It lacks definition, giving an open feeling without much structure. Wood aging gives a burnt character at the end.
Leathery, horsey aromas suggest rubber and berry scents. This feels alive and a bit edgy, with a mix of resiny oak, spice, red fruits and green herbs on the flavor profile. The finish is a touch abrasive, with a minty flavor.
Simple berry aromas are generic. This is dark on the palate, with black-fruit flavors that are standard and don't show much character. A lightly toasted finish is solid and not too choppy.
The Score swings and mostly misses, despite some interested fruit (mostly Merlot) that brings a brambly berry flavor into the mid-palate. There is a fishy undertaste that wraps into the finish, along with a light hint of cocoa.
Aromas of bath oil, candle wax and lychee set up a chunky palate with tropical flavors of lychee and melon. This blend of Torrontés and Chardonnay is round, plump and just acidic enough to hold its own.
Fleshy peach and melon aromas comme off as chunky and soft. The palate is just as soft as the nose, with melon and banana flavors. A simple finish is friendly but lacks spine, so drink this Chardonnay before it loses steam.
This wine isn't very expressive, with alcohol dominating both the nose and the palate. It reveals some licorice notes on the palate, along with decent acidity, but no fruit richness.
This is a rich, succulent wine, more akin to an auslese than a true spätlese. Dried apricot and orange marmalade aromas and flavors surround a core of dried spices and crushed stone, finishing on a spicy, mineral note. Drink now–2025.
This opens with classic Oregon Pinot scents of rose petal and cherry candy. In the mouth the toasty barrel flavors wrap around the juicy fruits —raspberry, cherry and more—with streaks of butterscotch creeping into the succulent finish. It's pure pleasure.
For a few years running we've been singing the praises of Abadal, a label from Catalonia that has been producing hit upon hit. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the excellent 2001 vintage is in super form; the wine has a ripe, integrated nose of cocoa, dark fruit and chocolate, while the palate is bold and loaded with vivacious cherry and blackberry flavors. From front to center to back, this wine has it all going in the right direction. Good now through 2012.
This is far and away the best Mirto of all time. It's ripe and brawny, with bacon and black-fruit aromas that put it squarely into the Nuevo Classic mold. In the mouth, licorice and nutmeg flavors give character to smooth blackberry and dark plum flavors, while the finish is cushioned, herbal and long. Immediately appealing but with five to ten years of aging potential.
Pure Arinto from the Lisbon region, this wood-aged wine is delicious and Chardonnay-like in its richness, with great swathes of apples and cream flavors, layered with toast. This is a great advertisement for a neglected region in Portugal's viticulture.
Aromas of slightly overripe fruit lead to just off-dry fruit flavors. It lacks a sense of cohesion.
This wine, with its late release and maturity is aiming to show that Alvarinho can age. The verdict: Sometimes, but not this time. The wine is definitely old with a strong oxidative character and no sign of any fruit.
Aromas of pink grapefruit and passion fruit are more in the Sauvignon Blanc field than your typical Chardonnay. Citric and bouncy on the palate, this tastes of tart grapefruit, orange peel and salt, and it stays that way through the finish.
Stewed black-fruit aromas are coated with a heavy smear of milk chocolate. In the mouth, this feels gooey and sticky. Candied berry flavors are overly chocolaty and finish with coffee and mocha notes.
Dusty cherry and tomato aromas are neither elegant nor elevated. A jagged palate lacks flow, while this tastes of salty sour plum. A low-depth finish tastes peppery. Overall, this is simply adequate Pinot Noir.
The aromas bring notes of cocoa, green herb and purple fruit, seeming more evolved than its age might indicate, while also bringing along some volatility. The palate shows gamy fruit flavors that seem a bit dried out.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon each make up 45% of this wine, with the balance Malbec. It comes off as quite green, with notes of bell pepper and green herb, along with unusual mesquite flavors. The alcohol pokes through on both the aromas and palate.
The aromas start out quite reduced, providing significant distraction. The bell-pepper flavors are light and show a bit of age.
Aromas of cocoa, blue fruit, herb and spice are followed by dried-out fruit flavors. Medicinal and game notes linger on the finish.
Murky grassy berry aromas and a whiff of cinnamon make for a sketchy nose. This feels choppy, while quick-hitting flavors of forced oak, baking spice and murky berry fruits finish hollow.
Granular aromas of latex, plum and animal lead to a choppy piercing high-acid palate. Dilute flavors of generic berry fruits are candied on one hand and tart and weedy on the other.
If you know Falernia and Elqui, then this fits the mold. If you don't, you'll probably find this Malbec to be weird or unlikable. Herbal aromas of olive and road tar are common to the winery and region. In the mouth, this is heavy, syrupy and lacks lift. Blackened stewy berry flavors include notes of cardamom and chocolate. On a flabby finish, this tastes of coffee grounds.
Leafy burnt aromas of compost lack freshness. This feels lean, raw and grabby, while forced flavors of oak and savory, roasted plum finish rubbery and tannic.
This rusty looking PN smells roasted and stewy, with forced oak. In the mouth, this is chunky and flat. Stewy oaky plum flavors run sweet and heavy on clove, while this reverts to creamy on the finish.
From the first sniff, this crosses the line into the vegetal realm via aromas of canned green beans. A plump round palate is friendly in feel, while flavors of salted beans and canned peas finish fully green.
Reduced jammy berry aromas precede a gummy palate. This tastes enriched by sugar and not entirely natural—stewy and candied on the finish. Tasted twice, with one sample refermented and spritzy.
Off the bat this smells weedy, with a hint of generic red-berry fruit to help things along. A green-tasting wiry palate finishes with burnt underripe berry notes.
Volatile aromas of cranberry, cherry and vanilla are followed by gritty lightly sweet cranberry and green-pepper flavors that show some astringency. The concentration seems lacking.
Volatile aromas lead to broad cranberry and raspberry flavors. It shows more age than its vintage might indicate.
Light in color and just as light in body, this Merlot smells like cherry, plum and chewing gum. A lean linear palate generates tart generic red-fruit flavors prior to a sour finish.
Cherry cough drop, raspberry and minerally aromas settle on the nose. This four-grape blend shows a lively palate that's dry and crisp in feel, with raspberry, plum and red pepper flavors that lead to a tight finish that peters out quickly.
Roasted berry, dry oak, bacon, leather, graphite and spice aromas come together on the nose. It feels jammy, thick and chewy, with full tannins setting up flavors of baked berry and molasses. It finishes similarly, with a rich, full texture and a candied flavor. This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Notes of baked-berry, herb and savory spice come together well on the bouquet. It feels chunky and round but lively, with plum and cassis flavors that carry an herbal, tomatoey shading. This is fresh and herbal enough so that you know it's Old World.
This is has flavors of apple and red currant, with a dry, light touch. The acidity cuts through the palate, giving it an attractive freshness, with a touch of spice and a crisp finish.
This is a tannic blend of all five Bordeaux grapes, with an earthy mix of cherry, herb and berry flavors. It's elevated with pretty floral aromatics as well, and a hint of anise in the finish.
The aromas of orange and mineral are uncomplicated and friendly. It feels pure and offers good flow, with apple, lime, mineral, white pepper and anise flavors. Fruity, dry and composed on the finish, this is great wine for patio sipping or pairing with seafood.
Made from the Códega do Larinho grape (also called Síria), this is a refreshingly rich wine. It's full in the mouth yet it retains its natural freshness, with a touch of pepper, tangy acidity and great depth of flavor. The finish bears notes of citrus, pear and green apple.
Floral and aromatic, this has a hint of prickle to go with the citrus, green apple and white peach flavors. There is an attractive mineral character—the wine dancing and fragrant.
This is atypically medium bodied for the warm 2009 vintage, with an admirable degree of lightness and drinkability. Tart berry fruit is accented by rose hips and orange zest, then finishes crisp and lingering. Drink it over the next several years.
Full bodied and thickly textured, this Southern Rhône Syrah combines cedar and vanilla notes from oak aging with notes of brandied cherries and a bit of asphalt. It's long on the finish, with a plush feel, then ends on a slightly bitter note.
Silky, spicy and roundly fruity, this estate-grown Viognier brings fruit flavors of citrus, melon and a hint of pineapple. Nicely woven together, it finishes with a citrus rind edge that's softened with a suggestion of cream.
Structured and firm, this is a solid, chunky wine. With its black fruit flavors merging with a more dry and tannic core, it is both dense and ageworthy. Acidity leavens its rich character. Age for 3–4 years.
Rich and creamy, rounded by toast and honey with some spiced fruits. The texture is more wood than fruit, needing time to evolve.
Concentrated and a bit reduced with aromas of chocolate sauce-drizzled raspberries, balsamic glaze and woody spice. Lush dark fruit abounds in the round mouth with medium dusty tannins providing a fine sandpaper texture. The flavors of all-fruit preserves and black plum transition to a kick of spice on the finish. Drink now.
Vibrant, tart aromas of green gooseberries and lime rind elevate the underlying hay and fresh thyme herbal accents. Lean, barely ripe white peach and hard pear add volume to the medium-weight mouth. Balanced and seamless with a clean, refreshing finish. Drink up!
Opens with classic lychee and melon aromas and only a touch of flower blossom. The palate has a nice, clean, healthy feel and flavors of green apple, lime and melon. Exceedingly clean and easygoing, with juicy acidity and proper balance.
Spicy and smoky with notes of dark red berries, rich red plum guts, tobacco and cocoa on the nose and palate. The finish is long and is loaded with roasted coffee beans, cocoa, and finally a bacony sweetness at the close. Balanced and well-integrated with firm but not overly assertive tannins. Drink now.
Milk chocolate, blue berries, caramel sauce and sweet wood aromas create the impression of a somewhat reduced and confected Shiraz. But the palate comes forward with more vibrant and fresh fruit flavors of raspberry, plum and cherry to keep the sweetness from going overboard and overwhelming the wine. Overall, it's balanced and approachable with a solid, clean finish.
Really toasty, honey and lemon style of Chardonnay, tight and crisp. There are plenty of green plum and grapefruit flavors. Deliciously crisp, while also ripe.
While there is a somewhat meaty edge to this wine, it also has good rich texture. It probably needs time to bring out the full potential of its ripe yellow fruits.
A wine that is full in the mouth, offering some wood flavors, also some tight acidity and a final, crisp edge.
Oscar Quevedo, a new star of the Douro, has produced a stylish wine, suffused with tannins, fresh acidity, solid black fruits and a lively bright feel. It is ready to drink, but could age 3–4 years.
Quintessential Best Buy stuff, with full aromas of meaty berry and leather. Concentrated and dark across the palate, with full-bodied black fruit, black olive and savory flavors. Offers all the color, weight and fruit that a $12 wine should.
Here's a clean and fresh selection, with bright citrus, grass, melon rind and pineapple core aromas. White peach and nectarine flavors flesh out the medium-weight palate, with ample acidity to keep the finish crisp and lively. Drink now.
This wine opens with aromas of beeswax, white flower, acacia, lemon drop and smoky mineral. The savory palate delivers lemon zest, grapefruit and yellow peach accented with thyme, rosemary and mineral.
Deeply mineral in style with hints of waxy lemon and lime skin, this bold, full-bodied wine boasts rich honey-apple flavors and a juicy, rounded mouthfeel. The moderately long finish comes with a hint of savory herb.
From the coastal region around Bandol, this is a crisp, salty wine. It has the brightest lemon fruits and some herbaceousness. The tangy texture needs to soften, so wait until the end of 2014 to drink.
This seems a bit riper and rounder than most Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, but it remains varietally on target. Gooseberry and pink grapefruit aromas and flavors finish on a mouthwatering note. Drink now.
The Stillwater Creek vineyard bottling of Novelty Hill Syrah shows a bit more concentration than its sibling in 2011, with whiffs of pepper, earth, soy and umami. There's a saline character as well, reflective of the mineral-rich soil, and a pleasant taste of toast in the tannins.
Attractive hints of struck flint give this medium-bodied wine a fumé-like character that nicely accents ripe melon and fig flavors. It's fleshy on the palate, finishing with mouthwatering acids and plenty of length.
Leathery aromas blend well with concentrated black-fruit scents. In the mouth, this value-priced Malbec offers juicy purity and plenty of spunk. Flavors of black fruits, licorice and chocolate maintain a sense of freshness, while the finish offers residual blackberry and cassis flavors.
Ripe, luscious raspberries lend a brambly tone to this dry, invigorating Pinot Noir rosé. The palate is concentrated with summer berry flavors pierced with a stream of tart lemonade acidity.
Spicy, dry aromas of earth, red currant and black olive offer some complexity and style. This is full bodied, racy and loaded with black cherry, cassis and peppery spice flavors. A touch of heat and menthol adds jolt to the finish.
Initially this Malbec smells pinched and of cheesy leather, although with airing the nose shifts to latex and heavy berry aromas. The mouthfeel is chewy and blocky, while flavors of earthy black fruits, herbs and dried spices finish roasted and briny.
A sunny and polished wine, it unfolds with ripe citrus and stone fruit sensations that carry over to the savory palate along with saline and a hint of mineral. The juicy fruit flavors are balanced by bright acidity.
It has aromas of exotic fruit and a whiff of wildflowers. The palate delivers juicy pineapple, honeydew melon, apple and white peach. It's nicely balanced and the creamy texture is energized by a light mineral note.
Char, sawdust and black cherry aromas confirm the wine's “oak cask” labeling. Full bodied and ripe, it conveys meaty thickness and bold flavors of berry and spiced plum. A toasty, charred finish is lifted by bright acidity and fresh black-fruit flavors. This will go well with just about anything off the grill.
Dusty saffron, dried herb and mineral notes lend savoriness to flavors of luscious, ripe yellow peach and apricot jam in this bold, tongue-coating ice-style wine. Bright Meyer lemon and tangerine acidity shine through the finish, along with subtle astringency.
This opens with enticing aromas of jasmine, stone fruit, canteloupe and mineral. The juicy fruit palate offers peach and melon accented with nectarine, lemon zest and candied ginger notes.
From the island of Hvar, this wine has aromas of Chinese tea and cranberry juice. There's also a pleasant feral note in the complex bouquet. It has flavors of cranberry juice and black cherry tart with grippy tannins and a persistent finish.
Old vines give extra concentration to this rich wine. With fruitiness, a tight texture and the need to age, it has structure and density. Drink from 2015.
Perhaps the palest Central Coast rosé of the year, this Pinot Noir-based wine almost looks like water, but the aromas of marcona almond and delicate lemonade assure that it's perfect for a picnic on a hot day. The strong acidity tantalizes the mouth, and would make excellent pairing for shellfish or simply cooked white fish.
In Provence, heavy bottle seems to equal high alcohol. It's true here, with a wine that, while it has the right pale grey pink color, is almost too rich for its own good. It does have fruit and acidity but they are just a part of a powerful and ripe wine. Age it until the end of 2014 for best results.
Fresh, aromatic and fruity, it has ripe citrus and pear flavors layered with a more mineral, salty texture. It's tangy, full bodied and cut with tight acidity at the end.
Off the bat, this smells of minerals, vitamins and iodine, but with airing plum and blackberry aromas arise. The wine has snappy acidity but soft edges and mild tannins. Flavors of cola, baking spices and black fruits finish wide and easy, with a dusting of pepper. Drink now.
Opening aromas include white spring flowers and apples. The juicy palate offers citrus, exotic fruit and tart green apple alongside soft but refreshing acidity. It ends on a note of white almond.
Soft and fruity, it's bone dry, very crisp and totally fresh. Red currants dominate this wine that has intense acidity and light zesty aftertaste.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of ash, raw meat, smoke, herb, stem, blood orange and mineral. The palate brings a sense of freshness to the generous savory flavors, showing a bit of tannic heft on the finish that should settle with additional time in the bottle.
Mostly Grenache, the aromas are vibrant, with notes of orange peel, stem, funk, smoked meat, white pepper, herb and crushed flower. It's light on its feet with abundant raspberry and earth flavors that draw out on the finish.
An exemplary rendition of the RR reserve bottling, this vintage is loaded with honey and spice. Smooth, off-dry, complex and full bodied, it's in perfect balance between sweetness and tang, mixing fruit and skin components with that succulence. Lively and energetic, it's delicious now but will benefit from age. Drink through 2030.
This is a tropical-fruit-flavored wine with only a hint of more herbal flavors. It is ripe and juicy with sweeping fruitiness as well as acidity. The texture, mineral in character, comes from the chalk of the vineyard—one of the top sites in Sancerre. Drink this beautiful wine from 2018.
Matured in large wooden vats, this is a wine that is so ripe and rich. With great fruit allied to an opulent texture, it is both spicy and full of tropical fruit flavors. At the moment, it is just bursting with fruit and will need time to calm down, so wait to drink until 2019.
Made from 100% dried Zibibbo grapes, this classic dessert wine opens with intense raw apricot, date and orange marmalade aromas. It's fresh, full-bodied and elegant on palate, with layers of ripe fig, tangerine zest, chestnut honey and eucalyptus flavors that persist long into the finish.
Rich and fruity, this wine is packed with intense black-currant flavors. It is perfumed, ripe with a good tannic background. The density of the wine and the firm structure point to a long aging process. Drink this beautifully structured wine from 2026.
Burly and brawny in tar and leather, this muscular wine is showy and yet totally delicious. It's worthwhile and hard to resist in its full embrace of smoky oak, black-cherry liqueur and blackberry jam. Soft and succulent, it finishes as robust as it started—a good poster child for the oft-maligned variety.
A brooding texture and fully layered concentration of intense flavor spark the palate and mind in this estate wine, which is showy in cola, bark, black cherry and black tea. Medium bodied and well-made, it finds balance between its coastal influence, its crisp acidity and the burlier aspects of fruit and weight.
From the producer's organically farmed estate, this light elegant red is Old World in approach and execution, offering delicate aromas of leather pouch and black pepper. Wraparound tannins provide structure within a graceful framework of plum and cedar, as the oak integrates to preserve a freshness of acidity and lively complexity.
This wine comes from an estate in southern Alentejo. Aged for 14 months in mainly new barrels, it is rich in spice and toast that are balanced by great black fruits and generous tannins. This excellent wine is still aging; drink from 2019.
Despite its decadent profile, this wine manages to be complex and beguiling, intensely fruity, with an uplift of high-toned red cherry. Violet, lavender and gamy meat give it personality and intellectual challenge, asking for forgiveness rather than permission.
Showing just a touch of reduction, this wine is bright, crunchy and explosive on the palate. The palate shows a mix of raspberry, cherry and cranberry that's full of flavor. Seductively smooth, it should continue to evolve and expand with time, as the wine is just beginning to unravel its complex notes of baking spice, vanilla and tea.
Plum and cherry fruit notes combine here, feeling concentrated through the midpalate. Although aged in one quarter new oak, the barrel character has little impact on the flavor. It remains a bit tight and should continue to improve with bottle age. Drink 2019–2031.
There have been 19 (dix-neuf) generations of Mellots making wine in Sancerre; at least one of them in each generation has been named Alphonse. This wine celebrates the history and the great quality of the family's wines today. It is richly endowed with both the beautifully ripe fruit and with a sophisticated acidity and texture. Drink this very fine wine now, although, like the Mellots, it will also age.
This wine's rose petal, herb, dark spice and woodland berry aromas slowly take shape, along with a whiff of new leather. The full-bodied, energetic palate delivers juicy red cherry, cranberry, clove, cinnamon and orange peel flavors while youthfully austere tannins and vibrant acidity provide the framework. Drink 2023–2033.
This Barbaresco's pressed violet, Asian spice, menthol and woodland berry aromas lift out of the glass. Fresh, structured and elegant, the palate evokes juicy Marasca cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and a blast of orange zest while youthfully assertive tannins and racy acidity provide support. Drink after 2024.
Black-fruit aromas blend nicely into chocolate, vanilla and savory fig scents on the nose of this Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend. A dense, well-structured palate holds savory flavors of plum and baked berry fruits. A complex finish that revolves around mild oak and salty fruit flavors is lasting. Drink through 2023.
Like the winery's other Pinot Noir, this seems way underpriced for the quality. Its subtle layers of cherry and plum are enhanced with baking spice, toasted coconut and caramel highlights. It can easily stand beside wines costing twice as much. Drink now through 2028.
This wine has richness, with fine tannins along with exuberant fruit. With its concentration and ripe berry flavors it has power as well as elegance. Juicy and packed with blackberry and damsons, it will be ready to drink from 2026.
With dense tannins and already generous and opulent fruit, this wine has great structure plus fine black-currant fruit and acidity. Its perfumes are balanced, with an elegant character. It should be ready to drink from 2026.
This is a great example of a dry well-balanced Zin to drink with dinner rather than as a sweet dessert. It's also a taste of history, coming from a vineyard originally planted in 1869. It's medium bodied, nicely structured with firm tannins and has aromatic complexity from cedar, tobacco and cardamom notes, plus delicious just-ripe cherry flavors.
Winemaker James MacPhail continues to refine his solo project with this Annapolis-sourced effort, a smooth layered expression of baked strawberry and rose petal herbaceousness. Lingering fruitiness makes it lovely to enjoy, as the oak remains a background player in full support of the succulence and ripe power. Still young, it should continue to open further over time.
No need to drink this intense, highly structured Malbec-Cabernet blend soon, although you could. Aromas of blackberry, cedar and desert brush are intense but also complex. Flavors of baked plum, cassis and blackberry finish strong and with modest heat as well as coffee and chocolate flavors. Drink through 2026.
Open-tank fermentation gives this wine a ripe, jammy character that is balanced by the intense black fruits and acidity. Together they form a rich, structured, juicy and firm wine that is likely to age. Drink from 2019.
This extremely aromatic bottling shows cola, dark red cherry, black plum, nutmeg, cinnamon and concentrated hibiscus on the nose, which remains light despite all of the aromas. The acid-driven zippy wine leaps onto the palate with exotic plum and mulberry flavors, proving quite amazing in how so many flavors can ride such a light frame.
Maybe the friendliest Hirsch bottling, this wine has wonderful complexity, medium body and a broad supple texture that make it a pleasure to taste. It has spicy lightly earthy aromas, plenty of raspberry, red cherry and rhubarb for fruit flavors, and a good sense of layering on the palate, followed by a long finish.
Sourced from Ceja Vineyards, this wine impresses in crisp dried red fruit and perfumed floral aromatics that go on for days. Velvety in texture and robust in power, it offers big shoulders around a tartness of acidity and complex baking spice.
From the mighty site, this is a mountainous wine, generous and layered with bold big flavor. Plum candy, cinnamon, nutmeg, licorice and raspberry swirl in the glass with tension and grace, finishing in a wrapping of firm oak and tannin.
This powerful and densely packed sweet wine has a color that's nearly black except for a dark garnet rim, aromas of wood smoke and dark chocolate and flavors like espresso, blueberry syrup and black pepper. It's very high in alcohol, hot on the palate and about as bold as a wine can get.
In a Bordeaux tradition, this is the second wine from this Douro quinta. Wood aging and ripe berry fruits have combined to make an accessible wine that's soft and open. It is made to be drunk young and is ready now.
Bright and plump fruits of black plum and boysenberry are drizzled with tar and dusted with savory peppercorns on the nose of this bottling, which also has a gamy hint of roast lamb. The palate is a tad thin but full of flavor, with boysenberry, lavender and thyme flavors.
The aromas are downright fruity, with notes of apricot nectar, herb, dried stem and flower. The palate brings chalky-feeling cherry and guava flavors. It's an unusual interpretation of this variety that could use more time to settle in the bottle.
Bright boysenberry fruit is blended with aromas of white pepper, oregano, nettle and rosemary on the underripe nose of this Syrah. The cracked peppercorn flavor shows prominently on the sip, along with elderberry, pine and forest floor. The tannins are oddly sticky.
The producer sources from multiple sites across the appellation, including its own estate, in this value-driven red. Minty bay leaf provides an undeniable sense of earthiness, as medium weight and acidity pierce through. It's silky in spice.