This wine has yummy, fresh fruit aromas and flavors and a supple texture. The cherry, raspberry and plum notes are easy to savor due to medium body, light tannins and rather soft acidity.
A blend of 80% Trebbiano and 20% Malvasia partially fermented in barriques, this has subtle aromas of orchard fruit and a hint of pressed flower. The bright medium-bodied palate offers suggestions of ripe Golden Delicious apple, lemon peel and a hint of oak-driven spice.
The wine is juicy with soft tannins. It has elevated acidity as well as delicious red-berry flavors, along with touches of wood aging. It could age for another few months and will be better in 2018.
Black plum, blackberries, lilac and vanilla show on the easy if simple nose of this bottling. There's a load of perfume-like purple flowers on the sip, where a curiously strong acidity also carries cola spice.
There are copious amounts of earth and herbs on the nose of this blend of 28% Merlot, 28% Sangiovese, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Carmenere, 6% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, showing baked earth, red bell pepper and leather. It's soft and easy on the palate, with red fruit and that peppery pyrazine touch, making for a solid weeknight pizza wine.
The aromas bring notes of vanilla, cream and baking spice, with the oak playing a prominent part but still showing appeal. The palate brings sweet cinnamon flavors that linger on the finish.
Gritty like fruit leather, with a perceived sweetness of plum candy and red licorice, this wine is wide and expansive on the palate, with grippy, persistent tannins. The oak is dominant and pushy on the palate, unsettled somewhat in its integration.
More earthy and herbal than fruity, this medium-bodied wine from Calaveras County tastes rich and round on the palate and has a subtle savory character. With two-and-a-half years of aging before release, it shows the nicely mellowing effect of time.
This is a very ripe-tasting broadly textured wine that's full bodied and fruity. Plum and prune aromas precede jammy, grapey flavors with light spicy accents. Blended from Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it's soft in mouthfeel and low in acidity and tannins.
This smells ripe and bright, with grapy and chocolate praline aromas which lead to a palate that is immersed in oak spices and nutmeg. This is a nicley balanced wine with smooth tannins and a long, spicy finish.
Rustic aromas of grilled meat, leather and medicinal berry fruits set up a drawing, pulling palate with rough tannins. Dark-berry flavors are roasted and peppery, while this is herbal tasting and tannic on the finish.
Oaky herbal plum and tomato aromas are woodsy and hint at sandalwood and bath oil. A tight dry tannic palate is home to prune, stewed berry and chocolate flavors. On the finish, a sense of mild overripeness is reflected via raisiny notes.
This is a rich, fairly dry and flavorful wine that has baking spice and chocolate aromas, cocoa-dusted plum flavors and a broad softly tannic texture that adds a good bite.
This is a soft style of Dão, focusing on fruit rather than structure. That gives ripe black-cherry flavors, acidity and a warm open texture. Made from a blend of all the local red grapes, it is rich and ready to drink.
This has subdued aromas suggesting dark berry, a whiff of exotic spice and a slight balsamic note. It's rather light bodied and quite simple for Barolo, offering red cherry and a hint of star anise alongside bright acidity and palate-drying, somewhat fleeting, tannins. Drink through 2020.
Lush black plum, bramble and black pepper mingle with cedar and spicy oak notes in this wine. These extend to the palate, where licorice and dried herbs linger. This wine is deep and extracted, so the full tannic structure does not seem out of place.
The aromas are fruit forward, with notes of plum and herb. The palate is supple in feel, showing little apparent new oak influence and zippy acidity. It doesn't seem entirely varietal aromatically but still brings appeal and should fit in well at the dinner table.
This bottling's slightly dank nose recalls the front lawn being cut on a hot summer day, but a warmer, more inviting peach and nectarine fruit component awaits in the background. The palate is tangy with sharp lime peels and a bit tarry.
Light in weight and feel, this tart Chenin leads with bright scents of green apple, plum and lemon peel. A hint of toasted oak dances in the background, adding a touch of depth and spicy character to the close. Linear and direct, this might benefit from a bit more time; try after 2017.
Earthy and stewy plum and berry aromas lead to heavy, clunky palate with leafy mulchy berry flavors. End notes of carob are mostly oak-based, while defined fruit notes are lacking.
This is a soft fruity wine with ripe strawberry flavor. It has a touch of pepper as well as crisp acidity in the background. Drink now.
This ripe rosé is warm and soft. It has a generous strawberry flavor that is just lightly touched by acidity. The aftertaste continues the soft theme and adds some pepper. It comes from a 61-acre vineyard surrounded by hills.
This Moschofilero/Chardonnay blend feels a bit overwrought, with a boozy nose of vanilla, dried apricot and spice and flavors of citrus fruit and cedar. It also has a nice exotic character that will pair well with heartier fish dishes and cheese. Drink now.
This wine has a muddy aspect to the nose. The palate is fresh and sprightly but a little dilute and derives its fruit from a light, refreshing lemon note.
Distinct aromas of wood grain and pine crowd out any fruit scents. This feels somewhat flat, with resiny oak flavors resting on top of melony notes. A second wave of wood spice controls the finish.
A light and fruity wine with a slight tincture of tannin and acidity. Red-cherry and banana flavors dominate this readily drinkable wine.
This orange-colored rosado offers aromas of peach flesh, peach pit and sea shell. Dry, pithy, mildly bitter flavors of citrus and stone fruits end pithy. Contains 25% white Viura.
Fully ripe black-fruit aromas are rubbery and edgy. This feels jammy, heavy and simple. Flavors of syrupy blackberry and crème de cassis finish sweet and grapy with a sense of syrupy weight.
Made from 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache, this salmon-colored rosé is ripe and fruity, boasting attractive aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry and plum, all laced by a hint of white chocolate. The medium-weight palate is fleshy and flavorful, with a medium-length close.
From the heart of the Beaujolais Villages area south of the cru villages, this wine has a fresh feel to it. It is crisp with red cherry and lively acidity. The soft tannins just buoy up the wine and give it an attractive shape. Ready to drink now.
Gamay produces an attractive perfumed style of rosé, as with this wine. It has plenty of acidity balanced with raspberry fruit and a squeeze of lemon. It's ready to drink now.
From vines with an average age of 40 years old, this wine is the Duboeuf classic. It is soft, easy and fruity with its red fruits and gentle tannins. There is a dry edge to the wine, giving a touch of concentration. Drink this crisp wine now.
This is an easy-drinking, crowd-pleaser of a wine. Light to medium bodied, it has fresh strawberry and cherry flavors and a soft, smooth texture.
Raw, earthy plum aromas are spicy and lightly herbal. This feels saucy yet monotone. Tomato, red-plum and herbal flavors end with a hint of brown sugar and a continuation of the wine's herbal plum character.
Firm tannins make this wine solid and dry. It has banana and bright cherry fruits well integrated with the acidity. The aftertaste suggests the wine could benefit from a few more months before drinking, so wait until 2017.
This has aromas of stalky underbrush, porcini mushroom, game and berry. The wine's uber-simple palate shows suggestions of wild cherry and a hint of clove alongside drying, fleeting tannins and brisk acidity.
Delicate herbal accents add depth to the fruity tones of apple flesh, pear and white nectarine. The palate is surprisingly round and toasty, with rich baked apple and peach pit flavors that fall somewhat flat on the midpalate. Drink now.
This light and fruity wine has fresh acidity as well as lemon and ripe pear fruits. It is soft, smooth, and with a creamy texture, is very ready to drink.
Still rare to find in Beaujolais, this Chardonnay is a light wine, full of fruit and attractive ripe melon flavors. It has enough acidity for balance while being more ripe than fruity. The wine is ready to drink.
This is a really fresh wine with tight acidity and attractive red-berry fruit. It is light, with a hint of pepper from the Grenache in the blend and with forward acidity. Drink now.
Viosinho and Viognier are the principal grapes in this blend. It is fresh and very crisp. Lively acidity with a lightly perfumed character and touches of apricot. Drink now.
This has a nose of mint, blue flower and berry while the simple diluted palate offers hints of fresh strawberry and white pepper. It's easy drinking, with bright acidity and frail tannins.
Made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, this is a straightforward and easygoing rosé that offers notes of ripe strawberry and cherry on the nose and mouth. The light-weight palate offers ample acidity and a pleasant astringency that lends some texture through the close. Drink now.
This is a soft vineyard-designate, approachable and flirting with overripe flavors that rein in accents of soy, brown sugar and Dr Pepper.
The 2011 vintage was a cold one in Chile and this Cab reflects that. It's pumping out loads of olive, green herbs and oak on the nose, and that's followed by a tannic palate with minty, green flavors of olive, thyme, pepper and generic berry fruits. Not surprisngly, the finish is fairly green.
Floral red-fruit aromas become more jammy and sweet with airing. This feels fresh despite being chunky in weight, with citrusy acidity. Flavors of red plum, apple skins and blueberry finish with a green hint, raciness and red-fruit acidity.
With slightly sharp, herbal red-fruit aromas, this representes the lighter side of Garnacha. In the mouth, it's choppy but fresh, while leafy flavors of plum, raspberry and peppery spice finish fiery and dry.
Pithy citrus aromas are plump but wayward. This feels a bit flabby but holds it together for the most part. Flavors of citrus fruits, melon and green herbs are good in the most basic sense of the word.
A pale, simply fruity rosé, with scents of citrus and crushed vitamins. This is light to medium in body and only moderately intense in its flavors, hinting at berries, orangey citrus and chocolate on the finish.
A crisp, clean, fruity and attractive lemony wine has just the right tangy character. It also has some softness and sweetness in its fruitiness that makes it a good apéritif. Screwcap.
Typical, light and sweet rosé, fruity with bright acidity and forward red fruits. Drink now. Screwcap.
Here's a cheerful sparkler that offers subdued aromas of yellow flower with a whiff of banana peel. Pineapple and pear flavors greet the palate along with steely bubbles. This is simple but well-made and makes a fun apéritif.
The nose is true to the variety: there's grapefruit and lime aromas along with grassy notes. The palate is solid, maybe a bit plump and vapid, with lemon, lime and other citrus flavors. A bell pepper and jalapeño sharpness comes up on the finish.
Campfire and hickory aromas dominate the nose on this superficial Carmenère that's round in the mouth but also acidic and showing little structure or stuffing. Flavors of black fruits, herbal notes and wood finish rubbery in feel then bitter in taste.
This Marin County Pinot may have suffered from the cool vintage as the raspberry and cherry flavors that it opens with veer into bitter territory. The texture is fine, heavier than usual, the wine just having a hard time coming around.
Ripe in green apple, banana and pineapple, this is a heavily barrel-influenced wine, intense in petroleum and toasty vanilla. Save this for buttery lobster or risotto dishes.
Earthy, leafy aromas are backed by raspberry and cherry notes. This comes across firm and pinched, with a narrow mouthfeel defined by choppy tannins. A heavy oak flavor covers raspberry and plum accents, while the finish is dry and oaky.
This soft wine is very fruity, with banana and red cherry flavors, and very drinkable now. It has a bright feel to it, from the acidity and from the light, jaunty texture. Drink now.
Aromatically speaking, this has some issues. The nose is rustic and roasted smelling, with rubbery aromas of burnt leaves and leathery fruit. With airing, things improve and the palate feel is not an issue at all, while flavors of herbal berry, toast and leaf notes finish slightly bitter.
Roasted, leathery aromas have a cheesy side that covers up the wine's fruit scents. This feels fresh but choppy and rough, while flavors of mint, plum and cassis finish peppery and a bit green and grassy.
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.
With huckleberry and other blue fruit aromas and flavors, this wine doesn't seem varietally correct, but it's hard to ignore its lightly sweet, soft-feeling appeal and chalky tannins. It's not profound but still makes you reach for another sip to ponder it.
This crisp wine hs a light prickle and creamy apple and pear flavors. Still young, it needs to develop its rounder texture and open, warm nature. Hold this attractive wine until early 2016.
This value-priced wine shows pressed Bing cherry juice, sagebrush and balsamic fig vinegar on the nose. The palate offers a complex combination of flavors—mocha, espresso, blackberry and anise.
Innovative and luminous, this 50-50 blend of Vermentino and Verdicchio shows heady aromas of tropical fruit and white flower. Vibrant acidity balances juicy pear, peach and a citrusy note before the crisp, clean finish.
Aromas recall grilled pepper, red currant and exotic spice. The palate delivers dried black cherry, toasted oak, roasted coffee bean, anisette and espresso alongside the heat of evident alcohol. It lacks fruit richness to stand up to the oak, while raspy tannins give it an astringent, mouth-drying finish.
This solidly made wine is well apportioned in terms of price and quality. With smokiness to the toasty oak, it's a concentrated and juicy wine accented by saddle and black cherry. Medium bodied and rounded, it has a medium finish, as well.
Aromas of blue flower, spicy plum, leather, game and cellar floor lead the nose. The aromas carry over to the robust palate, along with mature blackberry, clove and licorice, while hearty tannins provide support. This has a rustic charm.
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.
Enticing aromas suggest white spring flower and peach. The bright palate offers nectarine zest, crunchy Granny Smith apple and wild herb alongside fresh acidity.
Typical aromas of ripe peach, melon and white flowers are elevated on the nose. A slightly oily palate houses floral tones up front, leading to juicy nectarine on the midpalate. A playful, fuzzy feeling round out the finish.
This lively white features aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and white flower.s The bright, round palate doles out fresh peach, juicy pineapple and crisp apple alongside zesty acidity.
The aromas on this wine are quite unusual, with notes of wet copper penny, fresh sage and raspberry. Meanwhile the cranberry and cherry flavors are sweet and concentrated, creating an uneasy juxtaposition.
Light in color, this blend of 51% Syrah, 42% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon is perfumed with orange peel, coffee, plum and herbs. It drinks off dry, quite light and elegant in style with grainy tannins.
A smokiness rises to the fore initially in this wine, a toasted oak accent that marks its character. From there, sour cherry and grenadine mix for an earthy celebration of red fruit before this full-bodied wine presents its tannins on the finish.
A fresh but subdued nose leads to an easy-drinking, lightweight palate dominated by fresh, zingy citrus flavors. There is just a hint of that Sauvignon Blanc grassiness.
Juicy ripe blackberry and raspberry form the basis of this brambly, fruit-forward Zin that offers a low output of tannin and oak presence. Refined on the palate, it finishes with a swat of wild licorice and dried herb.
This medium-bodied wine doesn't reveal a lot of richness on the palate, yet still offers fruit-driven notes of Bing cherries and fresh greens. It's clean and refreshing on the finish.
Jumpy, bright berry and currant aromas come with a scent of wet dog fur. This is fresh but shallow, with simple, lively cherry and plum flavors. On the finish, this is easy and friendly but it evaporates quickly.
This is a soft, open-knit wine that's ready to drink. Faintly herbal notes of damp moss and fresh mushrooms accent dark cherry and mocha shadings that glide to a plush finish.
Made with Sangiovese and 10% Montepulciano, this has aromas of dark-skinned fruit, tilled soil and a hint of graphite. The simple, straightforward palate offers dried berry, black cherry and a hint of thyme alongside round but not very persistent tannins.
This wine displays aromas of green herbs, black and green olive, vanilla and sweet plum. The black and blue fruit flavors are sweet, backed by blocky, dry tannins.
The lighter wine from Domaine de Beaupré, this is fruity, gently textured and softly ripe. Aromatic, it offers red fruits, crisp apple and white berries. The aftertaste is full of the brightest acidity.
Produced from young vines, this is a soft and fruity wine. Wood aging has added richness to the yellow fruits and balancing apple acidity. It's perfumed, opening out with ripe apricot and white peach flavors at the end. Drink from 2016.
Stewed black plum and tangy black cherry fruit meet baking spice and cola on the nose of this bottling from Lompoc-based Brian Loring. The palate is tangy with black cherry and cranberry, with a touch of herbs and forest floor.
This contends for the best $10 Riesling in the country. It's off dry, with 30g/L of residual sugar, but not too sweet for some Asian noodle entrées. The mouthfeel is thick and borders on syrupy, with penetrating flavors of mango, papaya and peaches. It could also be served after dinner with fruit and soft cheeses.
This is an expertly balanced wine from Temecula, showcasing region's potential for Grenache. Rosewater, cherry juice and cherry blossom aromas are lifted by herbal touches of marjoram and crushed peppercorn. Fennel, thyme and oregano flavors kick off the palate, where strong acidity carries raspberry and red berry flavors into a complex and elegant finish.
While light-bodied, gentle and intricate, this wine offers plenty of flavor nuances. Cranberry and herb tea aromas mark the nose, while the mouthfeel is at once soothing and tangy, with mulled cherry and clove aromas that slowly emerge and persist on the finish. It's a treat to sip and savor.
Inspired by co-winemaker Eli Parker's trips to Australia, this is simply a fun and tasty sparkling red, with rose, clove, black plum, and graphite notes on the nose. Ripe berry flavors round out the palate, but tangy plum skins and a slate-driven mineral tension keep it serious.
This wine has rich blueberry aromas, a softly tannic texture and and black currant flavors that open more with each sip. Concentrated and full in body, it's a luxurious-feeling and abundantly flavored wine that lingers long on the palate.
Plush blackberry, fennel, mocha, char and peppercorn aromas show on the nose of this bottling from longtime friends Paul Quinn and James Schreiner. Dried plum skin, cherry and elderberry flavors show on the palate, which is layered with tannins and turns savory with charred beef, charcoal and tobacco flavors.
Red berry, toast and black spice aromas lead the nose, accented by whiffs of espresso. The palate offers licorice, clove, dried cherry and vanilla notes, while a backbone of fine-grained tannins provides support.
From a site near Annapolis, this wine shows a preponderance of dark grape and cherry flavor interwoven with cinnamon and black peppercorn. Light-bodied and ethereally layered, it has touches of rustic earthiness and leather.
The first aromas that emerge from this blend of Bordeaux varieties with a “California twist” are dried chaparral herb, espresso, black currant and pepper. Cocoa flavors are prominent on the palate, with tangy cranberry, pomegranate and richer dried black cherry fruit.
A light-bodied take on the variety, this wine imparts shocks of sage, lavender and mint aromas over a landscape of black and white pepper and dried herb flavors.
This opens with subdued, earthy aromas suggesting used leather, grilled sage, Mediterranean scrub and mature berry. On the hearty, monolithic palate, a pronounced licorice note and alcoholic warmth underscore the mature black cherry and clove flavors. Assertive tannins provide a tight framework. Drink 2020–2027.
Fruity plum aromas mingle with dark spice, chopped herb and violet notes on the nose of this full-bodied red. On the palate, fleshy black cherry, clove and anise flavors are set against chewy tannins and fresh acidity. It's already approachable but will also offer years of enjoyment. Drink 2018–2023.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this well-structured red offers ripe dark-skinned berry, underbrush and graphite aromas. The concentrated, savory palate delivers black currant, white pepper and soothing licorice flavors and fine tannins. Enjoy through 2023.
This 22-acre property produces wines dominated by 90% Merlot. That gives ripe juicy red-fruit flavors, rich tannins and density. There is also a strong streak of acidity that shows vividly. The wine will soften over the next few years and give a delicious drink from 2021.
This is a dense and tannic wine. It has plenty of the structure that is common to the Listrac appellation with a firm character when young; however, it also has swathes of ripe black fruits and acidity that will allow it to fill out very satisfactorily. Drink from 2020.
Under the same ownership as Château la Dominique in Saint-Emilion, this estate continues to make impressive wine. With its subtle tannins and ripe berry fruits, it is structured while never letting the tannins overwhelm the fruit. It is an impressive wine to age, so drink from 2021.
The moated fairy-tale castle of Agassac is a showpiece of the Médoc. This wine is structured, juicy and firm. It has dense dry tannins at this stage although the weight of fruit shows it will develop richly. The wine, with its hints of a blackberry future, will be ready to drink from 2020.
Low yields have produced a concentrated wine. The tannins are powerful and dense—a fine foil to the ripe juicy black-currant fruit. The impressive wine is going to take its time to be ready to drink with richness and tight structure. Drink from 2021.
One of the largest vineyards in the Médoc and just outside Pauillac, this estate is also one of the most reliable. This vintage is finely structured with just the right amount of tannin to support the black and red-berry fruits. Fruity and juicy, it should be ready to drink from 2020.
This is the second wine of Larrivet Haut-Brion. It is rich with tannins and juicy with black-currant acidity. As befits a second wine, it is developing well and easily. Drink from 2021. While it shares the same name as Château Haut-Brion, there is no ownership or location connection between the two properties.
A ripe full-bodied wine that has great structure and fine tannins. The bold red fruits are right to the front. It is a wine with great potential, generous tannins and the acidity of the vintage beautifully balanced. This wine will develop well. Drink from 2024.
Owned by the Bernard family who also own one of the major Bordeaux negociants, Millésima, the wine is structured, deliciously fruity and with a series of smoky tannins that will allow it to age. It comes from a vineyard close to Pauillac and that shows in the dense Cabernet Sauvignon that gives the wine its weight. Drink from 2021.
An intriguing oak spiciness on both the nose and the palate makes this medium-bodied wine interesting without overpowering the focused and vivid raspberry and red cherry flavors. The wine's texture is lean, braced by fine-grained tannins that give support and balance. Best after 2018.
The d'Arenberg style favors structure over plushness, even in Grenache. This is crisp and firm, its cranberryish fruit tinged with hints of raspberry, orange zest, cinnamon and clove. Give it a few years to soften. Drink 2020–2030.
This wine opens with the fresh liveliness of stemmy earth and black tea notes, growing funkier and more herbal on the midpalate. Brightly layered and deeply flavored, it's a full-bodied rendition that remains true to its variety.
This is a vibrant take on the grape, with fresh-pressed boysenberry and wisteria aromas merging with rosemary, fennel and sarsaparilla on the nose. Food friendly, it shows more boysenberry, thyme, white pepper, and floral freshness on the palate.
Spicy musky notes hover above scents of canned peaches. On the palate, these rich peach notes are framed by pleasantly bitter notes of pith and peach skin. The characteristic 2014 freshness makes this bright and sprightly and creates an off-dry finish to the concentrated palate.
Apple notes have a lifted ethereal quality. The palate comes in with beautifully poised lemon freshness that counters the just off-dry richness of the fruit flavors. This is balm-like in its apple-focused fruitiness and goes down very easily. Flavors linger.
Nutty and lush with layers of peach, pear and lime fruit, this is a medium-bodied and well-balanced white. It's refreshing while offering both length and breadth on the palate.
Very dry and slightly musty, the fruit tastes lightly of apple and citrus, but the wine already seems to be heading over a cliff. —P.G.
This is a whole different critter than the winery's quaffable '99. It is tart and resiny, with a strong scent of licorice. The rustic flavors are earthy and rough, with a bitter, alcoholic finish.
Simple, sweet-tasting and slightly candied, this bouncy drink is best served slightly chilled. Think of it as an introduction to wine—something to explore after white Zinfandel. —J.C.
This wine starts off well, with a pretty nose and fruit that shows nice ripeness. But once in the mouth all the fruit seems to disappear, and the wine falls flat.
This wine seemed better a vintage or two ago. Fortunately, it's still a nice easy-drinking Shiraz with grape and blackberry fruit, some dried spices and a hint of black pepper. —J.C.
If there's nothing special to recommend here, there's also nothing awry. Leather and earth join modest tart berry flavors. Finishes dry and tough; it's an austere wine that probably needs food to come alive. —J.C.
A light, smooth quaffer that'll get you through the summer, this blend of 71% Shiraz and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon boasts aromas and flavors of charcoal-grilled black cherries tinged with chocolate. —J.C.
Smells dry and dusty, like a midwestern country lane in August. The fruit comes through in the mouth, filling it with bright red berries and cherries, while touches of ground black pepper and vanilla oak show up on the finish. —J.C.
This is a bigger, more forceful wine than its Lindemans stablemate, but not quite as charming. The flavors are earthy and dark, featuring hints of cola and root beer. Finishes with drying tannins. —J.C.
Reserve it may be, but it is a thin wine nonetheless, with hard, green flavors and a stemmy, tannic finish. —P.G.  Sangiovese
Just four barrels were produced of this reserve, which sports a distinctive black label. The fruit is chunky and scented strongly with cinnamon. Even with extended airing, the wine feels diffuse, and the flavors thin out rather quickly. A bit disappointing given the vintage.
Subtle and elegant, this opens with a smoky aroma that underscores delicate scents of orchard fruit, citrus and botanical herb. The aromas follow through to the linear palate along with a racy mineral vein. A note of cured meat closes the racy finish.
Delicately scented, this offers aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossom and pear while the round, juicy palate doles out white peach, mature apple and Mediterranean herb. A hint of almond closes the clean, lingering finish.
Heavy prune and raisin aromas are perfumed and rich, but arguably a bit overripe. Matching the nose, this feels thick, saturated and grapy. Flavors of black plum and blueberry finish chunky, with muscularity but also a rubbery flavor note.
This Moldovan Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of cherry vanilla, plum and cassis. In the mouth it has soft flavors of black currants, prunes and fresh black plums before the persistent finish.
Very familiar Rioja aromas of cherry, plum and prune scream Tempranillo. This is wiry in feel, with tight, hammering acidity. Berry and black-cherry flavors finish on a subtle note of chocolate along with a final shot of juicy, sharp acidity.
Intensely perfumed, this wine has soft tannins and a smooth, red-fruit-dominated texture. From a 3.5-acre premier-cru vineyard, it is ripe while light in character, suggesting it will age smoothly and quickly. The wine is almost ready now, although it will be best from 2018.
Peppery, grapey flavors, full body and a rich fine-grained texture make this wine distinctive to taste and soothing to drink. It's a very good example of a GSM, capturing the fullness and generosity of this type of blend made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes.
Warm, furry aromas of olive, prune and animal hide are challenging. In the mouth, this cool-year Carmenère feels tartaric and narrow, with grating tannins. Fiery flavors of black fruits, raisin and oak are mildly salty and herbal, while the finish feels hot and tastes of minty oak and black fruits.
Aromas of hazelnut nut, smoke and dried chamomile flower slowly come together. On the racy palate, a mineral vein underscores yellow apple, lime and dried sage while a bitter almond note wraps up the finish.
Vanilla and caramel show right away on the nose of this bottling, followed by stewed blackberry and black plum sauce, proving quite jammy but layered with burnt sugar aromas. Blackberry pie in a vanilla crust is the flavor that pops on the palate, along with black plum and all manner of purple fruit and flower.
This wine, which comes from thin, granitic soils, is lean, taut and dry. Hints of lime blossom and green apple on the nose and palate give it a springtime feel, while the finish is crisp and refreshing.
Very light and summery on the nose, this bottling shows aromas of yellow melon, green pear, lime blossoms, lime juice and a touch of chalk. Wet rocks, cut garden herbs and green apple skins emerge on the refreshing palate, which is perfect for sunny days and shellfish.
A subdued nose leads to a fresh but also subdued palate, but if you look for the ripe pear notes you will find them. This wine takes time to wake up and breathe but underneath it's an archetypal fresh but rounded Alsace Pinot Blanc.
Scented impressions of ripe pear and aloe vera pervade this wine. The palate shows texture and more fruit than you might expect from slender Sylvaner. The finish is brisk, clean and taut.
Tight and fresh aromas of Asian pear, honeysuckle and key lime pie converge on this sparkler from a new estate in Temecula. The palate shows sliced apples, yellow pears, ripe nectarine, rounder white peach and even creamy cherimoya flavors. Though the region is known more for almond-flavored sparklers, they seem to do regular bubbles well.
Subtle yellow flower and orchard fruit aromas blend while the linear palate offers pear, citrus zest, a hint of oak and mineral. Fresh acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish.
Fruity and bold, this opens with direct aromas of cherry, strawberry and pomegranate that are accented by hints of sweet pea, violet and lavender. The medium-weight palate offers ample lifting acidity and a finish of tart red berries and watermelon rind.
Much care goes into this blend, which was fermented both in neutral wood and in stainless steel. Just 10% went through malolactic. It's a light, clean, well-defined effort, offering accents of salad greens, celery and lemon verbena around crisp apple fruit flavors.
Black cherry and cassis aromas are bold but basic. This feels fiercely tannic and astringent. Meaty flavors of cherry and black plum end with dried berry notes, prune and rock-hard tannic bite. Give this more time if possible, but like many 2013s it might never soften and improve.
Year after year, IB bottles sunshine and fun in the form of this lightly sparkling, sweet pink wine. It's unabashedly exuberant, flashing floral aromas, then adding hints of Mexican chocolate, red berries and orange zest. There's just enough acid and fizz to keep it from being cloying on the palate.
Juicy bursts of ripe blackberry and blueberry are reined in by a firm backbone of acidity and cool herbal swathes in this full-bodied Lemberger. Just softly fringed by tannins, it's an approachable but sophisticated wine to enjoy now through 2020.
Made with 85% Carignano and 15% Syrah, this boasts aromas of mature black cherry, raspberry and Mediterranean herb. The soft palate doles out ripe black currant, licorice and black pepper alongside velvety tannins.
This offers aromas of scorched earth, underbrush and a whiff of oak. The firm palate offers sour cherry, fleshy strawberry, toast, coconut and espresso alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that leave a mouth-drying finish.
Some flinty notes precede earthier, ripe apple notes that also spread across the palate. There is a textured mouthfeel, while a clean seam of lemon crispness counters the earthy fruit. Texture and freshness linger pleasantly.
With attractive wood flavors, this is a wine with spice, toast and citrus flavors. Orange and yellow fruits come through the lime acidity and zesty texture. Drink from 2017.
This wine is smoky, ripe and packed with tannins. The fruit gives the wine weight although it is not yet fully developed. There is a toasty background to this rich wine with its juicy red-berry fruits and acidity. Drink from 2019.
Very fruity, very juicy, this wine is all about crisp, fresh fruitiness, starting with hand-picked biodynamic vineyard plots and gravity-flow into the winery. Red currants dominate, with considerable acidity right at the fore. At the back, the tannins are developing, but fruit will be the hallmark for the long future. Owner Thierry Valette's family also owns Château Troplong-Mondot in Saint-Émilion.
While the wine is soft and almost ready to drink, it does also have the Douro mineral texture and dry tannins. The Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) dominates, giving the wine its round and rich character. Drink now or wait until 2016 for the tannins to soften further.
With spice and new wood balancing the generous black fruits (40% Merlot and 25% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon), this rich wine has good potential. It is warm and generous, packed with both acidity and a solid structure. Drink from 2017.
Cherry syrup and wet chewing tobacco aromas make for a unique nose. There is good acidity and decent tannic structure, but the dried cherry flavors are quite light for the strong scents.
Light and attractively spicy, the wine is off dry, with a touch of honey, apricots and dried fruits. The texture, soft and tangy, is peppery while the acidity is already well integrated. It's an attractive, ready to drink wine.
Planks of brawny oak are framed around the blueberry and raspberry fruit brimming in this Merlot, a tribute to Jack London's once-home in nearby Glen Ellen. The herbal component lingers ominously, a refreshing taste of mint popping out on the finish.
An attractively round wine that's full both of fruit and acidity. The two complement each other well, highlighting the light apple and white peach fruits. The aftertaste is all about crisp, bright texture.
This wine still appears to be coming out of its shell, showing some reduction with reticent notes of red plum, cherry and berry. The flavors are lipsmacking and rich, but it's difficult right now to get a clear sense of where it's all going.
Aromas of underbrush, violet, dried sage and leather lead the nose. The palate is a bit closed but offers dried cherry, prune, licorice and espresso alongside firm but fleeting tannins. Reflecting the heat of the vintage, it's evolving quickly.
Fragrances of cherry, caramel and violet show brightly on the nose. Tart cherry, cranberry and coffee flavors are overpowered by strong tannins.
This features aromas of oak, coffee, vanilla and dried black cherry. Oak carries over to the palate, delivering espresso, licorice, roasted nut and vanilla but not much fruit richness. Astringent tannins give it a mouth drying finish.
Cassis, raisin and an oak-based note of plastic are the key aromas. This Cabernet is wide and blocky on the palate, with choppy tannins. Earthy, raisin flavors are ripe and sweet tasting, while a jammy finish is full of mixed berry flavors.
Ripe, juicy berries dominate the nose, getting some aromatic lift from hints of eucalyptus and menthol. The mint and red fruit of cherries consume the straight-forward palate, which is more bright and lean than rich and tannic.
Ruby red with garnet hues in color, this easy-drinking Merlot brings aromas of cherry, black berry and black raspberry on the nose. Tones of black plum and black cherry are ripe and persistent on the finish.
A moderately aromatic wine with notes of green herb, citrus and cherry. It's medium bodied with chalky tannins and abundant mocha flavors with the concentration seeming a bit lacking.
Cherry and flint, with accents of clove, set the stage for the bouquet. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry and anise are enlivened by a hint of salinity. This is an easy-drinking wine, with a burst of spice on the finish.
There is a solid, tannic core in this Baga-dominant blend. It gives a smoke and blackcurrent flavored wine, with a firm layer of dry tannins and intense acidity. The wine is well structured, but needs time to age. Drink after 2016.
Toasted oak, espresso and red berry aromas lead the nose. The palate delivers roasted coffee bean, toast and black pepper but not a lot of fruit richness. Astringent wood tannins give a mouth-drying finish.
Rustic, earthy aromas lead to a wine that's dominated by dark tannins and bitter chocolate flavors. That leaves little room for the rich berry fruits that are struggling to come through. Allow time for this toughness and firm extraction to soften. Drink from 2016.
Fresh red berry flavors and crisp acidity give this light and almost dry wine an attractive crisp quality. A squeeze of lemon adds to the freshness.
Leather and game notes accent standard blackberry aromas. This is jammy and voluminous, but lacks some refinement. Herbal black fruit flavors show a tinge of herbaceousness, while the finish is plump and round in feel.
Aromas suggest forest floor, anisette, hay and dill. The palate delivers roasted coffee bean, plum and a hint of mocha alongside evolved tannins.
The oak—52% new French— gets out in front of the fruit with notes of cocoa powder and woodspice overpowering herbs and red fruit. The palate is elegant in style, with barrel notes carrying through on the finish.
Fairly crisp red fruit aromas suggest plum, red flower and wood resin on the nose. This is a full bodied wine with plenty of oak. Flavors of berry fruit finish with lasting sweetness and an herbal character.
Reustle makes four different versions of this wine, each distinctive and worthy of attention. This is vinified in all stainless, and pushes sappy tart flavors of Meyer lemon and grapefruit front and center. The fruit is ripe enough that it leaves an impression of sweetness—a perfect counterbalance to the wine's natural acidity.
Friendly inviting notes of ripe juicy pear appear immediately on the nose and are also amply present on the palate. The body is concentrated and has warmth and texture that are amply countered by zesty citrus freshness. The finish is clean, medium sweet and lasting.
This Reserve Series bubbly accents its crisp green apple fruit with toasty aromas. Done via Méthode Champenoise, it spent five years en tirage. There's a fine bead and lingering persistent flavors with hints of nutmeg and lemon curd. All in all, this is a very fine effort.
A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, this offers aromas of high-toned red fruit, French-oak spice and herbs that lead to luxurious but still in-check dark-fruit flavors. Tart black-tea accents persist on the finish.
Stoller offers fine value across its entire portfolio. This is solidly crafted and estate-grown, from the heart of the Dundee Hills AVA. There's a gentle touch of new oak, among a flavorful mix of strawberries, cherries and oranges. The moderate alcohol signals a balanced wine with ample acidity. Drink now through 2022.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. There's freshness to the fruit, with aromas of cherry and raspberry kissed by herb, clove and spice. The flavors are lush and palate-coating, with the tannins bringing a touch of astringency that hopefully will settle out with additional time in the bottle.
A bouquet of cherry, white chocolate and juniper berry sets the stage for flavors of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry pie and baking spices. It is smooth in the mouth, with a sense of soft sweetness that is neither overpowering nor cloying, bolstered by a pervasive backbone of acidity.
This broad-textured, complex and indulgent Rhône-style blend has cedar, cola and blackberry aromas and concentrated fruit, earth and spice flavors. Milk chocolate richness emerges on the midpalate and plays through the finish.
Rich with gooey marshmallow, crème brûlée and cotton candy aromas, this is an unabashed classic California Chardonnay from Austin Hope. Unctuous marzipan and sea salt caramel flavors make for a creamy mouthfeel, and yet firm acidity leaves the midpalate feeling clean, allowing butterscotch tones to linger on the finish.
Clean apple fruit with some yellow plum as well, this carries a whisper of citrus. It's a sleek elegant wine, that won't overpower you, nor obscure the flavors of more delicate foods such as prawns or whitefish.
Classic Carmenère aromas of leafy black fruits come with notes of herbal bath soap, tobacco and cigar box. A full fleshy palate is plump rather than tight or tough. Blackened peppery black-fruit flavors finish chocolaty and slightly herbal.
Schist, cola, cassis, berry and tobacco aroma cover all the bases in this wine. It's grippy and chewy but complete. Dark, earthy mulled berry flavors precede a tannic, pulpy finish with lasting plum and cassis notes. Drink through 2021.
Offering aromas of black cherry and vanilla, this wine is soft on entry, with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, chocolate and anise. It is round on the palate, with smooth tannins and a light vein of brightness on the finish.
Ripe, powerful red-cherry flavors are balanced with crisp acidity and a backbone of granite in this medium-bodied Pinot Noir. It's a fresh, forward wine, with firm, upright tannins and lingering nuances of licorice and dark toast.
Dusty mineral and pollen notes lend complexity to decadent honey and apricot in this medium-sweet auslese. It's lavish and creamy in texture yet tightly balanced by spine-tingling lemon-lime acidity. It offers an exceptional value for such an opulent wine.
This lovely, full-bodied white offers generous caramel apple and baked pear flavors cradled in toasted oak that brings nutmeg and vanilla aspects. The rich roundness finds refreshment on the finish in stony acidity.
The wine reveals a serious side to Castelão that is not often shown. Its wood aging and structured character give the wine longevity as well as solid fruits and concentrated tannins. Lightness comes in the form of the acidity and the juicy black fruits. Drink from 2019.
Equal parts mineral and fruit welded together by lemon-lime acidity, this light-footed spätlese embodies the Mosel. It's punchy and spine-tingling on the palate, finishing long with meandering notes of salt and crushed stone. Delicately concentrated, it's also quaffable and refreshing.
This lovely wine offers aromas of cherry vanilla, ripe cherry and black raspberry. Fruit forward at first, it develops pronounced smoky charcuterie flavors on the palate. The tannins are fine and the finish goes on and on.
The fogs that roll off the nearby ocean (only one ridge away) give the Riesling the perfect conditions for botrytis. Harvested in mid-October, the wine has a fine balance of rich honeyed fruit and intense acidity. Yellow fruits and a toffee edge add extra flavors. Drink this wine from 2019.
This wine's rubbery latex, briary plum and berry aromas are potent. Its plum, berry and vanilla flavors finish with shrill acidity, hard, choppy tannins and long-lasting dark berry notes. Drink through 2028.
This softly textured wine explodes with chocolate and strawberry flavors, a bright streak of acidity keeping its ripeness in check. Low in oak impact, it shows cigar and black licorice seasonings as it opens in the glass.
Blended with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this approachable, accessible and well-made wine is juicy with black fruit and smoky with integrated oak and tannin. Its powerful flavor and robust body ease up on the finish.
Peach and grapefruit pith, earth and lemon mix on nose and palate to create a deep-fruited wine with midpalate concentration. The body is fresh and rich and just dry, bordered and contained by that enticing grapefruit zestiness. The finish is clean.
A cool swathe of pine needles juxtapose ripe peach and waxy floral notes on this fragrant, delightfully layered Riesling. While dry and dainty on the palate, it's chock full of ripe, rich peach and mango flavors. The finish is endlessly long, fringed by a line of dusty minerals. It's refreshingly quaffable but substantial from nose to finish.
A plush texture and oodles of tasty berry and cherry flavor make this medium-bodied wine hard to resist. Scents of pine forest, wild blackberries and mellow spices like nutmeg and clove give it complexity. The mouthfeel is smooth and supple, and the finish is soft and lingering.
A dynamic balance between ripe, juicy fruit flavors and crisp acidity makes this medium-bodied wine both refreshing and substantive. It smells like a bowl of sliced melons, apples and grapes. After 79% Pinot Gris, the winemaker blends in Roussanne, Grüner Veltliner and a bit of Chardonnay.
Citrus blossoms and lime zest perfume this fragrant little showstopper. Dry in style, it's a spry, delicately-framed wine, yet lusciously concentrated in peach and melon flavors. Streaks of lemon-lime acidity catapult a long, penetrating finish.
Fully caramelized in oak, this wine shows flavors of ripe baked apple and pear within a full-bodied, concentrated style that's completely satisfying. Well made and tasty, it finishes in a swirl of Tahitian vanilla and crème brûlée.
From winemaker Heidi Barrett's own brand, this Cab is tightly wound in cranberry and tart cherry, before evolving in the glass into a textured, layered experience of toasty oak and a lush, silkiness on the palate. It finishes with a touch of cedar, and should cellar well, through 2021.
Made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also holds 4% of Malbec and 4% of Merlot, a hearty yet elegant showing of the appellation. Herbal sage and cedar combine with a waft of peppercorn and tobacco leaf to make for an inviting entry, before soft, approachable layers of black fruit enter the scene. The finish all about dark chocolate.
This wine brings aromas of blackberry, dates and spice. The palate displays abundant cherry flavors with lightly chalky tannins.
Syrupy thick at first, decadent enough for a king, this rich red is defined by vanilla French toast and blackberry jam aromas and flavors. It finds balance midway through on the palate, veering into crisper red tones of cranberry and rhubarb. Time will help mellow things out. Cellar through 2020.
Similarly to it's Virgin Berry sibling, Roth's regular label Dry Riesling has a distinctly green, woodsy tone lending an alpine feel to sweet-tart peach and apricot flavors. It's brisk and fine-footed, yet zesty tangerine and grapefruit acidity persist long on the finish.
This is a full-bodied and full-flavored wine with rich and deep aromas, ripe fruit flavors and a texture that feels substantial but polished. It starts with black cherry and woodsy aromas, then goes to lively but broad cherry, plum and nutmeg notes. The finish stays flavorful and dry.
From a knoll in Carneros, oft thought of as chilly for Cabernet, this wine exhibits cooler aspects of the variety, from pencil lead and cedar to dried herb. It is complemented by fruitier characteristics of cassis and plum, finishing in dusty, structured tannins. Cellar through 2017–2020.
Dried black cherries, cola, root beer, black rocks and a hint of tarragon swirl into a lovely nose on this rarely used varietal. The palate offers clean blackberry and plum juice, with a minty lift reminiscent of camphor and eucalyptus.
The partnership between vintner Bill Price and winemaker Gavin Chanin, Lutum continues to impress, aiming for elegance without giving up flavor or body. Tightly wound, a signature perhaps of the vintage, this wine is still subtle, suggesting rhubarb and cherry atop forest floor. Smooth, it hides elusive power on the significant finish.
This wine highlights heady new-oak tones of spice, vanilla and cedar, yet maintains elegance from nose to finish. Ripe black cherry and plum flavors penetrate on the palate, with a framing of soft tannins and bright cranberry acidity. The finish is long and a touch mineral.
A blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this opens with aromas of mature plum, blackberry, mint, spice and underbrush. The palate delivers espresso, mocha, toasted oak, licorice and dried blackberry alongside firm tannins.
Livelier than usual in texture and popping with bright citrus aromas and flavors, this light-bodied and barrel-fermented wine is a great palate-cleanser and will pair beautifully with dishes like raw oysters and herbed goat cheese. It smells and tastes like lemon, lime, green apple and kiwi, and has great balance.
Aromas of red berry, rose and cake spices lead the way on this ripe, forward Barolo. The round palate offers black cherry, raspberry, licorice and white pepper alongside polished tannins. It's already extremely accessible, so don't leave it in the cellar for too long. Drink 2016–2021.
Ripe black cherry and vanilla swirl around notes of cedar and dusty tannins, combining seamlessly on the palate. From an appellation not known for the variety, it does justice to mountain fruit and power, finishing with substance.
Here's a wine that sneaks up on you, offering aromas of baked earth, leather, dried berry and a whiff of black olive that slowly emerge after a few minutes in the glass. On the palate, notes of licorice and cooking spice notes accent a core of mature black cherry alongside polished tannins.
Aromas of purple flower and wild berry lead the nose on this blend of 60% Sangiovese, 22% Merlot, 10% Canaiolo 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Colorino. The easy-drinking, chewy palate doles out black raspberry, Morello cherry, black pepper and baking spice alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2017.
The dark raspberry, plum, herb, vanilla and spice aromas and flavors are rich and high octane. It's not for the faint of heart but offers plenty of appeal.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (39%) and Petit Verdot, this wine offers aromas of café au lait, dried herbs, butterscotch, woodspice and cherry. The barrel flavors provide much of the appeal, along with a silky feel.
Aromas of black and white pepper and raw meat are redolent on this wine. The palate is all about feel, freshness and texture, without a trace of new wood in sight and a finish that lingers. It's a unique example of the variety that focuses on subtlety and nuance.
This wine is 29% each Mourvèdre and Syrah with the rest equal parts Cinsault, Counoise and Grenache. Aromas of vanilla, coconut and red and black fruit lead to a full-bodied, creamy palate that mixes fruit and barrel flavors. The wood influence is strong but the fruit largely stands up to it.
Fully ripe, saturated fruit aromas lead to deep, lush flavors and a smooth, moderately tannic texture. The wine lets dried plum flavors shine through without a lot of oak tones, so it tastes focused and pure. It keeps improving with each sip. Best now through 2019.
This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from just north of Saint-Émilion is still structured and firm. Big tannins and smoky flavors give a dense character. The black fruits still need time to round out and show smoothness. For now decant, or wait until 2017 to drink.
This is a rich, toasty white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Notes of honey, melon and pineapple mark the nose and palate, while the finish is warm and long, with lingering hints of popcorn and roasted nuts.
Named after the French practice of taking a cubitainer to a cooperative and filling it up “en vrac,” this is the sort of fruity, easy-drinking wine that those French would enjoy. It has red fruits, a gentle texture and great final acidity.
Pure pink in color, this ripe wine is soft with rich red fruits. It is attractive and fruit-driven, delicious as an apéritif.
This wine is so light, it is almost insubstantial. Hints of white fruit float across the surface, backed up by acidity and a gentle, fresh character. It is ready to drink.
Dark color and a severe tartness make this wine challenging on the palate. It's overripe in terms of tropical fruit and bogged down by a sourness that's hard to shake. Let it open and pair it with creamy foods like goat cheese to get it to behave.
Vibrant pink in color, this rosé of Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is light bodied and easy to drink, driven by tart watermelon.
This is a slightly grassy, green white wine that fans of this style may enjoy; others not so much. Light in alcohol, it has medium body and crispness.
There's plenty of appeal to this well-priced wine with its aromas of flowers, pear and ice tea. It drinks off dry, with the flavor concentration lighter in style.
Soft and fruity, this is a gentle, creamy wine. Almond and quince flavors are spread generously over the ripe texture. Drink now.
Aromas of citron and toasted peanut shells on the nose lead to a streamlined lemon-zest palate. Creamy tropical fruit tones timidly emerge, with brisk acidity driving to the finish.
This attractive, light and fruity wine is made from grapes from different vineyards. It has the freshest fruit and a light, open texture that offers pleasant acidity and raspberry flavors. Drink now.
This is seaside Provence rosé right down to the traditional shape of the bottle. It is fresh and bright, with berry fruits and lively acidity. Drink as an apéritif.
The aromas of almond and spice are quite light and elusive on this wine, while the sweet fruit flavors seem dilute.
This simple wine has subdued aromas of black-skinned berry and a whiff of wildflower. The easy, diluted palate offers black cherry alongside soft, fleeting tannins.
Reduced, jammy aromas of blueberry and bacon turn gritty with airing. This feels heavy, chunky and struggles for balance. Stewy, medicinal blueberry flavors finish sticky, with a mix of green, candied berry and caramel notes.
This is a basic Chablis, soft and fruity. Apples and pear skin flavors have a burst of acidity, a light mineral texture and a juicy aftertaste. It is ready to drink.
With aromas like Bartlett pears and butter cookies, and rich flavors that almost turn sweet, this is a full-bodied, soft-textured confection. The crispness factor is rather low to support that richness fully.
Showing acidity and a structured, dry character, this is a lean wine. Its tannins are dominant, along with vivid red currants and and an austere texture. Drink from 2017.
Herbal aromas give a grassy wine that is textured and tangy. This seems to miss out on real fruitiness, although the final acidity is attractive.
Ripe, very soft and missing out on zesty freshness, this wine is full-bodied and on the heavy side. It does have attractive strawberry fruitiness and some acidity that comes through at the end.
This simple white isn't very expressive, but the palate eventually reveals unripe yellow apple and green pear. It's diluted, with a short finish.
This is a rough, leathery and stalky Cabernet. Horseradish and leather aromas set up a lightly green, herbal and peppery flavor profile. While the wine feels pretty good, there's no escaping its green-leaning, stalky character.
Sour cherry and underripe watermelon show on the nose and palate. A 15% addition of Merlot gives a slight impression of weight to this otherwise light-bodied sipper.
This herbal wine offers green fruits as well as red berries. Plenty of fresh acidity brightens the mineral texture along with a crisp aftertaste. Perhaps less of the freshness would have been an advantage.
Sharp red cherries, a touch of cola and a wisp of forest floor comprise the nose of this affordable bottling. Cranberry skins, orange peels and pine sap sourness prevail on the palate.
This is a stalky, tight and dry wine. Maybe that's because it's young, but the fruit is way behind the dry, tannic and tough exterior. It's hard to see this softening enough.
A bit dull on the nose, this wine offers smoky, toasty blackberry and bacon around a soft body and short finish, making it fine for casual gatherings and barbecues.
A reminder of Provence's place in the seaside life of France, this is just off dry, a fresh, fruity, simple and very drinkable wine for the summer. With red fruits and a soft texture, it is ready now.
Clean lemon and pineapple juice ride on a streamlined palate, driven by sharp, bracing acids.
This is a heavily oaked brew of 50% Viognier, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling. The nose is woody to the max, with herbal notes of parsley and white flowers. A full, heavy, resiny palate is home to barrel-driven flavors of spice and clouded white fruits. On the finish, this tastes mostly of wood and resin.
Light and bright, this fruity wine has a more bitter element that gives a sharper character that will hopefully round out. At the back, plenty of acidity leaves a crisp aftertaste.
This simple wine has some attractive citrus fruit. It is light, bright with plenty of acidity to keep it all fresh. It should be drunk now.
Dried raspberry, strawberry and cherry aromas flesh out the bouquet of this rosé. The medium-weight mouthfeel is ripe and round, with soft lift from the light acidity. A hint of astringent citrus peel unfolds on the finish.
This is soft and fruity, with attractive acidity that cuts into the smooth texture. It does have a nutty, bitter character that shows through, giving a hard edge to the otherwise fruity wine.
This wine shows underripe red currant and strawberry notes, with a tinge of green stems and black pepper on the nose and palate. The mildly concentrated body is round, approachable and ready-to-drink.
Cool, leafy, earthy aromas are low on fruit and freshness. This is a tannic wine with leafy, candied berry flavors and then a heavy blast of burnt caramel and toast. Charred and fruitless on the finish, this is more oaky than anything.
Earth, leather, rubber and black-cherry aromas set up a tight, restrainted palate. The palate brings wood grain and raspberry tones to the mix, while the finish feels slightly hot.
This wine is dry, full and brimming with ripe red-berry fruits. A blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional, it has a rich character that gives the wine more weight than freshness. Drink now.
Earthy, woody aromas of heavy berry fruits are tired. This has a chunky, soupy feel along with overripe flavors of raisin and roasted plum. A burnt-wood character akin to hickory controls the finish.
Rough cherry and plum aromas are indicative of what's to come. This feels fresh but raw, with high acidity and not much body or depth. Tart plum and cranberry flavors finish with sharp acidity and a drawing sensation.
From the foothills of the Alps to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this northern Italian transplant is ripe for the drinking. Mocha java coffee, raspberry and strawberry round out the aromas and flavors, while grippy tannins offer support.
Prune is the most distinct aroma on a generic yet ripe nose. This feels shearing and high in acidity, while raspberry flavors fold in sharp tartaric notes. Short on the finish, as might be expected.
Unsteady stone-fruit aromas set up a chunky, cidery palate. Flavors of tropical fruits are short and turn toward grassy lime and scallion on the finish. As Torrontés goes, this is decently enjoyable.
Not an outright fruity wine, this has subtle earth and melon aromas, modest cucumber flavors and a rather soft texture. It is medium bodied and short on the finish.
This is a complex wine that shows sweet berry fruits, ripe tannins and new wood flavors. It is dense and chewy while also being full of rich fruits. This is a wine for aging, although its smooth character suggests it will age relatively quickly.
Sweet pea blossoms, stone fruits and red raspberries perfume this lovely dry rosé made predominantly from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sparkling acidity and an astringent tea-leaf note add structure to the ripe, supple red-fruit and berry flavors.
Aromas of soft pear, peach, flower and citrus are followed by layers of tropical fruit, citrus and pear on the palate. It's round, viscous mouthfeel should enable it to stand up to robust poultry and seafood dishes.
Completing a quartet of excellent white-wine releases from Mercer, this lively, balanced Chardonnay comes on steely. It's clean and textural, with a mix of citrus flesh and rind, apple and melon. There is even a hint of lemon cream, keeping the finish light and refreshing.
As is often the case, the Estates Syrah bottling is the best wine of the flight in this vintage. It shows more varietal character and depth, with a substantial black-cherry flavor. It has lavish notes of maple syrup and baking spices, and the core fruit still shines through.
This is a marked departure from previous vintages. Tight and earthy, with the accent on peppery, herbal flavors rather than sweet fruit, it's the most Bordeaux-like wine in the 2008 portfolio from Tulpen.
Bedell's aromatic white blend bursts from the glass with exuberant scents of spring blossoms, freshly cut herbs and juicy pink-grapefruit notes. The palate is ripe and fruity, but balanced by an intensely chalky minerality and vivacious lime-juice acidity. Drink now.
Dark, earthy aromas of black plum and chocolate-coated cherry are in the foreground of this wine's bouquet, although additional notes of hoisin and balsamic unfold in the backdrop. Round and mouthfilling, this has rich notes of crushed vanilla pod and coffee grinds that accent the black fruit core for added depth of flavor. Mevushal.
This is concentrated, rich, full of blackberry fruits and layered with just the right balance of tannins. Chocolate and sweet fruits are given point by toast and an edge of spice.
This tight wine lacks fruit. Touches of apple and citrus are lost in the austere texture. No artificial yeasts were used during vinification in stainless steel and large oak barrels.
Soft, approachable and easily structured, this Sangiovese and Montepulciano blend brings forth cherry bubble-gum flavors in a completely gulpable way.
Herbaceous aromas of mint and catnip are heavy on the nose, which also gives off a note of licorice gumdrop. This Malbec is tight and raw in feel, while herbal, spicy plum and currant flavors finish somewhat green.
Raspberry Jell-O and strawberries-and-cream aromas appear on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is slightly flabby in feel, with bramble berries meeting a delicate black pepper note.
Oaky notes of buttered toast, dried apple slices and baked peach are upfront in the bouquet of this wine. The palate is similarly rich and round, but with ample acidity to keep it from falling completely flat. Flavors of orange creamsicle and spiced apple linger on the close.
Strained, jumbled aromas of mustard, horseradish and green grass fail in many ways. This feels wide, edgy and tartaric, and thus overall balance is shaky. High acidity creates a sense of sourness, while this Tannat from Salta finishes choppy and acidic.
This is a ripe and fruity rosé, with forward notes of lychee, rose water, peach gummies and tropical fruit salad. The palate is round and plump in similarly rich fruit flavors, with just enough acidity to keep it from feeling completely flat. Drink up.
Tropical fruit aromas are hanging in, while this blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontés feels drawn in. Slightly salty melon and apple flavors are showing a hint of oxidation. This finishes a bit dried out.
Heavily charred aromas throw a shadow over roasted, stalky red-berry notes. This feels tight, choppy and drawing, with no give to the palate. Roasted, salty plum and berry flavors end with a final round of hard, pounding tannins.
Warm and round, this has a generous character, while missing some of the attractive crispness of the vintage. It is ready to drink now, soft and fruity.
This will likely prove a bit too vegetal for some, as the aromas hint at asparagus. But there's pineapple and honey on the palate and decent weight in the mouth.
One whiff and you can tell this leans towards overripe. Aromas of raisin and baked berry fruits are stewy and cooked. This feels much like it smells: heavy and baked. Flavors of raisin and prune finish similar.
This is a fruity, crisp wine with an attractive balance between acidity and sweetness. Ripe strawberries give the fruit flavor while the acidity at the light prickle on the palate add a crisper aftertaste. Drink now.
Round and fruity, this offers gentle acidity and ripe melon fruit. The wine is ready to drink.
Blue-raspberry Jell-O tones meld with flecks of green herbal notes on the nose and palate. The medium body is a bit disjointed, showing slightly sharp acidity.
Red-cherry flavors dominate this soft fruity wine. It is aromatic, full of ripe fruitiness and with just the right touch of acidity. Drink now.
Bland and soft, this has light and gently tangy fruit with apple and lime flavors. The aftertaste is fresh. Drink now.
This wine is tight and tannic, firm and missing fruit. It seems to have been heavily extracted, giving a bitter character to the wine. It could soften, although that is difficult to imagine.
This Pinot Gris is simple, streamlined and to the point. Green apple and lemon driven, the palate is light bodied and crisp with a persistent acidity.
This GSM blend is oak-forward, with charred black and red berries meeting dark coffee on the nose and palate. Medium bodied with a mild tannic grip, enjoy alongside a coffee-rubbed rib eye.
Earthy tones of menthol, licorice, black pepper and blackcurrant leaf compliment the blackberry and plum core of this lush yet soft Cab. The palate is plush and round, with light tannins and a sweet-oak finish.
A pleasant and easy-drinking selection, this leads with softly medicinal aromas of raspberry and red plum alongside a touch of violet. The palate is light and direct, with bright red-fruit flavors that finish short but clean.
Produced from the Espadeiro, a grape widely used in red Vinho Verde, this is a crisp wine with just a touch of candied sweetness. Strawberry fruit is given a blast of acidity. It is ready to drink.
Powdery, oily aromas are like fruity bath soap. This feels more whole and round than edgy. Slightly salty flavors of melon and ham finish with decent acidity but not much depth or complexity.
This Rhône-style blend of a rosé is a light, enjoyable sipper of tart red berries, bubble gum and sharp citrus.
Muddled, oily aromas are funky for certain. This blend of Riesling, Albariño and Savagnin feels round and melony, but ultimately soft. Floral, pickled melon flavors come in front of a briny, tropical-leaning finish.
Aromas of quince and lemon see the stage for flavors of green apple, quince and geranium leaf. Floral notes overpower fruit flavors, and the finish is slightly stiff for a white wine.
Flat aromas barely press Torrontés's standard tropical fruit button. Plump, easygoing and soft on the palate, this tastes lightly of passion fruit and lychee, while a mild banana and melon character drives the finish.
A veil of tilled earth and slight funk lies over rubbery red-berry aromas. Medium in weight, with mild tannic grip, this Petit Verdot has a soft palate of tart red fruit, flecked by astringent green notes.
A local blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires, the wine is soft, fruity with pear and melon fruit. It has gentle acidity and a crisp texture that gives a lift to the aftertaste. Drink now.
The aromatic opening suggests tea and tobacco, while the palate is packed with blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruit. This wine has density and complexity yet it's smooth, superrich, toasty and chocolaty. It manages to retain a sense of finesse along with all that power.
The best of CVNE's impressive lineup of 2010 high-end Riojas is this pure, staunch, ripe stud that's blasting with blackberry, woodspice, leather and cedar aromas. Lush, layered and deep as an ocean trench, this ultraripe, expressive wine pumps out blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors prior to a lush, mile-long finish. Amazingly pure and delicious; drink through 2025.
This impressive bubbly has apple, caramel and toffee aromas, melt-in-the-mouth Bosc pear and spice rack flavors, a rich but firm texture, and long finish. It possesses amazing liveliness, body and depth, and seems to reveal more nuances and freshness with each sip. While terrific to drink now, it can be cellared through at least 2020.
While this is the top wine of a major Cahors estate, it is impressive how restrained it is. Sure, the wood and dense brooding black fruits are there, but they have been subtly controlled by the freshness of the wine and its great balance. With its richness, still youthful fruit and its structure it will need aging. Drink from 2020.
Bold but sophisticated, this has classic, concentrated Napa aromas and flavors. A luscious, velvety mouthfeel through to a lingering finish. The aroma combines cedar and spice-rack notes with fresh berries and black currants. Flavors are influenced by suave, spicy oak accents that weave in and out of the compelling ripe fruit. It's beautiful to drink now, but will improve through at least 2022.
From one of three estate-farmed vineyards belonging to the producer, Bone Ash is dry-farmed and planted to old vines in volcanic soils, the minerality of which is divinely present in this wine. High-toned, balanced in acidity and softly structured, it offers a range of fruit, from sharp cranberry to jammy blackberry, changing in the glass over time. Complex and layered, it will cellar well through 2022.
Complex, classy winemaking is evident from the first sniff to the final sip. Savory notes of green tea and clean earth complement a terroir-driven wine. The notes and nuances pile on—flowers and fruits, cherry and cassis, with a whiff of barnyard and undergrowth. The lingering, expressive finish is already boggling, and seems sure to continue to evolve gracefully through 2025–2030.
Wet slate and chalk penetrate through silken layers of honey, fig and dried apricot in this decadent beerenauslese. It's intensely concentrated in fruit, but also racy and taut, finishing with a flair of rose petals and pink grapefruit. Stunning now, but structured enough to develop beautifully for decades.
Rich and unctuous in concentration, this powerful auslese is chock full of honeysuckle nectar and yellow peach flavors. Striking lemon-lime acidity and a deep, dusty mineral vein lend gravitas and complexity.
Aromas of graphite, black currant, plum, cedar, blue flowers and tobacco emerge from this full-bodied red. Made with Cabernet Franc and a drop of Petit Verdot, the structured palate offers blackberries, licorice, clove and a toasted note alongside velvety tannins. It shows great finesse, especially for the torrid 2011 vintage. Drink 2016–2026.
Pure Petit Manseng harvested in November has given the essence of Jurançon. Superbly ripe, botrytised fruit is perfectly balanced with layers of freshness, apricot juice and a crisp, nervy texture. It's a young wine and really should not be drunk before 2018.
Here's a structured red with lots of finesse. It opens with alluring aromas of fragrant blue flowers, red berries, baking spices and exotic herbs while the firm, vibrant palate delivers black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, orange zest, licorice and a sprinkling of white pepper. It's still young but well balanced, with tightly woven but polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2017–2024.
One of the special cuvées from du Cèdre, this impressive wine combines intense black fruit freshness with a powerful structure. It is full of cidity, ripe fruits and a core that is immense. It deserves considerable aging and certainly should not be drunk before 2020.
A standout amidst a stellar lineup of 2013 Rheingau auslese, this deeply concentrated, complex Riesling is a kaleidescope of sensory offerings. Pretty white floral notes perfume swathes of marmalade and crushed minerals. It's unctuous yet spine tingling, lithe yet endlessly penetrating on the finish.
Blue flowers, wild berries, leather, dried herb and tilled soil are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine, along with a balsamic note. Made entirely with Sangiovese, the smooth, structured palate delivers layers of black cherries, crushed raspberries, white pepper, clove, dried mint and sage inside a framework of velvety tannins. A tobacco note tops off the lingering finish. Enjoy through 2020.
CVNE's top wines from 2010 are outstanding across the board. This sun-baked wine is bursting with black cherry, blackberry, spice, vanilla and cedary aromas. A tight, exact and fresh palate blends richness and balance, while ripe blackberry, cassis and black pepper flavors finish with a pure feel, a touch of buttery oak, and nuances of licorice and herbs. Drink this modern beauty through 2025.
Perfumed florals mingle curiously with deep, dusty mineral notes on this bracing TBA. Sunny nectarine and tangerine flavors are mouthwatering and juicy, struck with acidity, then plunged into pools of sweet honey and nectar. It's a delightful sensory roller coaster that feels endless on the finish.
This is a rich wine that still retains intense freshness. Botrytised grapes were harvested in early December, giving rich honey and spice flavors. White peach and spiced pears give freshness as well as rich texture to this young wine. Drink as its opulence comes into its own, from 2019.
The Sigrid never fails to deliver lush fruit and hedonistic barrel flavors. However in cooler years, when the alcohol falls below 14%, it has something extra when details of skin and flower emerge as well. This is a wine of power and finesse, with juicy pear and peach, supple acids, brioche and toasted biscuit, underscored with refreshing minerality. Drink now through 2025.
This incredibly tasty wine seems to melt in the mouth. Classic aromas of cinnamon, black cherry and cedar becomes more chocolaty on the palate as layers of cocoa, dark plum and toasted baguette unfold. Its texture is so velvety that the fine-grained tannins seem to dissolve as you sip, while still providing a slight grip that counteracts the richness and full body. Tempting now, it will be best 2022–2032.
An all-encompassing and earthy richness on the nose of this wine blends dried strawberry, Bing cherry and sour cherry fruits with damp herbs like dewy sagebrush and dark chocolate bars. It's thick once sipped, with ripe raspberry and dried cherry fruits. Spicy fennel and cardamom arrives on the midpalate, finishing with a zing of Sichuan peppercorn and shiitake mushrooms.
Dusty earth and mineral tones lend contrast to sweet, sunny tangerine and caramel in this feather-light TBA. The palate is persistent and pristine, awash in stone fruit flavors that pierce with laser-like brilliance. Delectable now for it's youth and fruitiness, but likely to develop mineral complexities for decades to come.
The most impressive of the fine range of wines from this producer, the wine is structured and dense without ever losing sight of balance, fruit and acidity. That makes for a wine that has a dusty texture coupled with a dry center of fruit and wood tannins. The acidity and the juicy berry fruits give freshness. Everything is ready for long aging. Drink from 2019.
Richly buttered Bing cherries, plums, licorice, black pepper and a loamy mud minerality show on the nose of this bottling by winemaker Scott Shirley. The palate truly shines, with flavors of chocolate syrup-covered cherries rolled in fresh mint, espresso beans, charred pine and tannins that wake up the mouth and hold its attention.
High-toned, fragrant, toasted oak nuances meld beautifully with delicious black cherry aromas and flavors in this well-balanced, abundantly proportioned wine. It is full bodied, opulent in texture, with enough fine-grained tannin and acidity to support the high level of ripeness. It keeps demanding another sip.
Aromas of baked dark-skinned fruit, cedar, cooking spice and a balsamic note unfold in the glass. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the firmly structured palate delivers ripe black currants, dried black cherries, clove, mint, tobacco and anise alongside tightly woven but fine-grained tannins. Give this time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2017–2023.
This deep, smoky, minerally wonder is full to the brim with ripe blackberry, tobacco and fine-oak aromas. In the mouth, this Tempranillo-led blend is rich and jammy but not out of shape. Blackberry, prune and toasty flavors finish lusty, with a touch of heat and burn that should settle in due time. Drink now through 2023.
A stunning blend of half Chardonnay and half Pinot Noir, made in a méthode traditionelle, this is a dry, minerally and incredibly smooth sparkling wine. Elegant and refined, it offers a tightly drawn curtain of mousse that lingers on the palate. The time in bottle has added complexity and sophistication, making the wine enjoyable now or for several more years.
Honeycomb and crushed rocks, preserved peach and citrus rind mix lavishly in this creamy, feather-light TBA. A bracing strike of acidity jolts through the midpalate, but finds ease in layers of mouth coating honey and wax that meander through an endlessly lingering finish. Stunning now, but will evolve well for decades to come.
Alluring notes of Asian five spice and wet stone frame ripe cherry aromas in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is firm, becoming faintly dusty on the finish, but the wine is approachable now for its cherry fruit and appealing damp clay quality. Drink now–2018.
Sweet oak and vanilla aromas are front and center on a jammy bouquet that also features black plum and blackberry scents. This blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Tannat feels full, lifted and balanced. Ripe, enticing flavors of wild berry and cassis are backed by toast, chocolate, vanilla and coconut notes as well as heat and burn. Drink through 2019.
This wine combines fruit from both cool and warm sites, which in the vintage might have both leaned on the warmer side. Black fruit and licorice give it a burly character at first. Decanting or letting the wine open in the glass will help, but still it retains smooth, velvety tannins and resolved oak.
Intriguing aromas of lavender, hoja santa and green tobacco blend nicely with blackberry and blueberry scents. This top-flight Bonarda feels lush and only moderately tannic. Blackberry, leather and mild briny flavors finish minty and lightly herbal. Drink now.
Even Carrick's entry-level wine has turned out well in 2013, offering a sturdy, robust mouthful of dark fruit. Plum, espresso and dark chocolate mingle on the nose and palate, while the finish is long, faintly dusty and mouthwatering. Drink 2017–2025.
Always released after a further year's aging, this rich and full-bodied wine is now at its peak. With a dense texture, layers of spice and vanilla as well as intense red fruits, this powerful wine expresses the more complex side of Provence rosé. Drink now.
Produced by the owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate Château Mont-Redon, this is a full and fruity wine. It has a good balance between acidity and red berry fruits that give a rich character. Packed with flavor, it's ready to drink.
This rich and impressive wine has structure and a firm texture, partly from the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon). It is dense and full of juicy red fruits, caramel and delicious spice. Production is only 2,500 cases. It would be worth aging for a few more months, so drink from late 2015.
Classic gooseberry and pink grapefruit notes feature gentle herbal nuances on the nose. There's ample weight and texture on the palate, with a burst of mouthwatering citrus on the finish.
Very fruity and fresh, this wine has crisp apples as well as red fruit giving it a bright, delicious feeling. The acidity goes right through the wine, giving a beautifully fresh feel that points up the fragrant raspberries. Vineyards are in the heart of the sandy soils of the Saint Tropez peninsula.
Rounded and soft, this rich rosé is fruity while also perfumed. The blending of Syrah in the mix gives the wine a sense of power and concentration, making it an adquate partner at the dinner table.
This wine is full in the mouth with a taste between pepper and fruit. It's ripe, rounded and tangy with clementine zest as well crisp apples and red currants. It could benefit from a few months in bottle, so drink from late 2015.
Only the second vintage of this vineyard-designate wine from an estate property, this bottling offers spicy cherry, black tea and dried herb, backed by oaky backbone and structure. Dark chocolate and leather play on the palate in subtle waves, hitting their strides on the finish. Cellar through 2020.
As typical for Dry River Pinots, this one is pretty surly in its youth. Intense and astringent, it packs layers of dusty black-cherry fruit into a tightly coiled frame. Try after 2019.
Floral and herbal from the get-go, this medium-bodied white from a great vineyard offers a lot to like. Stainless-steel fermentation gives it a lean underbelly, rounded out by sharp Meyer lemon and tangerine, buoyed by mouthwatering acidity. Green apple and an accent of honey peak on the finish.
Light in color and weight, this vineyard-designate conveys a wealth of rose petals, earth and bright, crisp red cherry. Compellingly layered and shy, it defines the term ethereal. The finish is medium in length and accented in spicy cardamom.
Meant by the producer to be drunk all year (Quat'Saisons means four seasons), this ripe and rounded wine will go as well with a light summer lunch as with turkey at Thanksgiving. The fruit shows gently, warmly and with just the right amount of fresh acidity.
This wine is a rarity for Washington in a number of ways. It's 100% varietal, comes from Golden Ridge Vineyard, and saw just 20% new French oak. It offers appealing, luscious raspberry compote and herb aromas and flavors backed by lightly grainy tannins.
Aromas of blue flower, plum, scorched earth and allspice come together in the glass. The soft, rich palate offers layers of black cherry, white pepper and savory herb alongside round tannins. Drink through 2018.
This beautifully perfumed wine offers an appealing combination of red berry fruits, fragrant acidity and a firmer, dry background. The wine is already deliciously juicy and fruity, although its dry tannins and concentration promise further aging. Drink from 2018.
A Zin with 23% Petite Sirah, this wine is seamless. Full bodied and dark, it is complexly layered in tobacco, meaty bacon and game, with a touch of brown sugar. A floral bouquet lurks underneath. Sourced from a vineyard with 100-plus-year-old vines, it finishes dusty and dramatic.
Subtle but very pure notes of morello cherry rise aromatically. The morello expression becomes even stronger on the toned, elegant and ever-so-slender palate with just the right amount of tender, tannic structure. This is effortlessly stylish and at the same time very honest and fresh-faced.
Stemmy, baked earth is wrapped around a substantial core of oak and dense tannin in this ripe, savory wine. A wealth of baking spices, from nutmeg to cardamom, plays off the lurking layers of rich black cherry and baked strawberry, giving the taste experience an exotic edge. Enjoy through 2020.
This is a rich, generous and rounded wine. The opulent feel is balanced by a strongly mineral texture. Old vines give concentration while also allowing for great freshness. It needs to age further. Drink from 2017.
Exotic in coconut macaroon on the nose, this wine offers appealing lushness and richness, and is decidedly soft and alluring in red plum and cherry. Medium in weight with plenty of substance, it offers a lift of acidity on the long, peppery finish.
Ripe, rounded green pear flavors gain edge from peppery, herbal notes and the verve of zesty lemon acidity. The conference pear flavors shine through to the very end to provide zesty, savory pleasure.
The bracing freshness of green pear peel mixed with lemon freshness soon yields to a softer fruit note on the nose. Some creamy midpalate texture lends extra weight to this slender wine that charms effortlessly with lemony verve.
Starr Ridge is a two-block site originally planted by winemaker Gary Farrell and farmed by Ulises Valdez. This Cooper Block is incredibly structured and lengthy on the palate, a rich expression of strawberry, high-toned citrus and anise. Playing supporting roles are earth and forest floor.
What a wine. It tries to intimidate. At first, by its bottle size and alcohol level, but in the glass this 100% Garnacha is like a purring kitten—well a purring 20-pound Maine Coon cat, joyous in its pretty red fruit, and its earthy, meaty, vanilla and cinnamon toast range of goodness. All lush, Twisted Oak's Torcido is, like a retro soap opera, brave and beautiful.
While the wine does have richness, it's the mineral and citrus side that is coming through at this stage. The balance with the wood aging is so right that you feel the toast rather than tasting it. As it matures, the wine will deepen in intensity and power, certainly over the next 5–10 years.
A new entry in the Dusted Valley lineup, this offering is co-fermented with Viognier and includes a small amount of Petite Sirah as well. It shows real depth and power, a concentrated explosion of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, annotated with clove and anise. A delicious underpinning of mineral and graphite anchor the lengthy finish.
The 2007 vintage was generally a great one for Bordeaux-style reds in Stellenbosch, and the Els Signature definitely demonstrates it. Sure, it's ripe and sexy with a lot of sweet oak characteristics like cocoa powder and smoky wood, but it's got the ripe fruit core of black plum and dark forest berries to back it up. Spicy layers of leather, cigar box and black tea leaves add complexity to the palate, while chewy tannins provide a firm structure. A bit young now, so try after 2015.
This wine kept improving in the glass over a period of hours, and as it did so, the score kept rising. Initial scents of Bourbon barrel gave way to rich blueberry and black cherry fruit, set in a roasted, potent mix of darker flavors. Smoke, coffee liqueur, a whiff of stem, a streak of vanilla, all tightly wound and elevated with scents of citrus peel.
Pure strawberry and red cherry fruits with a twist of acidity make this a wine that is already delicious. Just under the surface is a firm wood-and-tannin character and a dense, if juicy, structure. Age for 4–5 years.
Hints of dried thyme and bay leaf accent this wine's bouncy, upfront red-fruit notes. It's medium bodied, with softly dusty tannins and crisp acids that give shape to the palate and persist through the finish. Drink now and over the next year or two.
Baked plum and berry aromas are lusty and jammy. In the mouth, this is tannic and the acidity is citric in character. Flavorwise, A Lisa is pumping out brawny berry flavors matched by lemony oak notes, and the finish is expansive, with blanketing tannic grip. This will show best in late 2014, after it's had more time to settle.
Hickory and other wood-based aromas and flavors dominate this Amarone-style blend. Amid all the smokiness there's cola and vanilla aromas and thick, heavy, meaty flavors of baked black fruits offset by toast, spice and chocolate. A sweet-tasting, jammy feeling finish closes the show.
A whiff of stewed berries comes across as raisin and prune on the nose of this jammy, ripe RDD. In the mouth, this is full and chewy, with chunky, earthy flavors of raisin and baked plum filtering into a minty, peppery finish that's jammy and smooth in feel. Drink before 2015.
Roasted cherries, scorched earth, burnt coffee and dark brown sugar all mingle on the nose and palate of this wine. It's a bit rustic and old school, dusty and a bit dry on the finish. Try it in 2–3 years.
Brambly berry and wood notes lend complexity to the luscious cassis and black cherry flavors. It's intensely concentrated with fruit, but bright bursts of acidity and layers of fresh sage and thyme add balance, leading to a long, harmonious finish. Drink now–2020.
Hints of milk chocolate and graham cracker lend a sweet-spice quality to crisp red-plum and sour-cherry flavors in this brisk but concentrated wine. It's vivaciously fresh with bursts of acidity and a pleasant herbaceousness throughout. It finishes moderately long with layers of soft, chalky tannins.
A compact opening with reduced aromas of raisin and cassis sets up a plump, chunky palate with round, easygoing flavors of raisin, cassis and berry syrup. This is full, flashy and dark, but not particularly complex. Drink through 2015.
Leathery aromas of earth and berry fruits are solid and round. This feels thick and jammy, with a resiny feel. Flavors of baked black fruits are ripe, chunky and chewy, while the finish is rich and a bit hot. Everyhting about this full-bodied RDD says warm year and drink now.
This medium-bodied wine combines grilled cherries with meaty, savory notes. It's not the biggest, baddest or boldest, but it is nicely harmonious and fruit-forward, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink it over the next year or two.
A delicately perfumed, full-feeling wine with bright spice and apricot and white peach fruits. It has hints of honey, almonds as well as crisp acidity that cuts through the natural ripeness of the wine. Drink from 2014.
This lovely Gewürztraminer is floral without being cloying, and carries the varietal marker often described as talcum powder. There's a hint of mint, and despite the 16 g/L residual sugar, it's crisp and fresh.
Three quarters Sauvignon Blanc and the remaining Sémillon, this young and fresh wine has vivid citrus and grapefruit flavors leaning toward a hint of fresh cut pear. This is clean, crisp and leesy, with bracing acidity.
Red fruit aromas, soft tannins and a warm feeling permeate this full, fruity wine. It has an open, generous texture, packed with cherry and red berry flavors and layered with acidity. The wine ends fresh and fruity with a touch of tannin.
Aged in equal parts new and neutral French oak along with stainless steel—the latter with no malolactic fermentation—this wine brings out notes of toast, straw and citrus. It has a thick mouth-feel while alternately delivering good concentration and length. It has a thick somewhat ponderous, lemony feel while alternately delivering good concentration and length. It doesn't quite feel entirely like Chardonnay but it's quite delicious.
Take a blend of five Bordeaux grapes, toss in some Syrah, and voilà—you have your 2011 Bramble Bump Red. Smooth and silky, loaded with purple fruits set against a backdrop of licorice and dark chocolate, this delicious wine finishes with a burst of coffee.
Here's a round and approachable Aglianico that shows a softer side to what is southern Italy's most noble grape. This offers delicious blackberry flavors layered with nutmeg and a hint of vanilla along with smooth tannins.
This is a creamy, tasty, delicious wine, showing a rich mix of vanilla, lemon curd, peach and melon flavors. It coats the tongue generously and has an appealing purity.
This fragrant Malvasia opens with enticing floral aromas that recall acacia and yellow flowers. The palate offers creamy peach flavors, with hints of thyme and sage that are balanced by edgy acidity and a crisp finish.
Wiry aromas of red plum and cherry are offset by deeper, more baked and stewy notes. This drills away with hard tannins and punchy acidity, while cherry, plum, mint and earthy flavors finish with baked, chocolaty power. The blend is 40% each of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 20% Merlot.
Delicate aromas of wisteria, jasmine and a whiff of white orchard fruit mingle in the glass. The bright palate offers tart Granny Smith apple, green pear and lime alongside racy acidity and a soft mousse.
A spicy aroma of ginger cookies meets dark, blackberry flavors on the palate of this medium-bodied, pure-tasting wine. The gushing fruit flavors are compelling and palate-cleansing, with light tannins and acidity keep it fresh and lively.
Bread crust and golden apple aromas lead the way and follow through to the lively palate along with citrus zest and toasted hazelnut. Bright acidity and brisk, persistent bubbles offset the rich flavors.
This barrel-fermented Viura is crystalline on the nose, with tropical fruit aromas, minerally apple notes and a touch of yeast. Balanced and properly acidic, this tastes like nectarine, lemon and persimmon, while the finish is balanced, zesty and a touch oily in texture.
From 45-year-old Gamay vines, Stéphane Aviron created an open, fruity wine that has fresh cherry flavors cut with acidity and a dry edge of tannin. A smoky as well as juicy character adds interest and spice.
A heavy chaparral element consumes the nose of this wine, with sagebrush, eucalyptus, pencil lead and just a touch of elderberry fruit. The palate is all about tart cranberries and sour cherries, with a bit of graphite minerality holding it together. It's a brisk and earthy sipper.
Creamy aromas predominate on the nose and carry through to a round, rich palate. This is generous, full and bready, with a lot of earthy flavors on the midpalate. While there is balance, there is little fruit and lots of yeasty character.
Woody, wet herbs of oregano and thyme mix with bitter chocolate, a whiff of smoke and extract cranberry and blueberry on the nose of this winery's top-end bottling. Dark flavors of black cherries, blueberries and pencil lead show on the highly structured palate.
Smooth and fruity, this all-stainless effort carries a citrusy tang into the finish. It quickly settles into a good flavor groove, with suggestions of fresh-baked bread.
Chiroubles is highest of the Beaujolais cru villages, producing wines with good structure. This wine, with its firm tannins, shows some aging potential. It has acidity and ripe red-plum flavors over a dry core. Drink from 2017.
This wine leaps out of the glass with fresh and bright aromas of strawberry blossoms, ripe raspberries, red flowers and a tiny bit of iron. The flavors are reminiscent of a potpourri satchel, with dried hibiscus flowers, tart cranberries, sour cherries and touches of pencil lead.
Fruit from six vineyards that comprise the winery's vineyard-designate series is blended into this village cuvée. At first it seems stiff, almost severe, remaining tightly wound for hours. Gradually the fruit emerges, with rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry notes, and highlights of citrus rind in a high-acid finish.
A pale-colored rosé made entirely from Pinot Noir, this skates near off-dry territory, with perceptible sweetness. It's fruity, soft and round, with forward flavors of cherries and cream.
A complex blend of four grapes, this wine is rich, rounded and ripe. There is a juicy character to it, with spice and some firm, extracted tannins in the background. At this stage, it is still too dry and tannic and the wine needs time for the black fruits to come forward. Drink from 2017.
This is a svelte but muscular wine with a deep red color, abundant black cherry and plum flavors and a rich, velvety texture. Lively acidity keeps all that ripeness in balance. It's full bodied, substantial in fruit flavor and will be great to pair with big proteins.
Frothy, fresh, lemony and light—this uncomplicated, slightly earthy crémant is ideal apéritif material with its easy-drinking, light-footed character. There's a lemony lift on the finish that's rather moreish.
Dusty, minerally, stony aromas come with a floral note and accents of peach and melon. This blend of Merseguera, Malvasia and Viognier is lightly spritzy, with citrus and green apple flavors that turn mildly bitter and pithy. Drink now with anything from the sea.
Mild citrus and papaya aromas set up a fresh, nonaggressive palate with flavors of seltzer, nectarine and brown sugar. This rosé of Pinot Noir is calm and collected on the finish, but low on complexity and sophistication. Drink now.
Highly perfumed, this exotic wine has a strongly textured, scented character that masks the fruit. Red berries underlie the dry texture along with acidity, giving the wine a fresh and fruity aftertaste.
JC is making an effort to upgrade its Reserve range, and this is a good example, offering peach and pineapple flavors framed by vanilla, butter and toast. It's all barrel-fermented, impressive at this production level (25,000 cases) and price point.
Pun alert. Matchless might suggest a peerless wine, but then you notice that the label has been burnt, as if in a fire. The blend is roughly two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Syrah, and the wine is broadly fruity in the Walla Walla style, with suggestions of cherry pie and berry jam. The finish has a rather chalky feel, with chewy tannins.
Saint Clair has strayed from their Marlborough roots to source this Merlot from Hawke's Bay. The result boasts nicely ripe black cherry flavors, not overwhelmed by oak, finishing juicy and refreshing. Drink now.
Creamy peach and vanilla aromas are perfectly attractive, as is the palate. There's plenty of peach, mango and citrus pith flavors to make it worthy, and the finish is long and citrusy. Surprisingly good given the paltry price and Argentina's dearth of success with Viognier.
The vines, rare in the Wachau, were planted because the family liked to drink Sauvignon Blanc, a simple explanation for a wine that is fresh, green and balanced between herbaceousness and tropical fruit flavors.
A ripe currant- and lime-flavored wine, this is rounded and soft. This full-bodied wine fills the mouth but maintains its delicate crispness. There are good bright highlights of green fruits and fresh acidity.
There's a touch of wood to this wine, but the primary emphasis is on citrusy, pineapple-scented fruit. Apple flavors provide roundness, while the wine finishes citrusy and fresh without being sharp.
A conflicted and hence confounding wine. The nose is very oaky, but it's a pointed, almost piercing wood and clove bouquet. The wine is fierce in the mouth, with kicking tannins and acidity pushing bulldozer-like blackberry and bitter espresso flavors. With 6% Merlot, this Patagonian Malbec has its virtues but isn't as friendly as past vintages.
Pretty standard in terms of flavor profile, but well-executed, marrying toasty, pain grille aromas with flavors of vanilla, ripe pears and melon. Medium- to full-bodied, it finishes with a flourish of oak and spice.
A world-class wine regardless of origin, this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Zinfandel blend is as full as they come, with alluring black cherry, cola and graphite aromas. The mouthfeel is smooth and rich, with a wave of cola, molasses and chocolate along with black cherry and blackberry. Sweet, dark, smoky and long on the finish. Drink now–2014.
Even Grand Veneur's traditional cuvée shines in 2009, offering up notions of black cherries and chocolate liqueur. It's full bodied and richly textured, with a long, velvety finish. Simply put, it's plush and delicious, with no need to age it any further. Drink now–2020.
Powerful and ripe, this is loaded with dark black fruit, spice from wood aging, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors. It's impressively rich, concentrated and dark in both color and feel; age it for four years.
Hugely concentrated, powerful and ageworthy, this has mint and new wood aromas. It has rich damson and blackberry fruits that push through the mineral texture and dark tannins, filling the mouth with its exuberant ripeness. Age for four years.
New-wood dominates this wine, with a very toasty quality, a seemingly sweet vanilla flavor and a touch of pepper from the alcohol. The black fruits are still burried under the wood character, although the fruits' weight suggests they will broaden out with time. Give this powerful effort at least four years.
Dark, with dusty tannins and a solid, firm structure, this has a dense character. The black plum fruit and intense underlying acidity yield a powerful wine that will age over several years.
Deep and dark, this has powerful herb and spice flavors alongside the concentrated tannins and notes of ripe black fruits and raisins. This has impressive density and is still youthful, demonstrating fine aging potential.
Bone-dry although not shatteringly so, this is a crisp, tightly fruity wine. The aromatic character gives a fresh, green-apple-laden flavor reinforced by lemon zest. Drink now.
This spicy 100% Merlot wine has tangy black fruits as well as dense texture. It is ripe and very juicy, with intense acidity. It needs to relax (25% new oak barrels; 25% one to two years, the rest in tanks), so drink from 2017.
This Sauvignon Blanc is totally herbaceous and much too young to drink. Fruity, packed with citrus and with a floral aroma, it's juicy, crisp and needs until 2016 to calm down and round out.
A big-hearted wine, displaying ripe red berries lifted by a lively acid undercurrent. It has gentle tannins and a full, juicy aftertaste. Drink now and enjoy with barbecue.
Wisps of smoke meld into fresh apple and lemon notes in this dry, light-bodied Pinot Blanc. It's not robust in flavor or complexity, but refreshing and lively on the palate.
This is a ripe, wood-aged wine that is rich with dark plum and ripe berry tones. Its big, bold character is primary and a far cry from subtle. Drink now.
Dusty cedar and Bourbon-barrel notes dominate fruit on this unusual blend of New York Blaufränkisch and California Valdiguié, Petit Verdot and Syrah grapes. It's a delicate, wispy wine, with faint streaks of crisp red cherry and plum, but it finishes warmly on a vanilla spice note.
This wine is light, juicy and with attractive red fruits brightened with acidity. The tannins suggest a little aging, but there is no need to wait. This Beynat property has been in the family since 1917.
This is a lively and fruity wine. It is crisp while also revealing a more creamy, stewed-apple character. Light acidity and a tang of citrus keep a fresh aftertaste.
Dried oregano and cedar notes hover over delicate sour cherry and cranberry flavors on this light-footed Lemberger. It's a brisk, spry wine, with fleeting tannins.
Rosé from Pinot Noir is a new concept in Alsace (normally it is made into red wine). As here, it can give an attractive crisp and fruity wine that is fresh and ready to be drunk young. LIvely acidity and red fruits complete an attractive wine.
Not quite dry, this lightly perfumed wine has fresh apricot and white peach flavors. It is poised with acidity and a soft texture. Drink now.
Oak and mild perfume notes accent red berry aromas on the nose. The palate feels disjointed, with mild, ripe berry flavors and a hint of spice on the finish.
Hints of pine frond lend a foresty feel to this dry, zesty Riesling. Light on its feet and delicately concentrated in flavors of fresh apple and pear, it finishes briskly on a dusty, stony mineral note.
The weather-wracked vintage of 2011 affected this sometimes stunning bottling, presenting bell pepper greenness with a hint of black earth. It's thin on the palate, which leans toward the greener side of the Cab spectrum, but remains very drinkable with cherry cola and mocha flavors.
Having spent time in oak, this is a ripe and soft wine that is generously proportioned. The opulent texture is cut by bright acidity and juicy red berry flavors. Drink now.
This is a soft and rounded wine. Just off dry, it has apple and pear fruits with balancing acidity. Everything is in moderation, giving a wine that is drinkable now with a bright aftertaste.
In its blue bottle that makes it look more like a fancy water, Double Impact is a blend of Pinot Gris and Riesling. It is just off dry, offering attractive citrus and apple fruits, and showing a light touch of acidity. It is ready to drink.
This red aims for smoothness and easy drinkability. It smells like black plums, tastes medium-bodied, slightly sweet, and has a touch of tannin to balance it out. One of many new brands produced at the Terravant Wine Co.
Pleasant melon and pear aromas show sea-spray notes as the wine breathes. The palate is fresh and coastal in feel, with green melon and tropical fruit flavors that finish a touch salty.
In this soft, easy style of rosé, red fruits mingle with a caramel and spice backdrop. Refreshing acidity cuts through the ripe fruitiness, giving a rounded wine that works both as an apéritif and with food.
Aromas suggest leafy underbrush, espresso and toasted oak. The evolved palate offers coffee, roasted hazelnut and dried red berry alongside fleeting tannins.
Initial floral and berry aromas turn toward tar and burnt meat upon airing. Flavors of herbal berry, olive and pepper are welcoming to a palate driven by hard tannins. Lively acidity keeps things cranking along.
Pfister's Riesling is classic, simple and fruity. With its light mineral texture, tight acidity and delicate lemon and grapefruit flavors, it's totally ready to drink.
Jammy strawberry aromas are sweet and welcoming on the nose. A bit disjointed, with tangy acidity, the palate brings dark fruit tones of cherry, plum and berry.
Red berry and spice aromas make up the bouquet on this limited-production wine. Herbal flavors of olive and berry finish oaky, blackened and minty.
This is an open, soft and ready-to-drink wine. With red fruits, soft tannins and bright acidity that demands food, its warm, easy and approachable.
Crisp red cherry and berry notes on the nose become increasingly ruddy and ripe on the palate of this soft, medium-bodied Merlot. It's pleasantly juicy, but whiffs of ramp and dried savory herbs are a distracting contrast.
Plenty of oak right out in front gives it a bountiful bouquet of smoke, toast, charcoal, etc. Underneath waits a nice core of black-cherry and cassis fruit, balanced with decent acids, but overall the wine seems lightweight for a reserve. It’s definitely ready to drink right now.
An estate-bottled, unfiltered 100% Cabernet, it’s an open, loose-knit wine, with soft, plummy fruit, some vanilla-cream notes and a sweet finish.
Ripe fruit, augmented with a little earthiness, some barnyard scents, and then layers of dark spice and smoke.
Herbal, briary, spicy, earthy Pinot Noir, with some black-cherry fruit leading into a pleasantly bitter finish that features coffee and licorice nuances.
Wonderful aromas of orange blossoms and cream stay orangey right through to the long finish. Clove and cinnamon nuances provide complexity. Light on the palate and very refreshing; also very different—a unique style of wine. Best Buy.
Big, tannic and fruity, giving an intense structure of black plums laced with sweet raspberries. It exudes richness and power, generous while also firm.
This wine is initially austere, but then shows rich, ripe fruit and a solid structure. The wine's strong tannic character suggests considerable aging potential, while it already shows a deliciously gentle side.
From young vines in Chambertin, this is big and generous, showing the richness of the year as well as its depth of fruit. Firm tannins help to give the wine shape.
Sigalas sets the bar high for Assyrtiko as usual. This 2010 is a balance of rounded citrus, crisp sea salt and sparkling minerality. Delicious with grilled fish, fruit or alone on a hot day, this is an elegant gem of a white that represents some of the best of Greek wine offered today.
Deep purple, it explodes into lush fruit flavors of tangy boysenberry, blackberry, black cherry and cassis, with a smoky black licorice streak woven through. The tannin management is exceptional here––firm and substantial, without any bitter or green aspect. This is a supple, powerful and ageworthy wine with depth and muscle unusual in this price range.
Fermented with wild yeast in neutral French oak barrels, this Evergreen Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc opens with a burst of peppery citrus fruit, almost Grüner-like. That spicy note persists throughout the long, sweetly herbal flavor set, blending lemon and lime, pineapple and grapefruit in a harmonious, lively and palate-cleansing crescendo.
A very firm and well-structured expression of pure Walla Walla Syrah. There is a core of blueberry and blackberry fruit, amply wrapped in sweetly toasty, smoky oak (despite very little new barrel usage). It finishes clean with the characteristic earthy foundation of Walla Walla Syrah, and a streak of rock and licorice.
Sourced from Mike Sauer's Les Vignes de Marcoux Vineyard (near Red Willow), this sends up classic Yakima Valley Syrah scents––black tea, seaside funk, and umami, with drying tannins that seem soaked in ripe black cherry fruit. Juicy finish, with a streak of lemony acidity.
This is an outlier in the Brian Carter lineup of Euro-style blends, a single vineyard, pure varietal Cabernet. As such, it drills down deeply into the character of Washington terroir as captured in a Cab-friendly site, the Stone Tree Vineyard in the heart of the Wahluke Slope AVA. Dark, deep, concentrated, smoky, with tendrils of earth and rock reaching all the way through the tart and tannic finish.
Multiple vineyards contribute to this standout blend. It feels open and accessible, yet carries the structure to age gracefully. You'll find interesting threads of freshly picked herb, lemon oil, pimiento and olive supporting citrus and fresh apple fruit.
This wine shows a fine balance between sweetness (74 g/L) and acidity, reminiscent of a spätlese style. Striking scents of crushed stone, beeswax and lime burst from the glass, while the flavors combine peach and citrus notes. The finish shines, marrying sugar and acid into a long, tongue-tingling finale.
This blend of 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Blanc and 30% Pinot Gris from La Encantada Vineyard is a stunner, starting with its crystalline brilliance in the glass. Lime blossom, pomelo, baking soda and lanolin aromas lead into a grippy palate of green apple, chalk and wet cement. Extremely tense and compelling.
Aromas of roasted earth, leather and fine oak are more out-front than berry fruit, and that's the way it should be for a Gran Reserva. This feels bold, lively and still a touch bumpy. Chocolaty oak and vanilla notes rest comfortably on top of ripe berry and black-plum flavors, while the finish is persistently earthy and chocolaty. Drink through 2028.
This premium cuvée from Eugénie is packed both with superripe fruit and layers of wood aging flavors. The fruit of this impressive wine is still pushing through the dark tannins that give a dry dusty edge to the wine. It is powerful and rich and should age. Drink from 2020.
Savory in aroma, richly fruity and accented with butter and vanilla, this wine has a complete package of flavors and an expert balance to accompany its creamy viscosity. It combines lightly toasty, earthy notes with generous pear and citrus flavors in a way that's unusual and compelling. Best after 2020.
Forest floor, leather, tilled soil, ripe berry and balsam are some of the aromas you'll find in this delicious red. The smooth, dense palate delivers blackberry jam, espresso, licorice and ground pepper flavors, blanketed with soft, silky tannins. Tobacco and graphite notes linger on the finish. Drink through 2020.
Earthy with dusty loam and forest scents, this wine is intensely rich, with grippy, chewy tannins. Fine-grained oak notes support dark chocolate, clove and tobacco flavors, accented with fruit-forward elements that recall wild blueberry and blackberry. Structured to age, it will be best from 2023 through 2030.
Deep dark berry aromas come with notes of vanilla, gritty spice and tobacco. Hard tannins require cushion and this has just enough to handle things. Blackberry, cassis, barrel spice and molasses flavors finish with savory oak notes, chocolate and lingering blackberry fruit. Drink through 2030.
Sourced from the producer's Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard and Hyde Vineyard, both in Carneros, this is a stunning effort. Its baked pear fruit provides hefty body and texture, while honeysuckle and apple blossom notes and a squeeze of lemon-like acidity keep it balanced and fresh.
This is an impressively ripe and solidly fruity wine. Blending mainly Tannat with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is certainly structured. But it is the brilliant black fruit that gives this wine its real character and density. It is impressive, and obviously made for the long haul. Drink from 2021.
Another beauty from this producer and this appellation, Hughes is about granite-like minerality and rocky dust—a big-boned powerhouse from a powerful vintage that boasts generous spiced plum, cola, clove and black pepper flavors.
This feral and gamy wine shows roast lamb, rosemary, dried fennel, rose petal and forest floor aromas on its dynamic nose. The palate leads with explosive acidity, before waves of Concord grape and blackberry flavor take hold. It's light on its feet but has some textural firmness, finishing on rosemary, lavender and game notes.
This modern-style Tempranillo is registering at max ripeness. Aromas of black fruits, raisin, tire rubber and toasty French oak project a dark outlook. In the mouth, this is tight and gripping. Flavors of blackened oak, cassis and blackberry finish firm and closed, with manageable tannins. Drink through 2025.
This cuvée, says winemaker Josh Bergström, is crafted to compete with village Burgundies. Principally Temperance Hill fruit, it more than does the job, with great mouthfeel, and a succulent tangy ripe mix of citrus and stone fruits. There's a lick of caramel apple coming through also, and the wine is bursting with bright flavors across the board.
Unusual aromatics conjure ruby red grapefruit, Douglas fir needles, green tea and a touch of cola. The site, which is rather cool, fills in the main palate with grapes offering sleek subtle flavors of mountain berry.
This herb-laced wine comes from a 1,100-feet elevation outpost five miles from the ocean and shows both feral notes and robust fruit. Tart cranberry flavor dominates, complemented by orange peel nuances. Its tannins are in full force, calling for more time in the glass if not in the cellar. Best the second day after opening, if one can wait.
Freshly cut quince, guava, lemongrass and key lime aromas combine with a stony quality on the nose of this vibrant, zesty wine. Its acidity is almost effervescent, infusing the palate with boundless energy, while its chalky grip carries sharp green apple notes alongside warmer touches of pineapple and guava. Those vivid flavors linger for a full minute.
Produced from old Malbec vines in the second terrace above the River Lot, the wine is darkly concentrated, with solid tannins and generous black fruits. Aging for 12 months has smoothed the square corners to create a wine that is hugely rich and rounded. It has the potential to age and become more opulent. Drink from 2020.
The Daou brothers have become increasingly known for their rich, unctuous and lavish high-end wines, but this bottling offers a taste of that opulence for just $30. Plump blueberry and soft, cedar-like spice scents show on the nose, while the palate bursts with black cherry, dark chocolate and caramel flavors, powered by ample acidity. It will age gracefully, but is already delicious.
From an aptly named vineyard, this whopper of a wine blends 37% Zinfandel, 32% Syrah, 16% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre with 24% new oak and 20% whole-cluster fermentation. The result is a perfume that's both tart with boysenberry and rich with caramel, oak and cola. Black plum, gravel and bay leaf flavors surround its meaty core, persisting deep into the finish.
Bright, firmly structured and full of classic berry and savory flavors, this wine is rich but balanced and ready to serve with a steak, chop or rack for a special occasion. It has ripe fruit bolstered by firm acidity and a healthy coating of fine-grained, grippy tannins. Best after 2020.
Grown against all odds (and against all likelihood of economic viability) overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Catalina Island, this Chardonnay is a success every vintage. It shows a broad spectrum of nutty aromas, from macadamia to cashew, with touches of honey and daffodil. On the palate, expect walnut, vanilla and oak smoke, with a butterscotch-like finish.
Vinified by the former Margerum winemaker (who now works for Morgan Winery), this bottling from one of the appellation's most exciting vineyards is chock-full of baked red cherry, vanilla, clove and gravel aromas. Though light and bright in body, the palate packs intriguing flavors, from raspberry and rose petal to dried fennel and dill.
From dry-farmed estate vines, this savory, classically styled red offers nuances of cedar, dried herb and peppercorn. It's aromatically reminiscent of the forest that surrounds the estate, delivering a balanced landscape of subtle, elegant flavor and length.
This wine's fresh, ripe red cherry and aromatic strawberry touches make for an inviting nose. The palate shows the same intense primary fruit, bolstered by freshness and a fine, filigreed structure. Its supple, pure fruit makes it very enjoyable now, but it's sure to evolve further with bottle age. Drink now–2025.
Aromatically intriguing, this features notes of crushed green grapes, green apple and botrytis. It's a hair off dry, with nicely balanced acidity and stone fruit flavors. Best as a dinner table companion.
Bright and savory, this offers sensations of bread crust, apple, juicy citrus and walnut alongside an earthy minerality. Vibrant acidity and persistent bubbles end on a clean, refreshing note.
Blackberry, plum, chocolate and tobacco aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The palate offers roasted coffee bean, licorice, raisin and black pepper alongside tightly packed tannins that need time to unwind but for now leave an astringent, drying finish. You'll also detect the heat of alcohol on the finish.
A smooth and creamy wine, this shows warmth that is balanced by a brighter, crisper lemon and green apple flavors. Already attractive with great fruitiness, it is refreshing while textured and likely to age well through 2016.
This blend of Viognier and Arinto blends the apricot flavors of the Viognier and the fresh steeliness of Arinto in a bright while rounded package. It's fruity, touched by vanilla and herbs and given a final boost with crisp acidity. It's ready to drink.
A sense of richness comes with the creamy flavors in this smooth, light-bodied Chardonnay-like bubbly. The wine starts with a surprising marshmallow aroma, then goes to pear and ripe apple flavors. It is balanced toward the soft, rather than crisp, side of the scale.
Floral red-fruit aromas are modest but clean. The palate is a bit chunky but overall it's in good shape. Flavors of berry and cassis are ordinary, but the flavor profile is perfectly good. A touch of chocolate and oak rise up on the finish.
A wine made in memory of Catherine (Caterina) of Bragança, a Portuguese princess who married Charles II of England in the 17th century. It is a superripe wine, full of tropical fruit flavors and only the lightest of acidity. Wood aging gives the wine a plush character and suggests it could age for another year. Drink from 2016.
There is a strong sense of herbaceousness in this wine. A blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Alvarinho, it is fresh and crisp with lemon and pear flavors. A short wood aging has allowed the wine to round out and get a toasty feel. Drink from 2015.
This blend of Chardonnay (72%) and Pinot Nero (28%) opens with aromas that recall white spring flower and a hint of sage. The palate offers easy drinking appeal with yellow peach, mature apple and toasted walnut flavors alongside bright acidity.
An appealing wine with notes of mineral, red apple and tropical fruit. It's dry, fresh and fleshy with tart acidity and a warm finish.
This is woodsy, spicy and narrow in its delivery of berry aromas. The palate is lively and shows acidic pick up. Full, generous berry flavors fade quickly then finish with a wave of minty, medicinal wood character.
This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero offers aromas of white flower, beeswax, toasted almond and a yeasty note of bread crust. The palate displays mature golden apple peel, citrus zest, walnut and candied ginger alongside a soft mousse. It finishes on a note of bitter walnut.
Ready for immediate enjoyment, this offers a lifted nose of rose petals and cherry blossoms, carrying a slight whiff of milk chocolate. The fruit has a tart, cranberry character, moving up into Bing cherry flavors with plenty of crisp acidity.
The local Beira grape, Maria Gomes, makes a star turn in this apricot and peach flavored wine. The ripe fruit is cut by fresh, crisp lime juice, adding crispness. A final tang of orange completes the picture.
This structured wine also has already delicious red fruit flavors. The core of tannins is surrounded by this cushion of ripe fruits, layered with acidity and altogether enticing now. Drink now, although the wine will certainly age.
The crispness of Aligoté is well expressed in this fruity, citrus and sliced apple flavored wine. It is bright, with a mineral texture along with some weight from aging on the lees until bottling. It's very ready to drink although it will soften and round out from 2015.
Sourced from seven different vineyards across the appellation, this ripe Pinot is savory in flavor, seasoning the dark cherry fruit at its center with spicy cardamom and cinnamon. On the palate comes a taste of thick oak and bacon with sizable tannins.
Cedary, leafy, dry aromas of cherry and lemon peel filter into a sinewy, oaky palate with cherry, plum and vanilla flavors. A direct finish is hard-driving and a bit herbal. Like many 2008 Riojas, this is rough and firm in its delivery.
Full-bodied and ripe, this offers fruitiness that has been filled out with wood aging. It's a good expression of Chardonnay from southern Burgundy, with ripe yellow fruits and citrus and a juicy-toasty aftertaste. Drink now.
Sourced from the new estate vineyard, this impressive young Syrah is compact and powerful. Scents of cinnamon, salted chocolate and black tea enhance the dark fruit flavors. Brandied cherries, smoke and earth streak on through a wine that seems to have a good decade of life ahead.
Sourced as previously from the Stillwater Creek vineyard, this is a substantial, mouth-filling Chardonnay. At first tight and aggressively oaky, it softens up with air time and reveals hidden complexity. Lanolin, vanilla custard, lemon meringue and a mix of stone and tropical fruits keep it interesting. This is a Chardonnay that could improve for another five years or more.
A smoothly ripe wine, with swathes of cherry and black currant fruits balanced by lively acidity. The wine, with its richness and the tannic structure, could well age for 3-4 years, although its fruitiness makes it delicious now.
McKinley Springs vineyard sourced this outstanding blend of Cabernet Franc (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (36%) and Merlot (19%). A complex and inviting, dusty bouquet of herb, olive and tart fruits introduces a wine with smooth moves and subtle details. A perfect mix of Washington fruit with a Bordeaux grip.
Mature, solid and alluring on the bouquet, with cigar box, dried leaves, citrus peel and mature berry fruit aromas. Stylish, lifted and fresh in the mouth, with herb, tobacco, caramel and dried fruit flavors. Composed throughout, with coffee and mocha on the finish. Drink now through 2014.
Forceful and fully oaked, with dark, rubbery, minty black fruit flavors. The palate is a bit rugged but solid as granite. Tastes toasty and roasted, with black fruit and licorice flavors front and center. Rolls along well on the finish, showing lemon zest and clove notes. Drink now through 2014.
Rusty to the eye, then dry, spicy and elegant on the nose in a traditional manner. Focused and crisp in the mouth, with juicy currant and cherry flavors sweetened by cocoa. Long and remains bright on the finish. Drink this classy wine now through 2014.
Not too loud or vocal on the nose; it offers basic but entirely attractive ripe berry aromas. Tastes like blackberry and black cherry, with ample oak adding chocolate and vanilla flavors. Baked and rich tasting but it dries out well on the finish. 375 cases made; drink now through 2016.
With only 75 cases made, this is 100% Pommard clone Pinot in all its glory. Opening with a great red cherry nose, the wine is bright with a luscious texture, noticeable balance of acidity and depth and a long finish. A Mendo Pinot not from Anderson Valley that does the county proud. Made from biodynamic grapes.
Deep and dark, with cola, blackberry and mossy aromas. This is full-bodied, tight and tannic, with hardness that will only be tempered by food and/or more time in bottle. Tastes bold, chunky and ripe, with chocolate and licorice along with heat and tannic fire. Drink now through 2017.
Delightfully spicy and fresh, this bright and lively Riesling shows a hint of sweetness from residual sugar just a bit under 2%. But the juicy flavors of citrus and stone, flesh and rind, really carry the day.
The best Syrah so far from Cadaretta, this pure varietal is three-quarters Pepper Bridge and one-quarter Stone Tree Vineyard fruit. The purity and focus are compelling. Deep boysenberry fruit is highlighted with black olive and dusty coffee. Tight and expressive.
Drawn from a particularly good parcel of old-vine Syrah and bolstered by just 10% Grenache and Carignan, this is an exciting expression of Costières de Nîmes. Aged in 500-liter barrels, the wood component is subtle, adding hints of cedar, vanilla and great textural richness to the wine. Plum, licorice and tree bark notes finish long and velvety. Drink now–2020.
This blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette is rich and round, sumptuous and honeyed. It's largely barrel fermented, and carries a hint of tannin through the finish, which actually helps balance out the wine's lushness. Drink now.
Kudos to Ste. Michelle for accurately labeling this wine, and also for the Riesling sweetness scale on the back of all their Rieslings. Firm Yakima Valley fruit is the backbone here, tart and spicy, with bright flavors of pear and apple. A juicy, palate-cleansing style.
A beautiful Pinotage with superb expression and balance. Intriguing aromas of spicy cured meat, pepper, raw vanilla bean and mulled boysenberry abound, while the lush mouth offers concentrated dark fruit flavors of plum preserves and berry pie filling. Enjoyable now thanks to a creamy texture and silk tannins, though this wine also shows the potential to cellar for another 3–5 years.
A blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, created as a fusion of international and Austrian varieties, this dry-textured, firm wine is rich and full-bodied with plum skins and concentration. Age for 3–4 years.
Broadly fruity at first, this turns a little loose-knit, like a Grateful Dead jam. It's compelling but not terribly tight; it meanders into leaf and tea, then chocolate, then back to the light and pretty red fruits.
Light, pale, tart, with generic, simple red berry flavors.
Off-dry and stainless steel fermented, it carries some volatile scents in the nose. Bubble gum and candied orange flavors quickly turn bitter as the wine flattens out in the mouth.
All indigenous grapes are welcomed by our tasting panel, but sometimes they are unknown and little used for a reason. This wine, made from the local Maturana Tinta, is a green, mean, lean wine with herbal aromas and flavors that, let's face it, are vegetal. Tastes tart and short, with a strong, driving green character throughout.
Although its fresh lemon and savory apple flavors are pleasant, this is clumsy and disjointed with a soapy, floral nose and shriekingly high acidity levels.
Rustic wine, its fruit angular and its tannins cutting into the wine awkwardly. Final acidity gives more sharpness.
Light weight and somewhat sweet with flavors of gummy peach candy and tropical fruit juice. Short and simple; drink now.
Dusty, sweet and gummy on the nose, and not very vital. The palate is chunky and dull, with mealy white fruit flavors and a bit of fino sherry or manzanilla. Made from the Malvar grape, and the result is strange and lazy.
Smells like fruit juice. Overall it's raisiny and pruney. Drinkable but barely. Doesn't bring clarity or proper balance.
Smells like mealy fruit and bananas, while the palate is weak in constitution and a bit spritzy in feel. Tastes like bland white fruits with vanilla. Cloying on the finish.
There's a reason Airén is used as a base grape for brandy and Sherry wines, and it's because it's not up to table-wine quality, even at the value price point. This wine is corny and lacks freshness. It's dull, wayward and offers little to no structure. Barely drinkable.
This is smoky and a touch fiery and woody on the nose. Fresh on the palate, with plenty of body and pulp, it bears full flavors of berries and a fair amount of wood-driven spices. The finish tastes oaky and slightly lactic.
With just that extra bottle age, the wine shows ripe quince and apricot flavors, with a suggestion of artichoke and a rounded texture. Soft and open, this is ready to drink.
Attractively ripe, this has a dense texture that's full of red fruits and soft tannins. With its richness, it is delicious and ready to drink now.
The chiseled lemon-lime aromas are minerally and crisp, with a touch of lychee. This feels light on its feet but shows depth, with flavors of citrus, green herbs and lychee. It's smooth and fresh on the finish, with a green herb note.
This is jammy and bulky from the get-go, with heavy fruit aromas leading to a saturated, dense palate that feels thick. Baked, blackened flavors of sweet blackberry, chocolate and mocha mark the palate.
Dense and sweet up front, the nose is balanced and deep, with blackberry and graham cracker aromas. The palate feels grippy and concentrated, bearing blackberry, dark plum and black pepper flavors, with a lifted flower note. This finishes mild and spicy.
This opens with red fruit aromas that are wrapped around earth and leather scents, yielding a rustic whole. It feels snappy, with red fruit acidity leading to a gritty, lively palate, with flavors of brown sugar, red pepper, plum and raspberry. Long on the finish but short on texture.
Subtle and fairly deep, with aromas of berry, pastry and cherry cough drop. It feels lively and good, with blueberry and plum flavors in front of a textured, medium-deep finish.
A floral nose greets you at first sniff, followed by hints of light citrus. A mix of grapefruit, melon and apple flavors are light and enticing, keeping the wine delicate and balanced. The finish leaves an impression of lemon tea.
This weaves spicy melon and pear flavors into a soft, smooth, fleshy and fruity core. Forward and accessible, it's best served chilled.
Rounded and soft, this is a red-fruited wine. There is a strong element of spicy wood lending dryness and a cinnamon note, which goes well with the young, bright fruits and acids.
Rahn has blended 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre and aged it in French oak for a year. The result is a smooth, soft, rich texture, with a mix of cherry and vanilla flavors. A parting shot of dark chocolate marks the finish.
The welcoming aromas of red berry and cherry are slightly smoky and spicy. Showing good body, this has light tannins, with flavors of toasty plum, berry, chocolate and spice. It's round, mellow and easy on the finish.
A very well-made Merlot, with sweet fruit and attractive scents of vanilla and cracker. Though still showing a lot of youthful acidity, it wraps the fruit in a big blast of new oak and finishes with a hint of heat.
This is 58% Viognier and 42% Chardonnay, making a crisp, clean, dynamic white with plenty of lime and citrus flavor. Delicious and refreshing, it's a perfect food wine.
Dried spices, dusty earth and steely red fruit mesh well in this wine, which closes with enticing cherry and bitter chocolate notes. This wine is toasty, oh-so-smooth, and undeniably plush and seductive. Share this with someone special.
A wine designed for summer, if ever there was one. Bone- dry and fragrant, with lemon, jasmine and fresh pear scents evolving into complex layers of pear, grapefruit and honey.
This tangy wine is laced with plenty of toasty new oak, giving it scents and flavors of cocoa and spice. Some excellent fruit is there, tasting of tart black cherries, but it seems a bit overwhelmed. —P.G.
This wine shows a lot of Bourbon-barrel oak flavor, underscoring fruit that has plenty of apple and melon intensity, enlightened with pleasing herbal accents.
This is classic juice, hard and packed with power, showing dark fruits laced with mocha and spice. The chalky tannins are the only quibble, but this wine will improve for at least a decade in your cellar. —P.G.
Flavorful, forward and tasting of a pleasing mix of light, toasty oak and pretty cherry fruit, this is a solid, immediately enjoyable wine. It doesn't have the muscle to go long term, but it offers a lot of pure Merlot pleasure in the near term. —P.G.
Okay, Idaho Cabernet is never going to be an easy sell. But new winemaker Chuck Devlin is a talent, and he gives this wine a distinct core of sweet black cherry fruit; not big, but perfectly ripe. It's set in a slightly earthy framework of root and rock, with a lightly chalky finish. —P.G.
Off-dry fruit conjures up flavors of grapes, apricots, peaches and even kumquats! A balanced, sensuous wine, it has no rough acid or over-the-top tropical fruit flavors. Long and silky. Best Buy. —P.G.
This is a young wine and tastes like a Beaujolais. Spicy, grapey and showing an almost spritzy lightness; it has good, clean fruit with a lively, tangy, spicy mouthfeel. Best Buy. —P.G.
Waterbrook makes a  lovely, lighthearted, citrus- and melon-flavored Sauv Blanc. Crisp and elegant, it manages to be flavorful without being overpowering; it's a delightful summer sipping wine that will add zip to almost anything you serve it with.
Markham has been a reliable Petite source over the years, and succeeded even in the difficult '98 vintage. Rich blackberries and blueberries are dusted with black pepper. The one indication of a tough year is the dry, tannic finish, but it should work fine with a rare steak. —J.C.
Rich and intense but also round and soft. A horsey note adds complexity and rusticity to the dark chocolate, leather and black cherry aromas and flavors. —J.C.
Here is a beautifully rendered, vividly fruity Washington Riesling. Crisp green apple flavors combine with succulently sweet citrus in a classic, off-dry style.
Tagaris makes two Rieslings, priced just a buck apart. The “Reserve” may be just a stitch tighter, with more creaminess in the mouth, less in-your-face fruit.
This is a thick, ripe Aussie red in which you can stand up a fork. The bold blackberry, vanilla, black pepper and dark earth flavors are not about finesse or elegance; this is stick-to-your-ribs stuff. Best Buy. —J.C.
Fragrant, with scents and flavors of pears and orange blossoms. This wine has 1.8% residual sugar, which qualifies it as off-dry, but it is still quite suitable for a wide range of foods, especially spicy Asian dishes. Full, fleshy and well-made, it delivers plenty of fresh fruit flavor with enough spice and acid to give a lift to the finish.
Riesling has always been a strength of this winery, and this wine clearly shows why. It has a lightness and delicacy missing from most other domestic Riesling, yet it is not simple. Its complex, subtle, food-friendly flavors are right on the money. Best Buy. —P.G.
Dry and papery, this not-quite-settled wine shows threads of fruit (green apple, pineapple), toasted cracker (odd in a Riesling) and plenty of sharp acidity. Time may be the missing ingredient here, but it's difficult to assess at the moment.
A fresh, lightweight wine with good black berry fruits, a juicy character and balancing spice. The tannins are certainly dry, but the fruit is well in balance.
Some richness, a good depth of flavor with wood smoothing out the rough edges of the lean tannins. The fruit is full of juicy black currant energy, while the acidity dominates the aftertaste.
A neutral cava with white candy and mango on the nose. The palate is both foamy and scouring, with soda cracker, apple and citrus pith creating the flavor profile and finish. Shows basic flavors, normal mouthfeel and scouring acidity.
This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is very easy to drink, if slightly lacking distinctiveness. Melon and fig flavors finish on a slightly grassy note, while the texture is plump and soft.
This single-vineyard Merlot smells sweetly of ripe black plums with just a whisper of menthol and Band Aid. Soft on the palate, there's a good amount of dark fruit, but it's a tad tired and dusty. The finish is strong with a high-toned acidity and firm tannins.
The nose is a pleasant harmony of dark, ripe fruit, espresso grinds and carefully charred French oak. Coffee and cigar box notes carry through the palate as well, marrying with fresher red-fruit flavors. There's quite a bit of tannin to grapple with still, but overall, it's a pleasant medium-bodied red.
This vividly effervescent sparkling Chardonnay offers notes of bruised apples and pears on the nose and a palate of rustic apple cider and lime pith flavors. A bright, lemony acidity makes this a refreshing, easy-drinking sparkler that would match perfectly with pork in a braised apple sauce.
Delicate and pale, this elegant rosé hints at rhubarb and strawberry, dappled with light herbs. Tart and refreshing.
Well integrated charred oak melds well with ripe blackberry and black plum aromas in this blend of Merlot from a cooperative of Long Island winemakers. This is a full-bodied wine with an intensely concentrated black fruit character, a kick of earthy, barnyard funk and firm, structured tannins.
Elegant, fresh wine, full of delicious red berry fruits, a fruit salad of red and black plums and a light touch of spice. Bright, juicy, ready to drink.
Despite intriguing notes of ripe red cherries, menthol and barnyard that peek through, tar and smoke from heavily charred French oak dominate both the nose and palate. There's a pleasant midpalate of black fruit and pepper spice but its brief appearance is overshadowed again by a deep char finish.
Pale peach in color, this softly sparkling blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay smells sweetly of red apples and a hint of lanolin. There's a gentle sweetness upon entry that carries through the finish with a bright acidity and pleasant apple and pear notes.
Dark gold color and buttery nose say that it was heavily oaked during its fermentation and afterward. The palate is flat and resiny. On the finish, buttered toast and some bitter, oaky leftovers hold it back.
Creamy in the nose, with a hint of vanilla and Bartlett pear. The palate isn't boring; there's cantaloupe and nutmeg nuances along with some papaya and banana. The weakness: The wine turns soft almost immediately upon pouring.
A light, easy-drinking Pinot Grigio, with peach, lime and fresh herb aromas and flavors. The lemony finish shows fine persistence.
Green apple notes give way to grapefruit and melon, but tart lime and green apple flavors power this wine.
Light and easy to drink, with just enough apple and lime to keep things interesting. Makes a fine apéritif.
Slightly gingery on the nose, but marked more by fresh greens and limes. Its relatively lightweight flavors of apples and limes are joined by an herbal tang on the short but refreshing finish.
One whiff and you know what you have. The nose offers wild flower, mustard seed and telltale lychee fruit. The body is fairly rich, and there are flavors of custard, apple, banana and nutmeg-like spice. The finish is simultaneously chewy and fresh, which is a testament to the wine's forward acidity.
Lean and basic, with fairly ripe aromas and a decent helping of apple, peach and grapefruit. The fruit is a touch soft and lacking in structure though.
A pleasant, lemon-and-lime white, best with light fish dishes. Unlike most of its brethren, which are ready to go from the moment they're opened, this one has some burnt-matchstick aromas that need time and aeration to dissipate. Try decanting.
Full in the nose, with leather and muted red and black fruit. The palate is big and oaky, with flavors of black plum and milk chocolate, and the finish is of modest length, with size and some tannins. This wine has all the typical Merlot characteristics, but in short order.
If you enjoy picking apart a wine--finding all of its tiny nuances and eccentricities--you'll find plenty here. From its smoky, beeswax-like and menthol aromas to its flavors of melon and citrus, there's plenty of interest, yet the wine delivers more intellectual excitement than hedonism.
Rich, even a bit heavy, in the mouth, with canned corn, citrus and melon aromas and flavors that offer plenty of substance but less style.
Musky pear aromas start things off, but the flavors are in sharper focus—a blend of pears and green herbs, finishing with a touch of anise. A bit sweet-tasting, so serve well-chilled as an apéritif. Best Buy.
Grassy and grapefruity, with sour, close to vegetal, flavors and a touch of sweetness on the finish.
This weighty Malbec is more rough than refined, but what's here is decent. The nose is round and full of plum and berry aromas, while there's a full blast of berry fruit along with detectable oak on the palate. The finish is basic and clean, with some buttery oak on the very back.
Light. Light in color, light in body, light on flavor. What's there is pretty—featuring hints of peaches, mint and lime—so this is best as an apéritif. It runs the risk of being overpowered by food.
Rough at first, with leathery aromas and hints of bitter chocolate. Which all goes to say: Where's the snappy cherry fruit? It just doesn't seem to be here. What you do get is light raspberry and tea notes, and then some oak and herbal character on the finish.
At first the tight nose is a bit like tar and industrial cleaner, but once it fans out some black fruit emerges. The palate is tight and tannic, but fresh and ripe. And the finish is healthy but also rather tannic. Good with barbecued meats and the like.
Simple but clean in the nose, with just a hint of cheesy pungency. The palate veers toward tangerine and pineapple. The finish is sharp and acidic. Best Buy.
A reasonably full-bodied Soave, with delicate aromas of acacia blossoms and limes giving way to sturdy pear flavors. The lemony finish will seem shrill to some, pleasantly cleansing to others.
Pungent aromas of pine needles and saw mill start it off. Next comes a juicy palate with flavors of orange and pineapple. The finish is fine, but it's kind of dull. The is a basic wine that veers toward flatness. But for now it's hanging in there.
This old-school winery sticks to tradition, so if this new-release Merlot seems older than it is, that's by intention. The color is light, and the wine already carries fading edges. The nose is earthy and the flavors are spicy.
Here's yet another wine bearing the signature of winemaker Ignacio Recabarren, and it's a touch thinner and disjointed than one might expect. The nose features blanched raspberry and a strong note of pine or fern frond. The mouth is chunky and plummy, and it evolves with air. But it is also a touch vegetal and never really hits stride.
It opens with fragrances of stone fruit, Granny Smith apple and white almonds. The succulent palate delivers juicy pear, white peach, nutmeg, white almond and mineral alongside crisp acidity. It's nicely balanced with great length and finesse.
This is a beautifully ripe, smooth wine. The wood aging adds a touch of vanilla to what is rich blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira and Touriga Nacional. Black berry fruits, rich tannins and just the right amount of acidity make a wine that will be ready to drink in the medium-term. Drink from 2016.
The Attaché brings appealing and lively cherry fruit, framed with citrusy acidity. The power in this wine is all forward and fruit-driven. It's quite good, but more for immediate drinking than cellaring.
A field blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, this delightfully floral wine exudes spring flowers and fresh, just-ripe peach. The wine is dry, although the finish has a subtle suggestion of honey. A delicious wine for spring and summer sipping.
An elegant Alvarinho from the north of the Vinho Verde region. It has some wood aging, rounding out the acidity of the fruit and introducing a spiced orange and lime character, full-bodied and ripe. It could age until 2015, but is ready to drink.
Juicy flavors of white peach, green apple, pear and exotic fruit team with hints of mineral and white almond. The creamy palate is energized by crisp, quenching acidity that leaves a clean finish.
This powerful Pinot, from one of the three distinct blocks within Black Kite's estate vineyard, offers earthy plum compote and blueberry with a lingering background note of vanilla. Bright, grippy and layered, the finish offers toasty oak.
This rich, wood-aged wine abounds with spice and ripe pear, peach and mango fruits. The dense texture comes from aging on the lees for four months, adding to the richness and spicy character. Drink this wine now, but it will be better in 2015.
Bright and delicious, this starts with aromas of blue flower, red berries, mint and thyme together with a whiff of leather. The juicy palate offers wild cherry and strawberry accented with cinnamon-spice alongside fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins. Drink now through 2016 to capture the fresh, crunchy berry character.
A dark and brooding wine, it's very much a Malbec that needs to age. Solid tannins, berry fruits and concentrated structure all promise a serious wine that needs time to mature. Drink from 2017.
This structured Pinot Grigio boasts aromas of yellow spring flowers, exotic fruit, citrus and a hint of Alpine herbs. The juicy, vibrant palate delivers green apple, pear, white peach and citrus allied with fresh acidity.
The winery's top cuvée is notable for its perfume of rose petals with a subtle whiff of body talc. Balanced and feminine, this soft and graceful wine glides across the palate with flavor highlights of cherries and plums. Drink now while it's at its best.
Note the remarkably low alcohol! Not surprisingly, this is a searingly tart wine, the acidity further emphasized by stainless steel fermentation and aging. Nonetheless, flavors are rich and deep, a lemon and grapefruit explosion that seems to demand raw oysters. Definitely a wine for acid lovers.
Full bodied, this opens with aromas of vanilla, butterscotch, citrus and oak. The palate offers ripe golden apple, pear and lemon pastry, all layered with well-integrated oak. The rich flavors are balanced by fresh acidity.
Waxy lanolin and spice notes add complexity to tart stone-fruit aromas on this sprightly Riesling. Semidry in style, the palate drips with peach nectar flavor, balanced by bracing tangerine acidity. It finishes long, with a refreshing spray of herb notes.
Whiffs of earth and musk add a dark complexity to sweet peach and blossom aromas on this superconcentrated spätlese. On the palate, unctuous marmalade is laced with saffron and honey, finishing long and with a streak of tangerine acidity and a murmur of astringency.
It opens with aromas of sun-ripened berries, spearmint and Mediterranean scrub. The palate offers dark cherry and raspberry accented with notes of white pepper and a hint of cinnamon-spice alongside round tannins. It's ripe, soft and ready to enjoy soon.
Rollat is the mid-level red wine of the three inaugural releases from Chateau Rollat. It's less brooding and compact than the companion Edouard Cabernet. Immediately accessible, it could almost be the template for this new and exciting producer; elegant, polished and supple with ripe sweet fruit and fine tannins. Flavors of black cherry and cassis envelop the palate, gently spreading out into a full-on fruit rainbow.
Less immediately accessible than the 2005, the 2006 is tight and tart and almost seems encased in some sort of a shell. The fruit is concentrated raspberry and plum, and the acids taste natural while the tannins are polished and proportionate. The wine stays focused and strong through a very long finish that dapples in toasted coconut and chocolate malt. If you are a Rollat collector (and you should be) this would be the wine to cellar for five or six years, waiting for the Edouard to come into full flower.
Amisfield has been on a hot streak, and the 2007 continues that roll. The aromas show wonderfully high-toned cherry fruit, with a slightly herbal element that adds welcome complexity. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with its black cherry fruit framed by a hint of vanilla. Long and lush on the finish, this looks to be at its best now and for the next several years.
A great effort, with mountain-grown fruit, high-altitude acids that give the flavors shape and cut, tightening up and brightening up the sharp, wild berry fruit. Iron filings and stone add a strong mineral element as well; this is the best yet from Dumas Station.
Now that this famous estate is turning out stellar wines once again, the only problem remaining is the pricing. This auslese features slaty, minerally aromas touched with hints of honey and quince, then opens up on the palate to reveal honey, pear, melon and even a hint of peach, all undergirded by a bedrock of minerality. It's sweet but balanced, with a crystal-clean finish and plenty of length.
This is a big, broad-shouldered Riesling, with plenty of body and a slightly oily mouthfeel. Powerful mineral notes dominate, giving the impression of liquid stone and spice, finishing almost totally dry.
Reeks of heating oil at first, then slowly opens to reveal hints of honey, apple and citrus. This is a sweet but not overdone auslese, with a slightly creamy texture and layers of ripe stone fruit that linger and pick up minerally overtones on the lengthy finish.
Kracher TBA wines are numbered in ascending order of intensity. Even at this medium level of intensity, this is an impressive wine. It has that fine balance, pushing its rich marmalade and dried apricot flavors right up to intense acidity. The wine is certainly full, but keeps a delicacy and great lightness of touch.
From a small, single-vineyard plot of 3.5 acres, this shows intense fruit, very aromatic in character. Its concentration is immense, dark black fruits vying with spice, tar and sweet plum pudding flavors. The Cabernet Franc shows through well here, giving a perfumed finish.
Hugely ripe, with 14.5% alcohol and a touch of residual sweetness, but also a richly textured mouthfeel and layers of honey, apricot preserves, slate-driven minerality and spice. It may be a bit precariously balanced, so opt for drinking it over the near term.
As a contrast to Jonathan Maltus's Le Carré, this single-vineyard wine, from vines situated only 100 yards away, has a taut, mineral flavor, with an initial austere character which then opens out to give dark bitter chocolate and plum skin flavors. It is potentially a richer, more impressive wine, but it needs aging for 4–5 years.
Make no mistake—the model for this wine can be found among the classified growth white wines of Bordeaux. The barrel influences are many and varied, layering in a mix of smoke, caramel and cracker; and the fruit is supple and beautifully blended. White raisins, Asian pears, pineapple and peaches blend together gracefully, and the alcohol remains at a moderate 13.8%.
This is the first release from Cadence's estate vineyard, a 94/6 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. Sharp and intense, the nose brings out tightly wound red fruit scents, annotated with leaf and white pepper. In this inaugural vintage the Cabernet Sauvignon clearly dominates. A supple, muscular, focused wine with the structure to develop nicely for up to a decade.
Black fruit aromas come with a dusty note and a hint of milk chocolate. This feels straightforward, with flavors of raspberry, mild herb and sugar beet. The finish is short and easy, with an approachable mouthfeel.
This opens with lightly perfumed red-fruit aromas of raspberry and plum, with a bright palate that shows mostly red plum, raspberry and cherry flavors. This is a basic, clean wine comprised of 75% Garnacha and 25% Tempranillo.
This smells a bit stalky, leathery and warm at first, but airing brings it along. While it's never all that vivid on the nose, it does smell of baked berry and plum. It feels wide and neither tannic nor tough, with lightly herbal, rustic flavors of plum and berry.
Made from organically grown grapes, this crisp white flirts dangerously with herb and grass tones—what is often called gooseberry—before settling down. It's quite drinkable, if a bit heavy on the finish.
Smooth and rounded, this has light acidity, with citrus and pear flavors and a crisp finish. It needs to age for a year longer to allow its textured character a chance to smooth out even more.
Despite its light touch, this is fruity and full, with its blackberry fruit dominating the warm spice note and acidity. Soft tannins keep the wine together. Drink now. Screwcap.
This blend of Stillwater Creek and Conner Lee vineyards conveys aromas of pear, yellow apple, pineapple and butter. The concentration is light yet creamy with a warm finish.
This brawny wine opens with aromas that recall resin, nail polish remover, prune and nutmeg. The warm, monolithic palate offers dried black fruit steeped in spirits, raisin and licorice alongside assertive tannins. The burn of evident alcohol and lack of fruit richness throws it off balance.
This dark, concentrated wine is jammy in red and black fruit, with a doughy hint of biscuits. On the heavier side, it is structured with a hit of acidity on the dry, tannic finish. A sizable wine, it will require sizable pairings to tame its strength.
The brand name is a reference to the winemaker, George Elworthy, being married to the considerably more renowned winemaker, Jules Taylor. George's wine is a bargain compared to most Pinots on the market, offering ample cherry fruit backed by vanilla and herb notes. It's supple and medium bodied, with a soft, inviting finish. Drink now.
In contrast to Giesen's Waihopai bottling, this shows much more decay. Mushrooms, dead leaves and a subdued earthiness anchor the wine's other notes of black cherry and cola. It's supple and medium-bodied, yet lacks a bit a length. Drink now.
The nose is pungent, juxtaposing pretty white floral, grapefruit and pineapple tones against musky, slightly sweaty notes. Dry and bristling on the palate, it's marked by lemon-lime acidity framing crisp honeydew and green plum flavors.
This bright blend of 75% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 10% Ciliegiolo discloses aromas of ripe berry and cooking spice. The soft, easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, white pepper and grilled sage alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This wine is straight down the fairway with tropical aromas and flavors of pineapple, kiwi and spice. There's not a lot of complexity but it's hard to deny its appeal.
This wine is straight down the Cabernet fairway with aromas and flavors of black and green olive, plum, herbs, mocha and pencil lead. It's soft in feel with a pinch of sugar stitching it all together.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Zinfandel shows aromas of green olive, lemongrass, herb and woodspice. The style is elegant with sweet fruit flavors backed by lightly astringent tannins.
This is quite toasty and woody upfront, with rich sweet spice, grilled peach and lemon custard aromas that lead the bouquet. The oaky tones continue through on the medium-weight palate, but with ample acidic lift to keep it from feeling overdone. Notes of peach pit and clove-spiked orange fuel the finish.
Owned by Champagne producer Bruno Paillard, this estate produces a deliciously fresh and crisp wine. Red fruits dominate along with steely acidity and the freshest aftertaste.
This pale orange-pink colored wine offers ripe fruits, spice and a tangy orange and pepper character. The Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle blend is full-bodied and rounded, offering a good opportunity to be paired with food.
Very pale in color, this soft and gently fruity wine is almost ethereal in its lightness. It's fresh with attractive acidity, a touch of red currant and orange and refreshing at the end.
Coteaux Varois is a small region that gives lively, gentle wine such as this delicious rosé. It's pink in color, ripe, touched by caramel and with a rounded, soft aftertaste.
Steely at first sip, and then oaky and midweight, this white reflects the vintage and the region, providing ripe creaminess and plenty of oomph. Made in a heavier style, it remains well-balanced in acidity, with a lengthy, tropical finish.
Aromas of underbrush, crushed blue flower and a whiff of barnyard lead the nose. These carry over to the palate along with spiced plum, mature black cherry, black pepper and game, with brooding tannins. Showing the heat of the vintage, this is evolving quickly so drink soon.
A blend of revered Sagemoor and Conner Lee vineyards, this barrel-fermented wine has aromas of caramel, poached pear, lees and peach. The stone fruit flavors are light yet creamy in feel, trailing toward the finish.
Whiffs of watermelon, maraschino cherries and bubble gum lend a slightly candied tone to the nose of this Pinot Noir rosé, but the palate is refreshing and zippy. It's dry in style and delicate in concentration, finishing brisk and clean.
Delicious and tangy, this wine is tensely textured. With its pale orange-pink color it is fruity and packed with acidity and red currants, finished with a twist of spice.
Soft and rounded, this is a warm, ripe wine. With its yellow fruits and light texture, it's fruity, already open for drinking. Crisp lemon gives an appealing edge to the bright aftertaste.
Aromas of plum, toasted oak, cedar and espresso lead the nose. The palate delivers black cherry, roasted coffee bean, licorice and clove alongside a tannic backbone. Drink through 2017.
Made from grape must that is heated before fermentation, this is powerful and concentrated, with a rich and very dense character. Prune, dried fruit and fresh plum notes combine with an intense background of acidity. Age for at least five years.
A full-bodied, rich wine, with tannins either supremely smoooth or just concealed under masses of plummy fruit. Yet despite the enormous ripeness, it's not lacking nuance, boasting savory notes of espresso and leather. Drinkable now, but should age through 2023, at least.
This seems awfully civilized for Cornas, with bold, clean blueberry fruit front and center, anchored by a framework of cedar and vanilla. This full-bodied, lush, creamy expression of Northern Rhône Syrah should drink well through 2025. Imported by DHI Selections, T. Edward Wines Ltd
With its massively concentrated blackberry fruit framed in ample new oak, this bears a bit of resemblance to some Australian Shirazes. It's mouthfilling but supple, with nuances of Christmas spices like cinnamon, clove and anise that linger on the long finish. Drink 2014–2023.
Modern and bulky, this has a lot of great things going on. It opens with aromas of mineral, graphite, sage and bold berry, with chewy, roasted black-fruit flavors. It's long, compact, chocolaty and spicy on the finish. Still not mature but it's drinkable—best from 2014 and on.
An impressive, serious wine that's only produced in top vintages. It's elegant and complex, a powerful wine with its dark tannins, licorice and black plum flavors. Concentrated and intense, it's worth aging for at least four years.
A vineyard selection is used to make this powerful, super ripe wine. With its opulent flavors, it is as densely packed with fruit as it is with tannins. Balanced and gorgeous, this is ready to drink now, yet it will age over several years.
This is powerfully impressive, with its firm structure giving great depth to the rich black-cherry and plum fruits. Dense and tannic, it needs to age for at least four years.
Always a powerful wine, this has the added benefit of being produced from a fine vintage, yielding a hugely dense and concentrated bottling. Power comes from the ripe blackberry and black currant fruit and from the dark, firm tannins. Age this wine at least five years.
This is a serious Toro wine with smooth, dark, leathery aromas along with hints of wintergreen, licorice and berry pastry. It feels rich and layered, with complex flavors of licorice gum drop, nutmeg, chocolate and blackberry. Almost decadent but not over the top or too tannic. Drink now–2016.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, blue flowers and a whiff of baking spices lead the nose on this vibrant red. The juicy palate doles out black cherry, red raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside vibrant acidity. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Exquisitely fresh and fruity, this delicious rosé has crisp red currant fruits that are tangy, bright and tight. It is very refreshing now, although in a few months the almost shocking acidity will soften. Drink from mid-2016.
From 86% Syrah and 14% Zinfandel grapes, this is a dark wine, burgundy-orange in color and equally dense at first on the palate. It picks up freshness as it opens, disrobing flavors of wild strawberry and grapefruit, along with an intensity of blackberry. Bright, it finishes dry.
Cherry liqueur akin to kirsch rises aromatically, along with a lavender perfume. Light and high-strung, this is a tightly wound wine, punched in acidity and savory tea. The finish displays bold swathes of oak.
There's a pleasingly tart green character to this wine, with crisp, refreshing aromas and flavors of green pear, plum, melon rind, grapefruit peel and pineapple core. The fruity mélange is easy and juicy on the palate, finishing lively and mouthwatering. Drink now.
Peppery, rich and low in pronounced oak, this estate-driven Cab has softened tannins and is most definitely drinkable now, with pungent, bright fruit and a lengthy, leathery finish.
All of the fruit for this wine comes from Clifton Hill Vineyard. Aromas seem a bit green and woody while the high-octane flavors are rich but don't have the structure to stand them up.
White flowers, nectarine, red apple and a steely minerality greet the nose on this entry-level wine from Rajat Parr. A bright and racy acidity frames the energetic palate that shows delicate flavors of yellow apples, lemon juice and honeysuckle.
Aromas of leafy forest floor, damp soil, espresso, dark berry and chopped herbs lead the way. The racy palate delivers raspberry, tart cranberry and powdered sage alongside a backbone of electrifying acidity and fine-grained tannins.
Reserved aromas of Rainier cherry, strawberry preserves, herbs and fig lead to plump, silky fruit flavors. It's a very pretty representation of the vintage.
Swathes of evergreen lend elegance to this piercing, steel-toned Riesling. On the palate, touches of honey lend a sunny sweetness to cutting lemon and lime flavors. A slick of honeycomb extends the finish.
Soft and supple in lemon and melon, this 100% varietal white was given time in both stainless steel and neutral oak, the combination rewarding in a rounded, approachable mouthfeel that's both creamy and ripe. Stone fruit makes an appearance, before the wine finishes lean and tart.
Aromas of scorched earth, coffee, plum and clove lead the nose on this full-bodied red. The round, soft palate doles out blackberry, black raspberry, licorice and a bitter note of walnut skin alongside velvety tannins. Drink soon to capture the fruit richness.
Aromas of espresso, underbrush and black-skinned fruit lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, mature plum, clove, coffee and black pepper alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.
Candied red-fruit aromas are friendly but not that concentrated or dark. This medium-bodied Monastrell shows mild red-fruit flavors of cherry and plum. Candied plum and cherry flavors finish it off.
Toast, hazelnut and pastry aromas lead the way. The elegant palate delivers yellow apple, citrus zest and a hint of bread crust alongside small, persistent bubbles and fresh acidity.
Made by David Low of Anthill Farms in extremely small quantities, this is a new brand devoted to light-bodied wines from fine, cool-climate sites. Tight in dried cranberry and cherry, this is indeed a light and subtle undertaking, dusty and perfumed in rosewater fragrance.
This wine leans into the green side of the variety, with aromas of garden herbs, green pepper, dark chocolate and cherry. The palate brings abundant savory flavors along with chewy tannins.
Mostly from Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills vineyards, this wine has aromas of cherry, green herbs, pepper and flowers, with the Petit Verdot (15%) showing through. It's brawny in feel, with coffee and cherry flavors, chewy tannins and mouthwatering acids.
Pinot Noir from Carneros forms the basis of this dry rosé that has seen no time in oak. Dark red-orange in color, it's a fresh, zingy take on raspberry and strawberry goodness, never cloying or annoying, that finishes in a burst of grapefruit.
A rare find, this is a delightfully fun wine, black and inky. Exuberant red cherry and brioche play off one another on the nose and palate. Integrated tannins give it a softness, though it is in no way shy or lacking in power.
More thickly structured and granular than the producer's vineyard-designates, this wine is medium in body and weight with a nice backbone of acidity. It veers into forest floor and sandalwood characteristics amid dense, dark cherry.
Nettle and celery aromas come in front of a citrusy, tight palate housing lemony acidity. This tastes mostly of lime, green apple and green herbs, while the finish introduces a lettuce-like flavor to go with racy lasting acidity.
This attractive and medium-bodied wine smells a bit like ginger cookies. It tastes nicely dry, fruity and well structured with tannins and acidity. Nutmeg and ginger notes add extra interest to black cherry and pomegranate flavors.
Dark, woody, leafy aromas of herbal berry fruits and olive lead to a juicy but monotone palate. Plum, black pepper and burnt toast comprise the flavor profile, while the finish is toasty, blackened and spicy, with a touch of heat.
Aromas of raspberry and baking spices are followed by tart, full-bodied fruit flavors backed by cranberry-like tartness. It shows a lovely sense of texture but the alcohol distracts.
Made with 75% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine brings aromas of café au lait, toast and red fruit. It's full bodied, with coffee and cherry flavors that linger.
A new addition to the winery's portfolio, this wine is predominantly Sangiovese with some Syrah blended in. Bright aromas of wild strawberry and peach lead to crisp, dry, lightly spritzy fruit flavors that persist.
Made from Moscato di Canelli, this dessert wine is more like a still wine in bouquet, not exuding sweet as much as floral. On the palate, it's a different story, taking on richness and thickness around flavors of baked apple and nutmeg, finding a good balance on the finish.
While light in body, this lemony spätlese has a textural broadness. Its sweet tangerine and quince flavors are neatly offset by a streak of bright acidity and lingering earth notes. Drink now through 2022.
Gravelly aromas of wet slate meet with dark cranberry and baked red cherry on the nose of this bottling, which the Duckhorn crew sources from this historic vineyard. The palate is relatively light with very earthy flavors, showing tangy red fruit, thyme and wet soil flavors.
This is not labeled as such, but it's Petite Sirah. The fruit is young, plummy, with purple-berry flavors in abundance. It drops off in the midpalate, but returns in a ripe but not too potent finish. Tannins are proportionate. All in all, this is your optimal pizza wine.
Aromas of black-skinned berry, scorched soil and bell pepper lead the nose. The dense dark palate delivers juicy black plum, tobacco and clove framed in chewy tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
Aromas of red berry, leather and cooking spice take center stage. The enjoyable, savory palate offers black cherry, clove and a hint of sage alongside refined tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
You'll find aromas of red berry, underbrush and tilled soil on this savory red. The lively palate delivers raspberry, cinnamon and clove alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
Fermented in a mix of new and used oak, this remains quite oaky in the nose and in the mouth. It will require more time to fully integrate. The fruit is light and somewhat bland, but the overall balance and freshness are impressive, and this is a fine go-to bottle for summer sipping.
Aromas of French oak, vanilla, toast and grilled herb carry over to the tangy palate along with mature yellow apple and a hint of lemon drop. A note of bitter almond closes the finish.
Inviting in succulent, brambly berry, this is a balanced wine that takes a light approach to ripeness. Clove and vanilla add to its admirable length and breadth.
Made in tiny amounts from a single vineyard, this is an impressive layering of dark cherry, vanilla and black pepper, retrained in texture. Bulky tannins paint a portrait of mountain power as the grippy texture holds on tenaciously.
This is divided relatively evenly among the components—40% Grenache, 31% Syrah and 29% Mourvèdre. A pretty plum shade, it's still showing youthful tart acidic flavors. Cranberry, strawberry, raspberry and a touch of apple are all here, with more of that tart astringency as it concludes. This should continue to improve through 2021.
A blend of Riesling and Gewürztraminer has produced a perfumed, generously sweet wine. Made from grapes that were left late on the vine, it has a high sugar concentration and an attractive touch of orange jam. Drink this wine from 2018.
This bottling, which is bolstered by 9% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, shows zesty blackberry, boysenberry, thyme and cedar on the fruit-driven nose. The flavors are approachable and easy, with baked berries, black pepper and charred beef, laid across a very friendly and soft structure.
This Rhône blend offers dried red cherry, boysenberry and rose petals on the inviting nose. The Grenache is a powerful player, contributing a rosewater touch to the palate, alongside cranberry, caramel and a touch of cola.
Dark red cherry and raspberry blend with the slightest hints of thyme and slate on the nose of this bottling, which is made in a urban facility in the coastal city of Marina. There is a tangy cran-raspberry element to the sip, enhanced by licorice spice.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of black-skinned berry, underbrush and cooking spice. The savory palate offers black currant, clove and a whiff of white pepper alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Soft and pretty, this marries light spice to fruit flavors of apple and strawberry. Think blanc de noir without the sparkle and you're on the right trail. It's got substantial palate weight and a fairly thick mouthfeel.
Here is a good all-purpose and widely available Oregon Pinot Gris. It's got classic pear and apple fruit flavors, well balanced against tangy acidity. There's no oak here, but the whole cluster press brings some spicy phenolics.
Subtle aromas of black-skinned fruit and baking spice waft out of the glass. The straightforward palate evokes black plum, vanilla and tobacco while assertive tannins provide support. Drink through 2020.
Made with Piedirosso and Aglianico, this young juicy red opens with aromas of fragrant purple flower, dark berry, clove and a tarry note. The fresh easy-drinking palate doles out mouthfuls of red cherry, raspberry and brown pepper alongside soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
A new wine to join the considerable range from Esporão, this is an unusual blend of Touriga Franca and Cabernet Sauvignon. It gives a wine with firm tannins as well as bold red fruits and acidity. It should probably age for a few more months, so drink from 2018.
This oddball blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Chardonnay (both fermented in oak) and 25% Riesling (fermented in steel) actually works reasonably well. The nose is a blend of lime and peach, and despite the oak treatment, this medium-bodied wine is fruit driven, lithe and long.
Made with 60% Nero d'Avola, 30% Syrah and 10% Nocera, this opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit, espresso and cocoa that carry over to the straightforward palate together with a hint of caramel and smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Earthy aromas of scorched soil, game, underbrush and Mediterranean scrub meld together with a note that recalls burnt rubber. The medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, star anise, chopped herb, espresso and a hint of toasted oak alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This is a rare 100% varietal, single vineyard example of this grape. Light in color, it brings aromas of gun smoke, herb and cherry, showing some reduction. The flavors are light and elegant, displaying a lot of delicacy.
Clean and classic aromas of dark-red fruit, from cherry to bramble, meet with candied rose petal and clove aromas on the nose of this appellation blend. The palate is led by allspice and dried mint, all packaged in a medium-bodied format.
Peppery herbs lead the nose on this bottling, with sagebrush, bay leaf and rust giving depth to the light cranberry and raspberry fruit. The palate is earthy with juniper and turned-loam flavors, plus more bay leaf, iron cranberry and some rhubarb.
This bold, densely flavored and impressively tannic wine is dry, very well structured and will be interesting to age until 2018–2019. It smells darkly fruity, smoky and spicy, and tastes like cranberry and black cherry, finishing with a firm tang of tannin. It will be best after 2018.
Smooth and fruity, yet complex and complete, this excellent wine offers ample acid and polished tannins around pretty red fruits. Notes of citrus and spice, tobacco and toast linger through a satisfying finish.
This bottling offers gingerbread cake, baked blueberry and smoked pork on the nose. It's soft on the palate, with finely polished tannins imparting a plush texture. Black plum, strawberry and a touch of mint mark the palate. The structure shows itself just enough on the finish.
This is a ripe, somewhat creamy style of Côte Rôtie, with potent mocha notes complementing hints of clove, olive and plum. The tannins are silky-supple on the finish, so don't hesitate to pop a cork soon. Drink now–2021.
From the Pratt Vineyard on Sexton Road, this impressive offering is bold and lush, smoothly textured even in its concentration of thick red cherry and forest. It exalts in a shock of white pepper that is beautiful to behold.
Full-bodied, concentrated and richly textured, this is a succulent wine with refreshingly balanced oak. A floral note on the nose gives way to apricot and ginger-like spice, then finishes with a flourish of mouthwatering acidity. Drink now.
Toasty oak kicks off the nose of this bottling, and then come touches of vanilla, lemon cookie, flint, buttered toast and almost marshmallow. Flavors are quite smoky, with roasted almond and sea salt, but the grippy texture is the most intriguing part.
There is a wonderfully aromatic element of something floral and tropical on the nose of this unusual Pinot Gris. The fruit expression is very ripe, reminiscent of melon and juicy pear, highlighted with pineapple and fresh lemon, but there also is ample zesty freshness for balance. If you thought you had tasted all that Pinot Gris has to offer, taste this one, which was created from unpruned vines left to their own devices and bearing deliciously few clusters of delicious fruit.
A blend of 50% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of ripe black currant, tilled earth and tobacco. The full-bodied palate doles out black cherry, cedar and mocha alongside ample velvety tannins. Drink 2017–2023.
A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this opens with aromas of red currant, fragrant purple flower and exotic spice. The currant aroma carries over to the austere palate along with cranberry, chopped herb and French oak. With its backbone of firm acidity and assertive close-grained tannins, it already boasts finesse but will need years to soften and develop. Drink 2021–2028.
Grenache makes up 60% of this wine with Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre rounding it out. Light aromas of exotic barrel spice, herb and dark fruit are followed by rich lusciously textured cherry flavors that coat the palate from end to end. One wants a bit more aromatically but the palate more than makes up the difference.
Paumanok's standard-label 2013 Merlot shares much of the same ripe ruddy fruit intensity of the Grand Vintage bottling. Lighter in body and a touch crisper on the palate, it's an elegant and nuanced yet more approachable wine. Taut with tannins and still tightly wound, it will still benefit from cellaring through 2022.
Made from the Domaine's oldest vines, this is a generous concentrated wine. With its ripe black fruits and firm tannins it is also a wine to age. It has perfumed black-cherry flavors that are enhanced and lifted by the acidity. Drink this wine from late 2017.
This wine is a blend of Mourvèdre (63%), Grenache (27%) and Syrah. The aromas pop, with notes of freshly ground black pepper, black fruit and herb. The palate is action packed with juicy dark-fruit flavors that stretch out on the finish.
A family-owned vineyard on this famous slope in Morgon supplies the grapes to Duboeuf for the wine. It is structured and dense, full of black plum and berry flavors. Acidity cuts through the tannins, resulting in a wine that will age well. Drink from 2019.
Black cherry, licorice, loamy soil and a touch of roasted beef show on the nose of this bottling from a beautiful estate in the eastern Santa Ynez Valley. Black cherry, dried dill and fennel, coffee bean and slightly bitter dark chocolate come across on the palate that is still quite young with sticky tannins, though very easy to sip already.
Made entirely from Merlot, this offers subtle aromas of plum, French oak, menthol and a whiff of chopped herb. The round accessible palate shows blackberry jam, star anise, clove and mocha alongside lithe tannins and vibrant acidity. Enjoy 2018–2023.
This full and smoothly soft wine blended with 10% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot is aged in American oak, a quarter of it new. It pleases in bright red currant, cassis and wisps of blackberry, both approachable and sophisticated. Velvety black licorice meets smoky campfire on the finish.
An herbal undertone lurks beneath richer, layered concentrations of big tannin and toasty oak in this 100% varietal wine. Meaty and bold, it highlights the variety's ability to be extracted, fruity and nuanced in dried herb, cedar, graphite and sage.
Evocative hints of orange and tangerine peel softly rise from the glass. This leads onto zesty citrus flavors and a wonderfully streamlined, effortlessly powerful palate bursting with freshness and life. You may not readily associate Weinviertel with Riesling but in this single stony site it works incredibly well!
This is a deliciously spicy exploration of wild strawberry and succulent waves of medium-bodied earth and structure. Lengthy and complex, it makes a case for the beauty that can come from blending from various vineyards.
This is one of the producer's deepest value propositions, a well-made, robustly approachable and accessible wine made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Soft and firmly integrated, it's perfumed and floral, with layers of dark cherry and tobacco that evolve with grace in the glass.
Dark-gold color makes way for a tension of Meyer lemon, grapefruit and tart apple, unexpectedly fresh flavors given the hue and concentration of this wine. A creaminess on the palate is lush and round yet able to find companionship in a wealth of juicy acidity.
Light but juicy aromas of white grapes, sandalwood and cinnamon show on the nose of this bottling by Irvine-raised, Cal Poly-educated, Paso Robles-residing Ryan Render. There is a flinty touch to the palate, with rounded green pear, baked apple and nectarine fruit, though the savory sea-salt touch is what makes this wine shine.
Golden-honey colored, this wine has toasty toffee oak and full-bodied richness, with a stark layering of citrus and baked apple. Concentrated and thick, it shows its youth and should benefit with time in both the glass and in the bottle.
Full bodied and fully concentrated, this estate-grown wine showcases black tar, licorice and black cherry, well-developed flavors that ride a luxurious texture of grippy tannin and toasty oak. Dark as night, the flavors are protracted and extensive through the finish.
Four vineyards – Ribbon Ridge, Momtazi, Maresh and Shea – are included here. Soft and seductive, this wine caresses the palate with silky fruit. Aromatically it weaves together red fruits, truffles and clean, earthy scents. It reaches just over 13% alcohol; truly Burgundian yet with an Oregon flair to the fruit flavors. It puts the lie to any notion that this was a poor vintage. Challenging to be sure, but great wines were made in 2007, and this is one of them.
Nice, brawny and integrated, with sexy aromas of wild berry, dark plum, leather and earth. The palate has the right weight and tannic grab, while the flavors of black fruit, fine herbs, cola and coffee are measured yet generous. Finishes with driving chocolate and vanilla flavors. Drink now through 2016.
The 2008 Pinots from Ken Wright display their individual terroirs quite succinctly, with little evidence of the (roughly) 30% new oak they receive. The Abbott Claim has a bit more of a chocolaty flavor, with full, spicy cherry fruit at its core. In fact there is so much fruit, spicy and candied, that it is a bit like fruitcake, in a good way.
Very consistent in style with previous vintages, this textural, lemony, racy Riesling seems bone dry, though it is noted as having 1% residual sugar. Along with rich flavors of grapefruit and citrus, there are nectarine and pear fruit highlights and a sharp minerality.
Easygoing apple, pear and citrus aromas precede a mild palate that's a touch dilute. Melon, papaya and tropical flavors finish with a sense of lightness. This is 70% Treixadura with Torrontés and other white grapes.
With its bitter cherry flavors and light, smoky tannins, this perfumed wine has a richer juicy element in the background. Lightly textured, it's more about fruit that is up front and refreshing. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2017.
Grown on gravel terraces that rise up from the Loire, this wine is both structuredand fruity. Fresh juicy black currant flavors bring acidity along with them, leaving a light tannic structure at the end. Drink now.
Very herbal and grassy, this crisp wine emphasizes fruit rather than texture. It is ripe, fruity with citrus and gooseberry flavors that are heightened by the acidity. It's a wine to drink now.
Produced from young vines, this is a fresh, fruity, and crisp wine. It has attractive apple and pear flavors, brightened further by citrus overtones. Drink this attractive wine now.
Grown on different parcels of chalk and clay soil, this soft, ripe wine is attractive to drink now. The smooth texture is nicely lifted by acidity and fresh citrus flavors. The aftertaste is fresh, crisp and fruity.
Intensely herbal, this is a crisp, cool wine. Layers of citrus, grapefruit and gooseberry mingle with grassy, herbal flavors. Green, fresh and drinkable now, this is a fine apéritif style.
From vines nearly 30 years in age, this is Pinard's immediately attractive, drink-now wine. Fresh lemon and grapefruit flavors are lightly herbal in character. Juicy, lively and crisp, it's ready to drink.
Very herbal and green, this is an intensely grassy wine, with a catty character. It's crisp, fresh and ready to drink.
This is firm and tannic, reflecting the challenges of the vintage, yet it does show classic garrigue aromas and flavors of black olives and dark cherries. Drink it now with grilled meats, or hold it a year or two in the hopes of it softening a little.
This perfumed wine has a rustic edge that should blow away as the wine matures. For the fruit, it is red-berry time: bright, soft and lifted by gentle tannins and lively acidity. The wine will improve for a few more months, so drink from late 2017.
This soft, ripe wine is full of ready-to-drink fruits. Fresh apple and smooth puréed pear flavors are nicely lifted by the acidity. It's a clean, fruity wine, finishing freshly.
Reserved in aromas at first, this shows charred wood, red cherries, pomegranate and graphite on the nose. Quite intriguing texturally, the palate is sticky with tannins but light in body, offering flavors of cola and tart cranberry.
Aromas of bright pink roses and soft cherry fruit are a bit shy on the nose but pretty when they do arise. The palate of this 85% Syrah and 15% Viognier blend shows raspberry fruit and lime-rind tartness.
Made with 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has aromas of blue flower and red berry. The easy-drinking palate offers black cherry, black currant and ground pepper while mellow tannins offer soft support. Drink soon.
This wine is superripe and fruit-forward, loaded with black cherry and plum fruit. It might even be a bit warm on the palate, but ends on a supple, silky note. Drink now–2020.
This opens with aromas of oak, toast, licorice, coconut and sugared plum. The taut palate offers dried cherry, star anise and a green note of powdered sage but not a lot of fruit richness. Raspy tannins leave a tongue-drying finish.
This easygoing red opens with delicate aromas of violet and red berry. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers juicy wild cherry and a light note of white pepper alongside pliant tannins and bright acidity. It's made for sheer drinking pleasure so enjoy soon.
This salmon-colored rosé suggests aromas of powdered sugar, red raspberry and dried herbs. It is soft on the entry with a touch of sweetness and flavors of Red Delicious apple, Turkish delight and marzipan.
Here's a straightforward red that offers aromas of underbrush, scorched earth and mature black-skinned fruit. The simple palate offers crushed black cherry, coffee and a hint of anise alongside polished, not very persistent tannins.
Scorched earth, menthol, cooking spice and mature plum aromas take shape in the glass. The forward palate offers dried black cherry, coffee and licorice alongside smooth, polished tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit flavor.
Though this bottling saw no malolactic fermentation or oak, the aromas are well rounded, with smoked lemon and kiwi notes. The palate offers lemon curd and apple-sauce flavors, with hints of smokiness, even without the oak.
This closed, youthful wine is wrapped up in the ripeness and grippy nature of the vintage. It has a tropical edge to the fruit, a mix of pineapple and guava supported by juicy peach that finishes full bodied and lush on the palate.
Based in Humbligny, midway between Menetou-Salon and Sancerre, this producer has vines in both appellations. A delicate, perfumed wine, this enjoys a good balance between acidity and apple and white peach flavors. It's rounded, full in the mouth and ready to drink.
This aromatic, herbal wine is crisp and lively, with bright acidity and green fruits. Citrus and gooseberry flavors bring out an even fresher side. It finishes light and fruity. Drink now.
From the Mâcon appellation that is dominated by the formidable rock of Solutré, this is a ripe, full-bodied wine. It offers juicy acidity, fresh sliced apple flavors and a touch of spice. The wine is ready, although it will be better from late 2016.
This wine starts out strongly reduced, making it a challenge to get at the pink grapefruit, lychee and spice aromas. The flavors drink just off dry, with high wire acidity. There are good things going on but the reduction is a challenge to overcome.
Pollen and dusty minerals lend an earthy savoriness to lemon, saffron and honeysuckle in this off-dry Riesling. The palate is bright and brisk, finishing on a delicately honeyed note. Drink now through 2019.
sweet-tart candy, vanilla, and pineapple scent this Traminer and Chardonnay blend. It's zesty in the mouth, tasting of grapefruit and lemon zest.
The aromas start out quite locked up, with notes of purple fruit and flowers. The palate reveals fresh, quite pure aromas, with well-balanced acid and tannins and a finish that lingers.
Another strong entry in the emergent Cab-meets-Syrah category, this 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah blend offers aromas of black plum, boysenberry, dried purple flowers and strong anise. The flavors are compelling, with baked boysenberry, strawberry and plum notes leading into roasted fennel bulbs and balsamic vinegar.
Aromas of white pepper, dried herb, flowers and dark fruit lead to a full-bodied palate, loaded with dark-cherry flavors. The tannins provide some grip.
At the southern end of Nuits Saint-Georges, this vineyard produces a ripe and full style of wine. This wine has those characters along with the tannins and the acidity of the vintage to produced a juicy wine that will age well. The aftertaste keeps that crunchy, crisp character. Drink it from 2019.
Produced from 65-year-old vines, this is a rich and perfumed wine from the estate of Nicolas Potel. It is structured, balancing the red fruits and acidity with a solid framework of tannins. Spice from the wood aging shows lightly, while the wine finishes with crisp red-currant acidity.
This is really mature Muscadet, yet it's certainly not too old. It is toasty, with almond, spice and vanilla flavors plus the concentration that comes from old vines. It is a fascinating wine, ripe and with considerable depths. The wine is, of course, ready to drink.
While this domaine is based in Chaintré it also has vines in Pouilly-Fuissé. This wine comes from a 2.4-acre vineyard on the clay and chalk soil that marks this appellation. It is rich, full in the mouth with a mineral texture and lively acidity. It is still young and will be better from late 2017.
This single-vineyard wine has great aging potential. The minerality and tension in this wine with its apple fruit and texture is still resolving itself. Wait at least until 2019 before drinking.
This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), with the balance equally split between Syrah and Merlot. Jammy aromas of spice, clove, blackberry and black currant are followed by full-bodied dark-fruit flavors that bring an irresistible sense of deliciousness.
Smoky aromas and wood flavors are still dominant in this wine even after five years. It does have some concentration and red-berry fruits, although the structure and the tannins are still firm. The wine should age further to allow the fruit to mature and shine. Drink from 2019.
In the prestigious village of Vosne-Romanée, there is little room for anything but Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. This wine, from the flatter ground at the bottom of the slope, shows something of the structure that makes the great wines. To balance that it also has bright fruit and plenty of acidity. It will be ready to drink from early 2018.
This is a Pinot-based refresher with substantial body, dry and tart with streaks of cranberry and raspberry. The stand-out character comes from its savory element of spice and sea spray, in addition to the weightiness that makes it welcome with food.
This village wine comes from a parcel of low-yielding 70-year-old vines. It is firm and concentrated with a strong layer of tannins over black fruits. Blackberry and black plum are balanced by the acidity. Together with the tannins, they promise aging. Drink from 2018.
Unlike Marisco's 2015 The Ned Late Harvest, this is a botrytis-affected wine, featuring a darker color and more complex flavors. The aromas suggest Earl Grey tea and honey; the flavors resemble caramel-drizzled orange segments. A slightly bitter citrus-pith note marks the finish, providing balance.
This wine is a blend of Art Den Hoed Petite Sirah (80%) and Gunkel Vineyard Zinfandel. Aromas of barrel spice, vanilla, raspberry and purple fruit are followed by full-bodied palate-coating fruit flavors, brightened by fresh acidity. The interest is as much about feel as flavor.
Aromas suggesting resin, mature plum, forest floor, exotic spice, leather and black currant emerge on this solidly structured red. The firm palate offers espresso, raisin, cherry marinated in spirits, fig, licorice and chewing tobacco alongside firm, close-grained tannins that clutch the finish.
This wine is a unique blend of Malbec (60%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (15%) and Petit Verdot. It opens with brooding but alluring aromas of dark plum, asphalt, and a kiss of baking spice. The flavors are full bodied and palate coating, showing weight but also a sense of suppleness that charms the senses.
You'll discover aromas of leafy underbrush, grilled herb, raisin, new leather and a whiff of blue flower on this bold red. The syrupy concentrated palate doles out raspberry jam, stewed prune, anise and nutmeg framed in big chewy tannins. A confectionery note closes the finish.
Note: This is the same wine labeled Blue Rock in other markets. It's a supple, dark wine that has explosive fruit. Loads of black cherries cascade from the glass, tinged with hints of black tea and violets. Drink now–2025.
Attractive scents of baking spices and ripe cherries mark the nose and palate of this medium-bodied wine. It's silky from start to finish, offering enough complex floral and spice notes to make it worthy of repeated sips. Drink now–2020.
The aromas are brooding, with notes of cranberry and dark fruit sprinkled with baking spices. The palate is rich and flavorful, packing a wallop of cherry flavors.
This is a beautiful botrytised wine, made from a field blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Light on its feet and reined-in in terms of sweetness, it's golden hay-colored and has a touch of reduction, allowing the Riesling nose to dominate. Decadent yet restrained, it's also lengthy and complex, with highlights of orange and pear.
Touches of cedar and fresh-cut oak in the aroma join ripe but dry fruit flavors and firm tannins on the palate. Well structured for mid-term aging, this wine will be best after 2019.
Aromas of vanilla and animal crackers come with a note of white flowers. This wine feels lush, round and a touch clingy. Flavors of pineapple, melon and vanilla finish full and sticky, with the right amount of cutting acidity.
This full-bodied wine offers a depth of brambly blackberry, smoky clove and cigar box that make it compelling and inviting on the velvety-smooth palate, well integrated in oak and tannin. The finish is a touch spicy, bringing out more of the clove and a shake of black pepper.
Aromatically, this wine is currently subdued, with the notes of raspberry, cocoa and cherry that haven't fully blossomed. The flavors meanwhile are generous and ripe, while still showing a fine sense of balance. Additional time in the bottle or a long decant should allow it to open up.
Winemaker Kim Crawford has crafted a dark, full-bodied Pinot Noir that could use another year or two of bottle age. The nose is slightly meaty and bacony, while the palate delivers dark flavors of black cherries, plums, cola and baking spices before turning firm on the finish. Drink 2018–2025.
This 100% varietal wine offers fairly locked up aromas of dried herb, red and black fruit, and barrel spice. The flavors are ripe and dark fruited, with a lovely sense of texture and presence that carries through the finish.
This seamless, tempting wine combines a hearty 15% Petit Verdot with the Cab. Thick and dense, it imparts memorable flavors of Dr Pepper, black leather, cigar and plenty of berry, currant and plum.
This opens with a pleasing toasty aroma, following through on the palate. That deft touch of French oak (33% new) frames a solid core of strawberry preserves and Bing cherry fruit. It resonates on through a stylish, textural finish. Enjoy this immediately, and tuck away a few bottles to drink in five years.
Cured meat, leather, underbrush, blue flower and toast aromas lead the nose while the tight palate offers tart red cherry, baking spice and dried herb. Firm, close-grained tannins provide structure while a hint of star anise closes it down.
This offers pretty aromas of fragrant blue flower, rose and wild berry. The tightly wound palate shows Morello cherry, coffee and a hint of dried herb alongside close-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2024.
Dark garnet to the eye, this wine offers a bouquet of black cherry, yellow pepper and a touch of green pepper. Flavors of blackberry, roasted red pepper and pomegranate are supported by a backdrop of powdery tannins. A light touch of cool mint and a splash of citrus arrive just in time for the softly lingering finish.
Bright citrus and apple aromas and flavors meet light vanilla and butter nuances in this medium-bodied, dry and nicely complex wine. It goes beyond the simple description of refreshment and takes on more personality and interest.
From the Elyse Winery family, this blends a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere, all from a vineyard next door to its winery that it planted to these varieties. An intrigue of orange blossom and jasmine leads to soft, velvety waves of black currant, savory dried herb and juicy acidity.
A tightly wrought, crisp texture gives the typical cool character of this appellation. This wine is full of white fruits layered with juicy acidity. Full in the mouth, it is delicious to drink although it will be better from 2017.
This is a full-bodied but also subtle and complex-flavored wine. The aromas bring in mild wood smoke and black-pepper notes, then the flavors add ample fruitiness without going to jamminess. The overall effect is one of sophistication.
This Bulgarian Chardonnay has aromas of lemon curd, custard apple, mango and lemon blossom. It is soft and round in the mouth with pleasant acidity and has flavors of guava, green apple, mango and white peach.
This is a ripe, supple wine, to the point that the dark fruit aromas feature a bit of a lifted quality. There's chocolate and a bit of plum, and a gently dusty finish that hints at mocha. Drink now–2020.
The color of dark rubies, this wine has a nose of blackberry, strawberry and aniseed. There is a good balance of acidity and supple tannins, with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, fennel bulb, roasted red pepper and thyme and a smooth bright finish.
Amber colored in the glass, this dry Furmint has aromas of flint, wet river rock and sliced pear. In the mouth there are flavors of vanilla, green apple and apricot before the mineral-driven finish.
Organically grown grapes are vinified in all stainless steel, resulting in this fresh, delightfully textural wine. Lime, pineapple and lemon verbena flavors are backed with refreshing minerality. It's clean and crisply delicious.
Here is a vivid, racy, puckering and precise take on Oregon Chardonnay. With its lovely mix of green and yellow fruits—apple, melon and citrus—it strikes a refreshing chord across the entire palate.
An exciting varietal wine from an appellation that has done well by it, this opens in aromas of baked bread and compost, in addition to toasty bacon and chocolate. Tart and tight, it's ripe and yet restrained, a nice tension of contrast at its core.
This is a deliciously ripe and fruity wine. Citrus and apricot and peach flavors are given a lift by a nutty, toasty character. It is rich and full, with minerality and acidity shooting through the attractive aftertaste. Drink now.
Earthy scents project leafy greens, beetroot and forest floor, but in the mouth the wine opens up with robust black cherry, coffee and cassis. It's complex and detailed, though it retains that inherent earthiness through the finish.
Rather lean and austere, this is a tight, structured wine. Its future lies in the firm tannins and the juicy red-currant fruit. Wait for this wine and don't drink before 2020.
The last vintage from vines planted in 1936, this offers aromas suggesting toast, oak, vanilla, forest floor, graphite and a whiff of eucalyptus. The firm, concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, cranberry, game, and a note of exotic spice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins.
This Bordeaux-style blend is colored like inky violet and has matching aromas of black plums, cassis and violet. It offers a nice interplay of firm tannins and zesty acidity among flavors of blackberry, black cherry, violet, anise and toffee. The finish is characterized by an impressive burst of brightness and a lingering caramel note.
This opens with aromas of camphor, dried herb and red berry while the firm palate shows black licorice, peppercorn, sour cherry and a hint of tobacco. A backbone of assertive tannins provides structure. Drink after 2020.
If you've ever had a Momtazi wine, you know that there is a strong earthy aspect to the flavors that sets the vineyard apart from most others. In the scents and tastes here you'll find composted earth, chalk, dried leaves and black tea ahead of black cherry fruit, but those funk-soaked flavors add up to a complex and intriguing wine.
Produced from young vines, this attractive, ready-to-drink wine is soft and ripe. There are just enough tannins to give this fruity wine its shape. The acidity and the spice add another element to this rich wine.
This is a bold, ripe wine, full of fruit and equally full of dense tannins. A blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon, it is solid, powerful and spicy from wood aging. The structure is still young in this impressive wine. Drink from 2019.
From an estate in the far west of the Cima Corgo region, close to Regua, this wine is structured and deliciously ripe in black fruits. It has a solid base of tannins that is allied to perfumed acidity and a hint of wood aging. Drink from 2017.
Asphalt, licorice and espresso mark the nose of this medium-bodied, juicy Shiraz. The flavors are brighter, hinting at rhubarb, yet still retaining a dark, tarry edge. Drink this mouthwatering wine over the next few years.
Earthy aromas of spent coffee grounds and herbal plum and berry fruits lead to a palate that's edgy and a bit rough. Herbal plum, berry and cassis flavors come with tobacco and olive accents, while this is dry, pulling and scratchy on the finish.
The wine is soft, rich, and full of generous yellow fruits that are layered with wood. It is spicy and ripe, with acidity to match the generous opulent fruits. Delicious, rich and full bodied, the wine is ready to drink.
Plump aromas of lemon butter, gardenia and hot sourdough toast with tangerine marmalade show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is pillowy in texture, offering ripe flavors of peach custard, sea salt, butterscotch, tangy grapefruit and mandarin slices.
Tiers of aromas and flavors in this expressive wine reveal themselves like a Matryoshka doll. Wafts of dried apricot and chamomile open into tangerine peel and marmalade, then finally marzipan and ginger come forth on the nose. Concentrated flavors mimic the aromas and introduce fresh vanilla bean and hay. Racy acidity thrills, while two years in neutral French oak keeps the wine round and full-bodied. The finish is long and compelling.
Underripe black currant and elderberry aromas mix with campfire, cedar and roasted beef on the nose of this wine. Black cherry and crushed pencils show on the palate, which is framed by impressive tannins and a chalky mouthfeel.
This 100% Furmint has aromas of white flowers, green apple, pear and dried apricot, with flavors of freshly sliced pear and apricot jam. The finish is crisp and clean, inviting you in for another sip.
Here's a savory enjoyable red that opens with fruity aromas of wild berry, pressed blue flower and a whiff of culinary spice. The round juicy palate offers fleshy red cherry, crushed raspberry and a note of star anise alongside chewy tannins. It has an open, sunny charm.
This 100% varietal wine is brawny and blustery in style: big boned with a lot of heat. Sturdy tannins surround extracted black fruit and shards of cinnamon, with fresh tobacco taking root on the finish.
Coming from one of the state's premier Syrah vineyards, aromas of herb, red fruit, flower and spice are at the fore. The palate is full with red and black-fruit flavors with a lightly tacky feel.
A brick-like tint and dry dusty spicy aromas of dried red fruits and tomato form the opening of this Tannat-Cab Franc blend. Despite medium acidity, this comes across as creamy. Flavors of caramel and saucy red fruits finish soft and a touch flat. Drink through 2019.
Jammy, candied berry and prune aromas are reduced. That theme continues onto the palate, which feels compacted. Flavors of black grapes, prune, blueberry and black pepper finish with a meaty note of beef jerky, raw tannins and a shortage of body. Very good but with flaws.
This wine is firm and structured. It also has fine black fruit and balanced acidity. Full bodied, fruity and backed by solid tannins. Drink from 2019.
This wine's jammy black fruit aromas lead to a soft, full and ripe palate. Black plum flavors, rich tannins and layers of toast from wood aging signal both youth and solid, firm character. Drink from 2021.
Fresh apple and honey aromas give this fruity wine a great start. With its acidity, spice, touch of honey and crisp white fruit, it's delicious, perfumed and ripe. A full-bodied wine that's a pleasure to drink now, with food.
This perfumed wine is firm with tannins that gives a spicy character. It has a dry core, a juicy aftertaste and rich blackberry fruit that will certainly develop as it matures. Give it some time and drink from 2021.
This dense wine is now beginning to mature. It has the bold black fruit of the vintage, which is overlaid by dark chocolate notes and some bitterness. Still firm, it will probably need to age. Drink from 2019.
Big, bold tannins set this wine up with fine potential. It has structure and good concentration. Richly endowed with black fruit, it will age well. Drink from 2021.
This young wine with its edge of dry botrytis is just starting out. Apricot aromas are a sign of what is to come, as its fine balance between honey and fruit comes into play. Acidity keeps everything crisp. Drink from 2020.
Apricot and peach aromas lead the way in this still-tight, mineral wine. Its richness is drawn up at this stage, showing crisp acidity as well as honey and pineapple flavors. It's likely to age well, so drink from 2019.
Barrel aromas are up front, with notes of vanilla, dill and wood spice in front of dark fruit. The fruit flavors are plump and plush, with vanilla notes lingering on the finish. There are lots of good things going on here but the wood gets in the way—a shame as the fruit is impressive.
Black cherries, cola, fennel and dill come together for a thick aromatic profile on this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane. Pencil lead, blackberry preserves and black pepper show on the palate, which is rich but not particularly fruity, thanks to beef char and woody flavors.
Restrained aromas of white flower, beeswax and a light whiff of Mediterranean herb lift out of the glass. The racy, linear palate is more expressive, offering juicy tangerine, Bartlett pear and a hint of mineral alongside tangy acidity.
Strawberry and red currant complement deeper, more savory aspects of cedar and gun smoke in this thick, full-bodied and concentrated reserve-level wine, accented in bitter, black tea.
This wine is weightier than expected, with a broad, round, soft mouthfeel that delivers subtle notes of green fig and citrus. There's a hint of wet stone as well, which adds a bit of interest.
Peach skins, red apple and a touch of slate and iron show on the nose of this rose, which is light in the glass with a tan shade of pink. The flavors are quite light with red apple and nectarine skin, framed by a steely minerality.
A blend of Syrah and Cinsault gives this wine that has some structure as well plenty of perfumed fruit. Lively and fruity, it revels in its crisp, open red-currant flavors. The wine will make a fine apéritif.
Juicy strawberry jam and dried herb combine for a forceful attack of bold, concentrated flavor and robust body, the wine textured in dusty tannin.
Sun-ripened pineapple, mango and honey burst from the nose of this plush, fruit-forward wine. The palate feels creamy and dense, but the finish is brightened by crisp edges of lemon and lime acidity.
Cherry-vanilla and cola provide a voluptuous, full-bodied outline for this estate-grown wine, given 20 months in French oak, one-quarter of it new.
Fleshy fruits of white peach and guava and fragrant white flowers trend tropical on the nose of this bottling, but are cut by green apple and citrus skin flavors. The palate is broad with guava cream, apple blossoms, mango and lime chiffon flavors. Quite tasty, but very tropical.
This blend of Chardonnay (44%), Viognier (39%) and Roussanne (17%) has surprisingly light aromas of melon, peach and straw leading to full-feeling, tingly stone-fruit flavors. It wants more aromatically but the palate delivers the enjoyment.
Delicately fragrant, this offers scents of citrus blossom, white wild flower and yellow stone fruit. The soft, round palate presents creamy peach, nectarine, white almond and a hint of mineral alongside fresh acidity.
Delicately scented, this opens with subtle aromas of yellow spring flower and a whiff of citrus. The vibrant palate offers crisp Golden Delicious apple, grapefruit and mineral alongside zesty acidity. A delicate note of white almond signals the finish.
This blend is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Cabernet Franc (23%) and Merlot (20%), with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. Appealing aromas of toast, barrel spice, vanilla, black cherry and herb lead to tart red- and black-fruit flavors that flow down the middle of the palate, with lightly grainy tannins supporting them.
This is a well-made, larger-production offering of the variety that's appealingly round, soft and juicy, with a luxuriousness to the texture on the palate, generously surrounded in a big-bodied style of black cherry and vanilla.
Ripe, loamy aromas of raisin and prune feature a dash of baking spices and licorice root. This is quite jammy and widespread, with ripeness outweighing precision. Blueberry, prune and mocha flavors finish raisiny and soft.
Tomato and spiced plum aromas are lightly earthy and a touch rubbery. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo feels ripe and juicy, not rough or scratchy. Plum, berry and spice flavors finish with a shot of pomegranate and red currant.
Delicate aromas of white flowers, dried fruit and a whiff of cake spice come together on this medium-bodied dessert wine. Made with 100% Garganega, the round palate offers mature apricot, cinnamon and touch of pine nut.
Gushing with bright strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors, this wine tastes fresh and delicious, lively and fun. It's dry, well balanced, moderately tannic, and has an appetizing, grippy texture.
From the site made famous by Merry Edwards along the appellation's Laguna Ridge, this wine envelops dark cherry, strawberry and herb flavors along a brooding, softly velvet and voluptuously body, weighted slightly in toasted oak and firm tannin.
Green pear and balm-like hints of aloe vera appear first on the palate then are followed by softly spiced and slightly peppery citrus notes that also provide some welcomed texture. A lovely, easy-drinking Grüner.
Light and fresh on the nose, this twist-top bottling shows hibiscus, strawberry, chipped slate, a touch of clove and crushed star anise on the nose. The palate shows more slate as well as ripe raspberry, cinnamon and sagebrush.
This medium-bodied, affordably priced wine offers a wealth of juicy red fruit with soft layers of tannin. It was aged in unobtrusive oak, 25% of it new.
Baking-spice aromas are out front, followed by notes of chocolate, berry fruits and smoke. This feels ripe, tannic and chewy, while flavors of toast and spice accent blackberry fruit. Flavors of oak, mint, coffee and hard spices control a slightly hot finish.
Inky black cherries and plums add lushness to this tight, taut Petit Verdot. Crisp and medium-bodied in style, it's elegantly framed by a fringe of firm, velvety tannins. Drink now through 2020.
Hints of pear and white pepper are carried on a waft of zesty citrus. The palate is crisp, superclean and very juicy. It slips down far too easily and conjures up whole clouds of green and yellow pears. Drink soon.
Subdued citrus and crunchy apple unite in the fresh, easy-drinking palate that majors on the refreshing, appetizing aromas of Granny Smith apple with all their attendant, crisp freshness. Drink soon—possibly at a party where light, easy wine makes conversation and laughter flow. The wonderfully clean finish makes you want more.
Aromas of toasted oak, mature orchard fruit, and baking spice open. The medium-bodied palate offers yellow apple skin, grapefruit, butterscotch and toasted nut alongside bright acidity. A graphite note signals the close.
This is delicately scented with aromas suggesting white spring wild flower and a hint of white stone fruit. The soft, fresh palate offers Bartlett pear, juicy citrus and yellow peach while a note of bitter hazelnut closes the finish.
Firm and tannic, this is a dense wine that is still young. It has concentrated tannins that dominate the potential of the juicy fruit. There is some of the typical minerality of a Dão wine that gives a tight texture. All these elements will soften soon to produce a fine, ripe wine. Drink from 2017.
A nose of black cherry, violet and vanilla paves the way for a grown up mélange of fruit and savory flavors that include raspberry, cassis, brambles and smoked meat. Long-lasting tannins coat the palate through a finish marked by notes of berries and smoke.
This is produced only in the best vintages; here from just two barrels the winery noted as standouts. Concentrated flavors of cherry and cassis are amplified with a streak of red licorice. Acids keep the wine poised and fresh, and the finish brings in a dollop of chocolate and a hint of cut tobacco.
Dominated by Touriga Nacional (70%), this is a dark-hued, beautifully perfumed wine. Still young and dense with tannins and very fresh black currant fruits, it is a wine that will develop slowly. The oak aging has smoothed the corners of the fruit, bringing out spice and enhancing the firm texture. Drink from 2018.
Previously lableled Quatre Journaux, this is now vineyard-designated, but otherwise everything remains unchanged. It's a pretty wine, with rhubarb and red-plum fruit. Further details of orange peel and chocolate emerge as it opens. The perfectly balanced acids and tannins suggest it will thrive in the cellar. Drink now–2006.
Robust and brawny, this longtime estate wine offers a combination of red and black berry, rich and succulent as if in a crumble, topped in vanilla and pleasing sprinkles of nutmeg and cardamom. Complex and layered, it delivers in flavor and structure.
This wine has intense and complex flavors while keeping a graceful texture and great balance between acidity, body and tannins. Aromas suggest raspberries and strawberries with hints of pine forest and earth, while the flavors are vivid and bright.
Dark ruby in color, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, green pepper and pomegranate. Smooth tannins provide a backdrop for flavors of black cherry, cranberry, smoke and Mediterranean herbs that recede slightly on the bright cherry finish.
Consultant Anselmo Mendes, well known for his work in the northern Alvarinho region of the Minho and Vinho Verde, has worked his magic here in Lisboa with this beautifully creamy ripe wine. It has touches of yellow fruits that are brightened with acidity and sliced apple flavors. It is still young and likely to develop well, so wait until late 2016.
Those familiar with Altocedro's Malbecs know that oak will be a key player. For this 200-case, small-batch wine, the nose offers a blast of barrel power that initially smells like a sawmill. The palate is bold and full, with flavors of buttery oak, vanilla and salty black fruits. There's grip to the finish, which, not surprisingly, tastes woody, dark and minty. Drink through 2022.
From a relatively cool hillside site within the Oak Knoll District, this wine dances in lemon and green apple, completely crisp atop a fuller-bodied style embraced in oak. Luxurious on the palate, it finishes with a bite of salty brine.
Enticing aromas of Alpine wildflower, rennet apple and a whiff of aromatic herb unfold on this sleek, radiant white. The vibrant, elegant palate offers creamy Anjou pear, white peach and lemon-lime energized by a mineral vein and firm acidity.
A huge, concentrated wine, this offers all the characteristic ripeness and big flavor in the variety, from brown sugar to baked plum to vanilla to tar. Almost reaching Port-like proportions in terms of alcohol and weight, it pulls back just enough to reveal spicy black pepper and cinnamon on the finish.
A subdued nose of ripe, scented yellow Reine Claude and mirabelle plums suggests a sun-kissed wine. The palate reinforces this stone-fruited richness with elements of apricot and peach compote. This is off-dry but delicately balanced, rich but not opulent. Soft and gentle harmoniousness pervades from start to long finish.
While rich and almost nectar like in ripeness, this vibrantly peachy, floral wine is kept in check by an exhilarating strike of lime acidity. Off dry in style, it's concentrated and penetrating, yet bracingly sheer. It would be a showstopper apéritif at the most elegant cocktail party.
Pure, bright berry and plum aromas are clean as a whistle. A full-bodied palate with girth is in proportion, while ripe, bursting black plum and boysenberry flavors finish chewy and round. This is true Bierzo Mencía; drink through 2022.
The Brown Ranch is a relatively warm swath of the appellation, which touches Hyde Vineyard, its neighbor. This wine shows a wealth of toasty oak and black fruit on its robust frame, but opens into softening layers of black tea and blackberry in the glass. Smooth and full bodied, it's a lush, vanilla-kissed wine.
Intriguing aromas of dried herbs give nuance to the heartier bourbon barrel, cherry candy and caramel aromas on the nose of this bottling of traditional Portuguese varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, Tinta Francesca and Tinta Madeira. Caramelized black cherries and blueberries mesh with peppercorns and asphalt on the palate, which is expressive and nuanced for such a powerful style.
This is a consistently good offering and special bottling from the producer. The wine is earthy, stemmy and herbal, with a big tannic backbone built for aging. Pomegranate and cranberry provide a crispness of shy red fruit that opens and softens in the glass. Drink now through 2021.
Yalumba pioneered Viognier in Australia and the current crop of wines testifies to the company's efforts. This bottling is full bodied and rich to the point of being slightly oily on the palate, where it delivers bold flavors of honey, apricot and grilled pineapple. Drink now.
Bright, tart fruit conjures up fresh raspberries and cranberries, with potent acids and light hints of metal shavings and dried leaves. A lovely wisp of cinnamon toast elevates the finish.
Compared to a 20-year-old tawny (which is a blend of wines to give an approximate average), this 20-year old Colheita is completely from this lesser vintage Port year although one that produced some attractive fruity wines. There is a balance between red fruits and wood tannins that have produced a wine that is on the sweeter side for a tawny, and delicious to drink now.
The appetizing perfume is a perfect fusion of lemon zest and tart apple. The palate also pitches that same, ripe freshness against zingy tang. The palate is dry, textured and juicy and thus very moreish. This is very alive and appetizing with a super-clean, lip-smacking finish.
The storied Carneros producer dips a toe into Oregon with this new release. It's got ample herbal aromatics and bright, brambly berry fruit, with cinnamon-stick highlights. Quite young and tight, it has a few rough edges to be smoothed out with additional bottle age. This will drink best from 2020–2025.
The color is light, which is natural for the variety, while aromas are lightly fruity, earthy and tobacco-like. Bright raspberry and cranberry flavors come with cedar and dried-herb accents that add complexity. It's medium bodied, well balanced and light in tannins, with a very appetizing texture.
Subdued but promising apple-ripeness on the nose leads to a rounded, fully mature palate that rings with fresh and dried apple. There are hints of hay and and a wonderfully, clean core of lemon freshness that is supremely well cushioned on these rich, intense flavors. Drink 2016–2019.
This blends fruit from two vineyards, one 80-plus years old, the other 120-plus, then adds ample oak. Cedar, vanilla and plum lead the way, with brighter notes of raspberry emerging with time in the glass. It's not overly extracted or tannic, with a slight creaminess to the texture and an admirably long, supple finish. Drink now–2025.
This is a supple, creamy-textured Shiraz to enjoy through 2020. Red-fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry marry easily with dark hints of plum and mocha, then linger gently on the finish.
Polished and crisp, this offers enticing scents of cut grass, gooseberry, tomato vine and a whiff of green bell pepper. The racy palate offers peach, juicy nectarine, grapefruit and mineral alongside a backbone of vibrant acidity.
Simultaneously sweet and smoky aromas from the use of new oak mark this full-bodied wine. The fruit flavors resemble blackberry, the texture is broad and grippy with tannins and the finish is powerful with more oak sensations.
Very fresh, fruity and drinkable, this is a soft, red-cherry-flavored wine. Attractive acidity bursts out of the glass with a perfumed, tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
This is becoming a wildly popular offering from the Miller family of Bien Nacido and French Camp fame, and for good reason. Black slate, blackberry and pungent purple fruit power the nose. The palate shows lots of juiciness, but with a plum-peel tang and hints of tobacco. It's not extremely complex, but quite quaffable.
Take a walk on the wild side with this Rhône-style red. The meaty, spicy, earthy aromas lead to enjoyable fruit, spice and mocha flavors that rest on a firm bed of fine tannins and good acidity.
Bright citrus peel, green apple, fresh grass and savory herbs abound on the nose and mouth of this lively white. The palate is sprightly and refreshing, with zesty acidity and a hint of fynbos herbaceousness on the finish. Drink now.
White flowers, green apple, pear, lime and mineral notes come together on this linear, lightly sparkling wine. Refermenting in the bottle on its yeasts gives it a slightly cloudy appearance and a fine sediment at the bottom. It has a dry, almost austere finish.
This blend of 51% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 17% Grenache shows root beer, smoked black cherries, dark chocolate and sweet tar on the nose. The palate is powered by dried red fruits, more smoke and a dusty character.
The charms of this full-bodied wine are mainly in the substantial and viscous texture, while mild mineral and apricot flavors provide subtle backup. Far from being simply fruity, the style emphaizes the soothing, mouth-coating feel of the wine.
Ripe and soft, this 100% Gamay puts its fruitiness right on display. It is fully packed with red currants that are sustained by light, mineral-textured tannins. It is ready to drink. Consider giving it a light chill in the summer. Thomas Collange, the eighth generation, has joined dad Bernard in running the winery.
While this Chardonnay is rich, it is also well balanced. It offers light spice, rounded yellow fruits and just a touch of minerality to give texture, plus toastiness to add interest. The end brings out the acidity.
From vines around the village of Lancié (near Moulin-à-Vent and Fleurie), this ripe, warm rosé is full of red-berry fruits that have raspberry and tangy bitter orange flavors. It's rich, spicy and a rosé for food.
Orange marmalade and orgeat syrup hint at the sweeter side of this wine, but there is also a sharp and interesting line of chopped basil and cut scallions on the nose. The palate is indeed sweet, with honeysuckle and apple-lemon custard flavors, but shows an herbal compost and quinine element as well.
More tannic structure than fruit at this stage, this is a firm, mineral-textured wine. A smoky, spicy character gives complexity, but also is still masks the red-currant fruits. Drink from 2016.
With a dominance of Tinta Roriz, this is a smooth, ripe wine that has spice and blackberry fruits. It is dense and rich, packed with juicy fruitiness as well as some firm tannins. There is a burn at the end from the alcohol that does spoil the aftertaste.
Scents of spring flowers and grapefruit float out of the glass on the zesty sparkler. The palate offers pear, lemon-drop and white peach alongside vibrant acidity. Fun, persistent bubbles give it an informal edge.
Rubbery cherry and plum aromas come with a side note of inner tube. This is a bit wiry and spiky on the palate, with an oaky cushion. Stewed berry, plum and tomato flavors are bold and finish with oak spice and mint flavors.
A wide net of aromas includes Band-Aid, peppercorn, vanilla, dill and dry, earthy plum. This is a full-bodied, creamy, oaky Pinot, with a leaning toward caramel, toffee and butter flavors. A full, sticky, mocha-tinged finish is baked in character, much like crumb cake.
Heady scents of forest floor, ripe berry, fragrant blue flower, grilled herb and a whiff of eucalyptus emerge on this superb wine. The elegantly structured palate offers juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, star anise, mint and baking spice while well-integrated tannins provide the framework. Balanced and already approachable, it also shows good mid-term aging potential. Drink through 2026.
Pulling from both the Sacrashe and Bergfeld vineyards, as well as other partner sites, this is a tremendously impressive wine, bright in herb, cedar and cassis, with soft, integrated tannins. Concentrated, it maintains elegance despite the full-bodied luxuriousness, finishing in decadent chocolate. Drink now through 2022.
Poised and structured, this gorgeous wine opens with intense, enticing scents of perfumed berry, rose, violet, leather and a balsamic note. The delicious palate doles out juicy wild cherry, black raspberry cinnamon, white pepper, nutmeg and star anise alongside firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2018–2028.
Scented with iris, violet, rose, perfumed berry and a balsamic note, this shows remarkable balance and finesse for such a scalding vintage. The juicy palate delivers crushed black cherry, black raspberry, chopped mint and anise wrapped in polished tannins. It's already delicious but will be even better in another year or two. Drink 2017–2023.
From a domaine located in Gigondas, this is a profound Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Yes, there's some toasty oak on the nose, but underneath is a big, sturdy core of dark cherries, bay leaf and garrigue. This is a structured wine that's built for the cellar. Drink 2018–2030.
This is slowly developing into a beautiful wine. It dazzles with its combination of fresh acidity and generously ripe yellow-fruit flavors. The texture and structure give a steely edge to this impressive wine. Drink from 2020.
There's a lot to like on this bold, fragrant wine, starting with aromas of leather, scorched earth, grilled herb and ripe black-skinned fruit. The hearty palate offers mouthfuls of juicy black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice, vanilla and cinnamon framed in robust, velvety tannins. The fruit richness seamlessly offsets the hefty abv. Drink 2018–2025.
This is perfumed with classic scents of wild cherry, leather, crushed violet, baking spice and a balsamic note. The bold palate delivers juicy black cherry, black raspberry, anise, white pepper and cinnamon alongside firm tannins. Despite the hefty body, it also shows an almost weightless elegance while the fruit richness seamlessly supports the warmth of alcohol on the close.
A tribute to winemaker Steve Leveque, whose name in French means “the bishop,” this is a layered and powerful 100% varietal wine. It's generous in blackberry and black-cherry jam on toast, with a side flavor of coconut macaroon. Drink now through 2022.
Enticing scents of ripe dark-skinned berry, leafy underbrush, chopped herb, dark spice and a toasted note come together on this structured, poised wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate offers layers of juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, mint and a blast of orange peel while firm, velvety tannins provide the polished framework. A coffee note closes the lingering finish. Drink 2019–2028.
The kirsch, cranberry, dried herb, pomegranate and barrel spice aromas are laser focused, with smoked meat notes providing accents. The black fruit flavors are über concentrated and dense. It's wound tightly at first but when it opens up, it delivers.
Woody, herbal and resplendent in forest-floor pine and sandalwood, this is a complex, earthy and medium-bodied wine. It's low in oak, and revelatory in cool-climate seductions of pomegranate, cranberry and rhubarb compote. The finish is all black tea, with still-developing tannin structure and power.
From the hillsides of Westside Road, a goldmine of goodness, this estate-driven wine is packed with cinnamon, black-cherry clafouti and crushed rose petals. Soft and seductively silky on the palate, it's bright and deceptively light, a symphony of pomegranate, cardamon and blood orange that lingers on the finish.
La Nerthe's luxury white cuvée relies on Roussanne for richness and Clairette for freshness, with tiny amounts of Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc rounding out the blend. The result is a rich but balanced wine, loaded with honey and toasted coconut but also boasting mouthwatering pineapple flavors and a tremendously long finish. Drink now–2025.
Scents of wild berry, fragrant blue flower, tilled soil, new leather and a whiff of Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this fantastic wine. Rich layers of juicy black cherry, fleshy raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and mint weave throughout the palate while firm but refined tannins provide structure. Drink 2019–2029.
Named in honor of the Romans who first planted vines in Sancerre, this wine has its feet firmly in the chalk soil that gives it richness as well as minerality. Ripe with touches of yellow fruits as well as lime and other citrus flavors, it is structured, dense and likely to age well. Drink from 2018.
Classic Sangiovese aromas of tilled soil, wild berry, new leather and chopped Mediterranean herb lead the nose along with a whiff of blue flower. The delicious, chewy palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and star anise framed in youthfully assertive but ripe tannins. Drink 2019–2029.
High in acidity with a voluptuously sleek and supple body, this is a smoothly tamed wine. It's youthful and structured, with a mix of citrus, black cherry and cola. Medium bodied, it's memorably balanced and possesses subtle power.
Intense, lovely aromatics of wild berry, fragrant blue flower, crushed herb and a whiff of tilled soil lead the way. On the powerful palate, youthfully assertive but refined tannins frame layers of crushed black cherry, blackberry, mint and ground pepper while a licorice note closes the lingering finish. Boasting structure and finesse, it shows surprising aging potential for the vintage. Drink 2020–2031.
Here's a soulful red with earthy aromas wet soil, underbrush, ripe, violet, berry, leather and a funky whiff of game. The palate presents juicy wild cherry, crushed black raspberry, white pepper, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. A tobacco note closes the finish. It's already accessible but also shows staying power. Drink 2018–20230.
Ripe berry, sunbaked earth, cured meat and grilled herb are some of the aromas that meld together in the glass. The juicy, delicious palate offers layers of juicy Morelllo cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and tobacco. Hearty, velvety tannins provide the framework and lend a smooth texture. Drink 2018–2030.
This slowly opens in the glass to reveal aromas of espresso, dark spice, menthol and ripe black-skinned fruit. On the firmly structured palate, integrated, close-grained tannins frame mature black cherry, licorice, clove and grilled herb. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink 2022–2035.
Made in tiny amounts, this wine blends 72% Mourvèdre with field-blended Petite Sirah, Syrah, Peloursin, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. It comes from two acres in the heart of the appellation, representing historic varieties still hanging on for dear life. Raisiny leather, gunpowder and an intensity of blueberry give it life, atop an undeniable funkiness that's hard to resist.
Juicy black cherry and vanilla wrap around sizable mountain tannin making for a full-bodied experience of tobacco, clove and tar. Chocolate and dust round out the profile of a wine with prolific power and structure, along with a bright, fresh finish. Drink now through 2022.
Elegant and structured, this offers enticing scents suggesting wild berry, pressed flower, chopped herb and baking spice. The refined palate delivers ripe wild cherry, cinnamon, star anise and tobacco alongside tightly knit, refined tannins. It's tempting to drink now but it will be even better in a few more years. Drink 2019–2026.
This is a memorable wine, with enticing and complex aromas of gorgeous ripe fruit accented by cedar, tea and forest floor. The palate echos the aromas with vibrant and rich flavors, while the mouthfeel is firm and bolstered by fine-grained tannins.
The first sniffs of this Vermentino—which Tablas Creek's French vineyard consultant suggested planting because of Paso Robles' rocky limestone soils—recall a hot day at the beach, with ocean spray salinity and hot sand aromas. Once sipped, the beach turns to a refreshing, watered-down orange juice experience, with a hint of lemon-lime on the finish. Pair with any fresh fish.
Zesty in citrus and waxy green apple, it offers texture and minerality with a long-lingering finish. Swirling in the background are suggestions of fig and vanilla. This will sing with salads and seafoods.
Produced from Alvarinho grown in the southern Minho region, near the Douro Valley, this is a particularly crisp and fruity wine. Great streaks of acidity give it a fresh character. It needs to age a few months to round it out; drink from 2015.
Black-purple in color, this is a deeply brambly and earthy wine, a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Tempranillo. Intense and showy, it'll please palates that like upfront fruit and a luscious, near-lascivious mouthfeel.
This opens with mealy aromas of watermelon and cherry that smell rich and full. The palate offers a bit more restraint, with focused flavors of tart cherry and berry that are framed by prickly acidity. The finish is short, but crisp and mouthwatering.
A new project from Jackson Family Wines from the Boone Ridge Vineyard, this is a voluptuous Pinot delivers a substantial mouthfeel of dark blueberry fruit and mushroomy earth. Textured and grippy, its acidity is on the mark, a good go-to for family meals, especially a quiche Lorraine brimming with bacon.
Aged in French and American oak, it's minty in wintergreen and cedar with soft, tight tannins layered in ripe plum fruit and chocolaty coconut. It offers plenty of texture and a long finish, the ending marked by a slight suggestion of molasses.
Made from Friuli's classic white grape, this vibrant wine leads with aromas of honeysuckle, baked pear and flint. The elegant, linear palate delivers yellow apple, Bartlett pear and lime zest accented with notes of sage, clove and cinnamon. Fresh acidity gives a bright finish.
With its dark color and firm tannins, this dense wine from 2,000-foot-high vineyards belies its light alcohol to give rich structure. It is fresh as well, with black currant juiciness coming through the spice and structure. It's still young, juicy and needs to age. Drink from 2015.
Enticing notes of honeysuckle and ripe peachiness make for an aromatic summer white with an uncomplicated but inviting presence. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face with its aromatic freshness and light body.
This well-aged release definitely falls on the ripe-to-the-point-of-raisins side of the fruit spectrum. It's almost Port-like, with flavors of blackberry pie and coffee. Not a dessert wine though—it's bone dry and ready to drink right now.
Hints of rhubarb, earth and a certain nuttiness on the nose lead onto a rich, rounded and savory palate. Red, ripe apples star along with an earthy texture that yields a pleasant tinge of bitterness. This belongs firmly on the table.
A gentle, fresh-faced, peachy Riesling with a rounded body, refreshing acidity and just a little spritz.
Opening aromas include green apple, Bartlett pear, white peach, mineral and lemon zest. The juicy palate is balanced with fresh acidity and it closes on a hint of white almond.
A ripe and creamy blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto, this is both fresh and richly textured. It has weight as well as a smooth texture, full in the mouth while also tangy. Already delicious, it will also age, so drink until 2018.
The aromas of strawberry, orange peel and plum seem a bit muddled, while the palate brings greater clarity and delineation to the medium bodied, creamy-feeling fruit flavors.
Rounded, rich and tropical notions of mango and passion fruit dominate the nose. The palate is more restrained and focuses on zesty, citrusy freshness. A total winner where refreshment is concerned: easy, fresh and zippy.
A spray of orange blossom lends flair to fresh apple and lemon aromas on this ripe, juicy wine. Medium sweet in style, it's luscious with peach and mango nectar, but elegantly cut by a shower of lemon acidity. Finishes moderately long.
Bright aromas of ripe golden apple, Bartlett pear and honeydew melon carry over to the linear palate. Vibrant acidity gives this clean, refreshing finish.
Berry, cassis, wood shavings and loamy earth are the main aromas. Lightly baked flavors of blackberry and plum come with olive and herbal accents. This is oaky, a touch minty and generally comfortable on the finish.
This new, patriotic Rosenblum Cellars project kicked off with a $100,000 gift to the USO. This affordable but well-manicured wine begins with aromas of caramelized lemon peel and faint peach that carry through to the palate, alongside a lingering note of toasted vanilla. Seeming to evolve steadily as it sits in the glass, it would wash down an even more affordable bucket of fried chicken.
Creamy pear with overtones of mint presents an inviting nose for this soft but streamlined wine. Ever-so-slight fizz lends additional freshness.
Starting with the strawberry syrup nose so common in Pinot Noirs from the Santa Maria Valley, this tasty, approachable wine quickly comes across as more fun than pensive, with aromas bordering on Hawaiian Punch. It's very smooth once sipped, showing a bit more raspberry than strawberry on the palate, with some yeastiness and zing as well.
Deliciously ripe and juicy pear mingles with yellow plum and greengage on the nose. The palate, conversely, is held tight in a bright citrus corset featuring grapefruit, lemon and barely ripe tangerine: a layered mix of enticing, zesty flavors that refresh and scintillate. White pepper and some herbal spice just manage to edge in and will develop more fully with time. Clean, taut and very exciting.
Baked plum, ripe berry, baking spice, violet and leather aromas unfold on this concentrated wine. On the delicious palate, velvety tannins support fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and licorice while a tobacco note backs up the finish. It's already tempting but hold for added complexity. Drink 2018–2031.
This one-time-only blanc de blancs is made from a Stony Hill Chardonnay clone planted in a single block of the producer's vineyard—since planted to Pinot Noir. This sparkler is sublime, the mousse silky and speckled in minerality. Lemon, pear and brine combine to good effect on the palate, buoying the exuberant fragrances of orange peel and cream pie.
This is the inaugural release from Elizabeth Bourcier, assistant vigneronne at Cayuse Vineyards. A unique blend of Grenache (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon, it clearly comes from The Rocks, with the aromas of black olive, peat, fire pit, raspberry and herbs popping. The smoked meat and savory flavors show elegance, depth, detail and restraint, with a finish that sails. It's a subtle, sublime wine that makes a statement.
This is an outright steal for a wine of this quality, a remarkable entry into the producer's wider world of knockout designates. Lush and layered, it combines decadent cherry, vanilla and spicy cinnamon-cola over an elegant, medium-bodied structure.
The nose gives little away—it needs some air—but the palate is dense with blueberry and black cherry. The tannins are very fine but firm and find a lovely counterpoint in the fresh acidity. Soft notions of tar and smoke envelope the plummy fruit, making this all the more alluring. Lovely now, but with future potential through 2020.
Notes of yeast and fresh pear hint that this is for keeping. Fruit is still held tightly curled at the core, waiting to blossom, while hints of peppery, herbal, yeasty spice already hold sway. This is concentrated but remains elegantly slender and beautifully toned. Poise and structure are the hallmarks.
A very savory, earthy character appears amid the lemon-zest palate that also features a salty, rock-solid statement. This is not for the fainthearted: a compact bundle of pure life with an utterly compelling nature and a lip-smackingly clean finish.
This wine is concentrated, dense and has superb acidity and fresh white fruits. Crisp apples, pears and spice from the wood aging are all there. Made with 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon, this is a wine for the long haul, so, if you can, wait until 2020 before drinking. Bonnet family owners are in the mix; Michel Rolland consults.
This wine has considerable potential, with rich tannins and firm fruits. It is solid, very dry at this stage although this is balanced by dark plum skin and blackberry flavors. The wine will develop slowly, so don't drink before 2022. The first harvest at this estate was in 1252. The property is now owned by Bernard Magrez, a wine, art, culture and gastronomy patron.
This wine is rich with jammy fruits and ripe acidity. Firm tannins are only just making a mark on the sweet, fleshy fruitiness. It revels in its concentrated fruit and in the dark tannins that are still at the back. This wine will certainly age, dense while always fresh and juicy at the end. Drink from 2022.
With a higher proportion of Merlot (92%) than usual, this is a round, ripe wine released at just 20% of normal production. The generous texture and tannins are well integrated into the rich fruit. It's juicy, broad and showing the typical acidity of the vintage. With its tannic structure, the wine will age well. Drink from 2020.
Gamy, fascinating aromas of bloody beef, charred lamb chops and dank mushrooms meet with cracked black pepper and asphalt on the nose of this wine from a coastal vineyard near Cambria. Similar sensations show on the palate, including underripe boysenberry, dried lilac, lavender, black pepper, pencil lead and dry-aged meat.
With ripe, spicy fruit, this is a concentrated, dense wine. It has young, firm tannins that are beginning to integrate with the juicy black fruits and fine, perfumed acidity. This is a serious wine, showing how well this estate is developing even in a difficult year. Drink this from 2022.
This wine is rich while at the same time having a stalky character that gives smokiness, texture and acidity. These combine with black-currant flavors that finish the wine with great freshness. It's a light vintage for this estate, fruity and certainly for the medium-term. Drink from 2020. The estate has been in the Dillon family since 1985.
A nose of pure lemon zest also has the faintest notions of juniper and bitter orange peel that seem to assert themselves more on the slender, sylph-like body of this incisive wine. That lemony purity illuminates the taut palate and highlights those spicy reaches that are merely hinted at. A subtle wine of immense charm.
A hint of yeasty earth still clings to the lifted, uncompromising citrus purity that rises from the glass, still as tightly closed as a leaf-bud in winter, yet holding everything in readiness to burst forth after some bottle age. The wiry, dry, straight-laced citrus thrill is already perceptible. What else will flourish is a mystery although that it will be of exquisite quality and purity is a without a doubt. Lay this treasure down and look forward to it. Drink 2018–2015.
Smoke and fruit, citrus peel and cream—what a seductive combination! This is subtly oaked Sauvignon Blanc of the finest order, from verdant Styria. The palate is taut but elastic, there is focus but also charm and whole oceans of gentle, tropical fruit with a fillip of lively citrus. It is hard not to drink this now but if you have patience, or even better, a whole case, do wait and this will flourish. Drink 2015—2020.
The nose is not very suggestive, however, the palate comes alive and paints a vivid picture of both refreshing and mellow notes of red and black cherry. The body shows a lovely, fine-grained texture that brushes softly against the tongue to send more ripples of cinnamon-spiced cherries your way. Fresh, lively and beautifully aromatic with a mellow finish tinged with peony and rose.
This opens with smoky, almost smudgy and intriguing notes of yeast. Underneath, however, there is a wealth of green pear and lemon zest. The palate is uncommonly spicy: white pepper, fresh yeast and crushed aromatic kitchen herbs leave a lasting, salty tang that really hits you There is freshness and concentration and echoing brininess on the long finish.
Some earthy spice mingles with the citrus zest that does not want to reveal itself quite yet, but there are notions of citron and grapefruit peel. There is a textured intensity at the core of this slender body, something addictive and moreish that you simply want to fathom. Light-bodied but rather seductive with an intensity that slowly creeps up on you.
Ripe yellow pear notes signal a richness that is subsumed on the palate into a salty, zingy, lemon-zest savoriness. Sprays of white pepper flare deliciously at every turn while notes of the freshly cut peel of ripe lemons illuminate everything. A very compelling wine with lots of friendly personality. Utterly moreish.
This ripe and rich wine balances its wood-aging flavors with its ripe tropical fruits. Pineapple, apricots and delicious acidity are all present. It will be a rich and delicious wine, but needs time, so drink from 2020. The first harvest at this château was in 1252. The property is now owned by Bernard Magrez, a wine, art, culture and gastronomy patron.
A hearty addition of 19% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to this wine's complexity and soft, round profile of hearty tannin and oak. It offers well-defined flavors of salty leather, plum and dark chocolate.
This wine—the only of its kind in the state—is a blend of 70% Carignan and 30% Grenache. It brings appealing, quite pure aromas of herbs, bramble and red fruit. The flavors also bring a compelling sense of purity, with no new oak influence anywhere in sight. Put it on the dinner table to see it shine.
Aged in 100% new French oak, aromas of roasted coffee bean, herb, char and dark fruit give way to lightly grainy dark-fruit flavors. The wood seems a bit primary at present but it still brings a lot of appeal. Give it some time to integrate.
Fermented 40% whole cluster and aged in four-year-old 500L puncheons, bright aromas of fresh asparagus, herb, flower, ember and earth are followed by a blend of fruit and savory flavors. It provides an appealing texture that keeps the interest high.
This is a strong showing for this growing region south of San Jose, which was historically home to prominent vineyards. Crushed black peppercorns, thyme and rosemary show on the nose against tart blackberry juice, with cola and a touch of blackened beef. Black currant and elderberry arise on the sip along with white-pepper spice, held together by balanced acidity and tannins. It's ripe, but far from overdone.
Among top-flight Northern Rhône, this has to be considered a solid value. Hints of melon and gingery spice mark the nose, while the palate is filled out by pear and melon notes. It's full bodied and silky in texture, finishing with echoes of melon and marshmallow. Drink now.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (28%), Syrah (9%) and Malbec. Aromas of macerated cherries, baking spice and cranberry are followed by sweet fruit flavors. It brings a slight sense of astringency but otherwise delivers the goods.
A full 13-years-old, the aromas are all tertiary, bringing notes of mushroom, leather and dried cherry. The cranberry and cherry flavors are still holding on the palate, showing a delightful sense of balance. It's in a sweet spot. Drink now.
Sourced from the 3 Starrs Vineyard planted to the Wente clone, this white is lovely. A generous presence of oak and power evolves in the glass to offer a more balanced expression of Gravenstein apple, fig and tangerine. Lengthy, it impresses in its gravelly texture of crushed stone.
Rose, garden berry, botanical herb and new leather aromas emerge on this elegant wine. Savory and smooth, the bright palate presents Marasca cherry, cinnamon, anise and mint while polished tannins frame the lingering finish. It's already accessible but will also age well for the midterm. Enjoy through 2023.
Opulent aromas of honey, flowers and peach lead this distinctive white. Full-bodied and full of exotic citrus, spice and tropical fruit flavor, it's classic but will appeal to myriad palates. A balancing acidity gives it focus.
Airy and creamy aromas of sliced pluot, Asian pear, fresh orange rind and a touch of wet bread make for a compelling and zesty bubbly. The sip starts with a citrusy tang, continues with riper flashes of nectarine on the midpalate and shows a yeasty wash throughout. There's serious textural grip to the palate.
Oaky toast and salty, firm acidity give this wine a flavor profile of lemon, apple and dried herb that's lengthy and full of complexity. Medium bodied, it finds balance between fruit flavors and a savory edge, remaining bright and rich on the palate.
The wine has ripe fruit, tannins that have now softened and signs of maturity. It is still juicy with attractive acidity as well as a touch of spice. Finely balanced, the wine from this Cru Bourgeois estate is elegant and ready to drink.
Still with intense tannins, this Merlot-dominated blend is young. The fruitiness is all there with ripe smoky fruit and blackberry flavors. It just needs a while for the tannins to soften into ripe generous fruitiness. Drink from 2020.
Made by the same team as neighboring Château Chasse-Spleen, the wine from this 17-acre estate is fruity, with the potential for a smooth texture and rich fruit. The wine has spice, juicy black currants and a delicious aftertaste. Drink from 2021.
In 1999, Stéphane and Paola Gabard resurrected winemaking at an estate that has belonged to the family since the 18th century. Ripe, rich and still retaining its youthful structure, this concentrated wine will need time. With its dense texture and layers of black-currant fruit, it has a fine future. Drink from 2019.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 73% of this wine, along with 20% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Tightly wound aromas of wood spice, vanilla, black fruit, plum and coffee bean give way to full-bodied, palate-coating and concentrated cherry and espresso flavors that linger on the finish. The barrel influence is heavy, but it works.
From the Fairbarn Vineyard, this bottling shows fresh-pressed blackberry, violet and lilac aromas, with the slightest wafts of smoke and tar. Although the tannins are quite firm on the sip, this wine is still young and should age well, allowing the bright acidity to continue showing flavors of beef and tart berries in years to come.
This delicious, accessible, easy-sipping wine has everything in moderation, from gently fruity aromas, to light but complex flavors of plum, black tea and spices, to medium body and a supple mouthfeel. It will taste good on practically any occasion.
The aromas bring notes of baking spice, vanilla, cassis, coconut and dark fruit, along with a penetrating anise note. The black-fruit flavors are rich and luscious, displaying a sense of hedonism that shows equal parts fruit and barrel.
A touch of plum plays among the ripe, red-cherry notes of the nose. The palate presents a darker, more brooding aspect of blueberry and forest fruit, with a superfine haze of crunchy tannins. Although the body is slender, crunchy and fresh, it packs an appetizing punch. The finish is refreshing and lip-smacking.
The future of Finger Lakes Sauvingnon Blanc is bright, at least in the hands of Steve Shaw. Fragrant with sweet, ripe gooseberries, apples and a touch of herbs and grass, this is a delicious choice for any occasion. Full bodied and complex, its palate is lush with quince and green plums, highlighted by a refreshing minerality and a lime zest astringency.
Dense, spicy wine, showing its alcohol with a hot pepper character. The fruit, though, does offer rich compensation, with black plum skins, bitter coffee flavors and dark, dry tannins.
Think Spanish Tempranillo, and this wine makes perfect sense. With violet aromas, it is soft, elegant with perfumed red berry fruits, wood and a dry core of tannins.
Coming from the Stone Corral Vineyard, this wine tends toward the browner side of the scent spectrum, with roasted root vegetables, baking spice and a bit of anise. It's dainty on the palate, but strong in flavors of mocha, licorice, ripe raspberry and beet juice, proving brightly acidic and a tad more tannic than similar wines of this vintage.
Grapy aromas are spicy and woody. This is a full, packed truckload of a Malbec with earthy, baked flavors of blackberry and prune. Licorice and a mild blast of bitterness replace the wine's dark-fruit character on the finish.
Made with Pinot Nero, this delivers a fragrance of rose, violet and woodland berry. The bright palate offers red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and a note of bread dough. A soft perlage lends elegance.
Dense and extracted, this offers aromas of black cherry, ground pepper, pine sap and dried herb. The palate delivers blackberry syrup, dried cherry, mocha and clove alongside grainy tannins. Drink through 2019.
A blend of native grapes Durello (90%) and Garganega (10%) and made with no dosage, this opens with aromas of roasted hazelnut, lemon zest and yellow apple peel that carry over to the tangy, bone-dry palate. It has crisp acidity and finishes on a note of toasted walnut.
Aromas of prune, espresso, cherries marinated in spirits and resin lead the nose. The palate has bracing tannins but not a lot of fruit richness, offering roasted sensations of coffee bean, ground pepper and toasted almond. It closes on a licorice note.
Raspberry and clove characterize the nose on this single-vineyard bottling. The palate kicks off with vibrant black cherry, slips toward black olive on the midpalate and ends with bright acidity on a decent finish.
While this wine certainly has a tannic background, it is already showing fruitiness and ripe berry and red plum flavors. That makes for a warm, rounded wine that will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2016.
As the cloudy sediment at the bottom of the bottle indicates, this intriguing Prosecco was refermented in the bottle as opposed to in steel tanks. It opens with a heady aroma of white flower, green apple and kiwi. These carry over to the palate with a hint of exotic fruit and lime alongside a soft, persistent mousse and brisk acidity. It has a dry, crisp finish.
Pomegranate, sour cherry, cranberry and slight anise emerge with patience on the shy nose. The flavors are also light, with cranberry sauce, brown spices, a touch of pepper and an herbal finish.
A grippy Pinot Noir with a hint of menthol on the nose, this wine is otherwise delicately high in acidity with a burst of tart cherry that swirls between soft, round tannins and brambly blackberry on the finish.
The nose offers crushed cinnamon sticks sprinkled upon just-picked raspberries and squeezed plums. The palate brings heavier red fruits, approaching boysenberry and pomegranate juice, with a clove spice throughout.
Muscular, roasted aromas of earthy berry fruits and oak are stout. This hits with iron-clad tannins, while flavors of blue fruits, resiny oak and graphite end with a mildly raisin-like aftertaste.
This rich and full-bodied wine brings out the structure of a Chassagne premier cru. It has generous fruits and a toasty structure. Drink from 2017.
This fruity wine is still developing. It hasn't achieved the full ripe fruit experience, still showing structure and a mineral, terroir character. Drink this textured wine from 2016.
This is a powerfully earthy and rustic Pinot soft in tannin structure and exuberant in ripe dark cherry and berry, a touch of savory leather and tobacco peaking on the finish.
Fragrant, fresh and frothy, this vibrant wine opens with heady aromas of jasmine, tropical fruit and lime. Made by letting the wine finish fermentation in the bottle on its lees, it doles out tangy lemon zest, candied nectarine, green apple and a saline note alongside brisk acidity.
Aromas of roasted walnut and toasted bread crust lead the nose on this blend of Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and just a touch of Pinot Meunier. The palate delivers candied lemon zest, apple skin and a ginger note alongside tangy acidity and a persistent perlage. The fruit richness has evolved into tertiary sensations although it retains fresh acidity.
Aromas of blue flower, leafy forest floor, blackberry and baking spices lead the nose on this extremely accessible Amarone. The bright, full-bodied palate offers black cherry, prune and licorice alongside velvety but fleeting tannins and just enough freshness.
Dominated by rich Pinot Noir, this is still impressively youthful. It has a sense of power and concentration, with intense white fruit, yeast and just a hint of honey. It could age, but is ready to drink.
Tight, mineral, taut wine, showing citrus, lime zest and pear skin flavors. Stone fruits emerge in an elegant texture. This is structured, powerful, offering serious aging potential.
A wonderfully toasty, yeasty wine, with creamed apple fruits, flavors that show some softness but never deviate from a crisp, steely character. Although this wine is ready to drink, consider keeping for 3–4 years.
A beautiful orange pink-colored wine. Young and fresh, it has great depth of raspberry and red fruit flavors as well as a delicious summer fruit brightness and liveliness. A beautiful Champagne, that will repay some bottle aging.
Top lots from Sheridan, Dineen and Meek vineyard grapes go into this reserve. This is always the most thick and dense of the Stevens wines, and the tannins, though very well managed, are chewy and substantial. They dominate this young wine, but the stacked and subtle layers of red and black fruits, leaf and forest floor materials, moist earth and ashes keep the flavors complex and interesting. This wine absolutely must be decanted, and can be cellared almost indefinitely.
This is a crisp, high-wire-walking wine, just so poised. Its youthful red fruits, laced with citrus, taste so fresh, with a strawberry bite. At this stage, it is intensely enjoyable as young Champagne, but it does need to age for several years.
Dark, smoky, oaky aromas of tobacco, leather and black fruits lead to a palate that's muscular, tannic and solid as a pile of rocks. Cool, earthy black-fruit flavors include woodspice and dark-chocolate notes. This Mencía from a cold year is flush, rugged and dry on the finish. Drink through 2025.
This red opens with reticent jammy aromas that expand to include licorice and asphalt notes. The wine is so saturated that it weighs down on the palate. Flavors of savory berry fruits are matched by saucy tomato and spice notes. On a sinewy finish, tomato sauce, raspberry and red-plum flavors stick out. Drink through 2026.
There is a fine perfumed character with this wine. It floats above the ripe cherry and berry fruits and the firm structure of rich tannins. The vineyard, centrally located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, has given a firm wine with the great potential to be generous. Drink from 2021.
This is a very fine expression of this always richly structured appellation. It is still young, dominated by firm tannins as well as dark black fruits and the spice of wood aging. The acidity, the black cherry flavors and the density of the wine all suggest its great potential. Drink from 2020.
Translated, the name of this vineyard means fogs, maybe a reference to a predisposition to get misty in the morning. Adjacent to Pommard, the wine has some of the structure of that village allied to the rounder character of Volnay. Together, these elements make for a wine that is likely to age well. Drink this ripe and smoky wine from 2023.
This ripe holdover from 2006 proves that Priorat wines can age well. This wine is full of licorice, spice cake and other heady aromas, while the palate is lush and chewy, but still hanging in there. Flavors of black fruits, chocolate, burnt toast, black coffee and licorice finish dense and long. Drink now through 2020.
This wine's iris, perfumed berry, truffle and baking spice aromas emerge in the glass as it opens, along with a whiff of crushed herb. The structured, elegant palate shows ripe Marasca cherry, vanilla and mocha flavors alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2019–2029.
This magnum-sized bottling named after Joey Tensley's niece is a study of darkness, with asphalt, charred beef, black currant and a hint of purple flowers on the nose. It's suave and already elegant on the sip, with stewed blackberries and tart black plums, but it still needs time to grow into its sure-to-be-savory side. Drink 2019–2030.
Initial aromas of damp earth and coffee grounds are a bit misleading because this tastes almost entirely of ripe, slightly baked black fruits. This is a massive Cabernet-based wine with severely scratchy tannins. On the finish, rugged leftover tannins are like gravel, while this is saturated in a familiar Priorat way. Drink from 2019–2027.
Very dark, very focused, and very pure, this full-bodied wine polishes the notorious tannins of the varietal just slightly, while pouring on dark chocolate, blackberry jam, white pepper and a touch of floral flavor. It's a great wine to buy and stash in a cool place for a few years to see how interesting Petite Sirah can get. Best after 2024.
This Syrah appeals to all the senses, leading with blackberry, bramble, kirsch, mineral and crushed flower aromas. The palate is rich and dense, holding nothing back with its opulent black fruit flavors. A hedonistic expression of the variety.
This is one of the higher elevation premier crus in Puligny. In this warm vintage it has managed to give a wine that is crisp and mineral. To contrast with this, the wine also has a creamy, toasty character from the wood aging. Drink from 2021.
This wine is the sum of many spectacular sites—including Ritchie and Heintz Vineyards—some of the cooler-climate spots for grapes in the Occidental. Together they sing a tasteful tune that's salty and demure, with an elegant imprint of green apple, ocean breeze and stone.
This giant of a wine has aromas of charred oak, wood smoke and black pepper, with a palate of dense, deep and smoky tones that feel thick, tannic and chewy. It's a tour de force of spicy oak, fruit concentration and mouthcoating texture that's impressive to drink now but will be best after 2024.
A superdark color and effusive aromas of wood smoke, raisin and dried fig set the stage for extremely concentrated, ripe fruit on the palate and a thickly tannic texture. The exuberance of the grape and blackberry flavors nicely counterbalances the firm texture. This will age well, so best to drink it after 2020.
There's a sultry aromatic combination of stewed strawberry and bright raspberry as well as subtle thyme, tarragon, rosewater and French toast on the nose of this bottling from the iconic vineyard. The baked red fruits and hard woody spices are cut by pungent acidity and firm tannins on the sip. Hold off a bit on this one, but then enjoy for decades. Drink 2019–2034.
Fans of unoaked wine should look elsewhere. This is a sophisticated but showy wine matured in 100% new Hungarian oak barrels. It has lots to enjoy from the seductive aromas of melted butter and toasted almonds to the rich mouthfeel, ripe fruit flavors and extended, creamy-tasting finish.
Black currant, lavender, black pepper, soy and graphite show on the nose of this bottling by Zac Wasserman, an assistant to Joey Tensley. There is a flash of lavender at the tip of the sip, and then the darkness descends, with charred meats and blackened berries cut by a strong acidity. It still needs time to develop, but these wines disappear fast, so stock up.
Made entirely from Chardonnay, this benchmark New York sparkling wine balances pristine apple and lemon against layers of complex toast, caramel and crushed mineral nuances. Brut in style, it calibrates spine tingling acidity against a palate that's supple and ripe. Bold, mouthfilling bubbles dissipate elegantly through a long finish.
Enticing scents of fragrant blue flower, forest berry and Alpine herb take center stage in this elegant and structured red. The vibrant palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco hints alongside bright acidity and polished tannins. Impeccably balanced and delicious, it also offers incredible value. Drink through 2029.
Dusty aromas of tea and dried spices blend well with black olive and black-fruit notes. This wine has a lean but muscular build. Plum and wild berry flavors come with dry, spicy oak accents. Acidity keeps the finish in shape and ensures length; drink through 2022.
Baked red cherry, vanilla dust and a slight edge of bay leaf show on this well-rounded estate bottling from the pioneering brand. Ripe raspberry and pomegranate meet with sagebrush, anise and more bay leaf on the sip.
This is a superbly rich wine that is packed with generous black fruits and balanced acidity. It has structure and concentrated plum and damson fruits. The wood aging still shows in what is young wine, although this will go. Drink this impressive wine from 2019.
The nose on this Pinot is delicate, perfumed faintly with crisp black cherry, rose petal and spice. The palate is markedly riper, streaked by fleshy black plums and cranberry acidity. It's straightforward in its fruitiness yet balanced smartly, finishing on a fine, yet penetrating, tannic note.
Crisp, light and dry, this wine is ready for the next lunch, brunch or warm-weather cocktail party. It has light, melon aromas, refreshing peach and melon flavors and an appetizing, tangy texture.
With an oily, viscous entry, this wine is refreshing in wild golden raspberry and almond flavors and an abundance of floral aromas. Made in a full-bodied style, and definitely varietal, it finishes with a thickness of pineapple.
This shows the sunny opulence of the vintage, brimming with tropical- and stone-fruit notes. Guava and nectarine flavors meet ample weight on the palate, balanced by a slightly chalky finish.
The plummy, cherry-like fruit of St. Laurent and its soft, pliable, smooth nature are well captured here. This is a very juicy, easy-drinking rendition that would also work chilled. Drink soon.
Fragrant hints of white summer blossom also hold a riper, fruitier, almost tropical promise. The light palate is poised with lemony freshness and more of those enticing aromatic overtones. A perfect, light and utterly appetizing summer wine.
This is a bright, fresh and juicy version of the variety from a mountainous and indeed rocky appellation. A touch of leather rides over the proceedings, which consist mostly of red cherry, raspberry and cinnamon.
Strawberry blossoms, candied cherries, cola and a touch of chipped slate make an appearance on the nose of this bottling. A cinnamon and clove spice component flavor the palate, where cooked black cherries, tart black plum peel, condensed lilac and cedar elements also show.
Suave aromas of bramble and red berries meet with chipped slate, a touch of anise and pressed lilacs on this nose of this blend of 37% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 6% Cinsault and 5% Carignane. Bright cranberry and red cherry fruit pop on the palate, which is bolstered by fennel, black peppercorns and dried rose petals.
Scents of white spring flower and orchard fruit lead the nose on this lively white. The fresh, easy-drinking palate offers ripe green apple, peach and a juicy citrus note alongside tangy acidity.
This blend of 55% Roussanne and 45% Grenache Blanc offers broad aromas of cooked apples, honeydew melon and peach custard. The palate is tighter, with seared green apples, lemon rind and yellow grapefruit zest, then slowly opens more tropically, with banana elements. This is a full-bodied white wine.
Aged both in French oak and stainless steel, this entry-level white is creamy in texture with a taste of lemon cream pie and vanilla swirls, the tannins tight and the oak present, though cradling. Fresh and fruity, this is a food-friendly, approachable wine.
Attractive aromas of rose, plum and blue flower float out of the glass. On the palate, vanilla, espresso and toasted oak overwhelm dried black cherry while astringent tannins leave a mouth-drying finish.
Delicately scented, this opens with aromas of dried black cherry and toasted notes. On the concentrated palate, oak-driven spice takes center stage while mature dark-skinned fruit and dried prune provide the background. Pair it with Gorgonzola at the end of the meal.
Made entirely with Garganega, this offers aromas of maple syrup, pressed white flower and candied orange zest. The round palate doles out dried apricot and tangerine while a hint of orange blossom honey backs up the finish.
This is a soft, well-integrated wine with a full-throttle backbone of cedar and cranberry that drinks easily and is ready for the table. Priced attractively, it offers value for the quality and broad appeal.
This is the producer's first barrel-aged Chardonnay, made from a blend of two vineyards and two clones, including one from their own estate on Westside Road. Sour and sweet alternatively, it finds a steely path to balance and soft layers of apple, Asian pear and a touch of ginger-topped butterscotch.
A severity of tannin and heat opens this wine before mellowing into soft, juicy red raspberry and plum. Remaining relatively light bodied and restrained for the variety, it becomes softer on the chocolaty midpalate before a grippy finish grabs back the power.
Aromas of pressed Spanish broom, oak, marzipan and citrus blend in the glass. The rich, medium-bodied palate offers candied nectarine zest, vanilla and toasted almond alongside bright acidity. Drink now or hold for a few more years.
A warm blend mainly of Grenache with Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is typically pale in color, with just a touch of tannin from the Cabernet. A spicy undertone balances with the deliciously crisp and fresh red-fruit character.
This blend of Rolle and Ugni Blanc, typical of Provence whites, is smooth, ripe and only lightly textured. The Rolle (Vermentino) that dominates gives an attractive perfumed character as well as a mineral texture and acidity. Drink now.
With its floral rose motif, the bottle is attractive in itself. The rosé inside comes to life with crisp red fruits and lively acidity. This wine has a real freshness with a tangy texture, spice and a perfumed aftertaste.
This is a delicious, perfumed and fruity wine. It is crisp and clean, bright with acidity and ripe in raspberry flavors. This wine is a perfect summer quaffing rosé.
This attractive, citrus-driven blend of Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc comes from an estate created by the Knights Templar in the 13th century. It owes a lot to the Sauvignon in its tight herbal character. Lemon and grapefruit fruits are filled out with more exotic pineapple and mango flavors. The wine is a little young to drink now so try waiting until late 2016.
This rich, full-bodied wine has ripe green and white fruits along with a touch of minerality. It is a sophisticated wine that adds acidity to its complex array of flavors. The wine is ready to drink.
This vibrant white opens with delicate scents of white flower and tree fruit. The zesty palate offers lime, Bartlett pear and a hint of white grapefruit alongside racy acidity. A note of bitter almond backs up the finish.
A robust, full-bodied expression of earth and forest mark this well-made wine, a touch of spearmint surrounding red and black cherry.
Owned by the Quiot family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is one of a pair of wines produced from the region of Sainte-Victoire. It is a full and fruity wine, rich with raspberries and freshened by final grapefruit acidity.
Bunan's 18th-century castle is called Belle Raisin—Bélouvé in the old Provençal dialect (beautiful grapes in English). With a range of varieties in the blend, it is an attractively integrated wine that has red cherry, raspberry and crisp apple flavors. It is lively and full of ripe fruits, with just a touch of pepper at the end.
The aromas bring generous notes of botrytis, chamomile, flowers, peach, ale and green apple. It drinks off dry, with well-balanced stone fruit and floral flavors that linger.
Tart, acidic red fruit—pomegranate, sour raspberry—is given some sweet spice and sandalwood from barrel aging. The all-too-typical earthy/herbal aromas that plague so many Oregon Pinots are out in force. The wine sits in the mouth, sour and tight, without enough weight or texture to hint at future pleasure.
This is a new wine from the Lurton brothers, and it's got good weight, color and integrity. It also shows a lot of hickory and pickle from the oak and some wayward vanilla on the juicy, jumpy palate. Not a refined wine but pretty good for size and zip.
Bright and colorful, somewhere between a salmon pink and a light copper, this fresh rosé tastes of strawberries and wild raspberries. The finish is lightly spicy and showing just a hint of milk chocolate.
You might not know it from the name, but this is a bit of a critter wine, as Bulldozer is a nickname for the hairy-nosed wombat. In any event, it's a step up from much of the competition, offering sturdy cassis flavors tinged with pepper and herbs and a clean, mouthwatering finish. Imported by MHW, Ltd.
Honeysuckle scents and flavors of pear, papaya and cucumber lead into a fresh and delicate wine, with plenty of acid behind the crisp fruit.
Early aromas are earthy, sort of like coffee grinds mixed with baked fruit. The palate hits with a dose of creamy milk chocolate, while later on berries and vanilla rise up. More of a plump, sweet and unctuous wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Imported by North Lake Wines.
Dusty applesauce aromas lead to a pulpy, medium-bodied palate in this pure Xarello. It tastes of bitter grape skins , papaya and green melon, its tropical notes offset by grassy and briny hints on the finish.
This yellow-looking Chardonnay smells briny and like oily popcorn. The palate is both watery in feel and resiny. Nutty, salty flavors of popcorn crowd out apple notes, while the finish is dilute.
This wine is reduced and somewhat flat in tone, with simple, light-bodied ripeness and plum and raspberry flavors.
This blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional is rustic with some hard tannins and intense acidity. Since it is still young, the wine could soften but it seems to be more about its structure than its fruit.
As peppery as a jalapeño, with persistent spiciness, this wine offers high-octane ripeness and a healthy cradling of oak, finishing with a touch of heat.
Earthy mossy spicy aromas are the high point on this edgy rubbery amped-up Carmenère. This is blocky and chunky on the palate, with blueberry and leathery flavors. Lively but rough feeling on a peppery, herbal finish.
The white wines in the Wine By Joe portfolio are fresh, well-made and offer exceptional value. It's tougher to do with Oregon Pinot Noir. This thin, disjointed and simple wine has aggressive vegetal character and unappealing earthiness.
Aromas of animal hide, rubber and herbal berry fruits are not lovable. This has a heavy scratchy mouthfeel and lightly green flavors of berry fruits mixed with unabsorbed oak. This tastes toasty and blackened on an abrasive finish.
This flat, watery wine has yeasty, generic stone fruit flavors and salty, bitter grape skin flavors. It's round in mouthfeel but inexact on the finish.
There is plenty of juicy acidity in this wine even though the fruit has a strangely steely character. The tannins give it a firm character that needs to soften.
This blend of Gamay and Prokupe has aromas of tart cherry and Mediterranean herbs. Flavors recall cherry, black plum and stewed prune.
This wine has aromas of honeysuckle and lemon curd, with flavors of lemon-meringue pie and lemon pith. The finish is clean and crisp.
Applesauce and woody aromas don't offend but they aren't anything special or enticing. This feels chunky and fairly flat. Woody resiny flavors are low to empty on fruit, while this tastes yeasty on the finish.
This wine's neutral nose includes mild citrus scents. It's tired and bland on the palate, with yeasty flavors, finishing with papaya and commercial white bread notes.
Charred resiny oak aromas dominate herbal berry fruit. This is rough and raw on the palate, with sizzling tartaric acidity and forceful tannins. Flavors of burnt black coffee and herbal plum finish with a ring of excess acidity.
This Garnacha-Carignan blend contains some Syrah as well and smells almost exclusively of clove and spice. On the palate, it's resiny and sticky, with overwrought clove and barrel spice flavors that dominate the finish.
This medium-bodied rosé has aromas of strawberries and rose petals, and flavors of cherry, strawberry and tart cherry. The finish is clean, with a slight touch of residual sweetness on the palate.
This blend of Chardonnay, Viura and Verdejo is light in body, with stalky haystack aromas and dilute nectarine and melon flavors. Its yeasty finish is somewhat bland.
Iron-laced beef aromas meet boysenberry and wet stone on the nose of this widely available and smartly priced wine from the historic producer. Red cherry fruit shows on the palate along with a touch of turned earth, making for a pleasant yet simple sip.
The floral aromas in this animated wine give way to fragrant fruit salad flavors that range from orange to pineapple to apple. It has a nicely tart texture and lingering fruity finish.
Butterscotch, lemon peel and a faint flinty quality show on the nose of this bottling from the Chalone team. Tangy mandarin flavors meet almond butter, honeysuckle and gunmetal touches on the palate.
Ripe and sweet blackberry jam and dried fig flavors fill out this Port-style sweet wine. Good doses of tannin and acidity keep it structured enough to not feel cloying, lending a little textural grip.
The aromas in this wine are light, with notes of herb, citrus and orange peel. The palate is dry and broad, with tart citrus flavors. Although appealing, it seems a bit generic.
Aromas of oak, underbrush and a whiff of wet stone lift out of the glass. The aromas carry over to the lean palate along with ripe yellow-apple skin, a hint of citrus zest and a saline note. It closes on a bitter nutty note.
Berry and plum aromas are creamy and spicy while hinting at prune. This everyday Cabernet feels creamy and a touch flat and soupy. Plum and berry flavors are slightly weedy, while this holds steady on a chunky finish.
This is a stiff, tannic wine with wood smoke and tart cherry flavors and a firm, mouth-puckering texture that persists on the finish. It leads with a lush blackberry jam aroma but then closes in and tightens up.
In a ripe Bordeaux year, Sauvignon Blanc goes towards tropical and yellow fruits, making it ripe while also light and crisp. This refreshing, rounded wine is ready to drink.
This is made from a majority of Petit Verdot with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Dusty sage and raspberry notes form waves of big flavor and tannin, the fruit modest.
Toast, Bosc pear, spice, lees and flower aromas are followed by a sleekly styled palate. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Bold yellow-gold in color, this aged, barrel-fermented Verdejo has predictably heavy aromas of wood spice and resin, joined by hints of carrot juice and apricot. It has solid palate with adequate acidity, showing oaky stone fruit flavors that finish with a heavy dose of barrel spice.
Subdued aromas of plum and a hint of violet lead the way. The easy-drinking, straightforward palate conveys black cherry, pomegranate and a hint of anise alongside soft, fleeting tannins.
This straightforward, refreshing wine offers subdued, short-lived aromas of small red berry and a whiff of cake spice. The bright, simple palate doles out strawberry, raspberry and a hint of ginger alongside lively acidity.
Pleasing aromas of a warm croissant mix with sharper hibiscus, rose petals, cola and strawberry on the nose of this wine. The palate shows rose petals and tart raspberry fruit, then gives way to more bitter elements of tar and sour cherries.
This wine is flavorful and sturdy. Full bodied enough to accompany rich dishes, it's affordable, too. It has butter and caramel aromas, an almost thick, syrupy texture and firm tannins. Moderate cherry flavors accompany the oaky components.
This ripe and fruity wine has an edge of tannins to give it structure. It's full of juicy black fruits, rich berry flavors and fresh acidity. The wine will age as the tannins round out further, so drink from 2018.
This is a stalky wine, full of black-currant fruits and with just enough weight to balance tannins and the dry structure. It has the potential to become an attractive, fruity wine, so drink from 2018.
This stalky and fruity wine has fresh red-currant flavors that are backed up by dry tannins. It is a light wine, as much fruit as texture, and is likely to age quickly. Drink from 2017.
From vineyards in the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, this Fontana family wine has a dry core surrounded by ripe, fresh fruit. It is still young and should age, certainly until 2017.
Soft and fresh, this fruity wine comes from sandy soil that gives it lightness, especially in this vintage. Fresh fruits and soft tannins make this wine ready to drink now.
With 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this is an unusual blend for a Haut-Médoc wine. The result is a wine that's light and already soft. Fresh red-berry flavors are lightly underlined by tannins. It will develop fast, so drink from 2017.
The fig, licorice and spice aromas seem somewhat dried out and tired. The cherry and cranberry flavors are smooth, with the tannins showing some grit. Drink now.
Pithy aromas of melon and apple are low in oak and emphasize minerality. This feels full and chunky, but also acidic. Briny flavors of stone fruits lean toward sour, while an oily, briny tasting finish is short on elegance.
This wine shows unusually prominent aromas and flavors of dried rice that are followed by wilted flowers, dried leaves, cocoa and dark fruit. It doesn't all come together.
This wine comes in with a low, unheard-of (in Washington) 12.2% alcohol. The aromas offer reticent and unusual notes of wheat, lemongrass, tobacco, vanilla and herbs while the flavors are tart and supple. It doesn't seem outright underripe but comes off as faint.
With a mix of graham cracker, coffee, herb and jammy, unfocused berry aromas, this lacks cohesion on the nose. A fat, wide palate offers no point of focus, while herbal flavors of cassis and olive finish with green notes of tobacco and oregano.
Chunky, meaty, saucy plum and berry aromas are green and gritty. This is solid feeling on first blush, but then it collapses and turns clampy and tannic. Minimal berry and cassis flavors battle with herbal, green notes in front of a chubby, imprecise finish.
This opens with unusual aromas of celery, medicinal herb, saline and a vegetal note with the barest whisper of dark fruit in the background. The unusual medicinal aromas carry over to the palate along with a hint of candied cherry and menthol before finishing abruptly, leaving a bitter aftertaste.
Some oxygen exposure seems to peek through on the aromas along with notes of blue fruit and herbs. This wine is lightly flavored with a gritty feel to the tannins and the oak dialed back.
This wine has a lighter-than-usual color, fresh aromas like cucumbers and jicama, and clean, straightforward apple flavors backed by good, crisp acidity. It's simply good and refreshing.
Peach pit, matchstick and almond skin aromas come across a bit harsh. This is chunky on the palate, with pulpy, pithy melon and lees flavors that take on a briny characteristic on the finish.
Aromas of vanilla and pear are mild on the nose. This feels heavy and chunky, with low acidity. Vanilla, melon and papaya flavors taste as though they're on the way out, while this soft Chardonnay feels oily on the finish.
Barrel aromas of vanilla and woodspice are out front and lead to light, elegant fruit and barrel flavors that vie for attention through the finish.
Earthy, scratchy, herbal aromas of cassis and raspberry lead to a punchy, wiry palate. Generic cherry and berry flavors are herbal and lightly green, while this is grabby and tannic on the finish.
Produced in the Entre-deux-Mers region, this light, fresh wine has young tannins and stalky black-currant flavors. It is crisp with lively acidity and a juicy aftertaste. Give it another few months and drink from late 2016.
This light wine has red berry flavors and lots of acidity. With only the lightest texture, it's all about fruitiness. Drink now.
This wine has the ripe fruitiness of the vintage, fresh and crisp although with a rich background of apple and pear flavors. Not aged in wood, the wine is all fruit with lively final acidity.
Fruity, immediately appealing berry flavors dominate this wine. It has an edge of wood, but that simply smoothes out the fruit rather than adding tannins. Lively, delicious, drinkable now.
From the Villamont domaine, this is a soft, rounded, quite generous wine that is dominated by enjoyable bright red fruits. It's fresh, ripe, just lightly touched by tannins, and with a juicy, friendly aftertaste.
There is some good depth of flavor to this wine, the strawberry flavors going right through until they meet the tannic core. The acidity balances well, pushing the fruit through the dryness, leaving freshness and juicy fruits.
A multiple vineyard blend, this includes 10% Merlot, which seems to open up the middle a bit. The fruit is generous and sweet, a mix of berries and cherries and plums, with a streak of coffee running through it. There is a high-toned spicy quality to the aromas, just a hint of volatility, but well-managed.
This is classic Washington Merlot, with flesh and a full-bodied middle. It offers a generous palate of cherries and berries, trailing into light tannins with a streak of green tea and coffee. The wine is balanced and bright, with lightly lifted aromas and a solid midpalate.
An elegant, memorable wine with balance and poise. The nose offers red berry, warming spice and a touch of smoke, while on the palate, smooth, dark berry and spice flavors are harmonious and rich. The wine can age but is good now. Pair with a succulent duck dish or pate and cheeses.
This has been 10% barrel fermented and aged for about two months. There's a hint of barrel toast but it's very light; the varietal character is nicely displayed. Crisp acidity and a strong citrus mix of orange blossom and lemon rind flavors define the midpalate, leading into pineapple and grapefruit as it winds through the finish. Nice bottle!
Trapiche's Broquel is definitely one of Argentina's most consistent Bonardas. It opens with balsamic notes that accent chocolate and blackberry aromas, while the palate is sweet and steady as it delivers plum and ripe berry flavors. Good structure and feel, with just enough acidity to keep it in balance.
This single-vineyard Agiorgitiko has an earthy olive nose and smooth, integrated flavors of red berry, herbs and spice. Soft but structured tannins and a spin of spice on the finish recommend it for heartier dishes, but it's good enough to savor on its own. Elegant, but with some muscle.
The aromas of sarsparilla, tree bark, dried raspberry and cumin take you back to traditional Rioja winemaking. With lighter-weight fruit, herb and tomato leaf flavors, this is a solid old-school wine that will hit the right marks with tapas or roast meats. It's got some tea and tang as well, courtesy of zesty acids.
This medium-bodied Shiraz features plenty of spicy complexity and creamy-soft tannins, making it ideal for current consumption. Cedar, vanilla and spice accent raspberry fruit and linger elegantly on the finish.
The Pittnauers make something of a specialty of the St Laurent grape, and their success is reflected in this vivid, fruity, juicy wine, an Austrian Beaujolais, all freshness and blackberry fruits topped with acidity. Screwcap.
Nearly dry in style, this wine starts off with primary fruit aromas of ripe apples, slightly underripe peaches and a touch of grapefruit, then delivers stonier, more minerally flavors on the palate. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
Karl Steininger's winery forms part of the new Loisium complex of wine exhibition and hotel in Langenlois, designed by New York architect Steven Holl (commemorated on the label). This wine comes from the adjacent vineyard. It's a full, rich style, rounded, with creamy apple flavors, touched by white currant acidity. Glass stopper.
From one of the good value communes at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune, this Chorey is soft, juicy with strawberry flavors and framed by tannins. The acidity is there, but the effect is of a ripe, easy wine, ready to drink now.
Densely tannic and firm, this wine has fresh acidity and red-plum-skin flavors. It is a solid, chunky wine, likely to age well, with a vibrant, juicy freshness in the aftertaste.
Flavors of pear and white peach drive this clean, fruity wine. It has a tang of citrus and acidity that adds a lively edge. Ready to drink now.
Light, bright and fruity, this has soft tannins, plenty of red fruits and balancing acidity. Just dry to finish, it is ready to drink now.
Black fruit and graphite aromas come with an earthy heaviness. This is intense, with driving tannins pushing the flavors of black plum and stewed meat. The finish is big and fruity, with a rubbery feel.
This is mellow up front, with mild aromas of melon and baby powder. It feels fresh and easygoing, with apple, citrus and vanilla flavors. Drink well chilled, and soon.
A Grenache blended with small amounts of Mourvèdre and Syrah, this may need more time in bottle to truly reveal itself. But for now, its herbal characteristics overpower the hidden notes of blueberry and vanilla trying to get out.
Fairly round in the mouth, this has blackberry, vanilla and butter notes. It's rugged and simple, but tasty.
This opens with huge aromas of dark berry, cola and maple. The palate is ultratannic and grabby, with a sandpaper mouthfeel and big, boistrous flavors of black fruit. Syrupy and tannic on the finish, it has an overt rugged feel.
With a smoked char aftertaste, this wine is lacking in fruit and fairly simple. A weediness could be interpreted as cedar or dried herb, but teeter-totters on the borderline.
From a certified organic, dry-farmed vineyard, this wine exudes an overabundance of rustic earth without finding a rightful companion in fruit, with just the merest hint of allspice underplayed on the finish.
Stalky, leathery aromas deal only a modest amount of raspberry and plum scents. This Bobal-Cabernet Sauvignon blend is raw, lean and light in feel, with choppy, herbal cherry and currant flavors.
This old-vine wine shows signs of rotten fruit, certainly aromatically. On the palate, it is tight with dark tannins and a hard, extracted edge. It is hard to tell if it could soften. This property liess in both the Castillon and Franc appellations. Wine is vinified plot by plot.
Yeasty, bland, unconvincing aromas make for an unremarkable opening. This is flabby and broken on the palate, with yeasty flavors of canned peas.
This wine has too much extraction to allow the fruit to develop. It will soften out, although not enough. It is an 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon blend.
This wine has been too heavily extracted, giving a series of tough tannins and a hard edge without the fruit to balance things out. It is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25/25 Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
All dry tannin and bramble aromas, this wine is a tough proposition. François Maurin and son Raphael handle the organic vineyards and wine fermented in stainless steel.
The aroma is stalky and leathery on the nose. The palate is grabby, with sulfuric, bitter flavors of uncomplicated berry fruits. This is 65% Bobal and 35% Tempranillo.
This wine is volatile and grassy on the nose, and extremely horsey. Odd flavors of mango and pineapple are way out of place, and the finish tastes of bad tobacco.
This stunning wine is all about extreme elegance and subtlety. It opens with aromas of wild red berry, rose petal, sweet baking spice and a whiff aromatic herb while the focused palate delivers red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, pipe tobacco and white pepper. A firm backbone of polished tannins and vibrant acidity gives it an age-worthy structure. It's loaded with finesse and should develop even more complexity over time. Drink 2018–2033.
This young wine is all magnificent structure. It is intense, with fruit and acidity given richness by the powerful texture and tense tannins. The dense symphony of ripe fruits is kept in check by the structure. This wine needs many years; drink from 2019.
Fermented and aged in six-year old wood for 24 months, this is a richly spicy wine. The wood is there to smell and taste, but it is the rich fruit that speaks. Yellow fruits are given weight by the mineral backdrop, while layers of acidity instill freshness. Drink this complex wine from 2018.
This is a beautiful wine with elegant fruits that reflect a strong sense of minerality. It is crisp, although that is just a surface quality to a wine that has such depth. Toast flavors round out the intense fruits, giving a light spice and butter to this powerful wine. Drink from 2020.
With its great richness, the wine is opulent, generous and full of powerful fruits. The wood aging and the toastiness have done nothing to diminish the yellow fruit and crisp apple flavors. It's an impressive and concentrated wine that will age for many years. Drink from 2020.
A hallmark bottling from one of Serralunga's prime vineyard sites, this gorgeous Barolo has structure, breeding and class. It opens with classic aromas of perfumed berry, leather, forest floor, tobacco and a balsamic note while the impeccable palate delivers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, strawberry, chopped herb, white pepper and licorice. It's still tight and tannic so give it time to fully develop to is full, amazing potential. Drink 2023–2033.
Extra rich, ripe and round , this offers a full fruitiness that explodes in the mouth. Tannins and structure are all there, although the main thrust of this wine is the balance between this tension and the generous fruits that are developing. Drink from 2019.
Succulent wild cherry, black raspberry, rose, violet, licorice, chopped mint, ground pepper and tobacco are just some of the aromas and flavors you'll find on this delicious, structured Barolo. A backbone of firm, velvety tannins and bright acidity support the juicy flavors. Drink 2018–2030.
All the Fèvre vines are at the top of this vineyard, giving very structured, long-lived wines. This is certainly an age-worthy wine, tightly coiled and nervy, with a strong mineral note at its heart. Lemon and quince flavors are caught up in the complex structure. Drink from 2020.
Scorched earth, ripe berry, underbrush, ground pepper, leather and a balsamic note are just some of the aromas you'll find on this superb Barolo. The young, tight palate delivers rich black cherry, baking spice, licorice and tobacco while firm, velvety tannins provide the framework. A mineral vein energizes the finish. It already shows a great depth of flavors but it's still young and assertive. Hold to let this unwind and develop complexity. Drink 2021–2031.
This wine has weight, richness and an intense texture and structure that brings tannins and a firm background to the generous yellow fruits, ripe apples and crisp green plums. The wine is still very young, needing several years. Drink from 2019.
Initially shy and brooding, it eventually reveals a potpourri of aromas, including forest floor, graphite, wild berry, mint, rose and a balsamic note. The palate delivers layers of ripe red cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, ground pepper, menthol and cinnamon alongside youthfully assertive but ripe tannins. Drink 2019–2031.
From a vineyard that once belonged to the charitable Hospices de Chablis, this is a superrich wine for a Chablis, powered both by acidity and by beautiful ripe fruits. It is bright and tight in character, although it is the richness and the density of the wine that shows most strongly. Drink this powerful wine from 2020.
This wine brings out the structure inherent in this vineyard. Tensely textured with young fruits that have a touch of bitterness, the wine offers kiwi and green plum flavors given a more exotic character with some mango. It's a deeply structured wine that needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Despite its age, this has the depth, concentration and structure to continue to age well through 2022. A blend of 74% Shiraz, 18% Grenache, 6% Cinsault and 2% Tinta Barocca, there's a pure character to the wine—herbal notes of minty fynbos, bark and freshly tilled soil are supported by vibrant plum, raspberry and cherry. There's a minerally graphite seam to the full-bodied palate, ending on lush notes of black pepper, bittersweet cocoa and espresso.
Fulsome notes of ripe, juicy pear lead straight to a fluid, concentrated palate that holds a whole world of ripe pear flavors. This is still deep in its shell, ringing with primary fruit but burying many layers of spiced joy: think marzipan and gingerbread. This is one for laying down that will reward patient drinkers. The deep core of fruit, the concentration on the midpalate and the ultraclean finish all suggest a great future. Drink 2018–2028.
Raisin, horse hide and other heavy, earthy, sun-baked aromas create a somewhat ponderous bouquet. In the mouth, this is jammy but still fully alive, tannic and grabby. Flavors of black plum, boysenberry and herbs end with a reprise of firm tannins, overt oak and related woody flavors. Drink from 2017–2030.
Bursting of sweet yellow cherries, tangerines and peaches, this fragrant, finely filigreed spätlese screams classic Mosel. Searing lemon-lime acidity counters lush, sunny fruit flavors, finishing with a crystalline haze of honey and nectar. It's stunning now, but has plenty of stuffing to carry through 2025 with aplomb.
Touches of exotic spice and crushed minerals lend complexity to sun-kissed peach and melon flavors in this medium-sweet Riesling. It's punchy and spry, full of high-toned acidity and lift, but finishes long, lean and elegant. It's youthful and exuberant now, but should continue to meld beautifully through at least 2027.
This lush, extracted Malbec oozes grapy aromas of blackberry and cassis. The palate matches the nose: it's intense and fully extracted. Toasty oak frames blackberry and marzipan flavors prior to a rich finish that's almost syrupy. This is a monster Malbec. Drink through 2022.
This is a complex wine, jammy and funky in pomegranate and orange notes that are acid-driven but not lacking in fruit or spice components. Soft and silky on the palate, it conveys a twinge of sandalwood to round things out on the long finish.
High in acidity and well-defined minerality, this wine is also soft and velvety, with a sensibility of crushed rocks and preserved lemon. From a younger block of the famed Ritchie Vineyard, it celebrates youthful playfulness on the palate, with a long-lasting, voluptuous finish.
Once again this designate amazes with a surfeit of beautifully integrated flavors. Mushrooms and baking spices adorn an explosion of strawberry pastries. There's plenty of ripe cherry fruit also, and a long, polished, lip-licking finish.
Complex aromas of olive, dried leaves, kirsch and cassis set up a spunky, acid-rich palate that's integrated and well balanced. Flavors of vanilla, herbs, tobacco and earthy plum and raspberry finish with elegance and thoroughness. This intense, pure gran reserva will age well for another 15 years, maybe longer.
This is a full-bodied wine that exudes yellow fruits and a smooth structure. It is ripe, packed with citrus acidity to keep it fresh while the mineral texture is so well-cushioned by the rich fruitiness. It is delicious now with the exuberance of young fruit although it will certainly age and will be even better from 2017.
The nose is still closed, there is an almost smoky aspect and a promise of far more perfume in the future. The palate comes with great concentration of still tightly coiled lemon zest notes but the aftertaste is almost salty. This is dry, linear, muscular and toned, affording glimpses of future grandeur through dense lemon and lime zestiness. Give this some time in bottle. Drink 2018–2030.
Lush prune and raisin aromas stop short of being mushy and make way for fresher notes of black currant and toast. Saturated, dense and chewy on the palate, this tastes ripe and toasty, with hefty blackberry and chocolate flavors. Additional toastiness and peppery spice flavors work the finish on this generous Tempranillo from an excellent vintage. Drink from 2017–2030.
This is the best wine from Liberalia we've reviewed to date. Jammy blackberry, wild raspberry and licorice aromas are controlled but potent. Flush, dense and wide on the palate, this features manageable tannins along with pure blackberry and cassis flavors touched up by toasty oak. Espresso and burnt toast notes take over on the finish as the fruit slips away. Drink through 2030.
Wisps of smoke and slate extend savory, mineral contrasts to sun-kissed grapefruit and tangerine flavors in this penetrating dry Riesling. It's nervy and brisk, anchored by strikes of lime and lemon acidity and a lingering, steely finish. It's a powerful wine that should continue to improve through 2025.
Pure, ripe blackberry aromas are heady, toasty and crisp like burnt bread crust. This Malbec has a profound, drawing mouthfeel defined by full extraction and muscular tannins. Savory flavors of blackberry and roasted plum end with depth, focus and welcome freshness. Drink through 2023.
Very pure notes of red apple and Bosc pear on the nose relax into a juicy, delicious mix on the dry, poised palate. The abundance of fruit cannot conceal the absolute purity and concentration at the core of this dry, structured wine. This strikes a wonderful balance and finishes dry and long.
A rich layer of caramelized honey penetrates through bristling limes, lemons and tangerines in this sprightly medium-sweet Riesling. It's light as a feather yet pulsating with sweet yellow peach and apricot flavors. Vibrantly acidic but nuanced and substantial, it drinks gorgeously now but has enough substance to age well through at least 2025.
Homer is the reserve cuvée, a barrel-selection seemingly chosen for a bit of extra concentration. It retains its elegance, with scents of lavender, incense and Asian spices leading into bright, intense flavors of cherry and plum. The wine gathers itself in the midpalate, showing that fruit density, and finishes with a lick of chocolate. Drink 2018–2030.
A tip of the cap to the Angove family for turning out such an ageworthy wine. It's packed and stacked with mulberry fruit, lashings of vanilla and just a hint of mint. Full-bodied and tannic, it should drink well from 2020–2030.
A blend of 68% Shiraz, 18% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 4% Tinta Barocca, this is one of the finest reds coming out of South Africa today. It is powerful and concentrated, yet elegant and refined, with notes of lush red cherry, raspberry and plum that are complemented by notes of game, pepper and fynbos. Fine yet gripping tannins and tight fruit flavors lend a solid structure to the rich mouthfeel, while notes of peppered berries and mentholated herbs linger long on the finish. Drink 2020–2025.
Crisp lemon and a light touch of oak provide a framework around memorably spicy bits of lemongrass and ginger. Along with a tightness of minerality, there's a complexity and succulence to this wine, which lingers elegantly in all of its elements on the finish.
Bright cherry fruit expands in the glass, with a hard-candy character, juicy acids, and polished tannins. It's forward, as per the vintage, but structured for further development. Pretty spices and a lick of caramel come up in the finish. Drink now through 2025.
Light and a little cloudy in the glass, this is a delicious and deep wine from a vineyard in the eastern Salinas Valley, with lime blossoms, squeezed lemons, wet cement and salted white peach on the nose. The palate deftly pairs chalk, sour cream, and lime zest with dried white peach, sea salt and fresh churned butter.
Soft, gentle fruit of stewed apple shimmers on the nose but on the palate is contained by immense, lemony zestiness. There is real muscle and elegance. The body is dry, slender but concentrated and beautifully clean with inflections of stone. This is a beacon of clarity and clean fruit, shining with a pristine, citrus-kissed purity. Drink 2018–2030.
Stone, earth and hay are about to merge into notions of lanolin and chamomile: clearly this is a maturing wine at an early point of its evolution. The palate is fluid and has the texture of drenched chalky, stone. The fruit is hiding in the wings, only to appear as orange oil here or as apple scent there. The dryness shows every nuance of this earthy, wine from a historic, co-planed vineyard of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. What a triumph. Drink 2016–2026.
Concentrated and rich up front, this has black fruit aromas of prune, blackberry and cassis, with notes of beef and herb. It feels full bodied, filling all corners of the palate. Flavors of black cherry, plum and black currant are ripe, while jammy characteristics of fruit cake and prune work the mellow finish. A blend of 60% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet and 10% Merlot.
An aromatic blend of 46% Viognier, 37% Roussanne, 17% Riesling, this bears complex scents and flavors of oranges and apricots, which are joined by notes of grapefruit and melon, and complemented with juicy acidity. One-third was barrel fermented in neutral oak, and a portion was left on its lees for added texture.
Windthrow is a southern Rhône-style blend—66% Syrah, the rest a mix of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Dense, dark and smoky, it's got a peppery nose, followed by bright raspberry fruit and an accent of roasted game bird. The wine has both lift and length, with sharp acidity.
A blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon, this definitely reflects the cool 2011 vintage in its steely tension. The clean green-fruit flavors are well defined and highlighted with notes of grassy herbs and saline minerality.
This bone-dry, Southern Rhône-style blend consists of 61% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Cinsault and 9% Counoise. Elegant and detailed flavors of light berry and Bing cherry are dusted with a cocoa accent.
A blend of Viognier and Roussanne, this humbly-labeled white is a revelation. On the palate, it has the style and sleekness of fine Burgundy, with flavors running through a spectrum of herb, citrus and tree fruits. This is polished and seductive.
This is a brambly, blueberry-laden Petite Sirah, with black cherry, plum and chocolate highlights. Firm, ripe tannins bring a streak of lemon verbena. It's gently earthy, absolutely flavorful and drinking beautifully.
This exudes notes of ripe yellow fruits while keeping an edge of structure. It's fragrant, with a fine dense texture that brings out acidity and a caramel flavor. It has aging potential, so keep it for over three years.
Smooth and silky, this lovely Viognier begins with flavors of citrus, lemongrass and fresh herb, before continuing into a well-rounded, full-flavored midpalate that hints at just a touch of residual sugar.
The toast character lends a firm structure to this solid, rich wine. A spice note pairs well with the white plum and apricot fruit, and there is a sense that this needs to age for several years in order to bring out its richness and full potential.
Opulent and ripe, this is full of sweet red fruit, with tannins that have absorbed into the fruit. The wood aging acts as support to the rich texture. It is developing well, but could certainly age for four years or more.
Big and quite tannic, this is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. The combination of Red Mountain fruit and the naturally tannic Petit Verdot is balanced against by the tart, juicy berry flavors and the influence from having aged in 100% new French oak. Nothing shy here, but the floral and citrusy aromatics add a welcome layer of complexity.
It's labeled simply Columbia Valley but in fact it's made from all Red Mountain fruit. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, with a splash of Petit Verdot, this is quite ripe and sweetly juicy—like a big bowl of blackberries. Aged in once-used French oak, it has picked up some char and graphite notes.
This is firm, rich and closed, with the fruit showing potential richness under the tight exterior. Packed with notes of wood, spice and a taut texture, this is a wine to enjoy several years down the road. Age for at least five years.
Based on Petit Verdot, this blend is tart and toasty as well as tangy and seemingly slightly sweet from its luscious black fruits. Peppery tannins and highlights of cedar and roasted meat add further interest.
Intensely perfumed, this is herbal but ripe, too, with fig and melon fruit aromas. It's boldly flavored in the same vein, with the only quibble being that it finishes a little short. A solid effort.
The spirit of South Africa's Swartland region shines through on this rustic but fun Shiraz. On the nose, red fruit and a spicy edge lead into big flavors of spice, smoke and fruit. Sturdy tannins give the wine an ageworthy appeal. Pair with grilled meat and heartier flavors for extra enjoyment.
This is an elegant, slightly restrained Pinotage that maintains the local character but offers a more palatable choice for everyday drinking. Pepper, rich berry and spice are balanced by a quiet acidity and long, rich finish. Pair with Moroccan or Indian cuisine.
Always difficult to evaluate young, Steingarten Rieslings typically take several years to even begin opening up and revealing their true charms. This one is bone-dry and medium-bodied, offering austere mineral and lime aromas and flavors. Cellaring through 2015 will undoubtedly be rewarded, and perhaps this rating will appear stingy at that time.
A mouthfilling, off-dry Pinot Gris, Kim Crawford's 2007 continues his success with this variety. Pear and citrus notes finish clean, a refreshing blend of sugar and acid. Drink now.
Fairly big and full-bodied, but not overoaked or overripe, so you get true plum and red-berry flavors, some of Carmenère's herbal side, and a solid finish that offers good spice flavors and proper tannins. Sometimes simple is better, and this wine's no-nonsense approach is what works.
From its slight tinge of copper this wine appears to have had some skin contact, and perhaps that can account for it's almost Pinot Noir-like aromas of strawberries and sous bois. Stone fruit and citrus flavors are round on the palate, then finish fresh and vibrant, underscored by crisp acidity. Drink now.
This is leaner and more citrusy than the majority of plump New Zealand Pinot Gris, but still offers plenty of interest. The apple and pear flavors are clean and precise, outlined by citrus and with a hint of stoniness on the finish.
An elegant combination of citric zest and honeyed curve typifies this wine. On the palate, rounded, luscious honey flavors are balanced by acid and a clean finish. A wine with some substance that will pair well with richer seafood.
Pretty on the nose, with mild apple and pear scents. The wine shows good balance and body, with flavors of pineapple, apple and green melon. It's got all the fruit you could ask for, but some of that fruit is of the sweet banana and plantain family. Which for some means too sweet.
This is a Sauvignon Blanc with more meat and punch than the average white. The nose, crisp, clean and fresh but rounded, leads into a balanced, substantial wine with good acidity and an assertive mouthfeel. Elegant but has character. Could pair with richer dishes.
Light, fresh style, demanding shellfish, with crisp, green acidity and just a hint of creamy baked apple. Just what a Muscadet should be, enjoyable now and for the rest of the year.
An impressively rich Sancerre red, showing plenty of red berry fruits, tight tannins and balanced acidity. Yes, it is not Burgundy, but in 2005 Sancerre could really justify its red wines, and this example, with delicacy and elegance, works well.
Lively spice and minerals lead on the nose of this value white, with a play of fresh lemon citrus and acid offering refreshing character. The wine has body but is light. Perfect for seafood and solo sipping.
A straightforward quaffer with off-dry notes of fresh herbs, whole bell pepper and black currant.
Sauvignon Blanc, yes, but it's a round, tropical fruit style of Sauvignon. It gives a rich texture and and a warm feel to the wine, reinforced by its soft aftertaste. It's ready to drink now.
This is a meaty, brawny Cab, unexpected for a cool vintage from a cool pocket of the Napa Valley. In aromas and flavors, it is dominated by smoke and meaty bacon, with a side of coffee.
A pleasant, easy drinker with notes of red apple, melon and jasmine. It's fleshy in feel with some residual sugar sweetening the finish.
Ripe in color and aromas, this chunky wine delivers heavy baked-berry and raisin aromas in front of a jammy, extracted palate. Raisin and cooked berry flavors finish plump, with earthy notes.
Generous in toasty barrel characteristics of smoky oak and apple crisp, crème brûlée and caramel, this is true to its 100% barrel fermentation and big-boned style.
Citrus and apple aromas are dusty. This is easygoing and just juicy enough, with apple, orange and tangerine flavors. A clean finish turns softer and more mealy the longer it sits.
Dark toast and char lend a spicy woodsiness to this bold, beefy Cabernet Franc. It's concentrated on the palate, with plush plum and blackberry flavors accented by savory tones of earth and animal. Finishes with a thick blanket of velvety tannins.
Potent black-fruit aromas are forward. In the mouth, this is choppy and punchy. Flavors of mint, coconut and jagged black fruits finish oaky and grabby, with tartness. There are many disparate parts to this wine.
Ripe aromas of melon are flabby. This is both chunky yet citrusy in feel, while flavors of orange and lemon are basic. The finish is soft but shows just enough citric acidity to keep things going.
Briny nectarine aromas set up a fresh palate. Standard stone-fruit flavors and apple notes finish steady and a touch sweet, with citric acidity.
While the wine is dominated by youthful acidity, it's red fruits and light structure promise an attractive future. It's fresh and very fruity, with spice and smokiness at the end.
This is a bright and fruity wine, fresh and full of strawberry, cherry and red stone fruits. Plenty of acidity is well integrated into the general fruitiness. Drink now.
A blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this has strong notes of barnyard that take over the wine, with the flavor concentration not able to stand up to it. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
There is a strong steeliness to this wine although it doesn't lose out on fruitiness either. Crisp apples are tempered with pineapple to give a ripe feel, while the end is fresh and mineral.
A bit thin on the nose, this has buttery apple juice aromas. The acidity is a bit off, both tart and mixed with vanilla creaminess, and the flavors are slight with apple candy and tart lemon.
An appealing quaffer with notes of passion fruit, papaya and citrus. It drinks a hair off dry (1.2g/L residual sugar), with moderate concentration, and goes down easy.
Dried, concentrated red fruit and raspberry syrup aromas combine for a delicious smelling nose on this wine from southern Monterey County, near Paso Robles. It is surprisingly thin and rough on the palate, with modest blueberry flavor and peppery spice.
This opens with sensations of underbrush, tobacco, espresso and toasted notes. The extracted palate displays stewed fruit sensations, oak, vanilla, roasted coffee bean and searing alcohol. It's already evolved and ends on an almost sugary-sweet note.
This lean wine delivers oak sensations of espresso, vanilla, coffee bean and oak extract but the fruit has all dried up.
Apple and melon aromas are basic. This feels round, with moderate acidity. Flavors of citrus, peach and nectarine are competent, while the finish takes on a salty note as it loses its fruit character.
Dusty fruit and chemical/plastic aromas are a little off-putting. This feels tight and shows moderate snappy tartaric acid. Flavors of mint, herbs and spiced plum are fair for the variety but green.
Structured and tight, this shows more texture and acidity than fruit. It has a hard edge that suggests extraction and gives a bitter, too-acid aftertaste.
The wine is ripe, rich with full apricot and red apple fruits. It shows a creamy wood-laden character that is spicy and toasty. It's very ready to drink.
Fruit was sourced from the Doc Stewart vineyard, one of the region's oldest, and fermented in American oak. Bright gold in color, it opens with rich scents of buttered nuts, stone fruits, and dusty spices. You will find a lot of flavor for the price, and the wine retains sufficient acidity to brighten up the finish with a lick of minerality.
Very clean and clear, and even though it's a 2009 it is still holding onto its core freshness and character. White fruits and flower blossoms work the nose, and the palate is now fully mature, elegant and smooth. Flavors of peach, melon and kiwi are clean and tasty. Albariño at its best.
A floral perfume combines with notes of smoke, sweet pineapple and candle wax on the nose and palate of this deep gold Vidal Blanc icewine. Vibrant acidity and a hint of bitter tangerine rind on the long, long finish add complexity and structure.
In a firm style, this is a dense wine, its black fruits packed into a solid structure. It has power as well as ripe fruit, with tannins and acidity, and is likely to age for a couple of years.
A strong, spicy, sharp-edged take on Washington Merlot, sourced from a trio of excellent vineyards – StoneTree, Klipsun and Boushey. Dark and meaty, this brings bacon fat and black cherry, cassis and chocolate, in a full-bodied, forward style. Bring on the steak.
The first Boushey vineyard Roussanne from McCrea includes a 25% portion of Grenache Blanc. The wine is sharp and high-toned, with a bit of burn to the finish. The fruit flavors dance around the fringes of tropical, with a softer melon core. Though barrel fermented in neutral oak, some tasty, toasty flavors abound.
Rapidly maturing, with some brick coloring and secondary fruit flavors of prune and raisin. Drinking nicely, and quite delicious. Along with the smooth fruit you get smoke, dust, cocoa and a hint of caramelized sugar.
This is half Tempranillo, one quarter Garnacha, one quarter Monastrell. Pop the cork and right away come aromas with a mix of exotic, seductive spices, vanilla, sweet grain, plum and some bakery sweetness. The fruit is plump and dotted with dried herb, dusted with powdered sugar, open and expansive.
This is the artist label Merlot; a firm, spicy expression of fruit from the Lewis vineyard. Threads of liquid smoke, spice and coffee are woven into the red fruits—a mix of strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors. Still young and sharp, it has some heat in the finish. Additional bottle age recommended.
Made from 100% Sangiovese, grown on the shores of Lake Chelan, one of Washington's newest and smallest AVAs. The extra year in bottle has softened and opened the aromas, which bring exceptional complexity to what might appear to be a more simple wine. Not just fruity, though there is plenty of tangy strawberry nectar, along with hints of orange peel and chai tea. The complexity here is remarkable.
There is a definite feeling of maturity here. The wine has a fine tang of fruit along with toast, vanilla and hints of grapefruit and apple. This opulent Champagne is ready to drink now.
With black cherry fruits, spice and a leathery character, this is a firm, tight wine. It does have plenty of fruit and acidity to go with the tannins. There's a chunky feel to it, the acidity waiting to come through on the finish.
A pleasant, medium-bodied Shiraz that features piles of ripe berries alongside a touch of rhubarb-like herbaceousness. Reasonably concentrated and long; turns crisp on the finish.
Opens with tight black cherry and raspberry aromas, but also a whiff of pine and chemical. The palate is round, full and tannic, with snappy berry flavors accented by balasmic notes, oak resin and vanilla. Finishes with traditional vanilla-dill notes and a slight stemminess.
Dark purple in color, with can't-miss aromas of prune and raisin. The palate is predictably soft, with manageable heft but low acidity and thus very soft edges. Flavors of baked black fruits are warm but short, and the oak is plentiful. A little too ripe and raisiny to rate higher.
An improvement from recent years, but that may be a reflection of when we're tasting the wine. At this point in time it's showing dusty plum and raspberry aromas and good body weight. The flavors of raspberry and cherry are solid, while the finish is cleansing. Beyond palatable; it's really a nice rosé from Tempranillo.
This red has a fruity, jammy nose with a peppery kick. On the palate it's a mixture of spicebox, cherry, coffee and pepper. Approachable and well made—a good everyday drinking red.
Roll out the barrel as far as aromas go; it's got a lot of toast and popcorn. The palate is creamy and smooth, with apple, peach and a fairly high level of sweetness. Regular on the finish, with some leftover popcorn and spiced apple.
Warm, baked aromas smell of clay and raisin, and later a wave of minty green enters the picture. The palate is sort of lean, with some holes in the fabric, while flavors of wild berry and black fruits fold in a heavier note of molasses. Limited in its virtues; short in complexity.
Reddish in color, with raspberry and other high-toned aromas. The palate is fleshy but clean, with good acidity pushing slightly sweet cherry and raspberry flavors. Finishes with sugar and a good mouthfeel. Gets the job done.
An unusual wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah and Merlot. It's floral but underdeveloped, with volatility and stunted fruit. The palate has punch and size but also saucy, herbal flavors and a leathery, salinic finish. Shows flashes but it doesn't dance in the mouth.
Sweet it is, but given the price it is good wine with mass appeal. Apple, pear and mellow citrus aromas and flavors feature zero funk or mealy character, and the finish offers a dab of butterscotch. Shows mild residual sugar but many consumers will like that.
A grabby wine with earthy/mulchy aromas, licorice and prune aromas. The palate has a balsamic character to the black cherry and dark plum flavors, and the finish is more of the same. Solid enough but it doesn't vary much or improve along the way.
A simple, fruity quaffer, this is almost confected in its rush of red currants and cherries, yet stays balanced thanks to crisp acidity and a clean, fresh finish. Drink it over the next year or two.
Blueberry, blackberry and cherry on the nose are followed by integrated but sophisticated flavors of cherry, dark fruit and spice. A friendly, elegant wine with some aging potential; pair with venison, beef.
Very soft, rounded wine, with yellow fruits, peaches and apricots vying with spice from wood for supremacy. At the heart, there is some steely character, but this is a big-hearted, full-on wine.
The days of the 90-point Best Buy are growing short, so rejoice over this excellent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Petit Verdot. The nose hits with solid mint, coconut, blackberry and fudge aromas, while the palate is ripe, snappy, alert and full of tasty blackberry, cherry and chocolate. It's clean as can be, with immaculate freshness given its price point. Drink up. Only 500 cases made.
From 10-year-old vines at a vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains east of town, this is a lush and loamy Syrah, smelling and tasting of moist earth, game and blood. There are some roasted tomato flavors along with light red fruits, but this is no wimpy wine; in fact, it gathers strength and concentration as it sits in the mouth, suggesting that it needs more years in the bottle to fully emerge from its shell.
Open and soft, with rich, attractive flavors of caramel, milk custard and peaches. There is ripeness in abundance, followed by great intensity of flavor. Subtle wood underlies the wine.
With its light touch and fresh acidity over the delicate honey flavors, this is an immediately delicious dessert wine that doesn't dominate by knock-out richness, but by its finesse. Acidity goes hand in hand with the ripe pineapple and peach flavors. Worth aging, maybe 4–5 years. Glass stopper.
Dark, dense and very modern in style, with captivating aromas and obvious richness. At 14.5%, this is big, New World Pinot Noir. But its flavors of black cherry, raspberry and cola nut are elevated and brush up against world class. With a cool finish, steady acidity and tannins, and fine purity, Alazan ranks as one of South America's few top-tier Pinot Noirs.
The relatively unknown Côte de Léchet vineyard is on the southern bank of the Serein river, which gives it a cool exposure. The result in 2006 is a wine that is light, delicate, floating on fresh green fruits and honeyed toast. It needs food, with its crisp, fine finish.
Aggressively tannic, this is an earthy red wine with a lot of barrel influence. The fruit vanishes into a mélange of pepper, clove, coffee and tannin.
Tropical on the nose with lots of melon, guava and pineapple, this is reminiscent of fruit cocktail on both the nose and palate. Despite it's juicy profile, however, it lacks in intensity, but a clean minerality and bright, citrusy acidity keep it refreshing.
Concentrated and rich with strong kirsch and raspberry jam flavors that fill the medium-weight mouth. A touch of spice appears on the close, but otherwise this is a straightforward and easygoing quaff.
Light on fruit but loaded with mocha and milk chocolate aromas. The palate is lean to average in feel and lightly stewed tasting, with creamy, soupy red berry flavors as the backdrop. Finishes with a persistent baked   flavor and a final dollop of milk chocolate.
The nose delivers solid, generally clean berry aromas with lift. The palate is bouncy, shows decent acidity, and bumps along while offering standard red berry flavors in front of a light, medicinal finish. Good everyday Cab for the price.
Rubber and earth aromas lead to a mix of berry fruit scents and a pinch of vinegar. It's firm in the mouth, with cranberry and herbal raspberry flavors. Gives about as much as it can but at the same time it shows a tart, basic, mildly herbal DNA.
Smoky, meaty aromas, with bacon flavors, bitter coffee and spice. It is rustic, its texture ragged around the edge. A wine that demands spicy barbecue food.
Smells like air freshener and white flowers. The palate is spongey and a bit low on life, while the flavors lean toward citrus but lack purity and zap, which is further drilled in on the waxy finish. Once upon a time Basa was a leading white value from Spain; lately it has been average at best.
This is an unusual white blend from Mallorca that uses the native Premsal grape along with 15% Muscat. It smells a little funky and sweaty, and while the feel is angular the palate isn't bad. Tastes sort of fruitless, with a bit of green melon. O.K. for a weird wine, but it's hollow and short on flavor.
A very light Syrah, with pleasant watermelon and raspberry fruit, that hangs in there until the fairly soft tannins take over.
An off-dry blend of Viognier, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, this has a full midpalate with plenty of peach and apricot fruit. From there it stays simple and slightly sweet right through the finish.
This starts off nicely enough, with hints of cherries, rose petals and cedar, but the promise isn't quite fulfilled on the palate, which is lightweight and simple, with cedar- and coffee-tinged oak gradually taking over.
Freshly squeezed lemons, lime and pretty white florals perfume this dry, medium-bodied Pinot Grigio. The palate is clean with juicy white grapefruit flavors and some interesting minerality, but it's a bit lacking in concentration.
Saint Clair's main 2008 Pinot Noir features tart, pie-cherry fruit with some slightly woody, stemmy notes running through it. It's medium-bodied, with a bit of bitter char to the finish. Drink now.
Bright, fresh wine with a light wood touch. The acidity highlights black currant flavors exacerbated by some greenness.
From Guenoc a blend of Bordeaux varieties (43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petite Verdot, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc) that veers into the overly tannic side of Cab without quite the right balance of fruit. Not much on the nose or finish.
This 100% Sangiovese from this Sierra Foothills Sangiovese specialist has a giant mouthfeel, full of plummy and earthy dark cherry and caramel molasses. As big as the wine is, the tannins are softened and the wine has a long finish. An excellent wine to pair with Italian sausage, risotto or so many other Italian-inspired meals.
A round, fruit-powered, appealing mix of delicious citrus, berry and plum flavors. Highlights of orange peel and baking spices are underscored by bracing acidity. Sourced entirely from the Clawson Creek estate vineyard.
A sweet wine, but lively, touched by honey, its acidity coming through as delicious final fruit and spice.
For a 2009, this has wonderfully vibrant and racy acidity, which balances its slight sense of sweetness perfectly. Scents of petrol and damp moss give way to tart apple, pineapple and citrus flavors, which finish long and crisp.
Saturated and black as night, with floral aromas mixed with earth, juniper and pruney fruit. Meaty and dark flavors ride on a bed of leathery, grabby tannins. Spicy, meaty and a touch herbal on the grinding, tannic finish.
A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties (61% Cab Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 7% Cab Franc and 7% Malbec), mostly from the Del Arroyo Vineyard, Supremacy is young winemaker Collin Cranor's showcase of what the right fruit and the right winemaking in Livermore Valley can do with the right vision. Juicy, full and fruity, the wine has considerable length and texture, great cherry-berry flavors, the whole package decently balanced.
Rex Hill makes a wide assortment of Pinots; this sports the black label and is widely available and fruit forward. It's loaded with raspberry and cherry flavors and dusted with a bit of clean earth. There is a typical (for Oregon) streak of Dr. Pepper flavor as well. Overall a nice bottle for immediate enjoyment.
This is a peachy, plump Riesling that's mouthfilling yet not overly soft. The fruity flavors of peach and melon carry a touch of citrus and mineral on the finish. For drinking now and over the next several years.
Made with 100% native grape Cortese, this opens with aromas of apricot, white spring flower and a hint of beeswax. The medium-bodied palate delivers white peach, honeydew melon and a hint of white almond alongside bright acidity.
Well-modulated fruit and spice flavors rest on a moderately tannic and velvety texture, giving this dry wine a suave feel despite being full bodied. Blended with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Petite Sarah, it's also one of the best values in a big, beefy Cabernet.
Blended with 13% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the aromas offer notes of herb, cherry and spice. The palate shows a very pretty, elegant styling that carries through the finish. It shows a touch of greenness and finishes a bit warm.
Funky aromas of game, truffle and a faint whiff of barnyard carry over to the medium-bodied palate along with black cherry jam, cinnamon and a hint of vanilla. A salty note closes the finish. It's surprisingly ripe for the vintage, with chewy tannins and an immediate if somewhat rustic charm.
Aromas of cigar box, green herb, asphalt and cherry are followed by sweet fruit flavors that display a very pretty sense of styling. It doesn't quite all come together but delivers plenty of intrigue, showing a fine sense of elegance.
Smoky aromas, rich dark-fruit flavors and a plush mouthfeel add up to a powerful, concentrated wine. Made from Syrah, Mataró (Mourvèdre) and other Rhône grape varieties, it has a mouthcoating richness, nice depth to the blackberry flavors and a lingering finish.
The nose already hints at juicy ripeness, while the palate makes the promise manifest with an explosion of ripe and juicy red and black-cherry flavors. This wine is easy and fruit-driven, bouncing exuberantly on the palate. It can be chilled and would be fun at picnics where a lively but not heavy red with just a little grip is just the ticket.
New oak, chopped herb, dark spice and menthol aromas lead the nose. The tense linear palate offers raspberry, dried sour cherry, star anise and a minty note alongside bracing close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Give the tannins time to unwind. Drink after 2020.
This blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Roussanne and 10% Clairette is medium-bodied and silky in texture. The nose features hints of crushed stone, underripe pear and melon, then fills out with slightly riper notes on the palate. Drink now.
Light in color, this wine brings brooding aromas of red fruit, herb, spice and tire rubber. The red-fruit flavors are light and elegant, pulling up toward the finish.
Blossomy and perfumed, this exuberant Viognier offers loads of juicy cantaloupe and tangerine flavors. It's uncharacteristically light in body, lacking the variety's typical heft and unctuousness, but its crisp refreshing style makes it quite quaffable.
Briary, oaky, stalky berry aromas lead to a full-bodied palate with tomatoey acidity. Savory plum and berry flavors include notes of oak grain and tomato that lead to a steady finish. Overall, this is a classic Rioja from an excellent vintage. Drink through 2022.
Aromas of blackberry, violet and cooking spice lead the nose. On the vibrant palate, hints of clove and almond accent black cherry while smooth tannins provide easygoing support. Enjoy soon.
A blend of 60% Barbera, 20% Pinot Nero, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit and leafy underbrush. The firm palate delivers blackberry, nutmeg and cinnamon alongside fresh acidity and smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (53%), Syrah (22%), Mourvèdre (17%), Counoise (5%) and Cinsault. Smoke, char and black pepper aromas are predominant along with notes of tire rubber, white pepper and red fruit. The red-fruit flavors are lighter in style, showing a pretty sense of styling.
This wine comes from older vines at Conner Lee, Dionysus and Elephant Mountain vineyards. Light aromas of herb, dark plum, menthol and licorice lead to quite sweet full-bodied fruit flavors and a warm finish. It delivers a sense of hedonism and unabashed appeal, though the variety doesn't seem entirely clear.
Peppery spice, cassis fruit and some savory notes sum up this medium-bodied wine. It's just not that complex or concentrated, but it remains an attractive wine for near-term consumption. Drink it with grilled meats to help balance the dry, dusty tannins that poke out on the finish.
Violet, blackberry and plums on the nose are followed by unctuous, dark berry flavors in his affordable red. The wine has body but is buoyed by good structure and acidity. A very god alternative to everyday reds, and with a more mysterious overall character.
Plan de Dieu is a broad, stony plain near Gigondas that's an underrated commune. This is a firmly built, medium-bodied wine, with lifted, floral aromas and bright cherry and raspberry fruit. chocolate notes emerge on the finish, which simultaneously shows some dusty tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink now–2022.
This medium- to full-bodied wine is smooth in texture, not overly firm or tannic. Floral and peppery notes accent cassis-tinged fruit, which finishes in a flourish of supple tannins. Drink now–2022.
This Cretan indigenous white offers aromas of toast, lime and grapefruit with following g flavors pf peach, lemon and spice. The wine has seen oak but offers a brisk edge. Pair with poultry and light fish dishes.
Savory spice and roasted meat aromas lead into flavors of tomato, olives and roasted meat. The wine has a brisk acidity and a smoky finish, making it perfect for grilled burgers, steaks and sausages.
While this is certainly on the higher end of South African Shiraz price points, it's worth the investment. The intense bouquet is loaded with rich dark cherry, raspberry, sweet spice and small wild strawberries. All-spice and pepper dominate the creamy mouth, with opulent flavors of meaty plum, roasted espresso and black cherry guts. Full and powerful in the mouth with a strong vanilla-accented finish. Delicious now but worthy of cellar time as well.
Penley's Reserve Cabernet sees 100% new French oak, but handles it well, blending coffee and brown sugar elements with fruitier notes of plum and a hint of mint. It's full-bodied and lushly textured, with smoky, cedary oak wrapped around a core of dark fruit. Drink now–2016.
The name refers to the fact that Madiran is on the Greenwich Meridian of zero degrees longitude. The wine, from a single parcel, is bold and black in character and color. It is firmly tannic, with plenty of balancing acidity, but the tannins are sweet, now softening into the superripe fruits and chocolate flavors. It will fully mature in the next 2–3 years.
Intense wild berry and pomegranate fruit anchors a spicy, balanced, ageworthy Syrah with notes of Provençal herbs. Tart and still quite young, it is already nicely melded together. Spicy/herbal/peppery aromas show just a hint of a green edge, leading into the characteristic Boushey aromatics of violets, with notes of earth and truffle and ground coffee.
A kitchen-sink blend of five grapes produces an excellent result. Borobo blends Pinot Noir and Syrah with your standard Bordeaux varieties, and the finished product is minty and rich, with coconut, shoe polish and crusty aromas in front of syrupy, roasted flavors of brown sugar and baked berries. Toast and mocha are the finishing notes. A chunky wine to drink now.
Still young, steely and firm, but classy and deep. This has the best attributes of the '05 and '06 Columbia Valley Cabs from Seven Hills—ripe and polished black fruits, firm tannins, a supple finish with a veneer of smoke and licorice. In other words, this is a complete, complex and intriguing Bordeaux blend, with plenty of aging potential.
Penetrating aromatically, spicy and complex, this brings in sharp berry scents, baking chocolate and a streak of herb. It's tight and vertically structured, and once in the mouth it turns a bit hard and unyielding. But it lingers and resonates, improves after being open for several hours, and can be cellared for up to a decade.
This captivating wine treads the line between Rhône and Bordeaux. A splash of Cabernet, though just a fraction of the blend, stands out. The wine has depth and persistence, and the mix of grapes works well, showing brambly red fruits, like a Zin, spice and pepper, like Syrah, and some herbal and leafy tobacco in the finish. Complex, unique and quite appealing.
The blend includes old vine (1972 planting) Cabernet from Sagemoor, along with some Klipsun fruit and Seven Hills Merlot. This shows solid winemaking, excellent varietal character, and the structure to age gracefully. The tight cassis fruit is delineated with details of tarragon, rosemary and thyme.
This is an untamed traditional-style wine that is tannic to its core and may require 20 years to reach its peak of enjoyment. It has aromas of blackberry and black pepper, flavors of espresso and bitter chocolate and a titanic structure built with layer after layer of muscular tannins that leave quite an astringent effect on the finish. Best after 2025.
Kendall-Jackson helped define the buttery oaky Chardonnay movement, and this bottling plays that card quite strongly. Oak meets with roasted nuts, sea salt, pecan brittle and Gravenstein apple on the nose. The rounded palate shows sandalwood, candied walnuts and chamomile, though oak is very prominent as well.
This blend of 57% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne and 3% Grenache Blanc manages to be very light and crisp on the nose, with aromas of underripe nectarine and apricot as well as lemon peels and crushed white rocks. There is a defined grip to the sip, with lemon and nectarine flavors.
While the wine is dry from the austere tannins, it also has a core of ripe berry fruits that are laced with acidity. It should develop some more and the tannins will soften, although they will always be very present. Drink from early 2018.
This blend of 67% Stonetree Vineyard Syrah and 33% Arianses Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. delivers vanilla, baking spice and dried cherry notes. Its fruit flavors are sweet but seem dried out. Drink now.
This is a very wood-driven bottling, starting with strong cigar box on the nose alongside broad lilac, baked blackberry, spearmint and slate aromas. Cedar spice dominates the palate, allowing just hints of blueberry and wild herbs to emerge. It presents balanced tannin and acidity.
This is ripe and fruity with attractive red-fruit flavors and a touch of tannins to keep it all in place. The wine is soft with just a layer of tannin and plenty of red cherries at the end.
This wine combines fruit from several notable vineyards, including Goldrock Ridge, Thale's Estate and Wildcat Mountain. Together, they drive a focused expression of smoky dark fruit and tart, moderate acidity. The fruit shows a depth of ripeness that's intense, with a finish of spicy black tea.
A round and generous wine, the pair of an equally rich red wine, this is full and ripely fruity. A soft, creamy texture underlines the broad fruitiness. The apple and melon fruit is softening and filling to give a delicious, ready-to-drink wine.
Rooty aromas of licorice and sarsparilla are out front, followed by a big wave of barrel char. This wine feels good but a little abrupt and choppy. Savory flavors of barbecue and meaty berry fruits finish blackened and peppery, with a lasting note of charred wood.
Roasted aromas of tomato and red plum are spicy. This has a chunky, blocky mouthfeel that's searching for its groove. Herbal plum and tomato flavors finish a bit raw in feel and salty in flavor.
This wine is brightly aromatic, with raspberry, mint, herb and woodspice notes. The palate is full of plush, plump fruit flavors that provide appeal, despite the prominent alcohol.
In this blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, vanilla, carob, herb, green wood and dark fruit aromas are followed by fruit and oak-derived flavors in equal proportion. It shows restraint but doesn't come together.
Lighter in the glass, this bottling shows garrigue, rose petals and buds and bright pomegranate aromas on the nose. It's lighter bodied on the sip, and would be nice on a summer day with a slight chill, offering flavors of cranberry, raspberry, thyme and marjoram.
Anise, barrel spice, clove, vanilla and plum scents lead to full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors in this wine. It shows some warmth on the finish, with lingering purple fruit and pepper notes.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (17%) and Petit Verdot brings vanilla, baker's chocolate, woodspice, dried herb and cherry aromas. It's medium bodied on the palate, with cherry flavors and cinnamon accents throughout.
Cabernet Sauvignon (54%) takes the lead in this wine, followed by Merlot (31%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). The aromas are all high toned, including spice, dried dark fruit and herb notes. The black fruit shows depth, framed by lightly dry tannins and a gamy flavor that lingers on the finish.
Fermented in neutral oak barrels and aged sur lie for 7 months, this wine, which includes 6% Viognier, brings herb, honeycomb, pear and orange peel aromas. It drinks dry, with sleek, citrusy flavors.
This opens with oak, coconut, toast and camphor aromas while the tightly wound palate offers Marasca cherry, espresso, mocha and star anise flavors. It's still oak-dominated, with raspy tannins that grip the finish. Drink after 2021.
This has violet, black-skinned berry and herb aromas. The bright, savory palate offers juicy raspberry, star anise and clove flavors alongside velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. Enjoy through 2020.
Crisp and bright, this wine has retained plenty of acidity even in this ripe vintage. Attractive and spicy, it offers citrus fruits as well as apricots. Drink now.
A handful of vineyards and additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot make up the whole of this wine, a cool-climate style accented in spicy red currant, cherry and woody tannin. With an earthiness of compost and wood, it shows a touch of reduction as it finishes.
Velvety smooth, and brimming with ripe berry flavors, this wine feels broad and rich on the palate, carrying flavors like black plums and boysenberry jam. So ripe it's almost sweet, the wine is nothing if not generous and fruity. A 7% addition of Port-style sweet wine gives it that extra dimension.
Light and lean on entry, this wine builds up steam and power as it develops in the glass, becoming a robust exploration of rhubarb and cranberry. The texture on the palate is velvety and moderately rich, dotted in sultry spice.
This full-bodied and beautifully flavored wine goes deep in terms of ripe fruit and subtle spices, and has a calm, composed character and ultrasmooth, slightly restrained texture. Delicious black-cherry and currant notes come out in the bouquet, weave through the palate and linger on the finish.
The Daou brothers' heady blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon is very dark in the glass, offering blueberry, espresso, cream and dark chocolate ganache on the lush nose. Blackberry jam, tobacco, pencil lead and oregano show on the palate, where firm structure and juicy acidity leaves the mouth uplifted.
Baked plum, smoked pork, red currant and fresh oregano show on the clean nose of this blend of 53% Grenache, 31% Syrah and 16% Mourvèdre. Baked strawberry, boysenberry and red currant show on the palate at first, but it quickly evolves into dried flowers and extra spicy vanilla, all framed by a tarry tension and biting acidity.
While this wine is firm, with some fine tannins, it also has a pure line in fresh strawberry fruits that will develop as the tannins soften. This perfumed wine will develop slowly. Drink from 2020.
Hints of peach and blossom tell of aromatic varieties in this field blend. The palate confirms this with the rich, almost oily texture of rose oil. This is off dry but balanced: the richness seems to be contained in a cloud that bursts into aromatic atoms the moment you swallow. This makes you long for more and want to delve into the earthy, chalky depths.
The fruit intensity and depth in this full-bodied and beautifully balanced wine is gorgeous to taste. Black cherry, red cherry and cassis flavors run through it, while velvety tannins add a great mouthfeel. A nice sense of viscosity carries through to the finish.
Delicately perfumed and elegant, this offers scents of jasmine, Spanish broom, beeswax and pear. The aromas follow through to the understated palate along with citrus and mineral. Vibrant acidity provides the framework. Drink 2018 through 2023.
Citrus, acacia flower, white stone fruit and a whiff of honey are some of the alluring scents you'll find on this vibrant, refined white. The taut, well-structured palate doles out white peach, apricot, honey and hazelnut energized by flinty mineral. Give this a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2018 through 2025.
Enticing scents of white spring flower, Spanish broom, Mediterranean herb and orchard fruit come together in the glass. On the elegant, full-bodied palate, a mineral vein underscores ripe pear, peach, candied citrus and mineral. Fresh acidity lifts the creamy flavors.
For aged Ribera del Duero, this is right on target. An elegant, lightly leafy nose with lemony oak and tobacco notes along with dried berry and plum aromas is spot on and classy. The palate feels plump and honest, with moderate tannins. Flavors of earthy plum and berry, tobacco and a pantry's worth of spice finish full and chunky. Drink through 2022.
Produced in a small, 1.5-acre vineyard, this wine is named after a Boissieu ancestor from the 18th century. It is a rich wine, beautifully perfumed and with a rich, lightly wooded texture that shines with yellow fruits and juicy acidity. It is still young and really should age. Drink from 2018.
A sensational value, this is a Pinot lover's wine, beginning with the gorgeous color of a deep red/orange sunset. Cherries, chocolate, and a light touch of orange peel elevate the aromatics and inform the well-integrated midpalate. The wine lingers gracefully through an immaculate finish.
From the southern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges, this small premier cru has produced a dark and structured wine with plenty of dry tannins that need to age. It is concentrated and firm, the tannins backed up by generous black-plum fruits. Drink this wine from 2022.
While this wine has generous swathes of ripe fruit, it also has plenty of the dark tannins that are found in the northern part of the appellation. It is dense in character, packed equally with concentrated tannins and with red-berry fruits. The wine will age well; drink from 2022.
This Syrah and Carmenère blend is bold but elegant, with ripe, spicy, bullish aromas that tell of what's to come. That would be a muscle-ripped palate with depth. Blackberry, black cherry, spice and blackened toast flavors finish in smoky darkness, with toasty length. This is a serious wine for red meats. Drink through 2025.
From the southern part of Nuits-St-Georges, this ripe while structured wine has considerable potential. With its acidity, intense red-berry flavors and a firm background of tannins, it is poised for long aging. The toasty character needs to integrate with the fruit. Drink this impressive wine from 2020.
Steel and honey meld from nose to finish in this light-footed dry Riesling. The palate boasts spine-tingling lime and lemon flavors intensified by a concentrated sheen of petrol. It's a spry, deeply mineral wine that finishes with remarkable persistence.
A handsome vein of toasted oak flavor runs through this opulently ripe wine from the aroma to the lingering finish. Along the way firm tannins and bright acidity buoy up the lavishly concentrated blackberry and boysenberry elements to present a dry, nicely textured and appetizingly tannic wine.
This wine is a tour de force, dripping with luscious fruit flavor and packing power in the full-body and lip-smacking texture. The aromas are classic, ripe raspberry and blackberry, lightly spiced with oak, and the flavors ooze more wild berry and pomegranate. With concentration like this and a lively structure of fine tannins, it's good to drink now but will improve through 2020.
Intense minerality shows at the forefront of this dry, boldly structured wine. It's still youthful, appearing tight and closed, but its solidity of structure, deeply textured palate and stony, slaty complexities all shine through. A wisp of honey glazes a long finish. Enjoy from 2020 through 2025 to allow its nuances to develop.
While often ignored in favor of its more famous countryman (Riesling), Silvaner offers a freshness and purity of green fruit and herb that's delightful. This dry, yet lusciously full-bodied bottling is particularly rich in texture, glimmering with ripe green plums and yellow cherries. Fresh lime acidity brightens the midpalate leading a long, slightly chalky finish.
Very fresh and inviting aromas of blueberry, plum, rich rose petal and vanilla bean show on the nose of this blend of 65% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 5% Tannat. Once sipped, mulberry, vanilla and red cherry mesh with lavish clove and baking spice, creating an elegant and layered wine.
This wine combines both the richer, ripe style of Pinot Noir with an underripe, herbaceous strategy. Dill, thyme, bay leaf and camphor show on the nose, as does dense elderberry and cranberry. The palate offers much woody intensity as well as green olives, baked tomatoes, peppercorns and annatto seeds, yet also shows baked black plum as the core fruit. Quite an intriguing combo.
This tiny-production wine continues to impress vintage after vintage, a small project of the Nunes family, who otherwise farm Nunes Vineyard. Aged in a selection of new and once and twice-used French oak, it impresses in wound-up kirsch, baked bread and cardamom spice, remaining both high toned and smoothly complex on the palate. Rose petals and citrus flirt into the body of the wine as well as the finish.
The sun-drenched vineyards of the Pfalz are known for their bold, almost tropical wines, but there's a savory mineral nuance here too that lends deeper dimension. Richly concentrated flavors of ripe, ruddy peach and nectarine are offset by throbbing tangs of sea salt and crushed chalk. Dry and boldly structured, its unctuous, almost oily mouthfeel lingers deliciously on the finish.
Made with 100% dried Zibibbo grapes, this complex dessert wine offers aromas of fresh apricot, tangerine jam and a hint of sage. The rich palate doles out mature yellow peach, candied fig and a touch of lemon peel while bright acidity lends freshness and balance.
This single-clone, estate-grown wine shows exemplary concentration. Deeply sculpted fruit flavors roll from peach to papaya, with streaks of buttery caramel. Everything is in proportion, with a most pleasing finish.
Inky dark in the glass, this blend of 48% Syrah, 39% Grenache and 13% Mourvèdre offers up dense and potent blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas, enhanced by black pepper and bacon-fat richness. Blackberry fruit starts the sip and then it deepens into earth, tobacco and smoke. It's a fine study of darkness.
Toasty, warm, lusty dark-berry aromas are laced with a subtle animal accent. This is a big wine, with a fleshy, tannic, muscular feel. Flavors of blackberry, mocha and chocolate finish in fine form, with moderate tannic grip and all sorts of length. Drink this excellent Toro through 2022.
Tasted alongside the 2013, this is bigger, bolder, fruitier and more powerful, yet a touch less refined. The strawberry and cherry fruit is underscored with a pleasing minerality. The tannins are substantial and in proportion. A hint of chicken stock runs through the finish.
Paler than typical for Australian rosés, this is more in the style of southern France. It's light to medium in weight, with a crisp, refreshing feel and bright berry and lime zest flavors. Drink now.
A full-bodied, robust expression of the variety from an appellation that can sometimes be relatively cool, this shows deft characteristics of savory pepper, cedar and a tightness of lively acidity. While fresh it's also heavy, with a finish of black tea.
Turkey Flat's rosé has been an Aussie staple for more than decade. The 2015 is 92% Grenche, with the balance a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Dolcetto and Mataro. Crushed stone and red berry scents lead the way, followed by flavors that are reminiscent of white chocolate and strawberries. It's fairly weighty for a rosé, with a long, slightly viscous finish.
Hard, rubbery blackberry and black-currant flavors are herbal but settle with airing. This feels round, fresh and fair. Flavors of spiced plum, blackberry, carob and generic spices finish dark and foresty, with good overall balance.
This balanced, ripe and fruity wine is already refreshing and crisp. Plenty of red-currant flavors go along with the lively acidity and bright aftertaste.
Punchy berry aromas lead to a fresh, direct palate with fairly sharp acidity. This shows flavors of plum, berry, herbs and spice, which are standard for Rioja. A lasting finish with mild oak and acidic snap wraps up this easy-to-gauge Crianza.
After 12 months in 22% new French oak, this well-made wine offers pleasing scents of toast and butter. Similar flavors are married to clean apple and pear. Drink now through 2020.
Light honey on red apple and apple blossom aromas show on this blend of 42% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne. The flavors combine honey brittle with lemon skins, ripe Borsch pear and a warmer yellow melon fruit element.
Grapefruit and orange peel aromas are followed by a balance of white peach and lemon on the palate. Brisk but fuller-bodied, the wine has a viscous mouthfeel that finishes clean. This is a food-friendly wine to pair with fresh fish and poultry.
This wine is fresh, crisp with acidity and an attractive zingy character. It has a lift and brightness along with hints of yellow fruits and a touch of spice.
This is a young, perfumed wine with attractive red fruits. While the wood is showing at the moment, that will fade as the wine develops, giving a fresh, raspberry-dominated wine. Drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, full of yellow fruits that are balanced with crisp acidity. That gives a balanced wine that is juicy, perfumed and rich. The aftertaste is equally attractive, showing lemon-zest flavor.
Pale in color, this ripe, perfumed wine is packed with red fruits. It is smooth, rich and only lightly textured with a tannic character. It conveys a nervy, mineral-textured aftertaste.
This wine is serious in style, from the deep, dark color to the tempting touch of oak in the aroma to the plump but tangy fruit flavors. Its full body and nicely tannic texture gives it some grip on the palate.
Fresh apple blossoms, lemon-lime soda and fragrant key lime pie aromas waft off of this bottling from the hillside vineyard that was one of the first in California to offer this grape. Similar key lime flavors show on the palate as does freshly squeezed pear juice, which offers a ripe, rounded character.
Aromas of ripe berry, grilled herb and a whiff of wild flower lead the nose. The fresh, enjoyable palate offers fleshy red cherry, nut and mineral alongside bright acidity.
Light red cherry, dried sage, black tea and thyme show on the nose of this bottling from the iconic facility in the heart of its namesake valley. There is a lot of action on the palate, where tart cherry and plum skin flavors meet with dried mint and earthy shrub elements.
Smoky notes of roasted meat and white pepper spice up the plum skins and blackberry fruit that show on the nose of this bottling. The smoke is also prominent on the sip, where graphite minerality frames the blueberry and blackberry fruit. The character of slightly burnt balsamic reduction sauce also shows through.
Longtime value producer Firesteed has another winner. This pretty Pinot shows excellent ripeness and full-bodied fruit flavor, thanks to the southern-Oregon components. Strawberries and tart raspberries come through cleanly, with a touch of cola in the aftertaste.
Inviting scents of hay and chamomile lead the nose while the succulent palate offers juicy lemon, mature apple, peach and Mediterranean herb. Bright acidity lifts the finish.
It's a treat to taste this varietal that is so popular in Italy, but rarely bottled by California wineries. This is a big-impact wine that is not overly full bodied. It is dark colored, full of dark-fruit flavors like blackberry and black fig, and moderately tannic but also fresh and lively.
Bright and refreshing, this offers aromas of orchard fruit and citrus. The lively palate delivers white peach, mature pear and nectarine alongside crisp acidity while a mineral note signals the close.
Aromas and flavors like raisins and dried figs, together with full body and a fairly thick texture make this wine mouth filling and rich. It's nice and dry, yet the flavors are so ripe that a sense of sweetness comes through.
Brambly berry and heaps of brown sugar combine for a thick, soft and richly layered wine that pushes the limits in terms of ripeness. It has small amounts of Mourvèdre, Charbono and Carignane blended throughout and was aged in one-third new French oak.
Delicate scents of lemon blossom, spring wild flower and citrus waft out of the glass. The vibrant, easygoing palate doles out nectarine, aromatic herb, white peach and a mineral note alongside bright acidity.
Citrus and red-fruit aromas make for an attractive, perfumed wine. On the palate, a fresh character comes from the red currant and raspberry fruits. It is light and bright with a tight, mineral aftertaste.
Vibrant but slightly reduced aromas of canned pear, jasmine, flowers and peach are followed by off-dry-leaning sweeter fruit flavors. It brings appeal but needs more acid to stand it up.
A strong, smoky, grilled-sage aroma and similar flavors give this wine plenty of personality. It's medium bodied, dry and shows the herbal side of the variety, with a lively mouthfeel and light tannins.
Made from Sangiovese, this opens with delicate aromas of red berry and baking spice. The fresh simple palate presents red plum and clove alongside easygoing tannins. Enjoy soon.
Very mellow and mature tasting, this full-bodied wine leaves no rough edges or elbows sticking out, so sipping it is a pleasure. Aromas are savory, herbaceous and lightly earthy rather than fruity, and the flavors follow the same path.
Black plum, mulberry and a touch of graphite show on the nose of this bottling. Ripe cranberry and pomegranate juice form a tangy fruit base on the palate, enhanced by oregano, cinnamon and, on the finish, some juniper.
This is somewhat generic and oaky, with its modest cherry fruit overwhelmed by baking spices, yet supple and superficially attractive. Drink now.
A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of underbrush, scorched earth and espresso. The evolved palate offers coffee, toast and dried black cherry set against mouth-puckering tannins that grip the finish.
Made with 80% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has subdued aromas suggesting espresso and toast. The palate is rather lean in terms of fruit richness, offering red currant, clove and a hint of vanilla alongside close-grained tannins that lead to a mouth-puckering close.
Apple aromas are standard, clean and direct. This everyday Chardonnay feels plump, with modest acidic boost. Peach, melon and mild salty flavors finish solid, with no added complexity.
Aromatically speaking, this is shaky due to murky earthy berry aromas that suggest peanut butter. In the mouth, this is compact and fairly full. Collapsed berry and plum flavors include notes of gritty earthy spice, while this is blocky and pounding on the finish.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has shy aromas that recall violet and red berry. The simple palate shows suggestions of sour cherry and black tea alongside fleeting tannins. Drink soon.
Baked strawberry, burnt orange and rose petal combine aromatically and on the palate in this moderately flat wine.
Comprised 100% of this rare variety, this wine was given time to ferment and age in French oak, half of it new. Ashy red fruit meets a mild structure and considerable tannic grip; only a tiny amount was made.
Basic cherry aromas turn more earthy and soupy with air. A crisp pulling palate holds flavors of tomato and spiced plum, while this is mild, with nothing much to speak of on the finish.
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this has aromas of underbrush and scorched earth. The evolved palate shows dried black cherry, raisin and clove alongside rather tired tannins. Drink soon.
Perfumed in rose and violet, this full-bodied wine is leathery and somewhat dull on the palate, opting for savory elements over fruit.
This low-sizzle Chardonnay opens with little to nothing in the way of fruit aromas. The palate is chunky, with squash and bready flavors. A lightly vegetal, bitter finish is plump but low on intensity.
This blend of 53% Grenache, 23% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah and 4% Viognier offers cinnamon spice, red cherry and slight pomegranate on the nose. The palate shows tangy cranberry fruit, a bit of baking spice and a very clay-like minerality and texture.
While grapefruit and lychee aromas are fresh and clean on the nose, the palate of this full-bodied Gewürztraminer is a bit muted by comparison. It's texturally rich, but flavors suggest pressed apple and pear accented by hints of ginger and spice. Drink now through 2018.
Cherries, leather and earth all mingle on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied wine. It's a pleasant, easy-to-drink offering, even if it's not terribly concentrated or complex. Drink now.
While fresh lemon and lime notes are invigorating, there's a slightly savory tone to this dry Riesling suggesting hints of grain and milled corn. Its spry light-bodied style is thirst quenching, however, and the finish wraps up brisk and clean. Drink now through 2018.
All five Bordeaux red varieties are represented in this wine that puckers in sizable tannin and oak. Tobacco and pencil shavings add savory character to its full-bodied concentration.
Basic white-fruit aromas are pleasant and uncomplicated. A solid,pithy mouthfeel and flavors of peach, green banana and green herbs conclude with a detectable note of grape skins and citrus pith. This is 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay.
Slightly muted tones of pressed apple and pear waft from this light-bodied Vidal Blanc. It's not a deeply concentrated or persistent wine but bright and quaffable. Sunny tangerine acidity brightens a brisk finish. Drink now through 2019.
Simple and lean, this opens with whiffs of Mediterranean herb, lead pencil and a whisper of blue flower. The short rather diluted palate shows raw sour cherry and a hint of dark spice alongside fleeting tannins.
Aromas of white flowers are light yet clean. This feels basic, while the flavors are greener and more pyrazinic than the nose indicates, especially on the finish, which tastes of bell pepper and white fruits.
Aromas of violet, woodland berry, a hint of coffee and a whiff of adhesive bandage carry over to the simple palate. It's a bit lean and diluted, with fleeting tannins.
Subdued aromas of spirits, raisin, menthol and resin emerge on this. The bulky palate shows blistering alcohol and a hint of raisin but it lacks fruit richness. Grainy tannins leave a raspy finish.
A full, ripe and generous Tempranillo, with rich aromas of prune and blackberry offset by balsamic notes and tobacco. It feels lush and smooth, with concentrated flavors of roasted berry, coffee, chocolate and tobacco. Huge and lasting on the finish, has subtle tannins and complexity. Drink now through 2016.
Crisp, bright and delicious, this has pure red fruit, with an herb note, intense acidity and a tangy texture.
Ripe and creamy, this is full of rich pear and green plum fruit. It has weight and is layered with acidity, with a spice note and a taut, mineral texture. This is complex and age worthy.
A gorgeous, single-vineyard Chenin Blanc that shows great complexity and balance. The bouquet is initially seductive and oaky, but it subsides with time to integrate with the ripe melon, mango and yellow peach scents. Developed and slightly honeyed, the palate is lush and round. Almond, honeysuckle and soft sweet spice flavors stay through the long close. Tasty now, but should age nicely through 2015.
This is concentrated fruity and very spicy. It has an intensity of fruit flavor, its nutmeg character balanced by crisp green apples, pear skins and a great depth of acidity. Screwcap.
The 2008 Liandra comes across as slightly more savory than the other Clarendon Hills bottlings, displaying pungent notes of coffee, black olives, scorched earth and cracked pepper. The tannins are supple, giving this medium- to full-bodied wine an easy-drinking smoothness. Drink now–2020.
Rich and toasty, round and full across the palate, this thoroughly-enjoyable new release is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a splash of Cabernet Franc. It was aged 17 months in 60% new French oak, yielding a spicy, chocolaty wine, with vivid, bright fruit flavors of cherries and plums. Excellent length, balance and texture.
Fragrant and plush aromas of cassis, blueberry and black cherry mix with strong notes of licorice and black olive. Silky, detailed, supple and beautifully proportioned, this is a terrific value.
Sharp and herbal, this new Rediviva has a high-acid, peppery profile. It penetrates deeply into the palate, with excellent length. The herbal side of both the Syrah and the Cabernet is what is most forcefully expressed.
Broad and toasty, the 2008 Andreas is pure Cabernet Sauvignon from the Wallula Vineyard. Lush plum and cherry fruit is set against generous, toasty new oak. Nuanced highlights of herb, rye seed and even a dash of cayenne peek through on the finish. The wine spent a full year in bottle prior to release, but could certainly age for another decade or more, and is likely to improve significantly.
Initially wood dominated, this then reveals mint, dark chocolate and black currant flavors. An impressive Bordeaux-style blend that's concentrated while retaining the correct sense of structure and acidity. It needs aging. Screwcap.
Hestan only makes this one white wine. Though its beginnings might seem humble, the juice in the bottle surely will change anyone's mind. This is liquid gold in color, with deep petrol aromas and a note of toasted caramel oak.It's superbly balanced, with minerality winning the day—especially on the finish. This wine starts out like a California blockbuster but finishes very elegantly, with finesse.
With the snap and concentration of a tasty lemon-drop cocktail, this lovely Gewürztraminer pays homage to the floral aspect of the grape without drowning in it. Perfumed, not soapy, with superb fruit flavors of peaches and citrus, it's a sensational value.
This is an impressive wine that's full of fruit, structure and acidity. It's well balanced, rich and crisply fresh, with lively acidity on the finish—a real food-friendly rosé.
An elegant and refined Chenin that shows superb balance and the potential to age gracefully for another five years, at least. Lush and rich, this has a smooth texture and a round but lifted palate. Aromas and flavors of baked apple and toast are layered with sweet citrus and honeyed richness. The long, strong finish leaves sultry sweet spice and nutty accents behind.
A full-bodied yet remarkably fresh Gigondas, with floral aromas and a fruit-driven style. Subtle shadings of licorice and chocolate add dark overtones, while the tannins are finely textured on the long finish. Drink now–2018.
Vinified without sulphur, this wine is all about fruit. It has red-berry flavors, ripe tannins and just the right amount of acidity to keep everything bright and fruity. The structure at this stage needs to soften and this fine, ripe wine will be better starting from 2018.
Very few wines present such intense florality as does this bottling that smells like a potpourri sachet, full of dried violets, dried lavender and eucalyptus, with touches of dust, chipped slate and black plum. Those flowers carry to the palate as well, where lavender, blossoming thyme and green peppercorns show.
Superfresh and fennel-laced on the nose, this cool-climate Syrah shows underripe plums, raspberry, charcoal, lavender, pepper sauce, thyme and forest underbrush on the nose. It's impressively floral on the energetic, not overly dense sip, with lavender, rosehip and white sage touches enlivening the dark red fruit.
This unique blend of Dundee Hill Pinot Noir and Walla Walla Syrah seduces instantly with a bouquet redolent of smoke and licorice, tobacco and vanilla. Though it's Syrah that seems dominant, adding flavors of supple purple fruits to the aromatic mix, it seems apparent that the Pinot Noir component extends the finish, turning a potent and powerful wine into one that exits with delicacy and breeding.
This wine is full of lovely aromas and flavors, but something unique about its grippy texture makes it soar. It begins with fresh, mineral-laced scents of Asian pear, yellow-grapefruit pith, crisp yellow apple and chalk. Then comes a palate full of yellow apple skins, lemon wedge and the slightest hint of grass, all served atop energetic, mouthwatering acidity.
Underbrush, camphor, dark berry and balsamic aromas take center stage on this radiant wine. The palate shows structure and finesse, delivering licorice, black cherry, French oak and a hint of exotic spice. Firm acidity and assertive tannins provide an age-worthy framework. Drink 2020–2035.
Aromas of aromatic herb, dark berry, eucalyptus, iris and a whiff of espresso float out of the glass. The vibrant assertive palate shows black cherry, licorice, mint and well-integrated oak sensations framed in youthfully austere tightly knit tannins. This needs time to unwind and fully develop.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Les Collines, Forgotten Hills and SJR vineyards. It brings brooding but complex aromas of smoked meat, fresh herbs, citrus twist, red and blue fruit and mineral. The violet and red and blue fruit flavors show restraint and elegance, with an emphasis on purity.
Coming from one of the state's most esteemed Syrah sites, this wine opens with high-toned aromas of herb, blue fruit and iron, along with light savory accents. The flavors are full, broad and palate coating, showing an exquisite sense of balance and length that kicks it up a notch. Exquisite stuff.
The estate is within the urban area of Bordeaux, an oasis of green in the busy city. It is a smooth, rich wine that has benefited from the consultancy work of the late Denis Dubourdieu. Ripe tannins and fine acidity support the black currant and plum fruits. The wine is developing well. Drink from 2020.
This is a micro-sized nine-acre estate, with vines that are 50 years old. Complex and rich, it is a generous burst of ripe full Merlot that is developing well. Black fruits, spice and juicy acidity all contribute to a wine that will ready to drink from 2017.
This vineyard-designate from a lovely, coastal site imparts flavors and aromas of golden and green apple along with noticeably juicy apricot and peach. Light bodied, it shows an exuberance of fruit alongside notable minerality and a slight hint of sea spray.
Still young, this wine is firm and structured. It shows great concentration from the tannins and the rich blackberry fruits. With the acidity and the mineral texture, it is classic Douro, needing some more time. Drink from 2018.
From the rocky, volcanic soils of the mighty, high-elevation vineyard, this wine imparts generous layers of blood-red berry, smoke, vanilla and cranberry, a testament to terroir and unobtrusive winemaking. Powerfully built in tight, leathery structure, it conveys a distinct taste of that volcanic rock.
These Pines Vineyard vines are nearing a century in age. In the new vintage, the wine seems almost brutally powerful, with rough, rugged oak flavors that will want further bottle age to mellow. Ripe blueberry and cherry tones are matched to strong streaks of caramel, cocoa and coconut. Drink 2018–25.
This tiny, family-run production shows a tremendous talent at growing grapes and making wines of great substance and sophistication. It aims for a bright, restrained and complex style, which it achieves here with aplomb. Black cherry, mint and a tease of smoky oak accent a fleshy, lengthy texture and body that shines in acidity.
After 21 months in 50% new French oak and a few years in bottle, this Shiraz (it contains traces of Mataro, Viognier and Marsanne) is dominated on the nose by graham crackers and vanilla. The fruit surges forward on the palate, bringing plummy, meaty flavors to the fore. This is fuller bodied than most Yarra Valley Shirazes, with a plush mouthfeel and a long, warm, spicy finish.
Hazy layers of smoke and struck flint permeate amidst pristine gooseberry and white grapefruit in this late release bottling, lending an early glimpse into its development. It's a complex dry Riesling mingling elements of earth, fruit and flower into a silken tonic catapulted by jolts of zest and acidity. Lithe and lean, it finishes with a long, mineral repose. Alluring already but should drink well through 2030 at least.
Maple-tinged oak aromas are huge and frame equally massive black-fruit scents. A tight clampy palate needs time to soften and expand; it's hard and unyielding now. Flavors of black fruits, coffee, chocolate and heavy oak finish firm and peppery, with a reprise of grabby, grating tannins. Drink from 2020 through 2030.
Lush, classy aromas of balsam wood shavings, coconut, vanilla and dark-berry fruits open this hefty Malbec that spent two years in oak prior to bottling. A ripe thick palate maintains full-bodied balance, while this tastes dark, toasty and like a mix of chocolate, coffee and spiced blackberry. Peppery spice notes offset by mocha flavors are prominent on a saturated finish. Drink through 2022.
This is a dry, fairly full-bodied Riesling that's approachable now, but should hold well through at least 2024. It's fairly dark in hue for a young white wine, with smoky notes of grilled toast, honey and citrus that linger on the lip-smacking finish.
Struck flint and smoke notes permeate this lithe yet deeply complex auslese. The palate boasts concentrated tangerine and cantaloupe fruitiness, but shaded in savory tones of pollen and dusty mineral. It's tightly wound still, closed and unyielding, but should ease and open beautifully from 2020.
The Art Series' little brother is all grown up and ready to stand on its own as a terrific wine. Toasted hazelnuts accent bold pineapple and ripe citrus flavors in this full-bodied, slightly creamy bottling. It's complete and complex, with a long, zesty finish. Drink now–2020.
This aromatically brooding wine brings aromas of brown stems, scorched earth, smoked meat, iron, violets, orange peel and blue and black fruit. The flavors coat the palate from end to end with silky soft, unabashedly appealing fruit and savory notes. It hits the delicious gong hard, with an enduring finish.
The aging potential of wines from this Beaujolais cru are apparent in this firm and structured wine. Dense with black fruits and with a mineral texture, it is a powerful wine from 70-yearold bush vines. The aftertaste with its acidity and dry edge confirms the aging, so drink from 2018.
The producer veers off its estate program to tap into the beauty and brawn that is Kanzler, a magnificent site of its own. Raspberry and a touch of vanilla swirl around a darkness of allspice and cola, lifted by bold acidity and a wealth of texture. Full bodied, this wine shows plenty of oak that should become more integrated in time.
This is a lovely wine, softly integrated and lean in muscle strength, with enviable complexity and length. Cedar, cranberry and currant are all represented, along a dusting of dried herbs and blackberry pie. This ripe, full-bodied wine never slips through the cracks, maintaining itself with grace under pressure.
Spine tingling lime and tangerine notes go head to head with sweeter apricot and yellow cherry flavors in this revitalizing sip. It's delicate in body yet deeply penetrating, filling the palate with staccato hits of honey, fruit and acidity. Drinks beautifully now but should improve through 2025.
This dry, layered and rich-textured wine smells like fresh-cut canteloupe, tastes like peach and melon, and has a generous, mouthfilling feel.
Substantial and smooth, this full-bodied wine starts slowly with mild fruit and butter aromas, then turns up the volume on the palate with ripe pear, vanilla and nutmeg. It conveys a feeling of oak-aged richness although it was tank-fermented.
This soft, easy-drinking wine smells spicy, almost like tobacco, and tastes plummy and pruney. It has a good, smooth texture and lingering finish.
Fleshy black plum and cherry flavors are offset by leafy, green layers of herb and stem in this luscious but balanced red blend. Its intense fruitiness makes it approachable and juicy but crisp acidity and fine penetrating tannins keep things in check. Drink now through 2021.
This structured, generously full-bodied wine offers deep layers of black raspberry and cinnamon, with an additional length of subtle black pepper and leather. It builds strength toward the finish before finishing surprisingly light and balanced.
This wine doesn't appear to have fully come out of its shell, with light aromas of plum, tire rubber, pomegranate, herb and a dusting of spices. The flavors display a pleasing sense of purity, with lightly grainy tannins providing support.
Deep red violet in the glass, this wine has a nose of blueberry and coffee bean. The bold flavor of black cherry holds its own against notes of white chocolate, smoke and eucalyptus. Grippy tannins hold sway on the palate right through the enduring smoky finish.
Oaky aromas rest on top of raisin, blackberry and dried-cheese scents. This feels full and tannic, with saucy, herbal, tomato, plum and berry flavors. On the finish, oak-based flavors of graphite and charcoal vie with ringing acidity and edgy tannins.
A blend of two grapes native to Georgia, this wine offers aromas of blueberry, clove and anisette. Its subtle sweetness provides a palate for flavors of blackberry, licorice, blueberry, cinnamon and nutmeg. Tannins seem soft from first sip to finish, yet a sense of chalkiness remains on the post palate, even outlasting closing notes of mint and tart cherry.
This is an attractively perfumed dry Muscat. Very floral, deliciously decadent in its richness, it has a crisp bite of spice and pepper. Drink the wine from 2017.
Luxuriously ripe black currant and plum flavors are layered in savory tones of beetroot, herb and green leaves in this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. Brisk acidity and ripe tannins frame the palate neatly. It's approachable yet nuanced, finishing with subtle hint of violet candy.
Pear and apple aromas are slightly minerally. This is round, fresh and easy to like due to its juiciness and pithy citrus flavors. Citrus notes are lasting on a competent finish.
A deep color and ripe, gushing fruit aromas lead to generous dark cherry and blackberry flavors in this wine. Firm tannins are loosened by a sugary element that lingers on the finish.
A deep gold-orange color and floral aromas lead to rich, broad peach and apricot flavors that are moderately sweet and nicely concentrated. Lighter than some late-harvest wines, it has more vivid fruit and better balance than others.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah take the lead on this blend. Aromas of wood spice, café au lait, cherry and spice box are followed by tobacco and cherry flavors. There are good things going on but the wood gets a bit out front.
Aromas of herb, citrus and mineral are followed by tart, racy citrus flavors. It provides a lot of appeal.
The aromas bring notes of dried and fresh herb, citrus twist, baking spice, wood spice and cherry. The cherry and pencil lead flavors show a sense of poise and polish.
Typically crisp and fruity, this green-apple-driven wine has bright acidity and a tangy, citrus edge. It is bright, cool and refreshing, ready to drink now.
This blend of 46% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Sémillon and 15% Viognier pleases in a light-bodied frame. Lychee meets lemon, lime and a lengthy complexity of wet stone on the finish.
Given three years of barrel age and another in bottle, this mature wine offers baked fruit, cedar, clove and red-currant flavors, sizably robust in texture and weight. Thick tannins provide it with additional density.
This easy-drinking wine has a light spiciness like cinnamon in the aroma, good cherry flavors and a smooth but slightly tangy texture. Not too full bodied, it shows good balance.
This exuberantly aromatic ice wine leaps from the glass in plumes of mango, sweet citrus and caramel. Hints of mushroom and hay lend a slightly earthier tone to candied orange peel and apple flavors on the palate, but bright, citrusy acidity lends to a clean finish.
Gritty aromas of creosote, campfire and road tar are dark, woody and oaky. A clampy, angular palate deals firm tannins and acid-driven flavors of plum, berry and minty oak. A tarry tasting, peppery finish is loud and rugged.
This medium-bodied, nicely firm and approachable red shows cherry, cassis, tobacco and black olive along a juicy core of grippy texture.
Appealing white-flower and apple aromas turn more dusty and briny with air. This feels tight and citrusy, just as Verdejo should. Flavors of orange, green herbs and pickle brine finish with a lot of life and zest.
A ripe, almost sweet aroma and flavors recalling blackberry syrup and raisins make this wine rich and tempting. Firm tannins and full body clamp down on the finish.
You'll find aromas of forest floor, toast, porcini mushroom, game and a balsamic note on this vibrant red. The smooth, dense palate offers tart red cherry, truffle, anise and a salty hint of cured meat alongside bright acidity and fine-grained tannins.
This crisp, fruit-driven wine is full of sliced apple and bright acidity. It has a touch of pepper and a juicy aftertaste of squeezed blood orange. Drink now.
There is just a hint of the structure normally associated with the appellation. Otherwise, the wine is broad and soft with rounded berry and cherry flavors. It comes from vines on the flatter vineyards in the valley. It's a wine that will mature quickly. Drink from 2018.
While lemony-fresh with a streak of crushed-stone minerality, this medium-bodied white lacks the exuberance and spice expected of Gewürztraminer. It's refreshing and pleasing nonetheless, with a spray of lingering white blossom perfume on the finish.
For the first release of this wine, the oak unfortunately is almost completely overwhelming. Vanilla, green wood, mocha and mint overpower almost any sense of varietal aroma and flavor.
Crafted from a field blend of varieties, including Carignan, Syrah and Durif, this holds a syrupy sense of meaty bacon and plum raisin at its center. Midweight and fairly straightforward in terms of flavor, it finishes fast and not overly complex.
This fruity wine is already easy to drink. It is soft with a layer of wood-aging flavors that don't take much away from the open fruitiness. Drink from the end of 2015.
Given the diverse clonal make-up of the vines that go in to this Pinot, the aromas are somewhat muted and shy. Earthy, spicy fruit flavors are characterized by baked red raspberry and strawberry notes, with the wine taking on a denseness on the palate and finish.
Earthy, syrupy aromas come with a spot of green and a touch of earthy mulch. This is bulky and flabby in feel as it struggles for balance. Thick berry flavors are matched by green, herbal, mossy notes, while the finish is chewy in feel and baked in flavor.
Firm, dry tannins behind this wine give a hard edge that will need time. The wine is powered by its structure, solid and only just fruity. Wait until at least 2017 to allow more fruitiness to come through, although the wine will likely always be tough.
Berry and cassis aromas turn more saucy with airing. This has a sticky mouthfeel with protruding acids, while flavors of plum and citrus finish short. This is good if you're looking for the basics.
Juicy red cherry and raspberry flavors are layered with toast, cinnamon, vanilla and spice in this ornate yet approachable wine. It's sunny and plush on the midpalate, but grippy tannins mark a tight, brisk finish.
This tightly stalky wine offers fresh red fruits and aromatic acidity. With tannins right up front, it is still young and needing to develop. The wine's name comes from the shirt numbers of the two French rugby players who feature on the label. Drink from 2016.
Dark in color, with rooty, leafy aromas of berry fruits that turn flatter with airing, this warm-style Pinot Noir feels wide and grabby, with some flab on its hips. Black plum and toasty flavors simmer on an dull, weighty finish.
Plump melon and stone fruit aromas are a touch broken down and mealy. This Godello feels fleshy and round, with pulpy weight. Tangerine and tropical fruit flavors weigh in on the heavy side, while the finish is chunky and pithy in flavor.
Dusty, scratchy, spicy red-fruit aromas register as feral. This is wiry and medicinal in feel, with spicy black-plum flavors that are brash and oaky. Peppery spice dominates an otherwise hollow finish.
With tight acidity and intense black currant fruits, this wine has a raw edge. It presents a full, fresh, crisp texture that's bright, with layers of acidity at the end.
Some Sémillon in the blend gives this wine richness as well as a proper youthful crispness. It's bright, fresh and lively, almost too young to drink. Best to wait until summer 2015.
This is a dark and probably too-tannic wine. A very dry, extracted character gives bitterness more than fruit. It's still young and has the Saint-Estèphe tannins in abundance, although its future with this dryness is uncertain.
Priced affordably for the appellation, this is a somewhat balanced Cab suggestive of bell pepper and jalapeño that dance around in smoke, currant and cedar. It finishes dry and tannic in vanilla oak.
Half fermented in oak with the rest in stainless steel, this wine offers lees, butter and vanilla, with a dry, medium-bodied feel.
Lightly herbal aromas and a touch of animal blend with oak-based notes of sweet plastic and vanilla on the nose. The palate is round but slightly flabby, with moderate acidity. Lactic oak creates a plastic-like flavor that is derivative of the nose, while the finish is drab.
Strawberry and herbal aromas are decent but a bit green. This has a jammy feel, with basic berry flavors that finish minty but fresh. Overall, this is a middle-of-the-road Malbec.
This wine suggests green, savory herbs along with cherry and currant. It's elegant in style, velvety in feel, and delivers good concentration to the fruit flavors plus barrel notes (20% new French) on the lingering finish. The variety gets lost with the herbal notes taking over, but it still offers enjoyment.
This Super Tuscan-like blend of 81% Sangiovese and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, whose name refers to the little stones on the estate, shows reductive aromas of black olive, rubber and dried pressed purple flowers. Flavors range from mushroom to slate, but the tannins need mellowing and it could use a little more air altogether.
Dusty, leesy aromas of vanilla blend nicely with pungent citrus. This is classic Verdejo, very tight and fresh. Briny lime and other citrus flavors finish clean and with notes of arugula and lime. Drink as soon as possible.
A creamy, floral shade of green on the nose turns into a crisp, very balanced freshness on the palate, reminiscent of pink grapefruit. The palate boosts fruity pink-grapefruit notes and adds creamy, well-founded balance. Somehow this is resonant and moreish, drawing you in with its seam of freshness. This may be pale pink but its intent is serious and grown-up. Wonderfully dry finish.
Blackberry and black cassis meet with deep lilacs on the rich but somewhat single-toned nose of this bottling. The palate is bursting with fresh blackberrry juice, leveled by touches of cedar and pipe tobacco.
Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) takes the lead on this blend, with the balance Syrah. It brings aromas of earth, green herbs, citrus and cherry that are followed by ripe cherry flavors and a firm squeeze of slightly dry tannins.
Ripe notions of orange and ripe apple fizz on nose and palate. This wine is fresh, dry and full of ripe citrus notes. It's an easy but wonderfully dry Riesling that spells juicy joy.
Enticing, pure notes of fresh Bosc pear peel make for an appetizing opening. The pear purity carries through to the palate where fresh fruitiness reigns. This is a joyful, balanced Pinot Gris with ample citrus and pleasant texture.
This is a massively rich style of Chardonnay bordering on fat, but delicious throughout. The nose offers aromas of golden apple slices, jasmine, honeysuckle, marzipan, melon and prominent pineapple. Once sipped, vanilla-laced butter and sea-salt caramel flavors ensure.
While Petit Manseng is more often made into a sweet wine, its natural richness does lend itself to dry wine as well. Here it gives an intensely perfumed wine, floral and spicy together. Crisp apples and kiwis are made richer with a tincture of honey. Drink this wine from 2018.
This blend of 39% Petite Sirah, 35% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc spent two years in barrel, allowing the flavors to mesh. Juicy acidity marks a soft, approachable palate of sugarplum and kirsch, sure to please a crowd with its full, plush texture.
Rich and fruity, this is a dense, wood-aged wine. It has a perfumed character as well as ripe tannins and blackberry fruits. The wine is broad, rounded and full of fruit. Drink this attractive, concentrated wine now.
This wine combines 38% Cabernet Sauvignon with 35% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, with fruit from Stagecoach and Alta vineyards contributing to the mix. Dusty tannin and a weight of leather saddle permeate the nose and palate, with graphite puncturing through the soft texture and finish.
From a site farmed by the great Ulises Valdez, this barrel-aged white is remarkably subtle on the oak, allowing bright, rich flavors of lemon, lime and mango to shine through, along with more complex aspects of green apple and anise.
The aromas pop, with notes of jammy dark cherry, dried black currant, black licorice and baking spices. The dried-fruit flavors are full, with a dry squeeze of tannins. It seems a bit evolved for its age.
The Muscadelle gives a ripe perfumed wine. It is fruity while also full of floral and spice flavors. Made from organically grown grapes, it is crisp and direct, full of apricot and pear flavors. Drinkable now, although it will be better from 2017.
Produced from a selection of old vines, this is a structured firm wine. Its black-cherry fruits and acidity are well integrated into the dense structure to give a spicy wine that is richly packed with fruits. Drink now and until 2020.
Subdued hints of lily and jasmine rise from the glass. The palate offers restrained notes of peach and Mirabelle plum, with a rounded, off-dry finish focusing on blossom honey. It's a gentle, rounded and perfumed wine.
Glints of ripe yellow plum lend a mellow air to this streamlined, fresh and citrus-clean wine. A concentrated core gains texture from pithy grapefruit notes. It's a clean, harmoniously balanced wine with staying power. Drink now until 2025.
A gently honeyed nose is all the aroma that's disclosed. The palate follows with ripe, rounded and generous notes of fleshy stone fruit like yellow plum and ripe peach. A tiny bit of residual sweetness underlines these juicy flavors. Pithy grapefruit makes for a very balanced finish.
Aromatically ripe notes of peach and mandarin soar. The palate of this wine is equally generously fruited, with a vein of ripe lemon acidity at its fresh core. Juicy and very refreshing, it finishes dry and totally moreish with pink grapefruit.
Juicy, appetizing apple notes rise from the glass, helped along by summer blossom and rose. The off-dry palate is generous with ripe peach and plum accented by pleasantly bitter notes of pith. The tiniest amount of spritz helps to keep things fresh.
Lifted peach and wilting petals of Damask rose unite in the perfumed, supremely aromatic nose of this wine. The palate continues with rosewater notes of Turkish Delight and candied peach. Honeyed and rich, the sweet palate is concentrated but guided by lemony freshness. Overwhelming with perfume and concentration, this decadent wine needs either a perfumed, peachy dessert or a salty blue cheese to match those crashing waves of full-blown flavor.
This wine begins with intense oak and a voluptuous texture before settling into the crisp delicacy of bittersweet lemon and honeyed apple. Full bodied and nicely complex, it's a balanced expression of a cool vineyard site.
Heady cherry and berry aromas are forwardly potent. This young, grippy Toro is tannic and taut on the palate. Gritty blackberry and burnt, toasty flavors finish rough, with grabby, pronounced tannins. Drink from 2017–2023.
Lifted chamomile joins riper pear and apple fruit on the nose of this wine. On the concentrated palate these are joined by lemon and grapefruit zest in an unapologetically bracing style. This wine is clean, dry, fresh and totally lip-smacking with the full force of citrus behind it.
This wine is already finely balanced, full of a combination of black fruits and acidity. Behind this fruitiness there are solid tannins, a dry core and a concentrated aftertaste where the Tannat shows well. Drink this ripe, full-bodied wine now.
Vanilla, clove, baking spice and dark fruit aromas lead to a palate plush with full ripe generous fruit and barrel flavors. It's a hedonistic delight, with the barrel influence playing a prominent role.
Aromas of prune, licorice and dark fruit lead to full cranberry and cherry flavors. It shows a sense of vitality and liveliness.
This wine starts out brooding, with aromas of vanilla, herbs and brown spices. The cherry flavors are full bodied yet show subtlety, with a captivating mouthfeel and meaty flavors on the finish that increase the interest.
Sur lie aging and battonage were extended for 22 months on this wine. It displays aromas of corn silk, almond milk and lees that are followed by an elegant creamy mouthfeel and abundant stone-fruit flavors. The finish lingers.
This Monastrell-Syrah blend feels grabby and tight, while the flavor profile goes in the direction of weedy and resiny. A stalky tasting, almost green finish has a rubbery feel to it.
Grassy strawberry and raspberry aromas smell false as well as floral. A blocky palate with jammy stickiness and rubbery tannins carries medicinal, resiny, candied berry flavors, with green overtones. This feels raw on the finish while tasting green and jammy.
There's an assertive green character to this wine, presented in notes of green bean, pepper, tomato leaf and lime peel on the nose and palate. The mouthfeel is broad and slightly flat, with a jalapeño accent on the finish.
Mossy, spicy blackberry aromas are more encouraging than what comes after. This is rubbery and astringent, with blackened flavors of licorice and toasted oak.
Candied cherry and strawberry aromas are soft, artificial and not convincing. Jammy on the palate, this tastes dull, with a touch of raspberry fruit. Bitter notes and latex dominate a flat finish.
Green bean and bell pepper mark this wine that lacks flavor. It tastes watery and diluted, a faint hint of lemon lurking in.
Sharp berry and cherry aromas are like nail polish. A hard palate offers zero give, while plum and cherry flavors are tart before turning more sour and medicinal on the finish.
Aromas of candied berries, cinnamon, nutmeg and compost are present on the nose. An edgy, tannic mouthfell and baked, oaky flavors of stewed berry fruits and spice finish hard and tannic.
This electric pink colored wine is both too rich and too heavy. It only survives because of a fresh streak of acidity that comes through at the end. Otherwise, it is too much.
This quirky medium-bodied wine has a flavor spectrum all its own. It smells floral and tastes like spiced red candy, and is noticeably sweet.
This Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon blend smells like mushy strawberries, loamy earth and animal fur. It's jammy and not well balanced, with gummy, candied raspberry and plum flavors. Flat and earthy on the finish.
Elegant and complex, this gorgeous wine is all about finesse, offering enticing aromas of rose petal, iris, perfumed berry, baking spices, anise and chopped aromatic herbs. The structured but silky palate seamlessly melds together juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove, licorice and tobacco while bright acidity and ultrafine tannins provide the framework. It's already tempting and impeccably balanced but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2018–2030.
Named for winemaker Ross Cobb's late mother, who more than 20 years ago planted the Coastlands Vineyards' dry-farmed vines—some of the oldest in the region—this exquisitely distinctive wine celebrates all that is extreme and remarkable about the marriage of site, style and variety. Offering bay laurel in abundance, it has plenty of body to remain vibrant and complex, marked entirely in forest floor and heady allspice, with a nuance of cherry and white pepper on the finish.
This has a grand array of exotic flinty, meaty, smoky and spicy aromas. The powerful flavors taste a bit restrained at first sip, then unfold and seem to expand on the palate. Pure and brilliant layers of ripe blackberry, smoked herbs and darkest chocolate ride on an elegant texture of fine tannins and supportive acidity. Drink from 2018–2030.
Still tight, and expertly crafted and structured, this single-vineyard estate wine is meticulous in velvety, plush texture, completely seductive at every angle. Rich red cherry, pomegranate and vanilla improvise against one another without ever missing a beat, finishing in fully integrated flavor. Drink now through 2022.
Smoky leather and cigar make for a formidable entry on the nose before huge, layered tannins rise to the fore. A balance of acidity and brightness lurks beneath the weight, rounded by succulent blackberry and black cherry. Cellar through 2022.
All Cabernet from Champoux, Klipsun, Palengat and Wallula vineyards, this wine offers aromas of blackberry, incense, blueberry, pencil lead and barrel spices. On the palate, it's tightly wound with black fruit flavors and a firm backbone of tannins. The oak is primary right now. It needs extended time in the cellar to show itself fully, and will be best from 2022–2030.
This full-bodied wine has a treasure trove of flavor complexity and great balance. The color is a deep red with an auburn rim. Aromas present a fascinating medley of cherry, black tea, rhubarb and pine forest, while the flavors weave together ripe Bing cherry, crisp raspberry and subtle Asian spices. It's delicious, and best to drink after 2017.
This wine stops you in your tracks with its aromas of earth, peat, fire pit, tapenade and coffee. The flavors are outrageously rich, dense and textured, with a lightly tacky feel to the tannins and a hyperextended finish. It's a knockout.
Built for aging, this tightly wound, elegant and yet grand wine is sure to develop more nuances and smoothness with time. It smells enticingly like cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate-covered blueberries, yet retains a firmness and reserve that doesn't let those melt into richness on the palate quite yet. Store this confidently in a cool place and enjoy it 2020–2025.
Fresh scents of just-picked rose, bright red berry, baking spice, leather and an earthy hint of game unfold on this stunning wine. The full-bodied palate offers juicy mature cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, carob, chopped wild mint and clove alongside firm, velvety tannins and bright acidity. Gorgeous!
A deep color and aromas of toasted baguette, wood smoke and black cherry signal a classic style. The flavors are like dark-chocolate-covered cherries and cranberries. The toasted character of new oak barrels persists from the aroma to the finish, but it's well complemented by ripe fruit, an impressively tannic texture and lingering finish.
The winery's first reserve-level Cabernet, this is pure Cabernet from the Phinny Hill (60%) and Bacchus vineyards. It offers heady aromas of dried herbs, black currant, cherry, tobacco and graphite. The flavors are tightly wound, immediately accessible but fleshing out and ramping up in intensity after several days open. It shows impeccable acid and tannin balance and has a long life ahead of it. Best from 2020–2032.
From a vineyard site at the southern end of Oakville, where it touches Yountville, this is a gloriously dusty, smooth and age-worthy wine, bright in crisp red cherry and cranberry while offering deeper, darker elements of licorice and toffee. Concentrated, it's substantial and yet balanced, with something to say on the long finish.
This gorgeous wine, made entirely with Sangiovese, delivers a multifaceted bouquet of blue flowers, ripe plum, black cherry, leather, menthol and clove. The powerful but refined palate doles out layers of juicy black cherry, baking spices, mint, orange zest, anise and tobacco alongside smooth, velvety tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage.
Etienne-Henri Bourgeois was a pioneer in Sancerre of vinification in barrels. This wine, produced in homage, is a beautiful expression of tightly coiled, mineral Sauvignon Blanc. Beautifully crisp, it is bright and packed with fruit that still needs time to develop. Drink from 2017.
The 2013 Josef Vineyard is quieter on the nose than the more exuberant Magdalena, but the palate packs plenty of luscious fruit and floral punch. Semidry in style, it's feather light in texture yet concentrated apricot and yellow-cherry flavors are penetrating and persistent. Delicious now but will improve through 2023.
Made with 75% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Franc, this wine commands attention with aromas of dried and fresh herbs, black fruit, toast and flowers. The dark fruit flavors are rich, layered and tightly coiled, captivating attention with spot-on balance.
Cola, sasparilla, cherry blossoms, hard cherry candy and a hint of black currant hit the nose on this rich wine from Josh Jensen. The palate shows brown spice, with clove and peppercorns wrapping around a rhubarb-licorice-thyme character and tart cherries, making for an incredibly distinctive wine.
Cedar, cassis, red currant and grilled herb aromas lead the nose in this blend of 85% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. The palate offers pomegranate, raw red berries, anise, sage and roasted coffee bean alongside raspy tannins that leave an astringent finish.
This is an effusively fruity wine blended from three coastal counties, deep in color and jammy in aroma. Ripe and generous in flavor, it features black cherry and boysenberry, moderate tannins and a medium to full body.
Almost as light in color as water, this is a straight-ahead take on the grape, with tropical-leaning aromas of honeysuckle, ripe papaya and boisterous passionfruit. The palate is much grassier in style, showing cut lawn, kiwi, green pears and kaffir limes, with just a touch of lingering tropical sweetness.
Structured from the start, this wine provides succulent boysenberry and blackberry around a full-figured body that's otherwise steeped in vanilla and coffee, the toasted oak quite prevalent. It finishes slightly tart in dried herb and mushroom.
Grassy aromas blend with notes of melon on a round, slightly flat bouquet. This is chunky in feel, with briny citrus flavors and a lively core acidity that keeps it moving along. Tangerine and bell pepper flavors on the finish are fitting.
Piercing lemon and lime notes are offset by juicy peach and pear flavors in this fresh, easy-drinking Riesling. Off dry in style, it's fruity and forward, with a crisp, refreshing finish.
This single-vineyard designate is labeled simply Oregon, but is actually Dundee Hills. Somewhat dilute fruit flavors suggest pomegranate and tart strawberries. Despite 18 months in half new French oak, the wood does not overwhelm the fruit, and the wine actually improves overnight. Give it a good decanting for optimum drinking.
This curious blend of 61% Riesling and 39% Sauvignon Blanc manages to succeed, with lime rinds, limestone and wafts of gasoline intriguing the nose. There's not much acidity on the palate, but it does offer a chalky grip along with limeade flavors.
Aromas of bell pepper, red currant and vanilla come together in the glass along with a gamy note. The dense palate delivers dried black cherries, toasted oak, tobacco and licorice. Tightly wound, astringent tannins dry out the finish.
Made exclusively with Merlot, this opens with aromas of cedar, mint and dark berry. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and a hint of grilled bell pepper alongside somewhat raspy tannins that cut off the finish.
Generic red berry, licorice, baking spice and oak aromas set up a round, sticky, almost syrupy feeling palate. This multigrape blend tastes rooty and baked, with blackberry and stewed plum directing the flavor profile. Brown sugar and licorice flavors stick out on the finish.
A mineral layering of waxy pear gives this wine a light, crisp complexion, punctuated by subtle, oaky spice and plenty of vibrant lemon. Light on the palate, it'll serve well for larger gatherings.
A blend of Syrah and Alicante, this opens with aromas of underbrush, toasted wood, espresso and a whiff of exotic spice. On the palate, the fruit is almost completely dried up, leaving prune and oak-driven sensations of coffee and licorice alongside drying tannins.
Made of 50% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet and 10% Syrah, this opens with aromas of violet, red berry and a whiff of espresso. On the easy-drinking palate, a note of white pepper accents a core of juicy black cherry. It's balanced with fresh acidity and polished tannins. Enjoy soon.
This opens with earthy, smoky aromas of coffee grinds and blackberry along with toasted marshmallow. The palate is thick and mouthfilling, with baked berry, spice and chocolate flavors. The finish is minty and herbal, with moderate heat and burn.
Here's an easygoing blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot that offers blue flowers and red berry aromas that carry over to the palate along with a hint of white pepper. Supple tannins support the bright, juicy flavors. Drink through 2016.
This is a fruity, full wine that is dominated by Arinto, giving fresh, lemon and apricot flavors. It is crisp, lightly textured and offers a bright tang of zest and acidity on the finish. Drink now.
Red plum and currant aromas are a touch soupy but also suggestive of cherry Kool-Aid. This Garnacha-led blend is clacky and fairly acidic on the palate, but then it turns on itself to show raisin, loam and baked plum flavors. A lively finish gives it a boost out the door.
This fresh blend of Négrette with both Cabernets is fruity and lightly crisp with refreshing final acidity. It's bright, while also having a ripe character that allows it to broaden out. Drink now.
Even though the wine is dry, there are hints of the honey that's typical of the sweeter Jurançon. The honey contrasts with the bone-dry core and white fruit flavors that revel in both acidity and youthful structure. Drink this ripe and fruity wine from 2016.
The winery behind America's first Petite Sirah continues pumping out quaffable bottles, including this show of black plums, pressed violets, black raspberries, white pepper, licorice candy and dill on the nose. The palate offers boysenberries and baked oregano, with a tapenade-like zing on the finish.
Gros Manseng takes the lead in this ripe and full wine with a fragrant floral character as well as great fruitiness. It's fresh while also having a creamy, smooth character. It is ready to drink, but will be better from the end of 2015.
A fruity, crisp and herbaceous blend of Loin de l'oeil and Mauzac, this lively wine also shows some richness. Full of green and citrus fruits, it is finished with a light minerality and acidity. Drink from 2015.
This wine combines the best of Chenin Blanc, with its nutty, terroir-driven character, and the round ripeness of Chardonnay. It is fruity and fresh with a smooth texture that is lifted by final acidity.
Violet and red cherry aromas are followed by flavors of tart cherry, mesquite smoke and pepper on the palate. A little angular but overall nicely rounded by Syrah, this Xinomavro blend is a good cohort to meats and cheese.
Pear, melon and anise aromas lead the way, followed on the palate by a broad, soft mouthfeel and flavors that add peppery spice on the long finish.
Apple, orange and pear aromas lead this distinctive white blend. On the palate, the wine has an appealing balance of chalkiness paired with exotic fruits. The finish offers complexity with a wash of lively acidity.
Intensely concentrated, this wine offers minerally petrol and hazelnut, particularly on the nose. A salinity marks it on the medium-bodied palate, giving it an intriguing edge before finishing in a squeeze of lemon.
In the Alentejo, Syrah exhibits power, body and concentration without much subtlety. So this wine is solid, tannic with considerable pepper and spice flavors that dominate the black fruits. Wood aging has softened the tannins. Acidity gives the wine a fresher finish.
Dunham's Riesling, from the same vineyard that supplies grapes for the winery's best red wines, is a rich, luscious, off-dry wine, fresh and loaded with flavors of just-picked peaches.
Dark, dense and lush with rock, cracked pepper, Bing cherries, streaks of spice and mocha, this nicely aged and softened Merlot is full and open. The fruit is round and generous, the tannins polished, and the flavors wrapped in delicious baking spices.
Very fresh and juicy, this mouth-pleasing Viognier mixes peaches and grapefruit, zippy acidity, with highlights of lemon zest. It's beautifully balanced, detailed and refreshing.
Though the term late harvest would suggest a sweet, dessert wine, this is more on the off-dry side of Riesling, with juicy acids that cut the impression of sugar. Fragrant with scents and flavors of apricots, apple pie, honey and biscuit, it is expressive, nicely balanced and loaded with flavor.
This is 100% single vineyard Merlot; broad, beautifully integrated, with seamless black fruits, streaks of coffee and smoke, and black pepper spice. A powerful Merlot with muscle and verve, it finishes smooth and lightly tasting of chocolate.
It's 100% Merlot, and it doesn't need any help from any other grapes. Extremely dark and thick in the mouth, this liquorous bruiser of a Merlot is thoroughly delicious. It's just packed with fruit, cassis and ripe black cherries, complemented by dark chocolate notes.
Violet, black cherry and berry aromas are elevated by mocha and coffee aromas, while the palate is deep and layered. Flavors of boysenberry and plum are creamy and rewarding, and the finish offers plenty of fruit in addition to oak. Maybe not super complex, but the wine's bold meatiness makes up for that. 1,000 cases produced.
A bit jumbled and grassy on the nose, with tobacco and red-fruit aromas filling things in. The palate is correct and solid, with medium tannins, good balance and standard flavors of cassis, raspberry, tobacco and herbs. Some heat to the finish says it needs food. Includes 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Shiraz.
Aromas of honey and lemon lead into semi-dry flavors of tropical fruit and citrus on the palate, Refreshing in character with a spicy undertone, the wine still has a semi-sweet, fruity roundness that can handle richer dishes. Pair with lobster, shellfish.
Bright and tasting of ripe pear, this is a textural, tart, tangy wine nicely set up for pastas, light seafood and poultry. Despite the nominal residual sugar, it comes across as almost entirely dry, with just a hint of fruit sweetness.
Light, tart and slightly mushroomy, this Pinot might pass for a solid Bourgogne from one of the better négociants. Organically grown grapes add some lightly earthy notes. All in all, quite pleasant.
A bit grassy and green on the nose, probably due to the Carmenère portion in the blend. The palate is narrow but firm, with tight tannins creating some roughness. Flavors of red fruits and green herbs conflict a bit, while the finish is of carob and red sucking candy. Good but a little green.
The dark color and crusty, wood-based aromas reflect a slathering of oak that comes across sort of lemony, but there's no denying that this Cab has body, tannin and heft. It's a little burnt and heavy on the nose and palate, but black fruit and brown sugar flavors give it enough richness to bring it up a notch.
Big, baked and round on the nose, with leather and sweet blackberry aromas. Put it on the scale and it'll weigh in as heavy. The flavors are dark and cooked as it centers on black plum and blackberry. Short on finesse but long on size, with coffee and chocolate on the finish. Drink now before it turns even softer.
Imported by Lion Nathan USA.
Meaty, condensed and full of understated plum and berry fruit. This is a nice bargain Merlot with currant, plum and pepper for flavors, and then a dash of mellow coffee on the finish. With solid core flavors and an integrated mouthfeel, it ranks as a positive wine for the money.
A springy nose of cherry, raspberry and chocolate is a good opener, while the palate boasts a mix of herbs, tobacco, olive and plum flavors. The feel is a high point, with lushness and balancing acidity each making a cameo. Finishes mildly peppery. Good Merlot for the money.
Nice color and good aromas of berry and plum make this common wine attractive. The palate, while ordinary, is bold, sizable and tastes of boysenberry, spice and pepper. And the finish is mild and concentrated before turning peppery. For a basic Carmenère, Santa Ema has gotten it right.
High-toned and sharp, this has a mix of pear, tropical fruit, banana, and juicy fruit gum. It's a fruit salad wine, full-bodied and exceptionally flavorful. There's a streak of butterscotch running through the finish, from fermentation in “neutral” oak. Drink up!
Opens with a load of sweet, candied black-fruit aromas but this wine excels on the nose because it's composed and precise for being so young and simple in scope. Velvety, rich black-cherry flavors run the show, and the finish brings length and an herbal shading. Very nice for a wine from Toro at this price.
A lively crisp wine, flavored with soft pear, green plum oregano, streaked through with vibrant acidity. It's light, fresh, ready to drink.
A finely structured wine, its tannin fitting well into the rich texture, with berry fruits, dark plums and bitter coffee adding an extra dimension.
Black fruit and taut structure are joined with black currant acidity and a core of the driest tannins. The wine has the cool 2007 feel to it, and is certainly ready to drink now.
A wine that tastes of its granite soil, very linear initially, only opening slowly to give plums, exotic spices and the ripest firm tannins. There is a lovely juicy final character to this intriguing wine.
A blend of four traditional Portuguese grape varietals, this unusual offering begins with a distinctly pruney nose, and seems soft and slightly oxidized. But as it breathes it adds interesting flavors of dried herbs and forest floor, rustic and complex.
Crisp and minerally up front, with aromas of apple, peach and dust. It's fresh, maybe a touch basic at its core, with flavors of apple cider, apricot and almond skins. There's nothing not to like about this Albariño, which is pure, pithy on the finish, and more than solid in a pedestrian, familiar sort of way.
While I prefer the 2009 for its clarity and freshness, this '08 is no slouching tiger. The nose delivers still-fresh apple and mineral aromas, while the flavor profile leans toward gooseberry, lemon and green melon. Shows some pithy bitterness on the finish, so drink right away or seek out the '09.
At just 12.5% alcohol, you'll find this lively, light, fruity Pinot has a sweet core of pretty cherry fruit. Nonetheless, it's dry and finishes with an astringent, leafy, palate-refreshing scrape of tannin. A fine sipping wine, with a resonant finish.
Soft, pretty and pleasant to drink, the widely-available Willamette Valley bottling from Amity might pass for a simple Bourgogne rouge. Cranberry and watermelon fruits form the basis for the flavors, which feature light, balanced tannins and a clean, gentle fade into the finish.
A ripe, full-bodied and spicy wine, defiantly dry, with a tight acid character. Aromatic fruit finish with intense perfumes, so that the wine is both rich and fresh.
A winning combination of sweet and savory, Belhurst's Traditions smells deliciously of syrupy boysenberry jam amidst the backdrop of a rustic barnyard. On the palate, juicy, ripe black fruit flavors gain complexity from a rich, earthy mushroom notes in the midpalate. Luscious and smooth with medium body and soft acidity.
Clos Windsbuhl in Hunawihr is the northernmost of Zind-Humbrecht's collection of vineyards. In 2012, it has produced an impressive wine that has all the right spice of Pinot Gris along with acidity and a fresh edge. That gives this rich wine a great lift, with a waft of pear to go with the yellow-fruit flavors. Drink from 2016.
There is a deeply sanguine sense to the nose of this appellation blend by the Buellton-based winery, with bloody meats and graphite giving way to ripe raspberry fruit, brown spices and chopped herbs. It's very spicy once sipped, with black pepper, mocha and red fruits upholding more iron and pencil-shaving flavors on the palate.
One of the winery's tasty bottlings that are odes to Bill Foley's Texas ranch roots, this offers aromas of crushed chalk, fresh apple blossoms and a ruby-red grapefruit peel tartness. The flavors surround a very clean line of lemon juice and lime pith, with more chalk, ripe apples and brisk nectarine. It's still tight and will age well.
Lavishly perfumed with hints of honeysuckle, musk melon and pear, this animated Riesling exhilarates the senses. Juicy and fresh with pristine stone-fruit flavor, it glides effortlessly yet endlessly on the palate. Enjoy now for its gorgeous perfume, but save a few bottles through 2020 to let the stately elegance shine through.
A Merlot-based blend with accompanying components of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this estate-grown wine excels in its subdued, smoky and toasty oak surrounded by juicy blackberry and a hint of graphite and leather. Textured and structured, it needs time, and will be happy in the cellar through 2026.
Saitone is a supremely historic vineyard, planted originally in 1895 in the thick of the Russian River Valley's Olivet Bench, a coveted spot these days for Pinot Noir. The wine offers supple, soft tannins around a juicy intensity of grenadine and berry crumble. The structured backbone of minerality is remarkable.
This medium-sweet wine shows the weight of the clay soils in the vineyard. It's rich, full of spice with a touch of honey as well as lychee and pomegranate. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2016.
This is an intensely spicy wine, full of lychee and peppered pineapple flavors. It's rich, also showing a strong mineral texture. Medium sweet in style, it is packed with ripe fruit with a touch of honey. The aftertaste shows a fresher side. Drink from 2016.
Gold in color, this beautiful wine combines intense spice and fruit with a fresh, mineral character. It is off dry, hinting almost at honey and botrytis. The acidity brings out all the complex textures and flavors. Drink from 2016.
Situated in Turckheim just below the Brand Grand Cru vineyard, Heimbourg is a great vineyard for Gewurztraminer. This wine is dense, rich, poised and balanced. The intense fruitiness is balanced by the structure and a crisp edge to its sweetness. Drink from 2017.
This powerful blend of 23% Malbec, 20% Carmenere, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 7% Petite Verdot delivers layered aromas of olallieberry, grape candy, sage, anise and lava rocks. Purple fruits dominate the palate, with complexity provided by creosote and violets, along with ample tannins and acidity.
Caramel aromas lead to a wine that is soft, ripe and rich. It has sweetness, a generous texture and ripe spicy fruits. Tantalizing hints of honey go with the smooth yellow fruits and opulent character. It's still young for a wine of this stature, so drink from 2017.
Licorice, dark berry, toast and orange-peel aromas take shape in the glass and carry over to the palate, along with grilled herb, mocha and cinnamon. Firm, polished tannins provide balance and support while a mineral vein drives the finish.
Dark golden-yellow, this opens with inviting notes of toasted caramel. It remains bright in citrus on the palate, getting riper and steamier as it goes, developing deeper, richer flavors of preserved lemon and baked pear. From the winery's estate, this is a small-production wine well worth seeking.
The best Mosel Rieslings of the difficult 2013 vintage all juxtapose plump, luscious yellow fruit against spine-tingling acidity. Dancing and delicate, this is a classic example of the style. It seems demure in stature, yet packs a punch of complexity and flavor from start to finish.
Aromas recall ripe berry and blue flower with a balsamic note. The structured but seemingly weightless palate delivers layers of ripe raspberry, juicy dark cherry, clove and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. An intense mineral note signals the close. Drink 2017–2027.
Named after Etna's most infamous eruption that lasted for 10 years, this elegant wine offers aromas of rose, violet and red berry. The silky, subtle palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry and white pepper flavors alongside supple tannins. Drink through 2018.
This is both intense and rarified. The intensity shows in the deep garnet color, the concentrated berry fruit, and the depth of flavor. The acidity elevates it further, lending sharp details and further brightness.
Very pretty aromas suggest lychee, Spanish broom, Mediterranean brush and a balsamic sensation. The linear palate delivers nectarine, creamy green apple and savory herb while edgy acidity generates a crisp, clean finish. It closes on an energized mineral note.
Still remarkably fresh, this polished, structured wine is loaded with finesse, delivering layers of dark cherry, crushed raspberry, Mediterranean herb, tobacco and licorice sensations. Velvety tannins provide framework for the juicy palate.
Santa Barbara-raised Steve Gerbac makes a winning white wine with aromas of scorched lemons, browned butter and vanilla, sliced down the middle with white rock minerality. Broad, oak-driven flavors at the tip of the palate quickly tighten into a line of lime zest acidity that lingers, with white pepper and chamomile spices emerging in the midpalate.
Stout aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis come with mocha and dry spice notes on the nose of this Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. A firm mouthfeel with grinding tannins is a good set up to oaky, ripe berry flavors accented by wood grain, cocoa and cinnamon notes. Plenty of oak graces a long, ripe, solid finish. Drink through 2018.
Bright aromas of raspberry and dried rose petals highlight this wine from the southwestern corner of the county, along with black tea, sage and shiitake mushrooms. The flavors are supple and elegant, with light strawberry, pencil shavings and sagebrush making for a fun, energetic wine that really lets the vineyard shine.
From this particular block all the vines are the Pommard clone, which keeps it distinctive from the other Shea cuvées. Smooth, silky, slightly smoky and showing a supple mouthfeel, this mixes brambly berry, nougat and caramel notes, with a finishing flourish of toasted hazelnuts.
Austria-trained, Santa Barbara County-based winemaker Graham Tatomer is causing a Riesling renaissance, thanks to wines like this with aromas of orange blossom, citrus rinds and hints of gasoline. With flavors of toasted nuts, lemon juice, tangerine pith and chalky grip, this is a great canvas for cellar aging to paint a remarkable wine. Drink 2018–2030.
Delicate aromas of perfumed berry, underbrush, anise and Mediterranean herb come together in the glass. The palate offers wild cherry, raspberry, toasted oak and vanilla alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. It ends on a licorice note. Drink 2016–2022.
This elegant, full-bodied red opens with a lovely fragrance of red berry and violet. The juicy palate doles out crushed wild cherry, mocha, grilled sage and cake spice alongside firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2015–2025.
Smoke and custard notes accent scents of wet stone and citrus, while the palate delivers white peach, lime and vanilla flavors. This is plump and full in the mouth, yet still finishes with mouthwatering precision.
From the Frediani Vineyard, this is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Perfumed in lavender and a grip of blackberry jam, it also imparts characteristics of plum and clove, allowing both varieties to speak. Smooth on the finish, it's robustly full bodied and fleshy to the end.
Pretty aromas of blueberries and raspberries adorn the nose, leading into a palate of mixed berries and chocolate. This wine, which is in the medium- to full-bodied category, has a silky mouthfeel, ending in a fine dusting of cocoa powder.
Black plum and elderberry jam aromas mix with leather, tobacco, crushed sage and oregano on this blend of 50% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 12% Petite Sirah from the Warner Springs area. The palate packs lots of crushed herbs, graphite and cedar with dried berries, laced together with firm, sticky tannins.
This big and layered wine smells savory and meaty, partnering with a generous helping of ripe blackberries and black cherries on the palate. It has appropriately firm tannins for such a bold wine but stays fruity and easy to drink. Syrah, Barbera, Primitivo and Petite Sirah make the blend.
This exuberant wine has sunny pineapple and banana flavors and a rich, almost sweet feeling in the mouth. It's light in color, tropical in aroma and light bodied, with good crispness and a lingering finish.
Savory, almost salty accents add a fascinating extra dimension to this full-bodied wine. It smells like fresh herbs, white pepper and orange blossoms, and tastes almost meaty, but with a lively citrus backdrop.
Apple, citrus, lemon-lime and yeasty aromas lead to a composed palate. This tastes dry, peppery and like ripe yellow apples. A comported, mildly tangy finish doesn't overwhelm.
Situated at the mouth of the Pinhão river in the heart of the Douro region, this vineyard has produced a warm, ripe, finely fruity wine. It comes from some of the oldest parcels of the vineyard and is fermented in old open stone fermenters. The wood aging has added to its richness. Drink this wine from 2017.
As this a tropical fruit expression of the grape, Sauvignon Blanc, though aged in oak, works well here. The other reason is that the wood is subtle—just a hint— leaving plenty of room for the fine pineapple fruit and final acidity. Drink from 2017.
A crush of mineral and earth tones exhilarate on the nose of this dry Riesling. Ripe, sunny grapefruit and nectarine flavors expand luxuriously on the palate, tightened by a fine stream of lime and lemon acidity. The finish is long and steely.
Firm tannins meet delicious ripe fruit flavors for good balance in this full-bodied, dry and mouth-coating wine. It tastes like ripe wild berries, with touches of new leather and cardamom.
This is a ripe, fruity wine that comes from river plain vineyards of Saint-Emilion. It has rich tannins and juicy blackberry and black-plum fruits. The structure is comfortably cushioned in the generous texture. Drink this wine from 2017.
Ripe and juicy, this is an elegant wine. It has red-berry fruitiness shot through with acidity and spiced with the wood aging. It is still developing and will be ready to drink from 2019.
While there are strong wood flavors here, the wine also has a good rich weight from the blackberry fruits. It is a concentrated wine with spice and some dry tannins that will integrate well. Drink this fine wine from 2018.
Toast and ripe spice go well with the warm red-berry fruits in this wine. It is rich, layering new wood and fine tannins along with a firm structure. Drink this wine, with its good potential, from 2019. This is one of seven château in the Médeville family and 2014 was their 188th harvest.
Dense young tannins and 18 months in oak dominate the wine, promising a rich future. The fruit weight is all there, ripe blackberry flavors that will come through over the next months. Marie-Dominique and Jean Watrin have been the owners since 1994. Drink this concentrated wine from 2019.
A structured wine, this is full of firm tannins and has juicy fruit underneath. It has attractive acidity, some smoky flavors and a firm aftertaste. All this means the wine needs to develop, and it will be better to drink from 2017.
Brawny, baked aromas include hints of animal, cola, blackberry and prune. This is fleshy, wide and fairly soft in build. Concentrated, blackened berry flavors share the stage with creamy oak and notes of vanilla and marshmallow. A chewy, soft finish is a bit mushy, so drink now.
Vibrant and balanced, this luminous wine offers alluring scents of rose, red berry, baking spice and a delicate whiff of new leather. The fresh, elegant palate is loaded with juicy strawberry, wild cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside firm but ultrarefined tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
With spicy oak and very ripe fruit aromas, this wine is full bodied and mouthfilling, with rounded tannins and good flavor length on the finish. A very good example of the varietal, it's easy to enjoy.
Enticing notes of ripe yellow apples make for an utterly appetizing opening. The flavors swirl even more exuberantly on the palate, assisted by soft dosage which boosts the fruitiness. This is counteracted by crisp freshness and a soft mousse. The palate finishes dry with lovely notes of apple and honey.
This bold, boisterous wine offers a depth of black cherry and is expansive on the palate, tingling in spicy acidity and swathes of cinnamon-laced cola. Silky smooth, it hails from a selection of Dutton Ranch-farmed vineyards, including Thomas Road and Manzana, and delivers full-bodied flavor.
This unusual wine, fermented with wild yeasts and using 20% whole bunches, is still pulling all of its diverse components into focus. Grapefruit, citrus, lemon and a saline quality adorn the spare red fruits. The length and persistence are spot on, but this could benefit from another year or two of bottle age before you pop the cork.
This medium-bodied Shiraz isn't as dark or concentrated as many of its brethren, but it still makes for an enjoyable drink. Cracked pepper notes take the lead, followed by modest red-berry fruit and a crisp finish.
From a fine vineyard site, this wine impresses in voluptuous texture and its lovely layers of lemon and apple. Floral on the nose in apple blossom and jasmine, it offers a slight twist of more spiced citrus, like an orange dotted in clove. It spent nine months in French oak, 40% of it new, which adds complexity and notes of toasted oak.
Ripe yellow-peach and apricot notes shine on the nose and palate of this elegantly structured Pinot Gris. Zesty acidity offers a pleasant counterpoint to a softly clingy texture that lingers luxuriously on the palate. It's dry in style, with a deeply mineral, smoky finish.
Review not available at this time.
Meaty in the nose, with leathery aromas. The fruit flavors are in the plum class, and there seems to be a poached-fruit element there as well. The finish feels hefty and disparate; it has no real direction. Which basically describes this wine. It's full and tannic, yet it doesn't seem to have a goal, much less a path to travel upon.
Piny and minty, which combine to give the pineapple fruit a decidedly medicinal edge. It's lightly sweet, balanced by healthy acidity, so might work well with herb-scented desserts, like lavender sorbet.
Green and earthy in the nose, with more vegetal aromas than fruity ones. The palate is tangy and also vegetal, while full tannins and some bitterness dominate the finish. Parts of this wine seem to be in shape while others are not. As a whole, it lacks ripeness and overt appeal.
Bright gold in color, with creamy custard and caramel aromas. The palate is soft, with banana, baked apple and corn-like flavors, while the finish is heavy and rather mute. Very thick and heavy given the level of balance, acidity and fruit pedigree.
This wine doesn't quite know what it wants to be when it grows up. It vacillates between an intensity of oak, matchstick flintiness and a misplaced sense of austerity.
Horsey, grassy berry aromas are unconvincing. This is plump but also edgy in feel, with a pronounced but weird buttery oak flavor and marginal fruit character. A leafy, oaky finish includes notes of stalky berry and plum.
It's hard to get around the slap of high alcohol in this wine, beginning with its diesel-oak nose and ever-present persistence of drying tannins. Bitter tea, cedar and leather add to the bombastic nature of this powerhouse.
Sweet candied apple overpowers this oddly textured and flavored wine.
This clean-tasting, nearly neutral-flavored wine is dry and medium bodied. Traces of cucumber and white pepper can be detected with effort, but it mostly offers just simple refreshment.
Slightly tawny, with powdery floral flavors and a musky, pungent aroma, this goes in wildly conflicting directions. Cotton-candy sweetness along with that musky, odd fruit never comes into focus.
Judged even by its high alcohol, this is not a fresh rosé. While it does have fruit, it is dragged down by its weight. Super-ripe strawberry fruits and pepper complete the overdrawn picture.
Horsey aromas of stewed, mulchy berry fruits include a shot of iodine. This is high in acidity and grating. Flavors of chocolaty oak on top of plum and salt amount to nothing impressive, while this finishes with a popcorn note and jagged, harsh tannins.
An aroma like canned fruit and rather lean flavors make this a basic wine with a narrow profile.
Not close to ripe at 12% alcohol, this thin, woody wine has no trace of varietal character.
Sweaty citrus aromas are neither focused nor friendly. This feels flat and greasy, while it tastes like chicken fat and bitter citrus fruits. Nothing on the finish brings it around.
Burnt, acrid, sweaty aromas are less than appealing. This tastes weedy and bitter, while the finish is sour, stalky and underripe.
This gorgeous, fragrant wine opens with classic Sangiovese scents of violet, rose, perfumed red berry, new leather and a whiff of baking spice. The elegant, radiant palate delivers crushed Marasca cherry, ripe strawberry, cinnamon, black tea and a hint of pipe tobacco. Firm, ultrafine tannins and bright acidity offer an age-worthy structure and impeccable balance. It's already stunning but will evolve for decades. Drink 2020–2050.
Aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather, menthol and a whisper of blue flower unfold on this stunning, elegantly structured wine. The vibrant palate doles out ripe black cherry, cinnamon and star anise framed in firm, fine-grained tannins. Hold for even more complexity. Absolutely superb. Drink 2022–2035.
New leather, mature black-skinned fruit, tilled soil and a touch of dark spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this fantastic, full-bodied red. The big, velvety palate shows power and finesse, offering mouthfuls of juicy wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice, Mediterranean herb and a note of exotic spice framed in firm, ripe tannins. It's already balanced and delicious, but hold for more complexity. Drink 2020–2035.
There is something ethereal and beyond words about this wine, a full-bodied but never intrusive expression of spicy cinnamon, black pepper and wild pine that makes it a puzzle worth trying to solve. Fruit plays a part, though softly, eking out shadows of raspberry and just-picked strawberry atop smooth, silky tannins and a measured, seductive body. The finish recalls a clove cigarette enjoyed in the rain.
Crushed berry, leather, tilled soil, blue flower and a whiff of fennel lead the nose. The ripe palate offers juicy black cherry, black raspberry, white pepper and anise alongside firm, close-grained tannins. Give this time to fully develop and reach its full potential. Drink 2022–2032.
Stunning and fragrant, this elegantly structured wine opens with a fragrance of pressed violet, perfumed red berry, leather, white pepper and a whiff of mint. The vibrant, silky palate offers black raspberry, wild cherry, cinnamon and licorice alongside firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. It's loaded with finesse and already has great depth but hold for more complexity. Drink 2018–2028.
Underbrush, dark-skinned berry, chopped mint and cooking spice aromas lead the way on this fabulous, structured wine. The full-bodied palate delivers a juicy core of ripe black cherry while white pepper, cinnamon, dried herb and a balsamic note provide the backdrop. Firm but refined tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and support. Drink 2018–2030.
Expressive in oak, earth and clove with cinnamon-cola, this savory, complex wine is also impressive in its ability to offer crisp and focused lines of citrus and fresh-picked raspberry. It teeter-totters the variety's ability to be both fruit-forward and elusively hard to reach. Streaks of thyme and rosemary figure into the mix. Drink now through 2023.
Perfumed and elegant, this opens with enticing scents of rose, violet, fragrant berry, baking spice, tilled earth and a hint of new leather. The delicious, silky palate is loaded with finesse, offering juicy wild cherry, cinnamon, chopped mint, black tea and a note of pipe tobacco. It's already drop-dead gorgeous but will develop more complexity over the next several years. Enjoy through 2026.
Aromas of wild berry, forest floor, new leather, grilled herb, menthol and dark spice all come together on this full-bodied red. The structured palate is still young but shows great depth, offering mature black cherry, tobacco, clove and licorice framed in youthfully assertive tannins that give it an age-worthy structure. Drink 2022–2040.
Green olive, green stem and fresh herb aromas are at the fore, with cured meat, peat, smoke and mineral notes close behind. The palate offers dense fruit and savory flavors that command attention, with smoked meat notes that just won't quit. The balance and length are mesmerizing.
A vineyard for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Allen is exquisitely detailed in this textured bottling that's weighty, with a tannin backdrop and replete with savory fruit. Wild strawberry, Bing cherry and black tea stand out, with an undercurrent of lushness that's hard to resist.
Tilled soil, mature berry, menthol, leather and a suggestion of game unfold on this delicious, full-bodied red. The structured, polished palate doles out juicy Morello cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon, chopped herb and licorice while firm, refined tannins lend finesse and a silky texture. Drink 2018–2028.
The nose is still a bit closed but eventually reveals black-skinned berry, dark spice, iris and a whiff of tilled soil. The palate is more expressive and downright delicious, offering juicy black cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon and a touch of exotic spice. Firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide the framework while a licorice note closes the lingering finish. Drink 2020–2032.
Forest floor, dark-skinned berry, leather and tilled earth aromas unfold in the glass. The full-bodied, elegant palate offers mature black cherry, black raspberry, ground pepper, anise and chopped mint framed in ripe, tightly packed tannins. It's young and assertive, but also balanced, with real aging potential. Drink 2020–2035.
Underbrush, truffle, pressed violet, tilled soil, eucalyptus and mature berry aromas unfold on this structured, elegant red. It is still young and primary, offering red cherry, black raspberry, menthol, licorice and dried herb alongside youthfully austere tannins that need to unwind. This will benefit from another decade of cellaring.
The 2006 flagship Cabernet from Quilceda Creek is a massive wine that has just begun to emerge from its slumber. When first released the wine seemed to have entered a dumb phase, but six months later it responds to decanting and shows its muscle. Fruit flavors of black, brandied cherries, cassis and bourbon-soaked plums are wrapped in generous, layered oak. The wine is dusty, smoky, laced with streaks of licorice and brightened with sharp acids. It continues to expand further in the glass, adding flesh and spice to its frame, with a cedar/cigar box finish.
This first estate-grown bottling of Rediviva is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah. Amazing aromatic complexity grabs you and leads you into the dark interior of the wine, a riot of red and black fruits, moist earth, smoke, anise, herb and toast. Power and elegance combined, with the structure to age for a decade or more.
Beautifully floral, fragrant and evocative, with lush and complex aromas of honeycomb, cracker and citrus, carrying into the mouth with rich, bright, detailed flavors. Stone and mineral elements are woven throughout, and the barrel fermentation adds hints of toast.
The 2007 Astralis impresses for its combination of power and nuance. It's dark and almost tarry in concentration, but floral and bright at the same time. Layers of dark coffee and earth are balanced by red fruit, and although it's full bodied and rich in texture, the finish introduces delicately herbal, tea-like notes. Best from 2014–2025.
Among McCrea's Rhône-inspired white wines, this is the most complete and complex. It's rich and dense, with honeycomb, lychee, lemon rind, pineapple and lots of stone—lovely and lingering. It seems to gain strength as it rolls through a sensational finish.
Luc de Conti's quest for perfection in wood aging white wines reaches its apogee here, a pure Sauvignon Blanc. The ripe spice, quince and lemon flavors mingle together in a powerful wine that keeps surprising elegance. Age for another year for final integration.
Tannat at its most expressive, this wine boasts dense tannins that roll deeply around the wine. But the fruit is of such an intensity that it keeps up a fine equilibrium. It is a seamless, impressive wine, projecting its power easily.
Asphalt and gaseous aromas take a while to settle, but after they do, leather and scratchy blackberry scents surface. It feels big and brawny, with max extraction. It tastes masculine but salty, with bitter chocolate and peppery accents. Bulky for $11 wine.
The bouquet is dry, briney and otherwise neutral. It feels wide and lemony, with flavors of citrus and white fruits. It remains mildly pickled on the finish.
Fresh and fruity, this has a ripe apricot character that contrasts the mineral acidity and bright fruit character. The wine dances lightly and is now ready to drink.
Savory in style, with a dusty, chalky minerality, this dry Pinot Gris is crisp and easygoing, with a freshly pressed apple flavor that's marked by whiffs of nut skin and smoke.
Rubber, flower petal and candied fruit aromas comprise the unique bouquet. The palate is solid but edgy, bearing grabby tannins and heaviness, with sweet flavors of blackberry, cassis and pepper. Monotone on the finish, then bitter at the very end. This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
A nut skin note and a whisper of smoke add a savory element to the lemon and apple aromas. It's refreshingly light on it's feet, with a brisk, tonic mouthfeel.
Scents of cured meat and campfire take center stage on the nose, with secondary support from black plum and boysenberry aromas. A strong biltong and cardamom-spice flavor carries through onto the palate, and remains through the finish.
Aromas of canned peaches and apricots are about all one can pull from the bouquet. It feels solid and untamed, with juicy flavors that run straight to mango, Dole peach and sweetened papaya. It's short on character and complexity but big on sweet, sticky flavors.
A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, The Norseman—named for a vintage airplane—mostly masks its fruit in a wash of earth, herb, stem and tannin.
There are pretty hints of rose petal and fresh apple on this dry Cabernet Franc rosé, but it's a tad savory in style, with layers of smoke, dried herb, leaf and stem. It's a nice accompaniment to everyday meals.
Tannic and tight, this shows some reductive scents of tar and rubber. Smoky cassis and strong herbal notes lead into a quick finish with some bitterness. Two bottles tasted.
While the concentrated flavors of peaches and sweet pears are pleasant, whiffs of smoke and toasted nuts lend a savory, rather atypical character to this dry Gewürz. It's dry and brisk, with soft, lemony acidity.
Soft and ripe, this is a fruity wine with apple and pear flavors that are lightly enhanced by the juicy, refreshing acidity. The finish is lively and fragrant. Screwcap.
Medium-intense spice and game aromas inflect the ripe forest-berry and cherry fruits. This is accessible and easy, with low tannins and a clean finish.
The cola and licorice aromas are candied and easygoing. This feels acidic and snappy, with red cherry and berry flavors that end with a crisp, sheer, rugged feel.
This has raisin, earth, mint and dried herb aromas. It feels narrow, but concentrated, tasting of earthy tomato, baked plum and fresh green herb. It has a solid mouthfeel, with a mildly briney finish.
Rich and complex, this Cab shows deep black fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis framed by decadent notes of espresso, leather and peppery spice. Like crushed satin in the mouth with ample tannins and a lush fleshy fruit backbone. Accents of menthol appear on the lengthy finish. Drink now.
Bold, dark and rubbery on the nose, with a hint of citrus to go with black cherry. This is full, thorough and upstanding on the palate, with black fruit, licorice and cocoa flavors. Comes across sweet and rich but balanced, with a layered, long finish.
Medium-bodied and lush, powered by ripe fruit flavors of apple, peach and pineapple. There's a bit of a flinty note on the nose and a slight vinyl-like element on the finish, which add either complexity or detract from the fruit, depending on your perspective.
Clean on the nose, with pure citrus and minerality. It's full but not heavy in the mouth, with developed, mature flavors of grapefruit and other citrus fruits. Mildly pithy, green and long on the finish. Not a prima ballerina; this has force and strength along with elegance.
Domaine de Chatenoy, in the same family for 15 generations, has produced this rich, full-flavored wine, packed with sweet strawberry and smooth tannins. It could age, but is ready to drink now.
Attractive aromas of ripe guava and mango mix masterfully with earthy notes of fresh grass and sweet pea florals in the bouquet. Lime flavors drive the palate, with a great cut to the mouthfeel and a juicy finish. Drink now.
From Barton & Guestier's own chateau, the wine is a well-balanced spice- and berry fruit-flavored wine. Its tannins fit with the fresh 2008 acidity and lively, fruity character. Age for 2–3 years.
The Abouriou, which forms a small part of the blend of this wine, is one of those many Southwest grapes that has been rescued from a sad decline. It adds a richly perfumed character to the Bordeaux blend in this grape. Attractive, with young tannins and ripe black fruits, it will age well. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of mandarin orange, peach and herb are followed by lightly styled, off-dry drinking but still well-balanced fruit flavors. It goes down easy.
Aromas of baking spice, herb, vanilla, wood spice and cherry lead to lightly sweet fruit flavors. The oak is overwhelming, making the variety hard to find.
This syrupy, dense red exhibits tobacco and root beer flavors, framed with chunky tannins. Blackberry and black current fruit barely show through its leathery texture and profound weight.
This is the first Cabernet Sauvignon release from Meomi founder Joe Wagner. Sourced from vineyards across the appellation, it shows simple yet focused dark cherry and chocolate flavors, dusty tannin and subtle oak, within a framework of moderate acidity and ripeness.
Oily citrus aromas offer side notes of air freshener and apricot. This atypical Chardonnay feels creamy and full, with mild acidity. Floral buttery leesy white-fruit flavors finish a bit soft. Drink now before it loses more steam.
Heavy oak, like the kind you get in a sawmill, is the opening on this Malbec-Bonarda blend, and that's supported by grapy aromas. Saturated, rough and bulky on the palate, this features massively spiced, lavishly oaked berry flavors that lead to a banging finish with scraping tannins.
Light and simple fruit brings flavors of black-cherry hard candy with a dash of cola. It's a perfectly pleasant style, quaffable and uncomplicated. Drink now and over the next two or three years.
This Pinot Gris is fermented on the skins, then aged in neutral oak for a year-and-a-half. It's a dusty rose in hue, and its tart rhubarb fruit is speckled with peppery spice. The time on skins seems to have amped up the tannins past optimal balance. This is a one-of-a-kind style of Pinot Gris.
This wine's nose and palate bring linzer torte, raspberry jam and charred meat to mind. Thick, big-boned and robust, it finishes on sweet vanilla.
Baked raisiny aromas are dominant and suggest overripeness. A heavy palate is rich but lacks flow and ease. Baked berry and raisin flavors are tasty but by now it's obvious that this lacks finesse and is off balance.
Brown pear, banana and gooey cherimoya aromas show in this blend of 36% Marsanne, 33% Roussanne, 25% Chardonnay and 6% Viognier. A beeswax element comes through on the palate, but the treacly, tropical flavors predominate. A decent acidity keeps it all in check.
Intensely earthy notes of crushed stone and dried clay offset sweet, slightly caramelized apples and pears. While light bodied and zippy, it finishes with a slightly waxy honeyed sweetness.
An unusual blend of Syrah, Merlot, Grenache and Cinsault, this wine offers fruit-forward aromas of raspberry and plum that lead to plump fruit flavors, with lightly astringent tannins providing support.
This rich blend brings together Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet. It forms a richly textured wine that is ripe with red fruits and acidity, as well as spicy tannins. Light wood aging has smoothed out the corners of the wine. Drink from 2018.
A blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blanc and 10% Mauzac, this is a bright and lively white, with attractive aromas of white flower, clover, pear flesh and lightly grilled peach. The medium-weight palate is remarkably balanced, with ample acidity to lift the ripe apple, pear and citrus flavors, finishing with a kiss of sweet spice.
The Sauvignon Blanc here creates a wine tasting of ripe pineapples and kiwi fruit. It is rich and full bodied with spice, perfume and attractive acidity. The wine is developing still and will be better starting in 2017.
Vanilla, coconut and baking-spice aromas are out in front of dark fruit. The cranberry and cherry flavors show vibrancy, with fruit and barrel flavors lingering on the long finish.
The Hospices is a charitable organization that has vines in Beaujolais. The wine is ripe with some tannins as well as red fruits. With its structure and concentration, it could age another few months, so wait until 2017.
This blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 38% Syrah and 12% Grenache is fairly light on the nose, showing smoked beef, soy and black-plum paste. The flavors are also quite restrained, with leather, blackberry, fennel and wild-mint elements.
Attractive and complex aromas like dried figs and lemon meringue fade to leaner, crisper flavors suggesting green apple and white peach in this light-bodied, well-balanced wine. It's best to drink after 2018 when it will have opened up to more richness.
The nose suggests ripe, bruised apples and a touch of apple crumble, while the palate also has a mellow aspect, helped along by a little residual sugar to make this wine off dry. Sufficient freshness balances things out but the overall impression is one of rounded mellowness. Lemon becomes apparent on the finish.
Rounded notions of ripe pear on the nose lead to a rounded, earthy but still perfumed palate of clean flavors and gentle fruit. This wine offers a fluid balance of freshness, definition and beautifully expressed orchard fruit.
Hints of pear perfume the nose on this wine, while the defined palate is bright with lemony freshness. Bundled concentration at the lean, taut core will round out with more bottle age. Drink 2017–2025.
The mellow scent of baked apple rises from the glass, cut by ripe, equally mellow freshness on the palate. This wine is mild for a Riesling but very enjoyable, clean and fruity, with a mellow apple note that really gets you in the end.
This blend of Syrah, Carmenère and Malbec is better than EW's varietal wines made from those same grapes, which proves that sometimes blends are best. It offers plum, currant and floral aromas before a fairly rich palate. Chocolaty blackberry and burnt notes end with a chocolate-driven finish.
An aroma like black pepper and turned earth leads to flavors that are more savory and smoky than fruity. This is a sturdy, fairly tannic and full-bodied wine that wants to pair with rich proteins.
Generous strawberry and cherry flavors make this medium-bodied wine taste fruity and fresh, and a gentle texture buoyed by light acidity seems to match their modulated intensity. It finishes dry and with a good touch of tannin.
Dried herbs and coconut flakes provide an intriguing entry into this medium-bodied wine. Dotted with Asian spice and soy, the fruit is more savory than sweet.
Aromas of berry and cassis come with a shot of raw oak. This is grabby and puts on the clamps, but spicy, peppery flavors of olive, berry and oak are very good in front of a hard, moderately tannic finish.
The Cabernet Sauvignon structure shows strongly in this firm wine. Mint and black currant flavors are dense and concentrated. The tannins give a dry character to the wine that contrasts with its fruitiness. Drink from 2017.
Tea, spice and modest berry aromas make for a reticent nose. This feels jammy and spongey, while medicinal, herbal berry and oak flavors veer towards minty green and resin on the finish.
The peel of ripe pears paired with a soft lemon freshness characterizes this somewhat earthy wine. The earthiness becomes stronger on the dry palate but is brightened by lemony acidity and a clean-cut finish.
Although the wine is dry, it has a tempting honey aroma. That follows through lightly to the palate along with yellow fruits and contrasting crisp citrus acidity. The wine is bright and ready to drink.
Bold hits of spice and toasted cedar envelop ripe black-cherry and plum flavors in this Merlot-based wine (augmented by proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). The palate is intensely lush and fruity but anchored neatly by a bitter edge of tannins and cranberry acidity. Should drink well through 2023.
Clean fruit-forward aromas of pear and tropical fruits introduce a smooth, slightly creamy palate with good acidic cut. Citrusy flavors of orange and lime dominate, while the finish is lasting and fresh.
This wine comes from Woodinville Wine Cellars. It displays aromas of lemongrass, custard and tropical fruit. The flavors are ripe and full bodied, lingering on the finish.
A blend of Roupeiro and Alvarinho (the two varieties in the name of the wine), this is a smooth wine, ripe with bright fruit and acidity. It has a crisp flavor that balances the warm fruitiness. Ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
Rippling texture and bright stone-fruit and apricot flavors mesh nicely in this elegant Grüner Veltliner. There's a touch of nuttiness on the nose and palate, but it's a strong case for Grüner's potential in the Finger Lakes.
Cocoa, plum and spice aromas are followed by lush blue-fruit flavors. Vanilla notes are speckled throughout.
Lifted notes of Williams pear meld into a more general fruit note on the rounded palate that is juicy and enlivened by lemony freshness. Drink this wine soon to enjoy the exuberant, easy-drinking and refreshing fruit.
This is a perfumed wine, and its new wood and violet aromas create equally pleasant flavors. The surface-level brilliance is followed by rich, dark tannins and a blackberry note.
There is a fine sense of structure in this dense and solid effort. It has both a juicy black-currant note and a full-bodied, concentrated texture. Showing the richness as well as the dry core of 2010, it is ready to age over several years.
A wine that is just getting into its stride, this has ripe black fruits under its firm-yet-sweet tannins. The combination means the wine is both rich and structured, layering the tannins and fruit with acidity. Powerful and concentrated, this should age for 4–5 years.
Powerful and structured, this offers both the weight and the potential for rich fruit. Dominated at this stage by tannins and wood-influenced flavors, the black plum note is likely to come through in the next year. The acidity is crisp, and a bitter cherry character flavors the finish.
This is a solid example of entry-level Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A cherry note is accented by hints of garrigue and chocolate, and the wine is richly textured, ripe and full bodied. Drink this blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvèdre over the next several years.
This is a perfumed wine with fine acidity. The tannins are soft, accompanied by black cherry and ripe berry notes, making this a sweet, rich style. The Quinta Senhora de Ribeira is on the north bank of the Douro, facing Quinta do Vesúvio on the south bank.
Concentrated and intense, this wine features a potent whack of oak on the nose, with dark fruit and mocha overtones. There are enough hints of bright, raspberry-tinged fruit to warrant optimism about its aging trajectory, but at the moment it is dark, heavy and slightly scorched. Try after 2017.
Hints of crushed wet stone and granite penetrate through the honeyed peach and flower notes on this intensely minerally Riesling. Dry and lavishly textured, with peppery green notes of herb and fennel, it has a medium-long finish.
This is a rare, expressive Riesling that hints at violets and red berries. Intensely fruity, it's brisk, with tangy grapefruit-like acidity and a delicious, bitter green-almond finish.
This delicate cool-climate Pinot Noir is fresh and dainty, with a red cherry flavor and plumes of rose petal and green flower perfume. Sour plum acidity and fine-grained but penetrating tannins add brace and backbone.
It's unusual to find 100% Roussanne wines, but this is a terrific example at a realistic price. It's broad and mouth-coating but still seems fresh, with melon, pear and pineapple flavors that linger on the tightly focused finish. Drink over the next year or two.
There are edges of of smoke and violet on this dry yet lavish Riesling. On the palate, notes of ripe yellow peach and plum shine against a backdrop of lemony acidity, accented with smoke, orange-spice, herb and crushed stone hints.
This blend of Merlot and Mourvèdre melds fruit from the Kestrel View and Olsen Vineyards. Bursting with mixed plum and cherry flavors, it's accented by a spice note and a streak of nougat.
Dark in the glass, this has a moderately complex nose, with notes of black fruit, leather and spice. It feels tight, fresh and snappy, but not excessively wide or structured. Flavors of ripe berry and cocoa lead to a solid finish, which has a controlled, smooth feel. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.
Made in the rich, ripe, over-the-top style that winemaker Mark McNeilly uses for his own Mark Ryan Viogniers, this is a superconcentrated wine with more than a passing resemblance to limoncello. Along with that comes notes of Key lime, candied pineapple and a bit of alcoholic heat. Some will find it excellent, others a little too extravagant.
A heady aroma of cherry, coffee and clove with a whiff of mint paves the way for luscious flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and eucalyptus. This wine is silky in the mouth, with a fleeting impression of pomegranate and mint at the soft finish.
A strong nose of mint and eucalyptus with just a hint of cherry belies a fruit-driven palate dominated by cherry, cranberry sauce and strawberry. Plush tannins coat the mouth, with cooling herbs re-emerging on the finish.
A full blast of oak and related aromas open this creamy, ripe wine. Plump on the palate but with just enough acidity to preserve balance, this rich, friendly wine features walnut, papaya and citrus flavors that finish woody, smooth and long. Drink now.
This wine features aromas of raspberry and black currants with touches of coffee and bacon. Luxurious flavors of ripe black plum, black cherry, espresso and pipe tobacco wash over the taste buds in a web of velvety tannins, culminating in a vivid finish.
Thick in chocolate and blackberry jam-like goodness, this is a smooth, lush dessert wine that just begs to be poured over vanilla ice cream, its mocha-like finish akin to having a flat white cup of coffee. Cabernet Sauvignon Brandy was added to up the alcohol to a Port-like wine.
A majority varietal, this wine also contains Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, combining for a taste of baked blackberry and licorice, the oak subtle in smoke. With a tannic bite on the midpalate, it resolves into smoother, velvety textures on the finish, inviting one in for another try.
A blend of 90% Carignano and 10% Syrah, this offers aromas of steeped plum, scorched soil, peppercorn and eucalyptus. The bold, full-bodied palate delivers black cherry marinated in spirits, fig, ground pepper and licorice alongside tightly laced, fine-grained tannins.
Thick and rich, with a menthol-like streak in the background, this 89% Zin is complemented by a wealth of mixed blacks, from Alicante Bouschet to Trousseau Noir. It opens with a bouquet of fresh, brambly blackberry, raspberry and sage, reaching a powerful conclusion of brown sugar and spice, staying structured atop soft, sizable tannins. Drink now through 2020.
With ripe fruits, this generous wine also has a great line of acidity. A touch of vanilla gives extra richness. At the same time, the balance with the fresh lemon flavors and ripe peaches is just right. Drink now.
Made in a deliciously oaky style, this smells like melted butter and toasted baguette, tastes like ripe pears drizzled with crème anglaise and feels almost sweet. The toasted oak component adds a touch of bitterness to balance the richness, and it all works beautifully for this approach.
This eye-opening wine has a really tangy, herbal aroma. Next, vivid and bright citrus flavors like lemon and grapefruit are shaped lightly by a crisp but smooth texture and subtle hints of vanilla and almond. It's difficult to imagine a more vibrant example.
Deep ruby in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, saddle leather and vanilla. It offers flavors of blackberry, black plum and fresh forest mushroom suspended in a cloud-like structure of silky tannins.
Dark ruby in the glass, this Pinot Noir from Bulgaria's Danube Plain entices the palate with the aroma of fresh-from-the-oven cherry pie. Flavors of cherry and vanilla with soft undertones of baking spices wash over the tongue, with pleasing notes of candied orange peel on the finish.
A chalky minerality leads the nose of this Minervois rosé, mingling seamlessly with the centered notes of garrigue, crushed carnation, strawberry hull and red cherry. Medium bodied, this boasts a slightly creamy texture that's countered by ample acidity, keeping the palate lifted and the finish bright.
This pale rosé is very expressive of its terroir, with beautiful aromas of garrigue herbs and minerality that abound in the bouquet. Additional hints of sweet pea and orange blossom harmonize with the strawberry hull and melon rind fruitiness. Ethereal and dainty, the palate is light and bright, with vibrant acidity and a refreshing finish reminiscent of watermelon rind and orange pith. Drink now.
Aromas of buttered toast and flavors like peach and pear juice may sound a little mismatched, but they come together nicely in this full-bodied, oak-aged style of wine. The secondary toast character helps to wrap the fruitiness in a firm texture that carries all that complexity into the finish.
Aromas of steeped plum, ripe black currant and a whiff of grilled Mediterranean herb lead the nose. The round, concentrated palate doles out fleshy blackberry, ripe black cherry, ground pepper and anise alongside ripe, chewy tannins.
Pressed iris, scorched earth, ripe berry and cake spice lead the way. The juicy palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, clove, cinnamon and tobacco alongside fresh acidity and polished tannins. It's almost approachable but will be even better in a couple of years. Drink 2017–2022.
A 100% varietal wine, this offers a depth of earthy mushroom and forest, especially on the nose, before expansive waves of juicy raspberry and blackberry take over on the palate. Enjoyable now, it reveals a touch of dried herb and violet as it progresses in the glass.
The historic Santar estate is one of the oldest in the Dão region. The estate wine is structured, mineral, dark in character and firm in tannins. At the same time, rich black fruits are waiting to burst out, bringing with them ripeness and balanced acidity. It's a serious wine for aging; drink from 2018.
Fermented and aged in wood, this rich and complex wine is still young. The potential of the ripe yellow fruits, tight structure and toast and spice flavors are all there. Rounded and generous, this is a wine for some good aging; drink from 2017.
Ripe dark fruit, tilled earth, cooking spice and an herbaceous note waft out of the glass. On the palate, notes of grilled sage, clove, ground pepper and anise accent a core of dried black cherry. Assertive but refined tannins support the flavors.
Ripe and full in the mouth, this generous wine has yellow fruits and a warm, rich texture. Flavors of freshness flow right through the wine. Balanced and smooth at the end, it is ready to drink.
Lush blackberry and boysenberry aromas are matched by cola and toast notes on this ripe blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Bonarda. The palate is flush and grabby, while saturated flavors of blackberry and black currant finish with power and toasty oak. Drink through 2019.
Made with dried Zibibbo grapes, this savory dessert wine opens with aromas of citron zest, fig and dried Mediterranean herb. The concentrated palate doles out dried apricot, lemon honey, vanilla, toasted almond and candied citrus peel.
Foris consistently produces a meticulously crafted, value lineup of Alsatian-inspired white wines. As with its siblings, this is crisp, detailed and balanced. Apple and pear fruit is lined with citrus rind. Give it a light chill and it will delight.
A beautiful pale-pink color, this rosé made from 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah offers a gorgeous mélange of upfront fruit aromas, including red cherry, strawberry, peach and underripe mango. Hints of sweet pea and garrigue mingle with the ripe fruit core on the medium-bodied palate. The lightly creamy mouthfeel is lifted by bright final acidity, finishing snappy and fresh.
Leather and cigar box rise to the fore of this smoky wine, accented in coconut, black pepper and cedar. Dusty on the palate, it hails from a Calistoga-based vineyard site, prime location for the variety. It becomes more intense in black pepper and brambly blackberry and plum as it finishes, lean enough to invite more sips.
This is beautully concentrated and full of great richness yet seems closed at the moment. Its apricot jelly and dried fruit flavors, acidity and botrytis are in perfect balance, developing intensity as it opens. A full, generous wine with a great future. Drink from 2023.
Powered by intense botrytis, this wine is opulent and ripe, with spice, yellow fruit and honey flavors. It has just the right balance of acidity to maintain its shape and proportions. It's likely to age well over many years. Drink from 2024.
This impressive wine has great intensity and superb apricot and orange flavors. Acidity mingles with its botrytis core and rich, concentrated fruit, striking a fine balance. It will become delicious as it matures. Drink from 2024.
This ethereal Tokaji Aszú is golden in color, with aromas of delicate acacia flower, honeysuckle, fresh peach and tinned apricot. The flavors come alive on the palate, showing luscious apricot, floral honeycomb and fresh pear juice. The acidity is perfectly balanced to prevent this delightful wine from being too cloying.
The estate wine from Mouchão is always a great wine. This latest release, almost black in color and five-years-old, is hugely rich, powered by black fruits and juicy acidity. Made principally from Alicante Bouschet, it shows the power and the aging potential of this variety in the Alentejo. This wine, foot-trodden in open stone lagars, is destined for much longer aging. Drink at the earliest in 2021.
Here's another stunning offering from this fantastic estate. Elegant, structured and restrained, it opens with enticing Nebbiolo scents of blue flower, perfumed berry, dark spice and a light balsamic note of eucalyptus. The luminous palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry, licorice and cinnamon while vibrant acidity and firm, polished tannins provide seamless support. Drink 2023–2043.
With its apricot and honeyed flavors, this is a rich wine. It has intense, ripe fruit and layers of spice and botrytis. A dry core gives it its great richness and aging potential. Drink from 2024.
This wine has great richness. Along with its spice and honey notes, there are orange and lemon fruit flavors that give it lift. Beautifully balanced and ripe, it has the potential to be a superb wine. The botrytis core is what gives it its great aging potential. Drink from 2024.
Aromas of mature iris, blackberry, tobacco, crushed mint and baking spice lift out of the glass on this gorgeous Barolo. Despite the scorching heat, the Scavino made a supremely elegant wine, boasting black cherry, crushed black raspberry, menthol, star anise and ground clove framed in fine-grained, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. A gorgeous wine. Drink 2020–2031.
A booming but expertly balanced wine, this blend of 54% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, 18% Zinfandel and 10% Grenache shows aromas of black currant, black olive, black cherry, sweet woody spice and powdered hot cocoa. Elegant mocha and cappuccino notes thrive on the palate, which is brightened by penetrating acidity. It boasts perfectly polished tannins and ripe fig flavors, with a flash of dark chocolate on the finish.
Intense and ripe, this is a superb wine from a top Sauternes estate. It has all the expected elements, including concentrated botrytis and honeyed flavors. Seville orange and lemon notes provide contrast, as does its acidity, which is just as intense as the honey character. It will age well, so drink from 2025.
Robert Mondavi winemaker Genevieve Janssens makes this wine, a small-production solo project that's worth seeking. The 83% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Hendry Ranch and the 17% Cabernet Franc from Detert East Vineyard, a stone's throw from To Kalon. Impressively concentrated and lengthy, within a wealth of power, it is nuanced in black cherry, leather saddle and crushed rock, with the scent of violet never far behind.
This bottling from the San Francisco-based producer is about as Burgundian as California gets. Aromas of honeydew rinds, Meyer lemon pith and honeysuckle meet with briny chalk, chiseled marble and a touch of almond warmth on the nose. The extremely fresh, clean and chalky palate shows stunning texture as well as rounded lemon blossom, sea salt and the faintest butter flavor.
Straw colored with gold reflections, this delightful sweet wine has aromas of dried pear, fresh apricot and yellow peach. Flavors of fresh Bartlett pear, acacia honey and tinned apricots unfold on the palate. The finish is sweet, with just the right amount of acidity.
This blend of Quinta del Mar and Drum Canyon vineyards makes for a very powerful and attention-demanding wine. Sultry aromas of roasted red cherry and caramelized berry meet with well-integrated clove and allspice on the potent nose. The palate explodes with ripe but acid-cut blackberry and raspberry syrup flavors, with thyme, star anise and more dark spices rounding out the power.
This top wine from a major Cahors estate shows the potential of great Malbec. With its dense tannins, rich black fruit flavors, acidity and restrained power, it is a major force. Even with all its weight, it's stylish, complex and ageworthy wine. Drink from 2021.
Since taking over a family estate in 1998, Cathy and Daniel Fournié have focused on making great wine with the help of their expert neighbors. This is the result. Produced from organic, low-yielding old vines and wood aged for nearly two years, the wine is concentrated and dense. Mint flavors show the new wood and give a polished edge to the black fruit. Powerful tannins and juicy acidity back up its fruitiness. This is a wine for long-term aging. Drink from 2023.
Produced from old vines on the schist slopes of the upper Douro, this is an impressive wine from Carla Costa Ferreira and winemaker-daughter Rita Marques Ferreira. Dark tannins in this still-young wine bring out bitter chocolate flavors as well as enhancing the dense black fruits. Along with the rich structure and concentration, this superb wine has a sense of restrained authority and certainly the ability to age. Drink from 2021.
Created as an homage to the traditional powerful “black wines” that set the reputation of Cahors in Medieval times, this wine follows the old practice of heating the grape must before fermentation. The result is enormous concentration, seriously tannic ripe black fruit and considerable acidity. These are all elements that demand aging, and even at four years old this wine is just starting out. Drink from 2021 at the earliest.
Noval, one of the showpiece estates of the Douro, releases vintages in most years. This wine gives a fine reflection of what is, in fact, a great vintage which was almost a general declaration. It is impressive, ripe with generous black fruits and a fine balance between the spirit and the rich structure and fruit. It is going to mature quickly in the sense that it can be drunk within the next five years. It will also age for several decades.
This is a show-stopping blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec by veteran winemaker Kevin Willenborg. A deep shade of mauve, the wine coats the glass and unleashes intense, lavish aromas of cassis, fig paste, mint and tarragon. It's as soft as it looks on the palate, where baked black cherry, roast beef, turned earth and lilac flavors ride luxurious yet firmly structured tannins.
This marks the debut of consulting winemaker Matthew Courtney's take on the estate site. It dazzles in complex notes of exotic Asian spice, lavender and crushed rock, while focused acidity provides a context of substance and depth.
With a persistence of lightly-toasted oak, this youthful wine offers intense luxury. A gritty, stony texture complements its delicious aspects of lemon rind and anise. Green apple, ocean spray and an underlying streak of dried herb provide additional complexity and length.
This classic Portuguese blend from five grapes is rich and opulent. Although the firm tannins need time to soften, the rounded, powerful black fruits are all there along with balanced acidity. Drink from 2019.
Made entirely from Nerello Cappuccio, this offers cassis, Mediterranean scrub and vanilla aromas. It's straightforward and enjoyable, with raspberry, clove and white pepper flavors framed by lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
A still wine made from the workhorse grape of true Champagne, this seems to be maturing rather rapidly, suggesting cured meat, bruised apple, strawberry and cherry. An impression of apple cider vinegar marks the finish. Drink up.
Base notes of vanilla, peach and honeysuckle linger on the nose as honeydew and chamomile show in the background. Tangerine, honeysuckle, peach, honeydew and ginger show on the rich palate, with a zip of acidity o the long, tingly finish.
Ripe berry, toasty oak and vanilla notes drive the nose on this Salta Malbec. In the mouth, it is creamy and thick, with modest acidity. Oaky flavors of baked berry fruits and black currant finish jammy, soft and spicy, with a pervasive note of oak-based clove.
Juicy and mouth coating in ripe fruit, this wine offers black cherry, dusty tannins and graphite. Softly textured and surely approachable, it ends in a bright note of acidity.
This wine opens in a curious mix of cucumber and mint, herbal and inviting in its unexpected charms. Tart cherry, raspberry and black tea contribute further flavor atop a light texture of still-developing concentration and ripe fruit.
This lightly wood-aged wine is soft and round in character. It has light spice and warm yellow fruits, as well as sliced apple and acidity to balance the fruitiness. Drink now.
From the good winds (Bons Ventos) estate, this balanced wine has good acidity as well as black-currant fruit. Tannins give the wine its dry core and structure. Nine months in wood have added spice and the smooth texture. Drink from 2018.
A brief period of wood aging delivers soft tannins and juicy blackberry fruits to this ripe wine. A streak of acidity gives the powerful wine a crisp edge. Drink now.
Purple flower, perfumed berry, baking spice and dried herb aromas unfold in the glass, along with a hint of espresso. The tight palate shows sour cherry, unripe strawberry, clove, sage and roasted coffee notes alongside close-grained, astringent tannins and racy acidity.
Only occasionally produced, this reserve-level wine is a bit of a mystery in this new vintage. It's tart and shy, its black fruit laced with assertive acidity and its finish excessively astringent.
Heavy-handed oak on the nose is reflected through aromas of wet cement, char and wood resin. A grabby palate is full of oak tannin, while this tastes saucy and earthy, with savory berry and black-plum flavors. On the finish, the flavor of residual raw oak is strong.
Wood smoke and charcoal aromas lead to flavors like cola, steak sauce and cherries in this dramatic, Rhône-style wine blended from notoriously meaty Mourvèdre plus Grenache and Syrah. A touch of sweetness and light tannins complete the picture of this wine made by a longtime Rhône variety specialist.
Just a small amount of this wine was made, blended with 7% Zinfandel and 5% Syrah. Dark juicy fruit finds a way to succeed on the bold big-boned palate as notes of licorice and leather add savory undertones to the softly tannic madness.
The wine has all the warmth and ripe fruit of the vintage. Its tangy character is balanced by apple and pear fruits, along with refreshing acidity. Smoothly textured, the wine is ready to drink.
This Riesling has white floral and lemon zest aromas and lemon pith and grapefruit flavors. It's nicely balanced, with a pleasantly tart finish.
The nose opens with black-skinned berry, underbrush and toast aromas. It's firm and fruity on the palate, with black cherry, white pepper and mocha flavors framed by polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This warm ripe blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay has some firm tannins as well as juicy red fruits. It is concentrated and structured while also having a generous, fruity character. Drink this wine now.
One of the producer's signature varieties, this impresses in its nutty gamy overview that recalls the sensations and smells of an Italian deli. Rich red fruit makes for a juicy core built around substantial tannins that become supple on the palate. The finish is about black pepper.
This spicy, wood-aged wine is full of both tannins and fruit. It is dense and still young, bringing together juicy blackberry and a solid structure. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
Perfumed, chunky and almondy on the nose. Feels full and oily but also a bit juicy, with driving, penetrating orange and grapefruit flavors. Offers proper weight and spicy citrus flavors on the finish. Drink immediately as it's losing freshness and turning yellow.
Roasted and compact on the nose, with a slight burn along with generic berry and cassis aromas. Feels tannic and hard, with herbal, roasted flavors of blackberry and currants. Meaty but herbal on the finish.
Menthol adds a lifted quality to scents of sweet cherry and plum on this pretty, light-bodied Pinot. On the palate, sweet berries and prune are edged with a frame of gentle tannins and a hint of bitterness. Finishes with a soft whiff of barnyard and forest floor.
Structure, acidity and mineral-tinged fruits star in this wine. It has a fresh, fruity black currant character with tannins and a dense core of dry fruit skins. Age another year, but it's also ready to drink now.
A simple, fresh white with citrus fruit, a touch of wood and some pineapple sweetness. It is rounded and herbaceous, ready to drink.
There's a strong, nutty character to this bubbly, with accents of Granny Smith apple, toast and lemon rind citrus on the nose and mouth. The rich mouth is full and satisfying, but the alcohol is a bit warming on the close.
Solid up front, with minty, herbal aromas that include olive, carob and black plum. Feels lifted and high in acidity, with a sharpness to the mouthfeel along with herbal flavors of olive and green-leaning plum. Fresh but short on the finish.
Juicy, freshly pressed apple flavors in this dry, medium-bodied Chardonnay gain savory components amid layers of toasted wood, coconut and sawdust. Bright acidity and hints of fresh grass and herbs add refinement and refreshment.
Named for brothers Richard and Don Lorenzi's mom, whose favorite color was pink, this Merlot-based rosé tastes like a grapefruit sprinkled with sugar, light and perfectly drinkable.
Blocky on the nose, with mild heat and burn to go with standard raspberry aromas. Feels full, with a resiny, oak-based thickness in front of chunky flavors of raspberry and plum. Dry, woody and buttery on the finish.
Airy smelling, with citrus and grass aromas brewing underneath. Has a wet, simple, refreshing feel and rather intense flavors of lime, tangerine and other citrus fruits. Cuts a direct path.
This unoaked Chardonnay shows admirable weight on the palate, but slightly one-dimensional, citrusy flavors. Clean and correct on the finish; drink now.
A dry, slightly washed-out Sauvignon Blanc, with varietally correct flavors of apple and herb. Thins out quickly, but a decent quaffer at this price.
A steep drop from previous years. This vintage is herbal and strained, with aromas of beets and stewed plum. Feels round and tannic, with plum and cassis flavors that finish candied and gritty in feel. An average wine by Lapostolle standards.
Opening with competing scents of menthol and fruit preserves, this hits the palate with peppery spice, ample minerality and nicely restrained jamminess. It's more evidence that, even with such high alcohol levels, Zinfandel-makers are keeping an eye on balance, with enough acidity to ensure food-friendly sipping.
A richly fruity wine, warm and ripe. Spice, tannins and black plums are all there in a concentrated package that projects richness. It's perfumed although it does need to age. Drink from 2016.
Aromas suggest fragrant white flowers, stone fruit and spice. The palate offers sweet white peach and pink grapefruit accented with nutmeg and mineral. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol.
Lingering aromas include white rose and exotic fruit. The dense palate is more intense, with ripe apricot, yellow peach and tropical fruit. You'll also feel the warmth of evident alcohol.
Rich in sanguine, leathery, blackberry and chocolate flavors, this velvety Petite Sirah, with a nose of violets, offers both decadence and elegance. The finish is all about cinnamon toast with a bite of oak.
Cedary spice notes accent aromas of raspberry and plum on this firm wine. The palate is big, creamy and blocky, with oaky flavors of vanilla as well as earthy plum and red berry. Cocoa, spice and vanilla flavors are prominent on an oaky finish. Drink through 2017.
Crisp and intense, this is all about herbaceous textures and pink grapefruit flavors. It is just on the edge of tartness in its acidity, just escaping because of its great fruitiness. It needs to calm down until late 2014.
Streaks of lanolin and petrol lend a savory, mineral intensity to this off-dry wine. Concentrated yellow peach and nectarine flavors penetrate deeply on the palate, but the moderately long finish reflects its earthier, spicier side.
Fragrances are reminiscent of stone fruit, flint and dried hay. The subtle palate offers raw yellow peach, honeydew melon and tropical fruit alongside racy acidity.
Ripe and aromatic yellow pears on the nose combine with bright lemon freshness on the palate to result in a zingy summer wine. Drink now.
Full, fleshy and flavorful, this blend of the three estate vineyards offers pretty fruit flavors of strawberry and Bing cherry. It carries a whiff of white pepper, along with luscious, orange-tinged acidity.
Delicate fragrances recall white wild flowers and white tree fruit. The bright, medium-bodied palate delivers tart green apple, mature pear and a hint of lemon zest alongside crisp acidity.
This rich wine is developing slowly. Even after a year, its fruit is still youthful with bright acidity and tangy citrus. It is beginning to round out and show a riper side. Wait until 2015.
Spice and smoke aromas contribute to a slightly earthy, savory opening on this sweet-tart Riesling full of brisk tangerine and grapefruit flavors. Nervy acidity and intense mineral tones extend through the moderately long finish.
A structured Pinot Grigio, it discloses aromas of fragrant white flowers, apple, pear and a hint of beeswax. The lively palate offers Granny Smith apple and citrus alongside zesty acidity. A subtle mineral note marks the close.
Citrus scents mingle with green pear peel. A textural vestige of phenolics suggests that this wine belongs on the table.
From a dry-farmed vineyard and treated to wild yeast and minimal new French oak, this Petite is chewy in leathery tannins, a definite crowd pleaser for Petite fans. Blackberries, coffee and pepper commingle impressively.
This barely salmon-colored charmer offers citrus freshness in a delicate frame. It makes a light sundowner-sip and ideal apéritif.
Rounded and ripe, this attractive, rich wine shows wood aging, ripe tannins and a firmer, drier core. Solid and dense, it has good acidity as well as a tight texture. The wine will need further aging, so don't drink before 2016.
A blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla, this structured but elegant wine offers Golden apple, dried apricot, citrus and subtle oak along with a hint of butterscotch.
An intense, impactful Malbec strong in tannin and power, teeth-staining and suggestive of a leathery saddle. Amidst the wine's manliness there is also ripe dark cherry, tobacco and plenty of soft vanilla. This is a big meat wine.
Warm, loamy, baked berry and cherry scents are the lead aromas on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah that also brings a green character into play. Hard acidity makes for a rough palate, while heavy oaking has created flavors of cheese and vanilla as well as spiced berry. Edgy tannins, leftover grit and green notes conclude things.
On the paler side of the the Chardonnay scale, the nose is subtle, with light touches of cream, butterscotch and smoke. There is a decent tension between ripe, lemongrass-like fruit and a bitter, grapefruit rind acidity in this wine from the team at Terravant Wine Company in Buellton.
Opening aromas include stone fruit, pear and nut. The savory palate offers white peach, green apple and mature Bartlett pear accented with bitter almond and mineral notes alongside fresh acidity.
It offers intense aromas of tomato leaf, grapefruit and dried hay. The vibrant, linear palate delivers apricot, pineapple, yellow pepper and a note of sage alongside racy acidity. It's zesty and refreshing without rough edges.
This interesting rosé mixes 78% Pinot Noir with 22% Pinot Gris. It's a pale copper with a hint of rose, and the nose carries suggestions of rose petals as well as strawberries. It's tart and medium-bodied, with some citrus snap to the acids.
The aromas are rather shy on the nose—there is just a mere floral whiff. The palate is dry and lets us see subtle varietal aromas: golden peach, a touch of honeysuckle spice, a hint of jasmine, aromatic orange zest. This is a restrained, streamlined and elegant varietal expression. Drink now through 2030.
This blend of 32% Syrah, 16% Grenache, 14% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 12% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petite Sirah truly sings, as the name implies. A strong boysenberry pie aroma is lifted by purple flower scents on the nose, and the palate's lush black cherry, vanilla and mocha spice flavors are reminiscent of a dessert wine without being sweet.
The dynamic nose of this bottling from a longtime ranching family in Monterey County pops with black raspberry, candied pomegranate and rose petal aromas. Fresh red fruit as well as darker baked raspberry flavors show on the palate, which is lifted by white pepper touches.
Grown in a south-facing site on limestone soil a mile east of Carmel Valley Village, this wine is dark and silky in the glass, with thick but not overripe blueberry and elderberry aromas, enhanced with sarsaparilla, smoked beef and crushed walnut notes. The palate is lush but vibrant with acidity, blending dark berry flavors with toasted oak, earth and cocoa spice.
From Josh Jensen's 4.4-acre vineyard, this bottling offers black plum and mulberry aromas laced with crushed gravel and lavender notes. There is a powerful minty character to the palate, which helps enliven the hearty ripe cranberry and hibiscus elements. A thought-provoking and earthy wine.
Very pure and totally appetizing notes of ripe pear and juicy Golden Delicious Apple fill the nose. The same insistent lively fruitiness pervades the taut, dry and very juicy palate alongside a blazing vein of lemon freshness. This is full of fruit, life and freshness. The finish has a lifted touch of conifer and is totally refreshing and whistle clean.
Though golden-hued in the glass, this is rather mellow on the nose, with soft lemon cream, toasted apple and marzipan aromas. The palate shows intense acidic energy, with zippy, tight and clean nectarine sorbet and Meyer lemon rind flavors.
Fleshy, dense and bright with cassis and vanilla notes, this 100% varietal estate wine is lovely and elegantly restrained, showing compact oak and firm tannin. Raspberry, tobacco and cedar round out the nuanced flavors that open over time.
The exquisitely restrained nose has just a touch of honeysuckle perfume—just a hint of that spicy headiness. These aromas also color the fine, ripe and juicy peach fruit on the palate that vies with fine citrus zestiness for attention. Slight residual sweetness caresses the fruit on the palate but this is very subtly done. The finish is off dry, but utterly balanced. This is a very beautiful, elegant and fresh Gewurztraminer. Drink now through 2030.
Very pure notes of Conference pear rise from the glass and promise freshness. The palate reprises the same fruitiness but streamlines it with grapefruit zest and juicy bone-dry concentration. This is bright and sprightly, energetic and invigorating, slender but packed with flavor. The finish is uncompromisingly fresh and dry.
This excellent blend of 70% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon shows caramelized black cherry, mint chocolate chip and a bit of smoke on the dense nose. The palate's soft mouthfeel is held up by firm tannins that last deep into the finish, presenting rich cherry juice flavors, along with caramel, milk chocolate and pleasant oak character.
Candied lemon peel, Asian pear and marzipan hints show on the slightly oxidative nose of this bottling from Jim Clendenen. Ripe apple and pear flavors mark the palate, along with a warm toast component, but a Meyer lemon tang and bitter orange accents cut the richness.
Bold, ripe black-cherry and berry flavors pulsate from the core of this voluptuous Pinot Noir. It's a densely concentrated, full-bodied wine but neatly integrated, nuanced by subtle shades of spice, dark toast and bramble. Crisp cranberry acidity freshens the finish. Drink now through 2030.
Full-throttle oak, vanilla, tobacco and smoky blackberry aromas feed into a full, grippy but surprisingly fresh palate. Toasty oak, blackberry and spice flavors finish long and steady. Drink this excellent Tempranillo from a powerful vintage through 2025.
In terms of aged vintage tawnies, this beautiful wine is relatively young. That means the fruit is still there, hinting at bold red fruits as well as the dried fig and sultana flavors that have also emerged. The wine is finely balanced with its rich texture and poise coming in between dry and sweet. Drink now.
This bottling is a testament to how fascinating Pinot Noir can grow after just a few years in the cellar. It shows kirsch, juniper, gingerbread and chai spice on the elegant, layered nose. The palate offers a compelling curry-like spice alongside crushed kalamata olive, eucalyptus, bay leaf and cedar flavors.
Decadent mango, yellow cherry and peach nectars abound on this forward yet nuanced wine. It's lip-smackingly honeyed but vibrantly acidic with a harmonious, slightly spicy, mineral finish. It drinks gorgeously now but should continue to improve through 2030.
Creamy yet not overly viscous, this wine finds a nice balance between fruit and juicy acidity, showing off well-crafted apricot, green apple and nut notes. Light bodied and totally fresh, it gains layers of citrus as it evolves in the glass.
Jim Clendenen's winery has sat in the middle of Bien Nacido for decades, so it is no wonder he nails the vineyard's expression with this bottling, beginning with flinty and woody aromas that accent an orange custard creaminess on the nose. The palate also shows cedar-like oak, followed by waves of brioche, preserved lemon and orange marmalade flavors.
A blend from Jim Clendenen's own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and the Bien Nacido Vineyard where his winery is located, this bottling shows candied red cherry, star anise, fennel and sagebrush on the earthy but fruity nose. The palate combines fresh thyme and other wild herbs with tart Montmorency cherry—bold flavors wrapped in a delicate package.
This is a concentrated yet delightfully light-footed elixir of fruit and flowers. Intensely perfumed, it wafts of sweet cantaloupe, honey and pollen. The palate balances lush white peach and hibiscus nectars against a scintillating backdrop of acidity. It's persistent and steely on the finish.
Gravelly texture supports rich yet balanced baked apple and anise flavors in this hugely appealing wine from old vines in one of the producer's estate vineyards. As it opens, more floral components come to life, recalling jasmine and apple blossom, feeling high-toned and refreshing.
This bottling shows deep black plum, elderberry, rose and purple flower aromas. The palate is dense, with black plum and tart cranberry enhanced by Earl Grey tea and potpourri. Thanks to a strong tannic backbone and buoyant acidity, these flavors are interesting now but will meld together more compellingly in the years to come. Drink 2019–2034.
From the producer's best barrels and best blocks of grapes, this wine delivers goodness from start to finish. It leads with oak, honey and apple notes while its lush texture of balanced acidity and generous fruit brings along rocky minerality.
Juicy cherry and cardamom flavors give this wine approachability as well as complexity, all within a smooth, fleshy texture. Full bodied and integrated, it's spicy and deliciously aromatic, with fresh garden-like accents of rose and lavender.
Yeasty funk hovers above rich beckoning peach. The dry palate then expands and comprises taut, translucent citrus, exuding a cool calm charm. This is slender and fresh and shows concentration but no heaviness. It's a wonderfully fine-boned delicate Riesling of subtle power. Impressive long and whistle-clean finish.
Heady peach is joined by a tart notion of citrus foliage. This exquisite aromatic quality of the nose carries throughout the taut but generous body. Despite dryness, luscious peach and red-cheeked mirabelle plums are evoked in a very pure honest fashion. This is the bounty of 2015 displayed with a very light touch, with finesse and elegance. Drink now through 2027.
Smooth as silk and soft as butter, this glides across the palate in a smoky, sexy and seductive manner. Butter and berry, black cherry and a finishing flourish of chocolate nibs, capped with espresso, give this a complete start-to-finish set of flavors. Drink now and over the next decade.
Dominated by its toasty wood flavors, this is a wine still under development. It has weight, the fruit offering great potential richness. Spice, lime fruits and a firm, steely core all promise to come together into a fine wine in five years.
One of Chile's best wines is excellent in 2007. The bouquet is concentrated, jammy and powerful, with Graham cracker sweetness offset by earth notes and leather. Lush and deep across the palate, with classy cassis, blackberry and fudge flavors. Layered and silky on the finish. Drink now through 2014.
With its initial toast flavors, this is a wine that is made for aging. It has weight and opulence to go with the structure and sweet fruits. The peaches combine with citrus in a delicious counterpoint to the structure. Age for 3–4 years.
A dry style of vintage, bound by its tannins, the black fruits adding an element of freshness to the rich, chunky texture. It has weight, great presence, a powerful dark wine for aging.
Very mineral textured wine, speaking of limestone soil. It balances a toasty, smoky character against the ripest green and yellow fruits. The citrus lends its acidity to tighten up a finely structured, ageworthy wine.
A perfumed wine that smells and tastes mature. While it still has some sweet strawberry fruit, secondary flavors of coffee, toast and mature acidity dominate. It is not likely to improve much with further keeping, but is a delectable Pinot Noir now.
While having the richness of the vintage, this wine also has all the steely minerality of Chablis. Its acidity goes in a crisp line from the yellow and white fruits to the wood. Still young, give the wine another 3–4 years. Screwcap.
A young wine, its fruit only just settling with the fine acidity and intense texture. The potential is all there, from the wood-aged character to the freshest acidity to the rich peach and green plum flavors. The texture gives the wine a final tang. Screwcap.
A mineral and ripe wine, full of yellow fruits along with a tight, steely texture. The combination gives the wine structure and richness, offering ripe complexity and the potential to age.
If you're going to enjoy this wine now, let it open up for a couple of hours to allow some of the nuanced notes to express themselves. Sultry aromas of boysenberry and blueberry are framed with complex additions of purple florals, sweet cured meat, vanilla bean and toasty oak. The palate is lush and mouthfilling, with fine but aggressive tannins and a beautiful minerality to the dark fruit core. Cocoa-dusted truffle flavors flood the long finish; hold until 2016–2020.
This takes a few moments to open up on the nose but the gloriously tart but ripe apple notion of Riesling then becomes enticing and irresistible. On the palate the flavors the apple flavor acquires the merest touch of honey while vivid lemon awakes all taste buds. This is intense and incisive but not heavy at all. The palate is dry and poised. The finish is ultraclean and gorgeously lip-smacking. Totally refreshing now but with great potential. Drink 2017–2037.
The nose is a little shy, just hinting at citrus freshness. The very dry palate brings all the freshness to the fore—this is lithe and vividly lemony. Exquisite tartness tingles deliciously on the tongue and ripples its vivid rays of shimmering bright light across the senses—what a picture of 2014. If you like it emollient and rounded this is not for you. This is for lovers of bright uncompromising purity and freshness. This has real verve, bags of it, all backed up with serious lemon fruit. Gorgeously refreshing now but it will be even better with time. Drink 2017–2037.
This impressive dry wine is made as part of a club of producers who taste and evaluate each other's wines before release. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, it is full of white fruit with a toasty edge that gives the wine weight. Behind this is a strongly mineral character with bite and zest that will allow it age further. Drink from 2020.
A rather lifted nose of peach and blossom creates a heady opening. There also is the merest hint of vanilla. The palate reprises these notes with creamy vanilla, ripe peach and honeysuckle. Warmth is palpable on this rather luscious, incredibly generous and still-evolving wine. The finish is beautifully corralled into zesty sweetness by ripe lemon. This is layered and complex and must be savored slowly. It will continue to develop. Drink 2017–2027.
This bottling reflects the past several years' fine-tuning the winery's vision in the vineyard and in the cellar. Including small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it's a rounded, concentrated wine that expresses the vintage with ripe, grippy tannins that beg for further resolution. Blackberry, clove and leather flavors rise to the fore. Cellar through 2035.
From an organic parcel of vines, this floral and honey-flavored wine is superbly rich. The 12 months in wood adds spice and a touch of toast as well as giving the wine a delicious oxidative edge. It is an opulent wine, hinting at honey, with ripe melon and quince flavors. Drink this impressive wine from 2021.
There is almost a touch of burnt sugar on the nose before the more customary aromas of juicy honeyed pear kick in. There are fresher glints, too, of zesty lime and green pear. The palate boosts the juicy pear notes which fill mouth and nose and which are edged with pleasantly bitter pithiness. A touch of residual sweetness amplifies the fruit on the generous palate, but this is balanced with lemony freshness before an off-dry finish. Lovely now but sure to develop. Drink 2017–2030.
Lush and lovely fruits highlight this wine. White peaches, lemon curd, sweet pineapple, quince and a dash of honey all combine gracefully, with a nice kick of fresh acidity. A light touch with new French oak (20%) adds a hint of vanilla and Key-lime pie to the finish. On the second day, it's just as good, if not even better.
Almost entirely Chardonnay, with just a whisper of Pinot Noir, this is a dry Champagne. It is crisp, lively, steely and with great intensity. The apple and lemon flavors are just a part of this impressive wine that could age longer. Drink from 2019.
A tremendous rendition of the variety from an appellation not particularly associated with it, this wine is deftly etched with notes of black licorice, leather and earth. Explosive tannins underscore its core of juicy blackberry and smoke flavors, while the finish is sticky and somewhat feral.
Paix Sur Terre manages to translate the heat and sunshine of Paso Robles into a rich and savory but not overripe wine. Quite dark in the glass, it shows blackberry, black plum, roast beef, black pepper and soy notes on the nose. The palate is dense and creamy, with dark chocolate, roasted blackberry, vanilla and caramel flavors.
This wine's Honeycrisp apple and Applejacks cereal scents lead the nose before bold layers of luxurious texture confirm its complexity and overall appeal on the palate. Densely packed with flavor, it also shows plenty of structure to support its powerful range.
Tender notes of lemon and glorious freshness are first apparent on the shy nose but achieve their full expression on the slender, dry and incisive palate. The purity of the lemon zest notes tingles on the tongue and creates a streamlined, refreshing dynamic. This is clean and invigorating with its uncompromising bright freshness that lasts and lasts. This is lovely now but has huge promise. Drink 2017–2037.
This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.
From a 25-acre site on the western flank of Rutherford, this wine includes 2% Malbec. With sanguine cassis, cranberry and cinnamon touches, it's a soft, round and velvety expression of the hearty variety, finishing with notes of coffee and dark chocolate.
Only one barrel of this Paul Hobbs-consulted bottling was produced, and that extreme focus made for a powerful and rich though not overripe result. Concentrated blackberry and violet aromas are cut by crushed gravel and cedar spice notes. Leather, tobacco, rose petal and black pepper accents spice up its black fig flavors on the hearty palate, which is structured with fine-grained tannins.
A touch of earth and the purest expression possible of tart ripe red apple immediately draws you in on the nose. The absolutely dry palate also has a touch of that earthiness and adds more apple-peel notions to the fruit while a vivid lemon brightness takes center stage. This is generous and earthy in a typically Alsatian idiom but then that freshness kicks in and takes this to another level. It channels and guides all the energy and power of this site into alluring dynamics on the palate. The finish is dry, long and lovely. Drink 2017–2030.
Very light in appearance, this sprightly bottling offers tart yet warm aromas of wild cherry, cranberry, sweet oregano, sandalwood and wet earth. Pomegranate, strawberry, slate and cedar notes show on the palate, which showcases ripeness in a restrained fashion. Drink now–2035.
Winemaker Matt Crafton embraces the winery's longstanding tradition of elegant Napa Valley Cabernet in this estate wine—a beautiful expression of exotic, savory characteristics wrapped in a seamless texture. Tomato leaf, meat and soy notes underscore deep layers of black pepper, black cherry and cassis, with grippy, dense tannins. Enjoy 2023–2033.
A shy, just about citrus-scented nose takes a little air to be woken up before releasing a strikingly pure note of ripe lemon. The palate has the same clear lemon purity but has a rich fluid texture of ripeness and concentration—a wonderful interplay of fruit richness and taut freshness that creates tension and poise. While the palate is completely dry, the lemon depth attains the richness of lemon oil and candied zest. The tanginess lingers long on the pure finish. This is lovely and pure now, but bottle age will make it beguiling. Drink 2017–2037.
A wonderfully savory touch of fragrant wild thyme precedes the tangerine peel notes on the nose of this promising and aromatically scented wine. The palate comes through with tangy zesty tangerine and bright fresh lemon. This is streamlined and taut, muscular but svelte. This just fills palate and mind with its fizzing, vibrant citrus notes that shine on the absolutely dry concentrated palate. Lots of refreshment and excitement here. Drink 2017–2030.
The nose is shy but promises development with its heady note of chamomile. The palate reinforces this soothing, herbal and balm-like feeling even more, seemingly dissolving dried chamomile aromas in a sea of fluid, fresh lemon. The palate is absolutely dry and comes with a wonderful lightness of touch. Despite the ripeness of the 2012 vintage this has ease and a spring in its step. This wine is lovely now and will continue to evolve for a long time. Concentration will make sure of that. Drink 2017–2030.
This combination of tingling grapefruit spice, pure lemon and leafy lemon balm on the nose is utterly disarming. The touch of green apple makes it even more alluring. The palate jumbles all of these fresh, lithe, bright and appetizing flavors together and swirls them across the palate on a joyous, light-footed lemon sweep. Oh for the pleasure of Riesling in a vintage that majors on freshness rather than ripeness. This dances on the tongue with its dryness, purity and aromatic ease. Underneath all that is concentration and a stony, firm core that anchors this in quality. A lovely, promising and utterly charming wine. Drink 2017–2030.
Superripe mirabelles and the juiciest pears appear on the nose and fill the mind with heady perfume. The palate confirms this notion of sweetness with ample residual sugar. However, this is met with precise acidity to create unusual thrill. This just sits on a knife's edge between juicy ripe pear and mouth-watering grapefruit zest—a wonderful interplay of notions that makes this incredibly enticing. This is starting to develop and has way to go with its playful, medium-dry finish. Drink 2017–2030.
The nose is rather restrained but the palate comes alive with ripe lemon and zesty tangerine. This is dry and concentrated, with a lovely vein of lemon freshness that pervades and brightens the entire experience. Prepare to be refreshed. This is luminous, fresh and so illustrative of the 2014 vintage: A challenge that yielded such jewels in the right hands. Lovely now but with ample mileage. Drink 2017–2037
Wet stone and lemon set the tone when it comes to scent. The palate falls in with these themes and presents precision and poise; the razor-sharp freshness of lemon zest is both brightening and deliciously bracing. This is a svelte but concentrated wine of great purity that has not really come into its own yet. It is perfumed now but one cannot help but suspect much more development of aroma in the future. All the potential, concentration and balance is there. The finish is dry and lemony. Drink 2017–2030.
Ripe notions of juicy peach and yellow pear rise from the glass. Around the edges they have an aromatic touch of grapefruit zest. That zesty notion remains a constant fixture on the very rich medium-sweet palate, countering the luscious richness of the fruit which shines with honeyed peach, juicy pear and ripe tangerine. It is the zestiness that frames everything on this rich powerful palate. This is lovely now but it has all the fruit and concentration to age well. Drink 2017–2037.
A touch of quince plays about the rich notes of peach and tangerine on the nose. An aromatic notion of dark fir honey leads onto a medium-sweet palate of ripe peach, zesty tangerine peel, golden mirabelles and lemon. The citrus elements provide a high-toned brightness that works very well with the sweet juiciness and richness of the palate. On the palate it is the wonderfully aromatic zestiness that lasts and lasts.
Dried lemon peel and honey create a very appealing nose. The palate displays generous fruit balanced by the disciplined structure provided by lively acidity. Glimpses of ripe pear and honeycomb show on the edges, while the medium-dry finish is immensely appetizing. Though it's lovely now, it shows long-term potential, and should hold well through 2030.
This limited cuvée is essentially an Elton vineyard reserve, given extra (80%) new oak from selected blocks. Juicy black cherry and dark chocolate flavors combine, with lively acidity underscoring the moderately long finish.
This single-block bottling, though tasty, is a less complete wine than the Cuvée. Here the bright raspberry fruit is tight and constrained a bit, with an abundance of tart acids. Just a light hint of chocolate comes up in the finish.
Delicate melon and white-peach aromas lend softness to this bristling off-dry Riesling. Laser-sharp in style, it balances lime acidity with bright stone-fruit flavor and long, mineral streaks.
With fruit from the Hames Valley AVA, this Morgan Hill-based winery delivers distinct aromas of pomegranate-glazed mushrooms and red pepper spice. Cracked black pepper and a hint of green herbs carries the palate, which holds a bittersweet cranberry note through the finish.
Aromas of peach and lemon peel prime the palate for flavors of peach, apricot, and lemon curd. It's well balanced, with flavors of ripe stone fruit and citrus that wash across the palate and leave a creamy texture in their wake.
Brawny and tasty at the same time, this combines oak, vanilla and cherry aromas with very full body, ripe and broad boysenberry flavors and firm tannins. A slightly hot finish echoes the spicy oak notes. The texture is firm and tannic, making it a good counterpoint to rich food.
Soft aromas of grapefruit, sage and lavender lead to flavors of green apple, eucalyptus, and aniseed. This wine has a pleasant balance of fresh fruit and cool herbal notes. It is smooth on the palate with a cooling lemon-rind finish.
Medium apricot to the eye, this rosé made from Syrah and Mourvèdre opens with a bouquet of strawberry and peach. Flavors of guava, anise and clove continue on to a spicy finish that may be too cool for some yet will be enjoyed by those who like rosé with a touch of sophistication.
Housed in its former coaching inn, Emile Beyer produces this L'Hostellerie range of wines that's a cut above its Tradition wines. Spiced, layered with lychees and a touch of honey, this ripe, medium-sweet wine is full of fruit. It will be even better from 2016.
Aromas recall ripe berry, violet, leather, oak and spice. The firm palate offers mature blackberry, dried cherry, espresso, roasted coffee bean, licorice and toasted oak. Assertive tannins leave an astringent, mouth-puckering finish. Drink after 2017.
Accented by 8% Zinfandel and 2% Syrah, this is big in robust, juicy black cherry and oak, the tannins correspondingly dusty and sizable. On the soft finish, a cup of drip black coffee suggests itself.
For the price, this is a solid Chardonnay, offering up just you might expect. Hints of toasty oak, a suggestion of custardy textural richness and intense citrus fruit come together in a medium-bodied wine that should prove versatile at the table through the end of 2016.
A 50-50 blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah, this offers inviting aromas of ripe black plum, fragrant blue flower and allspice. Blackberry, dried cherry and black pepper take center stage on the palate, while soft tannins provide light support. It finishes on a smoky note.
This intensely golden-colored wine offers aromas of mature apricot, dried fig and clove that carry over to the palate along with candied nectarine zest. It also shows the warmth of alcohol despite the rather modest 13.5% avb.
Aromas of dark berry, crushed wild flower, orange peel and Mediterranean brush waft out of the glass. The vibrant, easy-drinking palate doles out juicy blackberry, blueberry, pomegranate, carob and a note of white pepper alongside bright acidity and supple tannins.
Watermelon, strawberry and pie-cherry fruit flavors showcase a light and quite pretty rosé. Bone-dry despite the very low alcohol, it's backed with crisp acidity, a dash of minerality, and a finishing whiff of cocoa powder.
Attractive aromas of ripe, dark-skinned fruit, carob, blue flower and a touch of leather lead the nose on this medium-bodied red. The savory palate doles out juicy blackberry, crushed black cherry, ground pepper and clove alongside sleek, supple tannins. There's no complexity but it's smooth and delicious.
Dark, inky and smoky on the nose, this estate-grown Cab is supple and medium bodied, offering bursts of juicy dark plum and berry on the palate. The oak is well-integrated and unobtrusive.
This is the winery's reserve, a lot and barrel selection. Nicely layered, it rolls through strawberry, raspberry, light chocolate and sandalwood, tosses in a hint of cola, and smooths out through a medium-long finish. Nothing is heavy-handed, though in this excellent vintage a bit more concentration would be welcome.
As the name Barriques suggests, this wine is lightly aged in wood that adds toast to spice and gives a buttery, ripe texture. The wine is fresh, rounded with a pepper character that comes through strongly at the end. Drink now, but better from 2016.
This smooth blend of Nero d'Avola and Merlot opens with aromas of dark berry, blue flower and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The soft, round palate doles out juicy black cherry, ground pepper and a note of star anise framed in supple tannins.
Dusty, nutty aromas of baked apple are mature and pretty. This blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia feels healthy, round and whole, with balancing acidity. Peach, melon and baked apple flavors finish long and secure. For a four-year-old white Rioja, this is in fine shape. Drink through 2016.
Ripe, yellow peach and apricot flavors are accompanied by shock of spine-tingling acidity on this off-dry Riesling. Intensely focused and penetrating, it offers a lingering crush of minerals on the finish.
The nose on this wine from the longtime Santa Ynez Valley producer is a bit faint, with wet lawn and lemon most apparent. The palate is more sensation-based than flavor-driven, all about light texture and simmering acidity, with green apple and lime skin elements.
This is a blend of five different Dundee Hills sites, and as is often the case in Oregon, delivers more accessible and complete flavors than some of the winery's individual vineyard-designated wines. It's herbal and spicy, with strong scents of tomato leaf and root beer. The fruit is tart and clean, and the wine comes out swinging, but then it falls away in the back end, adding just a lick of vanilla as a sweet coda.
Warming spices and smoke on the nose lead into an elegant balance of juicy berry, firm tannins and pepper. There's an earthy backbone to the wine but overall, it's bright and approachable. Pair with grilled meats.
A very tight, tart and tannic Pinot Noir, almost impossible to open up despite hours of breathing. Acidic and unyielding, the rating is a compromise between what it is currently showing and what it hints at if you probe deeply enough.
This is made by Eric Hamacher (Carlton Winemakers Studio) and mixes dried herb, tea, honeysuckle and green apple in a convivial style. Round and fruity, it's dry without being stiff or steely. Very drinkable.
This wine has an exuberant, juicy quality to it that is extremely attractive for solo sipping. Bright berry and spice on the nose are followed by mouthwatering, round fruit in the mouth. Pepper and spice mingle with good structure and a long finish, making this an impressive showing from Schultz.
This is a great example of how an affordable wine can still offer quality and character. A compelling nose of tobacco, berry and spice is followed by a play of plum and clean minerality. Balanced and slightly restrained, the wine will pair well with heartier foods like steak or stew.
There is 8g/L of residual sugar, so some tasters might object to a hint of sweetness, but others will just find it helps to accentuate the wine's fruit-forward nature. Pear and fig flavors pick up some honeyed stone fruit notes on the palate but this is nicely balanced and easy to drink.
Focused flavors of mint and black currant come together in this distinctive Cabernet. There's a touch of oak too that adds spice, and the overall character is elegant. The wine will benefit from some aging to further integrate its parts.
Surprise! This is a legitimate, true to the variety Pinot Noir from southerly Bío Bío Valley. The wine has dryness and balance, a little wood, and pure aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry ice tea and chocolate. It's lively and streamlined on the palate, so it will work with food. A definite winner in an emerging category that is Chilean Pinot.
This Maipo estate is now aligned with Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington, which doesn't exactly impact this nice everyday Cabernet. Bramble and fresh berry aromas offer an entry, then there's chewy raspberry on the palate along with a grace of vanilla and some warmth. A bone-warming wine for fall and winter.
Normally the Maipo Valley produces warm, dull Sauvignon Blancs. But this one has more kick and purity of fruit than most. The nose delivers tropical and melon aromas, while the palate is packed with lime, citrus and grapefruit flavors. It's on the big side and a little clingy on the finish, but mostly it gets things right.
A creamy-textured, medium-bodied wine, this entry-level offering from Hungerford Hill offers scents of coffee and mixed spices alongside earthier notes. Blackberry and pepper flavors fade slowly on the finish, revealing slightly dusty tannins—just enough to cut through the fat of a juicy hamburger.
Char and savory spices accent blackberry and cherry aromas on this crisp, medium-bodied wine. On the palate, delicate fruit flavors are a bit overwhelmed amidst layers of oak and spice. It ends with a soft kiss of tannins.
A round, soft and easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc, this wine offers an attractive blend of citrus fruit and pungent herbal notes. Drink now.
On the rich side, this smooth wine discloses flavors of caramel and toasted almonds as well as fruit. It leaves a sweet feeling, rounded and ripe, finished with a touch of pepper and spice.
Green apple, stone fruit and citrus aromas carry over to the palate with lemon-lime. This easy-drinking wine would make a nice apéritif or pair it with lightly seasoned pastas dishes.
A highly perfumed nose offers potent aromas of bath soap and lychee. The palate is chunky but kept on par by lively acidity. Lychee, melon and lemon flavors finish sweet yet briny. Drink now.
This spunky Garnacha smells like fruit punch with some green herbs mixed in. The palate is wiry and acidic in feel, with raspberry and plum flavors. It finishes fresh and zesty.
Sensations of white peach, apricot, citrus and mineral come alongside medicinal notes that leave a rather bitter taste.
The opening of smoke, rubber and black cherry comes across as being dark and good. The palate holds form with lively cherry, plum and currant flavors and finally a medium-long, somewhat warm and meaty finish. Good for an everyday, no-frills Garnacha.
Steely, mineral style, very crisp. The texture is bone dry, with grapefruit and lime flavors, a wine under tight tension. It has lightness and extreme freshness.
Easy-drinking and varietal, this displays fresh pear fruit cut with pineapple. It's forward and juicy, a wine to drink chilled with picnic foods.
Off-dry with a candied orange character, this is indeed a mélange, including portions of seven different white wine grapes. It's an interesting wine, though might prove a bit challenging to match to food. Perhaps a curry?
Sunny and warm on the nose with aromas of honey, roasted hazelnuts and a touch of petroleum, this medium-bodied dry Riesling surprises with an unexpected austerity in the mouth. It's an interesting transition, however, resulting in a sleek, steely wine with hints of chalk dust, bitter lime and canned pineapple flavors.
Bright with fresh apple and pear aromas, this off-dry style Riesling is a sunny, cheerful wine that melds the sweetness of tangerines with a high-toned acidity.
Yes, that is the correct spelling, as shown on the wine's label. A blend of 10% Merlot, 56% Syrah, and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is dark, plum-colored and dusty with scents of plum and prune. Soft and moving quickly into midlife, it drinks like an older wine, with soft tannins and a hint of supple leather.
A full, fruity, slightly hot Chardonnay. The barrel aging—all French, 60% new—brings the expected toastiness. This is a solidly made, fruit-forward style, immediately ready for drinking.
Kicks off with minty coconut aromas and prune, then a hint of creamy green. The palate shows proper acidity and tannin balance, so the framing for the wine's raspberry flavors is good. Grabby but fresh on the finish, with just enough grapey richness.
Toasted oak and vanilla are noticeably present on the palate and nose of this wine, which evolves in the glass to take on a more tropical feel and tastes of ripe pineapple and guava. Medium to light in texture, it finishes smoothly and flat.
Aromatic for the variety, this wine shows notes of apple and pear. It's lightly spritzy with an almost unctuous feel.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this easygoing, friendly red opens with aromas of fresh plum and crushed blue flowers. The juicy palate offers up fleshy black cherry, raspberry and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside round, soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
This is a crisp, clean and zesty wine, built on a simple but tasty base of white grapefruit. It's light to medium in body, with a refreshing finish.
While bright and tropical on the nose, the intense ripeness of this dry Cabernet Franc rosé lends a caramelized, almost ruddy richness to the palate. Brisk acidity lends balance and structure.
Aromas of wood shop, espresso and licorice lead the nose. The firm palate delivers oak extract, licorice, clove, dried black cherry and sage alongside tightly-knit, drying tannins. It has structure but not much fruit richness remains.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of wet leaves, underbrush, leather and prune. The palate offers dried red and black cherry, grilled sage and a confectionary note alongside lithe tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Golden in color, this wine has a light presence on the palate, offering both floral and herbal highlights of jasmine and cinnamon. A faint squeeze of citrus is perceptible throughout, before the wine finishes in a flash.
Syrupy and dense, this is a burly wine, soft but powerful, that keeps coming back to the theme of blackberry syrup. Velvety tannins buoy the midpoint, before it finishes in a burst of intense ripeness.
This forcefully oaked Garnacha offers rustic berry fruit aromas over clove. The high acidity is offset by resiny oak, while flavors of clove and char vie with generic red-berry flavors over a slightly hot finish.
Slightly lactic notes on the nose detract from the citrusy freshness of the simply refreshing, easy-drinking palate.
This medium-bodied blend features aromas and flavors reminiscent of bubble gum and cantaloupe. It's mainly Grenache and Cinsault, which impart ample weight, balanced by some slightly bitter, pithy notes on the finish.
Earthy, rooty aromas of cola, tobacco and baked black plum give way to a drawing, drying palate with rubbery, clampy tannins. Roasted plum, prune and herbal flavors finish loamy in feel but salty in flavor.
The plum and blue fruit aromas and flavors don't seem entirely varietal but this still offers plenty of appeal. It's lightly sweet with a squeeze of tannins.
Chalky, intensely mineral aromas stand out in contrast to the plush, intensely fruity palate of this Cabernet Franc rosé. Slightly off dry in style, its black plum and cherry flavors are voluptuously rich and ripe, accented by fresh cranberry acidity.
This wine is fruity and crisp, with attractive balanced acidity. It's all about raspberry and red currants. A refreshing character gives citrus tang to the aftertaste.
A tight, steely and fresh wine, this is dominated by grapefruit, citrus and nervy acidity. A strongly herbaceous character gives a fruity, crisp aftertaste. The blend is Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillion and Muscadelle.
Here's a simple but savory red that delivers fruity aromas and flavors of wild cherry, crushed strawberry and juicy raspberry. Vibrant acidity and soft tannins lend an immediate, easy-drinking quality.
Bright, cheery plum and cherries abound on this juicy, primary Cabernet Franc. Forward and fruity, it's plump and rich in texture with a soft fringe of tannins. Hints of menthol and cherry blossom perfume add lift.
There's an intensity of spicy cardamom and dried herb in this wine, otherwise layered in soft, refreshingly dry elements of cranberry and rhubarb. Darker hued than many of its counterparts, it retains a tannic grip to the finish.
Aromas of blue flower, dark-skinned fruit, brown spice and grilled bell pepper come together in the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, prune, espresso, coconut and a toasted note alongside tightly knit tannins. It's starting to dry up so drink soon.
This is an attractive pale-pink wine, faintly coppery in hue. It's also a bit confected, with candied strawberry and watermelon flavors reminiscent of bubble gum, but backed by white chocolate and briny notes. It's plump on the palate, then falls off rapidly on the finish.
This structured wine is firm with tannins and a solid structure. It does have fruit behind this dry facade, allowing the potential for aging and balancing out. Drink from 2017.
Substantially tannic and robust in tar and tobacco, this wine smells and tastes big and broad, a good choice for generous cuts of meat, preferably grilled. Black cherry and blackberry expand in waves around the oak and tobacco.
This informal red opens with aromas of tilled soil, blackberry and a whiff of game. The simple palate offers juicy black cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside angular, fleeting tannins and racy acidity.
Tight and herbaceous, this nervy, crisp wine is full of lemon and lime juice cut with an orange zest. Floral and full of acidity, it leaves a mineral, steely aftertaste.
Briny, leathery, horsey berry aromas are alarming at first but settle in due time. A chunky mouthfeel struggles before finding its timing, while oaky flavors of hickory, bitter char and black fruits finish baked and herbal. This is good but raw, raspy and green.
Simple but solid apple and nectarine aromas are straight forward. This feels round and easy, without much acid-based cut. Flavors of melon, mango and nectarine finish short, with a note of apple.
Here's a bright, fruity red that delivers blue flower, wild cherry, black raspberry and tart red currant sensations. Vibrant acidity and round tannins give this a delightful, easy-drinking quality.
Vibrant lemon- and lime-zest notes make this off-dry Riesling brisk and bright. Chalky minerality and a saline tone add depth, and there is a pleasantly bitter lemon-peel note that lingers on the finish.
This 100% Merlot is full bodied and juicy, and it offers a sappy red-berry flavor. There's a nice dash of spice, and it demonstrates good balance overall. It needs an hour or so of airing before it really opens up.
Exuberant and floral on the nose, this Riesling is intense and fruity on the palate, with concentrated apple-jelly and peach flavors. Brightened by lime-inflected acidity, the long finish extends with a delicious waxy streak.
This late-harvest dessert wine is sweet and unctuous, with ripe aromas and flavors of peaches and nectarines drizzled with honey and dusted with sweet baking spice. The mouthfeel is thick and full, but lifted with enough acidity to keep it from feeling cloying on the close.
This Coda displays fresh and bright raspberry fruit. The acids come with a crisp snap, and there's an overall juiciness that makes it especially quaffable.
This workhorse vineyard supplies grapes to a wide variety of wines across the entire Ste. Michelle portfolio, but the vineyard-designated wines are much more limited, and they're often the best of show. As the alcohol reaches 15.5%, this selection is sappy, dense and a bit warm. There's plenty of fruit flavor and concentration, but it's difficult to pair such a blockbuster with food.
New Zealand's best known winery does a consistently good job with the Burgundian varieties, not just Sauvignon Blanc. The chunky, medium-bodied 2010 Pinot Noir displays ample intensity, length and complexity. Its savory style shows dark cherry fruit, with hints of mocha and grilled meat. Drink now–2020.
This has weight and ripe plum and damson flavors that are now integrating into the tannins. It's worth aging for a few years, but it is already enjoyable.
The fruit for this provocatively named bottling is sourced from the lower Waihopai, or “Spy Valley” section of Marlborough. It's a medium-bodied, supple wine that places the emphasis on earthy notes of beetroot and clove, and then adds in cherry fruit and vanillin. Long, savory and spicy on the finish.
Although this has a rustic edge, this is an attractive, ripe and red-fruited wine. It has a rich, jammy quality that combines with the dry tannins. The finish is dense and firm. Enjoy this now, or wait for three years.
This full-bodied wine demonstrates the jammy side of Volnay. It is rich and dense, and it has a delicious berry flavor. In the process of all this generosity, the tannins are lost, so drink it over the next few years.
Plum and red berry aromas start this integrated red blend, which is released only in the best years. On the palate, plum, warm spice and oak tones create a rich but clean character. The wine is structured and has room to age.
Fresh and fragrant, this offers notes of apple, vanilla spice and lemon rind on the nose and palate. The palate of this Croatian white feels surprisingly voluptuous. Dry in style, with penetrating fruit flavors, this has lavish minerality on the midpalate that lends the finish a brisk, crisp feel.
Well priced for the quality, Villa Maria's entry-level Pinot Noir delivers moderately assertive notes of dried leaves, black cherries, cola and oaky spices. It's concentrated and gently mouth-filling, with a silky finish. Drink it now and over the next two years.
Nottingham Cellars, which is known for producing wines from Bordeaux varieties, has produced its first set of whites in 2011. This Chardonnay is earthy, and it offers a crisp lemony character and hints of nut and pear.
An alluring nose of citrus, pineapple and peach notes leads this elegant white. Fresh, flavorful and exotic, the wine offers citrus and lush fruit flavors, with a spin of acid for balance. This is very good on its own, but it will also pair well with poultry, grilled seafood or spicy dishes.
This has a delicate citrus character and a tangy, minerally texture. The ripe fruits are balanced by acidity.
A tangy textured wine that is impressively fresh for such a hot region as Alentejo. It has a crisp texture that is balanced by a touch of vanilla as well as freshened with citrus and green apple flavors. It is fresh and very drinkable at this young stage. Wait a year until 2017 and it will be even better.
A bright and relatively light expression of the variety, this wine imparts more red berry than black, with seasonings of cinnamon and nutmeg. Soft, smooth and unfussy, it retains solid acidity from start to finish, with a taste of vanilla custard on the finish.
Quite yellow in color, nearing orange, this oxidative-style wine shows quinine, walnuts and preserved lemons on the very concentrated, oily nose. The texture is sticky, with flavors of seared lemons and orange oil, yet it retains a lime-skin liveliness. It's quite an interesting bottling for fans of the style.
Edelzwicker is an Alsatian term meaning noble blend, and is applied to any blend of white wine grapes. Here, it is Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling, capturing the floral aromatics and lightly oily mouthfeel of the former, along with the citrus and pear flavors from the latter two components. All in all it's an aromatic, floral, broadly flavorful and distinctive white wine.
Oak, toast, espresso and stewed prune carry over to the palate together with a note of dark cooking spice. Assertive, close-grained tannins give this an astringent finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unclench then drink up to enjoy the remaining fruit. Drink after 2018.
The wood aging still shows in this wine, although not too aggressively. It also has layers of spice, acidity and plenty of red berry fruits. Let it soften and drink from 2017.
Spicy berry, chocolate and bitter greens are in play, though slightly muted. The components smooth out and surf into a broad, easygoing finish. Drink up.
Pretty scents and flavors of bright cherry fruit come up quickly, with enough concentration to batten down a medium-long finish. A light hint of sweat or animal comes up also.
Made from old vines, this ripe and concentrated wine is smooth and creamy. Good acidity balances the rich fruits, giving flavors of apples, pears and apricots cut by a line of citrus. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
Richly ripe in black cherry and chocolate, this is a blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot. Generous tannins give way to a soft, smooth mouthfeel and a burst of blackberry and leather, finishing in spicy cinnamon and black pepper.
Rustic leathery aromas are capped and low on vibrant fruit scents. In the mouth, expect tannic scratchiness. Flavors of plum, cassis and toasty oak come across as mildly baked, while a narrow finish with notes of earth, loam and chocolate is solid. Drink now.
Piercing choppy aromas of balsamic plum, tobacco and cherry lead to a tannic, scratchy palate with saucy, oaky berry flavors that come with a baked overtone. This Rioja from a poor vintage runs long on the finish, with an oak-based vanilla flavor and residual balsamic notes.
About 30% was aged in new French oak, the rest in neutral wood. A bit closed, it offers tight, tart rhubarb and cherry fruit, with a fading wash of milk chocolate. It's a lighter style in a lighter vintage, but nicely balanced and drinking well.
Stone fruit like apricot and white peach dominate on the nose of this wine that tastes slightly off dry, though no residual sugar content is listed. Hedonistic, it remains rich and creamy through the honey-laced finish.
Light, clear and aromatically reminiscent of pine, this smooth, soft wine offers spicy acidity around integrated tannins and oak, finishing with a length of cinnamon.
Honeysuckle and white peach show on the nose of this bottling from the region's longtime Rhône producer. It's a simple and straightforward take on the grape, with dried white peach, lemon-lime candy and apple-peel flavors, wrapped up with buzzing acidity and grippy texture.
Dark plum and berry aromas are fairly full and concentrated, with a boost from spicy oak. A medium-bodied palate offers up tannic rub, while cherry, black plum and oak-based spice flavors finish creamy, dry and spicy, with a hint of tobacco along with mild heat.
This dry, almost austere wine has some tasty but subtle characteristics including a toasty, slightly earthy and buttery aroma followed by subtle almond and apricot flavors. It will make a great choice with tapas or fish, and a nice change of pace anytime.
Jammy blueberry and boysenberry aromas include graphite and ink notes. This feels jammy to the point of being sluggish and heavy. Syrupy but not sweet flavors of herbal black fruits finish with a lasting gamy note.
From 100% Charbono, this offers hints of raspberry, cherry and orange on the nose, amid dense cherry and strawberry flavors that are concentrated and yet doesn't overwhelm the acidity. Medium body and weight make it a nice option for sipping and at the table.
Unoaked, and instead fermented for 10 months in both stainless steel and concrete egg, this white remains light-bodied and crisp, touched by aromas of honeysuckle and refreshing flavors of pear and quince.
Sunny yellow peaches, apples and nuts perfume this bright lemon-fresh Weissburgunder, or Pinot Blanc. A whisper of herbs lends savoriness to crisp apple, pear and citrus flavors on the palate. It's a straightforward yet refreshing and elegant wine.
Sanguine and velvety, this richly derived wine made from one clone of Pinot Noir is tannic in black cherry, cinnamon and tar, with a lean, mid-length finish.
Aromas of ripe grapes and vanilla make for a lush, inviting nose on this fruit-forward bottling of 49.5% Sangiovese, 49.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec. The juicy palate shows blackberries and black cherries as well as licorice and dark chocolate, with strong tannins giving textural balance.
Blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Syrah, RTW is somewhat classical in its black olive and dried herb, yet also rich and concentrated, with tannic bite and a taste of clove. It finishes like vanilla cola.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak and a whiff of coffee. The palate is still rather closed but eventually reveals raw cherry, anise, clove and ground pepper accompanied by bracing tannins and racy acidity. A note of dried sage closes the finish.
Riper notes of pink grapefruit and tangerine distinguish this dry Riesling from Georg Albrecht Schneider's other 2014 wines. The palate is cutting and crisp, showcasing tart limes and gooseberries against a blossomy finish. Drink now.
Mild tannin leads to integrated oak and a burst of juicy red cherry and pomegranate, laced in aromas of roses in this light-bodied wine. It finishes quick and lean.
A dark color and rich, jammy, baked aromas of charred oak and lush berries are the opening to this blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carmenère and 8% Cabernet Franc. Moderately bold acidity and firm tannins lend energy and structure to the palate, while this tastes of blackberry, cassis and spicy oak. A slightly hot finish with a lot of wood spice is the closing act. Drink through 2021.
This blend of 64% Roussanne, 24% Viognier and 12% Grenache Blanc from White Hawk, Camp 4 and Zaca Mesa vineyards begins with an oily nose of dried apricots, dried apples, smoke and intriguing pecan and macadamia nuttiness. The palate is crisp and more restrained, offering honey, pears, dried mango and a woody, white mushroom-like earthiness.
Rich but not overly tropical on the nose, this bottling shows buttered nectarine and a touch of honeydew on the nose. The palate is expertly wound up, with bright tangerine, ripe melon and creamy cherimoya, all reined in by a wet cement-like texture.
While it was not a generally declared vintage, this year has produced some fine single-quinta vintages. This wine has a fine tannic structure behind the rich damson and dried fruit flavors. Spice and acidity add to the complexity of this dense wine that will certainly need to age. Drink from 2023.
This wine is rich, spicy and full of black fruit. With solid tannins alongside its juicy black currant flavors, it's firm and will age well. Its density and richness are developing and will be best from 2020.
Strong, concentrated honey flavors dominate this wine that is maturing well. It has a firm edge of dry botrytis to accentuate its rich orange and spice notes. Hints of acidity lend balance, although more would be welcome to provide relief from the richness. Drink now.
This wine's juicy fruit and ripe tannins show it's full of potential. Firm now, it has rich black fruit and perfumed wood flavors that will soften with time. Drink from 2021.
This richly structured wine exudes the ripeness of the vintage. It has full tannins, dense black currant and berry flavors and a refreshing line of acidity. The tannins are still firm, needing some time to unwind. Drink from 2020.
This smoky wine already shows a fine balance between oak, spice and bright red fruit. It's structured to age but is also attractive now; its juicy berry flavors show easily through the tannins. Drink from 2019.
Minty wood flavors underline the fruitiness of this ripe wine. Structured and concentrated, it has density and some fine acidity to balance. Its fruit is backed by tannins that suggest a good future. Drink from 2020.
This is a monster of a wine. 100% very ripe Merlot, it shows a power and density that is still firm and structured. With age, that concentration will turn into beautiful richness. But don't doubt its power. Drink from 2021.
Chilean winemakers liked 2013 for its coolness, and this Malbec-Carmenère blend shows racy acidity as its defining component. Aromas of blackberry and plum are floral and smoky. High acidity makes for a tight, pulling palate with flavors of red plum and oak spice. A muscular finish is still pumping with acidity, so this stays bold to the end; drink through 2030.
This wine is impressively full-bodied, layered and concentrated in rich fruit—a mix of dark cherry, raspberry and toasty oak that finds life in buoyant, freshly supportive acidity and a light reckoning of spice.
This small-production wine is a selection of the best grapes from the harvest. Aged in wood for 12 months, the wine has great richness and a densely smooth texture. It is big, generous with black fruits and concentration. There is a typically Portuguese juicy acidity that gives this wine a great aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Buttercream, sweet butter, marmalade, baking spice, brown sugar and sea salt converge on the nose of this bottling, named after the Foley family's Texas ranches. Sea salt, vanilla, lemon peel and frozen-butter flavors show on the sip, which is fatter in the midpalate but cut by the savory saltiness.
This wine comes from a new project from winemaker Melissa Burr (Stoller Estate), focusing on old-vine vineyards. This bottling comes from vines planted in 1968. The aromas are light, with notes of cherry, cigar box, dried leaf and earth. The flavors are cranberry tart and mouthwatering, showing an exquisite sense of balance, with a lingering finish.
The Occitan origin of this estate's name, me trigo da dina, means “longing to dine,” and this richly endowed wine satisfies its remit. It has plenty of young tannins, which are sustained by ripe, juicy black fruit and ample acidity. Blending the three Cahors red grapes—Malbec, Merlot and Tannat—has made a wine with a fine future. Drink from 2019.
Dark violet in the glass, this wine has aromas of blackberry and smoked meat. Hefty but not overpowering tannins create a backdrop for flavors of black plum, cassis, toffee, juniper and chocolate covered coffee bean. Fruit flavors and a plush mouthfeel power through the smooth toffee-laced finish.
Thick and cloudy in the glass, this bottling shows lots of rich cherry cough syrup aromas as well as muddy loam and exotic baking spices. There's a spicy grip to the palate, with loads of allspice, clove and dried tarragon, set against background of pomegranate and wild plums. The acidity thrives through it all.
Subtle at first, this bottling starts to show sweet hints of roasted red cherry on the nose along with leather and strong tobacco scents. It's elegantly layered on the well-structured sip, offering dried raspberry, pencil shavings, cocoa, bittersweet chocolate and more leather.
Powerful oaky elements meet very ripe and concentrated fruit flavors in this deeply colored, bold and full-bodied wine. Charcoal, wood smoke and clove aromas are followed by blackberry jam and black-cherry flavors, while light, smoky and peppery nuances weave through them. While the first whiff is oaky, everything comes together well on the palate and finish.
Ripe spicy berry aromas include welcome notes of wood grain and pencil eraser. This full tannic Tannat is a big load. Savory flavors of baked plum, tea, spice and chocolate finish with oak-driven complexity. Best from 2020–2026.
Spicy, tangy and tart, this well-made wine is softly layered and complex—a moderate and balanced version of the variety that shows cranberry and red-cherry goodness dotted in cinnamon and black pepper.
This blend of 42% Petit Verdot, 36% Sangiovese and 22% Merlot shows strawberry, light caramel and expressive baking-spice aromas on the nose. A powerful burst of acidity starts the palate, which combines red currant and purple-flower flavors into a very interesting and lively wine.
Red berry, violet and baking spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this elegant, balanced red. Savory and smooth, the silky palate doles out red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and star anise, all framed by polished tannins and bright acidity.
Although it's just a guess, it seems clear that Snoqualmie was the loser in 2004, when so many small wineries were helped out by Chateau Ste. Michelle, which provided them grapes during a bad freeze year. Snoqualmie probably should not have made a reserve under the circumstances, as this falls well short of recent efforts. It's a light and simple wine, with thin candy cherry flavors and herbal streaks.
A simple, racy wine that's not designed to blow anyone away. The raspberry and cherry aromas are perfectly fine. Ditto the palate, which displays tangy cherry flavors, a touch of mocha and some wayward acidity. Good for current casual consumption. Imported by Racke USA.
Strident aromas of licorice, herbs, berries and mint make it interesting, while the palate is light and fresh, with raspberry and red currant flavors. There's not a lot of heft, extract or depth to the wine, but it's likable and unhindered by excess oak and such. Enjoyable due to its unchallenging simplicity.
Firm and rubbery, with neutral berry aromas. The palate is medium in depth and length, with cherry and red apple skin flavors. There's also some creamy oak and vanilla on the finish, which adds a sweet character to the final sequence.
The straightforward Cabernet fruit is immersed in new oak, so the dominant flavors of smoke, toast, chocolate and espresso all seem to emanate from the barrel aging. Otherwise it is a simple and perfectly pleasant, no-frills red.
A soft, lightly herbaceous style, with good green apple and white currant flavors. Crisp, light, refreshing, drink this year.
A clean, fresh Chardonnay, with less weight and body than most Central Otago examples. Green apple and lime flavors seem a bit tart, just balanced out by hints of ripe melon.
Bold and red on the nose, with only mild herbal aromas. That slight herbal character extends to the palate, where red plum and red currant flavors take over. With adequate size and plenty of fuel in the tank, this is no wallflower of a wine. But it is a bit limited and tangy, and the acidity seems amplified.
Given the dearth of good Argentinean rosés on the market, this one from Cafayate (based on Malbec) is pretty tasty, balanced and interesting. The nose is succulent and not offputting, while the palate shows fresh red apple, cherry and length to the finish. Not complicated but racy and clean.
It's a bit simple and a bit soft, but this value-priced wine accomplishes its mission of bringing authentic Marlborough SB flavor to the U.S. at an affordable price. Gooseberry and lime flavors are touched with hints of honey and mint, finishing with a bit of sweetness.
Features an impresive array of tropical fruit aromas and flavors, all delivered in a soft, round, mouthfilling style. It's easy to drink and easy to like. Imported by International Cellars.
This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot is heavily oaked to say the least. Early on you must battle through a blanket of woody aromas to get to strawberry and vanilla flavors. Airing gives the wine a milder personality, but a dialing back of the oak treatment wouldn't hurt. Imported by Pelco Inc.
Earthy and seemingly on the edge of being overripe, this is a wine that deals dark-fruit flavors, a milky, malty underlay, and a fairly sound mouthfeel. Ample tannins and resiny, peppery afternotes re-announce any previously detected oak, and like many wines from this vintage it's overly expressive.
Neutral for the most part, but this light-framed white slips in pear, orange and spice notes while maintaining a nice, juicy profile. Nothing more than a refreshing, lime-infused dandy. But what's wrong with that?
Mature plum, cake spices, baked earth, leather and a balsamic note all come together on this full-bodied, single-vineyard offering. The forward, savory palate delivers mature black cherry, clove and licorice alongside ripe, assertive tannins.
Extremely seductive aromas of caramel, toasted oak, beach campfire, blackberry, black cherry and thin mint cookies welcome the nose to this bottling. The palate is equally complex and inviting, with milk chocolate, cherry pie, smoked pork and dried oregano flavors, tongue-tantalizing all around.
Light in color this wine features gorgeous acidity and a lining of fresh, vibrant red cherry, adorned completely by a pretty rose-petal bouquet. Though gentle in color and body, the texture moves along, providing plenty of body to keep the wine freshly alive.
Equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc (40% each) with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this Stillwater Creek Vineyard wine has aromas of graphite, fresh herbs, dark coffee and cherry. It has palate-coating, layered chocolate and cherry flavors plus abundant vanilla accents, coalescing on the finish and lingering.
The flagship bottling for this winery, this brings aromas of dried herbs, dark chocolate, espresso bean, black currant and cherry. The dark fruit flavors are rich and concentrated, possessing a layered mouthfeel that captures the attention.
Bellwether's single-vineyard Pinot stands out for its gorgeously lifted, blossomy perfume. The palate is a cherry bomb of flavor, yet elegantly framed by a razor's edge of acidity and soft, feathery tannins. Drinks beautifully now, but will be a joy to mature from 2020–2025.
Aromas of underbrush, tobacco, baked earth and a whiff of pressed rose float from the glass. The round, full-bodied palate delivers dried berry, licorice and clove alongside ripe tannins. It's balanced but it also shows the heat of the vintage and is already almost accessible. Drink 2017–2021.
Made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Syrah, this up-front wine offers aromas of herbs, dried cherry and woodspice. The dark fruit flavors are rich, layered and focused, with the tannins tightly wound, seeming to need more time in the cellar to come into their own.
This offers pretty aromas of perfumed dark berry, cake spice, leather, toast and a balsamic note. The full-bodied palate offers young red cherry, mint, oak, espresso and sage. Firm but velvety tannins and bright acidity provide the framework while a mocha note closes the finish.
Powerful blackberry aromas are matched by creamy oak. This Monastrell-Syrah blend is a driller, with strong tannins and more than enough body weight. Oaky flavors of dark-berry fruits and black plums finish with vanilla and lactic notes. This is rock solid from head to toe; drink through 2021.
This wine offers scents of peppered meat and ripe blackberries, then adds hints of black olive and licorice to the mix on the palate. It's concentrated and full bodied, with a richly textured, lingering finish. Drink now–2025.
Mourvèdre (81%) makes up the majority of this blend with Grenache (12%) and Syrah filling it out. It leans into savory notes, with aromas of sage, dried herbs, white pepper and mineral. The flavors are plush and palate-coating, bringing a slightly tacky feel that softens over time. It will be best after 2019.
Aromas of dark berry, violet, mint and menthol lead the nose and carry over to the palate together with juicy cherry and a note of baking spice. This is still tightly wound with densely packed but refined tannins and brisk acidity. Give it time to open up and blossom over the next few years. Drink 2018–2026.
Bright, citrusy yellow, this wine conveys a nutty, creamy custard and marshmallow component to the nose. Fuller-bodied in substance and style, it nonetheless remains stony and steely on the palate, finishing with a twist of ginger and dried herb. It will be a fine fit with food.
A pleasant rose-petal pink in color, this wine by regional sparkling veteran Norm Yost shows red-grapefruit pulp and skin, lime spritz and a shred of bubble gum on the nose, playing both on hedonism and restraint. It's extremely refreshing once sipped, with more lime and pink grapefruit zest.
This tastes complex, mellow and delicious, showing diverse aroma nuances like bay leaf and forest floor in addition to more fruity, black cherry, cinnamon and clove notes. It is full bodied, very ripe and juicy, and feels smooth in texture thanks to subdued acidity and tannins.
Deep aromas of baked black fruits are bolstered by oaky notes of lemon peel and barrel spice. This is intense and hard driving, with flavors of coffee, lemon, blackberry, chocolate and tar. The smoky finish is accompanied by roasted berry notes and shearing acidity. Drink through 2020.
Compelling aromas of rose and lavender mark this fairly full-bodied wine, giving it a lift on the nose and palate. Raspberry and black licorice take over the taste, concentrating flavor and intensity toward the lengthy, earthy finish.
A taste of sarsaparilla and fresh strawberry hulls combine in this soft, velvety and well-structured wine, the bouquet floral in rose petals and earthy dew. Medium to light bodied, it's a lovely sipping wine that will also pair well with food.
This is a full-bodied, richly textured blend of 80% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc and 10% Clairette. Toasted marshmallow, pineapple and peach flavors finish long and mouthwatering.
This is winemaker Ross Cobb's own family project, from extremely cool sites along the Sonoma Coast, including the family's own Coastlands vineyard. Here, with Rice-Spivak, he skirts the edge of ripeness, producing a light, bright wine that's at first hard to penetrate. Faint notes of tart cherry and pomegranate weave through like a fog, a seasoning of allspice on the finish.
Aromas of rooty berry, loamy dark plum and minerally crispness create a fine nose that offers notes of coffee and char as it unfolds. The palate on this Monastrell is widespread and grabby, with baked blackberry, raspberry and plum flavors. Chocolate and spice notes ride high on a comfortable finish. Drink through 2018.
Domaine des Berthiers produces rich Sauvignon Blanc, packed with spice, acidity, concentrated citrus and herbal flavors. This 2014, still very young, has a strong bite of acidity and tight mineral texture that gives an almost shocking crispness at this stage. The wine obviously needs to age; drink from 2018.
Blended with 4% Viognier and 1% Grenache, this fragrant offering displays aromas of fresh flowers, herbs, green olive, huckleberry and smoked meat. The palate is ripe and fruit-forward, a bit balled up in the middle right now but showing a pleasing sense of purity with length to match. Give it time to come into its own.
This wine is Cabernet Franc and Merlot with just a smidgeon (4%) of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It provides aromas of earth, high-toned dried herbs, licorice, black cherry and crushed granite. The dark fruit flavors are densely packed, surrounded by firms tannins. Drink after 2020.
From the folks at Merryvale, this is a blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Petite Sirah. Big, dense and juicy, with a dusty tannic underbite, it's bold, brambly and exuberantly delicious.
This wine is a joy to drink with its aromas and flavors of coffee, dark chocolate, herbs and cherry. The opulently styled flavors are rich but well balanced, with chewy tannins backing it all up. It's irresistible.
Pure minerals, peach and melon aromas come with a hint of leesy dust. This wine is elegant, chiseled and minerally on the palate. Flavors of dusty apple and citrus end long and stony, with class. Laxas is a top-flight Albariño producer and this vintage is one of its best. Drink now.
Acidic on the nose, like a cider, this late-harvest wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc retains 130 g/L residual sugar, and is rounded and plush. Appropriately sweet, it is completely balanced, tasting purely of baked pear, finding a hint of nutmeg on the lengthy finish.
A wine that starts out all tannins. The fruit takes a while to show through and then produces juicy red cherry flavors and considerable acidity, the wood aging rounding the corners. This is for medium-term aging.
Stocky, wild and needing to breathe, this is one foxy, jumpy wine with olive, herbal and animal aromas. It's requisitely big and jammy, with mocha and maple flavors accenting dark, driving berry fruit. Pours on the chocolate, oak and power as it unrolls.
Intense up front, with potent black fruit aromas offset by a lactic creaminess. Racy and juicy in the mouth as bright, penetrating blackberry flavors hit hard and then are softened by flavors of chocolate and mocha. Feels a little acidic and strained, but should age nicely for up to five years.
Mint and tannins feature in the initial flavor, then it opens out to show delicious blackberry juice fruit. The tannins are dry but integrate with acidity to give more serious aspect to this balanced wine.
At this stage, a wine that is dominated by wood. The weight and the ripe fruit are there as well to suggest potential dark fruits, black plums, damsons and a juicy character. The rich fruit should begin to show well in a year, but the wine needs aging 3–4 years.
The Seze family has owned this estate since the 18th century, producing in 2009 a finely textured wine, one that has juicy black fruits and an elegant structure. It is a more structured take on the vintage, firm with dry tannins and acidity.
This richly textured Coonawarra Cabernet displays typical notes of cassis, accented by ample cedar and mocha shadings. It's fairly full bodied, with a long, velvety finish; drink it over the next 4–5 years.
Full of red fruit, light and bright at first, then denser in flavor with savory notes amidst Zin's cherry-berry deliciousness. Grown on the Talmage Bench east of Hopland in Mendocino County, where a number of great Zins are born.
Fruity and forward, Nefarious Cellars has its first estate-grown Malbec. It's loaded with cherry fruit and darker notes of smoke, tar and chocolate. Give it plenty of breathing time and it opens up gracefully.
Opens aromatically exhibiting lemon cheesecake, then delves into the rightful amount of apple and pear, finishing with a hearty helping of vanilla and caramel. Del Arroyo remains a source to watch in Livermore, especially for Chardonnay.
Black on the bouquet, with charred aromas vying with pepper and blackberry. Feels good but choppy, with firm acidity and solid flavors of wild berry, plum, vanilla and chocolate. Fades on the finish with class; a pure and appealing blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Carignan.
Occasio, which has made a nice Fume Blanc for a couple of vintages now, is giving the world this, its first Chardonnay, a true to its French-oak-fermented style that's quite citrus-laden, tart, lean and mean and yet voluptuous, with its barrel age showing, and toasty on the finish.
From Crasto's new vineyards in the eastern Douro Superior, this is a hot country wine resulting in superrich, full-bodied character with a surprising richness. It is soft, the tannins comfortably embedded in the cushion of ample fruit
Very nice and inviting on the nose, with bold black fruit aromas, spice and leathery notes. Feels full and smooth, with dark flavors of berry, chocolate and savory spices. Long and toasty on the finish, with warmth and power.
A healthy wine with plenty of oak. On the nose, it's charred as well as fruity, with raspberry and plum aromas blending with vanilla. Feels tight and grippy, with dry oak, herbal flavors and fresh red berry and tomato. Finishes clean and snappy, with correct weight and length. Drink now through 2013.
Modern and pleasing, this wine exhibits strong, sweet oak notes of vanilla and cream that infuse the rich red cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors. Creamy in the mouth with good balance and a medium-length finish. Drink now.
A charmingly complex medium-weight red, with raspberry fruit, peppery spice and dark chocolate notes all coated in a soft, fine dusting of tannins. Drink now–2014.
A young firmly tannic wine still influenced by its wood aging. The berry fruits are ripe and chunky with a licorice and nutmeg character. It needs aging over several years.
As happens in Côtes de Bourg, Malbec forms part of the blend in this wine. This would explain the firm dry tannins that give it a big structure and weight. Along with the dry character, there is the beginnings of red berry fruit. The wine needs several years.
Luscious Mirabelle plums and honey melons are tempered by hints of smoke. The slender palate leaves an impression. Assertive but light, it finishes with a long, clean cut.
A 100% Barbera that invites with gorgeous aromas of cinnamon and baked cherry, this is a lovely wine from start to finish, with a silky texture and balanced acidity. Seamless, it's juicy on the finish, the perfect invitation to enjoy more. Have with spaghetti carbonara or a seriously gourmet pizza.
A touch of flint and hints of gunmetal show amidst yellow grapefruit and lime peel. The body is fresh and zesty but has a fullish core. Within a year or two the aromatics will fully open. Drink as of 2016.
This structured wine opens with aromas of black fruit, underbrush, mint and spice with an earthy touch of saddle leather. The juicy palate delivers a core of black cherry accented with notes of thyme, sage, espresso and mocha supported by a tannic backbone. It's well balanced, with enough freshness to ensure it will develop complexity over the next few years.
Black as night and leathery, this is a generously savory, 100% Syrah that's well put together in structured tannins and chewy texture. Let it breathe and the range of smoked meats it'll go with are endless, matching the similar taste of grilled, gamey meat in the wine.
Structured but poised, it opens with balsamic aromas of menthol, red berries, blue flower, Asian spices and a hint of new leather. The succulent palate offers dark cherry accented with notes of mint, lemon sage and chocolate alongside polished tannins and just enough freshness. It's delicious and already approachable so enjoy soon.
This bold, balanced wine opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of underbrush, dried tobacco leaf, red berries, blue flower and a waft of leather. The juicy palate shows depth, delivering ripe wild cherry accented with white pepper, licorice and a mineral note alongside solid but refined tannins. Drink 2016–2024.
In this rich, full wine, impressive fruits and structure work together. It feels weighty, concentrated and tannic while also having layers of juicy ripe black currant fruits. Give this solid wine several years and don't drink before 2018.
This powerful, perfumed wine shows as much structure as fruit. That gives it a strong presence, solid and dense. Its black plum and damson fruits have richness, spice and intense acidity. With the dark tannins, the wine will certainly age. Drink from 2018.
Grapefruit peel and ripe Mirabelle plums are just hinted at on this sleek white. Thrilling acidity counters alcoholic warmth and give poise to the concentrated body. It still needs to open up more but promises pleasure.
Fresh red apples and juicy, ripe pears beckon on the nose at first, then peachiness shines through. On the palate it's even riper with a satisfying heart of fresh and baked apples and a rounded, almost bouncy structure that has some thing celebratory and joyous about it, with lots of lively freshness, zip and length.
Fresh, ripe, green grapes and white summer blossom promise refreshment that the palate promptly delivers, a streamlined, concentrated but still rich wine with a layered, textured midpalate and notions of green apple, Amalfi lemon peel and green walnuts: simply delicious.
Crystal clear, clean and fresh, this lovely wine mixes ripe citrus, tangerine and melon fruits, with a touch of barrel toast. It's full-bodied and rich without being thick or tiring in any way; simply delicious.
Black plum, licorice and cool green-herb aromas rest in front of a full-bodied, tannic, chunky palate. Flavors of herbal black fruits come with a salty edge and a meaty underbelly. A long, rolling, deep finish is encouraging and stout. Best from 2018–2024.
For the first time, this release of Buty's Rediviva, from estate vineyards in the Rocks region of Walla Walla, includes a bit of Mourvèdre. The pretty fruit flavors of strawberry preserves, blueberry and black cherry carry both a mineral underpinning and a whiff of the barnyard in the nose. The aging in mostly neutral puncheons and barrels adds just a hint of baking spices.
This structured wine opens with aromas that recall underbrush, blue flower, mature black plums, balsam and a whiff of leather. The palate delivers black cherry sweetened with vanilla, toasted oak, espresso and chocolate alongside bracing tannins. Drink 2015–2020.
Berry, plum and raw oak are common aromas for a young, high-end Malbec from Mendoza. This has bright acidity to go with extracted berry power, while flavors of jammy black fruits, baking spices and chocolate offer intricacies like nutmeg and anise on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Coconut macaroon and smoky leather stand out most in this burly, bombastic and beyond full-bodied wine, which drinks ripe and hot.
Rich-tasting and almost sweet, this is an exuberant wine that smells like fig bars and tastes like pear juice. Quite a bit of complexity shows up, too, including accents of butter, vanilla and toasted baguette.
Pressed jasmine, yellow stone fruit, oak and a whiff of medicinal herb lead the nose. The lean palate shows toasted oak, vanilla, yellow apple skin, coffee and a note recalling adhesive bandage.
New American oak cradled this wine, which includes 12% Petite Sirah. A strong aroma of root beer or Dr. Pepper wraps itself around smoky tar and toast, with a grippyness on the leathery finish that falls a touch flat.
Cool, herbal blueberry aromas comes with notes of plastic and wet cement. Hard, blocky and tannic across the palate, this tastes of roasted berry fruits and minty oak. A chewy finish collapses under its own weight and tannins.
Aromas of bath soap, ham, yeast and white flowers lead to a tangy, narrow palate. Flavors of pineapple and pithy citrus fruits finish dry and slightly bitter. Drink now before this fades away.
This wine presents itself full-bodied and big in style, with an inkling of red plum and cherry fighting for attention against a tide of rounded concentration and darker, smokier tinges of cigar and chocolate.
This fresh white has delicate aromas of white spring flower and yellow stone fruit. The bright, easygoing palate offers yellow peach, bitter almond and a light saline note alongside bright acidity. It's simple but well made.
Cherry and berry aromas open this slick feeling Malbec. Sweet berry flavors are ripe, candied and medicinal. A candied flavor carries onto the finish, which darkens a bit at the end.
This opens with aromas that recall spring flower, citrus and a whiff of honeydew melon. The rather lean, linear palate shows grapefruit and flint alongside racy acidity. A bitter almond note signals the finish.
With the typical blend of a Côtes de Provence rosé, this is pale in color and light at heart. Made by the well-known Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, it has some weight as well as ripe red fruits. A touch of tannin in the structure gives it an attractive tension as well as a tangy aftertaste.
The nose is rather shy but eventually reveals whiffs of spring wild flower and beeswax. The straightforward palate offers pear, citrus, mineral and a hint of almond alongside rather fresh acidity.
Owned by the Bordeaux Castel family, this estate has produced a simple, light wine packed with fruit. It's light and bright, with just a hint of earthiness that takes away from the freshness. The aftertaste adds lemon crispness.
A pale-colored blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, this light and fruity wine is made from organic grapes. It is refreshing, bright and immediately accessible with its gentle texture, making it a fine summer apéritif.
The name is spot-on for a wine with a pink-pearl color. It is gently fruity with soft red fruits and a touch of pepper. The aftertaste is crisp, clean and refreshing.
Fruity scents of cherry, cranberry, red currant and plum are hit with good doses of menthol and licorice on the nose of this Rhône-style blend. The medium tannins are fine yet fleeting, lending only a subtle structure to the direct plum and cherry flavors.
This is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah that shows the Merlot's clove and red currant characteristics upfront, with a ripe, soft, seamless palate that isn't otherwise sure what it wants to say.
This is a pretty, light and balanced wine. It has attractive acidity plus a crisp edge of grapefruit and a typical touch of spice to give it a lift and an edge. The aftertaste continues the attractive, fresh theme.
Somewhat subdued white flower, lime and peach aromas are followed by medium-sweet stone-fruit flavors. It goes down easy.
Melony aromas and a simple mouthfeel render this an enjoyable Torrontés. Melon, apricot and lychee flavors all fit the bill, while the palate is round and viscous. Drink now.
Deeply colored gold, this opens with scents suggesting dried chamomile flower and toasted walnut. The palate is evolved, offering grapefruit and bitter almond alongside racy acidity. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
The nose is rather shy but eventually reveals aromas suggesting nut and acacia honey. The lean palate shows unripe pear, lime, saline and a hint of bitter nut alongside brisk acidity.
Horseradish and berry aromas are a touch rough and tough. This tannic Garnacha features a pinched, hard mouthfeel and tight, drawing flavors of berry fruits and plum. Peppery harshness and rubbery tannins define the finish.
This wine has an unusually rich gold color, aromas like ripe pear, vanilla and nutmeg, and similar pastry and baking spice flavors plus that core of pear. A creamy texture and soft finish round it out nicely.
Dusty bramble aromas outshine delicate blossom notes on this zesty medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. White grapefruit and herb tones brighten the midpalate. While not persistent, its brisk finish is refreshing.
This wine is quite clear and a touch austere on the entry. It follows through with a sharpness of lemon and fuzzy apricot and peach, touched on the finish by oak.
Dry, pithy citrus and almond-skin aromas open this citrusy number. Quick-hitting flavors of lemon and tangerine are short on depth and modest in complexity. This tastes a bit yeasty and bland on the finish.
This tiny production is marked by strong aromas of barbecue smoke and campfire, before unfurling an unfussy, soft and full-bodied burst of red fruit.
Intentionally made in a low-alcohol style, this is both a little underripe and a little sweet. Pungent notes of boxwood, white grapefruit and celery leaf don't lack for character or intensity, but the wine finishes short and noticeably sweet.
This wine has an intensity of strawberry that permeates thoughout, riding atop a distinct earthiness that becomes slightly sour on the finish. Medium bodied, its aromatics are all roses.
A full-bodied wine, with some vanilla from light wood aging, rounded white fruits and a smooth texture. Touches of spice give extra interest to this fruity, open wine that is ready to drink.
This blend of Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is oaky and minty up front, with pencil lead and exotic blueberry aromas. In the mouth, this has a fast pulse, while flavors of Middle Eastern spices, cassis and blueberry finish briny but short.
This Amarone opens with slightly rustic but not unpleasant aromas of earth and farmland that burn off to reveal dark fruit and spice notes. The palate shows ripe black cherry, plum and raisin flavors, spiced with a black pepper accent.
This is dark and brooding, with fragrances of blackberry, raisin and exotic spice. The palate delivers a ripe black-cherry flavor, with well-integrated notes of toast and espresso. Pair this with savory risotto dishes.
This shows notes of prune and chocolate, but not much complexity or finesse. It has delicious fruit and an approachable palate, but it's a bit one dimensional.
Two thirds Chardonnay, and one third a Viognier/Roussanne blend, this young wine has a definitely spritzy mouthfeel and a yeasty finish. The fruit flavors are fresh and lively, suggesting lemon and pineapple, with finishing hints of honeycomb.
100% Malbec, it's redolent with dark plums, wild blueberries and peppery spices. The soft, silky flavors are light but have good concentration with the oak (80% American) seeming quite dialed back.
Here's a golden-colored wine, with floral and fruit aromas of Spanish broom, peach blossom and whiffs of apricot. The palate offers ripe white peach and lemon zest flavors, with a hint of mineral supported by crisp acidity. The finish is dry and clean.
Though aged in just 40% new French oak, the barrel notes of mocha and roasted coffee bean take up much of the stage with dark fruit and herbs fighting for attention. The flavors are ripe and lush but seem a bit clipped.
A cool wine, full of citrus as well as green apple flavors. The wine is bright, crisp and refreshing in its acidity. Almonds and white fruits add to the attractive mix.
Structured and fruity, this is a wine that shows the delicate perfumed character of the Hautes Côtes. The wine has bright raspberry fruits, balanced acidity and just the right amount of structure for aging for a year.
Here's an enjoyable Soave from one of the Veneto's most renowned Amarone producers. It shows a pretty fragrance of white spring flowers and melon while the palate boasts juicy cantaloup and pear. It finishes fresh and crisp.
This soft and gentle wine doesn't show great character. Wood and yellow fruits appear timidly through the rounded texture. Drink now and until 2016.
This is a fresh wine with attractive ripe fruits. Apples, bitter orange and a streak of citrus are coupled with pineapple acidity. It's a well-made, immediately drinkable wine.
Fruity and lightly herbaceous, this is a crisp wine. Gooseberry and pink grapefruit flavors are rounded out with a fresh apricot and tightened with minerality. It's ready to drink.
Fleshy, slightly overripe aromas of yellow peach and nectarine extend from nose to finish on this semi-sweet Riesling. It's crisp and refreshing with tangerine acidity, but a dusty, pollen note distracts on the finish.
Bright and vivid, this crisp wine is made without oak. It is all fruitiness, crisp apples and grapefruit, with a tangy orange zest texture. It's ready to drink.
From a selection of clones planted in Goldridge sandy loam soils, this is a dark and savory Pinot Noir. Ripe and oaked, it presents a balanced combination of cherry fruit flavor and soda spice.
Candied oak aromas smell like sweet plastic and rubber, while berry scents lurk below. This is blocky and a bit sticky in feel, with basic plum and berry flavors that finish with a pasty accent.
Fresh and lightly sparkling, this is a crisp, citrus-driven wine. Its acidity is just right, fruity while well integrated. Some sweetness at the end makes it fine for apéritif drinking.
Soft, fruity and off dry, this is a typically fresh and light-hearted Vinho Verde. Attractive apple and lemon flavors shine through the lightly prickly texture. Drink immediately.
This appealing blend of Touriga Nacional and Aragonez gives a fresh, crisp red fruited wine. Just the right amount of acidity produces a light, bright aftertaste.
This attractive and fruity wine from the Côte Chalonnaise has ripe melon and sliced pear flavors along with orange zest. Full and rounded, it's ready to drink.
Moderately aromatic, this offers notes of pepper, spice and plum along with high-toned vanilla accents. It's medium bodied, with sweet blackberry flavors and dry, astringent tannins.
Intensely oaky, this Carneros Pinot is brooding in ripe plum fruit and straightforwardly layered with approachable fruit flavor and mellowing tannins. Enjoy now.
This opens with unusual charred aromas and whiffs of resin. The palate retains the same burnt sensations alongside notes of roasted coffee bean and bitter walnut husk. It lacks fruit richness and ends on an astringent note that dries out the mouth.
Earthy aromas and mild tea and black cherry flavors characterize this medium-bodied Pinot. A bit rustic in style, but it offers the palate-cleansing acidity and moderate tannins that people like in a basic Burgundy.
Cigarra, a cricket, is common in the Lisboa vineyards. The wine has a good mix of citrus and yellow fruit flavors, crisp and ripe at the same time. An attractive chalky, steely feel comes through in the acidity and the tight, nervy aftertaste.
A light-colored wine, this reflects the cool character of the Hautes Côtes. The result is a wine that's stalky, fruity and layered with acidity. It has a lightly strawberry, juicy aftertaste. Drink from 2015.
Fleshy, plump aromas of baked apple, melon and barrel smoke set up a honeyed, flat palate. This Viura is melony and mealy tasting, with notes of mushroom, papaya and bitterness on the finish. Overall this is short on flavor and feels creamy and heavy.
Earthy, youthful aromas lead to a wine that's ripe while still finding its fruity character. The potential for the citrus and apricot flavors is there and should develop by mid-2015.
This rusty-looking rosé smells rustic, with cherry and raspberry notes. In the mouth, it registers as full-bodied, while the flavor profile is chunky and dry, with early signs of oxidation that are confirmed on a low-steam finish. Drink right away.
This medium-sweet, fruity wine is both light and crisp. Attractive acidity contrasts with the sparkling texture and the sugared citrus. It's very ready to drink.
Tasty and toasty, young and compact, this is a wine to cellar for a few more years at least. The bright fruit flavors run from berry to Bing cherry, not as dark as in some years, but vibrant and crisp. The new oak is not yet fully integrated, so give it some extra bottle age for optimal enjoyment.
Dark as night, with charcoal, campfire, sweet berry and jammy notes to the alluring bouquet. Lively on the palate, with tangy acidity propelling black fruit, sweet oak, licorice and spice flavors. Solid, well built and generally smooth. Excellent Ribera from a very good year. Drink through 2019.
Cedarville's ode to Priorat, this is a mix of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The three get along swimmingly, amusingly mixing into a triad of dark blackberry, dark licorice and dark chocolate. The rich texture is on the mark, and the wine provides just the right heft for any spicy, brawny meal.
There is a lot of power in this wine. It has great weight and richness and an intense structure. Hanging from the frame of the wine are dark plum fruits, layers of wood, sweet spice, complex acidity and dry tannins. Age for 6–7 years.
Very structured, as befits a Vosne-Romanée, even a village wine. The black cherry fruit and layered acidity are combined with a firm and dry tannic core. There is power here, and some aging potential.
Beefy black-fruit aromas are inviting for their accents of licorice, coconut and crushed minerals. Feels lush, layered and intense, the perfect framework for lusty blackberry, toast, mineral and espresso flavors. Long, warm and dense on the finish. Drink now through 2016; made from Malbec, Bonarda and Cab Sauvignon.
Thick, oaky and loaded with toasty highlights, this substantial Syrah slathers its fruit in a heavy coat of caramel, buttered nuts and spice. Delicious and supple, its naturally juicy acidity keeps the wine lively. With substantial breathing time, boysenberry fruit melds with streaks of roasted coffee, clove and tobacco.
This full-bodied, creamy-textured Shiraz from the Lyndoch subregion of the Barossa starts off with vanilla, raspberries and a dusting of confectioner's sugar, but turns darker and more savory with air, adding dark berry and hickory notes. The long finish is richly textured, yet simultaneously marked by crisp acids.
A bit of dust and leather for openers, with short black-fruit flavors and a big wave of tannins on the palate. So expect some grab and choppiness. Despite moderate hardness, there's good dark fruit and limited herbal intrusion.
From Santa Carolina, this Malbec is what you'd call meaty but a little raisiny. It shows signs of mild reduction, which pushes the flavors to marmalade. Pepper and a little coffee-like bitterness on the finish close the show. Drink now. Imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA.
Mildly lactic on the nose, with rhubarb and some leafiness. Gets better with airing as it offers chunky, rubbery black fruit and licorice flavors. Finishes thick and chewy, with grabby tannins. Not the most exciting, lively wine going but decent enough.
Herbal, peppery and high-toned, with hairspray notes that detract from the ample blackberry and plum flavors. Disappointing.
A medium-bodied red blend that will go with just about anything a weeknight meat-based dinner might entail, this wine offers hints of smoke and charred wood to go with plummy fruit and a tart, tangy finish. Drink now.
Sharp and sassy for the most part, but with airing things improve a bit and you start to find red fruit and honest spice. The feel is lean and vibrant, with jumpy acids creating a crisp mouthfeel. Will settle somewhat but won't ever deliver much in the way of rich berry fruit or a chewy mouthfeel.
A salmon-colored wine, very fresh, with a full palate that carries flavors of strawberries and red currants. The wine is dry, but with the smooth caramel texture, it seems sweeter and softer.
Offers a mishmash of aromas that include plenty of woody notes like vanilla and toast as well as cherry fruit. The result in the mouth comes across as slightly medicinal, with cherry and menthol flavors that turn tangy on the finish. Imported by Walca International.
Herbal and dill infuse the light flavors, and the tannins feel as if they've been softened up in the winemaking process. The wine does a quick fade.
Open-knit aromas of apple, pear, green melon and mineral are perfectly good, while the palate is high in acid and kick. Flavors of grapefruit, generic citrus and grass are solid, as is the finish, which keeps its line. A snappy, alert, easygoing wine.
A fresh wine, all berry flavors and ripe juiciness. It's a wine to be drunk young, just touched by tannins. Delicious and fruity.
Fairly hard and closed at first, with a chemical-smelling edge. It opens to show fruity raspberry flavors and a peppery accent, while the finish is snappy and doesn't veer much from the primary palate. Kind of lean and sharp, but not a bad effort.
Vanilla and white fruits on the nose lead this fuller bodied organic Chard. On the palate, a spicy, robust style of white unfolds, making it ideal for everything from salmon to creamy poultry dishes. Nice spicy finish.
Initial aromas of marshmallow and cherry candy give way to toasty, mineral berry scents, while the palate is alert, maybe a bit acidic, with cherry, raspberry and herbal flavors. Tight and peppery on the finish, with a juicy crispness and a slight taste of burnt toast. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
A sharp, herbal blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, showing hints of resin in its aromas. The pale red fruit flavors are tart, light, and simple.
Slightly green and candied on the nose, but also showing vanilla and sweet cotton candy aromas. The palate is zesty and kind of jumpy, with wiry berry flavors in front of a hard finish. Has qualities but not a harmonious wine.
The complex blend of Bordeaux grapes does not quite jell into a wine with specific focus. It's dark and tastes of black cherry, with grainy tannins and a chalky finish. The acids are not well integrated and the wine seems disjointed in the finish.
A blocky, toasty, chewy wine with a flavor mix of herb and earth and berries. The tannins are rough and leave a slightly bitter impression.
Spicy, leafy and dry, with mild red berry aromas. The palate is much the same, with a fresh, acidic mouthfeel and solid, snappy flavors of leafy red berry fruit, pepper and dry spice. Simple but competent wine.
Quite the floral wine, with blueberry and violet aromas that distinguish it from others. But the palate is sharp and choppy, with high acidity that lends sharpness to the black cherry and raspberry flavors. Stirs interest because it breaks the mold of heavy, black fruit-dominated Syrahs. But it's also strange and not fully in gear. Imported by Ecovalley Quality Wine Group and National Refrescos Import Company, LLC.
Dusty apple, pear and other dry-fruit aromas give this clean wine a good but basic starting point. The palate is fresh but exceedingly simple in terms of its apple, kiwi and nectarine flavors. Pithy and bitter on the finish, but fresh. Tastes and smells like a standard white Rioja.
Oak-driven aromas are strong on the nose, with buttered popcorn dominating. Full and rich, notes of cedar and toast pervade over a hint of green apple. A bit lazy on the palate, this oaked style is for those who enjoy rich and creamy Chardonnay.
This perfumed wine is very aromatic and crisp. It's still young, not yet fully integrating the acidity, spiced fruits and mineral texture. Wait until 2016.
Aromatic, flowery and fruity are all delicious attributes of this forward, fresh and ready-to-drink wine. It's simple and open, finishing with spice and a touch of pepper.
This unusual white from the southeast corner of Spain smells cidery, with stone-fruit notes and a hint of mustard seed. The palate is juicy but doesn't offer shape or structure. Flavors of peach, mango and celery finish mild, with modest acidity.
HIgh-toned red berry and pomegranate highlight this wine made from 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. Time spent in both French and American oak is perceptible but not obtrusive, with the finish slight in cherry and vanilla.
This wine is outrageously perfumed. That's all there is, apart from a dry edge that stops the wine from totally tipping over into decadence.
This ripe and round wine offers good balance between lychee spiciness and acidity. It is warm and soft, approachable now with its smooth texture and fresh aftertaste.
The blend is 40% Syrah and 20% each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. It's difficult to find a focus here. Scents of breakfast tea and a lingering sour-candy fruit flavor are dominant, with fairly astringent tannins closing it down. Drink up.
With a weaker nose compared to other Zins, this offers faint hints of pressed strawberries and black olives. It's also light and watery on the palate, which makes for easy although not very distinctive drinking, with flavors of cranberry and plums more prevalent.
While the alcohol says rich, the wine is in fact fresh and fruity. It's medium dry, although with a drier character from the spice and smokiness. It's ready to drink.
Limestone vineyards around Eguisheim give this wine its crisp, mineral character. It's fruity while on the dry side, dominated by apple and spiced pear cut with youthful fresh acidity. It will be ready to drink soon; wait for summer 2015.
This is a rich, full in the mouth wine. It has some crisp citrus acidity although the main flavors are of ripe lychees and pineapple that are both tinged with spice. It's ready to drink.
This simple wine offers aromas of citrus, dried chamomile and a whiff of hay. The easy palate offers nectarine and lemon zest alongside brisk acidity.
A 50-50 blend of Insolia and Catarratto, this offers pretty aromas of white and yellow spring flowers. The fresh, informal palate delivers citrus peel and raw white peach alongside zesty acidity.
Dusty orange and nectarine aromas are nice but highly regular. This feels round, easy and melony, while flavors of honeydew and pear are mellow and finish soft. It's friendly and quaffable.
Full, chunky aromas of banana, vanilla and yeasty lees set up a plump, somewhat flabby palate. Flavors of citrus pith, papaya and melon end pithy and slightly bitter, with modest acidity. Drink immediately.
Aromas of lemon chiffon, white flowers, lychee and lime are forward and attractive. A zesty, citric feel accompanies refreshing tangerine, nectarine and lime flavors. Tangy and edgy on the finish, this blend of Muscat and Chardonnay is snappy from front to back.
Gritty, muddled dark-fruit aromas come with burnt overtones. This has a hard, grinding palate along with roasted blackberry and raisin flavors. A minty character and hard tannins drive the finish.
Red apple aromas are slightly overripe in nature, with citrus zest adding verve. The light-bodied palate is zippy and brisk, offering a fresh-pressed apple flavor.
This wine is all rich candy and spiced cake flavors. It's soft, full of creamed pear, baked apple with nutmeg and only the lightest hint of acidity. Drink now.
Syrah performs well in the hot, dry climate of Alentejo. This is a perfumed wine, richly tannic although the tannins are cushioned by the red fruits, spice and fresh acidity. It is ready to drink now.
This rounded wine has spice, lychee and pineapple flavors. It is light, bright and fruity with a pepper aftertaste, and is ready to drink.
Aromas of chamomile and citrus zest waft from the glass. The palate is rather lean but offers nectarine and pineapple alongside crisp acidity that gives it a clean finish.
Intended as a take on Rioja, this is noticeably volatile, dusty and loaded with chocolaty barrel flavors. Cocoa and raspberry are in the mix, but it's chocolate that runs away with the finish.
Black fruit aromas show over toasted vanilla and green peppercorn notes. The palate boasts tart berries contrasted by grainy tannins that linger on the slightly bitter finish.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this rustic wine opens with funky aromas of game, wet animal fur, scorched earth, overripe berry and a whiff of barnyard. These carry over to the palate along with underbrush, licorice, and toasted almond notes but not much fruit. Tried twice with identical notes.
Aromas of cedar, juniper, graphite and blackberry are woody and full but fail to announce fairly the choppy astringency the palate brings. Herbal blueberry, pie cherry and mint flavors end with tangy, tart, borderline sourness on the finish.
This is a soft, medium-dry wine, layered with fresh fruits, touches of tropical flavors and good acidity, a reflection of the vintage. It's a bright wine, lightly textured and ready to drink from the end of 2015.
Fruity and soft, this appealing wine is ready to drink. Lemon juice and lime zest give freshness along with bright acidity and a light sense of mineral texture.
Focused aromas of blackberry, elderberry and black currant show on the nose of this blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Franc, which also offers hints of leather, nettle and caramel on the nose. It's lively on the palate, with black raspberry, rose petals and violets, framed by a vibrant acidity and worthy structure.
Dense, lush aromas of coffee, blackberry and turned earth give way to notes aged Gouda cheese. The jammy palate is packed with a mix of blackberry, plum and cassis flavors that blend together. A compact, grapy finish shows no hard edges, gaps or breaks. Drink through 2022.
Winderlea is the most limited and most expensive of the winery's single vineyard series. This vintage remains tight and compact—a youthful purple in color, with fruit flavors of plum and sour cherry. Subtle layers unfold as it breathes, adding citrus peel, minerality and a touch of malt as well.
Hedonistic berry, raisin and fig flavors are complete. While this is tight and tough on the palate, it's solid as a boulder in terms of structure and balance. A ripe mix of black-fruit and mocha flavors finishes with all the power one could ask for. Drink this Bordeaux blend through 2027.
Broad aromas of black cherry and black-tea spice make for a dark and full nose, which is enhanced by strong soil components of turned loam and gravel. Dark boysenberry and tart plum skins show on the palate along with more tea spice, making for a very full sipping experience.
This tight and energetic wine opens with menthol, new leather, wild berry, blue flower and grilled herb aromas. The focused palate mirrors the nose, offering juicy sour cherry, cranberry, star anise and clove flavors framed by youthfully assertive, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
Brooding aromas of crushed rock, mineral, black olive, soot, cracked black pepper, charcuterie and dried herb lead to fresh, focused flavors that are flavorful but remain light on their feet. It shows a bit more tannic heft than this area often shows along with great length on the meaty finish.
Alluring aromas of moist earth, cassis bud, olive, nori, pipe tobacco, charcoal, funk and mineral give way to lithe fruit and savory flavors with an ultra soft feel. The texture is absolutely dazzling.
This lightly bodied, elegant wine is subtle and crisp—a study in white pepper and leather that's both complex and tightly layered. Cool climate to its core, it shows floral aromas and flavors of rose petal and lavender as hints of rhubarb and tart cherry make their way onto the quiet palate.
A selection of old vines and 12 months of barrel aging have produced a ripe, full and spicy wine. Red-plum and black-cherry fruits are concentrated and dense with flavors of dark chocolate from the wood aging. Drink this powerful wine from 2019.
From the estate's original vines planted in 1978, this exceptional wine envelops the palate with layers of richness not often found in Pinot Gris. It's lush and seductive, with hints of honeycomb, brown butter, toasted peanut and dried apricot. The flavors persist, and lovely details keep it interesting through the finish.
This wine is the result of a selection of 12 barrels that were chosen after aging. It is rich, smooth and concentrated, with powerful tannins behind the ripe texture and generous blackberry fruits. It needs to age further; drink from 2019.
From a vineyard perched 1,700 feet above the Monterey Bay, this wine by brewer-turned-vintner John Benedetti is both very light yet incredibly flavorful. Rusty raspberry and strawberry aromas meet with dill, thyme and white pepper on the nose, while the palate offers soft red cherry and gently sprinkled herbs throughout.
Made in even smaller amounts than the vintage before it, this combines 90% Petite Sirah with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from old head-pruned vines. The winemakers succeeded in coaxing fruity raspberry and blackberry around a fully brazen acidity that explodes on the palate. Softly textured, the wine is incredibly fragrant and inviting in white pepper.
This wine surprises and delights in its heady perfume and depth of cherry, cinnamon and brown sugar. Undoubtedly ripe, it holds its boldness well, allowing for glimpses of elegance amid the velvety layers of serious flavor.
This well-crafted reserve boasts a solid core of blueberry and black cherry fruit, thickly accented with dark chocolate notes. Produced from heritage (Calera, Swan and Mt. Eden) clones, it's textural and dense, with dark char, espresso and black licorice flavors.
From a number of old-vine parcels, designated in the past as L-O and only produced in the best years, this wine is beautifully ripe with great layers of rich apple and pear fruits. They are cut with zesty acidity and a more mineral aspect. The wine still needs to age further, so drink from 2019.
This late harvest sweet wine leads with delicate lemon blossom, canned peach, ripe apricot and mandarin orange aromas. It delivers white peach and apricot flavors on the palate, which is velvety smooth, with a restrained level of acidity to offset the sweetness.
Aromas suggesting underbrush, aromatic herb, violet, new leather and earthy game follow through to the chewy, full-bodied palate in this wine, along with ripe black cherry and a hint of baking spice. It's structured and surprisingly accessible, with rounded, velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This was half whole cluster-fermented and neatly incorporates hints of earth and bark into its tart cranberry and pie cherry core. Its verticality and tannic power suggest it will age quite nicely through the late 2020s.
There are multiple Freedom Hill selections in this winery's 2015 lineup, but the Pommard clone bottling expresses more of the site's brambly wildness along with its lusciously fruity raspberry flavors. Texture and length elevates it above much of the competition.
Abundantly oaky, this is a friendly, mouth-filling and broadly textured wine that comes off as soft and soothing. Sweet-seeming spicy oak and tobacco aromas lead to generous flavors of ripe cherry and raspberry rounded out by nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Concentration and layering raise it way above average.
From a cool site in the Sebastopol Hills greatly influenced by the cooling fog and winds of the Petaluma Gap, this wine is velvety in texture, with a gritty tannic backbone. Cedar, eucalyptus and savory tea complement an array of juicy red fruit and blueberry, with structure and balance at the wine's core.
Dusty berry and plum aromas are inviting and come with notes of vanilla and coconut. This blend of Cab Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc is flush while displaying a firm grip. Flavors of vanilla, mocha, black cherry and blackberry finish deep and with a lasting hint of fig. Drink through 2024.
From the last remaining block of a vineyard planted in 1968 by Oregon pioneer Dick Erath that's yielding less than 1.5 tons per acre, this is loaded with rose petal and cherry blossom aromas. Delicate and graceful, it offers subtle raspberry, blackberry and cherry fruit. The finish is exceptional, long and complex, with hints of coffee and caramel. Give this wine your full attention and enjoy how long it lingers.
From a single vineyard on flinty silex soil, this is a taut and concentrated wine. Its intensity is enhanced by the tense texture and powerful youthful acidity. At this stage, it is still young, still with its exuberant fruit. So wait to drink this wine until 2018.
Fermented in open stone lagars, this wine has the typical opulent structure that comes from this time-honored technique. With its dark tannins and concentrated black fruits, this wine, dominated by Touriga Nacional, is ready to drink.
From a great Douro vintage, this is a ripe wine, packed with generous fruit and concentrated tannins. Berry flavors and juicy acidity dominate a wine that has plenty of power while keeping elegance and stylishness. Drink now.
Exotic aromas of cranberry, plum, sandalwood, myrrh and lavender makes for an elegant entry to this bottling by the winemaking team of Steve Fennell and Laura Roach. Layered flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate are laced throughout by dried herbs, while the tannic structure is firm but not obtrusive. Drink 2018–2034.
Coming from a singular vineyard along the Mendocino coast, this wine has smoky savory flavors that complement the just-ripe fruit flavors and give a truly maverick but easy-to-enjoy personality. It is medium bodied, velvet textured, and has good structure, fine-grained tannins and enough concentration for a lingering finish.
This is a really fragrant wine, with white hedgerow flowers that introduce its rich, full body. It has just a touch of sweetness from the ripe pear and quince flavors, although the texture also has a fine edge of minerality. Age for another 1–2 years.
This wine is produced from fruit that was sourced from Leithaberg vineyards in the northwestern corner of Lake Neusiedlersee. It's powerful with dense tannins that accompany the bright red-fruit flavors. Acidity cuts right through the solid structure, giving it a fresh finish. Glass stopper.
From the Heideboden Vineyard, this rich and fruity effort combines an intense black-plum flavor with solid tannins. It has a dark character that shows the severe side of Zweigelt. Age for 2–3 years. Glass stopper.
This wine develops slowly in the mouth, providing a finely structured, rich and elegant character. There's a round white-fruit flavor that's shot through with taut acidity. With its tight finish, it could age a few more months.
Only 400 cases of this top-level crianza were made, and it smells rich and good, with notes of ripe berry and plum and a mild syrupy note. Although it feels big, it's also fresh and layered, with pure berry, herb, spice and oak flavors. Toasty, smooth and elegant as a whole. Drink now–2015.
Wonderful purity is on display in this mineral-driven, tart, racy and expressive Syrah from the estate vineyard. The bright and tangy berry flavors may strike some palates as a bit on the sour side, but there is more than enough ripeness here for most. This is succulent and classy.
Made from three-quarters Merlot and one-eighth each Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre, this new version of The Spinner seems to be surfing a wave of spicy berry that's about to smash into a wall of chocolate. But it never crashes, instead it just sails on through a gorgeous midpalate into a lingering finish that features caramel and mocha highlights.
NxNW makes much less of its Walla Walla Cabernet than of its Columbia Valley bottling, though both wear the same price tag. This is the one to find—a deep, dark wine rife with smoke and espresso. Black cherry and cassis fruit—equally dark and quite thrilling—carries the center into a rich, ripe finish.
A big wine in every sense—including its heavy bottle—this is as dense as Zweigelt gets. It retains some of the great bitter-cherry flavor characteristic of the grape, adding spice and wood notes, plus a dense, firm texture. As it develops, this will show impressive depth of flavor.
This Sémillon is made from all Walla Walla Valley fruit, with 11% Sauvignon Blanc in the blend. It was barrel-fermented and -aged, and the time in barrel and on the lees has given the wine an extra dimension of texture. The fruit flavors mix white peach and ripe apple, with a streak of chamomile tea.
This is a rich, plush Cabernet, with a sense of elegance. It smells like prune, blackberry, coffee and toast. The concentrated palate boasts prune, olive, coffee and dark berry flavors. Drink or hold for a few years.
Highlighted by forward, pretty, cherry-candy flavor, this is an appealing vintage for D2—DeLille's second-label Bordeaux-style blend. Accented with integrated notes of herb, nougat and milk chocolate, this finishes with a streak of minerality that provides a bit of gravitas.
An aroma of pure lychee announces a wine that is attractively balanced. It wears its richness easily; it's ripe and fruity, with a good level of acidity. With a medium-sweet character, it is a great wine for Asian cuisine.
The Riesling perfumes shine, and its light, almost dancing character is blended with a more complex set of yellow fruits and mineral texture. The result is a serious wine that demands to be aged for at least four years. Screwcap.
Earth and olive streaks wrap around tight, compact fruit flavors of berry and plum. The aging in French oak—60% new—adds a light touch of spice without dominating. The tannins are clean, crisp and gently powdery.
Jammy berry, licorice, herb and leather aromas set up a lively, fresh palate that boasts tomato, raspberry, plum and herb flavors. It shows good energy and balance throughout, with a forward attitude and a spicy, solid finish.
Briary berry, leather and animal aromas comprise the bouquet on this full-forced effort. Astringent and jumpy in feel, it has piercing acidity, propelling the tangy flavors of berry, currant and plum. It's toasty, offering a pinch of tobacco on the finish. Drink 2013–2017.
With no indication on the label, it would be hard to know that this is a sweet wine. That is a shame, because the wine itself is ripe and opulent, layering honey and sweet lychee flavors. There's even room for an attractive edge of acidity.
This wine offers a balance of apple and citrus crispness with a touch of buttery oak. The nose is redolent of crisp fruits; on the palate it's refreshing and seafood-friendly. Pair with shellfish or creamy egg dishes.
A surprisingly mature-colored wine, with flavors that are of herbs, dark tannins as well as more juicy beets and dark black cherries. There is firm concentration, but the wine should be drunk now.
Peachy and a little sharp on the nose, but the palate is smooth and glides along nicely, and the flavors of citrus, honey and caramel are good and hold form through the finish. You can definitely taste the botrytis here, especially on the finish. Fresh and not at all funky. Drink now through 2013.
Impressively silky for the price, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (53%), Shiraz (35%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Malbec (5%) is a bargain that should be easy enough to find, with 10,000 cases imported. Toasty oak and vanilla notes frame mixed berries and olives, marrying sweet and savory elements into a pleasing, medium-bodied red for early consumption.
Scattered on the nose, with peach and honey notes. More solid on the palate, where bitter orange, banana and honey flavors vie for center stage. Loses some intensity and clarity on the finish, but there's enough vital acidity throughout to keep it moving in the right direction. A good dessert wine for simple settings.
Aggressive tannins and an unusually strong herbal component make this new vintage of Feather a bit difficult to assess at this moment. It's peppery and stemmy in the nose, earthy and tannic in the mouth, with suggestions of asparagus. Quite a change from past vintages, but perhaps just a stage in its further evolution.
The blend changes annually—here it's two thirds Merlot and one third Cabernet Sauvignon—but the wine remains accessible and spicy, a mix of currant and berry, pepper and cedar.
Full, honest aromas of brandied cherry, woodspice and cola are inviting, while the palate is thorough and lively, with good acidity and tannic grip. Flavors of black cherry and cassis are correct and finish with an herbal note and a hint of black olive.
Showing freshness as well as sweet jelly fruit, this has a young feel to it. An edge of bitter chocolate and spice is layered over tannins that are not yet integrated.
Nice aromas of smoked meat, coconut, dried berry fruit and pepper set up a nice palate of concentrated, snappy raspberry and plum flavors. Clean, mildly herbal, nicely spiced and with good mouthfeel and follow through. Shows the mildest touch of creamy oak flavor.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Jacopo Biondi Santi's Maremma estate is open-knit and sweet. Some creamy oak and loads of red raspberry make for an extremely cheerful wine, but one that doesn't have the tight grip and structure generally associated with varietal Cabernet.
Mazzei, the family behind Fonterutoli in Chianti, is the maker of this 100% Sangiovese, which offers a strong, piercing nose of earth, leather, red fruit and oak. If given time in the glass, the muscular palate loosens its stern grip, unveiling a nice underlay of plum, berries and oak. Far better than pedestrian, this is a sturdy, well-made Tuscan red.
In time, this may surpass the regular bottling, but for now it trails by a nose, thanks to some mushroom, bracken and lima bean scents that dampen the cola and beet flavors. As always, it's big, rich and full-bodied. Try in 2005.
This is a quaffable (about 10% alcohol), off, dry white wine, with intense, clean, lovely floral flavors. Citrus and citrus blossom mingle, making it almost like a still version of Prosecco. There is a surprisingly long finish with spicy floral flavors, intense and flavorful.
A persistent ripe cheesy aroma is the only thing that mars this Cabernet-based big brother to Belcore. There's ample black fruit to the palate and a full blast of espresso on the smooth finish. It's young now, but already it's opening up. Maybe the funky aromatics will subside with additional bottle age.
Its soft, beguiling aromas of brown sugar, cinnamon, pie crust and cranberries pull you in, then bright cherry flavors take over on the palate. Mouthfeel is light, yet caressing, and the flavors fan out on the finish, picking up notes of spice and cola. A pretty wine from start to finish.
About 15,000 cases were made of this simple, stainless-fermented, very clean and fruity wine. Nice cinnamon spice and light hazelnut flavors light up the finish. A lot of flavor and style for this price.
Saturated purple in color; this Sangiovese-Cabernet-Merlot blend is heavily oaked, so much so that it hints at popcorn. Beyond the wood, however, are notes of root beer and smoked meat. The palate has some hard tannins and the oak is once again strong; it literally takes on a buttery flavor. The finish is the best part: It's all about thick black fruit.
A classic NZ Riesling that's all about fruit: apples, pears and limes on the nose, with more of the same in the mouth. Medium-weight, but balanced by plenty of racy acidity that turns tart and malic on the finish.
Fresh and full, with a deep berry nose, drying tannins and ample but not overdone oak. In the mouth, it's pretty solid, and the cherry and black-plum fruit is clean and tasty. It's on the stout side, with youthful acidity and a good deal of warmth to the smoky finish. From Poliziano.
There's plenty of pop to this bright, tight versatile red. Pretty full-fruited aromas rise up along with earth, leather and spice. The lively palate races with blackberry, and the finish is satisfyingly long and clean as a whistle. Youth should be served here; drinking this Sangiovese now is the way to go.
Hews closely to the Dutschke style: Full and soft, with slightly jammy dark cherry-berry notes accented by cedar and Mexican chocolate. This is a velvety, immediately accessible Shiraz for relatively early drinking, delivered at a remarkably fair price.
This is 70% Cabernet, 20% Merlot. Dark, tight and loaded with fruits, this balanced, juicy wine has it all—elegance, length, finesse and mouth appeal. Blackberry and black cherry fruits dominate, with light suggestions of pretty leaf, tobacco, earth and some iron.
Really fragrant, with this vineyard's near-perfect mix of fruit, rock and barrel. This is restrained, elegant but powerful—raspberry fruit over crushed rock, with vertical structure, an immaculate mouthfeel, and a finish that continues to resonate for minutes after the swallow.
The 2007 Hickinbotham comes across as tight and in need of additional cellaring. Right now, it's showing only some subtle oak and spice framing dark fruit and earthy, savory notes. With its apparent richness and depth, give it until 2015 or so to come around, then drink it over the next 10 years.
This is the lighter of two sweet wines from Ancienne Cure, but this is still pretty intense. It has great sweet marmalade and orange zest flavors, as much sweet as botrytized. Soft, round and opulent.
Blending Duras, Braucol and Syrah, this is a powerful wine, perfumed and dominated by tannins from fruit and wood. There is a great juiciness as well, with the black cherry and black currant fruits bursting around the mouth. For aging—allow at least 5–6 years.
Very nice Cabernet with a competent mix of earth, black fruit, olive and toast on the nose. The palate is firm, warm and spicy, with good balance and classy flavors of rich berry and chocolate. Lush, just sweet enough, balanced and long on the back end. Drink now through 2012.
Dark berries dominate here, but there is also an intriguing edge of tight spiced minerality. With its strong acidity and important tannins, this is always going to be a wine with an austere side. But the weight is all there, as is the final black berry fruit.
A wonderful follow-up to the debut vintage, this generous Chardonnay brings green apples, stone fruits and suggestions of pineapple, with a judicious use of new oak that refrains from becoming more than a pleasing nuance. Excellent balance, with a firm, lingering finish that brings in butterscotch and ripe, sweet lemon.
The fruit is forward and lush, the grapes nicely blended and complementary, yielding a complex, mouthfilling wine with a riot of tropical, stone and citrus fruit flavors. There is a trace of new oak and a lingering finish that brings in vanilla, butter and coconut.
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon share top billing here, in a sleek, stylish, beautifully polished wine loaded with blackberries, black cherries and cassis. Firm and textural, it layers in subtle spices, dark chocolate, espresso and moist loam, all in delicate balance. The firmness of the tannins and tightness of the layering suggests that laying it down for a few years will only improve it further.
A real success, this intensely spicy Syrah loads in mouth-softening flavors of buttermilk, cocoa and cinnamon. Lots of toast and coffee, with a creamy, textural mouthfeel. The rich, ripe, almost sweet cherry fruit is like a mouthful of fresh pie.
With a little extra bottle age, this wine shows great charm and style. The dense fruits are finely restrained, but have all the solidity of a juicy Malbec, spiced with the driest tannin and a core of powerful minerality. For further aging, 3–4 years.
Kingston's top-level Pinot Noir has been a consistent scorer for the past three vintages. The 2008 starts with pure raspberry and cherry aromas as well as tea accents, while the textbook palate has a proper feel and tasty raspberry and cherry flavors. Spice notes and integrated oak help it achieve its status as one of Chile's truest, most recognizable Pinot Noirs. Drink now through 2011; 300 cases made.
Sauvignon Blanc has long been the winery's calling card, but this vintage isn't quite up to past standards. Some high-toned scents add edginess to the tropical fruit, and some bitter skin flavors are borderline too much. Good, but they can do better.
A nutty, leesy wine that takes those positive attributes to the limit, resulting in a mix of flavors that range from peanut brittle to lemon custard. The delicate melon and citrus fruit ends up getting a little overwhelmed.
Pinot Gris is starting to have a presence in Washington, and the straightforward, citrus-flavored fruit shown here suggests a middle-of-the-road style. It's a tart, palate-cleaning wine with a hint of citrus-rind bitterness in the finish.
There are true, varietal scents of apricot, peach and honeysuckle. Fresh fruit in the mouth shows crisp, citrus and orange flavors, with some spritzyness on the tongue, and plenty of orange rind in the finish. This is fruity and dry enough to be well suited to spicy foods.
Strong cinnamon and mocha scents illuminate this wine, and the fruit shows some pretty cherry qualities. A bit of dill creeps in too, showing the effect of this cooler vintage on a cooler site. —P.G.
A dry style, tightly wound with hints of herb and spice. Simple, crisply rendered, and very fresh, with citrus-flavored fruit.
By “soft” the winery means sweet. This is a low-acid style, showing flavors of pear, melon and mango. It's a good sipping wine, but perhaps a bit too soft for most foods. —P.G.
The blend is 70% Pinot Gris and 30% Viognier. The Gris provides the fruit base, with pear/apple flavors; the Viognier adds some light lemon and citrus blossom accents. This is a big wine, bone dry.
Combines smoky, slightly acrid aromas with pretty strawberry scents and then piles juicy berries onto the palate. Finishes tart with hints of smoke and wood. For summer grilling at home, this is a pretty good choice. Best Buy.
The Yarra Valley's relatively cool climate really shows through in this wine's smoky, herbal nuances, which sometimes threaten to take over from the primary cherry fruit. It's lean, more in the Rhône style, and finishes with tart cherries and hints of meaty portobello mushrooms. —J.C.
A powerful wine, certainly, although in the elegant style of Quinta do Portal. Big black berry and plum flavors wrap around tannins that are still young, exuberant, needing time to settle down. The acidity and the solid tannic structure suggest good aging.
A stunning and unusual white wine out of Lodi made by Jim Moore, with tremendous aromatics of honeysuckle and melon and a genius balancing between sweetness and acidity. Grapes—technically Moscato Giallo—were harvested from the Bella Vigna Vineyard fully ripe but at low brix, allowing this bottling to maintain a very low 12% alcohol level. An amazing deal for a wine that jumps out of the glass, all bright and starry eyed.
With a tiny bit of breathing room, this wine opens up magically into dark earth, crushed asphalt, blackberry jam, cappuccino and mocha on the nose, which predict a tarry texture. Indeed, the structure is firm and fine-tuned, yet vibrant with boisterous acidity, showing layered flavors of dark fruit enhance by cedar, sandalwood and incense notes. Drink 2017–2033.
This rich wine is full of ripe white and citrus fruits that combine easily with the tangy, tight texture that comes from the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend. It is still young, the sort of wine that needs to age to bring out its full potential. Drink this very fine vintage from 2018.
The counterpart to Lynn's Blend, named for a co-proprietor, Anisya's showcases the lighter side of the Sonoma Coast in its exuberance of red cherry, orange and strawberry. Textured, it features bright acidity and layers of freshness, teased in black tea and wild truffle.
This is a bright, integrated and extremely impressive blend of different estate-vineyard sources. Effortlessly enjoyed, it's nonetheless plenty complex underneath the pleasing fruit and acidity. Tart plum, raspberry, pomegranate and touches of cola and mocha combine for a seamless, satisfying experience.
Grande is one of the most historic vineyards in southern Napa, still presided over by the lovely Dorothy Rossi, whose father planted the oldest vines here in 1920, the year she was born. The location, farming and age work together to offer aromas of dusty leather satchel and a richness of juicy blackberry and cranberry. Powerfully elegant and integrated, it evolves in the glass in a myriad of ways, surprising with every sip.
The bitter-edged sweetness of botrytis counters the luscious notes of orange marmalade. The palate is of immense richness and has a tart gilded richness of candied orange peel and a concentrated pleasant bitterness that is so addictive. There are glints of white pepper. The purest citrus acid runs like a fault line through the wine. This is lovely and luscious now but really made to last. This will age and develop indefinitely. Drink now until 2030 at least.
A vibrant and lithe expression of cool-climate Syrah, this bottling shows crushed peppercorns, beef char, thyme, coffee syrup, potpourri and blackberry juice on the nose. The crisp palate is lively with peppery spice, with a base of tart elderberry juice layered with cooked lamb and fresh rosemary. It finishes with a healthy sense of pencil shavings.
Once again this vineyard delivers irresistibly bright refined flavors of raspberry and cherry fruit—primary, concentrated and immaculately fresh. There's a touch of mocha from the new barrels, and impressive length. As with all of Trisaetum's single vineyard Pinots, this is built for cellaring, and should drink best after another couple of years in bottle. Drink 2018–2028, perhaps beyond.
This fragrant Nebbiolo opens with intense, ample aromas of kitchen spice, chopped herb, leather, dark-skinned berry, tilled soil and a whiff of pressed rose petal. On the firmly structured smooth palate, notes of licorice, cinnamon and truffle accent a core of juicy dark cherry. Polished tannins provide the framework while a mineral vein energizes the finish. Drink through 2022.
The best Grace to date, the wonderfully fruity entry bounces along, offering a punch bowl full of spicy cherries, with extensive highlights. Sniff and taste streaks of clove, coffee, fresh earth and mushroom—all clean and harmonious. This may be drunk immediately with enjoyment, or set aside as your special occasion wine with a decade or more of ageability.
Black cherry, cassis and cola aromas are on the money and exact, with nothing overt sticking out. This bottling is strongly built, probably the most tannic of Atauta's 2010 single-vineyard wines, but it's not coarse. Savory flavors of smoked meat, tea and baked berry fruits end with rooty, roasted notes. Drink through 2024.
This is a beautiful wine with its pink-orange color. The taste lives up to its appearance. A mature wine from a great vintage, it's rich with spice and nuts along with tight acidity. From fruit grown in the southern Champagne region of the Aube, the wine is completely ready to drink.
From the first sniff to the last sip, this sensational effort seduces, with deep, rich, slightly roasted flavors of dense black fruits. The black cherry core is so intense it veers into cassis, with veins of espresso, Kahlúa and cacao. It's a powerful wine, perfectly framed and balanced by ripe tannins. It's ready to drink now, but certainly a wine you may confidently cellar for at least another decade.
This wine begins a bit wound-up and restrained on the nose, but then reveals waves of cassis, blackcurrant, elderberry and caramelized beef tips. The flavors are woven together perfectly, showing deep blueberry syrup, dark-chocolate chips, brighter plums, lovely lilacs and a touch of tar. It's deep, dark and complex.
From one of the best Champagne vintages, this wine offers a tight texture and layers of intense acidity. It is still young, showing citrus and crisp apple fruit, while the depth and concentration of minerality promise long aging. Drink from 2019. Gonet uses this label for the American market.
From a good vintage, this wine, dominated by Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, is textured, mineral-driven and full of nervous energy. It is stylish, hinting at toast as well as floral citrus. The wine is now mature, although it will age at least until 2024, developing a more toasty character as it goes.
Based around a blend of grand cru wines and with seven years aging, this wine combines a rich texture with tight acidity and hints of toast from the wood fermentation. A creamy background gives the mature fruits their chance to show beautifully. The wine is ready to drink although it will age at least until 2025.
Seriously dense and with signs of extraction, this is a powerful wine. Its big black fruits give it richness while there is also fine juicy acidity. It comes from vines over 100-years-old grown on the spectacularly steep slopes of the quinta. The wine is still young, so don't drink before 2019.
A barrel-fermented white Pinot Noir, this is bursting with broad, creamy flavors of ripe caramel-dipped apples and fresh pear. It might be mistaken for Chardonnay, except for the extra weight that carries through the lengthy finish. Though it's tempting to describe white Pinot Noirs as sparkling wines without the sparkle, this is much more interesting, and one of the rare examples that defines both a style and a standard for the rest.
This ripe wine offers great balance between the rich, structured Pinot Noir and the mineral Chardonnay. From a very fine vintage, it reveals intense flavors, layers of ripe apple and a taut texture that promises further aging. The wine can be drunk now, but it will be so much better from 2018.
Fresh mint and cracked pepper accent dark plummy fruit on the nose, picking up hints of dark chocolate and black olive on the palate. It's full bodied, creamy in feel and loaded with supple tannins, which make the wine approachable now, but should sustain it through at least 2025.
Paillard's crispest Chardonnay comes mainly from the Côte des Blancs. Offering great white fruit and bright apple flavors, this wine is also textured and mineral. It is beginning to mature, suggesting a touch of toastiness while the fruit remains. It finishes dry. Drink the wine now.
This rich, opulent prestige cuvée lives up to the Séduction name, instantly appealing with its ripe yellow fruit and generous texture. It is just approaching maturity, with hints of toast. Drink now or, even better, from 2017.
The scent of apricot jam is exquisitely pure on the nose, with an added glimpse of orange zest. The palate plays out all its luscious apricot richness, countering it with fresh lemon purity. Perfectly pitched balance between apricot richness and lemon zestiness makes this a delicious but balanced high-wire act. How can anyone resist?
This is one of the most exciting wines of the vintage for this label, a blend of 68% Bien Nacido and 32% from its sister vineyard, Solomon Hills. It shows Meyer lemon pith, chalk, pencil lead, grapefruit pith and a slight touch of yogurt on the nose. The chalk-driven, tingling-with-acidity palate opens onto brine-laced flavors of yellow grapefruit pith and expertly restrained pineapple and peach.
Bliss Block lies within the property's Quail Hill Vineyard and is the coolest two acres on the estate. Spicy acidity and dark earth support a full-bodied, oaky imprint of complexity and structure, dotted in savory cranberry and black tea.
This is a truly beautiful wine, a blend of two estate vineyards, Quail Hill and Susanna's. Richly layered and concentrated in its still-vibrant youth, it's also texturally complex and compelling in its teases of ginger and honey, taking on more succulent notions of apple and a flinty element as it opens.
This ripe wine with its red fruits and well-balanced texture is beautifully ready to drink, with just the right crisp acidity to balance the soft richness. There is no sign yet of maturity, the fruit from this great vintage showing at its perfumed best. Drink the wine now.
From a vineyard located close to the coast of Aptos, this bottling shows dewy chaparral aromas on the nose, as well as light cinnamon, nutmeg and smashed graphite, with a dense pomegranate-hibiscus core. It is tightly wound on the sip, with cranberry, raspberry, rose petal and rose-hip flavors. The texture and tension are impressive, and will unleash continued intrigue from 2018 to 2033.
Made from a site on the eastern edge of the appellation, along the Silverado Trail, this 100% varietal wine opens in smoky campfire and cigar. Perfumed in clove and wild sage, it remains smooth and full bodied on the palate, imparting an enviable richness and layering of juicy plum, black currant and berry.
Winemaker Virginia Willcock has taken Vasse Felix's top Chardonnay to extraordinary heights this year. Chardonnay yields in the region were down, and this wine reflects an extra level of concentration and power as a result. Grilled peaches and tangerines provide ample flesh, yet the wine remains focused and refreshing through the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2025.
From the oldest part of the estate, planted in 1992, this excellent effort seems to have entered the phase where more aromatic complexity appears. It has lovely delineation of both scents and flavors, a matrix of fruit, soil and Pommard clone. Strong streaks of tobacco and chocolate annotate the core of raspberry puree. The concentration and length are impressive.
Intense ripeness and delicate texture go hand-in-hand in this stunning dry Riesling. Honeyed tones of pineapple, tangerine and lemon quiver nervously on the palate, bolstered by a reverberating throng of high-toned acidity. It's dazzling and vital with a lingering kiss of spice and earth.
This is a spicy, fully plush and complete wine, integrated in oak and tannin with a strength of black-cherry compote that gives an extra edge. The length and texture are impressive, showcasing the power of the vineyard in a ripe, even vintage, and some deft winemaking as well.
Heady smoky aromas of blackberry, prune, licorice and fine oak announce a tannic, deep and firmly built palate. Spicy, toasty oak notes blend with ripe blackberry and cassis flavors, while an oaky peppery toasted finish is potent and bodes well for the future; drink this Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon combo from 2018–2026.
This complex white comes from cuttings procured in 2004 from one of the oldest surviving vineyards of this variety, thought to have originated in the Loire Valley, then replanted by the producer onto older rootstock. Lemony acidity meets light, bright floral intrigue around hints of peach, grapefruit and lime, remaining velvety smooth and balanced.
The wine's name (“last breath”) is based on its origins in vines planted next to a cemetery. Putting that aside, the wine itself is impressive, richly structured and with dense tannins and concentration. The wine with its firm character and ripe black fruit will age. Drink starting from 2019.
Cofermented with 5% Viognier, this perfumed wine brings aromas of green olive, stems, potpourri, blue fruit and moist earth. The palate is chock-full of layered boysenberry and earth flavors, earthshaking in their intensity, with a mouthfeel that only heightens the interest.
Minty earth tones frame this wine from a dramatic vineyard perched high amid the redwoods and shale soils of this mountainous region that impart forest underbrush, dried lilac and olallieberry aromas. The dark blackberry fruit flavors on the palate are enhanced by marjoram, dark clove, crushed fennel and Christmas spices.
A blend of fruit from Northridge Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Powerline Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, this pale colored wine delivers vibrant, complex aromas of strawberry, brown stems, fresh flowers, green olive, smoked meat and moist earth. The cranberry and smoked meat flavors are soft and sumptuous, leading to an extended fruit and savory note finish. It's all about elegance but the purity is dazzling.
This stunner of a dry Riesling invigorates from first whiff with its zesty tangerine-peel perfume. On the palate, silken layers of white grapefruit and lime fill are amplified by a steely backbone of acidity and minerality. It's a gorgeously composed wine with a persistent, intently mineral finish. Drink now through at least 2030.
This is an exceptional example of this variety, with aromas of fresh herb, violets, orange peel and black fruit. The dark-fruit flavors are rich and layered, showing an exquisite sense of balance along with great length.
This is the winery's first attempt at a reserve-level Rhône-style wine. A blend of Mourvèdre (51%), Cinsault (27%), Grenache (18%) and Counoise, it leads with fragrant aromas of crushed flowers, thyme, smoke, white pepper and boysenberry. The mouthfeel is seamless and the flavors rich, along with exquisite balance and exceptional length.
With an extra-deep color and intensely concentrated fruit and spice flavors, this wine is impressive. It has many layers of dark fruit, plus nuances of dark chocolate and baking spices like clove and nutmeg. These enhance the generous, ripe fruit that is the essence of this wine, filling the mouth and lingering on the taste buds long after each sip. It will be best after 2019.
Warm and ripe, this is a beautifully balanced wine. It is packed with black-currant fruits that are bursting out of the glass. A darker side comes with the tannins and new wood flavors that are still prominent. It looks likely the wine will develop slowly, so don't drink before 2025.
Clear, light color reveals the elegance at the core of this coastal wine. It reigns in ripeness without sacrificing flavor or complexity. Stemmy, earthy overtones meet a vibrantly spicy bite of cherry and white pepper. The silky texture compels one to want more.
Aromas of licorice, dark berry, dried herb, leather and a balsamic note lead the way. The firm palate offers ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, pipe tobacco and licorice while firm, velvety tannins lend finesse. This won't need years to come around but it also shows staying power. Drink 2019–2027.
Dry in style but lusciously textured, this full-bodied Riesling stands out for its luminous ripeness. Layers of honey and decadent citrus and peach flavors are calibrated neatly by zesty acidity and notes of sweet spice and pollen. It's unctuously concentrated with a long, deeply penetrating finish.
Despite its fine, gossamer-like texture, there's marked concentration in this powerful dry Riesling. Flavors of white grapefruit and gooseberry are penetrating and ripe, yet pristinely fresh, highlighted by bold strokes of crushed minerals and scintillating acidity. It's enthralling and invigorating, with a deep, mineral finish. Beautiful now, but should only improve through at least 2030.
Very dark and dramatic, this delicious wine combines great balance with power. It has exotic fruit flavors and a light spiciness. The smooth, sculpted mouthfeel comes with rich, almost thick tannins that seem to extend the finish. This will find its full potential sometime after 2020.
This is the producer's first vintage from Hudson, one of the most sought-after sites in the appellation, and one not widely planted to the variety. Light and lush with a velvety ripeness, this special wine shines in pomegranate, earthy truffle and a turn of smoked meat. Robust, it maintains balance amidst its brawn.
This rivals good Champagne in its toasty, buttery-brioche richness, then adds cashew and citrus for an assertive blast of balanced flavor. Drink this fine vintage sparkler over the next 10 years or so.
Savory whiffs of earth and pollen belie the bounty of luscious tangerine and stone fruit flavors that await on the palate of this delicate spätlese. It's juicy and thirst quenching yet subtle, nuanced by hits of struck flint and salt. Gossamer-fine texture and bristling acidity lend tautness. It's delicious now but should gain depth and definition through 2025.
Initially subdued aromas of bramble, lime and herb are contrasted by loads of bright, juicy fruit on the palate of this radiant spätlese. Sweet-tart apricot and quince flavors seem gilded by crushed slate and honey. It's a tantalizing, deeply penetrating sip that catapults through a piercing lemon-lime finish.
Made with Nebbiolo planted in the high vineyards of Valtellina, this vibrant fragrant red opens with aromas of rose, wild berry, Alpine herb and a tarry note. The linear palate delivers red cherry, star anise and mineral while taut fine-grained tannins and racy acidity provide an elegant, ageworthy structure. Drink 2020–2030.
This wine is mild and smooth compared to its peers, with good berry and cherry flavors, a broad, moderately tannic texture and a nice sense of layering.
Toasty melon and peach aromas are oaky but elegant, sort of like nice Burgundy. A round balanced palate definitely suggests quality Chardonnay, but this is 95% Viura and the rest Malvasia. Oak and spice flavors render white-fruit notes secondary, and the finish is more of the same. Drink through 2020.
Plum and blueberry aromas display a hint of desert herbs. A full dense palate is jammy in feel, while blackberry and prune flavors come with herbal savory notes. A mix of toasty oak and prune-like flavors on the finish leave a lasting impression of maximum ripeness. Drink through 2021.
A terrific value, this offers a surprising amount of varietal character for the price. Ripe apricot and nectarine elements give a weighty impression on the palate, while grapefruit prolongs the warm, round finish. Drink now.
Ripe loamy black-fruit aromas are attractive on their own and benefit from an elegant note of balsam wood. Energetic and balanced in feel, this Malbec tastes of savory meaty black fruits. A toasty lightly oaked finish offers a shot of chocolate and a milder hit of coconut. Drink through 2020.
Tarry blackberry aromas are piercing and a bit gritty. This feels ripe, plush and balanced, with blackberry, spice and herbal flavors. A moderate note of heat rises to the surface of a finish with herbal blackberry flavors.
Brambly aromas of leather, mint and berries lead to a fresh, fruity, pulpy palate with a jammy feel. Lightly herbal berry, plum and spice flavors finish with a touch of minty green.
Leafy herbal saucy aromas of plum and currant come with hints of tobacco and café mocha. This blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo has a Bordeaux-like flavor profile complete with leafy plum and herbal spice notes. On the finish, this holds onto its herbal character.
A crisp combination of mineral notes, citrus aromas and citrus peel lead to a juicy medium-bodied palate. Lime and apple flavors are slightly briny, while this is dry, pithy and true to the Garnacha Blanca variety on the finish.
This big, full-bodied wine is unabashedly bold and brassy, from the aromas of toasted oak to the buttery flavors and vanilla finish. While dry, it has a rich texture and the near-sweetness of ripe varietal flavors.
Pristine grapefruit and lemon are cloaked in savory notes of crushed mineral, pollen and fennel in this light-bodied Riesling. Off-dry and spry in style, it's lifted by a racy crush of lemon-lime acidity on the finish.
This shows more oak-driven sensations than you would expect from a wine aged in large casks, opening with aromas of oak, coconut, vanilla and an underpinning of ripe dark berry. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, espresso, chopped sage and licorice alongside rather austere, close-grained tannins.
Spine tingling grapefruit acidity adds edge to this otherwise plump, juicy semi-dry Riesling. Sunny yellow plum and tangerine flavors are sunny but fresh, wrapping up briskly on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
The shy nose offers subdued aromas recalling aromatic herb, underbrush and a balsamic note of camphor. The palate is rather lean, showing dried sour cherry, anise and mint alongside mouth-drying but not very persistent tannins. Drink through 2020.
Dusty floral plum flavors are fresh, not over-extracted. Solid but regular on the palate, this tastes of oaky spicy dried cherry and plum along with tobacco. Latent acidity and grabby tannins make the finish abrasive.
More restrained than the slightly fuller 2013, this Semillon is a bit quiet on the nose, but shows toasted hazelnut, white peach and melon notes on the palate. Give it another few month to smooth out the rough patches on the finish, but plan to drink up by the end of 2018.
Aromas of yellow apple, Bosc pear and melon lead to a textured, flavorful palate and a finish that lingers. It's a spot-on example of the variety and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
The aromas of blue fruit and herb seem light considering the warmth of the vintage. The palate brings a mouthful of fruit flavors, bringing a pleasing sense of freshness. It all seems a bit dialed back.
As with several wines from Bourg, this has Malbec (20%) in the blend, a continuation of a long tradition. It adds maybe some extra tannins to this firm wine that is the chateau's top wine. Solid and dense, it is still maturing with black fruits and crisp acidity still right up front. Drink from 2018.
A selection from the oldest vines on the estate, this is a firm, ripe and concentrated fruity wine. Red cherries dominate the wine, lifted by the crisp edge of acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
Named after the winemaker, Amélie Durand, this wood-aged wine is spicy and toasty without losing sight of the fruit. It has ripe blackberry fruit and acidity that will come to dominate the wood-aging flavors over the next few months. Drink from late 2017.
Showing considerable new wood flavors, this is more vanilla and mint than fruit. That said, it does have the potential to bring out more of the black currant fruit of the vintage. As its juicy acidity softens, it will be ready to drink from 2018.
Strong wood aging and toasty flavors dominate this wine. They give a hard extracted edge which takes away from the black-currant fruitiness. While this will soften, the fruit in this vintage should have been allowed more expression. Drink the wine from 2020.
This is the second wine from Siaurac, generous and ripely fruity. It is packed with juicy blackberries, acidity and an open, generous character. With its fruit and soft tannins it needs no aging. Drink now.
There are strong elements of the wood aging in this structured wine. That gives it a dry character that still dominates the red fruits. It needs to develop. While it will always have a dry character, look for the fruit to shine with its berry flavors and acidity. Wait to drink until 2018.
A pale and delicate version of this entry-level Pinot, its fruit is barely there, just hinting at rhubarb and watermelon. Some earth and stem flavors come through as well.
This has grassy tones and tropical fruit flavors that'll pair with oysters and other shellfish just fine.
A note of apple is the most identifiable aroma on the fresh nose. The palate is clean and lean, with lemon, orange, nectarine and mildly bitter, pithy flavors. Racy and not at all oaky on the finish.
Black as night in color, this has heavy aromas of bacon, rubber and char that settle squarely on notes of vanilla and creamy oak. The feel is fresh but shear and tight, with flavors of herbal berry and spice, plus a scratchiness on the chewy finish.
This Merlot is dry and scratchy on the nose, with raspberry and spice aromas. It's fresh and clean on the palate, with a quick wave of spicy red-berry flavor. It remains spicy and a touch minty on the finish.
A soft, honeyed wine, this has hints of botrytis, orange marmalade and a spicy touch. Ready to drink now.
There is a light suggestion of barely ripe strawberry and strawberry leaf, followed by flavors that are more tomatoey than grapy.
Classic Grüner Veltliner, this combines a creamy texture with crisp green fruit. Bright, fruity and ready to drink.
Winemaker Adam Lee notes that only two Oregon Pinots were made in 2011, as all fruit was declassified. Indeed, this is a thin, peppery wine, with highlights of orange peel and grapefruit, and just a short slice of red berry fruit.
Pushy barrel aromas make the wine smell like toast on top of applesauce and baking spice. The palate shows modest acidity and some flatness, while the flavors run toward apple, mango and resiny oak. The finish continues to be oaky, showing a tropical flavor and sweetness.
This is smooth, round and Zinfandel-like in its fulsome toasty character and abundant chocolate and black fruit flavors. As it's aged in 100% new French oak for 17 months, the oak looms large and lasts a long time.
This is a fresh type of Pinot, with a pointy bouquet containing herbal raspberry and nettle qualities. It feels juicy, fresh and lifted due to the acidity, while the flavors of raspberry and herb come with dry, oaky, toasty accents. It's peppery, dry and light on the finish.
The bouquet is wheaty and honeyed, but not all that fresh. On the palate, the wine feels chunky and full, with a nutty flavor of honeyed stone fruit. Melon, honey and hazelnut flavors carry the finish.
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.
Densely packed with black fruit and barrel toast, this wine is mouth-puckering with tannin and power. A lightly perceptible dried herb note weaves through its dark texture.
The alcohol shows strongly on the aromas, along with dried-out fruit. The dark-fruit and herb flavors are light and elegant, with gritty tannins backing them up.
This wine's oak and butterscotch aromas follow through to the lean palate, along with hints of toasted nut. Although linear and focused, it doesn't have enough fruit richness to stand up to the evident oak.
This wine's flavors maybe take it a step too far into baked apple and pear territory, adding superripe melon to the mix as well. It's full-bodied, silky textured and broad in the mouth, with a touch of warmth on the finish.
Vanilla aromas and sweet butter and baked apple flavors make this medium-bodied wine appealing and easy to enjoy. The acidity is very light, and the texture soft.
Bold, meaty and softly simple, this robustly full-bodied wine is redolent of mocha and brown sugar. Its ripely sweet blackberry fruit is cut with savory black-olive notes.
Slightly dusty oak tones of dill, vanilla and sweet spice accentuate the maturity of this barrel-aged Chardonnay. It's a full bodied, densely textured wine with lingering flavors of dried apple and pear. Drink now.
Crisp pears and apples abound in this light-bodied dry Riesling. It's delicate in concentration but pleasantly lemony. The wine finishes briskly but freshly.
Earthy raisin and prune aromas are good in an overripe way. Following the nose, this Garnacha-Tempranillo blend feels dense, thick and chewy. Spicy stewy berry flavors taste chocolaty on a gummy finish.
Delicate hints of crushed mineral and white flower linger in this dry appley Riesling. Soft acidity lends a slightly broad, flat feel to the palate but the finish is clean and crisp.
Toast and leather aromas support modest berry scents. This is full, loud and banging on the palate. Roasted blackened flavors of blackberry and plum carry a meaty note, while this remains dark and toasty on an aggressive finish.
Vibrant aromas of lychee, white flowers and spice lead to elegant off-dry flavors. It brings easy-drinking enjoyment but the concentration seems a bit lacking.
Jasmine, herb, flower, dried Nestea Ice Tea and peach aromas are followed by medium-sweet fruit flavors that linger. It's a pleasant easy drinker, if a bit faint.
From a vineyard site in Cloverdale, this red is crisp with red currant, cranberry and clove flavors and a simple, straightforward structure.
Aromas of tire rubber, black cherry and citrus peel are tight and closed. This feels dry and tannic, with little give. Dark-berry flavors come with a dash of salt, while this remains salty and feels dried out on the finish.
This is the young fruity wine from the Cèdre estate that also produces some of the most serious wines in Cahors. It is soft, packed with black fruits and with layers of spicy acidity. There is just a touch of tannin, which will make the wine a great barbecue accompaniment this summer.
Light in color, this wine offers aromas of herb, red currant, graphite, raspberry and barrel spice. The fruit and barrel flavors are elegantly styled, playing off each other through the finish.
Cherry, raspberry compote, anise, vanilla, wood spice and medicine-cabinet aromas are followed by lighter styled fruit and savory flavors, with the tannins bringing some grip.
This assertive, dry wine has wet stone and cured meat aromas and tart, mouth-cleansing grapefruit and pineapple flavors. It will make a fine foil for rich foods like fettucine alfredo or fried chicken.
Oaky walnut aromas kick off this medium-bodied wine, opening into warmer pear and apple flavors on the palate. It feels dry and reasonably rich in texture.
Smooth berry and chocolate aromas control the nose on this Cabernet-Syrah blend. On the palate, it's lush and full, with a streak of citrusy acidity. Flavors of plum and berry come with chocolate and vanilla accents. Regular on the finish in terms of length, power and complexity.
This is very light in color, with lightweight aromas of peach and citrus. It feels crisp and angular, with fine acidity that creates supreme freshness on the tongue. Flavors of peach and nectarine are spunky, ending like the toot of a whistle.
Subtle and minerally on the nose, this has bashful white-fruit aromas that are at the peak of freshness. It feels good, lively and complete, while flavors of apple, citrus and mineral are well balanced. Drink immediately.
Leather and cedar aromas frame dried fruit and vanilla shadings in this full-bodied yet supple wine. The vanilla, cedar and cherry flavors don't particularly speak to the wine's origins but still make for an easy-drinking mouthful. Drink it over the next few years.
Smooth and luscious, this is full of chocolate and blackberry flavors. It has weight, richness and ripe fruit, with dark tannins creating the firm structure. With the depth of flavor and the structure, it is going to age, though it's also ready to drink now. A great improvement on past vintages from this estate.
Round and rich, this is packed with pear and apricot flavors, producing a full-bodied character. It has weight and a citrusy edge of acidity, with a soft, ripe finish.
With its rich, ripe blackberry-jam flavor and soft tannins, this is an immediately accessible, fruity wine. The tannins provide structure that accompanies the ripeness, although this is not a wine to age for many years.
This is a full, ripe wine, with tannins that are already well integrated into the red fruits. It's rich and full, packed with delicious ripeness. A wine for pleasure in the next few months, but it will also age well for 3–4 years.
Pure Mourvèdre remains a rare bird of a wine, even in grape-happy Washington State. This is a good example, with flavors that carry the leafy, herbal character often found in Carmenère and the bright, mineral-laced fruit of southern French wines. It's not a big wine, and the vines from which the grapes are sourced are still young, but it's well made and will hold your interest.
Impressively ripe fruit, with smoky flavors from wood, the texture sweet and fleshy. The wine has juicy berry flavors, with the freshest acidity, livened with spice from the fruit and the oak aging. Worth aging for 5–10 years.
On the toasty, oaky side, but with just enough citrus and melon fruit to support it, this is a creamy, lush rendition of Saint-Péray that does a nice job integrating the oak into the body of the wine. The final impression is one of harmony and elegance. Drink now-2012.
Guigal is now making 40-45% of the entire Condrieu appellation, making the quality of this cuvée quite an achievement. Floral notes lead off, followed by hints of peach, apricot and honey, and the wine walks the requisite balance between round lushness and peppery, minerally spice. Drink now-2012.
There's no new oak used for this wine, but the wine still shows a slightly smoky tinge to its aromas, while the flavors of honey, almond and tangerine are bold and expansive. Finishes long, with a minerally edge.
Almost as good as the '07, Guigal pared down the production of this wine by one-third to maintain its quality level. Pear and melon flavors are buttressed by weight and richness while still retaining freshness and a touch of spice on the finish.
A bit stern and tannic, but this tightly wound mix of black olives and espresso should come around by 2012 or shortly thereafter. It's chewy in texture, but finishes with decent fruit, so give it the benefit of the doubt.
A smoky, oaky nose opens to reveal pretty fruit, accented with rose petals. Strawberries and hard cherry candy flavors lead smoothly into a finish laden with milk chocolate and, unusually, hints of rosemary.
While it is not a powerful wine, it is elegant, balanced, with density of flavor and tannns, freshened by fruit acidity and red cherry and black currant fruits. Like many wines from 2007, this is for the medium term, and can even be drunk now.
A concentrated wine, relying on its generous black currant juice fruit rather than the more reticent tannins. The wine is dominated by Cabernet juiciness, a burst of fruit in the glass.
This is a concentrated, balanced, sweetly juicy wine, benefiting from wood and ripe black fig and plum flavors. It has fine ripe tannins that support the freshly juicy fruits. Ready to drink, but will age over 2–3 years.
A wine that has richness, with acidity, layers of spice and black currant fruit flavors. The dominant cassis gives elegance, and already a forward balance of fruit and wood.
There is a good core of tannin here, the fruit sweet plums and ripe tannins, relatively soft and easy. Only that kernel of tannin offers some aging possibility.
Initially, this is a fruit-dominated wine, with a cherries-in-syrup flavor. Only gradually do the tannins and the stalky but rich texture come in to suggest aging potential. The wine finishes with the fresh edge typical of 2007.
Starts off scents with toasted hazelnut that give it an almost white Burgundy-like bouquet, then adds crisp, linear notes of citrus. Firmly structured and fresh, this is worth holding a few years to see how it develops.
Perfumed wine, deliciously aromatic but also structured. This is balanced, intently tannic. The fruit is equally important, the black currant juice and refreshing acidity a counterbalance to the tannins.
Minerally peach and apple aromas are typical of the region and variety. A fairly racy palate with good weight brings standard orange and grapefruit flavors prior to a citrusy finish with a touch of pithy bitterness.
The fruit and herb flavors in this medium-bodied wine have good depth, conveying black cherries, raspberries and a light touch of thyme. It offers an appropriate savory element as well as a core of ripe grape flavors. Tasting solid but smooth, it is well made and unfussy.
Underbrush, dark berry and spice aromas lead the nose. The palate doles out ripe blackberry, raspberry, clove, espresso and a hint of herb alongside soft, supple tannins.
Aromas of Golden Delicious apples, nectarine flesh, lemon-lime soda and poached pears drizzled lightly with agave syrup show on the nose of this wine made by Mike Roth. The palate offers apple and pear cider along with white peach and a steely, nearly gunmetal minerality.
Fleshy, ripe black cherry fruit pervades nose and palate, there are some palpable tannins framing all that fruit and of course the telltale notes of Zweigelt pepper. An uncomplicated red for every day. Drink soon.
Just a hint of cinnamon hovers over the scent of ripe blueberry. On the palate, Zweigelt's pepperiness pervades the juiciness of the fruit. This is simple, light-bodied, with barely any tannins, but full-fruited and fun. Drink soon.
Aromas offer raspberries, stemmy herbs, jalapeño and spice while the palate brings plush and lightly sweet cherry and blackberry flavors.
Zestiness pervades nose and palate: this is so citric and fresh that grapefruit peel is the chief marker. This typical Thermenregion blend of its two indigenous white grapes, Zierfandler and Rotgipfler, shows briskness throughout and will deliver welcome, clean-cut refreshment on a hot day. Drink soon.
A Cab-based wine with 20% Merlot, this has juicy blackberry and currant to soften the overreaching tannic profile. Blessed in cedar and tobacco, this also presents a strong showing of dried herb. The fruit leans black and blue, from blueberry to black plum, a nod to the Merlot.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Montepulciano, this opens with aromas of violet, toast and spiced plum. The ripe palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and espresso. It's balanced with round, hearty tannins.
Produced with Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo, this opens with subtle aromas of turned soil, ripe plum and dark cooking spice. The palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, coffee, oak and a leathery note accompanied by solid tannins.
Nectarine and fig notes mark the nose, while the palate is mellow and well-ripened, then delivers a refreshing citrusy kick on the long, grapefruit finish. Drink this medium-bodied wine over the next 6–9 months.
A brooding foundation of blackberry and mushroomy earth lift this full-bodied, tannic wine, which needs further time in bottle to develop. Spicy cinnamon, clove and pepper keep it lively on the palate, between the density and concentration of oak. Let this wine unwind in the bottle through 2020.
Concentrated, muscular aromas of leathery blackberry set up a full, grinding, powerful palate with dark, earthy flavors of toast, blackberry and black plum. A peppery, spicy finish simmers with mild heat and burn.
Comprised of Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this offers aromas of plum, blackberry, roasted coffee bean and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate offers dried black cherry, prune, licorice and espresso alongside tightly knit tannins. Drink 2016–2020.
Aromas of lychee, wet slate and just-cut kiwi combine for a tightly wound nose on this wine from one of the region's pioneering properties. The palate clings close to the lime, lemon and pink grapefruit pith flavors that open a little toward apple flesh and a pinch of herbs.
Very ripe black cherries mix with the smell of roasted chestnuts. The ripeness of the fruit pervades the palate and downs it in lush softness. The tannins are equally pliable. There is just enough freshness to keep the balance. Drink soon.
Slightly fragrant, superfresh and pear-scented, this is a very simple but fun Grüner made for sunny afternoons. Very easy, refreshing and fruity.
Tropical in personality, with a leanness of pineapple and guava, this wine holds a concentration of oak-influenced flavor and texture at its heart. It ends generously sultry in sweet Tahitian vanilla.
Subtle aromas of plum, blackberry and a whiff of baking spice emerge in the glass. The polished palate offers black cherry, clove and a hint of tobacco alongside sleek, smooth tannins. Drink through 2018.
Aromas of orange peel, blue fruit, flowers and dried herbs are appealing and direct. The flavors and feel are elegant, showing freshness and acidity.
An appealing pale salmon color, this blend of 50% Cinsault, 28% Grenache and 22% Syrah displays aromas of strawberry, cherry Jolly Rancher and melon. Reflective of the warmth of the vintage, it's fruitier than recent vintages but it's still hard to put down.
Billed as a Cabernet lover's Merlot, this wine offers robustness as well as a soft, angular quality that provides a certain level of elegance. Oak, green olive and sage mark its bouquet, followed by flavors of red currant and dried herb.
Raspberry and vanilla introduce this wine, made from a selection of vines 21 to 130 years old, with some planted in 1882. Lusty and lush layers of cinnamon and cola accent the fruit and provide complexity, the tannins resolved and thick.
Though not labeled as such, this is a single-vineyard wine coming from Dineen Family Vineyard. It shows appealing aromas of toast, nut oil and melon. The flavors are lighter in style but bring a sense of balance that carries through the finish.
Plump, juicy blackberry and cassis are accented by granite and woodsy pine notes in this deeply fruity yet nuanced Cabernet Franc. Supple in mouth feel and tinged with the faintest whisper of tannin, it's an accessible yet elegant wine.
Cab Franc is often a high point in lineups of red wines from the Rogue Valley, but this one misses the mark. A sweaty nose gets it off to a rough start, and the flavors of stems and green tannins do nothing to help the tart generic fruit. It might slip comfortably into a flight of budget Bordeaux from a cool year.
Merlot remains a challenge for most Oregon producers who attempt it. This does not rise past the impression of light and grapey soda flavors, with some stiff earthy tannins.
Aromas of wood, citrus peel and oak-related coconut introduce a choppy bumpy palate with raw acidity. Lean dry tart red-fruit flavors come with peppery spice and oak notes, while this finishes with earthy berry flavors and rubbery choppy tannins.
This is tight and rubbery in feel, without much depth or give to the palate. Herbal tea aromas accent generic red fruit scents. Raspberry, red plum and salty flavors finish choppy but clean.
Flinty and austere in tone, this reserve-tier wine is lemony and tart, with grapefruit flavors heartily enveloped in oak.
This is a lightly perfumed wine with crisp acidity and bright lemon flavors. There is a fine zesty tang to this attractive ready-to-drink wine.
Heavy oak is a front-row theme throughout this tannic, extracted, black-tinted Garnacha. Hot fudge sundae and sawmill aromas lead to a palate that's as tannic as sandpaper. Its charred, heavily oaked flavors finish chocolaty, with a lasting and overbearing taste of clove, lacking balance and clarity of fruit.
Pungent earth dominates the nose of this wine while cherry and cassis notes play on the painfully light-bodied yet smoothly textured palate. Smoky oak lingers on the finish.
A gritty element shares space on the nose with peach and melon aromas. This feels round and basic. Flavors of lightly buttered white fruits don't amount to much, while this tastes a bit like salted butter on the finish.
The wine is full of acidity and with stalky fruit. There is a sharp edge that detracts from the otherwise fruity character of this light crisp wine. This is ready to drink now.
Fernão Pires with Sauvignon Blanc allows the second grape's herbal nature to shine. So it is crisp, citrusy and with intense acidity. The wine has a ripe feel with hints of tropical fruit at the end. Drink now.
The Borba cooperative is in one of the most productive Alentejo wine regions. With this simple and fruity wine, it has captured warmth as well as ripe tannins. Berry fruits and acidity give it a lift. Drink now.
This light-bodied wine has a pale pink Provençal color but quite a bit of fruit flavor. It feels soft on the palate and tastes lightly sweet.
Plum aromas meet dried oregano, graphite and bell pepper touches on the nose of this bottling. Light strawberry flavors are accented with an iron-tinged character and more bell pepper on the palate.
Eric Laumann's big risk in planting this grape in 2002 is paying off powerfully. This vintage offers a unique nose of pineapple-guava fruit, lime popsicle, wheatgrass and kiwi. The palate clings to a mineral-driven core while offering up yellow pears, lemongrass and exotic citrus flavors reminiscent of Asian food.
Rose petal, violet, woodland berry, sage and eucalyptus aromas come together in the glass. The juicy palate doles out ripe strawberry, red cherry, cinnamon-spice and nectarine zest alongside bright acidity and lithe tannins. Enjoy through 2025.
Almost honeyed in its richness, this is a ripe and rounded wine. A touch of toastiness brings out the apricot and peach flavors along with the rich acidity and soft texture. It's a wine to age, with its fruit and structure still coming into balance. Drink from 2017.
Fermented in amphora in the traditional Alentejo style, this old-vine wine has a naturally oxidized character. It is a yeasty, ripe wine that is reminiscent of dry Sherry or Jura's Vin Jaune while preserving fine freshness. It is certainly a food wine, ripe and laden with apricot flavors at the end. Drink now.
Tart Morello cherries and black plums are accented with spice, cocoa and balsamic notes throughout this earthy, nuanced Pinot Noir. It's already showing signs of maturity, but elegantly so. Enjoy now through 2018.
This wine shows finesse, driven by its seamless mix of citrus, melon, peach and pear fruits. Immediately delicious, it actually improves by the second day, showing its perfect acid-to-fruit balance. Give it a light chill—not too much—and it's a perfect autumnal sipper.
Full-bodied and layered, this is a stellar example of the variety, exhibiting elegance beneath a broader exterior. Black pepper and blackberry wrap around dense tannins and a robust texture. The wine is co-fermented with Viognier to bring a floral note to the bouquet.
A wood-fermented and -aged wine, this tones down the fruity freshness of Alvarinho and instead brings out a smooth, toasty and ripe character. Rich apricot and pineapple flavors and acidity are enveloped by notes of toast and spice. This impressive wine is still developing, so drink from the end of 2016.
This abundantly rich wine seems to melt in the mouth like fine dark chocolate. Aromas emphasize fully ripe plums, black cherries and a whiff of spicy oak. Then chocolaty flavors expand quickly on the tongue as they are carried by copious soft tannins. While big in flavor it's modest in body and alcohol.
A full-bodied blend from different vineyard sites, this wine celebrates darker, denser aspects of black cherry and cranberry alongside a savory, herbal component that persists on the palate, finished up by a mouthwatering mix of orange and chocolate. Complex and robust in tannin, it needs time to breathe before being enjoyed.
Lively and lush, this is lip-smacking good juice. It's dense with apple, peach and melon fruit flavors that penetrate deeply, buoyed by juicy acidity. Pinot Gris this tasty should be enjoyed lightly chilled, while it is in the first bloom of its freshness.
Moderate alcohol leaves the palate feeling refreshed sip after sip, while the flavors remain concentrated enough to please and last. This wine brings elements of cracked green peppercorns, tart cherries and wood ash, while the finish picks up notes of chocolate and displays a silky, tea-like texture. Drink now–2025.
A fine effort, this is full bodied and creamy in texture. High alcohol buoys the mulberry fruit, while hints of cedar, mocha and smoke add nuance. It's slightly warm and peppery on the finish, a pleasing finale to a mouthfilling wine.
Woody, savory, rich aromas of black fruits introduce a rich, creamy, modern palate with lush blackberry, chocolate and vanilla flavors. As a whole, this Malbec is dense, deep and round, with warmth and an overriding baked character. Drink through 2019.
This vineyard is best known for its Merlot but this Cabernet keeps pace. It brings a mixture of fruit and barrel aromas of vanilla, blackberry, coffee, licorice and herbs. Flavors are sweet and rich, with coffee lingering on the finish.
Smoky, concentrated aromas of blackberry, cassis, charred oak and herbs are complex. This has a tannic, grabby, stretched mouthfeel and herbal, oaky flavors of blackberry and boysenberry. Grabby tannins resurface on the finish, which is woody, long and spicy. Drink through 2022.
A majority varietal, this wine also holds small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. These combine well with one another to exude notes of licorice, plum and black cherry. Right now, it ends with sprinklings of dried herb. Dense and tannic, it will soften with time, through 2020.
Bright ruby in the glass, this wine is a blend of the Bastardo grape with indigenous varieties Saperavi and Rara Neagra. It offers a fruit-forward bouquet of cherry and blackberry. On the palate, flavors of freshly picked plum and black cherry with a touch of green pepper are sheathed in a lattice of supple tannins.
Concentrated aromas of blackberry, licorice root and Graham cracker are lusty. This feels thick on its edges but somewhat sharp and tartaric in the middle. Flavors of molasses, raisin, cassis and blackberry are bolstered by sharp acidity, leaving a finish that hits fast then falls off. Drink through 2019.
This blend of the three estate vineyards opens with lightly musky aromas and pinpoint herbal highlights. The fruit rolls from cranberry to strawberry to cherry, and the wine has a slightly woody character. Tannins are proportionate, still a bit stiff, and showing leafy notes. A light suggestion of chocolate infuses the finish.
From a field blend interplanted with Viognier, which accounts for 2% of the wine, this dense, thick expression of this burly variety exudes velvety blueberry and blackberry around almost impenetrable tannins, the leathery roughness still being sorted out. Cellar through 2020 to coax out its finer flavors of mocha and meat.
Intensely ripe black-cherry aromas are matched with a fresh and juicy and yet remarkably elegant palate. Delicate tannins and a lean, granitic edge frame the lingering finish. It's a brisk, balanced wine to enjoy now through 2018.
Deep ruby in color, this wine offers aromas of cherry, blackberry and tobacco. Generous and round in the mouth, it has flavors of black cherry and pipe tobacco with an evenly weighted balance of velvety tannins and bright acidity.
Careful winemaking balances the fruit and oak perfectly in this lovely, medium-weight wine. It's polished and steely, with just-ripe apple and pear fruit, braced with racy, lemony acidity and a streak of minerality. It was fermented in 100% French oak, one sixth new.
Pale straw in the glass, this wine has a nose of pineapple and lemon blossom with a strong dose of vanilla. It is round and full in the mouth, with rich flavors of green apple, guava and tropical fruits with a slight hint of toast that carry on through the long-lasting finish.
This wine is lean and still young, with concentrated tannins, firm acidity and smoky fruits that will take some time to develop. The palate suggests it will always be a mineral, tight and firm wine, even as the tannins soften. The finish is pure, juicy black currants. Drink from 2018.
With complex aromas of cedar, tobacco, tree bark, herbs and blackberry, this lush, tightly packed Syrah gets off to a fine start. A mouthfilling palate with baked but controlled flavors of boysenberry, leather and chocolate finishes long, minty and with classy herb flavors. For a modern, oaky Syrah, this is excellent. Drink now through 2017.
A blend of local grapes (Zierfandler and Rotgipfler) this is impressive. Rich, perfumed, its fragrant fruits a medley of mulberry, pear and spiced apple. The acidity cuts right through, giving a wine that is both very ripe, balanced and finely textured. Screwcap.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sämling, this gold straw colored wine is about freshness and acidity as much as about sweetness. That gives this ageworthy wine a great delicacy and poise, balanced and fresh, the honey botrytis texture attractively layered through this delicious wine.
With some extra weight, this is a solid, red currant and berry driven wine. Its fruit is right up front, backed by a mineral acidity that cuts through the richness. It's definitely a food wine, and equally an impressive wine that needs to age for up to a year.
A rare, arresting varietal bottling of Cinsault—forget for a moment that it's also vineyard designated. It boasts intoxicating notes of fresh boysenberries, cherries, herbs, and peppery spice. It's silky and fruit filled with an incredible sense of freshness and purity that is nothing short of dazzling.
The price on this wine is laughable, but the quality is excellent. Earthy aromas of lead pencil, baked plum, cassis and black cherry include chocolate and minerality. The palate is rich, jammy and a touch stewy, with herbal blackberry, cassis, chocoalte and coffee flavors. Even more chocolate and licorice rise up on the long finish. Put this away until 2015, then drink through 2024.
From a selection of vines, this is a powerful, complex wine that boasts ripe tannins, sweet acidity and a juicy black currant character. It has structure and density that certainly indicate aging, so keep the wine for at least five years.
A unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese with notes of sassafras, cocoa, and dried herbs. It's focused and concentrated with structured, firm tannins crafted to go the distance. Give it some time in the cellar or a long drawn out meal to see it at its best.
Lemon cream, spice and lanolin notes add a mysterious veil to this delicate yet intensely concentrated Riesling. It's sweet on the palate with ripe, honeyed citrus, and a delicious mineral oil sheen that lengthens the palate.
Lemon rind and fresh, green herbs add a flash of elegance to this dry, intensely textural Riesling. It's lush and rich with stonefruit flavor, but bristles on the palate with lime pith and jasmine tea astringency. Sunny and bright, but brisk with acidity.
This is a lovely Cabernet Franc, polished and clean. It's wound tight, with black fruits and firm, pencil lead tannins. There's a dash of clean earth, good length, and some softening of the mid-palate from the addition of 18% Merlot.
Dusted Valley is really rockin' it in 2010, with outstanding varietal releases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and this yummy Malbec. A big entry brings blackberry and cassis into the palate, with peppery highlights. Nice details of herb and tobacco are found, as the wine seems to get more powerful the longer it lingers in the mouth.
A fine vintage of Bill Easton's Cabernet Franc, from the Monarch Mine Vineyard, where he typically sources tremendous Syrah and Barbera, this wine is still developing and will do nicely with time. For now it shows perfumed herbal restraint, subtle spice and a twist of oaky coffee on the finish. A savory wine that would pair well with filet mignon à point.
Tight, bright acidity leads off this elegant, perfumed wine. With its white fruit and citrus flavors it is both rich and refreshing. A fine mineral streak runs right through this complex, certainly ageworthy wine.
A buzz is building around Calaveras County-based La Folia, and this lovely wine shows why. Opening with a subtle oaky aroma, it evolves to offer a lightness of color and texture, enveloped by delicious highlights of cherry and cranberry fruit. Well integrated and well structured, this Sangiovese ends with a long and satisfying finish of violet-inflected plum.
Dark, smoky earth notes and savory dried herbs add fascinating complexity to intensely floral, sweet stonefruit and citrus flavors on this flavorful, yet delicately structured Riesling. Lime and tangerine acidity reverberate on the palate,  leading a long, minerally finish.
Pressed carnation and violet lead the bouquet of this red blend, surrounded by notes of raw fennel, licorice root, cassis, boysenberry and black plum. It's a rich and ripe selection, but well balanced, with medium, gripping tannins that frame the lush black-fruit flavors. Hints of black tea and baking spice linger on the finish.
This wine offers an attractive bouquet of yellow apple, peach, garrigue herbs and subtle toasted spice. Those notes continue through to the round, medium-weight palate, with additional flavors of melon and pear adding richness. Ample acidity shines through on the finish, along with a hint of dried apple-skin flavor.
This is a big, bold, powerful white, a blend of 80% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier and 5% Sauvignon Blanc. Oaky aromas of toast, hazelnut and sweet spice abound throughout, gracing the fruit elements of honeydew, baked apple, peach pit, clove-spiked orange and buttered nuts. The mouthfeel is round and broad, but with ample acidic lift to the palate and through the finish to keep things fresh. A gingered peach-white tea flavor lingers on the close; try after 2017.
Somehow this wine is bold, full bodied and superripe—yet balanced, sleek and structured. Tart, vibrant fruit aromas like raspberry and cranberry are followed by rich, almost sweet strawberry and red cherry flavors. A layer of fine tannins adds grip to the mouthfeel, and firm acidity keeps everything from being heavy.
Nearly equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend also features good handfuls of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that offer soft, velvety flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Lightly oaked, the tannins are grippy while the wine generates an herbal undertone on the nose.
Dense, smoky aromas of well-toasted oak are lactic on impact, with blackberry and cassis scents in support. This is woody, resiny and tannic on the palate, which makes it rough now but bodes well for down the line. Charred, toasty oak and herbal blackberry flavors finish minty, with a speck of creosote. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of spice and asphalt lend crispness to core blackberry scents. This blend of the three C's—Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc—is jammy in feel, with soft, easy tannins. Raspberry, plum, cinnamon and cocoa flavors finish mild except for a touch of heat. Drink now through 2018.
Herbal berry, cassis and mint aromas open this classic Maipo Cabernet. Racy acidity and firm tannins make for a structured mouthfeel, while plum, currant, spice and light herbal notes finish loamy. Drink now.
A testament of Bellangelo's increasing winemaking prowess, this Cabernet Franc highlights fresh floral exuberance amidst a crush of concentrated sour cherry and cranberry flavors. While delicate in style and fringed by a whisper of tannins, its brambly, herbaceous complexities resonate through a long, meandering finish.
Briary, herbal berry aromas are dry, earthy, foresty and show a note of olive. This Cab is full of life on the palate, with energy and good overall balance. Spicy flavors of baked plum, olive, herbs and tobacco finish long, with amplified oak. Drink now through 2018.
Honeysuckle, mineral, honey and botrytis aromas lead the way. This drinks off dry with exceptionally well-balanced acidity that carries through the lingering finish.
Pear and white flower aromas are light, while the palate is full of sweet brown sugar and honey flavors that persist on the finish. It's sweet, but well balanced, with ample acidity and a clean finish.
Cocoa, plum and vanilla aromas are followed by creamy-feeling blue-fruit flavors that display a mixture of fruit and barrel. The barrel influence is heavy, but it's delicious all the same.
This wine was aged 15 months sur lee in all-new French oak. The barrel aromas and flavors are in the lead, with notes of vanilla, butterscotch and spice followed by pear. It's creamy in feel but with an elegant styling.
Made with 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot accompanied by 5% of the indigenous variety Feteasca Neagra, this wine offers a fruit-heavy bouquet of black cherry and damson plum. Dark plum and height of summer cherry flavors continue on the palate, aided by a refined note of graphite. A fine network of velvety tannins retreat as a splash of brightness makes its appearance on the finish.
Cigar-box aromas and a rich character give this wine a sense of perfumed concentration. It is young, with a stalky character still evident. The structure is firm, and the blackberry fruits still coming together. Give this wine until 2017 before drinking.
Dark and dense, this opens with earthy aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, smoke and ripe black-skinned fruit. The firm palate offers ripe plum, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and anise alongside velvety tannins.
Enticing aromas of pear and white peach set the stage for flavors of peach nectar and slightly tart white plum. This wine is full in the mouth with a bright citrus note on the finish.
Black pepper and baking spices surround a full-bodied and structured core of raspberry and black cherry in this small-production wine. It finishes in balance and with a touch of elegance.
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot, this wine speaks to power, offering juicy, velvety texture around brawny components of leather, coffee and black plum. Concentrated and intense, it needs time to open in the glass before pairing with thick cuts of meat.
Pineapple appears first on the nose and palate, followed by high-toned acidity and a back-up of lemon and lime. Medium bodied, the wine remains light and crisp throughout, finishing in a swirl of lemon zest and grapefruit pith.
Aromas of crushed blue flower, perfumed berry, exotic spice and a whiff of charcuterie emerge on this bold red. The concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, blackberry extract, licorice and ground pepper accompanied by firm, fine-grained tannins.
This blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc has a serious line of minerality apparent on the nose as well as pear blossom, pineapple-guava skin and a dairy tang. The palate clings to Meyer lemon pith and Greek yogurt flavors.
Aromas like spiced apple and brown sugar lead to luscious fruit and spice flavors and a plush texture in this medium-bodied wine. It has the richness and near-sweetness that can pair well with slowly cooked meats and mildly spicy dishes, but sips well on its own as well.
Lots of fruit power flows through this full-bodied wine, making it focused and delicious. A firm coating of tannin kicks in to add weight to the texture and help the flavors linger on the finish. Plum, smoke and black pepper are among the complex flavors. It's made from vines planted in 1910 at a nearly 2,000-foot elevation.
Though labeled as a red blend, at 94% this could be a varietally labeled Merlot and it drinks like it. Aromas of cocoa, raspberry and spice box are followed by plump, soft chocolate and raspberry flavors accented by tart acids that hold the balance through the finish.
Flinty, mineral-like aromas and flavors lend a complex personality to this compelling, medium-bodied wine. The palate is crisp, dry and citrus-driven, inviting another sip and begging for some fresh-shucked oysters.
Fragrant, complex aromas of rose petals and grapefruit lead to bold, fresh grapefruit and papaya flavors in this medium-bodied, dry wine. Anderson Valley is a great spot for Alsace varietals and this is a prime example.
Despite being labeled at 13% alcohol, this comes across as reasonably light in weight. Pleasantly dry in flavor, it boasts hints of citrus and wet stone. A silky feel marks the long, crisp finish.
Light plum and cherry aromas come with herbal notes and a touch of fir frond. Wide in feel, this Syrah tastes ripe and loamy, with jammy, lightly spiced plum and berry flavors. A warm, well-oaked finish is nice and bright. Drink now.
This bottling changes dramatically from year to year; here it is 100% Riesling rather than a blended white. A little sweet and a little sweaty, it falls flat on the palate, leaving you wondering why a wine barely a year old is already entering old age. Drink up.
Smells a little strange, baked and like corn. And as it airs out, it shows a mealy, cider-like side. In the mouth, there's sweet pineapple flavors and then a thin finish. Pithy and not very good considering it hails from Casablanca, the heart of Chilean Chardonnay country.
Seems prematurely aged, with slight bricking already apparent at the rim and leafy, tomatoey aromas and flavors. Not bad, just old before its time.
A fresh, slightly green nose is followed by angular red berry and spice flavors in this Merlot. The wine has good structure but is a touch acidic and tart—pair it with richer, rounded dishes to soften it out.
Fairly stemmy on the nose, with herbaceous aromas. The palate blends green notes and candied plum flavors, while the finish is basic and a bit hot and grating. Tastes like a mass-market wine.
Pink grapefruit plays among the greener top notes while the palate is juicy with green plum fruit. This is appetizing and utterly friendly with a totally clean, long finish.
This wine is more a Bordeaux Blanc with Sémillon (15%) playing a prominent role. It leads with aromas of custard, barrel spices, pear and fig followed by lighter-styled fruit flavors. The concentration isn't all there but the balance of what is is spot-on.
This gris-de-gris-style wine is a pretty, pale salmon color. Aromas of cherry, watermelon and mineral lead to lightly spritzy, slightly off-dry fruit flavors and a fresh, drawn-out finish.
This is an interesting, dry white wine from an unusual grape variety. It's more savory than fruity, as the aromas resemble white and black pepper, while flavors are subtle and figgy. The texture is quite rich and the finish lingers nicely. It's very full-bodied for a white, and definitely worth a try.
You'll find aromas of violet, iris, red berry and baking spice on this savory blend of 90% Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah. The vibrant palate doles out wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and a hint of tobacco alongside polished tannins and bright acidity.
Aromas of pear, honeysuckle, cream and peach rise up from the glass. This is lightly creamy in feel, with elegantly styled but well-balanced fruit flavors that linger.
Here is a big, friendly wine with plenty of sweet, spicy oak in the aromas and flavors, and an easygoing texture that's not too tannic or acidic. It shows smoky, almost sweet, toasted oak aromas and basically melts in your mouth like milk chocolate, which would make a good pairing.
Aromas of vanilla, herbs, black cherry, plum and dried cheese are sturdy and nice. This feels expansive, with chewy weight. Oaky flavors of vanilla, blackberry and dark plum are leathery and finish long, spicy and toasted. Drink through 2022.
Violet-red in the glass, this wine has fragrances of watermelon and black cherry. Tannins come on strong at first but are undercut by astringent notes of cranberry alongside flavors of cherry, pomegranate, vanilla and French toast.
Aromas of Bing cherry, herbs, earth and exotic spices tussle a bit on this blend of Sangiovese (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Merlot and Syrah from Seven Hills and Stillwater Creek vineyards. Flavors are generous yet reserved, with a seamless feel and zippy acids stitching it together, followed by bitters on the finish.
The yeasty overtones of fermentation that still cling to this fresh wine are pervaded by lemony freshness. The palate is taut and almost austere with the briskness of that citrus freshness always at its core. There is an intriguing, savory fillip on the finish. Save this for a hot day.
Rather dark in mauve colors and slightly cloudy, this wine by urban vintner Matthias Pippig offers rather heady aromas for a rosé, with smashed olallieberry, blackberry and a touch of cardamom spice. Once sipped, aromatic plum flavors ensue, with help from Turkish spices and noticeable grip.
Blackberry and plum aromas are friendly and welcoming but not complex or nuanced. A ripe, juicy palate is fresh and balanced, with no excess weight. Plum and mixed-berry flavors finish well, with lasting notes of berry fruit. Drink through 2017.
An incredible lightness of touch is bottled here. This is barely there, lemon- and faintly blossom-scented. There is a balance between a bone-dry, ultralight body and scented freshness. This is the ideal wine for a heatwave, or whenever conversation needs lifting.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, tilled soil, blue flowers and dark berry lead the nose. The vibrant, straightforward palate offers crushed wild cherry, black raspberry, anise and white pepper. It's easy drinking and well balanced thanks to fresh acidity and sleek tannins.
Butterflies dance across the label of this Niven Family wine from their Paragon Vineyard, but it packs a flavorful punch too. Aromas of lime juice drizzled on apples, honeysuckle and a bit of struck match lead into broad flavors of cooked apples and chalk, all held together by lemony zest. It's pretty on the label and in the glass.
This bold, perfumed Cabernet Franc is richly, lusciously textured, as if infused with a heady dose of crème de cassis. Ripe, ruddy black cherry and berry flavors are plump and forward, cut by brisk acidity and a jagged edge of tannin on the finish.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, this opens with aromas of underbrush, red berry, blue flowers and a whiff of tilled soil. The juicy palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and clove alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2018.
Cola, lemon and herbal aromas are like an Italian amaro in that they are rooty and earthy, with zing. This feels loamy and a bit creamy. Flavors of baking spices, vanilla, caramel, raspberry and pepper finish solid. Drink now.
Crisp and cutting, this exceptionally refreshing dry rosé balances a dainty foot print with concentrated red cherry and raspberry flavors. There's a whisper of savory herb notes throughout but the finish is peachy and bright. An unusual blend of Merlot accented with a mélange of other red and white grapes.
For such a large-production wine, this is admirably complex, featuring delicate herbal shadings accenting hints of nectarine and citrus. The texture is a bit oily, but that's balanced by a long, mouthwatering finish.
Aromas of mineral, burnt toast, talc and spice are lighter in style. Flavors show elegance and delicacy, with citrus notes lingering on the finish.
A blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino, this opens with aromas that recall charred earth, blackberry, blue flowers and a whiff of game. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, mint and brown baking spices alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This opens with aromas of blackberry, truffle and forest floor. The firm palate offers ripe black cherry, plum, espresso and clove alongside round, chewy tannins. It's already accessible and will also offer lots of near and mid-term enjoyment.
Aromas of toasted white bread and baked apple are yeasty. This feels good on the palate, with mature flavors of apple that steer clear of being too snappy or citric. On the finish this is like the nose: bready and tasting like baked apple.
Totally lemon-focused but very textured Pinot Blanc with a mineral dimension. Its slender palate with pointed, brisk acidity that is very typical for the vintage. The lemony freshness on the finish destines this for the table.
This is the first offering of this wine where Cabernet Franc (37%) takes the lead, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Merlot (23%), Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot. It's drinking young now, with wound-up herbs, cherry, chocolate and cranberry flavors backed by firm, gripping tannins. It will be best after 2021.
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, spice rack, grilled herb and a whiff of leather lead the nose of this blend of 85% Sangiovese, with 15% Colorino, Canaiolo and Merlot. The taut palate offers dried black cherry, espresso, aniseed and tobacco alongside bracing tannins that leave an astringent finish. Even though the tannins need to unwind, drink sooner rather than later to enjoy the remaining fruit richness.
Aromas of ripe plum, violet, vanilla, toast and leafy underbrush come together on this is full-bodied red. The palate offers black cherry marinated in spirits, grilled porcini mushroom and dried aromatic herb alongside assertive tannins that leave a somewhat drying finish.
Medicinality, animal notes and rubbery scents interfere with this magenta-colored Monastrell's berry aromas. Scratchy and somewhat abrasive on the palate, with high acidity, this tastes of herbal plum and medicinal raspberry, with a gripping finish.
Leathery and somewhat green, this wine has yet to find its balance, combining 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It veers between heavy, ripe tension and an underripe underbelly, finishing unsure.
This is a soft, gentle and ripe Chardonnay by Laurent Perrachon, current winemaker from a Beaujolais family making wine since 1877. Lemon acidity is submerged by the warm apricot and white peach flavors. It is ready to drink.
Generic, yeasty white-fruit aromas are reasonably fresh and inoffensive but fall off with time in the glass. This tastes pithy and slightly bitter, with a grapefruit citrus character to the front palate and finish.
Aromas of yeast, talcum powder and grass set up a palate of pithy citrus and pyranzinic flavors that are green and grassy. The finish on this Sauvignon Blanc, a grape you don't see too often in hot Jumilla, is green-flavored and snappy.
Sweet on the nose with honeysuckle, golden honey, apple syrup and a touch of cement minerality, this wine is aimed at pairing with Asian food. The palate may be a touch too treacly for that, with rich honey-orange-vanilla elements.
Ripe plum and berry aromas come with notes of wet earth and animal hide. A jammy, fleshy palate brings baked plum and berry flavors as well as notes of prune and raisin. A mellow, chunky finish tastes loamy and like spice cake.
Jumpy cherry and plum aromas are fresh and direct. This has a wiry, grabby palate, with raspberry and spiced plum flavors. Rubbery tannins, edgy acidity and reedy red-berry flavors create an intense but rough ending.
A blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah, this rosé gives ripe red fruits that are cut with lively acidity. There is a jammy, caramel-flavored backdrop to this wine that makes it heavy rather than fresh. Drink now.
Rubbery, sweaty, muted aromas lead to a dilute, fizzy palate. Prickly green citrus and melon flavors end on the vegetal side.
This wine is all crisp cherries and lively acidity. Only the lightest edge of tannin gives the wine some structure, followed by more fruit all the way. Drink now.
Cloudy and reddish-brown, this is a funky, spritzy wine with a taste of red cherry that falls somewhat flat on the finish.
This Chardonnay is soft, with attractive and gentle green fruit and sliced-apple flavors. A tang of lemon juice gives extra freshness.
Just-squeezed lime aromas mesh with riper green and yellow apples and wet stone on the nose of this simple yet quaffable boxed wine. The flavors lack energy, but show familiar apple and lime characteristics.
Tight wild berry and cherry aromas come with a soapy accent. This is blocky and fiercely tannic, with muscular, grapy flavors that hint at blackberry before turning hot and bitter on the finish.
Dry, briary, leathery aromas come in front of a high-acid palate that's almost shocking in its zestiness. Tart but generic flavors of cherry and red plum finish with a skins-like texture and lasting acidity.
A dark color and candied, pruney aromas give way to jammy black cherry flavors and a lightly tannic texture. This is tart and medium bodied, with straightforward ripe flavors.
Standard berry aromas come with sharp, warm notes. A punchy, angular, high-acid palate delivers potent red-fruit flavors along with an active, fiery finish.
This wine is all about fresh cherries with only the lightest structure. It would be delicious drunk lightly chilled on a summer day.
Blackberry and ripe black currant flavors are interspersed with acidity and a juicy texture. The wine has a dry, tannic core, with flavors of old wood that spoils the general fruitiness of the wine. Drink now.
A closed, tight and grippy wine, this has a big tannic structure that supports a landscape of cassis, cranberry and ripe plum, along with clove and tobacco. Fuller-bodied in style, it finishes smooth and lean.
This wine is crisp in character, with flavors of caramel and fresh red currants. The fruity tone provides a rich character that lies under the bright final acidity. Drink now.
This textured, mineral Chardonnay has fresh apple and strong citrus flavors. It is lively, crisp and ready to drink. The producer is a member of Terroirs Originels of Beaujolais and Burgundy's Mâcon.
Light and fruity, this is full of strawberries. The wine has a fresh character with a light touch of pepper and spice. It's attractive, bright and ready to drink.
Rather aggressive tannins and distinctly earthy scents of tomato leaf and vegetation characterize this modest effort. It's chewy and herbal, with little indication of fruit ripeness.
Banana flavors spoil this otherwise attractive and fruity wine. A dry core of tannins is surrounded by creamed banana and red fruits. Drink now.
This is a highly unusual blend of Marsellan and Touriga Nacional, and it smells reduced, lemony and like cola and coffee. The mouthfeel is grating, with sandpaper tannins. Odd, herbal, citrusy notes infiltrate core blueberry flavors, while the finish is hard as nails and tannic to an extreme. Only 200 cases made.
Starts out hard and rustic, but soon it unfolds with cola, black fruit and earthy leather aromas. Concentrated, ripe tannins, healthy and flavorful, with meaty berry and chocolate. Finishes tight with mossy herbs. Solid Cab for the money.
Wood aging has given this wine some roundness and softness without taking away from the intense grassy, grapefruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc. It has good richness as well as taut fruitiness.
Cérons, next door to Sauternes, produces a lighter version of those dessert wines. This wine, with its characteristic honey sweetness, is edging toward toffee, the baked apple flavors already tamed by a few years aging. The core of botrytis dryness is now well integrated, suggesting the wine is ready to drink.
Well oaked and smoky, with aromas of coffee, mocha, black olive and roasted fruits. The palate is lively and ripe, with pointed tannins and red-fruit flavors with black edges and olive. A compact, solid mix of Cabernet, Carmenère and Syrah.
A good value and a consistent Pinot from Chile. Starts with spicy berry aromas and leather, and next up there's lively raspberry flavors along with oaky chocolate and pepper. Finishes that way, too, with vanilla as well. A little hot on the finish.
An intriguing nose of tobacco, cherry, clove and mint gives this Agiorgitiko an edge. The flavors are rich and full with spicy tobacco and fresh red berry fruit. Balanced but full of character.
Smooth fruit and olive aromas are red-tinted and nice, while the palate is juicy, upright and tight, with plum, cherry and beet-like flavors. The finish is a carry over from what comes before, and overall this registers as fresh but common. Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) with Carmenère, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.
Potentially this is a delicious, fresh but firm Chardonnay in the more delicate Deutz style. Potentially, because this is still young. Wait a couple of years for the mineral and ultra-fresh apple flavors to blend together.
Classically perfumed Riesling, very floral, with white flower aromas and a star fruit and kiwi flavors. There is a definite texture here, an edge of fruit skins, with Mandarin orange acidity to give a vibrant finish.
The walled vineyard of Château de Cérons is a local landmark on the edge of a village better known for its sweet wines. This wood-aged, creamy dry white is deliciously balanced, showing apricot and spicy pear flavors alongside a light touch of toast. Ready to drink now.
A leading estate in the southern Graves region, Chantegrive has produced a relatively rich 2007 white, its creamy texture given an edge by apple skin tannins, but still full, open, already generous to drink. There is a great layer of fresh pear juice, which blends well with lime acidity for a final burst of crispness.
Great style here, a wine that sums up the white 2007 vintage's freshness well. On that is built a discreet structure of yellow fruits, pears, kiwi and spice from wood. Behind is the fresh herbaceous acidity of young Sémillon. Age for 2–3 years.
Very true to the variety, with ample servings of cedar, tobacco and cassis, plenty of weight and a firm structure that bodes well for aging. Best from 2010-2020.
One of Chile's more personality-driven Syrahs is Maycas, from Limarí. It's a condensed, meaty and structured wine with mineral, toast and ribald blackberry aromas. The palate is rich but well built, with plum, berry, herb and chocolate flavors. Warm and long on the finish, and layered. Sophisticated enough to give the world's better-made Syrahs a run for their money.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the leading imported wine in Australia, which has led domestic wineries to redouble their efforts at the variety. This bargain-priced example features fig and citrus notes underscored by a slight herbaceousness, even some red currant flavors. It's round in the mouth without being overly broad, ending with mouthwatering citrus flavors. Drink now.
A disappointment after the outstanding 2012, this is a tannic thin wine, with strong accents of mushroom. Much like a simple cru Bordeaux, it's probably best served with grilled meat or burgers.
The aromas seem quite dried out, with notes of blackberry bramble and fruit leather. The flavors also seem considerably more evolved than its age. It's a big miss.
The plum, herb and spice aromas are elusive. The cherry flavors are light but come straight down the fairway. One wants more concentration, but it delivers easy-drinking pleasure.
Light-bodied and crisp, this delivers tart cherries and a whack of mocha-tinged oak, which dominates the finish.
Done in a forward tutti–frutti style, this puts all the flavor right up front. Grape candy is what comes to mind, with a light tannic finish. It's a good gulping wine for decks, campers and picnic outings.
Leafy minty blueberry aromas announce this jammy Monastrell. There's no oak on this, nor much give to a linear flat palate. Blueberry flavors hold onto the nose's grassy herbal essence, while the finish tastes peppery and vaguely green.
Richly fruity and semisweet, this medium-bodied wine smells like cotton candy and tastes like pear syrup. Smooth in texture and mouth-filling in concentration, it finishes on lingering sweetness.
Vibrant aromas of pineapple, flowers, peach and lychee lead to an palate that leans sweeter than off dry. Stone-fruit flavors linger on the finish.
Plummy with a sour hint of leather, this light-bodied wine, is somewhat flat in structure and finishes lean.
This fresh, enjoyable white has passion fruit, citrus and saline aromas and flavors. It's simple, with a clean, fresh finish.
This medium-bodied wine opens with a squeeze of acidity and follows through with simple and straightforward citrus flavors.
Oaky resiny spicy aromas are an indicator of what's to come. This has a scratchy mouthfeel and resiny notes akin to licking a plank of wood. A heavily oaked flavor profile tastes mostly of dry wood and clove. On the finish, wood-spice flavors and drying tannins are in control and don't let go.
Aromas of baked berry fruits, rubber band and forced oak struggle to be taken seriously. A grabby drawing palate offers stewed berry flavors in front of a finish that's pushed by rubbery tannins.
This is raisiny and jammy on the nose. That's followed by a scratchy palate with rough tannins. Roasted grapy flavors are just pleasant enough, while a gravelly finish is ruled by residual hard tannins.
Smooth and easy-drinking, this medium-bodied wine has the attributes many people enjoy: vanilla and coconut aromas, lightly sweet apple flavors that coat the palate, and a pear syrup quality that lingers on the finish.
This lean, simple white offers yellow flower, citrus zest and grilled herb flavors. It's bright, with a clean finish.
A tiny-production Pinot by a new producer, it makes a stunning debut. Owners James Hahn and Mila Chanamé are childhood friends with longtime Anderson Valley vineyard manager Norman Kobler and the shared roots have clearly put them in sync. The wine is perfumey in lilac and violet with a lightly textured and seductive mouthfeel that's exotic in just-ripe cherry and raspberry.
Continuing its impressive development, Clerc Milon 2011 is a serious wine. It is elegant, stylish, its fruits well integrated with red berry and plum skin flavors. Powerful while round and fruity with a fine sense of weight, this wine will develop relatively quickly but will then stay at its peak for many years. Drink from 2017.
One of Italy's truly great 100% Merlots, this wine opens with aromas of plum, black currants and exotic spices. The opulent, smooth palate delivers blackberry, white pepper and a note of creamy milk chocolate alongside firm, velvety tannins. Soft and round, it's delicious now, but it will also develop for a decade or more. Drink 2016–2026.
Initially subdued, the fresh-fruited ripeness of yellow Mirabelle plums and almost an aloe-vera-like scent lead the way, on the palate there is a streamlined but nonetheless nutty,almost smoky, rounded richness with a pleasing lick of freshness. Hazelnuts, wet pebbles and yeasty lees provide an additional dimension to this concentrated, sophisticated wine. This has mileage and will develop over the coming five years.
Made by Angelo Gaja at his estate in coastal Tuscany, this blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc leads with aromas of plum, spice and warm toasted notes. The structured, elegant palate delivers restrained black currant and black cherry accented with notes of black pepper and coffee alongside polished tannins. It's still young and a bit nervous, so give it time to develop its potential. Drink 2015–2030.
Alpha is a new offering from Market Vineyards, and boosts the flavor meter past the winery's excellent, value-priced Benchmark Merlot. Tightly-structured and showing a barrel-heavy mix of dark, toasted flavors, this complex effort brings lead pencil, clove, charred meat and black fruits into play. Enjoy it with your thick grilled steak, or tuck it away until 2020–2022.
A bright, fresh Syrah delicious in restrained blackberry and blueberry fruit, it has a luscious mouthfeel, plenty of acidity and an undercurrent of wild herb. Stark managed to do good things with many varieties in 2011. This wine is a standout, ready to pair with something gamey dribbled in black pepper sauce.
A hugely concentrated wine, it has a dark feel to it, mineral and structured. It shows spice, suggestions of the wood aging and always the ripest fruit. Drink from 2018.
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018.
There is a sense of alcohol with this wine. It is so rich, so dense, so ripe. The texture is round, full in the mouth with a touch of pepper. As a contrast, it also shows a surprising amount of freshness, especially in the aftertaste. Drink this ultra-rich wine from 2018.
Drew is single-handedly making a case for the tiny Mendocino Ridge appellation and its ability to nurture intense Syrah with this perfumed wine explosive in black pepper and cherry. Its fine, softly-hewed tannins keep things fresh and sinewy. Complex and dancing in acidity, this Syrah cries out for charcuterie, especially artisan salami, its perfect match in pepper.
With an opaque color and huge aromas of graphite, blackberry, cassis and creamy oak, this epitomizes modern Argentinean wine. The palate on this Malbec-and-Cabernet-Franc-driven blend is weighty, relaxed and deep. Flavors of baked blackberry, cassis and plum come with herb, chocolate and spice accents. Look for additional oak and chocolate on the chewy but smooth finish. Drink through 2018.
From one of Marin's coolest and best-farmed vineyard sites, this offering is intoxicatingly pretty in violets and herbs, and fleshy in the mouth with gorgeous texture. Layered, structured and dancing in acidity, this is a Marin Pinot not to miss.
With huge amounts of graphite, toast, wood grain, blueberry and blackberry aromas, this Cabernet Franc-led blend (with Malbec and Petit Verdot) is solid as granite, with a layered structure. Flavors of blackberry, chocolate and herbs dance together, while the finish is long, dark, minty and chocolaty. Best from 2016 through 2022.
Lusty blackberry and cassis aromas ride onto a balanced, fresh palate, while flavors of red berry, chocolate, fig and various spices finish nicely, with a tobacco-like note. This could use another year or so to settle; drink from 2015 on.
A sensational effort, this wine is 100% varietal, sourced from four vineyards scattered throughout the sprawling Columbia Valley. Fragrant and concentrated, its hallmarks are purity and intensity. Plum, cherry liqueur and cassis are the focus, with bright lemony acids adding lift and zip to the mouthfeel.
Structured and elegant, it opens with a fruit fragrance of black plum, wild berries and prune accentuated with hints of leather, tilled soil and spice. The juicy palate delivers wild cherry layered with cinnamon, white pepper and carob alongside big, velvety tannins. Delicious now, it will also develop complexity. Drink now–2022.
This undergoes a second fermentation in bottle that leaves a slight sediment at the bottom. Aromas recall delicate white flower, green apple, citrus and bread crust. The vibrant palate offers ripe Bartlett pear, nectarine and candied ginger accompanied by a creamy perlage. It's balanced with lively acidity.
Nine years in tirage gives this 75% Chardonnay/25% Pinot Noir sparkler a deeply golden hue as well as aged aromas of hazelnut, caramelized apple and fermenting stone fruit. Apple juice dominates the oxidized flavor profile, with heavy duty yeast and lemon pith along for the curious, intriguing ride.
Touches of warm radiator dust and minerality accent citrus aromas. In the mouth, this is juicy and stony, with flavors of pithy green citrus and peach pit. The finish is solid and just crisp enough.
A blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Nero, this opens with aromas of white flower, dried apricot, vanilla and toasted hazlenut. The palate offers tart apple, lemon zest and note of brioche alongside crisp acidity.
From one of the small wine areas close to Chablis, this delicious, steely, crisp wine has fine acidity and a tight texture. It's cool, fresh and refreshing with a light, dancing aftertaste.
Aromas of white flower, herb and apricot lead the nose. Made solely with Chardonnay, the palate delivers yellow apple, citrus and roasted nut paste alongside a soft mousse. Bitter walnut marks the finish.
Partly wood-aged, this Alvarinho gives a smooth southern take on this northern Portuguese grape. It brings out apricot and pineapple fruits as well as the more typical lemon flavors. The acidity remains in place to give a crisp, tight aftertaste.
This intriguing wine conveys aromas of coffee bean and barrel spices. The palate is restrained with a low-alcohol feel and coffee flavors. The concentration isn't all there but it still piques the interest.
Lightly aromatic, it offers notes of pencil shavings, dark fruit, coffee and pepper. It's medium bodied with a lower alcohol feel and abundant coffee flavors backed by gritty tannins.
A deep rose color, this is scented with beetroot, cherry foam and chocolate. In the mouth it turns astringent, carrying similar flavors into a finish with a liberal amount of stem and earth.
A whiff of volatility distracts a bit from an otherwise enjoyable wine that has notes of butterscotch, tapioca and spice. The palate is medium bodied with sweet tropical fruit flavors. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
From a series of single-clone, single-block bottlings, this is a sharp-toned, slightly volatile wine with bright, tight, cherry fruit flavors. It's a good starting point for a blend, but feels incomplete on its own.
This is refreshing and quite dry, with fragrant fruit cocktail aromas and subtle, spare flavors that suggest it would be a great oyster wine. Made from 51% Sémillon along with other grapes it's interesting enough to serve during dinner as well as an apéritif.
Whiffs of pollen, saffron and spring ramps lend a savory tone to this semi-sweet Riesling. Waxy orange-peel and tangerine flavors brighten the palate, along with a nervy streak of lemon-lime acidity on the finish.
Curious hints of sweet spice and chocolate accent yellow plum and cherry flavors in this slightly off-dry Riesling. The palate boasts a penetrating array of fruit-salad flavors highlighted with a streak of lemon and lime. Finishes moderately long.
This wine is unquestionably about power and punch, not subtlety. Superripe fruit flavors of kirsch and dark, toasty, coffee liqueur coat the palate. It's flavorful, but not a trace of varietal character remains.
Simple raspberry and plum aromas are clean but the wine feels blocky, choppy and drawing. Flavors of woodspice, loamy berry, tobacco and herbs finish modestly, with sound tannins and a standard overall quality.
The aromas in this wine are sexy and seductive in dark fruit and spice, and the acidity bristles against a fuller, brooding body. The finish ties things up nicely if not a bit too soon.
Very ripe cassis, blackberry and raisiny aromas set up a dry, drawing palate with full tannins. Flavors of lemony oak, burnt toast, lead pencil and roasted black fruits finish woody and chunky.
Pinched, lightly medicinal aromas of raspberry and plum feed into a bright, jumpy palate. Quick blasts of plum and berry flavors come with spice notes, while the finish is light, fresh and a touch peppery. This delivers true Mencia character for not much money.
While the nose of this Riesling is fresh with scents of orange zest and berries, the palate is unctuously ripe and rich with sweet tropical fruit. It's a lush, easy-going sip but lively with acidity and irresistably tasty.
A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Nero, this delivers yellow apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and citrus flavors. It's crisp and refreshing, with vibrant acidity and brisk bubbles.
Lemon, mineral and spice notes characterize this indigenous white from Greece. Dry and clean, it will pair well with grilled fish or octopus.
This blend of 64% Marsanne and 36% Roussanne is one-dimensional, and it tastes a bit sour.
In a vintage that produced the finest overall lineup of Cayuse wines to date, it may seem a little nit-picky to score some higher and some lower. But the En Chamberlin deserves first place again. Brilliant aromatics of smoked meat, bacon fat and otherworldly roasted accents seduce instantly. Once on the palate, the silky, balanced, near-perfect mix of umami and fruit, plus licorice, cassis, coffee liqueur and black tea notes suggest it's as decadent as it is delicious.
Dense and concentrated, this has thick, almost jammy blue and purple fruits, with a peppery highlight and an undercurrent of sweet grain. The palate is tight, featuring layers of cassis, ink, anise, coffee and iodine, with an earthy salinity that runs through the finish. The Armada is perhaps a bit less fruity and more austere than the other 2009 Cayuse Syrahs, but is every inch their equal.
Using grapes sourced entirely from the En Chamberlin Vineyard, this pure Cabernet is deep, dark, focused and tight, with firm but velvety tannins and a perfect mix of cassis, coffee and earth. Even more than previous years, this vintage displays astonishing depth and power. Flavors of Serrano ham and other cured meats, plus a delicate saltiness and minerality keep the flavors developing onto  the long, fascinating finish.
Bründlmayer's flagship wine is made from old vines grown on the Heiligenstein hill. It is as intense as a great Riesling can be, a pure expression of steel, mineral and bitter orange and pineapple flavors. It has great structure and a ripe, concentrated character. This will age long and well.
The Camaspelo blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, and it shows a riot of juicy cranberry, raspberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors in a rambunctious display of power. Full, round and balanced, it offers hints of cedar, earth and coffee that extend onto the lush, complex, age-worthy finish.
A unique take on this variety that saw no new oak, this wine reveals aromas of cigar box, dried herb and dark fruit. The palate brings a fine sense of purity and detail to the raspberry and cherry flavors, trailing ever so slightly toward the finish.
Generous herb, citrus and tropical-fruit aromas are followed by a full-bodied palate chock full of kiwi and other broad tropical-fruit flavors. It's unabashed in its appeal.
Sourced from the crest of Catherine's block of Dineen Vineyard, this brooding wine brings aromas of dried and fresh herbs, vanilla, orange peel and pencil lead, which need some time to unwind. The cranberry and cherry flavors bring a sense of freshness, with the tannins providing some heft. It needs time to be fully appreciated.
Dark, decadent notes of dried cherry and fig lead the bouquet of this seductive wine, with supporting notes of wood spice, cocoa powder, pressed purple flowers and rum raisin adding depth and character. The medium-weight palate boasts velvety tannins and rich black-fruit flavors that finish full and chocolaty.
This wine brims with almost overripe pear notes on the nose. The palate follows with equally full-fruited accents shot through with citric freshness, making for a super-juicy, super-easy, off-dry white. Drink soon to make most of the fruit.
This squat bottle comes, indeed, straight from the barrel with no filtering, and works quite well. Bright and plump purple fruits mix with vanilla and a tickling acidity on the nose. The palate shows juicy cherry fruit as well as blackberry and blueberry, with richness from vanilla and caramel. The tannins are a bit tough, but rugged in the right ways.
Earthy aromas recalling truffle, underbrush, tilled soil and leather lead the nose. The vibrant palate shows juicy wild cherry, clove, white pepper and mineral alongside velvety tannins and firm acidity. This comes around beautifully after time in the glass so open it up ahead of time to let it breathe.
A tiny bit of effervescence dissipates quickly. Classic aromas recall dried lime peel, wet cement, cut grass, sliced apples and a touch of rosemary oil. The palate holds extreme grassiness along with Anjou-pear peel, pine and thyme, reminiscent of a dewy lawn in springtime.
Rich hints of juicy pear on the nose lead to an equally fruity palate. The pear notes and juiciness are boosted by slight sweetness that is held in check by lovely texture and clean freshness. The finish is off dry.
Breezy, refreshing grapefuit notes lift the nose on this wine. The clean-cut palate shows a purity of citrus and more generous, ripe peach. It's beautifully balanced and very fruit-driven. Drink soon for maximum fruit.
Soft notes of juicy, yellow pear on nose and palate make this a friendly, off-dry and appetizing wine. The body is rounded but toned, while the fruit notes are fresh and juicy. Drink soon to make most of those pure pear notes.
Honeysuckle notes hover over ripe pears. The palate boosts these notions even more with some residual sweetness that enhances the fruitiness. Edged with pleasant pithiness, the finish is off dry but balanced.
Friendly, earthy scents of buttercups and dandelions make appearances here. The palate follows with brisk, clean freshness and zingy, lemony appeal. It finishes dry, shot through with zesty freshness.
Concentrated aromas of raspberry, black cherry and blackberry set up a palate with moderately structured tannins. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and toast are nuanced. While this wine is dark and grapy on the finish, with a sense of smoothness. rounds it out.
Soft tannins support a lighter style of leather, strawberry and herb in this structured, aromatic wine, speckled in cherry cola.
There is an elegant integration of aromas on the nose of this bottling, with black cherry, smoked beef and a touch of tobacco. The mouthfeel is very soft and full, presenting flavors of blueberry, crushed asphalt and tart black plum skin. A solid sipper now, it's likely to improve with some aging.
From a hillside vineyard near Moon Mountain overlooking the Sonoma Valley, this wine was blended with 5% Petite Sirah. While not as high in alcohol as some of the producer's other wines, it has a concentrated character on the palate, akin to blueberry syrup, with soft, moderate tannins and a dusty texture. Red and black cherry provide additional fruit flavor.
Honey, jasmine, salted nectarine, yellow melon and plumeria flowers pop on the nose of this bottling that indicates Roussanne may do well in Temecula. There's solid yellow-grapefruit-pith grip to the palate, a touch of tart tangerine, slate minerality and some botanical elements. It's bright and tense for an often oily, easily over-ripened grape.
There is a flinty touch of reduction on the nose. The frothy palate follows with freshness and verve: there is rhubarb and lime peel, fresh lemon and tart greengage. The frothiness makes this exuberant and fun while the generous dosage puts us in mind of spring flowers and elder blossom.
Soft and mellow ripeness rises from the glass, suggesting ripe Mirabelle plum and warm citrus. The palate of this wine is bright with lemony, high-pitched freshness balanced by the dry, fruit-driven body and clean finish.
A unique but quite successful blend of 75% Chardonnay, 14% Viognier, 8% Roussanne and 3% Marsanne, this bottling offers light pear cream, cantaloupe and daffodil on the pretty nose. The palate shows honeydew ripeness but with plenty of restraint thanks to lime zest and clean green fruits, wiping up with a tense texture on the finish.
The aromas offer notes of char, toast and peach. The flavors are simultaneously broad and sleek in styling, with a finish that lingers.
Full and ripe, this is a lemon and crisp apple flavored wine. There is a hint of toast from the six months in barrel that also adds a little pepper. Fine acidity and a tangy texture suggests it could age. Drink this wine from 2017.
This is a surprisingly powerful wine, with (for a Beaujolais) a high alcohol. Densely textured, the wine is concentrated and dark with plenty of acidity as well as strawberry fruits. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from 2017.
The exotic notes of passion fruit and mango are so exuberant that you almost forget to pay attention to the honey notes at the core. The palate comes in with more sweetness than expected and makes the tropical fruit even fuller. The medium-sweet finish conveys pure passion fruit.
Earthy notes of slightly bruised, ripe apple peel set the tone of this wine. The palate is taut and clean, shot through with zesty, refreshing lemon juice and peel notes. It has a light-footed elegance and a dry, clean-cut finish.
Fresh, pure notes of Conference pear peel entice the nose. The palate has a richer, rounder aspect and runs the gamut of pear notes, from fresh and green to juicy and yellow. Midpalate texture and gentle vanilla spice are added bonuses.
The characteristic 2014 acidity makes a lovely lemony splash in the center of this dry, refreshing wine. Lemon freshness rises from the glass, offering lots of verve and a lip-smacking finish.
This is a complex Lodi old-vine Zinfandel with boysenberry and blackberry notes poking through layers of complexity and a touch of dusty plum. It has a strata of black licorice throughout the midpalate, with a peppery, wild herb flavor keeping it interesting. Notes of espresso and leather mark the finish, and a controlled amount of acidity keeps in balance.
Like most Savennières, this is a dry wine. Yet it is so rich, rounded and packed with ripe tropical fruits. The texture is opulent, smooth, creamy and concentrated. It needs to age for at least fours years.
This Rhône-style blend—two-thirds Roussanne, the rest divided between Marsanne and Viognier—was made using grapes sourced from the estate Destiny Ridge Vineyard. Intriguing aromas suggest clover, sweet grass and honeysuckle, while the flavors run from stone fruits into hints of light tropical fruits. It's lovely and evocative.
Elegant mineral, citrus and spice aromas lead into complex layers of sea salt and lemon flavors. Overall this is balanced, but with a bracing edge that's refreshing and refined.
The Cabernet comes from the Dineen Vineyard, and the 10% addition of Petit Verdot is from Northridge. Scents of leaf and tobacco enhance the smooth cherry fruit. It's a supple, medium-bodied wine with a silky finish.
This is the best Pinot Gris yet from Jones; the grapes were sourced from the 2 Gun Vineyard in the upcoming Ancient Lakes region—a future American Viticultural Area. Leesy and creamy, it seduces with a layer of rich cream wrapped around bright orange and semitropical fruit flavors. It's full and fresh, and it lingers.
Exotic, attractive aromas of blueberry, cardamom and sandalwood get this Syrah off on the right foot. It feels concentrated and jacked up, with fully ripe, creamy flavors of blackberry, cassis and pastry. This is a chewy, layered, dense and jammy New World Syrah ready to drink now–2014.
An interesting Syrah, this weaves together light influences of vanilla, coffee and tea around beautifully integrated fruit flavors of citrus, blueberry and black currant. The balance is just right, and the melding of these seemingly disparate flavors is handled perfectly.
It would be interesting to slip this marvelous Riesling into a blind tasting of Mosel wines. Superb balance and finesse underscore the delicately rendered flavors of peach, apricot and lemon tea. A scent of powdered sugar is the only suggestion of the 1% residual sugar.
Fermented in large barrels to preserve the fruit, this is a dense wine, full of the ripe red-berry and black-plum flavor that's layered with mint and new wood notes. Juicy, rich and concentrated, this is worth aging for at least five years.
Castel's Blanc is always a well-made selection, and the 2010 carries on that tradition. With 12 months spent in French oak, this is a rich and rounded Chardonnay that exhibits excellent balance and structure, matching bright acidity and refreshing sweet citrus flavors with lush notes of wood-grilled apple, orange creamsicle, crushed yellow flower and peach pit nuttiness. Accents of woody spice and lime zest carry onto the long finish.
Ripe white fruits, Turkish delight and spice lead this complex, aromatic Chardonnay. Balanced on the palate, with layers of peach, citrus and tropical fruit, this is buoyed by fresh acidity. Suitable for fuller-bodied meals, it's also delicious on its own.
A beauty—soft, round, bursting with cherry and raspberry fruit, blood orange, bracing acids and satiny tannins. Succulent and mouthfilling, with following notes of light chocolate, coffee and a streak of gun metal.
The estate wine of Aydie is the most serious and long-lasting of the range produced by the Laplace family. It has an intense, concentrated structure, very dark and rich, with a mineral edge. Age for 4–5 years.
Intense wood-aged wine. The wood is still apparent in this intense, youthful wine, although the richly concentrated mint and black fruit flavors are sure to come through in a year or two. This is certainly ageworthy, a wine that packs all the right structure and dark fruit character.
Wow. An incredible (and affordable) example of what Mourvèdre can be in certain nooks and crannies of the Sierra Foothills and in certain hands. Here winemaker and owner Hank Beckmeyer has made a silk mountai wine out of a tough vintage, taking organically farmed Mourvèdre from the folks over at Cedarville (who have their own label too) and made a gorgeous, pure and rich Rhône with perfumed notes of plum, smooth spice and a good dose of earth, all easy on the palate with fresh acidity and a velvety texture. Very little sulfur was used.
Dark, almost russet in color, this is an eiswein that's definitely out of the ordinary, with notes of fusty library, walnut, dried apricots and figs that come across as a bit syrupy in texture. It seems a bit advanced compared to other eisweins, but it will likely remain at this plateau for decades.
The wine's floral aromas and somewhat restrained fruit on the nose strike a refined tone, while on the palate the wine is lush, round and sweet, buoyed by bright pineapple, peach and lime flavors. Finishes long and sleekly elegant.
Seriously deep, the weight and concentration immediately apparent, this Hyland Pinot requires extra breathing time, and probably some years in the cellar. Red and black fruits penetrate into a silky, spicy, supple core. It's a bit lower in alcohol than most of the other single vineyard Pinots from Erath, but all the more cellar-worthy.
Ripe, full-bodied black cherry fruit shines here, with good tannin support. The wine is rich across the palate, with clean, focused, lingering flavors that really extend into a terrifically long finish.
With the heart-stopping acidity and intensity of an ice wine, this is an orange marmalade- and honey-flavored wine. It has a poised freshness to go with that great fruit flavor, delicious to drink now but sure to age.
This is the top wine from Fabien Jouves's estate. There is some new wood aging here and it shows in the polished edges of the very firm tannins. Burnt coffee and plum skin flavors add to the considerable power, the fruit just beginning to push through the tannins. Age for several more years.
This TBA features almost endless variations on the sugary theme: caramelized sugar, demarara syrup and honey all swirl together, wrapped around a bit of citrusy acidity. A distinctly musky spice note adds interest. Drink now–2040.
Tapiz's best wine to date, and the first one to shoot higher than the basic or reserve level. Aromas of fresh balsam wood, ripe blackberry and cola are clean and deep. Feels just right, with rich, rewarding flavors of molten berry, chocolate and coffee. Finishes warm, toasty and with focus. Has it all; drink now through 2015.
Loosen's '09 auslese from the Sonnenuhr unleashes a cavalcade of ripe tropical fruit, ranging from pineapple and guava to carambola and lime. It's very sweet and isn't showing much more than fruit at this point in time, but it should develop additional complexity with cellaring.
Lush and decadent, with intensely sweet notes of demarara syrup, peach and citrus, yet there's enough acidity to bring you back for another sip, and another. The sugar clings to the palate for a long time on the finish. Drink now–2030.
High-toned aromatics emphasize baking spices (the wine spent two years in mostly neutral oak). Light red fruits fill in the rest. The flavors recall a morning glory breakfast muffin done as a red wine.
Creamy in the mouth with flavors of mango, pineapple and apple, this wine entices with a subtle bouquet of citrus pith, Delicious apple and vanilla bean. The finish is smooth and round, yet clean.
Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% other Bordeaux varieties, this wine offers simple dark cherry fruit and chewy tannins, the oak firm and supportive, with a finishing touch of tobacco.
This juicy and simple blend of 40% Merlot with Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon offers chewy, dense tannins and a lingering spiciness of leather and tobacco.
The aromas of barrel spice, toast, herb and plum are reticent on first pour. On the palate, sweet fruit flavors are supported by lightly grainy tannins. It's straight down the fairway.
This is a ripe take on the crisp Alvarinho. The wine does have acidity but it also has hints of rich tropical fruits. The texture is tangy while revealing a full-bodied, perfumed and vibrant wine. Drink now.
Quite a bit lighter than the 2014 vintage, this wine layers buttery aromas over crisp apple and lemon flavors. It's pleasant and light in body, showing more richness than expected from its lively fruit components. Labeled as Pinot Noir, this is actually a white wine made from the dark grapes.
The point of this semisweet bottling is a little unclear, but it offers a beautifully rich nose of honeysuckle, buttercream, white peach, almond paste and flint. The palate is rich, creamy and quite sweet, with peach, melon and mango flavors. Consider it as a light dessert wine or a pairing for spicy foods.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Regent, this garnet-colored wine has aromas of cherry vanilla, eucalyptus and tobacco leaf. Flavors of mocha and blackberry lead to a balanced finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon (73%) makes up the majority of this wine, with the rest filled out by Merlot (15%), Petit Verdot (8%) and Cabernet Franc. Anise, woodspice and herb aromas are at the fore, leaning a bit into the green. The palate is light and elegant, with the tannins bringing a fair amount of grittiness. It needs some food to keep them in check.
This honeyed wine from a good Sauternes year is rich. Touches of botrytis give it a dry edge and stop it from being cloying. In the background, the acidity finishes with a lift. Drink from 2018.
Ripe aromas of raisin and prune include notes of spice cake, vanilla and toast. This has a heavy rough palate, driven by skins-based tannins. Flavors of vanilla, baked black fruits and oak show notes of maple, brown sugar and raisin on a bold churning finish that's weighted down by pulling tannins. Drink through 2023.
Mouth-filling and firm in texture, this medium-bodied wine has plenty of black cherry, prune and spicy chocolate aromas and flavors. Blended from Cabernet Sauvgnon, Petite Verdot and Syrah, it has an appropriately tannic texture that melts on the finish and echoes the chocolate and spice notes.
This offers scents that recall baked plum, dark baking spice, leather, espresso and a hint of menthol. The round, medium-bodied palate displays mature Morello cherry, fennel seed and coffee while fine-grained tannins provide support.
Soft and smooth, this is a ripe wine. This Alvarinho, planted east of Lisbon, is far south of its normal Vinho Verde region. The wine retains its rich character while adding more tropical fruit flavors. This tangy wine is lightly mineral in texture. It will be ready to drink from the end of 2016.
This bottling is an ode to Bill Foley's Texas roots. It shows dried strawberry, rich olallieberry, baked cherry, black-cardamom cream and plum cookies on the deliciously spiced, fruit-forward nose. The palate is refreshing and fresh, with black raspberry and black-pepper flavors.
Fresh apple blossoms, lemongrass, Meyer lemon, kiwi and intriguing exotic citrus notes work well together on the nose of this bottling. The palate packs Key-lime pith with slightly warmer green papaya notes as well as brisk wet cement, kumquat rinds and green tangerine.
Delicate and retrained in aroma, this wine hails from an extreme coastal vineyard between Pismo Beach and the Edna Valley. With patience, Meyer lemon curd and scratched-lime elements emerge, and the flavors are also light, with more lemon and lime as well as Gala apple and Anjou pear flesh.
Move past the initial, yeasty simplicity of this wine. It's unusual, to say the least, a white wine made exclusively from this dark Bordeaux red. Skin flavors and light, lemony fruit are in play, with hints of cucumber, white peach and melon.
Roughly two-thirds Cabernet Franc and the rest Gamay, this is a peppery, tartly acidic red wine. Its sharp-edged berry fruit is braced with lemony scents and acids. Tannins are drying and a bit edgy.
This fine wine is made in larger quantities than many of the producer's other offerings, affording a chance to be introduced to a lovely white characteristic of the vintage and region in its friendly waves of pineapple, lemon and Gravenstein apple. Chalky on the palate at first, it provides a medium body and length with a back note of herb and anise.
This big, jammy Syrah is packed with spice, baked plum and blackberry aromas. In the mouth, it's wide and voluminous. Flavors of blackberry are fully ripe, while blueberry and pepper flavors are long and lasting on the finish.
This is a ripe, spicy wine that has dense tannins and dark fruits. Now mature, it is full bodied, packed with black fruit flavors and a concentrated structure. The Alicante Bouschet in the blend gives the wine its dark color and also its intense fruits. Drink now.
Dense in waves of dark chocolate and tar, this balanced, concentrated wine has the requisite elements of dried herb and clove, with a deep plummy finish.
Vanilla, clove, allspice, dried ginger and soy are laced into black-plum sauce on the nose of this densely layered wine. The palate is even-handed, with tight boysenberry spiced up by caramel and bitter espresso notes.
Musky floral perfume accents fresher tones of crisp green melon and lime on the palate of this zippy Pinot Blanc. Dry in style with a delicacy of texture, it finishes brisk and spry. Drink now through 2018.
This majority varietal wine contains 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, which doesn't help to soften its powerful grip of sturdy tannin and sideshow of oak. Blueberry and chocolate come to the fore slowly between meaty leather and a dusty aroma.
Perfumed berry, fragrant purple flower, menthol and tilled soil aromas lead the nose. The taut, rather lean palate offers dried black cherry, white pepper, leather and grilled sage accompanied by assertive, angular tannins that grip the finish.
This easygoing wine offers aromas of red and dark-skinned berry and a whiff of moist soil. The soft, round palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry and notes of baking spice alongside fresh acidity and silky, smooth tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Made with 24% Petite Sirah, this dusty, bold and highly structured wine from an historic vineyard site is intensely concentrated and extracted, exuding rich red berry. Cinnamon and black pepper dot the lengthy finish.
California winemaker Ehren Jordan contributed to the making of this wine in partnership with Australian Bernard Hickin, hence the Two Lands moniker. It's a solid wine for the price, delivering subtle toasted-grain notes, vanilla and citrus custard flavors and a reasonably full, creamy texture. Drink now.
From Crete, this wine offers deep fruit character and an exotic spin on Assyrtiko. Limestone, lemon and white fruits abound, with a slightly sweet and lush finish. Very pretty and balanced.
Raw, somewhat damp smelling plum, cherry and tomato aromas are wiry, as is the palate on this Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend, which also features hard, crusty tannins. Scratchy berry, tomato and herbal flavors run long and leafy on the finish.
This opens with subdued aromas that suggest cured meat, leather, menthol and tilled soil. The palate offers dried black cherry, dark baking spice and a hint of licorice alongside nervous acidity and assertive, tightly wound tannins.
This opens with earthy aromas that recall black-skinned fruit, leather, scorched earth and a whiff of game. The firm, lean palate offers dried sour cherry, tobacco, powdered sage and clove alongside assertive, fine-grained tannins. It's still austere so give it a few years to soften then drink up before the remaining fruit richness vanishes.
Despite originating in a hot year, this smells lightly herbaceous and green, with scents of olive, bell pepper and tomato leaf. The mouthfeel is chunky and solid, with tomatoey acidity. Herbal, spicy flavors of tomato and plum finish peppery, spicy and with moderate heat.
Clear, light and varietal, this wine ping-pongs between subtle cinnamon and Asian spice around dark cherry and earth, with a big, juicy hit of oak and intense tannin. It finishes full-figured and robustly concentrated.
A hearty but not overdone blend of 73% Petite Sirah, 18% Tannat and 9% Petit Verdot, this well-named wine shows asphalt, black pepper, violet and a sourish blueberry on the nose. Ripe boysenberry fruit pops on the palate, as do lavender and peppercorn. The flavors grow a tad more tart as the sip lingers.
Bairrada is well known for its sparkling wines often based around the Baga grape. This example is fruity with crisp apple flavors and just a touch of tannin to give structure. The wine is still young and could age more, although it is ready to drink now.
Crisp green apple and melon rinds perfume this vivacious Silvaner. Just a shade off dry, it's concentrated with lip-smacking grapefruit and lime flavors. The finish is marked by a lingering swathe of fresh, fragrant green herbs.
From a single vineyard, this blend of Gros Manseng and Colombard is crisp, lightly herbal and also honeyed. It has apricot fruits that are sliced through with citrus acidity and tangy lemon zest. The wine is still fresh, ready to drink, although it could age until 2020.
A blend dominated by 80% Viosinho, this wine is cool. fresh and fruity. It has a light herbal character that contrasts with the apricot and pear flavors. The citrus acidity completes an attractive, balanced wine. Drink now.
This is a wine that is full of red fruits and fresh acidity. The tannic structure is well in balance giving a firm edge to the bright, ready-to-drink fruits. The wine is the entry level to the always impressive range from Crasto. Drink this wine now.
This fresh, fragrant wine is buoyed by citrus acidity and green apples. It's all fruit—light and bright—finishing with a tangy lemon-zest character. Screwcap.
This Barolo reflects the difficult 2009 vintage with its combination of overripe and green sensations. The palate has some dark cherry flavor, but also a green, astringent character and a warm midpalate, while the finish is bitter and drying.
This is a lightly fruity wine with attractive red currant and raspberry flavors. It's bright, crisp, touched by vanilla and finished with citrus acidity. Screwcap.
Fruity, with plum flavors soaked in a good dose of vanilla, this is an easygoing wine for casual entertaining or everyday use. The blend includes 8% Syrah.
The notes of ash, cherry, and plum are faint and soft in feel but it's well priced for the quality and delivers enough tannic heft to live up to its name.
A unique blend of Syrah, Barbera, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Mourvèdre all aged in neutral oak, it's a straightforward, easy drinker with sweet notes of plum, cracked pepper and tire rubber.
A light brick color in the glass, this is an accessible selection that offers easy aromas and flavors of red cherry, forest berry and a hint of rhubarb. Silky tannins dance on the palate, and a mocha flavor lingers softly on the finish.
Spicy and fruity, this is a refreshing, open, green and white fruited wine. Lively and crisp, it has good acidity and just a touch of pepper to add another dimension. Screwcap.
This is a moderately aromatic wine with notes of toast, spice and caraway seed. It's medium bodied and on the sweeter side of off-dry with tart citrus flavors.
Scratchy red plum aromas are sort of sharp and mulchy. This has a standard, healthy feel along with dry, oaky plum flavors. Mild spice and limited fruit character define the short finish.
Lightly aromatic with notes of pear, spice, and a kiss of caramel. The small amounts of Viognier (9%) and Sémillon (2%) contribute to its medium bodied, viscous feel before leading to a tart, somewhat thin finish.
This shows cherry aromas and toasted notes of espresso. The palate is subdued and lean, but delivers some orange peel and berry flavors, then finishes abruptly.
Although this presents itself on the bouquet as being a bit soft and mealy, the palate is solid albeit chunky and blocky. Standard citrus and lemon flavors hold onto some tang on the finish. Overall, this is clean and friendly but a bit dull.
This 100% varietal wine is lightly aromatic with notes of toast, spice and apple. The oak aging (20% new French) helps provide a sense of roundness but the fruit concentration doesn't seem to stand up to it.
Grown in the High Valley appellation within Lake County, this is huge, black and packed with blackberry and blueberry flavors. It's decadent like a blueberry pie topped with chocolate sauce. Ready to drink now.
This is zesty and bright, bearing puckery pomegranate and red berry flavors, with an element of briny, umami-laden goodness that brings truffles and smoked nuts to mind. Soft tannins lead to a sour-cherry-flavored finish that's flecked with notes of herbs and dried leaves.
Leather, plum and berry aromas form a nice opening as minty chocolate notes emerge. It feels spunky, with edgy, rubbery tannins and full flavors of plum, cherry, mint and herb. Dry and controlled on the finish, this has an overall fresh character. Mostly Garnacha with some Monastrell.
This is mild and lightly oaked on the front end, with peach and apple notes. It feels narrow and focused, with honeyed apple, pear and melon flavors that aren't too sweet or candied. Light and simple feeling on the finish, with elegance.
This is a char-broiled Mencía that's a lot more about oak and barrel influence than anything else. Aromas run from blackened meat to barbecue, with a saucy berry note. It feels round, full and resiny from the copious oak aging, with dominating flavors of wood, char and toast, along with related notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
This has smooth tannins and plenty of bright fruit flavor. Made in a savory style, the finish on this wine has a leathery bite to it.
Taut, tannic and nervy, this has red currant fruit that gives a crisp sensation to this tight, precise wine. Give it a year to soften.
This Pinotage-dominant blend is a bit closed to begin, but opens up after some time in the glass to reveal enticing notes of dark berries, plums and whole vanilla beans. Medium tannins and jammy, crushed-berry fruit flavors flesh out the palate, ending on a textured plum-skin flavor.
Warm and ripe, this has yellow fruits that contrast with the freshness of crisp apples. There is a light touch of minerality, although the essence of the wine is its fruitiness.
This is rubbery and spicy smelling, with solid berry and plum aromas in addition to a hint of cinnamon. It feels a little snappy as spicy, dry red-plum and raspberry flavors take over. A touches of wood and related spice work the finish.
This smells red and reedy up front, with a punch-like aroma that comes with a nice hint of fresh herb. It's fresh in feel, with brushy red-fruit flavors of currant, raspberry and plum. The finish is floral and likable.
Hints of sea salt and crushed stone add layers of minerality to this Riesling that's just a shade off-dry. The palate is concentrated with notes of tangerine juice, lemon peel and pressed apples, balanced by puckery lemon acidity.
The light apple and mild citrus aromas are nice. It feels fresh and medium in intensity, with notes of peach, apple, pear and citrus in equal, moderate doses. Short, lemony and fresh on the finish.
Firm, hard and tight, this offers black cherry flavors with some peach-pit phenolics. It's sharp and edgy, definitely on the herbal side, with a hint of stem.
Light scallion and green herb aromas are offset by buttercup and melon scents. It feels fairly deep and melony, with peach and apple flavors. Despite being soft on the finish, it's packed with white fruit and tropical fruit flavors.
Forward and rich, with flavors of luscious red cherries spiked with cola and purple flowers, this is an easy-drinking yet undeniably tasty blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Big, chunky tannins and a spray of sour-cherry acidity add depth and verve to the midpalate.
This is smooth and smells like true Rioja with its vanilla, dill and raspberry aromas. It feels fresh and healthy, but a little choppy and gritty, and it tastes of cherry, vanilla, tobacco and leafy herb.
Despite its time in bottle, this wine has years to go before it sleeps. It still needs further integration of its substantial body of tannin and tobacco within the layers of sanguine game, pencil lead and plum. In addition, it would benefit from being enjoyed with food, preferably medium-rare steak. Drink now through 2021.
This terrific wine is classically varietal, with beautifully defined flavors of cured meats, tobacco, coffee, lavender and peppercorn, all in service to ripe purple fruits. Impeccably balanced, it conveys finesse.
The impressive nose on this blend offers aromas of tobacco, beef jerky, oregano, thyme, chocolate, coffee and dark earth against a blueberry-liqueur backbone. A bumping acidity unleashes flavors of plum and purple flowers on the palate, which also shows espresso and blackberry tang, carrying deep into the finish.
Mainly from vineyards within the Oak Knoll District, and blending in 10% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, this wine is yeasty and firm in tar, graphite and soy. Leathery on the palate, it sings in blackberry and black cherry around oaky clove. Drink now through 2020.
Notes of tart apple, fresh orange and yellow mirabelle plum announce pure-fruited joy. These flavors pervade nose and palate and are even more highlighted by a zesty, bright, lemony freshness on the concentrated, almost lip-smacking palate. This is dry and refreshing, taut and concentrated with a lasting, lemony finish.
Concentrated citrus fruit sings on nose and palate. The body reveals a stony, mineral texture of exquisitely clean dryness. There is the slightest edge of pleasant bitterness, just like in dried lemon peel. Linear, concentrated with lots of citric backbone. Drink 2016–2025.
Unusual rose petal perfume hovers above the apple-scented nose. The palate is dry but textured and open, broad but fluid and poised. There is a seam of taut, bright and pure lemon acidity that frames everything neatly and which makes this totally appetizing and moreish in all its fruitfulness.
Faint notes of lemon zest and apple make for a harmonious nose and palate. The palate brings out more of the tang of red apples and the zing of fresh lemon peel. This is fruit-driven, clean and very appetizing with a nicely concentrated core and a dry, lastinG finish.
Cool, breezy Patagonia is the home address for this light-colored but full-flavored Cab Franc. Cherry, berry and woodsy aromas set up a firm, wide palate with lightly herbal, leafy flavors of berry fruits and chocolate. Cocoa dust and a pinch of saltiness are noted on a full finish. Drink through 2022.
Fresh yet focused aromas of pressed boysenberries, white pepper, beef jerky, teriyaki and wet stone greet the nose on this bottling by winemaker Fintan du Fresne. Asphalt-laden flavors of black cherries, dill and dried mint decorate a medium-bodied palate that will appeal to fans of both cool and warmer-climate Syrah.
Scents of cinnamon and red-pepper candy come up quickly, leading into a wine with terrific purity and focus. The raspberry and cherry fruits are clean and sharp, beautifully defined and balanced. Delicious young, this wine is set to develop further complexity if well cellared. Drink now through 2030.
Barrel-fermented in stainless steel and neutral oak, this aromatic wine rolls into a gorgeous palate loaded with rich fruit flavors of pineapple, grapefruit and Meyer lemon. There's a suggestion of softness to the acids, and a lick of butterscotch runs through the finish. It's a totally engaging wine.
The faintest hint of fir honey appears on the nose. Underneath that and on the palate apple fruit holds sway, presenting an interplay between ripe and tart flesh. The palate is dry but nonetheless has that touch of dark, bitter fir honey. This has drive and linearity and a lasting, clean, apple-fruited finish.
Earthy notes are mixed into the perfume of fleshy, ripe apricots, edged with baking spice. The palate plays on the same register of ripe stone fruit tempered by spice, earth and dried orange peel. This is dry and slender but incisive and concentrated—very grown up and appealing in a restrained, elegant fashion. The finish is clean and long. Drink 2016–2025.
Dedicated to the producer's father, this 100% Alicante Bouschet is superbly ripe and rich without overwhelming. It has the dark black colors of the grape that are followed by full-bodied black fruit flavors and impressive spice and pepper flavors. The wine is still young, so wait to drink until 2018.
Plump and powerful yellow plum and cherry flavors seem peppered by spice and tea leaves in this lithe but penetrating wine. Sunny, ripe flavors don't detract from the 2014 vintage's trademark acidity—the finish is pure citrus refreshment. Drink now through 2020.
Reserved fruit aromas like cherry compote come with substantial accents of cinnamon and clove. Flavors are mild but delicious and bring more cherry and cranberry. The mouthfeel is rather soft and full, braced with fine tannins and a moderate oaky flavor that builds toward the finish.
Sea salt, honeysuckle, lemon-sprayed apple and a touch of graphite dominate the nose of this tasty wine that grows only more interesting with time. Lime zest plays on the edges of the palate, though the middle shows a nectarine and yellow-pear richness. Energetic acidity tickles the tongue throughout the sip.
Winemaker Eugenia Keegan has a long and impressive track record with Burgundian grapes, and her skill shines through on her first release for Gran Moraine. Sappy and focused, this offers pinpoint fruit flavors of apple and pineapple, with pretty accents of toast and nut oils from barrel fermentation and monthly battonage. Drink through 2024.
Part of Sadie's Old Vine Series, this is made with grapes sourced from a bush vine vineyard that dates back to 1974, of a variety that's not exactly common for the country. The resulting wine is pure and focused, offering hints of cassis, sauvage, leather and freshly tilled soil that accent the red berry, plum and cherry core. Fine, fleeting tannins lend an approachable structure to the palate, while earthy notes of black tea, bark and pepper linger on the finish. Drink now–2019.
Briny notes of pickled cabbage and cider seem alarming at first but prove to be misleading. This is quite elegant, lifted and clean on the palate, while mature flavors of sourdough bread, apple, pear and dry spices finish smooth and long. Drink now.
Fragrant and polished, this radiant wine offers enticing scents of elderflower, yellow peach and aromatic herb. The elegantly structured palate delivers apricot, nectarine zest and a hint of white pepper, all framed in vibrant acidity.
A soft, aromatic entry opens into compact cranberry and raspberry fruit. This wine is young and firm, beautifully balanced, and still showing some stiffness in the tannins. It does a clean, gentle fade, retaining its freshness all the way.
Substantive flavors and a rich, tannic texture form a serious profile for this deeply colored, dry and full-bodied wine. It smells like raspberries, tastes deep and concentrated, and has a very firm and nicely astringent mouthfeel. Pour it with a big steak, chop or roast.
Intensely ripe, almost tropical shades of pineapple, mango and cantaloupe are calibrated by shimmering minerality and spine-tingling acidity in this bristling spätlese. It's delightfully honeyed and juicy, but nuanced and penetrating too. Notes of hibiscus nectar and tangerine linger long through the finish.
Dark golden in color, this light-bodied, vibrantly fresh wine has a twinge of creamy oak influence. That's just enough to give it body and complexity in an otherwise bright package of preserved lemon and a warm, lengthy and salty finish.
This is a powerful, concentrated wine, just verging (but not quite passing) on overweight. That makes it rich and dense, full of black plum fruits and damson skins both giving a textured juiciness. The tannins, though, are still young and the wine needs plenty of time. Drink from 2018.
Zinfandel from old vines is rarely this light and refreshing, yet still exuberant in fruit. A mix of tart cherry and just-ripe blackberry comes with a lingering edge of citrus around the cinnamon and black pepper spice. Funky earth ripples through the middle, before a subtle take on leather finishes things out.
A mild undertone of funky earth and rustic leather provides intrigue and individuality to this release, one of the larger offerings by the winery. Cherry, pomegranate and cranberry all make appearances on a palate that is lush and expansively fruity, finishing in memorable minerality.
From vines not far from Mont Sainte-Victoire, this fruity wine is full on the palate. A touch of spice accompanies the ripe strawberry flavors. It's rich with a soft aftertaste and light acidity.
The vanilla, coffee, red apple and hay aromas are initially quite light and not fully in sync. The red fruit flavors are rich and full, pulling no punches.
A rich, ripe and concentrated wine that's approachable and likable, its highlights include baked raspberry and blackberry atop depths of cinnamon and mocha. This is a nice wine that will appeal to many.
Rooty aromas of raisin and stewed plum are a touch hot as this tips the scale at 15.5%. High in acidity and low in body fat, the palate is linear. Short berry and root beer flavors are mature. Hollow on the finish. Drink through 2019.
This affordable offering from a prime site within the appellation introduces itself with burly, smoky undertones and a thick skin, remaining grippy and smoky in black fruit throughout. Full bodied, it shows the warmth of the vintage and ripeness of valley floor grapes.
Subdued aromas of oak and citrus zest slowly take shape in the glass. The linear, svelte palate offers oak driven spice, lemon zest and yellow apple skin framed in racy acidity. A hint of toasted nut closes the finish.
Alluring aromas of jasmine and wild flower lead the nose. The fresh palate offers mature apple, white peach and a citrusy note alongside bright acidity. A touch of white almond note fills in the finish.
This 100% varietal wine offers aromas of coffee, mixed berries, spice, pencil eraser and herbs. The tart fruit flavors are generous and full, leading to cranberry flavors that carry on the finish. The oak seems primary but it still brings enjoyment.
From the cool-climate Beckstoffer Lake Carneros vineyard site, this wine opens in a thickness of blue and red berries, the tannins soft and integrated yet weighted by a puckering persistence to the palate. Dried herb and cedar round out the highly full-bodied, ripe finish.
The nose promises creamy freshness with the telltale passion fruit notes of Sauvignon Blanc wrapped in a rounded, sunny palate which restrains aromas but delivers lime-zest refreshment and a very clean, satisfying finish.
Very ripe, juicy green pears are the chief notion on nose and palate. The body is light but boosted by alcoholic heat, there is a lovely seam of freshness and a very clean-cut finish.
Herb, black currant, blackberry and vanilla aromas followed by sweet plump dark cherry and coffee flavors with a squeeze of tannins. It provides a lot of immediate appeal.
The merest hint of ripe stone fruit presents itself on the nose. The palate has the same clean stone-fruited charm, reminiscent of freshly harvested yellow plums. The unoaked palate is balanced and has a pleasant, plump weight, leavened by natural freshness and verve. A lighter style of Chardonnay with great charm and lingering freshness.
Dried black cherry and a streak of cola mark a wine with decent concentration and full-bodied richness that gets better in the glass as it goes. The finish is persistent and balanced in a ripeness of fruit with freshness.
Delicate aromas of white stone fruit, ripe pear and white flower lead the nose while the bright palate offers crisp green apple, juicy white peach and a hint of bitter almond. Fresh acidity lifts the finish.
Spanish broom and beeswax scents float out of the glass. The round, juicy palate doles out mature yellow apple, tangerine zest and a hint of honey while a note of marzipan backs up the finish. Bright acidity lifts the creamy flavors.
This blends 61% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon and 3% Chardonnay, opening in strong currents of honey caramel and dried apricot, with a back note of raisin. Voluptuous and nutty, it drinks big in style and personality, delivering plenty of defined flavor.
Baked black plums, nutmeg, gingerbread spice, cinnamon and concentrated hibiscus show on the nose of this impressive countywide blend. The palate centers on forest floor elements of juniper and eucalyptus as well as tart cranberry fruit and a touch of smoke. Would wash down a variety of foods well.
Slight spritz enhances the green, crunchy apples of this fresh, friendly blend of Neubuger and Grüner Veltliner. Grüner's earthiness and Neuburger's nuttiness shine through but the overall tone is one of lightness and joy.
Ripe wild berry, dark spice and a whiff of leather unfold in the glass while the solid palate offers up stewed prune, vanilla and roasted coffee bean. Chewy tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2017.
Softly textured but also structured, this offers scents of pressed violet, dark-skinned fruit and a whiff of menthol. The ripe palate delivers cassis, plum and dark spice alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2018.
Made with 60% Grechetto and Procanico, 35% Sauvignon and 5% Sémillon, this offers heady aromas of dried peach and sweet almond. On the enveloping palate, notes of acacia honey and orange peel add depth to dried apricot.
Aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, fig, resin, leather and exotic spice lead the nose on this just-released ten-year-old. The full-bodied palate offers dried cherry, raisin, licorice, ground pepper and truffle while polished tannins provide support. It has already hit the start of its ideal drinking window so enjoy sooner rather than later to capture the remaining fruit.
Bright and refreshing, this opens with scents of honeysuckle, jasmine, pear and yellow stone fruit. The round but lively palate offers peach, green apple and a hint of white almond. Fresh acidity lifts the rich flavors.
The color of this wine is romantic, as is the psychedelic label. A classic blend, it's made at Château Sainte Roseline from purchased grapes. The fruit is light, red cherry and citrus flavored, packed with acidity at the end.
Rich, lightly colored and full of acidity, this wine is rich in texture and flavor for a Provence rosé. Plenty of ripe strawberry and citrus flavors are lifted by spice and generous acidity. The wine is ready to drink, although it will be better from late 2016.
Situated in the foothills of the Alpilles mountains, in the heart of the landscape painted by Van Gogh, this estate has produced a ripe style of rosé. A fine reflection of the vintage, it is full of red fruits and touches of orange. The crisp, lighter side makes it refreshing.
Baked boysenberries, purple flowers, rose petals, night jasmine and cola combine for an elegant nose on this restrained Zin bottling. Tart and woody blackberries arise on the palate alongside touches of cedar, pine needle, black peppercorn and roasting herbs, proving more savory in style.
Intriguing, complex aromas of mocha, beef broth and dried flowers lead into a wine that's medium to full in body but nicely elegant, with fruit wrapped around a core of sinewy tannins. Marinated beef notes linger on the silky finish.
Subtlety and reserve drive this full-bodied, round-textured white Rhône-style blend. The velvety mouthfeel is almost more notable than the subdued pear, melon and butter flavors. It's a wine for lingering over, because it reveals its best stuff after time in the glass. It leads with 49% Marsanne, plus Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc.
This is an impressive, well-endowed wine, bursting with superripe cherries, cinnamon and vanilla notes. It's full-bodied, velvety textured and warm, picking up dark chocolate notes on the long, dry finish. It's drinkable now, but worth holding through 2018 for a more savory experience.
This wine captivates with its exotic aroma profile of citrus peel, mango, leather, cranberries and pepper. The acid is bright and it possesses a textured, palate-coating mouthfeel and a long finish that demands attention.
This lovely vineyard-designate opens in cherry-berry cobbler, becoming luxurious and weighty on the palate while remaining juicy and expansive, too. Dusty tannins provide a structure and backbone before Tahitian vanilla marks the long finish. This wine is entirely enjoyable now but should thrive in the cellar through 2025.
The pithy yet subtle focus on this wine's nose ranges from lime peel to squeezed lemon reduction to sour apple flesh. There's a hint of ripe nectarine to the palate and lots of Key lime juice, opening towards apple custard and a citrus peel bitterness, proving to be a steadily evolving and complex wine.
A terrific value, the 2013 Cuvée Tradition shows the sort of concentration and ripeness you'd only expect to find in much pricier bottlings. Black olive, cassis and cured meat notes deliver ample complexity, and the wine finishes long, with supple tannins.
Round and already surprisingly accessible, this full-bodied red offers aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, leather, licorice, cake spices, orange zest and a balsamic note. Polished tannins provide the framework and give it a smooth texture. Drink through 2021.
This wine is 45% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 11% Malbec. It charms with alluring aromas of herbs, black licorice, cassis and coffee. The palate has a creamy, rich feel with abundant black fruit flavors and exceptional tannin integration.
The oak (70% new puncheons) is primary at present on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aromas of vanilla, café au lait and woodspice are out in front of cherry and herbs. The palate shows nuance, detail and length. It needs time in the cellar to come together. Best after 2020.
Earthy, juicy and leathery, this wine was made from three clones of Pinot Noir. Each was fermented separately with a percentage of whole cluster, then blended together for this age-worthy concoction that's complex and compelling. Pomegranate and fig combine on the palate, along with more savory elements of allspice and coconut, finishing with a crispness of orange. Cellar through 2023.
This really elegant Pinot Noir has good color as well as a perfumed, aromatic character. The fruit is ripe cherries, supported by a light tannic layer. Acidity gives this wine freshness as well as suggesting that it could age. Drink from 2017.
Strong impressions of bold fruit flavors partner with enchanting new oak nuances. Aromas offer cedar, tobacco and clove, while flavors resemble black cherry, currant and dark chocolate. This is robust, packed with opulent fruit and framed by a layer of fine tannins that needs time to soften. It will be best after 2020.
Coming from a vineyard first planted by Mondavi in the late 1990s, this well-priced and widely available wine shows blackberry, violets, black pepper and just snapped dark chocolate on the nose. Fresh, lively black cherries and blueberries meld with fennel, tarragon and lots of herbal spice, all held together by smooth tannins.
From one of the best vineyard sites in the Barbaresco-making village of Neive, this offers aromas of raspberry, tilled soil, tobacco and chopped herbs. The chewy, delicious palate doles out juicy black cherry, crushed blackberry and baking spice alongside enveloping, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It's a superb Barbera.
With some wood aging, this is a toasty, perfumed wine. It has a stony, structured character with plenty of acidity as well as ripe apricot and sweet apple flavors. The crispness has been tamed by the wood aging to give a ripe, full in the mouth wine. Drink from 2017.
Splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot make their way into this vineyard-designate, a well-made offering of cola and blackberry with supple tannins. Layered and complex, it's medium in weight and length, with a density of oak on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Coffee, herb, cherry, cocoa and barrel-spice aromas draw you into the glass. The palate brings down a velvet hammer with dense, brooding dark cherry flavors backed by tightly wound tannins. It has the stuffing to go the distance. Wait until 2021 or give it a day-long decant.
Two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Carménère, this brooding wine brings aromas of moist soil, herb, black tea, eucalyptus, fig and spice. It's full in feel, tart and tightly wound with bright acids and chewy tannins—a wine intended for the long haul. Enjoy after 2020.
Aromas of earth, black cherry, cedar and blackberry precede full-bodied, layered fruit flavors with a long finish. It's a delicious, no-holds-barred offering of the variety.
An impressive mouthfeel is the standout characteristic of this full-bodied, balanced and elegant wine. It smells and tastes subtly delicious, with restrained rather than overripe cherry and plum flavors, but the way the velvety texture of tannins and acidity surround the fruit and carry it through to the finish is remarkable. The blend holds Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.
Coming from a site across from Cold Creek, this wine offers notes of toast, sautéed herbs, blackberry and spice. It's rich, power packed and layered with dark fruit flavors and firm tannins—an excellent mixture of power and elegance.
This mesmerizing offering has aromas of lemon curd, mineral, almond, flowers, nectarine and apple. The palate is rounded, with a lightly creamy feel while retaining a sense of vibrancy and lightness.
This rich, structured wine is packed with both firm tannins and rich red fruits. Still young, it has all the makings of a dense, balanced wine that will reflect the great fruit of the vintage. Age this smoky, full-bodied wine and drink from 2017.
Pure, clean, polished aromas of cherry, plum and berry are fit and fruity. This has a lot of life and spunky tannins, while flavors of raspberry, plum and wild herbs finish with a hint of brine and easy length. This is a fine Mencía made in a crowd-pleasing style. Drink through 2020.
An enticing, spicy, cedary, toasty aroma leads to generous flavors of black cherry, wood smoke and dried plum. The body is full, the texture is bold, firmly tannic and buoyed by acidity that provides grip on the palate and makes it a great match for rich proteins. Best after 2019.
The initial entry to this wine is reminiscent of cheesecake, with a decadence to the bouquet. From there, ripe pear and toasted oak combine around a tropical edge of guava and papaya, giving complexity and lushness on the palate, before a zesty, slightly tart finish confounds and invites one in for more. Cellar through 2018.
An abundance of apple flavors—green, golden and red-cheeked—plays on the nose. Their crisp, crunchy, sweet tartness is apparent everywhere and explodes afresh with every tiny bubble that bursts. Creamy autolysis provides a generous background to this fizzing, fun wine. This is light-footed, exuberant and finishes with a joyous concert of apple-delight.
Tightly structured and quiet in oak, this wine instead exudes bright notes of lemon peel and orange blossom, offering plenty of well-traced minerality on the palate. It finishes lean and crisp, refreshing enough to enjoy all night long.
Syrah is not new in Southern Oregon, but finding a consistent style has been a battle. Progress is being made. Tannins are tamed, alcohol is kept in hand, and the fruit is plenty ripe; maybe just a bit too ripe. Here the flavors are of strawberry preserves, leafy herbs, and lighter but still-astringent tannins. The wine fades fairly quickly, and should be consumed in its youth.
Subdued aromas suggest woodland berry and underbrush. The palate is more expressive, offering red cherry, strawberry and licorice alongside supple tannins. Enjoy soon.
Muted on the nose, this is a spicy, somewhat austere wine, shy in red berry fruit and soft tannins. From a 1,500-foot elevation vineyard, it lacks the power of some of its competitors, yet offers a balanced, less in-your-face take on the variety.
Aromas of peach blossom and mature Bartlett pear lead the nose on this pretty wine. The crisp palate offers green apple and juicy nectarine alongside bright acidity.
Aromas of white flowers, with a hint of exotic fruit lead on the nose. The lively, refreshing palate offers pineapple, apricot and Golden Delicious apple alongside racy acidity.
White blossom, stone fruit and tangerine aromas lead the nose on this crisp, savory white. The vibrant palate displays creamy white peach and notes of Mediterranean herb brightened by zesty acidity.
This wine, which is named after vintner Bill Foley's grandma, is quite light in the glass, and shows a lot of florals on the nose, along with strawberry syrup and brown spice. It's a little flat on the palate, yet suggests fresh raspberries and rose petals, proving a nice light and bright sipper that wouldn't overwhelm a fish dish.
Drawing a blend of Merlot, Tannat and Syrah from several regions in southwest France, this soft and fruity wine is light with a juicy mix of acidity and dry tannins. Berry fruits and a fresh aftertaste suggest it is ready to drink now.
Round, plump aromas are a bit vegetal, with a suggestion of canned beans and peas. The palate is balanced but full. Pithy flavors of green fruits finish lightly bitter, with notes of arugula, bell pepper and lime.
Pretty aromas of white spring blossoms and Bartlett pear lead the nose on this bright, easy-drinking white. The lively palate offers tart green-apple and light mineral notes alongside crisp acidity.
A blend of 83% Syrah with 17% Petite Sirah, this is a juicy wine, bursting in black plum, blackberry and gamy smoke. Low in oak imprint, it's medium bodied, approachable and easy to like, plenty tannic but not over the top.
Rede is at the cooler western end of the Douro vineyards, known for its table wines rather than Ports. This ripe, toasty wine has a generous tannin and fruit structure. Red berry fruits dominate the texture, along with a lightly mineral character. The wine could age, so drink from 2016.
Earthy, rubbery blackberry aromas become more clean and open the longer this sits. Firm tannins create a strong but fair palate, while licorice, mint and spice notes sit on top of generic berry flavors. Weight and heat are noticeable on the finish.
Stark and steely, this dry, revitalizing Riesling pierces the palate with tart tangerine and green apple flavors. Zesty and lean, it would make a refreshing accompaniment for creamy pasta or braised poultry.
From one of the oldest estates in the region, this full-bodied wine has floral aromas and ripe apple and pear flavors along with a distinctly mineral character. It's ready for drinking now.
Damp earth, tar and gamy bacon combine aromatically and flavor-wise in this Cabernet, which also contains smaller traces of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Black currant and cassis mingle with an herbal back beat that begins to power up midway through and on the finish.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Fernão Pires, this crisp, lightly herbaceous wine has a soft texture and attractive, creamy acidity. Hints of yellow fruits come through deliciously at the end.
Gritty, gaseous aromas are demanding. This SB offers up a citric, pulpy body and slightly bitter flavors of passion fruit, orange and tangerine. Citrus pith and related bitterness blend with citric acidity on the finish, but this wine is starting to fade.
This soft, rounded, wood-aged wine has light tannins and fresh fruits. Red cherry flavors are forward to give a bright, crisp feel to the wine. Behind, the tannins are developing with a dry edge balanced by juicy acidity. Drink now, although the wine will be better from 2016.
High in acidity, this features a pleasant saltiness matched by an austerity of lemon and pear. It's a lighter, brighter style of the variety that stands out for its zestiness and slight layering of herb and ginger.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is brooding in dried sage, cedar and pencil shavings, the fruit black and ripe. Oaky and sanguine, it has a girth to it. Sprinkles of cinnamon and clove peak on the finish.
Minty with ripe, black plum and cherry notes, this rich, opulent wine is still puckering in tannins, but shows measured acidity on the back palate and finish. Toasty oak makes its presence felt, providing flavor and fullness.
Aromas of orange peel and juniper berry go face-to-face with plum, berry and baking spice scents. This is a choppy, tannic, raw-feeling wine with cool flavors of herbal berry and eucalyptus. A drawing, high-acid, hard-tannin finish closes out this rugged Malbec.
Aromas suggest wildflower and woodland berry. The fruity palate delivers crushed wild cherry, strawberry and a tangerine note alongside bright acidity. Drink soon.
At this young stage, this is an attractively fruity wine that is soft and rounded. The touch of sweetness cuts down on the acidity and emphasizes the yellow fruits and crisp apple-skin texture. It will be much better when aged, so drink from 2017.
This rich, delicious blend of Castelão and Alicante Bouschet is soft and juicy, with black and blue berry flavors, dusty tannins and a fine, jammy aftertaste.
Ripe and juicy, maybe a little rustic round the edges, certainly fruity. Red berry flavors dominate along with an edgy center of tannin, while juicy acidity completes this attractive wine.
Ripe and fruity, touched by mint with some good balancing tannins and acidity. A fine, firm and also juicy wine, with a warm texture.
A clean, fresh, appealing sort of Tempranillo with cola, earth, black cherry and berry aromas followed by a bright, forward, spicy cherry palate. Honest, snappy, healthy and juicy; nice and solid for La Mancha.
This tastes like a warm climate, soft, round Cabernet, full-bodied and etched in dark, smoky tannins. The alcohol reaches 14.8% but does not burn; the fruit is a mix of figs and plums and ripe black cherries. Already four years old, it's drinking very well now and may be at its best over the next couple of years.
Big, ripe and spicy, with tobacco and herbal flavors alongside the black currant intensity and powerful acidity. It is rich while the austere tannins of the Baga grape are still young. Keep for 2–3 years.
The dry tannins are firmly in charge in this young wine, its fruit fresh rather than rich. The flavors are red plum juice, acidity and a dry core that needs another year to soften.
Wonderfully rich with lush dark chocolate and espresso notes, this is another lovely, highly drinkable Merlot from Comtesse Thérèse. There's a good amount of charred oak, but it's integrated seamlessly with concentrated black plum and berry flavors. The finish is long, and accented by pleasant astringency of walnut skins and tobacco.
Initially it's rugged, but airing reveals black-cherry aromas and dry spice. The palate is crisp and a little sheer by itself, but the call here is that with food it'll be a winner. Flavors of red fruits are dry and collected, while the finish blends in coffee, spice and a touch of herbal Navarran panache.
Lime, citrus and other pungent aromas get it off to a good start, while the palate is wet and fresh, with clean, familiar grapefruit, lime and nectarine flavors. Lighter and less concentrated than Naia, but still a very good Verdejo for the price.
This is a flavorful, smooth-textured wine drenched with grapy, jammy flavors. Ripe and concentrated, it has a lively mouthfeel due to welcome tannins and acidity. It offers a lot to like.
Aromas suggest berry fruits, spice. A full, creamy, grabby palate is weighty, while flavors of varied black fruits are oaky and chocolaty. On the finish, this tastes roasted and a bit hot, with a note of salt. This is two-thirds Garnacha along with Syrah and Samsó (Carignan).
Lightly peppery, herbal aromas and honeydew-melon flavors give personality to this soft, soothing and almost sweet wine.
Aromas recalling toasted walnut, underbrush and bread crust make themselves known. The vibrant, rather lean palate offers yellow apple, pear and lime alongside small, persistent bubbles and zest acidity. Bitter almond closes the finish.
Wild flower, apple and citrus aromas lead the nose. The lean, racy palate offers lime, grapefruit and unripe pear alongside brisk acidity and vivacious effervescence. It finishes crisp and clean.
Aromas of wild flower and green apple lead the nose on this lightly sparkling wine. The frothy palate offers Bartlett pear, yellow peach and grapefruit alongside crisp acidity.
Ripe, earthy, granulated aromas of raisin, prune and cassis introduce a chubby palate with fierce tannins, which is the basic theme for 2013 in Toro. Flavors of blackberry, cocoa and cassis are good but restricted on the finish by rock-hard tannins. Drink or hold; this is what it is.
Initial hickory and clove aromas give way to cool earth scents. This flush, tannic RDD is edgy and abrasive in feel, with baked plum and spicy berry flavors. On the finish, this tastes saucy and earthy, with mild astringency stemming from hard tannins.
Pithy citrus and an oily aromatic note give this white blend some funk on the nose. The palate is in good shape but typical in terms of feel and weight. Flavors of orange, papaya and mango finish with citrusy notes of lime as well as chalky minerality. This wine holds Parellada, Macabeo and Chardonnay.
From 60-year-old bush vines, this is rich, spicy and with a soft texture. Black fruits give a ripe character and a smooth texture that is beginning to bring in some secondary, earthy flavors. Drink this mature wine now.
There is a toasty character to this wine with its (not unpleasant) lightly oxidized flavors. There is also perfumed fruit and flavors of ripe rich fruitiness. It is a finely structured wine, ready to drink now.
The wine is both dense and fruity. It has fine tannins that are dark and concentrated. The berry flavors are balanced with acidity and touches of wood-aging spice. Give it until 2018 and consider opening for an hour before tasting.
This is a dry wine, packed with tannins at this stage. With concentrated fruits and spice in the background, it will become a rich structured wine. This Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon wine was vinified for 12 months in French oak and six months in underground cement vats—aiming for drinkability for at least 10 years. But go ahead and drink the wine starting from 2019.
Taking its name from the Chevaliers d'Arce who guarded this land in the 12th and 13th centuries, the small property is now under the watchful eye of Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard. This wine is still young and just balancing out. Firm tannins are shot through with ripe berry fruits and with crisp acidity. It is a wine that is will mature well, so drink from 2019 and consider this property a rising star.
This is a soft ripe wine. It has generous helpings of Merlot that give red fruit and rich acidity. The wine is soft for the vintage and is all ready to drink.
This has with some tannins but it is much more about the bright red fruits. It has crisp acidity that cuts through the structure to give some a fresh edge to this structured wine. Let it sit for a few months and drink from 2017.
With Philippe Ducourt tending the special Peyrou vineyard and Jérémy Ducourt in the winery, they produced a lively juicy wine that is full of red-fruit flavors. It is fresh, crisp and only lightly touched by wood and tannins. Drink this attractive wine from 2018.
The wine is ripe with attractive acidity. It has plenty of red fruit, a smoky tannic structure and a perfumed aftertaste. With the fruit ready to burst through the tannins, it will be ready to drink from 2017.
Packed with red fruits, this is a bright wine. It has fine tannins due to aging half in French oak and half in stainless steel to give a balance to a wine that is crisp and fresh. Drink from 2018.
Perfumed with wood flavors, this is a dry wine at this stage. Let the black-currant fruitiness from the organic Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come through before drinking. Acidity and a fresh character promise well. Wait until 2019.
Jean Lissague, one of Bordeaux wine's “new generation,” produced the 100% Merlot with spice and firm tannins. It also has weight and richness from the generous fruitiness. Drink this structured wine starting from 2019.
The wine is dense with some fine concentrated fruit. Blackberry flavors give richness and sweetness which are topped with spice and layers of wood. Drink starting from 2018.
Strawberry fruit aromas and flavors give this wine an almost sweet character. It is soft and juicy with the tannins in the background to the ripe fruit. The aftertaste has a fresh crisp feel. Drink from 2018.
The wine is already attractively balanced with black currant and berry fruits well integrated into the firm tannins. As the wine develops, it will have spice and ripe fruits, topped with crisp acidity. Drink from 2018.
A ripe and rich wine that is structured with tannins and layers of wood. It has spice and black-fruit flavors that make it a rich wine with potential. Drink from 2018.
Is there such a thing as smoked raspberries? In any event, that's not far off what this wine smells like. It's mouthfilling, with berry and cassis flavors and softly dusty tannins on the finish that suggest ample ripeness. Drink now–2020.
This offers lovely floral fragrances of violet, iris and pressed powder. The palate shows sour cherry flavors layered with clove, white pepper, nutmeg and espresso notes. The finish is short and dry.
Formerly the JV bottling, this is a fresh and textural Pinot Noir, with flavors of raspberry and cola intermingled. The mouthfeel is lively and clean, and the finish lightly spiced with cinnamon highlights.
This is sharp as a knife, with peppery herbs in the foreground, a hint of anise, and plenty of crisp, green apple fruit. It's got a refreshing gin-like citrus rind character, with hints of pineapple and a lick of butter on the finish.
This shows earthy aromas of forest floor, plum and leather, with intense notes of bell pepper and whiffs of red currant, all of which carry through to the savory palate. The fresh acidity makes it a perfect match for mildly seasoned cheeses or grilled burgers. Siena Imports, Barsotti Wines.
This shows underbrush aromas layered with hints of espresso and oak, all accompanied by juicy cherry, mint and vanilla flavors. It's not the most typical Chianti Classico, but supple and delicious nonetheless. It would pair well with chicken cacciatore. Amici Imports, Siema Wines.
Plummy and spicy, this Barbera is yummy in aromatic blackberry fruit, concentrated and structured with well-managed tannins. On the finish a teeter-totter of vanilla and chocolate.
This is a four-barrel selection—a blend of wines made from four different clones aged in 50% new oak. Cola and cherry-candy flavors carry hints of orange peel and pink grapefruit. It's an elegant wine, a step or two more concentrated than the winery's regular Pinot Noir, with a suggestion of earthy beet root in the finish.
Made from Pinot Noir, this Blanc de Noirs offers a mix of apple, citrus and yeasty aromas along with a hint of smoke and barrel toast. This is medium in body, with citrusy acidity and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and tangerine. A fresh, driving finish without any obvious yeast or weight functions as a palate cleanser.
Iugiter delivers berry, cola and licorice aromas in front of a racy, acid-rich palate that's linear in shape. Flavors of cherry, plum and raspberry are snappy and reflect a cool vintage, while the finish is equally racy, juicy and full of acidic snap.
While showing roasted, tomato-like aromas, this Malbec from northern Argentina also features a nose full of tobacco, earth and berry fruit. There's acidic snap to the palate, but that only pumps up raspberry, toast and mild herbal flavors. A spicy, woody finish tastes exotic and saucy.
A totally fresh and herbaceous wine, this is very crisp and citrusy. It does have some weight as well, a ripe character that comes from apple juice and pear flavors. The wine is great to drink now but could age.
Rubiolo is a zesty Chianti Classico, with earthy aromas of dark cherry, iris and a whiff of leather. The palate offers a mouthwatering black-cherry flavor, as well as hints of white pepper and cinnamon. It's fresh and enjoyable now.
This is the type of Rueda that most white-wine fans probably want. The bouquet gives a mix of sassy lime and passion fruit, while the mouthfeel is zesty and fresh, with pithy citrus, grapefruit and lime flavors. A minerally finish that's angular yet smooth is welcome.
Violet and underbrush aromas lead on the nose of this wine, with glimmers of violet and ripe plum. The palate has wild cherry, mint and spice flavors, dusted with a hint of espresso. This is well-balanced and fresh, and should develop complexity over the next few years.
Tobacco, mocha, lemony oak and red-fruit aromas comprise a good, traditional Rioja bouquet. The mouthfeel is pinched and raw, while herb, tomato and dried raspberry flavors carry the palate to an earthy, mossy conclusion. Drink this very good Rioja now through 2018.
Baked cherry and burned caramel-pie notes meet with brown spices, cranberry, smoked pork and dried anise on the shape-shifting nose of this bottling. The flavors are clean and smoky, with slightly charred cherries, roasted plums, grilled meat and an uplifting sage-eucalytpus finish.
This is a highly satisfying estate-driven white, impressively crafted in spicy acidity and complex layers of grapefruit. Pithy in its citrus components, it goes on and on, never ceasing to unleash subtle hits of wet stone and a tiny taste of the sea.
This crisp, dry style of Champagne with its tightly wound texture and acidity is deliciously balanced, showing just the hint of toasty maturity that lies behind the apple and citrus fruits. Relying on ripe fruit for its richness, the wine is on the cusp of drinkability. Ideally wait until 2017.
This is a heady and attention-stealing wine, starting from the powerful nose that shows ripe strawberries, cherries, cinnamon and Christmas spice galore. Rounded red fruits like strawberryand cranberry come with a spice rack of clove, allspice, thyme, marjoram, sagebrush and other crushed herbs.
This is a dense and very powerful wine that manages to retain a sense of style. It is certainly rich, although the juicy black fruits and acidity give it a great lift of acidity that balances the density and ripeness. The wine is just approaching its maturity although it will be better from 2017.
A savory blend of 95% Nebbiolo and 5% Vespolina, this opens with lovely scents of fragrant purple flower, tilled soil, woodland berry, dark spice, new leather and a whiff of chopped herb. The polished palate offers mouthwatering black cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and star anise framed in firm, elegant tannins. Drink 2017–2024.
In a flight of incredibly dark, rich and mouth-coating wines, this one stood out as especially concentrated and high octane, but well-balanced. It smells and tastes like perfectly charred steak, dark chocolate, blackberry jam without the sweetness and spices like clove and cardamom. It's so tempting to drink now, but will be best after 2020.
From an eight-acre block of the producer's iconic estate, this is a velvety smooth, darkly colored wine, luxuriously structured to age yet deliciously appealing now. Chocolate, blackberry, currant and a leathery, smoky edge combine forcefully on the palate with length and breadth. Drink now through 2023.
This Cab shows intensely pure blueberry fruit alongside cocoa, sandalwood, dried scarlet rosebuds, leather and pencil shavings on the nose. Very savory on the palate with restrained fruit, this offers crushed oregano, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, sea salt, soy and miso flavors. It's pleasantly approachable and enjoyable now.
Set within the smaller Green Valley AVA, Hallberg is 100 acres of varying aspects and weather, much of the site impacted by ocean winds and fog. The wine reflects this in its bright, citrusy acidity and earth, measured by elegant layers of orange, cranberry and strawberry. Cedar and black tea give it an exotic edge.
This great north-facing vineyard is opposite the village of Tua in the heart of the Douro. It has produced this densely rich wine from selected parcels in a spectacular cypress-lined vineyard on the south bank of the Douro river. Aged for 18 months in wood, the juicy black fruits and acidity balance intense spice and toast flavors of this powerful wine. Keep until 2019.
Very fresh on the nose but with an underlying savory character, this bottling from a vineyard on the extreme western edge of the appellation shows exotic aromas of lime skin, chopped lemongrass and salted lemon juice. The palate is taut with crispness and very salty, showing apple flesh, pear skin and lime-rind flavors. It's altogether well centered, cohesive and attention-grabbing.
The faintest note of caramel precedes hints of baked red apples. This is soft and generous, mellow and smooth, supported by very fine mousse and pervaded by subtle freshness. All the structure and richness of Pinot Noir are evident in this elegant rosé. Its purity and poise is outstanding, its flavors linger and last. This is immensely rich yet slender: clearly the art of zero-dosage has been mastered here completely.
The aromatic profile changes continuously in the glass, but includes underbrush, iron, dark spice, rose, tilled earth and a balsamic note. On the firm, radiant palate, an intense mineral vein wraps around dried dark-skinned cherry, cranberry, licorice and chopped herb. A backbone of vibrant acidity and assertive but refined tannins provide structure and impeccable balance. Give this time to soften and develop even more complexity. Drink 2018–2031.
Fermented and aged in wood before bottling, this is now a mature wine. It shows some signs of oak, although the toasty flavors have now merged with those of aging. The result is a rich wine, with almond, spice and acidity mingling well together. Drink now.
This is a rich and engaging blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from one of West Paso's great vineyards. Baked black plums mix with condensed purple flowers, dried mint, turned earth and a savory, almost rugged meat quality on the nose. The palate is salty to start and thoroughly spiced with rosemary and lots of acidic zest, set against a black-plum fruit backbone.
Extremely dark fruit tones come from the nose of this wine, including blackberry and black cherry. It also offers touches of red fruit alongside snapped dark chocolate, licorice and a tarragon mintiness. Density and darkness consume the palate too, with blueberry fruit laced by dried basil, oregano, lavender and tar.
This is a prime example of how blending Cabernet and Shiraz can benefit both. The Shiraz provides texture and amplitude, the Cabernet soaring cassis aromas and length on the finish. Smoky mocha-tinged oak frames that impressive velvety fruit, only slowly fading away. Drink 2018–2030.
This barrel-fermented wine drinks like a beautifully proportioned Chardonnay. It takes bright, intense fruit flavors of melon, yellow apples and green bananas, and puts a Burgundian spin on the mouthfeel with judicious acids and a touch of caramel. It's delicious, complex and should age nicely for another five to six years.
This is ripe Chardonnay, maybe missing the more typical minerality but making up for it with the ripe apple and apricot fruits. The wine is now showing some good age while still retaining a fresh character. With its hints of almonds and vanilla, it balances fruit and maturity. Drink now.
A field blend of grapes from two vineyards forms the backbone of this vintage Port. It is rich with young fruitiness that masks the firm tannins that will allow this wine to age many years. Berry flavors are balanced with acidity and richness to give a perfumed wine. In its young fruitiness it is ready to drink, although it will age well and really should not be drunk until 2025 at least.
This dark-colored wine, dominated by Touriga Nacional, is rich, perfumed and dense. It has impressive tannins and rich blackberry fruit. The structure is concentrated, giving the wine power as well as a sense of style. This ripe wine is ready to drink.
Enticing aromas of rose, white pepper, aromatic herb, crushed stone and a whiff of game float out of the glass. The elegant—almost ethereal—palate delivers ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, truffle, clove and cinnamon. Energizing mineral notes underscores the savory flavors while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide balance and structure.
Rich and full, the wood and yellow fruit flavors are well integrated with the ripe acidity. Generous as well as elegant, it's a wine to drink now.
Spicy and herbal, with a palate reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc, this blends a grassy aroma with a mix of citrus, apple and pear notes. It has excellent concentration through the midpalate, with a clean, fresh finish.
This is a jammy, dense and pure Cabernet, with meat and berry aromas that mix in touches of graphite and chocolate. It feels a little hard and acidic despite its size, while the flavor profile is of mossy berry fruit and chocolate. Tight and nervy, this offers lots of acidic push on the finish.
This is an attractive, fruity wine, with citrus and creamed apple flavors. It is light and fragrant, with apricots and white fruits that pair with the crisp finish.
The grapes used for this estate-grown Cabernet are sourced from younger vines. Round and full, the wine seems to have spent a fair amount of time in barrel, showing pretty baking spices along with tangy fruit.
This is round, while also having a mineral edge. Apple and wood flavors power through the crispness, along with a charming touch of honey. For short-term aging.
Green herbs and grass add freshness to the sweet aromas of quince and peach preserves on this interpretation of the Georgian Rkatsiteli grape. Intense fruit flavors persist on the palate, highlighted by lemon-lime acidity and lime-pith astringency.
This is a dominated by new wood, but it still retains fragrant, fresh fruit. A touch of lemon pairs with the toast note, bearing refreshing acidity on the finish.
Honeyed in character, this has notes of toast, sweet tropical fruit and lemon, with light acidity. The wine feels warm, ripe, open and drinkable now.
Notes of sweet vanilla and biscuit crumbs add a warm, sweet touch to the nose and palate of this elegant Bordeaux-style blend. Bright acidity accentuates the flavors of tart red plums and raspberries along with a flurry of fine-grained yet penetrating tannins that linger.
This is friendly on the nose with a melon scent. It feels fresh and not too challenging on palate, with nectarine, peach and mango flavors. The finish isn't too firm, but it doesn't fall apart. A simple, sweet casual quaffer.
Red berry and plum aromas form the base of this wine's fresh, uncomplicated bouquet. It feels juicy and bright, with good layering and aggressive flavors of berry and plum. The finish is dry and snappy, with mild oak and spice flavors.
Ripe and fruity, but also structured, this has fine acidity with a hint of wood. The main thrust of the wine is its raspberry, plum and damson fruits. The finish has a lively feel.
Toasted oak adds spice and vanilla notes to the red cherry, pomegranate and leather flavors. This is forward, structured and rich in body, balanced by brisk acidity and a ruffle of fine-grained tannins. It finishes long on a minty sour-cherry note.
Luscious tropical fruit and jasmine notes are framed by hints of fresh green herb and grass. A spray of lemony acidity and smoky white-tea notes add delicate flair to the finish.
The apple and lime aromas are simple yet inviting. It feels round and mellow, maybe a bit low in acidity. The flavors of banana, vanilla bean and pear are friendly, while the finish is smooth and bears a tropical flavor.
Just a prickle of effervescence on the attack braces the palate for a shower of sweet lemon and apple flavors, with hints of fresh dill, white blossom and lime skin. Dry, lean and effortlessly elegant. Drink now.
Soft and rounded, this has apple and peach fruits, with a lemon zest texture. The acidity is a refreshing counterweight to the smooth character.
Sweet-pea vines and green herbs add freshness to the perfumed flower and luscious peach-nectar notes. A classically-styled Pinot Gris, this is dry yet mouthfilling and rich. It finishes long, with notes of stone fruit and black tea leaves.
There's a pickled scent, but no fruit on the nose. This is pinched on the palate, with underripe, nutty, oily flavors of spent white fruits and bitterness.
Dark and concentrated, this sends up complex aromas saturated with tar, asphalt, ink, steel, smoke and charred barbecue. It's a beautiful wine, tight and textural, in perfect balance, with superb depth, precision and elegance. The most contemplative of a superb 2011 Cayuse lineup, this wine above all needs your full attention.
The immediate impression is of savory umami aromas pierced with pine needle and sage highlights. Red and black licorice, along with sweet cured meats, bring complexity to fruit flavors of berry, cherry and plum. Toss in Provençal spices, coffee grounds and the classic Cayuse earthiness that continues through a deep, firm, beautifully defined finish. Drink now through 2030.
This glorious, evocative wine calls up a rich and sensuous catalog of scents and flavors. Black truffle, sea salt, clean earth, fungus, strawberry, liquid rocks, umami, tar...? the words pour out with each sniff and swallow. It's detailed, substantial and refined, gathering itself for a long, generous, captivating finish. Drink now through 2030.
From an estate block planted to a mysterious suitcase clone, this is an insanely memorable and indelible Pinot. High in acidity, it discloses a touch of cedar on the back palate, richly luxurious and just aching for wild Sonoma duck adorned in a cherry reduction sauce. Cherry pit, berry, lavender and violet play on the nose and tongue, infusing the wine with a playfulness balanced by power.
Violet blossoms and orange peel aromatics jump out, followed by scents and flavors of lamb tartare and mixed charcuterie. Cofermented with 5% Viognier, it's an elegant and beautifully proportioned wine, offering ripe purple fruits with finishing hints of baking spices and dark chocolate.
Rich and concentrated, this gorgeous, terroir-driven wine opens with aromas of crushed blue flower, graphite, plum and pipe tobacco. The powerful but weightless palate weaves together ripe black cherry, blackberry, clove, black pepper and mineral while velvety tannins offer support. Drink 2016–2035.
This sensational effort comes from 20-year-old vines. It's a glorious wine; textural, generous and complex. The bright and fruity midpalate blends flavors of peach, quince, honey, tea and caramel, buoyed by juicy acidity and a touch of minerality.
Crafted from estate-grown fruit—a marriage of Pommard and Swan clones—Golden Mean comes from three distinct vineyard blocks, the Pommard fermented whole-cluster. It opens with dark, ripe layers of lush cherry-vanilla, the wine concentrated and rich in oak yet balanced in acidity. On the finish is a mix of leather, licorice and wild herb. Tuck it away through 2020–2022.
This is the winery's top Chardonnay, kept in bottle an extra year prior to release. Even in a challenging vintage such as 2011 it's a huge wine with astonishing concentration and power. The fruit has coiled intensity—so potent that it seems ready to burst wide open. Ripe apple and peach, olive oil, toasted almonds and plenty of new oak flavors abound. It's a jaw-dropper, and may be drunk now through 2022.
Intensely aromatic, this carries a wealth of layered flavors consistent with past vintages. Umami, sea salt, mineral and Provençal herbs comingle, with a rich component of raspberry, plum and cherry compôte. More layers appear through the finish, with orange liqueur and a whiff of tanned leather.
A brilliant effort, this belongs right up there with the very best New World Viogniers. White flowers, lemon curd and a lush mix of citrus aromas show immense concentration right from the start. Both precise and dense, the scents and flavors flow through into a tightly wound, mineral-soaked finish, bright with citrus and apricot fruit. The length and concentration are simply spectacular.
The 2010 Beaucastel is a tour de force, brilliantly combining espresso and black olive notes with bright raspberry fruit, while dark earthy notes provide a solid base. The feel on the palate is ample, with tannins that are a bit dusty but not tough or chewy. The long, mouthwatering finish bodes well for the future. Drink now–2030.
From one of the few Napa Valley wineries to showcase Malbec, this wine is a testament to the virtues of that devotion. It offers rich, dreamy flavors of blueberry cobbler, blackberry and licorice, lifted acidity and plush, soft tannins, all gorgeously finished in spicy chocolate and vanilla.
Densely planted and labor intensive (it is actually tilled by Belgian draft horses), the vineyard's first releases have been eagerly anticipated, and do not disappoint. Floral highlights are stacked over a swirl of umami, with subtle power and airiness. Delicate and tense, it's packed with brambly berry flavors, minerally acids and fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of black cherry marinated in spirits, leather, underbrush, licorice and black pepper unfold in the glass of this sleek, powerfully structured wine. The glossy palate doles out mature black plum, blackberry, clove, nutmeg, grilled herb and mocha while a licorice note closes the lingering finish. It's still young and tightly wound with an assertive, tannic backbone. Drink 2018–2030.
Brooding in dark cherry and earthy spice, this fully figured wine offers well-integrated oak. With a savory and powerful profile, it has a forceful grip on the palate accented by black tea, truffle and juicy vibrancy. From a mix of Dijon clones (37 and 777), some fermented whole-cluster, this is a structured, wine from a meticulously farmed coastal site.
A potpourri of exotic scents and flavors, this vineyard selection opens with scents of rose, raspberry, lavender and tea. The palate is generous and complex, mixing in nutmeg, chocolate, star anise and cola. Although it promises many years of life ahead, it's already too good to resist.
Evelyn's is the winery's reserve bottling. From first sniff to last sip it's a magical wine, conveying the richness and complexity that Biodynamic farming can convey. Cherries, cut tobacco, iron filings and dark chocolate flavors swirl together in a lush tapestry. The texture, tension and balance are superb, and time spent in 50% new French oak puts a wisp of smoke through the engaging finish.
Blue flower, moist soil, leather, game, ripe dark berry and graphite are just some of the aromas of this powerfully structured, delicious wine. The palate delivers layers of juicy black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, white pepper and clove alongside youthfully assertive but ripe tannins. Drink 2017–2030.
Smooth and velvety, this powerfully structured wine opens with earthy aromas of tilled soil, mature plum, game, leather and just a hint of barnyard. The ripe palate doles out layers juicy blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, nutmeg and ground black pepper alongside big, velvety tannins. Hold for complexity. Drink 2018–2035.
This vineyard was planted specifically for the No Girls project. The wine is fresh, fragrant and intensely floral, with a mix of rosewater and orange zest. Elegant, with a delicate, lacy texture, the flavors are savory and salty, braced with stiff, lightly peppery tannins. Notes of funk and mushroom come into play as it finishes gracefully and with unexpected length.
A star even among a stellar group of 2012 releases from Elk Cove, this 20-year-old vineyard really delivers the goods. Time has tempered the herbal aromatics, giving this rich, ripe effort a subtle subtext of olive and sage. Black cherry, dark chocolate and a dusty, mocha finish with a hint of habanero pepper bring this wine together beautifully. Delicious already, it should continue to improve 2025–2030.
Though very pale in the glass, this wine holds no shortage of interest. Honey and roasted marcona almonds consume the nose, and the palate blends bright citrus, lemon curd and cinnamon, all propped up by a perfect, judicious use of oak.
Sourced from the original 1965 planting, this wine demands your patience and full attention. Displaying a deep straw, slightly tawny hue, it opens with lightly spicy, nuanced threads of mint, hay, olive oil, green banana and almond. It seems almost ephemeral, but with some hours of breathing time it opens into a full-bodied, dense and compelling wine, with the extra dimensions that old vines can provide. Drink now through 2030.
Dark, concentrated and grippy, this is a sizable Pinot from a cool, coveted vineyard. Juicy blue and blackberry fruit dominate on the nose and palate, surrounded by exotic cedar, clove, oak and toffee, a swipe of vanilla lurking behind the front flavors. The big tannins will appreciate time in the cellar, through 2022–2024.
Of the four De Coelo Pinot Noirs sourced from this one special site, Arbore Sacra is the most earthy, savory and viscous. Grapes come from the Calera clone, beautifully structured and shyly subtle. In this graceful wine, expect nuanced layers of Asian spice and blackberry, with finely honed tannins and a lingering, spicy finish.
Deep, dark and instantly compelling, this powerful wine features black cherry and cassis fruit adorned with clove, citrus, cardamom, nougat and mocha. The chewy tannins and overall tightness suggest that further cellaring will continue to improve it. Drink 2016 through 2030.
Everything about this wine is singing in harmony. The nose is fresh and pure, with raspberry, plum, spice and youthful rubbery aromas. The palate is elegant and impeccably balanced, while flavors of vanilla and coconut announce ample oak, with toasty, peppery plum and raspberry flavors waiting in the wings. Power, precision and elegance are draped all over the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025.
This delivers a spectacular explosion of fruity, floral flavors. Notes of apricot preserve and honeysuckle are exuberantly aromatic, balanced with a delicate palate of sweet, sugared peach and tangerine. It's sprightly and lean, yet elegantly lingering on the finish.
The dryness of botrytis dominates this wine. There is a sweet undercurrent, but the main feature is of baked apple skins, tight structure and spice. It does need aging for all these features to come together.
A rare gem, this Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend is sourced entirely from Red Mountain's Klipsun vineyard. Aged for 10 months in one-year-old French oak, it's a spicy wine with aromatics and flavors of botanicals such as mint and quinine. Fruit is sharp with flavors of grapefruit and white peach, and hints of toast and cracker.
This lively white, made with the native grape Assyrtiko, starts with a big, citrusy nose, followed by more complex flavors of citrus, flowers and spice. Rich and warm, the wine still has an underbelly of dancing acidity that keeps it food friendly. An elegant wine with a lingering floral finish.
This mongrel is 50% Red Mountain Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Tight and tart, it has a slightly reduced, rubber ball character, and needs plenty of breathing time. Fruit flavors are raspberry and cassis, accented with sharp acids and stiff tannins.
This new Ausonius features a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. At first it's rich, smoky, chocolaty and supple; moving toward a Napa style in its breadth and ripeness, but leavening that with Washington's bright acids. Pleasing hints of spice and herb are dappled in, and the wine is almost peppery as it weaves across the palate. The finish is clean and simple, leaving you wishing for just a bit more complexity.
Bellissima Rossa is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. The Cabernet Sauvignon is muscular and taut; blackberry and cassis, mineral and smoke come up as aromas, then follow as flavors. Good legs show the weight of the wine, which hits the palate tight and shows a bit of chalky acid, then opens into more lush milk chocolate barrel flavors.
The 79% Syrah component is estate-grown; while the 21% Grenache comes from the Lonesome Springs vineyard. What a lovely nose, with the bright and grapey Grenache shining through and adding pretty floral scents, while the Syrah fills in the berries and peppery tannins. This is still quite purple and youthful, fresh and just a bit volatile.
A well-made Malbec that should please almost any fan of red wine. The nose is concentrated and full of black fruit, so it delivers what you'd expect. The mouthfeel is balanced, with medium weight and easy tannins. Black-fruit tastes of all types make for a solid flavor profile, and the finish offers mocha and cleansing acidity. A rock-solid wine for beef and pastas.
Crusty but also perfumed on the bouquet, and then quite snappy and a little edgy in the mouth. Red fruit is the dominant flavor component, and there are accents of coconut, olive and toast. It's pretty straightforward as Chilean Cab goes, but it's composed and flavorful. In a nutshell, wines like this are what people expect from the Maipo.
Bright orange and pretty white floral aromas meld luxuriously with a sultry petrol undertone on this Niagara Peninsula Riesling. The off-dry palate offers a refreshing shower of lime and sour tangerine flavors accented by earthy heather and slate notes. For such a bargain price, it's hard to beat this beauty.
Raisin and other sweet, soft aromas are friendly but don't really bring it. The palate follows suit; it's chubby and jammy, with sweet berry flavors, a touch of raisin and a roasted, candied finish. Very nice and true to the region, albeit on the soft and easy side.
Muscular and fruity on the nose, with coffee, mocha and smoky accents. The palate is concentrated and deep, with a jammy mouthfeel and flavors of black fruits, olive, exotic spices and sweetness. Not overly complex but nice in a bullish, black-fruit way. With 13% Carmenère.
Crisp and steely, touched by white perfumes and intense acidity, this is a wine with a sharp blade of flavors that cut through the texture. Apples, citrus and kumquat all blend attractively together.
This is a little rugged, a little more raw and less concentrated than the other releases from this new Walla Walla winery. The wood sticks out a bit, though it's a very tasty wine with supple red fruit, an soft earthiness, and light suggestions of sandalwood and spice.
A stylish wine, with mineral tannins and a dusty texture. It is cool, elegant and with a tight layer of acidity. There's plenty of firm structure, with berries and sweet fruit to finish. Age for 2–3 years.
This is 100% varietal, spicy and tart, with fine balance and focus. The fruit trends toward cherry and prune, with an earthy, tannic finish.
Super smooth and open, this loose and lovely Merlot coats the palate with pretty cherry and raspberry fruit, slathered in tasty milk chocolatey oak. Not a deep wine, but deeply enjoyable, and ready to drink right now.
Spice, apple, light peach and a gentle fruitiness characterize this Riesling. There are deeper notes as well, skin phenolics that add texture and earthiness. But fruit is front and center, with crisp acidity right behind it.
Just a single barrel was made, pure Sangiovese from the Candy Mountain Vineyard. Tight, tart and dark, it captures black cherry fruit with black licorice and a whiff of smoke. At this point in time the tannins and acids seem to be fighting it out for control.
In a richer style of Vinho Verde but nevertheless retaining plenty of cool, fresh characters. The wine has vivid grapefruit, lime and green apple flavors, rounded out attractively.
The popular Marquês de Borba brand is a soft, ripe, very accessible wine. With a light touch of wood aging, it follows easily through with cherry and red plum fruits, a deliciously mouthwatering aftertaste.
Lots of wood on the nose, and some scents of pickle that reflect the American oak barrels. The flavors follow along, spicy cranberry and raspberry fruit, with streaks of pickle and wood and a burst of alcoholic heat in the finish. The blend includes 17% Mourvèdre.
Starts off rather Rhônish, with hints of white pepper and grilled meat, then offers tart cherry fruit on the palate, accented by those same savory elements. The tannins are modest but silky, and the acids turn up while the flavors thin out just a bit on the finish. Drink now–2014.
Dark, smoky, heavily oaked and resiny, with aromas of char, leather and burnt toast. The palate is big and forceful, with a lot of oak character and also snappy blackberry, plum and buttery flavors. Modern and creamy, with enough quality fruit to back things up.
This “basic” Tierra de León wine made from the obscure Prieto Picudo grape outshines Pricum's higher-priced bottlings. It has a leathery nose with mild baked-berry flavors, while the palate is tight but not astringent. Flavors of toamto, red currant, raspberry and herbs are snappy, and overall it's textured and long in the mouth.
This blend of Petit Verdot (40%), Grenache (29%), Shiraz (29%) and Mataro (2%) ends up being a pleasing recipe at an even more pleasing price. Mulberry, plum and vanilla flavors emerge from the glass, while the mouthfeel is full and lush. Probably best over the next year or so.
From a vineyard known for producing powerfully ripe, dense fruit with wet-stone minerality, this wine delivers on many of those points. It offers intense, rich tastes of baked apple, graham-cracker crust and crème brûlée. Soft and layered, it ends in a statement of big fruit.
Black-skinned fruit, blue flower and Oriental spice aromas come together in the glass. The bright, savory palate doles out black cherry, blackberry jam and black pepper alongside soft tannins and fresh acidity.
Light straw in the glass, this wine has aromas of pineapple and lemon zest. Refreshing on the palate, it offers flavors of clementine, lemon, orange rind, and honeysuckle. The finish features a lasting sense of brightness.
Hints of yuzu citrus and smoke entice on the nose of this puckery tangerine-inflected Riesling. Off-dry in style, it's enriched by luscious streaks of honey and sweet grapefruit on the midpalate. Finishes moderately long on a kiss of blossoms.
Aromas of exotic spice, plum, violet and a whiff of chopped herb lead the nose. The firm palate delivers tart red cherry, espresso, anise, vanilla and coconut alongside brisk acidity and grainy tannins.
Oaky aromas of raspberry and currant come with notes of animal fur, lemon peel and shoe polish. This feels lively and not too heavy, with pointy, almost lemony raspberry and plum flavors that finish herbal, dry, medicinal and oaky. Drink this fresh, wiry Rioja through 2018.
Crushed violet, red berry, mint and menthol aromas lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried red cherry, raw strawberry, licorice, white pepper and sage alongside grippy tannins that leave an astringent finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unclench then enjoy before the remaining fruit fades.
Plum, graphite, menthol and exotic spice aromas jump out of the glass. The big, round palate delivers dried black cherry, mature blackberry, licorice and vanilla alongside chewy tannins.
Mild tannin leads to integrated oak and a burst of juicy red cherry and pomegranate, laced in aromas of roses in this light-bodied wine. It finishes quick and lean.
Wild berry, iris, toast, coffee and vanilla aromas come together in the glass. The dense palate shows more oak influence, offering roasted coffee bean, toasted oak, coconut and dried black cherry alongside astringent tannins that give it an abrupt finish.
Plum and berry aromas are infiltrated by touches of leafy green and leather on the nose of this texturally sound, herbal-tasting Malbec. Flavors of plum and spice are a touch weedy, while baking spice and clove notes take over on the finish.
This opens with aromas of coffee, coconut and black-skinned berry. The tightly wound palate isn't very expressive but eventually reveals dried cherry, toasted oak and espresso alongside bracing tannins. Give it another year or two for the tannins to unwind and then drink sooner rather than later.
Aromas of black cherries marinated in spirits, menthol, leather and chopped herbs lead the nose on this brawny wine. The hefty palate shows the heat of the vintage, offering dried berries, licorice, tobacco and mocha alongside the warmth of evident alcohol and jarring tannins. Give it a few years to let the tannins soften up a bit but then drink before the fruit dries up.
Earthy rooty aromas of aged dry berry fruits and tobacco are scratchy while hinting at complexity. In the mouth, this Gran Reserva is drawing and tight. Herbal raspberry and dried cherry flavors finish with raw tannins and oaky vanilla flavors. Drink now through 2020.
Dried red raspberry and pomegranate fruits mix with a persistent leathery character and spicy nutmeg on the nose of this wine. Cranberries and cooked berries show on the tart palate, which is driven by graphite, minerals and slightly chunky tannins.
Aromas of ripe grapes and vanilla make for a lush, inviting nose on this fruit-forward bottling of 49.5% Sangiovese, 49.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec. The juicy palate shows blackberries and black cherries as well as licorice and dark chocolate, with strong tannins giving textural balance.
This is a dense wine with firm tannins and a solid structure. The black currant fruits are stalky and still developing, along with the acidity. It's a lean wine and needs to age for a few more months to fill out, so drink from 2017.
Blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Syrah, RTW is somewhat classical in its black olive and dried herb, yet also rich and concentrated, with tannic bite and a taste of clove. It finishes like vanilla cola.
This opens with aromas of toast, oak and a whiff of coffee. The palate is still rather closed but eventually reveals raw cherry, anise, clove and ground pepper accompanied by bracing tannins and racy acidity. A note of dried sage closes the finish.
Riper notes of pink grapefruit and tangerine distinguish this dry Riesling from Georg Albrecht Schneider's other 2014 wines. The palate is cutting and crisp, showcasing tart limes and gooseberries against a blossomy finish. Drink now.
Still tightly wound, this pure varietal wine spent 15 months in one-third new oak. Waxy plum fruit is supported with plenty of acidity and a hint of leather. The wine is young and fresh, with some years of development ahead.
Leesy white fruit aromas open this blend of 80% Albariño with Loureiro and Treixadura. In the mouth, it's all citric acidity and stoniness. The body doesn't register. Flavors of blood orange and lemon are also minerally, while the finish is persistently linear.
This bold blend has aromas like charred oak barrels and saturated flavors suggesting blackberry, black pepper and clove. It is full bodied, thick in texture and moderately tannic. For those who like obvious oakiness, it will be a treat.
This full-bodied wine has an elegant bouquet that invites, before pomegranate, plum and orange peel figure in on the palate. Powerful on the finish, it features hints of coconut and vanilla around the leathery texture.
This cuvée reflects the lean vintage with modest alcohol and slightly dilute fruit flavors. Pretty aromatics suggest rosewater and sandalwood, and the wine fades gracefully with plum and cherry fruit.
An ancient variety now seen rarely, this Códega do Larinho has produced a wine that has a steely texture and tangy citrus flavors. It is bright with acidity, lime and grapefruit fruits and so crisp. It is ready to drink.
Sanguine and velvety, this richly derived wine made from one clone of Pinot Noir is tannic in black cherry, cinnamon and tar, with a lean, mid-length finish.
Leesy vanilla aromas give this Garnacha Blanca a cookie-like nose. Plump and round across the palate, this tastes pithy like citrus peel, with a mildly bitter aftertaste. A simple finish doesn't offer anything new.
Light and fruity, this is an attractive, rounded wine. With its bright acidity, touch of minerality and orange-peel flavor, it is open and ready to drink.
With 62 acres of vines, this estate, which was created by the monks of Cluny, is one of the largest in the Mâcon region. This soft and fruity wine is immediately attractive. Apricot fruits are freshened by green plum and lemon. It is light and ready to drink now.
This zesty Moldovan Feteasca Regala has aromas of pineapple, lemon zest and pear. In the mouth there are flavors of lemon juice, lime pith and a hint of cantaloupe.
Made with Nero d'Avola and other Sicilian grapes, this offers fruity aromas of dark berry and a whiff of dark spice. The straightforward palate shows ripe black cherry and blackberry while notes of ground black pepper add interest. It's easy drinking so enjoy soon.
Delicate aromas recalling exotic fruit and citrus lead the way. The fresh, straightforward palate offers lime and peach while a white almond note signals the close.
Belonging to the Stefani family for several generations, this estate has produced a tangy, zesty wine, textured and bright with red currant fruit flavors. It is so fresh and crisp with its lively, tight aftertaste.
This offers pretty aromas that recall white spring flower, almond and acacia. The juicy, medium-bodied palate offers ripe pear, lemon peel, hazelnut and a hint of dried mint alongside fresh acidity.
Aggressive black-fruit aromas come with earthy, spicy notes that include licorice root. This feels tight, linear and a bit sharp. Flavors of plum, berry, pepper and toast set up a finish that's oaky, spicy and acidic.
This off-dry Riesling offers an abundance of juicy lemon and green apple refreshment. It's approachable and fresh with a lingering sweetness that's not at all cloying. The finish is brisk and clean.
Attractive white-pepper aromas and powerful dark-fruit flavors combine with firm tannins in this full-bodied wine. It is bold and a bit rustic, and should pair well with a juicy hamburger or rich lasagna.
This is a dry, soft and firmly tannic wine, elusive in fruit but quite forward in dusty leather, chocolate and black pepper. Full bodied, it holds on to a density of concentration throughout.
This pleasant and straightforward Chardonnay comes in a hock bottle for no apparent reason. It's accented with pine needle aromas and flavors of resin and crisp apple. Forward and fruity, the time in barrel seems to have mostly just rounded it off, without adding noticeable flavors.
Soft and spicy honeysuckle notes hover pleasantly. The palate shows the same aromatic overtones and has a sprightly freshness. The finish is dry and lively. Drink soon.
Made with red grape Nero d'Avola and vinified as a white wine, this opens with aromas of white lilac, orchard fruit and cherry blossom. The vibrant palate offers white cherry, apple and nectarine zest alongside tangy acidity.
The reserve gets 90% new French oak, and there is a strong scent of oaky toast, with flavors that follow. Plump cherry fruit fills a broad midpalate, finishing with rather hard tannins that show a green edge.
Tight and spicy, this offers a mix of red fruits, strong streaks of clove and licorice. There's an underlying taste of stem, and the acids leave a chalky aftertaste.
Spiky hits of leather and black pepper accent a medium-bodied wine with a softness on the palate that's pleasantly easygoing. Dried herb and cedar mark the finish.
Faint lemon freshness is all that emanates from the earthy nose and palate. This wine is fresh and clean, with notions of lemon and ripe, juicy pear that make an occasional appearance. Drink as soon as possible as a light apéritif.
Softly ripe notions of honeydew melon and red apples stir in the glass. The palate seems cushioned and rounded but still fresh. This is off dry and slips down very easily. Drink soon while aromas are at their peak.
This wine has structure and strong old-wood flavors. It comes from the most southerly Premier Cru in the Côte de Beaune, close to the Chalonnaise vineyards. The fruit is still working its way through the tannins of this firm wine. It will have a juicy red-berry character as it develops, giving the potential for aging. Drink from 2018.
Yes, this is a rosé of Merlot from high altitude vineyards in the south of France. It's medium in weight, offering hints of red berries, wild herbs and wet stones and a clean, refreshing finish. Drink now.
Briny aromas of oyster shell blend with green onion, lime and matchstick scents on this sulfuric-smelling SB. Tangy and round, with an oily note to the mouthfeel, this tastes of salty lime, tangerine, saline solution and pickle brine.
The mix of tannic texture, perfumed strawberries and tight acidity in this wine works well. The wine is tight, steely and offers raspberry and red-currant flavors. Drink from the end of 2016.
Scents and flavors suggest dried grain and cracker, along with black cherry fruit. At first, the wine flattens out in the midpalate, but ample breathing puts more fruit and flesh on its frame.
Chewy and tannic, this has plenty of barrel flavors, but is light on the fruit. Coffee, caramel and toasty components are all here, seeming to smother any ripe fruit that might fill out the middle.
Straightforward and fresh, this opens with aromas of jasmine and exotic fruit. The round, juicy palate is reminiscent of citrus, pineapple and pear while a note of bitter almond adds interest.
Seared yellow apple, lemon rinds and pressed white flowers show on the nose of this bottling from the pioneering winery, which was recently acquired by the Gallo family. The texture is quite steely with bountiful acidity, but the flavors are a little flat on the sip, where stone fruit and squeezed citrus show.
Made from mostly Merlot grapes that went direct-to-press to preserve color and tannin, this is a dark, pink and nutty wine, full-bodied and somewhat intense. While dry, the fruit leans toward the tangy end of the spectrum. It's food friendly and thirst quenching.
The welcoming aromas of red berry and cherry are slightly smoky and spicy. Showing good body, this has light tannins, with flavors of toasty plum, berry, chocolate and spice. It's round, mellow and easy on the finish.
This delivers a solid mix of red fruits, herbs and spices on the nose. The palate feels a little jagged, but it's forward and contains lively flavors of cherry, plum, nutmeg and brown sugar. It's fruity on the finish, with a dash of cocoa.
This seems to be hurrying along its aging curve, showing a burnished gold color. It's smoky and intense, with citrusy fruit that's more like grapefruit than anything else, plus plenty of weight and bright acidity. Drink up.
This is a straightforward, clean, fruity wine, with a green apple flavor.
Oaky and tart, this is anchored by a bright raspberry flavor. There is a firm, toasty edge to the tannins, and plenty of buoyant acidity.
This smells of subdued strawberry and raspberry, with a twist of violet. It is tightly structured, tasting of brick and tar, and its finish is ripe, brambly and bittersweet.
Wood-influenced aromas set the scene, with the wine's toast character partnered with ripe red fruits and taut acidity. It needs at least three years to balance out.
This pretty Pinot is less concentrated than those in Palliser's The Great... series, but the fruit speaks louder nonetheless. Bright cherry fruit retains Martinborough's savory, earthy edge while finishing crisp, with a hint of tea leaf. Drink now.
Ripe and round in style, this large-production (almost 100,000 cases) Sauvignon Blanc may lack a bit of length, but otherwise offers a lush mouthful of stone and tropical fruit accented by modestly grassy notes.
A solid effort for the price, marrying hints of pencil-like oak with bright pineapple and lemon drop flavors. There's ample weight and texture without going over the top, and a moderately long finish. Drink up.
This opens with classically Chilean aromas of bell pepper, olive and berry. It feels firm and tightly wound, with plum and herb flavors. Despite its herbal quality and its peppery, briary finish, the wine nevertheless manages not to taste green.
Exotic spice and savory meat tones add dimension to sultry black-fruit and fig flavors. Dry and full bodied in style, it's richly textured with a bold yet velvety tannin structure.
This begins with the varietal's standard aromas of petrol, mineral and peach pit. It feels tight and strapping, with minerality on the tongue and a tight grip. Flavors emerge of waxy peach, citrus and almond skin. Its finish is tangy, chiseled and long.
Popcorn and nutty notes announce the ample oak, but a complex combination of mineral and baked white-fruit aromas also emerge. It feels big, layered and chunky, but with good acidity and some finesse. It tastes of candied apple, melon and sweet peach, with a fleshy finish and lasting oak.
Thick and meaty, this Syrah has an unusual-but-welcome aroma of marshmallow, surrounded by notes of dark plum, black currant and a streak of dark chocolate. With a long, lingering and rich finish, this will be great to drink in the winter months.
Chewy tannins give this wine a rustic edge, but the black cherry fruit and notes of fresh-cut tobacco are authentic to the variety. The finish is mouth-drying, which would make it just right with a fat cut of beef.
This second wine from Quinta de Roriz is ripe, warm and ready to drink. With its ripe black fruits, soft tannins, layers of wood spices and just a hint of acidity, it's a rich offering from a big vintage.
This is light and bright, with crisp acidity and the fruitiness of an attractive, early-drinking wine.
This Port is structured, with notes of mint and herb. It has blackberry jam flavor and a firm, solid structure, while it also shows intense youthful fruitiness. It is rich and full, showing some firm tannins. Either drink it right now, or leave it for 10 years.
Smooth and rounded, this has the dense character of Douro wines, with open flavors of spice and black currant. The junior wine of Quinta de la Rosa, this is balanced and will be ready to drink in a year.
Showcasing the richness of 2009 without sacrificing fine structure, this is stylish and concentrated. Dark black fruit accompanies a tight, minerality and a fine shaft of acidity. This single-vineyard offering is worth aging for 2–3 years.
A rare rosé Champagne whose color comes from Pinot Noir skins rather than from added red wine, this has vivid colors of orange and onion skin. It is rich, tasting as much like wine as like sparkling wine, with a full and ripe, yet dry, feel.
This wine's bouquet is peppery, meaty, spicy and altogether honest. The palate feels frisky and juicy, not heavy or flat, then tastes of char, black coffee, cola and spiced, herb-tinged berry. The finish is long, toasty and snappy.
Toasty, inviting aromas of apple and melon lead to a balanced palate with layered flavors of resiny oak, pear and peach. The finish continues with resin and oak, but by then it has already established itself as a well-balanced wine, with tasty flavors of white and tropical fruit.
If any producer is going to make sense of Vinhão in red Vinho Verde, it's biodynamic producer Casal do Paço Padreiro. This has some richness as well as the typical cool-climate acidity, with a touch of spice and a balanced, smooth finish. Drink within the year.
This has balsamic aromas of roasted black fruit, autumn leaf, coconut and oak. It feels big, fruity and a bit raw, with black cherry, dark plum and cassis flavors. The finish is dark, spicy and chocolaty. This is totally New World in style, aroma and flavor.
Fresh herb and green flower flavors mingle with notes of chocolate and sun-dried hay on this bold but impeccably balanced Cabernet. Intensly concentrated on the palate, it has a ripe cassis flavor and soft, silky tannins that linger.
This is a bone-dry, piercingly fresh wine. It has tense acidity and a mineral texture that would make it delicious as an accompaniment to seafood. The wine is crisp, refreshing and bright.
This comes off a bit tight and rustic, with astringent notes of black plum and cherry skin, tea leaf, black olive and licorice root. A cigar tobacco accent unfolds on the palate and marries harmoniously with the black-fruit core, while peppery spice lingers through the medium-length finish.
This is a Claret-like Zinfandel, mellow and simply rendered, with layers of dark cherry, blackberry and lilting spiciness. This would be spectacular with lighter fare like barbecued chicken or grilled turkey burgers.
From 70-year-old vines on the Crasto estate, this is an impressive wine, with its superripe fruit layered with acidity and the sweetest of berry flavors. Wood aging gives roundness to go with the tight mineral complexity.
A first vintage Port for José Maria Soares Franco, the man behind the legendary Douro table wine Barca Velha. He has teamed up with J. Portugal Ramos, better known in the Alentejo. This is beautifully perfumed Touriga Nacional, followed by fine and ripe tannins. A layer of acidity gives the wine a more dry, serious side. Powerful and intended for aging.
The initial wood flavors dominate this still-young wine. With its tight mineral character and black currant fruits, it is very focused despite its power and intensity. The flavors open slowly over many hours, emphasizing the need for 4–5 years' aging.
This thrilling auslese starts off with intriguing spicy, musky aromas, then moves easily into flavors of pear, melon, pineapple and even red berries on the palate. It somehow comes across as plump, yet crytalline and pure, with a long, fruit-driven finish. Drink now–2030.
Based in the northern Rhône, Chapoutier's Châteauneufs have not always been a strong suit, but the 2006 Barbe Rac rocks. Some stable-like notes on the nose add complexity to the bold cherry fruit, while stemmy, herbal notes bring even more nuance to the palate. It's full bodied, soft and round, with a finishing texture somewhere between silk and velvet. Best from 2012–2020.
With its enticing perfumes, sweet plum and damson fruit flavors, this is initially a seductive wine. But at the same time, the vivid acidity and the strong tannic element suggest good aging potential.
Quady North's Flagship is what the owners consider the best lot of wine of the year, and this year they've chosen this superb Syrah. Whiffs of earth and bud, roasted meat and licorice fill the nose, with flavors following. The fruit is like brandy-soaked cherries, wrapped in all the roasted, earthy, organic layers. Tasted even better after being open for 24 hours.
This big, firm wine, produced by the team that makes Dow's and Graham's Port, is as impressive as always. With its tight plum skins and dense character, ripe jammy texture and sweet fruit, it combines immediate charm with the potential for long-term aging.
One of Portugal's oldest plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from 1974, produced at the beautiful renaissance estate of Bacalhôa. With its dark color, elegant richness, black currant and red berry fruits, this remains a great benchmark, a brilliant transformation of the French grapes into Portuguese tastes.
Cab Franc from Southern Oregon may not be on your radar, but this bottle suggests it should be. Violets and leather perfume the nose, introducing soft, round purple fruits highlighted with cinnamon and licorice. Maybe not technically perfect, but what a mouthful of delicious flavors.
The 2008 Sineann Pinots are an elegant, refined group of wines, more expressive of Burgundian varietal character than any in memory, and the Resonance, as usual, is among the best. It has a vibrant purity to the fruit that rings true and long through mixed red berries, vivid acids, streaks of iron and earth, and sails on into a detailed and seamless finish.
A barrel selection of Schindler fruit, this reserve notches up the color, density and alcohol without sacrificing the basic character and finesse of the vineyard. Here are the tight layers of bacon fat, stone, pepper and leaf, along with tart, lightly herbal red fruits. The core fruit is concentrated, fresh and primary, and promises excellent aging potential.
Herb and barrel spice aromas lead to plump cherry and cranberry flavors. The tannins bring some grip.
Earthy, foresty aromas of plum and dark berry fruits show a touch of wet animal fur. This is sturdy and fairly full in build, with leafy flavors of plum, pepper, chocolate and toast. Mild green notes of mint and herbs accent a spicy finish,
This lightly wood aged Douro blend is certainly rich, full of generous white stone fruit as well as melon. With its balancing acidity, the wine is both rich and crisp and will be better from 2017.
This wine comes from 35-year-old vines at French Creek Vineyard. Light aromas of spice and cream lead to a creamy palate marked with lighter-styled apple and stone-fruit flavors. It's a very pretty expression of the variety.
Aromas of orange peel, flowers, blue fruit and smoked meat are followed by light, spritely fruit flavors. The tannins bring some grip.
Subtle lemon and apple on the nose belie the intense peachiness that awaits on the palate of this fruity dry Riesling. It's a shade rounder and richer on the palate than most Finger Lakes Rieslings from this vintage, but keenly balanced, finishing on a bracing lemon-lime note.
Heavy oak and herbal berry aromas start this old vines Garnacha. Give it some breathing time. Grabby, sticky and a bit narrow in the mouth, this tastes of woody blueberry with herbal overtones. Minty oak and strong tannins push the finish. Drink through 2020.
This is a ripe and structured wine of red fruits and fine acidity. With its tannins and tangy edge, it has a dry core that gives it a great chance with food.
The floral perfume of this wine is subdued, while the palate has the grip of fir honey and citrus pith along with softer notes of blossom and gentle yellow plum. These are balanced so well by bitter elements that this medium-dry wine almost finishes dry. Matched with ripe, washed-rind cheeses it will be a triumph.
Fresh-pressed blackberry, cedar, dark-chocolate shavings, charcoal and espresso grounds show on this slightly wound up, extremely dark wine. Coffee flavors come through strongly on the thick and sticky palate, where powerful acidity unleashes blueberries and dried herbs. It's a mouthful for certain.
One of the major growers in Leyda also makes classic cool-coast SB. This is briny and tight on the nose, with a hint of asparagus. A lean, juicy palate is tight as nails, while this tastes of briny, salty lime and melon. A lean, chalky finish shows strong grip.
Citrus, wet stone and tropical fruit aromas provide intrigue and lead to dry, lightly creamy fruit flavors. The concentration at times seems light, but what's there is pretty.
Feline aromas—nothing unusual for Rueda Verdejo—are coupled with notes of briny apple and citrus. Fresh and easy on the palate, green-leaning citrus flavors finish tangy and slightly salty.
On the nose, the ripe pear fruit notes are subdued but they play on the fresh palate with force. This wine is rounded and super-juicy. Drink soon to make most of all this fruit.
The herb, wet stone and green-apple-skin aromas are light but provide intrigue and lead to a dry palate with well-balanced, juicy acids, a compelling feel and a spot on sense of balance. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
Although the nose of this wine is subdued, it sends out appealing hints of red apple and yellow pear. The palate is fresh and has real mouthfeel. This is appetizing and full of defined apple and pear notes. The lip-smacking finish makes you long for more.
Light red-cherry aromas meet with wild sagebrush and graphite on the light and easy nose of this wine from a family vineyard that recently came under new management. The palate offers cranberry juice lifted by crushed thyme and anise.
Medium-intense notes of black plum, currant and cherry swirl in the bouquet, with supporting tones of wood spice and fudge. It's young and somewhat gripping now, with firmly structured tannins and full black-fruit flavors that linger long on the close. Try after 2018.
A tropical hint of passion fruit hits the nose before more definite notions of tart apple and citrus appear. There is concentration on the midpalate and lots of freshness, with a clean, dry finish.
Peach and pear make appearances on the nose, gently framed by a soft creaminess that continues on the palate. Hints of fresh citrus guide flavors towards freshness. Totally and charmingly balanced, the wine is just off dry.
The flinty whiff of reduction still clings to this wine, marking it out for longevity. On the palate it's uncompromisingly dry and wonderfully bracing, with a tart, bright streak of lemon at its citric core. Lithe and slender, it delivers a clean finish.
Light but inviting aromas of lemon juice, apple flesh, ripe nectarine and crushed white rocks show on the nose of this bottling from Malibu. Sea-salt flavor appears throughout the palate, where pear and nectarine flesh meet with vanilla-butter-on-toast flavors. Nicely textured it's quite mouthwatering.
A light touch is conveyed by aromas of honeysuckle, while the off-dry palate is balanced by fresh, citric verve. This wine has a dancing, easygoing nature marked by freshness and lightness in equal measure. Asian food flavors suggest themselves for this super-balanced, playful white.
The nose gives little away but the palate is full of juicy, apple-scented freshness. This wine is easy and dry, with some midpalate concentration. The unusually slender body has a refreshing spring.
Earthy, lightly roasted plum and cherry aromas are saucy. Firm and a bit tannic on the palate, this ripe Cab Franc is dealing oaky, saucy, savory plum and red-berry flavors prior to balanced, juicy finish whose oak character hangs around.
Tart acidity provides freshness and succulence to the palate of this vineyard-designate—a well-resolved expression of plum, cranberry and red currant. Plush and soft, it does the variety justice, making the case for complexity and approachability in one glass.
Roasted meats, black fruit, charcoal and tar show on the nose of this clonal selection from this pioneering winery that is now owned by Bill Foley. The medium-bodied sip shows roasted blackberries, boysenberries and black currants, with charred meat leading into a caramelized finish. The acid and tannin levels are solid right now and will age well too.
Despite coiming in at only 12.5% abv, this is fairly weighty. Restrained aromas of crushed stone set the stage, then bold peach and melon flavors take over, finishing with a bit of celery leaf. Drink now.
This is the top cuvée produced from the Fournier's Pouilly-Fumé vines. It is rich while crisp, showing fine acidity and a mineral texture. The green fruits cut through the zesty texture of the wine giving concentration and depth of flavor. Drink this serious wine now.
Winemaking at the aristocratic Santar estate is run by Global Wines. This rich wine, dominated by the high-quality Encruzado grape, is poised between crisp apple fruitiness and toast from wood aging. At two years old, the wine is just ready to drink although it will be better from 2018.
This widely available and well-priced appellation blend shows dark aromas of black raspberry, elderberry, wet slate and crushed gravel on the nose. The wine makes a soft entry on the palate, where mulberry meets with Earl Grey tea and a pinch of anise.
Part of the limited edition vineyard designate series, this stands apart for its elegant, aromatic style. Beet root, pomegranate and chocolate suggestions come together on the midpalate, seemingly gaining concentration as it finishes. Fresh, clean and well balanced, it spent just the right amount of time in one-third-new French oak.
Tightly focused acidity is the star of this well-executed, estate-grown and unoaked white. Floral jasmine and apple blossom ride along the nose, while flavors of lemon peel and apple integrate seamlessly on the rounded palate.
The aromas rise up from the glass, with notes of pepper, violet, cigar box, peat, smoke, braised meat and an earthy funk. The palate is considerably lighter in style than the aromas might suggest, bringing notes of cherry, earth and herb that linger, with citrus twist notes on the finish.
Menthol, aromatic herb, purple flower and new leather scents meld together in this wine. On the firm, focused, palate, clove, star anise and espresso hints back up Marasca cherry and cranberry flavors while tightly knit but refined tannins and bright acidity provide support.
This is a ripe and fat wine. That combination gives it a rich character and a full-bodied texture. The spice and the yellow fruits enhance the concentration and the generosity of this rounded wine. Drink now.
After 14 months in large wood barrels, this wine is full of spicy flavors that go with the rich yellow fruits, generous apricots and peaches, and delicious acidity. This ripe wine is ready to drink.
Fairly shy aromas of blackberry juice, uncracked peppercorns and dried lilacs show on the nose of this bottling by Ryan Render. Cooked meat flavors are evident on the sip, including bacon fat and charred beef, and there is a rich blackberry-sauce component as well. Cracked pepper also arises, making this a Syrah that will please many palates.
Rose, eucalyptus, espresso and exotic spice aromas lead into a linear, structured palate offering sour cherry, pomegranate star anise and roasted coffee flavors in this wine. Close-grained tannins leave a firm, tight finish. Drink 2023–2033.
An intense wine, this is all crisp green herbs and tight citrus flavors. With acidity and minerality, it is a complex wine from vineyards in Bué. It could age for another few months and will be better from 2018.
Saldo comes from the folks who brought you The Prisoner. Admirable ripeness and lushness carry this full-bodied, dark-colored and densely fruity wine from a smoky aroma through jammy dark-fruit flavors to a lingering finish that has a drop of baking-spice sweetness.
Aromas of tar and rubber give way to rich black fruits and toasty oak. A hard, tannic palate means this needs air or meaty foods. Oaky, resiny berry and cassis flavors finish chocolaty, with intense tannins. Drink through 2021.
Always a top wine in this winery's broad portfolio of estate Pinot Noirs, this is spicy and lightly peppery, with a mix of bitter herb, cranberry and blackberry flavors and bright, supporting acidity. Its pleasing mineral backdrop provides an easy landing for the extended finish. Drink 2022 to 2030 for maximum enjoyment.
Impenetrably dark in color, this potent wine marries black fruit to ample barrel accents of smoke and char. Though aged in just 5% new French oak, those dark scents and flavors permeate the wine. It's a style with broad appeal.
Smooth as silk, this widely-available cuvée brings ripe strawberry, cherry and dark chocolate flavors into play. Aged for 10 months in one quarter new French oak barrels, it's seamlessly melded and shows both power and grace.
Light in color, this offers alluring peat, white pepper, herb, earth and raspberry aromas. It dances on the palate, showing elegance and sophistication and bringingplenty of intrigue.
Sur Peaux translates to “on the skins”—a maceration process that gives this wine its burnished copper hue. More importantly, it's crazy good: soft, supple, delicately spicy yet bone dry, with a buttery mouthfeel.
Blended from a range of vineyards, this tasty, toasty wine cloaks its raspberry fruit in chocolate malt-like flavor. Its components are clearly defined, fresh and appealing, and it showcases the sophisticated house style in a more widely-distributed, less expensive offering.
Snappy black raspberry and fresh plum combine for an almost effervescent experience on the nose, which also benefits from smoked beef and carnation aromas. The palate is also very energetic with black-plum and orange-juice flavors, finishing with strong acidity. This will last for years, but needs at least another year to fully integrate.
This bottling's extremely fresh aromas of lime meet with a rounded clarified butter, drawing one in for sip after sip. That vibrancy extends to the lightly presented palate, where flavors of lime juice, lemon peels and crisp pear ride a rising wave of acidity across a tightly wound texture.
This puts the spotlight on a single Dijon clone and delivers polished cherry fruit. It follows through with hints of graphite and the underlying minerality that is characteristic of this AVA. The wine is young and should be decanted, having spent just nine months in barrel prior to bottling.
Thickly concentrated, this wine offers a wealth of crème brûléee richness and complexity, dotted in golden honey and a twist of lime. Supple and medium in build, it integrates the oak and ripeness at its core, finishing with a brightness of acidity that refreshes.
This is a particular style of Albariño. Aromas of white flowers distant mineral and green melon set up a plump, layered palate, with core acidity but also flatness that will only increase the longer it goes. Flavors of nectarine, orange and melon register as citric but also creamy. This is a unique Galician white that's stylish but won't last forever; drink immediately.
This bold wine opens with intense aromas of mature black fruit, black cooking spice, mint, blue flower and leather. The savory palate offers juicy black cherry accented by sage, thyme and black pepper. Racy acidity and bracing tannins need time to tame. Drink 2016–2026.
Rather than pungent green aromas, this bottling tends toward a sweeter aromatic profile, with limeade, mandarin orange and tangerine scents. On the palate, there is a slight creaminess and a nod toward bell pepper, but the tart, bitter and acidic elements of apple and lime pith combine memorably.
In crafting his first Pinot Noir for Heintz, winemaker Hugh Chappelle has delivered a wine that's pretty and delicate, softly adorned in velvety texture and faint, balanced cranberry and cherry. Riding a perfect wave between savory and sweet, it would be delicious with grilled salmon.
Cinnamon, plum, and mellow cherry aromas give this wine a poised start. On the palate, the wine is balanced and offers delicious waves of bitter almond, spicebox, sour cherry and cinnamon. Pair with grilled lamb and burgers.
The vineyard is planted to Dijon clones of Pinot Noir. The result is a concentrated, plush wine, herbal and savory with tightly hewn tannins, a tartness of cranberry and rhubarb, and a substantial finish of cinnamon, clove and darker fruit. The balance between the wine's richness and more ethereal components is nicely drawn.
Loamy, ripe, earthy aromas of black cherry suggest raisin and stewed berry. The palate is full and mostly balanced for a warm-vintage, very ripe wine such as this. Flavors of berry, roasted plum and earth finish with raisiny richness and just enough zesty acidity to keep things upright and afloat. Drink through 2018.
This finessed and delicious blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio delivers creamy strawberry, Morello cherry, white pepper and clove sensations, with hints of Mediterranean herbs. The silky palate is balanced by bright acidity.
From a parcel of vines in the Meursault village appellation, this attractive, soft wine has ripe grapefruit and pear flavors to go with the crisp acidity and the lightest touch of wood. Drink from 2015.
From a field blend of Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah, this wine is brick-red and earthy, inviting in dark, brambly fruit and just-right spice. With soft tannins and a long finish, it's classic Sonoma County Zin, fruity and in balance.
From a five-acre vineyard, the wine has some clean steeliness layered with ripe citrus and white fruits. Acidity brings out apple and crisp pear skin flavors. Drink this immaculate wine from 2015.
Full of ripe, tropical fruit flavor, the wine is already generous. Apricot and mango come through the fresh acidity, giving both richness and a more textured edge. It is ready to drink, but by 2015 will be even better.
With a concentrated bouquet of black cherry and leathery earth, this straddles the richness of California fruit with an Old World layering of savory sumptuousness. Built with structure and subtle acidity, it is meant to be enjoyed at the table, a pork tenderloin or mushroom quiche among the pairing possibilities.
This delicious and affordable wine offers a fragrance of blue flower, tilled soil, game and leather, along with whiffs of mature black fruit. The juicy palate delivers ripe blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and licorice alongside firm but refined tannins.
The brothers are better known for their Cornas, but this Saint-Joseph is a nice wine as well. It combines notes of marinated beef, ripe blackberries and espresso in a medium- to full-bodied wine that's mouthwatering and easy to drink. Try it now and over the next several years.
The goofy name is questionable, but the wine is excellent. Raspberry, plum and minerally aromas lead to a tight, structured palate with flavors of berry fruits and chocolate. This wine end with an aggressive and slightly hot finish that contains cherry and plum flavors. Drink through 2019.
Winemaker Ryan Deovlet isn't afraid of prominent oak, so this comes on with a luscious butterscotch nose, and it immediately smells like it will be a silky wine. It is, with accents of vanilla and a touch of bitterness, but the overriding flavor is smokiness, reminiscent of the rustic Mexican liquor, Mezcal. This could easily handle pork carnitas.
A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Merlot, this wine is deep ruby to the eye, with aromas of blackberry, forest floor, river rock and thyme. At first sip, the tannins come on strong, immediately followed by vibrant flavors of cherry, pomegranate, orange zest, anisette and oregano. To some palates, the tannins could be overpowering, but ample acidity and bright fruit flavors make the whole package work.
While buoyantly fruity with notes of ripe peach, apricot and melon, this dry, delicately framed Riesling also has an intensely mineral character. On the palate, a shower of crushed stone and lime  acidity pierces through a long, lingering finish.
Black as night in the glass, this heavy duty, Cabernet-led Bordeaux blend from one of the most visually stunning properties on the Central Coast is loaded with rich, luscious fruit and tannins that are built to last. There are stewed plums on the nose with warm slices of blueberry pie on the palate. Wait until at least 2019 for full enjoyment.
Big and ripe, this Nero d'Avola weaves together blue flower, leather, fleshy blackberry, black cherry, clove, sage, vanilla and subtle oak sensations. The juicy fruit is framed by round, velvety tannins. You'll also notice a warmth on the finish before it closes on a licorice note.
From a small parcel at the base of the hill of Beaune, this is a delicious wine with a touch of vanilla. It is rounded, smooth and rich, bringing out both fruit and toasty wood flavors that are integrated well. Drink from 2016.
Firm in its tannins and with a sense of power, this full-bodied wine has great fruit, along with wood and licorice flavors. This complex and fruity, wine is generous and ready to age. Drink from 2017.
The 2008 Devotion is 41% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 29% Grenache. Winemaker Chris Dowsett notes that he is upping the percentage of Mourvèdre again in the 2009 version. It's a significant improvement, elevating this blend into a rarefied, tightly controlled, sculpted wine with wild berry and cherry, iron filings, dark chocolate and licorice, wrapped in firm, polished tannins.
Superb, rich, fruited wine that has an intense creamy character to go with spice and ripe apples, peach and greengage. It has great elegance, a very stylish character, keeping the richness beautifully in balance. Age this wine for 3–4 years.
Inky, penetrating and bursting with black-fruit aromas as well as coffee, mocha and pastry notes. The palate is perfectly lush and deep, with smooth tannins and proper acidity propelling jammy, lovely berry flavors. Dark, smoky and rubbery on the finish, with a streamlined tail. One of the best Chilean Syrahs. Drink now through 2014; only 150 cases made.
From a superb year, this wine saw all French oak, but an ongoing reduction in exposure to new barrels brought the percentage down to 60%. Young and muscular, the blend of black fruits, sweet oak and toasty spice is focused and compelling. Pure fruit flavors include black cherry and plum, smooth and concentrated, with a smoky kick in the lingering finish.
Pungent and spicy, dark and brooding, this wine brings it with deep, sappy berry fruit and overtones of meat and garrigue, all with muscle and verve. Tannins are firm and hard, showing some ripe stem and earth flavors, and plenty of barrel toast. Muscular and warm, this Syrah walks the line perfectly between the Rhône and Barossa.
This new vintage of Abeja's estate-grown Viognier is back to a richer mouthfeel after the high acid 2008, with generous citrus and stone fruits—peach and pear—candied lemon and pineapple, highlighted with cinnamon spice. Flat out yummy, roundly fruity, and long-lasting, with butterscotch ruling the finish.
This Sancerre-like effort shows amazing concentration and distinct, vineyard-driven flavors of grain and herb. Racy, textural, crisp and penetrating, it's lifted by a refreshing minerality. Lemon polish, citrus oil, a very delicate suggestion of honey in the nose and mouth, and above all a wonderful persistence make this a standout Sauvignon Blanc.
Darkly textured wine, the black berry fruits show firmness as well as acidity and a dry core. This will age well, its tannins pushing the weight forward. It is an impressive wine, with the acidity of 2008, while also having powerful structure.
Pure Cabernet, aged in the same Vicard barrels as winemaker Randy Dunn's Howell Mountain wines. About 90% is new oak, but it doesn't strangle the fruit in any way. Tart and vibrant, with black cherry/black currant fruit, this balanced effort shows a velvety character and a fine touch in the vineyard. Nuances of coffee, earth, leaf and dried herb are threaded through, in perfect harmony and balanced for medium-term aging.
Always aged for an extra year before release, this wine is produced in honor of Jean Bagnis, a pioneer in Provence rosé. It balances richness with a light touch that gives fruity, refreshing pleasure. A shake of pepper lifts the palate and leads to the final red-fruit-crisp aftertaste.
Pink grapefruit, a linear chalky component and the aromas of apricot jam on brie cheese rind show on the nose of this bottling from one of the region's oldest vineyards. There is tight focus to the palate, where green pear skins, pomelo pith, lemon zest and lime juice weave into an acidity that's strong yet expertly integrated.
A gentle giant of a wine, this has huge flavors, great structure and massive fine-grained tannins but it's still poised and balanced. It smells almost beefy, rich, dark and black cherry-ish, yet with tasty nuances of smoke and caramel, tastes full and generous and feels attractively astringent. Best to drink after 2017.
Herbaceous aromas of hay and tomato leaf meld together with notes of stone fruit, citrus and flint. The round, medium-bodied palate offers white grapefruit, candied nectarine zest, white peach, aromatic herb and mineral. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors.
This wine is 37% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the rest split equally between Malbec and Syrah. Reticent aromas of vanilla and baking spices lead to full-feeling dark-fruit flavors, backed by lightly grainy tannins. The hang time on the finish is downright outrageous.
Waves of rich bacon fat, maple, caramelized black cherries, campfire smoke and an elegant touch of lavender show on the nose of this bottling, which includes 14% Counoise. Similar smoke shows on the palate, but it's more tart and acidic than expected, with underripe blackberry and black plum skin flavors. The tannins are fine-grained but firm. Drink 2018 through 2023.
Exquisite floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine are joined by a whiff of mature pear. The round, juicy palate doles out ripe peach, juicy citrus and yellow apple while a white almond note backs up the lingering finish.
This stellar bottling deftly combines both the bright and burned sides of the sipping experience, offering fresh crushed blueberries alongside caramel, cooked dark chocolate and charred toast on the nose. There's a great array of dried herbs once sipped, with flavors of dried blueberries, lamb char, espresso and pencil lead. Tons of depth.
This Malbec-led blend (with Petit Verdot and Tannat) is muscular and piercing on the nose, with aromas of brick dust, black cherry, cassis and raisin. The palate is saturated and creamy, with a lactic sensation competing with rubbery tannins. Flavors of vanilla, raw oak, tomato, plum, herbs and chocolate are complex and finish with multiple interest points along with mild heat. Give this more time, if possible. Best from 2018 through 2022.
Fresh and elegantly structured, this opens with aromas of Spanish broom, acacia flower, citrus peel and a whiff of hazelnut. The vibrant, full-bodied palate offers citrus zest, beeswax, almond and a honeyed note alongside bright acidity. A mineral accent gives it a clean, focused finish. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018 through 2023.
Very inviting aromas of lemon curd, buttercream, white peach and pear blossom prove quite ripe but far from overdone on this blend of 40% Roussanne, 40% Marsanne and 20% Viognier. There is thinly focused but prevalent acidity to the sip, where peaches, lemon and cream flavos thrive. A well balanced and rich white Rhône blend, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
This wine harmoniously blends hints of cut grass and struck flint with pink grapefruit. It's medium in body, not at all overdone, delivering the long citrus and berry finish with the precision of cut crystal.
Clean and tight aromas of strawberry essence mesh with dried violets, rose petals, star anise and clove on this engaging while classically profiled bottling. It's light and lively on the palate, with tons of bright red fruit and cinnamon spice, showing cranberry tang in the midpalate and the structural bones to hold up its energetic game for years.
Creamy bubbles rise through hay color in the glass, showing the slightest touch of salmon pink on the edges, with a lean and tight nose that shows tortilla dough, pink grapefruit rind and a sleek, steely gunmetal note. Crisp apple and sliced Meyer lemon flavors show on the palate, where the bubbles are foamy, the yeast is present but restrained and the style is very approachable.
This Bordeaux-style blend screams out friendly, from its warm, earthy bouquet of marzipan, earth and black fruits to its flush, layered palate to flavors of plum, berry, chocolate and fig. Finishing notes of licorice, spice and chocolate are plump and generous. Drink through 2019.
Concentrated blackberry and desert brush aromas are dense and intense. While this is very rich, it's not overbearing or out of whack. Blackberry flavors with savory spice and earth notes end toasty but not overly complex. Drink through 2019.
Showing incredible depth for such an affordable wine, Andrew Murray does it again with this widely available bottling. The gamy nose shows lamb, rosemary, uncracked peppercorns, light tobacco leaf, soy sauce and a touch of tar. Purple flowers rule the palate, with lavender, violet and blossoming rosemary notes, with thyme and white pepper spicing up boysenberry fruit.
There's an honest suggestion of bacon and eggs at first in this wine, which follows with a tangy entry that sizzles on the palate. Full, luscious and honeyed in oak, it's a powerful expression that's also balanced between fruit and nuance.
Josh Jensen's appellation blend is arguably the best American white wine for the price. This vintage offers squeezed tangerine, fleur de sel, lily, apple blossom, apple fritters and a touch of tropicality on the nose. The palate is more steely in structure, with chalk and concrete minerality followed by grapefruit skin and lime flavors, revealing the slightest hint of balanced butter tones.
Aromas of mature dark berry, leather, black spice and a whiff of tar come together on this full-bodied red. The juicy, robust palate offers mature black cherry, fleshy raspberry, dark spice and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. The ripe fruit easily supports the warmth of alcohol that fills in the finish. Drink through 2023.
Aromas of fragrant white blossom, stone fruit, honeydew melon and tomato vine come together on this savory white. The round, medium-bodied palate offers creamy peach, tropical fruit, dried herb and an energizing mineral note. Bright acidity provides freshness and balance.
Lots of richness and a multi-layered personality make this deep-colored, full-bodied wine delicious and interesting too. It's a big red, with bold berry and black cherry flavors, an especially attractive texture that's velvety and firm at the same time, and a long, lingering finish.
A salty lick of saline brings the palate to attention before tingling acidity seals the experience: the wine's backbone a nicely balanced combination of generous oak that supports ripe fruit. Francois Freres and Taransaud barrels cradled the wine for 10 months, only 35% of it new, making for a robust yet elegant expression of the variety from this site.
Ripe aromas of brandied cherry, cassis, dried cheese, tobacco and mocha are alluring. This has a linear palate with acidity in the driver's seat. Flavors of vanilla, plum, currant and wood-grain finish with additional oak and red-fruit residue. Drink through 2022.
Riper notions of yellow plum and melon mingle with Grüner's attractive freshness, here expressed by lemon and lime zest flavors. The palate adds extra verve with a pleasantly bitter phenolic edge. This is a taut, clean, super-fruited textbook example of freshness with tons of verve.
This is a gorgeously floral and herbal wine nuanced in curvy minerality that both defines it and allows it to support lovely accents of apricot and peach.
Yellow grapefruit peel, crushed white peppercorns and fresh chervil paint a picture of a quintessential Grüner here: flavorsome but not heavy, concentrated but slender, easy to enjoy but never facile. More ripe pear fruit lurks temptingly at the core while that grapefruit theme is utterly convincing and captivating.
The old vine designation, though unregulated, is usually reserved for plantings at least a quarter century old. Though the first sniff suggests a wine that has been over-oaked, such is not the case. It has the concentration and fruit power—layers of citrus and stone fruit flavors—along with the depth and texture that older vines bring, to more than support the generous new oak.
Fruity and floral on the nose, with plenty of sweet spice notes, balsam wood and depth. The palate on this five-grape, Syrah-led blend is full, with slightly edgy acidity that should allow it to age well. Shows core cassis, berry and plum flavors in front of a bullish finish with chocolate and vanilla.
A rich wine with ample barrel influence on the nose along with white fruit aromas. Healthy and big in the mouth, with a flavor profile that blends tropical flavors with citrus. Deep and lightly toasted on the finish, with an excellent feel and texture out the door. Noticeably less oaky than in the past.
A dry Gewürztraminer, more fruity than many, showing intense spice and pepper as well as sultana and pear flavors. It has concentration, a dense texture, and delicious perfumes.
No doubting the pure Riesling character of this wine. It has a beautiful perfumed character with lively acidity, a steely mineral character and a great purity of fruit.
Hints of graphite mark the nose, but this wine is tight and restrained aromatically. Green apple and citrus flavors are crisply defined and tightly focused, ending long, with mouth-tingling acids. Give it another couple of years to develop in the bottle.
This 100% Sangiovese from this Sierra Foothills Sangiovese specialist has a giant mouthfeel, full of plummy and earthy dark cherry and caramel molasses. As big as the wine is, the tannins are softened and the wine has a long finish. An excellent wine to pair with Italian sausage, risotto or so many other Italian-inspired meals.
A round, fruit-powered, appealing mix of delicious citrus, berry and plum flavors. Highlights of orange peel and baking spices are underscored by bracing acidity. Sourced entirely from the Clawson Creek estate vineyard.
A sweet wine, but lively, touched by honey, its acidity coming through as delicious final fruit and spice.
A very vibrant, lively wine, all mineral and fresh acidity. There is some austerity  as the fruit still needs to round out; but it promises to develop well, with delicious green apple and grapefruit flavors. Keep this for 3–4 years.
Grapefruit and other citrus fruits come through the rich fruit. There is power and crispness here, along with a sense of structure from the mineral, flinty character that underlies the fruit. Hold for for 3–4 years.
A single-vineyard wine from Oregon can be a component rather than a complete wine, but here it is an absolute joy. Fragrant and complex, this offers pleasures for both nose and palate, with scents of leaf and spice and herb, leading into a surprisingly dense and textural blend of wild berry, rhubarb, melon and mixed tropical fruits. Fascinating and long, this is a fine example of Oregon Pinot at its most elegant and fascinating.
A beautiful wine that floats its minerality, white flower aromas and white currant fruits over a foundation of toast. Freshness dominates this crisp wine, with intensity to finish.
Jim Barry's Cab program is on a roll, turning out a consistent set of wines from Clare and Coonawarra. Named in honor of the Australian cricket team, The First Eleven boasts a kaledioscopic range of berry fruit, accented by mint and darker notes of coffee, cocoa and cola. It's full-bodied and dense on the palate without being heavy, and finishes long, with impressive intensity and dusty tannins. Drink now–2020.
Perhaps better known for its Chardonnay, Leeuwin also makes an Art Series Cabernet that takes a back seat to no one. The 2002 still boasts youthful scents of fresh mint and cassis, then slowly unfolds on the palate to reveal a rich, full-bodied wine with a distinctly ripe, creamy texture. Long and powerful on the finish, with 10 or so years ahead of it.
A solid, firmly structured, mineral wine, buoyed up by wood. It is very intense, nervous, just poised between richness and power. The yellow fruits, green plum skin acidity and the grapefruit crispness all blend well together.
La Chablisienne vinifies this portion of Fourchaume premier cru separately, regarding it as almost grand cru in power. It is certainly a concentrated wine, very ripe, but lined with citrus acidity, crispness and structure. At the end, though, the richness comes out.
This opens with lots of spice, tart and light red fruits and some strongly herbal tannins. There is a big wash of sweet baking spice, source unknown, that offsets the stemmy and herbal quality of the fruit.
The Rock Star Red is a 50/50 Cabernet/Syrah blend. The two grapes work well together in many wines, but here they seem a bit at odds. The Cabernet carries some green, herbal, pickle barrel flavors; the Syrah brings in pepper and spice, but neither has the ripeness to flesh out the wine sufficiently. There are flavors of plum and cooked cherry, then it hits some chewy tannins and stops short.
For a higher-priced wine, this has some issues. The nose is heavy and murky, with leathery, baked aromas. In the mouth, it's somewhat choppy and acidic, thus punctuating the cherry tomato portion of the earth-and-leather flavor profile. Lingering oak accents the finish, which is zesty and leans toward sour.
Dark, roasted and smelling of licorice, root beer, savory oak and smoke. The palate is hard and saturated, with smack-down tannins that are surely due to the 46% Tannat in the blend. Syrah and Petit Verdot are the remaining elements in this roasted, sweet, oaky wine that finishes with burnt marshmallow.
Sweetened with a concentration of juicy, ripe pineapple and tropical fruit on both the nose and palate, this is an uncomplicated and fruity off-dry Riesling. A tart, zingy acidity balances the sweetness on the finish.
Intense aromas of day lilies, honey and spiced canned peaches abound in this not quite “dry” Riesling. The mouth feels a bit confected with so much sunny orange marmalade and lemondrop flavors, but the finish ends drier with a hint of bitter orange pith.
This off-dry Riesling seems herbal on the nose with a hint of fresh cut grass and bark, but in the mouth, it's all bright, ripe tropical fruits and tangerine. Medium bodied with a racy acidity to offset the sweetness.
At 62,000-plus cases, you are in the land of the seamless blend. Oregon does not have vast contiguous vineyards, so these grapes must have come from here, there and everywhere. The result is a gentle, lightly fruity, crisp, clean and innocuous Pinot Noir that lacks only a sense of place.
There's nothing subtle about the powerful elderflower, jasmine tea and ripe melon aromas that perfume this heady Riesling. It's made in a ripe, off-dry style but finishes surprisingly dry. An interesting wine, but the aromatics may be a bit dizzying.
Rusty in hue, with mature, slightly old aromas of leather, gym bag, dried leaves and mature berry. The palate has depth and concentration, while the flavors are herbal and run toward baked black cherry and tobacco. Caramel and mature fruit flavors vie for control of the roasted finish.
Soft and approachable, with little evidence (in the mouth) of the 15.6% alcohol listed on the label, this is a pleasant, rather generically flavored red. Don't look for California-style jam; this is rather delicate, with strawberry and wild cherry fruit, light pepper, a hint of mint and light tannins.
Crisp and freshly simple Riesling. There are attractive green fruits, good acidity and a bright perfumed  aftertaste. Not for aging.
Mouthwatering, high-toned acidity and a pleasant lemon-lime bitterness keeps the honeyed apple characteristics of this semisweet style Riesling in balance. Elegant mineral and petrol notes lead to a lingering, puckery finish.
This would be easy to mistake for Grenache—it's ruby-colored, cranberry-flavored, with hints of strawberry and licorice. Clean, crisp and noticeably acidic, it would be most enjoyable with a richly sauced breast of duck.
This is the epitome of a composed, approachable Rioja reserva; it's earthy and dry up front, with aromas of fine herbs, brandied cherry and plum. A solid palate houses oaky flavors of vanilla and butter in addition to plum and currant, while the finish is dry, elegant and oaky enough to give off a popcorn-like character. Drink through 2022.
This blends fruit from Force Majeure, Blackrock and Alder Ridge vineyards. Aromas of crushed rock, dried leaves, cherry and barrel spices lead to sweet cherry and chocolate flavors. The oak (58% new French) plays a big part but it works.
This lightly colored wine displays high-toned aromas of dried herbs, dried flowers, cranberries and cherries. The flavors show a pleasing mixture of concentration and restraint with the Petit Verdot blended in (10%) adding some heft and dryness to the tannins.
This is on the pungent side, boasting aromas of boxwood and white grapefruit. Try it with a ceviche or herb-steamed mussels to lessen the impact, or embrace the potent, leaf-inflected flavors on their own. Either way, savor the silky texture and crisp, vibrant finish.
Slightly funky notes of yeast hover above a citrus freshness. The palate is totally crisp but rounded out by more funky, spicy notes that highlight pepper and yeast on the slender, crisp body. This takes time to come out of its shell and will benefit from some bottle age. Drink from 2017.
Coming from a vineyard best known for its Cabernet Franc, this wine offers aromas of fresh herbs, coffee, cherry and bittersweet chocolate. Cherry and chocolate flavors play well off of each other, with the finish lingering. The barrel influence plays a prominent role.
This brand is winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett's ode to Rhône, as well as a place for her own Bordeaux-varietal wines. The first vintage of this 100% varietal wine on its own, it's soft and supple with a tannic backbone. Pretty plum aromas and a streak of peppery spice and leather are joined on the palate by juicy blueberry and finished off in restrained oak.
A playful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah, this hearty bottling delivers something for everyone, from the austere, classic nature of the Bordeaux varieties to the fruitiness and savory leather tones of the Rhônes. It's made to be bold, black and enjoyable now; pack a bottle or two for your next adventures, eye patch optional.
Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo are behind this polished red. It opens with aromas of black cherry, red berry, underbrush and white pepper that follow through to the medium-bodied palate along with a tobacco note. It's linear and easygoing, with supple tannins.
White flowers and wild anise give this a crisp, tangy quality, the fruit balanced and refined, showing up as Asian pear and Meyer lemon. The voluptuous finish adds depth without overbearing power.
More mineral and savory than tutti-frutti, this wine offers scents of damp moss and wet stone. It's medium bodied, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.
Pale yellow in color, this five-plus-year-old white has aromas of lees, dried apricot and flowers. The palate feels full bodied, but with lighter-styled flavors and a zing of acid on the finish.
This tastes deep, ripe and yet very smooth and drinkable for its full body and firmly tannic texture. Aromas recall cedar, dark plums, blueberry and black cherry plus a whiff of mint, while the flavors are grand, dark and rich. Enjoy it now through 2019.
Milk chocolate, cherry and raspberry aromas lead to sweet, supple luscious fruit flavors. It keeps you coming back for more.
Although this wine only saw 35% new French oak, the wood plays prominently, with aromas of toast and spice out in front of cherry and raspberry. The supple feel is where this wine shines, adding multiple layers to the concentrated flavors.
There's no denying this wine's appeal with its aromas and flavors of dark fruit, café au lait, earth and herbs. It's restrained yet flavorful, with a lingering, coffee-filled finish.
Barrel fermented in new and used French oak and aged sur lie for seven months, this appealing wine brings aromas of pear, spice, fig and papaya. The Sémillon blended in (16%) adds to the palate's richness and weight, with the pleasingly long finish contributing to the enjoyment.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, scorched earth and dark berry lead the nose of this firmly structured blend of Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo. The chewy palate offers a juicy core of black cherry accented with notes of black pepper, licorice and grilled herb. Tightly knit, ripe tannins provide structure.
Apple, citrus and pear aromas are a touch briny. This is round, healthy and ready to go. Apple and orange flavors are zesty, while the finish is persistent, tasty, minerally and clean, with no bitterness or signs of deterioration.
Fresh aromas of red berry, violet and aromatic herb lead the nose of this blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vibrant palate delivers wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and a hint of coffee alongside bright acidity and silky tannins. Drink through 2017.
With all fruit coming from Dineen Vineyard, this wine shows alluring aromas of honeysuckle, melon, pear and zesty spices. It drinks almost dry, with the flavors tapering slightly toward the finish.
Equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre, this appealing wine displays aromas of strawberry, orange rind and light peppery spices. It drinks dry with a lightly spritzy feel.
Coming from vines planted in 1979 or earlier, this wine offers aromas of yellow apple, melon, honey and starfruit. It's lightly spritzy and drinks off dry, with a textured feel.
A single-variety wine coming from Two Coyote Vineyard, it shows aromas of woodspice, dried green herbs and plum.Flavors are soft and fruit filled, trailing toward the finish.
This is clearly labeled as "Certified Sustainable," although, to be fair, a lot of other New Zealand wines are also sustainably produced. Once past the labeling, 's a light- to medium-bodied wine, with slightly vegetal notes of nettles and garden peas that add nuance to refreshing citrus flavors.
Plum, espresso, cedar and underbrush aromas unfold on this straightforward Sangiovese and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The ripe, warm palate doles out juicy black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, white pepper and a licorice note alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
This engages the taste buds with bright, ripe fruit flavors and balances them with good crisp acidity and light tannins, plus spicy oak accents that resemble vanilla, allspice and nutmeg. Medium to full bodied, it feels smooth in the mouth but the lip-smacking tannins carry through on the finish.
This boasts enticing aromas of pressed blue flower, perfumed red berry and a balsamic note. The smooth palate delivers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and tobacco while velvety tannins provide the framework. Reflecting the hot vintage, it's a bit shy on fresh acidity so enjoy soon.
Smells less like fruit and more like a combo of rubber, cement and tin. The mouthfeel is hard and the flavors are rubbery and chemical, with some oaky red fruit rising to the top. Hard tannins don't help.
A sappy, heavy Spanish red with candied aromas that fall off to raisin and grass. The palate is sticky and comes in short on acidity, while the flavors are a mix of cough drop and prune. Sweet, clunky and raisiny.
Oak can be a wine's worst enemy, and this is a case in point. It smells like fennel, salami and root beer, and that's the best part. In the mouth, it's cloying in feel and the flavors are all hickory, clove, resin and forced spice. A wood-dominated wine with no fruit character.
Rough, earthy and tannic, with simple, high-toned, black cherry fruit, and substantial tannins that seem to have been somehow smoothed over, leaving the wine a bit dull.
Raisiny, heavy stuff made from a mix of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's thick and awkward, with molasses on the nose then tomato, plum and herbal flavors. Lacks balance and mouthfeel while pouring on the weight.
An oaky wine that's funky at all checkpoints. The nose is briney and cheesy, while the palate is astringent and offers a speck of orange but mostly just resiny oak. And it's barrel city on the finish.
Leather and dust, with thin raspberry fruit that is pretty well buried under the barnyard flavors.
Chock-a-block full of strawberry, black cherry and a sliver of orange peel, this wine is big-boned, well-structured and fleshy. Mouthfilling and juicy, the palate shows touches of black tea and tobacco, making for a lively tension between the earthiness and exuberance of fruit. Drink now through 2022.
Mature dark berry, cake spice, baked earth, leather and a whiff of game are just some of the aromas you'll find on this impressive wine. The chewy palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and aromatic herb alongside a backbone of firm, ripe tannins and racy acidity. Drink 2019–2031.
This Ponzi-owned vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, yet is listed simply as Willamette Valley. Aromatically intense and intriguing, it opens quickly with scents of chamomile, plum, peach and apricot, leading to hints of honey and tea. Aged entirely in neutral oak, this wine fully engages the palate through a lingering, beautifully proportioned and optimally ripe finish.
This sweet, luscious, dessert-style wine keeps enough acidity to contrast and compensate for the sugar. There's nothing flabby here, but how sweet it is! Caramel apples, molasses, maple syrup and honey coalesce around concentrated fruits, ranging from citrus through tropical. Orange and peach, pineapple and papaya are all to be found. A half bottle is rich enough to satisfy four tasters.
Stunning is the only word that does justice to this exceptional wine. It's fragrant and compelling, from the first sniffs of almond paste, butter cream and apple pie, right on through a magnificent palate loaded with well-balanced fruit, pastry and nut flavors. Rich, complex, and beautifully proportioned, it rolls into a seamless, toasty finish.
Produced only from Grand Cru vineyards on the north side of the Montagne de Reims (with some Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs), this wine is beautifully balanced. It is rich and creamy, with just a zing of mineral acidity to give extra freshness. It is just now ready to drink, still fresh although with touches of toast at the end.
Wy'east is better than ever in this vintage, a divine balancing act with berry, plum, Asian spices and chocolate all in focus. From the opening scents, laden with complex and perfectly fused notes of blackberry, mineral, coriander and cacao, right on through the extended, captivating finish, this is a wine that is almost impossible to put down, yet will drink well at least through 2025.
Saffron and dusty mineral tones seep into notes of marmalade and candied orange peel in this intensely ripe honeyed Riesling. The palate bursts with yellow peach and mango, but savory tinges of earth and petrol peek through enticingly. It's dazzling now, a veritable explosion of sweetness, acidity and minerality, but should meld beautifully from 2020-2025.
The estate wine of Mouchão is serious, dense and complex. It is a wine that's made for the long haul, still with its youthful tannins that are balanced by juicy black fruits. There is a leathery texture developing alongside the fruit. It is dark and solid, likely to age for many years. Drink from 2020.
Red rose, iris, perfumed berry and baking spice emerge on this stunning, vibrant wine. The elegantly structured palate offers crushed raspberry, juicy red cherry, cinnamon and chopped herb while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide a bright, elegant framework. Drink 2018–2027.
This is another impressive effort from Cogno, offering aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, fragrant flowers, underbrush and menthol. The firm, precise palate offers dried black cherry, cinnamon, anise, clove, cocoa and mineral set against a tannic backbone and brisk acidity. Give this time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2019–2031.
You'll discover alluring aromas of baked earth, black and red berry, sweet baking spice, crushed flower, vineyard dust and a whiff of leather on this impressive wine. The delicious, powerful palate boasts juicy red cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon, anise and tobacco while firm, fine-grained tannins provide support and lend finesse.
Named after the Laroche winery, L'Obédiencerie, this wine is a selection from the Blanchots Grand Cru vineyard. It is rich, but endowed with a taut minerality that cuts through the ripe green plum and crisp pear flavors. It demands aging. Drink from 2020.
Full-bodied and delicious, this opens with aromas of red berry, rose, underbrush, kitchen spice and a balsamic note. The structured palate doles out juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, white pepper, grilled herb, vanilla and mineral alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. It already has nice depth but hold for more complexity. Drink 2019–2031.
Tight and still very young, this wine has great aging potential. The fruits show apricot and green plum balanced by a tense, steely minerality that cuts through like a razor. Ready to age for several years, this wine will be best from 2020.
Enticing scents of rose, violet, smoke, red berry and white pepper are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning wine. The elegantly structured palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, cake spice and mineral alongside elegant tannins and bright acidity. A licorice note signals the close. Drink 2016–2026.
Aromas of mature berry, menthol, licorice, cooking spice and a balsamic note lead the nose. The firm palate is still tightly wound but already offers wild cherry, white pepper, grilled herb, tobacco and anise. It's balanced and fresh, with ripe but youthfully bracing tannins. Drink after 2019.
This beautifully balanced wine boasts and enviable combination of structure and finesse. It opens with enticing aromas of pressed rose, iris, wild berry, cake spice and a whiff of pressed powder while the full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper, star anise and clove. Firm, ultra-fine tannins provide the framework. Drink 2020–2032.
Shy in the glass, this wine needs more time in bottle to unravel its complexities of rose petal and cardamom, flanked by crisp red cherry and raspberry. Tangy acidity is the star and backbone of the lovely, structured wine, which is delightful now, but worth cellaring through 2023.
Red rose, mature wild berry, dark cooking spice and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find on this gorgeous wine. The structured, elegant palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice pipe tobacco and mocha balanced by firm, silky tannins and surprising freshness for the vintage.
Full-bodied and fragrant this offers lovely aromas of rose, violet and ripe red berry. The delicious, structured palate doles out layers of succulent black cherry, raspberry, cake spice, licorice and chopped aromatic herb alongside velvety tannins. Well balanced and surprisingly weightless, the 15% abv isn't detectable.
This bottling spent 20 months in French oak (30% new), and incorporates fruit from Ponzi's Aurora, Abetina and Madrona vineyards. Superripe aromas and flavors conjure up a rich and riveting mix of black cherry with amaro-like botanical nuances. This profound wine is already irresistible, but stash a few bottles in your cellar, to drink now through 2030.
Firm and refined, this opens with aromas of wild berry, leather, game and a note of chopped herb. The round, full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove, toast, mint and licorice alongside ripe, velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It should develop more complexity over the next decade. Drink 2016–2026.
Firmly structured, this opens with aromas of dark berry, tilled earth, leather, game, and a balsamic note. The palate offers depth and layers of flavor including ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, grilled porcini, clove, anise, truffle and a hint of chocolate alongside closely-knit, noble tannins. Drink 2019–2031.
Aromas of underbrush, tilled soil, woodland berry and crushed rose unfold in the glass. The firm palate offers mature red cherry, strawberry, clove, mint and licorice alongside tightly knit, austere tannins that need to unwind. It's still young and wound up but should evolve majestically over the next decade and then maintain for years. Drink 2020–2040.
Loaded with finesse, this luminous, structured wine opens with enticing aromas of pressed rose, wild berry, clove and a balsamic note. The polished, delicious palate smacks of raspberry jelly, wild cherry, cinnamon and star anise alongside bright acidity and lithe tannins. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink 2018–2029.
Named after the 13th-century crusading Archbishop of Reims, this is Aubry's top cuvée. It is just coming into its own, filling out with ripe white and yellow fruits while keeping a tight, fresh edge. It is full in the mouth, creamy in texture and still able to age. Drink now and until 2022.
Sourced from the Martinelli family's Charles Vineyard out on the coast, this is a gorgeously rich and balanced white wine, whole-cluster fermented and given just less than a quarter of new French oak. Pretty, floral aromas of orange blossom pique the nose before a compelling combination of salty pretzel, ginger and lemon custard layer over a mountain of structured acidity.
A fruity style of Douro wine, perhaps missing the tannins but with generous black fruits and ripe berry flavors. Acidity and a streak of minerality combine to give the final tight texture. Drink now.
Aromas of red berry, crushed blue flower and a toasted note take center stage. The slightly cloudy palate and fine sediment—a result of secondary fermentation in the bottle with no disgorgement—delivers delicate creamy cherry, juicy raspberry and hint of cinnamon alongside bright acidity. Panebianco, Golden State Wine.
The local Baga grape makes an appearance in this blend, creating a firm texture with solid tannins. Its rich, dense core is dark and brooding in character, but could soften out with age. Drink after 2015.
Fresh and fruity, this is already very drinkable. Tannins could soften further, but the bright red fruits and acidity are juicy enough already. The mineral texture and fragrant aftertaste form a balanced combination. This cuvée is selected from plots on the Beynat property.
Merlot and Syrah are added to Portuguese varieties to give a solid and fruit-driven wine. Rich berries and generous tannins are dominant partners, with juicy acidity giving balance. It's a wine that is ready to drink, full of fruit and generous.
Pear and melon aromas get a boost from the barrel, but ultimately the nose on this Chardonnay is simple. In the mouth, things run smooth. Barrel-related flavors of spice, hickory and toast dominate white-fruit notes, while the finish is oaky but balanced in feel.
This rosé, made from Pinot Noir and Syrah, is brilliant pink in color, with aromas of strawberry and cream. The silky palate shows pronounced red cherry and vanilla flavors.
A perfumed wine that is spicy as well as crisp. It is full of ripe apples and hedgerow fruits, with a spring in its texture and a bright acidity at the end. The aftertaste shows more of the spiciness as well as a touch of typical Riesling steeliness.
Alain and Céline Vidal's second brand (they also own Château Dubraud) is a fruity blend of Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Cabernet Franc (15%) although the smoky wood flavors also have an important place. Red berries and black currants partner with acidity and firm tannins. The wine is still developing so drink from 2016.
This Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend is ripe with attractive vanilla flavors from the wood aging that complement the red berry fruits. It is spicy, toasty and has a soft structure. Give it time for the wood to allow the fruit more space, but it will be a generous wine.
The mix of spice and fruit gives a ripe feel and shows good potential. With 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, it has a juicy backdrop boosted by wood-aging flavors. It needs to age, so drink from 2018. The estate has been in the Dop family for 150 years.
Hints of orange blossom accent sugar cookie and brioche in this sparkling blend of Chardonany, Pinot Noir, Cayuga and Pinot Gris. It's zesty in lemon-lime acidity, finishing rich and dense.
With immediately attractive white flower aromas, this is a delicate, fruity and lightly textured wine. The trio of flavors includes citrus, lime zest and squeezed pink grapefruit, with fresh juicy acidity that gives a clean, bright aftertaste.
Like a stage actress, this wine is wearing a lot of makeup, which in this case means oak. In the mouth, it's tannic, rough and acidic. Flavors of baked berry, stewed plum, herb, molasses and raisin finish plump but with modest energy.
A site planted to the Rued clone of Chardonnay in classic Russian River Valley Goldridge soils, Searby is expressive in honeysuckle and orange blossom floral tones. This balanced wine is soft and round, its time in oak reaching an apex on the finish.
The sunny personality shows ripe pear, vanilla and melted butter flavors, medium body, a nicely smooth texture and some fresh acidity. The typical California fruitiness seems well complemented by oak.
This opens with aromas of black berries, toasted oak and spice. On the palate, notes of espresso, roasted coffee bean and vanilla back up ripe black cherry but drying wood tannins give it an abrupt finish.
The deep, saturated color and vivid, smoky flavors indicate a monster wine, but the reality is more complex and interesting. It smells like boysenberry, grilled beef and black pepper, tastes grapey and berrylike but also roasted and savory. It is surprisingly light-bodied considering how flavorful it is.
Although the wine is dry, it has a delicate softness that gives a broad spice and fruit character. The acidity is already well integrated into the ripe texture. It's not a wine for aging, but for drinking now as an apéritif.
Bright red berry and violet aromas lead off this soft, medium-bodied red. The palate offers dark cherry and a whiff of white pepper alongside round tannins. It's already accessible so enjoy soon. Drink through 2017.
Dry and full-bodied, this structured version of Viognier has subtle fruit aromas of melon and peach, flavors accented by oak and vanilla, a firm texture and clean finish. A substantial white wine, it should pair well with seafood, light meat dishes and creamy sauces.
Aromas of blackberry, blue flower, coffee and toast take center stage on this young, forward wine. The palate offers dried black cherry, espresso and black pepper alongside evolved tannins.
Wood smoke and charcoal aromas lead to flavors like cola, steak sauce and cherries in this dramatic, Rhône-style wine blended from notoriously meaty Mourvèdre plus Grenache and Syrah. A touch of sweetness and light tannins complete the picture of this wine made by a longtime Rhône variety specialist.
Just a small amount of this wine was made, blended with 7% Zinfandel and 5% Syrah. Dark juicy fruit finds a way to succeed on the bold big-boned palate as notes of licorice and leather add savory undertones to the softly tannic madness.
The wine has all the warmth and ripe fruit of the vintage. Its tangy character is balanced by apple and pear fruits, along with refreshing acidity. Smoothly textured, the wine is ready to drink.
This Riesling has white floral and lemon zest aromas and lemon pith and grapefruit flavors. It's nicely balanced, with a pleasantly tart finish.
The nose opens with black-skinned berry, underbrush and toast aromas. It's firm and fruity on the palate, with black cherry, white pepper and mocha flavors framed by polished tannins. Enjoy through 2020.
This warm ripe blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay has some firm tannins as well as juicy red fruits. It is concentrated and structured while also having a generous, fruity character. Drink this wine now.
One of the producer's signature varieties, this impresses in its nutty gamy overview that recalls the sensations and smells of an Italian deli. Rich red fruit makes for a juicy core built around substantial tannins that become supple on the palate. The finish is about black pepper.
Named after the family that owns Rocim, this wine is ripe with soft tannins and juicy black-currant fruits. A core of dryness is surrounded by the attractive acidity. Drink now.
The wine is rich, accenting tropical-fruit flavors as well as concentrated acidity. Its spice and tangy character are part of the wine's intensity. This superripe wine is still on the young side and will be better from 2018.
Rich and fruity, this wine full of black-cherry and red-plum flavors. There is no wood aging, just fruit and crisp acidity that between them fill out the lightly tannic texture. Drink this wine from 2018.
Raspberry and green bell pepper aromas set the scene for blackberry, cassis, geranium leaf and smoke flavors in this wine. It's full bodied, with velvety tannins and a savory finish.
Tart cherry meets with woody charred-cedar spice, dried earth and crushed rocks on the nose of this appellation blend. The lightly bodied sip offers flavors that are quite light, with evenly dispersed cherry and gravel.
High-pitched acidity helps balance the bigger, bolder elements of truffle earth, leather and cherry cordial than run freely in this full-bodied softly textured wine.
This wine's plum and Bing cherry flavors glide smoothly through the midpalate with moderate density. It was sourced from own-rooted vines from a half dozen vineyards, notably Temperance Hill and Sunnyside.
This spicy, wood-aged wine is full of both tannins and fruit. It is dense and still young, bringing together juicy blackberry and a solid structure. It will be ready to drink from 2018.
Leather, menthol, crushed dill and celery aromas lead the nose. On the tight palate, firm acidity and close-grained tannins frame camphor, vanilla, hazelnut, dried cherry and pomegranate flavors.
Ripe black plum, leather and Mediterranean scrub aromas lead the nose. On the round palate, smooth tannins support blackberry jam, vanilla and sweet almond flavors. Enjoy through 2020.
This ripe wine, full of black fruits, is juicy, rich and ready to drink. Packed with fruit and acidity, it is balanced and smooth. It takes its name from the small town of Murça to the north of the main Douro region.
This fruity, unoaked wine is bright with citrus and crisp apple flavors, lightly perfumed from the Verdelho and Cerceal grapes in the blend. It's a refreshing wine that is ready now.
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon offers lots of thyme and oregano on the savory nose as well as black plum, mocha dust and graphite. The palate is rather light bodied, with dried herbs and the slightest hint of green pepper, all set against richer black fruit and pencil shavings.
This longtime winery recently rebranded all of its packaging into a more art-driven style, and it is buckling down on winemaking as well. This bottling from Sierra Madre Vineyard shows light aromas of white peach, grapefruit and the slightest hint of butterscotch. The chalky flavors are easy to like if not overly complex, with light lemon and nectarine touches.
A fifty-fifty blend of native grapes Cesanese di Affile and Cesanese Comune, this savory, medium-bodied charmer offers juicy black currant, blackberry, white pepper and intriguing charred notes. It's well balanced with fresh acidty and lithe tannis that offer easy-drinking pleasure.
Made with organically farmed fruit, this opens with aromas of ripe plum, tilled earth, leather and spice. The dense, warm palate delivers crushed blackberry, blueberry extract, oak, black pepper, espresso and cinnamon alongside big, velvety tannins. It's flamboyant but it's shy on freshness and the burn of searing alcohol throws it off balance.
The nose on this wine from the Willow Creek area plays between the lighter elements of bright red cherries and heavier hints of tar, with a bit of sour plum thrown in as well. The palate is loaded with chalky tannins, offering flavors of black cherries and licorice, but it could use some more time in bottle.
Aromas of black currant, plum, toast and espresso lead the nose on this young, soft Cabernet. The rich, easy-drinking palate doles out ripe black cherry and blackberry accented with notes of mocha and vanilla. Round tannins give it a smooth texture.
Boldly flavored and full-bodied, this is marked by strong, spicy-sweet oak aromas and flavors. It has a massive richness of tannins, gobs of ripe boysenberry and black cherry character, and a very deep red color. Despite the hefty structure, it's drinkable now if accompanied by equally rich food.
Concentrated on the nose, with oak aromas that are under control, this Garnacha is fresh and firm on the palate. Flavors of loamy berry and cassis are ripe almost to the point of being raisiny. A plump yet dry and spicy finish ends with oak-based resin and creaminess.
Dark in color, this chunky, ripe Malbec opens with blackberry, earth and rubber aromas. That bold, full quality carries onto the palate, which is staunch and bullish, with pepper and berry flavors that finish dry, yet weighty and lush.
Fleshy aromas of melon and apple fold in a few crumbs of vanilla cookie. This Viura feels healthy and balanced, with white-fruit flavors accented by tropical notes and green herbs. On the finish, lettuce and lime flavors hold steady. Drink now.
A hint of green-floral perfume wafts amidst notes of honey and apple on this off-dry Riesling. Spine-tingling with acidity, it's balanced with sweet yellow peach and cherry flavors. Irresistibly easy drinking, it finishes moderately long.
This bottling comes from the winery's Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard near the town of Sonoma, planted to eight separate Pinot Noir blocks. Savory in cranberry and cassis and quite austere, it's balanced in aromas of rose petal and a taste of black tea. Tannins are ripe yet firm, providing structure to help age the wine further.
Oaky, spicy and tannic, this is showing some sharp edges around moderately ripe plum and cherry fruit. It's solid and substantial, a bit blocky, and currently showing more barrel influence than fruit. All estate fruit, 40% new French oak. Additional bottle age might improve the score.
The residual sugar is not indicated, but this is not a super-sweet dessert wine; it falls more into the off-dry camp. A mix of orange, peach and apricot fruit, slightly candied, it has buoyant acidity and a toasty finish from nine months in all new French oak. Foie gras anyone?
From organically grown grapes, this wine is barrel-fermented in French oak. On the palate, it reflects that time in barrel, conveying a mix of spicy oak, exotic Asian pear and nutmeg. Well-integrated and light, it offers lilting minerality.
This light-bodied Chardonnay makes a nice break from rich, heavy, oaky versions. Aromas of dried thyme and parsley lead to pleasing fruit flavors of pear and peach. It has enough texture to fill the mouth and enough crispness to stay clean on the finish.
Deeply purple aromas of acai fruit and grape Jolly Rancher candies get a bit more serious with the scent of smoked cigars. The grape-juice element carries to the easy-to-drink, not overly complex palate, which will work well with food or just by itself.
Imagine sniffing barely ripe peach and guava through their skins to understand the brisk and subtle nose of this wine. The flavors are also subtle, but quite refreshing, with squeezed citrus and poached apple shining brightest.
This wine from the recently approved El Pomar District is tropically perfumed with lychee candy and a hint of passionfruit. Bouncy acidity on the front of the palate leads into red apple fruit and citrus skin bitterness, and wipes up with a zing on the palate.
Juicy in tropical mango, coconut flake and guava, this sophisticated Chardonnay is measured in texture and weight, the body lean with a touch of vanilla richness on the finish.
On the same quality level as its wooded counterpart, this Chardonnay shows modestly intense aromas, but plenty of pear and melon flavor. Easy to drink.
Aromas of buttered toast and roasted nuts lead the way, but they're bolstered by ample pineapple and citrus flavors on the palate. Full-bodied, with a soft, easy-drinking finish.
All of the hallmarks of a good Bordeaux blend are here—earthy, wooded spice, rich fruit flavors, a hearty character. The wine is elegant and assertive, but a slight red berry tartness, oak sweetness and heat throw its balance off just slightly. The overall impression, though, is good. Pair with beef stew or grilled lamb for a real treat.
This is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in neutral oak. It's bright and peppery and lightly herbal, with tart strawberry and cherry tomato flavors.
Grassy and green-smelling, with hints of asparagus, green tobacco and sea air. This is true cool-climate white wine, and it shows its proximity to the ocean via aromas of green bean, asparagus and citrus. It's lean as can be, and tight as a drum. It's a terroir wine that has good freshness but could benefit from slightly more amplified fruit.
Like many wines from this vintage, Melipal seems afflicted with 2005 blues. It has black plum and some woody char to chew on, but also saline and frisky tartness. Gets better with airing and will show best with food, but it's clearly a step down from prior years.
From young vines, this has been cofermented with Viognier, and it is a firm—almost hard—and tannic wine, with good grip. Black fruits, pepper and some hints of stone can be found, but it hits a wall of tannins that will require some time in bottle to break down.
This is a pretty late release for such an inexpensive wine, but its hard, reductive shell may be the reason it's been held back for so long. Herbs and spices drift up from the glass, along with peppery raspberry fruit. But overall it's a tough nut to crack, and should be decanted well in advance.
Smooth and fruity on the nose, with ample lushness and fairly ripe berry and cassis flavors. This is basically a Cabernet Sauvignon (with 20% Merlot), and it offers comfortable, medium-intensity flavors of raspberry, strawberry and currants. It's what you can drink with pizza or a grilled skirt steak.
Nicely rendered Chard at a reasonable price, this easy-to-drink wine keeps the oak influence understated, bolstering its pear, melon and pineapple fruit with subtle shadings of spice and toast. Clean and fresh on the finish.
A rare disappointment from Saint Clair—and it's still a good wine, just not up the standards set by the winery's other reserve wines. Ripe, peachy fruit is not so much framed by oak as covered by it, starting and finishing with layers of buttered toast and vanilla.
After years of taking its Merlot from southerly Lontué, San Pedro is now using Cachapoal fruit for this everyday wine, and the result seems fruitier and wider than in the past, with aromas of charcoal and herbs setting up black-fruit flavors accented by carob. A full and simple wine that has what it takes to please.
This medium-bodied Sauvignon's aromas show a pronounced grassy, passion-fruit character, while the flavors are based on melon, but also boast strongly herbal overtones, culminating in a slightly sour, passion-fruit finish.
Tohu's latest Pinot Noir boasts somewhat simple cherry and charred-oak flavors but decent weight and texture, with some fine-grained tannins on the finish. Drink now.
Yellowish to tan in color, this young wine is already showing signs of age, but get it early and you'll find creamy but sturdy flavors of squash, kumquat and peach. There's oak in support and plenty of personality. Whether that personality is universally appealing, however, is doubtful.
This variety is still a rarity in the valley, though it is up-and-coming. This example displays aromas of funk, black olive, tobacco and mineral that are followed by plump, expressive fruit and savory flavors. It provides a lot of intrigue.
Light cherry and pomegranate fruit tones dive into a darker beet-focused nose on this bottling, backed up by touches of crushed asphalt. The flavors are delicate, with a sparse plum-fruit backbone lifted by strong herbal components of tarragon, marjoram, pepper and a bit of juniper.
Starting out brooding, this wine opens with notes of mortared violets, purple fruit, herbs and plum. The dark fruit flavors are dense and full, putting a focus on the purity.
Thick black cherry, vanilla, licorice and kirsch aromas show on the nose of this blend of 40% Syrah, 34% Grenache and 26% Mourvèdre. The palate is also rich and juicy, with black currant, nutmeg and caramel-laced cappuccino flavors, bolstered by bright acidity.
This dazzling wine smells like lemon and orange slices drizzled with fresh honey, tastes sweet but balanced with good acidity, and feels rich and viscous but not heavy. The flavors seem layered and complex and the finish lingers a long time.
Old vines (more than 45 years old) have produced this firm structured wine. It has dark tannins that give the wine concentration and a dense texture. Black-plum skin and blackberry fruit are shot through with acidity. The wine will be still better after some more aging, so drink from 2018.
This seductive wine has a deep ruby color, jazzy cherry and plum aromas and an elegantly balanced mouthfeel. It offers plenty of fruit flavors that are fresh and just a touch tart like they should be, firm tannins and full body. Best after 2018.
Creamy notes of apple pie spread across a lithe body flavored by layers of pleasantly bitter citrus pith. This wine is dry and concentrated, with elements of stone and chalk, and the finish is refreshing and clean.
The wine has just the right density and weight for a Morgon. It comes from an 18-acre vineyard that gives a dark rich wine that is packed with tannins as well as black-cherry fruit. It is a complex wine, firm while also fruity. Drink starting from 2017.
Softer hints of chamomile and ripe apple play on the nose. The palate has some of the balmier qualities of chamomile tisane and a lively, friendly apple freshness. Acidity and fruit ripeness are harmoniously aligned, while citric freshness highlights herbal and apple peel glints even more. This is slender but smooth, lively but mellow and delicious.
A note of flinty reduction still hovers above the nose, signalling a wine still needing bottle age. Underneath, juicy peaches are enlivened with notes of fresh, tart passion fruit. The final picture is one of balanced poise and lasting, juicy aroma. Drink 2017–2025.
A light garnet color and layers of classic aromas like tea, rhubarb, cherry and a nice walk-in-the-pines element segue to gentle cherry, raspberry and black tea in this medium-bodied, elegant wine. It's also classic in the sense that complexity and drinkability rule over sheer power.
This wine is 100% varietal, coming from old blocks at Dionysus and Upland vineyards. It enchants the senses with aromas of pure blackberry along with dried herb and coffee that are followed by restrained yet luxurious espresso and cherry flavors. The balance is impeccable and the finish lingers.
Winemaker Bill Brousseau taps his family vineyard for this bottling that leans toward a more delicate style, offering light white flowers, yellow melon, tangerine peels, kumquat, Asian pear and a hint of clove and cinnamon spice. A baking-soda energy pops on the palate, where lemon blossoms and pink-grapefruit rinds collide for a tart chorus.
One of the four vineyards that this winery entirely uses as a monopole bottling, this wine shows smoked pork, baked raspberry, crushed rosebuds and a touch of sesame on the nose. The palate's backbone is a tangy cranberry fruit that is enhanced by pencil lead and cedar spice.
With nine months of oak aging, the sweetness of this wine has been balanced with hints of toast. It is so fresh as well as sweet, the intensity of the acidity is almost shocking at what is still a young age. Drink this peach and apricot-flavored wine from 2019.
This is an austere, elegant study in power and grace, blending 53% Merlot with 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Substantial and tannin-defined as many of its brethren of this vintage, it shows cedar, pencil shavings and a touch of tobacco, more savory than fruit-driven. Drink now through 2023.
Posh fruit aromas, gentle and ripe flavors and a very polished texture make this wine more fun to drink now than its big sister, the Ferrington single-vineyard Pinot. Delicious red cherry, cinnamon and cedar threads weave a complex and layered flavor, with a good underpinning of fine-grained tannins.
Forest fruits and warming spices lead this elegant red blend. The palate offers cherry and red currant flavors mingling with black pepper, cinnamon and clove. The wine has a brisk mineral edge that keeps it balanced and great for food. A wine with poise that will age.
Soft notes of rose petal and peach compote animate the nose. A restrained, floral medium sweetness envelopes the palate, shimmering with notes of honeysuckle and bitter grapefruit pith. Gently balanced, this wine has just the right amount of floral perfume.
Deep purple in color, this cool-vintage Syrah excels via smooth cherry, cassis, cedar and charcoal aromas. A full-bodied palate is balanced by firm acidity, while plum, berry, cassis and chocolate flavors finish in harmony. Drink through 2020.
A touch of new oak adds complexity and a good, gripping sensation to this medium-bodied and nicely structured wine. Adding to the light toast and smoke aromas, the fruit flavors bring tart cherry and raspberry plus some bass notes of clove and black tea. The wine has an appetizing balance and persistent flavors. It will be best after 2018.
This wine is aged in neutral oak and shows salty lemon and guava notes atop a creamy, crisply layered texture. Bright and bold, it satisfies on the palate and should impress further as it opens in the glass, or even with a touch more time in the bottle.
The producer expertly captures the mix of coolness and intensity so true to the appellation, a tangle of brooding black cherry, blackberry and underlying smoke, that's both decadent and succulent on the palate, deeply satisfying in its finish of chocolate and black licorice.
This wine starts with a soft nose of rose, tropical fruit and a touch of spice. Its flavors of citrus and spice are complex but buoyed by a laser focused minerality. Elegant and classic, and worthy of aging.
This small producer continues to impress with this floral, impressively made effort, sourced from several vineyards, including Terra de Promissio. Sly layers of raspberry define juicy acidity and sizable tannin and oak that support but don't intrude. The finish continues the theme of vibrancy, lingering in cherry and dried cranberry.
From Rick Longoria's own vineyard comes this high-toned, focused bottling showing Asian pear juice, hot toast and apple blossom on the stonefruit-driven nose. There is steel structure on the sip, which fresh with more fruity pear elements, but also bound to a chipped-slate minerality.
This is the second label of Young Inglewood, a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in all-French oak, one quarter of it new. Meant to be approachable young, it is, while retaining a concentration of licorice, black currant and blackberry wrapped in dark chocolate. Firm tannins give it structure.
This is a brightly crisp wine, bringing out the acidity in Alvarinho rather than the more exotic fruitiness. It has a direct line of fresh citrus, a mineral tang and juicy freshness. Drink now.
Light and bright, this is a fragrant and fruity rosé. On the palate, strawberry flavors are gently caressed with soft acidity, leaving a soft, ripe aftertaste.
A neutral salmon in color, with a slightly bricked orange tinge, this blend of Merlot, Grenache and Mourvèdre drinks dry. Abundant cherry flavors come through in this medium-bodied wine.
A bright pink wine that tastes drier than it looks. It has bright strawberry aromas, as well as touches of caramel and lively final acidity. It's not for aging.
This smells light and soapy at first, with modest berry fruit aromas and a pinch of leather. In the mouth, the structure is soft. Flavors of warm, syrupy berry fruits finish sweet and generic.
The mountains south of Beaujolais produce a light style of Gamay. This wine is soft, juicy, easy and fruity with red-cherry flavor marked by fresh acidity. Drink now.
A fruity and aromatic wine that is a blend of Syrah and Castelão. It has bright red fruits and a soft, ripe character. Berries and acidity complement the round finish.
Lush, polished and detailed, this is as elegant as any Washington Syrah can be. Intensely fruity with lively raspberries and plums, it layers in details of earth, mushroom, pepper and herb, leading to a perfectly balanced, structured finish.
A blend of Chardonnay and Maria Gomes, here is a ripe wood- and apricot-flavored wine. It is full, spicy, livened by crispness from a red apple skin texture. The vanilla from the wood adds a delicious richness to this impressive wine.
At first blush this reserve seems more oaky, more open and more overtly alcoholic than the just-released Leonetti 2008 Merlot and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. After many hours of breathing time it fills in with pretty plummy fruit, toast, caramel, whiffs of smoke, cedar and cigar box, and dry tannins.
This is 100% Cabernet, with the purity that is a recurring hallmark of Rulo's wines. A deep, and deeply satisfying fruit expression, lifted with juicy acidity, brings a mélange of berries, cassis and black cherries into play. The grace notes pile on—smoke, black olive, tar, tobacco leaf, bitter chocolate. Young, bracing, and built to age.
It's not easy to find mature Rioja from a great winery and a great year. This is all that; it smells of tobacco, earth and dried fruits. The palate is lively and not dying, while the flavors of cherry, raisin and marzipan are spot on. Compact and long on the finish, indicating that it still has another 10–15 years in it.
Fragrant and lush with floral/citrus aromas, this stainless-fermented Chardonnay is inviting and seductive. Brilliant, bright fruit anchors a wine that is tense and dense and vividly thrilling. The acids are natural and flavors seamlessly run from lemon/lime to pineapple to orange, and keep on keeping on, with fresh, water-washed rock in the finish.
A wonderful wine from the Uco Valley of Mendoza that opens with fine fruit, richness and molten earth. The palate is big as they come but not hard and out of whack, and the flavors are an amalgam of rich black plum, berry fruit, fig paste and chocolate. Smoky and sultry on the back end, with mocha and coffee for finishing notes. Drink now through 2014.
Gritty, stalky aromas override the wine's plum and berry scents. This feels acidic and rough, with abrasive tannins. Thus the flavors are tight, juicy and narrow, with an emphasis on red fruits. Minerality and acidity drive the finish.
Made from the Aleatico grape, this opens with intense floral aromas reminiscent of air freshener. The palate offers strawberry, berry and grapefruit flavors that finish slightly off-dry. It's one dimensional, but would would make a fun apéritif.
Pencil eraser, plastic and vanilla are all reflective of the oak thrown at this blend of Malbec, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. In the mouth, this is heavy, grabby and hard, while blackened flavors of oak and baked fruits set up a finish with creamy oak, herbal accents and heat.
This a touch rusty in color for such a youngster. Wiry aromas come with a note of red licorice candy, while the palate is snappy and on the acidic side. Raspberry is the lead flavor, while the finish is fresh and juicy.
Tasting young Hunter Semillons is fraught with peril, as often the wines that taste shrillest when young blossom nicely with age. In this case, the wine is five years past the vintage but still seems rather vegetal, showing ample green bell-pepper notes alongside tart citrus flavors.
This is still closed but reveals restrained dark fruit and cocoa aromas. The palate is also closed down, showing only hints of blackberry and espresso, with massive tannins and evident alcohol. It lacks freshness and seems tired, although it could be in a mute phase. Hold and try after 2016.
Though aged in just 20% new French oak, the wood seems to take over much of the show in this young wine. Notes of char, caramel, and sawdust accompany tobacco and dark berry aromas and flavors. The fruit flavors are light and citrusy with a spice filled finish and a gritty feel to the tannins.
Full in the mouth, the wine has ripe pear and lime flavors. It has a funky edge to it as well, with more rustic flavors. Give the wine six months to come together. Screwcap.
High-toned, raw aromas of cherry and currant are backed by toasty oak and mint. Lively and lifted as well as choppy in feel, this tastes mostly of char, plum and peppery spice. Things blacken up on a hot, firm, toasty finish.
Opaque black to the eye, this is a massive, high-alcohol, syrupy Garnacha that is more like Port than dry wine. Aromas of prune and raisin dominate, while the palate is thick as molasses, with gummy, raisiny flavors that finish with heady notes of coffee and chocolate syrup. At 16% ABV, and with outlandish weight and stickiness, this isn't what you'd call a food-friendly table wine.
Narrow, pointed aromas of licorice and snappy, herbal fruits filter into a hard, tannic palate. Flavors of red berries and currants are pushed by blazing acidity, while the finish is firm as rocks and tastes a bit green and minty. For a 2005, this is showing its cards; drink now.
This is a wine that feels heavy, with rich apricot flavors that lack freshness and balance. It's not a wine for aging, but will go well with cakes or pastries.
Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, this Tuscan offering has aromas of grilled bell pepper and cedar wood. Oak dominates the palate, which also shows red currants, chocolate and espresso along with aggressive and astringent wood tannins.
This fresh and juicy wine is marked by berry fruits and acidity. It's bright and crisp in character, while also having weight and richness. With its soft tannins, it is ready to drink now.
This is a lively, fruity wine that is ready to drink now. It has juicy fruitiness from black currant and strawberry notes, along with soft tannins.
Combine a warm year with too much time in bottle and this is what you get. This chunky, barrel-fermented Verdejo smells and tastes of early oxidation; it's creamy on the palate and strained in terms of flavors. Wheaty, leesy, faded melon and apple flavors have lost their verve.
Sweaty aromas of gym bag, nettle and grapefruit come in front of a citric, astringent palate with grapefruit-like acidity. Heavy, pithy citrus flavors finish similarly.
Strong aromas and flavors like smoke and bacon seem heavy in this medium-bodied but tannic wine. A dish with bacon might bring it around.
Waxy, weird aromas of lemon and ham are all over the map. This feels heavy, with a sense of sugary weight. Chunky flavors of cured pork and creamy melon finish plump but amorphous.
Medium purple in color, faint blueberry juice notes mark the nose. While the palate shows a bit more intensity in ripe fruit nature, it's a bit flabby in feel.
Intensely floral, this opens with aromas that recall air freshener and lilies past their prime. The floral aromas carry over to the lean, rather diluted palate along with a note of candied nectarine zest.
Produced by the cooperative of Santo Isidro de Pegões south of Lisbon, this wine comes from the grape variety that's planted across the region. It's an open, soft wine, great for pasta dishes with plenty of ripe fruits and gentle tannins. Drink now.
White-fruit aromas of pear, apple and melon are decent. This feels round but not exact. Chunky flavors of apple and melon are low on zest and freshness, while the finish feels heavy and is salty in taste.
Rough, sinewy and oaky, this full-bodied wine is concentrated and thick, a robust expression of bitter black fruit and leather.
The color is quite deep and golden, the aroma is earthy and the flavors are strong, grapy and very ripe. This wine is full bodied and almost sweet.
Citrus and tropical-fruit aromas are basic. This feels plump and, yet again, basic. Vegetal flavors of bell pepper finish with hints of citrus as well as pyrazinic green notes.
The wine is soft, fruity and with its light tannins and fresh red berry fruits, it is ready to drink. The aftertaste has a fresh, bright finish. Drink now.
This is rather inexpressive, revealing muted and unusual sensations that recall medicinal herb. It's lean, with bracing acidity.
The wine is ripe, full with red currant and raspberry fruits and some attractive acidity. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Merlot, it is soft, fruity and needs drinking fast before it fades.
As crisp as possible, this is a light, strawberry fruited wine with balanced acidity and a fresh, delicious aftertaste. Drink now.
Fresh and ripe, packed with red berry fruits, this is a young and fruity wine that is perfect to drink right away. It's light, bright and refreshing.
This simple white opens with faint aromas that recall hazelnut, coffee bean and toast. The aromas make their way to the lean, rather diluted palate along with yellow apple skin. Bracing acidity gives it a brisk finish.
Stalky, burnt aromas are gritty and not fully clean or appealing. A grabby, raw, tannic palate is rough and grating, while this tastes much like the nose suggests: stalky and tomatoey. Heavy tannins and a mild but steady burn add to the toughness of this Cabernet.
A mostly neutral bouquet shows mild notes of almond and apple, but little more. Flavorwise, this delivers modest almond and papaya flavors in front of a wan, nutty tasting finish.
Juicy blackberry and black currant coast across a softly layered wine that's approachable and ready to drink, dusted in tannins and dried herbs.
Bland aromas suggest applesauce. This varietal Xarello feels plump but flat. Candied, generic white-fruit flavors are nonspecific, while this offers up citrus notes and pyrazines on the finish.
Citrus and floral aromas are mild. This blend of Viura and Chardonnay feels round and chunky, but hardly stocky. Bland flavors of orange and grapefruit fall off on the finish.
This is a fresh and bright wine. It has tangy acidity, a citrus character and a zesty aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
Lemon pith and ripe peach aromas are clouded under a distinctly medicinal tone of baby aspirin. While there is nice roundness to the palate and balanced acidity to boot, the flavors are mild showings of orchard fruit and lemon curd.
This is a rough, rustic, country red, with little varietal character and none of the elegance of Pinot Noir. Tart, light strawberry fruit is smothered in chewy, earthy tannins.
Lightly floral aromas are dilute while hinting at quince jelly. There's not a lot of vitality to the palate, while tangerine and nectarine flavors are watery. Pithy citrus notes carry the finish before it putters out.
A light color goes along with light plum and red cherry flavors, a soft texture and light to medium body. This wine is pleasant and straightforward.
Tropical aromas revolve around lemon-lime. This is acidic without much body. Flavors of lemon, melon, mango and green apple are lean and finish with tangy, pithy citrus flavors.
Grapefruit and other citrusy aromas come with a dusty note. This shows peachy weight, then leesy flavors of stone fruits and mango that are soft and lightly oxidized.
This wine's aromas of baked apple, honey, cinnamon and brown sugar are immediately attractive, and in the mouth it doesn't disappoint. It's broad and mouthfilling but avoids heaviness, finishing long, with hints of orange rind.
In a departure from Mosel stereotypes, this wine is missing the floral fragrance and vivacity so typical of the region. But it remains impressive, offering plenty of concentration and density, hugely mineral aromas and flavors that call to mind molten rocks and even an oily texture and viscous finish. How it will age is impossible to predict, so drink it over the next 2–3 years.
Proper Nuits-St.-Georges, all dry tannins powering through the dark cherry fruit flavors, and balanced with tasty acidity. There's great potential here, the ripe fruits just showing their intensity, but for the moment, the tannins are the core.
An opulent style, where the tannins are subservient to the ripeness of the red cherry flavor. The acidity enhances the sweetness of the rich fruit, and the lively, vibrant texture comes sweeping right through to finish.
Bone dry, deliciously crisp, this young Riesling exudes minerality, steel and flint while giving flavors of green apple, grapefruit and white currant. It shows great acidity in its tight, taut finish.
Sourced from what winemaker Don Corson calls “the best of the best”, this five-grape blend is modeled after Chateau St. Jean's Cinq Cépages. It shows a carefully sculpted frame, with rich, dark, smoky tannins chiseled into a tight foundation for the dark currant and black cherry fruit. Notes of pepper and spice add interest to the finish, which carries a hint of minerality.
With maturity beckoning, this wine already emphasizes its petrol, its herbal fruit character. The aromas of white flowers are there, but the acidity is less fruit, more texture, surrounding toast and lime jelly flavors. Screwcap.
Firm and hard, this shows density rather than fruit, tannin rather than freshness. It goes for the dark side of Clos Vougeot. There is some bitterness from the extraction, but the wine needs many years before it comes into balance—the juicy red fruit finish promises richness later.
Despite this wine's considerable sweetness, it features a balanced blend of minerality and fruit. Pear and slate notes mark the nose and palate, finishing soft and round. An easy-drinking kabinett for near-term consumption.
A balanced blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay gives a rich wine, with mineral, pear and layered wood flavors. There is some herbaceousness, but the wood and creamy Chardonnay give broadness and richness.
Well done Shiraz, carefully made and judiciously oaked, with vanilla and cedar accenting blackberry, plum and black olive flavors. It's moderately tannic on the finish, where it adds some coffee-like nuances as well. Drink 2010–2018.
The Pauly Bergweiler style leans toward ripe and sweet, but this bottling also shows plenty of acidity. Honeyed orange and pineapple flavors are concentrated and rich, balanced by hints of petrol, slate and peppery spice.
The wine is two-thirds Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre. It's warm and fruity, lightly spicy and finishing with tannins showing green tea and leaf. This is mostly Elerding fruit from the Horse Heaven Hills vineyard; balanced and firm.
As the name suggests, this is a big wine (15.7% alcohol), but in this year the wine handles it well, balancing that weight with bold flavors of blackberry, vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon. Finishes tart and juicy, with coffee and olive shadings.
This fruit-driven wine lacks a touch of minerality but features admirably pure, focused notes of perfectly ripe apples, pineapple and citrus. It's a sweet, medium-bodied spätlese that's plump and succulent, delicious sipped on its own on a warm summer evening. Imported by Chapin Cellars, LLC.
This Traminer brings out all the spice associated with the grape, adding pepper, quince and some toastiness. If you want to drink lychees, this is where to come, but there is more to the wine, because the acidity adds its element of freshness, and there is considerable richness.
Dark-hued wine, dominated by acidity as well as firm tannins. It shows solid, chunky structure, ripe fruit and plenty of sweetness. Of course, there is acidity as well, the charm of Gamay coming through in the fresh cherry flavors. Age 2–3 years.
The densely planted vineyard that gives this wine its name yields fine concentration, dense pear and melon flavors. The apple skin texture also shows a distinct bite of acidity. Wafts of fruitiness combine with pepper right to the end. An impressive, ageworthy wine.
The only question with this wine is whether it might be too much of a good thing. It's full bodieed and densely concentrated, with oaky notes of toasted almond and vanilla layered over plummy fruit, finishing warm and lush. Hedonistic to the max. Drink now.
The Jerome reserve is exactly what you want and expect in a reserve. Not just bigger, not just more of everything—it has that—but without sacrificing terroir or balance. Supple, veined with red fruits, purple fruits, smoke, earth and barrel toast, the wine moves sinuously across the palate into a full-bore finish. Lots of life ahead.
The rare ripeness of the 2009 vintage is shown in the high alcohol, for Beaujolais at least, of this wine. Not that it shows, except in weight. The acidity is right there along with ripe plums. An ageworthy, finely concentrated wine.
Mirabelle is the darkest, chewiest, most tannic of the three clonal selection Pinots offered by Vidon. It's a Pinot in Cab clothing. Chewy, dense, ripe fruit keeps it all in proportion, a thick black cherry core with rings of chocolate. Think Saturn in a glass.
The 2009 vintage of this wine was one of the stars from Georges Duboeuf, and this 2010 fits the same pattern. It has great richness, spice, black cherry fruits, the acidity offering the fruity side of the wine. Ready for aging two years.
A richly aromatic wine, with swathes of sweet fruit, ripe tannins and a juicy, jammy feel. This is so generous, open, welcoming. There is structure as well, cushioned by the sweet fruits.
Ripe, rounded and generous, a warm plum juice-flavored wine. There is power and concentration. It is a very complete, ageworthy wine, although accessible now.
A deep, developed wine with cola, licorice and prune aromas. The palate is poised and balanced even if it's rich and very ripe. Layered in the mouth, with plum, prune, chocolate, coffee and fine spice, which is about as complete a package as you'll find with Malbec. Cabernet and Syrah; drink now through 2015.
A sensational varietal Petit Verdot that's rich and velvety, lush and intense, with a hint of Bordeaux's typical herbiness, that evolves into some of the best blackberry, mocha and spicy chocolate you can imagine. Winemaker John Kinney had originally planned to blend the two barrels that eventually became this wine. Be glad he didn't. The grapes were sourced from Ghielmetti Vineyard, the primo vineyard to look for in Livermore wines.
A potent brew of raisin, blackberry, minerality and leather comes together to form a bold, very ripe bouquet. The palate is chunky and forward, with beefy tannins and full-force flavors of blackberry, black peppercorn and toast. A huge and massive wine with a sweet, toasty, ripe and candied finish. Drink now through 2014.
From two different domaines on the Côte de Py slope, this is a dense, firm wine, very solid and powerful. The wine has opulence under its structure, with rich plum and sweet jelly flavors. Worth aging for another year.
Poised and focused Mencía with lush, bold aromas that are powerful and alluring. The palate is healthy and stout, with tannic grip that props up black fruit, toast and charcoal flavors. Black pepper, spice and licorice are the finishing notes.
Smooth, deep and fairly complex on the bouquet, with concentrated dark fruit aromas blending with coconut. The palate shows structure, tightness and full but integrated tannins, while the flavors of black fruits, herbs, tea and spice set up a full, toasted finish that satisfies. Drink now through 2020.
Tight and tannic, like red brick, bread and caramel, this Lodi Primitivo has 5% Barbera mixed in but the entire effort tastes of not-quite-ripe blackberries.
An inexpensive, large-production Pinot that's overly earthy and a little thin on the finish with a smidgen of residual sugar thrown in too, but reasonably priced and decently quaffable with food.
Light berry aromas mix with brine, cumin and sweet spice on the nose. In the mouth, it's rather lean and juicy, with sharp acidity creating fresh red berry flavors and tang. Turns more piercing and citrusy the longer it airs out.
Opens with aromas of funky fruit, sweet spice and Band-Aid. The palate is heavy and kind of flat, with weight and richness. Tastes candied and herbal, with a sweet and syrupy finish that's sticky at first and then burns a little as it fades away.
Funky smelling, with a mix of sweat, hot summer field and leather. It's more fresh in the mouth, with adequate acidity and stalky, slightly minty flavors mixed with mild berry notes.
One must strain to smell the ripe plum at first in this wine that is otherwise more tannic than juicy or flavorful. Buoyed by American oak and a dash or two of Syrah and Petite Sirah it's rightly priced.
Rubbery, dense aromas are murky and on the green side as leafy, tomato notes rise up. Feels a bit thick and heavy, with herbal, sticky, sweet berry flavors mixed with a syrupy grab. Carries its weight in plodding fashion; a sweet and unctuous Cab.
A smooth wine, feeling light in style, with a touch of acidity to go with the gentle tannins. It is now quite ready to drink, easy and approachable.
Light, fresh, raspberry-flavored wine, with a hint of spice and great lines of acidity. The wine is fruity, delicious.
Neutral on the nose, with a touch of white fruit essence peeking through. The palate is easygoing and slightly lemony, with lemon-lime flavors and tropical overtones. Finishes sweet and bland.
This is a light- to medium-bodied Shiraz with a bright profile of juicy red berries and just a hint of chocolate, turning rather crisp on the finish. Drink now.
Dark, dark, dark is this estate-grown Syrah, closed at the nose except for the profusion of alcohol, grippy with lots of oak and crazy, teeth-staining tannins.
Clean and fresh, with light citrus and apple flavors. A pleasant, somewhat beery flavor.
Clean and light with easy-pleasing notes of red apple flesh and tropical fruit acidity. A touch of buttered toasted challah bread adds depth to the close. Drink now.
Starts out volatile, with a burning sensation to the nose. After settling, the palate shows heat along with baked apple, melon and bitterness. Finishes solid but pithy, with some leftover heat.
Opens with jammy aromas but it's also stewed and stalky. The palate is resiny and tannic, which means it's grabby. Tastes a bit leafy and burnt, with spiced, roasted red plum flavors. Offers mostly oak spice and heat on the finish.
Half of the wine was whole-cluster fermented, and only native yeast was employed. It's got a tart and tangy quality, with pure fruit flavors of cranberry, strawberry and raspberry. The acids are clean and the wine crisply refreshing.
From the owners of another marquee vineyard nearby, Sun Chase, this wine is expressive and expansive on the palate, dark red-purple in color, thick and dense on the palate. Blackberry, black plum and black pepper rise to the fore, built along a continuum of earthy forest floor. Tannin and oak are interwoven well, before a soft finish.
An excellent value, this comes from vines that average 40 years of age. It's unusually complex for the price, offering hints of cracked pepper, clove, leather, plum and mint, all delivered with ample weight and a rich, supple texture. Drink now–2020.
Lavish aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam, gingerbread, mincemeat pie and caramel chews combine for a hedonistic nose on this wine from Aaron Jackson. Dense, dark blueberry fruit drives the palate, which gains complexity from espresso beans, dark chocolate and graphite minerality.
Aged in 100% once-filled barrels, this smooth and savory wine blends four different Dijon clones. The spicy raspberry and cherry fruit coats the tongue, wrapped in light caramel and toast. It's a very pretty, elegant wine, drinking nicely already, but one that should continue to hold together well through 2020.
This is the most widely distributed, highest-production Pinot Noir from Archery Summit. It's forward and fruity, with generous, ripe strawberry and cherry fruit. There is a steely sheen to the finishing flavors, like licking a knife blade, and the tannins pack enough muscle to further improve the wine through 2018–2020.
The fermentation with the stems intact brings some earthy qualities front and center, to good effect. This is the most distinctive entry among the winery's eight Pinots, further enhanced by the use of wild yeasts. Scents of clover and hints of watercress and bark highlight the flavors of beetroot and brambly berry fruit. You will have fun playing this against a variety of potential food matchups.
The color of this full-bodied wine is deep red and aromas are dense with dark fruit like black plum and blueberry, accented with earthy nuances. The mouthfeel is rich and almost thick, as firm but fine-textured tannins coat the tongue and concentrated flavors of dark chocolate and blueberry soak through. This should improve through at least 2020.
One of the top Pinot rosés of the vintage, this is beautiful to look at, to sniff and to sip. The color of pale pink cherry blossoms, it matches rather delicate complexity to surprising concentration, pushing ripe cherry fruit front and center. It's finished dry, and should not be over-chilled, or you'll miss the lovely aromatics.
Smooth and silky, this seductive wine is absolutely loaded with flavors of cherry and chocolate. It's irresistible, and probably at or near its peak drinking window, as it affords maximum pleasure in a luscious, palate-coating style.
If ripe, jammy fruit is what you like in an Oregon Pinot, this is your baby. A generous amount of strawberry and cherry flavor is wrapped in a cloak of chocolate from 14+ months in 60% new French oak.
This full-bodied Merlot opens with aromas that recall cedar, licorice, mature plum and blackberry that follow through to the robust palate, alongside cracked peppercorn, clove and tobacco. Firm but velvety tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2018.
This wine, which blends 75% estate fruit with 25% from Rodney's Vineyard, offers black raspberry juice, black cardamom, allspice, buttered cherries and sandalwood on the nose. Bright strawberry fruit flavors are enhanced with clove spice, and a decently tart tension holds it all together.
Chenin Blanc is quite rare in Oregon, and this wine, from vines planted just five years previously, may inspire others to follow suit. Aromas of fresh herb and citrus oil lead into a tangy palate with lime, lemon verbena and expressive minerality. The balance and length are just right, and the varietal character is in evidence throughout.
Not a shy wine, this looks very dark and smells smoky and meaty. It tastes extra ripe and rich, showing off both the grapes and the sweet-seeming oak with which the wine was apparently aged. There is a strong maple syrup and smoked bacon flavor, a thick, tongue-coating texture and lingering finish.
Spicy, dry plum and berry aromas are lightly floral and complex on the nose. This Cab is elegant and sturdy on the palate, with plum, raspberry and chocolate flavors that finish with grip, length, complexity and a welcome freshness. Drink through 2021.
A generous wine that still manages to keep elegance and style. It offers black, juicy fruits that are blended with the spice from wood aging. There are blackberries, plenty of acidity and a dry but always fruity aftertaste. Drink from 2016.
This tastes bold in flavor and feels lavish in texture. Aromas resemble red cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg, while the flavors are ripe and spread out on the palate, seeming to form layers of fruit, spice and maple. Smooth and flavorful, it's appealing from first sniff to finish.
This sure-fire crowd pleaser opens with the steely authority of the AVA's Pinots, showing a streak of earth and bark. Then it fills in, with ripe purple fruit swathed in generous layers of coffee grounds and toasty oak. It finishes long and smoky, with plenty of power.
While the nose opens with intense mineral tones of smoke and petrol, the palate of this kabinett bursts with plump melon and stone fruit. Zesty and bright, it's a deeply complex and irresistibly quaffable wine, with satisfying sweetness on the finish.
A 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this dense, extracted wine opens with aromas of vanilla, new oak, ripe black fruit, mocha and roasted coffee beans. The palate offers oak extract, coconut, toast, chocolate, fleshy plum and blackberries alongside velvety tannins. It's still resting heavily on its oak so give it a few years to integrate.
Packed with juicy berry flavors, this outgoing wine blends great freshness and pure grape flavors with a lip-smacking texture of tannins and acidity that keep it well balanced. It resembles black berry, raspberry and boysenberry juices, has a tangy mouthfeel and lingering, tingly finish.
Dark and smoky, aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis come with a hint of oaky vanilla and tobacco. A lively, alert, bright palate is dense but balanced, with plum and blackberry flavors followed by notes of chocolate, toast, herbs, pencil lead and baked black fruits. Drink through 2019.
This is a seriously wood-aged wine, sumptuous in its smooth and creamy texture. It has citrus, lime and really fresh acidity to balance the toast and rich fruitiness. Elegant and worth aging further. Drink from 2016.
Fully ripened in this exemplary vintage, this boasts fleshy cherry and plum fruit, with tasty confectionary highlights. Ten months aging in 25% new French oak contributes to those sweet notes, and a touch of sassafras and cola streaks across the finish.
This unusual blend of 50% Viognier and 50% Grechetto opens with aromas of white spring flower, ripe stone fruit, flint and a whiff of pine sap. The linear palate delivers layers of white peach, juicy pear, green apple, spice and minerality brightened by fresh acidity. It finishes on a note of white almond. Hold a few years for complexity. Drink through 2020.
Cedar, berries and tobacco on the nose of this elegant red give it a moody appeal. On the palate, cherry, mocha and smoke prevail. This wine has dimension and class.
This wine takes time to come around, but once it does, oak and pencil shavings season an herbal core that's tight and classic. Black licorice and espresso enter the fray, expanding on the palate's blackberry and cassis. Cellar through 2020–2022.
Bold and smoky, this offers tart, tight cherry and brambly berry fruit. The juicy acidity is counterpointed with a certain chalkiness. A whiff of truffle further complements the fruit. It's a sleek wine with surprising power.
Glorious perfume emanates from the nose, suggesting that cologne-like blend of citrus with far more mellow notes of musk and pine. The palate reveals a repository of ripe, yellow plum, and of bouncy, fleshy juiciness. A fresh seam of acidity culminates in a lip-smacking finish on this perfumed, light-bodied Riesling.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (49%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (16%), Mourvèdre (9%) and Counoise. Complex aromas of raspberry, blueberry, dried herbs and pepper lead to reserved yet rich fruit flavors that put a premium on purity. Give it time to open up.
This wine is full of juicy Merlot, ripe with sweet tannins and jammy fruit. It is soft, with the freshness of the year as well as having hints of structure. It is ripe, beautifully fruity and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Showing how Saint-Émilion came out well in 2013, this wine has ripe and juicy Merlot fruits topped with perfumed Cabernet Franc. Rich and structured, it's a wine for aging over the medium-term with its layers of tannins under the fruit. Drink from 2020.
This wine shows the continuing evolution of this property even in a difficult year. Structured, balanced tannins are already integrated with the fresh black-currant fruits. With a balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the wine is fruity and still young. Drink from 2019.
This impressive wine is full of potential. Powerful wood flavors are currently masking the fruitiness of the wine. However the weight of fruit and the rich texture promise good long-term aging.
Spent ash in a cold grate and wintery wood smoke make for an intriguing nose. Fresh red currant flavors appear on the palate, still tinged by that unusual ash note. Earth pervades in every aspect of this wine. Even though its texture is light and silky, it manages to remain lingering on the palate. We need to wait to see the true colors of this elegant wine emerge. Drink 2018–2025.
Very slight notions of honeycomb hover over the nose before giving over to restrained, hazelnutty oak flavors. This is fruity but sprightly, rounded and precise, fresh but medium-bodied. Right now, it is still full of primary fruit flavors—think red apple and citrus—but this will mature beautifully and become ever more mellow, but with pleasing freshness. The long aftertaste is very promising.
This lovely, luxurious wine hails from the Terra de Promissio Vineyard. It stands out for its thickness of earthy forest floor and exuberant fruit, a mix of candied raspberry, blueberry and cherry. Building structure and power as it opens in the glass, it finishes strongly tannic, suggesting more time in the cellar may be of benefit; hold through 2023.
One of the Hahn family's top brands, this bottling shows cola, clove and dense cranberry juice aromas, offering dense yet tart red fruit against uncrushed spice. Mossy earth plays into the palate, where more dried cranberry notes mix with thyme, dried sage, juniper and eucalyptus.
Battalion­s of tannin accompany ripe fruit flavors in this bold, full-bodied wine made from Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. A supportive wrap of astringency from layers of fine tannin bolsters the rich blackberry and blueberry flavors, while flashy, spicy, smoky, new-oak accents infuse everything from the aroma to the finish.
Oak, stone, and spicy moss appear on the nose before black fruits shimmer through. The palate boasts juicy but restrained black fruits, spicy cinnamon edges of oak and a little aromatic leafiness. There is a fine structure but the tannins are supple and smooth while the fruit flavors echo soft vanilla notes. Good now but this will get even better. Drink 2018–2025.
An unusually vivid gold color is the first indication that this medium-bodied wine will turn up the dials on flavor. Aromas resemble wood smoke, nutmeg, sandalwood and vanilla, while flavors are subtly fruity but largely oaky in the form of marzipan, toasted bread and other savory nuances. It is gorgeous in a voluptuous way.
Pristine white peach, lychee and honeysuckle notes are framed by a laser-edged strike of acidity in this vivacious ice wine. While its blossomy, perfumed exuberance is pure Gewürztraminer, its crystalline demeanor and wildflower-honey sweetness exhibits a classic ice-wine elegance.
Woody aromatics of myrrh and frankincense meld with crushed cinnamon, condensed hibiscus, red berries and black pepper on the nose of this bottling. Black cherry shows at the tip of the sip, then drops into incense, pine and juniper flavors, revealing cola and coffee notes toward the finish.
Big, robust and powerful, this inky wine has wonderfully complex and assertive flavors, along with a thick, velvety and tannic texture. Flavors of espresso, dark chocolate and blueberries rush across the palate, linger in the chewy texture and last on the long finish. A bit bold to fully enjoy now, this will be best after 2019.
Aromas of baked plum, mature berry, dark kitchen spice, leather and Mediterranean scrub emerge on this elegantly structured red. The round, smooth palate delivers dried black cherry, fleshy raspberry, licorice and a black pepper note while finely textured tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2019.
This tiny-production wine shows an attention to detail in the vineyard and cellar. The clonal selection shines, given partial barrel-fermentation, partial stainless steel, all aged in mostly neutral French oak. Honeysuckle aromas jump from the glass, followed by viscous, juicy tropical elements of mango and lychee. It finishes dry and lemony.
A full-bodied, complex and supple-textured wine, this offers plump, ripe black-cherry aromas shaded by hints of forest floor and sautéed mushrooms, along with mild plum and cherry flavors. While soft and soothing on the palate, a fine layer of tannins wraps it up and keeps it appetizing.
The smokiness which on the nose melds seamlessly with red apple flavors becomes more dominant on the palate, revealing a rounded nuttiness. There is a creamy lemon freshness, too: an internationally recogniable Chardonnay style but with the purity of Austrian fruit and continental freshness.
Aromas of black raspberry, black cherry and a cinnamon spice are laid across a slate-driven minerality on the nose of this bottling. It's plush on the sip, with hibiscus and raspberry notes, lifted by pepper, camphor and white sage elements.
From the mighty Hyde in Carneros, this medium-bodied white blossoms with tropical fruit and briny minerality, a forceful combination that gives this wine both power and elegance. Textured in candied Meyer lemon, it finishes crisply and the right kind of sour.
This is less luxuriantly ripe than some of the other 2013 Hawke's Bay Syrahs, showing some firm, dusty tannins on the finish, but it's still a terrific offering. Cracked black pepper, fresh blueberries and cedar notes come together beautifully on the palate, promising much for the future. Drink 2018–2025.
Boldly structured, this brawny wine opens with aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, exotic spice and a whiff of toasted oak. The generous, chewy palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, licorice, cinnamon and cocoa alongside velvety tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol but the dense fruit richness easily supports it.
Despite 2012 being a hot year with many overripe wines, this Cabernet-Carmenère blend opens with highly Chilean aromas of tobacco, bell pepper and eucalyptus. The palate is plush and saturated, with minty plum, olive and herbal berry flavors. A final wave of mint and herbs is in charge of an otherwise chocolaty finish. Drink through 2024.
Ripe Concord pear informs the nose and palate. This is gentle and smooth, elegant and fine-boned—yet there is a juicy, ripe core brightened by citrus freshness that makes this a real tonic of a wine. Lovely and full of charm, with a masterfully light touch.
Slightly reductive on the nose, this bottling from a very coastal vineyard outside of Cambria shows mossy forest floor, jerked meat, dried cranberries, turned earth, sesame oil and salt on the nose. The palate combines concentrated, lush raspberry with bay leaf, lots of turned earth and chaparral seasonings.
Smooth and sultry purple fruit and flower notes get more specific on the black pepper and blackberry elements in this bottling from the family's original blocks, planted in 1992 and 1993. The palate is both dynamic and straightforward, with nuanced blueberry-blackberry fruits decorated by peppery spice that dances across solid structure into the long finish.
This young wine remains tight and tannic, with light cherry fruit highlighted with fresh orange. The tannins are stiff and carry a hint of earthiness.
Pressed flower, pear and crushed rock aromas lead the nose. The lively palate offers lime, green apple skin and mineral alongside racy acidity.
The winery's value bottling, this was vinified principally in stainless steel, with 25% in neutral oak. It's a chunky, earthy style, letting a bit of tart cherry fruit peek through. Tannins are drying, with a textural finish tasting lightly of concrete.
Wild berry and cherry aromas and flavors are at the center of this jammy, fruit-forward wine. It's balanced and accessible, with soft tannins and medium acidity that lend a freshness to the finish. Drink now.
Sulfur, match stick and apple aromas come before a plump, fruity, citrusy palate. Flavors of mixed citrus fruits are pithy and a touch bitter, while a lasting, round finish delivers another blast of pithy bitterness.
A bouquet of melon, peach and lemon zest sets the stage for flavors of pink grapefruit, lemon-lime sorbet and lemon curd. It is bright and refreshing on the palate, and the finish is surprisingly cool for an otherwise zippy wine.
This ripe, bold wine is rich in black fruits. They cushion the naturally prominent tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional that form part of the blend. It is a solid effort, juicy and ready to drink.
This attractive, fruity wine comes from vineyards in the Douro Superior region close to Spain. It is a fresh wine with red berry fruit flavors and bright acidity. It is still young although the fruitiness is enough to give a bright wine that is ready to drink now.
Fruity aromas of white peach and green apple carry over to the straightforward palate along with a floral note. It's simple but well made, with fresh acidity.
This opens with delicate aromas of yellow apple, nut and a faint whiff of pressed yellow flower. The shy, slender palate is on the lean side, showing notes of citrus, mineral and the barest hint of almond accompanied by bright acidity.
Subdued aromas of hay, tropical fruit and yellow bell pepper lead the nose. It's rather lean, with grapefruit, candied nectarine peel and hints of a confectionary note alongside bracing acidity.
Racy, light and quite refreshing, this Cabernet Franc boasts a mild concentration of red currant, with streaks of cranberry. Flecks of granite give a lively mineral edge to the juicy, light-bodied palate.
There's a blanket of dusty-pollen over notions of underripe peach and green apple on the nose. The initial shock of citrus on the palate turns to juicy peach tones that ultimately turn sour. Bridging on the sweeter side of the dry category, this would be an easy quaff as an apéritif.
Hailing from a single vineyard in Michigan's southern AVA, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend (77%), with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot making up the difference. This has cooked-down bramble berry aromas on the nose, and also brings to mind twings and stems. The medium-bodied palate shows a bit more character, with juicy black berry and red currant flavors elevated over green peppercorn and medium-grained tannins.
Citrus, orchard blossoms and sea-spray aromas are lively and focused, with an almond-skin note lingering in the background. The juicy, racy, off-dry palate brings to mind talc-dusted red apple and quince, with a toasty, leesy finish.
This is the first release of the new vintage from Soléna. Primary fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry seem a bit disjointed, and there is a hole in the midpalate. A suggestion of rubber tire sets in as the wine finishes. More bottle age is in order.
The nose isn't very expressive but it eventually reveals delicate whiffs of white spring flower and green apple that carry over to the palate along with a hint of citrus. Racy acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish.
Clean in the glass, this SB smells like lime and grapefruit. The palate is equally citrusy in feel, with old-vine minerality. Flavors of white pineapple, tangerine, lime and grapefruit span the citrus spectrum, while the finish is sharp and angular.
Subtle spice and mineral notes accent flavors of pressed apple, lemon and pear in this off-dry Riesling. It's an uncomplicated but refreshing wine marked by sharp lemon-lime acidity and a crisp, clean finish. Drink now.
Aromas of peach pit are neutral except for some oily notes. This multigrape blend feels plump, oily and propped up by solid acidity. Pithy flavors of grapefruit and melon are slightly bitter on the finish.
This is full bodied and supple, with attractive red-berry fruit, but also displays a slightly acrid, smoky note. Decant vigorously for best results.
Very little differentiates this from the winery's other single-varietal reds. They all seem like components rather than complete wines. It's dry and austere, with barely ripe red berry fruit. The hard, short finish and drying tannins make this wine difficult to like.
This straightforward, refreshing white opens with light scents of Spanish broom and a whiff of crushed stone. The palate is on the lean side, showing crisp apple, pear and a hint of mineral alongside brisk acidity.
Also known as Tinta Amarela in the Douro, Trincadeira gives wines with firm structure while also having a juicy fruit acidity. This wine, with its red berries and red currant flavors fits the bill, a fresh wine that also has weight and density. Drink now.
Scents and flavors of beet root, rhubarb and cranberry are front and center in this stiff, tart wine with root and acidic flavors. It spent 22 months in one-third new French oak, but that doesn't register on the palate.
Mint aromas and new wood flavors mark this smoothly ripe, polished wine. It has a good amount of black fruit, a dry but open texture and a rich, smoky character. The tannins and generous fruit power the wine forward.
Dry and serious, this firm wine is classic Bordeaux. It has weight, a core of tannins and black currant fruitiness that needs time to fully integrate with the dense structure. Give this exemplary wine another five years.
This shows lovely floral aromas and hints of chocolate and berry. The palate offers ripe black cherry, spice and coffee, and while this is still tannic, the tannins are ripe and composed. This is already drinking well, so enjoy it soon.
This Barolo boasts an intense fragrance of orange peel, Alpine forest and berry. The palate has ample intensity and shows ripe cherry, mint, cinnamon and espresso notes. The wine is well balanced, with big but smooth tannins.
This is a very rich wine that's smooth and concentrated. The slopes of Leithaberg on the west shore of Lake Neusiedl have great sun exposure, making this wine full in style. It has minerality as well, giving a steely edge to this impressively ripe wine with its pear and apricot fruits and spice notes.
This single-vineyard Barolo shows ripe berry aromas and whiffs of incense and espresso. The palate shows almost overripe cherry fruit, layered with herbs, coffee and underbrush notes. It has big but ripe tannins and is fast approaching optimum drinkability. Enjoy it over the next few years.
This is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 16% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It shows a nice interplay of fruit and barrel with notes of cocoa, cherry, dry chocolate and toast supported by well-integrated tannins. The mid-palate still needs some time to fully come together but when it does, it will be a beauty.
This opens with some funky, earthy aromas that soon blow off to reveal scents of leather, truffle, eucalyptus, berry and meat juices. The palate shows dark cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco and balsamic notes and big, ripe tannins. This reflects the forward vintage, so drink now.
Albino Rocca's Barbaresco Ronchi boasts lovely violet and sage aromas sprinkled with coffee and espresso notes. The palate shows creamy red fruit layered with chocolate and spice and firm but refined tannins. This is very elegant but still a bit shy, so best to drink it after 2014.
This is a dark, dense blend of 52% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cassis, blackberry and plum lead on the bouquet, with background accents of tree bark and forest floor. The firm structure and gripping tannins are softened by ripe black-fruit flavors that carry through to the lingering finish. Balanced but young, this should develop greater complexity and nuance with time; drink 2016–2020.
Aged 19 months in American and French oak (68% new), it's lush and appealing with notes of vanilla and other barrel spices accenting herbs and red fruit. The palate is creamy in feel with tart, mouthwatering acids that draw out the flavors for a long finish.
The Smith Cullam Riesling is made in a large French oak cask in an off-dry style. The 2012 is higher in alcohol than the 2011, yet also seems sweeter. White peach, petrol and kerosene notes mark the nose and palate, while the finish is simultaneously sweet and tart.
Sourced from Mount Barker, this is a full-bodied, supple example of WA Shiraz. Concentrated plummy fruit is marked by hints of menthol and peppery spice, then ends in a soft wash of dusty tannins and mouthwatering acids. Drink now–2020+.
Outstanding vineyard sources (Dineen, Gamache and Northridge) and a deft blending touch combine here in a supple, complex and beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon. There are spotlights of fresh herb and peavine mingled among the broader flavors of wild berries, all with a toasty underpinning from 20 months in a mix of new, once-used, and neutral French oak. Drink now or cellar for another 6–8 years.
Designated unoaked, this flavorful Chardonnay proves the grape has more going on than its reputation suggests, when sourced from a great vineyard (such as Conner Lee) and carefully managed. Textural with melon, pear, apple and light tropical influences, this is long, complex and utterly delicious.
Markus Huber manages to get great ripe, full flavors from his Grüners. That's the main character of this wine, from a single vineyard, that offers rich creamed pear and nutmeg flavors along with a shot of acidity to contrast. Screwcap.
This is an impressive, solidly tannic wine that needs aging. The black plum flavors are still dominated by spice and wood, lending a dry and dark character to the wine. Solid with good depths of flavor, the wine should be kept for 4–5 years before opening.
This is a bold wine with spice and pepper, but also great, juicy black fruits. The palate is rich—not too heavy—with layered blackberries and acidity over soft tannins. It's worth aging for 3–5 years but can be drunk now for its fruitiness.
This dry Riseling is richly mouthfilling and intensely mineral, with delicate stone-fruit flavors that mingle with notes of wax and orange rind. It's lush and full  bodied, but balanced with tart lemon acidity and a drying astringency on the finish.
Whiffs of saffron and spice lend earthen complexity to cutting lime and green plum in this zesty Riesling. Off dry on the palate, it's delicately sheer and spry. Its invigorating style is pleasurable already, but should only meld and improve from now through 2022.
This wine offers a wealth of big flavor and plush structure within a context of savory oak and firm tannin. Black olive and licorice highlight a nicely composed framework of plum and dark cherry, dotted with fresh tobacco.
Not a mere whole-cluster wine, the Stalker is made by drying the stalks separately and adding them to whole berries. It's slightly chalky as a result, with a green edge to the tannins and green tea flavors. Black cherry, espresso and cacao components also factor in. Give it another couple of years and drink after 2020.
Impressive for its bold, savory flavors of tapenade and grilled meat, this is full boded and ripe, but lacks the density and concentration of the region's best examples, giving way to an open-knit finish. Drink this over the next several years for its upfront appeal.
Delicate aromas suggesting chopped herb, star anise, new leather and a whiff of blue flower slowly emerge in the glass. The taut, ethereal palate shows sour cherry, raw strawberry, licorice and white pepper notes hemmed in by firm acidity and youthful tannins. Drink 2023–2030.
Tight in tannin weight and breadth, this big-boned wine is muscular in leather, blackberry and mocha, and robust in power and ripeness. The force of its flavor finds additional strength and length on the finish.
With stainless steel-fermentation and time in oak, this seamless, elegant white is stony in mineral notes and inviting in aromas of white flowers. Lurking golden-honey and crème-brûlée richness add texture and body, while the finish becomes clear and crisp.
This savory Nerello Mascalese leads with red cherry, raspberry and rosemary scents. The palate delivers red-skinned berry, cinnamon and Mediterranean scrub notes within a frame of polished tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy through 2022.
Crunchy red fruit is front and center in this vineyard-designate, well capturing the tone of the appellation. Raspberry, black tea and brooding tannins surround a light-bodied frame further highlighted with violet and cardamom.
Spicy red-berry aromas with an accent of musky, cheesy oak get this Malbec-Bonarda blend moving in an interesting way. A tight, pointy palate with lean acidity houses flavors of plum and berry along with creamy oak and vanilla. Lactic oak is a factor on an otherwise bright and spicy finish.
Consistent with many other Timothy Malone Pinots, this artfully melds black cherry fruit with a broad streak of cola and refreshing minerality. There's a touch of black licorice and impressive balance throughout.
Dark berry aromas are smoky and stout, and overall this well-oaked Malbec gives off a sense of seriousness on the nose. In the mouth, there's tension but also balance. Flavors of blackberry and cassis are oaky but expressive. It's spicy, a touch resiny and lasting on the finish. Drink through 2019.
Golden in color, this is a creamy voluptuous white wine, fermented and aged entirely in new French oak. Melon, spicy nutmeg and fig build flavor around a core of thick texture and concentration, finishing in buttery toast.
This wine packs a punch and overdelivers quality for the price. This is a crowd-pleaser in its lush, soft and fruity combination of grilled meat, bacon and smoky tannin. Those big bold elements are complemented by plenty of black-cherry jam.
A flinty aroma and slightly chalky texture work really well in this lean-flavored but appetizing and full-bodied wine. It's not overtly fruity, but has subtle, savory and earthy characters that are fascinating to taste, while the bone-dry balance makes it extra appetizing.
Mid-weight and balanced in flavor and texture, this reserve-tier wine combines pungent jasmine aromas with flavors of crunchy green apple and Meyer lemon. The finish shows a toasty oak note, layered in a touch of salt.
This wine is robust in flavor, appropriately laced with firm tannins and begs for a dry-aged Tbone to pair with. It has a deep color, moderately spicy blackberry aromas, and a firm mouthfeel. Blackberry and subtle blueberry flavors push through on the finish. Best after 2022.
This barrel-fermented wine has an aggressive toasty aroma that carries over into the flavors. Its ripe apple and buttered toast notes lead to a finish accented with coconut. A Chardonnay lover's Pinot Gris.
This is a perfumed crisp wine, attractively fruity and with delicious acidity. Its fruit is effusive and needs to calm down and fill out, so just wait until 2018 for it richness to be fully apparent.
Waxy, dusty apple and oak aromas reflect the 30% Sémillon, but this is mostly Chardonnay in quantity, style, feel and flavors. Salty melon, tropical notes and nicely laid-out oak flavors turn a touch bitter on a weighty but healthy finish. Drink this classy white blend through 2018.
Barrel-fermented in half new, half neutral oak, this tasty wine offers crisp highlights of lemon and orange peel, along with substantial apple, kiwi and pear flavors. An appealing touch of crème brûlée comes out as it makes its graceful exit.
Two types of wood barrels were used to age this wine: large chestnut and smaller oak. The wood shows although it does not detract from the tightly crisp and aromatic fruitiness of the Bical grape. It is lively at the end with plenty of bright acidity. Drink now.
The Arinto grape is a Lisboa specialty and this lightly wood-aged wine shows it to great advantage. Plenty of acidity and a crisp texture are balanced by vanilla and creamy apple. This fine wine is ready to drink.
This Barbaresco's leather, violet, crushed mint, coconut and exotic spice aromas follow through to the palate, which is bright with red cherry and coffee notes. Fine-grained tannins offer support while high-toned acidity lends balance.
This is a soft wine, fruity without great definition. A ripe, red fruit character contrasts with a bitter acidity. It is ready to drink. The blend is 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Diluted and ultrasimple, this delivers weak sensations of cooked black-skinned fruit. It's already tired and has an extremely short finish.
Smoky, with traces of cherry and vanilla, this is a heavily tannic version of the variety, seemingly aged in full-strength oak. Aromas are elusive and the finish brief.
This smells a lot like mustard, with short, bitter flavors of red apple skins. Sweet touches of caramel and cocoa can be found on the finish.
A disappointing effort from a normally reliable producer, this wine shows entirely too many rubbery, chemical aromas and flavors. Some decent strawberry and citrus fruit peeks through on the finish, so it may be worth decanting and seeing if that helps.
Floral aromas of lychee are indicative of basic Moscatel. This feels soft, with no angles or aggressiveness. Pithy, green-leaning flavors of lychee and lettuce finish with lychee notes and lasting sweetness.
Loamy, earthy aromas of raspberry and raisin fall flat as this breathes. A heavy palate is low on freshness and acidity, while prune, cherry and cassis flavors veer toward raisin on a finish that quickly loses clarity and snap.
A soft, simple wine without great character, this is soft, gently fruity and ready to drink.
Red fruit aromas of plum and cranberry are green and grassy, with snap. This has an edgy, grating feel and herbal flavors of raspberry and red plum that turn green before finishing short.
Leather, mint and wet-dog aromas along with an overriding burn drive the nose toward a resiny, raw palate with snappy acidity and lots of oak. Buttery as well as briny red-fruit flavors are salty and taste mostly of wood resin.
This is a green, lean and somewhat sour wine, with an herbal personality that lies atop a world of smooth tannins.
Gritty aromas of raisin and dusty earth are jumbled. This has a heavy, somewhat awkward palate, while raisiny flavors finish chunky, candied and slightly bitter.
Dried fruit flavors give a Port-like character to this full-bodied, mature and dry red wine. It smells like cherries and prunes and tastes juicy and ripe.
A rather flat nose with just a hint of pear leads to a rather dilute, incongruous palate where the chief marker is unbalanced acidity.
Light in color, this is a wine with flavors that seem to have been stripped away. It is crisp and only lightly fruity, with some bitter acidity at the end.
This wine smells yeasty, a character that follows through on the palate. It is soft and round, conveying ripe red fruits without freshness. It reveals bitter acidity at the end.
A blend of Riesling and Muscat with a pinch of Gewürztraminer, this wine offers vibrant aromas of orange peel, fresh flowers, spice and jasmine that don't entirely meld. It drinks dry with light concentration and a slightly bitter finish.
Mostly Sangiovese, this wine appears to have seen some oxygen exposure that interferes with its blue fruit and herb aromas. It drinks quite sweet with a mixture of chocolate and cherry flavors.
This bright, pink-colored wine is full of caramel and vanilla flavors that give a fat, dull character to the taste. It is dry, touched by bitter almonds and with a sharp aftertaste of acidity.
Funky earth and a diluted body make for a generic experience with this wine, which simultaneously offers a large tannin profile plus a weedy, dried herb component.
Juicy blueberry and ripe blackberry dominate nose and palate on this easy-drinking, fresh-faced and fruit-forward red. The tannins are barely there and while the body boasts ample fruit, there is no heaviness. This is Zweigelt as it's meant to be: fun!
Baked pear and ripe tropical guava and papaya muddle their way between high-toned aspects of lemon and sheer acidity, which veers into sour territory on the finish. The dueling personalities give this wine a sense of imbalance.
This offers smoky, toasted oak and herb aromas, full candied cherry and plum flavors, low acidity and fairly firm tannins.
The wine is neither very fruity nor fresh. It is clean with a crisp aftertaste although the character or the interest are not there.
For Odfjell, which normally puts out ripe, quality wines, this green, herbal Syrah is both surprising and disappointing. Our first sample was brutally corked and the second was green on the nose and then short, chocolaty and limited on the palate.
A slight, sharp wine with hints of vinegar and bramble on the nose and then skinny cherry and cranberry flavors. Too much bite and acid and not nearly enough depth, richness or fun.
Not a good result from MontGras. This is a pulpy, sweet, flat-lining Chardonnay that may not even make it as far as your table. So soft it barely registers.
Quite sharp and reticent, with piercing, peppery aromas and flavors as well as plenty of searing acidity. Not an offensive or crazy wine, but too sour, lean and green to rate higher.
Smells like young, gangly wine. Bubble gum and Kool-Aid aromas get only more grapy, while the palate is jumpy and aggressive. Lots of wild berry flavor, earth, herbal overtones and heat. Devoid of any sophistication.
Heavy as dead weight, with a raisiny nose. Only dried out, semisalty plum flavors work the palate.
A complete wine. As it starts in the mouth, there is a feeling of everything in its place. The tannins are initially soft, dusty rather than dry; then the dark plums, red berries and so-sweet strawberries come into play. And finally, they all come together in a climax of richness and freshness.
A beautiful wine, smooth, polished, with rounded corners. Its intense fruit is balanced and harmonizes well with the sweet tannins, the layers of wood and the red berry flavors. Certainly powerful, it impresses equally with the pleasure it will give in 7–10 years.
This is a powerhouse of a wine. It is driven forward by immense tannins as well as by superrich fruit that still keeps itself in check by a velvet texture. There is spice, acidity, some toast and vanilla, and finally a sunburst of warmth.
A supremely integrated wine, its richness and beautiful fruit just part of a story that starts with intense aromas and segues on the palate into a balance of tannins, dark red fruits, enveloping acidity and a beautifully orchestrated finale of berries, spice and aching freshness.
The fragrance is almost otherworldly; sweet, dense and lightly lifted. This is a sinewy wine, that begins with compact power and focused, tart red fruits—predominantly raspberry and currant. At first juicy and tart, with hours of breathing time the wine broadens out into a wider spectrum of Cabernet fruits; cassis, blackberry and black cherry.
Bob Betz calls this his first-ever “reserve style” wine from Bordeaux varieties. It started with a single barrel of Red Willow Cabernet Franc and evolved into this six-barrel blend. Le Parrain opens with whiffs of smoke, gun metal and rock weaving through the dense red fruits. Pipe tobacco and licorice flavors come into play from the barrel aging. As the wine slowly opens, the flavors expand and blend, and the textural quality that Betz refers to expresses itself in a graceful, three-dimensional finish.
Beautiful, aromatic wine, with raspberry fruit floating above the spice and toast. This is shot through with acidity and some dense tannins, but above all it is the piercing fruit that dominates. One of Jadot's signature wines, it is wonderful, with considerable aging potential.
Dalmau, the ultrapremium Tempranillo blend from Marques de Murrieta, is 65% pricier in 2004 than '03. And that might be justified. This is a spectacular wine in every sense of the word. The nose blends alluring scents of smoke, asphalt, rubber and black fruit. The palate is saturated and smooth, with black cherry and blackberry flavors leading the way. Coffee, berry pie and mocha help the finish hold court and then fade away. Already good but best from 2010–2020.
Opulent yet so elegant, this wine has already achieved great balance. It comes from the soft richness of the generous fruit, the spice from both the wood and the fruit, and the roundness of the texture, which envelops you in its warmth and ripeness. And, at the end, just to give a great lift, along comes the acidity.
For the second vintage in a row, Vall Llach's signature red blend is out on its own. The bouquet is round and deep, with alluring cola, mint and blackberry aromas. The palate is alive but still quite dark, with huge black plum and blackberry flavors. Super long on the finish, with a subtle streak of vanilla and coconut. Delicious but also deft. 450 cases produced.
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.
No shrinking violet at 15.9% abv, La Folia's Zin is exuberant in juicy red and black fruit, cinnamon spice and a taste of cola. Inviting, full and round with a softness in the mouth, the finish slips away ever so quickly. It's otherwise a swell example of Sierra Foothills fruit.
Although the bouquet is a touch herbal and raspy, this Cab offers good balance and body in the mouth along with plum, cherry, cassis and spice in moderate measures. A bright, fresh-feeling finish ensures a positive lasting impression.
With dark-berry aromas and pointed toughness, this is a solid wine with creamy oak, some stickiness and a lactic element. Flavors of herbal dark fruits and minty oak lead to a dry, minty, hot and spicy finish with more than enough residual oak flavor.
Matetic makes a clean, tropical, racy style of Gewürz that's a lot like Torrontés from Argentina. The palate is fresh with kick, while flavors of lemon-lime, lychee and passion fruit are true to the grape and set up a medium-length finish with exotic spice notes. This is perfect for Asian foods.
Baked apple, pulpy citrus and oak aromas create a soft nose. In the mouth, this feels wide and resiny, and the flavors match that lead: oak, resin, vanilla, tropical fruit and citrus are all registering. On the finish, this is oaky and resiny.
A lush, crisp Chardonnay from a cool-ish vintage that tastes most specifically of green apple with a tropical twist on the finish.
Chunky, ripe black-fruit aromas come with violet accents. The mouthfeel is good but gritty, with hard tannins and a lot of oak that creates a buttery topping to plum, cassis and molasses flavors. This ripe wine finishes stable but quick, with some chocolate flavor but not much else.
Welcoming but basic cassis and berry aromas carrry a leathery accent and a hint of rubber. The palate is mildly creamy and comfortable, with cassis, cherry and plum flavors but little beyond that. A clean finish cements this well-made wine's value position.
Styria's trademark Sauvignon Blanc in its purest, freshest form. It has delicious acidity, pear and white peach flavors and a burst of grapefruit freshness. Drink now, or hold for a year. Screwcap.
Light in color and only just faintly aromatic, Amador Cellars' Sangiovese tastes of red cherry and blueberry with a tight tannin structure that suggests giving it 3–5 years more time.
Sourced from five excellent Walla Walla vineyards, this wine spent about 15 months in barrel, one quarter new. It has dried cherry fruit, almost like an Amarone in style, though with no sweetness. Tannins are drying and finish with a slight bitterness. Tasted twice from different bottles.
This is straightforward, no-frills Garnacha with plum and berry aromas followed by a tight, slightly tannic palate that houses raspberry and plum flavors. The finish is smooth for the most part, with some heat and herbal flavors.
Toasty oak aromas are mild and fold in some baked apple notes. The palate feels layered and rich, while toasty flavors of peach, nectarine and melon end in a medium-length finish that's well controlled and juicy.
This Tempranillo is electric purple in color, with aromas of rubber, horse hide and grapy berry. It's round and jammy feeling, with tannic grip and jammy flavors of baked, earthy berry fruits, followed by a savory, meaty, roasted tasting finish.
A truly aromatic Riesling that has a wonderful series of fruit and spice perfumes. It's ripe and full in the mouth, offering a strongly mineral edge as well as rich apple and citrus. Textured and still very tangy, the complex wine needs to age, so drink from 2017.
Blueberry, dried lilac, crushed violet and black pepper form a classic nose on this Merlot-led Bordeaux blend from Paso Robles' celebrated Westside. The well-integrated, complex palate features fruit, herbs, spice and tar, as if each one plays back-to-back solos.
Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie and Winemaker Joey Tensley converge on a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon that's worth sitting on until at least 2019. Woody, cigar box aromas pick up notes of camphor and flashes of red fruit, and the flavors fall in line around the cedar, with blueberry, black cherry and milk chocolate.
An aromatic profile of crushed mint, hot gravel and red fruit introduces this blend of 83% Grenache and 17% Mourvèdre. It's lightweight on the palate, but with complex flavors of herb and spice that swirl around a core of blackberry fruit and finish with mouthwatering acidity.
Quirky, art-minded winemaker Matthias Sanguis crafts a stellar Syrah, with a lush bouquets of violets, blue raspberry, black peppercorns and vanilla. The palate, bound together with a lean acidic line down the middle, presents dark but tart cherries, sweet tobacco and the tang of plum peel.
This blend of 50% Syrah, 23% Petite Sirah, 17% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache presents a delicious strawberry cake nose, backed up with dried purple flowers and cigar box backbone. On the palate, elegant purple fruits are laced with leather and pepper, finishing with a cleansing tartness.
One of two Sparkman Syrahs, Darkness showcases fruit from two stellar Yakima valley vineyards, Boushey and Olsen. A whiff of Syrah funk, herb and earth ties into dried blueberry with a brambly, plummy component. Lovely details of nutmeg with a streak of vanilla keep the flavors interesting through a long finish.
A smoky oak fire meets cooked meats and plum sauce on the nose of this wine, which retains great balance even at 16% alcohol. The mouthfeel is luxurious, complementing the cherry, red currant, licorice and black pepper flavors, wrapped around orange peel bitterness and well-integrated oak.
This single-vineyard offering opens with aromas of blue flower, tilled soil, ripe berry, balsamic notes and a hint of leather. The palate is still young and needs time to develop fully but already delivers layers of dark cherry, licorice, grilled herb and black pepper alongside brooding tannins. Drink 2016–2026.
Rui Madeira's flagship red is a formidable, powerful wine. It has intense tannins that are surrounded by dark fruits and rich, juicy acidity. The core is dry, concentrated and dense, and the wood aging shows against the background of ripe fruits, promising good aging potential. Drink from 2018.
This is pure Chenin Blanc from Kiona's 1976 planting, fermented in concrete eggs and left on the lees for five months. A pretty golden hue, this bone dry wine did not undergo malolactic and has retained its sturdy acid base. Rich with glycerine, it's scented with and has flavors of lemon oil, orange peel and candied pineapple.
As per usual, Purple Angel is a full-force experience. Hailing from a warm year, this is dense and purple in color, as it should be. Aromas of graphite, oak, tobacco and black fruit set up a jammy, full palate with saturated flavors of spice-laden blueberry and boysenberry. Finishing notes of tobacco, herb and oak cement this big-boned wine's ripe, beefy status. Drink through 2018.
This estate wine is seriously structured, with tones of dried herbs alongside richer elements of dense tannins and ripe black fruits. A bright acid backbone maintains a fresh and lively character. It might be best to lay down this selection for further integration.
Plush and dusty, this splendid Merlot offers unusual depth and texture, even for Washington versions of the much-maligned grape. Along with black cherry fruit come highlights of herb and olive, spicy oak and rich earth. The density and detail carry through a long finish.
This is a finely perfumed wine, full of ripe Castelão grapes. It has a smooth, polished feeling from the wood aging, yet still allows plenty of room for a dense black-fruit character. It will need to age and will be best after 2016.
This is the second wine of Château Labégorce. It has much of the elegance of the top wine with firm tannins and generous fruits kept in stylish proportion. Black currant and berry fruits lie under the dark, dry exterior. The wine is dense, needing several years' aging. Drink from 2018.
Fronholz is from a single vineyard, a heady, perfumed wine with ripe, smooth undertones. While there is plenty of acidity, it's the opulent, ripe texture that comes right up front. A light touch of honey and melon roundness give a creamy aftertaste. Drink now, but better from 2017.
Produced from old vines, this is an impressive wine, rich and dense. It brings together dark tannins and opulent black fruits that cushion the firm structure. A lively acidity and a silky character show that the wine is ready to drink.
Aromas of crushed plum, asphalt, oak, toast, exotic spice and forest floor lead the nose. The palate delivers black cherry, mocha, licorice and mineral alongside bracing, tightly woven tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2017–2031.
Lightly toasted tobacco, blueberry pie and cedar scents lead the way on this single-vineyard Cab. Fresh blueberry on the palate combines with a great arc of flavors that ends in a chewed cigar finish.
Unctuous and ripe in caramel and toasty aromas, this is deep golden in color but completely crisp and balanced in the glass. The nose is so overwhelming that the flavors take time to show. Once they do, it's a celebration of green apple and melon enveloped in complex minerality and a supple body.
Underbrush, tobacco leaf, leather, truffle and blackberry aromas take center stage along with whiffs of toast and fig. The palate shows black cherry, carob, bitter cocoa, white pepper and sage alongside bracing tannins that leave a drying finish.
From winemaker Bryan Kane, who also makes the Howell Mountain Vineyards' wines, comes this tiny-production Cabernet Sauvignon from two separate Howell Mountain sources. A delight in black plum, licorice and peppery leather, it's soft and complex. Boysenberry highlights the fruit components, while the finish is deftly marked by wild vanilla.
Light, tart, slightly green fruit flavors don't add up to much. There is an undertone of old barrel or something not quite fresh. Simple and plain.
This has the sharp, citrus skin phenolics characteristic of many Viogniers, but a rather soft middle tastes like green bananas more than citrus. Those banana flavors roll into the finish, then quickly fade.
A grapey wine, forward with light, pretty cherry candy flavors. It starts out well, then doesn't build into anything, but rather fades quickly into a watery, generic red.
Jammy and flat smelling, with little to no depth to the nose. The palate is snappy but there's just enough body to offset the acidity, while the flavors of red fruits are tart and regular. Dull tasting, with a fairly long finish that's unexciting.
Hard, pickled aromas settle on leathery and burnt after airing. The palate is jammy and sticky, with sweet, heavy, roasted, burnt-tasting black fruit flavors. Resiny as well. Tempranillo with 10% Syrah.
Relatively low in alcohol (12.2% is the listing), this is thin on fruit but does offer soft flavors of yeasty bread dough, along with some stemmy tannins.
Big, bold and unreservedly stemmy, this Carmenère pulls in enough black-cherry fruit to balance out the herbs. The assertive tannins carry notes of earth, dried leaf and dark chocolate.
A standout in the portfolio, this is a sleek, strong effort with tart purple fruits and mineral underpinnings. There's an ample whiff of smoke and a general earthiness around the tannins, with a hint of iron ore. The chalky finish is the only distraction.
The wine is smooth and creamy, its acidity just pointing up the ripe apple and pineapple fruit flavors. It does have a crisp citrus edge that just freshens the aftertaste. This is a wood-aged wine, the toast giving a light spice and nutmeg character. Drink this attractive wine now.
The wine has dark tannins and a firm structured texture. They act as a foil to the berry fruits and intense, young acidity. Dominated by Touriga Nacional and Aragonez, the wine has black fruits, juicy freshness and and an almost crisp aftertaste. It needs some time to fully integrate, so wait until 2017.
Alluring scents of orchard fruit, nut and lemon drop lead the nose on this blend of Pinot Bianco, Friulano and Malvasia. The bright palate shows chopped herb, yellow apple, herb and mineral alongside vibrant acidity. A hint of almond signals the finish.
White flower, Spanish Broom, chamomile, exotic fruit and a hint of hazelnut unfold in the glass. The linear, razor-sharp palate delivers Kaiser pear, citrus, sage and white almond while a salty mineral note closes the finish.
Delicately perfumed, this offers aromas of yellow stone fruit, fig and a whiff of tomato vine. The bright, tangy palate delivers yellow peach, a hint of pineapple, chopped herb and mineral alongside crisp acidity. A salty note closes the finish.
Olallieberries, strawberry blossoms, caramel, maple syrup and cola shows on the complex nose of this blend of 52% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre and 5% Counoise. The palate shows concentrated boysenberry, tar and coffee flavors, proving more tart than the region's usually powerful Rhône bottlings, and a refreshing change of pace.
Ripe blackberry and cola aromas comes across as foresty and nice as a whole. This saturated, dense Malbec shows brutish, choppy tannins along with flavors of blackberry, exotic spices and fig. The finish remains rough and turns hot. Drink through 2021.
Savory wisps of smoke and dusty minerals juxtapose exuberantly juicy, sweet yellow peach and nectarine flavors in this crystalline kabinett. Just off-dry on the palate, its refreshing, high-spirited style makes it an excellent apéritif.
Austere aromas of orchard blossoms ride over limestone and peach on the nose of this northern Michigan Riesling. There's breadth on the palate, giving way to ample stone-fruit flavors that are held in line against a backdrop of talc and lime. This is beautifully balanced, elegant and well integrated.
As the top tier wine from this producer, this Pinot sees 10 months in new French oak which gives an inital char to the nose. With time in the glass this opens with notes of coffee-dusted red and black cherries. The medium-bodied palate is round and creamy in feel, with fuzzy, crushed-velvet tannins giving texture to the ripe cherry and racy currant flavors. A dusting of cocoa closes the finish.
This radiant white opens with scents of stone fruit, blackcurrant, crushed herb and cut grass while the vibrant palate doles out honeydew melon, white peach, mineral and a hint of sage. Crisp acidity leaves a clean, tangy finish.
Tomato vine, elderflower, cut grass and tropical fruit aromas lead the nose on this vibrant wine. The savory palate offers honeydew melon, peach, grapefruit and flinty mineral while zesty acidity gives it a tangy finish.
This field blend is produced from old vines. It is rich and smooth with touches with spicy wood. The wood is showing strongly, perhaps not leaving enough room for fruit, however, that could improve as the wine ages more. Wait until 2017.
This offers fresh aromas of citrus, orchard fruit and mango. On the bright, linear palate, vibrant acidity underscores grapefruit, Kaiser pear and green apple. A mineral note closes the tangy finish.
Fragrant and linear, this has delicate scents of white spring flower and green apple while the bright palate offers white peach, pear and lemon peel. A light mineral note adds interest while zesty acidity gives it a tangy finish.
Very aromatic, gentle, almost floral notes of Cox's Orange Pippin appear with the first whiff. They get their full due on the off-dry palate which boosts the fruit flavors and paints them in a golden light. There is grip and backbone and ample fruit. Drink while the fruit is at its height: 2016–2018. Finishes off dry.
There is an almost tropical touch to the apple and lemon fruit: this is almost like vanilla-spiced apple tart with lemon zest. Very appetizing with that unusual vanilla-edge and more of that tropical lychee. Overall, this is balanced and very fruit-driven.
Lightly perfumed with hawthorn flower and orchard fruit aromas, this linear white offers flavors of green apple, lime and tangerine zest. Crisp acidity supports the palate while a mineral note closes the tangy finish.
Light and vivacious on the nose, this offers lime blossoms, Anjou pear skins and sharp white jasmine flowers. The aromas settle into a salted peach-candy character. Tonic, lime blossoms and lime-zest flavors show on the palate, quite bright and nearly tropical.
Made with Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of beeswax, acacia flower and yellow apple. The bright palate offers peach, pear, nectarine zest and mineral alongside vibrant acidity. It's racy but balanced.
This medium-bodied Cabernet offers a balanced blend of earth and mixed berries. Some dusty tannins are present, but come across as fine in texture, suitably framing the long, crisp finish. Drink now–2020.
Modest plum and cherry aromas come with a touch of yeast and bread. This is crisp on the palate, and perfectly clean. Toasty influences can be found on raspberry and red-plum flavors, while this is direct, fresh and easy on the finish.
A blend of 48% Viognier, 41% Chenin Blanc and 11% Grenache Blanc, this medium-weight wine offers ripe fruit aromas and flavors of Anjou pear, peach and orange rind that are complemented by notes of fennel, mentholated fynbos and ginger. Medium acidity cuts through the rich mouthfeel, with a lasting kiss of toasted spice on the close. Drink now.
A to Z is giving other volume Pinot Gris producers a run for top gun with this superb value. Pear, quince and satsuma-orange flavors come together in a sappy, luscious wine that carries on delightfully through a rich, clean finish.
Abacela makes up to four different Tempranillos in a given vintage, this being the entry-level bottle. And a fine introduction it is, with vivid red and black berries, a dusting of sweet spices, a gentle whiff of tanned leather, chalk and ample tannins. Aged in both French and American oak, 15% new, it is drinking quite nicely already.
Petit Verdot is known for its color, and this wine is dark purple, almost black. The tannins are also pretty prominent, although they are balanced by a freshness from black currant fruits and a fine, mineral structure. There is a touch of pepper and spice at the end. Drink from 2018.
This vibrant white offers aromas suggesting elderflower, chopped herb, citrus and a whiff of tomato leaf. On the tangy palate, zesty acidity underscores grapefruit, apricot and nectarine zest while a flinty note seals the crisp finish.
From the smallest of the Beaujolais crus, this wine is structured, layering tannins with black fruits and acidity. It is a wine to age at least for a couple of years. Drink from 2018.
A solidly structured wine with fine tannins and ripe red-berry fruits. The acidity adds a piquancy to the fruitiness giving the wine a lift. The wine comes from Henry Fesse vines. Drink from late 2017.
An attractive, lightly structured cru wine that has juicy cherry fruits. It is balanced, ripe with acidity and gentle tannins in equal measure. Drink from late 2017.
A rounded and soft wine that has juicy red fruits and gentle tannins. It just hints at a dry structure that will allow it to age for several months. Drink this attractive cru wine from late 2017.
Baked boysenberries, purple flowers and baking spice show on the nose of this widely available bottling. The palate is quite minerally, with crushed lava rocks, followed by cooked elderberry, black-cherry pie and a touch of clove.
This Chardonnay-Viognier blend is a touch viscous in feel but honest as a whole, with floral and melon aromas. Mild flavors of white flowers, orange and green herbs are light in intensity, but are coupled with a sense of roundness on the palate.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has subdued aromas of toast, underbrush and sunbaked earth. The round approachable palate offers mature black cherry and hints of cake spice.
Rubbery berry aromas come with a note of raw oak. On the palate, this is drawing and hard, with drying tannins. Jammy berry flavors are generic and a bit hot, while hard tannins reappear on the finish, which has a natural but raw tomato character.
Waxy citrus peels and pressed apples waft on the nose of this Chardonnay. Flavors of apple and pear cider are a bit muted, but it's elegantly composed, marked by brisk acidity and a pleasantly bitter tone on the finish. Drink now through 2020.
Aromas of mint and licorice complement raisin and jammy berry notes on this extracted Malbec that feels flabby around the edges despite a shot of core acidity. Flavors of prune and blueberry come with savory notes, while this lacks structure on the finish.
Made with 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of bell pepper and clove. The aromas carry over to the straightforward palate together with red berry and a hint of leather. Enjoy soon.
Smoky nuances of campfire and hickory are detectable on a nose that's anchored by generic berry scents. This is medium in body, with juicy fresh acidity. Snappy piquant red-fruits turn spicy and peppery on a steady finish.
Tarry, gritty, spicy plum aromas are common for Carmenère. This contains some Malbec, and the wine feels wide, grabby and a bit lush. Foxy, gamy, herbal berry and olive flavors finish spicy, with notes of oregano and basil.
Delicately scented, this racy light-bodied red opens with whispers of blue flower, moist earth and woodland berry. The vibrant straightforward palate delivers raspberry, red cherry and a sprinkling of baking spice alongside zesty acidity and polished tannins. Drink now.
Veins of smoke and petrol thread through layers of pressed apple, pear and tangerine in this sprightly semi-dry Riesling. It's a delicately concentrated wine but bolstered by crisp lemon acidity and touches of bramble and spice. Drink now through 2019.
Made with 90% Sangiovese, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has restrained aromas recalling mature black-skinned fruit and leather. The approachable palate delivers ripe plum and cedar alongside smooth tannins.
Made entirely with Chardonnay, this opens with delicate aromas of mature orchard fruit and a whiff of yellow wild flower. The soft rounded palate offers ripe pear, yellow apple and a hint of juicy citrus.
This tastes quite dry, though the residual sugar comes in at 12 g/L, enough to tilt some Rieslings toward off dry. The fruit is a bit thin, with flavors of celery and white peach. The mouthfeel is refreshing, with wet stone minerality and plenty of tart acids.
Though it was picked at 29 brix and fermentation stopped with 87 g/L residual sugar, this carries a bitter streak all through the palate. The sweetness shows as a burst of caramel apple.
Black-pepper-crusted beef, crushed graphite, dried mint, elderberries and blueberries show on the nose of this bottling. The palate reflects a juicy, fruit-forward style, with ripe mulberries and red plums lifted by star anise, clove and cinnamon.
This bright, easygoing red opens with aromas of wild berry, violet and a hint of scorched earth. The enjoyable no-frills palate offers red cherry, raspberry and a hint of ground pepper framed in supple tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
Made in equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this opens with aromas of black plum and espresso. The palate delivers dried wild cherry, mocha and vanilla with fine-grained, somewhat drying tannins. Enjoy soon.
Aroma of freshly cut red apple, raspberry and cherry are followed by sweet jammy red and black-fruit flavors. It goes down easily.
The aromas are generous, with notes of red apple, melon, pear and spice. The palate is lightly creamy in feel, very varietal, with a kiss of oak providing accents.
Made entirely with Viognier, this has delicate aromas of white grapefruit and orchard fruit, while the straightforward palate delivers apricot and citrus. Enjoy soon.
A blend of 60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this opens with delicate aromas of black cherry jam and baking spice. The round, accessible palate offers prune and a hint of vanilla alongside rather evolved tannins. Enjoy soon.
Dusty mineral tones mingle amidst zesty lemon and apple in this particularly light-bodied white. Zippy and brisk, it's a lean but properly concentrated Chardonnay that finishes with vigor and vibe. Drink now through 2019.
This wine has weight and the potential for ripe black fruits. At this stage, it is closed up, full of suggestions without realization. Wait until 2017 for the rich character to be fully revealed.
Light and muted, with sharp, leafy and herbal flavors. It seems to be drying out, leaving an impression of mushrooms rather than fruit. Drink now.
Very fruity, very juicy, this wine is all about crisp, fresh fruitiness, starting with hand-picked biodynamic vineyard plots and gravity-flow into the winery. Red currants dominate, with considerable acidity right at the fore. At the back, the tannins are developing, but fruit will be the hallmark for the long future. Owner Thierry Valette's family also owns Château Troplong-Mondot in Saint-Émilion.
There is dialed-high acidity on the front palate of this wine, followed by lean layers of pineapple and fig. Aged in 40% new French oak, the toast notes are subtle and the finish satisfyingly soft.
There's a dash of rockiness to the nose of this wine from one of the main producers in this warmer Santa Barbara appellation, but the aromas are mostly ripe pear and red apple. There's not a ton of flair to the light and easy palate, so expect poached pears, a touch of green apple and some grassiness.
Made from red grape Nero d'Avola vinified without skin contact, this full-bodied wine has sensations of red apples, pink grapefruit, mineral and white pepper. Crisp acidity gives freshness but the warmth of evident alcohol on the midpalate throws off the balance.
Ripe plum, tilled earth, violet, espresso and toast aromas waft out of the glass. The palate offers dried black cherry, mocha and roasted coffee bean alongside fleeting tannins.
This bright, bold blend of Tannat and Merlot is direct on the nose, with lemony oak, pencil lead and berry aromas. It's a full, weighty, warm wine with flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate tinged with citrus. Oaky notes, with a licorice flavor and heat, drive the finish.
Aromas of forest floor, red berry, leather and a whiff of balsam lead the nose on this shy wine. The palate is rather closed but shows subdued licorice, black pepper and dried black cherry.
This is a firm and serious wine, with dark tannins behind the rich black fruit tones. The solid structure is likely to smooth out with time to give a ripe and juicy wine. Drink from 2015.
Olive, spice, juniper and berry aromas make for a classic old-school Carmenère bouquet. This is a grippy, raw, tannic wine with baked berry and herbal flavors. The finish is minty and long, with resiny oak and lasting herbal leftovers.
Crushed flower, wet earth and ripe berry aromas waft out of the glass. The palate offers black cherry, black pepper and espresso alongside soft tannins. It's straightforward and made to be enjoyed young. Drink through 2015.
This is a ripe, soft and juicy wine that is ready to drink. Warm blackberry tones are contrasted by a rich wood character and fresh, lively acidity.
Fermented in open stone lagars, this wine shows a smooth, rounded and very rich character. Sweet wood flavors suggest vanilla, while the tannins are fine, dense and attractively spicy. The aftertaste, with juicy black fruits, adds balance to the wine. Drink now.
Juicy in black and red berry, this relatively inexpensive Cabernet is aged in both French and American oak. Tannins are soft and subtle, the power building on the finish.
Firm and complex, it manages both acidity and concentrated tannins and brings out really black fruits.
Full body, plenty of tannin and subdued fruit flavors make this a tight, savory rather than fruity Syrah. It is definitely a food wine, with all the appetizing counterpoints for indulgent steaks, ribs or roasts.
With just the right amount of wood aging, this is soft, rich and smooth. Tannins are already well integrated into the blackberry fruits, giving a wine that is fruity, juicy and good for medium-term aging. Drink from 2016.
This is a forward, fruity and spicy wine. It is sweet and soft, with the lightest hint of acidity to give some freshness at the finish. Lychees and mangos combine easily with the attractive pinch of pepper at the end.
Key lime pie and chalk lead the nose on this affordable offering from a longtime Paso producer. The flavor profile is wide and welcoming, with apple, pear and citrus elements.
Old vines give some extra concentration and allow ripe spice to show strongly. It makes for a rich wine that is packed with lychee and mangos. The wine doesn't allow much room for acidity but makes up for that with a lightly dry, textured aftertaste.
Blackberry and cherry aromas lead over an herbaceous and earthy tone on the nose. The rock-hard palate boasts astringent tannins which will require years in the bottle to tame. Spicy and herbal black fruit flavors finish dry, with notes of tobacco and spice.
New oak takes the lead on the nose of this wine, with notes of vanilla and toffee followed by cranberry and cherry. It's high octane, with a concentrated cherry flavor and alcoholic warmth.
This wine is ruby red in color, with aromas of black fruits and berries. The palate shows additional notes of tart black plums, fringed by soft tannins on the finish.
This is an aromatic offering with notes of pineapple, kiwi and pear. It drinks toward medium sweet—9 g/L residual sugar—with abundant tropical flavors that help it go down easy.
Saucy tomato, plum and stalky aromas make for a moderately ripe smelling bouquet. Resiny oak gives this wine weight and thickness, while spiced cherry and tea flavors finish smooth in feel and spicy in flavor.
A wine that is both creamy and has a tight, steely core. It will be fine with food, with its crisp apple acidity and a squeeze of lemon. Drink now.
Aged in a majority of neutral French oak, the wine has opening aromas that impart generous toasty characteristics before mellowing into nutty, vanilla swirls and a lingering taste of green apple.
Seven Hills and Les Collines provide the grapes for this 80-20 Cab-Merlot blend. The cool 2011 vintage was especially noticeable in Walla Walla—here expressed as light strawberry and cranberry fruit, caught in a shell of acid. The wine ultimately turns tannic, with light barrel flavors of caramel and mocha. More bottle age may help to further meld the components.
Made from a blend of Grechetto, Procanico and other varieties, this charming wine from central Italy opens with aromas of tropical fruit, ripe yellow peach and a whiff of smoke. The palate offers flavors of pineapple, golden apple, and citrus, with a bitter almond note that unfolds on the finish.
This blend of Merlot and Sangiovese offers a bright aroma of red berry with hints of orange peel and violet. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, raspberry and black pepper flavors in a straightforward and easy-drinking style.
Jammy aromas suggest a mix of sugar beet, reedy red fruits and Graham cracker. The palate on this first-ever Cabernet from Punto Final is big and blocky, with oaky, herbal flavors of spiced berries. A lively, semisweet finish has a molasses hint and mild green accents.
This is an attractive, ripe red-fruited wine that is showing its best already. Soft tannins, juicy red berries and a light shot of acidity all come together easily and freshly. Drink now. Screwcap.
Subtle and steely, this Pinot Gris is crisp and lemony. It has plenty of citrus amidst a core of herbs and flowers. The grapes are sourced from the organic vineyards of Guinness McFadden in the Potter Valley area of Mendocino County.
This blend of Sangiovese and Sagrantino is aged in tonneaux and offers aromas of black berry, cherry and oak. The palate has a vibrant black-cherry core accented by pepper, cinnamon and espresso notes, as well as bracing yet ripe tannins.
The wine has weight, rich tannins and touches of spice. Acidity from the black currants and red berries shows through strongly, lending a juicy character to the aftertaste. This is not a wine for long-term aging, so drink from 2015.
Here's a delightful Montefalco Rosso that's made in an easy-drinking style. It offers upfront raspberry and cherry flavors, with hints of orange peel and black licorice.
This is a honeyed wine, full of tropical fruits. It is rich, somewhat heavy and clumsy, but acidity surfaces through the midpalate. It's a wine that can be aged, although ready to drink now.
This easy-drinking blend of Cabernet and Merlot opens with aromas of bell pepper, cedar, black currant and a whiff of orange peel. The palate delivers ripe plum, ?blackberry and clove in an unfettered style accompanied by smooth texture.
With 10% each of Viognier and Chardonnay added in, this Torrontés is tropical and citrusy on the nose, then tangy and juicy on the palate. Flavors of orange and other citrus fruits come with plenty of life and acidic kick. As a whole this is fresh and a tad sweet on the finish.
Made from the rare Pugnitello grape, this wine opens with aromas of black fruit and espresso. The palate is one dimensional but offers dense blackberry with hints of spice and licorice alongside polished tannins.
This crowd-pleasing Zin is deeply aromatic, with cedar notes, and boasts a palate that's smooth, leathery and layered with tones of earth and black tea. Fairly priced and with a cleverly designed label, it's a great bottle to take to your next biker party or gathering for the Day of the Dead.
This easy-drinking wine opens with aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry and cooking spices. The palate offers one-dimensional but delicious blackberry and black cherry along with notes of black pepper. It's soft, round and ready to drink.
This is a firm wine that will take time to show its best. When it does, it should reveals a solid texture, juicy fruitiness and attractive acidity. Wait until 2015.
This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Sagrantino offers rustic, almost funky but not unpleasant aromas of tilled soil, toast, meat juice and truffle. The palate opens with delicious black cherry, raspberry and clove flavors, along with notes of well-integrated oak and evident alcohol.
Opens with grapy black-fruit aromas that come across chunky and jammy but don't elicit complaints. Feels round and meaty, with condensed flavors of blackberry and grilled beef. Finishes with a creamy feel, medium length and lasting darkness.
A lively, crisp wine that boasts intense pineapple and citrus fruits. From high-elevation Douro vineyards, it is light and refreshing, with great swathes of acidity.
Vibrant aromas of spice, cranberry and plum lead into a vivid, juicy, youthful wine with plenty of tangy fruit. The acids are way out in front, but the fruit has a zip to it, and there is little or no suggestion of new wood to get in the way.
Concentrated aromas of blackberry, cherry and mashed fig abound, while flavors of black plum skins dominate the palate and coat the mouth with a firm texture. Medium tannins linger on the finish alongside a hint of roasted cocoa nib.
Toasty oak yields a smoky nose, but the fruit aromas are mild and hidden, showing only basic apple notes. With ample oak, the wine is slightly resiny in feel, with tropical fruit flavors followed by a wave of oak flavor. Ditto on the finish, which feels solid and good.
Dry smelling, like a wild field in summer, meaning it's a bit brambly. Feels thorough and full, with tea, spice and oaky flavors supporting sweet berry fruit. Crusty and toasted on the finish, but clean and solid as a whole.
Plum, berry and milk chocolate aromas are not too aggressive. The palate is round and friendly feeling, with flavors of wild berry, sweet oak and carob. Finishes with solid oaky flavors. Good Syrah that's uncomplicated and generally well made.
Given its modest price and weighty alcohol, this wine should find many admirers. Thick and tannic, it could pass for a heavier red than Pinot Noir, and it offers bulky, rustic fruit flavors, with some heat on the finish.
A slight vanilla accent glimmers through the fresh fruit aromas of pear and apple flesh. Round and ripe on the palate, the finish takes a seductive tropical-fruit turn before finally landing on a clean, clementine citrus note.
Simple at best early on, with leathery, rustic aromas and a truly basic set of flavors. Should you allow it to breathe, it rounds into a good (but still basic), semisoft and fruity red with solid cherry/berry flavors and nothing offputting.
Very light, this wine disappoints with a lack of power, of steely acidity. Instead it is soft, broad, a touch of green fruit, leaving a light, bright aftertaste.
The second in Three Brothers' series of four Rieslings, this wine would be more accurately described as semisweet. There's a familiar hint of fennel and petroleum on the nose here, contrasted by a bright lemon-honey sweetness and hints of grapefruit.
Neon purple in color, young and jumpy, but hey, that's what simple Garnacha from this part of Spain is all about. Expect fruity, jammy aromas and a blazing, full-fruited palate of rubber, black fruits and bacon. It's grapey but honest, and for the price it's as expected.
Jammy, dark and reduced, with breadth along with leather and compost aromas. The palate is leathery, funky and medicinal, with viscosity and creamy berry flavors. Has richness and body but the flavors and congruety are sketchy until you remember that it costs but $7.
Third in Three Brothers' series of four Rieslings, this bottling is accurately labeled as semi-sweet, although certainly sweeter than the 1st Degree. There's a consistency through the series with a savory nose of anise, fennel and petroleum. The mouth is full of ripe fruit—this time juicy honeydew and tangerines—and a hint of jasmine tea that adds astringency to the finish.
Delicate white flowers and honeydew melons perfume this light, crisp Riesling with hints of stone and slate. There's an elegant minerality throughout, but its austerity may come off as a tad dilute.
There's plenty of freshly squeezed lemon and apple flavor in this crisp, racy wine. Behind the honey and petrol aromas, however, there's a slightly industrial, rubbery note lingering in the backdrop. Nice tart acidity finishes with a hint of sour apple candy on the palate.
Quite light in both aroma and flavor, this hits the palate softly, with tart, thin fruit and a jarring, somewhat plastic note that persists into the finish. There's a hint of chocolate, but not much going on here.
Palacio Quemado, which means the Burnt Palace, is a funky wine from Extremadura that mixes forceful floral aromas with barnyard and grape juice scents. It's a fuller-bodied, grabby wine with chunky, medicinal flavors and a finish that meanders before settling on big and herbal. Has its good points and weaknesses.
Another "dry" Riesling that's not quite dry, this one starts off with spiced pears and hints of peaches that seem a bit soft at first, then turn gradually tarter and more focused on the finish.
Lean and racy, with limes and tart green apples playing major roles. If not for a dollop of sugar, it might seem a bit sour, but as it is it comes across as pleasantly tart and properly acidic.
From the Valcarlos winery, this Tempranillo has some berry aromas, earth and a bit of grain on the nose. The flavor profile deals plum, cassis and some green olive, while the finish is lean and toasty. The texture is nice, and, while it's not terribly packed with bold flavors or extract, it gets the job done and delivers a solid expression of the grape type and region.
Muskmelon and lime flavors start off tasting sweet, but are quickly reined in by brisk acidity, finishing chalky and tart. This is a fine Riesling, yet slightly disappointing in the context of previous vintages.
This small merchant house is best known for its great Vendanges Tardives. But at the simpler level, this Riesling Collection is dry and fresh, with a great floral character, deceptively light acidity and a subtly spicy aftertaste.
Slightly floral on the nose, with some pear and nectarine as well, this light-bodied wine blends sweet stone-fruit flavors with tart green apples on the palate, giving it a degree of balance.
This label is owned by Parxet, a cava producer, and it delivers a solid, youthful taste of Ribera. There's pepper and earth, and a little oak on the nose. Flavor-wise, it's loaded with snappy black cherry and plum. At first take it's simple and forward, but always tasty and ripe. And with airing a bit of complexity comes on.
This firm Tempranillo-led blend is meaty and leathery on the nose, with minerally black-fruit scents. The palate is wide and tannic, while flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate flow into the toasty finish alongside solid but not fierce tannins. Give this another couple of years; best from 2016 through 2022.
Pleasantly smoky overtones herald a sophisticated, subtle wine whose thrilling acidity is beautifully tempered by soft creaminess, here and there are notions of hazelnut, and of lime zest. Beautiful now but with mileage. Drink until 2018.
All five Bordeaux grapes are blended in this aromatic wine sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge vineyards. In the mouth it is compact with a dense verticality, opening with raspberry and moving on into cassis fruit. Tight and young, compact and nicely structured, this should be cellared through 2022 to 2024.
Lemon peel and yeast are in the starring roles for now, showing miso-like savor with smoky edges and glimpses of white pepper. The fruit will come later. For now, this is pure, textural pleasure, with a very clean-cut finish.
A little smoke, a little pear peel, some aloe vera... Nothing is overdone and all falls into place. On the palate a hint of rich, yeasty nuttiness jostles with ripe fruit, but all is under tight restraint. This wine will take time to show its glorious colors. Drink as of 2016.
A wine this good makes you wish there were a lot more of it. Pure Sémillon from a single vineyard, fermented in stainless steel, it opens with lovely fragrances of linalool and citrus pith, softens up in the mouth, and brings grapefruit and a hint of wet stone. It has the power of Chardonnay with more complexity than most unoaked versions of that grape.
Leather-boot black in color, this fine Petite Sirah is distinctive in herbal, almost eucalyptus aromas and intensely huge blackberry fruit. Earthy and soft with curtains of tannin, the wine is a complex version of the variety, rich. Age it until 2017–2021 and see if the eucalyptus mellows or intensifies.
Prieto Picudo is largely an unknown variety with a propensity for yielding weird wines. But this offering is made cleanly, and in an internationally familiar style. Aromas of licorice root, tobacco and cedar rest atop a base of black-fruit scents. The palate is juicy and tannic, while plum and berry flavors are surrounded by mocha, coffee and graphite notes. Drink or hold through 2018.
Duhart-Milon continues to get better and more sophisticated. This 2011 vintage shows that trend well with its elegant spice, black currant fruits and firm tannins. The fruitiness is well focused, with typical Cabernet acidity bringing out the fresher side of the wine. Drink from 2017.
Subtle notes of white currant, lime peel and Conference pear mingle on nose and palate, framed by a linear, tight and toned body. This comes across as elegant, straight-backed and poised, showing off breeding and refinement. Refreshing, pure and very long.
Drinking at its prime, the Isabella blends 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Malbec and 11% Petit Verdot. Muscular and solid, the fruit flavors of cherry and plum are framed with ripe tannins. Accents of toasted walnuts, coffee and cream complete a thoroughly satisfying finish.
This is Londer Vineyard fruit though the vineyard is no longer a designation of its own. Still, like vintages past, Fulcrum has worked its magic with the long-coveted spot, crafting an herbal, savory Pinot that's mouth-filling in blueberry fruit. Voluptuously soft, this is a great wine for the table, perhaps paired with a pork roast dripping in mushrooms.
Starts off with fresh but simple aromas of apple wedges, greens and limes, but shows altogether more interesting flavors—the apple and citrus are complemented by hints of oil or shale. Turns minerally on the finish.
Smooth and richly aromatic, with pear and apple notes to go with the full allotment of oak and butter. This is Bisquertt's attempt at a top-shelf Chard, and it isn't a bad effort. The palate deals plenty of pear and mango flavors, while the finish is warm and oaky. Well made, yet a bit flat. Drink this year for best results. Best Buy.
This blended white combines Tocai Friulano (60%) with Pinot Bianco (25%) and Pinot Grigio (15%) in a tasty, corpulent wine well worth its modest price. Bold flavors of oranges, pink grapefruits and ripe cherries mingle in the mouth; the only quibble is that it finishes a little short.
The nose is a tiny bit pickled, probably a sign of American oak, but there's also raspberry and garden-like freshness. The palate is ripe and juicy, with plenty of sweetness. As a whole it's tasty, balanced and expressive. For a day-to-day Cabernet, this one is recommended.
The bouquet kicks up hints of graham cracker, iodine and earth. The mouth is fat and broad, with a goodly amount of typical plum and cherry flavors. The finish is simple yet clean, with tight tannins and moderate length. Good and well made; a wine for everyday consumption.
From one sniff, you know this is Gewürz, its rose-petal and lychee aromas erupting out of the glass. But the flavors are less expansive, picking up notes of peppery spice on the finish.
A full, rich, concentrated wine, with fat, ripe fruit and a touch of acidity. Big and powerful, it has a fresh, clean aftertaste.
Opens with lofty, airy aromas of flowers and pears, and then in the mouth comes a full rush of grapefruit and orange pith. Finishes nicely, tasting of tangerine with hints of licorice and tarragon. In terms of mouthfeel, it's a plump, medium-acid wine, so drink it now. Best Buy.
From what is claimed to be the highest vineyard in Europe, at 3,000 feet, comes this surprisingly ripe, full-flavored Müller-Thurgau, with soft acidity and a fine, crisp, green finish.
A single-vineyard Sangiovese from Piccini's top estate, Poggio Teo offers up aromas of black tea and anise balanced by flavors of black fruit. It's smooth in the mouth, but not particularly lush, finishing with plenty of juicy acidity.
An intense, herbaceous wine that also manages to be light. Acidity and green fruits keep the poise and the freshness, while the flavors of green plums and gooseberries are balanced with some structure.
Woody aromas smell much like warm cedar, and that's backed up by some nice cherry and cassis. There's plenty of pleasant red fruit on the palate, and not a hint of green. Some chocolaty earthiness makes it all the more cheerful. It's an easy drinker that delivers solid Cab character without a lot of fuss and heavy extraction.
With its flamboyant aromas of oranges, tangerines and apricots, this screams “Muscat” at the top of its lungs. The plump flavors of tropical and citrus fruits make it easy to like and easy to drink. Great as an apéritif.
This is a late release, but it's in good shape. The nose is earthy and dense, with just a nip of wet fur and forest floor. The palate is all about sweet berries and ripeness, while the finish is warm and lengthy. It's solid and without any obvious flaws even if it doesn't thump its chest and overwhelm you.
Inviting aromas of butter, almond and citrus open into a rich, thickly textured wine studded with peach, almond butter and citrus pith. The slightly bitter notes echo through the finish, providing a welcome sense of balance to round mouthfeel and fatty flavors.
Not a typically fruity Grigio, this one relies more on spices and minerals to make a palate impression. Hints of almond and dried cinnamon start things off, followed by stony, mineral flavors backed by pears and allspice.
Concha y Toro is making a big, burly Merlot for this line and it should have mass appeal given how rich, extracted and oaky it is. The nose is dense as chocolate cake and deep as a well. The mouth is chewy and thick, with chocolate-covered berries and another whack of wood.
A soft, rounded wine with hints of oak from the one-third barrel aging. Concentrated and firm, it is already well in balance, with soft, creamy flavors.
The top range of wines from this highly rated cooperative is called Sanet Valentin, after the patron saint of lovers. This Sauvignon is crisp, herbaceous and very fresh, with light layers of mouth-watering acidity.