This wine's nose is still closed, but its palate presents velvety, cinnamon- and vanilla-tinged black cherry fruit. The tannic structure acts like a velvet grip around its pleasantly fruit-dense core. That richness is countered by freshness in a package that's sure to give lots of pleasure through 2022.
Winemaker Nick Elliott taps into the biodynamic vineyard planted by Syrah legend Bob Lindquist to deliver this rich bottling. It's full of roasted black fruit aromasl, with nori, soy and even organ meat touches on the nose. Peppery spice and charred beef flavors accent the lavish palate, while thick tannins frame ripe black-currant flavors on a bed of unwavering acidity.
This small-production blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot from winemaker Tom Rinaldi is rounded and juicy, with moderate acidity. It shows generous clove, cinnamon and black cherry flavors, the structure supportive and graceful.
Stunningly good for an entry-level Pinot Noir, this new Tavola gets the sort of care generally reserved for reserves. Native yeast fermentation and almost a year in 20% new French oak is where it starts; then a barrel selection is made and it's bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep flavors emphasize black fruits, with a dash of pepper highlighting the finish.
This densely textured, deeply flavored wine showcases the beauty of old vines in Amador terroir. It has an opaque color, opulent clove, blackberry and cassis aromas, and ripe, jammy flavors that drench the palate yet are supported by tannins firm enough to keep it balanced and appetizing. Best after 2020.
Loads of ripe blackberry and boysenberry aromas lead to a plush, not quite soft mouthfeel laced with berry, cherry, clove and cinnamon flavors. It's a very generous, mouth-filling wine that will bring a lot of enjoyment.
Another of the producer's mountain reds, this features rough-hewn tannin that grips the palate with tenacity and power, yielding to show juicy acidity and fully realized cedar, dusty cranberry and cassis flavors.
Winemaker Bill Brosseau tapped into his family's vineyard to produce this light and delicate wine. Its aromas suggest white flowers, key lime and chalk, while its flavors are high-toned and tight, recalling chilled pear, lime and pomelo pith. A graphite-like minerality adds complexity.
Delicious blueberry, plum and cinnamon notes are still shy on the nose. The palate also holds them tight with pervading, lively freshness and a very slight spritz. White pepper spice colors the edges, making for an exciting, concentrated but light-footed wine that has rusticity and elegance in equal measure. Lovely now but sure to develop. Drink now–2025.
Dense mossy aromas of blackberry are slightly murky. Forget about delicacy on the palate, this is full-bodied and clattering. Blackberry, cassis, black cherry and chocolate flavors finish spicy. This is at maximum ripeness. Drink through 2022.
This 100% varietal wine shines with high-toned red currant and raspberry flavors, exhibiting bright acidity on the moderately built palate. Tight-grained tannin provides structure, balancing the emphatic fruit.
In French, the vineyard name means “the meadow on the mountain,” a fitting name for the site. This is a spicy wine, with a touch of red-hot candy. The pretty cherry fruit is underscored with earth and mineral, and the astringent, tea-flavored tannins morph into a suggestion of cola at the tail end.
This is a golden, mature and sweet wine that comes from the white wine appellation of the Madiran region. It balances ripe apricot and honey with intense acidity to create a beautiful wine. The zesty marmalade and final crispness are delicious. Drink now.
Aromatic and lushly scented with rhubarb, strawberry, cola, root beer and cocoa powder, this is immediately accessible, and yet structured to age if you can keep your hands off of it. Streaks of beet root sneak in around raspberry and cherry fruit, with firm tannins and highlights of toast, coffee, caramel and dark chocolate. This is a very fine cuvée that seems to gain focus as it rolls through the finish.
Fennel, oak, apple and pear notes blend together in this full-bodied wine with robust structure and richness. Crème brûlée flavors join ginger and nutmeg elements, as the acidity refreshes and rewards.
Top-notch Malbec blended with other varieties gives Corte A a chance at greatness. In its current juvenile state, the wine is fresh, expressive and exotic on the nose, with mineral, licorice and spice in addition to a lot of driving berry character. The core is a touch racy and acidic, so this is no mushy fruit bomb. Instead it is serious wine with a lot of oak, polish and pizzazz.
The estate Syrah immediately shows a toastier nose and richer fruit than the excellent Columbia Valley bottling. Along with cassis, black cherry and blackberry fruit are powerful layers of toasted nuts, butterscotch and coffee. At the moment the wine seems still to be holding something back; decanting and substantial breathing time are highly recommended.
A rich, smooth wine that wears its ripeness and opulence with grace. The structure is all there, a dry center that supports the blackberry jelly and sweet fruits, as well as acidity, a vivid freshness that acts as a foil to all the rich, meaty flavors.
A unique blend of spice and blueberry sets this Shiraz apart from the pack, and it pulls away even further due to a lush, creamy texture and long, mouthcoating finish. There's great purity to the fruit, but enough peppery spice for complexity. Drink now–2016.
The price keeps creeping up, but at least this is one Australian wine that consistently delivers vintage after vintage. The 2004 offers classic aromas of cassis, cinnamon and clove, with a touch of cracked pepper for good measure. It's full-bodied without going overboard, with a rich texture and a long, clean finish filled with complex spice notes. Good now, should be even better in 10 years.
This well-balanced, flavorful and medium-bodied wine will pair nicely with many different meat, poultry and pasta dishes without distracting from the food. It smells lightly spicy, tastes like raspberries and red cherries and has light tannins that add some needed grip.
This big-production Pinot pierces through with smoke, char and stiff, earthy tannins. It's a chewy, rough wine, more herbal than fruity. It's got enough punch and power to hook up with grilled burgers or flank steak.
Concentrated candied cherry, sugar beet, rhubarb, cinnamon and clove aromas make for a sweet-smelling nose in this bottling. The palate proves much drier, showing complex vanilla, cranberry, eucalyptus and juniper flavors.
This dark red sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier smells like Dr. Pepper, has lively bubbles and leaves a dry, very fruity impression on the palate. Dark cherry and ripe plum flavors dominate.
Bright red plum fruit is underscored by strong herbal aromas in this widely available bottling. It's fruity on the palate, with a green pepper edge that grows minty as it approaches the finish. A great, refreshing style of Cabernet for barbecues.
This includes 13% Gamay in the blend and spent 13 months in 15% new French oak. It's a modest wine, with cranberry and tart raspberry fruit. It has good focus, a dash of pepper and more substance to the finish than you might expect. Two-hundred cases were exported to the U.S.
With its compelling label art, this wine offers intense ripeness and lingering vanilla- and cola-like sweetness. Softly textured, it's unfussy in its expression of baked cherry and blackberry fruit.
This wine has a light scent of animal funk and saddle leather around black-cherry fruit. Tannins are showing early signs of drying out, and it is probably best to enjoy by 2020.
Chocolate and mint notes combine effortlessly in this straightforward appellation wine, accented with rose, cherry and rhubarb. It features moderate acidity, thick tannins and weight.
Prominent crushed gravel and stone notes meet leather and dust on the nose of this very earthy bottling, which shows a bit of blackberry as well. The palate is redolent with potpourri flavors and incredibly floral, with plum as the dominant fruit.
Blended with 8% Petite Sirah and aged less than a year in French and American oak, this wine is simple, with compostable earth scents and soft, round layers of brambly blackberry fruit.
A blend of fruit from Ambassador (Red Mountain) and Dineen (Rattlesnake Hills) vineyards, the aromas start off high toned, with notes of violets, talc and purple fruit. The flavors are big, dark and bold, packing a mouthful of fruit but not sacrificing on balance.
Lush texture meets crisp acidity in this full-figured exploration of ripe peach and pear. Nutty and quietly floral, it ends in a voluptuous finish of smoky spice.
This 100% varietal wine is a blend of fruit from Ciel du Cheval and Obelisco vineyards. Aromatically expressive, it boasts directly appealing notes of black plum, cassis, violets and dark spice, with the fruit very primary. The black-fruit flavors coat the palate from end to end and bring a compelling mouthfeel. The tannins are there but are beautifully integrated. It will be best from 2022–2030.
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard fruit makes up the majority of this wine, with the balance from Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Aromas are bright and fruit forward, with notes of purple fruit and spice. The palate is rich, dense and dark, pulling up just a touch toward the finish.
This firm, tannic wine's plum and black cherry aromas are matched by oaky maple and spice scents. Toasty, spicy black fruit and mocha flavors finish with a wave of toast, chocolate and spice. This is more bullish than elegant; drink through 2021.
Bold, but complete and well-balanced, this full-bodied wine from a Sierra Foothills stalwart is packed with opulent black plum and cassis flavors and a firmly tannic texture. It starts with lightly smoky, peppery aromas and finishes with lingering fruit, spice and mocha notes. Best after 2020.
A different vintage from the odd-numbered ones surrounding it, 2014 yielded wines of less ripeness and intensity. Despite that, this is a fine effort, offering overtones of green peppercorns, dried spices and fresh herbs over tart pie-cherry and cranberry fruit. It's taut and focused, silky without being soft. Drink 2020–2030.
In this blend of fruit from Lewis and Phinny Hill vineyards, sweet spice, baking spice, vanilla and dark fruit lead to silky dark fruit and barrel flavors. The wood influence is primary but it still brings a lot of appeal.
Whiffs of white peach and yellow cherry intensify on the palate of this punchy, concentrated dry Riesling. It's buoyantly juicy and fruity, full of fresh stone fruit and citrus flavors. Vibrant acidity and deep veins of crushed slate lend refreshment to a long finish. It's an exceptionally balanced wine at a bargain price.
This pure varietal effort includes 20% that was barrel fermented. This is flat-out delicious and overflowing with ripe fruits: a pleasing blend of oranges, peaches and papayas. It's rich enough to stand in for your favorite Chardonnay, while offering flavors that more closely resemble a New World take on a white Rhône blend.
Finding wine from this vineyard site at this price is unheard of and reason enough to jump on this bottling. It also happens to taste great—a combination of melon and preserved lemon flavor, with spicy acidity and a lift of grapefruit peel and wet stone that keeps it exotic.
Blended with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this lovely, earthy and herbal wine is lightly spiced with clove and pepper notes. Fresh with forest-like scents, it hails from Coombsville beneath Mount George.
Light cranberry aromas meet turned loam, cinnamon and porcini mushroom-like umami touches in this bottling from a famed vineyard in the region. The mouthfeel is full and broad, but it's also lively with tart cranberry and raspberry fruit, earthy spice and a touch of raw beef rusticity
This wine's full dark berry and desert herb aromas are typical of Vall Llach. Its full-bodied, chunky palate delivers brandied black currant, black plum and baked berry flavors, with a finish that's strong with peppery, herbal notes. Drink through 2022.
This exciting, refreshing, superbly balanced wine has crisp green apple aromas and lively, almost electric lemon, lime and cucumber flavors. It's a great choice for lunch or with an appetizer course, since it's sure to get the conversation—as well as the appetite—going.
The aromas are quite wound up at present, with notes of vanilla, Moroccan spice, woodspice, pencil lead and brooding dark fruit. The palate is full of concentrated black cherry and blackberry flavors along with well-integrated tannins. It shows some pleasing subtleties, so give it time to open up.
Aged on its lees for 10 months after harvest, the wine has a rich character that also shows in the light gold color. There is a nutty toasty character to this wine that gives it extra complexity and richness. Drink this impressive wine now
Derived from the original planting in 1999, this nine-clone blend is a ripe, rich and complex wine, with the structure to age well over the medium term. Raspberry and cherry fruit comes with a touch of dried herb and the estate's signature minerality.
Produced from old vines, this blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz is rich and dense. It has firm tannins at this young stage although it is obviously going to become a generous rich wine as it develops. It has a fine future of complex structure and fruit. Drink from 2019.
All coming from Stillwater Creek, this aromatic wine offers vibrant aromas of purple fruit along with herb, whiffs of smoked meat and violets. The palate is tart, bright and fresh, with lively acidity and good depth of flavor.
This dry wine shows hints of honey as well as pure sliced apple and white stone fruits. It is deliciously crisp, bright with acidity, almonds and a tangy texture. The wine is totally ready to drink in its fruity youth.
This heavily oaked Ribera del Duero features maple, barrel char, dried cheese, licorice and boysenberry jam aromas. The palate is so concentrated it's syrupy, its blackened oak, crème de cassis and chocolate flavors feeling heavy on the finish. Drink this saturated bruiser through 2022.
Tight and wound up on the nose, this bottling shows lime blossom and tangerine skin aromas with laser-sharp focus. Tangerine, sea salt and lime flavors show on the palate, where flinty minerality accents all that lush citrus.
This reserve-level cuvée is the star of Goodfellow's Chardonnay lineup in 2014. Toasty, sleek and stylish, it deftly skirts the border of stone and tropical fruits, melding the best of both. Buttered-nut flavors coat the lingering finish. In short, here is a textbook example of Oregon Chardonnay.
From vineyards owned by the producer just across the river from its home base in Sancerre, this wine has the rich intensity that is proper to a Pouilly Fumé. It has bold ripe fruits and a toasty edge along with a strong minerality from the flinty soil. Drink this wine from 2018.
The young wine is ripe, juicy, and richly structured. It is perfumed, with spice, red berry fruits, ripe tannins and inherent elegance. It will be an impressive wine as it matures. Give it until 2018.
Vivid black cherry lights up the aroma and floods the flavors of this full-bodied, expressive wine. Attractive nuances of rhubarb and clove add complexity. The purity of fruit and absence of obvious oak give great focus and brightness that continue through the lingering finish. It will be best after 2018.
There's unique sharpness to the chaparral spice on the nose of this bottling, where black sage meshes into rooty flavors of beet and rhubarb as well as violets and black tea. That Earl Grey tea component pops on the earthy palate, where baked black plum and black raspberry are laid across a base of dried purple flowers and pine-laden forest floor.
The winery's best-barrel bottling of Chardonnay, this excels on all fronts, showing lemon peels, browned butter, creamy lily and pan-seared apples on the light, crisp yet savory nose. The mouthfeel is rich but decorated with zesty line of salty acidity that cuts through the lemon-curd flavors. Altogether mouthwatering, it's perfect for a seaside meal.
Sourced from near the town of Sebastopol, in a site rich in Goldridge soils, this wine is juicy and complex, founded on a core of orange and cherry, with a tang of acidity that competes with the lushness. A brushy forest-floor note lies underneath the fruit, providing a lovely, savory counterpoint to the succulence.
A reduction of tar and meaty leather at first overrides elusive fruit in this 100% varietal wine. It's alluring nonetheless, for its soft tannins and toasted hits of oak. Currant, clove and tobacco give a savory, compelling and complex edge to the full-bodied frame.
Aromatic notions suggest Bosc pear, the ripe peel of Navel oranges, the crunch of apple—all conveying perfect ripeness countered with freshness. This wine is refreshing and full fruited and yet rounded. It's a harmoniously balanced, dry wine of total freshness.
A bit lighter that other Syrahs of this small appellation, this bottling from a Santa Cruz-based producer shows light cherry juice, cinnamon, clove and gingerbread on the nose. Cola, black cherry, cranberry, leather and tobacco arise on the sip, but it's the intriguing crushed-gravel minerality that sets it apart.
This Carmenère-led blend opens with composed aromas of cherry, cassis and chocolate along with herbs and spice. The palate feels crisp and intense, with firm tannins and elegance. Roasted black-fruit flavors are peppery and chocolaty, while licorice and baking spice flavors grace a long finish. Contains 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink through 2022.
Rich aromas of violets, lilacs and other purple flowers complement the turned loam, shiitake, ripe cranberry and dark hibiscus scents of this bottling by the Duckhorn family. Once sipped, flavors of hearty black plum, nutmeg, crushed gravel and Earl Grey tea prove extremely layered and earthy.
An impressive, cool-climate take on a Rhône blend, this mix of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre shows fresh boysenberry, black pepper, crushed lavender and potpourri on the fresh nose. Lots of lively energy lands on the palate, where more pepper and purple fruits are enhanced by dried fennel, crushed marjoram, tarragon and layers of sharp yet savory flavor.
Just 50 cases exist of this cellar-worthy bottling from a team of restaurant professionals. The nose offers rounded plum pie, clove and inviting vanilla bean, while the palate is framed by chalky tannins that ensure long life, presenting flavors of baked black cherry, peppercorn, graphite, light mulberry and tart pomegranate. Drink 2018–2028.
Dominated by Touriga Nacional, this is a powerfully structured, rich wine. The wood aging shows through the mint flavors that brings complexity to the wine. Toast and spice also feature strongly while masking the ripe black plum fruits. Drink this impressive wine from 2018.
Coming from the winery's estate vineyard in The Rocks District, this wine offers captivating notes of smoked meat, fire pit, flowers, black olive and peat that are followed by abundant fruit and savory flavors with a palate-coating lithe feel. Meaty flavors persist on the finish. It shows a spot-on sense of balance that thoroughly enchants.
Richard Sanford and winemaker Nick de Luca are making wines to stand the test of time, including this bottling that offers dried roses, rust and light cranberry on the nose. The palate combines turned earth, dried fennel and chipped sandalwood with delicate raspberry and strawberry fruit. That ethereal lightness will concentrate with time and last decades. Drink 2019–2033.
This is an unusual blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 39% Chardonnay and 6% Viognier from a selection of fine vineyard sites, including Maldonado. Baked pineapple, mango, anise and lemongrass ride along tightly grained texture and a tension of acidity, finding a manageable weight of viscosity on the finish.
The result of an accidental planting of these two varieties in the same block, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah provides prime evidence why these two grapes make for a dynamic duo. Aromas of roasted coffee, black-cherry paste, Dr Pepper, vanilla and elderberry prove both juicy and elegant. With a silky mouthfeel and polished acidity, the palate is layered with blueberry, blackcurrant, tobacco, leather and dark-chocolate flavors.
Dark in the glass, this bottling from deep in the Carmel Valley shows black currant, espresso, slate and dense violets on the nose. The solidly thick structure makes for a luxurious mouthfeel, a great format to enjoy prominent flavors of blueberry, blackberry, pepper, cedar and crushed coffee beans.
This lovely wine offers classic elements of cedar and tar built around a medium-bodied weight of soft, complex texture. Smoky oak never detracts from the layering of black licorice and blackberry that builds as it goes, this wine defined most by its substantial length.
This is a powerful wine, full of dark fruits and dense dry tannins. Even at four years old, it is still young. It is impressive in its concentration with fine acidity  and black-plum flavors mingling with the tannins. Drink this serious wine from 2018.
Tangy cherry flavors and a lip-smacking texture give a lot of life to this medium-bodied, tight and balanced wine. Great vibrancy comes from fruit flavors that are not overly ripe, and from moderate tannins and lively acidity that keep the mouthfeel fresh. A wonderful creaminess coats the tongue on the finish. Best after 2018.
The perfumed scent of ripe, red-cheeked Mirabelle plums is joined by some lovely bitter notes of fir honey. The palate shows the typical 2014 freshness, adding passion fruit, pear peel, honeycomb and grapefruit pith to this aromatic tableau. In between, seams of pepper and honeysuckle are highlighted by bright, zesty acidity. The wine offers an irresistible contradiction of structure and enthusiasm.
Rich sugar-apple and pear tart provide warmth and decadence to this wine. Despite its voluptuous nature, the wine is also layered and complex in intriguingly satisfying ways. A touch of ripe peach and salty pretzel figure into the mix quietly, yet harmoniously.
This blend of 64% Syrah, 24% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah shows warm and inviting aromas of cherry, blueberry, brioche, vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. The palate is lush with black cherries, maple and smoke flavors, proving rich and ripe though extremely juicy and tasty. It's an attention grabber.
This wine by Adam Lee shows concentrated touches of nutmeg, crushed pepper and dried thyme laid across a base of hearty blackberries, with dried leaves on the nose. There is a strong herbal component to the sip, with eucalyptus oil and black-pepper dust spicing up the hearty beet juice and black-fruit core. A strong menthol lift arises on the finish.
This single-vineyard-focused winery controls four specific vineyards as monopole bottlings. This is one, showing black cherry, vanilla bean, nutmeg and a stony slate component on the nose. There is a soft density to the sip, with cranberries, graphite flakes and a sandalwood touch to the palate.
Winemaker Bill Brousseau works to restrain the powerful ripeness that can come from one of the more famous vineyards in the appellation. This offers a nose with wound-up cranberry fruit, touches of hibiscus and rosebuds, and chipped-slate aromas. The palate shows juniper and pine-needle spice across a juicy black-cherry and black-plum core, with strong acidity and solid structure extending into a savory finish.
Apple cream, squeezed tangerine and a touch of popcorn make for nice, easy and yet layered aromas on the nose of this bottling by the Los Gatos-based single-vineyard-focused winery. Flavors of Gravenstein apples, browned butter and toast pop on the palate, where an intriguing flinty character pushes this into another level.
A brawny bottling from one of the state's most historic vineyards, this wine offers wild berries, turned earth, shiitake mushrooms and a light cinnamon glaze on the hearty nose. Rich cherry and plum fruit shows on the tip of the sip followed by rising waves of anise, eucalyptus and white sage. The mouthfeel is soft but with aggressive acidity.
Apricot and mango aromas give this wine an immediate opulence. It is ripe and honeyed although with the enormous, age-worthy acidity and flavors of pineapple and passion fruit. The wine is still so young and should not be drunk before 2019.
Though lightly ripened, this opens with classic varietal aromas of mint, spicy berry and pepper. It tends slightly to the green side of the fruit spectrum, with the acidity to age a bit further.
Rich black cherry, black-cardamom cream, smoked meat and touches of anise and tar show on the nose of this well-priced bottling from Kevin Riley of the Proulx Winery. There is lots of energy on the palate, with flavors of tart black raspbery, hibiscus, sagebrush and a touch of nutmeg.
This is the second wine of Château de Chambert, one that's made to be drunk young. It has bright red fruits and soft tannins that are well integrated into aromatic fruits that burst from the glass. Drink this wine now for its delicious fruitiness or wait until 2018 for the exuberant fruit to calm down.
This pure Malbec is generous and ripe. It has concentration and dark berry fruits that come strongly through the tannic structure. As it develops, its texture will become increasingly more velvety, bringing out richness. Wait until 2018.
Slightly funky aromas of dried, composting red and purple roses meet with crushed mint, vanilla and red berries on the nose of this complex bottling. Pomegranate, red plum and strawberry fruit show on the palate, bolstered by wet gravel, thyme and black-pepper spice.
Dry, spicy, earthy red-fruit aromas lead to a fresh palate with good body. Plum and spiced cherry flavors extend only so far, while this tasty little wine finishes dry, spicy and with a dusting of cocoa.
Dense and textured, this is a tannin dominated wine. The black fruit is still developing through the firm structure. At the end, with juicy blackberry fruits, the wine shows its generous future. Drink from 2017.
Plum, violet, vanilla and espresso aromas swirl around the glass along with a hint of herb. The linear palate offers toast, sour cherry, roasted coffee bean and a licorice note while fine-grained tannins give it a firm finish. Drink through 2018.
Ripe and juicy this is a wine that brings out perfumed black fruits and lively acidity. It is made to be drunk young, preserving all the berry fruitiness and leaving the tannins in the background. Drink from late 2016.
A larger-production wine that doesn't hold back on quality, this offers a bittersweet bite of black tea, cranberry and dried herb atop aromas of dried rose petals, remaining varietal while also providing an oomph of body and texture.
Aromas of plum, tilled soil, truffle, dark baking spice and a whiff of violet lead the nose. The medium-bodied, easygoing palate offers juicy black cherry, white pepper and clove framed in lithe tannins and lively acidity. Enjoy through 2018.
Aromas of vineyard dust, red cherry and a hint of cake spice meld together on this. The round, easy drinking palate delivers raspberry jelly, clove, grilled herb and a hint of anise alongside lithe tannins. Drink through 2018.
Full bodied, and firm textured, this wine emphasizes complexity and mouthfeel over simple fruitiness. It smells like ripe plums, tastes like cardamom and black cherry, and shows good balance between flavors, acidity and body.
Dusty saffron, earth and bitter minerals lend a savory tone to this otherwise appley, lime-inflected dry Riesling. It's crisp and sheer on the palate but the finish is bold with a steely, cool resonance. Drink now through 2019.
Dark blue-purple in color, this is a breezy, giving wine on the palate, fresh and light in blueberry preserves and soft layers of integrated oak and tannin. It finishes smooth and with a hint of chocolate.
Plum, moist earth, leather and a whiff of crushed violet aromas lead the nose on this straightforward red. The easy drinking palate shows dark berry, cinnamon, orange peel and a hint of game accompanied by dusty tannins zesty acidity.
A blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional, this is a dry wine that is just crisp, light fruit. Dominant red berry flavors are smooth, without any tannins and only the lightest texture. From its pale color to its soft fruit, this is a delicious modern rosé.
A ripe young wine, this has rich apricot and apple flavors. It has concentration as well as a crisp, mineral texture. The wine comes from the heartland of Alvarinho in the far north of Portugal, across the river Minho from the Albariño Spanish vineyards. The wine should be aged and drunk from 2017.
Grippy in big, dry tannin and a weight of oak, this is a plummy and rich red wine. The palate veers into dusty layers of vanilla and chocolate, finishing leathery and peppery.
Crisp upon entry, this wine evolves into a thicker, richer style of texture and ripe flavor, with a depth of caramel streaking through baked apple and pear compote with a medley of melon. It satisfies in its full-bodied generosity.
This well-made, widely distributed wine will serve a range of purposes and palates. Spiky acidity meets a muddle of apple, caramel and baked overtones of pineapple seasoned in nutmeg. Medium-bodied and food-friendly, it offers a long finish.
Sour apple and fennel characterize this wine upon entry. These follow through on the nose and palate around a concentrated core of golden honey and lemony acidity.
Very reliable and rewarding for everyday drinking, this wine packs lush black cherries, well-integrated purple flowers, savory roasted beef and touches of salted caramel and oak into the nose. Cooked blueberries, caramel and French-toast flavors show on the palate.
Sprightly lime and peach aromas mix with seared orange rind and hints of white flowers on the nose of this bottling. The riper aromas tighten up on the sip, where tart green apples cut the suave nectarine-flesh flavors as white peach slowly emerges.
Toasted hazelnut, charred earth, underbrush, stewed prune and roasted coffee bean aromas all carry over to robust, one-dimensional palate along with mocha and a confectionary note. Solid tannins provide the robust framework.
This youthful wine might just be holding some of its nuances back, but for now it's singularly minded in caramel and toffee with a baked-apple pie vibe, wrapped in generous oak.
A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from the small region of Buzet in the north of Gascony. This wine has tannins that are already well integrated with the black currant fruits and acidity. It is going to develop further into a rich, smooth wine. Drink from 2018.
One of Brian Loring's always solid appellation blends, this one packs sour cherry and cranberry on the nose, with plenty of crushed sage and dried garden herbs, picking up more black cherry as time goes on. Pencil lead, buttered red cherry, oregano and bay leaf play into the grippy palate.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with aromas of tilled earth, leather, truffle and mature berry. The chewy palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, licorice, clove and aromatic herb framed in velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
The red berry and pomegranate fruit flavors are set against a background of dry earth, dried leaf and stem. It's balanced and detailed, definitely tilted more toward the herbal side of Oregon Pinot Noir rather than a fruitier style.
While pressed apple notes seem savory on the nose, the palate of this dry Seyval Blanc is surprisingly fresh boasting a delicate honeydew flavor. There's not a lot of concentration or power, but it's pleasant and crisp, with lingering lemon-lime acidity.
This is a single-vineyard wine from Pfaffenheim. Giving a touch of spice as well as delicate acidity, it's light, bright and fruity. Crisp right through and attractively perfumed, it is ready to drink now.
The nose is weak, with just slight pear and fleeting wet rocks, and the flavors aren't powerful either: apples, pears, lime pith and barely ripe peach. It's an easy-to-drink summer wine, good with a crab louie.
This is a fruity wine housing soft tannins and red berry fruit notes. It's rounded and smooth, with streaks of vanilla highlighting the finish. Drink now.
Mint and oak aromas mingle with berry tones on the nose. Upon entrance the wine feels flabby, however after a few seconds the juicy acidity kicks in. Flavors of underripe berry and olive dominate the palate, with a slightly oaky finish.
Rubber aromas pervade on the nose. A grippy tannins dominate resin notes of wood and spice over a hint of fruit. A slightly herbaceous finish brings this wine home.
Earth and matchstick define the nose of this easygoing wine. The palate is quiet, with low-intensity flavors of passion fruit and citrus that finish mildly pithy.
Lemon and summer flower aromas set the scene for this fresh and attractive wine. It is light and bright, dry while also fruity. Acidity and a crisp texture give it a lively aftertaste.
Vanilla wafer, slightly mealy apple and citrus aromas open this slightly unfocused wine. The palate is flat, with flavors of green fruit and citrus that finish abruptly.
There are strongly spicy aromas to this gentle Gewurztraminer. It's off dry, keeping some acidity amid the ripe lychee and nutmeg flavors. It's an approachable wine, ready to drink now.
Very ripe, juicy and spicy, this is a forward, fruity wine that should be consumed within the year. It has rich plum and jam flavors, light tannins and a soft aftertaste.
Green fruit aromas, grassy notes and hint of sulfur define the bouquet on this herbaceous wine from a cool vintage. Bell pepper, pea and green bean flavors finish with a hint of tropical fruit.
The wine is soft, just juicy and with little in the way of concentration. Barrel-aged for 12 months in one-third new oak, it is attractive and ready to drink now. Vines are planted on limestone and clay above limestone and iron schist subsoil.
Firm, tannic and hard, this tight wine has a solid core of dry wood. It seems over-extracted with its bitter coffee flavors. Fruit is hard to come by, although there is weight that could develop.
This wine is soft and juicy with 12 months in barrel. It has rounded tannins and perfumed berry fruits. What it misses is the acidity, leaving an unbalanced wine.
The wine is perfumed, spicy with dense tannins. It has a hard-edged structure, tough with the ripe fruit still underneath. Vines are an average of 14 years old.
This 100% Merlot from a small experimental vineyard is solid, firm and still young. It has a dense structure of tannins and wood aging, showing bitter coffee flavors and an austere character after 14 months in new French oak. It will likely remain a tough proposition.
This delicate Pinot Noir might leave you wishing for a boost in power, concentration and depth. Nevertheless, this wine is quaffable and bright, with red cherry notes that lead to a refreshing, brisk finish.
Chewy and robust in tannins, this was given a year in French oak barrels, 35% of it new. The oak is still working its way through the fruit, which includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Jammy in thick raspberry and plum, it features a dose of chocolate on the finish.
Intensely herbaceous, this is almost too fruity and crisp for its own good. It's dominated by juicy citrus fruits, gooseberries and forward acidity. Drink from 2015.
An attractively soft and fruity wine, flavored with red cherries and given a lift with acidity. It's a simple, lightly structured wine that can be drunk now.
This simple Chardonnay is tropical fruit driven, with a floral aroma and a twang of resiny oak. The palate seems slightly disjointed in feel, briny in flavor and citric on the finish.
A worthy tribute, this dark and concentrated Shiraz oozes rich fruit notes of mulled boysenberry, blackberry and cherry all dusted with cocoa powder, whole baking spice and tree bark. Big and gripping with assertive tannins and a firm structure, this is one that should age nicely; try after 2014.
Only 30 cases of this gorgeous wine are imported, so snag what you can when you find it. It's a deep and complex Syrah, exuding attractive aromas and flavors of juicy red cherry and fresh raspberry spiced up with accents of vanilla crème, sweet wood, soft Earl Gray tea and whole baking spice on the close. Creamy and lush with a silky texture; drink now–2014.
The vintage has given a rich wine, one that is still young. Over the wood notes are ripe yellow fruits, orange marmalade and intense acidity. Age this concentrated wine for 2–3 years.
In style, Coutale doesn't make many concessions to Malbec tannins. What you get is an impressively structured, firmly tannic wine, packed also with black fruits. The solid structure and the weight of fruit demand aging for at least 5 years.
An interesting blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec and Tempranillo, this red boasts a beautiful array of aromas and flavors: cassis, eucalyptus, blackberry, fig, tobacco and cinnamon. With a velvety texture and medium tannins, there's a good grip to the long finish laced with accents of leather and black tea leaves.
A fine value among moderately aged Malbecs. Smells like a well-grilled steak along with earthy berry and dry oak. Feels fresh and pure, with proper balance and a lively mix of toast, coconut, blackberry, spice and textured tannins. Compact and just right on the finish. 500 cases made; excellent for under $20.
The best of the 2009 lineup from Willamette Valley Vineyards, this Eola-Amity Hills single-vineyard offering has the most complexity, in both nose and mouthfeel. Balanced fruits fill the palate, with spicy hints of earth, leaf and a wash of barrel-induced mocha.
There's great spice and depth to this tribute wine in honour of Graham Joseph Beck. Intense notes of cigar box spice, black pepper, cedar bark and cocoa powder all abound in the bouquet and follow through all the way to the long close. Black fruit flavors are present, but the spice takes center stage. Firm, gripping tannins flood the mouth and linger endlessly; try from 2014 on.
Soft and relatively open in style, with captivating aromas of wet mossy stones and ripe melon and hints of pear and lychee on the palate. Very approachable now for a young Prüm.
With the richness of the vintage in mind, this wine makes a powerfully extravagant statement. There is nothing subdued about the concentrated tannins or the intensely rich black fruits. Even with 3–4 years aging, this will still be a bold wine.
Opens with lovely blackberry and herb aromas that suggest richness and ripeness but not overt weight. It feels lush and deep, and tastes totally pleasant and easy, with black fruit, toast and pepper flavors. A thorough and balanced blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Syrah.
Although it took a little while to open up, the wine eventually expresses itself beautifully with deep notes of crushed purple florals, black cherry and blueberry along with a hint of game. Lush and full with a satiny texture, the mouth is heady and satisfying with a concentrated fruit core supported by cedar and mocha on the close.
Aromas of black cherry, lavender and thyme provide a good introduction to flavors of cassis, lavender and thyme, with a hint of smoke and orange peel. Smooth tannins coat the mouth and are joined on the back palate by a pleasing jolt of orange zest and tart cranberry.
For whatever reason, the Coddington lacks the extra dimension of the other 2011 Kumeu River Chardonnays. It's still an excellent wine, just linear and crisp, with subtle toast framing citrusy fruit.
This entry-level Pinot from Carrick is a strong effort in a cool vintage. Dried porcini aromas and flavors are earthy and savory, backed by cherry notes and some slightly tough tannins. Drink up before 2020.
Crisp but also dusty and leesy on the nose, this offers enticing pear and apple aromas in front of a fresh, snappy, pure palate. Flavors of nectarine, green plum and citrus fruits finish linear, with cutting acidity and a stony quality. Drink through 2015.
This very fairly priced wine from the fourth-generation winemaking family behind San Antonio Winery delivers aromas of black cherry-crusted charred meats with significant mint character. It's dense on the palate and quite tannic, but quite nice with blackberry paste, licorice and tanned leather flavors.
Aromas of dried berry, scorched soil and anisette lead the nose. The ripe palate offers spiced blackberry, juicy wild cherry, licorice, ground pepper and mineral alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness.
Aromas include dark berry, blue flower, leather and a balsamic note. The palate delivers juicy black cherry, coffee, toast and mocha alongside chewy tannins.
Tilled earth, game, red berry and orange peel aromas lead the nose on this concentrated wine. The ripe, savory palate delivers fleshy sour cherry, crushed raspberry, notes of baking spice, mineral and a suggestion of game. It's delicious, with an earthy charm that gives it a distinct character.
This holds 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Zinfandel and 1% Petit Verdot. It satisfies in dusty dried cranberry and chocolate components, offering all-around balance with a shot of brawn, the latter most likely from the Cab's birthplace on Howell Mountain.
Aromas of blackcurrant, dried plum, Mediterranean herb and espresso lead the nose. The smooth, round palate offers juicy black cherry, blackberry, ground pepper, mint and a light mineral vein alongside smooth, supple tannins.
Layers of wet stones and smoke pervade this dry, deeply mineral wine. It's full in body, yet gossamer in mouthfeel and marked by searing lemon-lime acidity. Tightly wound still, it's a structured, complex wine likely to improve after 2018.
A generous expression of mountain Cab, accompanied by 14% Malbec, also estate-grown, this rich, soft wine is remarkable for its texture and mouthfeel, which is velvety and smooth. Peppercorn, dried herb and chocolate pronounce themselves on the palate, provoking thoughts for a similarly accented meal. Enjoy through 2021.
This winery is striving to show that Burgundian varietals can work in the cooler Willow Creek region of Paso Robles, where sea breeze comes through the Templeton Gap. This bottling provides good evidence, with aromas of crushed rocks, vanilla toast, roasted apple and peach. Brisk apple cider dominates the palate, picking up roasted almonds in the midpalate and possessing quite a bit of pear skin grip.
Still developing, this big, rounded and rich wine bursts with spice and an opulent texture. Moving towards being glorious, it's structured with a dry core of spice while flaunting more tropical fruit flavors. Drink from 2017.
Unctuous and intoxicating in dried apricot, honey and peach, this is a lovely example of the variety, which is rarely planted in Northern California, let alone on the Sonoma Coast. This shows the grape's promise, offering both crispness and creaminess on the palate and finish.
Though definitely grassy in the nose, this round and juicy wine has compelling freshness. Flavors of grapefruit, lime, fresh herbs and a dash of wintergreen give complexity and length.
This Bordeaux-style blend is inky, reduced and heavily oaked up front, with aromas of sawdust, vanilla and jammy black fruits. Interestingly, it is somewhat sharp and shrill on the palate, with lively acidity. Flavors of raw oak, coconut, vanilla and blackberry finish savory and briny, with shearing acids and choppy tannins. Drink through 2019.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this offers enticing aromas of juicy black fruit, spiced blueberry, graphite and violet. The round, savory palate delivers layers of ripe dark cherry, white pepper and mineral alongside firm but polished tannins.
This older wine displays an intriguing mix of baking spices, chocolate-covered cola cherry and menthol, combining nicely on the palate in juicy, fruit-forward waves. With a small amount of winery-identified Durif, it holds together through the peppery finish.
There's a characteristic funk on many unfiltered bottlings from this winery, and it works for this wine. Tangy, fermenting plum aromas give backbone to scents of purple fruit and black pepper. The intriguing flavors center on red cherry fruit, but carry oregano, parsley and Camembert cheese elements as well.
Sourced entirely from the Winter's Hill vineyard, this is a lively mix of raspberry, lime, pineapple and cherry candy. Young and tart, it needs more time to flesh out and show more detail. Currently the baking spice accents from aging in one-third new oak, appealing as they are, stick out a bit. Give this until 2016 or so to bottle age.
Dark, extracted and woody almost to an extreme, this opens with resiny aromas of raw oak, coconut, vanilla and prune. A palate with pinching, hard tannins is fierce, with heavily oaked flavors of roasted blackberry feeding into a finish with dominant woodspice and resin flavors. Drink through 2020.
Melon, nectarine and minerally aromas are textbook as far as Albariño goes. The palate on this ready-to-drink winner is a bit fleshy, but with ample spine. Melon, lees and white pepper flavors finish clean and true, with firm malic acidity.
Blueberry and cardamom aromas rank as exotic and attractive. This has a rich, jammy, deep body that's easy on the palate. Flavors of blackberry, caramel and chocolate are rich and ripe, as is the finish, which has a meaty texture and a touch of youthful heat.
A new, lower-priced cuvée for DDO, this uses both estate and purchased grapes. Chocolaty, soft and fresh, it is a graceful wine with generous raspberry and cherry fruit. Moderate acidity leads into flavors that are elegant and bright, with a gentle, lingering finish. Let it breathe for at least an hour for best results.
From 98% Roussanne and 2% Viognier, Venus delights in honey, jasmine and lemon zest, given time in both stainless steel and neutral oak. Crisp and light, it also offers complex herbal undertones, the fruit coming from relatively cool sites in Bennett Valley and the Russian River.
Reduced aromas of iodine, latex and blackberry lead to a tannic, grabby palate with baked blackberry, licorice and rooty flavors. A warm, stewy, earthy finish is where grabby tannins dominate. This is a bold, powerful wine that could benefit from some cellaring time.
An off-dry blend of Grolleau and Gamay, it's crisp and attractively fruity. Strawberries dominate this fresh and aromatic wine. It's a great rosé to drink now.
From the starting gun, this is a raisiny, candied wine with complexity issues. The palate is tannic and not the least bit varied; basically it just sits there. Flavors of raisin and red licorice finish sweet, medicinal and with a note of green peppercorn. This is flavorful but blocky and strange.
A richly-styled style of Vinho Verde, one that's well integrated, fresh and fruity. Baked apple and crisp lemon go well with the sweeter aftertaste to create a light and bright wine.
A mix of plum and vanilla, this is an easygoing Merlot that's good for most group occasions and palates, muted in aroma but developed in flavor.
Fresh and fruity with a strong lemon flavor, this is full, crisp and totally bone-dry. It does have some weight and a lemon zest sharpness as well as a ripe texture from aging on the lees. Drink now.
Tight and herbaceous, this bright and fruity wine offers grapefruit, very fresh acidity and lemon zest flavors. It's all about fruit with no complexity, just pleasure.
A bright, light and fruity wine that's already delicious to drink. With lemon and green apple fruit, it also has acidity that cuts through the aftertaste.
This herbaceous, classically fruity wine is given a push by a touch of spice. It's bright, light, and fresh, with a green aftertaste. It's ready to drink.
This is Chardonnay with small amounts of Pinot Grigio and Viognier. The nose is nutty, oily and low on fruit. In the mouth, it's racy and citrusy in character. Flavors of orange, papaya and passion fruit are basic, while the finish is fresh and juicy, with tart flavors.
Dusty plum, prune and leafy notes appear on a plump but somewhat flat nose. This is jammy and chunky in feel, with flavors of stewed berry fruits and herbal hints. Syrupy notes and a fig character add weight to an oaky finish.
This wine is layered with wood that has softened the young fruitiness, adding spice and toast. The wine just keeps the right, juicy side of being too woody. It should be drunk now–2015.
This light wine offers attractive black currant fruitiness. Burnt tannins from the wood aging give it a bitter edge, although the aftertaste does bring back the freshness of the vintage.
This blend of Shiraz and Castelão is in a soft and ripe rosé style. There is just a touch of tannin from the Shiraz to give weight. The aftertaste is lightly sweet.
Flowery in aroma, this dry, balanced wine offers ripe flavors of melon and a touch of barrel.The finishis fleshy but abbreviated.
A sense of sweetness from oak smooths out this medium- to full-bodied wine and complements the moderate tannins and smooth texture. A pleasant plummy thread winds through the aromas and flavors, lingering on the finish.
Waxy, floral white-fruit aromas are tropical in style. This feels citrusy, with some pulpiness to the texture. Tangerine, orange and nectarine flavors finish tangy and citric, with one-dimensional juiciness.
Vinegary overtones suggest a volatile wine from the first sniff. Flavors are high-toned as well, with plum and cherry. Some sort of barrel treatment brings in dark chocolate and espresso, with slightly burnt, bitter tannins.
Rich and caramel flavored, this is a rounded, sweet strawberry wine. It has plenty of fresh acidity to cut through the ripe texture, but it's not for an apéritif, more for food.
This is a ripe while intensely herbaceous wine. It's steely and crisp, but spoiled by the intrusion of sulfur that hasn't gone away. If the sulfur blows off, this is a potentially attractive and fruity wine finished off with lemon zest.
While this wine is herbaceous, the attractive aspect lies in its lemon and orange zest flavors that are full and bright. It's crisp while deliciously fruity, ready to drink.
Roasted, earthy aromas of herbs and tomato play off red-berry scents. This wine is full in body and feel, with earthy, baked flavors of red plum and red currant. Acidity rises up on the finish, which otherwise shows vanilla oak and raw tannins.
In this hot vintage, the wine seems narrow and reduced on the nose and palate. A collapsed structure shows density and jammy flavors of leafy berry, herbs and spice. The finish feels spent but offers tobacco and earth notes.
This is hard-hitting, rumble-ready Rioja with raw, minty aromas coming in front of a packed, drying palate. Powerful berry flavors finish with a peppery flavor, rubbery notes and sharpness. This may improve some over the next two years.
A wisp of smoke mingles with blossom, apple and pear flavors in this lively, fresh Pinot Gris. It's quite tart with acidity, but pleasantly fruity with a subtle hint of minerality on the finish.
Blackberry, cola and herbal aromas form a stout, slightly green nose. This feels stocky and clipped, with oaky weight. Flavors of roasted berry fruits are herbal and oaky, while mint, vanilla, licorice and wood resin flavors drive the finish on this Cabernet-Syrah blend.
Lifted by 8% Carménère and Viognier, it's straight down the fairway with notes of blueberry, orange peel, pepper and brambly fruit. Lighter in style, it tapers toward the finish.
Grassy, straw-like aromas offer bits of lime and orange. This is light, juicy and tangy. Flavors of lime, tart apple, grapefruit and kiwi finish with stony minerality and lasting lemon-lime notes.
This medium-sweet wine is hugely spicy and rich. It has lychee, tropical fruit and vanilla flavors, yielding a wine that is a meal on its own. Drink now.
This is light, easygoing and very fruity, with plenty of fresh red-cherry character and zingy, lively acidity. Waves of Amarena and Morello cherries unfold on the palate. This would be ideal for picnics and light lunches.
Here's a wine that opens with aromas of tropical fruit and a hint of butterscotch. The one dimensional palate offers restrained peach, citrus and apple, along with a drying note of bitter almond on the finish.
Fresh, minerally red-fruit aromas set up a light but good palate. Modest oak and red fruit flavors are earthy and a bit warm, while the finish is easy, clean and fresh. For $7, there's almost nothing to take issue with.
Intensely spicy and rich on the nose with notes of cinnamon, dark plum and black cherry, this Zin has an aromatic intensity that fades somewhat on the palate. It's structured and textured with dusty tannins and finishes with a touch of prune.
This was co-fermented with 3% Viognier. It's a very light Syrah that punches below its weight and skirts around the edges of clear varietal character. Citrus skin flavors and thin red fruits push it close to generic red, serviceable but without the power of most Washington Syrahs in this price range.
This charming wine opens with an alluring floral fragrance of Spanish broom and hawthorne. The palate delivers flavors of juicy peach and lemon zest, with a savory salinity that recalls the seaside. Pair this with pasta topped with clam sauce.
This is a ripe and spicy wine that is full of almond and tropical fruit flavors. It has a sense of richness and texture, along with a kick of pepper. The acidity is a touch light here, but there's just enough to keep it fresh.
Here's a pert Pecorino, with bright citrus and tropical fruit sensations of lemon, tangerine and pineapple. A subtle note of flinty mineral on the close jazzes this up a bit, but overall this is a simple and enjoyable wine to enjoy with everyday fare.
The 2011 Riot (a play on Trio) is half Sangiovese and one quarter each Mourvèdre and Grenache. It's been amped up in 2011, with the alcohol pushing near a heady 15%. Spicy and superripe fruit packs some heat, along with flavors of red and purple fruits. The finish turns a bit chalky and tart.
Floral with notes of jasmine, this Clarksburg Moscato shows the appellation can do more than just Chenin Blanc. It's balanced on the palate with flavors of pear, peach and lime that meld sweetly.
This is a tremendously light Pinot with a bouquet of yellow cherry and cranberry. It's slightly more savory than fruity, expressing the region's cool vintage. The texture of the wine is soft and pleasant with a subtle hint of fuzzy tannins.
A heavy dose of oak takes center stage on this wine from Central Italy. The palate offers coffee, espresso, vanilla and chocolate but lacks enough fruit richness to support the oak.
Here's a slender but aromatic red, with a pleasing cherry-flesh note and a cedar spice accent. It's fresh, sprightly and very fruity.
Hints of mint, cedar and blue flower add depth to the black cherry aromas on this blend of 45% Montepulciano, 45% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Juicy fruit flavors carry over to fresh and accessible palate. Not for cellaring; enjoy now.
Made entirely from Central Itay's native Passerina grape, this has apple and pineapple flavors accented by hints of dried herbs and delicate mineral. Crisp acidity leaves the palate refreshed.
Here's a bright and enjoyable wine that opens with aromas of yellow flowers and a hint of tropical fruit. The palate offers one dimensional apple and peach flavors, with crisp acidity. Simple yet well made and refreshing.
This citrus flavored wine is fruity and crisp with bright acidity and just a hint of herbal character. The wine is light, bright and ready to drink.
This 50-50 blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese has blackberry, blue flower and spice aromas that carry on to the palate, along with black cherry and astringent tannins. Showing the heat of the vintage, it's also shy on freshness, so drink soon.
While somewhat withdrawn aromatically, this Syrah has integrated flavors of cinnamon, plum and raspberry. It's structured with a tinge of sweetness and finishes on a leathery note.
Lighter in color, the wood is up front initially with notes of toast, spice and mocha, followed by jalapeno, green herbs and whole green pepper. It's elegantly styled with tart acidity and blocky tannins.
This is the inaugural release of this wine. It shows aromas of dried herbs, plums and currants that lead to a full-bodied and full-flavored palate. It's a mouthful of juicy fruit flavors that delights the senses, with the feel simply dazzling.
A strong whiff of oak opens this wine before blowing off to reveal complementary aromas and flavors of mango, peach and melon accented by fresh-cut grass and honeysuckle. Mostly stainless-steel fermented, with just 10% of the wine given time in barrel, it remains crisp and clean, with just the right amount of texture and body.
A brawny, hearty and inviting nose of macerated bramble and lush cherry are enhanced by sarsaparilla, leather and turned loam on this bottling from a vineyard planted in 1922. Nutmeg and kola-nut spice enliven the brightly acidic cherry, plum and strawberry fruit. Lilacs and gravel minerality ensue as well, and it all finishes tartly on plum skins.
This reserve-style wine primarily comes from Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Aromas of mineral, wood spice, bacon fat, herb and red fruit are followed by sultry, soft flavors that display a lot of elegance.
After starting out a touch reduced, this wine opens to reveal aromas of wet rock, high-toned white flowers, lime and green apple. The palate is broad and dry, with generous citrus flavors that linger.
This bottling from an iconic vineyard is subtle yet steady on the nose, with cinnamon and nutmeg spice giving character to a red-cherry base. The vibrant palate keeps the mouth watering, showing clove and more nutmeg atop sharper cranberry and warmer cherry fruit tones.
Mostly Merlot (68%) and Cabernet Franc (26%) along with a smidgen of Cabernet, this wine brings aromas of toast, vanilla bean, red and black fruit and fresh herb. The palate is dense and full, with firm tannins providing the frame.
A new addition to the lineup, this wine brings aromas of dusty earth, cherry, herb and spice. The cherry flavors show poise and presence, winning on subtlety and balance rather than brawn.
Initially quite light aromatically, this wine opens with notes of cherry candy and raspberry that reveal themselves over time. The cherry and cranberry flavors are medium bodied, showing good length. It's a pretty, very understated wine.
Stony lime aromas are lightly floral and appealing. This feels smooth and slightly round despite showing firm acidity. Nectarine and melon flavors end with lasting minerality and a stone-fruit character. As per usual, As Laxas doesn't disappoint.
The crisp nose conjures up shades of green: meadow and fresh apple peel, fresh foliage and lime, but also some honey and oatmeal. The palate remains crisp but has a toned lithe note of pure lemon that sings. This is taut, shows backbone and rounds itself out wonderfully on the palate, finishing with harmonious notes of apple and shortbread.
Locked up garden herb and cherry aromas are followed by bountiful dark fruit flavors. It possesses a lovely sense of balance and appeal, with chewy tannins backing it all up.
Bright aromas and vibrant fruit flavors combine for a very energized, beautifully balanced wine that will shine at the dinner table. It has rhubarb and sour-cherry aromas, red-cherry and  cinnamon flavors, a lively texture and lingering finish.
Bright cherry and berry aromas benefit from nicely integrated oak. This cool-vintage wine is slightly pulpy but not heavy on the palate. Plum and currant flavors end with notes of peppery spice, toasty char and lasting berry fruit. Drink through 2020.
Named after Luc de Conti's father Albert, this is a structured and firm wine. It has juicy black-currant fruits that are concentrated by tannins and lifted by bright acidity. The wine is firm, impressive and aging well, although not yet ready, so drink from 2018.
A rich blend of dried pear, baked vanilla and shortbread on the nose suggests the richness of this evolving Pinot Gris. Dried pear and apple give more aromatic nuance to this spicy, vanilla-scented white that has an oily and rich palate despite being just off dry. This will shine with food.
Creamy aromas of vanilla yogurt, custard, apple pie and cinnamon show on the nose of this wine from a longtime family of grape growers. The palate is crisp with pear juice, rounded with marzipan flavors and touched with light honeysuckle flowers.
Developed, creamy notes of pear have an aromatic edge of banana bread. The palate is equally creamy and rich with notions of vanilla, baked frangipani pear and vanilla spice, but lemony freshness at the core provides balance, direction and freshness. Flavors linger long.
Aged entirely in stainless steel, this slightly tropical, very pretty wine is inviting on the nose and palate. Pure, crisp and focused, it shows softly crafted layers of lemon and vanilla that provide a lushness on the finish.
Green apple and greengage on the nose turn into white peach and lemon on the palate. The mousse is frothy and lively and there is a wonderful depth to these tart fruit flavors that takes you to juicy, green pastures and white blossom. Glints of green apple flash at every corner and adorn the admirably dry finish. This echoes long and leaves the palate wonderfully clean.
Brown spices of clove and nutmeg decorate the nose of this solid bottling that offers a bit of dried blueberry in the deep background. The palate's presentation is very elegant and mellow, with black plum and blackberry fruit well integrated into graphite minerality and dried sagebrush, leaving a touch of tannins in the mouth.
This wine was whole-cluster pressed and puncheon fermented, with native malolactic fermentation. It's intriguing, with aromas of corn on the cob, lees, almond butter and chamomile that are followed by a dense flavorful palate. The balance is exquisite.
This wine is mostly Syrah (58%), Grenache (18%) and Petite Sirah, with small amounts of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao and Tinta Madeira rounding it out. It brings aromas of dried herb, earth and blue and black fruit that are followed by palate-coating blue-fruit flavors, speckled with barrel spices, showing vibrant acidity.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Sheridan (73%) and Dineen vineyards. It offers aromas of dried herb, violets, mushroom and cedar that are followed by elegant, very pretty fruit flavors. It's more about subtlety than brawn.
Fruity aromas of fresh strawberry mash mix with touches of slate and a twist of dried mint on the nose of this bottling by winemaker Rick Hill. The palate relies on light black-raspberry flavors that are lifted by black-tea leaves and a touch of orange-rind tang.
The wine is part of a series of single varietal wines produced at the estate. Dense and dark, this Syrah has rich black fruits, coffee and vanilla flavors, as well as concentrated spice. The wood aging is apparent while bringing smoothness to this ripe, full wine. Drink from 2018.
Warm and aromatic hints of ripe Bosc pear pervade the aromatics of this wine. The palate has a rounded, ripe feel but remains beautifully slender, expressing more of that pear fruit now highlighted by citrus freshness. It's a very balanced, dry wine with a clean finish.
One of Chile's go-to producers of Sauvignon Blanc has bottled a winner. This deals classic aromas of citrus, nettle and sea brine. The palate is slightly oily and creamy, but lively with acidity. Flavors of persimmon, melon and ocean brine finish slightly salty, with a fresh-meets-oily feel.
Woodsy spicy black-fruit aromas include notes of balsam wood. This is deep and layered but not too heavy; flavors of chocolaty oak, peppercorn and blackberry finish with a rich helping of oak-based mocha and coffee. Drink through 2020.
This is a tight, monstrous Syrah, with a pocket of black fruit flavor and a dollop of earthiness. It veers into raisiny territory on the finish.
This is a light wine with tropical fruit flavors. The acidity and notes of almond and white fruit add to its rounded, ready-to-drink feel.
Flavors of ripe plums and cherries dusted with graham cracker crumbs and purple flowers are pleasant on this delicately structured Cabernet. It's straightfoward on the palate, made in a lean, crisp style, with a fresh layer of green leaves and stems that linger.
Clean, minerally and smells of tarragon, fresh bell pepper and lemony citrus. Feels lively, with pink grapefruit, passion fruit, lime and generic sweetness for flavors. A lip-smacking wine that's varietally accurate. 60% Verdejo and 40% SB.
Soft and rounded, this is touched by a note of vanilla that adds extra openness. With its apple and pear flavors, this is an attractive, fruity wine; it's very forward, but it shows a note of Chablis steel in the background.
Soft and crisp, this is light in texture and very fragrant. It boasts intense strawberry flavors, with already well-integrated tannins and a smooth, easy finish.
This has herb and wood aromas, leading to a palate that's structured, with a yeasty, toasty flavor and a green, herbal character. It is quite tight, and does need to age for at least two years.
Just 183 cases were made of this wine, which has firm stone fruits and a more-than-generous amount of toast and butter. If you like your Chardonnays on the extra oaky side, this is for you.
Interesting aromas of brick dust, mint, fall leaf and dried fruit seem traditional and familiar. The palate is tight, tannic and rubbery, with roasted, savory flavors of spiced berry and plum. Oak, prune and fig notes work the firm finish.
This begins with a light red-fruit aroma that falls into the cherry-berry vein. It feels bouncy, rubbery and pleasant, with roasted, rubbery berry and savory spice flavors. The finish is light on fruit but good in feel.
A hit-you-upside-the-head, floral Zin, with mountain tannins, and big blackberry and savory leather flavors. Over time, the alcohol takes over.
Made from Zweigelt, this has a soft feel along with lively acidity. Its raspberry flavor is paired with a note of orange peel while the wine finishes with a touch of spice. Scewcap.
This wine has a crisp character, tangy with apples and laced with citrus fruits. It's totally ready to drink. Screwcap.
Sourced from the excellent Lewis Vineyard, this toasty, chewy Syrah displays black cherry fruit against a strong background of vanilla. At first it seems tart to the point of being almost sour, but as it breathes, the oak mutes some of the acid and balances it out.
Hard and tannic at first, this young wine grudgingly reveals a core of very tart cherry fruit, encased in flavors of stem and wood. A coffee-infused finish does not conceal the chewy, tough tannins.
There are enticing hints of berries and cream on the bouquet. On the palate, a floral note mingles with apple, lemon and just a dash of vanilla spice. This is full bodied and substantial in structure.
Aromas of fresh figs, strawberries and dark flowers add mystery and unusual dimension to this wine. Tangy on the palate, with notes of underripe stonefruit and vibrant lime-inflected acidity, it's a refreshingly different wine that would complement a variety of fowl or creamy cheeses.
A great value wine that's ready to drink now. This vibrant and aromatic selection boasts scents of orange blossom, white peach and fresh honeydew. The palate is fresh and lively with a crisp and mouthwatering finish.
A refreshing and approachable wine, with forward notes of green plum, plantain, Granny Smith apple and lime on the nose and palate. There's a slight roundness to the midpalate, but a vibrant twang lifts the finish.
There's a slightly scorched character to this wine that I had a tough time getting past. There's solid plummy fruit, but also recurring hints of freshly sawn lumber and burnt coffee. It's full bodied, with plenty of astringent tannins, so it might age past this current stage, and it's possible this rating could look stingy in a few years.
This blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah doesn't have the most effusive red-cherry fruit, but instead shows an appealing earthy, savory side. Pepper, clove and some dusty earth elements impart complexity above its price point. Drink now.
Scents of roasted nuts and apples gain levity on the palate with flavors of lemons and delicate white flowers. Richly textured, this has a slightly-viscous but refreshingly-fruity profile.
This blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre is plump and charming, filled with cherry fruit and just a hint of spice. It's clean and correct, a fine option for everyday drinking.
A bit oily on the bouquet, this has slightly acrid notes of burnt hay and matchstick, with notes of apple and nectarine. It feels full and not edgy, with good acidity and limited flavors of baked apple and peach. A standard Penedès wine made from 80% Xarello, with Malvasia and Macabeo.
This opens with smoky, rubbery aromas along with dark berry and cherry scents. It feels fresh and lively, with good body weight and forward, candied flavors of cherry and raspberry. The finish is nice, with cocoa notes and lasting sweetness.
Unabashedly tropical on the nose and palate with gobs of ripe mango, guava and peach, this cheerful Chardonnay is fresh and juicy, with lemon-lime acidity and a surprisingly-elegant minerality on the finish. Drink now.
This is rich and soft, with sweet red fruits and some acidity. It's full-bodied and should fair well with food.
Narrow and fiery on the nose, this has plum and raspberry aromas. On the palate, it feels snappy and crisp, with a mild lactic note alongside flavors of light herb, raspberry, plum and buttery oak.
Aromas of prune, underbrush, leather and toasted oak lead the nose. The firm palate offers dried cherry, licorice and espresso while tightly packed tannins leave a rather drying finish. Drink through 2020.
This old vine blend is made predominantly from Touriga Nacional, giving it concentration balanced by black currant fruit and crisp acidity. It's structured and tightly textured but drinkable now.
The nose of this bottling is pleasant and straightforward, with light red cherry, rose petal and earth aromas. Bright acidity on the palate reveals raspberry fruit accented with oregano and thyme, proving complex enough for a weeknight dinner but not a showstopper.
This is a solid and well-made Chardonnay, with notes of yellow apple, melon and fresh hay on the nose and mouth. There's a subtle astringency to the fruit flavors on the medium-weight palate, with bright acidity that carries through to the clean and refreshing finish. Drink now–2019.
Pepper, lavender, cranberry and iodine aromas lead the nose of this easy-drinking blend of 41% Petit Sirah, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 9% Grenache. The palate is tense and tart, its dried red fruit melding with graphite, nori and black pepper flavors.
This earthy red offers aromas suggesting stalky underbrush, Mediterranean scrub, toast, leather and a whiff of espresso that carry over to the robust palate along with dried cherry, grilled herb and a hint of licorice. Close-grained tannins provide the framework.
Quiet aromas of dried red fruits and Band-Aid include a hint of spice. A lively palate is light to medium in body, while dried cherry and plum flavors are spicy on the finish, with punchy acidity. This emphasizes elegance over weight and power.
Aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate prime the palate for flavors of black cherry, black plum, mocha, smoked meat and a hint of bell pepper. It is vibrant on entry, with a sense of brightness that stands out above firm but subtle tannins.
This admittedly oaky wine makes an attractive package of cedary, savory aromas and rich fruit flavors. It's playful on the nose, with rosemary and forest floor aromas, and almost-sweet Bing cherry flavors on the full-bodied and smooth palate.
Earthy leather and black pepper notes play against tart cherry and raspberry flavors in this light-bodied red blended with 8% Petite Sirah. Bright acidity supports the fruit.
Mint and sage hints in this wine's aroma give way to powerful oak and dark fruit flavors on the palate. A wealth of fine-grained tannin gives it plenty of grip, its fresh-cut oak flavors expanding with each sip, dominating the finish.
Honeyed, caramelized oak aromas provide a seductive entry and echo the wine's dark golden color. Baked apple, apple skin and spicy nutmeg notes add to its weighted loveliness.
The aromas bring notes of coffee, bittersweet chocolate, wood spice, vanilla and black fruit. The fruit flavors bring a sense of elegance, with abundant vanilla flavors along with grainy tannins backing them up.
This opens with aromas of mature yellow apple, citrus and acacia honey. The savory medium-bodied palate delivers juicy grapefruit, white peach and a hint of vanilla alongside bright acidity.
Here's a creamy white that delivers aromas and flavors of white peach, pear and white almond. A mineral note and fresh acidity lift the finish.
Rum-raisin cake comes to mind when smelling this robust, ripe wine that wears its intensity well. Fruit-forward with cherry and berry flavors, its texture is soft and luxuriously simple.
There's a natural herbal beauty to this wine, with pleasant notes of green pepper, fynbos, thyme, laurel, fennel bulb and lemongrass that dance around the green plum and white melon-rind fruit. The medium-weight body is balanced by lime-flavored acidity and a bitter pithy accent on the close. Drink now.
This shows the subtlest hints of the apricot character so often found in Viognier. That gives richness to contrast its crisp acidity and apple and pear flavors. The finish is long and perfumed. Drink now.
For being one of the more widely available Chardonnays around, this vintage performs strongly against more expensive wines. Pineapple, vanilla and light caramel aromas lead the nose, while vibrant acidity kicks off the palate. Pear, Gala apple and pineapple flavors make it a reliable weeknight sipper.
This bold, firm wine strikes a fine balance between structure and ripe black plum fruit. It has dense tannins that indicate it needs time. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, it will be ready from 2018.
Always a terrific value, this refreshing white has aromas of fragrant white flower, mint and orchard fruit. The straightforward palate offers crunchy Granny Smith apple, a hint of orange zest and a crisp clean finish.
This hearty blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 24% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot offers blackberry, smoked beef, vanilla, cola and anise scents on the nose. The palate is tightly wound, its boysenberry fruit and dark soil minerality leading into a finish laced with licorice spice.
This savory white opens with aromas of exotic fruit, apricot, hay and a whiff of wild flower that follow through to the palate along with grapefruit and a vegetal note. A mineral accent lifts the finish.
While there are plenty of tannins in this wine, there is also great fruit. Blackberry and plum flavors explode in the mouth. They are backed by the serious tannins and dark texture that will allow the wine to age. Drink this bold wine from 2019.
This wine consists of all five red Bordeaux varieties plus 5% Syrah. Tart, soft and juicy with black and red cherry fruit, it's direct in its delivery of dried herb and licorice—flavors that complement the robust ripeness and density.
Delicate hints of fresh raspberry and red cherry extend throughout this light crisply composed red. A still-rare American Gamay, it's accented with touches of light toast and cedar. It's a slightly fragile wine that should be enjoyed now through 2021.
Bright, juicy red raspberry and bramble aromas meet red spice and earthy loam characteristics on the nose of this bottling. Medium in density on the palate, it's playful and flavorful, if not especially complex, with hints of wild thyme giving herbal nuance its core of red fruit.
Although the nose of this blend of Tempranillo, Syrah and Grenache starts out subtly, it opens into deeper aromas of blueberry, soy and char. The palate is dry and tightly wound, its mineral flavors of graphite, slate and lava rock leading to blue fruit and tobacco touches on the finish.
Savory, caramelized toast and nut tones accentuate zippy apple and lemon flavors in this flirty, Prosecco-style Riesling. Ripe and forward, it's softer and easier in its approach than traditional Riesling Sekt. Enjoy through 2020.
A nice bottle of wine, bone-dry and fragrant, with pleasing, simple flavors.
Hits all the right notes, from the rich, sweet tropical fruit to the butter and toast accents, but like the third violin in the symphony, lacks that extra flair to really stand out. The oak is well proportioned, and some zesty lime notes that should make it reasonably versatile with food grace the finish. —J.C.
This easy-to-drink blend of 50% Shiraz, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot starts off jammy, with black cherry liqueur and clove notes before settling down and developing some interesting peach and mocha nuances. The persistent finish, lined with velvety tannins, makes it stand out from the crowd. Best Buy. —J.C.
Tight and sulky right now, showing little more than earth and minerals on the nose. Later, it opens up to reveal apple and pear fruit along with some oily flavors. Finishes with citrus and green apple. Hang out the “Do Not Disturb” sign; this crisp, flavorful Chard could use another year or two of cellaring.
Idaho and Merlot are not thoughts that generally spring together in the mind of the wine consumer, but Ste. Chapelle makes a good run at crafting an attractive, perfectly balanced wine here. The fruit is cherry and lightly herbal, and there are interesting flavors of earth and mocha, too. Best Buy. —P.G.
Shows nice complexity in its aromas of cherry, vanilla, soy sauce, leather and meat, then fills the mouth with supple cherry fruit that carries a hints of medicinal herbs. Finishes with tart cherries and a slight lactic note. —J.C.
A tart, chalky finish suggests a couple years of cellaring would help this flavorful wine blossom because the other ingredients are already in place: Black pepper and eucalyptus   add complexity to the blackberry aromas and flavors. —J.C.
A popular favorite in the Northwest, Lemberger is a rustic, grapey, Zin-wannabe that offers pleasingly soft, fruity flavors well-suited to summer. This contains 24% Merlot, which adds weight to the fruit. Its soft tannins and light chocolate flavors make this a great go-to wine for the backyard barbecue. Best Buy. —P.G.
The reserve is not particularly oaky; rather it puts the emphasis on straightforward, well-rendered green apple fruit flavors, augmented with some balanced flavors of licorice and vanilla.
This is still the current release. A very hot vintage in Washington, it leads with a Portlike nose of raisins and prunes; follows with soft, ripe and roasted flavors. The tannins are deep and earthy. Drink now. —P.G.
Filled with bright, bouncy cherry-berry fruit and imbued with a slightly viscous mouthfeel, this fun, gulpable Shiraz won't break the bank. Its easygoing nature makes it worth having on hand for your next barbecue. —J.C.
Scents of lemon wax and a slightly spritzy mouthfeel are followed by somewhat surprisingly sweet fruit for a wine labeled dry. The flavors favor orange juice and orange candy. If you like a fairly heavy, fruit-forward style, this is just right.
Seems somewhat crisper and less weighty than prior vintages, with the custardy mouthfeel buttressed by lemony acids. You'll also find apples, sweet plums and the obligatory toast and vanilla. —J.C.
From Markham, this medium-weight effort adds a touch of mint and a creamy, lactic note to blackberry and blueberry fruit. The finish is long, highlighting waves of supersoft tannins and juicy berries. —J.C.
A sweet nose sends up plenty of toasty oak scents; the fruit is straightforward, middle-of-the-road Chardonnay, with flavors of fresh cut apples. Fairly soft, it finishes with vanilla and more oak.
This is just 14.2% alcohol, so despite the richness and ripeness, this is not fat or flabby. The fruit has concentrated black cherry and cassis flavors, and the smoky, pain grillé flavors of barrel aging are nicely integrated. Aromatically this wine is just beginning to evolve, with complex plum, prune, cherry liqueur, coffee and smoke.
A beautifully shaped wine that exudes richness balanced with lively fresh fruits. There is a tautness and minerality that adds complexity to the pineapple and spice flavors. The wine opens well in the mouth, ripeness and full fruit flavors melding easily. Delicious.
Tribute is 41% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, all estate-grown. The bouquet opens immediately into a fascinating complexity. What wafts up from the glass is a heady mix of incense, smoke, jam, toast, iron and herb—you can spend a pleasant 10 or 15 minutes just counting all the threads. Spicy, loaded with raspberry and strawberry fruit, gentle acids and silky tannins, this glides comfortably into a tangy finish.
Ripe and soft, here is a Chanson white that hasn't been overwhelmed by wood. Instead, the delicious yellow and white stone fruits come through, with a creamy edge reminiscent of buttered English muffins, finishing on a high note of juicy, thirst-quenching acidity.
A premier cru that could almost be grand cru in quality terms, this is a big, ripe wine, the powerful yellow and green plum flavors spiced with some wood aging. There's a great, full-bodied explosion of fruit in the mouth, but the mineral edge of the wine suggests aging potential, perhaps even more  ageable than the 2005 vintage.
This is 100% new oak (primarily Taransaud, 32 months), and it's a marvelous example of the grape, the vineyard and the strengths of Washington fruit. The Shafer Hillside Select is the inspiration for the extended barrel aging and the focus on round, sweet tannins. This is a tight wine, with a lovely purity of fruit that captures the cassis, the black cherry, the subtle herbal character of the Cabernet grape. This is from the oldest block in the vineyard—now eight -year-old vines.
New wood and yellow fruit aromas give an exotic spice- and caramel-flavored wine. The acidity is rounded, sweet, delicious, lifted by intense new wood flavors. This is a rich Chardonnay, well tempered by final crispness.
The vineyard sources for this Bordeaux-style blend—Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Weinbau and Dineen—are impeccable, and represent four of the best AVAs in Washington. It's almost exactly half and half Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and smells like beautifully ripe blackberries, boysenberries and cassis. It sets up in the mouth firm and textural, and adds layers of chocolate and baking spices as it winds through the finish. Not a soft wine, but more open and accessible than most vintages of Soos Creek.
This could be labeled Cabernet Sauvignon; the only other grape in the blend is a 14% Cab Franc component. Rich black cherry fruit provides the solid base, but after that the wine tightens down, so decanting would be essential if you plan to drink it soon. The scents weave together black fruits, spices and licorice; more than any of the other new releases from Soos Creek, this needs more time to settle.
Made from 70-year-old vines planted by Christian Moreau's father, Guy, this wine shows extra concentration, certainly, but also the pure pleasure of ripe, delicious Chardonnay. It's initially tight, but the rich green fruits and toast soon come forward to give an impressively big wine, and one worth aging.
This blend is 82% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah, 6% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The emphasis on the Franc puts more herbal flavors in the center, with coffee grounds, black pepper and baking chocolate wrapped around the spicy and tart berry fruit. The match of acid and barrel flavored tannins is picture perfect.
A tight, vivid wine that expresses pure Chardonnay with a steely eye. The wine is flinty, the green fruits and apple skin texture dominant. There is some wood, but the lightest touch. The finish shows some crisp, lemony acidity.
A nice follow-up to the excellent '08 Zardoz, this is earthy and roasted smelling, full of cola and berry notes on the nose. It feels round and smooth, with a mild tannic bite and baked flavors of blackberry, cassis and chocolate. It's layered feeling on the finish, with a bit of syrupy residue.
Beautifully structured, this fruit-laden Cabernet shows a rich core of sweet blackberry, cherry and cassis notes that are dappled with pretty baking spices. The tannins are smooth and supple; the finish is clean and inviting.
This versatile, food-friendly blend is a great value that's perfect for entertaining. Scents of brambly berry and black plum skin immediately unfold on the nose, while dense notes of cassis and blackberry take center stage on the palate. Balanced and accessible, the crushed satin texture is framed with medium tannins and lush, rich fruit flavors that stay through the long cocoa-kissed finish.
The cool 2011 vintage hit the Columbia Gorge especially hard, but winemaker Chris Dowsett has crafted an expressive, wonderfully fragrant old-vine Gewürztraminer. This is tart and saline, with notes of lemon, lime and grapefruit rind and flesh that combine to form a delicate, lingering, snappy and bracing style.
Notes of savory meat, anise, crushed black pepper and balsamic on the nose are followed by elegant waves of ripe red fruit and smoke on the palate. A successful balance of rich fruit and a briny, spicy backbone, this is a red that's very good consumed on its own or paired with grilled meats.
Crisp, elegant black-plum and cassis flavors are framed with notes of fresh herb, dried lavender, cedar and tobacco on this single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Generous proportions of new French-oak add abundant vanilla and sweet-spice tones to the nose and palate. Pleasurable now, but grippy tannins and a firm structure could evolve well over the next 3–5 years.
It's rare to grow Riesling on Long Island, but this is chock full of ripe peaches and apricots highlighted by a shower of Meyer lemon acidity and fragrant white blossoms. Sprightly on the palate, yet concentrated in flavor, it lingers long with a hint of saline and crushed-stone minerality.
This is slightly exotic in terms of herb and spice aromas and a note of coconutty oak. It feels blocky and tannic, but forward, with flavors of baked berry, cinnamon and chocolate. The finish is creamy feeling, oaky and spicy. Drink now–2014.
Black cherry and violet aromas control what amounts to a compact, straightforward bouquet. It feels flush and ripe, with friendly tannins and a range of dark fruit flavors that lead to a warm finish with molasses-like richness. Very nice Cabernet to drink now through 2014.
In 2009, this vineyard's yields were reduced, and production of this wine was cut to just 75 cases. It is compact and astringent to such a degree that even 24 hours of breathing time does little to make it budge. Flavors of cassis, white pepper and a hint of herb poke out from a bed of tannins. It's just too soon to tell where this is going.
A soft lemon note mingles with touches of spice, sea salt and ripe white fruit on the nose of this snappy but sophisticated Moschofilero. Clean, fresh and spicy white-fruit flavors and a pert finish give this wine poise, but there's still enough fruit to add dimension. It's versatile with food, too.
Toasty scents from having aged in 40% new French oak waft over the tart raspberry fruit. This is a very clean, focused, well-defined Syrah. It's not too big, but crisp and classy, with some aging potential over the next 6–8 years.
This is a perfumed wine, moving easily between crisp, dry acidity and a more rounded almond and pear flavor. There are flavors of spice and freshly baked bread, with warm acidity on the finish.
Winemaker Anthony Nappa sources grapes from Finger Lakes notable Sheldrake Point to make this beautifully textured off-dry Riesling. It's fragrant and fresh, with hints of waxy lemon skins, tangerines and white blossoms, and the palate is rich, with lush stone-fruit and a deliciously astringent tea-leaf finish.
Violet petal, fine leather, roasted berry and spice aromas are classy and elevated. This is a deep, generous, modern Rioja with tons of ripeness but also ideal balance. Black-fruit flavors spread from cheek to cheek, while toast, bitter chocolate and espresso notes add complexity. This beauty finishes stout, with toast, mint, chocolate and herb flavors. Drink from 2015 through 2025.
Pure Sauvignon, this is a tropical fruit flavored wine. It's bright and fruity while also showing a dense texture of grapefruit and steely minerality. The combination makes for an intense wine that's likely to need time, so drink from 2017.
It offers compelling fragrances of rose, violet, leather, woodland berries and herbs, with balsamic accents. The savory palate delivers crushed Morello cherry, raspberry, mint, vanilla and espresso with a blast of orange zest on the finish. It's young but already elegant and balanced. Drink after 2018.
This opulent, ripe wine comes from a single vineyard. It has a rich texture, with dense yellow and apple fruits that are allied to a more citrus, gooseberry and lemon character. It rolls around the mouth with a smooth, satisfying aftertaste.
This elegant wine opens with a spicy fragrance of white pepper, clove and nutmeg along with notes of violet and forest floor. The palate offers crushed red cherry and raspberry accented with allspice and cinnamon alongside silky tannins. This is already accessible but will also age well over the next decade. Drink 2015–2025.
Intense floral scents of freshly cut roses and wild violets jump out of the glass. On the palate, dark cherry and crushed cherry twine with allspice, cinnamon, clove, leather and alpine herbs. All are partnered by assertive but supple tannins and fresh acidity. Best 2015–2030.
From an old block of vines, producing a field blend of many different varieties, Vinha Maria Teresa is a major wine. Its low yields, firm tannins and dense wood aging give it great staying power. Black plum surge through the chocolate flavors and are given point by acidity. Age this fine wine until 2018.
Aromas of crushed roses, violet, tilled earth, forest floor, leather and balsamic notes all come together. The palate delivers juicy black cherry accented with thyme, white pepper, mocha and subtle oak. It's still young, with brisk acidity and compact tannins but already shows finesse and balance. Drink after 2020.
Powerful and lush, this is a velvety, classically styled Russian River Valley Pinot, weighty and lip smacking in black cherry and touch of earth buoyed by finely hued acidity. Perfectly enjoyable right now, it'll age, too, the spicy undertones coaxed to take center stage.
This Barolo shows its pedigree from Serralunga, home to the most powerful and age-worthy wines in the denomination. It opens with aromas of underbrush, tobacco, leather and cherries marinated in spirits. These carry over to the palate along with notes of sage and licorice. The assertive tannic spine needs time to soften and promises serious aging potential. Drink 2020–2040.
This is still a bit closed, but scents of rose, berry, white spices and underbrush slowly emerge. The savory flavors include bright berry, black cherry and white pepper supported by lively acidity and firm tannins. Young and tightly wound, it needs time to unfold. Drink after 2022. Chigazola Merchants, Domenico Valentino.
Showcasing the southeastern Edna Valley's sandy loam soils, this begins with lush black cherry and sleek graphite aromas. On the palate, racy acidity precedes oregano, licorice and rocky minerality, all painted across a canvas of boysenberry fruit. The acidity and tannins assure that this will last in the cellar as well; drink after 2018.
With a nose approaching butterscotch but expertly cut with acidity and cinnamon spice, this is the best Testarossa single-vineyard Chardonnay of 2012. On the palate, there are lovely flavors of salted caramel and yellow peach, and the wine manages to be simultaneously spicy, sharp and smooth. The finish lingers extra long.
It opens with hallmark Nebbiolo scents of freshly picked roses, crushed violets, leather, berry, alpine herbs and forest floor. The delicious palate delivers a core of succulent black cherry accented with notes of cake spices, mint, licorice and grilled herbs. It's young but already balanced with powerful but refined tannins and brisk acidity. Drink 2020–2045.
Full bodied and supple, this wine shows an interesting array of sensory notes for Barossa Shiraz, with notes ranging from espresso, tar, mint and green peppercorn to dark chocolate and blueberry. Finishes long and softly dusty, suggesting the ability to age through 2020, although it's very drinkable now.
Showing its powerful chalky terroir, this single-vineyard wine has intense herbaceous and steely characters. They go with the ripe, open fruitiness that brings in citrus, crisp apple and quince flavors. It's ready to drink.
Rich and structured, this is a grand wine for a grand occasion. It starts with a deep ruby color that stays dark almost to the edge of the glass. Flavors of dark cherry and pomegranate are vivid, deep and delicious. The combo of lively acid and firm tannin holds it all together for a lingering finish.
Smooth, harmonious and seductive, this full-bodied but elegantly structured Pinot has deep red color and lots of fresh, ripe fruit flavor. It offers a texture as smooth as silk and a finish that lingers for 30 seconds. Vibrant acidity and firm tannins help to keep it fresh and vital. Enjoy now through 2018.
Fresh and fruity, this easy-drinking red delivers aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black pepper and a hint of anise. Thanks to bright acidity, it can be paired with almost any dish.
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle is fruity and lightly perfumed. It has a herbal character as well, along with bright acidity and a chalk and mineral texture. It is ready to drink, although it will be better from late 2016.
Raspberry and cherry aromas are mild while not stirring much excitement. This feels a bit raw and tannic, but it's got enough body to hold up. Berry and plum flavors finish with hints of spice and chocolate.
Blackberry, ripe plum, kitchen spice and moist earth aromas lead the nose. The straightforward, easy-drinking, palate offers black cherry, white pepper and a hint of anise alongside lively acidity.
A whiff of spice amidst freshly pressed apples and pears gives this bright, easy going Kabinett an autumnal feel. A swirl of honey enriches the midpalate, finishing with lemon-tea sweetness. Begin drinking now.
This medium-bodied, understated wine has a rather light red color with brown undertones. It offers subtle earthy and smoky aromas, tart fruit flavors like cranberries, and an appropriately tannic texture. While its flavors are subtle, the balance is great and this wine stayed fresh for three days after opening.
A positive bouquet of melon, white flowers and honey leads to a ripped acidic palate that generates tangy, almost sharp flavors of orange and gooseberry. A citrusy angular finish turns pithy and bitter as it dissipates. Drink now.
Sandalwood and a shovelful of fresh earth mark the entry of this wine aromatically. A soft, tart expression of the variety, it offers bittersweet tannin and dark cherry at its core.
Dusty, clammy, white fruit aromas are generic. This is pulpy in feel with a vague focus. Leesy, pithy citrus flavors are standard and short on personality, while this finishes adequately with a mild citric lift.
Flat stewy prune-like aromas are low on life but not off-putting. This feels wide grabby and tannic, while jammy flavors of raspberry and plum finish chunky and expansive, but also tannic and wan. Drink now.
Kiwi, peach and pineapple mark this blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Sémillon, providing a tropical character and personality. Medium in body and weight, it finishes moderately influenced by oak and a touch of vanilla cream.
Flirty and floral, this sunny off-dry Pinot Noir rosé (blended with a touch of Dornfelder) offers forward fruitiness in an elegant frame. With a kiss of strawberry and cherry flavors, it's an accessible, yet satisfying quaffer.
One of the bolder, more tannic red blends, this full-bodied wine has cedar and cinnamon aromas, flavors like boysenberry jam and a nicely gripping texture. Well balanced by firm acidity, it stays lively. The wine is made with 46% Malbec, plus Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This is typical, textbook Torrontés with tropical aromas of lime and orange peel. Citrusy acidity creates a refreshing palate feel, while tangerine, lime and lychee flavors conclude in a cleansing, non-oily fashion.
Wiry plum and raspberry aromas are jumpy and a touch candied. This feels bulky and grapy, with an obtuse body. Salty lightly herbal plum and berry flavors end with a touch of heat along with herbal leftovers.
Stony and mineral on the nose, this brut-style sparkling Riesling revitalizes the palate with a fine persistent perlage. Flavors of tart green apple, lemon and pear are zesty and spry. It's a straightforward but four-square sparkler at a value price.
Sharp acidity underscores light, quite tart cranberry fruit. This has herbal notes in abundance, and an earthy note to the tannins. But it all comes together with a clean, polished finish.
Reddish-orange in color, this is a high-toned, citrus-laden wine that retains fresh flavors of grapefruit and mandarin orange. It stays crisp and dry on the palate, with just a tiny suggestion of its time in neutral oak. Pomegranate and a tang of sour cherry finish things off.
A dense vanilla-bean character coats a nose of seared white peach and toasted nuts. The palate features thick, ripe fruits, preserved lemon, a touch of walnut and a rocky grip.
Whimsically feline packaging aside, this fruity and forward Pinot Grigio does a good job balancing bright luscious stone fruit against refreshing lemon-lime acidity. It's an easygoing, widely appealing dry white at a bargain price. Drink now.
Touches of autumn leaves and dried herbs lend a savory feel to this dry and tightly composed Riesling. Bracing acidity and savory apple and pear flavors mark the palate.
Fresh cantaloupe aromas, mouth-filling pear and peach flavors and a generous texture make this an extroverted wine that could make a great pairing with salty cheeses. It is full bodied, very smooth-textured and long on the finish, where honey and vanilla flavors echo.
A beautifully crisp wine produced by consultant Anselmo Mendes, this is as fresh as possible, bright with acidity and herbal hints. It's light and very bright, finishing with citrus and orange zest flavors.
Aged two years in French and American oak, this is a dark and meaty wine, with black fruits and a hint of blood. There's a bit of a hole in the midpalate, but streaks of cola and licorice revive the finish.
Big, blocky black-fruit aromas are reduced and potent. This is quite chunky and extracted in feel, with jammy gritty blackberry and plum flavors that are mildly herbal and simmer with heat and heft on the finish.
A grassy, herbal element is up front on the nose of this Amarone-style blend done in conjunction with Allegrini of the the Veneto (Italy). In the mouth, it's round as a ball, with syrupy richness. Ripe sticky berry and plum flavors finish chewy with residual stickiness.
Cherry and raspberry aromas are spunky and simple in front of a crisp edgy palate. Medicinal, lightly rubbery flavors of cherry and plum finish with a raw rub, juicy acidity, a lean body and mild heat.
The simplest and fruitiest of the Cahors made at Gaudou, this is still a structured wine that has some firm, very young tannins that need to round out. Plenty of fruity, fresh black-currant flavor is cut by crisp acidity. The wine will need to age, so drink from 2016.
Aromas of lemon, green apple and wet stone make up the nose on this quaffable Godello that's solid on the palate, with some pithiness. Flavors of melon, apple and green banana finish with notes of lees, citrus pith and bitterness.
Opens with lemony aromas before blackberry settles in. Feels regular and rolls along a straight plane: Crisp flavors of raspberry and black plum lead to a snappy finish that's just long enough and contains chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Solid and earthy, this is a bold, blocky style, highlighted with ripe cherry fruit. Notes of dried leaf and forest floor lead into drying tannins.
Vibrant and lively with forward notes of fresh red berries and pink florals along with a touch of watermelon rind and soft sandalwood. Juicy and clean in the mouth with a crisp, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Oily and almondy on the nose, but also layered and stacked. Feels lively, jumpy and pumped full of acidity, then tastes of classic lychee and green melon. Full and driving, with citrusy zest to the tail end.
This easy and straightforward white boasts pleasant notes of fresh apple and lemon-lime citrus throughout. The palate is lush but braced with medium acidity that lingers into the close. Enjoy it now.
A bit lemony and herbal on the nose, with scratchy, forward raspberry and red plum aromas. Feels a touch clacky due to blazing acidity, but there's good structure and definition to the palate. Tastes herbal, with peppery accents to cassis and berry flavors. Burns a bit on the finish, with choppy tannins.
A soft but pretty wine, with notes of yellow florals, orange supremes, sweet grass and a touch of peony. It's balanced and lifted with a good acidic cut to the palate, leading through to a mouthwatering finish laced with white strawberry flavors.
For the price, this Chardonnay will do nicely, tasting of very ripe mango and Nilla wafer, an all-around crisp, medium-bodied white with good balance between fruit, and acidity and light alcohol. Will pair deliciously with crab.
A foxy-smelling, juicy, jammy Cabernet with wild berry and sweet oak aromas setting up a forward-feeling palate with plum, berry, sweet oak and resiny flavors. Presents itself as balanced and above average but doesn't go beyond that.
Scratchy, dry raspberry aromas are standard and accurate for Pinot. The mouthfeel is tight and crisp, with gentle acids pushing standard strawberry, raspberry and oaky flavors of cocoa and spice. Mild tasting but long on the finish.
Red berry, green herb and tobacco are the lead aromas on this Cabernet-Syrah blend. Feels grabby but structured, with a big, loud mix of ripe berry, plum, subtle spice and earth. Rounds out and unfolds on the finish.
Much like this producer's Pinot Blanc, this wine offers apple and pear fruit, with just a little more flesh and a hint of cinnamon.
A touch of sweet spice jazzes up the nose, giving lift to the lightly baked apple and yellow peach characteristics. The round, medium-bodied palate has lively acidity and a sweet orange-oil flavored finish.
Clean, crisply defined green apple and pear fruit flavors anchor this high-acid Pinot Gris. A fine choice with cream-based sauces or seafood that needs something to cut through the flavor. More bottle age could round it out.
A heavy dose of petrol is the aromatic greeting, and it comes with hints of rubber, latex and waxy white fruits. Feels tangy and fresh due to blazing acidity, while it tastes both of tropical fruits and diesel. Long and chiseled on the finish.
Pointy aromas of citrus, red berry and juniper are nice but a little sharp. The palate is similar; it's closed, snappy and juicy but fresh, with cherry tomato, herb and raspberry flavors. Long but basic tasting come finishing time.
Creamy with ripe apricot and peach fuzz flavors, this Sauvignon Blanc has a wet stone quality to it as well, with an oak presence and lightly sweet finish.
A blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, this is crisp and lively. It has a wonderfully fruity tang, and is packed with flavors of citrus fruit and green apple juice. Screwcap.
A deliciously fruity rosé, brimming with smiling red-berry flavors and enhanced by a lime-like tang. It is just what a light summer rosé should be. Screwcap.
Some lightly reductive aromas of rubber yield to decanting, though the wine remains rather hard and compact. Bourbon barrel flavors highlight the middle and continue on through the finish. This young wine seems to have good stuffing, but needs more years in bottle.
Light pink to the eye, then fresh and vital on the nose, with a touch of stalkiness. Refreshing, lip-smacking acidity drives the palate, pushing tangy, basic citrus flavors.
Quite light in color, this is a lighter style of Chardonnay, kicking off with crispy green apple aromas mixed with a bit of barrel smoke. Lime and apple lead the lean palate, which shines with granite minerality.
Widely accessible and hedonistic aromas of cherry pie with a tinge of wild mint lead the nose on this young but ready county blend. The palate is framed with oak influence and the associated tannins, as well as plum and ripe cherry fruit. It's unusual that this 2013 is on the market after 10 months in barrel.
Quince, starfruit and white melon share the spotlight here, with acidity and sugar in balance, yielding a slightly off-dry wine. Forward and fresh, it brings in highlights of lemon tea as it sails across the palate, and could do nicely for a lunch of cold whitefish or trout.
Aromas suggest coffee, vanilla, oak, savory herb and menthol. The palate offers espresso, roasted hazelnut, dried sage and sour cherry alongside green, astringent tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Light amber in color, this five year old Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of caramelized pear and grilled pineapple. This style of wine pairs perfectly with strong, earthy cheeses.
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that offers cherry, plum and earthy spice, the tannins soft and supple. This is a wine to enjoy now, aged close to two years in French oak, 20% of it new.
The first to plant the grape in the Santa Ynez Valley, Fred Brander has a current Cab Franc release that hits the nose with black-as-night scents of wet potting soil and black pepper. The flavors are slow to emerge, but blueberry crumble, chocolate and crushed herbs appear with patience.
Candied blackberry, creosote and hot tar aromas fuel the nose of this Petit Verdot, a grape increasingly getting solo time in Central Coast bottles. It's thick on the palate, with smoked tobacco, peppery spice and cigar-like tannins.
From Château des Landes' old vines, this is a concentrated, solid wine. Dark tannins have dark chocolate and licorice flavors, with a structure that dominates the fruit and needs to soften. New wood aging was perhaps excessive, but give the wine time. Drink from 2017.
The winery makes a line of Cabernet Sauvignon from various AVAs of the Napa Valley, highlighting each on the label. From warmer Calistoga, this mouthCab is brambly black fruit-forward with layers of coffee and mocha.
Honeydew and mango notes lend tropical flair to apple and pear flavors in this fruit-forward, easy drinking Chardonnay. Dry and medium bodied in style, it's balanced by a stream of zesty lime acidity and a touch of saline mineral on the finish.
An aromatic wine with notes of creamsicle and orange blossom. It's medium bodied with well delineated stone fruit flavors and a lick of tart acidity that seems surprising for the variety and vintage.
This balanced wine is crisp, taut and mineral. It tastes very dry, packed with acidity and perfumed apple and lemon flavors. It's quite ready to drink, but will be better from 2016.
With good concentration, this still-young Riesling has potential. It's aromatic, with hedgerow aromas, summer fruits and bright acidity. There is a juicy background along with a more textured character that is ready for that aging. Drink from 2016.
The only rosé made from Durell Vineyard, this one employs 100% Pinot Noir for a subtle, light, dry wine that's refreshing in strawberry and peach. Having spent six months in neutral French oak, it's structured and midweight, just right for the table.
Offering great value white, this is 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 10% Sémillon. It's bright and intensely flavored, first with pineapple followed by a flash of grapefruit and layering of vanilla. A crowd pleaser and food-friendly quaff.
This soft and ripe wine is full of bright cherry flavors, with gentle tannins and just a hint of wood aging. A proper Pinot Noir acidity brings out the fruitiness of the wine. Drink now.
Intense tannins and full body make this Syrah difficult to savor at this point, but it may round out with aging. It smells like smoke and black pepper, and tastes like grilled beef and blackberries. It is firm and astringent in texture, tight and concentrated in flavor. Best after 2018.
This wine also contains small percentages of Petite Sirah and Grenache to good effect, providing a soft and approachable entry of well-balanced black fruit and leather.
A little over half Syrah with a balance of Merlot, barrel fermented in French and American oak—20% new—it shows notes of clove, dusty spice, and blackberry. The palate is medium bodied and flavorful with slightly astringent tannins with tart cherry and cranberry notes on the finish.
This ready to drink wine seems tailor-made for many—loaded with blueberry fruit, it's a soft, smooth, easy-drinking style. The rich streaks of vanilla and milk chocolate keep it satisfying to the very end.
Red berry and herbal aromas are firm and focused on the nose. A snappy palate deals savory and fruity flavors of red berry, olive and mint. Firm tannins and driving acidity push the finish a bit further.
An unusual version of Pearl, this includes 9% Grenache Blanc and 5% Roussanne in the blend. Though it's labeled Sauvignon Blanc, those other grapes seem to command center stage, and the wine might as well be thought of as a creative white blend rather than a single variety. Pungent and herbal, it has well-knit and balanced green and yellow fruit flavors, with notes of caraway seed and grass.
The Delorme family's luxury cuvée is aged in a fair bit of small oak, which imparts a plush texture and cedary overtones to the wine. It's full-bodied and powerful, loaded with dark cherry fruit and baking spices that linger on the finish. Drink now–2020 or so.
A powerful wine, still closed. It has great potential with delicious acidity at the same time as depth of flavor complexity. This is a wine for the long-term, so give it at least seven years.
This 100% Grenache cuvée displays charming and complex aromas of garrigue and ripe cherries and raspberries. It's lush and creamy in texture despite being vinified and aged in concrete. It's a touch warm on the finish, but delicious nonetheless. Drink now–2020.
A fine, mineral, structured wine with a very dry, solid core. Juicy red fruits offer a hint for its future ripeness. It has the freshness of the vintage that shows through at the end of this chunky wine. Age for 5–7 years.
Soft and attractively spicy, this has flavors of fresh apple, exotic mango and kiwi. Along with this fruitiness is a perfumed character that rounds out the finish. Screwcap.
It's nice to see this historic winery finally being represented in the United States. This offers scents of toasted grain, smoke, citrus and just a hint of butter before it hits the palate with ample weight and a slightly creamy texture. A bit woody and smoky, but nice in that style. Drink now.
A new wine from Chile's Veramonte, this starts with huge cola and blackberry aromas. which are backed by grippy tannins and mild astringency. It tastes bulky, bearing grippy tannins and mild astringency, with leather and blackberry notes. Coffee and spice flavors control the finish on this ripe Malbec.
This is arguably the best of the current Agate Ridge reds. It's a nicely focused Syrah, mixing flavors of raspberry, chocolate and coffee syrup into a ripe bundle. The tannins are supportive and proportionate.
A very good, heavily oaked Malbec that exudes clove and hickory notes before settling on aromas of earthy fruit and cheesy leather. The palate feels flush and tannic, with accents of clove and cumin and a secondary berry flavor. It ends with touches of barrel spice and resin.
Full and fruity, this is already a delicious wine. A note of tangy citrus enlivens the apple and pear flavors. This has weight and an intense texture, with warm acidity and a touch of spice on the finish.
Flavors of apples, pears and lemons compose this ripe, friendly wine. It has nutmeg and wood flavors along with a warm and rounded character. Drink now.
This full-bodied version—sourced from Napa Valley's famed Stagecoach Vineyard—tastes very much like a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, with honey and green apple flavors. Well-made, the finish shows the wine's time spent in 33% French oak.
Aromas of green apple, melon, pear and a hint of Meyer lemon introduce this tart and flavorful Pinot Gris. It's lightly spiced, fruity and compact.
Fruit and barnyard flavors combine to give a wine that, while on the rustic side, still has an attractive juicy quality. It is full bodied; its acidity combines with a ripe plum flavor.
Pungent of baked plum and baking spice, this Shenandoah Barbera is soft and rustic, yet refined, with a jolt of mocha espresso on the finish. The expert acidity enveloping this wine should pair with Mediterrean-themed food.
Florally pungent, with sweet peach and apricot notes, this smells great. It's richly textured and balanced.
A consistent Torrontés, with tropical and exotic aromas of green melon, lychee and bath oil. It feels round despite sporting nice acids, while flavors of green apple, lychee, melon and cardamom work well in front of a long, sweet, pithy finish.
Absorbingly complex with racy, textural, mineral-driven flavors, this excellent wine features fleshy apple and pear fruit, crisply defined and extended. The low alcohol—just a tad over 13%—keeps the acids front and center; the wine is immaculately fresh, with just a touch (0.7%) of residual sugar.
A standout Pinot, expressive from the first sniff to the last swallow. Elegant and precise, with deep notes of black cherry fruit, set into a balanced framework of tannin and acid. Barrel notes of coffee and cinnamon are expressive and beautifully integrated.
Powerful, pure and tightly wound, meaning it's a candidate for short-term cellaring, say 2–5 years. Smells ripe and fruity, with blackberry, cola and coconut resulting in a spot-on nose. Concentrated and juicy, with a strong constitution and potent plum, berry and cassis flavors. Toasty and lightly oaky on the finish; 73% Malbec and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This is a serious, firmly structured wine, impressively rich as well as tannic. Black fruits push through the considerable structure, offering balance as the wine ages. It is young now, with hints of mint from wood aging. Powerfully textured, give this 4–5 years.
Are the '09 auslesen from Manfred Prüm just in a dull phase? This wine still impresses for its scents of crushed stone and latent power, but the peach, melon and citrus notes fall a little short of expectations for this venerated estate. Give it 10 years or more to come around.
Without doubt the most full and complete Chardonnay from Argentina that this critic has tried. It smells lush and toasty, with elegant apple and pear aromas. The mouthfeel is rich and balanced, while flavors of baked apple, vanilla cream and woodspice are endearing. Long and flavorful on the finish, and not overoaked. A serious Chardonnay to drink now.
With the richness of the vintage, the natural tannins of Tannat are tamed by the welter of intense black fruits, sweet berries and Arabica coffee. The structure is exhibited in the dusty tannins under all the fruit.
Perfumed wine, from a blend of Tannat and Cabernet Franc. Here is a powerful expression of intense terroir. Very concentrated and dense, with the tannins just beginning to soften, the wine is packed with black ripe fruits, solid and chunky.
A stunning Cab that's a little bit of an easy-pleaser with an assertive oaky streak througout. Hints of cigar tobacco, fresh coffee grinds and whole vanilla bean infuse the dark, jammy berry fruit flavors. The mouth is round and lush, but firm tannins and a crushed velvet texture provide structure and linger well into the spiced chocolate close.
A powerful wine, very concentrated, the tannins a part of the richer fruit and dark brooding character of the wine. There is good juiciness as well, black fruits and acidity cutting through the dominant young tannins.
A warm, beautifully balanced wine, with a fine weight of black fruits, juicy acidity, all rounded with tannins and some wood. This ageworthy wine is concentrated while remaining poised and elegant.
A big and powerful wine with a vibrant, rich texture. Dense black plum and ripe berry fruits push through the firm tannins. The wine is smooth and perfumed with a big spicy aftertaste. Drink now, or keep for 2–3 years.
A dark and rich wood aged wine, packing the intense punch of Tannat while smoothing and rounding it with spicy wood, dark chocolate and sweet plums. Age for 3–4 years and more.
Prickly refers to the wine's texture, which is definitely lightly frizzante (spritzy). That helps boost the wine's aromas, making it perfumed and floral, even Muscat-like. It's light in body and slightly off dry, with notes of apricot, apple blossom and gingery spice. Drink now.
This opens with subtle aromas evoking yellow pear, Mediterranean brush and a rather unusual whiff suggesting warm hay. The linear rather lean palate shows mature apricot, citrus and a hint of bitter almond alongside bright acidity and a tangy saline note.
Light aromas of white peach and flowers are followed by elegantly styled, off-dry stone-fruit flavors. It provides intrigue but doesn't entirely deliver.
On the nose, this Chardonnay smells mostly of oak, with apple and melon notes in the background. Salty oaky flavors mask the wine's fruit, which falls into the stone-fruit category. A barrel-dominated finish with nectarine notes is resiny and salty.
Aromas of tropical fruit, yellow apple and fragrant wild flower lead into a straightforward palate offering dried apricot, citrus, bitter almond and a confectionery note. Fresh acidity brightens the finish.
Aromas of woodland berry, damp earth and a whiff of cellar floor lead the nose. The firm lean palate offers raw cherry, powdered sage and a hint of white pepper set against bracing tannins and racy acidity. Give the tannins a few years to unwind then drink to capture the remaining fruit.
This offers heady aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, blue flower and a whiff of tilled earth. On the soft succulent palate, brown pepper and a hint of saline accent fleshy plum and ripe black cherry. It's smooth and easy drinking, with supple tannins.
Rounded and likable, this is a bang-up deal for a wine of fine quality, textured, light and fruity in stone fruit and pineapple.
Aromas of white spring flower, oak-driven vanilla and a whiff of white stone fruit lead the nose. The oak sensations follow through the somewhat lean palate, along with pear and a confectionery note. It closes on a note of bitter almond.
Simple and earthy, this ranch-designate shows a wealth of brick color and flavors of cherry cola, raspberry and bay, its full-bodied ripeness offset moderately by acidity.
The nose on this bottling is fairly light, with tangy blackberry and graphite aromas most prominent. The palate is framed by a chalky tannins and a strong acidity, with more blackberry juice flavors and the slightest touch of tobacco.
Barrel aromas are in the lead, with notes of toast, café au lait, vanilla and caramel. The palate is full of cherry and barrel flavors, backed by lightly gritty tannins. Vanilla notes persist on the finish.
Merlot (63%) makes up the majority of this wine, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Malbec. Brooding aromas of herb, pencil lead, vanilla and spice are followed by dry dark-fruit flavors. The midpalate seems lacking, and the tannins show a touch of astringency.
This offers subdued aromas suggesting pear, acacia, sage and hazelnut that carry onto the ripe palate along with yellow peach. Bitter almond marks the finish.
The fruitiness in this tight wine is still developing, hiding for now behind a bitter, toasty character. That should soften as the wine fills out—from 2018.
Aromas of toast, French oak, pressed yellow flower and white stone fruit lead the way. The rather lean palate offers yellow apple skin, bitter almond, saline and a honey note.
Stiff tannins are matched to sharp raspberry and boysenberry fruit, crafting a well-defined, young and potent wine. This may benefit from another year or two in bottle, but it's already a tasty, albeit tight wine with a mix of fresh fruit and astringent, herb and cracker flavors.
This opens with subdued aromas of black-skinned berry and a whiff of baking spice. The straightforward palate delivers black plum, clove and leather alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
This half-and-half blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and with a firm layer of tannins. It also has plenty of ripe berry fruits that are balancing the more serious texture. Drink now.
An extremely light and lithe take on the region, this shows light red fruit and a gravel and riverstone quality on the nose. There is chalky structure to the sip, with tart and bright red plum skin flavors, but it's rather dull overall, albeit cleanly made.
This blend of Pinot Noir and the rare local César grape is as light as red wine can get in Burgundy. This northern region close to Chablis produces bright fruity expressions that attractively balance red cherry flavor with racy acidity. Drink now.
The wine comes from the Alentejo vineyards owned by Portugal's largest company. Named after the local black pigs, the wine is fruity although with a core of tannins. Young, bright and packed with berry flavors, it is a wine to drink now or (better) from 2018.
This straightforward red opens with aromas of leather, game and black-skinned fruit. The firm palate delivers prune, cedar and tobacco alongside assertive tannins that leave a rather grippy finish.
This wine is crisp, tight and mineral while also full of lively apple and citrus fruit. It offers concentration from old vines and a fresh, forward character that demands instant drinking.
This wine leaps out of the glass with aromas of peach, wet stone, lime and high-toned flowers. The palate drinks off dry, with vibrant stone-fruit and floral flavors that linger on the finish.
Elegant aromas of blackcurrant and black cassis combine with German-chocolate cake and concentrated violet oil scents on the nose of this bottling. It is soft and full on the palate, where mouth-coating tannins present flavors of earthy loam, black cherry and hint of burnt caramel on the finish.
Aromas of wild berry, blue flower, tilled soil and a whiff of dark spice lead the nose on this luminous wine. Savory and smooth, the easy-drinking palate presents black cherry, star anise and clove while bright acidity and polished tannins provide the sleek framework.
Blueberry, blackberry, black pepper and smoke swirl into a rather reserved and elegant nose on this bottling, one of the few Malbecs made in the mountainous region. There is great tannic tension to the acid-driven palate, with blackcurrant and dried-violet flavors adding to that blackcurrant and black-pepper base.
Bigger, bolder swathes of fresh grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus distinguish the Katherine's Field from it's sister bottling, the Life Force. Fermented in stainless steel, it's a more primary, forward expression of fruit but with an equally refreshing backbone of acidity. Hints of dusty oyster shell and lime pith lend nuance to the finish. Drink now through 2019.
A blend of two indigenous Georgian grapes, this wine offers aromas of citrus zest and rose petal. It is soft in the mouth, with flavors of apple, white peach, lemon and rose, capped by a smooth apricot finish.
Gritty earthy nutty aromas announce a slightly stale wine that comes up a little short in terms of purity of fruit and freshness. A good mouthfeel is a positive, while flavors of tomato, spice and gritty, roasted berry and plum finish toasty, peppery and burnt. Drink now.
Bright citrus and green-apple flavors lift this wine above the usual butterballs in terms of freshness and lively texture. It is medium bodied, clean and appetizing.
Very sweet and supple, this red dessert wine has a light perfume of roses and prunes. Rich, ripe fruit flavors come with a full body and soothing, wrap-around texture. The finish is long and sweet, too.
Complex, flavorful but not too big, this layered wine has aromas like cedar and tobacco, and flavors like black cherry and mint. It offers a medium-full body and velvety texture.
Initial rubbery, the oaky and smoky aromas give way to blueberry and plum scents. Hard tannins are cut by juicy acidity, while this tastes of blackberry, dark plum and bacon. Persistent hard-driving tannins are abrasive on the finish, which holds onto racy acidity and core berry fruit flavors.
Reduced prune aromas are rubbery, herbal and not fully convincing. On the palate, this is gritty, tannic and tight, with tomatoey acidity. Oaky grapy flavors are compact, while graphite is noted on a finish that's weighted down by bulky tannins.
The vanilla, cranberry, cherry and licorice aromas are elegant and light but seem ever so slightly dried out. Blackberry flavors stretch-out on the finish, with lightly dry tannins backing them up.
Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) makes up the majority of this wine, with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aromas of high-toned green herbs, spice, black cherry and blackberry lead to lively cranberry and cherry flavors. It shows a sense of freshness, though at times it seems a bit green.
Reserved aromas of baked apple, cream and spice lead to medium-bodied and tart lemony flavors that stretch-out on the finish. It shows a pleasing sense of balance.
This is a perfect wine, both in accessible flavors and somewhat affordable price, for pizza night or meatballs. Cooked red plum, strawberry and a bit of cracked pepper kick off the nose in the Cabernet Franc-led blend, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. More plum hits the palate along with peppery spices, tobacco and marjoram. It's easy but not overly simple.
This domaine is now sold through the Jean-Marc Brocard family. This is a rich wine with yellow fruit as well as crisper citrus. There is a touch of pepper that lifts the fine acidity and the ripe apple and peach. At the end, the wine is crisp and clean.
A favorite within Fox Run's unique geology wine series, an exploration of specific vineyard terroir against specific vinification styles, the 11 Lake Dana Vineyard offers a lovely balance between rustic earth elements and more pristine expressions of fruit and flower. Concentrated tangerine and lemon flavors are honeyed and sweet yet elegantly balanced by tones of black tea, blossom and smoked nut. The finish lingers on a pleasantly astringent note.
This wine from the Côte Chalonnaise is a lighter style of Chardonnay than Leflaive's rich Côte de Beaune wines. It's a delicious lightly toasty wine that has crisp acidity and a strong and refreshing dose of lemon juice. The wine is creamy at the end. It will be ready to drink from 2017.
Jammy and reduced on the nose, this smells gritty and gaseous. In the mouth, this is clampy and tannic. Medicinal flavors of blueberry are proprietary to this wine and frankly a touch green in the middle. That said, the heavy and herbal tasting finish seems fitting.
This blend of Grenache and Niellucciu comes from vines that are up to 40 years old. It is a big, bold ripe and juicy wine, bursting with black plum and berry flavors. The wine is fruity enough to drink now, although it should age for at least 10 years.
This is a fairly muscular rendering of Central Otago Pinot Noir. Plum, herb, espresso and charred oak notes mark the nose and palate, while the finish shows some gritty tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Lively aromas of brambly red fruit and spice are followed by plump raspberry flavors. It shows a lot of freshness and purity.
Cutting, fresh apple, lemon and lime reverberate throughout this zesty Chardonnay sparkling wine. The palate is exceptionally fine in texture with a softly mouth-filling mousse. The finish is tinged by a pleasant swathe of green herbs and lime zest.
Aromas of underbrush, scorched earth, toasted hazelnut, dark spice, menthol and new leather emerge in the glass. The firm palate delivers dried black cherry, raisin, coffee and chewing tobacco while fine-grained tannins provide the framework. It finishes on a slightly bitter note.
This wood-aged wine is rich, spicy and with a stylish combination of acidity and rich yellow and white fruits. The acidity cuts through the ripe texture and gives the wine its full-bodied character. The aftertaste shows a wine that is still young and will be best from 2018.
Grapy berry and plum aromas set up a fresh tannic wiry palate. Popping plum and berry flavors are lively and toasty, while this Tannat, with its black pepper notes, tastes good and spicy on the finish. Drink through 2020.
A unique blend of Viognier (50%), Roussanne (41%) and Riesling, this wine offers light notes of peach and pear. The palate is full of stone-fruit flavors backed by vibrant acidity that piques the interest.
Spice, toast and savory dried herbs accent rich black cherry in this penetrating Pinot Noir. Dense on the palate and voluptuous in body, it's forward in fruit yet maintains a cool restraint of minerality and fine, penetrating tannins. It's a polished, memorable wine.
A new release from this winery, this aromatically intriguing wine conveys blueberry, dried herbs, flowers and cigar box. The palate shows good concentration and intensity to the sweet, succulent blue fruit flavors that linger on the finish with barrel notes. The wood gets a little out front but hopefully it will integrate more with time.
This is a sophisticated and ultrasmooth wine. A spicy, almost sweet aroma of classy oak leads to rich strawberry and plum flavors that glide lightly on the supple texture, which has just enough tannin and acidity to keep the wine well balanced.
This earthy expression of Sangiovese offers aromas of fennel, dried hay, rose and a balsamic note. The palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry, clove, savory herb and licorice alongside gripping tannins and firm acidity. It still needs to develop. Drink 2020–2030.
Coming from 2003 plantings that are truly just stretching their legs, this 100% varietal wine offers brooding notes of coffee, fig and barrel spices (40% new French). It's dense in texture with mouthwatering acids and expertly managed tannins, revealing espresso flavors on the finish.
Coming in an oddly shaped, presumably old-style bottle, this blend of 51% Syrah, 39% Grenache, 7% Alicante Bouschet and 3% Petite Sirah packs a deep, rich nose full of blueberry syrup, vanilla and nutmeg, almost approaching brandy. Framed by a solid tannic structure, flavors hover on cola and cherries before hitting the spearmint-powered finish.
It's hard to ignore the high alcohol listing, but the wine is so well balanced and cohesive that few would even notice. It's aromatic with notes of dried and fresh cranberries and raspberries. The palate is full bodied and rich with concentrated, pure fruit flavors.
This wine pushes the limits of what is commonly thought of as California Chardonnay. It's refreshingly brisk in light, citrusy quince and razor-sharp minerality. Vibrant, it showcases the site well, coaxing crystal clarity to complex layers of ginger-specked apple and pear.
A blend of Red Willow, Mercer, DuBrul, Outlook and Elerding vineyards and aged in just 35% new French oak, this wine is still quite locked up with notes of herbs, plum, high-toned barrel spices and pencil lead. It brings soft, lively blue fruit flavors with the tannins combed to a fine sheen.
Equal parts Mourvèdre and Grenache finished with 10% Syrah, this ripe wine offers aromas of dried herbs, coffee and candied red fruit. It's rich and layered with abundant cherry flavors that lead to a light squeeze of tannins that hold on through the fruit-filled finish.
Coming from 12-year-old plantings that are just starting to hit their stride, this wine shows brooding notes of blueberry, rhubarb, herbs and espresso. The flavors show intensity and restraint with slightly gritty tannins.
This blend of Merlot (81%), Cabernet Franc (11%) and Cabernet Sauvignon is directly appealing with accents of baker's chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, crushed flowers and raspberries. It's soft and supple in feel with focused fruit flavors and a finish that won't quit.
This wine is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot with the balance Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%). Aromas suggest pencil lead, vanilla, herbs, barrel spices and an assortment of red and black fruit. The coffee and cherry flavors are elegant in style, soft and supple in feel, with a grip of tannins and a tart finish. The wood often leads but there's plenty of stuffing there too.
Licorice, blackberry extract and a slate-driven mineral element power the complex nose. There's great tension between hearty, ripe olallieberry fruit and bitter plum skins on the palate, resulting in one of the winery's best 2011s.
Classy and classic French oak and red cherry aromas combine with raspberry flavors, lively acidity and firm, textured tannins to make a complete, well-balanced wine. This is a bit more austere than many of its peers, but the taut balance and appetizing texture make it more compelling.
This new project by a former White House videographer recently enlisted Paul Hobbs as a consultant. The promise is already apparent in this wine, with aromas of cedar, cherry extract and pleasant green-pepper elements. Spicy black pepper leads the palate, which finds ripeness in black cherry and balance with leather and coffee.
Gritty black-fruit aromas come with notes of bell pepper and green herbs as well as coffee grounds. A snappy, tough, drawing palate delivers peppery, blackened spice and herbal berry flavors prior to a crisp, tight finish with fresh acidity.
A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this delightful red has fruity aromas of wild berry and plum. The easy-drinking palate offers black cherry and a spicy note of clove alongside polished tannins. It's made to be drunk young, so enjoy soon.
Just-plucked blueberry, cedar and fermenting-grape aromas show on the dusty nose of this dark and heavy bottling. Boysenberry, turned earth and coffee beans show on the palate that is framed by chalky tannins, finishing on a touch of vanilla.
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, this opens with subdued aromas suggesting red plum and baking spice. The aromas carry on to the straightforward palate, together with a hint of hazelnut. It's easy drinking, with fresh acidity and round tannins.
Despite herbaceous aromas of eucalyptus and thyme, this choppy, grating blend of Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec offers forward bold plum and currant flavors along with can't-miss herbal notes. This is aggressive on the finish, with mild heat and raw tannins.
Made with equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante, this has earthy aromas of black-skinned fruit and game. The dense palate delivers prune, toast and tobacco alongside gripping, rather drying tannins.
Spicy berry, bath soap and graphite aromas are a bit hard to understand. Somewhat raw and pinched in feel, this tastes of spicy plum and tomato. On the finish, peppery notes of hard spice and plum are solid, as is the closing feel.
Berry, raw oak and graphite aromas lead to a rock-hard drying palate with fierce tannins. This tastes of oaky salty plum and berry, while a woody finish is overtly tannic and borderline abrasive.
Demanding aromas of coffee grounds, tomato sauce, herbs and black fruits are normal for Carmenère and Syrah. With choppy, aggressive tannins and oaky flavors of herbal plum and berry fruits, this tastes somewhat green, minty and spicy on the finish.
Brooding aromas of earth, tobacco, spice and red fruit lead to plentiful savory tobacco and mesquite flavors. It seems a bit dried out.
A blend of 80% Sangiovese with the remaining made up of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas of black-skinned fruit and espresso. The straightforward palate offers black plum and clove alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Oaky aromas of graphite, vanilla, berry fruits and plum lead to a firm clampy high-acid palate with oak-rich flavors of spiced plum and currant. Mildly green, minty flavors close out a drawing tight finish.
Aromas of butter, pear and pineapple are followed by a somewhat lightweight but still flavorful palate. Tropical flavors linger on the finish. The concentration doesn't all seem there but what is provides plenty of interest.
The pear, apple and apple skin aromas are light. The palate brings just off-dry pear flavors with a full feel.
This is light in hue, even for Pinot Noir, but it offers attractive, bright cherry fruit backed by crisp acids. The tannins are supple, leaving the acids to define the structure. Drink it before the end of 2017.
Fragrant purple flower, red berry, Mediterranean brush and a hint of resin come together on this enjoyable red. The lively palate offers juicy morello cherry, crushed raspberry and a savory sprinkling of dark spice alongside rounded tannins and firm acidity.
Lemon rind, orange juice and chalk show on the nose of this bottling, which is a tad simple but very quaffable. Lemon wedge, green and yellow apples, and a bit of citrus pith show on the sip.
The aromas are subdued, with notes of spice, mineral and black fruit. The palate is reserved in style, supported by a frame of firm somewhat gruff tannins.
Baked red cherry and strawberry scents meet with touches of soy, nori and crushed rock on the nose of this bottling. Lots of peppery spice shows on the palate, though blackberry-pie flavors are sweeter than expected.
Butter and honey make for a rich, hedonistic tone to this mildly structured white. A soft, malleable texture provides creaminess without complexity.
Blue and red-fruit aromas lead to lightly styled cherry flavors. Herb accents run throughout.
With Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon added to 80% Sangiovese, this wine has a restrained nose that eventually reveals black-skinned fruit and charred earth. The straightforward palate offers berry, clove and a confectionery note alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy soon.
Crisp aromas veer towards fresh bell pepper and tangerine peel. This feels minerally but also like extracted grape skins. Mixed citrus and green-herb flavors end with a stony lasting feel.
Primary flavors of luscious cherry, berry and plum reverberate throughout this fleshy red blend. Sunny acidity and a silken rounded mouthfeel lend to a juicy and easy-drinking demeanor. Fine but persistent tannins lend structure to a vanilla-spiced finish. Drink now through 2019.
A blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese, this easygoing red has aromas of toast, espresso, chopped mint and a whiff of brown baking spice. The straightforward palate shows black currant, licorice and clove alongside fine-grained tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this easy-drinking wine opens with subdued aromas of toast, espresso, aromatic herb and a whiff blue flower. The round straightforward palate offers dried wild cherry, walnut and star anise alongside supple tannins. Drink through 2018.
Light aromas of squeezed lime and sliced Anjou pear emerge on the nose of this bottling from a large vineyard on the eastern flanks of the region. The palate is tight and bright if quite restrained, with thinly sliced lime and a chalky grip. The wine would be refreshing in warm weather.
Aromas of oak, toast and a whiff of mature yellow apple skin lead the nose. The aromas carry over to the subdued palate along with a note of candied nectarine zest. A note of bitter walnut marks the close.
A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah, this has fruity aromas of dark-skinned berry along with a whiff of all spice. The fresh easygoing palate shows blackberry, black cherry and a hint of ground pepper accompanied by soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of rose, crushed herb, red berry and a balsamic note take shape in the glass. Elegant, fresh and poised, the palate offers black raspberry, red cherry baking spice and a hint of licorice framed in youthful but polished tannins. Drink 2020–2028.
Subtle aromas of dark berry, espresso, exotic spice and French oak slowly take shape on this. The firmly structured palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, coffee and licorice while close-grained tannins provide an assertive backbone. Drink 2023–2033.
Made with rare native grape Centesimino (organically farmed) and fermented in amphora, this has intense, alluring aromas that recall dark-skinned berry, violet, rose and dark baking spice. The bright juicy palate delivers ripe morello cherry, red currant, clove and graphite alongside tangy acidity and lithe tannins.
This is a classic, concentrated but elegant wine, from the wonderful black cherry and forest underbrush aromas to the ripe fruit flavors, full body and polished texture. Aging in 30% new Hungarian barrels gave a subtle spicy accent.
With 94% Syrah and 6% Viognier and coming from the Rocks District, this wine brings aromatically expressive aromas of green olive, fresh violet, sea salt, black pepper, orange peel and earthy funk. The palate is soft and silky in feel, showing an appealing sense of balance and restraint. It delivers a sense of elegance.
Earthy aromas of juniper and forest floor give depth to the rusty cherry, tart cranberry, dried hibiscus and pepper-dust scents on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Soft in structure at first, it then delivers a firmer tannic edge in the midpalate, all the while delivering vivacious red fruit and pine-forest flavors. It will age very well.
Inspired by the Loire Valley, where the “rocks decide” (as this bottling's name suggests), this wine is very light and almost cloudy in color, and shows tons of chalk, wet wool, lime peel and seashore on the nose. The texture is immensely intriguing, presenting flavors of just-ripe Anjou pear, cut grass, and iodine-like kelp tones, with a flash of petrol on the finish.
Intense, rubbery aromas of blackberry, cassis and raisin lead off. This Tinto Fino is full bodied, saturated and ripe in feel. Blackberry, cassis, toast and chocolate flavors finish with a covering of burnt oak and spice. Drink through 2026.
All coming from Block 1, this wine was fermented 65% whole cluster and aged for 20 months in neutral barrels. Pretty aromas of spice, flower, herb, cherry and earth give way to a full fruit-forward palate that shows a dazzling sense of purity and richness while also maintaining its restraint. It's a bit of a stylistic departure for the winery in terms of its richness but it still delivers big time.
The nose still gives away little. The palate also remains tightly curled in itself. This wine needs a little time but promises to blossom with another year of bottle age. It has a gamy streak on the firm, grippy midpalate as well as bright, enlivening freshness. The finish is lip-smacking and the tannins still edgy, but the juiciness of dark fruit is undeniable. Drink 2018–2020.
Savory aromas of roasting meat and beef jerky are enhanced by pretty touches of lilacs, violet and chocolate syrup on the nose of this bottling. The slightest kiss of strawberry shows on the sip, followed by riper blackberry, purple flowers, rosemary and pepper. The firm tannic structure ensures ageability.
Milagros means “miracles,” and the marvel is how good this wine is considering how rough in general 2013 was in the Ribera del Duero region. Oaky aromas of root beer and blackberry are smooth and heady. This wine is intense, with big tannins and firm acidity. Faith will be rewarded down the line with potent berry and chocolaty oak flavors. Bottle age should help this soften up; drink from 2020–2030.
From an historic block of the famous vineyard long known as Robert's Block, this white is incredibly complex and concentrated, with richly woven layers of pear, Key lime and peach. A handful of Sémillon is blended in, adding extra oomph and flavor, the finish balanced in acidity and marked by freshness.
Aromas of pear, lees and tropical fruit lead to a rich flavorful palate, absolutely loaded with tropical-fruit flavors that show a delightful sense of balance. The oak usage (25% new French) is judicious, allowing the fruit to shine.
Full bodied and opulent, yet remarkably refreshing at the same time, wines like this are why the commune of Laudun is so highly regarded as a white-wine terroir within the warm Southern Rhône. Honey, pineapple and stone fruit notes linger through the finish, balanced by hints of crushed stone and citrus. Drink now.
Blended with 6% Marsanne, the aromas are light (considering the appellation and producer), bringing notes of herb, smoked meat, white pepper, mineral and earth. The flavors are tart and bright, creating a real sense of freshness and vibrancy.
An elegantly integrated dark-red-cherry component distinguishes the nose of this blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Counoise, with hints of sagebrush and baking spice. The food-friendly palate combines dark-berry flavors with dried herbs, graphite and light sarsaparilla, with well-integrated acidity and a silky yet firm texture.
This is a great example of a lower alcohol, somewhat underripe Pinot Noir that shows solid depth and lovable freshness. Lively aromas of black-raspberry sorbet and dark strawberry show on the nose, while the palate picks up a tart cranberry character. White pepper, thyme and juniper enliven the fruity flavors.
It's fading a bit at the rim, but it's a treat to know that mature releases like this are in the market. Age has mellowed its tannins to silky smoothness, while the aromas and flavors resemble thyme blossoms, cherries and leather. Hints of herbal tea and mocha linger elegantly on the finish. Drink now–2022.
A full 13 years old, the aromas are still vibrant, with notes of cranberry sauce, leather, vanilla and baking spice. The palate displays a beautiful sense of balance between the fruit and barrel flavors. It's in an absolute sweet spot right now but still has life in front of it.
A fine vintage, which shows some age from a relatively fast-maturing year, but is now nicely poised between the initial fresh green fruits and grapefruit flavors, and the elements of toast and yeast that are developing well. This is a great food wine, with some weight and ripeness.
This has rich tannins, dense fruit and overall deep flavors. This is a dark wine, just this side of brooding, with ripe blueberry and cherry fruit, softly chalky tannins, whiffs of smoke and splashes of pepper. The dark fruit flavors are bold and seamless, melded with smoke and chocolate, dotted with ground espresso, and finished with a nice lift. This probably needs another five years to really show all of its complexity.
This recently released 2002 is still showing its youth, with a firm, mineral edge to it. But it does have the right refreshingly crisp character, along with intense fruits, and acidity that just powers right through. Wait 3–4 years.
A dark and spicy wine, with streaks of mineral and herb buried within very tart, acidic black fruit. This is complex, quite youthful and tightly woven. I think it will require some years to pull itself together, but the balance is here, in a medium-bodied style, showing some herb, some citrus and plenty of muscle. Tasted over many hours after being decanted, it showed itself to be a wonderful wine that developed multiple layers of flavor.
This is classic Washington Chardonnay, from the winery that first put it on the national map. It's beautifully built upon ripe apple, pineapple and kiwi fruit, with proportionate acid and lovely, lightly toasty oak. The alcohol is 14.3%, and the wine strikes a perfect note of weight and density, without being fat or fatiguing.
This is just about perfect Sémillon— the gorgeous fruit has more flesh and breadth with flavors suggesting ripe fig, melon and citrus. The use of oak is judicious and thoughtful; it adds grace notes without dominating. You can't help but wonder why this grape remains such a novelty (except, ironically, at Novelty Hill!). It's seductive, delicious and unique.
Dark and dense, yet somehow soft and approachable, this 100% is once again loaded with rich black fruits. Everything is in balance, with a captivating tension strung between the fruit, acid and tannins. This is a wine you can't keep your lips off.
This is pure Cabernet from older vines, and has a meaty, herbal power to it. Streaks of tar and some lively cinnamon spice add life to the fruit, which is solid and earthy. I pick up black licorice, vanilla cream, and still more interesting flavors wrapped into the tannins, which seem dusty and smoky and a bit grainy. This has some real substance to it, and shows some of the herbal side of the grape. The best so far from SYZYGY.
Green-streaked barnyard aromas couple with black cherries and tobacco in this varietally true offering. Medium-weight on the palate, maybe even a bit low in acidity. Decent, but doesn’t truly sing.
The interesting mix of aromas, ranging from fresh manure to cinnamon and cherries, gives way on the palate to the surprisingly unripe flavor of tart cranberries. The acidity is biting, making for a sinewy mouthful.
Unfortunately this wine just hangs on the cusp of quality. The nose is somewhat muddy and grassy. Plummy fruit with tangy acids carry the unrefined palate. Cola nut is noticeable on the dry finish. The effort seems to be there, but the result is not stellar.
Very light in color, so much so that it’s almost transparent. Potent aromas of mushroom, bramble and buttery oak. Some strawberry and cream flavors are driven by snappy acids. There’s length and kick to the fruit-forward finish.
Rather sharp and dominated by piquant cranberry and field aromas. Light in color, with lean red-fruit flavors. A little green and heavily oaked—the dill and pickle from the wood show boldly. Has some good characteristics, but they’re just too hard to get at. From the hotter reaches of southern Oregon.
Some green manure notes and more general barnyard aromas provide aromatic interest but can’t make up for excessively tart cherry fruit and an oddly cloying finish
If you are allergic to sulfites or insist on certified organic wines, this one fits the bill. Unfortunately it's heavy on the grape-juice characteristic, with sharp acids running the show. Dense and chewy, and there's an odd grapefruit note at the end.
If this isn't the best $50 Merlot in the world, I don't know what is. Dark, thick and jammy, with dense layers of fruit, spice and oak. Scents of sandalwood, coffee, mint, pepper and more, much more. In the mouth it offers a seamless, achingly rich mix of fruits, woods and spices. Big, rich, long and deep, it's nonetheless best enjoyed right now, not cellared.
75% Syrah and 25% Cinsault from the oldest continually cultivated vinifera vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. The spicy, intensely aromatic nose mixes black cherry, concentrated cassis, coffee, bacon, leather and roasted nuts. It unfolds in layer upon layer of rich fruit, tannin, leather and smoke. Dense, deep and Rhône-like, it finishes with a montage of meaty, peppery, bacon-smoke flavors.
The nose leaps out of the glass: fat, meaty and jammy, laden with ripe, seductive fruit. The palate impression is still young, firm and tight, with tart loganberry fruit that has a nice tang to it. It's all wrapped in big, toasty layers of oak, with coffee, bitter chocolate and licorice running through the long finish. This one needs more time to knit itself together and open up.
What a pleasant surprise awaits you here: It's delectable, decadent and downright delicious. Fabulous mango, lime, and peach aromas parade upward in advance of vivid nectarine and pink grapefruit flavors. This charmer, which features perfect vitality and acidity, is almost too easy to drink and enjoy.
A two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot blend, this is the winery’s prestige cuvée. Lushly perfumed with blueberry, black cherry and red fruits, it’s high-toned and assertive. A serious effort that is still tight as a drum, tannic and deeply streaked with black spices, smoke, tar and coffee.
Gary Figgins works his usual magic and adds layers of rich, buttery, nutty oak to the light, pleasant Sangiovese fruit. The oak doesn't overwhelm, it underscores, and the effect is exciting, sensuous and fat. The wine floats across the palate, with light fruit and buttery oak melding into a sinuous, delicious whole. Beautiful winemaking.
Darker and more closed-up than the Ciel du Cheval bottling, this is a medium-bodied red wine with dusty cherry and cassis scents, and hints of tar, coffee, herb and leather. It's muscular and edgy, with tons of potential.
This patiently aged wine delivers a dynamic and rich nose with aromas of plums, cassis, cola, Dr Pepper, chocolate syrup and well-spiced German chocolate cake. Those ripe elements are tamed on the tart and lively palate that shows sour plum skins alongside star anise, beef blood and dank herbs.
This has compelling intensity, with the extra dimensions that vines more than four decades old can offer. The concentrated apple and pear fruit is pure, deep and lingering. The wine is finished off dry.
This rarely explored grape, also known as Trebbiano, proves quite exciting in this bottling. Aromas recall ripe lime flesh, white flowers, green apples, Asian pears and white peach, with a nearly tropical banana sap character. The palate tightens around the limey acidity, showing some ripe red apple, but remaining bright, ready to pair with everything from roast chicken to shellfish.
Floral and lush, this majority Cabernet Sauvignon contains 10% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, combining for a structured, layered wine accented in black cherry, cedar and dried herb. From vineyards strewn across the Napa Valley, including mountainside sites, it offers power and finesse and should sit well in cellar through 2022.
Juicy and big-bodied, this is a balanced expression of earthy black cherry and well-honed structure. Soft and lush on the palate, it'll appeal to fans who like a bit more meat on their Pinot bones, yet appreciate the fine texture of the tannins.
Rich and fruity, this reserve adds layers of spice and citrus to the peachy core of the regular bottling. Details of rind put a frame on the fruit, while a lightly toasty finish brings a lingering note of banana along for the ride.
Big, dark tannins dominate this concentrated wine that is powerful, dry and firm. Under the structure lies a smoother layer of ripe plum and berry fruits. At 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot, it will certainly need more time to mature; drink from 2018.
Harvested at the end of October, this gently sweet wine has hints of botrytis along with ripe apricot and honey flavors. It is shot through with delicious acidity that gives the wine a great lift and final freshness.
This wine has an intense structure while not losing sight of fruit. It's a solid wine with dominant tannins. It also has intense acidity and, in the background, red berry fruits. It needs time to come together into an impressive wine. Drink from 2017.
This blend of Roditis and Moscofilero offers floral, flirty aromas and a palate that's both fresh and layered. Flavors of lemon, violet and orange are rounded but balanced by lively acidity.
Decadent white floral tones persist throughout this dry, gorgeously perfumed Riesling. Concentrated white peach and apricot flavors feel plush and concentrated on the palate but zesty acidity adds a vivacious kick. Drink now through 2017.
Here's a fresh, savory white made from Trebbiano and Sémillon grapes. It opens with aromas of pineapple, exotic fruit and white wildflowers that carry over to the linear palate alongside Mediterranean herb, yellow peach and lemon zest. Tangy acidity provides balance and generates a crisp, clean finish.
Cherry and berry aromas are direct and vivid, with a slight touch of spice. There's energy to the palate, which is slightly jammy and creamy. Ripe plum and cherry flavors show mild oak notes, while the finish is bright, bold and deals some chocolaty oak.
Fresh black cherries and a bit of licorice are laced through the nose of this appellation blend by single-vineyard star Brian Loring. The palate is all about exotic spice, from ginger and black sage to anise seeds and cola, also showing some umami flavors reminiscent of shiitake mushrooms.
Whiffs of sweet pastry and sun-kissed nectarines lend richness to this zesty, off-dry Riesling. Sweet and tart, it's lip smackingly juicy, finishing on a deliciously astringent lemon pith note. Drink now through 2017.
This is a full-bodied but easy-drinking wine with ample ripe fruit flavors and attractive accents from oak aging, like vanilla, nutmeg and a touch of brown sugar. It coats the mouth with rich fruitiness and lingers on the finish in a compelling manner.
This opens from aromas of dried black fruit, spiced plum, sage, pipe tobacco and mocha. The rich palate offers ripe blackberries, anisette, coffee and a chocolate note alongside smooth, velvety tannins. While it's concentrated, it manages its heft with surprising finesse. Drink through 2019.
Cider and acacia aromas are subtle and inviting. This has a round yet citrusy feel along with flavors of nectarine and orange. A steady, smooth, minerally finish with just enough pulp and weight makes for a fine ending. Drink now.
Full bodied, this is saturated with color and tannins, ripe and generous in flavor. Aromas resemble dark chocolate, blueberries and cedar shavings, while flavors run to fresh blackberry, cinnamon and clove. The texture is astringent from tannins that will stand up to rich food, and the finish is surprisingly light.
Aromas of fleshy black-skinned fruit, kitchen spice and underbrush emerge from this blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The fresh palate offers mature blackberries, black currants, clove, licorice and dried herb alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2016–2020.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec from high-elevation vines, this wine is medium in weight and texture, and bright in light, red fruit. The tannins are subtle upon entry, building softness and power in the glass, taking on weight amid gamy layers of black pepper and blueberry on the finish.
As with most of the winery's efforts, this is 100% varietal. Mineral, citrus and wild raspberry fruit flavors dive deeply into the palate; the raspberries in particular are intensely flavorful. The penetration, elegance and power are persuasive.
This wine boasts a lovely, creamy texture and citrusy freshness enhanced by deep concentration. Along with the citrus you'll find apple, pear and melon fruitiness. This is an irresistible summer sipper.
As sure-fire as the sunrise, Ponzi's Pinot Noir Rosé is always a class act. The floral, strawberry and peppercorn aromas set your mouth watering before the first sip. There's sufficient acidity to take a bit of a chill-down in stride, and the finish, though bone dry, has ample fruit sweetness to round out the mouthfeel.
This is a rounded and ripe wine, with generous black fruits and a full, fruity texture. It shows balanced acidity, hints of wood and a fine integration of fruit and tannins. It can be enjoyed now, but will be better from 2016.
Lightly roasted, leathery berry aromas are oaky but not overly woody or resiny. A dense, concentrated palate is creamy but appropriate in feel, while flavors of black cherry, cassis, baking spices, vanilla and caramel end in a lasting swirl of licorice, nutmeg and cocoa powder flavors.
Nuances of bramble and grain lend earthy complexity to this otherwise deeply fruity Riesling. Lemon-lime acidity pierces the midpalate, cutting through layers of ripe yellow-cherry and even berry flavors. The finish is lip smackingly sweet. Drink now.
Wet stone and a chalky underbelly of crisp, clean and low-oaked fruit entices in this food-friendly wine, elegant in lemon, lime and green apple. Juicy and well-rounded, it's an easily enjoyable wine at a fair price that will please a range of palates.
This big, hearty, full-bodied wine was made from 75% Zinfandel. It has spicy, oaky aromas, generous dark plum and cherry flavors and plenty of grip from tannins and acidity to wrap around all that flavor. It feels quite full bodied, dense but smooth in texture, and well-balanced for a wine with this much concentration.
Merlot (57%) takes the lead on this lighter-colored wine that offers raspberries, cherries, herbs and woodspice. The fruit flavors are fresh and elegant, with lightly chalky tannins.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec offers reserved aromas of green herbs, mineral and dusty chocolate. It's elegant and filled with juicy cherry flavors.
A field-inspired blend of 80% Zinfandel with 12% Carignane and 12% Petite Sirah, this wine holds red jammy fruit at its core. Medium to full-bodied in weight, it has fine tannins that give silkiness to offset the wine's sizable power.
Delicate whiffs of cardamom and clove lend alluring spice to this intensely apple-toned wine. While richly rounded, almost plump, in mouthfeel, it's dry in style with racy lemon-lime acidity.
Made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this presents a subdued nose of dried blueberries, leather, espresso, oak and a whiff of exotic spices. On the palate, lithe tannins balance out blackberry, graphite and licorice flavors. Drink through 2016. Alliance Beverage, Terravino.
Blackberry and dark plum aromas are solid but not overly rich or oaky. In the mouth, this Tempranillo is juicy, flush and friendly in feel. Blackberry and plum flavors are big and loud, but also clean. Notes of licorice and herbs work their way onto a hard-driving finish.
Full bodied and bodacious, this is coyly suggestive at first in lemon and ripe pear. From the first come-hither notes, it's full steam ahead in vanilla and a huge expression of sweet oak.
Musky rose petal and potpourri aromas perfume this elegant, full-bodied Gewürztraminer. It's not intensely concentrated on the palate, but fresh peach and tangerine flavors are brisk, bright and enjoyable.
Fresh-fruited and well balanced, this has firm tannins that are already well integrated into the black currant flavors and acidity. Solid and structured, it will develop well. The aftertaste brings out the acidity.
Boosted with 4% Tempranillo, 3% Petite Sirah and 3% Tannat, this Zin comes from a 100-year-old Mendocino clone, and shows ripe strawberry syrup, campfire smoke and anise on the nose. The palate is dominated by smoke, with just touch of red fruits, tannins and tartness keeping it lively.
This appealing wine offers aromas of blueberry and huckleberry, and drinks like a vinous piece of blueberry pie. It's a bit one-note but it hits that note hard and well.
Pretty aromas convey rose, wild red berry, savory herb and a hint of baking spice. The palate opens with wild cherry, black raspberry, clove and sage but drops off quickly on the midpalate. It's already accessible, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Tart lemon and green apple make this a refreshing quaff, followed by creamy, weightier overtones of papaya and pear. Well-integrated and enjoyable, it has tannin presence and structure, finishing with a backbeat of fennel.
Seared pineapple and warm brioche aromas show strongly on this examination of one clone from the small but solid Monterey County appellation. Tropical elements of guava skin mix with sea salt and bright acidity on the refreshing palate.
This blend of 53% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah and 21% Syrah shows grape candy and roasted beef crust on the nose. The flavors are dark with creosote, licorice and dark chocolate, proving to be a heavy, thick wine that's balanced by plum-skin tannins.
While forward, plump red-cherry and strawberry notes are buoyant, a deep vein of granite and minerals adds gravitas and complexity to this elegant wine. Fresh cranberry acidity drives a swift finish.
A surprisingly green tinge vies with tobacco, raspberry and woodspice for attention. This wine is full in feel with good concentration of flavors but ultimately the greenness provides distraction.
Hailing from the recently designated Paso Highlands subappellation, this hearty wine shows earthy aromas of nutmeg, iron, hot rocks, loam and cherry extract. It's lush and ripe with cassis and black cherry fruit, yet shows a more elegant chalkiness on the palate as well, rounded out by cocoa powder.
Sourced from Coyote Canyon in the Horse Heaven Hills, this wine offers aromas of honeysuckle and peach along with a light vanilla accent. It's full bodied and somewhat viscous in feel with abundant apricot flavors.
Ripe and luscious, this is full of red berry fruits and black plums. Soft tannins pulse through the rich texture, giving shape while not taking away from the open character of the wine. It will age relatively quickly, so drink from 2016.
A parcel within the Château Simard vineyard gives this wine that features plenty of fruitiness, with attractive acidity and black currant flavors. It also has structure, a touch of minerality and final, dry tannins, all of which will allow it to age. Drink from 2018.
Dry and structured, this dense wine has some austerity that comes from the dry tannins and extracted, bitter flavors. The aftertaste shows more of the tannins and dryness. Drink from 2020.
Smoked nuts and earth tones lend savoriness to ripe black-cherry and blackberry flavors. Subtle spice and licorice mark the midpalate, leading to a bold, grippy finish.
Ripe and attractively fruity, this wood-aged wine has ripe tannins that are still firm and strong. The fruit is still young, full of black currant flavors and bright acidity. These elements give a wine that has structure and needs to age. Drink from 2018.
With vineyards close to the Gironde, this is a well-situated château. This 2012 is one of the best from the property for several years, giving ripe tannins, balanced wood and good black currant acidity. It's not for long-term aging, so drink from 2017.
Aromas of smoked meat, mesquite, green olive and tire rubber meld with barrel spice accents. It's soft and supple in feel with abundant savory flavors—an interesting wine that has some edge.
Big and beefy, this has layers of dark tannins lying over the big black plum fruit flavors. With a solid texture that comes from this rich, dense vintage, the wine is still developing. Drink from 2018.
Seems as though St. Lucas's white wines are more sturdy than its reds. This Chard is fleshy and won't last much longer, but for dense melon, peach and cider-like flavors and relatively good balance, it's making the grade. Plump and tropical on the finish as it battles to stay in line.
It's sappy and just a bit rustic, with layers of leather and saddle sweat along with sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit. There is nothing serious about this wine, but you can't help but enjoy it; it's a perfect choice for simple, lighter grilled foods on a hot summer day.
Starts off a bit leathery and lacking fruit, but somewhere along the way raspberries start folding into the otherwise savory mix of leather and black olives. Medium in body, turning tart and tea-like on the finish. Drink now-2012.
Dry and short on fruit, with strong barrel aromas of pepper, cinnamon and resin. In the mouth, there's more wood than fruit, leaving heat, vanilla and spice to overshadow mild strawberry/raspberry flavors. What's best about the wine is the mouthfeel; it's round and creamy, with length. Anyone averse to forward oak should steer clear of Utopía.
Streamlined and tart, this is a citrusy version of Chardonnay that showcases unadorned lemon and pineapple flavors.
Expensive for what you're getting. The wine starts with a reddish-green set of aromas, which are backed by generic red-fruit flavors that are medium to narrow in scope and just don't taste much like Cabernet. Time allows it to show a bit more, but always it seems basic and shy.
Melted fudge and asphalt are draped on this young wine's bouquet. Given that opening, a palate of black plum and cassis isn't surprising. Feelwise, it's a touch rough and tannic, which is probably to be expected. Turns more herbal the more you sniff and swirl.
Creamy and rooty at first, and then smokier and darker as it settles. For young Malbec it displays both a jammy fruit side and an acidic center. So there's both ripeness and heft but also a piercing sizzle. Perfectly good for parties and less-serious imbibing.
Consistent with previous bottlings, this is dark, oaky, lush with scents and flavors of butter, toast and roasted nuts. The fruit seems secondary to the parade of butterscotch, brown sugar and spice that comes walloping through the palate. The wine turns slightly bitter in the finish. This is a wine for those who love the California style of Chardonnay.
The Grand Estates Chardonnay from Columbia Crest is consistently the most broadly fruity, round and oaky wine in the lineup (outside of the much pricier reserve). Apple, pear and peach fruit dominates, and the sometimes too-present, tarted up flavors of butter and vanilla have been brought back into better proportion in this 2006 bottling. Sure to be a popular style, this is one of the best vintages in the past five years.
Smoky and big on the nose, with crusty black-fruit flavors backing that up. The wine is less deep and more hard and scratchy than some Mendoza Malbecs, but it's solid and sure-footed even if the mouthfeel is stark. Probably better with food than others due to its leaner, less opulent style.
Even in his less-expensive wines, such as this Columbia Valley Merlot, winemaker Charlie Hoppes gets excellent color extraction. Along with the color come stiff, substantial tannins; once in the mouth, however, the wine sets a different course, turning rather light and fruity. Tart cherry and wild berry flavors quickly give way to thick tannins and barrel flavors of baking chocolate.
There's 5% Malbec in the blend, but the austere, scrapey tannins of the Franc still dominate the finish. The fruit is pretty, with blueberry character to burn. The wine hits the palate well in the beginning, but seems to sag a bit midpalate before heading into that astringent finish, enlivened by toasty new oak. If you like blueberries, you'll like this wine.
Tart and sleek, this estate-grown fruit  has appealing elegance. The fruit is almost transparent, but not invisible, with very clean, high acid flavors of green berry, apple and pear. There is a layer of butterscotch that fills in the finish, without taking away from the finesse.
A little heavy and teetering toward overripeness, but it holds the line despite issuing aromas of raisin, heat, leather and marinated meat. The mouth is sweet and big-boned, with good tannic structure. Tastes a touch roasted and/or burnt on the finish. Gets it more right than wrong.
Lychee and melon aromas dance with sweeter scents of air freshener and perfume. The palate is zesty and driven, with narrow tangerine and orange flavors. Flashy Torrontes is what this is; it delivers the goods but doesn't step too hard on the gas pedal. Drink now.
Despite the cool, challenging vintage this 100% varietal wine shines through with notes of blackberry, cola, vanilla and cherry. The palate shows a pleasing mixture of tart fruit, grainy tannins and rich barrel flavors. It should only benefit from additional time in the bottle.
Nutty barrel smoke emerges first, then the fruits trend toward tropical, with pineapple and guava tones. Buttercream and salted caramel are laced throughout the palate, where vanilla ash flavors on the midpalate are balanced by bitter apple skins and Meyer lemon pith on the backend.
From an estate vineyard site run by one of the region's finest farmers, this Pinot is intense and vibrant in juicy red cherry and raspberry, with earthiness at its core. Exuberant and robust on the palate, it puts its time in oak on full display, and finishes light and bright.
Warm aromas of mocha powder and spicy white pepper mesh with the boysenberry jam foundation on this wine by the region's pioneering Franscioni family. The intriguing palate shows a lot of fennel, tarragon and black pepper, with ripe but tart boysenberry fruit and prominent lavender elements. This great wine shows the grape's herbal potential.
This 100% varietal wine from this new winery offers up notes of vanilla, herb, cocoa, cherry and woodspice. An elegant, palate-coating mouthfeel comes along with structured, dry tannins and tart acidity. An attractive wine that can be enjoyed now or held through 2020.
Despite his head-turning concert series at his Buellton winery, John Wright isn't losing sight of good winemaking. This Camp 4 Vineyard blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre offers an elegant nose of purple fruit, aromatic herbs and restrained woodiness. Elderberries and dried blueberries emerge once sipped, with cedar down the middle and pepper and Italian herbs on the edges.
Pure fruit aromas and delicious pear flavors give this an immediate appeal, but hints of butter and marzipan come out, too, adding complexity. It's medium bodied, dry but rounded in texture, and finishes with more fruit.
This lightly colored, 100% varietal wine offers light notes of bubble gum, red fruit, cream and plum. The pillowy-soft, sumptuous mouthfeel is the star of the show, displaying a dazzling feel that leads to an elegant, lingering plum-filled finish.
Coming from five different Syrah vineyards across the Columbia Valley, this wine offers high quality and value. It conveys black olives, iron, an earthy funk, chocolate and floral accents. The coffee and earth flavors are rich while still showing exquisite restraint.
For Washington whites 2013 was a challenging vintage, but you would never notice on this blend of Celilo (70%) and Woodward Canyon Estate vineyards. It's immediately attractive, with notes of mineral, lemon curd, spice, toast and pear. The style is creamy yet reserved, showing good depth of flavors and pleasing subtleties with the finish lingering.
Olallieberry fruit, charred meats and a bit of oak smoke introduce the nose of this wine from a newly renamed vineyard in the middle of Santa Ynez Valley, where Paul Hobbs recently signed on as consultant. Flavors are led by tar and herbs, with ripe purple fruit and black pepper arising on the midpalate and finish.
This 100% varietal wine is unabashedly appealing with pure, direct notes of coffee and plum. It's the feel that truly dazzles, with a supple velvety texture and a tart uptick on the lingering finish.
Grapes come from heritage selection off the Osgood farm, and the wine shows licorice-berry-chocolate syrup aromas, as well as espresso with condensed milk and pipe smoke. The tannins coat the mouth and tickle the tongue in a pleasant way, offering rich plum fruit, graphite minerality and lifting mint, all balanced with strong acidity.
This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Viognier offers intriguing aromas of blackberry and plum with woodspice accents. It's pleasingly fresh and pure with rich, focused fruit flavors that linger.
Exuberant maple and coconut aromas are forward and announce aggressive oak. In the mouth, this beefy Syrah is full but fresh, with resiny richness offset by cutting tannins and acidity. Blueberry and blackberry flavors are oaky and bring related vanilla and licorice notes in front of a lush finish.
There's a gorgeous floral lift to this silky-smooth wine. Red cherry and raspberry flavors are penetrating and ripe, but brisk with an invigorating mineral touch. Finely grained tannins linger on the finish.
With grapes from Upland Vineyard and aged in neutral French oak, this wine offers aromas of nori, cherry and tire rubber. It's supple and lithe in feel with explosive, concentrated umami flavors that shimmer with intensity, with olive notes on the finish. The aromas and flavors don't entirely marry at present but the feel simply dazzles.
Briny, with a hint of salted caramel, this is a high-toned white wine, refreshing in lemon and pear notes, with a slight suggestion of orange peel that's entirely welcoming. Focused and crisp throughout, it remains vibrant amid a creaminess to the mouthfeel, finishing with the right balance of both.
This is full bodied and ripe in flavor, while keeping a firmly tannic but supple texture. The concentrated black cherry and black currant notes are delicious, and hints of black pepper and smoke add complexity. It is very tasty to drink now and through 2017.
Earthy aromas of violet, mature berry, sage, tilled soil and a funky note of game lead the nose. The funky note carries over to the palate along with dried plum and white pepper. Youthfully austere tannins provide the backbone.
A cured meat, salami-like bouquet is the curious opening of this wine, making it compelling if not entirely varietal, a robust, full-bodied expression of rich, ripe red fruit. Oaky and burly, it'll satisfy palates that prefer a concentrated style of velvety-textured raspberry compote and cinnamon.
The nose does not give much away but the dry palate is all about bright, luminous lemon zest and tart lemon juice. Have this on a hot summer day for ultimate refreshment.
Coteaux Varois is a small area in the heart of the Provence vineyards. This wine is fresh, fruity and light in texture. With its strawberry fruits, it has a crisp side and attractive acidity. The wine, with its fresh aftertaste, is ready to drink.
This is soft and rounded, with attractive red plum and berry fruits that bring in acidity and a light tannic character. The wine is ripe, with a dry core surrounded by cherry flavors and fresh acidity. It is not a wine for long aging, drink from 2017.
A light, dainty selection, this opens with soft scents of menthol and garrigue herbs that are framed by hints of pear and white melon rind. The palate is similarly light in intensity, with subtle fruit flavors that are complemented by touches of ginger and oaky spice. Drink now.
This is a smooth, thick and tannic wine that's full-bodied, robust and priced to sell. Cassis and blackberry both figure into the mix, along with a finish of tobacco and vanilla.
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has aromas of coffee, black cherry and dark chocolate. It is tart in the mouth, with flavors of cherry and red raspberry.
Initially, this smells vegetal and sulfuric, a combination that's less than encouraging. On the palate, however, it comes around to show layering and depth. Green flavors of lime and bell pepper share space with oily lanolin notes, while a briny tasting finish adds complexity.
White pepper, toffee and vanilla aromas are followed by full-bodied flavors backed by rustic tannins. It needs some hearty food alongside it to be properly enjoyed.
Punchy out of the chute, this smells mostly of dry herbs and spiced plum. It's fresh on the palate, with good body and modest depth. Juicy plum and red-currant flavors finish lightly oaked, with peppery spice and acidic tang.
Hailing from a single-vineyard block planted in 1979, this wine is aromatically reticent with notes of pear and flowers. It drinks off dry with stone- and tree-fruit flavors.
Pear, white flower and cantaloupe aromas lead to a rounded, creamy-feeling palate. It brings a lot of appeal and the balance is spot-on.
Roasted berry aromas show notes of leather and earth. The palate is firm and tannic, with medicinal cherry and coffee flavors. A spicy finish remains after the fruit fades.
Aromas of tomato, plum and spice are fresh and medium in intensity. Flavors of plum, olive, spice and mild oak finish with toasty barrel notes and a spot of licorice.
Coffee, herbal berry and a light whiff of green herbs announce a solid, well-built wine, with flavors of olive, herbs, plum and blackberry. The finish is smooth, healthy, and a bit toasty.
While muted on the nose, this surprisingly expressive Pinot Noir balances elegant black fruit against layers of fallen leaves and floral potpourri. It's a delicate, soft-spoken wine but memorable, finishing on feathery-soft tannins.
Luscious peach and floral notes contrast dusty, earthy mineral tones in this unusually composed Gewürztraminer. The palate is mouthfilling and expansive, but peachy fresh flavors add levity. It's a bold, full bodied wine but surprisingly balanced through the finish. Drink now.
Unctuous in mouthfeel, this white offers ripe peach, almost a peach cobbler, with a complement of vanilla. The bouquet is somewhat grassy and herbal, before an explosion of fruit and cream is delivered on the full-bodied palate.
While rich, this wine is well balanced with its fresh acidity and wild strawberry flavors. Citrus and a tangy orange texture are both attractive and give the wine a great lift. Drink now.
Anise, fennel seed and laurel lead the bouquet of this blend, framed by fruity tones of small red cherry and plum. Made from 70% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache, the palate is easy and approachable, with a lightness to the body and tannins and a quick yet clean close.
Earthy aromas lead to a wine that is still young and tannic, firm with a dry core and dark-chocolate flavors. It will be a concentrated wine as it develops, so wait until 2017.
Big, woodsy aromas of cedar plank, exotic spices and charred black fruits open this Uruguayan Tannat, which is wide and lush in feel. Heavily oaked flavors of clove and char render blackberry and plum fruit as secondary, while additional clove and resiny flavors finish off this chewy, plump berry ball.
This blend of Carmenère and Carignan opens with very woody, resiny aromas as well as black-fruit depth to support all that oak. An austere, oaky, acidic palate is drawing, while toasty, herbal, roasted berry flavors are resiny and salty tasting prior to an all-wood finish.
This is a very drinkable, plump wine probably best served as an apéritif. Hints of pear and honey mark the nose, while the palate blends in hints of allspice, cinnamon and clove. It tastes slightly off dry, but finishes with zesty acids that offer plenty of refreshment.
An opening blitz of stalky, rustic, leathery berry aromas comes with overt oak. This is high in acidity, but with only average body weight it comes across raw and sharp. Bright, juicy red-fruit flavors vie with stalky, baked notes prior to a loamy finish that runs low on vibrancy.
There's a reduced, concentrated effect to this wine, a bold expression of the variety rich in tobacco and black tea, the fruit bittersweet and elusive. Tightly wound, it benefits from air and time in the glass, and will please a Cabernet lover's palate most of all.
Aromas like fresh flowers and rosemary lead to lively citrus flavors and a dry balance that makes this wine more serious than many of its peers. Light to medium bodied and brisk with acidity, it's very thirst-quenching.
Oxidative aromas of macadamia nuts, walnut oil, marzipan and dried lemon are happily cut by a soda character on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers preserved lemons, seared marshmallow and nut oils, proving fairly fat on the sip.
This youthful wine shows the exuberance of tannin and power of the vintage, finding its time to unwind. Small percentages of Merlot and Petit Verdot figure in the blend. Oak, cedar and herb jump out most, with faint layers of blackberry and black cherry.
Saffron and spice pepper fresh lemon and grapefruit aromas on this exceptionally sheer, savory dry Riesling. A haze of citrus flavors fall like gossamer on the palate, extended by layers of dusty minerals on the finish.
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.
A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah, this is a refreshing and well-balanced rosé. Though young and still somewhat tight right now, it offers bright notes of red cherry, strawberry hull and plum skin that are framed by hints of orange blossom, citrus peel and sweet spice. Silky in texture, with a mineral streak and ample acidity that results in a bright finish.
Juicy and ripe, this pretty dry rosé offers a bounty of black-plum and berry flavors glazed with caramelized sugar. Zippy acidity refreshes the midpalate guiding an invigorating cherry-blossom finish.
Coming from the warm 2013 vintage, this wine is chock-full of dark fruit aromas and flavors, along with generous spice notes. It brings a lot of appeal, though it occasionally seems slightly dried out.
A charred, toasty oak imprint makes way for gunpowder, cedar and pencil in this lush, savory wine, complexly built with wrap-around tannins. Cedar and herb provide a classical component amidst black licorice and coffee.
Ethereally light and brisk, this cherry and anise-scented red offers loads of quaffability and elegance without a lot of complication. Briskly concentrated flavors of blackberry and currant are delightfully refreshing. It's pleasantly puckering and the finish is framed by fine yet persistent tannins. Drink now through 2019.
Aromas saturated with roasted berry fruits and leather lead to a firm palate with rough tannins. Savory plum and black cherry flavors finish with integrated spice notes. Given that 2014 was a difficult year throughout Spain, this wines is in good shape; drink through 2019.
There is an earthy note amid the off-dry, gently peachy palate. The roundness is countered by zesty citrus pith that leaves a tangy, appetizing and moreish finish.
This Dão grape makes a firmly dry and tannic wine at this young stage. The hints of blackberry fruit and acidity promise a fine future of a rich wine with stylish, mineral-driven fruitiness. Drink this promising wine from 2018.
Subtle smoke notes accent tangerine, lemon and lime in this invigorating dry Riesling. Fermented via ambient yeast, its refinement and restrained elegance sets it apart from Casa Larga's other Rieslings. The finish is lingering yet fresh.
The 16th-century chateau of Saint Lager is on the slopes of the local landmark hill of Brouilly. The wine comes from vines below. It has spice, cherry and blueberry fruits with attractive acidity. The wine, still with a strong tannic edge, will be better from 2017.
Half-and-half Petit and Gros Manseng, this is a classic dry Jurançon blend. Soft and rich, it is a wine that is dry while demonstrating fine fresh fruitiness. The structure and strongly mineral texture both suggest the need for aging, so drink from 2018.
Half-and-half Négrette and Syrah, this is typical blend for Fronton with its hints of the Mediterranean mixed in with a more Atlantic influence. The wine is soft and balanced with dusty tannins, red fruits and a perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
Earthy aromas of leather, coffee grounds and blackberry are convincing. This feels full and ripe. Toasty plum and blackberry flavors offer notes of licorice and toast on a long, balanced finish.
Wild red berries, crushed pepper, lilacs and a frame of asphalt show on the exuberant nose of this bottling. The palate is loaded with meat, smoke, cedar, charcoal and easy boysenberry flavors, the perfect pairing for a hamburger. It is a tad light in body, especially since it hasaged for so many years.
Bright aromas of pear, peach, baking spice and malolactic notes lead to a sleek yet creamy palate. It loses its rhythm a touch in the middle but comes back together.
Soft citrus notes of clementine are streaked with fresh lemon to create this fresh, fruit-driven but very appetizing wine. The body is slender, dry and totally refreshing.
Spiced plum, dried raspberry and cherry-cough-drop aromas are attractive. This feels medium in body, with plumpness cut by fresh acidity. Flavors of dried cherry and baking spices finish solidly and smoothly.
A subdued nose has soft hints of baked apple and citrus. The palate of this wine brings in a bitter note of lemon pith on a dry, lithe body, made bright by lemon freshness. It finishes fresh and long.
The scent of freshly cut green and red apple is followed by the spicy taste of burnt caramel and brought together with zesty citrus. The finish is dry and clean-cut.
Creamy earthiness joins the yellow stone fruit on nose and palate, making for a toned-down but full-fruited, generously rounded Gewurztraminer. The structure provided by pithy, pleasantly bitter notes leaves a lasting, refreshing impact.
Notes of stone and smoke join lemon and green apple on the nose of this wine. The palate has an earthier aspect but is bracingly fresh and precise with pure lemon zestiness. Dry and slender, the wine will round out with some bottle age. Drink 2018–2023.
An unusual edge of licorice clings to nose and palate of this fresh, zingy Riesling. The streamlined body is dry and pervaded by brisk, friendly lemon freshness.
Foursight's 2011 Pinot, from a very cool vintage, is savory, with mushroom and herb alongside a streak of red cherry. Light in color and texture, it's subtle yet expansive on the palate, with a peppery, juicy finish. It's a wine that can be enjoyed now, but put some away for a couple of years and the seams will come together even better.
Here's a delicious Verdicchio that opens with a floral fragrance of Spanish broom and stone fruit. The savory palate delivers creamy white peach, apple and lemon flavors alongside mineral and saline accents. The finish boasts an almond note. Hold for two or three years to develop complexity. Peter/Warren Selections, Augustan Wine Imports.
Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this 100% varietal wine is bright and focused with notes of herbs, citrus and kiwi. It's ripe and full of juicy fruit flavors with a spine of citric acidity running throughout. Give this some time to open up.
This is a very stylish and elegant Sémillon, estate-grown and offering tongue-coating, smooth flavors of lemon, lime and dusty, dry honeycomb. Lightly dappled with cinnamon spice, it's an outstanding example of this often-overlooked grape.
The 8% splash of Roussanne in this blend, contributes to the lovely complexity of the opening aromas. Sweet citrus, honey and tea flavors combine, while keeping the palate light and focused. Complex hints of lemon meringue, vanilla cream and toasted coconut keep it lively and interesting through to the finish.
Smoky cinnamon dominates the nose, on the palate where notes of red currant and cranberry become apparent. The palate is tightly gathered in its finely constructed, tannic frame. Time in glass reveals riper cherry fruit at the heart. In two to three years it will mellow and show its true aromatic colors. The substance is evident now, but the aromas bid you to wait. Ready from 2016.
Not quite dry, this is an impressively rich wine. It has a strong mineral element that brings out the currant flavors and intense acidity. This is a wine that is still developing, offering an impressive array of flavors while still needing time. Drink from 2015.
The fruit is sourced from the first Syrah plantings in the Walla Walla valley. Tannic and dense, it marries plum fruit flavors to streaks of earth, herb and licorice. A hint of green olive comes into the finish, bolstered by high alcohol and sharp acidity.
Principally sourced from the winery's oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers a solid core of dense black cherry and cassis fruit. There's a streak of cola and sassafras, and the wine seems to lighten up as it sails into the finish. The blend includes 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
The weight of the bottle seems to foretell this wine's weight, structure and judiciously layered oak influence. With ripe cherry and berry flavors, it's a wine that can age. Drink from 2015.
From the estate that saved the Pecorino grape from extinction, this focused and refined wine intrigues from the start, with its floral aromas of jasmine and acacia, layered with whiffs of balsamic herbs. The palate demonstrates lovely energy and elegance, with peach and tropical fruit flavors accented by mineral and almond.
Made in a completely different style from Uvaggio's typical Primitivo, this is meant to be a reserve-tier bottling, with seven months in new and once-used oak. Crisp berry flavor, along with a hint of cranberry, makes this juicy and balanced. It finishes softly on a slightly nutty note.
Pure and focused, Bruwer Raats's love of and attention to Cabernet Franc results in a wine that always impresses, and is a bit of an anomaly in the South African wine world. Bright notes of red cherry and currant unfold on the nose and mouth, with accents of ashy tobacco, foliage, pepper and just the faintest suggestion of vanilla bean. Medium weight, with dry, dusty tannins that lend grip to the finish.
This leads with oak-derived aromas of sweet smoke, toast, vanilla and baking spice, immediately followed by notes of lemon custard, melon and pear flesh. The mouthfeel is round and full, but zippy acidity rescues the finish from feeling flat or overdone. An attractive toasted hazelnut flavor lingers well through the finish.
Steinbach is a village at the extreme southern end of the Alsace vineyard, known for its Pinot Noir. This is a rich, full example—a wine that has structure and concentration, as well as ripe cherry fruitiness. It can be drunk now, or until 2022.
Here's a quintessential Verdicchio from one of the denomination's rising stars that opens with a fragrance of spring flowers, hay and flint. The palate delivers fleshy white peach, pear and almond flavors, along with mineral notes and bright acidity that results in a refreshing finish. Fun to drink now or hold 2–3 years for additional complexity.
This lovely Verdicchio has the wine's trademark floral fragrance of broom and acacia flowers, along with a whiff of beeswax. The rich palate boasts creamy apple, yellow peach and tropical fruit flavors accompanied by energizing mineral notes and crisp acidity.
Solid and firmly tannic, this is a wine with forward red-fruit flavors, a dry core and dense texture. The structure of this balanced wine along with its concentration promise aging. Drink from 2016.
Toast and caramel notes mingle with mocha and dark plum flavors, resulting in a sleek wine with soft yet palpable tannins. As it opens up, soft plum and cherry fruit is revealed. The concentrated midpalate also signals that this will age and develop well.
Toasty oak and backed structure appear first, with lots of charming cherry fruit and savory notes of undergrowth, inside. Tightly knit and well made, with a dense core of red cherry and an appetizing length.
Roughly two thirds Merlot and one third Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the finest O•S Red since their 2007 vintage. Dark fruits abound, soaked in flavors of espresso, cedar, licorice and clove. It's a splendid wine for the price, one to buy by the case.
A light golden SB from Calaveras County with tons of tropical aromas, predominantly pineapple, that follow into the taste, which veers disproportionately sweet, with not enough acidity to balance it out.
Sweaty and murky smelling, with leather, horse and earthy berry aromas. The palate is big and dense, with grabby tannins and then herbal, roasted berry flavors with green notes. Finishes peppery and mildly green. An herbal, old-style Carmenère.
Sharp on the nose, with herbal, cabbage-like aromas. The palate is better, albeit rubbery in feel and infiltrated by bitter notes. Along the way, there's reasonably good berry fruit and then a piquant bite to the finish. Improves with airing; has its merits.
Starts off with appealing cherry and spice shadings, but adds some rustic, adhesive bandage notes that build on the finish.
Smoked sausage, raspberry and cherry spice start this exuberant red blend. The wine has an overall spicy character and a bigger, open style. Easy drinking and fun, pair it with grilled ribs or duck.
Tortoise Creek makes bargain wines from the Languedoc region of France as well as from Lodi. “The Chelonian” is a new label a portion of the proceeds of which will go to the Chelonian Research Foundation to help benefit the conservation of turtles and tortoises. The wine itself is a decent representation of Lodi's bigger, more raisiny style.
Red berries and blueberry mix with stewed rhubarb and a hint of sweet spice. The ripe berry flavors carry through to the mouth, but the finish reveals a hint of Band-Aid.
Berry fruits and dense red jelly flavors are the hallmark of this wine. It is full, although edging on stalky, its black berry flavors mixed with acidity and dry tannins.
Fruity and herbal all at once with aromas of kirsch and black cherry competing with notes of wet forest floor and wild game. Lightweight and drinkable with a clean, fruit-driven finish.
Aromatic notes of green, yellow and red-cheeked apples waft enticingly from the glass. The palate is equally friendly and smile-inducing, with a totally fruit-driven but exuberant character that majors on frivolous pleasure. The palate is light, frothy and dry. This is made for sparkly afternoons and evenings that last and last. Be sure to get more than one bottle.
Bold, rubbery aromas of dark-berry fruits and toasty oak precede a hard-driving palate with smoky, peppery black-fruit flavors that pour on the oak and related espresso and toastiness on the finish. Drink this generous Malbec through 2019.
Giant out of the blocks, this full-bodied, midnight-black bruiser delivers a heavy blast of graphite, vanilla, coconut, char and blackberry on the nose. A heavy, tannic, borderline syrupy palate is appropriate for flavors of toasted coconut, vanilla and oak. A chocolaty finish loaded with barrel resin is rich and heady. This is an extracted heavyweight from a warm year. Some will love it; others will find it too oaky and overripe. Drink through 2021.
This is an elegant Riesling, with pleasing, gin-like botanical scents and flavors. Along with the fresh herbs come citrus notes of Meyer lemon and Key lime, finished with a gentle hint of honey.
With an alluring bouquet of fresh-cut jasmine and citrus, this is a light, vibrant wine, bristling in acidity that's fruity and briny in equal measure. Clean, crisp and fermented in stainless steel, it offers everything one wants in a refreshing quaff.
This bottling by the Scheid family of wines is a solidly reliable deal, with dried black cherries, beef jerky, leather and a bit of tar on the nose. Crushed, dried herbs show on the palate, along with roasted pork and more black cherry, proving both juicy and meaty, with a slate-driven minerality.
With broad, ripe fruit this is a rich, generous wine. The acidity gives fresh support to the warm cherry and red plum fruits. Underneath, tannins offer a dry core to the wine, allowing it to age. Drink from 2016.
A mixed bag of appealing aromas include crushed stone, leather, black cherry and cough drop. The palate on this Monastrell is narrow and pinchy, but packs power. Flavors of toasty oak, mint, black plum and cherry charge across the finish due to popping acidity. Drink through 2019.
This is a dry, dark and dense wine. It has concentrated tannins and intense fruit that gives power. Spice tones, a hint of blackberry fruits and a strong need for aging all promise a wine that will develop slowly. Drink from 2019.
Light with a floral, jasmine-like bouquet, this perennial classic shows lemony crispness around a medium-bodied core of juicy acidity and weight, remaining balanced and fresh. On the finish, expect a length and depth of fig flavor.
Nicely aromatic, this offers scents and follow-up flavors of cherry cola, with a dusting of sweet hay. It's authoritative without being over-amped—the classic iron fist in the velvet glove. Notes of earth and iron add interest to the finish.
Made from 100% Nebbiolo, this wine is copper-orange in color, with a sense of candied peach, melon and orange peel on the front palate. Slightly spritzy and vibrant in acidity, it finishes dry and crisp, ready for another sip.
Smooth and delicious, this has vibrant cherry and raspberry aromas, a mouthfilling, supple texture and generous fruit flavors. Aged in 35% new French oak, the wine seems to build and intensify on the palate and linger on the finish.
This young wine is finding its way, tight and grippy still, with a strong sense of oak and tannin. Leathery and savory, with a suggestion of the rustic, it offers a crispness of black cherry and plum on the finish. Drink now after a slight decanting.
This dry, light-bodied wine smells vivid and fresh, like sliced peaches and canteloupe. It tastes equally fruity and ripe, backed by good acidity to keep it mouthwatering. Notable richness in the texture helps the flavors linger on the finish.
This is identified as the smallest estate vineyard, here delivering a light and pretty wine, perfectly proportioned in a small frame. Strawberry and raspberry fruit shows clean, crisp acidity. There is room for further bottle development; at the moment the wine does a quick, gentle fade.
Oak-based aromas of coffee, mocha, lemon peel, graphite and vanilla set up a wide-bodied, resiny palate with toasty, baked flavors of blueberry, cassis, blackberry and pepper. This midnight-black Malbec feels ripe, pure and consistent on the finish. Drink through 2018.
From a rare vineyard growing the variety in Carneros, this wine has a pleasing rustic nature, with characteristics of leather and salty black olive knotted around juicy blackberry and blueberry. Remaining vibrant on the palate rather than heavy, the acidity balanced, it shows bacon and oak on the finish.
A big and dense wine, this is concentrated and mineral in character, reflecting the granite soils of the Côte de Py. It's concentrated with its black-cherry flavors cut by bright acidity and a tight texture. The fruit needs to assert itself more, so wait until 2018 before drinking.
This creamy, fragrant wine seamlessly combines the rich fruit typical of Cartizze with the drier Brut style. It opens with heady scents of jasmine, wisteria, exotic fruit and green apple while the creamy palate offers juicy peach, thyme and citrus zest alongside a foamy mousse. It closes crisp and clean.
Rich glints of ripe passion fruit are burgeoning on the nose. The palate has the same richness but is kept in check by wonderfully insisting, bright lemon acidity that suggests both peel and flesh. This is not really fully sweet and thus occupies an uncertain field—one which clever and innovative cooks navigate with aplomb. This is a wine for spiced, exotic dishes that involve fruit, for soft, ripe cheeses or savory fruit combos. The wine's creamy finish pulls all the elements together.
A juicy nose of ripe pomegranates, warm cranberries, concentrated strawberry blossoms and a bit of smoked herbs makes for an enticing introduction on this wine from one of the region's earliest producers. The palate shows cola, blackberry juice and a lavender lift. It's a perfect hamburger pairing.
Light and pretty pinkish-orange in color, this crisp wine offers candied grapefruit and strawberry, made from both whole-cluster pressed grapes and a bleed off from the producer's regular fermentation. It dances in acidity, remaining bright and fresh on the palate throughout.
Aromas of tropical fruit, spring flowers and white peach lead the nose on this single-vineyard bottling. The rich palate doles out green apple, ripe pear and candied citrus zest alongside racy acidity and a foaming mousse.
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) along with Malbec and Petit Verdot, it has the flavor of a Mounds bar with sweet notes of chocolate and coconut along with dark cherry, herbs, and moist soil. It's rich and full bodied with tannins adding a gritty mouthfeel.
Made from Sardinia's native Nuragus grape, S'elegas offers an enticing fragrance of yellow flowers, stone fruit and citrus. The delicious palate has rich flavors of peach and creamy lemon uplifted by fresh acidity.
The latest Merlot release from Ethos pushes the alcohol up past 15%, and the wine remains stubbornly closed and tannic, even after several hours of breathing time. Blueberry and cassis fruit are in play, though the tannins take over quickly, leading into a finish with some chalky minerality.
This Cabernet Sauvignon blend includes Merlot, Syrah and a small amount of “other,” yielding a well-rounded, ripe wine with lush flavors of blueberry and blackberry. The tangy acids spark a finish of fresh herb, licorice and tobacco.
The popular Indian Wells bottling from Chateau Ste. Michelle includes 10% Syrah, sourced from the Wahluke Slope. The combination is a proven winner. This medium-bodied, fruit-forward wine's inviting raspberry and cherry flavors are anchored with well-structured tannins.
A very perfumed wine, almost heady, with its herbal and wild flower aromas. The wine is still closed up, darkly tannic and very firm. At the same time, black fruits show the same perfumed character. This is very flavorful and structured. Drink this unusual wine from 2014.
A wine that has good concentration from the very old vines along with red cherry fruits and some tight, mineral acidity. The banana character does spoil the overall ripe, full effect, so give the wine another year for this to disappear. Acidity and tannins do promise this aging.
Wood aging does not help the richness of this wine. It brings out toast and covers the glorious sweet fruits. With acidity thrown in the balance is not there. Maybe several years will help, so don't drink before 2017.
This structured, full and ripe wine shows great cherry fruits, some chewy tannins and a delicious juicy character. It is balanced and with its tannins should age. Drink now and until 2017.
Woodsy and thickly textured, this Weir Pinot is balanced in just-ripe cherry goodness that neatly scrapes the edge of sour-ness. Fine earth and herbal overtones show off its varietal qualities, more typical of its warmer climate than the Deep End of Anderson Valley.
Despite being labeled at 15% abv, this is a crisp rendering of Vacqueyras, filled with fresh herbal notes and tart, crunchy cherries. A violet-like essence emerges on the palate, providing added interest. It does turn a bit astringent on the finish, so drink it from 2015–2020, or now with some suitably rare beef or lamb.
Smoky aromas of jerky, bacon and ham blend with plum and raspberry. As you should expect from higher-end Malbec, this feels full and earthy but also chunky and undefined. Flavors of baked berry fruits carry a mild herbal hint, while the finish is earthy and chocolaty.
Importer Robert Kacher has an impressive stable of rosés from the southern Rhône at terrific pricing. this one, from the undervalued right bank of the valley, features 70% Cabernet Franc. Peaches, cherries and hints of peppery spice combine easily, then end on a note of wet stones. Drink now.
This wine teeters between superripe (bold black cherries) and overripe (raisined and browning black cherries) on the nose, but comes out very good in the end. It's full bodied and richly textured, with pretty notes of lavender and thyme accenting black cherry flavors and a long velvety finish. Drink it over the next several months.
From one of southern Italy's leading producers, this hearty Aglianico offers earthy aromas of just-turned soil and blackberry. The delicious palate has a ripe core of black cherry accented with white pepper and balsamic notes. It's polished, round and very enjoyable now so drink soon.
While not a mind-blower, this fresh Verdejo is all that it should be. The nose offers a just-right blend of minerally crispness along with apple, melon and citrus aromas. The palate is properly tangy, while flavors of orange and melon finish solid and zesty.
Dry, fresh aromas of red fruits come across crisp and racy. The palate follows the nose's lead with medium weight and traditional snappy acidity. Flavors of plum, berry and cassis are clean, while the finish shows some richness via molasses and oaky notes.
Excellent fruit sources (Conner Lee and Boushey vineyards) provide the highlights here. Dense, dark, toasty and flavorful, this is loaded with ripe blackberry, black cherry and fig flavors. Good concentration and power throughout.
This young red blend marries sweet raspberry and blueberry fruit to peppery, drying tannins. It's drinking well already, and should continue to over the next 3–5 years.
Syrah is the best of the Script & Seal offerings, showing sharp-toned flavors of cassis, licorice, tobacco and ultra-dark chocolate.
Well-priced from estate-grown vineyards, Shannon Ridge's Chardonnay is smooth in lemon, ripe apple and pear, and easygoing and clean with a finish of pineapple and vanilla oak. A great go-to wine for white wine lovers.
Hailing from Underwood Mountain, this is cool climate Riesling made in a warm vintage with notes of lime, guava and mineral. It has a healthy amount of residual sugar (37 g/L) but the acid (8.4g/L) creates a pleasing sense of tension and makes it seemingly drier.
Two thirds Boushey Vineyard, and one third Red Willow, this pure Sauvignon Blanc has not yet completely knit itself together. There's a solid core of clean and tangy ripe lemon, citrus and pineapple fruit. The finish is where it lacks some focus, and may benefit from another year or two of bottle age.
he bouquet smells jammy and not that exciting. In the mouth, freshness takes over, but the acidity is hard. Flavors of wild berry are spicy and continue into the finish, with oak making itself known.
Rooty aromas are ripe on one hand and lighty herbal on the other. This feels focused and crisp, with good structure and tannins in front of raspberry and cassis flavors. For the most part this is on the money, even with a finish that's flat in feel and earthy in flavor. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Malbec.
The nose is shy and merely hints at lemon zestiness. The palate also opens with lemon zest but in a very concentrated full-on fashion with a citrus blast. There is a softer touch of orange and tangerine, too. The freshness is bundled and has ample drive and energy. This certainly is juicy, citrus fresh and off dry. The finish is whistle-clean and very refreshing.
Made with dried Garganega grapes, this opens with heady aromas of passion fruit, dried nectarine slices and candied lemon. Concentrated and juicy, the delicious palate doles out peach jam, acacia honey and pastry alongside bright acidity that adds freshness.
This rich, mouth-filling wine starts with almost-sweet floral, plummy, oaky aromas, building toward ripe cherry, strawberry and black plum flavors and a smooth texture. Everything, from its deep color to its lingering finish, suggests a bold personality.
A touch of ripe yellow apple plays on the nose and carries appetizingly onto the palate. The body is light, adding a lemony streak of freshness to the apple fruit while creamy fizz disperses these flavors across the wine. Subtle autolytic notes suggest lemony sponge cake. It finishes dry.
This blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot opens with attractive green, herbal notes of peppercorn, laurel, blackcurrant leaf and plum skin. Smooth at first, with ripe plum and berry flavors on the palate, the fine tannins offer a pronounced yet dusty grip throughout the long, dry finish. It's a well-balanced wine that should continue to gain complexity through 2022.
Lush and lovely, this sweet treat is an outstanding example of the variety made as an icewine. Loaded with apricot, tangerine, peach and honey, it compensates for its sweetness with balancing acidity. One 375 ml bottle will easily serve four for dessert.
Dusty and tannic, this is a solid value for its quality—a wine of freshness and grip that offers complexity and approachability in equal measure. Black-cherry and black -pepper flavors highlight the palate.
Deep black plum and black cherry flavors lend fruit concentration to this full-bodied and mouth-filling wine from a tiny hilltop appellation in Mendocino County. Its dark fruit flavors are quite ripe but not sweet, and a good wrapping of fine-grained tannins supports the richness very well.
Scented mellow notes of ripe yellow apple stream from the glass. On the palate they are displayed against an autolytic background that recalls both rye bread and short-crust pastry. The mouse is very fine and adds creamy allure to the dry light palate. This is dry, classy and rather sophisticated with a refreshing finish that leaves a lasting impression.
From one of the larger estates in the Edna Valley, this wine has sweet-smelling plum, cherry candy and grenadine aromas. The palate is front-loaded with sagebrush, thyme, dried lavender and rosemary notes, while a hibiscus flavor unfolds in the background.
Softened by the addition of 13% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, this wine leads with smoky oak and baked bread aromas, followed by cassis and mocha notes. Medium bodied, with a seamless texture, it adds baked cherry, cedar and tomato leaf components with measured richness.
Black as coal, with a heavy, smoky, meaty nose, this is one of a growing number of excellent biodynamic Syrahs from Oregon. It marries tangy acids to chewy red and blue fruits, with streaks of coffee liqueur and caramel latté. Half was whole-cluster fermented, and it all spent time in 50% new French oak.
Subtle aromas of mulberry, mace and vanilla meet with more intriguing notes of animal blood, rust and iodine on the nose of this bottling by Jennifer Hoage. Snappy and tart raspberry pops on the palate alongside forest underbrush and sandalwood. It's a great, balanced and even-handed entry point for those looking to explore the less ripe side of the grape.
Exotically spiced mulberry and red currant aromas meet sumac, clove and sweet rose petal scents on the nose of this bottling from a promising new project by Jennifer Hoage. The palate blends dried sage, juniper and pine needle flavors with cherry and red plum fruit, showing complexity but a light texture.
Blossom and citrus inform the nose—white jasmine hovers alongside grapefruit and orange. The palate is juicy and full of bouncy easy fruit on a fluid dryish body. Bright lemon freshness makes the fruit flavors even more vivid. The balance between fruit and freshness gives this tension and makes it very moreish. The finish is clean and orange scented.
This is a rich, heavy wine, a Chardonnay on steroids. It's packed with ripe and lush tree fruits, and those flavors are matched with generous barrel toast. Though it feels a bit thick on the palate, it has enough acidity to avoid being flabby and is terrifically delicious. Drink now through 2021.
92–94. Barrel sample. Wood and mint aromas yield a wine that is darkly tannic, with a distinct black-coffee flavor. It's a powerful, concentrated wine with fruit hiding behind the dense structure.
This wine is soft and fruity with ripe berry fruits and gentle tannins. For a major second wine, it's surprisingly easy and soft, developing fast with its berry fruits, chocolate and wood flavors at the end. Drink from 2017.
For the vintage, this is a ripe, bold wine. Layers of delicious black fruits are supported by firm tannins and the right amount of wood aging. Balanced and dense, it will age well. Drink from 2017.
This lightly aromatic wine offers notes of butterscotch, peach and toasty spices. It's lighter in style with a creamy feel to the stone and tropical fruit flavors.
This shows both the fruit of the vintage and a more structured tannic side. Black currant flavors are up front, offering a generous feeling. They are balanced by the backdrop of tannins and tight acidity. Together they make a wine that is concentrated and likely to be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of forest floor, Mediterranean herb, dark berry, turned soil and game mingle in the glass. The tight palate delivers clove, ground white pepper, grilled herb and dried black cherry alongside bracing tannins.
Aromatically pleasing, this suggests fresh blueberry pie, with a whiff of smoked meat. It's straightforward with huckleberry and mocha flavors, trailing slightly toward the finish.
While creamy and voluminous, this full-bodied Chardonnay boasts fresh green plum and apple flavors brightened by sunny lemon acidity. Streaks of vanilla, toast and spice are bold yet well integrated. It finishes moderately long with notes of dried herbs.
This meaty, ripe Syrah is smoky and deep on the nose, with lusty berry aromas. The palate is tannic but supported by bold, fleshy blackberry flavors backed by maple, vanilla and burnt toast. Caramel richness makes its way onto the finish, which is rocky and tannic but tastes good. This value Syrah was built for grilled meat.
Waxy, dusty aromas of stone fruits and honey are typical of Garnatxa Blanca, although this contains 30% Viognier as well. A citrusy, direct palate with cutting acidity sets up lemon, tangerine and green-apple flavors. Only on the finish does this taste mildly yeasty and slightly buttery.
Smoky aromas of bacon and rubber blend with cherry and plum scents to form a good bouquet. This has a fair, fresh mouthfeel with tannic grip. Leafy flavors of plum and red currant are accented by spicy, dry, woody notes, while the finish is lightly green and oaky, with lasting spice.
Jammy, reduced aromas of cassis, blueberry and animal hide lead to a juicy, fresh palate that's not too thick or concentrated. Blackberry and blueberry flavors are lightly peppered, while the finish is quick and light for Malbec. This is a new wine that aims at freshness and simple fruit more than power and weight.
A fairly oaky bouquet with overt wood grain, vanilla and creamy aromas includes cherry and plum scents. A mostly fresh, choppy palate is a bit rough, while currant and spiced-plum flavors end with woody, medicinal accents. Overall this works well.
This rusty-colored Rioja shows funky aromas of leather mixed with hints of rose petal. A good mouthfeel with smooth tannins is suggestive of aged Burgundy or Merenzao (Trousseau), while rooty, earthy flavors of leaves and tea are interesting. Drink now.
This lively Merlot from Coastal Tuscany conveys aromas of blackberry, spice and a whiff of underbrush. The juicy palate offers crushed black cherry, red currant and a note of white pepper alongside soft tannins. Enjoy it soon to capture the fresh fruit sensations.
Bright cherry aromas are youthful and draw you in. In the mouth, this young RDD is clampy and fresh. Plum, wild berry and salty notes define the flavor profile, while the finish is full in feel and reflective of a well-made Tinto Fino.
This wine doesn't seem to have fully ripened. Aromas that veer into the green compete with coffee, plum and woodspice. It's light and soft but concentrated in flavor, making up for any aromatic deficiencies.
Aromas recall forest floor, mature black-skinned fruit, leather, resin and tilled earth. The warm, round palate doles out ripe red cherry marinated in spirits, cinnamon, carob and grilled herb alongside polished tannins. It's extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
A smoky, oaky aroma leads to meaty flavors with notes of rhubarb and red cherries. The texture is on the soft side and the body is medium. On the finish those oaky notes meld with the fruit for a soft finale. The grapes for this vintage come 84% from Paso Robles.
This combines fruity and savory aromas, with a rich but tannic texture and full body. Aroma recall black olive and cedar, while flavors focus on the fruit components. Everything is in place for an enjoyable, well-structured dinner wine.
This blend holds 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, all from top Red Mountain vineyards. The wine shows notes of dried herbs, bay leaf, red fruit and dark plum. Considering the fruit sources, it's surprisingly reserved in its styling, very easy drinking with a light squeeze of tannins and a lingering finish.
Muted at first, this wine slowly opens, revealing a suggestion of oak, generous tropical fruit and honeydew melon. Medium to fuller-bodied in style, it holds back before going over the edge, maintaining a nice structure through the finish.
Leather, toasted oak, dried red fruit and plum cake lead the nose on this hearty Brunello. The robust palate offers jammy dark berry, dried plum, toasted wood, clove, savory herb and licorice alongside a tightly woven network of firm, astringent tannins. You'll also detect the heat of alcohol on the finish.
This dry-farmed whopper of a wine, which is boosted with 10% Counoise and 10% Mourvèdre, offers rich aromas of blueberry, pine sap and mushrooms. It proves tremendously lush on the palate, with jammy, ripe fruit, picking up tannins and a tiny bit of acidity to approach balance in the midpalate. It's for those who prefer power to finesse.
This crisp, tangy and refreshing wine has lemon and green-apple aromas, bright citrus flavors, medium body and a lean texture, due mostly to the generous acidity. Raw oysters on the half shell, garlic shrimp and goat-cheese toasts come to mind as good pairings.
A first varietal offering from this winery, this offers notes of green herbs, bell pepper and wood spices. It's satiny in feel with plum flavors with the oak giving some chalkiness to the tannins.
Made up of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, this is a still-tight expression of raspberry and cassis that veers into graphite and cedar, earthy on the back palate. Shining in Rutherford's classic dustiness, this wine can develop further in the bottle and in the glass, so let it open.
Smoke and granite lend earthiness to luscious black cherry and plum flavors in this bold, powerfully constructed Teroldego. Framed with tannins and a dusting of licorice and spice, it's a highly promising wine made from an unusual Italian grape variety.
The Gleason family and winemaker Ryan Deovlet deliver a tropically inclined wine, with warm aromas of ripe melons, candied apples, pineapple and cherimoya. The flavors are also round, with Golden Delicious apples, Meyer lemon, apricot and a touch of marzipan poking out from behind a fresh citrusy veil.
Cola, blackberry and dusty aromas amount to something nice and inviting. Cab Franc is new to the Broquel lineup, and this is lush, bold and fruity in style, with blackberry, black cherry and mocha flavors in front of a toasty, full-throttle finish.
Made with 85% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, this open with aromas of black-skinned berry, cedar and oak. The soft, round palate offers fleshy black cherry, black currant, licorice and ground pepper alongside soft acidity and smooth, silky tannins. Drink through 2020.
This 100% varietal wine is dark and foreboding in brambly blackberry and dense, smooth layers of textured oak and vanilla. Beyond full bodied, it holds on to enough acidity to make it complex and age-worthy, finishing in a splash of toffee and caramel.
Aromas of ripe berry, forest floor and a whiff of cake spice mingle in the glass. The ripe, structured and surprisingly friendly palate offers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and clove. Packed but refined tannins along with fresh acidity offer support and provide balance. Drink 2016–2023.
This wine offers fragrances of vanilla, cherry and cherry cola. A fruity palate of cherry and black plums is backed by soft notes of vanilla and a core of satiny tannins.
A sophisticated nose of end-of-season cherry with a soft touch of petrol barely prepares the palate for robust flavors of blackberry, brambles and cured meat with medium-weight tannins and a smoky finish.
Deep and dark blueberry fruit is laced with dark spices and clove extract on the nose of this two-grape wine by Welshman Damian Gridley. It's soft and juicy on the hedonistic palate, with a spicy acidity that lingers long and a touch of dill for decent complexity.
Mouthfillingly juicy and jammy, this is a big, muscular red blend, dense and concentrated in red and blue fruit. Approachable and accessible, with a mellow structure, it finishes thick in wild vanilla.
The mineralschiefer designation attests to the intensely slatey, mineral sheen that juxtaposes ripe yellow peach and tangerine flavors in this bristling dry Riesling. Kissed by honeysuckle, it's effortlessly elegant, yet deeply satisfying sip after sip.
A light hay color, this wine from Andres Ibarra and Caren Rideau offers a delicate butternut squash cream-sauce element on the nose, along with white rocks and pineapple sherbet. There's lots of pep on the balanced palate, with soda, lime pith and sour orange peel, plus a touch of nuts and a vanilla on the finish.
This opens with earthy aromas of scorched soil, raisin, game and a hint of baking spice. The palate is fresher, showing dried black cherry, vanilla, mocha and Mediterranean herb alongside youthfully bracing tannins.
Inky red-violet to the eye, this blend of 55% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot has a nose of black cherry and cherry cola. Brisk acidity compensates for powerful tannins, with flavors of black cherry, cassis, anisette and eucalyptus.
Like all the Duval wines, this is amply structured. Cedar and vanilla notes frame dark fruit flavors in this blend of 51% Shiraz, 30% Grenache and 19% Mourvèdre. Its full bodied, with a long, dusty finish. Drink now–2022.
Rich aromas of boysenberry, cranberry, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate prepare the palate for flavors of cherry syrup and pomegranate. Soft but persistent tannins are apparent in the mouth, and the finish offers lingering flavors of dark chocolate and coffee.
Aromas of black raspberry, dried cherry, espresso and smoked meat set the scene for mouth-pleasing flavors of black cherry, blackberry and tobacco leaf. Harmonious levels of tannins and acidity linger on the tongue at the conclusion of the juicy, fruit-filled finish.
Cherry and plum aromas are ripe, sweet and inviting. There's plenty of body and roundness to this Bonarda, while exotic blueberry and boysenberry flavors finish fresh, with a light herbal aftertaste. Overall this shows lots of fruit and good balance.
More than a slight hint of blush color (suggesting extra skin contact) leads into this broad, spicy, flavorful wine. Highlights of ginger, cinnamon and sweet baking spices adorn rich, mouthcoating pear fruit. It offers an enjoyable, drink-now style.
Still young and nervous, this opens with aromas of resin, pressed rose petal, dark berry and a whiff of coffee. The tightly packed palate offers a ripe black cherry core backed up by notes of sage and anise. It's still tense, with youthfully assertive tannins that need to loosen up. Drink 2018–2025.
Since 2009, the producer has sourced from this site, a relatively warm pocket of the northern reaches of the appellation. Vibrant in red cherry fruit, it's also layered and velvety smooth, with astructure and density that makes it complex and compelling. The fruit dances in blackberry as well as strawberry, with a subtle herbal undertone.
The blend of 56% Grenache and 40% Shiraz also includes 4% Sagrantino, said to enhance structure. For its size, the wine is remarkably restrained, combining slightly resinous cherry fruit with hints of cinnamon, clove and mint. The finish is supple, suggesting early drinkability. Enjoy now–2017.
Ripe and chewy, this earthy wine opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, scorched soil, grilled herb and game. The big, round palate doles out ripe blackberry, spiced blueberry, licorice and ground pepper alongside velvety tannins.
Refreshing and delicious, this blend of Sardinian grapes—40% Monica, 30% Cannonau and 30% Carignano—opens with aromas of rose, wild berry and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, raspberry and a hint of baking spice alongside bright acidity. A saline note backs up the finish.
This sports some chewy, herbaceous qualities that hit you right away. That intensity puts the focus on the wine's edges rather than its core fruit flavors of rhubarb and cranberry. Tight and stiff, it's got a puckery bite that suggests further bottle age may be a good idea.
Light straw to the eye, this blend of 40% Muscat, 30% Viognier, 15% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc smells of grapefruit, lemon pith and grass after a rain shower. Grapefruit, bitter almond, honeysuckle and passion fruit flavors persist through the lingering almond notes of the zesty finish.
A blend of about 50% Petit Verdot mixed with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine shows ample breadth and concentration on the nose and palate. Aromas and flavors of ripe forest berries give way to dried hay and streaks of graphite. Silky upon entry, the midplalate is supported by sandy, soft tannins and a driving acid backbone.
Garnet colored in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of cherry that is heightened by a striking note of bell pepper. It offers flavors of cranberry and pomegranate that meld into a zesty but persistent finish.
This perfumed, blossomy wine balances rich, ripe yellow cherry and tangerine sweetness against a straight-edged frame of acidity. It's forward and easy, but delicately nuanced, kissed by hints of almond and spice. The finish is moderately long and lip-smacking. Drink now.
This stainless-steel take shows lime juice, golden apples and white pepper on the lean but ever-so-slightly warm nose. The palate is driven by a citrusy bitterness, showing tangerine peels and more squeezed lime throughout.
This is a big, bold wine with a wild, slightly earthy and herbal character in the otherwise ripe blackberry and spicy pepper aromas and flavors. The texture is quite thick with tannins, and the body is full. It comes from the windy and cool Jameson Canyon corner of Napa Valley.
Early on it displays mild heat and jamminess, but with airing everything settles, and ultimately this old-vines Tempranillo from the lauded winemaker Mariano Garcia excels. The palate is rich, minerally and meaty, with slightly syrupy black fruit flavors, molasses and chocolate. Chewy, tannic and pure on the finish, with hints of herbs and lemon peel. Drink now through 2013.
Fruity, pure and smooth on the nose, and maybe more dry and leathery than the blasting Nicasia vineyard wine. The palate has a deep, classy elegance along with power, and the flavors run toward huge black fruits, coffee and chocolate. Finishes dark, long and minerally, and overall it's yet another awesome top-flight Malbec from this world-class winery. Drink now through 2014.
A super-rich wine, packed with peach and green plum fruits, layers of wood and an intense concentration. An impressive wine that shows weight and richness as well as style.
Young, fiery and rugged on the nose, but with exotic notes that suggest Middle Eastern and Asian herbs and spices. Like all Cobos Malbecs, this is big, chewy, brawny and a touch medicinal, with powerful dark fruit flavors, particularly black cherry, and a good deal of licorice, chocolate and overall richness. Handles its 15% alcohol better than many heavyweights; drink now through 2013.
An appropriately rich wine, full, toasty and dense. The fruit is beautifully balanced with ripe acidity, just a touch of spice, citrus and an opulent, full-bodied character. It will certainly age, but is already very drinkable.
This Cabernet-Monastrell blend tips the scales at 15.5% and asks you straight out: how big do you like your red wines? It is smoky, sultry and massive, with spicy boysenberry aromas, a deep, syrupy palate and plodding flavors of molasses, roasted berry, cedar plank and herbs. Bullish but drinkble now and over the next few years; probably not one for the cellar.
On the south bank of the River Serein, Sécher is one of the lesser known Premier Crus. This is a cool, crisp wine, emphasizing both green fruits and an underlying buttery touch. Beautifully integrated acidity frames the wine.
Pure Cabernet sourced from a trio of Walla Walla vineyards, and finished at 14.9% alcohol. Supple and spicy, this displays a firm core of tart fruit, annotated with lead pencil, graphite and charcoal. Though it seems almost deceptively light alongside the Tulpen Merlot, this compact and layered wine is built to age over a decade or more.
This Bordeaux blend is three fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, yet deftly weaves in smaller percentages of Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Fruit-driven and complex, it's a smooth ride through fresh fruit flavors of plum, blueberry and cherry, focusing into a finish with ripe, polished tannins.
Hailing from the cool 2010 vintage, the notes of coffee, olive and cherry here are light and sweet, backed by dry, chalky tannins.
Gritty match-stick aromas come with grapefruit and citrus scents. This is lifted and entirely regular for Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. Flavors of lemon, lime and grapefruit are soft and mealy for such a young wine, while bitterness enters the frame on the finish.
This Barolo shows funky aromas of rubber and animal—common for the scorching 2009 vintage in this area. Despite its core of dark cherry fruit, this is very astringent and brutally tannic, with a short finish. Don't think this will evolve well.
From the old fields of Oakley, this Zinfandel, made by Matt Cline, is big in black fruit and a touch of smoke, particularly vibrant on the finish.
A balanced wine, showing attractive fruitiness, ripe black currants and soft tannins. It's likely to be ready to drink soon.
Hard and extracted, this wine shows little more than tannins. The fruitiness is hard to discern and may never come through.
This unusual blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Viognier is toasty but also stalky smelling, with modest fruit aromas. The palate is plump and simple feeling, with chunky weight and salty flavors of roast corn and bland citrus. Oak and saline define the finish.
Briny citrus and sulfuric match-stick aromas lead to an edgy but fresh palate. Flavors of dry citrus and generic tropical fruits finish with citric acidity and monotone juiciness. Overall, this is a tart, fresh cleanser.
A curiously earthy wine with ripe fruits but also a sense of bitterness. Notes of gooseberries and undergrowth finish with an off-dry character at the end. Screwcap.
This soapy, unfocused wine has tannins and red berry fruit but little structure. The fruit shows a green streak that will not improve.
A very juicy wine that shows overripe fruit and an herbal character. It's soft, fruity without great definition and likely to develop quickly.
Very dry and with too much wood, this is an attenuated wine with a hard facade. It doesn't offer enough fruit for the future.
Light in color, light in aromas, light in flavor... that pretty much describes this decent but rudimentary Chardonnay. Airy pear aromas lead to a monotone, fresh palate with generic flavors of peach, melon and citrus. A pithy bitterness rises up on the modest finish.
This old-vine Zinfandel also has Carignane and Petite Sirah and is full of red fruit and decent spice but it falls flat under the weight of alcohol on the finish.
Hmm. A blend of 50% Sémillon from Amador County and 50% Viognier from El Dorado County that gives off much beyond a slight taste of Asian pear. Cloudy, it is also sharp and herbal.
Soft aromas of raisin and prune lack vitality and indicate what's to come. The wine feels flabby and awkward on the palate, with only light acidity pumping up generic flavors that include coffee, herbal berry and chocolate.
This is a round, creamy, soft Chardonnay with resiny aromas. A strange, forced oak flavor dominates the flavor profile, which includes spice more than fruit. On the finish, oak and resin are about all you get.
Juicy but not quite ripe, this is a green and herbal wine that is not worth aging. Drink it over the next few years.
A hard and tannic wine, with too much dryness for pleasure. It's not likely to soften enough to balance out.
A dusty Amador County-dominant old-vine Zinfandel with plenty of spicy berry, mocha and licorice flavor. Packaged in a psychedelically inspired label, it'll go down easy on those late-night when listening to music is the best thing to do and plenty of barbecued meat is lying around.
Aromas suggesting ripe plum, exotic spice, blue flower and a whiff of pipe tobacco take shape in the glass. The full-bodied palate doles out ripe black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and a hint of star anise while velvety tannins give it a polished feel. An espresso note signals the close. Drink 2018–2026.
The spicy and earthy nose on this sprightly bottling from the iconic vineyard is superb: pressed mulberry, beet and rhubarb aromas lifted by thyme, star anise and bay leaf. The palate is slightly mellower, with rounded pomegranate and cherry notes cut by pine needle-like spice.
This Malibu winery's bottling from the historic Bien Nacido vineyard is lush with lemon curd, buttered croissant and brown spice aromas. The palate is both plush and vibrant, its apple cream and poached pear favors enlivened with sea salt, lemon rind and slate accents. It's complex and awesome.
There's so much body and ripeness in this bold, dry-style Riesling, it's admittedly blousy, but irresistibly so. Voluptuous and alcoholic on the palate, it shows intensely concentrated peach and cantaloupe flavors, as well as a sensual, almost oily, mineral richness. It may not age for decades but offers plenty of hedonistic enjoyment through 2021.
Pristine orange blossom and tangerine hints turn riper and richer on the palate in this delicately honeyed Riesling. It's lively and deft in mouthfeel, with sweet yellow cherry and peach flavors that dart on the midpalate. A sun-filled yet gorgeously balanced wine, it's calibrated by scintillating acidity and a mineral sheen on the finish.
A whiff of smoked nuts lends savory complexity to bright tangerine, pineapple and white floral aromas in this gorgeously steel-toned wine. Dry and minera, yet silken in texture, it hits the palate with staccato notes of crunchy stone fruit, lemon and lime. It's bracing and brisk now but should meld beautifully over the next decade.
Vibrant red plum and cherry aromas meet hibiscus, cinnamon and a touch of inviting cotton candy on the nose of this bottling. The palate brims with cinnamon spice, baked strawberry and red plum, further enhanced by licorice and ginger snap flavors. The structure is elegantly grippy.
From an estate vineyard planted partially to the Robert Young clone, this full-bodied wine opens with doughy biscuit and oak aromas, building towards richer notes of apple and honey. Dark in color despite its youth, it shows high-toned stony notes of minerality on the palate.
Crisp and delicious, this elegant wine delivers aromas and flavors of green apple, crushed stone, ripe pear and a hint of pastry cream. Bright acidity lifts the creamy flavors while a tangerine note gives it a clean mouthwatering finish.
Red berry, pressed violet, tilled earth and new leather are some of the aromas you'll find on this. On the concentrated palate, notes of licorice, clove and tobacco accent a core of black cherry set against a backbone of firm fine-grained tannins. A coffee note wraps up the finish.
A blend of the winemakers' two favorite vats, this is intended to give the best impression of the vintage. It's bold, ripe and full of dark fruit and big tannins. With nine months of barrel age, it has filled out and will be ready to drink from 2019.
The combination of two naturally tannic grapes has inevitably produced a tannic wine. But the ripe layer of rich black fruits acts as a foil to the density of the wine and gives it both balance and a good future. This is a serious wine that needs to age, so drink from 2020.
Fascinating earthy, spicy aromas and flavors give an extra dimension to this full-bodied and richly textured wine. New leather, cardamom, and cumin scents infuse the aroma, while ripe but not sweet black currant, dark cherry and clove flavors flood the palate. It's rich enough to enjoy now but will be best after 2019.
Tarry aromas of blackberry and freshly applied asphalt set up a full-bodied palate with sandpaper tannins. Blackberry and toast flavors taste a little burnt, while an oak-based blackened element is present on a stout finish. Drink this blocky and lusty Malbec through 2023.
A shower of crushed minerals lends transparency to this fleshy dry Riesling. It's bold in body and alcohol, heaving lusciously with ripe tangerine, peach and nectarine flavors, but zesty acidity adds levity. The finish is warm and smoky but long and languorous.
A fine blend of ripe fruit and crisp red berry flavors, this negociant wine produced by Domaine Dujac is structured and generous. The bright acidity reflects the vintage while the structure and tannins reflect the appellation. Together, they will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2019.
Rich in rose scents, this is an extremely light, crisply textured wine, with subtle pomegranate, tart cherry and orange flavors. Silky and delicate, it offers a wealth of acidity.
The flagship estate of the Vigouroux family, this medieval castle on a hill is also a hotel. The vineyard produces powerful wines like this, packed with dusty tannins and with dark berry fruits and fine concentration. It is a wine to age, drink from 2020.
This comes from an underrated appellation, in the shadow of the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard. It's touched lightly by wood aging, showing ripe yellow fruit and a cool streak of minerality. Still young, it's developing well and will be ready to drink from 2018.
Black in color, this smells of olive, eucalyptus and tarry berry, much like you'd get from a high-end Chilean red. An extracted massive palate is dense and layered, while this tastes of salty black plum and black currant. A toasty smooth finish with mild tannins is herbal and balsamic. Drink through 2021.
Silky and voluptuous, this is a compelling example of the rare variety being able to shine in the Napa Valley when put in the right hands. From a small vintage (only the second for this wine), it shines in peach, green apple and honey flavors, chased by crisp acidity.
Big, rich and rewarding, this wine opens with a bouquet of honeysuckle and apple blossom. It offers high acidity and robust oak in equal, complementary measure, as melon, apple and caramel flavors weigh in the smoothly textured palate.
Dark purple fruit is upstaged by the strong umami character on the nose of this blend of 41% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre and 27% Grenache, reminiscent of soy, shiitake mushroom and beef jerky. There is a rustic and gamy quality to the dark berry-laced palate, with meat, leather and spice qualities, lifted by a touch of licorice.
Aromas of blackberry, strawberry and chocolate open for flavors of blackberry, Red Delicious apple peel, aniseed and vanilla. This wine is harmonious on the palate with understated tannins and breakthrough notes of summer peach on the finish.
Potent, inky aromas of blackberry and licorice reflect this beefy Malbec's opaque black color. In the mouth, this is energetic and not just heavy and extracted. Lightly salted black-fruit flavors are lifted by acidity, while this finishes deep and strong. Drink through 2022.
This reserve wine is a ripe and smooth blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca. New wood aging for nine months has brought out the ripeness of the fruit and added a spicy edge. Still young, its black fruit and structure need further developing. Drink from 2019.
An old vine field blend from the family-owned estate, this wine is dense with both tannin and ripe black fruit. Plum and blackberry flavors are balanced by acidity and chalky texture. Drink now.
Red-violet in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cocoa and freshly ground coffee. It is soft on entry, but velvety tannins and flavors of blackberry, vanilla, espresso bean and a soft hint of cocoa powder render it a more sophisticated quaff than first sip would suggest.
Compared to the excellent 2006, this wine is heavier, riper and jammier at every check point. The nose is baked and raisiny, while the palate feels saturated to the extreme and gritty as well. The primary flavors run toward baked plum and blackberry, while licorice, leather and raisin notes carry the finish. Give this lots of air after opening, about an hour or so.
Intensely aromatic with notes of orange blossom, honeysuckle and candied orange peel, this balances ripe tropical fruit and creamy butterscotch flavors with a shower of lemonade acidity. Made using grapes that were frozen post-harvest.
Big, smoky and concentrated on the nose, this has a ton of black fruit and char notes. This is mouth-filling, deep and powerful stuff, with a potent mash of baked blackberry, molasses and barbecue sauce filling in the flavor profile. It finishes long and roasted, with savory oak and saucy spice flavors. A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Monastrell.
Rich, round and concentrated, this is developing fast. The acidity is already comfortably embedded in the ripe red-berry fruit..
Fragrant yellow and purple flowers on the nose and palate of this medium-sweet Riesling add a subtle perfume to all of the ripe, luscious white-peach and nectarine flavors. Hints of wet stone and lime-like acidity lend a crisp, tonic tone to the midpalate, extending onto the long, lingering finish.
This bottling is even better than the 2010: drier, crisper and more elegant, without a trace of sweetness. It's balanced, with a long finish that should pair well with any kind of spiced food.
Concentrated and complex, this has structure and acidity, with a black cherry flavor. It's a ripe, powerful wine that could become more generous as it ages.
This shows the richness of the vintage in its ripe red fruits. It has weight as well as tannins, with a solid, firmly structured base of red plum fruit.
For a Premier Cru, this is surprisingly open and ready. It has a light structure, offering delicious, forward, juicy fruit that has been rounded out by wood aging. With its ripe character, it will be ready to drink in a year.
A rich, yet finely structured wine, this is full of acidity and bright green and yellow fruits. It's delicious, mouth-filling and refreshing, touched by notes of wood and citrus, with a smooth, toasty finish.
This is leathery and earthy up front, with cherry and berry aromas that come with a flower accent. It feels snappy, alert and slightly citrusy, with raspberry, red plum and vanilla flavors. It's relatively short and choppy on the finish, but it's fresh, with the proper amount of oak.
With balance and grip, this lightly effervescent wine rolls from a pretty pear flavor into a light tropical fruit note. It's hard to beat at this price.
A little murky and muddled on the nose, this has an earthy-berry aroma, with a hint of floral-based perfume. It offers acidity and solidity on the palate, which is backed by standard black-fruit flavors, with undertones of vanilla and raw oak. Very good, but it's a bit oaky.
Solid blackberry, cassis and cola aromas are an invitation to enjoy this straightforward, well-made Cabernet that's lively and bouncy, with berry and black currant flavors that match the bouquet. Short on complexity but long on fruit.
Soft, warm and smoky wine, this has a finely layered wood flavor to go with the black currant and red berry fruits. It's dry, yet warm and ripe, finishing with freshness.
This offers aromas and flavors of plum, savory spice and cigarbox, with an overall dry and focused character. A smoky spice note finishes the wine. Pair this with grilled lamb, pizza or steak.
Heavy accents of vanilla and black tea as well as sharp acids and drying tannins characterize this Petite Sirah. If you like your reds big, brawny and oak soaked, this is your poster child.
A popular 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah blend, this sports a distinctive floral note, like a whiff of baby powder. Light cherry fruit anchors the core, remaining balanced throughout the medium finish.
This medium-weight selection offers concentrated aromas and flavors of black currant and blackberry laced with accents of pepper and earthy spice. There's a bit of bite to the moderate tannins, while hints of tobacco leaf and cocoa nib spice up the finish.
Slight touches of smoked meat, iron, slate, cranberry, raspberry and dried sage show on the nose of this wine. The palate is a bit weak, with tangy strawberry and rust flavors.
There is a strongly caramel element to this wine. A tannic edge gives structure, though its fruit is less obvious.
A generic red wine with 13% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot, there's a thread of rich, ripe red fruit at the heart of this wine, which is medium bodied if not on the lean side, finishing simply. French, Hungarian and American oak did the aging.
This oaky wine smells like baking spices and tastes almost sweet. It has jammy fruit flavors, warm vanilla and cinnamon accents, a soft texture and vanilla echoes on the finish.
Entirely varietal, and given five months to gel in stainless steel, this is a dark copper-red wine that's noticeably earthy on the nose. Dry, woody and a touch sour in cherry and strawberry, it should be enjoyed chilled and with ceviche.
Fairly light in the glass, juicy aromas of fruit punch, red cherry and licorice show on the nose of this wine. The palate offers pomegranate fruit and fennel, proving quite fruit punchy all around.
Scattered aromas of horseradish, cotton candy and vinegar are all over the map but don't convey varietal character or purity. This new wine from terraced vineyards in deep, rural Maule feels clipped, with heavy tannins. Mixed berry flavors are bitter and rubbery, and the finish is grabby and awkward. This is a first release; suffice it to say it needs more work to justify its price.
Super light in color, with aromas of grape skins, nectarine and briny seashell, this rosé from Carmenère feels highly citric and shearing. Sour-leaning flavors of tangerine and lemon finish with tang and enamel-peeling acidity.
Extremely grassy on the nose, this also shows lime juice and a skunky cannabis character that starts to blow off with time. The texture is racy on the palate, but the grassy component proves rather sour and one-dimensional.
Named after the lightning bugs (bellugues means spark) that lived in the nearby woods, this wine is all fresh fruit and soft texture. There is a hint of caramel to go with the bright acidity and red currant fruits. The wine is a great apéritif style.
This wine reminds one of salty apple pie, with big, drying oak and a whiff of potpourri. Given nine months in 25% new French oak, it holds on to that toasty taste through the finish, with a sprinkling of bitter lemon.
Light aromas turn to vivid floral and fruity flavors in this semisweet and light-bodied wine. It's low in acidity and should taste quite nice with wedding cake, seriously.
This wine is tightly textured, firm and with a strongly tannic element. It will be better with food.
Aged in both French and American oak, this is a tropical and oaky expression of the grape, round and slightly sweetened atop a silkiness of smooth butter.
This wine has potent berry, funky earth and herb aromas. Its fruity-floral flavors are tinged with a balsamic nip and a tart, rather tannic mouthfeel. To taste a little pioneering in terms of wine style, don't be alarmed at the sediment in the bottle.
Jumbled, earthy aromas suggest pork and beans. This feels hard and choppy, with drying tannins. Baked, stewy, saucy flavors finish peppery and minty, with unyielding hard tannins.
Heavy aromas of oak, char and syrupy berry fruits don't smell entirely natural. This feels tannic and scratchy, with missing parts. The flavor of candied, sweet, dominating oak is front and center, while mint, carob and stewed berry flavors finish this off.
The wine is perfumed and full. It is so soft, missing tannins, and already easy to drink. Black fruits are super-ripe and generous. Drink now.
The wine is so soft that only the light wood flavors give it shape. It is smooth with red plum fruits that are rounded and sweet in style. Acidity seems to be an afterthought. Drink now.
Soft and fruity, this is a rounded, simple wine. It has apple and light spice and a gentle texture that is already approachable. Juicy and fresh, not a wine for aging, it is ready to drink now.
This extreme wine has vivid earthy aromas like wood smoke and cured meats and equally smoky, meaty flavors. The mouthfeel is quite dry and tannic, and any fruit flavors take a back seat to the gamey character.
Stalky, gritty aromas don't stir much optimism. This feels dry, hard and tannic, while salty, herbal, horsey red-berry flavors finish with some moderate heft and a clampy feel.
Pleasant aromas of stone fruit, candied orange peel and white gummy bear waft from the glass and carry through to the round, fruity palate. Ample acidity keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean. Drink up.
This wine has strong aromas like wood smoke and grilled beef, then equally smoky, peppery flavors and a tart, rather tannic texture.
Floral, spicy plum aromas come with notes of lemon and chili pepper. This Tempranillo is rudimentary, with a creamy, pasty palate. Baked cherry and berry flavors end with almost syrupy thickness and a touch of chocolate flavor.
Rich flavors like vanilla and fig combine with a creamy texture and sweet finish to make a cream puff of a wine. The texture is soft and acidity quite low.
The caramel character of this wine is less attractive than its background of red fruits. The two sides need to come into balance for it to work completely, so wait until late 2016.
Lightly salmon-pink in color, this wine is ripe, caramel-flavored and full of red-berry fruits. A zesty orange edge gives the freshness this otherwise full, ripe wine needs.
Reedy red-fruit aromas lack the clarity that the best wines of this style show. Grabby on the palate, this tastes of basic plum and raspberry. A raw, tannic, rubbery finish is the final act.
Oily and almondy on the nose, but also layered and stacked. Feels lively, jumpy and pumped full of acidity, then tastes of classic lychee and green melon. Full and driving, with citrusy zest to the tail end.
This easy and straightforward white boasts pleasant notes of fresh apple and lemon-lime citrus throughout. The palate is lush but braced with medium acidity that lingers into the close. Enjoy it now.
Lots of fruit is apparent right from the start, with cassis, raspberry, red plum and cotton candy aromas. Lively as can be, but under control, with huge berry flavors touched up by oaky chocolate and vanilla. Not complex but definitely all-out with the berry fruit.
Approachable now with an enticing mocha streak throughout that's lifted by the bright red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Low tannins and medium acidity make this an easy-pleaser for fans of the grape.
Rock Wall seems to release its wines pretty young, and this too could use a little time. A blend of half Zinfandel and half Petite Sirah from the obsidian-laden hills of Lake County's Red Hills area, a very promising spot for Cabernet in particular. Still hugely tannic, this mix is yummy in dusty black fruit, leather and dark chocolate.
A minty, light-bodied Cab with plenty of layered texture and flavors of plum.
Pure fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry, tart and forward, introduce this light and approachable Pinot. Elegant and stylish, without much staying power, it's a good choice for drinking now while your heartier Pinots rest in the cellar.
All stainless steel barrel-fermented, this is already a rich gold color and showing soft, quickly maturing apple fruit flavors. The finish carries a hint of toast, and the wine makes a graceful, soft landing. Drink up.
A touch of vanilla and sweet oak graces the brambly black berry aromas and flavors in this wine. Medium weight and round in the mouth with fine tannins and a lively finish. Drink now.
Foris wines reveal a winemaker with a deft touch on both white wines and Pinot Noir. Nuanced scents and accents of berry, herb, earth and stem come together in this subtle, balanced, and honest wine. There is no fakery or blending trickery to boost the color or tannins.
This comes across as the best Don Melchor that Concha y Toro has produced, and at $69 it should be. It's very ripe, with oak sitting atop pure cassis and plum aromas. The palate is sweet, juicy and packed with dynamite blackberry and black plum flavors. Dark, chocolaty and long on the finish, with ripe tannins. Drink now or hold for five years.
As might be expected from winemaker Roman Bratasiuk, this is a full-bodied, rich Syrah, loaded with dark scents of roast coffee, blueberries and baking spices. Blueberry, menthol and spice flavors dominate the palate, finishing long. Despite the massive richness, there's plenty of elegance, too. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
Already approachable, Mitolo's 2006 G.A.M. should nevertheless age 10–15 years. The aromas are slightly peppery and spicy, accented by hints of smoke, while the flavors are dark and savory, blending cedar, coffee, black olive and cola. The soft tannins amply frame the long, mouthwatering finish.
A deliciously ripe wine, all structure, intense black plum fruits, and sweet licorice and tar flavors. Bringing all these great flavors together are the fresh edge, the tannins and the dense fruits.
A little rubbery and tough on first sniff, but this pedigreed Chilean Cab settles with airing and soon shows exciting, fully ripe raspberry, cassis and blackberry flavors. The mouthfeel is perfectly cushioned yet intense, and the finish is ripe, smooth and composed. Ready to go now but should hold steady for another three years.
Like all of the Clarendon Hills wines, this is packed with intensity. It's full-bodied, with soft tannins and a slightly low-acid, natural feel. Aromas of menthol and roasted meat are backed by hints of blackberry and licorice on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Drink now–2020. Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited.
Sweet scents of apple, tropical fruit and sweet butter are layered amid nuances of smoke and toasted oak on this full-bodied, savory Chardonnay. While smoky and dark in profile on the palate, it's maintains crisp apple and lemon flavors through the finish.
Ripe but basic on the nose, this has dusty apple and sweet, minerally notes that are not sugary. It feels a little blowsy, but there's ample acidic cut to frame the dry, flavors of melon, green banana and apple. This has a simple finish. A blend of 80% Xarello and 20% Riesling.
This wine is light in body for a Côtes du Rhône, elegant and spicy, with silky tannins and hints of cracked pepper on the finish. Enjoy this blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah over the next few years.
Although only 10% of this wine was aged in oak, you can definitely pick up on some of the woody accents—like vanilla and faint toast—that spice up core of green apple flesh and melon rind. Medium bodied and balanced, a sweet spice accent lingers nicely through the finish.
A young Zin still in need of time to develop, there's an intensity of raspberry and blackberry fruit in this wine, and a softness throughout. It's full bodied, and its finish falls flat.
This wine shows good balance between the lively acidity and ripe notes of red apple flesh, pear and orange oil. The round mouthfeel of ripe fruit flavors are lifted on the finish by a tangy, green plum and lime zest accent. Drink now.
Dolcetto is still a rare sighting in Washington, and the vines that exist are still quite young. Not surprising then that this pleasant red is rather simple, with red fruit flavors and a subtle streak of pepper. The tannins are a little on the stemmy side.
A “kitchen sink” blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot, the Wild Z shows far more flavors of vanilla and black tea than fruit. A popular style to be sure, fine for everyday drinking.
In the light style of value Austrian white wine, this is full of crisp, fresh flavors of apple and grapefruit, with just a touch of pepper. Drink now. Screwcap.
This is crisp, clean and light. It is fruity with green apple flavor, and it has a tight texture. The finish is floral and aromatic. Screwcap.
This is herbal, with some flavors of green bell pepper and wild spice. The wine is light bodied and fruity, with attractive, juicy black-currant flavors and a perfumed aftertaste.
A refreshing and approachable wine, with forward notes of green plum, plantain, Granny Smith apple and lime on the nose and palate. There's a slight roundness to the midpalate, but a vibrant twang lifts the finish.
Sourced from the excellent Lewis Vineyard, this toasty, chewy Syrah displays black cherry fruit against a strong background of vanilla. At first it seems tart to the point of being almost sour, but as it breathes, the oak mutes some of the acid and balances it out.
Hard and tannic at first, this young wine grudgingly reveals a core of very tart cherry fruit, encased in flavors of stem and wood. A coffee-infused finish does not conceal the chewy, tough tannins.
This is a light wine, with a white fruit flavor and a taut, mineral character. It is all fruit with layer upon layer of pear and crisp acidity. Drink over the year as it's not meant for aging. Screwcap.
Lime and green melon aromas are a bit less than clean and pure, and the palate serves up a pile of jalapeño and bell pepper, with some lime in the background. Short on the finish, and kind of dilute.
This vineyard has proven it can ripen good Malbec, but here it seems as if something has gone sideways. There is a gluey scent underneath the blackberry fruit, and the wine seems chalky and disjointed in the mouth, with more of the band-aid flavors in the finish.
Smells a little warm with notes of stewed red berries and brandied cherries. Lightweight with medium acidity and virtually no tannins—this is an easy-to-drink option; given the Tetra-pak packaging, a great choice for concerts, camping and picnics.
Better than in previous years but still brambly and stemmy smelling. The palate is sheer and fairly hollow in the center, with simple buttery raspberry flavors. Shows bits of burnt wood, oil and heat on the finish.
Rustic and stemmy, with burnt, nutty aromas leading to a thick palate of stemmy black fruit flavors. Herbal, tannic and stemmy throughout, so at least there's continuity between the nose, palate and finish.
Stemmy, stalky aromas cloud over dilute fruit notes, while the palate is on the acidic side, which causes citrus and pithy peach flavors. More pith on the finish, with a hint of banana. Just o.k., with limited character.
Rough and stemmy smelling, and sort of scratchy. The palate is acceptable but that's about it, with creamy, sweet, wayward berry flavors. Finishes medicinal and a bit weedy. Similar in quality to the ‘07 Urban Tempranillo.
Opens with generic red fruit and candy aromas, but the palate is overtly acidic, which causes a sourness to go with candied, medicinal berry fruit flavors. After the tartness subsides, there's regular red fruit notes left over.
Some wines can hit 15.4% alcohol, as this does, and make it work. But here the burn and scorch from the alcohol simply overwhelms some excellent fruit. Detail is lost, and what's left is a hot, jammy red.
Sort of nutty and oily on the nose, without a whole lot of fruit to speak of. Overoaked for what it is, with a resiny mouthfeel and finish. Too much oak, vanilla and cream for a wine of modest quality.
A baked, sweet, candied Malbec with a gritty, sugary mouthfeel and sweet, zappy cherry and plum flavors. Hot and breaks down on the finish. Rudimentary.
Herbal, punchy aromas start it off, and the palate has strong acids and rubbery tannins in support of herbal, red fruit flavors that suggest rhubarb. Strains to show much ripeness.
Jammy and dark, with sweet, candied, offbeat aromas. Heavy in the mouth, with baked plum and berry flavors and then a reduced, short finish. Thick almost to the point of cloying. A strange wine.
Light in color, with stalky aromas that don't feature much fruit. The palate is gentle and bland, with distant orange and tropical fruit. Wheaty and flat on the finish, with an overall canned fruit quality.
Leafy and nettle-like upfront, but deepening a bit on the palate to show nectarine, grapefruit and tomatillo notes. The only quibble with this medium-bodied white from the winemaker at Nautilus is that it seems almost a little sweet on the finish (the stated residual sugar level is 3 g/L). Drink now.
A Bordeaux-style blend that is a barrel selection from estate fruit. The tannins are substantial in all the Cave B reds, but particularly so here––thick and astringent to the point of chalky. There is interesting depth and some high-toned red fruits.
Smells like Italian herbs, dry red fruits and tomato sauce, or in other words, a nice pizza. The palate is a bit tight and astringent for the variety, with cherry, blackberry and licorice flavors. Not super spicy or complex, but still tasty and varietally correct.
Peppery and herbal, with thin, tight veins of wild black fruits. It's an elegant style, with underlying minerality, though weighted toward a European palate.
This Muscat offers luscious honey, lemon and tropical fruit on the nose, with viscous waves of lemon, pineapple and warming spice on the palate. Not overly complex but certainly appealing. Pair with creamy cheeses and fruit.
With an intensity of almond paste and charcuterie at first sniff, this nice Pinot Grigio from the Sangiovese specialists at Vino Noceto is light in color but rich in mouthfeel, with a flowery, apricot flavor. Its finish is smooth and a smidge sweet.
Deeply concentrated on the nose with pure black fruit and whiffs of toast and wood, this Merlot packs a lot of bang for the buck. Full bodied and dry, it's mellow but bright, overflowing with cassis and black cherry flavors and a fresh, herbal finish.
Aromatic and bracing, this is a fruity mix of lime, nectarine and pink grapefruit. Foris wines are notable for their freshness, purity of fruit and overall immaculate winemaking.
The same Bell as the well-known Napa Valley winery, Bell extends its reach into Oregon to make this lip-smackingly good Pinot Gris. Gooseberry, melon, kiwi and grapefruit flavors swirl across the tongue, leaving a clean, fresh and very fruity wake. The moderate alcohol is an added bonus.
As usual for Casa Silva, this Carmenère is foreceful, minty, herbal and spunky on the nose, with a bold fruit aroma. The mouthfeel is robust and juicy, and the flavors run from herbal plum to berry to carob. The finish is herbal, with length and texture.
Dense and dark in color, this wine has a black currant flavor. The tannins are ripe and soft, and the texture has a fresh lilt to it from the acidity and fruitiness. Only on the finish do the youthful tannins show, promising medium-term aging.
Made using fruit sourced from vineyards on the highest terrace above the Tarn River, this fruity wine is made to be consumed young. It has a touch of minerality and some firm tannins, but the red berry fruit and flower note is already attractive. A blend of Négrette, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
From the eastern slopes of the hill of Brouilly, this attractive, open and fruity selection shows a fine red-fruit character that's laced with fresh acidity. It has a firm structure, which creates a solid base for the fruitiness. Drink now.
Soft and already approachable, this is a red-fruited wine, with ripe, well-integrated tannins and juicy acidity. It's round, fruity and ready to drink.
This is herbaceous, but it also has a ripe yellow-fruit character. It is fresh and crisp, with a great depth of flavor. Its bright acidity and tight-textured finish make this a food wine.
A classically structured wine, this has a smoky wood flavor that's balanced by a fresh black-currant note. It has a juicy edge, a dark chocolate note and a slight bitterness that should fade. This needs to age for 4–5 years. Château Loudenne is situated by the Gironde estuary.
Using fruit sourced from a 20-acre vineyard in Castillon, this is dominated by Merlot, with a touch of perfumed Cabernet Franc. It has an age-worthy structure, showing good balance, firm tannins and ripe fruit.
The intense herbaceous aroma is softened on the palate by the wine's lemon-curd flavor and smooth texture. Rich with intense fruitiness, this has notes of black currant and pink grapefruit, with bright acidity on the finish.
This wine is named after a windmill on the Conti family property. It is rich, with a spicy new-wood flavor. While it has plenty of structure, the acidity is subdued.
This is firmly tannic, with dark berry and black cherry fruits. Minerally and textured, it shows the full effect of Beaujolais's granite soil. It also has a rich feel that will evolve over the next several months.
Sweet graham cracker abounds, wrapped around a tart, lightly spicy note of apple. It's an interesting combination, a bit unusual, but it works.
This is a full and chunky wine, with thick blackberry and varietally correct herb aromas. The palate has a firm feel and good texture, while the flavors of herb, chocolate, pepper and black fruit settle on a secure, fresh and lively finish.
A crisp and fruity blend of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and the creamy Loin de l'Oeil, this has apple and grapefruit flavors. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.
Peach, apple and pear aromas are smooth and easy to like. The mouthfeel is juicy and fresh, which Leyda Valley is known for, while the flavors of citrus, apple and nectarine come with acid-driven snap. As a whole, this is more fruity and focused than oaky and heavy.
Starts with a nice mix of peppery, live-fruit aromatics along with earth. Has good weight and balance, while the flavors of plum, raspberry and black cherry are mellow and touched up by hints of spice, vanilla and herbs. Shows good character and composition.
Opens with floral berry aromas and standard-issue black fruit notes. The palate has moderate weight and stickiness, while the flavors of cassis, berry and rubber are smoky. Juicy and alert enough, but also dense and rich, with caramel and berry syrup on the finish.
Meritage wines must be Bordeaux blends; otherwise, they can be all over the map. This is an all-purpose, affordable red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Black cherry and olive, smoke and some noticeable alcohol (14.4% is credited) define a sturdy red in wide distribution.
Dark berry and meaty fruit on the nose, with plum and blackberry aromas. The palate is zestier, with bright acidity tempering any weight. The finish is solid, with nothing off or outlandish to consider. A good, solid, concentrated Syrah without a whole lot of varietal character.
Starts off a touch funky, but that subsides after a couple of minutes in the glass. Black plum and cassis are strong on the nose and mouth, backed by accents of vanilla, black pepper spice and roasted coffee granules. The finish is long and evolving, moving from black fruit flavors to cherry pits and ending on sweet oak flavors.
A young wine, with crisp apple and grapefruit salad freshness. It is bright, glowing with vibrant fruit and a light touch of toast.
Light strawberry, raspberry and Bing cherry fruit, medium weight, straight-ahead, nicely ripened. The tannins are soft and the balance works just fine.
A classic, boldly full-bodied offering of the variety from vineyards in Sonoma Valley, Knights Valley and Alexander Valley, this wine is defined by blackberry, cassis and mocha, its mouthfeel velvety and luxurious. The finish is lengthy and accented in sage.
Aromas of rose petal, violet, red berry and a whiff of baking spice lead the nose on this luminous red. On the accessible palate, notes of clove and chopped herb accent the wild cherry core. It's balanced, with bright acidity and velvety tannins. Drink through 2022.
Fruity and fresh, this opens with aromas of tilled earth, wild berry and cassis. The fresh, spicy palate doles out black cherry, white pepper, clove and a hint of green tea alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2017.
Pretty Nebbiolo scents of red berry, mint and leather emerge on this straightforward red. On the solid, balanced palate, firm tannins support red cherry, grilled herb and clove. Drink through 2021.
This opens with enticing scents of woodland berry, iris, wild rose and a balsamic note. The palate is still is still rather closed but offers raw red berry, chopped sage and star anise alongside bracing tannins and brisk acidity. Give this time to unwind and fully open. Drink after 2019.
Plummy blackberry and cherry flavors abound in this Cabernet Franc, anchored by a taut frame of fine, firm tannins and cranberry acidity. It seems lavishly oaked, but pronounced aromas of cedar and toast integrate smoothly on the palate. The long finish is marked by an enticing pencil-shaving edge.
With bright fruit and intense acidity, this is a crisp, perfumed rosé. Clean, fresh lines of red and citrus fruits are cut by the tight, mineral texture. It is both delicious wine and refreshing.
This is a generous and ripe version of the variety, reflective of warmer Napa Valley sites, and a wine that's completely delicious in its abundance of apple and caramel.
Time to rock with this new, lightly oaked cuvée from Esclans, a fresh, bright, full wine with forward fruit. Despite its alcohol, the wine has a light touch with a hint of pepper and rounded red fruits making it ideal for food. The wine will be best to drink from late 2016.
Organic grapes grown north of the Mediterranean port city of Toulon have produced a ripe wine with an intense burst of red-currant fruits given extra dimension by perfumed wild-strawberry flavors. The wine's richness means it will be better with food than as an apéritif.
This ripe, earthy wine with spice delivers a lightly tannic character. Rich, it's made to go with food, full of red-berry fruits and acidity. The aftertaste has a tangy, peppery edge.
A touch of smoke, fresh garden herbs fried in butter and savory roasted chicken show on the nose of this intriguing bottling, which also offers struck match, flint and noticeable oak. The palate is lush with roasted lemon slices, almond oil and cashew butter, leveled by a citrus pith that keeps the texture tight and intriguing.
Light wisps of raspberry and strawberry highlight a restrained sense of winemaking, allowing soft tannin to buoy the fruit and medium acidity.
Structured and soft, this wine is also delightfully juicy, bright and succulent in red berry with a side of crumble, topped in milk chocolate and brown sugar. Full bodied, it remains balanced on the palate.
Appealing aromas of whole lime, flowers and apricot lead to bone-dry but generous stone fruit flavors with plenty of hang time on the finish. It brings a lot of finesse.
This is a succulent and structured wine that's priced fairly and a crowd-pleaser to boot, a blend of grenadine, raspberry and currant that's soft and smooth on the palate with a restrained use of oak.
Aromas of wild strawberry, rose petal, clove and a hint of tangerine unfold in the glass. On the fresh palate, notes of licorice and leather accent a core of black cherry offset by silky tannins. Enjoy soon to capture the vibrant flavors.
Vibrant and savory, this polished white offers scents of perfumed white flower and ripe orchard fruit. The tangy palate doles out Granny Smith apple, white peach and juicy tangerine. Crisp acidity provides balance while a mineral note energizes the clean finish.
Lemon zest tempered by juicy, crunchy apple is the central theme here. This is fresh Riesling not from rock but from deeper loess soils: its usual verve is slightly more cushioned here and will make the most charming, soft intro for those learning to love Riesling. Purity and poise are a given and the aromatics will round even more with every month in bottle.
Fresh apple, lemon and crushed mineral tones are demure on the nose but gain power and concentration on the palate of this bold, richly textured Chardonnay. Denser and more muscular in mouthfeel than its regular-label bottling, it's accented by just a whiff of spice and vanilla cream. Drink now through 2023.
From a 1,350-acre family estate divided among five chateaus, this crisp wine is packed with red fruits cut with citrus acidity. Refreshing and mineral textured, it will make a fine apéritif.
Rich and lightly structured, this wine is shot through with bright acidity that offers a crisp, tight aftertaste. The red fruits flourish happily at the end.
Quite light in the glass but unmistakably pink, this Grenache-based rose shows a lime-driven citrus rind character on the crisp nose, gaining a touch of fruit from delicate watermelon and slight bubblegum scents. There is a touch of effervescence on the palate, where delicious and zesty lime, pink peach and more watermelon flavors come into play.
Estate-grown and aged patiently for 30 months in American oak, this is a beautifully-balanced, medium-bodied wine. It has the kind of grip on the palate that's great with rich foods and a very agreeable cherry-berry fruit flavor. The tannin component is firm and the acidity is lively, so each sip cleans the mouth for another bite of food.
An easygoing, approachable wine with lush texture and characteristics of soy, black olive and forest floor, this wine leans savory and quite minerally, with spicy acidity giving it a kick on the palate. Savory and juicy, it expands on the finish into a lushness of velvety goodness.
Intense aromas of mature stone fruit, apricot, honeysuckle and jasmine almost jump out of the glass. The vibrant, lightly foaming palate doles out juicy yellow peach, fresh apricot and a hint of sage alongside crisp acidity.
Shy on the nose, this wine evolves into a subtle suggestion of smoky barbecue—its tight tannin structure holding on for dear life against a subversive note of red currant and cedar. Full-bodied and quite robust, it provides a dry, tacky finish.
Minty menthol surrounds red currant and berry in this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Savory black pepper dots a tightly structured texture and weight that mellows appropriately on the finish.
Honey, butter, yellow pear, pineapple and vanilla cream show on the supple and soft palate of this bottling—one of the new appellation blends branded under the Nielson name. Sea salt and caramel apple show on the palate, which is underlied and bound by a rain-on-slate minerality, and finishes on an apple custard note.
Dominated by the local Duras grape, this spicy and fruity wine has an intriguing blend of juicy acidity and leathery tannins. It gives a wine that could benefit from aging while also being ready to drink now. Give it the benefit of the doubt and wait until 2016.
Drink this maturing wine over the next year or two. Leather, chocolate and cherry notes mingle easily, the texture is smooth and the finish is silky.
Cherry and watermelon aromas are fair and easy, while raspberry and plum-skin flavors finish pithy and citrusy.
This is a barrel-selection reserve, with unusual scents of pine needles and baking spices co-mingled. Deep cassis and dark chocolate flavors prevail, and the tannins have not yet softened and smoothed. Give this a few more years of bottle age.
Fruit flavors of pineapple and lemon are pushed forward, followed by a pleasing touch of light butter. The wine was barrel fermented in half new, half used oak. It's a fine spring/summer quaffer.
Not as full bodied as the tall bottle might indicate, this is instead a restrained, not-so-ripe wine that has an appetizing dryness, firm tannins and supportive acidity. It smells and tastes like dried cherries and cranberries, with a slightly astringent mouthfeel that will wash down rich foods well.
Black currant, graphite and meat juice aromas lead the nose on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. On the forward palate, notes of bitter dark chocolate and sweet spice accent blackberry jam and dried cherries. Tightly woven tannins provide the framework. Drink soon to capture what remains of the fruit richness.
Incense, exotic spice and red berries are some of the aromas you'll find on this Sangiovese. The palate offers menthol, coconut, oak extract, coffee and dried cherry alongside assertive, rough-edged tannins that dry out the finish.
Soft, ripe and juicy, this wine is full of ready-to-drink fruit housed by soft tannins from light wood aging. Mainly fruit-forward in style, a bright acidity kicks on the finish to balance the palate out.
Spicy cranberry/raspberry fruit is at the heart of this bright, quaffable and value-priced wine. There's a light dusting of pepper also, but it's the fresh fruit that stands out.
Expressive, not expensive, this has an appetizing mixture of spice, herb and smoke aromas, plenty of blackberry and raspberry flavors, and a soothing texture. It smells like black pepper, dried thyme and wood smoke, then turns more fruity in the mouth. It is medium bodied and slightly soft in balance.
Cherry and olive aromas are fair and sound, with a minty green touch. This offers a chunky, full palate and oaky, spicy flavors of black plum. The dark, toasty finish is solid, with kick and mild heat.
Earthy, dry and leathery on the nose, with slightly briny red-fruit aromas, this meets all the requirements of very good everyday Pinot Noir. Tea, brandied black cherry, spice and oak flavors darken up and turn chocolaty on the finish.
Classic varietal aromas of pear flesh and skin open into just slightly underripe fruit flavors. The wine is balanced and adds tart apple to the pear fruit.
A vivid gold color and spice-rack aromas like nutmeg and cardamom add a different twist to this medium-bodied and rather rich-textured wine. Those are probably characteristics from aging with oak, and they enhance the clean, fresh fruit flavors in a good way.
This is a forward, rather light, chocolaty wine. The berry fruit flavors are swathed in chocolate, and a suggestion of citrus keeps a frame around it.
Very fresh and refreshing aromas of honeysuckle blossoms, seared apple, lemongrass and kiwi hit the nose on this wine by James Ontiveros. The palate shows a bit of ripe apple flesh, but trends more toward sour citrus rinds. It's a very clean, crisp wine.
This is made in a style that will work well with foods looking for sharp acids, especially shellfish. Lemon rind, light citrus and peppery highlights are wrapped in searing acidity.
Made solely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of roasted coffee beans, toasted oak and blackberry jam. The warm, jammy palate offers black cherry extract, licorice, clove and black pepper alongside massively stringent tannins that leave the palate feeling roughed up and dry.
A rainy cement minerality on the nose of this sweet wine manages to cut through the sugared oranges, honeysuckle and ripe, tropical white fleshed fruit, from peach to cherimoya. The palate is full of honeyed apples, white peach and pineapple, but the decent acidity and chalky element stops it short of treacly.
Made to be drunk young, this surprisingly soft Malbec is ripe and full of smooth fruit. Juicy red berries come strongly through the light tannins that are accompanied by acidity and a fresh, fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
Bright berry and dark spice aromas waft out of the glass. A blend of Sangiovese and Syrah, the easy-drinking palate delivers blackberries, crushed raspberries and ground pepper alongside polished tannins. Drink soon.
Ripe aromas of apple flesh and apple blossoms trend toward guava on the nose of this wine from the legendary California family. There is a chalk-driven energy on the palate, though ripe fruits are prominent, with more apples and guava as well as steamed peaches.
This creamy feeling wine is dry and spicy on the nose more than bold and fruity. Candied cherry, raspberry and milk chocolate flavors carry mild spice accents, while the finish is lightly oaked in flavor and a touch chewy in texture.
Mas des Bressades is one of the standard-bearers of Costières de Nîmes, and this rosé is a perennial favorite. Red berries and cherries lead the way, wrapped around a core of citrus acidity. It's light to medium in body, with a pleasantly silky feel to the finish.
Plum, berry and compost aromas are earthy and a bit herbal. Tight, drawing acidity drives the palate, while minerally plum and berry flavors are sinewy and tough, with raw tannins steering a rugged, staunch finish. Drink this gritty Carignan now through 2018.
This plump, medium-bodied rosé offers hints of peach and melon fruit, then finishes long and citrusy. It's very pale salmon in color, with an attractive coppery tint.
Interesting aromas of mint, Christmas spice, licorice and blackberry feed into a dense, blocky palate with firm acidity. Ripe, loamy flavors of blackberry and prune finish with oak-driven graphite, mint and resiny flavors along with a note of residual cassis. This is half Garnacha and half Carignan.
Red cherry and raspberry aromas lead the bouquet, with secondary notes of red currant and savory herb in the backround. This is medium weight, with dusty but gripping tannins and a firm structure.
Dark in color, this delivers black fruit aromas along with a toasty note. While it's slightly hollow in the middle, it's wide around the edges, tasting of mossy blackberry and herb. The finish is toasty, big and grabby.
This is a soft wine, with attractive red-currant fruit and open, smoky tannins. It's well balanced between the fruit, tannins and acidity, which lends a crisp aftertaste.
The floral, candied aromas seem odd for Chile. On the palate this feels powerful and wide, with flavors of floral red berry, kirsch and spiced jam. It feels juicy and high in acidity; the finish lacks some texture.
The briary red-berry and plum aromas are earthy and rubbery. This is medium in body and a bit heavy, with just-adequate acidity and solid flavors of plum, berry and resiny oak. The finish is oaky and medicinal tasting.
Tank fermented, then aged in neutral French oak, this has a tawny cast to it and a soft, slightly woody flavor. The lemony flavor finishes with a mildly bitter fruit-skin note.
Always a good value, Recanati's Yasmin line is an easy-pleasing selection. Inviting aromas of freshly sliced peach, lychee and rose water lead seamlessly into flavors of green melon and lime on the palate. The finish is short, but clean and refreshing. Mevushal.
Soft aromas of lemon blossom, flower and citrus lead into appealing flavors of citrus, sea salt and spice. It's not an overly complex white but does not need to be. Enjoy this with grilled seafood, vegetables and fruit.
This is a wine that brings out a soft, tropical character allied to a citrus and a herbaceous element. It's open, attractive and soft, and it's ready to drink.
Light and fruity, this wine's berry flavor dominates the gentle tannins, while the bright acidity adds lift. Drink this in the next two years.
The wine seems lean, austere and minerally in character. It has stalky black-currant fruits, firm tannins and forward acids. It should age over 2–3 years, but it will always be on the severe side.
From the Stonetree Vineyard, this supersaturated wine is so black that it looks impenetrable. The dark cassis fruit is drenched in astringent, tongue-drying flavors of smoke, asphalt and tar. Though true to its variety, it's a tough, chewy, somewhat chalky mouthful.
A very dry Cabernet, with upfront tannins, this has highlights of soft plum, blackberry, cedar and chocolate. It's missing plushness and backbone, finishing a bit thin.
Rather heavy and green on the bouquet, with olive, raisin and herbal aromas. Tannic in the mouth, this has a beam of acidity that keeps it moving forward. It's herbal, fruity and loaded with green and black olive flavors. The finish is quick and oaky.
Not really sweet, and not entirely Riesling (the blend includes 13% Gewürztraminer and 10% Pinot Gris), this off-dry wine tastes like fresh squeezed apple juice, lightly sweetened.
This is chunky and mossy on the nose, then thick and chewy in the mouth. It tastes of blueberry and herb, with a rubbery note on the finish. A meaty quality runs throughout.
Hints of roasted beet and forest floor lend rusticity to ripe red cherry and plum in this full-bodied Cabernet Franc. Crisp acidity lifts and lightens the midpalate. Smooth supple tannins and a hint of truffle linger on the finish.
This is a lighter style of Pinot Noir than some produced in Sancerre today. It brings out perfumes and red-cherry flavors lifted by acidity. The wine is fruity, with hints of wood aging and a juicy aftertaste. Drink now.
Nicely balanced and not too powerful, this is an excellent dinner-time wine. It delivers measured elements of fruit and tobacco, light oak, smooth texture and good, light tannins.
Showy oak aromas meet good fruit and spice flavors in this lively tasting but smooth-textured and medium-bodied wine. Pepper and nutmeg notes accent the black cherry and blackberry.
Pronounced aromas of char, smoke and bramble lift with time and aeration, revealing prettier notes of fresh herb and red cherry. Plump cherry and berry flavors are supple and concentrated, but have a distinctly green, herbal tone on the midpalate. The finish is marked by a bite of fine-grained but delicately bitter tannins.
Zesty orange rind and apple notes take center stage in this unoaked Chardonnay, unadorned by trimmings of wood or spice. Full bodied and ripe, its easygoing style is approachable. Soft acidity marks a plush, slightly clingy finish. Drink now through 2019.
This is a ripe, plump style of Sauvignon Blanc, delivering ripe fig and melon aromas and flavors. It's not the crispest version you'll ever find, but makes up for that in its generosity of flavor. Drink now.
The aromas offer bright notes of ripe peach, flowers and jasmine. It drinks medium sweet, with abundant stone-fruit and floral flavors.
Typical Albariño aromas of white peach, white pepper and citrus fruits are about average. Bright citric acidity makes this racy, while salty tangerine, apricot and nectarine flavors end with pithy grit.
Aromas like apple skin and flavors suggesting dark cherries and boysenberry put lots of fruit concentration into this full-bodied, dry and firmly textured wine.
This wine is still settling into the bottle, with light spritzy scents of honeysuckle, pear and ripe peach. The off-dry stone-fruit flavors exhibit well-balanced acidity that carries through the finish. The concentration comes off as somewhat light but what's there is good.
The aromas of herb, kiwi and pink grapefruit are light and subtle. The tart flavors show more generosity, though the concentration doesn't quite seem all there.
Aromas of exotic spice, incense and aromatic herb lead the way. On the racy palate, hints of dark spice and cranberry add interest to the wild cherry core while vibrant acidity and supple tannins make it fresh and easy drinking.
Rustic, gritty berry aromas come with notes of plastic, oak grain and grass. This is raw, chewy and tannic in feel, with roasted, spicy berry flavors that run low on ripeness. A salt-and-pepper finish includes herbal berry flavors and sticky tannins.
This Mencía is grapy smelling, with rubbery, leathery accents. In the mouth, this feels grabby but juicy. Berry and bright plum flavors are also rubbery, while this is choppy on the finish, with peppery, spicy, toasty notes.
Ripples of fleshy, almost overripe, black cherry and berry are mouth-filling and plush in this voluptuous Syrah. It's amply oaked, wafting of toasted coconut, vanilla and spice. Soft, sunny acidity and feathery tannins cushion a moderately long finish.
Cherry and currant aromas come with soupy notes and a blast of animal fur. Although this is aggressive and choppy on the palate, it's loaded with grapy, slightly stewed berry and plum flavors. A similar tasting finish turns more rough and warm with airing.
Minty, menthol aromas and oaky sweetness create a flavorful profile for this medium-bodied wine.
Ripeness abounds in this densely plummy Pinot Noir. Full bodied and plush in style, its fruit profile suggests notes of maturity—flavors of prune and dried cherry glazed in sweet balsamic. The finish is a bit earthier, lingering on notes of spice and forest floor.
For less than $20, this delivers plenty of Pinot Noir character. Cherry, cranberry and beet root aromas and flavors pick up a hint of cola on the crisp finish of this silky-textured, medium-weight wine. Drink it over the rest of 2017.
This Moldovan blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 12 months in French barrels and has aromas of mint, smoke, black plum and cassis in the bouquet. In the mouth, there are flavors of black cherry preserves and black currant before the bright fruit finish.
This is a crisp blend, fresh with citrus and ripe with apples. Hints of the warmth of the region show with the concentration that lies in the background. The wine is ready to drink.
Made with organic Sangiovese grapes, this offers subtle aromas of red berry and underbrush. The straightforward palate shows plum, toast and red cherry while accents of white pepper and clove add interest. It's structured but easy drinking, with seasoned tannins.
You'll find aromas of red-skinned berry, aromatic herb and a whiff of exotic spice on this youthful red. Made to be enjoyed young, the palate offers sour cherry, unripe raspberry, sage and a hint of anise alongside racy acidity.
The 2010 La Petite Chapelle is firmly structured and tannic, but presents attractive aromas of earth, roasted meat and cedar, rounded out by savory flavors of black olive and espresso. Give it another couple of years in the cellar.
Honeyed but otherwise not overly aromatic, this full-bodied, corpulent Condrieu still provides enjoyable drinking. The weighty notes of honeyed citrus linger on the finish, but drink up over the next six months or so.
Aromas of blackberry, black pepper and a whiff of jalapeño get your palate ready for rich flavors of blackberry, tart cherry, black olive and mocha. Soft tannins, a smooth mouthfeel and a lasting finish with a touch of brightness make for a winning combination.
Salted peach, vanilla-smeared French toast and a hint of guava make for a very powerful aromatic impression on this wine from the Arroyo Grande appellation at the southern end of San Luis Obispo County. Those scents don't exactly translate to the palate, though, where the wine it a bit leaner than promised, with apple pie flavors the most dominant.
An aromatically arresting wine with a complex medley of corn silk, cream and an assortment of spices. It's on the lighter side, elegant in its styling, with tart lemony acidity that runs from head to tail and a lingering finish.
This intriguing combination of Pinot Grigio (70%) holds smaller traces of Traminer and Moscato Giallo. The nose is powerfully led by the Moscato, so floral and spicy in jasmine and briny seaside that it almost suggests Vermentino. Textured and light, it offers strong flavors of pear and a long, crisp finish.
This fragrant, light-bodied and savory Sicilian red opens with intense aromas of blue flower, rose and red berries. The bright, silky palate delivers juicy strawberry, crushed red cherry and white pepper alongside fresh acidity. Chill this for 20 minutes and sip on the deck for a perfect summer red.
A lightly smoky aroma shows the wood aging of this wine. It is toasty, with a mineral touch, and the ripe yellow fruits are developing well. Smooth and potentially rich, this needs a few more months to show at its best. Drink from 2015.
Pure Syrah from 14-year-old vines, this offers classic peppery aromatics, blue fruits, good concentration, and a hint of the Walla Walla funk that marks the better Syrahs of the region. It's lifted with excellent acidity and continues into a focused finish with highlights of coffee grounds.
Dense tannins dominate this firm and structured wine. Behind the dry surface lies fruitiness, bringing out red currant and berry flavors along  with acidity. The wine is potentially rich and deliciously perfumed. Drink from 2017.
Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this is a floral and fruity wine from a great Carneros vineyard. Offering sharp acidity and rounded flavors of honey and apple, it begs to be enjoyed with food along the lines of foie gras and fresh oysters.
Made from native grape Pallagrello Nero along with 5% Aglianico and 5% Casavecchia, this robust wine opens with aromas of black fruit, earth, game, leather and black spice. The dense palate delivers rich blackberry, black cherry and black pepper, with robust tannins and a solid acidic backbone. Drink after 2016.
Deep violet red to the eye, this wine offers fragrances of raspberry and vanilla. It has a silky mouthfeel as well as a pleasantly easy-drinking quality, with flavors of cherry, Dr Pepper, pomegranate seeds and eucalyptus that carry on into the bright and satisfying finish.
Refined aromas of toasted vanilla, spicebox, plum and tobacco are followed by vibrant waves of cherry, olive, dried herb and tobacco. The wine is elegant but has soul.
Made from 50-year old vines, this concentrated wine offers dense black currant and blackberry flavors that are layered with chocolate, black licorice, coffee, grilled red peppers, sage, oak and thyme sensations. The tannins are firm and drying; drink after 2018.
Although slightly off dry, it retains excellent tension and minerality. Pear, peach and pineapple fruit flavors combine in an elegant and long-lasting wine.
Elegant and full of fruit, it has just the right steely edge. It offers richness as well, with lemon and pear fruits showing strongly. Acidity gives a bright aftertaste to this wine that will age well. Drink from 2016.
An appealing wine with notes of coffee, blueberry and crushed green herbs. It's on the lighter side of medium-bodied, tart and lively with abundant herb flavors and fresh acidity.
The companion to the Hombre blend, this is 80% Malbec and 20% Syrah. The pairing works nicely, with the Syrah bringing details of anise, pepper and coffee. The wine has decent grip and definition, along with a pretty, toasty top note.
The nose of this wine recalls chilled fruit salad, with aromas of melon, pineapple and Delicious apple. Engaging flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, vanilla and clove fill the softly textured mouth and persist into the cooling finish.
Spice, berry, earth, leather, tobacco and blue flower aromas lead the nose of this elegant wine. The ripe, round palate delivers fleshy black cherry and raspberry, accented by white pepper and cinnamon and framed by polished tannins. Drink 2015–2019.
Though quite pale in color due to no barrel aging, there is a nicely rounded candy nose of bright green apple and vanilla, alongside some sharper spice. On the palate, more green apple dominates, along with lemon-lime, slight guava and an acidity that causes the wine to dance across the tongue.
A blend of Aglianico and Piedirosso, this savory, hearty wine opens with earthy aromas of underbrush and dark spices. The dense palate delivers ripe black-cherry flavor that's layered with black pepper, clove and cinnamon. A mineral note closes the juicy finish, alongside firm but silky tannins.
Earthy in wild strawberry, tart cherry and exotic spicy aromas, it's well-made and tight in acidity. Elements of black tea intermingle nicely within complex layers that are delicate and bright.
Pretty with aromatics of rose petals, this layered, complex wine offers restrained power and demure fruit. In taste, it's a mix of black cherries and that cola-like allspice that is prevalent in many Russian River Valley sites. The mouthfeel is round and soft, with just the right tension between tannin and acidity, with a protracted finish of toasty oak.
The shy nose eventually reveals suggestions of red berry, aromatic herb and a whiff of game. The bright simple palate offers red cherry, clove and an earthy note alongside mellow tannins.
Gritty horsey berry aromas lead to a medium-bodied, basic palate. This tastes of blackberry and savory spices, while the finish is mild in flavor and short on length.
Bright aromas of honeysuckle, honey and ripe peach lead to medium-sweet fruit flavors. The concentration isn't all there but there's still much to enjoy.
Initial aromas of canned peas and green fruits are classic Leyda. This Sauvignon Gris is intense on the palate, with a sense of green grape skins to the mouthfeel. Potent, racy flavors are herbaceous, while bell pepper is a key flavor on the finish.
Aromas of dried fruit and barrel spice lead to tart, slightly dilute seeming fruit flavors backed by lightly gritty tannins. It seems a bit evolved for its age.
Lots of grapy, raisiny flavors drench this wine with fruitiness, while a smooth, soft texture and touch of sweetness keep the texture mild. It's medium bodied, not at all tannic, and easy to sip.
Rather light, easy-to-enjoy aromas suggesting fresh strawberry and raspberry, along with equally fruity flavors don't indicate how full-bodied and high-octane this wine is. Still, it has a smooth texture and lingering finish.
Forest floor, porcini mushroom, violet and a whiff of chopped herbs lead the nose on this simple red. The straightforward palate is on the thin side, offering red cherry, a suggestion of clove and a hint of game alongside relaxed, loose-knit tannins.
Made entirely with Sangiovese, this has a restrained nose that eventually reveals aromas of black-skinned fruit and leather. The straightforward approachable palate offers roasted coffee bean and dried cherry alongside round tannins. Enjoy soon.
Full bodied and rich in texture, this wine has ample toast and vanilla aromas, ripe pear and honey flavors, and low acidity. That adds up to a flavorful, almost sweet wine that is soft and syrupy.
A rich backdrop of cream and toast bolsters this delicate apple-scented wine. While light in body and concentration, its lingering silkiness is pleasant and comforting. Drink now through 2019.
Pungent pyrazine-heavy aromas of bell pepper and asparagus are typical for this winery. A chunky palate is oily in feel, while vegetal-leaning, green flavors of pickled citrus fruits end with a salty note.
This is a simple, smoky wine, earthy and brimming in a mix of compost and mint. Medium bodied and moderate in acidity, it's ripe and round.
Fruity aromas of dark berry and scorched soil lead the nose on this informal red. The simple easygoing palate offers morello cherry and a hint of dried herb alongside soft, fleeting tannins.
This is a reasonably rich, concentrated example of Pinot Gris, but one that seems a bit repressed aromatically. It hints rather than suggests at fig, pear and melon, before ending on a weighty note.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, this medium- to full-bodied red features bright aromas of cherry, herb, chocolate and espresso, but turns dry and dusty-textured on the finish. Drink now.
Spicy grassy aromas of catmint are matched by unusual clove scents. A tough rubbery palate is where you'll find spicy blackberry and green-herb flavors. Pulling tannins are the driving force on this wine's choppy clipped finish.
This crisp, lively red shows off the herbal notes of Provence—what the French call garrigue—and tart cherry fruit. It's less ripe than many Côtes du Rhône wines, but bright and mouthwatering. Drink now–2020.
Campfire, animal, horseradish and berry aromas make for a slightly difficult nose. This Malbec feels pinched, with tannic pull. Salty black-fruit flavors finish similar, with popping acidity that keeps this lively.
Clean pear and apple aromas come in front of a citrusy palate with just enough shearing acidity to keep things balanced. Ringing, lasting lime and orange flavors are slightly briny, while this finishes solid and zesty.
The nose is rather shy while the round palate offers suggestions of yellow stone fruit and a candied citrus note. It closes on a hint of bitter almond.
Made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot, this has a shy nose, eventually revealing whiffs of black-skinned fruit and scorched earth. The subdued rather evolved palate suggests dried black cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside mellow tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining freshness.
Made with 40% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot and 20% Syrah, the nose has subdued aromas of red berry and cinnamon. The simple palate offers morello cherry and toast alongside evolved tannins. Enjoy soon.
Subtle notes of bramble, smoke and raspberry entice on the nose of this dry rosé. While delicate in concentration, its supple silken mouthfeel and yielding acidity are approachable and comforting. The finish is bright and clean. Drink now.
This wine brings aromas and flavors of pear along with light tropical accents. The concentration dips toward the finish.
Made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, the shy nose eventually reveals notes of plum and baking spice. The lean straightforward palate doles out fresh cherry and clove alongside drying tannins. Drink soon to capture the remaining fruit.
Made with 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a shy nose that eventually gives up whiffs of plum and scorched earth. The simple and zesty palate delivers black-skinned fruit and a hint of cedar. Enjoy soon.
Produced from Henry Fessy's own cru vineyards, the wine is fruity and very accessible to drink young. Generous berry fruits and soft tannins make this an attractive wine. The aftertaste brings in light acidity. Drink now.
The concentration here is enormous, from low-yielding old vines. The wine has the characteristic pepper edge, but the creamy character, the ripe lychees and green plums, are all more dominant. At the end, a distinct spiciness shows through. Age ideally for 3–4 years.
Seven different varieties make up this blend with Riesling (34%), Chardonnay (18%), Gewürztraminer (16%) and Viognier (13%) taking the lead. Aromas of flowers, mandarin orange and citrus are followed by moderately sweet stone-fruit flavors that providing easy drinking pleasure.
This 100% Merlot offers a lot of heat around its otherwise approachable lift of soft, smooth tannins and reasonable oak. Sage, cedar and tobacco provide a weedy aspect to the wine, offset by plenty of ripe blackberry and cherry.
Earthy notes of saline and cheesy leather accent plum aromas on this tight number with rubbery tannins. Plum, cherry and herbal flavors carry some bitterness onto a finish with medicinal plum notes.
Not a simple refreshment, this has a deep pink color tinged with copper. In aroma and flavor it's almost as substantive as a red wine. It has plummy, rich and slightly earthy aromas, a smooth mouthfeel, and soft cherry and spice flavors.
Grown in the southern section of the valley in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, this rare varietal bottling from this appellation shows aromas of cranberry, raspberry and citrus, along with some hints of oxidation. It's tart and full in feel, not seeming entirely varietally correct.
This is an aromatically brooding wine with notes of herbs, pepper and brown spices. It drinks quite sweet with a lightly chalky feel.
This is box wine taken seriously, even featuring a picture of winemaker Denise Wordenon. Fresh-squeezed blueberry fruit mixes with black rocks, milk chocolate and cedar on the nose, followed by an easy-to-quaff juiciness on the lightly bodied palate. It's not very complex, but perfect for summer barbecues or car camping.
Rough, animal-like aromas wrestle with piercing, fairly hot plum and berry scents. Rubbery, blackened, peppery plum and raspberry flavors finish oaky, mildly bitter and tannic.
The nose here is not quite as clean-cut as it could be, while the palate shows a little more focus. Crisp and zesty, if a little short.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this offers aromas of raisinated cherries, herbs, bittersweet chocolate and a whiff of barnyard. Medicinal flavors are backed by chalky tannins.
At this scale (170,000 cases imported), the quality is remarkable. Leafy notes accent pink grapefruit aromas and flavors, coming together in a harmonious, easy-drinking finish.
Spine-tingling acidity shines a spotlight on crisp sour cherry and cranberry flavors in this bristling Pinot Noir sparkling. Dry and a bit stark in style.
Prune and raisin aromas are dominant and suggest overripeness. Following that lead, this is chunky and heavy on the palate, with pounding tannins. Baked blackberry, prune and savory flavors finish long and dense.
Aromas of tilled earth, leather, ripe black-skinned fruit and a gamey note set the stage for this funky wine. The overripe palate displays fleshy black plum, dried blue flowers and bitter barnyard sensations set against a backdrop of soft acidity. Drying, astringent tannins cut the finish short.
Fruity aromas of fresh, dark cherry and a whiff of leafy underbrush lead the nose of this blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot. The soft, simple palate delivers juicy black cherry and a gamey note alongside delicate, fleeting tannins.
This crisp, lemon-flavored wine has a ripe, full character. It is rich with apples, apricots and delicious acidity at the end.
Smooth and fruity, soft and rich, this medium-bodied wine will be easy to enjoy at a casual meal or big party. The aromas are like black cherries, the flavors like candied cherries and the texture relaxed.
This full-bodied wine has an earthy, smoky aroma, an abundance of fresh grapy flavors and a soft but supportive texture. The aroma is pretty strong, and then the otherwise-generous fruit characteristics take over.
This simple wine opens with subdued aromas of blue flowers, red berry and a whiff of menthol. The informal palate offers raw, red cherry alongside hints of mint and anise. Brisk acidity and rather fleeting tannins lead to a short, drying finish.
Aromatic for Cabernet, this wine possesses notes of black currant, green pepper, blackberry and herbs. It drinks slightly off dry, offering lighter flavors with a tangy feel and chalky tannins.
This stalky, firmly tannic wine is still developing. Dominated by Merlot, it has black currant fruits in the background with acidity and crispness. Give this structured wine another few years and drink from 2016.
This fragrant, spicy wine is soft and rounded. It is still developing to give a wine that will be warm and full. It misses something of the essential fruitiness.
Fruity and juicy, this is an attractive blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, giving a tight, mineral-driven wine. With its pink grapefruit and crisp green apple fruits, it is young and can age, although not for long. Drink from 2016.
While there are certainly tannins here, this wine is essentially about fruit. Stalky black currants and berries dominate this perfumed wine with its fresh acidity and crisp, clean aftertaste. Drink now.
This delicious, fruity wine is full of acidity and crisp fruit. Light, bright and dominated by green and citrus fruits, it is ready to drink now.
This well-made wine in a rich style smells like ripe pears and melted butter, and tastes soft and almost sweet, resembling pear and peach juice. The texture is smooth and soft and the body is medium, so it's easy to enjoy.
This ripe, easygoing red offers fruity yet fleeting aromas and flavors of fleshy black cherry and baked plum. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy now.
In this straightforward quaffer, aromas of pear, melon and apple lead to off-dry fruit flavors with a full feel. The flavor concentration is light but it still provides easy drinking enjoyment.
Crisp and fresh with lively flavors of apple slices, clementine supremes, nectarine and a touch of honeysuckle. Lighter weight with good balance and a clean finish. The 2009 should be available, so drink up the '08 now.
Pretty well composed on the nose, with a core of blackberry. The palate runs narrow and grabby, but the generic sweet berry fruit is tasty, albeit ultrasimple. Snappy on the finish, with the gritty feel of cherry and grape skins. Good in a basic way.
A bit foxy and jumpy at first, and then familiar aromas of berry and plum settle in. The palate is jammy and tannic, while flavors of berries and currants seem roasted. Tobacco and olive notes are present on the chewy, weighty, textured finish.
A medium bouquet of apple, lemon and a touch of fresh young peach. The oak is there but not overpowering. The palate is well structured with good acidity and a medium weight followed by a lengthy finish.
Subtle on the nose, with restrained berry, cherry and citrus peel aromas. The palate is a little grabby but mostly fresh in its approach, with flavors of fresh berry fruit. Light and mildly candied on the finish. A no-brainer that's easy as they come.
Barrel fermented and aged in American oak for 15 months, this is a big and powerfully oaky Chard with dominating notes of butter, wood-infused stone fruit and apple pie along with a hint of grapefruit oil in the mouth. The finish is toasty  with a lingering vanilla bean note.
For a huge-volume wine, it's what we'd expect. Controlled oak results in aromas of coffee, vanilla, marshmallow and resin in addition to cassis and cherry, while the palate offers generic fruit flavors as well as vanilla and herbal notes. A bit puckery and scratchy, but keep in mind that annual production tops 1.3 million cases.
With 12 months in French oak, the Reserve Barrel Fermented Chardonnay is a rounder, more spice-infused Chard than Macari's regular Estate Bottled offering. As big as it is, the nose is somewhat muted with soft notes of pear and yellow flowers and the palate shows more as a result of the oak (spice, toast) than the fruit.
Very dark and grapey, with raisin, licorice and bite to the bouquet. Saturated and heavy in the mouth, with lemony acidity framing loud, generic black fruit flavors. The finish features ample oak in the form of butter and coconut. A little overripe and oaky, but on the right path.
This value-priced wine struts like it comes from a better neighborhood. The nose is clean and is centered on berry fruit, while the palate is medium in size, with creamy, sweet berry flavors. Mildly medicinal and candied, but good overall.
Redolent with melon and pineapple, this medium-bodied unoaked Chardonnay is simple, fruity and clean, with a tart, citrusy finish. Drink now.
Something of a letdown after the top-rank showing of the 2006, the 2007 is marked by a slightly sour, lactic character, which accentuates the wine's sweet-corn fruit. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft, maybe a little too soft—so drink it over the next few months.
Full of acidity and red-currant flavors, this is a wine that is light and fruity. It is crisp along with touches of wood. This is one of several Nicolas Thienpont properties, run by son Cyrille. Drink from 2018.
The wine is firm and structured although with enough fruit weight to give the wine a good potential for aging. Still full of young energy, it is going to develop balance.
The wine is all fruit with just the lightest tannins. It has great acidity, a lively red -ruit character and intense freshness. Drink this wine now.
Spice and some firm tannins mark this wine. It has a red-fruit character as well as a more earthy backdrop. With its structure it will need to sit until 2017.
This is a fresh wine that has been aged in tanks, retaining its bright red fruits and lively acidity. It is still young although it will develop quickly to give a soft fruit-driven wine.
The organic wine has tight tannins and acidity. The structure is balanced by red-currant fruit flavors. The wine is vinified under the direction of Michel Rolland and one of several family wineries under Bacchus Investments. Drink from 2018.
Some might say this is old-school Oregon Pinot, with an emphasis on herbal acidic flavors and thin tart fruits. Despite aggressive aeration, the wine refuses to open up, and the impression of barely ripe fruit and chalky acids lingers.
This wine has a generosity of tannin that can be distracting, as the rest of its boldness seeks to make room for flavors of tart cherry, leather and hint of almond extract. Medium bodied, it veers into ripe characteristics that can come off as heat, particularly on the finish.
Earthy, gritty, animal aromas are a bit raw as they blend with currant and red-plum scents. This wine lacks depth on the palate and flavors of tomato, red plum, herbs and oak finish choppy, drawing and tannic.
Aromas of bread crust, dried chamomile and mature orchard fruit come together on this. The palate offers ripe yellow-apple skin, vanilla and toasted oak alongside a vigorous perlage. The somewhat brief finish closes on a note of bitter almond.
Bramble, wet slate, nori, red spice and a smoky, iodine-like element show on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers dried red fruit and a gamy quality, dashed with oregano, marjoram and a cigar-like spice.
A fruity wine with a stalky red-fruit character. It has firm layers of toast and spice that are dominant at this stage and need to calm down. When they do, it will be a wine that is full of bright fruit and final acidity.
This wine is ripe and potentially rich, but is firm at this stage. With its dark tannins and dense structure, it will age well. Drink from 2019.
A cranberry-cherry flavor permeates this light-bodied, crisp and fruity wine. The aromas are as bright as the flavors, and it's also lively in texture.
Snappy aromas are suggestive of wild green herbs. A juicy, high-acid palate tastes a bit green like the nose suggests, with white-pepper notes. Green salad-like notes are maintained across the finish.
Forced oak is the lead aroma on this clampy, tannic Rioja from a marginal vintage. Pasty oak covers up dried plum and currant flavors. A raw, rubbery, scouring finish tastes dry and woody.
Soft and simply rendered, this blends 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all organically farmed in St. Helena. Cherry, plum and vanilla stand out amidst a medium-bodied undercurrent of milk chocolate.
Fresh and easy drinking, this light-bodied fragrant red has aromas wild red berry, blue flower and a whiff of baking spice. The brisk simple palate offers tart cherry, orange peel and clove. Bracing acidity dominates the finish.
This medium-bodied wine has a vivid smoky aroma that gives way to fresh strawberry and raspberry notes on the palate. It feels juicy, slightly tart and light.
Generous and ripe, this is a wine that is finely balanced and very ready to drink. Ripe tannins, soft texture and final acidity make for an easy-drinking wine.
A light, bright wine that has a touch of toast and lively yellow fruits. With a touch of pepper and perfume, the wine is fragrant and ready to drink.
This is a crisp and herbal wine that is both fruity and finely textured. With layers of acidity and green fruit flavors, it is bright, fresh and ready to drink.
The wine is full of juicy acidity along with some attractive spice and light wood flavors. It is still developing and the fruit is too young, so give it until 2018.
This is a structured wine from 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon that has plenty of fruit. With some firm tannins as well as concentrated blackberry fruit, it is going to be a fine wine. It was created under the direction of consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt's team. Start drinking from 2019.
The wine is structured with concentrated tannins and dense fruit. It has spice, wood-aging flavors and a firm aftertaste. That means the wine needs time, so wait until 2019.
This is a lively crisp wine with a creamy texture and a perfumed character. It is ripe and full with just enough acidity to give freshness.
Cassis, olive and a hint of nail polish make for a solid, Chilean-style nose. The palate has a firm, juicy feel and nice flavors of raspberry and plum followed by secondary notes of woodspice and vanilla. Peppery and a little resiny on the finish.
This Viognier is a combination of peach and honeyed spice on the nose and palate. Refreshing but with a round, fragrant curve, the wine has a velvety texture and finishes with a spin of peach and tropical fruit.
This fumé has a zesty character, with aromas of tropical fruit and flowers and fresh, fun flavors of peach, citrus and pineapple. The oak offers spice for added character, and clean acidity makes it a great find for fresh, summer meals.
Light and balanced, this Pinot Noir is from Illinois Valley vineyards in southwest Oregon—quite different from the Willamette Valley sites that are most often associated with Oregon wines. It's a delicate wine, with 13% alcohol, and a mouthfeel much like a simple Bourgogne. A fine choice for everyday drinking with poultry dishes.
Here's a satiny, approachable red blend with notes of black currant, brandy-soaked cherry and a touch of vanilla bean on the nose and mouth. A savory peppery spice reveals itself on the end, with moderate tannins lingering through the close.
The hot, overweight 2003 vintage has not been kind to this licorice- and dark chocolate-flavored wine. It is dry, firm, while still garishly rich. If you have it, drink it now.
Crisp and palate-cleansing, this southern Oregon Pinot Gris shows a nice mix of green berries, tree fruit and even some unripe banana. Good concentration and length, with a finish that invites the next sip immediately.
Light and easy-drinking with fresh notes of lemon citrus, watercress and a touch of wild field grass. Clean acidity and herbal flavors carry through the palate to the crisp finish. Drink now.
Opens with aromas of lettuce, underripe peach and mineral water. The palate is healthy and crisp, with lemony acids and fresh flavors of green fruits and lettuce leaf. Clean but lightly bitter.
There are very ripe aromas of kirsch, cassis, licorice and root beer on the nose of this bottling, which begin to evolve into prunes, dried figs and raisins with time. The cola spice flavor is strong as are the prune and milk chocolate, all of which ride a strong tannic frame.
Spice, vanilla and oak abound in this barrel-aged Chardonnay, but it's a neatly balanced wine with crisp-tart apple and pear flavors. Brisk acidity off sets a palate that's rich and substantial in texture.
This shows vanilla, clove, barrel spice and dark fruit aromas. Its fruit flavors are full and laced with upfront barrel notes. It seems a little boozy.
This leads with aromatic herb, wild berry and oak-driven spice notes. The tight, taut palate offers licorice, clove, baking spice, crushed sage and dried black cherry flavors but lacks fruit richness. It's framed by firm, close-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
Vanilla, cocoa, barrel spice and herb aromas are followed by creamy fruit and barrel flavors. The vanilla notes overwhelm the nose and palate, however, distracting from the fruit.
Ripe, lifted blackberry and plum notes are tinged with game and garrigue in this luscious, full-bodied Meritage. An unusual dose of Carmenère lends an earthy, savory character that balances an otherwise plush, fruity palate. The finish is framed with fine, soft tannins and a lingering spice note.
This wine's black-skinned berry, cooking spice and violet aromas drift out of the glass while the racy palate offers ripe black cherry and cranberry jam flavors with a touch of clove. Brisk acidity and supple tannins provide the framework. Enjoy through 2020.
Fresh boysenberry aromas are lifted by dried dill, black pepper and black olive on the spice-driven nose of this bottling. Tangy plum and underrripe berry flavors pop on the tense palate, where anise, oregano and marjoram round out the experience.
Blackberries, asphalt, char and black pepper show on the nose of this bottling from a winery in Morgan Hill. It's a little thin on the palate, especially for what can be a thick and dense grape, but the flavors are solid, with dark plum, coffee and pepper.
This light-tasting wine is a soft and easy sipper. A touch less bold than the last two vintages, it still has plenty of fresh fruits like apple and peach in the flavors, light to medium body and mild acidity.
Full of warm fruit and light spice, this generous wine is rich with yellow fruits balanced by bright acidity and vanilla. The rounded texture and ripe fruit mean the wine is very ready to drink.
This ripe, full-bodied wine is made from biodynamically grown grapes. Although rich, it has enough acidity to keeps it crisp and fruity. The wine is balanced and delicious, ready to drink now.
Behind the main vineyards of the Côte de Beaune, this village makes some delicious wines, both red and white. This village wine, full of fruit, also has wood-aging flavors and firm spicy tannins. It is coming together well and will be ready to drink from 2020.
A mineral-driven wine, this is tangy-zesty, with a tight texture. Great fruit shines through the crispness. Balanced, ripe and with some potential, the wine will be ready from late 2018.
This blend from several vineyards is a soft, rounded wine. It has a good balance between acidity and ripe white and yellow fruits, shot through with acidity. A touch of toast adds spice to the mix. Drink from 2019.
The Domaine des Perdrix is based at Nuits Saint-Georges, so this wine comes from the Côte de Nuits. It is richly fruity with layers of warm red fruits and soft tannins. Rounded and ripe, the wine is an instant success. Drink now.
Floral berry aromas are drowned out by heavy scents of licorice and clove. A jumpy, fresh palate is raw but high in energy. Herbal, minty currant flavors are dry, oaky and toasty on the finish. This blend is made from six grapes, Syrah and Cab Sauvignon among them.
This blend of Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain fruit delivers brooding cherry and herb aromas and full-bodied black cherry flavors. The tannins contribute grit.
Bittersweet at first, with sizable tannins, this Cab also contains 13.8% Petit Verdot. Red and black berries give it a juicy palate atop dusty, chalky tannins and a richness of leather and clove on the finish.
A beautiful and lightly spicy nutmeg character lights up this full-bodied wine from the first sniff to the lingering finish. The texture feels very rich, the pear-tart flavors are generous and the spiciness is intriguing. Hints of tannin and tartness firm up the mouthfeel nicely.
This blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot is focused on cedar, crushed dried herbs and cracked, hot blacktop aromas, but also shows blueberry and boysenberry fruit on the nose. The savory palate coincides, with pencil lead, dried sagebrush and juniper, oregano and thyme and the ever-so-slight hint of dried New Mexico chile.
This deservedly popular value bottle gets the star Pinot treatment—nine months in French oak, 27% new. It's spicy and full-flavored, with resonant blue plum fruit, buttery toast and a tannic frame.
A juiciness of cherry and vanilla spark the opening of this wine, a celebration of the vintage, appellation and in this case, fruit-forwardness of the variety. With a backbone of oak and cedar, it has smooth tannins and medium weight, finishing in mocha chocolate. Drink now through 2022.
Sweetened tannins highlight a depth of chocolate and blackberry in this 100% varietal wine made in small amounts. Soft and juicy, it crafts a balance of richness and density around elegant spicy clove and cinnamon.
A sizable percentage of Cabernet Franc (19%) makes it into this wine, as does 1% Viognier. Inky and plummy, it's a full-bodied, brawny mix of ripe plum, blackberry, leather and black pepper, well structured and built to age. Drink now through 2020.
This grippy Cab exhibits the power of the 10% Petit Verdot in the blend, softened by 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Cassis and raspberry provide a fruity core around lush, tight tannins and a black pepper-seasoned finish. Full bodied, it remains elegant in the glass.
This is a rich, full-bodied wine that is ready to drink now. It still has a dry core of tannins, although they are overwhelmed by the rich, juicy black fruits and generous texture. It's a concentrated wine, high in alcohol, although that is really balanced by the fresh aftertaste.
Warm vanilla notes are laid across ripe nectarine, apple skin and a twist of lemon rind on this single-vineyard study by the Los Gatos-based winery. Pencil lead kicks off the palate, which then opens into poached apples and lemon oil, laid across a sizzling acidity that lasts long.
Fragrant and linear, this luminous wine is perfumed with woodland berry, black tea, wild violet and a hint of spice. On the sleek, polished palate, silky tannins and fresh acidity support bright red cherry, raspberry and white pepper. Drink through 2018.
From decades' old vines in the heart of the appellation, this wine conveys dusty milk chocolate and baked plum. It's 100% varietal, aged almost two years in 60-gallon French oak barrels. Softly layered, and full bodied, it's approachable now, linear in its acidity.
The oak aging, implicit in the name of the wine, is present in its smooth character. This bottling is in the elegant style typical of Famaey wines and also has weight and firm, concentrated black fruit with acidity and a dry core. Drink from 2019.
This is ripe and a bit raisiny with prune and fig notes to the bold bouquet. This feels chunky on the palate, but not fat or out of shape. Baked black fruit and raisin flavors finish solid and ready, with a note of licorice and an overriding sense of richness. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of French oak, coconut, vanilla and spiced plum lead the nose on this powerfully structured wine. The oak sensations carry over to the warm palate along with cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and menthol. Bracing, close-grained tannins provide the framework and need time to unwind. Best after 2020.
Leather saddle and chocolate overlay a juicy midpalate of cassis, blackberry and dried herb that's soft and supple on the palate. Tightly wound, time in the bottle should do wonders to tame the tight oak and tannin, and temper the powerful finish. Cellar through 2022.
Whiffs of turmeric and saffron lend exotic flair to this bracing lemon-lime Riesling. Off-dry in style, it's refreshing and quaffable, yet remarkably complex if you'll give it the time and attention it deserves. Drink now through 2020.
On the right bank of the Serein river, Vaucoupin gives rich wines, showing its sunny exposition. This bottling is ripe, full in the mouth and intense with fragrant white fruits, vanilla and youthful acidity. With freshness still to the fore, it will age and will be better from 2017.
Made from old vines and vinified in oak, this beautifully rich, very dry wine has both rounded apricots and quince plus a touch of toast. It is still young, fresh and needs to age. Drink from 2017 and the tense, youthful minerality will disappear and become richer and full.
From the producer's monumental Atlas Peak vineyard, this is a tightly wound, solidly constructed mountain Cab, blended with a handful of Petit Verdot. Tobacco, black tea and a sliver of coconut intermingle around a medium-bodied whole that will benefit from cellaring, through 2021.
Big, bold, dark and chewy, this builds upon substantial black-cherry fruit and supporting acids. Still knitting together, it shows highlights of cedar and tobacco, along with thick tannins. Give this a couple more years of bottle age, and drink after 2018.
This wine has a bouquet of black currant, cassis and juniper berry. There is a very pleasant balance of fruit and cool herbal flavors, with an emphasis on black cherry, peach, anise and eucalyptus. The sense of coolness that persists on the palate is slightly overshadowed by a flash of brightness on the finish.
From two vineyard sites and given thimblefuls of Grenache, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Malbec and Zinfandel, this wine is an ode to the winemaker's lifelong obsession with surfing, with a nod to the wildness of the California coast. Black licorice, dark plum and saddle wrap around tightly wound, powerful tannins and a pronounced minerality. Drink now through 2023.
Aromas of leafy underbrush, mature berry, chopped herb and mocha lead the nose. The firm, full-bodied palate offers black cherry, licorice, menthol and clove alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2017–2029.
Cool briary plum and blackberry aromas show lactic, creamy oak, which is nothing unusual for Cobos. Plump, dense and saturated in the mouth, this block-selection Malbec is extremely ripe, with medicinal black fruit and raisiny flavors touched up by mocha and peppery spice. An oaky, spicy finish is par for the course. Drink through 2021.
Tobacco and tar stand out in this densely packed, robustly built estate, 100% varietal wine. Full bodied, it's a study in dark chocolate and smoked meats, wrapped in oak and black pepper. There's some serious power to this wine.
Light bodied and highly aromatic in petrol, waxy apple and pear, this vineyard-designate is crisp and floral, with buoyant acidity. It lists the residual sugar at 9 g/L but tastes more dry than sweet, finishing with a touch of cream.
Smooth, creamy wine, its fruit layered with toast and piquant spices. The yellow fruit flavors are contrasted with acidity from a pink grapefruit freshness. It should be aged for another year.
Despite more than 8 g/L of residual sugar, this comes across as dry in style, with austere notes of crushed stone and lime zest balanced by riper hints of apple and pear. It should drink well over at least the next several years.
Round and velvety, it has aromas of ripe berry, chocolate and exotic spices. The rich palate delivers juicy black cherry punctuated with ground black pepper, cinnamon, carob, pipe tobacco and mint. Forward and sweet, this is already extremely accessible so enjoy soon. Drink through 2018.
Made entirely with Syrah, this concentrated wine delivers plum, black pepper, cocoa, coffee, fleshy black cherry and notes of bay leaf. It's plush, soft and savory but it also seems shy on vibrancy and essential energy. Drink sooner rather than later.
More aromatically restrained than its Oak Ridge Vineyard counterpart, the Atavus Vineyard wine brings notes of rose petal, herbs, lees and spice. The palate is textured with tremendous energy and tension to the fruit and savory flavors as they dance and tussle toward a long, graceful finish.
An impressive wine, it already shows signs of its potential. It is elegant, with ripe fruits and layers of dark tannins. As it opens, blackberry fruits come through strongly, balancing the firm structure. Drink from 2018.
This wine, from perhaps Montalcino's most famous single vineyard, opens with fruit aromas of black plum, black berries, cake spices and a whiff of new leather. The ripe, round palate delivers sweet black cherry layered with notes of chocolate and hints of vanilla alongside friendly tannins. While it lacks its usual complexity, it's juicy, delicious and extremely accessible. Drink 2015–2019.
Among the four vineyards used by Angel Vine, the Avery stands apart for its detail, grip and length. Blue fruits take center stage—plums and berries—along with a tasty lick of coffee and chocolate. You may pick up a hint of the tack room and a streak of fennel in the finish.
Primitivo is a close relation to Zinfandel, and it slides easily into the Angel Vine lineup which includes four other Zins. This carries a touch more earthiness than the others, with darker fruits and a distinctive streak of espresso. Good grip and density mark this as the most muscular wine among the 2011's.
A very dry wine, it shows the traditional Saint- Estèphe hard tannins. That suggests it will develop slowly, gradually bringing out the potential of the red berry fruits and acidity as it develops into a fine, complex wine. Drink from 2017.
Interesting highlights of English Breakfast tea and toasted grains complement the strawberry fruit in this blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Malbec and 8% Syrah. Layered and complex, it shows pleasing hints of lightly composted earth.
Consulting winemaker Charlie Hoppes has imprinted his benchmark style on Gamache fruit. This is a big, ripe, blocky but powerful wine—all Merlot as only Washington State can grow it. The ripe cassis fruit is enveloped in a mix of French and American oak, half new, yielding strong flavors of smoke, tobacco and mocha. A blockbuster style, ready to drink right now.
Saffron and honey notes are earthy and dusty in profile, but add striking complexity to a palate that's concentrated with peach and orange flavors. Strong acidity cuts through layers of luscious honey and fruit, before finishing on a pleasantly floral note.
Raspberry and plum aromas are clean and welcoming. This is a firm, well-built wine, with crisp acidity and solid but not grating tannins. Flavors of toast, chocolate, blackberry and plum precede a chocolaty, warm, cushioned finish. Drink through 2018.
This is 66% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, and 6% each Syrah and Cinsault. The accent is on fruit, blending perfect mechanics (the balance, tension and texture) with taut raspberry, peppery pomegranate and brambly marionberry fruit.
Dark in color, then jammy on the nose, this oaky specimen has heavily extracted berry aromas. In the mouth, there's a level of freshness offset by heavy fruit content. Flavors of berry and plum are chocolaty up front and finish with spice, pepper and additional chocolate richness. Drink through 2018.
Although the wine is tightly wound, it's ready to spring into full-fruited apricot action. Mineral tautness runs through this rich, concentrated and seriously-minded white. Drink from 2016.
Barely there but intriguing notes of pears draw you in first. The soft body promises refreshment and rounded pleasure, with just enough phenolic texture and a hint of salty minerality.
The wine is called 40 Barrels and every bit of those barrels is crawling on this Malbec-Cab blend. For starters, it smells more like hickory than fruit. Soon blackberry and prune aromas and flavors get into the game, but even then the back palate and finish are resiny. Some citric acidity in the center keeps it keen but raises questions about balance.
Blueberry with snap is the way to describe the bouquet on this fresh and spunky young Malbec. The flavors are sweet and intense, just like grapes off the vine. It doesn't offer much complexity but at the same time it doesn't taste confected or flawed in any way.
This is warm and loose, with fruit that is very ripe and just on the verge of pruney. The ripe fruit flavors seem to soften the tannins, which are also quite ripe and smooth. It tastes a bit like prune juice, but not unpleasantly so, with an acid base that compensates for the volatility of the finish. A drink-now wine, but it has its charms.
Straightforward Australian Shiraz, combining mulberry fruit with vanilla oak. It lacks richness and expansiveness on the palate. A solid effort, but a bit of a disappointment given the history of the label and the suggested pricing.
With a fresh but earthy nose of flowers, honey and herbs, this approachable white begs for food pairing. Simple but balanced and with a flirty character, it has a summer sipping kind of appeal.
Lightly perfumed, this wood-aged wine has soft tannins and an unfocused character, which brings spice as well as green fruits. The aftertaste is taut and earthy.
Round, pretty floral aromas lead into fresh, clean and spicy flavors on the palate. A hint of opulent sweetness is cut by spice and dryness. An appealing everyday wine at a go-to price.
Leafy and peppery on the nose, with light red-fruit aromas and some citrus peel. It runs more lean and spicy than anything, with hints of tomato leaf, fennel and sausage.
These are still young vines, and showing rather simple, though attractive, fruit flavors of raspberry, strawberry and red currant. Vague hints of pepper and rock suggest good things to come, but for now this is a bit of an underachiever for the price.
This flirty white is a perfect beach or patio wine, with its clean floral aromas and flavors and pronounced acidity. Balanced body and a pretty finish give it extra elegance.
Spicy and peppery, with lots of body and richness. In a word, it's true Carmenère. The fruit here is ripe and lush, with plenty of herbal essence, and for every drop of plum or black cherry there's a balancing hint of green herb and bell pepper, which does not signal underripeness. The finish is tight and long, with some espresso flavor. If you're interested in trying a well-made Carmenère, give this a go.
The name of the wine is an old word used to measure fields, and reflects the Gallo (no connection with the California winery) family's use of traditional ideas and techniques at Vie de Romans. This wine has full, ripe fruit, soft and with layers of attractive wood and vanilla flavors.
If you enjoy a really pungent, intensely grassy Sauvignon, then you'll love this wine, but for many consumers it will be too much. The descriptor “cat pee” may sound unkind, but it's apropos in this case, balanced by passion fruit and a long, lemony finish.
Slightly musky apple and pear aromas segue into purer flavors suggestive of apples, grapefruits and minerals. Grapefruit pith makes a brief appearance on the long finish.
Big and ripe, with cola, root beer and berry aromas along with rich oak. The palate is a high-wire act of bright red fruit combined with thick milk chocolate and malt. The tannins and acidity allow the wine to be aggressive, maybe too much so given that the fruit is somewhat tart and prickly.
Simple and clean up front, with inviting aromas. The mouth on this wine is broad and satisfying, and the flavors of plum, blackberry, black olive and buttery oak work in tandem. The finish is a bit aggressive, and here the oak is powerful as it leaves a bitter lasting sensation. But overall the wine impresses for its solidity and full fruit.
A slight spritz brightens the mouthfeel of this lemony wine. Aromas are a bit musky, but flavors of peach and lemon are correct, and the finish is harmoniously tart; mouth-watering and with a hint of almond. Best Buy.
A soft, almond-flavored wine that has fresh, green and ripe fruit. The blend, with small amounts of Chardonnay and Trebbiano, gives a feeling of fullness and roundness and is already ready for drinking.
An easy, full-flavored wine, with crisp, clean fruit, flavors of almonds and a touch of soft,ripeness.
Fairly forward, with aromas of lemon curd and the insides of many oak barrels. In the mouth are the full allotment of pear, apple and lemon flavors, while the finish sits down and dries out rather nicely. Tasty and refreshing, with just enough heft.
A bit of complexity dances across the bouquet: there's rubber, wood, anisette and mute red fruit; there's also some minty green aromas, too. The palate is properly round and buttery, with ample red-fruit flavors, while the finish is smooth and mostly satisfying. This is a basic Cabernet, but a good one.
Ripe, fresh and crisp, this wine has layers of apples and cream, a sense of structure and full-bodied, lively fruit. This is a great apéritif wine.
Everything about this mass-market Chard works. The nose has some pleasant nectarine and apricot aromas, while the mouth is racy and lively, and loaded with mango, pear and honeydew flavors. The finish is fruity, if a tad sweet. Nevertheless it's fresh and clean, and it leaves a good lasting impression. Anyone who likes a sweeter-styled white will fancy this. Best Buy.
A light, crisp style that hints at spice but shows delicious fresh fruit. The acidity shows through, giving a vibrant character to the fruit.
This is an oversized Pinot Bianco, fat and fleshy, oozing with peaches, pears and dried spices. Yet there's a tingle of acidity holding it together, preventing the wine from busting out of its seams.
Simple, open and ready to drink. The nose is floral, with hints of fresh pear. The flavor profile turns to citrus in the form of orange and pineapple, and then comes a full-force but fairly collected finish.   Best Buy.
Herbal and citrusy, this is a cleanly made Pinot Grigio that offers a modicum of complexity. Pear and citrus flavors mingle with notes of bitter herbs. Finishes with a hint of bitter grapefruit pith but also lingering apple notes.
A whiff of peach or apricot gives this Vinho Verde a little extra interest beyond its green apple and citrus flavors. Crisp and refreshing, with a tart, chalky finish.
The nose is standard fare as it offers cherry, plum and a hint of herbaceousness. Good plum and berry fruit carries the mouth, while the finish is round and smooth. The wine is balanced and entirely satisfying even if it is basic in its intent. As per usual, Calina delivers a good wine for the price. -M.S.
A rather hard, minerally wine, without the approachability of so many Pinot Grigios, but showing a more stony and focused side to this grape's personality. The flavors are clean and crisp; lime and barely ripe nectarines provide tartness and vivacity.
This wine from the Tiefenbrunner estate at Castel Turmhof is a lively, crisp, fresh style of wine, with flavors of green peppers and mint, and good acidity.
The rare local Friulan grape Ribolla Gialla is planted only in 240 acres in the whole region. This typical example is soft, with a clean, light acidity, white currant flavors and a racy, crisp aftertaste.
Smells of honey and lychee fruit, but without the bold exuberance of Gewürztraminer. Pear flavors the midpalate, then turns citrusy on the finish.
Very forward and young, with an overt, grapey style. This wine doesn't walk lightly, as it starts out more positive than it finishes. The plum, cassis and berry fruit is really ripe and active, but there's also some aggressive acidity that makes it more tangy and sharp than ideal.
A mild aromatic note of corn goes alongside basic pineapple, pear and green apple on the nose. The flavors of melon, apple and pear are standard and delivered in conformed, pedestrian style. And the finish has some girth and substance. Very ordinary but successful in achieving its assumed mass-appeal goals. –M.S.
On the nose, this is a bit unique, offering unusual scents of pineapple, baked apple and white florals. Just slightly off-dry with loads of sweet, fresh apple flavors and a brisk, lemony acidity, the finish ends on an elegant jasmine tea note.
Tropical on the nose, with lychee fruit and tangerine aromas. The palate is easygoing and fairly thorough, while the flavor profile suggest Argentine Torrontés as it deals lychee, powdered sugar and papaya. Clean, light, quaffable and that's about it.
This wine varies in quality and perception based on when in its lifespan you taste it. Now, toward the end of the line, it's tropical and hanging in there, with green apple, citrus and other typical SB aromas and flavors. Even with 15% Carmenère in the blend for kicks, it's standard and workmanlike.
This blend of 45% Grenache, 28% Shiraz and 27% Mourvèdre does show a trace of heat in its finish, but is otherwise a pleasant, medium-bodied sipper at a realistic price. Tart, slightly minty cherries feature undercurrents of chocolate and coffee, turning crisp and lemony on the finish. Drink now.
Medicinal, sweet and short on complexity for a wine of this price. The palate has a choppy, rough feel and then comes an onslaught of medicinal berry flavor that leads to a tight, biting finish that's big on acid and low on depth of flavor and intracacies you might expect for $80. More of a novelty wine; 160 cases made.
Pretty black cherry, char and menthol aromas gently perfume Tarara's Cab Franc. On the palate, soft black fruit flavors are not deeply concentrated, but ripe with firm grape and wood tannins for balance. Bright acidity carries through on a tart, sour cherry finish.
Apples and pears dominate the nose and palate of this blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Full bodied and fermented in stainless steel, this slightly off-dry wine is rich in texture, but stays fresh with a vibrant lemon-lime acidity.
Hints of freshly pressed apples and pears in a darkly toasted oak barrel come through. Deft use of new French oak results in a full-bodied wine with a lush, buttered toast richness that highlights sweet apple and lemon flavors. The finish is clean and lemony with a slight saline touch.
Quiet on the bouquet except for a dusting of oak and banana. The palate is heavy and wide, if a bit flabby, and the flavors of melon and mango run sweet, much like fruit punch. Soft and sweet on the finish as well, and overall it's good but generic. Not many Chards in the price range will fare better.
Heady white florals and tropical fruit perfume this charming Gewürztraminer. Full bodied and luscious with lots of fresh, white grapefruit juice and a mild, limeade acidity, the midpalate might feel a bit sluggish, but a pleasant grapefruit pith and white tea astringency kicks in on the finish.
Although subdued both aromatically and on the palate, this refreshing, dry Gewürztraminer smells sweetly of waxy white florals and lemons with a hint of bruised apples. There's not a lot of concentration of flavor, but its fresh apple and lemon flavors are clean and brisk, ending with a pleasant grapefruit pith finish.
Sweaty and sharp on the nose, with punchy, oily, green aromas. The palate is wet and basic in feel, with nettle, grapefruit and passionfruit flavors. Good in terms of core qualities but not all that intense or layered. A basic wine for general consumption.
Known more for its red wines, Wolf Blass nevertheless makes a creditable Chardonnay for $12. hints of vanilla and toasted almond mark the nose, while the fruit flavors veer toward citrus and stay there, turning lemony on the finish.
An attractive, fruity, unoaked wine. It reveals red berry fruits, light acidity and a fine, firm tannic concentration. To drink now.
Hefty and rubbery on the bouquet, with black-fruit aromas and some dustiness. The palate is fresh feeling, with full acidity and a mildly stretched set of lively berry and roasted flavors. Comes up a bit short and hollow on the finish, but good all totaled.
Lean and crisp in style, this is citrusy through and through. Although a bit one-dimensional, it's clean and refreshing, with a pleasantly affordable price tag.
Using fruit sourced from a small appellation to the west of Cahors and east of Bergerac, this blend of Merlot and Malbec shows a light, approachable character. It's full of red berry fruit, with sweet tannins and juicy acids on the finish.
Graphite, blackberry, cassis and toast aromas define the bouquet on this hard-smacking, wide-bodied Carignan. The flavor profile is dominated by rugged flavors, and the mouthfeel is bouncy. Loud on the finish at first, and then things go quiet.
This is a crisp, medium-bodied wine, with pleasant aromas of apricot, lemon and pineapple. A smidgen of almond nuttiness marks the finish.
Sämling and Scheurebe are two names for the same grape, a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner. With rich apricot fruit, this has a Viognier quality, but with crisper acidity. It is pure, fruity and fragrant, with just a touch of mineral-like texture on the finish.
This is dry, spicy and subdued on the bouquet, with a red berry aroma leading the charge. Focused and fresh on the palate, it has spicy, mildly oaky flavors of toasty berry fruit. Pinches of pepper and chocolate add weight and darkness to the finish.
This crisp, acidic Sauvignon Blanc leans green with pea and canned bean aromas, but it offers enough green apple and citrus character for enjoyment. The palate is zesty and lemony, with flavors that include green veggies, herbs, limes and tangerines. The finish is mildly green and citrusy.
This offers light berry and melon flavors, with a tart, slightly peppery bite. Good texture and overall balance make this a pleasant quaffer.
Tight and tannic, with an herbal edge, this stiff and rather unyielding wine remains a bit puzzling. Hints of cranberry, mulberry and blueberry are somewhat overtaken by herbal, earthy notes.
Ripe plum and blackberry fruits push this wine forward, with firm tannins and smokiness. Full and juicy in feel, this is a fruity wine that is immediately accessible and friendly. It's a wine that will age over the medium term.
At 6% residual sugar and just 7% alcohol, you might expect this to be dessert-like. But the delicate spritz and grapefruit-like acidity keeps it in the apéritif range, with Moscato-like orange-candy flavors and a juicy, fruity mouthfeel.
Tart and tightly focused, this single-block expression is pure green-apple fruit and acid.
Smoky and structured, this is a wine that has both firm tannins and balanced, juicy fruits. It's a fine wine to drink now, especially with rich meats, and it can age for a year or two.
This is waxy smelling, with a coastal vegetal note that conveys cool-climate grapes. The palate is short and clipped in feel, with a waxy, mealy note to the wine's core melon and peach flavors. It's chunky on the finish and is a touch mealy in taste.
The lightest of Wachau wine styles, this has a lilting, waltz-like feel. This is ready to drink, with a crisp apple flavor and a pepper touch.
This wine opens with spicy cinnamon and clove aromas before diving into soft, dark fruit, mellowed tannins and oak. It's brooding and zippy at the same time, and on the balanced finish, it's all mocha.
This is a unique wine from Mallorca with light cherry and raspberry aromas. Clampy, dry and tannic on the palate, it's full of savory, roasted barbecue flavors along with tomato and red fruit notes. Very Mallorcan in that it's salty and savory from start to finish.
This smells familiar and solid, with blackberry, licorice and dark cherry aromas. It feels medium bodied for a high-end Argentine Cabernet, with healthy acidity and probing tannins. The flavors of blackberry and raspberry finish crisp and slightly citric.
The fruit carries a pleasing sweetness onto the herb-flavored midpalate. Then aggressive flavors of stem and grape skin emerge, though perhaps they're too dominant.
A whiff of leather introduces this tight, interesting, southern Oregon Syrah. Black fruits, iron filings, and smooth tannins mark a wine made from grapes that were carefully selected (just three rows of vines) and given special consideration by winemaker Herb Quady.
This is an earthy wine that packs ripe fruit with structure and acidity. There is a juicy character from the red berry flavor that is given shape by the underlying tannins.
Though it was given twice as many new French oak barrels as the Estate bottling, this Vintage Select could be its twin. Solid and balanced, it mixes berry, herb and earth components, making for a well-structured, no-frills wine.
Despite some tough tannins on the finish, this is an intriguingly complex wine that may prove even better than this rating suggests. It starts with a garrigue note and a hint of tapenade, then adds bright cherry fruit and plenty of dusty tannins. Drink 2014–2020.
Crisp and refreshing, this blend of 85% Chenin Blanc and 15% Viognier is high in acidity with a creamy midpalate. Guava is most notable flavor, followed by kiwi and honey. Oysters would be a good call.
Named after the stagecoaches that used to travel through the Médoc, this château has produced an attractive, fruity wine in 2011. It has some tannins and firm wood-aging flavors, while the fruit is light and fresh. Drink from 2016.
Aromas include black berries, coffee, espresso and grilled Mediterranean herbs. The one-dimensional palate lacks the essential fruit richness needed to support the bracing, astringent tannins that give a drying, bitter character. It also displays evident alcohol sensations despite the modest alcohol.
Oaky and earthy, this estate Mourvèdre is on the savory side of things, ripe in stewed plums, tobacco and black pepper, linear and soft. Barrel-aged for a year in French oak, 20% of it new, the wine's oak imprint should continue to mellow with time.
Whole-cluster pressed, with 20% Marsanne in the blend, this displays fresh fruit flavors of apple and pear, with a bit of somewhat dilute green banana. There's a slightly waxy aspect to the mouthfeel; overall this is a simple, pleasant, clean but generic white wine.
The prune and raisin scents and flavors suggest that some of these grapes were picked past optimal ripeness. For those who favor an almost Port-like style, this Bordeaux-style blend will hit the mark. The finish suggests figs lightly splashed with balsamic vinegar.
Earthy and herbal, this inexpensive Pinot offers faint cherry tones and a structured, juicy midpalate. The wine's pronounced tannins take center stage on the finish.
With a touch of apricot fuzz and fresh-cut grass, the wine is high in acidity and clean, bright and layered.
Crème caramel and spice aromas are exotically appealing on this bright, full-bodied Chardonnay. Dry in style with zesty acidity and fresh apple flavor, the palate is a bit more subtle than the nose, but makes this a straightforward drinker.
Brambly red berry and sour cherry notes are fleshy and ripe in this brawny, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend. It's unabashedly primary in style with soft, plushy texture. Finishes with a bit of heat.
In this one-dimensional wine, short-lived sensations of stewed black fruit quickly give way to acrid notes of unsweetened espresso, farmyard, sweat and green coffee beans alongside rough, grainy tannins. A bitterly tannic close leaves the tongue feeling parched.
This serviceable red blend includes smaller amounts of Merlot and Syrah, with tart red fruits and drying tannins. It dries out the mouth with a chalky sensation, suggesting it would be best enjoyed with red meat.
Starting off quite reductive, it opens to reveal notes of lime leaf, mineral and freshly peeled tangerine. The palate drinks dry but doesn't have the acid to entirely stand it up.
A good-value Petite Sirah that's straightforward in texture and personality. Its blueberry fruit lurks shyly in the background and there's a send-off of sturdy tannin on the finish.
A scent and flavor of vitamin pill pervades this attenuated wine. The fruit hovers around flavors of rhubarb and pomegranate, and the overall impression is that the wine needs more time to pull itself together.
This very light, thin Merlot shows modestly ripe fruit and fairly substantial tannins, perhaps from the addition of 16% Petit Verdot. Flavors are herbal and the finish fades quickly.
This older vintage Syrah still has some fruit but otherwise shows drying tannins and leathery smoke.
Whiffs of smoke and dust add a savory tone to delicate flavors of apple and honeydew rind on this dry, zesty wine. It's medium bodied on the palate with refreshing lemon-lime acidity.
This is a stalky, black currant and spice flavored wine. It has relatively soft tannins while showing a meaty, juicy character. The wine is for medium-term aging, so drink from 2016.
This is an enormous wine, maybe too much. With its layers of rich black fruits and dark tannins, it is a powerful, juicy, jammy and super-ripe wine. It all seems excessive and out of balance. It's fun for a moment, but not for drinking with food.
With layers of new wood and spice flavors, this wine is highly structured without much fruit to balance. It will develop into a dry, firm wine, showing light black fruit flavors surrounded by textured tannins.
This was 40% barrel-fermented, and carries a whiff of oak in the aroma. Apple scents and flavors follow. It's fresh, forward and fruity, with simple, straightforward flavors.
An aromatically interesting wine with notes of cherry, cedar and nori. The palate is flavorful with dry, rustic tannins.
Melon and white-fruit aromas are more generic than specific. This has a lively, fresh mouthfeel, along with flavors of nectarine, melon and persimmon. A lasting finish has a racy feel but offers nothing more in terms of flavors or complexity.
Spiced meat, tomato leaf and stemmy black fruit overwhelm this wine, which might unfortunately be a bit past its prime. 69% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Plump, sweet and creamy in texture, with apple and citrus flavors that offer simple, straightforward pleasure. Good quality, impressive for the 50,000 cases produced.
Fairly hard on the nose, with a hint of plastic and then raspberry and plum aromas rising as it settles. The palate shows decent zest and body along with narrow flavors of berry and pepper. Finishes with mild intensity and a note of saline.
A blend of typical Gascon grapes gives a lemon and citrus wine, very fresh, tangy. There is plenty of acidity and an attractive lightness. Screwcap.
Light and delicate, this “Vintage Debut” Pinot Noir skates along a pretty thin edge. Light hints of strawberry and cherry blossom lead into a pale wine with plenty of acidity. But despite the acclaimed vintage, this is pretty thin stuff.
Confusingly, the wine has no connection with Château Magnol, also owned by Barton & Guestier. It's a soft Médoc wine, light and gentle in character, the tannins soft, merging with the red berry fruits.
Tight wine, its black currant flavors layered with dry tannins. It's finely structured, although the stalky element tends to dominate. Not for aging.
Close to Fronsac, this is a Merlot-dominated wine that has soft, ripe fruit. It shows sweetness and open berry flavors touched by chocolate and licorice. To be   opened over the next 2–3 years.
A wine that offers plenty of the charm of Margaux, with its soft tannins, layers of chocolate, smooth texture and juicy fruit. The wood at this stage is prominent, and needs to settle down.
Jammy and yet still savory, a fairly straightforward Syrah from the Clements Hills area of Lodi, small production (240 cases), 100% varietal and made using native fermentation, the wine has solid tannin structure and a heady texture, but could use more oomph on the finish.
Rather hard and baked on the nose, with a heavy helping of char and molasses. The palate is angular and tannic, while the flavors revolve around lemony oak and spice more than fruit. Spiky on the finish and sharp-edged as a whole. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah.
Not a ton of fruit on the nose but a respectable single-vineyard from Zin master Carol Shelton made from organically grown, dry-farmed 92-year-old vines, coaxed into a spicy, brambly wine from a very unusual appellation.
Purple in color, with grapey aromas that lack complexity. The palate is deep and dense but edgy, with sugary flavors of candied black plum and black cherry. Finishes sweet like burnt brown sugar, with some coffee and anisette. Syrupy but generous.
Soft red apple, hard peach, green fig and underripe banana peel all marry with an underlying yellow floral note. Light and easy in the mouth with a short but clean finish.
Smells and tastes slightly sour, with simple flavors of pineapple and citrus that finish with a tart edge.
The palate is big and cushioned, but the flavors are green, stewy and herbal. With carob and some veggies on the finish, there isn't convincing ripeness to this wine.
Strawberry, red plum and a strong hint of tomato leaf work the nose, followed by tangy raspberry flavors and a wash of acidity. Seems sort of scratchy and edgy, with a hard, dry peppery quality.
Despite plenty of weight in the mouth, this wine's simple apple and lime flavors are surprisingly crisp, turning nearly sour-lemony on the finish. Imported by Walca International.
Yellow in color, with floral, citrusy aromas. Not a whole lot of definition to the palate; it's wet but dilute, with unrefined, nonproprietary citrus flavors.
Tightly wound and acidic, with forceful red-berry flavors that are spicy and zesty. Finishes a little on the raw side, with cranberry notes and a hard crescendo. Tempranillo with Garnacha and Cabernet.
Roble means “oak” in Spanish, and oaky it is. The nose is creamy and candied, while the palate is soft, sticky and mixes raspberry with butter-like flavors. When people say they don't want too much oak on their basic wines, this is what they mean.
Hard and mossy, and not bearing much resemblance to Cabernet as we know it. This wine has thickness and a creamy definition, but also lean fruit flavors that hint at raspberry and cranberry.
Condensed up front, with aromas of berry compote and molasses. So why is this so tangy and tart in the mouth? Maybe the grapes weren't as ripe as they seem from the nose, and in the end it fails the all-important balance/wholesomeness test.
Zingy and sort of floral on the nose, but fairly pickled, less than pure fruit mars the flavor profile. White wine from La Mancha has never been a Spanish strong suit, and while this wine isn't cloying, sharp or dead on arrival, it doesn't add up to much.
Gumball aromas yield to scents of spice and wet animal fur, while the flavor profile settles on tart and thin, with a watery mouthfeel. This is a lean, funky wine that doesn't have a whole lot of Rioja character.
Rustic, barnyard aromas with flavors of hedgerow red berries and light acidity. The style is fruity; the sweet fruits are shot through with some licorice and beetroot flavors.
Edgy plum and berry aromas come with an herb accent, a spice note and a flower element. It comes across high in acidity, with shearing plum and cherry flavors that end with a feeling of citric acid. It's crisp and intense, but also tight as nails.
Rustic and full bodied, this Oregon Primitivo is plenty ripe, yet it retains nuances of olive and herb, along with thick red fruit. A whisper of smoke weaves through the finish.
Oscar Quevedo is one member of a new generation of winemakers bringing a breath of fresh air to the Douro. His everyday wines, like this one, are friendly, fruity and delicious when consumed young. This is a great wine for barbecue.
A rich, earthy mushroom note adds a rustic flair to this dark, ripe, full-bodied red. The palate is a shade sanguine, with hints of game and plum conserve and a ripple of velvety tannins. It's developing beautifully, so drink now–2015.
Brisk minerality and a hint of hazelnut add savory tones to this blend of indigenous Georgian Rkatsiteli and Chardonnay. It's dry and full-bodied, yet surprisingly sprightly, with bright acidity and delicate flavors of stone fruit and citrus rind.
There seems to be a bit of residual sugar in this wine, just enough to offset the searing acidity. Some nice flower notes highlight the aromas, with flavors of tart peach and citrus filling in the rest.
This is unmistakably a mountain-grown Merlot, hefty with dark fruit and layers of baking spice. Concentrated and ready to age another 5–7 years, it has a long and leathery finish.
This runs to the tart, lemony style of Pinot Gris, common in cool vintages. Citrus and gooseberry flavors are balanced against refreshing minerality, and the acidity is neither harsh nor simply sour.
This wine's crusty, minerally aromas of black fruit are lightly toasted and earthy. On the palate, it feels tannic and high in acidity, with roasted, earthy flavors of plum and raspberry. Concentrated and grabby on the finish, it has a touch of lemony oak and astringency.
This roasted and rustically pleasing Montepulciano, which is hard to find in California, has dry tannins, a layer of boysenberry and a leathery mouthfeel. Pair it with roasted chicken or rich risotto.
The bouquet is dense, smoky and rubbery, with powerful meat and berry notes. It shows vitality as well as mild choppiness on the palate, with tobacco, lemon, balsamic vinegar and black fruit flavors. Mildly herbal, it is somewhat creamy and good overall on the finish.
This opens with an oily note that's soon replaced by generic white peach and apple scents. It feels plump, with chunky flavors of citrus, kiwi and lime, and it's mild yet fairly long on the tail end.
Hints of baking spice, smoke and black coffee add kick to the sweet black-plum and cherry flavors on this full-bodied red blend. It's a big, luscious wine, with abundant vanilla and toasted oak notes, but hints of fresh herb and peppery black spice add balance.
Initially this smells green and candied, with overripe and underripe aromas. The palate is chunky and bulky, while flavors of black fruits and green herbs finish grassy, with notes of oregano and tarragon. Overall this is heavy, extracted, sweet and sticky.
This intense, slightly sour Zinfandel combines herbal/menthol aromas with a taste of vanilla-toasted marshmallow, the fruit jammy and minty.
There's lemon curd and apple in this straightforward, light Chardonnay. Cradled in oak and vanilla, it is mid-weight in both texture and body, and a good value for the price.
The tawny rim of this ruby-red Cabernet Sauvignon hints towards signs of early evolution. It's maturity is more evident on the palate with somewhat demure flavors of dark cherry, cedar and herb accented by touches of autumn leaf, soil and mushroom. Drink up now.
Concentrated in pleasing pear and stone fruit, the toasty oak and oily richness of this wine detracts from the fruit. It comes into its own with some air, the texture showing more acidity and balance.
Red violet in the glass, this blend of 85% Öküzgözü and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon has a nose of butterscotch and black cherry. Flavors do not coalesce completely, with cool notes of menthol and clove prevailing over flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and a hint of iodine.
If blackberry preserves and black licorice were made into a wine, this would be it. While Yarden's T2 dry blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cao is a very good wine, this sweet Port-style wine misses the mark. With a nose of blackberry preserves, cassis and rose petal—and flavors of blackberry, cassis, licorice and clove—it should be gorgeous in the mouth. However, the overall sweetness is cloying without necessary balance.
There is no varietal specificity to be found in this 100% Cabernet Franc. A wine labeled Barrel Select brings certain expectations, which this fails to meet. It's thin and herbal, with stemmy tannins and only a bare suggestion of black cherry fruit.
Very soft and dull, it offers white fruits and some acidity. Drink now.
Floral, dusty aromas are encouraging, but this is overly citric and aggressive on the palate. Lemon, underripe stone fruit and minerally flavors turn tart and pithy on the finish.
There's a hard edge to the mocha, herb and cherry aromas. The palate has blocky, dry tannins that distract.
Aged in stainless steel, this faint SB is herb-y and slightly grassy. Sweetness on the midpalate sticks around before the quick finish.
Wheaty, flat aromas are indicators that this is losing its luster. The palate is chunky, with melon, mango and canned peach flavors. Best to wait for a newer vintage.
Jumpy, young aromas of wet dog, plum, cherry and beet root set up a racy, high-acid palate. This tastes like medicinal raspberry and red plum, while the finish is light, scouring and fresh, with no oak character.
Pollen and dusty mineral tones lend earthiness to melon and lychee aromas on this off-dry Gewürztraminer. Medium bodied in style, it balances tart tangerine acidity with a round, rich mouthfeel.
Dusty aromas comprise the dull nose on this bottling. Once sipped, there isn't a lot of distinct flavor, save for some blackberry notes. It will work for a backyard barbecue of ribs and saucy chicken.
This off-dry Riesling boasts pretty fresh apple and floral notes on the palate, but persisting notes of dried herbs and spring ramps distract. Sprightly on the palate with delicate lemon acidity.
Ruby in color yet delicate in extract, this blend of Zweigelt and Lemberger is a concession between a red and rosé wine. On the palate, bright red-berry flavors are layered in unusual tones of caramel and spice. The label suggests it can be served both chilled and at room temperature.
An easy-drinking, weekday type of red wine that is smooth and light in texture and body, and modestly flavored with notes of plum and dried herbs.
The wine is candied and sherbet-flavored. Acidity gives some freshness, but it feels artificial and light.
A soft, simple style of Cabernet with mild cherry and strawberry flavors, light tannins, smooth texture and light- to medium-body. The flavors fade quickly on the finish.
Funky aromas of animal fur and lively berry are not that inviting. In the mouth, this has a narrow feel and high acidity. Herbal, tart flavors of plum and red currant are almost sour, while the finish is on the green and herbal side.
Tarry, stalky aromas fail to make much of a statement. This is high in acid and rugged in the mouth, with a mixture of herbal red-fruit flavors and distinct stalkiness. A grating finish is racy and hot.
Animal hide and roasted, stalky aromas bring overall quality into question. This feels raw, choppy and drawing, while flavors of stalky berry fruits are leathery and roasted. Hard tannins and green notes influence the finish.
Dilute red fruits and a tomato paste flavor are the story here, with no varietal character. Some earthy, roasted barrel flavors come up but are not well-integrated.
Pipe tobacco, raspberry reduction and a sweet sagebrush character promise an interesting experience. Once sipped, the overwhelmingly sweet cherry, cough-syrup flavor pushes this wine beyond a dry, and the typical Cabernet Franc herbs that emerge in the midpalate don't overwhelm its cloying nature. Good for dessert, by itself.
Dusty mineral tones and pressed apple aromas lend a savoriness to this dry, full-bodied Grüner Veltliner. The palate boasts a fresher fruit profile, with bright apple and lemon flavors that wrap up briskly on the finish.
Notes of rhubarb and cherry don't stitch together. It drinks just off dry with a tart finish.
Stony minerality blends with raisin, leather and leafy berry aromas. This offers cheek-stanching citric acidity but not enough body to absorb it. Flavors of herbal red plum are choppy and turn gritty and fiery on the finish.
Thick and rich with tobacco and dark chocolate notes, this vineyard-designated wine shows a generous helping of brambly black fruit, its midpalate baring the teeth of sharp tannin and smoky oak. It finishes soft and contained.
One of the few examples of wine made from roter, or red, Riesling, this slightly salmon-hued bottling showcases the variety's characteristically berried perfume. It's taut with acidity yet satisfyingly full in body, offering generous layers of sour-plum, berry and red-apple flavors. The finish is tinged by a lingering hint of caramel.
This rock-solid Carignan feels raw and snappy. Its ripe cassis, prune and vanilla aromas are heady but not overtly oaky. Lightly herbal plum and black cherry flavors finish dry and tannic, with a cool-vintage sense of freshness.
Sourced from Bucher Vineyard on Westside Road and Platt Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast, this wine is light-bodied and fresh on the palate, offering baked raspberry, cardamom, clove and forest flavors.
This wine delivers a full-figured spectrum of flavor and texture, including apple, pear and honeyed caramel notes. Supportive oak plays nicely in the background as the finish winds down softly.
Soft and packed with oak spice, this 100% varietal wine from a selection of sites shows rich blackberry and tobacco flavors. It has power, an approachable structure and a rich, layered, long-lasting finish.
Sun-baked earth and smoke tones lend savory complexities throughout this vibrant auslese. The palate is unctuously ripe, full of fleshy, sweet peach and apricot flavors, but it's keenly balanced with racy acidity and those earthy, dusty mineral tones.
Bosc pear, tart apple and vanilla bean elements make this a fascinating dry wine. Although the aromas are inviting, the first sip tastes austere. But as it opens, the palate and gains more concentration and complexity, proving sophisticated, layered and nuanced.
With its inviting apple blossom aromas, this wine is fleshy and bright, showing balance and complexity from start to lengthy finish. Lemongrass, nutmeg and wild vanilla flavors tease in the background.
This old-school blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon shows ample body and flavor in its unfussy approach to succulent red fruit and subdued tannin. Moderate in build, it has dusty acidity and a soft finish that will please a wide range of palates.
Black cherry flavor stars in this full-bodied, brawny and expressive red that's thick with jammy fruit and interwoven tannins and oak.
The Huber Vineyard is one of the few places where this grape grows in America, and the wine is always fascinating. Extremely dark in color, it offers unctuous black currant, graphite and licorice aromas. The palate combines mouth-coating tannins with a surprisingly light, acid-driven frame, showing woody elderberry flavors and the grape's telltale minty lift. Not extremely complex, but a fun and different sipper.
This is a ripe wood-aged wine that has a smooth rich texture. It is rounded with dominant toastiness as well as perfumed fruit. The wine has a cool edge that comes from the influence of the Atlantic while bringing out a ripe apple and apricot character. Drink this wine now.
Earthy iron, game and thyme aromas decorate the core of pomegranate fruit in this California heritage clonal selection from the Sanford family's home vineyard. Dark raspberry notes follow its firm line of acidity, framed by a grippy tannic texture despite its light body. Drink 2018–2024.
Sun ripened mirabelle notes entice the nose and continue on the palate, where they are joined by an earthy edge as well as a pervasive lemon freshness. This is slender and fresh, dry and very energetic. The finish is lip-smacking and moreish.
This is a richly structured wine. With its juicy red fruits and generous structure, it is delicious now. Berry flavors and acidity go with the mineral edge of the texture to create a wine that is packed with acidity, tannins and fruit. Drink now.
Grapefruit, crushed tomato vine, exotic fruit and aromatic herb are some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant white. The elegant medium-bodied palate delivers green melon, citrus and white peach alongside a vibrant saline note that energizes the finish.
Flavors roll from cranberry to sweet red cherry in a red-fruit riot. It was aged in 52% new and 24% one-year-old oak, but it's unobtrusive and not especially toasty. The barrel time has begun to smooth out any bumps and rough edges, though a touch of phenolic bite remains. Drink from 2018 to 2022.
Plump black raspberry and blackberry notes mix with vanilla and baked licorice on the fruit-driven nose of this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah. The tannic tension and strong acidity of the palate overwhelms the flavors at first, eventually revealing dark purple fruit and a vanilla-laced finish.
Made in a full-bodied and fleshy style, this comes from an estate vineyard long owned by the producer. Cloudy, with a distinct fresh cherry aroma, it opens with leathery tannins and pronounced oak notes before its bright, citrus-like acidity settles in.
A delicate but earthy nose shows aromas of hibiscus, pencil lead, sagebrush and bay leaf. The palate packs a bright vibrancy, showing flavors of tart cranberry, crushed black pepper, clove, more sagebrush and juniper. This is action-packed but lightly framed.
Lemon notes are subdued by earth on the nose but they shine on a rather textured, palate that needs some air to open up. There is concentration at the core and generous freshness that lights up everything. Subtle but totally worthwhile with a clean lemon finish.
The wine is rich and concentrated for a Muscadet. With intense fruits and acidity, it is deliciously fruity and crisp. There is a tangy texture that gives the wine zest and minerality. The aftertaste is so fresh and zingy.
Swirls of penetrating peach and honey flavors pack a mighty punch in this dazzling, sunny sip. Off dry in style, it's an easy going yet elegant wine accented by saffron, blossoms and reverberating tangerine acidity. Drink now through 2017.
Salt, chalk and grapefruit-pith aromas make for a judiciously restrained approach on the nose of this wine, which comes from heritage clones. The palate is mineral-driven with white rock flavors as well as green apple and lime-pith notes.
Bread, apple cider and yeasty complexity grace the nose on this Brut Nature. A smooth palate is now mature, ready and doesn't scrape or scour. Dry stone-fruit flavors blend with apple notes in front of a bready, toasty finish that has seltzer-like crispness. Drink through 2020.
Aromatics of raisin and earthy tobacco breathe complexities as this airs out. A balanced but ripe and mouthfilling palate holds deep flavors of blackberry and cassis. Loamy berry, fig and chocolate flavors provide pleasure on the finish. Drink through 2018.
Firmly tannic, this is the rare example of a lower-priced wine that deserves some time in the cellar. There's a sense of coolness and restraint to this wine at first. Hints of menthol lift scents of mixed berries, then develop on the palate into sturdy, chewy fruit flavors and mocha. Drink 2018–2030.
A superb value, this drinks way above its price. Buttery apple fruit is bedecked with cinnamon and buttressed with refreshing mineral-drenched acids. A nice hint of toast avoids any suggestion of clumsiness or artificiality.
Ripe plum and violet aromas carry a slight note of prune. A beefy palate shows hard tannins but nothing too tough that food can't tame. Blackened, roasted blackberry and blueberry flavors finish with charred, meaty intensity. Drink through 2020.
Produced from a single clone—Dijon 777—this offers pretty, fragrant raspberry scents and flavors. It's just rounded out enough for ready drinking. A fairly light wine, it fades gently with a saline minerality.
This has well-integrated herb and stem components around spicy red fruits. It punches through into a tight, well-built finish, with smooth, clean tannins. Another couple of years in bottle may help to fill it out.
Built around a core of acidity, this wine conveys a preponderance of cedar and sage, seemingly influenced by a softer variety like Merlot, of which it has 12%. Plum and black currant provide the fruit component, before a sizably tannic finish.
Generous, fully ripe fruit flavors and an easy, melting texture make this wine easy to sink into. While it's full bodied, every sip delivers lively acidity and supportive tannins to give an appetizing grip and help the flavors continue through the finish.
This is less opulent and full bodied than most Australian Viogniers, but it still delivers an attractive blend of white peaches, citrus and baking spices. It's crisp and bright enough on the finish to handle a wide range of seafood dishes. Drink now.
This crisp, medium-bodied wine showcases Cabernet's hallmark cassis fruit. Sure, there are hints of cranberry, raspberry and cherry, but black currant defines this wine, running from start to finish. Dusty tannins swirl gently on the palate, combining with tart acidity to offer just the right amount of structure. Drink now–2025.
Dark ruby in the glass, this wine offers a fruit-laden bouquet of blueberry and raspberry. It is bright in the mouth, and firm tannins allow flavors of black cherry, blueberry, cassis, clove, anise, violet and chocolate to shine on the palate. The bright finish is marked by lingering notes of violet and clove.
Complex and fascinating aromas suggesting cranberry, cedar and mushroom get your attention right away. Next a tight, firmly tannic texture takes over and seems to hold on to the fruit flavors. The wine is light to medium in body, and seems likely to let its flavors out after 2019.
Faintly spiced, ripe apple and pear notes on the nose are mellowed by gentle, barely-there sweetness on the palate. This is rounded and pliable, but without an ounce of fat. A balanced, gently spiced wine with deep but slender richness that finishes dry.
Established in the early 70s by Ed O'Keefe Jr., this Michigan winery remains in the family to this day and maintains the founding father's focus on producing wines from 100% vinifera grapes in a region where hybrids might be the easier option. Perseverance pays off in this delightfully balanced dry Riesling that seamlessly blends juicy peach, pineapple rind and a vein of talc-dusted citrus. Texturally round and soft, with a peach-fuzz feel, this is a veritable steal for the price.
This fascinating wine comes from one of Oregon's highest vineyards, which grow at 2,000 feet. Superdense and impenetrably black, the fruit is steely and detailed, the flavors of black raspberries defined with crystal clarity.
Mellow, rounded and ripe notes of fresh and baked apples promise a rich wine. The palate is more sprightly and lends plenty of gingery, peppery spice to all the abundant apple fruit. This is wired and lively, dry but very fruity and unusually spicy with a fine backbone of bright, lemony freshness. Drink soon.
Rich perfumes reach the nose: quince and baked apple give a seductive tone. The palate strikes with the same richness but is dry. There is concentration and earthy power against a backdrop of freshness and fruity charm.
With time, fresh rose petals merge into heady Turkish delight notes on the nose. This is full-on Gewurztraminer with all the bells and whistles: utterly decadent rose water and honeysuckle notes are submerged in rich, indulgent sweetness. This is perfumed and full-on: a super-charged varietal expression with rich, powdery layers of rose, honey and caramel.
Named after the mistress of Portugual's King João V who lived at this estate, the wine is a super-ripe expression of the warmth of an Alentejo wine. It is a powerful, structured although the tannins are surrounded by ripe berry and damson fruit flavors. It is ready to drink.
Whiffs of spice and slate lend complexity to plump, sunny peach and yellow plum flavors in this off-dry Riesling. It's fruity, approachable and easy, yet elegantly balanced.
Juicy streaks of grapefruit and pineapple in this spry, dry Riesling are cut by laser-focused acidity and rocky edges of slate. It's approachable and fresh yet abundantly elegant. Drink now through 2018.
A blend of 70% Friulano, 15% Ribolla Gialla and 15% Malvasia, this is perfumed with scents suggesting yellow flower, apple, citrus fruit and hazelnut. The vibrant palate is loaded with verve and finesse, offering peach, Golden Delicious apple, sage, fennel and a hint of candied tangerine zest. A note of bitter almond closes the tangy finish.
This is an unexpected wine, unoaked Baga in the Alentejo rather than its home territory of Bairrada. The result is a wine that certainly hasn't lost its fierce tannins while gaining a rich, full black fruit character. The typical acidity is there, again mitigated by the warmer climate away from the ocean. It's a surprisingly impressive wine to drink now.
Very floral aromatics mark this distinctive effort; it's positively overflowing with rose petals. Turns more musky and spicy in the mouth, before fading away a little abruptly.
Toast aromas accent ripe pears and golden-delicious apples in this soft, easy-to-like Chard that only lacks a bit of depth. A slightly bitter note on the finish should become less noticeable over the next few months.
Boasts slightly oily rose and lychee scents that leave no doubt as to what grape variety you are smelling. This is a big-boned wine with a healthy alcohol level, but one wishes for more persistence on the finish.
Peach and faint berry flavors in a light, crisp rosé with just a hint of residual sugar. A versatile picnic wine that's a cheerful copper hue to boot.
Strays too far into the kitchen-herb spectrum for this taster. Big and creamy, with a mocha finish that lingers, but the fresh-cut thyme, parsley and basil make for an eccentric mouthful.
Bright red-berry aromas, decent weight and slightly tough tanins in the finish all point to this as a good partner to grilled burgers this summer.  100% Merlot.
Ripe melons and pears dance a delicate duet on the palate—softly and gently shifting ever so slightly from honeydew to Bosc and back, before turning lean and citrusy on the finish.
There's some light toast and vanilla flavors layered over modest Bosc-pear fruit, but a lack of intensity holds this wine back despite a generous mouthfeel and ample structure.
Starts off with aromas of apple blossoms and ultraripe pears. The pear notes carry through on the palate, where they're joined by a touch of anise. This slightly sweet bottling pales in comparison to Paumanok's Dry Riesling, but offers a well-made, soft alternative.
Offers mild berry fruit allied to some green bell pepper and herb aromas.  A bit light and tart fo a single vineyrd wine, but still good.
Modest green-apple fruit is married to earthy grapefruit and lime flavors in this effort by Channing Daughters winemaker Larry Perrine.
Crushed mint, red berry and menthol aromas mix with an unusual scent suggesting paraffin. The aromas carry over to the straightforward linear palate together with sour cherry, thyme and clove alongside. Firm tannins and fresh acidity provide support.
Rose petal, herb and camphor aromas are front and center. The full-bodied monolithic palate offers cranberry, morello cherry, star anise and the warmth of alcohol alongside solid tannins. It's big and rather straightforward for Barolo. Drink after 2023.
A blend of 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Chardonnay, this has aromas of ripe orchard fruit, citrus and a whiff of pastry dough. The bright palate delivers golden apple and toasted almond alongside small persistent bubbles and fresh acidity.
Golden-yellow in color, this bottling of a rarely planted grape from Italy's Campania region shows soft chamomile and sliced yellow apples on the pleasant nose. Squeezed lemon, light mandarin juice and a touch of walnut oil show on the sip, where the acid rises late and lasts long.
Made with 100% native grape Erbaluce, this offers delicate aromas and flavors of ripe pear, green apple and citrus. A salty mineral note closes the crisp, clean finish.
While there are plenty of wood flavors here, the wine also has fine ripe blackberries. That gives potential balance and density. This fine wine will be ready to drink from 2018.
Produced in the hills above the small town of Castillon, the wine is fruity with a stalky texture and some firm tannins. It is balanced, though, with its acidity and black-currant flavors and should mature well over the next few years. Drink from 2018.
Rich and with good fruit, this is a structured wine that has the density to age well. The dark-chocolate flavors mingle with the black-plum fruits, finishing with just a light lift of acidity.
This is a bold fruity wine that just allows its tannins to build a supporting structure. The black fruits are right up front, full of acidity and with a delicious potential. Drink from 2019.
There is a caramel edge to this wine showing the wood-aging flavors. Luckily the fruit is all there as well, giving a balanced future to this structured wine. With plenty of tannins and juicy acidity combined, it will be a fine wine from 2019.
Big tannins mask the fruit in this potentially ripe and fruity wine. It is structured and dark with a dry core of tannins. It means the wine needs time. Drink from 2019.
Truffle, dried herb, espresso, new leather and balsamic aromas come together on this along with a whiff of wood shop. The firm tightly knit palate shows cranberry, sour cherry, clove and thyme framed in assertive close-grained tannins that leave a rather raspy finish. Drink after 2023.
This attractive, smooth-textured wine offers plenty of almost-sweet fruit flavors like black cherry and prune dusted with cinnamon and cedar for complexity. The tannins are abundant but soft, so there is little astringency, and the wine is easy to sip and enjoy.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Obelisco, Olsen, Oasis and Kiona vineyards. Wood-forward aromas (60% new French oak) of char and coffee are out in front of herb and black cherry. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, pulling up short on the finish. There's enjoyment to be had but the variety seems hard to find.
Dark in color and slightly reduced, this wine offers a waxy texture of apple, apricot and vanilla, medium in build with approachable richness and roundness. Smooth, it's a pleasant quaffer.
This wine all comes from Block 18 at this esteemed vineyard. The aromas bring a medley of herbs along with graphite, licorice and black cherry. The palate is medium bodied, but pulls up a bit short on the finish.
This chunky, funky blend is led by the local Caiño Blanco grape, with Loureiro and Albariño in the mix. Lanolin is a more prominent aroma than any particular fruit, and this wine feels round but mature. Peach and dried melon flavors finish with little drive. Drink immediately.
Earthy aromas of truffle, forest floor, used leather and a funky whiff of barnyard carry over to the firm palate along with ripe black cherry, clove and a hint of game. It's on the rustic side but full of personality.
Carbonic freshness lurks on the palate of this appellation wine, dotted in strawberry jam, lavender and rose characteristics. Lightly textured and built, it finishes soft and smooth.
Fleshy, full bodied and concentrated, this holds rich flavors of wild vanilla, pear and peach. Needing time to unravel, it shows its oak and power without regret.
The aromas are fresh, with notes of cranberry, red currant, baking spice and Red Vines. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, trailing a bit on the finish. The vineyard, one of the state's top Syrah sites, doesn't seem to stand out as much as it typically does.
Perfumed jasmine and orange blossom open this wine aromatically before a roundly rich palate of caramel oak and baked apple spiked in nutmeg evolve in the glass.
Dense aromas of cooked blueberries meet with clove, ginger and leather on the nose of this red blend. Leathery flavors also show on the palate along with black currant and more baking-spice touches.
With 2,000 cases imported, here's a value white composed of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Green apple flesh and orange rind are lifted by notes of crushed yellow flowers, while green plum flavors flesh out the medium-weight mouth. Drink now.
Light and fruity, with simple cherry fruit making this a good wine to chill and sip on a hot summer day. There is a streak of stemmy tannins in the astringent finish.
The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. Turns a touch soupy and salty in the mouth, where the red fruit flavors thin out quickly. Finishes without much punch, but at least it's solid.
Very light in flavor and texture, the wine has hints of strawberry flavors with acidity and a crisp, clean character.
Fiery and clipped on the nose, but then it settles onto red fruits and candy notes. The palate shows good grip and a proper but basic feel, with generic red berry and currant flavors. Solid on the finish; good in a common way.
This wine is  refreshing, its red fruit juice laced with acidity and a touch of herbs. Easy and light to drink.
Brambly and leafy on the nose and palate, with tight acidity and reedy, peppery flavors that suggest foresty raspberry. The finish is equally peppery, herbal and leafy, but overall it's not green or unappealing. A natural wine in that it's unoaked.
Syrupy smelling on first take, with bacon, rubber and herb aromas. The palate has a healthy, full feel and a mixed bag of not fully connected flavors including herbs, spice, dried fennel and sweet berry fruits. A somewhat odd tasting blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.
A light, bright, deliciously lemony wine, with an attractive aromatic lift. Fruity, ready to drink now.
A blend of wines from different vineyards in Pouilly, this powerful wine is concentrated, with tight minerality that demands further aging. Rich and packed with apples and green plums, it is a beautiful wine that will age well. Drink from 2018 at the earliest.
From an extreme coastal vineyard three miles north of Cambria, this bottling kicks off with peppery spice on the nose along with strong black olive, bay leaf, dill and a black-raspberry element on the edges. Lively underripe fruit tones power the palate, as does Kalamata olive, North African spice, coriander and tomato leaf.
This plush, silky wine is a thrill ride from start to finish. Asphalt and black olive notes on the nose give it a rather rustic edge to start, but purer peppery notes emerge with air. And once past the funk, this shows layers of blueberry and mulberry fruit, maybe even a trace of apricot to go along with savory notes of olive and espresso that glide gracefully through the long, silky finish. Drink now–2025.
Stark minerality, from hot gravel to chipped slate, meets with garrigue elements of lavender and thyme on the nose of this strong bottling that gains a savory quality thanks to roasted-pork aromas. The requisite fruit arrives on the sip, where smashed cranberry meets with pepper spice and dried herbs. The structure is grippy and affords great length in the finish.
Underbrush, dried plum, resin, leather and a whiff of baking spice aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The big chewy palate shows juicy blackberry, ripe black cherry, tobacco and clove set against a backbone of firm velvety tannins. Despite its heft, it also boasts surprising finesse. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2017–2025.
There's a lot going on aromatically in this bottling, with a base of red plum and hibiscus lifted through hints of clove, cinnamon, dried rose petals and dried ginger. More plum and mulberry fruit power the palate, enhanced by fennel fronds, peppercorns, cedar, juniper and pine-forest flavors.
The lilac, charcuterie, peat, smoke and black and green-olive aromas are tightly wound. The palate is focused, flavorful and energetic, showing depth and intensity while remaining quite light on its feet.
The aromas pop with notes of funk, smoked meat, red fruit, flowers, stems and orange peel. It's compact out of the gate with concentrated, tightly wound, salty flavors of olive brine, crushed rock and violets. It shows an exquisite sense of balance and a crazy long finish.
This wine grabs the attention with a distinctive earthy, wild yet sophisticated personality. The aroma is like forest floor, dried mushrooms and black tea. Flavors convey rhubarb and plum but also are savory and smoky as they fill the mouth and linger on the finish.
This is a rich textured wine from the center of this Premier Cru. It has structure and concentration as well as generous white stone fruits. Densely packed with acidity, toast and a fine, creamy texture, the wine is likely to age well. It is produced from biodynamically grown grapes (as are all the Olivier Leflaive family Grand and Premier Crus). Drink from 2020.
This is a domaine wine, coming from one of the vineyards owned by Olivier Leflaive and worked biodynamically. It is a very fine wine from probably the most well-known premier cru in the village. With its rich acidity and white fruits, it is generous as well as crisply textured. The toast from the wood aging adds its juicy character to this impressive wine. Drink from 2019.
Structured and still very young, this is a dense and fruity wine. The tannins and the spice and licorice from wood aging show strongly, although they are just beginning to soften and integrate. Expect a rich wine, layered with fruit and ripe tannins as it develops. Drink from 2023.
From old vines, as are most of the wines from this producer, this is a dense and powerful wine. New wood aging has given the wine a strongly toasty character balanced with creamy apple and yellow fruits. The wine is concentrated and obviously needs to age. Drink from 2022.
Rich and complex in the modern Paso style, this blend of 59% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Petite Sirah and 4% Grenache pairs baked plum and blackberry with white pepper, sarsaparilla, coffee candy and cola on the nose. The flavors are deftly integrated, with touches of espresso, black cassis, black cherry and milk chocolate. Zesty and fun, it's also well structured.
Dark in color, this wine offers reserved aromas of smoke, tobacco, red fruit, crème de cassis, flowers, exotic spice and funk. The palate is plush and forward but still light on its feet, showing energy and focus. Fruit and savory flavors persist on the finish, demonstrating exquisite balance.
Look out for Colin Murphy, who was named winemaker at this estate after years working for regional legends Bruno d'Alfonso and Kris Curran. This bottling shows dark strawberry, incense, sandalwood, cola, figs, pepper and soy on the pretty yet complex nose. There is lots of intrigue to the palate too, where black plum comes together with chamomile, Earl Grey tea and lavender.
Sandalwood and smoke kick off the nose on this deliciously complex bottling that also shows aromas of black-plum skin, crushed slate and light fennel on the nose. Tangy cranberry and pomegranate make for a fresh entry to the sip, and then come herbal touches of white sage, bay leaf and peppercorn.
This winery expertly differentiates its single-vineyard bottlings, here exploring the warmer, riper side of the grape, but with style and grace. Aromas of vanilla, sea-salt caramel, macadamia nut and hazelnut lead into a palate where lightly buttered yellow apples meet with jasmine tea, honeysuckle and a light touch of marzipan.
Deep and hearty mulberry aromas meet with condensed rose petals, cinnamon, clove and hot gingerbread on the earthy, spicy nose of this clonal bottling by longtime winemaker Denise Shurtleff. The sip is thick and full of chaparral herbs at first, then opens toward rounded red cherry, cranberry and cinnamon before diving into fennel and peppercorn. It's amazing for one clone to be so complex.
From right at the northern end of the sweep of Corton Grand Cru vineyards, this rich and complex wine is dense with smoky flavors as well as ripe blackberry fruit. It is solid, densely structured and powered minerality from the chalk in the soil. This is going to be a fine wine, so drink from 2019.
For the winery's lower-priced offering, this is a stunner. Baked black cherry, vanilla, raspberry, rose petals and a touch of licorice light up the nose. The lightly poised but intensely focused sip reveals a wild combo of fruit and spice, with sage, bay leaf, thyme and fennel laced through black cherry. It's like walking through the Central Coast scrubland.
From grapes grown on a higher spot on the estate vineyard with Altamont soils, where the dirt is thin and the vines struggle, this wine delivers a depth of structure and incredible flavor. It finds a way to coax sage and wild forested earth from a robustness of cranberry and bright, citrusy acidity.
This Premier Cru abuts some of the grandest Grand Crus of Burgundy. It shares the same rich, age-worthy characters with this dark structure and dense tannins. The wine is still very young: its texture mineral and concentrated. The black fruits and licorice flavors will develop slowly and surely, but don't drink before 2022.
This is a blend of the best barrels from the five Mercurey Premier Crus owned by the Devillard family. First produced in the 2010 vintage, the wine is now made in most vintages. It is a rich wine, bringing out the pure red fruitiness of a Mercurey and its beautifully integrated structure. It is concentrated and very dense, packed with vanilla, mint and dark coffee flavors as well as the fruit. Age this wine, at least until 2020.
Winemaker Larry McKenna now has 30 years of experience with Martinborough Pinot Noir, and its on full display in this blend assembled from various plots around the village. Aromas of flowers, tea and cola lead into flavors of blackberries, vanilla and spice, framed by ample tannins. Drink 2020–2030.
Black raspberry and blackberry fruit approach a black-cherry richness on the nose of this bottling that also shows aromas of slate and roasted meats. The palate tightens up around dried elderberry and cranberry, tangy but deep fruit flavors that are enhanced by crushed juniper and dried pine needles with earthy tones of clay, loam and slate.
Fresh cranberry and black raspberry show on the nose of this bottling that also offers black-pepper sauce, savory soy and a touch of iodine. There's a tarry tension to the palate, but with tart dark cranberry and richer dark cherry flavors as well, mixing up the savory smoke with dense fruit.
Made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is luxurious and sweet, while maintaining great balance to keep from being too unctuous. It has a brilliant deep-gold color, generous aromas like toasted peanuts and marmalade, and flavors that are honeyed and floral. It feels nicely viscous, coating the sides of the mouth and helping the flavors linger for long moments on the finish.
Aromas of ground violets, charcoal, smoke, iron, black fruit, tar and salami lead a salty, briny, expressive palate that shows depth concentration and elegance. A long finish caps it off.
A delicious, beautifully aged tawny-style dessert wine, this rarity is sweet and fortified with alcohol, and also superbly well balanced. A diverse palette of flavors includes toffee, coffee, sweet prune, toasted almonds and chocolate. Supportive tannins and acidity keep the texture lively and the finish lingering.
Sourced entirely from the biodynamic estate vineyard, this extraordinary wine delivers compact, complex, detailed aromas and flavors in perfect proportion. The blueberry and cherry fruit is wreathed in dried herbs and flowers. Fourteen months in French oak, roughly half new, adds a thread of vanilla bean. Loads of dried extract, polished tannins and moist earth bring in more nuances.
Some vines at Bouscassé are 150 years old, which inevitably give this wine great depth and concentration. It is hugely structured, with very rich, intense black-plum flavors. The tannins are still developing.
This legendary Madiran is, its fruit tannins just softened by wood aging. It's smoky, brooding, very concentrated, and worth aging for 10 years.
A concentrated core of pure, sweet raspberry and cherry fruit is showcased in a wine of remarkable penetration and length. The fruit, from a biodynamic estate vineyard, is perfumed and open, making this immediately accessible and supremely enjoyable. And yet cellaring will surely reward those with the patience and discipline to lay it down for up to a decade.
A superb example of the quality of Touriga Nacional. This wine combines the richness of the hot Alentejo sun with the sophisticated structure of the grape. Big, juicy and richly fruity as well as perfumed and elegant. Age it for at least 2–3 years.
Immaculately clean and fresh, this enters the mouth with a pleasing lightness, displaying a mix of stone fruits and a streak of vanilla wafer running right through its core. It opens in the glass, adding muscle and depth, ultimately developing into a complex and persistent wine that simply refuses to quit.
A big rich wine from a warm year. Its powerful, dense structure is dominated by wood aging and fine blackberry and plum fruits. There is concentration along with swathes of delicious fruit. Age it for 4–5 years.
A marvelous vintage for Freedom Hill, this high-acid Pinot is loaded with black cherry fruit. Rich, ripe, full, tart and penetrating, it might seem one-dimensional at first, but it has such excellent focus and depth that the fruit simply rocks. The finish weaves in threads of smoke and mocha, but this is a wine to cellar for a couple more years at least.
Dark, full, generous and ripe to the far edge of elegance, this powerful Pinot is saturated with black fruits, annotated with fennel, pepper, smoke and espresso, the rich and varied flavors rolling right through a lush midpalate and on into a gently fading finish. Retasted over 24–48 hours, it continued to evolve and develop additional nuances. A wine to cellar for a decade or more.
Along with the Freedom Hill bottling, the Savoya is the wine of the vintage for Ken Wright. A beautifully-crafted mix of brambly berry, thistle and herb, this textural and detailed effort keeps developing added complexity as it rolls across the palate. Blackberry, black cherry, and hints of truffle infuse the complex, deliciously satisfying finish.
The wine is stunning, full of bright red fruit and a soft tinge of French bread, tightly structured with dark wood and a leathery component. A beautiful example of what can happen when the right winemaker and site collide: The finish is long and the wine is one to remember.
Rich and concentrated, this is a wine that has the Dão structure. It has an austere minerality from the hard granite soi, which is layered with enticing ripe black-fruit flavors. Touches of wood aging are blended well with the richness of this dense wine.
From a field blend of old vines, this is a beautifully ripe, rounded, wood-aged wine that still preserves an internal structure. With its stone-fruit and mineral character, it is both fruity and textured. It's a wine for aging over 4–5 years.
As usual, this was sourced entirely from a small block in the Dineen vineyard. Fragrant with a mélange of lemony aromas, the flavors carry the same theme—lemon gelato, lemon pie, limoncello, all buoyed with perfect acidity. It's a vivid, clean, long-lasting wine.
From Paso Robles's warmer eastside, this wine begins with an elegant nose of raspberry, deep red rose and lavender. It's immediately delicious once sipped, with lush plum and sour cherry fruit, followed by a long-lingering finish of violets, rose and dried lavender.
Round and opulent, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of black currants, blue flower, mocha and baking spices. The warm, dense palate delivers mouthfuls of succulent black cherry layered with chocolate, black pepper and clove alongside big, velvety tannins. Drink now through 2021.
There's a potpourri of wildly distinct and amazing aromas on this 60% Syrah-40% Cabernet Sauvignon, from cooked ripe cranberries and distinct black pepper to red clay, anise, violet and savory goulash with dried strawberries. Raspberry, pepper and cola overtake the palate, with a refreshing tartness on the finish.
100% varietal, this wine displays an intriguing profile of savory herbs, nori, barrel spices and graphite with dark fruit lurking beneath the surface and a citrus twist. There's minimal excess alcoholic fat. It's all flavor, with lively acids, a supple, polished feel and good depth and intensity—especially impressive considering the youth of this site (2005 plantings).
The Conner Lee Vineyard supplies the fruit—it's the source of some of Washington's finest Chardonnays. Barrel fermented, it's super concentrated and displays a dense mix of fruit and barrel flavors, apples and peaches, toasted almonds and buttered toast. Good length and that extra yum factor make this a top pick.
This late-release has benefited from its time in bottle. Juicy and beguiling in red raspberry and black cherry fruit, it has a back layering of spicy cardamom and a sphere of acidity. Buoyant and memorable, it finishes with more spice and savory leather.
A fine vintage yields a classic wine that seems sculpted out of rock. Firm lines and clear definition showcases racy raspberry fruit, limned with chiseled stone and a vein of gun metal. Excellent focus and length.
Aged in steel, this vibrant wine shows Nebbiolo's more elegant and youthful side. It weaves together rose, violet, perfumed berries, bright cherry, crushed raspberry and sweet baking spices alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy it soon to capture the crunchy berry flavors.
This darkly inclined Pinot Noir is the top-end bottling from one of Edna Valley's premiere producers. Black raspberry, crushed clove and iced tea form the nose. Those midnight elements carry to the palate, with rich blackberry, thick coffee and black tea flavors.
This wine brings out the variety's richness and depth of fruit flavors, while keeping the texture smooth and pleasing. It's very firm with tannins and acidity, yet not overly full-bodied. The ripe blackberry and cassis flavors have the intensity to match the structure and make for great balance overall.
The headiness of roasted hazelnuts, Bourbon vanilla and blossom honey have an immense seductive power. The palate follows up with precision, concentration and long length. This oak-aged TBA is a mature, full package that will easily charm anyone—now or in years to come.
This full-bodied Malbec out-performs its price. Ripe blackberry and pencil aromas set up a dense, tight, structured palate with focused, drilling flavors of blackberry and licorice. If you like layered, full-fruit reds with balance and harmony, this is it.
This elegant Terzetto is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Chiles Valley District on the far eastern side of Napa Valley. The grapes are grown organically by the Eisele family, who have farmed these parts for 40 years. Dusty red fruit entice from the beginning, unveiling a soft, round and drinkable wine with the structure to age until 2024–2029.
This strongly mineral and textured wine is all about terroir. It has dark tannins, dense black fruits as well as freshness. Black currants and cherries give the fruity side, but at this stage it's the structure that is important. Wait and drink from 2016.
Château des Jacques, owned by Burgundy producer Louis Jadot, makes serious wines, such as this Morgon. It's powerful and rich, full of solid black cherry flavors and a strongly mineral structure from granite soil. It's a complex wine that needs to age, so drink from 2017.
The top cuvée from Château Famaey is a rich, new-wood-aged wine. With spice, mint and toast flavors, it's opulent, ripe and full of black fruits. Even at five years, it's still young, with tannins that are dense and concentrated. Drink from 2016.
This intense and rich wine has also managed to keep a great sense of balance. The black fruits emerge from the firm tannins, bringing with them juicy acidity and a dusty texture. The wine is still young, but it's developing well to emerge ripe and delicious by 2016.
Here's a quite dense Merlot, with plenty of grip and power. Black cherry and cassis fruit is firm and compact, with a generous frame of barrel char and dark chocolate. A lush and seductive selection that's delicious now.
Enticing aromas of violet and rose, pressed powder and perfumed berries waft from the glass of this elegant wine. The juicy palate weaves together red cherry, strawberry, clove and cinnamon alongside fresh acidity and silky-smooth tannins. Balanced and enjoyable, this will make fine drinking now–2017.
The rich scent of dark honey is immediately cut by the heady lift of something that recalls the Mediterranean—juniper, conifers and crushed citrus leaves. The palate is a celebration of candied citrus—orange, lemon and grapefruit. Rich and deliciously tart at the same time.
Full-bodied and richly textured, this ultradark, concentrated Merlot makes a statement. Toast and vanilla shadings mark the bold cassis fruit, which glides easily into a long, velvety finish tinged with mocha. Drink now–2020—and possibly beyond, as this should prove to be a long-lived example.
Aged in 25% new French oak, the rest of it neutral, this age-worthy Chardonnay shows refreshing restraint, though it retains plenty of fruit. The aromas tend toward faint caramel and a complex web of acidity and brightness accompanies notes of apple and pear, a long finish capping things off.
This juicy, savory Rosso opens with a pretty fragrance of crushed violets, perfumed berries and sweet cake spices. The ripe, delicious palate doles out concentrated wild cherry, black raspberry and cinnamon-spice alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. Bright orange fruit sensations signal the close.
This is an elegant, heady Chardonnay beaming in floral jasmine aromas, honey and oak. Bright on the palate, it offers lively acidity and an abundance of pineapple and mango, tropical in all the right ways.
Bacon fat and cream soda meet with a flash of patchouli on the nose of this stunning deal from winemaker/author/blogger Alison Crowe. Cherry cola flavors and luscious red fruits get lifted with smoke and plum-skin bitterness, all set against decent tannins and fresh acidity.
A relative bargain in the scheme of barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, Kevin Judd's version boasts toasty, nutty notes upfront, followed by creamy citrus and stone-fruit aromas and flavors. It's a top example of the richness and potential age-worthiness that oak can bring to carefully selected lots of Sauvignon Blanc.
Complete and satisfying, this Mourvèdre delivers punchy, alluring aromas of leather, rubber and dark berry fruits. This is deep and pure in the mouth, with excellent balance. Flavors of raspberry, spiced plum, currant and herbs finish long and elegant. Drink through 2018.
Fragrant, fresh and floral, this textbook Rosso di Montalcino offers lovely aromas of wild berries, violets, pressed powder and cake spices. The delicious palate doles out juicy red cherry and crushed raspberry accented with notes of cinnamon, all wrapped up in an elegant, silky-smooth texture. Enjoy over the next few years.
Structured but elegant, this weaves together sensations of tilled earth, forest floor, black cherry, raspberry, orange peel and nutmeg alongside supple tannins. It's vibrant and drinkable. Even though it will age moderately well, enjoy over the next few years to capture the fresh berry fruit.
White spring flower, beeswax and orchard fruit aromas take center stage while the round, ripe palate evokes yellow apple, candied lemon drop and a hint of fennel seed. A saline-like mineral note energizes the finish.
Spicy oak aromas accent foxy red berry scents in this pinchy, wayward wine. Its chocolatey black fruit and peppery spice flavors finish jammy, with a lot of unresolved oak.
Reduced gritty foresty aromas revolve around herbal berry and plum fruit. This feels heavy, concentrated, tannic and slightly collapsed. Dark blackened herbal berry and chocolate flavors finish hard due to abrasive tannins and enamel-peeling acidity.
Sweet apple blossom scents combine with a botanical element on the nose of this bottling, which also offers a grassy note. The crisp palate offers lemongrass at first, opening into riper pear flesh flavor and finishing with a touch of salt and candied lime tang.
This soft and fruity wine has open white fruit and citrus flavors. It is light and crisp with just the right amount of acidity. Coming from a warm year, it is richer than in other vintages, smoother and riper. Drink now.
Lightly herbal berry fruit aromas are nothing you haven't seen before. In the mouth, this Cabernet is choppy and showing bold acidity. Flavors of plum and currant are racy and a touch spicy, while this is scouring on the finish.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Gamache (65%) and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Aromas of game, Band Aid and dried cherry are followed by lush, sweet fruit and savory flavors. There are some interesting things going on but the gaminess proves too distracting.
Bay leaf, mint and cedar notes open this soft, nondescript wine, which is somewhat flat in tone and style. Mocha and cola notes provide flavor.
From young vines, this is a somewhat austere, ungenerous rendering of Pinot Noir. The tannins are a bit drying, offsetting the attractive flavors of cola, plum and fresh minty herbs.
Plump, buttery aromas of apple and peach suggest popcorn. Typical of a Lapostolle Chardonnay, this feels a bit chunky and oily. Flavors of pineapple are slightly syrupy and oaky, while this tastes of honey, butter, stone fruits and mango on the finish.
The aromas seem a bit disjointed on first pour, with notes of custard, citrus, mineral and spice. The palate is medium bodied, bringing some interest but not entirely pulling it all together.
A blend of 40% barrel fermented Pinot Bianco, 40% Friulano and 20%, Ribolla Gialla fermented in steel, this opens with aromas suggesting dried exotic fruit, coconut and oak-driven spice. The aromas carry over to the rather lean palate alongside a confectionery note and firm acidity. A walnut taste gives it a bitter finish.
This wine is blessed with velvety texture and bombastic ripeness, which leaves its plum and cherry fruit feeling baked and prune-like. The brawny fruit profile is accented with leather, tobacco and black pepper, finishing with a touch of heat.
Very smooth and mouthfilling, this medium-bodied wine has a harmonious feeling about it. Ripe, juicy fruit and cola flavors meet soft tannins, and a broad, expansive texture carries them into the finish.
Elegant and finely structured, this creamy, fragrant white opens with heady scents of jasmine, honeysuckle and white stone fruit. The smooth, delicious palate delivers green melon, white peach, cantaloupe, grapefruit and orange zest while a saline note lifts the lingering finish.
This standard Garnacha feels jammy but a bit shapeless. Its raspberry and cassis aromas are ripe and candied, with a floral note while its raspberry and plum flavors finish with modest spice.
In terms of price, this wine can be considered the entry-level wine for the increasing range of Douro wines form this famed Port estate. This wine is all about fruit—bright red fruits—and just a touch of spice and toast from the wood aging. Drink the wine from early 2018.
This is a juicy soft blend of Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet. Ripe red fruits dominate with balanced tannins and generous fruit. The acidity and the final burst of fruit show this easy wine is ready to drink.
Leafy, slightly damp aromas include notes of spiced plum and herbs. On the palate, this is fairly stocky and chewy. A mixture of berry, spice and peppery flavors finishes with perceptible spicy oak.
Fruity and fresh, this easygoing semidry Riesling offers heaps of sweet peach and citrus flavors. It's not complex, but is crisply balanced with a clean, refreshing finish. Drink now.
This is tart to the point of being outright sour, with flavors of lemon, green banana, and a hint of cracker. Overall the wine just does not come together. Two bottles tasted.
This lightly aromatic offering of Viognier that doesn't appear entirely ripe, with notes of lemon curd and herbs. It's medium bodied, with a bitter streak that runs from head to tail.
Stalky, medicinal, rubbery aromas announce an acidic Tempranillo-led blend that's downright astringent on the palate. Flavors of stalky fruit, buttery oak and sheer raspberry and plum end crisp and tight, with a salty flavor.
Lafarga's wines are expensive and shoot high, but they are awfully rustic in general. This Syrah is earthy and rubbery on the nose, then hard as rocks on the palate due to clamp-down tannins. Flavors of dark fruits, plastic and oak finish with heat.
Leathery, herbal aromas suggest compost. A full, hard, tannic palate is home to rubbery flavors of herbal blackberry and pepper, while a medicinal dark-berry character controls the finish. This is a decent wine with mild weediness.
This Chardonnay is a touch volatile on the nose, which deals some gym sweat and brine. Eventually things break down to dusty, soft white-fruit aromas. Flavors of banana, papaya and white pepper end with tropical notes. This is just good enough.
A blend of 85% Chenin Blanc and 15% Viognier, this white is part sweet and part sour, with honey and peach coming through a murky cloud of wood. Still, enjoy it with Asian food slathered in spice or as the first sip on a hot day.
A soft mix of 67% Syrah and 33% Petite Sirah, this is slightly ill-defined, marked most by mouth-puckering tannins.
This blend of Marsanne and Roussanne comes across as something of a hybrid between Hermitage and Burgundy. It has grilled peach, citrus and smoke notes, ample weight and a long, hazelnut-tinged finish. Drink it over the next 6–8 years.
In so-called Penfolds years, when the stars align for the company, smart money is on the Bin series of wines like this Bin 407 Cabernet. It comes close to the luxury Bin 707 Cabernet in terms of quality, but at a much lower price, boasting ample body and velvety tannins. Hints of cedar, mint and mocha accent concentrated cassis and plum flavors. Drink now–2018.
Ripe on the attack, with flavors of fleshy, yellow stone fruit and marmalade, this voluptuous yet dry Riesling is balanced, with layers of crushed stone and slate-driven minerality. Tart, citrusy acidity sends a sunny shockwave to your senses.
Clarendon Hills is best known for its Syrah and Grenache, but it is no slouch when it comes to McLaren Vale Cabernet. The 2008 Hickinbotham is full bodied and velvety in texture, with ample notes of cocoa and crisp cassis. Hints of mint and other herbal shadings give it varietal character and welcome complexity. Drink it over the next 10–12 years.
Rich yet subdued on the bouquet, with elegant tobacco, lemon peel and earthy scents, this feels lush and full of heft, but it's not plodding or heavy. Flavors of spiced black fruit, molasses and tobacco are nice, and the finish features a long, dry, comfortable fade. Drink this winner now–2016.
Steely and smoky, this luscious, full-bodied wine has a gorgeous mineral tone. The palate is dry, yet decadently fruity and floral, with loads of dainty blossoms and yellow cherries. A rich, nuanced, impeccably balanced wine.
This is a powerful, rich, toasty Garnacha, with grit, earth and spice galore on the bouquet. It feels tough, masculine and tannic, with a mix of beefy black-fruit flavors elevated by molasses and spice. Firm and showing some burn on the finish, along with notes of black licorice and peppery spice. Only 200 cases made. Drink now–2016.
Rich and juicy, this features a ripe plum flavor and acidity, resulting in a wine that is fragrant, fresh and structured. It has power, and its dark concentration is at the heart of this solid effort.
A firm and structured wine, this shows complex tannins as well as contrasting acidity. It feels complete, the tannins supporting red cherry and spice flavors. It is probably not for long-term aging but will start to taste delicious in 6–7 years.
While initially quite lush on the palate, with undulating notes of honey, lanolin and hibiscus nectar, there's an invigorating briskness on the midpalate from the sweet-tart citrus and stone fruit flavors. It's bright with acidity and delicate lacings of sugar, spice and black tea.
Lush and creamy on the palate, this complex wine boasts flavors of slightly mossy, decaying cedar, molasses, damp earth and leather, all wrapped around a bright core of red berry. Supple and lasting on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Deep, dark and charred on the nose, this features campfire and black cherry aromas. It feels fresh, alert and snappy for being so dark and ripe, with blackberry and padded oak flavors. It's layered and a touch creamy on the finish. A modern, powerful Malbec to drink now–2016.
This Columbia Valley Syrah boasts strong varietal aromatics. It seems to have a spine of iron and a streak of garrigue-like dried herb, with lovely flavors of pomegranate and wild berry.
Crystal clear, loaded with enticing aromas and flavors of lemon zest, orange, tangerine and spice, this is a juicy, delicious and complete wine. Tangy and tart, it is almost impossible not to drain the glass quickly in order to refill it.
This is intensely perfumed, with soft tannins that are followed by a dry, concentrated character. From the iconic Vesúvio Vineyard, where wines for vintage production are still foot trodden, this has a ripe feel, with tannins that are suitable for medium-term aging.
Notes of marmalade, spice, wax and lanolin intertwine gorgeously on the nose and palate of this penetrating, complex Riesling. Tasting unabashedly sweet and honeyed, this features a note of bitter orange rind and intense tangerine-like acidity, making it mouthwatering and sippable.
Whiffs of petrol, brine and fennel extend from the nose to the palate, adding a minerally sheen and a savory tone to the ripe peach and nectarine flavors. Lacy and crisp on the palate, it's mouth-smackingly good and easy to keep sipping.
Almost black in color, this is a Syrah to rival the most concentrated wines from the Rhône. It has weight, richness and power, its dark damson fruit flavors and tannins almost lost in all this intense fruit. Age for 3–4 years or drink now.
A darkly tannic wine, with licorice and espresso coffee flavors as well as intense blackberry fruits. It is firm, the wood aging showing through strongly at this stage. Keep for 3–4 years so that the alcohol burn can blow off.
From a mix of Walla Walla and Willamette fruit (hence W3,), this limited-production wine is firmly rooted in a base of apples and acid. Grace notes of spice and butter (from barrel fermentation and aging in French oak) give it added body and length, and it glides into a finish of cinnamon toast and apple butter.
Why yes this is mountain Zin with a lot of Dr. Pepper, sarsaparilla happening aromatically and then a mouthful of thick, savory, herbal, raspberry jam with soft tannins and a just-right note of earthiness too.
The tannins on this vineyard designate, where two clones of Cab are grown (337 and 191) are still dry and thick and the wine is well made, with an herbal, baked bread and rich red fruit quality and barrels of smoky oak on the finish.
Hints of flint and softly charred cedar grace the ripe peach and pear fruit core of this balanced Chard. The mouth is round and lush, with a good cut to keep things clean and lifted on the wood-spice-infused finish. Should pair nicely with wood-plank grilled salmon.
Forward notes of menthol add depth to the black berry and plum backbone of this wine. Supporting but not overly grippy tannins lend a nice structure to the mouth, and the finish is long with a nice herbal streak.
Piercing oak deals aromas of lemon and graphite, and there's serious berry fruit, herbal scents and sous-bois to go with that. Lively and showing good maturity and acidity, with flavors of black fruits, vanilla, chocolate, toast and tobacco. Good on the finish, with everything coming full circle.
Ripe and open on the nose, with lush blueberry aromas mixed with vanilla and tobacco. Feels medium to full but not heavy, with raspberry, red apple skin, coconutty oak and spice for flavors. Almondy and sweet on the finish, with handsome dry spice.
Smells earthy and baked, with bulk to the bouquet and a gaseous quality that blows off with time. Feels chunky, grabby and tannic, with fully ripe flavors of jammy blackberry. Pours on the heft and broad tannins, but comes up a little short in the nuance and character categories. Drink now.
This is structured, its tannins coming through dense and dry. The blackberry fruits give a juicy character that's overlaid by wood. The wine has a firm character, while letting the fruit show well.
So rich that it is almost sweet. The yellow fruits give considerable ripeness to this intense, spicy wine. With its smooth, oily texture and its layers of wood, it is almost too much.
There's a ton of oak on this Malbec, but there's also enough body and richness to handle it. The wine smells minty and dark, with shoe polish and chocolate aromas. Tight and acidic on the tongue, with an oak-led set of flavors that includes coconut, vanilla and butter along with blackberry. Prickly and electric due to high acidity, but quite good as a whole.
Concentrated and ripe smelling, with prune, blackberry, coconut and other soft, dense aromas that succeed in drawing you in. Feels jammy and chubby, with meaty tannins and sweet flavors of prune, raisin, cassis and chocolate. Not overly complex; drink now through 2013.
This trocken (dry) Riesling comes across as slightly rounded, almost plump, in texture, yet retains strong acids. Poached pear, damp moss and citrus notes come together in a pleasingly harmonious fashion, finishing clean and crisp.
A lush, rich Cab from Temecula Valley, which smells nicely of cassis and cranberry with a splash of rose water. Mellow and balanced, the wine's tannins are well-integrated here with an appropriate oak finish.
This red, made from 61% Cab Sauv, 30% Shiraz and 9% Merlot, offers attractive floral aromas of lavender, baby powder and light menthol (like a Thin Mint) to the soft but ripe dark fruit notes. The mouth offers more spice and weight than the aromas would suggest, with a firm but approachable structure and cigar box spice on the medium-length finish.
A really good and upright blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Syrah that exhibits composure along with nice berry and pastry aromas. Bright and zesty in the mouth, with boysenberry, blueberry and pulse to the palate. Long, driving and steady on the finish.
This big boy brings the weight. It's loaded with blackberry, rubber and sweet baking spices on the nose. Feels like it went through max extraction with its mouthfilling tannins and density. Tastes a bit exotic, with pure blackberry and blueberry fruit. Finishes lush and soft.
Tight and perhaps in a bit of a dumb stage, this opens slowly, and shows raspberry and black cherry fruit, with a streak of cola and orange marmalade. Sleek and fruity, perhaps best for near-term drinking.
Certainly dry, this Champagne is also ripe and structured, balancing the extreme dryness and acidity. It is a complex wine that has the ability to age in the bottle. The minimalist label, designed by Philip Starck, is a perfect pairing with the no-frills wine inside the bottle.
Made in large-enough quantities to be widely available, as well as at a rare price point for the appellation, this is a bit of a find. Juicy in red-fruit tones yet supported by drying tannins, this is pleasurably perplexing, with a hint of mint on the nose. Full bodied, it finishes with tobacco and fig. Cellar through 2020.
Blistered cranberries, seared plums, slate, sandalwood and a whiff of pine forest pop on the nose of this bottling by Santa Barbara-raised winemaker Steve Gerbac. The palate bursts with energy, showing flavors of black sage, cherry, tart cranberry, pan-toasted herbs and cedar verve. The elements will focus and be even better 2017–2023.
From the heart of Oakville, this 100% varietal wine is luxurious, silky and velvety on the palate, a masterful study of texture. Lengthy and balanced, despite its powerful fruit, it suggests dark plum and cassis, with just a tiny note of cherry, the tannins refined and chalky. Cellar through 2022.
Round and lush, this offers soft layers of vanilla, French toast and tarte Tatin. Expansive on the palate, it maintains acidity and a freshness that keeps it inviting in the glass, concocting appealing aromas of lemon chiffon.
This wine has classic style, showing a rather light, traditional color and woodsy, earthy, herbal aromas, with tantalizing and complex fruity and savory flavors. A firm texture and flavor complexity highlight elegance rather than ripeness. It was aged in barrels whose staves were seasoned four years before assembling.
Hot gravel, fresh mint, dried basil and dark red fruits entertain the nose on this bottling of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot from the Frankel Family Estate. Playful red fruits make for easy drinking, with complexity coming from licorice and a buttered finish.
The veteran San Luis Obispo-based winemaker heads south to the historic vineyard to produce this wine. A wildly dynamic nose suggests unripe lemon skin, pencil lead, oak and smoky wisps of a beach campfire. The woody, cedar element—though not really oaky—provides an intriguing palate of pencil shavings, green pear skins and lime pith.
A whiff of yeasty baked bread opens the bouquet of this 100% varietal wine that's plenty juicy and drinkable right now. Plum surrounds integrated tannins and a powerful midpalate, suggesting an ability to age. The finish is all about mocha. Cellar through 2022.
From an estate-grown, valley-floor vineyard on the southern edges of the winery property, this wine is complex and nuanced in berry pie and a satchel of dried herb. Sizable tannins—which show promise to be tamed with time—form the integrated structure, supporting a lengthy, mocha-chocolate finish. Cellar through 2020.
This age-worthy wine was given plenty of time to develop in used French oak, and will stand up to further time in the cellar. Right now it offers structured depths of high-toned cherry and leather, with a floral flourish that keeps it bright and fresh despite its substantial concentration. Drink now through 2020.
Pressed yellow flowers, citrus zest, walnut and bread crust aromas lead the way on this elegantly structured wine. The foaming, velvety palate doles out ripe yellow apple, lemon drop, toast and a light note of crystallized ginger framed in vibrant acidity and an ultrafine perlage. An energizing mineral note closes the finish.
This majority Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, is elegant in sandalwood and cedar, offering a taste of cassis and dried herb atop integrated yet sizable tannins. French oak, half of it new, encased the wine for a little more than two years, adding to its power and structure. Drink now through 2021.
Aged in barrel for close to two years, this 100% varietal wine from a classic Napa Valley producer delivers a compelling mix of blackberry pie and chocolate. The flavors form around soft, silky, well-integrated oak and fine-grained tannins. Rich and robust, it discloses an elegance that suggests further cellaring, through 2022.
Delicious fruit aromas and abundant spices waft up from the glass. The flavors follow suit, with ripe plum, strawberry and cinnamon all well supported by firm acidity and a medium-to-full body. This is a well-rounded wine that's easy to enjoy.
Cola, cranberry, raspberry and pencil shavings greet the nose on this wine by regional veteran Rick Longoria. It's lush and plush on the palate, with licorice, black truffle, black sage and barely ripe blackberry flavors.
This offers plenty of tannins and a dry, firm structure along with the weight of ripe plums, blackberries and a rich character. The wine is certainly going to age, with its solid texture and bold fruit aftertaste. Drink from 2017.
Made following the principles of biodynamic agriculture, this bright, savory sparkler offers aromas of white peach, green apple and chopped herbs. The palate doles out ripe Bartlett pear, lime, ginger and sage alongside zesty acidity and a foaming mousse. A note of candied nectarine closes the finish. This would be perfect for toasts or as an aperitivo.
An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this is a crisper than other Champagnes in the Coutelas range. It is also still young with its bright green and citrus fruits and tense texture. Lively and fresh, it should be aged and not drunk before 2017.
This is not a shy wine—it is concentrated and powerful, with ripe tannins and dense black fruits. Coming from vineyards in the Douro Superior, this shows the region's the heat and harsh growing conditions, giving a compact, firm wine with a mineral texture to balance the juicy fruits. It will need several years, so drink from 2017.
This vintage of Fusion V is already approachable and enjoyable, with ripe aromas and flavors of brambly berry and cherry that are accented by attractive notes of cocoa powder, cigar tobacco, sweet spice and leather. The fine tannins are grippy and structured, complementing the black pepper, toast and licorice elements that linger on the finish. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, drink now–2019.
Still young and fruity, this wine is totally integrated, harmoniously blending the red fruits with a tight texture and fresh acidity. Although it is drinkable now, it will benefit from bottle age, so best drink from 2017.
From one of the rising stars in Beaujolais, this ripe wine has both a tense minerality and rich black fruits from vines that average 60 years. It is balanced between the very fresh acidity and a dry edge that will allow it to age. Drink from 2016. The vineyards are certified organic.
Candied blueberry and syrupy aromas jump from the glass. The palate, however, is tangy and underdeveloped, with herbal, sharp flavors of boysenberry and black raspberry. Not a lot to the finish other than heat and licorice.
Lightweight, attractive, very juicy wine. It is a great pizza wine, with its edge of tannins and lively acidity. Drink this year.
Sweet and light smelling, with sugar cookie and blueberry aromas. The palate is medium in weight, with snappy acids and dry, lightly herbal flavors of raspberry and red plum. Mostly fresh on the finish, but with little volume or follow through.
Heavily earthy and rubbery smelling, then big and bulky but out of whack on the palate. Tastes buttery and gummy, with generic berry fruit flavors that finish oaky.
Leathery and pinched on the nose, with rubber, olive and berry aromas. The palate runs hard and snappy due to high acidity and spiky tannins, while the flavor profile deals herbal notes, olive and dark plum. Fades fast on the finish, leaving a salty residue.
Quite herbal and foxy on the nose, with char and olive aromas. The palate is thick, jammy and clumsy, with bittersweet notes of stewed berry and blackberry syrup. A huge, muscular wine that's really ripe and untamed.
Grapey and foxy, with green, minty aromas and a hollow center. The palate is bulky, heavy and tannic, while the flavors are strained and grapey. Sweet and incomplete; grapey but not in harmony.
Raspberry, plum and cherry aromas become more thin, cheesy and leathery with time. The palate is hard and narrow, with sheer flavors of generic raspberry and plum. Clacky and rough feeling on the finish.
Jammy and a bit scratchy on the nose, and also sort of dull and earthy. In the mouth, it's tangy and citrusy, bordering on sour tasting, with pie cherry, plum and light savory notes. Finishes red and juicy, but with a tomato accent.
Candied, dark and murky on the nose, then narrow, clampy and tannic in the mouth. Flavors are herbal, while the fruit content is sweet blackberry and black plum. Short and hollow on the finish, which leaves a grapey residue.
Oily and blowsy smelling, with almondy aromas and a pinch of citrus. The palate is heavy and chunky, with sweet, overripe flavors of pineapple and peach. Sweet and stalky on the finish.
Rustic, farmyard aromas follow through to a wine that has let the Baga tannins dominate. It is tough, chewy, offering few concessions to fruit.
Tobacco and mint aromas cloud the wine's bouquet, while the palate starts out rough and scratchy, with a heavy dose of grape-skin tannin. Upon airing it offers more berry fruit but also salty, leathery finishing flavors. And the tannins never really cease.
Stemmy and lightly green on the nose, with raspberry and plum filling in the blanks. The palate is a bit hollow and empty, with herbal plum and berry flavors. Not bad but it does shows stemminess and raspy qualities.
Grapey blackberry aromas come across foxy. The palate is wet and high in acidity, leaving a semisour flavor profile with only a few hints of sweetness around the edges. Drying, herbal and salty.
The Estremoz region in Alentejo is at the heart of one of the major vineyard areas. This rich and now mature wine shows the ripe fruit and structure that can be produced there. It is packed with tarry black fruits and dusty tannins. Drink now.
The Dão's very own Encruzado is the backbone of this beautiful fresh wine. Made by top winemaker Alvaro Castro, the wine is rich, full of pears, apricots and pears with a touch of nutmeg. It needs another year to age. Drink from early 2016.
Fragrances recall honeysuckle, jasmine and citrus zest. The juicy palate offers creamy green apple, Bartlett pear and nectarine alongside zesty acidity. A note of white almond signals the close.
This has great fruits and plenty of structure to go with it. Juicy plum flavors complement the dense tannins, mineral structure and concentrated texture. It's a stylish wine that will develop some more. Drink from 2016.
From the northern Portuguese heartland of Alvarinho, this beautifully ripe and rich wine is packed with intense perfumes of white peach and green apple. Fresh fruit and crisp acidity give a lively, tangy aftertaste. Drink from late 2015.
Heavy, raisiny, ripe aromas of prune and earthy blackberry set up a chewy, oaky, mildly tannic palate that's fully stuffed with woody, baked, almost malty flavors of blackberry, chocolate and toast. This is a rich, ripe number, with a loamy, toasty finish that shows black licorice and jammy cassis flavors. Drink through 2018.
Delicate aromas of pressed white flower, tree fruit, citrus and slate lead the nose on this elegant, structured white. The vibrant palate offers juicy yellow peach, Granny Smith apple, nectarine skin and bitter almond alongside crisp acidity. The lingering finish has a mineral accent.
Made entirely with Trebbiano di Soave, this vibrant white offers enticing aromas of white flower and citrus blossom. The linear palate delivers juicy yellow peach, pear, kiwi and mineral alongside firm acidity.
Delicate aromas suggest stone fruit, flint and Mediterranean herb. The luminous palate delivers white peach, Bartlett pear, crisp apple, almond and an energizing mineral vein.
Graphite, wood grain, spice and black-fruit aromas are full and a touch funky. Tight, crisp and direct on the palate, this Syrah sports a good mouthfeel and toasty, herbal flavors of blackberry and mixed hard spices. Baked berry fruit flavors and chewy tannins are wrapped in an oaky finish. Drink through 2018.
This comes from 30-year-old vines in the Quinta da Manoella, the family vineyard of Jorge Borges, one of the winemaking husband-and-wife team at Wine & Soul. This bottling shows the fruit-driven side of this vineyard, which also has 100-year-old vines. It's dense and solid, with powerful tannins that are beautifully integrated into the big plum fruits. The aftertaste is smooth, rich and concentrated.
Crisp, clean and bone-dry, this refreshing sparkler conveys delicate aromas of honeysuckle and ripe orchard fruit. The vibrant palate delivers tart green apple, mature pear and zesty citrus accompanied by an elegant perlage and tangy acidity.
This solid red features aromas of ripe dark berry, violet and a whiff of spice. The savory palate delivers layers of crushed blackberry, juicy raspberry, white pepper, clove and cocoa alongside lively acidity and firm, yet velvety tannins.
Wood-fermented Muscadet is rare and this limited edition from 40-year-old vines is certainly unusual. The toast and spice have taken away the natural fruitiness of the Melon grape while adding a richer texture and a ripe, full-bodied ageworthy feel. Drink from 2017.
This ripe, fresh wine packs a punch of fruit. It's well structured and lightly mineral at the back. Swathes of apple, citrus and pink grapefruit occupy the foreground of this impressive wine that is ready for drinking.
This opens immediately into a lush, varied, flavorful wine that's broadly fruity and generously endowed with toasty oak highlights. It's drinking beautifully already, but is also nicely structured for aging through 2022.
The winery does well with this grape, though each new vintage brings some sort of a twist or turn as far as grape sourcing, blend and overall style are concerned. Pungent with fusel oil and grass, it's not for the faint of palate. Full and flavorful on the palate, it combines sweet grasses with tree fruits, citrus and rind, showing excellent concentration and length, and finishing with a hint of ginger cookie.
This wine from a biodynamic vineyard is powerfully spicy on the nose, with aromas of ginger snaps, cloves, nutmeg and Indian spices seasoning the bloody meats and blackberry core. Oregano and other chopped, dried herbs flavor the palate, with black pepper, blackberry syrup and licorice combining for a savory sipping experience.
A majority of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon is joined by Merlot and smaller amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. They make for a balanced, herbal wine, dressed in peppercorn, black currant and blackberry adornments. Elegant in dry tannins and a hint of cedar, it can withstand time in the cellar; hold through 2026.
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates here, from estate-grown vineyards that also provide the 13% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Soft and silky, the wine offers black cherry, black pepper and tight-grained tannin, atop a backdrop of spicy clove and mocha. Cellar through 2021.
This is a firmly structured wine that's powerful and rich. A dark, brooding quality powers the complex balance between fruit and tannins. It has the potential to be a beautiful, ripe, impressive wine with a strong sense of minerality. Drink from 2018.
Jammy, earthy, chocolaty blackberry aromas come with a minerally note of vitamins and grit. This is bold and lively on the palate, with black plum, brandied cherry, herb and charred-oak flavors. Burnt toast and blackened berry flavors finish woody, chocolaty and lemony.
Dusty mineral and savory herb complexities are layered amidst honeyed swathes of sweet grapefruit. This wine is ethereally light on the palate, but richly concentrated, finishing long with a dusting of sugar cookies and hazelnut.
The scents of chaparral consume the nose of this rather high-alcohol wine, with crushed anise, dew-soaked sage, chemise and wild mint aromas spicing up a leathery boysenberry base. Rich flavors of black cherry extract, black cloves and vanilla decorate a grippy, mouth-tingling palate.
Aromas and flavors range from charred wood to black cherry to white pepper to wild herbs. The complexity and diversity of tastes is fascinating, a reminder of how wild this grape variety can be. It's full bodied, smooth textured and firmly tannic.
Strongly tannic, this is a firmly structured, wood-aged wine. The wood shows as dark toast that dominates the rich fruit that still needs time to show strongly. It's a complex wine, full of spice, acidity, and with a dry, dense core. Drink from 2018.
Perhaps the most iconic bottling in Soave, this opens with aromas of candied fruit, pressed chamomile flower, savory herb and a whiff of oak-driven spice. The firm palate offers lemon drop, nectarine skin, yellow peach, toasted hazelnut and energizing mineral. It has nice depth and is well balanced, with tangy acidity. Drink through 2020.
Now at peak maturity, this wine is generously rich as well as sophisticated and stylish. Firm tannins interweave with the juicy black fruit character. A dry background gives a leathery texture while still having room for fruit. Drink now.
From an ocean-view vineyard with consistently exceptional fruit, this wine represents its provenance with class and elegance, delivering crisp cranberry and cherry around an ethereal earthiness and deft seasoning of herb. Aged in barrels previously used for Chardonnay from the same vineyard, it offers restrained oak that still provides structure.
Bold and substantial, this full-bodied and firmly tannic wine has a good core of ripe black berry and black cherry trimmed with lighter cinnamon and vanilla notes from oak. It's very attractive in a firm, palate-gripping way.
This wine is pretty retrained on the nose for Condrieu, but still offers aromas of spring blossoms and white pepper. Fruit takes hold on the palate, suggesting apricot, peach and pineapple. Those flavors continue through the finish, which is silky in texture but only medium in length.
Aromas of black cherry, tilled soil and a hint of dark spice lift out of the glass. The palate offers juicy wild cherry, cinnamon and white pepper while smooth tannins lend a polished texture.
Earthy aromas of underbrush, sunbaked soil, pressed violet and dried rosemary meld together with whiffs of espresso. The firm palate offers dried Marasca cherry, cranberry, star anise and a gamy note alongside close-grained tannins.
Intensely fruity notes of red currant and raspberry abound on this fragrant full-bodied rosé. It's boldly concentrated on the palate as well, bursting of fresh berry and plum flavors. Primary and juicy in style, yet elegant and penetrating, it's an excellent rosé for year-round consumption—if you can still find a bottle.
Anthony Nappa's Bordo highlights Cabernet Franc at both its most savage and feral, but also vulnerable state. Black-cherry and plum flavors are plump and fleshy on the palate but layered in dark shadowy swathes of char, smoke, bramble and herb. Bold and expansive on the palate, it finishes softly, wrapped in fine feathery tannins. It's ready to drink now but should hold well through at least 2024.
Distinctive aromas of cinnamon stick, cola, red cherry, ripe cranberry, rose petal, lavender and smoked beef show on the nose of this blend of 39% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 26% Mourvèdre. It's light and easy drinking on the sip, with cranberry, red cherry, thyme, pepper, bay leaf and more rose-petal flavors.
A blend of 40% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit and cooking spice. The firm savory palate doles out sour cherry, cinnamon and tobacco alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2020.
Aromas of dark-skinned fruit, toast, mint and a whiff of espresso lead the nose on this Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend. The straightforward palate is on the lean side, offering raw red currant, coffee and star anise alongside firm acidity. Close-grained tannins leave a drying finish.
Made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with delicate aromas of cassis, tobacco and cedar. The robust palate delivers mature plum, clove and espresso alongside chewy tannins. Drink through 2020.
Made with 24% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 14% Sangiovese, 6% Alicante and 5% Syrah, this opens with subdued aromas suggesting ripe black-skinned fruit, toast and coffee. The palate offers black cherry jam, espresso and oak-driven spice alongside polished tannins. It's a bit shy on freshness, so drink soon.
Made with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon in equal parts, this opens with aromas of violet, cedar, and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate delivers red currant, black pepper and anise alongside smooth tannins. Drink through 2020.
A blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has aromas of leafy underbrush, bell pepper, dried herb and black currant. The palate is rather austere, offering dried cherry, leather, licorice and powdered sage alongside tightly wound, grainy tannins that grip the finish. Let the tannins unwind for another year or two, then drink up to catch the remaining fruit.
Made entirely with Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of toasted oak, scorched earth, underbrush and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus. The dense palate offers blackberry jam, licorice, cured meat and a confectionery note alongside chewy, close-grained tannins. It's a bit shy on freshness, so drink sooner rather than later.
Saucy black-fruit aromas are beefy, dense and spicy. In the mouth, this blend of Cabernet, Carmenère and Syrah is chunky, with hard tannins. Herbal, spicy black-fruit flavors include tea and coffee notes, while the finish tastes herbal and peppery, with a leafy aftertaste attributable to the Carmenère.
Made entirely with Petit Verdot, this has aromas of cedar, graphite and Mediterranean scrub. The polished palate doles out black currant, black pepper and a tobacco note alongside smooth tannins.
Aromas suggesting toasted oak, sunbaked earth and a whiff of pressed violet lead the nose. The smooth, easygoing palate offers black raspberry, grilled herb and a hint of star anise alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity. Drink through 2018.
This linear red has attractive aromas of fragrant blue flower, red berry and chopped herb. The taut medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, red currant, white pepper and a note of dried sage alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
Cedar dust, dried herb, currant and graphite combine effortlessly in this restrained wine, subtle in buried tannin. It shows voluptuous body with moderate acidity and a ripeness on the finish.
This wine provides plenty of aromatic intrigue, with notes of wet stone, black pepper and umami. The savory and citrus flavors are quite restrained, showing a lot of elegance.
The nose gives little away but the palate comes in with the fruity pleasant ease of ripe pear and gentle citrus freshness. This is rounded and ripe, fresh and bouncy, with a clean-cut finish.
Tight and minerally aromas of grapefruit pith, crushed white rocks, lemon zest and the slightest hint of petrol make for a tense and fresh nose on this bottling. That textural tension shows brightly on the palate, along with nicely rounded flavors of melon and mango, leveled by a touch of tonic water.
Full bodied and with good, gripping tannins to make the texture appetizing, this wine is very dry and nicely complex. Moderate cranberry and dark chocolate flavors are accented by hints of sage and black olive—classic Cabernet traits.
Billards is the name of a small area of Saint-Amour. The cru wine from this vineyard is richly structured and packed with juicy black fruits. There is a mineral texture from the granite subsoil that gives the wine its structure. Drink from late 2017.
There is a lot of promise in this bottling from a single vineyard 1,200 feet above the Malibu coast. Baked blackberry, red plum and sultry strawberry notes appear alongside savory roasted beef and herbs. There's enough pepper on the palate to indicate Syrah, but the fruit is lighter than usual, with bramble and raspberry lifted by touches of fennel and dill.
Here's a fun rosé that opens with aromas of spring flower, wild red berry and a whiff of crushed stone. Made with Syrah and Vermentino, the bright palate doles out juicy red cherry, yellow peach and a hint of white pepper. It finishes fresh and clean.
Made in collaboration between Frescobaldi and prisoners of the Gorgona penal colony, this offers delicate aromas of ripe orchard fruit, white flower and a whiff of Mediterranean scrub. The round palate offers dried apricot and citrus before a savory finish.
Fresh redcurrant flavors peek through subtle French oak tones, all balanced nicely by bright acidity. Lighter-bodied and toned, this will be perfect for starters or light lunches.
This opens with light and bright aromas of ripe red plum and berries, with glimmers of savory herbs and menthol. Accessible and open on the palate, the solid red-fruit core is brimming with juicy flavor, while a soft astringency unfolds on the close.
The winery identifies this as organically grown, and it commands a higher price than the nonorganic Snoqualmie offerings. It's fresh, clean and simple, with crisp, apple fruit and well balanced acidity.
This opens with attractive floral sensations reminiscent of white spring flowers. Pear, apple and pineapple flavors are all present, along with a bare hint of mineral. There's no complexity here but it's fresh and lively.
This bright and easy-drinking wine opens with delicate floral aromas of acacia and Spanish broom. The linear palate offers notes of lemon zest and peach alongside racy acidity that leaves a refreshing finish. Simple but well-made.
This is a surprisingly dry wine that's all spice and lychee flavors without any hint of sweetness (not indicated on the label unfortunately). It has a light texture with notes of pepper and rosewater, along with some acidity on the finish.
Despite its recent vintage, this is a wine that is already tasting mature. The palate is layered with secondary flavors touched with floral perfume, intense acidity and a dry aftertaste. It's not for aging, so enjoy now.
Medium sweet in style, this is spicy, fragrant wine with honeyed lychee and pear flavors. It's warm and rich with nicely lifted acidity on the finish.
This is typical Pinot Blanc—its warm, fruity and soft with just a touch of spice. The wine has an attractive line of acidity from its pear flavors, making it balanced and ready to drink.
Baked, leathery aromas of animal hide and sun-drenched berries set up a ripe, slightly out of shape palate with flavors of raspberry, plum and apple skins. A sweet tasting, tutti-frutti finish is short and basic. This reads like a wine from a hot year, which 2012 was.
This is a bit vegetal on the nose, where nectarine aromas compete with greener notes of canned beans and asparagus. In the mouth, this is oily in feel, while flavors of green fruits trend toward herbaceous. A minerally finish with citrus flavors and herbal leftovers is what you'd expect.
Even though only 20% of this Riserva is aged in barriques, this internationally-styled Verdicchio shows dominant oak, vanilla and butterscotch sensations that overwhelm the more subtle floral and citrus characteristics.
Very spicy on the nose, this sweet wine is ripe, full bodied and fruity. It has a floral character that gives complexity as well as a delicious, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now.
Wild berry and spice aromas are herbal. This is not that lively in feel, with herbal blue-fruit flavors of blackberry and juniper. This is more green on the finish, which is modestly structured.
Intensely aromatic of ripe black cherries and berries, this is a surprisingly bold, big Pinot Noir. The palate is lush of blackberry preserves and coarse, chunky tannins that dominate the finish.
This opens with delicate floral and citrus aromas, while the palate offers lemon drop and juicy yellow-apple flavors alongside crisp acidity. Pair this with linguine topped with clam sauce. Terroir Society, Potomac Selections.
This is a delicate, aromatic wine that's light as a feather. It has crisp citrus flavors along with notes of apricot and berries, along with a pure line in acidity. The aftertaste is pure refreshment.
A hint of butterscotch mingles with apple, banana, tangerine and lemon sensations. The brisk acidity would lift hearty accompanying fare; pair this with fish stews or pastas topped with creamy clam sauce.
This is a gently spicy wine with notes of ginger and cinnamon as well as ripe tropical fruits. It is not a complex wine, but very approachable even at this stage and touched with some acidity on the finish.
This red blend has ripe tannins and a dusty core of leather that frame rich red fruit on the palate. A partnership between singer Dave Matthews and winemaker Steve Reeder of Simi Winery in Healdsburg, it's fairly priced and accessible, with moderate alcohol and a soft, medium-weight body. It contains mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
With 100 g/L residual sugar, this is a pleasantly sweet Moscato, with opening aromas of rose water and jasmine that delve into sweet peach and apple on the palate. Light and soft, it will satisfy as an accompaniment to strong cheeses or salumi.
Salinic, oceanic aromas come with touches of green herbs and lime. The palate is crisp and focused with apple, lime, kiwi and melony flavors that set up a green-tinged, persistent finish that's minerally and citrusy to the final drop.
This value Garnacha is a fruity number with a no-nonsense berry character and clarity throughout. Cherry and plum aromas are vibrant, while flavors of black plum, boysenberry and medicinality are more than fine. Pepper, spice and overall warmth carry the finish.
A full, rich wine, showing red fruits at their best. It has structure and layers of bright acidity. It's not a wine for long aging, likely to be at its best in three years time.
Rich and spicy, this is a smooth, wood-aged wine. It has ripe tannins and some concentrated fruits. With its acidity and dry aftertaste, it will certainly age.
This is a mountain-grown Rhône-inspired blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise and Viognier that Napa-based Elyse produces every year. The 2009 is indeed very good—savory with dark cherry and raspberry tones, and appropriately layered in leather, tar and earth. It's a versatile wine that will pair with a range of poultry and pasta, too.
An extreme wine from an extremely cool site in an extremely cool vintage, Handley's estate Chardonnay is intriguingly tart, crisp and low in alcohol, yet textured and unique. Sip it on its own or pair with buttery shellfish or goat cheese on crackers.
The opening is nice and chunky, with jammy blackberry aromas. The palate on this Tempranillo-led Rioja is full-bodied, with grip and flavors of herbal berry, tea, smoked meat and lemony oak. There's a hint of green to the medium-length finish, which is firm in feel and oaky in flavor.
A creamy, wood-aged white that simultaneously emphasizes crisp Sauvignon Blanc fruit and minerality. Hints of pineapple and lemon go with a tight texture. A rich yet fresh wine that could age for a few years but can also be enjoyed now.
Rich in savory herbs and raspberry liqueur, Nottingham's Livermore Valley Cab is sourced from several regional vineyards. Blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, and aged in French oak, this is an easy drinking wine with deceptive complexity and just the right amount of depth and weight.
The fruit center of this wine is very ripe and fleshy, but the sprinkling of sweet yet peppery spice and soft gaminess provides depth and interest. The mouthfeel is lush and full, with a chocolate flavor that carries through to the medium-length close.
This small-lot Petit Verdot needs another 5–7 years to shine. There's an intensity of licorice, black fruit and chocolate that's detectable, but the oak and tannin structure loom ominously over the fruit right now. Heaviness on the palate is balanced as well by the wine's acidity, a feat for such a big-boned grape variety.
Though it's 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, this includes small amounts of four other Bordeaux grape varieties. Aged in 30% new French oak, it's nicely detailed with dried herb, baking chocolate and a dash of cinnamon. Black cherry fruit anchors the core, and the impression is of an Old World style, with well-integrated herb and earth flavors.
Although the bouquet is a bit scratchy, bright, lightly candied aromas of raspberry and strawberry jam are friendly and welcoming. The wine is firm on the palate and well built, with fresh, slightly jammy tasting plum and berry flavors. And it's lasting and fresh on the finish.
A blend of 57% Graciano and 43% Tempranillo, this rich, soft wine is layered with a tiny streak of hazelnut flavor intermingled among the spicy cherry and dense texture. A great wintertime wine, enjoy with meaty stews or game.
Friendly aromas of kirsch and black cherry form the opening. The palate feels plump and flush, with good density and overall balance. In the mouth, nothing is complicated; the wine tastes of pure berry and plum fruits with some chocolaty oak on the finish.
This wine is tangy and zesty, with a strong mineral texture that partners with the perfumed acidity, lively fruitiness and citrus flavors. It is likely to age well because of its tight texture. Drink from 2020.
This blend of 49% Syrah, 27% Cabernet Franc and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon leads with boysenberry, blackberry and sweet spice aromas, followed by full-bodied, lush fruit flavors. The tannins are a bit tacky, but it's otherwise appealing, showing pleasant balance.
Hailing from high in the Pyrenees, this wine dances to the beat of its own drummer. Floral red-fruit aromas suggest hot stones and wild brush, accompanying leather and tomato scents on this blend of Bordeaux grapes. A tight, tannic palate is home to herbal plum and tea flavors. The wine is earthy tasting but a bit muddled on the finish.
Earthy, gamy aromas of blackberry and other berry fruits are meaty and sauvage. This Carmenère rings with acidity, lending a sense of raciness to the palate. Flavors of currant and plum are tart but also buttery, while an oak-infused finish is long lasting.
This wine's exotic spice, leather, toast and vanilla aromas unfold in the glass. The taut, linear palate offers dried black cherry and pomegranate flavors, with a sprinkling of cinnamon, assertive, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.
This traditional Bordeaux-style blend offers loads of bright blackberry and cherry flavors accented by notes of dark toast, coconut and spice. Moderately concentrated on the palate, it's juicy yet firmly structured. The finish is marked by bold, dense tannins.
Unusual but not unpleasant aromas of cinnamon and coffee cake lead to a saturated palate with rugged tannins. Flavors of fig paste, chocolate and baking spices confirm the wine's ripeness, while blackened flavors and rock-hard tannins drive the finish.
Perfumed spice aromas give this wine its toasty character. The wood aging dominates the fruit. The fruit is ripe and will develop. Give this wine until 2024.
Wood aromas provide a toasty character that dominates the fruit. It will take time for the apple and pear fruit flavors to show. Drink from 2020.
This wine's matchstick, dark fruit, vanilla, herb and spice aromas are brooding. It's full and rich on the palate, with dark fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Vanilla, herb, cherry, coconut and barrel spice aromas are followed by supple cherry and spice flavors in this wine. The barrel influence is a bit up-front, but it still provides plenty of pleasure.
A tight beam of oak and char runs through prune, blackberry and cassis aromas. This Somontano Syrah feels tight like a fist, with rough tannins and bright acidity. Peppery oak and black-fruit flavors are lightly herbal and spicy on a snappy finish that doesn't lay down. Drink through 2019.
Kiwi and lemon-lime aromas lead to a tight, stony palate. White-fruit flavors are more savory and briny than pure, while this evaporates and finishes with elegance. For a fresh style of cava, this brut nature rings true.
Vibrant diesel, orange rind, white flower and dried apricot aromas lead to dry stone fruit flavors in this wine. It shows a pleasant balance and persists through the finish.
A mature nose of cornbread and oxidized fruits suggests a wine older than this. A white blend, it features a multitude of grapes led by Viura. On the palate, acidity is the key ingredient, while a mix of oxidized apple, melon and corn flavors runs long on the finish. Drink through 2022.
With fruit from Funk, Dugger Creek and Watermill Estate vineyards, this delivers funky peat, olive and fresh tobacco aromas. The flavors are light, soft and palate-coating, gliding into the finish. A subtle rendition of the variety.
Spicy tangerine peels perfume this intense, full-bodied Gewürztraminer. It's richly textured, almost creamy, in mouthfeel but balanced brightly in acidity. Hints of fennel and pollen pepper a pleasantly phenolic finish.
Elegant aromas of black plum, asphalt, black tea and sandalwood show on the nose of this appellation blend from Adam Lee. The palate offers hints of forest floor with mushroom and mulberry flavors, as well as a persistent woody spice.
This well-made full-bodied wine exudes a juicy core of red currant, cranberry and vanilla as a persistence of tannin provides power and wooded support. Oak and cedar play nicely together and add a wealth of savory concentration.
This combines 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec. Its baking spice, black fruit and herb aromas are followed by silky-smooth dark fruit flavors that linger on the finish.
This has black-skinned berry, mocha and tilled soil aromas. The concentrated palate doles out blackberry, clove and anise flavors alongside fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2021.
Old vines on the Aegerter Domaine in Savigny-lès-Beaune give a rounded ripe wine. It has a crisper red-cherry side to its otherwise smooth texture. The tannins support all this juicy fruit and offer a chance for the wine to age. Drink from 2020.
The distinct smell of fresh asphalt along with leather, burnt coffee, charred oak and black cherry make up the nose. In the mouth, this wine is wiry and acidic. Spiced black-plum flavors are peppery, riding a beam of acidity on a finish that could use more weight and tannins for balance. Drink through 2024.
This still-young wine is jammy while firmly structured with dry tannins. There is a foursquare character that misses subtlety with its broad-brush approach. The wine does need to age and will be ready to drink from 2023.
Toasty, tarry aromas include dark berry and baked plum notes. This offers ample tartaric acidity to cut the wine's weight, while flavors of berry, tea, mint and herbs lead to a good tasting but hollow feeling finish.
Like so many unwooded Chardonnays, this is a medium-bodied, pleasantly fruit-forward wine that's clean, simple and direct. Tangerine scents lead into flavors of mixed citrus and a crisp finish. Drink now.
This firm wine has black-currant and red-plum fruit, nicely integrated with the dry core. Ready to drink, although capable of aging a year or two.
With some attractive perfume, this is a crisp sparkling wine that's brightly fruity and touched with spice and lemon acidity. It has a pepper edge and a tangy mouthfeel, and finishes on a bold, citrusy note.
Initial gaseous, rubbery aromas subside with time in the glass. This remains minty and herbal on the nose, while olive, eucalyptus and red-fruit flavors carry the palate to a firm, solid-feeling, minty and lightly green finish.
Generally regarded as one of the lighter vintages of the 21st century, the wine still has charm and attractive mature flavors like mushroom, as well as a leathery texture. The end still hints at freshness and attractive fruit.
Despite showing neutrality on the bouquet, you will find modest salinic, citrusy aromas. The palate feels round and good, with flavors of orange and briny lime. A fleshy feeling, citrusy tasting finish is nice even if it isn't overly zesty. Drink now.
A light, fragrant Chardonnay, this wine feels cool and soft. There are attractive plum and greengage flavors, as well as a gentle touch of acidity. This is pure fruitiness, with no wood aging.
Heavy, baked aromas of black plum, berry and rubber are dense and chunky. This is big, grabby and tannic in feel, with grapey flavors of blackberry and earthy tobacco. A minty, round, soft finish is plump and grabby.
Piercing sour raspberry aromas introduce an edgy, scratchy feeling wine with a combo of minty, herbal pie cherry and red plum flavors. This dries out and finishes modestly, but always with true Pinot Noir character.
This Cabernet opens with a light whiff of green leafiness, then cola, berry and rhubarb notes appear. The mouthfeel is lively and crisp, with a shot of acidity in the midpalate sticking out. Slightly tart flavors of berry and cassis are spicy and herbal, while the finish is quick.
A scratchy, fiery opening of juniper, cheesy leather and berry fruit aromas settles with airing. This is tannic as a bag of rocks, with toasty, herbal, dark-fruit flavors. Throughout this feels abrasive, hard and blocky, with a finish of spice and chocolate flavors roughened by hard residual tannins.
This is a wine with light spice and perfumed red fruits. It is juicy, fresh, lightly tannic and likely to develop quickly. Drink from 2017.
The wine has plenty of ripe fruit, raspberry flavors and light spice. With a crisp streak of acidity, it is beginning to show a good balance. Drink from 2017.
This wine from Bruno Martin's 3.3-acre vineyard is going to be a fresh and fruity. Already it has a fine juicy character and plenty of red fruits. Crisp acidity at the end confirms this bright character.
Peppery and beefy in aroma, this wine is heavy on the savory components and rather lean on fruit flavors.
Jumpy cherry and berry aromas are basic. A fruity, fresh palate delivers straightforward berry flavors prior to a quick finish.
Aromas of yeast, grape skins and dust are less than compelling but not offputting. This is a high-acid, shearing type of rosé, tasting citrusy and a bit sour. A mild orange flavor is found on a crisp, racy finish.
At first whiff this wine smells burnt, but that fades to show a buttered popcorn, nutty aroma. A walnut-like astringency accompanies the otherwise smooth and viscous texture.
Lightly briny aromas of citrus set up a tight, grabby palate. This wine is a touch sour and pithy, with cantaloupe notes. A pithy, tangy finish is dry and basic.
The spicy wood is prominent here. It balances the red-berry fruits and bright acidity. That makes for a perfumed, juicy wine that will finish fresh and crisp.
Made with Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this has a shy nose but eventually reveals medicinal herb and toasted bread crust. The rather lean, bitter palate offers walnut, yellow apple skin and a hint suggestive of adhesive bandage alongside firm acidity and sharp, brisk bubbles.
This is a dry wine although the fruit does show potential. It is concentrated and firm, tannins foremost. Drink from 2019.
In this heavy wine, stewy, baked aromas of raisin and prune are smothered in oak. On the palate, there's a reverb of oak and baked black-fruit flavors, while the finish feels and tastes resiny.
Earthy, savory, seaside flavors dominate the mild fruit component of this rich-feeling but light-tasting wine.
Medicinal herb and lime lead the nose and carry over to the lean palate along with bitter walnut and yellow apple skin. It's dominated by brisk acidity.
From 100% estate-grown fruit, this lemony wine is tart on the palate while also offering a strong taste of cinnamon, akin to Red Hots. That heat lingers atop a medium-bodied experience imprinted in toasted oak.
This wine is unusual for its smoky, earthy, petrol character that's easy to catch in the aroma and that lasts through the finish.
Mild citrus and stone-fruit aromas include a note of crushed vitamin. This bright-pink rosé is wide but citric on the palate, with mild nectarine and white-grape flavors. On the finish, this is round in feel without much flavor.
Aromas of apple juice and melon are pleasant. This wine shows adequate balance. Peach and melon flavors finish with creamy weight and a mild note of pyrazines.
Aromas of berry fruit, wet cement and chewing gum struggle to make their case. This feels sticky and confected, while flavors of candied berry, mint and spicy oak finish with herbal notes and sweetness.
This blend of Carignan, Garnacha and other red grapes opens with stewy, herbal, slightly weedy plum aromas. A sticky, sinewy mouthfeel is more clumsy than agile, while flavors convey stewed berry fruits and prune. Low acidity throughout, especially on the finish, is a bit compromising.
This is a structured, firm wine that has tense tannins and acidity. It is smoky with a dry core. The fruit is just not there.
The wine is spicy and laden with wood. It has an extracted character that produces chocolate and bitter coffee flavors. The fruit is hard to find at this stage.
This is an obviously wood-aged wine with plenty of toast flavors. This wood aging has flattened the fruit giving a wine that is soft with few tannins. It is ready to drink.
A strong peppery, charred element dominates the aromas and the flavors of this full-bodied wine. The color is a brownish gold, aromas come on really strong and the flavors turn astringent.
Initially a little rustic, the wine does open out. It is smoky, fruity with the acidity of the vintage.
Strawberry fruit flavors dominate this soft wine. It is unfocussed and misses out on clarity and shape.
The wine is dry, firm and with too many tannins for its own good. It does have hints of fruit along with spice and acidity. Shame about the over extraction that gives it a bitter aftertaste.
This is a lean wine, all tannins and missing fruit. It is dry and showing considerable hard extraction. It will soften, but not much.
Raw, gamy aromas of herbal black fruits and wet dog fur set up a bumpy palate that's tough and jagged. Unabsorbed oak sits atop rudimentary berry fruit flavors, while the finish is choppy, oaky and herbal.
Merlot (80%) is in the lead on this blend, with the rest rounded out by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Cocoa, dark raspberry, vanilla and toast aromas lead to supple fruit and barrel flavors backed by grainy tannins that need some time in the cellar to smooth out.
Crisp, yet fuller bodied, with a creamy voluptuousness to the mouthfeel, this wine offers a taste of lemon pith and peach, accented by a floral bouquet of orange blossom. Measured acidity keeps it ebullient in the glass, ending in a hit of Tahitian vanilla.
There's a whole lot of appeal in this wine, with aromas of dark raspberries and barrel spices leading to rich, full-bodied fruit flavors with a velvety texture. It's a shamelessly appealing example of the variety.
This is another of the producer's intellectual exercises in experimental winemaking, made in tiny case-production numbers. It offers so much to think about, from its lemony-crisp and tangy palate to its chalky tannins. Full bodied, it merits attention, veering from herbal to chocolaty in one sip.
Fermented and aged in new French oak, this wine shows pleasing pear and apple aromas along with toast and baking spices. The medium-bodied flavors show refinement, depth and balance.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, 10% Cabernet from Sonoma County's Monte Rosso Vineyard and 10% Petit Verdot from Napa, this wine reflects the cool vintage. It offers herb, cedar and peppercorn on the nose along with plenty of acidity and structure. The fruit tends red in cassis and cranberry, finishing juicy.
Clean, taut green apple and zesty lemon are the chief markers of this slender, dry wine. It holds lots of refreshment and has a racy core. Have this on its own when in need of refreshment, or have it with food when there is light, subtle fare.
Zestiness amid the rounded apricot and rose-petal flavors marks this out, while a pleasant, ever-so-slightly bitter phenolic edge gives just a little bite. The aromatics are subtly expressed and the real action happens on the textured palate.
From a mix of vineyards within the vast Sonoma Coast, this wine offers dark color, tannic proportions, sizable oak and a touch of black pepper and anise, bringing out rich, bold, full-bodied flavor. Concentrated and dense in wild strawberry compote, it finishes in dried herb.
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 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.
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.
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.
With a dark purple hue and rubbery, horsy aromas of black fruit, leather, dried beef and coffee, this full-bodied blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Garnacha delivers plump, chewy flavors of dark plum and ripe blackberry. There's also a lot of animal, earth and leather to the rustic finish.
A great value Chardonnay, full of big green apple flavor, that's well-made and not overly complicated. With some texture and just enough heft, have it mid-week with lemony chicken.
This opens hard and crusty, but with airing it softens as chocolate, plastic, creamy oak and spice aromas emerge. The palate is compact and fairly full bodied, with herbal, roasted, leathery tasting berry flavors that end with savory, oaky notes. Overall, this is a good blend of Cabernet and Carmenère.
A great-value Barbera sourced from Lodi and entirely barrel-aged, Uvaggio's Italian red is very savory and rich with a mix of leather, cherry, chocolate and perfume. With a small amount of Primitivo in the blend, it'll accompany meats and pastas in red sauce as well as drink nicely on its own, the acidity standing up to a wide range of earthy dishes.
Leathery, stalky berry aromas are a bit rustic, and so is the feel. But the flavors on this Cabernet from Cariñena are satisfying and forward, suggesting stewed plum, baked berry and sun-drenched warmth. This is almost cooked but it pulls back. At six years of age it is what it is; drink now.
This wine is medium-bodied, with slightly briny flavors of cherry, earth and herb. It's balanced and holds interest, with a clear emphasis on the herbal aspect of Oregon Pinot Noir.
Ripe, tropical fruit Sauvignon Blanc from vines close to the Neusiedlersee lake. The wine has peach and pineapple flavors that are counterbalance by a more herbal, grassy back taste. Because it is so young, it does need a few more months in bottle. Screwcap.
Purple and plum in color, this delivers plummy fruit and graphite, or charcoal dust, in the tannins. It's bone dry and straightforward, clean and balanced.
Peach and melon aromas are holding onto their freshness, while the palate shows a soft side and modest acidity. Tropical flavors of mango, melon and pineapple finish with nectarine notes and a touch of bitter peach pit. Drink as soon as possible.
This is an austere, leathery Cabernet with smooth tannins that will take time to move beyond its more earthy, herbal components and share its blackberry fruit. Pair with a steak in the meantime, preferably in a blackberry reduction sauce, which might coax out more of the wine's flavor.
Not surprisingly, this young wine has dense, potent tannins, along with plenty of stem and herb accents. It's balanced texturally, and has rather acidic, young fruit flavors of cranberry and raspberry. At the moment it is the most chewy and tannic of all the 2010 reds from Animale.
While this Chardonnay is tropical and sweet as a whole, it's also an honest reflection of Casablanca. Aromas of honeyed apple, toast and peach are friendly, while the palate feels round and resiny, with solid core acidity. Apple, sweet melon, honey and toast flavors precede a finish where oak rises up and vies with residual tropical notes.
Spicy, minty, wood-aged wine that shows more wood than fruit. It does have a rich character from black plum and berry flavors so the wine will become better integrated. So wait for 2–3 years.
Rich and dense, this is a ripe, wood-aged wine, now showing maturity. It has weight, red berry fruits and a firmer structure of tannins. It is ready to drink, but could age another year.
Rounded wine, showing ripe tropical flavors as well as a more citrus character. The wine is full, attractively textured with a buttery edge. Spice and green herbs come through to finish. Screwcap.
Light and fruity, with a touch of pepper and spice, this is a immediately attractive, red-fruited wine. It has enough crisp freshness as well as richness to go with food. The aftertaste emphasizes both spice and fruit.
Herb and olive aromas give this Malbec a slightly green nose. There's a lot of body and acid once it hits the palate along with flavors of herbal berry, mint and pepper. This is sturdy, fully oaked and minty on the finish.
Leather and herbal berry fruit aromas come with a horsey, stalky side. The palate is solid but hard, with herbal, stemmy flavors of licorice, baked berry and chocolate. The finish is chocolaty and slightly bitter, with a leftover green note.
Dusty mineral and wet stones lend savory accents to freshly pressed apple and pear flavors in this lively off-dry Riesling. Lemony acidity feels punchy and spry on the palate, leading a refreshingly crisp finish. Drink now through 2017.
This isn't the biggest, baddest Cabernet. Instead, it's more of a charmer—lithe and crisp. Cherries and dried herbs on the nose add hints of earth and pepper on the palate, then finish with a gentle wash of dusty tannins. Drink now–2018.
While the nose is focused on delicate lemon, apple and talc aromas, the juicy palate brings peach and crunchy red apple-skin flavors. Off dry in style, with vibrant acidity, this is a well-balanced offering from this northern Michigan producer.
Crushed rock, orchard fruit and a dash of oak emerge on this linear white. On the palate, crisp acidity supports Anjou pear, yellow apple and almond while a mineral note backs up the finish.
Dense tannins find their way to roundness amid a smattering of red and blue berries and an intense shock of dried herb. The finish is a mix of leather pouch and brine.
The Dão's great white grape has produced a deliciously perfumed wine. It is fresh with pink grapefruit and crisp apples that are filled out with spice and toast from the wood aging. It is tight and mineral in texture and will benefit from a few more months before drinking. Wait until late 2016.
The wine is all fruit, fresh red berries and refreshing acidity. The tannins are soft, rounded and generous, just supporting the fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink now.
Strong scents of yellow stone fruit, grapefruit and a touch of light baking spice open on the nose. The full-bodied palate shows apricot, yellow peach, mineral and a hint of nutmeg alongside lively acidity that leaves a tangy finish.
A whisper of caramelized sugar glazes crisp berries and plums in this finely moussed sparkling Pinot Noir. It's elegantly structured, balancing striking cranberry acidity against a palate that's fruity, fresh and mineral.
Produced from organically grown grapes, this is a young, fruity wine that has been produced to be drunk young. Light tannins and pure black currant flavors give the wine plenty of freshness and acidity. The wine is rich and ready to drink.
A young and fruity wine that is already balanced. So the tannins give a structure to the forward blackberry fruits and acidity. It's a juicy, full-bodied wine, the Alicante Bouschet in the blend giving the richness and also the structure. The wine is ready to drink.
This wine's silky-smooth nose blends aromas of cherry pastries and cinnamon donut with black gravel and gingerbread. The palate is grippy with tannins that add mouthfeel but not a ton of structure, offering flavors of dense strawberry and tar.
Delicate scents of white spring flower and orchard fruit waft out of the glass. The bright, round palate offers Bosc pear and white peach while a pleasant note of bitter almond rounds off the finish.
This is a solid, jammy red that offers forward notes of black plum, cherry and berry. The medium-weight mouthfeel is direct and attractive, as the juicy black-fruit flavors are complemented by moderate tannins and balanced alcohol. A well-done and immediately accessible selection to enjoy now.
Full and fruity, this has the ripeness to feel fleshy and lush, with a pleasant mix of pear, apple and peach flavors. Light touches of brioche and cinnamon add interest to the finish.
Aged in neutral oak, this appealing wine has a strong underpinning of wet rock. The spicy, tart cranberry/raspberry fruit is rich enough to deserve more bottle age in order to reach its peak. Drink 2016–2020.
Fresh and balanced, this offers aromas of Spanish Broom, pear and a whiff of flint. The elegant, linear palate delivers crisp apple, nectarine zest and a mineral note alongside bracing acidity.
Lemon and white grapefruit flavors shine brightly in this off-dry Riesling quaffer. It's fresh and fruity but balanced vibrantly by zesty lime acidity. Drink now.
Fresh, dry red-fruit aromas lead the charge on this tasty but simple Rioja that feels crisp, healthy and balanced. Flavors of plum, raspberry and herbs finish mild.
An earthy geranium note lingers above a core of dark cherry and raspberry on the nose. The medium-bodied palate boasts light tannins and a flavor profile of cherries, wilting red flowers and anise.
Found more often (although still rarely) in the Douro, the Viosinho is distinguished by its high acidity. In the coastal climate of Lisboa, that steely character is still there. It should calm down a little over the next few months and fill out with the apple fruit flavors that are just hints at present. Drink from late 2016.
Yellow wildflower, white stone fruit and crushed rock aromas lead the nose while the lively palate offers mineral, almond and yellow apple. It's vibrant, with bright acidity.
The nose isn't overly expressive but eventually reveals suggestions of tropical fruit, chopped herb and a whiff of stone. The straightforward, slender palate offers grapefruit, a hint of peach and mineral accompanied by crisp acidity.
Light and vibrant, this opens with aromas of fragrant spring flower, stone fruit and a suggestion of nutmeg. The palate offers white peach, apple and a hint of almond alongside crisp acidity.
The scents mingle rose petals, sandalwood and a touch of bitter greens. That dusting of incense continues on the palate, with Indian spices and tart red fruit. Tannins are firm and proportionate, with a bit of stem flavoring the finish.
Graphite, char, vanilla bean and cedar plank lay atop the black berry and plum preserve fruit core on the nose. The palate is creamy and mouthfilling at first, offering rich notes of vanilla-infused stewed berries and raspberry sauce that are then overwhelmed by aggressive, green tannins that hold the palate hostage through the long, woody finish.
Aromas of hay, tomato leaf and medicinal herb lead the nose and follow over to the racy palate together with grapefruit, lemon drop and mineral. It's linear, with bracing acidity.
Truffled earth and cranberry-strawberry envelop sizable oak and bittersweet tannin in this warm-vintage wine. On the more light-bodied side, it features savory tinges of black tea.
While the nose is a bit subdued, suggesting bruised apple and herb notes, the palate of this spry, off-dry Riesling is fresh, fruity and elegant. Crisp white peach and grapefruit flavors are lively and tart, finishing with a refreshing green herb note. Drink now through 2018.
Bacon aromas lead to a wine that is spicy, dry and meaty in character. There is a stalky element at first, yet turns to fresh, ripe fruit balanced by lively acidity. Drink from 2017.
Crisp earth and seamless tannin give this wine a sultry softness around a subtle overlay of oak. Black cherry and leather meet in the middle, buoyed by a zest of acidity, medium weight and a lengthy finish.
Delicate aromas of spring flowers and white stone fruit lead the nose. The palate offers crisp green apple, yellow pear and creamy white peach alongside refreshing acidity and a foaming mousse.
This oak-fermented wine may have little connection to the Douro, but it is a full, ripe and tropical-fruit flavored. The toast is only perceptible in the smooth creaminess of the texture while acidity and a crisp lemon edge give the wine an attractive final lift. Drink from late 2016.
Named after the vultures which fly in the Douro, this solid, structured wine is full of tannins as well as ripe fruit. It comes from a good red wine vintage, allowing the structure to develop richly with a good concentration. The wine still needs time, so drink from 2017.
Pungent aromas of nettle, grapefruit and green herbs are true to Rueda and Verdejo. This feels tight and minerally, almost to the point of seeming raw. Nettle, lime and scallion flavors are tangy, citric and lightly pickled on the finish.
This offers subdued aromas of white spring flowers, citrus and orchard fruit. The bright, creamy palate offers tart green apple and lime alongside vibrant acidity and a soft, frothy mousse.
This wine, made as the second label under the very reliable Talley Vineyards, is a solid purchase, offering black currant and herb-crusted roast pork aromas on the savory nose. It's juicy while smoky once sipped, with nice herbal touches that last deep into the finish. Drink now.
Leafy tomato, dried cherry and baked plum aromas cover most ends of the Pinot spectrum. This feels round, ripe and a touch tannic, while oaky flavors of vanilla and chocolate dominate, ending with more than a dash of wood spice.
Blackberry and cassis aromas are bold and come with a coating of oak that brings vanilla and sweet plastic into the frame. A crisp, tightly wound palate shows plum and red-currant flavors in front of a snappy finish with oak spice and chocolate hints.
A soft style of Blanc de Blancs, rounded as much as crisp, this is an attractively ripe and fruity wine. Apple and grapefruit flavors are filled out with perfumed acidity and a lively, fresh aftertaste. Drink now.
This is an easy, clean and direct Sauvy, with fresh notes of lime, tart gooseberry and green plum on the nose and mouth. The palate is lively and bright, finishing mouthwatering and refreshing. Drink now.
Slightly oily, mature aromas of apple and peach break up quickly. This single-vineyard Albariño feels lean and narrow. Citrusy flavors of tangerine and grapefruit finish racy and zesty. Drink now.
Dry in style, this dark-hued wine comes from vines between 30 and 90 years old. With firm tannins and a dry core, it is only just showing its fruity side. Coming from a five-generation family's vineyard near Fleurie, it has the richness and potential of wines from this cru. Drink from 2016.
Grown in the far north of Beaujolais, almost in Burgundy's Mâcon region, this full and ripe Chardonnay is full of spice and toast as well as rich yellow fruits. It is still young, with intense citrus flavors, so wait to drink until 2016.
This blend of the three estate vineyards is the first Pinot to be released from each vintage. Here it spent time in 22% oak, roughly half new. Cranberry, pomengranate, dried herbs and some gently earthy tannins combine in a tart, gulpable style.
This reflects the Yarra region's Pinot Noir character well, combining earthy, cola- and beet-scented notes with well-ripened tannins and medium body. There's a fair bit of textural richness for such a modestly priced Pinot. Drink now.
Stewed olallieberries and black cherries gain nuance from concentrated red rose petals, cola and gravel on this wine from Riverside County. Like many of this winery's bottlings, the palate shows lots of barrel influence, with strong vanilla elements laced amidst blueberry and lighter red fruits.
This is a full-bodied wine, soft and smooth with integrated tannins, yet robust in black cherry and graham cracker. The savory fruit is seasoned in baking spices and a touch of herbes de Provence, finishing with aplomb.
This is a delicious wine full of ripe fruit tones. It is richly textured while keeping plenty of freshness from the Antão Vaz that dominates the blend. It has a firm mineral background that gives structure. The finish brings a zippy orange zest note.
Like the estate's Cuvée Carolle, this has a note of volatility and sur-maturité, but it's also bigger, richer and more extracted, with lots of ripe tannins but also thick purple fruit that comes through on the finish. Try in 2010. 40% Syrah, 40% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache.
A beautifully structured Bordeaux blend from one of Washington's great vineyards. This spent about 18 months in French oak, and another 9–10 months in bottle. It is sleek and somewhat austere at first, but sculpted and evocative, with subtle, mixed fruits and impressions of steel and gunpowder. As the fruit comes up it shows some pretty blackberry and black cherry character, nicely balanced and set to evolve over the next decade or more.
The vineyard name is a combination of the two prevalent soil types, Nekia and WillaKenzie. The Dijon clone Pinot is dark and pleasantly earthy, with core flavors of cassis and cherry liqueur. The earthy, slightly rustic tannins coat the throat, leaving an astringent, green tea residue, but the silky fruit compensates. This needs some further bottle age to really shine.
It's not often that we come across Chilean Malbec (Cot) with several years of bottle age, but this offers that and a little more. The nose is pure, with herbal hints and plenty of sauvage character. Roundness and depth give it length on the palate, which is endowed with solid berry flavors and proper savory accents. A wine with personality that's drinking perfectly right now.
The Estate Vineyard bottling shows a definite meaty, almost Rhone-like aroma, but this is no Syrah. It's a very elegant, light, sultry bottle of Pinot Noir. The tart black cherry and currant fruit is shadowed by smoke and cinnamon, but the balance throughout is light and delicate.
Clifton Hill Syrah looks and smells the way you'd hope it would, black in the center, purple/garnet at the edges, peppery and loaded with sweet grapey fruit. Viognier skins—not juice—added to the fermenter elevate the aromas with floral and citrus accents. It's juicy and fairly light in flavor, but clean and very fresh, with no new oak.
This is an unusually elegant wine for Provence, from a tiny, isolated vineyard in the maritime Alps. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, that's gently extracted, crimson in color and filled with intricate, delicate fragrances and flavors, ranging from violets and a hint of iodine to red cherries and maybe even a touch of apricot. Drink now and over the next few years.
More complex and richly textured than most Provençal rosés, this wine is a treat, from its mineral-laden, smoky aromas to its ripe cherry-berry flavors and layered finish. Drink now, although it has enough stuffing to suggest it might last longer than just a single summer.
This rare blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Touriga Nacional works surprisingly well, emphasizing tannic structure rather than fruit. The acidity of the Cab is what keeps it from being heavy, while the dense color and herbal flavors show its southern warmth and richness. Dried plums and fresh acidity to finish.
Counoise—a southern Rhône blending grape—only rarely appears as a varietal wine, but this distinctive bottling makes a strong case for it. It's not just another generic red wine; it has a particular mouthfeel—elegant, almost Pinot-like—coupled with firm, slightly metallic tannins, sharp acids and accents of pepper on stone. Somehow the wine feels, more than tastes, European.
As with the other Pinots from Brandborg, this estate bottling puts the spices front and center, and matches the intensity of the fruit and barrels appropriately. This is seductive and elegant with a feminine grace. The spicy plum and red currant flavors carry some tasty barrel notes of clove and cinnamon, and the wine has a bit more intensity than its stablemates.
Somewhat tough initially, with the tannins coming before the fruit, and a distinctly lean character. But this is deceptive, because there is certainly enough fruit there to give richness after two years' aging, when the blackberry and licorice flavors will come up through all that dryness.
Ripe, soft wine that has good dense fruit flavors as well as richness. There is some new wood, but the wine remains elusive, perhaps still young. On the palate, the wood spice is still dominant, with only the acidity hinting at the fruit.
This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced mostly from Pepper Bridge and Spofford Station. It has steely aromatics, showing rock and tight, tart red currant flavors. In the Waters style this is another elegant wine, that conceals its discreet pleasures in its layered aromas and mixed fruit and rock flavors.
This is hands-down the best value Pinot Noir made in Oregon, year in and year out. It's firm and full-bodied, perfectly ripe, with lovely spices that range from pepper to cinnamon and allspice. The fruit lingers in the midpalate, round and tangy, with flavors of cherry and plum. It's a thoroughly rich and satisfying wine that is big enough to work with dark poultry, salmon and even veal.
This is interesting—a California take on Oregon Pinot Noir. It's sleek and spicy, with a racy spine and a very tart, dry mouthfeel. The fruit is peppery and hard; like hard candy with an herbal streak. The wine hides its almost 15% alcohol quite well, but it will reward ample breathing time.
The color of slightly faded garnet, this wine has a nose of red and black cherry.The flavor of fresh cherry continues in the mouth, supported by the spicy taste of cinnamon. There is a nice note of brightness on the fruit-filled finish.
Lightly mauve in color, this rosé blend of 51% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 28% Mourvèdre shows ripe watermelon, bubblegum and strawberry on the juicy nose. The palate is quite restrained for such a ripe nose and deep color, but ripe plums emerge alongside graphite minerality and a pithy grip.
Crisp apple and lemon mark this wine, from a legend of Alexander Valley and California Chardonnay. Oaky caramel and toast dominate on the midpalate, before a significant amount of fennel comes into play on the finish.
Plum and raspberry aromas are herbal and slightly grassy. On the tongue, wiry acidity feels citric. Flavors of red plum, spiced cherry, tomato and herbs ride a road of choppy acidity and rough tannins to a bold finish. Drink through 2020.
This dark, muscular Carignan smells cool and earthy, with a heavy dose of unintegrated oak creating woodgrain and vanilla aromas. This feels full but shows structural gaps, while blackberry, clove and resiny, grainy flavors finish with tannic hardness and lasting woody flavors.
Concentrated strawberry and plum blossom aromas are boosted with iron and a touch of oak smoke on the nose of this bottling by winemaker Steve Martell. The palate shows ripe red currant, woody elderberry brush and a shred of asphalt.
Dark fruit aromas and flavors join with a generous texture and full body to make a complete and satisfying wine. This has just enough tannin to make it appetizing and well balanced.
The aromas of this full-bodied, dry and sophisticated wine show black olive, light smoke and oak. The palate brings flavors of dark cherries and a touch of dark chocolate, with firm tannins offering a pleasing texture.
This blended study of 2A, 115, 667 and Pommard clones shows black pepper, red cherry, pressed purple flowers, eucalyptus and a touch of hot asphalt on the nose. The lean and light palate conveys lots of dried herbs and raspberry-cranberry juice, enlivening the tongue with sourness.
Made from selected parcels of Gamay, this structured wine offers both fruit and fresh acidity. It has a dry core, giving a solid wine with some aging potential. Aromatic and fresh red fruits complete a wine that will be better from 2016.
This dry Riesling offers rich floral aromas of lilies and freesia. Soft floral notes continue on the palate, where they are joined by stronger flavors of citrus, honey and roasted hazelnut.
From multiple vineyard sites in the appellation, this wine is a tremendous value, offering vibrancy and complexity in an approachable way. The entry is marked by candied raspberry and strawberry, with hits of cinnamon and earth. Soft and easygoing, it ends in a rustic knot of tight tannin that resolves in the glass.
Direct, woody aromas of cherry, raspberry and minerally crispness set up a medium-bodied palate housing round tannins. Ripe, loamy flavors of mixed berries exhibit a touch of raisin, which carries over to a peppery, blackened finish.
Dark, luxurious streaks of blackberry and cherry lend heft and silkiness to this full-bodied Merlot. Subtly spiced, it's accented by sprightly acidity and fine, feathery tannins in the midpalate.
Made with 100% Cabernet Moravia (an indigenous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Zweigelt) this wine has an interesting bouquet of ripe red fruits marked by eucalyptus and a heavy vegetal note. Fruit flavors, especially dark plum, shine through on the palate, while greener herbal notes make their presence known on the invigorating finish.
On the nose, spice outweighs fruit, with notes of clove and cinnamon backed by a touch of cherry. On the palate, the tables are turned, with black plum and cherry flavors playing host to a soft touch of baking spice that is most evident on the soft finish.
Earthy mushroom and forest floor rise from the opening bouquet of this reserve-level wine that expresses itself in dense, full-bodied layers of dark, bittersweet cherry. Concentrated and robust, it finishes savory and mouthwateringly fleshy.
Notes of candied mandarins steal their way into this fresh, fruity and blossom-scented wine—think apricot, tangerine and jasmine. The charm is easy here, and all is held on the fruity, perfumed side. This is playful, fruit-driven fun.
Aromas of acacia flower, fresh stone fruit and nut all come together in the glass. The juicy palate offers up white peach, green apple and a citrus note while crisp acidity provides support. Mineral and white almond notes delineate the finish.
Aromas of vanilla, black cherry, toasted coconut and graphite give little insight into a flavor profile that is dominated by ripe cherry and red raspberry. Fruit flavors reign strong, with just a touch of toasty spice on the bright finish.
Seyfried always seems to do well with aromatic varieties, perhaps because of the family's Germanic roots. This Riesling includes a hint of honey on the nose, plus melon and pear fruit and a lingering hint of gingery spice on the finish.
Let's call it a highly stylized but nonetheless attractive wine. A sweet, spicy oak character floods the taste impressions, the body is full, and the texture firm but smooth. Enticing notes of orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla—almost sweet—dominate the smells and flavors.
Touches of balsamic vinegar, violet and wet granite lend complexity to this crisp, elegant Pinot Noir. Black cherry and plum flavors are penetrating and pristine, finishing with a fringe of dusty tannins.
Toasty, roasted aromas of earthy plum and berry fruits set up a full-bodied but friendly palate of soft tannins. Dark, oaky, minty flavors of black fruits finish with peppery spice, good length and some heat.
From the cooler climes of Carneros, long a good match for the variety, this wine offers sanguine notes of cranberry on the nose, before developing a soft, flavorful core of dusty cinnamon and baked plum.
An opening of toasty caramel gives this wine a full-bodied weightiness and inviting richness on the nose and palate, offering a roundness of vanilla and peach along the way. Full and ripe, it finishes in a lift of balanced acidity.
Warm, spicy scents of brambly blackberry, spiced plum and fruit cake grace the bouquet of this 80% Syrah and 20% Carignan blend. Hints of graphite add intrigue, while soft tannins and fruit-skin flavors lend an attractive earthiness to the palate. An approachable and ready-to-drink selection.
Ripe scents of pineapple, peach, lychee and melon are laced with hints of honey and orange oil. The palate is lush and mouthfilling, with rich stone- and tropical-fruit flavors that transition into a subtle spice note on the close. Drink now.
A shy nose demands further time in the glass to open this medium-bodied and truly compelling offering from this far-flung coastal site. A depth of black cherry, cranberry and black tea awaits, marked by tart acidity and silky-smooth waves of flavor and body.
From one of the cooler sites sourced by the producer, this wine is remarkably rich and foreboding, sultry in chalky tannin and lingering blueberry and blackberry notes. Deeply satisfying and complex, it's structured and firm, with a sizable presence of toasty oak and a jolt of dark-roast coffee at the end.
This pitch-black Malbec opens with aromas of raisin, blackberry, cassis and vanilla. The palate exhibits a tight muscular grip, while flavors of mocha, chocolate, prune and cassis finish with complex hints of leather and salt. Drink this massive offering from 2018–2026.
One of Argentina's few high-end Merlots, this opens with maple, toasty oak and deep berry aromas. With 9% Petit Verdot and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc mixed in, this feels juicy, ripped and eminently healthy. Flavors of coffee, blackberry and cherry are deep and pure, while this avoids being overweight by tipping the scales at 13.9% abv. Drink through 2022.
A crush of mineral notes on the nose lend earthy dimension to this buoyantly ripe, fruity auslese. Layers of sweet mango, pineapple and guava abound on the palate, off set by a spine tingling spray of lime. It's decadent yet balanced, with a long, irresistibly clingy finish. Ready to drink now but it will shine for decades to come.
Light raspberry-sorbet notes meet with fresh fennel fronds, pepper and cinnamon on the nose of this bottling from Chad Melville and family. It's tight and tart on the palate, with dried cranberry, pine needle and eucalyptus flavors that juxtapose with the more fruit-driven nose.
Nearing maturity, this is a full-bodied, rich Chardonnay despite weighing in at only 12.5% abv. Scents of custard-meringue pie become more pungent and savory with air, adding hints of roasted mushrooms, smoke and maybe even some bacon fat. The flavors are savory yet the fruit remains, culminating in a long, ripe-citrus finish.
There's a very appealing sense of hickory smoke to this wine, which comes from a block planted in 1973 on this historic vineyard. Red cherry, mulberry, sweet sage and cola also play into the nose. Rich sandalwood flavors show on the palate, as does cedar, thyme, smoke and tart berry elements.
Naggiar makes at least 15 wines from its estate vineyard, and really hit a home run with this classic that should have a long life ahead of it. The color is dark and intense right to the rim, while aromas blend a subtle spiciness with bold and complex fruit notes. Flavors convey concentrated dark chocolate, black cherry and espresso. It's enjoyable now with big proteins, but will be best after 2020.
A pleasantly savory touch of earth and nut on the nose lends complexity to this lusciously citrusy dry wine. Fresh white grapefruit, lemon and lime flavors are penetrating on the palate, glazed by a luminous sheen of crushed minerals and cutting acidity. Light bodied yet rippling in texture, it's a deeply satisfying Riesling to enjoy now through at least 2030.
Robust in body yet squarely structured, the Franz Anton shows more ripeness and concentration than the producer's standard-label bottling. Fleshy black cherry and berry flavors are ripe, but are offset by crisp acidity and a shroud of smoke and toast that accents without overwhelming. It's bold and penetrating, with a long finish marked by fine, persistent tannins. Delicious already, but bold enough to improve through at least 2030.
From estate grapes aged nine months in 100% new French oak, this features toasted wood that speaks in hushed undertones beneath a wealth of tangy stone fruit, baked pear and pineapple. Enjoyable now, it has a voluptuous richness on the midpalate that meets more nuanced acidity as it washes down.
Planted in 1935, this single vineyard wine is rich and structured. At this stage, it is dominated by firm tannins as much as by the perfumed juicy black fruits. As the wine softens with age, this generous fruitiness will comet through to give a deliciously ripe wine. Drink from 2019.
Kirsch, wet stone, lavender and dried herb aromas are followed by ripe jazzy generous dark-fruit flavors. Fine-grained tannins provide support, with a supple mouthfeel piquing the interest.
Kirsch, brown stem, herb and olive aromas give way to a powerful mouthful of black fruit speckled with savory accents. The finish lingers.
Hailing from the state's oldest Syrah vineyard, this wine displays aromas of pure blue fruit, assorted herbs and whiffs of smoked meat. The palate is dense and seamless, with fine-grained tannins providing support. Its best days are far in front of it. Best from 2022–2030.
This wine is a blend of fruit from Ranch at the End of the Road and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Brooding aromas of dark raspberries, black plum, spice and mineral are followed by ripe generous full-bodied fruit flavors that display a lot of hedonism while retaining a spot-on sense of balance. It's sensational.
Spicy, rich and full of ripe fruit, this wine has great potential. It is structured and dense while bringing out a stylish elegance. Blackberry fruit dominates the tannins to create a wine that has both concentration and fine fruit. Drink from 2022.
This Dijon clone fruit, barrel fermented and aged on the lees, delivers a wine of exceptional concentration and intensity. Deeply fruity, with a lush mix of apple, pear and peach, it also brings flashy barrel flavors and impressive length. The persistent, tightly wound finish bodes well for further aging. Drink now through 2028.
Winfield is up-valley in Calistoga, on the lower slopes of Mount St. Helena, where volcanic soils rule. Rich and grippy, this beautiful wine is savory and elegantly bold, a mix of black pepper, leather saddle and blackberry compote, its concentration complemented by streaks of acidity and lurking freshness. It should do well in the cellar for the patient who can painfully wait.
Tart lime and gooseberry aromas turn plush and plump on the palate of this lip-smackingly ripe spätlese. Apricot and yellow peach flavors penetrate deeply, catapulted by shards of lemon-lime acidity. It's breathlessly light in body, yet lingers long, leaving airy kisses of blossom and fresh herb in its wake. Irresistible already but should improve through 2025.
Light as a feather yet bold in fruit, this sprightly spätlese packs a punch of sweet, ripe apricot, peach and even raspberry flavors. Spine tingling grapefruit acidity lends vitality, guiding a breathlessly perfumed, floral finish. It's a thrilling, irresistible wine.
Bob's is the producer's estate vineyard, acquired in 2014, a foggy site near the Petaluma Gap. Here, it allows for fleshy flavors of pear, brioche and honey, offering ripeness within a classic structure of minerality. Intense in tension and body, it has a dark color and a lingering tease of honeycomb.
This is a bold, brawny red from a famous site, velvety in texture and all power and concentration. Forest floor and a touch of smoke complement juicy dark cherry, caramelized oak and licorice, while bright acidity supports the layers of flavor and strong tannins.
From a selection of vineyards influenced heavily by fog, this wine shines in fleshy, expansive stone fruit and brightly integrated flavors of apple and pear. With a focused, velvety and juicy texture, it retains plenty of balance against a backdrop of elegant richness.
A mineral-driven white, this is waxy and lemony on the palate. Light bodied, crisp and vibrant, it doesn't hold back on complexity, weaving a lengthy story of perfumed near-perfection.
The top drop from Bethel Heights in this vintage, this is a dark, dense evocation of Pinot Noir at its most authoritative and engaging. It's a muscular mix of mulberry, blueberry and blue plum, with a dash of sassafras for good measure. The length and sense of throttled power suggest that this is a fine cellar candidate. Drink now through 2028.
Dark blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant fruits make for a ripe but extremely enticing nose on this bottling, lifted by aromas of vanilla, cola, clove and anise. The palate is delicious and rich with black cherry, but a zesty, bright acidity and chalky tannins contribute depth and length, with a touch of dill.
The aromas are pretty and pure, with perfumed notes of plum and blackberry speckled with spice and herb. The flavors are seamless and full, showing a real sense of freshness and vibrancy capped off by a tart finish that hangs together impressively.
Minty strawberry hulls come to mind first in this wine, accented as it goes by a taste of grenadine and earth. Medium bodied and smooth in texture, it offers a big finish of black cherry and more of those strawberries.
Steve Clifton makes this wine pop with a wet river-stone minerality on the fresh olallieberry fruit-laden nose. The palate offers spiced plums, a bit of blood and turned-earth flavors.
Aromas of blue flowers, dried aromatic herbs and dark-skinned berry lead the nose. The juicy palate offers fleshy black cherry, raspberry, white pepper and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive, dusty tannins. A green note of powdered sage leaves an astringent finish.
Overflowing with blackberry and black pepper flavors, this affordable, rich and layered wine is very dark in color, saturated with firm tannins and full in body. Serve with some hefty protein to make a good match.
This dry wine has a nice sense of reserve along with subtle lemony, earthy and milky flavors that linger on the finish. The texture has a nip of acidity and the body is light to medium.
Black cherry and cassis aromas include notes of tree bark, rooty spices and animal hide. This feels juicy and alert, while toasty black-fruit flavors are mild. Blackened, peppery notes are unchecked on the energetic finish.
A blend driven by Merlot, it also contains 33% Malbec and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dense and dark, it offers flavors of black licorice around a persistence of tannins, ending thick in toasted oak and caramel.
A unique blend of equal parts Petite Sirah and Merlot, with a smaller percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a sizably robust and dry, full-bodied wine. Puckering tannins should settle down in time, allowing the blackberry and black currant that's in there to shine through.
Here's a straightforward red that opens with aromas of red berry and blue flowers. The easy-drinking palate offers wild cherry, clove and dried Mediterranean herbs alongside bright acidity and dusty tannins. Drink through 2016.
It's the Carmenère (14%) that pops first on this Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc-dominant blend. Aromas of braised jalapeno pepper are followed by coffee, vanilla and dark fruit. The coffee and cherry flavors are light, with some grit to the tannins and a warm finish.
A pretty pale-pink color, this wine has aromas of cherry bubble gum, strawberry and herb. The palate has a full, creamy feel with flavors that linger. It's a broader style than often seen on rosés—more of a red wine feel—but it's hard to deny its appeal.
Bright, crisp red cherry and blackberry flavors drive a refreshing, fruity personality. Touches of nutmeg and vanilla show through, but this is not an oaky wine by any means. It will please a crowd and pair well with a wide variety of foods.
This attractive and fruity wine blends Niellucciu with Sciacerellu, both local Corsican grapes. The freshness is right there, crisp and hinting at red currant flavors and bright acidity. Drink now.
Light, spicy aromas like vanilla and nutmeg and ripe, full blackberry and cherry flavors come with a soft texture and almost sweet balance. This has lots of flavor with medium body and without drying tannins and acidity. The winemaker blended in 10% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah.
This offers aromas of mature plum, berry, toasted oak and coffee. The straightforward palate offers roasted coffee beans, espresso, dried black cherry and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins. The fruit is starting to dry up, so drink soon.
Lively, lip-smacking fruit flavors and a tangy, tannic texture will make this a great pairing with grilled chicken, steak or portobello mushrooms. Medium bodied and well balanced, it's fun to drink.
A small-production wine for the producer, this heavy-hitting release is robust and meaty, built with plenty of structure and a full body. Pomegranate and strawberry fill out the fruit components, while a touch of rose petal dances in the background, the wine taking time ultimately to unwind.
Plum and raspberry aromas are clean, fruity and simple. The palate follows suit with lively acidity and punchy tannins in support of plum, cherry and moderate spice flavors. A light, zesty finish preserves this Monastrell's easy drinkability.
Plum and berry aromas are clean and fruity, with no funk or oak to wade through. A juicy palate deals slightly medicinal plum and red-berry flavors in front of a solid yet slightly hot and spicy finish.
An easy-drinking Côtes du Rhône, this isn't particularly intense but is harmonious from start to finish. Hints of garrigue accent black cherry and plum fruit, while the texture is silky.
This is a tight, mineral-driven wine with fresh acidity and a crisp character. Sémillon dominated, it conveys green fruits, bright acidity and a lively, tangy aftertaste. The wine is refreshing, fruity and ready to drink. Nicolas Thienpont and his brothers bought this 16-acre property in 1988.
Underbrush, pressed flowers and red berry aromas lead the nose. The easy-drinking palate offers ripe raspberry, black cherry, almond and a note of anise alongside polished tannins. This is already extremely accessible so enjoy now.
From a notoriously tough vintage for the region, this wine shows gravel, turned earth, black olive, char and a bit of blackberry ripeness. It's lean on the palate, with flavors of tobacco, rustic elderberry and charred meats, exhibiting tannins that still need some chilling out.
Earthy plum and red-berry aromas are suggestive of tomato. This kicks around the palate with lively acidity and hard tannins. Roasted, savory plum and oak flavors taste spicy and peppery, with fruit pushed to the fringes.
Although this producer is based in Pouilly-sur-Loire, across the Loire, it also has vines in Sancerre. This attractive crisp wine has herbal hints and bright apple and citrus fruit. Drink now.
This opens with delicate baking spice and black-skinned fruit scents that carry over to the simple palate together with a nutty note. It's easy-drinking, with soft tannins. Enjoy soon.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon smells of cassis, underbrush and vanilla. It's easygoing and made to be enjoyed young, its black currant, licorice and cinnamon flavors smoothed with round tannins.
Tannic and drying, this offers simple black cherry fruit that thins out and finishes quickly. It's just a cut above generic.
Aromas and flavors of blackberry, pomegranate, leather and cedar are warmed by baking spice and bitter chocolate on the palate. The tannins are firm and lend plenty of structure. Cedar and tobacco prevail on the finish, with a touch of warmth.
The tannins and the fruit are well balanced in this open, fruity wine. A blend from several vineyards, it has a dusty texture, ripe red fruits and acidity. The wine is ready to drink.
This is a soft, open wine showing a few tannins and some of the perfumed character of the grape. The palate is rounded and shows attractive red fruits.
With perfumed black-currant and damson fruitiness, this is a juicy wine. That freshness contrasts with a firm texture, chocolate and smoky flavors and a tannic aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
Thick and richly concentrated, this reserve-tier wine shows a wealth of tart tannins and leather on the palate, baked in black pepper and a strong element of cigar box flavor. Big boned and full flavored, it packs a powerful punch.
This deeply colored wine shows plum, blueberry and black currant on the nose, with turned earth and pencil shavings providing depth. It's a bit thin on the sip, despite the chalky, somewhat clunky tannins, and the acidity is quite bright, delivering flavors of dark fruit and herbs.
Crisp cherry and plum aromas are gritty. This Malbec shows wiry acidity but the palate is still a touch soupy. Salty plum and oak spice flavors include notes of clove and pepper. As a whole, this is oaky and fairly heavy.
This Nerello Mascalese has Mediterranean herb, dark spice and orange peel aromas. Its simple, rather unusual palate evokes strawberry, white pepper and lemon alongside bright acidity and loose-knit tannins. Drink soon.
Smoke and black pepper accents give a nice kick to this otherwise fruity berry-like wine. It is medium bodied, has a soft easy texture and a touch of brown sugar on the finish.
While there is a youthful stalky element to this wine, it also has plenty of ripe black-cherry fruit. That suggests a warm ripe future as the tannins soften. Drink this potentially rich, spicy wine from 2019.
Bramble and red fruits combine with spicy incense and oily coffee beans on the nose. Feeling viscous in the mouth, there are prominent flavors of coffee, clove, nutmeg and dried red plum. The tannins are bold, structured and well integrated, giving a crushed velvet feel. The finish is long with evolving flavors.
Somewhat and pleasingly feral on the nose, this county-wide blend shows wild cherry, composting rose petals, roast game and campfire on the nose. Black-plum skins come to the fore on the sip, which is quite tangy and a bit sour, lifted by dried thyme, rich mulberry and earthy chaparral scrub.
Celebrating the creation of the Douro demarcated region in 1756 by the King of Portugal, this wine comes from vineyards at the heart of the historic region. It is structured and dark, dense with both tannins and black fruits. At three years old, it is still young, so wait until 2018.
Crisp and fruity, this is a bright sparkling wine from a region which specializes in this style. The Bical and Baga grapes allow the wine to sing with perfumed apples and citrus fruits. Chardonnay adds a fuller side. Drink now.
This is a seductive wine, concentrated and full bodied and entirely big. Black cherry, chocolate and blackberry jam ride the palate with authority, as soft tannins wrap around the bold flavor.
This opens with red berry aromas and unusual whiffs of crushed dill and celery. Those green notes carry over to the taut, lean palate, with raw cherry, cranberry and clove. Bracing, tightly wound tannins and firm acidity provide the backbone.
Based in the Pouilly-Fumé area, but with vines in Sancerre, this producer has made a rich wine with a line of steely acidity. The spice and touch of vanilla are balanced by the crisp lemon and gooseberry fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.
Cedar and cigar box are most prominent on the nose, followed by hints of blackberry and currant. The palate boasts cigar box, leather and raw oak with more currant and pomegranate offering levity. Medium tannins lend structure and carry through to the cedar flecked finish.
This dry Hungarian wine is made from Muscat Lunel. It has sweet tart candy, dried basil, rosemary and lemon blossom aromas. On the palate, expect dried Mediterranean herb, lemon zest and white peach flavors.
Partially aged in oak, this wine is crisp, juicy and bright with citrus and acidity. Apples and pears come through strongly in this attractive wine that is ready to drink.
This ripe, spicy wine offers strong wood flavors as well as bold red fruits, accompanied by acidity and rich tannins. Drink now.
This is the second wine from this showpiece quinta. The wine is a classic Douro blend dominated by Touriga Franca, giving a rich, soft and juicy character that is ready to drink. It has great fruit, spice and integrated tannins.
This is one in a series of wines that blends Syrah with a major Douro grape, The wine has a severe, austere character, as much structure as fruit. Wood aging has helped to soften the wine and give density. It needs more time, so drink from 2019.
With 7% Malbec, this hearty red is tightly wound in youthful tannins and a smoky cloud of complex flavor. Leathery and earthy, it traffics in plum, blackberry and chocolate, intertwining the rich ripe fruit into a harmonious whole that pleases the palate.
Blueberry, plum and cardamom aromas include a whiff of wood smoke. A balanced palate has energy along with brambly berry and chocolate flavors. A chewy, solid finish is good but less lively than the palate.
This affordably priced Pinot Noir is part of the winery's popular Evolution series. It's smooth and forward, with pretty red fruit supported by juicy orange flavor. It has the tannin and stuffing to work well with roast poultry or as a stand-alone fireside sipping wine.
Ebulliently fruity and forward, this light-bodied Auslese offers up loads of sweet melon, peach and even berry flavors. It's juicy and crisp, finishing on delicately bristling tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot form a rich thick character for this red wine, that's lush and concentrated on the palate. Full-bodied ripeness features black-cherry pie in a graham cracker crust.
This wine's fruity aromas of red cherry and strawberry carry over to its bright, juicy palate together with black pepper notes. It's savory and easygoing, with round tannins that make it ready to enjoy soon.
Lovely aromas of marmalade, orange blossom, peach, honeysuckle and cantaloupe waft from the glass. These notes translate onto the palate, which is viscous and mouthcoating, yet balanced by a lifted acidity that preserves a lingering finish.
This Nero d'Avola offers blackberry, violet and cooking spice scents. The easygoing palate doles out black cherry, blueberry jam and white pepper flavors alongside smooth tannins. Enjoy through 2019.
This medium-bodied wine with lightly-ripened red berry fruit flavors is a great showing for the winery's regular bottling. Light touches of herb, cola and earth carry through the finish.
Minty, roasted berry aromas open this well-built Cabernet that's packed with plum, raspberry and wood-spice flavors. There's nothing complicated about this lively, oaky wine that runs long on the finish.
A little rusty in color and somewhat transparent, with raisin as the key aroma. There's not a lot going on in the mouth, but the wine is mellow and deep, with sweet flavors of molasses, berry syrup and baked black fruits. Rich and candied, but rather sweet and a touch dull for Priorat. Drink now.
Petit Verdot is a character actor who's never really grabbed the spotlight for itself, but makes an interesting appearance now and again. This McLaren Vale example is oaky but backed by ample plum and cassis fruit and framed by tannins that seem soft for the variety. Cedar and spice come through on the finish. Drink now.
Wakefield is a reliable producer of Clare Valley wines, and the Chard is no exception. Toasted nuts mingle easily alongside grilled pineapple and peach notes, and the almost plush texture of this wine gives it another dimension. Contains 4% Viognier. Drink now.
Savory on the nose with enough sweet blueberry to make it varietally enticing, this light purplish Syrah is well-balanced, pleasing and well-made, ready to drink now with a range of foods, its alcohol in proportion and acidity right on target. Wente blends in small percentages of Counoise, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo into this great-value Syrah. Delicious.
This easy-drinking Riesling finishes dry, but still it's relatively soft, with green apple fruit and some spicy skin phenolics. Good balance and gentle persistence through a clean finish.
This has a little bit of Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) and Merlot (2%), winemaker Mike Januik say it's there “to beef up the structure.” The Sangiovese brings the acid, and tart fruits with a hint of leaf and tomato. Still young vines, but showing great promise.
This is a bit chunkier and less suave than De Bortoli's more expensive estate bottled Shiraz-Viognier, but it's still a very nice wine. Peppery spice marks the nose, while the flavors feature a nice blend of plum with savory notes of coffee and black olives. Drink now–2015.
An easily accessible, easy-drinking style of Crozes-Hermitage, Ferraton's 2007 La Matinière displays a lovely balance between clean red fruit (cherries, raspberries), baking spices, cracked pepper and a faintly herbal tinge. Drink it now and over the next few years.
Not a lot of glaring aromas of a sweet wine here; in fact, it's showing fresh tomato, cherry and more dryness on the nose than candy or syrup. The palate is tight and a little clipped, with sweet cassis and reduced black plum flavors. Short on the finish, but good and grabby overall.
This medium- to full-bodied Shiraz features a welcoming mix of mulberries and vanilla, overtaken by cedary flavors on the finish, where the fruit turns crisp. A slab of charred steak would match the woody notes nicely. Drink now–2013.
Another fine effort in a continuing series of outstanding PGs from Hogue. This is tart and stylish, loaded with citrus and bracingly acidic. Flavors meld lemon, lime, lemon verbena, orange peel and a slice of pear.
Wente continues to impress with fine wines at fair price points, and this 2007 is a case in point, a high-end offering at a still reasonable price. A rich, red Cabernet Sauvignon, with Petite Verdot and Petite Sirah in here, too, it delivers intense flavors of dark, ripe plums and brown sugar, a very agreeable Cabernet that will pair well with rich red meats.
Here is another outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from Novelty Hill—ripe and juicy, showing citrus, mango and pear, laced with cinnamon highlights. Winemaker Mike Januik manages to get the most from these young vines, crafting white wines that are both rich and elegant, retain varietal character, and seduce you with hedonistic detail.
Blackberry, blueberry pie and plum fruit flavors are nicely welded to smooth barrel flavors that bring in coffee, licorice, toasted walnuts and mocha. This is definitely a fruit and barrel wine, thoroughly delicious but without the funk or minerality of Walla Walla Syrahs.
Les Meslaines is the name of the parcel of Pinot Noir that produces this Blanc de Noirs. It has richness, a ripe character with fresh apricot flavors, a Champagne that has the weight of a wine. It could do with bottle age, but for freshness drink now.
This is the first Riesling from Whitman, and it's a beauty. Lovely, inviting aromas mix roses and rocks, leading into fresh, layered, complex fruit flavors of pear, apple, white peach and orange. It's got plenty of acid so the residual sugar is almost undetectable, but the alcohol stays at a Germanic 12.5%. This is so good it makes you wish that winemaker Steve Lessard had been doing Riesling all along.
Solid, rich and ripe red raspberries and brambly berries are upfront on the nose of this attractive wine, with seductive tones of sweet oak and cured meat in the back. Medium in weight, with spicy, structured tannins and ample acidity, the oak is well-integrated into the plush fruit core.
This light-bodied wine offers a fruity nose of cherry and raspberry and fresh flavors of strawberry, cherry and a touch of herbs. Balanced but with assertive style, the wine is perfect for spicy cuisine or burgers.
Very light in color, this wine brings appealing aromas of white pepper, smoked meat, orange peel, herb, earth and sauvage. The palate is ethereally light and delicate, showing pleasing nuances, with plenty of floral flavors on the finish.
One of Temecula's pioneering vintners, Phil Baily takes his balanced wines seriously. This bottling shows lots of damp earth, black olive, concentrated mulberry, dried herbs and cardamom on the nose. Stewed black-cherry fruit meshes with Indian spice and well-integrated tannins on the palate that is built for aging.
Aromas of yellow stone fruit and chopped Mediterranean herb lead the nose on this fragrant sparkler. The frothy palate doles out juicy yellow peach, mature apricot, thyme and a hint of candied tangerine zest alongside fresh acidity.
This latest bottling from the Jackson Family Wines' “Seeds of Empowerment” fundraising series shows woody, somewhat gamy aromas of animal hide alongside black cherry and sandalwood spice. The gamy quality extends to the sip, where dried meat meets red currant, cherries and a hint of fennel.
Heavily oaked and charred aromas of saucy berry fruits and espresso lead to a choppy, astringent palate. Reedy plum and berry flavors are a touch herbal and saucy. It feels tannic and drawing on an oaky finish that sports a clove note. Drink from 2018–2026.
This is the second wine of Clos Haut-Peyraguey. It comes from a fine Sauternes vintage with a great balance between acidity and rich sweetness. With botrytis, plenty of sweetness, bitter marmalade and apricot fruit and delicious acidity, the wine is almost ready to drink. Just wait until the end of 2017.
The rich fruit and structure of this impressive wine are already well integrated. With power and concentration as well as layers of dark fruits, it is showing fine aging potential. The wine, dominated by 80% Merlot, comes from vines in the east of Saint-Emilion. Drink from 2020.
A traditional blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this is a silky, medium-bodied wine. Cinnamon and cedar shadings frame bright cherry fruit and linger through the elegant finish. Drink now–2019.
This wine from the Gonfrier family property is full of berry fruits. It's also a ripe wine that is already drinkable. It has generous tannins and balanced acidity that gives the wine its crisp edge as a contrast to the blackberry flavors. Drink now, or even better, wait until 2018.
The inaugural release from this winery from Sleight of Hand Cellars' production winemaker Keith Johnson is a blend of Mourvèdre (90%), Syrah (8%) and Grenache Blanc. Stylistically somewhat unique for Washington, it brings brooding aromas of sauvage, herb, smoked meat and white pepper, along with a bit of reduction. The fruit flavors are pure and bring an appealing sense of texture. Give it time to open up and pair it with food to see it at its best.
This is a hearty and hedonistic blend of Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and Petit Verdot from one of Monterey's warmer regions. Pure blackberries and black cherries show on the brooding nose, with touches of mint and licorice. The palate is soft on entry, then come boisterous flavors of black currant and blueberry. Nettle, fennel and coffee elements add depth.
From a somewhat maligned vintage, this is a commendable effort. It's not as textural as the wine can be in better years, but it shows enough richness to easily carry the attractive leather, mocha and spice flavors. Drink now–2025.
This wine is made from two exceptionally cool coastal sites: Platt, a single-vineyard in its own right; and Martinelli Charles Ranch Vineyard. The wine follows suit, allowing for a concentrated take on golden apple and stony minerality, the nose crisp and focused in salty, floral notes.
Although it's 100% varietal and comes from one of the state's oldest Cabernet vineyards, this wine is somewhat blue-fruited for the variety, with notes of plum and mountain blueberry along with herb, graphite, espresso and spice. The palate shows more of the same, bringing a sense of restraint and polish along with lightly grainy tannins that need some time to stretch their legs. It doesn't scream Cabernet but it still brings plenty of appeal. Best after 2022.
You'll find aromas suggesting mature dark-skinned berry, violet, tobacco and an earthy whiff of game on this. The aromas carry over to the full-bodied palate, together with hints of dark spice and dried cherry. Chewy tannins provide support.
Moderate in structure, full bodied and ripe, this wine is tightly wound in firm, strong tannin. Light flavors of cherry and orange integrate spiky accents of clove, tea and dried herb.
A blend of three vineyards, located between Corralitos and the Summit area, this bottling conveys rusty, earthy cranberries, cherries and Earl Grey tea on the nose. The earthy character also shows on the sip, where animal hide, sour cranberry, red plum, rose petal and pine-forest flavors converge.
Ripe red and luscious black cherry are the fruity protagonists here, dominating nose and palate with their dense, aromatic ripeness. The fruit shimmers both red and black, backed by densely woven but fine tannins and countered by freshness and verve. Juiciness and fruit prevail.
The aromas are bright, with notes of savory herb, orange peel, cranberry and spice. The flavors are higher in acidity, tart and puckering, with orange-peel flavors lingering on the finish. The tannins seem a little crunchy right now but should soften with some additional time in the bottle. It's a stylistically unique wine for the state. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best.
From the vineyard once known as Alisos comes this wine, with aromas of soft clove, red cherry and a touch of sage. A strong ginger spice reigns over the palate, which is bitingly acidic, and shows dark strawberry fruit and dark thyme herbs. This wine is still quite wound up, but that acidity will prove mouthwatering for years to come.
The man who makes a million Syrahs dives into a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah on this bottling, which offers composting lilac, black pepper, fresh boysenberry, dried herb and a tarry quality on the nose. There's a strong blackberry-balsamic reduction flavor once sipped, as well as beef char, elderberry and more tar.
Pineapple and lime peel start the nose of this layered Assyrtiko. On the palate, it unfolds with a combination of lemon peel, grapefruit and sea salt. This wine can age for several years but is good to drink now; pair with lamb, fresh fish or Asian cuisine.
Aromas of mulled black fruits, vanilla, tobacco, orange peel and earth are a touch jumbled, but compartmentalized—this smells nice. Wiry and fresh in feel, but with a slightly hollow midsection, this tastes peppery, oaky and like cherry and black plum. A toasty finish with snappy acidity solidifies this medium-weight La Mancha Tempranillo. Drink through 2019.
Winemaker Mike Mooney adds complexity with 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot on this bottling, which shows blueberries, crushed black rocks and dark chocolate on the nose, but doesn't offer a lot of Cab Francness. The palate does offer some, however, with grippy tannins and dried oregano touches laid across rich black cherry, blueberry, fudge and espresso notes.
With some firm structure behind the red fruits, this wine will have a good future. A dry core sustained by the acidity is waiting to burst out and give a ripe, fruity while always fresh wine. Drink from 2018.
Subtle hints of ripe, winter-stored apple on the nose lead to an equally apple-dominated palate that shows soft pepper spice. A wonderful midpalate texture and baked-apple richness are countered by lemon freshness. This is very appetizing and cries out for soft cheeses.
On the basis that anything goes with rosé, this wine is 100-percent Sangiovese, known locally as Niellucciu. The acidity that is typical of the grape is very present as are red cherry and tight fruit flavors. It is so crisp and lively, bouncing from the glass and leaving a beautiful array of red fruits at the end.
Aromas of pear, Spanish broom, flint and Mediterranean herb emerge in the glass. The juicy, medium-bodied palate offers ripe apple, peach and lime alongside fresh acidity and a mineral vein. A hazelnut note marks the close.
Heady aromas of citrus and orchard fruit almost jump out of the glass. The savory, medium-bodied palate tastes of ripe pear, mature apple and creamy peach interspersed with energizing mineral notes. Fresh acidity brightens the creamy flavors.
At less than 14% abv, this reflects a growing sensibility within Barossa. It's a medium- to full-bodied wine with supple tannins and a refreshing, moreish finish. Cinnamon and mocha notes hang from plummy fruit. Drink now–2020.
This is a ripe, earthy, modern-leaning Rioja with aromas of blackberry, raisin and rubber. Soft and fleshy on the palate, what this easygoing number lacks in structure is made up for in charm. Ultraripe flavors of plum and berry come with a chocolaty accent, while the finish is smooth and tastes earthy and spicy. Drink through 2019.
Widely available Rioja Crianzas don't come much better than this. An opening of raspberry and strawberry aromas backed by direct cherry, raspberry and red-plum flavors render this all about fruit and freshness.
A healthy addition of 12% Petit Verdot plays well in this wine. This is exuberant in black plum, chocolate and black pepper, with full-bodied and present oak, yet it also has a soft, approachability to the palate.
While Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, all five red Bordeaux varieties are represented here. Dark in color, a combination of black pepper and black-fruit syrup meets earthy and dry tannins. This structured wine needs time. Cellar through 2020.
From vines more than 90-years-old, this is a refreshingly restrained and elegant wine, earthy in grilled mushroom and cherry-berry juiciness, braced in firm acidity. Cocoa and nutmeg provide compelling seasonings that linger on the finish.
Scents of Spanish broom, pineapple, orchard fruit and a saline note meld together in the glass. The focused palate offers mature apple, peach, botanical herb and mineral alongside firm acidity.
Seductive, spicy oak in the aromas and flavors puts a great spin on this medium-bodied, velvety smooth wine from a promising new winery in Northern California. Some ripe black-cherry and cranberry flavors chime in as well, supporting the toasted baguette, cedar and nutmeg nuances and layering seamlessly.
Baked, rooty aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices and berry fruits are attractive. Though slightly grabby on the palate, this shows the right structure and build. Flavors of up-front oak, herbal plum and raspberry finish dry, with firm, pinching tannins. Drink through 2021.
Attractive fruity tones of red currant, raspberry and strawberry hull dance in the bouquet of this pretty rosé, graced by garrigue accents of lavender and rosemary. Flavors of red berry skin and peach pit unfold on the medium-weight palate, framed by soft tannins and a delicate spice note that lingers on the close.
Crisp and young, this wine, from 50-year-old vines, is tangy and strongly mineral in texture. It is full of fresh fruit that reflects the of organic and biodynamic farming. The green fruits will fill out as it ages. Drink from 2017.
Key lime and fresh cut Gala apples meet with the spiciness of lemongrass on the nose of this bottling from Nicky Hahn and winemaker Paul Clifton. The palate shows a pithy texture, with honeydew melon, Asian pear and lemon cake.
Smooth, medium-bodied layers of pomegranate, red currant and a refreshing sense of citrus make for a light, food friendly companion, especially with the wine's satisfying bite of acidity and lengthy finish.
This is a creamy, thick and food friendly white with highlights of honey and green apple and a lingering decadence of ginger, just hinting at anise. Medium-bodied, it represents the vintage and the appellation well, at a price that's nice.
Lovely notes of Reineclaude plums play on the nose. The palate is soft but also has echoes of pebble and stone. Fluid and fresh, the wine even shows overtones of white blossom on the palate. It's a lovely, lasting and authentic expression of Alsace.
Quite vibrant and floral on the nose, this shows deep blackberry and both dried and fresh purple-flower elements as well as a baked berry pastry. The flavors are well integrated on the palate, where cooked blackberries in a vanilla pie crust combine with juicy strawberry, peppercorns and rosemary spice.
The King Estate name is intentionally printed upside down on the label, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of the wine, which has been barrel aged. As when oak is applied to Pinot Gris, it mutes the varietal nuances of the grape. So along with tart apple and pear fruit, you'll find a softer palate, with vanilla and buttered nuts in the aftertaste.
From a selection of its best vineyards across the county, this producer showcases a majority of the variety with 16% Petite Sirah, all aged in French oak, 25% of it new. Black olive, spicy leather and cinnamon make for a bold, dry and boisterous wine that's entirely enjoyable, integrated in terms of both tannin and oak.
Brooding aromas of moist soil and dark cherry are followed by big bold cherry flavors that coat the palate. The variety's often burly tannins are kept well in check.
Light aromas of raspberry, coriander, vanilla and barrel spice are followed by ripe rich red-fruit flavors that glide on the finish. A pillowy mouthfeel only heightens the interest.
Opening with classic peavine aromas, this is a bright, fleshy and pungent wine that should delight fans of Loire Valley-style Sauvignon Blancs. Rich, cascading flavors of fig, pear, grapefruit and star fruit keep the mouthfeel lively. Just 10% was barrel-fermented, the rest in stainless.
Dusty Mexican chocolate meets black plum, cherry and pomegranate in this light-bodied, rounded wine that's juicy and delicious. It's well balanced and approachable now, so drink up.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of milk chocolate, cherry, herb and moist earth give way to soft supple palate-coating fruit and barrel flavors. It shows a lot of elegance and refinement.
Brooding aromas of herbs, dark cherries and flowers are followed by supple, polished dark-fruit flavors. It's a promising wine from this young growing region.
Soft and round, this 100% varietal wine made from two clones is juicy and fresh in acidity, a sense of restraint allowing it to sconvey more than just fruit. Cassis, black pepper, cedar and a slight streak of menthol combine nicely on the palate, intertwining on the lengthy finish.
The most recent release of Te Koko seems tamer, more controlled than some previous vintages. It's Graves-like in style, offering up toast, vanilla and passion fruit notes, ample weight and a fine, silky finish that goes on for minutes. It embodies elegance and precision in place of wildness and raw power.
The complex aromatics, texture and detail on display here may dazzle you. It's a wine that deserves your attention, deceptively light in color and taste, yet penetrating, with a core of strawberry jam and a streak of caramel mocha running through the finish. Drink now through 2025.
Made entirely with Syrah, this has aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, French oak, leather and cedar. The full-bodied palate offers cured meat, dried blackberry, ground pepper and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins.
Full-bodied for a rosé (as Tavel should be), this wine boasts plenty of cherry-berry fruit, but also appealing, complex notes of fresh thyme, ground clove and aniseed. Drink this blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah and 10% Clairette (a white grape variety) over the rest of 2017.
This wine has lovely, inviting aromas of baking spice and earth. Full-bodied flavors of blueberry and raspberry are supported by spicy oak. Its boldness and density is met by fresh cranberry, while a tease of vanilla complements the other characteristics.
Mature black-skinned fruit, new leather, Mediterranean herb and dark spice are some of the aromas you'll find on this big, bold red. The brawny monolithic palate doles out ripe plum, black cherry marinated in spirits and cake spice alongside chewy tannins and the warmth of evident alcohol. Drink 2018–2025.
New leather, blue flower, wild berry and a whiff of oak-driven spice lead the nose. The savory chewy palate offers mature black cherry, raspberry, star anise, clove and menthol while lithe tannins provide polished support. Drink through 2019.
Cranberry and strawberry make for a pretty, fruity wine that's velvety in texture and full bodied in depth and length. Black tea and a backbeat of orange and lemon add to the tartness of this layered, complex red.
Underbrush, Mediterranean herb, sunbaked soil and a whiff of sea breeze are some of the aromas you'll find on this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. The round chewy palate offers dried black cherry, star anise, grilled bell pepper and espresso alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy over the next several years.
A very dark color, tons of ripe fruit aromas and abundant black-fruit flavors give a lot of wallop to this full-bodied but not overly sweet or fat Rhône-style blend. Ripe blackberry, stewed plum and a touch of smoke hang on a big structure of firm tannins and good acidity. It will be best after 2019, but it's difficult not to drink up at this price.
The nose is a very inviting and attractive mix of bright blossom honey and ripe lemon peel: the palate follows with rounded richness that is streamlined by lovely unobtrusive freshness. It's a generous but harmoniously balanced wine and certainly a very good take on the much underrated Pinot Blanc grape.
The nose is still closed and just gives us a whiff of white pepper. The palate is beautifully slender and has a lighter touch of just-ripe blueberry and red cherry. There is a gentle silky grip and a lot of refreshing tart and delicious fruit. While 2014 was not an easy vintage for reds, this acquits itself with sassiness and grace.
Extremely flavorful and wonderfully exotic, this full-bodied wine has intense fruit flavors like raspberry and rhubarb, with a host of interesting accents recalling cedar, white pepper and clove. The mouthfeel is warm and rich, tannins are soft and easy, and the finish lingers nicely.
Concentrated strawberry, black cherry, cinnamon-laced latte, licorice and mocha converge in an intriguing and beautiful nose from this legendary Zin winery. The structure is immediately apparent on the palate, framing smoked strawberry, oregano and dill flavors. It's full of plush, ripe fruit, but seemingly bone dry.
Hearty rhubarb, cranberry and cherry notes meet with copious spices, from allspice to cinnamon to vanilla, on the nose of this bottling that also shows dust and cigar box. It's boisterous with fresh flavors on the palate, where black raspberry and juicy strawberry flavors are cut by sharp spice and a pine-needle finish.
This is a clear, light wine, aged lightly in oak, only 30% of it new. Wild brush and burnt orange dominate in taste and aroma, with additional characteristics of rhubarb, red cherry and lovely rose.
Ripe, almost candied notions of stone fruit appear. They are so concentrated they have an almost fruit-jelly intensity. There also is a note of earth that flows from the nose onto the generous fleshy palate. The finish is clean on this wine, which holds all the fruit of a ripe and generous year.
This is a complex cru wine that has ripe fruits, firm tannins and a good ageworthy structure. It has a dense texture, rich black-cherry fruits and a finish that brings out crisp acidity. Produced by this Beaujolais-based negociant, the wine will be ready to drink from the end of 2017.
From a vineyard that's 40 years old, this smartly priced bottling shows vanilla, clove, hickory smoke and black cherry on the hearty nose. The palate is soft upon entry, showing more of that clove against a baked black-plum background.
Mouthfilling, mouthcoating and full bodied, this dark-colored wine blends ripe but not sweet blackberry and black-cherry flavors with dark chocolate and baking-spice nuances for a complex and delicious taste profile. It's rich enough in flavor and viscous enough in texture that the abundant tannins seem to be absorbed, and the mouthfeel is soothing. Best from 2018–2023.
Gorgeous rose, plum and bramble notes perfume this exceptionally fragrant Merlot. Its complexity extends through the palate with bright cherry and plum flavors bolstered by savory nuances of olive and dried herb. Crisp acidity and fine persistent tannins guide a long finish.
Value-level Chardonnay has never really been Argentina's strong suit, but this fuller-bodied version is pretty good. It starts with citrus, orange peel and some dusty scents, which are backed by melon, apple and citrus flavors. It finishes with some pithy bitterness but overall it's nice for Mendoza Chardonnay.
Like most unoaked Chardonnays, this is a bit simply fruity, but it's also clean and fresh. Apple, melon and citrus flavors are easily carried by its medium body and mouthwatering finish.
A draft of menthol and aromas of chocolate and mossy fruit work pretty nicely on the nose, while the palate is superripe, a bit candied and accented by spice and coffee. This is a strong starter, though it falls off a little on the finish.
A good wine at a good price, the 2006 Jim-Jim Shiraz offers bouncy raspberry fruit, hints of cracked pepper and vanilla and a medium-bodied, reasonably lush mouthfeel. Multiple U.S. importers.
Staunch cherry and grape aromas are indicative of what the wine will give. The palate pushes ahead with plum and cherry flavors, but the fruit isn't overly developed and the mouthfeel is more tight and sheer than cushioned and rich. Zesty and firm on the finish, which is par for this course.
Pineapple and apple aromas are fairly attractive and fresh, as is the light, wet and zippy palate, which shows mostly citrus and apple flavors. The finish is mild and clean, and overall the wine delivers clarity and a dominant citrus profile.
A lightweight, delicate Pinot Noir, with a light ruby hue and pretty cherry and herb flavors framed by oaky notes of brown sugar and vanilla. Good value.  Imported by Pernod Ricard USA.
Sweet aromas that verge on syrupy set up a sweet and easy palate of black cherry and cassis. This has a nice texture as it shows good body, feel and fruit quality. Maipe means “lord of the winds” in a native language, and while this Malbec won't transport you anywhere, it's good for the price.
Big, bold, and buttery, with plenty of oaky micro-popcorn flavors. Don't look for subtlety, but you get plenty of flavor.
Price rise. With broad flavors of berry and chocolate, this is pleasant and undistinguished. This does not have the weight or varietal presence of the winery's Merlot.
Big and boisterous, as if you're sniffing a bed of coal, menthol and macerated black fruit. The palate is sun-drenched and juicy, but not what you'd call elevated. And the finish mixes savory flavors with tight tannins. A good red wine that bears little semblance to Old World Syrah.
A two-barrel selection consisting of the favorite sweeter barrel from each of the two estate vineyards. Intense, bright and focused, with candied lemon/lime fruit flavors. The power and concentration of the wine is remarkable.
Gorgeously ripe fruit, full of pear, green plum and exotic spices. The wine is rich, with its smooth, rounded texture that is pierced with mouthwatering acidity and laced with steeliness. This is a wine with considerable aging potential.
Dark and incredibly concentrated, with earth, black fruits, mint and exotic side notes. It's stout and tannic, but also rich and pure, with monster black fruit flavor and powerful coffee, toast and length on the finish. A smashing wine that's huge but delicious. Drink now through 2017.
Earthy and deep as midnight, with spice, floral notes, herbal aromas, tobacco and mocha. The palate is super rich, almost to the point of syrupy, with blackberry, brown sugar and coffee flavors. Finishes chewy, ripe and deep, with no harshness or tannic grind. Drink now through 2013.
This might be one of the most interesting wines being made in California right now, a tiny production, 12%-alcohol Graciano, a grape native to Rioja and barely found in California. The wine is bright and very European, full of white pepper, cranberry and leather notes, high in acid and very clean, though it's unfined and unfiltered. It lasts and lasts, getting better with every drop.
Intensely mineral wine, with an austere edge of acidity and texture. It has a pure quality, its apple flavors shining through the outer shell. With its firm character, it will age many years.
Guigal's luxury cuvée from Condrieu is a great success in 2008, marrying richness and power with hints of honeysuckle, toasted nuts and apricot. It's full bodied, creamy in texture and tremendously long on the finish. Drink now–2016, and possibly beyond.
This is rooty and leafy on the nose, with dry raspberry and root beer aromas. There's a compost-like undercurrent to this wine that's highlighted via leafy, herbal flavors and a baked, earthy finish.
This oaky wine opens with a huge pop of toasty, burnt aromas. It's resiny feeling, with a creamy palate. Hard time spent in Hungarian barrels has resulted in flavors of toasty apple, cinnamon and peppery spices. This lacks harmony.
With a twist of mushroomy earth upon opening, this inexpensive Cabernet is strong, hearty and a bit thin on the finish—fine but not a standout.
This is a hot, earthy Malbec with cover-up oak on the nose. A high-acid palate is drying and hard, with narrow, salty berry flavors and a peppery tasting, scratchy finish.
Scratchy, dusty red-berry aromas are decidedly sweet yet hollow. This semisweet Garnacha tastes of gummy red fruits. A flat, cloying finish with candied flavors confirms its sweet status.
Overripe and syrupy, Gen7's 2008 Road to Zanzibar—part Zinfandel, part Cabernet Franc and part Carignane—is big and soft, with the fruit in decline.
This is bright in color and loud on the nose, where it's distinctly medicinal and minty, with a strong green component. The palate doesn't differ; it's gritty and heavy in feel, with forced, jammy flavors of mint, grass and bitter black fruits.
This rusty, light-bodied Cab may be from the current vintage but it looks, smells and tastes like something left over from the past. The bouquet is raw, leathery and leafy, with few pleasantries. A dilute palate with dry, leathery cherry flavors is fresh and light, but strained.
This is herbal, burnt and stalky smelling, then raw and herbal tasting, with weedy notes and a scratchy finish.
This is the third release of Figgins, a single wine produced by Leonetti's Chris Figgins from his Figgins Estate vineyard. Intensely aromatic, it explodes from the glass with baking spices and deep cassis fruit. Over the course of three days it opened into a sleek, stylish, complex mix of purple- and black-berries, dried herbs, bark, dusty cocoa and a streak of caramel. Long and lush, it's a wine to cellar for a decade or more.
The 2009 Bully includes 10% Petit Verdot. It's seamless and complete, a firm, muscular, dark, smoky/earthy Cab with substantial tannins. The deeply powerful black fruits have a vivid presence and a slightly roasted character. This is a big bruiser, but beautifully proportioned.
This is a heavy-duty Cabernet, big in every way, with rich black cherry and cassis fruit, and dense, dark tannins. The long, slightly grainy finish reinforces the impression of raw power, yet the wine retains perfect proportion and is nicely differentiated from the other 2010s crafted by winemaker Chris Figgins.
A bit unyielding on the nose, then the palate shows rather tight and citrusy flavors. Yet there's ample weight on the palate and a long, fresh finish tinged with hard peaches and pineapple. This seemingly contradictory wine just needs some time to develop; try after 2009.
There's no question about the huge richness of this wine—it is there from the initial aroma. It is smooth, totally voluptuous, immediately appealing. The flavors are of the sweetest runny honey, matched with acidity to emphasize the ripe peach and dried apricot flavors.
This is minimal intervention winemaking, using native yeast, then put through 100% malolactic and given weekly batinage (lees stirring) in 50% new barrels. The grapes are from Stillwater Creek, delivering ripe, tangy flavors of lime, pineapple, apple, pear and nectarine; all with a firm acid underpinning.
Cabernet Franc has been the signature wine for Barrister since the first release in 2001. Once again it comes out dark and smoky in the house style, but with more spine and muscle than the Barrister Merlot. It's fully ripe and not at all vegetal, though you will find that it has the characteristic Cab Franc streak of pepper and coffee behind ripe black cherry and cassis fruit.
Smooth, ripe and immediate, this is a wine that is developing deliciously, but fast. There is a great fresh, juicy character that balances with the ripe, full tannins. Don't age, just enjoy.
An alluring nose of mint, mocha and blackberry leads into like flavors in this elegant, mouthwatering red blend from Zelma Long. Lush and unfolding, the wine offers ripe tannins and a long finish. Overall, balanced and confident.
The Taylors Pass Vineyard continues to shine brightly for both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This Sauvignon features intense tropical fruit with just a touch of green. It's round and mouthfilling, with a long, lime-and-mineral finish. Drink now.
Wines like this are why Yarra Valley has achieved a certain reputation for Chardonnay. It starts off with wonderfully complex aromas of spring flowers, honey, ripe peaches and citrus fruits, then crams honeyed hints of truffle and oranges into a full-bodied but dry expression of the grape.Finishes elegantly, with a dusting of dried spices.
Harvested in January 2007, this has the true purity and freshness of icewine. There is lightness and delicacy as the ripe apricot sweetness is pierced with floating acidity. There is a sweet, but fresh and clean finish.
Hafner has a particular success with this Scheurebe sweet wine. Rich, with apricot flavors, the acidity brings out a delicious freshness. Honey dances around the liquid syrup texture, the botrytis giving the proper dry core.
Concentrated and slightly earthy, this has more density and grip (as it should) than the C.M.S. red, but a similar profile (51% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah.) Black cherry and plum fruits are wrapped in light smoke and mocha flavors. The fruit-driven coregently leads into soft, silky tannins that leave an impression of black olive at the end of a lingering finish.
Lemon oil and candle wax add interesting nuances to the citrusy, barrel-fermented fruit. There was no malolactic fermentation; it's bone dry and the acids are all natural and smooth. Delicate hints of toast and honeyed almonds bring still more depth and flavor interest to the juicy citrusfruit.
Very much in the food style of Bordeaux, this wine shows the freshness of the 2006 vintage, while also offering some ripe weight. Flavors of fresh black currants edged with black plum skin are supported by a firm line of tannins, finished with a sweet, juicy, fleshy aftertaste.
A terrific example of Corbières terroir at an unbeatable price. The wine, a traditional Rhône-style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, is so loaded with aromas and flavors of the surrounding garrigue you might think that they threw in a bouquet garni during maturation. Sage, rosemary,menthol, thyme and bay leaves all abound while rich, dark fruit and oak aging (Élevé en Fûts de Chêne means aged in oak barrels) provides support and structure. Silky texture, approachable tannins and a long finish bring it all together.
Fruit compote—plum and strawberry—is melded to light toast and coffee. The wine has juicy acids and a thickly satisfying midpalate whose fruit flavors linger on, adding a little peppery spice as the wine evolves in the mouth. Just a whisp of chocolate leaves you ready for the next sip.
For being a goldkap, this is not especially lush or botrytized. Instead, it features a fine balance of acidity, which enlivens the green apple and citrus flavors and gives them extra poignancy. This is crisply balanced and mouthwatering on the finish.
This nicely structured Bordeaux blend's aromas begin with violets and roll into cherry candy, while in the mouth the wine is sweet yet firm, with tart acids that are tightly wound. A mix of berry, cherry and cassis fruit is counterweighted with citric acids. Tannins are ripe with hints ofcut tobacco, moist earth and black olive.
Building on the almost century of Riboli family winemaking, this wine shows honeysuckle, cracked caramel brittle and seared lemons on the approachable, familiar nose. Good tension marks the palate, with lemon butter and ripe Golden Delicious apple warmth cut by a pithy sharpness.
This straightforward, well-balanced, medium-bodied wine has everything in place for the lunch or dinner table. Aromas and flavors resemble red cherry, cranberry and light spices, while the body is not too light or too full. The texture is tangy and a touch tannnic while staying smooth.
This faint, elusive wine takes lightness and low alcohol to pronounced levels, offering intense lemon and Asian pear around a tight core of acidity. From the Pratt Vineyard, it spent time aging in both new air-dried Vosges oak barrels and small stainless steel.
Soft and creamy, this full-bodied wine is a mix of apple, pear and mango around swirls of vanilla. Round and smooth, it finishes in a burst of fresh-squeezed citrus.
With a year's age, this wine has softened its intense fruitiness and ripened with a rich, soft texture and well-integrated acidity. A structure gives a dry edge to the red currant and cherry fruits that are rounded out with a perfumed aftertaste.
Alluring scents of wisteria, acacia and white peach float out of the glass. The lively palate doles out crisp green apple, unripe pear and lime zest accompanied by racy acidity and a foaming mousse.
The winery's blend of all six of its single-vineyard designates, this contains smaller amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cab Franc in support of the Cab Sauvignon. Dried herbal components pique the aroma, followed by spicy cinnamon and black pepper seasonings on the palate. Black licorice marks the finish.
Almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec, with a smaller make-up of Merlot, this wine tastes of an Italian deli somehow, offering a wealth of black olive and antipasti. The full-bodied finish dances in forest floor and cinnamon.
A yellowish salmon in color, this wine shows hints of watermelon, bubble gum and cotton candy in the light and pleasantly uncomplicated nose. There is great energy on the palate, with more focus on a steely, metallic texture rather than ripe flavors, proving fresh, bright and quick on the sip.
Delicate aromas of orchard fruit, grapefruit and a whiff of chopped herbs float from the glass. The racy, refreshing palate offers citrus zest, green apple and a hint of pear alongside racy acidity and an intense, persistent perlage.
An excellently priced blend of 70% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah, 11% Petite Sirah and 5% Grenache, this shows crystallized raspberry and rose petals on the nose. The palate offers light cranberry and pomegranate fruit, boosted by black and white pepper. This bottling has lots of life and energy, but it's drinking great now.
This is a structured wine, firm with tannins as well as bursting with ripe red fruits. Its acidity is well integrated into the rich fruitiness. It could well age for another few months, so drink from 2016. Jean-Yves Perraud, the fifth-generation winemaker, uses old vines on sandy granite soil for this wine.
This wine is attractive, ripe and finely perfumed. With the spicy Moscatel flavors in the blend, it brings yellow fruit tones balanced by lively acidity. There is a great tangy character which yields a lifted, smooth aftertaste. Drink now.
A blend of Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a soft and smooth wine. Red berry fruits are balanced by spice and tannins from a short time in oak. The wine is ready to drink, although waiting until late 2016 would make it even more enjoyable.
Like the companion reserve Pinot Blanc, this first-ever effort was barrel fermented and aged a few months in French oak. Scents and flavors of brioche wrap around smooth yellow fruits, leading into a layered, textured finish.
This wine is all about red berries and fresh cherries. Some tannins and an earthy edge to the palate add complexity. Drink this fruity, juicy wine now.
Named after the village of Emeringes where the vineyard plots are situated, this wine offers both tannins and the freshest fruit. A red plum-skin texture gives a tight edge that also adds great freshness. The wine will develop over the next few months; drink from 2016.
This deliciously warm and ripe wine has swathes of red fruit that are full of energy and richness. It offers a touch of perfumed spice and good acidity. Drink now, although the wine will be better from early 2016.
This wine has dry tannins and some concentration as well as the bright, cherry-fresh Beaujolais fruit. That gives it a serious side with structure and potential. The 100% Gamay vineyard is on slopes in the heart of Beaujolais Villages. Drink from 2016.
This is a soft wine with a great depth of red fruits and fresh acidity. The tannins are light, just a hint of dry behind the fragrant, bright fruitiness. The wine, made from old vines, is ready to drink.
This wine's light and refreshing nose cuts between orange-blossom ripeness, lime-juice sharpness, chalky minerality and a touch of milk fat. There is good energy on the palate, powered by tart green apple rinds and citrus zest.
This blends nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with a quarter Malbec and smaller addition of Merlot. They get along nicely, offering a lush, full-bodied palate that remains balanced, showing an exuberance of succulent cherry, tobacco, graphite and meaty leather.
This release is always among my favorite Aussie Rieslings. Not only is the quality consistent, the price for a nearing-maturity wine makes it a winning value. It is smoky and toasty on the nose, showing off those developed aromas to good effect against a background of bergamot-tinged fruit. The round patina of age is balanced by great acid drive and a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now–2020.
Savory whiffs of lemongrass and tilled earth turn surprisingly floral and fruity on the palate of this complex yet quaffable spätlese. Sweet, sun-kissed tangerine and peach flavors are unctuous and satisfying, off set by zesty lime acidity. The finish is long, peppered by notes of pollen, herb and fennel.
This wine starts off with an appetizing, savory, grilled-meat element on the nose, then showcases flavors of dark chocolate, mocha and plum. It's hefty on the palate, with a velvety texture and long, rich finish. Drink now–2027.
Vibrant, linear and complex, this dazzling red has enticing aromas of wild berry, pressed rose, graphite and a whiff of smoke. The luminous palate is all about finesse and energy, delivering tart red cherry, crushed raspberry, mineral and baking spice. Even though it has an ethereal quality, firm but extremely refined tannins and bright acidity provide structure and balance. Drink through 2026.
This wine has dark fruit and spicy oak flavors, plenty of concentration and a full body. It maintains a sleek, balanced feel despite the potent tannins of this grape variety. The finish is flavorful and long-lasting. Drink a bottle or two now and cellar several more until at least 2020.
From a single vineyard planted in 1908, this Semillon is just entering its window of drinkability, where it should remain for at least another 10 years. Scents of fresh lime juice and grilled toast lead the way, backed by flavors of limes and mandarin oranges. It's medium in body, plump yet tightly focused, with a lengthy finish full of toast and citrus zest.
An unusually dark color, even for this notoriously black varietal, makes this powerful wine stand out from the first glance. Full bodied, it piles on the flavor and layers of tannic texture in a bold but pleasing way. Rich, concentrated blackberry, dark chocolate, wood smoke and baking-spice notes fill the mouth and linger on the long finish. It will be best after 2020.
Dusty floral perfume juxtaposes struck flint and slate on the nose of this deft, dainty auslese. Pristine tangerine and apricot flavors are ripe but crisp, highlighted by a bristling stream of acidity. Exotic spice and dusty pollen notes reverberate warmly on the finish. Ready to drink now but structured enough to continue to improve through at least 2030.
Earthy rose petals and a stemmy tartness shine in this wine, sourced from the Bush Vineyard planted to the Calera clone. Vibrantly complex hits of cranberry and orange add spiciness atop a lithe texture, with the ripeness considerably subdued.
From a beautifully cool coastal spot dotted in redwoods, this medium-bodied wine shows struggle in its tight layering of acidity and vibrantly fresh blueberry and black tea, Chewy in texture, still-resolving tannin and oak give way to a succulence that's just beginning to be revealed.
Alpine herb, crushed stone, wild berry, pressed rose and a whiff of tar are some of the aromas you'll find on this wonderfully fragrant Nebbiolo. The racy elegant palate delivers succulent sour cherry, star anise, wild mint and a balsamic note while assertive but refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide ageworthy support. A vein of flinty mineral closes the finish. Drink 2018–2028.
The unique flavors of this special block match pretty red-berry fruit to aromatic suggestions of potpourri and bouquet garni. It's detailed and nicely knitted together, with a pleasing hint of coconut carrying through the finish.
This wine is a blend of Grenache (33%), Counoise (24%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (17%) and Mourvèdre. Expressive fruit-laden aromas of red plum, raspberry, blue fruit and herb are followed by plump, pure fruit flavors, with the mouthfeel only adding the appeal. It's a gorgeous interpretation of these varieties.
Black plum sauce, milk chocolate, pressed blackberry, black currant, hot gingerbread and caramel combine in a very inviting nose on this bottling. It's rounded, ripe and yet racy on the palate, with loads of purple fruit and flowers, a touch of clove and some candied plum. An excellent example of what Petite Sirah can be: juicy, structured and layered.
A new offering from the Sonoma-based producer meant to recall the estate's original founding in the Napa Valley, this wine sources from across that appellation and impresses right away in its succulent and soft approach to the variety. With a backbone of cassis and vanilla, it's expansive and lengthy, velvety in texture and very satisfying.
One of the largest estates in Margaux, Lascombes is now performing well. With this vintage the heavy over-oaking of past years has gone to be replaced with a wine that is full of black fruits as much as rich tannins. There is concentration and a good potential for aging. Drink from 2025.
This opens with inviting aromas of wet hay, espresso grounds, peat moss and pipe tobacco. In the mouth the fruit kicks in—cassis and black cherry—with plenty of acid. The tobacco note rings clearly all through a long, satisfying finish. Fermented with native yeasts, 43% whole cluster, and aged for nine months in new French oak, it's a wine with a solid decade of life ahead.
Rich and concentrated, this wine is produced from vines on hills above the Pinhão valley. It offers firm tannins and ripe black-plum fruits. Full bodied and ripe, it is also young with new wood flavors and a dark structure. This wine will repay aging. Drink from 2020.
Sophisticated, complex winemaking is on display here. Perfectly ripe yellow and green fruits are entwined with leesy, textural, mineral-drenched acids. There are gentle touches of citrus rind and a finishing pat of butter. All in all, an exceptional wine for the price.
The producer has several parcels in Moulin-à-Vent which go into this blend. It is a firm and structured wine at this stage: dense and with both spice and black fruits. It is obviously made for some long aging, so don't drink this serious wine before 2019.
From a historic vineyard property that has gone through recent restoration and some replanting, Old Kraft lies in the heart of the warm appellation, on its western edge below the Mayacamas Mountains. Mouthwatering red fruit takes on a brandy-like velvety hint of molasses as sturdy tannin rides shotgun with softly integrated oak. Cinnamon stick shines through on the finish.
Grenache (70%) takes the lead on this blend followed by Mourvèdre (25%) and Syrah. The aromas draw you into the glass with notes of high-toned lightly green herbs, rose hips and raspberries. The ripe red-fruit flavors display a dazzling sense of purity, drinking like a bowl of fresh fruit, with a sprinkling of herbs and spices mixed in. The balance and texture are impressive.
Deep-dark chocolate, concentrated boysenberry, black pepper and purple flowers make for an inviting and lavish nose on this bottling, one of the top in each vintage from this winery. Silky, soft yet firm tannins frame the sip, where flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and black raspberry are woven through leather and dried meats.
This vineyard-designate opens in inviting, perfumed aromatics of apple blossom and honeysuckle. On the palate it reveals substantial depth and breadth, the oak characteristic quite caramelized. Meaty in lemon zest and meringue, it provides a weight of body that's nicely balanced against stony minerality and traces of nutmeg.
This wine with great potential is produced by the husband-and-wife team of Jorge Serôdio Borges and Sandra Tavares da Silva. it is structured, although the fruit is already rich enough to indicate its ripe character. Drink this smoky, wood-aged wine from 2020.
This wine is made in decent quantities, enough to hopefully find, and that's good news, given its quality for the price. Juicy, spicy and just the right amount of herbal, it has sizzling acidity that livens and refreshens the palate, dotted in chocolate-covered cherry, plum and clove.
Savory pepper and raw-beef notes mark on the nose of this tightly wound bottling, as well as nut brittle and teriyaki aromas. Plum skins, lavender and carpaccio show on the sip alongside a wash of flowers and herbs, from lavender to rosemary. The tannins are mouthcoating and need time to develop. Drink 2018–2028.
With minty wood flavors, this wine is smooth and polished. It offers berry fruits from the blend of 10 varieties in this old-vine vineyard. With spice and some firm tannins in the background, it is ready to drink.
Interest-stirring aromas of tea, stewed berry fruits, vanilla and oak segue into a chewy, dense palate with bulk. Savory, lightly herbal berry flavors are draped with oak character, while this Malbec tastes of grainy oak and toast on the finish. Drink through 2021.
While bright and fresh with fruit, this robust structured rosé offers enough substance to thrive beyond a summer season. Dry and sprightly, it offers crisp raspberry and cherry flavors nuanced by complexities of garrigue and earth. A pleasant bite of tannins elongates the finish.
The dark label and enigmatic name give it a spooky air, but this wine merits your attention. Plum and black cherry flavors combine with streaks of cola and red licorice. It's tasty, smooth and ready for drinking now through the early 2020s.
This Cabernet Franc starts off with dynamic aromas of red cherry, red plum, bramble, fig and incense. These scents translate to lovely flavors that are complex, yet elegant. In body and structure, this is an intense wine—ample crushed-velvet tannins harmoniously mesh with racy acidity and a full body. The finish is long and evolving.
Rich aromas of molasses, chocolate and fig paste announce a ripe, thick Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. On the palate, this is grabby, intense and oaky. Flavors of oak grain, graphite, chocolate and berry fruits finish saturated and heavy, lacking elegance.
The short oak aging has broadened this already ripe wine. The touch of toast is balanced by the yellow fruits and rich acidity. It is full, concentrated, mineral textured and ready to drink.
Fresh fruit aromas, dominated by black cherry, expand on the substantial palate. This wine is a rich, robust and ripely built expression of a dark-horse grape in these parts. Black licorice dots a jammy concentration of fruit and of the rich texture, rewarding those who like their wines powerfully packed.
This is part of the limited edition Vineyard Designate series. Plum and sour cherry fruit flavors claim center stage here, with sweet baking spice accents and a light touch of caramel from a year of aging in 30% new French oak.
Produced from old vines, this generous wine is ripe with black fruits, with a juicy, dense texture as well as ripe tannins. The structure is comfortably cushioned within the rich fruitiness, giving way to a crisp, lingering aftertaste. Drink now.
Very dark purple in the glass, this bottling shows leathery red cherry, subtle nutmeg and ginger spice, a touch of baked soil and stronger caramel notes on the nose. Rich black cherry meets with vanilla on the palate, which is slathered with a strong simmering acidity that's refreshing although almost too potent.
Fermented in a seasoned 3,000-liter oak vat, this doesn't show overt wood flavors, instead revealing hints of ramps and sweat accenting passion fruit. Medium bodied, it offers fascinating textural interplay between creaminess from lees contact and vibrant acidity. Drink now.
The Syrah in this blend gives an extra perfume and spice to this rich wine. Its tannins and firm structure are balanced by the black fruits, acidity and Douro minerality. This wine is ready to drink.
Hugely rich and in a seriously heavy bottle, this is a statement wine. Its texture is there, surrounded by superripe fruit and touches of pepper from the alcohol. This almost tropical-fruit wine needs to age a little longer, so drink from 2018.
This producer makes a perennial standout of the variety. It is subdued and elegant in its approach to the lengthy layered weight and the integrated fruit. Plum, cedar and black licorice form a core of flavor over soft supple tannin and peppery oak, ending in a burst of spice and leather.
Earthy underbrush, leather, scorched earth, dark spice and toasted hazelnut aromas lead the way. The firm palate shows dried cherry, licorice and tobacco flavors alongside assertive, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2019–2026.
The word scrumptious applies here. This rich and complex rosé from Eric Hamacher is a mix of saignée juice and Pinot Noir blanc that wasn't quite blanc enough—a happy accident, since it's packed with raspberry confit and plum jam flavors, with a hint of cranberry sauce. Coming up on two years past fermentation, it's a wine to drink now.
Vineyard redevelopment and a new winery contributed to this fine expression of ripe Alicante Bouschet wine under the direction of Catarina Vieira. It's rich and structured, reflecting the grape. The dark color and powerful spice and black-fruit flavors are right up front to give a dense wine that will always be firm. The wine comes in a very heavy bottle.
The crisp Vital grape, local to the Lisboa region, is obvious in this light and bright wine. It has a wonderful tangy character, with delicious acidity. Full of citrus and green plums, it offers a bright aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
With a taste of fresh blueberry cobbler and pie crust, this well-made wine is from the producer's mountainous estate. Powerful yet soft, it offers further concentrated flavors of cinnamon, clove and smoke, with just a touch of violet on the nose.
This Nebbiolo is at first closed down and inexpressive. It eventually reveals subdued aromas of black cherry and raspberry with a whiff of spice that all carry over to the palate.
Friendly but standard aromas of berry fruits and creamy oak set up a mature, earthy feeling plate, with berry and coffee flavors. A soft, aged, mature finish is earthy in character and ultimately a bit hollow.
Light, clean, fresh aromas of tropical fruits and lychee resemble those of a Torrontés. The palate is light and mild, while flavors of melon, lychee and citrus pith are forward but don't come with a lot of backing or complexity.
This wine opens with aromas that recall burned tire rubber, asphalt, coffee bean and eucalyptus. The palate offers jumbled sensations of sweet, mature plum, blackberry and powdered sage alongside green, astringent tannins that generate a bitter close.
Light, airy aromas of tropical fruits and kaffir lime are modest. In the mouth, the wine is tight and chalky. Flavors of lime, lychee and green apple finish firm, with nice acidity and a slight oily character.
Aromas of oak take the forefront, with ripe plum, roasted coffee bean, smoke and meat juices in the background. The palate offers dark berry layered with oak sensations alongside astringent wood tannins. It has an excruciatingly dry finish. Superior Wines, Siema.
Hints of earth and mushroom, soy sauce and brine add umami to succulent blackberry and cherry flavors in this Merlot-based Bordeaux blend. The palate is crisp with sour-cherry acidity, and finishes with bold, chunky tannins that linger. It's showing quite a bit of maturity already, so drink now with a quick decant.
A trim, redcurrant fruited light red that is very refreshing: this might even take to being chilled. Red-currant flavors are uppermost, the tannins are soft, light and ready. Drink this now while it's fresh and fruity.
A bit smoky and savory in style, this slightly off-dry wine balances earthy mineral tones with flavors of pressed pear and apple. Sprightly acidity gives it a refreshing, easy-drinking quality.
This 100% Viognier from Piedmont reveals fragrances of white flowers, oak and aromatic herbs. The palate is dominated by oak accompanied by notes of sage, thyme, citrus and fennel. It lacks fruit richness. Saranty Imports, Pleasure Elite.
Already entering maturity, the 2008 Silhouette is a blended red (Merlot, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and more) with spicy, toasty flavors. The fruit is drying out, and the wine turning generic, but still fine for near-term drinking.
Pure Carmenère can seem heavily tilted toward the green, stemmy side of the Bordeaux equation, as it is here. Cranberry fruit, tight and tart, hits a wall of tannins, not entirely ripe. The barrel flavors need more time to settle in.
Apple and stone-fruit aromas are basic, mild and good. This is creamy in the mouth, with green-apple acidity providing edge and cut. Flavors of apple, green herbs and nectarine finish smooth.
Aromas recall nail polish remover, overripe fruit, oak vanilla and coffee. The palate offers black cherry mingled with vanilla, chocolate and sweet oak. However it lacks intensity and persistence and doesn't have an age-worthy structure. It closes on a drying, tannic note before trailing off.
A densely concentrated but unbalanced wine, it opens with aromas of stewed prunes, plum, oak, coconut and espresso. The heavy wood influence carries over to the palate. Black cherry notes are overwhelmed by oak, vanilla extract and coffee bean. Drying wood tannins dominate the finish.
A savory, herbal Merlot with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blended in, Lake County-based Chacewater sources from the Sierra Foothills for this wine, which imparts dry tannins and leather saddle throughout.
While the wine is light, it has a good balance between its dry tannins and attractive black currant fruitiness. With good structure, it will age over the medium term, so drink from 2016.
Fruity while still solidly tannic, this is a ripe Merlot-dominated wine. It has a touch of bitterness, but the main flavors are of black currant, fresh berries and a strong line in acidity. Drink from 2017.
Black cherry and cassis aromas are sweet and ripe. The palate is lively and shows zippy acids along with roasted berry flavors that are juicy due to the fresh acidity. Darkens up on the finish, showing coffee, chocolate and good length. Uncomplicated, fruity Syrah.
In sharp contrast to the heavily oaked companion Syrahs from Bergevin Lane, the Oui Deux puts the fruit up front. Spicy and sharp-toned, it was co-fermented with 5% Viognier, and for all practical terms is a Stonetree Vineyard bottling. It should continue to improve nicely with a couple more years of bottle age.
A very good value-priced Rioja with rubber and hickory on the bouquet along with light touches of cassis and red plum. Feels smart, fresh and lively, with a good blend of tomato, herb and red berry flavors. Finishes spicy and crisp, with an herbal, peppery accent.
Solid up front, with sweet and spicy aromas of plum, vanilla and candied berry. Feels full and good, with weight and thickness boosting up toasty, woody berry flavors. Dries out on the finish, leaving spice and a resiny taste. Drink now through 2014.
Slightly clipped and hard on the bouquet, which is narrow and settles on berry fruit. Feels chunky and bottom-weighted, with dark flavors of black fruits, plum and boysenberry. Becomes more stylish with airing, but it's always fairly hard and compact in character.
Quite oaky, the barrel flavors not yet integrated into the fruit, this starts out rough, then rolls into clean, light, pleasant boysenberry fruit flavors. Should continue to improve with more time in the bottle.
Juicy red plum and bright berries fill the palate, while accents of savory herbs and wild animal add depth to the nose. Balanced and approachable with a satiny structure and a medium-length finish. Drink now.
Mild and appealing on the nose, with just enough citrus to convince you that it's Sauvignon Blanc. Solid and not at all spritzy or wild feeling, with gooseberry, lime and passion fruit flavors. Finishes pithy but true, with lasting citrus and green herb notes.
A rich, ripe concentrated wine, packed with red plum and cherry fruits, lightly layered with tannins. The wine is immediately attractive, juicy, ready to drink.
Warm, rich wine with tropical flavors of mango, peach and with a ripe feel. It has weight, although the fruit does hint at crispness. There is a toast and nuts character that broadens out the interest.
There isn't much Sémillon in Portugal, but what there is can be easily affected by botrytis. This one has intense sweetness, balanced by dryness and lemon acidity. Ready to drink.
Muscular plum and black cherry aromas come with citrus peel and herbal notes. The mouthfeel is stout and healthy, with chewy tannins and lightly baked flavors of sweet blackberry darkened by pepper. Jammy and ripe overall; good Toro for under $20.
Harmonious aromas of cassis, vanilla and mocha are inviting. The palate, however, seems narrow and high in acidity; it's grinding and choppy, with herbal, tangy flavors of berry and cassis mixed with tobacco and herbs. Finishes rough and scratchy, with a lasting olive flavor. A very good wine but not the best Le Dix by any means.
A lifting menthol streak infuses the ripe red plum and berry aromas and flavors of this wine, with a nice minerality lingering underneath it all. Balanced with medium acidity and moderate but fine tannins, the wine's finish shows a cinnamon and nutmeg spice accent appears after swallow. Very drinkable now.
Dark and compact up front, with earth, blackberry, herbs and tobacco on the nose. Feels pure and bright, with staunch acidity pushing deep blackberry, cassis and spice flavors. Mellows on the finish, and overall it's a very nice mixture of Cabernet, Carmenère and Syrah.
Wakefield was founded as a Cabernet producer, so it's no surprise that the 2009 is a very good drop. The cassis fruit carries a slightly herbal tinge, with hints of coffee and vanilla helping to frame the fruit. It's lush and velvety in texture, making it drinkable now and over the next several years.
A fresh wine, with some of the richness of the vintage showing in up-front red berry fruits. The tannins are already well integrated, allowing the wine to show a softer side. It is for medium-term aging.
This organic blend of 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache and 20% Syrah offers a good amount of herbal aromas alongside notes of ripe dark cherry and berry fruit. Rich and tasty flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and raspberry unfold in the medium-weight mouth, while accents of pepper and anise remain through the close.
This mighty Malbec opens with toasty oak, a pinch of sawdust and perfumed black fruit, vanilla and spice notes. The palate is lofty and rich, with beautiful berry and plum flavors. A smooth, sexy wine from the Uco Valley that shows that vineyard sourcing absolutely matters. Best wine from Alta Vista to date.
Mitolo's top Shiraz offering from 2007 is its Savitar bottling, from McLaren Vale. This full-bodied, creamy, lush, expansive wine features aromas of toast and vanilla upfront, followed by mixed berries that seem to grow in intensity with every sip. Drink now-2020.
Still the king of South American Pinot Noir, Chacra's “55” offers a beautiful amalgam of dusty Middle Eastern spice aromas along with raspberry, cherry and cocoa notes. It's a finessed but forceful (read: high-alcohol) Pinot with penetrating black cherry, plum and chocolate flavors, and the finish is long but hot in its youth. Doesn't lack for much of anything. Best from late 2010 through 2013.
Another stellar El Puntido, this time with excellent concentration and full-load aromas of black fruit, leather, fine dried cheese and cola. The palate is tight, properly stretched and racy, with bursting black raspberry and cassis flavors. Coconut and resin on the finish is the first and only glaring announcement of oak. Drink now through 2014.
With slightly subdued aromas of spiced apples and lemon, this Gewürztraminer introduces itself a bit unusually. The round, full-bodied palate reveals more characteristic lychee and floral tones offset by soft lemony acidity. It concludes with a hint of alcoholic warmth.
Light and crisp, this steely wine offers sensations of white flowers, zesty citrus, white peach and slate. It's simple but well made with fresh acidity that gives it a clean, bright finish.
This medium-bodied wine shows almost tobacco-like scents to go along with tropical fruit on the nose. It's leafy and green, with modest passion-fruit flavors and a moderately long finish.
Initially, this smells green, with aromas akin to salad. With time, riper berry notes and oak rise up. In the mouth, this has a choppy feel and edgy freshness, while flavors of stalky, lightly green berry fruits finish with an oaky, minty character.
It's unusual to see a Washington Malbec at this price. This one is generally pleasant, with notes of plum, peppery spices and light oak accents. It's soft and elegant, yet with some tannic astringency that adds a subtle edge.
Spicy and fruity, this is a lightweight, attractive and smooth wine. It has some undergrowth aromas, followed by red berry fruits, with fresh acidity at the end. Drink now.
A fragrant wine with notes of perfume, lychee and orange peel. It's medium sweet (40g/L residual sugar) with a floral lift.
This vintage of Matua's Sauvignon Blanc seems more tropical and fruity than other years, offering ripe guava, passion fruit and pineapple aromas and flavors. It's round and easy to drink, finishing on a bit of a sweet-and-sour note. Drink now.
Straight down the fairway with notes of freshly scooped cantaloupe and pear slices. It's textured in feel showing little obvious oak influence, finishing a bit short.
This cheeky blend of Chardonnay and Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc is delicately framed. Fresh and fruity, it discloses apple and lemon notes accented with hints of smoke and savory nuts.
There's a steady aromatic focus of graphite, Bing cherry and a brief herbal lift to this offering from a sustainably minded winery run by the Zahoudanis family. Once sipped, the delivery is more subtle, with lavender, rose, fennel, dill and a finish of bitter mustard greens framing sour cherry fruit.
With attractive wood aromas, this is rich and bright, with touches of butteriness. It has weight and plenty of ripe fruit. The acidity at the end is fresh and crisp.
Earthy and feral, this Pinot from the Sonoma County sparkling wine house of Gloria Ferrer shows the producer's attention to detail with still wines. With soft layers of balanced wild strawberry, cedar and distinctive brambly spice, it'll serve perfectly alongside roast duck.
Imagine coffee ice cream drizzled with boysenberry syrup and you get the gist of the flavors of this full-bodied, rather sweet Zinfandel. Aromas of toasted oak barrels and fresh roasted coffee beans leap out of the glass as you sniff, then rich cherry and boysenberry flavors coat your tongue.  The alcohol is noticeable, but it carries so much flavor along with it that it comes off as decently balanced.
A soft wine with attractive fruitiness and lemon and lime flavors. Fresh and rounded, it shows its northern French origins with the tight acidity at the end.
Fresh, crisp apple and pear are touched with delicate swathes of cream and oyster shell on this elegant, impeccably balanced Chardonnay. The palate is brisk with lemon and lime acidity, but builds in richness and texture on the finish. A remarkable value at $13.
Rounded and ripe, it has tannins nicely embedded in the red plum and strawberry flavors. It's full-bodied and already showing a delicious, seductive side. Drink from 2016.
This Bordeaux-style blend of 48% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cab Franc looks a bit murky, unfiltered, and is currently showing a lot of influence from barrel aging. Medium-weight blackberry and cassis fruit is married to dark chocolate, with a dash of black olive in the mix. It's tasty for drinking 2017–2019.
Wood flavors initially dominate this wine. Then the more fruity character shows through to give a toast and citrus character, rounded while tightly textured. The wine has some aging potential, although it could be drunk now.
Made from Catalanesca, a rare grape from Campania, this vibrant wine opens with delicate aromas of white flower, beeswax and white tree fruit. The easy-drinking but savory palate offers juicy pear, apple and a hint of hazelnut on the finish. Vinity Wine, Panebianco.
Made with the native grape Nerello Mascalese, this structured wine opens with aromas of coffee, espresso, black berries and subtle oak. The palate offers  up ripe black cherry and licorice, alongside bracing tannins and evident alcohol.
This is a supple, medium- to full-bodied red for drinking over the next few years. The plummy flavors are a bit earthy, dark and indistinct, but pleasant enough, and the wine's silky finish features a bright burst of red fruit.
This gets an extra year in barrel and bottle prior to release. It's two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. Still tart and tannic, the wine carries a full load of herb and earth characteristics, with less impact from the fruit than the high alcohol would suggest.
The chalky soil yields a crisp, textured wine with yellow fruits to round it out. There is a steely edge and just a touch of wood, while the aftertaste is packed with acidity.
Lavishly floral with notes of orange blossom and lemon candy, Konstantin Frank's Grüner Veltliner is another standout for the region. Dry and medium-bodied in style, the palate bursts with crisp white peach and nectarine against a backdrop of lime zest and mineral tones.
Pointed red-fruit aromas of currant and plum are light but direct. This feels fresh, with mild raspberry flavors and not a whole lot else. On the finish, mellow notes of vanilla and red plum are supported by not overly aggressive tannins. Drink this fresh Garnacha through 2015.
The oak (83% new French and American) seems a bit overweighted for the fruit that's in the bottle on this 100% varietal wine. The notes of vanilla, cocoa and woodspice get out in front of herb and cherry flavors that seem slightly stewed.
Though less expensive than the Artisan series releases from Foundry, the Alla Prima seems better balanced. There's less new oak (though 40% is not insubstantial) and the alcohol is well under 15%. The wine weaves together cherry, dark chocolate and espresso with plenty of tart acidity to buoy it up.
This is a serious Cava for the money. It's mildly briny and dusty up front, with peach and apple notes filling out the nose. The palate is elegant and smooth enough, while apple and melon flavors are naturally spicy and ripe given the warm conditions of the '09 vintage. The long, nectarine-flavored finish will win you over.
In this pungent wine, Syrah is co-fermented with a touch of Viognier, then blended with 33% Grenache. Interesting scents of diesel, soil and stem wrap into the tight red berry fruit. It rounds into a rather soft, easy-drinking red that should be consumed through 2017.
This is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec and 8% Syrah. The influence of 18 months in oak is showing strongly, though some very pretty raspberry candy flavors come through also. Give it extra breathing time to help balance it out.
This opens with fruity aromas of plum and black berry, alongside whiffs of tilled earth and spice. It's still a bit closed but the palate reveals black cherry, raisin and clove supported by a tannic backbone. Drink 2015–2021.
Peach, apple and pear aromas are smooth and easy to like. The mouthfeel is juicy and fresh, which Leyda Valley is known for, while the flavors of citrus, apple and nectarine come with acid-driven snap. As a whole, this is more fruity and focused than oaky and heavy.
A classic Bordeaux-style blend, but mainly Merlot, this wine has a ripe feel, with a firm, dense structure. It has weight and ripe blackberry fruit, plus a fine line of acidity. Wait for two years, although it is drinkable now.
A spot-on Oregon Grüner, this is dry and spicy. It's clean as a whistle, with flavors of celery, lemon and sour peach.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Loin de l'Oeil, this is ripe, fruity and perfumed. It has an attractive floral character, with flavors of toast and hedgerow. It's ready to drink, but it could age.
Lovely notes of fresh-cut pear, pear skin and a bit of melon highlight this nicely defined wine. It's a showcase for an emerging style of Pinot Gris, which Oregon has made its own.
A crisp and fruity blend of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and the creamy Loin de l'Oeil, this has apple and grapefruit flavors. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.
The second vintage of Rainstorm is smooth and pretty, showing flavors of ripe strawberry and chocolate that last through the finish.
This is a full and chunky wine, with thick blackberry and varietally correct herb aromas. The palate has a firm feel and good texture, while the flavors of herb, chocolate, pepper and black fruit settle on a secure, fresh and lively finish.
This is the first Chardonnay release from Anam Cara, estate grown from young vines, and softened by secondary fermentation. The flavors suggest almond and butter, light citrus, a whiff of toast and a taste of cracker. It's smooth, with a lemony finish.
Rich and fruity, this wine is finely balanced, with juicy black-plum fruit and acidity. The Merlot gives it a smoky character and a ripe, fleshy texture. Age this for 3–4 years.
Mint and herb aromas are followed by a structured and tannic palate. It has balancing acidity, with a juicy black-currant flavor and a dark, dry edge. Like nearly all of the 2010s, it needs to age.
A perfumed, fruity wine, Lange Ried, or “Long Vineyard,” is a textured and lightly minerally Riesling, with a concentrated white-fruit flavor and a crisp finish.
From a tough vintage, this has friendly flavors of chocolate-chip cookie dough and walnuts. The chocolaty character, which is far more noticeable than the fruit, helps to mitigate the tough, chewy tannins. Drink soon.
Tight at first, this opens to reveal flavors of strawberry and red plum. A bit earthy and astringent, it has drying tannins that should smooth out with a bit more bottle age.
Soy and honey swirl around notes of tight-grained oak, with a touch of vanilla-caramel sweetness on the rich, toasty finish. Full flavors of baked pineapple and papaya abound on the palate and through the close.
Apple and pear aromas are dusty and leesy. This varietal white Grenache feels linear, with no up or down to the mouthfeel. Flavors of citrus fruits and mango finish lean, crisp and minerally, with lemony acidity.
A fairly action-packed nose combines yellow grapefruit, lemon blossoms, nectarine flesh and yellow melon with slate and a shred of bubblegum on the finish. The palate starts quite tight with pear rinds, and then gets riper with shaved apples, bubblegum and tropical elements.
Subtle green-apple aromas and rich, ripe pear flavors make a pretty convincing argument for this full-bodied but soft-textured wine.
This wine has some off aromas, seeming to show some oxygen exposure, which distracts from its notes of orange peel and spice. The palate is considerably better but struggles to make up the difference.
Aromas of black-olive juice, animal hide and seashell fail to offer much fruit, even with swirling. A tough palate shows no clear point of entry, while herbal black-fruit flavors draw in rather than expand on the finish. This is a Syrah-led blend with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano, aka Tintilla de Rota. It hails from Cádiz.
This is an assertive wine with an herbal personality. Aromas resemble citrus and fresh herbs, the flavors are citrusy and savory, and the mouthfeel is rather generous.
This value-minded wine is made in large quantities and maintains a classic edge of red berry and cedar, grippy on the palate, but able to open up in the glass. It'll serve well as a midweek house wine or staple for larger gatherings.
This opens with funky aromas that suggest farmyard, stewed fruit and worn leather. The dense palate is already evolved, showing raisin, fig, game and walnut that lead to a short, bitter finish.
Herbal aromas give this young wine its freshness, with bright acidity and crisp texture. Green fruits are laced with a touch of minerality and freshness. Drink from 2017.
The entry-level wine from this domaine is light and soft, offering attractively perfumed apple fruits and balanced acidity. The wine is refreshing, fruity and ready to drink.
Named in honor of North Carolina's first commercial winery and a woman born in the 1500s in the Lost Colony of Roanoke, this white is floral in kumquat and toffee, a mix of rich and robust that's tropical in personality. Tangy acidity closes out the finish, revealing the toasty oak it inhabited for a year.
This Grenache-based cuvée is medium-bodied and crisp in feel. Black cherries and chocolate mingle easily on the palate, but the wine finishes dry and astringent. Serve with rare beef or lamb for best enjoyment.
Minerally cherry and raspberry aromas are as crisp as the black volcanic soil this varietal Listán Negro comes from. Bright in color, juicy and aggressive on the palate, with candied cherry flavors that are short on complexity, this Canary Islands wine tastes of berry residuals and brown sugar on the finish.
This basic Tempranillo smells dry and spicy but also dilute and mellow, with a note of cherry and red plum on the bouquet. Fresh, fleshy and fruity in terms of feel, this tastes of simple cherry and plum, while the finish is a touch tannic.
Aromas of prune, raisin, tomato leaf and rose petals lead to a somewhat heavy palate with a stewy character and big tannins. Baked, raisiny red-fruit flavors come with a note of caramel or molasses, while desiccated berry flavors dominate the finish.
Stalky aromas of shrubs and bushes blend with scents of dried cherry and currant. A hard-smacking, tannic palate delivers basic berry and plum flavors that finish with a riper note of prune along with parching dryness.
The wilted flower and candied fruit aromas are light. The palate has a broad, textured feel, with a touch of sugar on the finish.
Aromas of gooseberry are out in front of kiwi and pineapple. The flavors are fleshy in feel, sweetened by a touch of sugar.
Heady notes of cedar and pine lend a woodsy undertone to plump blueberry and black cherry flavors in this slightly soft, yielding Merlot. Delicate acidity and whisper-light tannins add to its plush feel. Drink now through 2018.
Ripe blackberry and cherry flavors have a slightly ruddy tone in this plush, full-bodied blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bold and juicy, its forward, approachable style is contrasted by slightly rustic tones of hay and grass.
This wine is dark garnet to the eye, offering aromas of pomegranate, juniper berry and bell pepper. Overpowering tannins remain in the forefront of flavors of cooked cherry, pine needles, cassis and mint. While the tannins never feel to recede on the palate, there is a sensation of the faintest splash of brightness on the finish.
This Serbian 100% Portuguiser offers scents of dried cherry, dried herbs and fresh tarragon, and follows up with tastes of red plum and dried strawberry.
Honeyed in apple, pear and mango, this is a tightly wound, full-bodied wine, voluptuous and quite ripe in style.
Round, creamy apple aromas open things up. This is melony and soft in feel, with flavors of cider, lemon and lychee. A tropical-leaning finish is solid but suggestive of a wine in decline. Drink immediately.
This wine has a sun-dried quality to the grapes, which are moderately exuberant in cherry and leathery earth. It's lean, dry and robustly tannic.
This entry-level white from the Roblins is fresh, crisp and fruity. The light texture is dominated by acidity and the bright apple and pink-grapefruit flavors. Drink now.
From a 24-acre vineyard with vines aged from five to 65 years, this is an attractively fruity wine. Ripe apple flavors gain even greater liveliness from the twist of citrus zest. It is ready to drink with all its freshness.
With the extra concentration from the low-yielding old vines, this is a dense wine, with its acidity contrasting the rich red fruit. It is round and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a soft, fruity finish.
This is a highly unusual, quirky blend of the Georgian Rkatsiteli and Moldovan Sereksiya grapes. Tonic and crisp, it offers robust peach and apple flavors on the attack, but fades a bit quickly on the midpalate. Straightforward but refreshing.
A tannic and ripe Petite Sirah, this has flavors of plum, dark chocolate and a serious shot of espresso. This is a big bomb of a wine that needs braised meat to match it.
This is fruity, with an apple flavor that's lifted by a lemon zest edge. It's warm with a rich, minerally tautness; a caramel note comes through on the finish.
Fresh berry and cherry aromas come with a pinch of lemon and also a rose note. It has a tangy, fresh feel and snappy, semitart flavors of red plum and raspberry. Limited and short on the finish, but zesty all the way through.
Soft, smooth and buttery, this is full of ripe tropical fruits and bright, citrusy acidity. Ready to drink.
Made from 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, this is clean yet nuanced, with subtle suggestions of strawberry hull and freshly picked herbs to the white peach and Key lime core. Medium weight, with a mouthwatering finish; drink now.
This is a lean, tart, high-acid vintage for Washington State white wines. Hogue's reliable Pinot Grigio is herbaceous and clean, fresh and tangy.
The hazy aromas of honeyed white fruits are a touch gaseous. It feels plump and nice, with soft, almost flat melon flavors. It tastes similar on the finish, showing little evolution from the palate.
This starts with funky, saucy aromas that clean up and become less strange with airing. Rugged, tannic and bumpy on the palate, it has baked, rubbery black-fruit flavors. It finishes short and drying, with hard tannins and heat.
This is Concannon's second vintage of Crimson & Clover—a Petite Sirah-based blend. It offers good value and sweet, smooth flavors, with a hint of licorice and dark chocolate running through.
Woodsy, perfumed and light on the nose, this has rosebud and lemon peel aromas. The palate shows a touch of resiny oak, with flavors of raspberry and chocolate, ending with a hint of vanilla.
Firm and structured, this has strong tannins set over smoky fruit. It has concentration, although the wood flavor has an old-wood feel, seeming just a touch dirty.
Fresh, crisp and minerally on the nose, this has green apple and melon aromas. It feels fresh, juicy, light and refreshing, with high-toned white-fruit flavors as well as notes of grapefruit, herb and lime. Clean on the finish.
The second vintage of this wine produced, this blend of Mourvèdre (53%), Syrah (33%) and Grenache shows aromas of red and black fruit along with barrel spices. Still drinking young, it's filled with blackberry flavors that show good texture and richness. The wood seems a bit out front, giving a lightly grainy feel and dominating the notes on the finish.
This rusty-colored Rioja shows funky aromas of leather mixed with hints of rose petal. A good mouthfeel with smooth tannins is suggestive of aged Burgundy or Merenzao (Trousseau), while rooty, earthy flavors of leaves and tea are interesting. Drink now.
Earthy, rubbery berry aromas are potent. So is the palate, which is demanding and bouncy but also a bit rough. Pinched, herbal plum and tomato flavors are rustic in style and reflect Extremedura's sunny, dry terroir. This wine is interesting and moderately complex.
Bright cherry aromas are youthful and draw you in. In the mouth, this young RDD is clampy and fresh. Plum, wild berry and salty notes define the flavor profile, while the finish is full in feel and reflective of a well-made Tinto Fino.
This wine is soft and fruity with ripe berry fruits and gentle tannins. For a major second wine, it's surprisingly easy and soft, developing fast with its berry fruits, chocolate and wood flavors at the end. Drink from 2017.
For the vintage, this is a ripe, bold wine. Layers of delicious black fruits are supported by firm tannins and the right amount of wood aging. Balanced and dense, it will age well. Drink from 2017.
This lightly aromatic wine offers notes of butterscotch, peach and toasty spices. It's lighter in style with a creamy feel to the stone and tropical fruit flavors.
This shows both the fruit of the vintage and a more structured tannic side. Black currant flavors are up front, offering a generous feeling. They are balanced by the backdrop of tannins and tight acidity. Together they make a wine that is concentrated and likely to be ready to drink soon. Drink from 2016.
Aromas of forest floor, Mediterranean herb, dark berry, turned soil and game mingle in the glass. The tight palate delivers clove, ground white pepper, grilled herb and dried black cherry alongside bracing tannins.
Aromatically pleasing, this suggests fresh blueberry pie, with a whiff of smoked meat. It's straightforward with huckleberry and mocha flavors, trailing slightly toward the finish.
While creamy and voluminous, this full-bodied Chardonnay boasts fresh green plum and apple flavors brightened by sunny lemon acidity. Streaks of vanilla, toast and spice are bold yet well integrated. It finishes moderately long with notes of dried herbs.
This meaty, ripe Syrah is smoky and deep on the nose, with lusty berry aromas. The palate is tannic but supported by bold, fleshy blackberry flavors backed by maple, vanilla and burnt toast. Caramel richness makes its way onto the finish, which is rocky and tannic but tastes good. This value Syrah was built for grilled meat.
Waxy, dusty aromas of stone fruits and honey are typical of Garnatxa Blanca, although this contains 30% Viognier as well. A citrusy, direct palate with cutting acidity sets up lemon, tangerine and green-apple flavors. Only on the finish does this taste mildly yeasty and slightly buttery.
Smoky aromas of bacon and rubber blend with cherry and plum scents to form a good bouquet. This has a fair, fresh mouthfeel with tannic grip. Leafy flavors of plum and red currant are accented by spicy, dry, woody notes, while the finish is lightly green and oaky, with lasting spice.
This blend of Syrah (72%), Grenache (21%) and Viognier brings vibrant aromas of green olive, smoked meat and orange peel, which don't entirely meld. It's tangy and flavorful with abundant mesquite notes on the finish.
This aromatic wine offers notes of lime, peach, white flowers and creamsicle. It's off dry with the neutral-oak aging providing a broad, creamy feel along with tart fruit flavors that linger.
Bright pomegranate and red cherry flavors penetrate this bracingly fresh Lemberger. The palate is primary and fruity, but nuanced by wisps of smoke, nuts and a lingering ruffle of tannins. It's an elegantly structured yet refreshing, quaffable wine.
Perfume and spice mark this intensely fruity, blossomy blend. Intense grapefruit and lemon flavors are invigorating and racy on the palate, accented by a lingering mineral finish.
Jammy, reduced aromas of cassis, blueberry and animal hide lead to a juicy, fresh palate that's not too thick or concentrated. Blackberry and blueberry flavors are lightly peppered, while the finish is quick and light for Malbec. This is a new wine that aims at freshness and simple fruit more than power and weight.
A fairly oaky bouquet with overt wood grain, vanilla and creamy aromas includes cherry and plum scents. A mostly fresh, choppy palate is a bit rough, while currant and spiced-plum flavors end with woody, medicinal accents. Overall this works well.
This aromatic wine suggests green apple, tangerine and flowers. It drinks dry with stone fruit and citrus flavors that have a fleshy feel.
This blend offers notes of nori, olive, cherry and tire rubber. The full-bodied flavors are sweet and palate-coating, with abundant savory notes and lightly grainy tannins.
Rich, lusciously concentrated black plum and cherry flavors are accented with spice and smoke in this bold, Merlot-heavy blend. Framed with fine, chalky tannins, it's supple and silky in mouthfeel with a moderately long finish.
Coming from a blend of Ciel du Cheval, Red Willow and Olsen vineyards, this appealing wine brings notes of pear, lemon twist and mineral. It's restrained in feel with notes of stone fruit and barrel spices.
Ethereal and light, this is an understated Chardonnay for the producer, who offers several variations on the grape this vintage, this one sourced from an Eastside Road estate vineyard. Beeswax, tropical papaya and pear are the highlights, with a finish dusted in vanilla.
This 100% varietal wine offers lightly volatile notes of vanilla, coconut, pepper and dried cherries. The fruit flavors show good concentration along with a beguiling feel and a finish that lingers. Although the wood takes center stage, it plays its part well.
Bright, fresh fruit and dried herb aromas combine with lively but concentrated and tannic fruit flavors in this big but well-behaved wine. The texture balances lavishness with a bit of astringency in an attractive and appetizing way.
Made from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, Don Giovanni is a full-bore wine. Its more Zin than Cab in flavor and personality, with bursts of berry and vanilla throughout.
Light, fragrant, and structured, this shows a smoky flavor and refreshing red-berry fruit. It's lively and fruity, and the tannins are in the background.
Pleasant and simple, this offers light strawberry and cherry flavors, with a pretty streak of mocha. The finish shows some earth and stem notes.
With scents that are high toned and slightly green, this sharp and leafy Cabernet includes smaller percentages of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot that are sourced from the Alder Ridge Vineyard. Compact flavors of cassis, smoke and earth combine to form its core.
Crisp and likable, this smells stony and snappy, with spring pea, passion fruit and citrus aromas. It feels well cut, with green bean, grass and citrus flavors. While it hints at being vegetal, it maintains a consistent white-fruit and citrus profile.
Firm, hard, tart and chewy, this has tight black fruits, high acids and earthy tannins, which are lightened with a note of pretty baking spice.
Sharp and spicy, this is a high-acid, stainless-steel-fermented wine, with a green berry note and a hint of melon.
The waxy, dusty aromas of apple are calm and regular. It feels a bit flat, with oaky flavors of apple, melon, vanilla and resin. The finish feels resiny too, but overall it's good in a regular, popular style.
The cherry and berry aromas are friendly and ripe. It feels flush, edgy and a little tannic, with a fresh berry flavor that's bundled with a touch of herb. The tasty berry flavor holds form on the medium-length finish.
This feels mildly citric, with limited portions of lemon, apple and peach making up the flavor profile. Mild on the finish.
Aromas like cedar and mint are attractive and tempting. Concentrated black-cherry flavors fill out a broad mouthfeel and lingering finish. A fine-grained layer of tannins adds structure, keeping everything balanced.
Cabernet Franc makes up almost two-thirds of this wine, with the rest Merlot. Aromas of vanilla, cocoa, baking spice, flowers and cherry are followed by plentiful dark-fruit flavors and a tart finish, with the tannins providing a squeeze.
Very light in the glass, this wine by Steve Martell strikes a singular stone-fruit note at first, then slides into pluot, Gala apple and fresh, margarita-like lime tones. Specks of focused acidity rule the palate, where a poached-pear warmth shows on the midpalate yet the edges are sharpened by bergamot and Mexican lime zest. The finish tingles the tongue nicely.
Dried apples, a touch of lime zest, fresh chamomile and a ripe nectarine-flesh element show on the nose of this bottling. The palate plays to the citrus side of the grape, with underripe tangerine and tangy lime forming laser-sharp focus across minerally chalky touches.
Fresh hibiscus, black plum and smashed olallieberry meet with vibrant florality and wide range of dark spice on the nose of this blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. A pepper-laced structure releases flavors of black cherry, cola and a touch of charcoal on the well-hewn palate.
This distinctive bottling offers aromas of tobacco, wet coffee grounds, roasted pasilla chili, charcoal and charred beef that seem curious at first but quickly grow interesting. The palate shows much of the same, recalling a chile-flecked dark-chocolate brownie served atop a black cherry-blackberry reduction sauce.
This is the second vintage in this series from former Ste. Michelle winemaker Joshua Maloney. The aromas are brooding, with notes of blue and black fruit while the flavors are ripe and full, showing intensity along with a firm lick of tannins that need some time to settle in. Best after 2020.
This is a blend of several parcels throughout the appellation including some Premier Crus. It has the power of the appellation along with the elegant Leflaive house style. That makes for a fine structured wine with great acidity, apple and pineapple fruit and a strongly mineral aftertaste. Drink starting from 2019.
This wine is predominantly Merlot (44%) along with a whopping 33% Petit Verdot, with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Aromas of cocoa, vanilla, spice, green herbs and dark fruit are followed by generous dark-fruit flavors and plentiful tannins. It shows good cellaring potential.
Light raspberry, cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry fruit tones greet the nose on this bottling. The aromas then offer a brick-like minerality bolstered by chiseled slate and wet river stones. Flavors are also rocky and rusty, with lots of crushed gravel and turned earth giving complexity to the cran-pomegranate fruit.
Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum, leather and menthol lead the nose along with a whiff of crushed purple flower. The smooth hearty palate delivers mature blackberry, prune, cinnamon and pipe tobacco while velvety tannins provide seamless support.
This shows classic valley-floor aspects of dusty tannin, brushy sage and cedar, staying true to the Bordeaux varieties it holds. Pencil lead and mocha accent the medium-bodied background, while soft, pillowy tannins are approachable.
This affordable wine impresses in smoky, charred oak and a full, robust profile that it embraces completely. Leather, blackberry and black pepper combine on the palate for power and a lengthy, lasting impression on the finish.
This wine bears a strong resemblance to its sibling from one block over in with its berry and flower aromas. The palate however brings more lushness and texture that persists through the finish.
A light lemon-curd component decorates the tangy yogurt and fresh lily aromas on the nose of this bottling from a historic vineyard. It is very grippy on the palate, where the intriguing texture carries flavors of orange rind, tangerine pith, lime zest and a touch of pan-roasted pine nuts.
Smoke, red cherry and crushed black rocks combine for the intriguing nose of this bottling that includes 14% Malbec. It's juicy on the palate but put together very well, with ripe red cherry serving as the backbone to roasted meat, black licorice, dill and molasses flavors.
There's a forest-floor touch to the nose of this appellation blend that also shows smoked and raw beef, hearty berries and a slight compost touch. The mouthfeel is soft, with flavors of iron and aged beef giving nuance to the tart raspberry, pomegranate, chipped slate and dried-mint finish.
The small village of Saint-Andelain is at the heart of Sauvignon Blanc in Pouilly Fumé. This wine is ripe with melon and peach flavors cut with intense acidity. It is well textured, full bodied and should be held until well into 2017.
Velvety on the palate, this is a rich, unctuous wine, showy in full-bodied waves of baked cherry, tar and minty earth. With a substantial weight, it will appeal to fans of a bigger style while retaining plenty of varietal character.
Potting soil, pencil lead, vanilla, flower and cherry aromas lead to dense, pitch-black-fruit flavors. There's a lot of tannic heft but it's well integrated.
Herb, wood spice, dried cherry, coffee and clove aromas lead to palate-coating full-bodied cherry and bittersweet-chocolate flavors. It captures the attention, with the feel providing as much enjoyment as the flavors, though at times it seems a bit advanced for its age.
Rich and almost meaty, this Rhône-style wine has wonderful complexity in aroma and flavor. It smells lightly earthy and very berry-like, tastes a bit smoky and beefy along with generous blackberry flavors that linger on the finish.
Oak-heavy aromas of vanilla, wood smoke and buttered toast vie with berry and plum scents. A fresh yet oaky palate feels full and resiny, with flavors of buttery oak, cherry and plum that follow the nose. Persistent oak on a full-force finish indicates that this has years left in it. Drink through 2023.
Aromas of red fruit, herb and spice are followed by tart, full-bodied fruit flavors. A persistent finish caps it off.
A crisp, focused nose consisting of lemon peel, cedar, dried cheese, blackberry and cassis aromas is encouraging. This Malbec (with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) is mouth-filling and tight, with firm tannins. Pointed salty flavors of black plum and berry fruits finish with integrated spice and cocoa notes. Drink now through 2024—the longer this sits, the less aggressive and choppy it'll be.
Orange peel and pine are the main aromas on a slightly oily nose. This feels full and balanced, with flavors of mango, banana and lychee. There isn't a lot of complexity to a citrusy finish, but this still ranks as an excellent sweet Moscatel.
Mellow earthy aromas of mossy black fruits, vanilla and licorice feed into a smooth palate with moderate depth and layering. Blackened flavors of coffee and dark chocolate accent black-fruit and mushroom notes, while this finishes with prune, pepper and toasty flavors along with a glassy feel. Drink through 2019.
Aromas of dark berry, fragrant blue flower, chopped herb and a whiff of baking spice float out of the glass. The lively enjoyable palate doles out juicy wild cherry, cranberry, thyme and a hint of anise alongside smooth, supple tannins and firm acidity.
This full-bodied, value-conscious wine offers a wealth of red currant, berry and tightly woven tannin. It shows both structure and a cooler-climate imprint of dried herb, cedar and sage.
This 100% varietal wine opens with alluring aromas of plum, clove, stems and spice. The purple-fruit flavors are palate coating, speckled with cocoa and barrel accents throughout.
Highly reputed for its red wines, Vacheron continues to display its skills with this latest vintage. The wine is rich and full with a combination of bright red fruits and a firm, integrated structure. It is a fresh wine now and one that should age. Drink from 2018.
Underbrush, grilled porcini, chopped herb, tilled soil aromas and a hint of stewed fruit unfold in the glass. The developed palate doles out layers of mature black cherry, raspberry compote, chopped mint, tobacco and anise set along against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. It will be even better in a few years but it's not built for long-term cellaring.
Decadently rich in caramel and vanilla on the nose, this vineyard-designate evolves into more delicate floral elements, with a depth of spicy oak and baked apple and pear. Throughout the medium body and medium acidity is a freshness of lemon and lime, with a slight twist of tangerine.
Aromas of sunbaked earth, underbrush, grilled herb and mature black-skinned fruit lead the nose along with a whiff of worn leather. The chewy palate offers ripe wild cherry, cinnamon and anise framed in velvety tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
Dark-skinned berry, menthol toast and tilled soil aromas come together in the glass. Full-bodied, ripe, velvety tannins underscore flavors of mature black cherry, licorice, tobacco and clove. Drink 2018–2028.
Intensely dense and feral, this wine opens with a thicket of tart cherry and strawberry, followed by leathery black pepper and lavender. Medium in body and acidity, it works for the table, finding balance as it goes, before a rich taste of toffee finishes things off.
Here is a splendid example of this variety, intensely spicy, with the characteristic scents and flavors of rose petals, lychee fruit and baby powder. It shows tremendous depth and precision, and could be cellared through 2020, but why wait?
The aromas of herbs, dark fruit and graphite are brooding and wound up on first pour. The palate is highly structured with plentiful black-fruit flavors that show exquisite balance and a finish that carries into the distance. Its best days are far in front of it. Enjoy after 2018.
Coming from one of the state's premier Syrah vineyards, the aromas of violets, dried herbs, brown stems and smoked meat pop. The fruit and savory flavors show an exquisite sense of balance that persists through the extended finish.
Complete and inviting aromas of plum and raisin make a positive statement without shouting. This feels stout, dense and layered, while a flavor combination of blackberry, black currant, herbs de Provence and dark chocolate finishes earthy, lightly baked and moderately complex. Drink through 2021.
Like the La Louvée, this wine is plummy and superripe, wrapped in toasty, cedary oak. It's savory as well, with meaty notes carried along by waves of richness. The finish is lined with mouthcoating tannins, suggesting a few years of cellaring are warranted. Drink 2018–2030.
Full-bodied and refined, this offers aromas of mature plum, vanilla, exotic spice and French oak. The firm palate delivers dried cherry, black raspberry, chopped herb, licorice, ground pepper and mineral alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. It's an impressive effort for this scorching vintage. Let the tannins unwind for another few years then enjoy sooner rather than later.
Calm aromas of plum, berry fruits and dried spices are composed. This feels solid and ripe, but also energetic. Flavors of chocolaty oak, mocha, baked plum and ripe berry fruits finish with lasting notes of clove and wood spice. Drink through 2022.
Ripe and velvety, this opens with classic varietal scents of crushed violet, black-skinned berry, baking spice and a whiff of leather. The juicy, delicious palate doles out fleshy wild cherry, black raspberry, cinnamon and licorice while firm, refined tannins proved support. It's an impressive effort for this hot vintage.
This is a hearty wine from a famous place, farmed by esteemed, long-time growers. Apple and pear skin show up first, with a baked quality to the fruit that never gets jammy. The wine stays light and bright despite its full-bodied nature. Toasty lemon and fig compote finishes things off.
Aromas of tobacco, dried rose, mature berry and leather meld together on the glass. The firm palate is still a bit closed, but offers dried red cherry, licorice, grilled herb and a hint of black tea alongside firm tannins that give the finish some grip.
Great fruit flavors and a lively, fresh texture come together for a very well-balanced and vivid-tasting wine. Just enough tannin and grape acidity provide an agile, appetizing structure to let the fresh red and black cherry notes stand out. Fermented with native yeast and aged in neutral barrels., it will be best after 2018.
This is an exceptionally well-crafted version of the variety from a tremendous site for the grape. Whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel, it retains fresh acidity that gives it lively tension on the palate, a foundation for briny lemon zest and classic floral notes.
The aromas of dark plum, thistle and earth captivate the senses, with the variety unmistakable. The flavors coat the palate from end-to-end, lingering on the finish.
A concentrated, full-bodied and dense explosion of chocolate, plum jam and smoky oak, this wine is powerful and well integrated, smooth on the palate with its oak well tucked in. From a mighty mountainous vineyard, it captures the soul of the variety from a standpoint of ripeness and grip.
Ripe and rich, this blend of 45% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Grenache punches strong with cherry blossom, olallieberry, vanilla, melted chocolate and violet aromas. Dill and anise pop up at the tip of the sip, then veer into cigar smoke, elderberry fruit and graphite. It's quite grippy with tannins.
Deep garnet in the glass, this wine has a nose of blackberry and roasting meat. It offers a sophisticated mélange of flavors, in particular ripe red cherry, smoke, roasting meat, cranberry and light spice with a hint of brambles. It is very bright on entry, but tannins sneak up and then linger on the gums beyond a smooth finish that is punctuated by a touch of smoke.
Underbrush, red berry, scorched earth and dark spice aromas emerge in the glass. The structured, chewy palate offers mature black cherry, clove, ground pepper and star anise set in a firm framework of fine-grained tannins. Drink 2018–2028.
This offers typical Sangiovese aromas of wild berry, crushed blue flower, aromatic herb, new leather and a trace of pipe tobacco. The ripe, chewy palate doles out juicy black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and espresso while brawny, velvety tannins envelope the palate.
Made in a toasty, richer style, this bottling shows cherry cola, blackberry brioche, oak-smoked plums and roast beef on the action-packed nose. The palate is dense, with black cherry, blackberry and black plum fruit layered across roasted-pork flavors.
A streak of confectionary nougat and lemony acidity combine for a smooth, well-integrated wine, full bodied in style, that's lip-smacking in apple-cider juiciness on the finish.
Subtle smoky notes add complexity to this ripe, full-bodied wine (the Roussanne component is aged in barrel). Combine that with Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc and the results come together in a whirl of honey, pineapple and citrus that is long, crisp and mouthwatering on the finish. Drink now–2020.
Quintessence is a good name for this wine that has the minerality and the structure that are the soul of the appellation. In addition it offers apricot and pear fruitiness and intense acidity. This wine is so drinkable now, although it will be much better from 2018.
This light- to medium-bodied Shiraz is crisp and tart, yet also shows some dried-fruit character on the finish.
Caramel and strawberry aromas lead to a ripe, while still, crisp crushed red berry wine. Good acidity, a light just off-dry texture.
Dry and light, an unfocused wine. It has tannins, only light fruit, very dry and ultimately tough.
Dry, dark-hued tannins cut through the wine, giving it a bitter feel. It is tough, firm, missing the balancing fruit.
Described as medium sweet, this is soft and sugary, its tannins at an awkward angle to the soft surroundings. This style works better with the rosé and white versions of Portada.
Scratchy, reedy raspberry aromas set up an edgy, tight and drying wash of tart plum fruit and then a peppery, woodspiced finish. Tart and astringent overall.
A low intensity wine with simple fruit flavors of berry and plum and a slight effervescence in the mouth.
Stemmy and funky smelling, with a burnt, stalky element to the core aromas. The palate grates and tastes of stemmy, burnt berry fruit. Stemmy and herbal on the finish as well.
Tart, leafy, with light strawberry fruit. This has little depth, just a pleasant strawberry nose and a simple, fruity palate.
An easy, fruity wine, its attractive red cherry flavors bubbling away in soft tannins and light acidity. Very drinkable, and not for aging.
Opens with warm, baked black fruit aromas and then a wave of woodiness takes control. The palate is round, full and sticky, with beefy but generic black fruit flavors and too much oak. Finishes with vanilla and resin; not a bad wine but needs more balance and fruit.
A little hard on the nose, with burnt undertones. The palate is hollow in the middle and the wine collapses on itself. As for flavors, look for mildly toasted and creamy white fruits and vanilla.
This starts off slightly rubbery, but comes around quickly enough to display ample white grapefruit and pith notes. It's a bit tight and austere from start to finish; probably at its best with seafood.
A lot of oak. The nose is honeyed and heavy, with too much toast and butter. In the mouth, it's got kicking acids but the flavors are sweet, oaky and veer toward banana. Resiny on the finish; underwhelming for the price.
Rubbery but fresh smelling, with sharp acidity that creates big-time juiciness but also an angular feel. Tastes of zippy, tangy red fruits that are crisp and sizzle away. Gets a bit more deep and earthy on the finish.
This is a nutty, almondy rendition of Roussanne, almost to the extent of veiling the remaining pineapple-tinged fruit. It's broad in the mouth and soft in texture, with a trace of warmth on the finish.
There's a green edge to this wine that struggles with the richer dark berries and fudge cake flavors. Soft and round in the mouth with a short finish.
Rusty in color, with a mildly mulchy, leafy nose that's also slightly floral and smells of orange peel. Zesty in the mouth, with a lean profile and tart flavors of red cherry, plum and herbs.
What would convince a producer to call a wine Jovly seems to be a mystery. That said, the wine is fresh, rounded with plenty of orange juice acidity, honey and a soft finish. Screwcap.
Generic melon and peach aromas precede a slightly forced and sweet palate with melony flavors and some tail-end bitterness. The finish is creamy and shows vanilla as well as peach and toast notes. Very basic Chardonnay given the price.
Sweet and mildly candied on the bouquet, and then it clamps down firmly in the mouth with hard Cabernet tannins and lightly herbal, candied flavors of medicinal black cherry. Decent but not special; finishes sticky and candied.
Soft Chardonnay, with pear and walnut flavors, light acidity and rounded buttery flavors. There is an attractive final richness.
Here's a simple but enjoyable Cab with notes of black plum, violet and cassis. Medium weight with soft tannins and a solid finish.
Lightweight fresh fruit flavors, mostly grapefruit and clean freshness. The wine is attractively fruity in style.
This slightly sweet but utterly fresh bottling shows lime zest, honey dust, ripe red apples, lemon candy and spicy jasmine on the nose. There is nearly effervescent acidity on the palate, with strong night-jasmine notes, orange blossom and lemon verbena spicing up the apple-driven fruit core.
Intriguing notes of sandalwood and cedar meet with dark red fruit and a touch of black pepper on the nose of this wine. The palate is layered with interesting touches of sage, marjoram, gravel and tar, hints of black cherry and loamy earth, and a chalky mouthfeel.
Aromas of oak, coconut, vanilla, espresso and charred earth come together on this structured wine. The aromas carry over to the full-bodied palate along with prune, raisin and a confectionary note. Bracing tannins clench the finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unfurl then drink to catch what remains of the fruit.
Fresh and forward flavors mix rhubarb, ripe strawberries and sweet Bing cherries. This vibrant wine finishes with a refreshing snap of acidity, making it a pleasure to drink.
The producer has the largest nursery of old grape varieties in southwest France and from it has plucked the Manseng Noir to blend with Merlot. The result is a rich wine with ripe Merlot red fruits that are given a more tannic character with the Manseng. There is a fresh juicy aftertaste that allows it to be drunk now.
The Arinto is a local grape as far as Lisboa is concerned, and this wine seems right at home here. Made from old vines, it is fresh, tangy and destined to be drunk young with locally-caught Atlantic Ocean fish. The wine has a pure, clean, perfumed aftertaste. Drink now.
This is a clever blend with the natural ripeness of Pinot Noir in Portugal smoothing out the firmer tannins of Touriga Nacional. The result is a rich, soft wine, just lifted by acidity and anchored by a background of cherry fruits and black currant. Drink now.
The wine has plenty of fruit, the right layers of tannin. And yet it seems one-dimensional—something that can happen with Touriga Nacional. The depth and complexity found in previous vintages of this wine are missing. So you get bold black fruits and a stylish structure in a wine that is almost ready to drink.
This wine is all about fruit. It is dry and so fresh and crisp with apple and green pear flavors. There is a light prickle there that adds a dancing lightness to this refreshing wine.
Fiery and borderline herbaceous aromas are green-leaning, which is surprising considering that 2011 was a warm, dry, highly regarded vintage in Rioja. On the palate, this feels strained, with outsized acidity. Herbal, roasted wild-berry flavors come with a lot of oak and clove, while the finish is fairly tart and herbal.
An intriguing waxy character shows strongly on the nose of this bottling, with ripe lime and green-apple aromas as well. The flavors are light and delicate, with a touch of pomelo that grows with patience into more tropical yet still restrained papaya and bubblegum elements.
Citrus and green apple flavors give this dry and nicely tangy wine a versatile, tasty character that turns richer with each sip. It has excellent balance between crisp fruit and a generous texture.
Steely lemon and low oak star in this unfussy wine, which remains light bodied in spirit despite a rich finish of marshmallow and vanilla.
Whiffs of brioche and biscuit mingle with pressed apple and pear in this sprightly dry Grauburgunder, or Pinot Gris. It's delicate in fruit concentration but its zesty, nimble style is refreshing. Drink now through 2018.
Deep, dark and tannic, this pits black cherry and cassis fruit against thickly applied oak. They wrestle to a stand-off, just about equally matched. Pair this with grilled, well-seasoned salmon.
Aromas of violet, wild red berry and dark cooking spice lift out of the glass. The aromas carry over to the soft, straightforward palate accompanied by mellow but rather fleeting tannins.
Boysenberry, cracked rainbow peppercorns and dried rose petals show on the nose of this bottling, which plays to the lighter side of the grape. It's tart and brisk once sipped, with cranberry and pomegranate fruit given more complexity by a touch of wild fennel.
Lean and rich at the same time, this wine offers a brightness of citrus and pear at the entry. The midpalate becomes heavier in oak and ripe in tropical flavor.
A heavy oak character controls the nose, and with it comes aromas of sawdust, vanilla, cocoa and raspberry. This feels a bit sticky and creamy, while palpable oak returns on the palate and creates vanilla, pepper and chocolate flavors. Heat, high acidity and peppery spice work the finish on this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah.
A perfect shade of medium pink, this is a standard, down-the-middle rose. Lemon, watermelon and fresh-cut cherry-tomato notes play on the nose, while the palate packs raspberry and Key-lime flavors.
Super-dark in color, this extracted wine offers a reductive note on the nose, followed by a rustic tinge of hay and brick. Intensely flavored and oaked, it finishes unexpectedly herbal and dry.
Aromas of tomato sauce and fresh green herbs set up true-to-Carmenère flavors of salty, herbal plum and berry. On the finish, typical varietal flavors of olive, herbs and spice are saucy.
Chunky, herbal berry and plum aromas are the introduction. A tight, grabby, tannic palate delivers herbal plum and berry flavors backed by scratchy tannins. Overall, this is a good and fair rendition of Chilean Cabernet.
Scents of fresh red berry, violet and cake spice meld together in the glass. The vibrant, straightforward palate offers tart red cherry, orange rind and a hint of star anise alongside racy acidity and sleek tannins.
This is a structured wine whose fruit is still coming through the tannins. It has a dry core, layers of acidity and juicy bitter cherry acidity. Drink from the end of 2016.
This is a full-bodied, unctuous white with a wealth of wood influence. It tempers in the glass into a mix of melon, stone fruit and vanilla.
Reduced on the nose, and showing strong barrel influence, this is a tangy, grippy, weighty wine. It's ripe and tightly wound, a sign of the vintage and most likely, vineyard site. Needing time to open in the glass, it unwinds slowly.
Piercing aromas of red-berry fruits and red-apple skins are a touch rough but improve with airing. This feels fresh, medium in size, and tastes of herbal plum and cherry prior to a lightly herbal finish.
Although this opens with aromatic notes of inner tube and iodine, airing reveals dry herb scents and medicinal cherry and berry aromas. With proper weight and balance, this basic Malbec tastes of cherry cough drop and plum, with a dash of green herbs.
The winery went all out on this blend of 50% Syrah, 25% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, giving it three years in 20% new French oak. It's a solid, chunky blend, bright and spicy, with high-toned cranberry and cherry fruit. It's good, but simple.
Big, black and juicy, it manages to be both dense and structured and freshly fruity at the same time. With this combination promising great things, the wine is ripe and fragrant. The dark color from the Petit Verdot in the blend follows through to the firm texture while allowing room for refreshing juiciness. Drink from 2017.
Green floral notes and juicy, ripe white peaches perfume this complex medium-sweet Riesling. It's ethereal on the palate but penetrating with stone fruit flavors and a sunny, bright tangerine acidity. Finishes with a lingering slick of wet-stone minerality.
Smooth, deep aromas of berry, spice, earth and minerals are rolled into a pure, harmonious whole. This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend is racy, clean and layered on the tongue, while oaky flavors of vanilla and cream are backed by ribald blackberry and cassis. The elegant finish is potent and deep. Drink through 2020.
Confident, smoky aromas of black fruits, quality oak and minerality set up a round, dense, smooth palate that's as elegant as things get in Chile. True Cabernet Sauvignon flavors are spicy, lightly herbal and suggest licorice, cassis and blackberry. On the finish, warm oak, menthol and medicinal flavors call for another few years in bottle. Best from 2016–2023.
There are subtle wild cherry and blackberry high notes in this stellar Syrah, much of it whole-cluster pressed from a cool site in a cool year. That combination of site and year dance into a peppery, leathery, savory, slightly smoky Syrah, medium in body, that's more about complexity and finesse than power.
This is a dense, flavorful and powerfully structured wine, brimming with notes of black cherry, plum, currant, baking spice, black pepper, crushed violet and bittersweet chocolate. It's full and chewy on the palate, with a firm structure and gripping tannins. Hints of licorice root, mocha and toasted sweet spice unfold on the finish. It's delicious now, but it should hold well through 2020.
Almost black in color, this is a powerful and concentrated wine. Named after the barn owl that is found in the woods around the vines, it is packed with dense and dry tannins. Acidity comes from the black currant fruit while perfumes come from the Touriga Nacional in the blend. Drink this complex wine from 2017.
Savory and deep, it carries lovely details of earth and herb, balanced against flavors of lightly spiced apples. As with all the Eyrie wines from this outstanding vintage, it's unique, compelling and utterly original.
While impressive now for its weight and flavor profile, this should evolve well, thanks to its heavy tannins and ample concentration. Right now, there is wet earth and prominent mint on the nose. The palate also picks up spearmint, with sagebrush, licorice and tobacco as well. The tannins emerge at the end of the sip, and will continue to smooth out beyond 2020.
Exotically floral and spicy, this delivers an intoxicating blend of exuberance and elegance. While delicately framed, the palate is rich, ripe and juicy, with sweet yellow-cherry and apricot flavors, and a slick of wax and honey. It's brisk and nervy, yet finishes remarkably long, with a swathe of green herbal tones.
This Dundee Hills site captures the sweet, rich black cherry fruit flavors typical of the AVA, here highlighted with accents of fresh tarragon. It's young, bright and focused, with a lingering finish that adds a pleasing pat of butter and a hint of vanilla.
Powerful and tannic, this is a dense and complex wine. Made from selected barrels, it is structured as well as rich in fruit. Blackberry flavors come through the dry tannins and give acidity as well as ripeness. It's a wine that will need time; don't drink before 2017.
Touriga Nacional is as much, maybe more, at home in the Dão as in the Douro. That's shown by this ripe and powerful wine that is still so young. The dark structure of tannins and wood flavors has a great mineral texture along with the potential for delicious blackberry fruits. It needs several years aging, wait until 2018.
Light in color it's composed of violet and rose petal aromas, zippy in acidity, with layered dark cherry fruit and an earthy, herbal backbone. With texture on the palate, it has a buoyancy and electricity of minerality and finishes with the slightest suggestion of anise. Only 72 cases were made.
This richly fruity wine has poise and elegance as well as a powerful structure. A light herbal character brings out the juicy fruits as well as a mint flavor. The wine is ripe although with its serious tannic element, it does need to age. Drink from 2017.
The top Pouilly Fumé from Joseph Mellot is a complex wine with rich, rounded fruits touched by wood aging. Yellow fruits dominate, given a further lift by apple acidity and a smoky flavor. Delicious now, it's a powerful wine that could age further, so keep until 2015.
Floral scents greet you at first, a beguiling mix of clover and apple blossom. Pineapple, tangerine and nectarine fruit flavors follow, big and full, finishing with an interesting whiff of almond.
Greg La Follette shows his mastery with this Chardonnay from cool Manchester Ridge. Dark gold in color, this ethereal wine is punctuated by pretty floral and citrus tones on the nose. On the palate, expect a suggestive core of lemon, guava and lingering minerality, especially through a finish that's flush with acidity.
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah wine that's been aged seven years in French oak and fortified with four-year-old Charbay Syrah brandy, this vintage selection is aromatically stunning in chocolate, tobacco and dried ginger candy notes. Balanced and rich, it finishes semidry, with a viscous taste of almonds and dried cranberries, both of which would make a good pairing, atop a selection of gooey cheeses.
Quite tart, with lemony acids, the Guadalupe is built upon a mineral base of wet stone and chalk. There's a streak of earthy umami, dried leaf and green olive, yet the orchestration of these elements is superb, resulting in a distinctive wine focused on details of earth and soil.
A high-elevation vineyard (1,700-feet) above Boonville, Deer Meadows imparts a subtle floral violet quality to this wine, which is lovingly faint in color and silky texture. Over time, the perfume builds into a singularly resolved mélange of dark blueberry and tart cherry, the acidity perfectly able to hit the high notes. This wine should be enjoyable through 2021–2024 minimum, making an incredible partner to mushroom risotto or spring lamb.
Winemaker Scott Klann combines with friend and fellow winemaker Marco Cappelli, the owner of Herbert Vineyard, to craft this celebration of elegant blackberry, jammy fruit, black pepper and licorice. Fine-tuned and elegant, it's also brawny, with substantial mouthfeel and texture.
This is a standout amongst an increasing number of German Pinot Noir now available stateside. While youthful still with aromas of fresh black cherries and berries, it's layered with shades of bramble, herb and granite, suggesting a long evolution that's still ahead. Elegantly structured with cranberry acidity and fine, penetrating tannins, it's a balanced wine that's sexy and seductive.
Hints of pine and forest floor lend a cool, alpine feel to elegant white peach and blossom notes in this dry-style Riesling. The palate is ripe, rich and dense with stone fruit flavor, yet balanced with bracing lime acidity and fresh, green herb notes that linger brightly on the finish.
A wood-aged wine from the heart of the Dão, it has tannins, a tense mineral structure and layer after layer of black currant fruit and acidity. Dark and brooding at this stage, it needs to age for several years. Drink from 2016.
This is a field blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec, all co-fermented and estate-grown. It's nicely evolved, ripe and fruity—a flavor cavalcade of pastry fruits and spices, fig, twig, cacao and coffee. Yes you may cellar this wine, but why wait? It's drinking beautifully.
Bold berry, herb and olive aromas seem typically Chilean. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, with 17% Petit Verdot, is round but firm, with superb structure and potency. Flavors of baking spices, herbs and rooty black fruits finish long, smooth and oaky. This is a sexy, polished, dark-tinted wine to drink through 2022.
Another lovely Monument Tree Pinot from Couloir, this vintage is stemmy and earthy, yet soft, silky and voluptuous in all the right ways. It's pleasantly refined and ethereal, with whispers of cherry and raspberry fruitiness alongside equal parts gravitas and substance.
An equal partnership between Chardonnay and Viognier, this wine is brisk and slightly austere, the nose floral in geranium and the fruit profile of apple, pear and pineapple light and subtle.
A distinct late-harvest character pervades this full-bodied Zin, which has very ripe aromas of raisins and prunes, and bold, dried-fruit flavors, too. The texture is smooth and the wine is soft and not very tannic.
Firm and hard-edged this wine is currently tough. The fruit—black currant and berry—will bring out the potential richness. It's structured for the moment, but wait until 2017.
Zesty lemon and lime aromas mingle with tart white peach and apple on this dry, medium-bodied wine. It's stark and mineral on the palate, with nervous acidity that reverberates through the finish.
The blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon has produced an attractive, fruity wine that's young and fresh. Light and bright, with delicious final acidity, its structure suggests it could age; drink from the end of 2015.
Subtle aromas of lemon, lime and crushed stone intensify through the palate of this dry, strikingly acidic Riesling. The mouthfeel is lean and lithe, finishing savory, on a dusty pollen note.
Ripe berry fruits shine through this wine. Supported by the tannins, they give a solid and rich character that is beginning to develop. With a dark aftertaste, this wine has potential and will be best from 2017.
Juicy black fruits give a great start, supported by the tannins that kick in. Ripe, full of flavor and generous, this is a broad, full-bodied wine. Drink from 2016.
Ripe and juicy, this is perfumed, full of red berry flavor and attractively soft tannins. The wine feels broad and rich, ready to drink from 2015.
Dense and richly smooth, this displays all the fruit and generous texture of a 2009. It's now maturing well with its blackberry fruitiness, sweet tannins and light acidity. Drink now and until 2020.
This brawny red conveys aromas of wood shop, oak, spearmint and coffee. The one-dimensional palate displays oak extract, dried red berry, and roasted coffee bean alongside drying wood tannins. It doesn't have enough fruit richness to balance the oak and the heat of alcohol is evident on the midpalate.
Across the river Dordogne from Castillon, the vineyard of Lajarre is on the first slope. This soft and ripe wine has black currant fruitiness, fresh acidity and a judicious use of wood aging. It still shows the structure of 2010, so will be better from 2015.
The wine is rich, full of berry fruits that are also touched by damsons. It has spice, some toast and a smooth texture. Plenty of jammy fruit indicate good potential. Drink from 2016.
The second wine of Clos Cantenac is already accessible. With spice, black currant fruits and ripe tannins, it's both juicy and firmly structured. The wine is balanced, with great acidity at the end contrasting with the tannins. Drink now.
Grippy and surrounded in a thick, leathery texture and aroma, it holds bright cranberry tones underneath the thickness, making this a palatable Cabernet.
From a new, small producer devoted to 100% Zinfandel, this soft, grippy wine offers a hint of menthol on the nose and muted aromatics. The finish is ripe though tempered by good acidity.
Honeysuckle perfume shines light on this lean, strikingly brisk wine. Almost dry in style, it's tart and tight, yet refreshingly quaffable through the finish.
Herbal and appley aromas lead to soft apple and melon flavors in this lively wine. With another sip, a creamy texture and richness come out that add an extra dimension of interest to this inexpensive wine that's hardly a flop.
Spine-tingling lime and lemon notes dominate this light-footed dry Riesling. Refreshingly mineral on the palate, it finishes brisk and clean.
A rich and perfumed honeysuckle character picks up bubblegum on the sweet-leaning nose. It slips toward flatness on the palate, with smoked peach and more bubblegum saying short hellos.
This Crianza has leathery aromas, a tannic mouthfeel and roasted, spicy red berry flavors. It's dry, oaky and not particularly ripe.
After aging in bottle, this wood-aged wine has smoothed out to produce a rich wine with balanced fruit, acidity and toastiness. The wine does have plenty of spice from the wood, but it also has layers of citrus and pear-fruit flavors. Drink this wine now.
This nose of this wine shy at first, before blackberry paste, hibiscus and cola aromas arise. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with bright blueberry, marjoram and black pepper flavors, bound together by prominent acidity.
Ripe and juicy, this offers aromas of pressed spring flower and yellow stone fruit. On the bright palate, a note of candied nectarine zest accents ripe yellow apple and dried apricot.
Aromas of starched sheets and lanolin show a hint of apple. This feels rather lean and similar to soda: there isn't much body to it. Tropical melony flavors are oaky, and the finish turns downright woody and sweet like canned pineapple.
Leather, smoked meat, crushed rock, stewed black cherry and dried oregano notes show on the rustic nose of this bottling from the team at Cru Wine Company. It's light bodied, making for easy quaffing, with red plum, beef jerky and baking spice flavors.
Combine masses of American oak with high ripeness and the result is this warm woody wine oozing with vanilla, molasses and cedar. It's full and plush, but lacks complexity and cellaring potential. Drink it now.
A relatively light-tasting wine from a sometimes heavy grape variety, this shows a mix of savory and fruit flavors, including cucumber, celery and white pepper. It tastes dry and almost austere, which is appealing in the right pairing, such as with goat cheese on toast.
This brawny, dry wine has oak, tannin and body in big portions, its dark color leading to cut wood aromas, tart black cherry and blackberry flavors and a firm, somewhat drying texture. It needs rich food as a pairing or more time in the bottle to mellow.
Deep black plum aromas are enhanced by soy and crushed graphite on the nose of this bottling. It lands on the palate softly, with tangy plum and turned loam flavors, its tannins sticky and persistent.
On the nose, this aging Chardonnay brings corn to mind. Its palate is neither exciting nor flawed, with melon and stone fruit flavors that are yeasty and short, finishing on a bready and slightly oxidized note. Not a great value for its price.
Although this smells raw, woody and even a bit citric, sometimes a red wine that's not over the top is in order, and this Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère blend fits that bill. A tight lean racy palate offers flavors of red citric fruits, oak and herbs. Barrel spice is dominant on a tight energetic finish.
A wine of moderate build and mouth-coating concentration, this shows a dusty plume of tannin and plum and soy flavors.
This wine offers aromas of lemon blossom, orange zest and honeysuckle. In the mouth, flavors of pear, apple and white peach precede a crisp finish.
Aromas of toast, oak and yellow flower lead the nose. Aged in large casks and barriques, the linear, if somewhat lean, palate offers golden apple and lemon zest alongside tangy acidity.
A crisp blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, this is a ripe wine, showing the warmth of this vintage. It is lightly perfumed with apricot and red-apple flavors. The aftertaste is all about tangy fruit. Drink now.
Earthy spicy aromas of tea and leather frame herbal berry and cherry notes. This has a fresh jumpy palate and snappy flavors of spiced pie cherry, plum and oak-based vanilla. A bit of saltiness rises up on a juicy, racy finish.
The best of the three vineyard designates in 2010, this firm and full-flavored wine is still a bit tight, and rewards extra breathing time. It tastes like a bowl full of berries and plums with pretty mocha highlights.
A blend of Braucol and Tannat, this a dark-colored blockbuster, with firm tannins that are mitigated by the smooth, rich blackberry flavor. It has power, immense concentration and great density. Age for 3–4 years.
Intensely juicy, this is packed with acidity and tight red-cherry fruit layered with firm tannins. It feels a little austere at the moment, and it is likely to take time to open.
Bold fruit characterizes this firm, fruity Cahors. It has the dark tannins of Malbec, which are supported by the rich black-fruit flavor and touches of licorice, black cherry and black currant. Age this for another 2–3 years.
Toasty and mellow on the nose, with aromas of baked apple and papaya. It feels good, with lively acidity that boosts the wine's core texture. Meanwhile, flavors of toasted apple and quince get richness from vanilla and oak accents. Long, viscous and baked on the finish.
This Anderson Valley Chardonnay is creamy with a caramel-lemon imprint, yet  textured and vibrant with bright acidity. A bite of lime marks the finish.
An attractively balanced Moulin-à-Vent, this has firm tannins that contrast well with the damson flavor and tight acidity. The finish is fresh, with a hint of minerality.
Aged in 100% new French oak, this seems to be a bit overwhelmed by the wood. Flavors recall black cherry cola, plus a layer of brown sugar and milk chocolate. It somehow misses some of the depth and texture that past vintages have shown.
Forward, sappy and fruity, this has excellent structure and plenty of ripe berry flavor. It has supporting acids that lend a touch of citrus, plus a streak of vanilla that runs through the finish.
Pretty scents of rose petal and white chocolate introduce this smooth, mouth-coating wine. There's a hint of peppery herb and a finishing touch of light toast, with clean, well-structured red fruits displaying excellent varietal character.
Ripe, smooth and balanced, this wine shows firm tannins and a solid, chunky build. With its rich black-plum fruit and opulent texture, it will be ready to drink in 2–3 years.
Using grapes from all three estate vineyards, this slightly sweet (2.5% residual sugar) Riesling is textural and complex. Flavors of fruit skin and rind dominate, notably grapefruit and peach pit.
This has a dense bouquet, with aromas of beet, clove, mint, tomato and berry fruit. The mouthfeel is rich and saturated, with a rawness that didn't exist in prior years. Flavors of mixed herb, earth and savory berry end with a long finish.
Big, bold and outright luscious, this estate-grown Dolcetto mixes bright flavors of berries and plums with a dusting of cocoa powder and cinnamon spice. A flavor of baking spice wafts through, despite the fact that the wine was kept in neutral cooperage. The finish is long and just a little on the chalky side.
Adelsheim does a superlative job keeping stylistic consistency. This high acid, lemony Pinot Blanc has a fine mineral underpinning and a fresh, clean attack.
The alcohol is just 9.1%, with residual sugar of 3.6%, yet the wine does not taste that sweet. This is a wine that snaps back and forth from tart and tangy to fruity and sweet, with a juicy kick to the finish. It maintains good concentration and acidity throughout.
This is a rich, powerful and wood-aged wine that shows fine balance between its ripe red fruits and solid, chunky tannins. The wood rounds out the rich texture and gives character to the full, juicy finish.
Baked red-fruit aromas come with tea, orange peel, rubber and creamy milk-chocolate accents. The palate feels complete, with a friendly creaminess that supports the strawberry, plum and vanilla flavors. This is a balanced wine that's fresh and ready to drink.
Bottled unfiltered, this is a richly ripe wine, layered with a more smoky, even mineral, texture from the volcanic soil of the vineyard. It is dense, the tannins giving hints of wood as well as a black plum skin character.
This enchanting rosé starts off slightly flinty and citrusy on the nose, but follows up on the palate with waves of creamy concentration and ripe berry fruit balanced by a bright, refreshing finish.
Pesquié's red Quintessence is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, aged in oak barrels. The result features plenty of spices, like clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, but also lush cassis and raspberry fruit and a velvety texture. Drink now–2016.
A switch of vineyard sources—to Sagemoor and Conner Lee—has led to the best Chardonnay yet from DaMa. Rich, full and fleshy, this is a riot of stone fruits. In the mouth it's smooth and luscious, with a pleasing, textural finish.
Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc is a blend once found in Burgundy, but rarely today. Here in Austrian Burgenland, it gives a very rounded style of wine, although with a terroir-marked mineral edge. Baked apples and creamed pear are laced with pink grapefruit.
If only more California Barbera could be like this. Opening with a pretty, yet rich fruit nose of dark cherry and plum, the structured wine has been tamed into a soft, chocolate-brushed finish with just the perfect amount of acidity. The vines have been in the ground since the 1880s. Winemaker Jim Moore adds just a thimble's worth (3%) of Nebbiolo too, before letting it all age in oak.
Ripe from the beginning, with big berry aromas matched by sweet molasses and brown sugar aromas. Round, full and jammy in the mouth, with sweet berry flavors and notes of mild spices and vanilla. Long and just a bit oaky on the finish. Nice and approachable; drink now through 2013.
Leafy, rooty aromas fold in earthy berry scents and chocolate. Mature on the palate, with baked plum, sweet spice and tobacco flavors. Ripe, long and friendly on the finish, with more than adequate structure and tightness. Contains one-third Mazuelo in addition to Tempranillo, which is a lot by Rioja standards. Drink now.
A pure and spicy lift of bergamot promises refreshment while the palate whirls with peach, mandarin and blood orange. All are backed by a steely, mineral poise that cuts through the palate like a comet, shimmering with purity, deliciousness and length.
This gorgeous Brunello proves that top producers can make outstanding wines even in challenging vintages like 2009. It opens with an elegant bouquet of violet, red berry, spice and a whiff of new leather. The delicious palate delivers fleshy black cherry layered with mint, licorice, balsamic herbs and cinnamon-spice. It's impeccably balanced with firm tannins and fresh acidity that give it an age-worthy structure. Drink 2016–2024.
Despite the huge weight of fruit and accompanying structure, this is a stylish wine. It's impressively dense, concentrated and solid. At the same time, the juicy black fruits give a generous, full-in-the-mouth character. Drink this very fine wine from 2022.
This is Steven Kent's fourth vintage of Lineage, his blockbuster Bordeaux red from carefully tended Livermore fruit. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), it includes 16% Cab Franc, 15% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Layered in coffee and herbal cassis, and finely structured, it is an elegant, herbal-kissed, slightly coy wine, enjoyable now with a big meal or ready to sleep in bottle until 2024–2029.
With each new vintage of Cuvée Elena, the blend of grapes and vineyards grows more complex, the vines older, the flavors more compact and captivating. A sophisticated and penetrating mix of strawberry and raspberry preserves, highlights of herb and spice, a dash of clean earth, and a lingering and detailed finish make this a wine to savor immediately while tucking away a few bottles to watch it evolve.
Tightly closed like a fist, the only intimation of flavor is the seam of lemon-zest acidity. Purity and precision are stony straightjackets that this wine will never escape, but its aromatic development will yield ample pleasure for the patient. Drink as of 2017.
Firm and very structured, it has depth plus some spice from wood aging, along with a dry core that still dominates the fragrant red berry fruits. Don't drink before 2018.
Powerful, very rich and very concentrated, this epitomizes the opulent style of Cos d'Estournel. A sense of extraction is overwhelmed by the huge, ripe fruit. It shows velvet texture at first, but then the tannins come on strongly, leaving a wine that will age over many years. Drink from 2022.
This is powerful and concentrated, with the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend standing out firmly. It is dark, rich, packed with ripe black fruits and sweet tannins. Drink from 2018.
Lifted, lemony freshness mixes with lime zest on the nose. Underneath some pungent arugula also dances on the palate, where pepperiness and fresh acidity guarantee pleasure with this concentrated but toned white.
Antinori's blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc creates a vibrant, structured wine that shows tension and energy. It opens with aromas of black cherry, black currant, dark spices and leather that carry through to the palate alongside firm but refined tannins and vibrant freshness. It already has nice depth but give it time to develop complexity. Drink 2015–2030.
The wine blends Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet and Sangiovese in equal parts. Aromas of cedar, ripe black berries and plum almost jump from the glass. The juicy fruit carries over to the creamy palate together with black cherry, mint and mocha alongside soft, round tannins that give a velvety texture.
Tight but gently touched with ripe apple, lime and grapefruit, this wine is refreshing now, although it is still too closed to show its fuller fruits. This will flesh out with time but the wine will always be among the slender, invigorating Rieslings with a precise touch of minerality.
As so often with Montrose, this is a powerful, concentrated and very structured wine. Dense tannins are paired with rich black fruits, although at this stage the wine also has a sense of austerity. Power, severity and complexity all make for a wine for long aging. Wait until 2019.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Sangiovese, this opens with a beautiful fragrance of violet, iris, exotic incense, cedar and black currants. The plush palate delivers a core of juicy black cherry and red currant accented with black pepper, clove and graphite alongside smooth, velvety tannins. Drink 2015–2025.
A perfect balance between Syrah and Petite Sirah from Calaveras County-based Prospect 772 this new offering hits it out of the park in terms of its dark, near-black color and subdued leather saddle and blueberry aromas. With rounded tannins, this is an intense wine with a distinct sense of personality, concentrated, savory, earthy and ready to age until 2019–2029 or decant awhile before settling into your glass.
Tight and slender on the palate, it has green and yellow citrus flavors in the foreground. Lime and grapefruit peel appear first, followed by stirrings of pink grapefruit flesh. It all adds up to a wine that offers concentration and depth plus exquisite purity.
Thanks to having some of the highest vineyards in Montalcino, Biondi Santi was able to make a stunning Riserva in the hot and forward 2007 vintage. It opens with aromas of forest floor and dried rose petals. The palate showcases concentrated wild cherry and cinnamon-spice flavors alongside bracing tannins. The wine already boasts impressive depth and structure as well as remarkable freshness for the vintage, but give it time to fully develop. Drink 2017–2037.
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.
This is from the vineyard that surrounds the winery, and the bottling receives both Estate and Dundee Hills designations—best of the best. It's a pungent, pleasant wine upon entry, with rather pale strawberry fruit. It quickly moves through the midpalate and turns lean, with tomato leaf and green tea astringency. There is a slight impression of alcoholic heat. Though accessible and interesting, it somehow falls short of what it could/should be, given its provenance and price.
It's a little late to be releasing an '04, but this may actually be all the better for the extra bottle age. Richly scented with rose petal soap, chewing gum and lychee, it delivers concentrated, oily flavors with a sharply floral streak. It's bone dry and highly extracted, and tips the scale at 14.4% alcohol.
This is a fulfilling unoaked, organic wine from Chile's cool Casablanca Valley. This quaffable Chard focuses on pure citrus, grapefruit and peach flavors. There's a touch of natural sweetness but with no oak there's no butter, fat or flab. Breaks the mold and opens the door to a whole other style of Chardonnay.
Forward and fruity, this has California-style fruit and sweet, strawberry candy. The difference is that it fills out the middle with some leafy, herbal flavors, nothing too rough, but enough to add some flavor interest. The finish is fat and buttery, showing the influence of oak aging.
The Kiana bottling, named for the owners' granddaughter, is made with Dijon clones planted in 1996 and 1997. Initially quite tight and unyielding, it first opens into flavors of leaf, herb and green tea. Tucked neatly into the midpalate is a core of good red strawberry/cherry fruit. The tannins are earthy but not rough; everything here is balanced and well-managed; the alcohol a moderate 14.3%.
Girardet farms its vineyards organically, does not irrigate, and ferments this wine in stainless steel. The result is a solidly made Pinot Gris, offering lush scents and tastes of ripe pear. Good texture and balance keep it from feeling one dimensional; puts the fruit front and center.
From a producer of famed whites comes a beautiful Cabernet with an elegant, poised character. Mint, clove and deep berry on the nose are followed on the palate, where balanced tannins and spice offer serious flavor. The overall character is rich but softer, making it a lovely food wine.
Aromas of mint and white pepper are followed by a blend of red berry, savory spice and smoke. The successful play between juicy fruit and oak makes for a layered and affordable everyday drinking choice.
Oregon Merlots have darker fruits and streaks of tar and smoke. Tannins are more aggressive, and must be carefully managed. This wine does a pretty good job of softening up the back end while keeping the richness up front. There is plenty of acid, and the nose carries interesting scents of sandalwood and milk chocolate. It's just a bit chalky on the finish.
This is done in a style that walks the line between Kabinett and Spatlese; it's just 11% alcohol but the fruit sweetness is largely hidden behind the tangy natural acids. It's got the mixed fruit flavors of peach, apricot, citrus and even a hint of tropical, along with the edgy definition of citrus peel that gives it a crisp finish.
The reserve Chardonnay from Eola Hills gets an extra year in bottle, and it has a more elegant, vertical structure, with the fruit framed in toasty oak flavors and some tarragon spice. It's persistent as well; the flavors seem to gather strength in the midpalate and continue through a strong and moderately complex finish.
A tart, cranberry- and raspberry-flavored wine, this young, high-acid style of Pinot has a charming, Burgundian feeling to it. The snappy red fruits are underscored with citrus, and the balance is disarmingly light, but not simple or dull.
Aromatic with soda pop scents of Dr. Pepper, cola and root beer, this is nonetheless a reasonably substantial wine, not a simple fruit bomb. It's lively and full of interesting flavors that suggest herb, root and spice; the wood remains a background flavor.
Sort of heavy, with touches of baked corn and hay. But it also has nice baked apple flavors and pretty good oak. On the finish, there's vanilla, almond, citrus and apple, and then very late comes hazelnut and even more vanilla. Drink now; it's not going to last much longer.
This brings a lot of flavor to the table for its relatively modest price. Round and spicy, it leads with juicy strawberry, cherry and apple pie fruit flavors. Hints of cinnamon wind through the finish, and overall the impression is of a pretty, lively and slightly sweet wine without pretense.
Spicy and dry, this is done to a wickedly tart finish; the flavors are set up beautifully to accompany food. The floral and rose petal scents of the grape are nicely rendered but not overwhelming, and the 1% RS residual sugar is almost invisible given the juicy fruit and acids.
Assertive and spicy, this interesting bottling, from Amity vineyard estate grapes, shows that even at just 13% alcohol Oregon Pinot can cut it. Made in a distinctive style that is clearly neither California nor Burgundy, this herbal, intense, wine puts the focus on the aromas, a beguiling mix of pine and herb. But the fruit is there right behind, tart and sassy, with cola and root beer notes sliding into a well-modulated but tannic finish.
Thea's Selection book-ends the single-vineyard wines and is the winery's lower-priced, multi-vineyard blend. As with the Jerome, the flavors are more complex and woven than in the single-vineyard bottlings; with cherry and berry fruit, fresh herb and streaks of bitter chocolate. It's a complete, supple wine, with no holes, moderately ripe fruit, and just a hint of heat in the finish.
Fiery on first blush, this then displays aromas of plum, leather, tobacco and cheesy oak. It feels fresh and not the least bit fat or flabby, with cassis, raspberry, olive, cocoa and mint flavors. The finish is composed, dry and lightly herbal. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Syrah and Carignan.
Light and lovely, this has just under 2% residual sugar, but it tastes drier than that. Arresting scents of jasmine tea and honeysuckle give it an enticing floral character. It glides into a soft palate dappled with accents of flowers, oils and incense. Includes small amounts of Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer.
A classic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of lemon peel, olive and leafy fruit. It shows major structure, tannic framework and dry, herbal flavors of cassis and cherry. Long, fruity, toasty and just slightly rustic. Drink now–2012.
William Church has outdone itself with this new Viognier, a mix of fruit from Conner Lee and Gamache Vineyards. A leesy, yeasty, textural underpinning complements the tangy lemon, lime, grapefruit and tangerine flavors. It's superfresh and delicious.
A true field blend of Muscat, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco, the Sylvanus is a profoundly aromatic, yet remarkably composed white wine. It's exuberant on the nose with lush flowers, tropical fruit and a whiff of exotic spice. The palate is dry, but lusciously concentrated with notes of orange peel and waxy flower that finish with a touch of saline and oyster shell.
This is a well structured, rich wine. It has solid, ripe red-berry and black-currant fruits that dominate the firmer tannins, giving a juicy, generous feel. Well worth aging for 3–5 years.
This is very aromatic, with minerality vying with fruit and tense acidity. This complex wine has an austere side, both rich and structured that will soften in a couple of years.
Moving toward the floral side of Sauvignon Blanc, this fruity, rounded wine has ripe acidity, a tangy citrus flavor and a full-bodied feel. It's set to age over several years.
Winemaker Anthony Nappa describes Anomaly as a Pinot Noir vinified like a white wine. Bone dry, with understated black-cherry flavor, it's bracing with acidity and an intensely chalky, minerally palate. It's refreshingly quaffable, yet lingers long, sip after sip.
This is a stunning, well-balanced late-harvest selection that's sure to be a welcome addition to any dessert course. Notes of ginger and sweet baking spice lift the baked-apple, peach and apricot-preserve fruit core. A kiss of honeyed sweetness and a soft, candied orange-peel flavor lingers on the close. Ample acidity keeps the palate fresh and lifted.
Violet, blackberry, cassis and blueberry aromas immediately waft from the glass. Rich and ripe, the palate boasts more of the same concentrated fruit in a lush, creamy, crushed-velvet-like texture. Notes of charred espresso bean, vanilla pod and licorice root all unfold on the long finish. Balanced, delicious and affordable.
Initial whiffs of smoke and green leaves blow off to reveal intense flower and white-pepper notes. Densely concentrated with blackberry and boysenberry flavors, this Long Island Blaufränkisch (with 25% Dornfelder) is taut and crisp with acidity and crushed-stone minerality. A fresh herb note and a hint of bay leaf lend a savory tone to the finish. Delicious.
This small Pauillac property, close to Château Pontet-Canet, has produced an impressive 2006, structured with firm tannins under the black currant fruit.
Densely tannic and rich, this is full of ripe chocolate and blackberry fruit. It is dark, brooding and dense—a great success for the second wine of Château du Glana.
This is a firm yet ripe wine that boasts ripe black-plum flavors layered with dense and dusty tannins. The wine is concentrated, with wood aging filling out the structure. It is big and bold, finishing with great ripe fruit.
A ripe specimen with baked, earthy aromas that settle with airing. Hits with power and layering along with medicinal, oaky flavors that foist chocolate onto the wine's core black-fruit content. Generous despite some ruggedness and heat to the finish. Malbec with Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot.
Dry and balsamic on the bouquet, with earthy, mellow berry aromas that do not push. In the mouth, it comes across charred and roasted, with baked, chocolaty, leafy accents on top of core red fruit flavors. Turns more leafy and charred as it unfolds, with a forward finish. Malbec with Cab Sauvignon and Merlot.
A big and bold wine, showing black plum fruits, an impressive structure and a solid, foursquare feel. It is obviously a wine for aging. Give it 2–3 years.
This Sauvignon Blanc and Roditis blend shows how successful the combination of indigenous and international varieties can be. Enticing aromas of peach, melon and a touch of apple are followed by a vibrant balance of flavors—fresh flowers, summer fruits and spice. Minerality keeps the wine dancing on the palate. Great on its own or paired with fish, salads, cheeses.
Soft and slightly buttery, this smooth-drinking Pinot Gris deftly mixes spiced pear fruit with a pat of butter and a whiff of resin. It's at a perfect point of drinkability right now.
Balancing foliage notes of sous bois, eucalyptus and purple florals mingle perfectly with the ripe blackberry and cherry flavors. Full and creamy with medium acidity and fine tannins. A touch of black pepper and roasted espresso graces the long finish.
Fairly dry in style, with apple and pear flavors that are ripe without being sweet, and brought home by steely acids and tart citrus fruit. Drink this medium-bodied Riesling over the next year or two.
This vineyard is relatively far north, hence lighter fruit with flavors of sweet tomato and fresh herb. Well balanced and tannic, it brings a pretty, resonantly toasty ring to the finish.
Tart cranberry/raspberry flavors, found in many of these young Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinots, rule the palate here as well. Relatively high acidity and a restrained barrel regimen keep the oak flavors in check, but the tannins carry more than enough weight and grip for overall balance.
This small-lot Bonarda is one of Argentina's bright examples of the variety. It's ripe but brushy smelling, with chocolate and vanilla aromas blending with blackberry and herbs. Feels super fresh and juicy, with boysenberry, blackberry and chocolaty flavors. Very good overall.
Thick and rich but not overly sweet, with an almost burnt edge to the caramelized sweet corn notes. Comes across as a bit chunky and lacking length, but still a nice drop.
Tannic yet balanced wine with a great swathe of perfumed fruit as well as dense black flavors. There is a herbal character as well as dark plum and sweet fruit flavors. Age for 2–3 years, the wine will always be firm.
Young, tart and wrapped up tight as a drum, this offers sharp flavors of cranberry and a bit of Campari. It has the heft and polish to open up further with some additional bottle age, but it isn't budging at the moment.
Esterlina's Pinot is very perfumey, light in body and soul at first, as it gathers steam with a tasty backbone of lush red fruit, spice and plenty of staying power over a meal.
A good value, this is an easy-pleasing Syrah with vibrant notes of red plum, cherry and blueberry. Fine, dusty tannins reminiscent of cocoa powder and dried crushed berries stay after swallow alongside a hint of sweet smoke flavor.
This approachable Cabernet-based blend, which also has 18% Pinotage, 11% Cab Franc and 2% Shiraz, is a spicy and balanced red with notes of menthol, purple florals, black cherry and berry. With a mouthfeel like crushed velvet, a black pepper finish and an attractive price tag, it's a shame only 100 cases were produced.
This wine strikes a superb balance between herbaceous, green notes and ripe black fruit, all graced with a kiss of sweet vanilla. Rich blackberry and cassis flavors flood the palate, but then transition to sweet smoke and oak flavors on the finish.
The wine is full of stalky black currant fruits and fresh acidity. A blend of Bordeaux-style grapes with Syrah, it is made to be drunk young and slightly chilled for the summer. Drink now.
Aromas of papaya and melon are hit with a slight sulfuric note. This feels plump, with mild citric acidity. Flavors of grapefruit, lime and grass are green and bright, but turn pithy on the finish.
The wine with a Polynesian family history is full of tropical fruit flavors, includig mango and pineapple, and only light acidity. It's a curious wine, slightly oxidized, grassy and super-ripe at the same time. Drink now.
Aromas that suggest cellar floor, scorched earth, worn leather and weedy underbrush lead the nose. The evolved, diluted palate offers raisin, prune, coffee and a green note of powdered sage alongside dusty, fleeting tannins that lead to an abrupt, astringent finish.
This is so rustic that it has lost its fruit. What you do find are tannins, some acidity and a soft texture.
Despite being priced as an entry-level blend, this doesn't show much in the way of forward fruit. Instead, it's grippy and tough, with a veneer of dry, woody tannins over flavors of vanilla, cedar and cinnamon.
Dusty, sweaty, soapy aromas offer little to no fruit. Flat and chunky on the palate, this rosé of Garnacha tastes like nectarine along with the bitter pit. A melony, peppery tasting finish feels hollow.
The blend is 70% Pinot Blanc, with Riesling and Pinot Noir splitting the rest. The winery calls it a “red-style white” and it has some tawny color from five days fermenting on the skins. But it's simply odd, flat and lifeless, with dusty generic fruit.
Barrel fermented and ripened to exceptionally high alcohol, this dark, soapy wine is over the top in flavor. Not a trace of varietal character is left, just barrel and burn, plus intense perfume that dominates the nose. Drink up; it's already going over the hill.
Dark red in color, though fraying, like an older wine, this lacks in aroma. Otherwise it's a straightforward expression of blackberry, tar and leather.
A bright, candy pink colored blend of Touriga Nacional and Syrah, this has plenty of acidity although its weight and ripe fruit give the wine a heavy feel. It is ready to drink.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Pugnitello, this has rustic aromas of game, overripe black-skinned fruit and barnyard. The funky aromas carry over to the palate but the fruit has dried up. Grainy, almost gritty tannins leave a raspy finish.
A hard, grinding scent of road tar is out front on a mostly fruitless nose. This feels choppy and in search of balance. Gritty, herbaceous plum flavors finish with only modest fruit notes.
Almost nonexistent in aromas, this has some light red berries that emerge with persistence. The palate is thin and watery, though clean and unflawed, with touches of root beer, cranberry and black cardamom. There's not a lot of action.
Scents of tropical of mango and banana are offset by a hint of citrus. Creamy and soft on the palate, this tastes of lime and green herbs. A banana flavor carries the finish.
This is a ripe, tropical and quite flabby wine, huge in body, oak and fruit.
A rustic wine with barnyard aromas and some firm tannins. Beneath this surface there are red fruits and acidity. This is a wine to be drunk young.
Aromas are mulchy and lacking in freshness. This is mostly flat and lifeless, with candied as well as bitter cherry and red-apple-skin flavors. Residual sugar combined with bitterness push the finish on this marginal rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon.
For this critic, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay isn't working. For starters, it's severely oaked, such that the palate feels creamy, sticky and heavy. Flavors of oak resin and mushy melon end flat, sticky and cloying.
A simple, diluted and somewhat intensely ripe white, this is youthful, still tense and one-dimensional.
Even the very best Txakoli won't appeal to everyone, and this rosé is far from the best. Fruitless aromas of arugula and vinaigrette set up a sour palate with arrow-sharp acidity. Piercing, tart citrus flavors end with scour and sizzle.
The wine has generic fruit-cocktail aromas and lively citrus flavors braced with tangy acidity. An earthy, herbal component kicks in on subsequent sips and the balance stays quite dry.
With its light prickle, this off-dry wine has a candied flavor, a tangy texture and a crisp, light aftertaste. Drink now.
This is as light as Vinho Verde can be. Off dry, fresh, clean and crisp with sweet apple juice, the wine is ready to drink.
From the hills of the Dordogne region, this is a fruity wine. It has a rustic, barnyard edge to it that spoils what is otherwise a fresh, crisp wine. Drink now.
A mad scientist's blend of 32% Syrah, with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and “other,” this wine is rustic, with a thin palate and not much in the way of fruit.
This wine is made from 75% Sangiovese with 18.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.5% Merlot. A little pruney, it falls flat and veers hot on the palate, full bodied and quite ripe. Dashes of cinnamon stick brighten the experience.
92–94. Barrel sample. The only Grand Cru Classé on the sandy plain of Saint-Emilion, Monbousquet is producing great wines thanks to huge investments by owner Gerard Perse. This Merlot-dominated blend is ripe, spicy, rich and open.
There is not much in the way of fruit in this wine, which veers into questionable flavors of burnt mushrooms.
This basic, inexpensive Pinot has Syrah and Viognier blended, but overall the wine is fairly generic, with a streak of smokiness in the background.
This Zin tastes of smoke, oak and grilled meats, but has an odd acidity to it. It would be good paired with something off the barbecue.
Bell pepper and cactus aromas announce greenness. It's also dilute in texture, with cucumber and arugula flavors. Not only is this high on pyrazines, it's past its prime.
Earthy, foresty, green aromas precede a round palate with stemmy flavors matched by a burnt, lightly bitter aftertaste.
A wine that lacks balance. Its strawberry fruits are shot through with shocking acidity and then sweetened, none of the elements hanging together. Drink seriously chilled.
This wine opens with a stemmy aromas and remains basic in the glass, with a sweet ending.
Full-bodied in apple and pineapple aromas at first, this Chardonnay with 5% Viognier blended in veers into marshmallow sweetness with a fatty finish.
Big tannins and impressive fruits are the hallmarks of this impressive wine. It is also subtle, not showing all its flavors at once, hiding beneath tannins and structure. For this fruity vintage, it shows a strong sense of direct, solid structure, only allowing the strong black plum and berry flavors to come through slowly. It is for the long haul, so don't drink before 2022, even better later.
The phenomenal 2010 vintage shows why this wine is considered Italy's top purebred Merlot. Revealing structure, finesse and mesmerizing depth, it delivers blackberries, currants, cedar, exotic spices and mocha alongside firm, polished tannins and fresh acidity. It's well balanced with fantastic length and while it's delicious now, hold for more complexity. Drink 2015–2030.
This supremely elegant and age-worthy Sassicaia opens with an intense bouquet of black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, blue flower, cedar and leather aromas. Powerful but graceful, the palate delivers a vibrant core of black cherry accented with white pepper, mineral and balsamic notes alongside youthful but polished tannins and vibrant acidity. It's not as exuberant as some of its counterparts, but it may outlive all the other Bolgheri 2010s. Drink 2018–2040.
The 2010 Ornellaia celebrates the wine's 25th anniversary, and it could not have been a more spectacular vintage. It opens with aromas of crushed blue flowers, black berries, pipe tobacco and thyme that give way to an elegant, structured and polished palate. It delivers intense blackberry flavors layered with white pepper, Mediterranean herbs, mineral and mocha brightened by fresh acidity alongside smooth, velvety tannins. This will age and develop for decades. Drink 2016–2040.
This extraordinary wine put Cabernet Franc on the map in Bolgheri. The 2010 reveals an exquisite bouquet of black currants, crushed blue flower, leather and baking spices. The smooth palate delivers mouthwatering blackberries, black cherry, white pepper, thyme and licorice alongside an age-worthy structure boasting firm but elegant tannins and fresh acidity. It's already gorgeous with intriguing depth but it will age and develop beautifully. Drink 2015–2040.
Great swathes of fruit cross the tannic core in this impressive wine. Hints of wood aging peek out from beneath the sumptuous richness and spice. It is ripe, dense and obviously set for long aging. Drink from 2018.
Scents of honey and marmalade are accented with lemongrass and ginger on this exquisitely composed beerenauslese. It's lusciously rich, with flavors of peach preserves and mango, but accented with hints of warm, exotic spice and a streak of lemony acidity that reverberates on the finish.
This is a rich and complex wine that shows spiced pear and a tense structure. It is very aromatic and fresh while also rich and concentrated. A powerful statement of the fruit and minerality of the Wachau and definitely for long-term aging. Don't drink before 2016.
So lusciously ripe, with notes of mango and guava, this is an explosion of sweet fruit, honey and flowers. Searing citrus acidity cuts through the palate, highlighting layers of crushed stone and tea leaf that add complexity. It's so exquisitely delicate, but lingers endlessly on the finish.
Yates Conwill is next to the Resonance vineyard, which was just sold to Burgundy's Louis Jadot. This vineyard is really reaching its prime, showing lovely ripe flavors of raspberry, red plum and sweet cherry. Generous acidity keeps the wine in proportion and leads through a generous midpalate with highlights of black tea and dried herb. Drink now and over the next 10 years.
Dense and opulent, this is a fine, ripe wine. There is great weight here, along with flavors of nutmeg and white peach. Acidity and a firm, youthful texture all promise aging. Drink this wine from 2017.
Billowing with scents of marmalade, wildflower honey and raspberry preserves, this is an intoxicatingly perfumed TBA, but the palate doesn't disappoint either. Rich and creamy with undulating streaks of peach preserve and tangerine, it lingers on and on, with its tea and honey-kissed finish.
Having earned its reputation as one of Australia's finest Chardonnays, the challenge is then to maintain that level of quality. The 2010 Art Series certainly does that. Enticing aromas of woodsmoke, peach and pink grapefruit give way to intense flavors of citrus and stone fruit on the palate. It's full bodied, yet with great focus and length, ending crisply despite the wine's inherent richness. Drink now–2020, perhaps longer.
From one of the longest established producers in Montefalco, this gorgeous wine shows the real potential of Sagrantino. It has an alluring fragrance of rose, violet, berry, spice and leather while the palate delivers lush black cherry, blackberry, licorice and white pepper. It has powerful but ripe tannins alongside vibrant acidity, and will develop beautifully. Drink 2015–2029.
Here's a rich, full-bodied wine that rolls from the first floral sniff into a wellspring of deep, briary, berry-cherry fruit. Peppery spices and dried Mediterranean herbs meld on an endlessly fascinating finish that promises decades of development ahead.
This stunning offering is aged in large casks that soften the wine but don't add wood tannins to Sagrantino's naturally tannic backbone. It opens with an intensely balsamic fragrance of Mediterranean herbs, mint and berry accompanied by delicious blackberry, white pepper and cinnamon flavors. The wine boasts fantastic depth and will develop even more complexity over time. Drink 2017–2027.
Like virtually all of Penfolds' top-end reds, this is full bodied and densely concentrated. As it's aged solely in large vats, there's no oak influence and the wine needs a bit of bottle age to come around. For now, it's a bit monolithic, showing hints of mint, black olive and ripe raspberries before ending long and fine. Drink 2017–2030, and perhaps beyond.
Aromas of mango and candied-orange rind lend a heady tropical feel to this concentrated TBA full of peach and marmalade flavors. Unctuous with sweet nectar, yet exquisitely dainty on the palate, it quivers with tangerine acidity and a finish that's laced with saffron and honey.
Among Cobos's high-end 2011 Malbecs, this one comes across as the most complete, layered and complex of the group. Aromas of fine oak and pencil lead augment blackberry and baked plum scents. The mouthfeel is smooth, round and rich, while flavors of tea, savory spices and black fruits dance long into the night. A ripe but not too heavy finish is earthy, calm and complete. Drink through 2019.
This is a very spicy wine with weight, great depth of flavor and concentration. Fine acidity cuts through the core, balancing sweetness and adding freshness to flavors of wild thyme-honey and orange marmalade. Drink the wine from 2017.
This pure expression of Sangiovese offers classic varietal aromas of red berry, plum, violet and a whiff of dark cooking spice. The vibrant palate offers juicy black cherry, ripe raspberry, white pepper, anise and a hint of tobacco. Bright acidity and polished tannins provide the framework. Enjoy 2016–2020.
Made with 57% Syrah and 43% Petit Sirah, this aromatic brooder offers aromas of cherry, dried herbs, baking spices and freshly tilled soil. The flavors are full bodied, rich, layered and tightly coiled, needing extended time in the cellar or a day-long decant to show their best. Drink after 2021.
This complex rosé effortlessly combines hints of flowers, dried spices, garrigue and red berries. It's full-bodied yet paradoxically weightless, buoyed by a long finish of crushed stone and fresh lime juice. Drink it over the next few years.
This intriguing wine brings aromas of cumin, mineral, dry chocolate, barrel spice and dark fruit. It delivers a mouthful of seamless fruit flavors that coat the palate from end to end.
Veteran winemaker Larry McKenna says Te Rehua consistently shows the most ripeness of his various single-vineyard wines. In this vintage, that comes across as a slightly jammy midpalate filled with plums and blackberries. Upfront, there's a floral element, and on the finish, some dusty tannins. Try it once 2016 rolls around, and drink it through 2025.
Aromas of melon and barley lead to flavors of white peach, almond blossom and jasmine in this Rhône-style blend. A touch creamy with full mouthfeel, this wine is a delight through the bright finish, which offers a glimpse of pink grapefruit.
There's a mixture of fruit and barrel on this wine with dark fruit aromas melding with cocoa, clove and spice. Sweet and concentrated flavors coat the palate, with a light squeeze of tannins backing it up.
The color is light and the black and green olive, smoked meat and savory aromas are reserved. However, there's an elegant yet rich, captivating feel to the savory flavors that make this wine hard to resist.
Tilled soil, iris, violet, black plum and tobacco aromas come together on this classically crafted blend of Sangiovese, Colorino and Mammolo. The structured, balanced palate delivers black cherry, licorice, ground pepper, leather and grilled herb alongside youthfully austere tannins. It's still tightly knit so give it time to fully develop and bloom. Drink 2017–2027.
Very faint peach notes break through the lemony freshness of this slender, golden wine. The usually richer, more sumptuous nature of Zierfandler shines through on the textured palate and in the glimpses of generous oiliness that flank the edges of the central citrus focus. This is lovely now but will reward cellaring. The finish is poised and clean-cut, lemony and long.
It's unusual to see a Washington wine from this vintage at this listed alcohol level but there's no question about the ripeness. It's all Dineen Vineyard fruit coming from the oldest block at the vineyard, with aromas of leafy herbs and sweet plums. There's a pleasingly supple feel to the polished dark fruit flavors that linger effortlessly.
South African winemaker Ernst Storm is one to watch. This bottling offers a smoky, black raspberry nose, with hints of brown mustard and beef char. There's tremendous energy on the palate, though it's rather light in body, with flavors of anise, black rocks approaching asphalt, and dark but not overly ripe plums. Solid tannins ensure more interesting drinking 2017–2025.
A riper, more mature and rounded aspect characterizes this Sauvignon Blanc. Creaminess and texture align themselves with the fresh acidity. There are smoky, flinty notes in the background and the fruit notes remain in the fresh citrus spectrum. They linger beautifully on the finish. A balanced, grown-up wine destined for the table.
Aromas of coffee, graphite, herb, barrel spice and black fruit lead to a power-packed palate full of dark fruit and earth flavors supported by chewy tannins. It's a classic Red Mountain style, not shy but delivering the goods with a long life ahead of it.
Dense, dark, smoky, oaky aromas come with welcome nuances of licorice and graphite along with bold blackberry scents. This feels flush, layered and strong. Flavors of baking spices, blackberry, chocolate and char finish peppery, toasty, tannic and with plenty of black-fruit power. Drink through 2022.
Still young, this is a ripe fruit-driven wine. It suggests green apple slices as well as warmer yellow fruits that give richness. It should be aged to bring out greater texture and character. Drink from 2017.
Concentrated grapefruit zest and lemon peel with undertones of peppery herbs on a very concentrated, sleek palate. The pepperiness and zest reverberates for an immensely refreshing quaff. There is poise, concentration and a long, clean finish.
This wine is all Merlot coming from equal parts Weinbau and Woodward Canyon Estate vineyards. It charms with aromas of café au lait, cherry, spice and earth. The chocolate and cherry flavors are rich and full bodied with a firm handshake of tannins. It's drinking young now, with the oak up front. Give it plenty of time to open up.
A traditional and relatively light garnet color is the first sign that this is not a blatantly commercial wine. Savory, almost meaty, and cranberry-like aromas confirm the impression. Take a good sip and more crisp fruits like raspberries and red cherries emerge along with hints of cinnamon and clove for complexity. While medium bodied, it's vibrant in texture and elegantly balanced. It should improve through 2022.
The heady savory note on the nose unites yeast and tarragon, celery and pepper, grapefruit and lemon; fragrance of hay and earth are hinted at, too. The palate continues this wonderful interplay and makes you thirsty for more. This manages to be rounded in a very slender, cool vintage but has the added verve of such years. A great joy to drink.
Welsh winemaker Damian Grindley delivers aromas of concentrated vanilla, bacon, black cherry compote, fig jam and barrel smoke in this wine from his west Paso estate. Loamy, earthy flavors evolve on the palate into elderberry fruit and leather, with a distinct minty sensation emerging on the finish, leaving the lips alive.
A savory note of yeast swings along the green pear and grapefruit peel notes on this totally brisk and refreshing Grüner. Yes, the customary texture and spice are there but this is, as a sign of its vintage, totally streamlined and refreshing, with taut acidity reverberating in every corner. For those who like superfresh wines.
All varietal coming from Seven Hills Vineyard, this displays aromas of café au lait, black raspberries and dried herbs. The fruit and barrel flavors are palate coating, displaying exceptional polish and texture.
From this winery's young estate vineyard, this displays aromas of crushed rock, plum, raspberries and herbs along with coffee accents. It's rich and concentrated with layers of red and black fruit flavors. A firm squeeze of grainy tannins could use additional time to unwind. It will be best from 2020 to 2025.
Aromas of underbrush, ripe dark-skinned fruit, clove, espresso and a balsamic note lead the nose of this structured Sangiovese. The generous palate delivers juicy black cherry, blackberry, licorice and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink 2016–2021.
Crunchy, tart but ripe apples abound on the nose and even more on the palate. This is reminiscent of a red-cheeked Cox's Orange Pippin apple and offers the same thrill and contrast between ripe fruit and crispness. This is dangerously animating and racy. It will make conversation sparkle. Finishes with a lasting apple tang.
Josh Klapper delivers an earthy take on the grape, with aromas of loam, tree roots, dusty chert, a touch of green olive and barely ripe wild berries. Once sipped, there are flavors of dried rose petals, raw meat, iodine, graphite and a Kalamata olive-dried cherry tapenade.
Direct and woody on the nose, with aromas of graphite and vanilla, this opens in fine form. A tight, pure palate deftly blends weight, fine acidity and chewy tannins, while the flavor profile is earthy and blackened by charred oak, with blackberry fruit and savory, peppery spice notes. This is meaty, savory and beefy on the finish. Drink through 2021.
This impressive Champagne is rich while tight and mineral-textured. Creamy and ripe, it balances the weight of Pinot Noir with the elegance of Chardonnay. The producer's location in the relatively warm Aube region gives its wines extra fullness. This one is just now ready to drink.
Racy acidity is the key to this wine's explosive succulence and impressive structure and likability, a study in detailed winemaking. Full-bodied, it hides its weight, highlighted in wild strawberry, currant and leathery black pepper.
Principally blended from Abbey Ridge vineyard fruit, this offers red plum and cherry fruit, with a distinct streak of pineapple. Native yeast was employed, along with aging in one-quarter new oak, adding hints of Asian spices. The length and balance are impressive.
On the nose, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Petit Verdot smells of spicy berry fruits and black plum along with chocolate and cedar. The palate is a touch drawing and tannic, but in no way harsh or impeding. Spicy black-fruit flavors include notes of olive and herbs, while the finish delivers more of the same. Drink through 2022.
This is a lovely vineyard-designate, brawny and bold and completely floral. Brambly blackberry is met by plum and raisin as a leathery texture provides grit and brawn. Spicy black pepper and cinnamon season the finish.
This spent 11 months in 41% new oak, and there's a tasty lick of caramel running through the midpalate. The fruit catches some purple plum and plenty of Bing cherry, with a dark chocolate frame around svelte tannins.
A varied mix of fruits—citrus, apple, raspberry and cherry—accompany this wine's tannic note of breakfast tea. It's a bit on the astringent side, with a dollop of nougat and almond paste adding nice highlights through the finish.
Salty on the palate, this medium-bodied wine is focused in tension and nervy freshness, with a generosity of complex fruit. Lime, pear and fig ride a cool-climate wave of orange peel that lifts the underlying density and concentration at work in this vintage.
The aromas are quite locked up at present, with notes of cranberry, cherry, herb and wood spice. On the palate, the dark-fruit flavors show the warmth of the vintage, with a spine of firm tannins providing support.
A stellar wine, this appellation blend rivals some of the Los Gatos-based winery's single vineyard expressions. Exotic dried apples, vanilla cream and popcorn pop on the nose, while there palate's extreme acidity and explosiveness freshness demands immediate enjoyment. Butter-seared apples, grapefruit pith and a touch of flint round out the flavors.
Very broad but also complete and elegant aromas show on this bottling, including Asian pear, yellow apple, Meyer lemon, wet stone and a touch of browned butter. The mouthfeel is very tense though not overly sharp in acidity, with lemon and key lime citrus. That tension holds deep into the sip.
The winery's vineyards are now being showcased in a series of designates. Sisters includes the three Pinot “sisters”—Blanc, Gris and Noir—in a site just below Archery Summit in the heart of the Dundee Hills. It's clean, compact, complex and nicely layered. You'll note a spicy mix of cranberry, raspberry and red licorice, along with more subtle hints of curaçao and chocolate. The structure (and winery history) suggest that this will age quite well. Drink 2018 to 2030 and beyond.
This was sourced from Bethel Heights, which is a very good source indeed. It's packed with pure tangy red-berry fruit. The mouthfeel is lively, the length and concentration well above par. It's sappy and bright, with a light touch of new oak showing. Drink 2018–2028.
Petite Sirah makes up 60% of this wine, with the rest equal parts Syrah and Grenache. It brings aromas of herb, cherry, black licorice and spice. The palate is dense and structured, with layers of dark fruit flavors.
This wine has perfumed aromas of sagebrush, potpourri, herb, purple fruit and a light earthy note, showing a lot of nuance and detail. The palate has full palate-coating dark-plum flavors, with the emphasis on purity. Vibrant floral notes persist on the finish. This is the winery's best example from this vineyard to date.
Fully ripe aromas of blackberry, raisin, vanilla and wood grain set up a fleshy, bold palate that's tannic, but not tough or impermeable. Savory oak and ripe berry fruit flavors finish chewy and dense, with moderate complexity. Drink through 2025.
Intensely earthy and dense, this is a rustic undertaking, tannic and bittersweet, with a powerful savory side, defined by black tar, tobacco and smoked meat. The finish takes a different turn, a true partnership between vanilla and chocolate.
Mature woody aromas of foresty berry, cigar box and vanilla set up a palate that's mature but still fresh. Spicy oaky flavors of cherry and plum come with a hint of chocolate, while this ends with integrated notes of coffee and mocha. Drink through 2025.
This wine is 80% Grenache, with the balance equal parts Cinsault and Syrah. It brings very pretty perfumed aromas of dried flowers, herb, plum, olive and earth. The flavors show crystalline purity, completely captivating, with orange peel notes on the finish. It's as much about feel as flavor.
Shaped by the capturing of a cool-climate site and philosophy, this wine is stemmy and balanced, offering a treasure's trove of fresh earth, black tea and clove, all within a lushly layered mouthfeel. The ripeness of the fruit and acidity are entirely complementary.
This most recent release of vintage rosé from Deutz boasts fine acidity and crisp young fruit, marking it as a wine to age. Bright and lively with a sophisticated edge of acidity and red currant fruit, it should be cellared until 2019.
This is a concentrated bruiser from a ripe warm vintage. Aromas of cheesy oak, vanilla, maple and blackberry require as much air as possible. Saturated, heavy and jammy on the palate, this pounds the palate with rugged tannins. Flavors of blackberry, prune and chocolate finish thick, chewy and grabby. This is not about elegance—it's all about power and concentration. Drink through 2025.
There's a salty, gravelly stone character to this medium-bodied wine that largely defines it, marking the grapes original home in the vineyard's Sand Hill block, planted entirely to one Dijon clone. Caramel apple meets a complement of crisper green apple, finding balance and grace in the glass.
This is a celebratory taste of blueberry pie that's silky smooth and additionally complex in vanilla, leather and dark chocolate. Luxuriously soft, it finds a way to mellow its tannins without sacrificing power or concentration.
Sleek and distinctive, this is loaded with snappy flavors of lime, green melon and wet stone. The fermentation in French oak (20% new) brings a lick of butterscotch to the finish.
Initially dry and tannic, the wine shows dark fruits with blueberry flavors, smoke and spice. It is rich and dense, already with the fruit right up front. Drink now or better age.
The high proportion of Sémillon in the blend gives the wine an extra richness. That rounds out the more herbaceous character and brings in ripe peach and kiwi flavors. It's already a lively, drinkable wine, but should only improve over another few months.
Rounded and sweet wine, its tannins buried in the rich blackberry fruits. It is dominated by its fruity character, although there is a chunky texture that gives a firm mouthfeel. Ready to drink in a year.
Wild aromas abound on the nose of this wine, but are balanced with expressive garrigue (primarily rosemary and thyme) and ripe red cherry, bramble and blueberry notes. The medium-weight mouth shows great richness and concentration of flavors, all framed by silky tannins and moderate acidity.
On the lean side, with a layered concentrated wood structure. The wine has weight along with dryness, although the fruit is harder to discern.
Very rich aromatically in golden Santa Rosa plum, raisins and lemon chiffon, this new producer's Chardonnay has a touch of caramel popcorn and is delicately dense with a nice lift on the finish.
A mix of pie cherry, raisin and prune fruit flavors, this is deep, ripe and yet still quite tart, with plenty of acidity. It penetrates the palate with consistent flavors, a fruit pastry impression wrapped in dark chocolate. The only question—how will it age, with fruit already this far along the aging curve?
A rich, ripe, warm wine, smoothed with soft tannins. The open, generous fruit character is given an extra edge with textured wood and acidity. A black, tarry aftertaste adds further complexity.
Red fruits dominate a wine that is rich, full-bodied with a firm, tight structure. Round the firm texture there is a richer, ripe fruit character, dense and juicy. The wine can be aged, but it is ready to drink.
Woodsy and rich smelling, with sous-bois, ample spice, ripe berry aromas and weight. It shows texture and grip on the palate, followed by baked, smoky flavors of roasted black fruits and toast. Finishes foresty and warm. Appealing in every way. Drink now through 2013.
A truly lovely Carignane, organically grown, dry-farmed and from a single vineyard, a 100% varietal example of how well Carignane can grow in Mendocino when well-tended and allowed to be itself. Rich, luxurious and smooth, the wine is also dark and brooding, incredibly fruity, like a liquid cherry-raspberry tart topped with vanilla ice cream.
Riesling is the star of an excellent lineup of Best Buys from StoneCap. Estate-grown, fragrant and complex, it sends up aromas of lemon oil, orange peel, fresh-brewed tea, pastry and powdered sugar. Mildly sweet, fruity and delicate, it surprises with exceptional length. A very fine effort from new StoneCap winemaker Kendall Mix.
Big, structured tannins lie over the ripe fruit. The wine has a dense character, the young tannins dominant. Given a year, the fine fruit will come through to give a sweeter blackberry character.
While the wine does have considerable tannins, it also has the ripe Merlot fruit to support it. Good acidity, black currant fruits, smoky wood, all the elements are there. It will always be firm, but should mature well.
Rich and baked smelling, with hints of marzipan, tobacco, earth and black fruits. Feels chewy and deep, with fresh acidity and bright cassis, black cherry and blackberry flavors touched up by chocolate and spice. Penetrating and choppy on the finish; 70% Cabernet with 30% Merlot. Drink now through 2013.
This fresh Saint-Chinian rosé exhibits a beautiful, earthy, floral core, as notes of peony and baby's breath take center stage against a soft white strawberry and peach backdrop. Medium weight with good, lifting acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.
Overall, this wine is fruity and solid. Raw, slightly austere red-fruit aromas are basic but fresh and clean. Flavors of plum, currant and cinnamon are suitable, but this wine finishes quickly.
A crisp, fruity wine, bright with red-cherry fruit and a touch of pepper. The acidity and the lively texture give this wine a refreshing character. Drink now.
Densely layered in overwrought notions of brown sugar and vanilla, this wine has a flatness and a discernible sweetness to the overripe black-fruit core.
Aromas of this medium-bodied wine are smoky and herbal. The flavors combine black pepper, spicy oak notes and and almost-sweet fruits like plum and watermelon.
This is an attractively fruity wine with its ripe apple and crisp pear flavors. Lined with acidity and refreshing, it is a clean, lightly herbaceous wine. Drink now.
This ripe perfumed wine has yellow fruits and soft melon flavors. It comes from the cooler north of the Alentejo, preserving crispness at the end with attractive acidity. Drink now.
The overall impression is of under-ripe fruit, with flavors of rhubarb, cranberry and very sour cherry. It's tannic as well, and set on a thin frame. Drink up.
The nose is extremely shy but eventually reveals a hint of dark-skinned fruit and toast. The hefty one-dimensional palate offers raw red berry and oak-driven spice but not much fruit richness.
Reddish in color, this wine smells of wet stones, cherries and fresh-cut grass. A somewhat flat palate is home to candied but generalized red-fruit flavors. It's decidedly sweet on the finish.
Strawberry and raspberry aromas are mild. This simple blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo feels grabby and rubbery, while salty baked-plum flavors finish with notes of herbs and mint.
This salmon-colored wine made from Tempranillo is neutral in aromas, with a touch of creaminess on an otherwise standard palate. Mild peach flavors are slightly bitter. The wine loses freshness and focus the longer it sits.
This is an open fruity wine with attractive red berries and concentrated tannins. It is developing well into a ripe perfumed wine that will be ready to drink from 2017.
This is a fresh and juicy organic wine with attractive acidity and just the right balance of tannins. Drink this wine soon, certainly from 2018.
While the wine is dry at this young stage, it has fine potential. Generous fruits and firm tannins give it richness and a juicy character. Drink the wine from 2018.
Aged in steel, this is a bright, fruit-driven wine that has red fruits and soft tannins. It has a crisp touch of acidity at the end. Ready to drink now.
Produced by John Grochau (Grochau Cellars), this is stubbornly shut down, with hints of rubber tire in the aromas. Once you work past the reductive scents and flavors, it's a short wine with generic fruit and a quick finish.
This opens with whiffs of resin, stewed prune and exotic spice. The raspy palate is extremely evolved, showing mint, a note of raisin and the warmth of alcohol despite the modest declaration of 13.5% alcohol on the label. The fruit is drying up quickly so drink soon.
Whiffs of hazelnut and raspberry introduce this dry Blanc de Noir, a white wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. Red berry flavors on the palate run a touch ruddy, but vibrant acidity brightens the finish. Drink now.
There is some of the mineral character that is typical of the Douro in this black-fruit-laden wine. It has acidity and tannins and a stalky, juicy character that keeps it crisp. The wine is ready to drink now.
Fresh and fragrant, this is a lively, bright and tangy wine. With crisp acidity and raspberry fruit that is twisted with orange peel it is ready to drink.
High spice and toast flavors dominate this wine. The wood use is masking the fruit, probably too enthusiastically. It should soften, although not enough.
The wine has red fruits and tannins along with acidity. The 25-year old vines have produced a rich wine that is all about fruit and acidity. Drink from 2018.
Oddly, among a nice selection of Chehalem Rieslings, this seems disjointed, with sour flavors and other components that don't quite knit together. Finished with a screwcap closure, there's no bad cork to point the finger at. Maybe more bottle age will help to pull it together.
This is a crisp, fresh wine with red-currant fruits and light tannins from the Alliance Bourg co-op. It is juicy and fruity, likely to develop quickly to give a light, bright wine.
Aromas of yellow apple, toast and walnut lead the nose and carry over to the simple palate along with notes of dried bread crumbs. Vigorous bubbles provide a somewhat abrasive texture.
Blended with 15% Petit Verdot, this wine is big and brooding in tannin and charred oak, with a sizable presence on the palate. It dabbles in ripe, full-bodied black cherry, plum and tar.
Tightly herbal and packed with green fruits, this is a full and ripe wine. It is still very young with its initial fruit flavors still intact. It will calm down over the next few months and be better to drink from 2017.
A blend that is dominated by Arinto, this is crisp and lemon flavored with hints of riper yellow fruits. It has a lively, bright aftertaste. Drink now.
The Romans made it to Sancerre, hence the name of this wine. The flavors are rich, with a mineral edge to the notes of green fruits, plums and greengages and a serious citrus core. With its structure, the wine needs to age for 2–3 years.
The steep south-facing Chêne Marchand vineyard provides fruit for this very concentrated and impressive wine. Its weight doesn't come from richness, but rather a powerful structure that underpins a mineral tang and intense freshness.
As with the 2008 Tulpen Cabernet, the Lewis (Yakima Valley) and Wallula (Horse Heaven Hills) Vineyards provided the fruit. A muscle Merlot, this is smooth and round, bearing flavors of mixed berry and ripe cherry, with added notes of iron and clean earth.
Showing great concentration and varietal character, this tart, brambly, pure Mourvèdre beautifully showcases both the grape and the winemaker's skills. Sour plum and spice lend themselves to a lingering, detailed finish.
Clean purple fruit aromas mix with grapeseed, Concord grape and caramelized black fruit scents on this bottling. Black plum, peppercorn, tart elderberry, tar, beef char and soy show on the palate, which is lifted by a lavender nuance.
This opens with aromas that suggest orchard fruit and citrus. The zesty, straightforward palate offers white peach, nectarine and green apple alongside bright acidity.
Delicate aromas suggesting chamomile flower and acacia honey carry over to the linear but somewhat lean palate along with hints of citrus and yellow apple. Racy acidity provides the backbone while a bitter almond note marks the finish.
Crisp starfruit and citrus notes shine brightly throughout this refreshingly spry white. It's delicate in concentration but irresistibly quaffable, marked by a spray of salinity on the finish.
Fresh, friendly green pear notes glide all the way from nose to palate and make for easy, inviting summer drinking. The clean finish smacks of lemon. Drink soon.
A blend with mainly Rolle and some Clairette, this is light, bright and crisp. Floral aromas lead to sliced apple and lime juice flavors that offer lively acidity and a tangy, zesty aftertaste. The wine is ready to drink.
This opens with subdued aromas that recall yellow flower, toasted nut and a whiff of citrus. The rather lean but quenching palate offers lemon zest, white almond and a hint of mineral alongside zesty acidity.
This wine has a strong layer of spicy oak from the first sniff through the lingering finish. Deep, ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors fill in the palate, and the full body of moderate tannins creates a mouthfeel that's plush.
There are just a few hints of pepper on this crisp, pear-scented dry white. This is made for a party with its light-bodied, easy-drinking style.
One of the Central Coast's best deals each vintage, this blend of 53% Grenache and 47% Syrah shows candied cherries, cinnamon, scarlet red roses, slate and earthy clay notes on the nose. The palate also shows some clay as well as dense boysenberry fruit and touches of lavender and pepper.
An older vintage, this is a soft and malleable wine dusty in tannin and oak, with light-bodied flavors and aromas of blackberry, cherry and chocolate.
Dark pink-red in color, this wine has a ripe, sugary nose and a high-octane entry. It grows up to be tangy in citrus peel and fresh grapefruit and cherry, finishing dry.
This is an elegant, silky-textured wine that doesn't taste as black or bold as the label would suggest. It has medium body, bright fruit flavors and hints of white pepper and white chocolate that accent a core of red cherry and raspberry.
This relatively simple but satisfying wine hits all the basic Sauvignon Blanc notes: Melon, fig, citrus and grassy herbs. It's medium-bodied and boasts a decently long finish, too. Drink now.
Notes of spring blossom and fresh herbs perfume the nose of this Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is markedly riper, almost ruddy with fleshy yellow peach flavors. Aged one year on the lees, it shows a uniquely textured, mouth-coating feel that lingers on the finish.
Light and vibrant, this opens with delicate scents recalling white flower, orchard fruit and a whiff of almond. The slender palate offers Bartlett pear and citrusy notes alongside racy acidity.
This wine leans toward the vegetal side of Sauvignon Blanc, without ever crossing over into objectionable. In fact, it shows attractive notes of struck flint and snow pea, accompanied by hints of citrus and tomato stalk. It's fresh, clean and would be perfect with a ceviche starter.
Viognier (10%) announces itself first with aromas of flowers and orange peel that are followed by smoke, leather and spice on a wine that has yet to fully reveal itself. The cranberry and cherry flavors are full in feel, tapering toward the finish.
Muted aromas suggesting vanilla, cassis and dark spice emerge in the glass while the palate shows roasted coffee bean and dried black cherry. Dusty tannins give it mouth-puckering astringency. Drink through 2016.
The nose is rather closed, but eventually reveals subdued aromas of cassis, violet and a whiff of eucalyptus. The palate offers blackberry, tangerine zest, rhubarb and a hint of ground pepper alongside grippy tannins.
This opens with subdued aromas of dark berry, scorched earth, grilled porcini and a whiff of leather. The palate offers sour cherry, sage and a hint of cured meat alongside raspy tannins that give it a grainy finish.
Floral aromas reminiscent of citrus blossom, tuberose and black locust flower lift out of the glass. The bright, straightforward palate offers Bosc pear, lemon drop and toasted hazelnut alongside soft but fresh enough acidity.
Slightly herbal aromas and generous, almost chocolaty fruit flavors make for a mouth-filling wine. It is full bodied, moderately tannic, and nicely dry despite the bold fruit character.
Weighty but polished, this wine is full bodied, moderately flavorful and very smooth in texture. It has mild pear, butter and vanilla accents, subtle acidity and a plush mouthfeel.
Dense aromas of smoked black plum, rustic leather and smoked meats show on this super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah. Dried blueberries, fudge, beef char and very tarry elements show on the palate.
Fleshy, generous black cherry fruit swishes across nose and palate. A core of freshness and spice brings a little order into all this fleshiness. This may benefit from being chilled as a full-fruited if medium-bodied summer red.
Notes of fleshy black cherry dominate. The palate is fresh but lacks a little focus: there is plenty of black cherry fruit playing on the soft, easy palate, untroubled by oak. A very ready, easy picnic wine. Drink soon.
This wine opens in a combination of herbal mint and brown sugar, ultimately smacking the palate with a big, bold presence that's hyper-ripe. The size is significant and in need of equally bold, brawny and spicy food.
Here's a vibrant, easygoing white wine that offers flavors of citrus, apple and a hint of bitter almond. Bright acidity gives it a crisp finish. It's straightforward but well made and refreshing.
Aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, lime and bell pepper are textbook for the region. This feels fresh as a whistle, with pyrazine-led bell pepper, green bean and lime flavors. Additional notes of bell pepper, with hints of white pepper drive the finish on this crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.
Black-fruit aromas of cassis and boysenberry are not overdone nor overoaked. Thie palate feels somewhat spiky and acidic, with a tartaric bite. A flavor profile comprised of salty berry fruits finishes briny and herbal, with good weight and balance.
Grapefruit spray and gooseberry aromas jump from the glass initially, with an herbal tomato-leaf tone lingering behind. Lemon-lime acidity cuts through the medium-bodied palate of underripe peach and tropical fruit, leading to a talc-dusted finish. This is zesty, lively and perfectly enjoyable as an apéritif or paired alongside tangy cheese.
Ruddy prune and balsamic vinegar notes on the nose contrast crisp, punchy black cherry and berry flavors in this Finger Lakes Zweigelt. It's velvety smooth on the palate, marked by persistent fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink now.
Gooseberry and hop aromas are atypical for a Chardonnay, yet they surprisingly meld well with vanilla biscuit and peach tones. The medium-bodied palate brings lemon curd and brûléed peach flavors that carry to a vanilla-cream finish. Snappy acidity—presumably from the addition of 7% Petit Manseng—keeps the palate lively and in check.
Pollen, candle wax, citrus cream and blanched almonds mark the nose of this single variety white. The rich, broad palate carries notes of charred pineapple and toasted meringue, balanced by a lively river of citrus. This is a perfect white to enjoy when there's a slight chill in the air.
This wine's aromas of melon and citrus don't seem entirely varietal. Still, it brings plenty of appeal with zippy, elegant flavors that linger.
This wine tastes appley, fresh and crisp, beginning with bright floral aromas, then offering vibrant Pippin apple and citrus flavors. The body is light and the texture smooth but nicely tangy.
This 2013 keeps up the full body and ripe fruit of previous releases, with lush texture and saturated chocolate and blackberry flavors. It's a dry red, however, with no detectable sweetness but plenty of tannin and satisfaction.
Herbal, briary raspberry and plum aromas come with a green hint of eucalyptus as well as leather. This Syrah-led blend is grabby and showing tannic grip. Flavors of briny red fruits, herbal notes and olive end with roasted overtones and rubbery tannins.
A 100% varietal wine, and the producer's first vintage thereof, this is a juicy and leathery Cab Franc, soft and straightforward in plum and raspberry, with a layering of baking spice on the finish. Restrained, it's a nice one for the table.
This blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Sangiovese shows dense, dark notes of chocolate, boysenberry, leather, lavender and a sprig of mint on the nose. The tannins are chalky in texture, with a balance of blueberries and menthol tones.
Aromas of scorched earth, game, dried rose petal and a whiff of barnyard lead the nose. The aromas follow through to the solid palate together with overripe black cherry, bitter walnut and a confectionary note alongside grainy tannins. It's a bit rustic but still has an earthy appeal.
Ripe fruit aromas and flavors ooze from this full-bodied but silky-textured wine. It tastes like a late-harvest style, with cherry and blood orange flavors, and seems well-suited for kicking back by the fire after a meal, eating chunks of cheese.
This is a big, oaky, brawny and tannic version of the variety, generous in brown sugar and blackberry and plum jam. A piquant seasoning of peppercorn dots the midpalate and finish.
Slightly earthy aromas blow off with aeration to reveal a delightfully balanced wine full of juicy, concentrated peach, lychee and rose water flavors. While intensely floral and a touch sweet on the palate, sunny acidity lends a brisk, easy drinking feel. Drink now.
A tart, tight expression that is mostly varietal, with additions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine was given 30 months in French oak. Soft, integrated tannins wrap around a strong sense of tangy cranberry, finishing lean.
This medium-bodied wine offers some of Pinot Gris' peppery spice, just enough to enliven the pear and citrus fruit elements. Hints of wet stone add complexity to the aromas, while the spice lingers on the finish.
Traditional Maipo Valley aromas of eucalyptus and wild herbs form the opening, while spicy, oaky shadings fill out the bouquet on this Cabernet-led blend that contains 15% Syrah. A full, oaky palate is lively, while heavily herbal, briny flavors of olive and tobacco confirm the wine's Chilean character.
This wine has an undeniable barbecue smokiness and curious suggestion of charcuterie, making for a savory, meaty opening. Juicy in blackberry and dark chocolate, it's cradled generously in oak, which marks the wine's palate, particularly on the finish.
A crisp and fruity wine, this is fresh, full of lemon and grapefruit flavors with a warmer layer of ripe pear. It's aromatic, refreshing and full of life. The acidity gives the whole wine a lift.
Merlot makes up half of this blend, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Vanilla, pencil shaving and woodspice predominate on the nose and palate.
Aromas of cocoa and coffee are mixed with black licorice and dark berries, with this wine showing some reduction out of the gate that detracts. The flavors are rich and full bodied, carrying some warmth on the finish. The aromas and flavors seem disconnected.
Tropical fruit and floral notes abound on this intensely perfumed white. Aged six months in neutral oak, it maintains all it's fruity, forward charms along with a backbone of acidity that's pert and mouthwatering. It's blossomy bouquet might be a bit overwhelming for some.
Succulent, sun-ripened mango and citrus flavors drench the palate in this fruity, unoaked Chardonnay. It's straightforward in style, but concentrated and punchy. Enjoy now for it's fresh, youthful exuberance.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The aromas of spice, cherry and plum are quite reserved while the palate brings plump fruit and barrel flavors backed by grainy tannins.
Purple as they come, with extracted aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, maple and bacon. It's a wide, flush wine with bulk, 14.5% alcohol and savage flavors of blackberry and smoky BBQ. Definitely for fans of big, modern Spanish wines; Old World enthusiasts will probably call it “too modern” and overdone.
A reserve selection from the winery's Jordan Block, this brings similar flavors with slightly more intensity. Black fruits, black pepper and some spice from barrel aging combine in a medium-bodied effort with moderate aging potential.
Kudos to Siduri for offering a serious Oregon Pinot Noir at alcohol levels (13%) reminiscent of Burgundy. It's a welcome tilt for the state that once was tagged as the new world's Burgundian hope, but which has sometimes seemed more like a California wannabe. Light and tart, this isn't a complex wine but brings the delicate nuances of the grape, with cranberry, citrus and strawberry.
This bottling brings strawberry preserves right up front; it's a light and spicy wine with immediate appeal. There's plenty of acid—rarely an issue in Oregon—but not much depth. It's got fruit and malted chocolate, and the finish lasts a bit longer than you might expect from the light fruit.
Herbal, almost medicinal aromas set a complex scene for this densely structured wine. The flavors throughout, while rich, are also severe, a wrinkle on the otherwise ripe façade. That certainly suggests aging, and the dry tannins support this. In the meantime, it is a winter wine, its concentration needing rich meat dishes.
Peach, melon and apple aromas are more or less what's left on the nose, and the palate also indicates a fine wine in decline. Nobody will tell you that Verdejo has the stuff for long aging, but Pariente remains a wine of refinement and complexity. So catch it now for the last of its melon, green-fruit and pear flavors, which are backed by a lasting but soft finish.
A new joint venture between winemaker Jorge Moreira and owner the Bergqvist family, both of Quinta de la Rosa. The vineyard is in the remote Douro Superior. You can certainly smell the dry heat in this young wine. To taste it has a Port-like smoothness overlying its dry tannins. The fruit is sweet, succulent, layered with blackberry jam and dark berries.
This modest Pinot offers light strawberry fruit, a dash of cola, and a component of earth and stem that overtakes the finish. It hints at green tannins, with a bit of brown sugar sweetness, perhaps from aging in 30% new oak.
A value-priced Sauvignon Blanc from Sobon, which also makes Shenandoah Vineyards wines in the Shenandoah Valley of California, within the greater Sierra Foothills. This white opens with floral aromatics followed by wet stone, apple and lemon, all in a subtle, lightly rendered way.
An aromatic blend of Viognier and Roussanne, with overripe pear, lavender and spice. Aged three months in French oak, the palate is full bodied and unctuous, with a bitter note on the finish.
Despite its alcohol and potential richness, this has as much green, herbal character as fruitiness. It's structured and juicy, and shows considerable acidity.
This fruity, perfumed wine (the Moscatel Roxo in the blend sees to that), is ripe and full bodied, with some light sweetness giving a soft, gentle aftertaste. Screwcap.
Ripe, lightly spiced black cherry and berry aromas announce a good but basic wine. The palate is a bit tough in feel but it's solidly built. Candied, generic black-fruit flavors end simply, with modest syrupy sweetness.
The bouquet on this is so neutral there's almost nothing to describe. This is zesty and tangy in the mouth, with pithy orange, lemon and green apple flavors. A crisp finish with citrus zest leaves a clean final impression.
The aromas seem a bit muddled, with notes of jasmine and pear occasionally poking through and the alcohol showing itself. It's medium sweet (2.7% residual sugar) finishing a touch bitter.
This rosé is almost as rich as a red wine, the difference being a fresher, red-fruit character. It has vanilla flavors, a dry texture and a touch of pepper.
A low-priced white with a smoky quality and rounded textures of pear and coconut. Twist the cap off on this one for patio and pool parties or to enjoy with a platter of raw oysters.
Hailing from the winery's Arena Valley Vineyard, this wine has notes of dried cranberry and currant. Cranberry juice-like flavors are accented by oaky spice.
From a mediocre vintage, it seems as though the winery poured on the fully toasted oak to cover up marginal fruit. This smells like burnt meat and rubber, tastes charred and baked, and finishes blackened and overly toasty, with a choppy feel and hard tannins.
This blend of Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha is gamy on the nose, with aromas of tomato leaf, compost and cherry-pie filling. The palate is decidedly acidic, while flavors of zesty red fruits like red currant and sour plum come across herbal and a touch weedy.
The oak, a mixture of French, American and Hungarian (with 50% new), takes the lead, with aromas of vanilla bean and toffee out in front of coffee and plum. The flavors are full bodied, sweet and generous, backed by grainy tannins.
This is a pale-colored wine, very fruity and crisp with an impressively refreshing quality. A touch of pepper gives interest to this dry, easy-drinking wine.
Light and fresh, this is a crisp and tangy wine. Attractive acidity dominates and gives life to the bright red fruits. A slice of lemon brings a tangy dimension to this juicy, fragrant wine.
Aromas of toast, burnt coffee, mocha, vanilla, herbs and cherry take the lead on this wine. The milk chocolate and cherry flavors are elegant yet rich in style, with the oak at times seeming a little overweighted.
This smells and tastes rich and abundant, yet it is not overtly fruity or full bodied. The nuances are more like fig and toasted almond with a subtle buttery note. A slight brassy effect in the golden color seems to agree with the mature, complex flavor components.
Light, lean and lemony, this stainless-steel fermented and resultantly steely wine delivers plenty of enjoyment. Layered and nicely textured, it finishes creamy in wild vanilla.
There is a definite touch of stalkiness here, perhaps a consequence of the vintage. It has black currant fruits and balanced acidity, needing a few more months to be developed. Drink from 2016.
This single-parcel wine gives fresh youthful acidity and bright white and citrus fruitiness. It's chalky textured, steely in its character and crisp and nervy at the end. Drink from late 2015
Organically grown grapes give this wine a pure and fruity character that makes it instantly attractive. It is crisp, laced with lemon and lively, juicy red fruits. The aftertaste is dry and full of flavor.
Made with 85% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 5% Merlot, this savory red delivers aromas and flavors of underbrush, black cherry, licorice and a hint of Mediterranean herb. It's easy drinking and balanced with lithe tannins.
Very fruit-forward aromas of green apple, kiwi, passion fruit and even chopped scallion are pleasantly pungent on this wine by Dr. Enrique Ferro. Nectarine flesh mixes it up with white flowers on the palate, all held together by bright acidity. It taste good, but is rather powerful, reminiscent of the grassier New Zealand style.
Still quite locked up, this wine displays initial aromas of cocoa and vanilla (from 20% new American oak) along with plum, medicine cabinet and raspberry. Sweet fruit flavors are backed by firm tannins and mouthwatering acids.
This is a rocking price for the quality of the wine, a small-production crafting of well-grown grapes in a great year. Light on the oak imprint, it shines instead in sweet and sour stone fruit, most vibrantly apricot, with a soft and layered silkiness to the texture.
Floral aromas of violet, carnation and rose water open the bouquet of this wine, framing the core of muddled black berries and cherries. The texture is tighter and more restrained than anticipated, with astringent tannins and prominent acidity lending a young, firm impression to the palate. Notes of leather and bramble carry the medium-length finish. Try after 2016.
From a three-acre vineyard once home to two gold mines, this wine is spicy and brawny in tannin weight, yet also soft and refined. Bright raspberry plays off juicy flavors of brown sugar and vanilla, finishing in a hint of black pepper. The substantive nature of the wine suggests further time in bottle, through 2020.
From a 16-acre, dry-farmed vineyard near the producer's Carneros winery, this opens with a yeasty aroma, followed by black cherry and pomegranate. Soft, high in acidity and well-integrated in terms of oak, its finish is lingering in cinnamon and dried herb.
This fresh, crisp, textured wine has pepper as well as red fruit flavors. There's a touch of spice, ripe strawberries and delicious final acidity.
A new proprietary blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this fruit-forward wine has a lot to like, blessed by soft layers of crème de cassis and a layering of nutmeg. Mouthfillingly juicy, with good length, it offers structure and approachability at a fair price.
This unusual blend holds 57% Mourvèdre, 34% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. It displays heaping amounts of black pepper along with aromas of dried herbs, vanilla and cherry. The style is elegant but with good concentration and a silky feel, with a tart uptick on the pepper and vanilla-filled finish.
Savory yeast notes take center stage, with touches of citrus and pear firmly in the background. This light-bodied, fresh white will pair well with equally light fare like fresh salads. The spice lingers beautifully.
Fragrant and luminous, this vibrant wine opens with aromas of stone fruit and freshly chopped mint. The linear palate offers citrus zest, aromatic herb and bitter almond while mouthwatering acidity provides balance. It boasts a clean, crisp finish.
Velvety and rich aromas of chocolate and dried plums are cut with a citrus tartness on the nose of this single-vineyard expression from a historic site near the Gilroy Golf Course. The refreshing if slightly reductive palate offers flavors of espresso and blueberry-crusted beef, enlivening the tongue before washing away.
This has a bright, light-gold color, substantial aromas and flavors of oak and baking spices. The texture is smooth, with a sense of softness in the balance, and the wine leans toward richness rather than crispness. Impressions like hazelnut, vanilla, sweet pear and nutmeg provide a mouthful of flavor.
This wine offers abundant aromas of vanilla, coconut shavings, mocha and dried cherries. It's luscious with generous fruit and barrel flavors, with the barrel notes winning out and taking over on the vanilla-dominated finish.
The dense blackcurrant fruit, both fresh and cooked, that dominates the nose belies the more elegant, pliable palate. There is richness of dark berries and a hint of tar and smoke, but the body remains fresh and supple on this medium-weight Zweigelt.
The smells of wet pebbles and very faint apple fruit characterize this slender, refreshing and easygoing Pinot Blanc. On the palate there is even more yellow and green apple flavor. Drink soon while the fruit is fresh and appetizing.
An older vintage that's been given more time in bottle before release, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is herbal, awash in dried thyme and a hint of cedar. Among its firm and jagged tannins is a taste of leathery milk chocolate and crème de cassis.
A pretty pale-salmon color, this blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas and flavors of cherry, watermelon and spice. It drinks dry, with the fruit flavors bringing a textured, fleshy feel.
Edgy from the start, this blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Petit Verdot smells of asphalt and burnt toast. Pinching in feel, with hard tannins, this tastes roasted, leafy and like carob. Overall the flavors struggle to avoid earthy and rustic.
The nose of this wine is all fruit—strawberry, raspberry and cherry abound. Flavor wise, the accessible palate offers more of the same, with light tannins and ample acidity to keep the mouthfeel fresh and the finish clean.
Raw oak, coconut and roasted coffee bean aromas carry over to the palate along with licorice and espresso but it lacks fruit richness. Astringent, grainy tannins clench the bracing finish.
A mix of dark fruit and warm spice carries the medium-bodied palate. Soft tannins give an easy nature to this wine and the vanilla-cookie finish doesn't hurt either.
Baked, spicy berry and dark plum aromas are leathery and a touch hot. Rather dense and soupy, with slightly rough tannins, this tastes of baked berry fruits, while the finish tastes lightly salty and feels rubbery.
There's a solid grip to this blend of 54% Aglianico, 21% Montepulciano, 14% Tempranillo and 11% Barbera. Bramble berries and earthy geraniums give this medium-bodied red some interest.
Ripe yellow fruits shine through this attractive wine. It has a fresh, crisp side with lemon acidity that nicely balances the warm, rounded texture. It delivers a crisp, more mineral aftertaste. Drink now.
Hints of pungent boxwood mark the nose of this lean, narrowly constructed wine. The flavors are grassier, “rounded out” by tart citrus and green tomato notes. Drink now.
Released late, this may have benefitted somewhat with the extra bottle age, but it's still showing substantial tannins. Tart, barely ripe berry fruit quickly rolls into a short, chalky finish.
Tribute is a blend of 43% Barbera, 43% Sangiovese and 14% Nebbiolo—a difficult enterprise at best, particularly with fruit from young vines. It's thin and generic, showing no distinct varietal character.
This wine has a creamy, smooth character. Lightly buttery and with some ripe pear flavors, it is soft, refreshing and ready to drink.
This wine is tight with the lightest hints of riper fruit in the future. It has spice, toast flavors and suggestions of yellow fruit. Wait to drink this wine until 2017.
Scents of violet, brambly berry and blackcurrant leaf lead the bouquet of this earthy blend, with a light gamy character in the background. The palate is bright and lively, with attractive freshness and fine tannins that result in a clean, juicy finish.
This opens with muddled aromas of floral air freshener, ripe black plum, wet fur and a funky whiff of game. The rustic palate falls apart quickly, showing dried cranberry, a hint of dried herb and fleeting tannins.
Succinct and to-the-point, this Viognier is bight in pineapple, citron and peach on the nose and palate. There's a decent weight and texture, however the flavors don't carry too long. Drink now.
Nicely rendered, with varietally correct aromas of pear, citrus and almond skin. There's a bit of texture to this wine's medium-bodied palate before it eases into a clean, mouthwatering finish.
Zesty peppercorns, underripe berries, Kalamata olive, green olive and crushed thyme show on the nose of this bottling. There's almost a touch of effervescence on the sip, where tart berries, lavender, green peppercorns and more Kalamata olive make for a fresh and fruity experience, which isn't much like Syrah.
This is an attractive, soft and ripe wine. It has just enough acidity to give this blend that has 40% Chardonnay a crisp aftertaste. The wine with its melon and pear flavors is ready to drink.
Light, lemony aromas work for the most part. This feels full, even creamy. Flavors of papaya, melon and apple finish with a note of pineapple. The longer this sits, the more soft and tropical it becomes.
Ripe and smooth, this rich wine has enough fruitiness and acidity to give a crisper edge, although it is more about a warm, spicy character. Drink now.
Powdery, soapy aromas are exotic but not fully convincing. Fresh but nothing more than wet and basic on the palate, this shows briny flavors of orange rind through the finish.
This is classic, off-dry Vinho Verde. With its light prickle, crisp fruit that has a tangy lime and lemon character that comes through the candy flavor, it is a refreshing, light wine.
This is a young, fruity wine with fine acidity and plenty of red-fruit flavors. Light spice, generous tannins and a hint of wood all contribute to a balanced wine that is ready to drink.
This bottling's extreme grapefruit pithiness meets with rainy cement and a touch of rubber on the nose. The flavors are quite reductive, with tar and sour crab apple touches.
Made from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and Marsanne, this wine has a soft nose of white peach and lemon zest. It is slightly stiff on the palate, with flavors of white peach, fennel bulb, apricot and rye. The finish is marked by a slight touch of menthol followed by a burst of tangerine flavor.
The nose of this wine is all about oak, with toast and char leading the way. The palate follows suit yet shows a bit more fruit, with grilled red-berry flavors washing over a lithe, crisp palate.
A blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires, this is light and crisply refreshing. There are some yellow fruit flavors that contrast with the lime acidity. It is ready to drink now.
Made with 100% Chardonnay, this Sicilian sparkler opens with yeasty aromas of toasted bread crust and whiffs of fragrant flowers. The vibrant palate delivers citrus and yellow apple alongside a polished mousse.
This begins with a reserved nose that unfolds into deep, black aromas of licorice, turned earth and graphite. Pomegranate and acai fruit flavors mix with red clay and touches of whiskey, but the tannins are powerful. Give it until at least 2018 to smooth out.
Deep black raspberry and slate make for a traditional nose on this solid-deal wine. It's refreshing and lively once sipped, with dark red fruits and a bit of brown spice.
Reduced, foxy berry aromas come with a rubbery note of latex. The palate is full and chunky, with moderate flabby weight. Black-fruit and peppery flavors end in loamy, toasty, jammy fashion, so drink this full-bodied Mencía now.
The Roessler brothers take a good spin through the historic Sanford & Benedict vines and present a wine with cherry, baked fennel and a bit of eucalyptus on the nose. It's fairly lean once sipped, but balanced well between pomegranate fruit and dark spices.
Light in color and texture, it offers inviting perfumed violet aromas before weavings of raspberry and just-ripe cherry take over on the palate. Approachable and easygoing, a wine to enjoy now.
From 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, the tirage on this sparkling brut took place in 2008, the late-disgorgement in October 2013. The time in bottle has given it a honey-baked edge, sensibly dry, with highlights of baked apple and dried apricot.
Though already five years old, this wine still seems to need time. Notes of cocoa, coffee, pencil eraser and dusky spices are still coming into their own. The acidity is fresh with some dryness to the tannins that provides a bit of distraction but may just need some additional time to settle.
The nose of this off-dry Riesling is savory with scents of pressed apple and pear melding with smoked nuts and earth. The palate, by contrast, is ripe and rich with summer peaches. It's an interesting juxtaposition of profiles, and brisk acidity keeps it refreshing and quaffable.
Hints of nuts and pressed apple lend a savory tone to the nose of this off-dry Riesling, but the palate is fresh and fruity with crisp peach and apricot flavors. Tingly lemon-lime acidity jolts the palate towards a long, mineral-kissed finish.
Aromas recall black plum, raisin, dark spice and floral notes. The palate offers blackberry, bitter prune and black pepper accents alongside tightly-wound tannins that leave a drying finish.
This firm wine still needs to shed its youthful structure of tannin and bring out the underlying ripe fruits. It has weight, hints of juicy acidity and a medium-term potential. The end shows some of the natural concentration from old vines.
Made with Nebbiolo, this conveys the grape's trademark aromas of violet, rose and red berry. A touch of cinnamon adds interest to the wild cherry and crushed raspberry flavors while zesty acidity leaves a tangy finish.
This comes across a bit dilute on the nose, with aromas of green melon and underripe banana. The palate shows good weight, balance and a lightly oily texture. Minerally flavors of nectarine and peach finish solid, with lasting acidity providing support.
Mild strawberry and raspberry aromas show a touch of lactic-smelling oak. Zesty and energetic on the palate, this pumps out red-fruit and cocoa flavors in front of a juicy, fresh, slightly tangy finish.
Minerally blackberry aromas announce a tannic, firm palate. Flavors of dark, herbal berry fruits are earthy and stony, while a peppery, lightly herbal finish is solid and structured. This value-priced Monastrell-Syrah blend is fresh and well made.
Earthy and perfumed berry aromas get this off to a good start. The palate is chewy and medium in size, with straightforward blackberry flavors backed by a blast of coffee. The finish dries out quickly, leaving a peppery aftertaste.
Wood and ripe fruitiness are the hallmarks of this open, rounded wine.Attractive apple and citrus flavors give a lemon zest character. At the end, the acidity comes in strongly.
Though the blend leans heavily toward Tempranillo, it's the Syrah (16%) that shows itself with its notes of black pepper and smoked meat. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with tart, lively acidity and chalky firm tannins that need some time to settle. Best at the dinner table.
Leathery black-fruit aromas are not overly expressive but draw you in. This feels bright and juicy, with jumpy acidity. Flavors of boysenberry and blackberry finish long and fresh, with choppy acidity.
The bouquet of white peach and wet stones is fresh as can be. There's a rich texture to the palate, with flavors of cinnamon and spice accenting ripe pear. Finishes long and fairly full with some banana flavor.
A big style that manages to avoid tasting rustic or heavy. Starts with baked pastry shell, black cherry and plum, then adds in hints of licorice and black pepper. Could use a touch more richness in the midpalate, but closes nicely, with fresh acidity that perks up the fruit flavors.
A pretty nose, plummy and rich, with a nice toasty, roasted finish. Elegant and medium bodied, in a ripe year like this the fruit gets past all unripe flavors and into some nice, slightly leafy, pretty fruit with hints of cherry tobacco.
This Sangiovese has a lot going for it: a sweet maple-tinged aroma, a pretty ruby color, round but snappy plum and raspberry flavors, and a long, layered finish. But in the end it doesn't really sing, it's a bit hollow at the core, and there's an oak-driven, buttered popcorn note on the finish that leaves a heavy, lasting flavor.
A lot of shale in the soils adds interest to this elegant, light, fairly soft wine. Off-dry and balanced, it represents good value. Flavors of apples, pears and blossoms lead; a soft finish with a hint of caramel wraps it up.
This is a new kitchen-sink offering from Banfi, featuring Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. It goes full bore on the red fruit and oak, with spicy berry aromas and cherry flavors. The tannins are pretty hard, and with ample acids, this young wine currently starches the cheeks. But in three years it should become a good to very good table wine.
This is a firm wine, with up-front flavors of plum and berry, enhanced with finishing licks of vanilla and white chocolate. A bit of Cabernet Sauvignon (8%) adds punch.
Smoky, meaty and spicy, this wine boasts plenty of oak influence. The red berry fruit is somewhat subdued, with the flavors centered on earth and spice. Though lean, the mouthfeel is admirably silky, and pretty cranberry shadings appear on the finish.
A softer, more forward style than the Old Stage, showing more density and soft tannins. Light cherry fruit, good balance, texture, weight. Some hints of wood, earth and mineral too.
Lots of ripe apple and tropical fruits, lots of butterscotch and caramel flavors, but not too heavy. Good balance, good acids, a very appealing, forward style which isn't too oaky or heavy for food.
One of a range of single-vineyard wines from Château de Fuissé, this is powerful and complex. It's intense, with white fruit flavors that are laced with concentrated, wood-influenced notes. It has an opulent, generous feel, while remaining structured.
From this rich vintage comes this delicious, open wine. Flavors of tropical fruit and peach create an opulent and generous feel, with notes from having aged in wood offering complexity. It's concentrated and ageworthy, worth keeping for 4–5 years and more.
A firm, powerful wine, its tannins still very dominant. Acidity is a factor, along with deep red-plum fruit. Some sweetness will develop in the next several years, although this concentrated and complex wine will also have a solid core of dry, structured tannin. Age for at least five years.
This is complex and powerful, with its energy directed equally at the concentrated tannins and at the ripe damson and plum fruits. It's going to be a delicious wine—the wood element smoothing the firm edge. Age for at least five years.
Wood and ripe fruit flavors drive this explosively fruity wine. Its richness is balanced by the acidity from green apple and lime fruits. Spice from the wood aging adds piquancy, leads to a final burst of textured minerality.
This is modeled on southern Rhône blends—a fairly straightforward mix of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache. Grainy and smoky, with a slight charred aspect, this focused effort displays deep pomegranate fruit, soaked in soy, balsamic and other umami notes.
Structured and fully developed, this showcases the strong 2009 vintage, the Oppenlander Vineyard and the brilliance that is Baxter. Marked by bright black-cherry fruit and a heady perfume of rose, this carries itself with elegance and a light touch. This is Pinot Noir purposely made to pair with food.
This is concentrated, but it's all structure at this stage. It has rich black fruits that lie under the dense tannins, with a potentially rich powerhouse of flavor. It needs at least six years of aging.
This shows a hint of mineral along with tropical fruit. This is a seductive combination that shows richness and a taut, nervy character. Age for at least six years.
This is pure Cabernet that was sourced from four vineyards, with vines averaging 31 years. True noninterventionist winemaking is in play to make this chewy, tight and dark effort.This is grainy and dense, with notes of cassis, coffee and cacao. A thread of smoke and a touch of gravel contribute further to the concentrated finish.
Marvelous details of tea, honeysuckle and lemon mark the entry of this exceptional Riesling. It's vivid and textural, with terrific acidity, backbone and length—cellar worthy for sure.
This is grandiose, with ripe apricot and peach flavors—even a note of mango—that are allied to the wood notes. As a contrast, there is fine acidity and elegance, with a lemon zest edge that gives structure to this full, superripe, powerful effort.
Using grapes sourced from 50-year-old vines, this is a powerful expression of rich Chardonnay. It has great depth of flavor, with concentrated, intense and ripe yellow and white fruits, spiced from having aged in the wood. Allow to age for over five years.
Dark and bloody, this masterfully mixes layer upon layer of detail. Red meat, black olive, cassis and earth roll across the tongue, while hints of flower and chocolate linger in the nose. Complex, tart and earthy, this is as good as it gets in this price range.
Terre Rouge's loftiest undertaking every vintage, this Ascent is a blockbuster. It's gorgeously spicy and floral, with dark notes of pepper, violet and herb that will live long and prosper in time. Grapes used for this bottling are sourced from cool, high-elevation vineyards, providing the wine perfect balance between big, bold fruit and provocative acidity.
This is dark and wood laden, with sweet, rich fruit and a firm, dense structure. It has a full feel, and its opulence is likely to develop over the next 2–3 years.
This is crisp, with citrus and red apple fruits that are heightened by the taut structure. Nervy acidity adds to the tense feel while judicious layers of wood warm the finish. For long-term aging.
A wine with just the right Meursault opulence already the dominant character. The wine is fat, ripe, not losing sight of acidity or freshness, combining yellow fruits with a crisp, citrus final streak.
This is soft, full of ripe white fruit flavors. The wine is broad, showing some freshness along with the forward richness. It is likely to age relatively quickly.
The question is how much oak can you handle? If you like a heavily toasted, resiny type of full-bodied Chardonnay, add two or three points. If you absolutely hate that style, then subtract a few points. For those of us in between, look for resiny, toasty, heavy aromas on top of a thick, chewy palate full of baked apple and tons of wood spice. One-dimensional but well made.
This medium-bodied Barossa blend displays supple tannins and a silky finish, making it immediately accessible. Hints of smoke and sweat and complexity to the currant aromas and flavors.
This new baby from Crasto is an easygoing wine, full of berry fruits, gentle tannins. It is ready to drink, finishing softly and freshly.
Snoqualmie can legitimately lay claim to being Washington's most consistent and reliable producer of mass market, value-priced wines. This tart and racy Syrah is a fine example of the quality—no frills, but no fudging either. It tastes like fruit—blueberries and boysenberries, with some leafy, herbal tannins. In perfect balance, it's a fine every day wine with more flavor interest than most ten buck merlots and cabs.
This Primitivo opens with inviting peppery aromas, followed by bright fruit and spice overtones, along with a nice bead of acidity throughout. A good pizza and lasagna wine.
This Chianti Classico riserva offers black fruit aromas accented with spice, coffee and oak. The palate delivers black cherry, oak, vanilla and black pepper along with bracing tannins. It's a bit shy on fresh acidity and finishes on a drying, tannic note.
An obviously wood aged wine, with burnt toast and spice dominant at this young stage. Happily, there is enough black currant fruit and fruity acidity underneath to support this overdose of wood. Give it time to fully integrate, and drink from 2016.
A rich and rounded wine whose tannins are well buried in the ripe blackberry fruits. It's a dark wine, solidly dry at the core with great swathes of juicy fruit around. It's almost ready to drink so try it out in 2014.
A dry style of wine that only slowly reveals its juicy character to bring out a warmer, richer side. It also does show considerable toast and spiciness along with firm tannins all of which still need to fully integrate. So don't drink until 2016.
A huge wine, as indicated by the alcohol, this is dark, dense and extracted. It has bitter chocolate and sweet licorice flavors, strong signs of the wood aging, along with juicy blackberry fruit. Powerful and concentrated, it needs to age. Drink from 2016.
Coming from a single block of the winery's estate vineyard, it has notes of cranberry, black pepper, herbs and moist earth speckled with oak spices (30% new French). The palate has soft, sleek cherry flavors buffeted by firm tannins.
Light and lively, this is a bright, tangy, fruit-driven effort, with little or no evident barrel flavor. Apples and white peaches hold down the center, with a crisp, fresh finish.
This structured Barbera offers aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry and plum with light toasted notes. The palate delivers a tight core of black cherry with black pepper and licorice, layered with a hint of espresso. This still needs a year or two to fully unwind, so it's best after 2015.
Here's a smooth and juicy wine that has great black fruit aromas and flavors. It has good balance between the dry tannins and firm structure of Dão and the fruity character, meaning it is likely to develop over the medium term. Drink from 2015.
With great fragrance and just a touch of spiciness, this is full-bodied ripe wine. Along with the more exotic flavors, it has intense apple and nectarine fruit, and a bright, tight texture. Drink now, or age for a year.
A perfumed wine that is ripe and richly tannic, with the minerality of the Douro. It has weight, while also retaining elegance and rounded black fruits. Give this wine a few years, and drink from 2015.
Castello d'Albola's Chianti Classico has a typical fragrance of ripe berry accented with hints of violet and spice. The bright palate delivers ripe, red cherry and white pepper along with round tannins. Pair it with pasta topped with ragù or barbecued steaks.
A fresh, fruity and sophisticated wine, this offers acidity balanced by dry tannins. It has juicy black currant fruits, hints of mint and a bright, smoky feel. The wine will obviously age, so drink from 2016.
A well-balanced wine that both shows an herbaceous character and a ripe, full flavor that brings in yellow fruits and green plums. It has a well-judged hint of spice from wood aging to give extra richness. Drink from 2013.
The Stoller-sourced Pinot is forward and ripe, with pretty fruit flavors in a compact, light vintage. Cola, peach, black cherry and milk chocolate components swirl together, fading gently into a light finish. Drink over the next 2–3 years.
A heavily wood-aged wine, this wine has smoky, burnt-toast aromas. At the moment, ripe yellow-fruit flavors are submerged beneath this onslaught of wood, but it should integrate better, so give it until 2016.
A blend of Chardonnay and Touriga Nacional, this is a ripe, mature wine that shows a great balance between acidity and rich flavors of almond and toast. It has weight but still hints at freshness. This is a food sparkling wine.
This brut offers notes of citrus, stone fruit and Mediterranean herbs. It's fresh and linear, with an elegant perlage. The quenching finish closes on a note of bitter walnut.
Steely mineral notes accent luscious white grapefruit and yellow nectarine flavors on the nose of this delicate, yet lushly textured spätlese. It's softly sweet, with hints of honey and peach nectar, but bristling with acidity. A surprising bargain buy from Karl Josef.
Earthy berry and cola aromas are clean and ripe. This feels fresh on the tongue, with medium-level weight and power. Flavors run toward cassis and berry but fade quickly, with little to the finish. This is Garnacha with 25% Tempranillo.
A ripe and fruity wine, the lemon flavors are complemented by rich melon and orange zest. It's a wine that has a dense texture, with the acidity well integrated into the fruitiness.
This Trebbiano is fermented in concrete tanks with no selected yeasts. The nose isn't very expressive but the palate shows restrained notes of golden apple, lemon drop and flint. This is already evolved and starting to fade so enjoy soon.
Here's a delightful and frothy dessert wine made from the aromatic Malvasia di Candia grape that expresses sweet peach, grapefruit, ginger and sage flavors. It has a silky texture and a refreshing finish. Pair this with pastries or Sunday brunch.
Castle Rock is one of the most reliable sources of inexpensive Columbia Valley red wines. Ignore the generic label—what's inside the bottle is well-made. Light flavors of black cherry, soft tannins and a finishing flourish of mocha and red apple give this both lift and length.
This is pure Viognier, finishing in a moderately sweet, dessert-friendly style. There is a candied sensation to the mouthfeel, and the fruit seems rather thin. Light flavors of orange pekoe carry into a gentle finish.
This lemon- and pear-flavored wine has an attractive, fresh fruitiness, tight acidity and a very crisp feeling. It is light and bright.
Scents and flavors of toasted grain introduce this pretty wine that boasts accents of citrus blossom. Hints of peach skin carry some bite in the back of the mouth. Serve chilled and drink soon.
Hints of wet granite and tobacco lend a savory note to tart cranberry and cherry flavors in this earthy offering. Full bodied in style with layers of soft, fine-grained tannins, it has a bold earthy and leathery finish.
This deep-colored Malbec hits hard with cola and blackberry aromas. It's a muscular, oaky specimen on the palate, with noticeable tannins. Flavors of wood and toast are in the lead, followed by black fruits, clove and lemon rind. Drink now through 2016.
This pale pink rosé is 100% Cinsault--an oddity in the Rhône, where so many wines are blended. It's only moderately weighty and rather crisp, with tart, citrusy notes and hints of underripe stone fruit, giving it a straightforward, linear appeal.
Aromas of briny red fruits, dried cheese and brick dust set up a grabby, raw feeling palate with flavors of roasted berry fruits, cassis, rubber and earth. A standard finish with a touch of heat confirms that this is solid everyday stuff.
From Sardinia, this is a delightful rosé made with native grapes. It offers strawberry, crushed cherry and myrtle berry aromas that carry over to the palate along with a slightly sweet finish.
Sourced from a host of vineyards, many of them in Sonoma County, this is an intensely dark, weighty Chardonnay with a taste of sour lemon and apple, rich in oak with a clean finish.
This Bordeaux-style blend is bone dry and scented strongly with dried leaves, earth and herbs. The lightly-ripened fruit suggests pomegranate and rhubarb.
A distinctive, fruit forward wine with notes of blueberry and ash. It's fresh with tannins adding gruffness.
Smoky berry aromas come with notes of rubber band and earth. A chunky, full-bodied, rubbery-feeling palate comes next, followed by herbal flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Prune, blueberry and hard spice flavors finish in Bordeaux style.
Dry, spicy, leathery aromas are herbal but solid. This feels full and balanced but rudimentary, with cherry, cassis, chocolate and herbal flavors. A finish of dark-fruit flavors comes with overt oak notes, peppery spice and heat.
Graphite and vanilla aromas are offset by herbal, stemmy notes of hard spice and mint. The palate shows tomatoey acidity and flavors of pie cherry, tart plum, cherry tomato and vanilla. As might be expected given the precedings, the finish is cleansing and high in acid.
While this Grüner does not give away too much on its rather closed nose, the savory hints of pepper, arugula, pear and thyme unite beautifully and insistingly on the midpalate. The wine gets full marks for refreshing, authentic typicity.
The mighty partnership between the Hyde and de Villaine families shows maturity in this vineyard-designated wine, from the Hyde's well-respected site. Ripe golden pear delivers a richness to the palate that is offset by floral minerality and a pleasant texture of citrus and spice.
Made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with aromas of forest floor, blue flower, black fruit, graphite and a balsamic note. The juicy palate delivers crushed black cherry, white pepper, clove and licorice alongside polished tannins. Drink through 2018.
Tingling lemon and grapefruit pith make for a tantalizing experience in this white made from several vineyard sources throughout the Napa Valley. Saline and wet stone provide the minerality, with a searing seasoning of lemongrass. The wine finishes on a tart, herbal note that yearns to be matched with seafood.
While intensely floral from nose to finish, this subtly nuanced Riesling has a more savory side as well, offsetting stark lemon, tangerine and lime flavors against wet stone and clay. It's ethereal and light on the palate, but finishes boldly with a lingering murmur of astringency.
While demure on the nose, this dry, seemingly diminutive Riesling builds in power and concentration on the palate. It's fairly low in alcohol, with an unassuming gradation of flavors ranging from lime to lemon and grapefruit, but its rippling textural expanse lends persistence and gravitas.
This wine intoxicates aromatically in wild cherry and strawberry before entering into an entirely different direction of feral earth. Softly smooth on the palate, it's enjoyable now and an interesting taste experience, with an unfussy finish.
Earthy aromas of truffle, leather, tar, crushed plum and a hint of mocha lead the nose. The vibrant palate delivers black cherry, raspberry, graphite, tobacco and a licorice note alongside firm, polished tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
There's a lightness of being to this wine that makes it ethereal. Light in texture and body, layers of earthy strawberry and red cherry remain crisp and fresh on the palate, with a faint aroma of rose petal marking the bouquet.
Barrel aromas of vanilla, coconut and cocoa take the lead on this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, followed by dried cherry and plum. The cranberry and sour-cherry flavors are concentrated and disclose an intriguing mixture of tart and sweet.
Nutty flavors of new oak signal a more international style of Pinot, but the underlying fruit speaks eloquently of ripe, red cherry and offers glimpses of raspberry. Subtle spice plays around the edges. The palate is rounded and soft but has a refreshing vein of acidity.
Lighter in color, this blend of Conner Lee, Red Mountain Vineyard and Elephant Mountain fruit has aromas of freshly brewed coffee, dark chocolate, toasty barrel spices and red fruit, with the barrel notes taking the lead. It's silky-soft in feel, with generous raspberry flavors that show a pleasing sense of balance, all backed by a light squeeze of tannins.
Another of the producer's estate-grown offerings, this vineyard-designate is bittersweet on the palate, rich and yet softly smooth in anise and waxy apple. Plenty of acidity buoys the experience, adding to the wine's ability to stay crisply refreshing on the finish.
All the characteristic pepperiness of Zweigelt swings enticingly on nose and palate of this fresh-faced wine. This is medium bodied, fruit-driven and made incredibly appetizing by white pepper notes that pervade and complement the cherry fruit. Vibrant fruit singles this out.
Combined with 20% Grenache, this full-bodied, fruit-forward wine brings sweet aromas and flavors of raspberry jam and plum. Aged in mostly neutral oak, it possesses purity that carries through the finish.
Intensely earthy, this wine hails predominantly from Susanna's Vineyard, a site in the heart of the Green Valley section of the larger Russian River Valley that's known for its elevation and coolness. Here, crisp raspberry and cherry do provide a sense of that coolness, but the wine develops into a substantial behemoth of full-bodied richness and weight, with a powerful, peppery finish.
Sourced from six different vineyards, this is a broadly pleasing wine, fruity in blackberry and raspberry that veers even into cranberry and cassis territory without getting bogged down. Substantial and lush, it's tightly woven in tannin and savory herb, ready to open itself over time. Patience will reward with more exotic interweavings of vanilla-cola and tea.
The producer continues to impress with this variety, an increasingly popular wine for her loyal followers and beyond. Rich in crème brûlée and vanilla, it's layered and well-textured, a mix of pear and orange blossom with a tropical edge that finishes with a nice lift of minerality.
This is a big, bold, but welcoming wine with tons of flavor, plenty of tannin but an almost silky texture that invites another sip. The deep red-black color goes almost to the rim. Aromas are like apple skin and red cherries and the flavor suggests blackberries. Its richness without heaviness helps it stand out from the pack.
Faint notes of peony and oak play above the red plum fruit, leading to a wonderfully peppery, oak-scented but nonetheless very refreshing red. This is an ambitious rendition of slender, fruity Zweigelt in oak that does justice to the peppery, fresh nature of this variety.
Zweigelt can do easy-drinking styles but in the right hands, it can also turn into something more elegant. That's the case here: This exudes sophistication. Subtle use of oak supports the supple structure and gives the ripe red cherry fruit a more velvety spin. While this is ready now, it may well get even better with a year or two in bottle.
This wine shows roasted beef with blackberry crust, fresh-cracked black pepper and tarry asphalt on the nose. The asphalt and charred meat play strongly on the heavy-duty palate that also offers blackberry balsamic reduction. It's brawny and burly, perhaps too much so for the everyday drinker.
This is textbook Central Otago Pinot, from the nuances of wild thyme to the bold cherry fruit and mouthwatering finish. This medium-bodied wine is structured enough to last several years, but soft enough to drink now.
Made with organically farmed grapes, this blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot highights earthy aromas of underbrush, moist earth and dark berry. The lively palate offers ripe black cherry, nectarine zest and a hint of ground pepper while ripe tannins provide the framework. Enjoy through 2016.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, tar and game lead the nose. The earthy aromas carry over to the palate along with mature plum, juicy black cherry, truffle, tobacco and graphite. Smooth tannins soften up the wine's rustic, forward nature.
Hailing from 11 different vineyards located across the Columbia Valley, this appealing, 100% varietal wine provides aromas of toasty spices, dried herbs, cocoa and jammy dark fruit. The cranberry, coffee and blackberry flavors are sweet and focused, backed by chewy, lightly dry tannins that need time to soften.
Beautifully aromatic notes of Williams pear on the nose give way to a far more streamlined palate of zesty grapefruit. This is slender, zippy and totally refreshing with its lemony brightness.
A big-boned wine with a juicy midpalate, this round, plush expression of the variety offers welcome layers of dark cherry, raspberry and plum nicely accentuated with clove and sage.
Full bodied and well balanced, this wine has a broad, mouthfilling texture and enough concentration to carry its rich fruit notes into the finish. Cedar and black currant aromas meet black cherry and blackberry flavors, while a layer of fine-grained tannins frames the whole picture.
2015's ripe red cherry fruit is presented here in a compact, taut, and concentrated package of freshness and verve. It has lovely pepper spice and ample freshness, giving focus to its lovely, crunchy, fresh cherry fruit.
Yeasty bready aromas are more smooth and leesy than fruity. This has a round palate that's full but not creamy due to firm acidity. Melon, peach and vanilla flavors finish yeasty and dry, with moderate complexity. This is made entirely from Pinot Noir.
Creamy butter and vanilla aromas suggest richness in this vineyard-designated wine, and its body and texture are equally full. Spicy oak and nutmeg flavors accent its dense, ripe apple and pear flavors, adorned in caramelized honey.
A generous ripe wine that has tannins that have been tamed by the dominance of the black fruitiness. The wine is smooth, ready to drink with its soft generous texture. Great fruit and rich tannins are well integrated. The wine finishes with a lift of acidity.
Father-and-son vintners Joe and Sam Miller consistently deliver solid wines, including this twist-top Merlot that's aged in 50% new French oak. Its boysenberry fruit is awash in the green peppercorn, herb and crushed graphite character associated with the mountainous region. That pyrazine touch hits the palate, along with black pepper and dark chocolate spice, accenting the tangy red fruit.
This bulky bullish Malbec opens with big tarry aromas that go heavy on the oak. The palate is tannic like the clack-clack of heels on a tile floor. This tastes earthy, oaky and like blackberry, while the finish echoes with those same flavors. Drink through 2023.
Dry spicy aromas accent woodsy berry scents. A tight focused palate jabs with acidity and poking tannins, while this tastes of lightly herbal cherry and berry fruit. Spicy flavors on a healthy finish help this along.
Structured and alluring, this opens with yellow stone fruit, tomato vine and chopped herb aromas. The enveloping palate doles out juicy yellow peach, grapefruit and savory thyme notes while tangy acidity lends balance.
As gamy as foie gras, and just as rich, this 100% varietal wine fills the palate with baked plum, licorice and intense ripe fruit that borders on confected. Soft tannins and supportive oak give it structure and breadth.
Oregon is loaded with inexpensive Pinot Noirs these days, but very few are estate grown and carry the Willamette Valley AVA. Pretty and aromatic with engaging scents of cherries and cream, this has immediate appeal. Drink with pork, poultry, salmon and salads—this is your go-to, anytime bottle.
This full-bodied and robustly concentrated wine has chocolate and cherry aromas, rich and ripe plum and blackberry flavors and layers of chocolate and vanilla on the palate and finish. It feels broad and juicy in texture, too.
Admirably concentrated and complex, this is a medium- to full-bodied wine. Passion fruit and snap pea notes combine with citrus zest on the nose, palate and long, mouthwatering finish.
Piercing aromas of char and creosote are like a laser pop surrounded by a note of blackberry. This is raw, tannic and hard on the palate. Chunky berry flavors are heavily oaked, while this is jammy in feel and tastes of blueberry on the finish. Drink through 2021.
Ripe berry fruit and gritty oak aromas lead to a full-bodied blocky palate with grating tannins. This is a heavily oaked blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot. Flavors of blackberry, vanilla and wood spice finish with barrel char and depth. Drink through 2023.
A dry style with just enough acid to lend focus and length, this is a fine effort from Simon Waghorn, the owner-winemaker. Hints of baking spices and ginger lend nuance to the apple, pear, melon and citrus fruit.
Mild notes of tomato leaf accent this wine's refreshing white-grapefruit aromas and flavors. It's medium in body and dry, finishing long and elegant. Drink now.
Delicately scented, this offers yellow stone-fruit and citrus aromas. The bright, savory palate mirrors the nose, offering ripe yellow-peach, nectarine and golden apple flavors, while tangy acidity provides balance and freshness.
From the mountains above the winery, this blends 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 24% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. The result is a harmonious palate of dried herb, cedar and pungent violet flavors. Full-bodied concentration makes it rugged, accented with toasted oak.
Although not super complex, this wine offers a great taste of little used grapes like Counoise and Cinsault. A sharp red cinnamon spice note kicks off the nose, with rose petal and cranberry scents that follow. The palate offers candied sour cherry and peppercorn flavors.
This traditional method  sparkler opens with a genteel toastiness on the nose and palate. Fresh and bright fruit flavors suggest apples dusted with cinnamon. It's vintage dated and sourced from a single vineyard. Beware when opening–the cork virtually exploded from the bottle as soon as the capsule was loosened!
Scratchy and dry on the nose, this turns lean and borderline sour in the mouth, with acidity running the show. Very zesty, with mild oak influence, this is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Carmenère.
This is charred and burnt smelling, with a rubbery, hickory aroma that covers up the wine's cherry and berry scents. The palate bears flavors of raspberry, pie cherry and green herb, finishing quick as a flash, with tannic residue.
Basic citrus and apple aromas lead to a round palate that won't stay fresh for much longer. It tastes melony and green, with lettuce flavors and a flat finish.
This is nearly indistinguishable from Arauco's standard 82-point 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, smelling stalky, with zero pungency or varietal character. It shows lemony acids, but that's about all.
Other than notes of white flowers and green herbs on the nose, this wine is all about canned peas and beans. The palate has texture and flesh, but the flavors are vegetal.
This is oily and strained on the nose and fleshy in the mouth. It tastes herbal and quasi weedy, with a matchstick note on the finish.
This wine takes you on a trip to an outer wine world where deep, cushioned berry aromas come with exotic perfumes, bath oils and crushed flower petals. It's ultrasaturated and jammy, but not clunky or heavy. This tastes like a storm of blackberry, espresso and Swiss chocolate, while black spices and length bring up the rear. A blend of 50% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cab Franc; drink now–2017.
With its concentration and dark tannins, this is a wine that will need many years of aging. It is a serious combination of great style and great power. From one of the top Douro vineyards, this is a wine with an impressive, long-lasting sense of presence.
Warm spice and oak tones accent fresh apples and lemons on this full-bodied Chardonnay. It's not subtle with a dense slick of caramel that extends along the midpalate, but a kick of lemon-lime acidity on the finish adds some levity.
Aromas of freshly cracked pepper and boysenberry introduce this wine. Once sipped, the promised complexity slips away, with plum flavors and even tannins but not much lingering finish. Serve with burgers and meatloaf.
Sourced entirely from the Benches vineyard, this screw-capped wine shows a lot of SO2 when first opened, so plan on decanting if at all possible. Once it clears up it's a leesy, fresh white wine with flavors of apples and pears, lightly dusted with cinnamon spice.
The alcohol has dropped to just above 12% in this vintage, and the wine seems a tad underripe. Overtly grassy and pungent, it suggests with petrol, gooseberry and green banana. Drink it well-chilled.
This funky white from the island of Mallorca is 50% Premsal and 50% Callet, and if you've never heard of those grapes you're not alone. The nose is a bit harsh and strange, while the palate is on the flat side. Flavors of ham, pithy citrus and nectarine finish jumbled. This is more of a unique oddity than great white wine.
Showing its wood strongly, this toasty wine seems to have lost the fruit. Some attractive acidity at the end helps compensate. Drink now.
Spritzy, lively and quite dry, this mixes citrus rind phenolics with apple and pear fruit. It's simple, fruity and searingly tart.
Light pepper, cassis and a hint of leather form the nose on this wine from a brand founded in 1994 specifically to deliver quality wines at affordable prices. The palate offers grilled meat and roasted root-vegetable flavors. Fairly gripping tannins mean that this wine could survive through 2017.
This dense Aglianico opens with aromas that recall resin, nail polish remover, stewed plum and chocolate. The meaty palate offers overripe black cherry and prune alongside aggressive tannins but it's evolved and shy on freshness. It finishes abruptly, with an astringent, tannic close.
Smoke and crushed granite lend a mineral tone to bright raspberry and cherry notes on this concentrated, juicy Pinot Noir. Sour cherry and red currant penetrate the palate, extending to a slightly astringent finish. Drink now to enjoy its youthful, fruity character.
A wisp of smoke lends nuance to aromas of apple and white peach on this dry, refreshingly citric Chardonnay. The palate builds in bulk and body with concentrated flavors of savory apples layered in smoke and earth. Drink now.
Fresh and fruity, this crisp wine comes from a region near Chablis. Good acidity, lively citrus and a cool feel all work well together.
This unpretentious wine has a light fragrance of blue flower and black berry, while the simple palate offers fleeting black cherry flavors.
This thick, extracted wine is made from 70% Pallagrello and 30% Casavecchia grapes, a portion of which was overripened on the vine. It opens with aromas of leafy underbrush, oak, toast, prune and vanilla. The lumbering, monolithic palate is sugary-sweet, offering vanilla extract, toasted oak and sugar plum.
This tangy rosé opens with a burst of tart strawberry fruit, and rolls into a lightly creamy midpalate. It's in the peppery, tannic style of rosé, making it a good match for more substantial foods.
This wine opens with aromas of sawdust, oak, tire rubber, coffee and mature black fruit. The palate is also dominated by wood sensations, offering oak extract, roasted coffee bean, vanilla and espresso that smother the hints of ripe black plum that peek through.
The wine is soft, fruity and ready to drink, with attractive fruitiness, soft acidity and a touch of wood. With a crisp aftertaste, it offers freshness as well.
A tight, mineral-driven wine, it has both great fruit and acidity. It is tangy, pushing forward crisp lemon and apple skin flavors and a touch of peach. Drink now.
A juicy blend of Nero d'Avola and Nerello Mascalese, this wine offers blackberry and black cherry flavors in a friendly, easy-drinking style. It's perfect for everyday dinners and informal occasions.
Made from organically grown grapes, this opens with earthy aromas of tilled earth and ripe black fruit. The simple, one-dimensional palate delivers mature blackberry and plum alongside a fleeting note of black pepper. Enjoy soon.
This wine is 100% varietal and fermented and aged in stainless steel. It starts out quite reductive before opening to reveal perfumed notes of rose petal, lychee and spice. The palate is off dry (16g/L residual sugar), broad and oily in feel.
A deeply golden Chardonnay from E & J Gallo's Edna Valley brand, this wine starts with a tightly wound nose, faintly offering tart apple, lemon rind and a slight herbal character. An elegant but brief flavor of perfumed pear washes away quickly without much finish.
This Aglianico opens with aromas of new oak, vanilla, chocolate and overripe black fruit, all of which carry over to the one-dimensional palate. It seems tired, and the sugary sweetness, dense concentration and evident alcohol give the wine a lumbering character.
Here is a steely, bright Sauvignon Blanc that's rounded in citrus, melon and herbal flavors, finishing clean and with ample acidic lift.
Tannic and earthy, it falls on the dark, herbal side, cloaking its cassis fruit in flavors of tannin and stem. It's best drunk with grilled meats, or a good, greasy pizza.
Mild, innocuous aromas of white fruits are pleasant but undefined. This feels round and benefits from acidic lift, while flavors of orange and nectarine finish in a friendly manner. This is mostly Viura with some Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc.
Stalky aromas infiltrate schisty plum and berry scents, while in the mouth this Garnacha-led blend of five grapes is jammy feeling. Stalky, roasted berry flavors are strong, while the finish is stalky tasting and gritty in feel.
This is black as night, concentrated and shows aromas of asphalt, lemon peel and blackberry. The palate is round and soft, with mellow tannins. The flavor profile is very ripe and focuses on prune and blackberry, while the finish is loamy in feel, with a licorice hint.
Fleshy and ripe with flavors of sweet yellow peach touched with honey, this is an easy going medium-sweet Riesling. There's a touch of savory smoke and spice that persists from nose to finish, but overall, it's bright and sunny with lingering lemon acidity.
Powerfully structured and concentrated, this is a rich, tarry and tannic wine. The dense texture doesn't lose sight of the jammy black currant and berry fruits that are just underneath. For the moment, even after four years, the wine is very young, firm and dry. Drink from 2018.
Is there any doubt that 2012 is a superb vintage for South Australian Shiraz? Here's another fine example, boasting sumptuous levels of black cherry fruit framed by hints of brown sugar, roasted meat, cinnamon and allspice. It's full-bodied and richly textured, with a long, velvety finish. Drink 2018–2030.
On top of being made from organically grown grapes, this wine is vegan friendly. Of course, that means nothing unless the wine is good. Thankfully, this wine is excellent. Apricot, honey and ginger notes mingle easily on the palate. Drink this full-bodied, slightly open-knit wine over through 2017.
A compelling effort, stylish and dark, this has a crisp minerality that underpins fruit flavors of black cherry, fig and plum. The texture, length and definition are first-rate.
It's rare to find a Sémillon in Portugal, let along the Alentejo. And yet the wine works beautifully. Wood aging has given it sophistication while the natural creamy texture of the grape is enhanced by the ripe yellow fruits that are lightly lifted by a herbal, citrus aftertaste. This wine could well age, so drink now or, better, keep until 2017.
A seductive smoky, earthy aroma leads to big and tart cranberry and raspberry flavors, surrounded by a velvety blanket of fine tannins that make the wine lip-smacking and mouthwatering. There is somewhat more frame than filling, so this will appeal more to fans of tension and elegance than power.
Pure notes of tart but ripe, red apple shine on nose and palate. They pervade this fresh, clean and dry wine with immense, appetizing juiciness. There is concentration and joy at the heart, backed by focussed, taut acidity that brightens everything. The lemon zest on the finish is impressive and long.
Honeysuckle spice wraps itself around luscious, ripe, sweet peach fruit. The sweet palate reinforces this aromatic duo. This is fluid and round, indulgent and rich, but inflected with charming orange peel freshness.
This wine has pleasing richness, lending warmth across a full palate. Forward berry and cherry flavors fill the mouth, offering an accessible burst of fresh flavor in a somewhat blocky frame. There's a jolt of spice and a streak of cola, all quite tasty. The wine spent 19 months in 53% new French oak.
Pretty is the word that comes to mind upon sniffing and sipping this wine, with its beguiling strawberry and cherry fruit. It gathers strength in its core, while maintaining an elegant, well-structured acid/tannin frame. It's an outstanding value in Oregon Pinot from a top producer.
Faint rose petal notes still perfume the peachy fruit. The palate is rich, medium sweet and honeyed, as though peach and citrus were soaked in honey. This is fresh and rich, rounded and poised, tipping the scales just a little bit more on the rich side. The spice on the finish is reminiscent of honeysuckle.
The bitter-sweet edge of dark fir honey engulfs nose and palate which nonetheless has a core of bright, ripe, juicy and slightly sweet pear. The sweetness sings with that bitter tinge. This is rich but fresh and balanced and leaves with an off-dry aftertaste of more honey.
Produced from vines located between Chavignol and Sancerre, this comes from pure chalk soil. It is crisp while having a warmer, more rounded character. It's full of apple and pineapple as well as citrus fruits which are added to the young, tight mineral texture. Aromatic and ripe, the wine should age a year or two and will be better from 2017.
Broad berry/cherry fruit flavors open up quickly, with lighter accents of compost and leather. This is a smooth, somewhat loose-knit wine, with pretty baking spices decorating the finish.
Minerality takes center stage in this light-footed but penetrating dry Riesling. While the fruit profile is zesty and green—suggesting tart, under-ripe lime, tangerines and melon rinds—the palate is gilded by slick layers of candlewax and petrol, lending a dense, voluminous mouthfeel. It's an elegant, stately wine to drink now through 2023.
More blossomy and mineral than ripe or ruddy, there's a demure elegance to this bristling off-dry Riesling. Crisp, almost crystalline flavors of tangerine and yellow peach accentuate and lengthen the palate. It's a deftly cutting wine to drink now through 2020.
This tiny winery burst on the scene when its 2010 Cabernet scooped three trophies at the Margaret River Wine Show. This wine does show more weight and richness than the 2012, with a silky, satiny texture rarely found in young Cabernet Sauvignon and crisp, cassis-inflected fruit. Drink now–2030.
Wide streaks of saffron, caramel and honey along with a deep mineral core hint to the maturity of this complex sparkling Riesling. Rich yellow cherry and peach flavors persist on the palate, buoyed by soft, delicate mousse and striking lemonade acidity.
Violet red in the glass, this wine features a bouquet of cherry, violet and vanilla. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, anise, ground black pepper and green bell pepper are fixed in a framework of tannins that offer full mouthfeel right into the orange peel finish.
This fragrant, musky wine is scented with dried rose petals, spiced cranberries, pepper and chocolate. It rolls comfortably into a full-bodied core with cherry cobbler, medium length and polished tannins.
Right away, this smells smooth and complete, with a proper mix of berry fruit, oak and earthy aromas. This is Salentein winemaker José Galante's personal wine, and it's juicy on the palate and doesn't overreach. Blackberry, boysenberry and salty, meaty notes finish with a persistent dose of salt, which should make this all the more appropriate when served with beef. Drink through 2022.
The wine is ripe, still young with its fresh fruits and acidity. The elements are all there to produce a dark and dense wine that has fine structure. It's a complex blend of Alfrocheiro, Syrah and Touriga Nacional, all of which will allow the wine to age over a good few years. Drink this impressive wine from 2017.
This pure Arinto from its home territory is fresh, fruity, citrus-driven and with apple and textured zesty orange flavors. The wine has structure, intense acidity and a tangy, mineral character that will allow it to mature a few more months. Drink now, but better from late 2016.
Almost black in color, this is a hugely dense, dark wine. It brings out the tannic side of the grape with hints of black coffee and dark chocolate. Under all this concentration, there is some fruit that is still waiting to get out: black plum and black currants with fresh acidity. Just wait until 2017.
Lovely scents of orchard fruit, citrus, almond blossom and a whiff of light baking spice emerge on this radiant wine. The lively, balanced palate delivers yellow apple, bitter almond, ginger and a note of tangerine zest. A salty note closes the finish.
Made with 80% Chardonnay and 20% Friulano, this amber-colored wine boasts more fruit richness than many other wines from the orange wine movement. Loaded with ripe apricot, candied citrus zest, dried herbs and crushed stone, this is brightened by lively acidity on the palate. A perfect introduction to the genre; Drink now–2016.
A foundation of thick tannin and oak give size and weight to this full-bodied wine that offers waves of smoky leather, cedar, tar and black cherry on the nose and palate. More savory than fruity, it is a compelling expression of this relatively cooler appellation in the Napa Valley. Drink now through 2020.
This wine opens in classically delicate characteristics of clove and cedar, as expressive as a forest floor. It then unveils a combination of red and black plum deftly sifted through soft layers of integrated oak and tannin.
Rich wine showing all the spicy character that comes with Gewurztraminer. It is on the dry side while having some softness from its lychee perfumes. Fine as an apéritif or with pâté and Chinese food. Screwcap.
Despite being fairly young, this is a weighty wine with a gold color and waxy apple aromas. A blocky mouthfeel is oily and has enough acidity to stay lively. Flavors of chunky apple, peach and melon lead to a round, oily feeling finish.
An upfront aroma of red currant leads the bouquet of this wine, with a secondary hint of bell pepper that carries over to the palate. It has a tight core of red cherry and raspberry flavors alongside some green vegetal notes and brash tannins.
Sharply herbal, this shows a bit of a green edge, which comes across as bitterness on the finish. The pale red-fruit flavors hint at thistle and bramble more than ripe berry, but the balance is there to carry the wine well with food.
Made in a family winery based in San Francisco that sources fruit mainly from Lodi, this Sauvignon Blanc is rich with fig and Nilla Wafer notes, with a pretty, floral nose.
This is a fruity, wood-aged wine, showing spice and coffee flavors that complement ripe blackberry fruit. It's smooth in texture and has just the right touch of acidity. The wine is ready to drink. Screwcap.
Considering the coolness of the vintage, this wine seems surprisingly ripe with notes of cherry, strawberry, herbs and ash. It's thick and weighty in feel, making it seem a bit ponderous.
Coming from the warm, dry 2012 vintage, this is straight down the fairway with notes of apple, pear and herbs, with the alcohol providing some distraction on the finish.
This has aromas of toasted oak, espresso and spice that carry over to the palate along with dark fruit undertones. It's lean and linear without enough rich fruit to carry the assertive oak.
This leads with violet, berry and chocolate aromas, followed by plum and black cherry flavors laced with hints of espresso. It's simply structured with fresh acidity and solid tannins.
This barrique-aged Chianti Classico shows cherry and espresso aromas. It has very ripe cherry and raspberry flavors that are just shy of overripe, along with vanilla and coffee notes. You'll also find drying wood tannins that cut the palate short. David Bowler Wines, Lemma Wine Company.
Greg Graziano blends 81% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Pinot Grigio for a dynamite combination of tropical guava flavor, bracing acidity, and a pronounced hit of grapefruit on the finish.
Black fruit, clove, char and mocha are the primary aromas on this heavily oaked, saturated Monastrell. The palate shows bullish tannins, bold acids and weight, while dark-leaning flavors of blackberry, stewed plum and mint come with enough acidity to cut through the wine's fat and oak.
Fragrant and fruity, this is a bright, crisp and clean wine that's totally ready to drink. Lively, with a cool feeling like the nearby ocean's breezes, it finishes with light acidity.
Made with organic grapes, this internationally-styled wine is still very much on its oak and is dominated by toasted wood, coffee and espresso sensations. Although the palate also shows a ripe plum flavor, it has an abrupt finish from drying wood tannins.
Spice notes from wood aging gives this wine a rounded character. Ripe berry fruits show strongly so drink soon while its fruitiness lasts. Screwcap.
Dark and ominous in color, with a grapy, rustic, smoky nose, this Garnacha is high in acid, rubbery and tannic on the palate. Semisour black-plum flavors finish equally tannic and acidic.
Leesy vanilla aromas are bland and don't amount to much. The palate follows suit, with additional briny melon flavors.
Powdery bath-soap aromas are odd on the nose. The mealy palate boasts flavors of bitter melon and papaya.
This is overtly rustic, roasted, leathery and strange on the nose. A wide but wayward palate seems sluggish, while rubbery black-fruit and burnt-wood flavors finish with murky berry tones.
Aromas of spiced tomato, clove and rubber gloves don't click or suggest much quality. A cloying, sugary palate with mucky berry flavors is less than stellar, as is a sticky finish that tastes like strawberry jam.
Rough, stalky, yeasty aromas are all over the map. Lemony acidity renders this tight as a drum, while bitter, stalky flavors finish wheaty and bitter. This Tempranillo Blanco is barely worth a go; the pleasure factor is at base level.
This has a deeper-than-usual yellow-gold color, and slight aromas and flavors that are more earthy and nutty than fruity. It is difficult to find the varietal character. It's a basic, rather full-bodied and drinkable white wine.
Salted apples and white rocks are marred by metallic aromas. Rounded flavors of ripe lemon curds are also hit with metallic flavors throughout.
Odd aromas of clove are smoky but mostly come across as weird and forced. This has a lactic, creamy mouthfeel with soft edges. The flavor profile is all wood, and resiny, clove-driven wood at that. A severely sweet, cloying, resiny finish is a lot to deal with.
Pickled, briny aromas lead to a palate defined only by pithy citrus fruit. This tastes mostly of bitter citrus, while the finish brings herbacious tones.
This smells and tastes quite buttery, which is unusual for the variety, and has a thick texture to go with it. Fruit aromas and flavors are pretty sparse, and the balance leans toward soft.
This is a light, fruity and off-dry wine. It has splashes of lemon and sweet citrus, with a crisp finish.
Feral, feline, sweaty aromas precede an awkward palate with bitter flavors of weedy berry, citrus fruits and pyrazines. A scallion-like quality drives the finish on this strange, bitter rosé.
Right away this goes wrong; the nose is smothered with charred, burning oak that smells harsh and like chemicals. A tannic, resiny palate is barely acceptable, as are bitter, burnt, resiny blackberry flavors.
This wine has a rustic, unclean quality. At a high alcohol level it also tastes disjointed, all about heat without fruit.
This is fleshy and dilute up front, then heavy and globular in feel. Pickled melon and vegetal stone-fruit flavors finish weak.
This smells forced and grapy, with murky undertones. Flabby on the palate, this organic red tastes nutty and earthy. An aftertaste of mulch and peanut is off base and highly questionable.
Seductively smooth and intriguingly aromatic, this blend of several knock-out vineyards along Westside Road—Allen, Bacigalupi, Bucher, Rochioli Riverblock and Williams Selyem Estate—is instantly delicious, sharing a concentration of cherry, strawberry and citrus that perfectly captures the essence of the fruit, accented by a tease of black tea. An earthy minerality wraps around dry, polished tannins, with a streak of just-right acidity, giving it a realm of juiciness and flavorful sophistication. Enjoy through 2023.
This wine is deliciously elegant yet decadently rich in all the right ways, from a prime, longtime vineyard source planted to vines over 40 years old. Honeyed apple comes to the fore amid lush, formidable layers of complexity and high-minded pursuit, never getting bogged down, the minerality perfectly pitched and the oak fully integrated.
Earthy aromas of tilled soil, truffle, leather, black cherry and cedar lead the nose on this rich but elegant wine. The concentrated, smooth palate delivers juicy blackberry, black currant, freshly ground peppercorn, licorice, milk chocolate and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Stunning and delicious, it's already drinking beautifully but it will also maintain for years. Drink through 2025.
Silky, with pronounced tannins that should mellow in time, this is an earthy, stemmy and perfumed wine. Succulent and balanced, it's brightly exuberant in black cherry yet brooding and complex throughout, changing slightly from savory to floral and back again. It's an incredible wine out of the gate; cellar with confidence, through 2021.
This wine comes from a new vineyard source for the producer, who continues to astound with Chardonnay. The site rises to well-crafted heights in the winemaker's hands. Made in a small quantity, the wine offers zesty lemon intensity and concentrated acidity, the entire balanced experience rewarding in its bright complexity.
Lusciously ripe, almost honeyed, pear fruit emanates from the glass. Underneath that is grapefruit zest and pith and a herbal, stony, earthy edge. The palate is rich and curvaceous but completely toned by a pervasive, lemony acidity that lends drive and linearity. This is already approachable, which is not to say that it doesn't promise a lot of mileage: this will go on and unfold its facets of fruit. Immense charm almost plays over the fact that this is a very age-worthy wine, with a finish that's almost endless. Drink from 2017.
This is so young, the yeast of the ferment still swings on the nose. Underneath that, tightly curled freshness suggests both candied lemon slices and lemon sorbet—but this needs time to unfurl its glory. Despite its slenderness, this wine has muscle and tone, structure and poise. The long finish is lip-smacking and moreish. Drink 2018–2025.
This longstanding collaboration between vintner and grower reflects years of mutual understanding and respect. The wine offers pretty orange blossom and lemon verbena aromas that wrap around a composed, well-integrated and mineral-laden body. Voluptuous, the wine is also well-balanced, finishing in bright acidity. It is deliciously good.
This wine is a blend of top sites Les Collines, SJR and Red Willow. It's perfumed with notes of green olive, violets, dried herbs, mineral and smoked meat. The palate is tightly wound, sensuous and supple, lithe yet rich with tart fruit and savory flavors backed by tannins that need more time to come into their own—but this wine surely deserves it. It has all of the stuffing to be a 20+ year wine. Best from 2025 to 2032. Give it an extended decant if opening in the near term.
Blended from Red Willow, Marcoux and Oldfield vineyards, this 100% Syrah offers aromas of green olives, brown stems, dried herbs and raspberries. The palate has densely rich yet exceptionally well balanced fruit and savory flavors that are creamy in feel. It's flat-out stunning, winning on grace and elegance rather than sheer power alone.
The superb Clos de la Roche has produced a powerful and complex wine. It has concentrated black fruits and solid tannins while also showing a beautiful velvet texture that will develop into a sumptuous wine. It's still in the first youthful flush and needs many years. Drink from 2020.
This wine, a regional blend, shows remarkable achievement in winemaking. Wild strawberry and red cherry exude on the entry, alongside floral elements of violet and lilac. Velvety, resolved tannins make it enjoyable from the get-go, layered in acidity for a buoyant lift on the midpalate and finish, which suggests cinnamon and tea. Enjoy now and through 2020.
A pretty, light-weight wine that offers up smoky, herbal scents along with almost ephemeral wisps of red fruit. It's dry and delicate; a waif-like Pinot that could benefit from a little more flesh. —J.C.
This round, soft, alcoholic wine deserves praise for its spicy-peppery warmth and abundant cherry fruit. Those same qualities are also its biggest shortcoming: The low acidity and high alcohol make it seem a bit heavy. —J.C
Packed with grapey, plummy fruit, smoke and vanilla, this is solid entry-level stuff. It's not particularly rich or concentrated, but it is something that's uncommon at this price: balanced. That makes it an attractive by-the-glass option or barbecue companion. —J.C.
This tiny winery makes just a few hundred cases per year. The Merlot is grapey and rustic, with Grenache-like fruit flavors and some rough, chocolatey oak. —P.G.
This blend consists of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and the rest Cab Franc. Spicy and peppery, it has the telltale bell pepper scents of not-quite ripeness. But good value nonetheless, and structured for hearty foods. —P.G.
The blend is 51% Merlot, the rest divided among five other grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Consequently, it's a bit of a mish-mash, fruity to the point of grapy, medium long, with the barrel flavors unresolved. Give this one another year or two of aging to allow all the components to come together.
Dense and meaty like a baked purple leather pouch, this is tightly tannic, with a lift of acidity on the midpalate and a hint of violet struggling to get out. It's an interesting wine; give it 3–5 years in the cellar or drink now with red meat.
SuLei's Tanya Woodley ferments her Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel, then ages it in a mix of neutral oak and stainless steel barrels. In this new vintage some residual sugar (just under 1%) remains, to soften the otherwise-searing acidity. It works well, crafting a fleshy wine loaded with citrus and honeydew. The finish lingers and has plenty of lift.
Strong oak-driven aromas of toasted brioche, vanilla cream and sweet spice dominate the nose. The lush, creamy palate is filled with more of the same, but is supported by peach and mushy pear fruit flavors. A decadent choice that's a good match for salmon or rich seafood.
The Rotgipfler is the local grape for the Thermenregion south of Vienna. This is a warm, spice- and pepper-scented wine that also offers a rich mouthfeel. Screwcap.
A nicely textured if somewhat oaky Pinot Noir, with cherry fruit that just sufficient to support the plush coating of vanilla and cedar. Long and layered but oaky on the finish. Drink now and over the next couple of years.
From a good vintage like 2009, this modest Tinta de Toro has a lot to offer. It smells slightly rustic but full of fruit. The palate has a tannic but balanced feel, with dark, sweet flavors of cassis and blackberry. It's peppery and lightly herbal on the finish.
Dense and somewhat roasted on the bouquet, with tarry, leathery aromas. This feels good but angular, with sheering acidity, firm tannins and solid flavors of red berry, plum, herb and pepper. It's lengthy but a little hot and grabby on the finish. A blend of 50% Cabernet and 50% Merlot.
For the moment, this is rather hard and tight, with notes of black pepper around tangy berry fruit. There are interesting streaks of iron and graphite, and a balanced structure that suggests extended cellaring may be an option. This blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec.
A whiff of volatility brightens up the aromas of this ripe Merlot. The structure is tight and compact, and the acidity is substantial. Clean fruit flavors of red and black berries can be found, but this is a year in which all of the Fielding Hills wines would benefit from a bit more bottle age to knit together.
Roasted and leathery smelling, with aromas of brick dust, root beer and exotic spices. Feels grabby and astringent, with boistrous tannins. It tastes toasty and black, with baked berry flavors and tons of chocolate and spice. It feels a bit choppy on the finish, with an espresso-like aftertaste.
This is very close in quality to the winery's reserve bottling, boasting fully ripe cherry-berry fruit made complex by hints of vanilla and button mushroom. It's supple, silky and lingering on the finish, marked by lingering notes of vanilla and berry. Drink now.
Full, soft and rounded, this shows flavors of ripe strawberry and red plum. The texture is smooth, with just a tang of minerality. Nutmeg and pepper complement the acidity on the finish.
Toasty and firm, this pure Petit Verdot is rich with black cherry and cassis. Whiffs of smoke and a slight burn in the finish suggest that further bottle age will bring in more barrel nuances (from 40% new American oak) and smooth out the finish.
With considerable depth of flavor, this is a rounded, smooth wine. Its green apple flavor is laced with notes of pink grapefruit, crisp pear and a touch of peppered kiwi. It's ready to drink but also worth aging for a few months. Screwcap.
An early-maturing Crozes-Hermitage, with aromas of violets and hickory smoke alongside charming blueberry and blackberry fruit. There's not much tannin in this medium-bodied wine, so drink it over the next couple of years for its easy charm.
This opens with a classic Rioja nose of leather, dried cheese, roast berry and spice. It feels chunky and quite solid, with roasted fruit, tomato and herbal flavors on a deep palate. This is long and a touch warm on the finish, but healthy and ready to drink.
Exuberant aromas of white blossoms and ripe stonefruit settle substantially in the glass, revealing a rich yet layered palate that marries sweet cream and butter notes with lemon pith, smoke and striking acidity. Full and opulent, but elegant and balanced. Drink now.
Nicely done, still young and sharp, but carrying interesting scents of lemon and lime rind, orange liqueur, and peppery spice. Excellent acidity buoys it up through a satisfying finish, with just a slim suggestion of warmth. Should continue to improve with another two or three years in the bottle.
Hailing from the very hot 2003 vintage, this wine is baked and full, with mature yet rich aromas. It feels thorough and weighty, with sweet berry flavors that are at their peak along with a chocolate note. This is warm, full and under control on the finish. Drink now.
A whiff of leather introduces a wine with a strong savory character; the leather and earth flavors start to bury the sweet berry fruit, and the tannins take on a chalky texture.
There's a strong herbal backbone to the core of this wine, surrounded by fleshy notes of melon and white peach. The earthy notes mix with a lime rind freshness on the palate, with a nice tropical fruit flavor that stays well into the close. Drink now.
Made in a traditional style with no evident new oak, leathery, meaty notes balance dusty earth and sour plums on the nose, while the palate is full, round and richly textured. Finishes with dark, savory notes of coffee and black olives. Drink now–2017.
Low in price, high in quantity, low in quality. Dry and tannic with an off taste, the wine doesn't get better with time.
Rubbery on the nose, then sharp in the mouth, with herbal, sour plum flavors and weird funk as well. Bitter, tart and hard on the finish.
Not sure what's going on here but both bottles of this Cab smelled of diesel gasoline, burnt rubber and corn nuts.
A weird wine with a distinct and overriding clove character that's manifested on the nose, palate and finish. One-dimensional and strange, with way too much clove impact.
Sweet red fruit aromas have a chemical artificiality to them. The palate is underdeveloped, thin and tastes medicinal. Drying and hollow on the finish.
A beautiful wine that is almost like nectar. It has extreme freshness, while the acidity is a wonderful contrast. Such concentrated orange flavors and a smooth texture while there is a great citrus edge.
A beautifully perfumed wine is give shape by its great swathe of minerality, its intense acidity. The fruits range from citrus to white peach, a gallery of delicious flavor. Like any great Riesling, it needs years to mature.
When it becomes a sweet wine, Chardonnay's natural richness shows immensely. This wine has orange and crystallized orange flavors along with intense concentration. A smooth texture is given just the right lift by acidity.
Jammy, scratchy, oddly spiced aromas set up a drawing, cloying palate feel. Gummy strawberry and raspberry flavors finish short and briny, with a sweet, chocolaty note.
This soft, almost tasteless wine just hints at caramel and red fruits. It lacks character.
Rusty in color and metallic in aromas, this does not smell fresh despite being young. A full, chunky palate is home to mealy peach and cantaloupe flavors, while the finish falls flat and tastes bitter.
Heavy, raisiny aromas open this stewed, overweight red with sticky flavors of prune and overbaked berry. A gummy finish shows no agility.
Flat on the nose, then almost identical on the palate, this blend of Malbec, Syrah and Bonarda tastes grassy, lightly green and weedy. Cherry and berry flavors are weak. Tasted twice with similar results.
Rusty in color, this is gritty, murky and stewy on the nose. Stewy, mulchy, sweet berry flavors finish bitter and leafy.
Sawdust characterizes the nose of this strained rosé. The palate is heavy, resiny and low on acidity, while flavors of forced wood and cream are devoid of fruit.
Murky and dark in appearance, this older Bonarda smells soupy and too much like clove. Tannic and pounding, this is a stewy wine with an abundance of oak-driven clove flavor. There's sticky residue on the finish.
With its gold color and mature, toasty flavors, this is possibly the greatest Winston Churchill ever. It has weight and richness, with a dense, full and rich texture. It's in perfect balance, bringing together maturity and crisper apple and green plum fruit flavors that are cut with lemon. A mineral edge gives a nervy character that will allow this magnificent wine to age further.
Earthiness, undergrowth and juicy wild strawberries tinged with wet oak leaf dominate the nose and palate of this exemplary wine. It is exquisitely silky and profound on the palate, with fleeting, gossamer tannins. With time, ripe red-cherry notions appear. The finish is complex and nuanced, with lovely earth, spice and fruit sensations.
Just beautiful, this wine combines spicy, arresting aromas, vivid, bright cherry and raspberry flavors, an electric mouthfeel and bracing texture. All nerve and muscle, and no fat, it is vibrant in acidity, with firm tannins that support the enticing fruit flavors. Virtually irresistible now, this will gain complexity through at least 2022.
Beautifully lifted, almost sublimated apple and citrus fruit combine to make a perfumed, appetizing nose. That pure apple theme continues on the concentrated palate that sings with purity to leave a satisfying and honest impression of completeness. Pure and simply very delicious.
A perennial standout for good reason, this Pinot is light in color and elusive at first. Teasing in baked strawberry-rhubarb, it subtly offers a rare purity of focused fruit flavor, with gorgeous aromas of dewy rose petals playing a substantial supporting role. Thanks to subtle oak, the finish builds in terms of intensity, with the wine maintaining a delicate balance of minerality.
A zesty nose promises refreshment and poise. The palate not only keeps this promise but tops it. Orange, mandarin and lemon frame riper peach and Mirabelle plum explode like a firework of fruit on the palate. This is fruit-framed, citrus-focused joy, combining immense concentration with immense elegance. There is a long and exciting life ahead of this.
D'Arenberg's lineup of single-vineyard Shirazes is especially impressive in the 2010 vintage, and this was one of my favorites. The aromas are tight, nearly impenetrable at first, then only stubbornly yielding hints of graphite, but the mouthfeel is expansive and richly textured. Aristocratic notes of pencil shavings balance supple tannins and layers of dark fruit, concluding in espresso and chocolate on the finish. Drink now–2030.
Elderberry with edges of tar and smoke, a floral lift and lots of black cherry are the aromatic hallmarks. The palate is muscular but svelte. The structured core of ripe but firm tannin can barely contain the luxuriating, dark elderberry and cherry fruit. This is lovely and crunchy now but will be far better 2017–2018. This is both big and elegant.
Floral notes play above the aromatic woodruff and fig-leaf aromas which make this incredibly enticing. The palate is slender, tight and totally concentrated. This is nervy, high-octane stuff, for now boasting lemon and pink grapefruit, without a single ounce of fat—and yet this is not ungenerous.
Aromatic and spicy fruit speaks here: ripe blueberry and black cherry with brooding insinuations of flower and earth. The customary pepperiness is in attendance, too, but the structured palate bids you to wait. This is firm and focused and for now tightly corseted. Give this until 2017–2019 in bottle for its full beauty and aroma to emerge.
Since this is the winery's largest production Pinot, but still under 1,000 cases, buyers actually have a chance of finding this full-bodied beauty. Sly on the nose, it is tense in toasty oak and chewy cherry, venturing into black cherry, blackberry and root beer. It's amply structured and robust, yet with silky tannins. Enjoy through 2022.
This wine shines with notes of smoked meat, mineral, dark coffee and earthy funk. The flavors are dense, rich and voluptuous, while retaining an exquisite sense of balance. It's an exclamation point of a wine that's approachable now.
Both ripe red apple and crisp green Granny Smith play on the nose, however, they are laced with both honey and zesty citrus, creating thrill. This is wonderfully poised and invigorating. Totally streamlined and linear, it's a wine to enjoy now and for years to come.
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.
Perfumed and floral, this is a wine with weight and richness. There is a lot of structure here, concentrated rich yellow and white fruits giving a textured and mineral wine. It comes from a property vinified by Drouhin for 70 years. The wine is for aging; drink from 2019.
A stunner amidst an increasingly competitive set of German Pinot Noir, this lavishly berried, rich wine is full of nuance and complexity. Deep, ripe black-fruit flavors are accented by rose petals and game. Bristling acidity and taut, grippy tannins lend structure and depth. It drinks beautifully now, but is bound to improve through 2021 and beyond.
From vines on the sunny side of the vineyard, this wine is richly textured and structured, full of generous yellow and white fruits, spice and layers of wood aging. It has a honeyed character, typical of 2013, with a tight, taut, crisp acidity at the end. Drink this strongly structured wine from 2019.
Rose petal and violets persist throughout this complex, deeply nuanced Pinot Noir. The palate is richly berried, but swathed in a musky, earthy perfume that's intoxicating. Bristling acidity and fine, filigreed tannins round out a long finish. Stunning now, but likely to integrate its subtleties further through at least 2025.
The sweetest of the Madeira single-variety wines, this Bual is still laced with intense acidity. That brightness is contrasted by the toffee and caramel flavors, yielding a wine that is superrich while remaining so fresh at the end. This fine wine is ready to drink.
This wine has a rich, fat, almost buttery character. Certainly the acidity is there, although it has a warm, summer feel. The structure typical of Les Clos is all there as well, giving concentration and density. At the end spice goes with the extreme freshness of the citrus aftertaste. Drink from 2020.
This rich, generous and soft wine has a ripe feel along with plenty of acidity. The freshness is cushioned by ripe yellow and pear fruit flavors. It has power as well as minerality, and a touch of toast comes through at the end. Drink from 2018.
From ripe fruits, in the Pinson style, this is a rich, generous and concentrated wine. There is great fruitiness from the ripe apricot and pear flavors, cut with acidity to give an edge of freshness. Spice and fragrant acidity mark the finish.
Dark berry, mint, menthol and a balsamic note are just some of the aromas you'll get on this gorgeous wine. The full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, clove, ground pepper and anise alongside firm, refined tannins. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2019–2026.
Lime and apple blossoms, gray slate, wet chalk, a touch of struck match and an ever-so-slight lemon-butter element converge on a wondrous nose in this Rajat Parr-Sashi Moorman winner. Once sipped, the tight citrus hits first, but then come approachable white flowers, golden pears and a touch of ghee and vanilla on the back end.
This offers toast and spice aromas, with opulent apricots and white peaches along with intense freshness from the acidity and linear structure. The wood aging just shows through in the roundness of the wine, while leaving room for a fresh, crisp, mineral aftertaste. Drink from 2018.
A very mineral, flinty character comes through the powerful texture of this rich, dense wine. The ripest, almost honeyed fruit is cut by lime, lemon and orange peel. It is a complex wine for aging; drink from 2019.
This substantial wine will age beautifully through 2023, so structured and elegant it is behind its layers and layers of coconut fritter, vanilla and strawberry-raspberry jam. Beguiling in floral violets and lavender, it has streaks of black pepper too, ending in a dream-like trance of earthy dust.
Underbrush, truffle, ripe red berry, violet and pipe tobacco aromas emerge on this beautiful, structured red. The delicious, full-bodied palate shows ripe black cherry, fleshy raspberry, star anise, ground pepper and clove framed in ripe, velvety tannins. A generous, gorgeous wine.
This is one of the most expensive white wines on the Central Coast, and it's mighty good, with aromas of cheese rind, lime pith, slate and tiny bits of Marcona almond and oak smoke. It's laser-focused on the chalky, mineral-laden palate, with poached apples in the midpalate and lemon peels and tangerine rinds throughout.
Alpine herb, underbrush, pressed rose petal, dried berry and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you'll find in this elegant Nebbiolo. It's still remarkably youthful, with bright red cherry, fresh raspberry, clove, white pepper and mineral flavors accented by notes of rosemary and sage. It's impeccably balanced, with tightly wound but fine-grained tannins and bright acidity that support the bright flavors and vibrant edge. Drink 2018–2031.
This is the coolest and freshest of the Grand Cru vineyards. The wine is tight, steely with a nervy core of acidity that gives it a textured, structured character. It is full of energy, crisp, packed with apples and citrus and needing several years aging. Drink from 2020.
Another stand out among a lineup of stunning German Pinot Noir, this sultry, sexy wine balances ripe, ruddy black cherry and berry flavors with a vivacious acidic edge. It's bristling and bright, finishing on a deep, mineral tone. Drinks beautifully now, but is structured enough to develop well through 2020 at least.
Fragrant blue flower, perfumed berry, leather, cake spice and a balsamic note are some of the scents you'll find on this gorgeous, forward Barolo. The delicious palate offers raspberry, wild cherry, cinnamon, white pepper clove and tobacco. Ripe, polished tannins make this already accessible but it will also age well for a decade or more. Enjoy 2016–2023.
This apple-crisp wine has tight acidity and touches of wood rounded out by yellow fruits. It is ripe and very full, the nervy, mineral character contrasting with the richness that is now developing. It will age slowly, so don't drink before 2020.
Aromas of underbrush, leather, flint, wild berry and a balsamic note mingle in the glass. The structured palate delivers dried cherry, crushed raspberry, grilled herb and anise alongside firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for additional complexity; drink 2018–2035.
This beautiful wine opens with aromas of ripe dark berry, scorched earth, mint, menthol and a balsamic note. The vibrant palate boasts juicy red cherry, black raspberry, sweet pipe tobacco, baking spice, grilled herb and a hint of game. It's still young and nervous, with tightly wound but refined tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020–2031.
This is relatively light for Red Mountain Syrah—silky and tart with accents of orange peel and lemony acidity. The tight, tangy berry fruit shows a streak of chocolate, from time in 30% new French oak, and despite the cool vintage it finishes with some heat.
Using Ripanço, an old technique of destemming the grapes after harvest with wooden rods, the wine has intense color and a smooth, rich character. It is rounded and soft, with a light layer of tannins offering backbone to the generous fruitiness. Drink after 2015.
This shows evolved aromas of stewed plum, resin, varnish and leather with a whiff of vanilla. The palate offers dried black cherry steeped in spirits, black pepper, notes of espresso, mocha and baking spice alongside soft, muted tannins. Drink through 2018.
Aromatically appealing in notes of sarsaparilla, barrel spice and cherry. This full-bodied Pinot brings pomegranate and plum flavors to the palate, showing some dryness from the tannins.
Firm and dense, this is a fine example of the Baga grape. It gives both juicy blackberry and red berry notes, with a solid layer of firm tannins. It has the power, the structure and the acidity to see sometime in the cellar. Drink after 2016.
This is a honeyed, sweet wine (a fact not indicated on the label). Spice is surrounded by ripe fruits, apricot and lychee, with added pepper. Some citrus acidity comes through at the end. Drink now.
A hint of brioche lends autolytic character to fresh spring blossom and lemon notes on this elegant, bristling traditional-method sparkling. It's delicately effervescent and startlingly brisk, finishing on a soft, rolling foam that deliciously lingers.
Fruity and dark, this Bordeaux-style blend is two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third a mix of the four other grapes. The result is a wine with stiff tannins and excellent structure, with clean dark-fruit and forest-floor flavors alongside streaks of iron and caramel.
The aromas of roasted coffee bean, chocolate, and dark raspberry are light, while the palate is elegant in style with a good sense of balance and a lingering finish.
A 10 month stint in oak has given this rich wine a seriously spicy character supported by dark chocolate and black fruit flavors. Syrah, Castelão and Cabernet Sauvignon give this young wine tannins and a dark texture that needs to soften. Drink after 2016.
The inviting scents of melting butter on hot dinner rolls and vanilla-lemon custard ensure a rich wine, and the palate delivers with caramelized apples, dominant oak and more vanilla on the finish. It is balanced out with mustardy tartness and lemon rind acidity.
A moderately aromatic wine with notes of melted butter, vanilla, plum, herbs and woodspice. The tannins are firm and tightly wound, needing some time to come together. Best after 2016.
Certified French organic with this vintage, this 100% Merlot is ripe, full-bodied and already showing its potential richness. Terroir-driven black fruits and generous tannins give a warm character to the wine that is then backed by black fruits and final acidity. This is a generous wine from the Verdier family, ready to age. Drink from 2018.
Aromas include rose petal, grilled herb, forest floor, coffee and ripe berry. The palate is still rather closed but offers black cherry, vanilla and espresso alongside astringent tannins that give it an abrupt, drying finish.
Full-bodied and dry, this has a very deep, saturated color and aromas of spicy oak, raspberries and cherries. With velvety texture, fine tannins and a lingering finish, it's well structured and youthful tasting. It should improve through 2017.
Still firm, this has dark chocolate and polished wood flavors, as well as dark plums and berries. With the tight acidity, it's a wine for aging, dark and concentrated for the future. Drink from 2018.
With wood aging, the Sauvignon Blanc has developed vanilla flavors that are currently smothering the fruit. Ginger dominates, along with black pepper, giving a wine that has a tangy texture just hinting at juicy white fruits. Age until 2016.
Not very expressive, this shows subdued aromas that recall coconut, toasted oak, espresso and raw, red berry. The palate delivers red berry, licorice, mocha and vanilla alongside mild tannins. It's already surprisingly accessible. Drink 2015–2020.
Here is a hearty, full-bodied and dry red blend with a vivid black cherry character and spicy accents like black pepper and fennel. Firm and quite tannic, it will pair nicely with rich meat or cheese dishes that need a little bite in the wine to balance them.
This is an intense, extreme wine made from Nerello Mascalese vines planted in the 1940s. It's handcrafted, with no selected yeasts or added sulfites, and aged in terra cotta vessels. It's loaded with smoky mineral, concentrated black cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and notes of balsamic herbs framed by solid, velvety tannins. The only criticism is a slight fizzy sensation, but total perfection isn't what this wine is about.
Made from both red and white native grapes, this offers an intense fragrance of white and red roses. The floral notes carry over to the palate along with crushed Morello cherry, raspberry jam and candied strawberry. Cracked white pepper and mineral add interest.
While blackberry and cherry notes are lush and ripe on the nose, this Finger Lakes Zweigelt is surprisingly elegant on the palate. Sour cherry and tart plum flavors are concentrated and juicy, but lively in feel. The finish is extended by a fringe of fine, polished tannins.
From this appellation's tremendously rocky soils come aromas of golden pear and buttered toast. The palate is dominated by racy tones of lemon peel and fresh-cut yellow flowers, but rounded out with a slight vanilla buttercream on the finish.
Syrah shows different aspects in cooler vintages such as 2011, which has brought out the leafy, herbal and peppery notes in full force. However this wine is ripe enough to offer plenty of good flavor, with brambly berry fruit that sings out for thin-crusted pizza.
Fresh and full-bodied, this offers aromas of black-skinned fruit, underbrush and dark cooking spice. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, plum jam and black pepper alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity.
This is a steely wine, tight with acidity and lemon fruits. It has a mineral, tangy texture that is still calming down, which suggests a young wine that needs time. Certainly the fruit is all there, if with a nervy character. Drink the wine from 2018.
A whiff of fresh brioche against a backdrop of sunny grapefruit and plum flavors makes this forward fruity off-dry Riesling especially inviting. While lively and crisp, its juicy, quaffable style makes it an easy pleaser. Drink now.
This yellow-gold wine is packed with bright floral and citrus scents and flavors. It's a mouthful of lemon-drop goodness, with the rough edges smoothed by a percentage aged in neutral oak. The finish features light honey, with a slight burn.
Still so young, this herbal, fruity wine is as crisp as possible. It is packed with lemon, grapefruit and tight acidity, needing to age. Drink this tense, steely wine from late 2016.
Aromas of scorched earth, mature black-skinned fruit, blue flower, toast and Oriental spice lead the way on this full-bodied wine. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, espresso, licorice and ground pepper set against a backdrop of fine-grained tannins.
Punchy and concentrated, this off-dry Riesling juxtaposes plush, peachy fruit against a backdrop of spine-tingling lemon acidity. Its uncomplicated forward style makes it quite quaffable.
Bright and fragrant, this opens with aromas of underbrush, rose, dark berry and a whiff of exotic spice. The savory, easy-drinking palate doles out black cherry, blackberry, white pepper and chopped herb alongside bright acidity.
This ripe, fruity and structured wine is still young and the tannins need time to round out. However, it is already rich, with juicy red fruits and a core of fragrant acidity. The wine is dense and worth aging. Drink from 2017.
The chalk subsoil of the Bélingard estate gives this wine its textured character. The wood aging smoothes out the crisp acidity of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon and adds a light layer of toast. It is still a young wine and will be better from late 2016 or even 2017.
Jammy aromas of blackberry and cassis start out gaseous and muddled but find their way with airing. This feels wide and low on zest. Flavors of prune and stewed berry end with toasty oak but also heavy ripe prune and berry flavors. Drink now.
Jolts of honey, lemon and lime introduce this animated Spätlese. It's forward and approachable with sunny tangerine and peach flavors, but maintains a nervous tension of acidity. The finish is brisk and tight.
The nose on this Malbec-Merlot from Salta is raw and saucy, with more brawn and rusticity than elegance. A compact grabby palate is intense, with herbal plum and hefty berry notes that mellow on a chunky lightly herbal finish.
Toast, espresso, coffee bean and dark berry aromas emerge on this firmly structured red. It's still very much on its oak, showing unripe sour cherry backed up by oak-driven spice including vanilla and coconut alongside grippy tannins.
Toast, espresso and mocha aromas lead the nose while the bracing palate offers raw red berry, anise, coffee and a hint of chocolate. Grainy tannins provide firm support but leave an astringent finish. Wait another few years for the tannins to soften a bit then drink up.
This is an open juicy and fruity wine. It has soft tannins and perfumed acidity that is already integrated into the structure of the wine. With blackberry and red plum flavors, it is easy and generous, ready to drink now.
This has a well-aged aroma plus tangy raspberry and cranberry flavors. It offers good balance between flavor, crispness and firm tannins. Most of all, it conveys a personality that mirrors this grape variety's Italian roots. It's dry, medium bodied and slightly astringent in texture.
From 100% estate-grown fruit, this 100% varietal wine is dusty and dark with elements of pencil shavings, cedar and cassis. With that herbal and earthy intensity giving it defined character, it remains medium bodied and textured on the palate, with a saltiness to the finish.
From the producer's estate vineyard, the grapes planted on budwood from Napa Valley's famous Three Palms, this wine is bittersweet in tannin and flavor, a mix of blueberry, cedar, resin and clove. Full bodied in style, it maintains an elegance on the finish, marked irresistibly in dark chocolate.
From a high-altitude vineyard in the heart of the Douro, this is a fruity while well textured wine. With a strong mineral character that comes from the lees stirring during fermentation, it has both bright citrus fruits with acidity and a more tropical character. Drink now.
This wine shows perfumed lychee on the nose, before weightier tones of melon, lemon and oak enter the picture, providing a richness of body and power. The oak and a sprinkling of nutmeg remain firm and focused on the finish.
Cherry-vanilla surrounds a flank of big oak, while classic notes of baked strawberry also come into play. A brawny, full-bodied expression of the variety, given 6% Mourvèdre and 6% Syrah, it has good bones and acidity lurking beneath the power.
This is a blend from Aÿ on the Montagne de Reims and from the Côte des Blancs. It is intensely perfumed, with weight from Pinot Noir and crispness from Chardonnay. If it seems not quite integrated at this stage, it will hopefully come together over the next few years to reveal a ripe and rich wine. Drink from 2017.
This is a rich, very rich wine that is packed with tropical fruits, generous apricot and peach flavors and spice. It is full in the mouth, showing some pepper from the alcohol that spoils the otherwise fruity character. The aftertaste does introduce some freshness.
Tight and tart, this entry-level bottling marries sharp fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry to a high-acid foundation. It's fruit-forward, perfect to gulp down with a favorite sandwich or football food.
This new cuvée takes its name from the fermentation practice of mixing whole berries with grape-cluster stalks—just stalks, not whole clusters. Herbs and pine needle flavors dominate brambly berry fruit. It's quite young and raw, and will benefit from further bottle age.
This is nice and hints at greater things, but ultimately it's more modest and fluffy than substantive. Aromas of oak resin, baked apple and vanilla introduce a palate with mild acidity and not much structure. Vanilla, caramel, banana and honey- dew flavors finish soft.
This is not fresh or fruity; in fact, the nose is nutty and muddied, with a rough, angular mouthfeel and flavors of peanut, vanilla and leathery raspberry.
This has already past its sell-by date. The color is tan and maderized, while the nose is soft and mushy, with raisiny aromas. Like the nose, this is flabby and past its prime in the mouth, with a bland, bitter finish.
This wine is not impressive in any way. It's tannic, abrasive and tastes stalky and weedy. The finish is rough and green, like rocks in the mouth.
A very pretty expression of Sean Thackrey's Cassiopeia's clonal experimentation, gorgeously floral and well rounded, with bright, concentrated, lush flavors of cherry with a light layering of spice. Well integrated, it's a standout among standouts.
Wow. Black Kite's River Turn, one of of its three annual block designates, is invigoratingly inviting, a heady mix of floral cherry pie, bright, full and ripe with a balanced backbone of acidity and a gentle hint of gingerbread. This wine is ready to enjoy this second, but if you can help yourself, it'll also hold up for several years in the cellar and no matter when you decide to drink it, pair exquisitely with a range of deftly mannered food.
This is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, all sourced from the estate's DuBrul vineyard. It's drinking quite well, though clearly heading into secondary fruit flavors that reflect its ongoing maturation. Cherries, plums and cassis fruits mingle, along with silky, polished tannins. Though it can be cellared indefinitely, it may be at its most delicious drinking peak currently.
Ethereally light with delicate red cherry flavor, this Pinot is soft, complex and interesting, with a racy herbal streak lurking in the background. Think a ham-and-cheese quiche gingerly sprinkled with thyme and oregano. So distinctive, one wonders what grows near this particular set of vines on the Wentzel Vineyard.
Much like the previous vintage of La Violeta, this is a fabulous Malbec with depth, density and power to spare. The bouquet yields marzipan, cola, fine leather, char and rich berry aromas. That sets up a palate with impeccable structure and huge flavors of beef jerky, mocha, black fruits and spice. The finish is massive and loaded, with licorice and mocha flavors. Drink now–2018. Only 100 cases made, with 50 imported into the U.S.
This wine eschews the current trends and sticks to its full-blown guns, remaining a broad, lush and creamy-textured wine, with open, inviting aromas of peach, cashew and pineapple. It's richly nutty and tropical at the same time, offering layers of complexity and depth to be enjoyed over the next several years.
A small vineyard of six acres is used to produce this magnificent incarnation of Malbec. Black as ink and firmly tannic, a toughness magnified by new wood, this is still a richly fruity wine that will age superbly to give power and complexity. Keep for at least four years.
More subtle at first than the 2010 River Turn, Stony Terrace, another of Black Kite's yearly single-block designates, is earthy, savory and dense. Mouth filling in its juicy red and blue fruit flavor, it's silky and entirely seductive. Well integrated and structured, it's another fine choice for the table and for cellaring another 5–7 years.
The name pays homage to the Graves region of Bordeaux, and the blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc also mimics those wines. Here the grapes are sourced from the Red Willow (Yakima Valley), Bacchus (Columbia Basin) and Klipsun (Red Mountain) vineyards. Supple, with beautifully integrated red fruits, and tannins as soft as a kiss, it's masterful winemaking from Chris Peterson, who tended the wines of DeLille for many years.
Until now, Tapiz has been a value-driven brand with no wine priced above $20. This outstanding Malbec shows that they've been holding something back. Black Tears is ripe and handsome, with almost everything in its perfect place. It's a hard-driving wine with blackberry, vanilla and coconut aromas and flavors in front of a chewy, tannin-rich finish with the mildest note of raisin. Drink this unbridled stud now through 2017.
Edgy with mountainous berry flavor, Easton's 2010 Shenandoah Valley Zin is full-bodied, generous in savory spices and blackberry flavor and intoxicatingly aromatic with a peppery, leathery finish. It's structurally able to withstand many more years in bottle, so enjoy it now or give it some time. Either way, it'll shine poured alongside peppery meat.
A chalk soil vineyard gives this very mineral interpretation of Loire Cabernet Franc. It has richness, weight, solid, ageworthy tannins as well as juicy red fruits. Dried fruits and just a hint of herbal acidity add complexity to a wine that is still young. Age for 5–6 years.
From clay and silex soil at the foot of the hill behind the Baudry house, this solid, richly fruity wine brings out both concentrated tannins and opulent, red berry flavors. Showing the great potential structure from old vines, this is a wine for aging over at least six years.
An aromatic and fruity wine with bright lemon and apple flavors. Light and fresh, it needs to let its fruitiness calm down. Wait until the end of 2014.
A typically light Brouilly that is fresh, full of cherry acidity and soft tannins. It has a juicy element, lightly herbal and with stalky, tight fruit at the end. Drink now.
Simple and fruity, it has attractive red fruits, soft tannins and just the right amount of acidity. It will develop relatively quickly, so drink from 2015.
Obviously wood aged, with spice and toast flavors, this is a soft, black currant and berry flavored wine. It has light tannins that are already integrating with the fruit. Drink now and until 2018.
Dry and tannic, this totally structured wine has weight. However the fruit element has vanished leaving a dense wine, very firm and just given brightness by acidity. Drink now.
The closed nose gives away very little, just the barest whiffs of yellow flowers. The one-dimensional palate offers fleeting sensations of tart apple and hints of green melon and lemon zest.
Light tannins accompany crisp red fruits. What it lacks in weight and complexity, it makes up for with a smooth texture, good acidity and a structure that will allow it age for another year.
This steely white offers up very little aromas. The palate delivers lip-pursing sour lemon alongside vibrant acidity, giving this a hard, lean quality.
This blend from northern Italy opens with aromas of currants, black berries and bell pepper. It offers restrained black fruit flavors layered with oak and espresso sensations. But overall, it is rather flat with an abrupt, astringent finish.
This is the freshest apple and citrus-driven wine. It has great fruitiness allied to acidity and a soft, creamy structure. Drink in 2014.
Beet root and cherry flavors mixed with some barnyard scents lead into a modestly ripe wine with strong herbal components. The finish takes a turn into bitterness.
Full and round, this is a ripe blackberry-flavored wine. It has a touch of licorice, followed by juicy fruitiness and some acidity. The aftertaste, with its flavors of wood aging, suggests it could mature through 2015.
This is a fine, simple wine for this summer. With acidity, fresh apple and pear flavors, it's attractive and aromatic.
From the light 2012 vintage, this is a bright and fruity wine with red cherries and soft tannins. Intense acidity gives the wine a fresh, crisp character. Drink now.
With black currant fruits dominant, this is an inherently fruity wine. The juicy feel makes the wine seem light, not yet quite connecting between fruit and a very dry tannic texture. Give it until 2016.
A soft, lightly tropical wine with attractive acidity and grapefruit as well as pineapple flavors. It is crisp, very fruity and ready to drink.
Cabernet and Syrah are an unusual blend for a rosé, but this fresh and crisp wine works well. It has a vivid pink color followed by equally vivid red fruits and refreshing final acidity. Drink now.
This is a very fresh, very herbaceous wine. It's crisp with its pink grapefruit and lively acidity. Good with fish, but just as good as an apéritif.
Light in color, this is a soft, red fruited wine. It has red cherry flavors with a dry edge of fruit tannin and wood. The acidity and the juicy aftertaste give a really attractive finish.
This bottling was supervised by retired Tualatin founder Bill Fuller. It saw 80% new oak, and barrel flavors dominate the palate. Big bursts of vanilla and tobacco somewhat mask the light cherry fruit, giving the impression that the wine is a little out of balance.
These old vines produce a powerful wine, that retains strong flavors of stem and earth despite the extra ripeness in 2012. The red berry fruit slides into suggestions of tomato juice.
Aromas of smoky peach, citrus blossom and crushed stone are enticing and inviting. The palate of this unoaked Chardonnay is restrained and green apple focused, with a refreshing lemon-lime vein running down the backbone.
This has bright raspberry and almost-sweet blackberry flavors, full body, moderate tannins and a long warm finish. It tastes polished, soft and satiny smooth.
This is a solid showing, with aromas of toasted, buttered almond, honeyed pineapple, white peach flesh, apple and white flowers. It's light on the palate, with apple juice flavors, a touch of guava and nice chalkiness, making for a pleasant, drinkable wine.
Much like its companion Rumba Pinot, this is light and tart, with sour cherry fruit. A whiff of smoke and streak of bell pepper come through in the finish, which is pleasant but quickly thins out.
Textbook Verdejo aromas of tangerine, passion fruit and grapefruit are simple and clean. A light, zesty, slightly spritzy palate frames flavors of grapefruit, lemon and orange pith. A mix of tropical and citrus notes drives a snappy but ordinary finish.
Strong, attractive apple aromas also give the flavor profile of this fresh and fruity wine. It has a light tangy, zesty texture, fresh acidity and a bright, mineral aftertaste.
This dry style of Pinot Gris brings out a strong acidity as well as ripe fruitiness. The wine is structured, tangy with surprising amounts of lemon as well as pear flavors. It is still too young and needs time. Drink from 2016.
A négociant effort, this was done entirely in stainless steel and neutral oak. Tart and light, it has simple strawberry fruit with a touch of spice. It offers no tricks, just straight-ahead Pinot at a modest price for Oregon.
There's nothing flashy about this dry, delicately framed Riesling. It's quietly elegant, focused on pristine lemon and lime flavors, along with bitter citrus pith on the finish.
Pretty aromas suggest ripe berry, spiced plum and a bit of eucalyptus. The polished palate offers mature blackberry and cinnamon alongside smooth but rather fleeting tannins.
Aromas of blackcurrant, grilled pepper and oak lead the nose. The dense, extracted palate offers dried black cherry, mature blackberry, licorice, espresso and vanilla alongside firm tannins.
This extremely pale rosato doesn't have a very expressive nose, but the lively palate delivers juicy white cherry, light raspberry and flinty mineral alongside crisp acidity.
Notes of turmeric and fennel lend spice to fresh apple and pear in this expressive wine. It's off dry in style with a refreshing, delicate mouthfeel.
Touches of caramel and apple cider offset intense lemon acidity in this medium-dry spätlese. It's refreshingly juicy, with a reverberating citrus-rind finish.
Lemon curd and citrus blossom ride over underripe melon and apple on the nose. The creamy and full palate is a result of extended lees contact, while flavors of honeydew and lemon lead to a sea-spray finish. A perfect pairing for the Eastern Shore's local fare of raw oysters.
A light, floral style of Pinot Noir, this is marked by scents of roses and forest floor. The tannins are silky, leading to a fresh, vivacious finish. Drink now.
A blend of Nero d'Avola and other Sicilian grapes, this features fruity aromas of dark berry and a whiff of graphite. The savory, straightforward palate offers up ripe black cherry and juicy blackberry, with notes of ground white pepper in the background. Soft tannins provide easy-drinking texture.
This crisp wine has plenty of acidity as well as fruit. It is young to taste, still showing its fresh side that should round out over the next few years. Drink from 2016.
A white Pinot Noir made from estate-grown grapes, this is a curious wine and perhaps an acquired taste, though it has found its fans via the winery. Akin to Chardonnay in its expressions of crème brûlée, tropical fruit basket and tangy apple, this wine is textured, bright in acidity and touched by oak.
This big, ripe wine is opulent and smooth. With layers of rich lychee and mango fruit flavors, along with spiced pears, this is a delicious, ready-to-drink wine. It's generous to a fault, a great wine to drink with pâtés and spiced food.
Bracing tones of lime and lemon accentuate the crush of mineral tones throughout this dry, revitalizing wine. Light bodied and spry, it's invigorating, rather than penetrating, but ideal as a palate-cleanser between heavy courses.
Made with organically grown grapes, this opens with aromas of white flower, citrus and tropical fruit. The juicy palate doles out nectarine, exotic fruit, dried apricot and a hint of vanilla alongside racy acidity.
Aromas and flavors of blackberry, wild cherry and accents of licorice and ground pepper all come together in the glass. It's fresh, savory and extremely accessible with round tannins and a soft mouth feel. Drink through 2015.
The nose isn't very expressive but the palate offers dried black cherry, coffee, mocha, oak, licorice and the heat of alcohol alongside velvety tannins. It lacks the fruit richness needed to stand up to the oak and evident alcohol.
Blue flower, wet earth and dark berry aromas lead the nose. The juicy palate offers blackberry, black cherry and a hint of white pepper alongside soft tannins and bright acidity. Drink soon.
This blend of Carricante and 20% Catarratto features aromas of dried chamomile flower, Spanish broom and acacia. The bright palate delivers citrus, raw pear, mineral and almond.
Awfully bright and forward on the nose, but then tart, sheering and grating on the palate, with acidic raspberry flavors. Scratchy, edgy red wine. Fresh but that's where it ends.
The wine has fine potential. While the wood flavors are dominant, as it develops the ripe red-berry flavors that are there will fill out and bring their fruity acidity along. It is going to be ready to drink from 2017.
Medium weight and roundly fruity, this pleasant wine carries a touch of minerality. It's slightly dilute, and there is a suggestion of water cracker resonating through the finish.
Though labeled a white wine, this more properly may be called a rosé. It's a pale copper color, made from a mix of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes that were pressed lightly to minimize color extraction prior to fermentation in stainless steel. It offers a mix of tree fruits, toasted nuts and tart acids.
This 100% Grenache pink wine kicks off with a fairly light nose that shyly presents steely aromas of lemon wedge. There is a firm structure to the sip, where pink grapefruit and other citrus elements ride a chalky structure. Texture is key here.
This opens with aromas of bread crust, ripe orchard fruit and a citrusy note. The creamy palate offers baked yellow apple, vanilla and toasted hazelnut alongside a soft perlage.
Aromas of bread crust, pastry cream and toast come together in the glass. The creamy palate offers mature pear, yellow apple and toasted hazelnut alongside a soft mousse.
Grapes grown at high altitude give the cool feel to this crisp wine. A light touch of oak is revealed in the vanilla flavor that is finely integrated into the citrus and apple fruit. The wine is fruity, ready to drink young.
The wine is soft and ripe. With delicious yellow fruits, a soft texture and just enough lively acidity, it is rich and fruity. There is an attractive orange zing at the end.
This lightly oaked wine is full of fruit, ripe with red berries and crisp with acidity, just hinting at Douro minerality. That makes for a balanced fruity wine that with its soft tannins is ready to drink.
This Port comes from a good year for single-quinta vintages. Made in open stone lagars, it is a ripe, black-fruited wine, packed with sweet plums as well as raisins and figs. At this stage, the added brandy is very prominent and the wine needs time. It should be ready to drink for its fruit by 2018, for its maturity by 2026.
This is a full-bodied, ripe and perfumed wine. Rich melon and white peach are balanced with bright lemon and lime to give a warm, generous wine. The acidity keeps everything deliciously in place.
Named after one of the old names for the Mondego River (which flows past the estate), this blend of the red grapes of the Dão, is aromatic, with a touch of barnyard as well as red fruits. Light wood aging has smoothed some of the fruit tannins and added spice. Drink now.
Disgorged in 2014, this pale rosé wine definitely has bottle age. You can taste it in the toasty character and in the acidity that has matured along with the wine. It is fresh rather than ripe—a wine that is now very ready to drink.
This vineyard, characterized by its cypress trees (aciprestes), is north facing across the Douro river. This attractive wine is ripe and balanced with smoky tannins and generous red fruits. Dense and with touches of spice, it will be ready from 2017.
Bridgitte and her husband Eric took over her family property in 2009, in 2014 producing a spicy and fruity wine. It has fine tannins and sweet red-berry fruit. The acidity and the balance are just right. Drink this attractive wine from 2018. They donate one percent of their turnover to an environmental charity and are (they say) one of only two wineries in the world who are members of “1% for the planet.”
A ripe wine that has red-berry fruits, slices of black plum and a full deck of tannins. It is concentrated and ripe, full of fruit and equally full of structure. Let the two soften and drink from 2018.
A crisp, red-fruit flavored wine that has sufficient structure to give it shape and density. It is fruity with spice from the wood aging. Acidity at the end keeps it fresh and bright. Drink from 2017.
Just a touch of residual sugar (11 g/L) softens up the edges of this wine, which brings flavors of tart lemon, grapefruit pith and wet paper into play. Try it with prawns, shellfish or non-spicy noodle dishes.
Done entirely in stainless tanks, this fruity wine offers spring fresh flavors of citrus, pineapple and green melon. With barely perceptible residual sugar, the acids keep it lip-smacking and lively. There is just a hint of buttery caramel at the core.
A powerful sense of green powers this wine, starting on the nose with sharp grassy tones of rosemary, chives and pine needles. The palate is also extremely grassy, though balanced by a tart pluot character.
Here's a solid, straightforward Barolo that delivers aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry compote, star anise, leather and menthol. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol on the finish, while chewy tannins provide support. Drink 2017–2022.
Toasted nut and bread crust aromas carry over to the bright palate along with mature apple, strawberry, citrus and a note of dried herb. Soft small bubbles lend elegance while fresh acidity lifts the finish.
Red fruit dominates in this tightly woven, firmly tannic wine, blended with 9% Petite Sirah. Hints of charred campfire oak support black pepper, cinnamon and berry, the texture smooth and soft.
Something of both fresh and dried pink grapefruit zest plays about the nose. The very frothy palate adds some spice to that, as well as a pleasant hint of bitterness. All the fruit is accentuated by the frothing bursting bubbles. Drink soon, ideally as an animating apéritif. The zesty finish is very appetizing.
This is an attractive, ripe and fruity wine made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. With soft tannins, it is juicy and crisp. There is a tight edge that will soften to produce a generous wine. Yorick and Sophie Lavaud's 13 acres are Agrocert-certified organic. Drink from 2019.
A nose of lemon and petrol opens into flavors of lemon, pears, petrol and white flowers, with slightly overpowering toast notes. Tannins are a bit stiff for an otherwise bright white that has a slightly tart finish.
Peach, melon and vanilla cookie aromas are mild, simple and a touch mealy. The mouthfeel on this basic Albariño is fleshy and plump, with adequate acidity. Sweet apple and tropical fruit flavors are lasting and stay the course.
Cherry, raspberry and candied aromas announce a plump but bland palate with sweet, candied flavors of red fruits. These turn slightly harsh before finishing with good feel and controlled bitterness.
This soft, medium-dry wine has attractive spice and fresh yellow-fruit flavors. It is bright, feeling light with its poised acidity and crisp aftertaste.
This easygoing white conveys delicate aromas of white flower and citrus. The simple palate offers lemon drop and a hint of Mediterranean herb alongside zesty acidity.
This deep ruby-colored wine has a bouquet of black cherry with hints of smoked meat and red bell pepper. Flavors of smoked meat and cherry pie with notes of orange peel never completely coalesce. There are some pleasant moments on the palate, but they don't all come together at the same time.
Diffuse and herbal, this has a slightly rustic bent, with overall herbaceousness. It smoothes out through the finish, though generally it just seems thin and under-ripe.
Vanilla, lees notes and wafer cookie aromas are not terribly fruity or upright. This is chunky on the palate, with an odd spritzy feel. Briny orange is the key flavor, along with an oily nuttiness.The finish is pithy and breaks up.
Hard-coated cherry aromas are slightly medicinal and candied. A chunky but fairly bright palate delivers cherry, plum and spice flavors along with mild heat on the finish. This is good, standard stuff.
Menthol and pepper ride over dark cherry and spicy plum aromas. The palate is tight and restrained, offering dusty cherry and redcurrant flavors that succumb to an ultimately green, stemmy finish.
Young and fruity, this is a soft, citrus and apple flavored wine. Attractive acidity is enhanced by the light minerality and tangy aftertaste. Drink now.
Aromas of toasted oak and lemon zest carry through to the one-dimensional, lean palate, along with confectionary notes.
Dry, sizable tannins embrace a core of dusty black plum and blackberry. Straightforward and not overly ambitions, it finishes with a pronounced taste of oak.
Despite hints of sweaty plimsole that brought me back to primary school gym class, this wine boasts supple tannins, ample cherry fruit and a finely textured finish. Drink now.
A smooth and rounded blend of Trincadeira and Aragonez, this is rich, soft and full in the mouth. Red berry fruits dominate this wood-aged wine, allowing spice and acidity to give a generous aftertaste. Drink now.
Pithy citrus, radiator dust and grassy aromas are basic. A simple, plump palate is showing signs of flattening, while leesy, creamy flavors of pear and melon finish similarly. Drink immediately.
Sourced from the Volamus Vineyard and aged in half new French oak, this has a leathery component. Tannic and big-boned, it's more savory than fruity, with a streak of mint lurking in the background.
The dry character of this wine is emphasized by fresh acidity that cuts right through. The result is an apple-crisp wine that is pure fruitiness without much of the Pinot Gris richness.
This is an attractive, ripe style of Pinot Gris. Off dry, it is aromatic, lightly spicy over crisper pear and yellow fruit flavors. It's ready to drink.
This is labeled as dry, which sums up this crisp and fruity wine. Delicious, refreshing acidity is gently spiced and layered with green apples and quince flavors. It's ready to drink.
Funky aromas including game, scorched earth, a whiff of barnyard and a note of pressed violet take shape in the glass. The aromas carry over to the palate, alongside a rustic, overripe quality. It closes on a bitter note.
The nose is a bit curious, with hard vanilla, smoked melon and grilled citrus. Smoke carries to the palate, with charred applewood most prominent, making for an atypical but somewhat enjoyable Sauv Blanc.
Diffuse and generic, this simple quaffer has easy-drinking flavors of strawberry soda.
Made with Nerello Mascalese, this opens with aromas that recall dried rose petal, magnolia and berry. The palate offers pink grapefruit, raw strawberry, saline and an herbaceous note alongside brisk acidity.
Stalky, flat scents vie for attention with brighter citrus aromas on a bland nose. This Txakoli feels round but not too lively. Flavors of lettuce, green bean, green apple and tangerine finish with a hint of lime.
Veering towards sweet, this soft, generous wine is rich with attractive lychee and spice flavors. There's little hint of acidity although the buoyant feel of the wine compensates. It's ready to drink.
Totally hedonistic, this is a ripe, lychee and tropical fruit-flavored wine. It's spicy, laced with bergamot and cinnamon and immediately attractive. Drink now.
This youthful, soft wine has juicy acidity and a green, herbal character. It offers red berry fruits and enough crispness to cut through any steak. It's not for aging.
Yellow pear skin, crushed pine needles and white rocks bolster traditional cat-pee aromas on this wine from the ancient river stone-laden Arroyo Seco appellation. Sharper grassy elements deftly integrate into the palate, with apple and pear flavors as well. Serve with vinaigrette-doused oysters.
A blend that includes Syrah and Tannat as well as Bordeaux grapes, this is a wood-aged, ripe and rich wine. A tense streak of acidity heightens the effect of the black currant fruits. Spice at the end comes from the wood. Drink from 2016.
Perhaps it is the large Clairette component (52%), but this blend finishes with an attractive tingle of lime that brightens the whole experience. Honeyed melon and traces of raw almond give the impression of softness, yet the wine remains refreshing. The balance is 26% Grenache Blanc, 13% Viognier and 9% Picpoul. Drink it now and over the next six months.
Very dry and steely, this offers crisp acidity plus butter and wood flavors that bring out citrus as well as white peach fruits. With five years aging, it is ready to drink.
This has what we're looking for in a good, dry red for dinner time, namely fruit aromas, tasty fruit flavors, full body and a firm texture of tannins and acidity. It makes a nice candidate for house red.
Here's a solid effort from a challenging (cool) vintage. Good, clean red fruit is touched with accents of citrus, tobacco and mocha. It's all in good balance, with ripe tannins and clear varietal character.
This is a classic Napa Valley floor Cabernet, enhanced with handfuls of Petit Verdot and Merlot. Dusty in red currant and herb, it offers mellowed tannins and a peppery underbelly.
A mildly oxidative streak adds an extra dimension to the rich dried fruit notes that are heady with Medjool dates, raisins and figs, cut though with the sharpness of orange zest. Molasses and dark muscovado sugar appear in the background and virtually beg for slices of gingerbread and fruitcake.
Underbrush, leather, black pepper, clove and leather lead the nose on this brawny wine. The spicy palate offers allspice, anisette, concentrated black cherry and juicy raspberry alongside strapping tannins. It's one-dimensional but savory. Enjoy through 2015.
Adorned by a beautiful label, this aromatic white is resplendent in lychee, pear and orange blossom as well as marked minerality. Dry, the finish is slightly spicy and entirely memorable.
A Cabernet Sauvignon-leaning Bordeaux-style blend, this has a healthy dash of Syrah (10%) added to the mix. It brings notes of jammy red fruit (cherry, raspberry) and herbs along with an assortment of barrel spice top notes, with tart flavors and somewhat unresolved tannins.
This mature brut nature is smoky and stalky/bitter on the nose. In the mouth, it's lean and acidic, with little body in support of citrus and gritty apple flavors. Bitterness and white-pepper notes rise up on the finish. For razor-sharp Cava, this fits the bill.
Frizzante is the perfect term to describe this nervy, invigorating sparkling wine made from an unusual blend of Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Exotically perfumed from nose to finish with touches of orange blossom and spice, it's a delicately pétillant wine with juicy peach and yellow-cherry flavors.
Whiffs of exotic spice lend flair to berry and cherry aromas on this sparkling blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Exuberantly pétillant, it's fresh with cranberry  acidity and tart red-plum and cherry flavors.
Floral and fragrant, this lively Rosso offers blue flower, leather and perfumed berry aromas over crunchy dark cherry, vanilla and cinnamon flavors. Straightforward and enjoyable, it's balanced with crisp acidity and supple tannins.
This warm Rosso starts with aromas of toast, woodland berries and cake spices. The juicy palate offers dense black cherry accented with notes of vanilla, mocha and clove alongside assertive tannins. Enjoy it soon.
There's much to enjoy in this unusual blend of Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. It generally works, with fruit-focused notes of raspberries and plum accented by barrel spices of clove and toffee. The flavors are tart, tangy and precise, with chewy tannins providing the frame.
Violets mingle with notes of dark char and almond on this perfumed, nuanced Cabernet Franc. On the palate, delicate sour-cherry flavor flavors are subdued by swathes of earth and spice. Brisk in acidity, it finishes with a mouthful of penetrating but finely textured tannins.
This mellowed-out red is ready to drink now. A good level of flavor complexity and a layered texture that is smooth but firm with tannins make this medium-bodied Merlot tasty. It feels so soothing and appetizing that one forgives the fruit and spice notes for being subtle.
This is a medium-bodied, slightly plump Sauvignon Blanc that hits the right herbal notes of snow pea and tomato leaf, then blends those with grapefruit and hints of stone fruit.
This structured wine discloses dark tannins and a firm, dense character. The granite soil comes through strongly in the cool minerality and tight texture. It has weight and potential richness, but it does need to age. Drink from 2016.
This very limited reserve is from a particular block, and as with most block selections, it offers focused, somewhat constrained flavors. Precisely defined red berry fruit is set in a frame of vanilla, toast and coffee. It's a pleasant, albeit generic quaffer.
In a challenging vintage, this shows excellent structure around rather light fruit. Strawberry and cherry come into play, with some well-managed tannic strength from the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec.
Weighty and dry, Albariño is a rare sight in Sonoma. This one is well worth seeking, savory in nutty almond and a taste of grilled peach. Mouth quenching, it'll pair well with spicy Thai shrimp.
Honey is the key word to describe the nose and flavor of this extremely aromatic and just slightly sweet wine, which also offers notes of honeysuckle and honeydew. Winemakers often turn the grape Symphony (a cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris) into a sweet, dessert-style wine, but this shows how good it can be in a drier version.
This is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, with a core of blueberry and cocoa. It's super-smooth and quite easy to sip and enjoy. But apart from that, and the seductive coffee/mocha flavors that run rampant through the finish, it shows little of the depth and complexity that Washington Cabernet can display. Drink 2017–2019.
Lively and full-bodied, the blend includes Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne and Pinot Gris. Citrus fruits fill the mouth, with a streak of honey and appealing roundness. This is a great wine to just drink and enjoy, without too much contemplation.
A nice richness and light honey note permeate the bouquet, accenting the solid core of red apple skin, peach pit and dried vanilla bean. Medium weight, with a very attractive sweet spice and charred egg-bread accented finish.
An elegant wine that slides easily over the palate. Its red berry flavors have a firm edge that stiffens the initial softness. Its tannins and acidity make this a serious, food-friendly wine that could age.
Perhaps because of its slow, natural fermentation in large casks and the resulting lees contact, this wine shows a bit of toasty, mealy character and a slightly creamy texture. It's a weighty Riesling (for the Mosel, anyway), with ripe notes of peach complementing citrus fruit and a dry, stony finish.
Piercing on the nose, with aromas of cola, graphite, juniper and blackberry. Feels thick, with meaty flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, herb and flower notes. Layered and relatively long on the finish. Impressive for under-$20 Chilean Syrah, with complexity and sauvage notes.
With its wood aging, the ripe and concentrated Malbec adds an extra dryness to the rich flavor of black plums. The wine is dense, balanced with toast. It could be aged, but is ready to drink now.
A wood-dominated wine that is powerfully extracted. It is dense, with a bitter coffee character, followed by some juicy blackberry flavors. It is still all bare bones, very firm and dry.
This has the classic flavors of many Oregon Pinot Noirs, a balanced mix of tangy red fruits, mineral, earth and more than a hint of stem. It's full bodied and detailed, with excellent balance, weaving threads of site and grape into a complex finish.
A bit reduced when first opened, it throws off scents of burnt rubber, then slowly opens into a roundly fruity, lightly toasty Pinot with a firmly tannic base. Flavors of Dr. Pepper drift through the midpalate. Give it a good decanting and it's fine for near-term consumption.
A solid, chunky wine whose tannins are still dominant. It has ripe black fruit flavors and a hint ofspice from wood aging. This is a wine that will develop well over the next 3–5 years.
There's a brooding quality to the smoky, diesel-fuel like aromas of this wine, but that's left in the rearview by ripe flavors of honey and baked apple once it's in the mouth. This wine is round and atypically soft for the vintage, but picks up some lively lime notes on the finish.
A solid example of the variety, with complex red and black fruits mixing it up with additional grace notes of coffee, sweet spice, toast and licorice. It's a balanced effort, with rather delicate tannins, and a finish that quits just a little early.
From four acclaimed Mendocino County vineyards, Winemaker Jon Grant's Straight Line Pinot is heftier than his single-vineyard bottlings from sister label Couloir. A dense style of Pinot, this has smoke and oak to it, plenty of strawberry and plum, its tannins not resolved, yet it still exhibits a lush fullness and well-rounded elegance.
Terre Rouge's yearly blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier is always a delightful wine with food. This vintage opens with a pleasant hit of pear followed by spring flowers and delves into creamy textures and layers of honeysuckle and orange rind in the midpalate.
Opens with lactic, slightly raisiny aromas that turn oakier and creamier with airing. Dense, rubbery and intense on the tongue, with dark flavors of blackberry and herb in the middle. Finishes long, earthy and slightly herbal, with tannic bite and grip. Drink now through 2014.
Light and fresh up front, with lychee, passion fruit and wet stone aromas. Feels good and balanced as if offers a nice mix of textured fruit and minerally acidity. Flavors of green melon, passion fruit, lime and green herbs come straight from central casting. Perfect for summer drinking.
As before, the Estate Selection is the bigger of the two Pinots from Amalie, textural and clean. Strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors hint at herb and stem, but all the details are in proportion and complement each other. Not for long aging, but drinking well right now.
A powerful—possibly too powerful—wine that pushes forward with its superconcentrated black-fruit flavors. It fills the palate with richness and juiciness; this is a wine for lovers of blockbusters.
Cedarville takes a lot of pride in its Cab, and this definitely screams mightily of its mountain, granite-soiled origins, with a rich mouthfeel and rocky minerality. Fully fruity, though restrained, this Cab has plenty of leathery plushness in the midpalate ending with a finale of dense, dark chocolate.
Dark and concentrated but simultaneously fresh and juicy, this blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache offers heady notes of black cherry, plum and raspberry accented by hints of game and tree bark. The meaty, medium-weight palate offers a firm structure and a solid finish.
Earthy like a Pinot Noir at first, but bigger boned like Syrah, this Tempranillo (with 10% Graciano blended in) has brooding mushroom notes throughout, is quite savory and has a long, peppery finish. Still very young, its tightly wound tannins will let loose over time.
The 2009 DTR Syrah won't be available until 2013 and is appropriately still tight, waiting to resolve itself into the superbly structured, bone-dry, savory wine it will become. There's a lot of minerality lurking between walls of black fruit and white pepper spice.
Blended with 10% Merlot, this wine sources grapes both from its famous estate, as well as from nearby Pickberry and Murray vineyards. It delights in luxuriously bright acidity and a jammy explosion of blackberry, chocolate, clove and tobacco, the texture roundly approachable.
This wine is a blend of Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland, Serra Pedace and Leonetti Old Block. Aromatically brooding at present, it shows intricate notes of barrel spice, thyme, coffee, cranberry, black tea and red and black fruit. The palate is tightly wound, with bright acid and lightly chewy tannins that need some time in the cellar to stretch their legs. Best from 2021 to 2030.
What a bold and powerful selection this is. It opens with intense aromas of blackberry, black plum and boysenberry that are hit with spicy notes of black pepper, cured meat, leather and Thin Mint. The plush and concentrated palate is like crushed velvet in texture, with gripping yet balanced tannins to support the rich, dense black-fruit flavors. The finish transitions from black cherry and boysenberry fruit to menthol, followed by lingering cocoa nib and charred oak tones. Drink 2019–2024.
Alluring aromas of exotic spice, purple flower, dark-skinned berry and a balsamic note lead the nose. The concentrated palate delivers dried cherry, ripe plum, mint, licorice and a hint of game alongside velvety tannins that wrap around the finish. It nicely balances weight and finesse.
Plummy yet cool, with a greenish, floral note that adds lift and interest to the dark-fruit aromas and flavors. This is a bit austere and dusty, but long on the finish, so drink 2018–2030.
Brooding aromas of huckleberry, orange peel and flowers are followed by seamless full-bodied palate-coating blue-fruit flavors. It's far from shy but delivers the goods.
Old vines, some dating from 1914, form the basis of this impressive wine. They give it concentration while the stone and sand soil brings even more richness. With its crisp acidity, lemon and grapefruit fruit, and creamy texture, the wine is refreshing and ready to drink.
This wine is a blend of 54% Grenache (Upland), 38% Mourvèdre (Boushey) and 8% Syrah (Blue Mountain). It shows pure aromas of green herbs, violets, raspberry, black pepper, orange peel and purple fruit. The flavors are pretty, plump and pure, putting a focus on texture, with fruit flavors stretching out on the finish and an orange-peel note running throughout.
This Chenin Blanc-based blend, with 13% Clairette, 10% Viognier and 4% Sémillon, starts off with notes of fresh herbs and verbena, supported by notes of lightly toasted-apple skin, white peach and melon. There's a pleasant roundness to the body, though ample acidity and a lingering clove accent pick up the midpalate and carry through to the lingering finish. Drink now–2020.
Laser-edged shards of lime and flint anchor this bright bristling dry Riesling. It's lean and lithe yet penetratingly ripe, offering loads of fresh lemon and quince flavors. The finish is perfumed, marked by notes of smoke and white blossom and a lingering lime pith astringency. Ready to drink now but should age well till 2025.
Tart cranberry, wild thyme, olive and Indian spices show on the nose of this appellation blend, a great representation of the cool-climate styles this winery is known for. Kalamata olive and Mediterranean spices arise on the palate, with baked fig, orange rinds, preserved lemon and chaparral combining for a tagine-like expression.
From a two-acre parcel of vines planted in 1950, this is a finely perfumed, rich wine. It has generous red fruits and an equally opulent ripe character. The tannins are there—a dry layer that is supporting the spice—as is a firm solid texture. Drink this wine (which is still developing) from 2019.
Negociant Nicolas Potel has made a specialty of sourcing old vines. In this wine, they are between 44 and 54-years-old. The wine is rich and concentrated—dark with tannins and generous with black fruits. It is firm and obviously needs to age. Drink this sold wine from 2020.
Vines planted in 1934 are behind this smooth and concentrated wine. It has red-berry crispness as well as a cool crisp texture from acidity and tannins. With aging potential, the wine is perfumed and still firm. Drink from 2019.
Smashed black plums, mulberry and alpine strawberry show through the crushed rocks on the nose of this bottling that is lifted by a tarragon spice. Tangy blackberry and elderberry show on the palate, where wild thyme, oregano and peppercorns contribute to an intriguing sense of depth.
This wine comes from a single-parcel, walled vineyard on the north bank of the river Vienne. It is a ripe wine, with delicious cherry and spice flavors balanced with acidity and a firmly tannic core. The wine will age well, so drink now for the attractive fruit or wait until 2018.
The 34-acre vineyard of Tania and Vincent Carême is run organically. This wine, from a parcel of old vines, is dry with signs of its wood aging attractively melding into the apple and spice fruits. With intense acidity and a tight texture, the wine is still fruity and young. It can be drunk now although it is worth waiting until 2022 for a more mature perspective.
Fournier's top Sancerre wine is released with just that extra bit of maturity, giving it extra depth and richness, and turning the initial fruitiness into something more serious. At three years old, the wine is ripe, still with plenty of fruit while also developing a smoky, flinty character. Drink now.
Coming from a blend of top sites Red Willow and Forgotten Hills, this wine offers reserved aromas of berry, herb, smoked meat and pepper. The palate brings bright acid and intensity of flavor but with a sense of elegance that keeps you hanging on each sip.
Coming from Lawrence Vineyards, this wine offers aromas of orange peel, smoke, olive, blueberry, blackberry and wood spice. The blue-fruit flavors are full bodied and perfumed, showing a pleasing sense of balance and a lingering finish.
Bright aromas of blackberry, cassis, pencil lead and black cherry are followed by full-bodied black-fruit flavors backed by a firm lick of chewy tannins. The finish lingers and the mouthfeel heightens the interest. Give the tannins some time to settle in. Best after 2020.
Dark, dense and ripe from the start, this New World-style Cab Franc is showing raisin, vanilla and foresty aromas prior to a lush soft palate. Flavors of raisin, chocolate and blackberry are on the cusp of overripe and desiccated, while this finishes with flavors of licorice, peppercorn, beef jerky and chocolate. Drink this bulky soft-bodied red now through 2018.
Cherry, plum and oaky aromas of vanilla work well together on this tight, slightly clampy and acidic Gran Reserva that's still showing youthful tannic pull. Ripe plum and spice flavors hint at raisin, while this finishes with grabby tannic intensity. Drink this through 2022.
Expressive aromas of funk, ember, moist soil, truffle, olive and high-toned dried herbs are followed by a freshly elegant and flavor-focused palate. The balance and length are exquisite.
Brooding aromas of barrel spices, red and black fruit, freshly brewed coffee and pencil lead are followed by an intense full palate. It displays a lot of layers to explore.
Aromas of plum, cranberry, wood spice and herb are followed by concentrated red and black-fruit flavors. A silky mouthfeel and firm tannins only add to the enjoyment.
Herb, stem, green olive and floral aromas lead to generous fruit and savory flavors that carry though the finish. It shows a lot of finesse and a beautiful sense of balance.
This Merlot isn't as big or tannic as VM's 2014 Reserve, but it's close in quality. Cedary oak frames Bing cherry fruit on the nose, while the palate delivers a rich, creamy texture and additional complexity in the form of vanilla, licorice and raspberry. The long, velvety finish folds in hints of dark chocolate and espresso. Drink now–2025.
Big and bright, this full-bodied wine is stuffed to bursting with lightly charred aromas and flavors of black pepper, blackberry and dark chocolate. A soothingly tannic texture matches the flavors in amplitude. The wine feels muscular but also light on its feet.
A heavily oaked wine that needs time for the toast to integrate. It does have the black fruit structure to back it up, so expect this complex wine to develop pleasurably over the next 5–6 years.
While the style is soft, full of yellow fruit richness, the wine also show an excellent concentrated texture. The fresh fruit is integrated into this more complex style. The aftertaste shows some softness, but the wine can certainly age for several years.
Impressive as always, with dense, meaty aromas of baked black fruits, compost and dried cheese. The palate is thick to the max, with chocolate, coconut and baked plum and berry flavors. Ultrarich on the finish, with warmth and density. Once again "M" shows how deep and rewarding high-end Chilean reds can be. Drink now through 2015.
Ripe, sweet-fruited wine, its red berry fruits and opulent tannins giving a rounded feel. There is, as well, a good structure composed of acidity, licorice and wood. It needs 2–3 years still to really develop all its depth of flavor.
Perhaps better known for his Côte-Rôties, Pierre Gaillard is obviously comfortable working with schist. Transhumance is an intense and complex wine, with assertive notes of kirsch, sweet smoke, wild game and garrigue accents of thyme, rosemary and violet. Rich and lush in the mouth, the texture is like crushed velvet and the finish evolves from a dark fruit blast to sweet vanilla bean and finally ending on a smoked cedar and spice note.
Rich, creamy wood-aged wine that shows pear, apple and toast flavors ane even a hint of honey. Smooth and textured, it has fine final spice and acidity to add further interest.
Deep berry, cola, mint and leather aromas are classy and not overdone. Feels lush and deep in the mouth, with blatant ripeness and toasty, oaky flavors of cola, coconut and blackberry. Finishes big but not that long or complex. Drink now through 2013; Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
H&B;'s 2008 Faugères is rich and complex, with herbal garrigue aromas of lavender and laurel framed against the solid ripe dark berry and cherry fruit core. The mouth is brisk and lively, with vibrant acidity lifting the dark fruit flavors and carrying through to the chocolate- and espresso-flecked close. Good now, but hold for another two to five years for even greater enjoyment.
A beautifully ripe and rounded wood-aged wine. It brings out all the opulence of Meursault while keeping a tight, textured element as counterpoint. The wood flavors are beginning to blend into the lychee and peach flavors, promising an even richer experience in a few months.
This wine has traveled miles in the right direction compared to its early incarnations. It's piercing and potent up front, with cigar box, mocha, toast and coffee aromas in addition to fine flavors of tobacco, cassis, vanilla and lightly baked berry and cassis. Finishes wavy and long; 50% Syrah along with Merlot, Cab and Carmenère.
Graphite and lead pencil aromas mix with toasty berry scents. It's solid and textured in the mouth, with creamy oak flavors alongside sawdust, milk chocolate and sweet berry notes. Deep and solid on the finish, but it trails behind Adrianna wines from recent vintages.
A sniff is rewarded with sandalwood, dry spice and thick, jammy berry aromas. It's concentrated and well integrated on the palate, with ultraripe and sweet flavors of coconut, vanilla cream and berry fruit. Seems a touch flat and candied on the finish, with a final blast of sweetness.
Quite bright, sweet and fruity, with a hint of cherry candy and blackberry on the bouquet and then a juicy, fresh palate with mild chocolate, raspberry and proper texture. For $11 this wine is more than competent; it's very good. 50,000 cases made.
Smoothly toasty wine, the wood element broadening the light apple fruit without overwhelming it. This attractive, basic Chablis has a fine, taut layer of acidity, grapefruit and apple juice crispness.
Alive and dainty with soft orange blossom notes paired with fresh red apple slices and a touch of nuttiness. The mouth is more of the same, with a distinct peach pit flavor unfolding on the medium-length finish.
Dark chocolate and rich plum sauce add complexity to this black fruit-driven Merlot. Blackberry preserves and soft plum guts fill the mouth, with a touch of green pepper appearing on the finish. Medium weight with a creamy texture and a medium-length finish. Drink now.
A lively, medium-bodied dry red for casual meals, this is a good example of Australian Sangiovese. Red berry fruit is backed by crisp acids and firmish tannins, making this a good candidate to pair with burgers or pizza. It's 85% Sangiovese, with the balance Merlot and Shiraz.
A Bordeaux blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the Miscela starts strong with a complex bouquet of black fruits, toast, smoke, coffee grounds and pencil shavings. The alcohol, listed at 15.4%, does not intrude, yet somehow it seems to mute the complexity. As a result, the finish turns astringent, drying, with a layer of ash drifting over the fruit.
Here's a fruit forward and very drinkable red blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. Jammy red berry preserves, boysenberry and blueberry all present themselves in the fleshy mouth, with a fruitcake spice lingering through the close.
Raw abrasive plum and berry aromas are grassy. This passable Merlot is rubbery and pinched in feel, with herbal generic berry flavors that finish with a weedy accent.
This pruney, baked and somewhat sour blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot presents itself as overly ripe.
Light in the glass, this bottling is quite funky on the nose with reductive red cherry and tar notes. Flavors are sour, full of tart cherry and composting earth tones.
From the outset this is woody and artificial in style. Aromas of milk chocolate and clove are strange and forced. In the mouth, this feels wiry but also gummy, with clove-heavy oak and tannic bite. In general, this is overly woody, candied and seemingly not natural.
This yellow-tinted blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay smells more like freshly waxed floorboards and wood resin than fruit. In the mouth, this is resiny and plump, with mild acidity. A weird set of woody, waxy flavors falls flat on the finish.
Aromas of chewing gum dust are not attractive. This feels flat, with zero edge and structure. Lightly oxidized flavors of generic berry leave one with nothing to latch on to.
A blast of fake-smelling clove is the dominant aroma on this sticky Pinot Noir. Clove returns as the singular flavor, while the finish is woody but not toasty or classy. This is uniquely one-dimensional, but in the wrong way.
Rusty in color, with aromas of compost and rotten leaves, this isn't cutting it. A drawing hard palate and burnt-out flavors that match the nose make this a hard road to navigate.
Other than a strange note of mustard, there's little to say about the nose of this brut nature Cab Franc. It tastes of sauerkraut and mustard, while the finish tastes pickled, with an infusion of vinegar.
This remarkable wine from the famed family-farmed, organic estate impresses immediately in its depth of concentration and stately grace, imparting a wealth of rose-garden compost and wild truffle on the nose. Within the vibrant range of sensual flavor is salted caramel, black cherry and chocolate, alongside a twist of saddle and campfire coffee. Its grip of focused tannin suggests years of aging potential; enjoy best from 2023 to 2033.
Nacional Vintage Port comes from a small parcel of ungrafted vines on a series of terraces at the Noval estate. It is a legendary wine, produced only occasionally. This wine is still impressively young and shows that it will age for decades. With its dark black fruits and succulent tannins, it is powerful and concentrated. Drink this wine from 2021 and for many years.
Mocha, baked plum and black pepper play equal roles in this stunning, full-bodied beauty from the famous site, all within a tightly focused, integrated experience of seamless texture and structure. Richly concentrated and yet able to find a balance of acidity and freshness within its voluptuous nature, this wine impresses from end to end and will do well in the cellar; enjoy best from 2023 to 2025.
Just when you think Alta Vista has gotten everything it can from Temis (see the 2012), this comes along to reset the benchmark. Ripe, round and lush on the nose, with full-force blackberry and prune aromas, this shows titanic grip, depth and ripeness on the palate. Flavors of raisin, chocolate and blackberry finish with hefty tannins and a smear of mocha flavor. Drink from 2018–2026.
This is a unicorn wine that only gets made in exceptional years—the last time was a decade ago. Hailing from Morrison Lane, the oldest Syrah plantings in the valley, it brings mesmerizing aromas of blackberry, black fruit, moist earth and wet stone. The black-fruit flavors consume the palate, showing density, depth and exceptional length. It's a complete heart-stopper.
Tilled earth, underbrush, rose petal, perfumed berry, aromatic herb and a balsamic note are some of the many alluring scents you'll find on this gorgeous red. The juicy palate is both earthy and loaded with finesse, doling out ripe dark cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco, licorice and energizing mineral. Firm, polished tannins provide structure. It's already almost accessible but will continue to evolve and age beautifully. Drink from 2019 through 2029.
The aromas pop, with notes of stargazer lilies, brown stems, green olive and smoked meat, revealing more on each swirl. The fruit and savory flavors are rich and layered, earthshaking in their intensity, with a lengthy finish that only heightens the interest. It's a complete showstopper.
This stunning red is all about finesse and light. It opens with lovely scents of violet, rose, perfumed berry and balsamic aromas while the radiant, almost ethereal palate delivers crunchy red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and mineral intensity. It's impeccably balanced, with bright acidity and firm but elegant tannins. While it's so tempting now, hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018–2033.
This ultra reserve, made in half bottles only, is labeled the winery's best offering. It lives up to the claim, with stunningly rich and broad flavors of black fruits, dusty cedar, tobacco, tea and coffee. The rich and complex barrel flavors are beautifully integrated, seamless and proportioned, and power through a breathtaking finish that lasts for minutes. Drink now and over the next five years.
Perfumed berry, rose, fragrant blue flower, tilled earth, baking spice and a hint of new leather are just some of the aromas you'll find on this dazzling red. The polished, structured palate is loaded with finesse, delivering a wonderful depth of flavors including raspberry, dark cherry, licorice, mint and white pepper. Vibrant acidity and firm, refined tannins provide impeccable balance. It's still young and will develop even more complexity over the next 10–15 years. Drink 2020–2035.
This vineyard continues to impress in both this variety and others, this wine showing off its ability to offer fistfuls of red, blue and black fruit as juicy acidity signals freshness and ageability. A wooded undertone of brush and bramble meets swathes of lavender, licorice and ever-so-satisfying dark chocolate as the length of the wine goes on for days.
This is a blend of the best barrels of the vintage, in this year consisting of fruit primarily from Howell and Diamond mountains, with a touch of estate-grown Merlot. It offers astounding levels of richness and concentration alongside a nuanced approach to bold black fruit and spicy earth, its aromas of blackberry and clove peppered in wild violet. It impresses immediately but also pleads for more time in bottle; enjoy best 2020 through 2028.
This radiant, fragrant Nebbiolo opens with a potpourri of scents including aromatic herb, leather, cedar, pressed rose petal and dark spice. The luminous, subtle palate is loaded with finesse, delivering juicy red cherry, cinnamon, star anise, white pepper and pipe tobacco. It's impeccably balanced, with noble tannins and bright acidity. Drink now or hold for even more complexity. Drink through 2032.
This beautifully perfumed wine has all the tannins that will allow it to age over many decades. It also offers the rich blackberry, dark plum and great structure that will support that aging. As so often, Noval has released a vintage when other major producers have held back. But this powerful wine fully justifies the decision. Drink from 2025 for the fruit, 2030 for the complexity.
Plump and ripe Montmorency cherry kicks off the aromas on this bottling, followed by rain-on-slate minerality, slight hints of cola and a growing sense of sour cranberry. The palate also begins with riper red fruit before diving into extreme minerality and intriguing texture. Then comes tart plums and cranberries, all dusted by savory touches of white pepper. It's quite a ride.
This is a blockbuster of a wine, powerfully built grape by grape, with just a handful of Merlot. Cherry vanilla, leathery cedar and juicy plum combine around a lush, voluptuous mouthfeel of tension and tannin. Incredibly satisfying, it shows a length of spicy clove on the finish that appears to go on for days. This is a beauty too hard to sock away, though it should do well in the cellar another decade or two.
Aromas of pomegranate, black fruit, herb and barrel spice lead to rich seamless palate-coating dark-fruit flavors. It's hedonistic but retains a sense of balance along with an unabashed deliciousness.
Bright red fruits in this attractive cherry and banana flavored wine. It has a soft tannic edge, laced with acidity and finishing spice.
Reflecting the difficulties of the vintage, this is a slightly edgy, coarsely textured wine, with sweet, oaky notes framing cherries and roasted beets. Try it with something slightly rustic, like beef stew.
A firm, youthful Cabernet, with cassis and blue plum fruit accented by dried herb, graphite and asphalt. As it sat in the glass, a distinct leathery aroma emerged and the fruit quickly faded.
Feels sturdy and properly acidic, with melon, papaya and apple flavors running alongside almondy bitterness. Simple and quick on the finish; 60% Xarel-lo and 40% Chardonnay.
Quite light, suggesting fruit that was picked at less than optimal ripeness. This thin wine has tart red fruit, a streak of caraway seed and a finish with sweet cracker highlights.
Starts out odd and exotic, with blueberry and Middle Eastern spice aromas. Feels condensed and jammy, with full flavors of herbs, boysenberry and plum. Shows freshness along with simplicity, with finishing herbal notes of sage and tarragon. Contains 10% each Merlot and Cabernet.
A rich and rounded single-vineyard Chardonnay. It has weight and a smoky character to go with the peach, kiwi and lime juice flavors. The acidity is light, but does give a line of freshness.
A ripe, fruity wine with a light structure of tannins and acidity, it has some density while remaining fruity and juicy. The red cherry fruit blends into the closing acidity.
This is a medium-bodied Riesling that seems destined for rather early consumption, as it lacks the fine edge of acidity that distinguishes age-worthy examples. Apple and lime flavors are tinged with gingery spice on the finish.
Plum and cherry aromas turn herbal and piney with airing. Definitely a leaner, sharper Alazan than in the past, with body as well as piercing acidity. Black fruit flavors have an herbal undertone as the palate transitions to peppery spice. Bright and zingy; not much finish.
Smells full but reduced, with a foxy, candied leaning and aromas of vitamins and minerals. Feels big, bulky, grabby and thick, with baked blackberry and plum flavors. Full on the finish, with some heat.
Loaded with dark cherry earth, this is a dense, drinkable Pinot Noir. From a tiny Watsonville-based producer who sources from all over the state to make a handful of different wines.
Fresh and juicy, this opens with alluring aromas of ripe plum, violet, sunbaked soil and dark spice. The bright, silky palate offers crushed blackberry, succulent cherry, clove and star anise alongside supple tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
Aromas of ripe black-skinned fruit, prune, tobacco, earth and Asian spice float out of the glass. The subdued but refined palate offers mature plum, blackberry, cocoa and cinnamon alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. It has soft appeal but is already evolved and short on intensity and verve. It will, however, make enjoyable drinking over the next few years.
This blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, which is only sold in Bermuda, shows the tang of anise alongside cranberry, dried oregano and pencil lead on the nose. The palate's boysenberry fruit is leveled with black pepper, roasting herbs and a long finish that's quite intriguing.
This savory, straightforward red opens with attractive aromas of ripe plum, blue flower and a hint of baking spice. The juicy, easygoing palate includes ripe blackberry, spiced blueberry, star anise and a peppery note alongside round, velvety tannins. It's made to be drunk young so enjoy soon.
Snow pea is a descriptor often attached to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but I don't think I've ever tasted a wine that captures it as precisely as this one does. Zesty citrus notes fill out the wine's medium body and linger on the finish.
This wine is half Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest equal parts Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Golden raisin, medicinal notes and abundant barrel spice aromas lead to full but balanced flavors backed by grainy tannins.
Aromas of cigar box and dried herbs are light and elusive. The palate yields plenty of tart cherry and cranberry flavors and a light grip of tannins.
This variety is an extreme rarity in the state, with only a small handful of bottlings made. This one offers aromas of herbs, spice and green apple skin that carry through to the palate, which drinks just off dry.
Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the balance (6%) Cabernet Franc, this wine leans into the savory with abundant leafy herb, flower and plum aromas that are followed by supple, flavorful earth and tart cherry flavors. The palate delivers but the aromas don't seem to match up.
Alan Limmer of Stonecroft was the first modern grower of Syrah in New Zealand, planting his first vines in 1984. While the winery has changed hands, it's still a good source for Syrah. This bottling is appropriately smoky and peppery, with hints of bacon fat and blueberries, and a lingering, softly dusty finish.
This is a well-structured and elegant wine, despite its size. Bright red cassis and cherry play under tannins that hit on the back of the palate, taking a moment to soften. Herb and cedar mark the finish.
Despite some honeyed notes on the nose, this is a bit austere and stony overall. Herbal shadings accent pineapple and underripe stone fruit flavors, while a dry finish reinforces the impression of restraint.
Located just south of Margaux, this estate has produced an attractive wine that plays on the fruit of the vintage. The fresh black-currant character is enhanced by light flavors of wood aging. It will age for a few years, so drink from 2018.
Situated at the western end of the Pauillac plateau, this estate has produced a fresh and fruity wine that takes advantage of the year's black-currant flavors and doesn't have too much of a tannic structure. It will develop more and will be best from 2018.
In this Merlot-dominated wine, powerful wood flavors still show strongly against the fresh, juicy black-currant and berry fruits. As this combination ages, it will produce a ripe, full and always fruity wine with strong final acidity. Drink from 2018.
This wine is ripe, with dusty tannins and blackberry fruits. It is balanced, fresh with acidity while keeping a good layer of fruitiness. The tannins and structure will allow it to age although it should develop quickly. Drink from 2017.
This is a young and structured wine. Juicy black-currant flavors are still firmly backed up by tannins. Produced from old vines, it is dense although also with a fresh acidity that is already attractive. Drink from 2017.
The top wine from this estate is this release from the powerful 2010 vintage. It has a dense structure, dark tannins and rich texture. Ripe black plum and dark fig flavors along with the dry core means the wine is still developing. Drink from 2017.
Blue flower, sunbaked earth, Mediterranean brush and dark-skinned berry aromas lead the way on this easygoing red. The round, chewy palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry jam and a white pepper note alongside rounded tannins. It's straightforward but savory and made to be enjoyed young.
Aromas of coffee, gravel and boysenberry are followed by pillowy-soft fruit and barrel flavors. It displays delicacy and nuance.
Made with 100% late-harvested Syrah, this opens with subdued aromas of blackberry jam, cedar, ground pepper and a smoky note. On the moderately sweet palate, nutmeg accentuates both dried prune and fig.
An especially tasty fruit character sets this full-bodied wine apart from the pack. It smells like black currants and tastes like raspberries and blueberries. Moderate tannins and acidity give it good texture and help the finish last.
Refreshing and fragrant, this is delicately perfumed with pressed wild flower, woodland berry and a smidge of Mediterranean herb. The vibrant, straightforward palate is full of ripe red cherry, crushed strawberry, cinnamon and orange peel alongside zesty acidity.
The flavor of red and green apples dominates the nose. The palate has a fleshier nature but a huge amount of zesty freshness that pulls everthing taut and straight. Clean and very refreshing.
This vineyard has already established itself as a premier Riesling site, but Chardonnay is increasingly gaining attention. Aromas of lees, mineral, toast and spice lead to an elegant but well-balanced palate, with flavors that linger.
Very fresh and very delicately fragrant with crisp but balanced acidity. This is a wine as light and delicate as a summer breeze and should be drunk on a sunny day as a lovely, scented apéritif. Drink soon.
Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Syrah (35%), Merlot (22%) and Sangiovese comprise this blend of declassified barrels. It displays aromas of mocha, barrel spices, dark berries and cranberry. The black-fruit flavors are ripe and generous, backed up by a firm lick of tannins.
Delicate scents of rose, chopped mint, dark spice and tilled soil aromas take shape in the glass. The firmly structured palate offers red cherry, pomegranate, licorice and white pepper set against a backbone of polished, fine-grained tannins. A coffee note closes the finish. Drink 2018–2027.
Ample aromas of dark berry, pipe tobacco, pressed violet and a balsamic note come together on this single-vineyard selection. On the structured palate, an energizing mineral vein wraps around mature black cherry, licorice, cinnamon and dried herb while a hint of game adds depth. This has years ahead of it. Drink 2018–2027.
Graceful and fragrant, this boasts alluring scents of rose, aromatic herb, flint, red berry and culinary spice. The elegant palate delivers red cherry, strawberry, white pepper and star anise alongside bright acidity and firm, refined tannins. Drink 2018–2026.
Rusty and mature in color, with saucy aromas of tomato, baked plum, herbs and wild brush, this straggling Garnacha-Carignan blend from an excellent year feels full, energetic and loaded to the brim. Flavors of herbal plum, mocha, chocolate and mixed spices finish healthy. Overall, this is showing very well after 15 years. Drink through 2024.
This wine is supremely pretty, inviting in rose petals and violets. Sourced from Oakville Ranch Vineyard and Vineyard Georges III in Rutherford, it deserves its own bottling. Generously soft and complex, it offers a deftness of black cherry, clove and cedar married expertly together.
Caramelized oak and honey give this estate wine an undeniable richness offset by a streak of rocky minerality. Smooth in texture, it's plush, lush and robustly full bodied, accented by green apple and melon. It celebrates a warm site, warm vintage and meticulous winemaking.
Hailing from River Rock Vineyard in the Rocks District, this wine's black olive, green stem, potpourri, dark fruit and orange peel aromas are followed by silky feeling fruit and savory flavors. It keeps the interest high.
From vines that were 171 years old when the grapes for this wine were harvested, this is packed with dark berry fruit, then layered with vanilla, cedar and mint. It's full, plush and warm, just too big, intense and bulky for current consumption. Best from 2020–2030.
This wine, made by the Thomas Fogarty team, presents a complex nose, with aromas of roasting oregano, marjoram, dill and thyme, smoked meat, blueberry and crushed lava rock. Those herbal touches swirl together on the palate amid hearty tannins, rounded blackberry fruits and soy flavors. Drink 2018–2033.
Though not labeled as such, this 100% varietal all hails from Red Mountain, with the fruit coming from Klipsun (64%), Scooteney Flats and Tapteil vineyards. The aromas are brooding and locked up at present with notes of mineral, black currant, spice, pencil lead and blackberry. The fruit flavors are black as night, supported by firm but exceptionally well-integrated tannins. It will be at its best from 2023 to 2031 but should last well beyond that.
This ripe and juicy wine holds good acidity and tannins that give it a dry core. Already balanced, it's fruity with black currants and plenty of spice. Along with its structure, it has plenty more to give in the future. The name comes from the number of barrels used for the wine. Drink from 2018.
Bold and full bodied, this opens with rather subtle aromas of chopped herb, dark-skinned berry and a whiff of star anise. The ripe palate is more expressive, doling out black raspberry, juicy morello cherry and baking spice set against a backbone of noble tannins.
This Peyronie family cru bourgeois estate is one of the rare properties in Pauillac that is not a classified growth. That alone makes it a good value. The wine comes from vines close to Pichon Baron in the south of the appellation. This juicy black-currant flavored wine is still very young, full of its tannins and dark character. With its structure and acidity, the wine will age well. Drink from 2022.
As befits this ripe and forward vintage, this special cuvée is rich to the point of voluptuousness—a generous expression of cherry and plum fruit broadly displayed across the palate. The oak treatment (17 months in three-quarters new French barrels) brings smooth and lightly buttery accents of caramel and chocolate. It's a sexy wine that seems best for near- and medium-term consumption.
This cuvée quickly finds its deep core of cherry fruit, pleasingly annotated with sweet spices and a dusting of cocoa powder. The length is impressive, as is the overall balance. It's a beautifully crafted expression of the grape, the vineyard and the vintage.
A tiny-production, 100% varietal wine from a tiny ½-acre site in heart of Kenwood, next to Chateau St. Jean, this is a wow wine, melding flavors of baked plum, moist earth, mocha and blackberry. It has a lively richness that's both lush and expansive, with a soft, firm tannin structure and lengthy finish.
Made from fruit grown in the eastern reaches of the Vaca Mountains, a warm place for grapes, this 100% varietal wine delivers a voluptuously smooth experience, shining in baked cherry and plum. Amid its biting tension of ripeness awaits a swath of dark chocolate and tobacco.
A glaze of honeycomb lends a waxy sheen to crisp tangerine, pineapple and gooseberry in this delicately framed dry Riesling. It's gossamer-fine in texture, but there's a scintillating power within, powered by an electric core of acidity. Subtle hints of exotic spice and tart lime pith reverberate long on the finish. It's enticing now but should gain depth and finesse through 2025.
Salentein's wines have never been better than over the last few vintages. This Malbec-heavy blend is rich, with aromatic notes of raisin, prune, licorice and almond candy. A full, tannic and slightly bumpy palate holds impressive flavors of cassis, black plum, blackberry, toast and peppercorn. On the finish, coffee, toast, mocha, licorice and cassis flavors are deep and delicious. Drink through 2026.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling, which includes a bit of the other main Bordeaux varietals, shows concentrated blueberries, blackcurrant, cola and fudges notes on the nose. It's soft and rich on the palate, with fine-grained tannins revealing more dense, dark fruit, touches of mint and chocolate, and a nice floral component.
This crisp and lengthy vineyard-designate shows a depth of earth and rose petals against baked plum, orange zest and rhubarb. Mouthfilling acidity provides a freshness on the palate that persists through a long, spicy finish.
Focused, deep and rich, this lovely vineyard designate is dotted with notes of charcoal, caramel and mocha. It offers both power and finesse, a rare combination, with persistent flavors, anchored on a substantial core of raspberry and cherry fruit. Drink now through 2026.
Grapes are meticulously sourced from a range of sites, including Sonoma Mountain and Knights Valley on the Sonoma side, and Spottswoode estate, Hyde and Ink Grade from Napa. Opening with the aromas of grassy knoll, it develops in the glass to show juicy, fresh acidity and well-defined flavors of apricot and wet stone. Young and bright, the acidity is tenacious and supportive, making way for a final lilt of creaminess on the finish.
Distinctive and precise, this well-priced wine should have a place in your cellar. It captures the specific characteristics—terroir if you will—that distinguish the best Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs: highlights of cola and herb, refreshing minerality, a perfect balance of fruit, acid and tannin, and a riveting liveliness in the mouth. All this without any hint of new oak makes this a winemaking tour de force.
Richly oaked and voluptuous in aroma, this bold, balanced vineyard-designate shows hints of brioche and toffee, complemented by clouds of sultry Pink Lady apple and pear compote. Its supporting acidity steals the show, never allowing the concentration to speak too loudly.
Wakefield (known as Taylor's in Australia) was founded as a Cabernet-focused estate. While the range has expanded over time, Cabernet Sauvignon remains a strength. Brown sugar and cedar frame cassis fruit on the nose; the palate shows just enough juicy, mouthwatering fruit to support the ample oak. This is full bodied yet supple, with crisp acids showing on the finish.
As befits a reserve-level wine, this is big, bold, rich and full-flavored. It amplifies the ripe apple and peach fruit, and slathers it in buttery caramel and sweet spice. Drink now through 2020.
This is firm, dusty and seemingly built for the cellar. Toasty, cedary and chocolaty oak frames dark fruit, yet it remains fresh in character, not dried or overripe. The finish is long, tannic and reminiscent of fine Bordeaux. Try after 2020.
This cool, minty, dark specimen smells deeply of chocolate and blackberry. In the mouth, this is saturated to the max, just like the wine's name implies. Flavors of toast, dark chocolate and black fruits finish with coffee notes and a blast of oaky chocolate. This is delicious but still fierce. Drink from 2018 through 2030.
This bottling by pioneer Richard Sanford is much more widely available, affordable and stylistically accessible right now than the single vineyard option. It's delicate on the nose with bright lime spritz, Meyer lemon pith, crushed lemon verbena and a grippy brie cheese rind component, then proves tangy on the nuanced palate, with lemongrass and pomelo skin meshing into nectarine and apple flesh.
Brawny but polished, this dark-colored and full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend has a tantalizing aroma of cedar and cigar box, then rich but bright fruit flavors and a satisfying layered and tannic texture. Great acidity and just-ripe fruit help it balance out the handsome oaky character and firm tannins. Best after 2019.
This is an amazingly fresh and fruity tank-fermented wine, imparting a subtle hint of grass before unleashing sublime layers of melon and apricot alongside measured, zesty acidity. New winemaker Chris Kajani is taking things in a refreshing, aim-for-the-top direction with this bottling.
Cocoa, vanilla, baking spice and green herb aromas are followed by concentrated, palate-coating black cherry and barrel spice flavors that show a deft touch. Coffee notes persist on the finish.
Three sources of fruit make their way into this wine: Petite Sirah from Sonoma Valley's Rossi Ranch and Del Carlo Ranch in Dry Creek Valley, as well as Syrah from Rosella's in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Together they offer leathery black licorice and a smooth, yet grippy texture, balanced by decent acidity and length, with a twist of milk chocolate.
Made from three parcels of vines, this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is deeply colored and structured. Dark tannins show alongside the smooth and polished texture from new-wood aging. With the structure come rich black currant and dark plum fruits and acidity. The wine will be best aged until 2017.
A classic style of wine, this has reserved aromas but great texture and structure supporting deep black currant and dark plum flavors, accented by subtle spicy oak. With each sip more nuances of cedar, tobacco, sage and black olive come out. Although delicious now, it will be best after 2020.
This wine is in the tasty, full-bodied California tradition, showing lively aromas of toasted oak and butter, then ripe fruit flavors and a mouth-filling texture. It also has depth, bringing more nuances to the front with each sip, and lingering long on the finish.
Bright and crisp, but with nice depth and length, too, this medium-bodied wine is delicious to drink and holds interest with a light touch of oak. Tangy grapefruit and lime flavors have a hint of brioche and the texture is very lively.
Fresh and lively light clove notes meet with smashed strawberry, baked cherry and vanilla cookie on the nose of this exuberant, delicious Zin. There is lots of character and depth to the palate, with jammy fruit and brown spice similar to the nose, picking up additional allspice, gingerbread and deep strawberry flavors.
This is an elusive, spicy wine made in larger amounts than many of the producer's other single-site wines and it shows a deftness of balance and blending. Tangy orange and cranberry wrap around a high acidity that plays out like wet stones and black tea with plenty of herbal backbone on display.
Notions of citrus peel and foliage, of ripe, red-cheeked little yellow mirabelle plums mix exoticism with the homely. Treading on light feet, almost on a tightrope, this is top-laden with fruit, yet focused and taut. A real flirt of a wine, but with serious intent.
The first vintage of this wine from the Gueissard family's Bandol vineyard is made from old vines and aged for 18 months in wood. Rich and concentrated with wonderful spice from the 70% Mourvèdre, the wine is an impressive medley of dark fruits, black currant and spice from the wood aging. It needs to age longer; drink from 2018.
This Russian River blend rivals Loring's single-vineyard wines for 2014. An elegant and superbly balanced wine, it's the kind that never gets tiring. It has a slightly doughy aroma, complex fruity, spicy and savory flavors, and a particularly engaging mouthfeel that's both gripping and creamy at the same time.
This wine smacks you in the face first thing, demanding attention, before settling into mouthwateringly succulent layers of Asian pear, graham cracker and Nilla wafer. An underbelly of oak supports the fruit, remaining subtle and providing structure. The acidity shines most on the finish, inviting further exploration.
Aromas of white spring flower, mature orchard fruit and a whiff of graphite float out of the glass. The fresh, concentrated palate doles out ripe white peach, mature Granny Smith and Bosc pear while mineral and almond notes back up the finish.
Darker in color than most Provence rosés, this impressive wine is made almost entirely of Mourvèdre. With a rich, full character, it is generous and ripe. Sweet strawberry fruits are right up front, balanced with a touch of citrus and freshly ground pepper. The aftertaste is tight and spicy.
Notes of pineapple and verbena tisane hint at some maturity. While the nose suggests richness, the palate reveals a concentrated lightness that is nonetheless dense with aroma: said pineapples as well as notes of hayflowers and dried moss and dried citrus peel. The long finish celebrates this multilayered scope beautifully.
This is a perfumed wine, with aromatic notes of raspberries, kirsch, flowers, smoked meat, orange peel and blue fruit, with the Viognier blended in (4%) showing itself. The raspberry and cranberry flavors are lush and focused, showing a dazzling sense of purity that carries through the finish. It only lengthens its stride on the second day open.
Right away this blend is clicking. Aromas of blackberry and cassis are clean and well presented. A full, free-flowing palate is in balance and showing only modest tannic grab. Blackberry, toast and chocolate flavors finish bold and a little choppy. Drink through 2020.
The almost luminous pink hue promises exuberance: the wine delivers a plethora of fruit notes—spicy elderberries, luscious strawberries and juicy red cherries all take turns to dazzle. Is this your typical rosé? Certainly not—it's more of an ultralight red that needs chilling. But it certainly delivers sophisticated yet fun drinking. Simply abandon yourself to its joyful flavors and celebrate summer!
A classically made expression of the variety, with 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, this wine is soft and easygoing, rounded with a subtle grip of black plum, cherry and dark chocolate. Full bodied, it exhibits a tension of leather and black tea with dried herb on the finish, begging for pepper steak, the texture soft and silky. Drink now through 2020.
Plush, lip-staining blueberries and blackberries permeate through this rich, inky-black Petit Verdot. It's intensely fruity, but dense layers of tar, char, cedar and spice add striking counterpoints. Fine-grained tannins are still taut and unyielding but should meld nicely from 2020 through 2026.
This young Nebbiolo has aromas of wild strawberry, rose petal, dark baking spice and a whiff of new leather. The bright palate offers juicy red cherry, raspberry, Alpine herb and white pepper. Firm, refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide balance and structure.
Dark golden color gives way to a taste of yellow apple, pear and a touch of ginger spice, with the midpalate mellow and veering on rich. A punch of guava and lime is accented in vibrant acidity on the lingering finish.
The purest notes of ripe lemon zest are the first to rise from the glass, then comes a slight notion of yeast—so fresh is this wine. There is a savoury timbre on all this gleaming citrus sleekness, adding extra interest and verve. Utterly linear and driven, this will relax into a sleek, sound beauty with just a little more bottle age. Ready from summer 2016 and for at least a decade after.
This immediately presents itself in fine fashion. Ripe berry, generous oak and rooty notes form a complex nose. Spot on across the palate, with depth and freshness, this tastes of cherry, blackberry and mocha. A deep finish with exemplary balance confirms both quality and value. Drink through 2019.
High-altitude (up to 1,800 feet) mainly north-facing vineyards give this wine its intense character. It is crisp, tight, mineral and concentrated. Acidity cuts through, making this wine right for seafood and spicy Asian cooking. The aftertaste continues this fresh, textured character.
The potential of Mourvèdre in Bandol is amply shown in this generous, ripe, spicy wine, the fourth vintage from Damien Roux at this estate. It has dark tannins and dense black plum fruits along with a powerful, brooding mineral character that will allow this impressive wine to age. Drink from 2018.
This is a terrific American debut for this winery, which blends Syrah from the Gimblett Gravels and Te Awanga subregions. It's full-bodied and richly textured, with bold blueberry and raspberry fruit combining seamlessly with savory notes of black olive and marinated beef. Drink now–2025.
Dark in color, this aromatic brooder brings notes of pencil lead, herb and black and purple fruit. Flavors are rich and liquorous, showing tannic heft along with a bit of astringency. The variety isn't readily apparent but the wine is delicious all the same.
Aromas are quite light, with notes of woodspice and herb. The palate is more showy, with sweet, ripe purple-fruit flavors backed by oak spices, missing a bit in the middle.
This garnet-colored wine has aromas of black fruits, black plums and violets. Flavors of tobacco leaf, cherry vanilla and cinnamon wash over the palate before the long finish.
This 100% Kekfrankos has characteristic aromas of red raspberry, pomegranate, green pepper and forest floor. In the mouth there are flavors of dried cranberry, tart cherry and a touch of jalapeño pepper. Tannins are soft and the finish is pleasantly acidic.
This wine's floral, lightly jammy red berry aromas smell like nice bath soap. It's tight and raw on the palate, expanding a bit with air. Its mix of red fruit and herbal flavors is linear and lively, although the finish is slightly abrasive.
This garnet-red-colored wine has aromas of red summer fruits, especially red raspberry, and flavors of cherry and blackberry. The tannins are soft and fine and there's a bit of an astringent finish.
Jasmine, honeysuckle and gardenia aromas show on the nose of this bottling, which also offers peach custard and ripe grapefruit skin scents. The palate is welcoming and very familiar, with butter, sea salt, lemon and ambrosia melon flavors, all framed by solid acidity.
This deep ruby-colored wine features a bouquet of blackberry, tar and smoked meat. Chalky tannins provide a backdrop for a medley of fruit and savory flavors, including black cherry, cassis, flint and bacon. The soft finish is marked by a lingering smoke note.
Unusually set in a Burgundy-shape bottle rather than the normal Bordeaux bottle, this low-sulfur wine comes from a biodynamic vineyard. It is ripe with yellow fruits and rich acidity. It has a rounded character, with an edge of minerality and light spice. This delicious wine is ready to drink.
This wine shows light aromas of blue fruit, plum and spice. The palate boasts sculpted fruit and barrel flavors, conveying a good sense of structure and balance.
All estate-grown grapes go into this early release. Juicy cranberry and raspberry fruit, tart and slightly savory, backs into drying tannins, finishing with a touch of stem.
Mixed berries, cracked pepper and baking spices mark the nose of this red, a blend of 52% Shiraz with 48% Cabernet. It's full bodied and supple on the palate, with spice notes accenting mulberry and cherry leading into a softly dusty finish tinged with cocoa. Drink now through 2020.
Steely and sharp yet delicately sweet, this medium-bodied Riesling keeps a balance between austerity and forward fruitiness. It's vibrantly fresh, with crisp grapefruit and lemon flavors anchored by a core of acidity. Drink now through 2021 to enjoy its freshness.
Shiraz (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (28%) and Malbec (12%) combine in this medium-bodied silky-textured blend. Hints of eucalyptus linger around the margins, while the core of the wine features raspberry and cherry fruit. It's soft and easy to drink, and made for near-term consumption.
This Monastrell's scratchy, slightly soapy berry and cassis aromas are on the sweet and ripe side. Its baked plum and berry flavors are fleshy and lack focus, finishing with abrasive tannins.
Smoky, gritty aromas of road tar are accented by briar patch, cherry and cassis notes. This is a generous Cab that bumbles a bit on the palate. Flavors of cassis and baked plum benefit from integrated spice notes, while this offers tastes of chocolate and herbal spice on the finish.
Fred Brander and winemaker Fabian Bravo study Sauvignon Blanc through several bottlings each year, but this Santa Ynez Valley appellation cuvee is an early favorite for 2013. Delicate flinty notes on the nose are bolstered with honey dew and apple. The palate leads with a lot of zing that evolves into flavors of kiwi and pear, with a slightly buttery, almost vanilla finish.
This structured but refined Barolo opens with a fragrance of blue flower, woodland berries, leather and balsamic notes. The palate is young and still austere but displays black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove, cinnamon and mint alongside youthfully spirited but noble tannins and nervous acidity. Give this time to develop. Drink after 2020.
An inky black 100% Petite Sirah that's smoky and soft, luxurious in nuanced and complex layers of black and blueberry fruit, black pepper and wild game. An incredible offering from the Napa Valley.
Despite persistent gaseous, rubbery aromas, this is superb in the mouth, with bright acidity and a firm, unwavering structure. Plum, raspberry and integrated oak create a fine flavor profile, while the finish offers cocoa powder and toast notes along with juicy acidity. Drink now through 2025.
Compact, inky aromas of blackberry, balsamic notes, earth and smoke are complete. This is lively yet full-bodied in feel, with dark, toasty black-fruit flavors that come with hints of chocolate, pepper, herbs and fig. A long, toasty, slightly hot and burning finish keeps this smoldering for a while. Drink through 2018.
Initially this smells chunky, gaseous and heavy, but with airing things turn toward minerality and red-berry scents. The palate is immediately pleasing and deep, with good structure and strong but tame tannins. Meaty red-and-black flavors are dense and delicious, while the finish is broad shouldered, with a stout feel and moderate complexity. Drink through 2018.
This earthy wine opens with slightly funky aromas including tilled soil, game, leather and just a whiff of farmyard that quickly burns off. The delicious palate delivers ripe black cherry accented with notes of cracked red pepper, orange peel, sage, thyme and licorice. It's still tightly tannic so give this time to unwind. Drink after 2020.
In its youthful state, the wine has an earthy character that will soon move into a ripe, fruity while always structured state. Rich and  fruity now, it's likely to become a serious, ageworthy wine.
This lovely effort shows both finesse and generous ripe fruit. A soft smudge of mocha—or maybe halvah—lingers gracefully through a lengthy finish. The complexity and supple integration of fruit and barrel mark this as the best of an excellent lineup from Dominio IV.
This is Syrah at its rich and rugged finest, with aromas of grilled game, freshly turned earth, barnyard and even body odor. Once sipped, flavors of a blackberry-crusted roast and clove emerge, with serious tannins that will promise ageability. It's good for drinking now, but can hold until 2017.
It's crafted by one of the six Lodi Native wineries using native yeast and neutral barrels. Savory and distinctive, it offers smoky, peppery, meaty complexity and mellow fruit flavors. Full-bodied but not tannic, it has a velvety texture and finishes soft but long. It seems made for mealtime.
From the Gainey family's Sta. Rita Hills ranch, this begins with aromas of buttered popcorn, vanilla, pineapple and crushed rocks. Once sipped, golden apple flavors integrate superbly with a lime pith tartness and a slight brioche character on the midpalate and finish.
Immediately this presents itself as being a big, potent package. Smoky, dark aromas are briary and heady. This is huge in the mouth, with blackberry and wild herb flavors. A finish of chocolate, fig and prune is rich but right for the gig. Drink through 2018.
This full-bodied Shiraz is muscular yet supple, with soft tannins framing dark, savory notes of sour plum, black olive and brown sugar. The long finish adds mocha and roasted meat nuances to the complex mix. Drink now–2025.
“Today, as in the past,” reads the title of this wine. Rich and full, it was aged on the lees to give extra weight and body. The result is ripe with yellow fruits as well as citrus, with full-bodied flavor. It could well age until 2015.
This is arguably the best MC Cáceres has bottled. Dense, smoky aromas of bacon, toast and blackberry are showing well. A concentrated yet balanced palate is home to flavors of ripe black fruits accented by proper doses of spice and leather. A toasty finish is black as night, with coffee and hard spice notes. Drink through 2020.
Compact and harmonious up front, this three-grape blend delivers aromas of oak, dark berry fruits and prune. The palate is saturated and fully ripe, with wide tannins that don't grate. Jammy berry, raisin, coconut, tobacco and creamy oak flavors finish long and ripe. Drink through 2018.
From vines planted in 1999, this nicely oaked effort shows full ripeness without sacrificing details of forest and mushroom. Cherry cola, iron ore and a palate-pleasing dose of barrel toast all contribute to the lengthy finish.
The reserve is a barrel selection and demonstrates its special status with pretty floral topnotes suggesting rose petals and body soap. In the mouth it's a substantial wine with juicy red fruits, excellent texture and impressive length. A lick of milk chocolate puts the frosting on the finish.
This structured wine opens with aromas of forest floor, tobacco leaf, porcini mushroom and dark berries. The concentrated palate delivers crushed black cherry, black pepper, espresso and licorice supported by a tannic backbone. Drink after 2017.
Well-balanced, ripe and toasty, it has all the elements in the right place. It's rich, packed with spice, apricot and red apple fruits given a creamy texture by the wood aging. The wine could benefit by waiting until 2015, although it's delicious now.
This intriguing effort starts off a bit odd, hinting at scents of maple syrup, mint and tomato. Thankfully, it quickly rights itself, morphing into a complex herbal mélange laced with mocha and plum. There's a sense of restraint to it on the midpalate, but then a surge of vibrancy on the long, velvety finish. Ready to drink.
A blend of wines from caillottes stony soil and Kimmeridgian marl, this is an amalgam of ripe fruit and tense mineral texture. Together these two styles give a complex, impressive wine that has great concentration as well as aging potential. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of kirsch and spiced plum mix with smoked meat, blue fruit and assorted herbs, with the Viognier (4%) blended in adding a floral top note. The palate offers dense, layered blue-fruit flavors that glide on the finish. Best by 2020.
Opening with aromas of fresh and dried herbs, this wine follows with notes of blackberry, flowers, and black currant, with smoked meat and black olives providing undertones. The black fruit flavors don't hold back, packing a powerful punch.
A slight majority of Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 47% Cabernet Franc to offer an explosion of chocolate, blackberry jam and bitter black tea against more classical undertones of brushy sage and cedar. A powerhouse of a wine, it finishes in grippy tannin and oak. Cellar through 2023.
A rare reserve-level Cabernet only made once before, this 100% varietal wine hails from esteemed Kiona and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Char and dark roasted coffee aromas meld with notes of herbs, spice and black fruit. The flavors are dense, layered and concentrated, but also show finesse and detail, with the palate broadening out considerably over time. The tannins are polished but still tightly wound and will benefit from an extended period in the cellar. Best from 2022 to 2028 but has the stuffing to get there and beyond.
Starting with the package, this comes in a lovely, graceful, goosenecked bottle. The wine is equally svelte, buttery and flat-out yummy, a silky, creamy blend of apple, pear, nut butter and caramel. The length, texture and integration of the barrel and fruit flavors make this extra special.
This opens with aromas suggesting espresso, toast, oak, wild berry and exotic spice. The firm palate offers dried cherry, licorice, coffee bean and a touch of vanilla alongside assertive, close-grained tannins that grip the finish. Drink 2020–2030.
This offers a tight texture, toast and spice flavors, and intense juicy acidity. With a firm structure and concentration, it has potential for long-term aging. The yellow fruits are beginning to open up while the more citric character is already giving the wine great freshness. Drink from 2018.
There's an elegant blend of red cherry, rose petal and purple-flower aromas on the nose of this wine. The palate is even more exquisitely layered, with espresso, dark red cherry, black plum, mission fig, North African spice and a touch of mint, all hung on a solid tannic structure.
Truffle, leather, scorched earth, menthol and steeped plum aromas lead the way on this full-bodied red. The brawny palate offers dried black cherry steeped in spirits, blackberry confiture, licorice, cinnamon and mocha alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. You can barely detect the warmth of alcohol on the finish. Give it a few more years to fully come together. Drink 2018–2026.
This is 100% Grenache, aged in one-third new oak. It's a modern style wine, but an immensely seductive one. Baking spices and vanilla frame superripe black cherry fruit, while the texture is plush and the finish long. Drink now–2025.
In any given year, one or the other of Trignon's varietal cuvées excels, and 2013 is a Marsanne year. The delicate aromas of white pepper and spring blossoms immediately intrigue, and the flavors don't disappoint. This wine is floral, spicy and fruity all at once, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
Rich and round, this boasts aromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, mocha and a hint of baking spice. Smooth, polished tannins support juicy flavors of black cherry, fleshy plum, cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of chopped herb while a chocolate note closes the finish. It will make fine drinking over the next few years. Enjoy through 2020.
The inviting aromas mix smoke, tobacco, cassis and cedar. There's no fat on this wine; it's lithe and lingering, with fresh blackberry fruit along with black olive and graphite. It should drink quite well now through 2026.
Big and bold, this opens with aromas of ripe berry, leather, forest floor, truffle and a whiff of aromatic herb. The muscular palate offers crushed black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, anise and a hint of thyme framed in assertive but ripe tannins. Thanks to the juicy fruit flavors, you'll on barely detect the warmth of alcohol on the close.
This wine is closed and firm in character, but has considerable potential. It has the makings of a mineral and spice-flavored wine that is textured while showing ripe yellow fruits and a citrus backdrop. It needs to wait; drink from 2017.
The nose on this bottling is quite complex and alluring, with an array of herbs—thyme, rosemary, lavender and other purple flowers—set against fire-roasted plum fruit. Slightly lighter than other Petite Sirahs, the palate offers flavors of mulberry, boysenberry, baked fennel, black pepper and beef roast.
This soulful red opens with earthy aromas of black olive, leather, ripe berry and a whiff of game. The round, enveloping palate delivers fleshy black cherry, blackberry preserve, tobacco and clove alongside firm, velvety tannins. Showing the heat of the vintage, it's already rather accessible but it also has some staying power. Open a couple of hours in advance to let this breathe.
This wine is a blend of Merlot (41%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Cabernet Franc (29%). Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, barrel spices and red and black currant lead to a rich mouthful of power-packed fruit flavors that lead to a warm finish.
This wine is equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre topped off with Syrah (8%). The aromas offer fascinating, focused notes of coffee, bacon fat, crushed gravel, spice and herbs. The blue-fruit flavors bring a sense of purity and delicacy, fleshing out over time.
Satisfying waves of black cherry and cola combine in force in this rich, seductive and juicy vineyard-designate. Made in a full-bodied, robust style, it integrates the firm tannin into a supporting role, finishing in spicy clove.
This is a blend of several vineyards, including Pratt Vineyard Vine Hill and Gap's Crown. The wine captures the excellence of both sites in its minerality and fruit-forward nature. Rich, heady caramel and nutmeg mark the nose as the palate comes into balance, part tropical vanilla, part briny sea salt.
From a cool-climate site farmed by the Dutton family, Manzana is beguilingly floral in dried rose petals. Soft, sublime and tangy, the palate conveys orange and cranberry. Light in color, this wine offers plenty of body and weight, with fresh blackberry compote on the finish. The wine will age well; drink now through 2023.
Brown sugar dots itself around grippy tannin and black fruit, cedar never far behind on the senses. Resolved, firm tannins balance against a brightness of acidity that manifests in a citrus-tinged finish. Drink now through 2023.
A touch saucy on the nose, with tomato and herbal aromas infiltrating baked berry fruit scents. Feels fresh and clacky, with less extract and body than in the past but also more elegance. Tastes snappy and mildly herbal, with a juicy, slightly lean finish. Food friendly; drink now through 2013.
With only 30 cases imported, this clean and vibrant wine might be a tough find. The bouquet is surprisingly bright, with notes of garrigue and peppery spice dominating the plum, cherry and fresh fig aromas. Smooth and silky in the mouth, soft tannins and a mineral streak make this surprisingly approachable now.
There's a wild streak to this wine, with prominent aromas of cured meat and fresh savory herbs paired with cherry and strawberry scents. The mouth is quite filling and lush, with beautiful sweet spice and chewy bark flavors adding character to the close. 80% Syrah and 20% Carignan; ready to drink now.
Earthy on first impression, then more vital and modern, with raspberry and plum aromas along with a dose of oak. Full and showing a powerful grip in the mouth, with cassis, black cherry and chocolate flavors. Sweet and very ripe late, with a touch of raisin as it fades away.
Cola, spice, peppercorn and compost aromas are present and accounted for. Firm, structured and tannic across the tongue, with refined but powerful herb, blackberry, carob and spiced flavors. A lush and generous wine with mocha and herbal notes on the finish. Only 200 cases made.
A fine expression of mineral Sauvignon Blanc, very textured with green herb and fruit skins giving a tense shape to a wine that could age. It's finely balanced, the refreshing acidity cutting right through the wine.
Lemon spray and savory cheese-rind notes mark the nose and palate. Having seen some time in oak, this boasts a round body and mild acidity.
This white is quite tropical, with a hot, spicy note of jalapeño. Light in terms of texture and body, it finishes with a suggestion of orange peel and mango.
Stalky, earthy aromas of roasted, raw berry fruits suggest underripeness. This feels solid on the exterior but weak in the middle. Creamy, oaky plum flavors have a bitter, roasted quality, while on the finish it's heavy, creamy oak in charge.
Forest-floor aromas of mushroom and herbal berry and plum open this Peruvian Malbec that's tight and drawing on the palate. Baked plum, chocolate and pounding oak flavors finish heavy, with notes of prune and carob.
Radiator dust and Animal Cracker aromas are not typical of Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, this opens with mild citric notes but quickly shifts to flatness. Pithy orange and apricot flavors finish yeasty, with a distant hint of citrus zest.
Banana, powdered white candies and creamy coconut make an appearance on the nose of this Sauvignon Blanc that sees time in neutral oak. Dull tropical-fruit flavors mark the palate, with watery papaya in the lead. Mild acidity works hard to enliven the slightly lazy finish.
Sweet tannins and an extracted, concentrated sense of brambly blackberry make for a robust wine, puckering in weight and oak. Rustic, leathery overtones dominate the bouquet and finish.
Fairly shy aromas of crushed grapes and grape seeds show on the nose of this widely available wine. It's also quite reserved on the palate, offering just a touch of plum, grape and earth elements.
This medium-bodied Chardonnay smells sweet like marshmallows but tastes dry. It shows mild peach and lean apple flavors, a slight earthy touch and crisp-enough balance.
This wine has a bitter edge to it, although attractive fruit lies underneath. It is juicy, packed with red fruits and acidity, although that surface bitterness is off-putting.
Raspberry aromas come with olive-like accents. This feels wiry and pinched, while the combination of snappy, sharp acidity and heavy oak clash, creating short red-plum flavors. On the finish, this flattens out and lacks length.
Spiced red berries meet earthy floral tones on the nose. Round in feel, the palate carries red currant and strawberry tones, flecked by warm spice flavors. Burnt brown sugar signals the close.
Peach, yellow plum and underripe banana tones mark the nose. Banana makes an appearance again—in candied form—on the medium-bodied, almost oily palate. Sharp lemon citrus tones race on the finish.
This Riesling is an odd one. Aromas of yeast and peach blossom come with a note of cured ham, while the palate is sticky and low in acidity. Creamy, honeyed flavors alongside green melon, vanilla and yeast finish waxy and creamy.
Combining 80% Sémillon with 20% Sauvignon Blanc, this is an intense, oaky and almost caramelized wine. Off dry, with the producer reporting less than 1% residual sugar, it retains a sweetness of baked melon and peach, finishing ripe and round.
There's a patch of grass at the heart of this wine, followed by dry, nearly puckering layers of lemon and lime that reach an apex of dryness on the finish, accented in jalapeño.
Mashed berry aromas are joined by toasted notes on the palate. Sprightly bubbles form a foamy mouthfeel, with sharp acidity driving to the finish.
Piercing woody aromas create a fiery nose of spicy red-fruit scents. Narrow, gritty and scratchy in feel, this tastes of red-berry fruits, vanilla and buttery oak. The finish hints at buttered movie popcorn.
Red fruits dominate this wine with its soft tannins and wild strawberry flavors. It is young, although with its gentle texture it is ready to drink now. The wine comes from the northern part of the Mâcon region.
The Hautes Côtes need a good vintage to shine. The 2013 was not one of those vintages and this lean wine shows its structure more than its fruit. It gives a dry, tannic character that is unlikely to soften greatly. It could be worth waiting and drinking from 2017.
Touches of cinnamon and spice accent crisp red apples in this dry, medium-bodied rosé. The palate is tart but refreshingly brisk on the finish.
Forced, heavy oak aromas lie around as this smells like lacquer, mint and horse hide. Thick, chewy and tannic, this tates mostly of resiny, heavy oak. On the finish, it's so woody that you're left with an artificial aftertaste.
Powerful spice and charred wood aromas and flavors dominate this full-bodied wine blended with 13% Zinfandel. It is quite unusual for the type, if tasty in its own way. Flavors resemble toasted bread, cloves and blackberry jam.
A faint nose of lemon starts things off. Simple and clean on the palate, that same citrus character pervades, keeping things short and snappy.
Herbal aromas of tomato leaf and bell pepper are typical of Carmenère. This feels clipped and choppy, while flavors of herbal plum and berry turn in the direction of bell pepper prior to a raw, scratchy finish.
Sticky-resin aromas are derived directly from the barrel. This is cloying in feel, with heavy oak flavors and oily tropical-fruit notes.
From Napa and Sonoma in equal measure, this wine is herbal, slightly green, while also dense, syrupy and mouth-coating in tannins.
Aromas of tropical fruit and lime are restrained on the nose. The palate is soft and a bit flabby, with papaya and yellow-apple flavors that become more pithy and bitter on the easy finish.
Soft and rich, this is powerful stuff. The texture is velvety smooth, the dark tannins very much second fiddle to the superripe fruit. Raisins and red fruits bring in some acidity, but even this fruit flavor is almost sweet in its richness. Drink now.
Browning and maturing, but still showing a ton of life and kick. This traditional-style wine is mildly roasted on the nose, with touches of leather, latex and other firm aromas. The palate is nice, with dry raspberry and cherry flavors finishing with power and length. Solid and respectable, but not something you'd label as special. Drink now–2014.
You wouldn't call this wine “clean and polished.” It has some old country brett along with fig, earth, mushroom and liqueur on the nose. That said, it's dishing up heavy servings of chocolate and baked berry pie flavors. A big, bulky wine that's already losing clarity. This won't be for everyone.
This Albariño grows on you right away. The wine starts out shy and clean, almost as if it were neutral. But as it opens you'll see that citrus, saline and tropical fruit flavors emerge. By the time it's fully unraveled the wine is smooth as glass, comfortable and just right for drinking now.
This is all about rich, tarry red fruit flavors, layered with some dense fruit tannins. It's a warm wine from a hot place, concentrated and full. With flavors of superripe black fruits, this could be aged, but is definitely ready to drink now.
This wine exhibits all of the hallmarks of a good Bordeaux blend: balance with power, poise with spirit. Its gamy, spicy nose leads into elegant, supple layers of earthy spice, brooding fruit and a lingering finish. This wine can age but it's good right now. Imported by Sante Wines.
Light, tart and carrying its cherry, pomegranate and cranberry fruit with precision, this lovely bottle will satisfy those who like their fruit upfront, and also those who want some substance on the back end. Pleasing roasted coffee and chocolate streaks reflect the aging for over 10 months in French oak (30% new). There's a well-managed earthy note also, adding depth and interest.
Ripe, smooth, velvet textured wine, layering dark chocolate, black plum skins, dense tannins and a big, solid structure. It tastes powerful from the ripe tannins and big fruit, finishing with fresh acidity.
Ripe, tropical and laced with pineapple, nectarine, green banana and melon. This is the best Don Olegario we've had in the past three vintages, and that's because it's here in the year after harvest, as it should be. Thus it's fresh, smooth and tight, with hints of petrol, pepper and citrus pith toughening up the finish. Drink now.
The Gunderloch wines are among the best from Rheinhessen, even their non-site-specific wines like the Diva spätlese. Aromas of bergamot, pear and fresh greens give way to ripe pineapple, citrus and herb flavors. It's fresh and zippy, offering a lot of refreshment value in an off-dry style.
Sweet citrus-flavored wine, with a good intensity of flavor from the ripe Malvasia grapes. There's a delicious perfumed character, pineapple and tangerine. The acidity is a fine part of this rich wine.
Slightly rooty and warm, with a nose that's one part stewy and malty and another part complex and fruity. In the mouth, vanilla and spice add character to common berry fruit flavors, while the finish is silky and fairly long. Overall this is a nice, handsome wine with balance and character. Expect to be pleased but not blown away.
Rustic, smoky and deep on the nose, with a creamy body holding up commendable raspberry and plum flavors. Valenciso deals medium-level acids and tannins, with oak-based mocha and chocolate carrying the finish. This wine is so close to reaching the next level, but it doesn't quite get there.
This wine seems a bit stretched—it has been pushed to its limits, and perhaps beyond. The flavors are complex, and dance up against the borders of over-ripeness, with prune, smoke, balsamic, tar and earth all in evidence. Right now this is a fascinating bottle, but it may or may not age.
This debut effort from a small, family-owned winery offers light, pretty scents of Dr. Pepper, red berries, rose petals and vanilla. It's a delicate wine, sculpted to capture the nuances of Pinot, without attempting to bulk it up unnecessarily. The flavors play out sweetly across the palate, finishing with milk chocolate and spice.
This intense late-harvest Gewürz is full of honey, mashed nectarine, apricot purée and ginger. Full in the mouth with a thick, velvety texture and a long, lingering finish that evolves from sweet to spicy.
This has pungent aromatics of petrol and grass, and the flavors follow. It's a reasonable style for the Sauvignon Blanc grape, but it likely will not appeal to all palates.
Aromatically speaking, this Pinot is rustic, roasted and rough, with notes of leaf and asphalt. The feel is grabby and sticky, with chewy tannins in front of the chunky, raisin-like flavor. The finish is baked and rubbery tasting.
This is a rustic Syrah, with a simple, grapy flavor. The tannins are a bit rough-and-tumble, but the wine is perfectly quaffable with burgers or pizzas.
This botrytis-affected Riesling is dark and unctuous, with a nutty stone-fruit aroma and a petrol-like accent. The feel is tight like Sherry, while the flavors of citrus peel, cinnamon and resin lead to a creamy, sticky finish that comes with some heat.
Forward and fruity, this offers flavors of berry and plum. It feels a little flat on the palate, with some peppery tannins and a quick fade.
A hard, piercing blackberry aroma forms the greeting on this full-bodied, dark-styled Merlot. Look for roasted, peppery black-fruit flavors and a spice-dominant finish that comes with mint and herbal notes.
This has lemony and slightly bitter citrus-skin flavors that are made for fresh seafood and shellfish. Notes of tart lemon and green pineapple are matched by the substantial acids.
This is Pinot Noir at its lightest, reminiscent of a German Blauburgunder. Delicate, just-ripe flavors suggest rhubarb and wild raspberry.
This bottling is classic in its ample, smoky marshmallow, campfire and jam sandwich flavors. The palate is laced with notes of red licorice and vanilla.
A bright and fruity wine, this is packed with red cherry flavor and fragrant acidity. Fresh and open, this is ready to drink.
The cool conditions that defined the 2011 vintage in Chile are draped all over this Chardonnay. The nose deals notes of applesauce and oaky cinnamon, while the palate is sleepy, with very little happening. Flavors of spicy oak rest on top of white fruit flavors, and the finish is neutral and acidic.
There is an attractive lemon tang to this wine, as well as bright acidity and a creamy texture. It has plenty of fruit, and a sense of lightness that would make it a great apéritif.
There is a significant change in the flavors of this wine following the outstanding 2009 version. Case production has almost doubled, but the light aromas and flavors seem heavily scented with black pepper, with additional herb and cherry flavors on the finish.
Medium bodied, this wine has layers of dark red fruits, plus touches of earth and tobacco, especially on the finish.
Willamette Valley Vineyards' vintner Bill Fuller planted the Draper clone vines that go into this wine at his Tualatin Vineyards in 1973. Buttery barrel flavors are immediately apparent—highlights of butterscotch, vanilla and spice around a core of ripe apple fruit. It seems to gather strength throughout the sip, with a lingering finish. Drink 2019–2030.
This reserve-level wine is a barrel selection from a particular block of the vineyard. It's aromatic, with wet hay, raspberry and cherry scents. The flavors have a lightly spicy lift, punching through with a chipotle pepper-like edge but finishing on ripe fruit. Best through 2022.
Star anise, new leather, eucalyptus, dark spice and woodland berry are just some of the aromas you'll find in this scented red. Its firm and elegantly structured palate evokes Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and clove. It's young but balanced, with bright acidity and a backbone of refined tannins.
This wine comes from vineyards high on the hill above Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro vineyards. With solid tannins and dark fruits, it is still developing. Powerful and ripe, it shows its wood aging in the spice and toast flavors. It needs to wait a little, so drink from 2018.
Fleshy, intensely ripened pineapple, melon and tangerine flavors seem glazed with honey and spice. It's a decadent deeply concentrated Spätlese spiked with sunny acidity and a lingering trail of honey on the finish. Enjoy now through 2022.
This is deliciously deep, with ripe raspberry, blackberry and black cherry fruit in abundance. It retains a tart, tangy bite of acidity as well, and a touch of sweet barrel toast from aging in 30% new French oak.
Star fruit and citrus notes build into riper peach and tree fruit flavors. A hint of powdered sugar colors the finish, as does a burst of buttered toast. Still integrating, this will reward further cellaring. Drink 2019–2030.
Formerly the deLancellotti vineyard, Silice brings fresh, supple flavors of bright raspberry and cherry fruit. A distinctive ashy stone note forms the bassline, holding the finish firm. It should benefit from another year of bottle age. Or give it a long decant to enjoy now.
The aromas are light, with notes of moist earth, smoke, cassis, herb and berry. The saline and fruit flavors are silky in feel, bringing a sense of concentration and texture that keeps the interest high. There's plenty of minerality throughout along with a lengthy finish.
Aged in a mixture of concrete and stainless steel, this wine brings perfumed aromas of crushed stone, flowers and peach. The flavors are mineral laden, broad and silky in feel, showing an impeccable texture and sense of balance. This shows a beautiful sense of freshness.
This serious wine is spicy both from wood aging and from the natural character of the Cabernet Franc. It is rich, intense and with layers of red fruits balanced with a strongly smoky character. The wine has a tight texture, suggesting it needs further aging. Drink from 2019.
From dry-farmed, own-rooted vines planted in 1965 by Charles Coury, this selection is remarkably fresh and forward. Lush strawberry and black cherry flavors comingle, with chocolaty tannins and exceptional texture, detail and length. It spent 14 months in 30% new French oak. Beginning with the 2015 vintage, it will have national distribution.
Equipo means team in Spanish, and this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot and 15% Cabernet Franc is handled from ground to glass by the labor crew that's worked for Grassini since the estate was founded. They know what they're doing, as this is delicious and complex, with blackberry, black currant, bittersweet chocolate and licorice on the nose. The palate packs black plum, black cherry and charred meat with a cocoa finish.
This impressive wine is full bodied, round and dusty in texture, filled with deep cherry fruit and dark chocolate notes. It finishes long and softly tannic. Drink now–2025.
This is the last vintage from this site from this producer: a sad farewell that doesn't hold back on ripeness or full-figured body. Lush and soft on the palate, it has a strong sense of self, etched in black cherry, chocolate mint and firm tannin. Sock it away and best enjoy beginning in 2024.
This powerful wine has big ideas, as indicated by the weight of the bottle. The wine itself is dense, showing some signs of extraction that give a dry and firm aspect to the wine. A juicy, black-plum aftertaste adds lift.
Ripe and textured, this is a juicy, black-fruit-flavored wine. Power behind the fruit gives firmness and concentration. Acidity and berry fruits contrast with pepper and a bitter edge that needs to soften. Drink from 2019.
This is a sumptuous wine from Viosinho, a grape winemakers almost gave up on due to low yields. With its lees stirred for 18 months, the wine has intensity and a lightly oxidative character. Now maturing well, its citrus fruit is becoming almost toasty, certainly nutty. Great acidity keeps this rich wine full of crispness. Drink now.
Aged in barrel for 12 months, this is a rich wine. Supple tannins are integrated with the spice, toast and the black-currant fruit that are typical of the Baga grape. It is developing well, with its ripe fruits and crisp acidity at the end. Drink from 2018.
This blend of Castelão and Touriga Nacional is well balanced. Spice from wood aging for nine months mingles with the ripe black-currant fruits. A firm wine with rich fruitiness, it's ready to drink.
Doug Margerum takes his mastery of making clean and distinctive Burgundian and Rhône wines into Italian whites with this blend of 35% Pinot Bianco, 34% Pinot Grigio and 31% Tocai Friulano from three different vineyards. Lemon peel, lime zest and crisp nectarine show on the nose while the palate's sparkling acidity reveals flavors of white flowers, lemon cream and pear, all wrapped around a steely core.
This is made largely from Cabernet Sauvignon, incorporating Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah. Thick, rich and lush, it shows dense layers of black currant, blackberry, meat, licorice and cedar. It finishes rounded and dripping in chocolate.
Old vines are the source of this ripe tropical-fruit-flavored wine. It is concentrated and dense with a flinty texture that is taut and nervy. There is a crisp aftertaste that gives the wine its delicious lift. Drink the wine now.
Wood aged and ripe, this is a structured wine that is full of fruit and still young. It has bright cherry flavors that have been softened and smoothed out by the wood aging. There is also a mineral edge to the fruitiness. It will be a rich wine but it needs more time. Drink from 2019.
A very dark color and intensely ripe aromas precede flavors of black cherry, blackberry jam and brown sugar in this full-bodied and thickly textured wine. It's impressive for the level of concentration and sense of saturation.
This rich wine is concentrated and full of fruit. That is balanced by the mineral texture that gives the wine its depth and intensity. With a touch of nutmeg and with fruitiness that is still young, the wine needs to age. Drink from 2018.
Tightly wrought and still young, this is a concentrated wine. It has great fruitiness that is tangy with a strong mineral texture from the silex soil. Green asparagus and lemon fruits are combined. Drink this complex wine from 2019.
Layers of crisp nectarine, lime and tangerine burst from nose and palate of this vibrant Kabinett. While sweetly honeyed, it's a wine with precision, calibrated by zesty acidity and elegant crushed-mineral tones. Its lovely already but should maintain its intensity through 2021.
So fresh and inviting with lovely sweet pea and grass florals alongside soft notes of ripe nectarine and melon. The prickly mouth is loaded with orange oil citrus and a hint of banana unfolds on the long finish. A very clean and satisfying hand-picked Chenin Blanc that's a versatile wine for food pairing.
If you don't mind a bit of herbal character, this is a nice, easy drinking Syrah with raspberry and cherry aromas and timidity as opposed to a forceful attack. Zesty berry fruit rules the palate, which finishes in round, roasted form. Nice but sort of generic.
Melon and pineapple fruit flavors offer something a little different from other white varieties, and while the wine is full and round in the mouth, it remains focused on the finish, a touch of honey balanced by citrusy notes. Drink now.
A simple, fruity wine that features ample pink grapefruit and gooseberry aromas and flavors, this is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it delivers those bold fruit flavors with authority. Drink up.
A hint of stuck flint adds a touch of complexity, but this is basically a simple, fruity Sauvignon, imbued with ample passion fruit flavor. A hint of green herbs comes in on the finish.
Aromas of tree bark, vanilla and herbs mix with peppery red fruit scents, while the palate is comfortable and herbal, with plum and dry oak notes. Peppery on the finish, and overall this is a nice but standard Chilean Cabernet that should strike most as being familiar.
Angel Vine (formerly Three Angels) now offers three single vineyard Zins as well as this blend, with includes Primitivo and Petite Sirah. Sweet, briary fruit, with a pleasing brambly character, runs through the mouth leaving a chocolaty trail. There is just a hint of leather and funk.
This is a rather light, surprisingly delicate take on Petite Sirah, with pretty aromas of violets and spice. When first poured it seems shut down; it opens slowly but has a bit of a hole in the middle, before moving into a tannic finish with dark chocolate and licorice.
The entry-level wine from Sacha Lichine's Château d'Esclans. It is soft, broad, with more caramel and spice than fruit. It is definitely a food, not an apéritif, wine.
Despite the reasonable price tag, this is a very good bottle of Cabernet, the kind that should be poured by the glass at your local steakhouse. The mixed berry and cedar flavors are easy to like, and it has enough crisp acidity and silky tannin to stand up to rare beef without being overly heavy or rich.
From one of the top estates in Provence, this is a rich wine, packed with fruits. It has a layer of spice and caramel, and an edge of fennel and herbs. For food.
Spicy, herbal and toasty on the nose, but the palate fails to meet the promise of the aromas. It's acidic and sharp at its center, with grabby tannins along with regular plum and boysenberry flavors. A big-bodied red with rough tannins and outsized acidity.
Chunky and a bit dull smelling, with apple, melon and peach aromas. Papaya and green melon flavors seem to be flattening with age, and the finish is long but nondescript. Drink now or wait for the '09. Imported by Alamos USA.
This tastes lean, the fruit buried deep beneath hard, dry fruit tannins. There is an old style austerity here that demands food. The final juicy acidity does leave a welcome relief.
A pretty floral nose starts this fortified dessert wine from Limnos, made with Moscato. Easygoing sweet, floral flavors are rich and unfolding. Pair with creamy cheeses or rich desserts.
Light aromas suggest butterscotch and baked apple, and indeed this is a soft SB with creamy, plump flavors of peach, melon and sugar. Sweet on the finish, and then it falls off the cliff before winding up a little mealy and bitter.
A nose with apples, vanilla and pear, and flavors of flowers and pears are found in this delicate Pinot Grigio. Spicy but floral, with a quaffable character.
A nose of black cherry and red berry leads on this Romanian Merlot, followed by flavors of cherry and spice. Backed by a solid tannic structure but slightly acidic, this wine will pair well with grilled meats.
Black fruit aromas blend with rubber to give the impression of hot tar, while the palate is higher in acid than expected, leaving a flavor profile of zesty raspberry and black cherry. Heat and black licorice stir up the finish. Decent but limited.
This is an ideal summer white. It's light but crisp on the bouquet, with whispy pear, apple and citrus aromas. Freshness reigns on the palate despite there being pulpy citrus flavors. Another wave of citrus carries the clear finish to a precise ending. Delicious white wine.
Intense smoke and nut-skin aromas add an earthy, savory minerality to rich, sweet Meyer lemon and orange-peel notes on the palate of this delicate yet powerful wine. There's massive complexity here, revealing itself in layers and layers on the long, lingering palate.
This Syrah-Cab blend is an oaky specimen with no shortage of vanilla, cream and sawdust on the nose. In the mouth, it's quite rich, almost to the point of being syrupy. Flavors of blackberry, toast, vanilla and popcorn announce even more generous oak, while the finish is warm in feel, with baked fruit, mint and vanilla flavors. Drink now–2017.
From grapes picked in February 2012, this light, delicate wine is still young, still finding its balanced acidity and fruit. It has a soft, almost gentle fruit and honey character that hides the intense acidity. It needs several years' aging.
Along with the Carmenère from Reininger, this stylish example belongs in the cellar of anyone with a hunger for this unusual variety. The green olive/herbal nature of the grape is carefully managed, and provides a nuance rather than a dominant flavor. At the core is tart red berry fruit and a wash of dark chocolate.
This is a sleek Malbec, adorned with generous baking spices around a firm core of wild blueberry fruit. It's brambly and attention-grabbing, with good length and a bit of dark chocolate in the finish.
The blend includes a hefty 22% Syrah, but the varietal stamp of the Mourvèdre shines through. Red plum, truffle and smoke are joined by a streak of vanilla. It's attention-getting and distinctive, dense and velvety. A wine to pair with wild game or smoked meats.
Honeyed lemon and white floral notes are bright,brisk and breezy on the nose and palate of this exceptionally refreshing off-dry Riesling. It's nervy with acidity and steely minerality, with a delicate spritz that gives the palate extra effervescence and vibe.
Lush flavors of preserved peach are touched with notes of savory herb, lanolin and blossom on this dry, but deeply penetrating Riesling. Bright lemon acidity shines through a textured, glycerine sheen on the palate, lingering long with a murmur of crushed slate and stone.
Strong tannins are a given with varietal Petite Sirah, and they are here in force, along with dark, deep notes of licorice, vanilla and cassis fruit. It's a big wine throughout, with very ripe fruit that never veers into jammy flab. Just plain delicious all the way through the long finish.
Easton's small-production Barbera is tight, showcasing its mountain-grown fruit, and quite savory and leathery in style. With a backbone of blacker fruit than Cooper Ranch, it's earthy and ready for mushroom-laden pasta dishes or risotto.
After a foxy, jumpy smelling bouquet with animal fur aromas and minerality, this six-grape blend settles and shows its better colors, namely ripe baked-fruit flavors, a whack of oaky vanilla and lastly a modest, smooth finish with just enough acidity to provide kick and pizzazz. Give this blocky, full-bodied blend time in the glass and it will reward you. Drink through 2018.
This Southern Rhône-style blend is half Mourvèdre, 32% Grenache and 18% Cinsault. It's a well-thought-out combination, with impressive minerality along with pretty berry and cherry fruit. Drink now or within the next five years.
Best of show at Torii Mor in 2010, the Olson Estate bottling is full-bodied with brambly berry fruit at its core. Notes of pepper, poppy seed and tangy citrus are threaded throughout, and the wine has medium-term aging potential.
With a dollop of Carignane, also from old vines grown organically in Mendocino County, Carol Shelton's Wild Thing ZIn is a fun ride, rich, robust in juicy raspberry fruit, fragrant in vanilla, balanced and approachable. In screwcap, it's a good bottle to grab on the way to a picnic or barbecue.
Despite hot conditions in 2012, this manages to deliver pungent aromas of nettle, green herbs, passion fruit and pink grapefruit. It's clear and straightforward in the mouth, with passion fruit, lychee, lime and tangerine flavors. A long finish holds off on the bitterness while maintaining exuberance and pop.
Sharply defined with fruit flavors of melon and green berry, this has real cut and drives through the palate with confidence. It's a great food wine, neither wimpy nor too assertive, and it's made to be chilled and set out with any white-wine-friendly food.
Full of flavors and aromas of grapefruit and pear, this delightful Chardonnay is super-crisp, with restrained barrel influence. Like a freshly baked pie, it's bright and satisfying.
Tart sour-cherry and preserved plum flavors add freshness to this bold, spicy blend of three Croatian grape varieties. Ruddy hints of chocolate, hay and leather combine with bold tannins on the midpalate, driving the finish that's surprisingly delicate and chalky.
Assertively grassy, this pungent Sauvignon Blanc also carries a fairly strong diesel scent. Call it Pouilly-Fumé in style, though as a New World wine, it has more fruit, without the bracing minerality. The finish is clean and medium in length.
This opens with strong scents of rubber, burnt leaf and funky berry that stay with the wine all the way until the finish. It feels wiry, tight and jumpy, with raspberry, plum and leather flavors, plus a rubbery note on the finish.
Officially launched in 2011, this is a fresh and fruity style of the classic fortified wine. Lively notes of strawberry and cream, white cherry and fresh bay leaf dance on the nose, while the palate boasts flavors of small red berry and vanilla spice.
This is heavy and raisiny, with ripe earth and mineral aromas that are suggestive of Port. It feels loaded and scratchy, with licorice, prune and pepper flavors that finish short and with some heat. A bullish style to drink now.
Soft, tangy and fruity, this is a ripe wine that shows both freshness and richness. It's approachable now, and full of creamed apple flavor. Delicious to drink as an apéritif. Screwcap.
Rhubarb and peach pie flavors are at work in this pleasant rosé. It's clean and refreshing, with just the right profile for that leftover holiday turkey or ham.
Fleshy stone fruit and waxy orange rind aromas introduce a dry, intensely minerally palate that rippples with lemon-lime acidity. Flavors of tart pineapple, citrus and fennel frond linger on the finish.
Brambly, leathery and roasted on the nose, this features raspberry and plum aromas in the backdrop. It feels fresh, clampy and forward, with a mix of leather, herb, plum, tomato and spice flavors. A solid wine with traditional Rioja character.
Tame black-fruit aromas are leathery, darkened by asphalt and tar notes. This wine feels good and round, with plum and berry flavors that accompany resiny oak. Fruity, nice and pleasant, it doesn't announce itself as special or elevated.
Made of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, this elegant, structured wine opens with spicy red berry and underbrush notes with a hint of toast. The firm palate offers dried black cherry, clove and mocha flavors, framed by assertive but polished tannins. Drink 2018–2025.
There's a beechwood smoke touch to the nose of this bottling, accenting a core of dried purple flowers and black raspberry. It's well integrated on the palate, where smoke and dark, tangy fruit mix with white pepper and an acidity that carries its flavors into the finish.
Still young and tight, this breathes open slowly, with bright and expressive raspberry fruit. There's a pleasantly buttery edge to the mouthfeel, and the tannins, though still stiff, are polished and nicely balance out the finish. Drink 2018 to 2026.
Forest floor, leather, tobacco and menthol aromas take shape in the glass. The palate is tense and vibrant, offering raspberry, pomegranate, licorice and espresso notes, bolstered by tightly wound tannins. Drink after 2020.
This block selection strikes a good balance between forward fruit, spicy barrel, tangy acids and a textural, lingering finish. It's medium bodied and well balanced, with a finish that leaves an impression of astringent tannins.
A block-designated wine, this shows both purpose and focus, offering a linear expression of stony minerality, crisp lemon and peach. To complement that vibrant freshness, there is a fullness of mouthfeel and a nuanced gravelly texture.
Another of the single-vineyard Pinots from Brooks, this offers spicy cherry, chocolaty raisins, and dusty tannins. It penetrates and lingers, showing a lot of baking spices from its 18 months in French oak. There's a lick of sea salt caramel wrapping up the finish.
Made of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this polished red opens with black-skinned berry and leather aromas. The smooth, medium-bodied palate evokes dried black cherries, cinnamon and white pepper, while fine-grained tannins provide elegant support. Enjoy through 2021.
Lifted notes of rose water and honeysuckle blossom rise immediately from the glass. They remain just as perfumed on the palate, clothing peach fruit in floral fragrance. There is a pleasantly bitter edge and just enough freshness to stand up to the opulent flavors. This finishes medium sweet and has a perfumed finish.
Made with the involvement of Hubert de Bouärd of Château Angélus as consultant, this wine is superrich and packed with dark fruit. Despite its high alcohol for a Bordeaux, it is balanced and fruity with tannins the are comfortably cushioned by the fruit and freshened by acidity. Drink from 2021.
Produced by the team from classed growth Château Giscours, this is a successfully ripe wine with smoothly integrated tannins. Cushioned by the ripe fruit, the structure is concentrated and impressive. Drink this wine from 2022.
With 135 acres under vine, this is a large estate. The high percentage of Merlot in the blend gives this rich wine its ripe blackberry smoky fruits. It is juicy and really fruity with just enough tannin to give the wine shape. Drink this wine from 2020.
This is a small property under the same ownership as Château du Cartillon in the Haut-Médoc. The wine is ripe, juicy and with delicious blackberry fruits. It has a dark core of tannins ready to push the wine forward as it ages. It will certainly need time, so wait until 2021.
This 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot blend comes from an estate just north of Saint-Estèphe. It reflects the structure and density of that appellation. Bold, ripe and fruity, it will age well. Drink from 2020.
This is a structured wine that has both firm tannins and ripe black plum fruits. It is concentrated and serious, the wood aging and the fruit tannins giving a lift and richness to the spicy fruit. The estate, dating to the 17th century, has 96 acres. Drink from 2021.
Pure notes of black cherry rise from the glass. The palate comes in with equal purity and quite some concentration. There is a creamy richness countering that fresh crunchy cherry fruit which shimmers and shines. This is medium bodied, bone dry but juicy and wonderfully aromatic, even elegant.
Smooth, polished and suave describes this tenor of a wine that ranges from high notes to dark plum and fig baritone flavors that resonate through the lingering finish. It's a deft blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.
From a small parcel of land that is not designated as classed growth (rare in Pauillac), this is a richly satisfying wine. It is full of complex tannins as well as juicy red-berry fruits. There is also structure to give it the chance to age. Drink this wine with its delicious potential from 2022.
A totally luscious notion of tropical fruit on the nose is surprising: both pineapple and passion fruit appear. The palate is light and slender, fresh and precise, but the tropical richness persists. This is intriguing, delicious, dry and fun. The finish is whistle-clean.
Spicy forest notes speak loudest in this wine, which has a quiet texture of tightly woven tannin and supportive oak. Complex and savory, its fruit is subdued, marked by wild strawberry and minty herb.
This is the second vintage of sparkling wine production for winemaker Blair Fox but the first he's controlled from start to finish, and the early results are exciting. Zesty lime, graphite and raspberry scents lead the nose, while red plum, pomegranate and citrus flavors converge. It's full and foamy on the palate.
A solid Pinot Noir for its price, this offers all the expected flavors and strikes a balance between richness and freshness. Wild cherry, anise, sagebrush and slate aromas lead into a palate that packs ripe red fruit upfront, followed by tangy elderberry, plum skin, hibiscus and rose. A touch of elderflower adds depth.
In its second vintage, this wine is light and spicy, clearly made to be enjoyed with food. A collaborative effort between winemaker Guy Davis and proprietor/grapegrower and chef Guy Fieri, it shines in subtly toasty oak, cinnamon and dark cherry flavors, with a lingering lushness on the finish.
This jumps up and grabs you by the nose immediately, with bright scents of fresh raspberries and highlights of coffee grounds. A lively wine, with immaculate fruit, the concentrated flavors blend strawberries and raspberries, with supporting acids and just a nice touch of barrel flavors.
A note of reduction still clings to the nose. The palate, however, expresses lemony freshness and sprightly fruit, coated with a darker earthier aspect. The body is dry and concentrated and shows lovely easy freshness. On the finish the lemon wins out and finishes with clean-cut freshness.
Mineral aromas of gravel, graphite and crushed slate show on the nose of this bottling, leading into baked black plum and oak notes. It's a refreshing example from an appellation that tends toward richer, jammy styles. The palate offers raspberry and dried thyme flavors, with a touch of eucalyptus.
A restrained nose leads to spicy brown sugar, baked plum and cherry notes in this voluptuously crafted, tangy wine. It shows the warmth and depth of the appellation while retaining measured acidity and freshness.
Cedary plum and berry aromas are savory and ripe, but not overt. This feels layered and almost lush, with grabby tannins. Flavors of blackberry, baking spices, cocoa and mocha finish chewy, chocolaty and long. This is a serious Merlot to drink through 2019.
This is a well-built, elegant Zinfandel, with restrained blackberry, sagebrush and wet clay aromas on the nose. A chalky structure shows on the palate, where wild mint and thyme notes add nuance to the elderberry and black plum skin flavors. Patience and cellar time will allow further aromatic layers to emerge.
An interesting blend of 24% Viognier, 24% Roussanne, 24% Chenin Blanc, 14% Chardonnay and 14% Sémillon, this offers aromas of buttered brioche, waxy apple, white melon rind and firm pear. The medium-weight palate is well-balanced and harmonious, the ripe fruit tones countered by ample acidic lift. A hint of salinity enlivens the finish. Drink now–2018.
Glimpses of savory earth and pressed apple on the nose turn brighter and fresher on the palate of this exceptionally light, honey-kissed Riesling. It's an interesting wine that calibrates dark and light elements deftly. Bristling notes of lemon juice and pith lead a long pleasantly astringent finish.
Big and powerfully structured, this opens with aromas evoking truffle, sunbaked earth, fruitcake, iris and a whiff of game. The round meaty palate shows raspberry compote, fleshy morello cherry, clove and a hint of nutmeg alongside chewy tannins. You'll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish. Drink through 2023.
Spicy red-berry and earthy aromas give way to a free-flowing palate with structure and tannic grip. This tastes of dark-berry fruits, brandied cherry and chocolate. A finish based on jammy berry fruits and spice is mature yet still a bit tannic and scratchy. Drink through 2022.
This is a fully structured, Alicante Bouschet-dominated wine from the Redondo region in the heart of Alentejo. Its juicy black fruit is firmly anchored by tannins and acidity. Concentrated and still likely to age, it will be best from 2018.
Ripe pineapple, apricot and honey aromas presage a full-bodied, ripe wine. The melon and stone fruit flavors are broad and soft, lingering on the finish despite relatively low acidity. Drink now.
This opens with aromas of ripe berry, cake spice, leather and blue flower. The juicy medium-bodied palate offers black plum, wild cherry, coffee and star anise framed in chewy rounded tannins.
The top wine from this estate is a blend of Syrah and Braucol. It is still firm and tannic, rich with perfumed black fruits. Made from the property's oldest vines and wood aged, it has hints of licorice as well as a toasty edge. The wine needs to be aged, so drink from 2020.
This is a fine combination of ripe berry fruits and powerful tannins. It is dark and structured, with powerful concentration and fine acidity. The wine is just about ready to drink, still firm with a rich fruity aftertaste. Drink now.
From vineyards in the eastern Douro Superior region, this perfumed white is soft, smooth and finely balanced. The acidity is just right, giving the rich pear fruit a crisp edge and refreshing aftertaste. Drink now.
From a vineyard at 1,400 to 1,800 feet in elevation in the rocky mountains above Malibu, this bottling offers loads of citrus pith on the nose, with a nutty warmth and touches of lemongrass and chilled apple flesh. It's full and rounded on the palate, finishing on Macadamia nut, white peach, sea salt and pecan notes.
Old vines in a walled vineyard are responsible for this ripely structured wine. It has dense tannins and equally concentrated black fruit and acidity, needing more time to develop and yield its full fruitiness. Drink from 2018.
This wine has a fruit-forward nose of black plum and lingonberry. Fully integrated on the palate, it offers flavors of raspberry, strawberry, dried plum and mocha. Soft tannins gently coat the tongue and gums before making way for the pomegranate-graced finish.
Winemaker Mitch Cosentino blends 12% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc in this densely textured wine that opens slowly in the glass. Cassis, cherry and leather are bound by a solid frame that's structured to age.
Syrah (64%) takes the lead on this blend, which is fleshed out by Grenache (27%) and Mourvèdre. It comes from vineyard sources rarely seen in a bottle at this price, including Boushey, Olsen, Les Collines, Stoney Vine and Destiny Ridge. Aromas of sage and herbs lead to a panoply of sleekly styled fruit and savory flavors, showing a pleasing sense of balance.
Underbrush, toast, dark-skinned berry and eucalyptus aromas lead the way. Firmly structured and elegant, the palate offers dried cherry, cranberry and star anise framed in fine-grained tannins. A coffee note wraps up the finish.
This restrained, focused, well priced and crowd-pleasing Chardonnay shows butter, Gravenstein apple, Meyer lemon and almond touches on the nose. On the palate, poached apple fruit is interwoven with lemon and vanilla.
This 100% Lagrein, opens with aromas of blueberry, nutmeg and a balsamic note. The juicy balanced palate delivers cassis, black cherry and vanilla alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2019.
Made entirely with Pinot Nero, this opens with aromas of black cherry, raspberry and a balsamic note. The refined sleek palate offers strawberry, Alpine herb and graphite while supple tannins provide the polished framework. Enjoy through 2019.
Aromas of tropical fruit, French oak, hay and a nutty note lead the way. On the linear palate, bitter almond, vanilla and butterscotch accent yellow apple. Racy acidity provides the framework while a hint of Alpine herb closes the finish.
Quite dark in the glass, this bottling offers black plum skin, clay, gravel and berry pie aromas. The mouthfeel is full of polished tannins and edged with sharp acidity. Dark fruit and wet earth flavors dominate.
This bottling is extremely chalky on the nose, with white rock aromas dusting its Asian pear, buttercream and grapefruit pith scents. The palate is tense and Chablis-like in style, offering lemon pith and sour orange rind flavors that settle into more lavish almond cream tones on the finish.
Hints of waxy honeycomb and grilled peach whisper on the nose of this wine, with assertive threads of baking spice, honeysuckle and lemon verbena weaving throughout. The plush palate is smooth and round, though with ample lift to enliven the finish and the ripe fruit flavors of melon, toasted apple and creamed pear. Drink now–2019.
Nicely dry and well structured, this full-bodied wine will provide serious enjoyment at the dinner table. It has all the ripe, juicy berry qualities of the grape variety and adds moderate tannins for a firmer mouthfeel. Layers of blackberry, cherry and pepper flavors make it especially interesting.
Clingy, concentrated peach and pink grapefruit flavors abound in this fresh, fragrant semisweet Riesling. Zesty acidity balances out all the sweet, juicy fruit, highlighting a long, pleasantly astringent lime pith finish.
Foresty berry aromas are backed up by baking spice, cola and toasty oak notes on the nose of this chewy, dense, fairly tannic Malbec. Plum and blackberry flavors come with an exotic note of cardamom along with coffee and dry oak. On the finish, this feels resiny and tastes a bit herbal. Drink through 2020.
This is well-made in a classic Oregon mold, which is to say, putting plenty of herbal highlights into the mix. There are light red fruits in abundance as well, and the flavors meld well through a medium-long finish.
Blended with 16% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine brings notes of herb, fig and spice. The palate is full and well balanced, showing a touch of warmth on the finish.
This is a perfumed wine, attractive with floral aromas and generous black fruits. It has plenty of tannins as well as concentration, and looks set for a rich, structured future. Drink from 2018.
Aromas of butterscotch, spice and red fruit are followed by fleshy fruit flavors. The palate shows a pleasing sense of balance, though the tannins bring a slight grit.
This wood-aged wine is still young. It has plenty of bright fruits and a smooth texture from the dominant Chardonnay in the blend. A mineral edge to the apple and peach fruits shows along with crisp acidity at the end. It will become a rich, smooth wine as it ages. Drink from late 2017.
Aromas of violet petal and gamy berry fruits come with a strong oak-based whiff of sawdust. This feels blocky and generically big, while saucy berry flavors taste roasted, with a strong hint of clove. On the finish, this remains roasted and saucy tasting.
Racy berry aromas come with a hint of oaky cinnamon. This feels raw, tannic and dense. Flavors of roasted plum, dry oak, savory spices and grilled meat finish firm and taste toasty. Drink through 2022.
This wine is grassy in aroma, lively and crisp in texture and tastes almost like fresh-sliced Pippin apples. It is fresh and well balanced, perfect for appetizers and seafood.
This style of Barossa Semillon is a far cry from that practiced in the Hunter Valley. This version is medium to full bodied, with waxy, pineapple notes and a crisp, linear finish that features just a hint of honey. Drink now.
This is an unusually firm, structured Pinot Noir for $20. Floral notes and hints of ripe cherries mark the nose, while the flavors feature cherry and vanilla. Probably best paired with slightly fatty or rich dishes, like roast pork.
This well-priced effort is loaded with flavors, in a forward, fruit-powered style. Streaks of root beer, cola, earth and citrus create a nicely layered mouthfeel, but it's the ripe, sweet fruit that really shines here. It's perfect for drinking now through 2020.
The Stalker is made by drying the stalks before embarking on whole berry fermentation. It's good to go, with bright cherry-candy flavors, light spices and a tart cranberry kick to the finish.
This wine breaks on the palate like a slider crossing the corner of the plate, just out of reach. A forward, fruit-driven entry drops into a tart midpalate, with plum and berry fruit. It fades away into a finish with strong acids, light chocolate and a hint of bitterness in the tannins.
This well-structured, ripe wine has spice, as well as juicy black-currant fruits. With a crisp edge as well as a mineral character, the wine should be ready to drink from 2018.
All varietal coming from Candy Mountain Vineyard, the aromas of dark-roasted coffee bean, herb, vanilla and dark cherry provide appeal. Fruit and barrel flavors intertwine on the palate, tapering toward the finish.
Orange blossom and lime zest perfume this ethereally light, pretty Riesling. Chock full of juicy white grapefruit and tangerine flavors, it's a delightfully easy sip, balanced pertly by a zesty acidic edge and lingering sweetness on the finish.
In a ripe and forward vintage, this is an anomaly—a low alcohol, rather gravelly wine with an emphasis on non-fruit flavors. Which is not to say it's faulty—au contraire, it's fascinating, with a well-mixed potpourri of forest floor, moist leaves, gravel and spice. Drink now and over the next couple of years.
While the nose is more mineral than fruit, a crush of fresh white peach and grapefruit flavors explode on the palate of this juicy off-dry Riesling. Spry and briskly textured, it makes for an especially refreshing apéritif.
A yellowish color announces this oaked Albariño. Aromas of sunflower seeds and stone fruits are more mellow than loud. Creamy and full bodied, this benefits from bold malic acidity. Flavors of summer corn, dried apple and wood resin finish salty. Drink now with fish, crab or lobster.
Aromas of crushed stone, oak and a whiff red berry lead the nose. The taut, tense palate offers dried cranberry, smoke, graphite and Alpine herb while tightly wound fine-grained tannins provide the firm framework. A blast of orange peel closes the finish.
Wild berry, chopped mint, sun baked soil and violet aromas meld together on this solid savory red. The juicy straightforward palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and cinnamon alongside chewy tannins. Enjoy through 2018.
This enjoyable white opens with aromas of pressed white flower and exotic fruit. The aromas follow over to the round palate along with banana and a hint of toast.
Inviting apple, citrus and stony aromas precede a racy, citrusy palate with bracing acidity. Quick-hitting green melon, nectarine and lime flavors end with a persistent note of green apple. This is the best version of this Verdejo-Viura-Sauvignon Blanc blend in several years. Drink now.
A rare treat from a 120-year-old vineyard, this wine has a dark color, generous aromas and concentrated but dry fruit flavors. It will make a great pairing for robust, rich foods due to its medium body, lean mouthfeel and sturdy support from fine-grained tannins.
Aromas of dark-skinned berry, French oak, wild rose and a whiff of Alpine herb lift out of the glass. Linear and tense, the taut palate offers dried cherry, cranberry, clove and a hint of espresso alongside a backbone of firm fine-grained tannins and bracing acidity. Drink 2017–2020.
Blue flower, baked plum, vanilla and a whiff of resin lead the nose. The juicy, straightforward palate offers dried sour cherry, cranberry, anise and a hint of white pepper alongside fine-grained tannins.
Earthen complexities of smoke, stone and savory dried herb meld into fresh lemon and lime in this zesty dry Riesling. It's a bit lean and airy in texture, accentuated by spray of spine tingling acidity in the midpalate. Enjoy now through 2020 to enjoy its invigorating feel.
Aromas of herbs and desert brush blend with raisiny berry scents. This feels grabby and tannic, while jammy, herbal berry flavors flatten out with airing. A loamy tasting finish loses some intensity and spirit as this settles.
Stone fruit-fuzz and sugar apple combine along a freeway of thick texture and voluptuous flavor in this full-bodied white, aged in both new and neutral French barrels. Creamy vanilla adds additional richness and texture as it finishes strong and ripe.
The wine is stalky with tight tannins and just a touch of spicy wood. It has acidity, bitter cherry fruits and structure. Drink now.
This wine is produced from organically grown grapes. It is aged in tank, giving a wine that is all blackberry fruit with a crisp texture as well as generous tannins. With touches of Dão minerality, the wine is ready to drink.
Named after the crickets whose sound is heard in the Dão region in summer, this soft wine has a ripe texture and generous black fruits. Its acidity is balanced to give the wine weight. Drink now.
This is a generous, richly fruity and well-oaked wine that blends almost-jammy cherry and blackberry flavors with sweet-seeming accents like vanilla and cinnamon. It's relatively soft in texture and easy to sip.
This blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Nerello Mascalese has game, black plum and orange peel aromas that carry over to the straightforward palate. Polished tannins give it a smooth texture. Drink soon.
This comes from one of the new waves of wines from Alentejo that are fermented in clay amphoras. A fruity wine with lots of acidity and gentle tannins, it's ready to drink.
The wine is ripe and fruity with peach and apricot flavors and a soft generous texture. It does have a citrus touch which gives a crisp edge to this otherwise warm wine. Drink now.
This Alicante leads with red-skinned berry, rose petal and cooking spice aromas that carry over to the juicy, straightforward palate. They're joined by a gamy flavor and smooth tannins that leave an easygoing impression. Enjoy soon.
This is pale in color, with light aromas and strawberry, spice and herb notes. The fruit flavors are also restrained, seeming faint but still bringing appeal.
Made entirely from Nero d'Avola, this opens with mature plum, blackberry and cooking spice aromas. It's juicy and easygoing on the palate, with fleshy black cherry, raspberry and ground pepper hints accompanied by round, smooth tannins. Drink soon.
Aromas of plum, black currant and blackberry are heightened by dried cranberry, with hints of bell pepper and white pepper. Firm tannins on the palate are balanced by the acidity, with brambly flavors of blackberry and plenty of pepper. The tannins linger through the finish, with note of white pepper and bramble.
This wine's violet, baking spice and herb aromas carry over to its bright, straightforward palate together with sour cherry, pomegranate and a blast of orange zest. Bracing tannins and racy acidity, although assertive, provide support.
Sour berry, coconut and camphor aromas lead the way while the firm palate offers toast, vanilla, espresso and chocolate-covered cherry flavors. Grainy tannins grip the finish.
Owing perhaps to its youth,this remains an uneasy mix of acid, oak, apple and citrus. It has strong components that are not entirely integrated. Another year or two in bottle would be a good idea.
Soft and fruity, this bright lively wine is crisply refreshing. It has juicy acidity that is flavored with apple and grapefruit flavors. Tangy at the end, it is ready to drink.
The wine comes from silex soil around the small village of Saint-Andelain. Crisply textured, it has vanilla and spice flavors to fill out the intense acidity. The aftertaste, still young, brings in a steely tight texture. Drink from 2018.
This is an aromatic, flowery wine, fresh on the palate and delicious with strawberry and apricot flavors. Some spice goes with the fruitiness and fresh, tight aftertaste.
Medium bodied and refreshing, this vibrant wine—made with organically grown fruit—delivers baked apple, citrus zest and bitter almond flavors. Crisp acidity provides balance while steely mineral energizes the clean, linear finish.
Ripe and tangy, this full-flavored wine may miss out on some fruitiness but it has plenty of other flavors with herbs, spice and pepper. The blend holds 50% Mouvèdre, 25% Tibouren, 15% Grenache and 10% Syrah selected from old-vine plots. It could wait a few months, so drink from the end of 2015.
A classic rosé blend of Grenache and Cinsault, this is soft, crisp and fruity. The smooth texture gains attractive lift from acidity and raspberry fruits. It is light and bright at the end.
This blend of Sagemoor, Weinbau and Heather Hill vineyards displays barrel aromas of cocoa and woodspice followed by dark cherries. It's medium bodied with abundant dark cherry and barrel flavors backed by gruff tannins.
Initially there is too much burnt wood flavor in this wine. It's only slowly that the red fruits begin to show, leaving a fresh, if lightweight character before attractive final acidity.
Produced in the area of the Alpilles mountains surrounding Les Baux de Provence, this fruity wine is full and ripe. A touch of caramel gives richness and balances the acidity and the intense red currant final fruitiness. The blend is Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mouvédre and Cabernet Sauvignon
From vineyards near Bandol, close to the Mediterranean coast, this full and fruity wine has a lighter side with its fresh acidity. Red berry flavors are cut with a lemon zest texture, the aftertaste bright and refreshing with its acidity. The blend is 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Carignan, 10% Rolle and 2% Ugni Blanc.
This creamy, oaky Malbec opens with aromas of rubber and raw oak, although with airing black plum, blackberry and chocolate scents rise up. Full, creamy and jammy in feel, this tastes of black plum, blackberry, chocolate and vanilla. A heady, oaky, sticky finish wraps it up.
This opens with unusual aromas of moist soil, hay, truffle, underbrush, baked bean, molasses and black-skinned fruit. The palate offers prune, espresso, dried black cherry, thyme and anisette alongside bracing tannins.
Aromas of blue flower, dark berry, scorched earth and a whiff of oak spices come together in the glass. The palate offers dried cherry, game, ground pepper, toast and espresso alongside grippy, drying tannins.
A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this opens with aromas of red currant, cooking spice and a lightly toasted note. The sleek, easy palate doles juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and mocha alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. Enjoy soon.
Aromas of ripe berry, allspice and blue flower lead the nose. On the palate, notes of white pepper and clove accent a core of juicy black cherry. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink through 2016.
Very juicy if straightforward aromas of blueberry and blackberry rise off of this fun and easy-drinking Syrah from the Carhartt family, whose estate is in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley. The palate builds on those ripe elements with a bit of tar and dried fruit.
Reductive at first, this wine opens to show aromas of coffee, dried herbs, carob and eucalyptus, with the barrel notes initially taking the lead followed by blue fruit. The fruit flavors are silky in feel with abundant coffee and plum notes backed by rustic tannins.
Aromas of underbrush, leather and blue flower lead the nose on this blend of Sangiovese and 15% Colorino and Canaiolo. The fresh, easy-drinking palate delivers wild cherry, raspberry and a hint of licorice alongside supple tannins.
This wine is soft and rich with dense apricot and red berry fruits over a spice layer. That gives the wine a tangy character, textured with minerality. A bite at the end comes from the pepperiness.
A soft, full-bodied wine, this has touches of caramel and ripe strawberry flavors. It is rounded, smooth and rich, while the acidity adds the essential freshness.
A generous expression of full-bodied fruit and oak, this wine is ripe in black cherry, plum and black licorice, robust and flavorful. The finish offers integrated tannins with a hint of cinnamon spice.
A relatively tiny offering from the winery, this white showcases a 44-acre estate site planted to the variety since the 1970s and offers subtle aromas of lemon and lime. Medium in weight and mouthfeel, it ventures into ripe kiwi and pear before ending in a lift of wet stone.
This opens with aromas that recall mature plum, resin and nail polish. The palate offers fleshy blackberry, nutmeg, anise and vanilla alongside fine-grained tannins. A subtle warmth of alcohol marks the close.
An inaugural release, this blend of Mourvèdre (85%) and Cinsault is pale copper with salmon tinges. Aromas of strawberry and rose petal lead to dry, full-feeling fruit flavors that linger.
This structured, mineral wine has a fine tension between tight acidity and zesty acidity that gives it a nervy, crisp character. It is still developing, with its steely structure still dominant; drink from 2017.
While Savigny is better known for its red wines, its whites have a rich, soft character that makes them accessible when young. This wine, from 40-year-old vines and aged lightly in wood, is structured, mineral and full of crisp green and white fruits. Drink from 2016.
The pale, pink-gray color indicates how light this wine is. It does have attractive red fruits, crisp acidity and a refreshing shot of green apples, all packaged in a dancing, buoyant body. Drink now.
This ripe and full-bodied wine has a wonderful balance between pure acidity and ripe yellow fruits. From chalk and clay soils, it's both mineral and rich, both fresh and warm. It could be drunk now, although it will be much better from 2016.
Brûléed banana and peach lead the aromatics and flavors of this French oak-aged Chardonnay blended with 15% Petit Manseng. A rich, creamy palate is balanced by a tart pineapple and lemon-curd vein, moving to a toasted vanilla finish.
Spicy, tarry, gritty aromas of asphalt and olive drive the bouquet. This feels ripe and full bodied, with stewed plum, herb and cardamom flavors. Toast, dark-berry flavors and mint are the key notes to the finish.
Aged nine months in 20% new French oak, this enjoyable offering brings notes of cedar, cranberry and cola. True to the vintage, the flavors are richer in style while still retaining acidity with firm, tightly coiled tannins and a mesquite filled finish. Drinking young right now, hide this one away in the cellar for a while.
This is a satisfying Syrah with profound notes of white pepper that ease smoothly from the nose to the palate. Beyond savory, earthy characteristics, there is also bright raspberry too. Priced fairly, there's no reason not to give it a try.
This opens up with a heady fragrance of apricot and Spanish broom. The palate offers fleshy peach and juicy lemon flavors, along with notes of pineapple and almond that support the wine's bright acidity.
The fruit sources—Klipsun and Gamache—are excellently displayed in this white that includes 8% Sémillon. A bracing, cool blast of citrus, white peach, melon and cucumber is buoyed with crisp minerality. The wine spent seven months in 15% new French oak.
Already showing some maturity, this is a finely perfumed wine, its fruitiness tempered by secondary aromas and flavors that bring out herbs and an edge of steel. The aftertaste with its juicy acidity, is totally refreshing.
This white blend of Vermentino, Moscato Giallo, Fiano and Pinot Grigio is elegant and austere with notes of lemon and grass. Herbal and fresh, it shines with Vermentino's distinct personality. This is a unique white blend from Mendocino with Italian roots that's definitely worth trying.
A Merlot and Malbec dominated Bordeaux-style blend with a splash of 7% Syrah added to the mix, it's lightly aromatic with notes of herbs, plum and blueberry. The fruit flavors are light in style, with quite firm tannins that need some time to unwind.
Windthrow is a southern Rhône-style blend consisting of 55% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre and a mix of Grenache, Counoise, Cinsault and Viognier. There's a whiff of truffle and pine resin, along with tart red fruits and supporting acidity. It's balanced and moderately long.
Herb, spice, wild berry and wood aromas set up a round palate that's bigger than medium but not huge in size. Definitive Carmenère flavors of herbs, wild berry and spiced plum finish with moderate bitterness and tannic support.
There's lots of grapefruit and kiwi flavor here, as well as a touch of creme brûlée. High toned in style, it has a rounded body, along with a suggestion of herbs. The finish is long and satisfying.
Floral notes, as well as hints of lemon, pear and pineapple introduce this high-acid white. It's full-bodied on the palate, and intense and well integrated, with a finish that's delightfully spicy with ginger.
Aged in wood, this is an unusual style of Pinot Blanc for Alsace. The toast flavors are subtle, leaving plenty of room for fresh fruits, light acidity and creamy texture. It's ready to drink.
This is a light, fruity wine that's ripe with perfumed quince and tropical fruit flavors. The palate is satisfyingly balanced with tight, bright acidity. This is wine that is not for aging, and ready to drink now.
This 2011 Lola is light and creamy, with hints of buttered apple, from aging in 18% new French oak. It finishes soft, supple and lightly spiced.
This wine opens with a pretty fragrance of blue flower, black fruit and spice. The juicy palate is one dimensional but delicious, offering ripe black cherry and blackberry layered with milk chocolate. It's extremely accessible so enjoy soon.
Beautifully floral on the nose with hints of fresh apple, lemon and peach, this dry, delicately textured Riesling fills the mouth with ripe grapefruit and lemon flavors. Its sprightly and crisp in character but finishes long with a hint of white-tea astringency.
Trinity's first-ever reserve is a beauty; half the barrels were new French oak, half neutral. Well-defined with juicy, citrus-flavored acidity, the cherry/berry fruit runs deep and true, while the oak aging adds buttered toast and nut oil. It offers exceptional value for the price.
The Carabella, Hyland and Thistle vineyards continue to be the fruit sources for this gorgeous wine that's tart and stylish. The well-blended flavors mix citrus, tea, mineral and toast, and the length is impressive. Drink through 2025.
Aromas of dark berry, wild flower, Mediterranean brush and dried herb lead the nose on this structured wine. The ripe, delicious palate boasts juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and anise flavors that are framed in velvety tannins. It's balanced and elegant, with an energizing mineral finish. Drink through 2022.
In 2012, my favorite of the Kumeu River Chardonnays is the medium- to full-bodied, creamy-textured offering from Hunting Hill. Think streusel-topped citrus, but dry, with a long, harmonious finish.
Juicy Alicante Bouschet shines in this smooth, rich wine. Dark tannins are cushioned by the ripe berry fruits and opulent texture. Wood-aging has given extra richness to this powerful and complex wine that needs time. Drink from 2017.
A lovely 100% Viognier fermented and aged in both stainless steel and neutral oak, this wine opens with come-hither aromas of night-blooming jasmine and white flowers, evolving in the glass into a bright, viscous expression of honey and almond. Concentrated yet lively, it's a beautiful wine.
The winery sources this fruit from a vineyard near Hollister. It delivers aromas of bramble berry, espresso-dipped cherry and allspice. Cherry and chocolate power the palate, which also benefits from lifting mint, sagebrush and eucalyptus, finishing with chopped herbs.
This demonstrates, as well as any other example, that exceptional wines were made in the often-maligned 2011 vintage. Cranberry, raspberry, cola and allspice elements are woven gracefully in a lovely wine that closes with just a faint, beguiling whiff of smoke.
Black in color and inky on the nose, this ultra-concentrated, superripe Tempranillo is smoky and toasty, with accents of graphite along with blackberry. An extracted, dense palate is braced by solid tannins and healthy acids. Blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors conclude this rich, flashy wine. Drink 2016–2021.
Purple in color and minerally and deep on the nose, this modern-style Rioja deals aromas of wood smoke, blackberry, cassis and more. The palate is big and bulky, but balance is no issue. Toasty blackberry, chocolate and coffee flavors hold onto a toasty, blackened character on a flush, dynamic finish. Drink now through 2022.
From four estate vineyards with an average vine age of 33 years, this sparkles in creamy texture and sophisticated, yummy flavors of tangerine, grapefruit and pear. Stony minerality plays on the palate throughout, buoying complex components of jasmine and a lingering, more concentrated finish of honey. With plenty of structure and stuffing, it'll only get better over time, through about 2018.
The 2011 Hunting Hill is an immediately seductive Chardonnay. Toasted nuts, grilled white peaches and hints of pineapple all come together on a sumptuous midpalate, then finish bright, citrusy and long.
Honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas are pristine on this dry, luxuriously textured Riesling. Ripe melon and stone fruit flavors drench the palate in lush waves, accented by cool tones of steel and acid. Enjoy now for its lavish perfume and fruit, but even more from 2020 for intense textural complexity.
Four decades of experience shine on this Josh Jensen bottling, which mixes luxuriously ripe wild berries, raspberries and cola with the sharper spice of sweet clove and dried violet. It's bright with acidity, picking up licorice in the midpalate and finishing on a tart, slightly bitter note of crushed cranberry. This will sip well for a few years but is amazing now.
This wine has both great richness and a cool, stylish side. It's structured, with a strong streak of minerality as well as as spice and pepper. It has a cool, restrained feel at the moment, waiting for the time to burst out with its complex structure. Hold at least until 2017.
The heavy bottle is quite unnecessary with this impressive wine that boasts its own richness and weight. Honeyed, smooth with an opulent, rounded texture, it is also so well balanced with its acidity. This beautiful wine will still develop. Drink at its best from 2017.
The Eichberg vineyard, one of the driest in Alsace, is on a gentle southeast-facing slope. This Gewurztraminer shows the opulent style of wines that are typically produced. It is rich and generous, developing cinnamon and nutmeg flavors balanced by superripe tropical fruits. It still has a way to go, so drink from 2017.
Pfersigberg, the hill of peach trees, is an apt name for this ripe wine. Yellow and tropical fruits show strongly along with spice, bergamot and concentration from the 50-year-old vines in the wine. The chalk soil gives a touch of minerality to the aftertaste that remains rich and full-bodied in style. Drink from 2017.
This winery is at the extreme edge of the pick-early, low-alcohol movement, which can make the wines challenging for the usual California Pinot fan. But this Pinot begins on familar territory, with heady aromas of dried violet and scarlet rose, damp forest floor, and cinnamon-laced cranberry sauce, managing to be both brisk and funky. The flavors are light and tart, but will pick up more savory characteristics from 2018–2024.
While the wine is very sweet, the sweetness does not stand out as much as the intense spiciness. It's a gorgeous wine without excess, textured and with minerality. The aftertaste has a light touch of acidity. It's impressive now, although it will be better from 2018.
Even the richest, spiciest wines from Rieflé-Landmann retain freshness. So this hugely spicy wine still has a crisp element that gives it a great lift. It's structured with some dryness at the end as a contrast to the more honeyed opening. Drink from 2018.
This is a great example of the power that can come a Grand Cru vineyard. It's opulent and dense, but more than that it has intense energy and drive. Although the wine is marked as medium sweet, the spice and pepper give it a dry, tight, nervy edge. The wine is still young and will be best from 2017.
This is the granddaddy in the Emilio Moro portfolio, but the wine is so ripe and oaky it's syrupy-smelling. Maximum ripeness means it's a bit Port-like on the palate, with baked black-fruit flavors that finish soft and jammy. This brims with power, extraction and flavor but it's grasping for structure. Drink through 2019.
Balanced and graceful, this barrel-fermented gem runs the gamut from apple to pear to peach, all framed with lively acids tasting of citrus and stone. It goes long and deep, with toast and spice beautifully proportioned.
This comes from one of Josh Jensen's vineyards that got barely a half-ton an acre this vintage. It offers aromas of sandalwood, leather, dried strawberry and sagebrush and is light and airy on the palate, with medium red fruits, roots and bark complexity on the midpalate. The wine finishes on nuances of hibiscus and black tea.
Delicate floral and stone fruit aromas build buoyantly on this dry, elegant Riesling. The palate is drenched with deep, ripe peach and apricot flavors, yet streaked with long, linear lines of mineral and acid. It's a thirst-quenching but remarkably structured wine at an approachable price.
Dense in tannin and yet bristling in acidity, this youthful wine is still looking for its ultimate identity. Still, it works, as a complex, adolescent combination of cinnamon, clove, cola and dried herb.
This wine brings vibrant aromas of dried orange peel, raspberry, umami and potpourri. The flavors are medium bodied, fresh and pure, showing no new oak influence.
This is the sort of stereotypical Aussie Shiraz the haters love to hate. It's full-bodied, warm and plush, oozing with blackberries and plums and loaded up with vanilla and mocha. Yet it's well done, inexpensive and just plain delicious. Drink now–2020.
Leather, black pepper and fresh compost shock the nose in this at-first fruit-shy, light-bodied endeavor, bright in acidity and a refreshing minerality. Cinnamon and vanilla season the subtle blackberry and raspberry.
Smoky and seductive in black cherry and a healthy dose of Asian spice, this wine is full-bodied and well concentrated in a thicket of blueberry and gamy meat.
Big oak surrounds soft layers of earthy mushroom, clove and tobacco, the wine powerfully built and full-bodied in ripeness. Black pepper and a green note of cedar dot the finish.
From several vineyard sites, this lot selection is tropical and rich on the nose, as well as honeyed and thick on the palate, showing its youthful vigor and the density of the vintage. Fig and papaya meet orange and lemon before a toasted note of coconut oak rises on the finish.
Underbrush, dill, new leather, smoke and spiced plum aromas lead the way. The austere palate offers red cherry, pomegranate, licorice, tobacco and a mineral note set against close-grained tannins that grip the finish.
A moderate level of earthiness is found in this approachable wine, which is friendly and rounded in baked cherry, plum, cola and velvety smooth layers of texture. It pleases for its brisk acidity and integrated oak.
Lovely scents of white spring flower, white stone fruit and citrus set the tone on this vibrant savory white. On the mineral-driven palate, notes of saline and Mediterranean herb accent grapefruit, lemon and white peach. It finishes crisp and clean.
This combines 79% of the variety with 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Together they offer crisp red fruit and a hearty sense of the forest, an aroma of pine persistent and lingering. Silky, with good acidity, it showers the finish in an oaky grip.
Smooth and round in an approachable, big-boned way, this blend has moderate acidity and a grippy finish, while offering flavors of raspberry, plum, crayon and mocha.
Violet in color, this Maule Carignan smells toasty and oaky, like maple and campfire. In the mouth, this is resiny but also flush and acidic. Woody upfront flavors are backed by racy plum and blackberry notes, while this tastes oaky but feels juicy and zesty on the finish. Drink through 2023.
Winemaker Tom Mortimer also produces the outstanding Aubichon wines; this is his own label, and it offers exceptional value. It's stylish, modern and elegant, with precisely-defined raspberry fruit accented with sweet ripe tomato. The wine has a crisp sculpted mouthfeel, and just the slightest suggestion of barrel toast framing the finish.
Blended with 14% Petit Verdot, this is a thickly concentrated and ripe wine, generous in bacon meat, tobacco, mocha and blackberry pie. Creamy in texture, it is a robust version of the variety.
Currant, cranberry and blueberry pop from the glass in this burly, brawny and full-bodied wine from the warm reaches of Calistoga. Soft, rounded tannins wrap themselves seamlessly around the juicy fruit and ample vanilla spice.